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. Scyllium 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. HENSLOW, 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. 
