86 ' . NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
In anatomy there is a careful paper on the structure of the testa of 
the seeds of the Solanacea and its allied Orders. This is illustrated 
with figures, as are also Mr. W. G. Smith's suggestive remarks on the 
nature of the corona in Narcissus (see ' Journal of Botany,' vol. iv. 
p. 169), and Dr. Masters's useful resumt of what is known of the na- 
ture of double flowers. 
One of the most interesting papers we think, is that of Mr. Axel 
Blytt, of Christiania, on the vegetation of the Sogne Fjord, one of the 
larger arms of the sea on the coast of Norway. In this singular dis- 
trict, cut off from the rest of Norway by impassable mountains covered 
with eternal snow, and lying in lat. 61° N., all seasons and climates 
seem to be mingled and co-existent : whilst an Alpine flora extends 
down to the very sea-level, and its members grow on the rocks of the 
shore mixed with maritime species ; vines, peaches, nectarines, and wal- 
nuts ripen their fruit in the neighbouring valleys, which are said to 
possess the climate of a hot-house. M. Blytt gives the upper limit 
of some of the common trees of the district, which it is interesting to 
compare with similar observations in this country. 
It is only necessary to allude to Dr. Moore's and Mr. A. G. More's 
account of the climate, flora, and crops of Ireland, as the information 
given in it has been embodied and enlarged on in the more recent 
Cybele Hibernica ' of the same authors. It is to be wished that the 
excellent map which illustrates this paper had been inserted in the 
'Cybele' instead of the very rough one given with that work. 
An interesting paper by Professor Lecoq, of Clermont, in which he 
endeavours to show that the mountain flora of Auvergne has originated 
by the agency of birds and the wind, and not by migration in the 
usual sense of the word, concludes the geographical communications, 
and when we have alluded to Mr. J. E. Howard's somewhat lengthy 
remarks on the Cinchona barks, which seem to resist any attempt at a 
satisfactory arrangement, we have mentioned all the more important 
papers. 
Though the subjects treated of are sufficiently varied and interesting, 
they are collectively scarcely a fair expression of what might be done 
by the members of a Botanical Congress. In truth, however, the real 
value of such a meeting is not so much seen in the formal business 
transacted and papers read, as in the friendly feelings engendered by 
it, the interchange of opinion in conversation, and the bringing together 
