EXTRACTS FROM FOREIGN PERIODICALS. 
159 
cision. Soon we shall find, in collections of comparative anatomy, a series of 
specimens illustrative of the genera and species of this order, similar to the series 
illustrating the system of dentition in other orders. The genus Rorqual, which 
is well characterized by external signs, is equally so by those involving the inves¬ 
tigation of the ear, and the different species of this genus are so likewise. From 
it may be obtained precious helps towards the geographical distribution of these 
animals. Thus, it was not known how far the Mediterranean Rorqual extended 
to the north; but a bone of the ear, obtained last year by MM. Quoy and Gai- 
MARD, from their voyage to Iceland, proves that this species penetrates much 
further than was supposed. This character is still more valuable in the determi¬ 
nation of fossil species; thus, an ear found by M. Vanbeneden, in the province 
of Anvers, has been ascertained to belong to a Rorqual, but to an unknown spe¬ 
cies of that genus.— Annales des Sciences Naturelles. 
BOTANY. 
9. Mantissa Muscorum ad Floram Pedemontanum. —A work of the above 
title, originally published in the thirty-ninth volume of the Transactions of the 
Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin, appears to have been reprinted in a sepa¬ 
rate form, the author being J. De Notaris, M. D. The Bryologia Mediolanen- 
sisy published in 1834, and of which an account appeared in the Annales des 
Sciences Naturelles (N. S., Vol. II., p; 120), has already given to the v/orld a 
favorable opinion of the author of this new production, who is destined to com¬ 
plete the bryological portion of the Piedmontese floras hitherto published. This 
supplement contains 90 Mosses, the majority of which are newly described. Of 
this number ten are entirely new. M. le Docteur De Notaris has not in¬ 
troduced any diagnostic phrases; we shall merely enumerate the names of the 
species:— Vohlia IcetevirenSy P. cirrJiiferay Hypnum concinnumy H.demissumy Fa- 
hronia majoTy Ficranum mixtumy Eucalypta lacerUy Grimmia capillata, Anic- 
tangium fiaccidumy Sphagnum variegatum. 
Among the species already known, which M. De Notaris mentions having 
found in Piedmont, we recognise Bryum platylomay Schw^gr., which is closely 
allied to B. capillarcy Linn., and which appears to be principally distinguished 
by the thickness of the margins of the leaves. It is a new Moss to add to 
the Bryology of the continent, for, originally a native of Madeira, it had not 
since been discovered except in Sardinia. 
We hope that the author, taking advantage of his position, will one day publish 
his observations on all the Mosses of Italy, which his acquaintance with the 
botanists of that beautiful country would give him ample opportunity for doing. 
The accurate and practised judgment which he has already evinced in his pub¬ 
lished works, would guarantee his not falling short in this difficult task. 
