1894- SOME NEW BOOKS. 311 



same author, and adds many new observations. It is accompanied 

 by a table showing the distribution of foraminifera in the *' Cretaceo- 

 Tertiary " rocks of Trinidad. 



We congratulate the botanical seminar of Nebraska University on 

 the work achieved in connection with the flora of the State during 

 last year, as indicated in the Report for 1893. The additions number 

 182, and bring the total number of species reported up to 2,820. Mr. 

 Clements describes several new species of Fungi, and new hosts are 

 recorded for fifteen others. It would be well if some separation of 

 the great groups were indicated ; as it stands, Algae, Fungi, Mosses, 

 and flowering plants run on in one unbroken series. But the great 

 fault lies in the unsparing use of a trinomial nomenclature ; if a plant 

 is a variety let it be so stated — the practice of stringing names 

 together only leads us back to pre-Linnean times. The pamphlet 

 also contains a revision of the nomenclature of the Nebraska Poly- 

 petalae, according to the latest ideas; Bursa bnrsa-pastoris does, how- 

 ever, call forth a protest from the author, Mr. P. A. Rydberg. Mr. 

 F. E. Clements supplies a list of botanical expeditions in Nebraska 

 from 1803 up to date, and Mr. R. Pound a bibliography of the flora 

 of the State. 



The Orchid Review (August) suggests that in the hybrid Disas, of 

 which we have seen and heard so much lately, we may get a race 

 of easily cultivated common greenhouse orchids. They grow like 

 weeds, only requiring suitable compost, plenty of water, a little 

 shade, and protection from frost. They will certainly be a beautiful 

 addition to the list of plants within the reach of the amateur. The 

 great centre for Disas is at the Cape, whence they run up into 

 tropical Africa, occurring as far north as the mountains of Abyssinia, 

 and also in Madagascar. 



Die Natnrlichen Pflanzenfamilieii, under Professor Engler's direction, 

 progresses slowly. The last issue, a double one, containing nos. 

 106 and 107, completes section 6a of part iii., and includes the 

 remainder of Cactaceae, by K. Schumann, and Geissolomaceae, 

 Penaeaceae, Oliniaceae, Thymelaeacese, and Alseagnaceae, by E. Gilg. 

 Also a portion of Borraginaceae, by M. Giirke, belonging to part iv. 



A resume of the Geology of Spitzbergen is being published in the 

 Feuille des jeunes Naturalistes, by M. Gustave Dollfus. The writer 

 gives a geological map after Nathorst, and reviews the previous 

 writings on the geology of the island. The Tertiary, Jurassic, 

 Triassic, Permo-Carboniferous, Devonian, Silurian (?), and Archaean 

 rocks are represented, and various volcanic rocks have been 

 recorded. 



In the Feuille des jeunes Naturalistes for September, M. G. de Rocquigny 

 has an interesting note on the pairing of butterflies of different 

 genera. The forms noted were a male of Satyrusjanira, and a female 

 of Vanessa urtica. During the flight S.janira was carried by V . urtica 

 and hung lifeless {inerte). The observation was made at Allier, or^ 

 June 23, 9.45 a.m. 



