350 BKITISH MOSSES. 



This is followed by a full description of the genus Grimmia, and a care- 

 fully drawn up clavis or analytical key to the species of greatest 

 help to the student, whether tyro or advanced. The genus Grimmia 

 is divided into four natural sections : 1, Schistidium; 2, Eu- Grimmia; 

 8, Dryptodon; and 4, Trichostomum ; the latter section containing 

 those mosses formerly placed by the older botanists in the separate 

 genus Racomitriam ; in combining these mosses with Grimmia, the 

 author has wisely followed those eminent botanists, Lindberg, 

 C. Mueller, and Mitten. In addition to the genus Grimmia, we 

 have descriptions and illustrations of the genera Coscinodon, Glypho- 

 mitrium, and Anactangium. 



Several species are figured and described, some for the first 

 time, that have been added to our flora since the publication of 

 Wilson's 'Bryologia,' such as Grimmia anodon, G. crinita, G. 

 incurva, G. Hartmanii, G. subsquarrosa, G. elatior, G. montana, 

 G. ovata, and G. elongate. The two varieties of Racomitrium 

 heterostichum—gracilescens and alopecurwn — are raised to specific 

 rank under the new names G. obtusa and G. affinis ; and jR. micro- 

 carpon is admitted doubtfully as a native, as G. ramulosa. Coscinodon 

 cribrosus is also fully described, and well illustrated. 



A notice of this work would scarcely be complete without some 

 reference to the very complete synonymy which is given with each 

 plant, in which each plant is traced through the various published 

 works on Bryology, from the older authorities to the most recent. 

 In conclusion, we may say with confidence that British Bryology is 

 greatly benefited by Dr. Braithwaite's valuable addition to our 

 botanical literature. J. E. B. 



their Homes, Aspects, Structure, and Uses. By F. E. 

 Tripp. 2 vols., super-royal 8vo, pp. 42-301 ; 87 coloured 

 plates. New edition. Bell & Sons. Price 42s. 



b This work has been written by a lady whose mind is deeply 

 imbued with religious instincts, poetical ideas, and genuine 

 enthusiasm for mosses and moss-studies. Her aim has been to 

 present to her readers " descriptions of British mosses which would 

 aid the amateur wishing to ascertain the names of the species he 

 meets with. The language has been simplified as much as possible, 

 and reference to minute detail and intricacy of structure has been 

 avoided where practicable." 



The author appears to make a mistake too frequently made by 

 the writers of popular books, that of imagining that vague and 

 inexact descriptions are more helpful to the beginner than are the 

 more exact descriptions of our text-books. A description to be of 

 service to the amateur should be, at any rate, intelligible to the 



advanced student ; unfortunately this is not the case in the work 

 before us. J 



The work is divided into two parts, " The Introduction " and 

 the " Explanation of the Plates." In the Introduction, Section I. 

 treats of « The Homes of Mosses," and opens with a detailed 

 account of the third day of creation. Afterwards the author leads 



Mosses 



