departure from the just rules of a becoming modesty. We ourselves, how ever, are decidedly of opinion that Linnæus sometimes wrote what should not have been written, even in Latin. From Dr. Smith we are in fear of no such abuse; and we take our leave of him for the present, with a pleasing hope that he will not fail to remove the opprobrium ; and that, arraying the British Flora in the chaste and delicate graces which are her proper character, he will prove that she is a fit associate for the fairest and most exalted part of the living creation. ART. VIII. Muscologia Hibernice Spicilegium. Auctore DAWSON TURNER, A. M. Soc. reg. Ant. & Linn. Lond. Imp. Ac. nat. cur.phys. Gætt. necnon Lit. nov. cast. socio. WHEN we parted from Mr. Turner two years ago, he gratified us with an intimation that we should probably see him again; but we did not expect to find him on the other side of the Irish Channel. He is indeed so instructive and pleasing a companion, that we should rejoice to be accosted by him in any part of the world, except the desarts of Arabia. In that arid climate, and thirsty soil, not even a moss can continue to live. We can, therefore, have no objection to meet him in a country which we have long been accustomed to love as a sister kingdom, and with which, in defiance of the table of prohibited kindred, we have lately formed a more intimate union, so as to become one flesh; and we cannot help wishing, that the act of parliament, which made it part and parcel of the realm of Great Britain, had contained a .clause to have it included in the name, that the term Flora Britannica might literally extend to this humid paradise of mosses and lichens. Mr. Turner was first induced to write upon mosses, by a desire to familiarize to his countrymen the system of Hedwig, which is now generally received on the .continent, that British and foreign bota-nists might employ the same terms, and readily comprehend each other's meaning. He also wished to comprise in a small compass, the chief of what has been published in different parts of Europe, in a great number of volumes, some of which cannot easily be procured, and others are too expensive to be generally purchased. He was led to choose the mosses of Ireland for the immediate subject of his work, by a grateful recollection of the pleasure he enjoyed, and the friendly reception he experienced during a short visit to that seat of generous hospitality. Illud, he adds, in the glowing language of enthusiastic rapture, etiam me multum impulit, ut insule, in qua, tantillum modo moratus, benevolentie amicitiæque plurimum sum expertus, insula, Imperio Britannico nuper connexa per arctissima conjunctionis vincula ( quod sit, O! felix quod & usque felix!") thesauri vegetabiles per me magis innotescerent. Est enim Hibernia nostra, terra quâ nulla magis muscorum ferax: excelsi montes, prærupte rupes, profundi saltus, immensæquæ, quibus abundat, paludes, humilibus hisce regni vegetabilis civibus sedes dilectas præbent; mira quoque soli diversitas, aerque, ut in montosis, sæpius humidus. Hinc quæ rarissimè in Angliâ, vel etiam in Cambria, capsules Hypna proferunt, ibi fructifera abundanter reperi; magisque, quam in regionibus nostris luxuriare species fere singulæ mihi vise sunt. He was not ignorant that Dr. Smith was at that time busily engaged in the same study for the work which has just passed in review before us. But he was too well acquainted with the liberal character of that great naturalist, to suspect that he should be regarded as a rival, and that his work would excite envy and dislike. The manner in which he expresses himself on the subject has afforded us such lively satisfaction, that we are desirous of sharing it with our readers. Illud jam tantummodò dicendum superest, me--in hoc opere scribendo, neutiquam amici suavissimi, Smithii, qui nunc jam Flor suæ Britannicæ incumbit, æmulatione moveri. Id certe doleo, quòd ambo de iisdem plantis eodem tempore disserendo occupati, non quod vellemus uterque, auxilium mutuò conferre potuimus. Quantum id fieri potuit factum est; qua de re spero sententias nostras in paucis modò esse discrepaturas; dulcissimum enim fructum profert historiæ naturalis cultura, dum virorum iisdem studiis ejusdemque veritatis indagatione conjunctorum commercium, benevolentiam, amicitiam comparat. If we be not misled by too partial a fondness for a favourite science, such is the sincere language of every genuine naturalist; and such are the feelings which all his studies have a direct ten dency to excite. The frequent intercourse which subsists between these brothers in affection, as well as in taste, may be expected to have produced a general similarity in their views. We accord ingly find that they concur in regarding the terminal or axillary situation of the flowers, and the delicate structure of the inner fringe, often too minute to be discerned by the naked eye, as not sufficient generic distinctions; but, as Mr. Turner apprehended must be the case, some differences have arisen, which we think it incumbent upon us to state, for the information of our readers, and we shall do it with all the clearness and brevity in our power. The genera in the present work are arranged as follows: I Capsule ore nullo. Phascum. B. Peristomio simplici, dentibus C. Peristomio simplici; dentium D. Peristomio duplici; exteriore Phascum multicapsulare (sphærcarpon of Abbot) Mr. Turner thinks only a variety of crispum, with somewhat shorter leaves. Serratum, and stoloniferum, considered as distinct species by Dr. Smith, are also united in this work, with the approbation of Mr. Dickson. Anictangium is admitted as a genus, though it differs from gymnostomum only in having axillary flowers. The ciliatum (bryum apocarpum Lin.) is the only species hitherto found in Ireland; and it differs, Mr. Turner says, so much from the gymnostoma in form and habit, that he could not avoid following Hedwig, and nature, in considering it as an anctangium, notwithstanding the female flowers sometimes proceed from the ends of the branches. But in our conceptions this is rather a proof, that the two genera of Hedwig ought to be united, as they have been by Dr. Smith; and that general habit, in this artificial system, is not a matter of essential consequence. Andræa, Mr. Turner conceives to be the connecting link between the musci and hepatica, sufficiently distinct from jungermannia, with which it was confounded by Linnæus, and at the same time very unlike the other musci. Splachnum rugosum of Dickson and Smith he thinks scarcely different from ovatum; and the gracile of the same au thors differs from sphæricum only in its shorter peduncle, the leaves of both being obsoletely serrated. Though Dr. Smith, and all other anthors, have separated encalypta from grimmia: Mr. Turner has followed them with great reluctance; and, as it appears to him, in opposition to nature, being fully convinced that the narrow, linear teeth of the peristome, and the lax campanulate calyptra, are not proper generic distinctions; the bryum daviesit of Mr. Dickson, for instance, having the calyp tra of encalypta, and the broad teeth of grimmia; and, on the other hand, the bryum lanceolatum of Dickson having the linear teeth of encalypta, and the calyptra of grimmia. As a proof of the uncertainty, we find that the former is considered as an encalypta by Dr. Smith, and as a grimmia by Mr. Turner; and the latter, as a grimmia by Dr. Smith, and as an encalypta by Mr. Turner. The grimmia homomalla (didymodon of Hedwig) Mr. Turner thinks not different from g. heteromalla. Mr. Turner has altered the generic character of pterogonium, to admit dicranum sciuroides of other authors, which he says has no affinity to any of the real dicrana; for, though Hedwig's figure may create some doubt, in his own specimen the teeth are divided to the base, which, notwithstanding the number is thereby doubled, will fix it a pteroge nium: sixteen, or thirty-two teeth, accordingly makes part of his generic charac ter. Dr. Smith acknowledges that, in the form of the peristome, and in the teeth, being nearly divided to the base, it departs a little from the character of dicranum; and that it has the habit, but not the character, of pterogonium. Trichostomum polyphyllum of Mr. Turner is the t. cirratum of the Flora Britannica. and the same plant with di cranum polyphyllum figured in English botany, and since inserted under the same name in Flora Britannica, where it consequently occurs twice. The long britthe teeth of this trichostomum are often found broken short, so as to resemble those of dicranum, a circumstance which led Dr. Smith into the mistake, who says of his t. cirratum, that it has the habit of dicranum polyphyllum, but is larger. Mr. Turner has given a figure of the whole plant, with separate ones of the perfect and mutilated teeth of the peristome, which clearly prove its identity with d. polyphyllum of English Botany. T. ericoides, fasciculare, and canescens are, in Mr. Turner's opinion, only varieties of the same species. Under the genus tortula two species are inserted, humilis and apiculata, which do not appear in the Flora Britannica; the former allied to subulata, the latter differing from specimens received from America only in its pedicells, being a little longer, and capsules more cylin dric. Dicranum bryoides, and viridulum, Mr. Turner pronounces the same plant, not only on the authority of Swartz, but having himself found that the difference arises merely from difference of situa tion, and that one of them actually passes into the other. To buxbaumia foliosa the very singu lar species aphyllum is now first added to the British Flora, of which, however, there is at present only a single specimen, found on rocks near the Lake of Killarney. In the body of the work Mr. Turner has expressed a suspicion, that bryum fasciculatum of Mr. Dickson does not differ from grimmia verticillata, to which it is actually annexed as a synonym in the Flora Britannica; but he informs us in the preface that, having since received specimens from Mr. Dickson himself, he is convinced it is a distinct species. Mnium is united with bryum, in opposition to the opinion of Dr. Smith, who considers the furrowed ripe capsule as a decisive generic distinction. Through the whole work the characters which separate kindred species are carefully pointed out, and a laudable disposition is manifested not to increase the number of species, by raising minute dif ferences to the rank of specific distinctions. Twenty-six of the rarer or more dubious species are figured, elegantly drawn, aud beautifully coloured from nature. ART. IX. Gramina Britannica; or, Representations of the British Grasses: with Remarks, and occasional Descriptions. By I. L. KNAPP, Esq. F. L. S. and A. S. 4to. WE have here the satisfaction to meet with another man of fortune, who devotes the leisure arising from his rank in life to the study of nature. Mr. Knapp has the felicity to possess the skill of the designer, as well as the knowledge of the botanist; and having directed his attention particularly to the investigation of grasses, has traversed almost every part of our island, that he might contemplate the indigenous species of this curious and numerous tribe in their several places of growth, and catch their living forms and manners. Botanical figures are often unavoidably taken from specimens sent in tin boxes to a great distance from their native soil; and, though sufficiently recent to enable the artist to draw them with scientific exactness, cannot be represented by him as they appear in the fields, or woods: for no one can copy what he never saw: and yet each of them has a specific air and character, which an experienced eye discerns at a single glance, before it has time, or is come near enough to them to perceive their peculiar structure. We are informed by the author, that most of the figures in the present work were taken from drawings made by himself" from plants of his own gathering in their native stations, and, to the best of his opinion, judiciously selected;" and, as far as we are acquainted with them, he has happily succeeded in his design to exhibit their living images, with respect to their general outline, and mode of growth. The inflorescence also is delicately and accurately finished; but in the larger grasses the prima-facie likeness is much diminished, by the smallness of the scale on which they are drawn. As Mr. Knapp intended to publish a costly work, we could have wished that he had given us all the plants in nearly their natural dimensions; and, for this purpose, it would not have been necessary to emulate Mr. Lambert's magnificent publication on the genus, pinus. The size of the Flora Londinensis would have been sufficient; and, as two of the smaller species might have been engraved on the same plate, the expence would not have been greatly increased. But we recollect that we are too late with our advice, and even with our wishes: all that we can properly do is to state to our readers that the figures in general are faithful and elegant, and that the colouring in particular is re. markably chaste and natural. Mr. Knapp has also availed himself of his opportunities for personal observation, to describe the different appearance which plants of the same species frequently as sume in different situations, and has thereby done an acceptable service to the investigating botanist, in a branch of his inquiries which has always been the source of much perplexity and confusion. As the title page promises only representations of the British grasses, with remarks and occasional descriptions, we have certainly no right to expect more; but we cannot avoid repeating, that we are strenuous advocates for complete detailed descriptions in all provincial, and, as far as possible, in all national works on botany. The minute parts, and especially the fructification of a plant which has been gathered only a few hours, may be examined with so much greater ease and certainty than a dried specimen, that the advantage should by no means be neglected whenever it occurs. Two or more species have, in numerous instances, been thought to be the same, because their respective individuals all answer to some established artificial character, though they differ from each other in several essential particulars, and consequently require the formation of new specific distinctions. In examining the plants here figured, we have not been without suspicion that one or two of them are in this predica ment. The Flora Britannica of Dr. Smith is professedly our author's principal guide: but he laudably thinks for himself, and follows the path pointed out to him by his own observation and experience. The panicum verticillatum of this work, and that figured under the same name in English Botany, are evidently different plants, and, as appears to us, different species. In Mr. Knapp's, the involucelli are about twice the length of the flower, and their spines, as well as those on the upper part of the culm, point upwards. But he observes in a note, that "he is strongly of opinion that Britain possesses another species or remarkable variety of verticillatum, as he has seen in several collections plants of this panic, said to be indigenous, in which the spines on the upper part of the culm are pointed downwards, and the involucelli catch and attach themselves to every passing body, by means of their strong inverted spines." This is certainly the verticil latum of the English Botany: but we are inclined to think that the plant de scribed in the Flora Britannica is that figured by Mr. Kaupp, for Dr. Smith expressly says, that the bractes or involucelli are twice the length of the flower, whereas in English Borany, he ooserves that they do not reach far beyond the flower, and that their different length will pretty certainly distinguish the verticillatum and viride at first sight The direction of the spines is, however, the best specific distinction; but to this circumstance Dr. Smith's attention dd not happen to be directed when he wrote that part of the Flora Britannica. 66 Mr. Knapp describes the pedicelli of both the verticillatum and the viride as curiously hollowed out like a cup to receive the florets, which are so very slightly fixed in them that they are frequently detached by the expansion of the calyx;" and he thinks it probable that "the object of the third valve of the calyx is to accomplish this purpose, and elevate by its extension the forets from their stipes." It is worthy of enquiry whether the verticillatum of English Botany has similar cup-shaped pedicells. Panicum viride is said by Leers to have pedicelli vix conspicui, nodoso-truncati. It is remarked by Mr. Knapp, that the corolla in panicum verticillatum, viride & crusgalli, "is remarkable, and a singularity in our grasses, nature hav ing appointed it with three valves, the third valve being a fine transparent membrane, to be found attached to the inner valve of the corolla, and hidden by the inner valve of the calyx." Dr. Smith in English Botany (876) says, that " in crusgalli a thin elliptical mem brane," clearly expressed in Mr. Sowerby's figure, and corresponding with Mr. Knapp's, "is clapped close to the inner valve of the corolla on the outside, which Dr. Stokes (Withering, ed. 2. 55.) considers as a fourth valve of the calyx, no doubt justly, and mentions having seen it in the viride and some other species." "But," he adds, "we have not been equally successful in this respect," referring evidently to viride, &c. for he had certainly seen it in crus-galli. K was, we believe, first perceived in England by Mr. Curtis in p. crus-galli and sanguinale, and considered by him as belonging to the corolla. Mr. Knapp in his account of the latter says, that he "thinks Mr. Curtis mentions the calyx as having four valves, and that he himself has occasionally found a minute membranaceous substance between the little valve at the base and the larger one, like an inner glume, but apparently so weak and small a membrane can scarcely afford the support that is the required office of the calyx." This, however, is not the situation assigned by Mr. Curtis to this membrane, and it seems surprising that Mr. Knapp did not suspect its similarity to what he had called a third valve of the corolla in his two preceding species. It had previously been observed by Leers, and called a third glume of the corolla, but with a conjecture that it may possibly be the rudiment of another floret. Leers found it constantly in glaucum, crus-galli, and miliaceum, but never in viride; whence, perhaps, it may be questioned whether his viride be that of other authors. Stokes in Botanical Arrangements, ed. 2, says that it exists, but in his idea as a fourth valve of the calyx, in glaucum, viride, miliaceum, capillare, patens, and even in sanguinale, where, preserving its proportion to the outer valve, it is with difficulty discovered. Dr. Mr. Knapp supposes, that though the British, or rather Cornish specimens of panicum dactylon have only two valves to the calyx, contrary to the generic character, the continental ones have not that peculiarity. But this supposition is certainly erroneous. Linnæus, we believe, does not mention it in any of his works; but Haller placed this species with sanguinale, in which also he did not find the third valve, in a distinct genus, which he calls digitana: the genus was adopted by Adanson and Scopoli, and has been retained by Jussieu and Ventenat. Leers describes the third valve of the sanguinaria as vix lente dignoscenda, sæpissime omnino nuila, and, according to Mr. Curtis, it is so very small that it may be easily overlooked. Lamarck, and Paret, his successor in the alphabetical part of the Encyclopédie Méthodique, remove both species to the genus paspalum. The generic character of panicum in the present work is taken from Dr. Smith's, in his Flora Britannica; but the term corticatum applied to the corolla enclosing the ripened seed is uncouthly translated cork-like: in English Botany it is properly called the permanent, hardened corolla. If dactylon is to remain a panicum, we agree with Dr. Smith in thinking that this particular should constitute the whole generic character, for we cannot help regarding it as one of the greatest of all possible absurdities to admit an essential character which cannot be applied to every ac knowledged species of the genus. We should suppose that alopecurus ovatus of Mr. Knapp is a. alpinus of English Botany, 1126 (both being species recently discovered by Mr. G. Don, late of Forfar. now of the botanic garden at Edinburgh, and both gathered on the same mountains near Loch Nagarr, in Aberdeenshire), if it were not for the absolute inconsistence of their specific characters: that of ovatus in British grasses is "spike ovate; corolla without an arista :" that of alpinus in English Botany is " spike ovate ; glumes of the calyx downy, without awns, and nearly as long as the awn of the rorolla,”* We can scarcely think it possible that the awn could be overlooked by Mr. Knapp, especially as he particularly mentions the want of it as a remarkable singularity among the British species; and yet it seems not a little surprising that neither of the English botanists, though both in actual correspondence with Mr. Don, should have been made acquainted with the plant figured and described by the other. Excepting this difference, the two figures exactly correspond; for the small spikelet at the base of the spike in Mr. Knapp's ovatus is, we presume, an accidental irregularity. Mr. Knapp has made a slight mistake in supposing Loch-ne-gar, or Loch Garr, as it is spelt in Ainslie's large map of Scotland, to be a high mountain, the giant of Aberdeenshire: it is a small lake, or, as the Scotch spell the word, loch, at the head of Glen Yalden, near the north-east termination of the Grampians. In the difficult and much agitated genus agrostis, Mr. Knapp is of opinion that several British plants, which have A. alpinus was not known when the first two volumes of the Flora Britannica were published, but it appears with the same specific character among the addenda and corrigenda annexed to the third volume; and in the detailed description the awn is said to be Subtortilis, scabra, purpurea, vix calyce longior. |