Linncean Society. 447 



have the advantage of possessing a Genera Plantarum complete up 

 to the time of publication of each of the supplementary parts. 



Nomenclato)' Botanicus, sen Synonymia Plantarum Universalis, auctore 

 E.T. Steudel, M.D. Ed. 2. 1840-41. 



The completion of the above laborious undertaking points out in 

 a peculiarly clear manner the great advance in the knowledge of 

 species that has been attained during the last twenty years. In the 

 former edition of this work (if such it ought to be called), which ap- 

 peared in 1821, there are 3376 genera and 39,684 species recorded, 

 whilst in the present edition, which has appeared at intervals during 

 the years 1840 and 1841, the names of 6722 genera and 78,005 spe- 

 cies are recorded ; thus almost doubling the number of ascertained 

 genera and also of species. It is probable that no previous period of 

 similar extent would show any approach to so great a relative ad- 

 vance in our knowledge of the Phanerogamic plants, to which di- 

 vision the present work is confined. 



We need scarcely say more concerning a work that must recom- 

 mend itself so strongly by its mere usefulness to the notice of bota- 

 nists, but may add that, as far as English publications are concerned, 

 it appears to include nearly everything uj) to the conclusion of the 

 1 7th volume of the Linnsean Transactions. 



Enchiridion Botanicum exhibens Classes et Ordines Plantarum ; accedit 

 Nomenclator Generum, auctore S. Endlicher, M.D. 1841. 

 The great work that we have already noticed by Prof. Endlicher 

 had hardly been completed when he again comes before us with the 

 present volume, which contains very full descriptions of the natural 

 orders of plants ; a complete list of the genera included under each ; 

 and numerous observations on their affinities, geography, qualities 

 and use in medicine, for culinary purposes, and in the arts. We can- 

 not too strongly recommend this book to all botanical students. 



PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 



LINN/EAN SOCIETY. 



June 1.5, 1841. — The Bishop of Norwich, President, in the Chair. 



Read, an Extract from a Letter from William Griffith, Esq., F.L.S., 

 to R. H. Solly, Esq., F.L.S., dated Meerut, March 29, 1841. 



Mr. Griffith states, that in its placentation, ovula, and proti-usion 

 of the embryonary sac, Osyris approaches Sanialum, but presents in 

 some particulars still more curious anomalies. First, the embryo- 

 nary sac of Osy7'is seems to be produced beyond the base of the 

 ovulum, passing down through the placenta and through the central 

 tissue of the young fruit to its base. Secondly, the first steps of the 

 growths consequent on fecundation take place outside the i)rotruded 

 sac, Avhich may be found unaltered in the placenta of the ripe fruit. 

 Whether the first cells, constituting the rudiments of the part in 



