134 CORRESPONDENCE. 
wn of Tromso, and between 69° and 70? north latitude. The Woodsia was 
found not far below a permanent snow-patch on the north side of the valley, 
and at an elevation of perhaps 1000 feet above the sea sare Cystopteris alpina 
and Asplenium viride were growing near it. We may now expect to find this 
little Fern in places in Europe lying between these Vids: ees localities, 
York. JAMES BACKHOUSE. 
Horticultural Society’s Prizes for County Herbaria. 
I am surprised to see the prizes proposed by the Horticultural Society pub- 
lished without comment in the ‘ Journal of Botany.’ It seems to be properly 
interesting species, and now the heads of the Horticultural Society are offering 
premiums, which must tend to their almost certain disappearance, When a 
rare plant is confined, as is not unfrequently the case, to a single small spot in 
scrupulous prize-seekers are let loose upon it. Experience shows that prizes 
for sets of specimens does not advance scientific botany, and that they are of no 
scientific use. But even if they were of use, scientific botany is not the busi- 
ness of the Horticultural Society. The plants for which I have such fears are 
the prize-candidates will make up their lists of species, by so doing will de- 
prive all future Miet of the pleasure of gathering little bits of ra rare plantsin 
their native localitie C. C. BABINGTON. 
Cambridge. 
Genera of Hepatieze. 
(Extract from a letter of Dr. Pfeiffer to Dr. J. E. Gray.) 
Cassel, Feb. 11, 1864. 
I am occupied in the study of botanical literature and syfstematology. 
I was agreeably surprised by learning (Aun. of Nat. Hist. viii, 1861, p. 405) 
that you are the veritable author of the systematical part of that excellent work, 
‘Arrangement of British Plants, —a At oed unknown to Continen e 
vii though it contains the true b 8. 5" i instan 
