Potions, the Book, and a New/Old Perspective

[Elizabeth Snape]

No: HPFGUIDX 165303


'Steve' bboymin wrote:
> <snip>
> True that is speculation, but Snape never really assigns
> at textbook. There are two books assigned in First Year.
> One is a general reference, '1,001 Magical Herbs and 
> Fungi' and another whose exact nature isn't known. It
> could be a book of Theory of Potions Making, it 
> could be a beginner's book of potion recipes, or it could
> be 'History of Potions Making'. None the less, that second
> book is never referenced or used again. Snape has all the
> recipes in his head, or in his personal notes, and all 
> classes are based on those notes. He writes the days 
> instruction on the blackboard, and  the test is NOT 'do
> you know the recipe' but can you follow the instructions
> accurately enough to produce the desired result. 
> <snip>

Snape's Witch replies:

Out of curiosity I rechecked the first year booklist (SS, pg. 66, 
trade ppbk), and believe that 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi' 
by Phyllida Spore is actually the Herbology textbook.  Why this book 
comes to Harry's mind beats me, but might merely show an 11 yr. old 
boy's disinterest in gardening!!

'Magical Drafts and Potions' by Arsenius Jigger is the textbook for 
Potions and sounds to me like a basic recipe book.  I agree that 
Snape never actually uses it, and doesn't appear to assign another 
book for later classes.