960 



scription and figure of the young frond of Botrychium Lunaria, a year 

 prior to its appearance above ground, are new and interesting. The 

 monograph of Lycopodiacese is already before the readers of * The 

 Phytologist,' and to this there is no material addition, except a list of 

 habitats ; and under Isoetes lacustris an interesting detail of its mode 

 of increase, which accounts very clearly for the crowded and elon- 

 gated state in which it is frequently found. The reprints comprised 

 in the Appendix will be acceptable to botanists. 



It may perhaps be expected that we should oiFer a more decided 

 opinion as to the merits of this work ; but let those who think so, re- 

 collect the identity of the author of the ' History ' and the proprietor 

 of 'The Phytologist,' and we think it will be allowed that a mere 

 commentary on the contents, and an exhibition of a very few of the 

 illustrations — six out of one hundred and forty, — is all that decency 

 allows, although not less than our position as faithful chroniclers 

 seems to require. 



Art. CCXIV. — Further remarks on Botanical Classification. 

 By Philip B. Ayres, Esq., M.D. 



Thame, April 18, 1844. 



Sir, 



When I penned my remarks on Mr. Edmonston's views, 

 I certainly did not expect that they would have called forth as his 

 champion a gentleman occupying so high a station in the scientific 

 world as the Vice-President of the Linnean Society. Notwithstanding 

 the great respect I feel for one so distinguished, and fully aware as I 

 am, of the difficulty a raw recruit, like myself, must encounter in op- 

 posing a veteran, I must crave your permission to offer a few notes 

 upon the notes of Mr. Forster ; and this I shall do with all proper 

 courtesy and deference. I find his notes to consist : — 



1. Of remarks upon the terms artificial and natural. 



'2. On the meaning of the term species. 



3. On some innovations of fashionable modern and juvenile botanists. 



In the first place, with respect to the artificial and natural systems, 

 I find Mr. Forster affirming that the term natural is equally applicable 

 to the systems of Linneeus, of Jussieu, of Decandolle, &c. ; but that 

 the system of Linnaeus, preeminently the artificial system, does not 

 show the evident affinity so clearly as the others. 



