May 8, 1902] 
NATURE 
2, 
There is ample astronomical evidence that arrangements 
were made for observing the sun on May day both before 
and after the erection of the sarsens, and I think by this 
the truth of the tradition is strengthened. 
Of the more recently published volume dealing with 
the bibliography of Stonehenge it may be said that 
no reference to Stonehenge by any ancient author, 
or any letter to the Z7mes for the last twenty years 
dealing with any question touching the monuments, 
seems to be omitted from the bibliography. Thus, to 
give an instance, I find my old friend Sir Arthur Helps’ 
work on “Spain’s Conquest of America” referred to 
because in vol. iii. he treated of sun worship in Peru. 
The bibliography is not only to be commended for its 
thoroughness, but for its admirable method; it is a 
model of what such a work should be, and has evidently 
been a labour of love: Mr. Harrison acknowledges 
his obligations to the Birmingham Free Reference 
Library and the Bodleian, as well as to the Society’s 
library at Devizes. NORMAN LOCKYER. 
STUDIES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF 
PLANES: 
Die Vegetation der Erde, Sammlung pflanzengeographis- | 
cher Monographien. Werausgegeben von A. Engler 
und O. Drude. (Leipzig: Verlag von W. Engelmann.) 
1. Grundztige der Pflanzenverbreitung auf d. tberische 
Halbinsel. Von Moritz Willkomm. Mit 21 Textfiguren, 
2 Helio und 2 Karten (1896.) 
. Grundziige d. Pllanzenverbreit. t.d. Karpathen. Von F. 
Pax. Mit 9 Textfiguren, 3 Helio und 1 Karte (1898.) 
. Grundziige d. Phlanzenverbreit. 7. d. Kaukasusldandern, 
von der unteren Wolga ueb. d. Manytsch-Schneider, 
bis z. Scheitelflache Hocharmeniens. Von Dr. Gustav 
to 
Radde. Mit 13 Textfiguren, 7 Helio und 3 Karten 
(1899.) 
4. Die Vegetationsverhaltnisse d. Illyrischen Lander. Von 
Dr. Giinther ritter Beck v. Mannagetta. Mit 6 Voll- 
bildern, 18 Textfiguren und 2 Karten (1901.) 
. Die Heide Norddeutschlands. Von P. Graebner. 
einer Karte (1901.) 
HE editors of the series of which the five volumes 
before us form the first instalment are to be con- 
gratulated no less on the courage with which they have 
embarked ona vast undertaking than on the success which 
has thus far attended their labours. The authors who 
have been severally entrusted with the floras of the 
different regions have been wisely selected, and are well 
qualified by special knowledge, extending in some cases 
over a considerable number of years, to grapple suc- 
cessfully with a task of no small difficulty and one which 
calls for the exercise of critical judgment of no mean 
order. 
The general method of treatment is, in its broader 
outlines, tolerably uniform throughout the series, though 
of course there is considerable diversity in the treat- 
ment of details. A brief historical introduction in each 
case gives an account of the previous work done in a 
particular region, and this is followed by a discussion of 
NO. 1697, VOL. 66] 
Mit 
ws 
the physical characters and climate of the latter, in so 
far as these affect the nature of the vegetation and the 
distribution of the plants within the area. The floras 
themselves, though often containing rather lengthy lists 
of plants, are designed, in the first place, to give the 
reader a general picture of the vegetation as a whole, 
and also to enable him to trace its relations with the 
physical environment. For this purpose they are broken 
up into groups, characterised by the predominance of 
some particular tribe or assemblage of plants, ey. the 
oak flora, the Mediterranean, the alpine, &c. In some 
cases, too, the cultivated plants are sufficiently described 
to give a fair impression of the chief features of the more 
inhabited regions. Perhaps the most generally interesting 
part of each book is that which deals with the affinities 
of the flora with the plants of foreign countries, and also 
the ecological peculiarities that are illustrated within the 
area of the several regions themselves. 
The flora of Spain is discussed by Dr. Willkomm. It 
is one which is full of interest, not only from the large 
number of endemic species which it includes, but also 
for the great variety of facées which it exhibits. These 
characters are clearly traced in connection with the 
isolation, in the first place, of the’ peninsula itself, and, 
secondly, in the remarkable diversity of physical con- 
ditions which prevail within it. 
The Carpathian flora, discussed by Prof. Pax, is one of 
remarkably mixed origin, but its affinities can be traced 
pretty definitely to a European source, on the one hand, 
and an Asiatic one on the other. Several forms from 
Siberia find a place here, but the greater number come 
from Asia Minor and do not extend farther into Europe. 
There is, of course, a fairly strong affinity with the flora of 
the Alps, whilst a Pyrenean element is also met with. The 
flora is thus rather a synthetic one, although there are 
a few endemic forms. The latter are, however, related to 
others occurring in the regions above named. In dealing 
with the flora of the lower slopes, the author deplores the 
mischievous effects of an imperfect acquaintance with 
the principles of forestry upon the woodlands, many of 
which are apparently suffering severely from ignorant 
treatment. 
The volume is one which will appeal strongly to any- 
one who is interested in the broader problems of dis- 
tribution and ecology, and it is a solid as well as a sug- 
gestive contribution to scientific literature. 
Prof. Radde, in dealing with the plants of the Caucasus, 
describes the vegetation of the steppes to the north of 
the range, and his frequent journeys into these regions 
enable him to give a very fair impression of the ap- 
pearance of these lands at different seasons of the year. 
The character of the vegetation of the higher altitudes 
of the Caucasus differs greatly on the two slopes, as 
might have been expected from the general trend of the 
mountains themselves. On the southern slope there is a 
great predominance of Persian plants, as shown by the 
abundance of species of Astragalus, Acantholimon and 
others. The prevailing character of the flora is markedly 
xerophytic, and it should be one which would repay 
further biological investigation. 
The author distinguishes five principal zones, viz. the 
