Analysis of British Ferns. 85 



tance, and a deep analytical investigation of the subject. Any fur- 

 ther observations we must postpone till after the publication of ano- 

 ther volume, in which the subject is pursued ; having already ex- 

 tended our analysis to a length we fear both tedious and tiresome, 

 and only to be justified or excused by the importance of the work. 



III. — An Analysis of the British Ferns and their Allies. With Cop- 

 per-plate engravings of every Species and Variety. By George 

 W, Francis. Lond. 1837. 8vo. 



A work we can honestly and heartily recommend, — which ought 

 to be in the hands of every student of the British Ferns, if he de- 

 sires to have a safe and interesting guide in the investigation of this 

 peculiarly attractive family, and if he is anxious to encourage the 

 labours of an enthusiastic fellow-botanist. 



In the " Introduction" the author enters with some detail into the 

 characters, structure, reproduction, geographical distribution, and 

 virtues of the families in which British species occur, — following 

 which there is a synopsis of the genera. The species are then de- 

 scribed one by one. Here we have a very copious list of Habitats, 

 a selected number of Synonyms derived from personal study of the 

 respective authors, and a good description, embracing a regular spe- 

 cification of all the variations and varieties, evidently deduced from 

 an extensive comparison of specimens from many and distant locali- 

 ties. There is, however, a singular variety of Aspidium Filix-mas 

 which does not seem to have come under Mr Francis' notice,- — where 

 the frond, not above a span in height, is simply pinnate with undi- 

 vided oblong crenated leaves. It is something like Grammitis ce- 

 terach ; and that the peculiarities are not dependent on immaturity 

 is obvious from the fact that the plant is loaded with fruit. We are 

 assured that this variety is frequent in some parts of Ireland, although 

 not mentioned in the " Flora Hibernica." 



The figures are miniatures, but, with scarcely an exception, hap- 

 pily express the habit and character of the species, and will, we are 

 confident, answer every purpose that a figure is intended to answer. 

 They are vastly creditable to the talent and skill of the author, by 

 whom they are all drawn and etched ; and when we are told that 

 they are his first essays in these arts, we view them with a consi- 

 derable portion of admiration, for their neatness and elegance is 

 really remarkable. 



Were we inclined to find any fault with the work it is that there 

 is less of popular matter than there might have been : illustrations 



