REVIEWS. 
67 
of lichens exclusively,” modestly adds: “We cannot advance a complete 
natural system of classification. We consider the distinctive marks of 
lichen species to be at present very imperfect and unsatisfactory, and the 
progress of lichenology must soon result in a complete revolution in the 
classification and nomenclature of British lichens. Under these circum¬ 
stances we think it rather preferable only to describe the characters of 
typical and familiar species. We believe that an enumeration, even of the 
mere names of rare species and puzzling varieties, would serve only to 
confound and alarm the beginner, for whom this little work is chiefly in¬ 
tended.” The authorities chiefly followed are—in the Gymnocarpous 
Lichens, Schorer; and in the Angiocarpous, and Graphideae among the 
Gymnocarpous, Leighton’s most excellent monographs. 
Two hundred pages of descriptions of species follow, written in a simple 
and pleasing, yet sufficiently scientific style, to satisfy even the most fasti¬ 
dious ; many useful and entertaining facts relative to the general history 
and distribution of the species being given. However, there is one cause 
of regret here for the Irish botanist, which is, the nearly total ignoring of 
Ireland as a station for British Lichens: not above a score of times is it 
mentioned, though once, indeed, as the only known locality for Corni- 
cularia vulpina, gathered on Killiney Hill, Dublin, in 1842, by Dr. Jacob. 
This is not as it ought to be, and though, doubtless, much of the blame 
rests with Irish botanists, who too often remain silent concerning their 
labours; yet still we think that the author might have made more use of 
the eighty-six pages of McKay’s Flora Hibernica on Lichens than has 
been done. One other fault we have to find in common with all this 
otherwise useful series of manuals, which is the arrangement, or rather 
total disarrangement of the plates, which proves a great inconvenience to 
any one endeavouring to use them, and which might be easily remedied 
by placing them all together at either end of the volume. 
In every other respect we heartily recommend this little book, which 
we cannot but look on as a useful pioneer in the task of raising this lowly 
family of plants from the comparative neglect into which they have un¬ 
deservedly fallen. 
Insecta Britannica Diptera. By Francis Walker, F.L.S. Three vols. 
8vo. London, Lovell Reeve. 4851. 1858. 1856. 
The appearance of works like the present is a satisfactory proof that En¬ 
tomology is daily adding to the number of its votaries; while it goes on to 
