British Works. 177 



occasion to remonstrate; viz., referring to the number of a periodical, 

 and not to the volume and page. We suggest, in consideration of those 

 whose time is of some value, that it should not be repeated. On turning to 

 the paper referred to in the Annals, vol. i. p. 478., we find Mr. Hogg disposed 

 to adopt the opinion of Dr. Johnston, of Berwick, in referring the sponges to 

 the vegetable kingdom ; and in the paper noticed in the Linnasan Society's Pro- 

 ceedings, p. 8., Mr. Hogg's views are supported by the fact of his having 

 raised young sponges from the sporules, or seed-like bodies, which are found 

 in the cells or pores of the sponge. 

 Orchidece in the Collection of Conrad Loddiges and Sons, Hachney, near London, 



arranged according to Dr. Lindley's Genera and Species ; with their Native 



Countries. 12mo, pp. 25. Lond. 1839. 



In Sweet's Hortus Suburbanite Londinensis, published in 1818, there are 

 not above fifty hot-house Orchideae; but we see by this catalogue, that 

 the number in the course of twenty years is increased to the astonishing 

 amount of 1,024 species, and that, too, in a single collection. We are 

 not aware that there is another instance on record of such a rapid increase 

 in the introduction to our gardens of the species of any one single order 

 of plants. Of the 1,024 species, of which Messrs. Loddiges possess living 

 plants, about 700 have been named, and the greater part published ; and 

 there are upwards of 350 of which the generic name only is known, or 

 guessed at ; and which, of course, remain to have specific names applied to 

 them when they come into flower ; or, perhaps, in some cases, they may be 

 found duplicates, or require to be constituted new genera, &c. The number 

 of tribes contained in Messrs. Loddiges's collection is four; of the first of which, 

 Maxalideae, there are two sections. The number of genera is 132. This 

 catalogue will be of great interest to the collectors of Orchideae, though its 

 usefulness would have been increased by an alphabetical index to the genera, 

 and by references to figures. However, as it is, it will be hailed with satis- 

 faction ; and we only wish we could see such a catalogue of the Cactacese by 

 the Duke of Bedford, or Mr. Harris of Kingsbury. 



Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Proceedings of the Committee 

 of Commerce and Agriculture. London, 1839. 8vo, pp. 82. 

 This Society is one of the most useful in existence ; first, on account of the 

 almost inconceivable extent of the object which it has in view, that of ad- 

 vancing the commerce and agriculture of both the eastern and western hemi- 

 spheres ; and secondly, on account of the systematic, energetic, persevering, and 

 economical manner, in which it pursues its objects. Having stated this, it is 

 unnecessary to add that it deserves the patronage of every man of public spirit. 

 Happily there are among the members of this Society some men of the most 

 liberal and extensive views ; and the exertions of whom would forward the 

 objects of any society in which they were allowed to take an active part. 

 There are, probably, many members, who may be so designated ; for the very 

 object of the Society, that of ameliorating the condition of mankind in two 

 hemispheres, is an idea sufficiently grand to liberalise the mind ; but Sir A. 

 Johnstone and Dr. Royle, we know, of our own knowledge, to merit this 

 character. 



Among many interesting matters in this fasciculus of the Proceedings are 

 tabular views of the agricultural produce of the country around Noona, com- 

 municated by Dr. C. Lush, F.L.S., the brother of an ingenious young archi- 

 tect, author of several interesting papers in the Architectural Magazine. There 

 is a tabular view of the garden produce of the Marathas, and one of the fruits 

 cultivated in the gardens there. In these tables, the native, English, and 

 scientific names of the different plants are given, together with the mode of 

 propagation, time of sowing and reaping, uses, &c. Our limits prevent us from 

 referring to much more, of an interesting nature, but scarcely suited to this 

 Magazine : we cannot, however, omit the following abstract of what was stated 

 by Dr. Royle, at a meeting of the Committee of Commerce and Agriculture, 



