618 Bihliographiedl Notices. 



S3monyms of it. It is remarked, that there are " no intermediate 

 states between it and G. Robertiaiium, /3. maritimum (Bab.), although 

 the two are found constantly growing intermixed. Few plants, in 

 fact, are either more constant in their differences, or more easily dis- 

 criminated." " In higher, shady spots, 6r. Robertianum /3. retains 

 all its hairiness ; G. purpureum (Vill.) growing by its side becomes, 

 on the contrary, smoother." 



We have only to add a strong recommendation of this book to the 

 notice of botanists. 



The Grasses of Great Britain. Illustrated by J. E. Sowerby ; 

 described by C. Johnson. Parts 1 and 2. 8vo, London, 1857. 



It is probable that this series of plates of Grasses will fulfil the 

 object intended, namely, to supply to those who are interested in 

 them, as agriculturists rather than botanists, the means of ascertain- 

 ing the names of Grasses, and also to give an account of their value 

 to the farmer. No pretension seems to be made to advance science 

 by this pubHcation, and neither the plates nor the letter-press are of 

 much use to the botanist. We cannot avoid: thinking that it was 

 quite possible to have rendered the plates of scientific value, without 

 detracting from their practical utility. Dissected flowers are figured, 

 but they are not so executed as to give confidence in their scientific 

 accuracy, and it is very doubtful if they will be of any value to the 

 unscientific reader. 



The Insect Hunters; or^ Entomology in Verse. 12mo, 1857, London. 



It is not often that we have to notice a scientifi.c work written in 

 verse, — indeed we believe that none such has ever been mentioned in 

 this Journal. That now before us is a very clever poem, intended 

 to present to young entomologists a concise statement of the classi- 

 fication of Insects. The metre is similar to that of Longfellow's 

 well-known ' Hiawatha,' and it is wonderful to remark how well the 

 troublesome details of science are expressed in it. A rather careful 

 examination has convinced us that the characters of the orders and 

 tribes of Insects are very accurately given by the author. May his 

 hope that it will tend to popularize this interesting science, be fully 

 realized ! How far the uninitiated will appreciate it, is hard to say ; 

 but certainly those who have attained to some knowledge of entomo- 

 logy will read it with pleasure and profit. Although no author's 

 name appears in the book, it may apparently be fairly referred to 

 the pen of the well-known Edw. Newman, who has done so much 

 for scientific entomology, and been the chief cause of the present 

 popularity of the study of Ferns. 



