FAVOURITE (FAVORITE) FLOWERS of GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE is a four-volume work, authored by Edward Step and edited by William Watson. Illustrated and arranged by D. Bois. London & New York: Frederick Warne & Co., 1896-1897.D. Bois was the assistant curator of The Museum of Natural History in Paris France. He arranged the 316 chromolithographs. The botanicals were drawn and colored directly from living examples. The characteristic pose of each plant has been captured with an engaging sense of accuracy and overall vibrancy. Of particular interest is the floral presentation. In order that the flower structure could be perfectly understood, a vertical cross section shows the relative positions of the flower parts.

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 Without exception the whole of the three hundred and sixteen plates illustrating this work have been drawn and colored direct from nature; and we think we may justly claim for the artists engaged that they have succeeded admirably in giving not merely shape and color, but  expression also- the characteristic pose of each plant.

 It is only necessary to add a few words to the responsibility to be attached to those to whose literary care this work has been entrusted. The original scheme was suggested by Mr. D. Bois’ Atlas des Plantes de Jardins, but the plan has been considerably amplified, to make it useful to English readers. Mr. E. Step has provided the text, including the lists of varieties and also the cultural directions; the latter have, however, been revised by Mr. W. Watson, assistant curator of the Royal Gardens, Kew. Ref: Nissen BBI