DR. BUCHENAU is well-known as a botanical author for the simplicity and lucidity of his style, and the thoroughness with which he treats his subjects; and this little book is no exception to his usual work. Indeed, it is a model of what a local Flora should be, in striking contrast to the bulky barrenness of some of our English county Floras. It will easily go into the breast-pocket of a coat, and, as it contains descriptions and other information, it may be used, and be useful, in the field. The flora of the Frisian Islands is, on account of their situation, of great interest; and Dr. Buchenau has worked but its features, composition and peculiarities, with a full appreciation of its interest. An introductory chapter of some twenty-eight pages is a summary of the author's observations on various points; observations which have been published in full elsewhere, to which references are given. The paragraph on sand-binding plants is valuable. With regard to the flora as a whole, two principal points come under consideration, namely, its composition and origin. Taking into account the area, but more especially the slight elevation, the absence of trees, and almost so of shrubs, the flora is a comparatively rich one, and includes a number of species we should hardly expect to find. Dr. Buchenau says that the commonly accepted idea that the most interesting plants of the islands are relatively recent immigrants from the mainland of North-west Germany, will not bear investigation. “The most striking plants of the islands—Liparis Laeselii, Gymnadenia conopsea, Epipactis latifolia, Parnassia palustris, &c, are either wanting or exceedingly rare in East Friesland. They are only met with, by degrees, much further south. It is, therefore, inconceivable that they have migrated from the mainland in recent times, and assembled in these islands. The more probable explanation is that these plants are the remains of the old diluvial flora which from various causes have survived in the islands, though they have disappeared from the nearest mainland.” I may add that Dr. Buchenau has made a special point of drawing up his descriptions, which are short and clear, from local forms. Flora der Ostfriesischen Inseln (einschliesslich der Insel Wangeroog). Von Prof. Dr. F. Buchenau. Dritte umgearbeitete Auflage. Small 8vo, pp. 205. (Leipzig: Wilhelm Engelmann, 1896.)