NOTICES OF BOOKS. 351 
derstand; yet not one is marked with an expression of doubt. We 
think he might with equal safety have included spinulosa, var. a, * Brit. 
Flora,’ ed. 7, our simplest form of Aspidium spinulosum. But most of 
his remarks on the “ geographical distribution,” particularly when he 
has seen specimens in Herbaria, prove that the author only recognizes 
the species in the exact form in which he figures it; or else why remark, 
** It would appear to occur at St. Petersburg (Hb. Oxon.), and Moscow 
(Hb. Hooker); in Switzerland (Hb. Oxon.);" and again, ** We believe 
we may also here refer specimens from Labrador, Boston, and Canada 
(Hb. Hooker) ; though, according to Dr. Asa Gray, the common Ame- 
rican plant of this affinity is not Z. spinulosa, but L. intermedia”? Then 
come remarks on the specifie distinctions between it aud Z. dilatata and 
cristata ; and the result of the strict investigation is given in these 
words :—* Indeed, so closely do these merge into each other by means 
of transition-forms of frond, that we are forced to the conclusion that 
they are all three in reality mere variations from one specific type." 
We marvel that an author arrived at this conclusion should think of 
thus Separating them. 
The description of Plate XXIL, Lastrea dilatata, we are told, will 
be given in the next Number, together with figures of its varieties. 
Plate XIIL, given in this Number, Polystichum angulare, vars. sub- 
tripinnatum, and tripinnatum and proliferum, cn been described under 
Plate XII. 
STEUDEL, E. G.: Synopsis PLANTARUM GLUMACEARUM. Stutigard. 
One Vol. in Two Parts. Large 8yo. 1855. 
Our readers will be glad to know that this contribution towards a 
universal flora is completed. The work embraces, first, all the true 
Grasses, occupying 474 closely-printed pages, in double columns, each 
species distinguished by a long specific character, accompanied bya 
single reference to the original author, and to a figure (if such exists), 
and to the country of which it is a native. The second part extends 2 
to 348 pages, on the same plan, and includes, besides the true Cype- - 
race@, the allied families of Restiacee, Eriocaulonea, de Desvauziee, * 
and Juacec. 
The work has the merit of bringing together i in one volume all (CES : 
genera and species of these families, scattered through a multitude of — 
