I860.] REVIEWS. 281 



less filler! with putrefying vegetation, convey the noxious influ- 

 ences complained of in these and similar localities. These effects 

 are, however, gradually diminishing. Peat is not so profitable as 

 cereal crops, for which drainage is essential. As cultivation ex- 

 tends, malaria will disappear. 



The calendar of natural phenomena will be interesting to the 

 readers of White's '^ Natural History of Selborne' and to the 

 admirers of such works as Forster's ' Perennial Calendar.' 



In this, the January number of the ' Natural History Review,' 

 there is printed, p. 36, ' Proceedings of Societies,' a paper on 

 the Ferns of West Clare, by F. J. Foot, Geological Survey, 

 Ireland. A few extracts from this account of Irish Ferns may 

 be of some interest to readers on this (the eastern) side of St. 

 George's Sea and the Irish Channel. 



Mr. Foot enters several of his observations as '^discoveries;" 

 for example, the following : — 



" I had the good fortune to discover Polypod'mm Phegopteris last spring 

 at a waterfall, Glenageer. It grows luxuriantly under the projecting ledge 

 of rock wliich forms the fall, accompanied by Osmunda regalis and Lastrea 

 recurva." 



In the following paragraph he adds — 



" This gi-aceful Fern grows in quantities in almost every ravine in the 

 coal-measure formation. It seems to prefer shady places, but it may often 

 be met with on the most exposed bogs." 



The author also observed a very popular variety of Polystichum 

 angulare, by some authors named proliferum, said to have been 

 found at Wimbledon and other places in England by Mr. Wol- 

 laston (p. 37). Mr. Foot describes the plant, and further states 

 that it is identical with plants cultivated in the Botanic Garden, 

 Glasnevin, called discretum ; further, that it is the angustatum of 

 collectors. 



We have seen very large specimens of Asplenium marinum 

 from Madeira, and they are equalled, if not exceeded, by the 

 Irish plants. 



"The localities are Aylevaroo, Kih'ush (seashore generally). Mutton 

 Island, Ballynalackan, roadside between Listoon Varna and Blackhead. 

 It grows in vertical clefts, which are open joints in the limestone rock. 

 It attains sometimes to a height of three feet, or, in fact, the depth of the 

 clefts, as the top of the frond always reaches the surface. I was so struck 



N. S. VOL. IV. 2 o 



