36 



species, no descriptions or keys are given, and specific determina- 

 tions, if they are to be made from the report at all, must be made 

 from the figures. The keys, it is to be regretted, are often inad- 

 equate and sometimes positively misleading, as when under Chara 

 it is asserted that " The stems are covered with a cortex," a state- 

 ment that would result in excluding Chara Schweiiiitzii (^C. cor- 

 onata of most American authors), one of our commonest species. 

 Many of the figures, especially, perhaps, those of the desmids, 

 give a fair idea of the general habit and form of the organisms 

 treated, but some of the others, like that of Gloeotrichia Pisinn, 

 can scarcely be of service to the student, in the determination of 

 the species, at least. 



The bulletin on "The bryophytes of Connecticut " by Pro- 

 fessor Evans and Mr. Nichols is a thoroughly scholarly and 

 scientific paper and one that is likely to have much good influ- 

 ence in stimulating and aiding the study of the bryophytes in 

 Connecticut and neighboring states. The catalogue of species 

 is prefaced by a general introduction of thirty-seven pages, in 

 which are discussed " General characteristics of the bryophytes ", 

 "History of bryology in Connecticut", "Distribution of the 

 bryophytes in Connecticut according to environment ", and " Eco- 

 nomic value of the bryophytes ". Under the head of distribution 

 according to environment, the factors considered are latitude, 

 character of substratum, intensity of light, and water supply. In 

 the body of the catalogue are keys to the families, genera, and 

 species, lists of the known Connecticut species, names of collec- 

 tors, references to exsiccatae and to the principal literature, and 

 statements as to the extra-limital distribution of the species. 

 The general summary shows, that 387 species of bryophytes are 

 at present known to occur in Connecticut and that of these 12 

 belong to the Marchantiales, 92 to the Jungermanniales, 3 to the 

 Anthocerotales, 31 to the Sphagnales, 2 to the Andreaeales, and 

 247 to the Bryales. Only about 18 per cent, of the species are 

 peculiar to America. Over 62 per cent, are common to Europe 

 and Asia, while, of the remainder, 16 per cent, have been found 

 in Europe but not in Asia and 4 per cent, have been found in 

 Asia but not in Europe. Misprints in this paper are few, but 



