NATURE 
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6,” 1914. 
THE NEW BRITISH FLORA. 
The Cambridge British Flora. By Dr. C. E. 
Moss. [Illustrated from drawings by E. W. 
Hunnybun. Vol. ii., Salicacee to Cheno- 
podiacee. Pp. 206+ 206 plates. (Cambridge: 
University Press, 1914.) Price 2l. ros. net. 
HERE can be no difference of opinion as to 
the need for a new, comprehensive, and 
authoritative British flora. Our knowledge of 
British plants has increased and broadened to an 
extent which renders the ‘English Botany ” quite 
inadequate for critical work. Sir J. E. Smith’s 
“English Botany,” with the admirable illustra- 
tions by James Sowerby, goes back to the early 
years of last century; and the third edition, with 
its much inferior illustrations, is, from the point 
of view of the modern worker, almost equally out 
of date. One of the most important changes 
which has influenced British botany during the 
last half-century is the comparative study of our 
flora and that of other European countries. Prof. 
C. C. Babington was one of the first to appreciate 
the importance of this relation, and his manual, 
now in its ninth edition, is still regarded as the 
most critical presentation of the botany of the 
British Isles. It is appropriate that Babington’s 
successor in charge of the 
arium, and the Cambridge University Press, 
should be jointly responsible for a comprehensive 
and up-to-date presentment of the same subject. 
It goes without saying that Dr. Moss has 
entered upon a difficult piece of work. The treat- 
ment adopted, as illustrated by the one volume 
which has already appeared, shows that the work 
is to be no mere compilation, but that it will 
record the results of a thorough critical study of 
each group. The full meaning of this will be 
realised only by those who have followed the 
detailed study of the flora of north and central 
Europe, of which our own forms a part, during 
the past few decades. Dr. Moss has special quali- 
fications for this work, but to bring such an under- 
taking to a satisfactory completion within reason- 
able time is more than one man’s task, and we are 
glad to note that Dr. Moss has promise of help 
from various botanists who have made a speciality 
of certain groups. We trust that he will make 
use to the fullest extent possible of this expert 
assistance. 
The plan of the book is fully explained in 
the introduction. The systematic arrangement 
of the groups is that of Engler’s ‘“ Syllabus,” 
an arrangement which is now in general use 
on the continent of Europe and also in 
NO. 2336, VOL. 93] 
Cambridge Herb-- 
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America. Following the recommendations of 
the International “Rules of Nomenclature,” 
Dr. Moss uses the term “family” in place 
of “natural order,” while the “order” is a group 
of higher rank—an aggregate of families. Ex- 
cept in a few minor points, Dr. Moss follows the 
“Rules,” to a discussion of which he devotes 
several pages. He does not, however, fully 
appreciate the advantage of rules, namely, that 
you follow them, but sometimes goes out of his 
way to assert an individuality in matters of trifling 
importance. Short but adequate descriptions are 
given of the orders, families, and genera; those of 
the species are generally longer, the length vary- 
ing with the needs of the case; under the species 
the different varieties and forms are sufficiently 
described; subspecies are not recognised. Syn- 
onymy, references to published figures and ex- 
-siccata are quoted in so far as these are helpful 
to the student of British plants; and the distribu- 
tion in the British Isles and also the general 
distribution are given. British distribution is in 
many cases illustrated by outline maps. In his 
concept of species Dr. Moss has steered a middle 
course between the larger view as typified by 
Bentham’s work and the petit espéce of the 
French botanist, Jordan. 
In the present volume (vol. ii.) the earlier orders 
of Dicotyledons are treated, comprising the 
catkin-bearing families, which, with Ulmacee, 
Cannabacee, and Urticaceze, form the subclass 
Amentiflore, Santalacee, Loranthacez, Aristolo- 
chiaceze, and Polygonacez, forming the subclass 
Petaloideee, and Aizoacee, Amarantaceze and 
Chenopodiacez, forming a portion of the subclass 
Centrosperme. As this list indicates, plants are 
included which, though not indigenous, are more 
or less definitely naturalised, such as Mesem- 
bryanthemum edule (Aizoacez), a native of the 
southern hemisphere, and the American Amar- 
antus retroflexus. The accurate recording of the 
occurrence of plants of this category is of special 
interest with a view to their future behaviour as 
items of our flora. The genus Betula has been 
elaborated by the Rev. E. S. Marshall, and in 
the family Chenopodiacee Dr. Moss has had the 
assistance of Mr. A. J. Wilmott (Atriplex), Mr. 
C. E. Salmon (Salsola), and Dr. E. J. Salisbury 
(Salicornia). 
The text is very clearly printed, and the contrast 
of type is well-selected and helpful. A little more 
space might with advantage have been allowed 
between each family, and the typographical subor- 
dination of the genus-name is somewhat discon- 
certing until one gets used to it; but the general 
effect is dignified. A good portrait of John Ray 
forms a fitting frontispiece. 
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