Page:Journal of botany, British and foreign, Volume 34 (1896).djvu/466

 434 CONSPECTUS FLOR.^ FENNIC^. Impatiens biflora in Berks. — I have for the past four years met with this plant in abundance near Newbury on the borders of the Enborne stream, which forms the southern boundary of Berks. It seems to have been originally introduced from Milford Lake, Highclere Park, where it was planted (see Mr. Townsend's Flora of Hamjjshire, p. 77). From Milford it appears along the Enborne for a distance of some miles, being plentiful at Wash Water and Newtown. Here the plant has become well established. — A. B. Jackson. NOTICES OF BOOKS. Conspectus Flora FenniccB. Pteridophyta — Monocotyledonese. Auc- tore H. Hjelt. (Acta Societatis pro Fauna et Flora Fennica. Vol. V. 1888-1895.) In this very good Flora of Finland (comprehending Finland proper and Russian Lapland) are matters of much interest to British botanists ; combinations among Carex, for instance, quite new, no doubt foreshadowing the arrangement that will be adopted in the 12th edition of Hartmann's Scandinavian Flora. As seven years have been occupied in publishing these parts, it is clear that a considerable time will be occupied before the rest of the Flora will be finished, so that it may be well to say a few words on these and the annexed " Notae Conspectus Flor^^ Fennic^e." This latter consists of a short Latin introduction, followed by a very full list of books, papers, MSS. sent to the author, &c., with explanations of abbreviations and signs used. One of the features of the Flora is the care with which reported plants are sifted as to their authenticity, and a careful reference to what seems to be the true state of nativity in the country. Varieties are fully treated, separately for the species, for locali- ties, &c. For example, the habitats of Pijius sylvestris occupy four pages, followed by eight closely printed pages of notes on the species and its varieties occurring within the limits of the Flora. The excellent maps that were given with the Herbarium Flora Fennica are also given with this. We may take Equisetum arve^ise L. as an example of the treat- ment afforded to each species. After the name, a general indication of the distribution is given, then references to the general indi- cations of distribution in various books, always applied locally ; then follow the habitats under the provinces (twenty-nine in number), following which are given nine varieties, with their stations, and remarks on hybrids, &c. In the third part the "Carices distigmaticae " are begun; here the treatment is even more complete than in other genera, C. salina occupying eight pages, treated under the following heads : — C. salina '^' cuspidata Wahlenb. a. kattegatensis Fr. f. ostrohottnica Almq. f. hamatolepis Drej. t. Jilipendida Drej.