72 REVIEW. [March, 



inconvenience, the reproduction of another being only a matter 

 of time. 



Another troublesome companion with which the botanist, as 

 he culls the flowers, is likely to meet, is a species of wasp or 

 hornet, familiarly known by the name of Jack Spaniard. These 

 insects swarm on the trees, and are often concealed among their 

 blossoms, and on being grasped, immediately inject their venomous 

 sting. I was, in Barbados, stung myself while gathering a flower, 

 and the pain I experienced for hours was excessive — it was abso- 

 lute torture. These remarks may create a smile or elicit a sneer, 

 but should the reader be so unfortunate as to come in contact 

 with any of these three enemies, I am certain his laughter would 

 soon be turned to wailing and sorrow. 



The preceding remarks have just been noted down as they 

 occurred to my memory. They are all facts, which in almost 

 every instance came under my own experience and observation 

 while residing in these islands. 



Bridge End, Perth, Jan., 1859. 



Theoria Systematis Plantarum ; accedit Familiarum Phaneroga- 

 marum in Series Naturales Disjjositio, secundum Structure 

 Normas et Evolutionis Chxidus instituta. Auctore Jacob. 

 Georg. Agardh, Botanic, in Academ. Lundensi Professore. 

 Cum tab. xsviii. Ex ofiicin. lithogr. Cronholmiana. Londini : 

 apud W. Pamplin. 1858. 



It is not improbable that the susceptibilities of the laissez faire 

 section of British botanists may have been rather severely tried 

 by the appearance of two new descriptive works on our British 

 plants within the short period of twelve months. What they 

 will think of an entirely new system of Botany can only be known 

 when they please to give utterance to their cogitations on the- 

 subject. The ' Phytologist ' has waited full four months, and as 

 yet there is no sign. 



Our readers have been promised a notice of the above-named 

 work, and though we would rather follow than lead, our promise 

 is not like a piecrust ; the pledge is now to be redeemed. 



A systematic theory of plants, or a theory of systematic Bo- 



