REVIEWS 191 



revise the proofs and to prepare a short account of the author's life 

 and scientific work. 



It was soon found that the manuscript was less ready than had 

 been supposed. Many additions had been made on the sheets, and 

 required to be put in place and verified, and queries required to be 

 solved. Several critical genera had been left for subsequent treat- 

 ment, and were not represented at all, or only by brief and frag- 

 mentary notes. It was clearly necessary to endeavour to fill these 

 gaps, as far as practicable, on the same general plan as that followed 

 by the author. The doing so has delayed a good deal the appearance 

 of the volume. 



Though the book has inevitably suffered from its author not 

 having been able to prepare it finally for publication, and to give it 

 the benefit of personal revision, its value as a local flora will be 

 recognised as entitling the Council of the Perthshire Society to the 

 gratitude of a much wider circle than those interested in Perthshire 

 alone. The accuracy of the author's many personal observations 

 recorded here give it a permanent value to all interested in the British 

 flora. 



SYNOPSIS CHARACEARUM EUROP/EARUM. By Dr. Walter Migula. 

 (Leipzig: Eduard Kummer, 1898.) 



Though primarily intended for the flora of Middle Europe, and 

 written in German, this work ought to be welcomed by every botanist 

 desirous to become acquainted with the Characece of any region of 

 the world. It will be found most useful, as it gives a key to all 

 European species and varieties, with short and good descriptions. 

 There are 133 excellent woodcuts, many of them of full-page size, 

 and by far the most including numerous figures in each woodcut. 

 Every European species except Tolypetta hispanica is figured, as 

 are also many of the varieties. An introduction explains and 

 illustrates the structure of the group, and gives information as to 

 collecting and examining the species. There is also a valuable 

 index to the literature of the Characetz and to the chief published 

 sets of specimens. The work is based on Dr. Migula's well-known 

 volume on these plants in Rabenhorst's " Kryptogamenflora." 

 Though not so full in its treatment as the latter, it is more convenient 

 for general use. 



COUNTY AND VICE-COUNTY DIVISIONS OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 

 A useful sheet under this title has been issued by Mr. A. Somerville, 

 after consultation with many botanists and zoologists interested in 

 the distribution of British plants and animals. It gives in brief and 

 convenient form the divisions recognised by Mr. H. C. Watson, 

 with notes on the divisions of the larger counties and on the effects 

 of later legislation on the county boundaries and on the divisions. 

 It is in a form suited for hanging up for ready reference, and 

 should be found useful by all biologists in Britain. 



