146 REVIEWS. [May, 



direction contrary to that of the fructification ; involucres numerous, truly 

 ovate, each valve remarkably convex, gibbous, or inflated throughout, 

 etc, smaller than H. tunbtidgense, more rigid, of a strongly reticulated 

 structure, and of a darker or more lurid green." 



He further shows that in the distribution there is a wide 

 separation. '' H. tunbridgense is decidedly a subalpine plant, 

 affecting shady glens and courting the screen of aged woods.^' 

 In such localities H. Wilsoni is never found. H. Wilsoni affects 

 elevated and open situations where it is more exposed to atmo- 

 spheric influences than the former is, Avhich delights in sheltered 

 positions. 



In the conclusion of this excellent paper, the author does not 

 decidedly affirm that H. Wilsoni is certainly a synonym of what 

 is by some authors called H. unilaterale, but quotes from a letter 

 to himself from Bory de St. Vincent, who evidently inclines to 

 the opinion that the name H. Wilsoni should be retained as the 

 representative of our second British Htjmenophyllum. 



In another paper on the same subject, D. N. H. Rev. 439, 

 Mr. Andrews informs his readers that " there is no record by 

 Willdenow of the existence of H. unilaterale in Europe," and 

 considers it probable that " the form now described by Conti- 

 nental botanists imder that name is none other but H. Wilsoni/' 

 This might surely be easily settled by a comparison of Conti- 

 nental with British specimens. 



We wish one of our excellent and amiable correspondents, who 

 is now botanizing in the south of France, the French Alps, and 

 Pyrenees, would turn his attention to this interesting question, 

 and give our readers the benefit of his observation and experience. 



There is in this admirable paper much more matter about Ferns 

 which would be interesting to our readers, but space, alas ! for- 

 bids extracting it, at present. In a future number some more 

 of Mr. Andrews' experience may be communicated in our pages. 

 There are indeed symptoms, in the second paper on this subject, 

 of a rather fierce contest between the supporters of the unity 

 and the duality of these plants. Into this we do not venture. 



The article is recommended to those who wish to learn the 

 opinions of the belligerents on both sides. " What great events 

 from trivial causes spring \" 



Note. — In Sir Wm. J. Hooker's letter to Mr. Andrews, stating 

 his opinion that the two are distinct, Prest is printed for Presl. 



