200 Rhodora [NOVEMBER 
6. S. gracillima (p. 193). Stem erect, up to about 1'0 to 1'5, rarely 2:0 
dm. high; branches regular, all or all except the lowest ones short (up to about 
2:0-2:5 em. long), subequal, parallel. Terminal spikes short (up to about 8-12 
mm. long), stout, with 2-4 floweringsegments. Lateral flowers smaller than the 
central one. Stamens 1." 
8. pusilla and S. gracillima may possibly have specific or varietal 
characters, but neither the above-quoted portion of the conspectus nor 
the fuller descriptions nor the illustrations bring them out. In this 
connection it is illuminating to read in the Introduction that “We do 
not furnish any analytical or artificial keys to the groups of plants. 
These keys are scarcely ever satisfactory." Surely, however, a key 
could be provided which would bring out more clearly the specific 
differences, if they exist, in the annual Salicornias; or, if it is not pos- 
sible to “key” the plants, they certainly do not deserve the exalted 
rank of species. 
These criticisms are written in all friendliness and, frankly, from a 
sense of some disappointment; for the reviewer, who is confronted by 
many of the problems which have perplexed British botanists, had set 
an imaginary standard for the new Flora and had looked forward to its 
settling many of his own difficulties. That it does not in all details 
meet precisely this preconception is, of course, natural. It is an im- 
portant and in some ways a great book; and everyone who wishes to 
keep abreast with the recent British work upon a flora in many fea- 
tures identical with our own will await expectantly the volumes as they 
come from the press.— M. L. F. 
Vol. 16, no. 190, including pages 169 to 184, was issued 23 November, 1914. 
