Miscellaneous. 157 



Birds ; by Mr. AlHs, of York. — On a hybrid Tetrao, given by Tem- 

 minck as a distinct species ; by Dr. Charlton. 



Aug. 25. — On the Sternoptixinea, a family of Osseous Fish ; by 

 Dr. Handyside. — On the distribution of the Terrestrial Pulmonifera ; 

 by E. Forbes. — On the annual appearance of the Lestris tribe on 

 the coast of Durham ; by E. Backhouse, Esq. — A verbal report on 

 the Marsupiata by Mr. R. Owen. — On a new species of Smelt, 

 Osmerus hebridicus ; by Mr. Yarrell. — On the application of Botany 

 to Agriculture ; by Mr. Jerdan. — On noxious Insects occurring in 

 the year 1838 ; by the Rev. F. W. Hope. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



ORCHIBACEM. 



The public journals have not been wanting in paying due honour 

 to the two most magnificent works which have ever appeared upon the 

 subject of botany, we mean the Orchidacecs of Mexico and Guati- 

 mala, by James Bateman, Esq., and the Sertum Orchidaceum of Prof. 

 Lindley. It would be invidious to attempt to draw a comparison 

 between them. Each is alike honourable, whether as regards the 

 scientific or pictorial department : each treats of the same splendid, 

 eminently splendid, family of plants ; yet there is no rivalry ; and so 

 carefully is the introduction of the same species avoided in both, 

 that one work may be considered a continuation of the other, and we 

 trust they will meet with that encouragement to M^hich their merits 

 entitle them. Sure we are that neither the Botanical Magazine nor 

 the Botanical Register combined can record the numerous species of 

 this favourite group of vegetables so rapidly as to keep pace with 

 their introduction. Mr. Gardner from Brazil alone has sent home 

 to our collections many new species, and we have at this moment 

 received from Mr. Moss, of Otterspool, Liverpool, a Cattleya, which 

 in size, colour and fragrance may be deemed the most remarkable of 

 this family. Its flowers are 7^ inches across in one direction, 8^ inches 

 in another, 24 inches in circumference ! This wiU very shortly be 

 figured in the Botanical Magazine. 



COLLECTIONS OF SCOTTISH AND AMERICAN MOSSES. 



Such arrangements have been made with the family of the late 

 excellent botanist and traveller Mr. Drummond, that the extensive 

 collection of mosses made by him in Scotland, and more particularly 

 in British North America and in the southern United States, will be 



