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THE PHYTOLOGIST FOR 1854.
Pp. 1‘—g40.'

L O N D 0 N:
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THE
BHYTOLOGIST:
POPULAR
BOTANiCAL MISCELLANY.
CONDUCTED BY
EDWARD NEWMAN, F.L.S., MEMB. IMP. L.-C. AGAD.
VOLUME THE FIFTH.


LGNDON:
JOHN VAN VOORST, PATERNOSTER ROW.

M.DQC.C.LVI.
“ 0, these are Voices of the Past,
Links of a broken chain,
Wings that can ‘bear me back to times
Which cannot come again ;
Yet God forbid that I should lose
The echoes that remain! ”
Anon.
“ Yet though thou fade,
' From thy dead leaves let fragrance rise.”
HENRY KIRK WHITE.
Ce..-r9.mh
¢
Er
b~afi~a<=1
Xfioxaa
PREFACE.
MR. LUXFORD, the able superintendent of the ‘Phytologist,’ died,
at his residence in Hill Street, \Valworth, on Monday, the 12th of
June, in the forty-eighth year of his age. He was born at Sut-
ton, in Surrey, on the 7th of April, 1807, but shortly removed to
Reigate, where, at the early age of 11, he was placed under Mr.
Allingham, a printer and stationer. Mr. Allingham’s kindness, care
and judgment, exercised for a period of sixteen years, tended mainly
to the'attainment of that useful knowledge which Mr. Luxford eventu-
ally possessed. While with Mr. Allingham he not only mastered the
printing business, but also gained an intimate acquaintance with the
Greek, Latin and French languages, and a vast store of historical,
geographical, literary and scientific information. At a very early age
he made Botany his favourite study, and the neighbourhood of Rei-
gate was the field in which he devotedly pursued it. In 1834 he
removed to Birmingham, taking a situation in the engraving and
printing establishment of Mr. Allen; and in 1837 he commenced
business as a printer in Ratclifi' Highway. The next year he wrote,
printed and published the ‘ Flora of Reigate,’ a work that bears ample
testimony to the accuracy and extent of his botanical acquirements.
In 1841 he commenced the ‘Phytologist,’ superintendence over which
he exercised up to the publication of the June number. In 1844 Mr.
Luxford obtained employment on the ‘ Glpbe’ newspaper, which,
however, he relinquished in the following year, and took the sub-
editorship of the ‘Westminster Review,’ reading and revising the
whole, and writing the shorter notices and occasionally the more
important papers. In 1846 he obtained the Lectureship on Botany
at St. Thomas’s Hospital. In 1851 he gave up both these engage-
ments, and came to Devonshire Street, where he continued, as com-
positor and reader, up to the time of his death.
vi
The ‘ Phytologist’ never was successful as a commercial specula-
tion: the candid and impartial tone of the reviews, mostly written by
men of the highest botanical standing, prevented this. The botani-
cal public is a very small public, and a very literary public; and to
secure its favour you must land A with a sort of monthly ju-bz'late,
you must conceal the blunders of B, you must insert the cauticities of
C and the high-sounding nothings of D. An Editor of any feeling
winces under such restrictions; an Editor of any truthfulness abhors
such restrictions ; an Editor of any spirit throws off such restrictions.
What is the consequence ? A, B, C and D refuse to write for you,
and refuse in a dignified manner, as men who have a right to dictate;
they write to each other, they write to strangers, to E, F, G—Z, whose-
names they observe as contributors, and state the withdrawal of their
patronage, and their regret that E, F, G—Z should still continue to
write in such a Journal. So A—Z all withdraw their assistance, as
far as writing is concerned, and leave only the outsiders to contribute.
The effect is soon obvious: the quality of the article is deteriorated,
because the producers are incompetent. A, with glittering eyes,
writes to B, his old opponent, deeply regretting the evident deteriora-
tion, Bi passes the plaint on to C, with additions; and so it goes
down to Z. The next step is to apprise the Editor that unless better
matter is given they must all decline to read the ‘ Phytologist ; ’ they
regret—people doing either an unjust or unkind thing always regret—
they regret their indisposition to purchase what gives them so little
information. They cease to take it. Still, the ‘ Phytologist’ crawls
on, like the poor tortoise whose brains were cleared out by a cruel
experimenter, until an event occurs beyond the reach of human skill
or human ingenuity, and the only tie between the ‘ Phytologist ’ and
its proprietor is broken.
EDWARD NEWMAN.
Nove1nber,._1856.


CONT
ALLMAN, Pnonesson
Adventitions roots of J nssiaea grandi-
flora, 60
ANDREWS, WILLIAM
Observations on a Saxifrage found on
the Blasket Islands, 212
BABINGTON, C. (3., M.A., F.L.S.
Epilohinm alpinum in Wales, 76;
Statice Dodarti a native of Ireland,
147 ; Botrychium rutacenm of
Swartz, 175 ; Oarex Mmnchiana, 1'76
BAKER, Joan G.
On Salix acutifolia of l/Villdenow, and
its discovery in Britain, 33; On the
Yorkshire locality for Udora Cana-
densis, 80; A supplement to the
Flora of Yorkshire, 80; Note re-
specting Oarex Mmnchiana as a
British plant, 147; Another locality -
for Salix acutifolia, 148 ; Contribu-
' tions to British Lichenology, 191
BALFOUR, J. H., M.D.
Botanical trip to' the Grampians, 24 ;
Botanical trip to Helvellyn, 26 ;
Notice of plants found in the neigh-
bourhood of Dollar, in the autumn
of 1853, 29; On the pollen ofZamia
horrida, 115; Polypodium alpestre
at Clova, 1'78
BARRETT, W. B.
The Botany of the Chcsil Bank, Port-
land, 217
BENNETT, WILLIAM
Enormous plant of Osmnnda regalis,
20; Abundance of Aspleninm lan-
ccolatum near Sennen (Jove, Pen-
zance, 20
BLYTH, M R.
On ergotised grasses, 61
BORRER, WILLIAM, F.R.S., F.L.S.
Notes on the ‘ Cybele Britannica,’
Volume iii., 44
BROWN, REv. THOMAS
Notice of the M nscology of the East
Coast of Fife, 116
ENTS.
BYWATER, R. T., M.R.C.S.
Medical properties of Osmunda rega-
lis, 30
CARaoL, J.
Notes on new or scarce Irish plants,
76
CLARKE, J osHUA
Observations on the parasitic habits of
Rhinanthus Crista-galli, and its
injurious effects on the growth of
barley, 105
CURREY, FREDERICK, M.A.
On the Fungi of,the neighbourhood
of Greenwich, 121, 122; Method of
preserving Algae, 123 ; On three
new Fungi found in the neighbour-
hood of Greenwich, 144; Elaters of
a Trichia, 145
DALLAS, W. E., F.L.S.
On the structure of Diatomaceae, 205
Dream, DR.
On the occurrence of Anacharis Alsi-
nastrum in Ireland, 88
DoneLAs, REV. R. C.
Stali‘ordshire locality for Potamogeton
fiabcllatus, Babington, 21
Dunuo, DR.
Remarks on the Flora of the Vosges,
84
FAIRBURN, PETER
On the nightshade family, 89
FISHER, H. S.
Lancashire locality for Trifolium re~
supinatum, 21 ; Lathyrus Aphaca
near Liverpool, 21; Gnaphalium
rectmn at Eastham, 21 ; Viola lutea
at Netherton, near Liverpool, 2l ;
Thymus Serpyllnm and T. Channe-
drys, 22; Polygala oxyptera on the
sand hills near Liverpool, 22 ; Rosa
villosa, Viola imberbis and V. pa-
lustris near Liverpool, 22; Hypnum
nodiflorum, H. Lycopodioides and
Bryum androgynum near Liverpool,
‘22
viii
FLOWER, T. B., F.L.S.
Leucojum aestivum in South Devon,
53 ; -Hypericum linarifolium in
South Devon, 53; Vicia lutea at
Black Head, near Torquay, 54;
Diotis maritima not growing in
Babbicombe Bay, 54 ; Poa hulbosa
plentiful at Plymouth, 54 ; On the
locality for Trifolium resupinatum
of Linneus near Bristol, 78 ; Coro-
nopus didyma introduced near Bris-
tol, 79; The Lathyrus near Bristol
not latifolius, 79; Phleum asperum
not growing near Bristol, 79 ; Carex
Davalliana of Smith near Bath, 215;
Draba vernalis of Linneus near Bris-
tol, 215; Carex dioica of Linneus
near Bath, 215
GrssrNe, T. W.
A few remarks on Cotyledon Umbili-
cus, 135; Chrysosplenium alterni-
folium, &c., near Cheltenham, 148
GREGORY, PROFESSOR
Diatomaceae in the Isle of Mull, 82
GREVILLE, A. K., M.D.
On a moss found in North Uist, 205
HAMBURG H, ALBERT
Notice of the occurrence of Arum
italicum at Steephill, in the Isle of
Wight, 194
HARRIS, REv. GEORGE
Laminaria longicruris on the British
coast, 81
HAWKER, REv. WILLIAM HENRY
Adiantum Capillus-Veneris on Ched-
dar Cliffs, 82
HENFREY, ARTHUR, F.R.S., F.L.S.
Remarks on the so-called eye-spot of
the Infusoria and microscopic Algae,
108
HOOKER, JOSEPH, M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S.
On Hodgsonia, a new and remarkable
genus of Cucurbitaceae, 106
HUNTER, JAMES
Note on a vegetable substance formed
in a water-pipe at Hafton, Argyle-
Shire, 25
KINAIIAN, JOHN ROBERT, M.B.
On a variety of Scolopendrium vulgare,
113 ; A list of ferns and their allies
found in the County Dublin, with
special reference to the Dodder
Valley, 196; Combinations ofvarie-
ties in Ferns, 213 ; On a beautiful
form of Athyrium Filix-femina,
Newman, obtained near Castlekelly,
213
KIRK, J.
On a species of Potamogeton from
Lough Corrib, 183
LAWSON, GEORGE
Notes of a botanical trip to the Tents
Muir, in the North of Fife, in July,
1853, 88 ; On the anatomical
structure of Coniferae and other
Gymnogens, 116
LEEs, EDWIN, F.L.S.
On the geography of plants, 139
LINDSAY, W. LAUDER, M.D
Illustrations of the value of botanical
histology to the medical student,
90 ; Experiments on the dyeing
properies of lichens, 179
LucAs, CAROLINE CATHERINE
Viola lactea and V. flavicornis, 216
MILLEN, WILLIAM
A list of the more interesting plants
found lately near Belfast, and their
latest discovered additional locali-
ties, 185
MOORE, DAVID
New British Equisetum, 17 ; Notes
on some rare plants, including
Ajuga pyramidalis, in Arr'an, 189
MOORE, THOMAS, F.L.S.
On Ophioglossum lusitanicum, 118
MORE, A. G.
Filago spatulata in the Isle of Wight,
22
MUDD, WILLIAM
An account of the lichens of Cleveland,
with their localities, 71, 97
NEWMAN, E., F.L.S., Mem. Imp. L.C. Ac.
Description of Equisetum Moorei, an
Irish species new to Science, 18 ;
Contributions towards a history of
an Irish Asplenium, considered as a
distinct species and as entitled to a
place in the British Flora, 36 ;
Discovery of Ophioglossum lusita-
nicum in Jersey, 80 ; Contributions
towards a history of a British B0-
trychium, considered as a distinct
species and as entitled to a place in
the British Flora, 129; Remarks on
the new method of arranging ferns,
222; Note on Pseudathyrium flexile,
239.
PAMPLIN, WILLIAM, A.L.S.
A brief notice of plants observed
growing in the neighbourhood of
Streatly, Berks, and of Goring,
Oxon, in April, 1854, with additions
of such plants as have been gathered
there during several visits in former
years, via, between 1833 and the
present 1854, 153
PIQUET, JOHN
Supposed new fern found in Jersey,
149
PRENTIOE, CHARLES
French locality for Ulex australis,
127; Plants at Nice, 127
RALPHS, T. S., A.L.S.
Earthquake at sea, 56; Sketch of the
vegetation around Wellington, New
Zealand, 57
REYNOLDS, RIOHARD
Impatiens Noli-me-tangere at Amble-
side, 30
ROBSON, JOSEPH
A catalogue of the wild lants of
Gosforth (Cumberland) an adjacent
district, in 1853, 1
RUSSELL ANNA
Devonshire station for Lythrum hys-
sopifolium, 81 ; Bifid ferns, 81
SANDERS, GILBERT
On the fructification of the genus
Desmarestia, 110
SANDERSON, J. S. B., M.D.
Note on the supposed Antheridia of
the Rhamnem, 116
SAWERS, W.
Desmarestia Dresnayi on the coast of
Ireland, 84
SEEMANN, BERTHOLD, Ph.D., F.L.S.
Remarks on Sarsaparilla, 65
SENONER, ADOLPH, M.D.
On Car-ex paediformis and other new
Austrian plants, 85
SIMPSON, THOMAS
Udora Canadensis in the Wiske, near
Kirby, in Yorkshire, 54
STEWART, NEIL
On the various sections of coal, consi-
dered in their relation to th eblock,
and the relative views of histologists
thereon, 208
TATE, G. R.
Rare plants in the neighbourhood of
Edinburgh, 89
TULASNE, M. L. B.
On the germination of the spores of
the Uredineae, 63
WARD, N. B., F.L.S.
Gymnogramma leptophylla in Jersey,
128
WARINGTON, ROBERT
On preserving the balance between
the animal and vegetable organisms
in sea water, 9
YATES, JAMES, F.L.S.
Inflorescence of Cycas revoluta and
Macrozamia spiralis, 103
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.
The Microscope, in its Special Application to Vegetable Anatomy and Physiology.
By Dr. Hermann Schacht; translated by Frederick Currey, Esq., M.A. . 15
The Botany of the Voyage of H.M.S. Herald.
Naturalist to the Expedition.
continued . .
Species F ilicum; being Descriptions. of all knOwn Ferns: Illustrated with
By Berthold Seemann, F .L.S., &c.,
Parts III. and IV. Flora of the Isthmus of Panama
16,201
Plates.
By Sir William Jackson Hooker, K.H., LL.D., F.R.A. and L.S., &c., &c., &c.,
Vice-President of the Linnean Society of London, and Director of the Royal Bo-
tanic Garden of Kew. Part VI., or Vol. II. Part II.
. .50
A Plain and Easy Account of the British Ferns; wherein each Species is particularly
described under its respective Genus, and the characteristics of those Genera
given in words in common use: with a Glossary of Technical Terms, serving as a
key to larger Treatises.
London : Robert Hardwicke, 38, Carey Street . 150
A History of British Ferns. By Edward Newman, Memb. Imp. L.-C. Acad., F.L.S.,
Z.S., B.S., Pres. Ent. 800., &c., &c., &c. Third Edition. London : Van Voorst.
1854. 360 pp., 136 Illustrations on Wood. Price 18s. demy 8vo; 36s. royal 158
A Manual of Natural History, for the Use of Travellers; being a Description of the
Families of the Animal and Vegetable Kingdoms: with Remarks on the Practi-
cal Study of Geology and Meteorology. T O which are appended Directions for
Collecting and Preserving. By Arthur Adams, Wm. Balfour Baikie, and Charles
Barron. London: Van Voorst. 1854 . . . . . . . 203
EXTRACTS.
On the Germination of the Spores of the Uredineae. By M. L. B. Tulasue . 63
First General Report of the Government Botanist on the Vegetation of the Colony of
Victoria ; dated September, 1853; and printed by order of the Council . 165
Botanical Report of the same. By William Swainson, Esq., F .R.S. . . 173
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES .
LINNEAN SOOIETY.
Motacilla alba, by William Borrer, Esq., 31. On two new British ferns, by Ed-
ward Newman, 31. Letters of Linneus and other naturalists, by J. 0. West-
wood, Esq., 55. Umbellate primrose, by John Hogg, Esq., 56. Earthquake
at sea, by T. S. Ralplrs, Esq., 56. Note from N ees von Esenbeck, 57. Ve-
getation of Wellington, New Zealand, by T. S. Ralphs, Esq., 57. Notes of
the late Mr. Grifliths, 59. Inflorescence of Cycas revoluta and Macrozamia
spiralis, by James Yates, Esq., 103. Parasitism of Rhinanthus Crista~Galli,
by Joshua Clarke, Esq., 105. On the genus Hodgsonia, by Drs. Hooker and
Thomson, 106. Eye-spot of Infusoria and Microscopic Algae, by Professor
Henfrey, 108.
PHYTOLOGIST CLUE.
New Irish Equisetum, by Edward Newman, 17. Enormous plant of Osmunda
regalis, by William Bennett, 18. Aspleniurn lanceolaturn, id., 18. Stafford-
shire locality for Potarnogeton flabellatus, by the Rev. R. C. Douglas, 18.
Larrcashire locality for Trifolium resupinatum, by H. S. Fisher, Esq., 21.
Lathyrus Aphaca near Liverpool, id., 21. Gnaphalium rectum at Eastham,
id., 21. Viola 1utea at N etherton, near Liverpool, id., 21. Thymus SerpyL
lum and T. Chamaedrys, id., 22. Polygala oxyptera on the sand hills near
Liverpool, id., 22. Rosa villosa, Viola imberbis and V. palustris near Liver-
pool, £01., 22. H ypnum nodiflorum, H. Lycopodioides, and Bryum androgy-
num near Liverpool, id., 22. F ilago spathulata in the Isle of Wight, by A.
G. More, Esq., 22. Leucojum eestivum, Linn“, by T. B. Flower, Esq., 53.
Hypericum linarifolium, Vahl., z'd., 53. Vicia lutea, Lima, id, 53. Diotis
maritime, Cass., id., 53. Poa bnlbosa, Lima, id., 53. Udora canadensis,
&c., near Bedale, by Thomas Simpson, Esq., 55. Epilobium alpinum in
Wales, by C. C. Babington, Esq., 76. Notes on new or scarce Irish plants,
by J. Carrol, Es ., 78. On the locality for Trifolium resupinatum, Lima,
near Bristol, by '1. B. Flower, Esq., 79. Coronopus didyma, DC., id., 79.
Lathyrus latifolius, Lima, id., 79. Phleum asperum, Jacq., id., 79. On the
Yorkshire locality for Anacharis Alsinastrum, by John G. Baker, 80. A
supplement to the Flora of Yorkshire, £21., 80. Ophioglossum lnsitanicunr,
by Edward Newman, 80. Devonshire station for Lythrum hyssopifoliumq by
Mrs. Russell, 81. Bifid ferns, z'd., 81. Laminaria longicruris, by the Rev.
George Harris, 81. Adiantum Capillus-Veneris on Cheddar Cliffs, by the
Rev. William Henry Hawker, 82. French locality for Ulex australis, by
Charles Prentice, Esq., 127. Plants at Nice, id., 127. Gymnogramma lep-
tophylla, by N. B. Ward, Esq., 128. Statice Dodartii a native of Ireland,
by Charles C. Babington, Esq., 147. Note respecting Carex Mmnchiana as
a British plant, by John G. Baker, Esq., 148. Another locality for Salix
acutitolia, irl., 148. Chrysosplenium alternit'olium, &c., near Cheltenham,
by T. IV. Gissing, Esq., 148. Supposed new fern, by John Piquet, Esq.,
xi
149. Botrychium rutaceum, Swartz, by C. C. Babington, Esq., 175. Cars:
Meenchiana, id., 176. Carex Davalliana, Smith, near Bath, by T. B. Flower,
Esq., 215. Draba muralis, Linn“, near Bristol, id., 215. Car'ex dioica,
Liam, near Bath, id., 216. Herbarium of the Rhenish Menthaa, by Edward
Newman, 216. Viola lactea and V. flavicornis, by Miss Lucas,216.
BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH.
Gamboge plant, by Professor Balfour, 23. Diatomaceous Loricae of the Mull
deposit, by Professor Gregory, 23. Botanical trip to the Grampian Moun-
tains, by Professor Balfour, 24. Vegetable substance formed in a water-pipe,
by James Hunter, Esq., 25. Botanical trip to Helvellyn, by Professor Bal-
four, 26. Plants growing about Dollar, id., 29. Diatomacea in the Mull
deposit, by Professor Gregory, 82. Desmarestia Dresnayi on the coast of
Ireland, by W. Sawers, Esq., 84. Flora of the Vosges, by Dr. Berbice, 84.
Carex paediformis, &c., by Dr. Adolph Senoner, 85. Anacharis Alsinastrum
in Ireland, by Dr. Dickie, 88. Botanical trip to the Tents Muir, by Mr. G.
Lawson, 88. Rare plants in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, by G. R.
Tate, Esq., 88. Nightshade family, by Peter F airbairn, Esq., 89. Value of
Botanical Histology to the medical student, by Dr. Lindsay, 90. Pollen of
Zamia horrida, by Professor Balfour, 115. Muscology of the East coast of
Fife, by the Rev. Thomas Brown, 116. Antheridia of the Rhamneaa, by Dr.
Sanderson, 116. Anatomical structure of Coniferaa, &c., by G. Lawson, Esq.,
116. Ophioglossum lusitanicum, by Thomas More, Esq., 118. Dyeing pro-
perties of lichens, by Dr. Lindsay, 179. Potamogeton from Lough Corrib, by
J. Kirk, Esq., 183. N orth-Uist moss, by Dr. Greville, 205. Structure of
Diatomacea, by W. E. Dallas, Esq., 205. Sections of coal, by Mr. Neil
Stewart, 208. ‘
DUBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.
Adverrtitious roots of J ussiaea grandiflora, by Professor Allmann, 60. F ructifica-
tion of the genus Desmarestia, by Gilbert Sanders, Esq., 110. On a variety
of Scolopendrium vulgare, by Dr. Kinahan, 113. On a. form of Saxifraga
found on the Blasket Islands, by William Andrews, Esq., 212. Combina-
tions of the varieties of ferns, by Dr. Kinahan, 213. On a variety of Filix-
femina, id., 213.
PHYTOLOGICAL CLUB.
Medicinal properties of Osmunda regalis, by R. T. Bywater, Esq., 30. Impatiens
Noli-me-tangere at Ambleside, by Richard Reynolds, Esq., 30. Enormous
caudex of Lastrea F ilix-mas, by Robert Bentley, Esq., 61. Ergotised
grasses, by Mr. Blyth, 61. Relation of Meteorology to Botany, 134. A few
remarks on Cotyledon Umbilicus, by T. W. Gissing, Esq., 135. Geography
of plants, by Edwin Lees, Esq., 139.
GREENWIcH NATURAL HISTORY CLUE.
Fungi of the neighbourhood of Greenwich, by Frederick Currey, Esq., 121, 122,
144. On the best method of preserving Algm, id., 123. Elaters of a
Trichia, id., 145.
THE PHYTOLOGIST
FOR 1854.

A Catalogue of the Wild Plants of Gosforth (Cumberland) and
adjacent District, in 1853. By Mr. JOSEPH ROBSON.
IN compiling the following Catalogue, I have omitted many plants
whose habitats are almost everywhere. At the same time, I have
added a few, possessing uncommon interest, whose localities are
beyond the bounds of the Gosforth district.
Thalictrum minus. Great End, Scawfell.
,, ahoimmz. Great End, Scawfell.
,, majus. Wastdale Head and Eskmeals.
Ranimculus Lingua. Wastdale, Eskdale, &c., &c.
,, Flammula. Wastdale, Eskdale, &c., &c.
,, hederaceus. Drigg, roadside ditches.
,, aroensis. N ethertown .
Trollius Europeans. Miteside, Ravenglass, meadows.
Aquilegia vulgar/is. Gosforth woods.
Nymphaea alba. Braystones Tarn.
Nuphar lutea. Braystones Tarn.
Glaucium luteum. Nethertown and Couldertown, sea-shore.
Chelidonium majus. St. Bees, roadside.
Fumarz'a lutea. Wastwater foot.
,, ofiicinalis. St. Bees Valley.
,, claoiculata. Dalegarth.
Subularia aguatica. Ennerdale Lake.
Cochlearia oflicinalis. Scawfell.
,, anglica. St. Bees Heads.
Cv'ambe mav'z'tima. Couldertown Point, sea-shore.
* Communicated by Walter Buchanan, Esq., F.L.S. ‘
VOL. V. B
2
Cakile maritime. Couldertown Point, sea-shore.
Draba incana. Wastdale.
,, rerna. Wastdale.
Arabis petrcea. Scawfell.
Brassica campestris. St. Bees Valley.
,, Monensis. Couldertown Point, sea-shore.
Drosera rotundifolia. Wastwater, roadside.
,, longifolia. Ulpha.
Silene acaulis. Great End and Mickledore crags.
,, maritime. St. Bees Heads.
,, inflata. Gosforth Bottom.
Lychnis vespertina. Nethertown and St. Bees.
Sagina procumbens. Clints Brow, E gremont, limestone rock.
Spergula nodosa. St. Bees shore.
Stellaria glauca. Muncaster woods.
Malra moschata. Eskdale roadside.
Hypericum montanum. Cold Fell.
,, calycinum. Irton woods.
,, elodes. Wormgill; Calder river.
Geranium phieum. Strands, Netherwasdale.
,, sylvaz‘icum. Gosforth Bottom.
,, sanguineum. Sea-shore, Sea Scale, &0.
,, Columbinum. Sea-shore, Sea Scale, &c.
Erodium cicutarium. Gosforth Bottom.
Impatiens Noli-me-tangere. Duddon Bridge.
Ononis arrensis. Sea-scale, shore.
Antkg/llis Vulneraria. Nethertown.
,, ,, A pretty yellow variety, Nethertown.
Pisum muritimum. Rocks near Whitehaven.
Vicia sylvatica. Rocks near Whitehaven.
Lathyrus sylvestris. Rocks near Whitehaven, rare.
,, pratensis. Gosforth Bottom.
Genista Seoparia. Drigg Moor.
,, tinctoriu. Drigg Moor.
,, anglica. Drigg Moor.
Ulese nanus. Gosforth, commons.
T rifolium maritimum. Braystones shore.
Hedg/sarum Onobrychis. N ethertown.
Ornithopus perpusillus. Braystones railway-station.
Prunus Padus. Irton woods.
,, Cerasus. Irton woods.
. Prunus insitilia. Eskdale.
,, spinosa. Eskdale.
Spirwa Filipendula. Gosforth meadows.
,, lllmaria. Gosforth meadows.
Geum ri'vale. Gosforth woods.
,, urbanum. Gosforth woods.
Sanguisorba oflicinalis. Gosforth fields.
Agrimonia Eupatoria. Cleator, Ennerdale.
Alchemilla alpina. Scawfell and Pillar mountains.
Potentillufruticosa. W'astwater screes.
Comarum palustre. Gosforth marshes.
Rubus corylifolius. Frizzington, Ennerdale.
,, rhamnifolius. Ulpha.
,, ccesius. Furness Abbey.
Rosa spinosissima. Sea Scale shore.
Pyrus Aria. Eskdale, Dalegarth.
,, Aueuparia. Eskdale mountains.
Lythrum Salicaria. Gosforth, banks Of Irt.
,, hyssopifolium. Wastdale, roadside; Langthatch.
Peplis Portula. Harras Moor, Whitehaven.
Isnardia palustris. Lizza, Ennerdale.
Circrea lutetiana. Gosforth woods.
Myriophyllum spicatum. Ennerdale.
Hippuris rulgaris. Dubbeck Cleator.
Montiafontana. Cold Fell springs.
Scleramthus annuus. Nethertown.
Cotyledon Umbilicus. Old wall, Langthatch ; Gosforth Bottom.
Semperrirum tectorum. Roadside, Gosforth Bottom.
Sedum acre. Braystones.
,, Uillosum. Braystones.
Rhodiola rosea. Wastwater screes and Mickledore.
Ribes alpinum. Corney Fell.
,, rubrum. Gosforth woods and hedges.
,, Grossularia. Gosforth woods and hedges.
Saarifraga stellaris. Ennerdale mountains.
,, aizoides. Wastdale Head.
,, hypnoides. Mickledore, Scawfell.
,, nioalis. Scawfell, near the summit.
,, oppositifolia. W'astwater screes.
granulata. Cleator, Ennerdale.
tridactylites. Furness Abbey; Whicham, Bootle.
4
Hydrocotyle vulgaris. Ennerdale.
Sanicula Eu’ropcea. Egremont.
Eryngium maritimum. Sea-shore, Braystones, 8:0.
Siam wodg'floramz. Gill, Egremont.
Meum Athamantz'cum. Ennerdale.
Heracleum Sphondylium. Irton woods.
.Daucus Carota. Nethertown.
M yrrhz's odomta. Drigg railway-station.
Conium maculatum. St. Bees.
Clueroplzyllum sylvestre. Gillfoot Lodge, Egremont.
Cv'z'ihmmn maritimum. St. Bees Heads.
Adox'a Moschatellz'na. Gosforth, roadside.
Camus sanguinea. Gosforth, roadside.
Lonicem Xylosteum. St. Bees.
Gallium verzmz. Braystones shore.
S/zemrdz'a arvensz's. Irton and St. Bees.
VaZe-rz'ana dioica. Kinneyside, Ennerdale.
,, 0flicz'nalz's. St. Bees, &0.
,, pyrenaz'ca. Eskdale.
Scabiosa columbam'a. Nerthertown.
,, arvensis. Nethertown.
,, succisa. Nethertown.
Eupatorz'um Cannabinum. Gosforth village.
Senecz'o saw'acenicus. Moresby, Whitehaven.
,, syluatz'cus. St. Bees.
,, viscosus. Nethertown.
Apargz'a hispz'da. Ennerdale.
,, autumnalz's. Ennerdale.
Aster Ta'ipolz'um. Ravenglass, salt-marsh.
Solidago Vz'a'gaurea. Cold Fell rocks.
Prenanthes mm'alz's. Eskdale.
Inula Helem'um. Coulderton Point.
,, dyee'nterz'ca. St. Bees Heads.
Gnaphalium dioz'cum. Ennerdale and Wastdale.
,, ge'rmam'cum. Nethertown.
,, N ethertown.
,, ulz'gz'nosum. Cold Fell.
Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum. Gosforth Bottom.
,, segetum. Nethertown, railway-bank.
Pyreih'rum Pao'them'um. Nethertown.
Anthemz's marilz'ma. Conlderton shore.
5
Ackz'llea Millefolz'um. St. Bees.
Bidens to'z'partz'ta. Nethertown shore.
Cnicus acaulz's. Ennerdale.
Cichom'um I ntybus. Hensingham, near Whitehaven.
Hieo'acium sabaudum. Side, Ennerdale.
atratum. Wastdale Head.
7,
,, aurantz'acum. Holm Rook woods.
,, alpinum. Scawfell.
,, umbellatum. Wastdale.
Artemisz'a uulgarz's. Gosforth village.
,, maritima. Coulderton Point and Muncaster.
Petasz'tes uulgam's. Banks of Irt.
C'ineraria campestrz's. Cold Fell.
Tv-agopogon pmtensis. Whitehaven meadows.
Lobelz'a Dortmanna. Ennerdale Lake.
Campanu-Za latg'folz'a. Gosforth Bottom woods.
,, rotundqfolz'a. Haycock and Scawfell.
Jasz'one montana. Nethertown, and Drigg shore.
Andromeda polifolia. Moresby, near Whitehaven.
Calluna uulgarz's, alba. Weddicar-rig, Cleator.
Erica T etralz'a', plena. Harras Moor. A beautiful variety.
Arbutus Uua-ursz'. Corney Fell; Bootle.
,, alpina. Scawfell.
Vaccinz'um Vitis-z'daea. Iron Crag, Ennerdale.
Gentiana campestris. Braystones.
Erythnea Centaurium. Braystones.
,, ,, var. liitoralis. Braystones.
Menyanthes tr/gfoliata. Sellafield Tarn.
Villarsz'a nymphwoides. Sellafield Tarn.
Polemonz'um cceruleum. St. Bees.
Convoluulus sepium. Gosforth.
,, Soldanella. Braystones shore.
Anchusa sempeo'm'rens. St. Bees. .
Lycopsis aruensz's. St. Bees.
Echium uulgatum. Coulderton, railway-bank.
Myosotz's palusta'z's. Braystones.
,, uersicolor. Sea-scale.
Lithospermum mam'timum. Eskmeals; Ravenglass.
Boo'ago ofiicz'nalz's. St. Bees.
Verbascum T hapsus. Coulderton Point.
Ata'opa Belladonna. Furness Abbey.
6
Hyoscyamus niger. Coulderton.
Antirrhinum Orontiam. Gosforth, hedges.
Scrophularia nodosa. Gosforth, river-side.
Melampyrum sylvaticum. Wilton Haile.
Pedioularis palastris. Nethertown.
,, syloaticus. Gosforth Bottom.
,, ,, var. alba. Wastwater, roadside half-way
up the lake.
Lycopus Europaus. Sellafield Tarn.
Hymns Serpg/llum, var. tomentosus. Braystones.
Scutellaria galericulata. St. Bees Valley.
,, minor. Gill, Egremont.
Galeopsis uersicolor. St. Bees.
,, Tetrahit. St. Bees.
,, Ladanum. St. Bees.
Galeobdolon luleum. Crossdale; Ennerdale.
Stachys palustris. Sellafield Tarn.
Lamium album. St. Bees.
,, purpureum. St. Bees.
Teucrium Scorodonia. Bleng Fell. '
Verbena oflicinalis. Irton.
Pinguicula uulgaris. Cold Fell and Wastdale.
Utricularia minor. Sellafield Tarn.
Lysimachia thyrsiflora. Sellafield Tarn.
,, nemorum. Irton woods.
,, Nummularia. Irton woods.
Glaua' maritima. Ravenglass, salt-marsh.
Samolus Valerandi. St. Bees and Waberthwaite.
Static-e Armeria. Sea-shore and mountains, Scawfell, &c.
,, Limonium. St. Bees Heads.
,, spathulaz‘a. St. Bees Heads.
Plantago major. Langhorn, E gremont.
media. Langhorn, Egremont.
,, Coronopus. St. Bees shore.
,, maritima. Gillerthwaite, Ennerdale.
Chenopodium maritimum. Coulderton shore.
Salsola Kali. Coulderton shore.
,, fruticosa. Ravenglass shore.
Salioornia herbacea. Ravenglass shore.
Atriplea- laciniata. St. Bees.
Polygonum Bistorta. St. Bees Valley.
)1
7
Polygonum Conuoluu lus. St. Bees Valley.
,, amphibium. St. Bees Valley.
,, Persicaria. St. Bees Valley.
,, mile. St. Bees Valley.
Oxyria reniformis. Mickledore; Scawfell.
Empetrum nigrum. Lingmell and all mountains.
Euphorbia Peplus. E gremont.
,, Helioscopia. Gosforth, cornfields.
Mercurialis perennis. Eskdale; Dalegarth.
,, annua. Eskdale ; Dalegarth.
Urtica dioica. Calder Abbey.
,, urens. Calder Abbey.
Humulus Lupulus. Gosforth, hedges.
Salix herbacea. Summits of Pillar, Scawfell, &c.
Myrica Gale. Wastdale, bogs; common.
Taaus baccata. Middlefell, W'astwater.
Juniperus nana. Wastwater screes.
Alisma Plantago. Braystones Tarns.
,, naians. Braystones Tarns.
,, ranunculoides. Braystones Tarns.
Sagittaria sagittifolia. Braystones, ditches.
Butomus umbellatus. Irton, pond.
T ypha latifolia. Irton, pond.
Sparganium natans. Dubbeck Cleator.
,, simplex. Harras Moor.
Lemna trisulca. Wet ditches, Gosforth.
,, minor. Wet ditches, Gosforth.
Potamogeton lace/is. Calder Gills.
,, pusillus. Calder Gills.
,, rufescens. Calder Gills.
Conuallaria majalis. Dalegarth ; coppice near Bridge.
Paris quadrifolia. Bell House Gill, St. Bees Valley.
Narthecium ossifragum. Wastdale, common on mosses.
Juncus trifidus. Hardknot, Eskdale. .
,, compressus. Kinniside, common; Ennerdale.
,, acutiflorus. Kinniside, common ; Ennerdale.
Stratiotes aloides. Ennerdale Lake, near Smithy Beck, 1852, rare.
Orchis bifolia. Between Sea Scale and Gosforth, very fine.
,, latifolia. Between Sea Scale and Gosforth.
,, mascula. Gosforth Bottom.
,, Morio. Gosforth Bottom.
8
Orchis maculata. Gosforth Bottom.
,, pyramidalis. Gosforth Bottom.
Gymnadenia conopsea. Muncaster Mill, Ravenglass; Ennerdale.
Herminium Monorchis. Cleator, Ennerdale.
Lisiera ovata. Ravenglass.
,, cordata. Ravenglass.
Epipactis grandiflora. Bleng river, above Gosforth.
Iris pseud-acorus. Common in marshes.
Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus. Banks of Irt.
Rhynchospora alba. 'Corney Fell; Ravenglass.
Eleocharis multicaulis. Ennerdale Lake.
,, acicularis. Ennerdale Lake.
.Eriophorum vaginatum. Drigg Moor.
,, angustifolium. Drigg Moor.
Phalaris arundinaoea. Irton.
Lomaria spicant. Common on heaths and roadsides.
Pteris aquilina. Common on heaths.
Allosorus crispus. Wastdale, common on old walls.
Polypodium uulgare. Wastdale, common.
,, Phegopteris. Laggat, on Cold Fell.
,, Dryopteris. Dalegarth, below the waterfall.
,, ,, var. calcareu-m. Scale Force.
Cystopterisfragilis. Holm Rook, on old wall ; [and Mickledore.
,, dentata. Braithwaite Brow, Egremont.
Polystichum aouleatum. Irton woods.
Lastrea Thelypteris. Irton woods.
,, Oreopteris. Hawl Gill, Wastwater.
,, recurva. St. Bees Heads.
Athyrium Filixfoemina. Ennerdale.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum. Holm Rook ; Calder Abbey.
Ruta-muraria. Calder Abbey.
Trichomanes. Calder Abbey.
,, marinum. St. Bees Heads, very fine.
,, septentrionale. Borrowdale.
Scolopendrium oulgare. Egremont, &c., common.
,, var. with forked fronds. On conglomerate rock
near Whitehaven, plentiful.
Grammitis Ceterach. On a wall by the roadside, Gosforth, rare
in Lake district.
Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense. Hawl Gill, Wastwater.
,, Wilsoni. Dalegarth, plentiful.
77
77
9.
Osmunda regalis. Sea Scale, Gosforth, 810., common.
Botrycllium Lunaria. Braystones, and Muncaster Fell.
Ophioglossum wall/alum. St. Bees meadows, plentiful.
Lycopodium claoatum. Wastwater screes.
alpinum. Wastwater screes.
inundaium. lVastdale, side of lake.
Selago. Ennerdale Fells.
,, Selaginoides. Ennerdale Fells.
Isoetes lacustris. Ennerdale Lake, and Lizza.
Eguisetum fluuiatile. lrt banks.
,, aruense. Gosforth cornfields.
,, sylvaticum. Irton woods.
limosum. Ennerdale, near lake.
,, palustre. Thwaites, Cold Fell.
Pilalaria globulifera. Ennerdale Lake.
Chara fiea'ilis. Ennerdale Lake.
,, aspera. Ennerdale Lake.
,7
7’
77
”
JOSEPH ROBSON.
July 4, 1853.


On preserving the Balance between the Animal and Vegetable
Organisms in Sea l/Vater. By R. WARINGTON, Esqfii'é
IN the~published notices of my experiments of 1849, to maintain
the balance between the animal and vegetable organisms in a con-
fined and limited portion of water, the fact was demonstrated, that, in
consequence of the natural decay of the vegetation, its subsequent
decomposition and the mucus-growth to which it gave rise, this
balance could only be sustained for a very short period, but, if ano-
ther member were introduced, which would feed upon the decaying
vegetation and thus prevent the accumulation of these destructive pro-
ducts—~—a function most admirably performed by the various species of
water-snail—such balance was capable of being continuously main-
tained without the slightest difficulty ; and I may add, that the expe-
rimental proof of this has now been carried on, in a small tank in the
heart of London, for the last four years and a half, without any change
or disturbance of the water; the loss which takes place by evapora-
tion being made up with rain or distilled water, so as to avoid any
* Read at the Hull Meeting of the British Association, and communicated by the
Author, for publication in the ‘ Phytologist.’
VOL. IV. C
10
great increase of the mineral ingredients originally present. It follows
then, as a natural deduction, from the successful demonstration of
these premises, that the same balance should be capable of being
established, under analogous circumstances, in sea water. And in a
paper published in January, 1852;?- I stated that I was, at that time,
“ attempting the same kind of arrangement with a confined portion of
sea water, employing some of the green sea-weeds for the vegetable
member of the circle, and the common periwinkle as the representa-
tive of the water-snail.”
The sea water with which the experiments I am about to detail
were conducted, was obtained through the medium of one of the
oyster-boats at the Billingsgate fish-market, and was taken from the
middle of the English Channel.
My first object was to ascertain the kind of sea-weed best fitted,
under ordinary circumstances, for keeping the water clear and sweet,
and in a sufficiently oxygenated state to sustain animal life. And
here opinions were at variance, for one naturalist friend whom I con-
sulted, advised me to employ the Rhodosperms ; another stated that
it was impossible to make the red weeds answer the purpose, as he
had tried them, and strongly recommended the olive or brown-
coloured Algae; while, again, others thought that[ should be more
successful with those which had in theory first suggested themselves
to my own mind, namely the Chlorosperms. After making numerous
unsuccessful experiments with both the brown and the red varieties
of Algae, l was fully convinced that, under ordinary circumstances,
the green weeds were the best adapted for the purpose.
This point having been practically ascertained, and some good
pieces of the Enteromorpha and Ulvalatissima in a healthy state,
attached to nodules of flint or chalk, having been procured from the
shore near Broadstairs, several living animal subjects were introduced
together with the periwinkle. Everything progressed satisfactorily,
and these all continued in a healthy and lively condition.
My first trials were conducted in one of the small tanks which had
been used for fresh water; but as it was necessary, during the unsuc-
cessful experiments with the brown and red sea-weeds, to agitate and
aerate the water, which had been rendered foul from the quantity of
mucus or gelatinous matter generated during the decay of their fronds,
until the whole had become oxidized, and the water rendered clear
and fitted for another experiment, it was, therefore, for greater conve-
nience, removed into a shallow earthen pan and covered with a large
* ‘ Gardeners’ Botanical Magazine and Garden Companion,’ Jan. 1852.
11
glass shade to protect the surface of the water, as much as possible,
from the dust and soot of the London atmosphere, and at the same
time impede the evaporation. In this vessel then I had succeeded
perfectly in keeping a large number of beautiful living specimens in a
healthy condition up to the close of 1852. I therefore gave instruc-
tions for the making of a small tank as a more permanent reservoir,
and one more adapted for carrying on my observations and investiga-
tions on the (economy and habits of the inhabitants.
From the experience I had obtained in my experiments with the
freshwater tank, I was induced to modify slightly the construction of
this vessel ; thus, at the back, or part towards the light, the framing
was filled with slate in the same way as the ends and bottom; for I
had found that the glass, originally employed, very soon became
covered with a confervoid growth which had an unpleasing appear-
ance to the eye, and in consequence of which I had been obliged to
paint the glass on the exterior to prevent this growth from increasing
to too great an extent. It was also an unnatural mode of illumination,
as all the light should pass through the surface of the water. The
front towards the room and the observer was constructed of plate
glass, the whole being set in a stout framework of zinc, and cemented
with what is known under the name of Scott’s cement, and which I
have found to answer for the purpose most admirably. Within this
tank were arranged several large pieces of rock-work, thrown into an
arched form, and other fragments were cemented in places against the
slate at the back and ends, and at parts along the water-line, so that
the creatures could hide themselves at pleasure ; a short beach of
pebbles was also constructed in order that shallow water could be re-
sorted to if desired. The whole tank was covered with a light glass
shade to keep out the dust and retard evaporation.
With the sea water obtained in January, 1852, I have been working
without cessation up to the present time, agitating-“t and aerating when
it became foul during the unsuccessful experiments on the sea-weeds,
but since then it has been rarely ever disttu'bed ; the loss which takes
place from evaporation being made up, as before stated, with rain or
distilled water.
For a considerable period, after commencing these experiments,
I was much troubled to obtain living subjects in a healthy condition,
but having alluded to this, and the success of my investigations,
in a short notice appended to a paper published in the ‘ Annals ’ for
* It must be decidedly understood that no agitation or so-called aeration is
required when the balance of animal and vegetable life is properly established.
l2
October, 1852 (see also Zool. 3633), my friend, Mr. P. H. Gosse,
who was then sojourning at llfracombe for his health, offered in the
kindest manner possible to supply me with materials, and from that
period he has always most heartily responded to my wants. It must
not be imagined for a moment that the beautiful creatures I have thus
received have been all preserved alive or always quite healthy. In
experimental investigations this would be unreasonable to expect, as
the very fact of experimenting implies a disturbance of the then state
of things. Besides which, from want of a sufficient knowledge of
Natural History, from want of forethought and experience and other
causes, I have lost many very fine specimens; and as the detail
of these losses may prevent the occurrence of the like annoyances to
others, I shall venture to occupy your time for a short period with
their history.
My greatest loss arose from too great an anxiety to transfer the col-
lection I had preserved in a healthy condition to the end of December,
1852, into the new tank. As soon as it arrived from the maker’s 1 lost
no time in introducing my numerous family to their new abode, and
dearly I paid for my precipitaucy, for on the next morning I found
many of my most beautiful specimens dead; thus 1 lost two fine
Holothurias Peniactes), a small freckled goby (Gobias minntas),
a beautiful little pipe-fish (Syngnathus lambriciformis), and several
others, and on opening the door of the case the cause of this mor-
tality was at once evident,——-an iridescent film of oily matter was float—
ing on the surface of the water, arising from the paint with which the
angular joints and edges of the small tank had been coloured not
having become sufficiently hardened.
Another source of loss arises from the several creatures attacking
and devouring each other, and it therefore becomes a point of great
importance—and highly necessary to be carefully observed, where
their preservation is an object —- to ascertain what varieties may
be safely associated in the same tank; as, for instance, I have found
that the shrimps and prawns attack, and very soon devour, all
the larger varieties of corallines and Polyps, Sabellae, Serpulaa, rock-
borers, Cirrhipetls, some of the Annelids, many bivalve and univalve
mollusks that are unprotected by an operculum, or have no power of
closing their valves. The instances which have come under my own
immediate observation have been the destruction of the Pholas dacty-
lus, Saxicava rugosa, Cypraea Europeea, and several specimens of
Sabellee, Serpulae, Coryne sessilis, and many others.
The common crab (Cancer Mantis) is likewise a most destructive
l3
agent; and the tribe of rock-fish, the blennies, gobies, &c. are also
most voracious, devouring all the varieties of Cirrhipeds, corallines,
Polyps, Anne1ids,.&c.; they will also attack the shrimps and prawns,
and even seize upon the horns of the periwinkle, which they bite ofl”.
lfthe mollusks do not keep a very firm hold of the rock or tank sides,
they are rapidly turned over by these fish on their backs and
lie helplessly exposed to their attacks.it It is doubtless their seeking
food of this kind which causes these little fish to be so generally found
in the shallow rock-pools of the coast. in consequence of these ra-
venous propensities, I have been obliged to establish several small
tanks and imitation rock-pools, so as to separate these various depre-
dators from each other: thus in one I have varieties of Actiuia,
shrimps, Nudibranchs, Holothurias, and some Annelids; in a second
the rock-fish, as the blennies, gobies, Cottus, with crabs and Actiniae;
in a third corallines, Annelids, Polyps, rock-borers, Sabellaa, Serpulae,
Holothurias, and Actiniae.
Another curious instance of loss I may detail which has quite
recently occurred, and which may prove interesting; it was in a small
rock-pool containing blennies, gobies, crabs, &c. I had procured
two live oysters for the purpose of feeding my numerous small fry in
these vivaria, and one of these having proved ample for the purpose
of one meal, the other was placed on the sandy bottom; on the second
day after this the oyster was observed to have opened the valves of
his shell to a great extent, which were afterwards seen closed, but a
small Gobius niger, inhabiting the pool, could nowhere be seen. The
day after this the oyster was opened for the general feeding, when,
10! within the shell was found the unfortunate Gobius, quite dead.
\Vhether this little gentleman had been attracted within the trap by
curiosity or the ciliary motion of the oyster, it is impossible with cer-
tainty to say; but that he must have seized on some sensitive part of
the oyster is more than probable, so as to have caused such a rapid
closing of the valves of the shell as could entrap so active a burglar.
* Since the reading of this paper at Hull I have received a blenny of larger size,
being about 3%- inches in length, and although it has become so tame that it will allow
itself to be touched by the hand and takes its food from the fingers, yet its destructive
propensities are so great, that it very soon killed four small crabs; and to save three
others, of rather a larger size, I have been obliged to remove the blenny to a rock-
pool in association with his own species and a. few Actinim. The only refuge the poor
crabs had was to bury themselves in the sand, and whenever they attempted to move
out of their refuge they were immediately pounced upon and only escaped by burrow-
ing rapidly again.
14
Another important point is the gravity of the sea water; this should
be very carefully regulated, for it must be borne in mind that many of
the marine creatures are supplied by a permeation of water through
their tissues or over their delicate and beautiful organs. The specific
gravity should not rise above 1.026 at 60° F aim, and a small hydro-
meter should be at short periods introduced to ascertain that this
point is not exceeded, particularly during the hot months of summer.
The reduction to this gravity can be readily effected by the addition
of rain or distilled water. Many of the creatures will of themselves
afi'ord indications of this increase of density ; some of the Actiniaa will
remain closed and become coated with a white slimy covering within
which they remain for a length of time, and if the specific gravity of
the water be lowered this is very soon ruptured by their expansion,
thrown off, and the tentacula become soon extended.
All putrescent matter or excess of food or rejecta of the Actiniae
should be carefully removed from the water, as the noxious gaseous
compounds generated by the decay of such matters appear to diffuse
themselves rapidly through the water, act as a virulent poison, and
speedily destroy the vitality of the occupants. Thus many beautiful
subjects were lost in a few hours from the introduction, into a small
glass jar, of a large Pecten shell, encrusted with corallines, which had
become loaded with putrescent matter by partial submersion in a foul
muddy bottom.
Great care should also be taken in moving the Actiniaa that the foot
or sucking disk with which it attaches itself to the rocks, stones,
or weed, be not injured, as, when this occurs, they rarely survive, but
roll about without attaching themselves, and gradually waste away
and (lie.
With these exceptions then, everything has gone on very satisfac-
torily, care being always taken not to overload the water with too
large a proportion of animal life for the vegetation to balance,
as, whenever this has been inadvertently attempted, the water has
soon become foul, and the whole contents of the tank, both animal and
vegetable, have rapidly suffered, and it has required some time before
the water could be restored to its former healthy condition.
In one of the numbers of the ‘ Zoologist’ of last year, I stated that
besides the Ulvaa, Enteromorphae and Cladophorae, I had found the
Zostera marina a very useful plant for oxygenating the sea water; but
this observation has reference only to the case of a tank supplied with
a ground where its roots will find a sufficiency of food for its growth,
as in a clear shingle or sand it soon decays ; and it should be asso~
l5
ciated with such animals as delight in a ground of this nature, as many
of the Annelids, crabs, burrowing shrimps, &c. There are several
interesting observations which have been made from time to time
connected with this subject, which I hope to lay before the Natural—
History world as soon as I can find leisure time for the purpose.
ROBERT W ARINGTON.
Apothecaries’ Hall,
September 10, 1853.

NOTICES or NEW BOOKS.
-_
‘ The Microscope, in its Special Application to Vegetable Anatomy
and Physiology. By DR. HERMANN SCHACHT ; translated by
FREDERICK CURREY, Esq., M.A. London : Samuel Highley, 32,
Fleet Street. 1853.’ 132 pp. 8vo ; with numerous Illustra-
tions on Wood. Price 58.
The translator’s Preface, which we extract entire, will explain the
character and objects of this publication.
“ The work of Dr. Schacht, of which a translation is now offered to
the public, relates to abranch of microscopical science, which has not
hitherto formed the subject of a separate treatise ; and the high repu-
tation of the author, and the interesting nature of the subject, have
induced a belief that the present version is likely to meet with a favour-
able reception.
“It has been thought advisable to omit the greater part of the
description of foreign microscopes and auxiliary instruments contained
in the original work. These details would, for obvious reasons, be
uninteresting, if not useless, to the English reader. There is no doubt
of the superiority of English instruments over those described by Dr.
Schacht; and the elaborate and able treatise of Professor Quekett
affords all the necessary information upon the subject of English
microscopes, &c.
“ The high price of good English microscopes has hitherto been
an impediment to the progress of Microscopy, and much attention has
lately been directed to the production of cheaper instruments. A
very useful and convenient form of student’s microscope is represented
16
in the frontispiece, which has been designed by Mr. Samuel Highley,
jun., of Fleet Street, and may be had at a very moderate price.
“ The figures of the original work, and their descriptions, have been
incorporated into the text of the translation, by which means the
inconvenience of constant reference to the plates and their explana-
tion is avoided. The figures of the foreign instruments, and a few
other figures, which were not essential for the elucidation of the sub-
ject, and which would have increased the expense of the translation,
have been omitted.”
‘ The Botany of the Voyage of H.Zl[.S. Herald. By BERTHOLD SEE-
MANN, F.L.S., &c., Naturalist to the Expedition. Part III.
Flora of the Isthmus of Panama continued. London: Reeve.
1853.’ Royal 4to; 40 pp. Text; 10 Lithographic Plates.
Price 10s.
The Part contains, 2 Caryophylleae, 21 Malvaceae, 9 Sterculiacew,
9 Buttneriaceae, ll Tiliaceae, 4 Ternstrmmiaceae, 1 Olacineae, 6 Auran-
tiaceae, 3 H ypericineae, 10 Clusiaceae, 4 Marcgraaviaceae, 5 Hippocra-
teaceae, 1 Erythroxyleae, 14 Malpighiaceae, 12 Sapindaceae, 4 Meliaceae,
l Tropeoleae, 2 Oxalideae, 1 Zygophylleae, 2 Anthoxyleae, 5 Simaru-
baceae, 2 Ochnaceae, 2 Rhamneae, 6 Samydeae, 32 Euphorbiaceae, 5
Anacardieae, 119 Leguminosae, 1 Burseraceae, 6 Chrysobalaneae, 3
Rosaceae, 7 Combretaceae, 1 Vochysieae, 1 Rhizophoreae, 7 Ona-
grarieae.
The novelties are forty-eight in number, and bear the following
names :— '
Pavonia alba, Seem. ; order Malvaceae.
Pachira Fendleri, Seem., P. Barrigon, Seem., and Chorisea rosea,
Seem. ; order Sterculiaceae.
Kelletia odorata, Seem., Sloanea quadrivalvis, Seem., Heliocar-
pus arborescens, Seem., Triumfetta speciosa, Seem. ; order Tiliaceae.
Saurauja montana, Seem. ; order Ternstrmmiaceaa.
Hypericum gnidioides, Seem. ; order Hypericineae.
Reggeria acuminata, Seem., Clusia odorata, Seem., C. pratensis,
Seem., Calophyllum edule, Seem. ,' order Clusiaceae.
Salacia pruinosa, Seem. ; order Hippocrateaceae.
Tetrapteris Panamensis, Seem. ; order Malpighiaceae.
Sergania grandis, Seem., Cupania sylvatica, Seem. ,- order Sapin-
daceae.
l7
Moschoxylon Veraguasense, Seem. ,' order Meliaceae.
Picramnia umbrosa, Seem. ; order Simarubaceae.
Cespedesia macrophylla, Seem. ,- order Ochnaceae.
Edmonstonia pacifica, Seem. ,- order Samydeae. “ Named in com-
memoration of Mr. Thomas Edmonston, a native of Buness, North
Britain.” The melancholy fate of this young botanist will still be
fresh in the recollection of our readers.
Euphorbia apocynoides, Kl. MSS., Euphorbia Morisoniana, Kl.
[MSS., Sapium Moritzianum, Kl. 1MSS., Omphalia diandra, Linn,
var. Panamensis, Kl. [MSS., Acalypta Panamensis, Kl..MSS., A. See-
manni, Kl. MSS., A. Alopecuroidea, Jacguz'n, var. glandulifera, Kl.
MSS., Caperonia Panamensisis, Kl. 111SS., Astraea Seemanui, Kl.
MSS., Barhamia Panamensis, Kl. MSS., Cyclostigma Panamense,
Kl. MSS., C. denticulatum, Kl. MSS.; order Crotoneae. Phyllan-
thus diffusus, Kl. IWSS. ; order Euphorbiaceae. '
Crotalaria Guatemalensis, Bent/z. MSS., Tephrosia nitens, Benth.
MSS., Stenolobium brachycarpum, Benth., Lonchocarpus velutinus,
Benlh. MSS., Platymischium polystachium, Benth. [MS 1, ()rmosia
Panamensis, Benih. MSS., Bauhinia parvifolia, Seem., Calliandra
Seemanni, Bent/r. Zl[SS., Inga Darienensis, Seem., I. Panamensis,
Seem., I. (Erstediana, Bentle. lllSS. 5 order Leguminosae.
Licania arborea, Seem. ; order Chrysobalaneae.
Lopezia paniculata, Seem. ,- order Onagrarieae.
We can only repeat the commendations we have already bestowed
on this work. Its scientific interest is abundantly maintained in this
third part.

PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES, &c.
_-
THE PHYTOLOGIST CLUB.
One Hundred and Fifty-second Sitting—Saturday, December 24,
1853.——M R. NEWMAN, President, in the chair.
The President read the following communications :—
New Im'sh Eguz'setum.
“ I wish to call your attention to a very distinct variety, or species,
of Equisetum, which I found two years ago. You may have probably
VOL. V. D
18
heard of it through your numerous correspondents, as one of the states
of E. variegatum. It is, however, distinct from any British Equise-
tum I have seen. E. hyemale is the species it most resembles, and is
nearest allied to, though very distinct from that plant, in its normal
form at least, or, indeed, in any form that ever I have observed
it assume. The long, loose, white sheaths, with white setaceous teeth,
form good primdfizcie marks to distinguish it from E. hyemale;
besides, the stems are longer, much more attenuated, and have, fewer
strite. The latter characters would appear to connect it with E.
Mackaii, from which it differs, again, in a marked degree, in the
colour of its sheaths, which have shorter teeth; and in its stems,
which never branch. You will, nevertheless, be inclined to say the
characteristic marks I have pointed out, and even the appearance of
the specimens accompanying them, do not satisfy you that the plant
is distinct from the species and varieties described in your last edi-
tion of ‘ British Ferns.’ From such an opinion I would beg respect-
fully to dissent; and I will tell you why. It is different in form,
markings, and, above all, in constitution. In this case, when lan-
guage appears at fault, Nature steps in, and assists us to point out the
diversity of her objects. The stems of all our British unbranched
species of Equisetum are persistent, remaining green throughout the
winter. The economy of the plant to which I am now directing
your attention is the reverse of this: the stems die down annually.
WVhen I observed this last year, I supposed it might have been an
accidental occurrence, and consequently resolved on waiting until I
saw what would take place this autumn before I considered this a per-
manent character of the plant. The same result has been again
obtained, and the original observation verified. The stems are now
as yellow as ripe wheat-straw, lying flat on the ground, though those
of all the other unbranched Equiseta are erect, and as green as
rushes. Surely, then, this is sufficient to mark it as distinct. I here-
with send you fresh specimens of E. hyemale, E. Mackaii, E. variega-
tum, var.‘Wilsoni, E. variegatum, and the new plant, which will
enable you to judge for yourself.”——D. hloore ; Glasneoin, December
2,1853.
The President exhibited a series of specimens of the beautiful plant
mentioned in Mr. Moore’s communication. He had referred to Van-
cher’s ‘ Monographie des Préles,’ in which unusual pains had been
taken to distinguish the European Equiseta ; and he found nothing
resembling the plant on the table, to which he proposed to give the
name of Equisetum Moorei, in honour of the distinguished botanist
19
who had discovered it, and who had for many years devoted the most
assiduous attention to studying the Equiseta and ferns of Ireland.
This was the third striking form of unbranched Equisetum which had
been discovered in Ireland; and all of these had now received a name
at his (the President’s) hands : E. Mackaii, E. \Vilsoni, and E. Moorei.
He had once ventured on expressing an opinion that all the unbranched
Equiseta were referrible to a single species ; and he found that conti-
nental botanists were much inclined to adopt this view: but the ques-
tiongmust eventually be decided, not by the dictum of any man, but
by carefully ascertaining whether the characters supposed to distin-
guish them were constant or exceptional. If constant, it mattered
little how apparently insignificant; and inconstant and excep-
tional, it mattered not how striking. This principle was sound;
it could never be antagonistic to Nature’s laws. In the present
instance, we had a plant apparently intermediate between hyemale
and Mackaii, but differing in the possession of certain structural cha-
racters peculiar to itself. Now, this difference, seeing that the plant
had hitherto been discovered in only one station (although not in very
limited quantities), might be attributed to the effects of season, aspect,
or soil ; but then, the stems of the older species, hyemale and Mac-
kaii, were persistent, while those of the new species were completely
deciduous; and Mr. Moore found this difference to obtain equally
when the plants were cultivated together, and the same conditions
observed with all. He concluded by proposing the following charac-
ters, as sufficient to distinguish the new plant from those with which
we were previously acquainted; and begged to express a hope that
Irish botanists would endeavour, by diligent search, to extend the
ascertained range of this interesting and strikingly beautiful species.
EQUISETUM MooREI, Newman.
Rhizome not noticed.
Stems annual, completely deciduous, 20—30 inches in length, 3 or
4 united at base, perfectly erect, always unbranched, acuminate,
gradually tapering throughout their length, with 12 (more or
less) deep, well-marked striaa; the surface rough and hard to
the touch; divided by transverse septa into 12 (more or less)
internodes, the middle ones of which are longer than those of
either extremity.
Sheaths loose, striated like the stem the interspaces between the
striae having a deep central sulcus, of a beautiful pearly white,
with a black ring at the base, and black tips to the teeth ; the
20
sheath of the spike black, spreading, campanulate, its teeth
long, acuminate, aristate.
Teeth rigid, harsh, rounded or truncate at the apex, each having a
median furrow on the back, the continuation of the intermedi-
ate furrows of the sheath ; surmounted by loose, flaccid, mem-
branous, silky, elongate, pointed awns, which are usually whitish,
but occasionally black towards the apex of the stem; on the
lower sheaths these awns appear evanescent, from their extreme
fragility.
Spike sessile, black, composed of 35 (more or less) black, roundish
scales, on which the striation of the stem is indistinctly conti-
nued; surmounted by a solid, conical, acuminate apex.
Hab. Clay-banks facing the sea at Rockfield, County Wicklow,
Ireland; found by Mr. Moore, in company with Professor Mel-
ville, of Queen’s College, Galway.
Herb. Moore, Newman, &c.
Mr. Luxford fully concurred in considering the beautiful plant on
the table perfectly distinct from any described British Equisetum.
Enormous Plant of Osmunda regalis.
“ In Merivale Wood, at the foot of Leith Hill, is a tump of Osmunda
regalis, which appears to be but a single plant. It measures thirty-
six feet in circumference, and has fronds at least eight feet long.”—
William Bennett ; Bros/sham Lodge.
Asplenium lanceolatum.
“ Towards the sea westward from Penzance, it entirely puts off its
shrivelled VVelch character. On the road near Sennen Cove, I have
seen it form the entire covering of a wall most luxuriantly; and dug
up a single root, from the bank at the foot of it, on which I counted
eighty fronds.”—1d.
Stafiorclshire Locality for Potamogeton flabellatus, Bab.
“To the localities already recorded for this pond-weed, may be
added the river, and ditches which drain into it, at Stafford. The
plant has been known to me, as a doubtful form, for several years.
Although most abundant and luxuriant in growth, it flowers very spar-
ingly. Its fruit I have not succeeded in obtaining. This year I was
fortunate enough to meet with the broader and somewhat fugitive
21
leaves, so characteristic of the species. A specimen forwarded to Mr.
Babington has been pronounced by him to be the plant which he has
described and named as P. flabellatus.”—-R. 0. Douglas; Forebridge,
Sta ford, December, 1853.
Lancashire Locality for Trifolium resupinatum.
“ In the ‘ Phytologist’ for December.(Phytol. iv. 1143), I perceive
Mr. J. G. Baker gives a Cheshire locality for Trifolium resupinatum.
I found two small specimens of this trefoil on the Lancashire side of
the Mersey, about the year 1849, at Everton. One of these I for-
warded, this year, to Mr. Babington, who kindly named it for me ; at
the same time observing that it was most probably introduced among
ballast. From this I beg to differ, as, from the locality, it would be
almost impossible. The more probable means of introduction is, I
think, among foreign hay, which is brought to this port in conside-
rable quantity, and employed for feeding cattle during the winter.
This may prove the means of introduction to many exotic plants.
This year a botanical friend has found it growing in considerable
quantity at Fairfield, a short distance from this town. I think that,
both at the Cheshire locality and here, we cannot but consider it as
introduced.”——H S. Fisher; Scotland Road, Liverpool, December
12,1853.
Lathyrus Aphaca near Liverpool.
“ I had the pleasure of finding a single specimen of the above plant
at Bootle, about three miles from Liverpool, about two years since;
but have been unable to obtain plants since, though I have searched
for it diligently. This I believe to be the first and only time it has
been found in this neighbourhood.”—Id.
Gnaphalium rectum at Eastham.
“ This season I obtained a plentiful supply of the rare Gnaphalium
rectum from Eastham. Is this to be considered the G. sylvaticum,
b. norvegicum, of the ‘ London Catalogue?’ I enclose specimens of
it.”—Id.
Viola lutea at Netherton, near Liverpool.
“ Viola lutea, a plant, I understand, formerly found in this neigh-
bourhood, though many years ago, I had brought me, this season,
from Netherton. The specimens were very luxuriant; some of them
a foot in height.”——Id.
22
Thymus Serpyllum and T. Chamcedrys.
“ Mr. J orden’s remarks on these plants fully agree with my obser-
vations, made this year. I gathered a few specimens of T. Chamae-
drys, for a friend, in October, when T. Serpyllum was, without excep-
tion, past flowering.”——Id.
Polyga‘la oa'yptera on the Sand-hills near Liverpool.
“In the same locality, the sand-hills on this side the Mersey, I
found several fine plants of Polygala oxyptera, fully agreeing with the
description given by Mr. Babington in the ‘ Phytologist.”—Id.
Rosa villosa, Viola imberbis, and V. palustris near Liverpool.
“ Rosa villosa, not mentioned in our Liverpool Flora, I have found
in two or three places in the direction of 'Walton. There, also, I find
the variety of Viola odorata, Viola imberbis of Leighton; and, in a
boggy piece of ground in the same direction, Viola palustris.”——Id.
Hypnum nodiflorum, H lycopodioides, and Bryum androgynum
near Liverpool.
“ The new, rare, and very pleasing addition to our British mosses,
Hypnum nodiflorum, was found in June, this year, by Mr. Harrison,
on the Crosby sand-hills. Here, also, in 1851, I found, for the first
time, growing in great profusion, H. lycopodioides, but was not
acquainted with its correct name until this year. The little thread-
moss (Bryum androgynum) I found, last year and this, growing very
plentifully in a sandy lane at Walton, commencing behind the church.”
——-Id.
Filago spathulata in the Isle of Wight.
“ I have quite lately been enabled to add F ilago spathulata, Presl,
to the Isle of Wight Flora. I first gathered it in a turnip-field near
Kingston ; and since that I have found it to be tolerably abundant in
most of the sandy stubble-fields round Brixton and Lemerston.”-—
A. G. More; Brixton, Isle of Wight, November 21, 1853.
_-_-_n
BOTANICAL Socnvrv 0F EDINBURGH.
Thursday, November 10, 1853.-—Eighteenth Session—Professor
Balfour, President, in the chair.
23
Dr. Balfour, in taking the chair, alluded to the value of the Society
as a means of keeping up a friendly intercourse among those who
were prosecuting the science of Botany. He alluded to the recent
researches in regard to the class of plants called Diatomaceae, which
were now exciting the attention of botanists everywhere, more espe-
cially since the publication of Mr. Smith’s work ; stated that a large.
microscopical collection had been made at the Botanic Garden, and
that the specimens would be exhibited during the session ; and con-
- cluded by urging the young members to communicate their observa-
tions, and by pointing out the importance of carefully examining even
the commonest plants which they meet with in their walks. He
announced several papers to be read during the session.
A new part (concluding volume iv.) of the Society’s ‘ Transactions’
was placed on the table, containing papers by Professor Balfour, Mr.
Babington, Professor M’Cosh, Dr. Greville, Major Madden, Dr. Wil-
son, Dr. Macadam, and Dr. Macgowan. The Secretary stated that
the price of the part had been fixed at 4s.
Donations to the Society’s library and herbarium were announced,
from the Smithsonian Institution, Washington ; the Cherbourg Natu-
ral-History Society ; the Natural-History Society of Switzerland ;
Mr. Moore, of Chelsea ; Dr. Beilschmied; M. Auguste Le Jolis; Mr.
Edwin Lees; Mr. Thomas, of Bristol; Dr. Philip Maclagan; Lieut.
Robert Maclagan ; Professor Blytt, of Christiana; Mr. G. R. Tate;
Mr. A. G. More; Mr. John Sibbald; Mr. W. M. Ogilvie, of Dundee;
Mr. A. H. Balfour; Mr. John Smith, of Moffat; Messrs. Veitch &
Son, of Exeter; Mr. Thomas Hay, of Prospect Bank, Leith; Mr.
George Patton ; Mr. George \Vemyss Morison ; the Rev. Dr. Mitchell,
of Whitbnrn ; Mr. James Hunter, of Hafton ; Mr. Baxter, of Riccar-
ton; Mr. Thomas Cannan; Mr. Dumbreck; Professor Christison;
Dr. Lindsay ; Mr. W. H. Macfarlane; and the Boston Natural-His-
tory Society.
Gamboge Plant.
Dr. Balfour stated that a fine specimen of the gamboge-plant had
been sent to the Botanic Garden by Dr. Christison. The specimen
was about two feet in height, and had been sent by Mr. Robert Lit-
tle, Surgeon, from Kampoot, the leading seaport town of Cambodia,
in Siam.
Diatomaceous LOT’lCCB of the (Mull Deposit.
Dr. Balfour read a note from Professor Gregory, in which he stated
that he had continued the examination of the Mull deposit of Diato-
24
maceous loricae, which he described, last winter, as containing 60 spe-
cies of Diatoms; and that he had now found in it upwards of 140
species, which beats all the richest deposits known. Even at 60 it
was far the richest. Besides the new species doubtfully indicated in
his former paper, which Smith had named Eunotia incisa, he had
found another and a very beautiful species, new not only to him, but
to all those who had yet seen it or a figure of it. It is a Pinnularia,
which, provisionally, he had named P. hebridensis. It is but scarce
in the deposit, a large and populous slide rarely yielding more than
one specimen, and often none at all ; and as yet he has not been able
to find a trace of it in any other deposit within his reach; nor is there
anything like it in any work he had seen. As to Eunotia incisa, it
occurs in a deposit from Lapland, in that from Lunebeg, and in one
from the banks of the Spey; and it seems remarkable that it has been
so long overlooked. P. hebridensis is small, its length from .00125 to
.0026 inch, and it has, like P. lata, P. alpina, and P. distans, only 9
or 10 costae in .001 inch ; but all these are three or four times larger,
and all on the side view are widest in the middle, whereas P. hebri-
densis is slightly contracted there ; but it has the general characters
of these three species, from the fewness and thickness of the costae.
The following papers were read :—
Botanical Trip to the Grampian Mountains.
‘ Botanical Trip to the Grampian Mountains, in August, 1853 5’ by
Professor Balfour.
In this trip Dr. Balfour was accompanied by Messrs. Gilchrist,
Barclay, Jenner, Lawson, Mustapha, Katib, Soubki, Alex. Cowan,
Charles Cowan, Cunningham, Young, Wood, Ross, Ogilvie, Cropper,
and Bayley. He gave a general account of the Clova and Glen Isla
district which was visited, and noticed the rare alpine plants gathered.
He offered some observations on the remarkably limited distribution
of Oxytropis campestris and Lychnis alpina, which were confined, the
former to a single rocky projection in Glen Fiadh, and the latter to a
small mountain summit called Little Gilrannoch. These plants only
spread to a small extent from a centre. Besides the usual alpine
plants, the party gathered a profusion of Polypodium alpestre, in
various states. In Glen F iadh the plant was small, and very little of
it was in fructification. It this state it is difficult to distinguish it at
first sight from Athyrium Filix-fcemina. In Glen Dole the plant was
also seen abundantly, but in most parts sparingly in fructification.
At the upper part of the glen, near the falls of the White Water, and
25
at the station where Mulgedium alpinum was originally found by Don,
there were fine specimens of the Polypodium, two or more feet high,
abundantly covered with sori. The same thing occurred a little above
the track called J ock’s Road. In these localities the fern was associ-
ated with fine specimens of Athyrium F ilix-foemina. The party
looked in vain for specimens of Carex Grahami in the old station in
Glen Fiadh; and they failed in seeing Potentilla tridentata on the
rocks near Loch Brandy, which is the station given for it by Don.
Dr. Balfour noticed the heights at which the alpine species occurred,
and exhibited a plan of the alpine district of Scotland, with specimens
of the plants arranged upon it at their different altitudes.
Dr. Balfour stated that, through the kind permission of Colonel
Ogilvie, the party had the use of the large hall at Clova; and that
Lord Castlereagh offered every facility for visiting Caenlochan Glen.
Vegetable Substance formed in a Water-pipe.
‘ Note on a Vegetable Substance formed in a \Vater-pipe, at Haf-
ton, Argyleshire ;’ by James Hunter, Esq.
“ About twelve months ago, having occasion to bring in an addi-
tional supply of water for the use of Hafton House, I had formed a
small reservoir, or fountain-head, as it is called, from which to lead
the water to the then only existing fountain-head, so as to increase
the supply in the latter. The connexion between the two was by
means of a burnt clay pipe, two inches in diameter, and in length
thirty-six inches, securely fastened at the joinings with Roman cement,
or mastic; the total length of the piping being three hundred and
twenty yards, secured at each end by zinc roses, four inches in diame-
ter, in order to prevent any impurities passing through the pipe.
When the work was finished, the supply of water was very good; and
it continued so until a fortnight ago, when the running of the water
through the tile piping gradually diminished, and at last almost entirely
ceased ;_ a mere driblet, indeed, finding its way into the old fountain-
head. Upon examination as to the cause of this change, by raising
a considerable portion of the piping, there was found, about half-way
between the two fountain-head the vegetable substance herewith
sent. It was firmly lodged in one length of the piping, and projected
an inch or so into another.
“ It is very curious to observe that the colour of the water pressed
out of this substance, when first taken out of the pipe, and saturated,
as it was, was deep brown ; whereas the water itself flowing through
the pipe to the very last was as pure as crystal.”
VOL. IV. E
26
Part 2 of Dr. Lauder Lindsay’s paper, intituled ‘ Tour on. the Hartz
Mountains,’ was also read. (No report given). '
Several new members were proposed; and the Society then
adjourned till the second Thursday of December.

December 8, 1853—Professor Balfour, President, in the chair.
Office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year :——President : Pro—
fessor Balfour. Vice -Presidents: Professor Fleming, Dr. Seller,
Hy: Paul, Esq., and James Cunningham, Esq. Council : Charles J en-
ner, Esq., John M’Laren, Esq., James M’N ab, Esq., Dr. Lindsay, Dr.
Matthews, Dr. Priestley, Dr. Lowe, Professor Blackie, William Ivory,
Esq., and G. R. Tate, Esq. Honorary Secretary : Dr. Greville.
Foreign Secretary : Dr. Douglas Maclagan. Auditor : William
Brand, Esq. Treasurer: W. W. Evans, Esq. Curator of Museum:
Dr. Anderson. Assistant Secretary and Curator : Mr. G. Lawson.
J Donations to the Society’s library and herbarium were announced,
from Miss Bromfield; the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club; Dr. Hoff-
mann, of Giessen ; Dr. Cleghom, of Madras; Mr. Polwhele, of Cam-
bridge; Mr. Addison, of Gosford; Mrs. J. Drummond; Michael
Connal, Esq., of Glasgow ; Mr. D. P. Maclagan ; Mr. Oliver, of New-
castle. -
The following papers were read :-—
Botanical Trip to Helvellyn.
‘Notice of a Botanical Trip to Helvellyn, with pupils, in July,
1853 ;’ by Professor Balfour.
Dr. Balfour‘stated that he was induced to bring this trip under the
notice of the Society, in order to show what might be done, in the
way of botanizing, in a short period. The party, consisting of 45,
left Edinburgh at noon, on the 21st of July, by the Caledonian Rail-
way, for the Lake district of England. Reaching Carlisle soon after
4 p.m., they proceeded to Ken'dal, where they were met by Mr. VVake-
field. On the way to Ambleside they gathered an abundance of Sta-
chys Betonica, Sanguisorba oflicinalis and Lactuca muralis, the last
of which does not occur in the Scotch Flora, while the others are rare.
The time was too limited to allow of a full examination of the shores
of Windermere; and darkness came on ere the party reached their
inn at Ambleside. Next morning (the 22nd) some of the party were
up at half-past four, eager to commence their rambles. They pro-
ceeded to Stockgill Force, and in the neighbourhood of that cele-
27
brated waterfall gathered a number of rare plants, including Impatiens
Noli-me-tangere, Festuca sylvatica, and Hymenophyllum VVilsoni,
besides some more common plants, as Campanula latifolia, Polypo-
dium Phegopteris, P. Dryopteris, and Scolopendrium vulgare. After
breakfast thirty- nine of the party started for Rydal; while six
remained to examine the country near Ambleside, with the view of
afterwards going to Patterdale by coach. The walking party, on the
way to Rydal, gathered a number of species by the waysides, which
are probably escapes from the garden, although now naturalized on
the tops of walls and other situations. Among them may be men-
tioned Sedum album, S. reflexum, S. Telephium, Sempervivum tec-
torum, and Mecanopsis cambrica. They also picked Tilia parvifolia
in fine flower. On the banks of the Rydal \Vater, and the grounds
in the vicinity, the following plants were seen :———Quercus sessiliflora,
Carpinus Betulus, Lastrea Oreopteris, and a variety of L. F ilix-mas
with singularly contorted fronds. In Rydal Lake the party gathered
Nymphaea alba, Nuphar lutea, Lobelia Dortmanna, Myriophyllum
spicatum, Potamogeton natans and P. oblongus; and on its
banks, Carex vesicaria, C. dioica, Lythrum Salicaria, Rhynchospora
alba, H ypericum Androsaemum, and Berberis vulgaris. On the neigh-
bouring roadside, Staphylea pinnata, Drosera rotundifolia, Anagallis
tenella, Parnassia palustris, and Narthecium ossifragum were seen;
and on the hilly grounds near Grassmere, J asione montana, Allosorus
crispus, which may be called the predominant fern of the district, and
Sedum anglicum. Between Grassmere and Dunmail Raise, Saxifraga
umbrosa was obtained; and near Wythburn, Solanum Dulcamara.
The party, then proceeded to ascend Helvellyn, which rises upwards
of 3000 feet. In the ascent they gathered Saxifraga aizoides, S. stel-
laris, S. hypnoides, Lycopodium clavatum, L. selaginoides, L. alpi-
num, L. Selago, Alchemilla alpina, and Oxyria reniformis. The party
reached the top in a thick mist, cold and wet. They waited patiently
for a time, in the hope that some favourable change might take place;
but, seeing no prospect of this, they proceeded to Swirrel Edge, with
the view of descending to the rocks below. They had not, however,
proceeded far down when the mist suddenly began to clear off, and
the beautiful scenery around became visible. As the clearance con-
tinued to progress, there was a loud cry, “ To the summit! to the
summit ! ” Accordingly, they willingly retraced their steps. On
reaching the top, they were gratified by one of the most splendid
scenes they had ever witnessed: the thick mist gradually rose, and
eyer and anon displayed some interesting spot, some peaked or
2S
rounded summit, some lake or estuary; until at length the whole cur-
tain rose, the sun shone in all its brilliancy, and the entire Lake dis-
trict was illuminated. It is not easy to describe the ecstasy of the
party as scene after scene opened up to their delighted eyes; and
when the whole mountainous district was discerned by them, their
enthusiasm rose to the highest pitch. Scawfell, Bowfell, Honister
Crag, Borrowdale, Skiddaw, Saddleback, Windermere, Coniston,
Esthwaite, Morecambe Bay and its islands, the Solway, and the hills
of Northumberland were all distinctly seen. It was truly a splendid
sight, and they felt well rewarded for their toilsome and wet ascent.
Proceeding to examine the cliffs below the summit, between Swirrel
Edge and Striding Edge, they spent a considerable time in gathering
the alpine productions of that locality, among which were Saxifraga
aizoides, S. stellaris, S. nivalis (gathered by Mr. C. Cowan), S. oppo-
sitifolia, S. hypnoides, Oxyria reniformis, Poa alpina, P. vivipara,
Festuca vivipara, Alchemilla alpina, J uncus triglumis, Carex rigida
(which was also seen on the summit), Thalictrum alpinum, Hieracium
alpinum, H. Lawsoni (picked by Mr. Soubki), Cerastium alpinum,
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea, Rubus saxatilis, Polygonum viviparum, Splach-
num mnioides, Polytrichum alpinum ; also Cochlearia officinalis, Viola
sylvatica, Alsine verna (Mr. Bizzett), Sedum Rhodiola, Solidago Vir-
gaurea, Veronica serpyllifolia, var. hamifasa, Armeria maritima, Salix
herbacea, and Juniperus nana. On the 22nd, after breakfast, the
party proceeded by the shores of Ullswater to Gowbarrow Park,
visited the waterfall, and then walked to Pooley Bridge. The follow-
ing plants were gathered :———Nymphaea alba, Hieracium boreale, H.
prenanthoides, Senecio aquaticus, Hypericum maculatum, H. perfo-
ratum, H. hirsutum, H. humifusum, Jasione montana, Stachys Beto-
nica, Aquilegia vulgaris, Prunus Padus, Ligustrum vulgare, Sangui-
sorba officinalis, Holcus mollis, Calamintha Clinopodium, Lactuca
muralis, Spiraea salicifolia, Circaea Lutetiana, Serratula tinctoria, near
Pooley Bridge; Quercus pedunculata and Q. sessiliflora, at Gowbar-
row; Genista tinctoria, Galium boreale and G. Mollugo, near Pooley
Bridge ; Mentha rotundifolia, at the same place; Thalictrum saxatile,
Geranium phaeum, G. nodosum, and Papaver somniferum, near a
cottage. The best plants were gathered between two and three miles
of Pooley Bridge. After passing the bridge, Plantago media was
gathered abundantly on the roadside. The party walked to Penrith
by the Round Table and Brougham Hall, gathering Potentilla rep-
tans, Malva moschata, Galium Mollugo, and Plantago media. At
Penrith Castle they picked Diplotaxis tenuifolia, and, leaving by
29
express at 3.20, reached Edinburgh at a quarter-past seven in the
evening.
Plants growing about Dollar.
‘Notice of Plants found in the Neighbourhood of Dollar, in the
Autumn of 1853 ;’ .by Dr. Balfour.
Dr. Balfour stated that, having spent some time at Dollar last
autumn, he had taken the opportunity of noticing some of the plants
which grow in its vicinity, and now recorded a few of the more impor-
tant species. In making up the list of the Flora, he was assisted by
Mr. Westwood, of the Dollar Academy, who is well acquainted with
the Flora, and who gave him a list of the plants found in the earlier
summer months. In the immediate vicinity of Dollar, there grows a
rare and characteristic plant, Rumex alpinus. It occurs on the banks
of the Dollar water, and by the roadside near the Rambling Bridge
and Muckart. Equisetum umbrosum abounds on the banks of the
Devon, near Cauldron Linn ; and is likewise found near Castle
Campbell, on the Dollar water, where, also, occur Rubus saxatilis,
twelve ferns (including H ymenophyllum Wilsoni and Cystopteris fra-
gilis), F estuca sylvatica, Poa nemoralis, &c. On the Ochills the fol-
lowing plants occur : — Saxifraga stellaris, S. hypnoides, J uncus
triglumis, Epilobium alpinum, E. alsinifolium, Sedum villosum, Hie-
racium prenanthoides, Lycopodium alpinum, L. Selago, L. sela-
ginoides, and L. clavatum. Near the summit of Ben Cleugh, Gna-
phalium supinum and Salix berbacea were found; and at the Cauldron
Linn, Carex pendula and C. remota. The following were noticed by
Mr. \Vestwood :—-—Arenaria rubra, near Dollar; Ornithopus perpusil-
lus, at Castle Campbell ; Paris quadrifolia, Blairhill woods ; Trienta-
lis europaea, Vicars Bridge and Ben Cleugh ; Lathrea squamaria and
Neottia Nidus-avis, Castle Campbell ; Meum Athamanticum.
Part 3 of Dr. Lindsay’s paper, intituled ‘ Notes of a Tour on the
Hartz Mountaius,’ was read.
A paper by Dr. James B. Balfour, of Kilsytb, ‘ On the Physiologi-
cal and 'l‘herapeutical Actions of Cannabis indica,’ was also read.
The following gentlemen were elected Ordinary Fellows :—J0hn
Forrest Dewar, Esq., 52, Great King Street; Henry Marshall, Esq.,
Edinburgh.
30
THE PHYTOLOGICAL CLUB
(In connexion with the Pharmaceutical Society.)
’ November 7, 1853—R. Bentley, Esq., President, in the chair.
Donations to the herbarium were announced; 7282., parcels of Bri-
tish plants from Messrs. Deane, Muskett, and Reynolds, of London ;
Mr. A. W. Bennett, of Brockham; Mr. Payne, of Bridgewater ; Mr.
Penney, of Swanage; Mr. O. Corder, of North Shields ; Mr. Morgan,
of Llandilo ; Messrs. Baxter, Moss, Walker, Tovey, Houlton, Med—i
ley, and Gissing, of Worcester.
Mr. T. Baxter, of Worcester, sent an account of his discovery, in
August last, of Anacharis Alsinastrum in the Valley of the Severn;
which has already been recorded in the ‘ Phytologist’ (iv. 1101).
.Medz'cal Property of Osmunda regalis.
R. T. Bywater, Esq., M.R.C.S., of Coniston, communicated a note
upon the popular use of Osmunda regalis. In Westmoreland, and
also the adjoining division of Lancashire known as Lancashire North
of the Sands, the rhizomes of Osmunda regalis are in high popular
esteem as a remedial agent. The plant is vulgarly known under the
name of “ bog onion.” It is used in the following way, as an exter-
nal application for bruises, sprains, &c. :——The rhizomes are beaten,
and being covered with “cold spring water,” allowed to macerate all
night, the resulting thick starchy fluid is then used to bathe the
affected parts.
Impatiens Noli-me-tangere at Ambleside.
Mr. Reynolds, in presenting specimens of Impatiens Noli-me-
tangere from its well-known station at Ambleside, took occasion to
allude to the doubts which have been thrown upon its claim to be
considered native, both there and in other localities. Botanists who
have given an opinion upon the Ambleside station for the plant, have
usually done so in an uncertain manner, and probably have con-
sidered that the peculiar property of its seed-vessels required the
exercise of suchqcaution, in the absence of direct evidence proving its
indigenous character. Such evidence, however, exists in the fact that
the locality is recorded by Ray upwards of 160 years back. In his
Synopsis (1690) it is thus mentioned :—the synonymes are given and
afterwards it is said~—“ We observed it on the banks of Winander-
mere near Ambleside. By the cloth-mill in Saterthwaite parish,
Lancashire, and in many places of Westmorland, Mr. Lawson,” (p.
'31
209.) This proves that the plant was at that period thoroughly
established in the district.——-R. R. '
LINNEAN SOCIETY.
Anniversary llleeting, May 24, 1853.-—Robert Brown, Esq., Presi-
dent, in the chair. '
This day, the Anniversary of the biith of Linneus, and that
appointed by the Charter for the Election of Council and Officers, the
President opened the business of the Meeting, and the Secretary
read notices of the following Members who had died since the last
Anniversary.
John Marten Cripps,‘ Esq., F.S.A.; Philip Derbishire, M.D.; the
Rev. Edward Duke, M.A., F.S.A.; the Rev. Henry Hasted, M.A.;
Charles Morgan Lemann, M.D.; Gideon Algernon Mantell, LL.D.,
F.R.S., :F.G.S., F.S.A. &c.; Mr. Donald Munro; Jonathan Pereira,
M.D., F.R.S.; James Francis Stephens, Esq.; Thomas Thomson,
M.D., F.R.S. Loud. and Edinb.; Frederick Thomas Wintle, M.D.;
the Baron Leopold von Buch ; Achille Richard; Mr. William
Gardiner.
'The Secretary also announced that fifteen Fellows and two Foreign
Members had been elected since the last Anniversary.
Election of Oflicers.
At the election which subsequently took place, Thomas Bell, Esq.,
was elected President; William Yarrell, Esq., was re-elected Trea-
surer; John Joseph Bennett, Esq., Secretary; and Richard Taylor,
Esq., Under-Secretary. The following .five Fellows were elected into
the Council in the room of others going out: Francis Boott, M.D.;
William John Burchell, D.C.L.; William Spence, Esq.; Francis
Walker, Esq., and Robert Wight, M.~D.~
Portrait of Linneus. ~ ‘
Among the presents announced was a-portrait of' Linneus, copied
by Prof. Pasch from the original by Rosliu, in the possession of the
Royal Acadamy of Sciences at Stockholm, for Archbishop Troil, by
him presented to Sir Joseph Banks, and now presented to the Society
by Robert Brown, Esq., President; for which the special thanks of
the Society were directed to be given.
32
Vote of thanks to the late President.
It was moved by Dr. 1/Vallicb, seconded by Dr. Boott, and unani-
mously resolved :——That the most grateful and cordial thanks of the
Society be offered to Mr. Brown for the admirable manner in which,
for more than three years, he has conducted the business of the
Society as its President; together with the great and sincere regret
of the Members that advancing years and the infirmities attending on
them should have induced him to relinquish an office, in which it
would have been their earnest desire long to have availed themselves
of his invaluable services.
Motacilla alba.
Mr. Borrer, jun., F.L.S., exhibited specimens of a rare English
bird, the continental white wagtail (Motacilla alba), killed at Lancing
in Sussex, in April, 1853.
New British Ferns.
Mr. Newman, F.L.S., exhibited specimens of two species of fonts
found in Scotland, and not hitherto noticed as belonging to the
British Flora: one of which (the Polypodium rhwticum of the ‘ Flore
Francaise,’ but not of Linneus) he believes to be the Polypodium
alpestre of Hoppe; the other he considers to be new, and proposed to
call it P. flexile. (See Phytol. 974).

Correction g“ a previous error.
I am indebted to my friend Mr. Doubleday for pointing out a cleri-
cal error in the notice of Mr. Moore’s Handbook, at line 9 of page
1158 of last number: the word “ uliginosa” should have been written
“ glandulosa.” This correction is important to the right understand-
ing of the notice in question.
EDWARD NEWMAN.


33
On Salix acatifolia, Willd. ; and its Discovery in Britain.
By JOHN G. BAKER, Esq.
AMONGST an extensive series of willows collected in different parts
of Cleveland, by Wm. Mudd, of Ayton, during the past season, and
sent to me for examination a few weeks ago, were specimens of a
plant differing Widely in character from any species previously
recorded as an inhabitant of Britain. There was no difficulty in
deciding that it belonged to the Pruinosae, a group which has been
supposed to be without any representative in our indigenous Flora.
So that, upon further investigating the subject, through the medium
of my valued correspondent, I was much pleased to elicit the fact,
that the plant in question grows wild (though at present confined to
a single tree or bush in each station) in three localities in Cleveland ;
and that it is sufficiently well known to the inhabitants of the district,
to be distinguished by them under the name of “ black sallow.”
Perhaps, when it is sought for more specially, it may be found
elsewhere in greater abundance. But, though at present only known
to occur so sparingly, the character and position of its localities, far
away from the vicinity of any cultivated willows or osier-grounds,
would seem to prevent the supposition, which might otherwise be
entertained, of its having been introduced by artificial agency. The
river Leven is formed by the union of two branches, which unite near
the town of Stokesley. Of these, the southern and larger takes its
rise beneath the culminating points of the oolitic moorlands which fill
up the more considerable part of the North-east of Yorkshire, and
flows towards the North-west. The northern branch is smaller in
size, and of lesser elevation. It commences below Codhill Bog, near
Roseberry Topping, the station for Cyperus fuscus and Carex Per-
soonii ; and flows down Kildale, amongst woods which produce
Cypripedium Calceolus, past the villages of Eastby and Ayton. From
the neighbourhood of Roseberry Topping, along the slope of Ayton
Moor, to the western extremity of Kildale, extends Airyholme \Vood,
a favourite locality for lichens, on rocks and trees. Through the cen-
tre of the wood, almost parallel with the Kildale branch of the Leven,
flows a small tributary stream. Amongst the underwood along its
margin, not far from where it leaves the wood, occurs the first bush
of the willow, at an elevation above the sea of about 700 feet. The
second grows on the bank of the main stream, about half a mile above
VOL. V. F
34
its junction with the Airyholme branch, in company with S. alba and
other species. The third station is on the bank of the same stream,
considerably nearer the village of Great Ayton, and has been noted
for the last thirty or forty years as producing the “black sallow.”
Previously to 1840, three well-grown trees were in existence in this
locality; but about that date they were each cut down to the ground,
by a resident labourer, who was, doubtless, unaware of the damage
he was committing. But, fortunately, from the remains of one of
them a sucker sprung up, which has by this time grown into a tall
bush, which flowers periodically ; so that the station was not entirely
destroyed. From this alone, a staminate plant, have flowering’speci-
mens been procured.
Almost all diversified and intricate genera appear to subdivide
themselves into groups or sections, each composed of species more
intimately allied to each other than to the members of any other
group, which, as it were, radiate from primary or typical species as
from a centre. Being natural in their character, these may usually
be understood without difficulty; and when once appreciated they
are of infinite assistance in gaining a correct idea of species. But,
when the species possess a wide range of variation, it is almost impos-
sible to decide with certainty how many each group contains; or
whether a series of forms comprises a group of species, or a single
species only. This is eminently the case with the genus Salix. The
group to which the Cleveland willow belongs (Pruinosae, Koch) may
easily be distinguished. The plants which it comprises are charac-
terized by sessile lateral catkins, the scales of which are discoloured
at the tip, by yellow anthers, by the pale yellowish hue of their inner
bark in the summer and autumn, and by the glaucous bloom which
usually covers their branches, especially in a dried state. They are
trees, or tall shrubs, with long, wand-like glabrous or hairy branches;
lanceolate-acuminate, glanduloso-serrate leaves, usually downy when
young, but invariably glabrous and indurated when fully matured;
narrow female catkins, with subsessile ovaries, elongate styles, and
linear-oblong stigmas ; and broad, blunt male aments, the flowers of
which each possess two free filaments. By Koch this group is placed
third in order, between the Amygdalinae and Purpureae. In the
arrangement of Fries it composes, with S. lanata, S. Lapponum, and
other species which do not inhabit Britain, the second section of his
subgenus Vetrix, which also includes the Viminales with S. acumi-
nata and S. holosericea, l/Villal. In the Willdenovian ‘ Species Plan-
35
tarum ’ four species are enumerated. Koch reduces the number to
two, which he thus designates and defines :—
“ S. acutifolia (Willd. Sp. iv. p. 688.) —-Aments sessile, minutely
bracteated, capsules ovate-conic glabrous sessile, gland protruding
beyond the base of the ovary, styles elongate, stigmas linear-oblong,
leaves linear-lanceolate elongate-acuminate, like the young branches
glabrous, stipules lanceolate-acuminate. River-banks. March. S.
violacea, Smith in Rees’ Cyclop. p. 38 (not \Villd.) Bark of the
branches dark red, covered with a dense and caesious bloom.”——Koch,
Synop. Fl. Germ. p. 645.
“ S. daphnoides (Vill. Dauph. iii. 765.) —-— Aments sessile, minutely
bracteated, capsules ovate-conic glabrous sessile, gland protruding
beyond the base of the ovary, styles elongate, stigmas oblong, leaves
oblong-lanceolate acuminate glanduloso-serrate glabrous, when young
villose like the young branches, stipales semicorclate. In subalpine
valleys descending into the plains with the rivers and in the marshes
of Northern Germany. March, April. It varies with the branches
covered with caesious bloom and destitute of it; with the young
branches subglabrous and very hairy; with the female catkins densely
villose, the hairs equalling the stigmas, and less villose with shorter
hairs; and with the leaves broader or narrower. S. prsecox, Hoppe
in Sturm. D. fl. i. 25. Willd. Sp. Pl. iv. p. 670, is the ordinary form
with glabrous branches. S. cinerea, W illal. Sp. Pl. 460, after Link.
H. Berol. ii. p. 414, is the variety with hairy branches. S. pomera-
nica, Willd. Suppl. p. 60, is a variety with narrower leaves and thin-
ner aments.”-—-—Koch, Sg/nop. Fl. Germ. p. 646.
Fries, in his latest work (Sum. Veg. Scand. vol. i. p. 56), marks
these two species as doubtfully distinct, and does not regard true S.
acutifolia as indigenous within his limits; but he considers that the
Scandinavian daphnoides (Herb. Norm. vi. 51) somewhat approaches
it in character. Ledebour (Fl. Altaica, vol. iv. p. 260) mentions that
Livonian examples of S. praecox, Hoppe, have lanceolate stipules;
and that specimens of S. acutifolia cellected on Mount Ararat agree
with the European praecox in the form of their leaves. But Koch
(Syn. F l. Germ. l. 0.) says of S. acutifolia :——“ It very much resembles
the following species (S. daphnoides), yet differs in its mode of growth
and the form of its leaves, and in my opinion it is truly distinct.” In
this view of the case Mr. Borrer, who has studied both under cultiva-
uon, concurs; and he adds that S. daphnoides is a more handsome
Shrub than S. acutifolia, and flowers more freely.
Before I received the willow from Cleveland, my herbarium con-
36
tained examples of S. daphnoides, named upon good authority, both
from Germany and Scandinavia; but I was unacquainted with S. acu-
tifolia, except by descriptions. At first, from its somewhat hairy
young leaves (the leaves and stipules being scarcely narrower than
those of the Scandinavian daphnoides), I supposed that the Cleveland
plant might belong to a narrow-leaved form of that species. But
upon sending it to Mr. Borrer and the Rev. J. E. Leefe, they both
decided that it was S. acutifolia ; the former kindly favouring me with
a specimen showing that the young leaves of that species are also
somewhat hairy; and the latter taking the pains to ascertain its iden-
tity with authenticated examples from Professor Koch.
So that with a description of Salix acutifolia, as it occurs in Bri-
tain, I will conclude.
S. acutifolia, Willd.—A tall bush, or shrub, moderately branched ;
inner bark lemon-coloured in the latter half of the year; branches
long and wand-like, glossy, glabrous, dark purple, covered with a
loose, easily disturbed coating of caesious bloom, especially when
pressed; stipules large, persistent, lanceolate-acuminate, glanduloso-
serrate; petioles glandular like those of the Pentandrae; leaf-buds
somewhat downy and villose; leaves elongate-lanceolate, much acu-
minated, dark green above, lighter and somewhat glaucous beneath,
rigid in texture, very brittle when dry, prominently veined, mode-
rately glanduloso-crenate-serrate. Female fiowers_unknown. Male
catkins lateral, subsessile, bracteated at the base, sparingly produced,
oblong, rounded at the apex; scales shaggy; filaments two, free;
anthers yellow when matured, afterwards gray. Amongst British
Willows, most resembling the Purpureae in its habit of growth; the
F ragiles, in the shape and serrature of its leaves; and Salix Lappo-
num (S. arenaria, Auct. Brit.) or S. lanata, in its female flowers; but
very unlikely to be mistaken for, or confounded with , any of them.
JOHN G. BAKER.
Market Place, Thirsk,
December 12, 1853.


Contributions towards a History of an Irish Aspleniam, considered
as a distinct Species, and as entitled to a place in the British
Flora. By EDWARD NEWMAN.
IT is not presumed that the history of this beautiful fern can be
Worked out from the materials here collected. Their tendency will,
37
however, be sufficiently suggestive to induce pteridologists to examine
the question, for their own satisfaction; and I need scarcely say how


Asplenium acutum (?). Natural size of a small frond gathered on Turk Mountain, by Dr. Allchiu.
38
much obliged I shall'feel for any evidence on the subject, be its ten-
dency what it may.
I have arranged my extracts, &c., under four heads, which I have
called Geographical, Bibliographical, Botanical, and Cultural; intro-
ducing scarcely any new matter, but objecting to statements which I
believe erroneous, and to conclusions which are not in accordance
with the premises.
Geographical.
Asplenium acutum occurs in the Azores (v. s.), Madeira (v. s.), and
the Canary Islands (Willdenow, Sprengel), Portugal (Wellwitsch),
Spain (YVilldenow, Sprengel), Italy (Sprengel), Illyria (Sprengel),
Istria, Croatia, Sclavonia, and Hungary (Sadler), and Ireland (Mac-
kay, v. s.; Andrews, v. s. ; Allman, v. s.; Allchin, v. s.) In those
instances where the v. s. is attached, I have examined the specimens,
and entertain no doubt as to their belonging to a single species.
With the exception of size, there is no disparity amongst them:
the Atlantic specimens are generally larger than the European or
Irish.
Bibliographical.
a. Extracts from authors who unhesitatingly treat the species as
distinct from Adiantum nigrum :—
1. RAY.
Filix minor longifolia, tarsis raris, pinnulis longis, tenuissimis et
oblongis laciniis fimbriatis D. Sherard. Syn. ii. 51. 12 non ramosa
tenerior, pinnulis vere capillaceis, seu Filicis genus ex Hibernia mol-
liusculum, foliis tenuissime pennatis. Pluk. Alm. 150. Mant. 78.
T. 282. f. 3. On the Mountains of Mourn, in the County of Down,
in Ireland—Synopsis, 3rd edit. p. 127, date 1724.
2. WILLDENOW.
96 Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum.
Frons plerumque bipinuata, quandoque inferne tri- et superne
bipinnata. A sequente tamen satis diversum: pinnis nunquam
caudatis, id est longissime acuminatis, pinnulis non acuminato
dentatis, et fronde nunquam ex toto triplicato pinnata.———-Sp. Pt.
v. 347.
39
97 Asplenium acutum.
A. frondibus triplicato-pinnatis, pinnis oblongo-lanceolatis lon-
gissime acuminatis, pinnulis pinnatifido-incisis, laciniis apice acute
subbidentatis, soris demum confluentibus. W.
Asplenium acutum. Bory in Litt.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum. Bory ess. sur les isles fortun. 313.
Spitziger Streifenfarrn. W.
Habitat in rupibus Tenerifi'ae, inque Hispania 1t (v. s.)
Duplo majus praecedente et ex toto triplicato-pinnatum. Apex
pinnarum longissime acuminatus W.——Species Plantarum, v. 347,
date 1810.
3. SADLER.
Asplenium acutum. Bory.
Radix et stipites Aspl. Ad. nigri: radix quippe dense fibrosa fus-
cescens. Stipites ex una radice plures primum cum rhachide virides,
demum profunde purpurascenti-fuscescentes, nitidi, supra sulcati.
Frons—siccatione facillime nigrescens—%——1 pedalis, acutissime acu-
minata, inferius perfecte tripinnata, pinnis propriis acute incisis, in
medio bipinuata, in apice rhachis longe producta, solum acute den-
tato-incisa est, quod idem de rhachidibus propriis pinnarum oblongo-
lanceolatarum longe v. longissime productarum valet. Laciniae omnes
lanceolatae, acutae, acutissimae et profunde inciso-dentatae. Sori bre-
ves, solitarii in laciniis, has demum obtegentes. Indusia membrana-
cea.—Adumbratio Epiphyllospermarum Hanyarice, &c., p. 28, date
1820.
4. SPRENGEL.
143 Asplenium acutum, Bory. W
A. foliis oblongo-lanceolatis acuminatis, foliolis inciso-dentatis,
dentibus subbidenticulatis. I llyria. Italia sup. Hispania.
Tenerifi”a.——Systema V egetabilium, iv. (pars 1) 90, date 1827.
5. SZADLER.
Asplenium acutum.——Szadler A’lllagyar Plantak szaritott gyujte-
menye, fasc. xi. No. 9, date (The fasciculi of this work range
from 1823—30. I do not know the date of fasc. xi.)

6. SADLER.
11 Asplenium acutum, Bory.
F ronde ovato-triangulari longe acuminata, pinnis pinnulisque
4O
oblongo-laceolatis longe acuminatis, pinnis propriis et laciniis
lauceolatis, approximatis, acute et profunde inciso- dentatis ; den-
tibus suhbidenticulatis.
F ructificat Jul. Aug.
Specimina a nobis et aliis in Hungaria lecta omnino cum illis
conveniunt quae in herbariis diversis Viennensibus intueri licuit et
quae cl. Kaulfusz in Tenerifl'a lecta amice communicavit. Inveni-
tur hæc planta quoque in herbario antiquo cel. Crantz nunc Uni-
versitatis Pesthanae quin locus natalis notaretur.
Habitat in Croatia et Slavonia (ubi? Kit. msc.), ad Thermas
Herculis (Kit. et Rochel), in lauretis ad Flumen, in Breyda et
Ponsal, tum in laureto ad Abbatiam in adscensu ad Montem
majorem Istriae, loco—per mare—Flumine hora saltem distante
(ego).——De Filicz'bus Veris flungctrz-cep p. 31, date 1830.
7. PBESL.
Asplenium acutum, Bory.——Teniamen Pteq'z'dographz'wfi p. 107,
date 1836.
8. WELLWITSCH.
Asplenium acutum, Bory. -—— Wellwz'tschz'i I ter Lusitanicum In
rupibus totæ Estramadm'ae vulgarea Nov. 1839.
b. Extracts from authors who have treated this fern as possibly or
certainly a variety of Adiantum nigrum :—
1. DILLENIUS.
(In hac planta seminalia nulla observare contigit, unde an species
vere distincta sit, dubium videtur. Forsitan non nisi varietas est,
Adianti nigri officinarum J . B. loci umbrositati originem debens, nam
in spelunca, quam radii solares nunquam illustrabant, nascebatur.
Sane vero si varietas sit, singularis ea est et valde speciosa).——Dille-
mus in Ray, Synopsis, 3rd edit. p. lin date 1724.
a SIR J. E. SMITH.
Asplenium Adiantum nigrum ,3.
Sherard’s original specimen of the variety 8, preserved in his her-
barium at Oxford, is truly elegant, of a delicate membranous texture,
the leaflets palmate finely laciniated. Plukenet’s figure by no means
does it justice. No fructification is discernable.———Smz'th, 117129.172.
iv. 311, date 1828.
41
3. MACKAY.
I found in 1805, on the limestone rocks at Mucruss, a beautiful
and delicate variety of Adiantum -nigrum with fronds tripinnate
throughout, or with pinnules deeply and finely laciniated. It was
subsequently found by Miss Hutchins and Dr. Taylor, and Mr. W.
Andrews lately gave me a specimen collected by him in 1835, on a
mountain called Cahir Conree, six miles from Tralee.——Flom Hiber-
m'ca, p. 342.
4. FRANCIS.
I, Sir J. E. Smith, in conformity with the old authors, makes another
variety, differing only from the common plant in having long fronds
and distant pinnae; but I leave any one to say if it be anything more
than a drawn-up plant of the common species, found, as it was, solitary
in a dark cave—Analysis, p. 50, date 1842.
5. DB. ALLMANN.
There may be some doubt as to the necessity of considering it
separately from the common form of Adiantum-nigrum, for though the
extreme forms are so remarkably distinct as to strike the most casual
observer, yet these extremes are connected by such numerous grada-
tions, by which they run into each other, that I believe it to be impos-
sible to say where the common variety terminates and the rarer one
commences: the great elegance, however, of well-marked specimens
of the rarer variety, and the facility with which they may be distin-
guished from the common form, seems to render a separate notice of
the fern desirable.——~Bm'tz'sh Ferns, p. 260.
6. NEWMAN.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, var. acutum.—Brz'tz'sh Ferns, p. 259,
date 1844.
7. HOOKER & Anno'r'r.
A variety of Asp. Adiantum-nigrum with linear pinnules is found
by Mr. Wilson in Ireland, at Muckruss by Mr. Mackay.—Brz't. Flora,
p. 574.
8. MOORE.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum v. acutum ; fronds tripinnate through-
out; ultimate pinnules cut into linear sharply toothed segments.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum var. acutum, Newm. 259. Asplenium
acutum, Bory.——Asplenium Virgilii, Bory.—-—Tarachia acuta, Presl. *
VOL. 1V. G
432
The most distinct is acutum, which is a remarkably elegant plant ;—
chiefly found in Ireland and in the western counties of England, and
seems rare—Handbook of British Ferns, p. 158, date 1853. [I men-
tion this work simply from a feeling of courtesy, as it would not be
right to pass Over a notice in which my late friend Bory’s authority
and my own are cited. It must, however, be observed that the plant
has not been recorded as growing in England, and that Mr. Moorels
figure evidently represents the commoner species. I cannot, there-
fore, regard Mr. Moore as expressing any opinion on the specific
identity of a fern with which he appears to be unacquainted.]
Botanical.
First—It appears to me that Dillenius, Smith, and Francis exer-
cise sound botanical discretion in refusing to establish a species on
the faith of a single frond, and that barren, and grown in a dark cave.
In these three facts we cannot fail to see strong reasons against such
a course. But, while admitting the justice of the conclusions which
these botanists draw from the very scanty materials within their reach,
we must place greater confidence still in the conclusions which Bory,
Willdenow, Sadler, Sprengel, Presl, and VVellwitsch have agreed in
drawing, from materials the most perfect and complete that could be
desired. Just in proportion as it was right to reject such scanty evi-
dence, so would it be absolutely absurd to weigh the conclusions
drawn from that single barren frond against those founded on copious
series of mature, normal, and highly fructified fronds. It is worthy of
especial observation, that Bory, Willdenow, and Sadler calmly and
philosophically consider the hypothesis of uniting the two species,
and, assisted by their abundant materials, unhesitatingly reject it.
Sprengel, Presl, and Wellwitsch do not even entertain the question.
The argument that the peculiarities of the fern are due to situation, or
want of fruit, falls entirely to the ground when we learn that such con-
ditions were purely exceptional. Dr. Allmann’s opinion is, however,
of great value, and is not liable to the objection of being formed on
insufficient data. It is noticed again below.
Secondly—The occurrence of the same plant in Teneriffe, Madeira,
Portugal, Spain, Italy, Illyria, and Hungary,—-countries in most of
which Adiantum-nigrum occurs, and has never been confounded with
it,-—is a primdfacie argument in favour of its distinctness.
T hirdly.-——In Ireland, also, it is additional to Adiantummigrum,
instead of replacing it: Adiantnm-nigrum is common 5 acutum, local,
and noticeable as a comparative rarity.
43
F0urthly.—— Although Dr. Allmann speaks of intermediate forms,
and seems to regard the two species as passing into each other, by
means of these ; I may state that I have carefully searched herbaria
for such intermediate specimens, but have never found them.
Fi/thly.—If we take a series of acutum, arranged according to size,
we shall find that certain of them are of the same magnitude as Adi-
antum-nigrum, while others are abundantly larger, and some are also
smaller: but all equally differ from Adiantum-nigrum in the multi-
plicity and acuteness of their divisions ; the smaller specimens being
equally attenuate, divided, and acute with the larger. In Adiantum-
nigrum, on the contrary, the smaller fronds are blunted, and less
divided than the larger ones.
Cultural.
Dr. Mackay dissuaded me from giving Asplenium acutum as a spe-
cies in the second edition of my ‘ British Ferns,’ by stating that it was
nothing more than a remarkably attenuated, divided, and elegant form
of Adiantum-nigrum, and returned to the ordinary state under culti-
vation. I am far from convinced that the facts of the case were
noticed with sufficient care. I rather incline to regard that eminent
botanist as having been misled by the unintentional transposition of
pots or labels. Certain it is that such a disposition to assume a new
form, or, as it might be termed, to revert to a normal form, has not been
observed by other cultivators; the tendency of cultivation being to
develope and perfect those very characters of greater size, greater
amount of subdivision, greater attenuation of parts, &c., which origi-
nally served to distinguish it from its congeners.
_—
Since I undertook the investigation of this subject, I have obtained
the valuable assistance of Mr. Watson and Mr. Babington ; and this
will probably lead to a second paper, in the March number of the
‘ Phytologist.’
EDWARD NEWMAN.
9, Devonshire St., Bishopsgate,
January, 1854.


44
Notes on the ‘ Cybele Brz'tannica,’ Volume III.
By WILLIAM BORRER, Esq., F.R.S., &c.
(THESE Notes were kindly given for my use by Mr. Borrer. And
seeing that most of them have the valuable recommendation of being
either additions to knowledge previously on record, or corrections of
imperfect and erroneous records, I requested Mr. Borrer’s permission
to forward them to the ‘ Phytologist,’ which he has allowed me to do.
—II. 0’. Watson.)
Page.
10. Potamogeionflabellatus. Add to the enumeration of counties
Warwick. Mr. Kirk found it at Coventry, and was the
first to point out its difference from the true P. zosteraceus,
Fries.
14. Poiamogeton zosterifolius. I have never seen a Sussex spe-
cimen. It is by mistake, no doubt, that it is said to grow at
Henfield.
18. Potamogeton heterophyllus and (p. 22) P. plantagineus. In
the ‘Phytologist’ for 1852 (iv. 637) these two species, are
said to occur on the ridge of Tilgate Forest, about a mile
South of Balcombe. Having never before heard of the for-
mer as a Sussex plant, and suspecting that the Sussex spe-
cimens that have been named P. plantagineus belonged, in
fact, to P. oblongus; I applied to one of the writers of the
memoir referred to for specimens of the plant, or directions
to the spot producing them; but received no answer. I
must, therefore, still hesitate to regard them as natives of the
county.
84. Eriophorum latifolium. Whatever the E. polystachion of
Dartmoor may be, this is a native of Devon. It grows in the
deep valley on the right of the ascent of Haldon, in the way
from Exeter to Chudleigh : IV. B.
85. Eriophomm gracile. Mr. Woods’s specimens, of which I
possess one, prove his Yorkshire plant to be this species.
Hagnaby, in the ‘ Manual,’ is no doubt an error of the pen or
of the press. The Sussex plant, as well as Don’s from the
Highlands of Scotland, has long since been ascertained to be
a slender variety of E. angustifolium, Roth, E. polystachion,
Linn.
45
Page.
87. Cara/v Daoalliana. A specimen given me by Mr. Forster
enables me to vouch for the identity of the Lansdown plant
with specimens from Switzerland, communicated by Smith
himself. ‘
98. Carex elongata. Kent, on the banks of the Medway, at Tun-
bridge; shown me by Mr. Jenner.
152. Phalai'is paradoxa. Not extinct in August, 1851 ; but I saw
but few plants of it.
161. Alopecarus fuloas. I saw it, last year, in the place near
Chichester where Mr. Newbould discovered it; and Mr.
Woods has observed it near Maresfield.
169. Agrostis setacea. When a young botanist, I mistook a variety
of A. vulgaris for this species, which was hence reported as
growing on wet commons in Sussex. One extensive patch,
discovered by Mr. Woods and myself, on the forest, near
Heathfield, is all that I have seen of the true plant in this
county.
241. Hordeum syloaticam. River Hill, near Sevenoaks, Kent:
W. B.
279. Asplenium lanceolatum grows, or grew, in Kent as well as
Sussex, in the vicinity of Tunbridge Wells.
307. Eqaisetam hyemale. I have specimens from South Kent,
sent me by the Rev. G. E. Smith.
312. Ranimculus confusas. Somersetshire, Shirehampton; Hants,
Hayling Island: W. B.
313. Ranunculus ti'ipa-rtitiis. Shown me, in 1852, by Mr. W. W.
Reeves, near Tunbridge Wells, on the Kentish side of the
boundary of the counties, where he had observed it several
years, but had never found capillary leaves. I have, however,
the satisfaction of having such produced in plenty in my own
garden, whither a plant was brought from Esher, in 1849.
374. Rananculasflaitans. West Sussex: W B.
315. Fumaria micrantha, F. Vaillantii, and F. parviflora. I
have not seen a Sussex specimen of either of these ; but there
is good authority, Mr. Mitten’s, for the first having been
gathered near Lewes.
317. Farsetia incana. This species sprung up, about fifty years
ago, at Lewes (as it is said to have done, somewhat earlier, at
Weymouth), on ground broken up for building on. I knew
46
Page.
319.
323.
329.
333.
346.
347.
349.
it for a few years as a weed in the recently formed gardens ;
but I believe it has long since disappeared.
Bai'barea sti'z'cta. Perhaps I too hastily set down this plant
as growing in Northamptonshire, having only seen what I
took for it in passing on the railway, in 1842, and not having
been able to see it on several subsequent occasions. It is
plentiful in several parts of Yorkshire. The form of B. vul—
garis with spreading fruit, which has been called B. arcuata,
is probably not uncommOn. I find it in Sussex and Essex.
B. vulgaris, var. intermedia, of Buxton, in the ‘ Manchester
Botanical Guide,’ which has been mistaken by some for B._
stricta, is nearest to B. vulgaris, but presents some remark-
able difl'erences. I have not had the opportunity of cultivat-
ing it.
Viola siagnina. I cannot account for this plant in Mr.
Leighton’s garden, as from me. I am persuaded that I never
had it until Mr. Babington sent it me, in 1851, from Bottis-
ham Fen.
Rabas suberectus. Woods near Lindfield, and by Burton
mill-pond near Petworth, both in Sussex : W. B.
Trifolium strict/am. Downs, and balks of corn-land, in the
Canton de la Moye, Jersey, 1851 : W. B.
Poteriam mm'icatum. Above the Culvers, Isle of Wight;
Eartham, Sussex: W. B. At Eartham it forms part of the
ancient turf, as I think it does also in one place either in
Essex or in Cambridgeshire, shown me by Mr. Gibson. Near
Betchworth, Surrey, near Saffron Walden, and in the Isle of
Wight, it occupies fields that have been more or less recently
under tillage.
Pyms pimiatifida. According to the Ordnance Map, the
station observed by Mr. Reeves is within the county of
Hants. There are several plants, among abundance of P.
Aria and P. aucuparia, between which I cannot but suspect
it a hybrid. They are cut periodically as underwood.
Epilobium lanceolatum has been a weed in my garden for
thirty years, at least; how introduced, I never knew. It has
recently found its way to some neighbouring hedge-banks;
and it will probably become permanently established. I
have observed the species in Guernsey and Jersey.
47
Page.
349. Claytonia perfoliata, Linn.
In the ‘ Phytologist ’ for 1853
(iv. 982) are some remarks on the tendency of this plant to
become naturalized. It comes up plentifully every year in
my garden, and on a sandy bank adjoining, facing the South,
but mostly shaded by bushes, to which it escaped previously
to 1817. It is rather a startling assertion (Phytol. l. c.) that
Baxter’s figure in ‘ British Phaenogamous Botany,’ vol. iv. p.
253, of C. alsinoides is a remarkably good one of C. perfoli-
ata ! I have visited the Derbyshire locality from which Mr.
Baxter’s specimen came, and witnessed the accuracy of the
account that he has published of the situation. It is a mile
or more from the Chatsworth gardens, in which, moreover, I
was assured that the plant was unknown until it was brought
in from the wood.
349. Sedum siellatum, Linn., is still more decidedly naturalized
353. Sedum elegans, Lej.
376.
381.
325.
than Claytonia perfoliata, on the same bank, and others in the
neighbourhood, where it is found in myriads, either alive or
dead, at all seasons. It is probable that these twd plants
will keep their ground when I and my garden shall be for-
gotten; and it were well, for the information of future bota-
nists and Cybelists, that their escape, and other such-like
facts, should be placed on some permanent record, whilst yet
their accuracy can be ascertained.
The plant that I understand as intended
by this name is S. rupestre, “ Lima.” Sm. The Sedum said
to be from Jersey has narrow, upright petals, almost white,
and leaves as green as those of S. virens. I have another
Sedum, believed to be from Devonshire, with petals equally
narrow and upright, but of a pale yellow, and gray leaves,
remarkably imbricated in rows. I suspect this to be S. ano-
petalum, DeO., which Koch places among the yellow-flowered
species.
Helleboras viridis. Truly native in woods and thickets in the
vicinity of Petersfield, both in Hants and in Sussex, as well
as in Yorkshire. Its stations in- East Sussex (Woodmancote
and Henfield) are unsatisfactory.
Lepidium Draba. Lake-Lancashire. A patch by the Ulver-
stone road, at Newby Bridge, 1853: W B.
Lg/chnis alpina. I had the pleasure of visiting this plant in
Hobcartin, last June (1853). It is indubitably a native there,
48
Page.
401.
419.
419.
9,
431.
466.
482.
. Pyrola minor.
. Thymus Serpyllum and T. Chamazclrys.
on perpendicular walls of rock, mostly inaccessible. I could
reach one root only.
Geranium syloaticum. By Coniston Water: VV.B. Although,
my attention not having been called to it, I do not recollect
it, I suspect it is frequent in that part of Lancashire, as it is
in the valleys of the rest of the Lake district.
Fragaria elatior. Several years ago, the landlord of the
High-Force Inn, Teesdale (Mr. Scott, I think), a person well
acquainted with the plants of his district, showed me there a
tall variety of F. vesca, not of rare occurrence elsewhere, as
F. elatior of Baines’s ‘ Yorkshire Flora.’
Agrimouia odomta. Start Point, Devon ; near Gwithian,
Cornwall, Mr. Joseph Woods, who has given me a specimen.
Rosa hibei'nica. Cumberland, decidedly native. Between
Buttermere and Scale Hill, a single bush observed, 1845;
hedges near Lorton, 1853: W B.
Polycarpon tetraphyllum. I gathered this, a few years ago,
“on the Neck of Portland.
Sedum turgidum, DeC. I see reason to doubt the accuracy
of my former idea of this plant, having received from the
Kew garden a living specimen, so named, with much more
turgid leaves, and more rounded petals, than the plant af our
Sussex villages. This I am now inclined to regard as a
rather enlarged form of S. micranthum, Haw. ; still sup-
posing it distinct from the Malvern S. album (Haworth’s S.
teretifolium).
Menziesia caerulea. I wrote “among the heath and crow-
berry” (Empeirum iiigrum). The misprint is scarcely worth
correcting, as it is very probable that the Scotch “ cranberry”
(Vacciuium Vitis-Idaea) grows there too, though I do not
recollect it.
Mr. Reeves and another friend have sent me
this from the neighbourhood of Canterbury.
Mr. Babington, in
statements now before the public, recognizes both these
plants as British. I have found both widely distributed, but
am inclined to think T. Serpyllum the more general of the
two. -
Galeopsis versicolor. I must have omitted from inadvertence
to mark this as a Sussex plant. I have met with it, however,
49
Page.
485.
490.
501.
512.
only twice in the county, and in both places sparingly. Like
Mr. Leighton, I find it coming the same from seed, and that
during several years, in my garden ; yet I have seen so many
intermediate forms in Scotland, that I much suspect it not
truly a distinct species from G. Tetrahit.
Myosotis syloatica. Certainly a native of Hants. I have
gathered it at Lyss, three or four miles from Petersfield. I
have no knowledge of it as a Sussex plant.
Cyclamen hedemfolium. Mr. Saunders kindly showed me
the one large old root that he discovered. It was in a wild
wood, where it was very unlikely to have escaped from any
garden, or to have been placed by human agency ; but it is
now destroyed, by the construction of a reservoir to supply
the town of Hastings with water.
Polygonum maritimum and P. Raii. I think the specimens
that I have the pleasure of sending will prove the Hampshire
plant to be true P. maritimum, whether P. Raii is truly dis-
tinct or not. I had, last year, P. maritimum from Sarnian
seed, preserving its proper appearance, as do also seedlings
from it this year, as far as can be judged in their present
imperfect stage of growth. The last year’s plants fruited the
first season, and perished in the winter. I have P. Raii from
Forfarshire, from W. Gardiner; and from Galloway, I am not
certain from whom. I have gathered it myself in Cornwall,
Devon, Somerset, Hants, Sussex, Merioneth, Lancashire
(F leetwood), and the Channel Islands.
Habenaria bifolia and H chlorantha.
these, this summer, among the Lakes.
Habenaria albida. I have seen it in plenty, in different
years, in its one Sussex station.
I have seen both of
WM. BORRER.
Henfield, August 1, 1853.
Page.
17. Potamogeton longifolius.
Additional Notes (Oct. 1, 1853.)
Mr. T. Kirk found it, last month,
in Ballinabrack River, Lough Corrib; and sent me recent
fragments.
VOL. V. H
50
Page.
17. Agrimonia odorata. ' I have now seen this plant in Mr.
Woods’s Devonshire station ; and also at Balcombe, Sussex,
where it was first observed by the Rev. W. H. Hawker.
276. Asplenium viride. In the deep cracks of an old brick wall at
Mickleham, Surrey, where I was shown upwards of twenty
plants, by a gardener of that neighbourhood, who discovered
it a few months ago, and had taken away several roots. The
occurrence of the one root at Danny (Hurst Pierpoint), Sus-
sex, is not very adequately accounted for by the recorded
fact, that Ray spent some months there in 1667—8. (See
Phytol. iv. 842, 915, 947). Ceterach officinarum grows in
several places in that part of Sussex. The statement that
Polypodium Dryopteris has been found in the neighbourhood
is, I fear, a mistake.
504. Eupkorbia stricta, Koch. Woolmer Forest, Hants, on recently
reclaimed corn-land, Rev. W. II. Hawker, who has shown
me specimens.


NOTICES OF NEW BooKs.
‘ Species Filicum ,' being Descriptions of all known Ferns. Illus-
trated with Plates. By SIR WILLIAM JACKSON HooKER, K.H.,
LL.D., F.R.A. & L.S., &c., &c., &c., Vice-President of the Lin-
nean Society of London, and Director of the Royal Botanic
Garden of Kew.’ Part VI., or Vol. II. Part 2. London: Wil-
liam Pamplin, 45, Frith Street, Soho Square. 8vo. 64' pp.
Letterpress ; 20 Plates. Price 10s.
Having already expressed our opinion very fully on the delay in
publishing this work, we abstain from any remarks on that head, and
simply give the contents of the part before us; premising that the
previous part concluded with Hypolepis tenuifolia, the first species of
the genus.
Suborder IV. PTERIDE/E.
Genus III. (IV. P). HYPOLEPIS, Bernie.
Sp. Guianensis, KL,- dicksonioides (Cheilanthes dicksonioides,
Kze.); amaurorachis (Ch. id., Kze.); setigera (Ch. id., Blume);
51
alpina (Ch. id. Blume) ; resinifera (Ch. id., Blume) 5 polypodioides
(Ch. id., .Blume) ; pallida (Ch. id., Blume) ; repens, Presl ; resistens,
(Ch. id., Blame); parallelogramma (Ch. id., Kze.); nigrescens,
Hook. ; anthriscifolia, Presl ; elata, Presl ; aspera, Presl ,' Bergiana
(Ch. id., Schlecht.); rugulosa (Pteris id., La Bill); Millefolium,
Hook. ; hostilis, Presl ; Purdieana, Hook.
Frond rather small, bipinnate.
Sp. distans (Ch. distans, Col. MSS.)
Fronds small, deltoid, very compound ,- segments very acute or
cuspidate. Aspidotis, Nutt.
Sp. Schimperi (Ch. id., Kunze); Californica (Aspidotis id., Nutt.
MSS.)
Adiantoidea.
Sp. Capensis (Ch. id., Sw.)
Fronds with tufted roots, no creeping caudex. Cheilanthoideae.
Sp. radiata (Adiantum id., Linn., Sw., Willd., &c.) ; pedata, Hook. ,-
spectabilis, Link ; perpaucula (Adiantum id., Kze.) ; Gardneri, Hook.
Genus IV. CHEILANTHEs, Sw.
“ Adianti, Allosori, Pteridis, Cassebeerae, Notholenae, Hypolepidis
sp. auct.”-—P. 75.
“ Vain is the attempt to form any definite character which shall
decide the proper limits of this genus.”——P. 75. So writes Sir Wil—
liam Hooker: then, we would ask, why not abandon it altogether?
Fronds simply pinnate.
Sp. micropteris, Sw.
Pinnce or pinnules large for the Genus, broad ; white and powdery
beneath.
Sp. argentea, Kze. ; farinosa, Kaulf. ; pulveracea, Pr. ; rufa, Don.
Pinnce or pinnules large for the Genus, broad ; not white or
pulverulent nor scaly beneath.
Sp. Dalhousiae, Hook. ; pteroides, Sw.
52
Pinnw or pinnules as in the preceding Group, but densely clothed
with imbricated scales.
Sp. squamosa, Gill.
Fronds generally decompound, the pinnules small, glabrous or
hairy or scaly. Eucheilanthes.
Sp. fragrans, Webb et Bert. ,- tenuifolia, Sw. ; Preissiana, Kze. ;
Sieberi, Kze. ; microphylla, Sw. ; Tweediana, Hook. ; Seemanni,
Hook. ; Moritziana, Kze. ; elongata, Willd. herb. ; obtusata, Pr. ;
crenata, Kze. ; Wrightii, Hook. ; subvillosa, Hook. ; bullosa, Kze. ;
pygmaea, Kl. ; varians (Pteris varians, Wall.) ; Alabamensis, Kze. ;
Moluccana, Bl. ; Kleinhoflii, Bl. ; multifida, Sw. ; triangula, Kze. ,-
Mathewsii, Kze. ; hirta, Sw. ; induta, Kze. ; pubescens, II. B. K. ;
MacLeanii, H00k.; Mysurensis, Wall. ; Chusana, Hook.; tennis, Pr.
Lendigera Group.
9* Hairy, rarely scaly or chafiy.
Sp. lendigera, Sw. ; tomentosa, Link ; Bradburii, Hook. ; Szo-
vitzii, Fisch. et Mey. ; vestita, Sw. .9
Lendigera Group.
*it Very scaly.
Sp. scariosa, Pr. ,- myriophylla, D6827. ; Lindheimeri, Hook. ,- ele-
gans, Desi). ; Fendleri, Hook. ,- speciosissima, Alex. Braun.
Rachis zigzag.
Sp. dichotoma, Sw.; flexuosa, Kze.
Fronds broad, triangular.
Sp. viscosa, Link ,- leucopoda, Link ,- marginata, II. B. K
Involucres continuous. Pteridoideae.
Sp. deltoidea, Kze. ; Atherstonii, Hook. ,- cuneata, Link; profuse,
Kze. ; cornuta, Kze.; pulchella, Bory; coriacea, Dcsne. ; viridis,
Sw.; hirsuta, Link; canescens,Kze.; aspera, Hook. ,- caudata, Pr. ;
intramarginalis (Pteris id., Kaulf.) ; nitidula (Pteris id., Wall.)
Pteroideae. Clothed with yellow powder beneath.
Sp. chrysophylla, Hook. ; ochracea, Hook.
53
Genus V. CASSEBEERA, Kanlf.
it Fronds digitate or pedate.
Sp. triphylla, Kaulf.
Fronds pinnate or bipinnate.
Sp. pinnata, Kaul/I ,- gleichenioides, Gardn.
Genus VI. ONYCHIUM, Kaulf.
Sp. auratum, Kaulf. ,- lucidum, Spreng. ,- Japonicum, Kze. ,-
angustifolium, Kze. ; strictum, Kze. ; melanolepis, Dcsne.


PROCEEDINGS OF Soouzruzs, 850.
THE PHYTOLOGIST CLUB.
One Hundred and Fifty-third Sitting—Saturday, January 21,
1854.-—MR. NEWMAN, President, in the chair.
The President read the following communications :—
Leucojum cestieum, Linn.
“ This plant I saw in a willow-plot near Totnes Weir, South Devon,
about a mile from the town, in June. It did not come under my
observation in any of the gardens ; nor could I learn that it had been
observed before in the neighbourhood. Mr. Syme recorded, in this
journal, some months since, that the locality for this plant by the
Thames-side below Greenwich was probably destroyed. I think it
might be worth remarking, that it was noticed by me, some few years
since, on the same side of the Thames, growing lower down the river,
nearer Woolwich; where, doubtless, it may be found in the ensuing
spring. In June, 1841, I also observed it by the Thames, near Son-
ning, Berks; and by the side of the Lodden, near Reading, where it
has been observed growing for upwards of thirty years past.”-—T. B.
Flower ; Seend, near Melksham, January, 1854.
Hypericum linarifolium, Vahl.
“ I noticed this plant growing on the banks of the Teign, but whe-
ther in the same locality before recorded I know not. It was not
54
growing so luxuriantly as I have seen it in' the Val des Vaux, La
Haule, and St. Peter’s Valley, Jersey. It would, doubtless, be found
in other places on the South coast of England, if diligently sought
after.”-—Id.
Vicia lutea, Linn.
“ I do not recollect seeing this recorded in any of the lists for South
Devon. 1 found it rather sparingly on the rocks at Black Head, near
Torquay, during the past summer, together with Geranium purpu-
reum, Forst. in E. B. S. t. 2648, and a beautiful dark-purple-flowered
variety of Armeria maritima, growing with it, in which I could not
perceive any difference of structure apart from the usual forms of A.
maritima.”-—Id.
Diotis maritima, Cass.
“ This is reported to have been seen on the South Devon coast. It
formerly grew on the shingles in Babbicombe Bay, where I spent
some time in searching for it, during the past summer, and in 1850,
but without seeing the least trace of it. Has any botanist met with
it on this coast of late years P ”——Id.
Poa bulbosa, Linn.
“ I noticed this plant growing rather plentifully at Plymouth, on
rocks under the Citadel, and about the Hoe, in May last; also in
abundance on Teignmouth Den. This latter station is, doubtless,
well known to botanists, as being given in Turner and Dillwyn’s
‘ Botanist’s Guide,’ on the authority of the late Dr. Beeke; but Mr..
Watson having intimated, in the ‘ Cybele,’ that it would be desirable
to have the locality confirmed by more recent observation, I thought
a note might again be recorded for it in Devon.”———Id.
Udora Ganadensis, &c., near Bedale.
“ While botanizing with my friend Mr. Mark Hebblethwaite, of
Camp Hill, near this place, in the low grounds a few miles West of
Thirsk, during the month of August last, we were fortunate in meet-
ing with several interesting plants, not of common occurrence in this
part of Yorkshire; such as Butomus umbellatus, Hydrocharis Morsus-
ranae, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Rumex aquaticus, Ranunculus Lingua,
Cicuta virosa, &c., &c. In returning homeward we had to cross the
river Wiske, at the village of Kirby; and noticed a plant in the water
with which we were unacquainted. Specimens of it were taken home ;
and our only guides, Smith and Babington (‘ Manual,’ 2nd edit.), could
55
give us no information respecting it. The specimens were laid aside,
and not noticed until lately; when a thought struck me that the plant
might’be Udora Canadensis. I immediately forwarded specimens of
it to Mr. Babington, who very kindly informed me that I was right in
my conjecture. I at the same time received specimens of the plant
from Mr. Hardy, of Penmanshiels, N.B.; which he had collected
in the lakes at Dunse Castle, and with which mine quite agree.
Mr. Babington suggests that I ought to record the fact in the ‘ Phyto-
logist,’ in order that its first appearance in this part may be known in
future. How the plant may have got there I am at a loss to decide,
but shall make inquiry, and further examine the neighbourhood during
the ensuing season.”-— Thomas Simpson; Hopetown, near Bedale,
Yorkshire, January 16, 1854.
LINNEAN SOCIETY.
June 7, 1853.—-—Thomas Bell, Esq., President, in the chair.
Election of a Fellow.
The Rev. Thomas Hugo, M.A., was elected a Fellow.
Nomination of V ice-Presidents.
The President nominated Robert Brown, Esq., William Yarrell,
Esq., Nathaniel Wallich, Esq., M.D., and William Spence, Esq., to
be Vice-Presidents for the ensuing year.
Mr. Yarrell, V.P.L.S., exhibited a specimen of the dusky petrel
(Pufiinus obscurus of modern authors).
Letters of Linneus and other Naturalists.
Mr. Westwood, F.L.S., exhibited a volume of letters addressed to
Philip Miller by Linnaeus and various other naturalists and others,
the property of Mr. Edward Layton of Watford; the more interesting
of which, he stated, will shortly be published in facsimile. The
volume contained, among others, letters from Dr. Richard Richard-
son, Charles Alston, Boerhaave, De J ussieu, Gronovius, Du Hamel
du Monceau, George Clifford, Linnaeus, De Zieten, Lord Petre,
Hebenstreit, Van Royen, Guettard, Richard, \Vachendorff, Garden,
John Bartram, Stephen Hales, Marsigli, Oder, F orskahl, Schmidel,
Pinard, Dr. John Hope, Sibthorp, Vandelli, and Dr. Tobias Smollet.
56
Umbellate Prim rose.
Mr. Hogg, F .L.S., exhibited specimens of an umbellate variety of
the common primrose (Primula vulgaris, var. B. of Smith’s ‘ English
Flora’), gathered in Thorp Wood, near Stockton-upon-Tees, on the
12th of May in the present year.
Read some Notes ‘ On the Artificial Breeding of Salmon and Trout,
with Remarks on the Modes of Fecundating their Ova ;’ by John
Hogg, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.
Read also ‘ Notes on the Dipterous Parasites which attack the com-
mon Earwig and the Emperor Moth;’ by George Newport, Esq.,
F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.
June 21, 1853.—-Thomas Bell, Esq., President, in the chair.
Election of Fellows.
John Samuel Gaskoin, Esq., the Rev. Francis Thomas Macdougall,
M.A., and S. James A. Salter, Esq., were elected Fellows.
Note from Nees con Esenbeck.
Berthold Seemann, Esq., F.L.S., laid before the meeting a commu-
nication which he had received from Prof. Nees von Esenbeck, Pre-
sident of the Imperial Leopoldino-Caroline Academy of Naturalists,
congratulating the Linnean Society, in the name of the Academy, on
its choice of Prof. Bell as President.
Earthquake at Sea.
Read the following Extract of a Letter from T. S. Ralph, Esq.,
A.L.S., to Richard Kippist, Esq., Libr. L.S., dated Jan. 4th, 1853;
Brig Marmion, on her passage (from New Zealand) to Port Phillip :-—-
“ I shall be rather anxious to hear how the Wellington people have
gone on since my departure, for on the evening of Saturday last (1st
of January, 1853), while off—some fifty miles west of—Cape Egmont,
at 8.30 p.m., we, on board the brig, experienced a horrible shock of
an earthquake, which caused the vessel to shudder and shake, just as
if she had grounded on a shingle spit; and indeed, so loud was the
sound under us, and so great the agitation, that I took it at the time
to be a case of wreck with us, and knowing the sea was running rather
57
high, hardly expected to reach the deck before she might begin to
break. The shock lasted about twenty seconds, during which I had
only time to' secure my watch and compass and seek the deck, when
the whole was explained. I had the satisfaction of experiencing
some eight others of diminished energy during the succeeding forty
minutes, the last of which I measured, and found it did not exceed
seventeen seconds. It was about equal in duration to the first, which
of course I could not ascertain very accurately, except by reference
to the time occupied by any succeeding ones.”
Vegetation of Wellington, New Zealand.
Read also a ‘ Sketch of the Vegetation around Wellington, New
Zealand ;’ by T. S. Ralph, Esq., A.L.S.
This sketch was prepared by Mr. Ralph, during his voyage above
alluded to from Wellington to Port Phillip, from his notes made upon
the spot. He describes the town of Wellington as situated at the
southern extremity of a large port, of about nine miles in length and
varying in breadth from four to six miles, surrounded by hills which
are in many places covered to their summit with trees and shrubs.
These hills, being composed almost entirely of a claystone rock, pre-
sent a marked feature of roundness and abruptness without sharpness,
and precipitous declivities full of channels and gullies from top to bot-
tom. Wellington itself is built on two flats, with an intervening
beach-line of houses to connect them, so that the town possesses but
a small space of level land, which some ten years since is said to have
been covered with dense bush, in which the settlers had no difficulty
in losing themselves. But all the hills in the vicinity of the shore
have had their timber felled, and the ground has since become covered
with an undergrowth, chiefly composed of Leptospermum scoparium
and L. ericoides {(together known by the name of Manuka), Friesia
racemosa (Aristotelia serrata of Dr. J. Hooker’s F 1. Nov. Zel.), Myo-
porum leetum, and in some places Myrtus bullata. A few of the deep
gullies at the back of the first ridge are uncleared, and contain besides
some arborescent ferns; but the hills in the rear of the town retain,
especially on their upper parts, their older clothing of bush, consisting
chiefly of some trees, such as Fuchsia excorticata, Kniglitia excelsa,
Elaeocarpus Hinau, two or three species of Coprosma, Geniostoma
ligustrifolium, Drimys axillaris, Pittosporum tenuifolium, Brachyglot-
tis repanda, and a few specimens of Br. rotundifolia. These are, in
the denser parts of the bush, accompanied by Piper excelsum, Ripo-
VOL. V. I
58
gonum parviflorum (or Supple-Jack), climbing species of Metroside'
ros, and Dicksonia squarrosa and Cyathea dealbata, which are the
commonest species of tree-ferns. Cyathea medullaris, Mr. Ralph
found but once in this locality ; and of C. dealbata he mentions hav-
ing found a single specimen with a trifurcate stem, about 12 or 14 feet
in height, and each of its divisions rising close to each other to a
height of 4 feet. Smaller ferns, such as Hymenophyllum demissuni
and H. dilatatum, accompany these ; Trichomanes reniforme is occa-
sionally met with in extensive patches; and Polypodium Billardieri
is by far the commonest of climbing ferns. During the winter season
(generally from May to September) the gullies, being furnished with
a steady supply of water, produce numerous Cryptogamic plants,
which Mr. Ralph states that he has closely observed, but of which he
can at present give only a brief notice. Of most of these he expects
to be able to obtain the fructification, by subjecting them to a period
of confinement in VVard’s cases, in which with a less moist, but more
regularly charged atmosphere, they seem well disposed to fruit. He
has thus succeeded in fruiting J ungermannia hymenophylloides ; and
suggests this mode of cultivation to those who are desirous of obtain-
ing fruiting specimens of mosses, J ungermanniae, &c. Of Fungi, Mr.
Ralph has collected about thirty species, while the list given in M.
Raoul’s work includes only eleven or twelve. He particularly notices
Ileodictyon cibarium, which makes its appearance in June and July
soon afterheavy falls of rain, and abrick-red Polyporus (P. sanguineus
of the ‘ Voyage au Pole Sud’ P) as abundant in some places. He is
inclined to think that in many instances mere varieties have been
described as species. Thus he thinks that the two so-called new spe-
cies of Parsonsia described in M. Raoul’s ‘ Choix des Plantes’ are
only varieties of P. heterophylla; he has been unable to distinguish
the two supposed species of Drimys; and in other instances he
believes the differences to depend mainly upon the climate, temperate
enough in sheltered situations, but severe in places exposed to the
cold south-easterly gales either of winter or summer. Among the
microscopic Fungi, Mr. Ralph particularly mentions a species of
Trichia; the common jEcidium Senecionis which accompanies the
Senecio vulgaris, and appears to him to extend to a species of Epi-
lobium; and Perisporium vulgare? attacking Aristotelia in winter.
Of Aristotelia he observes that although it is said to be exstipulate, he
has met with several specimens in which the stipulae were largely
developed. Of introduced plants, the common water-cress grows by
cart-loads in and about the streams for several miles about Welling-
59
ton; and Mimulus luteus is also spreading itself along the streams
and over the swampy places behind the town. He adds that he is very
desirous of introducing some of the British plants which would pro-
bably thrive, such as Stellaria holostea and Antirrhinum Cymbalaria ;
and states that he brought out with him from England Vallisneria
spiralis, of which he has specimens intended for the Botanic Garden
at Melbourne, from whence it may perhaps make its way to Sydney
and Hobart Town. Mr. Ralph concludes his sketch by mentioning a
species of Nitella (N. translucens i) found in a rapid stream about
five-and-twenty miles from Wellington.
Notes &c. of the late Mr. Grifiith.
Read also a Letter from John McClelland, Esq., F.L.S., to R.
Brown, Esq., V.P.L.S., dated Calcutta, 15th of January, 1853, and
accompanying a large packet of notes and sketches by the late Wil-
liam Griffith, Esq., F.L.S., on the development of the ovulum in San-
talum, Osyris, Loranthus and Viscum, as well as in several other
genera belonging to different families of plants. These papers having
been carefully examined, and compared with Mr. Griffith’s memoirs
published in the ‘ Linnean Transactions,’ it was found that the bulk
of them consisted of the materials from which he had constructed his
memoir ‘ On Santalum, Osyris, Loranthus and Viscum,’ printed in the
nineteenth volume of the Society’s ‘ Transactions.’ In that paper he
has given from these materials, in greater or less detail, all that he
himself considered necessary to the elucidation of his subject; and it
does not appear (as might indeed be expected) that anything could
be advantageously added to what he himself communicated to the
Society. There are, however, some notes on the genus Modeccop-
sis, of which the characters only have appeared in our ‘ Proceedings ’
(vol. i. p. 171), and which in some of the sketches is named Dacty-
lium vagum; on another plant presumed by Mr. Griflith to belong to
Santalaceaa; and on various Cucurbitaceous plants, affording some
new and unpublished facts on the development of their several ovula,
which it was thought desirable to lay before the Society, as supple-
mentary to Mr. Griffith’s communications on that important subject.
60
DUBLIN NATURAL-HISTORY Socrarv.
Friday, January 13, 1854.——Robert Callwell, Esq., M.R.I.A., in
the chair.
Donations.
Donations were announced from James R. Dombraiii, Esq., and
Mr. F fennel.
Adren titious Roots of Jussirea gramlijlora.
Professor Allmann stated some observations he had made on ’a
remarkable peculiarity of the adventitious roots of Jussiaea grandi-
flora. The author described a remarkable condition which he had
observed in some of the adventitious roots of a specimen of this plant
growing in the College Botanical Gardens. Some of the roots, which
proceed from the nodes of the stem, instead of growing downwards, so
as to fasten themselves in the mud at the bottom of the water in which
the plant grows, assume an ascending direction, and grow into the
air, where they present a very remarkable appearance, looking like
portions of rush-pith attached to the stem of the plant. When exa-
mined by the microscope, they are found to have a central, slightly
developed, woody axis, round which is a peculiar structure, formed of
exceedingly delicate stellate cells, having between them large inter-
cellular spaces, and constituting one of the most regular and beauti-
ful examples of a system of air-chambers to be found, perhaps, in the
whole vegetable kingdom. A singular fact connected with these air-
chambers is, that they are not surrounded by any epidermal invest-
ment, but open directly into the external air. Professor Allmann also
mentioned his discovery of a remarkable peculiarity of the woody
fibres of the same plant ; namely, the fact of these fibres being filled'
with starch granules, a condition of prosenchymatous tissue almost
unique in the vegetable kingdom.
THE PHYTOLOGICAL CLUB,
( In connexion with the Pharmaceutical Society.)
December 5th, 1853.--Robert Bentley, Esq., F.L.S., A.K.C., &c.,
President, in the chair.
61
Donations to the Museum.
A donation of some rare plants from Mr. Bentley was announced,
and some specimens of ergotised grasses from Mr. Blyth.
Enormous Caudesc of Lastrea Filip-mas.
The President called the attention of the Meeting to the caudex of
Lastrea Filix-mas, Presl, found by Mr. Shillitoe in Jersey. It was
growing in a boggy soil and shady position. The specimen was re-
markable for its great size, being in a dried condition about fourteen
inches in length, and about a foot in circumference, a size quite
unusual in temperate latitudes. All the ferns in the same locality
were stated to be growing in the same luxuriant manner.
Ergotised Grasses.
Mr. Blyth read the following paper :—
“In presenting the specimens of ergotised grasses to the Phyto-
logical Club, I beg to offer the results of my experience in collecting
them, so that future observations may either confirm or refute any
deductions that may be drawn from them. I met with no instance of
the disease until the middle of the month of August, and then in
shady rather than in moist places, and found very few indications of
it (especially directing my attention to marshy and wet places) from
the sandy soil of Norfolk through the clay of Middlesex, to the marls
and limestones of the western counties. A month later the disease
increased so as to become epidemic, first appearing in uncultivated
grounds, and gradually spreading over the whole country, so that
towards the end of September, there was scarcely a spot where the
grasses were not more or less affected. I present eight different
specimens of grasses so affected, but it appears to prevail most in the
Lolium and Dactylis; so abundant was it in these species, that a
plentiful supply might have been collected from the commons and
hedgerows, but I could not induce any of the herb-gatherers to collect
it for me, so that I have had no opportunity of examining its chemical
properties. Many farmers are acquainted with the disease, and
according to them, its presence in fields is evidence of bad farming.
Liming the soil has been found to be the best remedy for the evil.
That draining alone is of little value to get rid of it, may be inferred
from its having been more abundant in the Regent’s Park than else-
where, and as if to defy such an enemy, it especially flourished on the
62
ridges immediately over the draining pipes recently laid down in that
soil.
“ Much has been said on the origin and cause of the ergot, but the
question is still left in an unsatisfactory state. The opinion I am
induced to adopt from observation is, that moisture has nothing to do
with originating the disease, although it may promote its development,
as filth and dirt combined with moisture may promote the extension
of any pestilence. Let us look at the condition of the atmosphere at
the time of year it is developed. In the fall of the year, decomposi-
tion and fermentation are going on at a rapid rate, and the germs of
dissolution spread throughout the whole organised world. At the
same time, the physical condition of the atmosphere is in a state
peculiar to the season. Modern researches into the properties of light
have proved that there are three distinct classes of rays—the actinic
or chemical, the luminous, and the calorific rays; the first prevail in
the spring of the year and promote germination ; the second prevail
in the summer and promote the increase of the plant; and the third
prevail in the autumn and promote the ripening of the fruit. Now we
have in the fall of the year a diminution of the rays that sustain the
vital energies of the plant, and render it less able to resist the attack
of destroying forces. There are no doubt other conditions of the
atmosphere not yet thoroughly examined or even thought of, which
play an important part in the propagation or suppression of disease.
But the fact remains that it is in the fall of the year when fungoid
diseases become most prevalent or epidemic.
“ It is only by the accumulation of observations that any law can
be deduced. To obtain such will be interesting, to enable the agri-
culturist to get rid of the disease from his fields, and permit it to be
propagated with impunity in waste places for its medical worth. It
is with this object in view I have laid my recent observations before
the members of this Club, and hope at a future season to be more
successful in collecting a sufficient quantity for examining its proper-
ties, and to obtain the co-operation of members in different localities.”
In connexion with the above subject, Mr. Blyth also read the
following communication from Mr. Cobb, of Yarmouth :—
Mr. Cobb thus writes, “ The practice of underdraining has become
so general amongst us as to have changed to some extent the charac-
ter of our Flora. Several species of marsh plants, once plentiful and
peculiar to this neighbourhood, have disappeared, whilst their loss has
been supplied by the introduction of a large number of species com-
monly found in cultivated districts. Large tracts of wet marshes,
63
which some years ago bore only a scanty crop of coarse grass and
abundant Cyperaceae, have been banked and drained, and now pro-
duce remunerating crops of corn. On the borders of such places the
ergot was plentiful, especially on the Lolium perenne and L. arvense;
I believe it is now found only in very wet seasons. As an example
of the effect of this draining, I may state I have for the last three years
been vainly endeavouring to meet with specimens of the Vibrio Tritici,
which a few years ago might be gathered in every field.”
The above was written in July. In a recent letter to Mr. Blyth,
Mr. Cobb states that the ergot had become very prevalent, and might
be met with almost everywhere.
Alteration in the Days Of Meetiflg.
The President then announced that in future the meetings of the
Club, in accordance with the wishes of the great majority of its mem-
bers, would take place on the second WVednesdays in the months in
which they were appointed to take place, instead of the first Mondays
as heretofore. The next meeting would therefore be held on Wednes-
day evening, January llth, 1854.
On the Germination of the Spores of the Uredineaz.
BY M. L. B. TULasNEf-t
THE author had previously shown that the spores of the Uredineae,
like the pollen-grains of phanerogamous plants, had a variable number
of pores, from which afterwards tubular filaments arose, apparently
analogous to those which are the first result of the germination of the
spore of a fungus.
In addition, he has proved that the so-called ZEcidiolum exanthe-
matum, Ungea', may, very probably, be correctly regarded as equiva-
lent to the spermogonia of the other fungi, so that in all probability
it is not a sexual. According to new researches the germinal fila-
ments of the spores do not all retain the simple, continuous condition,
which was formerly assigned to them, and probably do not represent
the commencement of the true mycelium.
When sown, the spores of ZEcidium Euphorbiae sylvestris, D. 0.,
* From the ‘ Comptes Rendus’ for June, 1853, and published in the ‘ Quarterly
Journal of Microscopical Science’ for J auuary, 1854.
64
did not retain their continuity, but were subdivided into four or six
unequal-sized cells, by means of transverse septa; there then appeared
upon each of these cells, and particularly of the upper ones, a lateral
short process (spicula), which soon supported an obovate and rather
oblique tubular process. These tubes were the last vegetative effort
of the spores; they became free (P), and produced only very slender
filaments. Upon the separation of these bodies, the jointed tube
from which they arose is emptied, and, like the spores, is destroyed;
so that this sacculus or filament represents a sort of promycelium, a
vegetation which intervenes between the primary spore or fruit, and
those lesser follicles which are either secondary spores, or‘rather,
perhaps, the only true and actual producers of the mycelium.
The same thing takes place in Puccinia, the spores of which are
capable of germination while yet upon the parent plant. The spores
of Puccinia graminis throw out tubes by which they lengthen two
or three times, divide into cells and again produce reniform spores,
which soon germinate. It is exactly the same in Phragmidium in-
crassatum, Link.
The Podisomata, also belonging to the Uredineae, throw out from
their two-sided fruits (sporidia) as many as eight tubular processes,
crossing each other in pairs and superimposed one upon the other,
which invest the fungus with a sort of pile; each of these produces
several obovate spores, which may be collected in vast quantity.
In several Uredineae (U. Rosae suaveolens, Tussilaginis crassum),
the tubular processes are capable of branching, and bear a still closer
resemblance to a normal fungoid mycelium.
The spermogonia of the Uredineae are highly aromatic. It is to
them that is due the odour of Uredo suaveolens, &c.
M. Tulasne has not yet accurately investigated the germination of
the spores of the Ustilagineae. The elongated cell, which proceeds
from the spores of Ustilago antherarum, Tal., is probably analogous to
the secondary spores of Ecidium and Puccinia.
In Ustilago receptaculorum, Fin, organs, without doubt analogous
to these secondary spores, are produced from a slightly-developed
promycelium, consisting only of a few cells, but resembling that of
Ecidium Euphorbiae sylvestris, DC.


65
Remarks on Sa-rsaparilla.
By BEBTHOLD SEEMANN, Ph. D., F.L.Sfit
A PERUSAL of the various treatises on sarsaparilla tends to confirm
the soundness of a remark made by Sir William Hooker, that those
plants most useful to mankind are generally the least known botani-
cally. Even Pereira, with all his industry and research, could give
in his ‘Elements of Materia Medica and Therapeutics’ (London,
1850) but an unsatisfactory account of the botanical sources of the
various sorts of sarsaparilla ; and I well remember, that in the
last conversation which I had with that great pharmacologist, he
expressed an ardent wish that some competent person might be
induced to investigate this perplexing subject. I am not vain enough
to look upon myself as the “competent person” to whom Pereira
Wished to assign the investigation ; and if the settlement of the ques-
tion depended upon the opinion of great authorities, I would not have
ventured to meddle with it; but, as it has solely to be decided by the
simple elucidation of facts, I have made an honest attempt to cut the
knot, the untying of which has been so often tried in vain.
M. de Warszewicz, during his last visit to the Volcano of Chiri-
qui, in Veraguas, collected specimens of a sarsaparilla, which he
transmitted to Mr. Daniel Hanbury, who submitted them to me for
determination. After a careful examination, I pronounced them to
belong to Smilax officinalis of Humboldt and Bonpland; but, as
Smilax ofiicinalis, H. et 19., had been described from imperfect mate-
rials, Mr. D. Hanbury made, during a sojourn in Paris, a tracing of
the original specimens from which the two botanists drew up their
description. This tracing agreed in every essential point with the
specimens from the Volcano of Chiriqui, and left in my mind no
doubt that I had named them correctly. A fortunate coincidence
confirmed this view. When M. de Warszewicz lately visited Bajor-
que, in New Granada, the place where Humboldt and Bonpland
obtained their Smilax ofiicinalis, he took the precaution to collect
specimens of the sarsaparilla of that locality (where, by the bye, it
has now become very scarce), which, in November, 1853, he placed
in the hands of Mr. D. Hanbury, through whose kindness I was able
to identify them, not only with Smilax officinalis of Humboldt and
Bonpland, but also with the specimens collected on the Volcano of
* Read before the Linnean Society, December 6, 1853.
VOL. V. K
66
Chiriqui. Having now a thorough knowledge of the Smilax which
Humboldt and Bonpland named S. officinalis, I began to examine the
different species considered allied to it. The first one attracting my
notice was Smilax papyracea of Poiret. On this species Mr. Robert
Bentley had, in April, 1853, published an able article in the ‘ Phar-
maceutical Journal ;’ and applying to that author for additional infor-
mation, he, like a true man of science, most cheerfully granted my
request, and willingly allowed me to examine the specimens which
served as materials for his article. A critical examination of them
convinced me, what I had already anticipated from comparing Bent—
ley’s description with the specimens of S. officinalis in my possession,
and Poiret’s diagnosis of S. papyracea, that Smilax papyracea and S.
oflicinalis were identical. The second species arresting my attention
was Smilax medica of Schlechtendal and Chamisso. This species
has been well described, and a tolerably good figure of it has been
published, by Nees ; a close comparison of which with Smilax papy-
racea and S. officinalis proved it to be identical with them ; so that
the three names, S. officinalis, H. et B., S. papyracea, Pain, and S.
medica, Oham. et Schlecht., are synonymes of one species, a fact easily
accounted for, when it is considered that the roots, stem, branches,
and foliage from which the chief characters of these three supposed '
species had been derived are more variable than those who make spe-
cies in their closets are apt to think.
Having now shown what number of synonymes belong to the true
S. officinalis, I proceed to give an account of the plant itself, in order
to prevent botanists from making similar mistakes to those they have
already committed. Smilax offcinalis grows on the slopes of moun-
tains, to an elevation of 5000 feet above the sea, and is confined, as
far as we at present know, to the Continent of South America, where
it ranges between the 20th degree of North and the 6th degree of South
latitude, and the llOth and the 40th degrees of West longitude.
Jamaica, whence so great a portion of sarsaparilla used is annually
obtained, does not produce any itself, as has been well ascertained;
the article known by the name of “ Jamaica sarsaparilla” is merely
imported into that island from the Spanish main, and afterwards ship—
ped for Europe and the United States of America. Nor are there any
authentic data for believing that S. officinalis occurs in any other
island of the West Indies, although such a distribution would be by
no means an unlikely one.
The rhizome (chump) of the plant is cylindrical, and the roots (the
sarsaparilla of commerce), abounding, according to age and the place
67
they grow in, more or less in starch, are as much as ten feet long, and
generally furnished with branched rootlets (beards). The plant itself
is in every part glabrous, and averages fifty feet in length. The stem
is quadrangular, furrowed or striated, and on the edges clad with flat
prickles, which are occasionally curved upwards. The branches are,
like the stem, quadrangular, or often multangular, and either with or
without prickles. The petiole, sheathing at the base, is furnished with
two spirally twisted tendrils, which are often ten inches long, and
either with prickles or destitute of them. The leaves are extremely
variable; at times they are broadly cordate, almost trilobed, gradually
tapering into an acumen; at others they are ovate-oblong, and even
lanceolate and rounded at the apex, but always mucronate ; they are
generally 5-nerved, the two outermost nerves being mostly bifurcated,
all the nerves being prominent on the under surface of the leaves,
acutely edged and often furnished with prickles ; the colour of the
leaves is dark green, the under surface being a shade paler than the
upper, but never glaucous, like many other species of Smilax; the
length of the leaves varies from two inches to one foot, and the breadth
(at the base) from one to six inches; in thickness they vary conside-
rably, being either coriaceous or more or less paper-like, and they
have, moreover, in the latter case, transparent lineolar dots. The
peduncles are axillary and solitary, somewhat flattened, and they hear
an umbella composed of about sixteen flowers. The flowers are still
unknown. The berries are round and red, and‘ of the size of a
small cherry, or even smaller than that. Each berry contains from
two to three plano-convex seeds, of a light brown colour.
Botanists, competent to judge of the true limits of species, are not
likely to raise any objection to my uniting Smilax oflicinalis with S.
papyracea and S. medica; but pharmacologists, unless supplied with
the strongest proofs, will probably be disinclined to adopt the views I
have advanced. They regard the different commercial sorts as essen-
tially distinct from each other, and lay great stress upon certain cha-
racters, which, however striking to a superficial observer, are of little
or no importance, botanically speaking. For instance, the so-called
Lisbon or Brazilian sarsaparilla, that which comes to us in rolls about
three feet long, is chiefly distinguished by having fewer rootlets, or
beards, than that termed “ Jamaica sarsaparilla ; ” and as the beards
contain a great amount of matter for extract, it is on that account of less
value in the market. But, if the roots of the Lisbon sarsaparilla are
examined, it is plainly seen that the rootlets have been removed by
some rough mechanical process, and that all the places where the
68
rootlets have been are clearly discernible, proving that the roots when
gathered had as much heard as the sort usually received as Jamaica
sarsaparilla, and making it probable that if the merchant buying up
this Zarza in various parts of Brazil, would but inform the collectors
that by preserving the heard they would not only save themselves
much unnecessary trouble, but increase the weight and the commer-
cial value of the roots they dig up, we should soon get all our “Jamaica”
sarsaparilla from Brazil, and in a few years have difficulty in obtaining
even a specimen of what is now termed “ Lisbon sarsaparilla.”
But the chief distinction which pharmacologists make between the
various commercial sorts of sarsaparilla is that of “ mealy ” and “ non-
mealy.” Mealy (sarsaparilla: farinosae seu amylaceae) are called those
sorts in which there is, just below the outer cortical layer, a mealy
coat, of greater or less thickness ; and non-mealy (sarsaparillae non-fari-
nosae seu non-amylaceae), those which fare either wholly destitute of
any meal, 01' have a very thin mealy coat. This distinction, it must
he confessed, is not a nice one, and would not be admitted by a logi-
cal thinker; but the very fact that it is adopted by a great body of
pharmacologists is sufficient to invite criticism. It might be advanced
as an a priori argument, that roots of two individual plants, though
they may be mealy in the one and non-mealy in the other, need there-
fore not necessarily belong to two distinct species; and that he who has
the misfortune to eat the waxy potatoes of Kamtschatka, is not justi-
fied in considering them different in species from the mealy ones he
may have the privilege of tasting at the table of an English gentle-
man ; but I will dispense with that argument, and merely confine
myself to stating, that the presence or absence of meal in sarsaparillas
depends, it would seem, upon age, and the locality in which the roots
are collected,———that the formation of starch is probably entirely regu-
lated by physical circumstances. Anybody opening a bundle of
Jamaica sarsaparilla, may pick out as many roots as he chooses being
mealy at one end and non-mealy at another. We have here the clearest
evidence that one and the same root assumes different characters of
internal structure, and, as a matter of course, external appearance.
This fact ought to convince any unprejudiced mind that the distinc-
tion alluded to is not tenable; but, to furnish still another proof, I will
allude to Bentley’s specimens of Guatemala sarsaparillafl6 The roots
of those specimens are generally as mealy as any that are known; yet
* This sort, after having been dyed, is sold by Mr. Keating, No. 79, St. Paul’s;
Church-yard, London, under the name of “red Paraguan sarsaparilla;” and was
exhibited in the Great Exhibition, Sub-class II. No. 102.
69
not only do we find them at times destitute of starch, but they are,
without doubt, botanically identical with Smilax officinalis, H et B.
I am aware that the form of the cells of the nucleus-sheath of the
roots has been considered by physiologists as furnishing good marks
of distinction between lthe sarsaparillas of Central America and those
of South America; and Schleiden declares that he can readily distin-
guish them microscopically. But this theory does not seem to rest
on any safe foundation. Let Mr. Bentley narrate what he saw :—
“ When examined by the microscope the cells of the inner cortical
layers are found to contain bundles of acicular raphides, and a large
number of the starch granules already described. The pith also is
found commonly to contain a number of similar starch granules. The
breadth of the pith is usually from one to one and a-half, or perhaps
a little more, that of the woody zone. In this respect it resembles the
Honduras sarsaparilla, and, according to Schleiden, also all those sorts
of sarsaparilla which are obtained from Central America. The cells
of the liber, or, as it is called by Schleiden, the nucleus sheath, are
elongated radially or from within outwards, and have walls which are
thicker on the inner than the outer side. In this respect it resembles
the South American and Mexican sarsaparillas, which Schleiden says
always present this peculiarity. This microscopical appearance is
remarkable, because, according to Schleiden, the Honduras and all
the Central American sorts of sarsaparilla are characterized by having
the cells of the nucleus sheath either square or somewhat elongated
transversely, and all their walls of nearly equal thickness, and he
believes that he can distinguish Central American from South Ame-
rican and Mexican sarsaparillas from the appearances thus presented,
combined with the different relative proportions of the woody layer
and the pith already alluded to. But if this be true generally (which,
so far as my experience goes, is not absolutely the case, having
observed some sorts of Brazilian sarsaparilla in which the cells of the
nucleus sheath were elongated somewhat in a direction from within
outwards, and so far therefore agreeing generally with the anatomy of
South American sarsaparillas according to Schleiden, but yet had
their outer and inner walls of nearly equal thickness, and thus agree-
ing with the Honduras variety), it is certainly not true in the present
sort, for here we have a Central American sarsaparilla which agrees.
with Schleiden’s arrangement generally as regards the relative pro-
portions of pith and woody layer, but differs from it in the cells of the
nucleus sheath being elongated from within outwards or radially, and
having walls which are thicker on the inner than the outer side.”
70
I may, therefore, safely conclude that the greater portion of sarsa-
parilla is the produce of one species of Smilax ; and that species is S.
oflicinalis, H. et B. (S. papyracea, Poir., S. medica, C'ham. et Schleoht.)
But I do not wish it to be believed that, by showing the identity of
these three supposed species, I intend to abolish the commercial dis-
tinctions now so universally acknowledged in the sarsaparilla trade. As
long as the Brazilians continue to strip the roots of their beard, and
put them up in the same long rolls as they now do, there will always
be Lisbon sarsaparilla in the market; as long as the inhabitants of the
Spanish main continue to preserve the rootlets, we shall have Jamaica
sarsaparilla; and as long as the climate and other physical circum-
stances of Guatemala remain unchanged, we shall always receive from
that locality sarsaparilla distinguished by its abundance of starchy
matter !
Additional Note.
After the foregoing paper had been read at the Linnean Society, an
animated discussion ensued, which brought to light several interesting
facts bearing upon the question brought forward. Mr. Wallace
remarked, that during the whole of his travels on the Amazon and
Rio Negro he had never seen the sarsaparilla growing; and he
believed that that plant was solely confined to the slopes of moun-
tains, and not to be met with in alluvial soil. “ The Indians,” he
continued, “ of the region explored by me never employ the sarsapa-
rilla medicinally ; and they cannot conceive what the Europeans do
with the enormous quantities of the drug annually passing down the
Amazon.” “ The medicinal properties of the sarsaparilla,” said Dr.
J. D. Hooker, “ are still a subject open to great discussion. In gene-
ral, physicians set little or no value upon the drug, while surgeons
ascribe to it highly beneficial powers. I myself have taken sarsapa-
rilla when I was ill, and it has done me no good; and again I have
taken it when I was quite well, and have experienced no ill effects
from it. With regard to the synonymes united with Smilax officina-
lis by Dr. Seemann, I may remark that I do not think they will be
objected to by botanists who take a broad and comprehensive view of
the vegetable kingdom. But, unfortunately, the number of such men
is small, compared with those who, to the greatest disadvantage to
science, multiply the synonymes by giving new names to every form
that happens to be so unlucky as to assume periodically a feature
different from the specimen which served as type of the original
71
diagnosis of the plant to which it belongs. I see in my mind’s eye
a state of confusion coming over systematic botany, such as was
never witnessed in any branch of science; and I think it is the duty
of every one who has the advancement of Phytology at heart, to
oppose, by every means in his power, the lamentable condition which
threatens to beset us. The opposition to the views advanced in the
paper read anticipated fi'om pharmacologists, will probably be more
severe than that which Dr. Seemann has reason to expect from his
botanical fellow-labourers. I will, therefore, mention a case hearing
an analogy to the one above described. Pteris aquilina of England and
Pteris esculenta of New Zealand differ from each other, in the root of
the former being almost destitute of starchy matter, while that of the
latter has an abundance of starch. Believing, as I do, that Pteris
aquilina is the same all over the world, and that Pteris esculenta of
New Zealand is specifically identical with P. aquilina of England, I
account for the abundant development of starch in one locality, and
its almost total absence in the other, by assuming that the physical
constitution of New Zealand is more favourable to the development
of am ylaceous matter in Pteris aquilina than that of England; and in
a similar manner does Dr. Seemann seem to account for the mealy
and non-mealy sarsaparillas.”
BERTHOLD SEEMANN.
Kew, February 15, 1854.


An Account of the Liohens qf Cleveland, with their Localities.
By WILLIAM MUDD, Esq.
HAVING perused the pages of the ‘ Phytologist’ for some time, and
observed the paucity of contributions towards the lichens of this
country, it has occurred to me that a list of the species found in that
part of Yorkshire called Cleveland would not be uninteresting.
Before proceeding with the list, it will be necessary to take a glance
at the arrangement of the genera. That of Acharius has been gene-
rally adopted by lichenologists in this country. However, it seems
probable, from the investigations that have lately been instituted, that
this celebrated system will, like the more general one of Linneus, be
wholly abandoned; and in its room every writer upon lichens has
proposed a new one of his own, of which, in truth, it may be said that
it is impossible at present to say which will be adopted.
72
Owing to the unsettled state of the nomenclature, I have thought it
necessary to refer the reader to works where they will find them either
figured or described.
Sphcerophoron coralloides, a.1axum, Turn. and Borr. E. Bot.
115. Sandstone rocks on Ayton Moor, Kildale Moor, &c.
Sphterophoron coralloides, B. caespitosum, Turn. and Borr. E.
Bot. 2474. Rocks at High Cliff; Guisbro’ Moor.
Sphcerophoron compressum, Ach. E. Bot. 114. Sandstone rocks,
Baysdale and Oggeray Gill. The pale and compressed thallus at
once distinguishes this species from the two preceding.
.Endocarpon smaragdulam, Ach. E. Bot. 1512. With us a very
abundant species on sandstone rocks, old walls, &c. Ayton Moor;
walls near Castleton.
Endocarpon smaragdnlum, Ach., var. rafo - viresoens, Leight.
Leight. Brit. Ang. Lich. plate 4, f. 4. On old walls near Roseberry;
walls near Egton.
Sagedia viriolnla, Fries. E. Bot. Suppl. after t. 2623, fig. 2. On
brick walls, Ayton and Eston.
Sagedia ochrostoma, Borr. MSS. Leight. Brit. Ang. Lich. p. 7,
fig. 4. On the plastered walls of an old barn, Ayton.
Sagedia aggregata, Fries. E. Bot. 1752. On old ash-trees, A yton;
Newton Wood.
Pertusaria communis, DC. E. Bot. 677. On old trees, Airy-
holme \Vood, Cliffrigg, &c. A very common species. '
Pertasariafallaa', Hook. E. Bot. 17 On ash-trees, Airyholme,
rare.
Thelotrema lepaolinnm, Ach. E. Bot. 678. On the bark of old
trees, Hob-hole, near Castleton; Mulgrave woods, near Whitby;
Airyholme Wood.
Verrucaria nitida, Ach., var. minor, Leight. Leight. fasc. 1, 28.
On smooth bark of ash-trees, Airyholme Wood.
Verrucaria biformis, Borr. E. Bot. Suppl. 2617, fig. 1. On the
bark of oaks and ash-trees, Airyholme Wood; Cliffrigg; Esk banks,
near Kuswarp.
Verrucaria rhyponta, Ach. E. Bot. 2597, fig. 2. On the smooth-
bark of young ash-trees, Airyholme Wood.
Verrucaria cinerea, Pers. E. Bot. 1891. On holly-bark, Newton
Wood, Easby Wood, and Baysdale.
7'3
Verrucaria epidermidis, Ach. Leight. Brit. Ang. Lich. p. 17, fig.
3. On the thin epidermis of the birch and other trees, Lounsdale;
Ayton ; near Castleton.
Verrucaria epidermiclis, B. analepta, Hook. E. Bot. 1848. On
oak-bark, Cliffrigg; Airyholme Wood.
Verrucariafasiformis, Leight. Leight. Brit. Ang. Lich. p. 18, fig,
2. On the bark of young ash-trees, top of Cliffrigg, rare.
Verrncaria gemmata, Ach. E. Bot. Suppl. 2617, fig. 2. Trunks
of trees, Airyholme Wood, rare.
Verrucaria nmbrina, Ach. E. Bot. 1499. Rocks and stones near
Ayton, Carlton, and Stokesley.
Verrncaria mutabilis, Borr. MSS. Leight. Brit. Ang. Lich. p. 24,
fig. 3. On rocks, Kildale and near Ayton. Several states of this
variable species may be met with in Cleveland, including the form
published in E. Bot. as acrotella.
Verrucaria immersa, Hoffm. Leight. Brit. Ang. Lich. p. 25, fig.
2. On basaltic rocks, Lanbraugh Rigg, rare.
Verritcaria rnpestris, Ach. Leight. Brit. Angl. Lich. p. 25, fig. 4.
On sandstone rocks, Newton Wood.
Pyrenothea leucocephala, Fries. E. Bot. Suppl. 2642, fig. 2. On
the trunks of old trees (with patellulae), Stogdale, Hob-hole, and
Oggeray Gill. With us a very abundant species !
Pyrenothea oermicellifera, Kunz. Leight. fasc. 3, 102. On the
bark of ash, holly, and maple, Ayton; Kildale; Mulgrave woods, near
Whitby.
Strigula Babingtonii, Berk. Leight. Brit. Ang. Lich. p. 30, fig. 4.
On laurel-leaves, Ormesby.
Arthonia spadicea, Leight. Leight. fasc. 3, 97. On hazel, Airy-
holme Wood; Newton \Vood; Cliffrigg.
Arthonia lucida, Ach. E. Bot. Suppl. 2692, fig. 2. On the bark
of old oaks, Oggeray Gill ; Newtown \Vood. Rather rare.
flrthonia Swartziana, Ach. E. Bot. 2079. On the smooth bark
of trees, Airyholme Wood; Cliffrigg ; Mulgrave woods, near Whitby.
Opegrapha oaria, Pers. var. notha, Ach. E. Bot. 1890. On the
bark of old trees near Guisbro’ ; Easby Wood ; near Stokesley.
Opegrapha saxatilis, DC. E. Bot. 1790. Sandstone rocks, New-
ton Wood ; Esk banks, near Egton.
Opegrapha rilpestris, Pers. “ Named by the Rev. IV. A. Leighton,
of Luciefield, Shrewsbury.” Sandstone rocks, Newton Wood, but
very rare.
Opegrapha herpetica, var. suhocellata, Ach., subvar. simplex,
VOL. V. L
‘74
Leight. “Named by the Rev. W. A. Leighton.” On the bark of'
ash-trees, Easby Wood, Airyholme Wood, Cliffrigg, &c.
Graphis scripta, Ach., var. jlea'uosa, Leight. Leight. fasc. 1, 18.
On the bark of ash~trees, Airyholme Wood; Mulgrave woods, near
Whitby.
Graphis scripta, Ach., var. divaricata, Leight. On hazel, Airy-
holme \Vood.
Aalacographa elegans, Leight. E. Bot. 1812. On the smooth
bark of trees, Easby Wood, Baysdale, and Stogdale.
Platygramma Hutchinsiae, Leight. Leight. fasc. 4, 130. This
species I first detected, rather sparingly, on rocks in Newton Wood,
in 1852. Since then I have met with it in abundance on rocks in
the Beech-bank, Kildale.
Biatora mixta, Fries. E. Bot. 1735. On the bark of old oaks,
Airyholme Wood ; Cliffrig ; Esk banks, near Whitby.
Biatora prensnea, Leight. Leight. fasc. 390. On trunks of trees,
Airyholme Wood ; Easby \Vood; Mulgrave Woods, near Whitby.
Biatora raliginosa, Fries. E. Bot. 1466. Margins of the moor,
Baysdale ; sandy places on Eston Moor.
Biatora muscorum, Leight. E. Bot. 2217. On mosses and old
walls, Kildale ; Eston Moor; Esk bank, near Leatholme Bridge.
Biatora quernea, Fries. E. Bot. 485. On the rugged bark of old
oaks, Easby Wood; Guisbro’ Spa Wood; Bridle Gill, near Rose-
berry.
Biatora deoolorans, Fries. E. Bot. 1185. On the ground, high
part of Baysdale ; near West House, Kildale.
Biatora aurantiaca. E. Bot. 948. Sandstone rocks, Newton
\Vood ; walls near Ayton.
Biatora aurantiaca, var. flavo-oirescens, Schaer. Leight. fasc. 4,
119. Calcareous rocks, Broughton bank, rare.
Biatora aurantiaca, var. irrubata. E. Bot. 2245. Lecidea irru-
bata, Ach. .Q Walls at Ingleby, rather rare.
Biatora aurantiaca, var. erythrella, Leight. E. Bot. 1993. Ba-
saltic rocks, Lanbraugh Rigg ; Cliffrigg.
Biatora 'vernalis, Leight. E. Bot. 845. On the bark of old elms,
Easby Wood; Airyholme Wood; Esk bank, near Whitby.
Parmelia sale-area, Fries. E. Bot. 820. On rocks, Buck bank,
Kildale ; Broughton bank.
Parmelia scruposa, Fries. E. Bot. 266. On walls and rocks:
Lanbraugh Rigg; near West House.
75
Parmelia ferruginea, Fries. E. Bot. 1650. On rocks, Howden
Gill, Roseberry ; trees, near Easby ; Airyholme.
Parmelia nlmz'cola, Borr. E. Bot. 1426. On elm-bark, near
Easby ; and on holly, Airyholme Wood.
Parmelia sulphurea, Hoffm. Hook. Brit. Fl. ii. 181. Basaltic
rocks, Cliffrigg; Lanbraugh Rigg.
Parmelia oerina, Ach., 6%., Fries. E. Bot. 627. Ash-trees, near
Ayton; Airyholme Wood.
Parmelia murorum, Ach., var. cit'rina, Schaer. E. Bot. 1793.
Brick walls, Ayton ; Stokesley ; near Yarm.
Parmelia oentosa, Ach. E. Bot. 906. Rocks, Ayton Moor, Guis-
bro’ Moor, &c.
Parmelia Hoematomma, Ach. Hook. Brit. F]. ii. 190. Books,
High Cliff; near Cook’s monument; Ayton Moor.
Parmelia Turneri, Ach. E. Bot. 857. Trunks of old ash-trees,
Airyholme Wood ; Cliffrigg; Mulgrave woods, near \Vhitby.
Parmelia varia, Ach. E. Bot. 1666. On old posts and pales,
Lanbraugh Rigg; near Eston.
Parmelia ostreata, Fries. E. Bot. 1501. On old stumps, Newton
Wood ; old hollow trees, Oggeray Gill ; Baysdale.
Parmelia parietina, Duf., var. h. substellata, Fries. E. Bot. 1794.
On old trees, near Ayton ; near Easby.
Parmelia parietina, Duf., var. i. eoncolor, Fries. Leight. fasc. 1,
12. Old trees, near Ayton; rocks, Cliffrigg; Kildale.
Parmelia parietina, Duf., var. polycarpa. E. Bot. 17 95. On old
posts, near Stokesley; Crathorn; Yarm.
Parmelia lanuginosa, Ach. Hook. Brit. Fl. ii. 196. On rocks,
Broughton bank ; Baysdale.
Parmelia caper-ata, Ach. Hook. Brit. Fl. ii. 198. Trunks of
trees, near West House.
Parmelia conspersa, Ach. E. Bot. 2097. On rocks and stones,
on Battersby bank.
Parmelia alenrites, Ach. E. Bot. 858. On old trees, Baysdale;
Oggeray Gill; Stogdale.
Parmelia physodes, Ach. E. Bot. 126. Trunks of trees, old
walls, &c., Ayton Moor; with apothecia, on old trees, near West
House.
Sticta herbacea, Delis. E. Bot. 294. Trunks of old trees, Bays-
dale ; on moss, in Oggeray Gill.
Sticta pnlmonaria, Ach. E. Bot. 572. Trunks of old trees, Bays-
dale; Stogdale; Easby Wood.
76
Sticta scrobiculata, Ach. E. Bot. 497. Trunks of trees, and upon
rocks, Oggeray Gill.
Nephroma resupinata, Ach. E. Bot. 305. Mossy trunks of trees,
Baysdale; Oggeray Gill; Stogdale.
WILLIAM Munn.
Cleveland Lodge, Great Ayton,
February 14, 1854.
(To be continued.)


PROCEEDINGS or SOCIETIES, &c.
THE PHYTOLOGIST CLUB.
One Hundred and Fifly- fourth Sittiny.——— Saturday, February
25, 1854.——MR. NEWMAN, President, in the chair.
The President read the following communications :—
Epilobium alpinum in Wales.
“ I have accidentally overlooked a remark in the ‘ Cybele Britan-
nica’ (iii. 427), upon my recording E. alpinum and E. alsinifolium to be
found upon Snowdon. I have no specimen of either of them from
that place, and do not now know my reason for believing, in 1835,
that I had found the former on that mountain. As no other person
has recorded it from thence, I think it most probable that I made a
mistake in supposing that I had gathered it there.”-- Charles C.
Babington ; Cambridge, February 9, 1854.
Notes on new or scarce Irish Plants.
“ ‘ Ranunculus confusus, Godr.’ Bab. In pools near Cork.
Matlhiola sinuata, "Br. On steep declivities by the sea at Bally-
conigar, Co. Wexford, plentiful. First observed by John Morrison,
Esq., of Enniscorthy, who pointed it out to me in its places of growth.
Silene anglica, L. Abundant in the sandy soil about Ballyconi-
gar, J. [V].
Ornithopus perpusillus, L. With the preceding species, but scarce.
‘ Llypericum anglicum, Bert.’ Bab. in Ann. Nat. Hist. I have long
observed this plant on walls by the road under Lota Wood, Glan-
mire, Cork (which is probably Dr. Balfour’s station also); but do not
77
think it can be a native. In the ‘Flora of Cork,’ Lota Wood~is
given as a locality for several species not even naturalized in this part
of Ireland; as Atropa Belladonna, Geranium phaeum, &c. ; and our
‘ H. anglicum ’ is most likely an escape also.
Melilotus vulgaris, Willd. This plant was found by J. Morrison
growing in abundance by a newly cut road in Co. Wexford, during
two successive summers. The plant has not latterly appeared,
although the station was far removed from suspicion.
Callitriche pedunculata, DC., 8. sessilis. In a clear pool, Glanses-
kin, Co. Cork.
Sedum album, 6. turyidum, Ram. On rocks West of Queenstown,
also on Hawlbowline Island, Cork Harbour, plentiful ; discovered by
Dr. Wood, who took it for S. dasyphyllum. In its short, thick leaves,
‘foliis ovatis crassis,’ DC, of a yellow-green colour, and its short,
obtuse petals, this form differs considerably from var. a. It is, at
least, well established in the above stations.
Saxifraga stellaris, L. On the wet rocks of Hungry Hill, Co.
Cork, a var. of this occurs which differs from the usual state, in its
great size, stouter habit, tall and much-branched panicle, with leaves
very patent and hirsute.
Saa'ifraga hirsuta, Fl. Hib. Hag’s Glen and Devil’s Ladder, Car-
rantuel, Co. Kerry, Aug. 1853. Flowers yellowish white, large.
Galium boreale, L. Bog near Clonmel, Miss S. Grubb.
‘ Hieracium strictum, Fr.’ Head of Glenmalur, Co. Wicklow,
Aug. 1852.
‘ Hieracium corymbosum, Fr.’ With H. strictum.
Senecio Saracenicus, L. In two places near Stradbally, Queen’s
Co., apparently wild, Thomas Chandlee.
Diotis maritima, Cass. Amongst boulders on the strand at Tra-
more, \Vaterford, Aug. 1850.
Inula crithmoides, L. Rocks at Tramore, abundant.
Cicendiafiliformis, Reich. Near Bantry, Glengariff, and Castle-
town, Berehaven, July and Aug. 1853.
Linaria minor, Desf. Waste ground near Carlow, J. Morrison.
In gardens at Sunday’s Well and Summer Hill, Cork, frequent.
Mentha piperita, L. Roadside near Ballitore, Kildare. Drain in
Co. Cork, between Carrigaline and the sea, Sept. 1851.
Statice Bahusiensis, Fr. Common about Cork Harbour, where it
has been taken for S. Limonium, L.
Statice binervosa, G. E. Sm., S. spathulata, Auct. Tramore,
Waterford, T. Chandlee.
78
Polyyonum Bistorta, L. \Voods near Stradbally, Queen’s Co., T.
Chandlee.
Polyyonum mite, Schrank. Marsh near Ballincollig Castle, Cork,
Sept. 1853.
Salim ambiyua, Ehrh. Near Glengariff, and at Dunboy, Bere-
haven.
Salim herbacea, L. Crevices of the slate rocks, summit of Sugar-
loaf Mountain, Glengariff, July, 1853.
Ophrys muscifera, Huds. Bog between Ballitore and Athy, Co.
Kildare, T. Chandlee.
Juncus acutus, L. Curacloa, Co. Wexford, J. Morrison.
Carea' extensa. Good. Bantry Bay, July, 1853. Frequent around
Cork Harbour.
Caress punctata, Gaud. Shore at Glengariff, rare ; in greater
quantity, but dwarfed, near Dunboy, Berehaven; July and August,
1853.
Careacfulva, Good., 8. Hornschuchiana, Hoppe. Sugar-loaf Moun-
tain, near the summit.
Bromus commutatus, Schrad. Fields near F ermoy, T. Chandlee.
Bromus Madritensis, L., B. diandrus, Curt. By the river at Car-
rick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, llfiss S. Grubb.
T richomanes radicans, Sw., T. speciosum, Auct. Under a shelf of
rocks near the summit of Carrigeena, Kildorrery, N. of Co. Cork, at
an elevation of about 1000 or 1200 feet, May, 1852.
Isoetes lacustris, L. Lake at Gongaunebarra, July, 1853.
I searched in vain for Subularia aguatica, which had been found
in this locality, as well as the Isoetes, by Professor Harvey.”
—J. Carrol ; February, 1854.
On the Locality for Trifolium resupinatum, L., near Bristol.
“ Several botanists, during the past summer, having carefully sought
the neighbourhood of Bristol for Trifolium resupinatum, induces me
to record the following note in the ‘ Phytologist :’—-
“Mr. Drummond, while staying in Bristol during the summer of
1830, discovered, in the marshes about two miles below Shirehamp-
ton, Trifolium resupinatum, a specimen of which he presented to his
friend Sir W. Hooker, and also to his friend Mr. Smith, an intelligent
botanist, residing at Shirehampton; but previously to his leaving
Bristol he conducted Mr. Smith to the meadow, in order that he
might again seek it the following year, but was never able to find
the least trace of the plant. In 1837, Mr. Smith kindly directed me
79
to the spot; and in July, 1839, Mr. Babington and myself carefully
searched the locality, but were equally unsuccessful; and, having
since visited the meadow every summer for the last ten years, I am
fully satisfied that the plant is now lost by drainage. Mr. Smith,
shortly before his death, informed me that it was never found in abun-
dance, as it had been erroneously reported: but two or three speci-
mens were all that Mr. Drummond ever met with. He had strong
reasons for believing the plant to have been introduced.”—T. B.
Flower ; Seend, near Melksham, February, 1854.
Coronopus didyma, DC.
“ In the ‘ Cybele’ a question is asked, whether this plant is native
or introduced to the neighbourhood of Bristol. I should almost be
inclined to say it was introduced, having observed it, always near bal-
last, in the neighbourhood for upwards of twenty years.”——I d.
Lathyrus latifolius, L.
“ Mr. Anderson thinks this plant undoubtedly wild in Stapleton
quarries, near Bristol. It has recently been stated to be only a broad-
leaved form of L. sylvestris with smooth, compressed seeds, and not
the tubercular and wrinkled seeds of L. latifolius. Mr. Swete, who,
I believe, is compiling a Flora of Bristol and its neighbourhood, will,
doubtless, ascertain this fact, for future reference. And I may here
take this opportunity of remarking, that the Flora of Bristol requires
a careful examination and study, which it will, doubtless, receive from
the above gentleman, and not, as it frequently happens, be a mere
compilation from dubious authority, which would only tend to mislead
rather than instruct the resident and non-resident botanist, and at the
same time be utterly without value in a scientific point of view.”—Id.
Phleum asperum, J acq.
“ This_is recorded to grow at Kingsweston, near Bristol. I have
repeatedly sought for this plant, without finding it. Mr. Smith, of
Shirehampton, who cultivated it for many years in his garden, told
me that he had frequently looked over every spot of ground in the
neighbourhood where this grass was likely to be met with, for many
seasons ; and was fully convinced that it is not now found in the loca-
lity indicated. It is also stated, in the ‘ English Flora,’ to grow in
Badminton Park, near the Lodge ; and it would be well if any resi-
dent botanist would verify this locality during the ensuing summer,
and inform us near which of the lodges it is to be found, there being
80
several by which the Park can be entered. Mr. H. C. Watson, in his
‘ Cybele,’ states that this species may, perhaps, have been passed
over as P. arenarium ; and it would be worth while carefully to exa-
mine any alleged inland localities for the latter, on the chance of find-
ing P. asperum with it or instead of it.”-—-Id.
On the Yorkshire Locality for Anacharis alsinastrum, Bab.
“ Perhaps it may be worth while to note, to prevent any chance of
misapprehension, that the Yorkshire station for this plant mentioned
in last month’s ‘Phytologist’ (v. 55), via, a pond below the bridge
over the Wiske at Kirby Wiske, near Thirsk, is precisely the same
that was recorded Phytol. iv. 365; and that in Phytol. iv. 721, I
explained when and in what manner it had been introduced. At my
last visit, about three months ago, it seemed scarcely to have spread
beyond the limits of the pond in which it was originally planted.”—
John G. Baker ,- Thirsk, February, 1854.
A Supplement to the ‘ Flora of Yorkshire.’
“ A Supplement to Baines’s ‘ Flora of Yorkshire ’ is in preparation,
and will most likely be ready for publication in the course of a few
weeks. Any information relative to the rarer plants of the county,
especially if they are not included in the original work or the ‘ Cybele
Britannica,’ will be thankfully received, by either Mr. Baines or
myself.”——Id. '
Ophioylossum lusitanicum.
The President made the following communication :—
“ I have much pleasure in being able to add this little fern to the
British Flora. It has just been discovered, in some abundance, by
Mr. George Wolsey, in the Island of Guernsey. It occurs, amid short
and very level herbage sloping towards the South, on the summit of
rocks on the South coast of the Island, and not far from Petit Bot
Bay. On this elevated down are a few scattered and stunted furze-
bushes, and around these the grass is, as usual, somewhat longer;
and here the little adder’s-tongue is not quite so minute as on the
level turf, where it scarcely attains an inch in length. It grows in
company with Trichonema Columnae and Scilla autumnalis, and on
the 17th of January was in full fruit. The very early fructification,
and the minute size, of this species will readily account for its not
having been previously observed; and may also suggest the possibi-
lity of its existing undiscovered in similar situations on‘the sea-coast
81
of Cornwall. I am indebted to the discoverer for a supply of living
and dried specimens.”
Devonshire Station for Lythrum hyssopifolium.
“ I do not know whether any Devonshire station is recorded for
Lythrum hyssopifolium ; and it may he therefore worth while to
mention that I met with it early last October, growing, for the space
of a few yards, on the lower and moister part of a carriage-drive lead-
ing to Park House, Budleigh Saltern, South Devon. The plants were
mostly small, and either had never flowered, or had lost all trace of
having done so ; they were confined to the left-hand side of the road.
I had for years earnestly, but vainly, desired to meet with this Lyth-
rum, and now stumbled upon it by the purest accident. If the ground,
which has, I believe, passed into new hands, should not have been
seriously disturbed before next summer, some botanist visiting the
locality earlier in the season may chance to find it in blossom.” [ See
Cyb. Brit. iii. 430.] -—-Anna Russell; Clarendon Villa, Kenilworth,
February 17, 1854.
B ifid Ferns.
“ I would also mention, with reference to two notices of bifid ferns,
by Messrs. Piquet and Gissing, which have appeared in the late
numbers of the ‘Phytologist,’ that on crossing the Grampians, last
June, between Glen Shee and Braemar, I found a most luxuriant plant
of Aspidium Lonchitis with one bifid frond, and one only, though
there must have been at least from twenty to thirty others on the
same root. The specimens were larger than any I had ever seen,
many fronds, and the divided one among the number, being seventeen
inches in length. The cleft was about two inches deep.”——Id.
Laminaria lonyicruris.
“ A notice of the occurrence here of this plant appeared in one of
the numbers of the ‘ Phytologist ’ for 1851. It appears from the date
attached to my specimen, that in place of being the third in order
found upon the British coast, as I then supposed, it must stand as the
second, and in one sense as the first ; which, though in some respects
0f no great moment, is yet of some importance as a matter of accu-
racy. The following I believe to be the order of dates :——Orkney,
1838; Gamrie, May, 1850; Ayrshire, July, 1850; Ireland, August
1850.”—-Georye Harris ,- Gamrie, Banfishire.
VOL. V.._ M
82
Adiantum Capillus- Veneris on Cheddar Clifs.
“ Observing in a late number of the ‘Phytologist’ the recorded
occurrence of Adiantum Capillus-Veneris near Bath, I beg to corro-
borate the fact of the existence of that fern in Somersetshire, having
myself, in the year 1851, found a plant or two of it on moist rocks in
the neighbourhood of Cheddar. I dried a few specimens, but left the
roots uninjured; and, as they are in an out-of-the-way situation, I
trust I may find them still there on my next visit to Somersetshire.”
——-William Henry Hawker; Horndean, Hants, February 6, 1854.
BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH.
January 12th, 1854.—Professor Balfour, President, in the chair.
Donations to the Society’s Library and Herbarium.
Donations were announced, from Dr. Anderson; Dr. Senoner, of
Vienna; Mr. Moore, of Glasnevin, Irish plants, including Naias flex-
ilis, Equiestum Moorii of Newman, Potamogeton longifolius, Erica
mediterranea, var., &c.
Exhibitions.
Dr. Balfour exhibited a remarkable specimen of Hypnum cirrho-
sum, Schw., which had been sent to him by the Rev. Mr. Nisbet, as
having been gathered in Balur, North Uist.
Mr. G. Lawson exhibited specimens of Bryum warneum from the
Tents Muir Sands, on the east coast of Fife, where it was discovered
by Mr. W. M. Ogilvie, on the 27th of August last. It was associated
with Bryum caespititium, to which it bears a resemblance. The spe-
cies is new to Britain, and appears to be rare on the Continent. It
is described and figured by Bruch and Schimper in the ‘ Bryologia
Europaea,’ fasc. vi.
The following papers were read :—
Diatomacere in the Mall Deposit.
‘On Diatomaceae found in the Mull Deposit;’ by Professor Gre-
gory.
Having continued the study of this deposit for more than a year,
Professor Gregory detected in it more than 150 species, a number
83
three times as large as has hitherto been observed in any other de-
posit. Of these, he mentioned on the present occasion about 140, of
which about 120 were known and admitted already as British species.
The following species were new to Britain, but figured by conti-
nental authors : —— Epithemia gibberula, Eunotia depressa, Kutz., E.
Camelus, E. bigibba, Kutz., Himantidium exigerum, Breb., Navicula
Trochus, Ehr., N. laevissima, Cocconema gibbum. Figures of these
species were exhibited, and in the case of Eunotia bigibba nine re-
markable varieties were figured.
The following species were described and figured as new to sci-
ence :-—Eunotia incisa, Pinnularia latestriata, P. undulata, P. exigera,
P. tenuis, P. parva, Stauroneis rectangularis, Navicula apiculata,
Smith, Cymbella tumens, Gomphonema Brebissonii? G. Hebridense.
Professor Gregory then directed attention to the remarkable varia-
tions of a form which had been referred by Mr. Smith to his Pinnu-
laria divergens, but, as found in the Mull earth, had more than double
the number of striae which belong to that species. It occurs in
several very striking varieties, and the conjecture was thrown out, that
it is in reality not P. divergens, but a distinct species, including P.
stauroneiformis, P. interrupta, and P. mesolepta of Smith, as well as
what he took for P. divergens in the Mull deposit.
Some remarks were then made on the value of generic and specific
characters in the classification of the Diatomacew. It was shown
that the genera Cymbella and Cocconema, Eunotia and Himantidium,
seem to be respectively separated on insufficient grounds. In regard
to specific characters, it was pointed out that while certain species
vary almost ad infinitum, others exhibit a remarkable degree of per-
manence. Examples of the former are Eunotia triodon, E. bigibba,
Himantidium bidens, H. undulatum, Pinnularia divergens, and others;
of the latter Eunotia tetraodon, E. Diadema, Navicula Trochus, N.
serians, N. rhomboides, Pinnularia alpina, and others. It was shown
that these very characters of permanence and variableness might be
usefully employed as specific characters, and that viewed in thislight,
both of them afford strong proof of the real existence of species as
natural divisions.
Professor Gregory announced that he had still several new forms
found in this deposit to describe on some future occasion, and that he
was engaged in the study of other deposits; in all of which he had
already found species hitherto overlooked, and among these several
of the new forms above named.
84
Specimens of the Mull deposit were exhibited under the micro-
scope, as well as specimens of the deposit in its natural state, and of
the polishing powder obtained from it.
Desmarestz'a Dresnag/i 0n the Coast of Ireland.
‘ On the occurrence of Desmarestia Dresnayi on the Coast of Ire-
land? by W. Sawers, Esq., Loudouderry. Communicated by Dr.
Greville.
In a letter to Professor Balfour, Mr. Sawers stated, “ I have great
pleasure in sending you specimens of an Alga, new to the shores of
the United Kingdom. Specimens having been sent to Dr. Montague of
Paris, Member of the French Institute, by Dr. Laudsborough and the
Rev. M. J. Berkeley, Dr. Montague writes, that he gathered the same
plant at Fort St. Sebastian, Spain, in 1823, and published a descrip-
tion of it, with a plate, in 1842, in the ‘ Annales des Sciences N am-
relles,’ naming it Desmarestia pinuatiuervia, and that it has been got
by M. Crouan, at Brest, though rarely. Crouan makes it a variety of
Desmarestia Dresnayi, but Montague maintains the distiuctness of his
species, and retains his name D. piunatinervia. I got the young
fronds floating early in August at Molville, near the mouth of Loch
Foyle, and have visited the locality frequently since, always getting a
number of specimens, the great majority imperfect, being eaten by
mollusks, &c. When fresh, it has the colour of a Lamiuaria, but is
not so glutinous to the feel, and thinner. The root is a disk, and
sometimes two or three fronds arise from the same disk; in some
cases they are slightly proliferous where the margin has been injured.
The frond is from 12 to 18 inches long, and 2 to 4 inches in breadth.
The lateral nervelets are forked as in the frond of a fern.”
Dr. Greville was of opinion that the plant must be referred to D.
Dresnayi. He read a description of it, and exhibited a drawing,
both of which will appear in the Society’s ‘Transactious.’
Flora qf the Vosges.
‘ Remarks on the Flora of the Vosges ;’ by Dr. Dubuc.
Dr. Dubuc presented a parcel of plants received from Dr. Mougeot,
to which his remarks had reference. He stated that the principal
mountains of the Vosges were about 120 miles in extent, and run
parallel to the Rhine, consisting chiefly of dome-shaped swelling hills,
turfed on the top. Formerly they abounded in forests, but many of
them are now bare. The highest summit of the Vosges does not
exceed 4693 feet; their tops are generally formed of red and gray
85
sandstone, mixed with red and green argyllo-micaceous schists cover—
ing calcareous beds.
The comparatively southern situation of the Vosges on the conti-
nent, and their distance from the sea, necessarily produce a notable
difference between their climate and that of the Highlands of Scot-
land. The winters in the Vosges are generally more severe, but the
summers are warmer, especially in the numerous valleys by which
they are intersected. There is also a considerable difference between
the Flora of the Vosges and that of Scotland. 0f1600 phaneroga-
mous plants found in the Vosges, 260 are species not found in
Scotland, whilst in Scotland about 190 species are found which do not
belong to the Vosges. Ferns are abundant in the Vosges, and some of
them on the tops of the mountains, as Allosorus crispus, which occurs
on the summit of the Ballou ; but the total number of species (30) is
less than that of Scotland (40). Dr. Dubuc read a list of the plants
sent by Dr. Mougeot, and pointed out the characteristic genera of the
Vosges and Scotland respectively.
He also read a letter from Dr. Mougeot, in which he mentioned that
the fourteenth century of his collection of eryptogamic plants of the
Vosges was ready.
Carer): pzedg'fo'rmis, &c.
‘On Carex paediformis and other new Austrian plants;’ by Dr.
Adolph Seuoner.
This communication accompanied a large parcel of Austrian plants,
and contained remarks on some of the more interesting of them.
Dr. Seuoner particularly called attention to Carex paediformis,
Mag/er, discovered during last summer in Hungary by Professor
Harzlinziky, an interesting addition to the Austrian Flora. It grows
upon limestone. There were also many new species from Dr. Schrer,
who had at length resolved upon publishing a Flora of Transylvania.
Aldrovauda Faohinia, Saxifraga Fachinia, &c., were among the other
plants remarked upon.
Dr. Seuoner expressed a wish to exchange land and fresh—water
shells and ants with British naturalists for which he would be glad to
return Coleopterous and other insects or plants.
State of the Society’s Herbarium.
‘ Report on the State of the Society’s herbarium ;’ by Dr. Ander-
son, Curator.
“ Since the last report on the state of the herbarium was read.
86
great progress has been made towards the complete arrangement of
the collection.
“ Last autumn, the cabinets and their contents, with the exception
of those containing the British plants, were removed to a commodious
room in the new Museum at the Botanic Garden.
“ The Society’s collection of British plants, which still remains in
the Society’s rooms at the University, is now, by the labours of Mr.
Lawson, in a most perfect state, and will prove a valuable aid to those
who may be studying critical species, or the geographical distribution
of plants in the British Isles. The European herbarium is also in a
most satisfactory condition, but in consequence of the absence of our
diligent member, Mr. Blackie, its arrangement is not yet quite per-
fect. The collection is one of great extent, comprising plants from
nearly all the countries of Europe. During the last year it has been
enriched by valuable contributions from Spain and Portugal, and by a
very complete set of Scandinavian plants, from Professor Blytt, of
Christiana, one of the Society’s foreign members. The Asiatic por-
tion of the collection, the most extensive and perhaps the most
valuable of the whole, is now not far from being finished. This col-
lection, I have said, is very extensive ; it consists principally of plants
from the East Indies, with a few from Arabia and Syria, part of the
collection left to the Society by Mr. Christy. The Indian plants
have been collected by such illustrious men as Roxburgh, Wallich,
and “fight, also by the Countess of Dalhousie, Dr. Cleghoru, Captain
Campbell, and Dr. Jameson, of the Company’s Gardens at Saharun-
pore. By the labours of Dr. Cleghorn and myself, the naming and
arranging of the species have advanced to the Orchidaceae, but still
much has to be done in the way of revision, &c. The Society’s
collection is rather rich in African plants, of which a considerable
number of species is from the Cape of Good Hope, some named, but
the greater part undetermined. They are nearly all glued down.
“ The Society have also a large and good collection of plants from
America, principally from North America, contributed by Dr. Gavin
Watson of Philadelphia, Mr. James M‘Nab, and Dr. Philip Maclagan.
Some of them are already glued, and the whole collection is ready to
undergo this process.
“ The number of South American plants (rarities in all herbaria) is
small. Within the last two years the amount has, however, been
increased by very valuable parcels from Mr. Spruce, a collector in the
northern provinces of South America. Since last report a consider-
87
able collection of Australian plants has been purchased. Before this
there were' few plants from that country in the herbarium.
“ As regards the number of species in the herbarium, I fear I can
give almost no correct statement until a catalogue is formed. From
what I have said regarding the state of the various collections, it will
be evident to all that it is such as not to admit of a list being drawn
up at present.
“ In concluding this Report, allow me, Sir, to congratulate the
Society on the flourishing condition of its herbarium; and also to
request that the younger members will come forward and assist in
completing its arrangement. There is still much to do, and we only
require workers; and lastly, I would remind any of our members
that may go abroad, that though far removed from us and our meet-
ings, they are still members, and as such they should remember the
interests of the Society and its herbarium, and as a proof I would,
as Curator of the Museum, request them to send home specimens of
the plants occurring in their respective localities.”
Election of Fellows.
The following candidates were balloted for and duly elected :—
Ordinary Resident Fellows : John Kirk, Esq., 11, Lothiau Street; J ohn
Lowe, Esq., 13, South Frederick Street; Mohammed Ali Soubki,
Esq., 46, Minto Street; Mustapha Mustapha, Esq., 15, Argyll Square;
Mohammed Ali Katib, Esq., 9, Argyll Square; William James Otto,
Esq., 38, India Street : and A.H. Stonehouse Vigor, Esq., Cambridge,
as a Non-Resident Fellow.
Foreign Member: Dr. Adolph Senoner, Vienna.
Associates: Mr. Alexander Buchau, Blackford, by Auchterarder;
and Mr. James Bay, Edgehill Nursery.
——
February 9th, IS54.--—Professor Balfour, President, in the chair.
Donations to the Library and Herbarium.
Donations were announced, from Professor Balfour; the Society
Of Natural Sciences at Cherbourg; Mr. Charles Howie; Mr. Fair-
bairn; Dr. Berthold Seemann; Messrs. Young & Co.; Mr. Alex.
Oswald Brodie ; Dr. Philip Maclagan ; Messrs. P. Lawson & Son ; Mr. ‘
Henderson; Messrs. Dickson and Turnbull; Mr. Isaac Anderson;
Mr. Lyon ; Mr. P. Fairbairn ; and Dr. Douglas Maclagan.
88
The following papers were read :—
Anacharis Alsinastrum in Ireland.
‘ On the Occurrence of Auacharis Alsiuastrum in Ireland ;’ by Dr.
Dickie.
In a letter to Dr. Balfour, Dr. Dickie observed :—“ The accom-
panying are, I suppose, specimens of Auacharis. If so, we have in
Ireland the earliest known record of its presence in the United King-
dom if I mistake not. I have thought, at all events, it might be a
point of interest to you, and worthy of notice at your Society.” The
specimens were accompanied by the following note by Mr. John New,
gardener:—-“ About eighteen years ago, the pond at Waringstowu
was cleared of overhanging trees, when the Auacharis was immediately
observed after the planting of some aquatics, making it necessary
several times during the summer to clear it out. It is not known
whether it existed in the pond previously to the above date, or was
introduced with the aquatics at that time. For many years its name
was not known to any person in the neighbourhood.”
Botanical Trip to the Tents Mair.
‘ Notes of a Botanical Trip to the Tents Muir, in the north of Fife,
in July last ;’ by Mr. G. Lawson.
The object of these notes was to call attention to a rich locality,
which, although within easy reach, had not hitherto been much
examined by Edinburgh botanists. The Tents Muir was described
as an extensive tract, chiefly of sand dunes, extending along the coast
from Ferry—Port-on-Craig to the river Eden. The pools and moist
hollows on the Muir were rich in fresh-water Algae, including Nos-
tochiueae and Desmidieae. The party did not find Isnardia palustris,
and fancied that the abundance and luxuriance of Peplis Portula might
have led to some mistake. The Peplis afforded a retreat for myriads
of Hydra viridis.
Rare Plants in the Neighbourhood of Edinburgh.
‘Notice of Localities for Rare Plants in the Neighbourhood of
Edinburgh ;’ by G. R. Tate, Esq.
The following were among the plants noticed :—
Alyssum calycinum. On debris below the Queen’s Drive, near
Duddingston. “I noticed the plant in this locality in the mouth of
May before it was in flower; at that time there were a number of
specimens. As the season advanced and the locality became more
89
generally known, nearly the whole were eradicated. It is hardly pos-
sible that the Alyssum could have escaped the notice of the numerous
botanists visiting Arthur’s Seat and its neighbourhood, had it existed
in this locality for any length of time. The probability is, that it had
been introduced by seed sown, likely at no very distant date, by some
one anxious to add a species to a Flora already overstocked with
doubtful natives. Along with Mr. Bryce and Mr. E. W. Cropper, I
obtained this plant at Burntisland, in very small quantity.”
Sinapis Cheiranthus. In a field near Gullaue. Not previously
found in Scotland, and doubtfully indigenous.
Drosera lougifolia. Obtained, in company with Mr. Ross, in bogs
at the foot of the Knock Hill, not far from the station of Carex
irrigua.
Hypericum Audrosaemum. Near Culross.
Hypochaeris glabra. Near Culross.
Lamium maculatum laevigatum. Banks of the Esk, about two miles
above Musselburgh.
Rumex alpinus. In two localities near the Knock Hill, both near
cottages.
Tulipa sylvestris. Sides of the Water of Leith, above Currie.
Zannichellia palustris. Canal, near Fountain Bridge.
Carex incurva. Sea shore between Longniddry and Prestonpans.
Nightshade Family.
‘ On the Nightshade Family ;’ by Peter Fairbairn, Esq.
Mr. Fairbairn detailed the character and properties of the Solanaceae,
and alluded particularly to the nature and qualities of the alkaloids
yielded by different genera and species. He remarked that the effect
produced by such alkaloids as Hyoscyamine, Daturia, and Atropia
were different from those produced by Solanine, especially as regards
the dilatation of the pupil.
Dr. T. Anderson remarked that Mr. F airbairn had not adopted the
division proposed by Miers into Solanaceae and Atropaceae, orders
which were distinguished by aestivation and other botanical charac-
ters, as well as by their physiological properties. He did not consider
that any correct evidence had been adduced of the narcotic properties
of the species of Solanum. The infusion of S. Dulcamara could be
given in large quantities without producing any narcotic effects, and
its berries had been used as a preserve. The effects of the plants be-
longing to the order Atropaceae did not develope themselves like
those of opium. They were more of a stimulant character and were
von. v. “
90
slowly produced, and they were accompanied with marked enlarge»
ment of the pupil.
Value of Botanical Histology to the Medical Student.
‘Illustrations of the Value of Botanical Histology to the Medical
Student and Practitioner ;’ by Dr. Lindsay, Assistant Physician to the
Crichton Royal Institution, Dumfries.
The author stated that the origin of this paper was due to the fact
that there existed among the medical students of the Edinburgh
University a strong feeling that they are compelled by the curriculum-
regulations to learn too much of the collateral sciences of Natural
History, Chemistry, and Botany,—-—Botany being, in particular, a
science, the knowledge of which is regarded as quite unnecessary for
the practice of their profession. The idea that the study of the scien-
tific or theoretical disqualifies to a certain extent from the acquire-
ment of practical knowledge, is a fatal error, and he believed that
every Professor of the University could bear testimony to the fact that
those students who had distinguished themselves in one department
of their academic curriculum, generally did so equally in every other.
Dr. Lindsay’s object in this communication was merely to lay before
such sceptics the results of the short experience of one but lately a
student—of one who had been at the same time a scientific and a
“practical man ;” and to point out more especially by a few illustra-
tions the value of microscopical Botany to the general practitioner.
Some considerable time ago, Dr. Lindsay had been applied to by a
distinguished chemist to make a microscopical examination of some
raw tobacco, with a view to the detection of any adulteratiou, the
question at issue being a charge of adulteratiou, made at the instance
of Her Majesty’s excise against a wholesale tobacconist, on the
ground of adulteration. The matter came to a public trial, in which
Dr. Lindsay gave evidence. He found that the tobacco was genuine,
from the nature of the hairs of Nicotiana, which have an apical gland,
from the arrangement in a semi-lunar form of the spiral vessels of
the leaf-stalk, as seen in a cross section, and from the number and
appearance of the stomata. The surface of the leaves was covered in
some places with very minute silvery crystals; in others with a dark
viscid gummy matter, on the nature of neither of which could His-
tology, per se, throw a decided light. Instead of tobacco, the sub-
stance presented to Dr. Lindsay for examination might have been
scammony, seuua, mustard, or any other drug of vegetable origin; and
he thought that, in such a case, the botanist was the only fit person to
91
decide whether, how far, and with what the drug had been adulterated.
Vegetable drugs were especially liable to adulteration, and it was the
duty of the practitioner to ascertain the purity of those he used;
otherwise, in expecting a certain action from a certain drug, he might
disappoint both himself and his patient. In evidence of the vast im-
portance of the subject of adulteration of drugs, Dr. Lindsay referred
to the excellent papers published by the Sanitary Commission of the
‘ Lancet.’ Dr. Lindsay was of opinion that there ought to be a legis-
lative enactment rendering druggists responsible for the quality of all
medicines supplied by them, compelling them to test, and thus to
ascertain the purity of every drug they sold.
The next illustration detailed by Dr. Lindsay was a case of sus-
pected poisoning. During life no symptoms of poisoning appeared,
and it was obviously of great importance to determine precisely the
nature of the pultaceous contents of the stomach. These had a strong
ratafia odour, and consisted of a thick, whitish, pasty matter, inter-
mixed with the rind and pulp of some succulent fruit. Under the
microscope, Dr. Lindsay detected, inter alia, abundance of the starch
cells of wheat flour, and the sclerogenous cells and portions of the
epidermis and parenchyma of the pear. Hence he reported the appa-
rent contents of the stomach to be pudding of the nature of blanc
mange, made of flour, milk, gelatine of some kind, and spices, and a
large quantity of pears mostly roasted, and that in his opinion death
resulted from the effects of a surfeit of food of a most unusual kind,
flavoured with a large excess of some essential oil, containing as its
active ingredient hydrocyanic acid. The chemical evidence after-
wards proved the case to be one of poisoning by “quintessence of
ratafia,” a substance used to flavour puddings. In giving in his re-
port of this case, the police authorities informed Dr. Lindsay that it
was the first occasion on which they had authorised or received the
report of a microscopic examination in a case of suspected poisoning,
so that the importance of Histology in medico-legal cases is only
beginning to be recognised by courts of law.
Dr. Lindsay then alluded to various observations made by him on
the Histology of cholera, while resident physician of a cholera hos-
pital. He mentioned that, by examining the matters vomited, the
practitioner was often enabled to tell the exact nature of the patient’s
food, which was of especial importance in cases where he was unable
to detail the history of the seizure, or where he or his friends were
found to prevaricate or‘ deny, as in the case of a patient using an in-
terdicted article of diet. Moreover, many entophytes might be dis-
92
covered, having either a casual or accidental relation to disease. He
had seen Sarcina Goodsirii in five out of ten cases of cholera where
vomiting was present as a symptom. Dr. Lindsay entered into
details respecting the so-called “ cholera fungi,” or “ cholera corpus-
cles,” or “ cells,” &c., about which there had been so much discussion,
and which he referred to the ordinary articles of food.
Referring to the parasitic vegetable organisms that attack the
human body, Dr. Lindsay stated that no part of the human system
could be considered free, under certain circumstances, from the lia-
bility to their attacks, the delicate ramose mycelium of Fungi being
capable of development in almost every situation. Among the lower
animals they had been frequently noticed to occur to such an extent
as to constitute distinct disease. The following instances were
cited :——On the body of the silk-worm, Vibrios, Triton, and frog ; on
the scales of fishes; in the abdomen of hens, doves, and other birds,
and in the trachea and lungs of birds; in the yolk of hens’ eggs; on
the face of the mouse; in the nasal mucus of the horse in glanders;
and in the contents of the stomach and intestines of rabbits, oxen,
'sheep, and pigs. In the human subject they are familiarly known as
'the cause of some very disagreeable, though not dangerous cutaneous
diseases, e. g., F avus, Mentagra, some kinds of Porrigo and Pityriasis,
and are also common in some forms of Aphthae. They have been
found coating the tongue, the fauces and (esophagus; also on ulcer-
ated spots in the intestines; in vomited matter; in the faeces in very
many disorders, e. g., cholera, typhus, dothin-enterite, dysentery, and
'after simple errors in diet; in the posterior chamber of the eye; in
tubercular cavities in the lungs and in sputa; in the fibrinous casts
of the smaller bronchi expectorated in pneumonia, in carious teeth, in
urine, milk, mucus, and pus, &c. In almost all the instances above
mentioned, the microscope could alone detect the existence of the
\parasites, and many an obscure and anomalous case of disease has the
microscope been instrumental in clearing up. Dr. Lindsay remarked,
however, that he was not prepared to grant it the same supreme im-
portance in diagnosis which is attributed to it by some observers;
'but the fact could not be doubted that it was a most important adjunct
alike to the general medical practitioner, the man of science, and the
pharmaceutist, in their search after truth.
Dr. Lindsay alluded to the Torbanehill coal case as one in point,
which, although totally unconnected with medicine, has called for the
scientific opinions of medical men.
He concluded his paper by some interesting observations on the
93
subject of medical education. After detailing his own case, and
pointingout the various ways in which he had been called upon, in
the course of his professional duties, to avail himself to the utmost,
not only of his medical knowledge, but of general scientific and lite-
rary education and acquirements, he proceeded to observe :———-“ It
appears to me that Natural History, Botany, and Chemistry ought,
inter alia, to be compulsory branches of general education, with
which every medical student ought to be acquainted before he enters
upon the more purely medical department of his curriculum. Have
examinations \on these subjects prior to the first annus medicus if you
will. This is merely a matter of arrangement and convenience to be
adjusted between the professors and students. The thorough know-
ledge of these subjects furnishes an admirable training for the mind
of every gentleman who has any pretensions to education; and so far
from reducing the number of such collateral and accessory branches
of the curriculum (or rather, as I think, they ought to be of the gene-
ral preliminary education), or rendering more lenient the graduation
examinations, I hope the tendency will be found to be greatly to
increase the former in extent and the latter in strictness, and thus
endeavour to raise the standard of attainment among the alumni of
our Alma Mater. Among the classes which might advantageously be
added to the preliminary education of the medical student, are the
German and French languages, Natural and Moral Philosophy, Meta-
physics, Mathematics, and Drawing.”
Dr. Balfour remarked that Dr. Lindsay had been a distinguished
student of medicine at the University of Edinburgh, and that he was
a zealous naturalist. His donations to the Museum of Economic
Botany indicated his zeal and ability. In recommending Natural-
History studies as not incompatible with practical acquirements in
medicine, Dr. Lindsay’s own case might have been given as an illus-
tration of such a combination. Dr. Balfour was satisfied that those
students who distinguished themselves in Botany were those who were
also eminent in all their medical studies. Many of them now occupied
eminent positions in various parts of the world. Among recent
students of Botany, he alluded to Dr. Lindsay, Dr. Sanderson, Dr.
Cobbold, Dr. Murchison, and Dr. Priestley, as examples of zealous
botanists who have shown themselves able practitioners.
Dr. Balfour was satisfied that Natural History and Botany ought to
form part of the study of every general student, and that they ought
not to be confined to the medical curriculum. No student should
enter on the practical study of medicine without having undergone a
94
preliminary examination on these subjects.~ The degree of M.D. he
stated was not merely an evidence of medical knowledge, but a Uni-
versity honour, implying general knowledge and a good University
education. Medical students often attempted to do too much within
a short period, and hence the aversion which some of them displayed
to the study of Natural Science as taking up too much of the time
required for other studies. He was satisfied that the study of Natural
History was a most important means of preparation for the pursuit of
other departments of medicine, inasmuch as it called forth powers of
observation and of diagnosis which were eminently required by the
medical practitioner. The present day, he thought, was one for
enlarging the acquirements of the physician and not for reducing
them. There must be something more than a minimum of study for
one who is to appear with advantage in society. The attention now
paid by all classes to Natural Science must tend to raise the studies of
those who enter learned professions.
In concluding his remarks, Dr. Balfour alluded to a paper in the
‘ North British Review,’ in which it is observed :—“ We have never
been able to discover any satisfactory reason why Mineralogy, Geo-
logy, Botany, and Zoology, should be considered requisite to form a
physician more than a divine or a lawyer. Nor should it be concealed,
that in consequence of those branches of science being attached‘to
the medical faculty, parents are too frequently prevented from direct-
ing their youth-head to the study of those important departments of
knowledge with which every one laying claim to a ‘liberal education’
should be acquainted. Let the patrons of the University remove
these chairs from the medical faculty, and place them, together with
Chemistry, in their proper position along with the usual classes in the
faculty of arts. The demand for attendance on such classes by the
medical faculty need not be altered, while a new and important ele-
ment would be introduced in reference to the degree of ‘Master of
Arts.’ ”
Election of Fellows.
The following gentlemen were balloted for and duly elected :—
Ordinary Resident Fellows: Robert Daw, Esq., 2], Albany Street;
William T. Smith, Esq., 71, Cumberland Street; Thomas James
Walker, Esq., 31, St. James’s Square; John Ross, Esq., 18, Clare-
mont Crescent. Non-Resident Fellow: Thomas Barclay, Esq.,
Sheriff-Clerk of Fife. '
95
FOREIGN EXCHANGE CLUB,
/ In connexion with the Botanical Society of London. )
The following is the Prospectus of the above Club :—
“ As the majority among the Members of the Botanical Society of
London are interested only in the distribution of British plants, the
Council have determined to limit the general operations of the Society
to exchanges of British specimens. To meet the requirements of
those who desire foreign specimens also, it has been considered
advisable to form a subordinate Club, specially intended for that
purpose.
“ Rules for Membership and Distribution.
“ I.-—The Foreign Exchange Club of the Botanical Society of Lon-
don is intended to facilitate exchanges of Botanical Specimens
between British and foreign botanists; supplying the former with
foreign, and the latter with British and foreign, plants. -
“IL—Any Member of the Botanical Society of London may be
admitted a Member of the Club on filling up the annexed form, and
transmitting it and sixty postage-stamps to the Distributor.
“ III.——No person residing in Britain can be eligible as a Member
of the Club, if not a Member of the Botanical Society of London.
“ IV.-—-Any Botanist residing out of Britain may be admitted a
Foreign Member of the Club on his sending a parcel of foreign plants,
selected in accordance with lists of desiderata for the Club, obtained
by application to the Distributor.
“V.-—The Botanical Society of London shall supply such speci-
mens of British plants as may be required by the Foreign Members
of the Club.
“VI.—The Botanical Society shall place at the disposal of the
Club the whole of its present stock of foreign plants, and all others
that may be received by it during the existence of the Club ; in
acknowledgment of which the Club shall pay over to the Treasurer
of the Botanical Society any surplus funds that may remain after pay-
ment of the expenses incurred by the Club.
“ VII.—The funds necessary for carrying on the operations of the
Club shall be provided by making a charge on the specimens sent to
British Members.
96
“ VIII.—The charges for specimens shall be made in accordance
with the following scale ; namely :—
lst. Miscellaneous specimens, selected by
the Distributor ...................................... .. 1d. per species
2nd. Miscellaneous specimens, selected by
the Distributor, but from particular Na-
tural Orders or countries, named by the
Members .............................................. .. 2d. per species
3rd. Desiderata, marked by the Members on
lists of species to be forwarded by the
Distributor .......................................... .. 3d. per species
“IX.———British Members sending foreign plants which are deside- a
rata to the Club shall be allowed to claim an equivalent parcel in
exchange, without payment under Rule VIII.
“ X.——No charge shall be made on any specimens sent to Foreign
Members.
“ XI.——The Club shall pay the carriage of all parcels sent to it, but
not that of any sent out to its Members.
“ XII.——If 'the funds of the Club prove insufficient to meet its
expenditure, the Members shall be called upon to make up the defi-
ciency, by an equal subscription amongst themselves, not exceeding
58. in any one year.
“ XIII.—If the funds prove still insuflicient, the Club shall be dis-
solved.
“ XIV.——The Curator of the Botanical Society of London shall
conduct all the operations of the Foreign Exchange Club, and shall
do so at such times and in such a manner as may least interfere with
the business of the parent Society.
“ XV.-——Lists of parcels and species received shall be, from time to
time, sent out to the Members, to enable them to make their selections
of species, countries, &c., under rule VIII.
“ XVI.——Further information may be obtained by applying to the
Distributor, ‘J. T. Syme, Esq.,—Botanical Society,—--20, Bedford
Street,-Covent Garden,-—London.’ ”


97
An Account of the Lichens of Cleveland, with their Localities.
By WILLIAM Mum), Esq.
(Continued from page '76).
Verruca'ia subalbicans, Leight. Leight. Brit. Ang. Lich. p.25,
fig. 1. On thei mortar of old walls, Ayton and near Easby. Named
by the Rev. W. A. Leighton.
Verrucaria epipolcea, Ach. E. Bot. 2647, f. 3. On a large stone
in Airyholme Wood.
Verrucaria nigrescens, Pers. Leight. Brit. Ang. Lich. p. 27, f. 1.
On stones, near Middlesbro’.
Calicium clavellum, Turn. and Borr. E. Bot. 1465. On old posts,
Newton Wood ; Cliffrigg.
Calicium hyperellum, Ach. E. Bot. 1832. On the bark of old
oak-trees, Easby Wood ; Guisbro’ Spa \Vood.
Calicium trachelinum, Ach. E. Bet. 414. On the bark of an old
tree, near Busby Hall.
C’alicium debile, Turn. and Borr. E. Bot. 2462. On an old dead
tree, near Mulgrave Castle, Whitby.
Calicium curtum, Turn. and Borr. E. Bot. 2503. Common on
old stumps, Cliffrigg, near Stokesley, &c.
Calicium turbinatum, Pers. E. Bot. 2520. On the crust of Per-
tusaria communis, DC., near Guisbro’; Easby \Vood, Ayton.
Coniocarpon cinnabarinum, DC. E. Bot. 2151. WVith several
varieties, on ash, oak and hazel; Airyholme Wood ; Newton IVood.
Opegrapha herpetica, Ach. E. Bot. 1789. On the bark of trees,
Airyholme Wood; Kildale.
Opegrapha rubella, Pers. E. Bot. 2347. On the bark of trees,
Airyholme.
Opegrapha atra, Pers. E. Bot. 1753. On the bark of various
trees, common near Ayton, &c.
Graphis serpentina, Ach., var. divaricata, Lei ght. Leight. fasc. 1,
21. On trees, Airyholme Wood; ~Baysdale. '
Graphis serpentina, Ach., var. tremulans, Leight. Leight. fasc. 1,
2‘2- On ash-trees, Newton Wood ; near Kirkleatham.
Umbilicaria polgphglla, Hoffm. E. Bot. 1282. On rocks, How-
den Gill ; Battersby Moor.
Lecidea canescens, Ach. E. Bot. 582. On trees and rocks, near
Easiugtou; Guisbro’ ; with apothecia, near Ayton.
Lecidea pinicola, Borr. E. Bot. 1851. On old pine-trees, New-
ton Wood; Ayton Moor; near Stokesley.
VOL. V. O
98
Lecidea leucoplaca, Chev. Leight. fasc. 4, 125. Ash-trees, Airy-
holme Wood, abundant; Esk banks, near Whitby.
Lecidea elccochroma, Ach. E. Bot. 1450. On the smooth bark of
trees, Airyholme Wood; Clifi'rigg; Ayton. .
Lecidea dubia, Turn. and Borr. E. Bot. 2347. On old wood,
Baysdale ; on pine-trees, Kildale, near West House.
Lecidea silacea, Ach. E. Bot. 1118. On old walls, Ayton Moor;
walls near Castleton. '
Lecidea chalybea, Borr. E. Bot. Suppl. 2687, f. 2. On old tiles,
Ayton.
Lecidea cong‘luens, Ach. E. Bot. 1964. On rocks and walls, Ayton
Moor; Battersby Moor; near Whitby.
Lecidea atro-alba, Ach., var. concentrica, Fries. E. Bot. 246. On
rocks and stones, Ayton, Kildale Moor, &c.
Lecidea geographica, Ach., var. spharica, Schaer. Leight. fasc. 3,
93. On rocks, Cliffrigg and near Cook’s monument.
Lecidea geographica, var. atro-virens, Schaer. Leight. fasc. 4, 128.
On rocks, Battersby Moor; Ingleby Greenhow; Eston Moor.
Lecidea insularis, Nyl. On rocks, top of Cliffrigg l “ On submit-
ting a specimen of this species to the Rev. W. A. Leighton for exami-
nation, he very kindly informed me that it was identical with a speci-
men which he had received from Sweden.”
Biatora riculosa, Ach. E. Bot. 1737. On rocks, Battersby Moor;
Lanbraugh Rigg.
Biatora anomala, Ach. E. Bot. 2155. On the bark of old trees,
Airyholme Wood; Clifl’rigg.
Biatora icmadophila, Eh. E. Bot. 2, 372. Turfy places under
the shade of heath, Ayton Moor; near Castletou.
Biatora bgssoides, L. Hook. Brit. F 1. ii. 137. On rocks and old
walls, sometimes on the ground, Lanbraugh Rigg ; Ayton Moor; Kil-
dale.
Beomcyes roseus, Pers. E. Bot. 374. On heaths, upon the ground,
Ayton Moor; Kildale Moor; near Danby Castle.
Cladonia alcicornis, Schaer. E. Bot. 1392. On mossy rocks,
Larchbank; near Ayton.
Cladonia cercicornis, Schaer. E. Bot. 2574. Moist rocks, How-
den Gill; Castletou Moor; Baysdale.
Cladonia uentricosa, Schaer. E. Bot. 2362. On decayed stumps
of old trees, Stogdale ; Sloethorn Park.
Cladonia pya'idata, Schaer. E. Bot. 1393. On heaths and in
woods, frequent; Ayton Moor, &c.
99
Cladonia gracilis, Hofi'm. E. Bot. 1284. On an old wall, on
Battersby Moor, abundant.
Cladoniafimbriata, Fr. E. Bot. 2438. Hedgebank near Rose-
berry; near Stokesley.
Cladonia deformis, Schaer. E. Bot. 1394. On old stumps, Coat
Moor, Lounsdale.
Cladonia bellidijlora, Schaer. E. Bot. 1894. On heaths, Ayton
Moor; Westerdale ; near Danby; Sleddale.
Cladoniafurcata, Hoffm. Hook. Brit. F]. ii. p. 236. On the
ground in heathy places, Kildale Moor ; near Cook’s monument.
Cladonia rangiferina, Hofi'm. E. Bot. 173. On moors, &c.;
Ayton, Kildale Moor, &c.
Cladonia uncialis, Hoffm. E. Bot. 174. On heaths, near Rose-
berry; Guisbro’ Moor; Lounsdale.
Stereocaulon paschale, Ach. E. Bot. 282. On rocks, and some-
times On the ground, Battersby Moor, abundant.
Stereocaulon nanum, Ach. Hook. Brit. F 1. ii. p. 233. On Ayton
Moor, in turfy places.
Usneafiorida, Ach. E. Bot. 872. On the branches of old trees,
Lounsdale ; Sloethorn Park, with apothecia.
Usnea barbata, Fr. E. Bot. 257. On old pine-trees, top of
Broughton bank.
Usnea barbata, var. hirta, Fr. Leight. fasc. 1, 1. On stunted
trees, Ayton Moor; Baysdale ; Oggeray Gill.
Evernia jubata, c. implea'a, Fries. E. Bot. 1880. Trunks of trees,
Baysdale; Kildale Moor; Broughton bank.
Euernia prunastri, Ach. E. Bot. 859. Trunks of trees: the
apothecia are frequent in the Larchbank, and in Kildale woods.
‘ Euernia furfuracea, Man. E. Bot. 984. Trunks of old trees,
Ayton Moor; Sloethorn Park; near Castleton.
Ramalina calicaris, var. framinea, Fries. ' E. Bot. 1781. Com-
mon on the trunks of trees, Ayton, &c.
Ramalina calicaris, var. fastigiata, Fries. E. Bot. 890. Trunks
of trees, frequent; Stokesley, &c.
Ramalina calicaris, var. canaliculata, subvar. farinacea, Fries.
E. Bot. 889. Trunks and branches of trees, Clifli'igg, &c.
Ramalina polymorpha, Ach. Hook. Brit. Fl. ii. 224. On rocks,
Roseberry, and Howden Gill.
Ramalina scopulorum, Ach. E. Bot. 688. On rocks, at Highclifl‘.
C'etraria aculeata, Fr. E. Bot. 452. On the ground and on old i
l‘,
a
\_c ._
I
I“
100
walls, Ayton Moor, Battersby Moor, &c. Several varieties may be
met with on Guisbro’ Moor, so far as regards size and ramification.
Cetraria glauca, Ach. E. Bot. 1066. On rocks and trees, near
West House; Battersby Moor ; near Cook’s monument.
Cetraria scepincola, Ach. E. Bot. 2386. On pine-trees, near Kil-
dale ; near West House ; Ingleby.
Peltigera horizontalis, Hofl'm. E. Bot. 888. About the roots of
trees, Oggeray Gill.
Peltigera aphthosa, Hofi'm. E. Bot. 1119. Shady rocks, Beech-
bank, Kildale.
Peltigera canina, Fr. E. Bot. 2229. Upon the ground, among
moss, &c., very common; Ayton.
Peltigera spuria. E. Bot. 1542. On mossy banks, Oggeray Gill;
Ayton Moor; near Roseberry.
Peltigera rufescens. E. Bot. 2300. On banks, and mossy trunks
of trees, Ayton ; near Newton.
Solorina saccata, Ach. E. Bot. 228. In the clefts of rocks, Beech-
bank; Kildale.
Parmelia saa'atilis, Ach. E. Bot. 603. Frequent upon trees,
rocks and stones, Ayton Moor, Kildale, &c.
Parmelia sarcatilis, Ach., var. furfuracea, Leight. Leight. fasc. 2,
46. Upon rocks, near Cook’s monument.
Parmelia sarcatilis, Ach., var. omphalodes, Fries. E. Bot. 604.
On rocks and stones, Ayton Moor; Ingleby ; near Castleton.
Parmelia oliuacea, Ach. E. Bot. 2180. On the bark of trees,
pales, &c., frequent; Ayton; Stokesley.
Parmelia pulcerulenta, Ach. E. Bot. 2063. Very common on
the trunks of trees, Ayton.
Parmelia stellaris, Ach. E. Bot. 1697. Frequent on the bark of
trees, Ayton, &c.
Parmelia obseura, a. 'orbicularis, Fr. E. Bot. 1942. On the bark
of ash-trees, Ayton; near Guisbro’; Kirkleatham.
Parmelia incurva, Hook. E. Bot. 1375. On sandstone rocks,
Battersby Moor.
Parmelia saxicola, Ach. E. Bot. 1695. On rocks and stones,
Ayton Moor; Lanbraugh Rigg.
Parmelia saxicola, Ach., var. areolata, Leight. Leight. fasc. 3, 81.
On rocks, top of Clitfrigg.
Parmelia murorum, Ach. E. Bot. 2157. On rocks and walls,
,near Stokesley; Mulgrave Old Castle; Danby Castle.
101
Parmelia uitellina, Ach. E. Bot. 1792. On old pales, near
Easby; on walls in Lounsdale.
Parmelia tartarea, Ach. E. Bot. 156. On rocks, at Highclifi';
Sloethorn Park; near Castleton.
Parmelia pallescens, var. parella, Fries. E. Bot. 727. On rocks,
Lanbraugh Rigg ; Newton Wood; walls near Whitby.
Parmelia glaucoma, Ach. E. Bot. 2156. On rocks, Lanbraugh;
Kildale; near Castleton.
Parmelia subfusca, var. discolor, a., Fries. Leight. fasc. 4, 115.
On the bark of trees, Airyholme Wood, Stokesley, &c.
Parmelia subfusca, var. distans, Fries. Leight. fasc. 4, 116. On
the bark of poplars, Ayton ; near Easby.
Parmelia coarctata, Ach. E. Bet. 534. On stones, near White
House; rocks, Newton Wood; Esk bank, near Egton.
Parmelia atra, Ach. E. Bot. 949. On rocks, Lanbraugh Rigg;
old walls, Ayton Moor; near Guisbro’.
Parmelia pezizoides, Dicks. E. Bot. Suppl. 2801. On mossy
stones, near Battersby ; rock in Baysdale.
*Parmelia aurantiaca, Ach. E. Bot. 1305. On the bark of ash-
trees, near Newton ; Kirkleatham ; Wilton woods.
Gyalecta cupularis, Ach. E. Bot. 739. On the escarpment of the
oolitic limestone, top of Broughton bank.
Ggalecta pineti, Leight. E. Bot. 1863, lower figure. On the bark
of old pine-trees, Newton Wood; Clifi‘rigg.
Collema limosum, Ach. E. Bot. Suppl. 2704, f. 1. Clay-banks,
near Eastington.
Oollema cristatum, Ach. E. Bot. 834. Clay-banks, near Easby;
Stokesley; Yarm.
Collema ceranoides, Borr. E. Bot. Suppl. 2704, f. 2. On banks,
near Coatham, and Marske.
Collemafragrans? Ach. E. Bot. 1912. On the bark of ash-trees,
near Ayton ; Airyholme Wood.
Collema palmatum, Ach. E. Bot. 1635. On Coatham sand-hills,
near Marske.
Collema crispum, Borr. E. Bot. Suppl. 2716, f. 1. On stones
near Ayton ; old walls at Pinchiugthorp.
* My friend, Mr. Baker, of Thirsk. informs me that Fries now considers this a.
Biatora, and names B. aurantiaca, E. Bot. 948, 'y. clava, and places Parmelia auran-
tiaca, Ach. E. Bot. 1305, as the normal form.
102
Collema lacerum, Ach. E. Bot. 1982. On walls, near Mulgrave
Castle; old mossy trees, Baysdale, and Oggeray Gill.
Collema muscz'cola, Ach. E. Bot. 2264. On rocks partly covered
with moss, Lanbraugh Rigg.
Collema spongiosum, Ach. E. Bot. 1374. Among moss in a
ravine on Guisbro’ Moor; Battersby bank.
It must not be considered that the above are all the lichens that
this district produces : many species are yet under examination ; and
1’ hope at no distant period to lay before the readers of the ‘ Phytolo-
gist’ many additional species.
It will, no doubt, be observed that I have followed no particular
arrangement; my reasons for doing so are, that Fries’s ‘Licheno-
graphia Europaea Reformata ’ is but little known to British botanists,
and the works by the Rev. W. A. Leighton are not yet completed. So
far as they are published, I have followed the names of the latter gen-
tleman, believing they will be eventually adopted. The remainder
are-from Fries’s ‘ Lichenographia’ and ‘ English Flora.’
m_
E9'mta.--In my article in last month’s number, I find two typo-
graphical errors, which I am desirous of correcting. Page 73, for
“ Arthonia lucida” read “ A. lurida, Ach. ;” and p. 74, for “ Biatora
perusnea” read “ B. premnea.”
WILLIAM MUDD.
Cleveland Lodge, Great Ayton,
March 17, 1854.


PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES, &c.
'~_
LINNEAN SOCIETY.
November 1, 1853.—Thomas Bel], Esq., President, in the chair.
Election of a Fellow.
Guthbert Collingwood, Esq., M.A., was elected a Fellow.
103
Inflorescence of Cycas revoluta and Macrozamia spiralis.
Mr. James Yates, F.L.S., offered some observations on the inflo-
rescence of Cycas revoluta and Macrozamia spiralis, illustrated by
specimens.
Cycas revoluta—Prof. Miquel, of Amsterdam, to whom we now
look for the best systematic arrangement and description of Cycads,
remarks, that male specimens are rarer in Europe than female.
“ Specimina culta,” says he, “ omnia fere feminea. Masculinum in
Horto Petropolitano exstat, ubi bis floruit (Otto u. Dietr. Gartenz. vii.
1839, p. 24).” See his ‘ Monographia Cycadearum,’ 1842, folio, p. 24,
and his “ Genera et Species Cycadearum viventium ” in the ‘Linnaaa’
for 1843, p. 683. This observation is certainly true in regard
to Great Britain. Since the first example of the female at F arnham,
described by Sir J. E. Smith in the ‘Linnean Transactions,’ vol. vi.,
not less than six other plants have borne fruit, and some of them two
or three times, viz. at Chatsworth, Ravensworth Castle, Laurel Mount
and Knowsley near Liverpool, Kew, and Lauderdale House, High gate.
The plant last alluded to (Mr. J. Yates’s) flowered in 1845, and sub-
sequently produced four magnificent crowns of leaves, the finest of
them consisting of fifty-three leaves. In October, 1852, the first ap-
pearance of another cone was indicated by scales, covered with their
soft yellow tomentum; but it remained long doubtful whether this
would turn out to be another crown of leaves, or a head of fruit-bearing
fronds. In April last the question was determined, as the peculiar
palmate fronds were clearly seen, and were closely folded over one
another, having the form of a somewhat flattened spheroid and the
size of a moderately large melon. In May these fronds or spadices
increased rapidly and vigorously. They expanded and remained
open three days, so that the young drupes, also covered with down,
and nearly the size and form of horse-beans, were easily discernible.
They then closed again, and the whole spheroid became as compact
and solid as before. It was conjectured that this temporary disclo-
sure of the drupes, supposing it to be the habit of the plant, might be
a provision for their fecundation, admitting of the access of the pollen.
The fronds, which are crimson, shaded by their thin covering of yel-
low down, are now spread in all directions and have attained their full
development, except that the drupes, perhaps in consequence of the
cold, wet, and dull season, fall without having come to perfection. It
104
is also to be observed, that these fronds, about 110 in number, are
closely set and spirally arranged upon a very short axis. The dis-
tance between them and the fronds of 1845, is about 8 inches or 20
centimetres, showing an elongation of the trunk of 1 inch for each
year.
Miquel mentions only one male plant, viz. that at St. Petersburg:
and in this country it cannot be ascertained that more than two
males have produced cones, to wit, those in the Botanic Garden
at Sheffield, and that belonging to Henry Ricketts, Esq., at the
Grove, Brislington, near Bristol. The Sheffield plant has now flow-
ered thrice. Its first cone, produced in England, is preserved in the
Museum at York; its second belongs to the Royal Botanic Society
in the Regent’s Park; its third appeared this year, and, that it might
be suitably displayed, the whole plant was transported to York last_
summer and was there publicly exhibited. It is now taken back
to Sheffield. It appeared that this male was purchased by the late
Earl of Derby, formerly President of the Linnean Society, about
A.D. 1825, together with the female already noticed, which is a
noble specimen, still preserved at Knowsley, and which bore fruit
in 1850. The Brislington specimen has been in the possession of
its present owner about half a century, and may be between fifty and
sixty years old. In 1847 it raised a cone or spike 58 c. (z'. e. 23 in.)
long, which is agreeable to the ordinary size and form of this
production; and now it has raised a second, but with a remarkable
anomaly in its development. This is not half the length of its
predecessor, and, instead of being drawn to a point, is curtailed and
terminates abruptly in a tuft of barren scales, resembling those
which, as intimated above, always precede the rise either of a crown
of leaves or of a fruit-bearing cone. A check in the development of
the cone appears to have been sustained, preventing the further
prolongation of its axis, and at the same time causing its scales to be
no longer dilated and antheriferous.
Macrozamz'a spiralis.-—Mr. Yates next exhibited a small, but per-
fect specimen of the cone of a male plant, which he lately imported
from Sydney. This is probably the first time that a Macrozamia has
produced a cone in this country. Together with the recent cone
Mr. Yates showed also two old specimens, which had been sent with
the living plant, by W. S. MacLeay, Esq., F.L.S., and which that
gentleman obtained near his “own residence at Elizabeth Bay. One
of these two specimens is very remarkable in consequence of being
105
double. At the top of a peduncle of the usual size and appearance
are fixed two equal, parallel, and perfect male cones. Mr. Yates
showed that some approach to this (double formation is occasionally
found in the genus Encephalartos, inasmuch as the axis of the cone
is sometimes bifid near the summit.
It was also remarked, that the peduncle of Macrozamia bears leafy
appendages, and that these have not been found in any other recent
genus, but are very conspicuous on the peduncles of the fossil Zamites
gigas, which is found in the oolitic strata near Whitby.
Par'asz'tism of Rhinanthus Crista-gal”.
B
Read some “ Observations on the parasitic habits of Rhinanthus
Crista-galli, and its injurious effects on the growth of Barley.” By
‘Joshua Clarke, Esq., F.L.S., &c. These observations were made dur-
ing the last summer in the parish of Debden, in the county of Essex.
The field contained four acres of barley, the soil a stiffish clay; the
Rhinanthus was growing in patches at different parts of the field, some
of which were much larger than others, and occupying at least half
the surface, by which about two acres of the barley were completely
destroyed, and the remaining part of the crop very much injured, both
in quantity aud quality. The farm consisted of 170 acres, principally
clay soil, such as is usually called heavy land ; thirty acres of it were
of barley, about ten of which were destroyed by this plant. This loss,
combined with other causes, induced the occupier to give it up.
In regard to the mode by which the Rhinanthus effects the injury,
Mr. Clarke states that the fibres of the roots attach themselves to the
fibres of the barley, on which they form small round tubers, or what
perhaps may be more properly called spongioles, which embrace the
fibres so effectually, that they suck the juices of the plant so as
to starve it, and in most instances ultimately destroy it; these
spongioles are formed of cellular tissue. A correct knowledge of the
habits and natural history of a plant may lead to its eradication, but
in this instance it is a matter of considerable difficulty, the ordinary
method of destroying weeds by a summer fallow being of no avail, as
the Rhinanthus does not grow in clean earth. Mr. Clarke has
for some years been trying to raise it from seed in clean earth, but has
never succeeded. The other method of destroying weeds by green
crops in rows is equally unsuccessful, as it does not grow among
green crops. As it is annual, it certainly should be pulled up before
VOL. V. P
106
it seeds; and as it grows on a clay soil, and to no great extent except
in a wet season, the land should be effectually drained.
November 15, 1853.—Thomas Bell, Esq., President, in the chair.
On the Genus Hodgsonia.
Read a notice “On Hodgsonia, Hook. fil. et Thoma, a new and
remarkable genus of Cucurbitaceaa.” By Dr. J. D. Hooker, F.R.S.,
F.L.S., &c., and Dr. Thomas Thomson, F.L.S., &c.
A very remarkable plant, one of the handsomest and most curious
of the whole natural Family, with the inflorescence and flower of
Trichosanthes, but in fruit widely different from any of the extensive
natural Order to which it belongs. It has been extremely well
described by Roxburgh as a species of Trichosanthes, and was
cultivated many years ago in the Calcutta Botanic Garden, where it
is now lost. A figure of the female flower is also in the Museum of
the India House. Root branching. Stem climbing for 80 to 100 feet,
festooning lofty trees. Wood of very remarkable structure. The
almost axillary conical bodies, referred to buds, but generally described
as stipules, are most remarkable and deserve careful study. Flowers,
very handsome, appear in May, and the fruit ripens in autumn and
winter; female flowers are rare, and from being solitary, are less
conspicuous than the males. ‘ Ovarium covered with small warts
that project through the dense, almost velvety, rusty pubescence,
1-celled, with three parietal placentae that project into the axis, and
clearly show the normal structure of Cucurbitaceous fruits to have a
parietal placentation ; cavity of the ovarium filled with watery pulp,
that hardens as the fruit advances to maturity and becomes of the
consistency of a hard turnip, full of watery fluid that escapes in
large drops when the fruit is pierced. Ovules suberect, in pairs,
each pair collateral and at right angles to the radius of the ovary;
of these the ovule next the axis ripens, and that next the cir-
cumference of the ovary becomes accrete to the outer one and seldom
ripens. This position and oeconomy of the ovules is quite unique
in the order. Flower about 4inches long; the limb 3 inches in
diameter, inodorous ; fringes of the petals 5—6 inches long. Calyx
with several deep brown polished tubercles or warts towards each
107
angle or tooth. Tube of the calyx lined with a thickened disk, which
surrounds the style and is in contact with it; it lines the staminal
tube of the male flower. Berry 6—10 inches across, of a fine deep
red-brown colour, covered with a very short tomentum ; pulp whitish.
Seeds erect, very large, each double, resembling a 2-celled nut,
covered with an adherent vascular pulpy coat, which penetrates deep
fissures in the free face of the larger seed. Testa hard, somewhat
porous; the free surface of the larger seed deeply grooved in anasto-
mosing channels; outer surface rather corky or spongy, inner hard,
smooth, polished. The testa is slit longitudinally down its base to-
wards the hilum for one half or one inch in the larger seed, and has
a smaller corresponding slit on the smaller nut. A compressed pro-
longation of the endopleurum (which is very soft, thick, and corky)
projects a little through this fissure, and the radicle points towards it.
Embryo flat, of the form of the seed, occupying a narrow slit in the
centre of the endopleurum, nearly as broad as the cavity of the testa,
surrounded by a delicate membrane. Cotyledons plain, white, very
oily; radicle small, conical; plumule 2-lobed, lobes notched. The
seeds are eaten by the natives of Sikkim, who call the fruit Kat’hior
pot. An original specimen is in Sir \Villiam Hooker’s herbarium,
from Buchanan Hamilton, labelled as from Penang, with the MS.
name of “ Trichosanthes Theba.” Roxburgh’s trivial name of
heteroclita has been retained, for though it was intended by its illus-
trious author to imply that the plant varies from its congeners of the
genus Trichosanthes, it will apply sufficiently well in future for a plant
which is heteroclite in respect of the natural family (Cucurbitaceee), to
which it undoubtedly belongs. Blume’s descriptions are quite insuf-
ficient to determine whether it belongs to his M. macrocarpa or
hexasperma, or either. These plants are no doubt congeners of
Hodgsonia, and considering that the H. heteroclita ranges from the
level of the sea at Penang, lat. 6° North, to alt. 6000 feet in Sikkim,
lat. 27° North, the probabilities are great that it is also found in Java.
The leaves vary from 2-lobed to 5-lobed, usually the latter, and the
lobes are much acuminate, rarely blunt, {coarsely serrated towards the
tips or quite entire.
The genus is named in honour of B. H. Hodgson, Esq., F.L.S.,
Resident at Dajiling, where the plant was discovered, and whose
scientific services in the Himalaya justly merit the honour of so splen-
did a plant.
108
Potamogeton fiabellaiils.
Read also “ Notes on Potamogeton flabellatus, Bab, a new British
species.” By Charles Cardale Babington, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S.,
&c. This paper is published, in eartenso, in the ‘ Phytologist,’
iv. 1158.
December 6, 1853.—Thomas Bell, Esq., President, in the chair.
Sarsaparillas of Commerce.
Read, further, a paper entitled “ Remarks on Sarsaparillas” By
Berthold Seemann, Esq., Ph.D., F.L.S., &c. This paper appears, in
extenso, in the ‘ Phytologist,’ v. 65.
December 20, 1853.—Thomas Bell, Esq., President, in the chair.
Election of a Fellow.
John Dickinson, Esq., F.R.S., was elected a Fellow.
Eye-spot of Infusoria and Microscopic Algae.
Read also, “Remarks on the so-called Eye-spot of the Infu-
soria and Microscopic Algae.” By Arthur Henfrey, Esq., F.R.S.,
F .L.S., &c.
Mr. Henfrey states, that in the course of an extensive series of ob-
servations on the microscopic Algae, especially in investigations of the
effect of re-agents upon the tissues and contents of the cells, he has
frequently been completely baffled by the uncertainty which presented
itself as to the real existence of colours exhibited by objects. The
decomposition of light taking place in these minute bodies under
high magnifying powers is such, that even with lenses most carefully
corrected and fully sufficient for all general purposes of investigation,
we are left altogether in doubt as to whether or not the phaenomena
of colour arise from refraction. He uses lenses made by Ross about
eight years since, a quarter and an eighth of an inch, the latter of ex-
cellent defining power, and is convinced that these are not inferior to
109
any glasses in use on the Continent. But with them, particularly the
latter, delicate membranes seen edgeways exhibit a blue tint, under
certain circumstances, often giving rise to a difficulty in arriving at a
decided opinion in questions connected with cellulose, when using
the sulphuric acid and iodine test. Many phaenomena might be
cited in reference to this subject, but the main point to which he
wishes to direct attention is, the doubt existing in his mind as to the
nature of the red spot described by Ehrenberg as an “ eye” in the
Infusoria. He has observed this object chiefly in the unicellular Algae
and zoospores, and was first led to suspect that the red colour
depended on unequal refraction, in the cells of Chlamydomonas Pul-
visculus. In these he has frequently found several red spots on one
individual cell, which however could not all be brought into focus at
once, and he has decidedly observed, that when these spots were
brought into clear and well-defined focus, they appeared as bright co-
lourless granules. Frequently no red spot at all could be found.
The idea suggested by this was further confirmed by noticing the
similar variations of colour according to form in a granule (nucleolus P),
in a half-decomposed, colourless, diseased cell.
Finally, he had recently found that he could bring out the crimson
colour most beautifully in the central spot or “hilum ” of starch gra-
nules. When the lens is a little too far away from the object,
the hilum appears like a minute black spot; then, carrying the lens a
little nearer, it comes out as a beautiful crimson spot exactly like an
“ eye-spot ” in every respect. Adjusting the focus exactly, by bring-
ing down the lens a little more, the hilum is seen as a well-defined
spot of a brighter character than the rest of the starch-grain, but
altogether devoid of any prismatic colour.
Although dwelling but briefly on this question here, Mr. Henfrey
states that he has had it under consideration for some time, and he
thinks it desirable to make known his supposition now, in order that
other microscopists working with different lenses may direct their at-
tention to the point, and furnish the results obtained with them, since
almost all high objectives differ slightly in their correction.
On the Crescentiaceoe.
Read further, “ Notes on the Natural Order Crescentiaceae.” By
Berthold Seemann, Esq., Ph.D., F.L.S., &c.
110
DUBLIN NATURAL-HISTORY Socrnrr.
March 10th, 1854.—Dr. Croker, M.R.I.A., President, in the chair.
Frnctification of the Genus Desmarestia.
Mr. Gilbert Sanders read the following paper “On the F ructi-
fication of the Genus Desmarestia.”
“At the request of my friend Dr. Allman, I beg to present to the
Dublin Natural History Society a short description of the fructification
of Desmarestia as observed in the species D. ligulata. Dr. Harvey,
in both editions of his ‘ Manual’ and in the ‘ Phycologia,’ as well as
every other Algological authority I am acquainted with, records the
fructification of Desmarestia as unknown. I was recently engaged in
microscopically examining the structure of several specimens of Des-
maresti ligulata, when I observed some very minute brown spots on
the pinna I had under the microscope, which were resolved by a
higher power into small defined tubercles, through the pellucid walls
of which I saw assemblages of angular spores of the usual pink
colour of the spores of the F lorideae. Further examination showed
that these tubercles were pretty freely distributed over both surfaces
of the pinna, on the margins as well as on the flat surfaces; those
seen on the margins being in profile showed a hemispherical outline,
the greater part of which projected beyond the margin. I have no
doubt of these tubercles being the fruit, and that they are to be
regarded as conceptacula and superficial. I examined pinnae from
two other specimens of D. ligulata, which I had in my possession
some years ago, and in both I noticed traces of the same appearance
of fruit, but not nearly so distinct as those on my first specimen. In ‘
these last the capsules and spores appeared to have discharged their
endochrome, and which is very probable, as this genus is very im-
patient of fresh water, or even exposure to the air, decomposition
commencing almost immediately after they are removed from the sea.
If the mode of fructification is to guide us in the arrangement of the
genera under orders, I conceive Desmarestia should be removed from
the order Sporochnaceae to Dictyotaceae, as the fructification I have
observed in D. ligulata is much more conformable to the latter order
than to that of the former. I have not as yet perceived any symptom
of fruit either on D. aculeata or D. viridis, but the scattered single
spores so very abundant on Mr. Sawer’s late important addition
111
to British Botany, Desmarestia pinnatinervia, cannot but be the
fruit of that species. These spores have the same pink colour as
those of D. ligulata, but, instead of being in capsules, they appear on
every part of the frond like strings of beads or chains. I think it not
improbable that young spring plants of the two other species, acu-
leata and viridis, will reward careful examination by a discovery of
their fructification, and I would recommend search to be made among
the byssoid fibres with which the young plants are clothed.
“ I take this opportunity to exhibit some specimens of Desmarestia
pinnatinervia, for which I am under obligation to Mr. William Sawers,
of Londonderry, to whom belongs the honour of adding it to the ma-
rine Botany of our country. Mr. Sawers sent specimens of his plant
to the meeting of the British Association at Hull, and to most of our
best algologists, some of whom pronounced it a mere variety of a
Laminaria. At length specimens reached Dr. Montague, of the
French Institute, who recognised it as his D. pinnatinervia, a descrip-
tion and figure of which he gave in the ‘Annales des Sciences Natu-
relles’ for 1842, vol. xviii. As there are some differences between
the appearances of the Spanish plant, as described by Dr. M., and
those found by Mr. Sawers, I will refer to a free translation which I
have made of the article in the ‘ Annales.’
“ ‘Is it truly a Desmarestia? That is a question not easily decided
in the absence of any fructification. M. Aghardh is inclined to
believe it is to that genus we should refer it. This Alga requires care-
ful description, because it has a perfect resemblance to Laminaria
debilis, collected on the coast of Corsica by my friend M. Solierol.
The only differences which [have found, though essential differences,
and which separate our plant from those with which I have compared
it are —- first, the presence of a well-defined stipe, about four or five
millimetres long— secondly, a midrib, which traverses the entire length
of the frond, and from which nervures issue to the right and left at
the distance of five to ten millimetres from one another, forming with
the midrib angles of about 24°. All these nervures, though strongly
marked, are of the greatest tenuity. The form of the frond is
obovate, fourteen millimetres long by eight in width at the widest part,
which is the summit. It has the same delicate tissue as Laminaria
debilis. If it is a Desmarestia, as all believe it to be, we must con-
sider the frond as formed by the fusion of the opposing pinnules,
which will represent the nervures.’
112
“The differences which I find between the Spanish plant as described
by Dr. Montague, and the specimens of the Irish plant supplied by
Mr. Sawers arez—The Spanish plant is dentated at the margin, ob-
ovate, and widest at the summit; Mr. Sawers’ specimens are entire
at the margin, very slightly waved, lanceolate, and widest about one-
fourth of the length of the frond from the base, tapering thence
towards the summit. The proportions of length and breadth of the two
plants are very dissimilar; however, I am inclined to regard them
at present as identical, merely altered by the circumstances of climate.
It is singular, that although the figure given in the ‘ Annales ’ exhibits
an appearance of dots, Dr. Montague has made no mention of chain-
like series of spores, such as are contained in the dots in Mr. Sawers’
plants. I imagine that from these spores on our Irish specimens, the
exotic ones have them also. By some it has been doubted if the
plants taken at Lough Foyle are indigenous to that coast, but have
supposed them to be stray waifs, brought from more temperate
regions by tides and currents. I cannot subscribe to such ideas from
the fact of Mr. Sawers having found fronds of his Desmarestia in tole-
rable abundance during a large portion of last year (1853) even up to
near Christmas, and as Desmarestia undergoes decomposition so very
rapidly when dead, I cannot believe it possible those fronds which we
see here in excellent preservation, could have been knocking about
on the ocean for months: I therefore conclude they grew not far
from the spot where Mr. Sawers found them. In conclusion, I would
wish to remark on the doubt implied in Dr. Montagne’s paper as to
the Alga in question being a Desmarestia. The structure certainly
agrees with that of D. ligulata. As my specimens were quite dry when
they reached me, I could not determine if the single-jointed tube men-
tioned by Dr. Harvey as traversing the fronds exists in pinnatinervia;
should it be found there I have no doubt that it will appear in the
nervures and midrib. Although the question is one of much interest
to the algologists, and I look forward with expectation that Dr.
Harvey will investigate the subject on his return, and clear up existing
doubts; I think it very evident that if the pinnatinervia be a Des-
marestia, and if the tubercles I have observed on ligulata be the true
fruit, then Dr. Harvey will have to construct the genus anew, for the
diagnosis does not meet the existing facts.”
Mr. Sanders gave very clear explanations of his several micro-
scopical examinations, which he illustrated by handsomely coloured
diagrams. He was clearly of opinion that he had detected the spores
indicative of a true state of fructification.
113
The Chairman Said that the Society was much indebted to
Mr. Sanders for the very interesting statement he had given—interest-
ing, because Mr. Sanders had brought forward an investigation which
had hitherto escaped the notice of the scientific. He would be
happy to hear any remarks on Mr. Sanders’ views.
Mr. Andrews said, that it would be difficult to comment on the ex-
cellent statement made by Mr. Sanders, unless the same opportunities
of investigation had been afforded that Mr. Sanders so perseveringly
followed out. The highest credit was due to Mr. Sanders in sub-
mitting views which had not been noticed by any authority in Algo-
logy. Statements so put forward had frequently influenced fuller
inquiries, which often resulted in the formation of new alliances or
genera. In a notice of the discovery of Stenogramme interrupta in
Cork harbour by Mr. Isaac Carroll, Dr. Harvey, in this Society, gave
a review of the several discoveries and wide distribution of that plant.
This genus was established by Dr. Harvey; Agardh, who had con-
stituted it a Delesseria, having mistaken the linear couceptacle for a
nerve. Many of our most commonly distributed lichens and mosses
are considered rarities when found in fruit, and several species of the
most frequent occurrence have never been known to fruit in the
British Isles. Desmarestia ligulata is a plant of common occurrence.
On the west coast it may be found in the tide-pools of low-water-mark,
and to the greatest depth that Algae can exist. Mr. Andrews trusts
that Mr. Sanders may successfully establish the investigations which
he has so ably commenced.
Scolopendrium vulgar-e, var. marginalzmr.
Dr. Kinahau exhibited a plant of Scolopendrium vulgare, i'ar. mar-
ginatum, found by him at Tinnehinch, county Wicklow, March 2,
1854, its first record as Irish. This variety (first discovered in
England by Sir W. C. Trevelyan) is remarkable for having the epider-
mis on the back of the frond raised into a membranous ridge or tuck,
running in a wavy line along it, at some little distance from the edge
of the frond; the fronds are scalloped and serrated along their edges,
the sori either continuous over the ridge to the edge of the frond or
stopping at it, when we find a second set of sori arising outside the
hem; or thirdly, the sori are only produced external to the hem : the
form is further remarkable for having several modifications—first, that
under consideration ; secondly, a form named bimarginatum, in
VOL. V. Q
114
which there is a hem on both faces of the frond; thirdly, a form
named supralineum, where the hem exists only on the upper surface
of the frond; and fourthly, a form named dubium by its discoverer,
G. B. VVollaston, Esq., by whom it was raised from seed, iniwhich we
find the free margin running along a frond with multifid apices. In
all these forms we find the serrated margin to the fronds, showing that
probably the deficiency of the substance at the edge of the frond and
of the epidermis, or, taking another view of the case, the irregular
growth of the epidermis and of the venules and apices, proceed from
the same cause. Dr. Kinahan illustrated his remarks with a series of
specimens of the forms mentioned.
Election of Zlifembers.
The Chairman then announced the ballot, when Lord Clermont, of
Ravensdale Park, and Edward R. Wright, Esq., Trinity College, were
elected Members; and Dr. Carte, of the Royal Dublin Society, re-
joined the Society. Those who were formerly Members, on being
proposed by the Council, can rejoin the Society without payment of
the admission-fee. The Meeting then adjourned to the 7th of
April.
BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH.
March 9, 1854.—Professor Balfour, President, in the chair.
Donations.
To the Society’s Library and Herbarium:——‘ Proceedings of the
Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club,’ vol. iii. No. 4, from the Club;
specimens of Ophioglossum lusitanicum, L. (collected in Guernsey
by Mr. Wolsey), from Mr. Moore, Chelsea Botanic Garden.
To the Museum of Economic Botany at the Royal Botanic Gar-
den :—From Dr. Douglas Maclagan ; Robert Daw, Esq. ; Mr. \Valdie;
J. M. Hog, Esq., of Newliston ; Charles Cowan, Esq. ; Mrs. Crichton ;
Mrs. Dr. Simpson; Dr. Alexander Hunter, of Madras; Dr. Royle;
Mr. Bywater (per Mr. Kerr); Dr. Christison; Messrs. Dickson &
Turnbull ; Humphrey Graham, Esq. ; and Messrs. P. Lawson & Son.
115
Exhibitions.
Dr. Balfour exhibited from Messrs. Lawson, a fine cone of Piuus
Sabiniana; also, under the microscope, specimens of porous and true
punctated tissue in coal : and he noticed the formation of coal by Si-
gillarias, and the presence of scalariform tissue in such coal.
Mr. M‘Nab exhibited various cut roots of trees which had been
transplanted by Mr. M‘Glasheu’s patent apparatus a year ago, and
which showed tufts of fibrils varying from 7 or 8 inches to 18 inches
in length, produced from the cut extremities.
Dr. Balfour remarked, that hIr. M‘Glashen’s plan of transplanting
had been very successful; and he stated that the cutting of the
roots did not appear to operate in arresting the growth, and that the
objection urged by some, that the plants, in place of producing
wood, were likely, in such circumstances, to exhaust their energies
in the production of flowers and fruit, had not been verified by the
results so far as already observed. The plan of at once transplant-
ing the trees after their roots were cut, and allowing them to form
young rootlets in their permanent position, seemed preferable to the
plan of cutting the roots the previous season by trenches to induce
the formation of roots, and then running the risk of injuring these by
the after removal.
Mr. Evans exhibited Tasmannia aromatica, in flower, from the
Experimental Garden.
The following papers were read :——-
Pollen of Zamia horrida.
‘ On the Pollen of Zamia horrida.’ By Dr. Balfour. Dr. Balfour
drew the attention of the Society to the pollen of some of the Cyca-
daceae, more especially that of Zamia horrida. The pollen he stated
to be, in its ordinary condition, elliptical, with a groove in one side,
and to resemble very much a grain of wheat in appearance. The
groove is formed by the folding inwards of the edges of the pollen-
grain, which, when fully expanded under the action of water, becomes
completely spherical. When water is applied under the microscope
to the elliptical pollen-grains of Zamia, the two edges of the groove
are seen to unfold and spread out so as to produce the circular grain;
when allowed to dry, the grain resumes the elliptical grooved condition.
It is perhaps difficult to say whether the elliptical or the spherical
116
form is to be looked" upon as the characteristic one; the elliptical
being the dry state of the pollen, while the spherical is the moist con-
dition. The true structure is rendered more apparent by an applica-
tion of iodine. The pollen of Cycads is stated by many to be
angular. This, at all events, is not the form in Zamia horrida. The
observations on the latter, he stated to have been made by Mr.
George Morris. Specimens of the pollen were shown under the
microscope.
Muscology of the East Coast g” Fife.
‘ Notice of the Muscology of the East Coast of Fife.’ By the Rev.
Thomas Brown. The author offered some observations on the dis-
tribution of mosses on the east coast of Scotland, with reference more
particularly to such stations as the Sands of Barrie, the Tents’ Muir,
Elie and Gullane Links, which, although all situated close to the sea-
shore, presented several alpine species. He particularly entered upon
a detail of the mosses found by him in the neighbourhood of Elie,
which included a variety of Mnium affine, not previously found in
fruit in Britain, Bryum dealbatum, Hypnum abietinum, Didymodon
inclinatus, Encalypta rhaptocarpa, and other unusual species.
Antheridia of the Rhamnew.
‘ Note on the supposed Antheridia of the Rhamneae.’ By J. S. B.
Sanderson, Dr. Sanderson, after a careful examination of the
buds of various species of Rhamnus, particularly of R. catharticus,
considered that the bodies supposed by Grisebach to be antheridia
were not so, and that the club-shaped organs described by him, dif-
fered from antheridia in not being developed from a single special
mother-cell, in not possessing a central cavity at any period of their
growth, and in containing a resinous secretion. He could not
detect the “ long-tailed globules enclosed in minute spherical cells,”
described by Grisebach as oscillating in a very lively manner. The
paper was illustrated by drawings.
Anatomical Structure of Cong'ferre, &c.
‘ On the Anatomical Structure of Coniferae and other Gymnogens.’
By Mr. G. Lawson. The author remarked that he had recently
been engaged in an examination of the minute anatomy of Gymno-
117
gens, and, after alluding to the peculiarities of structure that had
drawn towards these plants the attention of all physiologists, be pro-
ceeded more particularly to detail his observations on the anatomy of
their wood-cells. The structure and development of the wood-cell
had been well-elucidated by Hugo von Mohl, in various papers in the
‘ Annales des Sciences Naturelles,’ and in his work on ‘ The Vegetable
Cell,’ but there was one aspect in which the subject had not been so
fully viewed as appeared desirable. Mr. Lawson’s examinations had
been undertaken principally for the purpose of ascertaining in how
far the peculiarities in the minute anatomy of the Coniferae coincided
with their general structure, and might be depended upon in the de-
termination of their orders, genera, and species—an inquiry, from
which fossil Botany and investigations relative to timber were likely
to derive advantage. After detailing the general structure of the wood-
cells of Coniferae, and pointing out peculiarities that occurred in va-
rious plants of the order, he described a remarkable modification
which had been noticed in the yew, viz. the presence in the wood-
cell of what appeared to be a spiral fibre, but which had been shown
by Harting to be a connected pellicle with thickened ridges arranged
in a spiral manner. Mr. Lawson had found this structure to be by no
means so rare as had been supposed, and although principally con-
fined to plants belonging to Taxaceae, it was stated not to be univer-
sal in that order, nor peculiar to it. He had observed it in the
following plants :-—Cephalotaxus Fortunii C. pedunculata, C. tardiva,
Torreya taxifolia, T. nucifera, Taxus baccata, T. canadensis, Podocar—
pus japonica, P. Koraiana, Abies Douglasii, and Fitzroya patagonica.
It also occurred in a specimen of pine-wood from N. California, which
presented interesting microscopical characters, but which he had been
unable as yet to identify. This structure was not to be confounded
with the faint spiral streaks seen under a high power on the secondary
membraue of the wood-cells of many Coniferae. It had been long a
question whether true punctated tissue was strictly confined to Gym-
uogens. A careful examination of Drimys granatensis and other
plants had led Mr. Lawson to believe that the disks which occurred
in aromatic trees were essentially the same as those of Coniferae, and
indeed accorded in a remarkable manner with those of many Arau-
cariae and Taxaceae, in which the central dot was not circular, but
formed by two elliptical slits crossing each other. The manner in
which this appearance arose was fully explained by a reference to the
spiral arrangement of the slits, which also seemed to account for the
alternation of the disks in Araucaria. In the determination of fossil
118
plants and of unknown timbers, Mr. Lawson believed that valuable
characters were afforded by the peculiarities of the wood-cell, such as
its general size, presence or absence of a spiral tertiary membrane,
arrangement of disks (alternate or opposite), their distance from each
other in different directions, and whether in single, double, treble, or
quadruple rows on each cell; absolute size of the disk, and its
breadth as compared with that of the cell; form of disk, whether cir-
cular, elliptical, or angular, or a combination of these forms ; form of
central dot, and (if not circular) direction of the same. The cells of
the medullary rays, and the pits in connexion with them, also afford
useful marks of distinction. By aid of the above characters, to
which many more might be added, Mr. Lawson had been able to
mark distinctions between timbers, whose appearances to the naked
eye presented no definite characters. It was of great importance,
however, in adopting such distinctions, that we should also retain the
other means of investigation we possess, and his present attempt was
meant not to displace, but to supplement these. He is still engaged
in the prosecution of the subject, and expressed an anxiety to obtain
additional specimens for examination. The paper was illustrated by
drawings and by specimens under the microscope. Specimens of
timber were also exhibited, including \Vellingtonia gigautea, which
Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea, had kindly sent through Mr. Evans;
under the microscope it presented a double row of opposite disks,
which, as well as their central dot, were elliptical.
For materials to work upon, Mr. Lawson expressed his great
obligations to Professor Balfour, Mr. M‘Nab, Mr. Evans, and Mr. P.
S. Robertson.
Ophioglossum Znsitanicum.
‘On Ophioglossum lusitanicum, Linnwus.’ By Thomas Moore,
Esq., F.L.S.
The author remarked:——-“ The discovery of the Ophioglossum lusi-
tanicum, L., within the politico-geographical limits of Great Britain,
so soon after that of Gymnogramma leptophylla, another South
European fern, is~a fact of much interest ; and I have thought that a
short account of the plant, drawn up from fresh Guernsey specimens,
with which I have been favoured by the discoverer, may be of some
interest to those who are studying either our native ferns or our native
Flora.
“ Ophioglossum lusitanicum, the Portuguese adder’s-tongue, is
119
technically distinguished by the small lanceolate and somewhat fleshy
barren branch of its fronds. It is altogether much smaller than the
common adder’s-tongue, and may be at once known from that species
by this difference of size, as well as by its difference of form. The
caudex or rhizome forms a short oblong or somewhat fusiform body,
half an inch to three-quarters of an inch long, buried beneath the soil,
and producing a few coarse spreading roots chiefly from near its
upper extremity. At the top it tapers abruptly into a short coni-
cal crown. From this crown rises the frond, which attains in the
Guernsey specimens from about one and a-half to three inches
in height, and is divided above into a barren leafy branch, and a spi-
cate fertile branch. Occasionally, but as it would seem rarely, a bar-
ren radical' frond of lanceolate form accompanies the two-branched
frond. In the latter, the barren branch separates from the fertile
spike at about one-third its height. The stipes is slender, smooth,
round, and of delicate structure, sheathed at the base by broad taper-
pointed scales, which are dilated below and envelope the crown. The
- barren branch is spreading, lanceolate, narrowing towards but bluntish
at the apex, and tapering at the base into a slender petiole; it
is from three-fourths of an inch to an inch and a-half long, somewhat
hollow along the centre from the elevation of its margins, thick and
fleshy in texture when fresh, so that the very slender veins are not
seen; when found, by means of maceration, these are, according to
Presl, few, very slender, and united in very much elongated areoles.
The fertile branch or spike is somewhat taller than the barren branch,
and is supported by a footstalk, which is thickened upwards, becoming
broad, fleshy, and flattened at the base of the spike. The spike itself
is about half-au-iuch long, linear, rather widened a little above the
base, with a tapering apex, fleshy, and bearing along each margin
about six embedded spore-cases, which at length burst transversely.
“ The existence of this curious little plant in Guernsey, was first
discovered in J anuary of the present year, by Mr. Wolsey, who met
with it above the rocks bordering on Petit Bot Bay, in that island.
One remarkable feature of the plant is the very early period of the
year at which its growth is made. By the middle of January
Mr. Wolsey found it to be fully developed, and the fronds no doubt
perish early in the spring.
“ The range of this Ophioglossum appears to be extensive ; for it is
recorded to inhabit the sandy coasts, both of Europe and Africa,
washed by the Mediterranean Sea, including those of Sardinia, Sicily,
Greece, Naples, France, Spain, Portugal, and Algeria ; and to extend
1 ‘20
to the Canary Islands and Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean. It is not
improbable that a diligent search might be rewarded by its discovery
in the Western counties of England or in Ireland. Its early develop-
ment and speedy decay should, however, be borne in mind by those
who may undertake the search.”
GREENWICH NATURAL-HISTORY CLUB.
Saturday, October 29, 1853.—George Busk, Esq., F.R.S., Presi-
dent, in the chair.
Exhibitions.
Mr. Spurrell exhibited a lacustrine coralline (Plumatella repens),
found in the neighbourhood of Bexley. The exact locality from
where it was obtained was a pond at East Lodge Gate, Baldwin,
Dartford Heath.
The President exhibited a series of leaves of the bramble (Rubus
fruticosus), which he had received from many of the midland and
Southern counties of England, and from Jersey; all of which were
affected by a disease almost as general as the potato-disease. In some
counties, as Suffolk, not a leaf but was more or less affected. The
cause of this disease was a microscopic fungus, the Erigma (Phrag-
midium) bulbosum of Berkeley; and when magnified it exhibited the
appearance of a pedicel, supporting sometimes three, sometimes four
(never more than four) sporidia, surmounted by a kind of button,
representing an imperfect sporidium. The specimens of Erigma
found on Roses, and examined by Mr. Currey, generally possessed
eight sporidia. It is worthy of remark, that the Herefordshire
brambles were less affected by the disease than any others.
November 26, 1853.—George Busk, Esq., F .R.S., President, in the
chair.
A paper was read intituled, ‘ A Comparison between the Quadru-
mana of the New and Old Worlds, with especial reference to their
Nasal Peculiarities,’ by Cuthbert Collingwood, M.A., F.L.S., Hon.
Sec.
121
Fungi of the Neighbourhood of Greenwich.
A paper was also read by Fred. Currey, Esq., M.A., on ‘ The Fungi
of the Neighbourhood of Greenwich.’
The author commenced by observing, that as it would not be prac-
ticable to enter into details of all the different species, he had consi-
dered that the most interesting way of treating the subject would be
to select some of the most striking members of the tribe, and to illus-
trate his observations with drawings. Mr. Currey noticed the diffe-
rent orders into which Fungi are divided, according to the latest
English authorities ; and mentioned the distinguishing features of
each order. He stated that the plants belonging to three out of the
six orders would not require much observation, being those Fungi
popularly known as moulds and blights, which are universal in their
distribution, and can hardly be considered as belonging to any parti-
cular district. In the genus Agaricus, Mr. Currey called attention,
amongst others, to Agaricus muscarius, which is remarkable for its
great beauty, as well as for its poisonous and intoxicating qualities;
and to A. rutilans, which is interesting from the beauty of its
colour, and peculiar from its habit of disappearing for a series of years
from its ordinary places of growth. He mentioned also Agaricus
rubescens, A. ostreatus, A. tormiuosus, and several others, of which
drawings were exhibited. He next referred to the genus Polyporus,
of which several species are to be found in the neighbourhood; and
produced to the Society a specimen of Polyporus ulmarius, of
an usually large size, which measured 2 feet across, and weighed 31
pounds. Of the Clavariw, Mr. Currey stated the following to belong
to the district; namely, C. inaequalis, C. coralloides, C. cristata, and
C. rugosa. He mentioned C. coralloides as being a rare plant, of a
pure white colour, resembling branched coral. This genus concluded
the order of the Hymenomycetes. Amongst the Gasteromycetes,
Mr. Currey mentioned some of Lycoperdons, the Phallus impudicus,
and several other genera, too numerous to be mentioned within the
limits of an abstract. He directed particular attention to two species
of earth-stars, or Geaster, namely, Geaster fornicatus and G. colifor-
mis ; the former of which, he stated, was to be found at Hayes ; and
the latter, in the lane leading from Crayford to Bexley. Under the
third order of the Ascomycetes, Mr. Currey referred to Helvella lacu-
nosa and H. elastica, and mentioned that they were both to be found
in the neighbourhood of Eltham, the latter being a rare plant. He
VOL. V. R
I22
entered, also, into some particulars relative to the family of the Geo-
glossae, or earth’s-tongues; but was prevented by the lateness of the
hour from taking notice of the genus Peziza, which he had intended
to have done : and after briefly adverting to a species of Exidia, and
to a drawing of some plants of Phagmidium bulbosum, he brought
this part of his paper to a conclusion.
Saturday, December 17, 1853.—George Busk, Esq., F.R.S., Presi-
dent, in the chair.
Fungi of the Neighbourhood of Greenwich.
Mr. Currey concluded his paper on ‘ The Fungi of the Neighbour-
hood?
The author commenced by correcting a statement in his previous
paper, with respect to a supposed new Agaric, since ascertained to be
A. campauella. He then called attention to a drawing of a very fine
specimen of A. conchatus, which had been found on a tree in Lee
Park ; and pointed out its peculiar mode of growth, and the nature of
the tomentose stem, which strongly resembles coarse white velvet.
He then mentioned some specimens of Agaricus personatus, found
growing gregariously (almost caespitosely) upon a rubbish - heap,
attached to the debris of the leaves of a cedar-tree, the habitat being
unusual, as A. personatus is generally found growing in meadows, in
rings. Some remarks were added upon the difference between the
early and late stages of growth of A. aureus ; and the following Aga-
rics were added to those previously stated to belong to the district ;
viz., A. nudus, A. lateritius, A. sulphureus, and A. radicatus. The
author then proceeded to discuss the genus Peziza, with reference,
amongst other things, to the position of that genus in the natural
arrangements of the family of Fungi. The following, amongst many
others, were mentioned as appertaining to the district; viz., Peziza
calycina, P. scutellata, P. cochleata, P. macropus, P. aurantia, P. suc-
cosa, P. humosa, and P. hemispherica. The author then made some
remarks on the difference in structure of certain species of Sphaeria,
illustrating them with diagrams of the fructification of S. militaris and
S. digitata. Of the tribe Tremellini, Exidia recisa, Tremella mesen-
terica, and Tremella iutumescens were stated to grow in the neigh-
bourhood. The author called attention to an interesting fungus which
he had lately met with at Eltham, viz., Cyphella muscicqla; and
123
made some observations upon the germination of Phragmidia, and the
nature of the fructification of the genus Thelephora, with regard to
certain bodies similar to asci, which, he stated, are to be found at an
early stage of growth. The author concluded with some remarks
upon the different species of Urediues ; he expressed some doubts as
to the real difference of the numerous named species of that genus,
stating that he had himself found Uredo Euphorbiae growing upon
the culms and leaves of Alopecurus agrestis.
_*
Saturday, January 28th, 1854.—George Busk, Esq., F.R.S., Pre-
sident, in the chair.
Exhibitions.
Mr. Glaisher exhibited several very beautiful photographic copies
of the crystals of snow, produced at the Royal Observatory. He
stated that he had counted upwards of fifty compound forms.
The President exhibited a series of excellent photographs of
microscopic objects, principally zoophytes, obtained by means of the
collodion process from negatives on glass, by gas-light. The average
time of exposure was nine or ten minutes.
Mr. Currey exhibited a very beautifully prepared collection of
Algae, obtained by Mr. Tuwanowicz, at Hastings; accompanied by a
communication from the same gentleman, descriptive of his method of
preserving them, which is as follows :—
ll/Iethod of Preserving Algae.
“ Algae should be gathered on rocks, either very early in the
morning, or when the sun is considerably below the meridian. If
gathered amongst the rejectamenta after a storm, absolutely very
early, for the sun would scorch them, and the finer and more delicate
ramuli are distorted by heat and matted together. An oil-skin bag,
or, still better, a bottle with a large neck, is necessary for collecting
Algae; using therefore the latter, fill up part of it with sea-water and
deposit your discoveries in it. When at home, first cleanse them in
one or two washes of sea-water, then dislodge all parasites as far
as possible with small scissors, except those minute Algae which must
be left parasitically upon another plant. The coarser Algae, as Fuci,
Halidrys, &c., require to be kept in fresh water for several days to
deprive them of the salt; but all the minute or delicate ones, such as
124
Callithamnia, require to be only a few minutes in fresh water; and
the genus Griflithsia cannot endure fresh water at all, but when im-
mersed in it, dyes it carmine, the plant itself being deprived of its
colour. Such plants should be laid out in clean sea-water, and as
speedily as possible after being gathered.
“ Stout cream laid, or hotpressed drawing-paper, of uniform size,
saturated with sweet oil, by the aid of a broad camel’s-hair brush,
should be used. Lay the pieces one over the other and repeat the
saturation ; then bake them in an oven not overheated, and it is best
to leave them for one night or longer, until they are well baked.
Float out the specimen in fresh water in a broad shallow dish, white
bottomed, and without any pattern in colours, and bring the oiled
paper underneath the seaweed, and withdraw it carefully with the
plant from the water, so as to leave the natural appearance of its
ramuli. It is best to withdraw it by one corner, and to turn it almost
round extremely gently, sometimes assisting the development with
the point of a long pen. Lay the paper thus withdrawn on a very
slightly inclined board, in order to allow the water to drain off ; and
in a few minutes, or even sooner, when the water; has escaped, lay
the oiled paper with the specimen upon it on white blotting-paper
folded in quarto. Spread over the specimen most carefully a piece of
old cambric, or fine muslin, or very fine lawn, and on this lay more
blotting-paper, and so on. Over all this place a heavy book or
weight to press them; but remember to place less weight on the
finer than on the coarser seaweeds. Change the blotting-paper
at least every six or eight hours, with great care not to disturb the
coverings of the specimens, else it would spoil their arrangement.
Each time the blotting-paper becomes damp, it must be well dried
and pressed smooth before being used again. After the third change
of the blotting-paper, you may remove the muslin or cambric with the
specimen already dried, if a delicate one (coarse ones require six or
seven changes), and again place it between dry blotting-paper, laying
aside the oiled paper to be dried for future use. Next, remove the
specimen most carefully from the muslin or cambric, and fix it
by means of narrow strips of paper to the cream laid paper, adding
on the outside the name, class, order, family, &c.
“At first you require to be very careful, but experience will
familiarize you with the proceedings. This description is derived
from my own long experience, having tried many plans and found
none better than the above. Some of the finer and rather gelatinous
plants are difficult to remove even from the oiled paper, and in this
125
manner I have lost many hundreds, among them some of the rarest;
it is best therefore to lay out such plants at once on pieces of cream
laid paper, cut rather larger than the plants, and covering them with
muslin or cambric, the specimens will adhere firmly to the paper, and
when dried may be fixed with gum by the corners on to the quarto
cream laid paper. Confervae and Cladophorae require to be laid out
as soon as possible, otherwise they lose their characteristics, particu-
larly by the relaxation of their ramuli, and the brilliancy of their
colours will turn to yellowish .”——C. C.
THE PHYTOLOGICAL CLUB,
( In connexion with the Pharmaceutical Society.)
First Annual Meeting.— Wednesday, January 11, 1854.—Robert
Bentley, Esq., F.L.S., President, in the chair.
Donations.
Donations of ferns from Mr. Daniel Hanbury, and of ergotised
grasses and specimens of Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense from Mr.
Blyth, were announced.
Report of the Oommittee.
The following Report was read by the Secretary :—
“ In presenting their First Annual Report the Committee have to
congratulate the Members upon the flourishing and prosperous condi-
tion of the Phytological Club.
“ The support and countenance it was received prove that the
objects for which it was established commend themselves to pharma-
ceutists, and that an association of this kind is desirable in con-
nexion with the Pharmaceutical Society.
“ The objects contemplated at the formation of the Club have been
constantly kept in view. The monthly meetings have been regularly
held, at which many interesting papers and communications have been
read, and instructive discussions have taken place upon them. These
have been from time to time reported in the ‘ Pharmaceutical Journal.’
A Branch Association has been formed at Worcester, and the Com-
mittee hear of others in the course of formation.
126
“ The list of Members, which numbers seventy-five, is as large as
the most sanguine could expect, when it is considered that the Club
has only completed the first year of its existence, and that no great
efforts have been made to induce Members to join. The Committee,
therefore, confidently believe that during the ensuing year the num-
ber of Members will be considerably increased.
“ The financial condition of the Club is also satisfactory. After the
current expenses of the year have been met, a balance of £10 10s. 3d.
remains in the hands of the Treasurer.
“ The formation of the Herbarium has not been forgotten. 1700
specimens have been presented, 350 of which form the Herbarium of
the Club, and will represent about the number of species. 1350 spe-
cimens remain in the hands of the Curators for exchange or distribu-
tion among the Members. These duplicates will be distributed among
those Members who make application for them to the Curators ; those
who have contributed specimens having a prior claim.
“In concluding their Report, the Committee would press on the
Members the desirability of enlisting new Members, and of encou-
raging a spirit of observation and inquiry on subjects of botanical
interest. By so doing the practical value of the Club will be
increased, and each succeeding Annual Report will afford greater
cause for congratulation.”
Election of Ofiicers.
The following Officers were elected for 1854 :——President: Robert
Bentley, Esq., F.L.S. and Professor of Botany, &c. Vice-Presidents:
Jacob Bell, Esq., F.L.S., Henry Deane, Esq., President Pharm. 800.,
T. N. R. Morson, Esq., F.L.S., T. Redwood, Esq., Ph.D. and Profes-
sor of Chemistry and Pharmacy, P. Squire, Esq., M.R.I. Treasurer:
Daniel Hanbury, Esq. Curators : Mr. J. C. Braithwaite and Mr.
Edmund Greaves. Other Members of Committee: Mr. Allchin, Mr.
Greenish, Mr. W. Matthews, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Walker, Mr. VVilliam-
son. Honorary Secretary: Lindsey Blyth.
THE PHYTOLOGIST CLUB.
One Hundred and, Fi/ty- fifth Sitting.-- Saturday, March 25,
. 1854.—MR. NEWMAN, President, in the chair.
127
The President read the following communications :—
French Locality for Ulex australis.
“ I do not know if any of your correspondents have indicated the
precise localities of Ulex australis (U. provincialis, Lois.), in the South-
east of France. Mr. Babington, in the ‘ Annals,’ some years since,
mentioned that he received it from Marseilles, and indicated what he
considered the diagnostic marks between U. australis and U. Euro-
paeus. I spent three or four days lately in Marseilles, and brought
away a few specimens of U. australis. It is first found between Avig-
non aud Marseilles, about twenty-five miles from the latter place,
growing abundantly in open, exposed places near the sea, and has
there very much the facies of U. Europaeus; it is found in suitable
localities, at intervals, all the remaining distance to Marseilles.
Beyond Marseilles, on the road to Nice, it first occurs very sparingly
within five miles of the town, increasing in abundance as far as Brig-
nolles, and about twelve or fifteen miles beyond Brignolles appeared
to cease altogether. Here it grows on rocks &c. by the roadside, and
its facies is much more characteristic than between Avignon and Mar-
seilles. It is slenderer and taller than E. Europaeus; the flowers
smaller and more numerous. On a closer examination, the stamina
and pistil are much more delicate and slender, the bracts, or scales
at the base of the calyx, much smaller and less highly coloured, than
in Europaeus. As to the calycine teeth, they are quite as well marked
in my specimens of U. Europaeus as in U. australis, and as in the
figure of the latter plant given by Loiseleur; although be separately
and specially represents the calyx, with its teeth, as in some degree
characteristic of his U. provincialis. In U. Europaeus, the flowers
spring quite from the axils of the branchlets; in U. australis, they
are not axillary, but grow from the branchlet, about a line or more
from its junction with the main stem. The Ulex was in full flower in
January, defying the piercing mistral ; though it does not grow on the
exposed rock to the left of the bay overloking the quarantine island,
Chateau d’If, &c.”—Charles Prentice ; Cheltenham, M'arch 4, 1854.
Plants at Nice.
“ At Nice, though rather more to the North, the weather was warmer,
and vegetation further advanced than about Marseilles. I noticed in
full flower, at the beginning of February, Anemone hortensis, Ranun-
culus Ficaria (very large), Thlaspi perfoliatum, Globularia vulgaris,
l 2.8
Rhamnus alaternus, Cytisus sp., Satureia capitata, Centaurea panicu-
lata, L., Rosmarinus officinalis, Euphorbia dendroides, Andropogon
hirtus, Geranium molle and G. rotundifolium, and Erodium Bocconi.
Grammitis Ceterach was the most abundant fern, though Adiantum
Capillus-Veneris is nearly as frequent. The sea-cliffs are too dry to
be rich in ferns, and I noticed there only Asplenium Trichomanes
and A. Ruta-muraria, and Aspidium glandulosum (rare). Asplenium
Trichomanes and A. Adiantum-nigrum are hardly so luxuriant near
Nice as we see them in South Devon. The terrace-cultivation of the
olive-orchards has very much injured the natural vegetation of the
low but picturesque hills close to the town. I had not time to pene-
trate to the loftier summits bounding the landward horizon of Nice,
and which, covered with snow in Winter, would, from their greater
humidity, furnish more cryptogamic plants than the hills near the
town. Gymnostomum tortile, Physcomitrium curvisetum (rare, on the
sea-cliffs only), Tortula fallax and T. rigida, Grimmia pulvinata and
G. trichophylla, Dicranum varium, Hypnum striatulum, Spruce, and
H. molluscum, Mnium affine and M. punctatum were all the mosses
I noticed in fructification.”——Id.
Gymnogramma leptophylla.
“In my note (Phytol. iv. 1096) respecting the Gymnogramma, I
stated that ‘it doubtless will be found in other localities, as the cli-
mate must nearly approach that of the South of France, and of Italy,
where the Gymnogramma abounds.’ l have just received a letter
from my valued correspondent, Mr. Piquet, a portion of which I tran-
scribe. ‘ I have now the Gymnogramma growing under a glass shade.
It is full five inches high, and very beautiful. I had never seen any-
thing like it; in fact, it is finer than the specimen you showed me
from Madeira. It has been found in two or three other localities of
late ; so that there is not much chance now of its being all taken
away.’ ”——N. B. Ward ; Clapham ,- March 6, 1854.
Mr. Newman said, that Mr. Ward also noticed a supposed new
fern, found in Jersey, by Mr. Piquet, who had obligingly sent him
(Mr. Newman) specimens and much information. The subject was
still in the course of investigation.


129
Contributions towards a History of a British Botrychium, considered
as a distinct Species, and as entitled to a place in the British
Flora. By EnWARD NEWMAN.
As on a late occasion (Phytol. v. 36), so on the present, my object
is rather to invite attention to a neglected plant, and to solicit infor-
mation respecting it, than to express, much less to enforce, any pecu-
liar views of my own. I extremely regret the paucity of materials
collected in a field which seems to promise such an abundant har-
vest. It appears that there are at least six species of Botrychium
inhabiting Europe, under the same parallel as own Scottish Highlands,
and also under a parity of climatal “and geological conditions. There
can be little doubt that these will be eventually added to the British
Flora: but, as an excuse for their having been overlooked, it may be
urged, and perhaps with justice, that the Botrychiums are remarkably
inconstant in their appearance, and evanescent in their duration ; and
therefore that the man who meets with them is often rather fortunate
than skilful. There is something yet unexplained in the history of the
species of Botrychium, in common with that of the natural order to
which theybelong. They have all the appearance, and some of the
characters, of root-parasites: every fact connected with their succu-
lent nature, brief duration, capricious appearance and disappearance,
and place of growth, suggests such a conclusion. Who ever has found
a Botrychium except among herbage ?——who has ever succeeded in
Cultivating a Botrychium except he removed to his fernery the
undisturbed sod which afforded it a nidus ? It is true that we want
better evidence than this: we want the working out of the problem
from facts, and not from probabilities : and I heartily wish that those
botanists who have the leisure would pursue the interesting subject of
root-parasitism, in this and other instances where we are still com-
pletely in the dark.
‘ Two European Botrychiums have long been known to inhabit this
country. Their nativity, so to speak, has never been called in ques-
tion ; but a fashion has prevailed of regarding them as identical, and
of ignoring the very existence of a second name. This is a way of
solving a difficult problem that appears to me rather superficial than
satisfactory. The proper botanical standing of the blue Anagallis
was formerly, and perhaps is still, a moot question 5 but no one has
hitherto ventured to deny its existence. Let us, then, acknowledge
VOL. V. S
130
the existence of a deltoid Botrychium, and glance slightly at its
history.
1. RAY, &c.
“ Lunariam minorem ramosam, & Lunariam min. fol. dissectis
Westmorland. D. Lawson hujus plantae varietates esse ; non distinc-
tas species opinatur. (D. Doody Syn. II. App. 340. Lunariam
minorem foliis dissectis revera distinctam speciem vult, cum seg-
menta seu lunulae non solum eminenter sint sectae, sed planta etiam
elatior sit & botrus racemosior. Est Lunaria botrytis minor pin-
nulis laciniatis, in Borealibus nostris Pluk. Alm. 288. Mr. Doody
received it from Sir Th VVillughby, but hath since seen it several
times gathered by our Herb-women).”——Raii Syn. 129.
From this passage I draw the following conclusions :—
lst. That Ray supposed there were two British species of Botry-
chium distinct from lunaria.
2nd. That Mr. Lawson thought them both varieties of lunaria.
3rd. That Dillenius believed one of them, described as with foliis
dissectis, to be a distinct species.
4th. That this species, or supposed species, was found by or known
to Ray, Lawson, Doody, Willughby, and the herb-women.
2. SWARTZ.
In his ‘ Synopsis F ilicum,’ dated'1806, Swartz describes a new spe-
cies of European Botrychium, under name of Botrychium rutaceum.
“ B. frondibus subsolitariis bipinnatis, pinnis ovatis, incisis.”——Syn.
Fit. 171.
He cites “ Breyn. Gent. t. 94,” as representing his plant.
3. WILLDENOW.
In his ‘ Species Plantarum,’ dated 1810, Willdenow also describes a
Botrychium rutaceum. '
“ B. scapo superne unifrondoso, fronde bipinnatifida laciniis emar-
ginato- bi- seu tridentatis obtusis. IV.”
He cites Mor. Hist. iii. p. 594, sec. 14, t. 5, f. 2, 3, as representing
his plant.
Side by side with Botrychium rutaceum, Willdenow describes a
second species; and this was also known to the pre-Linnean bota-
nists. This second species is called B. matricarioides; and from
Willdenow’s days downwards the two names have been almost inex—
tricably involved.
131
4. SMITH, &c.
In his ‘ English Flora,’ Sir J. E. Smith cites all these authors, and
makes the plant in question var. 5. of his Botrychium lunaria.
“ 5‘. L. minor, foliis dissectis. Raii Syn. 129. L. racemosa minor,
matricariae folio. Breyn. Cent. t. 94. Maris. v. 3. 594. sect. 14,
t. 5. f. 3. Botrychium rutaceum, Sw. Syn. Fit. 171. Willd.
Sp. Pl. v. 5. 62.”——E. F. iv. 328.
Here we have the B. rutaceum of Europe identified as a British
plant, but, although retained as a variety, advisedly rejected as a spe-
cies, because, although “ found occasionally intermixed here and there
with the plant in its proper or common form; yet never, as far as” the
author “ could learn, so numerously distinct as to have _the appear-
ance of a different species.”
It would seem, from this passage, that paucity of individuals was
the only inducing cause with Sir .I. E. Smith for rejecting Botry-
chium rutaceum as a British plant; but still he retained it as a variety.
The learned authors of the 6th edition of the ‘ British Flora,’ and the
very careful author of the ‘Manual,’ go a step further: they ignore
the existence of such a plant.
5. BRAUN, &c.
Prof. Al. Braun, in the 2nd edition of Koch’s ‘ Synopsis,’ has been
at great pains to make the synonymy intelligible; but he gives the
plants two new names, matricariaefolium and rutaefolium ; and, what
seems still more unfortunate, his matricariaefolium = YVilldenow’s
rutaceum; and his rutaefolium = Willdenow’s matricarioides. Doll,
in his ‘ Rhenish Flora,’ adopts this change.
6. LEDEBOUR.
Ledebour, in his ‘Flora Rossica,’ rejects the new names, and
restores the old ones; but makes the rutaceum of Swartz synonymous
with the-matricarioides of Willdenow. In support of this view he
offers no evidence; and were this transposition of the synonyme
really required, surely the identification of the rutaceum of Swartz
with the matricarioides of Willdenow would necessitate the adoption
of Swartz’s name for that plant, since it has a priority of four years.
Seeing, however, that the characters and synonymes are drawn up
with great care, and exhibit all that has been done on the continent
for two plants, which, whether species or varieties, will in all probabi-
132
lity ere long hold a station in the British Flora, I shall transfer them,
without hesitation, to the pages of the ‘ Phytologist.’
“ 2. B. rutaceum (Willd. Sp. Pl. v. 62. excl. Syn. Swartz.) fronde
sterili solitaria oblonga longitudine sua duplo triplove angustiore
petiolo frondis fertilis ad medium usque v. altius adnata pinna-
tipartita: pinnis ovatis, v. oblongo-lanceolatis pinnatifido loba-
tis: lobis 2-3 crenatis obtusis.
B. rutaceum, Alart. Fl. Mosq. p. 183.
B. Lunaria 6., Fries, Novit. ed. 1. p. 38 ; ed. 2, p. 289? ; Wahlenb.
Fl. Suec. p. 681 ; Fries, Summa Veget. Scand. p. 83? Rapr.
in Bcitr. 2. Pflanzenk. d. Russ. R. iii. p. 33, iv. p. 92.
B. Lunaria forma rutacea, Less. in Linncea, ix. p. 212.
B. Lunaria, Kaulf. Ennm. Fil. p. 24 partim.
B. matricariaefolium, Al. Brann in Koch Syn. ed. 2, p. 972; Fries,
Summa Veget. Scand. p. 252.
Osmunda lanceolata, S. G. Gmel. in Nov. Comment. Acad. Petrop.
xii. p. 516, t. 11, f. 2.
Lunaria vulgaris varietas : Lunaria foliis Adianthi Breynii. Batch.
in Comment. Acad. Petropol. iii. p. 271.
B. tripartitam : fronde 'sterili tripartita: lacinia media profunde
trifida; omnibus ovato-lanceolatis serrato- incisis : lacinulis
obtusis.
B. matricarioides (Willd. Sp. Pl. v. 62) fronde solitaria petio-
lata, petiolo basin frondis sterilis subvaginante; lamina triangulari
transverse latiori trisecta: segmentis primariis pinnatisectis;
secundariis inferioribus 2 - 3-v. pinnatipartitis : superioribus
inciso-crenatis : laciniis rotundatis crenulatis.
B. matricarioides, Fries, Novit. ed. 2, p. 288. Summa Veget.
Scandin. p. 83, 252. Tnrcz. Cat. Baikal. No. 1339.
B. rutaceum, Swartz, Syn. Fil. p. 171. Wahlenb. Fl. saec. p. 681;
Rnpr. in Beitr. z. Pflenzen/c. d. Russ. R. iii. p. 33.
B. Matricariae, Spreng. Syst. Veg. iv. p. 23. Eichw. Skisse, p.114.
Weim. Fl. Petropol. p. 105.
B. rutaefolium, Al. Braun in Koch Syn. ed. 2, p. 972.
Osmunda Lunaria var Bo'ckeana. L. Amoen. Acad. viii. p. 105.
Osmunda Matricariae, Schrank ,- Baier. Fl. ii. p. 419.”——Ledebour,
Fl. Rossica, xiv. 505.
Mr. Woods, in his ‘ Tourist’s Flora,’ has given the two new or modi-
fied names, thus: his matricarifolium = rutaceum, Willd., and his
rutifolium = matricarioides, Willd.
133


Botrychium rutaceum of Swartz.
Of species, or supposed species, of deltoid Botrychium inhabiting
this country, I will here consider we have but one ; and of this a fair
representation is given above. With this plant, as British, Ray, Law-
son, Doody, Dillenius, and Smith were familiar : the last-named bota-
nist identified it with the B. rutaceum of Swartz, and abundantly
proves his knowledge of the plant by his reference to figures. Mr.
Cruickshank found three specimens of it on the sands of Barry, near
Dundee, in August, 1839; one of them, evidently a monstrosity, is
figured in ‘ British Ferns,’ p. 348. Mr. Cruickshank particularly
states that no specimens of Botrychium lunaria were found near
them. _
The second plant, which I am prepared, with Ledebour, to call
matricarioides, and of the existence of which in this country there is
no evidence, appears to me to be perfectly distinct as a species. In
rutaceum, Willd., the stipes, as in lunaria, ascends undivided until
near its summit; it then throws off the barren branch, which is
almost sessile, deltoid, and pinnate, exhibiting no tendency towards
a tripartite division, but the pinnae regularly decreasing in length, and
being sublinear or subclavate, rather broader near the apex than at
the base. In matricarioides, Willd., the stipes is divided almost at
its base, and below the surface of the ground, the barren branch
appearing as a root-leaf, and its base evidently sheathing the base of
134
the fertile branch, the stipes, or petiole, or scape of which is very long.
The barren branch, or leaf, also differs in a marked manner from that
of rutaceum; its petiole is longer than the leaf; it is distinctly» tripar-
tite, its divisions being stipitate and somewhat tripartite. Comparing
it primary lateral divisions with the first pair of pinnae in rutaceum,
they are deltoid instead of linear, broader at the base instead of nar-
rower, distinctly petiolate instead of subsessile. These differences
are constant, no intermediate states occurring.
we have now only to ask on what evidence B. rutaceum is united to
B. lunaria; and the reply is, the paucity of specimens. This seems
plausible, but insufficient. The same argument would erase, and per-
haps with propriety, Asplenium germanicum from the list of species.
But it should be shown that the deltoid or trigonate frond of ruta-
ceum is a modification of the linear frond of lunaria; and it should
also be shown how the elongate pinnae of rutaceum, with their evident
median axis, are modifications of the fiabellate pinnae of lunaria, which
have no median axis. To myself, there appears no mode of explain-
ing the phenomenon; for those examples of lunaria which show a
disposition to greater division retain the fiabelliform outline, but
become digitate; while those which evince an opposite tendency
merely become more entire on the margin. Information is earnestly
solicited.
EDWARD NEWMAN.


PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES, &c.

THE PHYTOLOGICAL CLUB,
( In connexion with the Pharmaceutical Society.)
March 8, 1854.—Robert Bentley, Esq., F .L.S., President, in the
chair.
Several new members were elected, and a list of candidates read
and proposed.
Relation of Meteorology to Botany.
The Secretary made some observations on the Relation of Meteoro-
logy to Botany. He thought the weather was a very proper subject
for discussion in an association formed for the purpose of promoting
the study of Botany. Man was sensitively alive to every modification
135
of the weather, but he could protect himself by artificial means from
its extreme influences—-whilst plants were exposed to all its changes
--and it was of great importance to become acquainted with the
causes that so materially affected their constitution. He then, by the
aid of maps and diagrams, pointed out the principles ‘on which the
science of meteoroIOgy is founded, and gave a description of the phy-
sical and chemical constitution of the atmosphere, showing the two
great currents that are constantly flowing from the equator to the poles
set up by the action of the sun on the surface of the earth between the
tropics—which,modified by the diurnal and annual rotation of the earth,
and by the relative distribution of the sea and land, gave rise to every
variety of climate. Although the whole of organic nature is depen-
dent on these phenomena, yet meteorology and botany had been cul-
tivated as distinct sciences, and it had been reserved to M. Humboldt
to draw out a general plan, indicating the direct bearing that climate
had on vegetation. He divided each hemisphere into seven belts or
zones of climate, each of which contained species peculiar to itself.
The vegetation of mountains presents on a small scale the image of
that of the earth considered as a whole. The annual mean tempera-
ture of a place is not, however, the only circumstance which deter-
mines its peculiar vegetation. The effects of the lowest temperature
of winter, as well as the highest temperature of summer, have also to
be taken into consideration. Besides the vivifying influence of heat,
the chemical action of the sun’s rays of light modify many of the con-
stituents of a plant. Lastly, he drew attention to the conditions of
the atmosphere which appeared to affect the health of plants. Blights
in the wheat and in the potato, and mildew on the grape, had appeared
simultaneously with “great electrical disturbances of the atmosphere;
but although the subject was involved in great obscurity a more ear
nest spirit of observation was at present awakened, and no doubt
valuable resuts would follow.
A few Remarks on Cotyledon Umbilicus.
A communication from Mr. Gissing, of Worcester, was then read,
entitled ‘ A few Remarks on Cotyledon Umbilicus.’
“ I believe that a work on the popular uses of British plants among
the lower classes of the English people, would prove both useful and
instructive. Among other classes, it would, I think, exhibit the fact
that in many of the new remedies introduced into medicine, the prac-
tice of the village doctress has furnished the first hint to the supposed
discoverer of new virtues in various plants.
136
“ The one plant, or.‘ herb’ as all wild plants are called by the com-
mon people, that I have now more particularly in view, is Cotyledon
Umbilicus. This plant, it is well known, is very common in Devon-
shire, Somersetshire, and the South-west of England, as well as on
the rocks in Wales and the counties bordering thereon.
“In the former counties it grows chiefly on banks, and attains a
much greater height than in its more rocky habitats. From Somer-
setshire I have seen specimens, the flower-stalks of which were two
feet or more high, but plants growing in more mountainous situations
I have seldom seen exceed eight or ten inches. Perhaps I may say
a few words here upon the shape of the leaf of Ootyledon Umbilicus.
In Monmouthshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire I have ga-
thered plants with some of the root-leaves kidney-shaped, and others
spathulata, and not peltate as is usual. I am unable to state whether
these leaves would afterwards have assumed the peltate form; but
from the fact of several of the other leaves on these plants having their
stalks at various distances from their edges, I thought there was a pro-
bability of their having been originally reniform or spathulate. I
know it is by no means a general rule for the leaf» stalks to be central,
but the two circumstances united in one plant caused the supposition
that the peltate leaf might be a development of an earlier form. I
name this fact because I have never before seen it noticed; if it be
general, it is worthy of remark. The leaves of the flower-stalk, I
know, are generally nearly reniform, but the leaves I have spoken of
were growing long before the flower-stalk made its appearance.
“ One of the common names of Cotyledon Umbilicus is kidney-
wort." Now we know pretty certainly that the other vulgar names,
penny-wort and navel-wort, are given from the ,shape of the leaves.
Did the person who added to these names kidney-wort do so for the
same reason, or from any supposed curative power? Most likely the
latter; but still, bearing in mind the leaves I have spoken of, there is
a possibility in favour of the former.
“ Respecting the medicinal use of Cotyledon Umbilicus, it is well
known to most chemists and druggists, that Mr. Salter, of Poole,
introduced it a few years since as a cure for epilepsy, since which
time it has been used, although I believe to only alimited extent,
amongst medical men.
“ In Monmouthshire and Herefordshire I found, on inquiry, that
the leaves were taken for urinal obstructions and ‘fits ;’ in Lanca-
shire, amongst other complaints, they are likewise taken for ‘fits.’ In
Herefordshire I find they are used for corns and warts; in VVorcester-
137
shire they are used for the same purpose; hence they are called
‘ corn-leaves.’ They are likewise used here to make a cooling oint-
ment, and their juice is expressed and mixed with cream as a cooling
lotion for sore faces or chaps in children ; in the same manner as the
juice of the houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum).
“ Whether Mr. Salter knew of its use amongst the common people
for ‘ fits,’ and examined for what kind of ‘ fits ’ it was used, and found
it to be epilepsy, of course I am unable to say, but I have no doubt
it was used for what the people call ‘ fits,’ very many years before Mr.
Salter introduced it into the regular practice of medicine. For it is
most unlikely that the people should have recently adopted it, as they
generally are violently opposed to all innovations upon their time-
honoured customs. Witness the feeling still prevalent in many parts
against vaccination. The word of a village doctress is much more
powerful amongst the ignorant peasantry than that of the qualified
practitioner. She is a remnant of a bygone age, and I_doubt not, as
surgeons penetrate more into remote districts, the rising generation
will totally discard the only medical adviser to their forefathers. The
doctress commenced her practice when it was almost the only mode
of treatment; and when, if surgeons differed from her, it was only to
prescribe more absurd and disgusting remedies; she kept it when
medical men came to be comparatively frequent ; and her ‘ occupa-
tion ’ will only be fully ‘ gone,’ when the class that now constitutes
her patients has become intelligent enough to prefer science to
quackery.
“ Ray says, that the root and leaves of Cotyledon Umbilicus (or
Umbilicus Veneris, as it was then named) were used for erysipelas,
&c., and refers to Dioscorides and Galen. Dr. Hill, in his ‘ Family
Herbal,’ gives it as a general cooling medicine, internally and exter-
nally. In the last edition of Gray’s ‘ Supplement to the Pharmaco-
pceias,’ it is said to be used in the same manner; and in Meyrick’s
‘Family Herbal’ it is given as cooling and diuretic, and good for
burns; but in none of those are ‘ fits’ named. Whether the authors
disbelieved the utility of the plant in these diseases, or whether they
were ignorant of its use in such cases, I cannot tell. It is likewise
very difficult to determine what ignorant people mean by the term
‘ fits;’ apoplexy, paralysis, hysteria, and epilepsy are all ‘ fits ’ with
them: they have no discriminating eye for the different symptoms
that denote the difl’erent kinds of‘ fits.’
“ The only notice I have seen of Cotyledon Umbilicus being used
in any of the diseases just named, is in the ‘ Pharmaceutical Journal’
VOL. V. T
138
for 1849, where Mr. Ince observes, that it has long been a popular‘
remedy in ‘ hysteria.’
“ Anything that alleviates the sufferings of humanity should be
hailed with satisfaction, and whether Mr. Salter has taken a leaf from
the prescription-book of the village doctress, or not, is of but little.
consequence, so long as it is useful, but in that case it is not a new
medicine.
“ I have brought forward these remarks, thinking they may induce
others, who, perhaps, possess greater advantages than myself, to exa-
mine the subject of the local uses and names of British plants.
“ In examining the subject, they might eliminate all that is worth-
less, and adopt whatever they found worthy of support. In doing
this, they will be just as much assisting truth and progress, as if they
were engaged in some higher and more ostentatious branch of the
sciences.”
The President said that in his opinion, whether Mr. Salter was the
original discoverer of the virtues of Cotyledon Umbilicus in epilepsy,
or only the introducer of it into the regular practice of medicine, he was
equally entitled to the thanks of the community at large for any benefits
that might arise from its use, although, as far as his own experience went,
he thought that the value of this remedy in epilepsy had been much
overrated. The President also stated that he was very glad to find, from
the interesting paper just read, that the local uses of our indigenous
plants had begun to excite the attention of the members of the Phy-
tological Club ; as this was one of the prominent objects contemplated
at its establishment, and one also which he had on several occasions
impressed the importance of upon the members, he hoped therefore
that this paper would soon be followed by others on similar subjects.
Mr. Bentley also called attention to that part of the paper referring to
the probability of the extract of Cotyledon Umbilicus, prepared from
plants from different habitats, possessing somewhat different charac-
ters. He thought that this was very likely to be the case, as he
believed that climate, soil, &c., had far mere influence in modifying
the properties of plants than was generally supposed, and from the
importance of the bearing of this subject upon pharmaceutists, who
had continually to make use of plants and their products in the prepa-
ration of various medicinal compounds, he urged the necessity of a
thorough investigation of the matter upon the members of the Club.
Mr. Blyth observed, that the extract of Cotyledon Umbilicus had
been largely tried at St. Mary’s Hospital, more especially by Dr.
Sieveking, and the effects had been so satisfactory, in some cases of
139
epilepsy, in causing a remission of the attack, as to justify its further
use. He did ‘not know from what part of the country the plant was
obtained from which the extract supplied to the Hospital was made——
but the extract itself was unexceptionable. It was the province of
the pharmaceutist to prepare a good extract—it was the province of
the physician to judge of its effects.
There will be no meeting of the Phytological Club in the month of
April. The next meeting will take place, therefore, on Wednesday,
May 10, at 9 p.m.
Friday, March 17, 1854.——Edwin Lees, Esq., F.L.S., delivered a
highly interesting and instructive lecture “ On the Geography of
Plants,” to the members of the Worcester Branch of the Phytological
Club, and their friends, in All Saints’ School-room, Worcester.
Mr. Lees, having been introduced by Mr. J. S. Walker (President
of the Worcester Branch of the Phytological Club), -commenced his
address by briefly touching upon the various motives that led to the
love and study of Botany, and vindicated the science from the charge
of “dryness.” Mr. Lees then proceeded to mention the different
ways in which plants had been regarded at different times. Originally
they were only valued as furnishing food; and acorns, chestnuts, and
beech-mast, had been the first aliment of mankind before the cultiva-
tion of corn. After that golden age, magical and superstitious
qualities were ascribed to plants, especially if gathered at particular
times. The Greeks and Romans considered Pontus, in Asia Minor,
as a famous place for dire venomous plants, that would change
the very nature of man; and the “sacred bean,” the fruit of the
Nelumbium speciosum, was supposed by the greatest philosophers to
possess a mysterious influence. In our own country the mountain
ash and service-tree were considered antidotes to witchcraft; and this
was the reason the elder-tree was seen at every cottage-door, because
it had been considered to keep out all unnatural intruders. Agrimony
and mugwort, as well as many others, were considered “ plants
of power;” the former, placed under a man’s head, threw him into a
state of torpor, while the latter gave him pedestrian powers almost
equal to the giant’s seven-leagued boots! After the invention of
printing, and the consequent general spread of knowledge, magical
herbs began to be regarded with incredulity. But now another phase
in the history of plants occurred. They became “ speed-wells,”
140
“ wound-worts,” and “ all-heals; ” they were expected to cure every
disorder in the catalogue of human ills, and every garden became a
little Apothecaries’ Hall. This was the belle dame age of medicine,
when the old woman doctress had much more to do than the apothe-
cary, and worked her pestle and mortar to good purpose. About a
quarter of a century ago, one Mrs. Welton was well known at St.
John’s, near this city, as a doctress, and a “ grand compouuder”
of balsams, salves, syrups, &c., and did a wonderful business in the
“yar ” way. -
“ ’Midst leaves and flowers
She dwelt, and knew all secrets of their powers.”
He now came to geographical Botany, for it was to be observed, that
plants, being influenced in their development by soil, by latitude,
temperature, moisture, and elevation, the Flora of one country was
essentially different from that of another, each region of the land and
water being occupied by distinct groups. As st iking instances of
diversity in vegetation, no rose had ever been found in the southern
hemisphere; equinoctial Africa had no Lauriniae, and while more
than 300 species of Erica, or heath, were congregated in the territory
of the Cape of Good Hope, none belonged to America, except it was
the common ling in the far North. The pines and firs, so abundant
\in the northern hemisphere, were replaced in the south by Araucarias
and Cycadeae. Islands in the wide ocean had generally a peculiar
vegetation, the Canaries had 510 species, and St. Helena nearly 60,
that had never been seen elsewhere. So the plants of South America
were restricted to that continent, and out of 4,100 indigenous to Aus-
tralia, only 166 belonged to Europe, many of these, too, accidentally
introduced by settlers. Even marine vegetation was distinct in its
character, that of the Mediterranean and Red Sea being entirely- dif-
ferent. Reference was then made to many local British plants only
found in particular spots, as the Helianthemum Breweri, on the rocks
at Holyhead; the white rock cinquefoil (Potentilla rupestris), on
Craig Breiddin, in Wales, &c.; and thus a zest was given to the zeal
of the exploring botanist in searching out the rare plants thus circum-
stanced. Heat and moisture were the great instigators of plantal
vitality, and where these preponderated, as in equatorial regions, the
largest flowers. appeared, as the Victoria lily and the monstrous
Rafflesia, whose corolla was a yard across. Here, too, palms and
bananas abounded, as also in the tropical zone, distinguished by its
cocoamuts and tree-ferns.“ The earth might, then, be divided into
141
zones of vegetation, in parallelism with zones of temperature, till, pro-
gressing towards the pole, trees became utterly stunted, every trace of
verdure disappeared, and a few solitary lichens, amongst pyramids of
ice, or a stain of crimson amidst wastes of snow, alone testified to the
all but extinguished spark of phytological existence. These zones of
vegetation were repeated upon the mountains, with their increasing
height, in exact correspondence between the decrement of heat from
the equator to the poles. On the Alps and Pyrenees, at the elevation
of 8,780 feet, it was as cold as the region of the poles at the level of
the sea, and though the'snow-line was higher at the equator, even
there all vegetation ceased at an elevation of 15,200 feet. The size
of plants was much diminished on the sides of mountains; but the
beauty of natural Alpine gardens, among black ravines and broken
crags, was so exciting, that any one who once trod upon such
an oasis of beauty long remembered it amid the dusty scenes of every-
day life. Though the distribution of plants on the earth was clearly
governed by temperature, the “isothermal lines ” of mean annual
heat did not progress uniformly, and thus the eastern countries
of Europe, Asia, and America had a much lower temperature than the
western, and plants were affected accordingly. In Norway, the silver
fir, black alder, and others, grew under the polar circle, while eastern
Siberia and the vast extent of Labrador, north of 60 deg., was quite
treeless. The limitation of the cultivated plants was next noticed :—
nutmegs, coffee, cocoa, and the finest spices, were limited to inter-
tropical regions; cotton, rice, and olives grew in lat. 45 deg.; the
vine, to 50 deg. ; while in the West of Europe, the cultivation of wheat, .
flax, and tobacco, ceased at 60 deg. ; but hemp, oats, barley, rye, and
potatoes, progressed into the polar circle. The southern hemisphere,
from the greater accumulation of ice at the poles, was colder than the
northern. This was well shown by a comparison of the indigenous
flowering plants of our little Channel Islands, Guernsey, Jersey, &c.,
with the larger Kerguelen’s group, in the same parallel of latitude
South. The former isles possessed 840 species, but Kerguelen’s only
32. The physiognomy of vegetation was next adveited to, those
peculiar features of associated plants that the eye at once seized upon,
in any country, and connected with early recollection, as “ the vege-
table forms of our father-land.” Seas, mountain-chains by their inter-
vention, formed provinces of plants, and thus the greatest diversity
prevailed in the clothing of the earth’s surface. As striking examples,
the forests of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land were composed of ever-
green Eucalypti ; tree-ferns abounded in New Zealand ; the singular
142
tribe of Cacti in Mexico; Acacias and aloes in Southern Africa ;'
and the Himalayan Mountains were the grand capital of the Rhodo-
dendrons. F ir-forests extended in Norway and Russia for hundreds
of miles; while in North America cypresses formed enormous woods
and vast dismal swamps. These assemblages of plants fixed the
natural physiognomy of countries by their beauty, singularity, or im-
posing size. The greatest natural families of plants were next
detailed in order, but an instance or two of these must suffice. The
grasses, of which there were 4,000 species, was a most remarkable
group. These, forming vast natural meadows extending for 60,000
square leagues in South America, rose in magnitude according to cli-
mate; in Brazil, the grasses were 12 feet high, and a reed was men-
tioned by Schomburg that was 40 feet; while, in India, the bamboos
were arboreal, and rose to 100 feet. The palms, the nobles of the
vegetable kingdom, were confined to the vicinity of the Tropics, but
were numerous there, as 120 species grew in South America. The
talipot palm of Ceylon towered to 200 feet in the air, while the little
Chamaerops, just venturing as far North as the Rock of Gibraltar, was
in that position as unaspiring as our common male fern under a
hedge. The lianes, or cordage plants of warm countries, often en-
tangle the tropical forest in an inextricable maze—they rose to the
tops of the highest trees and again descended, formed bridges over
rivers, and extended for miles from their original source. The fern
tribe was singularly affected by moisture, for while 1,200 species grew
in the damp forests of the Equator, only 144 existed in the temperate
zone, and in Egypt, where rain seldom if ever fell, only one species
was known. Nations and countries had peculiar features impressed
upon them by their plants, and romance and poetry were ready to take
advantage of the bright imagery of Nature, which thus supplied pic-
tures of a brighter or darker hue, according as sunny or snowy climes,
flowery or arid regions, presented their lights or shadows to the brood~
ing mind. But plants were in many instances so limited by geogra—
phical considerations, that their localities were placed within the
narrowest compass. The Arabs were accustomed to mark their course
across the Syrian Desert, by the peculiar plants that presented them-
selves at certain intervals ; and in America the compass-flower of the
prairies, whose leaves pointed to the North, had been celebrated
for the aid it afforded the traveller ein those boundless wastes.
The tea-plant, it was well known, was confined to the hilly dis-
tricts of China and Japan ; but in South America a species of holly
furnished another kind of tea peculiar to that continent, and equally
143
prized by the natives. The Quinquina, or Peruvian bark, was con-
fined to a small district of the Colombian Andes; and cocoa and cho-
colate were the produce of a plant limited to the warmer regions of
South America. Numerous other instances of plantal limitation might
be given, as the cow-tree of Venezuela, the tussock-grass (Dactylis
caspitosa) of the Falkland Isles, the hand-tree of Mexico, whose gory
flowers were regarded with awe, and of which only two living speci-
mens were known ; and the double cocoa-nut (Ladoicea Sechellarum)
of the Seychelle Islands, in the Indian Ocean, which, till those islands
were discovered, in 1789, had been believed to be produced by the
sea, and valued as a talisman at a very high price. One more curious
plant might be mentioned—the Maltese champignon (Cynomorium
coccineum), which only grew on the little rock of Gozo, near Malta.
The knights of Malta had a superstitious veneration for it, and
appointed a custode to guard the spot, and since Malta had been
appended to England, the salary of this custode had been paid by the
British Government, and might be an appropriate appointment for a.
botanist. The lecturer observed that the manners and habits of diffe-
rent peoples were much influenced by vegetable products, and
the temperature that limited the growth of grain also stopped the pro-
gress of the human race; where sustenance was easily procured by
fruits and rice, as in tropical regions, the inhabitants were indolent
and apathetic, and really only exhibited the highest amount of intel-
lect where Rubi and bitter wild berries offered little temptation to a
lazy dweller in the woods. Plants, however, were the children of the
sun, and luxuriated most in heat and brightness, so that when they
were transplanted into colder regions they must have additional care
and attention, because other conditions arose than those Nature had
originally provided. Mr. Lees concluded with eloquent observa-
tions on the moral bearings of the subject, resulting from an investi-
gation of the works of Nature, and the elevation of thought they
inspired.
The lecture was profusely illustrated with most excellent diagrams
of geological formations, tree-ferns, palms, Cacti, and plants of various
kinds. A beautiful collection of dried plants was placed for the
inspection of the company, and many were handed about during the
lecture, amongst which was a dried specimen of the smallest palm,
brought from Gibraltar. At the conclusion of Mr. Lees’s address Mr.
Gissing, the Secretary, on the part of the Phytological Club, returned
thanks to Mr. Lees for his very instructive and entertaining lecture.
Mr. Baxter returned thanks to the Rev. W. A. Hill for the use of the
144
room ; and that gentleman, in acknowledging the vote of thanks,
spoke in very high terms of the lecture and lecturer.—-—Mr. Lees hav-
ing briefly replied to the vote of thanks the company separated.
GREENWICH NATURAL-HISTORY CLUB.
Saturday, February 25, 1854.—George Busk, Esq., F.R.S., Presi-
dent, in the chair.
Fungi of the Neighbourhood of Greenwich.
Mr. Currey made some observations on three new Fungi which he
had found in the neighbourhood.
“ Since our last meeting, I have met with three Fungi which I had
not previously found in this neighbourhood, and which are of an inte-
resting nature. Two belong to the genus Sphaeria, and the third is, I
believe, a Coryneum. The first of the Sphaeriae to which I wish to
call attention is a beautiful plant, the species of which is somewhat
doubtful. It appeared to me to be the Sphmria ochracea of Greville,
which is one of the rarest of our English Fungi ; but a friend, whose
experience in these matters is much greater than my own, tells me that
it is not the true Sphaeria ochracea, but comes nearer to S. aquifolia or S.
Sinopica. I have not been able to refer to any description of S.
Sinopica ; but, with regard to S. aquifolia, my plant differs in having
the perithecia covered with bright yellow scales, and, moreover, the
depression of the apex of the perithecium, which in S. aquifolia is to
be found only in old plants, exist, in my species, indifferently in
both young and old. I hope this Sphaeria may prove a new species:
at present it is doubtful. With respect to the description, I would
add that that the fungus is very minute. A yellow spot, aboutthe size
of a large pin’s head, contains an aggregation of several plants; so
that it requires the aid of the microscope to distinguish even the
external characteristics. If you imagine a flattened Seville orange,
with a crater-shaped depression at the top, and well powdered with
sulphur (or rather with some powder of a brighter yellow than sul—
phur), it will give a correct idea of an individual of the group. The
other Sphaeria is S. inquinans. In this fungus .the perithecia lie con-
cealed beneath the bark of trees. The spores are discharged through
an orifice at the apex of the perithecium, and are spread over the
external surface of the bark, being enveloped in a sort of ’gelatinous
145
matter. When I first examined this fungus, and before finding the‘
perithecia, it appeared to agree almost precisely with Corda’s descrip-
tion of aplant called by him Apotemnoum maculans. His description
is ‘Sporae septato-articulatae gelatina immersae.’ It has been suggested
to me that very possibly Corda’s Apotemnoum may be nothing more than
the present Sphaeria. If so, he must have taken the gelatinous mass
with the imbedded spores to be an independent fungus, overlooking
the buried perithecium. This Sphmria inquinans is a highly interest-
ing fungus, from certain peculiarities connected with its fructification.
The spores are furnished with a long cirrhiform appendage at either.
end, which is frequently, if not generally, detached before the
spores are discharged from the perithecium. But a more remarkable
circumstance is, that the same perithecium has been found to pro-
duce asci internally, and naked stalked spores externally. These
naked stalked spores have been supposed to be a distinct fungus, to
which the name of Stilbospora macrosperma has been applied; but
the opinion seems to be gaining ground, that they are, in fact, trans-
formations of the asci themselves. I would add, that in one of the
specimens which I examined I found naked spores in the interior of
the apothecium, mostly intermixed with gelatinous filaments, and
not attached to ' long stalks. The third fungus mentioned above
was a Coryneum, too 'old for the species to be satisfatorily
determined; and I only refer to it to mention, ’that in connexion
with one specimen I observed in the field of the microscope, a loose
cellular hood, or envelope, having just the appearance which a cellu-
lar covering, carried upwards by the growth of the spores, might be
supposed to have. The spores in Coryneum grow in such a manner
as to render this possible ; but I am not aware that any such circum—
stance has been noticed, and the body in question may have had no
connexion with the Coryneum. I thought it, however, worth ,men-
tioning, as other observers may perhaps be inclined to turn their
attention to it.”
Elaters of a Trichia.
Mr. Currey also called the attention of the Club to a preparation of
the elaters of a Trichia, mounted for the microscope. It was in these
elaters that Mr. Henfrey had lately announced the existence of spiral
fibres, analogous to those in the elaters of Marchantia polymorpha;
thus contradicting the published observations of Schleiden and
Schlacht, who declare that the appearance of a spiral fibre is due to a
VOL. V. U
I46
twisting of the tube. From a subsequent examination of the speci-
men by the President, he was convinced that Schlacht’s opinion was
correct ; and that the figure he has given of the appearance is accu-
rately and faithfully rendered.
Thursday, April 13, 1854.—George Busk, Esq., President, in the
chair.
‘ This was the Second Anniversary of the Club, convened for the
purpose of electing officers.
Election of Oflicers.
The Treasurer’s accounts having been audited, the following gen-
tlemen were elected as office-bearers for the ensuing year :--—Presi-
dent: George Busk, Esq., F.R.S. Vice-President: J. B. Spencer,
Esq. Treasurer and Hon. Sec. : Cuthbert Collingwood, Esq., M.A.,
F.L.S. Committee: F. Currey, Esq., M.A.; J. W. Douglas, Esq.,
Sec. E.S. ; James Glaisher, Esq., F.R.S.; P. Purvis, Esq., M.D.;
Flaxman Spurrell, Esq.
The President then delivered an address, commencing by a state-
ment of the number of members, which has more than doubled since
the last Anniversary, and now amounts to forty-seven. He then
briefly reviewed the proceedings of the Club during the past year,
giving an epitome of all the meetings, both in the field and in the
meeting-room ; and congratulating the Club on the promising aspect
it had assumed.
This terminated the in-door proceedings for the_winter ; and it was.
announced that the first field-meeting would be held on Thursday,
April 27 .—C. C.
147
THE PHYTOLOGIST CLUB.
-One Hundred and Fi/ty- Sixth Sitting.—— Saturday, April 22,
1854.—MR. NEWMAN, President, in the chair.
The President read the following communications :-
Statice Dodartii a Native of Ireland.
“ In the ‘ Phytologist ’ (v. 77) my friend Mr. Carrol, of Cork, men-
tions that S. binervosa has been found at Tramore, near Waterford.
As that announcement leaves it doubtful which of two (as I
believe) perfectly distinct speciesreught to be added to the Flora of
Ireland, I applied to him for a specimen. On his kindly sending one,
I learn that it is the S. Dodartii, Gir., that grows at Tramore. * I
think it right that this should be made known through the ‘ Phytolo-
gist.’ The S. binervosa, G. E. Smith, includes this and S. occiden-
talis, but the latter is the more typical of his species. S. spathulata
of Hooker also includes the same two, but apparently he had S.
Dodartii in view rather than its ally.”——Charles C. Babington.
Note respecting Carea' Mcenchiana as a British Plant.
“ This species, I believe, has never been mentioned in print as an
inhabitant of Britain ; so that the following extract from a letter dated
‘ Mytholmroyd, April 23rd, 1847,’ written by the late S. Gibson, for-
merly of Hebden’ Bridge, just before his decease, is worthy of atten-
tion :— '
“ ‘In 1843 I found Carex Mmnchiana in abundance near Heb-
den Bridge. The plant I sent to Dr. Boott, and have his authority
for the correctness of the name.’
“ Not having seen any specimens, I am not practically acquainted
with C. Mtenchiana; nor have I access at present to Reichenbach’s
original description ; and therefore transcribe the diagnostic charac-
ters from Woods’ ‘ Tourist’s Flora :’-—-
“ ‘ Section F. Spikes separate: upper barren: stigmas two.
ii. Beak round, short, and smooth : or wanting. Fruit hairless.
Bracts not sheathing.
b. Barren spikes two or more.
if if Barren spikes with fertile flowers at the base.
73. C. Mcenchiana. Fertile spikes erect, acute, on short stalks.
Fruit smooth, ovate, obtuse, shorter than the lauceolateacute
148
glume. Root creeping. Lower bracts long, p. 5. Devil’s
ditches at Marburg in Hesse; Reichenbach.’
——-Woods’ T ourz'st’s Flora, p. 389.
“ Its most intimate {allies amongst British species appear to be C.
aquatilis, C. stricta, and'C. acuta. If no other botanist can furnish
more complete and definite information respecting its occurrence, per-
haps it will he safest, under the circumstances of the case, to place it
for the present in the doubtful category, side by side with C. brizoi-
des, till its rediscovery enables us to receive it with complete confi-
dence; but it is not unlikely that if sought for specially it may be
found to inhabit other localities.”-——-John G. Baker; Thirsk, April
17, 1854.
Another Locality for Salix acutz'folz'a.
. Mr. Baker also forwarded the following, extracted, by. permission,
from a letter sent to him by Mr. James Ward, of Richmond, York-
shire, dated April 7, 1854 :—
' “ I am exceedingly obliged by yourkindness in sending me specimens
of Salixracntifolia, Willd. ; and beg to inform you that I discovered the
same species in May, 1831, on the banks of the river Ure, near Wens-
ley, in VVensley Dale, Yorkshire. I only preserved a single specimen,
which I now have in my herbarium; being told it was not a British
species : at the same time, I thought it must be so, as it appeared as
perfectly wild as any of the others amongst which it was growing. I
have no doubt it is still in the same place, but have not been there for
some time. When I found it, I was not so well acquainted with wil-
lows, and therefore thought no more about it.”
Chrysosplenium alternifolium, &0., near Cheltenham.
“ Crossing the Cotswold Hills the other day, from Cheltenham to
Stow-on-the-W'old, I gathered on the border of Dowdeswell Wood,
near Cheltenham, Chrysosplenium alternifolium. It was growing in
great abundance. Further on, about two or three miles, by the road—
side, and nearly opposite Sandywell Park, far from any house, I saw
Helleborus viridis growing most luxuriantly, although only a few
plants. On one of Lthe highest hills on my road, I found Cerastinm
arvense sparingly 5 and at Naunton, on the border of a field adjoin-
ing Harford Bridge, that spans the \Vindrush, Veronica Buxbaumii
was growing in such profusion as to make the ground quite blue for
yards.”-—T. W. Gissing ; 44, High Street, Worcester, April 21, 1854.
149
Supposed new Fern.
“ I am happy to forward you a few fronds of a. new fern I have dis-
covered here, hoping you may be able to make it out; but it is not
in fructification: yet I am in doubt that when you receive it the
fronds may have dried too much, and of course be useless, as the
plant is very tender; but, if such be the case, I could send you more
when the plants are more advanced. I discovered it about six weeks
ago. ~ I had been gathering some Gymnogramma; and so early in the
season there is nothing but the radical leaves to be found. I hap-
pened to be in a very wet lane, in which there were several trees, when
I saw, under the overhanging part of an old hedge, a quantity of
leaves, resembling a little those of Gymnogramma leptophylla, except
that they were of a darker green, and rather more cut; and on comparing
them with the Gymnogramma I concluded they must belong to ano-
ther species of the same genus. I therefore took a piece of mould,
with some of the seedlings upon it, and planted it under a bell glass,
alongside seedlings of G. leptophylla. After a month’s time, I found
that the new one was different from anything I knew; and I thought
it had the habit of an Asplenium. I went to the spot again, and
gathered more; but the specimens were very small, scarcely a quarter
the size of those under a bell glass. I now send you one from the
plant I gathered first. This is a water-loving fern, and grows in
totally different places from G. leptophylla. A friend of mine is going
up to London in about a month, and I shall send you a nice growing
specimen by him. I have no doubt of the Gymnogramma being indi-
genous here.”--John Piguet ; 14, York Street, Jersey, .March 14,
1854.
The President observed, that the fronds which Mr. Piqnet had so
obligingly transmitted with the foregoing note did not exceed an inch
in length ; the stipes and rachis were extremely fragile and delicate;
the fronds respectively consisted of four, five, and six, flabelliform,
sessile pinnae, indented along their outer margin ; there was no trace
of fructification; and he failed to discover the difference which Mr.
Piquet believed to exist between these fronds and those of G. lepto-
phylla.


150
Norlcns or NEW BOOKS.
‘A Plain and Easy Account of the British Ferns; wherein each
Species is particularly described under its respective Genus,
and the characteristics of those Genera given in words in com-
mon use : with a Glossary of Technical Terms, serving as a Key
to larger Treatises. London :‘Robert Hardwicke, 38, Carey
Street. 1854.’
“ Of what vast consequence am I 1
Not of the importance you suppose,
Replies a flea upon his nose.”
Gay’s Fables.
H-ERE is a book that must subtract very materially from any inflated
idea that Mr. Newman may have formed of his own importance as an
historian of British ferns. He is not criticized; he is not in any way
spoken slightingly of ; but there is the most clear and unmistakable
evidence that he is utterly unknown. Francis is regarded as the
great pteridologist of Britain : Thomas Moore’s ‘ Handbook ’ is
too “ complicated in its plan of arrangement; ” and the same author’s
‘ Popular History ’ “ has the same complicate classification.” We
may, perhaps, venture to correct the author on the latter point, by just
mentioning that the “ complicate classification ” complained of is not
intended as a classificatioii at all : it is an alphabetical arrangement.
“ In the following pages,” says our author, “ the subject has been
more simplified.” -In order to acquire a knowledge of the British
ferns without troubling himself with the recondite labours of Francis
and Moore, the reader is informed, in the opening paragraph, that——
g “ As every formal fern comes under one or other of the Heads
[what Heads P], it is only necessary in any case to look at its fructifi-
cation, and then, by casting the eye down the following list, the genus to
which it belongs will be seen at once.” _The characters of the genera
on Which the reader is requested to cast his eye are recorded thus :—
‘ ‘ Sori in entire cups, springing from the branch.” ‘
“ Sori oval, on the inner surface of the Indusium.”
It strikes us as possible that not only beginners, but also experts,
might be found who would stumble even at these curt and simple
definitions; but then the remedy is at hand : the glossary’s the thing
151
wherein the author fully explains all the terms which. he employs, and
extends it so that it shall serve also for the “larger treatises ” of the
scientific Francis and the recondite Moore: the veriest tyro cannot
complain of being left in the dark, however he might have been
lost for a moment in the technical obscurity of the foregoing quo-
tations. Here are extracts.
“ ANTHER, the vessel containing the fertilising farina affixed to the
top, of the stamen or barren filament of a flower or blossom.
“ Athyrium, a separate class assigned by some writers to the Asplen:
F ilix Faemina.
“ Blechnum spicant, name used by some writers for the boreale.
“ Pistil, the fertile filament or little column in the interior of a
flower or blossom.
“ Pollen, the fecnndating farina of a plant.
“ Pubescent clothed with soft wood.
“ Silicious, composed of hair-like substance.
“ Stamen, the barren filament or thread-like column in the interior
of a flower or blossom.
“ Stigma, the point of the pistil or fertile filament in the interior of
a flower or bloSsom receiving the farina.”
Many of our readers will perhaps be led to infer from some of these
definitions, that the author intends the “ glossary ” as a general, not
as a pteridological one : this we assure them is not the case. We will
not enquire whence our author derives his profound erndition, but we
are certain that he believes it explanatory of that restricted branch of
Botany, of which his work professes to treat: such words for instance,
as “corolla,” “ calyx,” “ sepa ,” “petal,” &c., do not occur in the
glossary.
Amongst other peculiarities, we are informed that Asplenium pal-l
matum, or the mule fern, by some called Scolopendrium Hemionitis,
grows Wild in Essex; Woodsia Ilvensis is “of no particular beauty
or interest intrinsically ;” W. hyperborea is “ of a little more interest.”
The genus Trichomanes is like the genus Hymenophyllum, “ only
the leaves not prickly, wider, and more rounded.” Of Botrychium we
have these particulars in the “ plain and easy account,” which we
compare with those in the “complicate” ‘ Handbook :’---
152
In the ‘ Plain and Easy Accouht,’
p. 29.
“ Diflicult of cultivation.
Prefers to be kept moderately
dry, cool at root,* and with fresh
air and rich vegetable soil.
In the “complicate classification ”
of Mr. Moore, p. 217.
“ Difficult plant to get esta-
blished under cultivation.
It rather prefers to be kept mo-'
derately dry, cool at the root, and
where there is a circulation of
\ pure air. It prefers rich vege-
_ table soil.
The roots should be trans-
planted in the spring, when dor-
mant.” ' '
The root to be transplanted in
spring, while yet dormant.”
The similarity of these passages is of high interest, and, of course,
is purely accidental, for no allusion whatever is made by the “ plain
and easy” author to his having borrowed this information from
another. Those who chance to read the third edition of Newman’s
Ferns, will find it stated that Botrychium is the easiest of all ferns to
cultivate ; that it must be kept entirely without rich vegetable “soil; ”
and that it must be taken up when the frond has attained its full ex-
pansion at Midsummer: the “plain and easy ” author, as well as the
“ complicate ” one, have totally forgotten the incontestible fact, that
they could not find the plant “ while yet dormant.”


We are glad to announce that ‘ A Fasciculus of Dried Specimens;
of the Hieracia of North Yorkshire and Teesdale,’ by our correspon-
dent, Mr. J. G. Baker, will shortly be issued. The following is a list
9f species :—-H. Pilosella, L., aurantiacum, L., iricum, Fries, palli-
dum, Biu, murorum, L., caesium, Fries, and var. nemorum, Fries,
H. vulgatum, Fries, and vars. maculatum, medium, Fries,
maculatum-sylvaticum, Sm., sylvaticum, Sn, H. gothicum, Fries,
tridentatum, Fries, and var. nemorosum, H. umbellatum, L., croca-
tum, Fries, and var. angustatum, Fries, H. boreale, Fries, and var.
nemorosum. ‘
* Probably because “ this plant is hot and drie in the third degreei”—-E'd. Phytol.


153
A brief Notice of some Plants observed growing in the Neighbour-
hood of Streatley, Berks, and 0f Goring, Oxon, in April, 1854;
with Additions of such Plants as have been gathered there dur-
ing several visits in former gears, viz, between 1833 and the
present 1854. By WILLIAM PAMPLIN, Esq., A.L.S.
IT would be difficult to find two villages of more rural character,
or, in every respect, more pleasantly situated, than Streatley on the
Berkshire, and Goring on the Oxfordshire, side of the Thames. If
you take a circuit of country, including the adjoining parishes of
Moulsford, Aldworth, Bassildon, Pangbourn (Berks), and VVhit-
church, Mapledurham, Woodcot, and South Stoke, Oxon, you have
altogether the greatest variety of beautiful scenery. The silvery,
winding Thames, with its rich meadows and ozier holts, a gradual,
in some places a very abrupt rise thence on each side of the river up
to the high chalk downs, extensive sheep-walk, and fine hanging
woods of beech and fir, with here and there distant views over a fine
open corn country, interspersed with villages and farms, afford a
most delightful variety of scenery which cannot easily be surpassed.
The view from the upper part of Streatley Downs, or from the brow of
the hill, as you approach the village by the Aldworth road down a
deep-worn hollow lane, is exceedingly pleasing; you have the two
parish churches, well sheltered with tall trees and orchards, and the
adjoining country studded with picturesque cottages and old bnild- .
ings, with the fertile valley of the Thames, all lying spread before you.
Now for the plants : before giving a regular list of them, it. may not
be amiss just to offer some general remarks upon the character of the
Botany of the district.
This is the head quarters for Anemone pulsatilla, now (April 21st)
in full flower, Cineraria campestris, also in flower (April 27th),
Orchis ustulata, O. militaris, and O. tephrosanthos, Iberis amara,
Linaria repens, and in the corn and turnip-fields the beautiful large-
flowered Veronica Buxbaumii is very abundant and ornamental.
The Pyrola media also grows in largish isolated patches as you
go from Goring towards Henley, but I have not noticed it on the
Berkshire side yet. The chalk hills are studded with juniper and
yew. Speaking of the yew, reminds me that in Aldworth church—
yard there is a most remarkable and venerable tree; this yew-tree
(noted by topographers) appears to be of extraordinary age, and is of
VOL. V. X
154
enormous size: London, in his ‘ Arboretum,’ gives us some particu-
lars about it. It is rather early to say much about the two Orchides,
O. militaris and O. tephrosanthos, but I am sorry to observe that,
from some cause or other, the number of plants seems to diminish
annually; the chief cause of this I was once an eye-witness to, for
a fine sloping bank (so steep that you would think the farmer could
derive no great benefit from disturbing it) was actually being stubbed
up and burnt for manure; the man and the monkey Orchises being
both literally roasted and burnt alive; and upon this very bank I had,
in former years, through the kind direction of my esteemed friend, Mr.
Baxter, of Oxford, noticed them growing in plenty. Merrettfl‘ in his
time, and How,1L tell us that not only these Orchises, but several of
the Ophrydes grew abundantly upon the “ chalky hills overlooking the
Thames, both on the Barkshire and the Oxfordshire sides of the river,
between Cawsham [Caversham] and Wallingford;” and, as regards
the Ophrydes, the very spot where I had formerly seen abundance of
the bee, &c., has been ploughed up and turned into corn-land. There
is one tribe of plants in which this neighbourhood is quite deficient,
viz., ferns; there are scarcely any here, so far as observation goes : I
find my list contains but four.
Clematis Vitalba
Anemone Pulsatilla
nemorosa
Adonis autumnalis
Ranunculus auricomus
Caltha palustris
Aquilegia vulgaris
Chelidonium majus
Fumaria Officinalis
Capsella Bursa-pastoris
Iberis amara
Lepidium campestre
Armoracia rusticana
Draba verna
Cardamine pratensis
impatiens
Arabis thaliana
Barbarea vulgaris
* Merrett’s ‘Pinax,’ p. 85, (1666).
Nasturtium officinale
terrestre
Sisymbrium officinale
Erysimum Alliaria
Reseda lutea
Helianthemum vulgare
Viola odorata
b. alba
hirta
canina
a. sylvatica
tricolor, b. arvensis
c. Curtisii
Polygala vulgaris
Saponaria officinalis
Silene inflata
Lychnis Flos-cucnli
Sagina procumbens
T How’s ‘ Phytologia Britannica,’ (1650).
Sagina apetala
Spergula arvensis
Arenaria serpyllifolia
Stellaria holostea
Cerastium arvense
Linum catharticum
Malva moschata
sylvestris
Hypericum perforatum
hirsutum
montanum
Erodium cicutarium
Geranium pratense
pusillum
molle
dissectum
Robertianum
Oxalis Acetosella
Euonymus europaeus
Rhamnus catharticus
Frangula
Spartium scoparium
Ulex europaeus
' Ononis arvensis
Anthyllis Vulneraria
Medicago lupulina
Trifolium repens
subterraneum
fragiferum
Lotus corniculatus
Ornithopus perpusillus
Hippocrepis comosa
Onobrychis sativa
Vicia Cracca
sativa
sepium
hirsuta
. tetrasperma
Lathyrus pratensis
Orobus tuberosus
Prunus spinosa
Prunus avium
Spiraea Filipendula
Geum urbannm
Agrimonia Enpatoria
Potentilla anserina
Tormentilla
Fragaria vesca
Rnbus fruticosns
Idaeus
Rosa rubiginosa
Sanguisorba oflicinalis
Alchemilla arvensis
Crataegus Oxyacantha
Pyrus Aria
Epilobium montanum
Circaea lutetiana
Lythrum Salicaria
Bryonia dioica
Scleranthus annuus
Sedum acre
reflexum
Forsterianum
Saxifraga granulata
tridactylites
Adoxa moschatellina
Hedera Helix
Cornus sanguinea
Sanicula europaea
Petroselinum sativum
Bunium flexuosum
Pimpinella Saxifraga
Bupleurum rotundifolium
Angelica sylvestris
Pastinaca sativa
Heracleum Sphondylium
Daucus Carota
Scandix Pecten
Viburnum Opulus
Lantana
Lonicera Periclymenum
Sherardia arvensis
l56
Asperula odorata
cynanchica
F edia olitoria
Scabiosa succisa
Knautia arvensis
Lactuca muralis
Taraxacum officinale
Lapsana communis
Cichorium Intybus
Arctium Lappa
Carduus nutans
acanthoides
tenuiflorus
eriophorns
acaulis
Carlina vulgaris
Centanrea nigra
Scabiosa
Tanacetum vulgare
Artemisia Absinthium
vulgaris
Gnaphalium sylvaticum
Petasites vulgaris
Tussilago Farfara
Solidago Virgaurea
Cineraria campestris
Inula Conyza
Bellis perennis
Chrysanthemum segetum
Leucanthemum
Pyrethrum Parthenium
Matricaria Chamomilla
Campanula rotundifolia
glomerata
Specularia hybrida
Pyrola media
Monotropa Hypopitys
Ilex Aquifolium
Ligustrnm vulgare
Gentiana Amarella
Erythraea Centaurium
Chlora perfoliata
Convolvulus arvensis
sepium
Solanum nigrum
Dulcamara
Atropa Belladonna.
Verbascum Thapsus
nigrum
Veronica arvensis
serpyllifolia
oflicinalis
montana
Chamaedrys
hederifolia
agrestis
Buxbaumii
Euphrasia oflicinalis
Digitalis purpurea
Antirrhinum maj us
Lina'ria Cymbalaria
spuria
Elatine
repens
vulgaris
Verbena oflicinalis
Lycopus europaeus
Thymus Serpyllum
Origanum vulgare
Calamintha Acinos
Clinopodium
Ajuga reptans
Ballota nigra
Lamium Galeobdolon
album
amplexicaule
purpureum
b. incisum
Galeopsis Ladanum
Tetrahit
Stachys Betonica
palustris
Stachys arvensis
Glechoma hederacea
N epeta Cataria
Marrubium vulgare .
Prunella vulgaris
Myosotis palustris
sylvatica
arvensis
Lithospermum officinale
arvense
Symphytum officinale ,
Echium vulgare
Primula vulgaris
veris
Lysimachia Nummularia
nemorum
Anagallis arvensis
Plantago major
media
lanceolata
Chenopodium Bonus-Henricus
Rumex Hydrolapathum
crispus
pulcher
Daphne Laureola
Thesium Linophyllum
Euphorbia amygdaloides
Merculiaris perennis
Parietaria ofiicinalis
Humulus Lupulus
Fagus sylvatica
Corylus Avellana
45, Frith Street, Soho,
April, 1854.
Alnus glutinosa
J uniperus communis
Taxus baccata
Spiranthes autumnalis
Neottia Nidus-avis
Listera ovata
Epipactis latifolia
grandiflora
ensifolia P
Orchis mascula
ustulata
militaris
c. tephrosanthos
pyramidalis
maculata
Gymnadenia Conopsea
Habenaria bifolia
Aceras anthropophora
Ophrys apifera
Iris foetidissima
Pseudacorus
Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus
Hyacinthus nonscriptus
Ruscus aculeatus
Tamus communis
Alisma Plantago
Arum maculatum
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Polypodium vulgare
Lastrea Filix-mas
Asplenium Ruta-mnraria
Pteris aquilina
WILLIAM PAMPLIN.


158
NOTICES or NEW BOOKS.
‘ The History of British Ferns.’ By EDWARD NEWMAN, Memb. Imp.
L. C. Acad., F.L.S., Z.S., B.S., Pres. Ent. 800., &c., &c., &c.
Third Edition. London: Van Voorst. 1854. 360 pp.; 136
illustrations on wood. Price 18s., Demy 8vo.; 36s. Royal.
THE long-made promise is at length fulfilled: after delays and pro-
crastinations extending through a period of five years, the third
edition of the ‘ History of British Ferns ’ is fairly on the bookseller’s
counter, arresting the attention of the book-buyer by the magnificent
covering of green and gold with which Messrs. Cash and Astle have
been pleased to invest it; and offering an irresistible bait to those
who
“ Value books, as women men, by dress.”
But it is not by the dress that the editor of the ‘ Phytologist ’ must
estimate a work on science ; neither does he wish the outside to in-
fluence a single purchaser: he merely mentions the binding, that he
may have the pleasure of thus publicly thanking the gentlemen who
have performed their part in the resuscitation of the long-lost ‘ British
Ferns ’ with such admirable taste and skill : for be it known unto all
men, that the editor of the ‘Phytologist’ and the author of the
‘ British Ferns ’ are one and the same.
How then can the reader expect a good review 5’ Exactly on the
principle that every man can best explain, if he so please, his own
doings and his own views ; and if he venture beyond explanation, if
he be once detected patting himself on the back, and saying “ well
done,” why the reader will instantly draw the pen of his mind through
the passage, and set down the writer as a mere simpleton: the know-
ledge that this must inevitably be the case, will protect the editor
from so egregious a blunder. On the other hand, the reader is
guaranteed against captions criticism ; an author is sure not to vilify
his own production. He can do nothing but explain and quote, and
from his explanations and quotations, without a word of praise or
blame, the reader will draw his own conclusions, much in the same
way as from the book itself.
159
The volume contains 360 pages of letter-press and 136 illustrations
engraved on wood; many of the figures are new, but of these, the fol-
lowing only require to be noticed: —— two forms of Capillus Veneris;
a copious and elaborate illustration of Gymnogramma leptophylla,
exhibiting a variety of forms; the vernation of Eupteris, contrasting it
with Pteris; Gymnocarpium Robertianum ; Cystopteris Dickieana;
Pseudathyrium alpestre; Pseudathyrium flexile; Asplenium acutum ;
Phyllitis Scolopendrium, showing the cordate bases of the fronds,
not visible in the former illustration; Botrychium rutaceum; and
Ophioglossum lusitanicum: with the exception of Scolopendrium,
which is reduced, all these are exactly of the natural size.
The following portions of the second edition are omitted from the
thirdz—The genera Equisetum, Lycopodium, Isoetes, and Pilularia;
also a great number of the habitats of the commoner species, and a
large portion of the critical remarks on the bibliography of the
species.
The following additions are made :——A short diagnostic character of
every genus and species; a synonymic reference to all British and
the more important continental describers; and careful directions for
the cultivation of every species.
The following alterations have been made: —The history of each
species is divided into heads, which are thus intituled :——Charac-
ters ; Synonymes, Figures, &c. ; Geographical Range; Description;
Varieties (if any); Culture; Economical uses: the details of the
habitats of the rarer species are more minutely given than in
the second edition, and those which are unsatisfactory, from any cause
whatever, are inclosed in parentheses.
The arrangement remains unaltered, but the author’s views of clas-
sification are thus explained at length :—
“ It is impossible for the candid mind to dwell for a moment on the
fact that Britain produces only about one-fortieth part of the ferns
already known as inhabiting the globe, without perceiving the im-
practicability of arranging that fractional part in anything like a con-
nected series. Select one British species, Capillus -Veneris, for
instance, andttwe shall find that there are at least a hundred exotic
species which approach it more closely than any that occur in
Britain: therefore, assuming that two thousand ascertained ferns
constitute a connected chain, it follows that in Britain a hundred
links are wanting at that part of the chain where Capillus-Veneris is
situate. There is still another mode of accounting for some of the
monstrous gaps observable in the chain of species. The physical
160
changes perpetually occurring in the condition of the earth’s surface,
render large tracts of land incapable of sustaining any longer certain
species which formerly hid the soil with their luxuriant foliage : we
know that thousands of such species did exist, and do not exist; but
that their history is preserved for ever in Geology, that glorious book
whose pages are traced by Nature’s own hand upon tablets of ada-
mant. The hypothesis that Nature is compensating her losses by new
creations, requires the recommendation of proof. All our F loras tell
a different tale. The links which once connected Equisetum to Chara
or to Isoetes have since perished, and no others have been supplied ;
so that those genera stand alone and insulated, while all around them
has disappeared: just as solitary specks of uninhabitable land, pe'ep-
ing up in the boundless ocean, are said to testify of a continent
submerged. iVhoever reads these circumstances aright, will fully
appreciate the difficulty under which those are labouring who en-
‘ deavour to build a system of such scanty materials. Deeply im-
pressed with this difficulty, I have thought it better to preserve
intact the arrangement which I originally proposed, than to attempt a
new one; at the same time giving an outline of a plan which I believe
more in accordance with Nature.
“ It may here be observed, that in the various systems proposed or
indicated by general botanists, as Ray, Linneus, Antoine de J ussieu,
Agardh, Perleb, Dumortier, Bartling, Hess, Schultz, Fries, Endlicher,
Brongniart, Meisner, Adrian de J ussieu, and Lindley, there is a most
evident tendency to depreciate, or rather to under-estimate, the flower-
less plants. Whether they were called simply “flowerless,” as by
Ray; “ Cryptogams,” as by Linneus; “ Acotyledons,” as by the
elder Jussieu and Decandolle; little has been done beyond the mere
change of name. All these authors appear either to ignore or to dis-
regard the extreme fallacy of divisions founded on a mere positive and
negative. Nothing is more simple than the division of all plants into
those which have flowers, and those which have not: but something
more is required, for positive and negative characters might be made
the basis of the most unnatural divisions.
“ Cuvier, in his ‘ Animal Kingdom,’ a work unapproached, perhaps
unapproachable, in its masterly and philosophical grouping, has
shown the plans on which all animals are constructed. I-Ie ignores
the positive and negative of vertebrate and non-vertebrate, and
employs positive characters only in defining his divisions ; these are
Vertebrates, Mollusks, Articulates, and Radiates: and a little reflec-
tion will convince any botanist that there are four great divisions of
161
plants, equally capable of being distinguished by positive characters;
these are Exogens, Endogens, Acrogens, and Thallogens.
“Acrogens, in common with Thallogens, are without flowers; ‘no-
thing can be found which resembles the stamens and pistils of flow-
ering plants :’ they have usually distinct roots, stems, and leaves,
the two halves of the latter being generally symmetrical; these cha-
racters serving at once to distinguish Acrogens from Sea-weeds,
Lichens, or Fungi. Interesting as are the discoveries which Nageli
and his followers have made on the pro-embryo of ferns, and which I
had the pleasure of introducing to the notice of British botanists
(Phytol. iii. 613 and 9525), their ibearing on the diagnostic characters
of Acrogens has been wholly misunderstood. Abundant evidence
exists that there is in these discoveries no contradiction to the asser-
tion, that Acrogens, so far as our researches have extended, are per-
fectly asexual. \
“Acrogens are either vascular and Pteridoid, or cellular and
Mnioid: the first including all ferns and their allies, and the last, all
mosses and their allies. The allies of ferns are Lycopodiums, Quill-
worts, Pill-worts, Marsilias, Equisetums, and Charas: they have
sometimes been called Cryptogamic'Vasculares ; but I prefer to de-
fine and divide them in the following manner, which, it will be
observed, strikingly differs from the most popular and most recent
arrangements. The division of the F ilicales splits the universally
received genera of Pteris, Polypodium, Asplenium, Davallia, and
many others.
“ ACROGENZE PTERIDOIDE, Pteriddid Acrogens, or Ferns and
their allies, are plants of vascular structure, but which pro-
duce fruit without preliminary flowers: they may be divided
thus :—
F ILICALES [or annulate Ferns] have distinct leaves bearing
one-celled capsules which are encircled by an elastic
ring: they comprise :—
RHIZOPHYLLAOEZE, in which the leaves are attached to a rhi-
zome or root.
CORMOPHYLLAOEE, in which the leaves are attached to a
cormus or trunk.
OSMUNDALES [or exannulate Ferns] have distinct leaves
and one-celled capsules detached from the leaves, and
not encircled by an elastic ring: they comprise :—
VOL. V. Y
162
OSMUNDACEzE, in which the vernation of the leaves is cici-
nate and the trunk woody.
OPHIOGLOSSACEE, in which the vemation of the leaves is
straight and the trunk succulent.
LYCOPODIALES have distinct leaves and capsules divided
by one or more septa: they comprise :—
MARSILIACEE, in which the capsules are attached to the
rhizome or root.
LYCOPODIACE/E, in which the capsules are seated in the axils
of the leaves.
EQUISETALES have no leaves, but consist of an articulated
branched stem: they comprise :— 1
EQUISETACEJE, in which the fructification forms a terminal
spike.
CHARAGEZE, in which the fructification is seated in the axils
of the branches.
“ It will be seen that the divisions Rhizophyllaceae and Cormo-
phyllaceae have a great similarity to those proposed by Mr. John
Smith, of Kew, under the names‘of Eremobrya and Desmobrya. I
believe the idea of using this character as one upon which to found a
primary division of the annulate ferns originated with myself, (see
Phytol. ii. 273) ; but Mr. Smith was the first to apply the idea, and to
name divisions founded on the differences pointed out. It must,
however, be observed, that Mr. Smith, in his primary divisions, lays
great stress on a character which now appears to me of somewhat
secondary importance : I allude to the articulation of the stipes to the
rhizome. My own conclusion, from a careful examination of the
species within my reach, is, that the grand distinctive characters are
these :——Fz'rst, that the rhizome of the Rhizophyllaceae, and the can-
dex of the Cormophyllaceae, are not the same organ: that the rhi-
zome is a root ; the caudex a stem : that the rhizome never terminates
in a frond; that the caudex always does: indeed, that its apex is
constituted of fronds undeveloped; its trunk, of the bases of fronds
that have decayed. Secondly: that the growing apex of a rhizome .
is always in advance of the fronds ; that the fronds are always in ad-
vance of the growing apex of a caudex. There are two other and
possibly less constant diagnostics : the rhizome of the Rhizophyllaceae
is scaly, the stipes naked; the caudex of the Cormophyllaceae is
naked, the stipes densely paleaceous : the formation of the fruit of the
163
Rhizophyllaceae follows the development of the frond; in the Cor-
mophyllaceae it precedes it. In some Cormophyllaceae there is a ten-
dency to approach the Rhizophyllaceae : this is strikingly the case in
Dryopteris, Phegopteris, and Thelypteris; but it is only necessary to
examine the growing apex of the rhizomatiform caudex of these well-
known ferns, in order to ascertain that it is always composed of un-
developed fronds. There is a plant familiar to every one who has a
garden, that affords an illustration of the two modes of growth,—the
common Pyrus japonica. The branches of this beautiful shrub
always terminate in a bud, composed of undeveloped leaves; such
branches, therefore, are analogous to the caudex of a cormophylla-
ceous fern: the roots, on the “contrary, spreading horizontally, and
near the surface of the ground, never terminate in leaves, but possess
the power of originating leaves and leaf-branches at any part of their
surface except the growing apex; and not leaves only, but flowers
also : such leaf-bearing roots are striking analogues of the rhizome of
rhizophyllaceous ferns. Could we therefore divide a Pyrus japonica
into branches and roots, we should have representatives of these
divisions of ferns: the branches would be cormophyllaceous, the roots
rhizophyllaceous.”~—- P. vii.
The generic names have undergone considerable change :—
Blechnum spicant of 3rd edit.
‘ Eupteris aquilina
Ctenopteris vulgaris
Lomaria spicant of 2nd edit.
Pteris aquilina
Polypodium vulgare
Phyllitis Scolopendrium
Notolepeum Ceterach
Scolopendrium vulgare
Ceterach oflicinarum
,, Phegopteris == Gymnocarpium Phegopteris
,, Dryopteris = ,, Dryopteris
,, calcareum = ,, Robertianum
Lastrea Thelypteris = Hemestheum Thelypteris
,,- recurva == Lophodium fcenisecii
,, multiflora = ,, ' multiflorum
,, spinosa = ,, spinosum
,, cristata = ,, Callipteris
,, rigida = ,, rigidum
,, Filix-mas = Dryopteris F ilix-mas
Asplenium Ruta-muraria = Amesium Ruta-muraria
,, germanicum = ,, germanicum
,, septentrionale = ,, septentrionale
164
The new genera Ctenopteris, Eupteris, and Gymnbcarpium, became
necessary in consequence of the primary division of the Filicales
above set forth: Hemestheum, Phyllitis and Notolepeum have re-
ceived names in order that the Linnean names Thelypteris, Scolopen-
drium and Phyllitis might be restored to the species; these three
genera were previously established: Blechnum spicant is a restoration
of a Linnean name; Dryopteris Filix-mas is adopted from Schott;
no other British fern has the complete reniform involucre of this
species: Lophodium is new, and instituted because the species have
been placed indifferently in either of the overwhelming genera Poly-
podium, Polystichum, Aspidium, Nephrodium or Lastrea, and, as we
think, with increasing impropriety as we advance chronologically from
the first to the last. Polypodium is least objectionable because it is
only too comprehensive; Lastrea is most objectionable, because in-
stituted by its learned author PURPOSELY T0 EXCLUDE THEM: and he
has framed his character with such skill and care that this object is
effectually accomplished: Arnesium is a mere division of Asplenium ;
whether it be desirable to divide that huge genus by a clear and
unmistakeable character we leave others to judge.
In specific names we have many changes: Britain is a powerful
nation, and perhaps withal a little self-satisfied, and there are those
of its scientific sons who regard it as somewhat dignified to maintain
a nomenclature of our own, and to be very indifferent as to its
agreeing with that of our continental neighbours. If the name of
a worthy man has been attached to a species, or if any name has been
attached by a worthy man, it matters nothing at all that that species
had a prior name universally received. All our authors are aware
that the names unilaterale, Robertianum, and several others are thus
situated, and yet they preserve the insular names from a feeling of
nationality; Wilsoni, because Mr. Wilson is a worthy man, and be-
cause it was given by Hooker, another worthy man 5 calcareum
because it was given by Smith, and so on with the rest. Alas ! shall
we never admit the catholicity of science !
166
"First General Report of the Government Botanist on the Vegetation
of the Colony of Vz'ctorz'a,’ dated September, 1853, and Printed
by order of the Council.
This very excellent report has been most obligingly placed in our
hands by Dr. J. M. Barry, of Tunbridge Wells, with permission to
reprint the whole or any portion in the ‘ Phytologist.’ At a moment
when we are looking on Victoria simply as the source of unbounded
wealth, and turning a deaf ear to all merits and demerits that do not
issue in the magical word “ gold,” it is really refreshing to find
science pursued with perseverence, zeal, and ability, even though an
individual follow his vocation, as in this instance, alone. The ‘ Phy-
tologist,’ intended for, and almost confined to, the Botany of Britain,
may, nevertheless, without incurring just censure, extend its scope to
her colonies, or even to foreign lands ; and we feel persuaded that we
shall be performing an acceptable service to botanists if we lay before
them the following “ Report ” entire.
“ In obedience to His Excellency’s command, I have the honour
to transmit to you my General Report, partly compiled from those
documents which I forwarded on several occasions during my jour-
ney, from February until June last, and partly resting on the subse-
quent examination of the specimens which I brought home.
, “ Before I enter into any details on the classification of our indige-
nous vegetable world, on its relation in comparison with the plants of
the adjacent countries, and on the practical uses to which we might
possibly apply many of its productions, it may be considered neces-
sary to delineate the route which I pursued during my last expe-
dition.
“ I proceeded, at first, with deviations from the usual road wherever
it appeared favourable for my pursuits, to Futter’s Range, which rears,
like some other granitic mountains in its vicinity, a host of very pecu-
liar plants. Thence I directed my course to May Day Hills, from
which place I advanced, after a brief stay, to the Buffalo Ranges,
where I ascended Mount Aberdeen and another peak more than 4,000
feet high, and examined the rich, almost tropical, vegetation which
borders the rivers rising in these mountains. It was in this locality
that our exertions were rewarded with the discovery of the high,
majestic Grevillea Victoriae, and other rarities. Indications of gold
have been observed here, as well as in some parts of Gipps’ Land
166
which I subsequently visited. The Superintendent of the Mel-
bourne Botanic Gardens, who was engaged during this part of the
journey in collecting seeds, here parted from me, being obliged to
return homeward to resume his duties at the Botanic Gardens.
“As Mount Aberdeen offered hardly any plants of a true Alpine
character, I resolved to ascend Mount Buller, whose summits, at an
elevation of more than 5,000 feet, are covered throughout the greater
part of the year with snow. Travelling quite alone since leaving the
Buffalo Ranges, the ascent was not accomplished without consider-
able danger. But I was delighted to observe here, for the first time,
this continent’s Alpine vegetation, which in some degree presented
itself as analogous with the Alpine Flora of Tasmania (Ranunculus
Gunnianus, Euryomyrtus alpina, Celmisia astelifolia, Gentiana Die-
mensis, Podocarpus montana, Trisetum antarcticum, &c.), and which
was also by no means destitute of its own peculiar species (Pheba-
lium podocarpoides, Goodenia cordifolia, Hovea gelida, Oxylobium
alpestre, Brachycome nivalis, Anisotome glacialis, &c.) Remarkably
enough, only one of these exhibits any similarity to the singular sub-
alpine forms discovered by Sir Thomas Mitchell on the Australian
Grampians. Mount Buller had never before been scientifically
explored; and Mount Aberdeen, up to this time, had not even been
ascended.
“ After some other less elevated mountains in the neighbourhood
had been also botanically examined, I resumed my journey along the
Goulburn River and some of its tributaries to the King Parrot Creek,
where I crossed the Yarra Ranges. The unusually heavy rainfall in
the autumn would have frustrated any attempt to reach, as I then
contemplated, the Alpine mountains of Gipps’ Land, and I considered
it therefore more advisable, at the already advanced season, to devote
my time rather to the examination of the maritime plants which are in
an almost equal state of development throughout the year.
“ I went, accordingly, for some distance along the La Trobe River,
to the south-eastern coast of Gipps’ Land, passing some rich ravines,
luxuriantly filled with two species of fern tree, Alsophila Australis
and Dicksonia antarctica; the former of which seemingly never
accompanies the Dicksonia far inland, but remains in those valleys
which slope towards the sea. Notwithstanding these geographical
limits, the Alsophila, occupying generally the drier localities on the
hills, recommends itself better for transplanting.
“ After several weeks’ travelling in the neighbourhood of Port
167
Albert, and many excursions through Wilson’s Promontory, I quitted
Gipps’ Land, returning homeward along the coast.
“ This journey, the lines of which extended over more than 1,500
miles, enriched my collections formed during the spring so far that
they comprise probably now more than half the indigenous vegetation
of this Colony. For, according to the Index which I have annexed,
including also several plants discovered previously by Sir Thomas
Mitchell and by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, there are
known to me now already 715 species of Dicotyledoneae, belonging to
286 genera and 83 natural orders ; 201 species of Monocotyledoneae,
comprehending 100 genera and 2] natural orders ; and 47 ferns, con-
taining 27 genera. About fifty other species, however, which I have
not included in this general account, are not yet so exactly examined as
to receive their true systematic position, and are consequently not
enumerated in the list; while fifty others, not indigenous, but intro-
duced species, are likewise not taken into account, although they are
not only naturalized beyond the possibility of extirpation, but even
overpower the more tender indigenous plants. I regret that I was
also obliged to omit from this Index all the lower Acotyledoneae
(mosses, Lichenistra, lichens, Algae, and Fungi), to the amount of at
least 200 species, of which I could examine this winter too few to
display them in a systematic arrangement. The full amount of spe-
cies, therefore, considerably exceeds 1,100, belonging, with exclusion
of the above-mentioned Acotyledoneae and the foreign plants, to no
less than 430 genera and 108 natural orders—proportions which far
surpass those of Western Australia, where more than twice this num-
ber of species (according to the collections of Dr. Preiss) are only
divided into exactly the same number of genera already discovered
here (430), and only into 91 families.
“ The Index might have been increased without difficulty to a two-
fold number of names ; but through a long-continued examination of
the Australian plants in a living state, I had the advantage of learn-
ing how great is the uncertainty of many characteristics, which are
deemed, even by our greatest authorities in science, suflicient for dis-
tinction. According to the annexed enumeration, the proportion of the
Dicotyledoneae to the Monocotyledoneae will be found, for that part
of the country over which my investigations this year extended, nearly
as seven to two, and corresponds, therefore, exactly with the position
which these great divisions of the vegetable kingdom hold to each
other in South Australia up to the thirty-fourth degree South latitude
(as shown in my observations on the South Australian Flora, lately
168
read before the Linnean Society of London), and holds, likewise, the
mean between the proportions ascertained by Robert Brown for Van'
Diemen’s Land and New South Wales; while in Western Australia,
as well as in South Australia, including the country there to the thirty-
first degree South latitude, the number of the Dicotyledoneae exceeds
in the proportion of nine to two that of the Monocotyledoneae.
“The Cryptogamic plants, however, favoured by a more humid
atmosphere, are twice as numerous in our province as in the last-men-
tioned Colonies, being about equal to a third of the Dicotyledoneae.
“ Excluding all Cryptogamic plants, not less than 200 species, as
testified by the Index, are proved to be as yet undescribed. Some of
these occurred to me in South Australia; and the descriptions of
several others will probably find a place in Dr. J. Hooker’s forthcom-
ing ‘Flora of Van Diemen’s Land.’ These novelties enabled me
already to establish seven new genera (Pseudomorus, Basileophyta,
Phaeoleuca, Tetrachaeta, Minuranthus, Psoraleopsis, and Rhytido-
sporum).
“ The descriptions, not only of almost all the new plants, but also
critical notes and observations on the phytogeographical range of the
species already known, will be forwarded to Sir William Hooker before
my departure for the interior, and will afterwards constitute, tOgether
with the scientific elucidations of such plants as may be added during
the ensuing season from the yet botanically unexplored districts, the
foundation of ‘ The Flora of Victoria.’
“ That the vegetation of the southern parts of our province accords
greatly with the Tasmanian Flora may be demonstrated by the fact
that more than half of all the enumerated species are known to inha'
bit Van Diemen’s Land, amongst them many of great interest, which
had been considered as belonging exclusively to that island, some
adding even new genera to the Flora of New Holland (Fagus Cun-
ninghami, Bauera Billardierii, Tasmania aromatica, Weinmannia
biglandulosa, Pleurandra monadelphia, Ranunculus Gunnianus, Cap-
sella Australis, Pittosporum bicolor, Rhytidosporum procumbens,
Rhytidosporum Stuartianum, Boronia dentigera, Eriostemon verru-
cosus, Corraea Backhousiana, Meionectes Brownii, Bossiaea horizon-
talis, Brachycome decipiens, Celmisia astelifolia, Scaevola Hookeri,
Monotoca lineata, Lissanthe montana, Lissanthe ciliata, Prostanthera
rotundifolia, Myosotis suaveolens, Wilsonia Backhousii, Gentiana
Diemensis, Sebaea albidifiora, I-Iakea microcarpa, Podocarpus mon-
tana, Phyllanthus Gunnii, Micranthea hexandra, Diplarrhena Moraea,
169
Uncinia tenella, Triodontium Tasmanicum, and a great number of
ferns).
“ No numerical comparison with the Flora of South Australia and
New South Wales has been instituted, as those localities are not suf-
ficiently examined which bear, perhaps, in this respect, as great a
resemblance to the adjacent Colonies as the southern tract of this
province bears to Van Diemen’s Land.
“ Still, there remains yet a considerable number of plants which
impress on our vegetation a type of peculiarity; and I may be per-
mitted, for this reason, to call attention to our remarkable species of
Panax, resembling mainly those of the Moluccas; to Trigonella sua-
vissima, as the only Australian clover; to the species of Psoralea and
to Crantzia, as connecting links with the American Flora; to Pseu-
domorus Australasica, the indigenous mulberry tree; to Myrsine
Howittiana, nearer connected with the New Zealand species than with
those of New South Wales; and to the Alpine Anisotome glacialis, as
a genus from Auckland and Campbell’s Islands.
“With regard to the Phytogeographia of this country, it may be
deemed worthy of notice that, in the arid steppes beyond the Glenelg
River, the vegetation undergoes a remarkable change, and a large
number of such plants as are common to Victoria, New South Wales,
and Van Diemen’s Land, cease to exist, not even re-appearing farther
to the westward, where the physical character of the country assumes
once more equality or similarity to the eastern provinces. Others,
again, extend the geographical limits of certain genera or species
which we thought to belong entirely to Western Australia: thus, for
instance, Thomasia petalocalyx and Coleostylis Preissia range to the
148th meridian.
“ It may also be worthy of remark, that the order of Leguminosae
prevails decidedly here, as in Western Australia, over all others ; and
that the Composites, far exceeding in South Australia, and almost
throughout the world, any other groups, rank here as the second
order. Both, taken together, show such eminent richness: as to com-
prise nearly a fourth of all Dicotyledonar plants. The most predo-
minant natural orders exhibit here, with regard to their number of
species, the following series :——Leguminosae, Composites, Myrtaceae,
Algae, Filices, Cyperoideae, Gramineae, Musci, Proteaceee, Orchideae,
Epacrideae, Fungi, Umbelliferae, Diosmeae, Liliaceaa, Lichenes, La-
biatae, Goodeniaceae, Scrophularinae, and Salsolaceae.
“ Finally, and perhaps as to the most important point of my
researches, I have to reflect upon the practical usefulness of our vege-
VOL. V. Z
I70
table creation, either with regard to medicine, manufactures, or in a
domestic point of view.
“ The inestimable truth, that we may safely deduct the closest affi-
nities of the medicinal properties of plants from their natural alliances
—-—a truth which achieved the most complete triumph of the natural
system over all artificial classifications—has generally guided me in
tracing out which plants might be administered in medicine. By this
guidance I observed, that our Pimeleae are pervaded by that acridity
for which the bark of Daphne Mezereum is employed ; that our Poly-
gala veronicea, the only described Australian species of a large genus,
and in close relation to one lately discovered in the Chinese empire,
not only agrees, like some kinds of Comesperma, with the Austrian
Polygala amara, in those qualities for which that plant has been admi-
nistered in consumption, but also participates in the medicinal virtue
of Polygala senega, from North America. Gratiola latifolia and Gra-
tiola pubescens, Convolvulus erubescens, and the various kinds of
Mentha, are not inferior to similar European species. The bark of
Tasmania aromatica appears to me to possess the medicinal power of
the Wintera bark, gathered from a similar tree in Tierra del Fuego ;
and its fruit is allied to that of the North American Magnoliae used
in cases of rheumatism and intermittent fever. The whole natural
order of Goodeniaceae, with the exception, perhaps, of a few species,
contains a tonic bitterness never recognized before, and discernible in
many plants in so high a degree, that I was induced, for this reason,
to bestow upon a new genus from the interior the name of Picrophyta;
this property, which indicates a certain alliance to Gentianeae,
deserves the more consideration, as the true Gentianeae are so spar-
ingly distributed through Australia, while the Goodeniaceae form
everywhere here a prominent feature in the vegetation. Our Alps, how-
ever, enrich us also with a thick-rooted Gentian (G. Diemensis), cer-
tainly as valuable as the oflicinal Gentiana lutea; and in the spring,
Sabaea ovata, Sabaea albidiflora, and Erythraea Australis, might also be
collected on account of their bitterness. The bark of the Australian
Sassafras tree (Atherospermum moschatnm) has already obtained
some celebrity as a substitute for tea ;—administered in a greater con-
centration, it is diaphoretic, as well as diuretic, and has for this rea-
son already been practically introduced into medicine by one of our
eminent physicians. Isotoma axillaris surpasses all other indigenous
Lobeliaceae in its intense acridity, and can be therefore only can-
tiously employed instead of Lobelia inflata. The root of Malva
Behriana scarcely differs from that of Althaea officinalis, and the Salep
l7l
root might be collected from many Orchideae. Few may be aware
that the Cajeput oil of India is obtained from trees very similar to our
common Melaleucae ; and that even from the leaves of the Eucalypti
an oil can be procured of equal utility. The Sandarac, exuding from
the Callitris or pine tree, the balsamic resin of the grass trees, and,
moreover, the Eucalyptus gum, which could be gathered in boundless
quantities, and which for its astringent qualities might here at least
supersede the use of kino or catechu, will probably at a future period
form articles of export.
“ Several Acacias are of essential service, either for their durable
wood, or for the abundance of tannin in their bark, which has ren-
dered them already useful, or for their gum; but the latter is even
excelled in clearness and solubility by that obtained from Pittospo-
rum acacioides. This species, as well as many other plants of the
same order, is distinguished by a surprising yet apparently harmless
bitterness ——a quality that warrants our expecting considerable medi-
cinal power, and which deserves so much more attention, as till now
we know nothing of the usefulness of the Pittosporeae, although this
order extends over a great part of the eastern hemisphere.
“The Australian Manna consists in a saccharine secretion, con-
densed chiefly by the Cicades from a few species of Eucalypti, but is
chemically very differently constituted to the Ornus Manna, and much
less aperient. All our splendid Diosmeae—a real ornament to the
country—approach more or less in their medicinal effect to the South
African Bucco-bushes.
“Baeckea utilis, from Mount Aberdeen, might serve travellers in
those desolate localities as tea, for the volatile oil of its leaves resem-
bles greatly in taste and odour that of lemons—not without a plea-
sant, peculiar aroma. Trigonella suavissima proved valuable as an
antiscorbutic spinage in Sir Thomas Mitchell’s expedition; and the
Tetragonella implexicoma, the various Cardamines, Nasturtium ter-
restre, or Lawrencia spicata, may likewise be used for the same pur-
pose. The root of Scorzonera Lawrencii—a favourite food of the
natives—would form, if enlarged by culture, an agreeable substitute
for Scorzonera Hispanica, or Asparagus; and Anistome glacialis—
a largesrooted umbelliferous plant, from the snowy top of Mount
Buller—will be added, perhaps, hereafter, to the culinary vegetables
of the colder climates. Seeds of the latter plants, amongst many
others, have been procured for the Botanic Gardens. Santalum
lanceolatum, Mesembryanthemum aequilaterale, Leptomeria pnngens,
and Leptomeria acerba, deserve notice for their agreeable fruit.
172
“ It would lead too far to enumerate the numerous modest, but
~'lovely, or even the more attractive ornamental plants, which will no
doubt hereafter contribute to adorn the gardens here and at home.
Still, in a general sketch of our vegetation, I ought not to pass
unmentioned, in this regard, the magnificent Grevillea Victoriae; the
splendid parasite of the fern tree, Basileophyta Friderici Augusti,
on which the name of the royal botanist has been bestowed; and the
grand Corraea Latrobeana,—three of the most gorgeous plants dis“
covered during my last expedition.
“ In accordance with His Excellency’s instructions, a collection of
dried specimens of plants has been commenced for the Government.
This Herbarium will be at alltimes accessible to the public, and will
hereafter contribute, I trust, to diffuse, more and more, knowledge of
our vegetable world, and excite lovers of natural science to assist in
my investigations. I began to form, at the same time, a similar col-
lection for the Royal Gardens at Kew.
“I am happy to report that the Botanic Gardens are in a very
prosperous state, and that the establishment does great honour to the
able management of its Superintendent. The addition of a large
greenhouse, which His Excellency has been pleased to sanction,
upon the recommendation of the Committee, will be most useful as a
receptacle for tropical productions ; and a considerable piece of
ground has been prepared, this year, to rear all the seeds which have
lately been collected for the garden, or which were liberally pre-
sented.
“ The Committee deemed it also advisable that an iron foot-bridge
for crossing the Yarra should be procured from home, to afford an
easier access to the Garden for the inhabitants of the eastern part of
Melbourne; and by this means the number of visitors —- already
(chiefly on Sundays) very considerable —— will, doubtless, greatly
increase.
“ I trust, therefore, that the Botanic Gardens, as an establishment
so desirable for the diffusion of knowledge, for the experimental intro-
duction of foreign plants into our adopted country, or for multiplying
the treasures which our own Flora offers, and as a healthy locality for
recreation, will continue to receive the support of the Government
and the Legislature; and I hope that, by still further extending the
communications of this establishment with the Botanic Gardens of
other countries, we shall succeed in keeping pace with the general
advance of this great and flourishing country.”
173
A second paper, intituled ‘ Botanical Report, by William Swainson, ’
Esq., F.R.S.,’ is_also in our hands; and, we regret to say, is, to our-
'selves, exceedingly unsatisfactory. Mr. Swainson gives a list of two
hundred and thirteen species of Cassuarinae, of which five only are
marked as undetermined ; all the rest having Latin as well as English"
names. It would appear, from the heading of the list, that all these
species are new to science, “ List of species of Cassuarinae, or Austra-
lian Pines, discovered, named, and described by Mr. Swainson.”
Subjoined is Mr. Swainson’s report, which we leave without com-
ment; being unwilling, on the one hand, to commend what conveys
with it so little of the appearance of solid information ; and, on the
other hand, being particularly anxious to avoid prejudging a matter
of which we confess ourselves to be very ignorant. We sincerely hope
Mr. Swainson’s researches may prove to be as carefully conducted as
their results appear to be marvellous. We may, perhaps, be allowed
to remark that the title is scarcely precise: should it not rather run
thus :-——“ Report on Eucalyptidae and Cassuarinae” P
“ I do myself the honour of laying before your Excellency, in the
enclosed papers, the result of my botanical investigations in this
province.
“My chief attention, for the first five months after being located
here, was directed to the family of Eucalyptidm, or gum trees, among
which I have discovered five distinct and well-marked genera, hitherto
unknown as such, and apparently peculiar to Victoria; together with
two other new genera, which occur also in the adjacent province.
“ Having had no accommodation for arranging the different species
for comparison, &c., I have been necessitated to pack them up as fast
as collected. It is quite impossible, therefore, for me to state, with
any degree of certainty, the number of new species contained in the
above genera. The packets of dried specimens, seeds, and capsules,
will be seen to form a' grand total of 1520. I am therefore disposed
to think, that even if two-thirds may hereafter prove varieties only,
there will yet remain more than 500 species, botanically distinct, only
two or three of which I have found in New South Wales.
“ My researches, in respect to timber trees (from causes already well
known), have been quite unsuccessful. The red gum (Canthocarpus,
La.), and the straight stringy bark (Teicanthus, La.), are the only
genera I have found whose wood is useful either for sawing or split-
ting. Specimens of the former (of an unknown species), have been
procured and sent to the curator. The latter, of which there are
I74
numb‘erless species, and a few of that of Microcarpus, or native box,
are mostly used for fencing. ’
“No reasonable doubt, however, can be entertained, that other
parts of the province are more productive than this seems to be of
valuable timber; and as the Colonial Botanist has had the requisite
facilities at his disposal for ascertaining this fact during his extensive
excursions, he will doubtless have succeeded far better than myself
in developing the economical properties of the Victoria timber trees.
“During the last year I have made various attempts and experi-
ments to discover the principles of variation amongst the Cassuarinae,
vulgarly called he and she oaks, but which in reality are the true
pines of Australia. It was only in June last, however, that this dis-
covery was effected, and the conviction then arrived at that all the
descriptions now existing were perfectly and essentially defective, and
therefore quite useless; and that this and the genus Exocarpus are
the most extraordinary groups of trees yet discovered in Australia.
Without being further tedious (as I intend to bring this discovery
before the public in another shape), I shall merely state to your
Excellency, that the facts I am prepared to bring forward will esta-
blish the following propositions :—
“ 1. That the Australian pines belong more to a very remote or
primeval Flora than to the present.
“ 2. That they are slowly, but surely, disappearing from the face of
the earth, and giving place to that comparatively recent order of vege-
tables which springs up in their stead. In this respect they offer a
wonderful analogy to what we have ourselves witnessed in regard to
the aboriginal tribes of Australia now giving place to those of the
Caucasian race. ’
“ Now, of this remarkable tribe I have, succeeded in determining
more than two hundred species, all still growing within a very short
distance of this place, besides having met with several others in diffe-
rent stages of decay, but which, from their bark and other indications,
convince me were different from all those I have met with in a growing
state. They have, in fact, died from excessive age, and have left no
successors.
“ In the accompanying paper is a list of all the species found by
me up to the end of the last month, and an abundance of cones of
nearly all these have been collected and sent to the curator of the
Botanic Garden. These your Excellency may now cause to be dis-
tributed and made known over the whole civilized world: and thus
the Botanical Garden would probably receive from those established
175
at the Cape, Rio de Janeiro, Calcutta, Ceylon, &c., &c., more rare
and costly plants, in exchange, than would fill five such conservatories
as that now building in Melbourne. s
“ I should also suggest, that as most of the species are handsome,
and many beautiful, growing trees, half an acre or so of ground be
appropriated for a seed-bed, by which a large number of young plants
might be raised, ready to transplant into the projected shrubberies
round the Government House, and to distribute among such private
individuals as may wish to possess, some few examples of these abo-
rigines of the vegetable World.
“ To establish these discoveries upon the most solid basis, I have
given up nearly a month of my engagement with the Tasmanian
Government, for, without having laboured, I may say truly, both day
and night, for the last three months, I could not have brought the
matter to such an unquestionable issue. Without taking too much
credit to myself, I feel satisfied that these discoveries will be regarded
with as much surprise and almost incredulity amongst the botanists
of Europe, as was that of gold in Australia among the geologists of
Britain.
“ Of all those named in the list I possess elaborate descriptions,
partly written with the trees before me, and finished before the cones
had opened, and thus lost their specific characters. As there exists
no scientific society or other medium for publishing an essay on these
trees in Melbourne, I think the Royal Tasmanian Society (of which I
am an honorary member) will gladly do so in their own Transactions.”


PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES, &c.
THE PHYTOLOGIST CLUB.
One Hundred and Fifly- Seventh Sitting—Saturday, May 20,
1854.—MR. NEWMAN, President, in the chair.
The President read the following communications :—
Botryohium rutaceum, SW.
“ At page 131 of the present volume of the ‘ Phytologist’ I am in
effect blamed for taking no notice of B. rutaceum as a British plant.
176
The fact is, that I had never either seen or heard of a native specimen
until the appearance of that number ; and Messrs. Hooker and Arnott
seem to be in the same position. Smith’s remark led me to believe that
it was only some accidental variation that was intended by him ; and
Fries’s note upon B. rutaceum seemed to show that such was also the
fact in other countries. Is the figure upon page 133 taken from a
British specimen .9 Ray and Dillenius do not appear to have known
so much about it as Mr. Newman supposes; for we learn from the
2nd edition of Ray’s ‘ Synopsis ’ that the part of the quotation enclosed
in brackets () is not a remark of either Ray or Dillenius, but of
Doody, with the exception of the sentence beginning ‘ Est’ and
ending with ‘ 288,’ which Dillenius added. In the present state of
the question I shall not venture to give any opinion—Charles C.
Babington.
Carex M aenchz'ana.
“ It is many years since I received a considerable number of speci-
mens of Carices from the late Mr. S. Gibson, Wl'lO was Well known for
his acuteness in detecting and discriminating plants. Amongst them
I find two specimens of the plant named by him C. Muenchiana, on
the authority, as he supposed, of Dr. Boott. Since receiving the
plant, I have submitted it to the examination of that eminent bota-
nist, and find, from the note written upon the paper, that he thinks
it is—
‘ Vulgaris forma. F. B.’
The specimens are very young, having the anthers only just bursting;
and I do not see any reason to doubt the correctness of Dr. Boott’s
last determination. The true C. Moenchiana is probably a form of
C. acuta.”-—Id.
BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH.
April 13, 1854.—Professor Balfour, President, in the chair.
Donations.
To the Library :-——From the Liverpool Philosophical Institution,
their ‘ Proceedings; ’ from Arthur Henfrey, F.L.S., his papers on the
Reproduction of Ferns from their Spores, and on the Development of
Marchantia polymorpha ; from Dr. J ohnstone, Berwick-on-Tweed, his
‘ Natural History of the Eastern Borders.’
177
To the Museum of Economic Botany: —— From Mrs. Miller, Edin-
burgh Castle; William Ivory, Esq., St. Roque; \V. H. Macfarlane,
Esq; Thomas Hay, Esq., Prospect Bank, Leith; Miss Yule, Inver-
leith Row; Dr. Balfour; Professor 'I'reviranus, Bonn; the Oregon
Association; Rev. Mr. VVaddell; Dr. Greville ; Mr. David Kerr.
Professor Balfour announced the presentation to the Herbarium at
the Botanic Garden , of a set of the specimens recently received by
the Oregon Association, from their collector Mr. J effray.
Exhibitions.
Professor Balfour exhibited the male cone of a Cycadaceous plant,
sent by Dr. Stanger from Natal, and named conditionally by Mr.
Smith, of Kew, Stangeria paradoxa. The cone had been sent under
the name of Lomaria eriopus, picked by Gueinzius at Port Natal, and
details in regard to it and the plant have been recently given by Mr.
Smith in Hooker’s ‘ Kew Miscellany.’ The leaves have a fern-like
appearance, and are very like those of a Lomaria or Danaea. The
vernation is indexed and involute, and the forked veins come from a
true mid~rib. Mr. Smith remarks that the latter circumstance shows
the untenable nature of the characters distinguishing fossil Ferns and
Cycads. ‘
Professor Fleming noticed the occurrence of a remarkable white
fungoid production on the roof of a dark cavern excavated for
fire-clay in the sandstone quarry at Joppa, near Edinburgh. It
seemed to be the mycelium of a fungus originating in the wood which
propped up the roof of the mine. The white mass was seven feet in
diameter. Some of the threads were pendant from the roof, and
others had dropped on the floor of the mine. Dr. Macbean had
examined the substance with a microscope, and found it to be com-
posed of numerous cells arranged in a bead-like manner, but he was
not able to detect fructification or spores.
Mr. M‘Nab exhibited specimens of Lathrma squamaria collected by
Mr. Peter Paisley, in a wood about a mile from Galashiels.
Professor Balfour exhibited, from Messrs. P. Lawson & Son, speci-
mens of glass labels for plants.
Mr. G. Lawson exhibited, under the microscope, preparations of the
colouring matters of the flower of Strelitzia Reginae, and drawings of
the same. This plant is interesting as presenting examples of both
the xanthic and cyanic series in the same flower, but still more
remarkable in the microscopical peculiarities of its colouring matters,
which are referred to by Mohl in the ‘ Vegetable Cell,’ (p. 44). Mr.
VOL. v. 2 A
I78
Lawson stated that in the blue (or purplish blue) part of the flower,
the colouring matter entirely consists of spherical granules of an
intense blue or bluish purple colour, with occasionally cells contain-
ing similar shaped granules of bright crimson. All the granules of
any one cell appear to be constantly of the same colour. In the yel-
low part of the flower, the colouring matter appears in a very different
form. Instead of spherical granules, we have slender filaments,
which are more or less spirally twisted and rolled up in various ways
in the cell, resembling in their twisting the more delicate spiral fibres
in the external cells of the roots of epiphytal Orchids; but they are
in many cases short, and form small round coils, giving the outline of
globular bodies, which likewise, however, occasionally occur. While
red and blue colouring matters usually occur in the vegetable king-
dom diffused in the cell-sap, we find them both in Strelitzia in
a globular form. Although deceptive appearances Often presented
themselves, Mr. Lawson felt inclined to believe from the examination
of numerous specimens, that diffused colour did not at all occur in the
flowers of Strelitzia. When the flower has attained its maturity,
however, the cells are often so completely filled with the deep blue
granules that they appear as a dense mass of blue, apparently homo-
geneous, matter in the interior of the cell. The flower should there-
fore be examined in the young state, not only before it has expanded,
but long before the spathe has opened to expose it to the action
of the light; even then the colouring of the flower will be found to
have far advanced, but the cells not so completely filled with the blue
globular granules as to disguise their character, and they are therefore
distinctly seen. The cells containing the yellow filaments are gene-
rally of larger size and more elongated in form than those containing
blue or red globules. The flowers examined by Mr. Lawson had
been obtained (through the kindness of Mr. Evans) from a large speci-
men in the Experimental Garden.
Mr. G. Lawson exhibited specimens of Hypnum salebrosum, col-
lected on an old wall at Baldovan, near Dundee, in March last,
by Messrs. Ogilvie & Hutton. He stated that the plant had not
previously been known in the county of Forfar since Drummond’s
time.
Polypodium alpestre at Clova.
Professor Balfour stated that Mr. Oroall, of Montrose, in a recent
account of a trip to Clova, published in Hooker’s ‘ Kew Miscellany,’
had remarked :—“ Polypodium alpestre at the head of the glen grows
1'79
side by side with Lastrea dilatata, but I nowhere observed Athyrium
Filix-femina associated with, or at the same elevation as Polypodium
alpestre.” This statement was not in accordance with what was
observed by Dr. Balfour and his party during their trip to Clova at
the beginning of August last. They found Athyrium F ilix-femina and
Polypodium alpestre growing together, both in Glen Fiadh and
in Glen Dole. In many instances it was necessary to look at the
fructiflcation, in order to avoid picking the one for the other. At the
head of Glen Dole, and above the path called J ock’s Road, both ferns
grew luxuriantly. Polypodium alpestre descends much lower than
has been supposed. It was found at little more than fifty feet above
the Dole, on the bank below the Astragalus alpinus clifl'.
Mr. G. Lawson remarked that a statement similar to that of Mr.
Oroall had been made to him last summer, and he was thus led to pay
particular attention to the point when he visited Clova as one of Pro-
fessor Balfour’s party. Such statements were quite at variance with
obvious facts, the Athyrium being a frequent associate of Polypodium
alpestre. This circumstance, together with the variability of both
plants (whose respective varieties are in some cases very similar
to each other), rendered it often difficult to distinguish the one from
the other, without inspecting the sori; and a collector who allowed
himself to be guided by the fancy that Athyrium ceases at the eleva~
tion where Polypodium alpestre begins, would be certain to col-
lect a mixture; it was therefore important that the error should be
corrected.
The following papers were read :—-
Dyeing Properties of Lie-hens.
‘ Experiments on the Dyeing Properties of the Lichens;’ by W.
Lauder Lindsay, M.D., Assistant-Physician, Royal Crichton Institu-
tion, Dumfi'ies.
The author presented to the Society the tabulated results of between
500 and 600 experiments made two or three years ago ; the chief ob-
ject of which was to endeavour to call attention to the fact, that we
possess, in our own island, lichens capable of furnishing dyes nearly,
if not quite, equal in beauty to orchil, cudbear, and litmus. He had
so fully occupied the time of the Society on previous occasions with
detailed views on this subject, and with various papers on general
points in the natural history of the lichens, that on the present occa-
sion he confined himself to a few facts explanatory of the tables :—
180
I. Certain genera and species of lichens, which are abundant in
Scotland, and could be collected with comparative facility, and
at a very moderate expense, might be tried with advantage on
the large scale, as substitutes for the foreign lichens used in
the manufacture of orchil, cudbear, and litmus. I have already
indicated a favourableresult in investigating native lichens on
the small scale; but it remains for the manufacturer to test the
permanence and utility of colours, which may merely look
brilliant, without having any fixity.
II. This subject is worthy of being followed out by the manufac-
turer on the one hand, and the chemist on the other.
a. On account of scientific interest—the field being comparatively
new and open, and at the same time most promising of good
results.
I). Were it only with the view of further developing the economic
resources of our own country.
0. Because the speculation [i. e., the substitution of home for foreign
dye-lichens], promises to be remunerative, as the Roccellas have
frequently reached the high price of £1000 per ton in the
London market.
III. The collection and transport of lichens, for the purpose of ex-
amining their colorific powers is very easy, viz. :—
a. By simple desiccation and packing.
b. By drying and pulverizing.
o. By precipitating the colorific principles from a lime-solution or a
decoction by acetic or muriatic acids.
IV. The colour of the thallus and that obtained by the action
of Stenhouse’s or Helot’s tests on solutions of the lichen-colorific
principles do not always correspond in tint; more frequently
the reverse obtains: hence, it is impossible from the colour or
other external character of the thallus of a lichen to predicate
the nature of the reaction of its alcoholic solution with chloride
of lime, or the tint it will yield on ammoniacal maceration.
V. The lichens richest in colorific principles, capaple of yielding
valuable colouring matters, are crustaceous and foliaceous spe-
cies, of a pale or whitish colour —- whose alcoholic or aqueous
infusion is nearly devoid of colour, which grow on rocks or
stones, and in mountainous countries, or! on the sea-coast.
VI. The lichens most devoid of the same principles are species
having a showy foliaceous thallus, attaining a considerable size,
whose alcoholic and aqueous solutions are generally of the
181
same colour with the thallus, and which grow on trees and
woods.
VII. The colours educible from lichens are liable to be materially
affected, both as to quantity and quality according to a
a. Age of the specimen operated on, i. e., length of period that has
elapsed since collection and desiccation.
I). The geologic or other nature of its habitat.
. The nature of its basis of support, whether moist or dry, rock,
stone, tree, or earth, &c.
d. The amount of exposure to sunlight and atmospheric oxygen.
e. Amount of moisture in the air.
f Temperature of the locality.
g.
h.
i.
Q
Elevation above the sea.
Season and vicissitudes of the weather.
Longitude and latitude in the two hemispheres.
k. Decomposition of organic bodies in vicinity.
VIII. Westring’s triple division of lichens according to the fixity
or permanence of the colours they yield with or without mor-
dants, &c., and his quadruple division according as these
colours are extractable by cold, lake-warm, hot or boiling water,
aided or not by various accessions, are inconsistent and unna-
tural, and therefore not to be commended or followed.
1X. Westring’s test of colorific power is inferior to Helot’s or Sten-
house’s ; but all are frequently fallacious, and are far from being
applicable in all cases. It is probable that different alkalies
and re-agents are suitable in different cases for the elimination
of colouring matters. .
X. The same circumstances, which modify the development of
these colours on the small scale, cause material alteration in the
results of manufacture. The result, however, is not always
proportionate to the nature and amount of the modifying cause,
insignificant circumstances frequently giving rise to most im-
portant and opposite changes.
XI. Speaking generally, the same process is equally applicable to
the evolution of the red colouring matters of all lichens ; but it
is equally true that a slight modification of the process may
cause a great variety in the degree or tint in any given species.
XII. The chief tint educible from lichens, which can be of any
permanent utility in the arts, is red: brown is also useful in a
minor degree.
XIII. Chloride of lime and aqua ammoniae are only suitable for the
182
development of a red colour —-- or more strictly of colorific and
colourless principles, capable of conversion into red colouring
matters.
XIV. Chloride of lime is not uniformly to be relied on as a lichen-
colorimeter for
Table XII. shows,
a. That the alcoholic solution of certain species may strike no
blood-red colour with the re-agent, and still yield beautiful red,
and purple colours on ammoniacal maceration, and
6. Table XIII. shows that, though the alcoholic solution of some
species do strike this colour [blood-red], it does not follow that
ammoniacal maceration produces the same or a similar colour,
or any colour at all.
XV. Simple maceration in a weak solution of ammonia, aided by a
moderate heat and moisture, is the surest and simplest means of
evolving the red colouring matters of the lichens.
XVI. Alcohol is an excellent solvent of the colorific principles
of the plants, presenting them in a form readily acted on
by chemical substances. Its use on the small scale is exceed-
ingly convenient. The reaction of ammonia on a boiled alco-
holic solution, allowed to stand for three days, is generally
the same in tint, though not in degree, as on an aqueous solu-
tion exposed to the air for very long periods [one to twelve
months] ; but in some cases they differ essentially.
This difference is probably, in part, attributable to the small
quantity of materials operated on, and the short period of maceration
in the former case, and to the large quantity of materials, and the
abundant exposure to atmospheric oxygen ,in the latter.
XVII. The non-evolution of colour in many cases may arise from
a. Alcohol or water not being the best or proper solvent men-
struum of the colorific principles in any particular instance.
I). Ammoniacal maceration not being the proper means of convert-
ing the colorific into coloured substances.
0. The plant not containing colorific principles having the same
chemical composition as orceire, &c., or showing similar reac-
tions with chloride of lime and ammonia.
XVIII. If we accept, meanwhile, Stenhouse’s and Helot’s tests as
sufficiently accurate indicators of colorific value, we should
arrange the lichen-genera, which contain species yielding co-
louring matters, according to their‘ value, as follows :—
Roccella, Lecanora, Umbilicaria, Gyrophora. Urceolaria, Parmelia,
183
Evernia, Borrera, Ramalina, Lecidea, Isidium, Sphaerophoron; spe-
cies of which yield fine red colouring matters: and Parmelia, Sticta,
Cetraria, Nephromia, Solorina, Scyphophorus, Stereocaulon, Borrei'a,
Lecidea, Peltidea, Colloma; some of which furnish good brown
colours.
XIX. Among the general results of my experiments, it appears that,
of 540 specimens examined,—
22 gave rich purple or red colours to ammonia alone (i. e., by
simple maceration).
8 gave brown colours to ditto.
93 alcoholic solutions gave rich purples or reds, on the addi-
tion of ammonia.
81 ditto, well-marked brown, ditto.
127 ditto, ditto orange, ditto.
42 ditto, ditto greenish yellow, ditto.
79 alcoholic solution struck a deep blood-red, with solution of
chloride of lime.
XX. The whole subject of the intimate chemistry of the lichen co-
louring matters is in a very unsatisfactory condition, demanding
reinvestigation, and Dr. Lindsay therefore repeated that the
branch of the natural history of the lichens, to which, in this
and previous papers, he had endeavoured to draw scientific
attention, would form a worthy and remunerative object of
research to the botanist, chemist, and wholesale manufacturer.
Potamogeton from Lough Corrib.
‘ On a species of Potamogeton from Lough Corrib, and other
plants;’ by J. Kirk, Esq., Coventry: communicated by Professor
Balfour.
Mr. Kirk considered the Potamogeton as allied to P. longifolius
of ‘ English Botany Supplement,’ and remarked: - “ My specimens
differ from the plate in E. B. S. in having most of the leaves on long
stalks, and in the absence of the apiculus. The specimen there
figured was picked up floating in Lough Corrib, in July, 1835,
by Mr. .I. Ball, ‘ whilst sailing between Ma’am and Cong,’ and given
by him to Mr. Babington, and is the only specimen known to have
been found in the British Islands up to September, 1853. The most
striking character in my specimen is the singular and prominent mid-
rib, the central portion of which consists of three longitudinal veins or
ribs running closely parallel with each other, whilst on either side are
three to six ribs running closely parallel to them, but rather more
184
distant from each other; the whole connected by transverse veins, and
in the fresh state often more than one-fourth of an inch in width, the
whole appearing, until closely inspected, a compact solid midrib, on
either side of which are two to five fine veins, the whole connected by
numerous secondary veinlets. Some of the submerged leaves were
eighteen inches in length, and most beautifully pellucid, in this
respect far surpassing the other British members of the genus. The
floating leaves were scarcely coriaceous, linear-lanceolate or lanceolate,
and occurred only in small quantities. The original specimen, in
Mr. Babington’s possession, exhibits traces of this peculiar midrib,
which, I think, is almost sufficient to identify it with my specimen.
The differences alluded to in the outset, are not more than may
be found between specimens of well-known species gathered injtheir
prime, and others gathered, as in the present specimens, where decay
has actually commenced, witness P. rufescens and P. zosteraefolius.
In the last-named species, the early leaves are invariably apiculate,
but no trace of an apiculus is to be found in those produced during or
after flowering time. Whether the plant is identical with P. longi—
folius, Gay, is a question I am not prepared to answer, but feel much
disposed to doubt the latter being anything more than a name;
at any rate no individual, with fresh specimens of my Lough Corrib
plant before him, could overlook the prominent midrib, (although in
the dried state it is not nearly so conspicuous). Mr. Babington, from
inspection of some of my dried specimens, considers it different from
his original specimen, on the grounds already stated, and is disposed
to look upon it as, perhaps, Potamogeton sparganifolius, Fries. Mr.
Borrer, to whom I sent recent fragments as well as dried specimens,
considers it identical with the E. B. S. plant.”
Mr. Moore, of Glasnevin, in transmitting similar specimens from
Lough Corrib, named them P. longif'olius.
Specimens of the Potamogeton were exhibited from Mr. Kirk, as
well as some other rare plants, such as Rosa Sabini, oar. Doniana,
Potamogeton flabellatus, Naias flexilis, Rubus infestus, W. et N., R.
Balfourianus, Blown, Symphytum tauricum, &c.
Mr. M‘Nab communicated a register of the flowering of certain
hardy plants in the Botanic Garden, as compared with the flowering
of the same species during 1851 and 1853.
Also read, ‘ Illustrations on the application of Nature Printing to
the copying of Botanical Specimens ; ’ by W. Lauder Lindsay, M.D.


185
A List of the more interesting Plants found lately near Belfast, and
their latest discovered additional Localities. By MR. WILLIAM
MILLEN; revised, with additions, and communicated by IV. M.
HIND, Esq.
AT a meeting of the Belfast Natural History Society in April last,
a paper was read by Mr. William Millen, on ‘ Some of the more inte-
resting Plants found near Belfast, with their latest Localities.’ At the
request of the Secretary, Mr. A. O. D. Taylor, Mr. Millen has fur-
nished me with an abstract of his paper, which I have the pleasure of
forwarding. I have underlined for italics such of the plants as were
noticed in the ‘ Phytologist’ for September, 1851 ; and have prefixed
an asterisk to a few inserted on my own authority.
*Thalictrum minus, L. Sand-hills, Newcastle, Co. Down.
*Glaucium luteum, Seop. Sea-shore, Newcastle, Co. Down.
*‘Chelidonium majus, L. Derriaghy, Co. Antrim.
*Cochlearia danica, L. Ardglass, Co. Down.
*Cardamine impatiens, L. Shane’s Castle, Co. Antrim.
*Barbarea vulgaris, Br. Derriaghy, Co. Antrim.
Sinapis tenuifolia, Br. Railway-terminus, York Street, Belfast.
*Reseda luteola, L. Lisburn.
*Viola flavicornis, Sm. Shane’s Castle.
Drosera rotundifolia, L. King’s Moss, &c.
*Polygala calcarea, Schultz. Cavehill, near Belfast.
Elatine Hydropiper, L. The Lagan, and Holywood B0g.
*Saponaria officinalis, L. Derriaghy, but most likely a garden
outcast.
*Silene anglica, L. Newcastle.
,, noctiflora, L. Terminus, York Street.
Lychnis vespertina, Siblk. Derriaghy.
Radiola Millegrana, Sm. The Kinnegar, Holywood.
Erodium eioutarium, Sm. Terminus, York Street.
,, moschatum, Sm. Eden, Carrickfergus.
Geranium lucidum, L. Cavehill, following the débris of the chalk.
Euonymus europmus, L. Durpark, Cavehill, in the clefts of both
trap and chalk.
Medioagofalcata, L. Terminus at York Street.
*Vicia sylvatica, L. Cavehill, and Derriaghy.
,, bithynica, L. Terminus at York Street.
*Geum rivale, L. Cavehill, and Derriaghy.
v0L. v. 2 B
186
*Comarum palustre, L. Derriaghy.
Rubus saxatilis, L. Colin Glen, Wolf hill Glen, Cavehill, and
W'oodburn.
Rosa hibernica, Sm. Tilly’s Burn.
Epilobium angustifolium, L. Wolf hill Glen, Cavehill, and Wood-
burn.
,, roseum, Schreb. Glens in the Castlereagh Hill, Co.
.Down.
’ Hippuris vulgaris, L. Holywood Bog. (It has appeared occa-
sionally on .the Kinnegar, despite of unavoidable assaults). King’s
Moss, and bog-meadows.
Myriophyllum spicatum, L. In many pools and ditches.
Lythrum Salicaria, L. Lough Neagh, near Shane’s Castle.
Peplis Portula, L. Kinnegar; Holywood Bog.
*Scleranthus annuus, L. Lurgan, Co. Armagh.
*Sedum Rhodiola, DC. Tor Point, Co. Antrim.
* ,, Telephium, L. Derriaghy.
* ,, anglicum, Huds., and acre, L. Bangor, Co. Down.
*Sempervivum tectorum, L. Derriaghy.
Cotyledon Umbilicus, L. Woodburn, Knockagh, and Newtownards.
(Also found on the Copeland Islands, W. M. H)
Saxifraga tridactylites, L. On old walls, Lisburn.
,, hypnoides, L. Cavehill range.
Parnassia palustris, L. Island Magee. (Plentiful about Fairhead,
and on the North coast of Co. Antrim.)
Adoxa moschatellina, L. Deer Park, Cavehill.
*Sanicula europaea, L. Cavehill; Derriaghy.
*Eryngium maritimum, L. Bellyholme Bay, Co. Down; and Red
Bay, Co. Antrim.
Conium maculatum, L. Holywood; Carrickfergus.
*‘Smyrnium Olusatrum, L. Lisburn.
*Helosciadium nodiflorum, Koch. Cushendall.
Pimpinella saxifraga, L. Cavehill range of mountains.
(Enanthe pimpinelloides, L. Bunker’s Hill; Kinnegar.
9* ,, Lachenalii, Gmel. Bangor.
*6 ,, Phellandrium, Lam. The Lagan.
Sambucus Ebulus, L. Holywood; Bangor.
*Sherardia arvensis, L. Derriaghy.
*Crepis paludosa, Mceneh. Cavehill.
*Bidens tripartita, L. Lurgan.
itEupatorium cannabinum, L. Ardglass, &c.
187
Artemisia campestris, L. Terminus, York Street.
*Gnaphalium di'oicum, L. Cavehill.
*Erigeron acris, L. Cavehill.
*Doronicum pardalianches, L. Ballymaeash, growing in quantity,
but evidently outcast from an adjoining garden. -~
*Pulicaria dysenterica, Gwrt. Near Larne, &c.
Campanula rotundifolia, L. Cavehill range of mountains (and
pretty generally diffused through the northern parts of Co. Antrim.
This plant I have gathered with white flowers, and of a very compact
habit of growth—W M. M.)
Jasione montana, L. Cavehill, Knockagh, &c.
*Erica cinerea, L. (fioris albis). Slieve Donard.
Pyrola rotundifolia, L. Wolf hill; Colin Glen ; Scrabo.
*Vinca minor, L. Derriaghy. In profusion about the remains of
the residence of the celebrated Jeremy Taylor, Lord Bishop of Down
and Connor ; and Dromore.
*Villarsia nymphaeoides, Vent. The Lagan.
Convolvulus arvensis, L. Larne.
it ,, Soldanella, L. Newcastle ; Cushendun.
*Atropa Belladonna, L. I venture to introduce this plant on the
authority of Miss Hincks, of Derrykirghan. Locality, Benwarden.
*Veronica scutellata, L. Derriaghy.
,, Buxbaumii, Ten. Camber Railway-station, abundant;
Murray’s Terrace gardens; Cavehill; Tilly’s Burn.
*Linaria Cymbalaria, Mill. Old walls, Lambeg.
Orobanche rubra, Sm. Cavehill range.
Lathraea squamaria, L. Colin Glen ; Springfield; Cavehill.
*Thymus Serpyllum, L. (var. jloris albis ; the foliage clothed with
a dense whitish down). Knockagh. This plant retains its character
under cultivation, and, as it is a good flowerer, answers well for small
geometric beds.
*Lamium amplexicaule, L. Newcastle.
if ,, incisum, Willd. Newcastle.
Prunella vulgaris, L. A white and small variety, found in the
Deer Park, Cavehill. A specimen has been removed to the Royal
Botanic Gardens.
Lithospermum officinale, L. Deer Park, and Derriaghy.
,, arvense, L. Whitehouse.
*Mertensia maritima, Don. Newcastle on the sea-shore.
Symphytum oflieinale, L. Cavehill.
,, tuberosnm, L. Carnmoney Hill, above the church.
188
Lycopsis arvensis, L. Sea-shore'below Cultra.
Anchusa sempervirens, L. erminus, York Street; Lisburn.
*Pinguicula lusitanica, L. lieve Donard, and northern parts of
Co. Antrim.
Utricularia vulgaris, L. King’s Moss.
,, minor, L. Holywood Bog.
Lysimachia Nummularia, L. Banks of the Whitehouse stream, at
Maryville.
*Anagallis tenella, L. Bangor, Ardglass, Fairhead, &c.
Samolus Valerandi, L. Sea-shore at Bunker’s Hill; Cul-tra; (Bally.
holme; Ardglass).
Statice spatulata, Desf. (binervosa, G. E. Sm.) Sea-shore, Bun-
ker’s Hill; Comber. .
Littorella lacustris, L. Kinnegar ; (Shane’s Castl.e,.Lough Neagh).
*Atriplex littoralis, L. Sea-shore, Newcastle.
*Beta maritima, L. Sea-shore, Newcastle. I find a marked difl'e-
rence in the leaves of two specimens of this plant gathered by myself,
in the summer of 1845. In one the leaves are nearly rhomboidal;
and in the other, hastato-cordate.
*Salsola Kali, L. Ballyholme Bay.
*Salix pentandra, L. Common, Stonyford and Derriaghy.
I possess specimens of two willows gathered at Shane’s Castle, and
both seemingly belonging to the group “ nigricantes.” I have marked
them doubtfully as S. nigricans, Fries, S. Forsteriana, Sm.
*Myrica Gale, L. Slieve Donard ; Shane’s Castle.
Neottia Nidus-avis, Ric/i. Colin Glen; (Massareene Park, An-
trim). '
*Listera ovata, Br. Bangor; Derriaghy.
Epipactis latifolia, 820. Some distance around Belfast.
*Orchis latifolia, L. Shane’s Castle Park.
*Gymnadenia conopsea, Br. Conlig, Co. Down.
Habenaria bifolia, Br. Straid; Derriaghy.
* ,, chlorantha, Bab. Cavehill.
,, viridis, Br. Little Knockagh ; Black Mountain.
,, albida, Br. Cavehill.
*Allium ursinum, L. Cavehill.
Scilla verna, Huds. Bangor, (Ballyholme Bay, &c.)
Auacharis Alsiuastrum, Bab. Waringstowu, Co. Armagh.
Alisma ranunculoides, L. Holywood Bog, &c.
*Potamogeton pectinatus, L.- The Lagan.
’* ,, pusillus, L. The Lagan.
189
*Potamogeton gramineus, L. The Lagan.
Ruppia rostellata, Koch. In saltwater drains near the railroads on
both sides of Belfast Bay.
Narthecium ossifragum, Huds. Holywood Bog, &c.
*Scheenus nigricans, L. Bangor; Newcastle.
*Scirpus Savii, S. & M. ? Bangor.
* ,, maritimus, L. Stranmillis, Belfast.
*” ,, sylvaticus, L. Derriaghy.
*Ammophila arundinacea,‘ Host. Newcastle.
*Molinia caerulea, Mceneh. Newcastle.
*Triticum littorale, Host. Newcastle.
* ,, junceum, L. Newcastle.
*Polypodium Phegopteris, L. Slieve Donard.
- Hymenophyllum Wilsoni, Hook. Cavehill.
Botrychium Lunaria, SW. Cavehill range.
*Lycopodium clavatum, L., and Selago, L. Divis, &c.
* ,, selaginoides, L. Slieve Donard.
Equisetum umbrosum, Willd. Wolf hill Glen ; Woodburn.
,, hyemale, L. Banks of the Forth river, at Springfield.
,, Mackaii, Newm. Colin Glen.
*6 ,, variegatum, Sohl. Divis.
The more common plants have been omitted, and a few of those
mentioned in a former list. I doubt not that further search will not
go unrewarded, by the discovery of many plants of interest to the
botanist.
W. M. H IND.
Stapenhill Vicarage,
June 2, 1854.


Notes on some rare Plants, including Ajuga pyramidalis, in Arran.
By DAVID Moons, Esq., F.L.S.
BEING in the West of Ireland last month, when the weather was
fine, my friend Professor Melville, of the Queen’s College, Galway,
and I, made a hasty excursion to the Islands of Arran, where we
collected most of the interesting plants which grow thereon, in good
condition.
From what I then saw, I consider May the best month for bota-
nizing on those islands. The principal plants are early-flowering
190
species; and the warm limestone débris on which they grow accele-
rates their blooming.
The rocks and gravelly pastures were then quite yellow with the
pretty flowers of Helianthemum canum; and the lovely Gentiana
verna must have been gay about the end of April, when in full bloom:
a few of the brilliant blue flowers were still to be seen, but most of
them were in seed. Astragalus hypoglottis and the pretty rock-plant
occurred in considerable quantities in several places, accompanied by
its fair rival, Arenaria verna, which was in profuse bloom. Arabis
ciliata was also in full bloom, and Asperula cynanchica showing
blossom.
Allium Babingtoni, which grows abundantly in many parts of the
island, had already reached a height of more than three feet, though
not nearly full grown ; and the gem of Arran plants, namely, Adian-
tum Capillus-Veneris, had ventured to protrude its delicate young
fronds out of the warm limestone fissures, where it grows so abun-
dantly.
The foregoing shows that a fair share of our prettiest indigenous
plants are congregated together on Arran, which affords the only
Irish habitat for two of them, viz., Helianthemum canum and Astra-
galus hypoglottis. To these we were fortunate enough to add a third,
namely, Ajuga pyramidalis. Only two plants of it were observed;
but no doubt there are more on the island; and I further consider
it reasonable to suppose that it will yet be found on the opposite main-
land of Connemara, where Eriocaulon septangulare, Arabis ciliata,
Palmella montana, and other plants occur which grow in the North-
west of Scotland, in nearly the same geographical range with Ajuga
pyramidalis.
We visited the small island called Stran Island, where, in 1805,
Dr. Mackay found Matthiola sinuata, which is not now growing there.
It is, therefore, probable that plant is lost to the Irish Flora.
From the position of Arran we expected to find some scarce Cryp-
togamic plants, but were disappointed. There are very few species
of lichens, mosses, or Jungermanniae, and none that we observed rare.
It was rather curious to see some of the species, which seldom grow
except on trees, adapting themselves to circumstances, and covering
the faces of rocks, in the total absence of arboreal vegetation. This
was especially the case with Hypnum trichomanoides, H. complana-
tum, and J ungermannia complanata.
Our time (only two days) did not admit of a close examination of
the marine Algae, which grow in great abundance, and form the prin-
~191
cipal harvest of the Islanders, who collect them in large quantities for
sale to the farmers on the mainland, who use them extensively as
manure. Fine examples of some of the more showy species of the
Floridae section were observed, affording sufficient indication that
some of the rarer kinds might be found if properly sought for.
D. MOORE.
Glasnevin, June 5, 1854.


Contributions to British Lichenology.
By JOHN G. BAKER, Esq.
DURING part of the past winter I have been occupied arranging my
collection of lichens, and examining the accumulated stores of the
Yorkshire Philosophical Society; and have also been favoured with
the loan of an extensive series of specimens, belonging to my friend
I. Brown, of Ackworth. Through the medium of the ‘ Phytologist ’ I
propose to describe a few species, or forms, which have either not
been known before as inhabitants of Britain, or have been in some
way involved in confusion or misunderstood.
1. Evernia vulpimz (L. vulpinus, L.) —— Thallus pale yellow, much
branched in a divaricate manner, irregularly angular and lacinose.
“ Apothecia sessile, disk brownish.”
Lichen vulpinusfit L. Sp. 1623 5 Suec. N. 1129; Fl. Dan. t. 226;
Ach. Prod. p. 179. Parmelia, Ach. Meih. p. 267 ; Schrer. Spic. 489.
Usnea, Hqffln. Evernia, Ach. Lich. Univ. p. 443 ; Fries, Lich. Eur.
p. 23; Summa Veg. Sound. i. p. 103. Cornicularia, DeC. Fr. ii. p.
329; Schwr. Emlm. p. 6. L. auratus, Vill. L. citrinus, Schrank.
Exsic. Fries, Lich. Suec. 142; F1. Deutsch. 70; Schaer. Lich. Helv.
390.
On trunks of trees, Killiney Hills, Co. Dublin, 1842, R. Jacobs in
herb. J. Brown. Several examples are also included amongst an
extensive series of English specimens, collected by the Rev. J. Har-
riman, preserved in the Daltonian herbarium, which are not labelled
with their special stations. This beautiful and conspicuous lichen
has been well known upon the Continent from the days of Haller and
Linnaeus downwards. In the ‘ Enumeratio,’ Schaerer marks it as
* Some of these references are taken on the authority of the ‘Lichenographia
Europea’ and the ‘ Enumeratio,’ as I have not had an opportunity of consulting
all the works and fascicnli mentioned.
192
growing “ on logs of wood and the trunks of coniferous trees, espe-
cially larches, in elevated situations, from Italy to Sweden, and from
the Pyrenees to Tyrol.” Our British species of the genus Evernia,
as defined by Fries, range themselves under two groups. The first of
these, to which the plant under notice belongs, is characterized by a
fruticulose thallus, and is made up of species placed under Alectoria
and Cornicularia by Acharius. It is also represented in our Flora by
two widely distributed and variable species, E. jubata and E. ochro-
leuca, from both of which E. vulpina differs greatly in habit and
appearance, and may be readily distinguished by the characters given
above. In fact, it seems more analogous to E. flavicans (Borrera,
Ach.), which may be regarded as a sort of connecting link between the
fruticulose and foliaceous groups than to either of them ; but even to
this species it bears only a distant resemblance. There appear to be
two principal forms of variation : the first with an elongated filamen-
tose thallus, light yellow in colour and nearly smooth ; the other with
a shrubby and somewhat stunted thallus, covered with granular, yel-
lowish or sublivid, distinct or aggregated soredia. The specimens
which I have seen from Sweden (coll. Swartz) and Switzerland
(Schaerer) belong to the latter variety (the original plant of Linnaeus),
which is much more widely distributed than the other, but is never
found in a fertile state. The Irish and English specimens belong to
the filamentose form, but they are also barren. Indeed, Schaerer
states the apothecia are only found very rarely. I have also had a
Worcestershire locality reported, which Mr. Lees has kindly under-
taken to investigate.
2. Evernia divaricata (L. divaricatus, L.)-—- “ Thallus glaucous,
glabrous, Iacunose, rough, concolorous; segments involute, filiform,
pendulous, branched in a divaricate manner, afterwards cracking
round. Apothecia lateral; disk brownish; border thin, entire.”—
Sclmer. Enurn. p. 12.
Lichen divaricatus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 713; Ach. Prod. p. 226.
Parmelia, Ach. Meth. p. 269. Evernia, Ach. Lich. Univ. p. 441;
Fries, Lich. Eur. p. 25; Summa Veg. Scand. i. p. 103. Physcia,
Sckaer. Enum. p. 12. Parmelia mollis, 'y. divaricata, Schwr. Spic.
491. Usnea flaccida, Hofi‘m. pl. lich. t. 67, figs. 1, 2; DeC.
Exsic. Moug. and Nest. 545 ; Fries, Lich. Suec. 332; ‘Schaer.
Lich. Helv. 392.
Like the preceding, this species is included amongst a series of
English specimens,without special localities, collected by the Rev. J.
Harriman, in the Daltonian herbarium. Like the preceding, also, it
193
has been well known for a long time, having been figured by Dillenius
and characterised by Linnaeus. According to Schaerer, “it hangs,
frequently in great profusion, from the branches of pine-trees in moun-
tainous and alpine woods throughout all Europe.” So that it might
be expected, with considerable probability, to occur in this country.
It belongs to the section of the genus distinguished by a more or less
compressed foliaceous thallus, of which the clearly established British
representatives are E. prunastri, E. furfuracea, E. intricata, and E.
flavicans. Of these it is most nearly allied to the first-mentioned;
but may, however, be very readily known by the pendulous, filiform
segments of its thallus, and by its differently shaped and coloured
apothecia and intricate habit of growth. By age the outer membrane
of the thallus is ruptured at intervals, and the medullary cord exposed,
exactly as in the analogous articulate state of Usnea barbata (vide
Eng. Bot. t. 258, fig. 1).
3. Cetraria cucullata (L. cucullatus, Bell.) —“ Thallus cartilaginous,
subfoliaceous, sinuato-lacinate, pale yellowish; margins connivent,
nndnlated. Apothecia adnate to the back of the lobes; disk pale
reddish.”——Fries, Lick. Eur. p. 37.
Lichen cucnllatus, Bell. Osserv. Bot. 154; Smith, Trans. Linn.
Soc. i. t. 4, fig. 7; Ach. Prod. p. 171. Ceti'ai'ia‘Aclz. .Meth. p. 293;
Lich. Univ. p. 511; Fries, Lich. Eur. p. 37; Summa, i. p. 103;
Schwr. Spio. ix. 248 ; Enum. p. 14. Platisma, Hofl'm. pl. Lich.
Lobaria, Hofrn. Germ. Physcia, DeC.
Exsic. Fries, Lich. Suec. 173; Schaer. Helv. 18 ; Moug. and Nestl.
544.
Examples of this species are placed amongst a series of specimens
of C. nivalis, from the “ Cairngorm mountains, Scotch Highlands,” in
the Daltonian herbarium.
This lichen belongs to the class of species which, like several
flowering plants, have their head-quarters in Arctic Europe, and are
also generally distributed throughout the Continent in alpine and ele-
vated situations, but do not in the South descend into the low grounds.
lVith reference to the Continent, Schaerer marks C. nivalis as its “very
faithful associate5” but in Britain the relative frequency of the two
species appears to be reversed, and it is C. cucullata that is the casual
companion of C. nivalis. Besides resembling each other in their geo-
graphical distribution, they are also closely allied in habit and appear-
ance. Sir J. E. Smith says, respecting C. cucullata, that it is
“ apparently intermediate between nivalis and islandica; ” but it is
VOL. v. 2 c
1.94
the former to which it bears the greater resemblance, both in colour
and characters. In a fertile state it may be most readily known by
its curious nephroma-like apothecia. It is also considerably less
crisped and laciniated than C. nivalis, and the base is purplish instead
of golden yellow.
JOHN G. BAKER.
Market Place, Thirsk,
June 10, 1854.


Notice of the Occurrence of Arum Italicum at Steephill, Isle of
Wight. By ALBERT HAMBROUGH, Esq., F.B.S. of Edinburgh
London.ale
SOME three or four years ago, when wandering, in company of my
much-lamented friend, the late Dr. Bromfield, amongst the broken
rocky ground in the Underclifi‘ of the Isle of Wight, I recollect our
attention being attracted by the unusually large size of the leaves of
an Arum, and also by the peculiar divarication, or divergence, of the
lobes of its sagittate leaf. This was in either April or May, and the
plant showed no Sign of flower. Dr. Bromfield at the time was much
struck by its appearance, and requested me to watch it, as he sus-
pected it might prove to be_ Arum Italicum. It has, however, so
happened that until the present year I have not been in that part of
the island at the time the? plant produces its flower; and, indeed, the
circumstances above mentioned had altogether escaped my memory,
until it was recalled to my recollection, in June last, by the appear-
ance of an Arum, in flower, near the spot where it was first observed
by Dr. Bromfield. The bright yellow colour of the spadix, so diffe-
rent from the dull purple of the same part in Arum maculatum, at
once led me to examine it closely; and upon comparing it with the
description of Arum Italicum given by Koch, in his ‘ Synopsis Floras
Germanicae et Helveticae,’ I found it exactly to correspond, with the
exception of the time of flowering, which, according to Koch, should
be in April ; whereas my plant produces its flowers in June; but the
warm springs of South Germany and Italy will sufficiently account
for the greater forwardness of the Arum in the above-mentioned coun-
tries, of which I believe it is a native. Fearing that the plant might
be a mere settler, accidently introduced, my next step was to examine
it Read before the Isle-of-Wight Philosophical and Scientific Society, Feb., 1854.
195
the surrounding coppices and rocks for more specimens; and to my
surprise I found the yellow-spadix Arum to be the prevalent repre-
Sentative of the family, and abundant everywhere; whereas I had
some difficulty in finding specimens of Arum maculatum, and those I
did find were all in fruit, with one or two exceptions. It was not
until the latter end of August that 1 had an opportunity of examining
ripe fruit of the other plant, as none matured itself before that time.
The description by Koch of Arum Italicum is as follows :—
“ Arum Italicum. —- Foliis hastato-sagittatis albo-venosis. Spa-
dice recto. Spatha breviori clavato, clava stipitem suum aequante.——
In vineis et sylvaticis. Regionibus calidis -—April—Spadix F lavus.”
With this description, so far as it goes, my plant accords;
and from examination of the fruit and buds I am enabled to
add, that the fruit of the Isle~of~Wight Arum Italicum is twice the
size of that of A. maculatum, and produced in much more elongated
spikes. The buds also are double the size, and fewer in the berry
than in A. maculatum, seldom exceeding three in each berry; in A.
maculatum there are frequently six and eight. The average height of
the fruit-stalks in my plant is two feet, and they are sheathed by the
foot-stalks of the leaves to the height of four or five inches from their
base; the leaves remain green contemporaneously with the fruit, but
eventually disappear, though only for a. {short time, as the Arum is
now (November) again in full leaf.
The plant I have thus ventured to describe is abundant in the cop-
pices and amongst rocks and ivy at Steephill Castle and the neigh-
bourhood. It appears to me to be certainly distinct from Arum
maculatum ; and I only hope that an examination next year, by more
competent botanists than myself, may establish its title to the name
of Arum Italicum)le
* Specimens of the plant were exhibited by the author to the members of the Phi—
losophical and Scientific Society at the reading of the paper, and compared with spe-
cimens of Arum Italicum from the garden of St. John’s, near Ryde, kindly brought
for that purpose by Mr. Lawrence, who, many years since, received the plant from Mr.
Borrer. The slight difference between the plants thus compared appeared to the
Members present to be only such as the different circumstances of their growth would
fully account for. For future comparison wild plants from Steephill have been planted
in St. John’s garden ; while offsets from Mr. Borrer's stock have been consigned to
the rocky banks of Steephill, under the eye of the author of the above paper.-- Benj.
Barrow; Hon. Sec. Phil. and Scient. Soc. of I. W


196
A List of the Ferns and their Allies found in the County Dublin,
with special rQ/‘erence to the Dodder Valley. By JOHN ROBERT
KINAHAN, M.B., Hon. Sec. Dublin Nat. Hist. Society.
THE following Catalogue does not pretend to be a correct list of all
the ferns found in the County Dublin, being merely a record of such
as have fallen under my own Observation in my rambles, during the
last five or six years, in those parts Of the county which lie to he
South-west of the Liffey. This river in its easterly course to the sea
divides the county pretty fairly in two. Of the district to the South
of it, it may be advisable to say a few words. From the river the
country stretches out South with but few breaks till it reaches the
Dodder; it then gradually rises, more or less abruptly, till, at the
extreme boundary close to the head of that river, it attains the height,
in the ridge of Keppine, of 25 to 27 feet above the sea-level, being, in
fact, part Of the mountain chain to whose picturesque wildness Wick-
low owes so much of its fashionable scenery. These hills vary much,
though they are for the most part one immense bog, barren of every-
thing except heath and Lycopodiums, and such-like plants ; in some
Of the higher peaks not even these will grow, and you have nothing
but peat, bare of every kind of vegetation. They are, however, intere
sected by stream-glens of surpassing loveliness and richness in bota-
nical treasures. All these, with six or seven exceptions, run into the
valley of the Dodder, whose stream they swell with their waters.
This river, rising close to the butt of Kippine, after flowing through
an open bog for about a mile, plunges into a romantic clay-slate range,
from which it emerges at Castlekelly, a little below which it is joined
by the Middleton Brook, which is made up of the Lot Brook and Slade
Brook, the first rising from Glas-a-vullawn, and the second from part
of the Feather-bed range. These streams conjoined flow on in a very
tortuous manner through Kelly’s Glen, between the steep clay bluffs,
on which is situated the pretty little holy well and graveyard Of Kil-
nasantan, till, having passed through Glenismaul or Thrush Valley,
beneath and between the breaks of Ballina’s Corney, it finally, just
below Bohemabreena, at Kiltippet, emerges into a comparatively
level country, through which it winds for about eight miles to the sea.
Just as it reaches Bohemabreena it receives a tributary rivulet from
Shane’s Glen, remarkable as being the only white water, i. e., stream
not boggy, which it receives. This rises at the back of Montpelier,
and flows chiefly through a gravel district, just before its termination
197
rushing through a narrow clay-slate gorge well stored with Asplenium
Trichomanes, Dryopteris afl‘inis, and Phyllitis Scolopendrium. During
this entire valley the botanist will find himself in a paradise, especially
of ferns, as in or about it are found more than two-thirds Of the species
recorded as Irish ; not to speak of other rarities, such as'Listera cor-
data, 'Habenaria viridis, H. albida, and other plants rare in the West
Of Ireland. Of the Musci and Fungi I will not speak; but if any
cryptogamist wishes a treat, let him search these glens, and he will
not repent his labour.
Lastrea montana, Newm. Local. Abundant in the glen near
Middleton Brook, where I first met it in June, 1854. Glenismaul,
more sparingly.
Lophodium Ftenisecii, Newm. Very rare. A few weak plants in
the Lot-Brook Glen, at the fogt of a cascade; also in a glen in the
Feather-bed, very weak and straggling. Hill of Howth, North side,
very rare. I cannot account for the rarity of this fern, so abundant in
the neighbouring countries, and so general throughout Ireland.
,, multijlorum, Newm. Very common, especially on the
exposed mountain-sides and in the shady glens. All the plants have
spines on the portion of the stipes next the ground.
Variety “nanum.” Very common. Not always growing in the
most exposed situations. Kelly’s Glen.
N.B. Further study Of this group will doubtless discover other of
the named forms. These are all I can be certain about.
Dryopteris ajfinis, Newm. Very common, frequenting low grounds.
Very distinct; earlier in vernation and more robust than the next,
Often growing more than five feet high. F riarstown and Dodder Val--
ley.
,, Borreri, N ewm. Very common, frequenting for the
most part the higher grounds. About a month later than the last in
its vernation. Easily distinguished fi'om that species by its golden
yellow colour. Dodder Valley.
Athyrium Filixfwmina, Roth. Very common. The following
varieties are found. I cannot convince myself of their distinctness;
or, rather, I know several other forms as distinct and not intermediate,
particularly the two glandulose ones recorded below.
,, var. convexum (P). What I take to be this form is
common on the hills, varying much in its size and cutting. A most
beautiful form, with red stipes, covered over with glands, is found in
Kelly’s Glen. It appears distinct.
198
Athyrium Filix-finmina, var. incisum. Very common and fine.
A form of this is also found in Kelly’s Glen, with glandulose green
stipes; also a crisped, curled subform, analogous to that of Polysti-
chum angnlare.
,, ,, var. molle. Rare. Kelly’s Glen. A
frond so named by Mr. Newman was gathered by me there. In Kil-
lakee woods, rather abundant.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, Linn. Local. On walls. On a clay-
bank at Friarstown, near Bohemabreena.
,, marinunz, Linn. Rare. Used to be abundant at Kil-
liney, but the station is nearly destroyed by railway cutting. Howth,
North side. I have found it also on Killiney Abbey.
,, Trichomanes, Linn. Rare and local. On conglomerate
rocks at Tilsadin; sparingly on rocks overhanging Glenismaul; in
Shane’s Glen, on walls, very abundant and fine ; Miltown Bridge.
Amesiunz Ruta-muraria, Newm. Local, but not rare. Friarstown.
Phyllitis Scolopendrium, Newm. Common in suitable localities,
Kelly’s Glen.
Notolepeum Ceterach, Newm. Very local and rare. Whitechurch,
a very few plants, on walls; Belgard, do. do.; (Laram, on North
side Of Lifl'ey, more abundant, PV. H. Luscom be, Esq.)
Botrychium Lunaria, Swartz. Local. Kilnasantan and bluffs
along Kelly’s Glen, in patches. A fine subform, with deeply incised
fronds, found here, growing in patches, distinct from the ordinary
form. Plants from six to nine inches high, growing with the next,
April, 1854. This fern was found previously in this neighbourhood, ,
by Dr. J. Mackay, higher up the glen.
Ophioglossum vulgatum, Linn. All along the bluffs of the Dodder
Valley, very abundant; at Kilnasantan, with the last, April, 1854.
This includes all the species Of true ferns I have myself met with.
The following are recorded by Mackay as occurring ; but I have not
been fortunate enough to meet with them.
’Hgmenophgllurn Wilsoni. Kelly’s Glen ; also found there by W.
Andrews, Esq.
,, Tunbridgense. Same place, but doubtless an
error of nomenclature, the two species having been formerly cou-
founded by observers. Thus both are recorded at Powerscourt
Waterfall: I have searched carefully, and could only find H. Wil-
soni. Nor do I know of any authentic specimen of H. Tunbridgense
199
from this locality : those shown me as such are all H. Wilsoni, which
I find in its distribution in Ireland is the more northern fern of
the two, H. Tunbridgense replacing it in the South. All our critical
practical botanists with whom I have conversed on this subject hold
the same opinion.
Osmunda regalz's, Linn. Formerly found in Kelly’s Glen. The
station is now drained, which perhaps accounts for its not being found
there now.
The fern-allies I have not studied so well ; therefore my list is more
meagre. lsoetes lacustris and Pilularia globulifera are wanting, owing
to the absence of suitable localities for them. The Lycopodiums
are well represented, the only species wanting being L. alpinum, an
alpine species, and L. inundatum, found, I believe, in the Co. Gal-
way, but I have never seen Irish specimens. In the Equisetums the
following are wanting :— E. Mackaii, a. northern species; E. umbro-
sum, also a northern species, though I believe I have met with it in
Dublin; and E. Moorei, a new species, lately discovered in IVick-
low, and described by Mr. Newman.
Equiseium :arvense, Linn. Too common; a troublesome weed.
Kelly’s Glen.
,, hyemale, Linn. Rather rare. Near Whitechurch.
,, limosum, Linn. 'Local. Common in swamps along
Grand Canal.
,, palusta'e, Linn. Common. Firhouse; Kelly’s Glen.
The following varieties all occur :—nudum, rare ; alpinum (?) ; poly-
stachion, very rare, Kelly’s Glen.
,, variegatum, Weber 8: Mohr. (Portmarknock Strand,
North side. I have been shown fresh specimens).
,, sylvaticum, Linn. Very fine and abundant. Kelly’s
Glen, and Three—rock Mountains.
,, T elmatez'a, Ehrh. Very fine and abundant. Kelly’s
Glen, and the entire valley of the Dodder.
Lycopodium selaginoides, Linn. Rare. (Howth, North side.
Plants shown me).
,, clavatum, Linn. Rare. Cruagh Mountains, Feather-
bed, and Kelly’s Glen.
,, Selago, Linn. Common on high bogs. Middleton
Brook and Kelly’s Glen, and over mountains generally.
200
All these species have been found growing by myself, except those
in parentheses; and of these I have seen original plants.
I have purposely omitted from this list all monstrous forms (with
one exception, mentioned for the purpose of clearing up its history) ;
for these I conceive out of place when treating merely of species, their
only importance being in the study of Morphology.
Of the species (recorded as Irish) which are absent from this list,
Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, Asplenium acutum, Trichomanes radi-
cans, Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense, Gymnocarpium Dryopteris,
Allosorus crispus, and perhaps I should add Cystopteris fragilis, are
absent, owing to geographical causes; the first four being here
southern and western species, as far as I can learn. Hymenophyl-
lum Tunbridgense has been recorded in the Co. Wicklow, but on
insufficient authority. Gymnocarpium Dryopteris is a rare northern
species in Ireland, as also is Allosorus crispus, though I believe it
formerly existed in the Co. Dublin, as Wade, in his ‘ Planta Rariores
Hiberniae,’ published in 1804, records it, under the name of Pteris
crispa, as “ occurring on very old walls about Rathfarnham, and on
an old rock or stone as you go into Dalkey.” Both these localities
are now destroyed ; but he is generally very accurate, and the
parsley-fern is a species that could hardly be mistaken for anything
else; so accurate is he, that merely with his book I have now, after
the lapse of fifty years, found little difficulty in finding many of his
stations for plants. Cystopteris fragilis the same author records as
occurring near Tamlaght Hill. I have not succeeded in finding it
there, though perhaps it exists. The district is clay-slate: I have
always, in the West, found this fern on limestone. He may, perhaps,
have mistaken some form of Athyrium Filix-foemina for it, as I have
known several persons to fall into the same error. The want of suit-
able high mountains doubtless deprives this county of Asplenium
viride, though I think it probable a search among the mountain glens
behind Tamlaght Hill might discover this fern. Polystichum Lon—
chitis, another dweller in high mountains, is doubtless absent from the
same cause; most of our mountain-ridges being entirely capped with
bog, on which, in many places, even the heather refuses to grow.
Hemestheum Thelypteris is absent, from want of a suitable locality,
our bogs being too much exposed. Lophodium rigidum and L. spi-
nosum have as yet been recorded only in one county each. L. Cal-
lipteris has not yet been found wild in Ireland. Gymnocarpium
Phegopteris is one of the very rarest of Irish ferns. I cannot account
201
for the scarcity of Lophodium F oenisecii ; in every other part of Ire-
land I have been it is abundant, but is entirely absent here from loca-
lities suited well, one would think, for it. The same remark may also
apply to Polystichum aculeatum, which in the neighbouring county
of Kildare is most abundant, as at Tullow. Notolepeum Ceterach is
a more southern fern, and also a frequenter of limestone or clay-slate ;
whilst most of the district from which these remarks are compiled is
granite or quartz-rock. The Lycopodiums and Equisetums call for
no remark, further than those in the commencement of this list.
J. R. KINAHAN.
Donnybrook, near Dublin,
June, 1854.


NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS.
‘ The Botany of the Voyage of Hill-S. Herald.’ By BERTHOLD
SEEMANN, Ph.D., M.A., F.L.S., Memb. Imp. L. C. Acad.
Royal 4to. Parts III. and IV., each containing 40 pages of
letterpress and 10 Plates. Price 108. each. London: Reeve.
1854.
THIS valuable work is continued with the same spirit, skill and
learning with which it was commenced. It consists chiefly of a care—
fully compiled list of the species found during the voyage; and the
portion now in course of publication will form a very complete Flora
of the Isthmus of Panama. The new genera and species are described
with great minuteness; and here and there occur critical observa-
tions, that evince at the same time great knowledge and sound judg-
ment. Such, for instance, is the following, on the Turneraceae and
Passifloraceae :—
“All botanists consider Turneraceae and Passifloraceae as allied
to each other, but few seem to be aware that these orders are so
closely related as they really are, that the differences between them
are merely imaginary, that in fact they constitute one and the same
family of plants. I was led to this conclusion by the discovery of the
American germs Erblichia, Seem, figured in Plate XXVII., and by
the subsequent examination of several Turneraceae. All Turneraceae
are described in systematic works as ‘ herbaceous plants, having some-
times a tendency to become shrubby.’ This description however
applies to only a few Turneras; T. Salicifolia, St. Hil. (T. Hindsiana,
VOL. v. i 2 D
202
Bem‘lz. ./ Corchorus grandiflOrus, Spring. 1), is a real shrub, from 6 to
8 feet high ; and Erblichia odorata, Seem., is a good-sized tree, often
attaining a height of 30 feet and more. The leaves are said to be
exstipulate,—another misstatement, as all Turnera‘ceae have stipules.
In Turnera ulmifolia, Lz'nn,—-a common hot-house plant, from which
most authors seem to have solely derived their knowledge of this
group,—-they are, on account of the hairy covering of the stem, hardly
visible, but in the more glabrous species, such as T. Salicifolia, St.
Hz'l., they are plainly to be seen, and in Erblichia odorata, Serena,
they are still more manifest. The calyx is, in Turnera and Piriqueta,
monophyllous ; in Erblichia, pentaphyllous. The latter is doubtless
the normal state of the calyx of the order, for if the calyx of the two
former is examined, it will be found that its lobes are in fact true
sepals, traceable to the very base. The connecting link between
them appears to be Erblichia, one of those peculiar genera, the dis—
covery of which will always produce great changes. As no other
points of difference besides those already disposed of seem to exist
between the orders, I have no hesitation in uniting Turneraceae and
Passifloreae into one Natural Family, adopting the name of Passiflo-
raceae for both.”
The following passage is also extremely interesting, not only on
account of the information it contains, but also as affording a very ob-
vious and satisfactory explanation of a statement made by Mr. Griffiths,
who believed he had discovered a non-parasitic Loranthus. \Vhile it
would be most rash to assert that all the species of a genus were
either parasites or the reverse, still the very evident and very prevail-
ing parasitism of the species of Loranthus and Viscum fairly induces
the conclusion that this is “the case, and leads one to inquire with
more rigid scrutiny into all statements having an adverse bearing. In
the present instance we have no doubt that a very careful and accu-
rate botanist was deceived by appearances.
“ The three last-named species [of Loranthus] have scarlet flowers,
more or less tipped with yellow, rendering them very ornamental;
indeed there can hardly be finer plants than many species of Loran-
thus inhabiting tropical and subtropical countries, yet we never find
them in any of our European gardens. Imagine a dense grove of
misseltoes bearing, instead of the insignificant green flowers of our
common Viscum album, Linn., blossoms of the brightest scarlet or
yellow, and often averaging more than eight inches in length ! Such;
are the species of Loranthus alluded to, which, to render them still
more worthy of the attention of the horticulturist, do not in most cases
203
grow on the top of high trees, where their beauty would be almost
concealed to the naked eye, and their charms in a great measure lost,
but upon low shrubs, and often so near the ground, that several bota-
nists have been induced to consider them terrestrial plants. But about
their parasitism there can be no doubt. Griffith once thought that
he found a terrestrial Loranthus (referred to in his Itiner. Notes, p.
63, No. 961) ; and writing at Myrung, he says: ‘ The vegetation of
the hills about here is much the same as about Moflong. . . The most
curious tree is one which, with the true appearance of an Elaeagnus,
seems to be a Loranthus, the first arborescent species yet found,
although, as one or two other exceptions occur to parasitism, there
is no reason why there should not be a terrestrial arborescent species,
as well as a fruticose one.’ However, when Dr. J. D. Hooker and
Dr. T. Thomson visited the neighbourhood of Myrung, in the Khasia
mountains, the locality where that author met with the strange spe-
cies, they observed an Elaeagnus with a Loranthus upon it, the leaves
of both resembling each other in a remarkable degree, making it
highly probable that a parasite growing in a similar manner gave rise
to the very pardonable mistake of Griffith. Other anomalies of the
same nature may doubtless be cleared up by a similar course of inves-
tigation. I have seen several species of Loranthus with ae'rial roots,
but never one of the roots penetrating into the ground; and those
roots I have only observed in climbing species having very slender
branches, where they replace in a great-measure the cirrhi, or books,
with which climbing plants are generally furnished."
‘ A Manual of Natural History, for the use if Travellers ,- being a
Description of the Families of the Animal and Vegetable King-
doms: with Remarks on the practical study of Geology and
Meteorology. T 0 which are appended Directions for Collect-
ing and Preserving.’ By ARTHUR ADAMS, M.R.C.S. ; F.L.S. ;
M.E.S., Stettin; WILLIAM BALFOUR BAIKIE, M.D., F.B.S.E.,
late one of the Presidents of the Royal Medical Society of
Edinburgh ; and CHARLES BARRON, Curator of the Royal Naval
Museum at Haslar. London: John Van Voorst, Paternoster
Row. 1854. Post 8vo; 750 pages. Price 12s.
' This might be called the hook with the promising title; but the
promise is not confined to the title ; and we feel sure that the authors
204
will not object to our citing, verbatim ei literatim, the equally ‘pro-
mising Preface. Here it is entire. ' .
“ The design of the following pages is to endeavour to supply what
seems to be a blank in the scientific literature of this country, for,
although numerous treatises exist upon every branch, yet no work has
hitherto appeared, comprising either succinctly or in detail, a compre*
hensive outline of Natural History. It may appear be presumptuous on
the part of the Authors to attempt to grapple with such an extensive
range of subjects, which, they feel must be, in many instances, ina-
dequately treated, still they trust that their effort to condense, within
the limits of a portable volume, the leading features of Animate and
Inanimate Nature, may prove of service to those at least for whom it
is more especially intended. Their chief aim has been to render their
work at once sufficiently popular for the general reader, without, at the
same time, lessening its scientific value. For this purpose technica-
lities have been avoided whenever their employment could be dis-
pensed with, English names have been given to all the Classes,
Orders, and Families, and the principal divisions have been prefaced
by brief introductory remarks. The classification adopted is that
which has seemed most closely to accord with the advanced views of
the time; and throughout the Animal and Vegetable Kingdoms a
uniform system has been employed, so that similar subdivisions are
designated by a cognate nomenclature.”


PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES, &c.
—-
BOTANICAL SocIE'rY or EDINBURGH.
[Way 11, 1854.—Professor Balfour, President, in the chair.
Donations.
To the Library and Herbarium. -—— ‘ Proceedings of the Royal
Society,’ from Professor Sharpey; Norwegian plants from Dr. Ander-
son; British plants from Mr. Parker, Torquay; and Arctic plants
from Mr. Lithgow.
To the Museum of Economic Botany at the Royal Botanic Gar-
den—From Daniel Oliver, Esq., strip of the bark of the cashaw (Pro-
sopis julijlora), received from Jamaica, along with a note, stating that
205
the plant is one of the commonest trees in the Savannahs, and one of
the hardwood Acacias. It yields a fine bitter, and is used by the peo-
ple as a substitute for Cinchona. It is employed in certain chronic
inflammations of the throat, and is said to be superior to Peruvian bark
in its medicinal efl'ects. The wood is constantly used for fuel.—
From Messrs. W. & G. Law, merchants, Edinburgh, specimens of
raw cocoa, ground cocoa, roasted cocoa, rock Trinidad, .or navy
cocoa, cocoa~nibs, Fry’s chocolate, and a specimen of tea, known as
Assam dust, which was stated to be scarcely known in commerce, and
unnoticed by writers on teas. Messrs. Law remarked that it was a
substance produced by friction during the process of preparing the
tea. Leaves that are solid and heavy are the tenderest, and break the
easiest; hence the quality of dust in Assam tea. This dust is too
valuable to be thrown away, as it is often added to give strength to
tea. — Other donations from Messrs. P. Lawson & Son, Mr. Andrew
Murray, Mr. Robert Daw, Mr. G. S. Blackie, Professor Christison,
Mr. George WValdie, Mr. W. H. Macfarlane, and Mr. Grant.
North- Uist Zlloss.
Dr. Greville mentioned that he had been in correspondence with
Mr. Wilson upon the subject of the North-Uist moss, which had been
referred by that gentleman to Leucodon Lagurus ; while he himself
had been disposed to consider it a variety of Hypnum cirrhosum. Mr.
Wilson had, however, satisfied him that it could scarcely be so
arranged. In the absence of fructification, Mr. Wilson preferred to
regard it as a variety of Leucodon Lagurus (although there were cer-
tainly some differences of character), rather than unnecessarily to
multiply species. Dr. Greville was still disposed, on the strength of
the great difference in habit, to doubt of its claim to the place assigned
to it; and thought it probable that the fructification, when discovered,
would remove it altogether from Leucodon.
The following papers were read :—-—
Structure of Diatomacete.
‘ On the Structure of Diatomaceae ;’ by E. W. Dallas, Esq., F.L.S.
The author directed attention to the list of species which follows,
and which, although imperfect, exhibits great variety in the forms,
showing the Medway to be very fertile in these organisms :—
206
Epithemia Musculus .
Campylodiscus cribrosus
Surirella striatula
,, linearis
Tryblionella marginata
,, scutellum
,, punctata
,, gracilis
. ,, acuminata
. Cymatopleura elliptica
Triceratium Favus
,, striolatum
,, undulatum
Cyclotella Kutzingiana
,, operculata
And three species undetermined
Actinocyclus undulatus
,, senarius
,, septenarius
,, octonarius
,, nonarius
Eupodiscus Argus, two vars.
,, radiatus
,, maculatus
Coscinodiscus radiatus
,, minor
,, eccentricus
,, Thwaitesii
And an undetermined species
Cocconeis Pediculus
,, scutellum
Nitzschia sigmoidea
,, _ dubia
,, reversa
And an undetermined species
Navicula elliptica
,, convexa
,, Westii (P)
,, didyma
,, pusilla
,, punctulata
,, palpebralis
Pinnularia divergens
Stauroneis pulchella
Cocconema parvum
Pleurosigma balticum
,, Hippocampus
,, angulatum
,, acuminatum
,, distortum
Doryphora Amphiceros, vars.
,, Boeckii
Achnanthes brevipes
Grammatophora marina (P)
Biddulphia aurita
Zygoceros rhombus
Dentricella sp.
Orthoseira sp.
Dictyocha
Bacteriastrum furcatum (P)
,, curvatum (2)
Some of the species in the foregoing list have been described as
new to Britain by Mr. Roper, in a late paper, published in the
‘ Microscopical Journal.’ The Coscinodiscus not named seems from
the description to be the same with that found at the mouth of the
Thames, and is an exceedingly beautiful disc. The four species of
Aetinocyclus are those described by Ehrenberg, and are newBritish
species. - They exhibit the strong siliceous cellular tissue underneath
the moniliform structure of the surface, as in Actinocyclus. The
examples of Triceratium striolatum, and also Zygoceros rhombus, dif-
20 7
fered somewhat from the figures and descriptions given of them, being
provided with two spines placed close to the projecting terminations
or angles of the valve, and which were always present in the eXamples
that had come under observation. The surfaces of the valves were
also seen to be dotted over with small nodules, which gave them a
very remarkable appearance, and might be seen to project from the
surface when the valve was suitably placed. These appearances
might be attributable to a more matured developing of the silicious
structure.
Among the remarkable forms found, although not considered‘to
belong to the Diatomaceee, are the two varieties of Bacteriastrum, the
disks of which, it may be observed, were three or four times the dia-
meter of those described by Mr. Shadbolt, from Port Natal, and the
radiations more numerous.
Mr. Dallas directed attention to the structure of the Diatomaceae,
as affording some of the most beautiful examples of geometric arrange-
ment of cells with which we are acquainted. It was pointed out that
there are only three of the regular polygons that can be employed
alone to fill up the space about a point in plane surface, namely, the
equilateral triangle, the square, and the hexagon : these forms and
their angles are accordingly found to prevail in the structure of the
tissues. By constructing the polygons it was shown that they
arranged themselves in straight lines, determined by the shorter axis
of the figures, the quadrilaterals having two directions in which the
lines run, and the hexagons three. With the hexagonal structure,
when one set of the lines passing through the axis is referred to a
centre, the cells then appear to radiate in straight lines from the
centre; while the other two directions in which they appear to run
will be spiral lines, having a definite character according to the size
of the cells. Much of the character of the tissue depends on the posi-
tion of the axis of the polygon, with respect to an axis of the
valve; that is, whether the longer or shorter axis is parallel to it.
Mr. Smith, in his ‘ Synopsis,’ has noticed this peculiarity; and, in
accordance with it, has divided his genus Pleurosigma into two sec-'
tions. -
The above arrangements will be found to prevail in the structure
of the tissues of the valves; and the influence of the living principle
might generally be seen' in the repetition of like spaces, about a cen-
tre in each species, and always in the same numerical relations in
each individual of the species, multiples of the numbers 2, 3, and 5,
and also 7, seeming to prevail.
208
These divisions are seen very conspicuously in Actinocyclus and
Actinopticlus. In the large species of Coscinodiscus the number of
sectors appeared to be twelve, from the groups of rows at the centre,
and in it was shown the very beautiful arrangement of the cells in
radiating and intersecting spiral lines. . Eupodiscus Ralfsii was refer-
red to as affording an example of the division of the circle into sec-
tors, within which the lines of cells are arranged symmetrically on
each side of a single radiating row, to which the rest are all parallel.
In Eupodiscus maculatus the disk is divided into ten; but the rows
of cells do not converge towards the Centre, except one at the side of
each sector, to which the others are parallel. From this may be
derived the very beautiful construction of the Coscinodiscus eccentri-
cus, in which the disk is divided into seven sectors; the rows of cells
extending across the valve from each sector, to meet similar rows
from the second sector beyond.
Sections of Coal.
‘ On the various Sections of Coal,'considered in their relation to the
Block, and the relative views of Histologists thereon ;’ by Mr. Neil
Stewart.
The author stated :—
“ Since last July I have frequently been employed in making draw--
ings of sections of coal, as seen under the microscope by transmitted
light, and have therefore been obliged to give this subject some
attention. In the prosecution of this work I have felt great difficulty
in bringing to my aid the willing zeal so necessary to the spirited
delineation, and which can only he commanded in proportionto the
knowledge which the artist has of his subject. This I can only
account for by stating, that a suspicion passed upon my mind, from
the beginning, that something was wrong with regard to sections ;
and this suspicion, which I frequently mentioned to gentlemen
engaged in the investigation of this subject, increased with my know-
ledge, until, on reading Mr. Quekett’s ‘paper, in the ‘ Microscopical
Journal’ for January last, I found that be there expresses a notion
similar to mine, but immediately contradicts it by again returning to
the usually received opinion. With a view, therefore, to satisfy my
own doubts, and, if po‘ssible, to make a contribution to scientific truth,
I have examined cubical blocks of various coals by direct light; and
with my own hands have made sections from all the sides of these,
and again examined them by transmitted light. I have also made
drawings of such sections which are now before the Society.
209
“ The first two drawings are representations of what are received
as longitudinal and transverse sections of common household coal, to
which, for the present, I shall confine my remarks.
“Professor Bennett expresses it as his opinion—and I believe he
holds it in common with others— that the red coloured strim seen in
the longitudinal section are tubes or ducts ; that the yellow rings seen
in the transverse section are the ends of those tubes ; and that the red
colour of the tubes, like blood seen in the veins of the frog’s foot, is
an aggregation of the yellow bodies strewed over the section like
blood-cells in single file.
“ For a moment let us reflect upon the appearance presented by a
cell or tube, as seen on the field of the microscope. In order that
either of these bodies may be seen by transmitted light, a certain
amount of transparency is necessary : the slightest curvature or undu-
lation on the surface causes the light thrown from the reflector to be
diverted from the eye of the observer, and the part so curved appears
dark ; this is invariably the case at the margins : the outlines of such
bodies are distinctly defined and black, whatever may be their colour
or form, and this blackness is diffused inwards according to their
rotundity. . -
“ How is it, then, that histologists have in this case departed from
an invariable optical law, and have described appearances void of out-
line as cells and tubes P But even admitting them to be so, I would
then ask, why have these not been carbonised like the adjacent struc-
tures which form the black mass .P Wanting these two characteristics,
no one need hesitate to say that they are neither cells nor tubes.
“ With regard to the red colour being an aggregation of the yellow,
it is enough simply to state that that is impossible, from two facts——.
the section is reduced to an equal thickness, and the yellow bodies
occur within the red spaces, their definition being then as complete as
when embedded in their usual black matrix.
“ I have said that Mr. Quekett expresses a notion similar to mine,
but again returns to the usually received opinion; here are his
Words : --‘ Ifa small cubical block of any kind of coal be examined
under apower of fifty diameters, four of its six sides will exhibit more
less of a fibrous structure, precisely like that of wood.’
“ Now, if a block of wood and a block of coal be examined together,
with the longitudinal striae of each laid in the horizontal direction,
they will present very different appearances. In the case of the wood
it will be seen that only two of its sides, which I shall call the back
and front, present the striated appearance; in the other two the ends
VOL. v. 2 E
210
are distinctly transverse sections, and show the ends of organisms.
But this is not the case witha block of coal, which. may be likened to
a pack of cards, the four sides in question having a similar appearance,
and, so far as structure is concerned, having each an equal title to be
called a longitudinal section. Where, then, is the transverse section
of coal, and where are the yellow rings 3
“ Hitherto our attention has been directed to the sides of the block,
let us now examine the top and bottom, or horizontal surfaces—there
the rings are found, and being there, cannot be the ends of the sup-
posed tubes, nor have any relation to them, seeing that their longitu-
dinal direction is that of the surface now under examination.
“ I have drawn three sections, as if seen in one perspective view, in
their natural position. The stripes on one side are seen to extend far
into the side at right angles, showing themselves to be plates of trans-
parent matter lying betwixt the carbonaceous layers.
“ The grinding and polishing process is very instructive. On the
sides of the blocks many series of rings may be ground off without
_ much alteration on the appearance of the striae, while in reducing the
horizontal surface the transparent parts are constantly changing their
form. The first evidence of transparency which presents itself is a
deep blood-red spot, beautifully soft at the edges; grind a little
farther, and it assumes the appearance recognized as the resinoid cell;
a little more grinding, and the spore-case makes its appearance; still
grind on, the process will be found to be as fertile of form as the frost
is on the window-pane, or the burning embers of the fire to a musing
fancy; and when the section is reduced to the last degree of thinness,
the shallowest of all peep through. These are the yellow rings, with
their dark centres, on which I shall venture a few observations sugges-
tive of their origin.
“ A painting of a transverse section, executed by Dr. Adams, of
Glasgow, and shown by Professor Bennett to the Royal Society, re-
presents the rings as if they were all in the level, and of a uniform
colour. This has no doubt been in some measure the cause of their
having been mistaken for the ends of tubes. Nature shows them dif-
ferent. Some are distinct and bright yellow, while thin as the section
is when they come into view, others are still obscured by a layer of
dark matter, and have a bister-brown colour. Mr. Quekett admits this
to be the case; it is therefore a matter of astonishment that, with such
a high and well-earned reputation for acute observation, he, at the
same time, describes them as transverse sections of thick-walled cells
or woody fibre.
211
“ In the longitudinal section these bodies present their edges, are
seen strewed all over the sections, and sometimes assume the appear-
! ance of an interrupted yellow line, and individuals now show their
dark centres flattened.
“ The dark bodies in the centres of the rings seem to me to be car-
bonised spores. I have figured some of the most distinct ones from
different sorts. They have the characteristic outline of a cell—are
some of them still quite spherical—and in Professor Balfour’s speci-
men of Wigan cannel coal, where the edge of the section is reduced
to a rag, some of them are partially divested of the encircling yellow,
when the spore is seen to project into the empty field. The remains
of some are also seen as black circular lines, sticking in the varnish
with which the specimen had been fixed to the glass.
“ The transparent yellow I suppose to have been pressed out in
the process of carbonisation, or perhaps gathered round them as
a pool of water encircles a stone on the sea-beach long after the retir-
ing tide has left all else dry.
“In short, living vegetable matter, may with tolerable accuracy be
considered as a semi-opaque substance. The process of carbonisa-
tion by which it is changed into coal, seems to separate the structural
from the non-structural, the opaque from the transparent, and as the
former is compressed and blackened, the latter is insinuated between
the layers, and into every minute fissure and crevice left vacant
around the more resistant particles of the carbonaceous mass; while
decomposed portions are being constantly carrigd to the surface of the
earth, by capillary attraction, there to be thrown off into the atmos-
phere or taken up by the minute spongioles and rootlets of the exist-
ing vegetation.” '
A paper was read by Mr. M‘Nab, ‘ On the Effects of the recent
Frosts on Vegetation, in different parts of the Country.’
Election Qf Members.
The following candidates were balloted for, and duly elected:—
William Falla, Esq., 23, Dundas Street, as Ordinary (Resident)
Fellow ; Mr. George Morris, Golden Acres Nursery, as Associate.
2L2
DUBLIN NATURALfHISTORY SOCIETY..
June 16, 1854.—James R. Dombrain, Esq., in the chair.
Saxifraga geum, &c.
Mr. Andrews said, that before commencing the papers for the
evening, he was desirous of placing on record some plants that had
been first noticed in this country at the meetings of the Society. The
first was a very remarkable form of Saxifraga geum, fine specimens of’
which he submitted to the meeting. It was found by Mr. Andrews
in the Great Blasket Island, in 1842, and noticed in the Society at the
December meeting of that year. It was remarkable for its strong
growth and dark hirsute leaves, but more particularly in the glands
which surround the ovary, and which in the flowering state of the
plant present a beautiful appearance, the glands being of a deep rose--
colour. It seemed remarkable in connecting the Saxifragaceae with
the Parnassiae and Crassulaceae; it produces perfect seeds, and
the seedlings present the same characteristics as the parent plant.
Dr. Harvey, who took specimens to England, writes:——-“ Charles
Darwin was very much interested in your Blasket Saxifrage, particu-
larly at the fact of its producing perfect seeds. He is working out'
some observations on the continuability of varieties by seed, and'
wishes much to know whether the seedlings from this Saxifrage pro-
duce the metamorphic glands of the parent. I told- him I thought
they did, but would get the full particulars from you.” My friend,‘
Mr. Simon Foot, who cultivated the plant, confirms the fact of the
seedlings having the same formation of glands as the parent, and in-
formed me that Dr. Lindley observed to him that he considered
it would prove to be a plant of great interest. Plants of Saxifraga
Pedatifida, Arabis Crantziana, and Saxifraga leucanthemifolia were
exhibited, as originally noticed in the Society; the two former dis-
covered by the Right Hon. John Wynne, of Haslewood, the Saxifrage
in Mayo, and the Arabis on Benbulben, Sligo. The Saxifraga leu-
canthemifolia, which exhibited numerous foliaceous buds on the flow-
ering branches, and which, on falling off, became young plants, was
brought by Dr. Scouler from Portugal. On flowering, the following
year, this peculiarity in the plant was seen and brought forward, as it
had not been noticed by any continental botanist. The plants do not
perfect their seeds.
213
Combinations of Varieties in Ferns.
Dr. Kinahan made the following statement:——“ In the paper read by
me at our last meeting, I stated that on one point I was still in doubt,
viz., how far varieties combine inter se. Since then I have been
enabled to arrive at the following conclusions on this subject, oppor-
tunely indeed, as it completes the scheme I was endeavouring to lay
before you :-—-I find that these combinations do take place occasion-
ally, and that they, with a very few exceptions (more I am inclined to
think seeming than real"), take place only between the sub-groups of
the same group, i. e. between variety and variety, and sub-variety and
sub-variety. These conclusions, as well as those laid before you on
former occasions, were all confirmed by examinations of, lbelieve,
the two best collections of the kind in England, viz., that of Dr. H.
Allchin, in London, and that of G. B. lVollaston, Esq., in Kent.
Through the kindness of both these gentlemen, I have been much in-
debted both for information regarding the plants and by the oppor-
tunity afforded me of examining forms, many of them unique. In Mr.
Wollaston’s collection there is a form of hart’s-tongue, raised by him
from seed, which well illustrates the combination of forms. In'
it the lower portion of the frond represents the var. laciniatum, while
the apex represents the var. cristatum. In one frond this was shown
in a remarkable manner, the stipe was cleft, one portion was dimi-
nished to a fibrous book, about a quarter of an inch long, the other
bore a frond, the base marginate serrated and the apex divided into
two, the one division cristate, the other reduced to a branched lash of
bare fibrils. The establishment of this fact clears up the only difli—'
culty in arranging the varieties I met with, establishing an additional
class of mixed forms. Thus, the Athyrium found in Joyce Country
by Robert Gunning, and figured by Newman, as well, I believe, as
the form found by Mr. A. Smith, near Belfast, are to be referred to a
form laciniato-cristatum, being a combination of laciniatum and
cristatum.”
A thyrium Filixfcemina.
Dr. Kinahan exhibited a beautiful form of Athyrium Filix-fcemina,
Newman, obtained in June, 1854, near Castlekelly, County Dublin.
In it the segments of the pinnae were pinnatifid; the indentations
entire at their edges, and bearing the sori in the angle; the spore-
cases projecting beyond t-he edge of the frond, which, added to
the bulging forwards of the substance of the pinnule, gave the plant
2l4
much the appearance of a Davallia, or rather of a Loxsoma, though,
of course, differing in the shape and position of the indusium from
either of these genera. In habit, this plant resembled Athyrium cicuq
tarium, especially in the remarkable fact of its segments hearing but a
single vein and sorus, thus corroborating the illustrious Robert
Brown’s opinion, who rejects this as a distinctive character, in oppo-
sition to Smith and Bernhardi, by whom the genus Darea or Caeno-
pteris has, owing to this character, been separated from Athyrium.
This plant is also a beautiful example of the variety laciniatum, Kin. :
the plant was growing in a shady nook along with a plant of the ordi-
nary form. It is sparingly fruitful.
Election of Members.
The Chairman then announced that the ballot should take place.
There were the names of some distinguished men, that had been
approved of by the Council, to be nominated Honorary Members.
He should mention that it was a rule of the Society that “ N 0 person
residing in Dublin, or within ten miles of it, can be elected as
an Honorary Member of the Society.”
The Chairman then announced that the following gentlemen had
been unanimously elected Honorary Members:—Colonel Sabine,
F .R.S., and President of the British Association ; Thomas Bell, Esq.,
F.R.S., President of the Linnean Society; Sir William Jackson
Hooker, K.H., &c., Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew;
Edward Newman, Esq., President of the Entomological Society;
J. O. Westwood, Esq., Ex-President of the Entomological Society;
Joshua Alder, Esq. ; and —- Martin, Esq., Dublin, Ordinary Member.
The Session was then adjourned to November.
THE PHYTOLOGICAL CLUB,
( In connexion with the Pharmaceutical Society ).
May 10, 1854.—Mr. Greenish in the chair.
The candidates proposed at the last meeting were unanimously
elected Members of the Club; and a further accession of Members
from different parts of the country was announced.
Mr. Greaves announced the receipt of specimens of the rare Draba
aizoides from Mr. Gissing, of Worcester.
215
Mr. Cort exhibited specimens of Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense,
and some specimens of pennywort, or Cotyledon. The plant, how-
ever, not being fully in flower, its further consideration was adjourned
to the next meeting.
The Secretary read a communication from Mr. Gissing, of the pro-
ceedings of the Worcester Branch of the Phytological Club.
. The Rev. J. H. Thomson, Honorary Member of this Branch, had
discovered another undoubtedly wild habitat for Galanthus nivalis at
Breedon, in Worcestershire, as well as a genuine habitat for the
Daphne Mezereum. The early season, although warm, had been very
dry, and had produced very few spring flowers. The hawthorn has
been in blossom so early as the 14th of April.
Edwin Lees, Esq., F .L.S., Honorary Member of the Club, had
delivered a lecture on ‘ The Geography of Plants,’ to the Members of
the Worcester Branch, at which there was a large attendance. (See
Phytol. v. 139)
The Meeting was then adjourned to Wednesday, June 14.
I-______
, THE PHYTOLOGIST CLUB.
One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Sitting.—Saturday, June 24,
1854.—MR. NEWMAN, President, in the chair.
The President read the following communications :-—
Carex Davalliana, Sm., near Bath.
“ In reply to several communications recently received respecting
C. Davalliana near Bath, I can only state that my late friend, Mr.
Edward Foster, informed me, shortly before his death, that the plant
had long since been lost by drainage, when the Lansdown property
came into the possession of the late William Beckford, Esq , of Font-
hill. I visited the locality in the summer of 1852, and found all
traces of it destroyed.”——~T. B. Flower ; Seend, near Melksham,
May, 1854.
Draba muralis, Linn., near Bristol.
“ I have recently seen this plant growing at Henbury, near Bristol,
where it has been observed for many years past by Miss Powell, who
kindly conducted me to the spot; not having been recorded before,
induces me to note the circumstance.”——Id.
are
Cares: dioica, Linn., near Bath.
“ This plant was shown me by Mr. Walker, of Bath, a few years
previous to his death, as being found by him within four miles
of that city, and recorded on his authority in Babington°s ‘Flora
Bathoniensis ;’ not being aware of its having been found since in the
County by any other botanist, induces me to record this fact, from
observing in the ‘Cybele ’ a doubt expressed as to its occurrence in
the Peninsular. And I may here remark that Mr. walker’s au-
authority could be relied on, having cultivated the rarer British plants
in his garden, at Bath, for many years.”-—-Ial.
Herbarium of Rhenish llfenthae.
Dr. Philip Wirtgen, of Coblenz, is about to publish a Herbarium
of the Menthae of the Rhine, to include all the species, varieties,
forms and hybrids hitherto collected in the neighbourhood of that
river. The specimens, correctly named and accompanied by various
critical notes, will be fastened on white paper, and form a thick folio
volume. Each set is offered for 16s., and any person desirous
of becoming a subscriber is requested to signify his intention to Dr.
Berthold Seemann, Kew, near London.
Viola lactea and Viola fiavicornis (7?)
“The following may be added to the list of unrecorded localities
for the Viola lactea; Mayal’s Green, Gower, Glamorganshire, (fr0m
which place I enclose a specimen). I have carefully noted this plant,
and also the V. flavicornis (V. canina var. minor, of Hooker), and
while I cannot but come to the conclusion that the first (V. lactea) is
a distinct species, I feel convinced, so far as my present observation
extends, that the so-called V. flavicornis is the simplest form of
a variety of V. canina, namely, a form which is respectively trans-
mutable by corresponding changes of soil and circumstance: and
which may be met with in the neighbourhood of the supposed lo-
calities of the V. flavicornis in every intermediate stage of develop-
ment.”—-Caroline Catherine Lucas,- Mayals, May 20, 1854.


217
The Botany 0/ the Chesil Bank, Portland.
By W. B. BARRETT, Esq.
THE Chesil Bank, which connects the Peninsula of Portland, in the
county of Dorset, with the mainland, has long been considered as one
of the most extraordinary ridges or shelves of pebbles in Europe, and
is perhaps the longest, except that of Memel, in East Prussia. It ex-
tends from Abbotsbury to Portland, a distance of ten miles and three-
quarters, and its direction is SE. and N.VV. The bank commences
at Abbotsbury, and in about half a mile meets the Fleet \Vater, a nar-
row \arm of the sea, varying from a quarter to halfa mile in width,
and running between the Chesil Bank and the mainland, until it
communicates with the sea just below the Portland Ferry Bridge.
The average width of the bank at low water is 170 yards at Abbots-
bury, and 200 yards at Portland. The pebbles, which are generally
known by the name of Portland pebbles, consist chiefly of flints from
the chalk. They are so loose that horses sink almost knee-deep at
every step, and walking on them soon becomes sufliciently laborious
to require a considerable degree of enthusiasm for the careful exami-
nation of the products of this pebbly bank.
Much interest has of late been created respecting the formation
and nature of the Chesil Bank, in consequence of a very excellent
paper by John Coode, Esq., the resident engineer of the Portland
Breakwater, which was read at a meeting of the Society of Civil En-
gineers a short time since. It may possibly not prove uninteresting to
give some account of the principal plants which are found on this beach.
We propose to start from the south-eastern part of the beach, that
part which adjoins the Peninsula, or, as it is more commonly called,
the Island of Portland; and we shall beg the reader to accompany us,
on a fine morning in the middle of August, along the beach to its junc-
tion with the mainland at Abbotsbury, a somewhat fatiguing ramble,
it is true, but one which will be well repaid by the many objects of
botanical interest that will come under our notice. \Ve shall confine
ourselves almost entirely to the eastern side of the bank, which for
some distance skirts the Fleet \Vater, it being by far the firmest and
easiest for walking, .in consequence of the pebbles being somewhat
bound together by the marine plants growing in patches along the
water-side, and by the Zostera thrown ashore by the sea; whilst the
western side, being fully exposed to the heavy breakers which roll in
from the Atlantic, is quite bare of vegetation, and very loose. Close
VOL. v. 2 F
2l8
to Portland one of the first plants we find is by no means a common
one: it is the bird’s-foot trefoil (Trifolium ornithopodioides), which
occurs rather sparingly in dry, sandy spots. The rose-pink blossoms
of the sea-bindweed (Convolvulus Soldanella) and the thrift or sea-pink
(Armeria maritima) are conspicuous amongst the moss which covers
much of the ground near the road; and here, also, we may notice the
stately sea-holly (Erynyium maritimum), which grows very luxuri-
antly. The Danish scurvy- grass (Cochlearia Danica) skirts the road
nearly all the way to the Bridge. The four-leaved all-seed (Polycar-
pon tetraphyllum), first found by Mr. Hudson, and afterwards by
Mr. Lightfoot, in Portland, was also discovered here by Mr. A. B.
Lambert. This, however, is only one of several plants, formerly found
on this beach, which are now seldom, if ever, to be met with. We
must not, however, forget to notice the rare Festuca uniglumis, almost
peculiar to the sandy shores of the South of England, which may be
seen here by the roadsides, together with the hemlock stork’s-bill
(Erodium cicutariilm), the blossoms of which are often almost white,
and the buck’s-horn plantain (Plantago Coronopus), which, with the
little thyme-leaved sandwort (Arenaria serpyllifolia) are very com-
mon. ‘
A narrow tract of sand and shingle stretches out on our right, ex-j
tending someway East of the Ferry Bridge; and now our attention is
attracted by the luxuriant profusion of the sea-spurge (Euphorbia
Paralias). The Portland spurge (Euphorbia Portlandica) also
occurs, but more sparingly, although in Portland it is very com-
mon. The handsome blossoms of the yellow-horned poppy (Glan-
cium luteum) render the sea-shore gay though the summer months.
Dr. Maton, in his interesting ‘ Observations on the Western Counties
of England,’ published in the year 1797, vol. i. p. 54, writes, “Just
after crossing the Ferry, Asparagus officinalis appears, but very
sparingly, and so diminutive that it may easily escape observation.”
We have in vain searched for this plant, and we much doubt whether
it is now to be found in this locality. The sea-kale (Crambe mari-
tima) formerly grew abundantly on the Chesil Bank, as appears by
Hutchin’s ‘History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset,’ 2nd
edit. vol. ii. p. 364; but he states that in his time it was nearly all
destroyed, and we now find no traces whatever of it.
Crossing a broad belt of wet sand and mud on our left, we meet
with the sea Schoberia (Schoberia maritima), and on the beach the
more rare species, the shrubby Schoberia (S. fi'uticosa). A sea-shore
umbel-bearer, the sea-samphire (Crithmnm maritimum), peeps up
219
between the pebbles; whilst the corn sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis)
forms a golden fringe along the water’s edge, interspersed here and there
with the sea-rocket (Cakile maritima) and the prickly saltwort (Salsola
Kali), both of which are plentiful. The sea-rocket is a hardy plant,
and is sometimes seen in full bloom on this coast in the beginning of
January, and is then certainly one of the most beautiful of our wild
flowers. The sea-feverfew (Pyrethrum maritimum) and the common
knot-grass (Polyyonum aciculare) are amongst the plants growing
near the water’s edge; whilst higher up the bank, and almost to its
summit, there is a profusion of the sea-campion (Silene maritima)
and Glaucium luteum. That very rare plant, Glaucium phaaniceum,
said to have been formerly found in Portland, is ' now no doubt
extinct. ~ ‘
The chief attraction, however, of this part of the beach is the rare
and beautiful sea-side everlasting pea (Lathyrusmaritimus). It does
not grow close down to the water, but prefers the loose pebbles of the
higher parts of the bank, where it may be seen in large patches along
the beach almost from the bridge to the village of Fleet; shortly after
which it disappears for several miles, but again becomes abundant
near Abbotsbury. -This is the sea-pea of which Gerarde gives an
amusing account in his ‘Herbal.’ He says :—“ I finde mention in
Stowe’s Chronicle, in anno 1555, of a certain Pulse or Pease, as they
term it, wherewith the poore people at that time, there being a great
dearth, were miraculously helped: he thus mentions it ; in the
moneth of August (saith he) in Suffolke, at a place by the sea-side all
of hard stone and pibble, called in those parts a shelfe, lying
betweene the townes of Oxford and Aldborough, where neither grew
grasse, nor any earth was ever seene : it chanced in this barren place
suddenly to spring up without any tillage or sowing, great abound-ance
of Peason, whereof the poore gathered (as men judged) above an hun-
dred quarters, yet remained some ripe and some blossoming as many
as ever there were before: to the which place rode the Bishop of
Norfolk, and the Lord W illoughby with others in great number, who
found nothing but hard rockie stone the space of three yards under
the roots of these Peason : which roots were great and long and very
sweet.” He also adds, “ My \VOrshipfull friend Dr. Argent hath
told me, that many yeares ago he was in this place, and caused his
man to pull away the beach with his hands, and follow the roots so
long untill hee got some equall in length unto his height, yet could
come to no ends of them.”
The sea-radish (Rophanus maritimus) has been found sparingly on
220
this part of the beach. Among the sand and firmer pebbles we shall
not fail to notice the sea-beet (Beta maritima), the origin of the
sugar-yielding beet, which is very frequent. Geranium purpnreum
sheds its petals plentifully over the loose stones amongst which it
grows, forming a striking contrast with Glaucium lutenm and Silene
maritima. A few feet from the shore, on our right, are vast beds of
the broad-leaved grasswrack (Zostem marina), which extend to Ab-
botsbury. Just opposite the Coast Guard Station at Fleet we find a
little plant not unfreqnently met with in sandy places in some parts,
but which is rare on this coast: it is the knotted pearlwort (Sagina
wodosa). It occurs but sparingly, and may be easily overlooked.
Dr. Pulteney, in his ‘Catalogue of the more rare Plants of Dorset-
shire,’ p. 88, states that he had been informed that the marsh-mallow
(Allhaea 0ficz'nalis) grew “ about Portland, and by the Fleets of the
Chesil Bank.’ Dr. Maton, in his ‘Observations on the Western
Counties of England,“ writes, “Lavatera arborea (tree mallow) will
attract the notice of the botanist among the neighbouring eminences
at Portland.” Ray, also, records this plant in Bishop Gibson’s edi-
tion of ‘ Camden ’ as a native of Portland and of Chesil Bank; and
Dr. Pulteney adds that in his time it continued to be found there,
and had been from thence introduced into the gardens of the villages
of the island and the neighbourhood. Neither of these plants, how-
ever, have we been able to find; and we much question whether they
have not now disappeared from this neighbourhood.
Between Fleet and Langton, in sandy or muddy places overflowed
at high water, we may notice most of the salt-marsh plants : there is
the sea-starwort (Aster Tripolizmz), now in full bloom; and close by
is the jointed glasswort (Salicorm'a kerbacea), and here and there a
sprinkling of the sea-milkwort (Glaux mm'z'lz'ma), the rose-coloured
flowers of which have now almost disappeared. The sea arrow-grass
Triglocltz'n maritimum) grows in company with the sea-plantain
(Plantago mariiz'ma), or with the sea sandwort-spurrey (Spev'gulm'z'a
marina), where the soil is very wet. Further from the water’s edge,
and in a drier sandy soil, the biting stonecrop (Sedmn acre) abounds;
there, too, we find the kidney vetch (Anthyllis eulnemria) and seve-
ral composite plants, such as half-starved specimens of the autumnal
hawkbit (Apargz'a autumnalis) and the hairy Thrincia (T/u'z'wcia
hirta), and where the clay appears the colt’s-foot (Tussilago Far-
fizm) is found. The prickly twig-rush (Cladz'um .Mam'scus) has also
been found here. i
The most striking feature, however, of the Botany of this part of
221
the beach is the abundance of Schoberia fruticosa. It grows to a
considerable size, and many of the stems exceed three inches in cir-
cumference. This plant, with the various species of sea-purslanes,
constitute by far the greater part of the vegetation for several miles.
Of the sea-purslanes the shrubby orache (Atrz'plezc portulacoz'des) is
the most abundant; the spreading halbert-shaped orache (A. patula)
and the spreading narrow-leaved orache (A. angustifolia) are both
common ; the grass-leaved sea-orache (A. littoralis) occurs much less
frequently. Triticum junceum .is not uncommon, nor are several
other plants that we should scarcely have expected to find on such a
beach as this, the seeds of which, however, appear to have found their
way from the land on the opposite side of the Fleet. Such are the
bramble, and the docks which crown the higher ridges of the beach,
and here and there a dwarf willow, sheltering beneath its branches a
stunted plant or two of the hemlock (Conizmz maculatum) and the
rough chervil (Chceroplzyllum temulentum). The sea-pea, which we
had not observed for the last mile or two, now grows more luxuri-
antly than ever, covering the side of the beach a great part of the way
to Abbotsbury. Atriplex littoralis, also, occurs more frequently.
iVe have now reached the Swannery, and are opposite Abbotsbury ;
the Fleet suddenly contracts, and we soon reach its narrowest part;
and at length it terminates in a broad morass or salt-marsh, where we
recognise a mixture of the meadow with the sea-shore plants, such as
the comfrey, the reeds and sedges. Plantago maritima occurs so
plentifully that it forms the principal herbage of one of the adjoining
fields.
In conclusion, it may be remarked that we have found no traces on
the Chesil Bank of Vicia laevigata, discovered by Mr. Hudson on the
beach at Lodmoor, near W'eymouth, and said to have been found
among the shingles on the Chesil Bank, and in Portland by Sir I.
Cullum ; nor have repeated searches on the beach at Lodmoor of late
years been more successful. These were the only stations recorded
for this species in the whole world ; and there seems new little doubt
of its being extinct.
W. B. BARRETT.
Weymouth, October, 1856.


222
Remarks 0n.the New Method of Arranging Ferns.
By EDWARD NEWMAN.
Part I.—History of the New Method.
SYSTEMS in Natural History are the results of methodizing obser-
vations. The decadence of systems arises either from our having
assigned too great importance to the facts observed, or from our
observations having been imperfect. The latter alternative is self-
evident; the former may be made ,more clear by the following illus-
trationz—A naturalist finds himself possessed of a multitude of
shells; he makes a thousand observations on their wonderfully and
beautifully varied forms; he classifies them; form of shell is the
basis of his classification. Another naturalist goes to the sea-coast;
he finds the animals that inhabit the shells ; and he finds other ani-
mals very much like the inhabitants of the shells, but without shells ;
he makes a thousand observations on the forms of the animals; he
then constructs a classification of the animals independently of their
shells. Learned men come forward and say to this second observer,
“ Thou art right: rem acu tet'z'gz'stz'.” But What security have we for
this? May not there arise a more profound observer than either of
these? May not some anatomist examine the intimate structure of
the animals, the circulation of their blood, their mode of respiration
and generation; and, founding a system on these, may he not
supersede both the previous systems? Linneus, with that wisdom for
which all his writings are so remarkable, seized on those organs in
plants which are developed for the most important of physiological
functions; but he laid too great stress on number; and on this
account the most important character of all was superseded by Jus—
sieu’s appeal to intimate structure and mode of growth. Linneus is
deposed and Jussieu enthroned, because Linneus made his system
arithmetical, not because the mode of growth was of more importance
than the mode of generation. But it must never be overlooked that
this arithmeticalmode is much the easiest both to teach and to learn;
and teachers will long be found who are not only unwilling, but un-
able, to grapple with intimate structure and physiological facts; and
these, as a matter of course, will pillow their heads on a system where
the ability to count twenty is the great desideratum ; and this they
will pretend to do as disciples of Linneus. They load with
their praises both Linneus and his method, not because of the
profound wisdom of that method, but because the application of the
223
method comes within the range of their capacities. Captivated by
the readiness with which the Linnean method of counting the organs
of reproduction could be applied to the phaenogams, it was not illo-
gical to conclude that the same organs would afford equal assistance
among the cryptogams: ex zmo disce omnes was the motto; but the
authors who so unhesitatingly adopted it seemed perfectly unaware of
the existence of a stumbling-block at the very threshold of the
inquiry. The sepals, petals, stamens and pistils, so patent, so readily
countable in the phaenogams, were either non-existent or undis-
covered throughout the whole of the cryptogams; and systematists,
instead of appealing to these parts, appealed to what they supposed
would answer the purpose equally well. Sepals and petals were not
to be seen; but botanists supposed their representatives to exist in
the monotonously isomorphous gemmules which dot the back ofa fern-
leaf. These, as we all know, are associated in clusters; and these
clusters are sometimes round, and sometimes linear ; sometimes
naked, sometimes covered by a portion of epidermis; sometimes dis-
cal, sometimes marginal. On these differences a system was invented
by Sir James Edward Smith; and with this system the students of
ferns are generally satisfied at the present day. A system which,
leaving the mere surface, should enter more fully into the inner life of
the plant is, therefore, day by day growing more requisite and a more
indispensable desideratum, especially amongst those who perceived
and were ready frankly to appreciate the brilliant light thrown on the
study of phaenogams by the observation, that in some the increment in
bulk was occasioned by the formation of new substance in the centre
of‘the stem, and in others by the formation of new substance on the
circumference of the stem,-—a simple observation truly, but one which
caused the almost immediate division of phaenogams into Endogens
and Exogens.
This radical difference, so to speak, in a physiological character,
can scarcely be confined to the phaenogams; and, inquiry having
been once diverted from its original channel into one so totally new
and unlocked for, it was to be expected that an extended application
of the principle would be attempted in other portions of the world of
plants. This has been the case.
* It is not worth while to go back to the pre-Linnean era of Botany, or we should
find Sir J. E. Smith’s system of ferns proposed by Ray.
2'24
GAUDICHAUD, 1826.
The first proposition for such an extension of the theory was made,
in the direction of the ferns, by Charles Gaudichaud, in Freycinet’s
‘Voyage autour du Monde executé sur les Corvettes l’Oranie et la
Physicienne,’ published in 18:26. That accomplished botanist ob-
serves that the structure and mode of growth, both of rhizomes and
stipes of ferns, are of so many and such distinct kinds that they com-
pel us to divide those plants in the following manner:—
“Class l. Fougères a tiges rampantes ou grimpantes seu rameuses:
elles se subdivisent en deux ordres.
“ Order 1. Tiges rampantes, charnues, tendres, aqueuses et cas-
santes tant qu’elles sont vivantes, offrant des leur coupe
transversale plusieurs lignes de vaisseaux fibreux medul—
liformes colorés.” The examples given are the genera Hy-
menophyllum, Trichomanes, Polypodium, Pleopeltis, Ade-
nophorus.
“ Order 2. Tiges rampantes, grimpantes, ou volubiles, ligneuses
ou fibreuses, sèches, tenaces, même à. étât frais, souvent
rameuses et n’ayant, qu’une ligne centrale de vaisseaux
medulliformes colorés figurant très bien un canal medul-
laire.” The examples are Gleichenia, Lygodium, Mer-
lensia.
“Class 11. Fougères a tiges simples, ascendantes: elles se subdi-
visent aussi en deux ordres.
“ Order l. Tiges compactes, dures, ordinairement droites,
chargées extérieurement d’impressions diverses.” This
order contains the true tree-ferns.
“ Order 2. Tiges aggrégés ou fasciculées : elles se composent
de la base persistante des petioles (stipes) disposée et fixée
autour d’une axe central qui est la tige réelle. Le diamè-
tre de cet axe varie selon les espèces.” Asplenium Ruta-
muraria, Athyrium F ilix—femina, Dryopteris Filix-mas,
Blechnum spicant and Notolepeum Ceterach are given as
examples of this order.
PRESL, 1836.
It must also be noticed in this place that Presl, whose knowledge
of the subject has never been called in question, and whose very name
225
conveys an idea of all that is eminent in Pteridology, arrived at the
conclusion that the involucre did not afford satisfactory characters ;
and he consequently sought, and believed he had found, in the dif-
ferent distribution of the veins, diagnostics which would make the
subject simple and intelligible. After vindicating the importance of
veins generally in all plants, and comparing them to the skeleton of
vertebrate animals, he goes on to assert their paramount importance
in ferns. “ Haec vasa in organis foliaceis Filicacearum tanquam
costae, venae et venulae palam fiunt, et ex supra allatis causis maxi-
mum in describendis dividendisque Filicibus possident argumentum.
Filicaceae compage venarum anatomica ab omnibus aliis vegetabilibus
phanerogamis quam maxime difl'erunt; hac ex causa vena Filicacea-
rum characterem essentialem et validissimum ex interna structura
harum plantarum desumtum preebent.” Presl, also, was well ac-
quainted with the diversified structure of the rhizome, and with the
previous observations of Link, Mohl, Gaudichaud and Treviranus,
only one of whom I have cited, because the others have not so me-
thodized their researches as to render them available for classification.
Presl writes thus on the “caulis:”—“Caulis Filicacearum, induat
nunc formam rhizomatis nunc caudicis, componitur e textu celluloso re-
gulari ac magno parenchymatoso et prosenchymatoso vasainvolucrante.
Vasa haec constituuntur e vasis scalariformibus et porosis paucis cellu-
lis parenchymatosis intermixtis, et strato cellularum prosenchymatosa-
rum plerumque parietes crassas possidentium in provectiore aetate ut
plurimum fuscarurn vel atrarum nitentium includuntur et a parenchy-
mate adjacente cryptas rubra materie 1'epletas continente dividuntur.”
The entire passage is not germane to the question of employing the
mode of growth as a character, but is happy in showing that this
great master fully appreciated the difference between a rhizome and
a caudex.
In taking leave of Presl it is necessary to state that his system is
framed on a combination of characters, the venation being the promi-
nent feature. He makes five orders, under the names of F ilicaceae,
Hymenophyllaceae, Marattiaceae, Osmundaceae and Ophioglossaceae.
J OHN SMITH, 1854.
Mr. John Smith, of the Royal Botanical Garden at Kew, has for
many years entertained the idea that the mode of growth in ferns
should be employed in their classification. Although his views did
not for some time receive the stamp of authenticity given them subse-
quently, by publication under his own name, yet it was well known
VOL. v. 2 e
D
226
that be entertained them; and they were incidentally mentioned in
print both by Dr. Seemann and myself. Mr. Smith’s matured views
on the subject were first published in the sixth Part of Dr. Seemann’s
‘ Botany of the Voyage of H.M.S. Herald,’ at p. 226, in the following
words :— \
“In this enumeration I have followed the arrangement published
by me in Hooker’s ‘Journal of Botany,’ vol. iv. p. 46 et seq., except in
such cases where later observations and altered views have rendered
changes necessary. In my enumeration of the ferns cultivated in the
Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (‘ Botanical Magazine,’ vol. lxii. 1846)
I arranged the species of Polypodium under four sections, charac-
terized by the different modes in which the fronds are developed and
attached to the axis of growth (vernation). The first of these sections
contains Polypodium vulgare, which, with its allies, presents a mode
of growth quite different from that of those species constituting the other
three sections; the three latter I now consider as presenting only dif-
ferent modifications of another and more general mode of growth;
and although all the species of the four sections agree in the techni-
cal character of Polypodium, in having punctiform naked sori seated
on free veins, yet the two different modes of growth found in the
various species of Polypodium appear to me to be quite sufficient to
warrant a separation of the species under distinct genera. I there-
fore restrict true Polypodium to those species having the same kind
of vernation as Polypodium vulgare. The genus may then be
viewed as representing a natural group of ferns having the following
characters :—-The fronds are developed from the sides of a special
rhizome, which has its axis of growth always in advance of the nas-
cent frond (excurrent); the fronds are produced from nodes more or
less distant from each other, each node producing a single frond,
which, after having arrived at maturity, separates by a special articu-
lation formed between the node and the base of the stipes; after the
frond has fallen, the node remains in the form of a round, concave
cicatrix, generally more or less elevated; the rhizome is solid, fleshy
and brittle, varying from long and slender to more or less short and
thick, and is always covered with scales, which, unless they are com-
mon to the whole frond, seldom extend upwards beyond the node.
This mode of development, which I have termed Eremobrya, is pe-
culiar to a considerable number of Polypodieae, including genera with
both free and anastomosing veins; also a portion of Davallia, of
which D. Canariensis may be viewed as the type, the whole forming
a truly natural group of ferns. The other mode of development
227
to which I have alluded, and to which I have given the name of Des-
mobrya, is observable in a more numerous group of ferns, bearing the
following characters :-—The fronds form a terminal axis, either in a
single alternate series, or in a fascicle forming a corona; each succeed-
ing frond is produced on the interior side of the bases of the preceding
fronds, the bases being united and adherent; by the successive evo-
lutionof fronds a progressing accessory stem or cormus is formed,
which varies in being decumbent or erect, short or more or less elon-
gated, often assuming the aspect of trees, or, creeping on or under the
surface of the ground, forming caespitose tufts: in those species pro-
ducing their fronds in a single series the developing axis sometimes
elongates before the evident evolution of the fronds, which are then
more or less distant from each other, and by this mode of growth
forming a creeping or scandent caudex, which often assumes the cha-
racter of a sarmentum, and then appears to agree with the mode of
growth I have called Eremobrya, but it is readily distinguished by
the epidermis and vascular structure of the stipes being continuous
and united, forming part of the developing axis, and not being articu-
late as in Eremobrya. The various modifications of the structure ob-
servable in the group Desmobrya often mark the limits of what 1 term
natural genera. Desmobrya therefore includes part of the Ctenopte-
ris, and the whole of the Phegopteris groups of Polypodium; also
Gymnogramma, Goniopteris, Meniscium, and other genera of Poly—
podieae; the whole of Pteridieae, Asplenieae, and, with a few excep—
tions, Acrostichieae, Aspidieae, Dicksonieae, and Cyatheae.
“ I have here stated the obvious characters observed on examining
examples of the two modes of development; the differences become
more evident on examining their internal structure. I cannot enter
into details in this place, the present collection not affording sufficient
materials, nor the work space, to enable me to state the changes in
affinity that will become necessary in consequence of adopting this
mode of arrangement. I will only further mention, that, although the
two modes of growth are in general readily determined, yet in some
cases, especially herbarium specimens, it is a more difficult task.
The genus Woodsia is peculiar, on account of the stipes of the origi-
nal species having an articulation at a distance above the axis of ver-
nation; nevertheless, as the vernation is terminal, and the bases of
the stipes adherent, \Voodsia must be referred to Desmobrya.”
It may be observed that the Flora of Panama is comparatively poor
in ferns; but those who are acquainted with Mr. Smith’s catholic
9128
knowledge of the subject will not assume that the paucity of species
caused the author any difficulty, or interfered at all with his arrange-
ment, which I give, exactly, below :—-
“ Tribe I. Polypodieae.
*6 Desmobrya. Fronds in vernation terminal, their bases adhe-
rent, united with and constituting the axis of growth.
Genera. Xiphopteris, Ctenopteris, Gymnogramma,
Leptogramma, Phegopteris, Goniopteris, Menis-
cium, Taeniopsis, Pteropsis, Dryomenis.
it?“ Eremobyra. Fronds in vernation lateral, solitary, and ulti~
mately separating from the axis by a special articulation.
Genera. Lopholepis, Lepicystis, Goniophlebium, Pleo—
peltis, Campyloneurum, Phymatodes, Dicranoglos-
sum.
Tribe II. Acrostichieae.
Genera. Elaphoglossum, Rhipidopteris, Polybotrya,
Gymnopteris, Acrostichum.
Tribe III. Pterideae.
Genera. Notholaena, Cheilanthes, Adiantum, Litobro-
chia, Pteris, Blechnum, Lomaria.
Tribe IV. Asplenieae.
Genera. Hemidictyon, Asplenium.
Tribe V. Aspidieee.
Genera. Aspidium, Nephrodium, Lastrea, Polysti-
chum, Cyclopeltis.
Tribe VI. Dicksonieae.
§ Lindseae.
Genera. Lindsaea, Dictyoxiphium, Dicksonia.
§ Trichomaneee.
Genera. Trichomanes, Hymenostachys, Hymenophyl-
lum. ‘
Tribe VII. Cyatheee.
Genera. Hemitelia, Cyathea, Alsophila, Amphides-
mium. '
Gleicheniaceae.
Genus. Mertensia.
Schizaeaceae.
Genera. Lygodium, Schizaea, Anemia, Anemidictyon,
Danaea.”
229
Reflections on these Systems.
Now, here is the remarkable case of three men, who have made the
study and classification of ferns the leading object of their lives, who
I have given these plants in a living state their most attentive consider-
ation, independently arriving at the conclusion that the parts of fruc-
tification did not afford characters whereby to divide ferns into pri-
mary and secondary groups, and substituting characters derived
either from the mode of growth or the distribution of the veins. This
concord cannot, surely, arise from any other cause than the fallacy of
theory which they agree to ignore; still it is not a little remarkable
that all three have relapsed into the beaten track, and in their defini-
tions have mainly depended on the mode of fructification for their
characters. Presl has no deviation from the ordinary method, except
that in his genera the veins are fully and admirably characterised;
Gaudichaud relapsed quite into the old formula, although his primary
definitions are so strikingly attractive and so apparently incontrover-
tible; and Mr. Smith alone remains of the three as having given any
extended application to a character which he has defined in so mas-
terly a manner. But even Mr. Smith’s extension of the theory is
insufficient: while he acknowledges the importance of considering the
mode of growth, he confines the application of that character to the
genus Polypodium, or to those ferns which, to use his own ex-
pression, “ have punctiform naked sori seated on free veins.” I agree,
then, rather with Gaudichaud in making the application of the cha-
racter universal, than with Mr. Smith, who appears to restrict its ap-
plication to a group which has no existence in nature, and of which
the very definition is sufficient to show that it is a mere artificial
assemblage. I would also observe that I scarcely understand the
rank which Mr. Smith would assign to his groups Gleicheniaceae and
Schizaeaceae, which are typographically so arranged as to constitute
integral portions of the Cyatheae, a station for them which I am per-
suaded is diametrically at variance with nature. But whether
Mr. Smith intended this, or would constitute them primary groups
equivalent to those seven which he has called tribes, is of little mo-
ment: both modes of disposing of them appear equally objectionable.
Having thus stated, and I trust in a fair and candid manner, the
views and labours of others in this interesting field of inquiry, I will
230
proceed to explain my own, incorporating occasionally the valuable
observations of the authors I have named; for I believe it impossible
to study, and appreciate, and accept as true the labours of others,
without their becoming so engrafted on your own that it is difficult,
if not impossible, to restore each idea to its original owner. So small is
my desire to be regarded a discoverer or innovator on this interesting
question, that I would have adopted the method of either of the great
botanists I have mentioned far rather than proposed another,‘had
either of them united the two great desiderata—lst, of making the
application of the theory general; 2ndly, of carrying out the same
theory in detail.
My own misgivings as to the value of the involucre in classifying
ferns date from 1887, when I first attempted the study of the British
ferns. These misgivings first found expression in print in this Jour-
nal, in 1842, and were systematized with some precision in the Intro-
duction to the third edition of the ‘ History of British Ferns,’ in 1854.
Up to that period I was in total ignorance of Gaudichaud’s views,
and was so far mistaken in Mr. Smith’s as to suggest that my divisions
Rhizophyllaceae and Cormophyllaceee were equivalent to his divisions
Eremobrya and Desmobrya ; whereas his subsequently published
system, as already stated, shows that Mr. Smith’s Eremobrya equals
my genus Ctenopteris, and his Desmobrya my genera Gymnocarpium
and Pseudathyrium united. I am quite ready to admit that my views
have undergone considerable alteration and modification during the
twenty years that I have been applying myself to the subject, and
therefore that a critic might discover discrepancies in my printed
opinions; but I have no more idea of regretting or apologizing for
these alterations and modifications of opinion than I have for the very
obvious truth that I am twenty years older now than when I began.
Part II.-The New Method.
Plants, generally speaking, are composed of four obvious parts—-
roots, stems, leaves and flowers. The roots, stems and leaves seem
to subserve the ofiices of support, nutrition and respiration; in a word,
to be provided for the preservation of the individual: the flowers seem
to subserve the office of generation alone, and therefore to be pro-
vided exclusively for the preservation of the species. Now, these
purposes are absolute requirements in all created beings, and are as
231
obviously the attributes of ferns, which have no flowers, as of phaa-
nogams, which have. These two objects or purposes are always
closely connected, often so elaborately interwoven as to be con.-
founded in our short-sighted investigations ; yet are in every instance
found to be distinct and independent, if the inquiry be carefully and
skilfully conducted. The frond or leaf, which in ferns normally bears
the fruit on its back, does not, on this very account, seem, at first
sight, so distinct an organ as the leaf of a phaenogam, for it appears
to occupy a somewhat neutral ground between the preservation of the
individual and the preservation of the species; this difficulty, how-
ever, is dispelled by the consideration that those ferns which have
fronds entirely covered with fructification have other fronds also on
which no fructification whatever appears. There can be no doubt
that such unfruitful fronds perform the office of leaves; and hence we
may fairly assume that those leaves which contain the receptacle of
the fruit also perform the same oflice.
Having thus indicated the existence of two classes of functions,
and the provision of appareils or systems of organs adapted to each,
it would become necessary to weigh the claims of both, were it not
obvious that the system of generation or preservation of the species
must have the greater claim on our consideration; but no sooner do
we seek guidance from this than we find the physiological characters
of generation, as far as we know them, exactly alike in all ferns ; and
we feel disinclined to regard the slight differences in external form
and condition of the clusters of capsules as of sufficient importance
for the establishment of divisions. * We are therefore compelled to
* In cryptogams we have a succession of individuals somewhat different to that
recognised in phaenogams; for each individual appears to produce its kind without the
intervention of a second individual: and the definition given to a species in the ani-
mal world, and which is partially true also in phtenogams, is not true, as far as we
have yet ascertained, in cryptogams, where each individual appears as the parent of a
race. This, perhaps, accounts for the extreme difficulty in fixing the limits of a spe—
cies in ferns, and is likely to lead to the unnecessary multiplication of species; for it
is quite certain that a homogeneity of appearance will, and does, constantly occur on
mountain ranges, another homogeneity of appearance in the individuals found in a
wide range of hog at a lower elevation, and a third homogeneity in individuals occur-
ring under the shade of a forest; and in every instance this appearance may be due
to the isolation, for many centuries, of an individual and its descendants, which con-
tinue to reproduce their kind under peculiar conditions of soil, altitude, temperature,
exposure, and so forth. This difficulty appears very often to have been unnecessarily
_ magnified; for, except as a question for the consideration of speculative theorists, it
really matters very little whether two individuals grown under different natural con-
ditions are representatives of races, local varieties or closely allied species.
232
have recourse to a system of organs in which the diagnostic characters
are more strongly pronounced. This is the case in that permanent
portion of a fern known under the different names of caudex, cormus
and rhizoma: the roots are almost uniformly fibrous and similar; the
form of frond is in finitely varied; the caudex possesses an intermediate
station as to variation, and its variations are such as imply different
physiological conditions; it is therefore the organ to which the bota-
nist must look for permanent and obvious differences. It is impos-
sible to give this organ a careful examination without being struck
with the fact that it has two totally dissimilar modes of development
in those plants which are ordinarily called dorsiferous or annulate
ferns. And here I may as well state that I am not prepared to
include in my inquiry the genera Schizaea, Osmunda, Aneimia, Botry-
chium or Ophioglossum ; these seem to constitute a parallel and
equivalent series to the true ferns, and a group which I altogether eli-
minate from the present inquiry. It may possibly be observed that
this is an incongruous series, its constituent members being iso-
lated, and the whole group resembling a miscellaneous assemblage of
individuals huddled together by chance; but to me they possess a far
higher interest than this, a far greater value in the universal system:
they appear as the remains of an earlier creation, the extinct members
of which have been photographed on stone, the impressions alone
remaining to assure us that such things were. Mertensia, Gleiche-
nia and Danaea occupy very debateable ground; and without a far
more intimate knowledge of them than I have the means of acquiring
their true position must remain a mere matter of speculation.
The two modes of growth are so well distinguished by Mr. Smith,
in the passage already cited, that little remains to be added. ' For the
sake of precision I will recite the chief diagnostics :—
1st. I call by the name of Rhizophyllaceae all those ferns which
possess a succulent, creeping rhizome, the growing extremity of
which never eventuates in a frond; and,
2nd. Cormophyllaceae, all those which possess an erect or prostrate
caudex, the growing extremity of which always eventuates in fronds.
Order RHIZOPHYLLACEZE.
In the Rhizophyllaceae the rhizome is generally densely clothed
with scales ; it produces fronds at every point of its surface, except
the growing extremity; these fronds appear at first on the surface of
the rhizome, as minute excrescences, displacing a portion of the scaly
covering; they are always solitary, always of very slow evolution, and
233
are always fully evolved before the fructification makes its appear-
ance; their stipes is almost invariably without scales ; no part of the
stipes of a frond appears, under any circumstances, to become incor-
porated with the rhizome and form a portion thereof, the rhizome
itself remaining succulent until the period of decay, when it dies at
one extremity while vigorously growing at the other; these rhizomes
are generally, but not always, exposed; they sometimes extend to a
great distance beneath the ground; their direction is invariably hori-
zontal. In Europe we have representatives of three very decided
families of these rhizophyls, and possibly, also, of a fourth; but of the
debateable position of certain ferns between the two main divisions
much remains to be said hereafter, when the microscope shall have
determined with accuracy the intimate structure of the rhizome. The
families which call for an especial notice are, Rhizophylleae, Daval-
lieae and Hymenophylleae ; those which occupy the debateable
ground are the Hypolepideae, which I shall place provisionally
between Davallia and Hymenophyllum.
Family RHIZOPHYLLEE.
In which the rhizome seems divided irregularly by nodes. At each
node originates a solitary frond, “ which, after having arrived at ma-
turity, separates by a special articulation formed between the node
and the base of the stipes; after the frond has fallen, the node remains
in the form of a round concave cicatrix, generally more or less ele-
vated.” * The capsules are seated on the back of the frond. It will
be sufficient to distinguish three genera.
Genus Rhizophyllum.
In which the veins anastomose, forming a kind of net-work. The
examples are Rhizophyllum aureum (Polypodium aureum of Linneus,
Pleopeltis aurea of Presl), R. Phymatodes (P. Phymatodes of Linneus,
Phymatodes vulgaris of Presl). ' The whole of the genera Pleopeltis
of Humboldt and Bonpland, Drynaria of Bory de St. Vincent, and Phy-
matodes of Presl, appear to be referrible to this genus. The number
of described species is very large, and they constitute the greatest
ornaments of our hothouses. The frond is generally pinnatifid or
entire, and even in this respect there is a striking uniformity through-
out this vast natural association of species.
* Smith at supra.
VOL. v. 2 H
234
Genus Ctenopteris. *
In which the veins are simply branched, and the branches free at
the extremity; they never anastomose or form a net-work. Example,
Ctenopteris vulgaris of Newman (Polypodium vulgare of Linneus).
The group is thus characterised by Presl :-—“ Sori aut omnes aut sal-
tem superiores in apice globuloso venae venuleeve.” In the few spe-
cies with which I am more particularly acquainted the cluster of
capsules is seated on the subglobose extremity of the anterior branch
of a free, branched vein ; this, however, must not be considered cha-
racteristic of the genus.
Genus Margin aria.
A most interesting genus, in which the venation differs from
that of Ctenopteris in a striking manner; one branch of each system
of veins is free and capitulate, the capitulus bearing the cluster of
capsules; and the other branches above and below this free branch
spread right and left, and then, returning, meet beyond the cluster,
forming a circle around it. I believe there are a great number of
closely allied species; the fronds of all are simple or pinnatifid. -
Family DAVALLIEJE.
In which the rhizome has no obvious division into nodes, and the
clusters of capsules are not exposed as in the Rhizophylleae, but hidden
in a marginal or discal cup; the veins are more or less branched, but
always free at the extremity. The fronds fall off annually, dehiscing
at an articulation close to the base of the stipes ; the cicatrix thus left
is usually covered by the dense scales, and entirely hidden from sight.
Genus Pachypleuria, &c.
There are three plants known to botanists under the generic names
Pachypleuria, Humata and Colposoria, which appear curiously inter-
mediate between Ctenopteris and Davallia. The rhizome is exposed,
rather slender, scandent, and densely scaly; the fronds simple or pin-
natifid; the veins branched, the extremities bearing the clusters of
* The generic name Ctenopteris appears to have been differently employed by
Mr. Smith; if prior to my using it, in the sense now intended, of course my name will
fall. The name Ctenopteris, as now restricted, is, however, of long standing, first, I
think, employed by Blume, afterwards by Presl.
235
capsules on the disk near the margin. The first of these is Pachypleu-
ria Guimardiana (Nephrodium Guimardianum of Gaudichaud); Hu-
mata pectinata of J. ,Smith and Davallia pectinata of Sir J. E. Smith
are the same plant. The second is Humata pinnatifida (Davallia
pinnatifida of Swartz), and the third ,is Colposoria angustata of Presl
(Davallia angustata of Hooker and Greville).
Genus Davallia. *
In which the rhizome is extremely stout and the fronds very much
divided. Example, Davallia canariensis of Smith, under which
name it appears to me that several Atlantic species have been hitherto
united; they are universally cultivated, and familiar to all botanists.
Family HYPOLEPIDEE.
In which the rhizome extends with great rapidity, sometimes on the
surface and sometimes under ground; it is covered with a dense, erect
down, differing much in appearance from the large, appressed scales
of Davallia, canariensis. The undeveloped frond emerges from the
rhizome at distant intervals, and, except in its erect position, at right
angles with the rhizome, it closely resembles that organ, its sub-
stance and clothing being identical; it is not articulated at the base,
and the basal portion of the stipes of many years are often found ad-
herent to the rhizome. The fronds have long stipes and a deltoid
outline; they are of very large size, and are remarkable for the ex-
tremely rudimentary state when first evolved from the rhizome; the
fructification is marginal, and partially covered by the reflexed margin
of frond. I notice three genera, each containing many species.
Genus Hypolepis.
In which the marginal fi'uctification is interrupted or punctiform,
and the velvety rhizome exposed. The example is a most familiar
* The genus Davallia of Sir J. E. Smith, Presl and Hooker appears to be com-
posed of very heterogeneous species. Even in the fructification, the only character
employed as distinctive, I find little or no' similarity. Under these circumstances,
there seems an obvious impropriety in assigning the names Davalliem and Davallia
to the restricted and altered groups; but, on the other hand, it would appear most
arbitrary to call the familiar Davallia canariensis by another name,
Incidit in Scyllam qui vult vitare Oharybdim.
The genus now indicated has nothing more to do with the genus Davallia of Smith,
&c., than that it contains one of the species.
236
plant, commonly known as Hypolepis repens; but [fear the name
has been changed by recent writers, and probably another name will
be required for the genus, as many cormophyls, of the genusfChei-
lanthes, have lately been mixed up with rhizophyllaceous species,
under the nanie of Hypolepis.
Genus Litolobium.
In which the fructification is marginal and punctiform, and the
rhizome subterranean. Example, Litolobium punctilobulum, a plant
that has received an endless variety of names; it is very abundant in
the United States.
Genus Eupteris.
In which the marginal fructification is continuous. Example,
Eupteris aquilina (the Pteris aquilina of Linneus), perhaps the most
abundant and familiar fern in the whole world. I will not give an
opinion whether the various forms now associated under the name of
aquilina constitute a single species or many; but I observe that an
extended knowledge of ferns is invariably accompanied by a ten-
dency to reduce the number of species.
Family HYMENOPHYLLEE.
In which the rhizome is slender and wiry; the frond semidiapha-
nous, composed of compoundly divided, winged veins ; the stipes
persistent and not articulated; the fructification in marginal cups.
A most natural family, including twenty genera, some of which I feel
disposed to believe it desirable to drop : I believe all the species with
with which I am acquainted may be incorporated in three genera.
Genus Loxsoma.
Of which the characters are given thus :—-“ Sori marginal, pointing
forward, but partially sunk in the axil of a tooth or lobe from the apex
of a vein. Involucres suburceolate, coriaceous, the outer apparently
formed of a changed portion of the frond; the mouth truncated, en-
tire.” Example, Loxsoma Cunninghami.
Genus Trichomanes.
In which the seeds are seated on a naked vein, the basal portion of
which, to which the capsules are adherent, is surrounded by a cup,
the apical portion projecting like a bristle. Example, Trichomanes
237
speciosum or radicans, a native of the Atlantic Islands and of
Ireland.
Genus Hymenophyllum.
In which the receptacle does not project beyond the cup, a trivial
and seemingly very unimportant character. Example, Hymenophyl-
lum unilaterale of Willdenow, the smallest of British ferns, very com-
mon on stones and trunks of trees near waterfalls in the North of
Europe, some parts of Scotland, and the South-west of Ireland.
About a'hundred other names of species exist.
Presl, in his beautiful work intituled ‘Hymenophyllaceae,’ pub-
lished in Prague, in 1843, has given a complete and masterly digest
of this previously obscure and little-known family, which he divides
into nineteen genera, exclusive of Loxsoma. It is the first and only
instance within my knowledge in which a natural group of ferns has
been carefully worked out. The genera in addition to Tiichomanes
are, Feea, Hymenostachys, Lecanium, Cardiomanes, Ragatelus, Ce-
phalomanes, Neurophyllum, Microgonium, Abrodyctyum, Didymo-
glossum, Meringium, Hemiphlebium, Leptocionium, Myrmecostylum,
Ptychophyllum, Hymenophyllum, Sphmrocionium and Hymenoglos-
sum.
Order CORMOPHYLLACELE.
In the Cormophyllaceae the caudex is generally erect, but some-
times prostrate; its growing extremity is always composed of nude-
veloped fronds ; it is almost invariably without scales; the fructifida-
cation is formed before the unfolding of the fronds; their stipes is
generally densely covered with chatfy scales; the stipes are spatulate
at the base, sometimes wholly, always partially, clasping the caudex,
with which they are continuous, and of which their bases eventually
form a part. There are probably many families : three are very fami-
liar to botanists.
Family CORMOPHYLLEJE.
The caudex vertical, developed above the surface of the ground,
forming a true trunk, much resembling that of phaenogamous trees.
All the species may be comprised in the
Genus Cormophyllum,
the characters of which will of course be those of the family. This
genus contains the tree-ferns, of which one hundred and forty species
238
have been named and described. Of these, Cormophyllum horridum
(Polypodium horridum of Linneus, and Hemitelia horrida of Robert
Brown), Cormophyllum arboreum (Polypodium arboreum of Linneus,
and Cyathea arborea of Smith), and Cormophyllum capense (Polypo-
dium capense of Linneus, and Alsophila capensis of John Smith), may
serve as examples. The three genera Hemitelia, Cyathea and Also-
phila have never been distinguished by any natural character; but
the genus Cormophyllum may possibly be divided hereafter; the ve-
nation seems to offer diagnostics.
Family DRYOPTERIDEAE.
The caudex ‘vertical, but subglobose or tufted,-never forming a
trunk, but always exhibiting a crown of undeveloped fronds. This
family contains all our most familiar ferns. Dryopteris Filix-mas,
Polystichum aculeatum, Athyrium Filix-femina, Pseudathyrium al-
pestre, Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, and Notolepeum Ceterach are
familiar examples.
Family RHIZOCORMEJE.
In which the caudex creeps horizontally in the earth, extending
itself in various directions; the fronds being solitary and distant; the
growing point of the root-like caudex is, however, invariably com-
posed of undeveloped fronds. Examples, Hemestheum Thelypteris,
(the Polypodium Thelypteris of Linneus), Gymnocarpium Dryopteris
(the Polypodium Dryopteris of Linneus).
Family PTERIDEZE.
Crown less scaly; stipes less scaly; fructification marginal. Ex-
amples, Blechnum spicant, Pteris longifolia, Cheilanthes odora, Adi-
antum Capillus-Veneris.
That these families do not comprise all the annulate ferns I am well
aware ; but they comprise all the more conspicuous groups; and none
of those which are omitted offer, as far as I am aware, any serious
obstacle to the physiological arrangement. The order in which they
are here described is not intended to show anything of the relation-
ships which exist among them. These cannot readily be expressed
on paper. Perhaps the following formula may give some idea of my
views on this subject; and it must be observed that some of the families
239
RH IZOPHYLS CORMOPHYLS
Davallieae ‘ Dryopterideae
Rhyzophylleae Cormophylleae
Hypolepideae—Rhizophylleae
Hymenophylleae Pterideae
appear to offer a very obvious dichotomous division, as Dryopterideae
into the chaffy-stiped Filix-mas and congeners, and the glabrous-stiped
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum. Supposing a series of the cormophyls to
commence with Filix-mas, it passes readily through the Polystichums,
Lophodiums and Athyriums to the true Aspleniums; leaving these
by Amesium, we may enter into the next family by Adiantum; and,
quitting it by those species of Pteris which have the habit of the
Gymnocarpiums, we pass to that genus, and then to Thelypteris, and
from this to Oreopteris among the Dryopterideae. Within this circle
is enclosed the typical family of tree-ferns. The rhyzophyls appear
to offer a series somewhat similar—Davallia, Loxsoma, Hymenophyl-
lum, Trichomanes, Eupteris and Hypolepis, which, again, approaches
Davallia. Within this second circle is enclosed the typical family of
Rhizophylleaa, now first isolated, but so well marked by Nature that
no one can mistake them.
EDWARD NEWMAN.


Note on Pseudathyriumflexile. By EDWARD NEWMAN.
PSEUDATHYRIUM FLEXILE, Newm.
Candea: massive, its position erect, its crown gibbous, scaly.
Fronds produced in succession throughout the summer, at first some-
what ascending, then elbowed at about one-eighth of their length and
spreading horizontally, lax, flexile, the flexibility arising fi'om the
tenuity of the rachis; perfectly estipitate, linear-lanceolate. Pinnce
short, distant, deflexed, blunt, pinnate. Capsules in circular clusters,
very crowded at the base of frond, gradually decreasing in abundance
240
towards, the apex, where they are often entirely wanting, always dis,
tent and scattered. Involucre very distinct at first, its insertion ob-
lique, its disk almost flat, its tendency rather to concavity than
convexity, its margin irregular but scarcely lacerated.
Habitat. Glen Prosen, in Scotland. Foun'd also in Lithuania,
Siberia, Kamschatka. Extremely local.
The reader is referred to ‘History of British Ferns,’ pp. 204 and
205, for a more detailed description. The additions and corrections
above are—1st, the elbowed character and spreading habit of the
fronds; 2nd, their successive and not simultaneous development;
3rdly, the crowded fructification at the base, in which this species is
quite isolated among European ferns; and, 4thly, the distinct invo-
lucre, which was at first entirely overlooked.
Much has been said of the difficulty of distinguishing this species
from Pseudathyrium alpestre; but this difficulty is imaginary. In
many instances botanists have obligingly sent me the supposed
flexile, the supposed intermediates, and supposed alpestre, in order
to convince me of the nullity of this species. In these instances
flexile has never occurred among the contrasted forms, alpestre
rarely. The fronds in nine cases out of ten have proved Athyrium
Filix-femina, the seedling forms being supposed to be flexile, and the
fronds of a few rather older plants, intermediates. In a few instances
Cystopteris fragilis has been sent as flexile, In the discussions on
this fern, as well as in those on Fcenisecii and uliginosum, the dis-
sentient opinions arise from non-acquaintance with the form under
discussion : it tends to no good purpose to discuss the similarities or
differences of two objects if we have only knowledge of one. I be-
lieve, in the case of uliginosum, that the disputants have no know-
ledge whatever of the plant, first described by Doll and afterwards
by myself. My friend Mr. George Maw, of Brosely, than whom a
more sincere truth-seeker or a more diligent inquirer never lived, ap-
pears to me quite to have mistaken the plant intended; none of the
specimens distributed as uliginosum by this liberal botanist possess
the distinguishing character, “pinnules adnate or decurrent,” which
occur in each of the published descriptions, and emphatically sepa-
rate this plant from Lophodium spinosum.
EDWARD NEWMAN.

Edward Newman, Printer, 9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgatc Street, London.
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