416 NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
allied to Philadelphus. 8. Hymenoclea Salsola, Torr. et Gr., allied to 
Franseria, in Composite. 9. Amphipappus Frémontii, Torr. et Gr., a 
Composita. 10. Sarcodes sanguinea, Torr.; a new genus between Hy- 
popithys and Schweinitzia. The memoir contains many interesting and 
valuable remarks on allied genera. 
Moonz, Tuomas, F.L.S.: The Handbook of BRITISH FERNS; con- 
taining scientific and popular descriptions, with engravings, of all the 
indigenous species and varieties, with instructions for their cultivation. 
Second Edition. 12mo. London: Groombridge and Sons, and 
W. Pamplin. 1853. 
In the volume of our Journal for 1849, we had occasion to speak 
favourably of the first edition of this little duodecimo : the present is a 
new edition, much and advantageously enlarged, upon superior paper, 
and with additional woodeuts. The work treats of the structure as 
well as cultivation of British Ferns: and in regard to classification 
and nomenclature, the author says in the Preface—‘ Those I adopted 
in the former edition are substantially retained in the present ; for al- 
though in these matters some novel schemes have been proposed, yet 
the suggestions which have been made, appear to be little else than in- 
genious devices, tending to render the study of British Ferns” (and not 
of British alone) “ more difficult and involved."—In proof of this, and as 
examples of the rage for multiplying genera on slight foundations, one 
has only to take up the recent works of Presl and Fée, to sce the love 
of change in the arrangement and nomenclature of Ferns exhibited in 
the highest degree. It is not that Mr. Moore would be neglectful of any 
peculiarities in the plant, whether in general habit or vascular structure ; 
but undue importance is not given to them. 
à We think some of the figures in the present edition may lead to error 
_ by the affixing of names (upon the plate) to varieties, as if they were 
considered by the author as distinct species. For example, a “ Lastrea 
collina ” is figured ; but in the descriptive portion this is only a variety 
(we fear a very slight one, too) of L. dilatata. The genus Woodsia has 
but two species, W. Ilvensis and JF. hyperborea, and the synonyms of 
the latter include JF. alpina, Newm., as a mere variety ; but in the 
woodeut it stands as ** Woodsia alpina,” etc., etc. In some cases the 
figures of varieties are rightly enough distinguished as such. 
