The death of Nelson is excellently commemorated by Mr. C. J. Blomfield, of Trinity College, 1806. This is the ode which we have already praised when we were compelled to censure the same author's Latin composition. He, also, concludes rather happily : The last Greek ode is by Rennell, (King's collage, 1808.) on the Spring; and it is a very spirited and elegant production, greatly superior to that which bore a share of its praise, mentioned above. It has more indeed than "Spiritum Graia tenuem Camana." We reprobate, however, at page 199. such injudicious imitation of the classics as that which introduces an aukward allusion to a disputed and unexplained passage of Euripides (Hippol : 78. as quoted in the note); and we dislike, as we stated before, such words as Neλowvos: but who can find petty faults, or if he finds can forbear to pardon them, in such verses as these ? Αδονᾶν ἄλλοισι μεμαλεν αλλων Αλλοτε νυμφας Ευαδ ̓ ἐν χοροις δαρισμα, νύμφας ρινον γαρ καλλος απαι φαεννῶν Ομματων σίασδει ποθον, ο λαλευσης, (ας) «Ως μελί, φωνα This is very Grecian love, indeed; and if some parts of the ode resemble that of Tweddell, it is something like the resem blance, (we should say, if we might compare great things to small,) that Virgil, had he written in Greek, would have borne to Homer. At all events, Mr. Rennell has expressed in no vulgar language the ideas of the celebrated chorusses of Sophocles and Euripides on love, and may say with Horace, "Dulce ridentem Lalagen amabo, Dulce loquentem." After such high and such well-merited commendation, we are sorry to be forced to express our unqualified censure or rather contempt (with one or two exceptions) of the Epigrams which conclude this learned volume. An epigram is either an inscription or a Jeu d'Esprit. In the former case, we expect the simplicity and occasional pathos of the Greek anthology; în the Bb 2 the latter, the correct expression and harmonious versification, with the general wit and humour, of Martial. In both expectations we are here disappointed, as we premised, exceptis excipiendis. The Bellus Homo Academicus of Joseph Goodall, both in Latin and Greek, is tame mediocrity; one of those cheap displays of wisdom which no body values because every body possesses it yet, in point of expression, these are perhaps two of the best in the epigrammatic collection. His epigram in allusion to the passion for standing on one leg, and the profitable excellence of certain figuranti in this fashionable accomplishment, is just, but flat enough. Mercury, at once the god of gain and the patron of light feet, we suppose, as well as of light fingers, is properly introduced in his well-known style of representation. "In stâtuam Mercurii. Sum tibi Mercurius. Quaris cur sto pede in uno? Tweddell, on the Ventriloquist, "Et nusquam tua vox et est ubique," writes with his usual happiness :- but when William Frere Says, σωφροσυνη πασα παραφροσυνη we really envy him so happy a motto for this crude anthology. The Greek epigram of Plumptre, ex nitido fit Rusticus, is very creditably correct: but we discover in the second line, azat ET' audis ——K. T. λ. a petty larceny from his father's translation of Lycidas, Λυγραι ἅπας ἔτι δάφναι — κ. τ. λ. — Keate on Donkey Race, Tolegov potepov, is not bad.-Frere on a Dumb Beggar is excellent.-B. Drury, on the mutilated Statue of Ceres, demands praise.-Silence best describes the rest. a ART. VII. Fuci, sive Plantarum Fucorum Generi & Botanicis ascriptarum, Icones, &c.-Fuci; or, Colored Figures and Descriptions of the Plants referred by Botanists to the Genus Fucus. By Dawson Turner, A. M. F.R. A. and L.S. &c. &c. 2 Vols. 4to. with 134 Plates. 9. 6s. Boards. Arch. 1808 and 1809. WE E have already recorded our approbation of Mr. Turner's synopsis of British Fuci*, and we are now enabled to report the progress of his operations on a far more enlarged and splendid scale. In the work before us, though still incomplete, we contemplate, with equal delight and astonishment, the detailed exposition and coloured representation of * See Rev. N. S. Vol. xlii. p. 15. not not fewer than a hundred and thirty-four species of a family of plants which was, for ages, consigned to the obscurity of its native residence. The student of marine botany can alone adequately appreciate the amount of the patience, labour, and acute research, which are essentially requisite to the right performance of such a delicate and extensive undertaking. Of the submersed algæ, few are, at all times, accessible; many have been hitherto very imperfectly observed; and all, in different stages of their growth and decay, exhibit very different phases, and a system of economy which derives little illustration from that of terrestrial vegetables. If to these difficulties, which are inherent in the subject, be added others which the errors and perplexities of authors have entailed on it, we must applaud the courage and perseverance of the individual who, in the face of such numerous and formidable obstacles, persists in conducting his inquiries, and in clearing a path for future investigation. Men of limited or cloudy apprehensions, we are fully aware, may censure or deride those efforts of human industry, which are directed to the anatomy of a butterfly or the structure of sea-weed. Because an object is small in dimensions, they at once pronounce it to be unworthy of our regard: without reflecting that greatness and smallness are terms of merely relative import; and that, to the mind of the true philosopher, the miscroscopic plant eyinces, in its organization, the power and wisdom of its creator in a manner not less striking and impressive than the oak of the forest, or the cedar of Lebanon. Indeed, the great Linné has observed, "Natura est MAXIMA in MINIMIS." Moreover, the frequent occurrence of any vegetable production cannot alter its nature, nor render it intrinsically more contemptible than any one of those which rarely meet our observation. The sun, which so statedly enlightens and warms our abodes, is still as magnificent a spectacle as when it first arose to gladden the sight of man; while the fabric and history of a blade of grass are sufficient to astonish and to confound the researches of the curious. It is also highly reasonable to believe that every species of the vegetable tribes contains latent properties, which may at some time be detected; and that proofs of intelligence and beneficent contrivance wait to be revealed in all. They who are disposed to question the utility of any form of existence in the material world have never, perhaps, allowed their ideas of advantage to rise above those objects which are immediately and palpably connected with selfish gratification and gain. In botany, as in every other department of natural science, facts and inquiries which, at first sight, promise no beneficial result, often termi Bb 3 nate nate in very important and useful discoveries. The simple or ganization of most of the marine plants may, when examined in a speculative point of view, prepare the way for the acqui sition of interesting knowlege concerning the principles of vegetable physiology: the delicacy and elegance, which characterize the configuration and colouring of the more beautiful species, afford a pleasing gratification to the principles of taste and reflection; and agriculture and the arts have already derived no inconsiderable benefit from some of the most common kinds, which were formerly allowed to grow up and perish on their native rocks. We conceive, therefore, that the learned and ingenious author of the present volumes, independently of his own discoveries and suggestions, has rendered a two-fold service to the public, by selecting and bringing together the scattered materials of many rare and costly performances; and by powerfully aiding the researches of individuals, who, in the love of science or elegant recreation, may now have recourse to a faithful guide in prosecuting the study of the submersed algæ. The letter-press, which is composed both in Latin and in English, comprizes the name, characters, synonyms, habitations, description, and critical history of the respective species, with regular reference to the plates, and occasional annotations. The coloured figures are from drawings, by W. J. Hooker, Esq. an eminent cryptogamist; and, from the accuracy of their execution, they are much better calculated to convey correct ideas of their prototypes, than specimens imperfectly preserved. Besides the natural habit of the plant, they represent its fructification, when ascertained, and give magnified views of the more minute portions. Among the more rare and singular species which Mr. Turner has particularized, is F. Banksi, so denominated in honour of the President of the Royal Society. It is thus described: Frond filiform, coriaceous, irregularly branched, and swollen throughout its whole length into spherical receptacles, arranged like the beads of a necklace placed at short distances. On the shores of New Holland, plentiful. Mr. Brown.. Roor small, discoid. Mr. Menzies and FROND a foot, or a foot and half long, sometimes ex ending to two feet, simple at first, but very soon divided, and afterwards variously and repeatedly branched; branches divaricated, and almost reflexed, long, in general undivided, but here and there beset with smaller and shorter ones issuing from them at right angles: the whole plant from base to summit is studded with receptacles innate in the frond, arranged like beads in a necklace, at intervals scarcely exceeding a Line 13 line each, connected by the filiform frond, which is more thin than a sparrow's quill; the younger ones oblong, those more perfectly formed spherical, all irregularly flattened by drying, and never afterwards recovering their proper shape by immersion or any other means; those which are situated at the base and summit of the branches are small, the others about the size of a bullace; the surface of all every where rough with globular tubercles, which though immersed in the frond, are somewhat prominent, and are perforated with a very small pore From the resemblance of these tubercles to those of F. vesiculosus, nodosus, &c. there can be no doubt of their containing the FRUCTIFI CATION, though I have not at present been able to detect seeds in them; if examined by the highest powers of a compound microscope, they appear to be internally composed of fibres invisible to the naked eye. COLOR of the recent plant in all probability olive; when dried, intensely black, and if afterwards soaked in water, turning to a dark dull olive, mixed with brown; internally reddish. SUBSTANCE, while wet, leathery, extremely tough; when dried, brittle' In the situation of its receptacles, and in its general habit and form, this Fucus differs from every known species; yet it is said to be not less abundant on the shores of New Holland, than the vesiculosus, nodosus, and serratus, which are there unknown, are on those of England. F. floccosus, to the elegant and beautiful appearance of which no drawing can do justice, was found at Port Trinadad, on the Nort-west coast of America, by Mr. Menzies. Mr. Turner observes that Professor Esper, who has figured this plant, as well as many others, from small specimens that I sent him, without any expectation of seeing them published, has erroneously assigned Nootka Sound to it as its habitat, and observed that it was brought home by Cook; in which also he is mistaken; as I believe that no specimens of it exist in Britain, except those gathered in America by my friend Mr. Menzies, to whose kindness I am indebted for that here figured. Another elegant non-descript is F. Horneri, discovered in the Straits of Corea by Dr. Horner; who, in the capacity of astronomer, accompanied the Russian expedition which was lately sent round the world, and who brought with him a great variety of Fuci, which seem to form a tribe naturally allied among themselves, but very unlike those which are found in the European seas. The whole of these,' says Mr. Turner, I have received from Professor Mertens, who, was many years since termed by Weber and Mohr the most able Algologist of our times; and to whom I am exceedingly indebted for the assistance he has rendered me towards the |