Miscellaneous* 157 Birds ; by Mr. Allis, of York. — On a hybrid Tetrao, given by Tem-minck as a distinct species ; by Dr. Charlton. Aug. 25. — On the Sternoptixinece, a family of Osseous Fish ; by Dr. Handy side. — On the distribution of the Terrestrial Pulmonifera ; by E. Forbes. — On the annual appearance of the Lestris tribe on the coast of Durham ; by E. Backhouse, Esq. — A verbal report on the Marsupiata by Mr. R. Owen. — On a new species of Smelt, Osmerus hebridicus ; by Mr. Yarrell. — On the application of Botany to Agriculture ; by Mr. Jerdan. — On noxious Insects occurring in the year 1838 ; by the Rev. F. W. Hope. MISCELLANEOUS. ORCHIDACEM. The public journals have not been wanting in paying due honour to the two most magnificent works which have ever appeared upon the subject of botany, we mean the Orchidacece of Mexico and Guati-mala, by James Bateman, Esq., and the Sertum Orchidaceum of Prof. Lindley. It would be invidious to attempt to draw a comparison between them. Each is alike honourable, whether as regards the scientific or pictorial department : each treats of the same splendid, eminently splendid, family of plants ; yet there is no rivalry ; and so carefully is the introduction of the same species avoided in both, that one work may be considered a continuation of the other, and we trust they will meet with that encouragement to which their merits entitle them. Sure we are that neither the Botanical Magazine nor the Botanical Register combined can record the numerous species of this favourite group of vegetables so rapidly as to keep pace with their introduction. Mr. Gardner from Brazil alone has sent home to our collections many new species, and we have at this moment received from Mr. Moss, of Otterspool, Liverpool, a Cattleya, which in size, colour and fragrance may be deemed the most remarkable of this family. Its flowers are 1\ inches across in one direction, %\ inches in another, 24 inches in circumference ! This will very shortly be figured in the Botanical Magazine. COLLECTIONS OF SCOTTISH AND AMERICAN MOSSES. Such arrangements have been made with the family of the late excellent botanist and traveller Mr. Drummond, that the extensive collection of mosses made by him in Scotland, and more particularly in British North America and in the southern United States, will be
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