From The Critics
This index "offers a single-step approach to locating information about cultivated plants using references in gardening encyclopedias and other horticultural books." It is intended for the amateur to expert gardener and for the librarian who wants to access the wealth of information that already exists in the library Most of the 105 books indexed were published in the 1980s and 1990s. Included are comprehensive reference books (e.g., "Hortus Third"), regional guides (especially those for the desert and western areas), and popular trade books and series (e.g., Taylor's Gardening Guides). Approximately 10,000 species of plants are arranged by botanical name. Each entry gives any variant botanical name, common name, and source codes for the books in which the plant can be found, with pagination. For most plants, there are at least two citations. For lesser-referenced species, references are grouped under an entry for the genus. Since changes occur in plant names, nomenclature reflects predominant usage in the books indexed A list of the indexed books arranged by source code notes arrangement, contents (e.g., hardiness zones, times of flowering, cultural requirements), and illustrations. A second list of the indexed books is arranged by main entry with source codes following. An "Index of Special Plants" refers to special information in source books on such topics as edging plants or deer-resistant plants. Clewis, author of "Index to Illustrated of Animals & Plants" (Neal-Schuman, 1991), has produced a book that will be useful in public libraries as well as meet the special-collection needs of horticultural libraries.
Booknews
An entertaining and informative work that illustrates the debt our idiomatic language owes to the nautical language of the past. A variety of words, sayings, and figures of speech are explained in alphabetically organized entries that also show how the nautical language has evolved into common usage. Four appendices trace related terms, and an annotated bibliography identifies key source materials. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
