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254 NOTICES OF BOOKS.
be grateful to the author for having given them a volume which
can be carried about in a pocket of ordinary dimensions.
The introduction, like the body of the book, contains a great
deal of matter in small space, and evidences much care and local
knowledge. The county is divided into seven botanical districts,
which are mainly identical with those defined by Mr. Hemsley in
his ' Outline of the Flora of Sussex ' appended to this Journal for
1875. Strangely enough, the Medway district has been the least
thoroughly examined : this will no doubt receive further elucidation
when the long promised and much needed Flora of Kent shall see
the light.
The only plant peculiar to the county is Phijteuma spicatum, but
the Flora, as most botanists know, is a generally interesting one,
including such species as Bentnria huJhifera, Viuia lactea, Vicla liUea,
Tiifolium stellatiim (an introduction holding its ground since 1804),
Seseli Libanotis ; Isnardia paliistris, Fhyteuma orhiculare, Pi/rola
media, J'/ri/thncd capitata, Cicendia JiUformis, Oiobanche elatior,
Melittis Melif-sophyllum, Daphve Mezereiiiii, Arum italicuin, Orchis
purpurea, Malaxis j^aludosa, Scirpus triqneter, S. carinatus, Carex
stricta, and Lcersia oryzoides. P/ryteutna spicatum is said to be
" originally perhaps an escape from Warbleton or Mitchelham
Priories, but now established, for more than sixty years, over some
miles of country." We were not aware that there was so much doubt
as to the nativity of the plant. Thlaspi perfoliatum should be printed
in italics ; it is apparently only a casual introduction, as the only
reference is to a specimen from Newhaven in Borrer's herbarium.
Taschenflora des Alpen-Wanderers. Colorirte Abbildungen von 115
verbreiteten Alpenpflanzen, nach der Natur gewalt von
LuDwiG ScHROTER. Mit kurzcu botanischen Notizen in
deutscher, franzosischer und englischer Sprache von Dr. C.
ScHuoTER.
6 francs.
Ziirich : Meyer & Zeller. 8vo, tt. 18. Price
The title of this little book explains its contents. The authors
have figured and described 115 of the most characteristic of the
plants met with in ordinary excursions in the Alps, and the result
is a little book which, if not very scientific, is likely to be useful to
the many who, from all parts of Europe, are making their way to
the Swiss mountains and similar holiday resorts. Tlie more usual
Gentians, Primroses, Campanulas, Senecios, Eanunculuses, and
the like are figured and described in three languages. The English
of the descriptions needs revision : at present it reminds us rather
too forcibly of ' English as she is spoke.' Thus of SHene acaulis we
are told tbat "there are male and female stocks," and that it
"forms firm, often footsized, cushions on the aretes"; Gcutii
montanu)ii has " a wig-like rose-tinged head of fruits," and the fruit
of Anemone alpina forms "a globular wig": Gentiana punctata is
called " Carved Gentian." But a great deal of interesting and
useful information is conveyed in small compass ; and many will
find the little volume a pleasant travelling companion.