20
stoneworts will surely stimulate interest
in this fascinating but neglected group
of giant algae, traditionally studied
along with higher plants because they
were once mistakenly believed to be
closely related to the horsetails.
Jenny Moore's treatment, recognising 39
taxa, is more conservative than that of
G. 0. Allen, whose little guide has been
the main source of information to most would
be 'charophiles' since 1950, but less so
than that of the world monograph of Wood
and Imahori. The superb habit drawings
and close-up details by Margaret Tebbs
make identification easy, and anyone
possessing a microscope should buy a copy
and have a go!
There are so few charophyte records that it
is easy to find new ones and make a real
contribution to knowledge of their distribution
The first part of an Atlas of Essex Plants
covers our Essex Records both old and new.
This is continuously updated by word-processor
and includes 115 records of the 17 taxa found
to date. Copies are available as printouts
at £1.00 including postage from Ken Adams,
who would also appreciate fresh material of
all new records for verification and the B.M.
card index, and to be pickled as vouchers.
KEN ADAMS
Loughton's River. The Roding and it's
Ancient Meadows, by M. W. Hanson, B.Sc.,
C.Biol., M.I.Biol., F.R.E.S. Essex
Naturalists' Trust and Epping Forest District
Council. Price £1-50
This guide to one of the newest Essex