40 
those of an Acacia, but distinctly marked with glandular dot- 
ting; a very unusual case among Leguminous plants. The 
twigs are short, and so closely set upon the branches as to 
form a dense mass of foliage ; each is terminated by an erect 
compact spike, from two to three inches long, of white or pale 
ade flowers, which although not larger than those of a 
pirea, nevertheless from their abundance must produce a 
beautiful appearance. 
Genera Plantarum secundum Ordines naturales disposita ; auctore Stephano 
Endlicher. Vindobonz, 4to. 
There has been no Genera Plantarum published since 
that of Jussieu in 1789, with the exception of reprints, and 
the worthless compilation by Sprengel ; and during the long 
interval that has since elapsed, the science of Botany has 
grown from a dwarf of almost Lilliputian dimensions to the 
stature of an Anak. The number of genera recognized by 
Jussieu was something less than 2000; the list of genera 
at the end of the 2nd edition of my Natural System of Botany 
in 1836, was 7840, and many more have to be added. The 
publication of a new digest of the genera of plants, with their 
characters as limited by the best authorities, or defined by 
original observation, had therefore become a work of the 
greatest necessity to all persons occupied with the study of 
the science; but it was at the same time so difficult, that no 
person could be found with energy enough to attempt its ex- 
ecution, till Dr. Endlicher, of Vienna, a learned man and an 
excellent Botanist, with the Imperial libraries and collections 
of that capital to assist him, seriously set himself to accom- 
plish-this great purpose. 
In August, 1836, the first part of the work made its ap- 
pearance, written in Latin, and arranged according to a 
system peculiar to the author. It contained the characters 
of the classes, sub-classes, and natural orders and genera, 
written with an elegance of language too seldom found in the 
works of modern Botanists. It was accompanied by a ** Con- 
spectus diagnosticus,” or short abstract of the distinctive 
characters of the classes, orders, &c. and a copious Index ; 
and subsequently a “ Conspectus dispositionis," or arranged 
Catalogue of the names of the classes, orders, &c. has been 
commenced. The work has now reached the tenth part, and 
the last genus is numbered 4583. How many more parts 
E 
