382 Habits of the Viper. 



series of plates or descriptions whatever. I then collated these with the 

 works of Linnaeus, Willdenow, Sprengel, Swartz, Pursh, Withering, Smith, 

 Hooker, Lightfoot, Hudson, &c. ; and, wherever there was a difference 

 between myself and others, I searched again for the truth; and, if still in 

 doubt, have been careful to record the disparity. 



" The manner in which the object has been accomplished, it is necessary 

 to explain more in detail ; and, first, as to the illustrative plates. They are 

 small, for the sake of economy, and are intended chiefly to indicate the 

 habit of the plants, while the magnified parts show their detail. They 

 might have been finer as works of art ; but, had they been executed by an 

 engraver, minute as they are, they would, perhaps, have been less botanically 

 accurate, as the smallest variation in many of them would materially have 

 altered their character; and, therefore, although a first and an untutored 

 attempt at etching, I have preferred executing them myself, especially as by 

 so doing 1 should save a large expense, perhaps not to be refunded by the 

 sale of the work. The plate of Genera is a new feature in illustration, and, 

 it is hoped, a useful one. 



" In the record and detail of species, the following order is observed : — 

 First, the Latin and English name, and reference to figure ; secondly, those 

 essential characters which alone are necessary for discriminating the species, 

 and which alone the true botanist will find it convenient to consult. The 

 Synonymes and references to figures in other works, which follow, give a 

 history of the plant, and enable the student to refer elsewhere if in doubt. 

 The description may be considered collateral evidence, while the remaining 

 parts will show him the varieties to which his plant is subject, the cause of 

 them, its particular and general distribution, and the peculiarities attached 

 to it. 



" In the part of the work which treats of the Genera, the reader will 

 find, first, the derivation of the Genus, and a concise account of its general 

 characteristics, and under it the arrangement of the species, according to 

 their obvious distinctions. 



" In the Essential Characters of the different species, as few words as 

 possible have been used, and those few pure and scientific. In the Sy- 

 nonymes, which go back to the time of Linnaeus (or in some few instances 

 a little before), the names of authors only are given, unless they have 

 called a plant by different names in different of their works, when the works 

 themselves are also specified. In the descriptive part, and discriminating 

 remarks which follow it, pure scientific detail has not been so much aimed 

 at as obvious differences and popular observations. The habitats have 

 been collected from every authentic source which was attainable by me : 

 a vast number will be found which have not been recorded before; and 

 those few which are contained in previous publications have most of them 

 been lately authenticated." 



When we state that this work, containing 70 pages of 

 letterpress, and copperplates of all the British ferns, is to be 

 had for 4s., we think there are few botanists in whose library 

 it will not find a place. 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



Art. I. Short Communications. 



Remarkable Fact in the Habits of the Viper. — Observing 

 in your Number for April some remarks upon vipers, and the 

 different colours which they occasionally present, you may, 



