816 THE FLORA OF SWITZERLAND. 



introduction, explaining the use of the tables, the meaning of 

 abbreviations, &c., we have a " Tabular view of the Natural 

 Families," followed by a *' Table for determining the genus," this 

 latter being arranged on the Linnean system. Then follows the 

 descriptive portion of the book, or " Tables for determining the 

 species," occupying about 400 of the 445 pages comprising the 

 volume. This is arranged on the analytical method, with indica- 

 tions of frequency, geographical distribution, &c., all of them of 

 value in the practical use of the book. 



It is not only to the tourist, however, that this Flora will be 

 useful. In the careful enumeration and description of critical 

 species, — notably of the genera Salix, Euphrasia, Centaurea, Carduus, 

 and Hieracium, the last occupying 30 pages, — there is material well 

 worthy the attention of all students ; and the work throughout bears 

 traces of original work. The translator has also embodied in it the 

 * Neue Beitrage ' published in 1887, so that the English edition is 

 in advance of the last German issue, which is dated 1885. 



The value of this Flora is never more fully realised than 

 when it is used in the field side by side with Dalla-Torre's little 

 book. From this latter, " the commonest and most ubiquitous 

 plants are excluded," their names only being given, and that in an 

 ajDpendix. Many of these are quite new to the British botanist, 

 who naturally expects to find them described, and not unnaturally 

 attempts to fit the plants he comes across with the descriptions in 

 Dalla-Torre. It is only after some days' experience and much 

 impatience, perhaps somewhat forcibly expressed, that he begins to 

 understand that, in all probability, the plants he wants to deter- 

 mine appear only as nomina nuda at the end of the book, which he 

 forthwith abandons as useless. Happy is he if a fellow-traveller 

 should have Gremli's volume in his pocket ! His troubles then 

 disappear, and he resolves, next time he comes to Switzerland, to 

 bring Gremli with him and leave Dalla-Torre on the shelf, — 

 especially when he finds (to take one example only) that Gremli 

 gives 86 species of LabiatcB, while Dalla Torre selects only 10 for 

 description. 



A new edition of Gremli's Flora will so soon be called for that 

 a few suggestions may be useful. The whole external get-up 

 is at i^resent so exactly like the well-known ' Baedekers ' that it is 

 quite easy to pick up one in a hurry in mistake for the other ; this 

 might be avoided by binding the Flora in blue. It might be well, 

 too, to recognise Mr. Paitson's excellent work by placing his name 

 on the side of the book in place of the " D. Nutt," which now 

 stands there : the publisher has done his part well, but the placing 

 his name on the back of the volume seems sufficient recognition of 

 his share in the transaction. An edition on thin paper would be a 

 boon to those who, not unreasonably, desire to be weighted with as 

 few impedimenta as possible : in this point and this alone the 

 English Dalla-Torre has an advantage. And the proofs need more 

 careful reading. ♦' Versicaria," " Teesdalea," *♦ Thalaspi," *'Nes- 

 lea," occur in CrucifercD alone, in two different parts of the book ; 

 then we have " Cheledonium," *• Gypsophyla " and others. The 



