128 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



on personal knowledge, all except a few of the gatherings on which 

 the results are based having been examined by the author. The 

 labour involved in this must have been very great, as the entries 

 under the vice-counties are often numerous. 



A short history of the progress in the study of the Hepaticse in 

 Scotland is followed by consideration of the effects of rainfall and 

 climate on their distribution, and on the expression of this in the 

 numerous "Atlantic species" in our flora, while a few prefer the 

 eastern side of the country. The preferences for certain habitats 

 (rocks, trees, peat-mosses, etc.) are discussed, and the altitudes 

 attained are stated, lists being furnished of those that pass 4000 ft., 

 and of those that reach heights between 4000 and 3000 ft. and 

 between 3000 and 2000 ft., about half our species passing 2000 ft. 



A comparison of the Hepatic flora of Scotland with those of 

 other countries is of much interest. It is followed by a sketch of 

 the flora of the Watsonian Provinces of Scotland, a definition of the 

 sub-provinces and vice-counties, and an indication of the collections 

 and other sources of information used by the author. The greater 

 part of the work (pp. 51-330) is devoted to a detailed account of 

 the distribution of the species, with mention under each species of 

 the localities in which it has been found and the name of the dis- 

 coverer in each locality from which Mr. Macvicar has seen specimens. 

 Often the altitudes attained are noted under the several localities. 

 For each species there is a short statement of the general type of its 

 distribution, its preferences as to habitats, soils, altitudes, and any 

 other features of cecological importance. An index to the species 

 and synonyms completes an excellent piece of work, for which the 

 author well deserves the thanks of all who are interested in the flora 

 of Scotland. 



THE LIVERWORTS BRITISH AND FOREIGN. By Sir Edward Fry, 

 G.C.B., and Agnes Fry. (London : Witherby & Co., 326 High 

 Holborn, W.C., 1911.) 



This little book will be found an excellent introduction to the 

 study of a most interesting group of plants, in which important 

 questions are raised on the relations between the lower and higher 

 forms of plant life. Selected examples afford occasion to discuss the 

 leading types of structure met with among Liverworts and the 

 provision for securing a due supply of water. The outlines of 

 classification and of distribution over the earth's surface are briefly 

 but clearly given ; and the book closes with a short notice of the 

 most helpful works on the Liverworts. 



Incidental references to the flowering plants lead to statements 

 that may be revised in a future edition, such as the comparison of 

 the antheridia of Liverworts with the stamens of flowering plants 

 (p. 6). But such matters do not affect the value of the work, which 

 is excellently fitted to serve its end. 



