930 



Filicum,' appear the following remarks on the value of the venation 

 in Ferns, which will be interesting to our readers. 



"The introduction of the venation into our systematic characters, by no one insisted 

 on with more force and truth than by Mr. Brown, is of the utmost importance in sys- 

 tematic arrangement, and constitutes a new era in the study of this family of plants ; 

 but we are not thence to infer that the slightest variation in the direction, or union, or 

 some other circumstance in the veins, is therefore to constitute a mark of generic dis- 

 tinction. The generic importance of the venation is indeed a matter of great difficul- 

 ty, and I am far from having the vanity to suppose that T have hit upon the correct 

 medium between the placing too little or too much dependence upon the ramification 

 of the veins. In proportion, however, as we advance in our knowledge of the ferns, 

 we shall be able to set a more just estimate upon the importance of venation. The 

 subject is yet in its infancy," 



The second part of the work is nearly ready for publication, and 

 will contain the continuation of the Dicksonieae, including the beau- 

 tiful and delicate genera, Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes. 



The first part of the seventh volume of Hooker's ' Genera Planta- 

 rum ' contains plates 601 — 650, with their descriptions. It " is rich 

 in species from Australia and New Zealand ; and there are many re- 

 markable forms among them." 



The forthcoming work on the British Fresh-water Algae, by Mr. A. 

 H. Hassall is to form one vol. 8vo., with seventy lithographic plates 

 executed by the author, being magnified views of all the species of 

 " Confervaceae and Diatomaceae hitherto discovered inhabiting the 

 soft waters of the British Isles," with an account of the " modes of re- 

 production, growth, vitality, distribution, uses, classification and spe- 

 cies of this extensive and interesting group of plants." Of the draw- 

 ings it is remarked " that they are eminently adapted to illustrate, in 

 the most satisfactory manner, the structure and mode of reproduction 

 of these curious aquatics." 



On the 8th of February letters arrived from Mr. Drummond, who is 

 still engaged in his botanical researches at the Swan River. The let- 

 ter contained " some singular mosses, allied to the Phasca of Europe 

 in appearance." The plants which were brought in the same ship 

 with the letters had not come to hand when the notice was written. 



Mr. Gardner, who left England for Ceylon in September last, has 

 been appointed to the charge of the Botanic Gardens at Kandy, va- 

 cant by the recent decease of Mr. Normansell. 



Mr. Wm. Gardiner's intention of investigating the botanical trea- 

 sures of Braemar was briefly noticed in our last. 



Three botanists — Mr. C. A. Geyer, Mr. Liiders and Dr. Lindheimer 

 — are about to engage in exploring the most interesting portions of 



