1810.) . Monthly Botanical Report. «889 
being prolix in the extreme, not formed at a}l in the concise manner of Linneus,.and rather 
descriptions than definitions, he has, in a masterly manner, framed new generic and specific 
characters upon the Linnzan plan 5 certainly with sufficient brevity, yet, as far as we have 
had an opportunity of examining, adequate to the task of disticguishing the known species 
one from another, The discovery of additional species may wrdeed hereaiter render these 
definitions inefficient 5 for it is impossible to frame perfect characters till all the species are 
Known, the discovery of anew species possessing the same characters as used in the definition 
of one already known, yet different from it, will of course make it necessary to alter the 
specific phrase of the latter so as to exclude the new found species also. 
In this class many of the genera have received a great addition of species, since the priov. 
edition. Crocus, which in that had only two varieties, in this contains nine specics, of which 
six flower in the spring, and three inthe autumn. Ixia, being divided into several new genera, 
viz. Trichonema, Geissorhiza, Hesperantha, Sparaxis, Anoinatheca, Tritonia, Babiana, Lapey~ 
Tonsia, ia a and Ixia Proper, 1 is reduced tn the latte: from 18 to. 13 species, but increased 
on the whole to52. Gladiolus is increased from. 10 to 23 species, though.some of the former 
are removed to other genera. There are ten species of Watsonia, a genus originally framed 
by Miller, and established by Ker, most of which were before referred to. Gladiolus or Ixia, 
Morza and Iris have undergone a new arrangement by Mr. Ker, which is generally followed 
here, and twenty species are added to the two genera, In Marica Mr. Dryander has deviated 
from Mr. Ker, the species enumerated by the former are only Northiana, martinicensis, and pele 
dosa; plicata, striata, and.californiea of the latter, are probably reserved to be subjoined to Sisyrine 
chium, a genus according to Ker not to be distinguished from Marica, but arranged in the 
Linnean system under Gyrandria triandria. It will be evident from the above short account 
that much new matter occurs in Triandria Monogynia, and the whole appears to have been very 
carefully got up by the author, and will we doubt not be highly acceptable to botanists, in 
general, abroad as well as at home. 
In the same class are the natural orders of Cyperoideae and Graminea. Amongst the ae: 
we observe that Vahi’s new genus of Rhyncospora is adopted, which includes ‘Stheays albus 
and fuscus, of Linn@us. Many new species are added to most of the genera in both orders, 
In the class Tetrandria-occurs such part of the natural orier of Proteacez as hive hermae 
phrodite flowers; the Linnzan system unfortunately demands the separation of this familys 
those genera which have monoecious or dioecious flowers are of course postponed to the classes. 
Monecia and Diecia. In this order Mr. Dryander has entirely followed Mr. Brown's e2Say Om 
the Proteacee in the 10th volume of the Transactions of the Linnean Society, with 
scarcely any alteration, further than that the term cyro//a is adopted for the calyx of Mi. 
Brown and Jussieu, and here and there a superfluous word is omitted. Undoubtedly our au 
thor could not have followed a better guide than Mr. Brown, whose knowledge of the pros 
teaceee is greater than that of any man: yet we cannot but feel a wish that Mr. Drvander had | 
undertaken to revise the specific characters, and given them more of the Linnean tersenese - 
and precision. We acknowledge that the task would be aifficult. for ina periectly natural 
order, where the species of a genus are numerous, the difference is frequen'ly marked rather 
by a number of points of slight deviation, than by any striking feature; neverthele s, though 
not easy to be accomplished, we do. think that had he undertaken ic, all obstacles, would 
hhave been surmounted by his abilities. 
To show how great a number of new plants of this family have of late vears been intro- 
duced into this country, we need only observe that the former edition ot the work under re= 
view contained only twenty-four species, whereas the new one contains one hundred and fours 
teen, divided into seventeen genera; though a considerable proportion of the family aré dee 
ferred to a future part. 
With the generic characters of Mr. Brown more liberty has. been teken; all of them 
have undergone a revision. Yo show the mode in which this is done we shaly transeribethat 
of Protea, as given by both authors. By Brown. +Calyx bipartivilis mequalis, Jabi) latioris» 
laminis staminiferis coherentibus. Sty/vssubulatus. Stigma anzustios, cylindraceum, Mase 
undique batbata, stylo persistenti caudata. Receptaculum commune palvis abbrevi tis persise 
‘tentibus. Inwvolucrum imbricatum persistens.——By Dryander. Petals quatuor, quorum tria 
superne coherentia. Anther@ apicibus concavis coroll@ immers@, ut supera, undique 
barbata, stylo persistente coronata. 
In the remainder of the class Tetrandria we observe that the specific characters are in gee 
neral the same asin Willdenow, except in a few species not found in thet author; three or - 
four in the genus Pothos, and the whole of Sal are for whichi new specific phrases have 
‘ been bate 
In Pentandria Monogynia, (not yet finished, as the volume ends with Strychnos), there is 
@ number of this specics enumerated, which Nave heen introduced since the former edition ; 
in most of these the specific ehtracters of Wildenow are followed. [he only deviations we 
pase observed are as follow: 
pnts ana Syleaticum 1S adopted from Dr. Smith 5 Echium grandifiorum ftom Ventenat ; 
E, pare iforum from Roth 3 Symphytum asperrimum, and ‘Onosma taurieg, from Sims; Echiumn fase 
