Reviews

This new volume of the Handbook of the Flora of Ceylon deals with: Acanthaceae by L.H. Cramer; Rubiaceae by C.E. Ridsdale; Sapindaceae by B.M. Wadhwa & Willem Meijer. Each treatment includes: Family description, keys to the genera and species, and with the taxa: accepted name, synonym(s), description, and notes on distribution, ecology, and specimens seen. On the last page a list of new names is given. However, there are no indices to scientific names and specimens. The taxonomy of the treated genera and species seems to be up to date. Only a few minor errors have been noted. A few illustrations, especially of key characters, would have been helpful. However, this is a useful book on the flora of Sri Lanka. It should go to the bookshelves of those interested in the flora of that island.