498 



Bibliographical Notices. 



are marine productions, which grow in profusion on rocks, shells, and, 

 more rarely, on sea-weeds, to which they are rooted by means of a 

 spreading calcareous crust ; and they rise up to the height of a few 

 inches, at most, in lichenoid or conferva-like tufts, dividing and sub- 

 dividing from the base into numerous branches and branchlets, 

 having the same structure and appearance as the primary shoots. 

 They are remarkably distinguished from other Algae by being co- 

 vered with a calcareous crust, which is jointed at short and regular 

 intervals, and conceals a central axis of a decidedly vegetable na- 

 ture." In this conclusion we cannot agree to the full extent with 

 the author. Ellis, in his * History of British Corallines,' and other 

 authors of long standing and high merit, have all concurred in con- 

 sidering these curious bodies as Zoophytes, and this decision has 

 been adopted by almost every botanist up to the present period. The 

 subject of their true nature, in the scale of organized beings, is one 

 of exceeding interest, and one which is admirably calculated to afford 

 employment to the high powers and improved microscopes of the pre- 

 sent day ; and until they have undergone a careful examination by 

 such means, we may be content to consider their present situation 

 to be in the neutral ground, between the animal and vegetable 

 kingdoms. 



In this part of the work the author describes four species of Nul- 

 lipora and one of Corallina more than we have had enumerated by 

 preceding writers ; and we find, as in the first part of the work, the 

 species fully and carefully described, with copious lists of synonyms. 

 In conclusion, the author has furnished a Latin ' Synopsis Spongia- 

 rum et Lithophytorum,' which is calculated to be of much service to 

 the student. 



The work is illustrated by twenty-five copper-plates, containing 

 numerous figures, and twenty-three wood-cuts incorporated with 

 the letter-press. 



This volume, like its predecessor, ' The History of the British 

 Zoophytes,' by the same talented author, is admirably calculated for 

 a sea-side companion, and we can promise its readers that they will 

 reap a rich harvest of pleasure and instruction through its means, in 

 the study of the curious organisms of which it treats. The author 

 has rendered a valuable service to science by its production, and we 

 trust that this excellent addition to the natural history of our coun- 

 try will meet with the patronage it so well merits, and that the vo- 

 lume will find a place in the library of every naturalist in the king- 

 dom. V. 



Plantte Nova vel minus not<e, opusculis diversis olim descriptor, generi- 

 bus quibusdam speciebusque novis adjectis iterum recognitce. Auctore 

 Philippo Parlatore, M.D., Univers. Panormitana? Professore, &c. 

 8vo, pp. 88. Paris, 1842. Gide. 



By the kindness of its esteemed author we have just received this 

 valuable tract, which contains the descriptive portions of several me- 

 moirs scattered in the journals of Italy, and now collected into one 

 book for the purpose of being distributed amongst his botanical 



