Page:Natural History Review (1861).djvu/106

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94
BIBLIOGRAPHY.

Brasiliensis" of Von Martius, having found it needful to revise the entire tribe Dalbergieæ, and to compare the Brazilian genera and species with those of the Tropics of the Old World, has been led to draw up a synopsis of the whole tribe, with brief characters of all the species.

The numerous accessions of specimens from all parts of the Tropics since the publication of the author's Memoir in the Annal. Wiener Mus., in 1837, have enabled him to modify the circumscription of many of the genera which were then proposed, and to reduce others which had been based upon insufficient material. To the descriptive portion of this paper is prefixed an introductory chapter, embracing general observations upon the main features of the Dalbergieæ, their economic uses, and geographical distribution. The genera are also severally reviewed. The Rosewoods of commerce are furnished by members of the group. The two best varieties imported from Rio are supplied by the genus Dalbergia, chiefly by D. nigra; other sorts are afforded by Machærium, and in Africa, by Pterocarpus. Mr. Bentham observes, that the great majority of species of the tribe occupy but very limited areas. There is not one species common to Asia and America; five or six are common to America and West Africa. Of 200 American species, but 5 extend from northern or central Brazil to the West Indies and Central America. The 286 species of Dalbergieæ here described are distributed in 23 genera, which are grouped under three principal sections, viz. Pterocarpeæ, with dry fruit, and leaflets mostly alternate along the petiole; Lonchocarpeæ, also with dry fruit, but with the leaflets more strictly opposite; and Geoffroyeæ, with a usually drupaceous fruit, and a single pendulous seed.

Beurling, P. J.—Plantæ vasculares seu cotyledoneæ Scandinaviæ, nempe Sveciæ et Norvegiæ, juxta Regni vegetabilis systema naturale digestæ . 8vo. Holmiæ.
Bianca, G.—Flora dei intorni d'Avola. Memorie che contiene la descrizione delle piante comprese nelle classe Diadelphia.—Catan. Acad. Giorn. xiv.
Bibra.—Die Getreidearten und das Brod. 8vo. Nürnberg, 1860.
Boissier, E.—Centuria Euphorbiarum. Lipsiæ et Parisiis : April, 1860. 8vo.
Bolle, C.—Addenda ad floram Atlantidis præcipue insularum Canariensium Gorgadumque. (Continuation) Bonplandia, viii. Jahrg., p. 130–6 (Composite) 279–87 (Labiatæ, Verbenaceæ).
Boussingault, M.—De la Terre végétale considérée dans ses effets sur la végétation (Comptes Rendus, 1859).—Ann. des Sciences, Ser. iv., tom, xii., p. 354–72.
M. Boussingault's investigations bear reference to the relations subsisting between the amount of matter of organic origin contained in vegetable soils, and the extent to which this is really available to plants.

Braun, A.—Uebor Poly embryonie u. Keimung v. Cœlelogyne. Ein Nach-