Book Notices.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 5, 1 November 1895, Page 3

Book Notices.

A BOOK FOR TO-DAY. By AW. “STORY OF THE PLANTS.” * By Grant Allen.

How to toacli our children vital truths has become a question which is pressing for an answer with greater insistence as its far-reaching importance comes home to us. We are beginning to understand that laws govern the universe, and that disobedience to these laws is visited by a penalty that is inevitable. That as a man sows he shall reap, holds true in the moral as well as in the physical world. How necessary, then, to inculcate in our children the truth that order—not blind chance— rules the world. Who of us shall not stand condemned when reviewing the answers to questions posed by young enquiring minds ? And the lies resorted to at these times have produced an impression on the plastic character of the child which time emphasises rather than effaces. Nature’s methods are not to be mentioned, for degradation ensues in the consideration thereof! iVhat libel, what cruel calumny is this on her ! —so perfect ia conception, so marvellous in her methods, so God-bet raying in her attributes ! When but a ray from her glorious light strikes our dull vision, we stand enthralled, recognising in the very glimpse of truth we thus obtain how blind ar d deaf we are. The writer of “ The Story of tho Plants ” has supplied the need for scientific teaching, whereby true morality may be imparted. In simple, yet charming, language he has sketched the life and growth of plants, their history, and development. The lessons are so clearly taught that their application to our own life’s mysteries is in the reach of all. Mothers can have no difficulty in answering the question, Whence* are we Y propound 'd by the d«*epest thinkers as by little children, after studying this little book. The plan and purpose of the book is set forth in all simplicity by the author in hi** preface. “ I have,” he says, “ free ly admitted the main results of the latest investigations, accepting throughout the evolutionary theory, and making the study of plants a first introduction to the great modern principles of heredity, variation, natural selection,

and adaptation to environment. Hence, I have wasted comparatively little space on mere structural detail, and have dwelt as much as possible on tnose more interesting features in the inter-relation of l he plant and animal worlds which have vivified for us of late years the dry bones of the old technical botany.”