68 REVIEWS. [March, 



resembling the curled and convex states of Lastrea dilatata, 

 presenting a wide disparity from the ordinary appearance of the 

 plant. 



In previous seasons the fronds have retained their freshness 

 until the month of December; but I regret to say, owing to 

 their wanton destruction by visitors during the present season, 

 not a perfect frond was to be seen by the close of October, all 

 having been completely trampled down. 



It is not easy to account for its occurrence in this singular 

 habitat, except on the supposition of spores having, by some 

 means, been mixed with the rubbish prior to its being deposited 

 on the spot. It could not have existed here in its natural state, 

 as the site of the Baths was portion of a swampy meadow, fre- 

 quently overflowed by the river Sherbourne ; and it is not now 

 found wild within upwards of a mile of the place, although so 

 late as 1852 a few plants existed on a neighbouring brick wall, 

 but these were invariably barren, always retaining the tender and 

 delicate appearance characteristic of this plant when growing in 

 similar situations ; as for instance on a brick wall at Honily, in 

 this county, where it may still be seen. 



As a not inappropriate pendant to this note, I will mention the 

 occurrence of Lastrea Filix-mas in company with one or two di- 

 minutive plants of Ceterach officinarum on a brick wall near the 

 centre of our city, where I have noticed them for the last four- 

 teen or fifteen years ; whilst a cluster of Ferns, comprising Poly- 

 podium vidgare, Lastrea dilatata, L. Filix-mas, Athyrium Filix- 

 foemina, and A. rhc^ticum minus, may be seen springing from the 

 brick-work near the top of the engine-honse at our railway 

 station. 



Coventry, December, 1856. 



The '■ Phytologist,^ a Botanical Journal. Tfie concluding part of 

 Vol. v., with Title and Index. London : Van Voorst. 



The leading article of this number is entitled the Botany of 

 the Chesil Bank, Portland, by Mr. W. B. Barrett; interesting 

 both to the geologist and to the botanist. The latter will justly 

 deem the following plants in the list rarities, viz. Lathy rus ma^'i- 

 timus, Euphorbia Paralias, and Schoberia fruticosa ; the latter 



