being prolix in the extreme, not formed at all in the concise manner of Linnæus, and rather descriptions than definitions, he has, in a masterly manner, framed new generic and specific characters upon the Linnæan plan; certainly with sufficient brevity, yet, as far as we have had an opportunity of examining, adequate to the task of distinguishing the known species one from another. The discovery of additional species may indeed hereafter render these definitions inefficient; for it is impossible to frame perfect characters till all the species are known, the discovery of a new species possessing the same characters as used in the definitionTM of one already known, yet different from it, will of course make it necessary to alter the specific phrase of the latter so as to exclude the new found species also.

In this class many of the genera have received a great addition of species since the prior edition. Crocus, which in that had only two varieties, in this contains nine species, of which six flower in the spring, and three in the autumn. Ixia, being divided into several new genera, viz. Trichonema, Geissorhiza, Hesperantha, Sparaxis, Anomatheca, Tritonia, Babiana, Lapeyronsia, Pardanthus, and Ixia Proper, is reduced in the latter from 18 to 13 species, but increased on the whole to 52. Gladiolus is increased from 10 to 23 species, though some of the former are removed to other genera. There are ten species of Watsonia, a genus originally framed by Miller, and established by Ker, most of which were before referred to Gladiolus or Ixią. Moraæa and Iris have undergone a new arrangement by Mr. Ker, which is generally followed here, and twenty species are added to the two genera. In Marica Mr. Dryander has deviated from Mr. Ker, the species enumerated by the former are only Northiana, martinicensis, and palu. dosa; plicata, striata, and californica of the latter, are probably reserved to be subjoined to Sisyrinchium, a genus according to Ker not to be distinguished from Marica, but arranged in the Linnæan system under Gynandria triandria. It will be evident from the above short account that much new matter occurs in Triandria Monogynia, and the whole appears to have been very carefully got up by the author, and will we doubt not be highly acceptable to botanists in general, abroad as well as at home.

In the same class are the natural orders of Cyperoidea and Graminea. Amongst the former we observe that Vahl's new genus of Rhyncospora is adopted, which includes Schoenus albus and fuscus, of Linnæus. Many new species are added to most of the genera in both orders.

In the class Tetrandria occurs such part of the natural order of Proteaceæ as have hermaphrodite flowers; the Linnæan system unfortunately demands the separation of this family : those genera which have monoecious or dioecious flowers are of course postponed to the classes Monoecia and Diaecia. In this order Mr. Dryander has entirely followed Mr. Brown's essay on the Proteace in the 10th volume of the Transactions of the Linnean Society, with scarcely any alteration, further than that the term corolla is adopted for the calyx of Mr. Brown and Jussieu, and here and there a superfluous word is omitted. Undoubtedly our au thor could not have followed a better guide than Mr. Brown, whose knowledge of the proteacea is greater than that of any man: yet we cannot but feel a wish that Mr. Dryander had undertaken to revise the specific characters, and given them more of the Linnean terseness and precision. We acknowledge that the task would be difficult, for in a perfectly natural order, where the species of a genus are numerous, the difference is frequently marked rather by a number of points of slight deviation, than by any striking feature; nevertheless, though not easy to be accomplished, we do think that had he undertaken it, all obstacles would have been surmounted by his abilities.

To show how great a number of new plants of this family have of late years been introduced into this country, we need only observe that the former edition of the work under review contained only twenty-four species, whereas the new one contains one hundred and fourteen, divided into seventeen genera; though a considerable proportion of the family are de ferred to a future part.

With the generic characters of Mr. Brown more liberty has been taken; all of them have undergone a revision. To show the mode in which this is done we shall transcribe that of Protea, as given by both authors. By Brown. Calyx bipartibilis inæqualis, labi: latioris laminis staminiferis cohærentibus. Stylus subulatus. Stigma angustius, cylindraceum. Nux undique barbata, stylo persistenti caudata. Receptaculum commune paleis abbreviatis persistentibus. Involucrum imbricatum persistens.-By Dryander. Petala quatuor, quorum tria superne cohærentia. Anthera apicibus concavis corollæ immersæ. Nur supera, undique barbata, stylo persistente coronata.

In the remainder of the class Tetrandria we observe that the specific characters are in general the same as in Willdenow, except in a few species not found in that author; three or four in the genus Pothos, and the whole of Struthiola, for which new specific phrases have been framed.

In Pentandria Monogynia, (not yet finished, as the volume ends with Strychnos), there is a number of this species enumerated, which have been introduced since the former edition; in most of these the specific characters of Wildenow are followed. The only deviations we have observed are as follow:

Cynoglossum sylvaticum is adopted from Dr. Smith; Echium grandiflorum from Ventenat; E. parviflorum from Roth; Symphytum asperrimum, and Onosma taurice, from Sims; Echium fas

Buosum, native of the Canary islands, is new. In Androsace villosa, Dr. Sims is followed, and Menyanthes caltata and Lyninachia quadriflora are adopted from the same author. Primula nivalis of Pallas, and longifolia of Curtis, are both inserted, though according to Dr. Sims they are the same species. Epacris, Andersonia, Styphelia and Leucopogon, are New Holland gemera, and the characters of Mr. Brown, in his Prodromus, are used exclusively. Plumbago tristis is a new species, as is Phlox prostrata. P. pyramidalis is admitted from Smith, and stolonifera, from Sims; as are Convolvulus erubescens and bryonicefolius of the same, C. pannifolius of Salisbury. C. suffruticosus is new. Ipomopsis of Michaux and Smith is taken up. As are Cobea of Cavanilles, Campanula versicolor of Andrews and Smith, C. collina of Sims, Phy teuma campanuloides, Lobelia gracilis and L. bicolor of the same, L. alata of Labillardiere. In Goodenia, Scævola, Euthales and Samolus, the characters of Brown are adopted. It is remarkable that Samolus Valerandi, a native of Europe, is found also in New Holland. Rondeletia levigata and birta are new, as is Mussænda pubescens. Oxyanthus of Decandolle, and Pinckneya of Michaux, are adopted; as are Nicotiana undulata and Verbascum ovalifolium of Sims. In V. Lychnitis, V. pulverulenta, V. virgatum, V. Blattaria Dr. Smith's characters are ased. As are those of Cavanilles for Solanum betaceum; and of Poiret for S. Pyracantha. Physalis pubescens is inserted with the synonym of Feuillée, which Dr. Sims says belongs to his P. edulis, a species not admitted. Are both the last mentioned species then to be considered as the same? Strychnos agmina claudit.

When we wrote the above Report, Mr. Dryander, although incommoded by a local complaint, not considered in the least dangerous, was in good general health, and in the full possession of his great mental powers; but alas! already he is no more ; and we, in common with all lovers of natural science, have to deplore a loss, that will be severely felt in the scientific world, as a public calamity; and to those who, from a personal acquaintance with him, had a knowledge of his worth, will cause the most poignant regret. In the situation he held, as librarian to Sir Joseph Banks, the loss will, we fear, be in great measure irreparable. His head was stored with knowledge, beyond that of almost any man, and not confined to his more immediate pursuits, but in the wide-extended range of science in general; even in political and in personal history it was most extensive. This knowledge he was very ready to impart, where he thought it would be useful, being very communicative to inquirers of this stamp, though repulsive to impertinent curiosity, and possessing little of that suavity of manners for which his predecessor was so eminent. He neither fawned upon nor flattered any one; but ever spoke truth without blushing. It grieves us to think that this stupendous store-house of knowledge, this living cyclopædia, is gone; and, like the baseless fabric of a vision, has carcely left a wreck behind.

-precipe lugubres Cantus, Melpomene!

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.

Observations on the State ofthe Weather, from the 24th of September 1810, to the 24th of October 1810, inclusive, Four Miles N.N.W. of St. Paul's.

THE quantity of rain fallen since the last Report, is equal to nearly two inches in height. Never, perhaps, did any person remember a finer autumnal month than that which is now just completed. Between the 13th of September and 16th of October, there was scarcely a single drop of rain. With a few exceptions the days have been remarkably brilliant, fre-. quently there was scarcely a cloud to be seen through the day.

The average height of the barometer for, the month 29-54, is very nearly a mean between the highest and lowest, as is noticed above: and that of the thermometer is 54 89. The wind has chiefly blown from the easterly quarters, but the late rains have come, as is generally the case in this country, from the west. There have been a few morning fogs, but the sun has uniformly dispersed them in three or four hours.

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IT is now almost fifteen years since SIR RICHARD PHILLIPS, the Editor of this Magazine, formed, in that capacity, a mental acquaintance with its numerous Readers and Correspondents. He has himself much reason to be proud of the intercourse; and he enjoys great satisfaction from the belief that his Readers are not tired of it, and that, like every well-founded connection, it is likely to continue during the life of the parties.

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