434 CONSPECTUS FLORAE FENNIC.E. 



Impatiens biflora in Berks. — I have for the past fonv years 

 met with this plant in abundance near Newbury on the borders of 

 the Enborne stream, which forms the southern boundary of Berks. 

 It seems to have been originally introduced from Milford Lake, 

 Highclere Park, where it was planted (see Mr. Townseud's Flora 

 of Hampshire, p. 77). From Milford it appears along the Enborne 

 for a distance of some miles, being plentiful at Wash Water and 

 Newtown. Here the plant has become well established. — A. B. 

 Jackson. 



NOTICES OF BOOKS. 



Conspectus Flora) Fennicm. Pteridophyta — Monocotyledoneffi. Auc- 

 tore H. Hjelt. (Acta Societatis pro Fauna et Flora Fennica. 

 Vol. V. 1888-1895.) 



In this very good Flora of Finland (comprehending Finland 

 proper and Russian Lapland) are matters of much interest to 

 British botanists ; combinations among Carex, for instance, quite 

 new, no doubt foreshadowing the arrangement that will be adopted 

 in the 12th edition of Hartraann's Scandinavian Flora. As seven 

 years have been occupied in publishing those parts, it is clear that 

 a considerable time will be occupied before the rest of the Flora 

 will be finished, so that it may be well to say a few words on these 

 and the annexed " Notte Conspectus Florae Fennica?." This latter 

 consists of a short Latin introduction, followed by a very full list 

 of books, papers, MSS. sent to the author, &c., with explanations 

 of abbreviations and signs used. 



One of the features of the Flora is the care with which reported 

 plants are sifted as to their authenticity, and a careful reference to 

 what seems to be the true state of nativity in the country. 



Varieties are fully treated, separately for the species, for locali- 

 ties, &c. For example, the habitats of I'inus sylrestris occupy four 

 pages, followed by eight closely printed pages of notes on the 

 species and its varieties occurring within tlie limits of the Flora. 

 The excellent maps that were given with the Herbarium Flont 

 FenniccB are also given with this. 



We may take Eqnisetniii arvense L. as an example of the treat- 

 ment afforded to each species. After the name, a general indication 

 of the distribution is given, then references to the general indi- 

 cations of distribution in various books, always applied locally ; 

 then follow the habitats under the provinces (twenty-nine in 

 number), following which are given nine varieties, with their 

 stations, and remarks on hybrids, &c. 



In the third part the " Carices distigmaticiis " are begun; here 

 the treatment is even more complete than in other genera, C. salina 

 occupying eight jDages, treated under the following heads : — 



C. salina * cuspidata Wahlenb. 

 «. kattegatensis Fr. 



f. ostrohottnica Almq. 

 f. iHCiuatolepis Drej. 

 i.jUipendula Drej. 



