EXTRACTS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS. 159 



cision. Soon we shall find, in collections of comparative anatomy, a series of 

 specimens illustrative of the genera and species of this order, similar to the series 

 illustrating the system of dentition in other orders. The genus Rorqual, which 

 is well characterized by external signs, is equally so by those involving the inves- 

 tigation of the ear, and the different species of this genus are so likewise. From 

 it may be obtained precious helps towards the geographical distribution of these 

 animals. Thus, it was not known how far the Mediterranean Rorqual extended 

 to the north ; but a bone of the ear, obtained last year by MM. Quoy and Gai- , 

 mard, from their voyage to Iceland, proves that this species penetrates much 

 further than was supposed. This character is still more valuable in the determi- 

 nation of fossil species; thus, an ear found by M. Vanbeneden, in the province 

 of An vers, has been ascertained to belong to a Rorqual, but to an unknown spe- 

 cies of that genus. — Annales des Sciences Naturelles. 



BOTANY. 



9. Mantissa Muscorum ad Floram Pedemontanum. — A work of the above 

 title, originally published in the thirty-ninth volume of the Transactions of the 

 Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin, appears to have been reprinted in a sepa- 

 rate form, the author being J. De Notaris, M. D. The Bryologia Mediolanen- 

 sis, published in 1834, and of which an account appeared in the Annales des 

 Sciences Naturelles (N. S., Vol. II., p: 120), has already given to the world a 

 favorable opinion of the author of this new production, who is destined to com- 

 plete the bryological portion of the Piedmontese floras hitherto published. This 

 supplement contains 90 Mosses, the majority of which are newly described. Of 

 this number ten are entirely new. M. le Docteur De Notaris has not in- 

 troduced any diagnostic phrases ; we shall merely enumerate the names of the 

 species: — Poklia Icetevirens, P. cirrhifera, Hypnum concinnum, H.demissum,Fa- 

 bronia major, Dicranum mixtum, Eucalypta lacera, Grimmia capillata, Anic- 

 tangium flaccidum. Sphagnum variegatum. 



Among the species already known, which M. De Notaris mentions having 

 found in Piedmont, we recognise Bryum platyloma, Schw^gr., which is closely 

 allied to B. capillare, Linn., and which appears to be principally distinguished 

 by the thickness of the margins of the leaves. It is a new Moss to add to 

 the Bryology of the continent, for, originally a native of Madeira, it had not 

 since been discovered except in Sardinia. 



We hope that the author, taking advantage of his position, will one day publish 

 his observations on all the Mosses of Italy, which his acquaintance with the 

 botanists of that beautiful country would give him ample opportunity for doing. 

 The accurate and practised judgment which he has already evinced in his pub- 

 lished works, would guarantee his not falling short in this difficult task. 



