158 NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
4 
before he would come to the one he was seeking. Fortunately for the 
tyro, there is, at the beginning, first, an “Analytic Key to the Genera," 
according to the dichotomial arrangement ; and, secondly, a “ Synopsis 
of the Genera.” These however being purely artificial, we fear a stu- 
dent may be misled in some instances by them. We will take a case 
where, as in Zygodon (to be consistent with a natural arrangement), 
Gymnostomum Lapponicum, G. Mougeotii, and G. viridissimum, in spite 
(not of their teeth, but) of the absence of teeth, are properly referred 
to Zygodon. But in the “ Analytic Key” and in the “ Synopsis” we 
- ean only trace them to Gymnostomum, where assuredly they will not be 
found. Such we deem to be the defects of the work; defects perhaps 
.. due to too implicit an obedience to the * Bryologia' * on the one hand, 
. and in the case of the Analytic Key and the Synopsis, to too close an 
adherence to an artificial arrangement, founded on few characters, on 
the other. The remainder of our duty is of a far more agreeable cha- 
racier: and we hesitate not to say, that in no botanical work are there 
more perfect models of generic and specific characters and descriptions 
than in that before us; clear and distinct, full, but not tedious: every 
_ sentence and almost every word has its value. The synonyms are most 
carefully collected and selected, and the habitats are quite sufficient for 
the purpose. All is written in the English language, and that of the 
best description. A glossary of words “not in common use,” of four 
closely printed pages, explains any new terms, and other botanical ones, 
hich, without such aid, could only be intelligible to a professed Bryo- 
logist :—and the Index is perfect, both as to species and synonyms, and 
references to the plates and figures. 
_ As was to be expected, the number of genera, as well as species, are 
much increased in relation to those hitherto published in works on 
British Mosses: the former more than doubled; in part, the greater 
portion, by the division of old genera, and in part by the additions of 
genera not previously known as British. Ninety genera are here enu- 
merated, and 444 species, of which latter there were only 290 in the 
second edition of *Muscologia Britannica. Figures of all the new 
Nm. ona bere de rte preservation of the genus Anodus, 
eria ; à 
f a peristome. Surely, to be iis eith inm other respect than in the absence 
from Seligeria pusi its alli nodus (4. Donianus, distinguished 
d M te MEC Asi = absence of a peristome and its Mtr size) 
Xt distinct from Zygodon. ymmostomoid species of Zygodon should be 
pur , ues 
