430 Bibliographical Notices. 
tribution; their distribution on our own coasts; and their general 
history. To use the author’s words:—‘‘ The plan which I have 
adopted is, to select the species illustrated in each number from 
several different genera, taken from as many families, so that there 
shall always be a variety of subjects in the monthly number; and, 
as early in the work as possible, to figure one species at least of every 
genus, so that by the end of the twentieth number, which will com- 
plete the first volume, illustrations of all the genera may be placed 
before the student. This, with the aid of the descriptions of species 
and sketch of a general arrangement afforded by the ‘ Manual’ * 
(which may serve as a synopsis of the principal contents of the 
‘ Phycologia’), will afford him very great facilities for determining 
his plants during the progress of this work, even though the parti- 
cular species which he has under examination may not be among 
those then figured in it. Were the plants to be published syste- 
matically, it is obvious that not till the completion of the entire work 
would the student have as much assistance toward understanding 
the genera, as he will now have at the end of the first volume. This 
arrangement is therefore decidedly the best for those who have pur- 
chased the ‘ Manual,’ and as it appears to me, for those also, who, 
now commencing the study of A/gology, wish to obtain speedily a 
general view of the principal varieties of marine plants.” 
Sixty numbers will complete the work, five of which are now be- 
fore us, and we question whether a more beautiful botanical work, 
plates and typography combined, has ever issued from the press,—at 
so low a price we feel certain that none has. In these five numbers 
appear species altogether new (Griffithsia devoniensis, Elachistea 
attenuata) ; some before known in other seas, but now for the first 
time added to our flora (Chordaria divaricata); and several species 
figured for the first time. 
So favourably is Mr. Harvey known to the botanical world as an 
algologist, that to speak of his excellent treatment of the subject in 
all its bearings, as known to the present time, seems to us superfluous. 
We say advisedly as known to the present time, for sufficient atten- 
tion has not hitherto been paid to the general ceconomy of the Algze. 
A knowledge of the peculiar rocks, soils, &c. affected by the various 
species ; the ranges of depth, influence of currents and tides, not only 
on their presence, but on their growth, rendering them dwarfed or 
luxuriant according to circumstances, have not, at least in our own 
country, been properly studied. These causes have a much more im- 
portant bearing on Algze than a mere difference of latitude. We trust 
therefore that the author will throughout his work afford us all the 
information he can obtain on these interesting points—in natural hi- 
story every positive observation is of value. We have ourselves at- 
tended to some extent to what is here suggested, and have been much 
interested to find upon coasts of similar mineralogical and geological 
character, though separated by several degrees of latitude, the same 
broad botanical features; indeed, the mere appearance of a particular 
* Manual of British Algz, by the same author, published a few years ago. 
