188 : SHORT NOTICES, 
manner of Fries in his ‘ Monographia Hymenomycetum Suecie. 
Two arguments may be urged in favour of this method ; first, that 
it enables the author to incorporate the results of his own personal 
observations in a more succinct form; secondly, the book is 
to the most well-known species and find the descriptions 
clear and accurate mensions of the pileus and stem ar 
given both in centimetres and inches, and when the microscopic 
mark, in some few cases a stri 
disparity in spore measurements, leading to the conclusion that 
those responsible for them must have had different species under 
observation, as, for example, in the following :—Agaricus virosus, 
A. vaginatus, A. stellatus, A. porrigens, A. physaloides and A. micaceus, 
which are selected at random. Convinced as we are of the value 
of carefully-taken measurements of spores, we are pleased to see 
so many given in this work, as we consider it a step in the right 
direction. 
from typographical errors, printed on good paper, and furnished 
with an excellent index: and we shall hail the appearance of the 
second volume with much pleasure. W. Putuies. 
A usrrun ‘Handbook of Plant Dissection’ comes to us from New 
York (Henry Holt & Co.: 8vo, pp. xi. 256, tt. 2), being the joint 
work of the editors of our contemporary the ‘ Botanical Gazette, 
essrs.. J. C. ur, C. R. Barnes, and J. M. Coulter. It is an 
extremely practical work, admirabl rinted, well indexed, and 
easy to consult. e editors say, ‘Although the present work zi 
heres an 
Is issued of late years 
pha, Atrichum undulatum, Adiantum pedatum, Pinus sylvestris, 
Avena sativa, Trillium recurvatum, Capsella ; 
We have received from the author, M. E. Drake del Castillo, 
the first part of a handsome quarto work entitled ‘ Illustrationes 
Flore Insularum Maris Pacifici’ (Paris, asson). The interesting 
introduction gives a brief but comprehensive sketch of the leading 
featur the vegetation of these islands, and of those who have 
mainly contributed to our knowledge of it : we note that the draw- 
ings of G. Forster, about wh; in tl 
