2 ADDRESS OF THE EDITOR. {January, 



out a note, remark, or observation in an annual than it would be 

 in a biennial series. Another object was also suggested, viz., 

 that it would be convenient to present our readers with a synop- 

 sis of what had been accomplished in the Science during the past 

 year. This will be the staple of the present Address to our cor- 

 respondents and readers. They are to be presented with what 

 our Gallic neighbours elegantly entitle a resume, precis, or epi- 

 tome ; WE call such a paper an abridgment. 



Our readers are 7iGt to be congratulated on receiving, as an 

 addition to their botanical literature, two original descriptive 

 Floras of the British Isles. The little that was published on 

 British Botany during the past year would be soon chronicled. 



There has appeared a new periodical, called ' Recreative 

 Science,' which, like ' The Naturalist,' is of a comprehensive cha- 

 racter. It has received the good word and kind wishes of the 

 ' Phytologist.' 



jNIr. Sowerby's ' British Wild Flowers,' as we are informed by 

 a correspondent, is behindhand both in time and promised quan- 

 tity of matter. Inquiries have also been made about Sowerby's 

 ' British Grasses,' still unfinished. It is to be hoped that these 

 works are not " hanging fire." 



The ' Botany of Ceylon,' by Mr. Thwaites and Dr. J. D. 

 Hooker, is advancing steadily towards completion. An ample 

 review of this valuable contribution to our literature will appear 

 in this number of our publication. 



The ' Species Filicum' of Sir W. J. Hooker, and the ' Index 

 Filicum ' of Thomas Moore, have advanced some steps, and are 

 now appearing with greater regularity, or at briefer intervals. 



The great work of Professor Agardh, on a new system of 

 classification, does not appear to have made much progress in 

 England. Has it been appreciated on th^ Continent ? It was 

 not neglected by the ' Phytologist.' 



' Nature-printed Seaweeds ' have . appeared. Will any of our 

 readers who possess the work send us a review of it ? 



On the whole, the most important contribution to British 

 Botany during the past year is the ' Phytologist.' 



In the November number there is a larger contribution to the 

 British Flora than was ever communicated at one time since the 

 days of the Father of British Botany, Mr. Ray. This item we 

 leave to speak for itself. We have the more satisfactory duty 



