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368 NEW PUBLICATIONS.<br />

The deficiency in the upper line of numbers, it must be borne in mind,<br />

is caused by the absence from Middlesex of a large number of character-<br />

istically maritime species. Fr6m the 826, the 58 species require to<br />

be deducted to represent the flora as it now stands. No doubt the<br />

county list is far more likely to be lessened than increased in the future.<br />

The remainder of the work is occupied by a series of interesting<br />

biographical notices of the older botanists who have contributed to the<br />

knowledge of the flora of the county. This is derived to a consider-<br />

able extent from unpublished material, the Sloane manuscripts in the<br />

British Museum being the principal source of fresh information. Mr.<br />

Worthington Smith has contributed a list of the Hyraenomycetous<br />

Fungi of the county ; the Rev. J. M. Crombie a notice of its Lichens;<br />

and Dr. Braithwaite and the Eev. W. M. Hind, a list of Mosses and<br />

Hepaticse.<br />

Compendium of the ^ Cybele Britannica,-' or, British Plants in their<br />

Geographical Relations. By Hewett Cottkell Watson. Part II.<br />

Thames Ditton. Printed for private distribution. 1869. (Pp. 201-<br />

424.)<br />

It is just a year since we noticed (' Journal of Botany,' Vol. VI.<br />

374-377) at some length the first part of this excellent and useful<br />

book. Mr. Watson has carried out tlie intention he expressed in the<br />

preface to that part, and has not allowed 1869 to pass away without<br />

completing liis ' Compendium ' so far as the native species are con-<br />

cerned.<br />

In this second part, 880 species are treated in accordance with the<br />

formula of eight lines, which we explained in our notice of Part I.<br />

The amount of information comprised in each of these formula? is<br />

really amazing, and each aff"ords an excellent example of what may be<br />

effected by a judicious system of condensation and abbreviation.<br />

It is quite unnecessary ^o recommend a book which must take its<br />

place as essential to the library of every British botanist. In a work<br />

of such extent there must be, of course, many points upon which any<br />

two individuals will hold different opinions ; but, after all, the book is<br />

mainly a record of facts, and it is on this account that it is of so great<br />

value, and lays all students of our native flora under obligation to its<br />

author. On p. 348, in the list of counties for Wolffia arrhiza,<br />

" Hants " is erroneously entered for Kent.

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