FLORA OP SOUTH AFRICA 85 



somewhat shortly but at sufficient length for the student. The 

 ArchegoniatcB follow, the synopsis of genera and illustrations of 

 each of the families being particularly good. The space devoted 

 to the Gymnosperms has been wisely utilised, and full justice 

 is done to the Cycads and Welwitschia. These items disposed of, 

 way has been made for the Dicotyledones, which occupy the bulk 

 of the volume ; of the 141 families of these plants recognised by 

 the author 31 are treated here, including all the Monochlamydea 

 and of the Dialypetalm the Eanales and the Rhoeadales. The 

 system followed is mainly that of Engler's Synopsis, a system 

 not without its faults, but on the whole an improvement on the 

 linear arrangements previously in vogue, though to old-fashioned 

 folk it will be somewhat disconcerting to find, for instance, 

 Buttercups and Water Lilies in close juxtaposition to Laurels 

 and GeratophyllacecB. But the author has endeavoured to bring 

 his work, so far as is under the circumstances possible, into agree- 

 ment with that of his predecessors, references to the Flora 

 Capensis being numerous, while Harvey's Genera of South African 

 Plants is cited throughout. The treatment and illustrations of 

 the parasitic families Lorantliacece, HydnoracecB, BalanopJioracece 

 and Bafflesiacece are worthy of special mention ; also of that 

 family, so important at the Cape, the Proteacea, as of the gall- 

 flowers of the figs. Best of all seems to us the notice given to 

 Mesembriantheniuin, to which genus 26 figures in all are devoted ; 

 the person who can read the fascinating story of the " window- 

 leaves" of certain species of this genus without a thrill of pleasure 

 must, indeed, be without a spark of love for Natural History. 



We know of nothing like the present work upon the flora of 

 any of the overseas Dominions, and the Homeland itself, it must 

 be confessed, is in the same predicament. To Dr. Marloth should 

 therefore be given all the credit owing to, though, unfortunately, 

 not always achieved by, those who act as pioneers in the advance 

 of science. He has had assistance from many quarters as, for 

 instance, in the preparation of the drawings for the plates, and 

 Professors Diels and Brotherus and Mr. Sim have taken a hand 

 in the construction of the synopses of genera, while Mr. W. T. 

 Saxton's help has been available for the Thallophyta. The incep- 

 tion of the undertaking is due to Lady Phillips, without whose 

 munificent support it could not have been realised, and who has, 

 in consequence, earned a debt of gratitude from all those who, 

 whether experts or students or travellers, will profit by this truly 

 remarkable production. The printing, by the Cambridge Uni- 

 versity Press, is a fine example of the workmanship turned out at 

 that well-known establishment. o lyj- 



A Naturalist in Western China. By Ernest H. Wilson. 2 vols, 

 with 101 plates. Methuen. Price 305. net. 

 There is a threadbare proverb about having too much of a 

 good thing, the converse of which would, one imagines, find a 

 more responsive echo in the experience of mankind at large ; 

 certainly it was our feeling when we reached the last page of 



