This table conspicuously shows the close affinity of the Flora of the Greenland peninsula with that of Scandinavia, notwithstanding its geographical position. Temperate Greenland, though 400 miles long, adds but 74 species to the comparatively poor Flora of the entire peninsula, and of these, all but two are Arctic Lapland plants.
The poverty and peculiarity of the Greenland Flora, and absence of American types in it, are not explained by the general physical features of contiguous regions, or by aërial or oceanic currents.
Dr. Hooker attributes chief importance to past extensive climatal changes, and to its peninsular form. He assumes—1. The great antiquity of the Scandinavian type. 2. He agrees with Darwin and Forbes, in considering that, prior to the Glacial Epoch, a uniform Flora was more widely extended over the circumpolar area than at the present period; as also—3. That by the increased cold of the Glacial Period the Scandinavian Arctic Flora was driven into lower latitudes, returning northwards with the succeeding warmth of the present period, accompanied by species peculiar to the tracts invaded by it. 4. That many of the species of the Greenland peninsula, cut off by isolation from the general southward migration, were exterminated. 5. That from the species which survived this period in the southern extremity of Greenland, the present Flora is chiefly derived. 6. That from its peninsular form there could be no admixture of American types.
The botanical provinces, and the local distribution of plants within the Arctic circle—also the general distribution of Arctic species over the surface of the globe—are discussed at length. A systematic catalogue is given of all the species hitherto found in Arctic regions, tabulated, to show the distribution of each, both within the circle, and generally over the world.
Irmsch, Th.—Ueber einige Ranunculaceen.—Botanische Zeitung, 1860, p. 221–7, with 1 plate. Pt. iii. Eranthis hiemalis. A detailed account of its germination, formation of bulbs, flower, &c.
Beiträge zur Morphologie der monocotylischen Gewächse. Part I. Amaryllideen.—Halle. 1860. 4to. 11 plates.
Jankee, V. de.—Adnotationes in plantas adacicas nonnullasque alias Europeas.—Linnæa. Bd. xiv., pp. 549–622.
An enumeration of species arranged in their natural sequence, with observations and descriptions of those which are new, critical, or imperfectly described. On Festuca nutans of Wahlenberg, a new genus (Amphigenes) is based. An analytical table of the species of Sesleria is given.
Junghuhn, F., and J. E. de Vry.—Die Chinakultur auf Java zu Ende des Jahres 1859, kurz beschreiben.—Bonplandia viii. Jahrg, pp. 206–10, 227–42, 254–8, 270–9.
The first section consists of a report, by F. Junghuhn, on the condition of the Cinchonas which have been planted, in a botanical and cultural point of view. The second, by Dr. de Vry, refers to the organic constituents of the Java Cinchonas, and their chemical characteristics.
