318 NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
Madeira plants, especially the numerous beautiful species of Fern, will 
be gladly seized by our horticultural friends, who can communicate 
their wishes to Mr. Mason." 
We cannot but wish him every success. 
NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
Lows, E. J., Esq., etc.: Æ Natural History of FERNS, British and 
Exotic, with coloured Illustrations. 8vo. London. 1855. Parts 
I. to IV. 
Ferns are becoming universal favourites, both with cultivators of plants 
and collectors of specimens ; and few, if any of the tribes, in the whole 
colour, delicacy of texture, and elegant ramification. The present work, 
though not so indicated in the title-page, is surely mainly intended for 
the former class of persons, namely cultivators; for we find it stated 
in the address, or advertisement, that “the drawings will be chiefly 
taken from living specimens in the author's own collection.” And 
even if he has not overrated that collection at ‘500 good species,” 
. yet that is but a comparatively small portion of ‘British and Exotic 
Ferns.” We come, however, to an approximation of the amount of 
species to be included in the work in another announcement in 
No. HL, where it is stated that the work will consist of seven 
volumes, and each volume will have 75 coloured illustrations ; and as 
there is rarely more than one species on a plate, the amount will nof 
much exceed the number cultivated by Mr. Lowe. “It is also in- 
tended to add a new feature to the work, by furnishing a list of the 
ries who can supply plants of the species.” We have then emi- 
 wently a gardener’s and a nurseryman's book, rather than a work 
“a estined for the botanist or the scientific student of Ferns; and to this 
mo one could offer any objection, if only so indicated in the title. Nay, 
we think that to have so done would render it more attractive, for 
ny would be dismayed at the idea of purchasing coloured figures of 
the known British and Exotic Ferns. The work is got up in à 
tty form, good paper, neat type; figures engraved and coloured; 
resentatives of the species intended, but sadly defective in ar- 
execution, the graceful curvature and varied colouring being 
eglected ; so that on looking at Nolhochleua nivea, for example, 
vegetable creation, can be more lovely or more graceful in form and PS o 
