404 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [November 



is essentially a new book rather than a second edition of that formerly 



noted. 3 



Beginning with a sketch of the history of the botanical exploration of 



New Zealand, and noting the landmarks in her botanical literature, the author 

 instructs the reader regarding the fundamental concepts of plant ecology in 

 clear and simple terms, preparing him to follow appreciatively the description 

 of New Zealand plants, not only considered as individuals, but as grouped in 

 communities. Separate chapters are devoted to the vegetation of the sea 

 coast, the inland waters, the mountains, and the outlying islands, as well as 

 to the forests, the scrub, and the grasslands. The descriptions are so good 

 that not only may they be understood by the New Zealand school boy (for 

 it is an authorized textbook in the public schools), but they may also serve 

 to furnish a graphic picture of a unique vegetation to the ecologists of other 

 lands. For the latter the separation of New Zealand into botanical districts 

 and the analysis of the flora into its different elements is particularly interesting. 

 Moreover, the botanist is not at a loss to know what plants are intended by 

 their common designations, for the scientific names always follow. In this, 

 as well as in the use of many excellent illustrations, the volume may well be 

 regarded as showing a standard of excellence seldom attained. — Geo. D. 

 Fuller. 



MINOR NOTICES 



Cactaceae.— The second volume of the elaborate monograph of Cactaceae 

 by Britton and Rose 4 has just appeared. In fullness of description and 

 wealth of illustration it leaves nothing to be desired. The colored plates are 

 particularly noteworthy. The volume includes two of the eight subtribes 

 of Cereae. In subtribe Cereaneae, 38 genera are recognized, including 16 

 new genera as follows: Monvillea, Espostoa, Browningia, Stetsonia. Corryocacius 

 Erdisia, Leocereus, Dendrocereiis, Machaeroccreus, Brachycereus, Jasminocereus, 

 Binghamia, Arrojadoa, Facheiroa, Zehnterella, and Neoraimondia. There are 

 also described 40 new species distributed among the various genera. The 

 subtribe Hylocereanae includes nine genera, Wilmattea, Mediocactus, and 

 Deamia being new, and 48 species, 6 of which are new. The monograph is 

 an impressive illustration of the extensiveness of the cactus flora and its need 

 of taxonomic reconstruction. — J.M.C. 



Flora of Jamaica. — The fourth volume of Fawcett and Rendle's Flora 



>/ 



3 Box. Gaz. 52: 159. 1911. 



4Brittox, N. L., and Rose, J. X., The Cactaceae. Vol. II. Publ. Carnegie 

 Inst. no. 248. pp. vii+239. ph. 40. figs. 305. 1920. 



s Fawcett, W., and Rendle, A. B., Flora of Jamaica, containing descriptions of 

 the flowering plant- known from the island. Vol. IV. Dicotyledons (Leguminosae to 

 Callitrichaceae). 8vo. xv+369. figs, 114. Published by the British Museum. 

 1920. 



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