706 Iloulrr and Gieviltes Ferns. 



ference could be made for the solution of every puzzle and 

 every dilficulty ; for the introductions previously extant, though 

 good in iheir day, or in application to tiie system to which 

 tliey were formed, were usually iound provokin^ly defective 

 Avhen consulted in relation to tiie prevailing system of natural 

 aflinities. This state of deficiency it is the ofiice of the pre- 

 sent Introduction to remedy, by including within itself all the 

 modern views of the science, and of the considerations attached 

 to it, and explanations and illustrations of all the terms em- 

 ploved in it, as devised and jniblished up to the period of 

 putting the work to press. It will be found a most satisfac- 

 toi"y volume ; and in closing our notice of it, we have only to 

 express our hope, that, at the expiration of every second year 

 at most, a new edition of it, including all improvements 

 Avhich the progress of the science may liave evolved in the 

 interim, will be regularly supplied to the public. 



Ilonlcr, W. J., L. L. D., and Grcvillc, JR. A'., L.L.D. : Icones 

 Filicum ad eas potissimum Species illustrandas destinata? 

 qua? hactenus vel in herbariis delitueruntjirorsus incognitae, 

 vel saltem nondum per Icones botanicis innotuerunt : or, 

 Figures and Descriptions of Ferns, principally of such as 

 have been altoiiether unnoticed by Botanists, or have as 

 yet not been correctly figured. In two vols, folio. Lon- 

 don, 1831. Widi the plates coloured, 24 guineas; with 

 the plates uncoloured, 15/. 



These two magnificent but very expensive volumes supply 

 a valuable help to our farther acqiuiintance with those very 

 interesting plants, the Ferns. They }u-esent figures and de- 

 scriptions^ of 240 exotic species ; and in the descriptions of 

 these, allusions, in contradistinction, are made to additional 

 species. Some new genera are founded, and new systematic 

 aflinities indicated. The species figm-ed and described in the 

 work are from India, St. Vincent's, Jamaica, Quito, the Mau- 

 ritius, and New Holland ; so that, besides the interest which 

 the species from each country may intrinsically j^ossess, they 

 associate an extrinsic interest, in serving as a sam}de of all 

 the fern productions of the countries from which they have 

 been severally derived. 



In closing this work, the audiors present their thanks to 

 various gentlemen resident in the above countries for their 

 valuable assistance to it, by the contribution of native speci- 

 mens, and by descriptive notices appertaining to them. To 

 Dr. Wallich, in particular, the authors declare their very 

 great obligation, " for continued supplies of the Ferns of the 

 vast continent of India ; and these," say they, " have now 



