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This work defines more than 10,000 botanical and related terms, and includes cross-references for ease of use. It takes a wide view, including coverage of biochemistry, soil-science and statistics, together with certain obsolete but historically important terms. ... Read more

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This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Botany
Although classification etc. is out of date, the descriptions and drawings make this an excellent botanical source for any student. ... Read more

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This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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Increasingly, forensic scientists use plant evidence to reconstruct crimes. The forensic aspects of this subject require an understanding of what is necessary for botanical evidence to be accepted as evidence in our judicial system. Bringing together the latest information into a single, easy to use resource, this book introduces the basic science underlying the emerging field of forensic botany. The contributors discuss recognition of pertinent plant evidence at a crime scene, appropriate collection and preservation of the material, maintenance of a chain of custody, and understanding scientific testing methods, validation of new forensic technique, and more. ... Read more

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A well written volume on a very broad subject
Coyle has put together a very concise and comprehensive introductory work to a timely subject.While some background in science or forensics is useful before diving into this book, being an expert is by no means necessary.While I won't go so far as to call this volume an "easy read", it is far more understandable to the layperson then some other materials I have read on this subject.

Chapter by chapter, the authors build on the basics of plant science, physiology, and genetics to bring the reader up to a working understanding of the world of forensic botany.This is book is an excellent primer for folks who have a basic knowledge of plant science or forensic science and are interested in how the two tie together.

The example cases do so much to make the rest of the material understandable.I only wish that there were more of these cases.

To the authors - bravo and thank you! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

An Amateur Gardener's Dream
A refreshing look at the works of J.R.R. Tolkien from a botanical point of view, The Plants of Middle Earth gives us unique insights into Tolkien's use of plants to create images of his fantasy world in the Hobbit / Lord of the Rings series.

Author Dinah Hazell begins by pointing out Tolkien's use of plant names in naming various female hobbits.Naming female children after flowers is not unique to hobbit culture, but Tolkien's conscious application of the practice, combined with a few unusual instances such as Asphodel, Primula, Gilly(flower), and Pippin (here a male name) are happy reminders of Tolkien's efforts to create a modern-day Arcadia.Ms. Hazell fills us in on some of Tolkien's reasons for choosing such names.Of particular interest is Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, named after Vita Sackville-West, landscape architect of Sissinghurst Castle. Given the predominantly masculine character of the Lord of the Rings, this bit of feminine socio-genealogy lends an important sense of balance to the story in general.

Leaving Hobbiton and the Shires, with little more in the way of botany than a few orchards, turnip patches and sunflowers, we set out on a journey that leads us through various and sundry landscapes, which Tolkien illustrates with a wide variety of trees and flowers, some real, some imagined. We first go to Whithywindle, then to Weathertop, Rivendell, Lothlorien, Isengard (interestingly devoid of plant life), Dol Baran, Emyn Muil, the Dead Marshes, the Gates of Moria, Cirith Gorgor, the Haunted Pass, and finally to Ithilien. At each stop along the way, Ms. Hazell sheds light on the plants we find and their significance.

The next chapter describes Ithilien, the land of elves.The hobbits arrive in March, greeted with familiar fragrances and hues.Heather, broom and dogwood delight our senses, as do a host of herbs and spices.Hazell depicts this as among the richest of forests in Middle Earth.Over thirty trees, shrubs, flowers and other plants are described by Tolkien in the style of a medieval catalog: fir, cedar, cypress, terebinth, olive, bay, juniper, myrtle, filbert, oak and ash. Here Hazell informs us of Tolkien's affinity with William Morris and Gertrude Jekyll, whose works tend to inform Tolkien's imaginary landscape. While Tolkien dabbled in earlier sketches, Ithilian is his master achievement of woodland creation.

Hazell devotes an entire chapter to the meaning of trees and forests, supplementing her findings with bits and pieces of woodland lore that she has picked up along the way.Several of Tolkien's letters provide evidence that he was aware of this lore.The first significant stop is Mirkwood, inhabited by menacing orcs and spiders.(Tolkien's seeming obsession with giant spiders can be explained by the fact that he was bitten by a type of tarantula, when he was a child.)

The trees in the Old Forest have mobility and intelligence, focused on Old Man Willow.Here dismal flora such as nettles, thistles, hemlock and wood parsley grow.Here also Tom Bombadil and Goldberry seek to maintain balance and harmony in nature.

In Lothlorian the past seems to live in the present, but trees here have no independent personality; they house the elves. The charm of the place derives from its inhabitants, not from its flora, as in Ithilien.

Fanghorn Forest is the home of the Ents, those dangerous and powerful trees that both walk and talk (they were taught to speak by the elves).

As we tour the four forests, Hazell details the lives of beeches, oaks, willows, and rowans, before delving into a final section of lore called "the power of trees and nature."Here we are treated to more of Tolkien's private thoughts by way of his letters, before going on to Hazell's thematic recapitulation.

Drawing thematic conclusions, the author connects botany to Tolkien's themes of a new age.Sauron's evil force has resulted in the destruction of plant life, represented in the Withered Tree; Gandalf finds a sapling near the dead White Tree of Gondor, which when planted in the Court of the Fountain in Minas Tirith offers renewed hope.Hazell points out how the restoration of flora is one of the most visible symbols of victory over the power of evil.The hobbits, who play no small part in bringing about the Fourth Age, return to the Shire, where recovery begins and surpasses all expectations and hopes.Galadriel's parting gift to Sam is a gift of earth, which aids in the renewal of crops and other decorative and symbolic flora in the Shires.Tolkien defined recovery as the gain of a renewed view of things that have become stale or were taken for granted.Frodo's wounds can never heal, but his character becomes better as a result of his pain.

Although the appendix is somewhat informative, it begins to lead us, if not directly then indirectly, into a realm that is somewhat more on the occult side than Tolkien originally intended.If indeed he consciously downplayed religious allegory, as Hazell says, why would we consciously upgrade a more primitive belief in plant superstition?

By and large, this book makes a good aide for casual students or fans of Tolkien.I do not think it could qualify as an academic study; it is more the work of an excellent well-informed amateur.

Richly illustrated by Linda Logan and Marsha Mello, among others, The Plants of Middle Earth makes a welcome addition to any garden-lover's bookshelf.

plants of middle earth
The book was very informative and for a LOTR geek like me will help me plant an middle earth garden.

More sound than substance
I received this book for Christmas - it was on my wish list - and I have to say I was somewhat disappointed.The title made me think it would be an in-depth look at how Tolkien used botany to further his sub-creation, and to make it more believable in our world.The reality was that this book just talks about the plants he uses in Middle-earth, without reference to anything else.It's a gardener's handbook, that's all.One whole chapter was devoted just to the flower names of hobbit women.Interesting, yes, but does it actually increase your knowledge and/or understanding of Tolkein's mythos?Another chapter determines that Treebeard is most likely an elm.Also interesting, but again, does knowing that actually increase your enjoyment or understanding of the LotR?I regret to say that I found this book to be very superficial (I was hoping for something more in line with Verlyn Flieger's works) despite it's intruiging title.

a short book that should be shorter
Hazell does a wonderful job with plant lore, and the early chapter on the Shire is a delight. But past that, the book is largely padding. For one thing, she recapitulates the plot of The Lord of the Rings to an entirely unnecessary degree. How many people would pick up this book without being familiar with Middle-Earth? For another, she goes beyond plants to analyses of Tolkien's thought and intentions that not only seem unconnected to her theme of "botany and sub-creation" but offer only rare moments of insight beyond her many sources. However, her writing is enjoyable and the illustrations are wonderful.

Middle Earth Botany
It was very interesting and good read. If you a fan a middle earth a must have. ... Read more

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Part of a two-volume set, this botany text is designed for all undergraduate courses in biology, botany and science. This volume, covering plant diversity, encompasses plant evolution, diversity and ecology. ... Read more

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Never Highlight a Book Again! Cram101 Textbook Outlines give the student all of the highlights, notes, and practice-tests for their textbook. Only Cram101 is Textbook Specific, not generic. ... Read more

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This dictionary covers all aspects of pure and applied plant science, including the taxonomy and classification of plants, with entries for the higher-ranking taxa. Techniques of nucleic acid technology are included, with references made to applications in horticulture and agriculture. The dictionary covers aspects of the AP Biology course, notably the sections on Organisms and Populations as well as Molecules and Cells. ... Read more