30 
BRITISH DESMIDS * 
Three parts of this work have now appeared, and it is hoped will 
be continued monthly, until complete; uniform in size and style to 
the “ British Fresh-Water Algae,” of which it may be regarded as a 
continuation. No apology is required for the publication of a work 
so much demanded, as nothing of the kind has been attempted since 
the year 1848, except the “ American Desmids,” by the Rev. F. 
Wolle, which does not entirely fill the vacant place. It would be un- 
becoming in us to venture any expression of opinion on a subject from 
which we are precluded by personal prejudice and self-interest, 
which, however, need not hinder us from a reference to facts, leav- 
ing the criticism to others. This is the third time which the present 
work has been prepared for the press during the past four or five 
years. In the first and second instance it was made ready at the 
instigation of a publisher, who intended immediately to issue it on 
his own responsibility, but in both cases a collapse occurred, which 
put an end to all business, before the publication commenced. The 
greater part of the work being done, including the plates, it was 
consequently the cause of some annoyance to the author to find that 
twice he had wasted some months of continuous labour without 
result, and determined him upon waiting no longer on the pleasure 
of others, but at once to issue it at his own risk, although all the 
plates had to be redrawm from a much larger page, in order to 
make them uniform with the “ Fresh-Water Algae.” This statement 
will show that the intention to produce such a work extends back- 
wards for at least five years, and was not suggested by the 
announcement of any other work on the same subject, and its publi- 
cation was determined upon, and made public, before any intima- 
tion that any similar volume was projected had reached us. There- 
fore no idea of competition could have been present, as we were 
undoubtedly in possession of the field, and had accepted the names 
of subscribers fully three years ago. 
Personally feeling no ambition to abandon the illustration of 
Fungi in favour of Algae, and scarcely any inclination to add to our 
responsibilities, we should have been glad to have left this work in 
other hands, had we known of any definite intention in other 
quarters to proceed with it, before we had advanced so far, and 
committed ourselves to its execution. With this explanation we 
submit the first three parts to the judgment of our supporters, and 
all who are interested in British Cryptogamic Botany. 
CRYPTOGAMIC LITERATURE. 
Lindberg, S. A. Brynm oblongum, “ in Revue Bryologique.” 
Trabut, M. Riella Battandieri, in “ Revue Bryologique.” 
Husnot, T. Muscologia Gallica, part 4. 
* “British Desmids,” a Supplement to “ British Fresh-Water Algse,” with 
coloured Plates, by M. 0. Cooke. Parts I. to III. Williams and Norgate. 
