REVIEWS. 349 



botanists and Fern-fanciers in Great Britain than for Canadians, yet 

 the minuteness of its references to the localities of our Ferns is a fea- 

 ture which would have a special Canadian interest, only that, contrary 

 to the general practice in such cases, localities are given as much for 

 the commonest and most diffused species as for those of rarer occur- 

 rence, so that the botanist of a particular neighbourhood wonders to 

 see ferns which he meets with in every walk, and believes to be diffused 

 throughout the country, spoken of as if they were to be sought chiefly 

 in a few specified spots. The list of Canadian Filiform plants is very 

 satisfactory — a little, we agree with the author in thinking, in advance 

 of the true number, yet with the doubts that unavoidably arise, as 

 near to it as can be expected. 



We may add a few notes relating to the species. Polypodium Vul- 

 gare seems to be well diffused but not common. It seems to be con- 

 fined to rocks in this country, not growing on trees or even sheltered 

 banks as in the British Islands. This circumstance sufiiciently ac- 

 counts for its comparative rarity. P. hexagonopterum is in our 

 Toronto list, though by no means common. P. Phegopteris is ex- 

 ceedingly common and abundant in all parts of Canada which we have 

 visited. P. Dryopteris is even still more abundant, contributing much 

 by its great beauty to the adornment of our forest scenery. Like 

 Dr. Lawson, we have thus far failed to obtain Canadian specimens of 

 P. calcareum or Robertianum, "We have visited no part of Western 

 Canada where Adiantum pedatum is not abundant. Pteris aquilina 

 is as common with us at Toronto as elsewhere throughout the Pro- 

 vince. Struthiopteris germanica is very generally diffused in Canada, 

 and occurs in great abundance. Onoclea sensibilis is in every moist 

 grassy spot. The var. which gave rise to O. obtusilobata, Schkr, has 

 been obligingly sent to us by Mrs. Traill from the Rice Lake district. 

 We have a strong impression of having seen Canadian specimens of 

 Asplenium ruta muraria, yet cannpt at this moment remove the doubt 

 which Dr. Lawson has been obliged to leave respecting its occurrence. 

 Little as is the importance of priority in such a matter, we may as 

 well state the fact that Scolopendrium vulgare was found at Owen 

 Sound by Professor Hincks in 1857, being then laid before the Cana- 

 dian Institute, and specimens placed in the University Museum, whilst 

 Mr. Robert Bell, junr., to whom Dr. Lawson ascribes the discovery, 

 found it in 1861. 



The species of Lastraea of the dilatata group arc very uncertain, 

 and we have great doubts respecting our Canadian forms. We have 



