(1) Alien Flora of Britain (2) The Aconites of India (3) An Enumeration of the Vascular Plants from Surinam(4)Die europäischen Laubmoose

Abstract

(1)IT has been pertinently remarked that the British cannot altogether escape the designation of aliens in view of the continual influx of foreigners, whether peacefully or formerly as invaders, but in such cases the descendants are eventually regarded as natives. Plants cannot, at any rate within historic times according to the author of this book, pass from the class of aliens to the class of natives. This is an exclusive view, but from a scientific aspect logical and correct. It is a difficult matter to establish a test for the validity of native species, especially in an insular country that has been extensively cultivated and the inhabitants of which have been the foremost voyagers in the world. The criteria adopted by the author depend mainly upon a consideration of the distribution of each species in Great Britain and adjacent countries. This applies especially to plants that are generally recorded as weeds from artificial habitats, but which may nevertheless be truly indigenous; the author distinguishes a considerable number of these that are readily noted, since their descriptions are placed within brackets. A noticeable genus is Ribes, for which the author favours the inclusion amongst natives of the species alpinum, grossularia, nigrurn, and rubrum. The compilation of this group has demanded much thought, and whether one agrees or disagrees with the discrimination, it is an extremely valuable expression of opinion, and affords the opportunity to those interested to place on record any apparently natural localities for these species. Less interesting, but forming an integral part of the subject, are the more obvious aliens, including introductions, casuals, and what may be termed drifts. The book fully bears out the expectations that were formed of its original arid critical character, and to the author's wife due credit must be given for enabling the book to take shape when the pressure of official duties seemed likely to delay its publication.

(1) Alien Flora of Britain.

By S. T. Dunn. Pp. xvi + 208. (London: West, Newman and Co., 1905.) Price 5s. net.

(2) The Aconites of India.

Annals of the Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta, vol. x., part ii. By Dr. Otto Stapf. Pp. ii + 115–197; with 25 plates. (Calcutta: Bengal Secretarial Press, 1905.) Price 1l. 1s.

(3) An Enumeration of the Vascular Plants from Surinam.

By Dr. A. Pulle. Pp. 555. (Leyden: E. J. Brill, Ltd., 1906.) Price 15s.

(4) Die europäischen Laubmoose.

By Georg Roth. Pp. xxviii + 1331. 2 vols. (Leipzig: W. Engelmann, 1903–1905.)