THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. VOLUME XVII. LONDON: PRINTED BY RICHARD AND JOHN E. TAYLOR, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET: SOLD AT THE SOCIETY’S HOUSE, SOHO-SQUARE; AND BY LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMAN, PATERNOSTER-ROW; AND WILLIAM WOOD, TAVISTOCK-STREET, COVENT-GARDEN. MDCCCXXXVII. NR ae ee eo : = or od Cy 7 a . < ‘ he 4 ’ “ye a ro at . «' 1 ™ = eee as ee — . 1) ee iS 7 re : ce. on A oe PY vs #3 : a 4 Ty Lene ages PA NK MATE ba Bae “bs Sek, 210%. Selaeeatinny CONTENTS. I. Description of the Organ of Voice in a new Species of Wild Swan (Cyg- nus Buccinator, Richardson). By Wiuttam Yarrew, Esq., F.L.S. & USCA wSIOTT DM Ao Sanh Ava oth oh arctan | paged II. Descriptions of three British Species of fresh-water Fishes belonging to the Genus Leuciscus of Klein. By Witu1sm Yarrew, Esq., F.L.S. & III. Observations on the Tropzolum pentaphyllum of Lamarck. By Mr. PAVIDyD ONS LabriTSiet Canty te ae eh fee Ee ad IV. On the Adaptation of the Structure of the Sloths to their peculiar Mode of Life. By the Rev. Witu1am Buckuanp, D.D., F.R.S. F.L.S. F.G.S., and Professor of Geology and Mineralogy in the University of Oxford. 17 V. Observations on Naticina and Dentalium, two Genera of Molluscous Animals. By the late Rev. Lanspown Guupwne, B.A, F.L.S. 2 2... 29 VI. Monograph of the East Indian Solanez. By Curistian Goprrey NEEs von. Esenseck, M.D., F.M.L.S., President of the Imperial Academy Nature Curiosorum, and Professor of Botany in the University of Bres- LAUR. COI SINS 2 tees) SAL te scareoe?. team Yo BERL 87 vi CONTENTS. VII. On the Lycium of Dioscorides. By Joun Forses Royue, Esq., F.L.S., late Superintendant of the Hon. East India Company's Botanic Garden at Saharunpore ...ae) a) ae ane ee ay DAOC ESO VIII. «A Review of the Natural Order Myrsinee. By M. AuruonsE Dre Canpoute, Honorary Professor and one of the Directors of the Bo- tamciGandenatiGeneva le heen. = eee eee ae IX. On the Modifications of AEstivation observable in certain Plants, formerly referred to the Genus Cinchona. By Mr. Davin Don, Libr. L.S. 139 X. Additional Observations on the Tropeeolum el of Lamarck. By Mr. Davip Don, Libr. LS. 2. 1. 2 we, Ay Sy aropigven W445 XI. 4 Commentary on the Fourth Part of the Hortus Malabaricus. By (the late) Francis Hamiuron, M.D., F.R.S. and LS... . . . 147 XII. Memoir on the Degree of Selection exercised by Plants, with regard to the Earthy Constituents presented to their Absorbing Surfaces. By Cuartes Dauseny, M.D., F.R.S. L.S. G.S., &c., Professor of Botany and Chemistry in the University of Oxford . . . . . . . . 258 XIII. Review of the Order of Hydrophyllee. By Georce Bentuam, Esq., PES 5 I AIO he Y RAIS AE SAR NG eGR ale no¥ 267 XIV. On Diopsis, a Genus of Dipterous Insects, with Descriptions of Twenty- one Species. By J.O. Westwoop, Esq., F.L.8. . . . . . . 283 XV. Descriptions, &c. of the Insects collected by Captain P. P. Kine, R.N., F.R.S., in the Survey of the Straits of Magellan. By Joun Curtis, Esq., F.L.S.; A. H. Haumay, Esg., M.A.; and Francis WaLKEr, Fsgi EES. Ao. We nat geal? ES; ae wowr = 35 XVI. Description of a new Species of the Genus Chameleon. By Mr. Samue. CONTENTS. vii Srurcusury, 4.L.S., and Curator of the Bristol Philosophical Institu- or OAS ope RAGA Cara sa. soveofage 361 XVII. Observations on the Genus Hosackia and the American Loti. By Georce Bentuam, Esg., F.L.S.. - - © 2 2 ee tt 363 XVIII. Characters of Empta, a Genus of Insects allied to the White Ants (Termites) ; with Descriptions of the Species of which it is composed. By J. O. Westwoop, Bigs HEL Si Paps aire | eres) sa - 369 XIX. De Marchantieis. Auctore Tooma Tayior, M.D., S.LS. . . . 375 XX. On a new Arachnide uniting the Genera Gonyleptes and Phalangium. By the Rev. F. W. Hore, M.A., F-R.S. BAERS. POS GER. S97 XXI. On the Eriogonee, a Tribe of the Order Sere By GeEorGE Bentuam, Esgq., F.L.S. A POs 2 DRI GRR Sse, LD ht Sins 1 ti AOL XXII. Observations on the Species of Fedia. By Josera Woops, Esq., BEL Soabdw OC so wales has ho Beaiteabh ods wo 8] XSL XXIII. Remarks on some British Ferns. By Mr. Davi Don, Libr. L.S. . 435 XXIV. Descriptions of Five new Species of the Genus Pinus, discovered by Dr. Couuter in California. By Mr. Daviw Don, Libr. L.S. . . 439 XXV. Some Account of the Galls found on a Species of Oak from the Shores of the Dead Sea. By Ayumer Bourke Lampert, Esq., F.R.S. V.P.L.S., Sta Lyiertipl. og Retreats Note on the Mustard ‘Plant of the Ser sptenie, By Mr. Lampert. . 449 XXVI. On several new or imperfectly understood British and European Plants. By Cuaruzs C. Basineton, M.A., F.L.S. F.G.S., &. . . . - 451 viii CONTENTS. XXVII. Observations on the Development of the Theca, and on the Sexes of Mosses. By WiuttaM Vatentine, Esg., F.LS.. . . . « page 465 XXVIII. On the Nervous System of Molluscous Animals. By Rosert Garner, sg ELS. OS VRS SR eae Ne ELE. RETR GES XXIX. Descriptions of Indian Gentianee. By Davin Don, Esq., Libr. L.S., Prof. Bot. King’s Coll. Bond. 0 ce ee ee ee. 508 XXX. Observations on the Esula Major Germanica of Lobel. By Evwarp Forster, Esq.,.VP.LS. BERS ek. dete oG -yBES XXXI. Notice respecting a Native British Rose, first described in Ray's Synopsis, as discovered by James SHERARD. By Josepu SaBine, £sq., PRS SES &ee .) Mes ee at Pi: eer ae 2) a89 XXXII. Descriptions of some new Species of Diorsis. By J.O. Wxstwoon, Eszq., TAS eRe ee ee a RM AR Get ans BAS XXXIII. On the Identity of three supposed Genera of Orchideous Epiphytes. In a Letter to A. B. Lampert, ai V.P.L.S. By Mr. Roserr H. ScHomBuRGK ...... . ot) den ae Sivas th SPL Se XXXIV. Extracts from the Minute-Book of the Linnean Society of Lon- don't. Sake k: OU tty 50 AE. ES Se Hee oT TOP ER. 553 XXXV. Extracts from the Council Minute-Book of the Linnean Society of ‘London. .. 2 Tamed Sa AP Bacay ® wits oe. LPR, we F567 Catalogue of the Library of the Linnean Society . . . . . . . . 571 List of Donors to the Library of the Linnean Society . . . . . . 589 Donations to the Museum of the Linnean Society . . . . . . . . 597 TRANSACTIONS OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY. 1. Description of the Organ of Voice in a new Species of Wild Swan (Cygnus Buccinator, Richardson). By Witu1amM YarreE.., Esq., F.L.S. & Z.S. Read March 20th, 1832. I AM indebted to the liberality and kindness of Dr. Richardson for an example of the sternum and trachea of a new species of wild swan, the Cygnus Buccinator of the Fauna Boreali-Americana, Part II., of Mr. Swainson and Dr. Richardson; a work in ornithology unexampled for beauty of illustration and accuracy of detail. The possession of this valuable and probably unique specimen affords me an opportunity of placing before the members of the Linnean Society the following description and drawing. The interesting variations which will be observed in the organ of voice in this newly discovered species, as compared with the same parts in other known swans, is an additional proof of the value of internal evidence as de- cisive of specific distinction; and it is particularly worthy of notice, that as the shape and colour of the beak ; the number of the tail-feathers ; the course of the tube of the trachea within the cavity of the sternum; and the form of the bronchiz ;—from the modifications observed in them all ;—have been considered satisfactory as establishing the claim of Cygnus Bewickii to rank as a species distinct from the Hooper: the same parts, external as well as VOL. XVII. B 2 Mr. Yarrew’s Description of the Organ of Voice internal, in Cygnus Buccinator, will be found to be all equally distinct from both. Cygnus Buccinator is the most common swan in the interior of the fur- countries of North America; and it is to this species, which is called the Trumpeter, that the largest portion of the swan-skins imported by the Hud- son’s Bay Company belong. These swans probably require five or six years to arrive at their full size; but this point attained, they are considerably larger than the oldest Hooper. The beak of the Trumpeter is entirely black, without any of the yellow- orange colour so conspicuous in the Hooper and Bewick’s swan; and, being at the same time larger, longer, and more depressed, at once distinguishes this new species. The forehead alone is tinged with rust-colour, and this tint prevails over a larger space in younger specimens; the rest of the plumage is pure white: the third quill-feather of the wing is the longest; the tail-feathers 24 in number ; the legs black. The trachea is made up of narrow bony rings and small fbetedtih mem- branous spaces as far as the first convolution within the breast-bone, but the returning portion of the tube, forming a second convolution, is composed of broader and stronger bony rings with wider intervals. In these peculiarities of structure it resembles the trachea of the Hooper; but in its course within the sternum, as also in the form of the bronchie, it is decidedly different. The trachea, after descending by the neck, passes backwards within the keel and between the two plates of the breast-bone to the depth of six inches, then curving horizontally and slightly inclining upwards, returns, at first by the side of, and afterwards over, the first inserted portion, near two thirds of the whole distance. A second curve of this returning portion is then suddenly elevated two inches above the line of the superior surface of the keel, and traverses the interior of a hollow circular protuberance on the dorsal surface of the sternum itself. The usual ascending curve of the trachea then ensues, by which the tube, ultimately receding, gains the internal cavity of the breast. The bone of divarication is placed over the centre of the protuberance before mentioned. The bronchiz are but two inches each in length, small at their in a new Species of Wild Swan. 3 origin and at their junction with the lungs, but greatly expanded throughout the intermediate portions, and somewhat depressed, being one inch one line wide, and only eight lines in depth. The muscles of voice are the same in number and situation as in the Hooper and Cygnus Bewickii. The whole length of the sternum is nine inches three lines, the greatest width four inches; the hollow protuberance on its internal surface is formed by a sudden rounded elevation of the superior bony plate, which is compressed at the sides, and measures in length as also in height one inch six lines, and in width nine lines; from the edge of the keel to the upper surface of the protuberance three inches five lines. The following other measurements are here inserted for comparison with those of our British wild swans in the last-published Part of the Transactions of this Society. Inches. Lines. Point of beak to the end of the tail . . . - - 70 0 edge of the forehead . . . 4 Il eye - kvaile beat fiche eaten 0 OCCIPNE. aise palisorray sb io oredese Carpus to the end of the primaries . - . - - 24 0 Tail-feathers, in number, 24. Length oftarsus . .- -..- - middle toe and nail . the breast-bone Depth of insertion of the trachea . Length of the bronchial tubes . pnaon oowo an A fine preserved specimen of the Trumpeter in the museum of the Hudson’s Bay Company, in F enchurch Street, afforded the external measurements here detailed. Two skins of swans of the same species in the collection of the Zoological Society are from younger birds, and are somewhat smaller in their several dimensions. The Hooper, it will be recollected, has but one decided convolution of the trachea within the sternum, and that one is vertical ; Bewick’s swan has also but one convolution, and that horizontal; our present subject, it will be seen, B2 4 Mr. Yarrew’s Description of the Organ of Voice in a new Wild Swan. has two convolutions within the sternum, of very opposite character in their- directions; the bronchiz also differ materially from both. The representa- tions of the various parts, on comparison with those already published, will render these differences much more apparent than this concise description ; and the examination of them will, I trust, convince ornithologists that the Cygnus Buccinator of Dr. Richardson is a species perfectly distinct from any hitherto made known, EXPLANATION OF TAB. I. Fig. 1. Side view of the sternum, a section having been made to show the trachea in its natural situation. The anterior portion of the sternum, seen from above. The inside of the hollow protuberance. The protuberance, seen from the right side. The bronchiz, seen from the side. . The bronchiz, seen from above. The bone of divarication, side view. The same bone, seen from above. The muscle of voice in its course along the tube of the trachea. Cor anrswy ae Goto <3 Oo oO DL ys s*O eh) vi allman ded Printed by C. [5 ] Il. Descriptions of three British Species of fresh-water Fishes belonging to the Genus Leuciscus of Klein. By Wiuitam Yarrewt, Esq. F.L.S. & ZS. Read June 19th, 1832. PENNANT in his published account of a Tour in Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides, pp. 11. and 12, has the following observation,—* In the Mersey near Warrington, and in the river Alt, which runs by Sephton, Lancashire, into the Mersey near Formby, a fish called the Graining is taken, which in some respects resembles the Dace, yet it is a distinct and perhaps new species.” A short description of this fish, occupying a few lines only, appears in the quarto edition as well as in both octavo editions of the British Zoology; and the Graining is also characterized by Shaw in the 5th volume of his General Zoology, page 234, as follows: “ Cyprinus Lancastriensis. Pennant’s Graining. “C. argenteus, dorso subrecto ccerulescente, oculis pinnisque inferioribus rubentibus.” Notwithstanding these notices, this fish remains comparatively unknown to the present time, and has not, that I am aware, been found in any other locality. One of the streams which produce the Graining rises in Knowsley Park ; and I have, by the kindness of Lord Stanley, the President of this Society, been most liberally supplied with specimens of this fish, from the examination of which the following particulars have been derived. The Graining, though similar to the Dace in shape, is yet distinguished from it by being still more slender in its form. In the Dace the length of the fish is in proportion to the depth as 4 to 1: in the Graining these proportions are as 5 to 1; and there are also other differences to be hereafter noticed. The Graining has the top of the head, the back, and upper part of the sides of a pale drab-colour tinged with blueish red, and separated from the lighter- 6 Mr. Yarre.r’s Descriptions of three coloured and inferior parts by a well-defined boundary line; the irides are yellowish white ; infra-orbital portion of the head, the operculum, and sides, shining silvery white tinged with yellow; all the fins pale yellowish white ; the lateral line descending from the upper angle of the operculum by a gentle curve to the middle of the body, thence to the centre of the tail in a straight line; the scales of moderate size, marked with numerous concentric striz, and prominent radiating elevated ridges, the central portion of each scale being brighter than its sides, and producing the appearance of shining longi- tudinal lines extending the whole length of the body. The head is small, depressed ; the cheeks flat; the line of the back but little elevated; the dorsal fin commences exactly half-way between the nose and the end of the fleshy portion of the tail ; the first dorsal fin-ray is short, the second ray the longest, the last ray double. The mouth is small, without teeth on either of the max- illary bones; the eye large; nostrils pierced nearer the eye than the nose; branchiostegous rays 3, operculum of two pieces. The pectoral fin arises below a triangular plate directed backwards ; the abdominal line moderately convex ; the ventral fins are placed on a vertical line, but little in advance of the anterior portion of the dorsal fin; the anal fin commences, on a vertical line, immediately under the termination of the dorsal fin-rays, when that fin is depressed ; the first ray of the anal fin is short, the second ray the longest, the last ray double; the fleshy portion of the tail is long and slender, its rays deeply forked. I can speak with confidence to the differential characters of the Graining and Dace, having been favoured on this occasion with a Dace from the same stream which produced the Graining. The length of the Dace compared to the depth is, as I have stated, but as 4 to 1; the back and sides are yellowish olive strongly tinged with blue, passing by imperceptible gra- dations to silvery white beneath; the lower fins are pale red; the pectoral fin not surmounted by a similar triangular plate; and the radiating lines on each scale are produced by grooved depressions and not by elevated ridges. The number of all the fin-rays is different, those in some of the fins being greater, and in others less. BD TUB HEV Sachs Any Grainingi: jiey ple oly Se) WAN 1102) SC eae, Dace hejyine nas voy U2Me hile: te Ue. RE British Species of fresh-water Fishes. 7 Several streams in the townships of Burton Wood and Sankey, which flow into the Mersey below Warrington, and others in or near the township of Knowsley, which also form the Alt, produce the Graining in considerable numbers. In its habits and food it resembles the Trout, frequenting both the rapid and still parts of the rivers, but is not known to exist in ponds. It is fished for with artificial flies like the Dace or Trout; and Mr. Bainbridge, an enthusiastic fisherman, in his excellent Fly-fisher’s Guide, published at Liver- pool, says, “ that as they rise freely, they afford good sport to the angler, and when in the humour, it is not difficult to fill a pannier with them. They sometimes, though not commonly, exceed half a pound in weight, and are much better eating than the Dace.” ; The largest specimen sent up to me on the present occasion measured nine inches in length. A short description of the Graining in Mr. Bainbridge’s work is thus given. * Rather more slender than the Dace; the body almost straight; colour of the scales silvery, with a blueish cast; the eyes, the ventral and the anal fins, are of a pale colour.” Following the systematic arrangement of Baron Cuvier in the 2nd volume of the Régne Animal, this species will now range under the first division of the genus Leuciscus of Klein, distinguished by the position of the dorsal fin, which is placed in a vertical line immediately over the ventral, and of which division our well-known Roach and Dace are examples. As the specific character of the Graining given by Dr. Shaw does not precisely agree with that fish as described by Mr. Bainbridge and myself, I propose to substitute the following, but still retaining the trivial name applied to the species by that naturalist. Leuciscus Lancastriensis. Pennant’s Graining. ; L. elongatus, pinna dorsali supra pinnas ventrales positaé, caudali profundé biloba, capitis lateribus supra subparallelis; ore parvo; dorso lateri- busque superné subrufescenti-isabellinis, inferné ventreque argenteis. With specimens of the Graining, for which I acknowledge my great obli- gations to Lord Stanley, another species of the same genus was sent, which is also new to our British catalogue, and which, like the Graining, is not de- 8 Mr. Yarre.’s Descriptions of three scribed, as far as I have been able to ascertain, in any of the different works of European ichthyologists. From the prevailing blue colour of this fish, I have been induced to call it the Azurine, Leuciscus ceruleus. It belongs to Cuvier’s second division of the genus Leuciscus of Klein, a division intended to include those species in which the dorsal fin is placed, in a vertical line, over the space between the ventral and anal fins, and of which division our Red-eye, Bleak, and Minnow, are examples. The specific characters of the Azurine may be stated as follows : L. ovato-lanceolatus, pinna dorsali pone pinnas ventrales posita; dorso plumbeo, ventre argenteo, pinnis albis. Bes) “Dil0.4 PGA V9. . vA. 12h, (Ci 19, The depth of this fish is to its length as 7 to 2, and it is therefore in shape very similar to our Red-eye; but is at once distinguished from that species by the silvery whiteness of the abdomen, which in the Red-eye is of a brilliant golden orange; and also by its white fins, which in the other are invariably of a fine vermillion. It also differs in the number of its fin-rays. The Azurine has the upper part of the head, back and sides of slate blue, passing into silvery white beneath, and both shining with metallic lustre; the irides white, tinged with pale straw yellow; all the fins white; the lateral line, descending rapidly from the upper edge of the operculum, takes a curve parallel to the deep convex line of the abdomen; the scales large, marked with a variable number of radiating lines; the head small, depressed, and broad; the back arched; the dorsal fin commences half-way between the posterior edge of the eye and the end of the scaly portion of the tail; the first dorsal fin-ray is short, the second ray the longest, the last ray double. The muzzle is blunt; the mouth small, and without teeth; the eye large; nostrils pierced on the upper surface of the nose, midway between the eye and the upper lip; operculum of two portions, the upper one large and marked with radiating lines. The abdomen convex; the pectoral fins long, reaching nearly to the origin of the ventral fins, which arise, on a vertical line, considerably in advance of the dorsal fin, and thus bring that fin over the interval between the ventral and anal fins. From the vent the body diminishes rapidly, and the British Species of fresh-water Fishes. 9 anal fin is situated on the obliquity thus produced. The first ray of the anal fin is short, the second the longest, the last ray double. The fleshy part of the tail is narrow, the rays moderately forked, the central rays being only half as long as those which are terminal. The localities from which this species is derived, within the township of Knowsley, are but limited. It is hardy, tenacious of life, and spawns in May. The flesh is said to be firm, of good flavour, and to resemble that of the Perch. The food, and the baits used for its capture, are the same as those taken by the Carp; and the largest specimen known was not supposed to exceed one pound in weight. I hope at some future period to be able to add further details. While fishing in the month of August last in the Thames below Woolwich, with the mouth of a whitebait net open against a strong flood-tide, I caught a single specimen of Cyprinus Dobula of Linnzus, but have not been fortunate enough to obtain any more since. This species, well described and figured by Bloch, No. 5, is common to the Elbe, the Weser, and other rivers on the oppo- site coast, but has not, that I am aware, been recorded before as having been taken in any river of England. This fish also belongs to the genus Lewciscus of Klein, and to the same division of that genus as the Graining, Leuwciscus Lancastriensis. The specimen taken was 64 inches long, and being a young male fish, was slender in proportion to its length. The general colour a dusky blue on the back, becoming brighter on the sides, and passing into silvery white beneath. The lateral line, descending from the upper angle of the operculum, takes a course along the side parallel to the curve of the belly; scales of moderate size; dorsal and caudal fins dusky brown; pectoral, ventral and anal fins pale orange red; head rounded and blunt; upper jaw the longest, the under jaw shutting within it; nostrils pierced on the upper side of the head, rather nearer the eye than the upper lip; irides orange; cheeks and operculum silvery white ; first ray of the dorsal fin arising half-way between the anterior edge of the orbit of the eye and the end of the fleshy portion of the tail, the first ray short, the second the longest, the last ray double; of the anal fin also, the first ray is short, and the last ray double. Bloch says, this fish prefers clear rivers and large lakes, in which it deposits its spawn in the months of March and VOL. XVII. c 10 Mr. Yarrew’s Descriptions of three British Species of fresh-water Fishes. April. It is said to feed on worms, small white snails, and water-insects. In its appearance this fish somewhat resembles our Roach, but is much less deep for its length, and darker in colour; it seldom exceeds half a pound in weight, and is not in much esteem as an article of food. Like most of those fishes that swim near the surface, the specimen herein referred to died very soon after being taken out of the water. The numbers of fin-rays were as follows : D.9. P.16. %\V.9.