100 THE PLANT WOELD 



BOOK REVIEWS. 



A List of the Ferns and Fern Allies of North America North of 

 Mexico, with principal Synonyms and Distribution. By William 

 E. Maxon. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. XXIII, pp. 619-651. Is- 

 sued May 4, 1901. 



Among the extensive publications devoted to our ferns and tlieir 

 allies, only two systematic treatises have hitherto appeared which in- 

 clude all of the species north of Mexico and Mr. Maxon is to be con- 

 gratulated upon having presented to botanists this very complete and 

 carefully compiled list. The total number of species and subspecies 

 enumerated is 211, of which number 187 are true ferns. The accepted 

 name of each form is printed in conspicuous black-faced type, which 

 makes the list easy of use. No attempt has been made to make the 

 synonomy absolutely complete, but enough has been included to clearly 

 present the present status. Great pains have evidently been taken to 

 verify all references, and in this respect alone the list will be found 

 invaluable. Eecent changes in generic limitations will be found respon- 

 sible for the adoption of certain somewhat unfamiliar names for well- 

 known species, but this is clearly in line with advanced study. Thus 

 we have the genera Plilehodium, Campyloneuron, and Phymatodes for 

 species formerly included in Polypodium; Pteridumi for Pteris aquilina 

 and its allies; Crypfogramma for a part of Pellaea; Athyrium for three 

 species formerly placed in Aspleniimi; Polystickum, Phaneropldebia 

 and Tectaria for j^ortions of Dj^yopteris, etc. The geographical dis- 

 tribution of each species is also given, and in the case of rare or lit- 

 tle known species, the name of the collector is added. 



Without going into the merits of each individual case, we can but 

 think that Mr. Maxon has erred in quoting Eobert Brown, Prodr. Fl, 

 Nov. HoU. I: 158. 1810, as the initial point for the genus " Woodsia." 

 A reference to this publication reveals the fact that the genus was there 

 called JFoodia, and it was not changed to Woodsia until several years 

 later. This is not, however, a matter of vital moment, and this list 

 must remain for many years indispensible to all working fern fern stu- 

 dents.— F. H. K. 



