Bibliographical Notices. 63 



that it will at all detract from the merit of Decaisne, or from the ob- 

 ligations which the algologist will owe to him. Not only in any case 

 will his theory be regarded as most ingenious and as indicative of 

 great powers of observation, but algologists will have to thank him, 

 in combination indeed with one or two of his countrymen (not for- 

 getting the younger Agardh), for showing how Algse ought to be 

 studied, and will acknowledge his title to be regarded as one of the 

 prime leaders in the new school of algology. 



Synopsis Fierce Germanicce et Helveticce, Auctore G. D. J. Koch. 

 Editio 2. Pars I. 8vo. Frankfort, 1843. 



This is the first portion of a new edition of Koch's extremely va- 

 luable ' Synopsis,* and we rejoice to add that the second and con- 

 cluding part is in active preparation. The whole work has been 

 carefully revised, and we find very numerous altera ions and improve- 

 ments, although we fear that some of the plants newly introduced as 

 species will not sustain the rank to which they have been raised. 

 This half of the volume extends to 452 pages, and, following the 

 arrangement of the former edition, includes the natural orders as far 

 as the middle of the Compositse. Any recommendation of the work 

 is quite unnecessary ; it and its author are too well known to re- 

 quire it. 



Preparing for Publication. 



A History of the Fossil Insects in the Secondary Rocks of England. 

 By the Rev. P. B. Brodie, M.A., F.G.S. The author proposes to 

 connect the results of his investigations in this interesting branch of 

 fossil zoology, illustrating the text by numerous plates of the most 

 characteristic specimens in his large collection of insect remains. 



Subscribers' names will be received by the publisher, Mr. Lee, 

 Bookseller, High Street, Cheltenham. 



The Ray Club. — Under this name it is proposed to institute a So- 

 ciety for the objects explained in the following prospectus. Persons 

 intending to become members are requested to forward their names 

 and addresses, at their earliest convenience, to Dr. Geo, Johnston, 

 Berwick-upon-Tweed, who has consented to act as Secretary until 

 the feasibility of the project has been ascertained, and a Council ap- 

 pointed. 



Prospectus. — I. The Ray Club shall have for its object the pro- 

 motion of Natural History by the printing, and circulation among its 

 members, of original works on Zoology and Botany ; of new editions 

 of works of established merit ; of rare Tracts and MSS. which throw 

 light on the history of these branches of science ; and of translations 

 of such foreign works as tend more directly to illustrate the Zoology 

 and Botany of the British Islands. 



II. Every subscriber of one guinea annually, payable in advance, 

 to be a member of the Club, and to have a vote in the election of its 

 office-bearers. The first payment to become due on the 2nd of Fe- 

 bruary 1844. 



