NEW PUBLICATIONS. 323 
As a set-off against this great reduction in genera in Naviculee, 
etc., we have an increase in Melosiree. Both Melosira and Orthosira 
are retained as good genera. M. nummuloides, remarkable for its cir- 
cular keel round each valve, is placed in the genus Lysogonium, and a 
new genus, Paralia, is established for O. marina, a species easily sepa- 
rated from its neighbours by its smooth median furrow and large 
cellules. 
But the most interesting novelty in the volume is the description 
of the new forms united in the family Hemiaulide. We doubt whe- 
ther there is sufficient foundation for separating the genera of this 
family from the Biddulphiee. The frustules are united into a chain 
y the elongated projections at the angles, which are however always 
furnished with spines, and in this they differ from the Biddulphiee. 
The characters of three out of the four genera are founded on the 
number of angles in the side view of the frustule, and the fourth has a 
cuneate front view. The species of this family must abound in our 
seas as they do in those of Denmark. Brightwell’s Triceratium ob- 
tusum, from the Thames mud, is most probably Heiberg's Trinacria 
excavata. i 
We had noted some other points in M. Heiberg’s valuable work, 
but our notice already occupies too much space. We must recommend 
the volume to our readers, satisfied that they will find it an important 
contribution to our knowledge of this minute and interesting class of 
* 
The Ferns of. Southern India. Being Descriptions and Plates of the 
Ferns of the Madras Presidency. By Captain R. H. Beddome, 
Official Conservator of ee Madras: Gantz, Brothers. Lon- 
don: Van Voorst. 4to. Parts L-X. 
This work is highly creditable to the author, who fills the office of 
Sub-Assistant Conservator of Forests at Ootacamund, and who seems 
to devote his leisure time to the study of Indian Ferns. It is issued 
in parts, each containing 10 pages of letterpress and 12 plates, in which 
the forms are represented in very characteristic outlines. Magnified 
sections of the fructification are also given. The whole has been got 
up and printed in India. 
70 genera will be enumerated, 123 plates are now published in 
