1857.] REVIEWS. 275 



about the middle of May, the latter math is umisually produc- 

 tive, exceeding in value, according to Sinclair, the crop at the 

 time of flowering, in the proportion of 24 to 13. These remarks 

 are only applicable to it in favourable situations, as at Woburn ; 

 the produce was nearly three-fourths greater from a clayey loam 

 than from a sandy soil, and the Grass from the latter was of com- 

 paratively less value, in the proportion of 4 to 6. A moderately 

 stiff" and moist soil seems necessary to elicit the qualities that 

 render the Meadow Fox-tail valuable ; in a poor and dry one it 

 becomes almost useless." We know, from observation, that this 

 is true, and we hope that the graziers, or rather the cultivators 

 of the British soil, will avail themselves of the labours of Mr. 

 Sowerby, from whose faithful delineations they will readily re- 

 cognize the valuable Grasses ; and if they will peruse the plain 

 and ample account of them by Mr. Johnson, they will learn the 

 merits of the various kinds, and will be informed how they may 

 best avail themselves of their respective qualities. 



Index Filicum : a Synopsis, with Characters of the Genera, and 

 an Enumeration of the Species of Ferns. By Thomas Moore, 

 F.L.S., F.H.S., etc. etc. Part IV. London : Pamplin. 



This Part contains the names of the species from Adiantum 

 to Anetium, with the synonyms, the varieties, and references to 

 all the authors who have, during the last two or three centuries, 

 made these plants the objects of their studies and lucubrations. 

 Such a compact and well arranged mass of information was 

 never before collected on this or any other exclusively botanical 

 subject. The work will supply the student of Ferns with a key 

 to all that has ever been written on the subject, at least to all 

 that is accessible. The author is amply gifted with patience, 

 perseverance, and an intense love of the species to which he so 

 zealously devotes his exertions. It is verily an elaborate index 

 {index locupletissimus) , a labour of love. We wish and hope 

 that the circulation of the work may be quite as great as the 

 skill and pains that have been spent on its production. 



