46 
EPICRISIS SYSTEMATIS FLORIDEARUM. 
Since the publication of the first and second parts of Vol. ii. 
great impulse has been given to the study of Algology by the 
voyages and publications of Dr. Harvey, and the numerous recent 
scientific expeditions, all of which have brought home immense 
numbers of specimens of Algae in excellent condition and of all 
ages, and frequently with the fructification well developed. A 
great many of the species thus obtained were new to science ; 
others afforded the means of correcting former errors of descrip- 
tion and classification. Under these circumstances an entire re- 
vision of the second volume of Professor Agardh’s work was 
highly necessary, and will be eagerly w^elcomed by Algologists. 
The changes introduced are radical, extending not only to 
species and genera, but to orders also. The Orders (22 in 
number) are arranged under six series, and include 169 genera, 
of which 28 are new. The labour these changes have 
caused must have been enormous ; numbers of examples of every 
species have been thoroughly examined, both as to their structure 
and fructification. On this point Professor Agardh states in his 
Preface that in the new volume, as in the preceding, no species has 
been admitted into the text which had not previously been 
examined by him. Species of doubtful character or affinity are 
placed at the end of each genus, under the title .of “ Species in- 
quirenda.” These, in some cases, constitute a sufficiently long list. 
Some species, however, easily recognised, have been admitted on 
the faith of well-executed figures. 
Some idea of the immense quantity of materials from all parts of 
the world which were examined, and of the conscientious labour 
bestowed on the work, may be formed by the fact that, although 
the new volume extends to upwards of 700 pages (including the 
Index), new descriptions of well known species are not repeated, 
but reference is made in such cases, to the former descriptions in 
Parts 1 and 2 of Yol. ii. of “ Species Algarum.” Thus the 
present volume is strictly supplementary to the preceding parts of 
the work, and will prove of great value to Algologists, who have 
long felt the want of it. 
Time and space do not admit of a complete analysis of the new 
volume. \Yith regard to its effects upon the Algje found on the 
British coast, it is apparent that an entire revision of the arrange- 
ment of the species, genera, and orders must be made. Before con- 
cluding this notice of the work, a few of the modifications effected 
may be mentioned. Griffithsia secundijlora has, from examination 
of the fruit, been placed in the new genus Bornetia ; Stenogramina 
has been removed to Order III., Gigartine^, and is placed in 
Tribe 2, next to Gymnogongriis. A new genus has been created 
for Schizymeiiia edulis^ namely, Sarcophyllis ; and another new 
genus for Wormskioldia sanguinea, which is now Hydrolapathum 
sanguinea. 
Mary P. Merrifield. 
