Review. 
3i 
name. However, it must be admitted that these cases nearly all 
refer to groups which the non-professional botanist would be apt to 
avoid. The treatment awarded to the Graminese is scarcely on a 
level with that given to other families, which seems unfortunate in 
a region in which, if grasses are not dominant, a very large number 
of species occur, many of very striking appearance. Thus it is a 
little trying to he faced with a sentence such as “ The following 
species occur, some of them being very pretty grasses ” followed by 
a list of sixteen names hut no distinguishing characters (p. 239). 
The author has wisely avoided the thorny subject of strict 
nomenclatorial rules. He tells us in the preface that the names used 
are not in all cases governed by exact priority, but generally accepted 
names are retained. The synonyms that are given are few, in fact 
they are only used in cases of plants to which several different 
names have been applied in standard works. One is glad to see 
that no attempt has been made to manufacture so-called English 
names for species generally unknown in this country. 
The book is provided with two introductions. That by Mr. A. G. 
Tansley is on Riviera Vegetation and gives in a very short space 
a clear picture of some of the more striking features of the distribution 
of plant associations in the region. The relations of soils and of 
shelter from the hot drying effects of the Mediterranean sun are 
well brought out. The account is tantalizingly short and leaves the 
reader with a great longing to hear more. This account is illustrated 
by reproductions of several excellent photographs taken by Mr. 
Thompson. These show clearly some of the more characteristic 
features of the vegetation and several of the more noticeable plants. 
The other introduction is by Mr. Thompson on methods of 
collecting and preserving plants and is a valuable and clear account 
not only useful to the beginner or amateur but also to the 
professional botanist who is amassing a herbarium. 
The volume is printed on thin but sufficiently opaque paper and 
though a little large for the average pocket is light and easily carried. 
It should certainly be in the hands of every visitor to this most 
favoured part of Europe. 
R.S.A. 
