BOTANY. : 309 
parts and organs of the bird, with full explanations of the techni- 
cal terms used in descriptive ornithology. This is followed by a 
“Key” or artificial analysis of the genera of North American 
birds, similar in plan to the artificial analytical tables employed in 
botanical manuals as a guide to the families of plants. The student 
being-fitted to intelligently use the Key,” by a careful study of the 
“Introduction” which precedes it, the “Key” enables him without 
previous special acquaintance with the subject, to find the name of 
any species of bird occurring in North America, north of Mexico, 
he may chance to have. In the “ Synopsis” which follows the 
“Key,” and which forms the chief bulk of the volume, are given 
concise, admirably clear diagnoses of the species and varieties of 
our birds, with indications of their geographical range. The 
higher groups are also quite fully and satisfactorily characterized, 
including the exotic as well as the indigenous forms ; and the clas- 
sification adopted is probably the one most generally approved by 
leading ornithologists. The diagnoses are illustrated by upwards 
of two hundred figures of such parts as are most useful in classi- 
fication. Following the general synopsis of the living forms, is a 
Concise account of the fossil species, twenty-nine in number, which 
has the great merit not only of being the work of the highest au- 
thority on the subject, but of being the first and only general expo- 
sition of this department of American ornithology. 
While, perhaps, not above criticism in respect to occasional 
minor details, it is a work not only especially designed for stu- 
| dents and amateur ornithologists, but one well calculated to meet 
s the end in view, and as such entitles the author to the gratitude of 
all beginners and even somewhat advanced students of American 
ornithology.—J. A. A. 
BOTANY. 
A Brue Anacarus.— Dr. Gray recognizes the fact that Ana- 
gallis arvensis L., occurs sometimes not only with purple and even 
white flowers, but also with blue ones. Of course it is well known 
to restrict itself, usually, toa rather peculiar red. I have this sea- 
Son found near my house a vigorous plant bearing flowers of most 
autiful and decided blue, which is the first instance within my 
observation. I would like to know how common this form is, and 
Whether it is not a singular characteristic that one species should 
_ thus exhibit two of the primary colors, as I remember no other 
