30 NOTICES OF BOOKS. 



ing with him in the identity of the other marked varieties of dilatata 

 figured; viz. Tab. XXII., the Hampstead Heath plant which we presume 

 is the typical form in Mr. Moore's view, "normalis," Z. dilatata glan- 

 didosa^ Tab. XXIII., and Z. dilatata dumetoruMy Tab. XXV., together 

 with L. dilatata collina and Z. dilatata nana^ Tab. XXVI.^ — we cannot 

 but regret to see nine and a half imperial folio pages deVoted to the 

 discussion of this single species, and these six varieties, now alluded 

 to, midtiplied into nine lesser varieties bearing names (exclusive of 

 the typical form '' noi^malis^^). The history concludes with the re- 

 mark, "Besides the varieties already mentioned, which we consider 

 the most distinct and important, there are many other — indeed almost 

 endless — modifications of this Fern, many of which, however, we be- 

 lieve to be permanent forms, although they have not all been proved 

 by cultivation;" and with "a summary of the various forms which 

 have come under our observation" — eighteen in number. 



With such materials before him, and such means of laying, as it 

 were, the specimens tJiemselves before his readers, Mr. Mooi'e has a 

 right to exercise his own sound judgment, irrespective of the opinions 

 of others, in assigning the limits of species. Then, we should say, the 

 more concise the characters and descriptions, the better for the very 

 numerous class who take delight in the study of Ferns, but who are 

 puzzled at the very threshold by the wild speculations of species- 

 makers, 



r 



We next come, Tab. XXVIT., to another Fern, on which our own 

 views are at variance with those who raise it to the rank of a species, 

 viz. Z. fcenisecii (Nephrodium, Lowe), Whatever the differences may 

 be, however, and they are well known to British botanists (the plant is 

 said to be liitherto found nowhere but in the British Islands and those 

 of Madeira, Azores, and Cape de Verd), Nature^s printing assuredly 

 fails to represent them. There is no visible difference between the 

 figures of Z. fcenisecii, Tab. XXVII., and Z. dilatata (uormalis), Tab. 



XXII., or Z. dilatata collifia^ Tab, XXV. It is true the diagnoses 

 given are such as cannot be represented by this curious art. " The 

 fragrance is a remarkable characteristic." " The scales of the stipes 

 are fewer, narrower than in Z. dilatata^ and fringed or lacerate at the 

 margin, pale brown and concolorous." " The fronds are more deci- 

 dedly evergreen, and commence to decay from the point, not from the 

 base of the stipes." Can there be such a difference ? " The indusium 



