19) NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
Rihytidandra is a Feejee Island shrub, described by Dr. Gray in the 
- Botany of the United States Exploring Expedition (vol. i. p. 302, t. 28) 
from imperfect specimens, and there doubtfully referred to Olacacee ; 
a reconsideration of its characters however now induces him to refer it 
to Alangiee, a group with which he was.previously only partially ac- 
quainted. In the remarks that follow, Dr. Gray is embarrassed by 
two important errors that have crept into systematic works, namely, 
the attributing to Marlea a convolute estivation of the corolla, and 
_ stamens united in pairs, with the anthers connate into a tube. After 
explaining away. the obstacles to the alliance of Rhytidandra with 
Marlea, which these anomalies would present, and indicating collateral 
affinities through Nyssa and Mastixia to Cornee, Dr. Gray adds a post- 
- seript, detailing a subsequent examination of Marlea, in which he finds 
- the corolla to be valvate, and the filaments and stamens free. This 
confirms the position of Rhytidandra in Alangiee, which he agrees with 
Brown in considering a section of Cornee.—The whole paper is that of 
a master in Botany; but it would have gained much in lucidity had 
the notes been incorporated with the text. 
 PnrrzEL, Dr. G. A.: Iconum BOTANICARUM INDEX locupletissimus. 
One thick vol. Imperial 8vo. 1184 columns. Berlin. 1854. 
Dr. Pritzel has rendered good service to the cause of Botany by the 
publication of his very useful ‘Thesaurus Literature Botanicze omnium 
Gentium,’ etc., which has been more than once noticed in the pages of 
Journal, and he has laid us under further obligations by the publi- 
ition of the present equally laborious work. It is, as the title implies, 
» to Botanical Plates, the whole arranged alphabetically; and, 
we can judge, it appears to be done with much care and ac- 
curacy. But in order to discover the figure, it is necessary to know - 
what name it bears in the work itself." For example, if it is desired to 
ow where Villarsia nympheoides is to be found, you must seek it 
under that name for reference to ‘FI. Lond., ‘Baxter, Brit. Bot.,” 
Sturm’s Flora,’ * Dietr. Fl. Bor.,’—and under Menyanthes nymphaoides 
the references to ‘Fl. Dan., ‘Engl. Bot., * Gartner, and ‘ La- 
ck’ (by some error, probably, it is quoted in * Sturm’s Flora’ under 
names). Here are no synonyms, as in * Steudel’s Nomenclator.” 
