36 THE JOURNAL OF BOTANY 



book that concerns itself with the genera ; though held back till 

 the rest of the work had been published, it will naturally take its 

 place at the beginning of the volume when bound. It consists of 

 a systematic enumeration of the 149 recognized genera, with their 

 synonymy arranged both chronologically and systematically. It is 

 based on Diels's classification in Engler and Prantl's Die natm- 

 lichen Pflanzenfamilien. The type species (if known) is quoted in a 

 prominent position under each genus. 



Now that the work is complete, it is possible to realize more 

 clearly the great service which Herr Christensen has rendered to 

 pteridologists by collecting and arranging in so concise and con- 

 venient a form such a vast number of citations and synonyms. 

 Among the chief stumbling-blocks of pteridology in the past have 

 been the want of correspondence between the rival systems of 

 classification, the lack of coincidence in the ground covered by the 

 genera of the respective systems, and the difficulty of determining 

 the synonymy of the various species. These and other such 

 troubles of nomenclature need trouble us no longer, thanks to 

 Herr Christensen's patiently elaborated Index — a work which has 

 taken long years to prepare, and which by the accuracy of its 

 citations reveals the ungrudging care bestowed upon its compila- 

 tion. In connection with English ferns it will be noticed that 

 there is a slip which calls for correction. Trichomanes pyxidifenun 

 of Hudson's Flor. Angl. p. 392 (1762), is referred by the author to 

 HymenophyUum tunbridgente as a synonym, but it is evident from 

 the station quoted by Hudson for the plant that the latter is x« 

 radicans Sw. Hudson says (loc. cit.) that it was found by D r - 

 Richardson " at Belbank, scarce half a mile from Bingley, at the 

 head of a remarkable spring." It wouid of course be no matter 

 for surprise should some errors of this sort be found in so intricate 

 and exacting a piece of work, however carefully the author may 

 have prepared his manuscript and revised his proofs. The real 

 marvel is that anyone should have succeeded in producing a result 

 so near perfection. » q 



Indian Trees: an account of Trees, Shrubs, Woody Climbers, Bamboos 



and Palms indigenous or commonly cultivated in the British 

 Indian Empire. By Dietrich Brandis, K.C.I.E., &c, assisted 



by Indian Foresters. Eoyal 8vo, cloth, pp. xxxiv, 767. 

 Price £1 Is. Constable & Co. 



In this handsome volume Sir Dietrich Brandis has summarized 

 the results of half-a-century's study of his subject. During the 

 twenty-eight years of his Indian service, beginning with his appoint- 

 ment in 1856 to the charge of the forests of Pegu, he was collecting 

 material, and since his retirement he has devoted himself to its 

 elaboration in relation to the great herbaria of this country 

 primarily to that of Kew, which for Indian plants is unrivalled. 

 He has continually received notes and collections from his former 

 colleagues and from those who have succeeded them, and, being 

 thoroughly acquainted with the copious literature of the subject, 



