RcvH'7VS and Book Notices. 125 



a book intended for field botanists the nomenclature of the 

 8th, rather than that of the latest, London Catalog-ue should have 

 been followed. A speciality has been made in recording- ballast 

 plants ; and it is interesting- to learn that while most of these only 

 find a temporary home, yet some others show signs of becoming 

 naturalised. A list of the latter plants in the introduction 

 would have been of value. It is stated that during the last 

 thirty years some species have become extinct, or much more 

 scarce, and three reasons are given to account for the fact- 

 g-rovvth of population, better farming-, and ' depredations ot 

 fern and herb gatherers, and also of unwise field botanists.' 

 There are probably other causes which the editor does not 

 state; and seeing that records date from Withering's Flora 

 (1776-1818), these too brief observations could profitably have 

 been extended over more than thirty years. The figures are so 

 delightfully clear that it seems a pity that they were not made 

 of even more service to field botanists. This could have been 

 done b}- the addition of sketches of characteristic parts, e.g., 

 roots, tubers, radical leaves, and fruits; and by giving dissections 

 of the more minute organs. Very occasionally Miss Wood has 

 done these things, and then mostly with success. Drawings of 

 allied species are most helpful in identifying allied species ; 

 and though such are often given, there are exceptions (e.g., 

 Rdjiiuiciiliis Lcitonuondi and R. hederaceus, Betula alba and 

 B. gliitinosa, Potamogeton natans and P. polygonifolius). Occa- 

 sionally varieties are figured, and the drawings oi Jitncus congcsta 

 and J. umbcUata are decidedly good ; but not much essential 

 difference is discernible between the figures of Enophornm 

 angiistifoUum and E. latifoliuni. The stipules of Pnums Cenisiis 

 are not shown, though usually the figures are well done. Several 

 ballast introductions are figured, perhaps for the first time in this 

 country. These include Echinospcrininn lappiila and Asphodclus 

 Jistulosa. 0\\ the whole, the Liverpool botanists are to be con- 

 gratulated on the appearance of their ' Flora,' which is well 

 got up in every way, and in which the species are accurately 

 determined and carefully localised. We are indebted to Dr. 

 Green for the illustrations here given. C. E. AL 



Aniong;st other valuable additions to the Union's library received are: — 

 'The Annual Report of the U.S. NationaljMuseum,' 'Smithsonian Institution,' 

 1900, a substantial volume ot" g-reat value to naturalists and those interested 

 in museums ; the ' Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural 

 Sciences.' also illustrated with numerous plates ; and Black%vood' s Magasine 

 for March, whicli contains an article by iMr. E. Robinson, ' Winter on the 

 South Downs,' oi interest to ornitholog-ists. 



1903 April I. 



