88 REVIEWS. 
our readers, as they will therein find more information on this 
head than we can supply. This work, as the preface states, differs 
from all other illustrated botanical works hitherto published in 
this country, not merely in giving representations equal in size 
to the natural objects, affording perfect facsimiles, both in form 
or outline of the original, but also in supplymg the minutest 
details of outward appearance, even to the different shades of 
colour which often appear in the same specimen. It would be a 
futile effort to attempt a description of the plates; they must be 
seen to be appreciated. Botanists even, unless conversant with 
this branch of the science, will fail to appreciate the nice accu- 
racy, the beauty, fidelity, and perfection of this manner of illus- 
tration. These extremely delicate and exact figures are the best 
possible evidence that nature printing may and will be extensively 
adopted as a medium for displaying the vegetable kingdom ; we 
had almost written, for superseding herbaria. 
The name of Mr. Moore, author of the ‘ Handbook of British 
Ferns’ (see page 66), is an ample guarantee for the faithful and 
practical nature of the letter-press descriptions. Here we need 
not speculate largely on the belief and confidence of our readers, 
for we have the means of submitting to their notice satisfactory 
evidence, and thus giving them the means of drawing their own 
conclusions. 
The two parts before us contain the British Polypodia. Poly- 
podium vulgare is illustrated by three folio plates, each plate 
containing two or more figures (the first represents six different 
forms). This part concludes with two diagrams explanatory of 
the terms employed in describing Ferns. The second part con- 
tains three plates, having each three or four fronds of the remain- 
ing British species of this genus, P. Phegopteris, P. Dryopteris, 
and P. Robertianum, Hoff. (P. caleareum, Sm.). 
The following is an example of the text, which is very explicit, 
we may say, elaborate; and indeed in a work of this nature it 
ought to be so. P. Phegopieris is selected. 
Habitat.—This species is rather widely dispersed, and not unfrequent 
throughout Great Britain, occurrmg most abundantly in the North of 
England and of Scotland; inhabitmg shady humid places, and usually 
districts which are more or less mountainous. In the south-eastern parts 
of England it appears to be wanting, but it is found rather plentifully in 
Sussex and in the western counties. It occurs plentifully in Wales, and 
