254 



NOTICES OF I500KS 



be grateful to the author for having given them a volume which 

 can be carried about in a pocket of ordinary dimensions. 



The introduction, like the body of the book, contains a great 

 deal of matter in small space, and evidences much care and local 

 knowledge. The county is divided into seven botanical districts, 

 which are mainly identical with those defined by Mr. Hemsley in 

 his ' Outline of the Flora of Sussex ' appended to this Journal for 

 1875. Strangely enough, the Medway district has been the least 

 thoroughly examined : this will no doubt receive further elucidation 

 when the long promised and much needed Flora of Kent shall see 

 the light. 



The only plant peculiar to the county is Phytenma spicatum, but 

 the Flora, as most botanists know, is a generally interesting one, 

 including such species as Dentaria bulbifera, Viola lactea, Vicia lutea, 

 Trifoiium stellatum (an introduction holding its ground since 1804), 

 Seseli Libanotis ; lsnardia palustris, Phyteuma orbiculare, Pyrola 

 media, Krythrcea capitata, Cicendia Jilifurmis, Orobanche elatior, 

 J\[elittis Meliesophyllum, Daphne Mezereum, Arum italicum, Orchis 

 purpurea, Mala.cis pahulom, Scirpus triqueter, S. carinatus, Carex 

 strieta, and Leersia oryzoides. Phyteuma spicatum is said to be 

 " originally perhaps an escape from Warbleton or Mitchelham 

 Priories, but now established, for more than sixty years, over some 

 miles of country." We were not aware that there was so much doubt 

 as to the nativity of the plant. Thlaspi perfoliatum should be printed 

 in italics ; it is apparently only a casual introduction, as the only 

 reference is to a specimen from Newhaven in Borrer's herbarium. 



Taschenflnra des Alpen- Wanderers. Colorirte Abbilduugen von 115 

 verbreiteten Alpenpflanzen, nach der Natur gewalt von 

 Ludwig Schroter. Mit kurzen botanischen Notizen in 

 deutscher, franzosischer und englischer Sprache von Dr. C. 

 Schroter. Zurich : Meyer & Zeller. 8vo, tt. 18. Price 

 6 francs. 



The title of this little book explains its contents. The authors 

 have figured and described 115 of the most characteristic of the 

 plants met with in ordinary excursions in the Alps, and the result 

 is a little book which, if not very scientific, is likely to be useful to 

 the many who, from all parts of Europe, are making their way to 

 the Swiss mountains and similar holiday resorts. The more usual 

 Gentians, Primroses, Campanulas, Senecios, Eanunculuses, and 

 the like are figured and described in three languages. The English 

 of the descriptions needs revision : at present it reminds us rather 

 too forcibly of ' English as she is spoke.' Thus of Silene acaulis we 

 are told that "there are male and female stocks," and that it 

 "forms firm, often footsized, cushions on the aretes"; Geum 

 montanum has " a wig-like rose-tinged head of fruits," and the fruit 

 of Anemone alpina forms "a globular wig": Gentiana punctata is 

 called " Carved Gentian." But a great deal of interesting and 

 useful information is conveyed in small compass ; and many will 

 find the little volume a pleasant travelling companion. 



