Professor Henslow's Catalogue of British Plants. 393 



long confused, by a reference to the prejudice or disgust that is as- 

 sociated with them, existing even in the south, and as we proceed 

 northward not to be overcome ; albeit we Scotch are not famous 

 for squeamishness or delicacy. Of Acipenser we have one species 

 only noted, but it is more than probable that some additions will be 

 made ere long to this genus ; the species of the continental seas 

 are closely allied, and the occurrence of specimens on the British 

 coasts being comparatively rare, their distinctions have necessarily 

 been scarcely investigated. Scylliitm melanostomum is added from 

 a drawing of Couch. The volume concludes with the account of 

 two most remarkable creatures, the Myxine glutinosa, found chiefly 

 on the east coast, and far from uncommon in the vicinity of Ber- 

 wick ;* and the Lancelet, Amphioxus lanceolatus, Yarr, supposed 

 to be the example of lowest organization among fishes — rare and 

 singular. So much for our notes. — We conclude by repeating our 

 recommendation of Mr Yarrell's volumes, and wishing them every 

 success. 



II. — A Catalogue of British Plants, arranged according to the Na- 

 tural System, with the Synonyms of De Candolle, Smith, Lindley, 

 and Hooker. By the Rev. J. S. Hensjlow, M. A. Professor of 

 Botany in the University of Cambridge. Second Edition, 12mo. 

 pp. 64, 1836. 



Were this only a catalogue of names and synonyms, as indicat- 

 ed by the title, we should consider it a useful addition to the li- 

 brary of the British Botanist ; and one particularly required at the 

 present time, when changes in nomenclature are so frequent and 

 confusing. But the usefulness of the work is by no means limited 

 to that of a mere compilation of names, the catalogue being made 

 instrumental for conveying important suggestions and improve- 

 ments in matters interesting to botanists, particularly with regard 

 to those much disputed points, the indigenousness and the specific 

 distinctness of our wild plants. In reference to the latter question 

 a threefold division is followed, namely, species, — questionable spe- 

 cies, — varieties ; the latter being again distinguished according as 

 they are elevated to the rank of species by one or more of the au- 

 thorities above named. The author's divisions under the former 



* See a most important and elaborate paper on the Myxoideae in the Trans- 

 actions of the Royal Academy of Berlin, by Muller, of which we give an analy- 

 sis in the present number, p. 402. 



