694 



but nearly flat, and shai-ply spinous, with a decurrence of spines from 

 each leaf. The involucre differs in nothing from the C. arvensis and 

 C. setosus : the florets are shorter and not so remarkably fragrant as 

 those of C. setosus." 

 A specimen was presented. — G. E. D. 



Further notice of Lindley's ' Vegetable Kingdom.'' 



In a former number (Phytol. ii. 521), M^e gave a review of this ela- 

 borate work, in which we expressed a doubt as to the correctness of 

 the numbers assigned to the aggregate of genera and species. Our 

 observations have induced the author to revise these various statements, 

 and he has sent the following important corrections. 



" 1st. In the body of the work the number of species of Berberids, is 

 misprinted 10 instead of 100. 



" 2nd. In the table of genera and species at p. 797, the drawing 

 up of which being a mere mechanical operation, was entrusted to an 

 assistant, there are several small errors. In order 11-3 the number of 

 genera is 12 instead of 2. In order 213, the number of genera 

 should be 38 instead of 30. In order 273, alliance 50, the number of 

 genera has been cast up wrong : it should be 1102, instead of 1094. 

 In order 286 the number of species is printed 500, instead of 800. 

 But in addition to these minor matters, there are two enormous mis- 

 takes in casting up the columns of genera and species of Exogens, 

 which should be 6,191 and 66,225 instead of 18,062 and 55, 911. 

 The total number of genera and species now known, according to 

 the estimates of the ' Vegetable Kingdom ' are 



Genera 8,935 

 Species 92,930 



"I need not say" continues Prof. Lindley, "that the existence of 

 errors of such magnitude is to me extremely vexatious, but I fear 

 that no one can escape from them who trusts to the accuracy of 

 assistants, in even so small a matter as casting up a few columns of 

 figures. My only consolation is, that they do not occur in the body 

 of the work." 



For ourselves we could take no " consolation" at all from any cir- 

 cumstances connected with these truly "enormous" blunders, but 

 should consider it our bounden duty to reprint the sheets in which 

 they occur : the public ought not to suffer for such gross neglect, and 

 we hold the author responsible for the competency of his servants. 



