116 
REVIEWS. 
With respect to A. acutum, they will see its right to rank as a British 
species ably and candidly discussed in that storehouse of Ferns, “The 
Phytologist,” for February, 1854, No. 103.* 
The difficulty of pronouncing finally will be understood on reading 
the last few lines, on the 164th page, where six various names are recorded 
as given to the one specimen of Lophodium uliginosum. As to the various 
varieties, each distinguished by some peculiar name, our author seems, 
in general, like old Parkinson, “ to have wholly refused to set downe 
many descriptions of one herbe, but sometime degenerating; let one de¬ 
scription, therefore, serve instead of many.” 
Having said so much of the number of British Ferns, which, after all the 
care and discrimination of Mr. Newman, can be hardly said to be yet set¬ 
tled, it behoves us to say something of the volume itself, which certainly 
does the publisher great credit, and, with its bright green and gold cover, 
looks almost as graceful as the ferns it treats of. Each fern has its history 
recorded under the following heads:— 
Character , which contains the diagnosis of the genus and species. 
Synonymes and Figures , in which the right of priority in nomenclature 
is strictly stated, and long familiar names disappear before those of older 
date. Let us hope that the present ones, though for a time distasteful, 
may be finally adopted, and that collectors may understand each other, 
and not speak in a foreign tongue. 
Geographical Range. —Here we have recorded the localities and habitats, 
in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the various species; and, perhaps, 
no volume, on any branch of British Natural History, has yet been published 
in which more attention has been paid to our native country, possessing 
as it does, forty-two of the fifty British Ferns, of which two have not been 
recorded as occurring elsewhere in the British isles; it has advantages 
for the Pteridologist, which Mr. Newman has not lost sight of, and ofttimes 
he thanks our botanists for kindness, and praises our country for its wild 
though romantic loveliness. Irish naturalists must feel they have not been 
passed by in perusing this volume. 
Descriptions. —Which are well written. The chief characteristics recorded 
and explained so as to materially assist the learner. 
Varieties. —Some of the most prominent of which are glanced at. 
Culture. —In which we have the benefit of the author’s large experience 
in this matter, and ample directions to keep these graceful denizens of our 
woods nearer hand, and constantly under our inspection. 
* “The Phytologist,” a monthly journal, price Is., published by J. Y. Voorst, 
Paternoster-row, London. 
