114 The Botanical Gazette. [March 
Such things as this, together with the lack of uniformity in the cap 
talization of names and the abundant typographical errors, mat the 
appearance of the text very much. a 
It would seem, in the second place, to one nota student of thi 
group, that there was a great lack in uniformity of description of the 
species. Contrasted characters, or description of the same pone 
each species, seem to us almost indispensable for sure identificatioh 
Moreover, in modern descriptions of Characez we notice that mei 
urements abound, and it would seem that additional data of this kind 
should be given. 
These criticisms may seem trivial; but if heeded we believe that tt | 
work, which we have long looked forward to, will be even more US 5 
than it now promises to be; and it goes without saying that every er 
who undertakes to name these plants must have it in his library. ki 
is privately published and we hope the author will be liberally pe 
ronized. ae 
Turning to the Australian work, which comes to us through # rt 
courtesy of Baron Miiller, we remark that its size permits more ©” 
press as well as larger and handsomer plates, though for practical oo 
poses probably not better. In the text, however, we have muc ia | 
arrangement and typography, as well as fuller descriptions, wee 
English. A key to the species of Nitella would have bee? | er 
though probably impossible at present, from the mode of publi m4 
and the imperfection of collections. Mr. Nordstédt has underi® 5 
the work at the solicitation of Baron Miiller, who has done S? ft 
to make known the Australian flora. a 7% 
It is to be hoped that both of the important monographs th . 
gun will be rapidly pushed toward completion. e 
NOTES AND NEWS. 
_ A New Cycas from the island of Formosa is described ané? 
in the January number of the Journal of Botany. 
Dr. Georce Vasey died at his residence in Washingtom, ze | 
R 
A biographical sketch wil] appear in an early number of the 
Mr. F. V. Covitiz, heretofore Assistant Botanist in the ei 
of Apcoiare, has been appointed chief of the Division % ~ 
vce Dr. Vasey, deceased. a 
Rare American plants recently illustrated in Garden Mastet 
are Galax aphylla (Dec. 21), Agave angustissima (Jan. 4) 
binellus (Jan. 11), and Salix balsamifera (Jan. 18). 
~ 
