200 Bibliographical Notices. 



BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 



Pracht-Flora Europaeischer Schimmelbildungen. A. C. J. Corda. 

 Leipzic and Dresden, 1839. Folio. 



It may seem quite ridiculous to publish a Sertum Mucedinum in 

 the same magnificent style as the Sertum Orchideum of Professor 

 Lindley, but if any be inclined to think so, we have only to refer 

 them to the present most splendid and interesting work. The forms 

 illustrated therein are so beautiful and extraordinary, that at first 

 sight one would be almost inclined to think them recollections of 

 dreams rather than representations of realities and those the offspring 

 of corruption. Twenty-six species, selected for singularity or ele- 

 gance, are figured, not, as in the generality of works on mycology, by 

 mere scraps, but in all their beauty. Of these nine only have been 

 figured before, and on most of these new light is thrown. Nothing 

 can well be more perfect than the figure of Syzigytes megalocarpus, 

 which is one of the most wonderful of vegetable productions, not 

 yielding in interest to Zygnema or Closteria ; and notwithstanding 

 the admirable memoir of Ehrenberg, under the auspices of the author 

 it presents new attractions. Some of the new forms represented are 

 most wonderful ; amongst them is a new Echinobotryum, which we 

 have ourselves lately detected of dead stems of Dahlia. It appears 

 that the species of the genus are parasites on the stems of other 

 moulds. 



We cannot always agree with the author in his systematic views, 

 but with so much novelty before us we may be content to pardon 

 one or two errors. The plant for instance figured under the name 

 of Dactylium belongs clearly to quite another series, and is in fact 

 closely allied to Helminthosporium. We strongly recommend the 

 work not only to the mycologist but to the lover of nature, to whom 

 the wonders displayed by these lowly productions must prove a rich 

 repast. In conclusion we cannot refrain from quoting the motto 

 prefixed to the work : " Quelle admirable structure, quelle sagesse, 

 quelle Tout-puissance dans le moindre objet sorti des mains du 

 Cr^ateur !" 



In the press. 



Dr. Johnston is preparing for the press a * History of the British 



Sponges and Corallines,' to be printed and illustrated in the same 



style as his History of the British Zoophytes, to which this new 



work may be considered as a Supplement, and as completing his ori- 



