Prewe erage? ist e TERA ae et 6 + ‘ ie Sg et } z raya SBE oe Be _ ef ‘Fi Pst ee! : aE Tay sg # Sones eas eye bee Sten $e, nf es is Perera 2 ee SEES, re a, ies Cy THE ANNALS Oe AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, ann GEOLOGY. (BEING A CONTINUATION OF THE ‘ MAGAZINE OF BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY, AND OF LOUDON AND CHARLESWORTH'S ‘MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. ) CONDUCTED BY Sir W. JARDINE, Barr., F.L.S.—P. J. SELBY, Ese., F.LS., : GEORGE: JOHNSTON, M._D., CHARLES C. BABINGTON, Ese., M.A., F.L.S., F.GS., J. H. BALFOUR, M.D., Prof. Bot. Edinburgh, AND RICHARD TAYLOR, F.L.S., F.G.S. cea OO nn re A>s5 rn VOL. XVII. BALD LL LA LGLOLLELOLLOLLOLIIOI) 0. g,:s LONDON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY R. AND J. E. TAYLOR. SOLD BY S. HIGHLEY; SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL; SHERWOOD AND CO.; W. WOUD, TAVISTOCK STREET; BAILLIERE, REGENT STREET, AND PARIS: LIZARS, AND MACLACHLAN AND STEWART, EDINBURGH: CURRY, DUBLIN: AND ASHER, BERLIN. 1846. ‘Omnes res create sunt divine sapientia et potentie testes, divitic felicitatis humane :—ex harum usu bonitas Creatoris; ex pulchritudine sapientia Domini ; ex ceconomia in conservatione, proportione, renovatione, potentia majestatis elucet. Earum itaque indagatio ab hominibus sibi relictis semper estimata; a veré eruditis et sapientibus semper exculta; malé doctis et barbaris semper inimica fuit.”— LINNZUS. ALERE ¢ FLAMMAM. ..+.+.» hic obitus rerum contemplor et ortus, Et quibus é causis ordine cuncta fluant. Et disco, quidquid varios mare gignit ad usus, Quidquid et omnifero terra benigna sinu. Szpe-juvat solem gelida vitare sub umbra, Multaque de plantis arboribusque loqui. Quid varios pisces, et nata corallia ponto Eloquar, et conchis ostrea tecta suis ? Ille sed eequorex numerum subducat arene Qui volet undivagos enumerare greges. P. Loticuit Elegiarum lib. iii. eleg. 4,—lib. ii. eleg. 6. BE O81 | CONTENTS OF VOL. XVII. NUMBER CIX. I. Note on a new Genus of Nudibranchiate Mollusca. By Geo. J. Autman, M.B. &c., Professor of Botany in the University of Dublin... 1 IT. Contributions to the Physiology of Fecundation in Plants. By G. Dicxitz, M.D., Lecturer on Botany in the University and King’s Page BS College of Aberdeen. (With a Plate.)..........ccsccccccccssscecccscrocee ete 5 oe III. Notes, &c. on the genera of Insects Phyllobius, Polydrosus and = a Metallites.. By Joun Watton, Esq., F.L.S. .......ccceccessesceeees bukics % Ae IV. Observations on a specimen of the Bottle-nosed Dolphin, Ded- “He phinus Tursio, Fabr., taken at Great Yarmouth, October 1845. By . Tuomas Bricgutwewt, F.L.S. (With a Plate.) ......cssccsccsecnesseseees 21 = V. Descriptions of new or imperfectly described Diurnal Lepido- ptera. By Epwarp Dovstepay, Fsq., Assistant in the Zoological Department of the British Museum, F.L.S. &c. .....ccessecsceesseeesscoes 22 VI. Notes on Birds. By T. C. Eyron, Esq., F.L.S. (With a Plate.) ...... pieKds adel saks9 enies Gigs li cabana ceshcvspatibesdassnevauhs dus eesbiacse’ 2G VII. Notice of Spiders captured by Professor Potter in Canada, with descriptions of such Species as appear to be new to science. By Joun Deen WALL, FALLS. ...ccovecasss Ee ape Gee Toe Saks dae cl avcahancecihes ek ve 30 VIII. Notice of what appears to be the Embryo of an Ichthyosaurus in the Pelvic cavity of Ichthyosaurus (communis?). By J#Cuanine TR DRC Be os cs, sovccnecdees cosas wesawseteccdavs sansiudegact 44 IX. Journey through Java, descriptive of its Topography and Na- ' tural History. By Dr. Fr. Juncuunn ...... Wave veecnedycabucsepenes oe wa « 46 New Books :—Transactions of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh.— The British Desmidiee, with coloured Figures of the Species, by AS 8S OR ee nerrerror perere Guebdsidedse oh. oath sealane 540 48—49 Proceedings of the Linnzan Suciety ; Entomological Society ; Botanical Society of Edinburgh ............0..... reerrrrrererrirerr eserapacee 50—69 Additional note on the Belted Kingfisher, 4/ceedo Aleyon, Linn., ob- tained in Ireland ; Spicula of Mollusca; Indian species of Papilio ; Death of Dr. Méller ; Meteorological Observations and Table 69—72 iv CONTENTS. Page NUMBER CX. X. Remarks upon the Formation of Starch. By M. Cuartes Mutter. 73 XI. Notice of Spiders captured by Professor Potter in Canada, with descriptions of such Species as appear to be new to science. By Joun MUR OR WALL Uo Uathe uci, vencocevacevdss cccds sovatanes ioopbeaneren tale ica XII. On the British Cetacea. By J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S. ...... 82 XIII. Hore Zoologice. By Sir Wm. Jarpine, Bart., F.R.S.E. & BAe vosscestcnnevessnnndcsstacaceassscbese os cnsikehsnn bes bin oho nean iy mia—n—nn 85 XIV. Notes on the Giconomy of the Pausside. By Capt. W. J. E. BOYES os cccsyancosesuvoentereversseccccnasseccctentsuceesssousepesens ts seeeal cesses 88 XV. Notice of an American Bittern, Bataurus lentiginosus, Mont. (sp.), obtained in Ireland. By Witt1am Tuompson, Pres. Nat. Hist. and Phil. Soe. Delfast.....ii..0:.cdenaisnseonjviegss4oievasacesda>canpnanelalan os Ol XVI. Researches on the Primary Modifications of Organic Matter, and on the Formation of Cells. By M. Coste .......ccceccecceseeeveeces 94 XVII. Notes on Phrynosoma Harlani, Wieg. Hg Dr. Parrick WRILY cin cccscexerscecececnccqccdscececencadeuduacdedh ascent hscucildia enn 99 XVIII. On the Relations of the genus Noggerathia to Living Plants. By. M. ADOLPHE BRONGNIART cscccssosccsecncssecscstcescncsescocssoosecens -- 100 XIX. Characters of some undescribed species of Chalcidites. By Franca W aunen,; Eeq., FoLiSer ick ccccdeededtaetnsies bi gakbce mcm Sitexk 108 XX. Botanical Notices from Spain. By Moritz WiLLKom™ ...... 115 New Books :—Recherches sur ]'Anatomie, la Physiologie et l’Embryo- génie des Bryozoaires, par M. Van Beneden, Professeur a |’Univer- aité Catholique de Louvain...cos.ccccccscccecccncscssoavecceesuoe ten se¥inn 00 Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh; Zoological So- CUBE sc csnes ss-nne sin tdnahne tankhe aphaxpatshmeshunnansahat he absiai al Gain 123—134 Corixa striata, Curtis; On the Habits of Dispotea—Cup and Saucer Limpets; On the Embryology of Act@on, by M. Vogt; Hassall’s ‘ British Freshwater Algze’; Meteorological Observations and Pate eek a ae as ee 135—144 NUMBER CXI. XXI. On the Osteology and Dentition of some North American Mastodons. By Joun C. WARREN, M.D. ...ccesssceeeeerereseees ccvecesee. 140 XXII. Notice of a Bottle-nosed Whale, Hyperoodon Buizkopf, Lacep., obtained in Belfast Bay in October 1845. By Wittiam Tuompson, President Nat. Hist. and Philosophical Society of Belfast. (With a Plate.) ...cscccecssseseneccesssseecseeeeeseeecacsseceesensneees esceceaen 150 XXIII. Notes on the Natural Habitat of the Common Potato; and on its Introduction into Europe. By Georcr Orp, Esq., Philadelphia: Communicated by Sir W. Jardine, Bart. .......... enon cbagdds konsh Nkoaginlies 154 CONTENTS. Vv " Page XXIV. Description of Caprolagus, a new genus of Leporine Mam- malia. By E. Buyru, Esq., Curator of the Asiatic Society’s Museum. 163 XXYV. A Synopsis of the British Rubi. By Cuarues C, Basineton, M. Ais FAL.S., FiG.S. 6.) ese ciiscredivssetesdescéveedivetsedd dee ecesceted eee 165 XXVI. Notes on some rare species of Animals found on the Coasts of Ireland. By Joun Scouter, M.D. ..........+. ceccreseccecees eddecevesens 176 XXVII. Characters of some undescribed species of Chalcidites. By Francis Watker, Esq., F.L.S. .........0cscecees vie ca Vk ions Lae Gack Salas 177 XXVIII. On the Development of Starch and Chlorophylle Gra- nules. By Cart NAGELI .........cccccceseees Kecuscaveessedeversbes dosvgese «-- 185 XXIX. Botanical Notices from Spain. By Moritz Wittkomm ,.. 187 Proceedings of the Royal Institution ; Zoological Society.......... 197—209 Mildness of the Season; De Hirundinum ad nos reditu; Agrimonia odorata, Aiton; Hassall’s ‘ British Freshwater Alge’; On the Disease of the Plantain, by George R. Bonyun, M.D.; Meteoro- logical Observations and Table ...01.......csccssscccsecsesceees 209—216 ‘NUMBER CXII. “XXX. Observations on the Tribe Spheriacee, and descriptions of certain new Genera. By Prof. Giusepre pE NoTARIS .........0008 seins SAG XXXI. Notes on the genus of Insects Sitona, with descriptions of two new species. By Joun Watron, Esq., F.L.S................ discesdes 227 XXXII. A Synopsis of the British Rubi. By Cuarres C, Basine- ne ei Mit, Gk Gy, 2 his cig Scsnkk ove othe snd ib can ves Gans Soeesvase 235 XXXIII. Abstract of a memoir on the Embryogeny, the Anatomy and Physivlogy of the Simple Ascidians, &. By M. Van Benepen, Professor in the Catholic University of Louvain, &c. .........sssesseeeeee 248 XXXIV. On the Development of Chara. By C. Mututrr. (With three Plates.) ........... eneseeussoncesss Neeiehscoshmisccasssauasune sinsctemahakes 254 XXXV. On the Occurrence of Tetraspores in Alge. By G. H. K. is consuls 45 vn duduve «daub aduhpebwiuecnehe cols ds cdbeccsoescateeses 262 XXXVI. Botanical Notices from Spain. By Moritz WitiKkomm... 263 Proceedings of the Linnean Society ; Botanical Society of Edinburgh ; Entomological Society ; Zoological Society .......... Brsyss.. 270—293 On a new genus of Dogs, by J. E. Gray, Esq. ; Trophonia Goodsirii ; On the possibility of obtaining healthy Tubers from diseased Po- tatoes, by M. Durand ; Description of a new species of Conovulus, by C. A. Récluz; The late Mr. Loudon ; Meteorological Observa- SE RIG TADS © oie ccccsepeareaeceiserrsaecnss fds Ue vadenscaeseits 293—296 Vi CONTENTS. Page NUMBER CXIII. XXXVII. Description of a new genus of Pulmonary Gasteropods. By Geo, J. Autman, M.B., F.R.C.S.1. &c. (With a Plate.)............ 297 XXXVIII. Notes on the Altitudinal Range of the Mosses in Aber- deenshire. By G. Dicxiz, M.D., Lecturer on Botany in the Univer- sity and King’s College of Aberdeen............0 kip ewie un podesaddores suns 299 XXXIX. Notes, &c. on the genera of Insects Cneorhinus and Stro- phosomus, with descriptions of two new Species. By Jonn Watton, Ps BEAD... cucssvisineere cate eedseecsacnsces ssucunebsenseneesssesun tein Mumma 304 XL. Notes on Birds. By T. C. Eyton, Esq., F.L.S. (With a Plate.) 310 XLI. A Synopsis of the British Rubi. By Cuarues C. Basineton, M.A., Fi 3. FIGS: Re. ence wastkespestuneleupenbicgen seosaneceae ivesieneas 314 XLII. On the Development of Chara. By C. Mitter. (With Chree Plato.) \ 5's.) cescncscsccsvcessersasssdinsevaseseuvanechiakevenee a: nnn eee 323 XLIII. Descriptions of some apparently new species of Homopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. By Apam Wuirs, M.E.S., Assistant in the Zoological Department of the British Museum. 330 XLIV. Mode of the Formation of the Spore in a species of Vesicu- iifera. By G. H. K. Tawarres, Esq. .........ccccccessscsonccsssesesstertes 333 XLV. Ona species of Semnopithecus from the Peninsula of Malacca. By Tueopor Cantor, M.D., Civil Surgeon, Prince of Wales Island ... 335 XLVI. Botanical Notices from Spain. By Moritz Winikom™ ... 340 New Books :—A History of the Fossil Insects of the Secondary Rocks of England, by the Rev. P. B. Brodie, M.A., F.G.S.—Flora Cal- pensis : Contributions to the Botany and Topography of Gibraltar and its neighbourhood, by E. F. Kelaart, M.D. ..........0+00. 347—349 Proceedings of the Linnean Society ; Zoological Society; Botanical Society of Edinburgh ; Microscopical Society ..........064+- 350—374 Chair of Anatomy at Edinburgh; The Potato Fungus ; Meteorological Observations and Table ......crcecocccescecscsssscesseesseseees « 374—376 NUMBER CXIV. XLVII. On the Development of the Ova of the Nudibranchiate Mollusca. By Joun Rep, M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Phy- sicians of Edinburgh, and Professor of Anatomy and Medicine in the University of St. Andrews. (With a Plate.) ....cs.seccseeceeeeeeesersens . 377 XLVIII. On the Development of Chara. By C. Mutter. (With three Plates.) .icii..ccsccnsecssechccctsnsccsocsosapatacsecnacssessunnsvanassuauens 390 XLIX. Observations on the Natural History of the Malayan Pen- insula. By Capt. P. J. Beasiz, Madras Artillery. Communicated by H. Ey Strickland, Esq. .........ccsccesscscescssecvesecscesesseccccsoveccsccsess 395 L. Description of some new Genera and Species of British Entomo- straca. By W. Bainp, M.D. &c.° (With a Plate.) © .....ecseseee ostesase SU CONTENTS. vil Page LI. Biological Contributions. By Geo. J. Auman, M.B., F.R.C.S.L., M.R.I.A., Professor of Botany in Trinity College, Dublin, late Demon- strator of Anatomy and Conservator of the Anatomical Museum T.C.D. (With a Plate.) ...... tuoi ve cs hassdoy Sader Ms Cras nddatbecbadectastnntessiveceses 417 LII. Notes on the Botany of Scinde. By J. E. Srocxs, M.D., As- sistant-Surgeon Bombay Fusileers. Extract from a Letter to ARTHUR I MS ko dan dik Uv sin dj's Shas abaserecans ossdaheveasaeeteucess 419 LIII. Botanical Notices from Spain. By Moritz WitiKomy» ...... 420 New Books :—Phycologia Britannica: or a History of British Sea- weeds, containing coloured Figures, Generic and Specific Charac- ters, Synonymes, and Descriptions of all the Species of Algz inha- biting the Shores of the British Islands, by William Henry Harvey, M.D, M.R.IA. ...... RMI PeUa Teddi ex VaUK Candueicavecdssscneyccuuae 429 Proceedings of the Zoological Society; Royal Society ..........+. 431—449 Notice of a Black Lizard taken in Cheshire, by W. Wells, Esq.; New species of Fossil Bats, by M. H. de Meyer; Does Magnetism in- fluence the Circulation in Chara? by M. Dutrochet ; New species of Fossil Frogs; Description of Fossil Foot-Prints, by Alfred T. King, M.D. ; Description of a new species of Parus from the Up- per Missouri, by Edward Harris; Red Colour of the Blood in Pla- norbis imbricatus, by M. de Quatrefages; Indian species of Papilio; Meteorological Observations and Table ...........seesesseesees 449—456 NUMBER CXV. SUPPLEMENT. 3 LIV. Botanical Excursion in Lower Styria in 1842. By BR. I Ee oo oe aie bak rns tonc opedcdds seivvad (nivale cpacedieeass 457 LV. On the real nature of the Minute Bodies in Flints, supposed to be Sponge Spicule. By Wiurtam C. WiLuIAMSON — ............005 eves 467 LVI. Journey through Java, descriptive of its Topography and pemeees taletory. By Dr. Fr, JunGHUMN —.....0...00cccecicceccessocscesss 469 Proceedings of the Zoological Society; Entomological Society ... 476—498 Apparatus of Hearing in Mollusks, by Dr. Frey ............ceecscesceseecs 498 Comparative Anatomy of the Vocal Organs of Birds, by M. Miiller ... 499 Index eeeseces POMOHHSHOHEHSHHT HSER EHEHH HSH HL ES EEEOEHO A SEEEEEEEE SEES eeeecosevsces eee 500 PLATES IN VOL. XVII. Puate I. Fecundation in Plants. II. Delphinus Tursio. III. Anatomy of Aramus scolopaceus. IV. Hyperoodon Butzkopf. The teeth in fig. 1 have been incorrectly drawn ; they should have been represented sharp-pointed. Vv. vi } Development of Chara. VII. VIII. Anatomy of Trogon melanocephalus. IX. Geomalacus maculosus.—British Entomostraca, X. Development of the Ova of the Nudibranchiate Mollusea. XI. Corynactis viridis. THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. SS cesecreeseenesees per litora spargite muscum, Naiades, et cireQm vitreos considite fontes : Pollice virgineo teneros hic carpite fiores : Fioribus et pictum, dive, replete canistrum, At vos, o Nymphez Craterides, ite sub undas ; Ite, recurvato variata corallia trunco Vellite muscosis e rupibus, et mihi conchas Ferte, Dez pelagi, et pingui conchylia succo.” Parthenii Ecl.1. No. 109. JANUARY 1846. I.—Note on a new Genus of Nudibranchiate Mollusca. By Gxo. J. Atuman, M.B. &c., Professor of Botany in the University of Dublin. IN the autumn of 1842 I obtained in a salt-marsh about three miles to the west of Skibbereen, county Cork, a small Eolidiform Nudibranch, which on examination appeared to possess cha-. racters entitling it to the construction of a new genus for its re- ception. It existed in great numbers in the salt-marsh, which was never, except at the very highest spring tides, flooded by the sea. The day was bright and warm when I met with this curious little ani- mal. Many had crept quite out of the water and were crawling over the moist fronds of Enteromorpha intestinalis, and seemed to delight in exposing their slimy bodies to the influence of the warm autumnal sun. Others swarmed on the mud in the little shallow pools of the marsh, where their ova were abundantly de- posited in the usual gelatinous masses characteristic of the eggs of the Nudibranchiate Gasteropods, a fact which is of itself suffi- cient to prove that this strange semi-marine and even semi-aqueous habitat was quite natural to our little Nudibranch. Their bodies were enveloped in an exceedingly abundant mucous secretion, which was poured out more copiously than I recollect to have witnessed in almost any other Gasteropod, and which is perhaps Ay Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. 2 Prof. G. J. Allman on a new genus of Mollusca. in some way connected with their singular, almost amphibious habits. I collected several specimens which I placed in spirits, but I unfortunately neglected to examine with any accuracy the ani-. mal in its recent condition, and it was not till several months afterwards, when I was making a complete survey of my col- lection, that the salt-marsh Nudibranch received the attention to which it was entitled. On sending specimens to Messrs. Alder and Hancock, as the first authorities on the subject, their exami- nation coincided with my own in proving our little mollusk to be a creature of great interest. The specimens having been preserved in spirits (a circumstance which in the case of the invertebrate animals demands from the naturalist the greatest caution in his attempts to establish zoo- logical characters), our examinations were by no means so satis- factory as we could have wished ; not however being restricted in our investigation to a single specimen, we were enabled in some degree to counteract the difficulties which the state of the speci- mens threw in the way of our inquiries, and succeeded in esta- blishing characters by which the Nudibranch of the salt-marsh appeared to be generically distinguished from all hitherto de- scribed. Perhaps the most anomalous character is the absence of ten- tacula. Indeed so strange is this fact, that for a long time I thought it was only apparent, and the result of a badly-pre- served state of the specimens. A most careful examination how- ever of several individuals having failed to detect any trace of these organs, I have no hesitation in concluding that their absence is real, and this will therefore constitute an important generic character. Another highly interesting character is the dorsal and median termination of the rectum, which opens near the posterior extre- mity of the body on the mesial line of the back by a small tu- bular orifice, a most unusual though not unprecedented condi- tion in the Kolidide. Our mollusk has been dissected by Messrs. Hancock and Em- bleton, but neither these gentlemen nor myself could detect any trace of corneous jaws. They have succeeded however in demon- strating a linear, jointed tongue covered with spines, or what they are rather inclined to consider as flat plates. A system of gastric ramifications seems also to exist, but from the state of our speci- mens we could make out nothing satisfactory as to its distribu- tion. From the facts now mentioned I had little difficulty in con- vincing myself that the mollusk at present under consideration possessed characters which excluded it from all hitherto esta- Aye lla See Prof. G. J. Allman on a new genus of Mollusca. 3 blished genera, and I accordingly noticed it at the York Meeting of the British Association in Sept. 1844, under the name of A/- deria amphibia, an appellation under which it has been also re- corded by Mr. Thompson in his Report on the Invertebrate Fauna of Ireland, and by Messrs. Alder and Hancock in their Report on the British Nudibranchiate Mollusca. Shortly after my noticing the little animal in question as a new genus of Mollusca, I received a letter from Mr. Alder, ac- companying an extract from a paper by Dr. Lovén of Stockholm, which had just appeared in a foreign periodical, and which con- tains an account of a Nudibranchiate mollusk referred by Lovén to the genus Sétliger, Ehrenberg, and described by the Swedish naturalist under the name of S. modestus. On comparing Lovén’s description of S. modestus with the sub- ject of the present communication, it was evident that Lovén’s animal and the Nudibranch of the Irish salt-marsh were the same. A reference however to the characters of Ehrenberg’s genus Séiliger, rendered it by no means so apparent that Lovén was correct in the generic location of his mollusk. Under this difficulty Mr. Alder received a letter from Dr. Lovén, in which is the following passage respecting S. modestus :— “A very rare animal. It is now ten years since I found m two specimens, one of which was lost by accident. Fortunately I described and figured it alive, for I never met with any more. Stiliger, Ehren., has only one species, and as it requires but little to widen its characters enough to let in my new species, I thought it advisable to do so, and still think I was right in so'doing. At least I have not a superfluous genus on my conscience. Nothing is more easy than to make new genera, but the question is to find out the true generic characters, which, particularly in the Nudibranchia, is rather difficult.” On the above passage, Mr. Alder in a letter to me remarks: “So far Dr. Lovén; and after his opinion, you will perhaps scarcely venture to institute your new genus, though Mr. Han- cock and I, after mature consideration, think you would be right in domg so.” With the English naturalists 1 agree, and my ori- ginal opinion with respect to the necessity of a new genus for the reception of the salt-marsh Nudibranch remains unaltered. The characters indeed of this mollusk can scarcely be confounded with those of Stiliger, and in order that this matter may be made more apparent, I here subjoin Ehrenberg’s characters of the last-men- tioned genus from the ‘Symbol Physice.’ “ STILIGER, nov. gen. “Gen. Char. Habitus Eolidie. Corpus oblongum, pallio dis- ereto nullo. Latera corporis branchiarum stiliformium seriebus B2 4 Prof. G. J. Allman on a new genus of Mollusca. longitudinalibus instructa. Tentacula duo tantum ante duos ocellos in vertice sita. Anus (et apertura sexualis ?) im medio dorso.” Ehrenberg’s genus includes but a single species, namely S. ornatus. It will here be seen that Stiliger is at once distinguished from the new genus by the presence of tentacula. In Lovén’s descrip- tion of S. modestus he gives as a character, “ tentacula lateralia, minuta tuberculiformia extrorsum vergentia.” The organs how- ever here called tentacula are certainly incorrectly so named ; they are merely lateral prolongations of the head. S. ornatus on the contrary has two long genuine tentacula situated on the ver- tex, “ tentacula duo longa ante oculos in vertice posita.” In Ehrenberg’s figure the anus is represented as occupying a position considerably anterior to that assumed by this orifice in Alderia.. In the latter it is placed near the posterior extremity of the body as in Doris, while in S. ornatus it is placed over that part of the animal usually occupied by the heart. This however, as Mr. Alder in a letter which I have from. him observes, would not perhaps of itself afford a character sufficient for generic sepa- ration. Altogether Ehrenberg’s figure is that of a very different- looking animal from Lovén’s Stiliger modestus, so that upon ma- ture deliberation, and with the full concurrence of Messrs. Alder and Hancock, I have determined upon the retention of the ge- nus which I originally established for the reception of the Nudi- branch of the Irish salt-marsh. It must always be borne in mind that the account now given. is the result of an examination of spirit specimens, and therefore necessarily imperfect ; the characters assumed as generic, how- ever, I believe to be indubitably established, and we must only look forward to the detection of recent specimens throwing ad- ditional light upon the structure of this most interesting little animal. The genus which it is necessary to construct for the reception of the new Nudibranch, I have great pleasure in dedicating to Joshua Alder, Esq., whose researches among this curious tribe of Mollusca constitute one of the many striking features by which modern zoological research is characterized ; and from whose la- bours, in conjunction with those of Mr, Hancock, natural science is now receiving so valuable a contribution in the beautiful work of these gentlemen on the British Nudibranchiate Mollusca. The following are the characters of the genus :— Noy. gen. ALDERIA. Gen. Char. Corpus oblongum. Capitis latera utrinque in lo- bum producta; ore maxillarum experti linguam armatam in- Dr. G. Dickie on the Physiology of Fecundation in Plants. 5 _ cludenti. Tentacula nulla. Branchie styliformes dorsi late- ribus utrinque affixee. Anus subposticus in medio dorso. Aper- tura sexualis pone caput in latere dextro. Species unica 4. modesta*, Lovén. Hab. in limo, locis maritimis parum profundis. I1.— Contributions to the Physiology of Fecundation in Plants. _ By G. Dicxiz, M.D., Lecturer on Botany in the University and King’s College of Aberdeen +. [ With a Plate.] ALTHOUGH many interesting observations respecting fecundation in plants were contributed by the older botanists, it is chiefly to observers of the present century that we owe the facts now known respecting the structure of the ovule, its development. previous to, and further progress after impregnation. The contributions of Brown, Amici, Brongniart, Mirbel and others to this depart- ment are invaluable, and when Schleiden in 1837 announced the “rand doctrine” as it has been called, that the extremity of the pollen-tube reaches the embryo-sac, indents it, carries it before it, and is itself then actually converted into the embryo, physio- logists who formerly had written on this subject were stimulated to repeat their inquiries, new observers also entered the field, and the rash generalization of the observer alluded to has actually been the means of furnishing important additions to our know- ledge of this most interesting branch of vegetable physiology. It can scarcely be doubted that much still remains to be known re- specting this subject, and judging from the history of its progress, an accurate and complete acquaintance with it can only be arrived at by degrees and by the efforts of different observers. The quaint remarks of Nehemiah Grew, in his ‘ Anatomy of Plants,’ appear to be so applicable to this matter, that no apology need be made for quoting them; he says, “That nothing hereof re- maineth further to be known is a thought not well calculated. For if we consider how long and gradual a journey the know- ledge of nature is, and how short a time we have to proceed therein; as on the one hand we shall conclude it our ease and profit to see how far others have gone before us, so shall we be- ware on the other, that we conceive not unduly of nature, whilst * Though Lovén’s specific name, modestus, was evidently given to con- strast with ornatus, the name of Ehrenberg’s species, I have nevertheless ab- tained from changing it, though the congeneric relationship with Stiliger has been broken, and the name been consequently deprived of its original significance. + Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, Nov. 13, 1845. 6 Dr.G. Dickie on the Physiology of Fecundation in Plants. we have a just value for those who were but her disciples and m- structed by her. Their time and abilities both bemg short to her ; which, as she was first designed by Divme Wisdom, so may her vast dimensions best be adjudged of in being compared therewith. It will therefore be our prudence not to insist upon the imvidious question, which of her scholars have taken the fairest measure of her; but to be well satisfied, that as yet she hath not been circumscribed by any. Nor doth it more behove us to consider how much of the nature of vegetation may he be- fore us yet unknown, than to believe a great part thereof to be knowable. Not concluding from the acknowledged, much less supposed unsuccessfulness of any man’s undertakings, but from what may be accounted possible as to the nature of things them- selves.” On the Ovule of Narthecium ossifragum. It is unnecessary to give any minute aecount of the ovarram in this plant ; suffice it to say, that about the time of mpregna- tion, in general form it resembles a Florence flask, the stigma is perforated, a canal traverses the style and appears to communi- cate with each cell of the ovary. Some authors seem to have misunderstood the structure and mode of attachment of the ovules: thus Endlicher, in his ‘ Genera Plantarum, says, “ Ovula e funiculis longis erecta ;” and again, ‘“ Semima plurima, longe fihformia, funiculo crassiusculo elongato.” In Sir W. J. Hooker’s ‘British Flora, the seeds are described as having “a very long arillus forming an appendage to each extremity.” The ovules have clearly no attaching cord ; the outer membrane, of a lax cel- lular texture, is very greatly produced beyond the seeundine and nucleus ; the pomt of attachment to the placenta is by the edge of the exostome, from which, in consequence of the excessive de- velopment of the primine, there is a canal of some length leading to the foramen of the secundine and to the nucleus. In only one mstance have I seen a distinct funiculus as is represented at fig. 4, Plate I., the usual mode of attachment bemg that which has now been described and is illustrated by fig. 1. This highly- developed primine has been mistaken for an arillus, from which however it is very different—at least if we follow the usual ac- ceptation of the term. While engaged in examiming the ovules of Narthecium shortly after the bursting of the anthers, I found numerous transparent slender tubes on the surface of the placenta, and on careful ex- amination was able to trace them to the mouths of ovules. I concluded at first that they were pollen-tubes, and proceeded to examine their connexion with the ovules. On dissecting off the primine, which is not a very difficult operation owing to its loose Dr. G. Dickie on the Physiology of Fecundation in-Plants. 7 adhesion to the other coats, I found the tubes to enter the mouth of the secundine, but after repeated observations was unable to detect any such connexion as that described by Meyen to occur between the end of the pollen-tube and the embryo-sac in some species of Mesembryanthemum, &c.; instead of which, the tube and the apex of the nucleus (as at present I suppose it to be) seemed perfectly continuous, the one being apparently a gradual prolongation of the other. This therefore induced me to ex- amine the tubes in their whole course, and there were seen what I supposed to be the same tubes, terminating upwards in blind extremities. In one capsule the pollen grains which had fallen on the stigma were very few, while the ovules (in the same cap- sule) were most of them supplied with the organs described ; | concluded, therefore, that they were not at all connected with the pollen. The position of the exostome in reference to the apex of the placenta (it is directed to the base of that organ, and conse- quently away from the descending pollen-tubes) appeared also to present an insurmountable objection, unless we suppose the pollen-tubes to be possessed of a remarkable instinct, which I presume physiologists would hesitate to ascribe to them. They must, in order to reach the nucleus after descending, find their way to the exostome and then ascend, passing along the canal leading to the endostome. The smallness of the aperture in the outer membrane and its irregular margin would render it difficult for a pollen-tube to hit upon it exactly, keeping out of view altogether its direction. On the outside of the tubes described, were numerous spherical molecules, some of which were in active motion, and occasionally a few similar particles were seen in their interior. I afterwards found that these mo- lecules were abundant in the tissue of the placenta. The opi- nion first entertained about these organs (ovule-tubes), viz. that they had their origin from the pollen, was for these reasons abandoned. Supposing them to be prolongations of some part of the ovule itself, an objection having reference to the position of the exostome, and the passage of the tubes upward towards the apex of the placenta, might with great justice be urged; I found, however, that they in common have a great tendency to become tortuous and bent upon themselves : such a tube there- fore, on issuing from the exostome, and on being bent from its original direction, would come in contact with the placenta, and might have its further course regulated by contact with that or- gan. Without however laying much stress upon this, or ven- turing to speculate more in the matter, it may be remarked that the mode of growth of the tube would assist materially in regu- lating its course, especially if its increase in length took place at 8 Dr. G. Dickie on the Physiology of Fecundation in Plants. the extremity and not through its whole extent. The objections to the tubes being prolongations from the ovule will lose their force, when we call to mind the remarkable facts ascertamed by the late Mr. Griffith respecting the ovule of Santalum. In this plant the nucleus is naked, primine and secundine being absent ; at a certain stage “‘a tubular membrane protrudes from the centre of the apex of the nucleus, in which no opening can be detected previously. This tubular membrane passes down at first in the direction of the axis of the ovulum, but becomes immediately re- curved, and passes up one side of the ovulum and in close appo- sition to the placenta ;” again, “the tubes remain in apposition to the placenta, and continue to be simple, membranous, elon- gated, closed tubes.” (Linn. Trans. vol. xviii. p. 60, &c.) This membranous tube Mr. Griffith believed to be the sae of the am- nios, “ which in ordinary structures lines the cavity formed in the nucleus at some period previous to fecundation, and which, at least in its earlier stages of development, is the only coat that is membranous.” M. Ad. Brongniart many years ago announced the discovery in the interior of the nucleus of a special membra- nous tube often prolonged beyond the ovule, and which esta- blishes a communication between the conducting tissue of the placenta and the point where the embryo is formed. This was observed in some Cucurbitacee, in several species of Polygonum, and other plants. The same structure had however been pre- viously discovered by M. de St. Hilaire. These ovule-tubes are probably of more frequent occurrence than has been supposed : I have seen them in great abundance on the placenta of Bartsia Odontites and Euphrasia officinalis: I was unable to trace their origin from the pollen, but had no difficulty in seeing their con- nexion with the ovules, and their adhesion to or rather continuity with the apex of the nucleus. It was at first suspected that they were pollen-tubes ; this idea was soon abandoned when they were found to terminate in blind extremities toward the upper part of the placenta. In young ovules they were seen protruding from the exostome in the form of minute transparent papille ; in others further advanced their increase in length was very evident. Similar tubes were found in connexion with the ovules in Par- nassia palustris. I believe them to be prolongations of the apex of the nucleus in Narthecium, Bartsia and Euphrasia. In the 16th volume of the ‘Transactions of the Linnean So- ciety,’ Mr. Brown, in his essay on the Mode of Fecundation in the Orchidee, has stated the existence of “ mucous cords” or tubes on the placenta of several plants belonging to that family. In the first part of this essay Mr. Brown supposed that these tubes were actually derived from the pollen, but-he had not been a Dr. G. Dickie on the Physiology of Fecundation in Plants. 9 able satisfactorily to trace them to the ovules. In an appendix, however, this opinion is essentially changed, and the direct origin _ of these tubes from pollen grains is doubted ; it is also stated that in Orchis Morio, Habenaria viridis and Ophrys apifera they were traced into the apertures of the ovule. M.Schleiden spoke with greater confidence, and described the pollen-tube in the Orchidee as entering the foramen of the ovule, its extremity becoming converted into the embryo; Meyen expressed himself to the same effect, and Link has represented this occurrenee in Gymna- denia conopsea. That “mucous tubes” are found in connexion with the ovules cannot be called in question ; that these are pollen-tubes appears - to be not yet satisfactorily proved. Such tubes are abundant in Habenaria viridis, and from an ex- amination of this plant I have reason to believe, but shall not at present positively assert, that the tubes are derived from the ovules themselves and not from the pollen. The ovule in the Orchidee is of exceedingly simple structure ; a nucleus, at first partially, afterwards entirely covered by a single membrane, the two becoming ultimately so fused together that the testa appears composed of one layer only. Mr. Brown, in the essay already quoted, states that soon after this change a minute opake body makes its appearance about the middle of the cavity of the testa ; he also traced a jointed thread from its apex nearly to the open end of the testa. This thread, with its dilated extremity, Meyen and Schleiden have mistaken for a pollen-tube. Mr. Brown very accurately describes this thread as consisting of a simple series of short cells, “ the lowest cell being probably the original state of what afterwards becomes the embryo.” I be- heve that a prolongation of the uppermost cell of this thread, beyond the opening of the testa, accounts for the presence of the mucous tubes so abundant upon the placenta. The appearances described can be readily seen in Habenaria viridis, and the simple cellular structure of the embryo, even when nearly mature, is evi- dent in Goodyera repens. The jomted thread in Habenaria viri- dis is at first straight, and the cells composing it have a firm ad- hesion to each other ; when the lowest cell (the embryo) has at- tained considerable size and is nearly mature, the cord which issues from the mouth of the ovule breaks off at some joint near — this opening ; the rupture is preceded by an evident change in the mutual position and connexion of the cells, the whole cord ‘becomes tortuous, the points of adhesion of the cells diminish in extent, and the joints easily separate from each other. Even in seeds to all appearance fully ripe I have seen the thread broken off at the mouth of the testa, while the remaining cells were still 10 Dr. G. Dickie on the Physiology of Fecundation in Plants. attached to the embryo. The ripe seed of this plant, as well as other Orchidea, is quite destitute of vessels * ; in Narthecium ves- sels do not appear until some time after fecundation. It is exceedingly probable that the emission of such shining tions, ovule-tubes as they may be called, to meet the descending pollen-tubes, may be of frequent occurrence. It is possible that some of those cases in which pollen-tubes are described as having been seen entering the foramen of the ovule, may have been in- stances of such prolongations as exist in Narthecium. Supposing it to be a settled pomt that contact of pollen-tubes with some part or other of the ovules is necessary to secure the full development of the embryo,—and some authors are of this opinion,—there seem many physical difficulties in the way of the pollen-tubes reaching their destination; these have reference to the length of the style, the nature of the tissue of which it con- sists, the form of the ovule, the position or direction of the ex ostome, the number of the ovules and other circumstances. Sure it is, that difficulties cannot stand before demonstration. True pollen-tubes have no doubt been in many instances traced into the tissue of the stigma and style, and in some cases to the pla- centa, and it may be, even to the ovule itself, but imstances of this last are far from numerous. In order to secure the effect of the pollen upon the ovule, or at all events to diminish the chance of this action failing, it may not be unreasonable to expect that some such arrangement would be provided as that, the existence of which in Narthecium I have been attempting to prove. Observers so frequently meet evident instances of design in the structure of organs,—it may even be said of less importance than those un- der discussion,—that it is extremely probable the present may be a case in point. It has been already remarked, that the number of the ovules presents a difficulty m the way of the contact of a pollen-tube with each ; and where they are very numerous and arranged in regular series from the base to the apex of the placenta, it is very evident that those occupying the latter position stand a better chance of being fecundated than those toward the lower part. The emission of tubes from the ovules to meet the descending pollen-tubes would evidently diminish the chance of failure. In such cases it would be interesting to ascertain whether all are usually impregnated or what proportion of them only, and whe- ther those taken from the upper part of a capsule contain a greater proportion of fecundated individuals than those from the lower part of the same. * Callitriche verna presents an instance of non-vascularity in filaments and anthers. Dr. G. Dickie on the Physiology of Fecundation in Plants. 11 The position of the exostome in reference to the direction from which the pollen-tubes come, presents also a difficulty : Narthe- cium is a remarkable instance, and many others must be fami- liar to those who have been accustomed to dissect ovaries and ovules. In certain cases, some ovules, owing to the direction of the ex- ostome, are more favourably placed for fecundation than others in the same capsule ; for example, in certain species of Spirea, Aisculus and others. There are instances in which only one ovule reaches maturity, the other or others in the same capsule being abortive : a question arises whether this has any connexion with the development or non-development of certain parts of the ovule, or to the obstacles presented to the action of the pollen ; some re- marks on this will be found in the essay of the late Mr. Griffith, in reference to Santalum and Osyris, whose embryology he has so admirably illustrated. The question respecting the particular part of the ovule which sends off a prolongation to meet the de- scending pollen-tubes may be left for future consideration ; suffice it for the present to say that ovule-tubes do exist in several fami- lies ; their presence has been shown in plants belonging to the Cucurlitacee, Chenopodiaceae, Polygonacee and Santalacee, and to these may be added Juncacee, Scrophularinee and Parnassice, probably also in Orchidee. The mode of contact between ovule- tubes and pollen-tubes, and the subsequent changes, will also pre- sent an interesting field for investigation. The subject is one of considerable importance, and it is remarkable that m most phy- siological works, even the more recent, no allusion whatever is made to it, although Brongniart’s observations were published many years ago. ‘There is great reason to suspect that when transparent tubes have been seen attached to ovules, they have, without further examination, been set down as originating from the pollen. EXPLANATION OF PLATE I. Fig. 1. Fragment of placenta and two ovules of Narthecium some time pre- vious to fecundation. Fig. 2. Ovule from the same plant about the time of fecundation, showing primine, secundine and nucleus with its tube. Fig. 3. Secundine and nucleus extracted from the primine. This figure must be considered more as a plan made out from several obser- vations than an actual representation of the appearance seen in any one ovule. Fig. 4. A solitary instance in which a distinct funiculus existed. Fig. 5. Young embryo and its jointed thread from Habenaria viridis. figs. 6 and 7, The same at more advanced periods. 12 Mr. J. Walton on the genera ad IlI.—Notes, &c. on the genera of Insects Phyllobius, Polydrosus and Metallites. By Joun Watton, Esq., F.L.S. THE insects of these genera are pre-eminently distinguished by having the body adorned with shining or brilliant scales of va- rious shades of green, whilst others have a splendent metallic lustre of various hues ; nearly all the species are subject to con- siderable variation in the colouring of the scales and legs. I sent specimens of each of the following to M. Schénherr and Dr. Germar, and I have their authority for the names and syno- nyms referred to them. Fam. CURCULIONIDZ. Genus Puytiosivus, Schinh., Germar ; Nemoicus, Steph. § A. Femora dentate. 1. Phyllobius calcaratus, Fab., Schonh., Steph. Man. p. 249. — cesius, Marsh. — Pyri et cesius, Steph. Illust. iv. p. 147. — @ruginosus et cesius, Kirb. MSS. * This insect, from its very great similitude to the following, has frequently been confounded with it, and erroneously referred by many entomologists to Cure. Pyri of Linnzus ; but the accurate and experienced eye of Gyllenhal detected the characters by which it may be discriminated: it differs from P. A/meti in having the scales setaceous-lanceolate ; the antennz and its articulations longer and more slender, the scape reaching beyond the base of the head ; the third and fourth joints of the funiculus distinctly longer ; the thorax less impressed and constricted anteriorly ; the scutellum of the form of an isosceles triangle, having the apex deeply truncated and rounded; the legs and antennx rufous, rufo-ferruginous or rufo-castaneous, very rarely nigro-piceous. Mr. Stephens has in his cabinet a splendid series of varieties, some of which are clothed with golden or coppery-coloured scales ; these he refers to Cure. Pyri of Linnzeus, and others with green scales to cesius of Marsham ; I presume he now considers them as the P. calcaratus of his ‘ Manual’ and of Schonherr. Found in the south in boggy woods, and on the banks of rivers on the alder (Alnus glutinosus) the beginning of June; and in Yorkshire on the common birch (Betula alba) in similar situations : it is rather local and not frequently met with. * It must be understood that the names of insects cited from Kirby’s MSS. are verified according to his museum, although not stated; and those with a note of interrogation he refers with doubt to Marsham. Phyllobius, Polydrosus and Metallites. 13 2. Phyllobius Alneti, Fab., Steph. — Pyri, Gyll., Schonh. — cnides, Marsh., Kirb. MSS. — angustatus, Kirb. MSS. Very closely allied to the preceding, from which it may be di- stinguished in having the scales subelliptical, the antenne and its jomts shorter and stouter, the scape scarcely reaching to the base of the head, the third and fourth joints of the funiculus di- stinctly shorter and stouter, the thorax broadly and deeply con- stricted in front ; the scutellum triangular, with the apex acumi- nated ; the legs generally black, sometimes dull rufo-ferruginous or piceous. The greater part have the scales green or bluish- green, very rarely of a brassy-copper; occasionally specimens are found of a dull ash-gray, but I have never seen one of a fiery coppery-gold. - Found abundantly upon the common stinging-nettle (Urtica dieeca), and on Umbellifere at the sides of hedges in June. 8. P. Pyri, Linn. (Mus. Linn.), Marsh. — vespertinus, Fab., Herbst, Schonh., Kirb. MSS. — Mali, Fab., Herbst, Marsh., Gyll., Steph., Kirb. MSS. — amaurus, Marsh., Kirb. MSS. This insect, which has some resemblance to the two preceding, may at once be discriminated by having the basal joints of the funiculus of the antenne shorter and of equal length ; it is va- riable in its habits : when found on trees the scales are commonly of a bright red copper-colour, with the legs and antennz rufous or testaceous ; and when found amongst grass the scales are of a silvery-gray, with the femora black at the apex, and the tibie ~ and antenne piceous or dull testaceous. Considerable doubt and confusion have hitherto existed rela- tive to the identity of Curc. Pyri of Linneus, but the Linnzan cabinet and his description prove decisively that that name must inevitably be applied to this insect, and not to the preceding, with which the description does not agree. In the Linnzan museum there are two insects pinned to the name “ Pyri,” clothed with golden coppery scales of a fiery-red, and the legs and antenne rufescent ; the first on the left is Cure. micans of Fab., having the femora simple ; the second on the right is Cure. Mali of Fab., with the femora distinctly dentate. Linnzeus has thus clearly mixed two species, but from the peculiar colour of their scales ~ aureo-igneus ”), and the colour of their legs and antennz (“rufescentes”’), it is evident he had these two insects in his eye when he described his Cure. Pyri, and the term “ femoribus den- tatis” of his description decides unequivocally to which insect the name should be applied; the first, being larger and more shining, he supposed was the female. Donovan and Marsham 14 Mr. J. Walton on the genera have also mixed the two species; the former has figured Cure. micans and described the “thighs dentated |!”,—the latter refers to Donovan and has copied the description of Linnzus. Stephens, in his ‘ Syst. Catal.,’ refers Curc. Pyri of Donovan and Marsham to Curc. micans ; but Kirby in his manuscript, although he also refers it to the same species, has placed a note of doubt—* an Marshami?” Curc. amaurus of Marsham, according to a speci- men in the Kirbian collection, and which agrees with Marsham’s description, is certainly a variety of this imsect with silvery-gray scales, and the apical half of the femora black. Abundant on oaks and other trees in or near woods, and some- times amongst grass in June. 4. Phyllobwus argentatus of authors. Curc. argentatus, Linn., Mus. Linn. P. flavidus et femoralis, Kirb. MSS. This insect, although very liable to be confounded with the following, is readily distinguished from it, by having the eyes less prominent, the rostrum shorter, the antenne entirely rufous or testaceous, with the basal joints of the funiculus unequal, the second joint being distinctly more slender and longer than the first ; the legs rufous or testaceous, the femora sometimes piceous or black: the form of the thorax varies considerably in this and the succeeding species from subcylindrical to subglobose, with intervening forms, and the femora of some individuals are more robust—hence the name femoralis of Kirby ; these however are only regarded as sexual disparities, and are all referred to this in- constant species. Abundant throughout the country from May to August. 5. P. maculicornis, Germ., Gyll., Steph., Schonh. — nigripes et angustior, Kirb. MSS. This differs from P. argentatus in having the head depressed in front, the eyes distinctly more prominent ; the rostrum longer and dilated at the apex, elevated and deeply furrowed above ; the antenne testaceous, with the apex of the scape piceous and the clava fuscous, the basal joints of the funiculus of equal length ; the legs black ; the tibiz and tarsi sometimes obscure testaceous. Rather rare in the south of England ; I have found it im mea- dows at Mickleham and at Birch Wood in June, and abundantly in Yorkshire amongst grass on the magnesian limestone. 6. P. oblongus of authors. Curc. oblongus, Linn., Mus. Linn. — rufescens, Marsh., Kirb. MSS. — testaceus, Kirb. MSS. Nemoicus oblongus, Steph. Some examples of this insect have the head and thorax en- tirely black, and others rufo-ferruginous. St ewee Phyllobius, Polydrosus and Metallites. 15 I think there is too close a resemblance in general habit and affinity, as well as in the form of the head, and the analogous con- struction of the antennze, between this and the insects of the pre- sent genus, to admit of a generic separation ; it is therefore lo-. cated here, in accordance with the views of Schdnherr, followed by the continental entomologists. Rather common in woods and hedges from May to July. § B. Femora simple. 7. Phyllobius Pomona, Oliv., Germ., Steph. — uniformis et albidus, Steph. — obscurior, Kirb. MSS. M. Sch6nherr informed me that he considered this insect as not sufficiently distinct from the following, and quoted from a letter the opinion of Germar, that Pomone and. uniformis were the same species ; this I communicated to Germar, and he having pre- viously received from me many specimens of both, remarked— “Phyll. Pomone,Germ., without doubt ; I am of your opinion that it may be different from wnzformis :” the two species are extremely alike, but they are different in their habits, and I have never taken them in company; they mayalsobe separated by habit; I have therefore always regarded them as distinct species. The differences of form and sculpture are not very apparent, unless the extreme varieties of each species are contrasted ; the shape of the thorax is more uniform or less variable than in wniformis, and it is com- paratively longer and narrower in proportion to the breadth, less dilated at the sides, flatter above, and sometimes carinated in the middle; the elytra are also longer and narrower in proportion to the breadth, and somewhat different-in form: but it is imme- diately distinguished by always having the breast and abdomen more or less densely clothed with scales, whilst wniformis has the same parts sparingly covered with fine short hairs; both species are exceedingly variable in size and in the colour of the parts of the legs and antenne. Very abundant amongst grass in Hackney marshes and in Yorkshire the latter end of June; but never, according to my ex- perience, on trees. 8. P. uniformis, Marsh., Kirb. MSS., Schonh. — parvulus, Gyll., Steph. (non Fab. secund. Germ. et Schonh.). — minutus, Steph. — Pomone, Schénh. Supp. vii. p. 35. This insect generally has the thorax shorter in proportion to _ the length than the preceding, more dilated at the sides, and more convex above, with a tendency (like P. argentatus) to the 16 Mr. J. Walton on the genera subglobose form ; the elytra are likewise shorter in proportion to the breadth, the base elevated and slightly straightened behind the shoulders. I think that Mr. Stephens has not a typical spe- cimen of Curc. uniformis of Marsham, but the examples in Kirby’s MSS. and museum which he refers to Marsham agree with this species. Found very abundantly in hedges on the black-thorn and on Umbellifere from May to July. 9. Phyllobius viridicollis, Fab., Gyll., Steph., Schénh. The form of almost every organ of this insect is extremely similar to the preceding; but it differs im having the scales elliptic-lanceolate ; the head and thorax coarsely rugose-punctate, the latter glabrous above, and sprinkled with green scales at the sides ; the elytra nearly glabrous. I have received numerous specimens from Mr. R. N. Greville, found in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, and Dr. Greville in- forms me, that it is in some years so abundant that a dozen spe- cimens may be taken with one grasp of the hand on Alchemilla vulgaris ; in Sweden, according to Gyllenhal, it inhabits Artemisia campestris. Genus PoLypDRosvs, Germ., Schinh. § A. Femora simple. 1. Polydrosus undatus, Fab., Gyll., Germ., Steph., Schénh. — fulvicornis, Steph. Curc. selenius, Marsh., Kirb. MSS. — rufipes, Linn., Mus. Linn. Curc. fulvicornis, Fab. and Gyll., is nearly allied to this insect, from which, however, it may be instantly known by having, inde- pendent of other characters, the head black, the rostrum, thorax and elytra ferrugineous or rufo-castaneous. There are two au- thentic examples of Cure. fulvicornis in the collection of Kirby from Gyllenhal, and I possess several foreign specimens with that name from the collection of Billberg. P. fulvicornis of Stephens is, according to the two insects in his cabinet, a variety of P. un- datus. I have never seen a British specimen of Cure. fulvicornis of Fabricius. Dr. Germar has recorded his opmion*, that the description of Curc. rufipes by Linnzeus does not at all agree with this species. Common on the oak underwood in the woods of Kent and Surrey i June. * Ent. Zeit. Stettin, no. 5. p. 99, 1842. Phyllobius, Polydrosus and Metallites. 17 2. Polydrosus micans, Fab., Herbst, Gyll., Germ., Steph., Schonh. ~ — Pyri, Linn., Mus. Linn., Kirb. MSS. ? The general colour of the scales of this insect are of a coppery fiery-red. Not frequently met with. I have taken it im Swanscombe Wood, near Gravesend, on the oak underwood in June. 3. P. flavipes, DeGeer, Gyll., Steph., Schonh. Major Gyllenhal has described this insect with his accustomed accuracy and precision, and Mr. Stephens has given shorter de- scriptions in his ‘ Illustrations’ and in his ‘ Manual of British Coleoptera’; but from its near affinity to P. pterygomalis, it has hitherto been confounded by British entomologists with that spe- cies ; it differs principally im being clothed with fuscons hairs, the abdomen with scales, and: in being distinctly different in the form of the head. I have specimens of P. impressifrons from Chevrolat, which is decidedly more closely allied to this species than P. pterygomalis, and with much difficulty distinguished from P. flavipes ; yet I am satisfied it is sufficiently distinct ; it differs chiefly in having the head narrower, the vertex less convex and slightly dilated behind the eyes, the frons very deeply impressed, _ the eyes less prominent, the rostrum elevated at the sides and much depressed above ; the thorax flat above, with a deep oblong impression on each side behind the middle, and very sparingly clothed with shorter hairs. Of P. impressifrons and P. flavovirens of Schoénherr and of Stephens’s ‘ Manual,’ I have never seen indigenous specimens. In the cabinets of Mr. Waterhouse, Mr. S. Stevens and myself. Taken in Windsor and Henhault Forests, and also near Ham- mersmith Bridge, by Mr. 8. Stevens, by brushing amongst grass the beginning of June: rather local and not frequently met with. 4. P. pterygomalis, Schonh. Supp. — flavipes, Marsh., Kirb. MSS. Oblong, black, clothed with brilliant green scales sometimes of a shining golden colour, and with erect pallid hairs. Head broad, the vertex transversely elevated and very distinctly cari- nated on both sides, narrowed at the base and thickly punctu- lated ; eyes round and prominent, black; rostrum very short, searcely half the length of the head and nearly as broad, the apex testaceous and emarginated. Antennz reaching beyond the base of the thorax pallid testaceous, pubescent ; clava oblong, acuminated. Thorax rather broader than long, narrowed and constricted anteriorly, moderately rounded at the sides, trans- versely convex in the middle, closely and thickly but not deeply punctulated, the punctures confluent. Scutellum triangular. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. C 18 Mr. J. Walton on the genera Elytra oblong, with the shoulders rounded, convex above, pune- tate-striate, the interstices rather convex, minutely granulated ; the abdomen black, sparingly clothed with fine short hairs, but without scales. Legs moderate, pallid testaceous, pubescent ; femora clavate. Length 2—23 lines. This insect is dissimilar in its habits from the preceding ; it is generally less, more slender, the scales more brilliant, the hairs on the body paler, and the abdomen without scales ; the shape of the head is very different, being shorter and narrower at the base, the vertex transversely elevated and very distinctly carmated on both sides; the thorax also differs, but the above characters are sufficient to distinguish it from its congeners. In many cabinets, but referred to P. flavipes. Not very common, but occasionally found rather plentiful in woods on the birch, hazel, and other trees in June. 5. Polydrosus sericeus, Schall., Gyll., Schonh. — splendidus, Herbst. — squamosus, Germ. — speciosus, Steph., Curt. I possess foreign specimens of this beautiful insect from Ger- mar, with the name “ Polydrosus sericeus of Schaller.” It was discovered by the Rev. G. T. Rudd in a wood near Kimpton, Hants, in June, and as far as I know, has not hitherto been found in any other locality ; it appears to be extremely local. § B. Femora dentate. 6. P. planifrons (De}. Cat.), Schonh. — argentatus, Oliv. Oblong, black, densely clothed throughout (except the tarsi and antennz) with rich green scales, the upper surface without hairs. Head rather large, subquadrate, closely punctulated, the frons more or less depressed, with a deep fovea in the middle ; rostrum a little shorter and narrower than the head, the apex triangularly emarginated. Antenne reaching to the base of the thorax, slender, the joints rufous or testaceous, with their apices piceous and the clava fuscous. Thorax short, transverse, a little narrowed and slightly constricted anteriorly, the sides moderately dilated and rounded, and nearly plane above. LElytra with the shoulders elevated, subrectangular, convex above, punctate-stri- ate, the interstices broad and flat, and transversely strigated. Legs rather stout ; the femora and tibie black, the former den- ticulated ; the tarsi rufous. Length 3 lines. There is a specimen of this sect in the cabinet of the British Museum, but I cannot learn where it was taken. I possess foreign examples from Chevrolat. Phyllobius, Polydrosus and Metallites. 19 7. Polydrosus Chrysomela, Oliv., Schénh. Supp. vi. p. 447, Germ. — sericeus, Steph., Curt., non Schaller. — pulchellus, Steph. Manual, p. 249. In my long series of varieties of this insect I have recent spe- cimens clothed with shining green scales, some golden-yellow gr coppery-red, and-others of a silvery-gray ; older specimens are found with the scales more or less abraded, and the colour of the legs obscure testaceous, and sometimes the femora are piceous : the form of the elytra varies very remarkably ; some are consi- derably narrowed, and the sides nearly straight, whilst others are much broader, having the sides regularly dilated and rounded from the shoulders to the apices, and very convex above; the second and sixth interstices from the suture on each elytron are more or less distinctly lineated, in consequence of being more densely clothed with paler scales than the others. Specimens which I sent to Germar were referred to “ P. Chrysomela, Oliv., Schénh.” P. sericeus of Stephens and Curtis (according to the insects in their cabinets) is beyond all doubt identical with this species, and it is my opinion that P. pulchellus of Stephens (represented in his cabinet by one insect) is but a narrow variety with “ golden griseous scales.” Apparently a littoral or submaritime insect: I have taken it on grassy banks, just above high-water mark, on the shores of the Thames below Gravesend, and at Burnham, on the coast of the _ Bristol Channel, the beginning of June. 8. P. confluens (Kirb. MSS.), Steph. Illust. (1831). — amaurus, Steph. — Chrysomela, Schinh. ii. (1834), Steph. Manual (1839). — perplexus (Dej. Cat.), Schénh. Supp. vi. (1840). Mr. Stephens appears to be the first author who described this insect, since which he refers it in his ‘ Manual of British Coleo- ptera’ to Chrysomela of Olivier after Schénherr ; subsequently Schénherr, in his Supplement, changed the name for perplexus of Dejean Catal., and upon the authority of Schuppel, applies Chry- somela to the preceding species. I possess two foreign imsects from Chevrolat, with the name — of Dejean, which are identical with the confluens of irby. I have taken this insect rather plentifully near Lyndhurst, Hants, and also on the south side of Windmill Hill near Graves- end, and in other places, always on the furze (Ulex europaeus), in July: on broom at Plumstead, Charlton and Weybridge from June to September, Mr. S. Stevens. C2 20 On the genera Phyllobius, Polydrosus and Metallites. 9. Polydrosus cervinus, Linn., Marsh., Gyll., Germ., Steph., : Schénh. — melanotus, Kirb. MSS., Steph. Cure. melanotus of Kirby, according to his collection, is a small green variety of this insect, with the legs black and the tarsi dull piceous ; the scales on the upper surface are abraded. This is a common and well-known insect, and found abun- dantly on the young shoots of the oak and birch in woods during the months of May and June. Genus Mertauites, Schinh., Germ., Latr. ** Gen. Char.—Antenne somewhat short and stout ; the scape clavate, slightly curved, overhanging the eyes ; the basal joints of the funiculus rather long obconic, the rest nodose; the club ob- long-ovate, acuminate. Rostrum short, narrower than the head, somewhat flat above, parallelopiped. Eyes small, rounded, rather prominent. Thorax either subtransverse or oblong, the base and apex truncated, moderately rounded at the sides, a little narrow- est in front. Elytra oblong, suboval, their base when united subemarginate, the shoulders either obtusely angular or slightly rounded; a little convex above. Legs nearly equal; thighs toothed or simple. * Obs.—Body oblong, scaly, furnished with wings; of small size. Allied to the genus Polydrosus, but differing in the struc- ture of the rostrum and antenne.”—Eztracted from Schonherr. This genus was established by Schénherr, and subsequently adopted by Germar and Latreille; at present it contains eight European species, one of which inhabits this country. I possess foreign specimens of Metallites mollis of Germ., and M. atoma- rius of Oliv., presented to me by Dr. Germar. _ These insects differ from those of the genus Polydrosus in haying the antenne and its articulations considerably - shorter, more robust, and of a dissimilar form ; the eyes smaller, and the thorax elongate. 1. Metallites marginatus, Steph. — ambiguus, Schonh. Birch Wood was for some years the only known locality for this insect, where it is found abundantly on the juniper and other plants in May and June; but the zeal and industry of Mr. S. Stevens discovered it in Windsor Forest and Black Park near Uxbridge, on the young shoots of the birch, oak, &c. Mr. T. Brightwell on the Bottle-nosed Dolphin. 21 IV.—Observations on a specimen of the Bottle-nosed Dolphin, Del- phinus Tursio, Fabr., taken at Great Yarmouth, October 1845. By Tuomas Bricurwe.t, F.L.S. [ With a Plate.] A ceracrovus animal, which appears to me to be the Delphinus Tursio of Fabricius, was captured off Yarmouth this season by the herring fishermen and brought to Norwich. I saw it soon after its arrival, when it was in a fresh state, and have procured a good coloured figure of it, one-tenth the natural size, a reduced copy of which I send herewith (Plate II.). As the animal appears to be very rare on our coasts, and but imperfectly known to na- turalists, I doubt not a good figure and description of it will be acceptable to your zoological readers. _ This cetacean was eight feet two inches long, and four feet ten inches in circumference at the largest part. The colour of the upper part and sides a very rich deep purple-black. . The external cuticle was of a soft and silky texture, and so thin and delicate that it was easily rubbed off. The nose, and a well-de- fined line along the upper jaw, and the whole of the lower jaw and belly, were of a cream-colour, varied in some parts by a chalky-coloured white, contrasting beautifully with the rich black of the body. ‘The fins and tail were of the same colour as the back. The length of the mouth was nine inches and a half, with twenty-four teeth in the upper jaw and twenty-three in the lower jaw; the teeth small, conical, and rather sharp. The length from the tip of the nose to the eye thirteen inches. From the tip of the nose to the pectoral or lower fin, twenty inches: this fin was fifteen inches long. From the tip of the nose to the dorsal fin forty-one inches, and this fin was eleven inches and a half wide next the back, and ten inches high. The width of the tail twenty-two inches. The animal was a female, and weighed about thirty stone. Both the jaws were clearly but moderately elongated, the lower extending a little farther than the upper; aud there was a well-defined depression between the elongation of the upper jaw and the forehead, the point of this depression being marked by a slight ridge. The blow-hole was of a horse- shoe form, with the convex part towards the head of the animal. The Delphinus Tursio is not noticed in Sir William Jardine’s very useful little work on the Cetacea, but it is figured and de- scribed in Mr. Bell’s ‘ British Quadrupeds,’ p. 469. On a re- ference to that work, it will, we think, appear that we have rightly concluded our animal to be of this species. The points of generic and specific distinction are the beaked prolongation of the head and the form of the teeth. The figure sent will 22 Mr. E. Doubleday on some new Diurnal Lepidoptera. show the character of the head; and the skeleton of the head is in preparation for the Norwich museum, where the teeth and skull can be examined by those who may wish to test the above description. - V.—Descriptions of new or imperfectly described Diurnal Lepi- doptera. By Epwarp Dovs iepay, Esq., Assistant in the Zoological Department of the British Museum, F.L.S. &c. {Continued from vol. xvi. p. 308.] Fam. PIERID. Genus Pieris. Pi. Habra. Pi. alis omnibus supra albis, anticis costa ad basin, ma- cula discoidali, alteraque marginis externi, magnaque apicis in qua maculz tres albe, nigris, posticis supra nervulis juxta marginem tenue nigris, subtus pallidis, fuscescenti, flavo, alboque variis, vitta ad basin miiniacea. Expans. alar. 2 unc. 7 lin. vel 66 millim. Hab. Honduras. Anterior wings pure white, the costa at the base black, irro- rated with white, the apex broadly and triangularly black, the outer margin marked below the middle with a rounded black spot united to the black of the apex, the disco-cellular nervule marked with a dot of the same colour. Posterior wings pure white, the nervules at their extremities slightly black. Below, the anterior wings are marked nearly as above, but the apical mark- ings are very pale brown, and the light spots are of a pale yellow instead of white ; the base is shaded with fuscous along the costal, subcostal and median nervures. Posterior wings below very pale brown, slightly pearly, the nervures and nervules, a series of lines along the cellular folds, two lines in the cell, a large spot about the middle of the anterior margin, and the outer margin broadl pale fuscescent ; four bright yellow vittze extend from the base along the cellular folds for about two-thirds of their length, of which one is above the subcostal nervure, the others between the cell and the abdominal margin ; between the median nervules are two spots of the same colour and opposite to the disco-cellu- lar nervule is a third; the black outer margin is marked with a series of white spots, slightly tinted with yellow; the costa is miniaceous at the base. Head black with a few white hairs on the vertex ; palpi black above, varied with white below ; antennz black, the apex white. Thorax clothed with long gray hairs. Legs white, with a black line on each side of the femora and tibiz. Abdomen white. 5! LS aries ere Mr. E. Doubleday on some new Diurnal Lepidoptera. 23 In the collections of the British Museum and W. W. Saunders, Esq. The only specimens I have seen of this species were brought home by Mr. D. Dyson, who found them in an Indian cane at some distance from Balize. Pi. Clemanthe. Pi. alis anticis utrinque nigris, albo irroratis vitta- tisque, posticis supra albidis, fimbria lata marginali nigra, in qua macule sex albide ; subtus luteis, macula baseos miniacea ; nervis, fimbriaque lata marginali, in qua macule quatuor lutez, tresque albidee, nigris. Exp. alar. 3 unc. 6 lin. vel 90 millim. Hab. Moulmein. Anterior wings black, the base and inner margin irrorated with white, the cell with four not very well defined vitte ; two similar ones between the median and radial nervures, followed at some distance by a geminate spot near the outer. margin; six others not well-defined, especially about the middle of their course, run between the subcostal, discoidal and median nervules. Posterior wings covered near the abdomen with very long hairs, of a very light cream-colour or whitish, the outer margin broadly bordered with black, the black colour extending along the nervules, this black border with six whitish spots between the nervules. Below, anterior wings slightly glossed with bronzy, less irrorated with white than above, the markings more defined, especially towards the immer margin, which is nearly white. Posterior wings bright yellow, the base with a round miniaceous spot, the nervures and nervules black, the fimbria rather narrower than above, marked with four large yellow spots, followed by three whitish ones. Head and thorax grayish; antenne black, marked with-white below ;. abdomen white. In the collection of the British Museum. In the form of the wing and in the colouring of the upper sur- face this species resembles the female of Pz. Hyparete ; but in the colouring of the under surface and the more important character of the neuration of the wing it is allied to Pz. Autothisbe. I have only seen the specimen inthe Museum collection. Pi. Lea. Pi. alis anticis maris supra albis, margine externo nigro, posticis albis, macula magna ad angulum ani lete aurantiaca, margine externo anguste nigro, subtus, anticis fuscescentibus, ' vitta lata in cellulam, fascia pone cellulam maculari, margineque interno late, albis ; maculaque intra apicem flava, posticis flavis, fimbria lata marginis externi, in quo macule lute, nervisque ni- gris; foeminz alis anticis supra fuscis, basi flavescenti irroratis, maculis vittisque albis signatis, posticis supra flavis, margine ex- terno fusco, macula magna ad angulum ani brunnea; subtus favis, nervis, nervulis, fimbriaque lata, in qua macule quatuor flavz, fuscis. Exp. alar. 2 unc. 6 lin. vel 63 millim. Hab. Moulmein and Sarawak. 24 Mr. E. Doubleday on some new Diurnal Lepidoptera. All the wings of the male above white, the anterior with the base slightly irrorated with black, the costa narrowly black, the outer margin with a border of the same colour broad and deeply den- tate internally towards the apex, narrower and less deeply dentate towards the anal angle, median nervure and outer part of the subcostal black. Posterior wings white, with a narrow black border dentate internally, the base itself pale yellow, the space between the cell and the inner and outer margins as far as the cellular fold between the middle and outer median nervule bright luteous orange. Below, the anterior wings are fuscescent, with pur- plish and bronzy reflections, irrorated with yellow along the costa ; a vitta in the cell, a transverse macular band beyond it, and the whole inner margin as far as the cell white ; the apex with a short yellow band divided into three parts by the nervules. Posterior wings bright yellow, orange towards the anal angle, with a broad fuscous border in which is a distinct yellow spot towards the outer angle, and also some slight clouds of the same colour ; costal, subcostal and median nervures black. Female with the anterior wings above fuscous, the costa irro- rated with pale yellow, a vitta in the cell, five vittee beyond, of which the third is the shortest, a submarginal series of six not well-defined spots, and a spot on the inner margin yellowish white. Posterior wing yellow at the base and along the inner margin, the anal angle occupied by a large tawny brown patch, the outer margin broadly fuscous except at the anal angle, costal and subcostal nervules bordered with the same colour. Below, nearly as in the male, but paler. Head and thorax clothed with grayish white hairs; antenne black, ringed with white. Abdomen black above, side yellowish. In the collection of the British Museum. This beautiful species, of which I have only seen the pair in the collection of the Museum and a specimen sent from Borneo by H. Low, Esq., jun., is closely allied to Pi. Judith. Pi. Rhena. Pi. alis omnibus maris supra lete sulphureis costa an- guste nigra, margine externo late nigro-fusco, supra, in anticis presertim, flavo nebuloso, subtus, maculato ; foeminze supra albidis, anticis margine externo nigro, posticis serie marginali punctorum nigrorum ; subtus, anticis albis margine externo fusco, lutescenti maculato, posticis lutescentibus puncto costali, margineque ex- ~ terno, fuscis, hoc lutescenti maculato. Exp. alar. 2 unc.—2 unc. 3 lin. vel 50—64 millim. Hab. Ashanti. Above, the male is bright sulphur-yellow, the costa of the an- terior wings narrowly black, the outer margin of all the wings yather broadly fuscous, very much clouded with yellow on the Mr. E. Doubleday on some new Diurnal Lepidoptera. 25 anterior wings, slightly so on the posterior ; below, all the wings are rather paler, the outer margin of the posterior is marked with a series of seven somewhat oval yellow spots, that of the posterior with six lunulate ones, the costa of the posterior wing has a round fuscous spot beyond the middle. Female above yellowish white, the costa of the anterior wings fuscous, the outer margin broadly and irregularly of the same colour ; the posterior wings have an irregular fuscous spot at the outer angle, and on the outer margin four cuneiform spots: be- low, the markings are nearly the same as in the male, but the ground-colour of the anterior wings is nearly white, the costa and spots in the fuscous border lutescent ; the posterior wings are marked nearly as in the male, but the border is more broken by the light spots; the ground-colour is lutescent and the costa at the base is luteous. Head varied with black and yellow; antenne black, spotted with white. Thorax clothed with hght yellowish hairs. Abdomen pale yellow. _ In the collection of the British Museum and W. F. Evans, Esq. _ The only specimens I have seen of this species are a male in the Museum collection which I had considered as a variety of P. Hedyle, Cram., and a female in the collection of Mr. Evans. Knowing now both sexes of P. Hedyle and this species, [’am quite sure of their distinctness. It is near to these that my P. Ianthe must be placed, though for some reasons this last seems nearer to P. Calypso. It is the P. Pisinoé of Dr. Boisduval’s cabinet. Pi. Theora. Pi. alis anticis utrinque luteis, margine externo late nigro, nigredine intus dentato, posticis margaritaceis, albis, supra margine nigro, maculis utrinque submarginalibus nigris, subtus _ maculis marginalibus alteraque discoidali luteis. Exp. alar. 2 unc. 6 lin. vel 60 millim. Hab. Ashanti. Anterior wings above bright luteous, the inner margin slightly paler, the outer margin broadly black at the apex, gradually less so towards the anal angle ; this black border deeply sinuate oppo- _ site to the cell, dentate below the uppermost median nervule. Pos- terior wings pearly white, the outer margin narrowly and irre- gularly black, preceded by a series of six indistinct fuscous spots, those nearest the outer angle best defined. Below, the anterior wings are coloured as above, but the black margin is divided by a macular band composed of six spots, of which two are ovate near the apex, having between them a small linear one, the three following lunulate or cuneate. Posterior wings beautifully pearly _ white, the outer margin with a series of black spots on the ner- re Mr. T. C. Eyton’s Notes on Birds. vures, alternating with luteous ones placed on the folds between the nervures, these preceded by a submarginal series of black spots ; there is.a luteous spot on the disco-cellular nervule, and a faint one of the same hue between the median and radial nervures. Head varied with white and black; antennz black, spotted with white. 3 Thorax and abdomen yellowish white. In the collection of the British Museum. Alhed to P. Calypso, but easily distinguished by its bright luteous upper wings and the beautiful pearly whiteness of the under surface of the posterior. VI.—Notes on Birds. By T. C. Eyton, Esq., F.L.S. No. V. { With a Plate. ] [ Continued from vol. viii. p. 47.] Aramus scolopaceus, Bon. (male). Tue cesophagus at its upper extremity is when inflated half an inch in diameter, but is dilated near its middle into an oval crop fully two inches in diameter and three in length; there is also another slight enlargement immediately above the proventriculus: the total length of the cesophagus from the epiglottis to the proventriculus is thirteen inches. The proventriculus is one inch in diameter and nearly two in length when inflated; its upper portion is fleshy and thickened, but the coats become thinner as it becomes more expanded ; it is contracted immediately above the stomach. The stomach is moderately muscular and slightly oval. ‘The epithelium is hardened and rugose towards its lower portion. The greatest length of the gizzard is two inches, and its greatest diameter is one and a half inch. The small intestine is a quarter of an inch in diameter, and uni- form from the gizzard to the rectum, and two feet three inches in length. ‘The ceca are of moderate size, and consist of sacs three- quarters of an inch in diameter for two-thirds of their length and contracted ‘to a quarter of an inch before their entrance into the rectum ; they are slightly larger near the middle than at their upper extremity. ‘The right cecum measures three inches in length, the left two and a half inches. The rectum is seven and a half inches in length, and very slightly larger than the small intestine. The cloaca is of moderate size, measuring half an inch in diameter, and with the coats not much thickened. The trachea is of small diameter for the size of the bird, and largest at its upper and lower extremities ; at the distance of three inches above the bronchie, it is convoluted towards the right side on itself, the form of which will be best explained by the Plate. The bony rings become much stronger and more massive above the bronchi, and have a larger interval of membrane between them; they Mr. T. C. Eyton’s Notes on Birds. 27 are also laterally compressed. The bronchie are almost entirely membranous, having only seven or eight weak and narrow rudimen- tary rings externally. The gizzard and ceesophagus were filled with a species of zoophyte apparently allied to the common sea anemone. ‘The tongue is long and taper, channeled in the middle and horny ; from the epiglottis to its tip it measures five and a half inches. The sternum of Aramus is long in proportion to its breadth, mea- suring three and a half inches in length, and at its broadest part, which is near its posterior extremity, one inch in breadth; its nar- rowest point is at the junction of the posterior ribs, where it is eight- tenths of an inch in breadth, from which point it gradually increases in breadth posteriorly and anteriorly. The posterior margin is entire, without any fissure or foramen, but has a slight undulation in the centre opposite to the point of the keel. The keel is eight-tenths in depth at its widest point, which is about one-third of its length from the anterior extremity ; its inferior edge is much rounded and the anterior much scolloped. The os furcatum, coracoids and scapulars are strong and massive ; the former arched anteriorly, each branch flattened laterally at its junction with the coracoids, and in the opposite direction at its junc- tion with the sternum, so as to have the appearance of being twisted on its axis; the point at which the branches unite is destitute of any process, The coracoids are one inch and seven-tenths in length, and jointly occupy the whole breadth of the sternum, being much expanded at their junction with it; their interior edges are furnished with a thin process beginning at their junction with the scapule, where it is slightly deflected and continued for about two-thirds of their length, gradually narrowing to that point where it is eventually lost. The scapule are two and a half inches in length, and of uniform breadth to within a short distance of their extremities, where they become pointed, the upper edge becoming deflexed. The pelvis is two inches and seven-tenths in length from its ante- rior extremity to the junction of the caudal vertebre. The upper sur- face on viewing it laterally presents a waved outline, being depressed near its centre, and somewhat raised between that point and its an- terior extremity by means of the anterior branch of the ilium being much expanded. The breadth of the pelvis at its junction with the dorsal vertebre is one inch ; immediately posterior to the articulation of the femur, which is its widest point, the breadth is one inch and a half; between these points the iliac bones are slightly narrowed laterally, so as to present a nearly uniform curve between them. The ischium is placed nearly perpendicularly, the edge of the ilium projecting over it and forming a prominent ridge along the edge of the plane of the upper surface of the pelvis; the ischiadic foramen is of moderate size and oval, its greatest diameter being four-tenths of an inch, and its smallest little more than two-tenths; the obturator foramen is small, or about half the size of the ischiadic one. The os pubis is rather broad, not prolonged far backwards behind the 28 Mr. T. C. Eyton’s Notes on Birds. ischium, and united only to that bone at the upper extremity, so as to form a deep and unbroken fissure between it and the ischium from the obturator foramen along its whole length. The whole length of the cranium from the tip of the bill to the occiput is six inches and eight-tenths ; its greatest breadth, which is immediately behind the ~ eyes, is one inch and one-tenth ; the frontal bones are elongated over the orbits of the eyes, and measure immediately above them half an inch in breadth ; a larger portion of ethmoidal bone than is usual in the order Grallatores is apparent on the forehead. The lacrymal bones project laterally and posteriorly in the same plane with the nasal bones, forming two processes projecting backwards towards the orbits of the eyes. ‘The septum between the orbits of the eyes is not complete, but has a large irregularly-formed foramen through it pos- teriorly. The inferior maxillary bones are slightly curved downwards, flat- tened, broadest at their base and gradually tapering to their tips; the rami are anchylosed together for nearly one-third of their length towards the tip ; the base of each ramus is perforated by a large oval foramen half an inch in length and two-tenths in breadth. The femur is three inches in length and slightly curved in a down- ward direction. The trochanter is of moderate size and edged. The tibia is six inches and three-quarters in length. ‘The fibula extends down two-thirds of the length of the tibia; the internal crest is large, flattened laterally and rounded anteriorly ; the tarsi measure four inches and eight-tenths in length, and are rather robust for the size of the bird. The wing-bones are short and weak; the length of the humerus is _ four inches, that of the ulnar bones four inches and seven-tenths of an inch, and that of the metacarpus two inches. The formula of the vertebree is— , Cervical 16; Dorsal 7 ; Sacral 18; Caudal 7. The ribs are nine in number, with one false one anteriorly and one posteriorly ; they are light and weak, and all, with the exception of the false ones and the last posterior true one, furnished with long narrow osseous splints directed rather acutely upwards. Remarks.—In the anatomy of the intestines and cesophagus this bird approaches closely to the Rallide. The stomach how- ever is not furnished with such powerful muscles, which would not be required in a bird which, judging from the contents of the present subject’s stomach and cesophagus, feeds entirely on soft animals. JI am not aware of any bird that has a similar convo- lution of the trachea to that represented in the Plate among Gral- latores, or indeed in any other order ; convolutions occur in the trachea of Athropoides Stanleyanus, Vig., Ardea Virgo, Linn., and in the Common Spoonbill, all of which have been figured by Mr. Yarrell in the ‘ Linnean Transactions’; in the two former however the trachea enters the sternum, and in the latter the con- volution takes place in the interior of the thorax, and is of a dif- Mr. T. C. Eyton’s Notes on, Birds. 29 ferent character to that found in Aramus scolopaceus. In the form however of the inferior larynx and the trachea, a short di- stance above it, a resemblance is found to the trachea of Tantalus, described by Mr. Brookes in the ‘ Linnean Transactions,’ those parts being laterally compressed. The Courlan (Aramus -— paceus) is described by Nuttall in his ‘American Ornithology’ “a being heard by night as well as by day, crying out in a sonorous voice carau !” He also states, “ that it is well-entitled to the name of the supposed crying-bird of Bartram.” In some parts also it is called the clickmg. hen, under which designation I have re- ceived it from Honduras, all which names however denote that it has a peculiar power of voice which the conformation of the trachea fully bears out. | Among the series of skeletons of Grallatorial birds in my pos- session*, there is not one that approaches to that of Aramus in the form of the sternum, the whole of them having either two or four deep fissures in the posterior margin of that bone. I have never seen the skeleton of Tantalus, but suspect that Aramus approaches very nearly to that genus. The sternum of Aramus is much longer also than that of any of the Grallatorial genera named in the note. In the structure of the pelvis, legs and ribs, 4ramus agrees with Porphyrio and Rallus, but the coracoids, os furcatum, scapule and wings are much stronger considering the respective sizes of the birds. The os furcatum also differs in form. Most Grallatorial birds have the septum between the orbits of the eyes more or less perforated ; I cannot therefore derive any information from this character, and I have no grallatorial ske- ai im my possession which has the lacrymal bones of the same orm. EXPLANATION OF PLATE III. Aramus scolopaceus, male. Fig. 1. Lower portion of the trachea, nat. size. Fig. 2. GEsophagus and stomach half the natural size. fig. 3. A portion of the intestine and left ceecum. Fig. 4. Posterior portion of the sternum, nat. size. * T have in my collection the skeletons of species of the following genera: Tinochorus, Porphyrio, Ardea, Egretta, Rallus, Botaurus, Nycticorax, Cha- radrius, Tringa, Totanus, Scolopax, Strepsilus, Vanellus, Squatarola, Li- mosa, Machetes, Gallinula, Rhynchea, Crex, Numenius, Hoplopterus, He- matopus, Himantopus, Ibis, Fulica, Phoenicopterus, Qidicnemus, Ciconia. 30 Mr. J. Blackwall on new species of VII.—Notice of Spiders captured by Professor Potter in Canada, with descriptions of such Species as appear to be new to science, By Joun Brackwatt, F.L.S. On the return of my friend Professor Potter from Canada to England in the autumn of 1844, he obligingly transmitted to me specimens of spiders preserved in spirit, which he had captured in that and part of the preceding year in the vicinity of Toronto. The collection comprised twenty-six species, including numerous varieties occasioned by differences in age, sex, and other cireum- stances of a less obvious character ; seventeen of them I have de- scribed in detail, under the impression that they are new to arachnologists; one is known to occur in the United States of North America; and the remaining eight species, which are com- mon to the American and European continents, I have introduced as contributing in some measure towards the elucidation of a subject possessing a considerable degree of interest ; namely, the geographical distribution of Aranezdea. Tribe OCTONOCULINA. Family Lycosip2. Genus Lycosa, Lair. 1. Lycosa Babingtoni. Length of the remnle ths of an inch; length ei the cephalo- thorax 7; breadth 75; Tread of the abdomen <3 183 length of a posterior leg 13 ; length of a leg of the third pair {. Mandibles powerful, conical, vertical, very hairy in front, and provided with strong teeth and long hairs on the inner surface : maxille gradually enlarged from the base to the extremity, which is obliquely truncated and fringed with long hairs on the mner surface ; they are somewhat curved towards the lip, which is al- most quadrate : sternum heart-shaped, hairy : these parts are dark brown, the ‘extremities of the maxillz and lip being tinged with red. Cephalo-thorax hairy, compressed before, depressed on the sides and at the posterior part, with furrows diverging from the middle towards the lateral margins, and a narrow indentation in the medial line of the posterior region ; it is of a brown colour, which is darkest at the anterior part, where the eyes are seated, and it has a narrow, longitudinal, yellowish brown band on each side and in the middle, the latter bemg the most conspicuous. Intermediate eyes of the anterior row larger than the exterior ones ; anterior eyes of the quadrilateral the largest of the eight. Legs long, robust, provided with hairs and sessile spines ; fourth et om ee Spiders captured in Canada. 31 pair the longest, then the first, third pair the shortest ; they are of a dark yellowish brown colour, the metatarsi and tarsi being the darkest, and the coxe are dark brown on the under side. The palpi resemble the legs in colour. Abdomen thickly covered with hairs, oviform, rather larger at the posterior than at the anterior extremity, convex above, projecting over the base of the cephalo- thorax ; the upper part is brown with a yellowish tinge, a brown rhomboidal band extending from the anterior extremity along the middle, about half-way towards the spinners ; on each side of the broadest part of this band is a small mdentation surrounded by yellowish brown hairs; sides and under part yellowish brown, spotted with brown, the spots being much the most numerous on the former. Orifice of the sexual organs bisected by a longitu- dinal septum, which, with the margins, is reddish brown. Plates of the spiracles brown. The male is smaller and slenderer than the female, and its legs, palpi, mandibles, maxille and lip are paler. The radial joint of the palpi is rather longer than the cubital; the digital joint is of an oblong-oval figure, convex and hairy externally, concave within, at the base, which concavity comprises the palpal organs; they are neither highly developed nor very complicated in structure, the upper part bemmg prominent and projecting a process which curves along the inner side and terminates in a point ; their colour is reddish brown with yellowish brown inter- mixed. The compact extremity of the digital joint is densely covered with long, fine hairs on the under side. I have much pleasure in dedicating this fine species to Charles Cardale Babington, Esq., M.A., St. John’s College, Cambridge, to whom I am indebted for an extensive and highly interesting collection of British spiders. 2. Lycosa propinqua. Length of the female 3 an inch; length of the cephalo-thorax 43; breadth ;%; breadth of the abdomen }; length of a posterior leg 2; length of a leg of the third pair 5. Mandibles powerful, conical, vertical, and armed with teeth on the mner surface: maxille straight, gradually enlarged to the extremity, which is obliquely truncated and fringed with long hairs on the inner surface: lip nearly quadrate, being rather broader at the base than at the apex: -sternum heart-shaped : these parts are dark brown, the extremities of the maxille and hp being tinged with red. Cephalo-thorax hairy, compressed before, depressed on the sides and at the posterior part, with fur- rows diverging from the middle towards the lateral margins, and a narrow indentation in the medial line of the posterior region ; it is of a dark brown colour, with a broad grayish band extend- 32 Mr. J. Blackwall on new species of ing along each side and the middle. Intermediate eyes of the anterior row rather larger than the exterior ones; anterior eyes of the quadrilateral the largest of the eight. Legs long, robust, provided with hairs and sessile spines ; fourth pair the longest, then the first, third pair the shortest ; they are of a reddish brown colour. The palpi resemble the legs in colour. Abdomen thickly covered with hairs, oviform, rather larger at the posterior than at the anterior extremity, convex above, projecting over the base of the cephalo-thorax ; it is of a dark brown colour mottled with gray on the sides and upper part, a large gray band extending along the middle of the latter and tapering to the spinners; this band comprises in its anterior part a large, rhomboidal, dark brown figure, bifid at its posterior extremity, between which and the spinners are several transverse, curved lines of the same colour ; under part dark brown. Sexual organs and plates of the spiracles reddish brown. Lycosa propinqua, though nearly allied to Lycosa andrenivora, appears to be distinct from that species. 3. Lycosa distineta. Length of the female 1th of an inch; length of the cephalo- thorax +; breadth ,; breadth of the abdomen 4 ; length of a posterior leg 3 ; length of a leg of the third pair 3. Cephalo-thorax hairy, compressed before, depressed on the sides and at the posterior part, with a narrow indentation in the medial line; its colour is dark brown, with a broad yellowish brown band extending along the middle, which commences at the posterior pair of eyes, presents an irregular outline, and is narrower at its posterior than at its anterior extremity; a broad longitudinal band on each side, and the frontal margin are of the same hue as the medial band. Intermediate eyes of the anterior row rather larger than the exterior ones; anterior eyes of the quadrilateral the largest of the eight. Mandibles conical, ver- tical, and armed with teeth on the inner surface: maxille straight, gradually enlarged to the extremity, which is rounded: lip nearly quadrate, being rather broader at the base than at the apex: these parts are yellowish brown, the lip being much the darkest. Sternum heart-shaped, dark brown, with numerous whitish hairs. Legs long, provided with hairs and sessile spines ; fourth pair the longest, then the first, third pair very little shorter than the second; they are yellowish brown spotted with black. The palpi resemble the legs in colour. Abdomen thickly covered with hairs, oviform, convex above, projecting over the base of the céphalo-thorax ; it is brown, with a large band of yellowish brown along the middle, which is marked witht some minute brown spots, and is intersected by several slightly curved a5 . i t all “s ay, Re i 5 ae a 7 ee o iti Be): ap Fe Coe as ee Spiders captured in Canada. 33 brown bars on its posterior half; sides yellowish brown spotted with brown; under part yellowish gray. Sexual organs red- brown. Plates of the spiracles brown. 4, Lycosa modica. Length of the male 7,ths of an inch; length of the cephalo- thorax 4; breadth 3; breadth of the abdomen }; length of a posterior leg $3; length of a leg of the third pair 2. Cephalo-thorax long, thinly covered with hairs, compressed before, depressed on the sides and at the posterior part, with a narrow indentation in the medial line; it is of a dark brown colour, with a yellowish brown band extending along each side to the frontal margin, where the two unite, and a longitudinal one of the same hue in the middle. Intermediate eyes of the anterior row slightly larger than the exterior ones ; anterior eyes of the quadrilateral the largest of the eight. Mandibles conical, vertical, and armed with teeth on the inner surface: maxille straight, and gradually enlarged to the extremity, which is rounded: lip nearly quadrate, being rather broader at the base than at the apex: these parts are red-brown, the maxilla, which are the palest, and the lip having their extremities yellowish brown. Sternum heart-shaped, dark brown with a faint tinge of red. Legs long, provided with hairs and spines; they are of a yellowish brown colour, with some dark brown streaks on the femora and tibic, particularly on the upper side; fourth pair the longest, then the first, third pair a very little shorter than the second. The palpi are browner than the legs, and the hu- meral joint is amply provided with long black hairs on the under side; the radial joint is larger than the cubital and is abundantly - supplied with long black hairs ; the digital joint is oval, convex and hairy externally, concave within, at the base, which concavity comprises the palpal organs; they are moderately developed, rather complicated in structure, prominent at the upper part, with a slightly curved, finely pomted spine directed from the inner to-the outer side across the middle, and are of a red-brown colour. The compact extremity of the digital joint is densely covered with long fine hairs on the under side. . Abdomen thickly clad with hairs, oviform, convex above, projecting over the base of the cephalo-thorax ; the upper part is dark brown, with a yellowish brown band extending from its anterior extremity along the middle nearly half-way to the spinners; sides faintly tinged with yellow; under part yellowish brown. Plates of the spiracles brown. Spinners brownish black. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. D 34 Mr. J. Blackwall on new species of 5. Lycosa saccata. Lycosa saccata, Latr. Genera Crust. et Insect. t. 1. p. 120; -Walck. Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt. t. 1. p. 326; Hahn, Die Arachn. b. 1. p. 108. tab. 27. fig. 81. Lycosa amentata, Sundevall, Vet. Acad. Handl. 1882. p. 177. Araneus niger, Lister, De Aran. p. 77. tit. xxv. fig. 25. Family Sauricipz. Genus Sauticus, Latr. 6. Salticus scenicus. Salticus scenicus, Latr. Genera Crust. et Insect. t. 1. p. 128 ; Hahn, Die Arachn. b. 1. p. 57. tab. 15. fig. 48, 44. Attus scenicus, Walck. Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt. t. dip. 406 ; Sundevall, Vet. ‘Acad. Handl. 1832. p- 202. Callicthera scenica, Koch, Uebersicht des ee Erstes Heft, p. 30. tab. 4. fig. 56. Araneus cinereus, Lister, De Aran. p. 87. tit. son, fig. 81. 7. Salticus decorus. Length of the male 3th of an inch; length of the cephalo- thorax vo; breadth yy 5 Rpen dn of the abdomen 2 za; length of a leg of the third pair 4,; length of a leg of the second. air 335 , The legs of this handsome species are robust, and are supplied : with haus and black sessile spines ; coxee, femora, and tarsi yel- lowish brown ; tibiee and metatarsi brown ; the femora of the first and second pairs have a longitudinal brown streak on the anterior side ; third pair the longest, then the fourth, second pair the shortest; below the claws is a small scopula or climbing apparatus. Cephalo-thorax large and nearly quadrilateral, sloping abruptly at the posterior part; the anterior part, which is rather prominent, projects a little beyond the mandibles ;_ its colour is dark brown, with a yellowish brown longitudinal band above the lateral margins, and an obtuse angle of the same hue, whose vertex is directed forwards, immediately behind the pos- terior eyes ; it is provided with coarse white hairs which are . densest in front, about the region of the eyes. Mandibles small, vertical, dark brown, with white hairs at their base. Maxille straight, enlarged and rounded at the extremity, of a yellowish brown colour. Lip oval, dark brown, with a yellowish brown apex. Sternum oval, yellowish brown, with dark brown mar- gins. Hyes very unequal in size, disposed in three rows, consti- tuting three sides of a square, in front and on the sides of the - cephalo-thorax ; the intermediate eyes of the frontal row are much the largest, and the intermediate eye of each lateral row i ae Spiders captured in Canada. 35 is much the smallest of the eight. Palpi short, yellowish brown, with the exception of the digital joint, which is oval, concave within, convex externally, and dark brown covered with white hairs ; the radial jot is mnch shorter than the cubital, and has a large dark brown apophysis at its extremity, on the outer side; palpal organs highly developed, little complicated in structure, with a curved black spine at the upper part, which is directed downwards on the inner side. Abdomen oviform, thickly covered with hairs, projecting over the base of the cephalo-thorax; it is of a fine red colour on the upper side, with a broad curved trans- verse band at the anterior part, which extends along the sides to the spinners and becomes narrower as it approaches them, an oval spot near the middle, on each side of the medial line, and large heart-shaped spot at the posterior part, all of a rich dark blue colour; at the anterior extremity, adjoming the cephalo- thorax, is a transverse, crescent-shaped, whitish band; under side yellowish white, with a black longitudinal line in the middle of the posterior part, which is enlarged at the extremity near the > siemeig Spinners dark brown, the superior pair being the arkest. 8. Salticus borealis. Length of the female 7,ths of an inch; length of the cephalo- thorax 4; breadth ;,; breadth of the abdomen 4; length of a leg of the third pair £3; length of a leg of the second pair ,%,. ) Legs robust, particularly the anterior pair; they are of a reddish brown colour, and are furnished with white and black hairs and strong spines ; third pair the longest, then the fourth, second pair the shortest ; below the claws is a small scopula. The palpi are paler than the legs, and are more amply supplied with white hairs. Cephalo-thorax somewhat quadrilateral, abruptly sloping at the posterior part, depressed before, projecting beyond the mandibles in front ; it is of a very dark brown colour, with red-brown hairs in the region of the eyes, and is surrounded by a broad band of yellowish white hairs, which are long and directed forwards below the anterior eyes; a narrow black line extends along each lateral margin. Mandibles small and ver- tical: maxillz straight, enlarged and rounded at the extremity ; lip oval: these parts are dark brown, with the exception of the extremities of the maxillze and lip, which are yellowish brown. Sternum oval, provided with whitish hairs; it is of a brown colour, the margins being the darkest. Abdomen oviform, pointed at the spinners, densely covered with hairs, convex above, projecting over the base of the cephalo-thorax ; the upper part is of a brown colour, with a yellowish brown dentated band ex~ _ tending along the middle ; this band is crossed at its broadest D2 36 Mr. J. Blackwall on new species of part, which is rather nearer the anterior than the posterior extre- mity, by a curved line of the same hue, having its convexity directed forwards, and on each side of the posterior part is a curved yellowish brown line, which extends to the spinners ; all the yellowish brown marks are rather obscure, and are faintly bordered with black. Spinners brown. Sexual organs dark brown, with a large orifice. Plates of the spiracles dull yellow. 9. Salticus fuligineus. Length of the female th of an inch; length of the cephalo- thorax ;/; ; breadth ;4,; breadth of the abdomen +45; length of a posterior leg ;3,; length of a leg of the second pair 3. Fourth pair of legs the longest, then the first, second pair a little shorter than the third ; the femora and tibiz of the anterior pair are very robust, brownish black, and are densely fringed with long black hairs on the under side, those on the tibize being the longest; their metatarsi and tarsi are red-brown ; the se- cond, third, and fourth pairs of legs are dark brown with reddish brown bands, the femora being the darkest ; below the claws is a small scopula. The palpi are short and resemble the legs in colour. Cephalo-thorax somewhat quadrilateral, sloping abruptly at the posterior part, and projecting a little beyond the man- dibles in front; its colour is brown-black, with some whitish hairs about the region of the eyes and on the posterior slope, and narrow white lateral margins. Mandibles short, strong, vertical, dark brown tinged with red, and having some whitish hairs in front, near the base. Maxille straight, enlarged and rounded at the extremity: lip oval: these parts are dark brown with pale reddish brown extremities. Sternum oval, very dark brown. Abdomen oviform, projecting over the base of the .cé: phalo-thorax ; it is of a brown-black colour, the upper part being interspersed with light-coloured iridescent hairs, and encompassed by a zone of whitish hairs ; two large depressions, placed trans- versely, occur near the middle of the upper part. Plates of the spiracles dark brown. — . The male is smaller and darker-coloured than the female, and the relative length of its legs is different, the first pair being the longest, then the fourth, and the second pair the shortest. Palpi dark reddish brown; the cubital and radial joints are very short, the latter, which is the shorter, projecting a small pointed apo- physis from its extremity, on the outer side; the digital joint is oval, convex and hairy externally, concave within, comprising the palpal organs, which are highly devoloped, not complicated in structure, gibbous and prominent at the base, which extends upwards to the articulation of the cubital and radial jomts ; their colour is red-brown. Spiders captured in Canada. 37 10. Salticus Sundevalli, Length of the female } of an inch; length of the cephalo- thorax +; breadth ,%,; breadth of the abdomen ,% ; length of a leg of the fourth pair 44; length of a leg of the second pair 4. ‘Legs short and robust; the anterior ones, in particular, are powerful, and have the femora dilated ; they are amply provided with hairs and strong spines, and are reddish brown marked with dark brown, the latter colour forming obscure annuli at the base of the tibiee and at each extremity of the metatarsi; fourth pair the longest, then the first, second pair slightly shorter than the third; below the claws is a small scopula. The palpi are short, red-brown, and are abundantly supplied with long whitish hairs. Cephalo-thorax large, depressed, and somewhat quadrilateral ; it is red-brown, with black lateral margins, which taper from the posterior to the anterior extremity, and the area bounded by the eyes is dark brown; the red-brown parts are covered with gray- ish hairs, those below the anterior row of eyes being long and whitish. Eyes very unequal in size, disposed in three rows, con- stituting three sides of a square, in front and on the sides of the cephalo-thorax ; the intermediate eyes of the frontal row are much the largest, and the intermediate eye of each lateral row is much the smallest of the eight. Mandibles short, strong, vertical, gib- bous near the base, in front, and armed with a few teeth on the iner surface: maxille straight, enlarged and rounded at the extremity: lip oval: sternum oval: these parts are dark brown ; the mandibles are the darkest, the sternum is much the palest, and the maxille and lip are tinged with red at the extremity. Abdomen of an elongated oviform figure, not quite twice the length of the cephalo-thorax, over the base of which it projects a little; it is thickly covered with hairs, and has a broad, den- tated, grayish band, somewhat ramified at its posterior extremity, extending along the middle of the upper part, on each side of which is a longitudinal, brownish black band; sides yellowish brown, mottled with dark brown spots; under part yellowish brown, with a large brown band in the medial line, which tapers to the spinners. Plates of the spiracles dull yellow. The male bears a general resemblance to the female, but it is smaller, darker-coloured, and the relative length of its legs is different, the first pair being the longest, then the fourth, and the third pair being rather shorter than the second. The max- illee have a conical process at the extremity, on the outer side. The palpi are short; the humeral joint is curved, convex above, plain underneath, with long hairs fringing the edges; it has a short, fine, pointed, pale brown spine near its anterior extremity, in front, and a strong conical projection near its base, on the 38 Mr. J. Blackwall on new species of under side ; the radial joint is provided with an apophysis on the outer side, which has a long slender termination, obtuse at its extremity; the digital joint is narrow, oval, convex and hai externally, concave within, comprising the palpal organs, whic are highly developed, not very complicated im structure, convex and prominent at the base, with an obtuse protuberance on the outer side, and a slightly curved spiny process on the inner side whose point constitutes their anterior extremity; they are of a dark brown colour. This remarkable species, which is nearly allied to Salticus tar- digradus, but presents several obvious points of difference in structure and colour, I dedicate to Professor Sundevall of Stock- holm, as a testimony of the grateful sense I entertain of the handsome manner in which he put me in possession of his ex- cellent works on arachnology, and of the important information contained in the written communication which accompanied them. Family Tuomisipz. Genus Tuomisus, Walck. ll. Thomisus citreus. Thomisus citreus, Walck. Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt. t.1. p. 526; Latr. Genera Crust. et Insect. t. 1. p. 111; Sundevall, Vet. Acad. Handl. 1882. p. 219; Hahn, Die Arachn. b. 1. p. 42. tab. 11. fig. 32; Blackw. Linn. Trans. v. 19. p. 122. Thomisus dauci, Hahn, Die Arachn. b. 1. p. 33. tab. 9. fig. 27; The collection contained specimens with and without a red longitudinal band on each side of the anterior part of the ab- domen. Genus Puitopromus, Walck. 12. Philodromus perniz. Length of the female ;3,ths of an inch; length of the cephalo- thorax +; breadth 4; breadth of the abdomen + ; length of a leg of the second pair 2; length of a leg of the fourth pair 73. Eyes disposed on the anterior part of the cephalo-thorax in two curved transverse rows, in the form of a crescent, whose con- vexity is directed forwards ; the lateral eyes of-the posterior row are seated on minute tubercles, the intermediate pair of the same row being rather the smallest, and the intermediate pair of the an- terior row rather the largest of the eight. Cephalo-thorax nearly circular, but compressed before, truncated im front, and abruptly sloping behind ; it is convex, thinly covered with yellowish gray hairs, and is of a yellowish brown colour, with a large irregular dark brown band extending along each side to the region of the eyes, where a junction of the two takes place, and a longitudinal line of the same hue, whose anterior extremity is the longest, nm ee Sy Tee pa) Spiders captured in Canada. 39 the middle of the posterior part. Mandibles subconical, vertical, hairy in front, brown, with two black spots near the base of each. Maxille gibbous near the base, on the under side, somewhat pointed at the extremity, inclined towards the lip, of a yellowish brown colour. Lip triangular, rounded at the apex, dark brown. Sternum heart-shaped, pale yellowish brown. Legs long, pro- vided with hairs and sessile spines ; they are of a yellowish brown colour spotted with brownish black, particularly on the upper side; second pair the longest, then the first, which a little ex- eeeds the third, fourth pair rather the shortest. Each tarsus is terminated by two curved, pectinated claws, and is provided. with a climbing apparatus. The palpi resemble the legs in colour. Abdomen broader in the posterior than in the anterior region, but pomted at the spinners; it is thickly covered with hairs, and its anterior extremity, which projects a little over the base of the cephalo-thorax, is notched in the middle; the upper part is yel- lowish gray, with a longitudinal dark brown band, which has an angular projection on each side, near the middle, extending from the anterior extremity about half-way towards the spimners; to this band succeeds two distinct, parallel series of oblique bars of the same hue, which diminish in extent as they approach the spinners, and are enlarged and confluent. at the extremities; and the whole is encompassed by a brownish black band which does not quite extend to the spmners ; four dark brown depressions, situated on the sides of the anterior, medial, dark brown band, two contiguous to its lateral, angular projections, and the other two, which are the largest, near its posterior extremity, form a trapezoid whose shortest side is before ; sides and under part yel- lowish gray, the former being minutely spotted with dark brown. Sexual organs conspicuous, reddish brown. Plates of the spira- eles yellow. The body and limbs are supplied with compound, sessile hairs. 13. Philodromus maculatus. Length of the female }th of an inch; length of the cephalo- thorax ;/,; breadth =, ; breadth of the abdomen ;4,; length of a 10? _ leg of the second pair $; length of a leg of the fourth pair 13. Eyes disposed on the anterior part of the cephalo-thorax in two curved transverse rows, forming a crescent, whose convexity is directed forwards ; the lateral eyes of the posterior row, which -are seated on small tubercles, are rather the largest, and the in- termediate eyes of the same row are rather the smallest of the eight. Cephalo-thorax nearly circular, but compressed before, truncated in front, and abruptly sloping behind; it is convex, thinly covered with yellowish gray hairs, and has a broad yel- lowish brown band extending along the middle; the sides are brown, with a fine, longitudinal, whitish line on the lateral mar- 40. Mr. J. Blackwall on new species of gins. Mandibles subconical, vertical, hairy in front: maxille gibbous near the base, on the under side, somewhat pointed at the extremity, and inclined towards the lip: sternum heart- shaped: these parts are yellowish brown, the sternum being the palest. Lip triangular, brown, the apex, which is pointed, bemg paler. Legs moderately long, provided with hairs and sessile spines; they are of a yellowish brown colour, with red-brown an- nuli at the joints; second pair the longest, then the first, fourth pair rather the shortest. Each tarsus is terminated by two curved, pectinated claws, and is provided with a climbing appa- ratus. Palpi yellowish brown. Abdomen broader in the poste- rior than in the anterior region, but pointed at the spimners; it is convex above, covered with yellowish gray hairs, and its ante- rior extremity, which projects a little over the base of the ce- phalo-thorax, is notched in the middle; the upper part is yel- lowish brown, with numerous small, brown spots, four indented ones, more conspicuous than the rest, forming near its middle a trapezoid whose anterior side is the shortest, the two posterior ones being the largest of the four; between the trapezoid and the spinners is a series of transverse, curved, brown lines, formed of minute spots, which diminish in length as they approach the latter, and in the middle of the anterior part is an obscure, lon- gitudinal, pale brown band, which has an angular projection on each side; an irregular dark brown band extends along each side to the anus, whose upper margin is penetrated by two oblique, yellowish white spots, the posterior of which is the larger; and the under part is yellowish gray, marked with four longitudinal lines of minute pale brown spots. Spinners brown. Sexual or- gans conspicuous, dark brown. Plates of the spiracles yellow. The body and limbs are supplied with compound sessile hairs. The male resembles the female, but it is smaller and darker-. coloured, and the relative length of its legs is the same, but their absolute length is greater, a leg of the second pair mea- suring 34ths of an inch. Palpirather long, of a yellowish brown colour, with the exception of the digital joint, which is pale brown; the radial joint is shorter than the cubital, and projects two apophyses from its anterior extremity, one on the outer side, which is long, straight, pointed, and dark brown, the other, which is situated underneath, is shorter, of a red-brown colour, and has a protuberance on its inner side, and a prominent brownish black process at its base, on the outer side; the digital jomt is some- what oval, being more curved on the inner than on the outer side; it is convex and hairy externally, concave within, except at the extremity, which is compact, and comprises the palpal organs; they are moderately developed, not very complicated in structure, with a black pointed spine curved round their-extremity and Spiders captured in Canada. 4] connected with a yellowish brown membrane situated within its curvature ; their prevailing colour is dark brown. Family Drassip2. Genus Drassus, Walck. 14. Drassus nocturnus. Drassus nocturnus, Walck. Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt. t. 1. p- 615 ; Sundevall, Vet. Acad. Handl. 1831. p. 136. var. b. 15. Drassus vasifer. Drassus vasifer, Walck. Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt. t. 1. p. 620. This species has been found in the United States of North America as well as in Canada. Family Crn1FLonip&. Genus Cinrrxo, Blackw. 16. Ciniflo Bennetti. Length of the female j7,ths of an inch; length of the cephalo- thorax +; breadth 4; breadth of the abdomen +; length of an anterior leg ;°, ; length of a leg of the third pair 3. Legs and palpi robust, provided with hairs and sessile spines ; they are of a pale reddish brown colour. First pair of legs the longest, then the fourth, third pair the shortest; the meta- tarsi of the posterior legs are furnished with calamistra. Hach tarsus is terminated by three claws ; the two superior ones are curved and pectinated, and the inferior one is inflected near its base, on each side of which a fine curved tooth occurs. Cephalo- thorax large, very convex, glossy, depressed in the posterior and anterior regions, broadly truncated in front, compressed before, with furrows on the sides diverging towards the margins, and an indentation in the medial line; mandibles powerful, conical, vertical, gibbous in front, near the base, and armed with two rows of teeth on the inner surface: sternum plain, oval, pointed at its posterior extremity: these parts, with the maxille and lip, are dark brown tinged with red, the cephalo-thorax and sternum being decidedly the palest. Abdomen oviform, hairy, convex above, projecting over the base of the cephalo-thorax ; it is of a dark brown colour, palest on the under side ; a short, obscure, blackish band extends along the middle of the anterior part, on the upper side, the interval between the posterior extremity of which and the spinners is occupied by a series of obscure angular lines of the same hue, whose vertices are directed forwards; the sides are thickly mottled with blackish spots.. Spinners eight, the inferior pair being united to the extremity. Sexual organs dark brown faintly tinged with red, presenting the appearance 42 Mr. J. Blackwall on new species of of two very prominent glossy lobes with a small process between - them. Plates of the spiracles reddish brown. 3 I dedicate this interesting spider to John Joseph Bennett, Esq., F.R.S., British Museum, in acknowledgment of the obligation I am under for his valuable classical assistance in characterizing undescribed species of Araneidea for publication. Genus Ercarts, Blackw. 17. Ergatis annulipes. Length of the female 3th of an inch; length of the cephalo- thorax ;1,; breadth 24, ; breadth of the abdomen 74; length of an anterior leg +; length of a leg of the third pair 4. First pair of legs the longest, then the second, third pair the shortest ; these organs and the palpi are pale brown with darker brown annuli. The metatarsus of each posterior leg is provided with a calamistrum. Cephalo-thorax compressed before, with furrows on the sides diverging towards the margins, and a de- pression in the medial line of the posterior region: it is of a dark brown colour, and the anterior part, which is very convex, is provided with several longitudinal Imes of white hairs. The four intermediate eyes form a square ; the other four are disposed laterally in pairs, each pair being seated obliquely on a projection of the cephalo-thorax. Mandibles powerful, somewhat conical, vertical, and armed with a few minute teeth on the inner surface : maxille strong, convex underneath, at the base, with the extre- mities more abruptly curved on the inner than on the outer side, and inclined towards the lip, which is large and somewhat triangular: sternum heart-shaped, thinly covered with white hairs: these parts are dark brown, the sternum being the darkest. Abdomen oviform, thickly covered with short hairs, convex above, projecting over the base of the cephalo-thorax ; along the middle of the upper part a broad, dentated, brownish black band ex- tends, which is generally bisected, or nearly so, by an irregular, transverse, yellowish white lme, between which and the spinners is a series of obscure lines of the same hue, forming obtuse an- gles whose vertices are directed forwards; a deep border of yel- lowish white encompasses the brownish black band; the sides are brownish black mottled with yellowish white, and the under part is yellowish white, with a brown band in the medial line. Spinners eight, the inferior pair being united to the extremity. Plates of the spiracles brown. The male, though smaller than the female, resembles her in colour and in the relative length of its legs; but the mandibles, which are longer, and curved boldly forwards at the end, have a large prominence on the under side and a minute one in front, i z = a a. ay a Sail ; me Y a Spiders captured in Canada. 43 near their base; they are hollowed about the middle of the inner surface, leaving a strong prominence near their extremity, on the lower part of which a few small teeth are situated. The cubital and radial joints of the palpi are short ; the former is the stronger, and the latter has a small pointed process projecting from the upper part, in front, and an obtuse apophysis at its anterior ex- tremity, on the outer side; the digital joint is oval, convex and externally, concave within, comprising the palpal organs ; they are highly developed, with a strong process curving from low upwards, whose termination extends nearly to the articu- lation of the cubital and radial jomts and has the appearance of being twisted; they are of a reddish brown colour. This spider, though smaller than Ergatis benigna, bears a resemblance to it, but may be readily distinguished by the annuli with which its legs are marked. Family AGELENID2. Genus AceLensa, Walck. 18. Agelena Potteri. Length of the female, not including the spinners, 23ths of an inch; length of the cephalo-thorax 4; bregalth %3 breadth of the abdomen 5%, ; length of a posterior leg +3; length of a leg of the third pair 34; length of a superior spinner +5. _ Eyes disposed in two transverse, greatly curved rows on the anterior part of the cephalo-thorax, the convexity of the anterior row being directed upwards, and that of the posterior row back- wards ; the eyes of each lateral pair are seated obliquely on a small tubercle, but are not contiguous; the eyes of the anterior row are larger than those of the posterior row, the intermediate ones being the largest of the eight. Cephalo-thorax greatly | compressed before, convex, hairy, with furrows on the sides di- verging towards the lateral margins, and a long indentation in the medial line of the posterior region; it is of a pale reddish brown colour, with a broad, irregular, longitudinal dark brown band on each side, and brownish black lateral margins ; the red- dish brown spaces are usually covered with yellowish brown hairs. Mandibles powerful, xin vertical, armed with two rows of teeth on the inner surface : maxille short, straight, mereasing in breadth from the base to the extremity, ‘which is rounded and fringed with long hairs on the inner side: lip short, somewhat quadrate, being rather broader at the base than at the extremity : these parts are reddish brown, the mandibles being the reddest, and the maxille and lip palest at the extremities. Sternum heart-shaped, with numerous short, pale yellowish brown and long erect blackish hairs ; its. colour is dark brown, the middle 44 Mr.J.C. Pearce on the Embryo of an Ichthyosaurus. ) and margins having a tinge of red. Legs long, robust, provided with hairs and sessile spmes; fourth pair the longest, then the first, third pair the shortest; they are of a reddish brown colour. Each tarsus is terminated by three claws ; the two superior ones are curved and pectinated, and the inferior one is inflected near its base, on each side of which are two or three fine teeth. The palpi resemble the legs in colour. Abdomen oviform, thickly covered with hairs, convex above, projecting over the base of the cephalo-thorax; along the middle of the upper part extends a broad, dentated, yellowish brown band, on each side of which is — a brownish black band; sides and under part yellowish brown ; the former is spotted with brownish black, and a broad, dark brown band extends along the middle of the latter. Superior spinners long, slender, hairy, with the spimning-tubes disposed along the under side of the terminal jot. The sexual organs exhibit an orifice having a red-brown margin. Plates of the spiracles dull yellow. The body and limbs are supplied with numerous compound, sessile hairs. The male is smaller than the female, but resembles her in co- lour and in the relative length of its legs. The cubital and ra- dial joints of the palpi are short ; the former is not provided with an apophysis, but the latter has a large, obtuse one at its ante- rior extremity, on the outer side; the digital joint is oval, but elongated, the extremity being slender and compact; it is con- vex and hairy externally, concave within, comprising the palpal organs, which are highly developed, complicated im structure, -with a large, spiral spme, brownish black on the outer and pale yellow on the inner side, which is very prominent and recurved at its extremity, and a strong, dark reddish brown process at the outer side projecting beyond the margin of the digital joint. I have named this handsome species in compliment to Richard Potter, Esq., M.A., Queen’s College, Cambridge, and Professor of Natural Philosophy in University College, London, through whose friendly zeal in promoting my zoological researches I have been supplied not only with the spiders introduced to notice in these pages, but also with numerous specimens of British species. (‘To be continued. | VIII.— Notice of what appears to be the Embryo of an Ichthyo- saurus in the Pelvic cavity of Ichthyosaurus (communis f). By J. Cuanine Prarce, F.G.S., M.R.C.S. In developing an Ichthyosaurus which I took up from the rock in the brown laminated lias clay of Somersetshire, and having reversed the animal so as to lay bare that surface which was Mr. J. C. Pearce on the Embryo of an Ichthyosaurus. 45 downwards in the quarry, I removed the clay with great care and exposed to view an Ichthyosaurus communis? about eight and a half feet long, lying on its back in the highest state of preserva- tion, and with the exception of a slight dislocation in the middle of the tail and the deficiency of its point, every part is most per- fectly preserved. In cautiously lifting the laminz of clay between the two hinder paddles, my attention was first arrested by a series of small vertebree lying on three or four of the posterior ribs ; on removing another portion of the clay, ribs, the rami of the jaw, and the other parts of the head were visible. In carefully clean- ing this delicate little skeleton, it was found to rest on black, finely corrugated integument, which is preserved around the small skeleton, and passes underneath the posterior ribs and some other parts of the large animal. The little animal, somewhat dislocated, lies at full length in the cavity of the pelvis, with its head towards the tail of the large one, and rests on the internal surface of its integument, and on the internal surfaces of three of its posterior left ribs, and is about five and a half inches long. The rami of the jaw and one of the longest ribs (of which only five or six are discernible) are each about an inch long; and of the thirty vertebra which can be counted, the largest is the eighth of an inch in its longest dia- meter. It is bounded on either side by the ilium, ischium and pubis, and by the right and left posterior paddles, and on the right side by the vertebral column and right ribs ; and while the poste- rior two-thirds of the little animal is within the pelvis, the head appears to protrude beyond it, and apparently in the act of bemg expelled at the time of death. So singular a circumstance as the embryo being found in the pelvis of its parent in a fossil state, should lead to the greatest care in arriving at such a conclusion; but when we consider that the large animal was developed on its under surface—conse- quently it is nothing that has fallen upon it—and the remarkably correct position of the little skeleton in the pelvis, between the right and left ribs, with its head protruding, and the little ver- tebree so exactly corresponding in shape to the large ones, and the other bones resembling those of a Saurian, it appears fair to conclude that it cannot be anything else but a foetal /chthyosaurus ; and if it be suggested that it may have been swallowed by the animal, this involves a much greater difficulty; for so delicate a structure would have been dissolved by the gastric juice, and could not have reached its present position. The Rev. Dr. Buckland and Professor Owen, who have kindly written me on the subject, state, that there isno reason why the Ichihyosaurus should not be viviparous, although “ analogy of the 46 Botanical Notices from Java. nearest existing reptiles would point to its oviparity as the more probable kind of generation ; but the genus Zootoca and the Viper show that analogy is no safe guide in such a question ;” “and the European black and yellow Salamander of Bohemia once brought forth young ones half as long as the mother, either in the Doctor’s pocket or College rooms ;” therefore with such evidence it now appears fair to conclude that the Jchthyosauri were viviparous, — Montague House, Lambridge, Bath, Dec. 9th, 1845. IX.—Journey through Java, descriptive of its Topography and Natural History. By Dr. Fx. Junenvnn*, (Continued from vol. xvi. p. 466.] Journey to the Extinct Volcano of Tjermai. Tur author saw here large woods of Tectonia. The Tectonia grandis is one of the few tropical trees which occur in company, and expel all others. But it does not afford the cool shade, nor form such a beautiful vaulted foliage as other tropical trees; no Liane climbs up its boughs; its stems, destitute of bark, rise naked and barren, with only here and there a single leaf. The ground beneath it is covered only with dry grass; no Pothos, no Orchidee or Scitami- ne@ here raise their succulent stalks. Yet here also man appears to have contributed much to the barrenness of these woods ; for the Japanese, in order to drive away the tigers and to make the soil cultivable, yearly set fire to large districts of the grass Alang-alang (at the driest season), by which also the leaves of the Tectonia are at the same time singed. When the author had reached the coffee-planta- tions, he entered at the same time upon the lower limits of the forest tract, which is everywhere divided by sharp lines from the lower cul- tivated country. With the increase of cultivation the extent of the forests is more and more narrowed. ‘The author saw thousands of trees felled in the coffee-plantations ; a few being left standing wide apart, to shade the young coffee-plants. ‘‘ We thus explain,” he observes, ‘‘ the sharply-defined limits by. which the woods, almost on all the higher mountains in Java, are separated from the lower cul- tivated declivities,—a limit which is continually forced higher and higher by the advance of cultivation, which however on most of the mountains begins at a height of from 3000 to 4000 feet. At a di- stance, therefore, the upper half of such mountains appears of a dark bluish green, while the lower half has a bright greenish yellow aspect. « We are inclined to think that the forests in Java originally ex- tended to the foot of the mountains, and indeed to the sea-coast, and that they have been extirpated up to their present elevation solely by cultivation. We frequently observe forests cease suddenly in abrupt, sharply-defined limits on the lower side, on soft acclivities, whose * From the Botanische Zeitung, Sept. 19th, 1845. os ier Botanical Notices from Java. A7 grassy surface still remains entirely the same, and this even in districts at present uninhabited by man. How can this be explained except by the operation of earlier cultivation, which in a short time destroys with fire and axe what nature can only create anew in centuries? It appears however that there is no cause for apprehending that the sanc- tuary of the higher forest tracts, lying at above 5000 feet, will ever be destroyed; partly because the want of water renders it difficult to dwell there, as the springs in most of the Japanese mountains rise below this region, generally at a height of 3000 feet, and often much lower; partly also because the Japanese, who love warmth, would be deterred by the great damp and coldness of those tracts, where for the greater part of the year the heights are enveloped in clouds, and where neither rice nor cocoa palms (their chief source of food) thrive ; not to mention the steepness of the acclivities. “We soon reached the highest limits of the young coffee-plan- tations, which are here laid out among the forest-trees, and we now entered the moist shady cover of the primitive forests, which clothe the increasingly steeper acclivities. Oaks (Quercus pruinosa and depressa, Bl.) and arborescent Melastome prevail in company with a species of fir (Podocarpus amara, Bl.), which became more and more plentiful as we ascended. Our way led us over a narrow steep ridge, which in some parts was scarcely a foot wide, and de- scended abruptly on both sides into deep rocky clefts; it would per- haps be impossible to climb over it, were it not, like everything here, overgrown with the most luxuriant forest-trees. Above this dan- gerous pass, the Podocarpus amara occurs more plentifully than in other districts, and gives to the woods a peculiar appearance ; their trunks, which at the base are frequently more than six feet in dia- meter, rise perpendicularly from fifty to seventy feet, and separate high up into the round branched and leafy crowns: when the wind sighs through their ntedle-shaped foliage, and moves the whitish lichens which hang down yards long from all their branches, one might fancy he saw presented to him amorthern winter-scene. Con- tinually mists drift past, in which the thermometer falls from three to five degrees. “In this region, at about the height of 6000 feet, where the gigan- tic firs gradually become less frequent, we begin to meet with a small tree (Hedera divaricata, Jungh.) which gives to the forests a peculiar character, and whose habit involuntarily recalls to mind that of Dracena. From a short, knotty stem, often scarcely two to three feet high, spring many simple, undivided boughs, which attain a length of from twenty to thirty feet, and diverge on all sides ina straight or slightly curved direction, so that the outermost nearly attain a horizontal position. ‘They are almost everywhere of the same thickness, naked, and only covered at their ends with blossoms _and buds and with large petiolated leaves. “The higher we ascend the smaller do the trees become, and we meet with Podocarpus imbricata, Bl., a species of fir, which covers many of the steepest acclivities, and whose young juni- per-like (almost pyramidal) trees present to us here, nearly under 48 Bibliographical Notices. the equator, the true picture of a northern fir-wood. Soon how- ever, as the tortuous rhinoceros- path greatly assists the ascent, these firs also leave us, and all the larger forest-trees disappear at about a height of 7000 feet. But now begins a variegated mixture of the most . manifold and magnificent shrubs covering the acclivities, and the eye rests with rapture on the lovely blossom-covered bushes of Gna- phalium javanicum and Hypericum javanicum, Bl., of Lonicera fla- vescens, Gaultheria punctata, and others, under the shade of which the forms of northern plants, as Valeriana, Ranunculus, Thalictrum, Swertia, Viola, and Plantago, appear as old acquaintances. We now took our way through these bushes, and came, at near ten o'clock, to a small headland, from whence we looked down upon the clouds far below, appearing like a white moving sea: this headland resem- bles a plateau, which interrupts the continuous and steep side of the mountain; on the north-east it is bounded by a deep cleft, is moreover of only small extent, and soon rises again to the mountain- top, which is about 1000 feet higher. Beside small shrubs, it is especially overgrown with tall species of grass, amongst which several low-trodden rhinoceros-paths wind their course. But the acelivity of the mountain itself is clothed with small woods of a peculiar appearance, which ascend up nearly to the edge of the cra- ter; in some tracts it is Acacia montana (Kamalandingang), whose slender stalks are pressed together; in others Thibaudia varingiefolia, which we never saw so luxuriant and strong as here; it forms a shady wood, through which we made our way along a rhimoceros- path ; its stems attain the thickness of a man’s thigh up to that of a man’s body, and rise in a sinuous, generally oblique direction, twenty to thirty feet high, before they branch out into the leafy crowns. The long Usnee, which hang down from the branches—the thick layers of numerous mosses and lichens, which together fructifying in the most luxuriant manner, clothe the knotted sinuous stems— further, the enormous circumference of a species of plant which we are quite unused to meet with so large,—give to this forest an extra- ordinary, primeval, and as it were a solemn appearance. ‘The ground in the wood is covered with grasses, among which here and there occurs a Balanophora elongata, Bl., which we found at such heights, parasitical on roots of Thibaudia.” [To be continued. ] BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. Transactions of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh. Vol. ii. Parts 1&2, Edinburgh, 1845. ir will not be requisite that we should say anything more concerning this publication, since the papers contained in it are already known to our readers, they having appeared in vols. xi. to xvi. of these * Annals.’ They are now resissued in the present form for the convenience of the Members of the Society, and in conformity with a resolution a age Bibliographical Notices. 49 passed on July 14th, 1842 (see Report of Bot. Soc. for that year, pp. 12 and 23), authorizing an arrangement to be made with the proprietors of this Journal, by which a much earlier publication of the papers is ensured to their author and the public, and also their ulti- mate distribution to the Members in a collected form is attained at a moderate expense to the Society. Having heard it stated that some Members of the Society have obtained these Transactions under the idea that they contained pre- viously unpublished papers, we have thought it right to call their at- tention to the above arrangement, and also, in justice to the authors of the papers, to add, that a large portion of the book has for many months been printed off, and that therefore it was not in their power to alter or cancel any part. PREPARING ror PUBLICATION. The British Desmidiez, with coloured Figures of the Species. By J. Ralfs, M.R.C.S. The author proposes to describe all the British Desmidiee, and as correct figures will be essential to make the descriptions of such minute objects intelligible, he will spare neither care nor expense in rendering the plates, which will be executed under his own eye, as accurate as possible. The engravings will be on copper, since experience has proved that the delicate markings of the Desmidiee cannot be sufficiently displayed by lithography. Upwards of 100 species will be introduced, many of them either altogether new or now first noticed as British. The conjugated state of the Desmidiee is interesting, sometimes from its resemblance to the same state in the Conjugate, sometimes from the similarity of the spores to fossil bodies found in flint, and considered by Ehrenberg and other naturalists as species of Xanthi- dium. On these accounts, and also because few instances have been hitherto recorded, it is intended to give not only full details of the process, but as far as practicable to show the different stages by figures. Examples will be taken from one or more species in each of the following genera: Gleoprium, Didymoprium, Micrasterias, Huastrum, Cosmarium, Xanthidium, Staurastrum, Tetmemorus and Closterium. As their animal nature has been maintained by many able writers, this question will be examined and sufficient reasons produced for considering the Desmidiee to belong to the vegetable kingdom. Their modes of growth and other facts which may illustrate their ceconomy will receive particular attention. That nothing may be wanting to the utility of this monograph, the Introduction will contain ample directions for finding and gather- ing these minute plants and the different methods of mounting them for the microscope. Subscribers’ names received by the author, Penzance. Price to Subscribers One Guinea. Ann, & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. E 50 _ Linnean Society. PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. LINNAAN SOCIETY. June 8, 1845.—Edward Forster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. Read a paper entitled ‘‘ Descriptions of some unpublished species of Plants from North-Western India.” By M. Pakenham Edgeworth, Esq., F.L.S., Bengal Civil Service. This paper contains characters and descriptions of 142 species of Phenogamous plants presumed to be new to science. Several are described as forming new genera, which are characterized as fol- lows :— Ord. UMBELLIFERZ. Trib. AMMINEZ. Gen. Acronema, Fale. MSS. Calycis margo obsoletus. Petala lanceolata, in apiculum filiformem ree- tum acuminata. Stylopodium bifidum, dilatatum, Styli divergertes, apice deflexi. Fructus subovatus, a latere compressus, subdidymus ; mericarpia basi gibba, apice angustata, jugis 5 eequalibus tenuiter fili- formibus, omnino evittata; carpophorum liberum, integrum, apice bi- dentatum. Semen teres convexum, antice planiusculum. A. tenerum.—Sison? tener, Wall. List; Helosciadium? tenerum, DeC. Prodr. iv. p. 106. Gen. Petrosciadium. Calycis limbus obsoletus. Petala ovata, integra; lacinulaé inflexd. Fruc- tus a latere compressus, oblongus, stylopodio pulvinato stylisque diver- gentibus reflexis coronatus ; mericarpia 5-juga, jugis filiformibus eequa- libus, valleculis 1-vittatis, commissura bivittaté; carpophorum biparti- tum, adnatum. Semen planum, oblongum, basi angustatum. P. cespitosum. Trib. ANGELICER. Gen. Oreocome. Calycis limbus 5-fidus, laciniis subulatis. Petala ovata, apiculo inflexo plus minus emarginato. Fructus a dorso compressus, stylopodio sty- lisque reflexis coronatus ; mericarpia 5-juga, jugis alatis marginantibus amplis, valleculis univittatis, marginalibus quandoque bivittatis, com- ° missurad 2—4-vittata. Semen anticé planum, vel subconcavum, dorso sub valleculis suleatum. Carpophorum \iberum, bipartitum. 1. O. elata, foliis 4—5-pinnatisectis; caulinis superioribus 3-pinnatisectis : pinnis primariis ad vaginz apicem sessilibus: Jaciniis inciso-dentatis acutis, involucelli foliolis linearibus, valleculis dorsalibus 1— margina- libus 1—2-vittatis ; commissura 4-vittata, semine anticé plano. 2. O. filicifolia, foliis inferioribus 4—5-pinnatisectis ; superioribus 3-pin- natisectis : pinnis omnibus petiolatis: segmentis pinnatifidis : lobis an- gustis lanceolatis acutis mucronatis, involucelli foliolis biformibus lan- ceolatis pinnatifidisque, valleculis dorsalibus 1— marginalibus 1—2- vittatis ; commissura 4-vittaté, semine anticé subconvexo. To this genus are referable Selinum Candollii, DeC. Prodr. iv. p.165, Peucedanum Wallichianum, DeC, Prodr. iv. p, 181, and Pleurosper-. mum cicutarium of Royle’s Illustrations. Linnean Society. 51 Trib, CAUCALINEE. Gen. Psammogeton. Calycis limbus obsoletus. Petala obcordata; lacinula ex fissura orta in- _ flexd. Styli basi conic& subrecti. Fructus teres ; mericarpia jugis 5 primariis filiformibus setas glochidiatas gerentibus, secundariis sim- plici serie setosis, valleculis sub jugis secundariis 1-vittatis, commissura bivittata plana. Semen albumine leviter excavato. Carpophorum bi- partitum, liberum. Subord. CaLospeRMEZ. . Gen. Schaphespermum. Calycis margo 5-dentatus, dentibus subulatis caducis. Petala obovata integra, apiculo inflexo. Stylopodium tumidum, depressum. Styli longi, reflexi. Fructus subglobosus ; mericarpia 5-juga, jugis filifor- mibus zequalibus, valleculis 1-vittatis, commissura 2—4-vittata ; carpo- phorum liberum, bipartitum. Semen anticé longitudinaliter concavum, dorso leviter sub valleculis sulcatum. S. trilobum. Ord. COMPOSITE. Trib. SERRATULEZ. Gen. Stictophyllum. Capiiulum multiflorum, homogamum. Jnvolucrum ovoideum, squamis regulariter imbricatis ex ovato-oblongis exappendiculatis. Receptacult fimbrillz in squamas integras furcatasve setosas producte. Corolla 5-fida, subregularis, fauce sensim ampliaté 5-nervi, basi incrassata bul- bos&. Staminum filamenta papillosa ; antherze appendice acuta, caudis 2 brevibus sublaceris. Pollen globosum, echinulatum. Stylus basi bul~ bosus, corona epigyna denticulaté ad nodum penicillatus; ramis bre- vibus extis puberulis; lineis stigmatosis filiformibus marginantibus. Achenium areola terminali centrali, basilari laterali, incurvum, angu- latum, costatum, glabrum, lve, annulo integro brevi superatum ; pap- pus pluriserialis, pilis inzequalibus plumosis basi liberis persistentibus. —Folia punctata. Ord. COMMELINEZ. Gen. Streptolirion. Sepala 6, hyalina, persistentia, exteriora latiora, interiora linearia. Stas mina G, perfecta; filamentis supra medium barbatis; antheris bilocu- laribus, loculis brachiatim divaricatis apice dehiscentibus. Stylus erec- tus; stigmate capitato, puberulo. Ovarium 3-loculare; loculis biovu- latis ; ovulis ad medium placente centralis affixis. Capsula chartacea, trilocularis, trivalvis, loculicidé dehiscens. Semina in quoque loculo duo superposita, inferius pendulum, superius erectum, angulata, irregu- lariter rugoso-sulcata; hilo lineari, papillA (embryosteg4) parva de- pressa ei opposita. Embryo testé sub papilla producta latiori cireum- datus, in albumine carnoso subfarinaceo excavato nidulans.—Herba volubilis, habitu et perianthio a Tradescantia distinctissima, charactere earpolegico maximée affinis. _&. volubile. Read a paper entitled ‘‘ Caricis species nove vel mints cognite.” By Francis Boott, M.D., F.L.S. &c. _ The species described in this paper are eighteen in number, and they are characterized as follows :— 1. C. ara, spicd composita elongata e spiculis basi masculis pluribus ob- longis simplicibus : superioribus contiguis alternatis: inferioribus remo- EK2 52 Linnean Society. tiusculis bracteatis, stigmatibus 2, perigyniis parvis ellipticis marginatis ciliato-serratis utrinque nervosis breviter rostratis bidentatis squamam pallidam ovato-acuminatam subequantibus. Hab. in Insula Java, Dr. Horsfield. Affinis C. remote, L. 2 . C. socta, spicis 8 v. 9 cylindricis solitariis geminatisque ferrugineis concoloribus : terminali masculé breviori erecta; foemineis 7 v. 8 apice masculis pendulis: superioribus approximatis geminatis: inferioribus remotis solitariis: omnibus evaginatis bracteatis, stigmatibus 2, peri- gyniis orbiculatis abrupté brevi-cylindrico-rostratis ore integro enerviis squama lanceolaté acuminato-cuspidata levi brevioribus. fab. in Insula Ceylon, Col. Walker (v. in Herb. Hooker). Affinis C. geminate, Schk. 3. C. orpicuLaris, spicis 4 parvis congestis sessilibus ebracteatis ; termi- nali mascula oblonga fusco-ferruginea ; reliquis foemineis apice mas- culis ovatis atro-purpureis, stigmatibus 2, perigyniis compressis orbicu- latis abrupté rostellatis ore integris enerviis atro-purpureis basi pallidis squama lanceolata obtusé nigro-purpured concolori vix longioribus tri- ploque latioribus. flab. in India Orientali, Prof. Royle. Affinis C. saxatili, L. (C. pulle, Gooden.) 4, C. pRuinosa, spicd masculd 1 subclavaté; foemineis 4 cylindricis pe- dunculatis evaginatis erectis contiguis; superioribus apice masculis: inferioribus longissimé bracteatis, stigmatibus 2, perigyniis ovatis ros- tellatis emarginatis obsoleté nervosis albo-tuberculatis squama lanceo- lata mucronata longioribus latioribusque. Hab. in Insula Java, Dr. Horsfield. C. glaucescenti, Ell. (quee tamen stigmatibus 3 gaudet) habitu et aspectu similis. 5 . C, suspo.a, spicis 5-—7 cylindricis erectis ferrugineo-purpureis soli- tariis v. geminatis ; masculis 1—3: terminali longiore longé peduncu- lata: infima cum spicd suprema foeminea v. androgyna apice mascula geminata; foemineis 3—4 stricté erectis solitariis v. supremis genicu- latis longissimé bracteatis : superioribus approximatis sessilibus: infima plis minis remoté vaginata vel radicali basi attenuata laxifloré longé exserté pedunculata, stigmatibus 2, perigyniis ovalibus rostellatis ore integro stipitatis nervosis stramineis squama oblonga emarginata his- pido-aristaté v. mutic& obtus& ferrugineo-purpurea nervo lato viridi longioribus latioribusque vel eam subzequantibus. Hab. in Nova Zealandia, Dr. J. D. Hooker. Primo aspectu C. Goodenovii, Gay, similis. 6. C. prcrpua, spicis 4—7 erectis ; suprema masculd vel androgyna basi -v, apice basique mascula ; reliquis foemineis : superioribus sessilibus con- tiguis oblongis: inferioribus cylindricis pedunculatis bracteatis evagi- natis rarius geminatis v. compositis: infima interdim subremota, stig- matibus 2, perigyniis oblongo-ovatis rostellatis ore integro utrinque nervosis stipitatis pallidis deciduis squam4 oblong’ obtusa atro-purpu- rea nervo pallido decidua longioribus latioribusque. Hab. in Insulis Falkland, Dr. J. D. Hooker; in Fretu Magellanico, Port Famine, Anderson. Habitu C. Goodenovii, Gay, affinis, 7. C. pura, spicA decomposité e spiculis 7—20 oblongo-ellipticis ferru- gineo-purpureis androgynis apice masculis: superioribus simplicibus con- fertis sessilibus: inferioribus subremotis pedunculatis bracteatis emar- Linnean Society. 53 ginatis basi compositis, stigmatibus 2, perigyniis obovatis rostellatis bidentatis atro-purpureis lucidis enerviis estipitatis squama lanceolata acuta apice ciliat&é v. hispido-mucronata nervo pallido brevioribus. Hab. in Columbia, Pillylum, ad alt. 13,000 ped., Jameson (v. in Herb. Hooker). Aspectus C, atrate, L. 8. C. Pichinchensis, spicd decomposita e spiculis 20—35 ovatis v. ob- longo-cylindraceis inzequalibus fuliginoso-purpureis androgynis apice extremo masculis : supremis 8—12 congestis sessilibus simplicibus : re- liquis in spicas primum simplices deinde deorsim magis compositas pedunculatas inferiores brevi-bracteatas subnutantes? insidentibus, stig- matibus 2, perigyniis (floriferis) glabris enerviis ovalibus cylindrico- rostratis bidentatis stipitatis basi pallidis squama lanceolata acuminata acuta muticé fuliginoso-purpurea concolori brevioribus. C. Pichinchensis, Kunth, : Hab. in montibus Quito, Humboldt, Jameson, no. 143 (v. in Herbb, Looker et Lemann). Affinis C. Lemanniane. 9. C. LemanniAna, spicd decomposita e spiculis 20—40 cylindricis inze- qualibus ferrugineo-purpureis androgynis apice extremo masculis: su- premis 6—12 congestis sessilibus : reliquis in spicas 4 v. 5 alternas pe- dunculatas erectas plis mints compositas foliaceo-bracteatas insiden- tibus, stigmatibus 2, perigyniis ovalibus brevi-cylindrico-rostratis sub- bifurcatis stipitatis nervosis viridibus superné ferrugineo-tinctis ad mar- one aculeatis squama lanceolata long? acuminata acuta vel rarits ispido-mucronata purpureo-ferruginea nervo pallido subduplo brevi- oribus, Hab. in locis humidis Montis ignivomi Cotopaxi Columbie, Hartweg, no. 1446 (Herb. C. M. Lemann); Columbia, Jameson, no. 220 (Herb. Lemann). Affinis C. Pichinchensi, Kth. 10. C. Mertensii, spicis 4—10 cylindricis androgynis basi masculis pe- * dunculatis nutantibus approximatis:.inferioribus remotis, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis ovatis acutis rostellatis ore integro tenuissimis compressis binerviis squama oblonga mutica v. mucronulata longioribus latiori- busque. C. ettonai, Prescott, Hook, Fl, Bor.-Amer. t..217. C. Columbiana, Dewey. Hab. in Americee Ora Boreali-Occidentali, 4. Menzies, Esq.; ad fl. Co- lumbia, Dr, Scouler; in Insula Sitcha, ex Bongard. 11. C, crinauis, spicis 3—5 oblongis congestis sessilibus erectis olivaceo- ferrugineis : terminali majore androgyna basi mascula: reliquis foemi- neis bracteatis evaginatis, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis ellipticis triquetris conico-rostratis bifidis glabris striato-nervosis ferrugineis squama equi- lata ovata obtus& v. acuta rarius mucronulata longioribus. Hab. in Columbia prope Antisana, Hartweg, no. 1461 (Herb. Bentham) ; Pillylum, Jameson (Herb. Hooker). Affinis C. hirsute, Willd. 12. C. nivauis, spicis 4 atro-purpureis cuneatis v. ellipticis contiguis; su- perioribus androgynis basi masculis; infima foemineaé exserté pedun- culata subremota brevi setaceo-bracteata, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis el- lipticis erostratis bidentatis superné ad margines scabriusculis enerviis compressis atro-purpureis basi albidis tenuissimis squama atro-purpurea lanceolata mucronata longioribus latioribusque. 54 Linnean Society. Hab. in India Orientali, supra Dhunrao, versus fauces Montium Himalen- sium Mana dictas, ad altitudinem 16,000 ped., M. P. Edgeworth, Esq. Facies C. atrate, L.; C. coriophore, Fisch. affinior. 13. C. crnnamomna, spicis 5 cylindricis nutantibus basi attenuatis ferru- gineis concoloribus; terminali androgyna basi mascula reliquis foemineis: superioribus contiguis sessilibus: inferioribus pedunculatis : infima re- mota longé exserté vaginato-bracteaté basi composita, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis ovalibus bidentatis enerviis compressis ferrugineis basi albi- dis superné marginibus pallidis scabriusculis squama oblonga acuta vel cuspidatd ferruginea longioribus latioribusque. ffab. in India Orientali, Prof. Royle. C. coriophore, Fisch. affinis. 14. C. Banxsu1, spicis 3—7 oblongis ovatisque crassis atro-purpureis ex- serté pedunculatis nutantibus; suprema basi mascula; reliquis foemi- neis infima remota, stigmatibus 3 longis, perigyniis hyalino-tenuissimis lat8 ovatis compressis leviter nervosis cylindrico-rostratis glabris ore obliquo bifido squama oblongo-spathulaté emarginata cristata breviori- bus latioribusque. C. atrata et C. Magellanica, Herb. Banks. Hab. in Terra del Fuego, Banks et Solander (v. etiam in Herbb. Henslow et Hooker e cel. Darwin, sub num. 300 et 301). 15. C. Waker, spicé composité e spiculis pluribus androgynis apice masculis fasciculatis cylindricis laxifloris ineequalibus exserté setaceo- pedunculatis, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis angustis triquetro-lanceolatis longé-rostratis bicuspidatis stipitatis nervosis marginibus superné ser- rato-scabris squama lanceolata cristata longioribus. C. Walkeri, Arnott MSS. Hab. in Insula Ceylon (Herb. Arnott). C. valida, Nees proxima. 16. C. Horsrietpi, glaucescens concolor, spicis 4 v. 5 decompositis erectis strictis alternis : inferioribus longé exserté pedunculatis remotis : terminali majore evaginata; spiculis apice masculis oblongis alternis patentibus, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis triquetro-ellipticis acuminato- rostratis bidentatis obliqué fissis arcuatim recurvis nervosis superné parcé serrato-denticulatis squama ovata albo-membranacea hispido- aristaté nervo viridi scabriusculo longioribus. Hab. in Insula Java, Dr. Horsfield. Affinis C. polystachye, Willd. 17. C, LEUCANTHA, spicd decomposita e spiculis parvis androgynis apice masculis ; terminalibus et infra ad apicem pedunculorum congesto-ses- silibus axillaribus ; spicis partialibus 4—6 alternis plus minus compo- sitis: inferioribus remotis elongatis exserté pedunculatis : pibesiedas approximatis abbreviatis sessilibus, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis trigono- ellipticis acuminatis rostratis alté obliqué fissis striato-nervosis scabris squama ovata hispido-mucronata pallida nervosa dupl6 longioribus. C. leucantha, Arnott MSS. Hab. ad Courtallum, in Penins. Indiz Orientalis, Wight (Herb. Wight, 2379 a, “ July 1838, no. 993,” juvenilis ; 2379 b. var. composita; “ Aug. 1835, no. 992, 998,’ senilis). 18. C. Jamesoni, spicis circiter 20 fusco-nigris cylindricis androgynis apice masculis inzequaliter longé pedunculatis bracteatis evaginatis pen- dulis simplicibus compositisque: extremis solitariis : reliquis geminatis ternatisve, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis lanceolatis utrinque nervosis in rostrum breve attenuatis bidentatis glabris atro-purpureis squama lan- td =. ae 4 Linnean Society. 55 ceolata hispido-cuspidata fusco-nigra margine albo-membranacea bre- vioribus angustioribusque. Hab. in Montibus Columbiz, ad altit. 13,000 ped., Jameson (Herb. Hooker). Proxima C. Boryane, Schk. June 17.—Edward Forster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. Read a continuation of Dr. Boott’s paper entitled ‘‘ Caricis spe- cies novee vel minis cognite.” The species now described are fifteen in number, characterized as follows :— 1. C. Gunnrana, spicis 4 v. 5 oblongis v. cylindricis erectis; terminali mascula sessili ; foemineis 3 v. 4 superioribus sessilibus contiguis : infe- rioribus remotis foliaceo-bracteatis exserté pedunculatis, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis trigono-ellipticis subinflatis acuminato-rostratis bidentatis ad margines superné scabriusculis stramineis equaliter utrinque nervosis squama laté ovata mucronata v. hispido-cuspidat& longioribus. Hab. in Insula Van Diemen, D. Gunn (Herbb. Hooker et Lindley). Affinis C. laxiflore, Lam., et C. levigate, Smith. 2. C. comosa, spicis 4 cylindricis densifloris; masculé 1 erect& gracili bracteata; foemineis 3—5 crassis demtim nutantibus v. pendulis lon- gissimé bracteatis: superioribus contiguis: infima remota longiis pe- dunculata interdim plus minis vaginata, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis tri- quetro-lanceolatis longé rostratis alté bicuspidatis: laciniis elongatis patentissimis subrecurvis: stipitatis glabris nervosis demim divergen- tibus retroflexisque squamé lanceolata hirsut& ciliat&é nervosa longé hispido-aristata longioribus. C. fureata, Ell. (non Lapeyr.) C. pseudo-cyperus, Jorr., Dew. (non L.) Hab. in Georgia et Carolina, Elliott; Ohio, Sullivant ; Philadelphia et Utica, Torrey ; Boston, Boott. Satis (Elliottio Nuttallioque monentibus) 4 C. pseudo-cypero, L., etiam Americe Septentrionalis incola, distincta. 3. C. tRIqueTRA, spicis 3 v. 4 ; mascula 1 elliptico-cylindrica ; foemineis 2 v. 3 approximatis laxis apice masculis: suprema ovata sessili: infima cylindrica basi attenuata longé vaginaté inclusé pedunculata, stigma- tibus 3, perigyniis ellipticis acuté triquetris pubescentibus bidentatis sub-4-nerviis squama ovata mucronata ferruginea margine scariosa longioribus. Hab. in California, Nutiall. Proxima C. gynobasis, Vill. (C. alpestris, All.) 4. C. eiososa, spicis 4—6; mascula | cylindricd; foemineis 3—5 ovatis oblongisve erectis evaginatis laxé paucifloris: superioribus 1 v. 2 sub- sessilibus mascule approximatis: inferioribus remotis subradicalibus longé pedunculatis, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis globosis conico-rostratis ore membranaceo obliquo longé stipitatis hirsuto-scabris nervosis squa- mam lanceolatam mucronatam subzequantibus. Hab. in California, Nuttall. oo. C. bispicate, Hook. (C. longerostrata, Meyer, C. camschatcense, unth.) 5. C. Tweediana, spicis 8 cylindricis erectis; terminali mascula simplici ; reliquis androgynis apice masculis compositis: superioribus approxi- matis sessilibus: inferioribus pedunculatis evaginatis: infima remota longissimé exserté pedunculata, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis ovatis acumi- 56 Linnean Society. natis brevi-rostratis bifurcatis basi abrupté productis quasi stipitatis scabris nervosis stramineis purpureo-maculatis vel olivaceis squaamam ovatam pallidam hispido-aristatam trinervem subzequantibus. C. Tweediana, Nees in Hook. Journ. Bot. ii. p. 398. _ Hab. ad Buenos Ayres, Tweedie (Herb. Fielding). Affinis C. hirte, L., et C. Houghtonii, Torr. 6. C. paLeata, spicis 7—10 cylindricis erectis; masculis 2—4 sessilibus contiguis: infima bracteata ; foemineis 5—7 remotis foliaceo-bracteatis exserté pedunculatis, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis triquetro-obovatis brevi- rostratis bifidis apice hispidis nervosis impresso-punctulatis squamam ovatam hyalino-paleaceam hispido-cuspidatam subzequantibus. Hab, in Insula Juan Fernandez, Dr. Scouler (Herb. Hooker). Affinitas dubia. 7. C. Lanesporrru, spicis 3 v. 4 oblongis; mascula 1; foemineis 2 v. 3 laxifloris bracteatis exserté pedunculatis: superioribus contiguis: in- fima subremota, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis triquetro-fusiformibus biden- tatis nervosis hirto-scabris squama lanceolata hispido-cuspidata brevi; oribus. C. Japonica, Fisch. in Herb. Boott. Hab. in Insula Nangasaki Japoniz, Langsdorff. A C. Japonicd, Thunb, (Schk. Car. t. W.W.) perigyniis scabris spicisque gracilibus distincta. 8. C. Boneanp1, spicis 4 cylindricis erectis alternis stramineo-pallidis concoloribus; mascula 1 pedunculaté; foemineis 3 apice masculis basi attenuatis laxé imbricatis: inferioribus exserté pedunculatis bracteatis, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis ellipticis stipitatis laté rostratis bicuspidatis superné serrato-hispidis striato-nervosis squama oblonga emarginata hispido-aristata brevioribus angustioribusque. Hab. ad Bonin Insul. Loo Choo, Bongard, no. 70 (Herb. Hooker). C. trichocarpe, Muh). et affinibus proxima. 9. C. Jackrana, spicd masculaé 1 oblongo-cylindrica; foemineis 4 v. 5 : superioribus oblongis contiguis sessilibus: inferioribus vaginatis longé exserté pedunculatis: infim& remotissima elongata laxiflora interdtm composita, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis triquetro-lanceolatis acuminatis striato-nervosis emarginatis squama ovato-acuminata aristaté longi- oribus. Hab. in Insula Java, Dr. Horsfield. Habitu et aspectu C, pubescenti, Muhl. affinis, 10. C. ethiopica, spicis 4 v. 5 cylindricis erectis castaneis concoloribus ; mascula 1 ; foemineis 3’v. 4 : superioribus approximatis inclusé reliquis exserté pedunculatis: infima remota, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis ovatis triquetris rostratis bifurcatis nervosis sanguineo-maculatis squama ovato- lanceolata emarginata hispido-aristaté brevioribus angustioribusque vel longioribus. C. zthiopica, Schk, t. Z. f. 83. Hab. in Africd Australi; Caffer-land, Dr. Gill (Herb. Hooker) ; Uiten- hage, Zeyher, no. 684 (Herb. Hooker). 11. C. Arnorrtana, spicis 5 cylindricis erectis contiguis ; terminali mas- cula; reliquis foemineis: inferioribus vaginatis inserté pedunculatis : superioribus sessilibus ebracteatis, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis subinflatis ellipticis acuminatis cylindrico-rostratis bidentatis nervosis glabris oli- vaceo-viridibus squamé lanceolata aristata longioribus. C. Neesiana, Arnott MSS. (non Endlich.)—(Herb. Arnott). Hab. in Insulé Ceylon, Dr. Wight, 1836, no. 1295.” Affinitas cum C. paludosdé, Gooden. Entomological Society. 57 12. C. srnar, glauca, spicis cylindricis gracilibus erectis; mascula | ; foemineis 4 inferioribus remotis exserté pedunculatis, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis elliptico-lanceolatis triquetris nervosis brevi-rostratis bifidis apice hispidis squama ferrugineaé emarginata obtusé mucronata longi- oribus. C. distans, L. var., Unio Jtin. no. 176, 1835. Hab. “in fontanis ad radices Montis Sinai,” Schimper, C. dilute, Bieb. affinis. 13. C. apprevrara, hirsuta, spicis 3 v. 4 oblongis approximatis sessilibus ; terminali mascula; reliquis foemineis : inferioribus brevi-bracteatis eva- ginatis, stigmatibus 3, perigyniis trigono-obovatis abrupté brevi-rostratis ore integro nervosis squama ovata mucronata ferruginea margine mem- branacea longioribus. C. abbreviata, Prescott MSS. Hab. in Sibirid Altaicé (Herb. Fielding, olim Prescott). Proxima C, striate, Br. 14. C. Gestert, spicd mascula 1 v. 2 cylindrica ; foemineis 2 v. 1 oblongis v. cylindricis remotis pedunculatis erectis evaginato-bracteatis, stigma- tibus 3, perigyniis ovatis brevi latiusculéque rostratis bicuspidatis lu- cidis nervosis purpureis squama ovaté mucronata v. hispido-aristata purpurea margine membranacea longioribus. _C. Gebleri, Prescott MSS. Hab. in Sibiria Altaica? Gebler (Herb. Fielding). C. rotundate, Wahlenb. similis. C. vesicaria? Bunge MSS. e China Bo- reali differt solim perigyniis ellipticis, squamis masculis muticis (v, s. in Herb. Fielding). 15. C. Darwinn, spicd masculd pedunculata solitaria?; foemineis 6~10 cylindricis elongatis nutantibus remotis foliaceo-bracteatis evaginatis inzequaliter pedunculatis geminatis ternatisque : inferioribus solitariis, stigmatibus 2, perigyniis ellipticis stipitatis nervosis brevi-rostratis ore integro papilloso asperatis squama lanceolaté acuminata ferrugined latioribus brevioribusque. Hab. in Archipelago Chonas Americe Australis, Darwin, no. 304 (Herb. Henslow). ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, April Ist, 1844._-G, Newport, Esq., President, in the Chair. Mr. S. Stevens exhibited a minute species of Hylesinus, together with a piece of bark, showing the mining habits of the preparatory states of this beetle. Mr. Westwood exhibited both sexes of two species of the genus Ynca, Y. Sommeri (a new species closely allied to Y. Fabricii, if it be not a geographical variety thereof,) and Y. Beskii, from tropical America, sent to him from Hamburgh by M. C. Sommer, Esq. He likewise exhibited specimens of a species of Cossonus found in great numbers imbedded in a black brittle mass of matter, discovered in the interior of a barrow recently opened in Lancashire, and ac- companied by notes from the Rev. Mr. Sibson, by whom they had been communicated to Dr. Holme of Manchester. Likewise draw- ings of the transformations of an Indian species of Anthrenus, and of Paussus (Ceratoderus) bifasciatus, Kollar, forwarded to him by Captain Boys. 58 Entomological Society. The Rey. F. W. Hope exhibited a case of insects recently received from Ezra Downes, Esq., captured in his garden near Bombay, in- cluding a new species of Derbe and other insects, accompanied by © notes on the habits of a species of Cassida; another of a Cercopis, called the Cow-ant, (from emitting a saccharine fluid which the ants greedily drink,) and on several species of parasitic Hymenoptera (including a species of the genus H/asmus) reared from the cocoons of a small moth. ' The following memoirs were read :— Continuation of a memoir containing descriptions of New Hol- land Cryptocephalides. By W. W. Saunders, Esq., F.L.S. &c. Div. 2. Lateral margins of thorax dentate or uneven. PrionopLeuRA, W. W.S. Head vertical ; eyes reniform ; antenne as long as or longer than the body, filiform, with the six terminal joints somewhat more robust than the others ; thorax subquadrate, with the lateral margins dentate or rugose, and the disc with ele- vated spaces ; scutellum quadrate, elevated behind ; elytra rugose. - Type Cryptocephalus rugicollis, Gray. Subdivision 1. Elytra-with longitudinal elevated ridges more or less distinct. Sp. 1. Prionopleura bifasciata, Hope MSS. Head rufous-brown, black above ; antenne black, with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th joints varied with rufous ; thorax rufous-brown, with a black central longitudinal patch, and two lateral lunate ones of black ; scutellum black ; elytra rufous-brown, deeply punctured with eight somewhat elevated longitudinal ridges, and two broad black transverse bands ; Semora black, rufescent at base; tibie rufescent, with the apex black; tarsi black. Length 3,ths of an inch.—Hab. New Holland. Mus. Hope. . Sp. 2. Prionopleura crucicollis, Boisduval. Head chestnut-brown, with a black frontal fascia; thorax rufous-brown, with a trans- verse black band, produced in front and behind into a short cross ; scutellum black, shining ; elytra deep rufous-brown, coarsely punc- tured with five distinct and three less distinct longitudinal ridges, with three short longitudinal black patches at the base, and an irregular transverse black central band less rufous brown; fe- mora with a black streak. Length 53,ths of an inch.—Hab. New Holland and Van Diemen’s Land. Mus. Hope and Westwood. Sp. 3. Prionopleura Hopei, W.W.S. Deep rufous-brown; head with a black band and spot ; antenne rather longer than the body ; thorax black, with a narrow rufous-brown margin; scutellum black; elytra deep rufous-brown, deeply punctured with eight slightly elevated ridges and two black patches at the base, and.a transverse central fascia. Length 22,ths of an inch.—Hab. Van Diemen’s Land. Mus. Hope and Westwood. Sp. 4. Prionopleura Crux nigra, Hope MSS. Dark rufous-brown ; antenne with the terminal joint black; thorax with a transverse black central band produced in the middle both before and behind, Entomological Society. 59 forming a cross; elytra with nine longitudinal ridges, the five nearest the suture well-defined, with a narrow longitudinal black streak on the shoulders, and a sickle-shaped patch near the suture extending nearly to the middle of the elytra, and then curving ina transverse direction to the outer margin. Length 4th of an inch. —Hab. New Holland. Mus. Hope. ‘ Sp. 5. Prionopleura flavocincta, W.W.S. Head rufous-brown, with a transverse black mark on the hind part of the forehead ; thorax bright rufous-brown, with a broad transverse central band, dilated in the middle into a diamond shape ; scutellum dark brown ; elytra minutely punctured with nine distinct, somewhat elevated ridges, deep rufous-brown crossed by a broad orange band, mar- gined with a black line on each side. Length ;%,ths of an inch. —Hab. New Holland. Mus. Hope. Continuation of a memoir containing descriptions of new exotic Lucanide. By J. O. Westwood, F.L.S. Lucanus faunicolor, Hope. lL. mandibulis magnis porrectis, dente valido ante alteroque pone medium apicibusque serratis, totus supra luteo-fusco-pulverosus ; antennis longis ; tibiis omnibus inermibus. 6 Long. corp. cum mand. unc. 11.—Hab. in Oriente. In Mus. Buquet. An varietas L. metallici, Bdv. _Lucanus Rafflesii, Hope. UL. castaneo-rufus, nitidus ; mandibulis scutello et sutura elytrorum nigris; capite et pronoti lateribus punctatis ; tibiis 4 posticis in medio 1-dentatis, anticis 6-dentatis. 2 Long. corp. unc. 1.—Hab. ? Lucanus sericeus, Hope. JL. niger, lateribus late piceo-castaneis luteo-sericeis ; mandibulis brevibus ; tibiis unticis extus serratis et 3-dentatis, pronoto in medio angulato. Long. corp. lin. 10.— Hab. in insula Java. Lucanus reticulatus, Buquet MS. inedit. JL. mandibulis brevibus, crassis, intus obtuse dentatis ; subdepressus ; niger, pronoto sub- quadrato, elytrisque squamoso-reticulatis. Long. corp. lin. 6. Hab. in Nova Zealandia. Mus. Buquet. Platycerus origonensis, Westw. (an Pl. securidens, Say ?). PI. chalybeus ; elytris violascentibus, mandibulis capite parim lon- gioribus, versus basin curvatis, dente supero alteroque interno versus apicem armatis, pronoti lateribus marginatis. Long. corp. lin. 6.—Hab. Oregon. Mus. Guérin. | May 6th.—G. Newport, Esq., President, in the Chair. Mr. J. F. Stephens exhibited a specimen of Yponomeuta sedilla, Duponch., a moth new to this country, which he had captured on the 25th of April at Norwood. Mr. W. W. Saunders exhibited the larva of a Longicorn beetle which was found in casks of gum imported from South America, to which it had proved injurious. Mr. S. Stevens exhibited specimens of Lytea leucographa, taken in blossoms of sallow at Leith Hill in April. Also specimens of 60 Entomological Society. Dendrophilus Cooperi, taken in numbers in a decayed apple-tree at Hammersmith. Mr. Ingpen exhibited a specimen of Pecilus cupreus, taken in a pea-field, carrying a piece of a pea in its mouth. The following memoirs were read :— “‘ Description of the habits of Plectropteron Diane (B. Selene), a large Indian moth.” By Captain Hutton. In this communication the author gives a careful detail of his ob- servations upon a brood of this splendid moth, a female of which had deposited 246 eggs whilst in his possession, the caterpillars of which are hatched in 18 days. ‘The changes which the insect undergoes in this state are described; the food consisting of a tree called by the native Indians ‘‘ Munsooree.”’- The peculiar mode in which the insect makes its escape from its cocoon is remarkable: a sharp scraping noise is first heard issuing from the cocoon, produced by a sharp instrument drawn across the threads for the purpose of cutting a hole, the black point of which is occasionally thrust through the cocoon; the cutting proceeding in two directions, so as to form a cross, through which a passage is effected by the inclosed and newly- hatched moth. : “ Descriptions of the eggs and young larve of Sialis lutarius.” By W. F. Evans, Esq., by whom living specimens were exhibited. The eggs of this insect are observed upon the rushes in the mar- gins of ponds, in patches from two to three inches long, encircling the rush near the top; 100 eggs were counted in a square line, so that each patch contains between 2000 and 3000 eggs, which are of a singular form and arranged in a slanting direction. The larve are hatched at the beginning of May: they tumble about with their bodies erect like the Staphylintide and swim with great ac- tivity, wriggling their bodies about, and at the same time using their long legs. Their heads are of a large size. “Notes on the habits of Osmia Tunensis and bicolor, which occa- sionally construct their cells in the shells of snails.” By F. Smith, Esq., by whom specimens of the nests and insects were exhibited. June 3rd.—G. Newport, Esq., President, in the Chair. Mr. Thrupp exhibited some pieces of lime-trees infested by a species of Coccus from the neighbourhood of London. The President exhibited some specimens of a species of the same genus which attacks the orange-trees in the Azores, which led to an extended discussion, and to the appointment of a committee to in- vestigate the nature of its attacks, and also to suggest the means of preventing the injurious effects of this insect. The following memoirs were read :— *‘ Notes on the Habits of Odynerus Antilope.” By F. Smith, Esq. On the 10th of August 1843, the author observed several females of this insect burrowing into a sand-bank. At the termination of one of the burrows he found a circular chamber about half an inch in Entomological Society. 61 diameter, filled with small green caterpillars, the larva of the wasp not being then visible; but on removing the contents of the chamber into a pill-box, it was discovered two days afterwards, being about one line long: it fed voraciously, increased in size rapidly, and on the fourteenth day had consumed the whole of its store of food except three of the caterpillars, which had been previously attacked by Ich- neumons, the larvee of which parasites had spun their cocoons before the Odynerus-larva was full-fed. The latter, after remaining quiescent for two more days, then spun a globular silken cocoon, within which it remained unchanged till the first week in the following April, when it cast off a thin skin and assumed the pupa state, the larva skin remaining attached to the anal segment. At the end of the third week it began to acquire some tint of its natural or perfect colouring, the head becoming dark-coloured, as well as the tips of the wings and femora; day by day it progressed in its gradual ap- proach to a perfect state, and on the 26th of May it became active, but it was two or three days before it finally took wing. The sex of the insect developed was male. Mr. Smith made a sketch of the larva in January ; it had thirteen segments and an anal tubercle, including the head; some hymenopterous larve have apparently fourteen, as in Epipone levipes, but he believes the correct number to be ten, having lateral spiracles; the head and following segment destitute of a spi- racle, as well as the anal segment, which makes up the true number thirteen, including the head. The larva of Osmia leucomelana would, if the constrictions were numbered, have fifteen segments, including the head; it is very deeply constricted; and without taking the spiracles as a guide, the number of segments would be puzzling to enumerate. ~ "The larva of Osmia leucomelana after spinning its cocoon remains in a state of lethargy until the beginning of March, when it assumes the pupa state, and is afterwards about six weeks arriving at its perfect condition. The pupa-case spun by the larva of this species of Osmia closely resembles that spun by some species of fossorial Hymenoptera of the genus Crabro. “Descriptions of some new species of Halticide from the Philip- pine Islands.” By G.R. Waterhouse, Esq. July ist.—G, Newport, Esq., President, in the Chair. Captain Parry exhibited an interesting collection of insects received by him from New Zealand. Also a specimen of Sirex gigas, recently captured by himself at Sunning Hill. The President exhibited specimens of Saropoda furcata, and its parasite Celiorys conica, reared by himself from the nests made in posts at Canterbury. Mr. Westwood exhibited some drawings made by Dr. Templeton of various apterous insects of Ceylon, accompanying his memoir on those insects printed in that island. Mr. Yarrell presented a leaf of the lime-tree, thickly covered with small conical fleshy protuberances, apparently the result of the punc- ture of insects, 62 Entomological Society. The Rey. F. W. Hope exhibited some specimens and drawings of fossil insects from Aix. He also exhibited specimens of both sexes of Goliathus Savagei, recently received by him from Western Africa from Mr. Savage. The following memoirs were read :— ‘Descriptions of new species of Buprestide from New Holland.” By the Rev. F. W. Hope. Sp. 1. Chrysodema gigas, Hope. Viridis, ae Sere quadrato rugoso-punctato, elytris quadricostatis marginibusque externis ele- vatis, tarsisque infra flavis. Long. lin. 19, lat. lin. 65.—From Swan River. Sp. 2. Stigmodera signaticollis, Hope. Flava, thorace. viridi- violaceo, utrinque flavo-maculato, elytris tribus fasciis violaceis, pedibus viridibus. Long. lin. 14, lat. lin. 6.—From Swan River. Sp. 3. Stigmodera Mitchellii, Hope. Flava, thorace olivaceo-eneo, marginibus croceis, fossuld utringue parim distinctd, elytrisque violaceis et quatuor fasctis flavis ornatis, corpore infra cyanea, pedibusque concoloribus. Long. lin. 114, lat. lin. 5.—From Swan River. Sp. 4. Stigmodera sanguinosa, Hope. Ainea, thorace nigricante, elytris sanguineis punctis viridibus fortiter excavatis, corpore infra aurato-eneis griseisque pilis obsito, pedibus antennisque cupreis. Long. lin. 10, lat. lin. 4.—From Swan River. Sp. 5. Stigmodera hematica, Hope. Sanguinea, capite atro-eneo, thorace in medio nigro-maculato, corpore infra sanguinoso pectore, pedibusque cyaneis. Long. lin. 15, lat. lin. 6.—From Swan River. Sp. 6. Stigmodera Parryi. Brunneo-rubra, thorace eneo rubroque colore variegato, elytris brunneo-rubris, corpore infra eroso-punc- tato et eneo, pedibusque concoloribus. Long. lin. 143, lat. lin. 6, —From New Holland. Sp. 7. Stigmodera cyanura, Hope. Flava, thorace viridi nitido, maculd flavd parvd utringue positd, elytris flavis, apicibusque late cyaneis, corpore infra flavo viridique colore variegato. Long. lin. 11, lat. lin. 44.—From Swan River. Sp. 8. Stigmodera Hoffmanseggii, Hope. Violacea, thorace eneo, elytris purpurascentibus striatis, apice subserratis, humeris flavo- maculatis fasciisqgue duabus concoloribus ornatis, corpore infra chalybeo-violaceo, pedibusque eneis. Long. lin. 9, lat. lin. 4.— From the neighbourhood of Swan River. Sp. 9. Stigmodera perplexa, Hope. -Ainea, thorace nigricante, elytris flavis tribus fasciis atro-violaceis signatis, corpore infra atro-ceneo, pedibus concoloribus. Long. lin. 7, lat. lin, 3.— From Western.Australia. Sp. 10. Stigmodera assimilis, Hope. Violacea, thorace olivaceo- eneo, elytris tribus fascis flavis, corpore infra purpurascente, pedibus concoloribus. Long. lin. 54, lat. lin. 2.—From Port Philip. Sp. 11. Stigmodera Adelaide, Hope. Purpurascens, thorace flavo- marginato, disco viridi crebrissimeé punctulato, elytris violaceis et Entomological Society. 63 decem-maculatis, corpore infra flavo, pedibus violaceis, Long. lin. 5, lat. lin. 2.—From the settlement at Adelaide. Sp. 12. Stigmodera purpurea, Hope. Purpurea, thorace lateribus flavo-marginatis, elytrisque violaceis et octo maculis notatis, cor- pore infra flavo et violaceo. Long. lin. 4, lat. lin. 13.—Received by Mr. Gould from Western Australia. Sp. 13. Stigmodera hilaris, Hope. ruginosa, elytris miniatis, humeris viridibus maculisque aliis concoloribus per discum positis, corpore infra lete virescente. Long. lin, 3, lat. lin. 1.—From Port Philip. Sp. 14. Stigmodera Saundersii, Hope. Afra, elytris miniatis ad basin 4-maculatis, maculd medid rotundatd nigrd apicibusque ni- grés. Long. lin. 5, lat. lin. 2.—Lately sent by Mr. Fortnum from the Adelaide settlement. Sp. 15. Buprestis albivittis, Hope. Ainea, thorace punctulato lateribus externis albis, elytrisque ereis, vittd albidd laterali no- tatis. Long. lin. 124, lat. lin. 4.—Inhabits Van Diemen’s Land. Sp. 16. Buprestis pyritosa, Hope. Igneo-cuprea, thorace flam- manti punctato, elytris subviolacets maculis fasciisque duabus au- reis notatis, pedibusque viridibus. Long. lin. 5, lat. lin. 2.— From Western Australia. Sp. 17. Buprestis verna, Hope. Viridis, capite cupreo-eneo, tho- race elytrisque aurato-virescentibus et punctatis, corpore subtis roseo-cupreo et pubescenti, pedibusque concoloribus. Long. lin. 41, lat. lin. 1.—Sent by Mr. Fortnum from Adelaide. Sp. 18. Buprestis Porteri, Hope. Cuprea, capite obscur? eneo, scutello aureo, corpore subtis aurato-enco et pubescenti. Long. lin. 3, lat. lin. 1.—From the vicinity of Port Philip. _ Sp. 19. Buprestis Helene, Hope. Nigro-enea, thorace concolore, maculis quatuor irregularibus elytrorum, corpore subtits eneo, pe- dibus concoloribus. Long. lin. 64, lat. lin. 3—From Swan River. _ Sp. 20. Buprestis lanuginosa, Hope. Affinis precedenti : nigro- violacea, thorace cupreo, elytris maculis tribus aurantiacis mar- ginibus apicibusque sanguineis, corpore subtis eneo lanugine al- bidd obsito. Long. lin. 64, lat. lin. 3.—Received from Captain Roe of the Swan River settlement. Sp. 21. Chrysobothris Australasie, Hope. Nigro-enea, thorace pallidiori colore eneo, elytris nigricantibus, punctis duobus baseos fortiter impressis et alteris in medio cupreo-auratis, corpore subtis eneo, lateribus sublanuginosis. Long. lin. 6, lat. lin. 2}.—From Swan River. Sp. 22. Anthaxia Fortnumi, Hope. Cyanea, thorace concolori, lateribus aurato-punctatis, elytris ad scutellum aurato-fulgentibus maculd irregulari aured post humeros locatd, corpore subtiis vio- laceo, pedibus concoloribus. Long. lin. 3, lat. lin. 1.—This is, I believe, the first notice of atrue Anthavia being found inNew Holland. Sp. 23. Anthaxia Adelaide, Hope. Nigro-enea, thorace cupreo- 64 Entomological Society. @neo subtilissime punctato, elytris nigricantibus violaceoque colore tinctis, corpus infra wre -eneum, antennis pedibusque concoloribus. Long. lin. 14, lat. lin. 1.—Inhabits Adelaide. Sp. 24. Acmeeodera nodosa, Hope. Nigra, thorace nodoso et tuberculato, elytris flavis maculis minutis variis variegatis, corpore + atro-nitido, pedibusque concoloribus. Long. lin. 4, lat. lin. 4.—Received from Captain Roe of Swan River. Sp. 25. Acmeodera melanosticta, Hope. Aira, thorace nigro- nodoso, elytris flavis maculis variis atris variegatis, corpore infra concolori. Long. lin. 25, lat. lin. £.—From Swan River. Sp. 26. Agrilus purpuratus, Hope. Purpureus, thorace concolori, lateribus angulis anticis luteis, elytris purpurascentibus, corpore infra albidis maculis notato. Long. lin. 4, lat. lin. 1+—-From Moriatta, captured by Mr. Fortnum, Sp. 27. Agrilus assimilis, Hope. Purpureus, capite @neo punctu- lato flavisque capillis ornato, thorace ad angulos anticos aureo- maculato, elytrisque purpurascentibus, corpore infra eneo, lateri- bus annulorum abdominis subpilosis. Long. lin. 4, lat. lin, 1.— From Western Australia. Sp. 28. Agrilus auro-vittatus, Hope. Afinis Agrilo purpurato, Hope, at minor. Purpurascens, capite aurato punctato, thorace lined longitudinali medid aured, binisque aliis ad latera positis, elytris cupreo-purpureis vitid suturali auratd in singulo conspicud, corpore infra eneo, pedibus concoloribus. Long. lin. 22, lat. lin, #.— Received from Moriatta. Sp. 29. Agrilus pistacinus, Hope. Totum corpus supra et infra viride punctatum, antennis saturatiore colore inquinatis, caput fere rotundatum, thorace angulis posticis recté acutis, elytra @nea cre- brissime punctulata, corpus infra viride sericie ulbida obsitum, pedibus concoloribus. Long. lin. 2, lat. lin. $.—From the Ade- laide settlement. Sp. 30. Cisseis 14-notata, Hope. Afinis C. stigmatee, Laporte. Atro-violacea, thorace concolori, lateribus roseo-cupreis, elytrisque obscuris 14 punetis flavis notatis. Long. lin. 33, lat. lin, 14,.— From Swan River. Sp. 31. Cisseis Spilota, MacLeay MSS. Viridi-enea, thorace guatuor punctis albis notato, elytrisque variis minutis maculis ornatis, corpore infra eneo. Long. lin. 54, lat. lin. 13.—From New Holland. | Sp. 32. Ethon signaticolle, Hope. o “XENWUQ) ‘asunpy younpung yo “uoysno[_ *- ‘aay ay? Ag puy faurns-saruswacy ‘asunpyy yptosozddp yo ‘avequag * AA ‘APY 2Y7 49 {NoLsog 4D [BOA “AI 49 SuopuoT apau ‘MOIMSIHD 4v Ajara0g poungnayaopy ay2 fo uapavyy ayz yo uosdwouy, ‘AI 49 apo suoywasasgy poorFoposoajayy THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. No. 110. FEBRUARY 1846. X.— Remarks upon the Formation of Starch. By M. Cuartes Mixrer*. Tus subject has already been treated of by J. Minter in his interesting paper “ On the Starch of Gloriosa superbat.’ The result of his investigations is, “that a process similar to that of cell- formation may also be supposed to occur in the formation of the starch-granules, the nature of which must constitute the object of future inquiry.” At the time the above paper appeared, I had also been engaged on this subject, endeavouring to investigate the formation of the starch-granules in the nucleus of the fruit of Chara. had not then succeeded in ascertaining this, but had discovered the earliest commencement of the formation of the cells in the nucleus, which completely confirmed Schleiden’s theory of the cell-formation. Since, however, at a subsequent period, starch only is found in the nucleus in the place of the cells, the simple and natural conclusion was, that the cells them- selves must have been converted into starch. The manner in which this was accomplished was not then evident, as the con- tents of the sac of the spores, which surrounds the nucleus, so soon became turbid, and did not permit of that stage being dis- covered in which the transition of the cells into starch might be studied{. It was remarked in this paper, “ that in the mature cells probably new ones are continually formed, until the process of cell-formation terminates by all the cells being converted into starch.” I can now, from actual observation, confirm this position, which was previously deduced by Miinter from his experiments. In the spring of this year I obtained at Wanzleben near Halle, young specimens of Chara crinita having the fruit in an early stage. I took a quantity of it home with me, and in order to examine it accurately placed it in water until I had sufficient time for further * Translated from the Botanische Zeitung for Dec. 12, 1845. + Ibid. No. 12, 1845. t On the history of the development of the Chare (Bot. Zeit. 1845, p.443). G Ann. &§ Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. 74 M. Miller on the Formation of Starch. investigation. Some time elapsed before this opportunity occurred. In the interval the young Chare had become rapidly decomposed and agglomerated, the fruit alone preserving its form. When some of this was placed under the microscope, not only were the contents of the spiral sacs of the spores decomposed, but the sac itself could now easily be dissolved from the nucleus, so that the latter emptied itself of its cells on a little dissection with a knife. I then perceived what [ had so long sought for m vain. All the progressive stages of the later cell-development were exposed to view, so that the formation of the starch-granules could be readily perceived by the action of tincture of iodine. The entire result,—the whole mystery of the formation of starch, may be expressed in very few words: it ts the eytoblasts which are trans- formed into starch, and this occurs in the mature cells only. If there is only one cytoblast im a cell, and this does not con- tain any further cytoblastema, the cytoblast becomes simply ex- panded in all directions until it has reached the circumference of the cell-membrane which surrounds it. It then exhibits an ex- tremely thick dark outline, whence we may conclude that its membrane is tolerably thick. At the same time it is not perfectly homogeneous, but of a granular structure. But when the out- line of the other hemisphere which lies beneath it is examined at the same time, it may be most distinctly perceived that the cytoblast is hollow. This is particularly well seen when it has been coloured very pale blue by tincture of iodine. At the same time we generally perceive within the cytoblasts some more or less roundish and more or less curved granules. ‘This is the simplest case. The formation must necessarily become more complex, when in addition to the cytoblast, which is hollowed out and has be- come converted into starch, several other cytoblasts occur. If this happen, the membrane of the primary cell generally becomes very thick in some places, 7. e. a granular mass has been depo- sited upon it, which must be considered as cytoblastema, because its structure is of the same granular kind as that of the other parts of Chara (for instance, the cytoblastema between every two cells, from which new cells are formed, consequently in interca- lary growth) and is coloured yellow by iodine. In this mass some portions are heaped up, forming one or several more or less glo- bular groups which become expanded and hollow. They are ey- toblasts which do not however form any solid membrane on their surface, which by its expansion might enlarge so as to form a ho- mogeneous vesicle, as ordinarily occurs in the process of cell- formation. Thus whilst in the latter case a thin layer of the cy- toblast dilates into a homogeneous membrane, in the former the whole mass of the cytoblast is expanded, whence it must neces- eh aio me: - M. Miiller on the Formation of Starch. 75 sarily become hollow. It appears however as if the external la- mina of the periphery of the cytoblast is always composed of a harder but still not homogeneous structure. I have often ob- served, that when there was only one cytoblast present in the primary cell, it was encircled by the cytoblastema in which it could be moved like a loose nucleus by rolling the cell to and fro. This formation and expansion of the cytoblasts occurs in the primary cell in the greatest variety as regards number and size, I have often been able to count seven cytoblasts of the smallest and largest sizes in a single primary cell. If a cell contains a single cytoblast only, this is usually oval, and as well as its cell-membrane preserves that form during its expansion ; but if it contains several, the form is dependent upon their number and arrangement. This form in the nucleus of Chara is somewhat triangular and compressed, especially in the larger cytoblasts. In the smaller ones it is generally very angu- lar. The position of the cytoblasts in the parent cell itself varies considerably. They either lie in‘contact, if there are two, or one lies at right angles to the other (7. e. if the form is oval ; for when _ simple globules they must necessarily lie in contact). Hence they are either situated close together or at adistance. If however the primary cytoblast has expanded considerably, so that it almost fills up the cell, it frequently happens that the other cytoblasts widen the membrane of the parent cell still more, according to their own extent. Hence the parent cell acquires numerous projections which always contain their own cytoblasts. Frequently two large eytoblasts exist in one cell and dilate it in two opposite direc- tions. Thus the cell-membrane becomes somewhat contracted in the middle; and thus the forms of the cytoblasts in the parent cell become changed in various ways, that of the mother-cells being also altered. It can readily be comprehended from the hollowness of the cytoblast, that within the cytoblasts which have become conyerted into starch, a new deposit of the eytoblastema in the form of starch may occur. It has appeared to me, that in Chara this deposition constantly occurs in the form of minute granules, but this requires to be confirmed by further observa- tions. I have remarked in my paper on the history of the deve- lopment of Chara that the cytoblasts thus converted into starch subsequently become fissured. It has also been lately observed by Schaffner im a paper on the growth of cells, that the eytoblasts become hollowed. He noticed it in Chara and in Nitelle (Nitella flewilis),—as it appears to me in the internodial cells between every two cells,—where, as we know, the starch is deposited in considerable masses for the future for- mation of new cells. But if he supposes that new cells with G2 76 Mr. J. Blackwall on new species of homogeneous membranes are formed by the excavation of the cytoblasts, I believe that he has not observed all the stages and transitions of the cytoblasts mto starch ; for he does not notice the formation of the starch from the excavated cytoblast. The formation of a homogeneous membrane (membrane-substance) from the external layers of the cytoblast appears to be a very pe- culiar process, which will hereafter explain how it is that this membrane is not formed round a perfect cytoblast, and the trans- ition of the latter into another state of aggregation (starch). Still we cannot explain the whole process: of the formation of starch throughout the organic kingdom from these imvestigations, which may be readily made in the manner stated. The above isolated instance is insufficient; [therefore refrain from any further comparison of the separate stages of the starch-formation. How- ever, this example, especially as it may be so readily observed, will constitute a sure starting-point from which we may trace the formation of starch generally. XI.—WNotice of Spiders captured by Professor Potter in Canada, with descriptions of such Species as appear to be new to science. By Joun Buackwatt, F.L.S. [Continued from p. 44.] Genus Tecenaria, Walck. 19. Tegenaria civilis. Tegenaria civilis, Walck. Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt. t. 2. p. 7; Koch, Die Arachn. (Fortsetzung des Hahn’schen Werkes), B.8. p. 37. t. 264. fig. 618, 619. Agelena civilis, Sundevall, Vet. Acad. Handl. 1831. p. 127. Araneus subflavus, Lister, De Aran. p. 59. tit. xvu. fig. 17. Family THErRip1ipZ. Genus THERIDION, Walck. 20. Theridion quadripunctatum. Theridion quadripunctatum, Walck. Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt. t. 2. p.290 ; Sundevall, Vet. Acad. Handl. 1831. p. 118; Hahn, Die Arachn. B. 1. p. 78. tab. 20. fig. 58. Eucharia bipunctata, Koch, Uebersicht des Arachnidensystems, Erstes Heft, p. 7. tab. 1. fig. 13. Araneus pullus, Lister, De Aran. p. 49. tit. xi. fig. 11. an eV in il ae, avn ; Spiders captured in Canada. 07 21. Theridion sisyphum. Theridion sisyphum, Walck. Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt. t. 2. _ p. 298; Latr. Genera Crust. et Insect. t. 1. p. 97; Hahn, Die Arachn. B. 2. p.47. tab. 58. fig. 132. Theridion lunatum, Sundevall, Vet. Acad. Handl. 1831. p.111 ; Koch, Die Arachn. B. 8. p. 74. tab. 273. fig. 645. Araneus rufus, Lister, De Aran. p. 53. tit. xiv. fig. 14. Genus Puoucus, Walck. 22. Pholcus phalangioides. Pholcus phalangioides, Walck. Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt. t. 1. p. 652; Latr. Genera Crust. et Insect. t. 1. p. 99; Hahn, Die Arachn. B. 2. p. 34. tab. 50. fig. 119; Blackw. Linn. Trans. vol. xix. p. 125. The spider referred to by Mr. Jesse in his ‘ Scenes and Tales of Country Life,’ pp. 202 and 203, as remarkable for the rapidity of its vibratory motions when disturbed, is, I have no doubt, Pholcus phalangioides, which frequents ancient buildings in the south of England, and, like Epétra diadema, Theridion quadripunctatum and some other species, has the habit of violently agitating itself when anything suddenly touches its lines. This vibratory mo- tion, which in the case of Pholcus phalangioides appears to acquire its maximum of velocity, is produced by the partial contraction and extension of the joints of the legs im quick succession, as I have ascertained by occasioning specimens of Hpézra diadema to continue the action till it became so slow, in consequence of the fatigue experienced by the animals, that there was no difficulty in determining the manner in which it is effected. This singular proceeding is evidently intended by the spider to communicate motion to its snare and thus to cause the struggles of any msect entangled in it, by which means it is directed with certainty to its victim. I may here remark that the large spider alluded to in the same publication, p. 339, as peculiar to Hampton Court, and there named the “ Cardinal,” most probably is the Tegenaria domestica of arachnologists. Family Epiirrips. Genus Epittra, Walck. 23. Epéira affinis. Length of the female ;%ths of an inch ; length of the cephalo- thorax 44; breadth 5%, ; breadth of the abdomen 4 ; length of an - anterior leg ;9,; length of a leg of the third pair 3. Cephalo-thorax compressed before, moderately convex, with a large indentation in the medial line of the posterior region ; it is 78 Mr. J. Blackwall on new species of of a dark brown colour and is provided with hoary hairs, which form a line extending along each lateral margin, and a curved transverse one in front, passing between the two intermediate pairs of eyes. Mandibles powerful, conical, vertical, armed with two rows of teeth on the inner surface: maxille short, strong, enlarged and rounded at the extremity : lip semicircular, slightly pointed: sternum heart-shaped, with small eminences on the margins opposite to the articulation of the legs: these parts are of a dark brown colour, the extremities of the maxille and lip being yellowish brown. Legs long and robust, provided with hairs and spines ; they are of a yellow-brown colour, marked with dark brown annuli; each femur has a broad annulus at its extre- mity, that of the anterior ones extending over half the joint ; first pair of legs the longest, then the second, third pair the shortest. The palpi resemble the legs in colour. Eyes disposed in two transverse rows on the anterior part of the cephalo-thorax ; the four intermediate ones, which are seated on a prominence, form a square nearly, the eyes of the anterior pair being rather more distant from each other than those of the posterior pair, and the largest of the eight ; the eyes of each lateral pair are placed obliquely on a tubercle,but are not contiguous. Abdomen oviform, thinly clad with hairs, convex above, projecting over the base of the cephalo-thorax ; the upper part is yellowish brown, with a large, dark brown, festooned band, which tapers to the spinners, extending along the middle ; the anterior part of this band comprises a yellowish brown isosceles triangle including a dark brown triangle of the same form, both having their vertices directed forwards ; the posterior part of the band comprises a yellowish brown cross, the longitudinal portion of which tapers towards the spinners and includes a dark brown line, extending along the middle, which is broadest near its anterior extremity ; the transverse portion of the cross is somewhat curved, and its extremities usually break the continuity of the large, dark brown festooned band, whose posterior part is marked with some yel- lowish brown transverse lines; sides yellowish brown, with a broad, longitudinal, dark brown band, dentated at its superior margin, and mottled with yellowish brown ; middle of the under part brownish black, with a curved yellowish line on each side, which does not extend to the spinners. The sexual organs are reddish brown, and have a cylindrical membranous process di- rected backwards, connected with their anterior margin. Plates of the spiracles brown. The colours of the sexes are very similar, but the male is smaller and slenderer than the female and its legs are longer, an anterior one measuring 1 inch and ,°,ths. The palpi are short ; the anterior extremity of the cubital joint is provided on the SO ee ee Pe oa ee eee Wee ee Spiders captured in Canada. 79 upper side with two long bristles directed forwards; the radial joint is larger than the cubital, and projects a strong process from its outer side, which is gibbous above near its base, and is amply provided with long hairs; the digital joint is somewhat oval, with a procéss at its superior extremity curved outwards ; it is convex and hairy externally, concave within, comprising the palpal organs, which are highly developed, complicated in struc- ture, with a large, erect, bifid process at their upper part having a projection near the extremity and a gibbosity near the base of the larger limb on the inner side; lower down is a prominent, depressed, yellowish brown process, which is enlarged and rounded. at its extremity ; contiguous to this, on the inner side, are the somewhat pointed terminations of three prominent processes, the largest of which curves round the extremity of the palpal organs, whose colour is reddish brown with yellowish brown intermixed. The convex sides of the digital joints are directed towards each other. Epéira affinis, though very closely related to Epétra apoclisa, may be distinguished from it by its superior size, by differences in external organization, and by the legs of the male considerably exceeding in length those of the female. Lister, it is true, in comparing the sexes of Hpéira apoclisa, remarks of the male, that “et pedes et tela longiora;” De Aran. p. 37. Walckenaer also states that “le male a les pattes beaucoup plus longues ;” Nat. Hist. des Insect. Apt. t. 2. p. 63; but as regards every specimen, whether British or continental, which I have had an opportunity of measuring, the reverse has invariably proved to be the fact. Among the more obvious structural differences observable in the organs of reproduction in males-of these species are the fol- lowing. The erect, bifid process at the upper part of those or- gans in EHpéwa apoclisa is proportionably longer and slenderer, is without the projection near the extremity of the larger limb on the inner side, and the gibbosity near its base is much smaller and situated lower ; there are, besides, the extremities of two pro- cesses only contiguous to the inner side of the prominent, yel- lowish brown process, the larger of which curves round the lower part of the sexual organs, and terminates in a slender, finely- pointed spine. Whether the opinion entertained by Koch, that the Hpéira de- scribed by him under the specific name of foliata* differs from Epéira apoclisa, and is identical with the American spider at present regarded by Baron Walckenaer as a mere variety of that species+, be well-founded or not, I do not possess the means of * Die Arachn. B. 11. p. 119. tab. 387. fig. 920, 921. + Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt. t. 2. p. 62. 80 Mr. J. Blackwall on new species of satisfying myself; but it is evidently distinct from Epéira affnis, many varieties of which were included in the Canadian spiders collected by Professor Potter. 24, Epétra approximata. Length of the female ;%,ths of an inch ; length of the cephalo- thorax 7% ; breadth 44; breadth of the abdomen 7 ; length of an anterior leg ,% ; length of a leg of the third pair 5%. Cephalo-thorax large, compressed before, truncated in front, moderately convex, glossy, with furrows on the sides diverging towards the lateral margins, and a large indentation in the me- dial line of the posterior region ; its colour is dull yellow, the an- terior part, which is sparingly covered with hoary hairs, being tinged with red. Eyes disposed in two transverse rows on the anterior part of the cephalo-thorax; the four intermediate ones are seated on a prominence and form a square nearly, the eyes of the anterior pair, which are the largest of the eight, being rather more distant from each other than those of the posterior pair ; the eyes of each lateral pair are placed obliquely on a tubercle, but are not contiguous. Mandibles powerful, conical, vertical, and armed with two rows of teeth on the inner surface; their colour is pale red-brown, the fang being dark reddish brown. Maxille short, strong, enlarged and rounded at the extremity: lip semicircular and slightly pointed: sternum heart-shaped, with eminences on the margins opposite to the articulation of the legs: these parts are dark red-brown, with the exception of the extremities of the maxillz and lip, which are yellowish brown. Legs robust, provided with hairs and spines ; first pair the long- est, then the second, third pair the shortest ; they are of a dull yellow colour, with red-brown annuli at the joints, the tarsi being reddish brown. The palpi are dull yellow, except the extremity of the digital joint, which is reddish brown. Abdomen oviform, thinly clad with hoary hairs, convex above, projecting greatly over the base of the cephalo-thorax ; the upper part is yellow, with four very conspicuous, sunken, brown spots forming a tra- pezoid whose narrowest side is before; posterior part and sides faintly tmged with brown; middle of the under part brownish black, with a curved, yellow line on each side, whose extremity does not extend to the spmners. Connected with the superior margin of the sexual organs is a long, striated, prominent mem- branous process, curved downwards at its base and recurved at its extremity. Spinners and plates of the spiracles dark brown. In immature individuals of this species, which is nearly allied to Epétra vulpecula (see Baron Walckenaer’s Hist. Nat. des Insect. Apt. t. 2. p. 69), the faint outline of a festooned band may be Spiders captured in Canada. — 81 traced extending along the middle of the upper part of the ab- domen. , 25. Epéira canadensis. Length of the female ith of an inch; length of the cephalo- thorax ;1,; breadth ;+, ; breadth of the abdomen 3 ; length of an anterior leg 7’; ; length of a leg of the third pair +. Cephalo-thorax rather small, compressed before, somewhat pointed in front, very convex, with a large, longitudinal indenta- tion in the middle of the posterior region ; it is of a dull yellowish brown colour, and the anterior part, which has a brown spot on each side of the medial line, is sparingly covered with hoary hairs. Eyes disposed in two transverse rows on the anterior part of the cephalo-thorax ; the four intermediate ones are seated on an ob- tuse prominence and form a square, those of the posterior pair, which are placed on black spots, being the largest of the eight ; the eyes of each lateral pair are the smallest, and are placed on a minute tubercle, but neither obliquely nor contiguously. Man- dibles powerful, conical, vertical, rather long, somewhat diver- gent at the extremities, and armed with two rows of teeth on the iner surface : maxillz short, strong, enlarged and rounded at the extremity : lip semicircular and pointed at the apex: these parts are dull yellowish brown. Sternum heart-shaped, brown. Legs moderately long, slender, provided with hairs and spines; first pair the longest, then the second, third pair the shortest:; they are of a dull yellowish brown colour, marked with obscure brown annuli, the annulus at the extremity of each femur being the largest and most conspicuous. Palpi dull yellowish brown. Ab- domen somewhat triangular, with an obtuse prominence above the spinners ; it is thinly clad with hairs, convex above, project- ing over the base of the cephalo-thorax ; its general colour is dull yellowish brown, the upper part having a large, dark brown, festooned band extending along the middle and tapering to the spinners ; this band comprises several transverse dull yellowish _ brown bars, the anterior one, which is much the largest, being crescent-shaped with its convexity directed forwards. The specimen from which the above description was made had not attained to maturity, as the organs of reproduction were not fully developed. Genus TrerracnatHa, Lair. 26. Tetragnatha armigera. Length of the female, not including the mandibles, 2ths of an inch ; including the mandibles 3 ; length of the cephalo-thorax 3, ; breadth ;4,; breadth of the abdomen ;+, ; length of an anterior leg 14; length of a leg of the third pair 2. 82 My. J. E. Gray on the British Cetacea. Mandibles nearly cylindrical, very long and prominent, widely divergent at the extremities, which are armed with a long, slightly curved dark brown fang, having a small, obtuse protuberance at its base on the upper side; on their inner surface are two rows of teeth, the outer one consisting of twelve and the inner one of eight ; they have, besides, seven strong tooth-like processes at their extremity surrounding the base of the fang: maxille long, straight, enlarged at the extremity, which is prominent and some- what angular on the outer side: these parts are yellowish brown. Lip semicircular and dark brown, the apex, which is prominent, being yellowish brown. Sternum of an elongated heart-shape and brown colour. Cephalo-thorax somewhat oval, slightly com- ressed before, broadly rounded in front, with a large circular indentation in the medial line of the posterior region; it is of a brown colour with rays of a deeper shade diverging from the me- dial indentation to the margins. yes disposed on black spots in two transverse nearly parallel rows on the anterior part of the cephalo-thorax ; the anterior intermediate pair, with each lateral pair, is seated on a prominence, the anterior eye of the latter being the smallest of the eight. Legs long, slender, provided with hairs and a few fine spines; they are of a pale brown colour ; first pair the longest, then the second, third pair the shortest. Palpi very slender and yellowish brown ; the cubital joint is the shortest and after that the axillary joint. Abdomen long, somewhat cylindrical, enlarged at its anterior and tapering to its posterior part ; along the middle of the upper part extends a large, festooned brown band whose margins are the darkest ; in the medial line of this band are numerous, minute, whitish spots, and four small indentations, forming an elongated trapezoid, whose anterior side is the shortest, occur on the part wah is enlarged ; sides dull yellowish brown, comprising an obscure, irregular, longitudinal brown band; under part dull yellowish brown, with a dark brown band in the middle tapering to the spinners, at the base of which, on each side, is a whitish spot. Spinners and plates of the spiracles reddish brown. XII.—On the British Cetacea. By J. EH. Gray, Esq., F.R.S. Havrne occasion lately to examine the various species of Cetacea in the British Museum and other collections and the various au- thorities for the species, I am induced to send you the following list containing some additions to our fauna. It would appear as though modern writers on this part of our fauna had not taken the trouble to examine for themselves the authority on which the spe- - cies have been determined. Dr, Fleming, in his ‘ British Ani- Pee ee Mr. J. E. Gray on the British Cetacea. 83 - mals,’ collected together the best materials for the details of the species, but he made no attempt at revising their arrangement. if I have been under the necessity of reducing some of the larger species, I have been enabled to add three new species, two of which are types of distinct genera. Fam. I. BaLanipa. 1. Balena Mysticetus, Linn. 2. Megaptera longipinna; Balena longipinna, Rudolphi; The Whale, Johnston, Trans. Newcastle N. H. Soe. i. t. 1. Coast of Northumberland. 3. Balenoptera Physalus; Balena Physalus; B. Musculus and B. Boops, Linn. 8S. N.; B. rostrata, Miiller; Rorqual de la Méditerranée, Cuvier, Oss. Fos. The three Linnzan species were established on three plates, one by Martens and the others by Sibbald ; Martens’ appears to differ from Sibbald’s in the imperfection of the figure and descrip- tion, and Sibbald’s from one another in the state of the animal when figured, one having the throat dilated by the accumulation of gas beneath the tongue and the other not. There is a second species of this genus found on the Dutch coast, which has the upper jaw nearly as wide as the lower. I have no doubt it visits us occasionally ; it is the B. Boops of Rudolphi and the Rorqual du Nord of Me Cuvier, Oss. Foss. Fam. Il. Caropontipa. 4. Catodon macrocephalus, Linn.? O. Fabricius. 5. Physeter Tursio, Linn. Scotland, Sibbald. Cuvier denies the existence of this species, and Mr. Bell has overlooked the excellent figure of it in Sibbald, ‘ Phal.’ t. 1. f. a, which represents it nd of its natural size. It is well known to whalers as the black fish. Fam. II]. Deteuinip2z. 6. Hyperoodon Hunteri, Hunter, Phil. Trans. lxxvii. t. 19, with the dorsal fin behind the middle of the back. We have a head of this genus in the Museum, from the Ork- neys, four times as large as Hunter’s specimen : the elevated crests of the maxillary bones are thickened, so that their inner surfaces nearly touch in front of the blower. I suspect it may be a di- stinct species. 7. Hyperoodon Butzkopf, Lacép., Dale’s Harwich, t. 14, with the dorsal fin on the centre of the back. 84. Mr. J. E. Gray on the British Cetacea. 8. Delphinorhynchus Sowerbyi; Physeter bidens, Sow. Brit. Mise. t.1; D. Sowerbyi, Desm. ; Delphinus micropterus, Cuvier, R. A., F. Cuv. Cetac. t. 8. f.1, t. 7. skull ; D. Dalei, Lesson. Mr. James Sowerby at once recognised the skull of this animal in the figures of the skull of Delphinus micropterus above cited, so that this species was described and figured by Sowerby many years before its appearance on the coast of France. The French authors have universally overlooked the form of the head and position of the dorsal, and erroneously referred Sowerby’s figures to Hyperoodon. 9. Delphinus Delphis, F. Cuv. Man. Lithog. Se We have three specimens from the British coast in the British Museum. 10. Delphinus Tursio, Hunter, Phil. Trans. Ixxxvii. t. 18; D. truncatus, Montague, Wern. Trans. i. 75. t. 3. QO. Fabricius and Montague described this species as whitish beneath ; Schlegel figured it as black above and below. I have a drawing made by R. Templeton, Esq., from a speci- men caught on the south coast of Ireland ; it is not in Thompson’s list of Irish species. : 11. Lagenorhynchus albirostris, Gray, Zool. Erebus and Terror, t. ; D. Tursio, Brightwell, Ann. and Mag. N. H. 1846, t. 2. Mr. Brightwell has kindly sent me for examination the head of his specimen ; the nose is not longer than the length of the brain-cavity, and rapidly tapers in front with concave sides. The teeth are not half the size of those of D. Tursio, and it is at once distinguished from that species by the whiteness extending to the upper part of the beak. This and Grampus Cuvieri are most interesting additions to our fauna. We have the skulls of two other species of this genus in the British Museum collection. 12. Orca gladiator; Delphinus Orca, Linn., Schlegel, Abhand. t. 7 and 8. Hunter’s figure (copied by Bell) has the spot over instead of behind the eye. The figure in the ‘ Mag. Nat. Hist.’ is better in this respect. 18. Globiocephalus Melas, Lesson ; D. Melas, Trail ; D. deductor, Scoresby ; D. globiceps, Cuv. The skull of the specimen described by Dr. Trail was recently sent by that naturalist to the British Museum, and we have also a young specimen. Sir W. Jardine on some Birds from Western Africa. 85 14. Grampus Cuvieri ; Delphinus griseus, Cuvier. The Rey. Charles Bury sent me the head of this species, which was taken on the coast of the Isle of Wight in 1845. The ani- mal is black above and whitish beneath, not gray as Cuvier’s name would indicate ; the figure first sent him from which he described it was of that colour, and he mistook it for the real one. 15. Phocena communis, Lesson; D. Phocena, Linn., F. Cuv. Mam. Lithog. t. 16. Beluga Catodon; Physeter Catodon, Linn. 8. N. from Sib- bald; Balena albicans, Miller; D. leucas, Pallas. We have a fine large specimen of this species in the British Museum. 17. Monodon Monoceros, Linn. I may add that the characters of the genera and species are given in the monograph of Cetacea in the Zoology of the Erebus and Terror. The Finner, Balenoptera Physalus, appears to elongate the part of the body between the fins as it arrives at maturity ; in the small ones (females ?), from fourteen to twenty feet long, the pectoral fins are about one-third, and the dorsal two-thirds of the length from the end of the nose ; but in the larger specimens, male and female, the middle of the body appears to lengthen twice as fast as the other parts, for in these the pectoral is about one-quarter, and the dorsal three-quarters the entire length from the end of the nose. 7 XII1.—Hore Zoologice. By Sir Witi1AM Jarpine, Bart., F.R.S.E. & F.LS. No. VII. Notice of some Birds from Western Africa. By the attention of a friend in Liverpool we have received a small ~ collection of birds procured by the vessels trading to the Bonny and Old Calabar rivers, and as the species from these regions are comparatively inaccessible to the naturalist, except under great danger and privation, we have thought that a list, with remarks, might not be unacceptable to the ornithological readers of the ‘Annals.’ One species we have been unable to reconcile with any that has hitherto come under our notice, and have given it as undescribed. Milwus parasiticus—differs from specimens received from South- ern Africa only in being slightly less and in the tint of the plumage being more sombre. Old Calabar river. 86 Sir W. Jardine on some Birds from Western Africa. Caprimulgus (Macrodypteria) longipennis. River Bonny. HMirundo rustica. In moult, but apparently not differing from European specimens. Old Calabar river. Merops Cuviertt. Old Calabar river. Halcyon senegalensis, Linn. River Bonny. Halcyon cinereifrons, Vieill. (H. torquatus, Swain., Birds of W. Africa). River Bonny. Alcedo cerulea, Kuhl (Todier de juida, Buff.). This very inter- esting bird has the form and colouring of the true kingfishers, the bill only being more depressed and widened at the base, so much so as to have gained for it the name of “ Blue Tody” ; but although in this structure and also in its habits it ap- proaches to Halcyon, we would place it on the confines of Alcedo. Riippell met with this species in the province of Temben in Abyssinia pretty abundantly, frequenting light brushwood, and there feeding chiefly on insects. Its distribution therefore will extend to the very opposite coasts of the continent. Old Calabar river. Alcedo cristata. River Bonny, Ceryle rudis. Raver Bonny, Buceros fasciatus. Old Calabar river. Ardeola thalassina. Old Calabar river. TigRIsOMA LEUCOLOPHA, White-crested Tiger-Bittern. The crown of the head and occiput are adorned with a narrow white crest extending a short way down the nape, concealed an- teriorly by the black feathers of the forehead, which are elon- gated and lie over the white when the crest is not erected. The neck and breast are clothed with the loose standing-back feathers seen in the bitterns and birds of the present form. The ground colour of these is a deep blackish brown, each feather distinctly barred with yellowish brown : those on each side of the crest being of a deeper general tint and more narrowly banded, relieve the pure white feathers. Along the front of the neck and on the breast there are a few broad elongated feathers, entirely blackish brown on the one side, yellowish brown on the other, and having the line of the shaft marked by a conspicuous white stripe; the back, seapulars and wing-covers are of a deep rich brown, barred on the first and second with a rich shade of yellowish brown, on the last broadly and with a paler tint; quills and secondaries nearly black tipped with white; tips of the imner wing-covers broadly margined with white, which forms a light-coloured band Sir W. Jardine on some Birds from Western Africa. 87 across ; tail black, the four outer feathers narrowly barred with yellowish white ; belly and vent yellowish brown, clouded with brown, and having the shafts of the feathers marked with a white line ; legs and feet appear to have been greenish. ft. in. Entire length of the skin, rather stretched ......... 2 2 PPTL 0G OREFOUNIEY. Of FICKUS ...ceduccasocsssuuscetas chs 0 27; Of wings from bend to end of first quill ...........cecececeeeee » oO 8A COT ORME iii ce ancbarch Sub tn sixknss mae shteheats covcacnbcccccesnectsh 0 04 Cf salle LOG |, 954. cksae yes bon tines sais sabi neseny sehen cour Gunna: 0 1% The length of Sterna tenuirostris, given by Temminck, | 10 in. to 11 in. 56 TCOM: o.ncsvedsegnvd ia axd Sule eaws toh ae (13 Rede da iis sbiteas (French). XIV.—Notes on the Giconomy of the Paussidee, extracted from Capt. W. J. E. Boyes’ Paper, published in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (No. 188.—N.8. No. 54). Starx in his ‘ Natural History’ correctly states, as far as I can vouch from my own experience, that the number of joints in the tarsus of the Paussus is five, which circumstance alone should, I imagine, have proved a sufficient reason for the removal of this ge- nus from the Tetramerous to the Pentamerous section of the Coleo- ptera; but as it will be observed from the following notes, that in addition to its general form, which in outward appearance approxi- mates to many of the Carabici, it is also, similarly with several of the latter genus [family], endowed with the faculty of crepitation, attended with the same results observable in many of these, their removal may (I think) well be warranted from the place they now hold to somewhere in the vicinity of Aptinus or Brachinus. The thorax resembles the form which obtains in that part of most of the Carabici, being generally cordiform, truncated posteriorly with margins produced, though some species have it angulated in front and irregular. In flight the Paussi are exceedingly easy and agile, the lower wing when expanded being, in comparison to the size of the insect, of large dimensions ; and when they alight the movement is so sudden, and the elytra are closed so instantaneously over the lower wings, that they appear as having dropped down to the spot on which they rest, and where they generally remain several seconds previous to again attempting to move,—facts which I have also remarked as practised by many Carabici. Its walk however entirely differs from that of this last-mentioned tribe; for instead of being nimble and occasionally rapid, I have never seen it moving but in a slow and sedate manner, at which time the antennz are extended to the front of the head, and to these is occasionally given an upward vibratory motion. Di je ae Capt. Boyes on the Ciconomy of the Pausside. 89 What should bring these insects in nearer conjunction with the genus Carabus is the curious fact, that on being seized they emit from the anus a very acrid liquid, accompanied by an explosion and attended with a strong scent resembling that produced by Brachini and other allied genera when similarly treated, and although in minuter quantities, it is abundantly sufficient to produce a very sensible heat, and the crepitation may be distinctly heard and felt. On Paussus Fichtelit being captured it immediately emitted two loud and very distinct crepitations, accompanied with a sensation of heat and at- tended by a strong acidulous scent. It left a dark-coloured stain on the fingers resembling that produced by caustic, and which had a strong odour something like nitric acid. A circumstance so remark- able induced me to determine its truth, for which purpose I kept it alive till the next morning, and in order to certify myself of the fact, the following experiments were resorted to. Having prepared some test-paper by colouring it with a few petals of a deep red oleander, I gently turned the Paussus over it, and immediately placed my finger on the insect, at which time I distinctly heard a crepitation, which was repeated in a few seconds on the pressure being renewed, and each discharge was accompanied by a vapour like steam which was emitted to the distance of half an inch, and attended by a very strong and penetrating odour of nitric acid. On removing the Paussus from the paper, I found that a large spot was formed near the place where the abdomen had been, and extending backwards for one-third of an inch. The paper appeared strongly corroded as if with caustic, the colour of the spot being light brown and totally distinct from the purple of the surrounding surface. Having repeated this experi- ment four times during the day with the same results, and being perfectly satisfied that I could not be mistaken, I proceeded to kill and set the specimen. On being thrown into boiling water the ab- domen swelled up and appeared like an inflated bladder, being very much distended, assuming the same appearance as that which is ob- servable in Brachinus and other allied genera when they are simi- larly treated, and which I have had hundreds of opportunities of ve- rifying. This specimen was captured on the 17th of August, and in each experiment on its detonating powers I have used a different finger in giving the small degree of pressure required to induce its crepitating. August 29 : all the marks off my right hand. Septem- ber 3: I have now lost all the stains on the fingers of my left hand, by which it appears that those of the left hand have remained eighteen days, or six days longer than those on the right. This is singular enough, and I can only attribute the loss of the marks so much earlier on the right-hand fingers to attrition and more constant use, as the stains left were certainly much deeper in the three first trials than in the latter ones, and when I used the first, second and third fingers of my right hand respectively. Several species are provided near the exterior margin of the elytra, at the posterior extremity, with a small papillaceous follicle, giving cover to an elongated appendage of the same description, which is attached to the upper exterior margin of the abdomen, and which Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. : H 90 Capt. Boyes on the Giconomy of the Pausside. by the aid of a pin’s point may be lifted up and in a slight degree outspread, but collapsing immediately the impediment is removed. It would be difficult to assign reasons for the different addenda in the form of these insects, and observation alone can afford a clue to their uses ; but that they are objects of extreme utility, and perhaps absolutely necessary in their ceeconomy, is easily to be conceived. Possibly the last-mentioned appendages may be a source of further protection granted these curious insects, which are brought into play as danger may threaten ; for in one I captured on the night of the 30th ult., and which flew into the light on the table, I observed that when placed under the microscope, if these papille were touched, that they possessed the power of discharging a yellowish milky liquid, resembling pus in consistency, and which speedily overspread the lower part of the elytron, granulating into small egg-shaped grains. On repeating the irritation the same results occurred, and in order to be certain of the fact, I tried each elytron twice with the same effect. In my first trial the emission was so sudden and took me so by surprise, that viewing the insect through the medium of the mi- croscope, I fancied it sufficiently near to be injurious, and inconti- nently let it fall. I should mention that in all these trials, each emission was accompanied with a faint acidulous odour. Although the appearance of each discharge obtained on the elytron, I am in- clined to believe, that, properly speaking, it issued from the folia- ceous appendages on the abdomen, and that it spread over the wing- case in consequence of the peculiar shape of the shards at the part which overlaps the extremity of the above-mentioned organ ; but my experiments were unfortunately closed ere I could satisfy my doubts, as my servant in removing the microscope to another table contrived to lose my specimen, since which I have been unsuccessful in making arecapture. At one time previous to my loss I was inclined to be- lieve that a minute perforation existed in the exterior angle of each elytron, with margins sufficiently elastic to allow the liquid to pass through, closing immediately after the emission, but I could not bring myself to any certainty on this point. The following scene will be novel to our English collectors :— June 22.—We have had very heavy rain for several days past, and insects, both last night and on that of the 21st, were more numerous than I ever remember to have seen before. A lamp I placed outside, for the purpose of attracting them to the light, was after a minute or so extinguished by the immense numbers which flitted about it ; and to prevent the wanton destruction of life, I was compelled to cover the lamp with a wire shade at the expense of much light. As for myself I could scarcely remain near the spot, though covered from head to foot with a black blanket; even with this precaution my hair and clothes were so covered by the myriads which swarmed around the light, and caused me so much annoyance by getting under my dress, that I was forced to make a virtue of necessity, and strip myself to a pair of light trowsers and white night-cap, but for which I considered myself amply repaid in the capture of many new and to me rare specimens. Among the most common were several On the occurrence of an American Bittern in Ireland. 91 varieties of Carabus, four entirely new to me, Hegeter, Tenebrio, Agielie, and swarms of Copride. Of the rarer sorts I took two new Cicindele, two Colymbetes and avery beautiful Haliplus, which I had never before seen. All these came around the light in numbers, but Staphylini and the smaller Orthopterous insects were incredibly nu- merous. I was almost black with them, and the sensation produced over my back, arms and legs from the multitude of grasshoppers and crickets which were constantly jumping on or off me, and crawling m every direction, was very similar to what is called ‘ needles and pins,”’ or a ‘‘foot asleep.”” Great indeed was the enjoyment of a bathe with some dozens of ghurrahs filled with cold water, which I poured over my head before retiring to rest at 1 a.m. XV.—Notice of an American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus, Mont. (sp.), obtained in Ireland. By Witt1am Tuompson, Pres. Nat. Hist. and Phil. Soc. Belfast. I nave the pleasure of placing on record the occurrence of an American Bittern in Ireland, the first mdividual of its species known to have visited this island. The fresh skin of the speci- men, being sent to Belfast to be preserved and mounted, came under my inspection on the 14th of November 1845, and having learned that it was sent from Armagh by the distinguished astro- nomer Dr. T. RK. Robinson—whose acutely observant eye had not failed to mark the differences between it and the Botaurus stel- laris—I wrote to him for all particulars respecting the bird, and received the following information :—“ It was shot by my second son Wm. R. Robinson, about noon on the 12th of November last in a bog—part of a flat partially drained tract called Llayde Bottoms—surrounded by hills, and a mile from Armagh. It was put up in sedge, seemed lazy, and flew heavily, not showing the usual wariness of the bittern, but letting him come rather close before it rose. Its stomach was empty, but it was very fat and very good eating, for we roasted it! The sex was unfortunately not noted. The glottis was peculiar, so that I suppose it must have had the powerful voice of the common species.” Dr. Robinson, on being informed that it was the American Bittern, most libe- rally presented the bird to the Belfast Museum. As bearing on the points touched upon in this letter, it may be observed, that Audubon “never saw one of them fly farther than thirty or forty yards at a time; and on such occasions their movements were so sluggish as to give opportunities of easily shooting them ; for they generally rise within a few yards of you, and fly off very slowly in a direct course.” (Orn. Biog. vol. iv. p. 297.) Wilson states that it “is considered by many to be excellent eating ;”— H 2 92 On the occurrence of an American Bittern in Ireland. also that the American Bittern “has nothing of that loud boom- ing sound for which the European Bittern is so remarkable *.” Audubon has not himself heard its notes, but gives the observa- tions of two well-known naturalists upon them. Dr. Richardson states that “its loud booming, exactly resembling that of the Com- mon Bittern of Europe, may be heard every summer evening, and frequently during the day +.” Judging from these works, this bird takes the place in North America of the Common Bittern in Europe, but is much more frequent there than the latter now is in any part of the British Islands. Audubon informs us that in winter it is “ common in the markets of New Orleans, where it is bought by the poorer classes to make gombo soup.” The Prince of Canino, in his ‘Comparative List of the Birds of Europe and North America, makes Montagu’s bird, Ardea lentiginosa, distinct from the American species (A. minor, Wilson), with which however, as described by Dr. Richardson, the one killed in Ireland is perfectly identical in species. It agrees so well with the “ description of a male killed on the Saskatchewan plains, 8th July 1827 {,” that all the details of colowr and mark- ings equally apply to this example, except in the few followmg very trivial points :—the feathers on the vent and under tail- coverts being very sparingly dotted with brown towards the shafts instead of being “ unspotted ” ; and the long feathers on the front and sides of the neck and breast having the central stripe of mottled clove-brown bordered with a blackish line imparting to them a beautiful finish, and outside of which is a line of deep yellow shading off gradually to a lighter tint at the margin. In every character of form the bird before me agrees with that de- scription, except in having a slight development of web between the outer and inner toe, instead of being “ quite free” of such ; and in the first quill being the longest instead of the “ second and third ’’—the first exceeds the second, as the second does the third, by not more than one line (;4,th of an inch) in length: it may be added that the third exceeds the fourth by 1} line, and the fourth the fifth by 6 lines; and that these quills present a very interesting gradation in form from the first, which is pointed, to the fifth, which is quite square at the tip. Like the nine birds examined by Dr. Richardson, it possesses just ten tail-feathers : — Wilson attributes twelve to A. minor. ‘Two specimens could not be expected to resemble each other more nearly than that de- scribed by Dr. Richardson, and the one killed in Ireland ; but the * Jardine’s edit. Wils. Amer. Orn. vol. iii. p. 57. + Fauna Bor. Amer. p.374. t Consequently it differs entirely from the other male killed on the 27th June, and which doubtless must have been a bird of a different age. On the occurrence of an American Bittern in Ireland. 98 differences have been stated that the description of the former may suffice for the other, with the exceptions noted. in. lin, Length (total*) of Irish specimen ......scecsseveceeetececeneres 26 O Length of Wing sssessessseecsrecnsenssscensrscesseeceerseaeeee Sac ga bill from first feathers on forehead to point ...... Seas WE AO PTRNG 6s cscacstativssccciveccees Ass con cnesaniens coer me ee TAVSUS secvereccsccccncesecccensrsecsescvenescceseuaserene oi 8 —— naked part of tibia ..,.cscsscsesesececssrecces ences wel Rite ———-——— Middle tOe cecscrcccrsrseccescesrerccerssesceroesseess erin mati’ —— middle claw measured in a straight line............ 0 7 TING £00 | foi. ices ccsescecceveccarsvevcevnsscevesencscece Ce Pe PTA MOU CUSW sn bareceViaeses cnc ckbsbedeciocs ss tnetedss 1. OF Although the European and American Bitterns have a general resemblance, they are found, when compared by the ornithologist, to differ in all respects. The latter is much the smaller species, but they both vary remarkably in size. The toes and claws are much smaller in the American bird. The most striking differ- ence in its colour is the black stripe on each side of the neck, which in the specimen before me commences 13 inch below the eye, and extends for 3 inches, until in the shading off of the black the two stripes may be said to meet at the back of the neck: the greatest breadth of this stripe is one inch. All the feathers of the front and sides of the neck and breast having (as already described) a dark central stripe, give to that portion of the plumage a beautifully rich and regularly streaked appearance, which is rendered further conspicuous by the entire absence of dusky transverse markings, such as appear there in the Common Bittern. The whole dorsal plumage is different in the American bird, and much more handsome than in the other, consisting of a beautiful mixture of brown of many shades and rich yellows, and when the light falls upon it exhibiting reddish violet reflec- tions, reminding us of the same parts in the Jack-snipe (Scolopax gallinula): a species which it likewise resembles in possessing similar richly and beautifully coloured scapular feathers. The tail-feathers + of the American bird are of a uniform dusky brown —those of the European specimen compared with it have more or less of a narrow stripe of black towards the centre; the rest being all freckled or mottled with black on a rich buff ground :— the quills of the American species are likewise of a uniform co- lour, while those of the European are barred alternately with black and buff, except at the tips, which are wholly black. Other differences might be pointed out, but those mentioned are the most striking. Temminck describes “ zigzag”? markings on the upper parts of the plumage and on the coverts of the wings f, but there is not in the American Bittern before me any markings * Not quite satisfactory, as the bird had been skinned. + The tail-coverts are mottled. { Man. d’Orn., de l’Eur. vol. iv. p. 382, 94 M. Coste on the Formation of Cells. to which I would apply that term, as there are on the neck and wing-coverts of the European bird. Yarrell’s figure gives a very good general idea of the American Bittern, but in two impressions (1st and 2nd editions) examined, the back and wings Jook rather too dark, and I could hyperer - tically have wished the quills and tail shown of a uniform co- lour, in which respect they so obviously differ from the same parts in the common species, which are banded. But in figures of so small a size, characters like these can be but partially attended to. The first Ardea lentiginosa which occurred in Europe was (as is well known to ornithologists) described by Montagu under this name ; it was killed in Dorsetshire in the autumn of 1804: a se- cond was made known by Dr. E. Moore as shot near Plymouth on the 22nd of Dec. 1829: notice of a third obtained near Christ- church in 1836 was communicated to Mr. Yarrell, who has likewise been told of a bird, believed to be of this species, having been pro- cured in the Isle of Man—but the season or year is not mentioned. About the middle of October 1844, one of these birds—the only one obtained in Scotland—was killed on the property of Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart., in Dumfries-shire, and at a very appropriate time, when Mr. Gould, the well-known ornithologist, was on a visit at Jardine Hall :—where too, I lately had the pleasure of seeing the specimen. ‘These are all the examples known to have occurred in Great Britain. There is no record of this species having been met with on the continent of Europe in Temminck’s ‘ Manuel ’ &e. (vol. iv. 1840) ; Keyserling and Blasius’ ‘ Wirbelthiere Eu- ropas ’ (1840), or Schlegel’s ‘ Revue Critique des Oiseaux d’Ku- rope, (1844) :—a fact, which, like that of other American. species having been obtained in the British Islands, and not farther to the eastward, strengthens the circumstantial evidence in favour of such birds having really crossed the Atlantic. Three out of the four birds of this species, the date of whose occurrence in the British Islands is known to us, were met with about the migra- tory period when the species leaves the more northern for the southern parts of North America:—the fourth, which was ob- tained in December, may have arrived at that period, but have remained in the country unobserved until it was killed. XVI.—Researches on the Primary Modifications of Organic Matter, and on the Formation of Cells. By M. Costn*. (2nd Part.) [Continued from vol. xvi. p. 385. ] Tue most appropriate examples for supplying the neces means for resolving the difficult problem of the formation of cells * Translated from the Comptes Rendus, Dec. 22, 1845. - M. Coste on the Formation of Cells. 95 should be found in those parts where the matter undergoes that primary elaboration which prepares the materials of the new in- dividual. Hence the bases for.its solution must be sought in the metamorphoses of the vitellus, and we there find the facts deve- loped in so characteristic and evident a manner, that they may be verified by any one. But, before showing how it is that the amorphous matter assumes the cellular form, there is another condition of that matter, the history of which I shall rapidly trace, and with which it is not less important.to be acquainted. I allude to that progressive subdivision by means of which it is employed for the production of organic spheres, which must be considered hereafter as special elements of the living tissues. We shall proceed then, first, to study the mode of generation of these spheres in the vitellus of Mammalia, subsequently tracing it wherever it occurs. When, in Mammalia, the seminal fluid has passed through the uterus and reached the Fallopian tubes so as to envelope the ovum with its moving molecules, in propor- tion as the molecules penetrate its substance, we see the yolk undergo the primary modifications which are about to induce the organization of the germ. It commences by becoming concen- trated into a smaller volume, and forming itself into a granular globe so perfectly spherical and correctly outlined, that all the grains of which this globe is composed, and which are united together by means of a viscid diaphanous fluid, are apparently retained in the general form which their assemblage represents, by a delicate layer of the same fluid which appears at the peri- vhsty as the representative of an enveloping membrane. But if, after having sufficiently guarded against optical illusions, we en- deayour to develope the reality of the appearances which obscure it, we soon recognise that such a membrane does not exist, and that those observers, as for instance Barry, who have admitted its existence, have not pursued their examination with sufficient care. Their error here evidently arises from their having considered the superficial part of the viscid matter which retains the granulations mingled in its own substance as an enveloping membrane. This matter is in fact merely lodged in the interstices of the granu- lations which it agelutinates, and which it separates so regularly that it appears at first sight to form a wall at the periphery of the vitellus, the outline of which appears more distinctly delineated in proportion as its transparence contrasts with the opacity of the anulations which it bounds. But, I repeat, this is an illusion which an attentive analysis corrects, ‘and on this point I have suf- ficiently repeated my observations to have a well-founded con- viction. The vitedlus is not then, as has been supposed, a vesicle or cell filled with granules, but simply a granular homogeneous sphere, 96 M. Coste on the Formation of Cells. the whole of the grains of which are kept agglutinated by a dia- phanous interstitial matter, the retraction of which matter gives the whole mass the somewhat geometric regularity which it as- sumes. Soon (a few hours are sufficient for the accomplishment of this phenomenon) the vitelline sphere divides into two nearly equal parts, each of which, immediately rendered spherical in form by the centripetal retraction of the viscosity which retains its granulations in union, presents the same aspect and the same composition as the whole from which it emanates. This primary division is scarcely accomplished before the two secondary granular spheres which are thus formed by a primary division of the vtellus become in their turn the seat of a similar di- vision, and the same phenomenon being repeated during a certain time upon each new segment, the vitellus is finally resolved into a considerable number of granular spheres of a progressively dimi- nishing volume, but always of the same nature. However Reichert, who has made some special researches upon the division of the vitellus of the Batrachia, believes he has observed that each seg- ment is a true cell possessing an enveloping membrane and gra- nular contents. According to him, the phenomenon of the division of the yolk would then have a totally different signification to that which we have given, and would essentially be nothing more than an illusion produced by the liberation of the pre-existing vesicles which were inclosed one within another. The vitellus, in his view, would at first represent a mother-cell, the wall of which, when ulti- mately absorbed, would expose to view two inclosed vesicles which form its contents; these two vesicles having thus become free would be dissolved in their turn, and each of them would allow two other vesicles to escape, which would produce an appearance of a divi- sion of the yolk into four segments, and so on, until the com- pletion of this illusory division arrived. But although this hy- pothesis appears to explain a phenomenon until then but little understood, and to corroborate the theory of the exclusive m- tervention of the cells for the formation of the tissues, it does not follow that we must accept it without examination, and solely from its being reconcilable with an accredited system. I have therefore examined the question with all that care which its im- portance demands, and, after the most minute researches, I am perfectly convinced that the segments of the viéel/us or the gra- nular spheres are not real cells. Consequently Barry and Berg- mann were deceived when they admitted the contrary. When the subdivision of the vitel/us is completed, a process ensues in each of the granular spheres resulting from this divi- sion which converts them into true cells. But before arriving at this degree of organization, as we have seen, the living matter Vy iia M. Coste on the Formation of Cells. 97 had assumed regular forms, and in each vitelline sphere had ac- quired a generating activity which becomes a powerful cause of multiplication. There is then a distinct organic form, which may be considered as a primary act of individualization, or a primary manifestation of life, between the amorphous state of this matter and its actual application to the formation of the cellular walls. This primary act or this primary manifestation has for its object the forma- tion of granular spheres, which, without being bounded by an enveloping membrane, have already a true existence, are true livmg individuals, inasmuch as they enjoy the faculty of repro- duction, and in multiplying they become the active elements of the organism, and contribute to the formation of the tissues of which the organism is composed. For my own part, I am unacquainted with anything which is more curious to observe than this progressive duplication of living spheres reproducing in each secondary segment the reduced but invariable image of the primary vitelline sphere. And in pro- portion as we witness the realization of this remarkable pheeno- menon, we are as it were involuntarily led to seek, in the interior of the substance which is doubled, some material arrangement which may explain a metamorphosis, the cause of which cannot be clearly found elsewhere. In fact, a more attentive examination soon shows that in the centre of each vitelline sphere there exists a diaphanous homo- geneous globule having a fatty aspect, and which cannot be com- pared to anything better than a drop of oil. Seeing that this globe appears in so constant a manner, we inquire if the division of the vitel/us cannot be attributed to its influence. But in order to solve this problem, what passes in this same vitellus prior to its division, and when it consequently appears as a simple sphere, should be examined. We then see that the fatty or oleaginous globe, hidden in the midst of the granulations of the primitive sphere, there undergoes a contraction which divides it into two segments or distinct glo- bules, and each of these segments seems to become a centre, which tends to envelope itself in a portion of the surrounding granula- tions, separating them from cells which are entangled by its fellow. We should say, in short, that the vitelline sphere, excited simulta- neously by two centres of action, yields to each of these centres half the substance of which it is composed, and thus divides into two segments which are immediately rendered spherical; each segment of the vitelline sphere, being furnished with the oleagi- nous globule which has excited the separation, then becomes in its turn the seat of a similar process, and the division of its cen- tral globule induces that of the secondary sphere which contains 98 M. Coste on the Formation of Cells. it. This is ‘thie manner in which the phenomenon of the multi- plication of the vitelline spheres ensues ; but this phenomenon, which we have considered as the result of a double influence si- multaneously exerted upon each of the segments of the vitellus by the division of the fatty globe which occupies its centre,—this phenomenon, I say, seems to refer to a still deeper cause, and so to speak, to be nothing more than the external and consecutive repetition of a more intimate and previously completed process. In fact, each central fatty globule contains in its interior a much smaller generating globule, and which appears, in regard to the fatty globule, to play the same part as the fatty globe fulfils with regard to the vitelline spheres by which it is enveloped. So that if we review the whole of the facts which the vitellus presents during the transformations which we have described, we find that the elements to which these metamorphoses give rise are derived from one another in a continued series, and are all the result of | a triple envelopment. This envelopment commences by the appearance of a primor- dial globule within the vitelline spheres ; the globule then becomes a centre, around which the fatty globule is condensed ; the latter subsequently resolves itself into two distinct fragments ; and these fragments, enveloping themselves with the vitelline matter, pro- duce the granular spheres, the mode of multiplication of which I have previously described. The formation of the organic spheres by successive envelop- ment around a centre, and their multiplication by subdivision, are such general facts as to require the whole attention of phy- siologists. They are observed in the vitellus of Mammalia, Batrachia, the osseous Fishes, Mollusca, insects and worms, The so frequent production of these particular forms of matter proves, in opposition to the opinion of Schleiden and Schwann, that organized bodies are not exclusively composed of cells; but that other elements may also enter into the composition of ‘their tissues, and that the organic spheres ought to be reckoned among these elements. They do not in fact appear only as a transitory modification of the vitelline matter undergoing the primary in- fluences of fecundation, for they are also found in tissues which are undergoing development, and even in those which form a part of the adult organism. Itis these which, by their juxtaposition in the Mammalia, give origin to the earliest and most important for- mation of the tissues of the germ, because the blastodermic mem- brane is formed at their expense; that is to say, that which will sub- sequently become the basis of the entire organism. It is true that by gradual conversion into cells they soon raise the blastodermic membrane to a higher degree of organization ; but they reproduce it at a period when they are still simple granular spheres, and Dr. Neill on Phrynosoma Harlani. 99 they then still enjoy all the properties of these spheres, so that after their incorporation they continue for a certain time to mul- tiply by subdivision, as we shall show in a future memoir. XVII.— Notes on Phrynosoma Harlani, Wieg, By Dr. Parricx NEIL. Duar Sir, In the autumn of 1844 I was presented with a beautiful speci- men of the Phrynosoma Harlant by a gentleman who had brought it direct from Texas. After keeping it a week or two the creature was sent to my friend Dr. Neill, and the inclosed letters relating to its habits appear to me of sufficient interest to warrant their publication. I am, dear Sir, yours very truly, Richard Taylor, Esq. GEORGE JOHNSTON. My pear Sir, Canonmills, Dec. 28, 1844, The curious Texas Lizard, after six weeks’ residence in my hot- house, is still alive, and taking a fly when we can tempt him with a living one. On procuring Dumeril and Bibron from my friend Mr, Wilson, I found a full and accurate description of the animal, Phryno- soma Harlani of Wiegmann, Agama cornuta of Harlan, and ap- parently Lacerta orbicularis of Linneeus. The coloured figure in Griffith’s ‘ Réegne Animal’ seems to-have been taken from a mu- seum specimen, for the bright colours are deficient ; what is pale brown in Griffith’s figure, is in the living subject, when lively and in a temperature of 65° or 70° F., golden yellow. The de- scription of the colours is, to some extent, liable to the same ex- ception. ortunately flies are found in our steam-engine room all the winter, and | carry home two or three in a small box every Satur- day. Phrynosomais rather cunning or suspicious; for we have been unable to see him catch at a fly, so as to knowwhether he throws out the tongue as the chameleon used to do. The gardener has watched ten minutes in vain ; yet if he leaves a disabled fly with him for five minutes, the fly has disappeared on his return. He can climb the perpendicular smooth wooden wall of a box in which we keep him and can adhere to the wall. He can leap somewhat like a frog, or rather like a toad—clumsily and to a small distance onl —not twice the length of his own ee Miss Neill thinks she heard him utter a kind of squeaking croak, but neither the gar- 100 M. Brongniart on the Relations of the dener nor I have heard any voice.—[The large long-necked tor- toise fuffs like a cat very often. ] . I remain, dear Sir, yours very truly, Dr. Johnston. Parrick NEILL. My peEAR Sir, Canonmills, Feb. 25, 1845. The Phrynosoma, I regret to say, unexpectedly died about a week ago. I am not aware of having been able to make any ob- servations in addition to those I formerly communicated. We had a chamber made for it just over the entrance of the flue, and where the temperature was scarcely ever so low as 60° F., and often 70° and upwards: we kept a shallow saucer with water in the chamber, and always some Hypnum moss or foreign Ly- copodium laid over the saucer, so that the lizard could drink and could not overturn the vessel or spill the water. The creature often sat on the top of the moss. Dear Sir, yours very truly, Dr. Johnston. Patrick NEILL. XVIII.—On the Relations of the genus Noggerathia to Living Plants. By M. Avotene Bronentarr *, Tne difficulties in determining the relations of fossil plants to those now in existence have long been known. ‘The isolation of the different parts of a plant, and in most cases their imperfect state of preservation, which obliges the naturalist to be satisfied with the examination of characters which are frequently the least important, are the principal obstacles to this study. The more the plants, the remains of which are submitted to our investiga- tion, differ in their organization from those which are the con- stant studies of the botanist, so much the more difficult is the establishment of their analogies. The further we proceed in the series of ages towards the earliest geological periods, the further are we removed from the actual creation, and the greater do the differences between the living and fossil beings become ; this general law is well-established in the animal kingdom, and it is not less true for the vegetable world. Thus most of the fossil plants of the tertiary strata belong to eenera in actual existence, and merely present specific differences ; such are the pines, elms, birches, maples, walnut-trees, Nymphee, &e. eA Those of the secondary strata may undoubtedly almost always be referred to known families, but appear in most cases to re- quire the formation of new genera. Lastly, in the older strata, particularly m the coal-formations, * Translated from the Comptes Rendus for December 29, 1845. genus Noggerathia to Living Planis. 101 many of the fossil plants cannot be classed in families at present existing, and ought to constitute new groups of equal importance. The Calamites, Lepidodendra, Sigillaria,and Asterophyllee, arethus situated ; several less well-known genera should probably also be raised to the rank of distinct families. But above the families are the classes and the large divisions of the vegetable kingdom, and it might be asked whether those families which are peculiar to the primitive vegetation of the globe, and which are so dif- ferent from those which now inhabit it, would enter into the present great divisions of the vegetable kingdom, or whether some of them should be referred to one of an entirely distinct nature, as it were, foreign to the great types of living vegetable organization. This important question cannot probably be solved with certainty in the present state of our knowledge of these fossils. However, all the observations which have hitherto been made appear to show that the earlier creation must be referred to the principal types of the present creation, but without pre- senting examples of themall. Thus the present vegetable king- dom presents five great divisions: the Cellular Cryptogamia or Amphigens, the Vascular Cryptogamia or Acrogens, the Dico- tyledonous Phanerogamia, Gymnospermia and Angiospermia, and the Monocotyledonous Phanerogamia. The first three of these great divisions undoubtedly existed at the period of the coal-for- mation, whilst the two latter appear to have been completely absent ; at least, we have no positive evidence of their existence ; whilst, on the other hand, everything tends to render it doubtful. On this point recent researches have merely confirmed what I established more than twenty years-ago, 7. e. the absence of the angiospermous dicotyledonous Phanerogamia, and even that of the monocotyledons, the existence of which then appeared to me very doubtful. But new and hitherto very rare specimens which have been collected and carefully studied in England, Germany and France have caused important changes relative to the plants which I had considered as Acrogens or vascular Cryptogamia. This advance is owing to the discovery of portions of stems of these plants with the internal structure in a state of preservation. They have shown that the Sigillarie, Stigmaria, and probably most of the Calamites, are not plants nearly related to the Ferns, Lycopodia and Equiseta, but to distinct families of the dicoty- ledonous gymnospermous group, more nearly approaching the Conifere and Cycadee. Hence, at the period of the coal-formation, vegetation would have consisted entirely, or nearly so, of two of the great divisions of the . vegetable kingdom: the acrogenous Cryptogamia, represented by the herbaceous and arborescent Ferns (the latter reduced to the true Caulopteris), the Lepidodendree, a family nearly re- 102 M. Brongniart on the Relations of the lated to the Lycopodiacee, and some Equisetacee ; and the gym- nospermous dicotyledons, comprising the Sigillariee (Sigillaria, Stigmaria, Lepidofloyos), the Calamitacee (Calamites), the Coni- fere (Waichia), and probably the Asterophyllee (Asterophyllites, Annularia and Sphenophylium). We thus see of what great importance the latter branch of the vegetable kingdom, which is © so limited in the present vegetation, appears to have been at this early period. The families which belong to it are moreover still the most obscure, and such as deserve most to receive the attention of botanists. The characters of most of them are merely founded upon the form and structure of the stems, and we are in general unacquainted with the form of their leaves and fructification. The genus to which I now propose to draw attention is un- known to us except by its leaves; but I believe that I can refer organs of fructification to this genus, establish by this means its relations to recent plants upon a solid basis, and show that it closely approaches a family of the gymnospermous dicotyledons . still in existence, the Cycadee. M. de Sternberg * has given the name Noggerathia foliosa to an impression of a leaf from the coal-formations of Bohemia. At first he did not point out any relation between these plants and those at present existing; subsequently, by comparing them to the leaves of Caryota, he placed them near the Palms, and more recently he arranged them among the monocotyledons, without fixing their position. At a period when I was unac- quainted with this fossil except from the figure of M.de Sternberg, I admitted the analogy of these leaves with those of Caryota. Mr. Lindley, and quite recently M. Corda, still admit this position of Noggerathia among the Palms. On the contrary, M. Unger + and M. Goeppert {, as I presume, have classed this genus among the Ferns. Which is the most probable of these opimions? Are there not more intimate relations between this fossil plant and other living plants ? We shall examine this point. We may first remark, that the genus Noggerathia is not confined to the single very rare species at first described by M. de Sternberg, and which has only hitherto been found in the coal-mines of Bohemia. Messrs. Lindley and Hutton long since added Noggerathia fla- bellata from the Newcastle mines to this genus. M. Unger enu- merates, in addition, two species described by M. Goeppert, and I have made known two from the Permian sandstone of Russia in Messrs. Murchison and Verneuil’s large work. I should add, * Flore du Monde Primitif, fase, 2. p. 32. t. 20. + Synopsis Plantarum Fossilium. t Genres des Plantes Fossiles, livraisons 5 et 6 (quoted by M, Unger), This livraison has not yet arrived at Paris. genus Noggerathia to Living Planis. 108 that the examination on the spot of several vegetable impressions upon the schists and sandstones from the coal-mines of France, and the transmission of important collections made in these mines by the superintending engineers, have made me acquainted with several new species of this genus. Several beautiful specimens, and the examination of a large number of fragments, have con- vinced me that most of these species were much larger than those at present known, especially the species first described by M. Sternberg. Generally we merely find isolated leaflets of the large pinnate leaves of these plants; and even more frequently fragments only of these leaflets, which require to. be recon- structed at the localitiés by joining the different portions con- tained in the slabs. We thus find that the true Noggerathie have pinnate leaves with more or less expanded cuneiform leaflets, which are some- times fan-shaped, at others almost linear, truncated or rounded like a spatula at the summit, frequently cleft into straight or linear, truncated or rounded lobes. These leaflets generally ter- minate obliquely at the summit, which indicates, even when they are isolated, that they are leaflets of a pinnate leaf and not simple leaves. Their most important character consists in the arrangement of the nerves. These all arise from the tolerably large base of the leaflet; they are perfectly equal in size, hence the leaflets do not present any median nerve, nor any predomi- nating secondary nerves; arising from the base of the leaflet, they are parallel to each other, or slightly divergent, according to the more or less expanded form of these leaflets; they either remain simple or bifureate by an insensible duplication, and not by a decided bifurcation as in the Ferns. Hence it results that these nerves are slightly stronger towards the base, more slender to- wards the centre or the extremities of the leaflets, but all uniform, and thus reach the truncated or rounded extremity of the leaflets. Such are the structural characters of these leaves, which aed assist us in appreciating their relations to the leaves of living plants. It is evident that the relations established between the Nog- gerathie and the Palms are badly founded ; for in all the palms which have cuneiform truncated leaflets (Caryota, Harina, Mar- tinezia, &c.), as in those having linear or lanceolate leaflets, there is a more marked median nerve, then some more slender secondary nerves, and finally some very delicate nerves between these ; hence the nerves are very unequal, and the median nerve espe- cially is nearly always very distinct. In the ferns with pinnate leaves, the leaflets of which slightly approach those of Noggerathia in form, the nerves also arise from a very distinct median nerve, at least towards the base; more- 104 M. Brongniart on the Relations of the over, they are dichotomous with a bifurcation which is distinct, and forms a very obtuse angle. A few ferns only having a sim- ple flabelliform frond, present a structure tolerably analogous to that of the leaflets of Noggerathia: such are Schizea latifolia and elegans, hut the general form of the leaf is very different. These structural characters of the leaves appear to exclude all real analogy of the fossil plants which we are considering with the two families, the Palms and Ferns. But there is another family very widely diffused among the primary creations of the vegetable kingdom, which presents a much more marked analogy with Noggerathia in the structure of its leaves ; it is that of the Cycadee. We know that the Cy- cadee, long since placed by botanists sometimes near the Ferns, sometimes the Palms, have been considered by all recent authors, especially since the beautiful publications of L. C. Richard and Du Petit Thouars, as intimately allied to the Conifere, and form- ing with them the remarkable group of gymnospermous dicoty- ledons. But if the Cycadee and Conifere are united by the most important points in their organization, they differ extremely in their general aspect, in which the Cycade@ resemble the Palms. Like them, the Cycadee have pinnate leaves with linear lanceo- late or oblong and almost spatulate leaflets. However, the struc- ture of these leaflets is very different in these two families. In Cycas they are traversed by a single median nerve ; on the con- trary, in Zamia, and especially in the American Zamie, each leaflet is traversed by slender and numerous nerves, which are of perfectly equal size, arise directly from the base of the leaflet, simple and parallel when the leaflet is lmear or oblong, slightly divergent and bifurcate at a very acute angle when the leaflets are obovate or spatulate. In short, the neuration is exactly the same as that of Noggerathia. The general form of these leaflets is also very analogous when we compare certain species of Noggerathia, such as NV. foliosa and spatula, with some species of American Zamie, as Zamia furfuracea, integrifolia and pygmea. Other species are further removed from the existing Cycadee by the form of their leaflets; but the characters of the nervation remain the same, and their importance is evidently much greater than that of the form of the leaves. Thus the Noggerathie appear to me | clearly to approach the Cycadee in the structure of their leaves, and to belong to the division of the gymnospermous dicotyledons. But the Cycadee and the allied families are frequently arbo- ‘rescent plants, furnished with both male and female flowers, and with seed of a considerable size. May we not find portions of these organs in the strata in which Noggerathie occur, which would confirm and more accurately determine the affinities of - these plants ? genus Noggerathia to Living Plants. 105 One of the best means of removing some of the difficulties in the study of fossil plants, and especially of withdrawing part of the yeil which still obscures the affinities of the plants in the coal-measures, appears to me to consist in studying, in the mines themselves, the manner in which the various forms of fossil plants are associated in the rocks which accompany the same layer of coal. In fact, m my opinion, each stratum of coal is the pro- duct of a peculiar vegetation, frequently different from that which precedes and that which follows it,—vegetations which have given rise to the superior and inferior layers of coal ; each stratum re- sulting, in this manner, from a distinct vegetation is frequently characterized by the predominance of certain impressions of plants, and the miners in numerous cases distinguish the dif- ferent strata which they remove by the practical knowledge they possess of the accompanying fossils. Any layer of coal and the rocks which lie upon it should consequently contain the various parts of the living plants at the moment of its formation, and by carefully studying the association of these various fossils, which form so many special floras, containing generally but few species, we may hope to be able to reconstruct these anomalous forms of the ancient world. This is what I have applied myself to in my travels during the last two years, with the view of studying the coal strata of part of France and the fossil plants which they con- tain; and although similar results cannot generally be obtained except by long-continued researches, which the directors of mines alone could make, still chance has sometimes favoured me, and furnished me with useful materials for the solution of this import- ant question. Thus, in the mines at Bessége, near Alais, I was astonished at finding amongst the-portions removed from one gallery and from the same stratum, a large number of the follow- ing fossils, which were almost unmixed with others :—1. Nume- rous fragments of the leaves of Noggerathia, with long, almost linear leaflets, which were slightly cuneiform and lobed at the summit; 2. Other fronds of a crested form, and having a very characteristic aspect ; 3. A large number of large elliptic or ob- long seeds. These remarkable fronds, of which I had met with rather small fragments only, but of which I have since seen al- most perfect specimens in other mines, in the species at Bessége, which is the largest [ am acquainted with, would be about 50 centimetres long and about 30 broad. They are bipinnatifid, the petiole and rachis large, flattened, expanding as they penctrate the secondary rachides, and from thence into the rounded, re- curved and fringed lobes, which constitute the foliaceous appear- ance. This part has not in the least the aspect of the delicate and well-defined leaves of the ferns, which are so common in these strata ; in this it is rather a flattened, dilated petiole, thinner and Ann. & Mag. N. Hist, Vol. xvii. 106 M. Brongniart on the Relations of the lobed at the margins; and there is no small leaflet inserted upon these flattened rachides ; hence we cannot suppose that it is the young frond of a fern still convoluted at the extremity. I ought moreover to remark, that these fronds do not constitute a unique and exceptional case, but are extremely abundant in this stratum. After having compared these impressions with all the foliaceous organs with which I am acquainted, I find none to which they have more analogy than those abortive fronds, which in Cycas bear the organs of reproduction. These modified fronds of Cycas, which are much shorter than the true leayes, support on their base and on the two sides of the petiole, two, three or four tole- rably approximated ovules ; towards the extremity they expand into a thick lamina, which is slightly dilated and almost entire in Cycas circinalis, very large, and deeply cut into narrow laciniz in Cycas revoluta. There is certainly a great. difference both in the shape and de- tails of the form of these organs and those to which I compare them, but their general structure appears to me very analogous ; and when we recollect that the leaflets of Cycas are spirally con- voluted in their young state, like the lobes of this singular frond ; when we remember that Noggerathia, and particularly the species which accompanies it, has much larger leaflets than those of Cycas ; finally, when we find these fronds associated with leaflets having so many characters common to the other Cycadee, we are led to believe that these anomalous fronds are the abortive and fructi- ferous fronds of Noggerathia. This supposition is confirmed by the presence of large quantities of fruits, or rather seeds, which resemble those of Cycas most strikingly, im the same strata which contain these two kinds of fronds. These are large oblong or ellipsoidal seeds, flattened by compression, perfectly symmetri- cal, thicker, and as it were truncated towards the base at the point corresponding to the chalaza, more acute at the summit, and frequently towards this extremity presenting traces of an in- ternal body which appears to indicate the position of the micro- pyle and the attachment of the embryo. 5 It is difficult to avoid being struck by the analogy in form” and structure of the appreciable parts of these seeds with those » of the Cycadee and certain Conifere, such as the yew and the gingko. But they present the most marked relations to the true Cycadee in form and size. Hence we find combined in a single layer of one coal-mine, and frequently in the same pieces of sandstone or schist :—1. Leaves, the leaflets of which have the form and nervation of those of certain existing Cycadee, especially the American Zamie ; 2. Leaves of a peculiar form, having however a well-marked analogy with the modified leaves which bear the fruit in certaim genus Noggerathia to Living Plants. 107 Cycadee, especially Cycas revoluta; 3. Seeds, having the most striking resemblance to those of Cycas. It is difficult to avoid drawing the conclusion that these three kids of organs belong to one plant, and that this plant should be placed very near the Cycadee, probably even in the same family, in which it would form one of the most remarkable genera from the large size and form of its leaves,—a genus which would appear to combine leaves analogous to those of Zamia with a mode of fructification similar to that of Cycas. I should add, that this association, which ap- peared to me so striking in the mines at Bessége, from the abundance of these fossils, appears to exist in several other mines where these fossils are more rare. Thus in those of Trewil at St. Etienne we also find large leaves of a species of Noggera- thia, probably different from that of Bessége, associated with fronds having pinnatifid fringed lobes, which are however not recurved as those in the former locality, and having analogous fruits to those above described, although slightly different speci- fically. In Decazeville we find the same association, although combined with some specific differences and smaller dimensions in all the parts. I possess leaves of a peculiar species of Nog- gerathia obtained by M. Boisse from Carmeaux, in the fragments of which I can now recognise lobes of these abortive fronds very analogous to those of St. Etienne; finally, two kinds of seeds having considerable analogy with those which I have attributed to Noggerathia, although very different in their proportions. Leaves of Noggerathia, although from different species, are also very abundant at Blanzy, in the basin at Autun, at Brassac, Commentry, Saint-Gervais, Neffiez, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, Saint-Pierre-la-Cour and Anzin. Most of the straight, linear or slightly cuneiform leaves, having equal and parallel nerves, and called Poacites, appear to be leaflets or lobes of the leaflets of Noggerathia; however, these leaflets having almost always been found only isolated, and also in very imperfect fragments, we must not generalize too much on their relations with Noggerathia ; probably several belong to another genus of the same division of the vegetable kmgdom, Flabellaria of M. de Sternberg, also referred by this savant to the family of Palms, and the affinities of which, both to the Conifere and to the Cycadee, have been shown by M. Corda; but here the leaves are simple and symmetrical, whilst in Noggerathia the foliaceous parts consist of the leaflets of a pmnate leaf, and they are gene- rally oblique at the summit and not symmetrical. This determination of the position of Noggerathia in the vege- table kingdom is not without some interest, for these plants ap- pear very numerous and widely diffused m the coal-formation, and the debris of their leaves appears m some places, by their 108 Mr. F. Walker on some new species of Chaleidites. accumulation, to have contributed essentially to the formation of the coal. We may moreover remark, that this genus being excluded from the monocotyledonous division; Flabellaria borassifolia of M. de Sternberg, from the coal-mines of Bohemia, being also rejected from the family of the Palms to be arranged with the gymno- spermous division; and the genus Artisia appearing to be simi- larly situated; a few fruits only remain in these ancient strata to represent this large division of the vegetable kingdom, and the structure of these is too imperfectly known to allow of our placing them with any probability in this natural division, when we are unacquainted with either their stems or leaves. Hence everything leads us to conclude from the researches which have hitherto been made, that the terrestrial vegetation of the period of the coal-formation was limited to two of the large divisions of the vegetable kingdom—the acrogenous or vascular Cryptogamia, and the gymnospermous dicotyledonous Phanero- gamia. XIX.—Characters of some undescribed species of Chaleidites. By Francis Waker, Esgq., F.L.S. 1. Chalcis Alphius, mas et fem. Nigra, antennis nigris, pedibus flavis nigro et piceo cinctis, metafemoribus rufis flavo-variis aut nigris, alis limpidis. (Corp. long. lin, 2—23; alar. lin. 33—4.) Male.—Body black, convex: head and thorax punctured: head nearly as broad as the thorax ; vertex broad ; front impressed: an- tenn black, filiform, nearly as long as the thorax : prothorax trans- verse, subquadrate: scutum very large; sutures of the parapsides distinct ; axille remote from each other; scutellum obconic, having arim behind : propodeon obconical, declining, rugulose : podeon very short : abdomen smooth, shining, narrower and much shorter than the thorax ; metapodeon occupying more than half the dorsum ; oc- toon and following segments short: legs yellow; coxz black; pro- femora and mesofemora black, their tips yellow; metafemora red, thick, partly yellow on the outside and armed beneath with nine or ten little black teeth; protibie encircled with red; mesotibiz en- circled with a piceous band; metatibiz curved, piceous at the base and in the middle ; tips of the tarsi piceous: wings limpid; squa- mul yellow ; nervures fulvous; humerus much less than half the length of the wing; ulna not half the length of the humerus ; radius more than half the length of the ulna; cubitus hardly half the length of the radius ; stigma very small. - The colour of the legs varies ; the protibiz are sometimes red ; the mesotibiz black, yellow at the base and at the tip; the metafemora altogether black ; the nervures of the wings piceous. The antenne “Mr. F. Walker on some new species of Chalcidites. 109 of the female are clavate, the abdomen is keeled beneath, and the metafemora are black. From Bombay. In the collection of the Rev. F. W. Hope. 2. Chalcis Amphilochus, fem. Nigra, scutello bispinoso, antennis nigris, pedibus flavis, covis et metafemoribus nigris, profemoribus, mesofemoribus et metatibiis nigris apice flavis, protibiis et meso- tibiis nigro vittatis, alis limpidis. (Corp. long. lin. 2; alar. lin. 4.) Body convex, pubescent, black: head and thorax thickly punc- tured: head transverse, nearly as broad as the thorax: antenne stout, subclavate, black ; first joint long, slender ; second small ; third and fourth very minute; fifth and following joints to the tenth com- pact, pubescent, successively decreasing in length ; club oval, much longer than the tenth joint: thorax nearly oval: prothorax large, subquadrate, nearly as broad as the mesothorax ; its length less than half its breadth ; scutum of the mesothorax broad; sutures of the parapsides not very distinct, approaching each other behind ; axille triangular, hardly nearer to each other than are the sutures of the parapsides ; scutellum nearly round, clothed with white hairs on each side and at the tip, along which is a rim prolonged into two very short spines: metathorax transverse, very short: propodeon trans- verse, abruptly decumbent: podeon very short: abdomen oval, a little shorter than the thorax ; metapodeon smooth, shining, occupying nearly one half of the dorsum; octoon and the following segments dull, pubescent ; octoon not half the length of the metapodeon ; en- naton much shorter than the octoon ; decaton shorter than the en- naton ; protelum nearly as long as the decaton; paratelum and telum short: legs yellow; coxe and hind thighs black; fore and middle thighs and hind tibie black, their tips yellow ; a black stripe on each fore and middle tibia: wings limpid; squamulz dull fulvous ; ner- yures piceous; humerus much less than half the length of the wing; ulna more than half the length of the humerus ; radius a little longer than the ulna; cubitus very short; stigma furcate, very small. Found at Sierra Leone by the Rev. D. F. Morgan, and presented by him to the British Museum. 3. Chalcis Visellus, fem. Nigra, scutello bispinoso, antennis nigris, pedibus flavis, metafemoribus nigris apice flavis, alis limpidis. (Corp. long. lin. 2}; alar. lin. 43.) Body convex, pubescent, black: head and thorax thickly punc- tured: head transverse, nearly as broad as the thorax: antenne stout, nearly filiform, black ; first joint long, slender ; second small ; third and fourth very minute ; fifth and following joints to the tenth compact, pubescent, successively decreasing in length; club oval, much longer than the tenth joint : thorax somewhat oval : prothorax large, subquadrate, nearly as broad as the mesothorax; its length less than half its breadth: scutum of the mesothorax broad ; sutures of the parapsides not very distinct, approaching each other behind ; axillz triangular, separated from each other by a space almost equal 110. —-Mr. F. Walker on some new species of Chalcidites. to the hind border of the scutum, which is included: between the sutures of the parapsides; scutellum rhomboidal or nearly round, clothed with white hairs on each side and at the tip, along which is a rim prolonged into two short spines: metathorax transverse, very short: propodeon transverse, abruptly decumbent: podeon very short: abdomen oval, a little shorter than the thorax ; metapodeon smooth, shining, occupying nearly one half of the dorsum; octoon and the following segments dull, pubescent; octoon not half the length of the metapodeon ; ennaton much shorter than the octoon ; decaton shorter than the ennaton; protelum nearly as long as the decaton ; paratelum and telum short: legs yellow, in structure like the other species of the genus ; coxe black ; hind thighs black along two-thirds of their length from the base: wings limpid; nervures piceous ; humerus much less than one half the length of the wing; ulna more than half the length of the humerus ; radius a little longer than the ulna; cubitus very short; stigma furcate, very small. Found at Sierra Leone by the Rev. D. F. Morgan, and presented by him to the British Museum. +. Haltichella Sepyra, mas. Picea, antennis pedibusque nigris, metafemoribus, protarsis et mesotarsis rufis, alis limpidis. (Corp. long. lin. 2; alar. lin. 33.) Male.—Body dark piceous, convex: head and thorax punctured : head transverse, nearly as broad as the thorax ; vertex broad; front impressed : antenne black, filiform, shorter than the body : prothorax transverse, subquadrate, longer than the head ; its hind border con- cave: sutures of the parapsides distinct or complete; axille remote from each other; scutellum obconical, having a rim on either side and behind, where it is slightly excavated: propodeon obconical, declining, rugulose: podeon very short: abdomen oval, smooth, shining, shorter and rather narrower than the thorax ; metapodeon long ; octoon and following segments short: legs black; knees and tarsi red; metafemora red, thick, each armed with an obtuse basal tooth and having a black edge along its length beneath; metatibie curved ; metatarsi black : wings limpid ; nervures piceous ; humerus much less than half the length of the wing; ulna not one-third of the length of the humerus ; radius nearly as long as the ulna; cubi- tus very short; stigma very small. From Bombay. In the collection of the Rev. F. W. Hope. Perhaps the difference between Haltichella and Hockeria is too slight to ad- mit of their being divided. In addition to these two genera, the family Chalcide comprises the following: Smiera, Epitranus, Chalcitella, Conura, Chalcis, Chirocerus, Phasgonophora, Dirhinus, Notaspis and Agamerion. 5. Callimome Amyrius, fem. Viridis, abdomine basi cyaneo, an- tennis nigris, pedibus flavis, femoribus viridibus, alis limpidis. (Corp. long. lin. 14; alar. lin. 2.) Body bright green; base of the abdomen blue: antennz black, clavate, as long as the thorax ; base of the first joint yellow : sheaths Mr. F. Walker on some new species of Chalcidites. 111 of the oviduct as long as the body: legs yellow; coxe and thighs green; tips of the latter yellow; tips of the tarsi fuscous: wings limpid ; nervures piceous; ulna shorter than the humerus; radius very short; cubitus extremely short. The characters which are common to the genus, such as the minute transverse undulations on the thorax, the long scutum, the distinct sutures of the parapsides and the extremely short podeon, are here omitted. The length of the oviduct will distinguish this insect from most of the British spe- cies of Callimome*. In this character it most resembles C. Bedeguaris, varians, scutellaris, Hedere and Arundinis, but it has more slender antenne and a smaller body than any of these species. October ; near London. 6. Lamprotatus Rubrius, mas. Viridis, abdomine eneo-viridi, anten- nis nigris, pedibus fulvis, femoribus viridibus, alis limpidis. (Corp. long, lin. 14; alar. lin 24.) Male.—Body convex : head and thorax finely squameous: head a little broader than the thorax: antenne stout, filiform, not longer than the thorax ; first joint long, dilated beneath ; second short-cya- thiform ; third and fourth very minute; fifth and following joints to the tenth long, linear, successively decreasing in length; club linear, conical at the tip, twice the length of the tenth joint : thorax oval, stout, deep, very convex: prothorax moderate, transverse : scutum of the mesothorax broad ; sutures of the parapsides very di- ‘stinct, approaching each other; axille Jarge, triangular, not conni- ving ; scutellum truncate-conical, not impressed in front but having a transverse channel near the tip: metathorax large, obconic, decum- bent: podeon short, stout, punctured, less than one-sixth of the length of the abdomen: abdomen oval, smooth, shining, slightly con- vex, shorter and much narrower than the thorax ; metapodeon occu- pying more than one-third of the dorsum, having a broad channel throughout its length; octoon less than one-half of the metapodeon in length; ennaton much shorter than the octoon; decaton a little longer than the ennaton; protelum as long as the ennaton; para- telum shorter than the protelum ; telum very short: wings ample; humerus much less than half the length of the wing; ulna not more than half the length of the humerus; radius twice the length of the ulna ; cubitus rather shorter than the ulna; stigma large, pyriform, emitting a short branch towards the radius. Found by Dr. Greville near Edinburgh. 7. Lamprotatus Helenor, mas. Aneo-viridis, antennis nigris, pe- dibus fulvis, alis limpidis. (Corp. long. lin. 1}; alar. lin. 21.) Female.—Body convex: head and thorax finely squameous : head a little broader than the thorax: antenne filiform, longer than the thorax ; first joint long, slender; second short-cyathiform ; third and * Callimome is allied to Gastrancistrus through C. nitidulus. C.cyaneus, Kollar, « 4 tdi nearer than any other species that I have seen to Or- myrus, which genus connects the Torymide with the Eucharide. 112 Mr. F. Walker on some new species of Chalcidites. fourth very minute; fifth and following joints long, linear, slightly decreasing in length until the tenth ; club linear, conical at the tip, much longer than the tenth joint : thorax nearly oval, very convex : prothorax rather large, transverse, narrower in front : scutum of the mesothorax large, transverse, having the scales on its surface dis- posed in minute transverse undulations; sutures of the parapsides distinct, slightly approaching each other; scutellum truncate-coni- cal, having a very narrow suture at the base: metathorax convex, prominent, decumbent: podeon not more than one-sixth of the length of the abdomen : abdomen nearly conieal, smooth, shining, slightly convex, narrower and much shorter than the thorax; meta- podeon covering more than half the dorsum, slightly concave at the base ; octoon and all the following segments very short : wings ample ; humerus less than half the length of the wing; ulna scarcely half the length of the humerus ; radius much longer than the ulna; cubitus about one-half of the length of the ulna; stigma very large, forming an irregular cone whose tip points toward the radius. Found by Dr. Greville near Edinburgh. It is nearly allied to L. elegans. 8. Lamprotatus Babilus, mas. Viridis, antennis nigris, pedibus fulvis piceo cinctis, femoribus viridibus, alis fuscis. (Corp. long. lin. 14; alar. lin. 2}.) Female.—Body convex : head and thorax finely squameous : head large, transverse, a little broader than the thorax: antenne short, compact, subclavate, rather shorter than the thorax ; first joint long, linear ; second cyathiform ; third and fourth very minute; fifth and following joints linear, successively decreasing in length until the tenth, which is as broad as long; club linear, conical at the tip, much more than twice the length of the tenth joint: thorax very convex : prothorax moderate, transverse ; fore corners rounded : scu- tum of the mesothorax large, longer than broad ; sutures of the par- apsides very distinct, approaching each other; axille large, trian- gular, not conniving; scutellum truncate-conical, very prominent, not impressed in front, but having a transverse channel before the tip : metathorax large, obconic, decumbent : podeon short, stout, not more than one-sixth of the abdomen in length: abdomen short-oval, shining, very finely squameous, deep, very convex, much shorter and a little narrower than the thorax ; metapodeon conical, quite smooth, channeled and abruptly decumbent towards the fore border, occu- pying a little less than one-third of the dorsum; octoon more than half the length of the metapodeon ; ennaton shorter than the octoon ; decaton as long as the ennaton ; protelum short ; paratelum and te- lum very short: wings ample; humerus much less than half the length of the wing; ulna rather less than half the length of the hu- merus ; radius very much longer than the ulna; cubitus stout, much shorter than the ulna; stigma large, pyriform, emitting a short branch towards the radius. Found by Dr. Greville near Edinburgh. It is allied to L. fuscipes. Mr. F. Walker on some new species of Chalcidites. 118 9. Lamprotatus Venilia, mas. Viridis, abdomine nigro-cupreo, antennis nigris, pedibus flavis fusco cinctis, femoribus basi viridibus, alis limpidis. (Corp. long. lin. }; alar. lin. 13.) Body convex: head and thorax squameous: head dark green, short, transverse, a little broader than the thorax: antennz black, stout, slightly increasing in breadth towards their tips, rather longer than the thorax ; first joint long, slender; second cyathiform ; third and fourth very minute ; fifth and following joints to the tenth suc- cessively decreasing in length; club fusiform, twice the length of the tenth joint: thorax oval, dark green: prothorax transverse, short, narrower in front: scutum of the mesothorax large ; sutures of the parapsides distinct, approaching each other ; axille large, tri- angular, not conniving ; scutellum truncate-conic, having a channel at the tip but none at the base: metathorax large, obconic, decum- bent: podeon squameous, stout, very short, not longer than one- sixth of the abdomen: abdomen nearly linear, smooth, flat, dark purple, shorter and narrower than the thorax ; metapodeon conical, concave, mostly zneous green, occupying nearly half the dorsum; the following segments from the octoon to the protelum short, trans- verse, nearly equal in size; paratelum and telum very short: legs yellow ; coxe green, squameous ; thighs fuscous; middle and hind tibize having two fuscous stripes across each ; protarsi fulvous ; me- sotarsi fuscous ; metatarsi pale yellow, fuscous at their tips: wings limpid ; nervures fuscous ; humerus less than half the length of the wing ; ulna about half the length of the humerus ; radius very much longer than the ulna; cubitus rather more than half the length of the ulna ; stigma very small, emitting a short branch towards the ra- dius. Length of the body 2 lin. ; expansion of the wings 1} lin. Found by Dr. Greville in Northumberland. ‘The black and com- paratively stout antennz will distinguish this species from L. tarsa- lis, annulipes, costalis, semiauratus, philochortoides, cyaneus, brevis, contiguus, linearis and filicornis. 'The very slender pale stigma se- parates it from all the other species, having dark bands round their middle legs. 10. Psilonotus Hortensia (Haliday MSS.). Viridis, antenne lutee, pedes flavi, femoribus basi fuscis, ale limpide. Male.—Head and thorax bright green, convex, shining, finely squa- meous: head a little broader than the thorax : antenne inserted near the mouth, luteous, slightly clavate, shorter than the thorax; first joint long, slender, slightly curved; second cyathiform; third and fourth very minute; fifth and following short and very small; club fusiform, more than twice the length of the tenth joint: thorax oval : prothorax short, narrower in front: scutum of the mesothorax broad ; sutures of the parapsides hardly visible : axille rather large, not con- niving ; scutellum truncate-conical: metathorax large, obconic, de- clining: podeon very short, so that the abdomen appears sessile : abdomen dark purple, smooth, depressed, nearly linear, narrower and much shorter than the thorax ; metapodeon large, green towards the base, covering at least one-third of the dorsum; octoon, ennaton 114 = Mr. F. Walker on some new species of Chalcidites. and decaton moderate, nearly equal in size ; protelum short; para- telum and telum very short: legs yellow; coxe green; hind thighs fuscous towards their base: wings limpid; nervures pale yellow; humerus much shorter than half the length of the wing; ulna half the length of the humerus; radius longer than the ulna; cubitus more than half the length of the ulna; stigma very small. Female.—Antenne subclavate, as long as the thorax; first joint long, slightly curved; second long-cyathiform; third and fourth very minute; fifth and following joints to the ninth successively broader ; club fusiform, broader than the ninth joint, and more than twice its length : abdomen much compressed, concave along the back towards the base, a little longer than the thorax, like that of the male as far as regards the relative size of the segments. Found by Dr. Greville in Northumberland. The thorax of this species is more convex than that of P. Adamas. 11. Eupelmus Amphitus, fem. Viridis, micans, antennis nigris, ovi- ductu pedibusque flavis, profemoribus fusco vittatis, alis limpidis. (Corp. long. lin. 24; alar. lin. 4.) Bright golden green: head and thorax minutely squameous, pu- bescent: front of the head bluish green: eyes and ocelli red: an- tennz black, slender, subclavate, as long as the thorax: thorax fusiform : abdomen fusiform, a little longer than the thorax : oviduct yellow, hardly equal to one-sixth of the length of the abdomen : legs yellow; a short fuscous stripe on the outside of each of the profe- mora ; mesotibiz armed with long spines; mesotarsi dilated: wings limpid ; nervures yellow; humerus rather more than one-third of the length of the wing; ulna rather shorter than the humerus; radius about one-third of the length of the ulna; cubitus a little shorter than the radius ; stigma small. From Bombay. In the collection of the Rev. F. W. Hope. Eupelmus with Urocryptus, Cheiloneurus, Metapelma, Prionopelma, Caloseter and Stenocera ferms the family Kupelmide, to which Ly- cisca, Epistenia, Trigonoderus, Notanisus and Cleonymus are nearly allied. Platynocheilus and Merostenus may be included in the same group with the latter genera. 12. Cerchysius Vulso, fem. Viridis, capite cupreo, abdomine an- tennisque nigris, pedibus flavis viridi cinctis, alis.limpidis. (Corp. long. lin. 3 ; alar. lin, 13.) Body slender : head and thorax convex, squameous : head cupreous, very short, a little broader than the thorax; vertex broad; front abruptly declining, not impressed : eyes of moderate size, not promi- nent : ocelli disposed in a triangle on the vertex : antennz black, sub- clavate, very slender, rather shorter than the body; first joint slender, very long; second rather long, increasing in breadth from the base to the tip ; the following joints from the third to the eighth succes- sively decreasing in length and slightly increasing in breadth ; club long-fusiform, rather broader than the eighth joint and more than thrice its length: thorax elliptical, bright green: prothorax trans- Botanical Notices from Spain. 115 verse, of moderate size, narrower in front : scutum of the mesothorax broad, slightly convex ; parapsides united to the scutum ; axille com- plete ; seutellum obconic, prominent, very convex, abruptly declining behind the tip: propodeon subquadrate, rather large, declining ; podeon extremely short: abdomen slender, lanceolate, depressed, black, smooth, shining, compressed towards the tip, rather longer and much narrower than the thorax ; metapodeon bright green and like the following segments of moderate size: oviduct exserted in length nearly equal to one-fourth of the abdomen ; its sheaths black : legs slender, yellow, very long; mesotibie and mesotarsi dilated and the former armed with very long spines; coxz and metafemora green ; profemora and metatibie green, their tips yellow ; mesotibize fuscous towards the base ; protarsi fulvous; tips of the tarsi fuscous : wings limpid; nervures yellow; humerus much less than half the length of the wing; ulna and radius piceous, broad, very short ; cv- bitus of moderate length, pointing towards the disc of the wing ; stigma very small, England. From the collection of the Rev. G. T. Rudd. [To be continued. | XX.—Botanical Notices from Spain. By Moritz WittKkomm*. (Continued from vol. xvi. p. 252.] No. [X. Gipratrar, April 4th, 1845. I was unavoidably detained in Cadiz by illness and incessant rains until the 18th of March. Meanwhile, in consequence of the warm rain, the vegetation was remarkably forward, and promised a richer harvest than hitherto. Retama monosperma was quite out of bloom ; on the other hand, under the latter, the-sandy soil was covered with Anagallis latifolia, L.., and near the church of San José the beautiful Celsia sinuata, Cav., in company with Picridium tingitanum, Desf. The salt marshy lowlands of Chiclana appeared covered with Cotula coronopifolia, L., and looked at a distance quite yellow; near the hedges blossomed Cynoglossum pictum, Ait., Euphorbia serrata, L., Muscari comosum, Mill.; and on dry grass-plats, [ris Sisyrinchium, L., and a form of Ornithogalum umbellatum, L., with large flowers, which is common throughout the whole west of Andalusia; and Boissier, in his ‘Elenchus’ (No. 181), has described it as a new species under the name of O. beticum, but in his ‘Journey’ he places it as merely a form of O.umbellatum. On the following day I set out, in incessant rain, for Couil, a spot formerly celebrated for its sulphur- mines, lying close to the coast, the way to which led over a hilly arid highland, in parts covered with pine forests, and in parts with low copsewood and arable land. In the copse, the Sarothamnus aditanus, B, e, R., was remarkable at a distance from its large golden lossoms; less frequent was Calycotome villosa, Lk., which in the * Translated from the Botanische Zeitung, Nov. 7, 1845. No. VIII. has not yet appeared in the Bot. Zeit. 116 Botanical Notices from Spain. environs of the Bay of Gibraltar covers all the hills almost exclu- sively, and is as great a favourite for its perfumed blossoms as it is feared for its prickly branches. Everywhere the Cistus albidus, L., unfolded its large rosy blossoms, and in addition there were found the Teucrium fruticans, L., a thorny Genista, and other shrubs in flower. Inthe hedges of pistachio and oak-copses there grew most lux- uriantly also Vinca media, Tetragonolobus purpureus, Aristolochia be- tica, Borago officinalis, Phaca betica, and Ruta bracteosa; and the moist cultivated fields were covered with Scrophularia sambucifolia, Reseda luteola, Fedia Cornucopie, Centaurea pullata, &c. ‘The marshy lowlands and moors abounded with Asphodelus ramosus ; in the pine- woods lying behind Chiclana grew Tulipa Celsiana, DC., and Scilla vernalis, Huds., in abundance ; less frequent, on sandy spots, Hro- dium Botrys, Bertol. Upon meadows I gathered for the first time the pretty Ranunculus flabellatus, Desf., which is very frequent in different forms throughout all the hilly district around Cadiz, and also is found in the mountains up to a height of 2000 feet. On sandy places, amongst low shrubs, I noticed some specimens of Lu- pinus luteus, L., which I have nowhere since found; more plentifully grew here Ophrys apifera, Huds., Orchis longicornu, Poir., Polygala niceensis, Riss., and a low, spreading Reseda. On clayey fields and in hedges at Couil I observed Aristolochia longa, L., and on the dry hills and in sandy lowlands around Couil, Iris Sisyrinchium flowered in great abundance. The hills between Couil, Cape Trafalgar and Vejer exhibited a vegetation less rich in species. Large tracts were filledwith Leucojum trichophyllum, Brot., and in the numerous marshes in the neighbourhood of the Cape, Ranunculus paludosus, Desf. grew plentifully. The town of Vejer lies on an abrupt rocky hill of sandstone on the right bank of the Rio Barbate, which issues from the lofty moun- tains of Alcalé de los Gazales, and joins the ocean eastward of Cape Trafalgar. On the shady moist sandstone rocks of the mountain and the walls of the town, I observed Targionia Michelii and Lunularia vulgaris in abundance,—the last without fructification. Between Vejer and the sandstone hills of Algeciras, which are connected on the north with those of Alcalé, and bound the western shore of the Bay of Gibraltar, lie several chains of sandstone hills running parallel from north to south, over which the road to Algeciras lies. The first of these chains of hills is covered partly with isolated cork-oaks, partly with low bushes, among which an Hrica, Vicia biflora, Desf., and a pretty Senecio were frequent. J-also gathered here on sandy spots Uropetalum serotinum, Ker., Anchusa calcarea, Boiss., a. glabres- cens, and Helianthemum guttatum, P., the last in great plenty. ‘The second more rocky chain of hills, which bears the name of Puerto de Acebuches, is pretty thickly wooded with Olea europea, var. syl- vestris, and Quercus suber, on whose boughs Polypodium vulgare is very common. On the sandstone rock I remarked here, rare, He- lianthemum Tuberaria, P., and in the underwood Genista linifolia, L., more frequent. Between these two rows of hills and the mountains of Algeciras lies a marshy tract several miles wide, wholly covered Botanical Notices from Spain. 117 with Asphodelus ramosus, L., which was now in full blossom. When this tract was passed, which is somewhat dangerous to cross at this season of the year on account of the numerous deep morasses in which the path is every instant lost, we entered on the promon- tory of the Siena de Palma, which is covered with cork-oaks. ‘This is the name given to this central part of the chain of Algeciras, which rises to about 4000 feet,—an abrupt, rocky mountainous district, in- tersected with numerous deep valleys, woody and rich in water: over this mountain a very dangerous mule-path leads to Algeciras. In the lower part Genista linifolia, L., especially occurs in company with - another large shrubby species of this genus, plentiful; and on the lakes Tamarix africana, Desf., and Nerium Oleander, L. The lower part of the mountain is covered with isolated cork-oaks and wild olive-trees, but at about halfway up begins a dense and beautiful forest, such as I had never before seen in Spain. It prin- cipally consists of very old knotty cork-oaks, clothed from top to bottom with Polypodium vulgare and the elegant Davallia canariensis, Sw., as well as with red and yellow coloured forms of Usnea barbata, Sticta pulmonacea, and other lichens in the most picturesque manner ; also of Quercus lusitanica, 3. betica, Lam., and Olea europea var. sylves- tris, on the boughs of which I have also observed, although more rarely, the beautiful Davallia. ‘The banks of the crystal brooks are lined with large trees of Laurus nobilis, L., which were just in full blossom and diffused a balsamic perfume throughout the wood, and likewise with tall bushes of oleander, pistachio, and Rhododendron pon- ticum with leaves nearly a foot long. There are likewise found in this noble forest trees of Phillyraea media, Ph. angustifolia, Arbutus Unedo, Viburnum Tinus, Crategus monogyna, Pyrus communis ?, and a luxuriant underwood chiefly consisting of myrtles, pistachios, Erica arborea and Rhamnus lycioides. On the loose soil of this forest, con- sisting of dead vegetation, which recalls the tropical forests, through the thickly interwoven boughs of which the rays of the sun can scarcely penetrate, blossomed Allium triquetrum, L., Scilla vernalis, Huds., and Luzula Forsteri, DC. The highest part of the mountain is covered with low bushes of Chamerops humilis and various species of Erica, Ulex, Rhamnus and Genista, beneath which the rare Polygala microphylla, L., occurs frequent, and a Fritillaria rarely. Assoon as this summit was crossed, from whence there is a fine view over the magnificent Bay of Gibraltar and the Pillars of Hercules, we entered again on the underwood above described, which however is on this side less varied. For instance, the laurel-trees are wanting here ; on the other hand, I have nowhere seen Erica arborea in such pro- fusion, nor in such gigantic specimens, as at this locality. There is moreover found on the eastern declivity, in shady places, the beau- tiful Doronicum rotundifolium, Desf., and further down on sunny blocks of sandstone the rare Genista tridentata, L. Between the eastern foot of the mountain and the shore of the bay, lies a broad, much-intersected, hilly land, consisting partly of sand- stone, partly of limestone and alluvium, which surrounds the whole bay, and is watered by the rivers of Palmones and Guadarranque, 118 Botanical Notices from Spain. both coming from the Sierra de Gazales, which empty themselves in the furthermost northern part of the bay. This hilly land is, as al- ready observed, exclusively covered with Calycotome villosa, Lk., and a Genista; frequently are seen also large patches of Chamerops hu- milis, and, more seldom, a Sarothamaus. On somewhat moist places and under bushes grows everywhere Allium triquetrum, L., and also Bellis sylvestris, Cyr., B. annua, L., Ranunculus flabellatus, Desf., Ru- mex bucephalophorus, L., a small blue-flowered Linum, especially in the scattered copses of Pinus picea, also Hedysarum coronarium, L., Ophrys apifera, Huds., more rarely and only on limestone, Ophrys lutea, Cav., several Carices and grasses, SalviaVerbenaca, L., Anthyllis tetraphylla, L., Calendula arvensis, Alyssum maritimum, Cerastium glo- meratum, Cerinthe major, Corrigiola littoralis, &c. Large patches were covered with Pteris aquilina, especially along the foot of the moun- tain; whilst in the moist lowlands and marshes grew Juncus acutus, Heleocharis palustris and Carices in abundance, rarely Alisma ranun- culoides, L. From Algeciras, where I arrived on the evening of March 22nd, I made various excursions into this hilly district. as well as to the neighbouring sierra. In one of these, in which I ascended one of the highest summits of the chain, the Cerro Comodre, I for the first time met with the splendid Drosophyllum lusitanicum, Lk., unfortu- nately not yet in blossom, but in great profusion. It covers the whole northern acclivity of the above-named mountain, which con- sists of arid boulders of sandstone, where it occurs, in company with a beautiful shrubby Helianthemum, at a height of 2000 feet and up- wards. Cistus populifolius, L., covers exclusively the east and south- ern acclivity, which was also not yet in blossom, among which here and there grows a pretty species of Pedicularis, similar to P. palus- — tris. After a sojourn of eight days at Algeciras, I started, on the 29th of March, for Gibraltar, whose interesting rocks I have explored at all points where it was practicable; for on the eastern acclivi this mountain is only accessible at few points. The Rock of Gibral- tar consists of limestone, whose strata are inclined from east to west at an angle of 45° to 50°. On that account it forms, on the western acclivity, a steep rocky slope, on the lowest part of which lies the town, whilst the eastern acclivity descends in steep, almost perpen- dicular walls of rock. This rock, so arid and barren—for it has nowhere any water, and is also almost destitute of any soil—never- theless presents a luxuriant vegetation at every season of the year, because the atmosphere is constantly kept moist by the evaporation of the surrounding ocean. The English, taking advantage of this circumstance, have converted a large portion of the rock into a kind of paradise, having brought from the main-land earth, with which they have covered the rock, and have planted various trees, shrubs and plants of the temperate and warm zones, which flourish here without any watering in the most luxuriant manner. The gardens and parks extend from the town, which lies at the north-western foot of the rock, as far as the Punta de Europa, or the most southern point of it, where the lighthouse is placed in the midst of formidable for- Botanical Notices from Spain. 119 tifications, and, especially the king’s garden or the Alameda is one of the most beautiful promenades in the world. Although the Rock of Gibraltar occupies only an insignificant space, and does not rise higher than 1500 feet, yet its vegetation is on both sides very varied. The greatest number of species is found on the western acclivity ; the rarest, and the most peculiar to this rock, are on the eastern ac- clivity. Along the base of the western acclivity now grow luxu- riantly Chrysanthemum coronarium, L., Borago officinalis, L., Echium plantagineum, L., Solanum nigrum, L., S. villosum, L., Galactites to- mentosa, DC., Centaurea pullata, Ait., Anagallis Monelli (?), Aristo- lochia betica, DC., Psoralea bituminosa, L., Fumaria capreolata, L., Mercurialis, annua, L., M.ambigua, L., Emex spinosus, Campd., Euphorbia helioscopia, L.., Ecbalium Elaterium, Urtica membranacea, Poir., various Trefoils, Medicagos, Silenes, &c., and in shady places the Acanthus mollis, L., unfolds its beautiful leaves. On the sunny rocks, from the strand up to the summit, Asteriscus maritimus, Monch., Calendula incana, Sm., Pallenis spinosa, Cass., Asphodelus jistulosus, L., Lavandula multifida, L., Fedia Cornucopia, L., Clypeola maritima, Conyza saxatilis, L., Geranium Robertianum, L., G. rotundifo- lium, L., Anthyllis tetraphylla, L., Hippocrepis multisiliquosa, L., Con- volvulus altheoides, L., Linaria origanifolia, DC., Ranunculus flabella- tus, Desf., Iris Sisyrinchium, L., Ruta bracteosa, DC., Ornithogalum umbellatum, L., Biscutella apula, ., blossom in abundance; rarely Con- volvulus Siculus, L., and Ophrys lutea,Cav. Of shrubs, there are found frequent on this side Jasminum fruticans, L., Genista linifolia, L., Ca- lycotome villosa, Lk., Pistacia Lentiscus, Daphne Gnidium, Spartium junceum, whilst on the other hand, rare, Cytisus triflorus, L’ Hérit.,. already in fruit, Solanum Sodomerum, L., and Osyris quadripartita, Salzm. I found small shady caverns and clefts in the rock filled with Targionia Michelii, Lunularia vulgaris and Rebouillia hemispherica, the last two without fruit. In like manner Ceterach officinarum and Asplenium Trichomanes occur on this acclivity, and also not un- frequent on the eastern one, where Gymnogramme leptophylla is found in great profusion. From the signal-house, which stands on the summit of the mountain, a flight of steps cut in the rock in a zig- zag direction leads down to a battery lying near the sea; this is the only way by which the rocks of the eastern acclivity are accessible ; these go abruptly and perpendicularly down from 500 to 1000 feet, in some places descending straight into the sea. But it is precisely on these inaccessible walls of rock that many rare plants grow, for in- stance, the beautiful /beris gibraltarica, L., and the proud Scilla he- mispherica, Boiss. (Sc. peruviana,L.). The first forms large and luxu- riant patches, and grows exclusively in the clefts of these perpendi-. cular rocks, and in great abundance. In order to gather them in any quantity, it would be necessary for a person to be let down by cords from the small shelf covered with dwarf palms, which lies below the signal-house on the edge of the giddy precipice. Besides the great danger of this enterprise, no one can go upon this spot, which lies under the cannon of the batteries of the signal-house, without the express permission of the governor, which it is very dif. 120. Bibliographical Notices. ficult to obtain; because the monkeys live here, which are under the special protection of the English, who have set a great fine upon any one who should take or kill one of these animals. Scilla hemi- spherica occurs also on boulders, but less beautiful and rarer than on the original walls. On shady boulders and in rocky clefts, as well as along the narrow comb of the summit, Cerastium gibraltari- cum, Boiss., is very frequent. Also, on the rocky walls of the eastern acclivity, grow Reseda alba, L., Antirrhinum majus, L., and especially on the north-eastern rocks, Savifraga globulifera, Desf., 3. gibral- tarica, Boiss., which is only now beginning to shoot forth its buds. Upon boulders blossom Veronica cimbrolaria, Badara, very rare Se- necio minutus, DC., in fine large specimens, Hrodium moschatum, L., and under bushes 4theorrhiza bulbosa, Cass., and Smilax mauritanica, . Desf. The rock-walls of the eastern acclivity descend toward the Punta de Europa straight down into the sea, whilst those of the northern valley descend to only half the height of the mountain, and here join on to a steep slope consisting of boulders and drift- sand, which extends down to the shore. On these slopes grow Ononis gibraltarica, Boiss., in great profusion, which unfortunately was not yet in blossom, besides Silene gibraltarica, Boiss., in the same state, and several other species of this genus: also in the drift-sand Erodium laciniata, Cav., Uropetalum serotinum, Ker., a small form of Picridium tingitanum, Desf., Linaria pedunculata, Spr., and the pretty L. amethystea, Lk. Hoffm., var. albiflora, Boiss., with white flowers, yellow palate, and violet-spotted lower lip. On the isthmus of Gibraltar, a naked sandy plain full of nume- rous salt lakes, which separates the limestone rocks of Gibraltar from the sandstone hills of S. Roque, are found few plants, but some rare species. On the downs grows Schenus mucronatus, L., in great abundance, more rare a Carduus, and among bushes of Tamariz gal- lica several Silenes, Hrodium Botrys, Bertol., Astrocarpus sesamoides, DC., and Passerina villosa (?), Wikstr., occur frequently. In addi- tion is found the pretty Ononis variegata, Desf., in the drift-sand of the isthmus, in pretty considerable abundance. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. Recherches sur 1 Anatomie, la Physiologie et ? Embryogénie des Bryo- zoaires ; par M. Van Beneden, Professeur a I’ Université Catholique de Louvain. (Extrait du tom. xvii. des Mémoires del’ Académie Royale de Bruxelles.) In these ‘‘ Recherches,”’ Van Beneden continues the admirable series of Mémoires in which he proposes to illustrate the structure of the invertebrate animals found on the coast of Belgium. The first me- moir in the present brochure is devoted to the genus Lacuncuta, as Van Beneden calls the Lagenella of Farre, forgetting that Ehren- berg had long ago given the name Farrella to this zoophyte. And we would here remark that, while he carelessly sets aside the rules of scientific nomenclature, Van Beneden has a happy tact in confer-" Bibliographical Notices. 121 ring upon his genera the most unhappy names. Laguncula, it appears, is to be considered the euphonious diminutive of Lagena !— his Hydractinia has little relationship either to Hydra or Actinia, and is most certainly not the link of connexion between them :—and lo! we have now a Sompocellaria,—certainly the ugliest of this ugly family. The anatomy of the Laguncula is well-described and beautifully illustrated, but does not present much novelty, to those who are familiar with the labours of Dr. Farre. We shall cull what strikes us as most peculiar to the author. The inner surface of the stomach is furnished with a semilunar series of cilia, by whose vibrations the food is kept in a continual rotatory motion. ‘There is no appearance of a liver. The tentacula are the principal organs of respiration: they vary in number—10, 11 or 12, and this variation is not the result of mutilation, The circle they form is less regular than that of other marine Bryozoa, for they are disposed in a symmetrical order, and give indication of the beginning of a binary disposition. Laguncula may therefore be considered as a link between its marine congenera and the freshwater Hippocrepia of Gervais. The purpose of a circulation is effected, but without the agency of special organs. A colourless transparent fluid, loaded with irre- gular globules of comparatively large size, fills the space between the intestinal canal and the skin, and lies in immediate contact with all the organs of the polype. It thus occupies a position like to that of the blood in the superior animals ; and although the liquid seems to be water merely, it distributes to each part of the body its nutritive element, and hence also fulfils the same function as the blood does. We cannot perceive any aperture for the admission of the circumfluent water into the peri-intestinal cavity, but Van Bene- den is assured of its existence, for he had seen an egg issue forth through the walls of the cell when no pressure was used to force it out. And yet, when these polypes were immersed for a night in water coloured with carmine, the peri-intestinal fluid remained untinctured. Lastly, this fluid has the same office in the system as the prostatic secretion (le liquide du sperme), for both spermatozoa and ova swim freely in it. [There is here surely a painful search after analogies, which, after all, appear to us to be of the very loosest kind.] M. Du Mortier first discovered a nervous system in polypes. Van Beneden has seen it in this genus. A transparent, somewhat yel- lowish ganglion on the top of the cesophagus, and as it were soldered to its parietes, may be seen in some specimens and in certain favour- able aspects; but Van Beneden could not detect any collar or nerves branching from the ganglion, while at the same time he considers their reality to be indisputable. The ganglion is assumed to be ner- vous from the sameness of its position to the brain of the Ascidia. We pass over the excellent description given of the muscular system, of the skin and cell, to notice some particulars of the repro- ductive organs. The polypes are hermaphrodites, there being a Amn. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. 122 Bibliographical Notices. male and female organ in all adult individuals. ‘The products of both organs—spermatozoa and eggs—on their becoming detached, are intermingled in the peri-intestinal cavity, where probably the latter are impregnated. “The testicle is situated at the extremity of the stomach, in the place where we observe the ovary in other genera : it appears when the polype approaches to maturity, is un- equally pitted, and has very much the aspect of the ovary of birds when they are not in season. The female organ or ovary is formed on the-inner surface of the fold of skin that lines the cell, and on one side near the mouth of the sac. It is at first a mere tubercle, similar to an abnormal ex- crescence, but it grows rapidly, and ova, in different stages of development, are soon visible in it. In the young ova the vesicles of Wagner and of Purkinje are distinctly seen. In those more ma- ture they have disappeared, and we then discover an external vitel- line membrane or chorion, and a vitellus underneath. The ovum at maturity tears its envelope and falls into the peri-intestinal cavity. From this it escapes into the sea by a distinct opening which is formed at the base of the tentacula. On its exclusion the surface does not appear to be covered with vibratile cilia ; and Van ng woud was unsuccessful in tracing its further evolution. The increase of the polypidom from the development " pike | is next described. Van Beneden first remarks, that although this polype is an animal of considerable complexity in its organization, yet we here observe that it can be formed without the vesicle of Wagner or of Purkinje, whence it is evident that these vesicles are not indispensable to the formation of an animal, and they are to be’ looked upon only as a means of isolation for the future individual.’ Next the author inquires if all the textures of these inferior entities’ proceed from cellules, agreeably to the doctrine of Schwann, and he answers in the affirmative, although it is admitted that there are differences between the cellules in them and in those of the superior animals. After this, Van Beneden proceeds to trace the growth of the bud, and the successive evolution of the organs of the polyps’ which is done in a very clear and masterly manner. The characters of the genus and of its species are next given. The Z. repens is exceedingly abundant and common at Ostend. The Laguncula elongata, a new species, is of less frequent occurrence: it is distinguished by having an elongated pedicle which in general exceeds the length of the cell, and the polype has 16 tentacula. We reserve the second memoir for a separate notice, for we should not like to review in a more cursory manner our author’s much-» prized labours. ' There are none on which we set a higher values In the meantime we have only to remark, that, in some preliminary" observations, Van Beneden expresses his opinion that the Linnean” division of the animal kingdom will be found, after all, superior to® that of Cuvier or of Blainville, and more in harmony with the deve-' lopment of structure. In the first four classes the vitellus is absorbed} by the belly: these are the vertebrated animals that may be more” appropriately called the Hypovitelliens, or still better the Hypocoty~ Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 123 ledones, for there are several fishes which. have no vertebre. The Insecta of Linnzeus, or the articulated animals of authors, are di- stinguished by the absorption of the vitellus occurring by the back ; and as all of them are not articulated, it would be better to name them the Epivitelliens or Epicotyledones. Inthe Worms ( Vermes) of Linnzeus, of which Cuvier has made. his Mollusca and Radiata, the vitellus returns inwards neither by the back nor by the belly; and we may distinguish them by the names of Allovitelliens or Allocoty- ledones. ‘The Mollusca certainly do not differ so much from the Radiata, as the Vertebrata do from the Articulata. Time, as the author says, must test this arrangement, which must be admitted to be very ingenious. PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH, Dec. 11, 1845.—Dr. A. Inglis in the Chair. Mr. J. M‘Nab read a continuation of his Journal of a Tour through part of the United States and the Canadas. In the present portion, embracing the journey from Niagara to New London, Mr. M‘Nab particularly alluded to the excellent state of the cultivated grounds through the Hamilton and Gore districts, and the suitableness of large tracts of the wooded country for emigrants. On some waste land round the head of Burlington Bay, many good specimens of herbaceous plants were observed in flower; of these the Lespideza hirta, Polygala verticillata, Gerardia tenuifolia, and G. pedicularia, were abundant, with Chrysopsis alba; the latter plant being noticed for the first time as an inhabitant of Canada. Two grasses with strong herbage, dadropogon furcatus and Limnetus cy- nosuroides, abound in the neighbourhood of. Hamilton, but neither seemed. to be: relished by cattle. The moerland ground in the vicinity of Brantford afforded many. interesting botanical rarities, among which Euphorbia corollata was conspicuous. Liatris stricta, Aletris farinosa, Lespideza frutescens, Batschia Gmelini, Arenaria stricta, Viola palmata, with many others, were plentiful in flower, and proved most attractive objects on the dry sandy plains; while the moister places yielded Tofieldia glutinosa, Zigadinus chloranthus, and Glycine apios in profusion. The forests of the inland districts were exceedingly rich and varied; many of them containing large and lofty trees of oak, elm, beech, hickory, ash, and white pine, Some of these districts, in process of clearing, presented a very re- markable appearance in consequence of large groups of stately trees standing dead, many with stems from 10 to 14 feet in circumference and varying from 80 to 100 feet in height. The mode resorted to by the settlers for killing the trees is by cutting, during the early part of winter, a notch five or six inches deep round the lower part of their stems. The white pines presented a very singular appear- ance, caused by a peculiar seeming twisting of the decayed trunks in K 2 124 Botanical Society of Edinburyh. a uniform: direction from left to right throughout their whole length. During the drying of the stems numerous fissures or rents are formed in a spiral manner from one-eighth to half an inch in width, about 4 inches deep, and generally from 4 to 10 inches distant at the bottom, presenting a ragged edge and narrowing upwards, causing the bark to fall off in large flakes. When dead, they are hewn down, piled in heaps, and set fire to. The quantity of splendid timber annually consumed in this way was described as being very great; but owing to the distance from water communication it is rendered comparatively worthless. Many of the road-sides, through the wooded districts for miles together, were richly adorned with Lobelia cardinalis and si- philitica, and Monarda didyma. Sambucus canadensis also presented a striking feature, being very abundant and densely covered with fruit. The only tree not previously seen was the Tamarack or black American larch (Larix pendula). In an extensive forest on the banks of the Thames river near New London this tree was generally of straggling growth, and never exceeded three feet in circumference. Dr. Balfour read an account of a botanical trip to Ben Voirlich at the head of Loch Lomond, and Ben Nevis in August last. He gave description of the general features of the district, and noticed the occurrence of moraines and large angular boulders near the upper part of Loch Lomond, and smooth rounded. rocks, with distinct groovings, near the waterfall of Glen Nevis ; both being probably in- dicative of the former existence of glaciers. He also gave an account of the flora, and noticed the occurrence of Carex irrigua near Loch Sloy ; of Isoétes lacustris, Carex saxatilis, and Poa Balfourit, in large quantities.on Ben Voirlich; and of Lysimachia vulgaris, Carex vesi- caria, Rubus nitidus, suberectus, sylvaticus, Radula 6. foliosus, and humifusus, near Inverarnan.. After noticing the varieties of Quercus pedunculata and sessiliflora which occur in Glen Falloch, he proceeded to give a detailed account of the botany of Ben Nevis. Besides the usual alpine plants, he gathered Savifraga rivularis, Stellaria ceras- toides, Poa alpina vivipara, P.laxa, and montana, Cornus suecica; Cis- topteris dentata, Carex saxatilis, and various forms of Hieracium. Specimens of the plants were exhibited to the meeting. At this meeting the election of office-bearers for the ensuing year took place, when Professor Balfour was chosen President ; and Drs.. Greville, Seller, A. Inglis, and Douglas Maclagan, Vice-Presidents. - Jan. 8, 1846.—Professor Balfour, President, in the Chair. rh The Treasurer read a letter from Mrs. Graham, presenting to the Society some valuable botanical manuscripts by the late Professor Graham. The following acmaiiamiratioos were read :— 1, “‘ Notice regarding some species of Plants recently observed a as natives of Britain,’ by Mr. Evans. Among the species referred to in this notice were Alsine stricta, Carduus arvensis, (3. setosus, Glyceria plicata, Barkhausia setosa, &c.; specimens of these, and of Silene ztalica, from two Scotch. stations, were exhibited to the meeting... © 2. Dr. R. C. Alexander on the Flora of Sicily... Dr, Alexander.re- Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 125 ards the Sicilian flora as not an aboriginal one, but as derived from ‘Africa on the one side, and from Greece and other Mediterranean countries on the other. The plants peculiar to the island are by no means numerous, and the flora is meagre when compared with that of Dalmatia and other countries on the shores of the Adriatic. In the course of two months’ residence in the island, Dr. Alexander found only about 250 species which he had not seen in Dalmatia. 3. Dr. Alexander on the Plants found on the Apennines. He con- siders the flora of the Apennines from Piedmont downwards to be also a derived one; for excepting the genera which occupy fallow Jand and broken ground, such as Medicago, Ononis, Convolvulus, and sea-shore plants, he found no genus developed, but a species of one type and aspecies of another, without connecting links. On ascend- ing the mountains, when he got to a region where a magnificent flora ought to be, he found at most a hardy hill plant that had crept up, but nothing whatever of an alpine nature. On the Matese, about forty miles north from Naples, vegetation nearly ceased at about 60CO feet; and at the top, which is 7000 feet above the level of the sea, and where there is a snow-field that never entirely melts and therefore cold enough for alpine plants, he met with Aubrietia Columne (a mere variety of A. deltoides), Ranunculus montanus, a Geranium resembling a Carniolian species, Arabis alpina, an Allium not in flower, Scrophularia glandulosa, and three forms of Sazifraga Aizoon which are reckoned by some as species. In nearly the same latitude, on the other side of the Adriatic, on the Biokovo, near Macarska in Dalmatia, there is, at the same height, a most in- teresting alpine flora, andin A®tolia, on Mt. Velugo, one equally so. Dr. Alexander found the Apennines by no means so productive as the Alps of Upper Styria and Upper Carinthia; and he looks upon the range as probably so recent in its formation, as to be only receiving its alpine flora gradually from other districts. » 4. Dr. Balfour read a communication which he had received from Mr. Campbell of Islay, relative to Mummy Wheat, specimens of which were exhibited. The wheat sent by Mr. Campbell resembled what is called Bellevue Talavera. Other specimens of the so-called mummy wheat were shown, having all the characteristics of Egyptian wheat (Triticum compositum). There appeared to be great doubts as to the fact of the wheat found in mummy-cases having germinated. In all the instances mentioned, there are numerous sources of fallacy which have not been guarded against. The most authentic and best- corroborated instance of the germination of mummy-wheat seems to be that noticed by Mr. Tupper, who got from Mr. Pettigrew. grains which had been taken by Sir Gardiner Wilkinson from some alabaster sepulchral vases. Even in this case, however, it is difficult ‘to prove that the grains had not been recently inserted into the vases. The wheat which was then produced was the same variety as that now sent by Mr. Campbell. 5. A communication was read from Mr. Cruickshank, regarding the discovery of Typha angustifolia in Lochmaben Loch, and of Cen- tunculus minimus near Dumfries. 126 Zoological Society. Specimens were exhibited by Dr. Balfour of Mentha rotundifolia, var. velutina, in flower, and of Pyrus pinnatifida in fruit, from the island of Arran. Mr, James M‘Nab exhibited specimens of Ardisia crenulata, from the Horticultural Society’s Garden, in which the seeds had germi- nated within the berries while hanging on the plant. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. July 22, 1845.—Harpur Gamble, Esq., M.D., in the Chair. Mr. Gould exhibited to the Meeting three new species of Birds from Australia :— STRIX TENEBRICOSUS. Str. disco faciali fuliginoso-griseo, circum oculos multo saturatiore ; corpore superiore fusco-nigro purpureo splendente, singulis autem plumis maculd albd ad apicem ornatis ; alis cauddque ejusdem coloris sed pallidioribus ; corpore inferiore Susco-nigro, stramineo lavato. Facial disk sooty grey, becoming much deeper round the eyes; upper surface brownish black, with purplish reflections and with a spot of white near the tip of each feather; wings and tail of the same hue, but paler; the feathers of a uniform tint, without bars; tail- feathers faintly freckled with narrow bars of white; under surface brownish black, washed with buff, and with the white marks much less decided ; legs mottled brown and white ; irides dark brown's “bill horn-colour ; feet yellowish. ad Total length, 16 inches; bill, 13; wing, 12; tail, 525 cara 3. Hab, The brushes of the river Clarence, in New South Wales. CoLLURICINCLA RUFOGASTER. Col. omni corpore su eriore, alis, cauddque olivaceo-brunneis ; guld pallide stramine -albd Susco- striatd ; corpore inferiore ferrugineo-rufo. All the upper surface, wings and tail olive-brown, with the excep- tion of the inner webs of the primaries, which are dark brown ; throat pale buffy white, streaked with brown; all the under surface rusty red ; irides black; bill and feet fleshy-brown. Total length, 73 inches ; bill, 13; wing, 32; tail, 37; tarsi, 12. Hab. The Gramhes of the Clarwiue River, in New South Wales. DonacoLa FLAVIPRYMNA. Don. capite cervino; dorso alisque cas- taneo-brunneis ; corpore inferiore stramineo ; tectricibus caude superioribus cerinis ; tectricibus caude inferioribus nigris. Head pale fawn colour; back and wings light chestnut-brown ; under surface buff ; upper tail-coverts wax-yellow ; under tail-coverts black ; tail brown. Total length, 44 inches; bill, 4; wing, 24; tail, 12; tarsi, + Hab. The north coast of Australia. Prof. Owen communicated his observations on the living Echidna exhibited at the Menagerie of the Society in May 1845. The animal when received at the Gardens. was active and apparently in sound health. It was placed in a large but shallow box, with a deep layer Zoological Society. 127 of sand.on one half of the bottom; the top covered with close cross- . bars... The animal manifested more vivacity than might have been -expected from a quadruped which, in the proportions of its limbs to ~ the body,.as.well:as in its internal organization, makes the nearest _ approach, after the Ornithorhynchus, to the Reptilia. In the act of walking, which was a kind of waddling gait, the body was alternately bent from one side to the other, the belly was lifted entirely off the ground, and the legs, though not so perpendicular as in higher mam- mals, were less bent outwards than in Lizards. ‘The broad and short fore-paws were turned rather inwards ; the hind-feet had their claws -bent outwards and backwards, resting on the inner border of the sole. ~The animal was a male, and the tarsal spur, smaller and sharper than in the Ornithorhynchus, projected backwards and outwards, almost . hidden. by the surrounding coarse and close hair. The small eyes -gleamed clear and dark; the ball was sensibly retracted when the animal winked, which it did frequently. It commenced an active ex- ploration of its prison soon after it was encaged : the first mstinctive action was to seek its ordinary shelter in the earth, and it turned up the sand rapidly by throwing it aside with strong strokes of its powerful fossorial paws, and repeating the act in many places, until it had assured itself that the same hard impenetrable bottom every- ‘where opposed its progress downwards. The animal then began to explore every fissure and cranny, poking its long and slender nose _ into each crevice and hole, and through the interspaces of the cross- | bars above. To reach these it had to raise itself almost upright, and -often overbalanced itself, falling on its back, and recovering its legs by performing a summerset.. I watched these attempts of the animal to escape for more than an hour, and it. was not until it had got ex- perience of the strength of its prison, that the Echidna began to notice the food which had been’ placed there. This consisted of a saucer of bread and milk and some meal- worms. The milk was sucked or rather licked in by rapid protrusion and retraction of the long red cylindrical tongue. The tongue came more than once in contact with the larve, which were sometimes rolled over by it, but no attempt was made to swallow them. ‘The moist dark end of the nose felt cold to the touch. The tem- perature of the animal at the cloaca was 85° Fahr., or nearly ten degrees lower than that of the anus of a rabbit. The Echidna offered little resistance when seized by the hind-leg and lifted off the ground, and made not the slightest demonstration of defending himself by striking with his hind spurs: the only action when irritated was to roll itself into a ball, like a hedgehog—the ' bristles being then erect. This was the position chosen for sleep ; but our Echidna showed little of that sluggishness which the French naturalists ascribe to their live specimen on ship-board (Voyage de la Favorite, p. 159). -». The blood-discs manifested the true mammalian type in their num- ber, size and form: they were flat, circular, averaging ;,!,,th of an inch diameter ; a few large ones were rather less than ,,J,,th; the smallest, was z,);,th. 128 Zoological Society. The circular form of the blood-discs of the Echidna was noticed by Dr. John Davy in some blood of that animal which had. been transmitted to him in brine from Van Diemen’s Land. More satis- factory observations had been made by Dr. Hobson and Mr. E. Bed- ford, on the recent blood of both the Ornithorhynchus and Echidna. I have cited these observations in my article ‘ Monotremata’ (Cyclop. of Nat. Hist.) ; they show that the blood-discs of the Ornithorhyn- chus are likewise discoid, circular, and about z,),5th of an inch in diameter ; and the observations now made on both ovoviviparous genera demonstrate that the Monotremata resemble the other Mam- malia in the form, proportional number, and florid colour of the blood- discs, which correspond in size with those of the Armadillo and the Quadrumana, but are larger in proportion to the size and ween of the body than in the larger apes and the human species. The Echidna having died unexpectedly a short time after its ar- rival, has afforded a favourable opportunity of investigating certain obscure parts of its anatomy, the results of which Prof. Owen eran communicate at some future opportunity. Prof.Owen next exhibited the skull of a Wombat ( Phascolomys Vom- batus, Auct.) from Van Diemen’s Land, and the skull of a Wombat, transmitted by Governor Grey, from Continental (South) Australia, and pointed out the following differences in proof of their specific distinction. They are of equal size, but the skull of the specimen from South Australia is broader in proportion to its length. In the continental species, which he proposed to call Phascolomys latifrons, the upper incisors present a transverse semi-oval section, the convex enamelled surface being directed forwards and outwards. This sur- face is feebly striated longitudinally. ‘The lower incisors are nar- rower than in Phasc. Vombatus, and triedral, the enamelled anterior or under surface is flat, the outer surface longitudinally impressed and almost devoid of enamel. The first lower molar (premolar) is relatively larger, the last relatively smaller, in Phasc. latifrons: the symphysis of the jaw is narrower and deeper. The intermaxillary part of the skull is higher in proportion to its width, less convex externally ; the nasal bones are relatively broader, forming the whole upper surface of the anterior third of the skull. The inter-orbital part of the skull is relatively much broader, and is produced on each side into a well-marked supra-orbital ridge and post-orbital process, both of which are almost obsolete in Phase. Vombatus. The temporal fossz are not bounded, as in Phase. Vombatus, by two nearly parallel and remote longitudinal ridges, but are continued by a convex, rather irregular tract, to near the middle of the upper region of the cranium. A very remarkable feature in the skull of the Phasc. latifrons is the supra-tympanic cell excavated .be- neath the base of the zygoma: this cell, in Phasc. Vombatus, as transversely oblong, simple, one inch by half an inch in size; in Phasc. latifrons it extends inwards one inch and a quarter, and ex- pands to an antero-posterior diameter of one inch and a half, and a vertical diameter of one inch, having an oblong outlet one inch Loological Society. “129 in length and half an inch in depth, slightly contracted in the middle. This difference in the size of the supra-tympanic cell is obviously not the effect of age, as the skull of the Phasc. Vombatus compared is that of an old animal with strong temporal ridges. In Phasc. la- tifrons the articular surface for the condyle of the lower jaw is broader and less convex; the anterior boundary of the zygomatic space is less angular; the palatal surface of the intermaxillaries is ‘deeper; the curve of the lower border of the lower jaw is much deeper; the inner angle of the condyle is less produced ; the coronoid process is higher and narrower, and the post-symphysial depression is almost obsolete. The Secretary saw with much pleasure the decisive proofs which Professor Owen had shown of the existence of two species of Wombat ; he had many years before been himself convinced of the fact, having observed that they differed in size and colour, and that one hada sharp prick ear, while the ear of the other was low and elliptical. August 12.—William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. “‘ Descriptions of new species of Murev,’” by Lovell Reeve, Esq. :— _ Murex sipinnatus. Mur. testd elongato-fusiformi, spird acumi- nato-turritd; anfractibus septem, transversim eximie liratis et elevato-striatis, liris striis interstitiisque subtilissimé scabroso- crenulatis ; anfractibus primis sex tuberculato-nodosis, ultimo tri- varicoso, varicibus ultimis duobus pulcherrime fimbriato-pinna- tis; nived, rosaceo tinctd, columelld pallidé rosed ; aperturd parvd, _labri externi limbo minute denticulato ; canali latiusculo, subelon- gato. Hehs—-—? 7 The Murex bipinnatus approaches the Murex clavus in general form, - but the detail of structure and sculpture is distinct throughout. ‘The spire exhibits a mass of prominent nodules, each whorl taking the form of a heptagon, with as many as seven on its circumference. The last two varices are ornamented with a handsome laminated frill structure. Murex sinensis. Mur. tesid elongato-ovatd, subfusiformi, tenut, spire suturis subimpressis ; anfractibus transversim liratis et stri- atis, inter varices nodiferis ; trifariam varicosd, varicibus fron- dosis, frondibus regularibus, curvatis, pulcherrime floridis, inciso- serratis ; albicante, fusco tinctd, lineis transversis fuscis ; labro infra medium fortiter erecto-dentato. Hab. China. . -- ‘This species appears to have been confounded for some time past with the young of the Murer ramosus or elongatus. It is uniformly of a thin structure, and the fronds are of a delicate open flowery growth. - Morex Sreeritz. Mur. testd abbreviato-fusiformi, crassd, trans- versim granoso-liratd, inter varices fortiter tuberculatd ; trifa- riam varicosd, varicibus incrassatis, frondosis, frondibus crispato- ramosis, subcompressis, breviusculis, fronde parvd interveniente » 130 Zoological Society. fused liris: nigricantibus, frondibus purpureo-roseis, columelld et aperture fauce albis, labro externo incrassato, intus denticulato ; canali a Hab. This shell hes easily be mistaken for an aocidented ntti growth of the Murex palma-rose, were it not for the constancy and marked peculiarity of its characters.. The fronds are short and some- _ what erect, with a row of small fronds sprouting up at. their base; they are also laterally pinched as it were, and do not spread in the same flowery bifurcate manner as in the Murex palma-rose. Murex rvusicinosus. Mur. testd fusiformi, interdum subabbreviatd, transversim granoso-liratd et striatd, inter varices fortiter tuber- culatd ; trifariam varicosd, varicibus frondosis, frondibus foliaceis, brevibus, alternis parvis, recumbentibus ; rubiginosd, liris frondi- » busque nigricante-fuscis ;. columella rubiginoso-luted, aperture fauce albd. Hab. Philippine Islands ; Cuming. This shell, of which I have seen several characteristic bperininns, ig quite distinct from any hitherto described. Murex crassivaricosa. Mur. testé subabbreviato jut cras- siusculd, transversim granoso-liratd et striata ; trifariam varicosd, varicibus incrassatis, rotundatis, frondosis, frondibus parvis, folia- ceis, alternis minoribus ; livido-ferrugined, aperture fauce albd. Hab. A new species, of which I have seen several examples, distinguished _amongst. other. characters by the stunted thickened growth of the _ varices. Morex ocuntatus. Mur. testd fusiformi-oblongd, crassiusculd, un- dique leviter scabrosd, trunsversim liratd et striatd, inter varices bituberculatd ; trifariam varicosd, varicibus lamellis brevibus sub- complicatis tuberculatis ; albidd, rufo-fuscescente tinctd, varicibus maculis quadratis rubentibus-alternatim pictis, columella rubente- luted, aperture fauce alba, labro nigerrimo-fusco, supern® preci- pue, maculato, apice rubente ; canali breviusculo, compresso, re- curvo. Hab. Although Me shell has so many characters in common with the Murex pomum, it exhibits a constant peculiarity of colour, form and sculpture. In colour it is peculiarly tinged and spotted with red; in form it is more graceful and slender, and in sculpture it is smoother and presents two tubercles between each varix. I have seen nume- rous examples of this species, and can distinguish them at a glance from the Murex pomum. Murex AvaBastErR. Mur. testa trigono-fusiformi, spire teste lon- gitudinem equante, anfractibus transversim liratis et striatis, liris levibus, superne angulatis, nodulis duobus tribusve subconspicuis ad angulum armatis ; trifariam varicosd, varicibus laminato-alatis, tuberculo erecto profund? canaliculato ad angulum munitis ; intus extusque eburned ; eanali breviusculo. | Zoological Society. : 131 Hab. Island of Cagayan, province of Misamis, island of Mindanao, Philippines (found on the beach); Cuming. Mr. Sowerby referred this extraordinary shell with some doubt to the Murex acanthropterus; its proportions are however so utterly different that I have no hesitation in describing it as a new species. Murex ampieuus. Mur. testé globosd, subpyriformi, transversim liratd, liris irregularibus erectis, interruptis ; octofariam varicosd, varicibus frondosis, frondibus alternis vel paucioribus elato-ramo- sis, spinosis, basalibus longioribus ; albd, frondibus lirisque aterri- mis, labri columellari parte superiori nigro tinctd; canali brevi- usculo, Hab. ? Three species appear to have been confounded hitherto under the common title of Murex radix, which, though closely approximating, ‘may be separated without difficulty with a little careful discrimina- tion. ‘The true Murezr radix is a round, particularly solid, heavy shell, with a short though sharply acuminated spire with never less than ten varices, in which the fronds are numerous, somewhat late- rally compressed, comparatively short and sharp-pointed. The spe- cies described by Dr. Philippi under the title of Murex nigritus has but eight or nine varices, and the fronds are not branched ; those on the upper angle of the whorl being tubercularly squamate, those in the middle flat and very obscure, whilst those at the base are long and horn-shaped. In the species under consideration the shell is of ‘somewhat light structure, and the fronds are large, open and flowery. Murex tTrirormis. Mur. testd trigono-ovatd, crassiusculd, trans- - versim liratd et corrugatd, tuberculis duobus aut pluribus inter varices ; trifariam varicosd, varicibus laminato-fimbriatis, superne exrcavato-sinuatis ; ferrugineo-fuscd ; aperturd ovatd, superne si- nuatd. Hab. New Holland. _ This shell, which Mr. Sowerby thought to be a variety of the Murex acanthropterus, is of a rude solid structure and dark rusty brown colour. Murex pettucipus. Mur. testd trigono-fusiformi, tenui, trans- wersim_liratd, pulcherrime_squamatd, inter. varices tuberculatd ; trivaricosd, varicibus obliquis, latissime et eximie alatis ; pellucido- albd ; aperturd parva, labro intus nodoso. _., Hab, Island of Bantayan, Philippines (found upon a coral bottom at the depth of seven fathoms); Cuming. Mr. Sowerby has rather incautiously referred this shell to the Mu- rex trigonularis of Lamarck, which Mr. Gray considers to be merely a worn specimen of the Murer acanthropterus, and M. Kiener one of the Murex phyllopterus. The shell under consideration differs essentially from both of these, and the characters which it presents are not at all in accordance with Lamarck’s description of Murer trigonularis. Murex ossrus. Mur. testd oblongo-ovatd, subfusiformi, levius- 1382 Zoological Society. culd, inter varices Sortiter tuberculatd ; trivaricosd, varicibus fim- briato-laminatis, superne falcatis; albd, castaneo-fusco hie illic tinctd ; + ieenie peculiariter parva, ovatd. Hab. . Murex ait is perhaps the nearest allied species to this, though of very different form. Murex campBiensis. Mur. testd fusiformi, infern® attenuatd, so- lidiusculd, transversim obsolet? striatd, tuberculo magno prominulo inter varices ; trivaricosd, varicibus plicato-laminatis, superne fab- catis, ad basim alatis ; albd, fusco hie illic punctatd ; apcwerd parva, canali longiusculo. _. Also allied to the Murex pinniger, but of a more elongated form and different style of colouring. Murex Martinianus. Mur. testd trigono-claveformi, transversim liratd, liris nodulosis, inequalibus ; trifariam varicosd, varicibus rarispinosis, spinis breviusculis; luteo- vel griseo- -cerulescente, canali fuscescente ; apertura ovatd, labro dente planulato, erecto, munito ; canali longissimo, recto, superné spinoso. Hab. ? This shell was supposed to have been the Murex rarispina of La- marck, but it having been satisfactorily shown by both Kiener and Deshayes that Mr. Sowerby’s Murew formosus is that species, I pro- pose to distinguish it by the above new title. Murex Frunicutatus. Mur. testd claveformi, transversim liratd, liris ad summitatem funiculatis, costis tribus vel quatuor plice- formibus longitudinalibus inter varices ; trivaricosd, varicibus - spinosis, spinis brevibus, acutis, sursum inclinatis ; fuscescente- _albd, funiculis transversis castaneis ; aperturd. ovatd, columella labroque pies noduliferis ; canalt elongato. Hab. An eibesiinr species, well-characterized by the fine dark chest- nut-brown cords with which it is encircled throughout at equal distances. Murex nicrispinosus. Mur. testé elongato-claveformi, transver- sim liratdé. et. striatd, liris inequalibus, subnodosis, spird brevius- culd; trifariam varicosd, varicibus spinosis,. spinis erecto-elon- gatis ; canali elongato, ad extremitatem leviter recurvo, Baga spinis longis, subcurvatis purpurascente-albd, Sasciis tribus vel quatuor fuscescentibus subindistincté cingulatd, spinis et nt Weiaric@ntiaus, Hab. aN This shell MR to the Murex tribulus, but its characters present an agreeable modification throughout, which may be con- sidered of specific importance. The spines are constantly tipped with black. Murex peLius. Mur. testd claveformi, transversim liratd, liris tuberculato-nodosis ; trivaricosd, varicibus rotundis, tuberculato- liratis, spind brevi acutd ad basim; albicante, castaneo-fusco — Zoological Society. 133 \ supra et infra maculatd, liris castaneo conspicue funiculatis, colu- . melld labroque rufo-aurantio tinctis ; canali subelongato. Hab. ? Allied to the Murex chrysostoma in respect to its rufous orange mouth, but of a different colour and sculpture throughout. August 26.—William Horton Lloyd, Esq., in the Chair. «« Remarks on the genus Achatinella, Swainson, and descriptions of six new species from Mr. Curning’s collection.” By Dr. L. Pfeiffer. _. Upon examining the long series of forms which occur in the vast family of the Helicee, I have ascertained that there are several groups which Nature herself seems to have characterized as genera, though it would be very difficult to draw out such a generic definition as would exclude all other nearly allied species. One of these natural groups is the genus Achatinella, proposed by Swainson in Brandt’s Journal, 1828, which appears to be peculiar to the Sandwich Islands, and has been united to the genus Bulimus by most recent authors, as by myself in my ‘Symbole.’ However, the greater the number of species we become acquainted with, the more convenient it appears to unite them together as a distinct genus. I may therefore be per- titted to give a short account of the species now known. 1. AcuatineLLa LucuBRis (Turbo), Chemn. Described by La- marck under the name of Monodonta seminigra, and figured by Swainson in the Zool. Illustr. under the name of 4. pica, Of course the name of Chemnitz must be retained. 2. ACHATINELLA PERVERSA, Swains. Synon. Helix decora, Fér., t. 155. f.5—7; Bulimus decorus, Pfr. Symb. 3. AcHATINELLA acuta, Swains. Hel. -spirizona, Fér., t. 155. f, 14, 15. 4. AcHATINELLA BULIMOIDES, Swains. Hel. lorata, Fér,, t. 155. _ £.9—11; Bul. loratus, Pfr. Symb. 5. AcHATINELLA LIvipA, Swains. Hel. vulpina, Fér., t. 155. f. 1, 2; Bul. vulpinus, Pfr, Symb. 6. ACHATINELLA ROSEA, Swains. A very distinct species, to which none of Férussac’s figures may be referred. 7. ACHATINELLA PULCHERRIMA, Swains. This species. might perhaps be considered as a dextrous variety of A. livida. 8, ACHATINELLA TURRITELLA (Hel.), Fer., t. 155. f.13; Bul. tur- ritella, Pfr. Symb. 9. AcHATINELLA TristIs (Hel,), Fér. Mus. ; Bul. tristis, Pfr. Symb. 10. AcHaTINELLA veNTULUs (Hel.), Fér. Mus.; Bul. ventulus Pfr. Symb. 11, Acnarinenta rapiata, Pfr. Ach. testd ovatd, soliduld, leviter .-\« striatd, nitidd, viridi et luteo radiatd, strigis intercurrentibus ni- gricantibus; spird conicd, obtusiusculd ; suturd marginatd ; an- 134 Zoological Society. Fractibus 54 viv converiusculis, ultimo spird pauld breviore ; colu- “melld dente brevi calloso rubello munitd ; aperturd oblongo-ovali ; peristomate intus fusco-rubello-labiato. ~ Long. 19, diam. 10 mill. Ins. Sandwich. (Mus. Cuming.) 12. AcwatineLua picta, Pfr. Ach. testd sinistrorsd, ovato-elon- gatd, striatuld, carned, maculis et flammis nigro-fuscis eleganter pictd ; spird turritd, gracili, acutiusculd ; suturd simplice; an- Sractibus 6 convexis, ultimo % longitudinis subequante ; colu- melld valde tortd, dente planulato, acute prominente, albo munitd ; aperturd oblongd ; peristomate simplice, acuto. Long. 124, diam. 7 mill. Ins. Sandwich. (Mus. Cuming.) 13, AcHaTINELLA BREvis, Pfr. Ach. testd ovatd, brevi, solidd, oblique striatuld, nitidd, fused ; spird conicd, acutiusculd ; anfrac- tibus 6 convexiusculis, ultimo 4 longitudinis vie superante, sub- globoso ; columella. breviter arcuatd, acute dentatd ; aperturd ro-.. tundato-lunart ; peristomate simplice, albo. Long, 11, diam. 6h mill. Ins. Sandwich. (Mus, Cuming.) 14. AcHATINELLA pyramis, Pfr. Ach. testd ovato-pyramidatd, levissimé striatd, diaphand, virenti-corned ; spird pyramidatd, apice acuto; suturd lineari, anguste marginatd; anfractibus 8 planis, ultimo 2% longitudinis subequante ; columella brevissime arcuatd, plicd dentiformi complanatd, acutd, munitd ; aperturd --- ovalt. Long. 12, diam. 54 mill. Ins. Sandwich. (Mus. Cuming.) 15. AcHaTINELLA ciara, Pfr. Ach. testd oblonga, longitudinaliter plicatulo-striaté, pellucidd, pallide corned; spird turritd, apice obtuso ; alo lined rufd marginatd ; anfractibus 8 planiusculis, ultimo % longitudinis vir equante ; columelld via arcuatd, dente parim prominente munitd ; aperturd ovalt. Long. 12, diam, 4? mill. Ins. Sandwich. (Mus. Cuming. ) 16. AcHATINELLA cornEoLA, Pfr. Ach. testd ovato-oblongd, le- - vissime striatuld, pellucidd, nitidd, corned ; spird turrito-conicd, apice obtusiusculo ; suturd’ subsimplice ; anfractibus 8 planiuscu- lis, ultimo 2 longitudinis subequante ; columella valde arcuatd, dente acute prbmineate albo, complanato instructd ; apertura ir- regulariter ovali ; peristomate intus callo tenut, nitido, albo sub- labiato. Long. 15, diam. 7 mill. Ins. Sandwich. (Mus. Cuming.) 17. AcHATINELLA Gravipa (Hel.), Fér., t. 155. f. 3, 4. 18. AcHATINELLA LuTEOLA (Hel.), Fér., t. 155. f. 12. These two species I have not been able to find out of the great number of varieties and species I had the opportunity of examining. Miscellaneous. 135 MISCELLANEOUS. CORIXA STRIATA, CURTIS., Ar the meeting of the British Association in Cambridge, Mr. R. Bail brought under the notice of the Zoological Section the fact, that the Coriza striata produced loud sounds while immersed in water: the following is a note since obtained by Mr. Ball from the original ob- server, which it is trusted will induce those who doubted the accuracy of the observation to experiment and satisfy themselves :— «« At Glasnevin, on the 27th of April 1840, found some of C. striata ; kept them alive in a bed-room basin for six weeks; frequently heard a noise, and on watching attentively saw one of them stretch its hind-legs straight out from its body and remain quite still, resting with its middle legs on a bit of Utricularia at the bottom of the basin ; it then moved the fore-legs rapidly in front of its head and gave three brisk little chirps; very often after the chirps it made a noise something like grinding a knife, only very much famter and softer; while doing so it moved its body rapidly from side to side, still keeping the hind-legs stretched out. It very often made the chirps alone ; but not the grinding noise, I think, without the chirps, either before or after (mostly before). ‘The sound may be often heard during the day; the:evening seems its favourite time, and frequently during the stillness of night, just before the day begins to break, I have often heard it keeping it up for a long time; still it is very uncertain, as it may often be watched for a long: time with- out hearing it. Noise disturbs it very much, as it at once will:stop on the slightest. Often on placing a candle near it, and remaining perfectly still, it has made the sound very merrily : the chirps could be heard distinctly in the next room by leaving the doors open, and the other noise at the far end of the room that it was in; of course, by listening attentively. The longest time that both noises lasted was while twenty was counted very fast, though it may be often repeated. Coriva is a very pretty insect in the water; it has the appearance as if its head, thorax, and a stripe on each side (and I believe the under- part of its body) was of the purest silvery-light, which has a very pretty effect when kept in a glass vessel, when held to the light, to see it swimming quickly. . It catches very rapidly with its fore-legs those little animalcule (which abound in water that is kept for some time), by rooting very eagerly at the bottom of the vessel amongst the mud and bits of plants. It Jays its eggs on Utricularia in June; they are small and white, fixed singly at a little distance from each other on the leaves, and are hatched in about eighteen days, and swim very nimbly. T'wo of the Corira had a curious red parasite on the upper part of the body under the wings, and one had a Gordius or Filariu. From May to the middle of June is the best time for hearing them. We got some Coriza the last week in September 1845, two of them lived until the 26th of November; during the first three weeks of their confinement they sometimes made avery faint noise, but not near so frequent or so audible as they make it in early summer. 136 Miscellaneous. “Can the striated upper-lip have anything to do with the noise? for certainly, when Coriva chirped, it seemed to move rapidly its fore-feet across its forehead; but in the other noise it moved its body from side to side. The head seems to be nearly hollow, and the thorax is so different from other insects, a pin can be easily in- troduced under it. There are queer little plaits on the under-surface of Corizxa. “The grinding sound may be imitated by blowing the breath against the closed teeth, gently shaking the head while doing so. _ ‘** When one of the Corize died, the contents of its body were speedily sucked out by one of its companions.—In August 1844 had some alive, but could not hear any noise from them.” ON THE HABITS OF DISPOTEA——-CUP AND SAUCER LIMPETS. I have recently received from my nephew, Lieut. William Smith of H.M.S. Carysfort, a collection of specimens of Dispotea, which show the great changes that shell undergoes according to the form and the position of the body to which it happens to be attached. No. 1. The most remarkable specimen is more than an inch and a quarter in diameter, which was attached to the inner surface of one of the valves of a Venus shell; it is of a white colour with oblique purple-brown rays; the three rays nearest the internal cup are the broadest; the apex is nearly central, slightly twisted from right to left, and not more than five lines high. The darkest rays are towards the umbo of the shell; its surface is covered with distant short tu- bular spines. No. 2. is a flat specimen, very like the former, but rather darker and with similar brown rays: the shell is covered with minute, rather crowded spines, but it has had its margin broken, and the part which has been reproduced round the edge to repair the injury is thinner, less convex, and without any spines, No. 8. is a specimen which was attached to a Cardium ; it is dark brown, rather thick, very minutely spinulose, much higher than wide at the base, where it is compressed; on the side opposite to the in- ternal appendage are diverging cross-ridges formed by the adaptation of the margin of the shell as it was enlarged to the ribbed surface of the Cardium. No. 4. is very similar to the preceding, and is attached to the outside of one valve of a Cardita; it is equally thick, dark brown, and the surface closely spinulose, but the shell is not so much mo- dified by the ribs of the Cardita, which only leave marks on the side near the internal appendage; but then the animal, just within the margin of the shell, has removed the ribs from the surface of the bivalve, leaving a white concave ring the shape of the Dispotea, It is to be remarked, that in this shell and the variety next to be de- scribed, the animal has affixed itself, so that the edge of its shell is quite close to the lower or ventral edge of the bivalve. The greater part of the side of this Dispotea, next to the lower side of the bivalve, is occupied by a smaller Dispotea, similar in thickness, colour and surface, considering its size, to the one on which it is attached, but: ony Miscellaneous. 137 of a nearly regular, convex, conical form and nearly central tip. The animal of this shell has dissolved a space on the surface of the other Dispotea of the size of the edge of the aperture of its shell. No. 5. is a Cardita with a Dispotea on each of its valves placed as in specimen No. 4, that is, with one of the edges of the shell close on the lower edge of the bivalve; and there is a single valve of the same species of Cardita with another Dispotea in a similar situation. It is to be observed, that under each of these shells, instead of the animal having eaten, or rather dissolved away part of the surface of the bivalve soas to form a smoother surface, each of the animals has deposited on their supporter a circumscribed layer of rather transpa- rent hard calcareous matter of the exact size and form of the mouth of the shell, which fills up the greater part of the space between the ribs and forms an even and smooth base, and in one case it covers over some Serpule and other bodies which were attached to the bivalve. I cannot find any indication of a muscular scar on this deposit. These Dispotee have a thick pale brown shell, darker towards the upper part of the cavity ; the outer surface is covered with thick, ir- regular, radiating, flattish-topped ribs, crossed by irregular concentric ridges, having oblong or linear intervening nets, and the surface of one of the specimens is marked with some irregular cross-ridges caused by the inequalities of the shell. In one of the Dispotee the internal appendage or back of the shell is near the lower edge of the bivalve, and the other has it near the umbo. I believe that the. whole of these specimens. belong to a single species (No. 1 to 4 is D. tubifera, Say, and No. 5 is D. rugosa, Les- son), but it is curious to observe, that when within the cavity of an- other shell, it is white, low, and the animal did not dissolve any part of the surface to which it was attached; that when on the outer surface of the shell, it is high, thick, dark brown, and in some cases it absorbs the surface to which it is attached ; and at others that it deposits a layer on the surface of the shell to which it is affixed, of the size of the margin of the shell itself. I may observe that generic characters have been formed on less variations in habit and less characters. In the same collection are two specimens of Pecten with two Crepi- dula on each: they have modified the form of the surface of each shell, and the animals have absorbed a very thin layer from the surface of each part of the shell to which they are attached.—J. E. Gray. On the Embryology of Acton. By M. Voer*. The embryology of the Actgon has been the principal object of my researches; I have seen the coupling of this interesting little mollusk, I have been present at the laying of the eggs, which takes place during some hours after the coitus, and I have thus had an opportunity of following, from hour to hour, up to the present day, the changes which the egg undergoes during a month. I have thus been able to ascertain that the separation of the vitellus is complete in this species, and that the division into eight parts offers a very * Extract of a letter addressed to M. Milne Edwards. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. L 7 138 Miscellaneous. singular peculiarity, inasmuch as the four primitive, parts of the vi- tellus do not each separate into two spheres, as is the case in other known animals, but that, on the contrary, the four new spheres, which are much smaller, are deposited upon the old ones. The embryo presents, from its first appearance, a kind of thick disc, intersected by a median sht which might be taken as analogous to the primitive line of vertebrated animals, if subsequent observa-~ tions did not show that it is at the spot which this slit occupies that the mouth is formed. The embryo is composed, some hours after the appearance of this. slit, of two lateral wheels furnished with large.vibratile cilia, of a beak-like prominence, which afterwards be- comes the foot, and of a posterior rounded part in which the intes- tines are formed. | | Of all the internal organs, the ear is first developed; in a subject now under observation the ears are very visible, whilst the eyes are not yet formed. ' After the organs of hearing, the shell is formed; I have heen iis to trace all the phases of its development, as well as of the opercu- lum which clothes the posterior surface of the foot... I now observe that the tail is on the point of detaching itself from the animal ; all the loops which retained it have disappeared, and the membrane, which clothed it internally, envelopes the viscera tightly, jeoxing-® a large space between them and the shell. The digestive apparatus, which is formed after the shell, is com- posed of a semicircular mouth, situated between the wheels at the base of the foot, of an elongated cesophagus, which terminates in a large stomachal pouch, and of an intestine curved in the form of a hook, which terminates in an anus situated on the right. The liver is entirely separated from the intestine on its first appearance ; it communicates afterwards with the stomachal pouch by a large aper- ture. The stomachal pouch, in which I have often seen infusoria, espe- cially Navicule, appears to be’ transformed into a buccal: mass, I have seen, in the embryos of another species of Nudibranchie, and which greatly resemble the embryos of Acton, that a protuberance furnished with projections in the form of spines was developed in the inside of this pouch. Probably this organ was the first vestige of the tongue. Now, nearly thirty days after the laying of the eggs, my embryos swim freely in water by means of their large lateral wheels. It is remarkable that these agile animals, which for nearly a fortnight are nourished on infusoria, have yet no trace of circulation. The heart does not yet exist, and it is impossible that I should have overlooked it. This fact interests me greatly ; and as I have seen the heart in embryos of other mollusks which were much more advanced in their development, there could be no possible error on this point. I hope to be able to continue the researches of which I have given avery incomplete sketch, by bringing some living embryos, or rather larve of Acteon, to Paris. I intend to follow their development. du- ring the winter, in order to ascertain the changes which must still Miscellaneous. 139 occur, for the present form of these embryos and their anatomy is quite as much separated from that of the adult Acteon as is that of a caterpillar and a butterfly. I will add another observation which may perhaps interest you. A Balanus, which I had detached with several others and preserved alive in a bottle, deposited in my presence a prodigious quantity of little ones, which came out with the stream of water which the ani- mal emitted at the moment of each expiration. The young barnacles had only one frontal eye and three pairs of natatory feet, the two last pairs of which were divided each into two branches. They re- sembled entirely Crustacea of the genus Cyclops.—Comptes Rendus, Oct. 6, 1845. HASSALL’S BRITISH ‘ FRESHWATER ALGE. To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. GentLemen,—In the accompanying letter I have carefully abs- tained from any allusions which might be regarded as offensive by your reviewer, and have confined myself as closely as possible to a refutation of certain passages of the review, which, if allowed to pass without notice, would prove injurious to my book, and which are for the most part inaccurate in themselves ; I therefore trust that your sense of fairness will allow you to give my communication in- sertion in the February Number of the ‘ Annals.’ 1 should wish the letter to be published in full; and as no opportunity was afforded to me to notice the review in the same Number of the ‘ Annals’ in which that review appeared, none ought to be conceded to the reviewer in the same Number in which my letter appears*. I remain, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, ~ January 3, 1846. Artuur Hint Hassa.t. *« Reddere cuique sua est equi bonique hominis.” Without wishing to charge your reviewer, in his notice of the “History of the British Freshwater Algz,’ with undue partiality or prejudice, I believe that I shall be able to show, that, on certain points, he has indulged in animadversion to an extent, which on a careful and candid examination of the work in question is not jus- tified. It is urged therein against the originality of my work, that not a few of the plates which illustrate it are taken from the works of other writers on the Algze ; and further, that, although copies, no acknow- ledgement of the fact: is made. » In answer to these statements, I beg to observe, that five only out of the 103 plates forming the volume of illustrations are reprints of plates previously published, and that each of these, bears the name of its original designer, ‘Thuret, Kutzing and Varley. .. ; » The figures of many of the Desmidie are undoubtedly taken from __* We are very willing to comply with the above singular request of Mr. Hassall, and in the mean time leave our readers to form ‘their own judge- ment.—Ep. L2 140 Miscellaneous. Jenner's and Ralfs’s drawings, but no one plate is a copy of any one of their published plates, although many of the figures contained on several are so, and this I conceive to be sufficiently acknowledged in the following quotation :—‘‘ Several of the figures of this family, especially certain of the genera Huastrum and Cosmarium, are taken from those of Jenner and Ralfs illustrating the series of papers om the Desmidie inserted in the ‘ Annals.’ ”’ The only instance in which there is any justice in the charge of non-acknowledgement is in reference to the genus Closterium, some figures of which genus are copied from Ehrenberg’s great work. This omission is however a mere oversight, and scarcely sufficient to support the grave charge of your reviewer. It is to be regretted that those of our botanists who haye paid attention to the genus did not send some specimens from which original figures might have been taken. ‘The blame as regards the drawings of this genus might be made to rest with more propriety upon others than upon myself. It can now be seen to what extent the following remarks of the reviewer are correct :— ‘* It is unfortunate that the author has not pointed out the cases in which his figures are not the result of his own observations, but copied from published plates. 'The appearance of ‘ Hass. delt.’ at the bottom of ail the plates (the italics are my own) leads us to suppose that they are all of them original, but a more careful examination shows that not a few are copies.” In considering the charge of a want of originality in the * British Freshwater Algze,’ it should be recollected, that that work does not profess to be merely a summary of my own personal observations, but that it bears the title of a History, and as such it became the duty of the author to collect and insert all the information which it was possible to obtain in order that the subject might be rendered as complete.as it was in his power to make it. The introduction therefore of the five plates in question on points of such extreme im- portance and difficulty, and on which the author could not reason- ably be expected to furnish original drawings, should not be urged against the work as a fault, but should rather be allowed to speak in its favour. Their absence indeed might fairly have challenged re- proval. The charge of non-originality is one, whatever may be the faults of the work, from which I certainly expected to have been exempt, and one moreover which with the least show of justice can be maintained. On the subject of comparative characters the following obeeria- tion by your reviewer occurs :—‘“‘ The size of the filaments would doubtless be a valuable and most convenient mode of distinguishing the plants if it could be described in such a manner as to be always determinable, but comparative size can at no time be depended upon, unless the object with which the comparison is made be previously known.” ‘This statement of the reviewer is perfectly fair, and by means of an accurate micrometer, which instrument I did not pos- sess when I penned my descriptions, the relative sizes of the fila- ments of different species might have been satisfactorily. determined. Miscellaneous. 141 Wanting this instrument however, I was compelled to have recourse to comparative descriptions, which your reviewer allows to have their use provided the objects of comparison be known. Now this admitted use I take to be very important and wholly contradictory of the paragraph following that which has just been quoted and which I here insert :—‘‘ To show the absurdity of such comparative characters (a use has just been assigned to them), and how fotally useless a con- siderable portion of Mr. Hassall’s definitions of numerous species becomes, we will take a single series of species of the genus Zygnema.”’ Here follows an enumeration of the comparative size of the filaments of several species of Zygnema, isolated from the other portions of the description ; the only legitimate conclusion from which is, that other characters are required to make up a satisfactory definition, and which characters are in my work very generally supplied. Any na- turalist studying the genus Zygnema would in a very short period become acquainted with a certain number of species, and this know- ledge would enable him to appreciate to its full extent the value and importance of the comparative characters employed by me. I would therefore submit that the definitions of species of the genus Zygnema given by me are neither “ totally useless” nor characterized by “ ab- surdity.” In another portion of your notice of my work, the reviewer takes an exception to the figure of Botrydium granulatum and to the genus Arthronema. My answers to these strictures are, that the former species is a doubtful Alga, and that it had better to have been alto- gether omitted from the work; and that the latter genus is one of the most distinct of those contained in the family to which it be- longs. ; fe ew remains to me to notice only two other points in the re- view ; the first is the opinion of the German reviewer on my views respecting the functions performed by the central organs recently discovered in the cells of Zygnema, and which he considers to be made up of “‘ phantasies and absurdities.” Without pausing to dwell upon the unfairness of quoting a discourteous expression of this sort. apart from any reference to a single argument or fact in support of it, I would merely observe, that it comes with an ill grace from one of a people notorious for indulgence in ‘ phantasies and absurdities.” Were recrimination desirable, I could name a German naturalist and editor who entertains opinions on the reproduction of the Algz not less absurd and phantastical than any which I have expressed. In the last place I would wish to notice certain expressions of the reviewer in reference to the labours of Mr. Ralfs. These I will in- troduce before proceeding to comment on them. - Ist. “ A more prominent reference might have been made to the very successful labours of Mr. Ralfs upon this family, and also the Diatomacee, which have appeared in our pages.” 2nd. “ We do not blame him (Mr. Hassall) for copying these beautiful drawings, but he ought to have taken better copies.” __ 3rd. “We cannot afford time or space to hunt out and record all these errors, nor indeed the very many erroneous references to 142 Miscellaneous. synonyms, but merely observe that Mr. Ralfs is frequently made to have used a nomenclature quite different from that which eeaaty ex- ists in the ‘ Annals’ and ‘Transactions.’ ”’ In answer to the first statement I would observe, that Mr. Ralfs’ papers, so far as they had appeared up to the date of the publication of my work, are quoted throughout, and that whenever I conceived any description or fact to be appropriate or well-expressed in those papers, I have preferred to adopt the ipsissima verba of Mr. Ralfs, acknowledging the source of the quotation by the inverted commas, and appending the name of the writer thereto. . It would have been easy for me, had I thought proper so to do, to have abstained from these quotations altogether. So much for the first statement. Now for the comparison made - between my drawings of Desmidie and those of Mr. Jenner and Mr. Ralfs.. It should be recollected that circumstances compelled me to. be my own artist, and that I had not the advantage of a professional engraver ; notwithstanding this very great drawback, I will venture to assert that my plates of Desmidia, taken as a whole, will be found wanting in no essential particular, and that from the circum- stance of the drawings being coloured, they are both more instructive. and more pleasing to the sight. ‘The best sketches contained. in. Mr. Ralfs’. plates were drawn by Mr. Jenner, who, in his researches into the Desmidig, has been not less successful than Mr. Ralfs.: Your reviewer might with propriety have referred to the name of. Mr. Jenner in connexion with the Desmidie. To the charge contained in the last statement, viz. that I have. frequently attributed to him a nomenclature not belonging to him,. I must, except in a single instance, plead entire ignorance. In one example I have indeed, and designedly, altered a termination of a specific name, and this at the request of Mr. Moore, the original discoverer of the species in Britain. Thus Meloseira arenaria, Ralfs,. I changed to M. arenosa, Moore : the former appellation, independ-: ently of its not being the name conferred upon it by Mr. Moore, is- erroneous, while the latter is not merely that originally assigned, but likewise expresses a character of the species, viz. the gritty sensa- tion which it imparts when rubbed between the fingers. I cannot help suspecting that this charge rests upon a very feeble foundation. Your reviewer disclaims the intention of hunting out and record-: ing errors. I would remark, that without intending it then, he has exhibited considerable ability in the search which unknowingly he has certainly pursued. I trust, gentlemen, that I have now proved to. your satisfaction, and. to that of the readers. of.this» letter, the proposition with which I commenced, viz. that I believed that I should be able to show, that, on certain points, the reviewer has indulged in animadversion to an- extent, which on a candid and careful examination of the work mi uestion is not justified. The following remarks, addressed by Linnzus to Haller, wil not. inappropriately conclude this letter :— “If you detect any mistakes of mine, I rely on your superior Meteorological Observations. 143 knowledge to excuse them; for who has ever avoided error in the wide extended field of nature? Who is furnished with a sufficient stock of observations? I shall be thankful for your friendly correc- tions. I have done what I could myself.”—A. H. Hassa.u. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR DEC. 1845. Chiswick—December 1. Rain: cloudy: clear. 2. Clear and fine: heavy rain.. 3. Overcast: showery: clear. 4. Clear: fine: heavy rain. 5—7. Clear: frosty. 8, Sharpfrost: overcast: drizzly, 9. Fine. 10, Clear. 11. Cloudy: clear and windy at night. 12. Overcast: fine: clear. 13, Frosty and foggy: cloudy. 14. Foggy: hazy: drizzly. 15. Rain: fine. 16. Fine. 17. Overcast: slight drizzle. 18. Foggy: rain. 19. Densely and uniformly overcast: rain, 20. Clear: dark clouds, with rainbow. 21, Boisterous and densely clouded : clear and frosty at night. 22. Densely overcast: sleet: showery: very boisterous at night. 23. Cloudy and boisterous at night. 24. Cloudless, with bright sun. 25. Hazy: thick fog at night. 26. Cloudy. 27, Clear’: fine: overcast. 28. Boisterous, with rain: clear, 29. Frosty: overcast, 30. Overcast: clear. 31... Very fine :’ heavy rain and boisterous at night,—Mean temperature of the month 0°-4 above. he average. Boston.—Dec..1. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 2. Fine: rainr.m. 3. Fine. 4. Fine: rainr.m. 5—7. Fine. 8. Fine: raine.m. 9. Cloudy: stormy P.M. 10. Fine, 11. Stormy: stormy night. 12, Cloudy: rain early a.m. 13, 14. Fine. 15. Stormy. 16. Cloudy. 17. Cloudy: rainr.m. 18. Rain: rain early a.M.: rainallday. 19. Cloudy. 20. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 21. Windy: rain early a.m. 22. Windy and showery. 23. Stormy. 24. Fine. 25, Rain: rain early a.m. 26. Cloudy: rainr.M. 27. Fine. 28. Rain: rain early a.m. 29. Fine: rain r.m. 30. Windy: stormy r.m. 31. Fine. _Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—Dec. 1. Showers: sleet-showers. 2. Showers: sleet : clear ; aurora borealis very brilliant. 3. Fine: clear: aurora borealis very bril- liant. 4. Showers: hail: cloudy. 5,6. Rain: cloudy. 7. Clear frost : clear. 8, Bright : cloudy. 9. Showers. 10, Cloudy: rain. 11, Showers, 12. Cloudy. 13. Cloudy: showers. 14. Rain. 15. Sleet-showers: rain. 16, Sleet-showers: showers. 17. Frost: cloudy: clear frost. 18. Frost: cloudy: snow-showers. 19. Showers: clear frost. 20. Frost: cloudy : sleet-showers. 21. Frost : bright : cloudy: thaw. 22, Showers. 23. Showers: clear. 24, Cloudy: showers. 25. Showers: cloudy. 26. Showers, 27. Snow-showers: sleet-showers. 28, Snow: frost. 29. Rain. 30. Showers: clear frost. 31, Cloudy: rain. Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire-— Dec. 1, 2. Showers, 3. Showers of snow. 4, Frost: rain r.m. 5. Very heavy rain, 6. Showers, 7, Fair and fine: slight frost. 8. Frost: rainrm. 9. Finea.M.: rain y.m. 10, Fair, but damp. 11. Fair and clear: frost. 12. Frost. 13. Frost, hard. 14. Very wet p.m.: frost aM. 15,16. Heavy showers. 17. Fine a.m.: shower p.m. 18, Fine a.m.: frost P.M. 19. Frost a.m.: rain rp.M. 20, Frost a.m. 21. Frost: clear. 22. Heavy showers. 25, Slight frost. 24. Frost a.m.: shower r.m. 25.. Fine, 26. Heavy rain allday. 27, Heavy showers. 28, Fair and fine, 29, Heavy rain; frost. 30. Heavy rain. 31. 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Warren, M.D. To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. GENTLEMEN, I BEG to communicate to you the following letter which I have received from Dr. Warren of Boston, an excellent anatomist and eminent physician. It contains so many important observations on the osteology and dentition of some of the most complete ex- amples of the North American Mastodon, as leads me to believe you may give it a place in your next number of the ‘ Annals,’ I am, Gentlemen, your very obedient servant, London, Feb. 16th, 1846. RIcHARD Owen. My pear Sir, Boston, Jan. 31, 1846. The mterest you have taken in the anatomy of the Mastodon giganteus, and the clearness with which you have elucidated many points of their anatomy, lead me to address you at this time. In the autumn of 1845 the skeleton of a Mastodon, accom- . panied with two perfect heads, two additional lower jaws, and various other bones, which had been exhumed in the State of New Jersey, was brought to this place. On examination I found it to be the most perfect specimen, which, so far as I knew at that time, had been discovered; I therefore proceeded to examine it with some care, and in the early part of November last made a detailed report of its anatomy to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, accompanying this report with several drawings, . Two of these drawings were of the whole skeleton ; the third was of one of the other heads. By the liberality of a number of gen- tlemen of Boston all these specimens have become the property of Harvard University at Cambridge, three miles from Boston. In the month of August last we had rumours that the ske- Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. M 146 Dr. J.C. Warren on the Osteology and Deniition of leton of another Mastodon giganteus had been discovered in the town of Newburgh, State of New York, about six miles from the bank of the Hudson river (in the same town, but not on the same spot, from which the skeleton set up by Mr. Peale was obtaimed in the beginning of this century), and that it was in every respect more perfect, and perhaps larger than any one yet found. It is worthy of remark, that of five existing specimens of Mastodon, three have been exhumed in the contiguous States of New York and New Jersey ; two of them from the same town. Only two or three Mastodon bones have been discovered in any part of New England. The Baltimore skeleton was excavated in the State of Ohio, and the Missourium of the British Museum from the State of Missouri. After the specimen from Newburgh fad been articulated, it was exhibited in the city of New York during the past autumn, and was subsequently brought to the vicinity of Boston by the proprietor, Mr. Brewster. Having satisfied myself of the per- fection and the great value of the bones, with a view to the promo- tion of science ‘and from a conviction of the great injury which would be done to the skeleton by public exhibition in various places, I made offers for its purchase, which were accepted. This invaluable specimen is now my property, and as a duty to sci- entific men who are interested in the subject, I shall feel myself called on to describe it particularly at a future time in connexion with the New Jersey skeleton. , As the bones were articulated in a manner different from what seemed to me exact, I have had them separated with a view to a new arrangement, founded on the strictest anatomical observa- tion. The skeleton appears to be about twelve feet high, and some idea of the size of its parts may be formed from the fact, that the head is three feet long without the tusks, which were ten feet in length. These dimensions have, however, diminished since the bones were first exposed to the air; the pelvis, for ex- ample, which measured six feet two inches at first in its transverse diameter, now measures six feet. The comparative length of the tusks and of the diameters of the pelvic apertures are characters from which I have inferred the New Jersey specimen to have been a female, and my own very probably a male. The whole head with its teeth is perfect, as is the whole ver- tebral column, consisting of seven cervical vertebrae, twenty dor- sal, three lumbar, and the os sacrum. A solid sternum exists, the posterior part of it only being deficient. The ribs, twenty in number, are perfect. The bones of the pelvis are co-ossified,—a fact which would lead to the suspicion of the animal having been aged; but on the other hand, the epiphyses, although co-ossified with their bones, yet generally exhibit traces of separation. The some North American Mastodons. Oe ae * 5 bones of the extremities are perfect, with the exception of some of the terminal bones of the feet, and two or three of the inter- mediate phalanges. Some of these missing bones were removed with the mud and haye been recovered ; others will probably be found in the spring, after the sun has unbound the surface of the earth. _ All the bones are solid, and ring on being struck with a hard substance, Their colour is lighter than that of any of the Mas- todon specimens I have had an opportunity of seeing. On the whole, the state of preservation of these bones, considering the miry position in which they had lain for centuries unknown, must be a subject of admiration. They were found together in a very small lacustrine deposit four rods wide by fifteen rods long, where no other bones ever have been or are likely to be discovered, since the deposit has been dug to a considerable depth and removed. The manner of their discovery was this. In consequence of the uncommon dryness of the season, the proprietor of the farm had determined to remove the deposit for the purpose of manure. After taking away two feet of peat and two feet of red moss, the labourers entered a bed of shell-marl, and at the depth of a foot in this marl the head of the Mastodon was discovered. The thickness of the marl was about three feet, and under it was a bed of vegetable mud, which was penetrated by an iron rod to the depth of twenty feet. The bones, with very slight exceptions, were all lying in their natural relations to each other, the skele- ton being in an upright posture, so that there could be no mis- take as to the unity of the skeleton, nor as to the relative posi- tion of its parts. I have said nothing of the tusks nor of the deh The tusks are two in the upper jaw and one in the lower, Those of the upper jaw were when discovered about ten feet long (about two feet of which are now decomposed, four feet very much impaired and broken, and the remaining four feet, being the anterior extremity of the tusk, are in an almost perfect state). The tusk in the lower jaw is single. It is this tusk, which our excellent anatomists, Godman and Hays, considered as the distinctive character of the species Tetracaulodon. The perfect resemblance between the bones of my Mastodon and those of the one from New Jersey, most satisfactorily prove that they were both of the same species. The latter specimen is of a younger animal, as shown by the distinctness of the epiphyses, yet it has no tusk in the lower jaw. Whence it follows, that this sub- maxillary tusk may exist in the early life of both sexes, and disappear in the female at the adult age, but does not belong to a distinct species. The opinion, therefore, which you have 148 Dr.J.C. Warren on the Osteology and Dentition of expressed on this point is undoubtedly demonstrated to be exact. This existing submaxillary tusk is eleven inches long, and is si- tuated on the left side of the symphysis of the lower maxillary bone: on the right side is seen the remnant. of a socket, which has been filled up, with the exception of about an inch of its anterior part. The teeth are four in the upper and four in the lower jaw; the points are somewhat worn, but in other respects these teeth are perfect. The anterior have six eminences ; the posterior eight, with quite a prominent heel. The front tooth measures four inches by three; the posterior seven inches by three and three- quarters. In this respect they accord with those in the other . Mastodon giganteus, of which we have spoken above. But in the smaller heads accompanying the latter the number and forms of the teeth were different. The descriptions, as minuted in Oc- tober last, were as follows :— “In the youngest of the heads there are three teeth on each side in the upper and lower jaw, of which one, the posterior mo- lar, is not fully developed. In this tooth we have only the erown lying imbedded in its socket, but so loosely that the finger being passed into the cavity of the alveolus is made to penetrate the cavity of the crown. The two anterior teeth are perfect, and contain each six eminences in three rows. At the anterior part of the jaws, in front of the teeth on each side, is an alveolus filled up. The upper and lower jaw nearly correspond. This is the smallest head and evidently that of a young animal; one tusk being only eight inches long on the outside of its socket, the other being broken. “In the second head, or that of middle size, and this is the most perfect of the three, there are, as in the preceding head, three teeth on each side of each jaw. In addition, the anterior tooth on the left side of the lower jaw, although very much worn, had not dropped out, but was readily removed by the fingers. The surface of its crown was worn quite flat, and one of the fangs wholly absorbed. The anterior tooth on the right side of the lower jaw and both from the upper had dropped out, and their alveoli were nearly filled up; thus making thirteen teeth in the whole. “In the third or largest-sized head there are only two teeth on each side of each jaw fully developed, and no appearance of a germ, making the whole number but eight. These teeth are much larger than those of the preceding heads, and the posterior tooth has, in addition to eight eminences arranged in two longi- tudinal rows, a terminal eminence or heel. “ Besides these heads and their appendant lower jaws, there are in this collection two separate lower jaws, both of them be- some North American Mastodons. 149 longing to young animals. The most perfect of the two is four- teen inches long from the symphysis to the angle, and contains three teeth on each side. The anterior is a small tooth, the crown of which is about an inch square, having two hills, each of them imperfectly divided into two points. These points are worn, and this tooth bears a resemblance to those in the head of a Hip- popotamus in my collection. The second tooth is about double the size of the first ; it has three hills, the two anterior divided into two points, the posterior is but slightly notched in the mid- dle. The third tooth is double the size of the last, and has like it three hills, each divided into two points. This tooth is, how- ever, buried in the jaw-bone, and was probably during life co- vered by the gum. “The most interesting feature in the anatomy of this lower jaw is the existence of two holes at the symphysis, not found in the three other specimens, evidently the sockets of two small tusks. These sockets are an inch and a half deep, and are each of them of sufficient diameter to admit the little finger. The tusks which filled these holes do not exist, but we may suppose them to have been about three inches long, grounding this opi- nion on the diameter and depth of the holes. In other respects this lower jaw does not differ in its anatomical characters from the remainder above mentioned.” I have extracted the above minutes from my account of the New Jersey Mastodon, because they serve to support and illus- trate the observations you have made on this important topic. They of themselves seem to give a pretty satisfactory view of the dental series in this animal. To the statements relating to the osseous fabric of the Mas- todon I will add a few words on the subject of its supposed food. In connexion with the bones found in the State of Virginia, there was said to have been seen in the situation of the stomach and intestinal canal a quantity of bruised twigs, leaves and other vegetable substances, which probably had composed the food of this animal. Similar substances were discovered in a similar relation to the New Jersey Mastodon so often alluded to, and in our Mastodon about six bushels of such matters were seen in the situation of the stomach and intestines. As the position of the ‘animal had not been disturbed when it was discovered, there is satisfactory reason to believe, that there could be no mistake as to the opinion that these were really articles of food. This opi- nion receives additional support from the fact stated by the dis- coverer of the skeleton, that the whole course of the lower intes- tines could be traced by the food. Accompanying this commu- nication I send you a small portion of these substances, and also ” 150 Mr. W. Thompson on the occurrence of of the great tusks, with some of the marl in which they were imbedded. You will consider this as a mere sketch, intended to give a general idea of the condition of the two most perfect specimens of Mastodon giganteus. At afature period I shall endeavour to give a more detailed account of them, accompanied by the best representations I am able to procure. As my object is the pro- motion of science, and as the one in my possession is unquestion- ably the most perfect, if not the largest known specimen of Mas- todon giganteus, I shall be quite ready to answer any inquiries which you or other scientific gentlemen may propose. I shall also be glad to exhibit the skeleton to any such gentlemen who happening to be in this country may have a desire to examine it. The other skeleton will also, I apprehend, be placed in a situation where it can be examined by those interested in comparative ana- tomy and palzontoldgy. I remain, my dear Sir, with great respect, your friend, &c., Joun C. WARREN. Professor Owen, Royal College of Surgeons, London, . XXIT.—Notice oft a Botile-nosed Whale, Uyperoodon Butzkopf, Lacep., obtained in Belfast Bay in October 1845. By Witi1aM Tompson, President Nat. Hist. and Philosophical Society of Belfast. [With a Plate.] _ In a paper published in the ‘ Annals’ for February 1840 (vol. iv. p- 375) I noticed seven Hyperoodons—the first of which had previously been most fully described by Dr. Jacob of Dublin— as having been obtained on a limited portion of the coast of Ire- land, comprised in less than the northern half of the eastern line of coast, or merely from the bay of Belfast to that of Dublin in- clusive. An eighth—about 24 feet in length—examined by Dr. G. J. Allman, was obtained at the island of Ireland’s Eye, on the Dublin coast, on the 30th of October 1842. I have now to re- cord the occurrence of a ninth individual procured within the same range of coast. Its capture was thus noticed in one of the Belfast newspapers—the Banner of Ulster—on Friday Oct. 31, 1845 :— “ A Whale in Belfast Lough.—On the morning of Wednesday last [29th Oct. 1845] the services of the Coast Guard stationed at Cultra Point were called into active requisition by the appear- ance of—not a smuggler—but something ‘very like a whale,’ ploughing the waters a few hundred yards from the pier. * * * Hyperoodon Butzkopf in Belfast Bay. 151 ‘Without loss of time a boat was manned by four or five of the Coast Guard armed with harpoon, cutlass, carbine and_ hatchet, resolved to make the stranger pay dearly for his visit. * * * After a good deal of manceuvring the men succeeded in bringing their boat alongside the enemy, and then commenced their as- sault upon him without mercy * * * and after a little show of opposition he attempted to make off, but his endeavours were fruitless. After receiving two or three shots, and a good many strokes with the harpoon, a grappling-iron was thrown over him and the boat was rowed shorewards amid the huzzas of the spec- tators, with the poor whale vanquished and weltering in his blood, which dyed the waters, and soon the retreating tide left him high and dry upon the beach. * * * It exhibited great tenacity of life, having survived six hours after being brought to land, though ‘eut and hacked in an extreme degree. * * * On Wednesday and yesterday crowds of persons flocked from this town and other places to see it where it lies on the shore at Cultra.” I was absent from home at the time, but my friend Mr. James Bryce, F.G.S., ever active and energetic, hastened to the beach ‘where the animal was lying, took the measurements of it in de- tail, and subsequently repeated them under more favourable cir- cumstances in the yard in the town of Belfast, to which the ani- mal was brought for exhibition, and where it attracted a large number of visitors for several days. Mr. Bryce had at this time careful drawings made of the Hyperoodon by his relative Mr. R. Young, which, together with his own notes, have been kindly placed in my hands. I happened to return home just in time to see the animal before it was cut up on the 8th of November. It isa male. Mr. Bryce’s description is as follows :— : ft. in. “ Length, measured in a straight line from snout to tail..,......... 20 4 , measured along the dorsal curve .sec.eoee see asveiaurens gas. eee IIE ooo isa ides (hccesGavcscestevessavtdcceacteseieueelecce 4 6 NOME FENG AUS ra dca ht evvs cbebebects s5UCCcseee edosudes cdvess sie RR 6 MIN ORO NOR Gis. iiss scdasudin eifehas iddied ase iedendbareveiidess ER Length of rostrum or snout ...esecesees pihag Ghd did «phe ASS KERS +A aeons 0 1 BNE TOUS, ncaa: 5 sonhds -ancnannss vate cveccensanltcs 3454 Simia Troglodytes .......+.. seses| D412 |\Callithrix sciureus .........00000. 3713 Pithecus Satyrus .........-.seeeees 3383 |/Jacchus vulgaris ........sseeseees 3624 Hylobates Hoolock .........00.+++ 3368 |/Midas Rosalia ....... bisieuebareuas 3510 —— leucogenys ......... aie 3425 —— Rafflesii ..........c eee ee eee 3539 L Semnopithecus Maurus .........! 3515 shies Cabal Cercopithecus Mona waea sae weeks 3468 Lemur albifrons Ceoeeesseeee @eeree 3976 meee MeN occa cccoes 3342 Catia ceececssesesereesseeeees 3892 ——— FUNIPINOBUS ......00....00000- | 3530 || Anjuanensis ............... 4003 BN evi ces sae} - 4000 vg aheien I Capistratus .. ....sceeeceees 3930 |\Didelphis Virginiana ...........- 3557 —— Palmarum .......0....eeeee 3847 T...|12000 —— Listeri ..........seeereeeereees 3948 ||/Dasyurus viverrinus ............| 4056 Arctomys? pruinosus ........+++. 3484 |—— Maugei .......06...., roedies 4034 —— Empetra ..........s.cccsseees 3503 |\—— ursinus......se0eeee Sesto vs 3534 Dipus Aigyptius .......cc.sscseees 4172 T...|10910 Mus giganteus .......... ieaeaenss' 3892 |\Perameles Lagotis ..........00++- 3902 \—— GeECUMANUS ........-sseeveeee 3911 ||Hypsiprymnus setosus ............ 4000 omen FRALLUS cc cece. sscocsresecccsess 3754 ||Macropus Bennettii............+.. 3535 —— musculus........ gugith ox bodel 3814 |—— ocydromus ........+4+. evess-| 3442 | BUIWAMAQUS ...cesvcecscsces --| 38839 |—— Derbyanus? .........ceeee: 3405 |——— MESSOTIUS ...... ess eeees eee 4268 T..., 10910 —— Alexandrinus ..........+.... 3900 ||Halmaturus Billardieri ......... 3623 Arvicola amphibia ..........0++6. 3790 |\Phalangista vulpina ............... 3617 Pee TIGENB sso -ccccsoscenysiecescs 4199 |———-. nana... secececsecscccscoveees 3856 Ondatra Zibethica ............... 3550 ||\—— fuliginosa .......s.se..s00e 3688 Hystrix cristata ....... néeteieses g- 3369 ||/Petaurista sciureus ............... 3661 iErithizon dorsatum .........+++.+- 3380 |Phascolomys Wombat...... paasan 3456 AVES. RAPACES. re he L.D, | 8.D. Gypaétus barbatus ......| 1913 | 3425 ||Buteo vulgaris ............ 1852 | 3691 Cathartes Lota ............ 1880 | 3691 |——— Lagopus ............ 1852 | 3691 Sarcorhamphus Gryphus| 1761 | 3892 | Aquila chrysaétos ...... 1812 | 3832 —— Papa ...eerreeeeess. 1825 | 3600 |—— Bonelli ......... .--| 1866 | 3598 Vultur auricularis ......| 1835 | 3461 | POCORE |... bescedsanels 1852 | 3485 Nuclei ...| 4000 |10666 ChOWR’ <..ssscncuee 1830 | 3691 m— fUlVUS «......0...0005 1829 | 3399 ||Helotarsus typicus ......| 1891 | 3461 _ 7.9600 Haliaétus albicilla ...... 1829 | 3390 | |\—— Kolbii ............... 1794 | 3337 ||\— leucocephalus ...... 1909 | 3390 —— leuconotus ......... 1806 | 3425 ||—— Aguia .........,...6 1806 | 3585 ——— Angolensis ......... 1684 | 3166 ||Falco Peregrinus ......... 1916 | 3862 oo vulgaris ...... 1829 | 3572 Tinnunculus ...... 1891 | 3490 206 Zoological Society. AVES—(continued). Falco subbuteo Milvus vulgaris Otus brachyotus Bubo maximus Syrnium Aluco Garrulus pileatus —— glandarius frugilegus — monedula Gracula religiosa Fregilus graculus cristatellus Sturnus vulgaris predatorius Coracias garrula Bubo Virginianus Strix flammea ... Nuclei... Pastor roseus ... —— tristis ...... Gypogeranus ee CAIUS ......cccceeses Surnia Nyctea ... Nuclei... eeeeeseee OMNIVORA. Cracticus hypoleucus ... Barita Tibicen ... Nuclei... cristatus ... Nucifraga Caryocatactes Corvus corax ... eeeeeerre eereetese eteeeseee Nuclei ... Nuclei ... ee Nuclei ... eeeeeseee e@ereee Molothrus sericeus ...... Buceros Rhinoceros? ... INSECTIVORES. Troglodytes Europeus... Regulus cristatus.....++. Motacilla alba ... Nuclei... Sylvia Phragmites ...... Philomela luscinia ...... Nuclei... Curruea atricapilla ...... Erythaca rubecula ...... Accentor modularis...... Turdus viscivorus ...... musicus ... eeresecee S.D. 3507 3677 4042 10666 4076 3566 4000 3801 3740 10666 4000 3892 4167 | 3878 | 10666 3512 4172 4000 3196 9140 _ 8365 11138 | 4167 4630 | 4050 | 4167 | } 3301 | 4167 | 10665 4505 © —— cristata .......0.... |Plectrophanes nivalis ... |Loxia coccothraustes .. 3892 11333 ANTS 3478 4567 3230 | 4133 | 4133 _ 3600 10666 3550 4400 12000 4133 4133 4000 4000 4133 4133 Turdus canorus ......... Merula vulgaris ......... Orpheus polyglottis ...... us |Muscicapa grisola_ ...... Lanius excubitor ......... Vanga destructor......... GRANIVOR. Dolichonyx oryzivorus . Ploceus textor .........+. Cardinalis Dominicana... —— cucullata ......... Amadina fasciata ......... —— punctularia ......... : Pyrgita domestica ...... Nuclei... Simplek «sss isecese's Fringilla Coelebs ......... —— Chloris ........... ———_ CYANEA seeeeeeeecee Linaria Min0r’ < vssc» “- MISCELLANEOUS. MILDNESS OF THE SEASON. Two instances of the mildness of the season have occurred. A pair of the Vanessa Io were brought to me, caught flying at Bard- sey, near Leeds, on the 24th January.. A robin’s nest, with young ones, was found near Swillington, about six miles from Leeds, on the 2nd February. Henry Denny. DE HIRUNDINUM AD NOS REDITU. Salve, quze ad nos incolumis te vertis, hirundo, Quandoquidem veris nuncia grata redis ; Et nos ceu socios post frigora szva revisis, Et tecum nobis tempora leta refers. Te redeunte redit facies letissima mundo. Szevus abit Boreas; mitior aura redit. Solvunturque nives, et grato murmure rivi Labuntur ripis, prataque ameena rigant. Herba solum vestit, pinguntur floribus arva, Omnis abit squallor, pulchra juventa redit. Te redeunte, virent nuper queecunque rigebant, Arboribus redeunt te redeunte come. Salve, igitur, felix cunctis mortalibus ales, Nuncia veris avis, nuncia leetitiz. : Lucas Nicolaus del Muto. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. Q 210 Misce'lancous. AGRIMONIA ODORATA, AITON. In the course of an examination of my native species of Rosacee, I have had the fortune to detect a good specimen, in fruit, of the Agrimonia odorata of the Hortus Kewensis, given to me by the Rev. W. W. Newbould, who gathered it at Beaumont in the island of Jersey on the 15th of August 1842. I believe this to be the only continental plant, not known as a native of Britain, which has been added to the flora of the Channel Islands since the publication of the ‘ Primitize Flore Sarnice.’ It is distinguished from A. Hupatoria, which it greatly resembles, by its ‘‘ greater size,—three to four feet high ;” leaves more deeply and more sharply cut, hairy and furnished with scattered glands beneath, not cano-tomentose ; tube of the calyx of the fruit larger but shorter, bell-shaped or nearly hemispherical, not turbinate, uniformly hairy and glandular, only furrowed in its upper half, and even there the furrows are shallow; spines longer, and the lower ones strongly reflexed ; petals ‘‘ saturate aureis,”’ red in the dried specimen. It will probably be detected in some of our southern counties if diligently looked for.—C. C. B. HASSALL’S ‘‘ BRITISH FRESHWATER ALG.” The Editors think it right to make a few observations upon Mr. Hassall’s letter printed in the last number of these ‘ Annals,’ and to which these remarks would have been appended, had they not thought that they might as well allow their readers one month’s opportunity of contrasting the letter and the review, believing that the latter is by far the best answer to most points brought forward in the former. ‘They wish it to be distinctly understood that they are not again re- viewing the work, and do not intend to be drawn into a paper war, which would be totally out of place here. : Mr. Hassall complains that the review contains animadversions which a careful and candid examination of the work will not justify ; they have now to state that a re-examination has only convinced them that the reviewer has been very lenient, and that Mr. Hassall should have been well-satisfied when he reflects how plentifully he has ap- propriated to himself the labours of others. Suppose that Mr. Hassall had been engaged for the last two or three years in bringing out periodically original and elaborate figures with descriptions, as Mr. Ralfs has done, and that some compiler, watching close at his heels, had instantly and without ceremony copied a very large number of his figures, and given them to the world as his own, would Mr. Hassall have been content to acquiesce without complaint or remonstrance? ‘To say nothing of the illegality of such a proceeding (which however is clear enough), there is too much reason to complain of its injustice and disingenuousness. It is to little purpose that Mr. Hassall states that ‘‘no one plate is a copy of any one of Mr. Ralfs’s,”’ when the figures of which they are composed are palpably so, although by transpositions and inver- sions the identity of the plates is disguised. Our readers may judge for themselves by comparing the plates of Desmidee in both works: they will see that there is not a single Miscellaneous. 211 figure in Mr. Hassall’s Plates Ixxxy. or lxxxvi. that is not taken from the Annals. Mr. Hassall alleges that he has made a sufficient acknowledgement in haying stated in his work that ‘‘ several of the figures of this family, especially certain of the genera Euastrum and Cosmarium, are taken from those of Jenner and Ralfs.” Now, with regard to Cosmarium, all the figures, thirty-four in number, are copied from the ‘ Annals,’ while in Goniocystis, including Arthrodesmus, there are fifty-one figures, all copies, without a single original. Neither space nor inclination allows the detail of further instances, but an examination of the work has confirmed the editors in the con- viction that Mr. Hassall has by no means made a full and fair avowal of the extent of his obligations to others. The opinion expressed in the review upon comparative specific characters is confidently left to the judgement of naturalists. Mr. Hassall’s statement that “‘it would have been easy for him, had he thought proper to do so, to have abstained from quoting Mr. Ralfs altogether,” when he had helped himself so freely to his figures, needs no comment. Te. It may be right to state that Mr. Jenner’s labours were not coupled with those of Mr. Ralfs in the review, owing to his not having pub- lished upon these tribes. Mr. Jenner’s researches are well-known to and most.highly appreciated by the reviewer. Mr. Jenner would be the last to take credit to himself for the labours of another, as may be seen in his ‘ Flora of Tunbridge,’ pp. 178, 188, 192, 200. HASSALL’S “‘ BRITISH FRESHWATER ALG&.”’ To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History, GentLEmMeN,—In Mr. Hassall’s letter in your February number, in answer to your reviewer of his ‘ British Freshwater Alge,’ my name is used, in the allusions to Mr. Ralfs’s papers on the Desmi- diee, in such a manner as I am afraid might mislead the public; I am induced, therefore, to beg the insertion of a few lines in your next number. Those papers were written solely by Mr. Ralfs, and I must dis- claim any praise at his expense; since my having assisted him in his observations, or given the outlines of some of the figures, could not make me the author. No one has been more ready, nor more careful to give another credit for what was due to him than Mr. Ralfs has been; but what little I have done has been for my own amusement, and from love of natural history. It has afforded me the greatest pleasure, as well as instruction, to have a person so faithful in investigation, so acute and accurate in observation, and so perspicuous, simple and concise in definition to correspond with, and 1 am pleased with the opportunity now afforded me to state that at first, most of my know- ledge of this interesting, curious and very beautiful tribe of plants was obtained through his kindness, and also that it is my intention to render Mr. Ralfs every assistance in my power in bringing out his Q 2 212 Miscellaneous. ‘Monograph of the British Desmidiee,’ either in microscopical ob- servation, by faithful outlines, or in the determination of any diffi- cult point. Mr. Hassall also is a gentleman whom I respect, and for most of my knowledge of the British Conjugate I am indebted to his kind- ness. I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, oe EDWARD JENNER. On the Disease of the Plantain. By Grorce R. Bonyun, M.D. Communicated by W. H. Campbell, Esq., LL.D., Secretary of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society of British Guiana. The varieties of the edible plantain, which are known and culti- vated throughout the West Indies, Africa and the East, are all of them reducible to two species, viz. the plantain and the banana (Musa paradisiaca and Musa sapientum). ‘The difference between these two plants is even so slight as to be scarcely specific ; it is therefore most probable that there was originally but one stock, from which they have by cultivation and change of locality been derived. It is there- fore necessary to determine with exactness, if possible, whether the plantain or banana (whichever be the parent stock) exists anywhere at present, or has been known to have existed as a perfect plant, that is, bearing fertile seeds, or whether it has always been in the imper- fect. state, that is, incapable of being procreated by seed, the only state in which it exists in this colony. . af | In the oldest botanical descriptions of the plantain, bakova, pisang, banana, bihai, or by whatever name it is known, it is invariably de- scribed as an anomalous plant not perfecting its seeds; nor is there any traveller who has described a plant which could be considered to be the plantain in its uncultivated state. In Gerard’s ‘ Herbal,’ printed in 1636, p. 1464, there is an excel- lent drawing of a bunch of plantains, and it is described as seedless. Plumier, in his ‘ Nova Plantarum Americanarum Genera,’ printed in 1703, gives a like description of the plantain. _ Linnzeus, in his ‘ Spe- cies Plantarum,’ anno 1763, describes four species, Musa paradisiaca, sapientum, Bihai and Troglodytarum, which latter, on the authorit of Rumphius, he says, bears many seeds (hee gerit semina nadia’: He supposes the two former to be hybrids produced by impregnating the Bihai with some congeners unknown to him. Since Linnzus’s time the “‘ Bihai” has been found to belong to a different genus than Musa; it is now called Heliconia humilis, is a native of South America, and produces fertile seeds. Whether Linnzeus be right in his conjecture that the Bihai is the stock-plant of the plantain, it is almost impossible to ascertain; but the absence of any description of a wild seed-bearing plantain renders it highly probable that the cultivated species are hybrids produced long ago. The banana, from time immemorial, has been the food of the philosophers and sages of the East; and almost all travellers throughout the tropics have de- scribed these plants exactly as they are known to us, either as a sweet fruit eaten raw, or a-farinaceous vegetable roasted or boiled. Miscellaneous. 213 It is remarkable that the plantain and banana should be indigenous, or at all events have been cultivated for ages both in the old and new world. Numerous South American travellers describe some one of these plants as being indigenous articles of food among the natives, thus showing (if the plantain and its variety be hybrids) a communi- cation between the tropics of America, Asia and Africa long before the time of Columbus. The older writers on this colony consider the plantain to be a native. Thus Hartsinck in his ‘ History of Guiana,’ vol. i. p. 71, describes under the head of ‘‘ description of wild trees” the fruit of the plantain or wild banana tree as being eaten by the Indians roasted or ripe, &c., while the banana is under the descrip- tion of cultivated trees. Belin, ‘ Description Géographique de la Guyane, p. 49, in like manner describes the plantaine, or plantin, as being a food used by the Indians, &c. It is remarkable that Sir Robert Schomburgk likewise found a large species of edible plantain far in the interior. It appears to me to be quite clear therefore that the plantain is either a hybrid, or its power of procreation by seed has been destroyed long ago by cultivation, and that it is not known to exist anywhere in a perfect state; in either of which cases, any attempt to improve our present stock by the introduction of suckers from elsewhere must be totally futile. I need scarcely remark, that should the suppositions with regard to the hybridity of the plantain be incorrect, and that in certain localities to us at present unknown the plant matures its seed, the seedlings would require long cultiva- tion by repeated transplantation of suckers to deprive the fruit of its seed, or in other words, to render it edible. _If the proposed introduction of plantain suckers from Matanzas, Porto Rico, or other countries, be with the view of entirely substi- tuting them for our present stock, and thus getting rid of the disease, a very serious matter for consideration is presented to us, viz. Is the disease hereditary or owing to imperfection in the plant itself, or is it caused by unfit soil or imperfect tillage? If it be hereditary, then the only means left is totally to eradicate the present stock and to introduce a new one. If, on the other hand, the disease be one of locality, then the introduction of new plants would be merely expo- sing them to the same cause of destruction. ‘The cause of the disease has been considered by some to be a species of beetle, which destroys the root or finds its way into the body of the tree. This however is a conjecture totally unsupported by any facts, the minutest in- vestigation not disclosing the existence of any such animals in the diseased plantain tree, or at least in that relation to the tree which would in any way justify the supposition that they were the cause of the disease. Another supposition has been that the disease is similar to the smut in wheat, but is equally as unfounded as the beetle theory, no fungi being discovered in the diseased parts, even by the aid of a very powerful achromatic microscope, Dr. Aanzorg’s theory is, that there is a deficiency of certain che- mical substances in the soil, and his experiments appear to render his supposition very probable. On the other hand, several planters declare that the youngest suckers from a diseased stock grow up for 214 : Miscellaneous. the most part diseased, wherever planted. These conflicting opinions must be cleared up by experiment. In the meantime, I believe that’ I can point out the “ seat of the disease,”’ which is at all events the’ first step towards the discovery of its cure. If a plantain tree be stripped of its leaves from the root upwards, it will be found to con- sist of a number of joints—the bunch of plantains being a continua-' tion of the upper joint, and the spire being the upper leaf rolled up —exactly similar to a cane and its arrow—the bunch being the or- ganic apex of the plantain tree, in the same manner as the cane arrow is the organic apex of the cane plant. . Of the various vessels and tissues which are necessary to vegetable life, the plantain tribe abounds in what are called spiral vessels or trachez ; and if a healthy plantain tree be examined from the root upwards as far as the fruit, these vessels will be found in continuous’ lines; and even in the farina of the plantain they are detected in an extreme state of tenuity. On further examination, these spirals (as has been known to botanists for some time) are found to be com- posed of numerous fasciculi, and are contained in tubes from whence they can be drawn forth, having a translucid appearance, and being perfectly free from any adherent matter. From the large number of these vessels in the plantain tribe, it is evident that their functions must be important, and that any impediment to their healthy action must be attended with an imperfect development in some part of the plant. Now if a plantain tree bearing a bunch of plantains in a more or less diseased state be examined carefully, a certain number of these tubes containing spirals from the roots up, through the culm or body of the tree into the bunch, will be found to be filled with a ferruginous-looking fluid of a more or less dark colour, and if the spiral vessels be drawn forth from their tubes, this matter will be seen to collect upon them in minute drops; the spirals will also be of the same colour as the substance contained in the tubes. A bunch of plantains in the extreme state of disease, containing no farina, but merely the dissepiments of the cells, will have a large number of the spiral tubes, particularly in the circumference of the culm, filled with a dark ochreous-coloured fluid, while the number of diseased tubes will be fewer, and the colour of the fluid contained more of a yel- lowish colour, in less diseased plants. In the stock of a small poor bunch of plantains, but still contain- ing farina and edible, only a trace here and there of the abnormal matter was found. ‘This peculiar state is not confined to the full- grown plant, but the youngest suckers show the disease in a greater or less degree. All the other tissues and vessels of diseased trees I have found after the most careful investigation to be quite sound. The decay of the leaves, and subsequent rottenness and destruction of the plant, is owing to its diminishing vitality, and has nothing to do with the specific disease. Any mechanical injury sufficiently vio- lent to diminish the vigour of the plant, would be followed by simi- lar decay and rottenness. I am therefore fully convinced, that, what- ever may be the cause of the disease, the seat of it is in the tubes containing the spiral vessels, which are invaded by an abnormal » Meteorological Observations. 215 fluid, which is inimical to the formation of the pulp in the fruit, or impedes the spirals in the due performance of their functions, The chemical composition of this fluid, and whether it be absorbed di- rectly from the soil, or eliminated within the plant in consequence of functional disease of its organs, will form the subject of future in- vestigation; and I would venture to augur, the colony having now the assistance of a gentleman of high scientific acquirements, that not only the cause, but the cure of this very destructive disease will be shortly discovered. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR JAN. 1846. Chiswick.—January 1. Fine. 2,3. Frosty: fine: overcast. 4. Rain. 5. Sharp frost : cloudy : clear and frosty. 6. Drizzly. 7. Overcast and mild throughout the day and night. 8. Cloudy and fine. 9. Uniformly overcast. 10, Over- cast: drizzly rain. 11. Hazy and drizzly. 12. Cold haze. 13. Hazy: very fine. 14. Foggy: overcast and fine. 15. Fine. 16. Thick fog: rain at night. 17. Hazy: drizzly: cloudy and mild. 18. Foggy: rainat night. 19. Constant rain: boisterous, with rain at night. 20. Clear and fine. 21. Rain: densely clouded and mild: boisterous, with rain at night. 22. Boisterous, with rain : densely clouded. 23. Heavy showers. 24. Hazy and mild. 25. Rain. 26. Showery: heavy rain at night. 27. Clear: cloudy: rain at night. 28. Rain: cloudy: very high tide in the Thames: clear. 29. Rain. 30. Overcast. 31. Cloudy : windy at night. Mean temperature of the month .........seseecsessceseeseescveee 45°54 Mean temperature of January 1845 — ....sssseceeseesesseseeveees 38 "69 Average mean temperature of Jan. for the last twenty years 36 °46 Average amount of rain for the last twenty years ............. 1 *60inch. Boston.—Jan.1. Stormy: rain last night. 2. Fine. $3. Cloudy. 4. Rain. 5. Fine. 6. Rain. 7. Cloudy. 8. Fine. 9—13. Cloudy. 14,15. Fine. 16. Foggy. 17. Cloudy: rain a.m.and p.m. 18. Foggy. 19. Rain: rain early a.m.: rain pM. 20. Windy: rain earlya.m. 21. Cloudy: rain p.m. 22. Cloudy and stormy: rainearly a.m. 23. Fine. 24, Cloudy: rain early a.m. 25. Fine: rain early a.m. 26. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 27. Fine. 28, 29, Rain. 30, $1. Cloudy.—N.B. Not so warm a January. since January 1834: the average of that month was 44°3, Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—Jan. 1. Snow-showers. 2 Fine: frost: cloudy. $. Cloudy: clear. 4. Clear: showers. 5. Bright: showers, 6. Damp: clear. 7. Cloudy: showers. 8. Showers: clear. 9. Cloudy: clear. 10. Rain: cloudy. 11. Drizzle: damp. 12. Drizzle: hazy. 13. Bright: cloudy. 14. Damp: cloudy. 15. Rain: drizzle. 16. Clear. 17. Damp. 18. Bright: cloudy. 19. Damp: showers, 20. Rain: drizzle. 21. Rain: clear. 22. Damp: rain. 23. Fine: damp. 24. Fine: frost: damp: aurora. 25. Rain: cloudy. 26. Damp. 27, Damp; rain: clear. 28. Cloudy: showers. 29. Showers. 30, Cloudy: rain. 31. Drizzle: showers. Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire.—-Jan. 1. Snow-showers. 2. Frost: clear and fine. 3. Wet allday. 4. Fine a.m.: shower p.m. 5. Frost a.m.: rain p.m, 6, 7. Showery. 8. Fair. 9,10. Slight drizzle, 11. Slight drizzle: fog. 12. Fair and mild. 13. Faira.M.:raine.m. 14. Fair: one slightshower. 15. Wet A.M.: Cleared: fine. 16. Frost, slight: fine. 17. Fair a.m.: slight shower p.m. 18. Fair, but cloudy. 19. Rain nearly all day. 20. Rain all day: flood. 21. Fair, but cloudy. 22. Drizzling rain. 23. Rain and fog. 24. Thick fog. 25. Heavy rain: flood. 26. Drizzling rain. 27. Rain a.m: fair: rain pm, 28—31. Rain. Mean temperature of the month ............. ew edegas 43°°0 Mean temperature of January 1845 ............. Pee Ser | Mean temperature of Jan. for twenty-three years . 34 °5 Mean rain in January for eighteen years ......... 2 °57 inches. B , } 65 |-HHN | 19. 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[verre] tu | tm | tm | tMU | Foe | Foe | LE) ESH|S-2P| O€ | OF | LL-62| 8-60) 08-66 | 19-62 | £2.62 269-62! 1$0-0€) ‘I | ¥ iS) e) 0 ©} Sal fo!] Bi] & = = ‘urd | ‘ure | curd | ‘ure . . =e fled] e |e (fe|ef] elee{Pelhe| PLE leg) FE URL | TEI | ep] mm] om | oe | solomr] © = = © on iS) = é j aS j BS | eet} * 8 F SS ms * g 5 Pe {Fein Sots nT 35 *YOLMSIyD Tis *d1LYS-satuIng F = *sOIMsTyQ S y Yee eas = <4 “Urey ‘pum *JQJOMLOWIY J, ‘1ojaMOIVg = ey ‘LANG ‘asunpy younpung yw Suoysno[y) *d *Aoy 247 Ag pun faulns-saruawMacy ‘asunyy ypevsapddp yy ‘xequng * AA ‘Ady ay? 49 {NoLsog 70 “|[VaA “AI Ag Suopuo'T «vau ‘MOIMSIHD 70 Ajars0g posnqynoysopy ay2 fo uapsny ay, yo vosdwoyy, “Ay, 49 apywu suoruasasga jorFojouoajapy THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL. HISTORY. No. 112. APRIL 1846. ; XXX.— Observations on the Tribe Spheeriaceze, and descriptions of certain new Genera. By Prof. Giusrrre pe Noraris. Florence*, 1844. 4to. By means of the immortal works of Bulliard, Persoon, Fries, Kunze, Nees, Greville and others, mycology has made i late ears surprising progress, although it still continues in some of its parts very inferior to the other branches of cryptogamic bo- tany. This arises, if ] mistake not, from an opinion unfortunately adopted by certain writers of authority, who have not hesitated to assert, that microscopic observations instead of conducing to happy results are prejudicial to the study of mycology, and are the perpetual fountain of error and confusion. This opinion I not only hold to be false, but even incompatible with the present exigences of the human mind, which cannot content itself with the superficial exterior of things, but delights in AFCHNS into their most secret recesses. And what, in truth, was the study of Cryptogamia io the compound microscope, thanks to the pais taken by the en- lightened Amici, was brought to its present degree of perfection ? The microscope has unveiled to us, not to speak of the surprising discoveries in bryology, lichenology and algology, the various ways in which fungi are reproduced, which, whether from the singularity of their forms, their hidden mode of growth, or the excessive minuteness of their parts, were the subject of very in- sufficient observations. How mycology has advanced since the late improvement in microscopic observations, the works of Vitta- dini, Corda, Montagne and Berkeley bear incontestable evidence. No one is ignorant that Persoon and Fries made the study accessible by defining the limits of the families, properly deseri- bing the species, and laying the foundation of the natural system ; * Translated from the Italian. Communicated by the Rev. M. J. Berkeley. This memoir, which was first published as a separate pamphlet in 4to, has since appeared in ‘ Giornale Bot. Italiano,’ edited by Parlatore. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvu. 218 Prof. G. de Notaris on the Tribe Spheeriacee. but from having too often preferred characters more ready of access to those of internal structure, and trivial differences to the organs of fructification, they led students astray from the analyti¢ method formerly adopted by the immortal Micheli, who, assisted by the power of their own minds, would otherwise have guided them by a surer and more noble path. The works of Micheli were often consulted, but his observations were either carelessly passed over or considered incomprehensible, and we have seen several of our contemporaries advance facts as new which had already been published in the ‘ Nova Plantarum Genera.’ Of all the divisions of the mycological kingdom, that of the Pyrenomycetes or Hypoxyla especially appears to me most stri- kingly to prove what I have above asserted. Analyse the works of Persoon, Fries, Duby, Wallroth and Chevalier, and you will find the form and colours of the perithecia, the way in which they open, the mode in which they burst from the matrix, the stroma, the colour, the consistence of the nucleus, accurately described ; but of the parts of which the nucleus itself is composed, of the parts in which the essential and classical characters really reside, of the fructification, of the internal structure of the conceptacula, there is no intimation whatever, or they give them joined to the others as of secondary importance and out of mere compliment. Thus it is that in this family myriads of errors and contradic- tions are met with at every step. We find, for example, some species of Spheria placed among the Cytispore, because the nu- cleus bursts from the perithecium in the form of a tendril; to Lophium we find pulverulent sporidia assigned, because they are thread-shaped and equal in length to the asci. Among the Spheria we find species which have the nucleus composed of sporidia only—species which belong to Spheronema, and in short true Pezize, because in colour, form, and mode of growth they present the semblance of a perithecium. Among the general characters of Fries’ sections of the im- mense genus Spheria, based principally and sometimes with useless details on the existence or want of a stroma, or on the mode in which the perithecia are disposed, we certainly find the asci and sporidia mentioned, but the sporidia in the same sections differ immensely in the several species in form, structure or size. We find allied species dispersed in different sections or even iden- tical species, solely from their having attacked vegetables of dif- ferent families or parts of different duration. I do not hesitate to assert this, having had the advantage of procuring an authentic copy of the entire collection of the Sele- romycetes Suecici of Fries, possessing also the greater part of the types published in the ‘ Fasciculi’ of the enlightened Prof. Kunze, those illustrated by Montagne in his ‘ Notice sur les Plantes Prof. G. de Notaris on the Tribe Spheeriacee. 219 Cryptogames récemment découvertes en France,’ and in the third edition of the ‘Flore des environs de Paris’ of Merat, and the collections of Demaziéres and others, with the help of which I have been able to make a multitude of comparisons and clear away no slight number of errors ;—errors which, without further preface, appear to me incontestably to demonstrate— Ist. That the progress in cryptogamic botany is chiefly owing to microscopical observations. 2ndly. That the classification of the Pyrenomycetes especially can never be natural nor philosophical, until we know the most minute particulars of the fructification of the species. Besides which, if in the classification of many other tribes of fungi, and im definmg the genera and species of the Perisporiacet, Myzxogastres, Mucorini, Coniomycetes, &c., part of the characters are furnished by the peridia and sporidia, why should such cha- racters be altogether rejected in the Pyrenomycetes, in which these organs are more complicated, and consequently rank higher in the series of organized structure ? The suspicion that differences in the fructifying parts of the genus Spheria might be found, had arisen in my mind from the first moment in which I prepared myself to examine analytically a few minute fungi, which I afterwards described and figured in my decades of Micromycetes. During last winter, however, ha- ving previously excluded those species in which I had not suc- ceeded in finding a nucleus ascigerus, I prepared with the utmost diligence of which I was capable, the analysis, descriptions and figures of 200 other Spherie; and | assert that in identical spe- cies, from whatever different region they came, and these often growing on plants of different families, I have always found the structure, size, colour and shape of the sporidia identical; while, on the contrary, species properly distinct have never presented to me sporidia of the same shape. How many times have I admired in ecstasy the mexhaustible fullness of the great Creator of all things, who has given to an organ essentially the same in its nature and office such an infinite variety of form, so that each species carries with it an invariable impress or token to distin- guish it from its alles! Still very far from the end I had proposed to myself, from want of time, and not being able to embrace a larger field, I confine myself at present to a notice respecting the tribe of indigenous Pyrenomycetes Spheriacee, because on recurring to the exami- nation of the most essential parts of the fruit, they exhibit on a small scale the basis on which I intend to proceed in their re- arrangement ; re-arrangement | say, because Greville, Corda, Montagne, and Fries himself in the ‘ Plante Homonemee’ felt the urgent necessity of lending a hand in the dismemberment of R 2 220 Prof. G. de Notaris on the Tribe Spheriacez. the genus Spheria, proposing the genera Diplodia, Ostropa, Cu- curbitaria, Cryptospheria, Valsa and Hypocrea, which econye- niently limited according to the characters of fructification com- mon to the greater number of the respective species, and selected from the heterogeneous materials which they everywhere con- tain, ought without doubt im some measure to be adopted, although for the most part founded on the appearance of the stroma, perithecia and nucleus, characters comparatively of small value. I comprehend among the Pyrenomycetes Spheriacee, those species only in which we meet with truly ascigerous conceptacula or perithecia, whether spheroidal, lentiform, conical, oval ; whe- ther obtuse or acute, or finally produced into a kind of eylin- drical neck, angular or compressed, isolated or gregarious, or collected together in a stroma of varied form ; opening by means of a vertical pore, sometimes scarcely visible or gaping im conse- quence of the thinness of the exterior coat, which yields readily to the shock of the sporidia bursting forth from the asci when arrived at maturity, or of the asci themselves separated from the walls of the perithecia, or in short by means of an irregular fissure. The limits indeed within which the celebrated Corda has cir- cumscribed the tribe or family of the Spheriacee, in his immense iconographical work on the family of Fungi (Icones Fungorum, vol. v. p. 31), might be adopted for the present, had he not as lL believe comprised in it genera which do not properly belong to it, and for the most part defined too loosely. In the Spheriacee we have to consider the stroma, the peri- thecium, its texture, the mode in which it opens, the nucleus, the asci, the paraphyses and the sporidia. The stroma, on which the fundamental divisions of Fries are based, furnishes characters of some importance in the greater part of compound Spherie, which, besides serving as a receptacle for the perithecia, presents a determined form characteristic of each species. The stroma cannot properly be compared to the thallus of Lichens, because it is an integral part of the fructifymg appa- ratus. From the mycelium, the true equivalent of the thallus, -one can scarcely draw materials for the diagnosis of the genera, because it is always extremely difficult to follow up its develop- ment. Deeply invested in the substance of the matrix or con- fluent with it, and often evanescent in fructifying individuals, it cannot afford precise characters except by the help of observa- tions, often perhaps impracticable, and attentively followimg up the development before the evolution of the perithecia. In the simple, free, superficial or innate species, and in the Cespititie, the nature of the stroma appears less clear, because in some species, Prof. G. de Notaris on the Tribe Spheriacez. 221 it is preceded by the appearance of the perithecia. In many of the Obvallate, Pertuse, Denudate, Caulicole, and analogous tribes of Fries, the matrix at first appears unaffected ; neither do we see it penetrated by the stromatic substance, if it has not already completed the development of the perithecia ; for which reason I should feel inclined to regard this indeterminate form of stroma either as the result of a peculiar disorganization induced in the substance of the matrix from the corroding action of the concep- tacula as the rudiments of abortive perithecia, or in short as a sort of secretion from the conceptacula themselves which filters through the pores of the matrix, or is diffused on their surface and by degrees vanishes. This latter mode in which the stromatic substance originates is a fact tepeated in a multitude of species, and which has to a certain extent some analogy with the changes effected in the more superficial strata of the bark in woody dicotyledonous plants, in which the external cells of the cortical parenchyma have not be- come inert and modified in their qualities and appearance by the continual action of atmospheric agents, though certainly by the progressive deposit of the superfluous nutritive particles. However this may be, I refer to the Simplices all those species of the first division of Fries in which the stroma has no deter- mined and constant figure nor free evolution, in consequence of which I unite, according to their real affinities, many forms which till now have been ascribed to separate sections ; for example, Spheria leioplaca and S. miliaria of the Concrescentes to S. en- typa and S. imquilina of the Obtecte. And why may we not be- lieve, from the great similarity of the simple species to certain Verrucarie, that we shall be able to clear up the same aberrations in the Spherie which so often recur among the lichens with a centrifugal thallus, in which we find apothecia developed inde- pendently of the thallus? I must however add, that I have never met with isolated independent perithecia of the same form as those in any of the stromatic or compound species. Besides, the differences of the sporidia in the species of the types just indi- cated are adjusted ; differences, which when clearly expressed may be assumed as the fundamental hinge of the primary divisions analogous to those adopted by Fries. In the works of the above-mentioned authors, the particulars relative to the configuration of the stroma are minutely described ; it therefore appears to me superfluous to say more about it. Many, on the contrary, would like to discourse about the nature, use, and signification of the tomentose subiculum with which the perithecia are girt in the Byssisede and various other sections. This structure does not necessarily indicate affinity ; but I dare 222 Prof. G. de Notaris on the Tribe Spheeriacez. not now, for want of direct observations, announce the opinion T have formed. af The perithecia in compound Spherie are found more or less deeply inserted into the stroma ; in the simple species they may be free or innate, isolated, fasciculate, gregarious or otherwise. Their structure deserves the highest attention: the perithecium im some species consists of a membranaceous, elastic, transparent, reticulated sac, constituted of a smgle stratum of very much com- pressed cellules ; in others it is made of minute, round or angular cells of varied dimensions, containing a peculiar substance for the most part of a fuliginous colour. The consistence, thickness, fragility or tenacity depend on the greater or smaller number of the cellular elements, which arranged in one or more strata con- cur to form the walls, their size and reciprocal cohesion. Some- times they consist of an apparently anhistous membrane similar to the stratum, which by means of maceration may be separated from the epidermis of the leaves of pheenogamous plants. If the simple Spherie presented constantly a perithecium of a cellular structure, or to speak more correctly, of a stratum of con- centric cells, we should think their external coat corresponded to the stroma or receptacle which unites the perithecia m the com- pound species; but in these as well as the others both forms occur. I should rather say that the apparently anhistous peri- thecium was analogous to the peridiola of the Mucedines, the other to the peridia of some Gastromycetes. The Spheriacee, I remark by the way, by the symmetry of their parts and their ascigerous fructification, have a great ana- logy to the Discomycetes, were it not that the excipulum gene- rally speaking has a filamentous instead of a cellular structure. The neck of the perithecium, which is highly developed both in certain vertical and innate stromatic Spherie, and in simple species deeply buried in the matrix, does not furnish characters of primary importance. The transitions from Cooperte to Cera- tostome are notorious, and from the latter to Platystome, &c. The asci and paraphyses, or the asci alone, constitute the nu- cleus, the constant property of which in growing individuals is to present the character of a gelatine of a whitish, cimereous or slightly fuliginous tint. The differences depend essentially on the particular state of the asci, and the manner in which the spo- ridia of these and the perithecia are set at liberty. When humi- dity is wanting, the primary element in the life of Pyrenomycetes, the nucleus nearly vanishes, being reduced to a sort of down or to a thin crust which lines the base or cavity of the perithecia. Nothing can be added respecting the anatomy of the asci, spo- ridia and paraphyses which has not already been registered m the Prof. G. de Notaris on the Tribe Sphexriace. 223 later works of Montagne, Berkeley and Corda. I shall observe however that the asci present two essential modifications which correspond with the characters of the nucleus. When the perithecium has an anhistous appearance and the nucleus is amylaceous, the asci from the moment in which they become visible under the microscope are found detached from the walls of the perithecium and steeped, so to speak, in a sort of mucous matter, in which we may frequently observe little bubbles. I never succeeded in determining what relation these had to the walls of the perithecium, but I am almost inclined to think that the formation of the asci is repeated by a process similar to that by which pollen is developed in the cavity of the anthers. All species of analogous structure seem constituted of a single mem- brane, which, when the inclosed sporaceous mass has scarcely divided itself ito sporidia, is re-absorbed or dissolved in the ‘water with which the perithecia are penetrated, and entirely dis- appears. ‘The sporidia however adhering together preserve for some time their normal position, and are seen dispersed in the surrounding mucous matter in groups or rows of eight which retain the figure of the asci, and often show traces of a thread, which, proceeding from the inferior sporidium, is lost in the mu- cous matter m which the sporidia are suspended. The sporidia in the species belonging to the series in question are very small, cylindrical in shape, mostly curved, continuous or obscurely septate, transparent and of a yellowish colour, like oil or pearls. ach of the sporidia frequently incloses a spori- diolum of a roundish form, and which is endued with a rapid motion when liberated, as may be observed if one is isolated in a drop of water on the object-glass. The paraphyses are scarcely to be traced at all, or are entirely wanting. Besides the case described, the asci, whether they spring from the base of the perithecium or from the surface of its internal walls, often remain adhering by their base, which is generally attenuated like a peduncle, and preserve for an indefinite time and even to the maturity of the sporidia their position, by which the study of them is rendered much less difficult. It is easy to see in them the internal membrane which lines the walls. In the species of this series the various forms of the sporidia are innumerable; spherical, elliptic, reniform, semilunar, semi- circular, lanceolate, fusiform, cylindrical, filiform, straight, curved, contorted, sigmoid, didymous, simple, articulate, cellulose, po- lished, facetted, torulose, provided with membranaceous appen- dages, diaphanous, trapezoidal, &c. The episporium is most evident in them, and sometimes equal in thickness to the endo- -sporium. When the development of the sporidia is completed, the asci 224 Prof. G. de Notaris on the Tribe Spheriacez. commonly open above. In some species they are provided with a thick border or a particular appendage, to which the perithe- cium* is attached, in which case the evacuation of the sporidia may be effected from the inferior side. If the asci and sporidia do not all come to maturity at the same time, it is easy to ob- serve all the phases of their development ;—an argument with which I shall occupy myself in detail when I come to discuss the merit of the fundamental divisions of the whole tribe. In only two Spherias, S. profusa, Fr., and S. macrospora, nob., I have yet found the asci tetrasporous. In the greater number they are octosporous and uniserlate: in very few cases are they polysporous. The nucleus when constituted of asei only bursts through the perithecium in the form of a turbid stream which flows on the matrix, or if of a denser consistence, assumes the form of a little cirrhus ; a property which, though rare, is even repeated in the species which possess asci of longer duration. Finally, I expect to be able to draw part of the distinctions of the genera from the paraphyses, whenever they offer the character of separate organs distinguished from the asci by their filamen- tous form and the articulations with which they are interrupted at intervals. Under other forms and when inarticulate, they may be regarded as asci in a rudimental state, and indeed there are many species in which they are totally wanting in the most fully developed individuals, Examples of this kind are met with in all the species analogous to Spheria herbarum, described in my third decade of the Micromycetes, which with its analogues con- stitutes a most distinct genus. a I have thus indicated the elements which may be made use of in the needful reform of the Spheriacee; though I am but a gleaner in this vast field, I yet think myself able now, at least partially, to propose some very distinct genera, making use— I. Of the characters which may be derived from the figure of the stroma, if determinate, and of the texture of the perithecium. II. Of the properties of the nucleus, the asci and paraphyses. II]. And especially of the structure of the sporidia, of their number in each ascus, and of the manner in which they are dispersed. It may afterwards be possible to limit the genera without haying recourse to the stroma and perithecia, that is to say, when the analysis of the parts of the fructification in most if not all of the known species is completed ; and if any reply to me that it is in- jurious to science to multiply genera, although founded on im- * Observed I believe for the first time by Montagne in 7hamnomyces rostratus, P|. Cellul. Exot. 2 cent, Ann. d. Se. Nat. vol. xiii.; and by Corda in Sph. Hugelii, leon. Fung. Fase. 4. Prof. G. de Notaris on the Tribe Spheriacez. 225 portant characters, and there are always too many who fly from minute and conscientious analysis, I would advise them to return to the golden age in which no generic difference was recognised between Lycoperdon, Lycogala and Spheria. In the meantime, to confirm by some examples the reason- ableness of the mnovations which I am meditating, I subjoin the descriptions of some genera belonging to the Aplospheria. I. VENTURIA. Perithecia crustacea, fragilia, globoso-depressa, poro rotundo amplo pertusa, circa ostiolum setulis rigidis longiusculis hispida, fundo ascigera. Asci fixi erecti oblongi ellipticive, in basim breviter abrupteque tenuati, fere pedicellati octospori. Paraphyses nulle. Sporidia constricto-didyma bilocularia, articulis subequalibus, epi- sporio pertenui endosporio vix translucido papyraceo fuscescente. I dedicate this genus, of which I know two species, to the en- lightened Sig. Antonio Venturini of Brescia, an excellent myco- logist. 1. Venturia Rose: sporidiorum fusco-castaneorum loculis inzqua- libus obtusis, inferiore minore, It grows on the dead boughs of the Rosa alpina at Mt. Cenis. _ It appears to have a great analogy with the Spheria strigosa of Albertini and Schweinitz (Conspect. Fung. p. 33. n. 3. tab. 5. fig. 7. a, b, c) ; nevertheless it differs from it in not being entirely invested with bristles, in the depresso-globose perithecia, instead of globose or ovate, and still more by their rather ample and not papillated ostiolum. 2. Venturia Dianthi : sporidiorum atro-fuscorum loculis subzqualibus ovato- subacutis. On the dried stalks of the Dianthus carthusianorum, or within their cavity. The two species agree together admirably in the manner of their development, bursting through the epidermis, which at first covers them, in the form of the ostiolum, which is surrounded by rigid bristles, in the structure of the perithecium and the nucleus, in the absence of paraphyses, in the asci, which are strongly at- tenuated at the base, mm the bilocular brown sporidia, veiled by an episporium, which is almost confluent with the papyraceous endosporium, and are easily distinguished by the shape of the sporidia without having recourse to the dimensions of the peri- thecia and the matrix, from which, if we were to take the di- stinctive characters, the one, V. Rose, would belong to the Villose; the other, V. Dianthi, to the Caulicole. 226 Prof. G. de Notaris on the Tribe Spheriacex. Il. Massarta. Perithecia coriacea cortici immersa, globoso-depressa, vertice atte- nuata, ostioloque erumpente papilleformi preedita, in sicco colla- bentia. Asci clavati, fixi grandes octospori. Paraphyses filiformes flaccide intertexte. Sporidia subbiserialia, majuscula ovata, epi- sporio hyalino crasso, endosporio papyraceo castaneo-fusco trilo- culari, loculis ineequalibus, superiore majore subhemispheerico, me- dio subgloboso, extime minore hemispheerico ascis vertice dehis- centibus copiose profluentia, atro inquinantia. I dedicate this genus to the memory of the late Dr. Massara, author of the ‘ Flora Valtellinese.’ Massaria inquinans. Spheria inquinans, Tode Fung. Mecklenb. ii. p. 17. n. 13. tab. 10. fig. 85, rather bad and incomplete ; Schmidt and Kunze, Exsicc. n. 180! according to a specimen from the enlightened Kunze; Fries, Syst. ii. p. 486; Sclerom. Suec. ed. 2. n. 304. Spilobolus inquinans, link, Handb. ii. p.380. It grows on the dead branches of the sycamore. The perithecia of this species are a millimetre in diameter, and grow under the soft bark of the young boughs of the sycamore, sometimes solitary, sometimes in pairs or in clusters of many in- dividuals. On their upper surface they are clothed with a fuligi- nous down, a peculiarity not included in the generic characters, because it is sufficiently distinguished by the episporium of con- siderable thickness and the form of the endosporium. The celebrated Link, in the ‘ Handbuch zur Erkennung, 1.c., has proposed a new genus among the Spheriacee, under the name of Spilobolus, characterizing it merely by the way in which the sporidia are evacuated from the perithecia. He refers to it Sp. inquinans, S. Xylostet and S. Tilie, three species which have no affinity together. Suffice it to say, Sp. Tilia belongs to the compound Spheria, and the part which Link and many other authors have described as a perithecium is nothing more than a stroma of a determinate figure. TIT. RosEevxinia. Perithecia globosa in strata bina facile secedentia, crustacea, fragilia, stromate effuso filamentoso plus minusve contexto fuscescente in- sidentia, ostiolo papillari minuto predita. Asci fixi, octospori, lineares paraphysesque filiformes flaccid ex tota superficie inte. riori perithecii nascentes. Sporidia reniformia, episporio tenui, endosporio fusco-badio, vix diaphano subpapyraceo, septo medio obscuro bilocularia. Dedicated to Dr. Ferdinando Pio Roselline of Pisa, a great cultivator “ dell’ amabile scienza.” Rosellinia aquila. Sp. aguila, Fries, Syst. i. p. 442. Mr. J. Walton on the genus Sitona. 227 On the dried stems of the larger umbelliferous plants in the plains of Southern Sardinia. I cannot assert the identity of my specimens with the species of Fries, not having been able to compare their fructification ; my plant differs from the Byssisede, under which name other really distinct species are perhaps confounded. Sp. aquila has been found hitherto on rotten branches only, and has therefore been referred to Byssisede : my specimens might be ranked with Cau- licole. 3 IV. Berta. Perithecia erumpentia oblonga ovoideave, stromate effuso atro cruste- formi insidentia, cellulis mediocribus subrotundis contexta, fere suberosa, tenacia, rugoso-verrucosa ; in sicco rugoso-tuberculata, rigida, ostiolo inconspicuo vel saltem minutissimo predita. Asci creberrimi octospori, fixi, cito evanidi. Paraphyses tenuissime. Sporidia hyalina, cylindracea, utrinque obtusa, curvula, endosporio ab episporio haud distincto, septo medio bilocularia. I have named this genus after Dr. Giuseppe Berti of Porto Maurizio, to whom I owe numerous collections of cryptogams from Eastern Liguria. Bertia moriformis. Sph. moriformis, Tode Fung. Mecklenb. 1. p- 22. n. 19. tab. 11. fig. 90. a, 6, c, tolerably correct but incom- plete ; Fries, Syst. i. p. 458; Sclerom. Suec, ed. 2. n. 125. Found for the first time in Italy by my illustrious friend Baron Vincenzio Cesati. A species common in other parts of Europe, but very variable in its mode of growth and in size ; nevertheless the nucleus, the asci and the sporidia always preserve the same characters in solitary individuals as well as in those which are clustered together; a fact, be it. observed, which supports the maxim I have tried to establish, and which I hope in the sequel to be able triumphantly to demonstrate. In the distinction of the genera and species we ought to set the highest value on those characters which are drawn from the form and structure of their sporidia. XXXI.—Notes on the genus of Insects Sitona, with descriptions of two new Species. By Joun Watton, Esgq., F.L.S. Fam, CURCULIONID A. Genus Sirona, Germ., Steph.; Sironus, Schinh. § A. Eyes subdepressed. 1. Sitona hispidula, Fab., Germ., Steph., Schénh. — pallipes, Steph. Curc. hispidulus, Marsh., Gyll., Kirb. MSS. The subimmersed eyes, and the erect rigid hairs scattered on 228 Mr. J. — on the genus Sitona. the body, distinguish this common insect at a glance from every other species. 2. Sitona suturalis, Steph. Cure. rufipes, Marsh., non Linn. This insect very much resembles the preceding in general habit, but may at once be recognised by having the thorax and elytra entirely without hairs, and from every other species by its subdepressed eyes. s Unknown to Schénherr and Germar until I sent specimens to them. Local and not often met with ; I once found it plentifully in a damp meadow in Yorkshire. Taken abundantly by Mr. 8. Stevens and myself amongst grass in a moist field on the west side of Turner’s Wood, Hampstead, in June ; it also occurs in Hackney Marshes. § B. Eyes moderately prominent. 3. S. Regensteinensis, Herbst, Germ., Schénh., Steph. Manual. — Spartii, femoralis et pleuritica, Steph. Illustr. Curc. Spartii, Kirb. MSS. Dr. Germar concurs with Mr. Stephens in referring this in- sect to Curc. Regensteinensis of Herbst *, and M. Schonherr to Cure. Spartii of Kirby +, with which it is distinctly synonymous ; Curc. Ulicis, referred to Kirby (MSS.), is not to be found in his manuscript. I possess specimens from M. Chevrolat of Pants, named S. Regensteinensis. Excessively variable in size (length 14—3 hnes), but distin- guished from all the other species by having the thorax consi- derably dilated and rounded at the sides, and remarkably nar- rowed behind, with the elytra setose. Found abundantly on the broom and furze in the spring and autumn. 4. S. sulcifrons, Thunb., Germ., Schonh., Steph. Man. Curc. tibialis, Gyll., Steph. Ilustr. — chloropus, Marsh. ? — subaurata, Kirb. MSS., Steph. — pleuriticus, Kirb. MSS. My British specimens were referred by Schonherr and Germar to the first name, and an insect sent by Gyllenhal im the foreign collection of Kirby i is identical. Mr. Stephens has in his pos- session two examples of Curc. chloropus from the collection of Marsham, one of which is the true Curc. tibialis of Herbst, and the other is Sitona sulcifrons of Thunb. ; the latter is accurately * Ent. Zeit. Stettin, no. 5. p. 99, 1842. + Schonh. Syn, Ins. vii. p. 455. Mr. J. Walton on the genus Sitona. 229 described by Stephens under the name of Sit. tibialis of Herbst, after Gyllenhal, and he has quoted Cure. chloropus in his ‘ Syst. Catal.’ as synonymous ; but I think Marsham’s description of the sculpture on the thorax agrees better with the former, I have therefore placed a note of interrogation. Cure. subauratus and C. pleuriticus of Kirby MSS. and collection are identical, and are most decidedly specimens of Stt. sulcezfrons. _ It may be known from all the species of this section by its smaller size and by its proportionably shorter form. Found abundantly in many localities amongst grass and in hedges in the spring and autumn. 5. Sitona lineata, Linn., Mus. Linn., Germ., Steph., Schonh. Curc. lineatus, Fab., Marsh., Gyll., Kirb. MSS. — ruficlavis, Marsh. — griseus, Marsh., non Fab. — griseus (var. 3.), Kirb. MSS. Recent specimens of this insect may generally be known by having the alternate interstices of the elytra covered with paler scales than the others, and are more or less distinctly lineated; - but they are sometimes concolorous and not lineated ; individuals of this and many other species (especially those which are clothed with silvery-gray scales) are from age very subject to abrasion, and these occur not unfrequently with the upper surface very thinly or unequally clothed with scales ; sometimes the shoulders and scutellum are maculated, or with an abbreviated streak ; at other times immaculate and more or less denuded; nevertheless they may be distinguished, without difficulty, by a comparative examination of the form and sculpture, which may be more easily seen than expressed: the females are more robust. Cure. ruficlavis and Cure. griseus of Marsham are varieties, sparingly clothed with silvery-gray scales, with the elytra con- colorous or partially denuded. The most abundant species of the genus, everywhere common, and sometimes found in great numbers amongst peas and beans. 6. S. puncticollis, Kirb. MSS., Steph. 1831. — octopunctatus, Germ. in Litt. — insulsus, Schonh. 1834. Cure. flavescens (var.), Kirb. MSS. I sent specimens of this insect to Schonherr and Germar as “ Sit. puncticollis of Kirby, nigriclavis, longiclavis et flavescens, Marsh. ;” the former referred them to Sitones insulsus* ; and the latter observed, that “ Sit. puncticollis of Kirby, insulsus of Schénh.., is the true Sit. octopunctatus, Germ. ;” which opinion is further corroborated by a foreign specimen sent by him for my inspec- * Schénh. Syn. Ins. ii. p. 103. no. 9 (1834). 230 Mr. J. Walton on the genus Sitona. tion. I find by a recent examination of the typical examples from the Marshamian cabinet, that the three synonyms, nigriclavis, longiclavis and flavescens of Marsham, belong to the next species, and not to the present ; and I regret to have led Schénherr and Germar in this instance into an error, which they have published on my authority ; it is therefore necessary to state, that accord- ing to the manuscript and collection of Kirby, Curc. flavescens is unquestionably (as he suspected) a pale immature variety of his puncticollis, and referred by him to Marsham’s ‘ Ent. Brit. no. 212. without doubt; this was my authority. Germar supposed that his Sit. octopunctatus was identical with Curc. caninus of Gyll. and flavescens of Marsh., and therefore he published the former name without characters*. Sitones insulsus is described by Gyllenhal as specifically distinct + ; and it appears not to have been found hitherto in Sweden, whilst the following is plentiful in that country. This is a larger and more robust insect than S. flavescens, and differs by having the head broader, the front sometimes with an obsolete puncture in the middle, or a faintly impressed line, more or less abbreviated, never extending to the vertex; the vertex commonly has two pale spots and is more convex ; the thorax with three distinct pale lines, the lateral ones the broadest, and some- times flexuous, between which are two whitish spots placed trans- versely, rarely with two near the base, and two on each side an- teriorly ; the elytra distinctly longer m proportion to the breadth, obscurely lineated, the sutural and the second interstice on each elytron very frequently with interrupted fuscous or black streaks ; the legs longer and more robust, especially the femora. Generally distributed, but more plentifully in the south of En- gland ; it occurs in Yorkshire, but I have never seen a specimen reputed to have been found in Scotland. 7. Sitona flavescens, Marsh. 1802 ; Steph. Illustr. — octopunctatus, Schonh. 1834. . Curc. nigriclavis, Marsh. — caninus, Gyll., Steph. — longiclavis, Marsh. MSS., Steph., Kirb. MSS. — griseus, Kirb. MSS. — lineatus, Fab., Mus. Banks. British specimens of this insect were forwarded to Schénherr and Germar with the name Sit. canina of Stephens ; the former referred them to “ Sitones octopunctatus},” and the latter pub- lished the following observations: “ Sitones octopunctatus, Schonh., may probably be only a variety of Sitones insulsus, Schonh., punc- ticollis of Kirby and of Stephens, from which it is only distin- * Ins. Spec. p. 416. no. 3. + Schonh. Syn. Ins. ii. p. 103. no. 9 (1834). t Schonh, Syn. Ins. ii. p. 104. no. 10. et vi. p. 269, no, 31. Mr. J. Walton on the genus Sitona. 231 guished by its smaller size and less distinct colouring, of which however there are many transitions*.”” Mr. Stephens has in his cabinet examples of Curc. flavescens and C. nigriclavis from the Marshamian collection ; these I have recently examined and com- pared with the descriptions, which leave no. doubt on my mind as to their authenticity and identity ; the former is a pale immature variety, and the latter is black, with the tibie and tarsi rufous. According to Germar, Cure. caninus of Fab. is a variety of Cure. lineatus of Linn.+ ; and it appears from the Banksian cabinet that Fabricius has mixed this species with C. lineatus ; conse- quently the Fabrician name Cure. caninus, used by Gyllenhal and Stephens as the oldest, must necessarily be changed, not for oc- topunctatus of Germ. (a new name, and denoting a different in- sect), but for the next oldest, either for flavescens or nigriclavis of Marsh. I have preferred flavescens because it is the first-de- scribed, and I think equally appropriate and more current, being synonymized by Gyll., Germ. and Schonh. without a note of in- terrogation. 7 This insect unquestionably approaches extremely close to Si. punceticollis, end 1 formerly had a doubt whether it was suffi- ciently distinct {, but after a lapse of eight years | am now sa- © tisfied it is a good species, and may be recognised with facility by that peculiarity of form technically called habit ; it is not only of a smaller size than the preceding, but is distinctly shorter in proportion to the breadth and of a different form ; it also differs by having the head narrower ; the front with a very deep channel extending to the vertex, and nearly to the apex of the rostrum ; the eyes are smaller and less prominent ; the thorax has the lines and spots indistinct ; the elytra are distinctly shorter ; and the al- ternate interstices in recent specimens are more or less distinctly variegated. I possess specimens with the body and legs entirely flavescent or rufous, and others black with the tibiz and tarsi ferruginous, the effect of immaturity and of age. Mr. Water- house always considered this insect specifically distinct, and has received many specimens from Scotland, but not accompanied by one of Sit. puncticollis. Found abundantly throughout Great Britain in fields of grass and clover from May to October. 8. Sitona humeralis (Karb. MSS.), Steph. 1831. — Pisi, Steph. — promptus, Schonh. 1834. I possess foreign specimens of this insect from Germar and Chevrolat, named Sitones promptus of Schonh. * Ent. Zeit. Stettin, no. 5. p. 99, 1842. t Ins. Spec. p. 416. no. 4. } Ent. Mag. v. p. 254, 1838, 232 Mr. J. Walton on the genus Sitona. Common in woods, on the oak, birch and hazel, particularly in the chalky districts of Kent and Surrey, from June to Sep- tember. 9. Sitona Meliloti, Walton. Elongate, black ; clothed more or less densely with coppery and fuscous, or cinereous and silvery-gray scales. Head narrow, very little broader than the rostrum, closely punctulated; the front flat, with a deeply impressed longitudinal line, commencing on the vertex and extending nearly to the apex of the rostrum : eyes rather smaller and a little less prominent than the other species of this section except the last: rostrum rather shorter than the head. Antenne testaceous, sometimes the funiculus pitchy, with the clava fuscous. Thorax as broad as long; moderately dilated and rounded at the sides ; the base rather broader than the apex ; convex above, very closely and minutely punctured ; more or less densely clothed at the sides with scales ; the disc sparimgly so, obsoletely trilineated or partially abraded. LElytra elongate ; the shoulders subrectangular and rounded ; the sides nearly straight ; the apex obtusely rounded, rather deeply punctate-striate, more or less thickly clothed with scales; distinctly maculated on the shoulders and scutellum ; the interstices indistinctly variegated with fuscous and cinereous scales’: specimens sometimes occur very thinly clothed with silvery-gray scales, concolorous or par- tially denuded. Body densely clothed with scales beneath. Legs black, with the base and apex of the femora, the tibize and tarsi testaceous. Length 2—2+ lines. Found in company with Sit. lineata and on the same plant, and has been mistaken for that insect; but Sit. lineata has the head much broader, the eyes more prominent, and the sculpture different. Itis the most nearly allied to S. humeralis, the head, eyes and thorax being very similar, but S. humeralis differs in having the front of the head, and the rostrum above, deeply ex- cavated ; the thorax with large scattered punctures, and the inter- stices minutely punctured ; the elytra shorter, being long-ovate. This is, according to Schénherr, a new and undescribed spe- cies; and according to Germar, “ closely allied to Sit. geniculatus of Schénh., but having only a defective specimen of the true Sit. geniculatus I cannot decide ; the thorax seems a little less rounded.” I found this species in Yorkshire on the melilot trefoil (T’rifo- lium officinale) in June ; subsequently it has been taken from the same plant in Charlton sand-pits by Mr. 8. Stevens and by myself, in June and July. Mr. J. Walton on the genus Sitona. 233 § C. Eyes very prominent. 10. Sitona tibialis, Herbst, Germ., Schonh. Curc. chloropus, Marsh. S. lineellus, Gyll., Schonh. — ambiguus (var. " Schonh. Curc. albescens, affinis et lineatulus, Kirb. MSS. Oblong, black ; clothed more or less thickly or unequally with shining silvery, coppery, or green scales, and with very short, suberect, inconspicuous sete. Head broad, rugulose-punctate ; the front with a broad and very deep furrow extending nearly to the apex of the rostrum: eyes large and very prominent : rostrum rather shorter than the head, and a little narrower, similarly punctured. Antenne entirely testaceous, or frequently with the joints of the funiculus piceous, and the clava fuscous. Thorax subquadrate, moderately dilated and rounded at the sides, convex above, transversely impressed near the apex, which is distinctly elevated, deeply rugose-punctate ; commonly more thickly co- vered on the lateral margins and down the middle with scales, distinctly or obsoletely trilineated. Elytra long-ovate, very con- vex above, profoundly punctate-sulcate, the interstices narrow and convex, indistinctly rugulose ; the suture, the fourth inter- stice (rarely the second), and the margin on each elytron more or less thickly clothed with pale scales ; either distinctly or indi- stinctly lineated, or often concolorous and scattered, and fre- quently more or less denuded. Body densely covered with sil- very-white scales beneath. Legs, with the femora generally black, sometimes the base and apex testaceous ; the tibie and tarsi also testaceous, the latter frequently piceous ; the legs rarely entirely black. Length 15—24 lines. British specimens of this insect were examined by Schénherr and Germar, and referred to Curc. tibialis of Herbst; tested by Schiippel. The following are small narrow varieties, viz. Cure. albescens of Kirby and Sit. ambiguus of Schonh. (of which I have foreign specimens), very thinly clothed with silvery-gray scales of one colour; Curc. affinis and Cure. lineatulus of Kirby, rather densely clothed. with silvery-gray scales; the latter variety with the alternate interstices of the elytra regularly lineated, and the legs black. Marsham appears to have confounded this insect with Cure. sulcifrons under the name of C. chloropus (see notes under S. sud- cifrons), and as from the insufficiency of his characters it appears doubtful to which it should be referred, and as it seems to have escaped the notice of Stephens, I necessarily describe it. Of Cure. lineellus 1 have carefully examined two foreign spe- cimens from Gyllenhal, four from the collection of Billberg, and Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. 234 Mr. J. Walton on the genus Sitona. ~ five from Schonherr ; these are in my opinion examples or ya- rieties of Cure. tibialis. Dr. Germar informs me that “ Cure. li- neellus of Gyll. appears to be recently excluded, and that he be- lieves it to be merely a small variety of Sit. crinitus.” Hundreds, with innumerable varieties, may be found almost everywhere on the furze (Ulex europaeus) in the spring and autumn. 11. Sitona erinita, Oliv., Steph., Schonh. — lineella et albescens (var.), Steph. Curc. macularius, Marsh., Kirb. MSS. This insect greatly resembles the preceding in general habit, is equally variable in magnitude, but less so in the colour of the scales ; the elytra are proportionably longer, of a different form, and it is distinctly a less convex insect ; most generally thickly clothed with dark or pale cinereous scales ; the small varieties approximate very closely to the last, and are extremely liable to be confounded with it ; but the longer and very conspicuous sete with which it is invariably clothed will always distinguish it, in- dependent of other characters. I have examined a long series with many varieties captured by Mr. R. N. Greville in Scotland; I have found it plentifully in Yorkshire, and in profusion amongst tares on a chalky soil at Mickleham and Birch Wood in June. 12. S. Waterhouse (Schonh. in litt.), Walton. Elongate, sublinear, black, sparingly clothed with cinereous and silvery-gray scales. Head very broad, coarsely punctured ; the front with a deep fovea and with a broad and very deep fur- row, extending from the fovea to the middle of the rostrum; the vertex elevated and convex: rostrum about as long as the head, and not much narrower: eyes very large, semiglobose, and ex- tremely prominent. Antennz entirely testaceous. Thorax ob- long, subcylindrical, slightly dilated at the sides, flat above ; very coarsely and deeply punctured, somewhat rugose ; clothed at the sides more or less closely with scales ; the dise sometimes gla- brous. LElytra elongate, the shoulders nearly rectangular, the angular points rounded, and the callous elevated, the sides straight, the apex obtusely rounded ; profoundly punctate-sulcate, the interstices very narrow, convex and rugulose, the second and fourth from the suture distinctly elevated, and clothed more or less with cinereous and silvery-white scales. Legs totally testa- eeous. Length 23 lines. This is a new and distinct species according to Schonherr and Germar. I have seen only three specimens, one of which I obtained from a dealer at York, who said it was found in the neighbourhood of Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 235 that city or near Cambridge. I have another from the collection of the late Mr. Millard, and the third is in the cabimet of Mr. Waterhouse ; it appears to be extremely rare or very local. 13. Sitona cambrica (Kirb. MSS.), Steph. 1831. — cribricollis, Schonh. 1834. — rugulosus (Dillw.), Kirb. MSS. This insect is very distinct from every other species of this genus. ae I have occasionally found a few specimens in Yorkshire inha- biting moist meadows in June, but never in the south of England. Barnes Common, Hampstead, and Plumstead, in marshy places, June and July, but scarce, Mr. S. Stevens. 14, S. grisea, Fab., Mus. Banks., Schonh. — gressorius, Fab., Germ., Schonh. Curc. fuscus, Marsh. — trisulcus, Kirb. MSS. This remarkably distinct insect appears to be the true Cure. griseus of Fab., according to the two specimens pinned to that name in the Banksian cabinet, and referred to by Schénherr. Cure. griseus of Marsh. is very distinctly a variety of Curc. line- atus of Linn. XXXII.—A Synopsis of the British Rubi. By Cuaruuzs C. Bazsrneron, M.A., F.LS., F.G.S. &c. * {Continued from p. 175.] 9. R. cordifolius (W. et N.); caule arcuato anguloso glabriusculo, aculeis validis rectiusculis horizontalibus declinatisve, foliis qui- natis coriaceis subtus tomentosis, foliolo terminali ovato vel sub- rotundo vel cordato-cuspidato, infimis petiolatis intermediis dissitis, panicula composita hirta. R. cordifolius, Rub. Germ. 21. t. 5. R. rhamnifolius, Rub. Germ. 22. t. 6; Eng. Bot. Suppl. t. 2604; Bab. Man. 93. Stems many feet long, naked or slightly hairy. Leaflets va- riable in size, soft and green or whitish beneath ; in some rare instances nearly or quite glabrous on both sides. Terminal leaflet cordate roundish cuspidate in R. cordifolius, ovate or roundish- ovate acute in R. rhamnifolius of the ‘ Rubi Germanici.’ Pani- cle rather long; the lower branches often elongated and spread- ing, axillary ; rachis downy. Petals roundish. Common. July and August. . Obs. 1. I have willingly followed Mr. Borrer and many other * Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, Feb. 12, 1846. S2 236 Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. recent observers in combining two plants of the ‘ Rubi Germ.,’ but. adopted the above name (which stands first in the ‘ Rubi Germ.’) in order to avoid the confusion attending the use of that of R. rhamnifolius. It is also the more appropriate. Obs. 2. Plants are occasionally found which would, at sight, be referred to this species, but which from their nearly sessile lower leaflets overlapping the intermediate pair can hardly be joined with it. In some other respects they seem to occupy a place between this and the preceding species, to which they are the more nearly allied in technical character. One of these du- bious specimens, from Islay, N.B., has the terminal leaflet of one of its leaves partially subdivided at the base, thus showing an approach to the suberect group : the same leaflet is also quite abrupt at the end, closely resembling that of R. discolor, var. abruptus. Another, from near Midford Castle near Bath, is mark- ed “agrees with a specimen of R. rhamnifolius from Nees in Mr. Borrer’ s herbarium exactly.” Another from Crow Moele, Salop, is ticketed by Mr. Leighton “R. rhamnifolius, approaching R. cordifolius, Nees,” on that author’s authority. On table 6 of the ‘Rubi Germ.’ two plants are figured as R. rhamnifolius a. and B, the former with distinct lower leaflets, the latter with overlapping ones. No reference is made to these varieties in the text of that work, nor is arything said about this character. Mr. J. Adam- son has given to me a specimen gathered near Gouroch, Ayrshire, in which the leaves are thin and flexible with a convex upper sur- face. It is rather more hoary in appearance than is usual in this species, but seems to be referable to R. cordifolius. 10. R. discolor (W. et N.); caule arcuato anguloso seepissime sulcato strigoso-sericeo, aculeis rectiusculis decurvatis horizontalibusve, foliis quinatis coriaceis tenuibus marginem versus decurvatis subtus albo-tomentosis, foliolo terminali cbovato vel oblongo acuminato, panicula elongata angusta subaphylla tomentosa. R. discolor, Rub. Germ. 46. t. 20. R. fruticosus, Hing. Bot. 715 ; Rub. Germ. 24. t. 7. Stem long, usually deeply furrowed. Prickles large, strong, numerous. Leaflets variable in shape, usually, in English plants, obovate and acute, sometimes (R. abruptus, Lindl.) euneate-ob- long, abruptly truncate and cuspidate. Panicle with patent branches, occasionally with long axillary ones below. Petals roundish-obovate. 3. thyrsoideus (Bell Salt.!); caule subglabro, aculeis rectis, foliolis planis subtus molliusculis, paniculee plerumque breviusculis to- mentosz ramis patentibus. Phytol. ii. 104. y. macroacanthus (Bell Salt. !) ; caule sericeo pilis paucis patentibus ornato, aculeis validis pilosis, foliolis planis subtus pn Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 237 _- panicule tomentose ramis ascendentibus. Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 366. R. macroacanthos, Rub. Germ. 44. t. 18. 6. argenteus (Bell Salt.!); caule patente-piloso, aculeis rectis, fo- liolis planis subtus molliusculis, panicule tomentose ramis ascen- - dentibus. Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 367. “ R. argenteus, Rub. Germ. t. 19.” Common. July and August. Obs. 1. I have placed both the plants of the ‘Rubi Germ.’ under the type of this species, but neither of those plates exactly repre- sents either of our plants. The narrow leaves of the R. fru- ticosus of that work agree well with the more common English plant, but then they are combined with a deeply furrowed gla- brous barren shoot. In our plant this form of leaf is most usually found upon silky angular but scarcely furrowed shoots. Also the much rounder leaves of the R. discolor (Rubi Germ.) is an at- tendant upon a furrowed barren shoot and a thyrsoid panicle in this country. Obs. 2. The panicle in var. a. and B. has a different appear- ance from that of var. y. and 6. owing to its lower branches, although short, spreading at nearly a right angle from the rachis ; in the later varieties they are usually rather longer, but ascend from a very acute angle with the rachis. Obs. 3. Dr. Bell Salter has given to me a form of this plant under the manuscript name of var. levis, differmg from the ty- pical state in having its flowering shoot nearly without prickles. It seems hardly deserving of a distinctive name ; it is probably the var. inermis of Godron. The R. abruptus (Lindl.) can only be considered as a state of the species, not a true variety. Such forms are found im many if not all the species. Obs. 4. A frustratus form of this species occasionally may be observed. It is almost exactly suberect, showing no tendency to prong its growing shoots so as to reach the ground, or indeed to do more than very slightly curve at the summit. In all other respects it resembles the typical plant. 11. R. leucostachys (Sm.!); caule arcuato anguloso piloso-villoso, aculeis zqualibus rectiusculis horizontalibus, foliis quinatis cori- -aceis planis subtus mollibus fulvo-albove-hirtis micantibus, foliolo terminali ovato rotundatove abrupte apiculato, panicula elongata angusta foliosa villosa vel tomentosa. R. leucostachys, Eng. Bot. Suppl. 2631. R. pubescens, Rub. Germ, 42. t. 16. Stem long, not furrowed, often nearly round ; pubescence loose, weak. Prickles numerous, ‘hairy. Leaflets, particularly those of the flowering shoot, often wavy at the margins. Flowering shoot 238 Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. and panicle with numerous long straight prickles (im which re- spect it differs from the figure quoted above from the ‘ Rubi Germ.’) and a few sete ; branches short, patent or divaricated. 3. vestitus (Bell Salt.!) ; caule zstivo suberecto, foliolis subrotundis acutis mucronato-dentatis subtus pallide viridibus albidisve. Phytol. i. 105. R. vestitus, Rub. Germ. 81. t. 33. R. diversifolius, Lindl. Syn. ed. 1. 83. R. villicaulis, Leight. ! Fl. Shrop,. 231. R. villicaulis a, Bab. Man. 95. y- argenteus (Bell Salt.!); caulis pubescentia densa argenteaque, foliolo terminali subrotundo-obovato acuminato duplicato-dentato subtus albo sericeo micanteque, caulis paniculeeque aculeis maxi- mis, panicule ramis inferioribus elongatis et erecto-patentibus. Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 366. R. villicaulis 8, Bab. Man. 95. Hedges and thickets. @. in shady places. yy. Channel Islands. Sussex and Isle of Wight, Dr. Bell Salter. July and August. Obs. I fully concur with my friend Dr. Bell Salter in com- bining these three plants, although it would be difficult to believe that they are only varieties if the extreme forms alone were be- fore us. The remarkably round leaflets and somewhat suberect habit of R. vestitus, and the branching corymbose and often very straggling panicle of R. argenteus would undoubtedly afford good distinguishing marks, did we not see numerous intermediate forms connecting both of them with the typical R. leucostachys. 12. R. sylvaticus (W. et N.); caule arcuato anguloso subteretive piloso, aculeis paulo inzqualibus tenuibus rectis, foliis quinatis subtus mollibus micantibus pallideque viridibus, foliolo terminali cordato-ovato apiculato, panicule composite foliose ramis brevibus. R. sylvaticus, Rub. Germ. 41. t. 15. R. villicaulis y, Bab. Man. 95. Stem not furrowed, often nearly round; pubescence of shining patent nearly parallel hairs. Prickles moderate, rather nume- rous, declining, hairy at their base, not quite confined to the angles. Leaflets serrate, usually tinged with purple on the veins beneath. Flowering shoot and panicle with short slender prickles and setz usually sunk in the dense pubescence; floral leaves usually 3-fid or simple. . villicaulis ; foliolo terminali ovali rotundatove cuspidato, panicule ramis longioribus: aculeis validioribus, caulis aculeis subequali- bus sparsis. R. villicaulis, Rub. Germ. 48. t. 17. Rather rare. Bath; Killarney; Loch Kil and Linlithgow. Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 239 8. Isle of Wight and Dorset, Dr. Bell Salter. July and Au- gust. Obs. The differences between the R. sylvaticus and R. villi- caulis of the ‘Rubi Germ.’ do not seem to be more than those of varieties. The under side of the leaves of the latter is usually rather paler, but in all respects the characters between them are only those of degree. I take R. sylvaticus as the specific name from its standing first in that work, and also because villicaulis has been often misapplied in this country to R. leucostachys B. 13. R. Borreri (Bell Salt.!); caule procumbente tereti hirto, aculeis crebris inzequalibus longis tenuibus deflexis, foliis quinatis subtus hirtis concoloribus, foliolo terminali late obovato-lanceolato cuspi- dato, panicule corymbose ramis inferioribus longis decompositis flore terminali subsessili, sepalis fructum hemisphericum laxe amplectentibus. R. Borreri, Bell Salter in Ann. Nat. Hist. xv. 306. Stems mostly quite prostrate, very prickly ; pubescence of pa- tent hairs. Prickles not confined to the angles of the stem. Leaf- lets of the same colour on both sides. Flowering shoot and pa- nicle with few short slender prickles, hairy and slightly setose. Sepals linear-lanceolate. “8. Wilsoni (Bell Salt. MSS.); pilis in aciculos paucos abeuntibus, aculeis ad basin latis.”’ Apse Heath and Pagham Common, Isle of Wight, Dr. Bell Salter. $B. Near Buglawton, Cheshire, Mr. S. E. Wilson. June. 14, R. Sprengelii (Weihe) ; caule procumbente tereti sparsim piloso, aculeis uncinatis, foliis ternatis, foliolis obovatis acuminatis conco- loribus subtus venosis, panicule ramosze tomentose ramis divari- catis paucifloris, sepalis ovatis acuminatis dense tomentosis paten- tibus. R. Sprengelii, Rub. Germ. 32. 10. A low trailing plant with greenish purple stems, which are very slender and either simple or branched. Prickles purple, yellow-tipped, small and slender, and so extremely uncinate that the point is parallel with the stem. Hairs rigid, shining and pa- tent, but not sufficiently numerous to produce the appearance of pubescence. Leaves rarely otherwise than ternate. Petioles armed as the stem, furrowed above. Leaflets obovate acuminate, irregularly but finely and acutely serrated, bright shining green above, with a few spreading hairs and the principal venations grooved, green and hairy beneath with very prominent veins, and the midrib armed with a few slender uncinate prickles. Ter- minal leaflet with its petiole geniculated, lateral leaflets broader externally and somewhat lobed. Stipules with small glands. Panicle—or rather flowering stem, as it grows erect from the last 240 Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. year’s shoot apparently from the ground—in the lower part leafy and clothed nearly as the barren shoot, but the prickles some- what smaller, and the hairs more numerous and longer. Leaves like those of the barren shoot but rather more hairy: upper or floral portion branched. Branches rather distant, slender and few- (about three-) flowered and spreading; one or two lower ones axillary from ternate leaves, which towards the summit pass into leafy bracts. Peduncles and calyx very hairy, with shining patent hairs interspersed with shaggy pubescence. Petals ovate, obtuse, rugose, of a very beautiful rose-pink. Stamens erect. Bredbury Wood, Cheshire, plentifully, Mr. Joseph Sidebotham. Near Congleton, Cheshire, Mr. S. HE. Wilson. Obs. 1. Our English plant has both the prickles and petals slightly more elongated than represented in the ‘ Rubi Germa- nici.’ In other respects both the figure and description im that work represent ours most faithfully. Obs. 2. This is one of the most beautiful as well as most di- stinct of our Rudi, and is a highly interesting addition to our flora. R. Sprengelii, with its concealed branched and creeping barren shoot, and its erect delicate flowering stem growing ap- parently from the ground, approaches most nearly in appearance to the herbaceous forms, but in appearance only, as it is, though small, weak and trailing, one of the true fruticose species, its pa- nicles in reality emanating froma biennial shoot. In the general form of the leaf and leaflets it very much resembles A. glandu- losus (particularly the var. rosaceus), as also in having the ter- minal leaflet articulated ; in the grooving of the veins above and their prominence beneath it resembles R. Radula, while the mid- rib approaches the carinated aspect of that part in the var. cari- natus of R. plicatus. The delicately slender wire-like branches and peduncles, and the beautifully bright tint of its flowers, formed of reticulated or rugose-plicate petals, render this plant remarkably beautiful. Obs. 3. The two kinds of hairiness on the peduncles of this plant are very striking: it is like the patent, parallel villosity of R. sylvaticus, combined with the shaggy hairiness, spreading in all directions, of R. leucostachys. The shining rigid patent hairs may be seen protruding through the tomentum. N.B. I am indebted for the above character, description and observations to Dr. Bell Salter, as I have seen no native speci- mens of R. Sprengelit. 15. R. Leightonianus (n. sp.); caule arcuato subanguloso hirto, aculeis paulo inequalibus rectis paulo declinatis, foliis quinatis ternatisve duplicato-apiculato-dentatis supra pilosis subtus pallide viridibus hirtisque, foliolo terminali rotundato acuto, paniculz in- Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 241 ferne foliosze densissime hirsute setosee ramis brevibus paucifloris divaricatis. R. villicaulis 6. tenuis, Bab. Man. 95. R. dentatus, Bad. in literis ad amicos. Stem long, arched, slightly angular, hairy; prickles rather numerous and unequal, not confined to the angles of the stem, straight, yellow tinged with purple, subulate from a dilated hairy base; sete and aciculi wanting ; hairs numerous, scattered, slender, spreading, white. Leaves quinate-pedate or ternate by the junction of the lateral pairs, thin; terminal leaflet nearly round, acute, slightly emarginate at the base, doubly and coarsely dentate-crenate-apiculate, except towards the base, which is di- stantly serrate; mtermediate leaflets obovate-acute ; lowermost when distinct shortly stalked, oval, acute; all thin, dark green and pilose above, light green with much more conspicuous hairs, especially on the ribs, beneath ; petioles and pedicels very hairy and with scattered straight slender strongly declining yellow prickles with a purple base; stipules linear-lanceolate hairy. Flowering shoot and panicle very hairy ; prickles slender, straight, declining, yellow tinged with purple at the base. Leaves ternate ; leaflets large, oval, acute, finely and nearly regularly dentate- apiculate. Panicle and its branches with numerous setz which are shorter than the hairs and hidden by them; about three lower branches from the axils of the leaves, the rest, about eight, subtended by trifid slender very hairy bracts, all spreading nearly at right angles to the rachis and bearing a corymb of three or four flowers, the uppermost are 1-flowered ; the lower ones about two inches long, the others shortening upwards. Sepals acumi- nate, densely woolly on both sides, with long hairs and a few short setz interspersed. Gathered at Haughmont, Salop, in September 1837, in com- pany with my friend the Rey. W. A. Leighton, author of the justly valued ‘ Flora of Shropshire.’ I have named the plant in his honour, being obliged to place the R. Leightoni (Lees) as a variety of R. rudis, and wishing to retain his name attached to a species in a genus to the elucidation of which he has so success- ~ fully devoted his talents. I also found it at Alborne, Sussex, in 1845. Obs. The peculiar toothing of the leaves is a characteristic point of great value, very few species being so distinguished. R. Babingtonii in the glandulose group is a similar and almost soli- tary case. 16. R. carpinifolius (W. et N.); caule ascendente subanguloso hirto, aculeis validis deflexis declinatisve, foliis quinatis coriaceis acute serratis subtus viridis, foliolo terminali ovato angusto acuminato, 242 Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. infimis intermediis dissitis, panicule anguste valde hirsute ramis ascendentibus. R. carpinifolius, Rub. Germ. 36. t. 13; Eng. Bot. Suppl. 2664. Stem suberect, ultimately arching, clothed with fascicles of straight spreading hairs, angular when young. Prickles nume- rous, of moderate size, equal, hairy, tipped with yellow. Leaflets slightly hairy above, more so and paler beneath. Panicle prickly, compact, often slightly setose, usually with short ascending few- flowered branches, or with a simple close panicle. Flowers and fruit contemporaneous. Hedges, rare. July to September. Obs. 1. It has been well observed by Dr. Bell Salter, that the mode of growth of the barren shoot of this species is very sumilar to that observed in R. nitidus. In the present case the autumnal secondary growth more generally takes place, but during the summer months it is truly suberect. The young shoots are usually angular, but the matured wood seldom shows much trace of the angles. Obs. 2. A variety with rose-coloured flowers, flaccid leavesand — more angular stem is noticed in the ‘ Rubi Germ.’ and mentioned as “an extremely beautiful” plant by Dr. Salter, who also ob- serves that this form has a few scattered glands in the panicle. 17. R. macrophyllus (W. et N.); caule arcuato anguloso hirto, aculeis paucis parvis rectis zqualibus, foliis quinatis mucronato- serratis subtus pallide viridibus pubescentibusque, foliolo termi- nali elliptico-ovato, infimis petiolatis intermediis dissitis, panicule composite elongato-corymbose ramis ascendentibus. R. macrophyllus, Rub. Germ. 35. t. 12; Eng. Bot. Suppl. 2625. Stem long, purplish, more or less hairy or nearly glabrous. Prickles short, thick at the base, distant. Leaflets irregularly but doubly serrate, acute, or with a long point, downy or di- stantly pilose beneath. Prickles on the panicle small. 8. Schlechtendalii (Bab.) ; foliolo terminali obovato-cuneato cuspi- dato irregulariter duplicato-serrato, aculeis majoribus. Bab. Man. 95. | R. Schlechtendalii, Rub. Germ. 34. t. 11. y. amplificatus ; foliolo terminali ut in var. 6. sed spe subtus pal- lido, panicule longissime anguste inferne foliose ramis erecto- ascendentibus : pubescentia flavescente. R. amplificatus, Lees MSS. ! Hedges and thickets, rare. July and August. Obs. 1. These plants are usually quite without sete on the bar- ren shoot, but even on English specimens I believe that a very few may occasionally be detected. On Irish (Killarney) specimens of the typical variety short sete are moderately abundant, and a Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 243 very few extremely short aciculi may also be found : some of these specimens have almost glabrous barren shoots. We thus see an approach to the species included in the next section. Obs. 2. Mr. Lees has favoured me with fine specimens of his R. amplificatus. It presents a different appearance from R. ma- crophyllus, but I fear that it must be considered as a variety of that species. Its chief difference is found in the panicle, which is very much longer, and has rather long axillary branches be- low, which form a very acute angle with the rachis when the plant is in flower, but afterwards appear to become much more spread- ing. The prickles on the panicle are usually much stronger, and the dense pubescence is beautifully tinged with yellow. One of the specimens has an enormous panicle, each lower branch of which has the same structure as that which is usual to the whole inflorescence, *** Caules arcuati vel procumbentes, radicantes, angulosi, hirti, setosi. + Caules punctis elevatis rigidis, ubi setz et aciculi sederunt, asperi efficiuntur. Aculei subzquales, in caulis angulis szpissime con- gesti. 18. R. Babingtonii (Bell Salt. !); caule arcuato tereti sulcato vel an- guloso lateribus planis striatis aspero, aculeis brevibus declinatis, setis aciculisque multis brevibus, folis ternatis quinatisve mucro- nato-crenato-dentatis pilosis opacis subtus parce pubescentibus pal- lide viridibus foliolis obovato-orbiculatis abrupte cuspidatis, pani- cule composite longe tomentose aculeate setose ramis omnibus e foliolorum azillis, sepalis ovato-lanceolatis aciculatis setosis to- mentosis a fructu laxe reflexis. a. verus; caule tereti sulcato, aculeis validis, panicule ramis race- mosis. R. Babingtonii, Bell Salt. in Ann. Nat. Hist. xv. 307. A very large stout plant of peculiar appearance. Stem green- ish purple, rounded and sulcate, with very short thick-based prickles and numerous aciculi and setz of the same form. Leaves dark green with a few scattered hairs above, paler green with rather more numerous short hairs beneath, ternate or oceasion- ally quinate by the subdivision of the lateral leaflets, in which case the lower leaflets are stalked. Petioles armed like the stem. Stipules linear, membranaceous, hairy and sparingly glandulose. Panicle more than three feet long, with large branches forming secondary panicles. Rachis, branches, peduncles and petioles with numerous long slender straight declining yellow prickles with broad purple bases, numerous hairs and small aciculi and unequal sete. Floral leaves very large; lower ones ternate ; upper ones simple, ovate-acuminate, lobed. Sepals yellowish, 244: Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. with a prominent midrib which is lengthened into an acuminate point. Fruit small and composed of small drupes. {. Bloxamii ; caule anguloso lateribus planis striatis, aculeis parvis, aciculis setisque brevissimis, panicule ramis brevibus paucifloris corymbosis. Week Hill, Selborne, Hampshire, Dr. Bell Salter. B. Very abundant in a lane by Hartshill Wood, Warwickshire, but on the opposite side from the wood, Rev. A. Bloxam. July. Obs. 1. In some respects this plant approaches R. thyrsiflorus (Weihe), but in that the greater part of the panicle is extra- foliaceous, in this it is leafy to the end. From R. Kehleri, to which it has some points of resemblance, it is separated by the sectional characters. From the three following species it is abundantly distinguished by its stout aciculi and sete, usually ternate leaves and large floral leaves. The dentate-apiculate margin of its leaves distinguishes it from all the British species except R. Leightonianus, with which however it cannot be con- founded, that not being a glandulose plant. Obs. 2. The var. B. Bloxamii has a panicle of very different aspect from that of the typical R. Babingtonii, the branches being short and distinctly corymbose, the floral leaves larger, especially towards the summit of the panicle, and more usually pilose. The prickles of the growing shoot are neither so numerous nor so strong, the sete and aciculi are very short and more equal, the hairs much more numerous ; the leaves more frequently quinate. In one instance the terminal leaflet of a ternate leaf is subdivi- ding at its base as in R. suberectus, so as to form a partially pin- nate leaf. 19. R. rudis (Weihe); caule arcuato procumbenteve paululum sul- cato aspero, aculeis subzequalibus validis declinatis in caulis an- gulis permulto locatis aciculis setis pilisque zequalibus multo lon- gioribus, folits quinatis grosse duplicato-serratis subtus albis, pa- niculz longze foliose superne ultra-axillaris ramis corymbosis as- cendentibus, sepalis lanceolatis aciculatis setosis a fructu reflexis petioloque adpressis. R. rudis, Bell Salter in Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 367. Stem dark fuscous. Prickles not passing into the aciculi or sete. Leaves dark green above; lower pair of leaflets stalked. Panicle mucli-branched ; prickles long, slender and nearly hori- zontal ; rachis usually very setose. Sepals generally ending in a foliaceous point, clothed with dark sete. a. rudis ; foliolo terminali obovato-lanceolato. R. rudis, Rub. Germ. 91. t. 40. R. Radula, Leight. Fl. Shrop. 232. R. Radula y. Hystrix, Bab. Man. 96. Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 245 B. Leightonii (Bell Salt.!); foliolo terminali rotundato-obovato abrupte cuspidato. Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 367. R. Leightoni, Lees in Leight, Fl. Shrop. 233. y. Reichenbachii (Bell Salt.!); foliolo terminali subrotundo, caule hirsuto aciculis setisque paucis. Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 368. R. Reichenbachii, Rub. Germ. 87. t. 37. d. attenuatus ; foliolo terminali obovato longissime acuminato subtus pallide viridi. R. echinatus, Bab. Man. 96. not. Lindl. Hedges in the south. #. Shropshire; y. Isle of Wight, Dr. Bell Salter; 5. Somersetshire, Shropshire and Leicestershire. July. : Obs. 1. After much consideration I have formed the same opinion as Dr. Bell Salter upon this and the following species. The usually very setose rachis of the much-branched panicle, and the coarsely serrate and even jagged leaves distinguish this plant from the following, although occasionally one or the other cha- racter is wanting. In var. £. the leaves are usually rather finely but yet irregularly serrate, and in some forms of var. a. the rachis has a few sete. Jn all the forms the sepals are very strongly re- flexed from the fruit, and even closely adpressed to the peduncle ; they are also clothed with numerous dark setz and have gene- rally a leafy point. Obs. 2. The vars. y. and 6. have very much the appearance of being distinct species, and would be so considered did not inter- mediate states occur. Var. 6. is remarkable for having its leaf- lets gradually narrowed into a long jagged point, the base being occasionally narrowed in a similar manner. An incorrectly named, and supposed authentic specimen caused me formerly to consider this as R. echinatus (Lindl.), which I have now ascertained to be- long to R. fusco-ater of Weihe. Obs. 3. A Silesian specimen named R. Kehleri from Gra- bowski, one of the authors of the excellent ‘ Fl. Silesiz,’ does not agree with the description in that work, and appears to be a much less prickly form of my var. attenuatus of the present species. 20. R. Radula (Weihe) ; caule arcuato procumbenteve anguloso as- pero, aculeis inzequalibus tenuibus basi dilatatis sparsis aciculos et setas pilosque ineequales crebros longe excedentibus, foliis quinatis inequaliter argute serratis, foliolis acuminatis, panicule longz _ foliose superne ultra-axillaris ramis brevibus corymbosis, sepalis , ovatis tomentosis a fructu laxe reflexis. R. Radula, Bell Salter in Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 367. Stem green or greenish purple. Prickles mostly large, but a few smaller passing insensibly into aciculi. Leaves dark green above, paler beneath ; lower pair of leaflets stalked. Panicle 246 Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. slightly branched, the branches usually short and with few flowers — or even ]-flowered ; prickles slender; rachis rather sparingly se- tose. Sepals without any leafy point, clothed with a whitish to- mentum and a few setze. a. Radula; caule valde setoso pilis paucis, foliis glabris superne venis impressis subtus albo-viridibus pubescentibusque, foliolo terminali ovato acuminato. R. Radula, Rub. Germ. 89. t. 39. R. Radula 3. rudis, Bab. Man. 96. B. Hystriz (Bell Salt.!) ; caule pauci-setoso, foliis pilis sparsis ve- nisque paulo impressis subtus subhirtis, foliolo terminali inferne attenuato. Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 369. R. Hystrix, Rub. Germ. 92. t. 41. y: pygmeus (Bell Salt. !); caule tereti, aculeis aciculis setis pilisque multis, foliis pilis sparsis subtus viridibus tomentosis ; foliolo ter- minali obovato-acuminato : petiolo aculeis multis inzequalibus pau- lulum decurvatis aciculisque brevibus validis armato. Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 369. R. pygmeeus, Rub. Germ. 93. t. 42. 6. foliosus (Bell Salt.!); caule subanguloso, aciculis setis pilisque brevissimis, foliis pilis sparsis subtus viridi-albis tomentosis, foliolo terminali ovato-acuminato: petiolo aculeis multis inzqualibus paululum decurvatis aciculisque brevibus validis armato. Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 369. R. foliosus, Rub. Germ. 74. t. 28. Hedges and thickets. a. Dumfries-shire ; Edinburghshire ; Dorset. 8. Sussex ; Isle of Wight. y. Renfrewshire ; near Bristol. 5. Glen Falloch, N. B. July and August. Obs. 1. The paler tint of the stem, much less strongly toothed leaves and closer panicle appear to distinguish all the above forms, which Dr. Bell Salter has combined under the name of R. Ra- dula, from the R. rudis. Here also the prickles are not so nearly equal, although the larger ones are usually almost equal, and greatly exceed in size the under series which gradually merges in short very thick aciculi and setz. Obs. 2. The partial and general petioles, and also the midrib of the leaves on the barren stems, are furnished with moderately numerous rather slender but short hooked prickles, with a very few short rigid pomts interspersed: but in the less frequent forms referred above to R. pygmaeus and R. foliosus of the Ger- man botanists, these rigid points become very numerous, and together with the prickles vary so much in size as to merge in- sensibly into each other. Obs. 8. The plant referred above to R. foliosus (Weihe) differs slightly from the figure and description in the ‘ Rubi Germ.’ Its Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 247 panicle is not leafy to the summit, but the upper branches are subtended by trifid bracts. It agrees so well in most other re- spects and in general appearance with that plate, that I have very little doubt of its claims to the name of R. foliosus. 21. R. Lingua (Weihe) ; caule procumbente arcuatove subanguloso aspero, aculeis inzequalibus subrectis declinatis, aciculis setis pi- lisque paucis brevibus, foliis quinatis ternatisve subglabris subtus pallide viridibus albidisve hirtis, foliolo terminali ovato abrupte cuspidato, panicule lave ramis sepissime unifloris, foliis floralibus simplicibus magnis, sepalis ovatis tomentosis cuspidatis a fructu laxe reflexis. R. Lingua, Rubi Germ. 88. t. 38. Stem green or greenish purple. Prickles not very numerous, moderate, purplish yellow, fewer than in the preceding-species and less decidedly larger than the aciculi. Leaves usually green on both sides; terminal leaflet generally remarkably abrupt, lower pair stalked. Panicle nearly simple with very long pedicels or 2—3-flowered branches, leafy below ; lower floral leaves ternate, upper simple ; rachis and branches clothed with an ashy tomen- tum, short setz and slender purplish prickles. Calyx greenish. {. tomentosus ; foliolo terminali acuminato subtus tomentoso albido- cinerascente, panicule ramis corymbosis subtrifloris. R. scaber, Rub. Germ. t. 32? Oakhampton, Devon; Jardine Hall, Dumfries-shire. £8. Jer- sey. Poole, Dorset, Dr. Bell Salter. July to September. Obs. 1. The Oakhampton plant agrees very exactly with the plate in the ‘ Rubi Germ.’ In it one or two of the lowermost branches of the panicle have more than one flower, the others being reduced to a single flower;which thus appears to be pro- vided with a peduncle of at least an inch inlength. The Dum- fries-shire specimens only differ by having these branches all very much shorter so as to give a close appearance to the panicle. In this latter plant the flowers and fruit are contemporaneous. Obs. 2. The var. B. tomentosus has the general appearance of R. scaber (Weihe) as represented in the ‘ Rubi Germ.,’ but that plant has much smaller and more decidedly hooked prickles on its barren stem, and the under side of all its leaves pale green and only slightly pubescent. It probably is a state of this species. It seems doubtful, as suggested by Dr. Salter, if R. Lingua will not ultimately be shown to be a form of R. Radula. [To be continued. ] 248 M. Van Beneden on the Physiology of the Simple Ascidians. XXXIII.— Abstract of a memoir on the Embryogeny, the Anatomy and Physiology of the Simple Ascidians, &c. By M. Van BENEDEN, Professor in the Catholic University of Louvain, &.* I nave the honour to present to the Academy a new memoir on some animals that inhabit our coasts. It is a sequel to those I have already communicated, and is entitled ‘ Recherches sur VPembryogénie, l’anatomie et la physiologie des Ascidies simples,’ &c. Ina short time I hope to lay before you a work on the em- bryogeny of the Acephala, and another on the Acarides, on which I have been occupied for several years. To the present time I ‘have observed four species of simple Ascidie on our coasts, three of which appear to be undescribed. The abundance of one of them on the oyster-beds at Ostend, and to which, because of its form, I have given the name ampulloides, has permitted me to study with care both its anatomy and its growth ; and I have seen all the phenomena of its embryo-evo- lution from the first appearance of the egg and of the spermatozoa in the sexual organs. When young the Ascidia is nomade, as Milne Edwards stated in 1828; when adult it is fixed, and in this last stage of its existence, all the functions are reduced to those of nutrition and of reproduction. vets What relates to the embryogeny has, in an especial manner, engaged my attention. It 1s, we may say, a new science, and yet it almost already claims its due place, for without its guidance we cannot take a step towards the solution of the highest ques- tions in anatomy, physiology and zoological classification. Hence the reason which has induced me to give it here the same pre- ference it has in my previous memoirs. © Cuvier and Savigny have carefully anatomized these Aseidie ; and Sars in Norway, Dalyell in Scotland, and Milne Edwards in France have studied their genesis with equal care. The favour- able circumstances in which I am placed have enabled me to add to the excellent works of these naturalists some new facts and rectifications of others. It seemed to me also that it would be not uninteresting to represent, in a continuous series, all the me- tamorphoses which the Ascidie undergo in their different ages. The memoir is divided into four parts. The first is historical ; the second contains the exposition of their anatomy; the third has the embryogeny for its subject ; and the fourth comprises some reflections on the place which the Ascidians ought to have in the animal scale, and an enumeration of the species I have observed on our shores up to this date. Hitherto no one has seen in the Ascidie either eyes or any * Extrait du tome xiii. no. 2. des Bulletins de l’Académie Royale de Belgique. M. Van Beneden on the Physiology of the Simple Ascidians. 249 other organ of a special sense. I have ascertained the existence of eyes in one species in its adult condition, at the end and all round each of the tubes; and in its embryons, other eyes are si- tuated upon the side of the body in the spot in which we see thm in other animals of the same form. ‘The latter disappear with its nomade life. Milne Edwards has seen some black specks in the fry of the compound Ascidians, but he has not assigned them a function. This is the first ascertained instance of an animal having two kinds of eyes—the one for the embryonic period, the other for the adult and perfect estate*. In the anatomical section I have been able to complete what was known of the reproductive system. Milne. Edwards had de- termined the existence of the male and female organ in the same individual, but the learned professor of the ‘‘ Muséum ” avows that he could not discover in what way the eggs and the sper- matozoa were ejected. That gap I have also filled up. I have found a species, which, from the transparency of its parietes, was a favourable subject for observation; and I have seen that in it there were several outlets for the passage of the spermatic fluid into the cloacum, but one oviduct only for the exclusive passage of the eggs. The hypothesis which had been made in reference to this subject has not been confirmed. Notwithstanding the assertions to the contrary} of the phy- siologist who, quite recently, has obtained such an honourable distinction from the Academy of Sciences of Paris, I more than ever persist in my belief that the spermatozoides are analogous to the globules of blood: I cannot consider them as animalcules, nor consequently as organized beings. I have not yet had an opportunity of studying the spermatozoides of the Tritons, but that eannot hinder us believing the pretended inhabitants of the spermatic liquor in the Anodontes, the Ascidie, the Bryozoa, and other inferior animals in which we have observed them, to be free cellules, and usually or always vibrating. It is not by inductive reasoning that I have been led to this result, as M. Pouchet thinks, * There still exists a prejudice in science,—a prejudice born of the ana- tomy of the superior animals,—that an animal cannot be sensible of the light without eyes, that eyes necessarily require the existence of an optic nerve, and that where this nerve exists there must also be a brain or cerebral gan- glion. The study of the inferior animals has completely overturned this error. In fact, it ought to have been perceived long ago that the Hydra and many other inferior animals are sensitive to light, moving freely and spontaneously, and fulfilling all the functions of relative and conservative life, and that too without eyes, without nerves, without muscles and without brain. I believe that Trembley had observed, towards the middle of the last century, that Hydre in a glass of water wandered to the side of the glass whence the light came. + Journal l'Institut, 1845, p. 167. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. T 250 M.Van Beneden on the Physiology of the Simple Ascidians. but rather by an examination—mature, comparative, and based on the genesis of organization. It is four years since | studied _ with care the development of this product in the Aleyonella—nor has the delay in the publication of that work depended on me— and since then the facts in general have come to the support of my views. It has been said that reproduction by buds in some of the As- cidie@ is a very recent discovery ; and Milne Edwards assumes, for the basis of his classification, the twofold mode of reproduction by eggs and by buds. But in 1761 Bohadsch had observed the gemmiferous reproduction, and that even in a simple Ascidian, the A. intestinalis. Hence it was that, in the ‘ Encyclopédie Mé- thodique,’ Bruguiére wrote,—“ It is probable that, independently of their multiplication by eggs, they enjoy also a propagation by the integuments, according to the observations of Bohadsch and Miller.” The able Norwegian naturalist, Sars, has made some very cu- rious observations upon the mode of formation of the compound or aggregated Ascidiea, which perfectly explain the symmetrical arrangement of these little animals. Milne Edwards does not admit the plurality of germs to explain the aggregation, and he believes the formation by buds is sufficient to do so. Recently several important facts have appeared in support of the assertions of Sars, and it seems to me that doubt can no longer rest on the exactness of his observations. Some animals in their embryo con- dition, and before the adult form is reached, can divide themselves and disaggregate, by a natural fissiparous reproduction, into se- veral other individuals, which sometimes remain grouped together and constitute a ready-made colony (Ascidie composite), and sometimes they separate to live freely (Campanularie, Medusa, &c.). An animal of the lower classes can thus reproduce itself in its young age when it has still the embryo form: it dies in giving birth to another generation before having attained adult- ness, and that second generation has not passed through the same phases of the mother that gave birth to them. Be To explain the passage of the water from the respiratory ca- vity to the anal tube, openings or stigmata between the branchial vessels have been supposed necessary, but I rather coincide in the opinion of the naturalist who has lately denied the existence of these communications. I have always seen a thin membrane between the vessels; and the communication, in my opinion, is effected by an interruption of continuity between the parietes— which separate the respiratory cavity from the cloacum. Without having recourse to an alternating generation, as a learned Dane, Steenstrup, has lately advocated in a small but very remarkable book, it is easy, if we do not deceive ourselves, M. Van Beneden on the Physiology of the Simple Ascidians. 251 to explain these singular embryogenic phenomena, by keeping simply in view the facts which, within these few years, have been added to science. The class Tunicata exhibits these modes of reproduction :— 1. The simple Ascidie reproduce themselves by bud and by egg, and the embryo runs through different phases :—if it is born of an egg, it will be nomade in its youth, and its figure will be that of a tadpole ;—if, on the contrary, it proceed from a bud, the embryo will attain its adult character more quickly and by the most direct means, without ceasing to remain united to its colony, and without presenting any great external changes. 2. The compound Ascidia, all reproduced by buds, present nevertheless two distinct modes of embryonic evolution after their escape from the egg. Instead of undergoing simply its metamorphoses as in the preceding instance, the tadpole embryo may spontaneously divide itself into several germs which remain grouped in a deter- minate order. That little colony, formed at first by the reunion of several germs naturally fissured, may root itself upon a solid body, and never again leave this resting-place. Or again, 3. as in the Pyrosome, the colony may remain afloat and continue to swim freely in the bosom of the waters. 4. The Salpe offer still another phznomenon : there are Salpe which live in isolation and free, and there are Salpe which form long chains composed of individuals jomed. together. We see in this peculiarity, which has been explained in different ways, nothing more than a phenomenon | exactly alike to that which the Ascidze have shown us. Whether it is the effect of age or not, this always holds, that it is the same species which presents the phenomenon of the free and separate life and of the aggregated or combined life. The interpretation of the latter phenomenon by Chamisso, generalized by Steen- strup, appears to me inadmissible, and little at conformity with the great simplicity we everywhere observe to prevail in nature. We may from this time forward reduce to a formula the theory of embryonic development in the animal scale. When on this subject I may be permitted to say a word upon that mystery of mysteries—the generation of the Aphides. It is known that these insects bring forth young throughout the sum- mer without the concourse of males; that eight or nine genera- tions in succession are exclusively composed of fruitful females ; that all these generations are viviparous, and that at the end there is born a generation composed of males and of females ; that then there is a coupling, and, instead of producing living young, the female now lays her eggs. These are facts, notwithstanding that some naturalists still disbelieve in them, and remain unconvinced by experiments conducted through years by the most celebrated observers. However inexplicable the phenomenon appears at a 252 M.Van Beneden on the Physiology of the Simple Ascidians. - first glance, it becomes easy of comprehension by a study of some of the lowest animals, and its solution might have been given long ago. The Hydre are reproduced in the same way during the summer, without the assistance of males, and are viviparous during several generations which follow each other successively until the approach of winter; then, instead of buds, eggs appear, and we observe, at the same time, spermatozoides, representing the male organ, which fructify the eggs that are to preserve the species until the following spring. Is it not the same pheno- menon in the Aphides? and, to give an explanation of it, is it not sufficient in fact to say that they are gemmiparous throughout the summer, and have consequently no need of the male element ? All that appears to me surprising here is to see this double mode of reproduction, so common in several of the lowest animals, in animals so high in rank as the Articulata. ) I have satisfied myself that in the egg of the Ascidia, as every- where else, there are the two vesicles of Purkinje and of Wagner. The former only had been hitherto noted. The manner in which the blastoderm is formed is a point of the highest interest in the history of embryonic develop- ment. At first the vitellus runs through the same phases as in other classes, viz. it divides itself into lobules which become small and smaller, and which have each a clear and transparent vesicle im their centre: we may say there are so many individual vesicles of Purkinje. This phenomenon has also escaped the notice of my predecessors. After this change in the vitellus the blastoderm appears. Is the blastoderm then formed, as in the superior animals, upon a determinate point, whence it extends slowly over the whole vitellus, or rather is it formed simulta- neously upon all the points without forming a disc? I believe the latter view is the correct one, but the former is adopted by my predecessor in this matter. It has always seemed to me that the blastoderm appears at once upon every point of the surface of the vitellus ; and that it constitutes, from the moment of its appearance, a continuous membrane without any aperture. The caudal appendage of the tadpole of the Ascidia, instead of being formed, as has been pretended, by separation, is developed by extension, in the same way as appendages in general. We have seen nothing in these Ascidi@ that resembles the zigzag that has been figured in that caudal appendage. Other appendages are formed-on the side opposite to the tail, but these are constant neither in their number nor in their re- spective positions. They have been called suckers, but I have seen nothing to justify this designation. The embryo is affixed by its mteguments, and these presumed suckers are often not even long enough to reach the exterior envelope. M. Van Beneden on the Physiology of the Simple Ascidians. 258 In the last part of the memoir, consecrated exclusively to what has been called the zoological portion, as if zoology was reduced to the distinction of species, I have availed myself of the oppor- tunity to say a word upon the general classification of animals, when discussing the place proper to be assigned to the Aseidia. In my opinion we ought to return to the classification of Lin- neeus in the distribution of the animal kingdom. In invertebrate animals there are only two types, viz. insects and worms, and the mollusca and radiata of Cuvier, which properly make one branch only. It is not the organization which ought exclusively to serve as a basis for the primary divisions, but rather the em- bryogeny. There are in nature animals in which the vitellus enters inwards by the belly; others in which it enters by the back; and again, others in which it enters neither by one nor the other way. ‘The first are the vertebrated, or the Hypo-coty- ledones ; the second are the articulated, or the Epi-cotyledones ; and the third embrace the mollusca and radiata, or the Allo-co- tyledones. It is very remarkable that in botany the three great divisions of plants into dicotyledons, monocotyledons and acotyledons has been more and more corroborated by every subsequent investi- gation ; and there should be, if I do not deceive myself, in the two kingdoms of organic beings, the same divisions based upon the same embryogenic organs. : Many almost insurmountable difficulties disappear in a great measure when we admit the conjunction of the mollusca and ra- diata of Cuvier in one section, as Linneus has done. The Allo-cotyledones embrace several classes, just as the ver- tebrated and articulated animals do. We may arrange them in the following order : Mollusca, Polypes, Vermes, Echinodermata, Rhizopodes, Infusoria. and Sponges. In the class Mollusca we may preserve the established divisions, with the exception of the Cirrhipedes, which are Epi-cotyledones. The Tunicata form a distinct order of the same value as the Acephala, the Gasteropoda and the Cephalopoda. The class Polypi embraces the Bryozoa, the Medusa, the An- thozoa and the Alcyonians. In the class Vermes there remain the Nematoidea, the Acan- thotheca, &e. In the Echmodermata there are no changes re- quired excepting for some doubtful genera. The Rhizopodes, embracing the greater part of the microscopic Cephalopoda, in my opinion should constitute a distinct class, having, at its head, the Noctiluca miliaria, which seems to be a naked Rhizopoda. Lastly, the classes of Infusoria and of the Sponges. ~ Some zoologists consider the Cirrhipedes as crustaceans, be- cause in their early age they have all the characteristics of these ; 254 M. Miller on the Development of Chara. but this is not sufficient, it seems to me, to justify the association ; and the true place for the Cirrhipedes is, as a distinct class, be- tween the Myriapoda and the Annelides. The Campanularie are not Acalephe, because that, in their embryo state, they have their characters and aspect; nor are the Acalephe members of the order Anthozoa, because the young Medusans resemble that order. Such facts indicate an affinity, but do not call for a coalition in one order. . The Meduse are Anthozoans in their young age, and many Anthozoa are at first Medusans ; hence they necessarily belong to the same class, in which they constitute distinct orders. The Hydre are not Anthozoans, but rather freshwater Meduse, as I have along ago published. They cannot be separated from each other by any character of importance. The Tunicata, which more especially occupy our present at- tention, are very closely connected with the Bryozoa and the Ace- phala. I have thought it proper to leave them in the class Mol- lusca, because of the presence more especially of a heart. If they had not that organ, there would have been no more reason to place them amongst the Mollusca than amongst the polypes. In the branch or tribe of the Allo-cotyledones, the first class only, that of the mollusca, possesses a true heart. XXXIV.—On the Development of Chara. By C. Mitimr*. [ With three Plates. ] § 1. Introduction. ALTHOUGH this subject has occupied the attention of many ob- servers from an early period, and notwithstanding great light has been thrown upon it by these numerous investigations, still a history of its development combining the diffused observations has hitherto been wanting. My object has been to effect this, and its accomplishment appeared to me the more requisite, inas- much as this family, which is characterized by so many import- ant structural peculiarities above all other cryptogamic families, nevertheless holds a doubtful position in systematic arrangement. Although from these investigations I do not venture to decide upon its systematic affinities, still, by describing the production of the spores to which so much importance is attached, I hope at least to adduce facts which may bring us nearer the truth. I would willingly have added the development of the anthers at the same time, on which numerous but not conclusive observations have been made; but as the time has arrived at which these * Translated from the Botanische Zeitung for June 12 and 19, 1845. M. Miiller on the Development of Chara. 255 organs can be no longer obtained, the substance being destroyed by winter, and as at the next opportunity I may not. have the leisure for continuing these researches, I shall present here the observations which I have collected. As regards the history of this family, we find in Kaulfuss’s paper* a complete sketch of it up to that time, to which I must refer ; subsequently, Bischoff +, Schultz { and Meyen$ have made valuable contributions. Kiitzing || has detailed some general observations, and Fritzsche some beautiful investigations on the anthers in his paper, “ Ueber den Pollen” {, which however leave several points open for future observations. Nageli has lately written on the moving spiral fibres in the mucous threads of the anthers**, and Mettenius on the same subject in the ‘ Bot. Zeit- ung,’ 1845. Considering the labours of these observers as known, I shall confine myself strictly to my own investigations. But as we have to commence the history of the development with the germ, I do not consider it superfluous again to give a description of the spore in that stage in which it has attained its greatest deve- lopment (especially as it contains some new facts), because by a knowledge of the organ, in which the formation of the new plant occurs, our knowledge of the process itself must become more perfect. § 2. The Ripe Fruit. When divided through the axis it appears composed of three distinct coverings: 1. an external one (the spore-sac) ; 2. a mid- dle one (the sporular membrane) ; and 3. an internal one (the nucleus) (Plate V. fig. 1). € spore-sac is a thick, more or less pyriform covering, upon the apex of which five approximated thick cells are situated, forming a kind of crown. This covering is formed of five cells, -which are spirally wound around the spores several times—usually twice. The former five short cells form the summit of the spores. Each of these cells when divided appears four-sided, their inner surfaces being flattened towards the spores, the outer ones to- wards the atmosphere, and the lateral ones towards each other. The planes of the latter however are arranged in an undulatory manner. These, like the former cells, are composed of three distinct membranes; an external one or epidermoidal mem- * Erfahrungen iiber das Keimen der Charen, Leipzig, 1825. + Krypt. Gew. 1 Lief. 1828. + Natur d. Jebendigen Pflanze, Bd. 2. p. 470. § Physiologie, especially in the third volume. | Phycolog. general. 4] Mém. de l’Acad. Imp. des Sc. de St. Petersbourg. ** Ztschr. f. phys. Bot, Bd, 1. Heft 1. p. 168. 256 M. Miller on the Development of Chara. : brane*, a secondary, which is easily separated from the latter, and an internal more mucous one, in or upon which the true cellular contents (gonidia of Kiitzing) are situated. The latter is Mohl’s primordial utricle. .When treated with nitric acid the entire mass of the secondary membrane separates in an undula- tory form (PI. V. fig. 3). The contents of the cells, which con- sist of a greenish granular mass, in this stage of the spores are frequently absorbed at several places. The same occurs with the above five terminal cells, the surfaces of which press so closely together that there is no inlet into the spore (Pl. VII. fig. 35). The spore-sac is alone subjected to various alterations in form, the spore always remaining oval. The sporular membrane is likewise a closed covering of a round- ish-oval form, with a rounded summit and a truncated base (Pl. V. figs. 1. and 2), which flattens into a cell which will be subsequently considered. It is uniformly thickened, and thence cartilaginous, of a more or less brown colour, and has the same spiral windings as the spore-sac. They correspond to one an- other with tolerable accuracy, so that they are entirely or very nearly in the same plane. This spiral plane turns from left to right. The five extremities of these thickened, flattened cells of the sporular membrane unite at the apex as in the spore-sac, with- out forming any appendages. At the highest point the upper portion of the windings projects somewhat at an acute angle (Pl. V. fig. 6). The membrane of the nucleus lies close to the sporular mem- brane, but quite separate. It of course depends on the form of the sporular membrane, and differs from it merely in its more delicate, transparent, uniform texture, which is neither cellular nor spiral. The contents of the nucleus consist of starch-cells only ; these vary in size and are of a more or less rounded, somewhat com- pressed form. They are perfectly hollow, bursting either length- wise or in the centre (fig. 5) to discharge their fine granular contents, which also consist only of starch, as shown by the deep blue colour produced by iodine, and which is not unfrequently found between the parent-cells. By gentle pressure I was able to force these contents from the parent-cells, but I have not been able to observe this in loose pieces. As we have mentioned above, the spore is attached at its base to a four-sided, tolerably large cell (figs. 1 and 2). This contains a white, eranular; densely aggregated substance, and whilst within the spore-sac might be expected to perform some important part in its nourishment. Moreover in it the nutritious fluid which comes from the stem is rendered assimilable by the nucleus. * See § 6, where this is compared to the cuticle. M. Miiller on the Development of Chara. 257 Two other cells, which lie beneath its base and thus flatten it, are also situated within the spore-sac, which surrounds them like a collar. They only form the means of attaching the spores and constitute the direct conductors of the nutritive fluid for the latter. They contain a green mass which is usually spherical. The lowest cell fixes the whole fruit, and to it the spore-sac is also attached between two branches of the stem (Pl. V. figs. 1 and 2). § 3. The Germinating Spore. The period of the development of the germ appears to vary in different species. Bischoff * states on this point, that those Chare which mature their fruit in autumn germinate in the mud of their pools in the spring, and that those which ripen earlier ger- minate in the autumn. I can confirm the latter statement in Chara vulgaris and hispida, both of which I saw germinating in the October of 1844. This disproves Kiitzing’s remark +, that in our climate no Chare remain through the winter, and that all are propagated in the spring, partly from seeds and partly from buds. Moreover, much depends upon the temperature of the atmosphere, consequently also of the water, although this can hardly com- pletely prevent the occurrence of a vernal germinating process from absence of heat. | However, as soon as the parent plant fulfils its purpose, the development of the fruit, it decays from the disintegration of its parts, and the fruits thus reach the mud of the water, or before this happens spontaneously separate from the cells of the stalk, as in Chara crinita, in which the parent plants continue to live for a considerable time afterwards. After having arrived in this medium, the spore-sac is dissolved from the spores ; this is usually caused by decay. The spore is thus exposed to the immediate action of the water, but neverthe- less requires a considerable time before it is capable of develop- ment. A simple process ensues within it; for the starch-cells swell from the imbibed water and assume another state of aggregation. They break up into a mucous, oily-looking mass, which is filled with extremely delicate and minute granules. I have observed this disintegration directly and distinctly, as seen in fig. 20. After having looked at the small brown cells for some time under the microscope, and carefully moved them to and fro with a lancet to ascertain their form and size they suddenly became flattened, and in their place there appeared a considerably larger globular mass (fig. 20), which only differed from the former in its uncom- monly delicate mucous structure and its much greater transpa- * DL. ec. p. 8. + L.c. p.318. 258 M. Miller on the Development of Chara. rence. This globule did not deliquesce, was moveable to and fro much as before, and was only rendered slightly brown by iodine, whereupon the above delicate granules became again perceptible, having become coloured somewhat more brown. , Thus the starch-cells enter into direct combination with the elements of the water, as they are now no longer coloured blue, but brownish by iodine. But the bursting leads us to imagine that the softened and metamorphosed starch-cells are inclosed by an extremely delicate membrane, which cannot be again ren- dered evident, and the existence of which would also indicate that the formative process takes place from within outwards. According to Schleiden it is the reverse ; but this appears to me the only deduction on the poimt. He has also correctly sup- posed* that the starch gradually becomes merely finely divided and not chemically dissolved ; for in consequence of the constant existence of the above minute granules, which are here consti- tuted of starch only, no further inference can be made. As there is no other substance in the spore than starch, the granules must be formed from it. Hence we have merely another state of ag- gregation, from which new modifications, such as cellulose, dex- trine, membranous substance and all their isomeric compounds, may be formed, but into which we cannot enter any further. This sufficiently proves that an apparently oily mucous liquid is formed from the starch, and several observers attest the exist- ence of true globules of oil in it. Whether such really exist in the fertile starch-cells, whether they are formed simultaneously with the starch in a different state of aggregation, or whether they exist at all, 1 must leave undetermined. It is more important that by this formation the starch is prepared so as to be assimi- dated by the membrane of the nucleus. Hence we may designate the above fluid with good reason and correctly as cytoblastema. As soon as this is assimilated the above membrane expands lengthwise, ruptures the sporular membrane at the apex, presses back the five cells of the sporular membrane which confine it like five valves, and thus appears in the form of a simple transparent vesicle, which now only elongates, so as to proceed rapidly to- wards the formation of the germ-plant. That it is merely the membrane of the nucleus which here expands, may be seen with the greatest certainty—although Bischoff doubts it—in a true nucleus-sac taken out of the sporular membrane (fig. 4). § 4, The Embryo. The vesicle now elongates so as to form a utricular cell, the apex of which then speedily becomes spherical, and oblique septa * Grundz. i. p. 179. M. Miiller on the Development of Chara. 259 are formed within it, whence it acquires as many subdivisions, parts or cells (fig. 6). These subdivisions are at first of equal length ; but as they continue progressively to be developed, the lowermost takes the lead and becomes more elongated. The lower ones are then usually the most transparent ; the green con- tents of the cells are more developed in the upper ones, although they are subsequently formed also in the former, seldom however to the same extent. The elongation of the stem now proceeds simply in the same manner, until finally new cells, the whorl of branches, are likewise formed from its subdivisions. These are either developed, as is usually the case, in the earlier stage of the development of the stem on one side only, or subsequently in a complete whorl. Moreover new cells, i. e. shoots, are formed from their joints according to the same laws as from the stem, for there can be no question here of any development of leaf. As soon as the stem contains a few cells in its interior, a re- markably higher development ensues from its lowermost subdivi- sions. The whorls do not stop short at the formation of shoots as in the upper portions, but are developed into new plants (figs. 6, 7,8 and 10). This formation is a perfect repetition of the development of the nucleary membrane. As in it, the knotty- looking cells at the joints (fig. 7) elongate in a sacciform manner (fig. 8), their apices at the same time becoming enlarged (fig. 10) ; these again form new cells in their interior ; the lowest appear more transparent, whilst in the uppermost the green cellular contents are formed. At the base of the axis, close above the orifice of the spore, a similar cell-formation has occurred. For as soon as the nucleary membrane began to burst through the sporular membrane like a bladder and to expand it in a sacciform manner, it began to be developed in a sacciform manner on the opposite side (figs. 4 and 6). Thus the spore, which is at first perpendicular, acquires a horizontal position. Each utricle forms a rootlet, and others follow it from simple vesicular expansion of the nucleary membrane, so that it acquires, at this end, a com- plete head of root-fibrils. The question now is—how are all these cells formed? The direct answer is—by cytoblasts and by these alone. I have not been able to observe this so distinctly in the earliest cells of the stem, although there can be no doubt about it, because there is not the least appearance of a secondary membrane, which might perhaps have become contracted by the well-known process of division, and thus formed new cells. But in the formation of the branches and of the new plants from them, the whole pro- cess may be traced most unequivocally. The cytoblastema, or the above-described liquid which is formed from the starch, possesses the remarkable peculiarity that it is 260 M. Miller on the Development of Chara. very readily formed into globular masses. This may be very easily seen by the action of iodine, in the lowest simple elon- gation of the nucleary membrane (figs. 7 and 8). This lower- most portion of the stem is always filled with the cytoblastema as far as the first internal cell, whilst the rootlets are separated at their base from the interior of the nucleus by septa which have likewise originated from cytoblasts by the formation of cells, so that it empties its contents at once ito the former subdivision. The ready tendency to spherical aggregation of the cytoblas- tema favours the formation of the cytoblasts, or rather constitutes their very commencement. When this fluid cytoblastema is taken up endosmotically by the cells, we see how it is also deposited between every two septa of the cells; hence in each segment of the stem (fig. 7), separate globular masses are soon formed in the very substance of the cytoblastema with which the formation of the cytoblasts commenced. Increasing rapidly in circumference, their outline appears sharper, and in a short time they become so swollen as to protrude the cell-membrane of the axis externally, in the form of a bladder. The process continues until the vesi- cular projections have become cylindrical (fig. 8). It then ceases in the branches, between the articulations of which the same pro- cess subsequently commences for the formation of the shoots. On the further evolution of these to form new plants the cells be- come utricular (figs. 6, 10). Finally a new cell-formation com- mences in them by cytoblasts, as we may certainly suppose to happen in the main stem, since in this case it is merely a simple repetition of its formation. By this new cell-formation the apex of a utricular cell is protruded like a knob (fig. 1, a very early stage !), and we have a new stem presented to our view, which is capable, like the main stem, of further development. This pro- perty of the plants, to form new individuals by intercalary growth, explains the great power of diffusion of the Chare, which is so considerable, that when a Chara has been removed from the water we cannot determine in most cases its true point of attach- ment to the soil. We have a large number of separate plants on a single plant. In fig. 9 we have the complete process of cell-formation before us. The two upper cells are separated from the membrane of the stem by the action of iodine. The remains of the cyto- blasts are still distinctly perceptible at the walls. Here and in fig. 7, mucilaginous threads arise from them, and are diffused in the form of a web throughout the cells, as we frequently see in Alge. On account of the great transparency of the object (fig. 9), it could not be ascertained whether currents occurred in the sap ; these threads cannot be confounded with them, as they are co- loured brown by iodine. Generally speaking this can rarely be M. Miller on the Development. of Chara. 261 observed in Chara, because the cells become opake too soon and rarely permit of their contents being distinguished, as they are rapidly deposited on the walls of their cells. One circumstance however remains inexplicable, which is, that in one cell (fig. 9) there are cytoblasts which appear as if they were divided into two parts; one in the third upper cell still with its apex in the third, the greater part being in the upper one (had the cytoblast, which was formed in the third. cell, really ruptured this to form a new cell?); and lastly, that the cytoblast of the uppermost cell, as also the cell itself, appeared as if contracted exactly at the centre ! The membrane of the new cells, which is formed in an an- nular manner by the cytoblasts (this is also Schleiden’s view), is Mohl’s primordial utricle*. It can hardly be seen more beau- tifully in situ in other parts than in the lowermost joint of the stem of the germinating plant (figs. 7 and 8). It is here a simple induration of that external lamina of the cytoblasts which les im- mediately on the internal periphery of the stem membrane. The membrane which surrounds the cytoblast is perfectly analogous to that produced by induration. Both are coloured yellowish or brownish by iodine. Hence Mohl is correct, when he sayst, “ The substance of which the primordial utricle consists, appears, if not identical with, at least nearly related to the mucous granular sub- stance which usually envelopes the nucleus in the form of an ir- regular mass, and from which the mucous threads which are so frequently met with im the young cells emanate, since these dif- ferent portions react in the same manner with iodine and sulphuric acid.” We ought to consider them, as stated above, to be iden- tical. The same author’s opinion also ft, that the primordial utricle might be of a nitrogenous nature, considering the above reaction of iodine and sulphuric acid, the latter of which does not cause it to disappear, regarded by French chemists as a proof of its containing nitrogen, appears susceptible of direct proof from the above facts. . For if the formation of the cytoblastema from starch and that of the cytoblasts and primordial ‘utricle from the former can be directly observed, the conclusion regarding nitro- gen is not too bold, if we remember the large amount of nitrogen contained in the gluten of starch. And starch is always found naturally combined with this substance ! When the primordial utricle is once perfectly formed, it ap- pears as a transparent, completely closed peripheral membrane, which is entirely separated by iodine from the outer cell-mem- brane and envelopes the cell-contents. It adheres to it in the upper cells equally as strongly as we previously found it do in * Grundzug, 2te Ausg. + Bot. Zeit. 1844, p. 244. t L. e. p. 305. 262 Mr. G. H. K. Thwaites on Tetraspores in Algae. the utricular cells of the spore-sac. The primordial utricle is however completely isolated in the lower cell, 2. e. the immediate elongation of the nucleary membrane itself, the contents of which do not consist as before of chlorophylle, but of cytoblastema. When acted upon by nitric acid, it frequently contracts so much, as to appear torn into large band-lke fragments, which become somewhat spirally twisted (fig. 25). Its membrane is not per- fectly smooth but finely granular. This does not occur so much in the lowest segments of the stem. It is remarkable, that when treated with nitric acid, which contracts it considerably, it ex- hibits various-sized conical prominences. Hence it appears some- what angular or wavy. The small projections appear generally to pass into minute depressions on the axial membrane. Ata subsequent period a secondary membrane is formed between it and the axis. From what has been stated, it appears that the stem consists of an epidermoidal membrane, subsequently also of a secondary one, the primordial utricle and the cell-contents. The above epider- moidal membrane, which is the direct elongation of the nucleary membrane, continues to grow with the plant, and in such a manner that the plant remains init as in abag. Kiitzing calls this mem- brane the peridermis, and considers it as identical with.the cuticle of Brongniart, which covers the true epidermis of more highly organized plants *. There can ‘however be no question here of a true epidermis, nor indeed in any of the Alge. [To be continued. ] XXXV.—On the Occurrence of Tetraspores in Alge. By G. H. K. Tawarres, Esq. To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. GENTLEMEN, 2 Kingsdown Parade, Bristol, March 19, 1846. In the last December Number of your valuable Journal is an extract from a letter presented by M. Montagne to the French Academy on the subject of an interesting Alga belonging to the Zygnemata, and discovered by M. Durieu in Algiers, in which the fruit consists of four distinct spores in each sporangium. The Rev. M. J. Berkeley obligingly favoured me with a sight of an authentic specimen of this species, in which the character was very obvious. ) On examining, a few days ago, some spores of Mesocarpus sca- laris, Hassall, I thought I could detect in them indications of a quaternary division, and I sent specimens to Mr. Berkeley for * Kiitzing, J. c. p. 86. Botanical Notices from Spain. 263 his inspection, who wrote me in reply that he could see the di- vision into four pretty distinctly. I have since observed the same peculiarity in the spores of Tyndaridea insignis, Hass., and Staurocarpus gracilis, Hass., and, as Mr. Berkeley remarks to me, it may prove more general than has hitherto been supposed. ‘The separation of the contents of the sporangium into four portions does not take place in our three species until the fruit is nearly mature, and this soon afterwards becomes too opake for the character to be seen, so that it can be observed only in a particular state of the plant. The sporangium in all the species I have mentioned is more or less compressed vertically. Mesocarpus scalaris may occasionally be observed with some of its cells considerably inflated ; and each of these enlarged cells is found to contain a globose echinulate body very much resembling the sporangium of some of the Desmidiee, and respecting the character of which it is difficult to determine: this body may first be seen as a very small spherical cell, apparently quite smooth, and containing an oily-looking fiuid ; it subsequently grows much larger and becomes furnished with several long curved spines: its texture seems to be corneous. It does not appear to be de- veloped at the expense of the endochrome of the cell which con- tains it, but in some instances I have thought the quantity of endochrome rather larger than usual in the inflated cells. Can this curious body be an abnormal growth of the nucleus, or is it an internal parasite? Some of the cells of a Tyndaridea received from Mr. Ralfs, have within them a fusiform transversely ribbed body, which is probably of a similar character to the spherical ones found in the Mesocarpus. I am, Gentlemen, your very obedient servant, G. H. K. Tuwarrss. XXXVI.—Botanical Notices from Spain. By Moritz WiLttkomM*. {Continued from p. 196.] No. XI. Granapa, July 5, 1845, Brrorz my departure from Malaga I visited, in the beginning of last month, the southern portion of the Sierra de Mijas, lying near the village of Chuniana. Along the bank of the Guadalhorce oceurred Scolymus maculatus, L., Achillea Ageratum, L., and various Carices in flower, and on boulders and sand above Chuniana and on the slopes of the mountain-chain blossomed Ruta montana, L., a small form of * Translated from the Botanische Zeitung, Nov, 21, 1845. 264 Botanical Notices from Spain. Jasione montana, L., various Rubiacee und several Centaurea, espe- —- cially C. Prolongi, Boiss., a pretty species with orange flowers tole- rably frequent up to the summit. I also found on the acclivity and in the valleys of the mountain-chain Jberis umbellata, L., Helminthia echioides, L., Pulicaria odora, Rchb., Lagecia cuminoides, L., Aphyl- lanthes monspeliensium, L., Coris monspeliensis, L., Genista hirsuta, Vahl., G. umbellata, L., G. ramosissima, L., Herniaria polygonoides, Cav., Xeranthemum erectum, Presl, plentiful; more rare occurred Chasmone argentea, RK. Mey., Campanula Rapunculus, L., Erythrea major, L., Leuzea conifera, DC., and a Brassica. In fissures of the rock on the summit I gathered Anthyllis podocephala, Boiss., in plenty; and here grow also Umbilicus hispidus, DC., several species of Sedum, some grasses and Savifraga globulifera, Desf., in large thick beds. On the 7th of June I left Malaga to travel over the coast chain lying between this place and the boundaries of the province of Alme- ria, with a view to proceed thence toward the interior of Andalusia. The coast country appeared already very much parched, and in con- sequence nothing of any importance was collected as far as Velez- Malaga, excepting a rare plant, namely Withania frutescens, Boiss.. (Atropa frut., L.), a rare shrub, often exceeding a man’s height, of the growth of a Lycium, with white-gray virgate, hanging branches, obtuse-elliptic dark green leaves and pendent yellow- green flowers. This shrub is found in the hedges around Velez- Malaga, as well as further towards the east around Motril, tolerably frequent. The town of Velez-Malaga lies two miles distant from the sea, near the left bank of the river of the same name, in the middle of a beautiful woody plain, in which sugar-canes are largely grown, — and which is on three sides surrounded by a hilly table-land, rising higher and higher and wholly covered with vines. Behind this table- land rises the very steep and rocky Sierra Tejeda*, a dolomitic range more than 7000 feet in height, which divides the hilly land of the coast from the plain of Granada. The Sierra Tejeda is the highest portion of a long mountain-chain, which, under various names, stretches from W.N.W. toward the E.S.E., and fills up the space between the Guadalhorce and the Rio de Motril. The rocky moun- tain-range of Antequera, lying north of Malaga, forms one of the principal chains, but of no very important height, a branch of which stretches far to the north, which takes its name of Sierra de Loja from the town of Loja lying at its eastern foot, and is separated from the Sierra de Montefrio by the Jenil which here breaks through. The continuation of the chief mountain-chain, which connects the Sierra of Antequera with the Sierra Tejeda, is called Sierra de Al- hama, and this is separated by a deep rocky cleft, the Puerto de Za- farraya, from the highest part of the Sierra Tejeda. The lower con- tinuation of the Sierra Tejeda, running in a south-eastern direction, passes imperceptibly over into the many-branched Sierra of the Al- * The Sierra Tejeda has its name from 7axus baccata, in Spanish Tejo, which tree, according to tradition, once wholly covered it. It is still found in isolated specimens at the spring Fuente del Tejo, which is situated in the alpine region of this mountain-chain. : | ll Botanical Notices from Spain. 265 mijarras, which is separated by the deep valley of the Rio de Motril or Guadalfeo from the Sierra de Lugar lying opposite, to the east, and by the broad valley of the Rio Grande*, coming from the western and lowest portion of the Sierra Nevada, from the southern declivity of this mountain-range, with which the Sierra de las Almijarras is con- nected by a broad, barren and rocky table-land, which divides the valley of the Rio Grande from the plain of Granada. The best starting-point for a visit to the Sierra Tejeda is the vil- lage of Canillas de Aceytuno, on its southern acclivity, which is three leagues distant from Velez-Malaga. The path leads continually upwards through the numerous vine-hills, where I found in great plenty Tolpis barbata, L., a Jasione, Brassica betica, Boiss., Cen- taurea muricata, L., and Cleome violacea, L. «In the highest part of the village, which is surrounded by many olives, lies a convent most romantically situated on a projecting rock of the Sierra, in whose clefts I found Galium pruinosum, Boiss., a beautiful species with co- riaceous leaves, dark green on the upper side and covered with a white powder beneath, as well as Thymus longiflorus, Boiss., Th. hirtus, W. 6. erianthus, Boiss., Linaria origanifolia, DC., Sedum acre, L., S. amplexicaule, DC., and various grasses. From hence I ascended to the Penon Grande, an immense wall of dolomitic rock, of great height, lying in the lower mountain region of the chain, and gathered on the boulders of rock Santolina squar- rosa, W., which had just begun to flower, Passerina Tartonraira, L., a pretty Orchis, Anthyllis tejedensis, Boiss., Thymus longiflorus, Li- naria saiureioides, Boiss.; and near to the Penon Grande, in the clefts of which grow Barkhausia albida, Cass., a rock-plant common in all the mountains of Upper Andalusia, but never occurring in pro- fusion,—a small yellow-flowered Linaria, which seems to me to be L. Raveyi, Boiss., and is very rare. The following day I ascended to. the highest summit of the moun- tain-range, and was unfortunately compelled to turn back before I wished by the falling mists and rainy weather. At about a height of 5000 feet is an immense rocky projection, called the Cerro la Ma- tanza, which parts two deep abysses. Here in fissures of the rock are found Arabis auriculata, Lam., Cerastium repens, L., Valeriana tuberosa, L., Melissa alpina, Bth., Taraxacum obovatum, T. levigatum, * The Rio de Motril, or Guadalfeo, which is its true but less-known name (among the people it takes its name of Rio de Velezillo from the little town of Velez de Benandalla lying on it), is composed of the Rio Grande, issuing from the western part of the Sierra Nevada, but which is not considerable, and the full stream of the Rio de Orgiva, which forms the chief valley of the western Alpujarras, and brings down the whole water from the southern ac- clivity of the Sierra Nevada. The two rivers join below Lanjaron, whilst the Orgiva previously receives the river or streamlet of Lanjaron. The Rio de Orgiva is formed of the three chief portions of the western Alpujarras, the Barranco de Cadiar, Barranco de Trelevez and Barranco de Poqueira, and from that point where the Rio Poqueira joins it (a mile and a half above Orgiva), takes the name of Rio Grande. The Guadalfeo or Rio de Motril also often bears the same name. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. U 266 Botanical Notices from Spain. Barkhausia albida, Xeranthemum erectum, Presl; and on loose strong soil on the steep acclivity, over which the road from Canillas to this rock ascends, Cistus monspeliensis, L., C. crispus, L., Helianthemum ori- ganifolium, P., H. glaucum, P. var. suffruticosum, Boiss., H. hirtum,P., Passerina Tartonraira, Thymus longiflorus, Th. Mastichina, L., An- thyllis tejedensis, Chasmone argentea, Biscutella sacatilis, Boiss., and others. In the drift-sands of the lower alpine region, above the Cerro la Matanza, occurred rarely the Centaurea bombycina, Boiss., peculiar to this mountain-range, a small elegant species with procum- bent stalks, pinnate, white downy leaves and violet flowers, which began to unfold its little heads of flowers; also a beautiful purple variety of Linaria tristis? in great abundance, and various grasses of the genera Festuca and Bromus, an erect form of Linaria origani- folia, DC., Galium verticillatum, Danth., Filago arvensis, L. B. La- gopus, DC., Bunium Macuca, Boiss., and along the rock thick beds of the shrubby Coronilla eriocarpa, Boiss., beginning to flower,—only a few plants had already developed their peculiar white woolly pods. From near the foot of the mountain-range up to the summit, the pretty Armeria filicaulis, Boiss., is tolerably plentiful, which in the upper alpine region forms small patches of turf with stems scarcely a finger high, whilst in the lower parts it reaches a height of from half a foot to a foot. From the Fuente la Gitana, a spring lying about 500 feet above the Cerro la Matanza, the path winds zigzag upwards on the extra- ordinarily steep acclivity of the summit, covered almost wholly with loose masses of rock. Here blossom Alyssum alpestre,L., A.calycinum, L., A. montanum, L., a. atlanticum, Desf. and B. vulgare, Iberis nana, All., Draba hispanica, Boiss., Onosma echioides, L., Bunium Macuca, Boiss., Genista aspalathoides, DC., (3. confertior, Boiss., Erodium tri- chomanefolium, L’ Hérit., Senecio minutus, DC., the rare Vella spinosa, Boiss., Hrysimum canescens, Rth., and Ranunculus graminifolius (. luzulefolius, Boiss., in great plenty, more rarely Callipeltis Cucullaria, DC., and Valerianella hamata, DC. On rocks on the summit I found Valeriana tuberosa, Saxifraga spathulata, Desf., and Draba hispanica, and moreover on the whole of the broad coomb Vella spinosa, Anthyllis erinacea, Ptilotrichum spinosum and Arenaria erinacea, Boiss., the last not yet in flower. The broad, gently rounded surface, of con- siderable extent, forming the summit, descends toward the north into a table-land filled with many hollows, in which there were still large fields of snow, and which bears the name of Los Ventisqueros. Here, at the edge of the melting snow, I again found Bulbocodium vernum, as well as on the whole of the northern acclivity of the sum- mit the root leaves of the rare and remarkable Andryala Agardhii, Boiss., and under low shrubs of Berberis vulgaris 3. australis, DC., Sisymbrium laxiflorum, Boiss., Fritillaria messanensis, Raf., Cerasus prostrata, DC., in flower, Centaurea montana, L., Paonia coriacea, Boiss., with buds, and the remarkable white-blossomed Geum hete- rocarpum, Boiss. On sandy places flowered Androsace maxima, L., Veronica precox, All., Myosotis stricta, Lk., Lithospermum incrassa- tum, Guss., Arabis auriculata, Lam., and other alpine plants, and in Botanical Notices from Spain. 267 clefts of sunny rocks a pretty Savifraga in company with S. spathu- lata, Desf., and Brassica humilis, DC. On the way back, I moreover gathered on the southern edge of the summit Biscutella savatilis, Boiss. var. anata, a pretty little variety with narrow woolly silvery- white leaves, which is peculiar to these mountains, and at some hun- dred feet below the summit a small Cerastium, as well as the rare Arenaria modesta, Desf. On the 11th of June I set out from Canillas for the little town of Nerja, lying on the coast, the road to which leads along the south- west foot of the Sierra Tejeda and in part through its lower portion, passing over a number of valleys and coombs. On moist, shady, rocky spots Anarrhinum bellidifolium, Desf., grows here luxuriantly in the valleys, constantly with blue flowers; on sunny rocks Leo- bordea lupinifolia, Boiss., and in the hedges Rubia peregrina, L., and other climbing plants. On shady rocks near the village of Salares I found Scrophularia peregrina, L., in small quantity, and on sunny hills between this place and Canillar de Albayda various Silene, He- lianthemum lavandulefolium? P., Ruta angustifolia, DC., and some specimens of a narrow-leaved Jris which is different from I. Xiphium. In the mountains between the villages of Competa and Frigiliana, Adenocarpus telonensis, Gay, and Sarothamnus affinis, Boiss., occur plentifully, as well as the splendid Orobanche fetida, Desf., on the roots of various species of Ononis. Lastly I gathered on stony and sunny spots at Frigiliana Cneorum tricoccum, L., and between here and Nerja a pretty white-flowered Teucrium with dense, ovate heads of flowers and longish white woolly curved leaves. The following day I travelled nine leagues further toward the east through the ramifications of the Sierra ‘Tejeda and Sierra de las Al- mijarras, which here cover the whole coast, toward Motril, with the view of seeking Celastrus europeus, Boiss., which I soon found be- hind Nerja. It is a common shrub throughout the whole coast mountains between Nerja, Almunecar and Motril, but it had now neither flowers nor fruit. I have observed two varieties with respect to the form of the leaves and the colour of the branches, which occur promiscuously, namely one, foliis oblongo-lanceolatis subintegris, cortice ramulorum purpureo; and another, fol. subrhomboideis sinu- ato-dentatis, cortice griseo (the branch which is figured in the work of Boissier is of this latter variety). Besides the above, the follow- ing plants grow luxuriantly on these mountains: the Teucrium men- tioned above, Artemisia Barreliert, Boiss., Cneorum tricoccum, L., plentiful, on isolated spots Buzus balearica, L., which is in fruit, Beta maritima, L., and the splendid Nepeta tuberosa, Desf. Near Almuiecar is a remarkable tract on the coast thickly covered with Aloé vulgaris, Lam., which was mostly out of flower. In the hedges of the Vegade Montril Eleagnus angustifolia is common, Withania Srutescens is rare, and along the ditches everywhere flowers Senecio Doria, L. In the environs of Motril I now observed various sea plants in flower, especially Atriplex glauca, L., and the large bushes of Salsola oppositifolia, Desf. ; and on the gypsum hills on the north of the town on the road toward Granada, a small ee together 2 268 Botanical Notices from Spain. with Frankenia corymbosa, Desf. In other respects the vegetation had nothing peculiar. From Motril I ascended on the 15th of June the Sierra de Lujar, lying some miles to the eastward, a dolomite range of mountains more than 6500 feet high according to the measurement of Clemente, which runs parallel with the Sierra Nevada, from which it is sepa- rated by the deep valley of the Riode Orgiva. This range is joined on the east by the considerably lower and vine-clad Sierra de Con- traviesa, which forms the southern boundary of the eastern Alpu- jarras, and is divided by the valley of the Rio de Adu from the Sierra de Gador situated in the province of Almeria. In the hilly country lying between Motril and the Sierra de Lujar, Thymus capitatus, Lk., Hoffm., occurred in flower, and around Motril it covers large tracts; I also gathered here in corn-fields Reseda lanceolata, Lag., and on shady walls near the little village of Lagua a species of Scrophularia resem- bling S. crithmifolia, Boiss.,but differing from that, and probably anew species. The vegetation of the Sierra de Lujar is on the whole very similar to that of the Sierra Tejeda, but less rich in species. In the upper portion however occurred some interesting plants, which I had not before gathered, as Centaurea Boissieri, DC., Serratula pinnatifida, DC., Helianthemum canum, Dun., H. niloticum, P., Athionema sar- — _atile, R. Br., Thlaspi perfoliatum, L., and Arenaria grandiflora, L. Here grow, as in the Sierra Tejeda, Cerastium repens, Alyssum al- pestre and montanum (3. vulgare, Saxifraga spathulata, Draba hispa- nica, Vella spinosa, Ptilotrichum spinosum, Anthyllis erinacea and others in great numbers. ‘This mountain-range is in part wooded with Quercus Ilex, and from the foot to the summit occurs Aphyllan- thes monspel., L., which is wanting on the Sierra Tejeda, as well as in some places Callipeltts Cucullaria, DC., in great abundance. On the 16th of June I left Motril, and had the good fortune to find, upon limestone rocks in the neighbourhood of the little town of Velez de Benandalla, the hitherto little-known Lafuentea rotundifolia, Lag., a remarkable Personata, with very fragile thickly interlaced stalks, round fleshy curved leaves and dense naked heads of small yellowish white flowers resembling those of a Crucianella. In Velez I crossed the Guadalfeo, which was extremely swollen by the snow- water, in order to go a roundabout way through the Sierra de las Almijarras to Granada. This wild romantic limestone chain, which is partly wooded with Pinus Pinea, P. halepensis and P. Pinaster, as well as by Quercus Ilex and Qu. lusitanica a. faginea, rises scarcely to 5000 feet, and forms a half circle open toward the east, or more properly takes a horse-shoe shape. The centre of this extensive chain, west of the village of Guajar Alto, passes imperceptibly over to the Sierra Tejeda, and from hence a lofty southern mountain-chain stretches along the coast as far as the Guadalfeo, whilst a second lower chain goes parallel with the former and the western part of the Sierra Nevada, terminating in the country of Lanjaron, and forming the rocky wall on the right of the Rio Grande. The two chains are separated by a broad valley, which is watered by a rivulet and in part filled with hills: in this valley lie three villages, Guajar Fondo, aye Botanical Notices from Spain. 269 Guajar Faraguit, and Guajar Alto. From the valley of the Guadalfeo the road ascends to the Sierra de las Almijarras over the Cuesta de Lacebada, a steep rocky slope, on which I found among other plants Thymus longiflorus, Boiss., Allium Ampeloprasum, L., and Haplophy!- lum linifolium ? Juss. In the valley dividing the two mountain-chains, which narrows into a deep rocky defile between the villages of Gua- jar Faraguit and Guajar Alto, occurred in tolerable plenty upon the drift-sand a pretty Helianthemum and a viscous Silene, and also among a variegated and thick shrubby vegetation Rhamnus velutinus, Boiss., and near the village of Guajar Alto the splendid Salvia Can- delabrum, Boiss., in full flower, although very rare. It forms shrubs from four to six feet high. Above the village of Guajar Alto grew luxuriantly the beautiful Ononis speciosa, Lag., in the greatest plenty ; and in the broad rocky mountain-chain through which my path from hence led me, occurred Brassica humilis, DC., Dianthus brachyanthus, Boiss., Anthyllis tejedensis, Boiss., the very rare Reseda Gayana, Boiss., Campanula mollis, L., C. Léfflingii, Bert., Helianthemum atri- plicifolium, W., Cistus ladaniferus, L. &c. On the hilly, stony and barren high table-land between the Sierra de las Almijarras, the Sierra Nevada and the plain of Granada, Cleonia lusitanica, L., blos- somed in immense quantities, covering large tracts of ground, and in the corn-fields Turgenia latifolia, DC., in company with Remeria hy- brida, DC., Saponaria Vaccaria, L., Agrostemma Githago, L., and other plants. The environs of Granada were still clothed in the most luxuriant green of spring and formed a magical contrast with the Sierra Ne- vada, which was still deeply covered with snow. Whilst on the coast the harvest had already begun, the young corn was here still green, and the hills, which in the summer are arid and brown, now appeared clothed with T’hymus tenuiflorus, Boiss., Th. Mastichina, L., and other aromatic plants in bloom, diffusing a balsamic perfume far around. At present, although little more than a fortnight later, the Veya and the whole environs have already another appearance, and the beautiful green is limited to a few moist tracts. The Sierra Nevada on the other hand is still in its winter’s garb, and it is as yet impossible to ascend to its higher part, for in the memory of man such a great fall of snow has never been known as in the past winter ; Granada even and Veya were buried two feet deep in the snow ! The grassy declivities of the valley of the Darro are clothed at this season with a variegated carpet of flowers. Helianthemum marifolium, P., H. gutiatum, P., and other species of this numerous genus; a pretty white Armeria, common throughout the hilly land and the lower part of the Sierra Nevada, as well as in the mountains east of the town ; a Dianthus, various Linarie, Antirrhinum molle, L., and others occur in the same localities in plenty, whilst on the banks of shady ditches, especially along the aqueduct of the Alhambra (rich in plants), flower Colutea media, L., Ononis speciosa, Lag., Tamus com- munis, L., Agrimonia Eupatorium, L., Lythrum Salicaria, L., Lapsana communis, L., Iris feetidissima, L., Medicago Helix, L., Med. lupulina var. Willdenovii, Mérat, Spartium junceum, and many other plants. 270 ; Linnean Society. On the borders of the corn-fields upon the barren hills around Gra- nada I observed the very rare Cirsium echinatum, DC., and also Al- chemilla Aphanes, L., Minuartia montana, Loffi., and other plants. From the 24th to the 27th of June I stayed on the Sierra Nevada, and ascended on the 25th to a height of 8000 feet, but could not proceed further on account of the immense quantity of snow. Here, on the edge of the melting snow, above the limestone rocks of the Dornajo, I gathered Pyrethrum radicans, Lag., as well as Ranunculus acetosellefolius, Boiss., in great plenty, which I had never before seen growing at so low an altitude. On the alpine meadows known by the name of Prado de las Yeguas, which are situated above the Cortijo de San Geronimo on the right acclivity of the valley of the Monachil, flowered Ranunculus cherophyllus, L., Silene conica, L., Papaver Argemone, L., Cerastium ramosissimum, Boiss., Tetragono- lobus siliquosus, DC., a Myosotis, various grasses, and in its highest part Doronicum scorpioides, W. On the western acclivity of the Dornajo, which I then ascended for the fourth time, I gathered, amongst other plants, the pretty Helianthemum piliferum, Boiss. ; also on the south upon boulders Convolvulus nitidus, Boiss., which was just beginning to flower, and on shady rocks of the eastern accli- vity Sisymbrium laviflorum, Boiss., Linaria verticillata, Boiss., Bu- nium Macuca, Boiss., Butinia bunioides, Boiss., Saxifraga spathulata, Desf., Draba hispanica, Boiss. On the way down from the Dornajo into the valley of the Jenil over the woody Dehesa de la Vibora I found Passerina elliptica, Boiss., which occurs very sparingly on limestone rocks below the Dornajo, and in the copse-wood the pretty Anthericum beticum, Boiss., also Ononis arragonensis, Asso., Saro- thamnus scoparius, Wimm., and Peonia lobata, Desf., Adenocarpus decorticans, Boiss., was still in flower; and lastly I found on my return to Granada between the villages of Guejar Sierra and Pinos del Jenil on sandy soil Linaria Salzmanni, Boiss., a pretty species with purple flowers. [To be continued. | PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. LINNZAN SOCIETY. | June 17, 1845,—Edward Forster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. Read ‘* Characters of undescribed species of British Chalcidites.” By Francis Walker, Esq., F.L.S. &c. The following are the characters of the species described :— 1. PreroMALus AcroTaTus 9, viridis, abdomine cupreo, antennis piceis, pedibus fulvis; coxis femoribusque basi viridibus, alis fuscis——Long. corp. lin. 1; alar. lin. 1%. Hab. in Scotia, prope Lanark, mense Julio. 2. PreromMa.us suNIDEs 6 et 2, viridis, abdomine zneo ; maris fulvo-ma- culato, antennis nigris, pedibus maris flavis foeminz fulvis ; femoribus fusco-variis, alis limpidis.—Long. corp. lin. 1}; alar. lin. 13—2. Hab. in Scotia, prope Edinam, Dr. Greville. NAB thniee te he, ign an Linnean Society. 271 3. Preroma.us Oprres@, cupreus, abdomine basi viridi, antennis piceis, pedibus flavis, alis limpidis.—Long. corp. lin. 1} ; alar, lin. 2. fab. in Scotia, prope Edinam, Dr. Greville. 4. Preromatus Busaris?, eneo-viridis, abdomine cupreo, antennis nigris, pedibus fulvis; femoribus fusco-cinctis, alis limpidis-—Long. corp. lin. 3; alar. lin. 11. fab. in Scotia, prope Edinam, Dr. Greville. 5. Preromatus Nestociesé et 2, viridis, abdominis disco zeneo vel cupreo, antennis fuscis piceisve, pedibus fulvis flavisve ; femoribus viri- dibus, alis sublimpidis.— Long. corp. lin. 3—§; alar, lin. 1—1}. Jab. in Scotia, prope Edinam, Dr. Greville, Rev. G. T. Rudd. 6. Preromatus Cercipes get?, viridis, abdomine cupreo, antennis ni- gris, pedibus fulvis; femoribus viridibus, alis limpidis.—Long. corp. lin. 1; alar. lin. 13. Hab. in Cambria Boreali, mense Septembri captus. Feemine abdomen ovale subtis carinatum. - 7. Preromatus Ecrion 2, viridis, scutello zneo-viridi, abdomine nigro- ceupreo basi fulvo-maculato, pedibus fulvis ; femoribus piceis, alis fuscis. —Long. corp. lin. 1; alar. lin. 13. Hab. in Scotia, prope Edinam, Dr. Greville. 8. Preromatus XantuE 4, viridis, abdominis disco zneo, antennis pi- ceis, pedibus fulvis ; femoribus piceis ; tarsis flavis, alis limpidis.—Long. corp. lin, 14; alar. lin. 12. Hab. in Scotia, prope Edinam, Dr. Greville. 9. Preromatus Aot.ius g, viridis, scutello viridi-zneo, antennis fuscis basi viridibus, pedibus fulvis; coxis femoribusque viridibus ; tibiis fusco-cinctis, alis limpidis.—Long. corp. lin. 2— 3; alar. lin. 1—1. Hab, in Cambria Boreali, mense Septembri captus. 10. Preromatus Antuo Z, viridis, abdomine purpureo, antennis nigris, pedibus piceis; femoribus viridibus, alis sublimpidis~—Long. corp. lin. 1; ~~ “alar. lin. 14. Hab. in Anglia, Rev. G. T. Rudd. 11. Preromatus Learcuus ¢, viridis, abdomine zneo-viridi, antennis fulvis basi flavis apice piceis, pedibus flavis, alis limpidis.—Long. corp. lin. 4; alar. lin. 3. Hab. in Scotia, prope Edinam, Dr. Greville. 12. Preromatus Antoripes g, viridis, abdomine purpureo flavo-macu- Jato, antennis fuscis, pedibus flavis, alis limpidis.—Long. corp. lin, 1}; alar. lin. 2. Hab. in Anglia, Rev, G. T. Rudd. 13, Prrromatus Saravus g, viridis, abdomine cyaneo-viridi disco cupreo, antennis piceis, pedibus flavis; femoribus viridibus, alis limpidis,— Long. corp. lin. 14; alar, lin. 2. Hab. , ex Museo Rev. G. 7. Rudd, 14, Preromatus Anaxenor 9, viridis, abdominis disco cyaneo-viridi, antennis nigris, pedibus fulvis fusco cinctis ; tarsis flavis, alis limpidis. — Long. corp, lin. 12; alar. lin. 3. Hab. - , ex Museo Rev. G. 7. Rudd. 15, Preromatus TepaniusQ, viridis, abdomine basi fulvo, antennis pi- ceis, pedibus flavis, alis subfulvis,—-Long, corp. lin. 1; alar. lin. 13. Hab. , ex Musxo Rev. G. 7, Rudd. 272 Linnean Society. ’ 16. Preromatus AmyntorG, aureo-viridis, capite viridi, abdomine cy- aneo-viridi fasciis cupreis, antennis ferrugineis, pedibus flavis; femo- ribus viridibus, alis limpidis.—Long. corp. lin. 1 ; alar. lin. 13. Hab. , ex Muszeo Rev. G. T. Rudd. 17. Preromatus Navusowus ®@, viridis, abdominis disco cupreo, antennis piceis, pedibus flavis ; femoribus viridibus, alis limpidis.—Long. corp. lin. 1—14; alar. lin. 13—2, Hab. , ex Museo Rev. G. T. Rudd. 18. Preromatus Acuiaus Z, viridis, abdomine cupreo basi viridi, antennis piceis, pedibus fulvis; femoribus fusco cinctis, alis limpidis.—Long. corp. lin, 3; alar. lin. 1. Hab. prope Londinum, mense Julio. 19. Preromatus Urco @, cyaneo-viridis, abdominis segmentis basi pur- pureis, antennis piceis, pedibus flavis ; femoribus viridibus, alis limpidis. —Long. corp. lin. 14; alar. lin. 13. Hab. , ex Museo Rev. G. T. Rudd. 20. Preromatus Orrnus 9, viridis, abdomine cupreo basi viridi, antennis fuscis, pedibus fulvis ; femoribus viridibus, alis limpidis.—Long. corp. lin. $; alar. lin. 14. Hab. prope Londinum. 21. SctapermA LauacEe?, viridis, abdomine cyaneo, antennis nigris, pedibus fulvis ; femoribus viridibus ; tibiis tarsisque apice fuscis, alis sublimpidis.—Long. corp. lin. 14; alar. lin. 23. Hab. in Scotia, prope Edinam, Dr. Greville. Nov. 4.—The Lord Bishop of Norwich, President, in the Chair. _ Read a memoir “On the Ambrosinia ciliata of Roxburgh.” By the late William Griffith, Esq., F.L.S. &c. Communicated by R. H. Solly, Esq., F.R.S., L.S. &e. In this paper, written at Calcutta in the year 1835, Mr. Griffith enters into a lengthened examination of the characters and deve- lopment of the singular plant above named, to which he states his attention to have been first directed by Dr. Wallich, who was pre- viously acquainted with many parts of its structure. It forms, in conjunction with Ambrosinia spiralis, retrospiralis and unilocularis of Roxburgh, a genus of Aroidee, for which Mr. Griffith regrets his inability to adopt the highly appropriate name of Myrioblastus pro- posed by Dr. Wallich, inasmuch as M. Fischer had previously pro- posed the generic name of Cryptocoryne for the Ambr. ciliata and spiralis of Roxburgh, together with Caladium ovatum, Vent., in which latter, however, the structure of the fruit, as described by Rheede, appears to be somewhat different. The following are the amended characters of the genus, proposed by Mr. Griffith :— CryprocorynE, Fisch. in Schott and Endl, Mel. Bot. fase. 1. p. 6. Spatha tubo brevi ad apicem septo obliquo incompleto semipartito ; limbo elongato. Spadix basin versus ovariis cincta, medio filiformis nuda, supra antherifera, apice conico nudo calloso spathz septo pilei instar tecto. Anthere biloculares, transversim dehiscentes. Glandule nulle. Ovaria 5—7, coalita; styli nulli; stigmata 5—7, obliqua. Fructus nu- dus, 5—7-locularis (in unica specie 1-locularis); dehiscentid septicida. -Linnean Society. 273 - Semina indefinita, adscendentia; testa cellulosd, tenuissima. . 4/bumen nullum. Plumula polyphylla, hilo subopposita. Obs, Character ex Crypt. ciliald omnino excerptus. Crypt. ciliata, foliis oblongo-lanceolatis, spathz limbo tubuloso-convoluto apice dilatato oblongo-lanceolato ciliato. Crypt. ciliata, Fisch. 1. c. Ambrosinia ciliata, Roxb. Corom. Pl. t. 262. Fl. Indica, iii. p. 491. Hab. ad ripas limosas fluminis Hooghly zstubus alternis feré omnind submersa. Floret fructusque fert per totum feré annum. After a detailed description of the plant, and an indication of the errors into which Roxburgh and those who have followed him had fallen with reference to it, Mr. Griffith proceeds to trace the more remarkable anomalies from their origin through their various stages of development, with the view of reducing them to the ordinary type. The anthers, he states, may from a very early period be compared to two cups joined together by their contiguous margins, the wide and open mouth which they present in their mature state being ori- ginally clored by an extremely fine membrane, which also lines the cavity of the cup, in the interior of which the pollen is formed. As the anther enlarges this membrane assumes the form of a gradually lengthening cone, which at length becomes subulate and perforated at the apex. But this opening appears to be insufficient for the escape of the grains of pollen, and the membrane finally separates from the edges of cup-shaped theca, leaving the grains of pollen free and uncovered. ‘The agency of insects appears, however, to be gene- rally resorted to to ensure fecundation, the lower portion of the spa- tha being found during impregnation to contain many small flies, which have perished from inability to escape after the performance of their important duty. The ovula, at the earliest period of observation, are described as oblong bodies, having, a little below their points, a slight constric- tion, above which they are papilliform. At a somewhat later period the base of the papilliform nucleus is surrounded by an annulus, which Mr. Griffith describes as a growth from that part of the ovu- lum situated below the constriction, and which is the rudiment of the integument of the ovulum: it soon increases and forms a sort of cup, beyond which the nucleus at first projects considerably. ‘This Mr. Griffith regards as a good example of the correctness of Mr. Brown’s opinion as to the comparatively late origin of the integu- ments in the generality of ovula. As the development proceeds the nucleus becomes entirely enclosed in the cup, the mouth of which is gradually narrowed. After impregnation, the period of which is marked by the withering of the spatha, the centre of the nucleus be- comes more transparent, and is evidently excavated. The foramen is still visible, but soon afterwards becomes indistinct. The cavity of the nucleus gradually extends upwards to near the apex of that body and downwards towards the hilum; its lower portion is occu- pied by cellular tissue, assuming the form of a sac, and quite free from adhesion inferiorly ; while the upper third contains an oblong cel- lular body with a conical apex, which constitutes the rudimentary 274 Linnean Society. embryo. A little later, the conical, originally rectilinear apex of the embryo has become. somewhat oblique, and a depressed areola makes its appearance on one side of the head of the embryo. In the next stage the conical and rather oblique apex of the embryo protrudes through the apex of the nucleus, and its base has become enlarged and roundish. The conical apex and head of the embryo become still further protruded, and from the margin of the depressed areola are produced minute, oblong, obtuse, cellular bodies, which are the rudiments of the outer processes of the plumula. These gradually enlarge, and others are developed within them from the centre or disc of the areola; and at the same time the conical apex of the embryo becomes more and more oblique. At this period the chief bulk and enclosed part of the embryo occupies about the upper two-thirds of the excavation of the nucleus, but does not as yet ex- tend into its lower globular portion; and the enclosed part is firmly embraced by the neck of the nucleus, the tissue of which has become more and more callous or indurated. Still later the testa becomes more enlarged and cellular, and its foramen more indistinct; the nucleus is denser and more cellular, and the embryo extends down- wards into the globular portion of its cavity, displacing the sacci- form cellular tissue with which it was previously filled. The ex- serted portion of the embryo now ceases to elongate, but increases greatly in a transverse direction; the area on which the processes of the plumula are developed is much enlarged, they become more numerous and elongate rapidly, and, as the testa does not increase with equal rapidity, their apices become recurved. The radicle in- creases much less rapidly, but becomes gradually more and more ob- lique, and is soon imbedded in the lax testa, which it finally perfo- rates. The fully-developed seed is oblong, somewhat compressed, de- pressed on its inner, convex on its outer surface, and constricted towards the hilum, where it is of a brownish tint and hard to the touch. The testa closely embraces the plumula; it is cellular to- wards its base and where it surrounds the dense internal globular body, membranous throughout the rest of its extent, and so thin that the processes of the plumula are visible through it and give it a greenish tint. ‘The descending portion of the embryo, which con- stitutes the cotyledon, is clavate and nearly enclosed within the dense indurated nucleus, the enclosed part separating with the nucleus with great readiness, and about the time of the dehiscence of the fruit spontaneously. The exserted portion of the embryo consists ex- clusively of the base of the cotyledon, of a fleshy plano-convex body, ~ the plane surface of which is depressed towards the centre, where the cotyledon is attached, and gives origin on one side to the conical and acute radicle, which is always directed away from the placenta. The circumference of the convex surface is entirely occupied by the processes which constitute the plumula, and the outermost of which are about an inch in length, These processes are furnished with vessels, but their chief bulk is cellular, and they are (with the ex- ception perhaps of the outermost) furnished with stomata. After Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 275 the spontaneous separation of the enclosed portion of the cotyledon, the testa is frequently found ruptured, but Mr. Griffith does not con- cur with Roxburgh in regarding this as the stage of germination, which he thinks cannot be said to take place until the radicle has elongated and the innermost of the plumulary processes become ex- panded. The axis contains the rudiments of additional radicles, which after germination become exserted. Mr. Griffith thinks that the whole of the anomalies existing in the structure of the embryo may be referred to the density of the tex- ture of the nucleus and to the shape of its cavity. The direction of the radicle appears at first sight to be an exception to a very general rule; but this anomaly is proved to take place subsequently to the earlier stages of development, during which the apex of the radicle corresponds exactly with the apex of the nucleus and with the fora- men. He adds in anote that he would limit the expression of the law to “‘ radicle pointing or corresponding to the apex of the nucleus,” — since there are exceptions to its correspondence with the foramen. The perforation of the testa by the radicle is explained by the anomalous direction of the radicle in the later period of its deve- lopment ; and the separation of the chief part of the cotyledon by the constriction exercised upon it by the indurated apex of the nu- cleus, Mr. Griffith is inclined to believe from this and some other instances that there is no absolute necessity for a cotyledon, but that its presence may be supplied by a highly developed plumula; the enormous development of the plumula in the present case being evi- dently adapted to correct what would otherwise be a destructive anomaly. Finally, the author adduces the examination of this plant as a striking proof of the advantages to be derived from tracing anoma- lous forms back to the earliest period of their development. Going back to the period immediately before the conical apex of the radicle projects through that of the nucleus, we arrive at a stage when the form of the embryo closely resembles the usual form of the Aroidee, since we have a superior radicle, a cotyledon, and a tendency to the formation of a lateral slit, as indicated by the depressed areola. BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH, Feb. 12, 1846.—Dr. Balfour, President, in the Chair. A large collection of plants from Chippawa, Niagara, and various parts of Canada, was presented from Dr. Philip W. Maclagan; and specimens of some of the rarer alpine plants of Scotland by Dr. Bal- four. The following communications were read :— 1, ‘‘ On the Potato Disease,” by John Goodsir, F.R.S.E., Demon- strator of Anatomy in the University of Edinburgh, and Secretary of the Botanical Society. In reference to the nature of the potato disease, Mr. Goodsir stated that there could be no doubt as to its general resemblance to an epi- 276 Botanical Society of Edinburgh. demic. Although we may not have discovered the causes of epidemic diseases, we know they depend partly on local or individual circum- stances which may be obviated, and which influence some epidemics more than others; and partly to general influences, commonly sup- posed to be atmospheric, but regarding which we actually know no- thing but their existence. Mr. Goodsir then alluded to the striking general resemblance between the rise and progress of epidemics, and the appearance, non-appearance, and increase of fungi from season to season. Coupling this analogy with the opinion generally gaining ground, that certain epidemics owe their existence to the growth of fungi or analogous beings in the animals afflicted, Mr. Goodsir con- ceived that we are bound, in our attempts to explain the nature of the potato disease, not to overlook the fungi which exist in the dis- eased tubers. After stating Mr. Berkeley’s late researches into the fungoid nature of the disease, Mr. Goodsir observed, that he was still inclined to believe*in the organic nature of the brown matter; and he founded his belief chiefly on its peculiar form, and on its position im the cells. This view of the nature of the potato disease did not afford an indication of cure or prevention, for the diseases with the nature of which we are best acquainted are not always those we can most certainly cure. It holds out, however, a hope that the murrain may not recur. The occurrence of fungi as the cause of disease was pointed out in various instances, especially diseases of the skin where mycodermatous fungi are seen, diseases of the mucous membrane, and diseases of the stomach. The occurrence of cellular plants (To- yula cerevisig) during fermentation was also alluded to as corrobora- tive of Mr. Goodsir’s views. The paper was illustrated by large drawings of the diseased structure of the potato, of the brown gra- nules, and of Botrytis infestans, &c. Dr. Greville in making a few observations, commenced by paying a high compliment to the talents of Mr. Goodsir, and the general accuracy of his microscopical researches. ‘‘ With reference to that gentleman’s theory,” said Dr. Greville, ‘I see nothing improbable in the potato murrain being analogous to epidemic diseases in the ani- mal kingdom. In fact the analogies between the two great kingdoms of organized matter are so many and so strong, that he might reason- ably look for much similarity among some of the phenomena exhi- bited in both, with regard to disease. Like epidemics in the animal world, the one under consideration has appeared almost simultane- ously in various and remote parts of the globe; a fact which seems to indicate some atmospheric influence. The real cause, as in the case of all epidemics, is involved in the greatest mystery. Possibly a union of conditions may have taken place favourable to the deve- lopment of the fungus which appears to be invariably present. We all know that in the germination of monocotyledonous and dicotyle- donous seeds a union of three conditions is essential,—the presence of air, warmth, and moisture. If any one of these conditions be wanting, the seed will not germinate, but, if otherwise favourably circumstanced, will remain in a dormant state for an indefinite pe- riod. In like manner I think it not improbable that certain con- Botanical Society of Edinburgh. - 277 ditions—one or more of them being of a meteorological character— may have combined in the course of the past season to promote the growth of the potato fungus. The question has been asked, how do the spores of the fungus obtain access to the vegetable tissue? ‘This at present is a matter of mere speculation. ‘They are excessively minute; and it has occurred to me that they, as well as the spores of other of the minute fungi, may at all times inhabit the tissue of those species of plants to which they are respectively peculiar with- out, under ordinary circumstances, deranging the vegetable functions, in the same manner as minute parasites infest different parts of the animal structure. In addition to this, there must be in plants as well as in animals a predisposition to receive the disease; for even epidemics make a selection of their victims. The fungus did not attack all plants of the potato indiscriminately ; some varieties throughout the infected districts having, comparatively speaking, escaped,—a most valuable fact for the consideration of the practical agriculturist. With reference to the brown granules, which Mr. Goodsir believes to be organic, I confess I have been quite unable to satisfy myself regarding their nature. Their form is not constant, and under the microscope I sometimes find it impossible to distin- guish them from the grains of starch. I cannot, besides, detect any determinate arrangement of the granules, which the microscopical observer would naturally expect to exist in a series of more or less spherical organic bodies. Certainly, the brown spots in the tuber require more investigation than they (so far as I know) have re- ceived. My attention was directed to the potato disease late in the season, and no opportunity was afforded me of examining the leaves or the stalks. It has struck me, however, in reading Mr. Berkeley’s valuable memoir, that the black spots en the stalk, where the cellular tissue is described as filled with a dark grumose mass, may corre- spond with the brown spots in the tuber, the cells of which contain the brown grumose granules, and that the one may throw some light on the other.” Mr. Walter Crum of Glasgow detailed his experiments on the brown colouring matter in diseased potatoes, and stated that it con- tained nitrogen. He had carefully examined the brown granules alluded to by Mr. Goodsir, but did not believe it was a fungus. Dr. George Wilson was much interested in what Mr. Goodsir had said in reference to the connexion between the disease in the potato and the appearance of a fungus, and in the comparison which he had drawn between it and a solution of sugar undergoing the vinous fer- mentation in which a cryptogamic plant always showed itself. Dr. Wilson was of opinion, however, that the vegetable physiologist was not entitled to refer to the fungus as the cause of fermentation, or to speak of it as more than an accompaniment. On the other hand, he was free to acknowledge, that as the chemist could not point toa single example of the vinous fermentation having been observed without the Saccharromyces being seen also, he was not at liberty to explain the fermentation without reference to the fungus as he ge- nerally did. Dr. Wilson believed that fermentation was at present 278 —t Botanical Society of Edinburgh. an Oregon territory in science, which the chemist and physiologist must in the meanwhile agree to hold in joint occupancy till it could be settled which had the best right to it, or on what terms it should be divided. Mr. Goodsir had not done himself the justice to men- tion, that in a remarkable case of disease in the human subject, in which the contents of the stomach underwent a change exceedingly like that which vegetable juices suffer when the lactic or viscous fermentation is going on within them, he predicted the great like- lihood of a cryptogamic plant being found, and discovered a very curious one, the Sarcinula ventriculi. Dr. Wilson would suggest to microscopic observers, that it was possible each of the true fermen- tations might have a fungus peculiar to itself, and that it was well worth their attention to investigate the subject. Sugar could be fermented into alcohol and carbonic acid, into lactic acid, or into mannite and mucilage. It was desirable to know if a new fungus appeared when the fermentation changed its character. Dr. Wilson anticipated that no cryptogamic plant would be found when diluted alcohol was converted into acetic acid by platina black, because no azotized compound was present to yield nitrogen to the fungus, with- out which, in all probability, it could not be developed. The acetous fermentation, however, differed in several important particulars from the others referred to. Dr. Douglas Maclagan entertained no doubt, from the observations of Mr. Goodsir, Mr. Berkeley, and others, that the fungus present in the diseased potato had originated in the leaves, and been propa- gated down along the stem to the tubers. He had himself observed, and rudely sketched, an organism in the diseased tubers, which, from the drawings exhibited this evening, he had no doubt was identical with that observed by Mr. Berkeley growing from the stomata of the leaves. There was also, he thought, little doubt as to the nature of the brown matter which pervaded the diseased portions. Although it had not been demonstrated microscopically to be a fungus, the fact of its having been separated by M. Payen, by maceration, and sub- sequent boiling with diluted sulphuric acid, and its being ascertained to contain a proportion of nitrogen equal to that found in analogous parasitical vegetable organisms, appeared to warrant the conclusion that it really was of the nature of a fungus. He thought, however, that the question as to the nature of the potato disease was not settled by proving the presence of a fungus in the altered portions. It was still a disputable point, whether the fungus was antecedent to, or consequent upon, the morbid state of the tubers; it was. yet doubtful, whether the discrimination of the first advances towards the disease fell within the province of the chemist or the botanist, He had frequently observed, on making sections of affected potatoes, portions in the interior of the tubers in which no discoloration had commenced, but which were in a softened pulpy condition. A por- tion of this could at once be lifted out on the point of a knife, and on being subjected to microscopic examination, no fungus, or brown granular matter could be observed; but the amyliferous cells of the tuber, and these contained starch grains, were found in a swollen Bee a ee ae eee Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 279 state, as if they had been filled with fluid by endosmose, and the com- partments of the cellular tissue had thus become so entirely detached from each other, as to have assumed a complete round form, instead of their characteristic hexagonal shape. It appeared to him to re- semble what might be expected from the maceration of the textures in water, and it was a possible supposition that this might be the first stage of the disease, and that the change thus effected in the tuber formed a nidus fitted for the development and growth of the fungus already existing in the aérial parts of the plant. . Mr. Milne being invited by the President to give his opinion, stated the gratification with which he had listened to the statements made by Mr. Goodsir and other speakers. Nothing could be more distinct than the description given of the nature of the fungus which ap- peared to accompany the disease, and the parts of the potato affected by it. The discussion, however, had been confined entirely to a description of the fungus, and to speculations on its probable effect in altering the condition of the potato. No one had as yet offered any opinion as to the circumstances which led to the production of the fungus. If it arose from seeds dormant in the potato, what was it which had caused them to germinate? - If it arose from seed or matter in the atmosphere, was there anything in the state of the at- mosphere to account for it in one part of the globe and not in another? He had been devoting attention to the meteorological branch of the inquiry, and he thought that he had made a discovery, which would explain the appearance of the disease in some places and not in others. But he had not come prepared to enter into particulars, not supposing that any persons, unless they were members of this So- ciety, could take part in the proceedings ; he would therefore indi- cate generally the results. Mr. Milne then described some peculia- rities of the weather in England and Scotland during the summer and autumn of last year, as shown by meteorological returns which he had obtained from a number of places, both in those districts where the disease prevailed, and in those from which it had been absent. He mentioned that the maximum summer heat had occurred in England and the southern parts of Scotland in June, whereas in the northern parts of Scotland, where the potato disease had not appeared, the maximum heat had occurred in August as usual. He alluded also to repeated and sudden thermometric changes which had occurred in the south of England. Mr. Brand and Mr. Girdwood remarked, that potatoes in the early part of the season were not affected, and that where the stems and leaves had been cut away early, the disease had not appeared in the tubers left inthe ground. These facts seem to indicate some atmo- spheric influences which had come into operation late in the season, or some cause which did not take effect- till the tubers were fully developed. 2. “‘A Synopsis of the British Species of the genus Rubus,’ by Charles C. Babington, M.A., F.L.S. &c. (This paper isin the course of publication in these Annals. ) | 280 Botanical Society of Edinburgh. March 12, 1846.—Dr. Balfour, President, in the Chair. Various donations to the library and museum were announced, and thanks voted to the respective donors. The following communications were read :— 1. ‘‘On the altitudinal range of the Mosses in Aberdeenshire,” by George Dickie, M.D., Lecturer on Botany in the University and King’s College of Aberdeen. (This paper will be published in these ye and in the Society’s Transactions. ) “Remarks on the state of the*Sibthorpian Herbarium at Ox- ford. suggested by the announcement of a new edition of the ‘ Flora —— ” by Dr. R. C. Alexander. ** Botanical Excursion in Lower Styria in 1842,” by the same. (This paper will be published in these Annals and in the Society’s Transactions. ) A letter from Dr. Bidwell was read, announcing the discovery of Vaccinium macrocarpum near Mold in Flintshire in August last; and one from Mr. W. A. Stables noticing the discovery of Neottia nidus- avis in Cawdor Woods, Nairnshire. Dr. Balfour exhibited specimens of diseases in plants caused by insects; one of these consisted of peculiar stipitate excrescences on the leaves of a North American tree, concerning which Dr. Balfour read some extracts from a letter which he had received from Mr, Adam White of the British Museum :— «The swellings on the leaves of the plant seem to be caused by some species of Aphis; one kind is very hurtful to the peach-tree, but attacks the leaves in a different way from the insect on your specimen. Dr. Harris, in his admirable work ‘ On the insects of Massachusetts injurious to vegetation,’ speaks of some Aphides, ‘ the punctures of which affect plants in a most singular manner, pro- ducing warts or swellings, which are sometimes solid and sometimes hollow, and contain in their interior a swarm of lice, the descendants of a single individual, whose punctures were the original cause of the tumour. I have seen reddish tumours of this kind as big as a pigeon’s egg growing upon leaves, to which they were attached by a slender neck, and containing thousands of small lice in their inte- rior.’ Possibly the excrescences may be caused by some minute moth (Tortricidous or Tineidous), as there are evidences of some little larva that has eaten away the parts between the cuticle at the base of some of the excrescences. Your specimens I have examined, but do not find any fragments of the insects, although there are traces of dung and a small part of a web, certainly remains of a moth ; and there is no reason why the excrescences may not be the nidi for the eggs of an Hriosoma (an aphididous insect), and the web, dung, and eaten part, evidences of some Tinea. Mr. Doubleday has observed similar warts on leaves, but knows not how they are » produced.” Entomological Society. 281 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. October 7th, 1844.—G. Newport, Esq., President, in the Chair. Mr. Bedell exhibited specimens of Tortriz rutilana, Hb. (a species new to Britain), taken at Sanstead Down near Croydon, on juniper bushes. Mr. Wollaston exhibited numerous specimens of the rare Cossonus Tardii, taken in decayed beach and sycamore trees in Lord Mount- Edgcombe’s park, Cornwall. Mr. Raddon exhibited a number of caterpillars of a species of Agrotis, which had proved very destructive to the potatoe crop in Devonshire, eating through the young shoots just beneath the sur- face. Mr. Edward Doubleday exhibited a box of Chilian Coleoptera, some of which were new, and of interesting forms. The President exhibited a number of specimens of Vanessa Io, which he had subjected in the larva state to a series of experiments, with the view of determining the question as to the power of repro- duction of the limbs in those orders of insects which undergo a complete metamorphosis, and which had fully determined the ex- istence of such a power, the entire legs, including the whole of the coxa and the different parts of the legs, being reproduced: in some cases the limb reproduced was small and comparatively imperfect ; but in all the ungues were reproduced, although the tibial spines were generally absent, as he had also observed to be the case in the Lithobiide. He had also determined that the reproductive pro- cess took place in the antennz of the Julide when cut off in the middle. Many of the caterpillars had however died from excessive hemorrhage, and he had found that the best period for prosecuting the experiment was, preceding the last stage of the insect’s existence as a caterpillar, two or three days before or after the moulting takes place: in moist weather the number of caterpillars which died was far greater than in fine weather, the blood coagulating slowly. [See the details of these experiments published by Mr. G. Newport, in a subsequent part of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal So- ciety of London.] Mr. H. Goodsir gave an account of his experiments and observa- tions on the reproductive powers of the Crustacea (which he had communicated to the preceding meeting of the British Association), He had found the reproductive power greater in this class than in Insects; but he had observed that the antennz in the Crustacea are not capable ‘of reproduction. He exhibited an extensive series of drawings illustrating the process of reproduction. He had observed, that when the leg is injured in any part, the Crab throws it off ata spot in the coxa distinguished by a slender annulus, the extreme base of the ‘coxa not being capable of reproduction. In the lower Crustacea, however, he had observed that reproduction takes place from any part of the legs, and not merely at the middle of the coxa, as in the Brachyura. #e had detected a system of oil-vessels within the Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. X 282 Entomological Society. shell circulating over the surface of the limb, perfectly analogous to the system of vessels-in the ova for the supply of nourishment to the young; and he had no doubt that this system in the limbs had for its object the reproductive process. In Cancer Pagurus the em- bryo claw was found coiled upon itself within its sac during the process of reproduction, but in the Lobster it was not thus coiled up. : «! Extracts from letters were read from Colonel Hearsey and Capt. Boys, addressed to Mr. Westwood, containing various observations on the habits of Indian insects. In the former communication Colonel Hearsey mentions the cap- ture of specimens of different species of Pausside by Mr. Benson and Dr. Bacon, also a pair of a new species of Gstrus in copula, and a new Hister with white spots on the elytra, and other Necrophaga, taken out of the dead body of a Cobra de Capella which had de- stroyed a quantity of Mrs. Hearsey’s poultry. . In the other communication Captain Boys describes the habits of a species of Orthoptera belonging to Latreille’s genus Tetrir, about an inch long, which readily takes to the water and dives under it, remaining at the bottom attached to a stone for many minutes to- gether, the dilated foliaceous appendages of the hind legs being well- adapted for swimming,—being the first instance recorded of a nata- torial Orthopterous insect. He also mentions as remarkable, that he had never taken a Lucanus either in the plains of India or in the Vindyah range of hills, although they are not uncommon in the Hi- malayan range, where he always found them feeding on the fungi of various trees, and he had been informed that a friend had even no- ticed them feeding upon excrementitious matter. He had never taken Meloé except at an elevation of 11,000 feet above the level of the sea in the Himalayahs. At an elevation of 14,000 feet he took a Tenthredo; they were common at 10,000 feet, where the diurnal Le- pidoptera were scarce, and he had not there met with a single true Papilio: several species of Vanessa were more common, and at 13,600 feet he took two specimens of a species allied to Doritis Apollo. He had also taken two or three very fine Bolboceri, and a Megacephala nearly allied to, if not identical with, M. Euphratica. Extracts were also read from a letter addressed by Dr. Cantor to the Rey. F. W. Hope, on the insects of Prince of Wales Island; in which the writer gives the following extract from his note-book re- specting a species of the singular genus Trochoides (of which he also inclosed a highly magnified figure) :-— “ Noy. 7, 1842. Trochoideus Amphora*, mihi. The night was very dark, and numerous minute insects were attracted by the flame of the lamp, this among the rest. It is the first and the only one of the Pausside I ever observed here. Those few which I have seen up in Bengal were captured precisely under similar circumstances, * T. Amphora. Piceus nitidus, punciatissimus, punctis minulis, tenue se- tosus, prothorace lateribus marginatis et in medio angulatis, antennis, clypeo, oris partibus et pedibus piceo-testaceis, Long. corp. lin, 1%, Entomological Society. 288 T. Amphora appears to be closely allied to T. Desjardinsii, Guérin (Trans. Ent, Soc. ii. 97), inhabiting Mauritius.” The Rhinoceros-beetles (Oryctes) are very destructive to cocoa- nut plantations, as they devour the flowers and leaves ; and coolies are regularly employed to clear the trees thus infested: yet he never saw more than twenty-five to thirty at the time destroyed in a sin- gle tree. The presence of the beetle is indicated by the appearance of the gigantic leaves, which have the edges regularly indented. Koombang is the Malayan name for a beetle, but the Malays deno- minate this species Koombang kar’ éfoynv. He had particularly attended to the araneideous genus Aftus, several of the species of which are of the most exquisite colours, and had drawn them from the life, the metallic colours generally fading, after the insect is plunged into spirits, into a dull black. He had also made some notes on their habits which he proposed to publish. Of the genus Myrmarachne he had observed four or five species. He also inquires, “Is it known that many of the Arachnida are covered with scales similar to those of the Lepidoptera? I can find it nowhere recorded, and I never knew so till I examined mine under the microscope, since which discovery I have always added a magnified scale to my sketches.” November 4th.—G. Newport, Esq., President, in the Chair. Mr. Weaver exhibited an extensive collection of Lepidoptera cap« tured during a recent visit to Scotland, including various new spe- cies of Tortricide, Tineide, &c., and also a fine series of specimens of Hipparchia Melampus of Fuesslin (a species new to this country), taken in July on marshy ground amongst the mountains near Kin- loch Rannock in Perthshire, and which he stated are only to be found on the wing during the sunshine, dropping into the grass on the sun being obscured. Mr. Evans exhibited various insects from New Holland and North America. Mr. E. Doubleday exhibited specimens of a new American species of Saturnia allied to S. Promethea, having the sexes alike. Alsoa beautiful moth belonging to the genus Lophocampa, several speci- mens of which had been captured alive in the London Docks, sup- posed to have been imported in cargoes of mahogany from Honduras. Mr. F. Bond presented some oak-leaves, each covered with two distinct species of oak-spangles, or minute galls. Mr. Westwood exhibited various Indian insects from Captain Hutton, including his Plectropteron Diane, which proved to be Sa- turnia Selene, and the instruments described by that gentleman as the means by which the insect cuts its way out of its cocoon, were thereby ascertained to be the patagia or tippets. Also a new species of moth closely allied to the Bombyx Mori, which Captain Hutton had discovered on mulberries in India, and of the transformations of which an account was read from a letter addressed by him to Mr, Westwood, in which he also mentioned having discovered another Indian silk-moth closely allied to the Tusseh silk-moth. X 2 284, Entomological Society. Drawings of two Indian species of Locusts, made in that country by Lieut. Edwards, M.E.S., were exhibited, and a memoir read by the Rev. F. W. Hope on the Asiatic species of that family, and by whom a large collection of nearly allied species from various localities was exhibited. - The species which for two successive years had ravaged India from one end to the other is regarded by Mr. Hope as undescribed, and of which he gives the following character :— : CEdipoda Edwardsii, Hope. Fusca, capite thorace pectore pedibus- que rubescentibus, elytris dilute fuscis, brunneo-maculatis, den- tibus rubris.—Long. corp. unc. 2, lin. 4. Long. tegm. singuli, unc. 2, lin. 6. A paper by Mr. Westwood, containing the description of a new genus of exotic Cimicide, was read. Stenotoma, Westw. Genus novum inter Coreidas locand um. Caput lobo antico porrecto bispinoso ; lateribus ante oculos bispi- nosis. Ocelli 2. Antenne articulo 2ndo clavato, 3tio ovali lato, 4to ovali oblongo, precedenti minori. Prothorax lateribus acute spinosis. Stenotoma Desjardinsii, W. Lutea, fulvo parum variegata undique JSusco punctata; antennis fuscis, abdominis lateribus fusco et albido alternatim maculatis. Long. corp. lin. 3.—Hab. in Insula Mauritii. D. Desjardins. Mus. nostr. December 2.—G. Newport, Esq., President, in the Chair. * Mr. Desvignes exhibited a specimen of Coccinella lineata, Fab., now ascertained to be an extremely rare variety of C. ocedlata. Mr. Pelerin exhibited specimens of the New Zealand caterpillar and its parasitic C/avaria, already figured and described in the Trans- actions of the Society. Mr. Milton exhibited numerous specimens of Dipterous larve, evi- dently those of a moderate-sized Tipula, 852 individuals of which he had extracted, mostly alive, from the crop of a pheasant recently killed. Mr. Evans exhibited a numerous collection of New Holland insects, several being of new and interesting species. a Mr. Westwood exhibited the case formed by the larva of Porrec- taria vibicipenella (a species new to this country, discovered by Mr. Weaver in Worcestershire during the past season), and which he had received from the senator Van Heyden of Frankfort. Mr. Mar- shall stated that he had also obtained the cases of this species from Mr. Weaver, by whom the insect had been reared from the cater- pillar state. Mr. Westwood also exhibited a new genus of Carabide from Gui- nea, allied to the genus Morio, received from M. Westermann : also drawings of an allied new genus from Ceylon, in the collection of Mr. Melly, and of various other new genera of Coleoptera. Mr. I’. Bond exhibited a specimen of the caterpillar of Bombyx potatoria, entirely covered with a white fungus very similar to mus- cardine. Zoological Societys 285 . Mr. W. W. Saunders exhibited a dragon-fly which had been cap- tured flying over the Atlantic 600 miles trom land, by Mr. Stephen- son. : A memoir by Mr. Stevenson on the Entomological peculiarities of New Zealand was read. After commenting upon the peculiarities of the climate and the vegetation of New Zealand, the author re- marks, that the opinion that there are but few insects in New Zea- land is erroneous; the great masses of vegetation requiring vast numbers of insects to keep them in check, and hasten their decay when dead by boring into the timber more or less superficially ; the Tetramera in fact form three-fourths of the Coleoptera. Only two Cicindele were observed, and but few Carabide and Brachelytra. The Elateride were more numerous, but no Buprestide were met with. The Clavicornia also are not numerous, and but very few Lucanide* and Cetonie, no traces of Geotrupide, and only two or three Heteromera. Some of the Curculionide are of singular forms ; some species allied to Brentus burrow in the larva state into the hard wood of trees, and the Longicornes are very abundant ; the larve of some of the larger species being eaten by the natives either in araw or half-roasted state. Two Coccinelle and two Forficule only were captured, and only seven or eight species of Hymenoptera, including a species of Bee, with large burthens of farina on its hind legs. Five or six species of Lidbellule and three of Cicada were observed, and a large formidable-looking apterous Gryllus (Deinacrida, White), which is very abundant in old trees, secreting itself in crevices of the bark. The small grasshoppers are numerous. In Diptera, the carrion flies perform a more important part in nature, as scavengers, than elsewhere. Tipulide and musquitoes abound, but there are decidedly but few Lepidoptera, some of which are very analogous to the English species, such as the Painted Lady and Red Admiral But- terflies. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Oct. 14, 1845.—William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. The following extract was read from a letter, dated Madeira August 18, 1845, received from the Society’s Corresponding Mem- ber, the Rev. R. T. Lowe :— ‘«« The Rev. R. T. Lowe has the pleasure of adding to the Society’s collection a fine specimen of a new Zeus (Zeus conchifer, Lowe) of the greatest rarity ; the present being the second example only which has hitherto occurred.” : The specimen was exhibited to the Meeting. © Qn the genus Anous, Leach (Megalopterus, Boie).”’ By John Gould, Esq., F.R.S. &c. There is no family of birds more generally diffused over the globe than the Terns, and certainly no group of the Natatorial Order less understood, or which would more amply reward the studious investi- * Mitophyllus irroratus, Parry, was found under bark. 286 Zoological Society. gation of the scientific ornithologist. ‘The present short paper is limited to some species of the genus Anous, for the purpose of de- scribing three or four new ones, rather than aiming at anything like a complete monograph of even this little group. It will not, how- ever, detract from the interest of the paper if I give a list of the spe- cies with which [ am familiar, and reserve to some future time the completion of the subject. Upon the present occasion I shall exhibit five well-defined species ; a sixth, of which I am not aware that an example exists in the museums of this country, is figured in the *‘ Planches Coloriées’ of M. Temminck. ‘They are— 1. Anous sroripus: Sterna stolida, Linn.; Gavia Fusca, Brehm ; Anous niger, Steph. 2. Anovus LEUCOCAPILLUS, nov. sp. A. vertice et nuchd albis; loris, et partibus circumocularibus, intense nigris ; omni inferiore corpore alisque fuliginosis, necnon occipite, dorso, et caudd, sed cinereo tinctis. Crown of the head and nape of the neck white; lores and space surrounding the eye deep black ; near the posterior angle of the upper and lower eyelids a small patch of white; breast, all the under sur- face and the wings deep sooty black ; back of the neck, back and tail the same, slightly tinged with ash; bill black ; feet brownish black. Total length, 14 inches ; bill, 25; wing, 9; tail, 5; tarsi, 2; middle toe and nail, 14, Hab. North coasts of Australia. 3. ANOUS MELANOPS, nov. sp. A. vertice et nuchd pallide ci- nereis ; dorso saturate griseo ; maculd ante oculum, alterdque mi- nore post oculum intensé nigris. Crown of the head and back of the neck light ash-colour, passing into deep grey on the mantle and back ; immediately before the eyes a large patch, and behind a smaller one, of jet-black; posterior half of the lower and a smaller space on the upper lash snow-white ; throat, fore-part of the neck and all the under surface deep sooty black ; wings and all the upper surface of the same colour, but rather browner ; bill black ; tarsi and toes brownish black. Total length, 12 to 13 inches; bill, 24; wing, 83; tail, 5; tarsi, 2; middle toe and nail, 14. . Hab. Very abundant during the breeding season on the Houtman’s Abrolhos, off the western coast of Australia. Remark.—This species, although very nearly allied to, is distinct from the Anous tenuirostris (Sterna tenuirostris, Temm.) of Western Africa, from which it may at once be distinguished by the black marks before and behind the eye, of which no trace is represented in M. Temminck’s figure in the ‘ Planches Coloriées’; neither is this con- spicuous mark alluded to in his description. It is just possible that this may be the species described by M. de la Fresnaye in Guerin’s Magazine, under the generic name of Procellosterna. 4, Anous TENurIROosTRIS: Sterna tenuirosiris, Temm. Pl. Col. 202. 5, ANOUS CINEREUS, nov. sp. A. capite, collo, et corpore inferiore argentato-albis ; parvd plumarum lined oculum circumeunte nigra Zoological Society. 287 ad rostrum, ad nucham albd; dorso, alis, cauddque lete griseis ; secondariis ad apices albis. Head, neck and all the under surface silvery greyish white ; round the eye a narrow ring of feathers, the anterior half of which is deep black and the posterior half white; back, wings and tail light grey ; secondaries tipped with white ; bill black; tarsi and toes brownish black ; interdigital membrane yellowish. Total length, 11 inches; bill, 13; wing, 8; tail, 5; tarsi, 13; middle toe and nail, 12. Hab. The north-eastern coasts of Australia, Syn. Pelecanopus pelecanoides, Brit. Mus. Coll, Part iii, p. 180. 6. Anovus parvutus. A. toto corp orecinereo-griseo ; parvo plu- marum annulo oculum cingente, parte anteriore nigrd, posteriore albd. _ The whole of the plumage ashy grey, being somewhat lighter on the head and neck than on the other parts of the plumage; round the eye a narrow ring of feathers, the anterior half of which is black and the posterior half white; bill black; tarsi and toes brown. Total length, 94 inches; bill, 11; wing, 63; tail, 44; tarsi, 2; middle toe and nail, 14. _ A single specimen forms part of the collection of the Zoological Society, to whom it was presented by F. Debell Bennett, Esq., who procured it at Christmas Island, in the South Seas. It may be di- stinguished from all the other species by its small size and delicately- formed bill. Mr. Gould then exhibited two new birds from New South Wales: Poparcus pLumirerus. Pod. plumis nares tegentibus, que sunt in criste formam erecte, nigro-fusco et albo alternatim fasciatis ; medid guld et pectore brunneo-albis, fusco minute maculatis, nec aliter colli pectorisque lateribus, nec corpore subtis, nisi singulis plumis lined saturate fuscd in medio, et duabus maeulis quadratis ad apicem, ornatis. Feathers covering the nostrils, which are erected into a tuft, alter- nately banded with blackish brown and white; all the upper surface mottled brown, black and brownish white, the latter predominating over each eye, where it forms a conspicuous patch ; the markings are of a similar but of a larger kind on the wings, and on the primaries and secondaries assume the form of bars; tail similar but paler, and with the barred form of the markings still more distinct; centre of the throat and chest brownish white, minutely freckled with brown ; sides of the neck and breast and all the under surface similar, but with a dark line of brown down the centre and two large nearly square-shaped spots of brownish white near the tip of each feather ; bill and feet horn-colour, Total length, 20 inches; bill, 22; wing, 93; tail, 10; tarsi, 1. In another specimen the markings are altogether of a much darker hue, particularly on the under surface, where the light markings are less distinct and more chestnut. Hab. The brushes of the Clarence and MacLeay rivers of New South Wales. 288 Zoological Society. Remark.—This species differs from all its Australian allies by the more lengthened form of the tail and the conspicuous tuft of fea- thers which spring from the fore-part of the head, and it is — this character the specific name has been taken. PiatycEeRcus sPpLENDIDUS. Plat. capite, colli lateribus, et medio pectore, coccineis ; genis albis ; dorso inferiore, et tectricibus caude superioribus pallide viridibus ; lateribus pectoris, et abdomine splendid? flavis ; crisso pallide viridi. Head, sides of the neck and centre of the breast scarlet; cheeks white, faintly tinged with blue; feathers of the back and scapularies black, broadly margined with gamboge-yellow ; lower part of the back and upper tail-coverts pale green; on the shoulder a patch of black ; wing-coverts pale blue; primaries black, with the exception of the basal portion of the external web, which is rich deep blue; two central tail-feathers dark green at the base, passing into deep blue on the apical half of the external web, and tipped with black ; the next on each side is black on the internal web, green at the base of the external web, blue for the remainder of its length, and slightly tipped with white; the remainder of the tail-feathers are deep blue at the base of the external, and black at the base of the internal web, the remaining portion of both webs being pale delicate blue, passing into white at the tip; sides of the breast and the abdomen bright gamboge-yellow; vent pale green in some, in others pale bluish green; under tail-coverts scarlet; irides dark brown; bill horn- colour; feet mealy brown. Total length, 12 inches; bill, 3; wing, 6; tail, 7; tarsi, 2. Another specimen, probably immature, has the general colour similar, but has the head and breast pale yellow, interspersed with scarlet feathers. Hab. Darling Downs, New South Wales. Remark.—Very nearly allied to, but a more beautiful species than, the Platycercus eximius, from which it differs in the extent of the scarlet on the breast, which in this species merely occupies the centre, while in the former it forms a broad band across the breast ; the rump also is of a paler green. «‘ A Description of new species of Ostree, in the collection of H. Cuming, Esq.,”” by Sylvanus Hanley, Esq., was then read :— OstreA Cuemnitzi1. Ost. testd obovali, plerumque sinistrorsd, valde compressd, solidd, nitidd, luted aut sordide rubro-purpu- rascente, subtuberosd, nonnunquam paululim subvesiculosd, nullis lamellis asperatd ; margine plicato, intusque persepe scabro ; plicis plerumque parvis ; superficie internd albido-virescente ; cicatrice satis magnd, subreniformi. Long. 3 poll. Hab. China? Mus. Cuming, Hanley, &c. A species which is closely allied to rosacea, with a peculiar resi- nous gloss, and invariably attached by the entire surface of the lower valve. The colour varies from dirty yellow to dull reddish purple. The apices are not much attenuated. The figure 994 of Chemnitz is a fair representation. Zoological Society. 289 Osrrea tacerata, Ost. testd elongatd, solidiusculd, valde in- aquivalvi, haud lamellosd, ad nates acutas angustatd, ad latera basimque laceratd ; valvuld superiore planulatd, sublevigatd, aut lutescente radiis sordide rubro-purpureis ornatd, aut rubro-pur- ured radiis duobus centralibus nigrescentibus aream angustam albidam includentibus ; valvuld inferiore profundd, radiis latis atropurpureis strigatd, costisque raris subangulatis armatd ; super- ficie internd albidd, submargaritaced ; cardine denticulis nullis munito. Long. 2 poll. Hab. Senegal? Mus. Petit, Cuming. _ Not unlike parasitica, but distinguishable by its claw-like lateral projections. I have never met with any valves attached by the en- tire surface. The dull crimson specimens, adorned with two central dusky rays, which usually enclose a narrow space of yellowish white, are peculiarly beautiful. Osrrea MULTIsTRIATA. Ost. testd suborbiculari, compressd, equi- valvi, solidiusculd aut subtenui, viv lamellosd, brunneo-rufescente, confertissime radiatim rugosd ; superficie internd valvule superi- oris nived, purpureo marginatd; inferioris disco centrali rufo pulcherrime tinctd ; cardine dentibus validis munito ; natibus haud eminentibus ; cicatrice satis magnd. Long. 3°3 poll. Mus. Saul, Cuming, Hanley. © The lower valves were attached by their entire surfaces to a ship returning from the coast of Africa. Ostrea Mrcopon. Ost. testd falcatd, glabra, solidd, subequi- valvi, pallide livido-purpurascente, margines versis plicatd ; plicis anticis 5 aut 6, maximis, subangulatis ;,posticis minimis, angulatis, paucis, subobsoletis ; margine valde plicato, intusque magis minusve scabro ; natibus incurvatis ; superficie internd albo-virescente, nun- guam margaritaced ; cicatrice satis magnd, reniformi. Long. 5 poll. Hab. Peru (Cuming). Mus. Cuming. A rare and extraordinary species, which bears not the slightest resemblance to any of the recent Ostree. The narrow sickle-shaped contour and the gigantic marginal tooth-like folds form its most di- stinctive characteristics. ‘Che adult specimens are attached by their apices only. Osrrea Pzs-tieris. Ost. testd ovali, aut ovali-subtrigond, solidd, concolore, atro-purpureo aut rubro-purpurascente, undique sub- lamellosd, ad margines dense plicatd ; lamellis imbricatis, confertis, depressis; plicis regularibus, rotundatis ; valvis in longitudine paribus ; inferiore profundd, superiore planulatd atque in costas planas sulcis latis remotis radiatim divisd; superficie internd albidd, margine interno denticulato ; denticulis elongatis ; cicatrice satis magnd, obovali aut suborbiculari. Long. 2 poll. - Hab. Isle of Luzon; on rocks (Cuming). Mus. Cuming, Walton. In typical specimens the shell is subtriangular, from the anterior side sloping in a produced and straightish line, abruptly from the beaks. The sculpture is both elegant and peculiar, the extremely depressed ribs being divided by rather broad grooves, and assuming 290 Zoological Society. a scalloped appearance at their edges, from the crowded sublamell imbrications which cover the entire surface. . Osrrea Bicotor. Ost. testd obovatd, nunquam elongatd, subtenui aut solidiusculd, subcompressd, vix lamellosd, purpureo-fuscescente radio uno vel radiis duobus albidis ornatd; margine simplici ; natibus subacutis ; superficie internd, albidd colore externo margi- natd ; cardine denticulis nullis munito. Long. 2} poll. Hab. Senegal? Mus. Cuming, Hanley. As the few specimens I have yet examined of this elegant species have been attached by the entire surface to the sheathing of vessels, I am unable to describe the characteristics of the lower valve. The lamelle, when existing, are flattened, so that the shell presents a smooth surface, and appears inclined to expand laterally whenever unobstructed in its growth by adjacent substances. OsTREA COLUMBIENSIS. Ost. testd subinequivalvi, subtenui, lamel- losd, albidd, purpureo radiatd, subcompressd ; valvuld inferiore magis converd; superficie internd albidd, submargaritaced ; car- dine denticulis nullis munito ; cicatrice satis magnd, reniformi. Long. 2 poll. Hab. St. Elena, West Columbia, adhering to rocks at half-tide (Cuming). Mus, Cuming. All the specimens I have seen are attached by the entire surface of the lower valve. The shape varies from oblong to suborbicular, and the valves are of equal length, but the shelly substance of the shallow upper valve fits into the lower one, and is only continued to the margin by the lamelle, which, when the habitat permits, branc into wavy foliations. Ostrea CaLuicuroa. Ost. testd obovatd aut suborbiculari, solidius- culd, subequivalvi ; valvuld superiore purpureo alboque lutescente radiatd, concentricé lamellosd ; lamellis depressis ; valvuld inferiore magis minusve purpureo tinctd, costisque radiantibus subobtusis dens? armatd ; superficie internd, albd ; margine simplici ; cardine denticulis distinctis munito. Long. 2 poll. Hab. Island of Chiloe, adhering to stones at low-water mark (Cuming). Mus. Cuming. ‘ The general appearance is that of our edible oyster, but the colour- ing is magnificent. : October 28.—George Gulliver, Esq., F.R.S., in the Chair. A paper was read containing ‘‘ Descriptions of new species of Shells,’’ by Lovell Reeve :— Morex macusatus. Mur. testd ovatd, subpyramidali, anfractibus brevibus, tuberculato-varicosis, varicibus interstitiisque subtiliter liratis, liris, lirarum interstitiis quoque pulcherrime fimbriato- cancellatis ; albidd, maculd rubido-fuscd inter varices conspicue tincté ; columelld et aperture fauce pallide rosaced ; canali bre- viusculo, recurvo, Hab, ——? Zoological Society. 291 -. The whorls of this species are strongly tubercled by the varices, which are very delicately cancellately ridged across. Murex rvusticus. Mur. testa ovatd, spird acuminato-turritd, an- Sractibus medic tumidis, transversim subobscure liratis, tuberculato- varicosis, varicibus frondosis, frondibus brevibus, interstitiis mi- nutissime squamatis ; lutescente-albd, varicibus nigricante-fuscis ; aperturd parvd, limbo producto ; canali breviusculo. Hab. r A rather solid shell, with an elevated tubercled spire. Murex turritus. Mur, testd trigono-ovatd, liris convexis subno- dosis irregularibus confertis undique cingulatd, tuberculo unico inter varices, trifariam varicosd, varicibus peculiariter laminato- Ffrondosis, frondibus erectis, lateraliter convewis ; lutescente livido- olivaceo hic illic saturatiore tinctd, , Hab. North Australia; Ince, R.N. The entire surface of this interesting new species is encircled with very close-set convex ridges, each terminating on the varices in an erect frond, connected together at the side so as to form a continuous laminated frill extending from the suture to the base. From Mr. Cuming’s collection. Morex crocatus. Mur. testd trigono-fusiformi, transversim li- _ rata, liris parvis, granoso-squamatis, tuberculo inter varices ; tri- varicosd, varicibus frondosis, frondibus obtuso-ramosis; canali subelongato, frondoso, fuscescente, frondibus rubido-crocatis. Hab. ——? An olive-brown shell, with varices of a bright saffron colour, From Mr. Norris’s collection. Murex puporicotor. Mur. testd abbreviato-fusiformi, oblique trigond, transversim liratd, liris singulis tuberculis duobus, basim versus evanidis, inter varices, lined minutaé elevatd inter liras ; trivaricosd, varicibus rotundatis, prominentibus, squamis frondi- busque prototomis basim versus precipue, pulcherrimé ornatis ; eximie rubente. Hab. Island of St. Thomas, West Indies. An interesting blush-coloured shell, received from M. Griiner of Bremen, of which I have since observed specimens in the British Museum from the island of St. Vincent. Murex Prrvroromorpes. Mur. testd pyriformi-ovatd, anfractibus superne depressis, transversim liratis et minutissime crispato- squamatis, multifariam varicosis, varicibus muricato-squamatis ; canali subelongato, patulo ; columelld labroque intus dentatis, labro superne sinuato; albidé aut flavicante, Hab. ? A small pyriform prickly shell, having a sinus in the upper part of the lip, after the manner of a Pleurotoma, Murex ristacuia. Mur, testd ovatd, subfusiformi, solidiusculd, anfractibus rotundatis, sulco subobsoleto prope suturam cinctis, 292 Zoological Society. transversim crebriliratis, longitudinaliter suboblique unduloso-va- ricosis, varicibus obtusis ; custaneo-fuscescente, columella et aper~ ture fe subrosaceis ; canali brevi. Hab. —--? A small chestnut-brown shell, quite distinct from any hitherto described. Murex EuRYPTERON. Mur. testd ovato-oblongd, basim versus contractd, spird breviusculd, acuminato-turritd, suturis subexca- vatis ; anfractibus superné depressis, transversim obscure obtuso- liratis et punctato-striatis, tuberculo superficiario inter varices ; trivaricosd, varicibus tenuibus, erecto-alatis, ultimo latissimé ex- panso, superné falcato-recurvo ; aperturd parvd, ovatd; canali breviusculo. ) Hab. Japan? For this new and remarkable shell I am indebted to the kindness of the Rev. W. R. Crotch, whose manuscript name eurypteron, from evpus, widely extended, and xrepdr, wing, I feel great pleasure in adopting, as being peculiarly expressive of its curious alate growth. It approaches nearest to the Murev falcatus, but in that species there are five varices on a whorl, whilst in this there are but three, and the winged expansions of the Murex falcatus are folded over at the su- perior margin. ‘The specimen above described, and which is, I be- lieve, unique, was received from Holland, and is supposed to have come from Japan. The following paper, entitled “‘ Déscription de quelques nouvelles Nérites Fluviatiles, du cabinet de H. Cuming, Esq.,” md C. A. Récluz, was then read :— 3 I. NERITH SUBHEMISPHARICA. 1. Nerita RossmassueR1aAna. Ner. testd subhemisphericd, con- vexd, luteo-fulvd, nigro-irregulariter reticulatd ; anfractu unico levissime perlongum striato; peritremate ovato-rotundato, bast obtuse anguloso; aperturd croced ; columella planissimd, declivi, margine acuto, in medio subarcuato et obsoletissimé 3—4-denticu- lato. Hab. : Alt. 10, lat. 18, convex. 10 mill. 2. Nzrira viotacga, Gmelin; Ner. crepidularia, Lamk. Var. B. Testa ellipticd, luteo-pallidd, violaceo-nigricante reticulatd ; aperturd seititaiae peritremate continuo. Hab. Il. SERRATzA. A. Globose. 3. Nerrra soprina. Ner. testd globoso-ovatd, lutescente, lineis nigris distantibus latiusculis undatis vel angulato-fleruosis fulgu- rantibusque pietd ; anfractibus tribus, ad suturam nigro-margi- natis ; spird semisphericd ; columelld conveviusculd, superne plus Miscellaneous. 293 ~ minusve callosd, inferné compresso-subcanaliculatd, margine rectd, viz denticulatd ; labro semi-elliptico, intus incrassato. Hab. Cayenne? . Alt. 20, lat. 23, conv. 15 mill. B. Ovate vel ovato-oblonge. 4. Nerira zetanpica. er. testé ovato-oblongd, ventricosd, te- nuiusculd ; anfractibus 3-4 supremis sepiis derosis, infimo sub- suturd horizontaliterque compresso ; nigrd lineis ravidis longitudi- nalibus angulato-flecuosis creberrimis pictd, interdum lutescente superneé et inferné late fasciatd ; columelld subcompressd, croced, margine denticulatd et in medio vir arcuatd ; labro tenui, margine sordidé rubente, intus lacteo ac paritm incrassato. - Hab. New Zealand : on stones in mountain-streams. Alt. 19-20, lat. 18-19, conv. 12 mill. MISCELLANEOUS. ON A NEW GENUS OF DOGS. BY J. E. GRAY, ESQ. Cyrnaticus, Gray. ‘ Curtine teeth > slightly and unequally 3-lobed, the outer on each side and in each jaw larger: canines conical, hooked. Grinders 5° . the three false grinders oblique, diverging ; the flesh tooth thick, broad, with a very small lobe on the front of the inner edge ; the tu- bercular grinder rather large, oblong, transverse, 3-tubercled: the four lower false grinders in a regular series, the tubercular grinders small, roundish. The head large, the legs short, thick. Toes 5—4; claws com- pressed, curved, rather elongated, rather acute. Tail moderate, rather bushy, reaching to the heel. This genus agrees with Cuon in the shortness and broadness of the face and of the skull, and in the absence of the second hinder tu- bercular grinder in the lower jaws, but differs from it in this tooth being also absent in the upper one. In this latter character it agrees with Hyena, but is at once known from that genus by the larger size of the upper tubercular grinder and the number of the lower grinders. CyNALICUS MELANOGASTER. - Fulvous, face and back slightly blackish, varied ; chest, lower parts of sides, belly, limbs and tail black. _ Hab. Brazils. British Museum. Length of body and head 26 inches; of tail 5 inches; entire 31 inches. I may here remark that Canis sumatrensis and Canis alpinus, the red wolves of Sumatra and Siberia, belong to the genus Cuon. Canis simensis, the long-nosed Abyssinian wolf, is a true dog, but the face of the skull is very narrow, and even more elongated than that of the 294 Miscellaneous. greyhound. The tubercular grinders are very variable in this tribe, as will be seen in the following table :— False grinders. Tubercular grinders. In all. s 3 a 5 Cynalicus ri i G 3 2 6 Cuon ...6.--5 | rs 3 2 6 Canis and Vulpes = . 7 3 2 t Otocyon ...... 3 > ry TROPHONIA GOODSIRI1. (Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. iv. p. 371.) The description of this worm was made from specimens preserved in spirits. These, it now appears, were mutilated, having had their tentaculated proboscis detached by the shakings to which they had been exposed in their carriage from the Shetlands hither; the more easily done, since they were mixed up in the phial with other marine animals. A few days ago I procured three fine living individuals, and I thus learned that the worm has asmall membranous retractile pro- boscis furnished with two antennz and eight tentacula. The an- tenne are larger and twice as long as the tentacula, filiform and subannulated; the tentacula are rather pointed and smooth, and in these specimens were flesh-coloured. They encircle the orifice of the proboscis, and are easily detached by pressure with a needle after the worm has been killed in spirits. The discovery of this structure leads to further corrections, for there cannot be the slightest doubt of Trophonia Goodsirii being s onymous with the Amphitrite plumosa of Miller, and with the mingia muricata of the author of this note. See for the synonyms, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. xvi. p. 447. The anterior portion of this worm is often bulged like that of an Arenicola. Its resemblance, both in outward figure and in motions, and in mutability of shape, to a Holothuria, e.g. to the Holothuria inherens of Miller, is very remarkable.—Groreas Jounston, Ber- wick-upon-T'weed, March 6. . On the possibility of obtaining healthy Tubers from diseased Potatoes. By M. Duranp. About the beginning of October I planted diseased tubers in the earth where they were first developed. They were planted in a hot- house, the temperature of which was constantly from 48° to 54° Fahr. These tubers, buried to a depth of about four inches, appeared above ground in six weeks. Their vegetation was fresh and vigorous ; the leaves attained a height of forty inches. I lately pulled up these plants, and ascertained that they all bore a certain number of new tubers, the largest of which were of the size of a hen’s egg; that none of these tubers has the least spot exter- nally or internally; on the contrary, they bear all the characters of perfect health.—-Comptes Rendus, March 9, 1846. Meteorological Observations. 295 Description of a new species of Conovulus. By C. A. Récuvz. Conovuntus Cumineranus. Con. testd oblongo-acutd, levigatd, nitidd, castaned; anfractibus 10-12, planis, angustis, ultimo supra medium obtusissim? carinato, carind zond lutescente cinctd ; spird conico-acutd ; aperturd angustatd ; columelld obliqud, tri- plicatd, plicd superiori parvuld, secundd majori, ab inferiori por- rectd sulco profundo disjunctd ; labro acuto, fulvo, intus albo, subcalloso et sulcato ; umbilico nullo. Long. 16 mill, larg. 7 mill. Hab. Isle of Negros: in a rivulet. Collected by Mr. Cuming.—Zool. Proc. Oct. 28. THE LATE MR. LOUDON. We are happy to learn that a pension for life, of 100/. per annum, has been granted by Her Majesty to Mrs. Loudon. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR FEB. 1846. Chiswick.—February 1. Very fine: rain. 2 Fine, 8,4, Overcast: rain. 5, 6. Very fine. 7. Overcast: windy, with showers. 8. Clear: cloudy: very clear at night. 9 Frosty: fine, but cold. 10, Frosty: cloudy and cold. 11. Frosty: fine: pattially overcast. 12. Foggy: cloudy and fine. 13. Densely clouded. 14,15. Cloudy and fine. 16. Densely overcast. 17, 18. Overcast and fine. 19. Hazy. 20. Overcast. 21. Exceedingly fine. 22. Cloudy: boisterous, with rain at night. 23, 24. Rain. 25. Heavy clouds and mild. 26. Cloudy in the morning: afterward cloudless and exceedingly fine. 27. Slight haze: showery. 28. Very fine. ~ Mean temperature of the MOnth .issicsecsvessesssseasesseeserees 45°32 Mean temperature of February 1845 ........ssessessecsseceeess 33 °07 Average mean temperature for the last twenty years ......... 39 °36 Average amount Of rain......ccecsceeeceeeeeueeseeees Tree ane «» 1 61 inch. Boston.—Feb. 1. Fine. 2. Fine: rain early a.m. 3. Cloudy. 4. Fine. 5, Cloudy: rain early a.m. 6. Fine. 7 Stormy: rain early a.m. 8. Fine: rain early A.M. 9 Fine: snow early a.m.: snow.a.m. and pM. 10, Fine: snow on the ground. 11. Cloudy: snow onthe ground. 12. Fine: snow on the ground. 13, Cloudy: snow all gone: melted snow. 14—22. Cloudy. 23, Cloudy: rain early a.m. 24, Cloudy, 25. Fine: rain early am. 26. Cloudy. 27. Fine: rain a.M. 28, Fine. ‘This month has been usually fine. Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—Feb. 1, Sleet-showers. 2 Cloudy, 3. Cloudy: sleet-showers. 4, 5. Hail-showers. 6. Showers: rain, 7. Showers: snow- showers. 8. Snow-showers, 9. Snow-showers : frost. 10. Snow: showers. 11, Clear: cloudy. 12. Cloudy: damp. 13. Showers. 14,15, Cloudy: showers, 16. Rain: cloudy. 17. Showers: cloudy: drizzle. 18, Showers: drizzle: cloudy : drizzle, 19. Bright: cloudy. 20, Clear: cloudy. 21. Rain: cloudy. 22. Rain, ~ Clear. 24. Damp: showers. 25—27, Clear: cloudy. 28. Cloudy: showers; ciear. Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire Feb. 1. Occasional showers. 2. Fair and fine. 3 Heavy rain. 4. Sleetandrainr.m. 5, Showers. 6,7. Heavy showers, 8. Slight fall of snow. 9. Frost: fine: clear. 10. Frost: fine. 11. Thaw: fair: mild. 12. Slight frost. 13. Very slight frost. 14,15, Fine. 16. Very fine, 17. Fine, 18. Frost am. 19, Fine, but cloudy: shower. 20. Slight showers: mild. 21. Wet and stormy. 22, 23. Damp and drizzling. 24, 25, Heavy rain. 26. Wet. 27. Remarkably fine. 28. Damp and drizzling. Mean temperature of the month .............00eee00 43°°4 Mean temperature of February 1845 ......s60.008. 34 °5 Mean temperature of Feb. for twenty-three years. 37 °0 Mean rain in February for eighteen years......... 2 °O inches, ania BF era owes (Oa eb es Pr es duces | tds acl i Fa Ses PEE ZS-T |LS-0 |19-T beaaaabaess. so 5 i ae anes e.zh \L0-S€ L0-1S |P99-62 |199-6z SLL-6z |10L-62 | PS-6% (206-62 |910-0€ “wvayy | seneesleeeeee] gg, leeeeee! emg | cm | cm | ms | ob | LP /E1b| S| ao| 2h | vo | 9-62} 19.6%! 29.62 | LV.6z | 6-62 |P99.6z 96-62! “8% £0. OF-0}""""°"|GO-.; vas | cm | sm | tas | LP £1p | ov |S9S| 6F| BE | 29 | $S-6%| Sr-6z| PH-60| OF-6z | 0£-6% £29-6z \SP9-62 “LZ conmeeeae sett) 1Qe| ee fot | om | 8a) OF |: OF | GY) oS Cy! 6€ | 09 | 1¥-6%! gP-6%! 9£.6%| 9V-6z | LE-6% £€99-62z 008-67; "9% GG | £0. |e} cms | cms | cm | cms | FOP | FZb | LV) PS| ZS PE | gS | 61-62! 66-82! EF-62 £6-8% | 00-62 6gh-6z/108-62) “Sz@ soeeseisereeelsreeee OT. | cas | "mss | UTED) °S oF «oF | abl soo S29) 67 | 69 | $1-6%| Lz-6%| g0-6%| 81-6 S1-6% |So0P-6z £09-62| ‘Vz bz. 1} 90. | Lo. | ‘os | ‘ms | wea) ‘ms | Sh) OG | TLV) 19\9-39| OS | 8S 05-62 17-6% | SP-6%| 67-6% | 8£-6% 069-6%'008-6% | “fz ye Aas ied 2 § BS Z g | ° 1 RS | “3 | ’ AOR ee lee 22 | -yormsryo ao | extus-senyama, |. as A | ° “4 “Urey *puly *I9JOULOWIIY J, *19POUOLV = ey *KANWUG ‘asunpy younpung 7D ‘uoysno[Q *O "Ady 247 Aq puy fautns-saruswag ‘asunyy ysodajddy yo ‘requug *A\ “sey 24/7 hq {NoLsog: qo ‘ea “AIK 49 fuopuorT sau ‘MOLMSIHD Jo Ajarv0g younyynaysozy ay} fo uapavy ayz qv Uosdwoy,y, “IW 49 apom suorpvasasqa jondojo4.0aja yar ce THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. No. 113. MAY 1846. XXXVII.—Description of a new genus of Pulmonary Gasteropods. By G. J. Autman, M.B., F.R.C.S.I. &e. [ With a Plate. ] In the autumn of 1842, William Andrews, Esq., of Dublin, dis- covered in the county of Kerry a molluscous animal nearly allied to drion, which, as he perceived it to be possessed of consider- able interest, he kindly placed in my hands for investigation. A careful examination of the mollusk now proved, that though it came very near to Arion, it was nevertheless incapable of being united either with that or with any other previously established genus, and the construction of a new generic group was accord- ingly deemed necessary. At a meeting of the Dublin Natural History Society i in Ja- nuary 1843, I described the new mollusk under the name of Geomalacus ‘maculosus, characterizing the genus as follows :— Noy. gen. GEOMALACUS. Gen. Cuar. Corpus productum, lanceolatum, carine expers ; pal- lium scutiforme, ovatum ; spiraculum in margine anteriori pallii ; foramen genitale pone radicem tentaculi minoris dextri; testa so- lida, plana, subovata.—Ab Arione differt hoc genus situ foraminis genitalis, a Limace cauda glandulifera et situ anteriori spiraculi. 1. G. maculosus, unica species quam in rupibus madidis comitatus Kerriensis repentem invenit Gulielmus Andrews. Pl. IX. From the above description it will be seen that Geomalacus maculosus is a species of much zoological interest, constituting as it does a remarkable link between Arion and Lima. It is an exceedingly beautiful animal, measuring when creeping about two inches in length ; the colour of the shield and upper part of the body is black, elegantly spotted with yellow ; the under sur- face of the foot light yellow, and divided into three nearly equal ~ bands ; the edge of the foot is brown with transverse sulci. Besides the typical variety, which is that now described, a se- Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvi. Y es ae 298 Prof.G.J.Allman on a new Genus of Gasteropods. cond is occasionally met with ; it is characterized by the spots being of a pure white. 2 i Geomalacus is at once distinguished from Arion (to which how- ever it appears to approach more nearly than to Limaz) by the position of the generative aperture, this orifice being placed in Arion just below the entrance to the respiratory chamber, while in Geomalacus its position is similar to that in Limaz, bemg just behind the base of the smaller tentaculum of the right side. The presence of a solid testaceous rudiment may be placed in con- junction with the last as a character distinguishing it from Arion ; though upon this, viewed isolatedly, much stress should not per- haps be laid, as im the last-named genus the rudimental shell would appear sometimes to assume a considerable degree of so- lidity. From Limaz the distinction is well-marked, bemg found in the presence of a caudal muciferous follicle, and in the posi- tion of the respiratory orifice anterior to the centre of the lateral margin of the shield ; the total absence of a dorsal keel also is a character by which Geomalacus resembles Arion rather than Li- max. The habits of our mollusk are somewhat curious. It possesses a singular power of elongating itself so as at times to assume the appearance of aworm. By this means it can insinuate itself into apertures which we could scarcely conceive it possible for it to enter. This curious property indeed was very nearly the cause of my losing the first, and at the time the only specimen I had seen. I had placed the mollusk, as I supposed, securely in a botanical collecting-box, when to my surprise I found shortly after that it had transgressed the limits I had assigned it. The erea- _ ture not liking its confinement had insinuated itself beneath the lid, which not closing very perfectly had afforded for its escape a fissure of about a line in width. I was fortunately in time to recapture my prisoner, and the knowledge which I had thus gained of its habits suggested a stronger prison for the future, I have since been favoured by Mr. Andrews with numerous very fine healthy specimens from the original locality, where the mollusk is abundant, and beyond which it has not as yet been detected. In an interesting letter which I have received from this gentleman is a highly graphic deseription of Geomalacus among its native rocks. From Mr. Andrews’s letter I eannot do better than select the following extract as a conclusion to the present notice :-— ‘Lake, or Loe Carogh, lies to the south of Castlemain Bay, in the county of Kerry, and stretches nearly north and south five miles. The lake narrows at the centre, where huge cliffs (prin- cipally of the old-red sandstone group) rise precipitously from the margin on either side to a great height. On the east side Dr. G. Dickie on the Altitudinal Range of Mosses. 299 are those of Oulough, formed of enormous blocks of rock promis- cuously wedged and resting upon each other, frequently forming caves and pits, the retreat of numerous foxes, and which are sereened by the rather gigantic vegetation of Osmunda regalis, Ulex europeus and Calluna vulgaris. The broad surfaces of the rocks are beautifully pictured with a map-like coating of Lecidee and Lecanore, and on those rocks within a limited circuit and at the distance of about fifty yards from the water, the Geomalact, on a misty or showery day, may be noticed quiescently stretched, their richly maculated character being strikingly conspicuous. On what they feed I know not; I never could detect them in an eating mood; but I found several amid Oscillatoria Friesii and Hypnum proliferum, which abound in masses at the shaded. bases of those moist rocks. At the opposite and west side is the ro- mantic little Glen of Limnavar, its huge cliffs shaded with a lux- uriant indigenous growth of oak (Quercus sessiliflora), Pyrus Au- cuparia, Populus tremula, Betula alba and Ilex aquifolium; and. on similar rocks, at the same range from the water, 1 again met with the Geomalaci, particularly the white variety, but more spa- ringly than at Oulough. On no other rocks around the lake or - “the country are they to be observed.” XXXVITI.—WNotes on the Altitudinal Range of the Mosses in Aberdeenshire. By G. Dicxtn, M.D., Lecturer on Botany in the University and King’s College of Aberdeen*. Some time ago an excursion was made into the interior of Aber- deenshire, with the view chiefly of obtaining data for remarks on the altitudinal range of the flowering plants growing in that county. During this journey notes were taken of the range of such Mosses as happened at the time to attract notice. The more prominent results in connexion with flowering plants were published in the ‘ London Journal of Botany’ ; those having re- ference to the Mosses were retained, in the expectation of being able to repeat the observations and measurements made with the mountain sympiesometer, and of adding to the data ascertained. at that time. Such an opportunity not having occurred, these remarks have been put together, incomplete although they be, principally with the view of directing attention to this yery in- teresting subject. A few statements are added on the general distribution of the Mosses in Britain, founded chiefly on eata- logues of species from several localities, which were sent me by Mr. Ralfs. These lists have reference to the following places : * Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, 12th March, 1846, Y2 300 — Dr. G. Dickie on the Altitudinal Range Penzance ; Truro, by Miss Warren; Bristol, by Mr. Thwaites ; Sussex, by Mr. Jenner, and Hitchin: I also consulted a list of Mosses found in Devonshire by Dr. Greville, and published many years since in the ‘Transactions of the Wernerian Society,’ one on the Mosses of Teesdale by Mr. Spruce, and Dr. Greville’s ‘Edinburgh Flora’; Mr. Edmondstone also furnished notes on those found in Shetland. Those interested in this subject may consult a list of Mosses found in one of the Western Isles by Dr. Balfour, and published in the ‘ Transactions of the Edinburgh Botanical Society.’ Several of the catalogues alluded to evidently do not comprehend all the species that might be expected to grow in the localities to which they refer, and the general remarks founded upon them must_ therefore be considered as mere ap-~ proximations. ANDRA. All the British species of this genus are found in Aberdeen- shire ; two of them grow near the sea, and not 100 feet above its level, viz. Andrea rupestris and A. Rothii; they are also found inland and attain a considerable elevation ; A. alpina begins to appear in the vicinity of Ballater, forty-two miles inland, at an elevation of about 1200 feet ; A. nivalis is confined to the highest summits. Lowest. Highest. Andreea alpina......... 1200 feet. 3800 feet (highest ?) rupestris os. 80 3800 —— Rothii......... 80 3400 —— nivalis ...... 4000 and upwards. The first three of these are found within the limits of cultiva- tion: A. Rothii has an extensive latitudinal range, since it is recorded in the list of Devonshire species already alluded to ; A. rupestris is more limited; A. alpina first appears about the upper limit of cultivation. Cdipodium Grifithianum. This fine species seems to be mostly confined to the subalpine region *, occurring sparingly at 2000 feet and usually barren ; I have seen it abundantly and with very fine fruit, near the summit of the highest table-land at the head of Glen Callater ; the height of this locality was not actually mea- sured, but was estimated as being about 3000 feet. Splachnum. All the British species occur in Aberdeenshire, some of them having a considerable altitudinal range. S. ampullaceum is the only one I have seen near the sea-level, where it grows in bogs upon droppings of cattle. Some years ago I found it near Aberdeen in great profusion and of large * The divisions into regions adopted here are those of Mr. H. C. Watson, and must be familiar to all who have studied the distribution of British plants. of the Mosses in Aberdeenshire. 301 size, associated with Drosera anglica, D. rotundifolia, Schenus nigricans, Lycopodium selaginoides and others. I have also seen it of very small size in the vicinity of Ballater, forty-two miles inland, and about 900 feet above the sea-level, where it was dis- covered by Mrs. Mackay. 8S. mmnioides and S. sphericum are found upon the hill of Fare, thirteen miles west from Aberdeen ; the former is the rarer of the two in that locality, but occurs lowest, viz. at 450 feet of elevation ; the other is abundant near the top of the hill at 1000 feet, growing in moist places upon droppings of cattle. In the same locality, my friend Mr. James Barron found the carcase of a grouse completely incrusted with very large specimens. The most elevated point at which I have seen S. sphericum in this county is on the highest table-land above Glen Callater. S. mnioides grows on the summit of Loch- nagar at 3800 feet, where I have found it in tufts, each inclo- sing a fragment of bone. The same species occurs in great pro- fusion in the different glens leading to the base of Ben-na-Muich- Dhu, the ground being literally sprinkled over with large tufts of it; the red-deer are numerous in these glens, and the species in question finds a suitable soil on their droppings. S. tenue appears to be rare in this county ; I have seen it in Glen Callater in small quantity, and at an elevation of about 1600 feet. The range of S. angustatum has not been very accurately ascertained, being probably from 2000 to 3000 feet; nor that of S. vasculo- sum, which may however be about the same. I have searched in yain for S. Frelichianum, mentioned in the ‘ British Flora’ on the authority of Mr. Dickson as growing on Bennachie, or Ben- High as it is sometimes called. This hill is about twenty miles west from Aberdeen, rising rather_abruptly from the surround- ing country, and attaining 1700 feet of elevation. Lowest. Highest. S. ampullaceum ......... 100 feet. 900 feet. —munioides ......... slansds 450 3800 (highest?) —spheericum .......+0.6. 1000 3000 == TENUC — gaccscnesinecascces 1600 4 — vasculosum .........08+ 2000 3000? — angustatum .........6. 2000 3000? — Freelichianum ......... 800 ? 1700? The first three only of these (keeping out of view S. Frelichianum) occur within the limits of cultivation ; the second exceeds all the others in altitudinal range. Conostomum boreale. Ihave never seen it under 2000 feet ; it attains the summit of Lochnagar (8800), which however is probably not its upper limit. Mr. Edmondstone informed me that in Shetland it grows near the sea with Grimmia maritima. ~ Weissia pusilla is abundant on limestone in the bed of a stream at the head of Glen Gairden: the height (not having my sympie-— 802 Dr. G. Dickie on the Altitudinal Range : someter) was guessed as being not under 1400 feet, and upwards of fifty miles inland from Aberdeen. . Grimmia spiralis. Has not been seen in this county lower than 2200 feet ; the upper limit is unknown to me. G. torta appears on cliffs in the vicinity of Ballater at 1400 feet ; I have observed it in Glen Callater at 2300 feet, but cannot state its absolute highest limit. G. ovata appears on the hill of Fare at 600 feet; I have also seen it on the top of Noath at 1830 feet ; it grows on the inside of the wall of the vitrified fort. In general outline this ruin is élliptical; the walls are vitrified on the inside, and inclose.a smooth grassy surface at the very summit of the hill. The wall is de- ficient at the east side ; the species in question is mostly confined to the inside of the wall at the west end, and consequently oppo- site the opening alluded to. Are we to conclude that the seeds of the plant had been conveyed by the wind from some distant locality ? for I did not see it on any other part of the hill. i Tortula tortuosa occurs on serpentine, near Ballater, at 1800 feet of elevation. POLYTRICHUM. All the British species grow in this county. In the immediate vicinity of Aberdeen the following species are found: Polytrichum undulatum, hercynicum, piliferum, juni- perinum, commune, urnigerum, aloides, nanum ; of these P. hercy- nicum is rarest ; I have seen it sparingly four miles inland on very old walls along with Bartramia ithyphylla. Myr. Mackay found it more abundant seven miles west from Aberdeen, and it grows in considerable quantity about the base of the hill of Fare. In the same vicinity, but at an elevation of 900 feet, Polytrichum al- pinum grows ini considerable quantity. P. septentrionale is con- fined to our higher summits; it is abundant about the top of Ben-na-Muich-Dhu. Mr. Mackay informed me that he had found it very sparingly on the top of Lochnagar. Lowest. Highest. Polytrichum hercynicum ... 50feet. 3000 feet (highest ?) piliferum ...... 50 1800 i juniperinum ... 50 1700 a septentrionale... 3800 4000 and upwards, alpinum ......... 900 3800 Entosthodon Templetoni. Has been found in small quantity by Mr. Mackay near Ballater, forty-two miles inland, at about 800 feet. Orthotrichum Hutchinsiez. Is rare in Aberdeenshire; I have seen it very sparingly in Glen Callater, not lower than 2000 feet, _ but cannot state how much higher it attains. Bryum julaceum. Grows in considerable quantity a few miles of the Mosses in Aberdeenshire. 303 west from Aberdeen, and not 100 feet above the’sea-level ; it is however always barren. I have seen it in the upper parts of the county at 2400 feet, which however may not be its highest limit. Bryum Ludwigii. Glen Callater, at 2400 feet or upwards, and on Lochnagar at 3600. , B. Zierii. Chiefly at 2400 feet. B. turbinatum. Sea-level to 2400 feet. B. elongatum. Mostly at 2000 feet and upwards. B. alpinum. Near Aberdeen at 280 feet, but always barren ; upper limit unknown. B: punctatum 8. attains 3600 feet. _B. hornum. 1700 feet. Bartramia ithyphylla. Grows near Aberdeen ; it is abundant inland at 2000 feet and upwards ; the highest point attained has not however been ascertained. . , _ Pterogonium gracile and P. filiforme are chiefly confined to the inland parts of Aberdeenshire; I have seen them plentiful near Ballater at 800 feet to nearly 2000. Neckera crispa is like the two last, an inland species; I have ie it attaining 1600 feet, but cannot state its absolute upper imit. Hookeria lucens. From the sea-level to 2400 feet and upwards. | The altitudinal range of a few species of Hypnum have been ascertained. The following are abundant at 2500 feet: H. den- ticulatum, eurvatum, stramineum, pulchellum (at this height also _ H. rufescens grows in great profusion) ; Hypnum molluscum, adun- cum, complanatum, cordifolium and filicinum are all found at 1000 feet, and some of them attain a higher elevation: A. purum, lo- réum; triquetrum and splendens grow upon Morven at 8000 feet: H. Crista Castrensis is abundant in some woods near Aberdeen, but I have not been able to ascertain its absolute upper limit. The following mosses were observed growing about the summit of Bennachie at 1700 feet, and twenty miles west from Aberdeen : Polyirichum alpinum, Dicranum heteromallum, Bryum hornum, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum denticulatum, purum, splendens, loreum, cupressiforme, Trichostomum lanuginosum, Didymodon _purpureus, Polytrichum piliferum, Dicranum polycarpon, Bartra- mia ithyphiylia, Andrea rupestris, Trichostomum fasciculare, Bry- um nutans, Grimmia ovata. Adopting Mr. Watson’s regions of vegetation, the following may be stated as an approximation to the species mostly characteristic of these regions :— Region of the Plains. Southern. Most species of Phascum, Schistostega, Weissia Stark- eana, Tortula cuneifolia, Bryum Tozeri, Pterogonium Smithii, Leu- codon, Neckera pumila, Daltonia. 304: Mr. J. Walton on the genera Northern.——Andrea Rothii, A. rupestris, Splachnum ampullaceum, Weissia nigrita, Didymodon inclinatus, Trichostomum canescens, T. heterostichum, Bartramia ithyphylla, B. arcuata, Buxbaumia, Hypnum catenulatum, H. Crista Castrensis. Upland. Splachnum mnioides, S. sphericum, Bryum julaceum (?), B. cru- dum, B. alpinum, Pterogonium filiforme (?), Polytrichum hercynicum, Weissia acuta, Polytrichum alpinum, Orthotrichum Ludwigii. Median. Gymnostomum rupestre, Splachnum tenue, Grimmia torta, Tri- chostomum patens, Bartramia gracilis. Subalpine. Conostomum boreale, Gymnostomum lapponicum, Cyrtodon splachnoides, C£dipodium Griffithianum, Bryum Ludwigii, B. elon- gatum, Dicranum Starkii, Grimmia spiralis, Bartramia Halleriana, Splachnum angustatum, S. vasculosum, Didymodon capillaceus, and probably the following rare species discovered by Dr. Greville: Weissia elongata, W. latifolia, Grimmia atrata, Didymodon glau- cescens. Alpine. Andrea nivalis, Gymnostomum cespititium and Polytrichum sep- tentrionale. The following species appear to have an extensive range both in latitude and altitude : Andrea Rothii, Tetraphis pellucida, Didymo- don purpureus, Trichostomum lanuginosum, Dicranum scoparium, Tortula tortuosa, Polytrichum piliferum, P. juniperinum, Bryum punctatum, B. hornum, Bartramia fontana, Neckera crispa, Hookeria ducens, and the following species of Hypnum: H. complanatum, den- ticulatum, curvatum, purum, splendens, proliferum, cordifolium, lo- reum, triquetrum, aduncum, cupressiforme, and molluscum. XXXIX.—WNotes, &c. on the genera of Insects Cneorhinus and Strophosomus, with descriptions of two new Species. By Joun Watton, Esq., F.L.S. | Genus Cneoruinus, Schinh.; PHILOPEDON, Steph: ah 1. Cneorhinus geminatus, Fab., Gyll., Steph., Schonh. — albicans, Schonh. Curc. parapleurus et maritimus, Marsh., Kirb. MSS. — scrobiculatus, Marsh., Steph., Kirb. MSS. — squamulosus (a, [3.) et lineatocollis (a, 2, y-), Kirb. MSS. C. scrobiculatus of Marsh., according to a specimen in the col- lection of Kirby, which has a fovea on each side near the base of the thorax, and which agrees with Marsham’s description, is be- Cneorhinus and Strophosomus. 305 yond all doubt a small variety of this species. I possess a spe- cimen nearly of the same magnitude with two very distinct ob- long fovez in a similar situation on the thorax, and a larger spe- cimen which is less distinctly bifoveolated. Extremely variable in size and in the colour of the scales. I have found this sect very abundantly on Cynoglossum offi- cinale, on the sandy banks near Barham, on the shores of the Bristol Channel in June, and also on many other parts of the coast of England ; it has however been taken inland near Bridge- north, Shropshire, by Mr. Marshall. 2. Cneorhinus exaratus, Marsh., Steph., Schonh., Kirb. MSS. Curc. plumbeus, Marsh., Kirb. MSS. — sexstriatus, Marsh. Distinguished from the last by a more distinct furrow on the rostrum and more prominent eyes, and also by the dissimilarity of the sculpture. C. ewaratus has the thorax longitudinally ru- gulose, C. geminatus delicately and very minutely punctured ; the elytra of the former are deeply punctate-sulcate, with the interstices convex ; those of the latter are very finely punctate- ‘ striate, with the interstices broad and flat. It ‘has not hitherto occurred in Germany or in Sweden, and was wanting in the collections of Schonherr and Germar before I supplied them. I have taken many specimens amongst grass and rushes in the boggy part of a meadow on the north side and adjacent to the bottom of Hampstead Heath. Common in some meadows near Hammersmith, Mr. 8. Stevens. Genus StropHosomus, Billb., Schénh., Steph. § A. Elytra ovate. 1. Strophosomus Corylt, Fab., Mus. Banks, Steph., Germ. var. a. — illibatus, Schonh. Cure. Coryli, Marsh., Gyll. Ins. Suec. ii. p. 306. var. c. — Coryli, Kirb. MSS. et Mus. My British specimens of this insect were referred by Schén- herr to “ Cure. Coryli, Fab., Marsh., Steph., et Stroph. illibatus (v. p. 878) nobis,” but Gyllenhal and Germar appear to consider it as only a variety of St. obesus, yet it is quite distinct. I sent to Germar four specimens of Coryli and eight of obesus, on which he has published the following*: “ Strophosomus Coryli of Schonh. (i. 535, v. 877) is properly obesus of Marsh. and S¢. illibatus of Schénh., the true Coryli of Fab. and of Steph. I am however * Ent. Zeit. Stettin, no. 5. 1842. ee Mr. J. Walton on the genera inclined to consider both varieties of the same insect, and. I think their numerous varieties may be subdivided as follows :— : a. With a distinct black sutural stripe at the base: St. ilibatus, Schoénh. ; Corylt, Fab. and Steph. b. Somewhat smaller, of an uniform brown or gray: St. Coryli, Schénh., Gyll.; obesus, Marsh., Steph., and cognatus, Steph. c. Still smaller, the elytra marked with white at the sides: Sé. cervinus, Fab. ; asperifoliarum, Steph. ; nebulosus, Steph. ; ru- Jipes, Steph. ; atomarius of Marsh. and Steph.” I have examined some hundreds of Stroph. Coryli, and I have never seen a specimen without the black stripe at the base of the suture ; I am therefore inclined to think it is a constant character, and not the result of abrasion ; nevertheless it may always be di- stinguished by the more solid characters of form and sculpture ; the elytra are of a different and less variable form than obesus ; the humeral angles more prominent, subrectangular, abruptly rounded and narrowed towards the base, the sides from the shoulders to beyond the middle nearly straight; in obesus the form is nearly oval; in Coryli the thorax is coarsely granulate- rugose, with a narrow dorsal channel sometimes obsolete; in obesus it is rugulose-punctate and not channeled ; the stiiz on - the elytra of the former are distinctly broader and deeper than in the latter, the interstices more convex, and the sixth from the suture elevated behind the middle ; these differences of sculpture are remarkably distinct in denuded specimens. It is a larger in- sect and not so variable in size ; and although specimens of obéesus attain the magnitude of Coryli, yet the greater part of the former are considerably smaller than the least of the fntthn, Very commion on the bitch and hazel. 2. Strophosomus obesus, Marsh. — rufipes, Steph. . — subrotundus, Marsh., Kirb. MSS. — asperifoliarum, Steph., non Kirb. MSS. — atomarius, Marsh. — cognatus, Steph. — nigricans, Steph., non Kirby. — nebulosus, Steph. — Curc. Coryli, Payk., Gyll., Schonh:, Germ, var. 6; ¢. .— obesus (var. 6:), Kirb. MSS. I have recently examined an authentic specimen of Cure. sub= rotundus from the collection of Marshani, which agrees exactly with his deseription; and I have likewise examined another in the collection of Kirby; these I have no doubt ate large varieties of this species; Curc. atomarius, according to a specimen from the late Mr. Marsham’s cabinet and which agrees with his descrip- Cneorhinus and Strophosomus. 307 tion, is certainly a very small immature variety of his obesus with the elytra clouded with fuscous spots, and the body and legs pale rufous ; Cure. nigricans of Kirby’s manuscript and collection is decidedly a dark variety of Curc. tessellatus of Marsh. ; Stroph. rufipes, asperifoliarum, cognatus and nebulosus of Steph. ‘ Illus- trations’ are all varieties of this protean insect. I sent fifteen specimens including varieties to Schénherr, who referred them to Cure. obesus, Marsh., Coryli, Payk., Gyll. and Schénh. It is so extremely variable in size (length 13—24 lines) and in the colour of the scales, that scarcely two individuals out of many hundreds can be found exactly alike. I have found it very abundantly on its first appearance in the middle of May, and again about the beginning of September, from which it seems to be double- brooded ; and specimens frequently occur at those periods with the body and legs rufous, densely clothed with bright scales of various shades of coppery-red and golden-yellow or fuscous, or with cinereous and silvery-white or fuscous, rarely with shinmg brassy-green and coppery-red scales, beautifully and irregularly variegated or nebulose, or with pale spots on the punctures of the elytra; older speciniens found in July and August have the body black, the legs dusky ferruginous or the femora and tibiz piceous; and with the scales of an uniform dull gray or brown and much obscured by earthy matter ; the general form of the elytra is nearly oval, but it has a tendency, particularly in large specimens, to become broader in proportion to the length and more convex; but these varieties in a long series are closely linked together by a regular gradation from one form to another, and by the general character of the sculpture, so that no separation can be made. I have found this insect very plentifully on low underwood and amongst thick herbage in Bishop’s Wood, near Hampstead, and in Birch Wood, likewise in Yorkshire. 3. Strophosomus fulvicornis (Curt. in litt.), Walt. Black or piceous, sparingly or rather densely clothed with ci- nereous and fuscous scales: Head very short, transverse, longi- tudinally rugulose, with a deep lineolet in the centre ; eyes ex: tremely prominent ; rostrum short, broadest at the base, distinctly longer and a little narrower than the head, triangularly emargi- nated at the apex above, transversely strigated and deeply foveo- lated at the base, with a very broad and rather deep longitudinal furrow, which is carinulated in the middle. Antenne as long as the head and thorax, fulvous and finely pubescent. Thorax short, subquadrate, the base and apex truncate, nearly of equal breadth, moderately rounded at the sides, convex above, rather coarsely 308 Mr. J. Walton on the genera but not thickly punctured, sometimes rather rugose. Elytra ovate with the apices acute, convex above, punctate-striate, the interstices rather broad, flat and smooth, the fourth from the suture on each elytron sometimes slightly raised behind the mid- dle. Clothed with cinereous and fuscous scales, variegated or concolorous, and of a subelliptical form ; the interstices with a series of very short and fine suberect hairs, sometimes very ob- solete. Legs and antennz entirely fulvous. , Length 12—2t lines. The above description is taken from three insects kindly lent to me by Mr. Curtis. It approaches very closely to the two pre- ceding, but the general form appears to me somewhat different ; it is neither so thickly clothed nor so variable in the colour of the scales; the head is longitudinally rugulose ; in Coryli and obesus with seven deep sulci and the transverse striga much more distinct ; the thorax subremotely punctured ; in obesus rugulose- punctate ; the depressed scales on the elytra when magnified ap- pear to be of a subelliptical form, whereas in its congeners they are subrotundate ; the suberect hairs are finer and shorter and sometimes very obsolete. I am strongly inclined to consider it specifically distinct, but for want of a sufficient number of speci- mens, I am unable to ascertain whether the characters of the sculpture and the form of the scales are constantly different. I therefore hesitate to speak positively until I have had an oppor- tunity of examining more specimens. Taken by Mr. Curtis on heath in a fir plantation on Parley Heath in October, and likewise I believe by Mr. Dale. 4. Strophosomus retusus, Marsh., Steph. Illustr. — squamulatus, Steph. Manual. — alternans, Schouh., et oxyops (Chevr.), Schénh. Curc. obesus (a, 3, y.), Kirb. MSS. I possess foreign specimens of Cure. squamulatus of Fab. from Schénherr and Germar, which are specifically different from Cure. retusus of Marsh., and not yet to my knowledge discovered in Britain. I likewise possess foreign specimens of S¢. oxyops from Chevrolat ; these are decidedly identical with this species. It may be known from the two preceding by its short robust form, by having the thorax very broad, transverse, and by being very spa- ringly clothed with short, indistinct erect hairs; the colour of the legs varies from pale rufous to dull ferruginous or piceous : it is not so variable in size nor in the colour of the scales as Sz. obesus. Found on hedge-banks on the north side of Turner’s Wood, Hampstead, m June, and on Ulex nanus near Hastings in Sep- tember. Cneorhinus and Strophosomus. 309 5. Strophosomus hirtus, Schonh., Mant. Cure. viii. p. 399. Subovate, ferruginous, clothed with fuscous scales and with short erect hairs. Head small, very short, transverse, black, closely and very minutely punctured, the punctures longitudi- nally confluent ; eyes small, moderately prominent ; rostrum of uniform breadth, a little narrower and rather longer than the head, deeply furrowed in the middle and elevated at the sides, piceous with the apex testaceous. Antenne long, slender and entirely testaceous, the scape as long as the flagellum, curved and clavate. Thorax as broad as long, piceous, distinctly constricted near the base and apex, dilated and rounded at the sides, convex above, thickly and minutely rugulose-punctate, and indistinctly foveolated on each side behind the middle. LElytra qvate, ferru- ginous, deeply sulcate, the sulci obsoletely punctured, the inter- stices convex, smooth, and with a series of short, claviform, erect hairs, and sparingly clothed with decumbent fuscous scales, deeply cleft at their apices, bifid and trifid. Legs entirely tes- taceous. Length 14 line. I have the authority of Schdnherr for the generic and specific name of this insect ; but it differs considerably from all the other species of this genus, by having the head narrower, the eyes smaller and much less prominent ; the rostrum narrower, of uni- form breadth, and without a transverse striga at the base; the scape of the antenne longer and curved. I think in general habit and affinity it has a greater resemblance to the insects in the genus Omias than to the British forms of Strophosomus with which it is associated by Schonherr. Taken in the neighbourhood of Southampton by Mr. Walcot of Bristol, and subsequently near Arundel amongst moss in Fe- bruary by Mr. S. Stevens. § B. Elyira oblong-ovate. 6. S. Faber, Herbst, Germ., Schénh. — chetophorus et septentrionis, Steph. Curc. limbatus, Marsh. secund. ejus descr. — pilosellus, Gyll., Steph. — Sus (a, §.), Kirb. MSS. According to Schonherr and Germar, S#. pilosellus of Gyll. and Steph. is identical with Cure. Faber of Herbst. Immediately recognised from the following by having the tho- rax sinuated at the base, and by having the body densely clothed with depressed lanceolate scales and with slender erect hairs. Not very common ; I have occasionally found it in damp mea- dows in June. 310 | Mr. T. C. Byton’s Notes on Birds. 7. Strophosomus limbatus, Fab., Payk., Gyll., Steph. Manual. Curc. Sus (var. y.), Kirb. MSS., Steph. Ilustr. Distinguished at first sight from the preceding by having the thorax exactly truncated at the base; the sides of the thorax and elytra more thickly clothed with subelliptical shining silvery- white scales, and by being without erect hairs ; the upper surface is frequently glabrous. I have many times taken this insect in the north and south of England, invariably on the common heath (Calluna vulgaris), in June and October. XL.—Notes on Birds. By T. C. Hyvon, Esq., F.L.S. . No. VI. [With a Plate.] [Continued from p. 29.] Trogon melanocephalus, Gould (male). Lenets of intestine from gizzard to ceca seven inches. Length of ceeca one inch two-tenths. Length of rectum two inches four- tenths. Ousophagus large at its upper extremity, contracted in the middle, but at its lower extremity expanded into a proventriculus, measuring nearly one inch in length and four-tenths in diameter when inflated ; stomach round and slightly flattened. Epithelium longitudinally rugose, not hardened, extending slightly into the pro- ventriculus. Intestine of large diameter for the size of the bird; rectum only slightly larger than the lower end of the small intestine. Ceca small at their junction with the rectum, and at about half their length expanding into a sac. Cloaca small, the membranes thick- ened. ‘Trachea simple, acted upon by one pair of sterno-tracheal muscles only. Bronchiz of large diameter in proportion to that of the trachea. ‘Tongue arrow-shaped, four-tenths of an inch long, armed with a strong spine on each side at the base, and with nume- rous smaller ones scattered round the epiglottis. The stomach and cesophagus were filled with hard seeds about the size of a pea mixed with a pulpy matter. The sternum is very broad in proportion to its length; it is nar- rowest at the junction of the ribs, where it measures half an inch in breadth. The anterior margin is narrower than the posterior; at the former it measures seven-tenths of an inch in breadth, at the latter one inch. The total length of the sternum including the manubrial process.is one inch; The posterior margin is indented on both sides with two deep and wide fissures, the exterior ones largest. ‘The keel is four-tenths of an inch in depth, much arched on its inferior margin, and with its anterior one much scolloped; it extends quite to the hinder edge of the sternum, The manubrial process is long and strong, somewhat deflexed and triangular. 4 Mr. T. C. Byton’s Notes on Birds. 311 _ The os furcatum, coracoids and scapulz, and indeed the whole of the skeleton is light and weak ; the former is much arched anteriorly ; when in situ the branches are rather suddenly divided, spreading very wide at their extremities ; each branch is laterally flattened on its upper half; the process at the point where it approaches the sternum is small and rounded, : The coracoids are seven-tenths of an inch in length, much ex- panded at their junction with the sternum, and jointly, with the ex- ception of that portion occupied by the manubrial process, spreading over the whole breadth of its anterior margin. The scapule are twelve-tenths of an inch in length, nearly straight to within a short distance of their posterior extremities, where they are abruptly deflected and pointed; the internal surface is slightly concave. The pelvis is eight-tenths of an inch in length, fourteen-tenths in breadth at its posterior extremity, and five-tenths of an inch at its anterior one; on viewing it from above it appears very broad for the size of the bird; and its upper plane is slightly arched. On viewing the posterior extremity from behind it presents a wide and regular arch formed by the sacral vertebra in the centre, and the posterior edges of the ilium, ischium and os pubis on each side; the points of the latter bones are turned upwards at their extremities; the posterior extremity of the ischium is much expanded, and incloses on one side a very large ischiadic foramen; the obturator foramen consists of an elongated slit inclosed between the ischium and os pubis, and extending from immediately behind the femur to the membranous junction of those bones near their posterior extremities. ‘The whole of the bones of the legs are very light and weak ; the femur is eight- tenths and a half in length; the tibia eleyen-tenths in length; the fibula, which is somewhat broad and flattened transversely, extends for two-thirds of its length, forming a sort of keel. ‘The tarsus mea- sures six-tenths of an inch in length. The bones of the wing are the strongest and most powerful of the whole skeleton ; they are however cog proportion to the size of the bird, which, together with the large size of the head, contributes somewhat to give the skeleton rather a clumsy appearance ; the humerus is twelve-tenths of an inch long; the ulnar bones measure fourteen-tenths of an inch in length, and the metacarpal bones six-tenths. The inferior maxillary bones are united for only three-tenths of an inch from their tips, and divaricate abruptly and widely; at the extremities of their rami they have two very wide and powerful capsules for articulation with the os quadratum. The cranium is broad in proportion to its length, measuring from the tip of the bill to the occiput one inch and six-tenths,—its great- est diameter ; the posterior extremities of the zygomatic bones mea- sure one inch. 3 The occiput when viewed either laterally or from above has a truncate appearance, when viewed from behind it has a quadrate figure ; the articulation however of the os quadratum with the infe- rior maxillary bone projects considerably beyond the lateral perpen 312 Mr. T. C. Hyton’s Notes on Birds. dicular line of the cranium. The crotaphyte impression between the zygomatic and post-orbital processes is deep and well-defined ; above this, is a well-defined impression of the temporal muscle. The lachry- mal bones project in the form of a broad process anteriorly to the orbits of the eyes, and must in a great degree protect that organ ; the septum between the orbits is perfectly closed. The formula of the vertebrze is— Cer. 12; Dor. 7; Sac. 11; Caud. 7. The terminal caudal vertebra is deep and narrow, measuring perpen- dicularly half an inch. The ribs are seven in number, two false ones being placed ante- riorly and one posteriorly. The ring of the cornea is rather elevated, and consists of fifteen distinct and divisible segments. Remarks.—The anatomy of the soft parts of this bird ap- proaches very nearly to that of some of the Cuculide ; the stomach however in the latter family has the epithelium smooth, and is proportionately of larger size. The czeca, cesophagus and proven- triculus are of nearly the same form. The trachea is in Trogon acted upon by one pair of sterno-tra- cheal muscles only, in which respect and also in the large size of the bronchia it agrees with the Kingfishers. The intestinal canal in Trogon is of larger diameter than among the Cuckoos, and the rectum smaller in proportion to the size of the small intestine. In the structure of the trachea as before mentioned, Trogon agrees with the Kingfishers, but differs as regards its soft ana- tomy in almost every other respect. Its intestinal anatomy is that of an insect-feeding bird ; but I should not have supposed, from the slight muscular power of the stomach and its only slightly hardened epithelium, that it fed upon seeds had I not - found them in the stomach, and it is perfectly possible that they might have been swallowed with some small and soft insects which had become decomposed into the soft pulpy matter which was mixed with the seeds. In the general contour of the ske- leton and in the lightness of the bones Trogon closely resembles Alcedo ; in fact the skeleton might, if the head was removed, be easily mistaken for a species of that genus; there are however distinctions which a more minute examination renders apparent ; it must however be placed in contiguity with that form in a na- tural arrangement, as it approaches more nearly to it than to any other with which I am acquainted. From all the scansorial forms it is at once distinguished by all those distinctive characters which divide the typical genera of that order from the fissirostral or volitorial* group. * I propose to divide the class Aves into the following eight orders, which may be all distinguished by their skeletons: Raptores, Volitores, Scansores, Insessores, Rasores, Cursores, Grallatores, Natatores. Mr. T. C. Eyton’s Notes on Birds. 313 The sternum of Zrogon has the inferior edge of the keel much arched, among the Kingfishers it is nearly straight ; it is also pro- ionately deeper, and has its anterior edge more deeply scol- loped than in that family. The branches of the os furcatum are less laterally flattened, and not so broad in Trogon as among the Kingfishers ; the former has also a process where that bone approaches the sternum, which is wanting among the latter. The terminal joint of the caudal vertebree is also larger in Trogon than among the Alcedia. The remainder of the skeleton is so precisely similar to that of the smaller species of Kingfishers that it is impossible to point out any distinctions. It is to be regretted that so little is known of the habits of the Trogons; I am informed however by Capt. A. Charlton, who has lately returned from Malacca with a large collection of objects of natural history, that they frequent only the dense forests of that country, sittmg nearly perpendicularly on branches of trees, and making, when an insect comes in view, a sudden dart in a straight line at it, returning often to the same bough which had previously been occupied. I am also in- formed by Mr. Gould, that Mr. Dyson, who has lately returned from Honduras with a collection of birds in spirits, of which the subject of this paper formed a part, made the same remark to him regarding the position of the bird when at rest, These observations confirm in a certain degree what the osteo- logy shows, namely a near affinity between the Kingfishers and Trogons in habit and in the mode of taking their prey by a sud- den dart. The intestinal anatomy merely bears that resemblance to the Cuculide which the anatomy of oneinsect-feeding bird often bears to another. The Trogonide therefore, as far as I am at present acquainted with them, appear to be, if I may be allowed the expression, a family of partially or wholly insect-feeding Kingfishers, and must be classed in a natural system near to that family. EXPLANATION OF PLATE VIII. Fig. 1. Tongue, cesophagus, proventriculus and stomach. Fig. 2. Czca. Fig. 3. Sternum. Fig. 4. Coracoid. fig. 5. Scapular. Fig. 6. Portion of cranium, showing the lachrymal bones. Fig. 7. Pelvis, upper surface. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. Z 314 Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. XLI.—A Synopsis of the British Rubi. ! By Cuarzes C, Basineton, M.A., F.LS., F.G.8. &. * « [Continued from p. 247.] tt Aculei ineequales, sparsi, in aciculos setasque adeuntibus. 22. R. fusco-ater (Weihe) ; caule decumbente anguloso sparsim pi- loso setoso, aculeis multis inzequalibus rectis, foliis quinatis opacis subtus pallidis mollibus nitidis sericeis, foliolo terminali cordato- ovato acuminato undulato, infimis intermediis incumbentibus, pani- culze inferne foliose setose ramis corymbosis, R. fusco-ater, Rub. Germ. 72. t. 26. R. Radula (Lindl.), Leight. ! Barren stem with numerous rather unequal moderately large prickles, and more or less numerous unequal smaller ones con- necting them with the small aciculi and the sete. Petioles with strong declining or deflexed prickles, lower leaflets (in our plant) nearly or quite sessile, terminal leaflet rather broad at the base, all pale green beneath. Panicle clothed with numerous short hairs and sete and long and strong prickles. Calyx patent or loosely reflexed from the fruit, 3. candicans; caulis petiolorumque aculeis paucioribus pilis numero- sioribus, foliis subtus albis, foliolo terminali rotunde obovato, in- fimis petiolatis, panicula hirsuta. | R. Radula, Lees MSS. ! a y. echinatus ; caulis petiolorumque aculeis multis, foliis concoloribus subtus duris rigide pilosis, foliolo terminali obovato, infimis petio- latis, panicule pilis longis setis aciculisque longioribus aculeis crebris minimis tenuibus. R. echinatus, Lindl.! Syn. ed. 1.94; Leight.! Fl. Shrop. 235. not Bab. Isle of Wight and Dorset, Dr. Bell Salter ; Shropshire ; Leices- tershire, Rev. A. Bloram. {. Little Malvern, Worcestershire, Mr. E. Lees. y. Almond Park, Salop. July and August. Obs. 1. I have received from my friend the Rev. W. H. Cole- man a plant gathered in Mangrove Lane, Hertford, which appears to be referable to the type of this species. Its leaves are almost exactly cordate and cuspidate, glabrous above, very finely tomen- tose beneath ; the petioles have fewer prickles. The barren shoot has scarcely any hairs, few sete, very few and short aciculi; its prickles are rather numerous and mostly large and equal, but there are a few very unequal and smaller. Another plant sent to me by Mr. F. Adamson, who states that it is “ not uncommon near Gouroch ” in Renfrewshire, has fewer large prickles on its * Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, Feb, 12, 1846. Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 315 barren shoots than Mr. Coleman’s plant, and about the same amount of setze, aciculi and hairs ; its petioles and flowering shoot @re armed in the manner usual to the species. These plants are very nearly allied to those included in the preceding section, and might without much impropriety be placed init; but they are so closely connected by intermediate forms with the type of R. fusco- ater, and that through the var. echinatus with R. Kehleri, that I feel confident that this is their true position. Indeed the arma- ture of the barren shoots, if carefully examined, will be found to be rather that of this section than of the preceding. 23. R. Kehleri (Weihe); caule decurvato procumbenteve hirto se- toso, aculeis multis validis inequalibus sepissime rectis, foliis qui- natis opacis subtus hirtis mollibus, foliolo terminali obovato vel elliptico acuminato, infimis intermediis dissitis, panicula ramosa inferne foliosa spinosa setosa, sepalis patentibus fructuve reflexis. a. Kehleri; aculeis permultis inequalibus rectis paulo declinatis, pilis paucis, foliolo terminali obovato acuminato, panicule superne tomen- tosz ramis corymbosis patentibus aculeis multis longis rectis. R. Keehleri, Rubi Germ. 71. t. 25 ; Lng. Bot. Suppl. 2605. The surface of the barren stem is almost covered by the very unequal prickles, aciculi and sete. Leaves pale green beneath, coarsely serrate ; general and partial stalks and midrib beneath very prickly ; stipules lmear. In a subvariety the leaves have fewer prickles on their midrib and stalks and linear-lanceolate stipules ; its barren stem is rather less prickly. In another form the prickles on the panicle are rather hooked. f. cuspidatus ; aculeis brevibus rectis horizontalibus, pilis paucis, fo- liolo terminali obovato cuspidato, panicule superne tomentose, ramis corymbosis brevibus patentibus setis multis aculeis paucioribus brevibus rectis. R, glandulosus, Sm.! Eng. FI. ii. 403. exc. syn. I do not find a figure of this plant in the ‘ Rubi Germanici.’ Its aspect is considerably different from the typical R. Kehleri, and it may be known by its cuspidate leaves, which are usually deeply inciso-serrate at the end, and the fewer and shorter prickles throughout. I believe this to be the R. apiculatus from Beeston Castle referred to by Dr. Salter (Phytol. ii. 132). In some forms of this plant the leaves are very much truncated, and in a spe- cimen from Killarney, quite abrupt like those of R. Lingua. y- pallidus ; aculeis tenuibus rectis declinatis, pilis multis, foliolo ter- minali obovato-elliptico acuminato, panicule superne subtomentose ramis racemoso-corymbosis setis multis aculeis multis brevibus validis declinatis deflexisve. R. pallidus, Rub. Germ. 75. t. 29. When the leaves are ternate, as occasionally occurs, this is al- é L2 316 Mr. C.C. Babington on the British Rubi. most exactly R. apiculatus (Weihe), ‘ Rub. Germ.’ t. 24, in which the leaves are sometimes quinate, and are so represented on that plate ; but the leaves of our plant are not “ pubescenti-albida ” on the under side. 5. infestus ; aculeis multis validis brevibus valde declinatis, pilis setis aciculisque brevissimis paucis, foliolo terminali oblongo-acuminato subtus pallide viridi tomentoso, panicule oblong ramis brevibus paucifloris aculeis multis longis tenuibus declinatis. The short declining or even hooked prickles with very thick bases are characteristic of this plant. Its panicle is nearly simple, with a few simple floral leaves below and lanceolate or trifid bracts in its upper part. It differs shghtly from R. infestus (Weihe), ‘ Rub. Germ.’ t. 30, which has roundish-cordate leaflets and shorter prickles on the panicle. e. fuscus ; aculeis paucioribus declinatis, aciculis setis pilisque multis, foliolo terminali elliptico subcordato cuspidato, paniculz anguste ramis brevibus paucifloris corymbosis aculeis brevibus tenuibus. R. fuscus, Rubi Germ. 73. t. 27. R. fusco-ater (Lindl.), Leight. Fl. Shrop. 235. R. Keehleri 3. fusco-ater, Bab. Man. 97. The panicle of this plant is usually furnished with numerous long unequal setz standing prominently out from its hairy co- vering ; but in a plant from Bearhaven, co. Cork, which seems referable to this variety, the setze on that part are almost alto- gether wanting, and the few that exist are hidden in the dense hairy coat. Very common. £. Rydal Woods, Westmoreland, Mr. Borrer ; Dumfries-shire ; Durham; Killarney. y. Near Bath ; Stock Gill near Ambleside, Mr. Borrér’s Worcestershire, M7. Tide Near Ware, Herts, Rev. W. H. Coleman, 6. Killarney. July and August. Obs. 1. The several plants which I have now included under the name of R. Kehleri have all been considered as distinct species by high authorities. I firmly believe that they are so connected together by intermediate forms as to constitute but one species. It is often difficult to determine under which of the named forms some specimens should be ranged. They are all well marked by the numerous strong and very unequal prickles on the barren shoots, of which the smaller so merge in aciculi and. stiff aciculiform setze, those in true sete and these last in hairs, that it is impossible to say where one of those forms of armature begins and anotherends. The typical variety is known by its very strong and very numerous prickles combined with acuminate leafiets ; 8. by similar but shorter prickles and cuspi- date leaflets. In y. the prickles of the barren stems are more Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 317 slender, whilst those of the panicle are increased in strength and sometimes even hooked, those of the same part in a. and @. being straight. The var. 6. is well marked by its short stout decli- ning or often hooked prickles accompanied by long slender ones on the panicle. And the great decrease in the number of the larger prickles, combined with the increased number of aciculi, setze and hairs in var. e, point out its relationship to the next species. By the kindness of Mr. Lees, I possess two specimens of a plant from “the western base of the Malvern Hills” closely resembling var. ¢; it is densely hairy throughout, but has very few setz or aciculi on the barren stems. Obs. 2. A specimen received from Mr. Lees under the name of R. pallidus 8. foliosus (Lees), seems to occupy an intermediate station between this and the next species ; it may be described as follows, and should its peculiar panicle prove constant is probably specifically distinct. Stem procumbent (?), angular, dark purple, hairy ; sete very numerous and unequal; prickles numerous, slightly declining, straight, rather strong, yellow. Leaves quinate or ternate (°?), opake above, hairy, soft and paler beneath; terminal leaflet broadly obovate cuspidate. Panicle very long, with numerous short axillary ascending corymbose (?) branches, the three upper- most extrafoliaceous and subtended by long foliaceous bracts ; rachis and peduncles very hairy, and with numerous unequal yellowish sete with purple heads, and straight slender declining yellow aciculi and prickles ; floral leaves pilose above, soft be- neath, simple and cordate-ovate, 3-lobed, or the lower ones ter- nate. Calyx hairy, with numerous unequal setz and aciculi ; se- pals with a long leaflike point. Plant only in bud. Found on the “banks of the Wye near Vaga Cottage, Great Doward, Monmouthshire,’ Mr. E. Lees. 24. R. hirtus (W.et N.) ; caule “ procumbente tereti”’ hirto setoso, aculeis parvis tenuibus valde ineequalibus multis rectis declinatis, foliis quinatis vel ternatis concoloribus pilosis subtus hirtis, foliolo terminali ovato-cuspidato vel ovato-lanceolato, panicule valde se- tosze tomentose vel hirtz aciculate racemose inferne foliose setis valde inequalibus purpureis, sepalis patentibus fructuive adpressis setosis. Sete very numerous and very unequal. Panicle with rather distant axillary branches, which are somewhat corymbose and short ; in a Scottish specimen the panicle is quite simple. Upper part of the flowering shoot with strongly deflexed or declining prickles. a. hirtus; foliis magnis quinatis, foliolo terminali ovali cuspidato, panicula tomentosa. R. hirtus, Rub. Germ. 95. t. 43. 318 Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. f. Menkii ; foliis mediocribus quinatis vel ternatis, foliolo terminali ovali-lanceolato, panicula hirta, sepalis aciculatis. R. Menkii, Rub. Germ. 66. t. 22. Rare. a. Dumfries-shire. Alborne, Sussex, Mr. Borrer. Almond Park, Salop. 8. Mount Nod near Tunbridge Wells, Mr. Borrer ; Haughton Dale, Cheshire, Mr. Sidebotham. Obs. 1. It is very difficult to point out upon paper any good character by which to distinguish this plant from the following, between which and R. Kehleri it forms the connecting link. Obs. 2. The Rev. W. H. Coleman has sent a specimen under the name of R. horridissimus (Colem. MSS.) which seems to be referable to this species. The panicle appears to have been taken from a young plant, and so does not admit of accurate determina- tion; it is short, narrow, nearly simple; the two lower yee branches 3-flowered, very short; the rest single-flowered an short. Barren shoot rather angular, thickly covered with prickles, aciculi, sete and hairs merging gradually into each other ; prickles slender, nearly or quite straight, declining. Petioles both gene- ral and partial, similarly armed, except that the prickles are de- flexed and the hairs much more numerous. Leaves quinate, dull ereen and pilose above, rather paler, hairy and finely tomentose beneath. Terminal leaflet oblong-obovate acuminate. This plant is well deserving of attention ; it was found in Kasney Park Wood near Ware, Hertfordshire, in flower on the 26th of June 1844. 25. R. glandulosus (Bell.!); caule arcuato declinatove tereti vel - subanguloso hirto setoso, aculeis parvis tenuibus ineequalibus rectis declinatis, foliis ternatis vel quinatis concoloribus pilosis subtus hirtis, foliolo terminali ovali obovato vel obovato-lanceolato, pani- culze valde setosze hirtze vel tomentose aciculate corymbose inferne - foliosee setis brevibus subequalibus purpureis, sepalis fructui laxe adpressis reflexisve setosis. a. Bellardi (Bell Salt.!); caule tereti sparsim piloso valde setoso, aculeis parvis permultis, foliolo terminali ovato cuspidato equaliter subtiliterque serrato, panicule tomentose aculeis multis tenuibus rectis horizontalibus apice et ramis paucis longis distantibus pau- cifloris corymbosis.—Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 370. R. Bellardi, Rub. Germ. 97. t. 44. R. glandulosus, Eng. Bot. Suppl. 2883. B. Lejeunit (Bell Salt.!); caule subanguloso sparsim piloso setoso, aculeis plurimum parvis nonnullis longioribus, foliolo terminali ovali cuspidato vel obovato-lanceolato inzequaliter subtiliterque serrato, panicule ramose valde tomentose setis multis reconditis brevibus aculeisque tenuibus declinatis vel subreflexis. R, Lejeunii, Rub. Germ. 79. t. 31. - y. rosaceus (Bell Salt.!); caule subanguloso hirto valde setoso, aculeis valde inzequalibus, foliolo terminali obovato vel obovato- Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 319 lanceolato acuminato grosse inequaliter serrato, panicule inferne ramosve (seepe ramis duobus maximis) corymbosz superne hirtz setis longis prominentibus aculeis declinatis vel subdeflexis. R. rosaceus, Rub. Germ. 85. t. 36. Rare. a. Terrington Car, Yorkshire, Mr. Spruce. B. Sel- borne, Hants, Dr. Bell Salter ; Haughton Vale, Mr. Sidebotham ; Channel. Islands. y. Selborne, Hants, Dr. Bell Salter; Twy- cross, Leicestershire, Rev. A. Blovam ; 8. Molton, Devon; Guild- ford, Isle of Wight. July and August. Obs. 1. Observation both of the wild and cultivated plants teaches us that these three varieties are only forms of one spe- cies. Although believing this and the preceding species to be specifically distinct, I have found very considerable difficulty in defining them, so as at the same time to include all the varieties of each and also distinguish the species. The leaves of this are nearly always ternate, those of R. hirtus quinate, but they both vary in this respect. In that the panicle is rather racemose than corym- bose, the contrary being the case in R. glandulosus. Here the . setze are usually short, and but little longer than the hairs on the panicle, and mostly equal in length (in R. Bellardi (Weihe) they vary in this respect, and on foreign specimens are often very variable both in length and number), in that they are many of them very long and prominent and very various in length. Gbs. 2. Dr. Bell Salter considers my plants from the Channel Islands to be R. rosaceus (Weihe), and therefore refers the R. Le- jeunt of my ‘ Manual’ (p. 97) to that variety. They seem to me to correspond far more with the figure and description of R. Lejeunii (Weihe) as given in the ‘ Rubi Germanici.’? Similarly he refers the plant found at Guildford in the Isle of Wight, and at Twy- cross, Leicestershire, to R. Lejeunii, whilst I consider it to belong to R. rosaceus. This shows how closely the plants are allied. 26. R. humifusus (Weihe); caule procumbente tereti hirto setoso, aculeis tenuissimis inequalibus multis declinatis, foliis ternatis vel quinatis subtiliter ineequaliterque serratis subtus pallide viridibus pilosisque, foliolo terminali cordato-ovato cuspidato, panicule ra- mos inferne foliose pilis laxis setis prominentibus aculeisque longis tenuibus declinatis. R. humifusus, Rubi Germ. 84. t. 35. Stems, flowering shoots, peduncles and petioles beautifully . clothed with slender yellow prickles and aciculi which have a purple base and pass insensibly into very long and slender and very unequal sete. The lower branches of the panicle elongated, ascending, 3—4.-flowered ; the others mostly 1-flowered. Stems slender, fuscous, purple. Glen Falloch, Perthshire. July and August. 320 Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 27.? R. Schleicheri (Weihe?) ; caule arcuato vel procumbente suban- guloso vel subtereti pilis setisque sparsis, aculeis sparsis ineequali- bus rectis declinatis, foliis quinatis vel ternatis pilosis subtus viri- dibus molliter pubescentibus, foliolo terminali rotundo breviter acu- . minato inferne attenuato, panicule parve setose ramis 3—4 di- stantibus valde paucifloris brevibus corymboque terminali simplici : aculeis multis longis rectis declinatis, sepalis fructus erecto-paten- tibus. Pig R. Schleicheri, Leight.! Fl. Shrop. 237; Bell Salt.! in Phytol. ii. 131. Rare. Shropshire, Rev. W. A. Leighton; Hants, Dr. Bell Salter. July and August. Obs.1. Although Dr. Salter and I have continued the use of the above name for this plant, we are far from being convinced that it is the species figured and described in the ‘ Rubi Germa- nici’; I have therefore not quoted that work. Leighton sent specimens to Nees von Esenbeck, who named them as above, but that does not remove my doubts. Neither am I satisfied that this is a distinct species ; it has much the appearance of a plant in one of its earlier stages of growth. 28. R. Wahlbergii (Arrh.); caule arcuato obtusanguloso, pilis setisque paucis vel subnullis, aculeis multis valde inzqualibus, foliis qui- natis subtus pallide viridibus, foliolo terminali late ovato acuminato inferne cordato, ramorum floriferorum cordato inferne lato, panicula longa foliosa aciculata, sepalis fructus patentibus, petalis obovatis inferne attenuatis, “‘ stylis virescentibus.”’ R. Wahlbergii, Arrhen. Rub. Suec. 48; Godron, Rub. Nancy, 16; Bell Salt.'! in Ann. Nat. Hist. xvi. 371. Stem nearly terete at its base, obtusely angular above. Prickles very numerous and very unequal, straight, rather declining ; on the autumnal shoots and the petioles hooked. Leaves cuspidate- dentate-serrate. Stipules of the flowering shoot narrow. “ Torus conical. Fruit blue-black.” Panicles with very numerous, long, strong, declining prickles. Hedges in the south of England. August. Obs. 1. In some states this plant closely resembles R. coryli- folius, which differs from it by having equal prickles on a sub- terete stem, those on the petioles nearly straight; the torus “ youndish-clavate.” Between this and the following species the specific character is a sufficient distinction. Obs. 2. A state of arrested development occurs in this plant in more shady places when the plant is suberect and the panicle very short with large leaves amongst the flowers; it is the R. Wahlbergi B. frustratus (Bell Salt.), ‘Ann. Nat. Hist.’ xvi. 371. Similar states occur in other species. 29. R. nemorosus (‘‘ Hayne’’) ; caule arcuato subanguloso, pilis se- Mr. C. C. Babington on the British Rubi. 321 tisque paucis, aculeis multis valde ineequalibus, foliis quinatis sub- glabris subtus pallidioribus mollibus, foliolo terminal: rotundato- cordato cuspidato, ramorum floriferorum ovato inferne attenuato, panicula subsimplici, petalis subrotundis, “ stylis dilute carneis.” R. nemorosus, “‘ Hayne, Arzneyg. iii. t. 10 ;”” Wimm, et Grab. Fl. Siles. ii. 34; Arrhen. Rub. Suec. 45. R. dumetorum, Rub. Germ. 98.t.45; Godron, Rub. Nancy, 12; Bab. Man. 97. R. corylifolius, Wallr. Sched. Crit. 230. Stem nearly terete at its base, obtusely angular above. Prickles most numerous and shorter near to the base of the stem, straight, nearly horizontal ; on the autumnal shoots and the petioles hooked. Leaves cuspidate-serrate. Stipules of the flowering shoot narrow. “Torus conical. Fruit blue-black.” a. glabratus ; foliis subtus hirtis pallide viridibus, caule florifero to- mentoso, caule subtereti subglabro. 8. pilosus ; foliis subtus molliter hirtis pallide viridibus, caule florifero et sterili subtereti tomentosis. y. bifrons ; foliis subtus albidis tomentosis, caule florifero tomentoso . pedunculis pedicellisque aculeis longis rectis validis armatis, caule -subglabro similiter aculeato. R. bifrons, Vest. in Tratt. Ros. Monog. iii. 28. 6. horridus ; foliis subtus viridibus pilis longis mollibus ornatis, caule florifero hirto aculeis multis longis subtenuibus, sepalis seepissime aciculatis, caulis aculeis multis longis inzequalibus declinatis. R. diversifolius (Lindl. !), Leighton, Fl. Shrop. 237. Hedges and thickets. July and August. Obs. 1. There seems to be no-doubt of this being the plant intended by Hayne, although I have not seen the work quoted, and as his name is older than that of Weihe I have adopted it. None of the figures in the ‘ Rubi Germanici’ exactly represent our plants. Obs. 2. Some of the forms of this plant, especially var. y, have been mistaken for R. corylifolius (Sm.), from which it differs in the same respects as the preceding species. 30. R. cesius (Linn.); caule procumbente tereti glauco, aculeis tenuibus subulatis ineequalibus rectis, foliis ternatis, foliolo termi- nali rhomboideo-ovato acuminato, panicula simplici, ‘‘ petalis ob- ovatis emarginatis stylis virescentibus,”’ sepalis fructui glauco ad- pressis. R. cesius, Eng. Bot. 826; Rub. Germ. 102. t. 46. Stems usually slender. Prickles very various in number but always slender. Occasionally the terminal leaflet is divided quite to its base into three distinct leaflets, the whole thus forming a quinate-pinnate leaf, when the plant is the variety pseudo-ideus 822 Mr. C.C. Babington on the British Rubi. of the ‘ Rubi Germanici’; sometimes, in the variety pseudo-casius of the same work, that leaflet is deeply three-lobed and slightly cordate below ; both may be found upon the same stem. ‘The la- teral leaflets are often deeply divided into a larger and a smaller lobe, but I have never seen true R. ca@sius with the lobes sepa- rated into distinct leaflets, neither do authors mention any such case. Hedges and thickets. June to August. Obs. The ternate leaves, of which the lateral leaflets are strongly lobed below, and the terminal leaflet rounded but scarcely ever at all cordate at its base, all of them coarsely serrate, inciso-ser- rate or even lobed ; the very slender prickles on the round stem ; the simple panicles and glaucous fruit, which usually consists of very few large drupes ; distinguish this plant from all the pre- ceding, except R. tenuis, in which the prickles are much stronger on all parts of the plant, and there are no sete on the barren stem. B. HERBACEI, 31. R. savatilis (Linn.); caule tenui radicante inerme vel aciculis paucis herbaceis distantibus exasperato, caule florifero erecto, co- rymbo terminali paucifloro, petalis ovalibus calycem subsequantibus, foliis ternatis. R. saxatilis, Hng. Bot. 2233; Rub. Germ. 30. t. 9. Root perennial. Rooting stems annual, very slender and long. Flowering shoots 8—12 inches high, downy. Flowers yellow. Fruit of 1—4 large red drupes. Stony mountains; rare. July and August. 32. R. arcticus (Linn.); caule erecto inermi herbaceo, flore termi- nali solitario, petalis obovatis calyce duplo longioribus, staminibus conniventibus, foliis ternatis. R. arcticus, Ang. Bot. 1585; Rub. Germ. 3. t, 48. Root perennial. Stems subterraneous, creeping. Flowering shoots 4—6 inches high. Flowers rose-coloured. Fruit of rather numerous purplish-red drupes. Said to have been found on mountainous parts of the isle of Mull, Rev. Dr. Walker ; and on Ben-y-Glo, Mr. Cotton; but a very doubtful native. May. 33. R. Chamemorus (Linn.); caule erecto inermi herbaceo, flore ter- minali solitario, folits simplicibus lobatis plicatis. R. Chamemorus, Hing. Bot. 716; Rub. Germ, 118. t. 49. Root perennial. Stems subterraneous, creeping. Flowering shoots 6—10 inches high. Flowers large, white, dicecious. Fruit large, red, afterwards orange-yellow. Alpine turfy bogs. June, M. Miller on the Development of Chara. 328 XLII.—On the Development of Chara. By C. Mitier*. [Continued from p. 262.] § 5. The perfect Plant. Tuer modifications of the development of the stem in Nitella have been traced with tolerable completeness. In Chara, however, the simple tubes are covered externally with utricular cells which are arranged spirally around them. These are not formed until after the germinating plant has become much elongated and its rami- fications have acquired considerable increase. In a plant which has attained this stage of development several peculiarities are apparent. Such are the evolution of axillary cells to form axillary branches, and the formation of other more or less rounded cells in ascending and descending rows at the articulations of the stem ; lastly, the formation on the stem itself of new papillary cells which are identical with those last mentioned, as in Chara his- pida and crinita, where they sometimes again elongate into arti- culated tubes, and thus give the plants a very rough appearance. The cells themselves do not differ at all in their internal struc- ture from those of the spore-sac. How are these organs formed? How are the utricular (cortical) cells formed around the central utricle? Here the process of development of the entire plant is far more complicated than that of the germ. Moreover the his- tory of the development of all the organs, of the branches, shoots, and even of the stem itself, is intimately connected, and we must again commence with the stem. | To trace the formation of the stem, we must search for that point at which it is developed. This is its apex, the terminal bud ; which consists externally of a single large cell forming the im- mediate continuation of the stem, and as such, terminating it in the form of a cupola (Pl. VI. fig. 11). The bud appears of the same form in the centre of the recently formed whorl of branches whilst still short. Its membrane is extremely delicate and there- fore easily injured. It contains a reddish granular matter (cyto- blastema), which too frequently renders it impossible to arrive clearly at the structure of the bud. If we succeed, however, in any way in removing it—which can only be effected by dissection, for iodine and acids render the contents still more obscure—we find. the whole of the interior already covered with cells with exceed- ingly delicate walls (fig. 14). [In this figure the preparation fig. 11 is placed on its vertex, and we are supposed to look in- ternally from above towards the vertex.] This cellular structure consists of a central cell, around which some other cells are de- * Translated from the Botanische Zeitung for June 26, 1845. 824 M. Miller on the Development of Chara. posited. There are usually six of them, but sometimes seven, eight or more. Hence, according to their number, the central cell is six-, seven-, eight- or more sided, since they directly limit and com- press it. Theyare themselves also naturally flattened at their points of contact, but are spherical towards the exterior. If at this time, as is usually the case, many layers of them are arranged together, the central cell becomes a short, six- or more sided column ; the cells surrounding it therefore possess only four longitudinal sur- faces—the external of which are thus spherical, the three inner flattened—and two transverse surfaces bounded by four sides. Each cell contains a cytoblast. There are four perfect cells also, having very delicate walls, on the apex of the bud. But exactly at that part where they meet in the centre of the axis they inclose a small and very pale body, which is the true vegetating pommt— perhaps it is the newly forming cytoblast of the central cell. This point is likewise of importance for the further formation of the cellular tissue of the axial bud. The central cell is the commencement of the true stem, or, as it is usually called, of the central utricle in all Chare provided with a cortical layer. But the cells which surround it do not con- stitute the commencement of this layer, but of the branch. As the plant elongates, of course the central cells also elongate and form long tubes. At first lying close to the cells of the branch they continue to become more expanded, especially when they have acquired the cortical layer. Its cells then become rounded both externally and internally, and thus the central utri- cle appears distinct, whilst previously (fig. 18) it could only be made perceptible by iodine, which coloured the delicate intercel- lular spaces and the walls of the utricle blue. Thus it is trans- formed from the cytoblastema into an amylaceous substance, which subsequently becomes converted into membranous matter, and is then no longer coloured by iodine. As soon as this hap- pens the central utricle becomes considerably thickened by the absorption of more nutriment, and it is very beautiful to see how this is deposited in layers. Hence the stem of the perfect plant differs considerably from that of the germinating plant im the manner of its development. In the former it is primary—an im- mediate expansion of the nucleus; in the latter secondary, but formed by a higher process. When the branches are about to form, the cells which surround the central cell become expanded in the form of simple cylinders (figs. 11, 14). Internally they exhibit exactly the same struc- ture as the axis, for we find the same central cells and external cells also with extremely delicate walls already formed in them (fig. 16). They also have a terminal bud, from which new cells are formed as in the case of the stem. The principal difference M. Miiller on the Development of Chara. 325 between it and the stem-bud is merely, that this can be elongated to infinity, whilst the growth of the bud of the branch is very limited. This limit is shown in the apex of a branch (figs. 12, 13), which no longer appears as a bud, but as a simple terminal cell. The explanation of this limited and unlimited development is to be sought for in the fact that the cytoblastema of the stem has to take a direct ascending course, whilst in the branches this is at first indirect, 7. e. dependent upon the stem, devious, and limited ' by the amount of nutritious fluid. Thus the more the organs are removed from the centre of the individual, so much the more simple must they become, since enough nutriment is not present for a higher development. We also see this in a greater degree in the formation of the shoots. This is effected by the stmple cy- lindrical expansion of the external cells which are deposited upon the central cell of the branch ; consequently exactly in the same manner as the branches were formed from the stem. The difference be- tween them is merely, that here the further formation ceases, so that we have no more to do with buds, but merely simple cells, exactly as at the apex of the branch. Hence both agree in not pos- sessing the property, like the other parts of the stem and branch, which lie nearer to the axis of the individual, of forming a cortical layer. At the most they can only produce a few cells (articula- tions) in their interior. The peculiarity of the branch, that its membranes rapidly be- come thickened, is opposed to another property of the axial bud. This always possesses closed branches, 7. e. rolled up over it, which are only subsequently separated from it when the indivi- dual whorls of branches separate from each other by fresh in- crease. New whorls of branches,z. e. the most recently formed, appear in their place and surround the delicate terminal bud. Thus they defend it from accidental injury, since the oldest always cover the youngest, until the latter have become sufficiently strong to be able to undertake the same office for the younger branches. Of course this function does not occur in the shoots; they are therefore protected by becoming rapidly thickened. If we now compare the formation of the branches and the stem in the germinating and the perfect plant, we find the following essential difference, that in the former these organs are formed by intercalary or intermediate growth, whilst in the perfect plant they are produced directly. In the germinating plant the whorls of branches follow the formation of the stem; in the latter the branches and stem go hand and hand in development. In the former there are at first always two cells where an internode is about to form; in the latter the whorls of branches mark the internodes from the very commencement. Hence the former, strictly speaking, are only accidental, the latter are essential. 326 M. Miller on the Development of Chara. Both however agree perfectly in being effected through cyto- blasts. But I consider it hardly necessary again to bring for- ward proofs of this kind of formation. They lie however, in the absence of anything like a secondary membrane, in each cell con- taining cytoblasts, and in the existence of real, although very mi- nute intercellular spaces ; hence the formation of new cells by the contraction of secondary membranes, or from the deposition of membranous matter upon projecting portions, as m Unger’s view, is here quite out of the question. We shall now consider the cortical layer. In the further pro- gress of the growth of the plant, the whorls of branches and of shoots become separated from one another (figs. 12, 13). Be- tween each whorl an internode is formed; and if we trace this process in its earliest condition, we find the cortical layer already prepared, running from internode to internode: hence it must happen that the number of utricular cortical cells is constantly double that of the number of branches; thus if there are six branches, there are twelve cortical cells, &c. We do not find any instances in which there is any great variation from the above laws. Thus, in each cell of the branches, which is immediately at- tached to the stem, two cytoblasts are usually transformed into two new cells; there is rarely only one present (fig. 17). Although this process is very difficult to trace, I have directly observed it. It is most easily followed by making extremely delicate longitu- dinal sections through the axis of the plant ; we then find the new cells with their cytoblasts, but always considerably turbid. Ina transverse section I have also found two cytoblasts in a cell, which were on the very point of expanding into cells. These new cells which are thus formed from cytoblasts now expand longitudinally, and thus run in a longitudinal direction between the epidermoidal membrane of the apex of the stem and the central utricle ; hence they do not run externally but internally, being inclosed by the membrane. In other respects their formation is similar to that of other cells, as already described in the germmating plant. Fig. 17. Pl. VI. represents a transverse section with the inter- node cut through beyond its margin. This section, and such may be frequently found, exhibits a central cell in its interior and seven placed around it. These are provided with separating walls, and divide the cavity of the stem into internodial cells. This is di- stinctly seen in a longitudinal section,as in fig. 19. P1. VIL, andina transverse section when made distinct by iodine, as in fig. 18, also in fig. 15. Thusit is at the same time clear that the formation of the cortical layer occurs upwards, and consequently resembles the growth of the apex. The entire process however proceeds si- multaneously with the development of the stem, the branches and the shoots. Its cytoblasts are formed at the same moment. M. Miller on the Development of Chara. 327 as the external cells are transformed into branches and shoots. The cortical layer is thus attached in its very earliest stage, sub- sequently attaining very great strength, and is readily separable from the central utricle. The intercellular spaces which are formed between its separate cells and the former become filled with a formative mass, from which new cells may arise according to circumstances. The following question is closely connected with this develop- ment; How is it that this cortical layer is wanting in the Nitelle ? I cannot offer any history of the development of the Nitedle which will solve this question ; still it appears to me that it may be better answered here than from them alone. Moreover the structure of the Nitel/e does not differ from that of the germinating plant. We have therefore both stages in the Chare: the simple stem of Nitella, and one surrounded with a cortical layer, the genus Chara. We must be able to draw some conclusion from the observation of the successive development of the two. If we expose a plant of Chara in a glass of water to the warmth of a stove and light, the stems are developed with uncommon rapidity into long thready utricles, If they are examined more closely, we observe not only that the above double relation of the cells in the cortical layer to those in the stem is disturbed, because generally speaking fewer must always be seen than would be necessary tocompletely cover the central utricle, the stem ; but we find very frequently, in fact nearly always, that the cortical cells are completely wanting*. I think that we may directly solve the question from this observation. If this phenomenon is merely produced by the rapid growth of the articulations of the stem, when we apply this to the Witella, we have the solution. First, the rapid growth is unfavourable to the formation of cytoblasts; secondly, the cytoblastema present is rapidlyassimilated by the membranes of the stem; whence, thirdly, the very remarkable circumstance happens in the Nit¢ella, that there are formed in the internodial cells a very considerable quan- tity of starch-cells, in which those cells abound. This has been already observed by several persons and may be readily repeated ; it is an essential period in the formation of Nitella and of its structure in general, such as we find no instance of in Chara, at least as far as I know. The cytoblastema which is produced from the transformation of starch again becomes converted into starch, when the proper time arrives for its again acquiring the state of aggregation of starch. This also occurs in the internodial cells of the Chare and of the papille of many species ; but whilst in * This fact appears also to have been observed by Quekett (see Jahres- bericht, &c. von J. Em. Wickstrém, translated by Beilschmied for 1838, Breslau, 1843, p. 26) in Chara hispida. The author thinks it follows hence, that all Chare are only modifications of one and the same species. 328 M. Miller on the Development of Chara. them the further development of starch ceases, in the Chare it is converted into chlorophylle. Hence the above papille, for in- stance—in which this is very readily and beautifully observed— become at first deep blue, and subsequently brownish when treated. with iodine. Thus the ready conversion in Nitella of the inter- nodial cells into new plants is explained ; and they have been di- stinguished as gemmee, although they are not true buds, upon which the organs are situated, but rather mere formative cells. The step to the new formation of cells is certainly not great ; if cytoblastema is formed from starch, then the power exists of forming cytoblasts and consequently new cells. We have not far to seek for its analogues, when we recollect the fermentation-cells. Wherever formative matter is present, there cells may form; and as many are formed from them as correspond to the matter depo- sited in them. From what has been stated it appears to me to follow, that we must still separate Chara and Nitella; for the latter constantly forming simple stems only, proves that the power of rapid growth must be inherent to them asa principle ; and although on the other hand the Chare may exhibit the same phenomenon, it is only a deviation from their natural condition*. As regards several accidental cells in the Chare, for instance, the above papillz, as also those which are developed beneath and above the internodes but still upon their cells, their formation in- variably occurs by intercalary growth as stated above, or by the simple elongation of cells which are already formed. All the axillary branches are likewise formed by interrupted growth. The above-mentioned papille frequently or always fall off subse- quently, for instance, in Chara crinita, leaving round brown spots at the points to which they were attached. ‘They appear unsus- ceptible of further development. It is moreover remarkable, that frequently three cells are formed from a single articulation at the internodes. This great power of increase of the plant explains how the internodes are frequently surrounded with one or more whorls of cells (those below them assuming a descending direction, as they are prevented from ascending by the branches, those above an ascending direction). The last phenomenon which requires notice is the formation of new cells at the apex of the branches. It appears to me in this case that the new cells are formed by subdivision. The first com- mencement of this process appears as a dark line surrounding the circumference of the cell. The secondary membrane then becomes constricted. [We saw abové that the very apex of the * Kiitzing (J. c. p.319) has formed a third group “ Charopsis” of Chara Braunii, scoparia and barbata. M. Miller on the Development of Chava. 329 branches and the shoots soon formed strong membranes.| The primordial utricle also follows this course until it is completely drawn in. This also agrees with Mohl’s observations. We have some striking proofs of it in the preparations of Pl. VII. figs. 21, 22, 23, 24 and 26. In fig. 21 the preparation was treated with iodine, and the primordial utricle has become retracted from the walls of the cells; but it is not completely separated, for it is distinctly seen under the microscope to pass through both of the cells. The part which was not contracted appeared much More transparent and clear than the other portions. In Pl. VII. fig. 22 the apex is sliced longitudinally, and it is distinctly seen how the secondary membrane projects into the interior, but has not yet come into contact : I have observed this once only. In fig. 28 _ the apex is seen to be entirely separated by constriction : it appears exactly as if it passed into the previous articulation. The same occurs in fig. 24. The preparation was treated with nitric acid, and the primordial utricle of the lower cell has separated from the cell-wall, so as to resemble an open utricle, into which we can easily see. Fig. 26 exhibits the two extremities of the primordial utricle so remarkably torn, and agreeing in this particular so much, that we cannot help believing that they must once have been con- nected. Moreover I have frequently perceived this form. Are we now authorized to conclude from these transitions that there occurs a division of the cells? I think we are! and I could have added many more sketches of preparations which are in my manuscript. One thing appears to me remarkable, viz. that all other parts of the plants are certainly formed from cytoblasts, and in this in- stance we have a division of already formed cells. However, I see no other deduction from the observations than the division of the cells. It is remarkable in the primordial utricle, that it (as in fig. 24) appears as completely separated as if it had been cut with a knife; it also seems not to be so important in these cells as in those formed from cytoblasts. Double septa formed from secon- dary membranes (one belonging to each cell) are in tolerably close contact and perfectly close the separate cells. Now as the primordial utricle is firmly attached to this, the interior of the cell is closed as regards the regular course of the circulation of the sap. And when it is completely absent in the old cells, as Mohl observed, this from its gradual absorption could not pro- duce any interruption to the cell-life. [To be continued. ] Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. 2A 330 . Mr. A. White on new species of Homoptera. XLITI.—Descriptions of some apparently new species of Homopte- rous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. By Apam Wauirt, M.E.S., Assistant in the Zoological Department of the British Museum. Apuana (Guérin), Burm. | Aphana imperialis, White. Elytra olive-green, the basal por- tion with numerous black spots, most of which are traversed by green veins ; the tip black, beautifully reticulated with olive-green. Wings at the base purplish madder, with eleven or twelve large black spots, the purplish part reticulated with whitish ; the end brownish black ; a bluish green band-like mark across the middle of the wing, not nearly reaching the hind margin, the three nerves traversing it are black. Under sides of elytra and wings almost similar to the upper side. Head and thorax above greenish. Prothorax finely transversely striated, a line down the middle shining. Abdomen black, margins yellow, segments slightly powdered with white, vulvar scales red. Legs brown; tibiz of hind legs with three teeth on the outside. Expanse of elytra 2 inches 5 lines. Hab. Silhet. In marking and general appearance similar to Aphana delica- tula, sent to the Museum from Canton by the late Tradescant Lay, Esq.; the Aphana amabilis, Hope (Linn. Trans. xix. 1382. t. 12. f. 1), from Silhet is somewhat allied to it, but neither A. -delicatula (Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. xv. 37) nor the present species have the slender, sharp, erect horn which is on the head of A. amabilis. Aphana scutellaris, White. Elytra with the base dark green, the tip ochrey yellow, the basal portion except on the outer mar- gin thickly covered with a white sponge-like matter, the veins green, the tip with a good deal of white sponge-like matter, some roundish spots in the middle free from it. Wings at the base green, mixed with violet-blue ; in the middle a large red mark reticulated with yellowish, inner and part of the outer margin of a pale ochrey yellow, the tip deep brownish yellow, beyond the middle of the wing a dark brownish line not quite reaching the hind margin: middle of the wing with nine or ten white spots of different sizes; several small bluish white spots on the apical part, under sides somewhat similar, the base of elytra green, marked and thickly spotted with black. Head and thorax above of a very deep blackish green, the vertex with two white patches in a depression, ridged in front and on the sides. Prothorax strongly ridged in the middle; scutellum (mesonotum) covered with white sponge-like matter. Abdomen very deep blackish green above, the segments at the base above, powdered with Mr. A. White on new species of Homoptera. 331 white, the abdominal spiracles white. Legs deep brown ; the tibize of hind legs with five teeth on the outside (exclusive of ter- minal). Expanse of elytra from 2 inches 1 line to 2 inches 6 lines. Hab. Borneo. H. Low, Esq. ; This species in the system comes near A. atomaria (Fabr.). Encuoruora, Spinola. Enchophora guttata, White. Elytra brownish red, tip yellow- ish, the basal portion with some scattered subocellated spots ; in- terior red, nearly surrounded by a black ring ; front margin yel- lowish green. Wings brownish black, the base and disc with several crimson spots of different sizes; under side of elytra at the base of a deeper red than above. Cephalic protuberance short, not thickened at the end, and but slightly bent back, com- pressed on the sides: Prothorax yellowish green, with a trans- verse brownish mark in front. Abdomen dull orange, the last segment having under it a white waxy secretion, composed ap- parently of closely compressed filaments not extending beyond the abdomen. Legs reddish brown ; tibiz of hind legs with six spines on the outside. Expanse of elytra 2 inches 7 lines. : Hab. 8. America. Presented by Edward Doubleday, Esq. This species, somewhat allied to Enchophora Servillei, Spinola (Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. viii. 227. t. 2. f. 3), seems to form a con- necting link between Enchophora and Aphana. Tosena, Serville and Amyot. Cicada (T.) melanoptera, White. In the Javanese C. (T.) fas- ciata the nerves of the elytra and the wing are of a very clear ferruginous colour; on the front of the nasus is a ferruginous yellow line sometimes interrupted, and on the fore edge of pro-- thorax are four small ferruginous yellow spots; the tips of the femora’are yellow: in the species or variety melanoptera, the nerves of the elytra and wings are nearly entirely black, the band on the wing is whiter and generally broader than in C. fasciata ; the nasus is entirely black, there are no spots on the fore-edge of the prothorax, the yellow marks above the antenne are smaller, and the legs are of a uniform black. There are several specimens in the Museum collection from Silhet and other parts of N. India ; in size and general colour it resembles the Cicada (Tosena) fas- ciata of Fabricius, of which eventually it may prove to be a local variety, to which the name melanoptera may be applied. Ga#zana, Serville and Amyot. In this subdivision of the genus a beautiful species of Cicada from Nepal ought to be placed; it is figured in Royle’s ¢ Ilus- 2A2 332 Mr. A. White on new species of Homoptera. trations of the Botany, &c. of the Himalaya Mountains,’ pl. 10. f. 2, under the name Cicada pulchella; Mr. Westwood in the In- troduction, p. 54, describes it as Cicada sulphurea, Hope’s MSS., the specific name pulchella bemg pre-occupied. In the Museum cabinet are several specimens named Geana pulchella. Hvrcuys, Serville and Amyot. Cicada (Huechys) vidua, White. EHlytra deep uniform blackish brown. Wings white, transparent, slightly tinged with brownish round the edge. Head black, nasus of a clear gamboge-yellow, very prominent. Thorax black, two large gamboge-yellow spots on mesothorax. Body above black in male, brownish in female. Abdomen in the middle, below, and at the end vermilion-red ; in the female the sides of the abdomen at the end are also red. In one specimen in the Museum (a female) are two or three lighter streaks on the elytra not far from the posterior margin. Expanse of wings from 1 inch 83 lines to 2 inches 4 lines. Hab. New Holland? In the division Huechys come Cicada (H.) splendidula from the East Indies, described by Fabricius (Syst. Rh. 42..49), and figured in Donovan’s ‘ Insects of China,’ fig. * ***, and Cicada (H.) octonotata, Westwood (Arc. Ent. t. 57. fig. 2), both which species are in the Museum collection. Terricarcta, White, in the Appendix to Eyre’s Travels in Au- stralia, 1. 412 (Aug. 1845). Head very small, in front blunt ; lateral ocelli close to the eyes, the space between them furnished with long hairs. Prothorax very large, extending back in a rounded form beyond the base of the hind wings, sharp-pointed on the sides ; the back convex and wrinkled. Body and under parts densely clothed with hair. This genus differs from all the Stridulantes in the size and shape of the prothorax: in the neuration of the wing it is allied to Platypleura (Serville and Amyot) ; in the size of the head and the hairiness of the body it approaches Carineta (Serv. and Am.). Tettigarcta tomentosa, White, l. c. 413. tab. 4. fig.4. Brown- ish ash, hairs on the upper part of the body short, deep brown, hairs on the sides and under parts long and gray. Prothorax varied with black, in front are two large patches covered with gray hairs. Elytra spotted and varied with brown. Wings clear, somewhat ferruginous at the base. Expanse of elytra 3 inches 4 lines. Hab. Australia, near Melbourne. Notr.—LEurybrachys lata, White, in the Appendix to Eyre’s ‘ Travels’, where it is figured and described (pl. 4. f. 3. p. 412), is On the Formation of the Spore in a species of Vesiculitera. 333 closely allied to but distinct from the H. abbreviatus, Guérin, Voy. Coq. Zool. ii. 193. Crroriastes, Gray. Coccus (Ceroplastes) jamaicensis, White. Mr. Gray in the ‘ Spi- cilegia Zoologica’ (p. 7. tab. 3. f. 6. and 7) has described and figured two species of a singular inseet of the family Coccide, found by the late Lady Callcott during her residence in Brazil. For their reception he has formed the genus Ceroplastes, charac- terized as follows :— “The seven plates, of which the covering of the female is com- posed, are arranged in two lateral pairs, and a central series con- sisting of an anterior, a dorsal and a posterior plate ; the nucleus of the six marginal plates is close to the lower edge, that of the dorsal one nearly central.” The two species described are C. chi- lensis, large, white, pellucid, the plates nearly equal in size, the dorsal flattish ; it was found on the branches and peduncles of a tree with pinnated leaves: the second species, C. janeirensis, is smaller, brownish, subopake, hemispherical, the dorsal plate convex; it was found on a species of Solanum with simple lan- ceolate velvety leaves. In the ‘ Philosophical Transactions’ for 1794, p. 383, Dr. Pearson described an insect allied to the above under the name of “ White-lac,” somewhat similar to the Pe-la of the Chinese. Mr. Gray, in his memoir, refers to species of similar insects as haying been found by Humboldt and D’Azara. The occurrence of another distinct species of this genus, in a collection made by Mr. Gosse in Jamaica, induces me to make this note and add its description. They were taken from the trunk of a lance-wood tree. Mr. Gosse mentions that they melt in a candle like wax : im size it approaches Mr. Gray’s second species, in colour and form it is different; it may be called Ceroplastes jamaicensis. It is of a yellowish green colour ; the base is almost hexagonal ; there are siz marginal plates, each of which is slightly notched in the middle below ; the upper plate is notched behind and has two pro- minences in front. XLIV.—Mode of the Formation of the Spore in a species of Ve- siculifera. By G. H. K. Tawartes, Esq. To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. GENTLEMEN, 2 Kingsdown Parade, Bristol, March 24, 1846. Havine recently met with a species of Vesiculifera just in that state of maturity calculated for showing to advantage the various stages in the development of the spore, I did not let slip the op- 334 On the Formation of the Spore in a species of Vesiculifera. portunity of satisfying myself as to the real character of the pro- cess, and I can give the following as the result, not only of my own observations, but fortified by the opinion of Mr. Berkeley as to their correctness, to whom I submitted specimens for exami- nation. The species in question may possibly be the V. lacustris of Mr. Hassall, with which species it would appear to agree in size, but I cannot determime with any certainty from his figure and description. The plant occurs in ponds on a common near Bristol, and is of a pleasant pale apple-green colour. The cells are usually from five to seven times as long as broad, and are lined with but a small quantity of endochrome which is ‘disposed i in a reticulate manner. Some of the cells, however, may be observed to be slightly inflated, and to contain a larger amount of endochrome than the rest: in each of these mflated cells a spore is subse- quently formed, and in the following way :—The endochrome, -after attaining a certain degree of density from an increase in its development, not from any derived from a contiguous cell, moves towards one end of its cell ; it (the endochrome) shortly becomes divided into two very unequal portions, the larger and terminal one of which becomes converted into the spore, and the smaller portion is found to be separated from this bya single septum. A process has, in reality, taken place analogous to the fissiparous division of the cell of Zygnema; two cells have been formed within the original one, but in the Vesiculifera one of these new cells is the spore. This is a fact of considerable physiological importance, and I shall have more to say on this subject in a future communica- tion. P.S. March 25, 1846.—Since writing the foregoing I have re- ceived a letter from Mr. E. J enner, who is well-acquainted with the species intended by Mr. Hassall’s descriptions, informing me that the Vesiculifera mentioned above is the V. concatenata of that gentleman’s work. I have today examined very carefully specimens of Vesiculifera equalis, Hassall, and find that the process of the formation of the spore is similar to what I have stated to take place in V. conca- tenata. In the V. equalis, however, I have been able to trace the mode of development of the two or three contiguous spores, which are sometimes to be seen in the filaments of this species : the first spore is formed in the way I have previously mentioned, and arrives at considerable maturity before there is any appear- ance of one, contiguous to it, being produced ; but it may then be seen that the vinntier portion of endochrome, which had been separated just previously to the first spore being formed, and phenomena. Dr. T. Cantor on a species of Semnopithecus. 335 © which then occupied but little space in the cell, has become con- siderably increased in amount, an increase having also taken place in the length of the cell: at length the process of division, &e. occurs as before, and a second spore is formed adjoining the first. The formation of a third spore involves a similar chain of I am, Gentlemen, your very obedient servant, G. H. K. Tuwaires. XLV.—On a species of Semnopithecus from the Peninsula of Malacca. By Turopor Cantor, Esq., M.D., Civil Surgeon, Prince of Wales Island, To Richard Taylor, Esq. Dear Sir, Library, East India House, April 6, 1846. [Tue first notice of the species of Semnopithecus described in the accompanying essay by Dr. Cantor, is given in the ‘ Proceedings of the Zoological Society” for 1837, p. 14, by Mr. James Reid, who characterized it under the name of obscurus from a speci- men in the Society’s collection; the locality of the particular specimen exhibited was unknown. Temminck subsequently de- scribed a Semnopithec very concisely with the name of Semn. leucomystax, stating doubtfully that the S. obscurus of Reid might perhaps belong to the same species. See Verhandelingen over de Natuurlyke Geschiedenis der Nederlandsche Bezittingen : Mono- graphisch Overzicht van Semnopithecus, p.59,no.4. Mr. Mar- tin, in his ‘ Natural History of Quadrumana,’ gives a more de- tailed account of the external characters of Semnopithecus obscu- rus of Reid, or the Dusky Monkey, referring to some specimens brought from Singapore by Mr. Cuming, and presented by him to the museum of the Zoological Society, and also to a specimen in the Paris museum, adding, that no particular details of the ha- bits of this species had as yet been received ; science is therefore indebted to Dr. Cantor for the first satisfactory account of the habits and peculiarities of this monkey, and I submit this essay to your consideration as deserving perhaps a place in the ‘ Annals of Natural History.’ The ‘ Proceedings of the Linnean Society ’ for April 1, 1845, contain the specific character of the Semnopithecus halonifer, with a few remarks extracted from Dr. Cantor’s more detailed essay.— T. Horsfield. | Semnopithecus halonifer, Cantor. S. nitide cinereo-nigrescens; crista occipitis cana, abdomine subal- bido ; cauda subcinerea ; facie, auribus, manibus, pedibus, tuberi- 336 Dr. T. Cantor on a species of Semnopithecus. busque ischiaticis nigris ; palpebris labiisque lacteis, uti halonibus circumdatis, tarsis palpebrarum nigris ; phalangibus digitorum primis membrana inter se junctis. Juvenis : Pallidior; crista occipitis cinerea, facie nigro-ceerulescenti. Neonatus : Nitide fulvus. : The colour of the face, ears, hands and feet, and of the ischiatic callosities is mtense shining black. The back and external sur- face of the extremities blackish or dark brownish ash, as well as the chest and the inner side of the extremities. The tail is cylin- drical, with a small terminal tuft of a lighter ash-colour. The skin is milky-white, and is left to view on the abdomen, which is thinly covered with ash-coloured hairs. The forehead is com- pletely hidden by hairs, so closely adpressed to the skull, that they appear as if they had been brushed backwards to the occiput, which is covered by a long crest of grayish hairs lying flat down the back, unless agitated by the movements of the head, when they may be said to “ stand on end.” The eyebrows are promi- nent, rendered more so by a ridge or bandeau of long, half-erect, diverging, shining black hairs. The eye is dark brown, nearly black, of great brilliancy, heightened by the milky-white colour of the eyelids, which forms a broad halo, bordered by the black tarsus and eyelashes. A similar broad halo is formed by the white lips and chin. These white markings, which are most de- veloped in the young, impart a very singular expression to the physiognomy. The nose is a little prominent. The nostrils open laterally, and the fleshy part between them is elevated. The lps and chin have a short grayish beard ; the cheeks are covered with long, backwards pointing whiskers, which nearly hide the black, rather large ears. The thumbs of the anterior extremities are very minute. The first phalanges of the four fingers are united by an interdigital membrane sufficiently lax to allow of the fingers being widely separated. This character exists not only in the different species of Gibbons and Monkeys enumerated by the author of ‘The Natural History of Monkeys, Opossums and Lemurs,’ but also in Semnopithecus cristatus, Horsfield (Simia cristata, Rafiles), Cercopithecus (Macacus) eyno- molgus, Ogilby, and Papio nemestrinus (Simia aygula), Ogilby. It is however difficult to recognise in preserved specimens, in which it becomes shriveled, and may therefore easily eseape ob- servation. The sexes of the present species appear not to differ in colour or size. The young ones are of the same but paler co- lours, and the face is blackish blue. Immediately after birth the colour is a shining fulvous. The fur consists of long soft hairs of a silky texture. This species is very common on the hills and forests of the Malayan Peninsula, Prince of Wales Island, and other neighbouring islands. The dimensions of the adult are :— Dr. T. Cantor on a species of Semnopithecus. 337 ft. in, Length from the tip of the nose to the root ofthe tail... 2 14 From vertex t0 ditto .c.cccccssececeseceecncssceeeoeesesceeres | lea: | Length of the arm ......cssesesscesececsencecerereererecenenene 1 13 Of the hand ..cccssscssessseeececeseveccssecesseceace 0 4 OF ENE TOR oie cis ene cic c cease ccsoceecusedds codeseece $542 ————~ Of the fo0t .........sesecccscccecceccecscnsceensesorens Or 6 —— Of the tail icrscccccvercscedesccccvvccccscecedectecess 2 24 The dentition is similar to that of Semnopithecus maurus, Horsfield. With old age the external margin of the ims turns gray, and forms what in the human eye is denominated arcus senilis. From the peculiar structure of the stomach of the Sem- nopithecs, Professor Owen has expressed an opinion, that their food consisted of leaves and tender buds of trees, rather than of fruits and roots, the food of ordinary monkeys (Zoolog. Transact. vol. i.). Dr. Horsfield has recorded that S. maurus during its young state feeds on tender leaves, and when adult on wild fruits (Zool. Researches in Java). The author of the above-quoted in- teresting work upon Monkeys (vol. 1. p. 214) has pointed out the peculiarity of the molar teeth of the Semnopithecs being tritu- rated at an early period, and justly infers a longitudinal grinding motion from front to rear. The present species, as well as S. cristatus, exhibits an additional peculiarity about the teeth, which at an early age become covered with a dark brown crust similar to that observed in ruminating animals. The food of the present species consists of leaves, tender buds of different kinds of trees as well as of soft fruit ; and the occasional visits of foraging par- ties in nutmeg and coffee plantations and gardens is anything but welcome to the owners. In its adult state, this, like other Sem- nopithecs, is sullen and morose, and is scarcely susceptible of do- mestication. Such however is by no means the case during early age. A young male, some months in my possession, appeared immediately reconciled to his new mode of life, allowed himself to be handled, and showed he was not insensible of caresses. But being tied up and left in solitude he showed a gentle impatience by a most melancholy cry, repeating slowly the syllable “OO,” and stretching its arms towards the nearest person, with whom he would remain quiet, frequently throwmg its arms round his keeper’s neck. When disturbed by a sudden movement, or when about being removed from his chosen seat, he would recommence his lamentations. In short he expressed a decided aversion to solitude and neglect. He frequently used to be in my lap or sit on my shoulder while I was reading, and as he was remarkably cleanly, these indulgences were readily granted. As already ob- served of others of this genus by the author of ‘ Nat. Hist. of Monkeys,’ &c., he manifested a great indisposition to action, and. 338 Dr. T. Cantor on a species of Semnopithecus. possessed none of the petulance, mischievous curiosity and rest- less activity of the Cercopithecs. In his predilection for the so- ciety of man, in gentleness, in his cry and also in physiognomy, he strongly resembles the Gibbons, which struck me so much the more, as I at the same time had an opportunity of studying the habits of a young Hylobates leuciscus, Ogilby (captured in the Purlis territory on the Malayan Peninsula, which therefore must be added to the habitats of that Gibbon). But with these points the resemblance ceases, for the latter is active, nay even re- markably so, when compared to Semnopithecus halonifer. A very interesting feature in this monkey is its attachment to children, whereas gibbons and monkeys, generally speaking, entertain a marked aversion towards them. ‘The one | am now describing would go to my native butler’s daughter, a little girl of five years, in preference to any other person, and cling with its arms round the child’s neck as long as permitted. Leaves and young shoots* of mulberry, coffee, jambu-trees and a kind of gossypium, as well as the large pink flower of the latter, were his favourite food. Of fruit he preferred plantains, jambu and mulberries ; but he would also eat mangustin, mangas, rambutan and papayas, not however unless the latter-mentioned fruits were opened or cut in small slices. But a very small quantity was taken in the mouth at a time, and in the absence of cheek-pouches it was slowly masti- cated and swallowed. Insects and animal food of every descrip- tion he refused. Occasionally he would swallow twigs or sand. His beverage was water, which was taken after each meal in con- siderable quantity, and he took more fluid than solid food. He drank stooping to the water’s edge, but not by means of the hand. Having finished his meal, he would sit down, close the eyelids, occasionally gnaw his fingers’ ends, and slowly grind the teeth and chew very small particles of the food regurgitated under fre- quent eructations. Thus he would continue for a considerable time till he fell asleep. Although a rumination takes place, it is in a limited and far less degree than in Ruminants. In fact, it is, as Prof. Owen has truly suggested, “ analogous to rumination ” (Zool. Proceed. 1833, i. p. 75). The disparity between the ex- tremities and the size of the stomach, which imparts a consider- able corpulency even in early age, renders the monkey a ludicrous object in his awkward movements on the ground. The back is raised into a high arch, the centre of the back being elevated above the vertex, while the long hair of the head and body is * A young male orang-outan, Simia Satyrus, from New Guinea (with the nails and two joints of the hind thumbs perfectly developed) greedily devours young shoots of plantain-trees and other plants, and it has therefore been found desirable to watch his rambles in my flower-garden. Dr. T. Cantor on a species of Semnopithecus. 339 disheveled. Thus he rolls heavily along to reach the nearest tree. Should the distance be found too long, he frequently rests. In the jungle I have never observed this monkey on the ground, but troops from five or six to some twenty watch with curiosity from on high the intruder, and when frightened they will perform astounding leaps, while they express their fear or annoyance by a hoarse short cry. If one is shot, the others fly to a short di- stance, stop and observe the wounded, but attempt not to carry him off. Judging by the physiognomy and the proportions of the limbs, this species appears to be nearest allied to S. maurus, Horsfield. The white lips occur in S. Nestor, Bennet, but the white eyelids have hitherto been considered to be a character almost confined to certain African Cercopithecs (Nat. Hist. of Monkeys, &c., vol. i. p. 318). But Semnopithecus cristatus of the Malayan Peninsula and Prince of Wales Island has the eye- lids of a much lighter, almost whitish, colour than the rest of the face, and in Cercopithecus (Macacus) cynomolgus (Simia ay- gula) of the same localities the upper eyelids are whitish. The white marks however become obliterated shortly after death, and are scarcely discernible in preserved specimens. S. halonifer is denominated by the Malays of Prince of Wales Island by the general appellation of “ Lutung”’ (a monkey), or “ Lutung itam” (black monkey), both of which names however are also in- discriminately applied to S. cristatus and S. maurus. Dissection of a young male of the following dimensions :— ft. in. Length from the nose to the root of the tail ......... Ee At Prete VORCOR CO MUG ios cosas ese cccccensccen 0 1023 ———— Of the tail © ............ccebvccseese Seat esncpecacit 1 3} The stomach consists of three distinctly separated divisions, as described by Prof. Owen in S. entellus, but presents in this spe- cies a much less sacculated appearance, and differs more parti- cularly in the second or middle compartment haying smooth and not sacculated parietes, and being of a crescent shape. The py- lorie portion is a cylindrical canal, gradually diminishing in dia- meter towards the pylorus ; first of a sigmoid figure, then turn- ing upon itself. It is in a less degree puckered up upon the two bands than is the case in the Entellus, and the sacculi cease about 34 inches from the pylorus. When distended the stomach mea- sured :— in. Length along the greater curvature, beginning at the left vag ‘eR TMILY ..cccccccccccccccccsccccsecsvccveutenecnsecccsessscccccseee ecenesecs Be MaOIe The LOSS COTVALUTS Sisdecs dieses ss ccdedadicedbesectber staves a Greatest circumference one inch to the left of cardia ............... 0. Cirumference one inch from pylorus .........cccecseceeceesecetceeeece eee & 340 Botanical Notices from Spain. Length of the Intestinal Canal. Small itestin gs oo. Sed. cosas vevst ves csepevesiaseVeceds -séseuevouaee $ 6 Tate CitG0: wos. icc eceedewevecesevas euvevweues dgubuctsedibehe vege | ers SBCOIN 2... asc ccc enstocnese copaverepes buvves ree wiens epbdasuteasnrbabeaWOniEn oO The cecum is of a conic figure with the fundus constricted. The liver extends from the right hypochondriac to the right lum- bar region, and is nearly hidden behind the stomach. The upper surface of the right lobe adhered in this specimen firmly to the corresponding surface of diaphragma ; it is of very reduced size. The gall-bladder is of a cylindric, pyriform shape, three-quarters of an inch in length. The spleen is small, triangular, somewhat flattened, measurmg one inch in length, and five-eighths im its broadest diameter. The pancreas is linear, flattened, two inches m length, three-sixteenths in diameter. Coste verze seven, spuric five = twelve pairs. XLV1I.— Botanical Notices from Spain. By Moritz WiLLkommM*. {Continued from p. 270.] No. XII. Granapa, August 10, 1845. Some miles to the east of Granada lies an extensive mountain tract, consisting of limestone, which bears the name of Montes de Gra- nada, and is formed of several mountain-chains, which have various names, although they constitute one and the same range. The Sierra de Alfacar forms the western limit of the mountains of Gra- nada, with which the Sierra de Jarana lying behind it, about 7000 feet high, runs parallel; this is the highest part of the whole range, and forms its northern limit. With this is connected on the north several lower mountain-ranges, as the Sierra del Rallo and Sierra de las Navas, which divide the provinces of Granada and Jaen; whilst in the south, the Sierra de Jarana and the Sierra de Molinillo, and that of Alfacar pass over into the rocky Sierra de Huétor, both which are separated from the outliers of the Sierra Nevada partly by the valley of the Darro, and partly by the Rio Aucharén. This many- branched mountain district, whose vegetation varies remarkably in its different parts, divides the noble Vega de Granada from the bar- ren and arid high plains of Guadix, and the basin of the Jenil from that of the upper Guadalquivir. I have examined this interesting district in all its parts, during several excursions, and will here en- deavour to give in short sketches as true a picture as possible of its rich vegetation. | The greatest part of the whole mountain-chain is quite barren ; and in the broad hollow between the Sierra de Alfacar and the first chain of the Sierra de Jarana, as well as in the valleys and rayines * Translated from the Botanische Zeitung, Jan. 16, 1846. Botanical Notices from Spain. 341 of the Sierra del Molinillo, are woods, consisting of Pinus Pinaster, Ait., Quercus Ilex, L., and Q. lusitanica, Lamk. a. faginea, and under them a luxuriant underwood composed of the shrubs common in the south of Spain, among which I observed in the above-mentioned hollow the beautiful white-blossomed Cistus laurifolius, L., and a dwarf rose with small white blossoms in great abundance. The lower part of the western declivity of the Sierra de Alfacar, as well as the northern ridges known by the name of the Sierra del Rallo and de las Navas, are thickly clothed with Lavandula Spica, L., which does not occur in the Sierra Nevada even at the same elevation, but is there supplanted by L. danata, Boiss., as well as by various common Cistinee, as C. albidus, C. crispus, C. monspeliensis, Helianthemum guttatum, salicifolium, Fumana, &c. Under shady bushes occur not rarely, throughout the whole range, Peonia lobata, Desf., and Leu- zea conifera, DC., and on the rocks of all the chains, reaching into the alpine region, a number of the oft already-mentioned rock plants, which are also found in all the mountain-chains of Granada; espe- cially Barkhausia albida, Cass., Saxifraga spathulata, Desf., Draba hispanica, Boiss., Alyssum alpestre, L., Arabis auriculata, Lam., and many others. On loose rocky soil of the western acclivity of the Sierra de Alfacar occur Helianthemum origanifolium, P., Arenaria Armeriastrum, Boiss., Thymus granatensis, Boiss., Satureja cuneifolia, Ten., Convolvulus lineatus, L., and on shady rocks of the east side, Ononis arragonensis. Also, on loose rocky soil along the crest, He- lianth. piliferum, Boiss., and Haenselera granatensis, Boiss., a beauti- ful Cichoriaceous plant, hitherto only found by Boissier in the Sierra Nevada at a single locality, and which grows here in great plenty. Under the shrubs on the oft-mentioned broad hollow between the Sierra de Alfacar and Sierra de Jarana, I observed Geum sylvaticum, Pourr., and Polygala rosea, Desf., in plenty ; upon marshy meadows, Spirea Filipendula, L.; and on -rivulets in woody dells, isolated shrubs of Viburnum Lantana, L. The Sierra de Jarana consists of two parallel mountain-chains, the western one of which forms lower, unusually steep and strangely shaped rocks, which are characterized by their sterility ; the eastern and higher chain rises in gentle slopes and presents a richer vege- tation. I here found, among other plants, Adonis dentata, Del., Tragopogon crociflorum, L., Sgorzonera hispanica, L., Jurinea humi- lis, DC., Matthiola varia, DC., Ononis arragonensis, Asso, Dianthus brachyanthus, Boiss., Anthyllis erinacea, L., Ptilotrichum spinosum, Boiss., and very rarely, Passerina elliptica, Boiss. A remarkably varied flora is found on the much lower but very rocky Sierra de Huétor, which I had an opportunity of visiting on the 8th of July, on my journey into the mountains of eastern Anda- lusia. On the steep rock-walls of this mountain-chain grew luxu- riantly Anthyllis tejedensis, Boiss., and a pretty orange-flowered Cen- taurea very plentifully ; and on sunny rocky soil occurred, from the foot to the summit, the delicate Paronychia aretioides, Pourr., Re- seda Gayana, Boiss., and Pistorinia hispanica, DC., which also covers the grassy levels of the summit in company with Serratula flaves- 342 Botanical Notices from Spain. cens, Poir., and other mountain plants. I found rarely in this moun- tain-chain the beautiful silver-coloured Pterocephalus spathulatus, Boiss. (Knautia spath. Lag. gen. et sp.), forming patches, on fallow land Anagallis verticillata, All.; and along the road-side and in ditches Hypericum tomentosum, L., and the beautiful Salvia phlomoi- des, Asso. Lastly, I gathered in the valleys of the Sierra del Moli- nillo, whose vegetation agrees on the whole with the already-de- scribed Sierra, a very beautiful yellow Astragalus, and in clefts of the shady Jimestone rocks the Sarcocapnos crassifolius, DC., forming very brittle beds. fon With this mountain district is connected on the east a broad, partly undulating and barren high table-land, which on the south is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada and its branches, on the east by the Sierra de Gor, and on the north by other lower mountain-chains, and in whose soil (which consists of tertiary and diluvial formations). the rivers descending from the Sierra Nevada have worn very pecu- liarly formed ravines, or deep valleys. This is the Plain of Guadix, which possesses only a scanty but peculiar vegetation. The whole ground is evidently very much charged with salt, which is partly proved by the neighbouring mineral waters of Graéna, and partly by the saline plants which occur. The following plants grow here very plentifully: Lygeum Spartum, L., Peganum Harmala, L., Astra- galus tumidus, W. (Anthyllis tragacanthoides, Desf.), Macrochloa tenacissima, Kth., Artemisia campestris, L., A. Burrelieri, Boiss., various Chenopodiacee and Salsolacee, and on isolated places Sideri- tis linearifolia, Lag., a delicate species with lineal subulate leaves and whitish-yellow flowers. On walls and ditches in the environs of the pleasant town of Guadix, which lies in a wide valley, were at this time in blossom Ephedra altissima, Desf., Lepidium latifolium, L., Althea officinalis, L., and Vitex Agnus-castus, L., in abundance. Further eastwards, and separated from the’Plain of Guadix by the Sierra de Gor, which is extremely poor in plants, but partly covered with fir-trees, is the broad gypsum basin of Baza, in the midst of which rises the Sierra de Baza, a perfectly isolated great rocky mountain, which I regret that I have not been able to visit. The limits of this plain, destitute alike of trees and water, and intersected. by a thousand small valleys, are, on the south, the mountain-chains of Lucar and Serén, on the east the chains of Cullar, Oria and Pe- riate, and on the north the lofty chains of Huescar and Cazorla, in which are the sources of the Guadalquivir. The town of Baza lies on the acclivity of a chain of sand-hills, on which Santolina canes- cens, Lag., flowers in great abundance, and near to the river of the same name, on whose sandy banks I gathered, under shrubs of Ta- marix gallica and oleanders, Frankenia pulverulenta, L., and Cynan- chum monspeliacum, L. As soon as the river is crossed, you enter on the so-called gypsum formation, the shining white ground is covered with a purely saline vegetation. Immense tracts were exclu- sively covered with Macrochloa tenacissima, Kth.; on other localities the flora consisted of a number of interesting plants, as Lygeum Spartum, Obione portulacoides, Mocq., Frankenia thymifolia, Desf., Botanical Notices from Spain. 343 Ajuga Pseudo-iva, DC., Lepidium subulatum, L., the elegant Helian- themum squamatum, P., and the remarkable Ononis crassifolia, Duf., and also Artemisia, Chenopodie, and Salsolacee. The northern and eastern margin of this broad basin, which still belongs to the province of Granada, is formed by the lofty limestone range of the province of Almeria, whose average height is about 6000 feet, and whose branches stretch into the neighbouring king- dom of Murcia. Close to the boundaries of the kingdoms of Gra- nada, Jaen and Murcia, lies the highest point of this many-branched chain, the Sagra de Huescar, nearly 8000 feet high, an immense conical limestone mountain, which is connected by a low thickly- wooded mountain-chain with three lofty limestone chains running west and east, the Sierra de Maria, Sierra de Velez-Blanco, and Sierra de Oria. The most important of these three mountain-chains, in a botanical point of view, is the Sierra de Maria, which, according to the trigonometrical measurement of Clemente, is nearly 7000 feet high; it takes its name from the hamlet of Maria lying at its north- eastern foot, where I staid for a week. This descends, like all mountain-chains going parallel to it, towards the north in steep rocks, -nd is covered on its northern base with woods of Pinus Pi- naster, in which Cistus laurifolius, L., Helianthemum halimifolium, Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi, Salvia officinalis and other shrubs occur in great profusion. Of herbaceous plants, I found in these woods Vincetoxicum nigrum, Schult., Teucrium Webbianum, Boiss., Nepeta Nepetella, DC., Rubia Tinctorum, L., Bunium Macuca, Boiss., Cen- taurea granatensis, Boiss., in plenty; more rarely Telephium Imperati, L., and Dictamnus Fraxinella, L. In the shady rocky valleys of this side, especially in the romantic Barranco Agrio, stretching up into the alpine region, I again met with some alpine trees of the Sierra Nevada, namely Lonicera arborea, Boiss., Sorbus Aria, L., and Acer opulifolium, Vill., under whose shade on moist loose rocky soil Ge- ranium lucidum, L., Smyrnium perfoliatum, Mill., and other umbellife- rous plants, as well as the beautiful Scopolina atropoides, Schult., grew in luxuriant profusion. The clefts of the rugged limestone rocks of the alpine region were filled with thick beds of numerous alpine plants ; amongst others, the delicate Stachys circinnata, L’Hér, Hypericum Ericoides, L., just beginning to flower, Hieracium saxatile, Vahl., a beautiful and perhaps new Globularia with woody stem and coriaceous, stiff, thorny-serrate leaves, an Arenaria with elliptical, grayish-green, almost succulent leaves and large white flowers, forming much inter- laced and fragile patches, a stemless, white, woolly Centaurea with orange-coloured flowers, a Silene, and many others; and at the foot of the same rocks I observed Senecio quinqueradiatus, Boiss., Rumex pulcher, L., and the beautiful Andryala Agardhii, Boiss., in full flower. In shady clefts of the highest rocks I found EHrinus alpinus, L., Ptilo- trichum longicaule, Boiss., and a splendid Saxifraga, growing in most luxuriant beds, with large blossoms and succulent, serrate, viscous leaves ; also on the highest ridges Hrodium trichomanefolium, L’ Hér., _ Anthyllis Webbiana, Hook., Sideritis scordioides, L., var. vestita, Boiss., Arenaria tetraquetra, L., and a number of alpine shrubs, as Ptilotri- 344: Botanical Notices from Spain. chum spinosum, Boiss., here constantly with white flowers ; Anthyllis Erinacea, L., Vella spinosa, Boiss., Genista aspalathoides, DC., var. confertior, Boiss., and Juniperus phenicea, L. On loose rocky soil and fields at the foot of the mountain-chain I remarked Minuartia campestris, LOfil.,in plenty, Lagecia cuminoides, L., Polygonum Con- volvulus, L., and various grasses, Almost the same, but a much poorer vegetation is found on the lower Sierra de Oria. Between Maria and the lofty Sagra de Huescar, which I ascended on the 15th of June, is a wide, undulating, high table-land, destitute of water and trees, which presents only a few plants. I however gathered some rather scarce plants here in plenty, as the pretty Jurinea pinnata, DC. (Stehelina, Lag.), Thymus membranaceus, Boiss., Allium spherocephalum, L., a pretty Onobrychis and a beautiful large- blossomed Lavatera. Some low mountain-ridges, almost wholly co- vered with Lavandula Spica, have to be traversed before reaching the foot of the Sagra, on which lies the large hamlet of La Puebla de Don Fabrique, in whose neighbourhood occurs Santolina pectinata in plenty, and distant several miles from the Sagra, on which some fields of snow were still visible. This colossal mountain is on its southern and western acclivity up to half its height thickly wooded with firs, in whose shade I met with a pretty little Campanula on the loose vegetable soil. The whole of the upper portion of the mountain is entirely barren, and covered on almost all sides with loose limestone debris. 'The summit is formed of a narrow, grassy level, on which the remarkable rose-red Senecio Boissieri, DC., flowers in company with a Paronychia, Anthyllis Webbiana, Hook., and Galium pyrenaicum, Gou. On the rocks of the northern accli- vity below the summit I gathered a small Sazifraga with Valeriana tuberosa, DC.; and upon barren limestone debris, almost wholly concealed among the loose stones, here and on the western acclivity, two peculiar plants in great profusion, namely a Platycapnos with nearly round heads of small flesh-coloured flowers and finely divided, grayish-green leaves, and a pretty stemless Cichoriaceous plant with almost spathulate long petiolated leaves, covered on both sides with a white wool, and a long -stalked head of large blossoms of yellow flowers, on the underside of a carmine colour. On the debris of the southern acclivity occur the pretty Scutellaria orientalis, L., more frequent Ptilotrichum spinosum, Vella spinosa, Anthyllis Erinacea, and Andryala Agardhii. About six miles east of Maria and a mile from Velez-Blanco rises a remarkable rugged mountain. somewhat of the form of the Lilien- stein in the Saxon Switzerland, which has the name of Muela de Montalbiche, and may be about 5000 feet high. This immense limestone rock forms the highest point and the most western abut- ment of a chain, the greatest part of which belongs to the kingdom of Murcia, and is only. accessible from the western side. I ascended it on the 19th of July, and found here in the rocky clefts from the foot to the summit the elegant Hypericum ericoides, L., in great plenty ; and moreover on the shady rocky. walls of the upper part a small, half-shrubby, fragile, whitish-gray Teucrium forming patches, Botanical Notices from Spain. 345 together with Sarcocapnos enneaphyllos, DC., but rather scattered. Upon loose rocky soil on the acclivities of the mountain grew lux- uriantly Thymus membranaceus, Boiss., and Lavandula Spica, L.; and on the extensive surface of the summit Cerasus prostrata, DC. Be- tween the two mountain-chains of Velez-Blanco and Oria is a broad, barren and arid table-land, which descends toward the west into the gypsum basin of Baza, toward the east into the wide and fruitful valley of the Rio de Velez, and contains some miserable hamlets, affording scarcely the barest nourishment. Few plants are found in this country; but here grow luxuriantly Centaurea granatensis, Boiss., Euphorbia serrata, L., a Barkhausia, Convolvulus lineatus, L., Thymus longiflorus, Boiss., and especially the rare Sideritis fetens, Clem. in Lag. gen. and sp., somewhat frequent. After crossing the Sierra de las Estancias, which presents a nielaly rocky and barren crest, a branch of the chain of Oria, and which runs east and west, forming the right wall of the valley of the river of Velez-Rubio, the ground sinks gradually more and more down to- ward the coast, which however is still above eight leagues distant. The whole of this south-eastern part of the province of Almeria, watered throughout by the Rio de Almanzora, is distinguished by its extreme barrenness, and the valleys alone yield the botanist any hopes of booty. Through the Rambla de las Carrascas, a valley now quite destitute of water, whose sides are covered in parts with vines, olives and fig-trees, I reached, near the little town of Huercal-Overa, the valley of the Almanzora, which is in summer only an insignifi- cant rivulet. Huercal-Overa lies close to the northern foot of the bleak Sierra de Almagro, whose most western and lowest portion is intersected by the river. The mountain-chain consists of limestone, and appears to be very barren. Close behind the above-named little town, you enter the narrow, very rocky and picturesque valley, which is in parts well-cultivated. On sunny rocks I remarked here the rare Lavandula denitata, L., but already off flower, as well as a shrubby Galium, and on sand-hills the pretty Brassica pendula, Boiss. (Sisym- brium pend., Desf.), in company with Moricandia arvensis, DC. Be- fore reaching the little town of Cuevas-Overa, the river leaves the mountain-chain and hastens in numerous windings through a wide, flat and extremely beautiful valley toward the sea, which is distant scarcely four miles from Cuevas. The environs of Cuevas-Overa consist for the most part of gypsum, and have therefore, excepting some salt-plants, only a very poor vegetation. On the gypsum-hills, west of the town, there grows luxuriantly Santolina viscida, Lag., frequent; Atractylis humilis, L., occurs rare ; whilst Paliurus mentees lis, L., which I have followed up to the limits of Murcia and high up in the valley of the Almanzora,.is very common in the whole coun- try round. Six miles east of Cuevas, on the frontiers of Andalusia and Murcia, rises the Sierra Almagrera, which has latterly become so famous for its rich silver-mines—a mountain-range, scarcely 3000 feet in height, consisting of graywacke and clay-slate, the most east- ern point of Andalusia. The vegetation of this chain, which I visited on the 21st of July, reduces itself to a small number of salt-plants, Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. 2B 346 Botanical Notices from Spain. as Frankenia thymifolia, Desf., which overgrows a great part of the Sierra, two species of Salsola, a Statice, Artemisia campestris and A. Barrelieri, &c. Paliurus australis, already mentioned, is also found throughout the chain in great plenty. Through the centre of the province of Almeria runs a broad, lofty mountain-chain, the chief direction of which lies from N.W. to S8.E., separating the two wide valleys of the Rio de Almanzora and the Rio de Almeria. The first of these rivers divides this mountain- chain from those of Seron, Lucar, Oria, and the frontier chains of Murcia; the other, on the contrary, from the Sierra de Gador and the eastern part of the Sierra Nevada. The chief portion of this range is formed by the Sierra de Filabres, which consists of the same gneiss that composes the lofty mountain-range of the Sierra Nevada, and is separated by a high plain from the Sierra de Aljamilla, which probably consists of limestone, and terminates in the immense por- phyry rocks of the Cabo de Gata. I traversed the highest part of the Sierra de Filabres on my way back from Cuevas to Granada, after I had gone up the valley of the Almanzora as far as the little town of Purchena, where Statice globulariefolia, Desf., occurs in great plenty. The Sierra de Filabres, whose highest point is the Teta de Vacares, rising nearly 7000 feet, forms broad, gently rounded summits; but it does not appear to be very rich in plants. It how- ever possesses many plants which had hitherto only been met with in the Sierra Nevada, as Adenocarpus decorticans, Boiss,, Lavandula lanata, Boiss., and others; also Teucrium capitatum, L., Satureja mon- tana, L., Thymus hirtus, W., Scabiosa tomentosa, Cav., Onopordon acaule, L., Cirsium flavispina, Boiss., Marrubium sericeum, Boiss., Bupleurum spinosum, L., Berberis vulgaris var. australis, and on the summits the common alpine shrubs, Ptilotrichum spinosum and An- thyllis Erinacea. Between the valley of the Rio de Almeria and the Plain of Guadix lies a gently sloped range of hills, which connects the Sierra Ne- vada with the Sierra de Gor, and belongs to the district of El Mar- quesado, by which name the plain along the north-eastern foot of the Sierra Nevada is known. This broad ridge is almost destitute of vegetation, but it has one rare plant, Eurotia ceratoides, C. A. M., which occurs here in great plenty. After my return to Granada, I made the last excursion to the Sierra Nevada, at the beginning of this month, in which I again pe- netrated to the Corral de Veleta, and a second time ascended the Picacho de Veleta. The visit to the Corral was, from the immense masses of snow, under the icy covering of which the swollen alpine streams poured down, accompanied with some danger, but it re- paid the risk and toil. Beside a great number of the plants I had gathered in the snow-region the previous year, I brought back from these two excursions some also which I had not before found, as for instance Dianthus lusitanicus, Brot., which occurs very plenti- fully on the gneiss rocks of the Barranco de Gualnon, Aretia Vita- liana, L., Senecio Boissieri, DC., Cirsium odontolepis, Boiss., Sedum anglicum, L., var. rivulare, Boiss. ; and from the highest summit of the Bibliographical Notices. 347 Picacho de Veleta some specimens of the extremely rare Linaria gla- cialis, Boiss., and several grasses, among others Trisetum glaciale, Boiss., and Festuca Clementei, Boiss. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. A History of the Fossil Insects of the Secondary Rocks of England. By the Rev. P. B. Broniz, M.A., F.G.S. London, 1845. 8vo. A REMARKABLE proof is afforded by the present work of the mode in which geology calls in to its assistance the different natural sciences. Few would have supposed that entomology could have been made to perform its part in the elucidation of the ancient physical history of our planet, but here we have a work presented to us in which beau- tiful representations, from the pencil of Mr. Westwood, of very many fossil insects are contained. Portions of nearly all the orders have been found. By far the greater number of the specimens consist of the wings and elytra only, but in some instances, especially amongst the Diptera, the insect is presented to us in a nearly perfect state. The fossils are derived from several strata. The first locality no- ticed by the author is in the Purbeck strata in the Vale of Wardour in Wiltshire. He there finds very numerous specimens and species, chiefly however confined to a thin bed of limestone. He remarks that “the remains of insects are so abundant, and present such a variety of genera, that we are in this instance forcibly reminded of the rich collection of these beautiful fossils in the more modern de- posits of Aix and Ciningen.” The Coleoptera seem to have been abundant, but very few perfect beetles were found, single elytra being of most frequent occurrence. Amongst them are species both terrestrial and aquatic, herbivorous and carnivorous, of the families Buprestide, Carabide, Curculionide, Chrysomelide, Elateride, Cantha- ride, Tenebrionide and Helophoride. Of the other orders, specimens of Orthopiera, Neuroptera, Hemiptera and Diptera occur. We would more especially mention a nearly perfect Acheta and very numerous Tipulide. We are next introduced to a few imperfect specimens, but appa- rently belonging to several genera from the Stonesfield slate in Gloucestershire, a numerous list of the other fossils from which is given. A few also occur in the Oxford clay and forest marble, which, together with the Stonesfield slate, are the only strata between the Purbeck and lias rocks in which remains of insects have been dis- covered in England. In part of the lower lias of Gloucestershire, a few thin beds of limestone are found to be richly stored with fossil insects; ‘the total number of specimens submitted to Mr. Westwood amounts to 300.” He detected many Coleoptera of the families. Buprestide,. Elateride, Curculionide, Chrysomelide, Carabide, Telephoride, Dy- tiscide, Gyrinide and Melolonthide ; also Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Ho- moptera, Neuroptera (including several beautiful dragon-flies), and one species of Diptera. 2B2 348 Bibliographical Notices. The author gives a detailed account of the geological position of the insectiferous strata, and states that ‘“‘ one object of the present imperfect sketch has been to show the value and importance of even minute investigations, in elucidating the conditions under which cer- tain strata were deposited, and more especially to point out the ex- istence of many of those fragile but beautiful forms of animal life which tenanted our earth at very early geological periods. Our minds are so constituted that we readily admire everything grand or sublime in nature; but we are apt to overlook those small and less striking objects, which are, in fact, equally worthy of our observation and regard.” We strongly recommend Mr. Brodie’s work not only to our geo- logical readers, but also to entomologists and other naturalists, and will conclude by quoting a portion of his last paragraph, in which we need not add that we fully concur :—* In all our labours and reason- ings it should never be forgotten that every examination into the wonders and beauties of God’s creation, whilst it increases our know- ledge and improves the understanding, has also a far higher and better purpose in displaying the glory of God, and in leading us to adore and praise the wisdom and omnipotence which are daily dis- played in the material world.” : . Flora Calpensis : Contributions to the Botany and Topography of Gib- raltar and its neighbourhood. By E. F. Kexraart, M.D. London, 1846. 8vo. In his * Voyage Botanique dans le Midi de Espagne,’ it is ob- served by Boissier, when writing about Gibraltar, that he is “ asto- nished that such a work (a flora) has not already been undertaken by some of the officers of the garrison.”” Such astonishment cannot in future be expressed by botanists visiting this singular place, for we have now before us a work of very high character by ‘“‘ one of the officers of the garrison.”’ Dr. Kelaart has availed himself of the knowledge which he obtained of the delightful science of botany during his studies in the University of Edinburgh, by employing that leisure time which his medical duties permitted in carefully ex- ploring the rock of Gibraltar, and has now published a list which will be found highly valuable to the botanical geographer, and doubt- less lead to a very complete acquaintanoe with the vegetable produc- tions of ‘‘ the rock.” The author appears to have made full use of the labours of former botanists who have visited Gibraltar, more especially of the account published by Boissier in his above-quoted work. He also refers to Willkomm’s notice of his visit, a translation of which will be found in these ‘ Annals’ (xvii. 118). In his Introduction the author re- marks, that ‘‘ the comparative botanist will find among the plants of Spain many which are also common to the Mediterranean coasts of Africa and Asia Minor. In this respect Gibraltar, being only a por- tion of the Peninsula, affords an opportunity of showing the extent of this similarity, and I have endeavoured to exhibit it in the habi- Bibliographical Notices. 349 tats given to the plants in the Synopsis.” This seems to us a very valuable addition to the list of species, showing at a glance the coun- tries in which each plant has been observed. Dr. Kelaart enume- rates 456 species of flowering plants and ferns as native to Gibraltar ; of these he considers forty as generally distributed in Europe ; fifty- eight as South-European ; sixty-three as common to Europe and Africa ; 174 common to the South of Europe and Africa; thirteen confined to Spain and Barbary ; ninety-six common to Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa ; and twelve confined to Europe and Asia Minor. There are 140 British species, 170 Madeira ; about as many Canary species, 160 Sicilian, about two-thirds Maltese, and seventy- three Azorean. The Jberis gibraltarica is the only species peculiar to the rock, although several others derive their names from it. The volume is divided into four parts : Part I. gives a very full and interesting account of the Topography, including observations on the geology (in which the author deplores that the publication (Journal of the Geolog. Soc. ii. 41) of the valuable geological account of Gib- raltar by Mr. Smith of Jordan Hill did not take place until the greater part of his work was printed), climate and medical statistics. Part II. is a general account of the Botany. Part III. contains the Synopsis of Plants growing in Gibraltar. Part IV. the Botany of the neigh- bourhoed of Gibraltar. And in the Appendix is Boissier’s account of his visit and the descriptions of new plants found by him. The illustrations consist of three interesting views of the rock and a small map: we could wish that another map, on a larger scale, had been added. We can cordially recommend Dr. Kelaart’s book. We have often wondered that so few of the enthusiastic young botanists found amongst the medical students of Edinburgh and other schools have done anything to advance scientific botany, although the employ- ment of many of them in the army or navy cannot but afford them numerous opportunities. We trust that they will follow Dr. Kelaart’s example. Works Just PuBLISHED. Outlines of Structural and Physiological Botany. By A. HEenrrey, Rubee. Seat t. «« The chief object of this work,’ observes the author, “is to give a concise view of the actual state of our knowledge at the present time, to the exclusion of all hypotheses, hazarded without sufficient ground or negatived by experience. The various points are treated as they rise progressively in complexity ; by this means the development and _ morphology of structures and organs will be more easily explained, and at the same time will conduce to the simplification of the sub- ject, by leading to the recognition of.an unity of plan throughout the Vegetable Kingdom.” 350 Linnean Society. — 7 PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. LINNZAN SOCIETY. November 18, 1845.—The Lord Bishop of Norwich, President, in _ the Chair. Dr. Lankester exhibited specimens of a Fucus sold in the London shops under the name of ‘‘ Australian Moss,” of which he also fur- nished a brief notice. On referring to Sir W. J. Hooker, Dr. Lan- kester obtained for it the name of F’. stiriatus, 'Turn. ; but a compa- rison with a specimen in the Linnean Herbarium marked F. stiriatus by Mr. Turner himself, and with Mr. Turner’s description in the ‘ Historia Fucorum,’ has induced Dr. Lankester to regard the Austra- lian moss as distinct. He believes it to agree better with F. spino- sus, L. It is brought from Swan River, where it grows on rocks washed by the sea, and is composed principally of Lichenin, a form of starch which also constitutes the bulk of such gelatinous plants as Iceland Moss, Carrageen Moss, Ceylon Moss, and the Gelidium used by the Hirundo esculenta in the formation of its nest. Its dietetical and medicinal qualities strongly resemble those of the Carrageen Moss (Chondrus crispus, Lyngb.). Read a paper ‘‘ On the Natural History, Development, and Ana- tomy of the Oil Beetle, Meloé, more especially Meloé cicatricosus, Leach.” By George Newport, Fellow of the Royal College of Sur- geons, &c. Communicated by the Secretary. Mr. Newport commences his paper with the remark, that although the genus Meloé includes some of the most common insects, scarcely anything has’yet been ascertained respecting their ceconomy, which, hitherto, has remained one of the most difficult unsolved problems in the natural history of the Articulata. Many naturalists, more particularly Goedart, Frisch and DeGeer, have well described the perfect insect, and have even given detailed observations on the ovi- position of the female and the early stage of the larva, but they have invariably failed to carry their inquiries further, and have been quite unacquainted with the adult larva and the nymph, as well as with the early stage of the imago. This deficiency in our knowledge of the history of these common insects is attributed to two causes— first, the anomalous habits of the insect in its earliest stages ; and secondly, the little credit that has been given to the state- ments of former observers, whose accounts Mr. Newport verifies in almost every particular. Mr. Newport commenced his observations on the habits of Meloé about fifteen years ago; but although he succeeded at that time in rearing the larva from the egg, as had been done by Goedart and DeGeer, and soon afterwards obtained the full-grown larva, the nymph and the imago, before it left its cell, he has never been able to obtain the larva in a stage intermediate between its earliest and its full-grown condition; and on this account he has delayed to publish a statement of what he already knew of the natural history of these singular insects. RB Linnean Society. 351 - The species on which Mr. Newport has made his investigations are Meloé violaceus, Meloé proscurabeus and Meloé cicatricosus, all which he has procured at Richborough near Sandwich in Kent. ‘The first two of these species come forth about the middle of March, and the latter from ten days to a fortnight later in the season. They feed chiefly on the buttercup (Ranunculus acris), and one species, M. cicatricosus, also on the dandelion. When the Meloés first appear they are feeble, and have the body very small and contracted. In the course of a few days they become more active and are increased in size. They expose themselves much to the sun, and pair in the middle and warmest part of the day. On the 8th of April 1830, the author first observed a female preparing to deposit her eggs, and he has since had numerous opportunities of observing her thus occupied. She excavates a burrow, to the depth of about two inches, beneath the roots of grass in a dry soil exposed to the sun, usually at the side of a foot-path. Into this burrow she passes her body backwards, and having deposited a large packet of yellow-coloured cylindrical eggs, she closes up the burrow with earth and begins again to feed. Each female deposits eggs from three to four times during the season, at intervals of from one to two or three weeks. The greatest number are deposited at the first laying, and fewer at each succeeding laying. In order to ascertain the number deposited at the first laying by Meloé proscarabeus, Mr. Newport removed the ovaries from a specimen that had recently been impregnated, and having divided one ovary into pieces counted the number of eggs in each under the microscope, and found that one ovary contained 2109 eggs ready for deposition ; so that the two ovaries contained the astonishing number of 4218 mature eggs, be- sides an almost equal number in the course of formation. The structure of the egg, the membranes of the shell and embryo, the manner in which the embryo-is liberated from the egg, the length of time it has remained in the egg state, and the circum- stances which affect its development are then minutely detailed; as well as the changes produced in the instinct of the unimpregnated female. | The larva of Meloé, as it comes from the egg, is a yellow, slender, active little hexapod, scarcely one-twelfth of an inch in length. It at- taches itself with great readiness to bees and flies, and clings so se- curely to them, that the insects are not able to remove it from their bodies, as was noticed in several experiments. These facts confirm the observations of Goedart and DeGeer, who first bred the larva from eggs deposited by Meloé. The structure of the larva is next described, and compared with that of the Pediculus apis of Linneus, as found on Hymenopterous insects, and the two are shown to be identical in every particular. The Meloé larva is also compared with the Pediculus Melitte of Mr. Kirby, with which also it agrees exactly in form and general struc- ture, but differs in colour, that of the latter insect being always black, while the larva of Meloé is yellow. From this circumstance 352 Linnean Society. the author concludes that Mr. Kirby’s insect is the larva of some species of another genus of the same family. The. habits of the larva of Meloé are then investigated, and the effects produced on it by exposure to light are minutely detailed. When light was totally excluded the larve remained perfectly quiet for several days, but the instant light was admitted they were in motion, travelling rapidly in a direction towardsit. The experiments were made by enclosing larve in a phial, which was inverted and turned in opposite directions. When the phial was placed perpen-. dicularly they invariably ascended to the top, and when placed in a ~ horizontal direction they always ran to that end which was nearest the light, even when the stopper around which they had been lying was removed to allow of their escape. ‘This influence of light Mr. Newport conceives may be that which induces them to ascend the yellow flowers of the dandelion and buttercup preparatory to their attaching themselves to bees that alight on the flowers to collect pollen, and which then carry them into their nests. ‘This seems to be the object of their attacking the bees, to be carried to the nest where they are to reside as parasites, and subsist on the food stored up for the bee-larva, and not to prey on the bee itself. The full-grown larva of Meloé cicatricosus is then described, and also the nymph and the imago. The author has found the insect in those stages in the nests of Anthophora retusa; but he has not hitherto succeeded in his attempts to rear the young larva of M. violaceus and M. proscarabeus in the nests of that insect. He con- cludes, therefore, that these species inhabit the nests of some other bees. In the stage between the very young and the full-grown period the larva is believed to be active and retain its six scaly feet, and to feed on the food prepared for the young bee. In its full-grown state the legs of the larva are reduced to six short tubercles. ‘The insect is then very fat, inanimate, and of an orange-yellow colour, has ten pairs of spiracles, and greatly resembles the full-grown Hymenopterous larva. It remains but a short time in this condition before it changes to a nymph, and soon afterwards to an imago, in which form it passes the winter in a state of hybernation and comes forth in the spring. In the course of this paper, while detailing the influence of light on the larva of Meloé, Mr. Newport stated that he had been led by these and other facts, which showed the great influence of light on the instincts of the young animal, “to regard light as the primary source of all vital and instinctive power, the degrees and variations of which may, perhaps, be referred to modifications of this influence on the special organization of each animal body.’ This view has suggested itself to him in connexion with the discovery recently made by Mr. Faraday of the analogy of light with magnetism and electricity, and the close relation, previously shown by Matteucci to exist between electricity and nervous power, on which not only all the vital actions, but also the instinctive faculties seem to depend. Linnean Socrety. 353 December 2.—E. Forster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. Read a paper ‘“‘ On the Anatomy of EHriocaulonee.” By the late William Griffith, Esq., F.L.S. &. Communicated by R. H. Solly, Esq., F.R.S., L.S. &c. The observations on which this memoir (written at Calcutta in 1835) was founded, were made at Mergui between the months of July and October 1834. The species examined were natives of that place, and six in number. They appear to be destitute of true spi- ral vessels, the place of which is supplied by ducts occasionally, but not freely, unrollable, aggregated in distinct fascicles and surrounded by more or less elongated cells. Mr. Griffith describes the leaves of Eriocaulon setaceum, L., as the type of these organs in the genus, since they are in it reduced to the simplest state. They are submerged in this species, and the pe- duncles and their. sheaths only rise above the surface of the water. The leaves are subulate, somewhat flattened and colourless below, green on their upper surface, and divided throughout their entire length into two distinct collateral tubes, by means of the central and only nerve which is attached both to the superior and inferior cutis by cellular tissue. Numerous transverse septa of cellular tissue divide each tube into chambers, which, however, have free commu- nication with each other through fissures dependent on a partial separation of the cells. The green parenchyma is almost entirely confined to the upper half of each tube, and ceases abruptly with- out any apparent cause. It consists of a single layer of colourless oval or roundish sacs, arranged with the most beautiful regularity in longitudinal lines extending from the base to the apex of the leaf, and corresponding with the bodies of the cells forming the cutis and not with the intervals between them. ‘The stomata are confined to the under halves of the leaves, or to-that portion of the tubes which is destitute of parenchymatous tissue. In the terrestrial species the structure of the leaves is essentially the same, but the number of longitudinal tubes is increased, and va- ries from six to twenty, the central ones only reaching the apex of the leaf. The longitudinal divisions between these tubes are marked externally by corresponding depressions, and each is furnished with a vascular fascicle similar in structure and position to that of Z. se- taceum. ‘The parenchymatous cells are arranged with less symme- try than in that species, and are not so completely confined to the upper surface ; and the lower surface abounds with stomata. The sheaths which envelope the base of the peduncle have in all the same organization, which is exactly that of the leaves of the ter- restrial species. ‘The peduncles are also composed of tubes, circu- larly arranged; they are marked externally with elevated whitish lines, which (in the living plant) have a slightly spiral direction from left to right, and correspond to the longitudinal septa. The tubes meet in a cellular axis, around which the vascular fascicles are arranged in corresponding number; and the septa form so many spokes consisting of more or less elongated cellular tissue, which in 354 Linnean Society. one species (HL. Wallichianum) approaches in density-to woody fibre. The parenchyma within the tubes is disposed with less regularity than in the leaves and sheaths, and their outer green parietes abound with stomata. With one exception, the number of tubes in the sheaths bears an exact relation to that in the peduncles of two to one. The author describes the cavities existing in some Alismacee, Pon- tederie, Cyperacee and Nelumbinee, as originating in the same man- ner as the chambers in the tubes of Hriocaulon, from the interposi- tion of cellular septa perforated by fissures caused by the separation of the cells and not by any interruption of the membrane. In Pon- tederia dilatata raphides are found in great abundance in cells at- tached to the septa in such a manner as to project at right angles beyond either surface, and to occupy the spaces left by the separa- tion of the ordinary cells. The same disposition occurs in some Aroidee. | The existence of stomata in the submerged leaves of H. setaceum is mentioned as rather corroborating than weakening the general rule laid down by M. Adolphe Brongniart, that submerged leaves are destitute of cuticle. The stomata of Hriocaulonee are described at length, and regarded as offering excellent examples of the correct- ness of M. Brongniart’s statements with regard to the nature of these bodies. Their aperture communicates directly with the interior of the leaves, and is invariably occupied by air; the communication in E. setaceum, and in two other species in which the parenchyma is confined to the upper surface, being uninterrupted; while in the leaves of those species in which the parenchyma is deposited on the lower as well as the upper cuticle, there is invariably an open space left in it, corresponding with each stoma, and this opening appears always to be occupied by a bubble of air. The author states, how- ever, that he is far from considering it proved, that such a free com- - munication through the stomata, although the same structure is ob- vious in other plants belonging to different families, is universally present. As Xyridee present none of the peculiarities of organization above mentioned, Mr. Griffith considers these peculiarities as corroborative of the correctness of Richard’s opinion, since adopted by Professor Von Martius, that Hriocaulon is the type of a distinct family. December 16.—E. Forster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. Read a memoir “‘ On the causes of disjunctions of Vegetable Sub- stance, especially those which are horizontal.” By the Rev. William Hincks, F.L.S. &c. &c. After some preliminary observations on the subject of disruptions in general, the author briefly notices certain cases of vertical disrup- tion, and then proceeds to the more immediate object of his paper, the horizontal separation of vegetable substance by natural means. This, he observes, may take place in the axis itself, or in any of the organs connected with it at their points of attachment, as in the fall of the leaf, of sepals and petals, of entire flowers and fruits, and in the separation of such buds as form caulinary bulbs ; or it may occur Linnean Society. 855 at some other part of the organ, a portion separating from the rest, or the whole breaking up into pieces. Every such separation, he argues, must depend on one of the three following causes: 1. on a stoppage of the circulation from ligature; 2. on unequal rapidity of growth of the two parts; or 3. on the confinement within coherent envelopes (which do not admit of extension) of a portion of the axis or of some growing part, so that the force of growth bursts the en- velope, carrying off its upper portion. ‘These general rules he then proceeds to apply to the explanation of particular cases. Of stems usually termed Articulate, some, such as those of Kleinia articulata, have no tendency to disruption at the supposed joint, which is merely the commencement of a new branch. In the misletoe, on the other hand, the author believes that the tendency to divide at the bases of the branchlets may be consequent on the dichotomous structure, which causes a pressure equivalent to a ligature at the point of division. With respect to the fall of the leaf, he refers to the observations of DeCandolle and Du Petit Thouars, which he does not think suffi- cient to account for that phenomenon in a multitude of cases, but regrets that he can throw no additional light on the subject. He attributes the separation of the sepals and petals when they are ca- ducous, to the outward pressure occasioned by the more rapid deve- lopnient of the interior circles stopping the circulation of the fluids, and conceives this to be strikingly exemplified in Papaveracee, where the growth of the petals within the bud is great and rapid. He no- tices a specimen of Hschscholitzia in which the sepals cohering less firmly than usual, the calyx, instead of being thrown off in the form of a calyptra, remains after the opening of the flower partially adhe- ring ; and observes that the ordinary disruption in this genus takes effect, not at the base of the sepals, but at a point above this, where the pressure occasioned by the enlargement of the petals is greatest. He instances also the genus Eucalyptus, in which there is a strong coherence of the sepals, and the lower portion of the calyx being strengthened by the adherent torus, the growth of the interior or- gans supplies the force which separates the part of the coherent se- pals above the torus in a solid piece like the cover of a vessel. On the cause of the horizontal separation of a portion of the anthers in the form of valves, which occurs in a few instances, he is not pre- pared to offer any opinion. In the fruit, as in the calyx, the author believes that horizontal - disruption arises from the force of cohesion of the parts of the circle, the absence of any of the causes favourable to dehiscence along the midrib of the carpellary leaf, and the operation of some force press- ing either from without or from within on one particular line encir- cling the fruit ; and he proceeds to offer explanations of those cases with which he is most familiar. He takes first the circumscissile capsule of Azagailis, in which he states that the central free recep- tacle with the seeds upon it continuing to enlarge in both diameters after the envelope has ceased to grow, and having occupied from the first the entire cavity, it is naturally to be expected, since the chief 356 Linnean Society. extension of the interior parts is upwards (the natural direction of growth), while the enlargement of the seeds in the lower half tends to press back the parts of the lower hemisphere, that uniform and regular pressure will resolve a nearly spherical capsule into two equal hemispheres. This remark he applies to Centunculus also, but confesses himself at a loss to give any reason why the opening of Trientalis, which depends on the same general causes, should be ir- regular. For the separation of the lid of the capsule in Hyoscyamus he accounts by the contraction and rigidity of the throat of the calyx exercising a gradually increasing pressure around the upper part of the capsule, and thus causing its separation by the first of the ge- neral principles laid down. The author then proceeds to the case of Lecythis, which he thinks is to be explained by the third of his general principles. In illus- tration of his principle he refers to a monstrosity, of the common Tulip, described and exhibited by himself some years ago at a meet- ing of the British Association. In this monstrosity, the upper leaf, being unusually developed, has cohered by its edges so firmly as to imprison the flower, and this constraint occurring at a period when the stalk was increasing in length, and previous to any consider- able enlargement of the flower-bud, the force applied was chiefly vertical, and has carried off the upper part of the leaf in the form of a calyptra, leaving the lower part in the shape of a cup, froff the centre of which the stem appears to rise. The separation of the lid. of the capsule of Lecythis he believes to be effected in an analogous manner; the septa which form the two or four cells into which the fruit is divided meet in a thickened axis, and the outer part of the fruit becoming (partly from its natural texture and partly from the adherence of the torus and calyx) hard, solid and fully grown, while the axis continues slowly to extend, and thus to press upwards that portion of the capsule which rests upon it, causes that portion first to become slightly prominent, and finally by a strain upon the vessels of that particular part to fall off in the shape of a lid. In Couroupita the pressure is sufficient to mark the surface of the fruit with a pro- minence, but from the partitions giving way early, and from the abundant juices produced in the interior, there has not been, he con- ceives, sufficient pressure to occasion disruption. In all the species of Lecythis, he observes, the extent of the loose cover corresponds with the extent of the axis, and what remains of the latter continues attached to it. As regards lomentaceous fruits in general, the author believes that the intervals between the seeds being sufficient to admit of the sides of the fruit cohering (which is promoted in particular instances by special causes), the swelling of the seeds afterwards stretches the parts over them in a degree which this coherence prevents from being equally distributed, drags the tissue forcibly from the junc- tures which are fixed points, and thus there being a strain in each direction from the middle line of the juncture, the contraction of drying during the ripening of the fruit effects the separation. Finally the author refers to the horizontal separations in the cap- Linnean Society. 357 sules of Mosses, and observes that the separation of the calyptra affords a plain example of the operation of his third principle; but with regard to the nature of the operculum, although he has an hy- pothesis under consideration, his mind is not yet satisfied. He states his object in the present paper to have been the investigation of the immediate physical causes of certain known effects, but he has not thought this the place even to touch upon their ultimate causes or the ends to accomplish which they are apparently designed, and which adapt them to the position and general structure of the parti- cular plant. Read also the conclusion of Dr. J. D. Hooker’s ‘“‘ Enumeration of the Plants of the Galapagos Islands, with descriptions of the new species.” In a brief introduction Dr. Hooker offers his acknowledgements to Mr. Darwin, by whom the collection on which this enumeration is chiefly founded was made, and to Prof. Henslow, in whose charge the collection had been placed, and who kindly relinquished his in- tention of publishing the novelties contained in it in favour of the author. He also notices the striking peculiarities which mark the flora of the Galapagos group, the plants composing which not only differ in a great degree from those of any other country, but are in many cases peculiar to the separate islands, although in those instances frequently representatives of others which are found on different islands. The number of species enumerated is two hundred and twenty- eight. Of these upwards of a hundred are described as new, and six new genera are established, the characters of which are given as follows :— Ord. BORAGINEZ., Gen. Garapacoa, Hook. fil. Calyx 4—5-partitus; laciniis linearibus. Corolla infundibuliformis ; tubo lato; limbo 5-fido patente; fauce nuda. Stamina 5, inclusa, imo co- rollz tubo inserta. Ovarium 4-loculare. Stylus terminalis, ad basin usque bipartitus ; stigmata 2, obtusa. Semina pendula ; albumine parco, earnoso; cotyledonibus planis; radiculA majuscula, supera.— Herbee Insularum Galapagos, hispido-pilose, Caules prostrati, ramosissimi. Folia alterna, coriacea, versus apices ramulorum densissimé conferta. Flores parvi, in awxillis foliorum omnino sessiles, valdé inconspicut. Obs. Genus Ehretiearum inter Coldeniam et Rhabdiam (secund. clariss. Bentham) medium, ob stylum bipartitum staminaque fundo corollz inserta singulare. Ord. SOLANEZ. Gen. Dictyocatyx, Hook, fil. Calyx cylindraceus, 5-fidus; lobis acutis; tubo post anthesin subinflato, membranaceo, reticulatim venoso. Corolla membranacea, subinfundi- buliformis; tubo gracili gradatim superné ampliato; limbo plicato, brevi, vix explanato. Staminum filamenta elongata; antherz incluse. Ovarium disco carnoso insertum ; stigmate capitato. Capsula evalvis, indehiscens, bisulcata, incompleté 4-locularis, calyce ventricoso inclusa. Semina plurima, majuscula, tuberculata, dissepimenti medio prope angulum parietalem affixa ; testa nitida, obscuré granulata. Embryo 358 Linnean Society. arcuatus.—Herbz Americane, repentes, glanduloso ?-pubescentes, cum tribu Daturearum, suadente Clariss. Miers, conferende. Folia mem- branacea, angulata v. sinuata, subopposita v. bina. Flores axillares. Ord. COMPOSITZ:. Gen. Desmoceruatum, Hook. fil. Capitula in axillis foliorum densissimé congesta, monoica, 6-flora; floribus 3 foemineis ligulatis, czeteris masculis tubulosis, Jnvolucrum compres- sum; foliolis 3-5 inzequalibus. Receptaculum minimum, epaleaceum. Corolla feeminea tubo brevi, lato, piloso; ligulA lat&, involuta, bifida : mascula 4-fida, dentibus extis hispido-barbatis. Anthere ecaudate. Stylus floris masculi indivisus, acutus ; floris foeminei in ramos 2 elon- gatos desinens. Achenium laté obcuneatum, compressum, subtrigonum, superné pilosum, foliis involucralibus immutatis tectum.— Genus Elvire affine. Radix annua. Caulis pedalis, herbaceus, teres, erectus, a bast trichotomeé divisus ; ramis ascendentibus pubescentibus. Folia opposita, petiolata, ovata, obtusa, duplicato-serrata, coriacea, supra scabriuscula, nitida, subtis pubescentia, nigricantia. Capitula axillaria, densissimé congesta, massam depresso-sphericam semunciam latam efformantia. Involucri foliola /até ovata, acuminata, hispida. Corolla valdé incon- spicua. Gen. Microcacia, Hook, fil. Capitula axillaria, pauca, valdé compressa, monoica, subtriflora ; floribus foemineis ligulatis, masculis tubulosis. Jnvolucrum compressum, 3—4- foliolatum ; foliolo unico laté obovato, unilaterali, ceteris parvis colla- teralibus. Receptaculum minimum, epaleaceum. Corolla floris foemi- nei tubo gracili; lamin rotundataé, obscuré crenaté: floris masculi 4-fida; tubo superné ampliato; segmentis extus barbatis. Anthere semi-exserte, ecaudate. Stylus floris foeminei in ramos 2 elongatos desinens ; floris masculi indivisus. Achenium cuneatum, compressum, obscuré trigonum, parcé pilosum.—Herba pusilla, repens, scaberula; ramis gracilibus,ascendentibus. Folia opposita, petiolata, rigidula, ovata, acuta, serrata, supra hispidula, subtis cana, venis prominulis. Capitula minima, breviter pedicellata. Involucri foliolum exterius planum, acu- minatum, nervosum, marginibus basi involutis. Flores exserti, flavi. Gen. Macrama, Hook. fil. Capitulum multiflorum, heterogamum, radiatum ; floribus radii squamis involucri tectis, paucis, 1-seriatis, feemineis ; disci tubulosis. Involucri hemispherici squamis sub-2-seriatis, disco brevioribus. Meceptaculum convexum, paleaceum ; paleis deciduis flores involucrantibus. Corolla radii tubo brevi gracili, ligula lata bifida; disci tubo 4-fido, dentium marginibus incrassatis. Anthere breviter appendiculate. Stylus floris radii in ramos duos obtusos desinens ; disc? ramis cono latiusculo ter- minatis. Achenium obovato-cuneatum, compressum, trigonum, hispi- dum, pappo brevi e squamis paucis ciliatis coronatum.—Genus He- liopsideis relatum. Frutex; ramis erectis virgatis, nodosis. Folia in ramis abbreviatis fasciculata, rigida, linearia, integerrima, pilosa, supra nitida, marginibus revolutis. Pedunculi folia superantes, graciles, sericei. Capitula spherica. Flores flavi, radii pauci. Receptaculi palez li- neares, apicibus incurvis acuminatis, dorso hispidis. Ord. Incert. Gen. Pievroretatum, Hook. fil. Calyx persistens, bipartitus; sepalis laté ovatis. Petala 5, subzqualia, Linnean Society. 359 libera, concaya, coriacea, siccitate multicostata. Stamina 8, toro in- serta ; filamentis in tubum membranaceum coalitis ; antheris elongatis, ovarium vix superantibus. Styli 4, lineares. Ovarium 1-loculare, pluri- ovulatum ; ovulis placentz basilari funiculis elongatis adnexis.—Suf- frutex? perennis, glaberrima, siccitate nigricans ; ramis teretibus, stric- tis, apicem versus foliosis. Folia petiolata, patentia, elliptica, utrinque attenuata, longé acuminata, integerrima. Flores in paniculas breves, paucifloras, terminales dispositi, breviter pedicellati, inconspicui. Calyx parvus, carnosus. Petala majuscula. Obs. Genus nulli ordini arcté affine, habitu Phytolacce. January 20, 1846.—R. Brown, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. Read a memoir “‘ On the Structure of the Ascidia and Stomata of Dischidia Rafflesiana, Wall.” By the late William Griffith, Esq., F.L.S. &e. Communicated by R. H. Solly, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S. &c. This paper bears date at Mergui, November 7th, 1834. In it the author gives a detailed description of the arrangement, form and structure of the ascidia of the species of Dischidia above-named, and comes to the conclusion that they are modified /amine of leaves, in proof of which he adduces : Ist, their similarity in texture, internal structure, and structure of stomata with the limbs of the ordinary leaves; 2ndly, the slight but constant tendency in the limb of the leaves to assume an involute form; 3rdly, the occurrence of an im- perfectly transformed pitcher, in which the body of the pitcher is clearly referable to the limb of the leaf ; and 4thly, the general con- struction of the petioles in Asclepiadee, which renders it more na- tural to refer the ascidia to the limb of the leaf in that family. He regards the inner surface of the pitcher as corresponding with the upper surface of the leaves; and is confirmed in this view by the greater abundance and development of the stomata on those surfaces. On the lower and outer surfaces the stomata are more or less imper- fect ; but on the upper and inner they show a considerable degree of complexity. They are particularly remarkable for the existence of an external cellular bourre/et or thickening, much elevated above the surface and of a whitish colour, giving rise to an appearance of minute white dots, which are especially conspicuous on the purple inner surface of the ascidia. They appear to have a very slight con- nexion with the cuticle, from which they are easily detached, and.are not met with on old ascidia. Each dourrelet is composed of from three to five cells, assuming the appearance of a cup-shaped gland. The stomata themselves are also somewhat elevated above the cutis ; the surrounding cells are parallelogrammic and disposed in circles, into the composition of each of which enter three or four cells, and each circle diminishes successively in size from without inwards. The stoma occupies the space of the innermost circle, and in itself presents nothing unusual. Read also a paper by the same author, dated Calcutta Botanic Garden, July Ist, 1835, ‘‘ On the Seeds of Careya, Roxb.” | The author gives a detailed description of the seeds of Careya her- bacea (those of C. arborea he states to be exactly similar), from which 360 Linnean Society. it results that the fleshy body which constitutes the entire mass of the seed, after the removal of the testa, consists of a peripheral fleshy mass and a central subulate body firmly adherent with it, of similar texture, and having its apex directed towards one side of the hilum. At the opposite extremity the outer mass is surmounted by a number of colourless scales, surrounding and concealing other more minute scales which occupy the distal extremity of the central sub- ulate body. There are no traces of cotyledonary division, and the sub- ulate body, excepting at its divided upper extremity, is continuous with the rest of the fleshy mass. The commencement of the germi- nation takes place while the seeds are still enclosed in the fruit. The integument is ruptured longitudinally, and generally with some de- gree of regularity along the apex ; from this opening are exserted pale greenish scaly leaf-like bodies, consisting first of those which surmount the outer mass, and subsequently of the divided termina- tion of the central subulate body. As this latter increases in length, it is seen to terminate in a green convolute leaf, in the axilla of which is placed another very rudimentary one. At this period the extre- mity of the subulate body next the hilum has also become exserted, and forms a subulate fleshy and undivided projection. Into this the cellular tissue of the fleshy body passes, although there is a faint line of demarcation between the two. The absolute nature of the outer fleshy part, Mr. Griffith observes, can only be determined by pursuing the development of the ovula. The nature of the subulate body is evident: it is the root, the true plumula being the minute scaly body at its distal end. The root points, as it should do, towards one side of the hilum, the situation in fact of the foramen. At the collet it is continuous with the plu- mula, and laterally with the outer fleshy mass, which ought there- fore to be cotyledonary, and taking it to be so, might be explained by supposing the cotyledons to be affixed in a peltate manner, and united into a solid mass. Mr. Griffith was precluded from the further pursuit of the subject, with reference to the development of the ovula and the more advanced germination, by the departure of the Deputation for the investigation . of the Tea-districts of Upper Assam, of which he formed part. Feb. 3.—The Lord Bishop of Norwich, President, in the Chair. Read papers on various subjects, bearing date in 1834 and 1835, by the late William Grifith, Esq., F.L.S. &c., communicated by R. H. Solly, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S. &c. The first of these contains the description of a plant found by Mr. Griffith in a small island near Mergui, called Madamacan, and which he has characterized under the generic name of Corysadenia, but which is evidently the same with Dr. Blume’s genus Iiligera, pub- lished in Europe in 1834, and consequently then unknown to the author. In common with that botanist, and acting on a suggestion of Dr. Wight, he indicates its near affinity to Gyrocarpus, with which he suspects that it should form an order, to be called “‘ Gyrocarpee.” He notices these genera as forming exceptions to a general rule i oe * . 1 7 Linnean Society. 361 pointed out by Mr. Brown, that the ovarium of dicotyledonous plants, when single, never adheres to the calyx. In the next paper, Mr. Griffith makes some additions to our know- ledge of the genus Henslowia, which he characterizes as follows :-— Henstowia, Wail. Dioica. Mas: calyx suburceolatus, 5-partitus ; laciniis zstivatione apertis. Corolla nulla. Stamina 5, calycis sinubus inserta ; filamentis per esti- vationem introflexis, demim erectis longéque exsertis ; antheris termi- nalibus, 2-locularibus, loculis angustis distantibus longitudinaliter de- hiscentibus. Ovarii rudimentum centrale, biloculare. Fam.: calyx feré ut in mare. Stamina abortiva 5. Ovarium liberum, biloculare, polyspermum. Stylus filiformis. Stigma oblongum, peltato-capitatum. Ovula indefinité numerosa, placente axili affixa. Capsula supera, bi- locularis, bivalvis; valvis medio septiferis, mediante stigmate persis- tenti connexis. Semina plurima, minuta, reticulata, apiculata, placenta transversim affixa, dorso secus racheos directionem cristata; albumen nullum ; cotyledones parve ; radicula ratione cotyledonum longa, cla- vata, hilum spectans; plumula inconspicua.—Arbores ; ramis oppositis determinate ramosis ; foliis oppositis, exstipulatis, integris ; racemis pa- niculatis ; floribus minutis, inconspicuis. A part of the additional information on this curious genus has already appeared (on Mr. Griffith’s authority) in Prof. Lindley’s ‘Natural System of Botany.’ After noticing the Combretaceous habit of the male tree when in full flower, Mr. Griffith adds, that it can scarcely be doubted that it is the type of a distinct order, and hazards an opinion that its true situation in the natural system will be found between Lythrariee and Melastomacee. He observes also that the ovula present the peculiarity of the raphe running along their upper or under faces, independent apparently of any twisting of the short funicle. Mr. Griffith next characterizes a new genus of the order Tern- stremiacee, as follows :— Gen. Erytsrocuiton, Griff,* Flores dioici, bibracteolati. Calyx inferus, profundé 5-partitus. Petala 5, hypogyna, libera, sepalis opposita. Stamina indefinita, hypogyna, multiplici serie. Anthere adnate, truncate. Ovarium 2-loculare, 4- ovulatum. Styli2. Stigmata 2, reniformia, foliacea. Bacca supera, 2-locularis, 2-4-sperma. Semina pendula, albuminosa. Embryo cur- vatus.—Arbor mediocris ; foliis stipulatis, perennantibus, integris; pe- dunculis extra-axillaribus; floribus solitariis; facie qguodammodo Ca- melliz. ErytTHrRocHIton WALLICHIANUM. Hab. in sylvis secus littora Insule Madamacan, Mergui proxime ; lect, mense Decembris 1834. Mr. Griffith adds in a note, that to this genus Hopea eglandulosa, Roxb., which Mr. Colebrooke in a MS. note in Roxburgh’s MS. Synopsis stated long ago not to belong to Hopea (Sarcostigma Row- burghii, Wall. MSS., formerly called by Mr. Brown Wahlenbergia), ; * Nec Nees et Mart.—Secr. Ann. & Mag. N, Hist. Vol, xvii. 2C 362 Zoological Society. appears to have a considerable similarity in habit and in the structure of the stigmata and ovarium. And a similar correspondence exists, as far as can be judged from a drawing in the Botanic Garden at Calcutta, with another unpublished plant from Sylhet, probably forming a second species of Dr. Wallich’s Sarcostigma*. Lastly Mr. Griffith characterizes a new genus of Anacardiacee, under the name of Gen. Swintonra, Griff. ~ Sepala 5, basibus coalita, persistentia. Petala 5, hypogyna, sub fructti demim ampliata. Stamina totidem, toro cylindrico partim elevato insidentia. Ovariwm subzequilaterale, in apice tori staminiferi sessile. Stylus filiformis ; stigma peltato-capitatum. Fructus siccus, exstipi- tatus, petalis ampliatis foliaceis suffultus.—Arbor magna, resinosa, facie guodammodé Mangifere. Folia lanceolata, coriacea. Panicule azil- lares terminalesque ; flores inconspicut. SWINTONIA FLORIBUNDA. Hab. in colle alto Insule Madamacan Mergui proxime, Pator dicto, co- piosé ; florens Novembri et Decembri, fructifera Februario, This genus is dedicated to George Swinton, Esq., late Secretary to the Bengal Government, who has always been ready to promote the interests of science and the welfare of the Tenasserim Provinces, and to whom Dr. Wallich had intended to dedicate his genus Mela- norrhea. In the structure of its fruit it is very nearly allied to Me- lanorrhea; and in that of the flowers, particularly as regards the mode of adhesion of the petals and stamina to the torus, it ap- proaches to Syndesmis of the same author. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. October 28.—George Gulliver, Esq., F.R.S., in the Chair. The following paper, entitled ‘‘ Déscription de quelques nouvelles Nérites Fluviatiles, du cabinet de H. Cuming, Esq.,” par C. A. Récluz, was then read :— III. Spinosa (Clithon, Montfort, Leach). C. Mutice. 5, Nerira sotium. er. testd ovato-ventricosd, olivaced, postice maculis rufis triangularibus transversisque obsolete pictd ; anfrac- tibus 13; infimo supra medium vix anguloso, superné depresso ; apice puncto excavato notato; aperturd albd, margine pallideé lu- tescente sive aurantid ; columelld plano-compressd, superne callosd, margine rugosd et in medio excavatd. Hab. Bencoonet, isle of Sumatra; in a muddy stream. Alt. 22, lat. 264, convex. 18 mill. 6. Nerira ceLtata. Ner. testd globoso-ovatd, olivaceo-lutescente, postice pallidiore, striis intensioribus longitudinalibusque pictd ; * Not Sarcostigma of Drs. Wight and Arnott in Edinburgh New Phil. Journ, vol. xiv. p. 299.—Secr. ~ Zoological Society. 363 anfractibus 14; infimo supra medium subanguloso; aperturd albido-cerulescente pallido ; columella plano-compressd, superne callosd, margine denticulatd, medio breviter ac recté emarginatd. Hab. Ba Alt. 17, lat. 205, convex. 14 mill. 7, Neritra Dorner. Ner. testd parvd, globoso-ovatd vel subglo- bosd, pariim obliqud, tenuiusculd ; anfractibus 14-2 oblique rugu- losis, transversim et sub lente creberrimé ac obsoleté striolatis ; aperturd viriduld ; columellé fere pland, margine denticulatd et in medio subarcuatd ; labro tenui, semicirculari. Var. a. Testd lineolis longitudinalibus undulatis nigris et luteis cre- berrime pictd. Var. (3. Testd ut in var. a, et zonis lutescentibus plus minusve nume- rosis cinctd. : Hab. Hanover Bay, North Australia. Collected by Mr. T. E. Doing, R.N. Alt. 92, lat. 10, convex. 7 mill. 8. Nerira Cotomsaria. Wer, testd ovato-globosd, levissime stri- atd; anfractu unico, rufescente, viridescente pallido obsolete fas- ciatd, maculis minimis luteis nigro seu roseo marginatis pictd ; columelld callosd, subconvexd, denticulatd, medio vir emarginaté ; labro antic? subtruncato, basi et intus incrassato. Operculo crasso, extern? viridulo, lutescente pallido undato, medio perlongum strid bipartito. Var. 8. Testd viridi-olivaced, striis luteis distantibus ornatd, medio et inferne lutescente late fasciatd ; fasciis nebulis rubris pictis, Hab. Colombo, Ceylon. Collected by Capt. Templeton. Alt. 9-103, lat, 103-11, convex. 7-8 mill. IV. SuBAURICULATA. 9. Nerira sorpan1, Butler, Sowerby, Conch. [llustr. Var. a. Major. Testd ovatd vel oblongd, albidd, lineis undulatis ni- gris, rubris, violaceisve pictd ; apertura oblique semi-ovatd ; labro interdum superneé dilatato. Var. 3. Strangulata. Testd minor, rotundatd, ovatd seu subconicd, medio horizontaliter compressd, fere strangulatd, albidd lineis ro- seis rubrisve pictd; spird sepiis obtusd, interdum acutd ; labro superne interdum dilatato. Var. y. Nitida. Testd major, nigerrimd, nitidissimd. Var. 0, Limosa, Testd parvd, sepissime argilld crasse obductd, sub- tas albidd aut luteo-viridescente lineis nigris, violaceis, rubrisve undulatis pictd, interdum omnino nigerrimd sive lutescente,—Ne- rita lutescens, Megerle ? Hab. La var. a. Le Jourdain ; la var. 8. Smyrne ; la var, y. La Syrie; la var. 6. Céphalonie. A paper was read containing ‘‘ Descriptions of new species of Shells,” by Lovell Reeve :— Prevrotoma rosacea. Pleur. testd ovato-turritd, anfractibus ro- tundatis, superne depresso-concavis, transversim subtiliter striatis, 2C2 364 Zoological Society. longitudinaliter crebricostatis ; canali brevissimo ; sinu lato, sub- amplo ; undique eximié rosaced. — Hab. ? Pievroroma BzxTica. Pleur. testd turritd, anfractibus superne depresso-concavis, transversim elevato-striatis, oblique costatis, costis plicato-nodulosis ; canali brevissimo; sinu lato, amplo ; baticd. 5 Hab. PLEUROTOMA oBLIQUI-cosTaTA. Pleur. testd ovato-oblongd, longi- tudinaliter costatd, costis angustis, obliquis, subundatis, superne obtuse mucronatis ; canali brevissimo; albidd, rubido-fusco parce maculata et variegatd, Hab. ? Prevurotoma Fucata. Pleur. testd ovatd, crassiusculd, anfractibus superne depressiusculis, longitudinaliter costellatis, costellis subob- tusis, striis transversis elevatis subobsoletis cancellatis, anfractu ultimo tuberculo gibboso munito ; canali brevissimo ; labro superne Sense gpa: ; alba, croceo-fuscescente fasciatd et variegatd. ab, ——? PrevuroTomMa IMpuicaTa. Pleur. testd pyramidali-turritd, anfrac- tibus superné peculiariter depressis, infra seriatim nodosis, nodu- lorum serie supremd transversim biliratd ; canali brevissimo ; aper- turd brevi; albidd, epidermide corned olivaced undique indutd. Hab. ? PLEUROTOMA RUBRIFASCIATA. Pleur. testd abbreviato-fusiformi, anfractibus superne concavis, levibus, infra transversim striatis, et pulcherrime crebrinodulosis, nodulis supremis, longitudinaliter confluentibus ; canali subelongato; flavescente, rubro cinereoque fasciatd. Hab. Pievrotoma sacerpos. Pleur. testd subfusiformi, utrinque atte. nuatd, crassd; anfractibus superné valde depresso-concavis, sub- angulatis, tuberculis transversim compressis ad angulum cingulatis, infra seriatim nodulosis ; canali breviusculo ; carneo-albidd, flam- mis maculisque purpureo-rufis variegatd, anfractuum parte supe- riori cinereo tinctd, Hab. ? Pievrotoma crocata. Pleur. testd pyramidali-oblongd, transver- sim elevato-striatd, longitudinaliter costatd, anfractu ultimo tuber- culo parvo gibboso munito; canali brevissimo; apertura brevi ; sinu lato, amplo ; albidd, epidermide croceo-olivaced indutd. Hab. ? Prevroroma opetiscus. Pleur. testd pyramidali-ovatd, anfrac- tibus superne concavis, infra nodosis, anfractis ultimi parte infe- riori granoso-liratd ; canali brevi ; sinu amplo ; albidd, epidermide flavescente-olivaced undique indutd. Hab. P : : Zoological Society. 365 Prevrotoma armitiata. Pleur. testd pyramidali-ovatd, subfusi- formi, anfractibus spiraliter carinatis, carind mediand gemmulatd, gemmulis transversis, canali breviusculo, sinu amplo, profundo ; albidd, anfractibus supra carinam gemmulatam fuscescentibus. Hab. Philippine Islands; Cuming. Pievroroma aquatitis. -Pleur. testd ovato-turritd, solidd, spird acuminatd, anfractibus levibus, supern? depressis, oblique plicato- tuberculatis ; canali brevissimo, sinu amplo ; eburned, lineis plu- rimis subtilissimis undulatis, pallidissime corneo-fuscescentibus, fSasciatim pictd. Hab. ? PLevRotomaA FLAVESCENS. Pleur. testd ovato-turritd, anfractibus superne valde concavis, infra transversim striatis, nodosis, nodis subirregulariter costelleforme confluentibus ; canali brevissimo ; flavescente-olivaced. Hab. > PiLeuroToMA Fraciuis. Pleur. testd ovatd, ventricosd, tenui, fra- gilt, translucidd, anfractu ultimo valde maximo ; lineis subtilibus elevatis undique creberrime reticulata quarum transverse fortiores ; aperturd ampld, sinuatd ; columelld basique truncatis, lucido-albd, Hab. ? PLevROTOMA PULCHELLA. Pleur. testd ovato-turritd, anfractibus superne depressis, medio plicato-tuberculatis, tuberculis angustis, confluentibus, anfractu ultimo tuberculo gibboso munito; canali brevissimo, sinu amplo; vivide rosaced, fascia linedque castaneis, spiraliter cingulatd. Hab. ? PLEUROTOMA PuNCTATA. Pleur. testd fusiformi, anfractibus su- perne valde depressis, levigatis, carind parvd prope suturam medio nodosis, infra granulatis; canali longiusculo; sinu latiusculo ; albidd, rubido-fusco punctatd, precipue super carinam et inter nodos. Hab. PLEUROTOMA LANCEOLATA. Pleur. testd lanceolatd, anfractibus superne concavis, tuberculis obliquis plus minusve obsoletis medio ornatis, levibus, anfractu ultimo minutissimé granulato ; canali breviusculo ; aurantio-fuscescente, tuberculis albidis. Hab. > ~PievrotTomMa sacra. Pleur. testd ovatd, solidiusculd, basim versus subgibbosd ; anfractibus superne depressis nodulorum serie unicd prope suturam infra longitudinaliter granoso-costatis, transversim minute liratis ; canali brevissimo, sinu lato ; albidd, anfractu ultimo fascid pallide fuscescente cingulatd. Hab. " PLEUROTOMA RUBINICOLOR. Fleur. testd ovatd, subventricosd, an- fractibus superné angulato-depressis, ad angulum obtuso-nodosis, nodis subplicato-confluentibus, levibus, ultimo basim versus obso- ? 366 Zoological Society. let? striato; canali brevissimo; aurantio-rufd, nodis per angulum niveis. Hab. ? Pievrotoma nux. Pleur. testd ovatd, subpyramidali, anfractibus convexis, superne leviter concavis, ultimo subgibboso ; canali bre- vissimo truncato; sinu latiusculo ; rubido-castaned, columella et aperture fauce albis. Hab. Cape of Good Hope. Prevroroma ciara. Pleur. testd pyramidali, subelongatd, anfrac- tibus oblique plicato-nodosis, levibus; canali brevissimo; sinu amplo ; purpureo-fuscd, anfractuum parte superiori alba. ab, : PievrotomaA casTANEA. LPleur. testd subelongato-turritd, anfrac- tibus superne concavis, medio plicato-nodosis ; levigatd, basi sub- tiliter sulcatd ; canali brevissimo ; castaneo-fuscd. Hab. ? Puevrotoma vipua. Pleur. testd subobeso-ovatd, spird acuminata, anfractibus superne depressis, medio plicato-nodosis, nodis crebris, longitudinaliter confluentibus, levigatd, basim versus granosd ; canali brevissimo; anfractuum parte superiort nived, inferiort olivaceo-nigricante, granis albis, Hab. Island of Masbate, Philippines (under stones at low water) ; Cuming. ' é PLEUROTOMA PALLIATA. Pleur. testd ovato-oblongd, anfractibus convexiusculis, transversim subtilissimé crebristriatis, granulorum serie unicd cingulatis, granulis conspicuis, elevatiusculis ; canali brevissimo ; albidd, epidermide pallide fulud undique indutd. Hab. P PLEUROTOMA EXARATA. Pleur. testd pyramidali, anfractibus trans- versim granoso-striatis, medio leviter angulatis, ad angulum mi- nute nodulosis, inter nodulos longitudinaliter exaratos ; eanali bre- vissimo, truncato ; sinu amplo, pallide fulvo, sulcis longitudinalibus Susco-punctatis. Hab, -——? ‘Purvrotoma virrata. Pleur. testd abbreviato-ovatd, solidd, gib- bosd, spird subacuminatd, anfractibus superne depressis, medio plicato-tuberculatis, infra granulatis ; labro incrassato, sinu lati- usculo; albidd, vittd fascidve lutescente-fuscd conspicud supra tubercula ornatd. Hab. Pievrotoma oLtyra. Pleur. testd cylindraceo-ovatd, tenui, sub- pellucidd, spird brevi; levigatd aut obsolete striatd; aperturd longiusculd ; canali brevissimo, truncato ; nived, apice roseo. Hab. ? PLevuROTOMA suBULA. Pleur. testd acuminato-attenuaté, striis ele- vatis transversis et longitudinalibus creberrimeé reticulatd, carind Zoological Society. 867 plano-obtusd prope suturam ; canali breviusculo, sinu distincto ; albidd, maculis parvis pallidé aurantio-fuscis juxta suturam. Hab. Island of Corrigidor, Philippines (found among coarse sand at the depth of seven fathoms); Cuming. Prevrotoma AuREOLA. Fleur. testd acuminato-elongatd, tenut, semipellucidd, transversim liratd, liris parvis, obtusis, longitudi- naliter subtilissime crebristriatd ; canali brevi, labro intus crenu- lato, sinu parvo, distincto ; aureold. Hab. Island of Luzon, Philippines; Cuming. PrevroTomMa sATuRATA. leur. testd pyramidali-acuminatd, in- Fern? subcontractd, anfractibus striis transversis et longitudinalibus creberrime granoso-reticulatis ; canali breviusculo; labro subti- liter crenulato, sinu distincto ; intus extusque fuscd, fasciis albis longitudinalibus subdistantibus, fascid unicd transversd in anfractu ultimo ornatd. Hab. Island of Corrigidor, Philippines (found among coarse sand at the depth of seven fathoms) ; Cuming. Pievrotoma ientrtva. Pleur. testa ovato-oblongd, transversim creberrime elevato-striatd, longitudinaliter costis latiusculis ap- proximatis, apicem versus conspicuis, basim versus obsoletis ; canali brevi; labro intus crenulato, sinu superficiario; albidd, flammis fulvo-auranitis undato-fluentibus ornatd. Hab. ? PirevrotomA patuts. Pleur. testd ovato-oblongd, inferne ventri- cosd, subobliqud, anfractibus tenuibus, transversim subtilissime et creberrimé striatis ; canali brevissimo, truncato ; labro simplici, sinu profundo, aperturd ampld; albidd, flammis fulvo-aurantiis, undatis, longitudinaliter fluentibus ornatd. Hab. Bolinao, island of Luzon, Philippines (found under stones at low water) ; Cuming. Puzvroroma puTitius. Pleur. testd ovatd, spird pyramidali- acuminatd, anfractibus transversim subtiliter striatis, supern? con- cavis, infra nodosis, nodis longitudinaliter oblique confluentibus ; canali breviusculo ; labro simplici, sinu lato; flavicante-albidd, lined undulata fulvo-aurantid inter nodos fluente. Hab. Calipan, island of Mindoro, Philippines (found among coarse sand at the depth of fifteen fathoms) ; Cuming. Prievrotoma spectrum. Pleur. testd fusiformi, transversim elevato- striatd, anfractibus rotundatis, longitudinaliter fortiter oblique plicato-nodosis, nodis in anfractu ultimo evanide confluentibus ; canali brevi ; labro simplici ; nived, nodis pallide rufescente-fuscis. Hab. Puerto Galero, island of Mindoro, Philippines (found among coral sand at the depth of about nine fathoms) ; Cuming. _PLEUROTOMA BILINEATA. Pleur. testd ovato-oblongd, subpyrami- dali, anfractibus medio tumidis, uniseriatim plicato-nodosis, nodis angustis compressiusculis, anfractds ultimi dorso callositate mu- nito; canali brevissimo, labro simplici, sinu amplo; incarnato. 368 Zoological Society. Suscescente, lineis duabus saturatioribus, quarum superior multo subtilior inter nodos cingulata. Hab. Islands of Capul and Mindoro, Philippines (found on the reefs and among coarse sand at the depth of fifteen fathoms); Cu- ming. PrevrotomMa Mertcarriana. Pleur. tesid ovatd, crassiusculd, transversim creberrime elevato-striatd, longitudinaliter apicem versus subobsoleté sulcatd ; albd, maculis rufo-fuscis subquadratis fasciatim pictd ; canal brevi. Hab. Prevrotoma Grayi. Pleur. testa ovatd, subventricosd, anfractibus supernée angulatis, longitudinaliter obtuso-costatis, transversim creberrime sulcatis ; canali brevi; labro incrassato, sinu amplo ; castaneo-fuscd. Hab. P PLevROoTOMA LUTEO-FAScIATA. Pleur. testd subovato-oblongd, an- fractibus prope suturam impressis, longitudinaliter fortiter costatis, costis crebris, obtusis ; canali brevissimo ; albd, fasciis luteis pul- cherrime ornatd. Hab. Preurotoma pacopus. Pleur. testd pyramidali, anfractibus superne depressis, subangulatis, ad angulum costatis, costis brevibus, con- fertis, lineis elevatis decussatis ; cinereo-rufescente, maculis rubidis inter costas, columella labroque rubido tinctis ; canali brevi. Hab. PLEUROTOMA URNULA. leur. testd ovatd, ventricosd, spird brevi- usculd, longitudinaliter costatd, transversim elevato-striatd ; cas- taneo-fuscd ; canali breviusculo, aperto. Hab. PLEUROTOMA FORTHIENSIS. Pleur. testd pyramidali-oblongd, an- Sfractibus superne subangulatis, longitudinaliter oblique costatis ; basi truncatd ; albidd. Hab, Frith of Forth; Gray. PLEUROTOMA REFLEXA. Pleur. testd ovatd, Tritoniformi, concen- trice costatd, transversim fortiter liratd ; aperturd longiusculd sinuosd, labro reflexo, intus denticulato. Hab. PLEUROTOMA QUADRATA. Pleur. testd ovatd, spird turritd, anfrac- tibus fortiter angulatis, longitudinaliter costatis, costis ad angulum mucronatis, infra striis duabus elevatis cingulatis, anfractés ulti- mi parte inferiori lird mucronata clathratd ; flavicante, costarum interstitiis rufo-castaneis ; sinu parvo. Hab. PLevROTOMA PARVULA. leur. testd fusiformi-ovatd, anfractibus tumidiusculis, longitudinaliter costatis, transversim creberrimé li- ratis ; ennalt breviusculo ; lutescente. Hab. Zoological Society. 369 ‘PLevROTOMA PSEUDO-cARINATA. Pleur. testd ovatd, subpyramidali, anfractibus supern? concavis, subindistincté carinatis, infra confer- tim plicato-costatis, transversim crebrisulcatis ; basi truncatd ; fla- vescente. Hab. Prevroroma LANGuIDA. Pleur. testd gracili-fusiformi, longitudi- naliter noduloso-costatd, transversim elevato-striatd, costis striis- que subdistantibus ; sinu amplo ; albd, rufescente-fusco tinctd. Hab. ? Pxievrotoma punctTicineta. Pleur. tesid ovatd, spird breviusculd, longitudinaliter subobscure plicatd, interstitiis minutissimé striatis ; sinu subamplo ; albidd, cinguld unicd punctatd spiraliter ornatd. Hab. PLEUROTOMA PYRAMIDULA. Pleur. testa subpyramidali-elongatd, liris minutis longitudinalibus et transversis creberrimé. clathratd, suturis unicarinatis ; aperturd parvd, sinu amplo; basi truncata ; albidd. Hab. Pievroroma #£RvuGiINosa. Pleur. testd acuminato-turritd, anfrac- tibus longitudinaliter subobsolete plicato-costatis, interstitiis minu- tissimé impresso-striatis ; albidd, suturis livido-viridescentibus, anfractis ultimi parte inferiori livido-viridescente, punctis nigri- cantibus marginatd, apice rufescente-fusco. Hab. ? _ Prevroroma osiiquata. Pleur. testd ovata, subobesd, spird acu- minatd, anfractibus medio angulato-tumidis, oblique costatis, costis ad angulum nodosis ; intus extusque flavido-fuscd, zond pallidd angustd ad angulum cingulatd. Hab. ? PLEUROTOMA PELLIS-PHOCE. Pleur. testd pyramidali, anfractibus convexis, longitudinaliter fortiter et creberrimé granulatis, trans- versim subsulcatis, aperturd peculiariter parvd, sinu indistincto. Hab. ? PLEUROTOMA VEXILLUM. Pleur. testd acuminato-elongatd, longi- tudinaliter crebricostatd, basi transversim liratd ; aperturd parvd, sinu amplo, albidd, suturis et anfractis ultimi parte inferiori fuscis. Hab. > Prevrotoma carpinaLis. Pleur. testd pyramidali, spird acumi- natd, anfractibus longitudinaliter subtiliter plicatis, transversim minutissime striatis; sinu lato, amplo; albidd, fasciis violaceo- brunneis cingulatd. _ Hab. Island of Negros, Philippines (found among sand at the depth of four fathoms) ; Cuming. ? ? Prevrotoma Arata, Pleur. testd pyramidali, suturis peculiariter 870 Zoological Society. excavatis, anfractibus levibus angustis granulosis creberrime cin- gulatis ; aperturd parvd ; albd. Hab. Prevroroma Guitpine1. Pleur. testd pyramidali-oblongd, anfrac- tibus superne depresso-concavis, infra oblique nodoso-plicatis, transversim undique creberrimé striatis ; intus extusque piceo-nigrd. Hab. St. Vincent’s, West Indies ; Guilding. -PievroToMA HYALINA. Pleur. testd elongato-acuminatd, basi trun- catd, tenui, hyalind, longitudinaliter undique minutissime et con- fertissime elevato-striatd ; albidd, lineis rufo-fuscis distantibus cingulatd ; labro simplici, sinu parvo. Hab. Prevrotoma Ticaonica. Pleur. testd oblongo-ovatd, spird tereti, anfractibus subventricosis, transversim irregulariter liratis, lira- rum interstitiis minutissime clathratis ; albidd, aurantio-fusco hic illic flammatd ; sinu parvo. Hab. Island of Ticao, Philippines (found on the reefs) ; Cuming. Pievrotoma FuLvA. Pleur. testd oblongo-ovatd, subiurritd, an- fractibus longitudinaliter multicostatis, costis angustis, prominen- tibus ; fulvd. Hab. ? PLEUROTOMA CANTHARIS. Pleur. testd obtuso-ovatd, crassd, solidd, levigatd, anfractibus medio oblique nodoso-plicatis ; sinu subamplo ; nigricante-fuscd, nodis albidis. Hab. Sibonga, island of Zebu, Philippines (found under stones at low water); Cuming. Prevrotoma vutTuosa. Pleur. testd ovatd, anfractibus subrotun- dis, longitudinaliter obtuse costatis, transversim creberrime liratis ; labro intus denticulato, sinu amplo, lato; albicante, apice pallide rosaceo. Hab. Baclayon, island of Bohol, Philippines (found under stones) ; Cuming. Pievrotoma opaLus. Fleur. testd oblongo-ovatd, pentagonali, crassd, levigatd, longitudinaliter costatd, costis oblique continuis, subnodosis, angustis, quasi vellicatis, interstitiis plano-concavis ; aperturd parvd, sinu amplo, profundo ; eburned, nitente, costarum interstitits incarnato-fuscescentibus. Hab. Cagayan, province of Misamis, island of Mindanao, Philip- pines (found in sandy mud at the depth of twenty-five fathoms) ; Cuming. PrevroromMa EBuR. Pleur. testd oblongo-ovatd, pentagonal, crassd, spird acuminatd, longitudinaliter continue costatd, transversim striatd, striis basim versus conspicuis; sinu amplo, profundo ; eburned. Zoological Society. 371 Pirvroroma a#Grota. Pleur. testd oblongo-ovatd, tenuiculd, sub- ventricosd, spire suturis profundis, striis impressis longitudinali- bus et transversis undique decussatd ; aperturd subelongatd, ampld ; albicante. Hab. Singapore (found among fine sand at the depth of seven fa- thoms) ; Cuming. PLEUROTOMA CONCENTRIcosTATA. Pleur, testd gracili-fusiformi, spird acuminatd, anfractibus creberrimé concentricé costatis, sutu- ris simplicibus ; incarnato-fuscescente. Hab. ? Puevrotoma urraTa. Pleur. testd subfusiformi, basi contractd, transversim undique liratd, columella excavatd, callositate superne munitd, labro subeffuso, leviter incrassato, sinu lato, amplo, canali paululim elongato ; albidd, labri margine intus rufescente. Hab. Islands of Luzon and Mindanao, Philippines (found in sandy mud at the depth of seven fathoms) ; Cuming. Prevrotoma NExA. Pleur. testd ovatd, Tritoniformi, anfractibus subrotundatis, plicato-costatis, funiculis exilibus angustis, costas super leviter nodulosis, cingulatis ; aperturd subampld, labro pla- nulato, sinu lato; canali brevissimo, recurvo ; albd, fusco undique tinctd et fasciatd, funiculis suturatioribus. Hab, Islands of Masbate and Luzon, Philippines (found under stones at low water); Cuming. PuevRoTomMA INquINATA. Pleur. testdé acuminato-fusiformi, an- Sractibus transversim evwiliter liratis, longitudinaliter creberrime striatis ; sinu profundo ; albidd, aurantio-fusco hic illic inquinatd. _ Hab. Gindulman, island of Bohol, Philippines (found among coral sand at the depth of seven fathoms); Cuming. PLEvRoToMA unpDATIcosta. JPleur. testd fusiformi, anfractibus superne leviter depressis, costis longitudinalibus undatis concentricé ornatd ; albidd. Hab. Pievroroma PpaxitLus. Pleur. testdé abbreviato-ovatd, spird apice acuminatd ; anfractibus superné concavis, unicarinatis, medio cre- berrime plicatis, plicarum interstitiis subtilissime striatis, inferne liratis ; sinu amplo; nigricante-fuscd. Hab. ——? PirevrotomaA sorpipA. Pleur. testd ovatd, longitudinaliter subob- lique costatd, costarum interstitiis elevatis clathratis ; sordide albd. Hab. : PLEUROTOMA PLURICARINATA. Pleur. testd subfusiformi-oblongd, carinis plurimis acutis cingulatd, quarum interstitia striis longi- tudinalibus cancellata; aperturd oblongd, sinu subamplo; canali leviter recurvo ; lutescente, aurantio-fusco pallide strigato-tinctd. Hab. Island of Burias, Philippines (found in sandy mud at the depth of seven fathoms) ; Cuming. Prrvroroma compra. Pleur. testd ovatd, spird nodoso-turritd, O72 Zoological Society. anfractibus superne concavis, infra late costatis, liris angustis transversim funiculatis ; labro incrassato, intus denticulato, sinu amplo, lato ; lutescente-albd. Hab. Baclayon, island of Bohol, Philippines (found under stones at low water on the reefs) ; Cuming. PLEUROTOMA HEXAGONALIS. Pleur. testd pyramidali-ovatd, an- fractibus costis sex continuis longitudinaliter ornatis ; apertura parvd, sinu distincto ; fuscescente-albd. Hab. Loay, island of Bohol, Philippines (found in sandy mud at the depth of seventeen fathoms) ; Cuming. Prevroroma arcrata. Pleur. testd pyramidali-elongatd, anfrac- tibus oblique costatis, costis striis elevatis funiculatis ; labro in- crassato, peculiariter effuso, sinu amplo ; sordide albd, Hab. Island of Corrigidor, Philippines (found among coarse sand at the depth of seven fathoms); Cuming. Pirevrotoma coccinaTa. leur. testd ovatd, apicem versus acumi- natd, anfractibus levigatis, superne concavis, infra plicato-nodosis ; basi truncatd ; albd, inter nodos dorsumque coccinatd, Hab. > PLEevROTOMA viTREA. Pleur. testd cylindraceo-elongatd, basi le- viter contractd, tenui, pellucidd, vitred, levigatd, anfractibus su- perne et infern2 subtilissime sulcatis ; albidd. Hab. Singapore and island of Mindanao, Philippines (found at depths of seven and twenty-five fathoms) ; Cuming. PLEUROTOMA FORAMINATA. leur. testd fusiformi-ovatd, liris an- gustis longitudinalibus et transversis creberrime clathratis ; lutes- cente. Hab. Prevrotroma EFFIcTA. Pleur. testd ovatd, spird breviusculd, acu- minatd, longitudinaliter subconcentricé costatd, costis striis elevatis cancellatis ; aperturd subampld, labro incrassato, sinu latiusculo. Hab. ? PLEUROTOMA CAvERNOSA. Pleur. testd oblongd, spird angulato- turritd, anfractibus superné subangulatis, longitudinaliter costatis, costis distantibus, liris angustis elevatiusculis transversis clathra- tis, anfractu ultimo prope basim peculiariter cavernoso ; fused, liris costas super albicantibus. Hab. Philippine Islands; Cuming. PLEUROTOMA FPOLYNESIENSIS. leur. testd acuminato-turritd, an- fractibus parvis, rotundatis, longitudinaliter crebricostatis, trans- versim striatis ; labro incrassato, sinu amplo ; albicante. Hab. Lord Hood’s Island; Cuming. p Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 373. BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. April 9, 1846.—Prof. Balfour, President, in the Chair. Donations to the library and museum were announced ; particu- larly one from Mr. William Gardiner, jun., Dundee, of his elegant little work on the Mosses, intended as an introduction to the study of that interesting tribe of plants. It seems well-fitted to accom- plish the object in view. { : The following communications were read :— 1. “Botanical Excursions in Upper Styria in 1842,” by Dr. R. C. Alexander. In this paper Dr. Alexander gave an account of various excursions to the mountainous parts of Styria, during which he visited the Schékel, Lantsch, Leoben, Reiting, Yolling, Klagenfurt, and Saltz- bach; also of the various plants observed during his tour. He col- lected in all about 900 species, of which upwards of twenty were new to the flora of Styria. The paper was accompanied by a list of the principal plants collected south of the Drave. Specimens from the Society's herbarium, contributed by Dr. Alexander, were produced to illustrate the paper, of which an abstract will appear in these ‘ Annals’ and in the Society’s ‘ Transactions.’ . 2. “Remarks on the Claims of certain Species of Plants to be con- sidered indigenous to Britain,’ by Mr. R. M. Stark. _ Mr. Stark adverted to the progress of Botanical Geography, and particularly to the labours of Mr. Hewett C. Watson. Passing over the instances of shrubs and perennial herbaceous plants found appa- rently wild, but which have undoubtedly escaped from the garden, he directed attention to the large family of annual corn-weeds. Though universally dispersed wherever the plough and the agency of man extended, the fact of their net being found associated with other annuals where the land was waste and uncultivated, seemed to prove that they were the companions of the cereal grains, and with them had been introduced at a very remote period. Some of them are confined to one side of the island, or to certain districts, which showed that, notwithstanding their probable exotic origin, they were more or less subject to the laws regulating the distribu- tion of organic life. He expressed the opinion that it would be de- sirable, both for the interests of science and agriculture, that these plants, and their prevalence or rarity in various districts, should be recorded in our catalogues, local floras, and other works of a similar description. Mr. James M‘Nab exhibited flowering plants of two species of Arum (A. cordatum and A. cornutum), raised in the garden of the Horticultural Society, from seeds sent by William Jameson, Esq., from Saharunpore, in April 1843. The flowering spathe of one was two feet, and of the other eighteen inches in length, both being beautifully mottled with brown and yellow spots. 374 | Miscellaneous. MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. March 18, 1846. A paper by the Secretary, John Quekett, Esq., ‘‘ On the intimate Structure of Bone in the four great Classes of Animals, viz, Mam- mals, Birds, Reptiles and Fishes, with some Remarks on the great Value of the Knowledge of such Structure in classifying minute Fragments of Fossil Organic Remains,” was read. . After alluding to the highly important results obtained by Prof. Owen, with the aid of the microscope, in determining the affinities of extinct animals by means of their teeth, the author went on to state that, having for some time paid considerable attention to the struc- ture of bone in the four great classes of animals, he had found cer- tain characters peculiar to each great class, by which a bone of one class could be distinguished from that of another. He then briefly described certain characters which were present in all bones, and then those which were peculiar to each class, viz. the Haversian ca- nals, and the bone-cells with their little tubes (canaliculi) proceed- ing from them; and he applied the characters derived from the bone- cells to the determination of the class of animals to which any mi- nute fragment may have belonged; for he had ascertained that the bone-cells were smallest in birds, a little larger in mammalia, and largest of all in the reptilia: the bone-cells of fishes were remark- able for their being so unlike either of the three preceding classes, that, having been once seen, they could not easily be mistaken. The author then noticed the relative proportions of the bone-cells and blood-corpuscles of the same animal, and concluded by remark- ing, that however different the size of animals of the same class may be, the bone-cells did not vary according to the difference in size. Thus the mighty iguanodon, some scores of feet in length, had no larger bone-cells than the lowliest lizard which we trampled under our feet, nor the horse or the ox than the smallest of our quadru- peds, the mouse. MISCELLANEOUS, CHAIR OF ANATOMY AT EDINBURGH. We are happy to hear that Mr. John Goodsir has been elected to the important office of Professor of Anatomy in the University of Edinburgh. The original and highly philosophical essays of that gentleman have gained him an European reputation as an anatomist and physiologist, whilst his services in the cause of natural history have placed him in an equally high position as a biologist. His me- moirs on the Amphioxus and Orthagoriscus, on the anatomy of many mollusca, radiata and entozoa, and on certain vegetables parasitic on animals, are familiar to the readers of the ‘Annals.’ Anatomy and natural history will equally gain by this excellent appointment, Meteorological Observations. 875 THE POTATO FUNGUS. Mr. Moore of Glasnevin has sent me this morning a leaf of a po- tato clothed with our old enemy Botrytis infestans, from potatoes in the Royal Botanic Garden, Dublin. Everything seems to tend to a repetition of the ravages of last year. I can persuade nobody here that there are any fears, and all advice is vain.—M. J. B. (Garden- _ers’ Chronicle.) METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR MARCH 1846. Chiswick.—March 1, Overcast. 2. Very fine. 3, Cloudy. 4. Rain. 5. Showery: clear and fine. 6,7. Very fine. 8. Clear: cloudy: clear, 9. Frosty: fine. 10. Frosty and foggy: fine: very clear. 11, Slight fog: very fine : clear. 12. Foggy. 13. Slight haze. 14. Cloudy and windy. 15. Showery, 16. Cloudy: boisterous: heavy showers. 17. Overcast: clear: slight frost at night. 18. Frosty : overcast : clear and frosty, 19. Frosty: overcast: hazy, 20. Snow early A.M., nearly two inches deep : cloudy : clear and frosty at night. 21. Sharp frost: densely clouded: boisterous, with rain at night. 22, Clear and fine: showery, 23. Rain: cloudy and fine: clear. 24. Cloudy and fine: clear, 25. Fine: overcast: showery. 26. Cloudy and fine. 27. Clear and fine, 28, Hazy, 29. Hazy clouds: fine. 30, Slight haze: cloudy and cold: clear. 31, Dry haze: clear and fine. Mean temperature of themonth ...,....... sescsecpacseotvts SO O0 Mean temperature of March 1845 .......sseceseere Fvetves 38 -49 Mean temperature of March for the last twenty years... 42 -89 Average amount of rain in March .......csecesseecreerees 1 *36 inch, Boston.—March 1, Foggy. 2,3. Cloudy. 4, Windy: rain early a.m. 5. Cloudy: rain earlya.m. 6. Cloudy: rain r.m, 7—10. Fine. 11, 12. Cloudy. 13. Cloudy: rain at noon. 14, Cloudy: rain am.andv.m. 15. Cloudy. 16, Windy: stormy day: rain r.m. 17. Cloudy. 18, Fine. 19, Cloudy: snow early a.m. 20. Cloudy. 21—25. Fine. 26. Cloudy: thunder-storm, with rain P.M. 27, 28, Fine. 29, Fine: raina.m. 30. Cloudy. 31. Fine. Sandwick Manse, Orkney.—March 1. Bright: cloudy. 2. Clear: cloudy. 3. Showers: clear. 4. Bright: clear. 5. Fine: clear. 6. Clear. 7. Bright: hail-showers. 8. Showers: clear, 9, Damp: drops. 10. Damp: cloudy. 11. Clear: halo. 12, Cloudy: drops. 13. Cloudy: showers. 14. Sleet-showers: showers: sleet. 15. Sleet-showers: cloudy: sleet. 16. Sleet-showers: sleet. 17. Sleet-showers: snow. 18, Snow-showers: snow: cloudy. 19, Snow: clear. 20. Snow: clear: snow: cloudy. 21. Snow-drift: thaw: clear. 22. Cloudy, 23, 24. Bright: clear, 25. Rain: damp: clear. 26. Showers. 27. Showers: clear, 28. Clear, 29, Showers: cloudy. 30. Clear: cloudy. 31. Snow- showers: cloudy. Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire—March 1. Fine till 10: p.m. rain. 2. Heavy showers p.m. 3, Heavy rain all day. 4, Heavy rain all day: flood. 5, Very fine. 6. Showers. 7. Showers: hail: frost. 8. Hoar frost. 9. Slight showers, 10,11,12. Fine: fair. 13. Weta. 14. Heavyrain a.m. 15. Rainr.m, 16, Showers: hail: sleet: rain. 17. Hard frost. 18, Frost: snow- showers. 19. Hard frost: clear. 20, Hardfrost. 21, Frost: snow: hail: rain: thunder, 22, Rain: hail. 23. Slight drizzle: hail. 24, Showers. 25, Wet a.m.: cleared. 26. Hoar frost: drops. 27. Showers: hail. 28. Hail: rain, 29. Frost: clear and fine. 30, Frost: clear: cloudy. 31. Frost. 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By Joun Retp, M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and Professor of Anatomy and Medieime in the University of St. Andrews. [With a Plate.] Tue following observations upon the development of the Nudi- branchiate Mollusca were made on the ova of the Doris bilamel- lata, Doris tuberculata, Goniodoris Barvicensis, Polycera quadri- lineata, Dendronotus arborescens, Doto coronata*, and a species of Holis having numerous flattened papille, depressed and im- bricated, arranged in fifteen or sixteen distinct rows, which I have not been able to refer to any of the species of that genus, the descriptions of which have yet come under my notice. In the middle of last September I procured several specimens of Polycera quadrilineata found together near low-water mark, in each of which there was placed immediately beneath the external integuments of the upper surface a large white mass, slightly lobulated, lying behind and on each side of the heart, and pro- longed forward as far as the external orifices of the reproductive organs. ‘Two pairs of the animals were kept in separate vessels and daily supplied with fresh sea-water. Hight days after this one of the pairs was seen in coitu, lying side by side, the head of the one looking towards the tail of the other, and having the right edges of their bodies in close apposition. When examined twenty-fours later neither had spawned, but two hours after this one had spawned, and the other was in the act of spawning. The spawn was seen to issue very slowly from the dilated vagina, and the animal very gradually shifted its position to permit the spawn to assume a ribbon-form, and cause it to adhere by one of its * In naming these animals I have followed Messrs. Alder and Hancock in their ‘Synopsis of British Nudibranchiate Mollusca,’ in their beautiful monograph published by the Ray Society in 1845. These gentlemen con- sider the Goniodoris Barvicensis to be a variety of Geniodoris nodosa. Amn. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. xvii. 378 Dr. Reid on the Development of the borders to the object upon which it was deposited. The process of spawning did not seem to occupy any very great length of time. ‘The other pair was seen im coitu nine days after I had taken them home, and when examined thirteen hours after this neither had spawned, but two howrs later one had spawned and the other was spawning. The animals by spawning became consider- ably reduced in size. They were kept alive for three weeks, and they deposited small portions of spawn between ten and fourteen days after the first spawning. It does not however appear to be absolutely necessary for the production of fertile ova im all, if in any of the individuals of the Nudibranchiate Mollusca, that a coitus should have so shortly preceded spawning as was observed in the Polycera, for an Eolis which was kept strictly confined in a vessel by itself, deposited, on the tenth and again on the thirty- second day of its isolation, abundance of fertile ova. During the high spring tides at the end of last February, I found near low- water mark several large assemblages of Goniodoris Barvicensis and Doris bilamellata among the rocks, collected for the purpose of breeding*. In one of these groups there must have been at least between sixty and seventy individuals of the G. Barvicensis, and abundance of their spawn adhered to the surface of the rocks, and in one place a portion about six inches square was almost completely covered by it. Many of the Doris bilamellata had also spawned, and were collected in smaller, more numerous and scattered groups, the greater number of which were farther from low-water mark and in more exposed situations than those of the G. Barvicensis. These assemblages do not break up for some time, but continue to occupy nearly the same position, and the animals composing them spawn more than once. I found some individuals still limgering among the rocks, and recent spawn de- posited, as late as the end of April. Several pairs of the Doris tuberculata were also observed, and I procured four specimens of Dendronotus arborescens and two specimens of the Holis men- tioned above. The individuals of the two last genera mentioned were not found in pairs, and these, along with several specimens of Goniodoris Barvicensis and Doris bilamellata, were taken home and kept until they had spawned. About the same time I pro- cured several specimens of Doto coronata from the deep sea ad- hering to Plumularia faleata and Thuiaria thuia, which were also kept alive, and began to spawn about the middle of March. Near the end of March I found a considerable quantity of the spawn of the Doris tuberculata adhering to the under surface of the ledges of rock near low-water mark. The spawn of the Doris bilamellata, D. tuberculata, Doto coro- * From the unusual mildness of this spring, the breeding-season may have commenced earlier than usual. ee ae. iy Se ee Ova of the Nudibranchiate Mollusca. 379 nata and Polycera quadrilineata is of a ribbon-shape and of a white colour, adhering by one of its edges to the substance upon which it is deposited ; while in the Gontodoris Barvicensis, Den- dronotus arborescens and in the Eolis, it assumes more or less the shape of a rounded chord. The ribbon-shaped spawn of the Polycera quadrilineata formed a small segment of a circle, and measured between half an inch and an inch in length, and about three-twelfths of an inch in height; that of the Doris bilamellata a large segment of a small circle, measuring in some cases eight- twelfths of an inch in height ; while that of the Doto coronata, wound in a spiral manner round the branch of the zoophyte to which it adhered, and its free edge, instead of being straight as in the other ribbon-shaped spawn mentioned, presented under the microscope numerous and regular convexities. The spawn of the Doris bilamellata consists of two laminze of a structureless sub- stance, between the layers of which, except for a small space near the edges, very numerous small ova are placed. These ova are firmly fixed in their position by a substance of the same nature as the external Jaminz which unites them together, and fills up the interstices among the ova. The ribbon thus formed is very elastic and tough, but when the ova are about to escape it becomes soft and gelatinous, the lamine separate at the edges, and at a later period may give way at different parts. This description applies to the spawn of the D. tuberculata and Doto coronata, and. pro- bably also to the Polycera quadrilineata, but my notes do not enable me to speak positively of this last. The spawn of the Goniodoris Barvicensis is either white or of a faint pink colour, has a disposition to assume the semicircular form, and some portions were from one to two inches in length, and from a quarter to nearly half an inch in circumference, and though rounded, it shows a slight tendency to the ribbon form. Its structure is essentially the same as that of the D. bilameilata, with this difference, that the external lamina approaches the cy- lindrical form with the ova arranged in the centre. The spawn of the Dendronotus arborescens was in the form of a small, long and waving chord, destitute of the strength and elasticity of the ribbon-shaped spawn, of a faint pink colour, attached to a branch of a Plumularia, along the side of which it formed a series of fes- toons. ‘The circumference of this chord was formed of a trans- parent membranous-looking substance having no distinct struc- ture, and the ova which occupied the interior were easily displaced and forced outwards. The spawn of the Holis was deposited upon the imner surface of the vessel in which it was kept and upon a stone, and consisted of a small chord of a pale pink colour about one-twelfth of an inch in diameter, arranged in a close spiral form, the turns of which lay almost in apposition, and were surrounded 2D2 380 Dr. Reid on the Development of the and connected together, and to the surface of the object upon which they were placed, by a transparent structureless substance. This chord when arranged in this manner made up a larger chord from three-twelfths to four-twelfths of an inch in diameter and several inches in length, which formed several coils, some of which crossed or were superimposed upon others. The structure of this chord was the same as that of the Dendronotus arborescens. When the ova are examined under the microscope soon after the extrusion of the spawn, each is seen to consist of a thin transparent membranous case (Pl. X. fig. 1a), with around, smooth and opake body in its centre (fig. 1 6). This membranous case (chorion), which I shall designate the case-membrane, is of a circular or oval form, is larger than what is sufficient to contain the opake body within it, and its walls appear to be composed of at least two distinct lamine*. The opake body within is of a round form, and is chiefly composed of minute cells (nuclei), mtermixt with a structureless substance which I suppose to be semifluid, and the whole is inclosed in an external transparent membrane (vitel- line membranet+). I shall restrict the term ovwm to this opake body inclosed in the case-membrane{. The ova of the Doris bi- lamellata vary in size from about 1-250th to 1-280th of an inch in diameter, those of the Holts were nearly of the same size, while those of the Doris tuberculata were considerably larger and those of Doto coronata smaller than this. The minute cells (nuclei) composing the greater part of the vitelline mass are of a round or oval shape (fig. 3), vary in size in the Doris bilamellata from 1-6000th to 1-9000th—the greater number being from the 1-7000th to 1-8000th—of an inch in diameter, and no nucleoli were observed in their interior. A very great number of these ova were examined when subjected to very different degrees of pressure, and their structure appeared to be uniform, presenting no differences at different parts, and entirely composed of the materials we have described. I endeavoured to discover a clear cell in the centre of the vitelline mass, similar to that described by Kolliker and Dr. Bagge as existing in the ova of different species of Ascaris, and which plays so important a part in the cleaving of the yolk ; but if such a cell exists, it escaped my notice from the opacity of the yolk. No evidence of the presence of this cell was obtained in any of the subsequent changes through which the ovum passed. In the spawn of the Polycera quadrilineata, Doto coronata, Doris * I observed these laminz separated from each other in some parts by a distinct interval in several ova of the spawn of the Zolis. + Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the external or vitelline membrane imper- fectly filled with its contents. ; t No doubt the case-membrane is an accessory part of the ovum, and it is for convenience sake that I use the latter term in this restricted sense. Ova of the Nudibranchiate Mollusca. 381 bilamellata, D. tuberculata and Dendronotus arborescens, one ovum is generally contained in each case-membrane ; but in some portions of the spawn of the Doris bilamellata, two and even three ova were found in the same case-membrane. The greater number of the case-membranes in the spawn of the Eolis contained each two, three, four, and even five ova. The size of the case-mem- branes varies according to the number of ova which it contains. In the spawn of the Holis the shape of the case-membranes 1s easily altered by external pressure, so that instead of being cir- cular or oval they were frequently multangular. One and sometimes two small transparent cells were seen in some of the ova examined soon after being spawned, adhering feebly to the outer surface of the external membrane (fig. 2 a) at the line of the first division of the ovum. These transparent cells were in general very easily detached by pressure, and were some- times seen lying loose within the case-membrane. I shall first describe the changes observed im the ova of the Doris bilamellata in the course of their development.