96 
the name of the author who had originally used part of the 
combination, no reference being given to the work in which the 
original combination occurred, or indication that the combination 
was being used for the first time. In such cases the compiler of 
the Index has the very considerable task of searching the works 
of the original author until a name is found from which the new 
combination may have been derived. Thus the combination 
Genus B species a (Author A) Author B, will entail searching 
through the whole of Author A’s works until an allied species 
with the trivial species a is found and even then there is nothing 
definite to show that Genus A species a Author A was the original. 
It would be of the greatest assistance if authors would indicate 
the first time a new group or combination is used by adding the 
sign “‘n.sp.” or “comb. nov.,” and also cite the synonyms on 
which they are based. 
The Index Kewensis is so greatly appreciated that it is felt 
that these difficulties need only. be pointed out for all to assist in 
lightening the compiler’s task. 
Gold Coast Forest Officers’ Handbook.*—JIn this useful 
handbook Major Chipp has brought together a mass of first-hand 
information on West African Forestry, especially on the forests 
of the Gold Coast, Ashanti, and the Northern Territories where 
the author was, until lately, Deputy Conservator of Forests. 
Since Mr. H. N. Thompson made his preliminary survey of 
the Gold Coast in 1908, great progress has evidently been made in 
this important West African colony. In the attractive hand- 
book before us we learn much about the natural features of the 
country, the climate and its relation to forest distribution, 
besides a history of the Forest Department. Lists of native and 
botanical names of trees and other plants of economic importance 
are given, and at the end of the book are reproduced the twenty 
drawings of the more useful trees which appeared in Mr. Thomp- 
son’s report. Especially useful to even casual visitors to the 
colony will be the notes on the every-day life of the West Coast, 
and the outfit required by the European. The book is well 
printed and illustrated by several maps and diagrams.—J.H. 
Chinese Botany.—Two papers on Chinese botany appeared 
last year in the Journal of the North China branch of the Royal 
Asiatic Society. The first (vol. liii., 158-188) is a list of the plants 
of Peitaiko by Mr. N. H. Cowdry, the second a ‘“ Liste des 
Essences ligneuses observées dans le Honan Septentrional,”. by 
Mr. J. Hers. Both give the Chinese equivalents of the species 
mentioned. We are glad to welcome these and other signs of 
botanical activity among foreign and native residents in China.— 
S8.T.D. 
T. F. Chipp, The Forest Officers’ Handbook of the Gold “Coast, 
srseaice and the Northern Territories, pp. 149, tt. i—xx., wit and 
di ms. Published for the Government of the Gold Coast by the 
Ceowh Agents for the Colonies, 4, Millbank, London, 8.W. 1. 
Printed ander the authority of His MAJESTy’s STATIONERY OFFICE 
By Eyre and paged ae Ltd., East Harding Street, E.C.4 
Printers to the King’s most Excel'ent Majesty. 
