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MAGAZINE

OF

ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY.

CONDUCTED BY

Sir W. JARDINE, Bart.—P. J. SELBY, Esa.

AND

Dr JOHNSTON.

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iV EL;

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.
No. VII.

. Account of a Botanical Excursion in the Alps of the Canton of Valais,

Switzerland, in August 1835; and Catalogue of the Plants collected,

with occasional Remarks. By R. J. SouTTLEWORTH, Esq. Page |

On the Dentition and other Characters of the British Shrews, with re-
ference to M. Duvernoy’s recent researches into the structure of this
genus of Animals. By the Rev. LEoNaRD JENYNS, M. A. F.L.S.,
F. Z. S., &c. = = ‘J 5

Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. By WuLL1am
THompson, Esq. Vice-President of the Belfast Natural History
Society, - = - - -

Cheloniorum Tabula Analytica. Auctore CaroLto L. BONAPARTE,
Muxiniani Princip. - - - -

. Miscellanea Zoclogica. . By GEornGE JoHNSTON, M.D., Fellow of

the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, - -
No. VIII.

. Notes on the Land and Fresh Water Mollusca of Great Britain, with a

revised list of Species. By Josuua ALDER, Member of the Natu-
ral History Society of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, -

On the Botany of Erris, County Mayo, and a notice of several addi-
tions to the Flora Hibernica. By Cuarues C. Banineton, M. A.
iy esS.,, &e- = - - - -

. Notes upon Subaquatic Insects, with the descripticn of a New Genus of

British Staphylinide. By J. O. WEsTwoop, F.L.S., &c.
The Natural History of the British Entomostraca. By WiLLIam
Barrp, Surgeon, H. C. S. Continued, = =
Directions for the preservation of Sea Plants, with Miscellaneous Re-
marks on a number of species collected at Cairnlough Bay, on the
Coast of Antrim, in the months of May and June 1836. By JamEs
S. DrummonpD, M. D. President of the Belfast Natural History

Society, &c. - - - E = z
Observations on the Caprimulgus Europeus (Night-Jar.) By Dr W.
B. CLARKE, Ipswich, - = ~ ES Z

On the advancement of Local Botany in the environs of London, with
remarks relative to the Dispersion of Plants in that vicinity, and the
formation of plans exhibiting the Distribution of Species over locali-
ties. By DanreL Cooper, Curator to the Botanical Society of
London, &c. - - - - -

101

119

124

132

144

158

163

\

1V

VIIL.

Xe

III.

Vil.

Contents.

Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. By Wr1Li1am
Tuomrson, Esq. Vice-President of the Belfast Natural History So-
ciety. Continued, - - - Page

Account of a Botanical Excursion in the Alps of the Canton of Valais,
Switzerland, in August 1835; and Catalogue of the Plants collected,
with occasional Remarks. By R. J. SauTTLEWORTH, Esq. Con-
tinued, - - - - -

No. IX.

. On the British Species of the Genus Cerastium, being an attempt to

elucidate their distinctive characters. By CHAr~Es C. BaBING-
Ton, M.A., F. L. S., &c. - = = =

. Characters and Descriptions of the Dipterous Insects indigenous to

Britanm. By James Duncan, M. W.S., &c. &c. Continued,
On the existence of a second membrane in the Asci of Fungi. By the
Rev. M. J. BERKELEY, M.A., F. L. S., - -

. Observations on the Gemme of Bryum androgynum. By GEORGE

Dickix£, Esq. Surgeon, Aberdeen, - - -

- On a peculiar structure in Shells; with some observations on the Shell

of Spherulites.s By Jonn EDwarpD Gray, F.R.5S., &c.

. Localities of Scottish Coleoptera. By the Rev. Wi~t1am LITTLE,

No. X.

Historical Notice of Antoine Laurent de Jussieu. By M. Ap.
BRONGNIART, - - - = -

Notes on the Ornithology of Norway. By W. C. HewirrTson, Esq.

The British Cerastia: a Supplement to a former Essay. By C. C.
BaBInGTON, F.L.S., &c. Plate 1X. Continued,

The Natural History of British Zoophytes. By GEoRGE JOHNSTON,
M. D. Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. (Con-
tinued from Vol. i. p. 447,) = - -

- On a Confervoid State of Mucor Clavatus, Lk. By the Rev. M. J.

BERKELEY, M.A., F. L.S., - - x

No. XI.

The Fauna of Twizell. By P. J. SELBY, Esq. (Continued,)

A Notice, with the results, of a Botanical Expedition to Guernsey and
Jersey, in July and August 1837. By CHARLES C. BABINGTON,
M.A., F.L.S., &c. - - - - -

The Natural History of the British Entomostraca. No. IV. By
WiLLiaM BarrpD, Surgeon H.C.S., &c. -

. Remarks on the Mosses found in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen. By

G. Dick1E, Esq. - - - <

. Observations on some New or Obscure Species of Plants. No. I. By

G. A. WALKER ARNOTT, LL. D., F. L.S., &c. i

. Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. By Wittiam

170

180

319

340

387

397
400
412

419

Tuompson, Hsq. Vice-President of the Belfast Natural History .

Society. 2 a zs 2 3

Dr Robert H. Schomburgh’s description of Victoria Regina, Gray.
Plate XII. - - = = :

427

440

Contents.

VIII. Contribution towards a knowledge of the Crenilabri (Cuv.) of Ireland,
including Descriptions of Species apparently new to Science. By
Witt1aM THOMPSON, Esq. Vice-President of the Natural History
Society of Belfast. Plates XIII. and XIV. - Page

No, XII.
I. A Revision of the Genera of Bats (Vespertilionide), and the Description
of some new Genera and Species. By JouN EDWARD Gray,
F. R.S., President of the Botanical Society of London, &c. &c.
II. Account of a Botanical Excursion in the Alps of the Canton of Valais,
Switzerland, in August 1835 ; and Catalogue of the Plants collected,
with occasional Remarks. By R. J. SHUTTLEWORTH, Esq. (Con-

tinued from p. 196,) - = - a 2
I1I. An attempt to ascertain the Faunaof Shropshire and North Wales. By
Tuomas C. Eyton, F. Z. S. 5 = Ss

1V. Observations on some New or Obscure Species of Plants. No. II.
By G. A. WaLkeR ArnortT, LL. D., F. L.S., &c. (Continued
from page 247,) - = ~ -

REVIEWS AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS.

No. VII.

I. Icones Plantarum, or Figures with brief descriptive characters and re-
marks of New or Rare Plants, selected from the Author’s Herbarium.
By Sir W. J. Hooker, K. H., LL. D., &c. - 3
II. Dr Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopedia. Natural History. Natural History
and Classification of Birds. By W. Swarnson, Esq. =
III. An Analysis of the British Ferns and their Allies. With Copper-plate
engravings of every Species and Variety. By GEonGE W, FRANCIs,

PERIODICALS.

Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History, : : ‘
Companion to Botanical Magazine, - - =
Annales des Sciences Naturelles, - - = A:
Annalen der Physik und Chemie, - = tt

No. IX.

Manuel de Malacologie et de Conchyliologie. Par H. M. DucrotTay DE
BLAINVILLE.

Manuel de I’Histoire Naturelle des Mollusques et de leur Coquilles. Par
M. SANDER Rane.

The Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells; for the use of Students in Con-
chology and Geology. By GEORGE BRETTINGHAM SOWERBY.

The Elements of Modern Conchology ; with Definitions of all the Tribes,
Families, and Genera, Recent and Fossil. For the use of Students and
Travellers. By WiLLIamM Swarnsown, Esq.

Elements of Conchology, according to the Linnean System, illustrated by
28 plates drawn from Nature. By the Rev. E. I. Burrow, A. M.
Bete s: > = - - =

483

508

537

543

74
75
85
86
87

89
89

238

vi Contents.

RIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
Fauna Japonica. Auctore Pu. Fr. De Sresoip,—Ophidii elaborantibus

C. J. Temminck et H. SCHLEGEL, » - Page 266
A Synopsis of the Birds of Australia and the adjacent Islands. By Joun
Gourn, h.elisss bartels - = - 266

Catalogue of the Cellulares or Flowerless Plants of Great Britain, or those
included in the Linnean class Cryptogamia ; compiled from Sir W. J.
Hooker’s English Flora, Vol. V.; Sir J. E. Smith’s English Flora, Vol.
IV.; Mackay’s Flora Hibernica; Henslow’s Catalogue of British Plants,
and other sources. By W. A. Lercuton, B, A. F. B. S. Ed., 267

A History of British Birds, Indigenous and Migratory, including their organi-
zation, habits, and relations, remarks on Classification and Nomenclature ;
an account of the principal Organs of Birds, and observations relative to
practical Ornithology. Illustrated by numerous engravings. By WILLIAM

Maceituivsay. Vol. I. - - - - 267
Report by MM. De Blainville, Isidore Geoffroy, and Dumeril, on M. Perche-
ron’s work entitled Bibliographie Entomologique. - 269

TRANSACTIONS AND PERIODICALS.
Transactions of the Philosophical and Literary Society of Leeds, consisting of
papers read before the Society. Vol. I. Part I. - - 271
Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History. New Series. May and June 1837, 276
Companion to Botanical Magazine. By Sir W. J. HooKER, Professor of Bo-

tany in the University of Glasgow, - - - - 276
Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, MM. AUDOUIN et MiLNE-ED-
WARDs. Botanique, MM. Ap. BRONGNIART et GUILLEMIN, - 278
American Journal of Sciences and Arts. Conducted by BENJAMIN SILLI-
MAN, M.D. LL.D. Vol. XXXII. No. 1. April 2837, - Ss 281
No X.
Voyage Scientifique en Moree, - =] = - 344

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES,

A History of British Birds) By WiLLiamM YaRRELL, I’, L. S., Secretary to
the: Zoological Society. Illustrated by a Wood-cut of each Species, and
numerous Vignettes. No. 1. - - - - -

The Birds of Australia and the adjacent Islands. By Joun GouLp, F.L.S.
Part 1. - - - - ~ -

Icones Avium, or Figures and Descriptions of New and interesting Birds from
various parts of the Globe. By Joun GouLD, F. L.S. Forming a Sup-
plement to his former works. - Part 1. - - -

Supplement to the Flora Metropolitana, or Botanical Rambles within thirty

miles of London. By Danret Coorrr, A.L.S., - - 358
PERIODICALS.
Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History.. New Series. July and August
1837. Continued from p. 276, - - - - 399
Companion to the Botanical Magazine. By Sir W. J. Hooker, Professor of
Botany in the University of Glasgow. Continued from p. 276, - 360
Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, MM. AUDOUIN et MiLNE-Kp-
warps. Botanique, MM. Ap. BRONGNIART et GUILLEMIN, . 360

Magazin de Zoologie, Journal destiné a ctablir une correspondence entre les

Contents.

zoologistes de tous les pays, et a leur faciliter les Moyens de publier les es-
péces nouvelles on peu connues qu’ils possedent. Par F. E, GuEKIN-ME-
NEVILLE, - - - - - Page

No. XI.

Dr Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopedia. Natural History. Natural History
and Classification of Birds. By W. Swainson, Esq. A. C. G.,

F. R. S. L., &c. - - - - - -
PERIODICALS.
Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History. New Series. September and Oc-
tober 1837, - . - - * -
Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, MM. AuDOWIN et MiLNE-ED-
WARDS. Botanique, MM. Ap. BRONGNIART et GUILLEMIN, -
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by BENJAMIN SIL-
Liman, M. D. - - - - ~

Magazin de Zoologie, Journal destiné a faciliter aux Zoologistes de tous les
pays, les Moyens de publier leur Trauvaux, et les espéces nouvelles on peu

connues qwils possedent.. Par F. E. GUERIN-MENEVILLE, ~
Miiller’s Archiv. fiir Anatomie Physiologie, &c. - -
Linnza,—Ein Journal fiir die Botanik, &c. - = z
No. XII.

Dr Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopedia. Natural History. Natural History
and Classification of Birds. By W. Swatnson, Esq. A. C. G.,
F.R.S. L., &c. Vol. II. (Continued from p. 461,) ~

i BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
Tentamen Pteridographiz, seu Genera Filicacearum, presertim juxta venarum
decursum et distributionem exposita. Auctore, CaroLo Bor. PREst.
Prager, 1836. 8vo. Pp. 290, - - = =
Bryologia Europza, seu Genera Muscorum Europezorum Monographice illus-
trata. Auctoribus, Brucu et W. P. ScHIMPER. . Fasc. I. cum Tab. xi.

Stuttgartia, 1837. to, - - -
Encyclopedia Britannica, edited by Professor Narier. Article Mammalia,
| INTELLIGENCE.

No. VII.

Zoological, 92.—Miscellaneous 93.—Proceedings of Societies, - &
No. IX.

Zoological, 283.— Botanical, 285.— Miscellaneous, = =
No. X.

Zoological, 365.—Botanical, 366.—Miscellaneous, 370—Report of the Seventh
Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, 370,.—

Obituary, - - - - ts
No. XI.
Zoological, 471-—Botanical, 472.—Miscellaneous, 474.—-Proceedings of So-
cieties, 477.—Obituary, = : = as
No. XII.

Botanical, > = 5;

361

451

470

993

560

560
561

93

289.

Viil Contents.

PLATES.

PLaTE I. Dentition of the British Shrews.
IJ. II]. British Ariciade,
IV. Micralymma Johnstonis.
V. British Entomostraca.
VI. Cerastium pedunculatum.

§ Asci of Spheriz.
Re 0 Germen of Bryum androgynum.

VIII. Structure of Shells.
IX. Cerastium atrovirens.
X. British Zoophytes.
XI. Mucor Clavatus.
XII. Victoria regalis.
XIII. Crenilabrus multidentatus.
XIV. Crenilabrus microstoma.

Lis sf

OF THE

CONTRIBUTORS OF ORIGINAL ARTICLES

FOVCE:

Alder, Joshua, Member of the Nat.
Hist. Soc. of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Arnott, G. A. Walker, LL.D., F. 1.8.

Babington, Charles C., M. A., &c.

Baird, William, Surgeon H. C. S.

Berkeley, Rev. M. J., M. A.

Bevan, Edward, M. D.

Bonaparte, Carolo L., Prince of Mu-
signano.

Clarke, Dr W. B.

Cooper, Daniel, Curator to the Bota-
nical Society, London.

Couch, Jonathan, F. L. 8.

Dickie, George, Esq.

Doubleday, Henry, Esq.

Drummond, J. S., M. D.

Duncan, James, M. W. S.

Eyton, P. C.,

Forbes, Edward,

Gould, F. L. S., &c.

Gray, John Edward, F. R. S.

I. AND II.

Henderson, Mr J.,

Henslow, Rey. J. S., M. A., Professor
of Botany in the University of Cam-
bridge.

Hewitson, W. C., Esq.

Jenyns, Rev. Leonard, M. A.

Johnston, George, M. D.

Little, Rev. William,

Macgillivray, William, A.M. F. R. S, E.
M. W. S., &c.

Parnell, Richard, M. D.

Selby, P. J., Esq. F. R. S. E., &c.

Shuttleworth, R. J., Esq.

Smith, Andrew, M. D.

Swainson, William, F. R. and L. S.

Thompson, William, Esq. Vice-Presi-
dent of the Nat. Hist. Soe. of Belfast.

Watson, H. Cotterel, Esq.

Westwood, J. O., F. L. S.

Wilson, James, F. R. S. E., &c.

eee

ee

OF

ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

I.— Account of a Botanical Excursion in the Alps of the Canton of Va-
lais, Switzerland, in August 1835 ; and Catalogue of the Plants col-
lected, with occasional Remarks. By R. J. SaurrLewortu, Esq.

Tue following account of a botanical excursion to one of the most
interesting parts of Switzerland, will be perhaps agreeable to some
of your readers, and will give a fair idea of the variety and profu-
sion of our Alpine vegetation.

Although the weather was on the whole very unfavourable, and
prevented my exploring many points of peculiar interest to the bo-
tanist, the number of species I was enabled to collect was far
from inconsiderable, and after my return home, many of them on
examination proved to be particularly interesting, either from their
rarity or novelty, or from the specimens being in a state which en-
abled me to rectify several errors contained in their descriptions,
or to add remarks on characters hitherto passed over in silence. I
have consequently added a list of all the species I collected, with
such remarks as I imagine may prove useful ; and in order to ren-
der the Flora of the Gemmi more complete, I have incorporated the
results of a short excursion made thither a fortnight later in the
season this year. A few species from the neighbourhood of Zermatt
are added, which were contained in a small parcel of plants pur-
chased from a peasant, and which I was prevented from finding my-
self, either by the lateness of the season, or the unfavourable state

_ ofthe weather. These are distinguished by an asterisk, and those

of this year from the Gemmi by the date.

I might easily have increased the list by more than a hundred
VOL. II. NO. 7. A

2 Botanical Excursion to the

species, had I enumerated such as I observed growing, but did not
collect; but many of the Alpine species resemble each other so
strongly, that I have rigidly abstained from admitting a single plant,
which I did not bring home with me in such a state as admitted
of careful examination and analysis.

I regret that Iam unable to enter at all into the geographical
distribution of the Swiss Alpine plants, but the flora of a small dis-
trict, nowise bounded by natural limits, or distinguished by pecu-
liar geological formation, can furnish data of but small importance
individually ; and lam firmly impressed with the conviction, that a
thorough knowledge of all the species belonging to the flora of a
country, as well as of the modifications which many species undergo
according to locality and exposure, is indispensable, before genera-
lising the results of detached observations. I am persuaded that
the progress of this branch of the science is more impeded than ad-
vanced by the publication of indigested materials. An error once
admitted into our printed records, often requires ages before it can
be eradicated.

The remarks on the genera and species examined are by no means
brought forward as infallible ; they are, however, the result of a
reiterated and careful examination : and I am fully aware that many
of the reductions, as well as the claims of many of the species admit-
ted, will not be approved. Some of the remarks also, on a celebrated
German botanist, may perhaps be also blamed ; but where a botanist
establishes himself as a sort of dictator. and still errs, it is but just
that his dictatorial expressions, only tending to mislead, should be
quoted with full force against himself. In one or two genera, as
Hieracium and Aconitum, a few species are adopted, which I also
believe not to be based in nature; but until these genera are better
understood, it is far preferable to distinguish marked forms as spe-
cies, than leave them to be neglected as accidental varieties ; and
it must also be considered, that the true species of these genera,
and of Hieracium in particular, often appear to pass by gradual
transition into each other.

On the 15th of August 1835, I reached Kandersteg, at the foot
of the Gemmi, (3280’ s. m. Keller’s Map, 1833,) where the rain
obliged me to remain until the afternoon of the following day, when
I ascended the Gemmi by the usual path, and took up my quarters
at the Inn of the Schwarrenbach, (5840’ Kell.) The 17th and
18th were employed in examining the rocks and heights behind the
Inn, and those above the left bank of the Dauben See, (6860'
Kell.) Just below the Inn, I observed a few stunted plants of the fir ;

ee ee

Alps of the Valais. 3

but as they were not in a state to examine, I am not sure whether
they belonged to the Alpine variety of Pinus sylvestris, the P. Mug-
hos, of Swiss botanists, or to the P. uncinata of Ram. The Gem-
mi is composed chiefly of limestone rocks, but the presence of de-
tached masses of granite proves that the higher points are of that
formation. The view is one of the most dreary ; and the surface
of the rocks between the Lake and the Daub (7049’ Michaelis in
Frébel and Heer Mittheilungen aus dem gebiete der Theoretischen
Erdkunde, Vol. i. p. 231, et seq.) the highest part of the passage
bears evident marks of having once been the bed of the glacier,
which now is at some distance on the left.

I was joined in the evening by two young friends, who accompa-
nied me during the remainder of my excursion, and we descended
to the baths of Louesche, (Leuk. 4402’ Mich.) where it was dark
before we arrived. On the 19th we botanized, passing through
Inden (3580’ Kell.) and Varen, (2370’ Kell.) among the vineyards
and waste fields along the horse road to Sierre, (Siders. 1712’
Mich.) situated on the Rhone. Having sent home by the post the
plants collected, we ascended, on the 20th, the Valais, passing
through the town of Louésch, (2100’ Kell.) where Onopordum
Acanthium was growing in immense quantities, to Visp (2010’
Mich.) a small town built at the entrance of the valley of the same
name, which at Stalden (2537' Mich.), where we passed the night
at the house of the Castellan or chief magistrate of the small town,
branches into the Valley of Saas, and that of St Nicholas.

At Stalden we observed the last vineyards, and at a short distance
higher up the last walnut trees, which were replaced by cherry trees.

On the 21st, we proceeded up the Valley of St Nicholas, through
the hamlet of the same name, (3390’ Kell.) Randaa (4475’ Mich.),
in 1819, half-destroyed by an avalanche, and Taesch, (4479 Mich.)
beyond which place the valley suddenly narrows, and again expands
into that of Zermatt, at which village (5040’ Mich.) we arrived in _
the evening.

At Zermatt we were hospitably received by the parish priest,
who is here, as in most of the retired parts of the Valais, the only
person with sufficient accommodation to receive travellers. Onthe
22d, we started early in the morning, with the intention of extend-
ing our excursion to the edge of the glacier of the Col de Cervin,
visible from the curé’s house. We followed the course of the Visp-
bach for some time, and passed along the foot of the Rosa or Zer-
matt glacier, where I was surprised at finding patches of rye in al-
most immediate contact with the ice ; but we had hardly reached the

4 Botanical Excursion to the

Schwarzseeberg, where the foot of the Zermatt glacier (6589’
Mich.) offered a rich harvest, when rain and fog came on, and drove
us back about twelveo’clock. The glacier of Zermatt appears tohave
considerably advanced, as the remains of wooden sheds, almost co-
vered by the Moraine, or wall of mud and stones ploughed up by
the ice, attested. The formation of this part of the Valley of Zer-
matt, and of those parts we subsequently explored, is gneiss or gra-
nitic, which I mention, as it will serve to account for the difference
between the vegetation observed here, and that of the Gemmi.

On the following morning, the rain still continued, butabouttwelve
o clock the day became more promising, and eventually cleared up,
and we made an excursion to the glacier of Fiinelen (or Finel,)
on the northern not southern side of the valley, as it is erroneously
marked in Keller's Map. (Base of the glacier, 6655’ Mich.) The
rarest plants rewarded us, such as Artemisia mutellina, Pedicu-
laris rostrata, Senecio uniflorus, and incanus in various forms, &c.
and the beautiful Peltigera crocea, Wahl. Fries. I was particularly
pleased at finding the Phleum commutatum, Gaudin, and the Phleum
alpinum, L. and Auct. Helv. growing together, though not pro-
miscuously ; the former in large quantities, on muddy pasture
ground, at the immediate edge of the glacier. On our return we
passed through a very thin and aged wood of Pinus Cembra, L.
the nut of which has an agreeable flavour, and is much relished:
the wood is by far the most durable of European firs ; but the spe-
cies is rare, and occurs but in small quantities, and will, I fear,
soon be nearly extinct in most parts of Switzerland, from the care-
less way in which the peasants employ it.

The weather appearing perfectly cleared up, we engaged two
guides to conduct us over the Glacier of Taesch into the Valley of
Saas, where, besides other rare plants, the Gentiana carinthiaca is
indicated. Most part of the night was passed in putting in paper
the plants collected, and in arranging the luggage, which had con-
siderably augmented in bulk, ,in a more portable form. The moon
was up, and the heavens perfectly clear, affording the most mag-
nificent view of the chain of the Rosa, the Col de Cervin, and
the Matterhorn, (M. Cervin, il Monte Sylvio,) by far the most
grand and awful scene I had ever witnessed. The Matterhorn
rises a perfect pyramid of rock to the height of 13,854’, (Gaudin)
with sides so precipitous as to be entirely free from snow.

It was later on the following morning (the 24th) than we intend-
ed, when the guides made their appearance, and we were ready to
start: They assured us that they knew the passage perfectly well,

en

Alps of the Valais. 5

that it was easy, and that the glacier would not require more than
three hours to cross. It was six o’clock before we were off, when, re-
tracing our steps for a short distance, we crossed the river, and gra-
dually ascending the foot of the mountains through magnificent larch
forests, we soon entered the small lateral valley of Taesch, at some
distance above the hamlet of the same name. A few specimens of
Artemisia nana, Gaud. nearly allied to, but certainly distinct from,
the Art. campestris, were found ; and having partook of the hospitali-
ty of the inhabitants of a few chalets at the entrance of the valley,
called Alpen, who have the charge of the cattle belonging to the
commune of Taesch, we followed the course of the small torrent
nearly to the foot of the glacier ; here we commenced a steep ascent
between the north side of the glacier, and a wall of perpendicular
rocks, occasionally enlivened by small waterfalls. On these rocks,
I gatheredtherare Aretia tomentosa, Schleich., and the Poa Gaudini,
Kunth. (the P. aspera, Gaud. but certainly identical with the Scotch
P. cesia.) ‘The vegetation was so luxuriant, and the plants so rare,
that I spent much more time than was advisable in filling my box ;
but such plants as Trifolium saxatile, Campanula cenisia, Gentiana
glacialis, Juncus Jacquini, , (apparently hitherto never collected
with ripe capsules,) Senecio uniflorus, All., Phaca lapponica, Wahl.,
and Oxytropis cyanea, M. B., were too powerful attractions to be re-
sisted, and it was two o'clock before we reached the termination of
the rocks, and that part of the glacier where we had to commence
the passage.

~ Phaxnogamous vegetation had entirely ceased, but among the last
flowering plants I observed growing on the Moraine, the Myosotis
nana and Aretia pennina—the brilliancy of the bright blue of the
one, and the softness and elegance of the pale rose, violet or white
flowers of the other, no words can express. The last flowering
plant was a.small state of Luzula spicata, forming large dense tufts,
and which, intermixed with lichens, formed the whole of the ve-
getation for some extent. Some Chamois were seen by the guides,
but they had disappeared before I could distinguish them from the
grey rocks on which they were standing.

From the edge of the glacier to the summit of the pass, the ascent
was easy, and, excepting one or two chasms which occasioned a
short delay, perfectly free from danger ; but it was not without
some anxiety and misgivings, that my attention was drawn, by the
mutterings of the guides, to a mass of black clouds, which had form-
ed on the summit of the Matterhorn.

We reached the summit of the pass, (10,947’ at 6 metres below

6 Botanical Excursion to the

the highest part of the ridge—probably the highest pass in Europe,
as the Col de Cervin is, according to Saussure 10,284’, or accord-
ing to Welden 9948’ ; and the Col de Géant, 10,598’, Michaelis.
1. c.)—about 3 o'clock, and after a halt of a few minutes, we com-
menced a most rapid descent over a smooth field of snow, (at an
angle of 15 degrees, Mich.) It soon became, however, more gradual,
and eventually the descent was almost imperceptible; but chasm
after chasm soon broke up the hitherto smooth surface of indurated
snow, into the most rugged and dangerous glacier. The clouds had
gradually spread, and we were soon enveloped in a thick and wet
mist. All our endeavours to keep clear of the wider chasms were
ineffectual, and having, with great difficulty and much expenditure
of time, passed several, covered only with a thin layer of snow,
which offered no resistance to the passage of our poles, we were
obliged to give up the direction we had taken towards the right side
of the glacier, and to attempt reaching the rocks on the left. Here
we found more difficulty in proceeding, as the ice did not reach the
rocks, but was separated from them by large apertures and deep
wide clefts, of which the walls were more than 100 feet high.
Again we attempted the centre of the glacier, but were not a little
disconcerted at finding the chasms increase rapidly both in size and
number. The fog was now so dense that we could not see ten yards
before us, and at last the guides gave up all hope of getting off the
glacier that night, as the rocks and higher points by which they
were enabled to guide their course, were invisible. The impossi-
bility of either advancing or returning was too evident, and nothing
remained but to submit ; and excepting a small piece of bread in
our pockets, unprovided with food and clothed in linen dresses, it
was not without considerable doubts whether we should succeed bet-
ter on the following day.

On taxing the guides with their ignorance, one of them then said
for the first time, that he had not crossed the glacier since the pre-
ceding year, and that the whole nature of the ice and the direction
of the chasms were completely changed. However true this may
have been, it is the usual excuse that guides bring forward on such
occasions.

After considerable exertion, and several narrow escapes from be-
ing engulfed, we succeeded in reaching a high bank of smooth snow
on the north side of the glacier, where night surprised us, still hunt-
ing out for the shelter of a rock. We were therefore obliged to
take up our quarters under a mass of broken rock, which afforded
a sort of shelter to our heads and backs, but not before we were so

Alps of the Valais. 7

wet through, that the tinder in our pockets was become perfectly
useless, and after several vain attempts we were obliged to give up
all hope of lighting a cigar. Although much fatigued, there was of
course no prospect of sleep, and the night was passed half sitting,
half standing, in keeping each other awake, and in stamping with
our feet to prevent their becoming quite benumbed. The fog turn-
ed into snow during the night, and the cold was less intense than
it would otherwise have been. ‘The novelty of the position, the
intense silence around us interrupted only by the rumbling of a dull
low thunder, and occasional reports of masses of snow or rock pre-
cipitated from the heights upon the ice beneath, together with occa-
sional distant glimpses of the rocks, and the bed of the glacier
below us, lit up by flashes of lightning, afforded ample and not en-
tirely disagreeable food for reflection.

Our guides had recourse to sleep, to muttering prayers, to occa-
sional grumblings to pass the time, and one of them, who appeared
never to have been in such a situation befcre, wished himself re-
peatedly back with his four-footed grunting companions in his snug
chalet in the vale. At last they appeared rather more tranquillized,
and finished by vowing a mass to their patron saint for all our
souls, provided we got safe off the ice.

As soon as we could see on the following morning, we sent our
guides out to report as to our prospects, and as to what was to be
done : but, having already undergone so much, I insisted upon still
attempting to descend into the valley of Saas.

Full two feet of snow had fallen during the night, and by its
weight and softness had rendered the old snow quite unsafe, and
the fog, which had partially cleared off during the early part of the
morning, again thickened around us ; so that after several hours
spent in gaining the opposite or south side of the Glacier, we were
obliged to decide on retracing our steps, and returning to the valley
of St Nicholas by the same route we had taken the day before. A
sufficiently extensive view from the highest part of the southern
side of the glacier, showed us an immense extent of glacier, which
we should have had to pass over, covered with snow, but proving,
by its undulated surface, that it was equally split up with chasms
as that which we had already traversed.

We retraced then our steps to the point where we had left the course
of the preceding day, and without deviating from our trail, which the
fresh snow had not entirely effaced, we commenced our toilsome re-
turn. The chasms, which had been easily distinguished the day before,
were now almost imperceptible to the unaccustomed eye, and before
each step, the nature of the snow had to be examined with our poles.

8 Botanical Excursion to the

Every now and then a shout gave notice that the snow had given —
way beneath one of the party, and one of my companions had a very
narrow escape, being solely saved by falling with his pole across the
chasm, which enabled him to support himself until we could come
to his assistance. Yet such is the indifference to danger in such
situations, that his first exclamation on our handling him rather ua-
ceremoniously was, “'Take care what you are about, you'll tear my
trowsers.” After great exertion in bearing up against a cutting
wind, mixed with frozen particles of snow, which blew directly in our
faces, we reached the summit of the pass, and soon, with less diffi-
culty than we expected, arrived at the termination of the glacier.
It was, however, past two o’clock before we were off theice. But
what a change had taken place in the face of nature ! for near 3000’
below the spot where on the preceding day we had been struck by
the luxuriance of the vegetation, the ground was covered with se-
veral inches of snow. We hurried on as quick as possible, and ar-
rived at the village of Randaa about seven o'clock in the evening,
where we were hospitably received by the curé.

A few minutes in the warm room produced a lively sense of pain
and burning in the skin of the face and the eyes, and on the fol-
lowing morning (the 26th) I was completely blind. By degrees
I could open my eyelids for a minute at a time, but we did not en-
tirely recover from the effects of the reflection from the snow, and
of the cutting wind, before a fortnight had elapsed.

Having engaged a man to carry our luggage, we slowly rede-
scended the valley of St Nicholas, and passing through Visp, slept
at Brieg, where, with much suffering from my eyes, I put in paper
the contents of my box, which I was delighted to find as fresh as
when they were gathered. The mosses, however, of which I had
collected a considerable quantity, having been tied up in a parcel,
were entirely spoilt.

On the 27th we walked as far as Miinster, at the head of the
Valais, and on the 28th, hurried over the Grimsel, which we found
covered with nearly a foot of snow, to Meyringen, whence we
took a char to Brienz, and returned on the 29th through Interlaken
and Thun to Berne.

Catalogue of the Plants collected, with occasional remarks.

1. Chara aspera, Willd.

H. In fossis prope Pfyn, inter Siders et Leuk.
2. C. hispida, L. £§ gracilis, Hook.

H. Cum precedenti.

Alps of the Valais. 9

3. Polypodium Phegopteris, L.

H. In ascensu M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg, 29 Aug. 1836.
A. Cistopteris dentata, Hook. Br. Fl. i. p. 451, a.

H. In’saxosis umbrosis inter Randaa et St Nicholas, et forma
tenuior plerumque sterilis, in umbrosis M. Gemmi supra Kan-
dersteg, 29 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Frons pedalis et ultra, sed omnino convenit cum char.
Smithii et Hookeri, et cum spec. Valesiacis a Thomasio lectis. Sti-
pes glabra ; sori generis forsan maximi, in partem frondis superio-
rem confluentes. Pinnz vix alterne, remote ; pinnule ovate ob-
tuse dentate alternz, (infime interdum subpinnatitide.) Species
Germanis vix cognita, vel cum Asp. Filix Foemina confusa, et
apud Wallroth in Bluff et Fing. Comp. Fl. Germ. iii. p. 20.

5. C. fragilis, Bernth.
H. In umbrosis M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg, et in fissuris ru-
pium ad lacum Dauben, 29-31 Aug. 1836.
6. C. alpina, Desv.
H. In saxosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.
7. C. montana (—?) Polypodium, All. Hoffm. Cyathea, Roth.

H. Inumbrosis M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg, 29 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Habitus P. calcarei, Sm. sed frons tenuissima, triplicato-
pinnata.

8. Cryplogramma crispa, R. Br.

H. In saxosis M. Grimsulz infra Hospitium.
9. Botrychium Lunaria, Sw.

H. In pascuis M. Gemmi supra lacum Dauben. In M. Fiine-

len supra Zermatt, et in Alpibus supra Tesch.

10. Lycopodium Selago, L.
H. Prope Kandersteg.
1]. L. selaginoides, L.
H. In M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg.
12. I. helveticum, L.
H. Ad terram inter muscos inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.

13. Elyna spicata, Schrad.
H. Copiose in graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, et
ad lacum Dauben. In M. Schwarzseeberg supra Zermatt.
Obs. Culmi biunciales atque fere pedales.
14. Kobresia caricina, Willd.
H. Copiose in humidis M. Gemmi ad pedem rupium supra
Schwarrenbach usque ad summum M. Schalmette, et ad lacum
Dauben.

10 Botanical Excursion to the

Obs. Culmi bi-octunciales, in Helvetia rarissima.

15. Carex (Vignea) feetida, All.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, ad moles glaciales, M.

Fiinelen.

16. C. (V') incurva, Huds. C. juncifolia, All. Gaud.

H. Rarissime ad moles glaciales M. Schwarzseeberg et Fiinelen.

Obs. Non diversa a planta Scotica, nisi culmis vix incurvis.

17. C. (V.) lagopina, Wahl.! C. approximata, Hoppe exs! Gaud.
H. Ad moles glaciales M. Schwarzseeberg et Fiinelen.

Obs. Palex fructu breviores foliaque marginibus scabra ut obser-
vat Hoppe, contra Gaudin.

18. C. (V.) leporina, L. C. ovalis, Good.

H. In uliginosis M. Grimsule supra Obergestelen.

19. C. curvula, All. «. minor, foliis culmisque vix 4-uncialibus,
unilateraliter curvatis. @. major, culmis erectis, fere pedalibus,
Gaud.

H. «a. Ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen. 6. ad fissuras rupium

M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, et ad lacum Dauben.

20. C. nigra, All. C. atrata y. nigra, Gaud.

H. In M. Gemmi prope die,Wintereck ; ad lacum infra Schwar-
renbach, et ad nives deliquescentes supra Schwarrenbach, co-
piose.

Obs. Cespites densas efficit. C. ustulata, Wahl. ! (C. atrofusca,
Schk.) qua cum, Smithio preunte, nostram plantam infauste con-
junxit cl. Lindley, Syn. ed. ii. p 288, omnino diversaest. C. nigra,
All. “ spicis subquaternis ovatis confertis sessilibus rigide erectis,
fructuque glabro,” Gaudet.

21. C. atrata, L. a. varia; spicis longius pedunculatis demum
pendulis fructibusque flavis, culmo plerumque elatiori (glabro,)
Gaud.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg, et in graminosis supra

Schwarrenbach.

Obs. Planta Scotica ex Alp. Clova plerumq. ad varietatem sequen-
tem pertinere videtur. (. dubia, spica terminali mascula (flosculis
paucioribus foemineis intermixtis, ) reliquis mere foemineis, fructibus
atro-purpureis unicoloribus, culmo elatiori, (sub spiculis scabro,)
Gaud. C. aterrima, Hoppe.

22. C. ornithopoda, Willd.

H. In fissuris rupium M. Gemmi, ad moles glaciales Lammern-

gletscher.

23. C. glauca, Scop. C. recurva, Huds., var. Alpina, spiculis foe-
mineis apice basique masculis.

Alps of the Valais. 11

H. Ad rivulos et in uliginosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.
24. C. capillaris, L. «. minor, culmo 4-6 unciali. §. major, cul-
mo pedali et ultra.

H. a. In M. Gemmi ad lacum infra Schwarrenbach, et ad rupes
supra Schwarrenbach, et ad lacum Dauben. §. in M. Schwarz-
seeberg.

25. C. brachystachys, Schk.
H. In graminosis M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg, 29 Aug. 1836.
96. C. firma, Host.
H. Adrupes M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.
27. C. Mielichheoferi, Schk.
H. In uliginosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.
Obs. Spice foeminee pendule non erect ut apud Lindley, Syn.
p: 287. An Planta Scotica ad C. ferrugineam, Schk. (semperviren-
tem, Vill.) referenda ?
28. Blysmus compressus, Panz. 8. glacialis mihi. Spica tenui
gracili fusca.
H. In uliginosis ad moles glaciales vallecule ‘isch.
29. Cladium Mariscus, R. Br.
H. In paludosis prope Pfyn, inter Siders et Leuk.
30. Eriophorum capitatum, Host.

H. In uliginosis ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen.
31. Brachypodium sylvaticum, R. and 8. «a. spiculis villosis, Gaud.
B. gracile, Rehb.
H. Inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.
32. Agropyrum glaucum, R. and 8. a. Spiculis omnino muticis,
Koch. Triticum intermedium «. Gaud.
H. In arvis incultis inter Inden et Varen.
83. Cynodon Dactylon, Rich.
H. In arenosis inter Siders et Leuk, et inter Stalden et Visp.
34. Agrostis alpina, Scop. Kunth. A. rupestris, Willd. Gaud.
H. Ad rupes M. Gemmisupra Schwarrenbach, 30 Aug. 1836.
35. A. alba, Schrad. 9. pauciflora, Koch. A. alba patula, Gaud.
Rchb. Agr. Germ. Tab. 25, f. 1432.
H. Ad viam inter Stalden et St Nicholas, et in glareosis M. Gem-
mi supra Schwarrenbach, 29 Aug. 1836.
36. Calamagrostis tenella, Lk. Agrostis pilosa, Schleich. Gaud.
H. In consortio Junci Jacquini. @. in Alpibus supra Tesch.
37. C. acutiflora, DC. Rehb. Agr. Germ. Tab. 39. f. 1442.
H. In glareosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, cons. Poze
distichophyllez, Gaud. et P. flexuose, Wahl. 30 Aug. 1836,

12 Botanical Excursion to the

Obs. Forsan forma alpestris C. Montane, Host. (Deyeuxia va-
ria, Kunth.) ut opinantur cl. Koch et Duby ; sed facile distinguen-
da, panicula rigida et pilis palea acuminata brevioribus. cf. Agrostis
montana y. Gaud. Helv. i. p. 201, que differt pilis longioribus, fo-
liisque ad vagine commissuram barbatis.
apoC. alee DC. C. Pseudo- faites Lk. Rehb. <Arun-

do Halleriana, Gaud.

H. In uliginosis prope Randaa.

Obs. Habitus C. montane, Host. varietatis gracilis, sed differt
pilis omnibus liberis, (sine penicello piloso, vel rudimento alterius
flosculi) atque arista paleis breviori, nisi oculo armato, egre distin-
guenda.

39. Stipa capillata, L.

H. Ad viam inter Varen et Siders, et inter Siders et Leuk, co-

piose.

40. S. pennata, L.

H. Copiose in sylva supra Zermatt, prope moles glaciales.

41. Lasiagrostis Calamagrostis, Lk. Agrostis, L. Stipa, Wahl.
H. In glareosis prope Kandersteg, et in apricis inter Inden et

Varen.

42. Setaria verticillata, P. B.

H. In arvis et vineis prope Stalden.

43. S. viridis, P. B. «. minor, Gaud. Rehb. Agr. Germ. Tab.
47. f. 1467. b. . 8. major, setis longissimis, Gaud. Rchb. l. c. f.
1467.

H. «. In arvis incultis prope Varen. 4. prope Varen.

44, Phleum Boehmeri, Schrad. 4. paleis nudiusculis (ad carinam)

_scabris, Gaud. —

H. In alpibus supra Tesch, et prope Randaa.

Obs. In spec. prope Randaa lectis, palez etiam sub lente vix
scabre ; in spec. supra Tesch lectis, palee evidenter scabra, sed
non ciliate.

45. P. Michelii, All.

H. Rarius in M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

46. P. alpinum, L. Gaud. Helv. i. p. 165. Dub. Bot. Gall. i. p.
508. Rcehb. Agr. Germ. Tab. 50. f. 1485. Non Auct. Brit.
Phleum radice repenti vix cespitosa, foliis supremis vagina vix

inflata dimidio brevioribus ; Ligula suprema oblonga acuta, glumis

glabris truncatis palea sublongioribus, setisque ciliatis.

H. In graminosis humidis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach ; in

uliginosis ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen ; in ascensu M. Grim-
sulz supra Obergestelen, (copiose etiam in pascuis et pratis M.

Alps of the Valais. 13

Stockhorn, Biirglen, et 'Faulhorn, atque in pascuis summis
Jurassi rarius, legi.)

Obs. In locis petrosis, vel in graminosis sterilioribus, spica ovato-
cylindrica brevior magisque colorata est, foliaque paulo breviora : hac
videtur var. &. tenue, Kunth. Agr. i. p. 29. In locis crassioribus
et presertim in pascuis et graminosis pinguioribus circa casas Alpi-
colorum, tota planta laxior crassiorque evadit, foliaque latiora, sepe
longissima, et spica cylindrica biuncialis minus colorata, foliis su-
premis brevior, vagineque semi-inclusa. Hac forma habitum Phil.
Michelii satis refert : in utraque varietati, not e setis vaginisque
sumpte constantes videntur, et species omnino a P. commutato,
Gaud. diversa. Ligula in forma crassiore sepe fissa occurrit.

47. P.commutatum, Gaud! Helv. i. p. 166. Dub. Bot. Gall. i.

508. P. alpinum, Auct. Brit.! vix L.

Phleum radice repenti, valde czspitosa, foliis supremis vagina
inflata, quatuor parte brevioribus ; Ligula suprema brevissima ob-
tusa, glumis glabris truncatis palea sublongioribus ciliatis, seta nu-
da, scabra.

H. Copiose in uliginosis ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen, cons.

precedentis.

Obs. Spica latior robustior quam in precedenti, ovato-oblonga ;
spicule tere duplo majores, foliaque glaucescentia ; seta scabra nec
ciliata ; varietatem minorem P. alpini pro nostra planta szpius ac-
cepi, et opinor planta vera Kochio et Kunthio omnino ignota est,
quippenulla rationead formam tenuem P. alpini redigenda nostra ro-
bustior rigidiorque planta. Icon in Eng. Bot. ed. 2da, Pl. 80, ha-
bitum P. commutati satis bene refert, sed nec hac neque ad prece-
dentem referenda quoniam glume omnino glabre depicte sunt.
Quoad habitum potissimum ad Phleum Gerardi, All. et auct. plan-
tam rarissimam, accedit, cujus diagnosim differentialem compara-
tionis gratia hine adjeci.

Phleum Gerardi, All.! Kunth. Alopecurus, Vill. Colobachne,

Link. Rehb. Agr. Germ. tab. 50. f. 1480.

P. racice bulbosa ; vagina suprema valde inflata, in folio brevi
latoque attenuata, ad collum vix unquam constricta ; ligula brevis-
sima, glumis villosis palea subbrevioribus, molliter ciliatis, in setam
brevem scabramque attenuatis.

Obs. Spica lata brevis, ovata, seteeque flavescentes. Mihi vide-
tur omnino ad genus Phleum pertinere.

Ad hance speciem ducit cl. Rehb. in Agrost. Germ. p. 18, P. com-
mutatum, Gaud. et P. capitatum, Scop. In Fl. Germ. exc. No.
191, speciem distinctam constituit sub nomine “ Ph. capitatum,

14 Botanical Excursion to the

Scop.” sed P. capitatum, Scop. Carn. i. p. 56, e descriptione cl. auc-
toris, “‘ spica subrotunda,” << calycine glume acuminate,” omnino
ad P. Gerardi, All. pertinet.

P. Gerardi, All. habui ex Herbario Allionii! a cl. Balbis ; ex
Alp. Delphin ; a cl. Emeric ; et ex Alp. Julio-Provincie a cel. De
Candolle ; (in Herb Roemer ;) sed etiam sub hoc nomine P. com-
mutatum, Gaud. Roemero misit Balbis.

Denique observandum est, utram specierum descripsit illust.
Linneus vix extricandum—forsan ambas ?—sed minimi momenti
si distinguuntur.

48. Festuca alpina, Sut. Gaud.

H. Ad rupes M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach rarius.

49. F. Halleri, All. Vill. Gaud. Kunth. Agrost. i. p. 399, et ii. p.

322.

Festuca racemo spiciformi congesto subsimplici, inferne rarius
ramoso, ramulo biflori ; spiculis 4—5 floris ; aristis paleam pubescen-
tem nervosam equantibus ; rachi pilosa, demum szpius glabra ;
foliis capillari-setaceis.

H. In glareosis M. Fiinelen, et in alpibus supra Tesch.

Obs. Plante Allionii et Gaudini certe omnino eedem. Citata sola
Allionii in Fl. Ped. ii. p. 253, No. 2245, est descriptio Halleri in
Hist. ii. p. 215, No. 144]. Germen maturam lineari-oblongum,
immaturum lineari-obovatum, et stigmata barbata germine maturo
breviora vel subzqualia observavi.

Ab hac differre videtur planta, quam in M. Faulhorn legi, et
pro F. Gaudini, Kunth. Ll. c. Syn. excl. habeo.

Festuca racemo spiciformi, subpatenti, superne simplici, inferne
subcomposito, ramulis 2-4 floris ; spiculis sub 4-floris, aristis palea
glabra dimidio brevioribus ; rachi aspera, foliis capilJari-setaceis.—
Germen obovatum vel subgloboso-pyriforme: stigmata dense barbata
germine multo longiora, conspicua ; sed denuo examinanda, annon
mere F. Halleri varietas.

50. FF. violacea, Gaud. «. vulgaris :— 8. elatior, pedalis sesquipe-
dalis, panicula coarctata.

H. «a. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach. In M. Schwarzsee-
berg, et ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tesch.
gad rupes. M. Gemmi ad moles glaciales Lammerngletscher.
31 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Nullomodo lusus nature, F. Halleri All. ut querit cl. Kunth.

]. c. sed F. nigrescenti, Lam. valde affinis, qua distinguitur spiculis
duplo minoribus, &c.

51. F. pumila, Vill.

Alps of the Valais. 15

H. Ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tesch ; cespites
densissimos efficiens, in graminosis M. Gemmi supra Kander-
steg, et ad rupes supra Schwarrenbach. 29-30 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Spec. ad moles glaciales lecta minora sunt ac minus colorata
quam eae M. Gemmii.

52. F. varia, Haenke. Gaud. F. acuminata, Gaud! «. panicula con-
tractiori, spiculis variegatis. Gaud.

H. In M. Schwarzseeberg supra Zermatt.

Obs. F. xanthina R. & S.! F. Hostii Schott! (etiam a Schottio
missa ut F. flavescens, Host.) est omnino eadem ut. F. flavescens,
Bellardi! ; et vix ac ne vix diversa a F. varie var. f flavescenti,
Gaud.

53. F. rubra, L. Koch. Rehb. Gaud. var. panicula rigida coarctata.

H. Ad viam prope Zermatt.

Obs. F. rubra radice repenti egregie differt a F. duriuscula radice
fibrosa—Specimina fere omnia qua e Britannia accepi et legi pro
F. duriuscula ad formas F. rubre pertinent.

54. F. nigrescens, Lam. Gaud !

H. In M. Schwarzseeberg supra Zmutt :—ad rupes M. Gemmi
supra Schwarrenbach et lacum Dauben. 30,31 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Occurrit folio caulino summo angustissime-lineari in sicco re-
voluto, et ad unam lineam lato plano.

55. FF. Scheuchzeri, Gaud. F. pulchella, Schrad. Poa—Clairv.

H_ In glareosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach. 30 Aug.
1836.

56. Melica ciliata, L.
H. Ad rupes prope pagum Stalden.
57. Bromus squarrossus, L. «. spiculis glabris.
H. Ad viam inter St. Nicholas et Zermatt.
58. Poa Eragrostis, L.
H. Ad viam inter St Nicholas et Stalden.
59. BP. laxa, Haenke.

H. Ad rupes alpium supra Tesch: in saxosis M. Gemmi ad
moles glaciales Lammerngletscher et supra lacam Dauben, co-
piose. 31 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Planta valde variabilis. Culmi 4 unciales—semipedales et
ultra: variat panicula rigidiori vix pendula, spiculis vix constrictis,
atque panicula filiformi pendula, spiculis omnino constrictis: radix
vix repens sepius mere fibrosa. Forsan et Poam minorem, Gaud.
legi, sed fateor, species mihi vix diversa videtur. cf. Rchb. Agr.
germ. Tab. 72, f. 1623, et Tab. 74, f. 1630-31.

16 Botanical Excursion to the

60. P. alpina, L. 8 vivipara, Gaud. Koch. y. frigida Gaud. Koch.
6. brevifolia, Koch. P. alpina, II brevifolia, Gaud.

H. £8. in alpibus supra Zermatt, 9. in saxosis M. Gemmi, ad
moles glaciales Lammerngletscher, 31 Aug. 1836. 6. ad moles
glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tesch.

61. LP. distichophylla, Gaud!

H. In glareosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, et supra la-
cum Dauben ad nives perennes. 30, 31 Aug. 1836.

Obs. P. cenisia, All. cujus exemplaria nonnulla a cl. Balbis, diu
possessori Herbarii Allionii, missa, habeo, certe diversissima, nec
cum varietatibus P. alpine ulla ratione conjungenda. Spec. mea,
nisi locustis paucifloris, certissime non 7-floris, bene cum descrip-
tione cl. auctoris in Auct. ad Fl. Ped. p.40, No. 2209, conveniunt.
Differt a P. distichophylla, Gaud. panicula gracili, pedunculis ver-
ticillatis, spiculis multo minoribus, et ligulis truncatis subnullis ;—

a P. alpina toto habitu et radice eximie repenti, stolonifera. Me
judici ad Poam nemoralem, L. referenda, et forsan ad varietatem
glaucam, R. et S.! (P. glaucantha, auct. P. nemoralis cesia, Gaud.)

Ex alpibus Tyrolensibus a cl. Siebero plantam possedeo etiam sub

nomine P. cenisiz missam, que autem differt radice fibrosa, spiculis-

que multo majoribus confertis, et omnino cum icone Rchb. Agr.

Germ. Tab. 83. f. 1625, et cum spec. P. badensis Henke, P. al-

pine badensis, Gaud! convenit.

62. P.flexuosa, Wahl. Carp. excl. Syn. Gaud. Rchb. 1. c. Tab.
74. f. 1633.

H. In glareosis M. Gemmi copiose cum precedenti. 1836.

Obs. Ditfert a preecedenti panicula effusa, gracili, pedunculisque
inferne longe nudis : planta omnino gracilior.

63. P. Gaudini R. et S. Kunth Agr. I. 355. P. aspera, Gaud. P,
cxsia, Sm. a. panicula coarctata, Kunth. 1. c. @ panicula diffusa,
Kunth 1. ¢.

H. Ad rupes alpinas supra Tesch.

Obs. a. Omnino convenit cum Spec. Plante Scotice e Ben Lawers,
sed in H. B. E. cultis et a cl. Graham communicatis: certe a Poa
nemorali distincta—®. variat ligula brevissima ac exserta in eodem
individuo.

64. P.nemoralis, L. 2. coarctata, Gaud.

H. Ad viam prope Zermatt.

65. Koeleria cristata, Pers. « gracilis. Rchb. Agr. germ. Tab. 93.
f. 1668. y. lobata. Rchb. 1. c. f. 1670.

; Alps of the Valais. 17

H. a. In Schwarzseeberg, M. Fiinelen, et ad rupes alpinas supra
Tesch ; y.in M. Finelen. ‘

Obs. a. Variat foliis glabriusculis. 4. In planta campestre, etiam
valde variabili, panicula minus colorata, magisque ramosa, glume
palezque facile duplo majores occurrunt.—Ab hac specie, quacum
sepe confusa, omnino differt K. valesiaca, Gaud. (K. tuberosa, Pers.
e spec. Hispanicis a Dufour missis, panicula glabra et etiam valde
pubescenti, videtur omnino eadem. Nomen aptissimum forsan res-
tituendum. )

Differt nempe panicula spiciformi valde congesta, ovato-cylin-
drica, foliis glabris glaucisque sed non semper convolutis, et pre-
sertim culmo foliisque ad collum radicis tunicis filamentosis valde
elongatis tectis ; fere ut in Phleo Bertolonii, sed magis filamentosis.
Speciem elegantissimam semipedalem, bipedalem et ultra, ad rupes
aridas calcareas Jurassi comitatu Neocomensi copiose legi.

66. Avena (Trisetum) subspicatum, Clairv. Aira—lL. Koeleria—
Rchb. |
H. In graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach: in alp. su-

pra Zermatt, Zmutt et Tzesch.

67. A.(T.) distichophylla, Vill. «. genuina, panicula contracta, pilis
corollas subaquantibus. (. gracilis, mihi, panicula effusa, magis

composita, pilis corollis multo brevioribus. A. argentea, Willd. ?

Koch ?

H. a. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach : in glareosis M.

Schwarzseeberg etin M. Finelen. £. in glareosis M. Gemmi
cum var. ¢ 30 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Var. 8, que vix ab exemplaribus germanicis A. argentezx
differt, a var. genuina recedit tenuitate omnium partium, culmo al-
biori graciliorique, foliis angustioribus multo longioribus, panicula
magis composita, ramis nempe sepius 5-6 floris, laxius effusa, et pilis
glumis fere dimidio brevioribus : sed in utraque varietate, nihil ma-
gis variabilis quam foliorum, palearumg. longitudo. Folia nempe
8” ad 16” et etiam 2” longa, et palez glumis breviores vel longiores.
68. A. Scheuchzeri, All. (1785) A. versicolor, Vill. (1787.)

H. In graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach : in Alp. su-

pra Tesch.

69. Anthoranthim odoratum, L. £. spadicea mihi, spiculis pubes-
centibus spadiceis, foliis, nisi ad vaginze commissuram, glabris.
H. In graminosis M. Finelen, prope pagam.

Obs. Specimina omnia Helvetica, qua possideo, panicula viridi-
flavescenti, spiculis glabris punctatis, et foliis pubescentibus gau-

VOL. II. No. 7. B

18 Botanical Excursion to the

dent ; sed in spec. Britannicis fere omnibus, spicule vage longeque
‘pilose et folia glabriuscula sunt.
70.* Crocus vernus, All. var. albitlorus.

H. Zermatt.

71. Nigritella angustifolia, Rich.
H. In alpibus supra Tesch : in-graminosis M. Gemmi supra
Schwarrenbach. 30 August 1836.
72. Chamorchis alpina, Rich.
H. In graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach et ad lacum
Dauben. * in alpibus supra Zermatt.
73.* Habenaria viridis, R. Br.
- H. Zermatt.
Obs. In alpibus spica sepe rubescit.

74. Luzula campestris, DC. 2. nivalis Koch. Deuts. Fl. 11. p. 602.
L. campestris . latifolia Ser. Gaud. L. campestris, 6. alpina, Gaud.
Agrost. exc. syn. L. campestris y. nigricans, Gaud. Helv. exe. syn.
plur. L. campestris alpina Ser. exsic !

H. In M. Gemmi in uliginosis summ. M. Schalmette.

75. L. spicata, DC. «. major, caule elatiori, spica elongata, inter-
dum interrupta, phyllis capsulisque atrofuscis fere concoloribus.
B. minor, cespitosa, spica subglobosa, phyllarum marginibus cap-
sulisque pallidioribus fere spadiceis.

‘H. a. in M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach. (. ad moles glaciales
summi jugi alpium supra Tesch, cespites densos efliciens, et
inter Lichenes sola phanerogama.

Obs. Capsule a Smithio in Eng. Fl. ed. 2da bene descripte sunt.

76. L. lutea, DC.

H. in graminosis ad moles glaciales, M. Schwarzseeberg.

77. L.nivea, DC.

H. In sylvis laricinis inter Zermatt et valleculam Tzsch.

78. L. Spadicea, DC.

H. In M. Gemmi in saxosis supra Schwarrenbach.

79. Juncus filiformis, L.

H. In uliginosis torfaceis supra Zermatt.

80. J. triglumis, L.

H. in uliginosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

Obs. Occurrit bi-quinqueflorus.

81. J. Jacquini, L. «. minor, semipedalis pedalisve. § maximus
mihi, sesquipedalis et ultra, perianthiis pallidioribus, fuscescen-
tibus.

4

Alps of the Valats. 19

H. «a. In uliginosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach et in summ.
M. Schalmette: in alpibus supra Zermatt, et Tasch. . copi-
ose inter saxa in alp. supra Tesch.

Obs. 1ma. In var. «, Capsule semper immature, perianthiis mul-
to breviores. In var. 3. Capsule mature, perianthiis zquales vel
sublongiores, capitulaque interdum longiuscule pedunculata, curva-
to-reflexa, hemispherica vel subglobosa.

Obs. 2da. Fructus maturus ab auctoribus nondum visus ut vide-
tur e descriptione cl. Gaudini, qui Hostii verba ita citavit : “‘ Capsa-
le ovato-triquetre, angulis superne acutis (in Fl. Helv. ii. p. 561—
«« Alatis” in Agrost. 11. p. 233,) obtuse, polysperme.” Koch, in
Deuts. FI. ii. p. 593, capsulas, ex observationibus cl. Wahlenbergii,
acutas perianthiis duplo longiores descripsit. Duby in Bot. Gall. i.
477, etiam capsulam forsan immaturam male descripsit “ perigonii
segmentis lanceolatis acuminatis capsulam ovoideam obtusam mucro-
natam subsuperantibus,” ut nonnisi longitudine perianthii a. J. cas-
taneo Sm. distinguendus, sed notas optimas omnino neglexit ut e de-
scriptione sequenti patet. Capsula, perianthio vix longior, obtusa
profunde emarginata, obtuse-triquetra, angulis valde compressis ca-
naliculatis fere alatis. Stylus longiusculus ex emarginatura_persis-
tens. Semina parva ovalia tunicata, tunica utriusque longe produc-
ta curvata. In exempl. M. Gemmi, Faulhorn, &c. et in omnibus
in Herbario meo conservatis, capsulas semper immaturas inveni: in
var 8. capsule omnes mature sed quoad longitudinem paulo varia-
biles sunt.

82. J. trifidus, L. « major, 1—3 florus. minor, uniflorus. J. mo-
nanthos, Jacq.

H. «in sylvula ad viam inter St Nicholas et Zermatt. 8. In

alpibus supra Zermatt ad moles glaciales.
83. J. bufonius, L.

H. ad viam inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.

84. J.fusco-ater, Schreb Koch. J. ustulatus, Hoppe. 8. alpinus, pa-

nicula simpliciuscula. J. alpinus, Vill.

H. In uliginosis, M. Schwarzseeberg.

85.* Tofieldia borealis, Wahl! T. palustris, Huds. et auct. Britan-
nicorum ?

H. In alpibus supra Zermatt.

Obs. Omnino congruit cum planta arctica a cl. Wahlenberg et
Agardt missa, et, ut Anthericum calyculatum a cel. Thunberg.
Planta Scotica tantum recedit racemo laxiori, multifloro, et perian-
thio magis obtuso coloratoque.

20 Botanical Excursion to the

86. T. calyculata, Wahl. «. vulgaris, perianthio acutiusculo. 8. gla-
cialis, Thom. exs. T. glacialis, Gaud. Helv. ii. p. 596, perianthio
obtuso, floribus longius pedicellatis. y. ramosa, Thom. exs. T.
glacialis, 8.ramosa, Gaud. |. c. perianthio obtuso, floribus longius
pedicellatis, pedunculis infimis productis multifloris, bracteolato-
squamosis.

H.* «. In alpibus supra Zermatt. 8 and y in graminosis humi-
dis M. Gemmi prope die Wintereck. 29 August 1836.
Obs. In g. perianthium sepius purpurascit. Planta variabilis,
et persuasas sum T. glacialis, Gaud. mere forma alpina nec spe-
cies diversa: sed non confundenda cum T. boreali, Wahl. species dis-

_tinctissima Europe septentrionalis alpiumque excelsiorum Helvetize

incola.

87.* Colchicum alpinum, DC.

H. Zermatt.

88. Ornithogalum fistulosum, Ram. Koch. Gagea—Rchb. O. Liot-
tardi Sterub. Gaud.

H. Rarissime ad nives deliquescentes M. Gemmi supra Schwar-

renbach.

Obs. O. fistulosum, Gaud. e Rchb. fl. germ. exc. No. 735 ad O.
arvensem, Pers. pertinet. Spec. nostra certe omnino cum descrip-
tione sua O. Liottardi convenit.

89. Allium acutangulum, Willd. Rchb, Germ. exc. No. 767.
Pi. Crit. 8. Ic. 977. (sed culmus nimis elatus.) A. acutangulum
6. montanum, Koch. A. angulosum @ petreum, Gaud.

H. In arvis et incultis ad moles glaciales supra Zermatt.

Obs. Perianthium saturatius coloratum quam in spec. e Jurasso.
Filamenta alterna basi dilatata, petalaque acutiusculo-cuspidata.
90. A. vineale, Sm. Gaud.

H. cum precedenti.

Obs. E. sententia Kochii et Rehb. idem cum A. arenario auct.
planta a cl. Thomasio sub hoc nomine accepta videtur diversa ; sed
genus Allium e sicco fere inextricabile.

91. A. oleraceum, L. Gaud.

H. cum precedentibus.

Obs. Spatha foliolis longissimis e basi ovata dilatatis nervosis, at-
tenuatis ; folia certissime fistulosa staminibusque inclusis. Forma
spathe in spec. meis hujus et species sequentis differt et ab icone
Rchb. pl. crit. 5. ic. 601 et 602, et a descriptione Gaudini.

92. A. carinatum, L. Gaud.—§. ? umbella mere bulbifera.

H. cum precedentibus.

Alps of the Valais 21

Obs. Spatha, foliolis przlongis inzequalibus basi ventricosis ner.
vosis: folia e sicco plana videntur ; floribus non evolutis, sed um-
belle bulbi feri maturi. In var. 8.? Bulbilli magis elongati te-
nuioresque sunt, et spatha magis senescens, ut suspicor potius ad
A. paniculatum Auct. Helv. referendum, cujus varietatem bulbiferam
olim in Jurasso supra Biennem legi.

93. Anthericum sexotinum, L. Lloydia—Rchb.

H. In alpibus supra Tesch.

94,* A. Liliastrum, L. Czackia—Andrz. Rchb.

H. Zermatt.

95. Asparagus officinalis, L.
H. In incultis inter Inden et Varen.

96. Larix Europea, DC.
H. Inter Inden et Varen—etiam in Valesia superiori prope Brieg,
&c. et in valle D. Nicolai sylvas magnas efiicit.
97. Pinus Cembra, L.
H. In M. Finelen—Sylvula unica.
98. Juniperus Sabina, L. « erecta, £. prostrata.
H. a. Inter Visp et Stalden consort. Hippophae rhamnoides.
(. In alpibus supra Zermatt copiose.

99. Betula alba, L. 6. verrucosa (Ehrh ?) Gaud.

H. copiose ad rivulos et in glareosis inter St. Nicholas et Zer-

matt.

Obs. Differt a B. albe forma vulgari foliis duplo majoribus dor-
so glandulosis, ramis ramulisque glanduloso-verrucosis—An B. ver-
rucosa Ehrh. cum B. pubescentia cl. Rehb. conjuncta? Planta hel-
vetica certe non ad pubescentem sed ad B. albam referenda.

100. Alnus incana, Willd.

H. prope Kandersteg.

Obs. Forma monstruosa squamis foliaceis.
101. Quercus pubescens, Willd.

H. In collibus apricis prope Siders.

Obs. Foliaramorum juniorum nullo modo basi inzqualiter corda-
ta, sed subtruncata vel in petiolum attenuata, sinuato-pinnatifida
subtus cano-pubescentia, lobis sinuato-incisis acutiusculis apiculatis
vel interdum obtusis.

102. Salix myrsinites, Gaud. Helv. vi. 263. S. arbutifolia, Ser. Essai
—@ ¢. « latifolia, Gaud. 1. c. Ser. Sal. exs. Rév. inéd N. 32 B!

22 ' Botanical Excursion to the

—. angustifolia, Gaud. 1]. c. S. myrsinites, « arbutifolia, Ser. Sal,
exs. Rév. inéd. No. 32, « !—6. lanata, Gaud. 1. c. S. myrsinites y.
pilosa, Ser. ]. c. No. 32, y.

H. a. et 8. Ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen ; 8. in M. Gemmi ad
lacum infra Schwarrenbach ; 6. in M. Gemmi supra Schwarren-
bach (forma pilosa) et ad moles glaciales Lammerngletscher,
31 August 1836, (forma lanata.)

Obs. var. «. fere forma eadem quam e Scotia ut S. Myrsinites re-
tuli. var. 2. variat amentis foemineis brevibus crassis, et elongatis
gracilioribus, interdum dense sericeis: foliis maturis glaberrimis lu-
cidis vel junioribus, presertim subtus, subsericeis. In var. 6. folia

interdum mere pilosa, interdum lana subsericea densa utrinque tecta
sunt.

103. S. serpyllifolia, Scop ¢.
H. Ad moles glaciales M. Schwarzseeverg et M. Fiinelen.
104. §. hastata, L. Wahl! 9 ¢. non Hoppe. S. Ludwigii Schleich !
H. Ad moles glaciales supra Zermatt.
Obs. Folia basi inzqualiter rotundata, interdum subattenuata.
S. hastata Hoppe exs.! videtur potius S. phylicifoliz var.
105. S. Monandra, Hoffm. Gaud. var. ramis junioribus, foliisque sub-
tus cesio-pruinosis.

H. Ad ripas Vispe prope Zermatt.

106. Euphorbia Gerardiana, Jacq.

H. In incultis inter Varen et Siders.

107. E. falcata, L.

H. In arvis incultis prope Siders.

108. Empetrum nigrum, L.
H. InM. Fiinelen.

Obs. Specimina omnia hermaphrodita, stamina nempe sub bacca _

matura persistentia inveni. In Jurassi M.Creux du Van specimi-
na omnia, et permulta legi, dioica observari: differunt autem pau-
lulo a planta alpina habitu laxiusculo, caulibus nempe multo minus
lignosis, foliisque remotioribus, longioribus angustioribusque. Planta
Suecica, a cl. Thunberg missa, et Hibernica, in torfaceis Cunnamara
lecta, videntur dioice, sed specimina mea nimis manca.

109. Thesium alpinum, L, «@. racemis secundis, bracteis flores su-
perantibus. 6. racemis secundis, bracteis floribus brevioribus.
H. a. In M. Funelen. 8. In M. Gemmi ad lacum infra Schwar-

renbach. ;

ae

Alps of the Valais. 23

Obs. In Jurasso varietatem racemis non secundis cauleque elatiori
sepe legi, que mihi var y. floribus sparsis.

110. Hippophae rhamnoides, L.

H. Ad Vispam inter Visp et Stalden, copiose.

Obs. Piantam prope Aberlady in comitatu Haddington lectam
ab am. Macnab accepi, que a nostra Helvetica et ab alteris Britan-
nicis recedit, foliis duplo latioribus baccisque facile duplo majoribus.

J11. Oxyria reniformis, Hook.
H. In M. Gemmi ad rupes prope nives perennes M. Schalmette.

112. Chenopodium olidum, Curt. C. foetidum, Lam. Gaud.
H. In fossis exsiccatis ad viam prope Siders.

113. C. album, L. «. vulgare.—(. concatenatum, Gaud. foliis an-
gustioribus subintegerrimis (integerrimis acutis apiculatisve) ra-
cemis elongatis gracilibus, glomerulis globosis subdiscretis (re-
motiusculis. )

H. a. inarvis supra Zermatt. 4. ad viam inter Stalden et St
Nicholas.
Obs. In var. 4. caules prostrati, viridi et albo fasciati. Hac,

var 4, riparium Bngh. in Rehb. Germ. exc. No. 3740 8&.

114. C. Botrys, L.

H. In carbonariis ad viam inter Siders et Leuk. In arenosis in-
ter Stalden et St Nicholas.

115. C. hybridum, L.

H. In vineis prope Varen.

116. Plantago major, L. y. brachystachya, Koch. Deutsch. FI. i.
p 801. T. minima, Thom. exs! non DC. P. uliginosa, Baumg!
(vix diversa.)

H. In uliginosis ad viam inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.

Obs. Spica pauciflora congesta ovato-oblonga, scapo folia 5—7-ner-
via crassa parva superante ; rhizoma crassum. Huc _ pertinere
videtur icon Tabernemontani 1107, f. 2. Ad var. 6. microstachyam,
Koch. |. c. pertinet T. minima, DC. FI. fr. scapo debili foliis triner-
vis breviori, spica pauciflora (vix ultra 6—flora) floribusque laxis.
Scapi interdum petiolis breviores ; radix fibrosa tenuis. Hanc va-
rietatem tantum ex ulignosis Jurassi prope Delemont lectam accepi,
et in ulignosis torfaceis Hibernie prope Renvyle Cunnamara legi.
117. P. montana, Lam. PP. atrata, Hoppe exs. !

H. In M. Gemmi in graminosis ad lacum infra Schwarrenbach.

Obs. Non confundenda cum var. humili P. lanceolate.

24 _ Dentition and Characters

118. P. holosericea, Gaud. in Roem. et Schult. Syst. iii. p. 126.

P. montana 4? holosericea, Gaud. Helv. i. p. 400. TT. saxatilis

& holosericea, Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 2677 F.

Plantago, foliis lineari-lanceolatis 5-7-nervis subintegerrimis,
scapis pilis patentibus lanuginoso-hirsutis, spica densa multiflora,
ovato-globosa, bracteis latissimis subrotundis nervo viridi valido per-
cursis apice longe ciliatis immarginatis. « foliis glabriusculis. 4.
foliis lanuginoso-hirsutis.

H. «In glareosis M. Gemmiad moles glaciales Lammerngletscher,
copiose, 31 Aug. 1836. & In glareosis M. Gemmi supra
Schwarrenbach, 1835, et cum var. « 1836.

Obs. A. P. montana, Lam. preter notas indicatas, spica densissi-

ma, multiflora, foliis multo latioribus et longioribus statureque ma-
jori crassiori abunde differt. P. saxatilis, M. Bieb ! quacum con-
jungit cl. Rehb, primo visu differt, bracteis latissime scarioso-mar-
ginatis, et, nisi fallor, corolla pilis obvallata at indicavit cl. auctor.
Pl. argentew, Lap. (spec. unicum e Pyrenzis ab Endressis lectum
possideo) vix varietas: in P. argentea, Lap. folia sunt dense argen-
teo-sericea, bractezque scarioso-marginate vix colorate. Pl. vic-
torialis (an vera?) e Dalmatia a Pettero missa etiam differt, spica
ovata, floribus minoribus, scapo elatiori, foliis brevioribus latioribus-
que et habita omnino 'P. lanceolate.

119. P. lanceolata, L. 4. hungarica, Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 2678 8.

P. hungarica, Walds. et Kit!

H. In arenosis ad Rhodanum prope Leuk.

‘Obs. Scapi numerosi decumbentes, 4—5 unciales; spica brevis
ovata, bractez acuminate hyaline, folia vix duas lineas lata, brevia,
lanugine alba tecta vel glabriuscula et ad collum radicis lanugine
copiosa longa intertexta.
120. P. alpina L. Var. rigida, rhizomate incrassato, lignoso. P.

bidentata 4, ¥ humilis, Gaud ?

H. In pascuis aridis inter Zermatt et St Nicholas.

Obs. Radix sepe odorata fere ut in Gnaphalio graveolenti.

(To be continued. )

II.—On the Dentition and other Characters of the British Shrews,
nith reference to M. Duvernoy’s recent researches into the struc-
ture of this genus of Animals. By the Rev. Leonarp JENyns,
EA dts La. 5 oe ei. OCC,

In the preface to the “ Manual of British Vertebrate Animals,”
published in 1835, I alluded to the Shrews as one of those groups,
the species of which required further investigation. I was led to

a

of the British Shrews. 25

think so by the circumstance of my having observed great differen-
ces amongst individuals usually considered as belonging to the same
species, and the belief that we had not attained to a knowledge of
the true value of those characters with which such differences were
connected. I had not, however, at the time the means of throwing
any further light on the subject. I was afterwards in hopes that
this might have been afforded by Mr Bell, whose accurate work on
the British Quadrupeds, now in course of publication, is proba-
bly familiar to all who are interested in the matter under consi-
deration. M. Duvernoy had also in the meantime published a me-
moir on the structure of these animals, which promised to afford
much assistance in the inquiry. It does not appear, however, that
the gentleman first alluded to had become acquainted with M. Du-
vernoy’s memoir in time to avail himself of any information therein
contained, before the publication of the third part of the “ British
Quadrupeds,” in which the indigenous species of the genus Sorex
are illustrated. The subject consequently remained where it was ;
Mr Bell at the same time joining in the belief that it stood in need
of some further investigation, although not himself in possession of
the requisite facts to enable him at that time to undertake the in-
quiry.

It was under these circumstances, and on the occasion of my be-
ing enabled to consult the entire memoir of M. Duvernoy, of which
I had previously only seen an abstract, that I determined a short
time since carefully to examine anew the characters of the British
species of this genus. I had also been fortunate in obtaining a few
specimens in addition to those which I possessed at the time of pub-
lishing the Manual above alluded to. The result of my inquiries
is what I purpose to communicate in the present paper ; and if I
have not succeeded in establishing any species which may be con-
sidered as new, I yet trust I shall be the means of drawing the at-
tention of naturalists to a few facts respecting the dentition of those
hitherto met with in this country, which, when considered in con-
nexion with M. Duvernoy’s researches, must lead us to alter our
opinion respecting their supposed identity with others met with on
the Continent.

I may commence by stating that M. Duvernoy’s memoir, which
is entitled «‘ Fragmens d’ Histoire Naturelle systématique et phy-
siologique sur les Musaraignes,” is contained in the second volume
of the Transactions of the Natural History Society of Strasburg.
The memoir bears the dates of June and December 1834, although,
I believe, it was not published until the following year. Its lead-

26 Dentition and Characters

ing object is to make known the existence of three distinct types of
dentition existing amongst the shrews, and to direct attention to the
characters afforded by the teeth, as much more deserving our confi-
dence than some of those usually resorted to for establishing speci-
fic differences in this genus. It has been the practice of naturalists,
in describing these animals, to dwell too much on the colour of the
fur, and on the form, as well as the relative length of the tail. M.
Duvernoy has shown that these points afford very uncertain charac-
ters ; and my own recent examination of numerous specimens leads
me to accord entirely with his opinion. Not only does the colour
of the fur vary in its tints with age, sex, and season, but in the
mode according to which the tints are distributed. M. Duvernoy
observes, that in some individuals of the S. araneus the under parts
of the body are pale grey, whilst in others these parts are the darkest.
He adds, that the upper parts of the body will vary in the same
species from greyish-brown or black to a decided red. My own
observation has led me to remark further, that the colours are not
even constant in individuals of the same age; nor is there appa-
rently any fixed relation between the period of growth and the na-
ture of the prevailing tint. In some instances I have noticed young
individuals as dark as,,or even darker than, full-grown specimens
of the same species ; in others, young which were of a lighter rufous
than any adult that I had ever met with. The characters of the
tail, at least those derived from its form, seem to depend chiefly
upon age. It is generally shorter in proportion, and always thicker,
in young than in old individuals. This last circumstance is due in
part to a copious growth of elongated bristly hairs, which closely
surround the tail in young specimens, at the same time standing
rather out, but which either fall as age advances, or become so worn
from friction as finally to leave this part, in very old individuals,
nearly naked. It is also manifestly due to a greater plumpness of
the tail at this period. In after life, the muscular portions, as well
as the investing skin, sometimes shrivel, so as to render the angles
of the included vertebre more apparent ; hence entailing not only
a diminished thickness of the tail, but, what is equally obvious in
adult specimens, a change in its form from cylindrical to nearly
square. With reference to this last point, M. Duvernoy observes,
and I believe correctly, that the quadrangular form of this part is
common to several species, but that it never appears till after a cer-
tain age, the tail in young subjects being always round. There is
also a stricture sometimes observable at the base of the tail, which it
is of importance to notice, because it was considered by Hermann as

oe Set oe

of the British Shrews. 27

the distinguishing character of a peculiar species (S. constrictus,
Herm.), which, however, according to Duvernoy, who has examin-
ed the original specimens still preserved in the Museum at Stras-
burg, proves to be nothing more than the young of S. araneus and
S. fodiens. In fact, this is a character likewise affected by age, if
not altogether dependent upon it. The elongated bristly hairs above
spoken of are rarely found quite at the origin of the tail, or, if pre-
sent, are shorter here than elsewhere and more closely appressed.
Hence at this point the tail appears thinner ; but, from the circum-
stance of the hairs falling in advanced life, the difference becomes
less and less obvious, and in some instances at length ceases to be
observed.

I now proceed to notice the different types of dentition which M.
Duvernoy has observed in these animals, after which I shall describe
more at length the characters of the teeth as exhibited by the species
found in our own country.

These types, which are three in number, are regarded by M. Du-
vernoy as indicative of so many sub-genera, or at least well-marked
sections in the old genus Sorex.

I. The first, to which he continues the name of Sorex in a re-
stricted sense, is distinguished by having the two middle incisors in
the lower jaw with an entire or simple edge, the two corresponding
ones in the upper hooked, or furnished with a spur appearing as a
point behind ; the three or four small teeth which follow, in the up-
per jaw, diminishing rapidly in size from the first to the last ; none
of the teeth coloured.—To this type belong, amongst other species,
the Sorex araneus of Continental authors, and the S. leucodon of
Hermann.

II. The second type (Hyprosorex, Duv.) has the lower middle
incisors with the edge denticulated ; the upper ones forked, the spur
being prolonged into a hook (ex crochet ;) the small molars above,
which are five in number, diminishing insensibly from the first to the
last : all coloured at the tips.—Of this group the S. fodiens of Pallas
is considered as the typical species. M. Duvernoy includes also the
S. tetragonurus of Hermann.

III. The third type possesses characters in some measure con-
necting it with each of the two former, on which account it is nam-
ed by M. Duvernoy Amputsorex. It is distinguished by the lower
incisors being szmple, and the upper ones hooked, as in the first type;
but the first two of the small intermediate teeth (which are four in
number) are equal, the third somewhat less than these, the fourth
rudimentary : the tips of the incisors, as well as those of the molars,

28 Dentition and Characters

are a little coloured. ‘This type is characteristic of a peculiar spe-
cies, which M. Duvernoy describes as new, under the name of S.
Hermanni.

After attentively considering the characters assigned by M. Du-
vernoy to his three types respectively, it was easy to ascertain to
which of them the species of Sorex hitherto described as natives of
this country by our own naturalists, belonged. The result of the
examination was,—/irst, that we have no British species, as yet
identified, possessing the characters of his first type, and that there-
fore the S. araneus of English authors is nol the same as the S.
araneus of the Continent ;—secondly, that the species to which it
has been the custom here to apply that name, belongs to his second
type Hyprosorex ;—thirdly, that neither is the S. fodiens of this
country, judging from all the specimens I had seen, identical with
the S. fodiens of Pallas, or at any rate of Duvernoy, but that it
associates, in respect to its dentition, with the S. Hermanni of the
author last mentioned under his third type AMPHISOREX.

With the view of establishing these points, which may cause a
little surprise with some of our naturalists, I beg to direct attention
to the structure of the teeth in each of the several species of the genus
Sorex hitherto met with in Great Britain.

S. araneus. (Of English Authors.)

That this was probably not the same as the S. araneus of the
continent, I ventured to suggest in the Manual of British Verte-
brate Animals, from the circumstance of our species having the
teeth coloured, which had been said by Geoffroy, in his description
of the one found in France, to be white.* Mr Bell thought that
Geoffroy’s statement was erroneous, and that there was not suffi-
cient ground for the above opinion. t It would seem, nevertheless,
to be fully confirmed by Duvernoy, who, moreover, notes this cha-
racter as one of those particularly distinguishing his first subgenus.
But were this not so, and were we entirely to disregard the colour
of the teeth, their number and structure would at once serve to se-
parate our own araneus from the species bearing the same name
on the continent.

The following description is that of the dentition of our common
shrew, and applies to every specimen I have as yet examined.

The entire number of teeth is twenty in the upper jaw, and twelve

* See Man. p. 17, Note. + Brit. Quad. p. 110.

of the British Shrews. 99

in the lower. Of the former, the last four on each side are true
molars, the second and third of which may be termed perfect, the
two others imperfect.* The second and third molars may be re-
garded as formed each of two triangular prisms, with their summits
directed inwards, on which side there is a projecting spur or heel
at the base. In the second, the first prism is sensibly smaller than
the following one. In the third, the two prisms are equal. The
first molar is of a somewhat irregular form. Strictly speaking, there
is only the second prism present, of which the posterior side may
be regarded as excessively developed at the expense of the two other
sides, as well as of the projecting spur within. The first prism is
simply represented by a small point or denticle in advance of the
second. Viewed in profile, this tooth presents the appearance of a
sharp,edge with threepoints, and resembles one of the false molars
observable in many of the Carnivora. The fourth molar is small,
and, like the first, formed but of a single prism. In this instance,
however, it is the first prism which is present, the second being ru-
dimentary, and exhibiting but one side, which is carried inwards to
unite with the projecting spur, which is itself also rudimentary.
Between the molars just described and the two true incisors at
the extremity of the jaw, which last, from their peculiar develop-
ment, form a remarkable feature in the dental system of this genus,
are five small teeth on each side, concerning the exact nature of
which there has been much difference of opinion. Some authors
have regarded them as canines, others as false molars, others again
as lateral incisors. Without entering into the merits of this ques-
tion, which had already been discussed by M. Isidore Geoffroy St
Hilaire,t previously to Duvernoy’s late memoir, I shall simply state
that in the present paper I adopt the opinion of the author last-
mentioned, who seems most disposed to regard them as incisors,
principally from the circumstance of their being almost all implant-
ed in the intermaxillary bone.{ I shall, therefore, continue to call
them, as some have done before me, lateral incisors, giving the
name of middle incisors to the anterior pair of teeth so remarkably
distinguished from all others by their form and great development.

* In describing the molars, which appear to be nearly similar in all the spe-
cies, I have adopted, in a great measure, the language of Duvernoy.

+ See Dict. Class. d’Hist. Nat. Tom. ii. p. 313.

¢ One argument for not regarding them as false molars is founded by Duver-
noy on their relative proportions. He observes that false molars always in-
crease gradually in size from the first to the most backward. In the instance
of these teeth, on the contrary, the first in the series are the largest.

30 Dentition and Characters

In the species under consideration, the middle incisors are of a
compressed conical form, and very much produced, at first taking a
horizontal direction, but afterwards curving downwards in a hook-
like manner. Each is furnished with a spur or second point, aris-
ing from the horizontal portion of the tooth, and which is so much
developed as nearly to equal the anterior point in size. Hence this
tooth appears forked ; and when viewed in the recent animal, and
still covered in part with the muscular integuments, the points of
the fork might easily be mistaken for two distinct teeth. These
middle incisors are widely separated at their origin, but, gradually
approaching, touch each other soon after bending to form the de-
_ scending hook.

The lateral incisors form a closely compacted series, the first re-
posing in part upon the base of the middle incisor just described,
and each one in succession upon that of the tooth immediately pre-
ceding. They are of a conical form, the first three having the base
surrounded by an elevated margin most conspicuous internally.
The first rather exceeds in size the posterior point of the middle in-
cisor in advance ; the succeeding ones decrease in a very gradual
manner, the last being small and not easily observed.

In the lower jaw the true molars amount to three only on each
side, the first being the largest and the last the smallest. Each is
formed, as in the upper jaw, of two triangular prisms, with the
summits, however, in this instance, directed outwards. In the
third molar, the second prism is incomplete.

The two middle incisors in this jaw present a remarkable ap-
pearance, being very much produced, and standing out horizontally
for nearly their whole length, the extreme tips only being slightly
bent upwards. The upper margin, which forms a sharpish edge,
exhibits three small denticles behind the main point, and when
viewed in profile has a festooned or crenated appearance.

Between the middle incisors and the first molar are two lateral
incisors of nearly the same form as those above, but rather more
pointed as well as lengthened. The second, moreover, presents the
rudiment of a second point, though so little obvious as scarcely to
deserve notice, were it not for the circumstance that in the next
species this second point attains a considerable development. The
first of the lateral incisors, which is smaller than the other, rests in
a great measure upon the base of the middle incisor preceding it.
The second, in like manner, rests partly upon the first.

All the teeth in this species have their salient portions more or
less deeply tinged with brownish red. In the case of the middle

of the British Shrews. 31

and lateral incisors, it is more especially the tips and the outer sur-
face which are thus coloured. It is also the outer surface in the
lower molars ; but in the upper molars it is principally the inner
surface, and the internal elevated ridges which form the spur. In
some specimens the colouring is very slight on the lateral incisors,
but it may always be readily observed on the other teeth.

On the whole, the dental formula for this species will stand thus:

Mids Ine.2; lat: Inc. 3's ¢5))mol. 2: 35 = 39.
S. fodiens. (Of English Authors.)

In this species, the entire number of teeth is two less than in the
one last described. The molars are the same, both as regards num-
ber and form, above and below; but a considerable difference ap-
pears in the middle and lateral incisors.

The former, in the upper jaw, are larger in relation to the other
teeth, and more curved. The first point is also much more developed
than the second ; which last appears only as a short though sharp
spur, and ceases to convey the impression of the entire tooth being
forked. This spur is, however, itself distinctly furnished with a
very minute second point, of which there is scarcely a rudiment in
the last species. These middle incisors are less divaricated at their
origin than in the S. araneus, and meet each other sooner, though
in some individuals without actually touching. Their inner mar-
gins exhibit at their point of contact a small process, which may be
also observed in S. araneus, but which is more obvious in the spe-
cies under consideration.

The lateral incisors in this jaw are only four, and but three of
these are readily seen, the fourth being extremely small, and placed
rather within the line of the adjoining teeth, by which it is in part
concealed when viewed from without. They are of a compressed
triangular form, with the base more dilated than in the S. araneus.
The first two are of nearly equal size; the third somewhat smaller.

In the lower jaw, the middle incisors are even more produced
than in the S. araneus, and equally horizontal in their direction.
The upper margin is almost entire, presenting only near its base
one obtuse Beatiole) seldom very conspicuous, and poe raged the
less so as age advances.

The lateral incisors in the lower jaw are two in number, asin the
case of the last species. The second is also the largest ; but this
tooth, as already mentioned, differs from its corresponding one in the
S. araneus in having its posterior or secondary point considerably
developed.

32 Dentition and Characters

The teeth are all more or less coloured as in the last species.
The dental formula is as follows:
Mid. Inc: 2; lat. Inc. $3; Mol. 3 : #3 = 48.

S. remifer. (Of English Authors.)

Of this species I have only been able to examine accurately the
dentition of a single specimen. It does not differ materially from
that of the S. fodiens last described. The processes on the inner
margins of the upper middle incisors are rather more developed,
and it is by means of these processes only that the two teeth ap-
proach one another. The fourth lateral incisor in the upper jaw is

_ also a trifle larger, and terminates upwards in a more decided point.
The lower middle incisors have their upper margins perfectly en-
tire, not exhibiting even the rudiment of a single denticle. The
colouring of all the teeth is the same, but in the specimen examin-
ed, not very intense.

After the details above given, it is hardly necessary to dwell on
the essential differences between the first two of our British species
and the two continental ones bearing the same names. It will be
readily seen, on referring to the characters of Duvernoy’s three
types, that they differ particularly in the form of the middle inci-
sors in both jaws, and in the number, as well as in the relative size
of the lateral incisors above. The difference in number amounts, in
the case of the S. araneus, to as many as four. It is in fact net a
little singular that the dental system of our araneus should be near-
ly coincident with that ofthe continental fodiens ; while that of our
fodiens, though not exactly the same (in as much as it clearly be-
longs to Duvernoy’s third type,) should yet closely approach the den-
tition of the continental araneus. But besides the distinctive cha-
racters afforded by the teeth, there are others observable in the form
of the cranium. Of this I judge from a comparison of Duvernoy’s
figures of this part with the same part in our British specimens. In
the instance of the S. araneus, the cranium is slightly larger in all
its dimensions, but especially wider across the snout and less atte-
nuated, than in the araneus of this country. In the S. fodiens, it
is decidedly smaller, and the proportions of the snout not so consi-
derable.

But if our British species be not the same as the S. araneus and
fodiens of continental authors, it will naturally be asked,—to what
other species we are to refer them? To this inquiry, at least as re-
gards one of them, it is not so easy to return a direct answer, until

of the British Shrews. 30

all those noticed by different authors shall have had their dentitions
examined with reference to the three types indicated by Duvernoy.
Our most common species, the so-called S. araneus, which, as be-
fore stated, unquestionably belongs tothe second of the above types
(Hydrosorex,) 1 have little doubt is synonymous with the S. ¢etra-
gonurus, the only other noticed by Duvernoy under that section, be-
sides the true S. fodiens of Pallas and himself, from which it is
clearly different. MM. Duvernoy has given a description of this spe-
cies, as well as a coloured representation of the entire animal, and
though this last may appear at first sight larger than our araneus,
as well as slightly different in some other respects, yet it accords ex-
actly with specimens of a rather unusual size obtained by me from
the fens of Cambridgeshire, to which I shall have occasion to refer
presently. His description is for the most part of a relative na-
ture serving to distinguish the S. /etragonurus from the S. fodiens.
Hence it will not admit of direct application where we have not the
last-named species with which to contrast it. But so far as it can
be judged of, it would seem to favour the opinion I have above ha-
zarded. Thus he observes that it is distinguished, in the first place,
by its much smaller size ; secondly, by the form of the snout, which
is narrower and more elongated ; thirdly, by the form of its feet,
which are less thick and less broad than those of the S. fodiens.
Lastly, he notices some slight differences in the teeth compared with
_ those of the species just mentioned. One of these consists in the
_ first denticle on the margin of the lower middle incisor being so
little removed from the point of that tooth as to appear but as a
lobe of this last, and to give in consequence to the extremity of the
tooth a bilobated character. Another difference consists in the den-
ticle of the second lateral incisor in the lower jaw being less de-
veloped. With respect to the last two peculiarities, of the former
it is not easy to judge without knowing its appearance in the S. fo-
diens, but I conceive it will be hardly thought inapplicable to our
species, in which [ have already noticed (when describing its den-
tition) three denticles arranged in aseries behind the main point of
the tooth in question, to which last the first is sufficiently approxi-
mated to convey the appearance above alluded to by Duvernoy. To
the latter,—the rudimentary state of the second point in the second
lateral incisor below,—I have in like manner already drawn atten-
tion.
M. Duvernoy assigns the following dimensions to the S. fetra-
gonurus :
VOL. II. NO. 7. c

34 Dentition and Characters

Millim. Inc. Lin.

Length of body, - ; : » 0,070 = 2 9
of tail, 3 : 0,045 = 1 9% nearly.
From the orifice of the ear to the end of
the snout, : * : 0,021 = O 10, or more.
From the eye to the same point, 4 0,010 — 0 43;

which are not very different from those of many individuals of our
common species, which last varies very much in this respect,—in
the relative length of the tail and body especially.

The S. tetragonurus was first described by Hermann, in 1783,
from specimens found in the neighbourhood of Strasburg by the ce-
lebrated Dr Gall. To his work, entitled Tabula affinitatum Am-
malium, I have had no access. The species, however, has been sub-
sequently noticed by several other authors besides Duvernoy, in
whose descriptions I find scarcely any thing at variance with the
characters of the S. araneus of this country. Geoffroy’s, indeed, is
almost the only one which appears founded upon original observa-
tion.*, And one remark of his, relating to the teeth, which perhaps
may be thought not strictly applicable to our species, it will be right
to notice. He states that all the canines, (by which name he de-
signates what in this paper are called lateral incisors) are of equal
size. But it must be remembered, that he is here, as well as in
most other parts of his description, contrasting the S. tetragonurus
with the S. araneus of the continent, in which last, according to
Duvernoy, the teeth in question diminish in size very rapidly.
Hence the expression must not be taken strictly, and according to
the letter. As tothe form of the tail, which has obtained for it
its name, and which is much dwelt upon by Geoffroy, we have al-
ready shown that this is not in any case to be depended on. The
dimensions given by him are:

Length of body 60 millimetres = 2 inc. 44 lin. nearly.
tail 40 =luine. 7aglins
which differ from those of Duvernoy, shewing that in this respect
the S, tetragonurus is equally variable as our British araneus. Its
tendency to vary in other respects also, we may gather from the ac-
count of this species by Isidore Geoffroy St Hilaire in the Diction-
naire Classique d’ Histoire Naturelle,t where, after repeating several
of the characters already noticed by Geoffroy, he states that he has
examined many individuals apparently referrible to it, in which he

* Memoire sur les espéces de genre Musaraigne.—Ann. du Mus. Tom. xvii.
(1811,) p. 177, pl. 2, f. 3.
+ Tom. xi. p. 320.

of the British Shrews. 35

observed considerable differences of colour. Both authors speak of
it as being found in nearly the same situations as the S. araneus,—
in barns, gardens, &c. the latter adding that it is not of unfrequent
occurrence.

Desmarest, * Fred. Cuvier, t and Fischer, { in their descriptions
of the S. telragonurus, add nothing to what had been previously
said by Geoffroy.

Although I have referred above our British araneus to the S.
tetragonurus of Duvernoy, I think it not impossible it may still be
the same as the S. araneus of Linnzus. This indeed cannot be in-
ferred from the brief description in the twelfth edition of the Sys-
tema Natura, in which there is no mention made of the teeth. But
in the Fauna Suecica, (edit. 1761,) he speaks of the upper middle
incisors as bifid and curved, the lower ones serrated ; the canines
(lateral incisors) in the upper jaw as four in number, and very
small. These characters are not inapplicable to our species ; for
although there are really five lateral incisurs above, the fifth is so
minute as readily to escape observation. M. Duvernoy was led by
the description in the work last referred to, to consider the Lin-
nan araneus (the only European true Sorex known to the Swe-
dish naturalist,) the same as the species afterwards called fodiens ;
but this is explained by the circumstance of his (Duvernoy’s) fodiens
having in fact the same dentition as our araneus ; and he seems tohave
been moreimpressed with the idea that it was distinct from his araneus
(which it certainly is) than with the possibility of its being his te-
tragonurus, with which, as above shewn, our araneus ought pro-
bably to be associated.—But however this may be, as there is some

_ doubt attached to the Linnzan species, I should feel inclined in this,

as in all similar cases in which there have been two or more species
confounded under the same name, to continue that name to that one
in particular which has been best characterized by subsequent authors.
Hence, without any reference to Linnzus, I should propose suffer-
ing the name of araneus toremain with the species so well describ-
ed by Daubenton, Geoffroy, and Duvernoy, and calling ours (at
least till it be shewn that it is not the species so designated by Her-
mann,) by that of tetragonurus.

We must now proceed to make some remarks respecting the S.
fodiens of this country, which, as before stated, it is hardly possible,
in the present state of the subject, to identify with complete cer-

* Mammal. p. 150. + Dict. des Sci. Nat. Tom. xxxiii. p. 425.
+ Synops. Mammal. p. 253.

36 Dentition and Characters

tainty in the descriptions of foreign authors. In fact it is quite
clear that, in this instance also, there have been at least two, if not
more, species confounded ; sometimes under the name of S. Dau-
bentonii, at other times under that of S. fodiens. The former name,
I believe, originated with Erxleben,* by whom it was applied to the
Musaraigne d'eau of Daubenton, t which is probably the same as
the species described subsequently under the same name by Geof-
froy and many of the French writers, but by Hermann under that
of S. carinatus, and by Duvernoy, in his recent memoir, under that
of S. fodiens. The latter (S. fodiens) was first given by Pallas to
a species discovered by himself near Berlin, of which he sent seve-
ral prints to Pennant, who considered it the same as the water
shrew of this country, but of which the exact characters had not
then, and, so far as I am aware, have never since been published.{
Hence we have not the means of judging what Pallas’s species real-
ly was. If Duvernoy is right in regarding it to be the same as his,
from which ours is decidedly different, it is at once evident that the
name of fodiens no longer of right belongs to the British species.
Whether ours be the fodiens of any other author subsequent to
Pallas, is a distinct question ; and that it is, there are strong grounds
for believing, of Gmelin in particular, whose characters of the teeth
will not accord with those of Duvernoy’s fodiens, but are very nearly
similar to those of our own. It must, however, be mentioned, that
several new aquatic species of Sorex have been indicated of late
years by the continental naturalists, which tends to make the in-
quiry more preplexing. Brehm has briefly described three, in ad-
dition to one which he considers as the S. fodiens of Bechstein,
in the periodical conducted by himself under the title of Ornis. §
More recently, a sketch of a new arrangement of the shrews by
Wagler|| has been published in the Iss of 1832. In this last essay,
the species are distributed under three distinct genera, somewhat
analogous to Duvernoy’s subgenera ; and judging from the characters
of the teeth assigned to one of them, (Crossopus, W.) in which he
places the S. fodiens, I think it probable that the species intended
under this last name, (considered by him as synonymous with the

* Systema Regni Animalis. Class. I. Mamm. Lips. 1777. p. 124.

+ Meém. de l’Acad. des Sci. de Par. 1756, p. 211, pl. 5. f. 2.

t See Penn. Hist. of Quad. (Edit. 1793.) Vol. ii. p. 225, note.

§ The characters of these four species will be also found in Bull. des Sci.
Nat. 1827. Tom xi. p. 287.

|| Said to have been found after his death amongst his manuscripts. A brief
abstract of the arrangement is given by Duvernoy at tae conclusion of his me-
moir, with remarks. There only have I seen it.

4

of the British Shrews. 37

Jfodiens of Brehm) may be the same as the fodiens of this country.

But it will be unprofitable at present to pursue this inquiry further.
And until we have a more exact knowledge of the characters of
those species to which the name of fodiens has been applied abroad,
I think it would be advisable to abstain from applying that name to
our own species, or at least considering this last as necessarily
identical with any of the above. One thing is certain ;—that it is
not the S. fodiens of Duvernoy, which is probably synonymous with
the Musaraigne d’eau of the other French authors. If it be asked
by what name we are to call the water shrew of this country, I
would propose, (at least for the present) restoring to it that of b7-
color; a name originally given to it by Shaw, *—one extremely
applicable, and, so far as I know, not adopted by any foreign author
as a name for any of the species met with on the continent.

With respect to the S. remifer of this country, I have nothing
new to adduce on the subject of its synonymy. In Duvernoy’s me-
moir there is not the slightest mention made of this species, by
which we can get a clue to the dentition of the one originally so
named by Geoffroy, or the section to which it belongs in his own
arrangememt. I shall simply state, that, judging from the slight
differences in the teeth already alluded to, added to its other charac-
ters previously established, I feel strengthened in the opinion of its
being really distinct from our S. fodiens, to which, however, it is at
the same time very closely allied.

Having endeavoured in the preceding pages to elucidate the cha-
racters, and to rectify the nomenclature, of our three British Shrews,
I am anxious now to direct attention to two varieties of our most
common species (araneus of authors,) met with in my own neigh-
bourhood, and which, had they occurred to persons not very conver-
sant with these animals, might easily have been regarded as distinct.
The first which I shall notice is one already alluded to in a former
part of this paper as remarkable for its size. ’

Var. 1.—Dimensions as follows :—

Inc. Lin.
Length of the head and body, - - - “ oy, JD
of the head, = = = = - OOO
of the tail (to the end of the bone,) - = : a ard
of the hind foot (from the heel to the extremity of the claws,) 0 64
of the fore foot (from the wrist in like manner, ) = OF 4
of the ears, - - - - - - 0
From the eye to the anterior margin of the orifice of the ear, = 0,; 34
to the tip of the snout, - - - - 0, 43

* Nat. Misc. Vol. ii. pl. 55,

38 ; Dentition and Characters

Notwithstanding this variety exceeded in bulk and entire length
any individuals of its kind I had before met with, it will be ob-
served that its head and tail taken separately were each shorter
than in either of the specimens of which the dimensions are given
by Mr Bell and myself in our respective works. It proved to bea
female which had recently produced young, the nipples being dis-
_ tended and very prominent ; and all its characters, as regards size
and form, clearly shewed that its peculiarities were due simply to
age. Its snout was very much attenuated, (thus confirming a re-
mark of M. Duvernoy, that this part is always thicker in young
subjects) : the ¢azl distinctly quadrangular, somewhat flattened ho-
rizontally towards the tip ; not nearly so stout as in ordinary spe-
—cimens ; almost naked ; the investing hairs being worn to the stumps,
closely appressed, and not extending at the tip more than ths of a
line beyond the bone. The ¢eeth in like manner indicated age:
the upper middle incisors were completely ground down to their
point of contact, (giving the appearance of their being more than
usually divaricated at their origin ;) the lower ones possessed but
two denticles on their upper margin, the first of the three ordina-
rily present having become obsolete from use. The colours (which,
however, in this instance had probably nothing to do with age) were
also rather peculiar in this variety. They were distinctly of three
kinds: that of the sides being separated from the colour of the back
by a well-defined line, originating at the hind quarter, thence pas-
‘Sing straight onwards to the shoulder, where it inclined upwards,
terminating finally at the ear. The parts above the line were of a
very dark red-brown, approaching to black, with a few cinereous
hairs intermixed ;—the sides themselves reddish ash ;—the parts be-
neath cinereous, or dirty white, with a faint tinge of yellow : region
of the anus dusky.

With the above specimen, which was procured from Burwell Fen
in Cambridgeshire, I think in the month of June, I received a se-
cond, also a female, closely resembling it in all its essential charac-
ters, but not quite so large. The length of the head and body was
2 inc. 9 lines ; that of the tail 1 inc. 9 lines, this being the same as
in the former instance. ‘The snout was equally attenuated, and the
tail equally quadrangular as well as naked. The colours were some-
what different ; the upper parts being generally paler, and the sides
darker, the boundary-line visible but not very distinct: the back,
however, was variegated with two or three large jet-black patches.
It is worth adding, that in both of the above specimens, the ears

were quite as short as in common specimens, almost entirely con-
3

of the British Shrews. 39

cealed, and without any white spot ; the feet and tail not ciliated,
(although met with in the heart of a marshy district subject to in-
undation ;) nor the former relatively larger than in common spe-
cimens.

The other variety to which I would direct attention was taken
in the same fen, and at the same time, as the preceding, Of this
I likewise obtained two specimens, of different sexes, however, the
female being big with young. They were quite similar ; but both,
in general appearance, extremely different from those last described,
as also from most others I had previously seen. Their chief pecu-
liarity consisted in their bright rufous colour, with several indica-
tions of their being young, or at least hardly adult individuals, al-
though quite as large as, or indeed in some respects larger than,
the specimens of our common shrew usually met with.

Var. 2.—Dimensions :—

Inc. Lin.
Length of head and body, - =P BELG
of head, = : = 0 113
of tail (to end of bone,) Oe ene
of hind foot, ~ = - 0 64
of fore foot, - - - O 4
of ears, - = = O- 13
From eye to orifice of ear, - 0 38
to the tip of snout, - O 43

The above measurements are those of the female, which was the
larger of the two specimens. The only respect in which they are
at all peculiar is in that of the hind foot, which, it will be observed,
is as long as in the variety first described, notwithstanding the great
difference in their general size. In fact this part was decidedly
larger than in ordinary specimens of the same entire length. There
was likewise in the recent animal a marked fulness about the head
and snout, causing these parts also to appear larger than usual, al-
though not to be inferred from the dimensions given in the table.
Some of the other characters, as already stated, seemed to indicate
immaturity. The points of the teeth were all sharp: the tail thick,
and nearly round, the angles scarcely sensible ; well clothed through-
out its whole circumference with long hairs, and tipped with a fine ,
pencil extending very nearly three lines beyond the bone. The co-
lour of all the upper parts was bright chestnut, passing on the sides
into ash-grey, which last colour pervaded also the parts beneath :
tail and feet as well as the snout, light rufous.

40 Dentition and Characters

In the male, the length of the head and body was 2 inc. 43 lines ;
that of the tail 1 inc. 9 lines ; the rest of the proportions the same
as in the other sex. The tail was equally stout, and more hairy,
the pencil at the extremity extending still further beyond the bone.
The colours on the whole similar, but the rufous tinge brighter and
more distinct ; the snout, feet, and tail, testaceous yellow.

I think it just possible that the variety last described may prove
to be a distinct species, but I dare not consider it as such at pre-
sent, and without inspecting more specimens from different locali-
ties. With regard to the first, as well as some others which I have
seen, but which I do not think it necessary to dwell upon, I feel
confident that they have no claim to be regarded in that light. I
was, indeed, till lately strongly inclined to believe, like Mr Bell,

that under the name of common shrew, we had in this country two
or more species confounded. And possibly it may still be so. I can
only say, that after the closest examination of every specimen of
which I could get possession, I have failed in detecting any tan-
gible characters upon which a specific difference could with certainty
be established. If any such difference exist, it must be sought for
in the number and form of the teeth, in the greater or less deve-
lopment of the auricle, in the breadth and size of the snout (com-
pared in two individuals of the same age,) and perhaps in the size
of the feet (similarly compared,) as well as in the presence or ab-
sence of cilza on these last ; but certainly not in the abselute di-
mensions, nor in all the relative proportions, nor in the colour of
the fur. As for the tail, neither its length, nor thickness, nor form,
nor hairiness, afford characters of the slightest value.

I shall not conclude without earnestly soliciting from the readers
of this Journal, any specimens of shrews which they may meet with
in their own neighbourhood, but which they have not the leisure to
examine themselves, or not the opportunity of comparing closely
with others. Although I have been unsuccessful hitherto in the
search after new British species of this genus, it is far from impro-
bable that such remain to be discovered. There is no reason why
we should not possess the S. araneus of Duvernoy, which it has
been one of the objects of this paper to prove to be distinct from
ours, nor the S. fodiens of the same author, equally distinct from
the species so called by our own naturalists. It is, indeed, much
to be suspected, that either this last, or some other aquatic species
besides those with which we are well acquainted, has been already
met with in this country, though not identified at the time of being
observed. On comparing the descriptions, extant in different works,

ee Se

of the British Shews. Al

of our common water shrew, it will be found that they do not agree
in all particulars. Some of these variations may be due to acciden-
tal causes, or to differences of age or sex in the respective cases.
Nevertheless, the circumstance is worth mentioning, as affording a
stimulus to the researches of those naturalists who may be inclined
to turn their attention to these animals. *

Reference to the Figures. Plate I.

In the annexed plate are given representations of the crania, and
of portions of the upper and lower jaw, of the S. araneus and fodiens
of Duvernoy, and of the similarly named species of British authors.
The figures relating to the continental species are copied from Du-
vernoy’s memoir, and are inserted for the purpose of comparison with
our own.

The species are severally distinguished by the Roman numerals
I. If. III. IV. as explained at the bottom of the plate. When these
numerals are simple, the objects are represented of their natural
size. When accompanied by a dash (I’. II’. &c.) they are to be
considered as magnified to twice their natural size.

The Figures 1, 2,3, 4, 5, indicatethe numbers of the several kinds
of teeth.

The letters refer to different views of the head, and jaws, and are
the same for each species :

a. Is the cranium viewed from above.

6. The same viewed from beneath.

c. Is the anterior portion of the same viewed in profile.

d. Is a branch of the lower jaw, viewed externally.

e.- The same viewed from within.

It should be mentioned that in the case of 1, d and e are those of
a young individual.

f: Is intended to represent the mode of union of the two upper
middle incisors as seen from the above, the occiput being turned to-
wards the spectator.

f*. Relates to Var. 1, of the British araneus, in which these in-
cisors were worn down to their point of contact.

Swaffham Bulbeck,
Feb. 1G; 1837

* See in particular a notice in Loud. Mag. Vol. iii. p. 471, of a shrew taken
near Liverpool, which the writer was unable to identify with either of our two
well-known British species.

42 Contributions to the

Postscript.—Since the above paper was written, I have had an
opportunity (through the kindness of Mr Gray) of examining, in
company with Mr Bell, the different specimens of British and Con-
tinental shrews preserved in the British Museum. The result was
most satisfactory, being in exact accordance with what I had been
led to believe from Duvernoy’s memoir. In that collection, there
are French specimens both of the S. araneus and the S. Dauben-
toni of foreign authors, and on closely comparing them with indi-
viduals of our own species, the differences in the teeth became im-
mediately obvious.

London, Feb. 25, 1837.

- YII.—Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. By Wi1-
t1AM Tuompson, Esq. Vice-President of the Belfast Natural
History Society.

No. 2. On the Birds of the Order Raptores.

In the following paper it will be observed, that the catalogues of
birds in the Statistical Surveys of Ireland are but rarely quoted,
and, although it is my earnest desire to do justice to every one who
has in any way contributed to a knowledge of the Natural History
of the country, I am unwilling to bring forward species from the
mere circumstance of their names appearing in a catalogue ; indeed,
in some instances where descriptions are given, from which the spe-
cies can be identified, they have evidently been copied from authors,
instead of being the result of an examination of actual specimens.
The common English names, too, of species being misapplied, have
led to errors, in consequence of the scientific appellation being ap-
pended as if they were correct : the county history, which contains
the best and most ample catalogues of birds and fishes, bears evidence
of this in both departments. Having thus far written in_explana-
tion, it must be added that I complain not of these catalogues, but
consider that it would be most unreasonable to expect the many in-
dividuals who undertake writing in the statistics of a country, and
who have not previously bestowed attention on natural history, to
furnish us with zoological or botanical catalogues to satisfy the sci-
entific naturalist.

GoLpEN EagLue—Aquila chrysaetos, Vigors.—The collection of
my friend, William Sinclaire, Esq. of Belfast, contains a splendid
specimen in adult plumage of the golden eagle, which was trapped

Natural History of Ireland. 43

a few years since on Muckish mountain, in the county of Donegal.
The gamekeeper of Mr Stewart of ‘‘ the Horn’* informed me when
there in June 1832, accompanied by Richard Langtry, Esq. that
since he entered on his present occupation in 1828, he had destroy-
ed thirteen or fourteen eagles, one only of which was of this species
—it was taken on one of the inland mountains of “ the Horn.”
When about the same time I visited the precipitous mountain of
Rosheen, near Dunfanaghy, in the same county, I was told that,
previous to the last twelve years, a pair of eagles had their eyrie in
one of the inaccessible cliffs, and, as their young advanced in growth,
levied such contributions from the surrounding neighbourhood, that
the country people finally resolved upon their destruction. This
was effected by lowering from the summit of the precipice a lighted
brand, which ignited and consumed the nest, and three unfortunate
eaglets fell scorched and dead to the ground. The old birds from this
time deserted the mountain. From the situation selected for this
eyrie, the species was most probably the golden eagle.

On visiting Achil, off the coast of Mayo, in June 1834, in com-
pany with Robert Ball, Esq, of Dublin, Lieutenant Reynolds of the
Preventive Service, a keen sportsman, and well acquainted with
birds, assured us that one or two pairs of golden eagles breed annu-
ally in the island. When subsequently on the mountain of Croagh-
patrick, that volcano-like terminates in a magnificent cone, and is
in elevation the second in Connaught, we for a considerable time
observed a pair of these eagles towering above its summit. In the
county of Kerry a few weeks afterwards, an eagle, supposed to be
of this species, was seen by some of our party when viewing the
lakes of Killarney from the topmost ridge of Mangerton. When on
a visit to this same place the previous autumn, my friend, Robert
Patterson, Esq. of Belfast, made the following note, which he has
kindly permitted me to use: —“ Near to the little lake called the
Devil’s Punch-bowl, we disturbed four eagles preying on a full grown
sheep ; they rose majestically into the air as we approached.
The people who were with us supposed the sheep, being perhaps
sickly, had been killed by the eagles,—a supposition corroborated by
the quantity of fleece scattered over the ground for some yards in
one direction. The flesh of the neck was completely removed, al-
though that of every other part was untouched. We were assured
that two eagles will occasionally pursue a hare, one flying low and

* The name given to the peninsula bounding the western entrance to
Sheephaven, in the county Donegal, and which terminates in the stupendous
promontory of Horn Head.

44 ; Contributions to the

coursing it along the ground, the other keeping perpendicularly
above} the terrified animal. When the lowest eagle tires, they
change places, and pursue the same system of tactics, until the hare
is completely wearied out. I was told the same circumstance a few
days afterwards near Tralee, and again near Monasterevan : my in-
formant in every instance stated the fact as having fallen under his
own knowledge, and not as a matter of hearsay.”

In October 1833, when looking over a collection of the British
-Falconide belonging to William Sinclaire, Esq., in company with
Mr Adams, lately gamekeeper at Glenarm Castle, he at once re-
cognized a golden eagle as the species of which he had killed four
individuals in Glenarm Park (Antrim.) The first he saw was in
the month of March, when two visited the park. At this time,
there were but five lambs dropped, and on each of the two first two
days of the eagles’ appearance, two lambs were carried off, thus leav-
ing only one. Mr Adams finding that lambs were in such request
with these birds, procured two of them to bait his traps, and had
thus the satisfaction of capturing both eagles. In November, a
third individual made his appearance, and was seen by Mr Adams
and several other persons in pursuit of a hare. This poor animal
took refuge under every bush that presented itself, which, as often
as she did, the eagle approached the bush so near as apparently to
beat the top of it with his wings, and thereby forced the hare to
leave her refuge. In this way she was eventually driven to open
ground, which did not long avail, as the eagle soon came up with,
and bore her off in his talons ; and so disappeared from the specta-
tors. Mr Adams, hearing that this eagle had killed several of a
neighbour’s ducks, lost little time in obtaining one for his trap, and
with this tempting bait secured him. The fourth eagle he came
upon by chance when out shooting. ‘This bird flew over him at about
twenty yards distance, when he was fired at ; the shot from the first
barrel bereft him of many feathers, but even after receiving the
contents of the second, and though severely wounded, he was able to
fly off. Mr Adams saw no more of him after this, until inform-
ed by some men who were near, that they had seen an eagle mob-
bed by magpies, and he was eventually discovered by the great
number of these birds collected about the place where he lay dead
on the heath with wings outstretched.

On Oct. 14, 1835, I saw an adult specimen of the golden eagle, *
which was trapped the day before at Claggan (county Antrim.) It

* Now preserved in the Belfast Museum.

Natural History of Ireland. 45

was accompanied by two others, which were also attempted to be
taken, but unsuccessfully.

By Dr M‘Donnell, and another elderly friend, both of whom well
recollect the circumstance, I have been told that the same plan
adopted by the Kerry peasant for supporting his family in a season
of scarcity,* was successfully resorted to about thirty years ago at
Glenariff, in the county Antrim. One ofa pair of eaglets taken
from a nest there, was so placed, that during the summer its parents
supplied it with rabbits and hares in such abundance, that its owner
obtained a sufficiency of animal food besides for himself and family.
The old birds did not alight with their prey, but circling for some
time above the eaglet, apparently until certain that the food would
fall to the ground within its reach, then let it drop.

A sporting friend who was eye-witness to the fact, assures me
that when out hunting among the Belfast mountains many years
ago, an eagle, which from the darkness of its plumage he concluded
was the golden, appeared above his hounds as they came to fault on
the ascent to Devis, (the highest of the chain,) after a good chase.
As they came on the scent again, and were at full cry, the eagle for
a short time kept above them, but at length advanced, and carried
off the hare when at the distance of from three to four hundred paces
before the hounds.

In the two excellent works, “‘ Gardens and Menageries of the
Zoological Society,” and << Ilustrations of British Ornithology,” the
golden eagle is characterized as indocile: in the latter, Mr Selby
speaks from his own experience of two individuals which were kept
by him for some years. But my friend Richard Langtry, Esq. of
Fortwilliam, near Belfast, has at present a bird of this species,
which is extremely docile and tractable. It was taken last summer
from a nest in Inverness-shire, and came into his possession about
the end of September. This bird at once became attached to its
owner, who, after having it about a month, ventured to give it li-
berty, a privilege which was not in the eagle’s part abused, as it
came to the lure whenever called. It not only permits itself to be
handled in any way, but seems to derive pleasure from the applica-
tion of the hand to its legs and plumage. This eagle was hooded
after the manner of the hunting hawks for some time, but the prac-
tice was abandoned, and although it may yet be requisite if the bird
be trained for the chase, hooding is otherwise unnecessary, as it re-
mains quiet and contented for any length of time, and no matter

* Smith’s Kerry. p. 97-

46 Contributions to the

how far carried, on its master’s arm. It is quite indifferent to the
presence of any persons who may be in his company, and is unwil-
ling to leave him even to take a flight, having to be thrown into the
air whenever he wishes it to do so. When this eagle is at large,
my friend has only to hold out his arm towards it, which, as soon
as perceived, even from a distance, it flies to, and perches on. I
have seen it thus come to him not less than a dozen times within
half-an-hour, without any food being offered. It runs very fast.
When on the ground, and the lure is thrown comparatively near,
it prefers this mode of progression to using its wings. It is also
fed from the “ fist.” Live rats have several times been turned out
of the cage-trap to this bird, but before running very far, they were
invariably pounced upon. Four full-grown rats have been taken
atameal ; an entire Heron, (Ardea cinerea, ) except the headand legs,
was also eaten on one occasion. It differs somewhat in its manner
of feeding from two sea eagles (Halizetus albicilla) which are kept
along with it ; when the head and neck of a goose is offered, the
golden eagle eats them entire, the latter take the flesh off only,
leaving the harder parts ; and when entire birds are given, the sea
eagle plucks many more feathers off than the golden ; the latter as-
similating to the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) in this respect.
This golden eagle is more partial to alighting on trees than the sea
eagles, and stationed on their tops, keeps its master in view, fol-
lowing him about the demesne, and where plantations often inter-
vene, flying from one to another in the direction he walks, indo-
lently remaining as long as possible where it ape we consistently
with keeping him in sett

A golden eagle, also from Scotland, belonging to Mr William Sin-
claire, is a much more familiar bird than a sea eagle in his posses-
sion, but being kept in town, its docility has not been put to the
proof as in Mr Langtry’s bird.

The golden eagle is generally represented as exceeding the sea
eagle in magnitude, but such specimens of the latter as I have ex-
amined were invariably of superior size to the former, and I speak
from comparison of adult individuals of the same sex.

Sra Eacir.—Halicetus albicilla, Selby.—The first Sea Eagle I
had the satisfaction of seeing in Ireland was on the 25th of June
1832, when visiting the majestic promontory of Horn Head, which
rises precipitously from the ocean to an elevation of nearly 600 feet.
On looking over the cliff on the eastern side, one of these birds rose
from a platform of rock about sixty yards distant. Immediately

Natural History of Ireland. 47

after, on reaching the northern side, I perceived another sitting on
her nest about a fourth of the way from the summit of the preci-
pice ; when she flew off, two eggs, greenish-white in colour, like
those of the swan (Cygnus olor) were exposed to view. Very near
to this was another nest at a similar distance from the top, but it
was untenanted, and from its proximity to the other, I should ra-
ther suppose that both had belonged to the same pair of eagles in
different years, than that they were occupied by two pairs at the
same time. But less than a furlong distant to the eastward of the
Head, there was a nest similarly situated, and containing two eaglets.
To obtain these, we, on the 28th of June, engaged a man accustomed
to the apparently hazardous exploit of descending precipices, and, a
rope being attached to his body for safety, and a basket to his back
for the reception of the eaglets, he was lowered to the nest, from
which he brought up the birds without injury either to himself or
them. The parents were most vociferous during the robbing of their
eyrie, taking hurried flights, evidently in despair, towards the nest,
but did not attack nor even closely approach the plunderer, nor did
they come within fair gun-shot of the rock. The eaglets were al-
most entirely feathered. The first layer of this nest, as well as that
of the other two, was composed of strong stems of heather ; being
unable to see the lining, I had it brought up, and found it to be the
tender twigs of heath, and plants of the Luzula sylvatica, both of
which grow on the summit of the cliff. About the nest there were
many legs of rabbits and the remains of puffins (Mormon fratercula,
Temm.)

On the following day I saw five sea eagles in mature plumage,*
all that I understood were then at “‘the Horn.” The bird we raised
from the nest containing eggs, the gamekeeper thought had no part-
ner, as he killed a male bird a few weeks before. At three of these
eagles I gazed a long time, both when they were at rest and on
wing ; at first through a telescope, but permitting 2 much nearer
approach than was anticipated, I had afterwards an excellent and
near view of them. The head and neck in every position, and I
looked attentively to this point, appeared almost as white as the
tail,t and was so distinguished from a great distance, more espe-

* Excepting eaglets, the gamekeeper has never seen any but white-tailed or
adult eagles here at this season.

+ In the colour of the head and neck in preserved specimens of adult birds
(having the tail pure white) which I have examined, there is considerable dif-
ference in this respect, and, though none has this portion of the plumage alto-

48 Contributions to the

cially, when thrown into relief by a dark and rocky back ground.
Several gulls (Larus canus?) and kestrels (Falco ,tinnunculus)
kept flying closely after one of these birds, and occasionally ap-
proached so near as apparently to strike him, this a gull certainly
once did, but “ towering in his pride of place,” the eagle never con-
descended to take even a momentary notice of them.

Under the head of Golden Eagle, it has been mentioned, that of
the number thirteen or fourteen eagles killed at “ the Horn” with-
in four years,* all but one individual were the Haliwetus albicilla.
I was informed by a gentleman resident at Dunfanaghy, the village
nearest to Horn Head, that in winter the sea eagle is comparatively
numerous, and that he has sometimes seen as many as six and seven
in company on the strand.t They are supposed to be attracted
hither at this season by rabbits, which greatly abound at “ the Horn.”
In an article by John Vandeleur Stewart, Esq. on the Birds, &c. of
Donegal, which appeared in the Magazine of Natural History for
1832, (p. 578,) the sea eagle is mentioned as resident and common.
The author states that he had received three specimens for his mu-
seum, besides five living eaglets. Mr William Sinclaire, also, has
a bird of this species from the same locality. In this county it
likewise frequents Malin Head, the extreme northern point of Ire-
land.

When in June 1834, at Achil Head, which is fondly, but erro-
neously believed by the inhabitants of the island tu approximate the
shores of the western world, more nearly than any other European
land, and stretching out afar into the Atlantic, is rendered sublime
less from altitude, than from the utter barrenness of its desolate and
inaccessible cliffs, a suitable accompaniment to the scene appeared
in a sea eagle which rose startled from her nest on the ledge of an
adjoining precipice. Two of these birds were seen by us the next
day, soaring above a lake in the island, and we were informed by
Lieutenant Reynolds, that four pairs of sea eagles breed in Achil.
With respect to this species being in so wild a district comparative-
ly fearless of man, it may be stated that on one occasion, when out

gether white, yet some are marked so faintly with very pale ash-grey, as to ex-
hibit the appearance of soiled white, which, contrasted withthe dark hue of the
back and wings, gives from a distance the appearance thus described.

* The reward alone could hardly have prompted the destruction of this num-
ber,—one shilling a head only being given by the proprietor of “the Horn” for
them. \

+ Temminck remarks that this species is common in winter on the shores of
Denmark. “Man. d’Orn. de |’Eur.” part 3, p. 27.

Natural History of Ireland. 49

shooting in Achil, Lieut. Reynolds had with his first barrel shot a
grouse, which an eagle stooped to carry of, and when just in the act
of seizing was brought down by the second barrel. By Serjeant
Croker of the Constabulary, a most intelligent man, we were assured
that, about six months since, an eagle carried off a hen from the vil-
lage of Ballycroy, when a few yards only distant from him and se-
veral other persons. He was told that a similar occurrence had se-
veral times before taken place.*

At Fairhead, the most lofty and sublime of the basaltic headlands
of Antrim, this eagle has an eyrie :—in the same county it has been
taken at Glenarm Park. In the Belfast mountains, far remote from
any of its habitations, I was once (on October 2, 1832,) gratified by
the sight of an eagle, which was soaring, attended first by one, and
afterwards by a second kestrel. The snowy whiteness of the tail
proved it to be an adult bird. It remained in view for about a quar-
ter of an hour, then disappeared in the direction of the Cave-hill.
In the deer park here, the last eagle I have heard of being taken near
Belfast, was trapped upwards of twenty years ago.

When in August last, at Sleive Donard,t the chief of the Mourne
mountains, in the county of Down, a cliff was pointed out as the
«« Kagle’s rock,” so named inconsequence of having at one period been
the eyrie of this bird. Our guide informed us, that eagles had not
bred here of late years, (their place is supplied by ravens,) but that
they annually buildat less frequented places amongst thesemountains.
Here they are frequently met with by Lord Roden’s gamekeeper,
but are seldom seen so low down as Tollymore Park, where one only
has been taken within the last nine years.

Montagu relates an instance of a sea eagle being so much wound-
ed by a charge of snipe-shot, as, after flying some distance, to fall
and be captured. I saw one which was similarly obtained at «< the
Horn,” by Mr John Sims of Dunfanaghy, near to whom it rose as
he was returning from snipe-shooting, when his gun was loaded only
with this, the smallest of the sportsman’s charges.

Of the two eagles taken from the nest at “ the Horn,” it may be
stated, that Mr R. Langtry trained themso far, that they allowed him
to carry them on his arm, and on giving them liberty in the morn-
ing, they flew about the demesne during the day, generally attend-

* When reading of this feat a short time before, in the “ Wild Sports of the
West,” I looked upon it as an embellished tale.

+ Montagu obtained specimens of the sea eagle from this mountain. The
individual from which Pennant drew up his description was taken in Galway.

VOL. II. NO. 7. D

50 Contributions to the

ed his call to the lure in the evening, when they were put up for
the night, throughout which, however, they were occasionally at
large. As food, they preferred rats to fish. When not very hun-
gry, they, after tasting the blackbird (Turdus merula), showed a dis-
like to it, but that this did not arise from colour was further evi-
dent from black chickens being always as acceptable as others ; gray
crows (Corvus cornix) were also disliked, though magpies (Corvus
pica) were favourite food.* On one occasion during rainy weather,
they refused to eat for a few days, though at the same time they
never retired to the shelter of their sheds, as buzzards (Buteo vul-
garis), and peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), did which were kept
along with them. One of these, a male, killed four pet birds, his con-
stant companions in the same enclosure, t and which when he was
tied.{ either alighted near him, or weve carelessly fastened within his
reach ; these were a white owl (which he devoured), a kite, a buz-
zard, and a peregrine falcon. This last bird, the eagle had partly
plucked preparatory to eating, just as my friend appeared in view,
when he instantly sprang from the falcon, the consciousness of his
misdeed being further evinced, by his allowing it to be carried off,
though any food given in the ordinary manner he would not permit
to be removed. After having one of these birds about two, and the
other four and a half years, they were both lost by flying to a dis-
tance, where they were shot. The latter assumed the white tail
early in October 1836, then four and a half years old: it proved a
male bird on dissection, and weighed 11 Ibs.

Osprey— Pandion halieetus, Savigny.—The only occasion upon
which [have seen the osprey in Ireland was when sailing on the lower
lake of Killarney, on the 13th of July 1834, during which a single
bird appeared for a short time in view, displayed its mode of fishing,
and struck at some prey on the surface of the water.

* The peregrine falcon also shows distaste and partiality to birds nearly al-
lied ; thus the blackbird is disliked, whilst thrushes (Turdus musicus) are favou-
rite food, and, though it will kill and eat the landrail (Crex pratensis) when hun-
gry, it is averse to it, and has in some instances been observed to eject it from
the stomach.

+ Lieutenant Reynolds, once in Achil saw a pair of old sea-eagles attack a
young bird of their own species, which they killed and eat, leaving only the bill
and legs. ;

+ When the Golden Eagle, Sea Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Kite, Buzzard, and
Kestrel, all of which Mr Langtry had at the same time, were at liberty, they never
molested each other.

Natural History of Ireland. 51

In the collection of Dr J. D. Marshall of Belfast, there is a fine
specimen of the osprey, which was stated by the person of whom he
bought it, to have been killed in Queen’s county.

This species is mentioned by Mr Lingwood, as having been seen
by him in August 1835, at Oughterard, county Galway.—Mag. Nat.
Hist. Vol. ix. p. 128.

Jer Fatcon— Falco I[slandicus, Latham.—The following note
appears under the head “ Jer Falcon,” in the MS. of the late John
Templeton, Esq.—“ In 1803, I received the skin of a bird of this
species, which had been shot near Randalstown,” (county, Antrim.)
In a letter from John P. Stewart, Esq. dated Rockhill, Letterkenny,
Feb. 3, 1837, it is mentioned that in his collection there is a jer
falcon, which “ was killed in a rabbit-warren close to Dunfanaghy,
when on the wing.” It is said to exhibit “ the mature plumage of
the male, (which sex it proved to be on dissection) as described by
Temminck, the only point of difference being that my specimen has
the bluish cere and tarsi of his young bird.” The detailed de-
scription of the individual, kindly communicated to me by Mr Stew-
art, places the identity of its species beyond a doubt.

PerecRine Fatcon—Falco peregrinus, Linneus.—It may be
stated in general terms, that the peregrine falcon occurs in suitable lo-
calities throughout Ireland. In the four maritime counties of Ulster
it has many eyries,* and in Antrim, whose basaltic precipices are
favourable for this purpose; seven at least might be enumerated—
of these one only is inland ; at the Gobbins, regularly frequented by
a pair, there were two nests in one year within an extent of rock
considerably less than a mile. This is the only instance known to
me of so close an approximation on the part of the peregrine falcon.
Even at ‘“ the Horn” in Donegal, where the extent of lofty preci-
pices is very great and continuous, we met with but a pair of these
birds, and were informed that they contain only one other eyrie.

On the two following occasions I had opportunities of remarking
this falcon in haunts similar to those which, according to Wilson, it
frequents in America. On the 8th of May 1832, as the banks of
Belfast Bay,t at about a mile from the town on the northern shore,

* In rocks only have I known these in Ireland.

+ Several species of the Raptores being mentioned as occurring in Belfast
Bay, it should be stated that the tide recedes here to a very great distance, leav-
ing a vast extent of banks uncovered, on many parts of which the grass-wrack

(Zostera marina) grows so profusely as to impart a greenish tinge; the whole
at low water presenting somewhat the appearance of a marsh.

52 Contributions to the

were becoming bare from the ebbing of the tide, they were literally
covered with dunlins (Tringa variabilis) and some ringed plovers
(Charadrius hiaticula) intermixed, all busily feeding on the rejecta-
menta of the waves. This flock, consisting of many hundreds, to my
surprise, suddenly, and without any apparent cause of alarm, took
wing, but immediately afterwards I observed a peregrine falcon bear-
ing down upon them. As they flew out to sea he followed them only
a short way above the water, and returning without any prey, after
a few bold and graceful sweeps, alighted on the beach they had left,
when, with the aid of a pocket-telescope, I had the satisfaction of
identifying his species with certainty. Again, on July the 13th

_ 1833, when crossing the ferry near the junction of the river Bann
with the ocean, I was attracted by the near call of a curlew, and on
looking round, saw coming towards us what at first appeared to be
two of these birds, flying close together just above the water. I was
surprised to see the foremost dip in the river like a swallow, fly on
a short way, and then alight in it, when the other bird, which proved
to be a preregrine falcon, gave up the chase, and, flying past -us,
alighted on the beach at some distance. The curlew now finding
it was safe, rose from the water, and flew back in the direction from
which it had been pursued.

In the autumn and winter I have in Ireland met the preregrine
falcon very far remote from any of its native rocks. In the south
of Europe it is, according to Risso,* a bird of passage, appearing in
the autumn and departing in the spring.

Some of our northern eyries have, for about the last twenty-five
years, been in requisition annually to supply different sportsmen,
but chiefly my friend, John Sinclaire, Esq. with falcons for the chase.t
Woodcocks have always afforded the best flights with these birds,
and in this exciting sport I have often witnessed that singular trait
in their character, of leaving their quarry the moment it takes to
cover.£ In this way | recollect what promised to be a good chase,
being at once terminated by the woodcock’s descent close to a pub-
lic road, and as it could not be again sprung, another had to be
sought for. When returning home, however, about six hours after-

»* Tom. il. p. 26. ed. 1826.

+ Mr Sinclaire tells me that, on going to obtain these hawks, he has frequently
remarked the tercel or male bird circling at a great height in the air, from which
he dropped his prey to the female as she kept flying about and screaming in the
vicinity of the nest, to which she bore it.

{ Mr Sinclaire’s best falcon the first year pursued woodcocks into dense cover,
so that it was difficult to get her out with safety to her plumage. This his fal-
cons or female birds generally did the first year, but very rarely afterwards.

4

ee a ee

Natural History of Ireland. 53

wards, a woodcock was raised from the base of a hedge at the
road-side, where the bird had been lost in the morning, and was
doubtless the same individual, as, unless pursued, such a place of
refuge would never have been chosen. Here this bird had in all
probability remained during the day, though many persons must
have passed on the footway within a yard of it, but until this time
it may not have recovered from its fright.

On one occasion, a woodcock, caught by a trained falcon of Mr
Sinclaire’s, was carried across a ravine, and afew minutes had elap-
sed before the falconer could come up with her, but even then, on
disengaging the woodcock, it proved so little the worse as to afford
a chase of average length to another falcon.* This is mentioned jas
an extraordinary instance, as is likewise the following. One of these
hawks having caught a land-rail (Crex pratensis,) which it was
about to eat on a house top, instantly gave chase to another rail that
was sprung, and, still retaining its first victim, secured the second
with its other foot, and bore both off together. T

In the winter of 1820-21, Mr Sinclaire lost a trained falcon,
and knew nothing of her for some months, nor untila paragraph ap-
peared in a Scotch newspaper, stating that a hawk, which had for
some time frequented a rookery near Aberdeen, was killed, and on
the bells attached to her, the name of “‘ John Sinclaire, Belfast,” was
engraved. Another of this gentleman’s falcons once left him, and
took up her abode at a rookery about twelve miles distant from his
place, and there remained for about six weeks, when she was again
recaptured. When flown at rooks (Corvus frugilegus,) this bird
always struck down several before alighting to prey on one. A per-
son who was eye-witness to the fact assures me, that he once in
Scotland saw a trained falcon similarly strike to the ground five
partridges in succession out of a covey ; but such occurrences are

rare.

Mr Sinclaire, when once exercising his dogs on the Belfast moun-
tains, towards the end of July, preparatory to grouse-shooting, saw
them point, and on coming up he startled a male peregrine falcon

* The strike of this species is more fatal than its clutch.

+ Upon one of the early days of February last (1837,) when this gentleman
was hawking at some miles distance from his place, one of his falcons was lost
in consequence of a heavy fog coming on, but she re-appearedin the hawk-yard a
week afterwards ; others of them have similarly returned after a much longer
absence. The first flight of a falcon given by Mr Sinclaire to a gentleman re-
sident about four miles off, returned to her old quarters, which she had been
taken from six months before.

54 Contributions to the

off a grouse (Tetrao Scoticus) just killed by him, and very near the
same place he came upon the female bird, also on a grouse. Al-
though my friend lifted both the dead birds, the hawks continued
flying about, and on the remainder of the pack, which lay near,
being sprung by the dogs, either three or four more grouse were
struck down by them, and thus two and a half or three brace were
obtained by means of these wild birds, being more than had ever
been procured out of a pack of grouse by his trained falcons. *

In December 1832, one of these birds, which had her liberty at
Mr Sinclaire’s country place, was observed to fly several times over
a pond on which a wild golden eye (Anas clangula), in the beauti-
_ ful plumage of the adult male, had just alighted, and was remarked
to keep watch on him during the day. At dusk, when wild fowl
betake themselves to their feeding haunts, this golden eye departed
from the pond, and was perceived by the falcon, which instantly
commenced pursuit, and after a short chase, seized and brought
him back to the place he had just left, when, by struggling violently,
he became disengaged from her grasp, and took refuge in a small
and shallow pond. Here again he was persecuted by two persons
who had witnessed the above occurrence, and though his wings had
not been in the least degree injured, he did not again venture to
take flight, but seeking escape only by diving, was eventually cap-
tured, thus affording evidence of the feathered being more dreaded
than the human tyrant. + He was now pinioned, and compelled
to take up his abode with the other wildfowl in the aquatic mena-
gerie, a place he had, in the unlimited freedom of flight, happened
to visit but a few hours before.

In October 1833, a female peregrine falcon of Mr Sinclaire’s, a
bird of that year, and consequently but a few months old, got loose in
the hawk yard, and killed a male of her own species a year or two
older than herself, and which had the power of moving at least a
yard from his block. She had him nearly eaten when a person en-
tered the yard to feed them, which he did once daily at a regular
hour. This female bird was “ full fed” the day before, and had
never got more than one meal in the day. Montagu relates a si-

* The same gentleman has frequently, when out shooting, obtained a single
grouse, which had been thus killed by wild peregrine falcons, but never more,
except in the above instance.

+ Birds of all kinds, when put into cover, by peregrine falcons, generally al-
low themselves to be captured by the hand, rather than again venture on wing ;
even the black-cock (Tetrao tetrix) I have known to be thus taken.

Natural History of Ireland. 55

milar occurrence in the Supplement to his “‘ Ornithological Dictiona-
ry.’ About fifteen years ago, Captain Johnson of the Ist battalion
of the Rifle Brigade, then stationed in the county Limerick, invited
a large party, of which the fair sex as in the olden time formed a
portion, to a day’s hawking, but on going to the mew it was found
that his peregrine falcon, having obtained her liberty, had killed and
devoured a merlin (Falco xsalon) her partner in captivity. The
misfortune on such an occasion was not only the loss of the merlin,
but was twofold, as the feasting on it prevented the falcon’s service
in the chase for that day.*

Hossy—Falco subbuteo, Linnens.—This bird is mentioned in the
MS. of the Jate Mr Templeton, as having twice occurred to him in
summer, in the mountains of Wicklow and Londonderry, It ap-
pears in Mr Stewart’s published catalogue of the birds of Donegal,
as an occasional but very rare visitant ; this gentleman, however, in
a letter to me dated Feb. 3, 1837, expresses doubt about it. The
specimen alluded to in his catalogue is not preserved. I have never
been able to obtain sight of an Irish Falco subbuteo.

OrnanGe-Leccep Hossy—Falco rufipes, Bechstein.—To the fol-
lowing record of this species, communicated to the Zoological Society
of London, on June 9, 1835, when the subject of it was exhibited, I
have nothing further to add. 7

«« An immature specimen of this bird, shot in the county of Wick-
low, in the summer of 1832, forms part of the collection of T. W.
Warren, Esq. of Dublin.”—Zool. Proc. 1835, p. 78.

Merr.in— Falco esalon, Gmelin.—The merlin is indigenous both
to the north and south of Ireland. For many years it has been known
to me as breeding in the mountains of the county of Londonderry,
whence I have in more than one summer seen nestlings, which were
brought toWilliam Sinclaire, Esq. These he in due time trained tothe
pursuit of larks and snipes. The intelligent gamekeeper at Tolly-
more Park informs me, that these birds breed regularly in the moun-
tains of Mourne, (Down,) where in the summer of 1836, he had four
of their nests. At Clagean, (Antrim,) I have also been told by com-

* As Pennant in treating of the Zanner remarks, “ this species breeds in Ire-
land,” and Bewick repeats the words without acknowledgment, it is perhaps re-
quisite to state, that the true Falco lanarius, Linn. has never to my knowledge
occurred in this country. The bird called Lanner by Pennant is now considered
to be the peregrine falcon at a certain age.

56 | Contributions to the

petent authority, that the merlin has bred for the last few years,
For the same purpose it is stated, by Mr Robert Davis, Junior, of
Clonmel (Tipperary) to resort to the mountains in that neighbour-
hood, and Mr R. Ball informs me, that young merlins have been
brought to him at Youghal, (Cork.) It can hardly be doubted that
it similarly frequents many other mountainous parts of the country.
The nests are said, by all who have seen them, to be invariably
placed on the ground among the heath.

At the approach of winter, both the adult and immature merlins
descend to the low grounds, where they sometimes remain until
spring is far advanced. The earliest date at which in such places
they have occurred to me * about Belfast, was the 3d of October,
and the latest, the 17th of April.

On March the 9th 1832, when walking on the shore of Bel-
fast Bay, as the tide was flowing, a merlin, which flew past me,
was observed for some time coursing above the uncovered banks,
the edge of the waves being the limit to his flight. This at once
led me to believe he was in search of prey, which was confirmed by
his giving chase to a large flock of dunlins (Tringa variabilis,) in
pursuit of which he disappeared. From the oldest of the “ shore-
shooters” in Belfast Bay, I have heard that frequently, but chiefly
in the autumn, he has seen hawks, which from his description were
considered to be the merlin, follow and kill dunlins on the banks at
low-water: this the above circumstance, witnessed by myself, tends to
corroborate. I am not aware that the merlins thus resorting to the
sea shore have been before noticed: the weather was mild in such
instances.

The stomachs of several merlins I have examined contained the
remains of birds alone.

Mr William Sinclaire has remarked to me, that when his merlins
were given living prey, they instantaneously extinguished life, whe-
ther or not they at the time began feeding, whilst under similar cir-
cumstances, he has seen the peregrine falcon retain a bird in its
grasp for some time, putting an end to its existence only when urg-
ed by hunger, though like the merlin, when it did commence, the
most vital part was invariably the first “« entered upon.” His spar-
row-hawks, it need hardly be added, began feeding indiscriminately
on any part of the living objects offered them.

* On October 22d, I have seen it in the low grounds about Megarnie Castle,
Perthshire.
The merlin is found in the south of Scotland during the whole winter.—Ep.

Natural History of Ireland. 57

KestreL—Falco tinnunculus, Linneus.— This species is common
and resident in Ireland, and is of more frequent occurrence in the
north than any of the Falconide. It is met with about all our in-
land and marine cliffs, and builds within their fissures. Throughout
the whole range of noble basaltic precipices in the north-east of Ire-
land, I have remarked its presence. In trees, church towers,* &c.
it also builds with us. The kestrel has been so far trained by Mr
William Sinclaire as, when givenits liberty, to attend and soar above
him like the peregrine falcon, and fly at small birds let off from the
hand. One of these hawks, which was kept by this gentleman in
the town of Belfast, had its freedom, and flew every evening to roost
in an extensive plantation in the country, about a mile distant, in
flying to and from which it was at first recognized by the sound of
the bells attached to its legs. This bird returned regularly to its
town domicile at an early hour in the morning.

Mr R. Langtry has often seen a wild kestrel rise from the enclo-
sure in which his eagles, &c. are kept, but never having observed it
to carry away any food, knows not whether this, or curiosity (which
we often see displayed by birds,) may have been the object of its
Visit.

Often as I have seen the swallows follow in the train of birds
of prey, I never but in the following instance saw one of them be-
come the pursued. On September the 22d 1832, when walking
with a friend in the garden at Wolfhill, near Belfast, a male kes-
trel, in close pursuit of a swallow (Hirundo rustica) appeared in
sight over the hedge-row, and continuing the chase with extreme
ferocity, lost not the least way by the swallow’s turnings, but kept
within about a foot of it all the time, at one moment passing within
five or six yards of our heads. It is idle to conjecture how long the
foray may have lasted before we witnessed it, but immediately on
the kestrel’s giving up the chase, the swallow, nothing daunted, be-
came again, accompanied by many of its species, its pursuer and
tormentor, and so continued until they all disappeared. The kes-
trel was probably forced.to this chase by the particular annoyance
of the swallows, they and the martins, (Hirundo urbica,) being more
numerous this day at Wolfhill, than they had been at any time
during the season.

(To be continued. )

* The only place of this kind in the vicinity of Belfast that.I know to be
selected for the purpose is the tower of Ballylesson church, which, of the many
edifices of this description in our populous neighbourhood, is the only one which
contains a set of musical bells.

58 ~ Cheloniorum Tabula Analytica.

I1V.—Cheloniorum Tabula Analytica. Auctore CaroLo L. Bo-
NAPARTE, Muxiniani Princip.

QuI primus forte omnium ostenderam posse Testudines, Testudt-
nina a me ipso appellatas, majori proprietate distingui, non intuitu
articulationis amplius testarum, sed potius connexionis ; intereaque
nonnulla tunc mihi perspicua genera definivi, ac caetera omnino sta-
tuenda fore praefatus sum; nunc integrum Cheloniorum ordinem
complecti quasi ex contractu debere, et quae descripseram confirmare,
et quidquid recentiores Erpetologi de Testudinibus tradunt colligere

judico. Nemo vero sanus opellam hanc meam alienis veluti flosculis
_ simpliciter intertextam reprehendet ; cum enim hic Reptilium stipes
in Galliis non minus quam in Britannia ac Germania celebretur adeo,
ut viri doctissimi Grayus, Bellus, Waglerus, Dumerilus cum Bibrono,
et Fitzingerus praecipue sedulam illi operam navent ; nefas mihi fo-
ret ab eorum sapientia desciscere, eorumdem imo doctrinas non con-
sectari. Idcirco diurna nocturnaque manu illorum scripta versando
non pauca decerpsi characterum rudimenta ad genera melius singula-
tim decernenda omnia ; quamobrem vocabula etiam nonnulla quae sa-
pientes illi protulere de suo, non casu aliquo sed libens volensque de-
dita opera arripui quoties uni eidemque rei significandae inservirent.
Cui properando operi tabellam tantum de more analyticam sine ullo
verborum apparatu ad usum literariarum ephemeridum maturavi.

Dabam Romae prid. Id. Majas MDCCCXXXVI.
Carotus L. Bonaparte, Muxiniani Princeps.

CHELONII (Testudines, Wacu.) sunt Reptilia corpore inverso,

testeo ; cute fornici dorsali et sterno adstricta ; tetrapoda, edentula.

Conspectus FAMILIARUM ET SUBFAMILIARUM.

I. TESTUDINIDAE. (Testudinidae, Emydae, Chelydae, Gray.
Chersites, Elodites, Dum. Tylopoda, Steganopoda rostrata, Ste-
ganopoda mandibulata, Frrz.) Pedes ambulatorii, longitudine pa-
res. Thorax scutis corneis tectus. Labia nulla.

1. Testupinina. (Testudinidae, Bert. Chersites, Dum. Ty-
lopoda, Fitz.) Pedes digitigradi, clavati, digitis indistine-
tis. Os corneum. Collum retractile. Pelvis mobilis.

2. Emypina. (Emydae, Gray. Elodites cryptodéres, Dum.
Steganopoda rostrata, part. Firz.) Pedes plantigradi, di-
gitis distinctis, plerumque palmatis. Os corneum. Collum
retractile. Pelvis mobilis.

2
oO

Cheloniorum Tabula Analytica. 59

3. Hypraspipina. (Chelydae, part.Gray. Elodites pleuro-
déres, part. Dum. Steganopoda rostrata, part. Fitz.)
Pedes plantigradi, digitis distinctis, palmatis. Os corneum.
Collum versatile. Pelvis immobilis.

4, CHELInA. (Chelydae, part. Gray. Elodites pleurodéres,
part. Dum. Steganopoda mandibulata, Frrz.) Pedes
plantigradi, digitis distinctis, palmatis. Os coriaceum. Col-
lum versatile. Pelvis immobilis.

II]. TRIONYCIDAE. (Trionycidae,Gray. Potamites, Dum. Ste-
ganopoda labiata, Firz.) Pedes ambulatorii, longitudine pares.
Thorax corio laevi indutus. Labia carnosa.

5. TRionycina. (Trionycidae, Gr. Potamites, Dum. Ste-
ganopoda labiata, Firz.) Pedes plantigradi, digitis distinc-
tis, palmatis. Os corneum. Collum versatile. Pelvis im-
mobilis.

Ill. CHELONIDAE. (Chelonidae, Gray. Thalassites, Dum. Oia-
copoda, Firz.) Pedes natatorii, compressi, longitudine inaequales,
digitis indistinctis. Labia nulla.

6. CHELonINA. (Chelonidae, Bett.) Thorax scutis corneis
tectus.

7. SPHARGIDINA. (Sphargidae, Bett.) Thorax corio verru-
coso indutus.

ConSPECTUS GENERUM ET SUBGENERUM.

FAMILIA I. TESTUDINIDAE.

SUBFAMILIA |. TESTUDiNINA.
1. Testupo, Dum. (Chersine, Merr.) Metathorax inarticulatus :
sternum antice inarticulatum : pedes pentadactyli.
1. CuERsus, WaGL. Sternum postice articulatum.
Testudo marginata, SCHOEPY. Eur.As. Air. 2.
9. TEstupo, WaGcL. Sternum inarticulatum, scutis duodecim.
1. Tesrupo, Firz. Scutellum nuchale : scutellum caudale bipartitum.

Testudo graeca, Linn. Eur. m. As. 3.

2. PSAMMOBATES, Firz. Scutellum nuchale: scutellum caudale inte-
grum. Testudo polyphemus, Daun. AieAmss: | 4:
3. GEOCHELONE, Firz. Sine scutello nuchali: testa margine laterali
angulata. Testudo stellata, ScHWEIGG. As. Afr. Am. m. 6.
4. CHELONOIDIS, Fitz. Sine scutello nuchali: testa margine laterali
rotundata. Testudo tabulata, WaAuB. Am. m, 3.

3. CHERsiInA, Gray, Sternum inarticulatum scutis undecim.

60 Cheloniorum Tabula Analytica.
1. CyLinpraspis, Firz. Sine scutello nuchali.
Testudo Vosmaeri, Frrz. Afr. m. 3.
2. CHERSINA, Firz. Scutellum nuchale.
Testudo angulata, Dum. Afr. m. ie

2. Homorus, Dum. Metathorax inarticulatus: sternum inarticula-
tum: pedes tetradactyli.

Testudo areolata, Tuums. Afr. m. OF
3. Pyxis, Bert. Metathorax inarticulatus: sternum antice inar-
ticulatum.
Pyzxis arachnoides, BELL. As.m. Oc. I.
4. Kinyxis, Bett. (Cinixys, Wacu.) Metathorax postice arti-
culatus.
1. CrnorHorax, Firz. Scutella marginali cum nuchali viginti quatuor.
Kinixys Homeana, BEtt. Am. m. 2.
2. Crnrxys, Firz. Scutella marginalia sine nuchali viginti tria.
Testudo erosa, SCHWEIGG. Am. m. 1.

SUBFAMILIA 2. EMYDINA.
§ GULA SINE PAPILLIS.

5. Cistupo, Nos. (Terrapene part. Bett. Cistudes clausiles,
Dum. Pyxidenas, Firz.) Sternum metathoraci ligamentis ad-
nexum ope scutorum abdominalium: sine scutellis axillaribus
et inguinalibus : testa gibba binis valvis sternalibus undique ob-
serabilis.

Testudo clausa, Linn. Am. s. Oc. By

6. Emys, Nos. (Cistudes baillantes, Dum.) Sternum metathoraci
ligamentis adnexum ope scutorum pectoralium atque abdomina-
lium: scutellis axillaribus et inguinalibus: testa depressa non

obserabilis.
1. Emys, Wact. Sternum articulatum.
Testudo lutaria, LINN. Eur. As, Afr. 2.
2. CycLeMys, BELL. Sternum inarticulatum.
Cistudo Diardi, Dum. As. m. 1.

7. TeRRAPENE, Nos. (Hmys, Dum. Clemmys, Wacu.) Ster-
num metathoraci per symphysin affixum, inarticulatum ; scutis
sterno-costalibus duobus discretis non interjectis : digiti palmati :
ungues anteriorum pedum quinque, posteriorum quatuor : cauda
gracilis. :

1. Ciemmys, Firz. Nasus prominulus.
T. lutaria, Scuweice. nec Linn. (Sigriz, Micu.) Eur. As. Am. Oc. 36.
2. RurnocLemmys, Frrz. Nasus protractus.
T. verrucosa, WALB. Am. m. D5

8. Grormys, Gray. (Eimys, part. Dum. Clemmys, part. Firz.)

Sternum metathoraci per symphysin affixum, inarticulatum :

-

Cheloniorum Tabula Analytica. 61

digiti fissi: ungues anteriorum pedum quinque, posteriorum
quatuor: cauda gracilis.
Emys Spengleri, ScHWE IGG. Afr. iy

9. Terraonyx, Less. Sternum metathoraci per symphysin affix-

um, inarticulatum: digiti palmati: ungues undique quatuor :
cauda gracilis.
Tetraonyx longicollis, Less. (mys Batagur, Harpw.) As. or. 2.

10. PratisTERNON, Gray. Sternum metathoraci per symphysin

affixum, inarticulatum, latissimum: scutis sterno-costalibus tri-
bus: digiti palmati: ungues anteriorum pedum quinque, poste-
riorum quatuor: cauda grandis et longa.

Platysternon megacephalum, Gray. As. or. 2

§ § GULA CUM PAPILLIS.

11. CHetypra, Scuweicce. (Chelonwra, Firm. Rapara, Gray.

Saurochelys, Latr. Hmysaurus, Dum.) Sternum metatho-
raci per synchondrosin affixum ope scutorum abdominalium, in-
articulatum, angustum : scutis sterno-costalibus tribus, uno tan-
tum interposito: scutella marginalia viginti quinque: scuta
sterni duodecim : cauda grandis et longa, cristata.

T. serpentina, LINN. Am. s. le

12.Sraurotypus, WacL. (Sternotherus, part. BELL.) Sternum

metathoraci per symphysin ope scutorum pectoralium abdomi-
naliumque affixum, angustum, antice articulatum : scutis sterno-
costalibus duobus contiguis interpositis : scutella marginalia vi-
gintitria: scuta sterni octo: cauda brevis.

Terrapene triporcata, WircM. Am. s. i

15. KinosTeRNuM, Nos. (Cinosternum et Staurotypus, part. Dum.)

Sternum metathoraci per symphysin ope scuti abdominalis affix-
um, articulatum ; scutis sterno-costalibus duobus contiguis in-
terpositis : scutella marginalia vigintitria : scuta sterni undecim :
cauda brevissima.

1. SrErNoTHERUS, Fitz. (Staurotypus, part. Dum.) Sternum an-
gustum, antice articulatum.

Testudo odorata, Daun. Am. s. le
2. CinostERNoN, WacL. Sternum latum, antice et postice articulatum.
Testudo pensylvanica, GM. Am. s. a

SUBFAMILIA 3. HYDRASPIDINA.

§. CAPUT DEPRESSIUSCULUM ; OCULI LATERALES,

14. Pettocernatus, Dum. (Podocnemys, Firz. part.) Caput scu-

tellatum, grande: mandibulae incurvae: sine scutello nuchali :
pedes parum palmati: cauda unguiculata.
Emys tracaza et macrocephala, Sprx. Am. m. ib

62 Cheloniorum Tabula Analytica.

15. Popocnemys, Wacu. Caput scutellatum, superne sulcatum :
sine scutello nuchali; mandibulae rectiusculae : pedes late pal-
mati: cauda mutica.

Emys expansa, ScuweEicc. Am. m. 2.

16. Emypura, Nos. (Platemys part. Dum.) Caput corio tectum :

scutellum nuchale.
Emys Macquaria, Cuv. Oc. 1.

§§ CAPUT DEPRESSUM: OCULI SUPERI.
+ GULA CUM PAPILLIS.
17. Petomepusa, WaGt. (Pentonyx, Dum.) Ungues undique quin-
que: sternum inarticulatum.
Testudo galeata, Scuorrr. Afr. 2.
18. PeLusios, WacL. (Sternotherus, Gray. Dum.) Ungues pe-
dum anteriorum quinque, posteriorum quatuor: sternum articu-
latum.
Testudo subnigra, LAcEp. Madag. }.
19. Hypraspis, Gray, (Platemys, Dum.) Ungues pedum anterio-
rum quinque, posteriorum quatuor: sternum inarticulatum.
1. PLratemys, Wacu. Caput scutellis tectum : nasus prominulus : pedes

scutellis contiguis. Testudo planiceps, Scun. Am. m. 6.

2. Rurinemys, WaGctL. Caput scutellis tectum: nasus productus: pedes
scutellis contiguis. Emys nasuta, ScHWEIGG. Am. m. 4,

_ 3. PHRyNops, WaGL. Caput corio tectum : nasus prominulus : pedes scu-
tellis discretis. Emys Geoffroana, Scuweicc. Am. m. OF

> + GULA SINE PAPILLIS.
20. CHeLopina, Dum. (Hydraspis, Firz.) Ungues undique quatuor.
1. CuEtopina, BELL. Scutellum nuchale scutellis collaribus interposi-
tum. Testudo longicollis, Suaw. Oc. Is
2. HypRomepusa, Wact. Scutellum nuchale seuto vertebrali primo et

scutellis collaribus interpositum.
Emys Maximiliani, Mikan. Am. m. 2.

SUBFAMILIA 4. CHELINA.

21. Cuetys, Dum. (Matamata, Merr.)
Testudo fimbria, GM. Am. m. 1.

FAMILIA II. TRIONYCIDAE.
SUBFAMILIA 0. TRIONYCINA.

22. Amypa, Scuweice. (Aspidonectes, WacL. Trionyx, GRAY.
Bett. Gymnopus, Dum.) Testa margine cartilagineo: ster-
num angustum: pedes non retractiles.

t Ossa costalia postica contigua.
1. AspiponecTEs, Fitz. Os cervicale vertebralibus conjunctum, in tota
superficie rugosum. Trionyx A/ayptiacus, Grorrr. As. Afr. 4.

Miscellanea Zoologica. 63

2. PratyrELtis, Frrz. Os cervicale vertebralibus conjunctum, in medio

tantum rugosum. Testudo feror, Gn. Am. s. 2.
3. PeLopiscus, Frrz. Os cervicale a vertebralibus separatum, in medio
tantum rugosum. Aspidonectes Sinensis, WEIGM. As. or. 1.

+ + Ossa costalia postica interpositis vertebralibus discreta.
4. Amypa, Firz. Os cervicale a vertebralibus separatum, in medio tan-
tum rugosum. Trionyx subplanus, GEOFFR. As. m. 2.
23. Trionyx, Wact. (Emyda, Gray. Beit. Cryptopus, Dum.)
Testa ossiculis marginalibus aucta: sternum latum, lateribus
valvis munitum : pedes retractiles.
Testudo granosa, SCHOEPE. As. m. Afr. a

FAMILIA III. CHELONIDAE.
SUBFAMILIA 6, CHELONINA.

24. CHELONIA, Bronen. (Caretta, MerRr.) Sternum latum, scutis
tredecim scutello intergulari, ope scutorum humeralium, pecto-
ralium, abdominalium et femoralium metathoraci affixum : scuta
disci tredecim.

1. Cuetonta, Nos. ( Chélonées franches, DuM.) Scuta disci postposita :
nasus prominulus: mandibulae denticulatae : gnatotheca tribus parti-
bus constans. Testudo mydas, Linn. Atl. Pae. 8)

2. Caretta, Nos. ( Chelonées imbriquées, Dum.) Scuta disci imbricata :
nasus productus: mandibulae integrae: gnatotheca individua.

Testudo imbricata, Linn. Atl. Pac. 1.

25. THALAssocHELys, Firz. (Chelonées Caouanes, Dum.) Ster-
num angustum, scutis duodecim sine scutello intergulari, ope
scutorum pectoralium, abdominalium et femoralium metathoraci
affixum : scuta disci quindecim.

Testudo caretta, LINN. Med. Atl. Pac. 1.

SUBFAMILIA 7. SPHARGIDINA.
26. SpHarcis, Merr. (Coriudo, Frem. Dermochelys, Buainv.
Scytina, Waci. Dermatochelys, Fitz.)
Testudo coriacea, LINN. Med. Atl. Pace. 1.

—

V.— Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorcr Jounsron, M. D. Fel-
low of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Plates II.
III.

IJl.—Tue Barrisn AriciaDZ&,

Tue Annelides, say MM. Audouin and Milne-Edwards, *
which we group round the genus Aricia of Savigny, and of which
we form the fifth family in the order ERRANTES, present very con-
siderable dissimilarities in their external structure,—a circumstance

! * Ann. des Sciences Nat. Vol. xxix. p. 388.

64 Miscellanea Zoologica.

which ought not to surprise us, for whenever organs, because of their
minor developement, become of slight importance in the economy
of the animal, and are about to be obliterated more or less entire-
ly from its anatomy, we find them to vary proportionably in their
forms. Such is the case with the exterior appendages of the ArRI-
cIAD#, a small family which intervenes to smooth the abruptness
of the passage between the more typical AN. Erranres, and the
Annelides of the orders TerRicoL® and Tusicouz.

It is probably from this discrepaney among them that, up to this
time, no naturalist has seized upon the characters which seem to us
to unite them in one, but every one has scattered its members among
different groups. Several of them have been considered as related
‘to the Earth-worms, others to the Nereides, and a certain number
have been collected together by M. de Blainville in his family
‘«« Nereiscoles.”. The end which that zoologist had in view in the
establishment of that family is very nearly the same which has led
us to unite in one distinct group the Annelides in question ; and it
is probable that if Blainville had personally observed a greater num-
ber of species, his opinions relative to the composition of the family
would have been more in unison with ours than they happen to
be.*

The AriciApz have in general the elongated linear form of the
Nereides and Euniciade, but their body is not truncated in front
as in these Annelides, rather diminishing, on the contrary, in thick-
ness at the cephalic extremity. Itis nearly cylindrical, and is com-
posed of a very considerable number of narrow segments. The head
is small,—often not to be distinguished from the superior lip, and
it is not distinctly separated from the body. The antenne are in
general obsolete, but in some of the genera more than usually de-
veloped ; while the eyes are either wanting or very minute. The
proboscis is very short, and does not perceptibly exceed the cepha-
lic segment: it is rather membranous than fleshy, and is never fur-
nished with jaws, but sometimes we observe tentacula in it. The
anterior rings of the body are narrow, and have always ambulatory
feet, which, in general, are slightly prominent, and divided into two

* A great number of the Wereiscoles of M. de Blainville are only imperfectly
known by the descriptions of Muller, Otho Fabricius, &c. and ought, in the
opinion of Audouin and M. Edwards, to be referred to the Euniciade ; while in
the works of these authors the Annelides, with a few exceptions, which consti-:

tute the present family, are not to be found, and could not take a place among —

the Nereiscoles, if regard were to be had to Blainville’s character of it- Hence
Audouin and M. Edwards have found a new designation necessary to prevent
confusion.

Seer dee mee

ee ee

Miscellanea Zoologica. 65

branches, and in no instance replaced by tentacular cirri. The
bristles with which they are garnished are too weak to be of much
use as defensive organs. In most of the genera all the feet are si-
milar on all the rings, but in some we find those of the anterior
portion of the body to differ from the succeeding ones, and of which
_ the ventral branch at least resembles those feet with crotchets which
we meet with so constantly in the order Tubicole. The soft ap-
pendages are subject to much variety in the Ariciade. The cirri
never fail at least on one of the branches of the foot, but common-
ly we do not find them on both ; they have sometimes the form of
fleshy filaments, more or less delicate, at other times they constitute
flattened tonguelets. Branchie properly so called are in general
defective ; sometimes, however, they exist under the form of well-
developed lobules fixed to the feet, and in other cases they consist .
in a certain number of tentacular filaments, similar to the cirri, and
fixed upon the dorsal arch of some of the rings of the anterior part
of the body,—a disposition of parts which evidently leads us to that
more peculiarly characteristic of the Annelides tubicole.

The character of the family may be summed up as follows :

Feet slightly prominent in general and of little complexness of
structure, sometimes alike throughout, sometimes dissimilar in differ-
ent parts of the body, but never alternately furnished with, and des-
tilute of certain soft appendages: BRANCHI# none or very simple :
Heap rudimentary: ANTENN# and EYES frequently wanting: no
Jaws: Progposcrs very short and indistinct: no TENTACULAR
cirRI: In general a single c1rRUuS to each foot, and when a second
exists, this is rudimentary.*

Of the four genera which Audouin and Miine-Edwards include
in this family, we have two native species of one only ; but it is re-
markable that our other species, which as yet are limited to the num-
ber of three, constitute two new genera in it very distinct from any
hitherto characterized. The fact is an additional illustration of an
axiom in natural history,—that all aberrant and osculant groups are
not only comparatively few in species, but at the same time these
Species are so dissimilar among themselves that each, or every two
or three of them, will be found to have characters which are pro-
perly generical.

It may be useful to give the characters of all the genera hitherto
proposed, for as the British species are probably more numerous than
has been ascertained, so it is not unprobable we may have a repre-
sentative of each genus.

“ Translated, but not always closely, from Audouin and M.-Edwards, ut sup. cit.
De VOL. II. NO. 7. E

66 ; Miscellanea Zoologica.

* Feei of tro kinds, dissimilar.

I. Aricra. Feet raised upon the back, those of the anterior part
of the body composed of two very dissimilar branches, the ven-
tral branch having some analogy to the feet with crotchets,—
the other feet with two branches nearly alike: Head conical :
Antenne none or rudimentary: No oral Tentacula.

II. Levcopore. Feet papillary and setigerous, the first four pairs
abranchial, the fifth with crotchets ; the following like the an-
terior, but with a cirrus reflected on the back, and becoming
branchial: Head conical: Antenne two, occipital, setaceous :
Proboscis none.

** Feet co-ordinate, and alike.

III. Nerine. Head small but distinct, furnished with two long
occipital antenne : no oral tentacula: Feet biramous, each
branch consisting of a membranous lobe and a short setigerous
pedicle: Branchie forming a series of short setaceous filaments
along each side reflected on the back, with a small cirrus at their
base.

IV. Aonra. Head small but distinct, surmounted’with a conical
very short anlenna: no oral lentacula: Feet divided into two
branches each garnished with a lamellar lobe: a dorsal but no
ventral cirrus: no branchie.

V. Ornexia. Head indistinct, terminated by two large tentacu-
lar horns, surmounting a circle of oral tentacula: Feet with
two branches scarcely protruding, and without membranous
lobes : no dorsal cirrus : a ventral cirrus upon the rings of the
middle part of the body.

VI. Crrratuuus. Head conicalindistinct, and destitute of all soft
appendages: Feet scarcely projecting, with two branches wide-
ly separate: no ventral cirrus: the dorsal cirri filiform and
very long: in general branchie exactly similar to the cirri and
fixed upon the back of one of the rings of the anterior part of
the body.

II.—Levcopore, * Johnston. F
Cuaracter.—Body vermiform: head conical: mouth simple,
emandibulate : eyes four : antennee 2, occipital, large, long, and seta-
ceous, cilialed : four anterior segments nith papillous seligerous feet,

* Name from ¢:xo¢ white, and dws agift: The naturalist who has experien-
ced the joys of finding a hitherto unseen animal, and to whom the pleasing duty
has been reserved of publishing an additional illustration of the wisdom of his

Miscellanea Zvologica. 67

the fifth with crotchets, the rest mith papillous feet ike the anterior
segments, but furnished besides mith a branchial cirrus reflected on
the back: anal segment campanulate, the anus opening in its concave
centre.

L. Crtratus. Plate III. Fig. 1-6.

Hab. In crevices of slaty rocks near low-water mark. In Ber-
wick Bay.

Descriplion.—Worm from 6 to 8 lines long, linear-elongate, or
slightly tapered to the tail, somewhat quadrangular, of a yellowish
or flesh colour, with a dark red line down the middle. Head small,
depressed, in the form of a short cylindrical proboscis, encircled
With a raised hood or membrane ; mouth ‘edentulous; eyes 4, mi-
nute, placed in a square at the base of the antennz, which are more
than a fifth of the length of the body, tapered, wrinkled, and cloth-
ed along their inferior sides with short cilia. Segments numerous,
narrow, distinct, the first four with an inferior papillary cirrus on
each side, and a brush of retractile bristles ; the fifth with a series of
bristles curved like an italic f; obtuse, not capable apparently of
being protruded like the others, and having rather a more ventral
position ; the following segments have on each side an obtuse bran-
chial cirrus originating from the dorsal margin, as long as half the
diameter of the body, held either erect, or reflected across the back
to meet its fellow on the mesial line, beneath it a small mammillary
foot, armed with five or six sharp slightly curved bristles of unequal
lengths, under this a bundle of much smaller bristles (crotchets ?)
with a small conical cirrus with a still more ventral position. The
branchial cirrus is clothed on its lower aspect with rather long move-
able cilia ; it becomes very small or entirely disappears on the pos-
terior segments, in which the bristles on the contrary appear to be
longer and more developed ; bristles simple, unjointed ; anal seg-
ment conformed into a circular cup or sucker, in the centre of which
the anus opens by a small round aperture.

In this worm the cilia which cover the under sides of the bran-
enial processes are remarkable for their size and length, for they
can be seen with a common magnifier fanning the water with equal
and rapid beats, and driving the current along their surface. Their
analogy with the cilia of zoophytes is obvious, but here their motion

Creator, and of filling up a blank in our knowledge of His works, will at once
divine the origin of this name so strangely applied to a worm.

“ Nomen habes niveis nunc inscriptum ergo lapillis.”
The scholar may remember that the name was originally formed by some clas-
Sical wit for Dr Whitgift, the famous Archbishop of Canterbury, temp. reg.
Elizab.—See Walton’s Lives by Zouch, p. 209. York, 1807.

68 Miscellanea Zoologica.

is certainly dependant on the will of the animal, for I have repeat-
edly seen it begin and stop, and be again renewed after an interval
of repose, and again be checked in a manner that could leave no
doubt but that the play of the organs was entirely voluntary. The
cilia of the antenne, notwithstanding the larger size of the organs,
are less than half the length of those of the branchiz.

Leucodore ciliatus lives between the seams of slaty rocks near
low-water mark, burrowing in the fine soft mud which lines the fis-
sures. Its motions are slow. When placed in a saucer it keeps it-
self rolled up in an imperfectly circular manner, lying upon its side,
and the painful efforts made to change its position, and with little
or no success, shew too plainly that it is not organized to creep

about like the Annelides errantes, but on the contrary that its pro-
per habitat must be a furrow similar to those of the Tubicolous
worms, to which, in structure, it evidently approximates in several
particulars.

Plate III. Fig. 1. Leucodore ciliatus of the natural size. 2. The
same magnified. 3. An antenna more highly magnified. 4. The
bristles of the fifth segment. 5. A branchial process separated to
shew the cilia. 6. A few of the oviform bodies which lie between
the intestine and skin.

I1I. Nerine,* Johnston.

CuHaractEeR.—Body vermiform, subquadrangular: head small,
distinct : mouth sub-inferior, with a very short edentulous proboscis :
eyes minute : antenne two, occipital, large, long, tapered: branchie
forming an uninterrupted series of short tapered ciliated filaments
along each side reflected on the back, mith a lobe at their base: feet
all alike, well developed, biramous, each branch consisting of a com-
pressed lobe and a short pedicle armed with simple bristles: anus
stellated.

OxssERVATIONS.—The body of the Nerines is elongated and ver-

miform, narrowed a little at the head, and tapered gradually to- —

wards the anal extremity. It is somewhat quadrangular, and is
formed of numerous narrow segments. Each segment has on each
side, afhxed to its dorsal margin, a subulate branchial process, as
long as the semidiameter of the animal, and of a fine red colour,
which proceeds from two large blood-vessels running up within it.
A cuticular fold or membrane invests the base of each branchial
filament, and mounts along the side to an extent which varies with
its position ; for on the filaments of the anterior third of the bodya

Nearing, a patronymic of the daughters of Nereus.

See A a Ss =

ee ee

So i ee ee rl

— sd
ek Gee"

Miscellanea <oologica. 69

the membrane rises to the very apex and is comparatively broad,
but posterior to this the point of the filament is free, and still further
back the membrane gradually shortens until it at length is no longer
to be traced,—the branchiz at the same time becoming gradually
less, and ultimately obsolete on the caudal segments. (Pl. II. fig.
12, 5, 6, 13.) When in water the branchie are raised and extend-
ed, and in almost constant movement ; but when the worm is re-
moved from the water, they are laid across the back, their points
meeting in the middle, and give the body the appearance of being
marked with transverse folds or elevated striz. ‘They are fringed
on both margins with a single series of vibratile cilia, discoverable
with a magnifier of common powers, but these cilia are deficient on
the apex, as well as on the lobe, while they extend over the dorsal
arch of the segments. (Fig. 3.) The head is furnished with two
large slightly tapering antenne which originate from the occiput,
and which are often cast off in the struggles of the animal :
they consist of two large central vessels filled with red blood, and
coated with a white mucous skin which, when magnified, appears
roughish or crenulate, and one side has a row of minute cilia, not,
however, to be seen except with a good glass. The antenne can
be directed to any point, and are capable of being rolled up ina
spiral form. (Pl. Il. Fig. 11.) There is a good deal of complexity
in the structure of the feet, which renders their description and
delineation difficult: they are lateral, and deeply divided in-
to a dorsal and ventral branch, which is compressed, and armed
with a series of retractile bristles of unequal lengths, and to
each branch there is afixed a rounded plain compressed lobe, pro-
bably a modification of the cirrus of other annelides. The bristles
are simple, curved, and acutely pointed, those of the dorsal branch
longer than those of the ventral, and there is a small fascicle of
longer ones at the root of the branchial filament. (Fig. 3.) The
feet are apparently alike along each side until within a few seg-
ments of the tail, when the branchial filaments become very short
or disappear, and the ventral branch seems to acquire a superior
developement, and to be armed also with longer bristles. (Fig. 4.)
The anus is dorsal in its aspect, and is surrounded with eight short
equal papillz, which assume a star-like form when the aperture is
dilated.

_The Nerines inhabit the sea shore, and the margins of our river,
a little below high-water mark. ‘They prefer a soil composed of
sand and mud, and in which the latter rather preponderates. They
are found lurking under stones, or burrowing in the soil, and in the
latter situations, the surface to a great extent is seen full of small

70 Miscellanea Zoologica.

round perforations, and covered with little heaps of its tubular and
spiral excrements. When disturbed, they descend in their furrows
with great rapidity, and to a considerable depth ; when taken they
throw themselves into violent contortions, as they “ were waxed
mad,” during which the body generally separates into several por-
tions, or loses its antenne, which always separate at their very base.
Their several portions retain their vitality for at least some days,
which they evince not merely by their contortions when pricked,
but even by moving from one place to another. The animals are
named “ Rag worms” by our fishermen, and are used in this neigh-
bourhood as bait to take the fry of the coal-fish.

This genus is evidently very different from any characterized by
Audouin and Milne-Edwards. I have seen two species, of which
the characters are:

1. N. vurearis, head obtuse and lunated in front. PI. il. Fig.

1-8. Spio vulgaris, Johnston in Zool. Journ. iii. 335 and 487.

Has. The shore between tide-marks. Very common in Berwick
Bay.

Description —This worm is from 3 to 4 inches in length, of a
yellowish-brown colour, dusky in places from the contents of the
intestine, and marked with red cross lines from the overlapping
branchial filaments. The head is prolonged above the mouth into
a sort of triangle, the base being outwards, and each angle prolong-
ed into a short conical point somewhat contractile. There is a
black spot on the vertex, and the bases of the tentacula are.also
stained with black, where the eyes, which are very small, are pla-
ced in pairs, but in several specimens I have not been able to detect
these organs. The antennz are rather more than half-an-inch long.
The last ten segments appear to be defective in the branchie, and
to have a more developed ventral foot and longer bristles than any
of the others. Plate II. Fig. 1, N. vulgaris of the natural size.
2. The anterior portion enlarged. 3. A view of a segment cut trans-
versely. 4. The caudal extremity. 5. A branchial filament sepa-
rately. 6. Another view of a branchia. 7. Bristles much magni-
fied. 8. Oviform bodies.

2. N. contocePHaLa, head conical. Pl. II. Fig, 9-13. Spio viri-
dis, Johnston in Zool. Journ. iii. 486.

Has. In sand near low-water mark. Berwick Bay, not uncom- —

mon. .
Description.—Worm from 4 to 8 inches long, as thick when full
grown as the little finger of a boy, flattened dorsally, rounded on

Miscellanea Zoologica. 7 |

the ventral aspect, down the centre of which a blood-vessel runs from
one extremity to the other, of a flesh-red colour anteriorly, but
backwards the colour is usually a dull dirty green, with red lines
and dusky blotches. Head conical, pointed like a snout, pale : pro-
boscis very short with a lobed orifice: eyes 4, minute, placed at
the base of the antennz in pairs, but apparently often wanting: an-
tenn approximate at the base, from half to an inch in length.
Segments narrow, numerous ; the filaments of the anterior fringed
to the point with a broad membrane, those of the middle free and
rather long, but becoming very short on the posterior. Feet much
like those of the preceding, but proportionally less developed.
Anus stellate.

This species inhabits our shore at lew water-mark, and is seldom
found with the preceding, which loves a station higher up. It is
rare that an entire specimen can be got, the animal breaking with
ease into several portions, and throwing off its antenne.——Plate
II. Fig. 9. N. coniocephala of the natural size, the tail wanting.
The specimen was one of unusual size. 10. The proboscis. 11.
An antenna magnified. 12. One-half of a cross section of an ante-
rior segment. 13. A similar view of a segment from near the middle.

The Spio creNaticorNis of Montagu, Lin. Trans. xi. p. 199.
Tab. 14. fig. 6, is nearly related to this genus; but a new exa-
mination of the worm is necessary to determine its true place in the
system.

VI. Cirratutus,* Lamarck.

Cuaracter.— Body vermiform, subcylindrical, the segments nar-
row and numerous; head small, conical, labriform, without any
organ of sense ; mouth inferior, naked, emandibulate ; two or three
Jjirst segments apodal and naked, all the others with small papillary
seligerous feel forming a double series along each side, and many of
them, especially the anterior, carrying dorsally long tubular tortu-
ous filaments; anus dorsad, terminal, simple.

1, C. Mepusa, proper branchial filaments originating from the
anterior margin of the 4ih segment; the posterior filaments few
and scattered. (Plate III. Fig. 7-12.)
Cirratulus Medusa, Johnston in Mag. Nat. Hist. vi. 124. fig.
13.—C. fuscescens et C. flavescens, Johnston in Jameson’s Edin.
Phil. Journ. xiii. 219.

* Cirratulus—formed from cirratus, curled.

72 Miscellanea Xoologica.

Has. Under stones between tide-marks ; abundant in Berwick
Bay.

Description. Body from 3 to 6 and sometimes even9 inches long,
tapered a little towards each extremity, rather less than a quill in ca-
libre, the ventral surface flattened and furrowed down the centre, of
a dirty brown or yellowish colour much stained from the internal vis-
cera: head somewhat flattened, biannular, small, naked, marked on
each side with a curved black line, the two segments posterior to it
without filaments or feet: segments numerous, rather narrow ; from
the anterior margin of the fourth, which becomes suddenly larger,
arises on each side, but dorsad, a bundle of filaments shorter, gene-
rally more tortuous and of a paler colour than the others, which arise
from the sides of the following rings down about one-fifth of the
length of the animal, and a few remote filaments are dispersed irre-
gularly on the rest of the body: there are two rows of slightly pro-
tuberant small papillary feet on each side, with a considerable inter-
val between the rows, each papilla armed with from 3 to 6 bristles,
the bristles of the superior longer, slenderer and more acutely pointed
than those of the inferior, which are few in number, stout and curved
near the apex: no spines: anus terminal, forming a plain aperture
with a dorsad aspect.

C. Medusa lurks under stones, in a somewhat muddy soil, in
which it forms burrows similar to those of the earth-worm, and into
which it retires slowly when disturbed. The filaments by which it
is so remarkably distinguished, and which curl around it like as
many parasitical worms, are the branchie, or organs through the
medium of which the blood is exposed to the influence of the air,
and fitted for the purposes of life. They take their rise from above
the dorsal feet, some from the back itself, are about 20 in number
on each side, tortuous or extended, unequal in their lengths, the
shortest being placed anteriorly, but the gradation is not regular ;
and they are very easily removed by handling or by immersion in
fresh-water. They consist of a large central vessel carrying red
blood, surrounded by a white gelatinous transparent membrane, and
are consequently of a fine red colour ; but this is liable to variation,
for some, particularly the anterior bundles, are often quite white,
and others, again, are occasionally spotted, as from a partial stagna-
tion of the blood in them. When magnified they appear to be cre-
nulated, but are not fringed with cilia. Messrs Audouin and Milne-
Edwards propose to restrict the term branchie to the paler kind
which are inserted in fascicles on the margin of one of the anterior
segments, and they call the scattered filaments cirri, but_surely

4

nd

Miscellanea Xoologica. 73

their function and structure being acknowledged to be identical, a
name expressive of any difference in either respect is liable to ob-
jection. They also describe the feet as composed of two branches,
but this is a mere anatomical fiction, for there is really no common
base and no bifurcation, the upper and lower papillz being separate
and divided by a considerable interspace ; and on the posterior seg-
ments these papille are so slightly protuberant as to be scarce per-
ceptible. The bristles are of two kinds: from the superior papille
there issue about six, three of them long andslender, and three shorter
and comparatively stout,—all of them simple, unjointed, and acute.
The bristles of the inferior papillae vary from three to one only in
the caudal segments, and they are all stout and curved like the
italic letter f

Plate III. Fig. 7. Cirratulus medusa of the natural size. 8. Head
and anterior segments much magnified. 9. A view of the mouth.
10. Transverse section of a segment from the posterior part of the
body. 11. A side view of two segments from near the middle,
shewing the spines greatly magnified. 12. The tail.

In the Linnean Transactions, Vol. ix. p. 110, Montagu bas de-
scribed, under the name of TEREBELLA TENTACULATA, a second
species of this genus ; and to make our essay as complete as our ma-
terials will allow, his description is here given in his own words.

«« Body long and slender, composed of more than two hundred
annulations, each furnished with two fasciculi of very minute
bristles: no eyes: branchie obscure: from the sides issue very
long, red, capillary appendages, most numerous near the anterior
end, but the point or snout is destitute of them, and becomes more
acuminated, the mouth is placed beneath: the posterior end is also
obtusely pointed.

« Length, eight or nine inches.

«The colour of the upper part is olive-green, the under part dull
orange.

«The lateral filiform appendages are continually in motion, ap-
pearing like slender red worms contorting in all directions round
the animal ; after death these usually curl up, when they first be-
come orange, and in a little time wholly lose their colour.

«« This curious species of vermes was taken from a piece of timber
that had been perforated by Pholades, and was destitute of any
natural covering.

« It may be doubted whether the animal in question be nearest
allied to the Terebella or Nereis, or even whether it strictly belong
to either.”

REVIEWS AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS.

~ I1—Icones Plantarum, or Figures with brief descriptive characters
and remarks of New or Rare Plants, selected from the Author's
Herbarium. By Sin W. J. Hooxer, K. H. LL. D. &c. Parts
I. and II. 1837.

Turis is a valuable publication ; economical, and yet rich in the
number and variety of its illustrations ; and we sincerely hope it
may receive such a portion of encouragement, as shall constitute it
the first of a long series of works got up ina similar style. This
« Icones Plantarum” is par excellence a useful work. ‘The plates
are executed in lithography, and although in point of beauty they
cannot be compared with similar productions by our continental
neighbours, they are evidently faithful and characteristic,—requi-
sites of far higher importance to the real naturalist than artistic ele-
gance of engraving. In regard to subjects, the author has wisely al-
lowed himself the widest range ; and we have in the two parts before
us, Fungi, Mosses, and Ferns, besides the numerous phenogamous
plants selected on account of their rarity, singularity or beauty.

Of the letter-press, it is needless to say—coming as it does from
the pen of Sir W. J. Hooker—that it is accurate and scientific. Pro-
fessing, however, to be brief, it is in our opinion too much so: brief,
we think, rather to the disadvantage of the work. For example,
of about sixty new species, (excluding mosses,) considerably more
than one-half are unaccompanied by any observation upon specific
affinity ; asubject, in these days, of the greatest importance. There
is another circumstance also, in connection with the letter-press, which
we think it right to notice, and that is, the absence of all characters —
and descriptions whatever of the fifty-five species of mosses figured
on plates xviii-xxiv. It is true, that the reader is informed in a F |
note, that descriptions of these mosses will be found in the Companion
to the Botanical Magazine. But there is nothing in the title-page
of the “ Icones” which can lead the purchaser to expect occasionally, a

figures without descriptions. In the present instance, the possessor —
: 3

Classification of Birds. 75

of the “ Icones” must be content to go without descriptive letter-
press to fifty-five species, or buy another and distinct work ; to say
nothing of the inconvenience of such an arrangement.

Sir W. J. Hooker has presented us with figures of such a host
of interesting plants, that it is not possible to enter upon any de-
tailed observations. There is a new genus of Crucifere established
at t. xliii. the characters of which we transcribe.

TROPIDOCARPUM.

Sepala oblonga, concava, basi zxqualia. Petala obovato-subspa-
thulata. Filamenta nuda: Anthere subrotunde. Germen oblon-
gum, in stylum attenuatum. Stigma obtusum. Szliqua lateraliter
compressa, sessilis, polysperma, valvis acute carinatis. Dissepimen-
dum nullum !—Herbe parve, annue. Folia pinnatifida. Racemi
foliosi. Flores parvi, albi. Silque erectz, nunc breves, subsilicu-
lose.

A second species of this genus is figured at t. lii. Both were col-
lected in California by the late Mr Douglas,

Were we to fix on any oxe plant figured in the hundred plates
before us, as pre-eminently interesting, we should select Dendrome-
con rigidum, Lindl. (t. xxxvii ) a papaveraceous shrub! discover-
ed by the same lamented botanist in California. Let persons who
desire to encourage botanical science purchase this work. Its merit
is not to be measured by its extraordinary cheapness.

- 11.—Dr Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopedia. Natural History. Natural

History and Classification of Birds. By W. Swainson, Esq.

Vol. i. 12mo. London, Longman & Co. 1837.

To complete our review of the series of volumes which have ap-
peared in Dr Lardner’s valuable Cyclopedia devoted to Natural
History, we now proceed to notice the third, “ The Natural History
and Classification of Birds,” forming the first of the second depart-
ment of the Vertebrata, one in which the author has already dis-
tinguished himself, and which he has materially advanced by his
numerous and valuable publications.

After noticing the station occupied by birds among the Ver-
tebrata, viz. between the Mammalia and Reptilia, to the latter
of which he conceives its union is effected by the fossil genus
Pterodactylus, rather than to the affinity supposed to exist be-
tween the Penguins and Tortoises, he refers to the primary
types, as designated in ornithology, and which take their titles
from the five orders of the class, viz. the Raptorial, the Inses-

76 Classification of Birds.

sorial, the Rasorial or scansorial, the Grallatorial or tenuiros-
tral, and the Natatorial or aquatic. The pre-eminent type is the
Insessorial, as it corresponds with the order Insessores, the most
highly organized of the class. The Raptorial or subtypical is re-
presented in its highest developement by the Raptores, and cor-
responds to the Feline group among quadrupeds. Of the aberrant
types, the Natatorial or aquatic is distinguished by the shortness and
limited power of the feet, the broad obtuse form of the bill, and the
head being always large in proportion to that of the other types.
The Grallatorial or tenuirostral type is shown in birds, as in qua-
drupeds, by the length and slender shape of the bill or jaws: the
opening of the nostrils is also long and slit-like, and it is further
distinguished by great swiftness, either of wing or foot. ‘The Ras-
sorial type is inferior only to the Natatorial in bulk. “ Birds,” he
adds, *‘ belonging to it have the tail greatly developed, or of peculiar
structure ; the great size of the foot in all its proportions is another
characteristic, and the groups which represent this type in some
mode or other evince their attachment to man.” A short review
is then taken of the five orders and their peculiar characters,
with a glance at the.analogies they present with Quadrupeds.
The three following chapters are entirely devoted to a useful and
interesting exposition of the external anatomy of the class, as it is
from the outward organization that he takes the characters of his
groups, illustrated with a profusion of beautiful wood-cuts, which
point out the various peculiarities of structure or form, in the differ-

ent parts of the body, and render easily intelligible to the student —

what otherwise is frequently found difficult to explain, or convey a
correct idea of, by language alone. After enumerating the terms
by which the various external parts of the body are called, and which
are easily understood by a reference to the figure, he commences
with the peculiarities of the head as seen in the shape of horns,
wattles, or crests, of each of which he cites various instances and ex-
amples. The peculiarities of the eyes and ears are then adverted to,
followed by some interesting observations upon the tongue, which
varies in form and structureaccording to the nature and quality of the
food upon which the individuals subsist. Among those which have it
of very small size, weare surprised he should have omitted the cormo-
rants, in which genus it is very diminutive or rudimentary, and here
also it is indicative of a peculiar habit, as these birds, like the night-
jars and swallows, guJp or swallow their food entire. The form and
position of the nostrils next claim attention, and the remainder of
the chapter is occupied with the various aspects of the bills or jaws

ee ee ee

Classification of Birds. 77

of birds, each modification or peculiarity being illustrated by a charac-
teristic wood-engraving. The various modifications of form, exhibit-
ed in the wings and tail, the great organs of aerial motion, occupy
the greater portion of the next chapter. The principal varieties
of the form of the wings are considered under the heads of acumi-
nated, as in the Swallows, Terns, &c. ; Falcate, a form possessed by
some of the Humming-Birds ; Pointed, as in the Crows, Flycatchers,
&c. ; Rounded, as in the common Wren, and also in most of the
Rasorial order ; Ample, as in the Heron, and in the genera Rupicola,
Promerops, &c. ‘The last are the Abortive or Abbreviated wings,
as in the Cassowary, Apteryx, Penguin, &c. In the tail, the other
great organ used in flight, the modifications are even more numerous
than those of the wings ; he enumerates and describes no less than
fourteen, under the titles of Even, Rounded, Fan-shaped, Graduated,
Cuneated, Arcuated, Spathulate, Slender, Forked, Lyre-shaped, Boat-
shaped, Compressed, Plumed, and Scansorial, all of which are
minutely described, and contrasted with each other in a manner
_which cannot fail to be understood, on consulting the figures which
accompany the text. The various modifications of those essential
organs the feet are next considered, and to this part of the
work we would direct the especial attention of the student, as it
is in a great measure from the leading variations in their structure
that the primary characters of the orders are derived, and besides
natural groups are generally indicated by the subordinate moditica-
tions they undergo.

In the raptorial foot he points out some peculiarities in the re-
lative position of the toes, which appear to have been overlooked,
but which mark a striking distinction between the foot of birds
belonging to this order, and that of the typical Insessores. Of the
feet of this latter order he gives a detailed description, and shows
how beautifully each change is in accordance with the economy of
its members. We particularly direct attention to the gradations of the
scansorial form of foot, which he has traced with a precision and
minuteness that shows an intimate and thorough acquaintance with
the subject. The remainder of this portion of the volume is taken up
with observations on the voice and nests of birds. In regard to the
voice, though agreeing with the author in many of his remarks, we
think that the song of birds, or its equivalent, is more connected
with the feeling of love or the reproduction of the species than he
seems willing to allow. We believe it, in the first instance, to be given
to the male for the especial purpose of attracting the females; at the
same time we don ot deny its exercise, in such birds as possess it

78 Classification of Birds.

in an eminent degree, as a solace to their mates during the tedious
course of incubation. All male birds, we believe, in addition to
what may be called their ordinary or constant notes, which may be
supposed analogous to speech, and which seem to direct and regulate
their general or ordinary movements, possess other intonations and
powers of voice, apparently given for special purposes, and which
are only called into action during a certain period of the year. In
the majority of the feathered race, these additional or temporary
powers of voice are limited in extent, and frequently confined to
one or two notes, and it is only ina few groups of the Insessores
that we find them developed in an extraordinary degree, or worthy
‘the name of song. But whatever be the extent of this power,
whether confined to a few monotonous notes, as in the Buntings, the
Titmice, and various others, or embracing the varied intonations,
as well as the sweetness and melody of the Nightingale, Mavis,
&c. ; in all the species it answers a similar end, and the utterance
is attended with a like effect, viz. the attraction of the opposite sex,
in order to insure the reproduction of the species. During the late
autumnal and early winter months, or from August to the begin-
ning of January, in most birds it is entirely lost, or if attempted by
song birds, is always imperfect in cadence and extent, and it is only
fully regained when the turn of the year again invigorates their
frame, and produces those remarkable changes in the constitution
which every practical ornithologist cannot fail to have observed.
In most if not all cases it is only regained by degrees. This is the
case with all our native birds, and we have known weeks to elapse
before a Chaflinch has been able to compass his short but sprightly
lay. Of nidification our author seems to have little practical know-
ledge, and his observations are mostly drawn from the writings and
descriptions of other authors. All the owls do not, as he says, “ se-
lect a hole wherein to deposit their eggs, whether it be in atree, or
in a building, or upon the ground,” for the long-eared owl, Otus vul-
garis, almost invariably selects the deserted nest of the carrion crow,
and the short-eared owl, Otus brachyotos, deposits her eggs upon the
surface of the ground in wild moorland wastes. In speaking of pensile
nests, he mentions that of the Bearded Titmouse, Par. biarmicus, as
likely to exhibit a modification or approach to this form ; but adds,
*‘ that no British author has yet described it.” Had he turned to the
last edition of Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology, he would
have found a note in which the site and structure of the nest is de-
scribed ; and which prove that it belongs to the ordinary form.
With the contents of the next chapter, which treats of Ornitholo-

petits. —!

Classification of Birds. 79

gical Bibliography, weare not altogether satisfied. The lists of works
he has given are certainly not so complete or so extensive as they
eught to have been, although he professes to enumerate such only
as are essential to the student, or eminently beautiful for their exe-
cution ; nor do we think his estimate of their peculiar merits are al-
ways correct or altogether impartial. We do not object to Mr Swain-
son’s introducing so many of his own works under their respective
heads, to which he conceives they belong, but we do think that those
of a similar character and import by other authors should have met
with the same liberal treatment. Why has he not, under the head
«« Partial systematic works,” where both series of his own Zoologi-
cal Illustrations have been placed, also inserted another work as ex-
tensive, and, we believe, as useful to the ornithologist as his own.
We mean the quarto work of Sir William Jardine and Mr Selby.
Several continental works of eminence are also altogether omitted,
or else merely glanced at. We perceive no mention of the names of
Bechstein, Faber, Nilson, and various others, and though Kuhl’s
Conspectus Psitlacorum is mentioned in laudatory terms, the able
monograph of Wagler of the same family, published salina cid
to that of Kuhl’s, is passed over without notice.

From ornithological bibliography he passes to the consideration
of those rules instituted by the most eminent naturalists of an ear-
lier date, and which have since received the sanction of their fol-
lowers, and been admitted as laws or aphorisms not to be violated,
in the construction of generic, subgeneric, and specificnames. Upon
each of those he makes some pertinent observations, and we trust
that what he has said on that law which announces that “the high-
est reward of a naturalist is to have a genus called after his name,”
will meet with the consideration it deserves, and tend to put a stop
to a practice which of late years has rapidly been gaining ground
to the detriment of science, viz., that of complimenting individuals,
many of them altogether unknown in the records of ornithologi-
cal science, by imposing their names upon newly discovered species,
a practice which deprives the true naturalist of what has been pro-
claimed his highest reward, and brings into disrepute and contempt
what was once esteemed a scientific honour. We also agree with
Mr Swainson in the sentiments he has expressed in regard to ver-
nacular nomenclature, a subject that of late has undergone conside-
rable discussion, and though we have carefully perused the argu-
ments of those who advocate what they consider a reformation in
the system, we cannot perceive that the change they contemplate
would be attended with the smallest possible advantage. To the

80 Classification of Birds.

scientific naturalist it can be none, and it is not likely to be adopt-
ed by those for whom it is alone intended, viz. the unscientific,
or great mass of our population. No further proof, we think, is
wanted of the inutility and difficulty of substituting more appro-
priate vernacular names, for those now in general use, than in the
lists we have already seen published, where similar objections may
be urged against the new coined names as have been preferred
against the old.

The next chapter, which concludes the introductory part of
the work, treats of collecting, preserving, and arranging birds.
Each of these heads, he discusses at considerable length ; and we re-
commend the attentive perusal of the chapter to all who think either
of collecting for themselves, or for the benefit of public institutions.
Under the first head he shows not only what foreign birds are best
worth collecting, (the most common,) but points out those countries
whose ornithology has hitherto been least investigated, directing
also the attention to certain groups, the knowledge of whose habits
and economy would be of great importance to the science.

The Taxidermic directions are full and easily understood, but
are restricted to what is now termed leaving the specimens in their
skins, in contradistinction to those that are mounted or set up in the
attitudes of life. This is a mode now generally adopted by scien-
tific ornithologists who possess collections of their own, not only for
the convenience of stowage and room, but for the facility it affords
for comparative examinations, which can only be satisfactorily done
by handling and close inspection.

We now come to the systematic part of the volume, commencing
with the Raptorial order or Birds of Prey. Of this order he considers
there are only three families now in existence, viz. the Vulturide,
Falconide, and Strigide ; for the genus Gypogeranus, which Mr Vi-
gors thought might probably represent one of the primary divisions
of the order, our author thinks more likely, from its structure and
apparent affinities, to belong to the Vulturide, probably constitut-
ing its grallatorial type. The typical and subtypical genera of the
Vulturidz are represented, the first, by the true vultures, of which
V. fulvus may be considered a type, the other by the American spe-
cies or genus Cathartes. The principal distinction between these
two groups consists in the opposite form of the nostrils, which in
the genus vulture are placed transversely across the bill, whereas
in Cathartes they are linear in form, and placed parallel with the
margin of the bill. The caruncles and wattles observed in certain

species of Cathartes he only considers in the light of secondary cha- —

pbb) -..-

Classification of Birds. 81

racters. The rasorial type of the family he considers to be that re-
markable Australian bird, first described and called by Latham the
New Holland vulture, but which some later writers have noticed as
more closely allied to the rasorial order. This, in fact, is the opinion
we arrived at after examining two perfect specimens of this bird, in
which the bill appeared to have more of the rasorial than the rap-
torial form, and we recollect that the nostrils were partly covered
with a protecting scale. The tail, which he acknowledges possesses
more feathers than the true vultures, also exhibited that duplex
or folded form possessed by many Gallinaceous birds, and the feet
and legs were certainly as much akin to those of the Cracide and
other Rasores, as to those of the rapacious order.* Much, no doubt,
as to its real station in the ornithological circle, will depend upon
its peculiar habits and economy, of which we are at present igno-
rant, but we think it is as likely to prove a Raptorial form of the
Rasorial order, as the Rasorial type of the Raptores. The fissiros-
tral type of the family is distinctly marked in the bearded vulture
of the Alps, forming the genus Gypaztus, and which in its form
and habits marks the direct passage to the eagles in the family of
the Falconide. This division, he observes, exhibits the perfection
of the order ; its members are distinguished by a much shorter and
sharper bill more or less toothed, and by very acute and strongly
curved talons ; they are lighter and more graceful in form, and
more courageous than the vultures ; they prey, also, almost exclusively
upon living animals, and the geographic range of the family is al-
most universal. The primary divisions of the Falconide he con-
siders typified by the following genera—Falco, Accipiter, Buteo,
Cymindis, and Aquila, the two first constituting the typical and
subtypical divisions, the remaining three, the aberrant. The ana-
logies of the family with the tribes of the Insessores stand thus :

Falco, - - Conirostres,
Accipiter, - - Dentirostres,
Buteo, < = Fissirostres,

Cymindis, - - Tenuirostres,
Aquila, “ - Rasores.

These analogies and relations he proceeds to trace with great skill,
and we regret that our limits will not permit us to follow them in de-
tail. He then enters into the examination of the five leading ge-
neric groups, commencing with the genus Falco, as the most typi-
cal of the whole family. The subgenus Falco, the first noticed,

* For a figure and description of this bird, see Vol. II. plate 66, Ilustra-
tions of Ornithology, by Sir William Jardine, Mr Selby, &c.
VOL. II. NO. 7. F

82 Classification of Birds.

contains the true Falcons, distinguished by a single tooth on the
upper mandible, with an incipient festeon or sinuation behind it ;
next to it he places the subgenus Harpagus, (the Bidens of Spix),
with two small teethin the upper mandible, the wings more rounded,
and the scutellation of the tarsi different from that of Falco. The
passage between Harpagus and Falco is effected by the FP. caru-
lescens of Linneus. The third group is marked by F. lophotes
of Temminck, evidently an aberrant form, and prebably the rasorial
type. The fourth is his subgenus Aviceda, a bird with which we
are not acquainted ; and the fifth he thinks may probably prove to
be the Gampsonyx Smwainsonii of Vigors, which in some respects
seems to unite the characters of Buteo and Falco. The circle of
the genus, or division Accipiter, he commences with Ictinia, Vieill.
as a form connecting Lophotes with the accipitrine falcons: this is
followed by the typical subgenus Accipiter, well characterized by
the sparrowhawk. The third is that of Astur, or goshawk group,
and as a fourth form belonging to it, he proposes the Pondicherry
eagle, (Aquila Pondicertanus, auct.) a bird which, in our estima-
tion, has a nearer affinity to the aquiline group. The fifth form has
not yet been recognized.

The genus Aquila, the first of the aberrant groups of the Falco-
nide, contains four types, represented by Pandion, Harpyia, Aquila,
and Ibycter, the second and third being the typical and subtypical
groups, while Pandion represents the aquatic or fissirostral type,
and Jéycter the rasorial : the fifth, or tenuirostral form, he thinks,
may possibly be represented by Asturina, Vieill.

The Milvine or kite division, represented by the genus Cymindis,
he enters by means of Polyborus, an American group nearly related
to Ibycter; this is followed by the genus Cymindis, the pre-emi-
nent type, all the members cf which belong to South America. Next
to it he thinks it likely that the genus Elanus will take its place,
and this view we are inclined to adopt, looking at specimens of
species now before us. The bill we perceive is as much hooked, and
similar in form to that of Cymindis. The characters of the feet are
peculiar, the interior toe being longer than the exterior, and the
hinder toe shorter than either: the claws are sharp and strong, and
all of them rounded beneath, as in Pandion ; the under one in addi-
tion has a sharp projecting edge on its inner side. The wings are
long, the feathers broad, with the first quill emarginate near the
tip. The tail is nearly even, or very slightly forked. This form is
immediately followed by Vigors’s genus, Nauclerus, represented by
- the fork-tail kite of America, which, from its swallow like ferm and

Classification of Birds. 33

powers of flight, evidently forms the fissirostral type of the Milvine
circle, thus bringing it into immediate contact with the common
kite of Europe, which we think he very properly excludes from this
division, and places among the buzzards as its fissirostral form.
The fifth form of Cymindis he thinks it is not improbable may be
Vieillot’s genus Circetus, but we know too little of this group to give
an opinion as to the correctness of the supposition. The last division
is that of the Buzzards, which, by some of its members, leads back
again to the typical Falcons. ‘This group, as he observes, might
with more propriety have been called Harriers, as it is the genus
Circus which exhibits the fissirostral type of the whole family in
the greatest perfection. The subtypical form he considers to be re-
presented by Buleo lagopus, in which subgenus he also leaves the
common buzzard and other similar forms. In regard to the genus
Pernis (honey-buzzard), had the author enjoyed the opportunity of
examining the specimens now before us, he would, we think, have
found little hesitation in pronouncing it to be the tenuirostral type
of the division, as it exhibits the characters of a weak and slender
bill, with feet and claws less raptorial in structure than any of its
congeners. The common kite, Milvus vulgaris, Temm. as we have
previously observed, is considered the fissirostral form of the divi-
sion. The fifth or rasorial type is not indicated by Mr Swainson ;
may it not be represented by the falco cristatelius, ‘Temm. the Spi-
zaetus cristatellus of Jardine and Selby ?

From the Falconidz, he proceeds to trace the natural series of
the Strigide or owls, confining his exposition to the primary divi-
sions and genera only. The passage from the Falconide is well
marked in the genus Circus, where we perceive the first indications
of that peculiar ruff of tiled feathers, which surrounds the head. and
is seen in its highest developement in the Striginz or typical owls.
The formation of the ear, the eye, and facial disk, being the pe-
culiar distinctions of this family, he naturally forms his primary
groups upon the greater or less developement of these organs. The
first, or typical group is therefore, that in which the facial disk is
very large and perfect, with large ears, and in general an ample
operculum. The second or subtypical, with a large facial disk,
but small or moderate sized ears, the head furnished with egrets.
The third or aberrant group with the circle of the ear small and des-
titute of an operculum, the facial disk imperfect or obsolete, and the
head without egrets. This group is as usual divisible into three, each
of which possesses its distinguishing characters. The first group is
typically represented by the common white or barn owl of this

84 Classification of Birds.

country, (St. flammea) ; init he also places, and we think very pro-
perly, our long and short-eared owls (Otus vulgaris, and Ot. bra-
chyotos), considering them rasorial types. A third form is that of Strix
Tengmalmi: to this group he gives the name of Scotophilus. A
fourth is represented by the huge Strix cinerea of the northern
zoology, for which he proposes the generic or subgeneric name of
Scotiaptex. The fifth, which ought to represent the raptorial type,
is not indicated: why should not the Sé. stridula or some of its nearly
allied congeners supply the deficiency ?

The 2d division, or as he terms it genus, Asio, contains, Ist, the
true horned-owls, of which the great European horned-owl, and the
Virginian species may be considered representations. A second form
is that of Bubo arcticus of the northern zoology, now made Heliap-
dex arclicus, and a third he thinks is represented by the Scops Owls.
As the only type of the first aberrant group, stands the great white
owl or genus Nyctea, distinguished by its very small ears, and with-
out any ruff or series of stiff feathers encircling the head, the eye-
brows also perfect like those of the falcons, and its habits are diur-
nal. His genus Nyctipetes, formed of the small South American
owls, which possess no marginal ruff, with small ears destitute of an
operculum, and which are perfectly separated from the small Euro-
pean owls, or his genus Scotophilus, form a fourth group ; and the
fifth is composed of the hawk-owls or genus Surnia of Dumeril, pos-
sessing a small head, without a facial disk, along cuneated tail, and
diurnal habits. Such is his outline of the primary groups of this
hitherto confused, and, we may add, neglected family of the order,
and so far as we can judge from the forms we have been able to con-
sult, they appear founded on the true aflinities of the species. It
will be seen that he has rejected some of the modern genera, as
Noctua, Ulula, &c. at the same time he has found it necessary to
institute others, such as Scotiaptex, Scotophilus, Heliaptex, and
Nyctipetes. Much, however, remains to be done to fill up the de-
tails of the various groups, which can only be effected by a strict
analysis of the species, a matter not easily accomplished, as there are
few collections which contain a sufficient number of forms belonging
to this family, wherewith to institute the necessary comparison and
examination.

The concluding chapter enters upon the consideration of the In-
sessorial order; but as the exposition only extends to one of its pri-
mary divisions, viz. the Dentirostral tribe, we shall merely observe,
that he traces the whole of its analogies with the other tribes and

‘families of the order, in a manner that intimates a thorough acquain-

Analysis of British Ferns. 85

tance, and a deep analytical investigation of the subject. Any fur:
ther observations we must postpone till after the publication of ano-
ther volume, in which the subject is pursued ; having already ex-
tended our analysis to a length we fear both tedious and tiresome,
and only to be justified or excused by the importance of the work.

III.—An Analysis of the British Ferns and their Allies. With Cop-
per-plate engravings of every Species and Variety. By Grorcr
W. Francis. Lond. 1837. 8vo.

A work we can honestly and heartily recommend,—which ought
to be in the hands of every student of the British Ferns, if he de-
sires to have a safe and interesting guide in the investigation of this
peculiarly attractive family, and if he is anxious to encourage the
labours of an enthusiastic fellow-botanist.

In the “ Introduction” the author enters with some detail into the
characters, structure, reproduction, geographical distribution, and
virtues of the families in which British species occur,—following
which there is a synopsis of the genera. The species are then de-
scribed one by one. Here we have a very copious list of Habitats,
a selected number of Synonyms derived from personal study of the
respective authors, and a good description, embracing a regular spe-
cification of all the variations and varieties, evidently deduced from
an extensive comparison of specimens from many and distant locali-
ties. There is, however, a singular variety of Aspidium Filix-mas
which does not seem to have come under Mr Francis’ notice,—where
the frond, not above a span in height, is simply pinnate with undi-
vided oblong crenated leaves. It is something like Grammitis ce-
terach ; and that the peculiarities are not dependent on immaturity
is obvious from the fact that the plant is loaded with fruit. We are
assured that this variety is frequent in some parts of Ireland, although
not mentioned in the “ Flora Hibernica.”

The figures are miniatures, but, with scarcely an exception, hap-
pily express the habit and character of the species, and will, we are
confident, answer every purpose that a figure is intended to answer.
They are vastly creditable to the talent and skill of the author, by
whom they are all drawn and etched ; and when we are told that
they are his first essays in these arts, we view them with a consi-
derable portion of admiration, for their neatness and elegance is
really remarkable.

Were we inclined to find any fault with the work it is that there
is less of popular matter than there might have been: illustrations

86 Magazine of Natural History.

from our poets would have been ornamental, and not incompatible
with scientific accuracy or pretension. Our poets—old and living—
have sung of Ferns many a time and oft ; they were plants of power
in the superstitions of our forefathers, who also drew from them more
copiously than we now do for a supply of some little wants, as in-
deed, the author has told us, but we should have been pleased to
have seen some quaint quotations interwoven with the text in illus-
tration of them. Perhaps too the author would have done well to
have given a short separate chapter indicating the distribution of
our Ferns in relation to their latitudes, peculiar soils and sites ; and
we could have wished that, in giving the habitats, the classification
of them into English, Welsh, Scottish, Irish and Insular had been
more systematically attended to than it has been.

PERIODICALS.— British.

Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History. New Series. March and
Apnil, 1839.10 4?
I. Zoology.

Briyru on the Psychological Distinctions between Man and all
other Animals, p. 131.—~Srrickuanp on the Inexpediency of
altering established Terms in Natural History, p. 127. Wesr-
woop on Generic Nomenclature, p. 169. STRICKLAND’s Rules
for Zoological Nomenclature, p. 173. Dr Moore on the Birds
of Devonshire, p. 113 and 176. Hoy’s Notice of two species of
Tringa new to the British Islands, with a list of the rarer Birds
killed in Suffolk, and the adjoining borders of Norfolk and Essex,
from the autumn of 1835 to December 1836, p. 115. W. L. on
the breeding of Wocdcocks in Selkirkshire, with observations on the
Habits of the Black and Red Grouse, and Carrion Crow in Scot-
land, p. 118. BuiytuH on the Habits and Peculiarities of the
common Bottletit or Muffin (Parus caudatus of Linnzus,) p. 199.
G. W. on the supposed different species of Viper, p. 183.
Observationsupon the Salmon in Loch Shin in Sutherland, by Jamxs
Locu, M. P. p. 208. Gray’s Description of some singularly
formed Orthopterous Insects, p. 141. STUTCHBURY on Cypre-
cassis, a new genus of univalve shells, p. 214. Cassis rufa of Brug-
uiere is the type of this well-defined genus. On Nematura of
Benson, a new genus of univalve shells, by G. B. Sowrersy, p. 217.
CuARLESWORTH on a new Fossil Shell from the Coast of Suf-
_ folk, p. 218. Ricuarpson’s Observations upon the Chronologi-

Companion to Botanical Magazine. 87

cal Arrangement of fossiliferous Deposits, by a reference to their
organic contents, p. 122.

II. Botany.

‘Letter from Gotpine Birp, Esq. in Reply to some observations
published in the «‘ Edinburgh Journal of Natural History” upon the
cause of Vegetable Divergence, p. 180.

The sHoRT COMMUNICATIONS relate to—(1.) Preservation of Zoo-
logical Specimens. (2.) Variation in the Plumage of Birds. (3.) The
Cross-bill. (4.) The Robin. (5.) Sphinx atropos. (6.) Helix virgata.

Companion to Botanical Magazine. By Sir W. J. Hooker, Pro-
fessor of Botany in the University of Glasgow. (Continued from
page 578 of Vol. i.)

THE number for February last contains an interesting paper by
Dr Graham, Professor of Botany in the University of Edinburgh, on
** the Gamboge tree of Ceylon.” Specimens of the tree have been
forwarded to Dr Graham and other scientific persons in Scotland,
together with the pure gamboge, by their invaluable correspondent,
Mrs Colonel Walker. The result has been, that the tree of Ceylon
producing the gamboge is different in species and genus from any of
those which were supposed to produce the drug. The gamboge yield-
ed by it is equal in quality to that imported from Siam, but regard-
ing this there seems to exist no authentic record from what plant it
is produced. Dr Graham has formed a new genus from the Ceylon
plant, Hebradendron. He refers it to the class and order Monecia
(or Diecia) Monadelphia, and places in it two species ; 1. H. cam-
bogioides, having for synonyms Garcinea morella, Stalagmitis cam-
bogiordes, Morris, Cat.—2. H. ellipticum, Garcinia elliptica, Wallich.
The paper will be found worthy of perusal.

Notes upon some genera and species of Orchidiz in the collection
formed by M. Drege at the Cape of Good Hope, by J. Lindley,
Ph. D. F. B.S. &c. A brief Biographical Sketch of the late
Richard Cunningham, Colonial Botanist in New South Wales. This

botanist, whose untimely end we had to record in an early number
of this Magazine, succeeded as Colonial Botanist to the late Mr

Frazer in 1832, on the recommendation of Mr Brown. His career
has been a short one, and we can now only hope that the discoveries
he had so successfully commenced will be wrought out by his
brother, who has been appointed to the vacant office. The next
paper will be now read with interest—Flora Insularum Nove Ze-
landiz precursor, or a specimen of the botany of.the islands of New

88 Companion to Botanical Magazine.

Zealand, concluded by “ those interesting discoveries which Richard
Cunningham made during his excursions on the northern island in
the portions of the years 1833-4,” (arranged andedited by Allan Cun-
ningham.) This paper commences withthe discoveries of Sir J. Banks
and Solander, during the first voyage of Captain Cook, and brings
them down through the various voyages of discovery, including
those of the Coquille and Astrolabe, to 1834. The number for
March begins with a continuation of the last paper, which is
still further to be continued. On the Sources and Composition
of Gamboge, with an examination of some analogous concrete juices,
by R. Christison, M. D., Professor of Materia Medica in the
University of Edinburgh, a worthy and important supplement to
Dr Graham’s paper in the former number. Dr Christison has ana-
lysed the varieties of gamboge, including that sent from Ceylon by
Mrs Walker. The principal ingredients in all are resin and aribin,
in proportions not varying very greatly, and the conclusions arrived
at are, that the proportions of the essential ingredients vary in the
same species where the situation of the tree is different ; that the
gamboge tree of Ceylon may be made to yield a pigment as fine and
perfect as that of Siam, while in its medicinal qualities it also pos-
sesses properties in the fullest perfection ; and it is finally re-
commended that our Government, and the settlers at Ceylon, should
use a little enterprise in the culture of this tree. Illustrations of
Indian Botany, principally of the southern parts of the Peninsula,
by Dr Wright and G. A. W. Arnot, continued. A description of
Spartina alternifolia of Loiseleur, a new British species, by Wil-
liam Arnold Broomfield, M. D. concluded in the number for April.
There seems to be considerable confusion in the synonyms, and
also with some species which have been sent from America as the
true S. stricta, The banks of the river Itchen, near Southampton,
seem to be the great locality. ‘“ These Spartina swamps extend along
each side of the river, beginning just above the village of Itchen, to
within a few hundred yards of Norham Bridge, beyond which I have
never met with either kind.” Account of a botanical excursion
into Brittany, by Joseph Wood, Esq. F. L. S. Description of
some new Cistacez, chiefly found by Mr Drummond in the southern-
most regions of North America, by E. Spach ; not concluded.

Annales des Sciences Naturelles. 89

PERIODICALS.— Foreign.
Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, MM. Aupouin et MILNE-
Epwarps. Botanique, MM. Av. Broneniart et GUILLEMIN.
Crochard & Co. Paris, Septembre 1836.

I.— Zoology.

Notes sur les caractéres zoologiques des Pulex penetrans, par M.
Duces. The differences between it and the common flea are too
slight to be considered of generic importance. Recherches sur
l Anatomie du Pentastoma tenioides, par M. Mrram. Observa-
tions sur les genres Gerboise et Gerbille, par M.F. Cuvier.
Observations sur les Aranetdes, par A. DuceEs. Analyse des
travaux anat. physiol., et zoolog. présentés a [ Acad. des Sciences
pendant le mois de Septembre 1836: viz. Rerzius sur la structure
des dents: BopicHon sur une espece du genre Canis: THompson
sur le tissu dartoide: DomBre Firmas sur la pression atmosphé-
vique: Donne sur les animalcules contenus dans le pus: VANBE-
NEDEN sur les caractéres des Cétacés.

II.— Botany.

Dur141 Iter asturicum botanicum, anno 1835 susceptum, auctore
J. Gay. Observations sur Vascension de la séve dans une Liane, et
description d’une nouvelle espéce de Cissus, par C. GAUDICHAND.
Muscorum Chilensium species novas descripsit, W. P. ScuimPEr.
Extraits du Botanical Register pour l'année 1835 et le mots de
Janvier 1836. A noticeof De CANDOLLE’s,Prodromus, Vol. v.——
Du réveil et du sommeil des Plantes, par M. DutrocHet. *«« Nova
genera ac species Plantarum quas in regno Chilensi, Peruviano et
in terra Amazonica, annis 1827 ad 1832, legit Edouard Peeppig et
cum Stephano Endlicher descripsit iconibusque illustravit, volumen
primum.” A short notice.——~‘ Mantissa Muscorum ad Floram Pe-
demontanam, auct. J. de Notaris.” Another short notice.——Rhiso-
botrya, genre de plante nowveau de la Flore d’ Allemagne, par J.C.
Tauscu. «« Plante Indice quas in montibus Coimbaturicis ceru-
leis, Nilagiri s. Neilgherries dictis, collegit Rev. Bern. Scumip.
Illustravit Dr Jon. Car. ZENKER. Decas secunda.” A series of
extracts descriptive of the new species described in this work.

Annalen der Physik und Chemie. Von PoGGENDOoRF.
Vol. xxxviii. pt. 2.
On the Structure and Chemical properties of Cartilage and Bone,
by J. Muutuer. This paper may be considered as a sequel to that
upon the Comparative Anatomy of the Myxinoidea, of which we gave

90 Annalen der Physik und Chemie.

an analysis in our fourth number. It chiefly relates to the Chemical
Structure of Cartilage, and the varieties of it which occur in different
animals. The analysis of the cartilage of Squalus peregrinus by Chev-
reuil, has been followed up with great accuracy by Purkinje, and
Deutsch.* The bony cartilage of the higher animals was examined by
them in the form of microscopic lamella, the tissue having been previ-
ously expelled by means of acid. They then found that this substance
contains many minute oval bodies dispersed through it, which, ac-
cording tot Miescher, not only occur in that situation, but also in
the callus of re-united bones, in bones imperfectly developed, &c.
-The dimensions of these bodies are estimated in English lines, at
from 0.0048 to 0.0072 in length, by 0.0017 to 0.0030 in breadth.
These minute bodies generally lie lengthways in the direction of
the layers of cartilage, and are somewhat more opaque than the sur-
rounding substances. It is not easy to determine whether they are
hollow or solid. They seem to admit of great variety in their struc-
ture, in different parts, especially those which occur in the cartilage
of the ribs, in which situation they are often found lying confusedly
together, and contain apparently a sort of kernel. In the cartila-
ginous fishes, the contents of these bodies are more fluid, and in the
cartilage of Petromyzon, they vary in different parts, in one place
presenting the above-mentioned oval form, in another, cells, divided
by thin cartilaginous partitions, and in a third, an intermediate state
between these conditions. These bodies frequently also occur in
the external, as well as the internal cartilage of certain animals, as
for instance in the euirass of the armadillo ; in cartilaginous bones
they are often wanting. They are not met with in the Ostracion,
in the tubercular cartilage of the sturgeon, nor in the skeletons of
many cartilaginous fishes. They are identical when they are found
in the cartilaginous bones of man, of the Mammalia, and of fishes,
but in the other cartilage of the two former classes, they present
great variations, which are arranged under three distinct heads by
Miescher. The glutinous matter contained in the different carti-
lages is divided by the author into two classes, to which he applies
the terms colla and chondrine, and he also gives the results of va-
rious analysis of cartilage in different states of ossification, and taken
from various parts of the body. The structure and chemical pro-
perties of the bones of the higher animals is next described, followed
by a similar detail of those of the cartilaginous fishes. M. Marchand

* Deutsch de penitiori ossium structura. Vratisl. 1834.
+ Miescher de ossium genesi, structura, et vita. Berol. 1836.

Annalen der Physik und Chemie. 91

has also extended his researches to the latter class, and finds that
the ossified cartilage does not contain a materially less quantity of
lime than the bones of the higher vertebrata. The spine of Squa-
lus cornubicus, after being exposed to a white heat, till all the
animal matter was consumed, left in one instance 41.55, in another
42.068 per cent. of ashes. The following is the result of his ana-
lysis.

Combustible animal matter, 57.07 Sulphate of soda, nae Hehe OBO
Phosphate of lime, ... 32.46 Muriatetof do, , ie west aa. 3.00
Sulphate of lime, ... ... 1.87 Phosphate of magnesia, ... 1.03
Carbonate of lime, ... ... 2.57 Siliceous earth, argillaceous do.
Fluate of lime, ... ... a trace. ION, ANG 1OSS,” "ss. eee Lene ee
100.00
The Tubercular cartilage of a large ray gave
Combustible animal matter, ... 78.46 per cent.
Carbonate of lime, .... ... ... 2.67
Phosphate of do, ... ... ... 14.80
Salphate tOl dO, | tsa.) ann sesihoses 0288
BUateOfidO;. cts a scp TWtecm cae ea braces
MiUntateGrOtpSOGas sos). cece ceca Sersep -40
BUD OALE GL GO, one sce, see cae h Ont O

Phosphoric acid, magnesia, and loss, 0 14

100.00

No. 11, Vol. xxxix. contains a brief statement of the results of seve-
ral experiments upon the electric rays, by M. Matteucci, who thinks
that the Natural History of these animals is far from being under-
stood, and is therefore still occupied in its investigation. M. Fran-
cis Schulze of Berlin has also communicated a preliminary state-
ment of his experiments upon equivocal generation, and upon the
metamorphoses of Amylum.

ZOOLOGICAL.

Bank Vole, Bell.—Arvicola pratensis, Baillon, A. riparia, Jenyns.
It is likely that this species is not very local in its distribution, as I
have lately detected it in Northumberland. Two specimens, a male
and female, were taken at the same time in a hang trap baited with
oat-meal, in the garden at Twizell. Their appearance at once at-
tracted my attention, as I perceived, even while they remained half
concealed in the holes of the trap, that their tail was longer than that
of the common vole, and yet very much shorter than that of the long-
tailed field-mouse, to which, however, the colour of the back nearly
approached. Upon comparing them with the descriptions given by
Yarrell and Jenyns, and Bell of the A. pratensis, I found them to
agree in every essential particular with that species. In form, the
bank. vole is scarcely so thick and short as its congener, A. agrestis,
the muzzle more elongate, and the ears longer, and more distinctly
seen above the fur. The hairs at the end of the tail, and which ex-
tend considerably beyond the bony part, are stiff and elastic. The
crown of the head and upper parts are of a reddish-brown inter-
mixed with black, the sides were inclined to grey, the under parts
yellowish-white, the yellow more strongly indicated on the mesial
line of the abdomen. The length of the head and body 3} inches,
of the tail 16 inches. These are the only individuals I have yet seen,
or at least that have attracted my attention as differing from the com-
mon vole. It is likely, however, that it will be found upon investi-
gation a plentiful species.—P. J. S.

Arvicola pratensis.—My friend R. M. Lingwood, Esq. captured a
specimen of this little animal, in my presence, at his house, High-
lands, near Uckfield, Sussex, on the 16th of January 1837. This
adds another county to those of which it is recorded as being a na-
tive. —C. C. BaBINGTON.

Rhea.—Mr Darwin has brought home among his other zoological
treasures, specimens of a new or second species of Rhea, which ap-
pears to take the place of the old species in Patagonia. It is distin-

Soology, &c. 93

guished from the R. Americana in being about one-fifth less, and in
the tarsi being reticulated and feathered below the knee.

Sivatherium.—M. Geoffroy St Hilaire and M. De Blainville
have laid before the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, the results
of their inquiries regarding the nature of this interesting fossil ani-
mal, discovered in the valley of the Markonda, in the southern dis-
trict of the Himalaya. The first is of opinion that it is a species of
antediluvian giraffe, and has proposed the title of Cameleop. primi-
genus for it. M. De Blainville, again, although he allows it to belong
to the group of the ruminants, considers it far removed from the
giraffes, and enters into a lengthened detail of his reasons for this
difference of opinion. If his arguments are correct, these remains will
belong to an animal which cannot be ranked in any of the known
genera of Mammalia.

Surma Nyctea, Dumeril.—On the 13th of February last a fine
male snowy owl was shot three miles below Selby-on-the-moor, where
it had been observed by the miller, at a mill adjoining, for a day
or two previous. The moor is well stocked with rabbits, and the owl
was most probably preying upon them: it appeared very shy, and
when pinioned by the shot was extremely fierce. It was ultimately
got into a sack and killed by pressure, when it came into the pos-
session of my friend A. Clapham, Esq. of Potternewton, near Leeds.
—H. DEwny.

Cepola rubescens, Linn.—Mr P. W. Maclagan informs us that he
has lately procured a specimen of this fish, which was caught off
Dunure, seven miles south of Ayr, on a whiting line baited with a
mussel. Its length is 153 inches. The fisherman who brought it
had seen another about six weeks ago.— March 20, 1837.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

BoranicAu Society oF Epinsureu, Nov. 10, 1836.—The first
meeting of the winter session was held this evening. Professor
Graham in the chair. The following members were elected :—
Resident, Dr Andrew Douglas Maclagan ; Non-Fesident, Mr Ro-
bert Ball, Dublin; The Rev. George Gordon, Birnie, Elginshire ;
Mr Edwin Lees, Worcester ; Dr D. C. Macreight, London ; Mr
M. J. F. Sidney, Morpeth ; Mr W. A. Stables, Park, Nairnshire ;
Mr W. Thompson, Belfast; Mr H. C. Watson, Thames-Ditton, Sur-

94 Miscellaneous.

rey. Mr Edwin Lees of Worcester was appointed Local Secretary
for Worcestershire.

Specimens were stated by the Secretary to have been received
since last meeting from Dr Tyacke, Mr Shuttleworth, Dr R. C. Alex-
ander, Rev. Mr Rutherford, Mr Leighton, Dr Dewar, Mr Watson,
Mr Carpenter, Dr Greville, Mr Cruickshank, Mr Lees, Mr Bell,
Dr Barry, Mr Spencer Thomson, and Mr Maughan. Donation:
« Letter by N. B. Ward, Esq., to Sir W. J. Hooker, on the growth
of plants without open exposure to air,” from the author.

Mr Carpenter directed the attention of the Society to the advan-
tages which might result from their endeavouring to form a collec-
tion of vegetable monstrosities, the study of which is now so essen-
tial to the philosophic botanist,—since it is from them that the theory
of structure is principally deduced, and upon them also that we
may expect to found some definite laws regarding the limits of va-
riation in each species. He then alluded to some remarks he had
formerly made, on the nature of parasitic Fungi, with reference to
Verger’s researches, and stated that he considered it still an open
question in general physiology, whether a plant or animal might
not, by a morbid process, give origin to one lower in the scale ; and,
he pointed out the distinction between this view and the old doc-
trine of equivocal generation.

Dr Balfour exhibited a Carex which had been sent to him by
Dr Murray of Aberdeen, found by Messrs Dickie and Templeton
in August last, on rocks in Glen-Callader, and which on examination
Sir William Hooker had pronounced to be C. rupestris, All. (pe-
traea, Wahl.) Dr Graham gave a short summary of what had been
done since last meeting in the way of botanical discovery, during
the various excursions of the season ; and particularly mentioned the
following additional localities for several rare plants. Malazis pa-
ludosa, found by Mr James Dewar ; Acinos vulgaris, Silene Anglica
and S. noctiflora, by Dr Dewar, the two latter abundantly ; Trifolium
ornithopodioides, by Miss Robertson,—all in the neighbourhood of
North Queensferry.—Linnaa borealis, by Mr M‘Nab and Dr Gra-
ham, near Dalmahoy Hill. Tulipa sylvestris, by Dr Graham,
neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Oenanthe pimpinelloides and Juncus
obtusiflorus, by Mr Campbell, near Dunbar. Saxifraga hirculus,
by Mr Hunter, on the Pentland Hills, near the source of the Med-
wyn. Veronica Buxbaumu, by Dr Dewar, Mr Roberts, and Mr
Bell, in various localities near Edinburgh, on both sides of the
Forth.—Carex fulva, not unfrequent in several stations near Edin-
burgh. Hieracium umbellatum, by Dr G. M‘Nab, in Glen-Clova.

3

Miscellaneous. 95

Ajuga pyramidalis, pointed out by Dr Duguid to Dr M<Nab in
Orkney. Erodium maritimum and Jungermannia Mackaii, found
in Galloway, both new to the Scottish Flora. Polygonum Fait,
abundantly, and Lamiwm intermedium were also observed in Gal-
loway. Cladium mariscus was looked for in vain in Galloway, a
station assigned for it on the authority of Mr M‘Kie, (not M‘Kay,
as mentioned in Hooker’s British Flora.) The Sutherland station
for this plant must, therefore, be regarded as the only well au-
thenticated one for it now in Scotland. Mieracium aurantiacum
was seen by Mr Brand in Banffshire, apparently quite wild. Dr
Barry mentioned having this year observed T’hlaspi alpestre near
the head of Caenlochen, in the Clova mountains, in a different spot
from that where it was first discovered ; Pinguicula grandiflora,
near the top of Mount Mangerton, Killarney ; and Rhynchospora
fusca, abundant near Oughterarde, Cunnemara.

Dr Graham then alluded to a recent excursion to Ben-Lawers, in
company with Sir W. J. Hecker, which, owing to the badness of the
season, and its effects upon alpine vegetation, had proved a most
unproductive one. On that occasion, Dr Graham stated that he
had an opportunity of examining the oaks on the banks of Loch-
Lomond ; and after comparing them with specimens from other
parts of the country, and with the figures of Martyn, in the Flora
Rustica, he was satisfied that we have in Britain three distinct forms
of oak, whether species or not is a different question. The most
common is that figured at Tab. 10 of Flora Rustica ;—the next,
scarcely less common on Loch-Lomond, is that represented at Tab.
11 ;—and the third, by much the least common in the country, though
by no means unfrequent at the lower end of Glen-Falloch, is ex-
tremely well represented in Tab. 12. ‘The first is what has been
called Quercus pedunculata, its acorns being numerous, on a long
common peduncle. The second nearly resembles this in the habit
of the tree, but has a fruit either sessile, or on a short, stout, and
abrupt peduncle. The third differs very much in the habit of the
tree, its much more acutely serrated chesnut-like leaves, and its ab-
solutely sessile fruit. There is little difficulty, even at a distance,
in distinguishing this tree from the two former, by its general ap-
pearance, and its long slender free growing branches.

Dec. 8th.—Professor Graham in the chair. The following mem-
bers were elected :—Aesident, Mr W. F. Lindsay Carnegie, and
Mr William Reid. Non-Resident, Miss Bailey, Dublin; Dr J.
Coulter, Dublin ; Dr C. P. Croker, Dublin ; Mr-Simon Foot, Dub-

lin; Mr George Stephens Gough, Dublin; The Rev. Thomas Dix

96 Miscellaneous.

Hincks, LL.D.; Mr J. T. Mackay, Dublin; Mr Ninian Nevin,
Dublin; Dr Jonathan Osborne, Dublin; Captain Portlock, R. E.
Dublin ; and Dr Robert J. N. Streitin, Worcester. Dr Thomas
Bell Salter was appointed Local Secretary at Poole, Dorsetshire.
Specimens were stated by the Secretary to have been received since
last meeting from Mr W. Thompson, Dr Hincks, Mr Atkin, Dr
Balfour, Mr A. H. Balfour, Dr Maclagan, Mr Fraser, Mr Reid, Dr
Hunter, Mr Steuart. The Rev. W. S. Hore, Mr J. Ward, Mr Leefe,
Mr Campbell, Mr Forbes, Mr Scott, Mr Lloyd, and Mr Macaulay.
The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year :—
President—Professor Graham.
Vice-Presidents—Dr Greville and Dr Balfour.
Secretary—Mr Campbell.
Joint Foreign Secretaries—Mr Forbes and Dr Charlton.
Treasurer—Mr Brand.
Curator—Mr James M‘Nab.
Councillors.
Dr Neill, Mr Falconar, Dr Barry, Dr Maclagan, and Dr Pollexfen.

In consequence of various representations having been made to
the Society, pointing out the difficulty of specimens being sent from
the Continent earlier than January, as well as on account of several
urgent requests from members for delay in sending in specimens, it
was agreed that the distribution should in future take place in Ja-
nuary and February each year, instead of the period mentioned in
the prospectus.

The Secretary read a communication transmitted to him by Mr
Forbes, “ On a supposed new British Polygala,” observed by him in
the Isle of Man and on Dalmahoy Hill, near Edinburgh. Mr For-
bes describes it as follows :—‘‘ Polygala foliis imis (parvulis) obo-
vato-spathulatis, reliquis lanceolatis seu lineari-lanceolatis ; sepalis
lateralibus ellipticis, obtusis, corolla fimbriata brevioribus, capsula
subrotunda demum brevioribus angustioribusque.

« Plant depressed, branchy and diffuse ; flowers small, crowded,
purplish blue or greenish-white ; raceme when in fruit elongated
and bilateral. From P. vulgaris it is distinguished by its habit,
the smallness of its flowers, and the comparative size of the sepals
and the capsule,—the sepals in the common species being longer
and broader than the capsule. In general habit and the appearance
of its blossoms, it bears a striking resemblance to P. alpestris ; but
the relations of the sepals to the flowers and fruit separate it from
that species also.” Specimens of the plant accompanied the paper.

Mr Percy read a short notice of an excursion he had made last

4

4

Miscellaneous. 97

summer by way of Fontainbleau and Lyons to Vaucluse, with par-
ticular reference to the botany of the districts through which he
passed, and in the vicinity of the celebrated “ Fontaine” and
« Chateau de Petrarque.”

Dr Charlton gave a short account of a tour he had made last au-
tumn in Denmark, stating that his present object was chiefly to
point out the facilities for visiting that country, and the inducement
it holds out to the botanist. The expense of living and travelling
he described as being extremely moderate, the language as interpo-
sing but few difficulties —and the botany, particularly the Flora
around Christiania, as being singularly attractive and interesting.

Dr Barry incidentally mentioned that the following plants, so in-
teresting to the British botanist, had been observed by him when
travelling amongst the Alps :—Sonchus alpinus, by the side of the
glacier at the source of the Rhone, on the Furca side; Gentiana
nivalis in the ascent from the Grindlewald to the Faulhorn ; and
Astragalus alpinus, in the Valley of Rosen-Laui. Mr Percy had
also observed Sonchus alpinus on the Brezon, about twenty miles
from Geneva, at an elevation of about 3500 feet.

W. H. Campse.t, Sec.

Boranicat Society or Lonpon.—April 22, 1837. J. E. Gray,
Esq. F. R. S., President, in the Chair.—Several presents were an-
nounced, and Members elected ; after which Mr Chatterley, the
Secretary, proceeded to read the continuation of his paper, translated
from the French of M. Decandolle, on the geographical distribution
of plants used for food. The facts adduced tended to show, that
cold had little influence in retarding the extension of agriculture,
and that by artificial cultivation and temperature any one country
might be made to produce nearly all the plants of the earth. The
paper contained several important facts, and the original may be
found in the 5th Number of the Bibliotheque Universelle de Ge-
neve. The President explained the discovery, by a French bota-
nist, of cells or little membranous cylinders in the leaves of Ky-
lanium, which are filled with little spicule, and gradually ejected.

_—A\ paper was afterwards read from Mr Thomas Hancock, on La-
mium maculatum and album, and on the propriety of their being
considered as distinct species. The author was led to investigate
the subject, from having seen many specimens of the former species
entirely destitute of the longitudinal white patches on the leaves, so
particularly insisted on by most authors as its most important spe-
cific character ; as well as from having witnessed several with white
_ flowers (although Hooker and Lindley say that they are constantly
VOL. II. No. 7. G

98 Miscellaneous.

purple), and approaching so closely to L. album as to be scarcely
distinguishable from it. The author considers that Reichenbach,
in his figure and description of what he considered to be the true
maculatum, and Dr Hooker, in his adoption of the same as such,
had fallen into an error,—and that their plant was doubtless a va-
riety of LZ. purpureum. Mr H. considers the number of the whorls
not alone sufficient to found a specific character upon; and after
detailing a series of characters common to both album and macula-
tum, and the points of difference between them, with other subjects
having a connection therewith, concluded by stating, that these two
‘plants should be considered only as varieties of one species, and he
would propose the adoption of Dr Lindley’s specific name vulgatum.
The President then adjourned the Society to May 4.

{

Mr Hewett Watson's New Botanists Guide, Vol. ii.—We are re-
quested by Mr Hewett Watson to mention, that the whole impres-
sion of the second volume of the New Botanist’s Guide has been de-
stroyed by an accidental fire, when just ready for publication ; and
Mr Watson fears that other engagements will prevent him reprint-
ing the volume for a considerable period. He is desirous of making
known this accident, lest his friends, who have so largely contributed
to the volume, should misunderstand the long delay which must now
unavoidably occur in publishing their communications.

Ornithological Sociely.—A society with the annexed title is about
to be established in London, and the following has been sent to us
as the plan which the Provisional Committee of the St James’s Or-
nithological Society recommend the members to adopt. “ Titte.—
The Ornithological Society of London. Management. A Council
with the usual Officers—Honorary Mempers. Limited to Five.
Eminent Scientific Ornithologists, or Liberal Patrons of the So-
ciety. Elected by the Council—Orpinary Memsers. Elected
by Ballot. Gentlemen will subscribe, annually, Two Guineas ;
Ladies, One Guinea. Entrance fee for Gentlemen, Two Guineas ;
for Ladies, One Guinea. Members of the St James’s Ornithologi- |
eal Society will have the option of being Original Members of the —
Ornithological Society of London, at the annual Subscription of One —
Guinea.—Forerien Members. Elected by Ballot. Eminent Fo-
reign Ornithologists —FortigN CorresponpDENTS. Elected by
the Council. Residents abroad, desirous of assisting the Society ;—
exempt from all pecuniary Contributions.—Tue Oxnsrcrs oF THE
Society are to be attained by the exhibition of living Birds: the
propagation and dispersion of the domesticate races: a Museum:

Miscellaneous. 99

Library: Periodical Meetings: Ornithological Lectures : the Pub-
lication of Ornithological Works—Scientific and Practical: Prize
Shews. lLivine Specimens.—The Rasorial Genera, and their
Types, will be particularly attended to, as being most beautiful
and attractive, pre-eminently domestic and practically useful. The
hardy birds will be gratuitously exhibited in the parks ; those for
which buildings are required will be seen by the public on payment
of asmall admission fee. Tue Dupiicatres.—Birds and Eggs will
be distributed among the Members. Tue Musztum.—The speci-
mens will be accurately named according to the Natural System ;
and so arranged as to convey to the student, through the eye alone,
a general and accurate knowledge of the affinities and analogies of
birds, and to exhibit examples of the different organizations which
are known to accompany different habits and modes of life. The
Museum will include stuffed Birds, Bird Skins, Skeletons, andjparts
of Birds, Nests and Eggs ; and will be open, without restriction,
to Scientific Persons and Artists. Lrsrary.—The Library will
contain, ultimately, every Ornithological Work of merit ; British
and Foreign Ornithological Periodicals will be taken in, and circu-
lated among such of the Members as subscribe an additional Half-
guinea for this advantage.—PeEriopicaL Mertines, or Converza-
tiones, will be held for the exhibition of living and dead Specimens,
Drawings, Books, Nests, &c.—for reading Ornithological Papers,
and for oral observations. Lecrures.—Competent Ornithologists
will be invited to deliver Lectures. Pusuicarions.—The Society
will publish, or patronize the publication of, a general Ornithologi-
eal Work at an accessible price: the proceedings will be published
concisely and cheaply : and the Society will collect and publish all
the information they can obtain as to the best modes of rearing
Foreign Birds adapted for the Park, the Preserve, the Poultry Yard,
and the Aviary. Prizes.—A Prize of the value of L. 15 or L. 20
will be given annually for the best Paper on Systematic Ornitholo-
gy, in elucidation of the power, wisdom, and goodness of God.
Another of the value of L.10 for the breeding of Foreign Birds:
and a third of the value of L.5 for the best method of keeping alive
in this country such Foreign Birds as will not breed. Application
will be made to Government for a Locality for the Society’s Mu-
seum, Library, and Housed Collections: if the application be suc-
cessful the Museum will be freely open to the Public three days a
week. The ordinary Funds, arising from Subscriptions and Ri
trance Fees, will in the first instance be applied solely to the con-
struction of Aviaries, and the purchase, rearing and breeding of
Birds : and an extraordinary Fund will be raised by the creation of

100 Miscellaneous.

100 Shares of L. 25 each, (to be paid, if desired, in two half-yearly

instalments, ) which will be applied exclusively to the purchase of —

Books, Specimens, and Cabinets, to lay a broad and solid founda-
tion for a worthy Museum and Library. The Property thus acquir-
ed will be vested in the Shareholders ; and will not, unless specially
conveyed by donation, form part of the general property until the
funds shall be sufficient to pay off the shareholders. The dupli-
cates will, at first, be distributed among the shareholders only, and,
in addition to the ordinary privileges of personal admission to Hous-
ed Collections, Museum, Library, and Meetings, they will be en-
titled to give a certain number of free admissions daily to Strangers.

Tamus communis.—This is, perhaps, one of the most common
plants in Somersetshire. On the south west border, near the Bris-
tol Channel, it lines almost every hedge for miles around. On com-
paring its characters with other diccious plants, I have been sur-
prised to find its near identity with Dioscorea; so much so, indeed,
as to make it a point of discussion, whether it and D. cajanensis
can, with propriety, be arranged in different genera, or even in dis-
tinct species. It is also very like D. brasihensis and D. sativa;
and, from the similarity in their fructification, foliation, and farina-
ceous root, it may well be termed the Auropean yam. The root I
have found to be very acrid, viscous, and replete with starch ; and
is with the berries, very largely and successfully employed by the
country people in chilblains, rheumatism, and as a suppurative ca-~
taplasm.— Thomas Hancock.

Silene maritima.—I have discovered what I believe to be a new
locality for this plant. In August last, while in Somersetshire, I
found on the banks of the Bristol Channel, between the towns of
Watchet and Minehead, an abundance of it in a state of flowering :
in fact, the whole shore was almost overgrown with it. Although
a maritime plant, it appeared to predominate in gravelly soils, and
bearing no definite number of flowers on the panicles ;—fully justify-
ing Dr Hooker's observation, as to its intermediate gradations into
S. inflata. — Thomas Hancock.

Peonia officinalis. —This plant, regarded as having been intro-
duced into England, has been found by my friend Mr Rootsey, in
an excursion which I made with him last year near Bristol, growing
apparently wild, in a thicket of bushes near that city.— Thomas
Hancock.

PRINTED BY JOHN STARK, OLD ASSEMBLY CLOSE, EDINBURGH.

4

Se

a

MAGAZINE

OF

ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

‘
4

I.—Notes on the Land and Fresh Water Mollusca of Great Britain,
mith a revised list of Species. By Josnua ALDER, Member of
the Nat. Hist. Society of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Mucus as has lately been done in the investigation of the British
land and fresh water Mollusca, there is yet wanting a good history of
our native species, which, like that of Draparnaud in France, or of
Pfeiffer in Germany, may claim to rank as a national work. Several
local catalogues have appeared, each adding something to our know-
ledge of these tribes, and it has been still further increased by two
valuable monographs,—I allude to the Synopsis of the Testaceous
Pneumonobranchous Mollusca of Great Britain, by J. G. Jeffreys,
Esq. in the Linnean Transactions, and the Monograph of the Bri-
tish species of Cyclas and Pisidium in the Cambridge Philosophical
Society’s Transactions, by the Rev. L. Jenyns. Hitherto the only
general account of the British species that has been published in a
separate form is the Manual of British Land and Fresh Water Shells
by Dr Turton. Considering the unpretending and cheap form in
which this little work appeared, we cannot expect to find in it a
complete history of these tribes ; and it has the still farther disad-
vantage of being an account of the shells only, without taking the
animals into consideration. There are also to be found in it several
errors in the introduction or omission of species. It is therefore
much to be desired that some of our naturalists would undertake to
give us a complete and scientific history of our native land and

fresh water Mollusca on a plan somewhat similar to that of Pfeiffer’s
VoL. 11. No. 8. H

102 On the Land and Fresh Water Mollusca

work above alluded to. The increasing taste for natural history
now abroad warrants the conclusion that such a publication would
be favourably received, and the materials for it might be readi-
ly obtained. In the absence of such a work, it has occurred to
me that this Magazine may afford a medium for recording a few
observations, made with the view of ascertaining, as far as the pre-
sent state of our knowledge admits, what are the species of land and
fresh water Mollusca really indigenous to these islands. I am far
from thinking that I have accomplished this completely ; but I shall
be satisfied if, by clearing away some difhiculties, a ground-work shall
‘be laid for others to pursue the investigation with success. It is
not by the contributions of one but of many that complete informa-
tion is at length to be obtained. In making this attempt, it has
been found necessary to discard many species that have hitherto
swelled our catalogues. Possibly some of these may be British:
all we can say at present is, that there is not sufficient proof to war-
rant our considering them as natives. As to those Mollusca whose
claims to rank as species have been a matter of dispute among na-
turalists, a few of these, will certainly be found in the present list,
but they have been generally spoken of with hesitation, in order to
induce persons favourably situated for the purpose to make further
observations upon them.

-It may be necessary to say something concerning the names that
have been adopted in the following catalogue. So great is the mul-
tiplication of synonyms in this department of natural history, that
it has become a difficult matter to decide, in each case, which name
ought to be adopted. If we look into three of our latest publica-
tions treating of molluscous animals, those, namely, of Fleming,
Jeffreys, and Turton, we shall find that, in many instances, the same
species has a different name in each. Helix lackhamensis of Mon-
tagu, for instance, is called by Dr Fleming Bulimus lackhamensis,
by Mr Jeffreys Bulimus Montacuti, and by Dr Turton Bulimus
montanus. Turbo tridens of Montagu is Azeca tridens of Fleming,
Carychium politum of Jeffreys, afterwards changed in his supple-
ment to Cionella Goodalli, and Azeca Matoni of Turton. Should
we wish to trace this species in continental works, we shall find it
to be the Helix (Cochlodonta) Goodalli of Ferussac, Pupa Menc-
keana of Pfeiffer, and Pupa Goodalli of Michaud. Thus are we lost
in a labyrinth of names, from which it is high time that we should
make an attempt to extricate ourselves. It will be said, and is in-
deed true, that naturalists (with the exception of a few injudicious
reformers) are pretty well agreed as to the rule by which the choice
of a name is to be governed namely, priority of publication. This

ary

of Great Britain. 103

rule is applicable, with few exceptions, to all recent cases, where
the species described can be properly made out ; but it so happens
that it cannot conveniently be brought to bear upon names establish-
ed by long use. Any attempt to change these fur such as, though
really prior, have not been generally adopted, has usually proved a
failure, and only tended to increase the confusion it was meant to
avoid. Extent of use, therefore, must be taken into account in
judging of established names. I am afraid that on this account we
shall be obliged to give up some of the names of Montagu which
English authors have hitherto retained on the ground of priority.
The “ Testacea Britannica” was published in 1803, and the “ His-
toire Naturelle des Mollusques terrestres et fluviatiles de la France”
in 1806. There was thus a priority of publication in the En-
glish work over that of France; but notwithstanding this, the
authority of Draparnaud has been so thoroughly established, that,
though Montagu’s book has now been known on the continent of
Europe for upwards of twenty years, and his synonyms pointed out
in the “ Concordance” of Férussac, yet not one of his names has
been adopted in preference to those of Draparnaud by a single con-
tinental author. Would it not be better, therefore, for the sake of
uniformity of nomenclature, that British authors should give up a
point which they cannot carry, and agree in adopting the more ge-
nerally received names of Draparnaud? In conformity with this
view, the names of a few species of Helix have been altered in the
following list, from those usually given in British catalogues.
Another circumstance which has greatly increased the number of
synonyms is the difficulty of making out the species of some of the
older writers, particularly those of Linnzus, whose descriptions are
often very short and unsatisfactory. Much labour has been in vain
bestowed in attempting to ascertain many of the land and fresh
water shells of this naturalist, and different authors have referred
them to so many different species, that there are instances in
which two, three, and even four species have been alternately call-
ed by the same Linnean name, according to the peculiar views of
the authors who described them. Z'urbo muscorum of Linnzus may
be taken as an example. The shell called Turbo muscorum by
Montagu, and Pupa muscorum by Fleming, under the belief that it
is the Linnzan species, is Pupa umbilicata, Drap. Lamarck, Fé-
russac, and others, think differently, and give that name to Pupa
marginata, Drap. Draparnaud himself refers it to a third species,
Vertigo cylindrica, Fer. which he consequently calls Pupa muscorum.
— But Dr Turton gives it as his opinion that Pupa edentula, Drap. is
the true Z'urbo muscorum of Linneus. Thus to understand what

104 On the Land and Fresh Water Mollusca

Pupa muscorum means in any catalogue, it becomes necessary, in
the first place, to know what authority the writer follows. Some
species of Helix, Planorbis, and Limneus are in a similar predica-
ment. It is certainly better in such a case to drop the disputed
name altogether, and adopt another about which no doubt exists.
A great preponderance of authority may, however, sometimes in-
duce us to retain it.

Important as uniformity of nomenclature is on all hands acknow-
ledged to be, it would be no easy matter to establish it. The days
are past when the authority of one great name was sufficient to carry
with it the acquiescence of admiring followers. Science is now a
republic, and were Linneus himself to rise from the dead, he
would fail to accomplish such an object. It is worth while consider-
ing, however, whether a congress of the leading naturalists in each
department might not, by mutual concessions, be brought to agree
upon adopting a uniform set of specific names. If this were done a
great deal would be accomplished towards inducing succeeding
writers to adopt the same convenient plan. I mention specific
names only, because it is clear that those of general and higher
groups, being founded upon our knowledge of nature, must be left
to be modified as that knowledge increases ; but specific names are
mere conventional and arbitrary signs ; more or less valuable, indeed,
according to their indication of character, yet such as when once
adopted it is not necessary afterwards to change. The subject is
well worthy the attention of the natural history section of the
British Association. I have been led further into the consideration
of this subject than is altogether necessary for my present purpose ;
but the evil complained of is a serious one. Were this obstruction
to our progress once removed, and a set of well digested rules agreed
upon, we have a guarantee in the increased and increasing facili-
ties of communication now established between naturalists of all
countries, and the greater accuracy of description now adopted, that
such a barrier would not again arise to obstruct our path, or deter
the youthful inquirer from entering upon the fair field of natural
history.

It has been attempted, as far as practicable, in the following list,
to give, after the name of the genus, that of the author who first
instituted it ; but where it has been afterwards restricted, a second
name is given, indicating the author who used it in the restricted
sense in which it is at-present taken. In like manner, after the spe-
cific name is placed that of the author who imposed it, without any
reference to the genus in which it is now used ; but where the ge-
neric appellation has been changed, the name of the author first
applying it in that genus is also added.

of Great Britain. 105

MOLLUSCA, Cuv.
lst Section. MOLLUSCA CEPHALA, Feér.
Class. GASTEROPODA, Cuv.
Order. PuLMONIFERA, Flem. (Les Pulmones, Cuv.)
+ Terrestrial.
Fam. Limacipm, Flem. (Les Limaces, Cuv.)
Gen. 1. Anton, Férussac.
]. Empiricorum, Fér.
Limax ater, Linn.
L. Subrufus, Linn.
2. Horlensis, Feér.
var. B. Pfeiffer. Griseus, unicolor, fascia utrinque nigra.
Limax fasciatus, Nilsson.
Arion circumscriptus, Johnston, Edinb. New Phil. Journ.

I follow the opinion of M. de Férussac in making L. fasciatus,
Nils. a variety of A. hortensis, Fér. The variety only, if such it be,
has yet been noticed in this country, and is common in gardens,
woods, &c.

Gen. 2. Limax, Linneus, Férussac.

1. Cinereus, Linn.—Shell: Limacellus Parma, Turt.

2. Variegatus, Fér.—Shell: Limacellus variegatus, Turt.

Not uncommon in cellars.

. Agrestis, Linn.—Shell: Limacellus obliquus, Turt.
. Carinatus, Leach.—Shell : Limacellus ungulatus, Turt.
. Somerbi, Fér.

Or OO

Gen. 3. TrestaceLuus, Cuvier.

1. Haliotordeus, Drap.

var. T. scutellum, Sowerby.

In addition to the localities in the neighbourhood of London, Dr
Turton informs us that this species is found in gardens at Ply-
mouth and Bideford. There is good reason, therefore, to suppose that
it is a native species. The case is different with T. Maugii, which
belongs to a warm climate, and has evidently been introduced along
with exotic plants into the nursery where it is now found.

Fam. Hexic, Jeff. (Les Escargots, Cuv.)
Gen. 4. Virrina, Draparnaud.
1. Pellucida, Mull. Flem.
V. Mulleri, Jeff.
Var 1. V. Draparnaldi, Jeff.
2. V. Diaphana, Jeff.
Mr Jeffreys having kindly favoured me with specimens of his V.

106 On the Land and Fresh Water Mollusca

Draparnaldi, I have compared them carefully with specimens of He-
licolimax Audebardi, Fér. collected on the continent, and have come
to the conclusion that they are not of that species. I am afraid that
V. Draparnaldi can only be classed as a variety of V. pellucida,
(Helicolimax pellucidus, Fér.) Mr Jeffreys now considers his V.
Diaphana to be also a var. of the same. V. Dillwynii appears to be
something different, but being founded upon a single dead specimen,
it is to be hoped that Mr Jeffreys may be able to obtain additional
specimens, and in a living state, in order fully to establish it.

Gen. 5. Succinea, Draparnaud.
1. Amphibia, Drap.
2. Gracilis, Alder.
S. oblonga, Turt.

It may require a further investigation to decide whether or not
this be really distinct from the foregoing. I have found them plen-
tifully within 100 yards of each other, each retaining its characte-
ristic marks in the colour of the animal and shape of the shell, and
unmixed with the other sort. Some foreign species of this difficult
genus, quite as nearly allied as this to S. Amphibia, are neverthe-—
less considered to be distinct.

3. Oblonga, Drap.

Besides the locality mentioned by Mr Jeffreys, who was the first
to introduce this desirable species into the British list, it has been
found at Bathgate near Glasgow. Specimens obtained from that
place were sent me by Mr Kenyon of Preston a few years ago.

Gen. 6. Heurx, Linnzus, Lamarck.

. Pomatia, Linn.
. Arbustorum, Linn.
« Aspersa, Mull.
. Nemoralis, Linn.
. Hortensis, Linn.

var. H. hibrida, Leach.
6. Limbata, Drap.
Found in the neighbourhood of London by Mr G. B. Sowerby,

from whom I have specimens.
4. Carthusiana, Drap.
H. pallida, Jeff.
8. Carthusianella, Drap.
H. rufilabris, Jeff. g
The var. « of Mr Jeffreys, which he makes synonymous with H.
Olivieri, Fér., M. de Férussac considered to be erroneously referred
to that species. Both vary very much in size.

oP WD

of Great Britain. 107

9. Obvoluta, Mull.

No other locality appears to have been observed for this, since its
discovery in Hampshire by Dr Lindsay.

10. Glabella, Drap.

H. rufescens, Mont.

ll. Depilata, Pf.

H. circinata, Fér.

This species is not uncommon on the banks of the sea near Up-
per Clapton, Middlesex, where I observed it in 1833. The speci-
mens there collected agree perfectly with those of Pfeiffer in Férus-
sae’s cabinet. It is not hispid in any stage of growth, but in other
respects is scarcely to be distinguished from the following.

12. Concinna, Jeff.

This may be a variety of H. hispida, as now supposed by Mr Jef-
freys, but is stronger and with the hairs more deciduous than the
usual form of that species. It is very generally diffused, common-
ly taking the place of H. glabella in situations where the latter is
not found.

13. Hispida, Mull.

14. Sericea, Mull.

It is difficult to say whether or not this is the H. sericea of Mul-
ler. Having introduced it as such on the faith of the Baron de
Férussac, I leave it for further investigation.

15. Granulata, Ald.

H. hispida, Mont.

It is needless to repeat here the observations given on this and
the foregoing species in another place. The present is surely dis-
tinct.

16. Fusca, Mont.

17. Excavata, Ald.

18. Lucida, Drap.

There can be no doubt of this being the H. nitida of Muller, but
the name has been so often misapplied, that I feel great reluctance
to use it. Lucida, though not altogether free from the same fault,
is less liable to be misunderstood.

19. Radiatula, Ald.

var. H. vitrina, Fér. Tab. des Moll.
20. Nitidula, Drap.
var. H. Helmii, Gilbertson, MS.

Mr Gilbertson points out some peculiarities in the habits of the
animal, together with the white colour of the shell, as a reason for
considering his H. Helmii to be distinct from H. nitidula. Mr G,
would do well to publish his observations upon it.

108 On the Land and Fresh Water Mollusca

21. Alliaria, Miller.
var. H. glabra, Studer ?

Mr Gilbertson finds what he considers to be a variety of this
species, much larger than the usual size. This variety appears to
be the H. glabra of Studer (Férussac, Tab. des Moll. No. 215,)
judging from specimens in M. de Férussac’s cabinet.

22. Cellaria, Mull.

Continental specimens of this shell are larger and rather more
open in the umbilicus than British ones, which induced M. de Fé-
russac to think that they might be distinct. The same remark is ap-
plicable to H. nitidula, but in both cases, I think, amounting to no-
thing more than a variety. H. nitens, Fér. Tab. des Moll. is only
the English variety of this species in a small state. H. nitens of
Michaud, if we may judge from the figures, is H. nitidula, Drap.
I suspect his H. nitidula is, like that of Pfeiffer, the var 8. of Drap.,
and H. radiatula of this catalogue.

. 23. Pura, Ald.
var. H. nitidosa, Fér.

Much confusion has arisen in the attempt to ascertain the H. ni-
tidosa of Férussac, Tab. des Moll. of which neither figure nor de-
scription has been published. This arises from his quoting H. niti-
dula, var «. Drap. as a synonym. ‘There happens to be no var. a ;
but the var. 6, which, from his reference to the figures, Férussae
must have meant, is our H. radiatula. His specimens are undoubt-
edly the horn-coloured variety of our H. pura.

24. Crystallina, Mull.

H. hyalina? Fér. Tab. des Moll. No. 224, appears to be a
variety of this.

25. Fulva, Drap.

var. H. Mortoni, Jeff.

A difference of opinion exists between English and continental
naturalists, as to whether this species is the H. Trochulus or H,
fulva of Muller. This it is impossible now to decide. It is certain,
however, that the species now under consideration is the H. trochi-
formis of Montagu, and H. fulva of Draparnaud. Férussac has cal-
led another shell H. trochiformis, and as Draparnaud’s name is more
generally adopted, it is better to acquiesce in it. H. Mortoni, Jeff.
is, I think, only a depressed variety of this. There is a small varie-
ty, not uncommon, darker coloured, and with very delicate and beau-
tiful concentric striz on the base, only visible with a high magnifier,
which I at first considered distinct, but on closer examination, slight
traces of these striz are also visible on full-grown and decided speci-
mens of H. fulva. I have therefore not ventured to separate them.

of Great Britain. 109

< 26. Scarburgensis, Ald.
H. lamellata, Jeff.

The name of Scarburgensis was given to this elegant little species
by its discoverer, Mr Bean of Scarborough, who has done ‘sozmuch
for this department of zoology that [ feel anxious to retain it in,com-
pliment to him. It is to be regretted that Mr Bean had not at
once published his discoveries, rather than have left them for others
to record. Mr Jeffreys’s name is in other respects a better one,
and had so far the priority of publication, that the part of the Lin-
nan Transactions which contained his Synopsis appeared’ while
the first part of the Newcastle Natural History Society’s Transac-
tions was in the press. It may be objected to H. lamellata that Fé-
russac has a H. lamellosa, to which it approaches rather too closely.

27. Aculeata, Mull.

28. Pulchella, Mull.

var. H. costata, Mull.

29. Pygmea, Drap.

Nothwithstanding the information communicated by M. D’Or-
bigny to Mr Jeffreys, i still hold the opinion that this is the true
H. pygmea of Draparnaud. Many naturalists have erroneously
considered it to be the young of H. rupestris.

30. Rupestris, Drap.

H. umbilicata, Mont.

31. Rotundata, Mull.

32. Siriata, Drap.

H. caperata, Mont.

I have not seen any British variety of this shell similar to H.
candidula, Studer.

33. Variabilis, Drap.

H. virgata, Mont.

A very small variety of this, found on the coast of North Devon,
is probably the H. maritima, Drap.

34. Pisana, Mull.

H. cingenda, Mont.

35. Ericetorum, Linn.

Gen. 7. Carocouua, Lamarck.
1. Lapicida, Linn. Lam.

Gen. 8. Buuimus, Bruguiere.
1. Acutus, Mull. Brug.

2. Montanus, Drap.
3. Obscurus, Mull. Drap.

110 On the Land and Fresh Water Mollusca

Bulimus Clavulus, Turt. cannot be considered a native species.
It appears, however, to have spread beyond the limits of Mr Miller’s
nursery at Bristol, as Mr Williamson of the Manchester museum,
showed me specimens obtained from a garden in that neighbourhood.
B. Decollatus, Drap. is similarly situated, and has even less claim
to be considered as British. Dr Turton introduces B. articulatus,
Lam., and B. ventricosus, Drap. into his Manual, and informs us that
they were sent to him “ from the plains about Penzance, in Corn-
wall ;’ but by whom found or transmitted to him we are not inform-
ed. B. articulatus, Lam. is, according to M. de Férussac, a varie-
ty of B. acutus ; and if he was right, which there is no reason to
doubt, in the specimens he gave me under that name, it is certainly
an inhabitant of this country, but not a species. Dr Turton’s shell,
however, now in the cabinet of William Clark, Esq. of Bath, is of
another and very distinct species, not known, I believe, to inhabit
Europe. Some more satisfactory information must, therefore, be ob-
tained before admitting this, or the B. ventricosus, into the British
list. Bulimus tuberculatus, Turt. appears to have been introduced
by some mistake of Captain Blomer, who, Iam afraid, was not suffi-
ciently careful in keeping his English and Foreign specimens sepa-
rate from each other.

Gen. 9, AcHATINA, Lamarck.

1. Acicula, Muli, Lam.

2. Lubrica, Mull. Mich.

Most modern authors (Férussac, Michaud, Mencke, Jeffreys,
and Bouillet,) agree in detaching this species from Bulimus. Its
close affinity to Achatina foliculus, Lam. points out its place in this
genus, but it forms a link between the two. Perhaps Mr Jeffreys’s
genus Cionella ought to he adopted for this section of Achatina.

A. Octona has no real claim to be considered as British.

Gen. 10. Azeca, Leach.
1. Goodalli, Fér. Ald.

Gen. 11. Cuausix1a, Draparnaud.

1. Bidens, Mull. Drap.

Turbo laminatus, Mont.

The specific name of Bidens has become rather ambiguous on ac-
count of having been applied by Linnzus and Muller, to two dis-
_ tinct species. The weight of authorities, however, is so much in fa-
vour of retaining it for this species, that I hesitate not to do so.

2. Ventricosa, Drap.

T. biplicatus, Mont.

of Great Britain. 111

Férussac originally referred T. biplicatus, Mont. to C. ventricosa,
Drap., but he afterwards adopted the opinion that they were distinct.
The British shell is more slender and spindle-shaped than the
continental one, but the difference scarcely amounts to any thing
more than a variety.

3. Roiphii, Leach.

Distinct from C. plicatula, Drap., to which it has been refer-
red.

4, Dubia, Drap.

Found in several places in the north of England.

5. Rugosa, Drap.

var. C. parvula, Turt.

The C. parvula of Dr Leach, (specimens in the British Museum, )
of Mr Jeffreys, and of Dr Turton, all belong, I think, to the same
variety of C. rugosa, and not to C. parvula of Studer.

Turbo labiatus, Mont. (Clausilia solida, Drap.) has long stood in
our British catalogues. It is stated to have been found in the neigh-
bourhood of London about fifty years ago. The localities named
are Hyde Park and Battersea Fields, but it is not now to be found
in either of those places, and as the shells of this genus resemble
each other very closely, it is probable that there may be some mistake
in the species noticed. C. ventricosa is not uncommon at the roots of
willows in Battersea Fields. The only specimens of C. solida, Drap.
now in collections of British shells, appear to have come from the
cabinet of Mr Humphreys, but the evidence of their native origin is
not very satisfactory. C. papillaris, Drap. (C. bidens, Turt.) has
also obtained a place among our native species. On this subject Mr
Forbes has favoured me with the following very satisfactory informa-
tion. He says, “ I have lately obtained a manuscript copy of Las-
key’s North British Testacea, written by himself, which fully ex-
plains the history of the British Clausilia papillaris. He states that
it was found by him in Granton Park, near Edinburgh, and that it
was imported from abroad in moss round the roots of some exotics.”

Turbo (Clausilia) Everetti, Miller, is a variety of C. rugosa.

Gen. 12. Bauza, Gray.
1. Fragilis, Drap. Gray.

Gen. 13. Pura, Draparnaud.
1. Umbilicata, Drap.
2. Marginata, Drap.
3. Anglica, Fér., Ald.
4, Secale, Drap.

He. On the Land and Fresh Water Mollusca

Gen. 14. Vertico, Muller.

1. Edentula, Drap. Pf.

; V. nitida, Fér.

2. Cylindrica, Fér.

Pupa muscorum, Drap.

Since Mr Jeffreys’s discovery of this beautiful little species on __
Durdham Downs, Mr Forbes has met with it near Edinburgh, and
has also had it sent him from the west of Scotland.

3. Pygmea, Drap.

4. Alpestris, (Fér.) Ald.

Found at Clithero, Lancashire, by Mr Gilbertson ; and in Nor-
thumberland by Mr J. Thompson.

5. Substriata, Jeff.

Pupa sexdentata, Ald., Turt.

6. Palustris, Leach.

Pupa antivertigo, Drap.

7. Pusilla, Muller.

8. Angustior, Jeff.

The difference between this species and the preceding appears
to be more in the number of teeth than the contour of the sliell,
and if the former is permanent, it is undoubtedly the better charac-
ter of the two.

Fam. CarycuHiapeE, Jeff.
Gen. 15. Carnycuium, Muller.
1. Minimum, Mull.

Gen. 16. Acme, Hartmann.
1. Lineata, Drap., Hart.

Fam. CycLostomip2. (Cyclostomacea, Mencke.)
Gen. 17. CycLostoma, Lamarck.
1. Elegans, Mull., Lam.
C. Productum, Turt. is a foreign shell picked up in Ireland.
C. subcylindricum, Flem. is a marine species (Truncatella Mon-
tagui, Lowe, Zool. Journ.) C. truncatum, Jeff. I take to be the
same in a different stage of growth,

++ Fluviatile.
Fam. Limneapz, Jeff. (Les Limnéens, Fér.)
Gen. 18. PLanorBis, Muller.
1. Corneus, Linn., Drap.
2. Marginatus, Drap.
var. Pl. rhombeus, Turt.

of Great Britain. 1138

A variety of this shell, found near Edinburgh, is entirely without
keel. Pl. turgidus, Jeff. is also a variety of this.

3. Carinatus, Mull.

4. Disciformis, Jeff.

I am not very sure, even after the examination of Mr Jeffreys’s
specimens, that I perfectly understand the distinction between this
and the preceding species. The degree of carination.is so very va-
riable in different individuals of the same species, that it is rather
fallacious as a distinguishing character. Further observations on
this species are desirable.

5. Vortex, Mull.

6. Spirorbis, Mull.

7. Levis, Ald.

Besides the localities in Northumberland mentioried in the New-
castle Natural History Society’s Transactions, this species has been
found in Ireland by W. Thompson, Esq. of Belfast, and there are
specimens (unnamed,) in the Museum of the Jardin des Plantes at
Paris from Granville; so that, though it has remained so long
unnoticed, its range is considerable.

8. Deformis, Lam.

Pl. Spirorbis, Drap.
Pl. Draparnaldi, Shep. Jeff.
Pl. complanatus, Turt.

First introduced into our Fauna by the Rev. R. Sheppard, who
found it in Suffolk. A specimen in my cabinet, from the reject-
ments of the sea near London, was submitted to the inspection of
Dr Turton, who pronounced it to be of this species, and only the
third he had seen, the two others being in his own cabinet. These
latter I do not recollect to have seen in the possession of Mr Clark.
Concerning my own specimen, there is considerable doubt whether
it be in fact anything more than a variety of Pl. albus. It is a dead
and unbleached shell, with a slight marginal keel, but exhibiting faint
traces of spiral striae under a magnifier. Mr Jeffreys has two spe-
cimens, also dead shells, which he refers to this species. They are
from the rejectments of the river Taaf, near Cardiff. Pl. compla-
natus of Turton’s Manual appears to be this species, though he
makes no reference either to Draparnaud or Lamarck. It is rare in
the collections of French naturalists. Pfeiffer makes Pl. deformis,
Lam. a variety of Pl. albus ; but Ferussac considered it distinct, and
called it Pl. acronicus. It is desirable that it should be observed in
a living state.

9. Albus, Mull.

Var. Pl. glaber, Jeff.
An examination of Mr Jeffreys’s specimens of Pl. glaber confirms

114, On the Land and Fresh Water Mollusca

me in the opinion that it is a variety of this species. In some spe-
cimens of Pl. albus, the spiral striz are scarcely discernible, even
in a living state, and become quite obliterated in dead shells.

10. Contortus, Linn. Mull.

ll. Lineatus, Walker, Jeff.

P. clausulatus, Fer.
Segmentina lineata, Flem.

The tripartite partitions in this shell, though remarkable, are
scarcely sufficient to raise it to the rank of a genus. The animal is
exactly that of a Planorbis.

12. Nitidus, Mull.

Pl. complanatus, Drap.

As the Pl. nitidus of Muller evidently includes both this and the
last species, authors differ much in opinion as to which of them
should bear the name. To avoid the confusion that has hence arisen,
it would be better to drop it entirely, and take for this species the
name of lenticularis, which is given to it by some continental au-
thors, and is very characteristic.

13. Imbricatus, Mull.

Var. Pl. cristatus.

Gen. 19. Puysa, Draparnaud.

1. Fontinalis, Linn. Drap.

2. Hypnorum, Linn.’ Drap.

The difference between the animals of this and the former species
perhaps justifies Dr Fleming in establishing the genus Aplexa for
the present. A better knowledge of the other animals of this genus
would enable us to separate them with more confidence.

Three other species of Physa have been described as British.
Two of these, Bulla (Physa) rivalis, Maton, and B. fluviatilis, Turt.
Mr Jeffreys supposes, with some probability, to be varieties of P.
fontinalis. There is every reason to believe that Physa alba, Turt.
is a foreign species.

Gen. 20. Limneus, Draparnaud.

1. Stagnalis, Linn. Drap.

Var. H. fragilis, Linn.? Mont.
Young, L. Scaturiginum, Turt.

2. Palustris, Linn. Drap.

This is a very variable species, and has been divided into three
or four by continental authors, upon the propriety of which division
it is not easy to decide. There is a reputed variety inhabiting this
country (var. @. Jeff.) which seems to have some claim to the rank
- of a species. It is found on the margins of rivers in different parts

of Great Britain. . 115

of England, frequently within tide-way. It never grows to half the
usual size of the species found in ponds, and is intermediate between
that and the following.

3. Minutus, Drap.

A variety of this, much smaller in size, is also found on the mar-
gins of rivers. It is the var. y. of Draparnaud, concerning which
he says, “ J’ignore si ce n’est pas une espéce distincte.”” The small
variety is also found in mountain streams. A careful examination
of this genus may enable malacologists to discover more definite cha-
racters to distinguish this species than those already employed.

4. Elongatus, Drap.

5. Pereger, Drap.

Var. 1. L. ovatus, Drap.
2. L. lineatus, Bean.
3. Helix lutea, Mont. ©
4. Gulnaria lacustris, Leach.

6. Acutus, Jeff.

This species is intermediate between L. pereger and L. auricu-
larius, and, if not distinct, may, Mr Jeffreys observes, lead us to
unite them all into one. It comes very near L. lineatus, Bean.

7. Auricularius, Linn., Drap.

8. Involutus, Thompson, MS.

Mr Thompson of Belfast announced the discovery of this beauti-
ful new species to the Linnean Society in 1834, and we shall no
doubt be gratified with a description of it in his promised catalogue
of Irish land and fresh water Mollusca. It would be interesting to
know if the animal corresponds with that of L. glutinosus, as this
circumstance, taken in conjunction with the shape of the shell, would
go far to establish Nilsson’s genus Amphipeplea.

9. Glutinosus, Mull., Drap.

Amphipeplea glutinosa, Nils.

Concerning L. detritus, which has so long appeared on our lists,
I can add nothing to what has already been said by Dr Turton and
Mr Jeffreys. Since the former gentleman withdrew his statement
of having found this species in Ireland, Mr Bryer remains our only
authority for considering it as British; but whatever the original
shell found by Mr Bryer may have been, the specimens now in Eng-
lish cabinets appear all to belong to the genus Bulimus, and are
most likely foreign. Captain Blomer sent me a foreign Paludina
for this shell a few years ago.

The genus Auricula has not been included in this catalogue,
though one of the species, A. denticulata, may be considered to be
more fluviatile than marine. I found this species last summer on

116 On the Land and Fresh Water Mollusca

the muddy margin of the river Wye, four miles from its junction

with the Severn, generally out of the water, but within tide-way.

Its habits are somewhat similar to those of some species of Limneus ;
indeed, a little further up the same river, nearly opposite Tintern,
its place is taken by the small variety of L. palustris before-men-
tioned as common in such situations.

Fam. Ancy.1p®, (Ancylea, Mencke.)
Gen. 21. Ancyus, Geoffroy.

1. Fluviatilis, Mull.

2. Lacustris, Mull.

Ord. PEcCTINIBRANCHIA. (Pectinibranches, Cuv.)
Fam. Tursinip2. (Les Sabots, Cuv.)
Gen. 22. Patupina, Lamarck.

1. Vivipara, Linn., Lam.

2. Achatina, Drap., Lam.

3. Impura, Drap., Lam.

4, Similis, Drap.

5. Anatina, Drap. Mich.

This species has been found in Greenwich marshes by J. E. Gray,
Esq. to whom I am indebted for specimens. Though living so far
inland, it appears to belong to a littoreal genus, rather than to Pa-
ludina, from which it differs in having a spirally grooved operculum.

Cyclostoma acutum, Drap. (Paludina muriatica, Lam.*) is now
well known to be a marine species, allied to Turbo Ulvz of English
writers, and abundant on many of our sandy coasts. P. Viridis of
Turton’s Manual I take to be the young of P. similis, judging from
specimens in Mr Clark's cabinet. His P. stagnorum is probably a
more slender variety of the same ; but in the absence of specimens
it is impossible to decide. Dr Turton does not give any localities
for either of these species.

Gen. 23. ASSIMINEA, Leach.
1. Grayana, Iseach.
Allied to the littoreal tribes.

Gen. 24. Vautvata, Muller.
1. Piscinalis, Mull., Lam.
Var. V. depressa, Pfeiffer.

* Lamarck refers his P. muriatica to C. anatinum, Drap., but I follow Férus- —

sac in considering it to be the C. acutum. Michaud places these two in a se
parate division of the genus, which he calls “‘ Espéces des eaux saumatres.”

ae

of Great Britain. ip y

Specimens of V. depressa, Pf. were sent me from Lancashire some
_ years ago by Mr Kenyon. They are exactly similar to those in

Férussac’s cabinet, received from Pfeiffer himself ; but it can scarce-
_ ly be considered more than a variety of V. piscinalis.

2. Cristata, Mull.

V. spirorbis, Drap.

Dr Turton has introduced two other species, V. planorbis. Drap.
and V. minuta, Drap. into his Manual, but no specimens of them
are now to be found in his cabinet. I took some pains to investigate
these two species when in Paris. On examining three of the prin-
cipal collections there, those of the Jardin des Plantes, the Baron de
Ferussac, and the Prince Rivoli, in the latter only I found any-
thing under the name of V. planorbis. The specimens were V.
cristata, Mull. M. de Ferussac had specimens under the name of
V. minuta from two different individuals. Those from Pfeiffer are,
I think, the young of V. cristata; and the others (I forget from
whom, but with the name of Draparnaud,) the young of V. piscina-
lis. Mr Miller introduced V. minuta into his Catalogue of the Land
and Fresh water Shells of the environs of Bristol, but no specimen
of it is preserved in the Bristol Museum. Dr Turton says that his
V. minuta is the Helix serpuloides of Montagu. ‘Vhis is well known
to be a marine shell, referable to the genus Skenea of Fleming. Mr
Thompson of Belfast has, however, favoured me with the examina-
tion of a shell, which may possibly turn out to be the V. minuta,
Drap., though I suspect it to be marine.

Fam. NeEritT1p&, Turt. (Les Nérites, Cuv.)
Gen. 25. Neritina, Lamarck.
1. Fluviatilis, Lin. Lam.

2d Section. MOLLUSCA ACEPHALA, Fer. (Les Acéphales, Cuv.)
Class—CONCHIFERA, Lam. (Acéphales testacés, Cuv.)
Ord.—LLAMELLIBRANCHIA. (Lamellibranches, Cuv.)
Fam.—Mytitipm. (Les Mytilaces, Fér.)
Gen. 26. Dreissena, Vanbeneden.

1. Polymorpha, Pallas, Vanb.

This species, being found in three localities in England, and one
in Scotland, seems now to have regularly established itself in our
island.

Fam. Natapm. (Les Nayades, Fer.)
Gen. 27. Anopon, Oken. (Anodonta, Lam.)
1. Cygneus, Lin. Lam.
VOL, 1. No. 8. I

118 On the and and Fresh Water Mollusca of Great Britain.
. Cellensis, Pf.

. Intermedius, Lam.
Anatinus, Lam.
Ventricosus, Pf.

ore go bo

Gen. 28. Unio, Bruguiere.
. Margaritiferus, Lin. Nils.
2. Tumidus, Nils.
Mysca solida, Turt.
ovata, Turt.

3. Pictorum, Linn. Lam.

4, Rostratus, Lam.

5. Batavus, Lam.

The foregoing is given as the nearest approximation to a correct
list of the British species of Anodon and Unio (according to the
views of Pfeiffer) which the present state of our knowledge will
allow ; but so various are the opinions of authors on these difficult
genera, and so little have the British species been investigated, that
we are much in need of further information on the subject.

—

Fam. Cy¢uap#, Flem. (Les Cyclades, Fer.)
Gen. 29. Cycias, Bruguiere.

1. Rivicola, Leach.

2. Cornea, Linn., Lam.

3. Calyculata, Drap.

Var. C. lacustris, Turt. Ald.

The Cyclas lacustris of Draparnaud is certainly unknown to Bri-
tish naturalists ; but as the species is described by most of the con-
tinental authors, we might naturally conclude that they were well
acquainted with it. The contrary, however, appears to be the fact.
M. de Férussac, who, from his extensive correspondence, might
have been expected to possess the best information on the subject,
gave me a variety of C. cornea (frequently found in this country) as
the supposed C. lacustris, Drap. This, though slightly rhomboidal |
in outline, does not agree very well with Draparnaud’s description.
Mr Clark has a shell obtained in Devonshire which comes nearer to
it. It is to be hoped that this gentleman will shortly lay before
the public the store of very valuable information on British Mol-
_ luscous animals of which he is possessed.

Gen. 30. Pisip1um, Pfeiffer.
1. Obtusale, Pf.? Jen.

On the Botany of Erris. 119

- Pusillum, Turt.? Jen.
Nitidum, Jen.

- Pulchellum, Jen.

. Henslonianum, Shep. Jen.
. Cinereum, Ald.

Amnicum, Mull., Jen.

The excellent monograph of the Rev. L. Jenyns has been impli-
citly followed in this family, with the single exception of the intro-
duction of an additional species of Pisidium, describedin the second
volume of the Newcastle Natural History Society’s Transactions.

SID Orb & bO

II.—On the Botany of Erris, County Mayo, and a notice of several
additions to the Flora Hibernica. By Cuaruxs C. BaBincron,
M.A., F. L. S., &c.

As the western part of Ireland is not well known to English
naturalists, a short account of my botanical observations, made dur-
ing a tour in the counties of Mayo and Galway, but more particu-
larly the former, may perhaps be acceptable. Had this district been
even moderately known, I should not have presumed to introduce
so very imperfect a sketch of its native flora, but when I find that it
is scarcely noticed in Mr Mackay’s Flora Hibernica, I cannot avoid
thinking that even these cursory observations may be interesting to
British botanists.

It was about the middle of the month of July 1836 when I arriv-
ed at Westport, a small town at the head of Clew Bay, county of
Mayo, and determined upon visiting the wild district of Erris. But,
during a morning walk, previously to starting for that country, I
noticed the following plants, most of them, indeed, very common,
yet considered worthy of notice, as showing one of the most wester-
ly points of their range. It may perhaps be as well to add, that
this is the nearest land to America, although this is not the most
westerly part of Ireland.

On the cultivated land the following plants occurred : Scrophu-
laria nodosa, Sonchus oleraceus, S. asper, Circza lutetiana, Veronica
agrestis, V. polita.

In a bog upon the north side of the harbour, and which is pro-
bably sometimes overflowed by the tide: Plantago maritima, Tri-
glochin maritimum, Linum catharticum, Glaux maritima, Spergula
nodosa, Samolus valerandi, Rumex hydrolapathum, Anagallis te-
nella, Carduus pratensis, Ranunculus hederaceus, Hypericum hu-
mifusum, Phalaris arundinacea.

I also noticed, in the same bog, a species of Rumex differing very

120 On the Botany of Erris.

materially from R. crispus, and which I referred, upon the spot, to
R. pratensis. It was unfortunately in too young a state for me to
obtain any ripe fruit, and my friend, Mr Borrer, was therefore un-
able to determine it with certainty from my specimens. It is much
to be wished that some botanist, who may visit that county in the
autumn, would pay attention to it. I shall point out several other
stations for it before concluding this paper.

Ata distance of forty-three Irish miles from Westport, and at
the upper end of Black Sod Bay, is situated the little town of Bell-
mullet. This place is the capital and only town in the barony of
Erris. For the greater part of that distance, the road to Bellmullet
passes over uncultivated and almost uninhabited bogs and mountains.

At Lough Clunon, a few miles from Westport, I gathered Car-
duus pratensis, which is common throughout the counties of Mayo
and Galway, and also the following plants: Eriophorrem angustifo-
lium, Erica tetralix, E. cinerea, Potentilla comarum, Myrica gale,
Lobelia dortmanna, Habenaria chlorantha, Hieracium paludosum,
Hypericum pulchrum, Polypodium vulgare, Blechnum boreale.

A few miles farther on by the side of Lough Beltra, a beautiful
lake surrounded by. mountains, I noticed Polygonum persicaria,

Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Raphanus raphanistrum, Pedicu-
laris palustris, and upon the ledges of some fine rocks near to the
police station, I found the reflexed form of Aspidium dilatatum,
- which is mentioned in Sir W. Hooker’s Brit. Flora, p. 451, (note ;)
and also a very curious variety of Asp. filix-foemina, having its pin-—
nules very broad and deeply inciso-serrate, the teeth sharp, and |
sometimes again serrated. A very few specimens occurred, but they
were full of fruit.

We stopped for the night at a farmer’s cabin, close to the foot of |
the lofty mountain called Nephin, and having a few hours of day-_
light remaining, I ascended to nearly its highest point. It consists
of a lofty ridge, sloping down gradually at both ends, but very steep_
upon its sides. The summit is bare, and I only noticed the follow-—
ing plants: Solidago virgaurea 8. cambrica, Saxifraga umbrosa, |
Vaccinium vitis-idea, Empetrum nigrum, Melampyrum sylvaticum.

In the bogs at its foot were the following : Rhynchospora alba
Drosera anglica, D. rotundifolia, Schoenus nigricans, Gnaphalium }
sylvaticum, 8. rectum, Peplis portula.

A small quantity of natural wood occurs upon the lower slope of!
the mountain, and by the side of a neighbouring river. It consists:
of Ilex aquifolium, Pyrus aucuparia, Quercus robur, Alnus glutino-
sa, Betula alba, and Corylus avellana. They must be considered asp

On the Botany of Erris. 121

little more than bushes, few of them forming trees. In this wood
I noticed Carex extensa and Valeriana officinalis.

The road from Nephin towards Erris now passes, for many miles,
over an extensive bog, bounded, both towards the north-east and
south-west, by lofty mountains. The latter range is of extraordi-
nary beauty ; it includes the lofty and rugged summits of Nephin-
beg and Curshleve. These mountains would, no doubt, well repay
the botanist, but they are nearly inaccessible from the total want of
accommodation, even of the poorest kind, within many miles of their
base. Their unfrequented recesses are still inhabited by a few red-
deer.

A large portion of these bogs might be brought into cultivation
at acomparatively small expence. They are seldom perfectly flat,
and in many parts their slope is considerable. The subsoil is often
of a sandy nature, being apparently formed of the decomposed mica
slate and quartz rock from the neighbouring mountains. There is
frequently good natural pasture upon the banks of the rivers. This is
probably occasioned by the annual supply of sand brought down by
the winter torrents.

After passing this dreary country, we enter Erris by crossing the
large river Owenmore. The road follows its course for some miles,
descending a fine valley denominated Glan Co. This valley is sel-
dom more than a mile in width, usually much less, and, in almost
all parts, might easily be brought into cultivation. It is bounded
by hills, which are steep but of moderate elevation, and, but for its
total want of trees, would be one of the most beautiful spots in the
Kingdom. I here noticed Habenaria chlorantha, Potentilla coma-
rum, Myosotis repens, M. cespitosa, Carex ovalis, Hypericum quad-
rangulum.

At the further end of Glan Co is the small village of Bangor.
This is a poor place, consisting of a few cabins, and two or three
‘moderate houses. The remaining ten miles to Bellmullet is per-
haps the most interesting part of the whole road from Westport, be-
ing much varied with bog and mountain, passing near the large sheet
of water, Lough Garrowmore, through a narrow pass, denominated
Glan Castle, and commanding a succession of grand and extensive
views of the Erris mountains, the Isle of Achill and the broad ex-
panse of the Atlantic. The entrance to Glan Castle is so narrow
as only to admit the road which is cut out of the rock, and a small
iver to pass between the steep declivities by which it is bounded.
Just at its entrance there is a fine basaltic dike, which stands out
from the hill side like a stone-wall. In this pass I noticed Hype-
ricum androsemum, Scirpus Savii, Aspidium dilatatum, and its con-

122 . On the Botany of Erris.

cave variety mentioned before ; also Asp. filix-foemina with fronds
of more than five feet in length. I may mention that I captured
here a single specimen of Carabus clathratus.

The valley of Glan Castle gradually widens into an open undula-
ting country, which extends on all sides as far as the ocean. From
the top of a slight eminence, a most extensive view is obtained, in-
cluding Broad Haven, Black Sod-Bay, the whole extent of the Mul-
let, and the distant summits of the mountainous island of Achill.

Black Sod Bay and Broad Haven are separated by a very narrow
neck of land ; in one place it is not more than 100 yards from sea to
sea. The little town of Bellmullet is built upon this neck of land,
so that its main street extends to the high-water-mark of both those

deep inlets. It has not been many years in existence, and is now in
a flourishing state.

The northern part of the Mullet is an extensive boggy moor, on
which I gathered Drosera rotundifolia, Schcenus nigricans, Helos-
ciadium nodiflorum, Myosotis repens, C&nanthe crocata, Osmunda
regalis.

On a few patches of cultivation Carduus pratensis and Senecio
viscosus abound, and in flax-fields, Camelina sativa is frequent.

On the western shore I noticed Scirpus Savii, Arenaria peploides,
Glaux maritima, Plantago coronopus in a very diminutive state,
Spergula nodosa, Anthyllis vulneraria, Orchis latifolia, O. macula-
ta, and Papaver dubium. At the distance of about a mile south of
-Binghamstown, in a lane leading from Drumrhe to Crosslake, I
found Callitriche pedunculata in plenty, and, at a short distance to

the north of the same place, Lathyrus pratensis and Vicia cracca are ~

common in the pastures. I here noticed the Rumex mentioned be-
fore as closely resembling R. pratensis. I may add that it also oc-
curs upon the waste ground below Sir R. O’Donnel’s house at New-
port, county Mayo.

The southern part of the Mullet is being gradually overwhelmed
by drifting sands, and the extreme point consists of a hill of granite.
In this sandy district Achillea millefolium puts on a peculiar ap-
pearance, becoming quite dwarfy, and extremely woolly. From the
top of the granite there is a splendid view of the Isle of Achill, the
lofty mountains of Erris, and the Atlantic ocean.

After returning to Westport, I again visited Cunnamara. I need

say little of that, interesting district, having elsewhere given a de-

tailed account of it.* I visited several parts of that country on the ©

present occasion, which I had been unable to inspect during my

* In Vol. ix. page 119, of Loudon’s Mag. of Natural History.
5

On the Botany of Erris. 128

previous tour, and was still more impressed with the peculiar gran-
deur of its mountain scenery. I certainly do not know of any spot
in the British Islands which will so well repay a visit.

In Cunnamara I made numerous inquiries concerning the bog
timber, and was informed that two very distinct kinds of deal are
found in great plenty. One of them has a twisted stem, burns with
a clear flame and fine scent; it is used for torches, and is called
Corchep by the people. The other is not twisted, is far better
for the ordinary purposes of timber, and is said to have a much
larger root in proportion to its stem than the Pinus sylvestris. I
have reason to think that the true Scotch fir (P. sylvestris) has not
been found in a wild state in Ireland, nor have I seen any proof of
its occurring in the bogs. From its being the only fir known to be
a native of Great Britain, it has been taken for granted that it was
also the only one in Ireland. I am sorry to see that my friend Mr
Mackay has adopted this idea in his valuable Flora Hibernica. He
says that the roots of the Scotch fir, obtained from the bogs, are
used as torches. This is worthy of experiment, and since the old
roots must be plentiful in the Scotch pine forests it may very easily
be ascertained.* I need hardly add that several different layers of
bog timber are found, and that therefore there is no reason to doubt
that the trees grew upon the bog itself. As no trees are now grow-
ing naturally upon the bogs, it is a point of great interest to ascer-
tain what species are best suited for so peculiar a situation. I had
great hopes of being able to determine at least one of these species,
by obtaining some of its cones, but although I was informed by se-
veral intelligent men that they were often found, and that they
would undertake to obtain them for me, I have recently learned
that they have been disappointed in their researches.

Eriophorum polystachion is frequent in Cunnamara, and may al-
ways be distinguished from E. angustifolium, by its broad, flat, and
keeled leaves. At Roundstone I gathered Arabis ciliata, growing
in the chinks of granite rocks, and again visited the stations of Eri-

* The roots of pine which are found in the Scotch bogs are dug up, split, and
used for torches instead of candles, and appear to possess all the qualities of
ready and bright combustion ascribed to the Irish bog timber by Mr Mackay.
(See Lightfoot, Hooker, &c., and the writings of other botanists of Scotland.)
The roots of the Scotch fir (Pinus sylvestris,) which form our modern planta-
tions, are in many parts dug out, split, and dried, and are used as lights for spear-
ing salmon. The splinters are placed in a narrow grating fixed in the boat, give
a clear and brilliant flame, which by keeping the fire supplied may be kept up
for hours. ‘Trees that have been blown down are generally preferred for this
purpose.—Eps.

124 On Subaquatic Insects.

ca Mediterranea and Mackaiana. The former has now been ga-
thered in several other parts of Mayo and Galway, and, although
the latter is still only known to occur in one spot, yet I am more
and more confirmed in the opinion that it is a truly distinct species.

Upon a wooded hill that projects into Lough Corrib, called Drum-
sna, I noticed Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense and H. Wilsoni, Ru-
bus idzus, Hieracium umbellatum, Scolopendrium vulgare, and the
concave variety of Aspidium dilatatum. Near to Flinn’s house
. there is a great quantity of Osmunda regalis.

In conclusion, I would point out the two following plants as new
to the Irish flora, 2. e. Callitriche pedunculata, found in the Mullet,
and Myosotis repens, which is common in Cunnamara, at Westport,
and in Erris. I carefully examined Cushtrower Bay, but was un-
able to find Atriplex pedunculata.

My friend, E. Hill Esq. of Oxford, informs me that he gathered
Eriophorum pubescens at Woodlawn, near Killconnel, county Galway.
This is its second Irish station. He also mentions that Miss Trench
has discovered Euphorbia peplis at Garreries Cove, near Tramore,
county Waterford. This is not contained in my friend Mackay’s Flora
Hibernica. Mr Hill was so good as to show me specimens of both
these plants. Irom the accidental loss of a specimen, Fedia auri-
cula was omitted by Mr Mackay. I gathered it, as mentioned in
Loudon’s Magazine, at Oughterard, county Galway, in the month of
August 1835.

' St John’s College, Cambridge,
March 20, 1837.

ITI.—Notes upon Subaquatic Insects, with the description of a
New Genus of British Staphylinide. By J. O. Wxestwoop,
F.L.S. &c. Plate IV.

Tue economy and physiological peculiarities of those species of
insects and other annulose animals, which, although organized for
aerial respiration, are enabled to abide in situations, which are in-
deed their natural habitats, where they are for a very considerable
period of time entirely submerged beneath the surface of waters, are
extremely interesting, and well worthy of a more scientific investi-
gation than has hitherto been given to them. The habits of the
diving water spider (Argyroneta aquatica, Latr.) have been long ago
observed by De Geer and others, but up to the present time, as we
learn from Mr Kirby’s Bridgewater Treatise, the precise manner by
which this spider is enabled to envelope itself in a dome of air, and

On Subaquatic Insects. 125

to descend with its miniature diving-bell to the bottom of the water
in which it resides, has not yet been discovered. The observation of
spiraculated aquatic imagines will not very greatly assist us in this
inquiry, because we tind no uniformity existing in their mode of in-
spiration ; thus, when the perfect Dyticideous beetles ascend to the
surface of the water, they expose the extremity of the body, and thus
admit air into the space which exists between the upper surface of
the abdomen and the closed elytra ; whereas in the Hydrophilide
the head is brought to the surface of the water, and then one of the
clavate antenne is projected, the club of these organs being cover-
ed with fine hair. This club is, however, sotwisted that whilst the
base is exposed to the air the extremity is brought in contact with
the breast, which, as well as the whole under side of the insect, is
covered with short silky pubescence. “ By this means,” observes
Burmeister, “‘ a communication is made with the external air and
that beneath the water covering both the clava of the antenne and
_ the whole under surface of the insect, to which it adheres by means
of the coating of down; and by this communication fresh air is trans-
mitted to the venter of the insect, and by the same means the ex-
pired air is also removed, and the air is likewise transmitted from
the ventral surface beneath the elytra, where it is in, and expired
by the spiracles there situated.” *

This distinction appears to me to result entirely from the pre-
sence or absence of the coating of plush or fine down, with which the
bodies of some of these insects are provided, because in the Dyti-
eid, which do not respire by means of a supply of air coating the
underside of the body, we find the body not externally covered with
this coating of plush.

The genus Nepa offers a still more remarkable modification in
the structure of its respiratory organs and mode of respiration. On
examining an insect of this genus, the spiracles appear at first sight
to be in the ordinary position and of the ordinary form; but we
learn from M. Dufour’s admirable Recherches Anatomiques sur les
Hemipteres, that these spiracles have no orifice and are quite use-
less, the only spiracles being two, which are placed at the base of the
anal sete. ‘Thus it is only by thrusting these setz out of the water
that the insect can obtain a supply of air.t

The insects to which we have directed our attention are en-
abled to swim with greater or less facility, and hence it is that they

ean obtain fresh supplies of external air at pleasure ; moreover, for

* Manual of Entomol. p. 392, Shuckard’s translation.
+ See Brit. Cyclop. Nat. Hist. Vol. ii. p. 870. fig. 150.

126 . On Subaquatic Insects.

the most part, they frequent still waters, and their movements are
not influenced by the agitated state of the fluid in which they reside.
But there are other insects which pass a great portion of their
lives under water without possessing the power of swimming about,
and thus obtaining at will due supplies of air ; and there are others
which, in addition to this deficiency, are inhabitants of situations
which for hours, days, and even weeks are entirely covered by the
rolling tide of the sea, it being only at the period of neap-tides that
the spots where they are found are left uncovered by water.
M. Dutrochet has endeavoured to explain the manner in which res-
piration is effected in the first of these cases, in a memoir upon the
larva of a moth, Hydrocampa potamogeta, read before the Acade-
- mie des Sciences, which, as well as the pupa, resides constantly,
although provided with spiracles and not with branchiz, beneath the
surface of stagnant water. “© I] arrive pour cette chenille,”
according to this author, ‘‘ qu’ épuissant par l’act de la respiration
Yoxygéne de lair atmosphérique qui l’environne l’azote restant se
dissout dans l’eau et en extrait du gaz oxygéne. Mais en méme
temps le gaz acide produit par la respiration se dissout aussi dans
Yeau et en extrait l’air atmosphérique, dont l’oxygéne sert naturel-
lement a la respiration et dont l’azote répare la perte du gaz azote
dissous.’” This may indeed perhaps be considered as the real solu-
tion of the chief inquiry, but there are so many differences both of
economy and structure in the subaquatic insects, that it must be
evident, that by minutely investigating each, we’ may arrive ‘with
greater certainty at the general truth. Moreover, as in the case of
those natatorial species which from time to time come to the sur-
face of the water for fresh supplies of air, the respiratory process is
probably different from those which are constantly beneath its sur-
face, as in the larva of the water moth above-mentioned. We may
consider those species which, at certain periods, do obtain supplies of
fresh air, but in such small quantities as not to last for their con-
sumption for the long space of time they may be submerged, us oc-
cupying an intermediate station between these two groups breathing
fresh air at one period, and oxygen disengaged from water at another.
Of this latter class one of the most interesting species is the
Aépus fulvescens, a minute carabideous insect found upon the shores
of France and England, and whose economy has been traced by M.
Victor Audouin in his “‘ Observations sur un insecte qui passe une
grande partie de sa vie sous la mer,” published in the Nouvelles
Annales du Museum d’Histoire Naturelle,” Vol. iii. p. 117. This
insect is not clothed with a coat of plush on its underside ; but when
examined with a lens its head, thorax, legs, antenne, and abdomen

a, eee)

On Subaquatic Insects. 127

are found to be furnished with long‘hairs ; and M. Audouin observes
that when the insect is plunged into water each of these hairs “ re-
tient une petite couche du fluide élastique qui, réuni d’abord en
petits sphéroides, forme bientét un globule lequel entoure son corps
de toutes parts et qui malgre l’agitation qu'il se donne en courant
dans l’eau, au fond ou contre les parois du vase ou on la placé ne
sechappe jamais.” But this bubble of air is so small that, from
the length of time that the insect remains submerged, it must soon
become unfitted for respiration. And itis only by adopting the views
of M. Dutrochet that we can explain the manner in which the Aépus
is enabled to remain beneath the surface of the water. M. Audouin
has noticed the large ungues with which this insect is provided, en-
abling it to cling firmly to the stones, &c. amongst which it is found ;
but in addition to these, the penultimate joint of the anterior tarsi
is furnished with a long and curved bristle, meeting the ungues,
which, together with the strongly developed jaws and under jaws,
indicates very rapacious habits, the former being evidently service-
able in securing its prey. We can indeed easily perceive the ne-
cessity for activity in an insect situated, as the Aépus must be, be-
neath the rolling tide, both in its ordinary motions, and in obtain-
ing its supply of food.

In a subsequent note, published in the Annales des Sciences Na-
turelles, M. Audouin has pointed out the identity between this in-
sect and the Cicindela marina of Strom, published in the Nouv. Me-
moires de la Société Royale de Danemark, for 1783.

Mr Spence, in a short memoir published in the third part of the
Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, has collected
notices from the Transactions of the Old Entomological Society and
the British Entomology of Mr Curtis, of two other Coleopterous in-
sects having similar habits, namely, Pogonus Burrellii, Haw. the ha-

‘bitation of which is entirely covered with water during the winter,
and part of the summer months, and Bledius tricornis, which inha-
bits the sand hills near the sea at Cley in Norfolk.

In the Entomological Magazine, Number 7, April 1834, is con-
tained aninteresting memoir by the Rev. G. T. Rudd upon the habits
of Hesperophilus arenarius and Dyschirius —? the former of which
was observed by him in great flights settling on the sand below
high-water mark. Mr Rudd inquires “ what would become of the
multitudes that dropped many yards below high-water mark, and
burrowed in the sand? Would they again take wing? or would
they perish as the flood covered their hiding place? I waited
to see the event. The tide rolled on—covered the sands—with‘all
their inhabitants—and again receded. I disturbed my friends from

128 | On Subaquatic Insects.

their retreat—they were as lively as if they had been sporting in
the sunshine, instead of having been under water for more than half
an hour! One point was clear, (confirmed by repeated observations
subsequently,) that these Brachelytrous insects have the power of
enduring submersion and under salt water for at least half an hour.
But why did they leave their burrows at a lower part of the sand ?
I had previously often collected on this spot, at different periods of
the year, during the neap-tides, and on the most brilliant days, with-
out having seen a single Hesperophilus on the wing. It is fair, there-
fore, to suppose either that the extraordinary flight I witnessed was
a mere casual occurrence, or that, in some way or other, it is to be
accounted for by the state of the tide. (It was the first of the
spring tides.) On this latter supposition these insects must have
been warned by some peculiar instinct to move higher up the sands,
and thereby to avoid submersion for a period that probably would
have exceeded their power of endurance.”

Now the observations of MM. Dutrochet and Audouin, and the
perfect analogy between the habits of the Hesperophili, Bledii, and
Aépus fulvescens, prove that the immersion of these insects was not
a circumstance to which they were unused. And hence, I think,
we must look for some other solution to the inquiry why these in-
sects were on the wing in such swarms, than that suggested by Mr
Rudd.

In a later number of the same work, (No. 18, January 1837,)
Mr Haliday states that he found Cillenum laterale under stones near
low-water mark. “ They prey upon sandhoppers, (Talitrus Locus-
ta, Leach.) The tide retiring has scarcely uncovered the sand
when these little depredators are abroad from their hiding-places,
and alert in the chase. A great part of their existence is passed
under the sea, and the mode in which they obtain the necessary
supply of oxygen during their prolonged submersion, when the
small quantity in the air bubble which they convey with them is
exhausted, seems to deserve a more particular investigation.” As in
Aépus we find the mouth of this insect strongly developed, and the
fore-legs are constructed in a peculiar manner, (somewhat analogous
to those of Aépus noticed above,) the upper edge of the tibial notch
being furnished with two deflexed spines, between which the end
of the moveable spine arising from the opposite angle is received.
The spines attached to the basal joints of the anterior tarsi are also
very strong. Thus the structure of this insect is equally adapt-
ed for its depredatory habits, whilst the strong bristles with which
the limbs and body are furnished are similar to those of Aépus.
In company with the Cillenum, Mr Haliday discovered a new and

On Subaquatic Insects. 129

singular minute brachelytrous insect, which he has described under
the name of Diglossa mersa, and in which the powerful structure of
the tarsi, tarsal claws, and mandibles, as well as the ciliation of the
legs, indicate a mode of life similar to that of Aépus.

My friend, Dr Johnston of Berwick, whose investigations upon
the submarine invertebrated animals have led him to explore the sea
coast in his neighbourhood with so much success, has also met with
the Aépus near that town. And in the same situation he discovered
several specimens of another brachelytrous insect, together withseve-
ral small coleopterous larve and pupe, which he has been so good as
to place in my hands. These were all taken from under rocks with-
in tide mark, fully 200 feet below high-water mark, and within 50
feet of low water mark, and where at each tide the rocks are co-
vered for four hours or thereabouts.

The perfect insects in question prove to be undescribed, belong-
ing to none of the genera hitherto established in the sub-family
Omalides, to which they are referable. The very minute size of the
elytra are quite characteristic of the insect, distinguishing it from
all the other Omalides, in some of which the elytra nearly cover the
abdomen, being of a larger size than usual in this group.

Genus, Micratymma,* Westw. (Plate IV.)

Corpus oblongum, depressum, lateribus abdominis marginatis. An-
tenne mediocres, extrorsum crassiores. (Fig. 1 e.) Palpi maxilla-
res articulo ultimo precedenti longiori, elongato-conico. Thorax
posticé angustior, capite paullo latior, lateribus rotundatis. Elytra
minuta, segmentum primum abdominis vix tegentia. Pedes graci-
les. Yibiw extrorsum inermes. Tarsz simplices, longé ciliati, ar-
ticulis ultimis elongatis, reliquissimulsumptis equalibus. (Fig. 1, /-)
Ungues simplices, haud basi recurvati.

Structura oris.—Labrum transversum, margine antico ciliato et
trilobato lobis fere zqualibus et rotundatis. (Fig. 1, a.) Mandibule
elongato-trigonz, acutz, marginibus externis nonnihil arcuatis, se-
tigeris, interno fere recto impressione sub apicem. (Fig. 1, b.) Maa-
alle (Fig. 1, c.) elongate, curvatz, bilobate, lobo interno gracili
apice acuto intus setoso, externo majori sub apicem articulato. Palpi
maxillares maxillis fere duplo longiores, 4-articulatz, articulo 1mo
brevissimo, 2do triplo longiori ad apicem crassiori, 3tio precedenti
duplo breviori, obconico; ultimo longitudine secundi elongato-co-
nico. (Fig. 1. g.) Mentum transversum, antice paulo angustius>
lateribus subrotundatis, angulis seté longa instructis. Labium

* Mixeos, parvus, et Karuuma, tegmen.

180 On Subaquatic Insects.

mento vix angustius, apice profundé emarginato et ciliato. Palpz
labiales labio vix longiores 3-articulati, articulis magnitudine sensim
decrescentibus. (Fig. 1, d.)

Species unica.

Micralymma Johnstonis, Westw. (Plate IV. Fig. 1.)

Tota nigra, subpubescens, haud nitida, sublevis.

Long. corp. 14 lin.

Habitat in arenosis ad littora prope villam “ Berwick-upon-
Tweed” dictam.

In honorem Domine Johnstonis, rerum naturalium pictoris ele-
gantissimz uxoris Domini G. Johnstonis, et rerum maritimarum ob-
scurarum nature scrutatoris eximii, indefessique.

This insect is most nearly allied to the genera Anthobium, Oma-
lium and Coryphium. From all these, however, it is at once distin-
guished by the minute size of the elytra. In Anthobium, moreover,
the body is broad and ovate ; inOmalium the body is also much shorter
and broader than in this insect ; whilst in Coryphium the head is
much broader than the thorax, and the palpi clavate. The trophi
are not very different from those of Coprophilus (Elonium, Leach.)

In company with these insects were found specimens of the co-
leopterous larvee and pup from which the accompanying sketches
(Fig. 2 and 3) have been taken. The former (Fig. 2) is very long
and narrrow, with an oblong flat head, armed with acute sickle-
shaped jaws (Fig. 2, m,) having a single very strong external tooth
about the middle of the interior margin. The maxille are repre-
sented by an elongated stem supporting two articulated lobes, the
exterior four-articulated, the two basal joints very thick, and the
two terminal joints slender, and the interior two-jointed, the joints
of nearly equal length (Fig. 2, mx): the lower lip and its appen-
dages (instrumenta labialia) are represented by a square basal joint
supporting two thick detached cylindrical scapes, each terminated
by a slender two-jointed palpus (Fig. 2, /.) The antenne (Fig. 2,
A) are four-jointed, the first, second, and fourth joints of nearly
equal length, the third twice as long, and irregularly shaped, hav-
ing a lateral appendage. These organs, as well as the different parts
of the mouth, are furnished with long curved hairs. Eyes —? Protho-
rax larger than the following joints, which are nearly equal in size,
except the terminal one, which is smaller, and terminated by a cy-
lindrical proleg, having on each side a slender two-articulated
and setose filament. The legs (Fig. 2, 6) consist of three pairs, at-
tached in pairs to the three anterior segments of the body. Length

-of the Jarva a line and three-quarters.

Am. nts

On Subaquatic Insects. 131

The pupe (Fig. 3 and 3 a) are small, broadly ovate, flattened,
with the head concealed beneath the shield-like prothorax ; the an-
tenn cases short ; the legs arranged on the breast, not extending
beyond the centre of the under side of the abdomen. The wing-
cases are very short, not extending beyund the sides of the body ;
the front margin of the prothorax is furnished with two very long
curved and several shorter bristles. The sides of the abdominal
segments are also furnished with very long curved bristles, and this
part of the body is terminated by two minute and narrow lobes.

It is unquestionable that both these larve and pupe are those of
a species of Staphylinide. The similarity of the former with the
larvee of several species of this family figured by myself in the Zoo-
logical Journal, and by Mr Waterhouse in the Transactions of the
Entomological Society, Vol. i. leaves no doubt that this is the case
with respect to the larva, whilst the minute size of the elytra and
the shortness of the antennz in the pupa, also prove that this is also
brachelytrous. Hence I feel but little hesitation in regarding these
larve and pupz as those of Micralymma Johnstonis. In all these
insects we see the same provision made for occasional respiration and
abode berieath the surface of the water. The long hairs with which
the legs of the imago are furnished, and the strength of the organs
of the mouth, are analogous to what has been noticed in pus, whilst
a reference to the figures, both of the larve and pupe, will show
that the same circumstances exist also in those states.

There still remain to be noticed some coleopterous insects, which,
although unable to swim, reside at great depths beneath the surface
of the water, although unprovided with the long hairs which we
have seen are of so much service in Aépus, &c. in retaining the glo-
bule of air. To these M. Audouin appears at first to have been
inclined to apply the theory of M. Dutrochet, observing, “ Je citerai
encore plusieurs espéces de Coléoptéres du genre Elmis, que l’on
trouve sous les pierres au fond des ruisseaux et que jamais on n’a
vu respirer J’air a leur surface. Il] en est (a) de méme des Dryops
des Macroniques et des Georisses qui appartiennent a le méme famil-
le.’ It appears, however, that, in printing this memoir, the words
«« 4 quelques égards” were omitted at the place where I have placed
(a). In the copy of this memoir, which the author was so kind as
to send me shortly after it was printed, the equivalent words “ 4
peu pres” were introduced with a pen. This is the more requisite
to be noticed, because my friend, M. Wesmael of Brussels, has at-
tacked M. Audouin upon this point, observing, that, as the surface
of the body in Elmis is unfurnished with long hairs, it is unable to
retain a bubble of air, whilst on the underside there is observed on

132 Mistory of British Entomostraca.

each side a broad longitudinal band, contiguous to the lower margin
of the Elytra, formed of a silky plush, which is most probably ser-
viceable in retaining the necessary supply of air. The body of Par-
nus (Dryops) is entirely covered with this plush, but in Georyssus
it is quite naked, and hence M. Wesmael thinks that it is not sub-
aquatic, as supposed by M. Audouin, being, indeed, always found
upon damp earth. (Annales Soc. Entomol. de France 1835, p. xl.)
The genus Elmis and some others constitute a small tribe, which has
been appropriately termed Macrodactyle, from the large size of the
claws, which enable these insects to retain their stations in the most
violent streams. I once found many specimens of several species of
Elmis under stones in a mill stream, a yard anda half deep, close
to the mill-wheel, where the water must have been constantly in
agitation. The entire structure of these insects, and especially of
the mouth, exhibits a striking contrast with that of Aépus, &c., origi-
nating in the difference of their habits and motions, the Elmide
feeding upon minute aquatic vegetable matter, and their movements
being exceedingly slow.

The habits of the Enicoceri, as detailed in Mr Wailes’ interesting
paper in the Entomological Magazine, No. 3, are somewhat diffe-
rent from those of Elmis; but as I have not recent specimens of
those insects, I am unable to institute an examination of the cloth-
ing of the body, &c. which would doubtless satisfactorily elucidate
the cause of such difference.

IV.—The Natural History of the British Entomostraca. By Wi-
L1AM Bairp, Surgeon, H.C.S. Plate V. (Continued from Vol. i.
p: 526.)

Sp. I1I.—Cypris strigata. ‘“ Testa reniformi, fusca, fasciis tri-
bus albis.”

Habitat.—Pool on sea shore, a little above high water-mark, at Thornton
Loch, East Lothian.

Synonimes.—Cypris strigata, Muller, Zool. Dan. prodrom. p. 199, No. 2387. 1776.

Cypris strigata, Muller, Entomostraca, p. 54, tab. iv. fig. 4-6. 1785.

Monoce. strigatus, Gmelin, Lin. Syst. Nat. 3002, No. 37. 1788.

M. strigatus, Manuel, Encye. Method. Hist. Nat. Tom. vii. p. 726, No. 31. 1792.

M. strigatus, Fabricius, Entomol. system, Tom. il. p. 496. 1793.

Cypris strigata, Latreille, Hist. Nat. gen. et part. des Crust. &c. Tom. iv. p. 245.
1802.

Cypris strigata, Ramdohr, Beyt. zur Naturg. einig. deut. Monoc. arten, pp. 14—
17, tab. iv. fig. 1-14. 1805.

Mon. strigatus, Rees’ Cyclopedia, Art. Monoculus. 1819.

Mon. bistrigatus? Jurine, Hist. des Monoe. p. 177, pl. 19, fig. 12-13. 1821.

Cypris strigata, Desmarest, Cons. Gen. sur les Crust. p. 386. 1825.
4

History of British Entomostraca. 133

* Shell?subovate, glabrous, ciliated at the margin, sublinear at
aperture. Valves rather convex, brown, with three white fasciz
—the posterior one lunated, middle one oblique, anterior one arched
—or, it may be described, valves white on dorsal margin, bound by
a brown belt, with two oblique brown spots in the disc.”—Muller.

Sp. IV. Cypris vidua, Plate V. Fig. 1. Testa subglobosa, fas-
clis tribus nigris transversis instructa.

Habitat. Pond at Greenwich. Canal at Rugby, Warwickshire.
Synonimes, Cypris vidua, Muller, Zool. Dan. prod. p. 199, No. 2384. 1776.
Cypris vidua, Muller, Entomost. p. 55, tab. iv. fig. 7-9. 1785.

Mon. vidua, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 53002, No. 42. 1788.
Mon. vidua, Manuel, Encyc. Method. Hist. Nat. Tom. vii. p. 726, No. 36, pl.

264, f. 24-6. 1792.

Mon. viduatus, Fabricius, Entom. Syst. Tom. ii. p. 496. 1793.
Cypris vidua, Zatreiile, Hist. Nat. Gen. et Part. des Crust. &c. Tom. iv. p. 245.

1802.

Mon. vidua, Rees’ Cyclopedia, Art. Monoculus. 1819.
Mon. vidua, Jurine, Hist. des Monoc. &c. p, 175, pl. 19, fig. 5-6. 1821.
Cypris vidua, Desmarest, Cons. Gen. sur les Crust. p. 385. 1825.

Neither the figure given by Muller, nor that by Jurine, is quite
correct. The shell is of a somewhat globular form, a little sinuated
on under margin ; beset all round with dense, fine, short hairs ; of
a dull white colour, very distinctly marked by having three black,
somewhat zig-zag fascie, running transversely across the shell, the
most anterior of the three being the smallest. The posterior mar-
gin is rather narrower than the anterior, (though Muller makes it
the contrary,) but not so much so as is represented by Jurine. An-
terior feet provided with long filaments.

Sp. V. Cypris Monacha, Plate V. Fig. 2. Testa antice trun-
cata, albo et nigro notata.

Habitat.— Old Canal near Rugby, Warwickshire.—Newham Loch, Northum-
berland.— Dr Johnston.

Synonimes, Cypris monacha, Muller, Zool. Dan. prod. p. 199, No. 2390. 1776.

Cypris Monacha, Muller, Entomostraca, p. 60, tab. v. fig. 6-8. 1785.

Monoc. Monachus, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 3003, No. 44. 1788.

Mon. Monachus. Manuel, Encyc. Method. Hist. Nat. Tom. vii. p. 727, No. 41,
pl. 266, f. 34-6. 1792.

Mon. Monachus, Fabricius, Entom. Syst. Tom. ii. p. 497. 1793.

Cypris Monacha, Latreille, Hist. Nat. Gen. et Part. des Crust. &c. Tom. iv. p. 247.
1802.

Monoc. Monachus, Rees’ Cyclop. Art. Monoculus. 1819

Monoc. Monachus, Jurine, Hist. des Monoeles, &c. p. 173, pl. 18, f. 13-14. 1821.

Cypris Monacha, Desmarest, Cons. Gen. sur les Crust. p. 384, pl. 55, f. 7. 1825.
VOL. II. No. 8. K

134 ' Mistory of British Entomostraca.

The figure given by Muller is much better than that of Jurine.
Shell somewhat of a rhomboidal form; rounded at posterior, and
truncated as it were at anterior margin ; glabrous, with a few hairs
on posterior margin ; surface of shell as it were reticulated, or, as
Muller says, marked with small points impressed into, or as it were
excavated out of shell. Upper part of shell is nearly of a white co-
lour ; lower portion, anterior margin, and part of posterior one,tof
a black colour, shaded with a yellowish green ; filaments of anterior
feet long. A very pretty and well-marked species.

Sp. VI. Cypris Candida.—Plate V. Fig. 3. Testa subovata,
candidissima, lucenti.
Habitat.—Berwickshire ; Roxburghshire ; neighbourhood of London, &c. com-
mon.
Synonimes, &c.—Poisson nommé Deteuche, Joblot, Obsery. d’Hist. Nat. faites
avec le Micros. part 2, p. 104, pl. xiii. fig. 0. 1754.
Cypris Candida, Muller, Zoolog. Dan. prodrom. p. 199, No. 2385. 1776.
Cypris Candida, Do. Entomostraca, p. 62, tab. vi. fig. 7-9. 1785.
Monoc. Candidus, Gmelin, Lin. Syst. Nat. 3002, No. 40. 1788.
Mon. Candidus, Manuel, Encyc. Method. Hist. Nat. Tom. vii. p. 726, No. 34.
1792.
Monoc. Candidus, Fabricius, Entomol. Syst. Tom. ii. p. 497. 1793.
Cypris Candida, Latreille, Hist. Nat. Gen. et Part. des Crust. &c. Tom. iv. p.
248. 1802.
Mon. Candidus, Rees’ Cyclopedia, Art. Monoculus. 1819.
Mon. Candidus, Jurine, Hist. des Monocles, &c. p. 176, pl. 19, fig. 7-8. 1821.
Cypris Candida, Desmarest, Consid. Gen. sur les Crust. p. 385. 1825.
Cypris lucens, Baird, Trans. Berw. Nat. Club, p. 100, pl. iii. fig. 15. 18385.

The figure given by Joblot, referred to above, appears to me to
be undoubtedly the Candida, though, curiously enough, Muller him-

self refers it to his pubera, while Straus again refers it to his fus- —

ca. The figure given by Muller is not good, that of Jurine is much
better. The shell is smooth and shining, but fringed round the
margins with fine hairs of a pure white-colour, with a pearly lustre,
nearly opaque, ventricose: anterior extremity narrower and flatter
than posterior, which is arched ; upper margin raised, lower some-
what reniform ; filaments of anterior feet consist of only three or
four short hairs ; animal generally creeps near the bottom of the
vessel in which it is kept.

Sp. VII. Cypris fusca.—Plate V. Fig. 4. Testa ovata, renifor-
mi, fusca.
Habitat. Neighbourhood of London. gf

Synonimes. Cypris fusca, Straus, Mem. de Mus. d’Hist. Nat. Tom. vii. pl. i. fig.
16.°3,1821.

—

History of British Entomostraca. 135

Cypris fusca, Desmarest, Cons. Gen. sur les Crust. p. 384. 1825.

Shell oval ; of a brown-colour, reniform ; anterior extremity nar-
rower than posterior, which is rounded and broad ; shell covered
with fine hairs ; anterior feet provided with three long filaments ;
the rounded posterior extremity and brown-colour sufficiently dis-
tinguish this species from Muller’s Candida.

Sp. VII. Cypris reptans.—Plate V. Fig. 5. Testa elongata,
stricta, maculis magnis viridibus notata.
Habitat.—Yetholm Loch, Roxburghshire.—Newham Loch, Northumberland,

Dr Johnston. New river, London.
Synonimes—Cypris reptans, Baird, Trans. Berw. Nat. Club, p. 99, pl. iii. fig.

ll.

“Shell long, narrow, almost elliptical, nearly plane on upper,
and slightly sinuated on under margin ; rather ventricose ; hairy ;
densely ciliated on anterior extremity ; the ciliz on posterior extre-
mity fewer, but much longer; of a light colour, with dark-green
markings, which appear to be rather irregular; both extremities
have a large broad green spot, which send out processes as it were
towards the centre of shell ; antennz and feet short in comparison
with size of shell. I have never seen this species swimming about
in the vessel in which I have kept it, but always creeping on the
bettom,”—hence its name.—Filaments of anterior feet few and very

short.

Sp. IX. Cypris hispida-—Plate V. Fig. 6. Testa ovata, fusca,
hispida.
Habitat.—At Yetholm, Roxburghshire. Ditch near Surrey Zoological Gar.

dens, London.
_ Synonimes—Cypris hispida, Baird, Trans. Berw. Nat. Club, p. 99, pl. iii.

fig. 14.

*¢ Shell almost elliptical ; anterior extremity a little broader than
porterior ; rather ventricose ; very roughly and densely hairy ; ofa
brown-colour all over, with one or two dark brown marks running
across the centre of shell ; both extremities of a darker colour than
other parts of shell; the whole shell is very hispid, spines rather
than hairs covering the shell ; antenne slender ; sete seldom much
divaricated.” Filaments of anterior feet, if any, consist only of two
or three short hairs, as in Candida and Reptans ; and like them,
this insect is generally to be found at the bottom of the vessel in
which it is kept. This circumstance would seem to favour Jurine’s
opinion of the important use the anterior feet serve for progressive

136 Mistory of British Entomostraca.

motion, as we seldom see those species which have not the filaments
long so active in swimming as the others.

Sp. X. Cypris Compressa.—Plate V. Fig. 7. Testa plano-ro-

tundata, fusco-grisea, compressa.

Habitat. Yetholm Loch, Roxburghshire ; Rugby, Warwickshire ; neighbour-
hood of London, very common.

Synonimes. Cypris Compressa, Baird, Trans. Berw. Nat. Club, p. 100, pl.
iii. fig. 16.

«« Shell round-shaped, compressed, rather narrower anteriorly
than posteriorly ; of a brownish gray colour more or less deep;
semitransparent ; at either extremity beset with fine hairs—in

- general the surface of the shell is spotted, as if little pieces were
hollowed out of it. Anterior feet provided with three long fila-
ments ; eye large ; from the flat compressed shape of shell, its me-
tion through the water is very much like that of some species of
Lynceus.”

Sp. XI. Cypris minuta.—Plate V. Fig. 11. Testa ovato-glo-
bosa, sub-fusca, parva.

Habitat. At Yetholm, Roxburghshire ; Pond near Copenhagen Fields, Lon-
don.

Synonimes. Cypris minuta, Baird, Trans. Berw. Nat. Club. p. 99, pl. ii. f. 9.

Monoculus ovum? Jurine, Hist. des Monocles, &c. p. 179, pl. 19. f. 18-19.

“« Shell broader posteriorly than anteriorly ; elevated and round-
ed on upper margin ; slightly sinuated on under margin ; hairy all
around; of alight brown colour with a tinge of green; body of
shell smooth, shining ; anterior feet furnished with a pencil of long
filaments.” This is the smallest of all the species I have met
with, and approaches very near to the Mon. ovum of Jurine, except
that he says his species is perfectly smooth, whereas this one is be-
set densely all around shell with short hairs.

Sp. XII. Cypris Joanna.—Plate V. Fig. 12. Testa ovato-glo-
bosa, fusca, hirta.

Habitat. Pool at Abbey St Bathans, Berwickshire.

Synon. Cypris Joanna, Baird, Trans. Berw. Nat. Club, p. 99, pl. iii. fig. 8.

«‘ Shell roundish-ovate ; narrower anteriorly than posteriorly ; of
a brown colour, with an orange mark across back of shell and lower
margin ; shell beset all round with rigid hairs, and-covered with
minute black points er dots ; set of antenne numerous. Differs
from Cypris pilosa, Muller, in smaller size, orange mark across

shell, and in not being glabrous, but marked all over with black |

roughish-looking points.” A little larger than C. minuta.

History of British Entomostraca. 137

Sp. XIII. Cypris elongata.—Plate V. Fig. 13. Testa alba,
cuneiforme, elongata.

Habitat. Yetholm, Roxburghshire.

Synon. Cypris elongata, Baird, Trans. Berw. Nat. Club, p. 99, pl. i. f. 10.

«‘ Shell much broader at anterior than posterior extremity, which
is narrow and much elongated ; elevated on upper margin towards
anterior extremity, and sinuated on under margin more towards the
posterior extremity : white ; transparent; hairy ; sete of antennx
five or six ; anterior feet furnished with sete.”

Sp. XIV. Cypris Westwoodii—Plate V. Fig. 14. Testa reni-
formi, viride, conica.

Habitat. Yetholm Loch, Roxburghshire.

Synon. Cypris Westwoodii, Baird, Trans. Berw.'Nat. Club, p. 99, pl. ii. f. 12.

«Shell much elevated and rounded on upper margin, and reni-
form on under—a little broader at anterior extremity ; green co-
loured ; semitransparent ; densely covered with pretty long hairs
all over ; second last joint of anterior feet furnished with a pencil
of long hairs ; posterior feet furnished with a sete at each articula-
tion.”

Sp. XV. Cypris gibbosa.—Plate V. Fig. 15. Testa rotundo-
ovata ; reniformi, gibbosa.

Habitat. Ditch near Surrey Zoological gardens, London.

Shell roundish-ovate: elevated on upper margin, with a gib-
bosity or hump; reniform on under margin ; body of shell smooth,
of a light-green colour, paler on anterior extremity ; beset with short
fine hairs all round the edges of shell ; nearly opaque ; filaments
of antenne and anterior feet beautifully plumose. Double the size
of C. Westwoodii, to which it approaches somewhat in shape of
shell.

Sp. XVI. Cypris clavata.—Plate V. Fig. 16.* Testa oblonga,
clavata, levi.

Habitat. Pond near Copenhagen Fields, London.

Body of shell smooth and shining, but beset round margin with
short hairs ; of a light grey colour, with an obscure dark-coloured
ray running from centre towards posterior extremity, which again
is distinctly marked with an orange-coloured spot, oblong, narrower
at posterior than anterior extremity, which is rather flattened, mid-
dle of valves ventricose ; antenne and feet rather short in compari-
son with size of shell, filaments of both plumose. This species ap-

138 History of British Entomostraca.

proaches near to Cypris crassa, Muller, in his description of that
species, but differs in toto from the figure which he gives of it.

A species of fossil Cypris occurs in the limestone of Burdiehouse
quarry, near Edinburgh, but which I have not had opportunities of
sufficiently examining.

2d Genus, CY THERE.

Bibliographical History.—Otho Fridericus Muller is the first na-
turalist that has taken notice of this genus of insects. Before his
time they were perfectly unknown, not the slightest mention of
their existence having been made by any previous writer. As it is
to him that we are indebted for the first information, so it is to him
alone that we owe all that we do know, with the exception, I be-
lieve, of what few additional particulars will be found in the follow-
ing pages. Upon a slight inspection, the Cytheres might be mis-
taken for Cyprides ; but their antenne being simple, and free from
the pencil of long hairs with which these organs in the Cypris are
endowed ; their possessing eight feet ; the want of the long tail, and
their inhabiting salt water, sufficiently distinguish the two genera.
It is in his “ Entomostraca” that Muller first established this genus,
and the above marks of distinction between it and the Cypris, con-
stitute almost all the knowledge that he imparts to us concerning
it. Meager as it is in details, it has not been enlarged by any suc-
ceeding author. Gmelin, in the “ Systema Nature,” 1788 ; Fabri-
cius in his “ Entomologia Systematica,” 1793 ; Manuel in the “ En-
cyclopedie Methodique,” 1792 ; and Latreille in his “ Hist. Nat.
Gen. et Part. des Crustacés,” &c. 1802 ; either merely give the spe-
cies alone; or repeat the few remarks made by Muller, without mak-
ing any comment or original observations of their own. Lamarck,
in his “ Hist. Nat. des Animaux sans Vertebres,” 1818, changes
Muller’s name, and gives the genus the appellation of Cytherina ;
while Desmarest, in his “‘ Consid. Gen. sur les Crustacés,” 1825, in
repeating the observations made by Muller, and giving merely his
species, adds, that it may turn out that some of the eight feet may
be particular organs, and that the number of true feet may be found
to be the same as in the Cypris, a conjecture which Latreille also
makes in the last edition of “ Cuvier’s Régne Animal,” 1829. Des-
marest moreover says, “ reasoning from analogy, there is reason to
believe that the Cytheres like the Cyprides have their branchial
plates attached to the mandibles and jaws, and that their feet are

History of British Entomostraca. 139

solely destined for locomotion.”* In both these suppositions we
shall find he is quite correct.

Anatomy.—The shell in almost every respect strictly resembles that
of the Cypris, but from their general opacity and minuteness, it is ex-
ceedingly difficult to examine with precision the body of the inclos-
ed animal. After repeated attempts, however, to break down the
horny opaque shell, I succeeded so far as to discover that, like the
Cypris, the body of the insect is divided into two parts, connected
with each other by a narrow space, the anterior half containing the
eye, antenne, anterior feet, organs of mouth, and two pairs of in-
termediate feet ; the posterior half containing the posterior feet, and
a short appendix or tail. The eye resembles in appearance and si-
tuation that of the Cypris, being single, fixed, and in the form of a
black sessile point. Antenne two, (Plate V. Fig. 16. a, a. Fig. 18.)
composed each of five articulations, furnished with one or two short
setze at the base of each of the three last articulations, and termi-
nated by three or four rather longer hairs at the extremity of the
last joint, differing very much in this respect from the same organs
in the Cypris. As the Cythere has never been seen to swim, these
organs may be thus considered as true antenne. ‘The feet are de-
cidedly eight in number ; the anterior pair are inserted immediate-
1y beneath the antenne, and are by far the strongest of all, (Plate
Y. Fig. 16., 6. 6. Fig. 19.) They differ in shape from the other pairs,
being flatter and falcated in appearance. ‘They consist of four arti-
culations ; the first and third being very short. The last gives off
fron internal edge three spines, and is terminated by two or three
short hooks as in the Cypris, while from the base of the second joint
there springs a long stiff seta, equalling in length the two last joints,
and being divided into three articulations, of which the middle is
the longest. This seta is mentioned by Muller as occurring in his
Cithere lutea, but is taken notice of by him as being peculiar to it,
or at least as not having been seen in any other species. It occurs,
however, in all I have examined, and seems to take the place of the
pencil of long hairs that is to be found on the penultimate joint of
th» corresponding pair of feet in the genus Cypris, but the precise
use of which I do not understand. The three other pairs of feet
(Phite V. Fig. 16, c. Fig. 20.) are exactly like each other, except in
lengh ; they are round and slender, and consist each of four articu-
latiots, the first of which is the largest, and gives off a short spine
at itsbase ; the last is the shortest, and is terminated by a long
eurvec hook. The first or anterior pair are, as in the Cyprides, di-

*” P. 387.

140 History of British Entomostraca.

rected backwards, whilst the other three are directed forwards. The
first of these three pairs are very short, the second a little longer,
whilst the third or last pair are the longest of all, being longer than
the anterior pair, though much more slender. This last or poste-
rior pair appears to arise from near the junction of the two
halves of the body, and may supply, as Muller says, the want of the
tail. The mouth is situated in the inferior surface of the anterior
half of the body, as in the Cypris, and appears to consist of exactly
the same organs as in the insects of that genus, though from their
extreme minuteness, and want of lengthened opportunities for exa-
mination, I have not been able to make out all the parts. The pal-
piferous mandibles, and the first pair of jaws with their branchial
plates, are the only parts I have been able clearly to make out, and
they resemble in almost every respect the corresponding organs of
the Cyprides. The mandible (Plate V. Fig. 21.) is formed of two
pieces, the larger of the two, or proper mandible, as in the Cypris,
being terminated at the superior extremity by a sharp point, and at
the lower or incisive extremity by about six pretty strong teeth,
while the other part or palpus consists of three joints plentifully
supplied at the extremities of the articulations with numerous se-
te. I failed, however, in making out the small branchial plate
which occurs in this organ in the Cypris. The first pair of jaws,
(Plate V. Fig. 22.) as in the Cypris, consists also of two parts ; the
square plate with the four fingers, (Fig. 22, a.) the superior of which
has two joints, whilst the others have only one, and all terminated
by a tuft of hairs ; and the branchial plate (Fig. 22, 6.) attached, of
an elongated oval form, furnished with fourteen long sete, which
are given off from both sides. As these organs are so very similar
to the corresponding organs in the Cypris, I have no doubt that the
other parts (the lips and second pair of jaws) are also the same, and
that therefore the supposition of Desmarest with respect to some of
the intermediate feet being particular organs is incorrect ; and that,
as their use and situation indicate, they are all true feet, and usd
solely for locomotion ; the posterior or fourth pair perhaps servmg
in addition one of the uses of the tail, that of cleaning the insideof
the shell, for which they are well calculated from their length, snd
the great degree of mobility they possess. ‘The appendix or siort
tailis of such an irregular figure, that, until better opportuniti¢s oc-
cur for examination, I shall not attempt a minute description. The
internal anatomy I have not been able to make out at all; reither
have I ever seen any: individuals with ova, though this maybe ac-

Se ee

History of British Entomostraca. 14]

counted for from the specimens which I have examined being dis-
sected in the winter months.

Habits and Manners.—These insects are only to be found in sea
water, and may be met with in all the little pools amongst the rocks
on the sea shores. They live amongst the fuci and conferve, &c.
which are to be found in such pools ; and the naturalist may espe-
cially find them in abundance in those beautiful clear little round
wells which are so often to be met with hollowed out of the rocks
on the shores of our country, which are within reach of the tide, and
the water of which is keptsweet and wholesome, by being thus chang-
ed twice during every twenty-four hours. In such delightful little
pools, clear as crystal when left undisturbed by the receding tide, these
interesting little creatures may be found oftenin great numbers sport-
ing about amongst the conferveand corallines, whichso elegantly and
fancifully fringe their edges and decorate their sides,—and which
form such a glorious subaqueous forest for myriads of living creatures
to disport themselves in. Sheltered amongst the “ umbrageous
multitude” of stems and branches, and nestling in security in their
forest glades, they are safe from the fury of the advancing tide,
though lashed up to thunder by the opposing rocks which for a mo-
ment check its advance; and weak and powerless though such
pigmies seem to be, they are yet foundas numerous and active in their
little wells, after the shores have been desolated by the mighty force
of the tide which has been driven in, in thunder, by the power of a
fierce tempest, as when the waves have rolled gently and calmly to.
the shore in their sweetest murmurs. These insects have never
been seen to swim, invariably walking amongst the branches or
leaves ofthe confervz or fuci—amongst which they delight to dwell ;
and when shook out from their hiding-places into a bottle or
tumbler of water they may be seen to fall in gyrations to the bot-
tom, without ever attempting to dart through the watery element,
as in the case with the Cyprides. Upon reaching the bottom, they
open their shells and creep along the surface of the glass ; but
when touched or shook they immediately again withdraw themselves
within their shell and remain motionless. This inability to swim
is no doubt owing to the want of the pencils of long hairs or fila-
ments which adorn the antenne and anterior part of the Cyprides,
and which we have already seen are the organs by means of which
they swim through the watery element in which they live. My op-
portunities for observing these insects have been so limited, and
the difficulty of keeping them alive, from the rapidity with which
sea water becomes putrid when kept in a room in a small vessel, is

142 History of British Entomostraca.

so great, that I cannot say any thing further with regard to their
economy or habits. The species, however, I have no doubt, are nu-
merous, and the labours of any inquirer after them would, I have no
doubt, be soon rewarded with great success.

Species.

Sp. I. Cythere flavida.—< Testa oblonga, glabra.” Muller.

Habitat. Amongst conferve in pools of sea water amongst the rocks on the
shore at Cockburnspath, Berwickshire.

Synonymes. Cythere flavida, Muller, Entomost. p. 66, tab. vii. fig. 5~6. 1785.

Monoculus flavidus, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 3001, No. 33. 1788.

Mon. flavidus, Manuel, Encye. Method. Tom. vii. p. 725, No. 27, pl. 266,
f, 10-11. 1792.

Mon. flavidus, Fabricius, Tom. ii. p. 494. 1793.

Cythere flavida, Latreille, Hist. Nat. &c. Tom. iv. p. 253. 1802.

Mon. flavidus, Rees’ Cyclop. Art. Monoculus. 1819.

Cythere flavida, Desmarest, Consid. Gen. &c. 1825.

«« Shell oblong, of a yellowish colour, smooth, obtuse at each ex-
tremity, narrower anteriorly ; antennz scarcely setiferous.” Muller.

Sp. Il. Cythere reniformis.—Plate V. Fig. 16-22. Testa reni-
formi, hirta, valvulis crusta calcarea obductis.
Habitat. Coast of Berwickshire, common.
Synon. Cythere reniformis, Baird, Trans. Berw. Nat. Club, p. 98, pl. iii.
fig. 5.

- Shell reniform, rough with hairs ; both extremities of nearly equal
size ; anterior extremity a little flatter than posterior. Centre of
valves covered with a calcareous-looking crust, which is of rather a
darker colour than rest of shell, and appears studded all over with
short spines ; colour of shell a light brownish yellow. It approaches
the Cythera lutea of Muller in shape, but differs somewhat in co-
lour, in being roughly hairy, and having the valves covered with
the hard crust.

Sp. III. Cythere albo-maculata.—Plate V. Fig. 23. Testa ob-

longa, sinuata, valvulis crusta calcarea albo-maculata obductis.

Habitat. Berwick Bay—not very common.

Shell oblong, a little flatter at anterior extremity ; slightly round-
ed on upper margin, and deeply sinuated on lower, near anterior ex-
tremity. Each extremity and lower margin densely hairy ; middle
portion of valves covered with a calcareous-looking crust, as in last
species, which is studded all over with short spines, except where it
is marked with two white smooth shining spots of considerable size.
Shell altogether of a dull-brown colour.

History of British Entomostraca. 143

Sp. IV. Cythere alba.—Plate V. Fig. 24. Testa alba, trans-
lucida, obovata.

Habitat. Sea-shore at Dunbar, East Lothian.

Syn. Cythere alba, Baird, Trans. Berw. Nat. Club, p. 98, pl. iii. fig. 6.

Shell white, transparent, showing the dark body of insect through
it ; hairy round edges ; acute at posterior extremity, and broader at
anterior ; a margin round the outer edge of the shell whiter than
the rest. Having only once met with this curious species, and an ac-
cident happening to the vessel in which it was kept, I am unfortu-
nately unable to give a fuller description of it.

Sp. V. Cythere variabilis.—Plate V.Fig. 25, ab. Testa ovale,

glauca, glabra.

Habitat. Coast of Berwickshire, common.

Syn. Cythere variabilis, Baird, Trans. Berw. Nat. Club, p. 98, pl. iii. fig. 7,
a.b.

Shell glaucous, without any hairs, perfectly oval-shaped, ante-
rior extremity narrower than posterior ; anterior legs falcate, and
furnished with pretty strong claws; antenne slender, without sete.
This species varies much in colour, and markings ; some specimens
are white, with two black fascie running transversely across shell,
one at posterior margin, the other across the centre of the shell,
while the posterior extremity is marked besides by a beautiful red-
dish or bright bronze spot. (Fig. 25, a.) Other specimens are of a
light flesh-colour, with the edges of shell slightly greenish, and the
body of shell marked with dark streaks running across. Some are
altogether of a fine flesh-colour, without any marks upon the shell,
while others again are of a uniform dark-brown or almost black.
(Fig. 25,6.) All the varieties, however, agree in shape of shell,
in size, &c. merely differing in colour and marks.

Sp. VI. Cythere aurantia.—Plate V. Fig. 26. Testa ovata,

reniformi, glabra, aurantia.

Habitat. Beiwick-Bay, not uncommon.

Shell rounded and rather prominent on upper margin ; slightly
reniform on under; rather broader posteriorly than anteriorly ;
smooth, glaucous, of a bright orange-colour ; very minute in size ;
antenne setiferous ; anterior feet falcated.

Sp. VII. Cythere nigrescens.—Plate V. Fig. 27. Testa extre-
mitate postrema acuminata, glabra, sub-nigra.
Habitat. Berwick-Bay, not uncommon.

144 ~ Directions for preserving Sea Plants.

Shell rounded on upper margin and anteriorly ; terminating pos-
teriorly in an acute point, with a gibbous projection on the lower
margin, near posterior extremity ; shell quite smooth and free from
hairs, of a dirty black-colour, translucent, showing the body of the
animal shining through, which is very dark-coloured ; antenne seti-
ferous ; anterior feet falcated.

Explanation of Plates.
Plate XVI. Vol. I. Fig. 1 to 13, Body of Cypris pubera; the shell re-

moved ; a.anterior lobe ; 6. posterior lobe ; c. eyes ; d. antenne ; e. e.
anterior or first pair of feet ; ff second pair of feet ; g. third pair ; h.
mandible and palpus; 2. first pair of jaws with branchial plate; h.
tail. Fig. 2, one of the antenne. Fig. 3, one of the anterior legs. Fig,
4, one of the second pair do. Fig. 5, one of the third pair. Fig. 6,
the lip (a) and sternum or lower lip (6.) Fig. 7, mandible ; a. man-
dible proper ; 6. palpus ; c. small branchial plate. Fig. 8, first pair
of jaws ; a. base, with its fingers ; 6. branchial plate with its pecti-
niform spines. Fig. 9, second pair of jaws. Fig. 10, tail. Fig. 11,
egg. Fig. 12, young. Fig. 13, adult Cypris pubera.

Plate V. Vol. II. Fig. 1, Cypris vidua. Fig. 2,C. Monacha. Fig.
3, C. Candida. Fig. 4, C. fusca. Fig. 5,C.reptans. Fig. 6, C. his-
pida. Fig. 7, C. Compressa. Fig. 8, one of the antennz of C.
Compressa. Fig. 9, one of the anterior feet of do. Fig. 10, one
of the third pair of feet of do. Fig. 11, C. minuta, Fig. 12, C.
‘Joanna. Fig. 13, C. elongata. Fig. 14, C. Westwoodii. Fig. 15,
C. gibbosa. Fig. 16,* C. clavata. Fig. 16, Body of Cythere reni-
formis, the shell removed. Fig. 17, Cythere reniformis. Fig. 18,
one of the antenne of do. Fig. 19, one of the anterior feet of do.
Fig. 20, one of the posterior pair of feet of do. Fig. 21, mandible.
Fig. 22, first pair of jaws. Fig. 23, Cythere albo-maculata. Fig.
24, C. alba. Fig. 25, C. variabilis, a. and 6. Fig. 26, C. aurantia.
Fig. 27, C. nigrescens.

(To be continued.)

V.—Directions for the preservation of Sea Plants, with Miscellane-
ous Remarks on a number of species collected at Cairnlough Bay,
on the Coast of Antrim, in the months of May and June 1836. By
James S. Drummonp, M.D. President of the Belfast Natural
History Society, &c.

THE first object to be attended to in preserving marine plants is to
have them washed perfectly clean before spreading. There should

not be left upon them a particle of sand or other foreign body, unless
3

Directions for preserving Sea Plants. 145

in some rare instances a parasitic species may be thought worthy of
keeping, on account of its rarity, or because it may add an additional
beauty to the chief specimen. It is a good practice to wash them be-
fore leaving the shore either in the sea, or in a rocky pool, or, as is
sometimes more convenient in some localities, in a rivulet discharging
itself into the ocean, though, as will be afterwards explained, the last
practice proves very destructive to the beauty of some species.

The foreign bodies to be got rid of are fragments of decayed sea-
weeds, sand, gravel, and sometimes portions of the softened surface of
sandstone or argillaceous rock on which the specimens may have
grown, together with the smaller testacea, and the Corallina officinalis,
&c. At Cairnlough Bay I experienced most trouble in this respect
from the Ectocarpi, which conferve were so generally diffused, as to
be entangled with almost every other species of sea-plant.

After the greatest pains which we may take to clean our specimens
at the shore, there will generally be found much to do before they can
be properly committed to paper, since foreign substances will continue
attached to them with much pertinacity even after we may have been
satisfied that they are perfectly clean. It is therefore necessary to pre-
pare each specimen by examining it in fresh or sea water in a white
dish or plate, so that every thing foreign may be detected and re-
moved. ’

The next thing to be attended to is the quality of the paper on
which the specimens are to be spread ; and here a great error is gene-
rally committed, in using it thin and inferior, by which, if the speci-
men be worth preserving, it has not proper justice done to it. Much
of the beauty, indeed, of many species depends on the goodness of the
paper, exactly as a print or drawing will appear better or worse, as it
is executed on paper of a good or an inferior kind. Some species, too,
contract so much in drying as to pucker the edges of the paper, if it
be not sufficiently thick, for example Delesseria laciniata, and this has
a very unsightly appearance. That which I have from experience
been led to prefer is a thick music-paper. It closely resembles that
used for drawing, and the sheet divides into four leaves, of a most con-
venient size, each being about an inch and a-half longer and broader
than a leaf ofthis Magazine. ‘These, ugain, divided into halves answer
for small species, and for large specimens we may use the entire folio.
We have thus three regular sizes of paper, and this serves to give a
uniformity and neatness to a collection not to be obtained by using
papers at random, and of casual dimensions.

Whatever pains we may have taken to clean the recent specimens,
we shall often find, when spreading them, that some foreign particles

146 ~ Directions Sor preserving Sea Plants.

continue attached, and for the removal of these a pair of dissecting
forceps, and a camel hair pencil of middle size, will be found very
‘convenient. These, indeed, are almost indispensable, and will be found
useful on more occasions than can here be specified. A silver probe,
with a blunt and a sharp end, is the most convenient instrument for
spreading out, and separating branches from each other, but any thing
with a rigid point, such as a large needle, or the handle of the camel-
hair pencil sharpened, will answer. A large white dinner-dish serves
perfectly well for spreading the specimens in, and all that is farther
necessary is a quantity of drying papers, and some sheets of blotting-
paper, with three or four flat pieces of deal-board. Nothing answers
better for drying than old newspapers, each divided into eight parts,
but it is necessary to have a large supply of these.

The beautiful and common Plocamium coccineum is one of the
most easily preserved species, and may be taken as an example of the
mode of proceeding with most of the others. The steps to be pur-
sued are as follows,—

1. The specimen is to be perfectly well cleaned.

2. A dinner-dish to be filled about two-thirds with clean fresh
water.

3. The paper on which the specimen is to be spread, to be immersed
in the water in the dish.

4. The specimen to be then placed on the paper, and spread out
by means of the probe and camel-hair pencil.

5. The paper with the specimen on it to be then slowly withdrawn
from the dish, sliding it over its edge.

6. The paper with the specimen adhering to it, to be held up by
one corner for a minute or two, to drain off the water.

7. To be then laid on a paper, or cloth, upon a table, and the super-
fluous water still remaining to be removed by repeated pressure of
blotting-paper upon the specimen, beginning this operation at the
edges, and gradually encroaching towards the centre till the whole
can be pressed upon without danger of any part adhering to the blot-
ting-paper, which probably would be the case, were the latter applied
at once to the whole specimen.

8. The specimen then to be laid on a couple of drying papers placed
on the carpet or a table; two more papers to be laid over it, and then
the piece of board, on which latter a few books are to be put, to give
the necessary pressure.

9. These papers to be changed every half hour or oftener, till the
specimen is sufficiently dry. (A number of specimens with drying
papers interposed, may he pressed at once under the same board. )

4

Directions for preserving Sea Plants. 147

Though the above method is in general the best, yet there are va-
rious species, and among these the Plocamium coccineum itself,
which dry perfectly well by simple exposure to the open air without
pressure being had recourse to at all ; and some can only be preserved
in the latter way, being so glutinous that they will adhere as strongly
to the drying paper laid over them as to that on which they are
spread. Pressure, however, is necessary after they have dried, for the
purpose of flattening them.*

After these general remarks, I will now offer some observations
relating to several genera and species, following the order in which
they are arranged in the English Flora.

I believe all the species belonging to the Fucoidez are to be dried
in the manner of land plants, after having been previously steeped
for some time in fresh water to extract their salt and mucilage. Cys-
tosetra granulata, which I have repeatedly found on the Larne shore,
will adhere imperfectly if spread in water, but it is best treated as a
land plant, to be afterwards fixed with mucilage. Halidrys siliquosa,
Fucus vesiculosus, and F’. nodosus require very heavy pressure.
The air-vesicles of the first may be in part cut longitudinally to show
the internal partitions, and of the two last, to diminish their diameter,
but this must be done after they are dried, for if done in the recent
state they contract and become disfigured.

Himanthalia lorea—Very common on the Antrim coast. It
is observed in the English Flora, that the peziza-shaped fronds of this
species have been observed ‘ on exposed rocks in the Orkneys swol-
len into a large hollow, exactly spherical, smooth black ball, probably
in consequence of the heat of the sun rarifying and expanding the
air within.” I have seen them this summer in a similarly inflated
state, not on exposed rocks, but in pools of water where they could
never have been uncovered; they were not black, but of a bright
yellow colour, and looked exactly like a parcel of hard-boiled yolks of
eggs. I suspect this inflation to be the effect of disease.

Alaria esculenta.—Common on the Antrim coast. Adheres very
well to paper when young, more imperfectly when old. It becomes

* An indispensable requisite in the drying of marine or fresh water alge is a
portion of old rag, neither of a quality too fine or too coarse. When the specimen
has been spread, as directed, upon the paper on which it is to remain, a piece of
rag sufficient to cover it should be laid over, and then it may be interleaved under
the boards for pressure. The rag prevents the necessity of so much care in
taking up the moisture as Mr Drummond requires, never adheres to the speci-
mens, but when dry, leaves them, while most of the plants themselves stick
firmly to the sheets on which they have been spread.—Eps.

148 Directions for preserving Sea Plants.

very transparent in drying, and is a great ornament to the herbarium.
In the north of Ireland it is called murlins, and is often gathered for
eating, but the part used is the leaflets, and not the midrib, as is com-
monly stated. These have a very pleasant taste and flavour, but
soon cover the roof of the mouth with a tenacious greenish crust,
which causes a sensation somewhat like that of the fat of a heart or
kidney. These leaflets or pinne are quite membranaceous when young,
but in full-grown plants are fleshy, and at their middle a quarter of
an inch or more in thickness. Some of my specimens are of a fine
light-green colour, others mottled with rich brown, and some are of
a golden-yellow. Young specimens in general are of a uniform colour
throughout.
| Laminaria digitata.—This common plant is highly prized on
many parts of the Antrim coast asa manure. Every kind, indeed,
that is thrown up is used for the same purpose, and in some places it
is a common saying, that a sack of sea-wrack will produce a sack of
potatoes. After a fresh in-blowing wind, I have seen Cairnlough
Bay almost as populous as a fair, from the number of persons that had
collected from several miles around with horses and cars to carry off
the wrack. In calm or moderate weather the inhabitants of the coast
wade in amongst the rocks at low-water with reaping-hooks, and cut
away the F. vesiculosus and nodosus with the same object. They
often also go out in boats, and cut the tangle with crooked knives
fastened to the end of long poles, by which large quantities are ob-
tained. On parts of the shore which are too rugged for a wheeled
vehicle, the wrack is carried off in creels attached to the backs of
ponies, and where these cannot have access, both men and women
may be seen toiling from the shore with bagfuls on their backs, or
basketfuls on their shoulders. An almost universal opinion prevails,
not only at Cairnlough, but on every part of the coast, so far as I
have been informed, that a much larger quantity of wrack is thrown
ashore during rain than at other times. I inquired from many far-
mers, and from gentlemen living on the coast, respecting this, and
they all considered it a thing perfectly ascertained. I first heard this
opinion some years ago from a friend who lives at Donaghadee, in
the county of Down, who stated, that it was quite a common thing
for farmers in that neighbourhood to yoke their horses, and go to the
beach for wrack as soon as rainy weather came, though, allowing the
wind to be the same, they would not think of doing so if the weather
were dry, thinking that this trouble would be useless. I have hada
precisely similar account from a gentleman in the neighbourhood of
Carrickfergus ; but yet with all this evidence I have not been able,

Directions for preserving Sea Plants. 149

from my own observation, to find the least colour for believing that
there is any truth in the assertion, though I am puzzled to account
for the prevalence of the opinion in places so distant from each other.
That there may occasionally be the appearance of more wrack on the
shore during rain it is easy to conceive, as plants which are thrown
high up during a spring tide in dry weather may continue beyond
the reach of the sea-water, shrivelled up, but on the coming of rain
will expand and make a show, when before they were undistinguish-
able ; but it can scarcely be supposed that this forms the foundation
of the opinion I have mentioned.

The desire to procure wrack at Cairnlough has increased much of
late years, in proportion as its utility has become better known ; and
I have at times been somewhat inclined to suspect that cutting the
tangle in such quantities as is done, may have had some influence in
diminishing the number of fishes in the bay, which are every year
becoming more and more scarce, so that where they used to be plen-
tiful, the fishermen now say they are scarcely worth the trouble of
looking after. They uniformly attribute this failure to the steam-
boats passing along the coast.

As a manure for potatoes, the sea-wrack is not favourable to their
dryness, but it greatly increases their produce, and the ground affords
good crops of oats the following year without farther manuring.

The stem of L. digitata is round, but at Larne and also at
Cairnlough, I have often found it very much compressed, and re-
markably smooth throughout, but without any apparent specific dif-
ference,

LL. bulbosa does not adhere to paper, and therefore is to be treated
as a land plant.

Laminaria saccharina,—Very common, adheres to paper very well
when young.

Laminaria phyllitis,—Common on the Antrim coast. I can scarce-
ly consider this as distinct from L. saccharina. I have repeatedly
seen the bullated appearance in the centre of the frond even in very
young plants, but this nearly disappears in the dried specimen. Dr
Greville states, Alg. Brit. p. 34, that it only adheres partly to paper
in drying, but I believe that this will depend much on circumstances,
for if the specimen be allowed to remain only a short time in fresh
water, and be spread before it has lost its mucus, it will adhere pretty
well, but less perfectly if permitted a longer stay, unless perhaps that
it have remained so long that incipient decomposition has come on.
Most of my specimens adhere closely.

VOL. II. No. 8. L

150 ‘Directions for preserving Sea Plants.

Desmarestia aculeata. Common. I found many specimens at Cairn-
lough Bay in May, anda few in June, in its young state, with the
tufted fringes. When old, it is very frequent lying in large masses
on the shore. Dr Greville accurately remarks, that “ old plants do
not adhere to paper in drying, and become a little darker. Young
plants, still furnished with the pencils of filaments, adhere, and do not
change colour at all.”—Alg. Br. p. 38.

I must here remark, that because species are found at the extre-
mities of a kingdom, it may be very erroneous to suppose that they
are common to all the intermediate parts of the coast. In the Flora
Hibernica, for instance, it is stated that Desmarestia ligulata is “ not
uncommon on any of our shores from the Giant’s Causeway to Ban-
try Bay.” Now, during nearly two months spent this summer at
Cairnlough Bay, in which scarcely a day passed that I did not examine
some part of the shore, I did not find a fragment of it. I have from
time to time gathered marine plants at Larne from my boyhood, and
I never saw a trace there of this species, nor do I recollect ever find-
ing a specimen of it but one, which I gathered a few years ago at
Bangor, on the county Down, side of Belfast Lough.

Dichloria viridis —Common at Cairnlough, often lying in masses
on the shore as large as, and not unlike a horse’s tail. It is to be pre-
served in the ordinary way, but, as is properly stated by Dr Greville,
“ in drying it does not adhere very firmly to paper ;” and the smaller
the specimen, this is the more likely to happen ; but I have some spe-
cimens of large size, whose branches coming in numerous points of
contact with the paper, give to each other such a mutual support that
the whole adheres with considerable firmness. It will remain a long
time unchanged in fresh water, and is little liable to decay itself though
it so readily decomposes other species.

From a preconceived idea that its solvent powers might have some
strong affinity with those of the gastric juice, I was pretty confident
that it would possess the quality of reuniting milk, but on making the
experiment this summer, I ascertained that it had no such property.
When it lies for some time in contact with Plocamiwm coccinewm
Ptilota plumosa, and some other red-coloured species, it changes them
to a bright violet, but this is fugitive, and disappears on drying; the
natural red colour continuing as before.

Chordaria flagelliformis—Common at Cairnlough’ and most
parts of our coast. Fine specimens grow on the rocks below Holy-

wood near Belfast. Ido not know any species which gives out so
great a quantity of mucus after being immersed in fresh water as this. _

Directions for preserving Sea Plants. 151

Its glutinosity also causes much difficulty in preserving good spegi-
mens in the usual way, from its strong adhesion to the drying paper
placed over it. The best management is to spread it and allow it to
dry at leisure exposed to the air; in doing so it gives out a quantity
of mucus of a brown colour, which tinges the paper along the sides of
each branch, but this gives rather a richness and beauty to the speci-
men than acts as a deformity. This mucus often has a glistening ap-
pearance like the dried slime of a snail.

Chorda Filum.—Very common, growing most luxuriantly in si-
tuations somewhat sheltered from the violence of the open sea. It
need not be spread in water, but if placed on white paper, and submit-
ted to pressure under drying papers, by frequently changing these it
will remain firmly attached to the former. By letting it steep in fresh
water for several days to deprive it of its elasticity, it may be rolled
into a spiral coil and then dried as above. It thus assumes an interest-
ing though perhaps unnatural and fantastic appearance.

Dictyota dichotoma.—Not uncommon, the variety ( (intricata) is
very frequent on the Larne shore, though the normal form is rare,
grows extremely flaccid soon after immersion in fresh water, and the
easiest way to preserve it is to clean it in a plate with sea water, and
to spread it immediately on the paper ready to receive it in the fresh
water.

Delesseria sanguinea.—This species has its colour very much
beautified by letting it steep in fresh water for five or six hours or
longer : this changes it from a garnet to a rich rose red, though it does
not always retain when dried the same beauty of tint which it ex-
hibits when moist. I found specimens at Cairnlough in June, with
the footstalks crowded with fructification, though it is commonly
found in this state in winter and spring. It sometimes acquires a
monstrous bulk; a single frond of one specimen in my collection ga-
thered at Cairnlough Bay in July, measuring in length 104 inches (in-
dependent of the footstalk,) and at its middle 71 inches in breadth.*
The finest specimens of the usual form of the plant I have ever seen,
were gathered at Groomsport on Belfast Lough.

Delesseria sinuosa.—The colour of this is also rendered more beau-
tiful by steeping several days in fresh water. It is very common on
the Antrim coast, and grows to a great size. A frond of one of the

* It is excessively plaited at the edges, as are some of the other fronds from
the same specimen, which are also cordate at the base in short, the variety 4 (la-
tifolia) of Captain Carmichael, Eng. Flor. Vol. v. Part i. p. 285, but consider-
ably larger than these described.

152 Directions for preserving Sea Plants.

specimens I preserved in June at Cairnlough is 5% inches long from
the commencement of its lamina from the footstalk to the point, and
is 7 inches broad ; another is 54 inches long, and 73 broad; and a third,
61 inches long, and somewhat more than 7 in breadth. The ciliary
fructification is the most common, but the capsular is also frequent in
the summer. Nothing can be more easy than to preserve this in the
common way.

Delesseria alata.—This is also very easily put up, and, like most of
the garnet red ones, its colour is brightened by long maceration in
fresh water. It grows very luxuriantly on the Antrim coast.

Delesseria hypoglossum.—Tolerably frequent. The effect of fresh

_water on this species is almost instantaneous. When recent it has
considerable rigidity, and a large variety, of which I found several spe-
cimens at Cairnlough Bay, and which at first sight I could scarcely re-
cognize as being this species, was firm and cartilaginous, but after be-
ing in the fresh water for a few minutes was perfectly flaccid, and its
colour changing rapidly from garnet to orange-red. It may be pre-
served in the common way without any trouble, and adheres closely
to paper. The same may be remarked of D. ruscifolia, which is much
more rare.

Notophyllum punctatum.—I found little of it this season. It also,
when perfectly recent, is of a garnet red, and is as rigid as silk paper
to the touch. When dipped in fresh water it emits a crackling noise,
turns rapidly to a rosy orange tint, grows extremely flaccid, and
gives out a large quantity of pink colouring-matter. It is so very
thin that it dries rapidly, and requires no particular precautions.

Notophyllum laceratum.—Common, rigid when recent, becomes
flaccid in fresh water, but is not otherwise changed, dries easily.

Fhodomenia laciniata.—Abundant, and often very large; is not
altered by fresh water, except that it becomes less rigid, and more
easily spread after some hours maceration. It is best to change the
papers frequently during its desiccation, as it sometimes adheres when
this is neglected. I preserved a single specimen at Larne in July,
which was so large that I was obliged to separate it into portions,
and spread it on four folio leaves, the dimensions of which are as fol-
low :—Specimen on first leaf 74 inches from base to top; 14 inches
in breadth ; specimen on second leaf 74 inches high, and 122 broad ;
specimen on third leaf 7 inches high, and 94 broad; specimen on
fourth leaf, five portions of the frond occupying the greater part ~
of it.

Rhodomenia ciliata.—This species is very rare on the Antrim

Directions for preserving Sea Plants. 153

coast, at least in any place I have had an opportunity of visiting. I
mention it merely to notice, that it gives a transparency to the paper
on which it is spread, as if the latter had been oiled at the points
of contact.

Rhodomeniapalmata.—Dulse. Dillisch.— Easily spread, but trouble-
some, especially when large, to retain in a flat expanded state on ac-
count of its contracting very much as it dries. Dr Greville observes,
that “ while rather young, the substance is very thin, slightly lubri-
cous, and adheres to paper in drying, but not when in fructification.”
—Alg. Br. p. 93. Nothing can be more common than this species,
but I have never seen it so extremely abundant as near the Garron
Point, about three miles north of Cairnlough. It there seems to oc-
cupy the place which Fucus vesiculosus and F. nodosus do on other
parts of the coast, and these species which do occur there are quite
overgrown with it, as are also the stones and rocks. Large quantities
are gathered at this place, and being dried, it is sold at a penny per pound
to persons, who afterwards hawk it through the country towns for miles

_around : I was told that when taken to Ballymena, about fifteen miles

from this locality, it is sold at 3d. or 4d. per pound. Dulse is brought
in abundance to Belfast from various quarters, and is sold by huxters.
Its usual price, as retailed by persons who come direct from the shore,
and sell it from door to door, is about 4d. per pound, but in the dried
state it is very light and bulky. There are few persons who are not
pleased with its taste and flavour. In general it is not swallowed,
but is chewed, sucked, and then discarded.

Dr Greville states, that “ both the Scots and Irish wash the plants
in fresh water, dry it in the sun, and rolling it up chew it like tobac-
co. But it is usually eaten fresh from the sea.”—Alg. Br. p. 94.
In this part of the world I have never seen it brought for sale when
fresh, nor is it here ever washed in fresh water previously to drying,
which, indeed, I should apprehend, would deprive it of those qualities
for which it is prized, namely, its flavour and saltness.

At Ballycastle, a small variety is found of a very rich claret-colour,
growing on rocks, which is more highly valued than the common
kind. It is called Craigan Dulse, the latter name, however, being
generally given to such as grow on rocks, and which is esteemed
more highly than that growing on tangle and other sea-weeds. One
favourite way of using dulse is, to cut it very small, and then eat it
strewn thick on a slice of bread and butter.

Rhodomenia renformis.—At Cairnlough Bay I found in June a
few but very beautiful specimens of this rare species, which adheres

154 Directions for preserving Sea Plants.

extremely closely to paper, and is very easily preserved. One speci-
men, about three inches long and two broad, of an obovate form, has
its margin fringed with nearly fifty lobes, each on a narrow foot-
stalk, and having so formal an appearance as rather to resemble a
work of art than of nature. These lobes are generally circular,
though some are ovate, and others obovate, and in width from the
diameter of a pea or less, to that of a sixpence, the smaller unes oc-
cupying the torn edges of the frond.

Odonthalia dentata—Common, is very easily spread, but when
nearly dry the main stem contracts and ‘separates from the paper, es-
pecially in old plants. The extremities of the fronds, however, some-

‘times adhere very well.

Laurencia pinnatifida.—When recent is rigid and cartilaginous,
but soon gets flaccid in fresh water, and gives out much mucus and
colouring matter. If allowed to remain too long in maceration it
becomes almost gelatinous, and will then require to be nearly dry by
exposure to air, before it is submitted to pressure, when it must
be very often changed to prevent adhesion. The var. 8. (Fucus
osmunda, Gmel.) is not very frequent on our coast, though very fine
specimens are occasionally thrown ashore. The other varieties are as
common as on most coasts. In spreading variety (. it will be often
necessary to cut away such superfluous branches, as if retained would
encumber the specimen, and give it an indistinct and confused appear-
ance. One very important part, indeed, of the art of preserving marine
plants is to sufficiently prune luxuriant specimens. Ptilota plumosa,
for instance, is often so luxuriant on our coast, that unless much
thinned it would form on paper a confused and unsightly mass.* The
same remark will apply to several other species.

Laurencia obtusa.—I have now found this species on the Antrim
coast, north of Belfast Lough, and there, I believe, it only grows on
the county Down side, though detached specimens are not unfre-
quently thrown on the opposite. About Bangor it is not uncommon,
growing in pools of sea water. It is best preserved by letting it be
nearly dry before it is pressed.

' Chylocladia clavellosa.—Common in Belfast Lough, and on the
Antrim coast, and of very large size ; should be nearly quite dry be-
fore it is submitted to pressure.

Chylocladia ovalis.—I never found this species till June last, when

* This practice may be useful when preserving specimens for examination ; in
other cases the character of the species will be entirely lost.—Eps. ’

Directions for preserving Sea Plants. 155

I detected it sparingly in a rocky pool about half-way between Glen-
arm and Cairnlough Bay. There were many other pools at the same
locality, but it only occurred in the one. It was when growing al-
most entirely of a yellowish olive-green, but reddened a little when
exposed to the air, and still more when steeped in fresh water. It
was in fruit, having granules imbedded in the ramuli.

Chylocladia articulata—Common. This and the other Chylo-
cladia just mentioned, (the stem of C. ovalis excepted) are so suc-
culent, that a person who had seen them only in the dried state could
have little idea of the appearance they present in the recent. C.
clavellosa when just spread on paper looks so thick, coarse, and com-
plicated, that one might almost despair of its becoming fit for preserv-
ing, yet when simply left to itself it dries away to the greatest de-
gree of tenuity, becomes so attached to the paper as to seem incor-
porated with it, and forms one of the most beautiful plants of the
herbarium. C-. articulata is best dried under pressure from the first,
and the two or three first times it is changed, it will be advisable to
remove the moisture it has discharged by blotting-paper.

Spherococcus coronopifolius.—Not unfrequent. This species dries
easily in the usual way, but its branches shrink up very much in
diameter, I think, to more than one-half their original thickness. It
adheres pretty well to paper, and, as remarked in the Flora Hiber-
nica, becomes darker in drying. It “ becomes horny in the thicker
parts.” —Grev. Alg. Br. p. 138.

Piilota plumosa.—Common, growing especially on the stems of La-
minaria digitata. This beautiful species is much improved for spread-
ing by maceration for six or eight days in fresh water. When taken
from the sea, (especially large specimens, ) it is so rigid that the smal-
ler ramuli escape from pressure and shrink up, thereby deteriorating
the beauty of the specimen. This is considerably obviated by long
steeping, from which the plant becomes more flaccid and obedient to
pressure, and the colour is in general also more beautiful. Old spe-
cimens dry sometimes almost black, and this occurs sometimes even

after long maceration, for this species retains its colouring matter with
great pertinacity.

Tridea edulis —Common; but, as every botanist knows, is very sel-
dom thrown ashore in a perfect state, being torn and perforated in
every possible way. As it grows in pools of water, it may occasion-
ally be found in a good state several inches long. It adheres strongly
to paper, and is easily preserved. I am inclined to suspect, from the ap-
pearance of some of my specimens, that the perforations so common

156 Directions for preserving Sea Plants.

in this species are not accidental, but that portions spontaneously se-
parate from the frond and drop out.

Dumontia filiformis.—Very common. Should be nearly dry before
pressure is used.

Porphyra laciniata.—-Exceedingly common. This I believe is the
only species used in Ireland under the name of Sloke (Laver in
England.) It is gathered during the winter months only, the fronds
being too tough in the summer. After being properly cleaned, it is
stewed with a little butter to prevent its getting a burnt flavour, and
is brought to Belfast, where it is sold by measure, usually at the rate
of fivepence per quart. Before being brought to table, it is again
_ heated, with an additional quantity of butter, and is usually eaten
with vinegar and pepper. I have never heard of any ill effects attri-
buted to its use.

Porphyra vulgaris.—Frequent on the coast, but so excessively
abundant at Cairnlough Bay, that it often proved a serious obstruc-
tion to my collecting other species, by covering and hiding them from
sight. Dr Greville mentions a specimen 34 feet in length, but I
saw many specimens of considerably larger dimensions. It is the
most difficult plant I know to preserve in perfection, not that there
is any difficulty in spreading and going through the other steps of
the process, but because, when it has nearly arrived at the last stage
of drying, a moment’s exposure to the air will cause it to contract
so instantaneously, that the edges of the paper are immediately drawn
towards each other, and, if attempted to be restored without the
whole being first damped, the specimen tears through the middle,
and becomes of littie value. The edges of the plant adhere strongly
to the paper when dry, or nearly so, but the centre does not adhere
at all, and being as fine as gold-beaters’ leaf, though having conside-
rable strength, it at once loses the little moisture it possesses, on
coming in contact with the air, and contracts with a force remarka-
ble, when we consider its extreme thinness. If the paper be thin,
its four corners will in a moment be brought almost in contact with
each other. I believe the best chance of succeeding is, when we
suppose that it is almost dry, to have a flat book (such as a music
book) held open, and the pressure being taken off, to remove the
specimen along with the drying paper covering it, as quickly as pos-
sible, between the leaves of the book, which is to be immediately
closed, and not opened till next day, or till we are satisfied that the
desiccation is absolutely complete.

The colour in this species varies very much,—in some specimens

Directions for preserving Sea Plants. 157 |

being pale, and in others a rich reddish-purple ; sometimes a bright
orange, which latter, I believe, is the effect of incipient decay. I
often observed it at Cairnlough, when floating in still water, to have
an appearance as if it were bordered with white, and on closer in-
spection I found that this proceeded from the margin having attached
to it in its whole extent minute air bubbles, which in certain lights
looked exactly like a regular row of seed-pearl. On disturbing the
plant, these bubbles were not very easily dislodged. They appeared
equally in shade as in sunshine.

Polysiphonia violacea.—Abundant at Cairnlough Bay, in May, and
in fruit in June. When put in fresh water, it almost immediately
gives out a cloud of colouring matter, of the tint of Roman ochre,
and becomes much darker in colour than before. When it has lain
for a night in a wet state on the edge of a dish, I have found it on
the following day to be almost black. When rolled in a large bunch
on the shore by the action of the waves, its long fasciculated
branches become so ravelled, that it is almost impossible to get them
disengaged from each other, and from this cause I lost some fine
specimens, as I found“the task of unravelling them too trying for
any ordinary degree of human patience. It adheres firmly to paper.

Dasya coccinea.—Common. When quite fresh, it is of a garnet-red
colour, and, like most others of that tint, it becomes of a beautiful
rose pink, when macerated in fresh water.

Ceramium rubrum.—I found a number of specimens of this very
common plant, with distinct capsules imbedded in the substance of
the filaments. The central parts of these were so opaque, that I
could not with the microscope distinguish separate seeds, but each
globular mass was surrounded by a hyaline ring, and in some speci-
mens, where, from decay, the filament had become white, the glo-
bules retained the same intensity of colour as in other parts ; shew-
ing that their vital properties had protected them from the decaying
process to which the part containing them had yielded.

I have an interesting specimen of Delesserta sinuosa, which is
bleached almost as white as the paper on which it lies; but the cili-
ary processes upon its margin, containing the seeds, are of the usual
colour and form, a beautiful contrast with the rest. It seems to me .
indeed not improbable that cases might occur where attention to cir-
cumstances of this kind might throw some light on the reproductive
parts of some of these tribes.

Griffithsia setacea.—Common on the Antrim coast. It was chief-
ly in reference to this species that I threw out a caution with regard

158 On the Night-Jar.

to cleaning specimens in fresh water, for a very short exposure of it
to the latter deprives it of most of its colour, and materially alters
its appearance. By adopting the following method, I find that spe-
cimens of this species can be preserved in a much more beautiful state
_ than by any other. I first clean the specimen in a dish containing
sea water, and disentangle any branches that may be interwoven, and
when ready, I transfer it to a paper lying in fresh water and spread
it out. This is done without any trouble, for the plant is still rigid and
perfectly tractable, whereas, had it been previously soaked in fresh
water, it would be quite flaccid, and not at all so manageable. When
spread, the paper is to be held up till it 1s well drained, and then to
be laid flat, the moisture that remains continuing to act on the plant,
causes the latter to give out its colouring matter, and: this forms a
cloud of bright pink surrounding the specimen, giving a richness and
beauty to it which cannot in any other way be obtained. Chylo-
cladia clavillosa, and some others, treated in a similar way, are also
much enriched in appearance by their colouring matter given out.
When almost dry pressure is to be applied.

» Calithamnion plumula.—Not unfrequent # Cairnlough Bay. I
have found it also in Belfast Lough ; but at Larne, which is nearly
intermediate between these two places, I have never seen a trace of
it. Its colour is brightened by steeping for some hours, or even a
night, in fresh water. It may be dried either with or without pres-
sure.

VI.—Observations on the Caprimulgus Europeus (Night-Jar.)
By Dr W. B. CLarxe, Ipswich.

Birps of the genus Caprimulgus are nearly allied to the Hirun-
dines, and appear to bear the same relation to them that the owls do
to the hawks, or the Bombycidz to the Papilionidz, amongst the le-
pidopterous Insects.

The species more particularly under consideration is the European
night-jar, Caprimulgus Huropeus. Its length is about ten inches
and a-half. The plumage is of a brown colour, beautifully varied
. with spots and streaks of light yellowish-brown, white, cinereous, and
black. The chin and sides of the mouth marked with white ; and in
the male, the tips of the two external tail-feathers, and a spot on the
three distal primary feathers of the wings on each side are white.
The markings on the different parts of the body are so complex and
varied as almost to exceed a perfect description.

On the Night-Jar. 159

The night-jar is provided with an extremely wide mouth, which
is beautifully constructed for taking its prey, which consists princi-
pally of the larger Bombycide. I have taken sometimes seven or
eight moths, of the size of the yellow underwing, almost entire from
the stomach. So beautifully is the mouth adapted for the reception
of this kind of prey, that it opens like a trap, and presents a funnel-
like aperture to receive the insect that the bird makes a dash at.
The vibrissz in this bird are very strong, and can be depressed against
the side of the mouth, or erected at pleasure. Not only is the mouth
remarkably large, but the vibrissz are so directed when the mouth is
open, as to reflect any insect into it which might otherwise have been
missed by the bird in its attack. These vibrisse stand out on either
side of the mouth more than equal to half the width of the mouth
itself, by which means the bird is rendered more sure of the seizure
of its prey.

The eye of the night-jar has a structure very similar to that of
eagles, hawks, and owls, and is, like the eyes of these, furnished with a
strong bony ring, which surrounds the cornea, and strengthens the scle-
roticcoat in that part, and renders it so unyielding, that a slight pressure
upon the sclerotic coat behind the ring causes the humours of the eye
to be forced into a degree of convexity which could not be attained
without this provision. By this beautiful yet simple contrivance the eye
can be adapted to distant or close vision, according to the increase or
decrease of convexity. The cornea has considerable dimensions, which
enables the eye to receive a great deal of light, by which means ob-
jects become distinctly seen, which would be otherwise invisible in a
paucity of light. The sketches
vy and 6 represent two views of oy
the eye of the Night-jarr: y is
the lateral view, and 6 is the
front of the same eye: aare- {ij

present the situation of the os- '
seous ring.

The middle toe of this bird
is provided with a singularly pec-
tinated claw, with the tooth-like
processes pointing, with a gentle
curve, inwards and backwards,
as the bird sits grasping its
perch. It is a difficult thing to decide upon what use this can be

to the animal in its economy, for other birds, (the heron for in-

160 On the Night-Jar.

stance,) whose habits are extremely different to those of the night-
Jar, are provided with a pectinated or serrated claw very similar to
this. The figure « amongst the sketches represents the claw and
part of the middle toe of one of the feet, shewing the serrated form
of the claw.

The Caprimulgus Europzus is the only British species of this
genus. It is a migratory bird, and generally makes its appearance
in England about the latter end of May or the beginning of June,
and remains with us generally until the end of September or be-
ginning of October. As it proceeds from the eastward, it visits
the Island of Malta in the Mediterranean, and the south of France,
~ about a month sooner than it arrives in England. On the other
hand, in its passage from our island, it leaves us about the latter
end of September, and south of France about the latter end of Octo-
ber. Some French authors assert, that in rare instances this spe-
cies has been shot in some of the woods and mountainous parts of
Vosges in the middle of winter. This species has also been found in
the open parts, as well as the woods and rocky parts, of Siberia and
Kamtschatka. ’

The night-jar feeds upon insects which it takes in its flight, and
this is principally done during the night, and by morning and even-
ing twilight, these being the times at which it generally flies, although
it may be occasionally seen at intervals during the day ; but this ap-
pears principally to be when it has been driven from its diurnal re-
treat by some intruder. The plumage is peculiarly soft, which en-
ables it, at its pleasure, to pass rapidly through the air without the
vibrations of its wings being heard, and nature has so beautifully
provided for its safety during its diurnal rest, that it can only, with
the greatest difficulty, be discovered amongst the decayed branches
and trunks of trees, the dead ferns, and leaves amongst which it hides ;
the colours of the plumage much resembling the tints of the bodies
amidst which it secretes itself. The bird lays two eggs upon the
bare ground where it is a little hollowed out beneath a whin bush,
patch of ferns, or some other similar body, which serves as a kind of
security or shelter to the parent bird whilst incubating. The egg is
large for the size of the bird ; has both ends nearly alike in size, is
prettily mottled with brown, relieved by marblings of paler tints of the
same colour. ‘To. give an idea of the habits of this bird, I shall here
insert a few notes that I have made at different times respecting it.
When in the middle of a heath in the neighbourhood of this town,
and at the distance of ‘a quarter of a mile from any wood, my attens

On the Night-Jar. 161

tion was suddenly arrested by the appearance of a male night-jar,
(Caprimulgus Europzus,) which rose from a small spot of bare
ground by the side of a whin bush, and after flying about eight or
ten yards, alighted upon the ground with its wings and tail expand-
ed, and its head turned round towards me: here it remained a few se-
conds, and afterwards, slowly fluttered along the ground over the
space of four or five yards, describing a curved course, and apparent-
ly with difficulty, appearing, by its actions, to imitate a wounded
bird labouring to fly. This was doubtlessly done to decoy me away
from the spot it had risen from ; but which I walked up to, and there
found two eggs lying in a slightly hollowed spot of ground beneath
the shelter of a whin bush. One would suppose that the little ani-
mal was led by reason to act this admirable part, for the incapability
of a wounded bird to rise into the air was so exquisitely represented
by this little creature, that an individual unacquainted with the habits
of birds might have been led from the site of its eggs, by the idea of
his being able to secure it. After fluttering a short distance it rose
from the ground, and flew slowly in a curved direction away from
me, and was lost amongst the bushes that were thickly dispersed
around. Upon a cursory view the eggs struck me as much resem-
bling the white stones speckled with lichens which are commonly
to be seen upon heaths, from which characters they would very ge-
nerally elude the eye of any one walking past them, although he
might even be in search of them.

Supposing that the bird would soon make its appearance again to
visit its eggs, I was induced to secrete myself as well as I could be-
hind a whin bush, about fifteen yards from the spot where the eggs
were lying, and from this place I had an opportunity of observing
the actions of this interesting little creature. After waiting about a
quarter of an hour it came round to the whin bush under which its
eggs were lying; over this it lightly skimmed and hovered, as if to
ascertain whether its eggs were safe, and then suddenly turning, came
flitting directly towards me, and approached within a few feet of my
face, and then flew off. This it did two or three times at intervals of
ten minutes or thereabouts. It was now about a quarter to nine
o'clock on the 2lst of June a. p. 1832, the sun had set about a
quarter of an hour: the evening was mild and fine, and all was still,
when the peculiar note of the night-jar was faintly heard, but the
bird at this time was not visible: soon after this a faint squeak was
heard, and a pair of night-jars were seen in the air, occasionally flut-
tering within a few yards of me, and at intervals remaining motion-
less in the air with their wings expanded; then fluttering and ho-

162 On the Night-Jar.

vering ; then descending nearly to the ground with their wings ex-
panded and elevated over their backs, at the same time striking them
together, the back of one against that of the other, so as to produce a
smart snapping sound. This was often accompanied by a sharp quick
sound or squeak. At another time they would skim round me at a
few feet distant from the earth,—again they would hover at a short
distance from me, occasionally reiterating the sharp squeak before
described,—then they would fly to a neighbouring whin bush, and,
perching upon the top of it, commence the peculiar sound from which
their name (night-jar) is derived, and which precisely resembles the
sound produced by a wheel in quick rotation. Then they would rise
into the air, again gliding through it without producing the least
sound, again hovering, flitting, and squeaking. This they continued
until, from the darkness of the night, I could see them no more, al-
though I could at the same time distinctly hear them, and knew they
were close by me. I observed when these birds were sitting that their
wings were a little expanded, the body nearly horizontal, with the head
rather elevated. These birds will sit sometimes in a wood perched
upon a dead branch of an oak tree, with their bodies in a direction
parallel with that of the branch, and in this situation, just as the sun
goes down, will commence their jarring or vibrating note, and at in-
tervals flit suddenly from this situation through an opening amongst
the trees, skimming and hovering for a short time around and amidst
the tops of the neighbouring oak trees, and then settle upon the
branch from which they rose, and again commence their jarring note,
then again dash into the upper part of the trees at some unwary
moth, and again light upon the same bough, repeating this at inter-
vals, and each time upon alighting commence their vibrating note,
which they continue as long as they maintain their sitting posture.
We have not at present been able to detect a bird in the act of mak-
ing its vibrating note whilst upon the wing. Upon visiting a spot
where these birds are likely to be, as soon as the sun goes down, if
the evening be fine, their vibrating note may be heard if the birds
are sitting, or their little sudden squeak several times repeated will
announce their flight, and presently the little creatures will be seen
like airy sprites floating at no great distance from the ground, or over
the tops of trees, so prettily and lightly do they seem to float and
fan themselves along. Often upon a heath, when the night is fine, |
yet dark from the lateness of the hour, and the vibrating sound of —
the night-jar is heard at no great distance, if one walks towards the —
sound it will soon cease, and after a few seconds of perfect stillness,
the sound will be again heard at a distance. If we continue our course

On the Advancement of Local Botany near London. 1638

we shall find the sound increasing upon us. Upon walking on in the
same direction it will soon cease, and after an interval of silence will
be heard again at a distance ; for the eye of the night-jar is so beauti-
fully adapted for nocturnal or crepuscular vision, that it observes the
approach of an object, although a person is incapable of distin-
guishing his companion, or a body the size of himself at the distance
of a few feet only. They will wander over a considerable tract of
ground in the course of an evening in search of prey, beginning by
flitting over the spot near which they have taken up their diurnal
abode, and afterwards continuing to fly over some heath or moor at
a considerable distance from the place where they were first seen.
This bird is by no means common in the neighbourhood of Ipswich,
but there are places not very distant from the town where a pair or
two of them may be generally found every year.

VII.— On the advancement of Local Botany in the environs of Lon-
don, with remarks relative to the Dispersion of Plants in that
vicinity, and the formation of plans exhibiting the Distribution of
Species over localities. By Dantet Coorer, Curator to the
Botanical Society of London, &c.

Tue formation of the Botanical Society of London, and the
publication of the Flora Metropolitana, or Botanical Rambles within
thirty miles of London, have been the means of bringing forward nu-
merous papers and plans, exhibiting the distribution of the localities
of species in the directions frequented by the metropolitan botanist,
and of advancing the objects of local Floras generally. No local
Flora of the environs of so extensive a city, and, as will be presently
shewn, producing species of so rare occurrence, having been published
in a cheap and portable form,* induced me to attempt to arouse the
minds of practical men towards the furtherance of this object. In
directing their attention to this subject, I had two objects in view:
the first, to solicit their aid for the purpose of endeavouring to arrive
at a more accurate and actual Flora of the environs of so great a city—
the latter, to obtain correspondents who might be willing to join in
the establishment of a society for mutual intercourse and benefit. In

* About sixty years since “ Curtis’s Flora Londinensis” was published. This
work contains plates of all the species that had been found round London.
3 large folio volumes. Mr Warner published a Local Flora on the plants of
Woodford, Essex ; and Mr Blackstone of Harefield, Middlesex. The localities
_ in these works cannot be relied on, having both been brought forward upwards

of sixty years since.

164 On the Advancement of Local Botany near London.

both my objects have been realized to a greater extent than had been
expected. Contributors without number have kindly lent their assist-
ance towards the accomplishment of the first object, and the second
has already manifested itself by the formation of the “ Botanical So-
ciety of London.” That local botany is attracting more notice daily
throughout the kingdom, is evident from the number of local floras
of late years published, and valuable, indeed, they are to the naturalist,
—if we consider the immensity of labour, trouble, and time, spared
to the lover of nature for other pursuits.

The rapid formation of the Botanical Society of London affords a
still greater proof of the progress of that department of science, since
- we find that out of seventy members elected since its formation,
(29th Nov. 1836,) two-thirds at least devote the major part of their
time to practical botany. That a society embracing the objects it
does, has been long a desideratum in the metropolis, cannot be denied,
and is evident from the number of its members, and also from the va-
rious important memoirs that have been brought forward relating to
subjects deserving the attention not only of the practical, but the
physiological and geographical botanist.

I shall now offer some views respecting the formation of plans, ex-
hibiting the actual flora of the vicinity of, or in, any particular loca-
lity, in order that the botanist, at a glance of a map or plan of such
a locality, would be enabled with greater facility to arrive at or near
the spot where any species have been observed to grow. The
first idea of this nature was brought before the Botanical Society
of London on the 5th January 1837, illustrating a paper which I
read on the distribution of plants in one of our principal localities in
the immediate vicinity of London,—a locality for years celebrated for
the profuse supply of specimens it has yielded to the naturalist. I
allude to Battersea Fields, the spot where most of our ancestors and
ourselves have often rambled with so much profit and delight. In
the subsequent part of this paper, I shall give in a table the number
of genera and species found in various localities.

In producing plans of this kind, there is but one objection,
viz. that many botanists of the present day are not content with
collecting one, or even half-a-dozen specimens, more particularly
if the plant is of uncommon occurrence, and I have known instances,
where whole species have been rooted out by the eagerness and ava-
rice of the collector. Such measures ought not to be adopted to the —
destruction of the habitats of species. If the plants are annuals it is
doing injustice to the rising generation of botanists ; if they are bren-

On the Advancement of Local Botany near London. 165

nials or perennials, surely collecting the portion above the earth in
most instances is sufficient, without rooting out the species entirely.
There are certain plants of which the root is necessary for distinguish-
ing and defining specific characters; in such cases some attention
should be paid to the number of species observed in the locality ;
bearing in mind the necessity of leaving a sufficient number for the
continuance of the propagation of the species. It has been observed,
by some eminent botanists of the present day, that the formation of
the different societies for the exchange of specimens, &c. willin a
great measure have the effect of destroying some of our richest loca-
lities. Let it not be understood, that the formation of maps and plans
of the nature before alluded to, are for the purpose of facilitating these
ravages. That in the hands ofthe most avaricious they will do so, I
have not the slightest hesitation in acknowledging, but it is to be
hoped that not many of those individuals now exist, who would
thus damp the ardour and zeal of the rising generation of botanists,
and also be the means of retarding science, while the execution of
such ideas may prove beneficial to the scientific inquirer.

The plan of Battersea Fields before alluded to, exhibited the vari-
ous houses, ditches, fields, and other minor but interesting stations,
on the scale of two feet to the mile. This plan was executed and
the locality surveyed by myself, in order that accuracy might be the
result. I afterwards learned that this labour and trouble might have
been spared, by inspecting the plan of the parish or parishes from
which the rates are made, and therefore, on a scale sufficient for the
present purpose ; it is, I understand, generally to be found hanging
up in the vestry room, or in the care of the vestry-clerk of the parish.
Such plans might be conveniently applied to local Floras, and would
be admirable desiderata to such works, numbering the species in the
letter-press to correspond with the numbers on the plate ; thus sup-
posing the cut to represent a plan of a locality, and the figures some-
what the situation of the plants there found.

VOL. II. No. 8. M

166 On the Advancement of Local Botany near London.

1. Alisma Damasonium 6. Campanula hederacea
2. Menyanthes trifoliata 7. Galium verum

3. Villarsia nymphzoides 8. Rhinanthus crista galli
4. Drosera rotundifolia 9. Saxifraga granulata

5. Narthecium ossifragum 10. Butomus umbellatus

By using figures in the place of writing or printing the names in
full, much unnecessary space can be dispensed with ; and thus a plan
of a locality on the scale of three or four inches to the mile, might
be conveniently introduced into a duodecimo or octavo volume. Any
additional localities the botanist might discover could with facility be
marked on the spot in their proper situations, by making additional

figures on the plan, which figures of course to agree with the names
of the plants upon a separate page. In this way it appears to me
that much time might be spared the naturalist for his other pursuits,
and also be the means of producing more complete and accurate local
Floras than any plan hitherto adopted.

In conclusion, I have a few remarks to make upon the dispersion
of species in the environs of London. The former hints respecting
the eradication of plants will be sufficient to those collectors who are
in the habit of herbalizing into various counties. Such individuals
must bear in mind, that the lover of natural history is the more or
less proud of his country, according to the specimens of interest and
value that have been collected in it. Take for instance the
county of Surrey—what would it be to the botanist without its orchi-
deous and chalk plants, for which it has been long celebrated. At
Boxhill, and the hills adjoming, with other places.in the neighbour-
hood, (and in this, as well as all places hereafter cited, within a dis-
tance of thirty miles of London,) the following lists of orchideous and
other uncommon plants have been found.

Orchideous Plants.

+ Ophrys apifera, 30. * Platanthera viridis, + Orchis hircina, 34,
+ ——— muscifera, 30. (Banstead Down.) f-- militaris, 34.
+ ———-aranifera, 31. + Aceras anthropophora, ™ Malaxis paludosa (Rei- —
arachnites, 30. 20. gate. )
+ Anacamptis pyramida- + Orchis maculata, 5,16. Herminium monorchis,
lis, 34. mascula, 16. 32.
+ Gymnadeniaconopsea, + fusca, 34. + Neottia nidus avis.
34. latifolia, 15. + Listera ovata, 15-34.
+ Platanthera bifolia, 16, pi ——— morio, 34. + Spiranthes autumnalis,
ustulata, 34. 29-30. i

34. pa

* Those marked thus * have been recently discovered in this county.
—__—______—_— j have been also discovered in Kent.
The numbers affixed correspond to the pages where the localities may be seen —
in the “ Flora Metropolitana,” 1836. ;

On the Advancement of Local Botany near London. 167

} Epipactis grandiflora, ~ + Epipactis ensifolia, 32. + Epipactis latifolia, 4.
30. —— palustris,117

Xanthium strumarium, 8, Narcissus biflorus, 15 Impatiens noli-me-tan-
98. Fritillaria meleagris, 25. gere, 30.
Tulipa sylvestris, 3. Dentaria bulbifera, 21. — — fulva, 43.
Myosurus minimus, 1,23. Leonurus cardiaca, 21. Scilla autumnalis, 30.
Chelidonium laciniatum, Botrychium Junaria, 22. Lilium martagon, 31.
Me Scrophularia vernalis, 22. Chrysosplenium oppositi-
Polygonum dumetorum,4. Coronopus didyma, 25. folium, 39.
Symphytumtuberosum,3. * Utricularia vulgaris, Vaccinium oxycoccus, 40.

Anemoneapennina, 1,39. Astragalus hypoglottis, | Adoxa moschatellina, 40.
Melilotus leucantha, 30. 96. Lonicera xylosteum, 40.
* Crocus aureus, * Corydalis lutea, Myrica gale, 41.

vernus, 15. Hesperis matronalis, 30. Osmunda regalis, 42.

From inspecting the above lists it may be easily imagined that the
botanist resident in Surrey is not a little proud of his country. The
metropolitan botanist also can certainly boast of a Flora perhaps not
to be equalled throughout the whole of England. In this district he
is particularly rich in orchideous plants. Of the 36 species describ-
ed as British, 26 are found dispersed within thirty miles from London.

In Kent, it may be observed that the species are not quite so abun-
dant, in the ratio of 21 to 36, including two species that have not
as yet to my knowledge been found in Surrey, at least within the
range before specified, viz. *Orphrys fucifera and Orchis tetropho-
santhos, 61. These plants are not confined to the counties of Surrey ~
and Kent, in the London district, as might perhaps be supposed ;
they also occur in Essex and Middlesex, but not so frequently. To-
wards Harefield and St Albans they make their appearance again in
great quantities. We have then in the combined counties of Surrey
and Kent, as far as observation has gone, 28 species out of 36 British
orchideous plants, the remaining eight being mostly confined to the
northern districts.

Nor is Kent behind her sister county in other rare plants,— Althea
hirsuta, Bupleurum tenuissimum, Hutchinsia petrea, Valerianella
calcitrapa, Hyoscyamus niger, Paris quadrifolia, Gentiana ama-
rella, and G'. pneumonanthe may be considered but a few of them.

With regard to the distribution of the whole of the species within
thirty miles of London, I have from careful examination and research
arrived at the following result :

Lindley’s Ist edition of Synopsis of British Flora.
fl. Dichlamydee, Nat. Ord. 67 Genera 370 Species 904
Dicotyledons. { 2. Monochlamydee, 14 25 91
| 3. Achlamydez, a) 14 86

Seo

86 409 1081

168° On the Advancement of Local Botany near London.

1. Petaloidez,

Nat. Ord. 16
2. Glumacee, 9

Monocotyledons, {

18

Genera 58 Species 147
69

127

224

371

Found within thirty miles of London. (Flora Metropolitana.)

fl. Dichlamydee, Nat. Ord. 64 Genera 317

Species 683
72

Dicotyledons. <2. Monochlamydee, 13 20
| 3. Achlamydez, 5 14 49
82 351 804
Man ccoicinacne } 1 Petaloiderx, Nat Ord. 16 Genera 46 Species 106
v 4 * Glumacee, 2 57 137
| 18 103 243

Total in Lindley’s Synopsis.

Dicotyledons, Nat. Ord. 86 Genera 409 Species 1081
Monocotyledons, 18 127 371
104 536 1452

Total in “ Flora Metropolitana.”
Dicotyledons, Nat. Ord. 82 Genera 351 Species 804
Monocotyledons, 18 103 243
100 454 1047

Several papers having been read before the Botanical Society of
‘London on the distribution of the number of species in certain loca-
lities within a few miles of London, the results might perhaps be in-
teresting to some of your readers. Mr Irvine* found 670 species
within two miles of Hampstead, Middlesex, and 900 withm the same
distance of Croydon, Surrey. Dr Macintyre} found 10 genera, in-
cluding 23 species of ferns—65 genera, including 136 species of Mo-
nocotyledons,—and 265 genera, including 542 species of Dicotyledo-
nous plants around Warley Common, Essex. It have found 61 Na-
tural Orders, 214 genera, including 406 species in Battersea Fields,
Surrey—some of them of rare occurrence.

The following tables have been drawn up from various works, in —
order to exhibit the number of genera and species contained in some —
of our local Floras ; the genera and species have not been reduced to
a common standard, but have been calculated as they appear in those —
works. :

“ Mr Irvine’s paper was read, November 17, 1836.
} Dr Macintyre’s paper was read, December 15, 1836.
¢ Paper read, January 5, 1837.

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170 Contributions to the

Notes to Table, p. 169.
1, 2, 3. Magazine of Zoology and Botany. Vol. i. p. 267.

4, 5. Calculation from the Prospectus of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh.
1836.

6. Flora Metropolitana, or Botanical Rambles within 30 miles of London. By
Daniel Cooper. 1836.

7. Flora Cantabrigiensis. By Richard Relham. A. M. 38d edit. Cantab.
1820.

8. Flora of Berwick upon Tweed. By G. Johnston, M. D. Edinburgh, 1829.
9. Flora Woodfordiensis.—A Catalogue of Plants growing at Woodford, Es-
sex. By Richard Warner, London, 1771.

10. Flora of Oxfordshire and contiguous counties. By Richard Walker. Ox-
ford, 1833.

11. Flora Oxoniensis. By John Sibthorp, M. D. Oxonii, 1794.

12. Flora Devoniensis. By Rev. J. P. Jones, and J. F. Kingston. London,
1829.

13. Flora Glottiana.—A Catalogue of the Indigenous Plants on the banks of

the river Clyde, and in the neighbourhood of the city of Glasgow. By Thomas
Hopkirk. Glasgow, 1813.

14. Flora Bedfordiensis, comprehending such plants as grow wild in the county
of Bedford. By Charles Abbott, M. A. Bedford, 1798.

15. A Catalogue of the Plants of Berwick upon Tweed. By John V. Thomp-
son, Surgeon. London, 1807.

16. Flora of Anglesey, in Welsh Botanology. By Hugh Davies. London,
1815.

17. Flora of Northumberland and Durham, in the Botanist’s Guide through
those counties. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1805.

18. Flora of the Snowdonian Mountains (rare plants only.) By the Rev.

W. Bingley in 1798-1801. (Appendix to Jones’s lustrations of the Natural
Scenery of the Snowdonian Mountains.) London, 1829.

VIII.— Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. By Wit-
LIAM THompson, Esq. Vice-President of the Belfast Natural His-
tory Society. (Continued from p. 57.)

No. 3.—On the Birds of the Order Raptores.
GosHawKk—Astur palumbarius, Bechst.—“ I have seen a young ~
one got at the rocks of Magilligan (Londonderry.”)—MS. late Mr
Templeton, where it is also stated under the head of Gentil Falcon. |
“ On 25th July 1809, I saw at Carrickfergus a stuffed specimen that —
had been shot at the Gobbins, (Antrim.”)
I have never seen an Irish specimen of this bird. The term gos-
hawk or goose*-hawk is commonly applied in the country to any of

* In reference to its comparatively superior size.

Natural History of Ireland. 171

the Falconide of a larger size than those ordinarily met with, such as
the common buzzard (Buteo vulgaris,) &c.

Sparrow-Hawk—Accipiter fringillarius, Will.—Is common
in the enclosed and wooded parts of Ireland. It is certainly the
boldest of the British Falconide. I have known this species to
be shot in a yard attached to an occupied dwelling-house in the
country, where it was discovered by the uproar produced among the
inhabitants of the dove-cot. Dr J. D. Marshall was, in October
1833, sent an old female sparrow-hawk, that in pursuit of a thrush
(Turdus musicus) followed it into a cottage in the neighbourhood of
Belfast, where both were secured. On some stuffed birds being placed
near this hawk, she dashed fiercely at them. When bent on spoliation,
the sparrow-hawk scruples not to enter even the church itself, as a
male bird was about two years since caught by the sexton in New-
townbreda Church (Down,) whither it had pursued some small bird,
I believe a robin (Sylvia rubecula.) A sparrow-hawk was once ob-
served by Mr R. Langtry to strike one of his sea eagles which was
perching on his shed ; and when his golden eagle was at liberty, he
has not only seen it struck by one of these birds in passing, but was
once witness to the latter turning back and repeating the imperti-
nence. Another ornithological friend, on climbing a tree to one of
their nests, and when within a very few yards of it, was attacked by
the female bird, and his cap at one stroke sent to the ground. He
speedily followed it, lest the next should be on his bare head, but, re-
placing the cap more firmly on, he gallantly remounted to the nest,
which he had been in the habit almost daily of visiting, and was gra-
tified with a sight of the young birds that day hatched, which accounts
for the boldness of the parent. He describes the young as being
beautiful in their first garb of snow-white down.

I have known this species to build only in trees, in Ireland. The
stomachs of several specimens examined by me contained the remains
_ of birds alone.

Kite—Milvus ictinus, Sav.—Under the name of “ Kite,” a
bird appears in many of the statistical surveys of Irish counties,
as well as in other catalogues of native birds, but the true Falco
milvus or Milvus ictinus has never been seen in Ireland, either by
myself or any ornithologist with whom I have communicated, nor
am I aware of the existence of a native specimen in any collec-
tion. When Ireland presented an aspect different from the present,
and was a well-wooded country, the Kite may have been one of our

172 Contributions to the

birds, but the larger species of the Falconide, and chiefly the com-
mon buzzard, being in some places called kite and glead, as well gos-
hawk or goosehawk, leaves us in uncertainty whether the real
Falco milvus was ever indigenous tothe country. And for the same
reason the doubt is no way removed even by the “ authority” of the
Irish Statutes, in which rewards are offered for the destruction of the
“kite” as one of the birds of prey. Vide 1Jth Anne, ch. 7 and 17,
Geo. II. ch. 10. *

Mr R. Langtry, when at Loch Awe, in Argyleshire, early in the
summer of 1833, procured from the nest two young kites, which
proved a highly interesting addition to his aviary. They at once
became very tame and familiar, and were so gentle in disposition as to
be most engaging. Every morning they had their liberty, never flew
far, but soared to a great height in the air, and, “ in still repeated
circles,” displayed their peculiar and graceful flight. To either lure
or “ fist” they always returned when called. Mice were preferred by
them to birds or any other food. When these kites were on wing
rats let off from the cage-trap were expertly caught by them.

Common Buzzarp—Buteo vulgaris, Will—This species is of
common occurrence in Ireland. From the most extensive and best
wooded demesnes in Down and Antrim, I have at every season of
the year seen specimens. In such localities they build in trees,
whence I have heard the young call in Shane’s-Castle Park. ‘The
buzzard is also found in the retired, rocky, and mountainous parts
of the country, where trees are quite unknown, and there forms its
nest in the cliffs.

When at Rosheen mountain (before-mentioned as the eyrie of the
Golden (?) Eagle) near Dunfanaghy, in June 1832, we saw a pair
of buzzards, and heard their young call from the nest on a ledge of
rock, midway down a precipice. This we were told had, until the
present season, been for many years occupied by a pair of ravens
(Corvus corax,) which it was stated did not yield their possession
quietly, but fought hard, though in vain, against the buzzards’ usur-
pation. My friend being desirous of obtaining the young birds, a
man undertook to descend the rock for them in the ordinary way,
being secured from falling by a rope fastened about his body, and
held by persons above. However, from its impending at the summit,
this was rather perilous, and for greater safety he preferred ascending

* For etxracts from the Statutes, I am indebted to Francis Whitta, Esq. of
Belfast.

3

Natural History of Ireland. blr gs:

from the base; the preventive just mentioned against accidents being
in this case likewise resorted to. When the least apprehension of
danger was manifested, we endeavoured to dissuade him altogether
from the attempt, but his father, an old gray-haired man, insisted,
though gain was never thought of, that he should not turn craven,
and was so froward in leaning over the cliff to direct his son’s move-
ments, that we verily feared his own life would become a sacrifice,
but all expostulation was in vain. By this method three young birds
were taken, a fourth escaping by flight. ‘The climber said the nest
was composed of the strong stems of heather and roots of grasses,
and lined with the fur of hares and rabbits, and that it would have
held several more than the four birds it contained. The legs of rab-
bits and hares were lying about it.

When at Macgilligan, in the county Londonderry, in July 1838,
I saw a buzzard, which appeared to be the Buteo vulgaris, soaring
about the basaltic precipices, and flying from one pinnacle of rock to
another, its young being all the while very vociferous, and one of
them loudly heard above the others, calling similarly to the male bird
brought from Donegal last year, satisfied me respecting its species.
The continual and loud cry of the latter bird, as we drove from Dun-
_ fanaghy to the city of Londonderry, proved ludicrously annoying to
us, by giving evidence of the contents of our baskets to all persons we
met, (it was a holiday,) and thus drawing their attention towards us.
The other two buzzards and the eagles remained generally quiet.
These three buzzards, but especially the male, became very familiar.
When let off in the morning, his favourite perch was upon some stacks
of grain, where he remained patiently watching for mice, which he has
been seen to catch, but was not always successful, sometimes dashing
his talons into the straw, and bringing them out empty. He prefer-
red mice to rats, though very expert at killmg both. He was quite
a pet bird. One of his favourite tricks was to fly on his master’s
feet and untie his shoe-strings. But he was likewise very bold; and,
taking a dislike to a certain ‘individual, flew at him whenever he ap-
peared, and endeavoured to strike him about the head. Against these
attacks a walking-stick generally served as a defence ; but the buzzard
once came upon him unawares, and inflicted a severe blow on the
back of his head. This bird occasionally astonished strangers, by
smartly striking them on the hat, so as to send it over their ears.

At the range of inland rocks called Salagh Braes, and at another
similar locality in Antrim, the buzzard nestles, as it is likewise pre-
sumed to do at the promontory of Fairhead, in the same county, a
pair of these birds having been seen there in June last by my friend

174 Contributions to the

Richard K. Sinclaire, Esq. who on the same day observed, in addition
to them, pairs of sea-eagles, peregrine falcons, and kestrels, all of
which are well known to have eyries there.

A native specimen of the buzzard, which I lately examined, had a
few feathers half an inch in length about the middle of one of the
tarsi, which was bare for nine lines above them.

RovuGH-LEGGED Buzzarp—Buteo lagopus, Vig.—About the
middle of October 1831, a bird of this species was killed near Dun-
donald, in the county of Down.* On dissection, the remains of birds
and of a full-grown rat were found in its stomach. It was purchased
_ by Dr J. D. Marshall, and is now in his possession. This bird ac-
cords with Temminck’s description ofthe adult male. It has not any
indication of bands on either side of the tail. In Mr Selby’s figure
of the female, a band appears near the tip on the under side.

About this time two others were seen at Killinchy, in the same
county, and one of them shot, but it was, through ignorance, lost as
a specimen. Last autumn, the gamekeeper at Tollymore Park. de-
scribed to me a bird, which, from size, being feathered to the toes,
&c. evidently had been of this species. It was shot a few years ago
(probably at the same period as the others) in Castlewellan demesne
(Down) when carrying off a young rabbit.

Honey-Buzzarp—Pernis apiworus, Cuv.—The following no-
tice of this species appeared in the Magazine of Natural History for
1838, Vol. vi. p. 447.

«“ Ata meeting on July 23, 1833, of the Council of the Belfast Na-
tural History Society, Mr W. Thompson, V. P. stated, that, on the
llth of June last, a fine male specimen of the honey-buzzard,
which is unrecorded as having ever before occurred in Ireland, was,
when in company with a similar bird, most probably the female, shot
by Robert G. Bomford, Esq. in his demesne of Annandale, in the vi-
cinity of Belfast; and who, on being informed of the rarity of the
bird, had most handsomely presented it to the Belfast Museum. Mr

Thompson, who saw the specimen when recent, related, that the bill _
and forehead were covered with cow-dung, in such a manner as to —
lead him to suppose the bird had in that substance been searching for —
insects. On examination of the stomach, which was quite full, it was —
found to contain a few of the larve, and some fragments of coleop- —

* This is the individual mentioned in “ Mag. Nat. Hist.” Vol. v. p. 578.

Natural History of Ireland. 175

terous insects, several whitish-coloured hairy caterpillars, the pupz
of a butterfly, and also of the six-spot burnet-moth (Zygzna filipen-
dulze,) together with some pieces of grass, which it is presumed were
taken in with this last-named insect, it being on the stalks of grass
that the pupe of this species of Zygzna are chiefly found. Mr

Thompson remarked, that this insectivorous food must to the honey
buzzard have heen a matter of choice, the bird being in the full vi-
gour of its powers, and the district in which it was killed abounding
with such birds, as, were they its wished-for prey, it might have easily
captured and destroyed.”

_ The individual thus dwelt upon was a mature male. The bands on
the tail exhibit a greater inequality than is represented in any figure
I have seen, the first and second being less than an inch apart, the
third more than two and a-half inches distant from the second band.

Marsu Harrier— Circus rufus, Briss.—I have had opportuni-
ties of examining four recent marsh harriers, which were killed in
Down and Antrim, but all in different localities—one only was an
adult male. A person conversant with birds has mentioned to me,
that he once saw an old male bird of this species on the banks of
Belfast bay at ebb-tide.

A brood of these birds taken a few years ago from the nest on the
mountains of the county Monaghan was reared by Captain Bonham
of the 10th Hussars, who intended trying them in falconry, but for
this purpose they proved most intractable. Some years since, three
or four young marsh harriers were brought to Belfast from the moun-
tains of Ballynascreen (Londonderry) and I am credibly informed
that the species breeds at Claggan (Antrim). It is considered very
rare in Donegal.* Mr R. Ball states in a letter to me, that its
young have been brought to him at Youghal (Cork). In suitable
localities in the counties of Tipperary and Dublin I am informed
that it occurs.

On dissection, the stomach of one of the first mentioned was found
full of frogs.

Hen-Harrier—Circus cyaneus, Flem.—This handsome species
is generally distributed in Ireland. In Antrim I have been assured
that it breeds at Claggan, and occurs at all seasons in the mountains
around Ballymena. From an adult male being seen by an orni-
thological friend on the 15th of May near Glenarm, it is probably

* Mag. Nat. Hist. Vol. v. p. 581.

176:* Contributions to the

indigenous to that neighbourhood. Two mature male specimens
were shot, I have been told, near Dublin, in July 1836. The hen-
harrier does not appear in Mr Stewart’s published catalogue of the Birds
of Donegal; but'in a letter, with which he lately favoured me, that
gentleman mentions it as a subsequent addition, but at the same time
as arare and only occasional visitant. It is stated by Mr R. Ball to
be sometimes shot about Youghal, and is enumerated among the
birds seen in August 1835, in Connemara, by Mr Lingwood. *

When looking for snipes in a boggy spot in the Belfast mountains,
I once shot a female bird of this species, hovering in the manner of
a kestrel over it. She was not alarmed by the presence of myself
and friend, nor by that of our dogs engaged in “ beating” the ground
immediately beneath.

A gentleman of my acquaintance has long known “ white hawks”
to have their nests every summer in his mountains at Ballynascreen
(Londonderry,) where he had two of them last year. They are always
placed on the ground among the heath. When at “ the Horn” in
1832, the gamekeeper told me of his having the winter before seen
a “ white hawk” strike a curlew (Numenius arquata) in passing, and
break its wing, which so disabled the bird, that it became an easy cap-
ture to my informant. In a communication lately received from the
Rev. Thomas Knox of Toomavara, it is remarked under the head
“¢ Hen-Harrier”—“ From the description given by different persons,
I have no doubt that this bird frequents the bogs adjoining the Shan-
non, where it is called the ‘ white kite.’ I have not been able to get
one of them shot, but have seen it at a distance frequently.” A
“ large bluish-white hawk” has been mentioned to me by a correspon-
dent, as frequent about Clonmel. The localities have been thus par-
ticularised, as the ash-coloured harrier may possibly be the species al-
luded to under some of the latter appellations.

Eacie Owt—Subo maximus, Sibbald.—The only record of the
eagle owl’s occurrence in Ireland appears in Mr Stewart’s Catalogue
of the Birds of Donegal, in the following words :—< Four of these
birds paid us a visit for two days, after a great storm from the north,
when the ground was covered with snow. They have not since been
seen here. As I am informed that a pair of them breed in Tory
Island, about nine miles to the north of this coast, it is probable
that they came from that island, I have heard of them nowhere
else.” +

* Mag. Nat. Hist. Vol. ix. p. 128. + Ibid. Vol. v. p 581.

Natural History of Ireland. 177

LonG-EARED OwL—Otus vulgaris, Flem.—Occurs throughout
Ireland, and is resident. Where a sufficient extent of wood exists in
Down and Antrim, it is a common species, and is remarked by a cor-
respondent to be “ not uncommon” in Tipperary. It is considered
rare in Donegal.*

I have known this species to be shot in the dusk of the evening, a
mile from high-water-mark, in Belfast Bay, by a person waiting in a
barrel (sunk in the ooze) for the flying of widgeon. The white owl
has in several instances been obtained by these shooters.

An individual, well acquainted with the long-eared owl, informs me,
that in a close plantation of spruce firs (Abies communis) at Scout-
bush, near Carrickfergus, he for several years had its nests, which, in
consequence of the trees being young, were placed not higher than
six feet from the ground.

The Rey. Thomas Knox, in a letter to me, mentions the contents
of the stomach of a long-eared owl, shot at Killaloe, to be “ part ofa
rat, the skull of a mouse, and the heads of two sparrows.” A spar-
row almost entire was found in the stomach of one examined by
myself.

SHoRT-EARED OwL_— Otus brachyofos, Flem.—This species is one
of our regular winter visitants in the north of Ireland. October the
13th is the earliest date of its occurrence to me. It has been added
to the birds of Donegal by Mr Stewart, since the publication of his
catalogue, and its migration in winter to the mountains of Wexford
and Tipperary has been communicated to me.

I have several times met with, and shot this ow] in the neighbour-
hood of Belfast, and invariably in wet and boggy places, where snipes
might be expected. One of these owls being only wounded, afforded
me the opportunity of observing the exceeding brilliancy and depth of
its golden eyes. In the stomach of a specimen examined on the 16th
December last, I was surprised to find the legs of a purre (Tringa
variabilis,) as the localities frequented by the two species at this sea-
son are generally very different.

Wuire-Owit—Strix flammea, Linn.—This beautiful species is
the most common owl in Ireland. I have had the following evidence
of its regular flight to some distance from its domicile, just as twilight
commences. Near Belfast there is a considerable extent of low-lying
meadows, which are flooded by heavy rains, and at such times are re-

* Mag. Nat. Hist. Vol. v- p. 581.

178 Contributions to the

sorted to by various species of wild-fowl (Anatide.) The flood never
attaining such a height as to cover the banks surrounding these
meadows, they are frequented by persons for the purpose of shooting
the wild-fowl on their evening flight, and to whom the owl, on as
«‘ murderous deeds intent,” occasionally falls a victim. On becoming
acquainted with this fact, it occurred to me that the owl’s visit might
be in consequence of the flood driving its prey from the meadows to
their banks, where, as the only place of refuge, it would be more
abundant; but I have ascertained that the owl equally haunts them
when the flood is gone. From the distance of half a mile I have seen
it flying towards them.

- The white ow] is a well known visitor to the dove-cot, and in such
a place, or rather a loft appropriated to pigeons in the town of Belfast,
T am informed by an observant friend that a pair once had their nest.
This contained four young, which were brought up at the same time
with many pigeons. The nests containing the latter were on every
side, but the owls never attempted to molest either the parents or
their young. As may be conjectured, this owl’s nest was frequently
inspected during the progress of the young birds. On the shelf
beside them, never less than six, and so many as fifteen mice and
young rats (no birds were ever seen) have been observed, and this
was the number they had left after the night’s repast. The parent
owls when undisturbed remained all day in the pigeon-loft.

. Of the stomachs of four white owls I have examined, one contain-
ed the remains of rats; another of mice; a third was filled to disten-
sion with portions of eight mice; and the fourth exhibited only a
part of a coleopterous insect of the family Harpalide, that could not
when perfect have exceeded nine lines in length. A friend, too, in-
forms me, that, on examining the pellets cast by these owls, which he
has very frequently done, he has often perceived, in addition to the
fur and bones of rats and mice, the wing-cases of beetles shining
through them.* The remains of birds he never detected in them. It
is only, I believe, in dearth of other prey that this owl attacks any of
the feathered tribe.

A white owl, kept for upwards of a year in a friend’s house, was
from the first kindly disposed to the servant who fed it, but pugna-
cious towards its master, instantly striking with its talons at his
finger when placed against the cage, but this he in some degree taught
it. When spoken to by any one, it returned the recognition by most

* I do not recollect these mentioned as the food of the white owl in any work
on British Ornithology ; “ scarabees” are, however, enumerated as such by
Temminck, Man d’Orn de Eur. Tom. i. p. 92.

Natural History of Ireland. 179

grotesquely moving from one leg to the other on its perch, accompani-
ed at the same time by a bow or inclination of the head sideways. It
screamed greatly during the night.

Tawny Owt—Ulula stridula, Selby.—This species is mention-
ed as Irish in several of the statistical surveys of our counties and
other catalogues. It never occurred to the late Mr Templeton, nor
have I seen an Irish specimen.

Svowy Owt—Swurnia nyctea, Dumeril.—On June 9, 1835, I had
the satisfaction of communicating an account of the snowy owl’s ap-
pearance in Ireland to the Zoological Society of London, in whose
“ proceedings,” 1835, p. 78, it subsequently appeared. The follow-
ing is a rather more full account, as the limited scope of that most
valuable work renders a condensation of matter for its pages quite ne-
cessary.

About the 26th of March 1835, a specimen of this bird was sent
in arecent state to Dr Adams of Portglenone, (co. Antrim) bya person
who had shot it a few days before in that neighbourhood, and who
stated that a similar individual had been seen about the place where
it was obtained. ‘The specimen was presented by Dr Adams to the
Natural History Society of Belfast. It is immature, agreeing with
the figure in Mr Selby’s “ Illustrations of British Ornithology.”

On the 21st of the same month, as two of my friends were out
snipe-shooting at Bruslee, about twenty miles to the south-east of
Portglenone, a large white owl, represented by them as twice the size
of the common species of that colour (Strix flammea, ) rose from the
heath within a few yards of one of them, just as he had discharged
both barrels at a snipe. His companion fired at it from such a distance,
that, with the loss of only a few feathers, it escaped, and afterwards
alighted at a short distance. On showing the specimen killed at
Portglenone to one of these gentlemen, he recognized it as similar in
size and colour to the bird he had seen.

In Dublin I subsequently saw a snowy owl, which had been shot
in the county Mayo, also in the month of March, and am credibly
informed, that a few others were obtained about the same time in
different parts of Ireland. One may be mentioned as having been
received from the county Longford on the 5th of April by a bird-
preserver in Dublin. *

* Thave lately heard of the occurrence in Ireland, of three of the rarer species
of British Raptores, but have not yet had the facts sufficiently authenticated for
introduction here.

180 Botanical Excursion to the

1X.—Account of a Botanical Excursion in the Alps of the Canton of
Valais, Switzerland, in August 1835 ; and Catalogue of the Plants
collected, with occasional Remarks. By R. J. SaurtLewortu,
Esq. (Continued from p. 24.)

12). Aretia tomentosa, Schleich. Rchb.—Androsace, Gaud.

H. Ad Fissuras rupium in alpibus supra Tesch.

Obs. Variat habitu laxiori vel congesto, et floribus brevissime vel
longiuscule pedunculatis. Cl. Gaudin, hac Aretia Hall. Hist. No.
618 y. citavit, et certe descriptio, sua cum forma laxiuscule bene
quadrat : sed Hallerus capsulam quadrivalvem descripsit, quam
semper quinquevalvem ut in Aretiis Androsacisque omnibus obser-
vavi.

122. A. alpina, L. Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 2697. excl. cit. et icone
Hall. et Lam. Androsace Gaud. non Lam. Androsace pu-
bescens, DC. Aretia, Hall. Hist. No. 618 a.

H. In fissuris rupium M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

Obs. Optime descripsit nostram plantam cl. Hallerus, l.c.

123. A. pennina, Thomas. A. glacialis, Schleich. Rehb. Germ. exc.
No. 2696. Androsace—Gaud. A. alpina, Lam. DC. Aretia, Hall,
Hist. No. 618 8. Tab. 11, (« A. villosa, scapis unifloris.”) bona !
H. In glareosis ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra

Tesch.

Obs. Et hane speciem bene descripsit cl. Hallerus, 1. c, sub var. 6,
et corollam roseam observavit, que (nisi fallor) nunquam in A. alpi-
na occurrit. Iconem citatam, nostra plantz recte a cl. Gaudino re-
latam, hue pertinere expressius significavit ipse Hallerus; non ob-
stantibus ‘“‘auctorum Hallucinationibus non excusandis.” (Rchb. 1. c.
No. 2697!) et Reichenbachii ipsius—Species pulcherrima sed in
eodem loco mire varians, floribus albis, carneis, roseis, et violaceo-
purpureis, cum annulo flavo: caulibus laxis vel congestis, pedun-
culisque brevissimis vix lineam unam longis, et spe uncialibus.
(huc, Ic. Hall. cit).

124. Androsace maxima, L.

H. In arvis incultis inter Varen et Siders, copiose sed exsiccata.
125. A. carnea, L.

H. Ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tesch.

126. A. obtusifolia, All. Fl. Ped. i. p. 90. No. 326. Tab. 46, f. 1
ejusdem Ped. Spicel. p. 22. Tab. 4, f. 2. Gaud. Rehb. a. sca-

pis multifloris. 8. scapo unifloro. A. obtusifolio 4. aretioides, Gaud? —

H. In graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, et *Zermatt:
8. In M. Finelen.

Alps of the Valais. 181

Obs. Var. g. differt tantum scapo folia excedenti «. var Gaudini, cl.
Koch in Deutsl. Fl. ii. Aretias Androsacesque pessime exposuit : ex.
gr. iconem All. Fl. Ped: ad. A. obtusifoliam, iconem All. Spici,
autem ad A. lacteam ducit. Sed Allionius in Flora Ped: 1. c. rem
ita exponit: “‘ Hujus Aretiz iconem Tab. 4. f. 2 et descriptionem
dedi Pedem. Speci. p. 22.”

127. A. Chamejasme, Wulf. (In Jacq. Misc. i. p. 194, in descript.
A. villose L. ubi notas differentiales bene exponit.) A. villosa
&. Koch. ii. p. 100.

H. In graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

Obs. Species ab A. villosa, L. et Wulf. 1. c. Tab. 7. f. 3 (in Hel-
vetia rarissime in Jurrassi cacuminibus occurrit) omnino distincta,
nec cum A. obtusifolia All. confundenda.

128. Primula viscosa, Vill. P. viscosa «. minor, Gaud. P. ciliata
Schrank. Koch. P. hirsuta, Rehb. Germ. exc. No. 2726. Pl. crit.
vii. ic. 854. an Vill. ?

H. Ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen, et in alpibus supra Tesch.
129. P. farinosa, L.

H. In graminosis M. Fiinelen et supra Tzsch.

Obs. Planta alpina szepius variat scapo humili, floribus paulo ma-
joribus saturatiusque coloratis.

130. Soldanella alpina, L. Willd. Koch. Rchb. Germ. exe. No. 2736.
S. Clusii Schmidt. non? Gaud. cf. Rchb. 1. c.

H. Ad nives deliquescentes M. Gemmi.

—

131. Thymus pannonicus, All. «. lanuginosus ; caule foliisque undi-
que pilis longis griseis instructis; floribus capitato-spicatis,
staminibus inclusis. Th. pannonicus, Gaud. T. pannonicus 6
Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 2118 excl. syn.

&. major, Gaud. Helv. iv. p. 82; foliis majoribus punctatis gla-
briusculis ; floribus spicato-verticillatis, verticillis remotiusculis,
staminibus exsertis.

H. «. ad viam inter Siders et Leuk. . inter Stalden et St Nicho-

las et alibi in Valesia superiori.

Obs. I™* In var. 4—variat etiam undique minute tomentosa. Ad
hane varietatem, me judice, sine dubio referendi sunt: Thymus
humifusus, M. Bieb! T. Austriacus, Berh! T. montanus, Walds. et
Kit! T. serpyllum exserens, Bess! T. nummularius, M. Bieb. (E
Georgia Caucasica specimen unicum a Hohenackero lectum U. T.
1834, possideo.)

_ T. hirsutus, M. Bieb ! (quo T. pilosus Bernh! prope Vindebonas

lectus, vix differt) recedit foliis anguste lineari-oblongis uninervis
VOL. 11. No. 8. _ N

182 Botanical Excursion to the

(in T. pannonico valde 5-nervosis,) nervo exstanti dorso acute ca-
rinatis. T. Marschallianus MB! differt etiam foliis angustissime
lineari-oblongis, fere linearibus et ex axillis valde foliosis, quasi fas-
ciculatis. cf. Koch, Deuts. Fl. iv. p. 312, 313. et Rcehb. Germ. exc.
No. 2118, 2119. T. lanuginosus, Schrank ! etiam differt foliis or-
biculatis acuminatis.

Obs. 24*. Similitudo cum T. angustifolio non patet, ac certe notis
melioribus differt quam “ ramis floriferis longioribus erectioribus
villosis et foliis duplo longioribus.” Benth. Lab. Gen. et Sp. p. 345.
Certe in spec. meis omnibus et multa ex Helvetia, Germania, Po-
dolia, Hungaria, &c. possideo, nunquam folia linearia inveni, sed

‘semper oblonga et oblongo-lanceolata. cf: Benth. 1. c.
132. Ajuga Panes L. @. alpestris, minor e ceruleo purpuras-
cens, foliis floralibus rubris, Gaud.

H. In graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

Obs. Formam «. in Helvetia hucusque non inveni.

133. A. chamepitys, Schreb. var. canescens, foliis latioribus incano-
lanatis (est forsan forma monstruosa insectis producta.)

H. In arvis et incultis prope Varen.

134.* Teucrium montanum, L.
H. Zermatt.
135. Nepeta Cataria, L.
H. Ad viam inter Siders et Leuk.
136. Leonurus Cardiaca, L.
H.. Ad viam inter Brieg et Munster.
137. Acinos alpinus, Moench.
H. Inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.
138. Calamintha officinalis, Moench.
H. In fruticetis saxosis apricisque inter Inden et Varen.

139. Euphrasia officinalis, L. 6.alpestris, Koch. Deuts. FI. iv. p. 349.
68 minima. E. minima, Schleich. Koch. Gaud. E. pratensis, « mi-
nima Rchb.

H. In graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

Obs. Corolla parva lilacina palato flavo, vel seepe tota flava venis
purpurascentibus. Forma capsule, emarginatura, longitudoque 4
styli valde variabiles sunt, et in eodem individuo inconstantes: ab —
hac varietate vix differt E. officinalis var. alpina Rchb. exsic !
140. E. salisburgensis, Funk. E. alpina, Dec. Gaud.

H. In glareosis arenosisque prope Kandersteg (forma pyramidata, |

imbricata) ; in graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach (for-

Alps of the Valais. 183

ma parva, debilis) ; et inter St Nicholas et Zermatt ad viam
(forma subimbricata, ramosa).

Obs. Etiam variabilis sed species rite constituta ; variat foliis
omnibus angustis imbricatis, dentibus setaceo-productis, vel latiori-
bus distantibus, dentibus minus acuminatis, caule ramosissimo vel
subsimplici, rigido vel debili.

141. E. (Odontites) lutea, L.
H. In arvis incultis prope Varen.
142. E. (O.) viscosa, L.
H. In apricis ad viam inter Inden et Varen.
143. Barisia alpina, L.
H. In M. Gemmi ad lacum infra Schwarrenbach.
144. Pedicularis verticillata, L.
H. In M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg et in graminosis supra
Schwarrenbach. In alpibus supra Zermatt.

Obs. Spica florens capitata, fructifera, valde elongata.

145. P. rostrata, L. Koch. Deutsch. FI. iv. p. 367, Gaud. non Rehb.

H. Ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen et summi jugi alpium supra

Tesch.

Obs. P. rostrata, Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 2459 et exsic! est species
aliena, P. Jacquini, Koch.1.c. p. 363. Errore Reichenbachii induc-
tus, hucusque Pedicularem nostram rostratam a Linneana diversam
et eandem cum P. aspleniifolia Floerke existimavi, sed, preeunte
Kochio, has species tres inter se distinctee habeo.

P. Jacquini, Koch, caule adscendente, foliis bipinnatifidis, spica
pluriflora congesta, floribus erectis, calyce glabriusculo, filamentisque
pilosis. P. rostrata Rehb. non L.

P. rostrata, L. Koch Gaud. caulo prostrato-adscendenti, foliis
pinnatifidis, spica pauciflora laxa, interdum uniflora, calyce pubes-
centi, filamentisque barbatis.

P. aspleniifolia, Floerke, Rchb. Koch., caule erecto, foliis pinna-
tifidis, spica pluriflora laxa floribus patulis, calyce lanato, filamen-
tisque vage pilosis vel glabriusculis.

146. P. Barrelieri, Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 2465 et exsic ! P. adscen-
dens Gaud. non Schleich.

H. In graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

Obs. Glabriuscula, folia pinnatifida lobis profunde incisis, race-
mus elongatus, calycis segmenta glabra ciliata subintegra, nec folia-
cea ; capsula calyce duplo longior.

147. P. tuberosa, L. Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 2466 et exsic.! P. ad-
scendens, Schleich. non Gaud.

H. In graminosis alpium supra Tesch.

184 Botanical Excursion to the

Obs. Pilosa, folia bipinnatifida, lobis acute dentatis, racemus bre-
vis subcapitatus. calycis segmenta pubescentia, foliaceo-incisa ; cap-
sula calyce vix longior.

148. Veronica verna, L.

H. ad muros inter St Nicholas et Zermatt, copiose.

Obs. Specimina mea deflorata sunt, sed capsulis obcordatis com-
pressis, lobis divergentibus ciliatis styloque brevissimo ab affinibus
facile distinguenda.

149. VY. aphylla, L. «. flore ceruleo. 4. flore carneo.

H. In :raminosis ad nives deliquescentes M. Gemmi.

150. V. Teucrium, 1. latifolia Gaud. var. minor, tomentosa, racemo
florifero abbreviato. V. latifolia 6. Pseudochameedrys Rehb. germ.
exc. No. 2510 6.

H. In locis aridis ad viam inter Thermas Leucenses et Inden.
151. V. fruticulosa, L.

H. Ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen.

152. V. alpina, L.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach in M. Funelen.

153. V. bellidioides, L.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

154. Linaria alpina, DC. «. maculata, palato aurantiaco conspicuo.
&, subimmaculata, palato obsolete diluteque ochroleuco.

H. In glareosis, M. Schwarzseeberg.

Obs. Semina patelliformia, uno latere concavo, altero convexo:
immatura ala tenui albida circumdata, matura concoloria nigra.
155. L. italica, Trev. Koch. Deuts. Fl. iv. p. 397, exc. Syn. Dec.

L. angustifolia, Rehb. germ. exc. No, 2550, pl. crit. v. ic. 608.

opt ! L. genistifolia Ser. exs! Antirrhinum Bauhini, Gaud.

H. Ad viam inter Visp et Stalden.

Obs. Species distinctissima, nullomodo cum L. genistifolia, Mill.
confundenda. Semina L. genistifolie angulato-pyramidata, punc-
tata, calycis segmentis capsulam eequantibus vel superantibus: in
L. italica Trev. semina orbiculata alata patelliformia muriculata, ca-
lycis segmentis capsula duplo triplove brevioribus. Antirrhinum
angustissimum Lois. (ex. Aix in Sabandia, Balbis) differt foliis om-
nibus angustissimis, racemis laxis ; semina matura in exemplaribus
meis desunt, sed immatura videntur angulata. LL. genistifolia, DC.
Fl. fr. No. 2653 “ Les divisions du calyce couvrent presque la cap-—
sule” et Dub. Bot. Gall. i. p. 346 “ calycis laciniis linearibus acutis —
capsulam subeequantibus” potius ad L. genistifoliam Mull. pertinet. |
sed note e calyce sumpte forsan variabiles.

156. Antirrhinum Orontium, L.

G
or

Alps of the Valais. j

H. In fossis exsiccatis prope Leuk.

—

157. Physalis Alkekengi, L.
H. In vineis prope Varen.

158. Myosotis alpestris, Schmidt.

H. In graminosis supra Zermatt et M. Finelen.

Obs. Planta variabilis: caulis inferne pilis patentibus hirsutus,
superne longe aphyllusracemisque appresse-strigosus; Folia strigoso-
hirsuta, pilis longioribus ciliata ; pili calycini vix curvato-hamati.
Huc pertinet M. alpestris, Schmidt, Boh! M. alpestris bot. Scot.
differt tantum calycibus fructiferis paulo majoribus, caule foliosiori,
pilisque magis patentibus. M. Suaveolens, Walds. et Kit! vix
differt caule elatiori, foliis calycibusque strigoso-hispidis, pilis ap-
pressis, illis, nisi basi, non ciliatis; quod odorem attinet, plantar
amznissime odoratam in alpibus Bernensibus Stockhorn et viciniis
copiose legi, M. lithospermifolia, Horn, (ex exempl. unico a Bal-
bisio misso) magis cum planta Scotica congruit, recedit tantum caule
elatiori, racemisque axillaribus plurimis ; sed vix species diversa.
M. alpestris, Schmidt, magis habita, quam notis bonis a M. sylva-
tico differre videtur.

159. M. nana, Vill. Eritrichium nanum, Schrad.
H. ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tesch.
160. Echinospermum Lappula, Lehm.
H. In vineis inter Varen et Siders, et ad viam inter Siders et
Leuk.

Obs. Variat ramis suberectis vel squarroso-patulis reflexisve. E.

squarrosum, Rchb. vix diversum.

161. Cuscuta Epithymum, Sm.
H. <d astragalum Leontinum in pratis alpinis supra Zermatt.
Obs. Styli vix exserti.

162. Chlorafserotina, Koch, Deuts. Fl. iii. p. 32. Rehb. Germ.
exc. No. 2809. PI. crit. ili. ic. 351 et 350 (var. @ Koch.) C.
perfoliata g pusilla, serotina, foliis sessilibus imperfoliatis conna-
tis, Gaud. Helv. iii. p. 18.

H. Copiose in paludosis Valesie ad Rhodanum prope Pfyn inter
Siders et Leuk. cons. Chrysocome Linosyris, L.
Obs. Optime descripsit cl. Koch. 1. c. plantam nostram, differt a

C. perfoliata, L. Rchb. pl. crit. iii. ic. 349, floribus minoribus, caly-

cis segmentis basi altius connatis, duplo latioribus trinervis nervis-

186 Botanical Excursion to the

que minoribus reticulatis corollam subzquantibus ; foliis in exempl.

pinguioribus perfoliatis ovato-acutis, in exempl. pusillis amplexi-

cauli-connatis sed imperfoliatis: huc spectat cit. Gaudini.

163. Erythrea pulchella, Fries. y. palustris, Gaud. caule simplici
superne dichotomo-paniculato.

H. In paludosis Valesiz prope Pfyn.

164. Gentiana ciliata, L.

H. In pascuis prope Randaa.

165. G. glacialis, Vill.—g. flore albo ty. forma monstruosa, pusilla,
caule folioso, foliis elongatis, corolla difformi calyce vix longiori,
viridescenti.

H. Rarissime in M. Gemmi in graminosis cac. rupium M. Schal-

mette et ad nives perennes supra Schwarrenbach. Copiose in

M. Schwarzseeberg et cum et y. satis frequens in graminosis
ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tzsch.

166. G. campestris L. g? alpina mihi—G. chlorefolia N. ab
E. e Rehb. Germ exc. No. 2825? Caulibus pedunculisque
alatis, calycis segmentis eximie serrulatis, corolla segmentis
subrotundo-apiculatis vel orbiculari-obtusiusculis ; foliis cauli-
nis ovato-triangularibus obtusiusculis, radicalibus spathulatis
petiolatis.

H. In ascensu M. Gemmi prope “ die Wintereck.”

Obs. Corolle, superiores szepe 5-fidee, majores quam in G. cam-
pestri e Scotia, &c. et folia latiora, breviora. Corolle pallide cz-
rulez vel purpurascentes.

167. G. obtusifolia, Willd. Koch. Gaud.

H. Ad moles glaciales, M. Schwarzseeberg et summi jugi alpium
supra Tesch.

Obs. Corolle superiores quinquifide, inferiores interdum quadri-
fide: me judice forma alpina G. Germanice, Willd., et hae forsan a
G. amarella, L. non diversa.

168.* G. Verna, L. var flore albo.

H. Zermatt.

169. G. nivalis, L. Froehl. Mon. p. 83, a. ramosissima, ramis dense
foliosis, foliis subimbricatis, 8. elongata, ramosa, foliis remotis. G.
nivales 8. Froehl. y. pusilla, simplex, uniflora, interdum subacau-
lis. G. nivalis 7. Froehl. exc. syn. Villarsii. '

H. «. et Bg. In ascensu M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg: in Al-
pibus supra Zermatt et Tzsch. 8. ad moles glaciales uM
Schwarzseeberg.

Obs. Varietates omnes, sed prasertim 4. e Scotia accepi.

170. G. asclepiadea, L.

Alps of the Valais. 187

H. copiese in pratis uliginosis prope Kandersteg,,
171.* G. purpurea, L.
H. Zermatt.

172. Cynanchum vincetoxicum, R. Br.

H. In glareosis inter Stalden et St Nicholas,

Obs. Forma monstruosa prostrata ramosa; umbellule ad florem
unicum depauperate.

173.* Pyrola chlorantha, Sw.
H. Zermatt.

174. Erica carnea, Scop.—forma autumnalis, alabastris viridibus.
E, herbacea, L.
H. In umbrosis M. Gemmi cons. Astrantiz minoris supra
Kandersteg.
175. Rhododendron ferrugineum, L.
H. In M. Finelen.

176. Phyteuma pauciflorum, L.
H. In graminosis M. Schwarzseeberg et copiose ad moles glaciales
M. Fiieblen.—Supra Tesch.

Obs. Variat bracteis late ovatis, et subrotundis, foliis lineari-lan-
ceolatis obovato-spathulatis, lineari-spathulatisque, apice dentatis
vel integris, plus minusve ciliatis ; caule humili vix 6” usque ad
4” alto: persuasus sum, preunte Am. Guthnicko in “ Flora oder
Regensburger Bot. Zeitung,” P. globularizfolium Hoppe et Sternb.
mere formam proceriorem, P. pauciflora, L. (cf. Rchb. pl. crit. iv.
ic. 545, 547—549,) et vix ut varietas enumerandum.

177. P. hemisphericum, L.

H. In graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach. In M.
Schwarzseeberg, Fiinelen, et supra Tesch, et in M. Grimsula
supra Obergestelen, ubique copiose.

178. *P. humile, Schleich. Gaud.

H. Occurrit rarissima planta in graminosis ad moles glaciales
vallis D. Nicolai supra Zermatt, &c.

Obs. Bractex interiores demum induratex, acuminatissime fruc-
tus superantes, adeo ut capitulis maturis Scabiosarum similes sunt.
Folia bractezeque nervo valido exstante percurse sunt.

179. P. orbiculare, L. a. cordatum, Gaud.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

180. P. spicatum, L. Var. glaberrimum, capitulo bracteato, fo-
liorum bractearumque dentibus patentibus.

188 Botanical Excursion to the

H. In sylvis laricinis inter Zermatt et valleculam Tesch.

Obs. Glabritia solummodo, a varietate bracteata, Alp. DC. Mon.
p- 198, differre videtur.

181. P. betonicefolium, Vill. Gaud.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, in M. Finelen, et in

alpibus supra Tesch.

182. Campanula pusilla, Henke. 8. flore albo, magisque pubescens.
H. In glareosis M. Gemmi ad nives perennes supra Schwarren-

bach, et lacum Dauben. 8. rarius, 30-31 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Forma alpina differt a subalpina et campestri SouBus ma-
joribus, habituque laxiori.

183. C. glacialis, n. sp.

C. humilis cespitosa pauciflora glabra, foliis radicalibus ovatis ni-
tidis dentatis in petiolum ciliatum attenuatis, caulinis lineari-lan-
ceolatis : alabastris nutantibus, floribus suberectis ; calycis laciniis
subulatis erectis, corolla campanulata lobis erectis inflata, quadru-
plo brevioribus.

H. In glareosis ad moles glaciales M. Funelen supra Zermatt.
Cons. C. pedunculati, Gaud. et Sedi repentis, Schleich. caes-
pites magnos laxosque efiiciens.

Obs. Proxima affinitas cum C. pusilla, Henke, et C. linifolia,
Lam. Alp. DC. AC. pusilla differt corolla forma aliena et statu-
ra fere duplo majori, styloque breviori; a C. linifolia habitu nano
cespitoso, et corolla inflata suberecta calycis segmentis quadruplo
longiori. Forma corollz videtur omnino distincta, est nempe ex-
acté campanulata, inferne multo latiori, superne multo angustiori,
pro rata, quam in C. pusilla et linifolia. Stylus etiam in C. pusilla
fere longitudinis corollz, in nostra planta tertia parte breviori.

Species pulcherrima denuo indaganda an jure a C, pusilla diversa.
184. C. linifolia, Lam. CC. Valdenses, 8. Gaud.

H. In graminosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

185. C. cenisia, All. Ped. Tab. 6. f. 2.

H. Ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tesch, in gla-

reosis.

186. C. rhomboidalis, L.

H. In pratis Valesiz superioris inter Brieg et Miinster.

187. C. Trachelium, L. 8. urticefolia. C. urticefolia,: Schmidt.
Pedunculis unifloris solitariis, calycis segmentis glabriusculis ;
corolla pallida.

H, Ad sepes Valesiz sup. inter Brieg et Munster.

188. *C. spicata, L.

H. Zermatt.

Alps of the Valais. 189

189. C. barbata, L.
H. In pascuis M. Gemmi.

190. Adenostyles candidissima, Cass. Less. A. leucophylla, Rehb.
H. In petrosis alpinis vallecule Tasch, paulo infra moles gla-
ciales.

Obs. Caulis semipedalis, bipedalis et ultra. Capris et pecori
videtur grata.

(191. Petasites niveus, Baumg. fl. Trans. lass.
H. Inglareosis prope Thermas Leucenses.
Oés. Folia tantum inveni.

192.* Senecio viscosus, L.
H. Zermatt.

193. S. uniflorus, All. Ped. i. No. 728. a Allionii, mihi. S. uniflo-
rus All. 1.c. Tab. 17, f. 3. opt. Senecio caule unifloro, foliis ob-
longis crenato-incisis, incano-tomentosis. 6. corymbosus mihi,
caule 3-8 floro, capitulis minoribus, foliis altius incisis interdum
subpinnatifidis, incano-tomentosis. Pluk. Tab. 39. f. 6? y. leu-
canthemifolius mihi, caule corymboso, capitulis parvis numerosis
congestis, foliis spathulato-ovatis, vel lineari-lanceolatis, crenatis
vel inciso-pinnatifidis, facie glabriusculis, dorso incanis. S. car-
niolicus, Willd. Rchb. S. incanus, Scop. Hoppe exsic! S. leucan-
themifolia Lezay ! (in Herbnostr.* ex altissimaalpe Scaletta, qu
Rhetiam ab Eugadino separat.”) Chrysanthemum alpinum ju-
denbergense Jacobee affine. J. Bauh. Hist. ii. p. 1058 cum icon.
et in Herb. Scheuchzeriano!

_ H. «a. ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen copiose, et in alpibus su-

: pra Tesch. (. cum« in M. Finelen.

Obs. In var. a, formas duas legi, nempe « a macrocephala,

: eapitulis uncialibus et « 6 microcephala, capitulis vix semi-unciali-

bus: variat etiam foliis plus minusve altius crenato-incisis, indu-
mentoque minus copioso. In var. y, quoad foliorum incisionem,
et tomentum valde variabilis.

194. S.incanus, L. «. Genuinus mihi, caule simplici corymboso,
capitulis coarctatis, foliis spathulato-lanceolatis, ovatisve pinna-
tifidis, incano-tomentosis. S. incanus, L. Rchb. germ.exc. Ja-
cobea pumila alpina, Bocce. Mus. Tab. 8. opt. 8. elatior mihi,
caule superne ramoso corymboso, capitulis laxioribus, foliis spa-
thulato-lanceolatis, ovatisve pinnatifidis, radicalibus sepe mere
crenato-incisis, incano-tomentosis.

H. Ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen sed parcius.
Obs. 1™*. In var. @ caulis vix ultra 4-uncialis, capitula mini-
ma; in var. f, caulis semipedalis et ultra.

190 Botanical Excursion io the

Obs. 29. Inter S. uniflorum, All. et incanum, L. nulla discri-
mina specifica adesse, ex observationibus iterum iterumque repetitis
(et exempl. per multa e Germania (Styria,) Helvetia et Sabaudia
possideo) persuasus sum ; et, nisi auctoritate Willdenowii, Reichen-
bachii, Gaudini, &c. obstante, in unam speciem ambos conjunxissem.
Var. 8. S. uniflori omnino inter a et y media; ac var. @. S. incani
fere transitus in var. y leucanthemifolium S. uniflori. Cl. Gau-
din, semina S. uniflori, setulis brevissimis parum extantibus adsper-
sa, pappumque brevem scabrum descripsit ; et semina S. incani gla-
bra et pappum squalide albidum scabriusculumque: sed in exempl.
meis S. uniflori, Carniolici et incani nullum discrimen, nisi pappum
in S. incano @ magis coloratum quam in (6. inveni. Semina juniora
semper setulis conspicuis adspersa, matura sepe glabriuscula ; pap-
pus in planta florenti albidus, in fructifera plus minusve coloratus,
semper scaber.

Si res sicsehabeat, nomen Linnzanum aptissimum ita retinendum.
Senecio incanus, L. «. Linnzi—S. incanus, L. et auct. £. elatior. y. |
leucanthemifolius. S. Carniolicus, Willd. et auct. 6. corymbosus, (cf.
All. 1. c.) «. uniflorus, S. uniflorus All. et auct.

195. S. Doronicum, L.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach. et* Zermatt. 4

Obs. 1™2, Variat caule uni et multifloro, foliisque plus minusve —
incanis.

Obs. 24+. Senecio Scheuchzeri, Gaud! Helv. v. p. 294, vix nisi |
forma alpestris S. tenuifolii ; specimen a cl. Gaudino descriptum, et |
in Herb. Scheuchzeriano asservatum, “ Jacobea alpina laciniate,
flore Buphthalmi ex Monte Fracto” possideo: involucrum fere ut |
in S. Jacobea, sed capitula minima ; videtur forma < localitati nata. |
196. Arnica scorpioides, L. Aronicum—Rchb.

H. In glareosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach—in Alpibus |

supra Zermatt.

197. *A. Doronicum, Jacq. «. foliis caulinis dentatis. Aronicum
Doronicum Rchb. Arnica Clusii, All. Ped. Tab. 17. f. i. (sed
maxima) £. foliis omnibus angustioribus, subintegerrimis. Aro- |
nicum glaciale Rehb. an Jacq ? Arnica Clusii, var. All. 1. c. f. 2,
{sed etiam major.)

H. Supra Zermatt.

Obs. Limites nullos inter varietates invenio.

198. Chrysocoma Linosyris, L.—. minor, Hall. Vill. Gaud. Taber-
nemontanus, p. 1209, f. 2. opt. |
H. a. ad viam inter Stalden et Visp. (. In paludosis prope Pfyn,

inter Siders et Leuk.

Alps of the Valais. 191

Obs. Corymbus var. (. valde irregularis, pauciflorus.
199. Aster alpinus, L.—6, flore discoideo.

H. In M. Gemmi, * supra Zermatt. 8. in M. Fiinelen.
200. Erigeron uniflorus, L.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach ; in M. Fiinelen.

Obs. Pulcherrima planta ; flores rosei vel albi. Var. calyce plus
minusve hirsuto, et huc E. hirsutus, Hoppe.

_ 201. £E. alpinus, L. «. minor, uniflorus. Gaud. Helv. v. p- 266.

8. ramosus, pedalis et ultra, pedunculis unifloris foliolosis, Gaud.

1. c. y. hirsutus, foliis preecipueque caule pilis longis patulis hir-

sutis, calyce subtomentoso, pappo dilute carneo, semine longiori.

Gaud. 1. c.

H. «. In M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg et Schwarrenbach. 8. in
M. Gemmi prope Hospitium. y. In alpibus supra Tesch, et
prope Randaa.

Obs. In exempl. meis var. y. caulis uniflorus semipedalis anthe-

reeque atrofusce. Ad hujus species var. « pertinere videtur E.

glabratus, Hoppe.

202. Solidago virgaurea, L. * 8. angustifolia, Gaud. Helv. v. 316.
y- pumila, Gaud. l.c.

H. 8. Zermatt. y. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

Obs. y. variat, ah foliisque glabriusculis vel pubescentibus, pe-
dunculis unifloris vel racemosis, foliis inferioribus lanceolatis in pe-
tiolum attenuatis, vel ovalibus, subrotundisve longe petiolatis. Dif-
fert a planta campestri floribus facile duplo majoribus, racemo bre-
vissimo conjesto, rhizomateque crasso longissime repenti. Ab hoc

’

var. vix differt S. cambrica, Britann. nisi floribus minoribus.

203. Inula Britannica, L.

H. In paludosis prope Pfyn.

204. Gnaphalium montanum, L. Rechb. germ. exc. No. 1390. G.
arvense, W. et Rchb. I. c. Gaud.

H. In incultis arenosis inter Stalden et St Nicholas, et in arvis
incultis prope Siders.

Obs. Mihi etiam non obviz sunt differenti inter Gn. arvense,

L. (G. montanum, Willd.) et G. minimum, Sm., sed forsan et ego

G. montanum et arvense, L. non bene intelligo.

205. G. Leontopodium, L. «. minus, caule 2-4 unciali vix ultra.
B. elatius, caule pedali et ultra, flexuoso, capitulis majoribus,
numerosioribus, bracteisque armato-patentibus.

H. «. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, et ad lacum Dauben.
8. In graminosis ad moles glaciales supra Zermatt.
Obs. Cum varietate 8. bene convenit icon Rchb. G. Leontopo-

192 Botanical Excursion to the

dioidis, Willd., Pl. crit. x. ic. 1292, nisi caule superne ramoso, capi-

tulisque laxioribus, sed planta e cultura forsan mutuata. HR chb. I.

c. et de planta culta commentatur. <‘ Planta imprimis bracteis

arcuatis minus tomentosis nec candidis a pulchro nostro G. Leonto-

podio diversa,” sed he note non extant apud Willd. Spee. iii. p.

1894. Notis exceptis, icon Rchb. nostram plantam omnino refert.

206. G. supinum, L. Syst. Veg. (Ed. 13. c. Murray.) G. supinum
Lavandulefolium, Bocce. Mus. 107. tab. 85. G. supinum, Gaud.
Helv. v. p. 241. dese. bona. Willd. Sp. iii. p. 1888. G. fuscum,
var. Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 1397.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, et in saxosis ad lacum

Dauben. * Zermatt.

Obs. G. supinum, Sm. Eng. Fl. Ed. 24. iii. p. 416, non hac sed
ad sequentem G. pusillum Henke pertinet, ut videtur ex observa-
tionibus suis de icone Bocconii citata, nam Gn. supinum lavandule-
folium Bocce. a Linnee ad suum G. supinum allatum est, et bene re-
fert plantam juniorem G. supini, Bot. Helv. et Germ. (Rchb. in
germ. exc. No. 1397 in ann. et add. figuram Bocconii ad G. uligino-
sum refert.) Utramque specierum e Scotia accepi et in Herbario meo,
e fere omnibus localitatibus copiose sed intermixtae extant, et dubitor
an vere inter se distinct. Interdum egre distinguende sunt, quan-
quam forme extreme valde distinct. G. supinum gaudet foliis la-
tioribus minus tomentosis, capitulis seepius capitato-spicatis nume-
. rosis (4-12,) magis coloratis, brevissime pedicellatis ; caulibus vix
cespitosis, biuncialibus et ultra, spicisque sepissime arcuato-cernuis,
occurrit etiam capitulis sparsis, interdum subremotis, pallidiori-
busque, sed semper numerosioribus quam in sequenti. Hujus spe-
cies varietas videtur G. fuscum, Scop. non Lam.

207. G. pusillum, Henke. Willd sp. iii. p. 1889, Gaud. 1. c. dese. —
bona. G. alpinum Lightf. Scot. i. p. 470 cum icon. opt. G. su-_
pinum, Sm. e descr. et annot. i
H. In M. Schwarzseeberg et Fiinelen.
Obs. Descriptio Willdenowiana optima, nisi “ flores sessiles, et —

calycis squame glabriusculx ex toto fusce.’’ Phylla nempe pubes- ~

centia, sed multo minus quam in precedenti ; color variabilis. Dif. —
fert a precedenti caulibus sarmentosis procumbentibus, florentibus —
magis erectis paucifloris, seepius unifloris, sed interdum quinqueflo-
ris ; capitulis omnibus remotis, plus minuse pedicellatis ; foliisque
linearibus utrinque argenteo tomentosis. Ab hac specie, videtur, cl.
Smith varietatis uni et paucifloris preecedentis non separavit, et for- i
san recte sed formam spicatam ad Gn. sylvaticum retulit. a

:
:

Alps of the Valais. 193

Gaud. Rchb. pl. crit. viii. ic. 996. (Antennaria hyberborea, Don.

Lindl. syn. (?) e Rehb. germ. exc. No. 1398 in add.)

H. In. M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach. In. M. Funelen.

Obs. In exempl. meis capitula omnia distincte pedunculata. G.
carpathicum, Wahl.! differt tantam capitulis congestis, foliisque la-
tioribus, sed in icone sue capitula etiam, quoque minus distincte,
pedunculata sunt,

209. * G. dioicum, I.

H. Zermatt.

210. G. luteo-album, L.

H. Ad viam inter St Nicholas et Zermatt et inter Visp et Brieg.
211. Chrysanthemum atratum, L.

H. In pascuis M. Gemmi prope Hospitium Schwarrenbach, 29,

30 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Cum C. Leucanthemum, L. ut var. alpinum conjunxit cl.
Rchb.

212. C. Alpinum, L.— 8 pubescens, Dub. Bot. Gall. i. 272, caule
foliisque pubescentibus, squamis ciliatis. C. minimum, Vill. C. al-
pinum £ minimum, Thom. Gaud.

H. Ad moles glaciales M. Funelen: in glareosis M. Gemmi su-
pra lacum Dauben, 31 Aug. 1836. 6. ad moles glaciales supra
Zermatt.

Obs. C. tomentosum, Lois. Dub. hanc varietatem a Rchb. adjec-

tum videtur, imprimis squamis ovatis hirsutis distinctum.

213. C. Halleri, Sut.

H. In glareosis M. Gemmi ad moles glaciales Lammerngletscher,
31 Aug. 1836.

214. Achillea moschata, Jacq. Rchb. germ exc. No. 1443. A. Livia
Scop. Del Ins. Tab. 3. opt. 8. intermedia Rchb. 1. c. A. inter-
media Schleich. A. moschata (. hybrida, Gaud. v. p- 370, foliis
villoso-tomentosis, corymbo composito, Hall. Hist. No. 112. 6.
H. In glareosis ad moles M. Fiiaelen cum var. @. et summi jugi

alpium supra Tesch.

Obs. “ A. moschate et nanz hybrida proles. Rchb. 1. c.” sed hy-
bride, persuasus sum, multo rariores sunt quam autumnat cl. auc-
tor. Ad collum radicis presertim var. 4. sepius nidulas lignosas vil-
lossissimas, insectis productas inveni.

215. A. Macrophylla, L.

H. In M. Grimsula infra Hospitium copiose.

216. A. atrata L.

H. In M. Gemmi frequens ; in glareosis supra Schwarrenbach

forma humilior magisque pilosa.

194 Botanical Excursion to the

Obs. Valde variat quoad foliorum decompositionem et indumen-
tum ; caulis superne semper plus minusve piloso-tomentosus, sed
spe, ita ut etiam folia, e toto valde pilosus; ut opinor, A. clusiana,
Tausch et Rehb. Pl. crit. ii. ic. 368, non diversa et vix varietas con-
stans, sed tantum forma e localitate orta.

217. A. nana, L.
H. In M. Schwarzseeberg ; ad moles glaciales M. Finelen et sum-
mi jugi alpium supra Tesch.

Obs. Variat etiam corymbo laxiusculo, caule foliisque minus vil-
losis.

218. A. tomentosa, L.

H. In arenosis ad viam inter Stalden et St Nicholas et copiose

inter Brieg et Munster.
219. A. setacea, Gaud. W. et Kit? A. cdorata, Murith !

H. Ad viam inter Siders et Leuk,

Obs. A. setacea Walds. et Kit! differt foliis latioribus forsan
tenuiter dissectis cauleque villosioribus. An ab A. odorata vere
distincta planta Kitaibeliana, an ab A. millefolium, nostra?

220. A. millefolium, L. var. foliis, caulibusque vix semipedalibus,
tomentoso-villosis et floribus roseis.

H. Ad viam inter Siders et Leuk.

221. Artemisia campestris, L.

H. In apricis ad viam inter Inden, Varen et Siders.

222. A. nana, Gaud. Helv. V. 231. «. helvetica, gemina, racemo
~ simplici, foliis incanis, capitulis majoribus. A. helvetica Schleich.

Rchb. 8. parviflora, Gaud. 1. c., racemo composito, racemulis sub-

sexfloris caulem arcte appressis, foliis minus incanis, capitulis

paululum minoribus. A. campestris, 8. alpina Schleich. Gaud.
exs | |

H. In alpibus supra Teesch.

Obs. Planta rarissima, A. campestri aftinis sed notis bonis distinc-
ta: caules trientales vix semipedales, adscendentes ; folia plerum-
que longe petiolata in « incano-sericea, subbipinnatifida, pinnula-
rum lacintis lanceolatis latiusculis. Racemus in @ vix 20-florus, in
g. racemuli 3-6 flori. Capitula duplo-triplove majora quam in A.
campestri, disco eleganter purpureo, secunda, nutantia.

223. A. valesiaca, All.

H. Copiose in apricis inter Varen et Siders.
224. A. glaciales, L.

H. In alpibus supra Zermatt—M. Schwarzseeberg.

225. A.spicata, Jacq. Gaud. Helv. V. 229. a. floribus pertotum cau-

Jem laxius spicatis. Gaud. l.c. 8. floribus superne laxius spicatis,

Alps of the Valais. 195

Gaud.l.c. y. spica terminali densissima. Gaud. 1. c. t 0. foliis

caulinis linearibus indivisis. Gaud. 1. ¢.

H. a. ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tesch. £. in

M. Schwarzseeberg et Fiinelen. . y, et 6. rarius. In rupibus
M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

Obs. Var. +t omnes enumerate variant foliis caulinis palmato-in-
cisis, pinnatifidis, et linearibus integris.

226. A. mutellina, Vill. Gaud. A. rupestris, All. non L. A. glacia-
lis Wulf. Hoppe exs! non L. Variat. « foliis caulinis apice tri-
fidis, summis simplicibus, pedunculis axillaribus unifloris aphyl-
lis, caule valde cepitoso. (6. foliis omnibus palmato-pinnatifi-
dis argenteo-sericeis, pedunculis axillaribus uniflorus aphyllis,
caule humilori. +. foliis radicalibus elongatis, caulinisque subpal-
mato-pinnatifidis, pedunculis axillaribus unifloris aphyllis, caule
elato. 6. pedunculis axillaribus elongatis foliolosis, plerumque
trifloris. A. mutellina, Vill. Dauph. iv. Tab. 35.

H. a, yx, 6. in glareosis ad moles glaciales supra Tasch. 8. et y. In

M. Fiinelen.

227. A. Absinthium, L.

H. Fere ubique in Valesia vulgaris.

228. Carduus. An nov. sp. ?

H. In pascuis alpinis M. Fiinelen satis copiose.

Obs. 1™*. Species mihi ignota, sed exemplare unico, quanquam
perfecto, novam speciem generis spinosissimi instituere nolo, sed ad
nullam specierum Flore Germaniz, Helvetie, Gallieve redigere
possum.

Carduus foliis lanceolatis decurrentibus pinnatifidis, laciniis inci-
so-spinosis ; caule superne nudiusculo unifloro, involucro hemisphe-
rico, phyllis linearibus erectis subappressis, nervo valido percur-
sis.

Caulis pedalis et ultra tomentosus, inferne dense foliosus, foliis
decurrentibus ubique alatus spinosusque, superne nudiusculus vel
folio unico semidecurrenti instructus ;—Folia, preesertim subtus,
piloso-tomentosa, utrinque ad nervos pilis crassis valde articulatis
intricatis arachnoideo-floccosa, lanceolata fere pinnatifida, laciniis
valde approximatis latiusculis spinuloso-dentatis, spina valida ter-
minatis: terminali producta ;—Capitulum terminale, sesquunciale
erectum vel suberectum, lete purpurascens, pedunculo vix incras-
sato tomentoso ; involucrum subtomentosum, phyllis erectis, spina
brevissima terminatis.

Capitulum duplo major quam in C. acanthoidis, L. :—videtur af-

_finis C. alpestri Walds et Krit! a quo differt capitulo majori, caule

196 Botanical Excursion to the Alps of the Valais.

simplici tomentoso, multo majus alato spinosoque et foliorum laciniis

arcti approximatis subtus lanuginoso tomentosis.

C. leptophyllus, Gaud. differt, foliis glabris, capitulo multo minori
( duplo fere minori quam C. deflorati”—in planta nostra duplo
fere majori) sed aliis notis bene congruit.

C. acuminatus, Gaud. etiam differt capitulis minoribus capitato-
ageregatis phyllis omnino patulis.

Obs. 24? C. acanthioides, Auct. Brit. videtur certissime, C. crispus
et pinnatifidus, Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 1693.—Spec. mea ab am
Campbell prope Edinburgumlecta, foliis subtus incano-tomentosis
vel sublanatis, et capitulis numerosis dense aggregatis gaudent.

C. acanthoides Germanorum, Rehb. pl. crit. X. ic. 1319, 20, 21,
et exsic! differt capitulis pedunculatis subsolitariis majoribusque, et
foliis leti virentibus vix pubescentibus.

229.* Saussurea alpina, D. C.

H. Zermatt.

Obs. Variat foliis ovato-lanceolatis, lanceolatis lineari-lanceolatisve
distincte petiolatis vel in petiolum attenuatis ; involucro phyllis ex..
terioribus ovato-triangularibus viridibus, nigro-marginatis, purpu-
rascentibus, vel e toto atropurpureis, appresse pilosis vel glabriuscu-
lis, interioribus lanceolatis pilosissimis.

230. Cirsium spinossissimum, Scop.

H. Copiose in petrosis, M. Gemmi.

231. Centaurea crupina, L.

_ H. In arvis incultis inter Inden et Varen.

Obs. Ochenia magna juniora aureo-grisea appresse sericea, pappo
concolori (contra Gaudin,) matura brunneo-nigrescentia.

232. C. Phrygia, L. Gaud. exc. C. austriaca, L. « caule simpli-
cissimo unifloro, foliis dentatis scabriusculo-hirtis, opacis, dentibus
mucronatis. C. phrygia, 4. Helvetica, Gaud. Helv. v. p- 393. 2.
ambigua, minor uniflora, foliis caulinis subpellucidis sinuato-den-
tatis hirto-pubescentibus basi attenuatis, subtrinervis. C. Phrygia.
y. ambigua, y. 8. minor, Gaud. ]. c. C. ambigua, Thom.

H.* a. Zermatt. 4% In M. Schwarzseeberg.

233. C. cyanus, L. var. pusilla, incana.

H. In arvis incultis inter Varen et Siders.

234. C. paniculata, L. var. 4. incana, phyllis appendicibus pallidis.
H. In apricis ad viam inter Inden et Varen, Siders et Leuk, et

inter Stalden et Visp.

(To be continued. )

EDINBURGH :
PRINTED BY JOHN STARK, OLD ASSEMBLY CLOSE.

MAGAZINE

OF

ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

1—On the British Species of the Genus Cerastium, being an at-
: tempt to elucidate their distinctive characters. By Cuaruxs C,
: Bazineton, M.A. F.L.S.&c. (Plate VI.)

CERASTIUM, Linn.

Calyx of 5 sepals. Petals 5, bifid. Stamens 10-5-4. Styles
5-4. Capsule 1-celled, many-seeded, cylindrical, the apex opening
by 10 or & erect teeth.

A. CerastiI vuLeati, Fries. The petals equalling or shorter

than the calyx.
a. PersisTENTEs, Fries. The capsule curved, the petals
about equal to the calyx, but sometimes slightly longer.

1. Cerastium vulgatum, Linn. Sm.—Leaves oval, petals about as
| long as the calyx, sepals lanceolate, acute, and together with the
| bractez, herbaceousand hairy throughout ; capsule cylindrical, curved,
| about twice as long as the calyx, fruit-stalks about as long as the
| calyx.

C. vulgatum, Linn. Sp. Pl. 627. Sm. Fl. Brit. 496. Eng. Bot. 789.
D. Cand. Prod. i. 415. Reichenb. Icon. Plant. £. 385, 386,
387. Host. Fl. i. Aust. 555. Reichenb. Fl. eacurs. 4970.
Hooker, Br. Fl. 215. Lind. Syn. 51. Mack. Fl. Hibern. 48,

C. viscosum, Huds. Fl. Ang. 200. Curt. Fl. Lond. ed. 1. Wahl.
Fi. Suec. (excl. var.) 517. Gaud. Fl. Helv. iii. 240. Fries Nov.
Suec. ed. 2, 128.

_ C. glomeratum, Koch, Syn. Fl. Germ. 121.
VOL. II. No. 9. Oo

a
yi]

198 . On the British Species

Root fibrous. Stems mostly erect, hoary with long spreading hairs,
usually glandular. Leaves ovate, often very broad and usually ob-
tuse, the lower ones narrowed into a petiole. Flowers aggregated or
in dichotomous panicles, upon short stalks, which never exceed the
calyx. Sepals lanceolate, acute, entire, the outer ones very slightly
membranous, the inner rather more so, hairy throughout. Petals
white, scarcely longer than the calyx. Capsule cylindrical, slightly
curved upward, about twice the length of the calyx. Seeds very
small, tuberculated.

In fields, on dry banks, &c. common. April—September.

2. C. viscosum, Linn. Sm.—Leaves oblong, lanceolate, petals
about as long as the calyx, sepals oblong-ovate, and, together with -
the bractez, membranous at their margins and glabrous apices, cap-
sule cylindrical, curved, about twice as long as the calyx, fruit-stalks
longer than the calyx.

C. viscosum, Linn. Sp. Pl. 627. Sm. 497. Eng Bot. 790. DC.

prod. i. 416. Host. 557. Hook. 215. Lind. 51. Mack. 48.

C. vulgatum, Huds. 200. (Walcott Fl. Brit. plate.) Curt. ed. 1.

Wahl. 520. Gaud. iii. 238. Fries, 125.
C. triviale, Link. .en. hort. Berol. i. 433. Reich. Fl. excurs.
4972, Icon. pl. f. 402, 403. Koch, Syn. 122.

B. holosteoides, Fries. «‘ Glabrous, the stalks with their sides alter-

nately pubescent.”

C. holosteoides, Fries. nov. ed. 1, 32. Link en. h. Berol. i. 433.

Reich. Icon. pl. f. 317, 318.

C. vulgatum, 8 holosteoides, Fries. ed. 2, 126.

C. triviale, 4 holosteoides, Reich. fl. excur.4972. Koch, Syn. 122.

Root fibrous and stronger than in C. vulgatum. Stems diffuse, and,
unless supported by other plants, prostrate, with their extremities —
ascending, of a much darker green than the preceding, and covered
with shorter pubescence, usually without any glands. Leaves oblong |
or lanceolate, frequently acute, the lower ones narrowed into a pe- _
tiole. Flowers collected in small terminal panicles, not forming dense
fasciculated heads, as in C. vulgatum, upon stalks which are longer
than the calyx. Sepals oblong-ovate, rather obtuse, entire, the apex
and margins, particularly the inner one, broadly membranous, but
slightly hairy and usually quite glabrous at their tips. Petals white, —
scarcely longer than the calyx. Capsule as in the preceding species.
The seed, according to Gaudin, beautifully muricated, and of about |
half the size of that of C. valgatum. .

The whole plant is sometimes glandular, more particularly upon
the peduncles and calyx, when it forms the variety glandulosum of |

of the Genus Cerastium. 199

authors. There is also an alpine form “ var. 6. uliginosum, Schleich.”
Reich. and.6. alpinum of Koch, which has broader leaves and larger
flowers.

In fields on banks, walls, &c. common. May—September.

I have not noticed either the variety holosteoides or alpinum in
this country.

From the very confused state of the synonyms in this first sec-
tion, I cannot help thinking that it would be far better to adopt dif-
ferent names from those given by Linneus, that is, C. glomeratum
after Thuillier and Mertens and Koch, in place of C. vulgatum of

Smith, and C. triviale after Link, Reichenbach and Mertens and

Koch, in place of C. viscosum of Smith.
b. Fucaces, Fries. The capsule straight, the petals shorter
than the calyx.

3. C. semidecandrum, Linn.—Leaves ovate or ovate-oblong, pe-
tals shorter than the calyx, sepals lanceolate, broadly membranous
at their margins and apex, bractee with their upper half membran-
ous, capsule cylindrical, slightly inflated, straight and longer than the
calyx, fruit-stalk longer than the calyx, at first reflexed but ulti-

‘mately erect.

C. semidecandrum, Linn. Sp. Pl. 627. Sm. Eng. Bot. 1630.
Hooker, Lind. De Cand., &c.

C. pellucidum, Loisel. Fi. Gall. i. 323.

a Friesianum, leaves ovate-oblong, stems filiform and erect. C.
semidecandrum, fries, 134.

8. glutinosum, very viscid, leaves ovate, stems thicker, more
spreading and decumbent below. C. glutinosum, Fries. 132.
C. viscosum, Rezchenb. f. 399, 400, 401. C. pumilum, Curt.?

y- macilentum, Fries. glabrous throughout. C. macilentum, Reich.
f. 379, 380.

Root small, fibrous. Stems nearly erect, except in var @. usually

covered with short glandular pubescence. Leaves ovate or oblong,

the lower ones narrowed intoa petiole. Flowers in small terminal
panicles, often umbellated, upon stalks which are longer than the

calyx, and are reflexed after the flower is faded, but ultimately again

erect. Sepals lanceolate, somewhat acute, the apex and margins, par-
ticularly the inner one, broadly membranous, hairy but nearly gla-
brous towards their points, (fig. d.) Petals white, much shorter
than the calyx. Capsule cylindrical, not curved, nearly twice as
long as the calyx. Seeds minute tuberculated.

C. semidecandrum, Lois. is said, by him, not to have the mem.

200 | On the British Species

branous margins to the bractex. He has, probably with justice,
considered it as a distinct species, but has incorrectly retained the
Linnean name for it, rather than for that form to which it has been
given by most, if not allother authors. Seringe has retained them
both as distinct species in DC. Prod. but in the Botan. Gall. C.
pellucidum is considered as a variety of C. semidecandrum. By
Reichenbach (Fi. excurs. 4969,) C. semidecandrum, Lois. is re-
ferred to C. pumilum, Curt., and considered as distinct from semi-
decandrum. I have unfortunately not seen authentic specimens of
Curtis’s plant, nor that of Loiseleur.

In dry fields and upon walls. April—May. I have not noticed
var y. in England.

4. C. pedunculatum. (Plate VI.)—Leaves ovate or oblong, petals
much shorter than the calyx, sepals lanceolate, acute, covered with
short glandular hairs, their apex and margins membranous, the mar-
gins of the bractee slightly membranous, capsule straight, subcylin-
drical, equal to or longer than the calyx, always erect, the fruit-bear-
ing peduncles two or three times as long as the calyx, stems repeat-
edly dichotomous.

a. 5-partitum. Calyx and corolla 5-parted, capsule opening by

10 teeth, and longer than the calyx.

B. 4-partitum. Calyx and corolla 4-parted, capsule opening by 8

teeth, and about as long as the calyx. Pl.

The whole plant covered with short hairs, many of which are
glandular. Root small, fibrous. Stems several, from 6 inches to 1

foot in height, erect, repeatedly dichotomous, bearing a flower in

each fork, and having very long internodes. Leaves ovate or oblong,

usually pointed, small, the lower ones narrowed into a broad petiole,
the rest sessile. Flowers scattered, one in the axil of each fork of

the stem. The peduncles of the fruit two, three, or even four times
as long as the calyx, always erect and straight. Bractez slightly mem-

branous at their margins. Sepals lanceolate, acute, covered with short —

glandular pubescence, membranous at the margins and apex. Pe- —
tals much shorter than the calyx. The number of stamens is vari- _
able, as is usually the case in this genus. Capsule straight, cylindri- —

cal, as long or rather longer than the calyx, always erect, and never
forming an angle with its peduncle. Seeds small and tuberculated,

On safialy ground. St Hellens, Isle of Wight. Mr Borrer. South-
end, Essex. Annual. May and June.

I was for some time inclined to consider this plant as a variety of od
C. brachypetalum, Desp. but having recently received authentic —

specimens of that plant from Germany, (No. 389, in Reichenbach’s

of the Genus Cerastium. 201

Flora German. exsiccata,) I am led to consider it as a distinct spe-
cies. It differs from that plant, at the first glance, by its much more
branching habit, and its want of the long shaggy pubescence with
which that species is covered in all parts. C. brachypetalum also
has its bractez totally destitute of a membranous margin, and the
capsules nodding in a remarkable manner, the peduncle itself re-
maining straight and erect, but curved at a right angle, just below the
calyx. This plant is well represented by Reichenbach in his Plantae
Crit. Fig. 388. Our plant may be distinguished from C. semidecan-
drum by its habit, its slightly membranous bracteex, that plant hav-
ing them membranous for half their length, and by its capsule being
always erect, not at first pendulous, and then (when the seed is per-
fected) erect.
5. C. tetrandrum, Curt.—Leaves elliptical, petals rather shorter
than the calyx, sepals lanceolate acute, their apex glabrous and at~
tenuated with a central almost excurrent herbaceous line: the two
margins broadly membranous, capsules straight, a little longer than
t he calyx.
C. tetrandum, Curt. Lond. Sm. Fl. Brit. 498. Eng. Fl. ii. 332.
Hooker, 216. Mack. 48.

C. semidecandrum, Bentham in Lindl. Syn. 51.

Sagina cerastoides, Sm. in Linn. Trans. ii. 343. Eng. Bot. 166.
DC. Prod. 1. 389. Hooker, 216.

Moenchia cerastoides, G. Don. Syst. of Bol. i. 420.

Esmarchia cerastoides, Reich. fl. eacurs. 4954.

? Cerastium pumilum, Koch, Sin. 122+ (not Curtis.)

Root slender. Stems procumbent, spreading, their extremities
Beedding, covered with short-hair. Leaves elliptical, the lower
ones elliptic-oblong, the lowest narrewing into a petiole. Flowers
_on stalks, which are rather longer than the calyx, but not invari-
ably so, as large as those of C. vulgatum. Sepals 4, lanceolate, at-

tenuated, acute, broad below, the apex glabrous with the mid-rib
| continuing to its extreme point in the form of an herbaceous line,
bounded on both sides by a broad membranous margin. (Fig. c.)
Petals 4, white, shorter than the calyx. “Capsule a little longer
than the calyx, straight, with 8 long linear teeth. Seeds roughish
on the outer edge.”

There appears to be some confusion in Sir W. Hooker’s Brit.
‘Flora, which, 1 think, has not improbably arisen from his having
received my C. brachypetalum 8 as C. tetrandrum. Ihave also re-
cently received from Yarmouth, through the kindness of my friend
Mr Ball of Christ’s College, a tetrandrous form of C. semidecandrum.

202 On the British Species

in this plant the petals are about half the length of the calyx, and
the stems are very short and spreading, but it agrees exactly with
the specific characters of C. semidecandrum. On the same root of
this Yarmouth plant I have noticed flowers with 4 and 5 sepals,
and Mr Ball informs me, that although flowers with 4 sepals and
4 stamens were far the most common, yet that he noticed many
cases of the presence of 5 sepals and 5 stamens, I am quite convin-
ced that no confidence whatever can be placed upon the number of
those parts in this genus. I have therefore omitted them altogether
in my specific characters. Under these circumstances I shall only
mention the station from which my specimens of this plant were
obtained by the kindness of Mr R. B. Bowman of Newcastle,
namely, Tynemouth, Northumberland. ‘“ May—June.” ;
B. Granpirtorti, Fries, The petals twice as long as the calyx.
6. C. alpinum, Linn.—Hairy, the stems ascending, leaves ovate,
ovate-oblong or lanceolate, flowers few, sepals bluntish, with their
margins membranous, bractez wholly herbaceous, or with a narrow
membranous margin, capsule at length twice as long as the calyx.

C. alpinum, Bentham in Lind. Syn. 51.

a. Linneanum, smooth, or clothed with long silky hairs, stem
mostly simple, flowers 1, 2, or 3, together in a forked panicle,
bracteze slightly membranous at the margin.

C. alpinum, Linn. 628. Sm. Eng. Bot. t. 472. Sm. Eng. FI. ii.
333. Hooker, 217, &c.

C. latifolium, Lighif. Fl. Scot. 242. t. 10.

8. piloso-pubescens, Benth. Rough with short bristly hairs, stem —
branched, flowers usually solitary, bractex-often wanting, but when —
present wanting the membranous margin.

C. latifolium, Sm. Eng. Bot. t. 473. Sm. Eng. Fl. ii. 334. |
Hooker, 217.

Root strong, creeping, stems mostly erect in var. a, prostrate in —
var. 8, usually clothed vith spreading hairs. Leaves ovate, varying
through all the intermediate forms to lanceolate, placed rather closely —
upon the stem in var. 8, much more distantly in var. « Flowers”
few in number, either solitary or in a dichotomous panicle, upon —
long stalks. Sepals ovate, with a membranous margin, bluntish,
more so in var. than « Petals white, nearly three times as long |
as the calyx. Bractew lanceolate, acute, with a slight membranous —
margin, usually present in var. a, frequently wanting, and with the ~
margin scarcely at all membranous in var. 8. ‘Capsule oblong, —
dylinidiieni when ripe about twice as long as the calyx.” Benth. _

I have been unable to detect any permanent character to distin- ‘

of the Genus Cerastium. 203

guish C. alpinum and latifolium of Sir J. E. Smith, and have there-
fore followed Messrs Bentham and Lindley by considering them as
constituting only one species. Their extreme forms certainly are
very different, but intermediate states often occur, and it is then al-
most impossible to determine to which of the supposed species they
ought to be referred. Mr Bentham is of opinion that the C. latifo-
fium of our English authors is not the same as the Linnzan plant. I
have therefore not quoted the Sp. Plant.

The peduncles of our plant are said by Koch to be deflexed after
the flower has faded, and that is made a point of distinction between
it and C. arvense, in which they are described as erect.

In the higher mountains of Scotland and Wales. June—August,

7. C. arvense, Linn.—Stems ascending, prostrate below, leaves
linear-lanceolate bluntish, flowers in terminal panicles, sepals and.
bractez lanceolate, slightly acute and broadly membranous at their
margins and apex, capsule at length longer than the calyx.

C. arvense, Linn. 628. Sm. Eng. Bot. 93. Eng. Fl. ii. 333.

Hooker, 217. Mack. 49, &c.

C. arvense 1. commune. Gaud. Fl. Helv. iii. 244.

Root strong, creeping. Stems decumbent below, the flowering
part ascending, covered with fine deflexed hairs. Leaves narrowly
lanceolate, often nearly linear, their edges fringed below, placed
closely upon the lower parts of the stem, but much more distant
upon the upper part. Flowers much more numerous than in C.
alpinum, usually about 7 in each di or trichotomous panicle,
sometimes amounting to 14 or 15, upon long stalks, which, to-
gether. with the general stalk of the panicle, are covered with minute
spreading glandular hairs, (according to Gaudin the hairs upon
the peduncles are sometimes not glandular, and then they are de-
flexed like those of the stem.) Sepals and bracteze lanceolate,
their margins and apex broadly membranous. Petals white, twice
as long as the calyx. Capsule oblong, longer (shorter Sm.) than
the calyx.

In gravelly and chalky places. April—August.

Note.—The Cerasiium aquaticum, Smith, appears to be more na~
turally referred to the genus Stellaria, or, perhaps, in conformi~
ty with the views of Fries, to form a genus distinct from either of
them. As, however, it is included in the genus Cerastium by
Smith, Hooker, and Lindley, I have added its characters and sy-
nonyms, together with a few observations upon its nomenclature.

204 British Species of the Genus Cerastium.

STELLARIA, Linn.

Calyx of 5 sepals. Petals 5, bifid. Stamens 10, rarely 5 or 8.
Styles 3, rarely 5. Capsule 1-celled, many seeded, opening with 6,
or rarely 5, valves.

A. Sretuarium. Styles 3, the capsule bursting by 6 entire valves.

This section includes the whole genus Stellaria of most authors.
B. Maracuioum. Styles 5, the capsule bursting with 5 valves, each

of which is bifid at its extremity. Larbrea, Ser: in DC. Prod.

(not of St Hil.) Malachium, Fries, Reichenb. Koch.

S. aquatica, Vill. Leaves cordate-ovate, mostly sessile and semi-
amplexicaule, peduncles axillary and solitary, petals rather longer
than the calyx, fruit-stalks reflexed.

- Cerastium aquaticum, Linn. Sp. Pl. 629. Eng. Bot. 538. DC.
Prod. iii. 366, (note,) &c.
Stellaria aquatica, “ Vill. Delph. iii. 617.” Pers. Syn. i. 500,
(not of Seringe in DC. Prod. i. 398.)
Larbrea aquatica, Ser. in DC. Prod. i, 395, (not of St Hilaire.)
Malachium aquaticum, Fries, “ Hall. 1817, p. 77.” Nov. Suec,
12]. Reichen. Fl. excurs. 4967. Koch, Syn. 120.

Stellaria pentagyna, Gaud. Fl. Helv. iii. 179.

For a detailed description of this plant I would refer to Sm. Eng.
Fl. or Gaud. Fl. Helv. °

The Stellaria aquatica of DC. Prod. i. 398, is St. uliginosa of
Curtis and Smith, which is now distinguished as a genus under the
name of Larbrea of St Hilaire. Seringe applied this latter name
to our plant in De Candolle’s Prodromus, as quoted above. This
mistake was corrected in the third volume of that work, and the
genus [arbrea, distinguished by its perigynous stamens, adopted
for the Si. wliginosa of Curtis. Our plant was, at the same time,
referred back to Cerastium.

Should it be considered advisable to follow Fries, Reichenbach,
and Koch, by separating this plant both from Stel/aria and Ceras-
tium, the name Malachium conferred upon it by Fries in the year
1817 cannot be retained. A genus of Coleopterous insects having
been described under the name of Malachius, and therefore only
differing in gender from Malachium, by Fabricius in his Systema
Eleutheratorum, which was published in 1801.

According to Reichenbach and Koch, the Cerastiwm manticum,
Linn. (Stellaria mantica, DC.) possesses the same structure as our
plant. Itis consequently referred by them to the genus Malachium,
and will of course be included in our section of that name.

St John’s College, Cambridge, April 8, 1837.

- Descriptions of British Diptera. 205

I].—Characters and Descriptions of the Dipterous Insects indige~
nous to Britain.* By James Duncan, M. W.S., &c. &c. (Con-
tinued from p. 459.)

Famity BOMBYLID&, Leach.

ANTENN# consisting of three joints, the third not ringed and sur-
mounted by an articulated style : proboscis long and porrected hori-
zontally from the lower part of the face ; palpi consisting of a single
joint ; lead much narrower than the thorax ; the latter very convex
above ; legs long and slender ; wings divaricating, and usually hav-
ing four posterior cells.

The insects included in this family belong principally to the
southern parts of Europe and to Africa. Comparatively few, there-
fore, fall to be described by the British faunist, and these all ad-
mit of being referred to three genera, viz. Bombylius, Phthiria, and
Ploas. These may readily be distinguished from each other by the re-
lative length of the proboscis, and radical joints of the antenne :
Proboscis longer than j Ist joint of antennz much longer than 2d, Bompytrus.

the head and thorax, ? Ist & 2d joints of antenne short and equal, PHTHIRIA.
Proboscis shorter than the head and thorax, = - PLeas.

Genus BOMBYLIUS.
Antenne inserted close together, the third joint turned outwards ;
the radical joint pret-
ty long and cylindri-
cal, clothed with very
long hairs, second
joint cup-shaped,
likewise hairy, third
longandsubfusiform,
nearly naked, atte-
nuated, surmounted
by a short oblique
style, which consists
of three joints, the
central one longest, (Fig. 1 :) labrum very long and spear-shaped,
somewhat dilateda little before the point: tongue very long, and ta-

“ As these descriptive notices are intended to embrace all the species recorded
as British, it forms part of our plan to publish an appendix at intervals, supplying
any accidental omission in the original papers, describing new species, and
adding new localities, the latter of which have been furnished in great numbers
through the attention of our correspondents. By following this method, we shall
be enabled to present the subject in as ample, and, we hope, as complete a form,
as its present progressive state admits of.

206 _ Descriptions of British Diptera.

pering gradually from the base to the point, which is very acute ;
maxille setiform and shorter than the labrum ; lip terminating in
two curved lobes : head small and trigonate, hypostome densely hairy :
eyes meeting in the male, but separated in the female ; ocelli three,
very minute (Fig. 4:) body short and bulky from being covered
with fine down ; wings narrow with two discoidal cells, the first pos-
terior cell clesed, legs very long and slender ; basal joint of the tarsi
as long as all the rest ; pulvilli bilobed and very slender.

These insects are known at first sight by their downy bodies,
long exserted proboscis, and the length and delicacy of their legs.
From the first mentioned peculiarity, they bear so much resem-
blance to humble bees, that they are known in some parts of England
by the name of humble-bee flies. Some of them are vernal insects,
but others do not appear earlier than May, and one species, B.
minor, is even later in taking wing, at least in Scotland. They fly
only during fine weather, and in the middle of the day when the heat
of the sun is greatest. ‘They hover over flowers like the hum-
ming-bird hawk-moth, employing their long proboscis for a simi-
lar purpose, producing at the same time a humming noise—an-
other point of resemblance to the insect just named. It is the lat-
ter circumstance to which the generic name refers. The following
notice applies to B. médius, but it well describes the habits and
appearance of the Bombylii generally. ‘ Of all the active, vigi-
lant creatures that animate our paths, we have none superior to the
little bee-like bombylius; but this creature is to be seen only in the
mornings of a few bright days in spring, seeming to delight in the
hot windy gleams of that season, presenting an emblem of that por-
tion of our year, fugitive and violent. It is, I believe, plentiful no-
where. Particularly solicitous of warmth, it seeks the dry, sunny
reflection of some sheltered gravel-walk, or ditch bank in a warm
lane; and here it darts and whisks about in seeming continual
suspicion of danger ; starting away with angry haste, yet returning
immediately to the spot it had left, buffeting and contending with
every winged fly that approaches, with a jealous pugnacious fury
that keeps it in constant agitation. This action, its long projecting
proboscis and its pretty spotted wings, placed at right angles with
its body, distinguish our bombylius from every other creature. It
appears singularly cautious of settling on the ground. After long
hovering over and surveying some open spot, with due deliberation
and the utmost gentleness it commits its long delicate feet to the
earth; but on the approach of any winged insect, or on the least
alarm, is away again to combat or escape. Associates it has none,
the approach even of its own race excites its ire, and, darting at

Descriptions of British Diptera. 207

them with the celerity of thought, it drives them from its haunts.
When a captive, it becomes tame and subdued, and loses all its
characteristic bustling and activity, the inspiration of freedom.”*
Of the larvz of Bombylius no account has yet been given. Fallen
presumes that they live in the earth and feed on the roots of plants ;
a conjecture which appears probable, when we consider that those of
the most nearly related groups afford instances of such an economy-

BomBy.Lius MAJOR. (s.)

Linn. Donovan's Brit. Ins. ii. pl. 66—Meigen, ii. 190; Curtis, B. E. pl. 613;
g.—Bom. variegatus, De Geer. vi. 268, pl. 15. fig. 10.—Bom. sinuatus,
Mikan, Mono. Bomb. Bohemiz, pl. 2, fig. 4.—Bombylius, Harris’ Expos.
pl. 47. f. 2.

Ground colour of the body black, but the surface entirely covered
with soft ochreous-yellow hairs ; head with whitish-yellow hairs ;
antenne dark-brown ; hairs of the beard whitish ; on the under-
side the hairs are yellowish-white, those covering the breast and the
apex of the abdomen black. Wings with the anterior portion brown,
that colour extending from the base, where it is widest, nearly to
the apex, the internal edge forming asinuated line ; the remaining
portion of the wing transparent ; halteres dark brown ; legs pale
ferruginous, the tarsi brown. Length of the body 53-6 lines ; probos-
cis 3 lines. (Wood-cut, fig. 3.)

This insect, which is the largest of our British species, first ap-
pears in April and the beginning of May, and occurs occasionally in
the more southern parts of England. It probably does not inhabit
Scotland. ‘In plenty at Glanville’s Wootton, New Forest, near
Bristol, &c. in the months of April, May, June, and at times may
be seen (as was the case in 1826 and 1827,) as early as March.”
J. C. Dale, Esq. <« Open places in woods, Coomb, Norfolk, &c.”
Curtis’ Brit. Ent. “ Vicinity of London,” Stephens’ Catal. « Ihave
seen this species twice at Raehills, Dumfries-shire.” Rev. W. Litile.

BoMBYLIUS MEDIUS.
Linn. Donov. Brit. Ins. vy, pl. 146, f. 1 ; Meigen, ii. 196.—Bomb. major, Samou-
elle’s Useful Comp. pl. 9. fig. 10.— Wood’s Illust. ii. 106, pl. 71.—Bomb. dis-

color, Mikan, pl. 2. fig. 1.—Bomb. punctatus, De Geer. vi. pl. 15, fig. 12.—
Bombylius, Harris’ Expos. pl. 47, fig. 1.

Clothed with soft ochreous hairs, beneath which the surface is
black. Head with brownish-yellow hairs, becoming nearly black
towards the base of the antennz ; thorax with two lines of black
hairs on each side, terminating anteriorly at the insertion of the
wing ; the female distinguished by a dorsal line of white down;

* Journal of a Naturalist.

208 Descriptions of British Diptera.

abdomen having the anterior half clothed with fulvous hairs, the
posterior half with black hairs, the female with a white anal spot ;
belly entirely covered with black hairs: base and outer border of
the wings for nearly two-thirds of their length brown, the remain-
der transparent, with a brown spot at the base of each cell: halteres
black: legs pale ferruginous, the tarsi dusky at the extremity.
54-64, proboscis 43.

« Middle of April, open places in woods, Norfolk, Essex, and
around London.” Curtis, Brit. Ent. «In plenty at Enborne, Berks,
several years ago, and in Tidworth woods, Hants, May 1829 ; rare
at Glanville’s Wootton.” J.C. Dale, Esq. “ Common on sunny
banks in the spring; but the only species of this genus which I
have as yet taken in Cambridgeshire.” Rev. Leonard Jenyns.
«« Cambridge and Bath,” C. C. Babington, Esq.

BoMBYLIUS PICTUS.
Meigen, ii. 198; Mikan, pl. 2, fig. 2.— Panzer, Faun. Germ.—Bomb. planicornis,
Fabr.
Head with dark-brown hairs, the male with two white points over

the base of the antenne; the latter dark-brown, with the third
joint flat and very much dilated, ending in a point, but without a
distinct style. Thorax clothed with light-brown hairs, changing with
the light into white, the back marked with five spots of black hairs,
three anteriorly, and two behind; hairs investing the abdomen
dark-brown, the sides with alternate fulvous and black tufts, and
the hinder extremity with two white spots: belly black, halteres of
the same colour ; wings brown at the base and anterior margin to be-
yond the middle ; the rest of the surface transparent and spotted
nearly as in B. medius, but many of the spots usually larger ; legs
pale ferruginous. 5 lines.

This insect is admitted on the authority of Mr Stephens, who in-
cludes it in his catalogue among our indigenous species ; but we have
not ascertained in what part of the country examples occurred. It
is no doubt a rare native: it seems doubtful whether it is found in
France, and it is considered scarce in Germany, where it was first
discovered.

BomByLius Posticus.
Fabr. Meigen, ii. 200.—Bomb. micans, Meig. Klassif.

Body black, invested with fulvous hairs : forehead black in the male,
inclining to brown in the female, having a white spot on each side in
the former sex, and a single spot in the latter: proboscis, palpi and
antenne black, the latter with the third joint a little enlarged in the
female: the fulvous hairs covering the body have a whitish schim-

3

ee ee

Descriptions of British Diptera. 209

mer when seen in certain directions, and those on the hinder part of
the abdomen are entirely white: halteres brown ; wings transpa-
rent, brown at the base, and having a small pale yellow spot towards
the apex ; the base slightly tinged with yellow only in the female.
Halteres brown : legs shining yellowish-grey, the inner side of the
anterior thighs, and all the tarsi black. 4} lines; proboscis 3 lines.

We have to adduce the same authority for regarding this as an
indigenous species that was referred to in the preceding instance.
Like B. pictus it is a scarce insect even on the continent, and seems
to prefer a more southern climate to ours.

BomMBYLIUS MINOR. (S.)
Linn. Donovan’s Brit. Ins. xv. pl. 536; Meigen, i. 201—Bomb. venosus,
Mikan ; Meigen’s Klassif.

Considerably less than any of the preceding ; the body black, cover-
ed throughout with soft yellowish hairs: whiskers (mystax) ferru-
ginous, black at the sides: forehead of the females clothed with red-
dish yellow hairs ; antenne and proboscis black. Halteres dark-
brown : wings somewhat greyish, the base and outer border tinged
with light yellowish brown: legs pale ferruginous, the tarsi obscure.
4 lines: proboscis nearly 2}.

This is one of the most common species of the genus, and ap-
pears to be the only one that extends far tothe north. It occurs in
seme plenty, in the month of June, in many places near Edinburgh,
such as the base of Arthur Seat, fields about Duddingston, and has
been taken in Perthshire and other more northern counties.

In England it appears to be rather local, but abounds in certain
situations. Captain Blomer was accustomed to take it plentifully
in Bradley and Cleve Woods, near Teignmouth and Bideford,
Devon ; andalso in Wales. It has likewise been observed at High
Bickington by Mr Cocks—at Shanklin Chine by Mr Rudd, &e.
According to Captain Blomer’s Journal, it seems to be in June and
beginning of July that it appears in greatest force. “ Avondale,
county Wicklow, Ireland, taken once.” A. H. Halday, Esq.

BoMBYLIUS CTENOPTERUS (s.)
Mikan, Meigen, ii. 204 ; Macquart’s Diptéres, 382.

Brown, the male clothed with fulvous hairs, the female with
whitish yellow hairs : hypostome, whiskers and forehead grey : hal-
teres white: wings nearly transparent, tinged with yellow at the
base, and a considerable way along the exterior border, the margi-
nal nervure strongly ciliated at the base: the basilar cells of equal
length, whereas in all the species previously described they are un-

210 _ Descriptions of British Diptera.

equal. Legs yellow, the tarsi dark-brown. 43 lines ; proboscis about
half that length.

« Devon, Mr J. Cocks, and near Perth,” Curtis’ Brit. Ent. * Do-
ver, July 1826.” Mr Ingpen.

BomBYLIUs CINERASCENS.
Mikan, Monog. pl. iii. Fig. 10 ; Mezgen, ii, 212.

This small species, which, according to Mr Stephens, has oc-
curred in Britain, is thus described by Mikan, to whom we are
indebted for a monograph of this tribe of Diptera: whiskers black
above, grey beneath: body black, covered throughout with ash-
grey hairs: wings transparent, the base black: halteres black :
thighs with grey pubescence ; tibie brown; tarsi black. 23 lines ;
‘proboscis 1.

Genus—PHTHIRIA.

Antenne -somewhat shorter than the head, approximating at the
base, and directed sideways ; first joint short and cylindrical, with afew
hairs on the outer side ; second cup-shaped and slightly pubescent ;
third fusiform and compressed, nearly double the length of the two
others taken together, and having a very short bifidstyle at the apex ;
proboscis at least as long as the head and thorax ; labrum grooved
beneath ; palpi thick and club-shaped, concealed within the cavity of
the mouth: head spherical, the forehead prominent; ocelli three; ab-
domen obtusely conical: wings of moderate size, the submarginal
cells nearly straight ; first posterior one open ; anal cell closed at the
extremity and slightly petiolated : legs long and slender.

This genus includes a few small insects which were formerly re-
ferred to Usia of Latreille and Volucella of Fabricius. ‘ The prin-
cipal relations which they have with the Bombylii,” says Mac-
quart, “ consist in the length of the proboscis, the approximation
of the antennz at the base, and in the form of the third joint of these
organs ; but more considerable differences give them a peculiar ha-
bit, and render their affinity liable to be misunderstood. The sphe-
rical form of the head, and conical shape of the abdomen, the short-
ness of the first joint of the antenne, and finally the reticulated ap-
pearance of the wings, remove them more or less from the bombylii:
in the latter character, indeed, they deviate from the greater part
of the family. The nervures are not sinuous as in Anthrax and
Mulio ; the first cell of the hinder border is not closed as in the
Bombylii ; and the anal cell, contrary to what takes place in the ge-
nus just named, is closed at its extremity, as in Usia and Geron.

4

Descriptions of British Diptera. 211

Finally, the wings assume an appearance very similar to those of the
Empides.”*

As is the case with the Bombylii, we are still unacquainted with
the previous states and metamorphoses of these insects.

PHTHIRIA PULICARIA.

Meigen, ii. 219; Macquart; Curtis, Brit. Ent. pl. 521.—Bomb. pulicarius, Mi-
han, Monog. pl. iv. fig. 14.—Volucella campestris, Fallen.—Phthiria nigra,
Meig. Klass. pl. x. fig. 11.—Phthiria pygmaea, Latr. Gen. Crust. iv. 3.4.
Male: deep black; the hypostome clothed with white hairs ;

forehead black: the abdomen more or less invested with whitish

hairs; halteres dark-brown: wings nearly hyaline, the stigma brown ;
legs black.

Female : not so deep black as the other sex ; the hypostome white,
and the forehead, which is wide and of a dark-brown-colour, has two
white spots anteriorly ; thorax with a white stripe on each side, the
sides of the breast greyish, with two white spots ; scutellum black,
marked with a pale yellow point at the hinder extremity ; halteres
white ; wings purely hyaline. 14 line.

This appears to be everywhere a rare insect, and was not known
to inhabit this country till lately, when it was found by Mr Curtis
at Covehithe, in Suffolk.

Genus PLOAS.

Antenne about the length of the head, placed close together
at the base, diverging above ; first joint thick, conical, ‘and hairy ;
second cup-shaped, hairy ; third rather long, slender, naked
and fusiform, slightly compressed, and terminating in a short two-

jointed style: proboscis not much longer than the head: pal-

pi cylindrical, terminating in a small sharp point: labrum nearly as
long as the proboscis, obtuse ; tongue as long as the proboscis, and
pointed : eyes contiguous in the male, remote in the female; the
crown with three ocelli ; thorax oval, the surface elevated : wings
with three submarginal cells, the first posterior one open ; legs slen-
der.

The most distinctive character in this genus, which was esta-
blished by Latreille, is the thickness of the radical joint of the an-
tenn. The proboscis also is much shorter than in the other mem-
bers of the same family, so that the insects are obliged to settle on
the corolla of flowers to obtain food, instead of sipping it while on

* Dipterés du Nord de la France.

212 - Descriptions of British Diptera.

the wing like the bombylii. Very few species are known ; and al-
though that described below has been admitted into our indigenous
lists, the fact of its being a native requires confirmation.

PLOAS VIRESCENS.

Meigen, ii. 231. pl. 19, fig. 6.—Ploas hirticornis, Zatr. Gen. Crust. iv. 312,
pl. 15, fig. 7.— Bomb. Maurus, Mikan, pl. 4, fig. 13.---Conophorus Maurus,
Meigen, Klassif. pl. 10, fig. 17.

Surface of the body obscure green, nearly black, invested with

greyish hairs ; forehead whitish in the male, with fulvous hairs in
the female ; first and second joints of the antenne greyish-brown,
with very long black hairs ; third joint black. Hairs on the thorax
ferruginous ; sides of the breast whitish ; scutellum small, shining
black and naked: abdomen rather broad, blackish green, clothed
with ferruginous hairs; that of the male with alternate tufts of
white and black hairs on the sides : wings brownish at the base, the
transverse nervures likewise bordered with brown: tibize yellowish,
the thighs and tarsi somewhat obscure. 3—4 lines.

The principal station of this insect seems tobe in the South of Eu-
rope; but it has been found as far north as Paris ; and specimens
in the British Museum are said to have occurred in this country.

Famity—CONOPID -.

Antenne three-jointed, angular at the base, the third joint with
a terminal style; proboscis long and slender, geniculated at the
base ; ocelli wanting ; thorax without a cross suture; abdomen
curved inwards at the extremity, and consisting of six segments in
the female, and seven in the male.

As constituted by Dr Leach, and adopted by several other authors,
the family Conopidz was made to include the genera arranged be-
low as a distinct group under the name of Myopidez. This sepa-
ration was first made by Macquart, and is rendered necessary by
the important difference of character which they present, as will be
seen by comparing the respective descriptions. As it now stands,
the present family is restricted to the old genus Conops of Lin-
neus.

Genus CONOPS, Linn.

Antenne rather longer than the head, inserted on a frontal protu-
berance, placed close together at the base and diverging at the apex,
the radical joint short, slender, and cylindrical, forming an angle with
the second, which is horizontal and elongated, increasing in thickness
from the base, and forming with the third a compressed club, ending

—— i a
SS

Descriptions of British Diptera. 213

in a point ; style three-jointed, first joint short and indistinct, second
dilated, and having a pointed appendage at the apex turned down-
wards, third longer and tapering to a point (Fig. 2) ; proboscis hori-

6

zontal and directed forwards ; labrum slender and rigid : the tongue
rather longer and likewise very slender ; labrum slenderest in the
middle, and terminating in two lobes (Fig. 4:) palpi very small, trun-
cated and pilose: head very large, the crown transparent and with-
out ocelli: forehead wide in both sexes: abdomen usually much
narrowed at the base, and curved downwards at the hinder extre-
mity ; the fourth segment in the male provided with a curved horny
appendage on the underside: legs rather long and robust ; the thighs
slightly compressed before the apex : wings scarcely reaching to the
apex of the abdomen, laid horizontally along the body when at rest,
the first posterior cell closed and pediculated ; the anal one elongat-
ed. (Fig. 6)

The insects of this genus have a very peculiar aspect, arising from
the great size of the head, narrow base of the abdomen, and the in-
curvation of its extremity, which renders them little likely to be
confounded with other tribes even by the most inexperienced ob-
server. Their prevailing colour, which is black with marks and
bands of yellow, gives them at first sight something of the appear-
ance of wasps or small ichneumons. They are autumnal insects,
seldom appearing in force before August, and the more common
kinds continue to frequent the common ragwort and other late
flowering plants till the end of October. Notwithstanding the for-
midable appearance of the long exserted proboscis, their habits are
quite innocuous, the whole of their sustenance being derived from
the juices of flowers. Baumhauer was the first to discover that the
larve are parasitical, and that they live in the bodies of humble
bees. Latreille has witnessed the species named rufipes issue in
its adult state from the body of a bee by the incisures of the ab-
domen, and similar observations have been made by other naturalists.

_ Upwards of twenty different kinds are known, only eight of which

appear to inhabit Britain.
VOL. 11. No. 9. P

214 - Descriptions of British Diptera.

Conops VESICULARIS.
Linn. Fabr. Meigen, iv. 209.—Conops cylindrica ¢. Meig. Klass.

Hypostome ferruginous, the eyes bordered with a bright yellow
line: forehead ferruginous anteriorly with a black longitudinal line
widened at the lower extremity ; the vertex brown and transparent ;
antenne ferruginous ; thorax dark-brown, the shoulders and scutel-
lum testaceous: abdomen in the male nearly cylindrical, the two
first segments black, narrowly edged with fulvous, the third with a
fulvous band becoming yellow on the sides, fourth fulvous, black at
the base ; the two last entirely fulvous ; abdomen of the female con-
tracted at the base, ferruginous, the first segment brown with a ful-
vous line, second brown with a yellow band behind, the third black
at its anterior edge : legs ferruginous: wings reddish brown at the
exterior edge, and pale towards the extremity. 6-7 lines.

A scarce species ; it has occurred near London and in a few other
places. “Ihave taken the male in the New Forest, and on Knight-
on Heath, Dorset,—dates May 22, 1835, and June 10, 1829.” J.
C. Dale, Esq.

CoNOPS FLAVIPES. (s.)

Linn. Fab. Panzer. Faun. Germ. 1xx. fig. 21, 22.—Meigen, iv. 122.—Conops
macrocephala, Samouelle’s Comp. pl. ix. fig. 9..—Conops vesicularis, Harris,
Expos. pl. xx. fig. 1.—Conops trifasciata, De Geer. 9.

Head fulvous, with a brownish transparent vertex, from which a
broad black band extends to the base of the antennz, the latter
black; thorax black with a yellow callosity on each shoulder, and
another on each side of the metathorax ; scutellum bordered with
yellow : abdomen a little contracted at the base, black, the second
and third segments in the male, and the second, third, and fourth
in the female, with a yellow posterior band ; the first in both sexes,
with a yellow spot on each side, and the two anal segments ash-grey
inclining slightly to yellow : halteres yellow, legs also of that colour,
the posterior half of the thighs black, and the tarsi brown at the
apex: wings tinged with brown, deepest at the outer margin. 5
lines. ( Wood-cut, fig. 5.)

This is the most plentiful species of this tribe in Britain. It
seems to occur in all parts of England, is rather plentiful in the
south of Scotland, and has been traced as far north as Aberdeen-
shire. In Scotland it seldom appears before August, and is then
usually observed on the common ragwort (Senecio Jacobea,) but in
the more southern parts of the island it may be found much earlier.
It varies a little particularly in the breadth of the abdominal

Descriptions of British Diptera. 215

fascie. <I find this insect to be common at Glanville’s Wootton,
and other places, such as Eslington wood, Caundle Holts, &c.” J.
C. Dale, Esq. “ Cambridgeshire. In one of my specimens the ab-
domen is entirely bright yellow above, with the exception of the in-
cisures of the segments, which present each a narrow line of black.
Is this a mere variety, or a distinct species?” Rev. Leonard Jenyns.
“« Needwood Forest, Staffordshire. August 1828.” C. C. Babing-
ton, Esq. ‘‘ Near Twizel.” P. J. Selby, Esq.

CoONOPS QUADRIFASCIATA.
De Geer, vi. pl. 15. fig. 1.—Meigen, iv. 123.—Conops aculeata, Fabr.

Similar to the preceding species ; hypostome fulvous, with a play
of bright yellow on the sides ; forehead reddish-brown above, black
over the antenne, the latter likewise black: thorax black with two
yellow callosities on the shoulders, the sides of the breast and me-
tathorax with changeable spots of bright yellow ; scutellum entire-
ly black : abdomen yellow with four black bands ; the first segment
being black, with a yellow callosity on each side, and the hinder
margin yellow; second black edged with yellow ; third similar,
but the yellow band wider ; fourth yellow with a narrow black
band ; fifth almost entirely yellow ; sixth yellow: halteres yellow ;
legs reddish-yellow ; the tarsi dusky at the extremity ; wings near-
ly hyaline in both sexes. 5 lines.

Of pretty frequent occurrence in the south of England, but scarce
in most other parts of the country. ‘ Common at Glanville’s
Wootton, and other places in this neighbourhood.” J.C. Dale, Esq.
«< Near London.” Stephens’ Catal. “ Birchwood, Southgate, &c.”
Curtis, Brit. Ent. “ Woods at Tollymore, ascent o. Mourne Moun-
tains, county Down.” A. H. Haliday, Esq.

CoNopPs ACULEATA.
Linn. Meigen, iv. 124.—Conops macrocephala, Harris, Expos. pl. xx. fig. 2, 3.
—Conops scutellata, Meigen, Klass.

This insect so closely resembles the preceding, that, with a very
few exceptions, the same description will apply to both. Head fer-
ruginous ; forehead with a black band, the spot on the crown red~
dish-brown ; antennz and thorax black, the latter with a yellow
spot on the shoulder, and another behind the insertion of the wings ;
the sides of the breast with two marks of changeable yellow, having
a fine silky lustre ; scutellum yellow : abdomen black with five
yellow bands ; legs reddish-yellow, the apex of the tarsi tinged with

216 ~ Descriptions of British Diptera.

brown: wings having a brown stripe along the outer border but not
reaching to the apex. 44 lines.

Has been found near London, but we have not heard of any other
British localities.

CoNOPS MACROCEPHALA.
Linn. Fabr. Meigen, iv. 125, pl. 36, fig. 27; De Geer, vi. 263; Curtis’ Brit.
Ent. pl. 377.

Larger than any of the preceding ; black; head and antennz
ferruginous ; face yellow, with a brown streak extending from the
crown to the antennz, and a triangular mark of the same colour
below them: thorax with a whitish changeable spot on each shoul-

der: abdomen having all the incisures yellow or whitish-yellow,
the first segment swollen; the second long, and tapering to the
hinder extremity, the remainder forming a thick incurved club:
halteres and legs ferruginous ; the coxe and base of the thighs
dark-brown : wings with a broad testaceous stripe along the outer
margin. 7 lines.

Rare: “ The specimen figured by Mr Curtis was taken by me
on 18th August 1624, in my own field at Hurne, Hants, in com-
pany with others of the genus. Mr Davis writes me that he took
another example in Darenth wood, Kent, but I have not yet been
able to compare his specimen with mine, to determine their specific
identity.” J. C. Dale, Esq. No other British locality has hither-

to been discovered, as far as we know.

Conops NIGRA. (s.)
De Geer, vi. p. 105, pl. 15, fig. 9; Meigen, iv. 126; Herbs, Gemein Naturg.
viii. 117, 5, pl. 70, fig. 5.

About the size of the preceding: head reddish-yellow ; the fore-
head with a black stripe, and the hypostome with four narrow black
lines: region of the mouth likewise black: antennz ferruginous :
thorax entirely black, with a small indistinct spot with a yellow
play of colour within each shoulder: abdomen likewise black ; the
hinder margin of the first and second segments with a very indis-
tinct narrow ring of a somewhat paler hue than the rest, the nar-
rowest part at the base of the third segment : legs ferruginous ; the
coxe and base of the thighs black. MHalteres yellow, blackish at
the base: wings with a broad testaceous stripe covering the ante-
rior half.

This species is certainly pretty closely allied to C. macrocephala,
but it appears sufficiently distinct. Little notice seems to have

Descriptions of British Diptera. 217

been taken of it since the time of De Geer, by whom it is figured
and described. Like many others of its tribe, it is partial to north-
ern climates, and it is probably not very scarce in Sweden. In this
country the only example that has occurred was taken by Sir Wil-
liam Jardine, on the northern coast of Sutherland, in the summer

of 1834.

Conops RUFIPES. (s.)

Fabr. Meigen, iv. 127.—Conops petiolata, Donovan’s Brit. Insects, xiii. pl. 451.

This species differs from all the rest in having the abdomen very
narrow at the base, so as to appear placed on a long peduncle.
Head fulvous: forehead with a broad black line, and the hypos-
tome with three abbreviated lines of that colour : antennz reddish-
brown: thorax black, with two whitish points below the shoulders :
abdomen with the narrow portion at the base ferruginous ; the third
‘and fourth segments each with a broad black band: legs ferrugi-
nous ; the extremity of the tarsi dusky ; the hinder cox marked
with a silvery white spot: halteres bright-yellow: wings with a
broad reddish-brown stripe covering the anterior half. 5 lines.

The markings of the abdomen are somewhat variable: the third
and fourth segments are frequently bright-yellow behind, andthe anal
segments more or less tinged with that colour. The insect is one of
themore common kinds, especially inthe southern parts of the country;
it seems rare in Scotland. “ Dalmeny.” Rev. William Little. « I take
C. rufipes in Plumley wood, Caundle Holts, &c. in the beginning and
middle of August.” J.C. Dale, Esq. “‘ Gamlingay wood, Cambridge-
shire, August.” Rev. Leonard Jenyns. “ Devil’s ditch, Newmarket
Heath, July 1833 ; likewise near Bath.” C. C. Babington, Esq.
*« In plenty on umbelliferous flowers by the side of a field, close to
a plantation at Hetheselt, Norfolk.” Henry Brown, Esq. (in
Curtis’ B. E.) “ London district.” | Stephens’ Catal.

CoNnoPs CERIZFORMIS.
Megerle, Meigen, iv. 132, pl. 36, fig. 26.

General colour black: hypostome reddish-yellow, with a pale-
yellow play of colour round the eyes ; forehead black, the crown
brownish ; antennz nearly black: thorax of that colour, with a yel-
low callosity on each shoulder, and a yellow spot on the metatho-
rax: abdomen nearly cylindric, black: the hinder margin of the
four first segments ornamented with a yellow band: halteres yel-
low: legs ferruginous ; the thighs black in the middle: the tarsi
dusky at the apex: wings transparent, with a pale brown streak in
the middle of the anterior margin. 5 lines.

218 _ Descriptions of British Diptera.

Rather a scarce species, but occurring at times in the vicinity of
London, and in some other parts of England. “I took it in Da-
renth wood in 1826, in the beginning of August.” J. C. Dale, Esq.

Famity MYOPIDE.

Antenne with the second joint longer than the third ; the style

dorsal, and consisting of two joints: proboscis long and slender, ge-
nerally geniculated at the base, and near the middle: ocelli three ;
face usually very much dilated ; the eyes rather smal]: winglets
minute ; wings lying along the body ; the first posterior cell usually
somewhat open, the anal one generally elongated.
_ As above defined, this family comprehends only two British ge-
nera, viz» Myopa and Zodion, which are readily distinguished from
each other by the former having the proboscis geniculated at the
base and middle, and the latter by having it bent at the base only.
The presence of ocelli, and other prominent characters separate
them decidedly from the Conopide, to which, however, they bear
some resemblance in the shape of the body.

Genus MYOPA.

Antenne with the first joint short and cylindrical ; second rather
long, somewhat thickened at the tip, and compressed at the base ;
third rounded-ovate, with a short two-jointed style on the back:
proboscis geniculated at the base and middle ; labrum, tongue, and
palpi variable, the latter generally somewhat elongate and fringed
with hairs: inferior part of the face inflated ; the forehead wide in
both sexes ; eyes rather small: ocelli three: thorax robust ; abdo-
men consisting of six segments, somewhat narrowed at the base, the
extremity obtuse and curved inwards ; the fourth segment dilated
beneath: legs rather strong, thighs somewhat thickened, the claws
and pulvilli much developed : wings lying along the back when at
rest ; the anal cell straight.

About twenty species belong to this genus, but scarcely more
than a third of these have hitherto been found in Britain. The re-
markable dilatation of the lower part of the face, in connection with
the incurved abdomen, and rather short strong legs, give them a
very peculiar aspect. The prevailing colours are rust-red and
brown. Although much similarity pervades the species in respect
to colour and marking, the structure of the oral organs undergoes
considerable modifications, as is occasionally pointed out in the sub- —
sequent descriptions of the different species. We are still unac-
quainted with the larve, but from the analogy which exists between —

Descriptions of British Diptera. 219

the perfect insects and the Conopide, it is not unreasonable to infer
that they are parasitic, Jike those of the tribe just named. The
flies derive their nourishment from the juices of flowers. We may
expect that the following list of native species will ere long be
considerably augmented by the discovery of kinds which have hi-
therto been overlooked in this country.

Myopa pictTa. (s.)
Panz. Faun. Germ. liv. 22; Meig. iv. 140.

Hypostome white spotted with black, the hinder part of the
head with four greyish spots, forming a curved line: forehead ferrugi-
nous, the crown dusky-brown ; antenne likewise ferruginous ; the
third joint black: thorax dark grey, with longitudinal stripes of
deep brown: abdomen testaceous-brown, varying with light-grey
reflections, and marked along the back with a row of dark points:
legs pubescent, testaceous ; anterior thighs black, with the tip fer-
ruginous : tibie ciliated, and marked with four dusky rings. Hal-
teres white ; wings brown, spotted with white. 33~4 lines.

A scarce insect, but occurring at times on flowers. It is observ-
ed occasionally near London ; and we once found a specimen in the

Edinburgh Botanic Garden.
MyYopa BUCCATA.

Fabr. Meig.—Conops buccata, Linn.

Usually somewhat less than the preceding: hypostome white,
without spots ; forehead dark-brown spotted with grey ; antennze
entirely testaceous: thorax dark-brown, with ash-coloured bands,
the shoulders and sides testaceous ; scutellum dark-brown: abdo-
men nearly testaceous or reddish-brown, with light grey reflections,
especially on the sides; the anal segments reddish-brown in the
males. Legs ferruginous, the thighs with a single dark ring, and
the tibize with two, one near the middle, and the other at the apex:
tarsi tinged with yellow : wing-scales white ; halteres pale yellow :
wings brown, with pale spots. 3-3? lines.

Likewise one of the rarer species, of which we have been able to
ascertain very few localities. It has been taken in the London dis-
trict, but not frequently.

Myora TEsTacEa. (S.)
Fabr. Meig.—Conops testaceus, Linn.---Conops buccata, G'melin, vy. 2895.
Very closely related to M. buccata, but distinguished by a few
obvious characters. The inflated portion of the face is white and
unspotted, but there is a distinct brown mark on each side, near the

229 ~ Descriptions of British Diptera.

margin of the eyes below the antennz ; the latter wholly testace-
ous, the terminal joint appearing of a lighter hue, owing to the ab-
sence of the black hairs, with which the others are covered. Tho-
rax black, with ash-grey lines ; the sides, shoulders, and usually the
scutellum reddish, or pitchy brown: abdomen and legs nearly as in
M. buccata ; the dark rings on the latter more or less distinct, the
femoral one frequently almost effaced. Wings brownish, each of
them with a distinct blackish-point on the cross nerve near the cen-
tre. 33-4.

This insect seems to appear not unfrequently, but at somewhat
uncertain intervals, and on some occasions we have observed it in
great profusion. This was particularly the case in the neighbour-
‘hood of Edinburgh, in the summer of 1835, when scarcely a flower-
ing plant, especially of the umbelliferous kind, could be examined
without finding specimens. On ordinary occasions, it occurs pretty
frequently, apparently in most parts of England and Scotland, and
also in Ireland. It is best distinguished from its associates by the
brown mark beneath the eye, and the dark discoidal spot on the
disk of the wings. ‘ Bottisham, Cambridgeshire, on the flowers of
the barberry ; also near Cambridge.” Rev. L. Jenyns. ‘“ Near
London.” Stephen’s Catal. ‘‘ Holywood on Belfast Lough, county
Down; not common.” A. H. Haliday, Esq. “ Jardine Hall, 1837.”
Sir W. Jardine, Bart.

Myopa porsa is. (s.)

Fabr. Meigen.—Conops testatea, G'melin—Myopa ferruginea, Panzer, Faun.
Germ. xxii. 24.-Conops cessans, Harris, Expos. pl. xx. fig. 4.

Prevailing colour testaceous ; face reddish-yellow, with lighter
reflections ; forehead brown: antenne reddish-brown: (upper lip
very short, the palpi elongated and cylindrical ;) thorax brown or
blackish on the surface, the shoulders and sides of the breast inclin-
ing to testaceous : abdomen wholly of the latter colour, rather broad
and depressed in the male, the first segment somewhat dusky, the
others with pale grey reflections at the incisures; halteres pale yel-
low ; wing-scales white ; wings light-brown, inclining to yellow at
the bases ; legs wholly testaceous, the tarsi paler. 53-6 lines.

Not a scarce species, occurring on flowers in the months of July
and August.

- Myopa FERRUGINEA. (s.)

Fabr. Meig.---Conops ferruginea, Linn.---Conops bucce, Harris, Expos. pl. xx.
fig. 5-9.

Similar to the preceding, but usually rather less. Head fulvous,

Descriptions of British Diptera. 221

with light reflections on the sides of the hypostome ; forehead hav-
ing a black point ; antenne reddish-brown: thorax dark-brown
above, the colour disposed in three broad stripes: abdomen narrow
and cylindrical, the basal segment, as well as all the rest, ferrugi-
nous with grey incisures ; the second segment is a good deal elon-
gated, and the terminal ones are very much incurved in the male.
5 lines.

Likewise of frequent occurrence, at least in many parts of the
country. In Scotland we notice it every summer in the neighbour-
hood of Edinburgh and in Roxburghshire, and have seen specimens
from other southern counties. “ London district.” Stephen’s Catal.
«« Bath.” C. C. Babington, Esq. “ Near Twizel.” P. J. Selby, Esq.
«« Dundrum, a sandy beach below the Mourne Mountains, Ireland,
taken once,” A. H. Haliday, Esq.

MYoPa FASCIATA.

Meig.—Myopa ephippium, Fabr.—Conops fusca, Harris’ Expos. pl. xx. fig. 6,7?

A handsome species. and easily distinguished from its associates
by its dark-coloured abdomen, ringed with white: face yellow ;
forehead with two brown stripes and a shining yellow triangular
mark on the crown ; antenne reddish-brown ; the third joint ap-
pearing paler: thorax blackish, the shoulders and sides brown:
abdomen black ; the second and third segments edged with white
behind, and on the sides ; the fourth segment with two black spots
anteriorly, all the rest white: halteres pale yellow; legs fulvous-
brown, the tibiz having a dusky ring near the middle: wings of a
uniform brownish colour. 3—4 lines.

Apparently somewhat scarce in Britain, but frequent on many
parts of the continent. “‘ Near London.” Stephens’ Catal. “ Ken-
mare, Ireland.” A. H. Haliday, Esq.

MyYopa ATRA. (s.)
Fabr. Meig.—Myopa annulata, Fabr. Antl. Syst.—M. cinerascens, Meig. Klass.
i. 287.—M. maculata, do. 288.—M. micans, do. 289.

Very dissimilar to any hitherto described, both on account of its
small size, obscure colours, and somewhat peculiar facies ; it appears
also to differ in some measure in its habits from the other species.
Black ; face yellow, with a silvery-white play of colour ; vertex
brown ; antennz (which are rather long in proportion to the size
of the body) black, the second joint, and base of the third fulvous
on the inner side: upper lip elongated, tongue very long. Tho-

222 On a second membrane

rax cinereous, with three black lines, the central one double in the
female: abdomen shining black in the male, ash-grey in the fe-
male ; the second, third, and fourth segments edged with grey in
the former sex, and a black dersal streak along the first four seg-
ments in the latter: legs black ; the hinder thighs, and occasionally
the others also, more or less fulvous: tibia sometimes yellowish
at the base. Halteres white; wings slightly tinged with brown,
the base yellowish, strongly iridescent. 13-23 lines.

Varies considerably, which has caused a variety of names to be
applied to this species. It is a common insect in most places, and,
besides occurring in flowers, is often seen running about warm
banks exposed to the sun. Near London, plentifully in some situ-

ations. Neighbourhood of Edinburgh, &c. ‘‘ Everywhere in Ire-
laud, on sunny banks.” A. H. Haliday, Esq.

Myopa PUSILLA.
Megerle, Wiedemann, Meigen.

Antenne blackish, reddish internally towards the apex: hypos-
tome yellow, with a white play of colour; forehead testaceous :
thorax shining blackish-grey, with two black lines dilated behind
into a triangular spot : abdomen black, with large light-grey spots
on the sides : wings brownish towards the costa: legs shining black :
hinder thighs at the base and the knee reddish. 12 lines.

We have noticed this insect as it is said to have been taken in
the vicinity of London, but there can be little doubt that it is a
mere variety of M. atra.

III.—On the existence of a second membrane in the Asci of Fungi.—
By the Rev. M. J. Berxevzy, M. A. F.L.S. Plate VII.

M. Morren, in a memoir of the highest physiological interest,
(Ann. de Se. Nat. N.S. Vol. v. p. 257.) has lately made known in
the short filaments of Closteria, a genus formerly referred to the In-
fusoria, but most certainly, according to his most interesting obser-
vations, belonging to the order Algz, the presence of three distinct
membranes. The external hyaline tube is closely lined with a de-
licate flexible membrane ; besides which there is a third sae proper
to the green mass of granules and vesicles. It should seem from
the analogy of this. genus with Zygnema, that the individual Alge
are rather to be considered as extremely reduced threads, than as
frustules ; in other words, the genus is rather confervoid than dia-
tomaceous ; and therefore their relation to the asci of Fungiis per-

4

in the Asci of Fungi. 223

haps less complete than if the converse were the case. For Mone-
ma, a diatomaceous genus, greatly resembles certain asci with their
included sporidia ; and I have pointed out in the English Flora the
curious analogy between the asci of Spheria entomorhiza and S.
ophioglossoides, and the filaments of Schizonema.

Be the analogy, however, what it may, between individual Clos-
teri and the asci of Fungi, the point to which I now wish to draw
attention is the presence of two distinct membranes in the latter
organs, besides the proper integument of each sporidium, viz. the
external hyaline tube, and a second, answering to the secondary
membrane of Closteriz, which at first lines the former closely, but
is at length more or less detached.

The species in which I have seen this most distinctly, are a form
of Sphzria populina, Pers. growing in winter and spring on small
fallen branches of ash, and Spheria pedunculata, Dicks. and Sow.
referred in the English Flora, on the inspection of dry specimens,
as a variety to Spheria hypoxylon, but now proved by the detec-
tion of recent individuals on the dung of rabbits more or less buried
in ant-hills to be a very distinct species, remarkable for several pe-
culiarities of structure, which will be adverted to in what follows.
The fact, however, being once satisfactorily established in these
species, it was clear, from certain anomalous appearances in the con-
tents of the asci of various Fungi, that it existed very generally.
More especially I have recognized its existence in Spheria phzo-
comes, Reb. (which I have lately found with perfect asci and sep-
tate sporidia) ; an undescribed species detected by Mr D. Stock,
on Arenaria peploides ; and Patellaria atrata, Fr. In many other
cases I have ascertained the presence of a secondary membrane more
or less distinctly ; and I have no doubt that it exists in all asci
which are surrounded by a distinct transparent border.

On submitting to the microscope some of the gelatinous contents
of the perithecia of Sph. populina, var. which had been previously
moistened, and gently crushed with the point of a lancet, I perceiv-
ed that some were snapped asunder, and that from the centre of the
fractured part a little hyaline tube projected very much in the same
way as is frequently the case in Dentalium entalis. (See Deshayes,
Monog. t. 2, f. 2.) This attracted my attention more particularly,
and after examining numerous asci I found that it arose from the
projection of a fractured portion of a secondary membrane imme-
diately enveloping the sporidia, which did not give way so soon as
the external tube, which appears to be exceedingly brittle. It is
highly transparent, capable of considerable dilatation, but at the

224 . On a second membrane

same time very contractile, so that when yet in situ, it frequently
becomes nodulose from the pressure of the sporidia, especially if
they get out of their natural position, which is mostly, though not
universally, with their major axis parallel to the asci. The portion
which projects after the asci are fractured, if empty, is generally
contracted to a mere thread. In several instances, when the outer
tube has been snapped asunder, I have seen a large portion of the
inner tube projecting, and in one case it still retained three sporidia.
Similar appearances presented themselves in Sph. pedunculata, but,
from the circumstance of the sporidia being enveloped in a pellucid
mucus, the structure is not always easily made out. The secondary
membrane in general adheres very closely to the sporidia, adapting
itself to their form, so that the row of sporidia when not as yet dis-
arranged presents a moniliform articulated thread ; the dark appa-
rent articulations arising probably from the mutual pressure of the
sporidia with their mucous coats against each other. Indeed, from
the manner in which the sporidia adhere together when the asci are
ruptured, I am inclined to think that the secondary membrane is
in the present species so extensible, as to form a close covering to
the sporidia, however much they may be disarranged. This is not,
however, always the case, as the secondary membrane is sometimes
perfectly distinct, both before and after the rupture of the asci.
This I have seen especially in a remarkable variety, or rather form
of the species, in which the receptacle is reduced almost to nothing,
and the perithecium solitary. Besides the curious circumstance of
the sporidia being coated with mucilage, a circumstance, as far as
I know, without parallel in the genus, it is remarkable that they
have another equally distinguishing feature, which is the existence
of a regular longitudinal depression on one side, so as to resemble
very strongly such pollen grains as have a single band. This is
best seen when they are divested of their mucilaginous coat, which
appears to be uniformly the case before they are discharged. It is
by no means common amongst the uterine Fungi to have any ine-
qualities in the coat of the sporidia, except such as are septate. At
present I recollect but a single instance in the genus Ascobolus, in
which I have seen them very strongly wrinkled. They vary remar-
kably in form, as will be seen from the accompanying figures, and in
some specimens which, in addition to the usual coating of earth,
had penetrated through a layer of cow-dung, it is most curious, in
consequence, I suppose, of excessive nourishment, the sporidia were
uniformly more than twice the ordinary size.

The primary membrane, though sometimes rather rigid, is’ by no

in the Asci of Fungi. 225

means universally so. Sometimes it is extremely tender and almost
gelatinous, so that if a portion of the inner tube with its sporidia be
bent at any part by any peculiar position which the sporidia acquire,
the outer tube is also forced outwards, and in consequence the asci
are sometimes curiously distorted. In some cases they appear toru-
lose, from the pressure of the inclosed sporidia, and occasionally
when the sporidia assume by accident a transverse position in the
tube, I have seen the whole vessel regularly dilated. The apparent
thickness of the walls of asci arises in general from the existence at
a certain period of growth of a space between the two membranes,
and the great difference of thickness at different parts is now easi-
ly explained from the greater contraction of those points of the se-
condary membrane. ‘This is, I believe, attached to the primary at
the apex. In S. pedunculata it certainly is, in which species there
is almost always an articulation a little below the point of attach-
ment.

M. Morren’s paper is, if I mistake not, calculated to throw light
upon the developement of the sporidia themselves. In an early
stage of growth the asci contain a mere grumous mass, out of which,
probably at the expence of the greater part of the granules of which
it is composed as its organization becomes more evident, the sporidia
arise. The coat of the sporidia is frequently absorbed before they
are discharged, and the asci then contain a number of distinct spo-
rules; and sometimes the asci themselves are absorbed, and the whole
inner mass of the perithecia consists of sporidia or sporules. These
are points to which at present sufficient attention has not been paid,
but they would doubtless highly repay the labour of investigation.

Explanation of Figures.

a. Fractured asci of Spheria populina, var. with the secondary
membrane projecting.

6. One more highly magnified. c. A single sporidium still more
highly magnified.

d. Fractured asci of Sphzria pedunculata, with their sporidia in-
volved in mucilage, and partly covered by the secondary membrane.

e. Portion of one of the asci showing the moniliform arrange-
ment. f- Sporidia divested of mucilage.

g. Asci with one of the paraphyses of a variety of S. peduncula-
ta. In one the sporidia are transverse, and the vessel is in conse-
quence regularly dilated.

h. A distorted ascus of Patellaria atrata, with its divided ls
physes. 4. One of the sporidia.

226 On the Gemme of Bryum androgynum.

IV.—Observations on the Gemme of Bryum androgynum. By
GeorcGe Dicxisz, Esq. Surgeon, Aberdeen. Plate VII.

Bryvum androgynum is of rare occurrence in this neighbourhood.
It is found growing in the moist earth which fills the crevices of
gneiss rocks, generally along with Bryum cespititium. Sir W. J.
Hooker, in the second volume of his British Flora, p. 57, remarks
that this species is very rarely found bearing capsules, and I have
never found it in this state: the reason of this seems very obscure.
The gemme, however, being very plentiful, are quite sufficient to
keep up the existence of the species: they are extremely abundant
in the months of February, March, and April. These bodies occur
in clusters on the summit of a stem bearing much resemblance to
the setz in other mosses ; it is, however, of a looser texture, ex-
cepting toward its summit, where it presents a swelling and a
denser tissue. The swollen part at the summit is easily separable
from the rest of the stem, as is represented in Fig. 1, where a part
has been removed, the other half remaining with the cords which
arise from it. The cords just mentioned, when viewed under a high
magnifier, appear to be transparent tubes composed of a simple
membrane ; each cord supporting a gemma. The gemme at the
circumference of the clusters are the first to arrive at maturity,
those in the centre are developed last of all ; and on the same head
we find them in several different stages of their growth. At first
they are simple transparent vesicles (Fig. 2,) of an oval form, and,
by a high magnifier, no matter can be detected in their interior.
As they advance in growth a small stalk becomes evident (by this
they are attached to the cords formerly mentioned,) and a grumous
matter is seen within, (Fig. 3.) When fully matured they present
the appearance shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and the substance in their
interior assumes a granular appearance ; it now resembles the mat- '
ter called green fecula by seme authors. The gemmz drop off as |
they arrive at maturity, those at the circumference of the head first,
and so on toward the centre until at last the cords alone remain.
It appeared to me to be an interesting matter to determine the
\ process of germination in the gemmez, but considerable difficulty
arising from their very small size, for a single gemma is scarcely if
at all visible to the naked eye, (the accompanying figures are con-
sequently very highly magnified,) the following method was em-
ployed. A watch-glass was placed in a saucer with its concavity
downwards ; over it a piece of fine gauze was spread, the size of
which exceeded that of the glass, consequently its edges were in

On the Gemme of Bryum androgynum. 227

contact with the saucer, into which water was poured, but only in
quantity sufficient to preserve the gauze in a moist state ; several
entire gemmiferous heads of Bryum were then placed upon the gauze
over the centre of the watch-glass, and the whole apparatus was
kept in a moderately warm place not exposed to very bright light,
and covered with a bell-glass. After some days some of the gem-
mz were detached and examined with a magnifier ; it was found
that the contents of many had undergone a remarkable change.
The green granular matter had nearly disappeared, and the cavity
of each seemed now to be divided by several dark green partitions,
(Fig. 6,) and many of them presented a swelling near that part by
which they were attached to the cords, (Figs. 7 and 8.) At the end
of from fourteen to twenty days, it was observed that in many a
small transparent nearly cylindrical tube had been protruded from
the part which some days previously had presented a swelling ;
Figs. 9, 10, 11, represent this appearance. It was not confined
entirely to those whose granular matter had disappeared, for many
in which this was still visible had begun to germinate, and the tube
in some cases contained a portion of it. This tube or filament was
invariably protruded from the same part in every gemma, and
never more than one made its appearance in each. The filaments
seemed to be not merely a prolongation of the membrane of the
gemma, but appeared to have proceeded from its interior, and to
have burst the membrane. In only one instance did I remark that
the protruded filament presented an articulated appearance, or ra-
ther its interior seemed to be divided by several septa. After re-
maining more than a month upon the moist gauze, the gmme had
made no further progress in germination. This might have been
- owing to the gauze not presenting a proper medium for their growth,
or perhaps rather from exposure to too strong light ; at the end of
this time also, the green fecula had disappeared in all of them, and
they resembled Fig. 6. While engaged in these observations, I re-
marked, that a leaf of Bryum, which had accidentally fallen on the
gauze, and remained there for some time, had thrown out several
slender transparent radicles near its place of attachment to the stem,
and from the angle between the midrib and the limb of the leaf.
May not this be another way in which B. androgynum is propagated ?
or even this may be true of every moss. Sir W. J. Hooker says,
(British Fl. Vol. ii. p. 74,) that from the points of the leaves of
Hookeria lucens roots are often emitted.

228 . Ona peculiar structure in Shells,

V.—On a peculiar structure in Shells ; with some observations on
the Shell of Spherulites. By Joan Epwarp Gray, F. R.S.,
&e. Plate VIII.

In a paper published in the Philosophical Transactions for the
year 1833, I have described three kinds of structure found in such
shells as had then come under my observation ; but since that pe-
riod Mr G. B. Sowerby has given me an oyster-shell, and Messrs
Hudson and Bowerbank have lent me a fossil Spherulites,* found
in the chalk, each of which exhibits a form of structure which I
had not before observed, and which may be designated by the name
of cellular.

The shells of this structure appear to increase in size in the same
manner as others,—the peculiarity consisting in a deposition of one
or more series of reticulations, leaving more or less numerous hol-
low polygonal cells between each of the lamina of which the shell
is formed. The two shells which exhibit this formation show it in
a very different state and degree of developement. In the Spheru-
lites the entire parietes of the shell, (or at least the whole that is
left in a fossil state, for some naturalists, as M. Deshayes and Des-
moulin, believe that, from the form of the internal cast, the inner
part of the shell is deficient,) are formed of series of continuous
longitudinal and transverse ridges, leaving four-sided cavities, which
are hollow in the specimens preserved in chalk, while in those that
are found in limestone, they are filled up with infiltrated carbonate
of lime. The concentric or transverse plates, which are best seen
in a longitudinal section of the valves, and which represent the la-
mine of growth, though remarkably regular in appearance, vary in
the distance they are apart from each other. They are usually
much closer together at the lips of the valves, or, in other words,
when the animal has nearly reached its full growth; but sometimes
we find them almost equally near in the middle of the cone, which
may have been occasioned by some accidental check to the molluse’s
regular increase about that period, and which removed or overcome
again admitted the animal to progress at its ordinary rate.

* This appears to be the fossil which Mr Mantell has indicated, but not de-
scribed, under the name of Hippurites Mortonii. I say appears, for on going
to Brighton to examine his specimen, I could not obtain permission to have it
taken from the case to compare it with that here described. It is certainly not
a Hippurites, since it has neither the solid structure, nor the two internal longi-

tudinal ribs of that genus. It is the shell figured as a fossil Conia by Mr Hud- 2

son in Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History, Vol. ix. p. 103.
3

and on the shell of Spherulites. 229

When one of these shells is cut across in the axis of the cone, it
is then found that the transverse laminz are continued, and the
cells which appeared regular in the longitudinal section, are'seen to
be rather irregular in size and form, but mostly hexangular or pen-
tangular. They are deposited on these transverse plates, the next
transverse plate or lamina of growth being laid over them ; and as
the cells of the next and every succeeding series are exactly simi-
lar in form and numbers, there necessarily results that uniformity
which we have mentioned in the appearance of the longitudinal
fracture, since the parietes of the cells of the different transverse
lamin appear in that fracture to be as much continuous with one
another as the transverse ones really are. An analogous peculiarity
exists in some shells of other structures. Thus in the Pinna, and
other shells of a prismatic crystalline structure, the transverse prisms
of which the outer coat of the shell is formed, appear to be con-
tinuous, though they are each formed of the many transverse lamine
of growth which are in succession deposited as the animal enlarges
its size: and it is the same with the rhombic crystalline structure.

The outer surface of this shell (Sphzrulites) is lamellar and hard,
being formed by the agglutinated outer edges of the transverse
laminz of growth ; and the inner surface of the cone is covered with
a thin hard plate, which is marked with minute close concentric lines
more numerous than the transverse plates of the parietes of the
shell ; and the plate is raised at the mouth of the cone a little above
the surface of the lip, from which it is separated by a slight groove.

The mouth of the lower cone has a smooth concave lip as wide,
or rather wider than the thickness of the parietes of the shell, and
is marked with some radiating branched impressions, exactly like
the impressions which one may suppose to be made by a blood-
vessel ; the slenderer and branched part being directed towards the
outer edge of the lips.

A similar structure is to be observed in other species of this genus
fossilized in limestone, but from the size of the cells in these, as
appears when specimens of the same magnitude are compared, it is
obvious that the whole formation was on a much smaller scale ; and
the cells are always filled with infiltrated carbonate of lime, which
makes them appear solid, unless the surface of the specimen is
slightly disintegrated, or the fracture is wetted and examined with
alens.

_ I can scarcely attempt to explain how the parietes of these cells
are formed, nor determine if any fluid has, in their living condition,
VOL. IT. NO 9. Q

230 - Ona peculiar Structure in Shells,

filled up the cavity between them, though it seems probable that
they may have arisen from some peculiarity in the mantle of the
animal, developed only when the new laminz were about to be de-
posited, and not present or shrunk when the smooth upper surface
of the lamina was formed, for it is evident, from the nature of the
surface of some specimens, that the parietes of the cells are very
gradually deposited on the smooth upper surfaces of the transverse
plates of growth. The vein-like grooves above described do not
seem to exert any influence over their form, for they are apparent-
ly not in any way connected with the distribution of their parietes,
while yet they show that there must exist some peculiarity of the
mantle to form such peculiar grooves.
These shells, and the Hippurites, have occupied considerable at-
tention of late, on account of the difficulties which arise in deter-
mining their place in the animal kingdom ; for although evidently
bivalvular, yet they differ in several particulars from both the free
bivalve shells of the Conchifera and the lamplike bivalves of the
Brachiopodes, not having the ligaments nor the apical umbones of
the former, nor the numerous muscular scars so characteristic of the
Crania, which alone resemble them in form among the latter. Two
French authors have attempted to explain this difficulty. M. De-
france and others having observed that the cast on which the genus
Birostrites has been formed is always found in the cavity of these
shells, and that as there is a space between the cast and the parietes
of the shell, M. Deshayes concludes that the Spherulites are con-
chifera provided with a toothed hinge and ligament, and allied to
the genus Spondylus, the inner coat of which is lost in the act of
fossilization. M. Desmoulins on the other hand believes them to be
the shelly cases of a new class of animals of which he ventures to
give a theoretical description, allying them to the Ascidia, believing
the space between the cast and the shell to be filled up with the
cartilaginous mantle of the mollusc. Unfortunately none of the
specimens, either from the chalk or the limestone strata, that have
come under my notice, exhibit the internal cast as here described,
' but the specimens from the chalk certainly throw a doubt over both
theories, for some have one or more oysters attached to the inner
surface of their cavity, and others are pierced with minute branch-
ed worm marks exactly like the worm marks so common on the sur-
face of existing shells. ‘These facts prove that whatever may have
been the structure of the substance which filled up the space said
to have been lost in fossilization, (if any such substance ever was

and on the shell of Spherulites. 231

present in the species under examination,) it must have been lost
before the shell was submitted to the fossilizing process, since other-
wise the holes could not have been drilled into, nor the oyster shells
attached to, the surface.

A somewhat similar structure or appearance is to be observed in
some Madrepores, especially in the spaces between the sinucus com-
pressed stars of Meandrina, but in these zoophytes the longitudinal
places are continuous and first deposited, and the thin transverse la-
mine are interrupted and irregular, instead of forming the conti-
nuous plates which they do in the Spherulites.

Some naturalists have compared the structure with that of Conia
and the barnacles, but this must have originated in a very super-
ficial view of the matter, for the valves of the barnacles are pierced
with conical tubes gradually tapering from the base to the apex of
the valve, and they are not cellular but tubular. The base of some
barnacles is indeed cellular, and somewhat resembles the structure
in question, but in them the longitudinal or rather radiating plates
are continued, and the transverse ones, when present, unequal and
disposed irregularly in different directions, showing even a more 1r-
regular cellular structure than in the Meandrine before referred to.

Il. The second form of this structure is found in a recent unde-
termined species of oyster which I do not know in a perfect state.
This shell exhibits the usual lamellar structure of its genus, but the
laminz of growth, which give the peculiar antiquated appearance
to the common oyster, instead of being left free, are bent down so
as to produce a nearly even outer surface. When these laminz are
broken through, it is ascertained that the spaces under them are
filled with a soft purplish spongy mass, composed of minute, rather
irregular cells, placed perpendicularly between the plates. When
these are near together, the cells extend from one plate to the other,
but when they are wider apart, the cells are sometimes interrupted
in the centre. They have somewhat the appearance of being casts
of the interstices between the prisms of the prismatic structural
shells, and are deposited in layers as the other parts of the shell are.
I think they may be analogous to the opaque white chalky matter
often found interposed between the lamin of the common oyster,
but here, though the chalky matter is sometimes seen on the inside
of the exterior imbricate foliations, as the cellular structure is found
in the shell under more immediate consideration, yet it is to be ob-
served more abundantly, and commonly forming a convex spot in
the disk of the cavity of the oyster, just beyond the scar of the large

232 ~ Localities of Scottish Coleoptera.

central adductor muscle ; and sometimes also forming a raised broad
belt near the outer margin of the valve, just within the free lamel-
lar edge. The chalky matter is deposited in these places in a suc-
cession of thin plates, perhaps at the periodical interruptions to the
animal’s growth ; and they are covered over with a hard and thicker
calcareous plate, more dense and crystalline also in its composition.

Explanation of the Plate.

Fig. 1. The lip of the lower valve of Sphewrulites Mortoni, show-
ing the vein-like marks.—2. Part of a longitudinal section of S.
Mortonu, showing the cancellated structure, nat. size.—3. A longi-
tudinal section of Ostrea purpurea, showing the cells on the inner
side of the outer plates.—4. A longitudinal section of Ostrea edulis
showing the chalky matter ; a. on the inside; 6. on the inside of
the outer plates.

VI.—Localities of Scottish Coleoptera. By the Rev. Winuiam
Litre.

A CONSIDERABLE number of the insects contained in the follow-
ing list have not hitherto been recorded as Scottish. Others of them
have been noticed as such in several entomologica! works, but with-
out any precise locality, or authority being given. A few of the
rarer species mentioned in Entomologia Edinensis, and Stephens’s
Illustrations, for which new localities have been discovered, are
again inserted here. Several of the localities were furnished by en-
tomological friends, whose names I have attached to their respective
discoveries. It is proposed in some future numbers of this work to
give short specific descriptions of all the Coleoptera not included in
the Entomologia Edinensis.

Leiochiton arcticus. Moffat Hills, Dumfries-shire, where I have
taken, at different times, upwards of a dozen
of specimens.

Tarus basalis. This insect appears to be widely dispersed, as
I have taken it on many of the hills in the
west and south of Scotland, and havereceived
specimens from Ben-na-muich-duih, Aber-

deenshire.
Agonum emarginatum. Duddingston Loch.
—atratum. Dalmeny Park.
— piceum. Ditto.

—pelidnum. Raehills, Dumfries-shire.

Localities of Scottish Coleoptera.

Calathus crocopus.
Helobia nivalis.

Omaseus orinomum.

Steropus Aethiops.

Patrobus alpinus.
Amara plebeia.
Harpalus latus.

-- rubripes.
Ophonus obscurus.
Aepus fulvescens.

Blemus paludosus.
Ocys currens.
Trechus parvulus.
ruficollis.
collaris.
Tachys binotatus.
obtusus.

Peryphus concinnus.

saxatilis

Lopha minima.
——-— assimilis.

233

Guillon Links. Andrew Murray, Esq.

Ben Lawers ; near the summit.

Moffat Hills.

Raehills. In decayed birch-trees during
winter.

Ben Lawers, near the summit.
Raehills.

Ditto.

On the hills near Innerleithen.
Raehills.

‘«‘ Berwick-upon- Tweed, in the crevices, and
under slaty rocks between tide marks, never
above tide mark, and the greater number of
the specimens were procured near low water,
but not covered above two hours each tide.”
Dr Johnston. I have lately found this insect
in some abundance, in similar localities near
Cramond.

Raehills. Very scarce.

Dalmeny Park.

Raehills.

Moffat Hills.

Ditto.

Raehills.

Ditto.

Do.

Do.

Rare.

cnemerythrus. Banks of the Annan.
— atroceruleus. Dalmeny Park.

Raehills.
Do.

Tachypus bipunctatus. Dalmeny Park. Very scarce.

Hydroporus frater.

Andreae.
Bembidium paludosum. Borthwick Castle.
—- pallipes. Banks of the Nith, near Dumfries.

Coast of Argyleshire.
Andrew Murray, Esq.

Raehills.

--12-pustulatum. Do. ; and Water of Leith.
--rufifrons. Dalmeny.

——_—__—-- marginatus.
—--fuscatus.
‘Colymbetes concinnus.
—— pulverosus.

Raehills.
Do.
Do.
Forfarshire.

234 ' Localities of Scottish Coleoptera.

Colymbetes oblongus. Raehills.

—— affinis. Do.
Gyrinus minutus. In a pool on Hawick Moor, in considerable
abundance. Mr W. Lamb.
———-- villosus. In the Jed, near Jedburgh.

Heterocerus marginatus. Dalmeny Park, in marshy ground near
the shore.

Hydrochus crenatus. Braid Hill marshes. A single specimen,
found along with Hydrochus brevis, the lat-
ter in abundance.

Ochthebius marinus. Dalmeny Park, in a marsh by the shore.

Enicocerus Gibsoni. Do. Do.
~ Limnebius affinis. Raehills.
— lutosus. In the Annan, near Moffat.

Cercyon bimaculatum. Dalmeny, by the shore.
- terminatum. Raehills.
- convexior. Do.

--ustulatum. | Cramond.
Phalacrus aeneus. Raehills, in moss.
— ovatus. Do.; and Cramond.
— pulchellus. Do.
Leiodes aciculata. Raehills ; Cramond.
castanea. Do. ; and near Jedburgh.
— thoracica. Do. The most abundant of the genus.
badia. Cramond.
polita. Raehills.
testacea. Do.
ferruginea. Do. ; and at Cramond.
———- litura. Do. do.
suturalis. Cramond.
nigricollis. Do. I find the individuals of this genuschiefly
in autumn.
Clambus enshamensis. Raehills.
Ptomaphagus velox. Do.
— fumatus. Do.

Oiceoptoma sinuata. Corstorphine Hill, near Edinburgh.
Strongylus fervidus. Jaehills. Rare.

Campta lutea. Do. abundant in putrid fungi.
Meligethes nigrinus. Do.

Trichopteryx minutissima. Do.

-nana. Wall top, Barnton Park.
a perpusilla. Raehills.

Localities of Scottish Coleoptera. 235

Anisarthria melas. Raehills.

—--nitida. . Do.

—--nitidula. Cramond.

Atomaria thoracica. Raehills.

-- carbonaria. Do.

-- linearis. Do.

Mycetzea fumata. Raehills. Rare.

Tetratoma Ancora. Wall top, near Cramond. Rare.

—

Ips 4-pustulata. Raehills ; found throughout the year under
the bank of decayed fir trees.
—- ferruginea. Raehills ; found only during summer.

Corticaria transversalis. Raehills.

Paramecosoma bicolor. Cramond Park. Very rare.
Latridius lardarius. Wall top, Barnton Park.
Anthrenus musaeorum. Jedburgh.

Byrrhus aeneus. Raehills. Rare.

Hister 12-striatus. Raehills.

— nitidulus. Do.
— rotundatus. Do. About the stables, in June.
Trox scabri. Jardine Hall. Sir William Jardine, Bart.
Phyllopertha Frischii. Guillon Links.
Elater brunneus. Raehills.
— serraticornis. Dalmeny.
— semiruber. Raehills, in decayed birch trees during win-
ter. Very rare.
balteatus. Raehills.
Hypnoidus agricola.

— ater Do. Banks of the Kinnel.

Cyphon griseus. Do.
Telephorus pulicarius. Raehills.
—ochropus. Do.

— lituratus. Do.
Aplocnemus impressus. Do. Rare.
Dasytes eratus. Do.
Cis bidentatus. Do.
Tomicus bidens. Do. ; also about Jedburgh.
Hylesinus sericeus. Do.
Baris atriplicis. Halleaths Loch, on rushes. Sir William Jar-

dine, Bart.
Ceutorhynchus melanocephalus. Raehills.
Nedyus floralis. Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
pallidactylus. Raehills.

236 - Localities of Scottish Coleoptera.

Nedyus melanostigma. Raehills.
Quercicola. Walltop, Ravelstone. Andrew Murray, Esq.
Rhinoncus pericarpius. Raehills.

— castor. Do.
crassus. Do.

Orchestes scutellaris. Do.
——- Jlicis. Do.

Anthonomus pedicularius. Do.
Notaris bimaculatus. Banks of the Nith, near Dumfries.
Pissodes Fabricii. Banks of the North Esk, near Montrose. Mr

G. Little.
Orthochaetes setiger. Ravelstone ; also in Roxburghshire.
. Procas picipes. Near Moffat.
Hypera Polygoni. Cramond.
sublineata. Do.
Otiorhynchus maurus. Summit of Hartfell; also in Halleaths
Woods.

Trachyphlaeus scabriculus. Blackford Hill.
Strophosomus rufipes. Raehills.

———_—_~ nigricans. Cramond Park.
————-—- retusus. Raehills.

Rhynchites cylindricus. Do.
—-—cyaneopennis. Do. Dalmeny Park.

——__—-- cupreus. Do. On the Alder inSeptember. Ex-
tremely rare.
Spheriestes ater. Raehills. On fir-trees, but very rare.

-— fovolatus. Cramond. On the top of a wall under a
row of beech and elm trees ; found only in
October and the beginning of November.
Callidium striatum. Forfarshire. Mr G. Little.
— variabile. Edinburgh, in a garden in the New Town.
Rhagium inquisitor Raehills ; found in abundance during win-

— bifasciatum. § ter, in decayed fir, and birch trees.
Leptura levis. Lord Torphichen’s woods, Mid-Calder.
Macroplea Zosterz. Loch of Forfar. Dr Macnab.
Galeruca tenella. Raehills.

Mniophila muscorum. Do.
Phaedon aucta. Cramond.
— unicolor. Raehills. Abundant on the birch.

Chrysomela Hyperici. Dalmeny.
—- Banksii. Ayrshire, Dr Macnab.
- haemoptera. Hills, North Queensferry. Abundant.

Localities of Scottish Coleoptera. 237

Timarcha levigata. Galloway. Rev. Mr Lamb.
Melasoma aenea.. Raehills, on the alder, in August and
September.

Cryptocephalus 6-punctatus. Raehills, on the birch. Rare.
— Moraei. Sutherlandshire. James Wilson, Esq.

Coccinella ocellata, Cramond, one specimen.

hieroglyphica. Do.
Tenebrio obscurus. Between Leith and Portobello. Dr Knapp.
Phylan gibbus. Southernness. Sir William Jardine, Bart.

Ripiphorus paradoxus. Wall top, Barnton Park, in September.
Scydmeenus elongatulus. Raehills. Rare.

Pselaphus Herbstii. Raehills, in April, under stones.
Bryaxis Juncorum. Do. in similar localities.

Arcopagus glabricollis. Do.

- puncticollis. Do.

— - bulbifer. Do.
Bythinus Curtisii. Do.
— Burrellii. In moss from Craiglockhart. Dr Greville.
Tachinus elongatus. Near Jedburgh.
Microsaurus lateralis. Dalmeny.
Dianous rugulosus. Raehills.

Syntomium nigroaeneum, MRaehills; also near Jedburgh in con-
siderable numbers.

Acidota crenata. Cramond.

Microlymma Johnstone. This insect, of which Dr Johnston was so
kind as to send me specimens, I have since
found at Dalmeny between loose layers of
rock.

REVIEWS AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS.

Manuel de Malacologie et de Conchyliologie. Par H. M. Dv-

cROTAY DE Buainviuue. Paris, 1825. 8vo. with an Atlas of 100
Plates.

Manuel de Histoire Naturelle des Mollusques et de leur Coquilles.
Par M. SanpeR Rane. Paris, 1829. 24mo.

The Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells ; for the use of Students in
Conchology and Geology. By Grorce BrertTingHam SowERBY.
London, v. y. 8vo.

The Elements of modern Conchology ; with Definitions of all the
Tribes, Families, and Genera, Recent and Fossil. For the use
of Students and Travellers. By Wixvuiam Swainson, Esq.
Lond. 1835. Duod. -

Elements of Conchology, according tothe Linnean System, illustrated

_by 28 plates drawn from Nalure. By the Rev. E. I. Burrow,
A.M. F.L.S. Lond. 1836. 2d edit. 8vo.

Tue foundations of Conchology were laid by Aristotle on those
broad and rational views which characterize all his works on the
Natural History of Animals, and which are worthy of his own re-
putation as a philosopher, and of the inquisitive and intelligent so-
ciety to whom they were delivered. The structure and habits of
the creatures embraced in this section of natural science were the
main objects of his study, while their relations to the other animated
entities by which they are surrounded, and their own mutual affi-
nities were not forgotten, although undoubtedly the classification of
them appears to have been considered a matter of secondary im-
portance, and, such as it is, was rather forced upon him than in-
vented to give some degree of method and generalization to the ex-
pression of the results of his inquiries. To censure this Father for
the incompleteness, or even his want of a conchological system, is
inconsiderately done, for it must be obvious that no system can be
otherwise than defective and artificial until discovery has, in a long
and lingering progress, collected together a large magazine of ma-

Q

2

History of Conchology. 239

terials, among which there shall at least be found a type of every
modification of structure exhibited in the class. But in his age the
number of Shells known was very confined, and to have advanced
beyond the primary divisions of them into univalves, bivaives, and
turbinated kinds, could be of no possible utility, and might have
been hurtful to a further progress, for “ the over early and peremp-
tory reduction of knowledge into arts and methods” is an error from
which, as Bacon has justly remarked, “ time commonly receives
small augmentation.” * His views were higher, and his researches
were pushed in the only direction in which they could be made
available. He has left us a history of the Cephalopodes remarka-
ble for its fulness and accuracy, and equally remarkable for its
exemption from the marvels and puerilities which disfigure the
same history as delivered by his successors ; and although there
may be less of observation and fact in his account of the shelled
molluscans, yet we find the same ends kept ever in view, and the
incessant effort to attain his object by attention to the habits of the
animals, and an examination of their anatomy. The numerous de-
fects, obscurities, and errors which a vain criticism might readily
detect in his details under both of these heads, are justly attributable
to the accident of position, for he was the first to track the road
without the guide of a fixed nomenclature, and without the light
which analogy could lend,—anatomy at this period being scarcely
practised, and physiology almost unknown. By his own researches
he was enabled to characterize several groups of Testacea with some
degree of precision, and to acquaint himself with many valuable
particulars of their structure and economy, and although some of his
general corollaries from these are hasty, yet even in this minor de-
partment of study the Stagyrite claims our admiration for his in-
dustry and sagacity, and our gratitude for giving us an example of
scientific inquiry which it were well to follow.

But the spring which welled so pure and copiously had no issue
to its waters. Aristotle had no successor in testaceology among his
countrymen ; and when literature fled the shores of Attica, and
found its unwilling way to Rome, it was unattended by the natural
sciences. In the constitution of society among the Romans, it is
not difficult to find causes for their total neglect of natural history ;
and these operated with peculiar force when Pliny began to collect
together the materials of his great encyclopedia. Devoted in an
especial manner to a public life, the Romans were negligent of a

* Comp. Sprengel Hist. de la Médecine, Vol. i. p. 400.

240 EMistory of Conchology.

study, which, so far from enhancing their reputation with the peo-
ple, required a comparative seclusion to be successfully pursued ;
while the disrelish for every science requiring a continuous and so-
ber observation of facts and experiments was heightened, at the
period we refer to, by a general luxury that had risen to an almost
incredible pitch, and by the mental excitability produced by their
foreign conquests and discoveries ;—for the tales of their travellers,
and the new and uncommon animals sent home from every quarter
to supply the theatre and circus, had rendered the minds of the
people—one and all—pliant to credulity, and apt to receive every
monstrous tale, and equally indisposed to attend to the simple phe-
nomena displayed in the ordinary economy of animal life. Pliny
largely participated the taste and credulity of his age, and hence
his work is the very antitype of the Greeks,—ample in its details
of the use and value of pearls and Tyrian purple, of anecdotes of
the follies of the rich in their dress, and in their dishes of snails
and oysters, &c.; while he caters from every source wonderful sto-
ries of the feats of gigantic cuttles, and of the surprising intelli-
gence and habits of these and other molluscans which God verily hath
made, in harmony with their lower organization, feeble of instinct
and power. To Conchology as a science he has added nothing
which Aristotle did not supply ; but he furnishes some anecdotes
for a chapter on its economical applications, and has graced its
history with some tramontane and amusing fictions.

.Of the ancients, Aristotle and Pliny are the only names which
merit quotation in a history of conchology, and many centuries
elapse before we again meet with one whose writings give some
indication of its progress. The turmoil of society which accom-
panied and followed the decline and fall of the Roman Empire,
—the engrossing nature of the religion and superstitions of the
dark ages,—the exclusive attention bestowed on the writings of
the ancients at the revival of letters,—and the higher claims of
higher studies when civility and wealth had begun to diffuse a taste
for original compositions, and gave encouragement and leisure to
men of science and letters,—were all obliterative of a pursuit which
was solely ornamental, and had no attraction except to those chosen
few who found in the contemplation of Nature’s works their principal,
gratification. That this number was not inconsiderable is certain, for
otherwise it seems impossible to account for the publication of the vo-
luminous and expensively illustrated books on natural history, which
issued from the press within, or shortly after, the first century after
the discovery of printing. And indeed the monastic system, and its

History of Conchology. 241

institutions, must have been favourable to the growth of such feel-
ings, giving the necessary leisure and seclusion, while nature, pre-
senting daily her works and phenomena, and her seasonal changes
to these recluses, dull but not dead to their influence, insensibly
operated and gave direction to the employment of their minds. It
may be that these earliest works were not devoted even in part to
conchology, but Natural History as one never advances without ad-
vantage to every department, and even this minor branch had soon
its due share of love and notice. The vast volumes of Albertus
Magnus,* Rondeletius, + Gesner{ and Aldrovandus§ contain each
of them books devoted to it, and although the original facts they
disclose are very few in proportion to the mass heaped up in their
folios, yet the criticism they have often received as the receptacles
of lumber rather than museums of well-arranged records, seems to
be unnecessarily harsh and severe. ‘The study of the ancients, and
the elucidation of their difficulties, was still a favourite object with
men of literature, and when these early naturalists betook them-
selves to the writings which had come down to them rather than to
the observation of things themselves, they but followed the bent of
their compeers, and consulted the taste of their age. Their works
are laborious compilations, in which every thing, however remotely
connected with the subject in hand, good or bad, true or false,—
whether recorded by grave philosopher, or sung or feigned by poet
or traveller,—finds a place without any nicety as to its probable-
ness, or conformity to the organization of the animals. On the con-
trary, there is evidently a strong predilection in their worthy au-
thors to retail and believe every tale of instinct or use which might
raise the object, however low and loathly, in our estimation,—a
greater love of the marvels of Pliny than of the sobrieties of Aris-
totle. Still with all their faults, the reader will find them not void
of novelty, either in philosophical remark or in the record of new
creatures ; and the plan adopted by them of giving figures of the
species was a most important step towards facilitating the progress
of the science. To look for any thing that deserves the name of
System in their works appears next to absurd: they evidently
had not yet felt its want, and had no distinct idea of the necessity
or utility of any beyond what gave a convenient heading to their
chapters. What little they do give us of arrangement may be said
to be literally borrowed from Aristotle.

The writings of this period afford good evidence of a growing and

* 1495. t+ 1554. ¢ 1558. § 1599,

242 . EMistory of Conchology.

considerably extended taste for the contemplation of Shells, which
was kept alive and diffused by the activity of a daily enlarging com-
merce furnishing, to collectors and amateurs, numerous novelties of
uncommon forms and beauty to gratify, and at the same time to sti-
mulate their curiosity. Hence also the origin of museums, of which
Aldrovandus is usually said to have set the example ; and of these
Shells made a large and favourite part from their beauty and variety,
and from the ease with which they were procured and preserved.
These museums soon became rather numerous in Italy and Germany,
and although they were undoubtedly formed more for the gratifica-
tion of the taste of their owners, than with any views towards
science, and hence arranged in fantastic and picturesque designs, still
it is from their institution that we date the origin of Conchology
as a separate branch of natural history. The catalogues published
of a few of the most considerable of these museums are among the
works generally enumerated as worthy of quotation in the history of
Conchology, and it was the love ef making collections of shells se-
parately, that evidently gave origin to the works of Bonanni and
Lister, the first which treated exclusively of these natural objects.
Bonanni’s work was published in the year 1661, and from its
title—“ Recreatio Mentis et Oculiin observatione Animalium tes-
taceorum’’—was probably intended to be a book of luxury, exhibit-
ing in its plates whatever amongst shells might please the eye or
refocate the unoccupied mind. It is properly speaking, however,
an introduction to Conchology, and in this view of it, the volume
becomes interesting, since it affords the means by which the extent
of the knowledge of Conchology at that period may be estimated.
Of the writings of his immediate predecessors he speaks very
slightingly : they remind him, he says, by their boastings when these
are compared with their deeds, of those birds which floating aloft
in the heavens draw notice by the amplitude of their spread of
wing and the fulness of their plumage, but captured and plucked,
the exility of their corpse proves to the sportsman how much he
had been deceived! The treatise is divided into four parts: in the
first, he proves, to his own satisfaction, that the study of shells is
not a pucrile but a wise and profitable occupation; investigates the
mode of generation both of living and fossilized species ; declares the
fit materials from which they are formed, and takes occasion to talk
learnedly of water, earths, nitre and petrifying humours; he de-
scants on their colours, forms, and properties by which the Creator
renders them visible to the privileged minds of philosophers ; and
lastly, enumerates their other uses to man, and what relates to them

History of Conchology. 243

as precious ornaments for museums, of the more remarkable of
which we have a particular account in his 12th chapter. In the
second part Bonanni describes each shell separately, noticing their
parts, form, colours, names, and the seas which they inhabit.—In
the third part he propounds about 40 problems or hard questions,
annexing reasons or “ an argument” to the dark and doubtful, by
which a ray of truth may be thrown on them, and they may be
made visible at least to the mental eye ; he shews that pearls cannot
be formed from dew, as Pliny would persuade us, that they are not
the young but a disease of conchs ; he explains why a shell applied to
the ear seems, by its murmurings, to lament its native sea ; inquires
into the causes of shells being more abundant in the sea than on the
land, and especially in the Indian Ocean, where they are also more
beautifully pictured ; why they are principally coloured on the ex-
terior ; wherefore they grow hard, seeing they are formed out of soft
water ; why they are twisted into many spires ; why their snails have
scarcely any diversity of members ; why they are destitute of teeth,
a heart, and bones ; why nature denies them bile, and a liver and
a spleen ; why they grow lean on the wane of the moon ; why they
are slow and stoltish ; why the juice of the Pholas is luminous at
night ; why among their varicus colours the cerulean is not to be
found ; and other such problems hitherto unargued or propounded,—
not omitting to inquire learnedly whether the Remora, that stayed
the ship sent from Periander on a cruel voyage to the Cape of
Gnidos, was actually the shell called in consequence the Venus-shell,
and “ in regard whereof, the inhabitants of Gnidos doe honour and
consecrate the said Porcellane within their temple of Venus.” —The
fourth and last part is occupied with the plates and figures describ-
ed in the second, distributed into three classes, viz. the univalves not
turbinate, the bivalves, and the turbinate univalves.

This slight outline of Bonanni’s book is all our space will permit
us to give, and is perhaps sufficient to enable the reader to appre-
ciate its value, and the character of the writer. He was a Jesuit,
with attainments and natural talents which, though respectable,
certainly do not raise him above the level of his age,—perhaps he
was under it,—better acquainted with the writings of his predeces-
sors than of his contemporaries,—with the tastes of a virtuoso rather
than of the man of science, skilful in all the vain logomachies of
the schoolmen, and willing to give a ready assent to every thing
which had ancient authority in its favour, but jealous and distrust-
ful of ail that was novel, and of every discovery that would carry
knowledge forward. Hence we find his anatomy of shell-fish in-

244 History of Conchology.

ferior to that of Aristctle’s, and his arrangement of them the same ;
hence his advocacy of the doctrine of spontaneous generation, when
his contemporary Redi had demonstrated its absurdity ; hence his
exclusive attention to the form and colour of shells to his total over-
sight of conchology as a branch of general physiology ; hence also
his fondness in propounding, his copiousness in solving occult ques-
tions which, if resolved, were of no utility, but which were really
beyond the province of human inquiry ; hence the discussion where-
fore shellfish were defective in this and that organ, without the
slightest effort to ascertain whether that deficiency was a fact ; and
hence, in short, the reason that his volume contains not a single
fact additional to the stock of knowledge in his own province, for

we do not find that he has “ treated of the formation of shells in a
manner more philosophical than could have been expected at such
a period,” as Maton and Rackett have asserted. But we have no
wish to depreciate Bonanni, who, as we have already mentioned,
was a man of learning and repute, and it is not discreditable to an
author that he is affirmed not to have anticipated his age: we have
drawn his character as we think fairly, and it is a fair representa-
tion too, of the bulk of conchologists of his time, who obviously had
little other object in the study than to indulge their love of virtuoso-
ship.

Philippo Bonanni and Dr Martin Lister were co-equals in the
date of the publication of their works,* but in character they were
men of remote eras. Lister was not less learned than the Jesuit,
but of that he made no parade, and if he had drunk of the logic of
the schoolmen, his tutored mind had seen its folly, for we never
find him indulging in disquisitions about things inscrutable or use-
less. Full of the medical knowledge of the day, Lister betook him-
self, following the bent of his genius, to a patient anatomy of the
animals which tenant and construct the shells that had won his ad-
miration, and, allowing for the state of anatomy then, we do not
hesitate to say that his Exercitationes deserve to rank beside those
of Poli and Cuvier. They are replete with accurate descriptions,
not unmixed it is true with error, and some things he had overlook-
ed and mistaken, but to mark these as blots on his diligence or re-
putation were uncandid and unfair to him who leaves the olden
ways and deviates into a new country, in which he has to open up
the roads. In every page Lister proves himself a laborious and ob-
servant anatomist and naturalist ; while his disquisitions and di-
gressions relative to the leaning of his discoveries on the physiolo-

* Lister’s works were published between the years 1669 and 1697.
4

History of Conchology. 245

gical questions which divided the then medical world afford the
fullest proof of his acuteness, judgment, and extensive learning.*
His works deserve the attentive perusal of every student in con-
chology, who will not fail to reap advantage from the task, even
though he should go to it acquainted with the subject from recent
authorities.

Lister was a true naturalist, and the first conchologist of decid-
ed eminence. His anatomical works show how clearly he under-
stood that the structure of the animals was the main object of our
study,—its only sure foundation, and its best claim on our atten-
tion,—but he was also very observant of the habits, instincts, and
peculiarities of snail and shell, and was at the same time zealous to
acquire an extensive and accurate knowledge of species, to which
end he sacrificed much. At his own cost, and with the labour of
years, he completed and published a volume of plates, which is the
pride of collectors, and is prized to this day for its utility. “ His
figures,” Dr Maton and the Rev. Mr Rackett tell us, “ both in
point of number and faithfulness, are with reason still held in such
high estimation, that no person attached to this branch of natural
history can advance in it without the constant use of them, nor
without finding them preferable for reference to many more splen-
did engravings which have succeeded them.”+t—“ This admirable
volume,” says Dr .Turton, ‘“ contains one thousand and fifty-five

plates, besides twenty-one of anatomical figures, all drawn from
original specimens by his two daughters, Susanna and Anna. Con-
sidering the state of natural science at the time this work was first
issued, one hundred and thirty-three years since, it is impossible to
contemplate this stupendous effort of genius and industry, without
admiration at the grandeur of the design, and the correctness of its
execution.” t

It was Lister’s intention, after the publication of this volume of
plates, to have proceeded with an anatomical description of every
family or genus in its proper order, if God should grant him life
and leisure, but from adverse health he was not permitted to do
more than to anatomize the terrestrial slugs and snails, some fresh-
water Turbines, one or two of the marine Buccina, and a part of the
Bivalves. The design was worthy of the man, and is a fine example
of unwearied assiduity, which nought but a genuine enthusiasm

+ His opinions relative to the functions of the liver in Mollusca appear de-
serving of more attention than they have yet received. See the Exer. Anat. de
Cochleis, p. 79, &c.

+ Lin. Trans. vii. p. 138.

¢ Conchological Dictionary, Introd. p. xvi.

VOL. II. No. 9. R

s

246 . History of Conchology.

could have kept alive. If perchance, says he, a stranger should be
told that this man had devoted his years to the dissection of ani-
malcules and snails, it might provoke his contempt or laughter, un-
less, indeed, the dissector was another Harvey, Malpighi, or a
Redi; but I do not vehemently yearn for the applause of any one>
having had my reward, for these exercises which were my pleasure
and delight in youth, now that I am old they are my solace. And
now when I am, from a failure of sight, compelled to use the mi-
croscope, and find that by its aid I can again enjoy myself in those
studies, which have been long denied to the unassisted eye, I re-
joice greatly.* We do love to dwell on the character of this man.
Learned in his profession, and attaining its highest honours,—for
he was physician to Queen Anne,—we now see him refocating his
jaded spirits in the contemplation of his collections of shells, and
enjoying, with a rapture which minds framed like his only feel, all
their beauties and symmetries and singularities ;—again we see him
examining with a fatherly pride and pleasure the drawings which
his daughters, who stand beside him, had laboured to finish before
the duties of the day permitted their beloved parent to retire to his
ease and study,—and at a more leisured season we see him, bent
somewhat with ageand infirmities,t anatomizing with the zeal and skill
of his youth the creatures which he loved so well to study, now his
keen eye kindling as the thought crosses him, that in this structure
there was a ray which shed light on some obscurity in his own frame,

-—now lost in wonder at some display of a mechanism which can
have but one author, while involuntarily he breathes the hymn,—
« Oh altitudo! In his tam parvis, atque tam nullis, que ratio?
quanta vis! quam inextricabilis perfectio!”

Lister then greatly advanced conchology by rescuing it from the
charge of frivolity, by an unrivalled series of illustrations of species,
by many novel.remarks on their habits, by a very complete history
of the species of his native land, and chiefly by giving us some ex-
cellent essays on the structure and physiology of the Mollusca which
had been neglected since the time of Aristotle, for the isolated no-
tices of a few species by Willis, Redi, Harderus, and Swammer-
dam, however good, had no influence on conchology, while those
of Lister are epochal. He was fully aware too of the importance
of system in this study, but he had not critically examined its real
objects and use, and his classification, though elaborate, claims no
praise of superiority. ‘The habitat affords the character for his pri-

* Exercit. Anat. des Cochleis, p. 2.
+ See the Preface to the App. Hist. Anim. Ang,

fHistory of Conchology. 247

mary divisions or books,—hence shells are divided into the land,
fresh-water, marine bivalve, and marine univalve classes; and the
mode in which these are subdivided more resembles the synoptical
tables which the French botanists now frequently prefix to their
floras, constructed without any regard to the affinities of the objects
they approximate, and solely intended to hunt down a species, than
what is usually understood by a system in natural history.

So far as we remember (for his works are not all of them by us,
and years have elapsed since their perusal,) the manner in which
the shell is formed, and its relation to the snail, occupied no part of
Lister’s investigations, but previous to his decease the true solution
of the problem was discovered by the illustrious Reaumur.* No
experimental inquiry had hitherto been made on the subject, and
the remarks in reference to it in conchological writers were scatter-
ed, vague, and hypothetical ; while the opinion of better informed
physiologists appears to have been that the shells were organized
parts of the animal, which grew and increased with the latter by
receiving nutriment and material from the body ; that there was in
fact nothing peculiar in the formation of shell, but that its growth
depended, like the growth of other parts, on the circulation of
juices within itself, and on the assimilation and addition of new
matter. Reaumur was never content with reasoning on a point
which experiment alone could solve, and with his usual ability
and success he instituted numerous experiments on the subject un-
der review. They were principally made on land snails (Helix,)
but not restricted to them, for by confining fluviatile and marine
species, both univalve and bivalve, in baskets framed so as.to admit
the water, and at the same time prevent the escape of the crea-.
tures, he was enabled to show that his theory was applicable to the
whole class. He proved in this manner that the shell was enlarged
by the deposition of calcareous matter to the edges of the aperture,
and that this deposition was made in successive layers ; that there
was no increase from the intusception of calcareous matter, no ad-
ditional increase from any action in the shell itself, but that the
whole was a successive transudation from certain parts of the living
tenant, to which the shell was an inorganic covering. It was ob-
jected to him that snails just issued from the egg had as many
whorls as the parent, but the falsity of this observation was to
Reaumur of easy proof, who found that these young had only one,

* « De la Formation et de l’accroissement des Coquilles des Animanx tant
terrestres qu’ aquatiques, soit de mer soit de riviere,” in Mem. de l’Acad. Roy.
des Sc. 1709.

248 History of Conchology.

or not more than a whorl and a-half ; and his theory, divested of
the mechanical phraseology in which some of its details are explain-
ed, remains essentially correct. Besides the establishing of this
discovery so important in scientific conchology, Reaumur enriched it
with much curious and interesting matter. His inquiry into the
mechanism by which the limpets fix themselves so firmly, and the
byssiferous bivalves spin their silken cables ; his accurate descrip-
tion of the structure of the shell of the Pinna ; and his experimen-
tal essay.on the purple dye of the Buccinum, suggested to him by
the excellent paper on the same subject by Mr Cole of Bristol, are
favourable specimens of his talent for observation, and real addi-
tions to the stock of our knowledge, while they captivate us by the
elegant and copious style in which they are written, and by the
clearness of their details.

These labours and discoveries, and the high character of their
authors, render the conclusion of the 16th, and the beginning of the
17th century, unquestionably the most interesting period in the
history of conchology. Ray, who discovered the peculiar hermaphro-
ditism of the snail, was the intimate friend of Lister,—Petiver and.
Sloane, celebrated for their museums, had entered the field ere he
retired,— Balfour and Sibbald in Scotland were his contemporaries,
and the latter his correspondent,—Poupart and Mery, two French
anatomists of deserved celebrity, carried their researches in the
same direction,—and Swammerdam, Leewenhoeck, and Rumphius*
in Holland,—all these men were each in their way advancing con-
chology with a rapidity hitherto unexampled and not yet surpassed.
We are apt, dazzled by this galaxy, to fix our attention too exclu-
sively on the anatomical and physiological branches of the science,
but let us not forget to note the benefit it received by the zeal of
collectors, who were now importing species in great numbers from
every quarter of the globe, and congregating them in museums
which became celebrated throughout Europe for their richness. In
England those of Petiver and Sloane surpassed all others ; the col-
lection of Sir Andrew Balfour of the University of Edinburgh was
considerable ;+ but it was in Holland that the passion of forming

_™ Or rather Scheinvoet, a Dutch physician, who was the real author of Rum-
phius’ Thesaurus. See D’Argenville’s Conchyliog. p. 27.

+ Sibbald’s Auctarium Mus@i Balfouriani “ does not treat of Testacea ex-
clusively, but comprehends a variety of subjects, which were contained in the
collection of Sir Andrew Balfour, Knight, M. D.—a collection presented to the
University of Edinburgh, and considerably augmented by the intimate friend of
the donor, who described the whole in the work above-mentioned. Unfortu-

History of Conchology. 249

cabinets of shells became most prevalent. ‘ Rich individuals stu-
died to outvie one another in that country, as much in the expen-
siveness and extent of their collections, as in the splendour of their
equipages and retinue ; and the sums which were given for a Cedo-
nulli or a Wentletrap, would appear too enormous to deserve belief,
if such accounts were not authenticated by the most respectable
writers of that day. Rumphius himself informs us in his preface
to the ‘ Amboinshe Rariteitkamer,’ that a shell described in this
work cost no less than 500 Dutch florins.”* In all this, of course,
there was much less the love of science than the mere indulgence
of a peculiar taste or rivalry that wealth or a natural disposition
had engendered ; and it is not easy to determine whether the good
which it cannot be denied conchology derived from this zeal of col-
lectors, was not overbalanced by the character of virtuosism it was
calculated to fix on all its cultivators, and the new direction which
it unquestionably gave to their studies. + It was to this zeal that
we owe several expensive books of plates which were now prepared
for the press, and published under the auspices usually of some

nately for the reputation of this University among naturalists, a very small part
of the collection is now remaining. ‘ Such,’ says Mr Pennant, ‘ has been the
negligence of past times, that scarce a specimen of the noble collection deposited
in it by Sir Andrew Balfour is to be met with, any more than the great additions
made to it by Sir Robert Sibbald.—( Scotch Tour, 1766, p. 246.) Such is too
often the fate of public collections; and so slight or so transient is any respect
for the laudable intentions of generous individuals towards public bodies, that
common care is rarely taken to preserve from destruction what escapes the hand
of peculation and robbery.”—Lin. Trans. vii. p. 144.

* Lin. Trans. vii. p. 150.—‘“< In 1753, at the sale of Commodore Lisle’s
shells at Langford’s, four Wentletraps were sold for L. 75, 12s.” Da Costa’s
Elem. of Conchology, p. 204.—“ A specimen of Conus cedonulli has been
valued at 300 guineas.” Dillwyn’s Catalogue, p. 376.—‘‘ Ammiralium varietates
nitidas, Turbinis scalaris et Ostree Mallet emulas nobilitavit docta ignoran-
tia, pretiavit quam patiuntur opes stultitia, emtitavit barbara luxuria.”—Lin.
Syst. 1167.

+ They did not of course escape the observation and the lash of the satirist.

*« But what in oddness can be more sublime

Than Sloane, the foremost toyman of his time ?

His nice ambition lies in curious fancies,

His daughter’s portion a rich Shell inhances,

And Ashmole’s baby-house is, in his view,

Britannia’s golden mine, a rich Peru !’— Younc.
It is almost needless to remind the reader of the amusing papers in ridicule of
the collectors in the ‘ Spectator’ and ‘ Rambler,’ but the irony of the latter in
his No. 82, is more than compensated by his defence of these ‘ much injured’
men in his Nos. 84 and 85.

250 History of Conchology-

wealthy amateur, and which, though too often occupying a promi-
nent place in the history of conchology, have little merit excepting
what they derive from the draughtsman and engraver. Hence also
the repeated attempts on the part of the more studious to arrange
the objects in quest after some novel or more convenient system,
for without a regular specification of their contents it was evident
no correct idea could be imparted of the extent and worth of the
collection.

In indicating the progress of ‘ Method,’ however, it isnecessary
to go back a little. We have seen that Aristotle had three orders
of Testacea,—Univalves, Bivalves and the Turbinated,—but the
class itself and these divisions were loosely detined ; and the same
vagueness is to be found in the writings of those authors who fol-
lowed his method. Perhaps Dr Walter Charleton, Physician in
Ordinary to Charles II. was the first who had a full conviction of
the importance of system, but his attempt to arrange the Mollusca
is very faulty.* The Limaces he places with apodous insects ; and
aquatic animals being divided as usual into the sanguineous and
exsanguineous, the remaining molluscans are arranged under two
classes—viz. the mollia or molluscula and the testacea. The first
embraces all the cuttles and the Lepus marinus or Aplysia ; the se-
cond the shelled tribes whose primary sections are the same as those
of Aristotle’s, while his genera, in general without definitions, rest
on characters of little or no value. Jean-Daniel Major, Profes-
sor of Practical Medicine in the University of Keil, in the dutchy of
Holstein, was the next to make the attempt, (1675,) which is pro-
nounced by two critics, to whose opinion much deference has been
shown, to be “ infinitely too complicated and ramifying to admit of
any useful application.” Sibbald, Grew, Bonanni, Lister, Langius,
Hebenstreit, Tournefort, D’Argenville, and Klein are perhaps the
principal who followed in their wake, but it is evident that they had
all entered on their task without a previous study of what the real
object and use of method was, what principles were to guide them
in framing the various sections, or what the relative bearing of these
divisions on one another should be. The division of shells primarily
into Multivalve, Bivalve, and Univalve had perhaps superseded the
Aristotelian, and many new divisions of secondary rate were of
course invented, but they were arbitrary, founded on no common
principle, either too lax or too complex to be applicable in practice,
cumbersome to the memory, and clumsy in writing. To analyse

‘ Onomastikon Zoikon. Lond. 1671. 4to.
3

Mistory of Conchology. 251

these methods would be wearisome and unprofitable-—they were
next to useless when promulgated, and have now noattraction even
in the eyes of the pure conchologist. It is when we rise from their
examination that we are in the best mood to appreciate the merits
of Linnzus, and feel inclined to nod in complacent assentation to
all the pans which have been so often sung to his praise.

Linneus having, with a tact characteristic of his genius for sys-
tem, divided invertebrated animals into two great classes—Insecta
and Vermes,—was less happy in his reduction of the latter into their
secondary groups or orders. The testaceous mollusca occupy one
order by themselves, in which there are four sections of equal value—
the multivalve, bivalve (Conche,) the univalves with a regular
spire (Cochlew_), and the univalves without a regular spire.* In
each section there are several genera defined with neat precision,—
the characters of the multivalves being derived from the position of
the valves,—of the bivalves from the number and structure of the
hinge-teeth, or, in the absence of these, from a part influencing the
opening of the valves,—of the Cochlezx from the unilocular or mul-
tilocular shell, but in most from the formation of the aperture ; while
in the last division the shape of the shell affords the means of dis-
criminating them, excepting in Teredo, which is defined “ T. in-
trusa ligno,” in evident contrariety to his principles and his better
custom. The naked tribes are placed in the order denominated
*« Mollusca,” where they stand, in ‘‘ admired disorder,” with radi-
ated zoophytes, annelidans, parasitical worms, and the Echinoder-
mata, which latter, however, are better in this strange miscellany,
than they were when they stood either amongst simple or multi-
valved shells.

In estimating the merits of this system it is not fair to look back
from our present vantage ground, and magnify its defects by a compa-
rison with modern classifications : we are in candour to place ourselves
behind its author, and looking forward, say how far his efforts have
been useful or quickening.t Standing thus we trust to offend none of
his admirers when we admit that there is nothing in its principle of
a novel character : the soft mollusca were previously recognized and
better assorted by Charleton ; and every one of the sections, and, if

* The expounders of Linnzus’ system do not adopt this last division,—why
it is difficult to say. By disregarding it they have injured the naturalness of the
method.

+ The first edition of the ‘ Systema Nature’ was published in 1735, but 1758
is properly the year which gave birth to his conchological system, when the 10th
edition was published. It was perfected in 1766.

252 _— History of Conchology.

we mistake not, of the genera also, of the shelled tribes had been al-
ready recognized. It labours under the censure of having too small
regard to the animal, a censure in some degree just, for assuredly
more was known of these than the definitions of the “ Systema”
would lead us to suppose ; and it had still less regard to the position
of the groups in reference to their organical affinities. It often as-
sociates species of dissimilar habits ; and species are found in almost
every genus at variance with the character of this, and where con-
sequently the student ought not to have sought for them. The su-
periority of it hes in its simplicity ; in the regulated subordination
of all its parts ; in the admirable sagacity with which the families ~
or genera are limited ; in the assumption of more stable characters
for these, and for the clear distinct manner in which they are ap-
plied ; in the suitableness of its nomenclature ; in the invention of
trivial names which gave a facility in writing hitherto unknown, and
was a welcome relief to the memory ; in the conciseness of the spe-
cific characters and the skill with which those characters were chos-
en; in the regular indication of the stations which the species oc-
cupy on the globe; and in the beauty of the more extended de-
scriptions, and the peculiar felicity of language in which the thoughts
suggested by any remarkable structure in the species under review
are conveyed to us. That merits of this kind should secure him
something more than approbation was natural: there was much ex-
cellence in it which prejudice or jealousy only could not see, and
which folly alone would have rejected ; and while every collector and
amateur found it easy to be understood, ready in practice, and neat
in nomenclaturing their cabinets, their pursuit assumed the garb
of science when they could tell the scorner that they were following
the steps, and had the sanction, of a man whose genius has justly
won him a place in the first rank of those whom succeeding ages con-
tinue to venerate for the good they have done in the promotion of
useful knowledge.

While the eyes of almost all were turned to this northern lumi-
nary for light to guide them in their pursuit, or as an object by
barking at which a few drew notice on their littleness, Jussieu of
Paris, the admirer of Linnzus’ genius and industry, and his corre-
spondent, was explaining to his select but few disciples the princi-
ples of what has been commonly called the “ Natural System.”
Jussieu’s profound studies were confined to botany, but he had col-
leagues and contemporaries who attempted their application to con-
chology, and whose want of success is to be ascribed mainly to the
meagerness of the anatomy of the mollusca then attained, to the few-

History of Conchology. 253

ness of the observations made on the living species, and in part also
to the imperfection of the views of the authors. Daubenton, the
colleague of Buffon, so early as 1743, insisted on a knowledge of the
animal as necessary to form a natural classification of shells ; and in
1756, Guettard, who was the personal friend of Jussieu, not only
gave his sanction to this opinion, but shewed its practicability and
excellence by defining, from the peculiarities of the animal and shell
combined, a considerable number of the univalves, comprehending
among these, in evident agreement with their relations, though con-
trary to general use, the slugs, the Aplysia, and the Bullea. But
the fullest attempt of this kind was made by Adanson, whose
work on Senegal was published some years before Linnzus had given
the last revision to his system. Impelled by an indomitable enthu-
siasm, Adanson visited Senegal, under many disadvantages, to ex-
amine and describe the natural productions of a tropical climate ; and
for this purpose he made very extensive collections in every depart-
ment of nature, but of his great work the first volume only, contain-
ing the outline of his travels and his account of the shells, was ever
given to the public. The character of this volume has risen with
the progress of the science, and it is more valued by the concholo-
gists of the present day than it was by the contemporaries of its au-
thor. He had some personal peculiarities—too visible in his writings
—which could not fail to hurt his popularity : an austere tempera-
ment, which caused him to treat his fellow-labourers with contemptu-
ous acerbity,—a mind that would neither bend to nor treat with re-
spect the prejudices as he deemed them of his age,—an unflinching
severity in criticising the writings of others, and a pertinacious
tenacity of his own views,—while some barbarisms he attempted
to introduce into the nomenclature of conchology repelled the na-
turalists of a too nice taste, and the very extent of his requirements
from those who claimed to be naturalists operated against him, for
it was not to be supposed that mere collectors or virtuosos were to
enter on so difficult a path, or would be willing to allow themselves
to be pushed aside as idlers, and put without the pale of the scien-
tific circle. That very beauty, he exclaims, which by its variety
has attracted the regards of men to shells has become an obstacle to
their knowledge. <‘ La coquille seule dépositaire de cette riche
arure, a fait mépriser l’animal auquel elle servoit de couverture,
o est devenue seule l’objet de l’admiration de quelques natura-
_ listes. Epris, comme les curieux, de la beauté frappante de ses
couleurs, ils n’ont pas jugé que l’habitant fut digne de leurs re-
cherches, et le difficulté de se le procurer a chaque instant, n’a pas

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:
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254 History of Conchology.

peu contribué a augmenter leur dédain. Ils se sont donc bornés
Vexamen des coquilles, ils n’en ont considéré que le forme, celle de
son ouverture, on le nombre de ses pieces; c’est d’elle seule qu’ils
ont voulu tirer leurs caracteres primitifs et distinctifs: de-la cette
foule de systémes aussi peu satisfaisans les uns que les autres.’*
At a season when ‘ Systems’ were all in vogue Adanson, with
characteristic boldness, declared himself their enemy as being worse
than useless, fit ouly to amuse triflers, certain to lead to error and
alienate us from true views of the objects in question, and so easy of
invention to boot that several equally good might be made by one
of common experience and capacity. The history of conchology
had already offered too many examples of the truth of this assertion,
and he was not slack to give additional specimens in its illustration.
But notwithstanding his philippick against them, Adanson, in some
measure, forgot his own principles, and was little less of a systema-
tist than those were whom he censured. Shell-fish were, according
to him, distinguishable in the first place into “ Limagons” and “ Con-
ques ;” the former were subdivided into univalves and operculated
univalves, and the Conques into bivalves and multivalves; these
primary families were still further divided into smaller groups from
the position of the eyes in the Limagons, and from the figure of the
respiratory tubes in the Conques. Now it was a pure arbitrariness
in him to fix upon the operculum as a part or organ of primary value,
for there is nothing in its use or position to justify the choice, nor
did he attempt, by any analysis, to show that it was a regulator of
structure and habits; and it was equally arbitrary to divide the bi-
valves into two sections on the mere existence of afew additional
pieces over the hinge, for these pieces were not proved to be an index
to the animal’s economy. But Adanson’s services to conchology are
very great,—of those its labourers who have passed in review we place
him next to Lister. He has the merit of having altogether remoy-
ed from the Testacea the Lepas and Balani, whose structure he saw
was modelled after the type of another category ; his interesting dis-
covery of the Vermetus was a fine illustration of the shell being of
itself useless as a character in natural history ; and his knowledge of
affinities was made evident by the acuteness which lead him to ap-
proximate the Teredo to the Pholas. If not the first to point out
the importance of the operculum, he was undoubtedly the first who
knew its value as an index to natural relationship hetween genera ;
perhaps the first who was fully aware that the entireness or canali-

* Hist. des Coquillages, pref. v.

—

———— EE

History of Conchology. 255

culate formation of the aperture of the shell gave an insight into the
habits of the snail in regard to food ; the first too to point out fully
the influence of age and sex in altering the shape of the shell, and
more especially of its aperture ; the first to describe and delineate the
animal tenant of many genera; and although his attention was ex-
clusively directed to external characters, yet we are above all in-
debted to him for his strong advocacy of the maxim that the anatomy
of the animal was the sole sure foundation of a rational arrangement
which had in view the mutual affinities of the objects it attempted to
classify, and present them not fancifully commixed as they might be
placed in a museum, but according to those characters which nature it-
self had given them of affinity or dissemblance. ‘ There is then,” he
says, “ in shell-fish something more to consider than their shells ;
the snail which tenants them ought to guide our methodical arrange-
ments, to be our only regulator, since it is the principal part, that
which gives to the exterior skeleton its form, size, hardness, colours,
and all the other peculiarities in it which we admire. If we atten-
tively examine this new and forgotten race, if we consider individual-
ly the members of it, we shall discover in their manners, in their ac-
tions, in their movements and manner of life, an infinitude of curious
circumstances, of facts interesting and fitted to arrest the attention
of every zealous and intelligent observer ; we shall perceive in the
organism of their bodies a great number of parts remarkable in their
structure and use ; and in entering into details we shall soon be com-
pelled to grant that this study is no childish play, but as thorny and
full of difficulties as any other in the wide range of natural history.”*

The example of Adanson was followed by Geoffroy who, in a his-
tory of the shells found in the vicinity of Paris, attempted to arrange
them on the external anatomy of their animals ; and by Muller, who
described in the same manner the mollusca of the north of Europe.
The writings of Muller are still deservedly held in high estimation.
They contain the descriptions of many novelties, and his descriptions
of them, as well as of species previously known, are remarkable for
their accuracy ; they are thickly strewed with notices of the exter-
nal anatomy and habits of those he had examined alive ; and his style
of writing is interesting, rising occasionally to eloquence. As an ob-
server and teller of what he had observed, he claims a place among
the first, but he was the discoverer of no fact in their structure or
physiology of any consequence—we speak in reference to the mol-
luseca only; and his systematic efforts were limited and partial, al-

* Lib. sup. cit. pref. x.

256 | History of Conchology.

though he sometimes drops a hint on the subject, which makes us
almost believe that he was capable of better things, had he had courage
to have made the attempt.* In relation to the mollusca he clearly
saw the impropriety of making the presence or absence of the shell
an ordinal character; and he knew, vaguely it may be, the affinity
between the bivalvular mollusca and the Tunicata. “ For what’—
we translate his words—“ are the Testacea but mollusca furnished
with a shell, and what are mollusca but Testacea destitute of it?
There is the most exact agreement of the tenants of the univalve
shells which are called Helices with the naked slugs; and an agree-
ment not to be overlooked of bivalves with the Ascidia ; and the very
error of our predecessors, who said that slugs were merely snails which
had crept out of their shells, proves their near affinity. Besides the
insensible but evident transition of nature from the naked Limax to
the testaceous—passing from the former, which at most has the mere
rudiment of an internal shell to the latter by means of the Buccinum
(Lymnza) glutinosum, which conceals its membranous shell under
a fleshy mantle, supports plainly our opinion. Therefore I do not
doubt that a future age will join together the naked slugs and the
shelled snails, which authors have separated into different orders.”
“‘ If we wish,” he writes in another place, “ properly to know and
discriminate natural objects, they must be considered in every point
of view and in all states, so far as human imbecility will permit. The
attainment of knowledge is thus indeed rendered more difficult, but
at the same time more pleasant and accurate ; genera indeed are mul-
tiplied, but by this way only, if by any, can species ever be determin-
ed. This is the alpha and omega of our labours, since systems and
methods and genera are arbitrary and framed by the narrow limits of
our knowledge. Nature acknowledges one division of created bodies
only—the living and brute matter—spurning for the most part the
arrangements of systematists into classes and orders, families and
genera, and her productions are often so affined that their limits can
never be strictly fixed. Characters derived from the interior and ex-
terior structure of bodies deceive us not solely in the higher divisions ;
and even the manner of life and the mode of propagation do not af-
ford any certain distinctions either in those races which are visible
or in those which are invisible to the naked eye. There is therefore
only one family, and one Father of all, who has marked with a con-
stant character all species whatever from the Monad to the turret-

* His ‘ Method,’ as detailed by himself, is as artificial as the Linnean, and ac-

tually less in harmony with the animal organization.
+

History of Conchology. 257

bearing Elephant, and has distinguished Man alone with a reasonable
soul.” *

The celebrated Pallas was another who at this period had ob-
tained a glimpse of the true relations of the mollusca as a class even
clearer than Miiller,+ but he did not pursue the subject, and as his
slight incidental notice, though it might have originated inquiry in a
predisposed mind, was not otherwise of a nature to produce any effect,
so the pains of Geoffroy and Miller were equally unproductive. The
authority of Linneus prevailed every where. The force of his genius
having swept away all previous systems, there was no other safety for
a naturalist, than to take refuge in the Linnean ark, which floated
on the surface proud amid the ruins,—the systems of his contempo-
raries also sinking one after another in the waters of forgetfulness.
His disciples were distinguished by their enthusiasm in the pursuit
of nature, and their love of their master; and the facility with which
they found their discoveries were registered, and the easy nature of
the discoveries which sufficed to give them a certain reputation, re-
quiring nought but zeal, opportunity, and a knowledge of the ‘ Sys-
tema’ not difficult to be acquired, rivetted their attachments. In
England nothing was tolerated that was not according to the letter
of Linnzus: his works were a code of laws which, like an act of
Parliament, was to be interpreted verbally, and the spirit of them
was unseen or overlooked. Under his reforming hand, Conchology
having passed “ from confusion and incongruity to lucid order and sim-
plicity,” the slightest attempt to alter this order was treated as an
attempt to replunge us into the chaos, whence he had brought us,
and further improvement or alteration was declared to be futile, since
the “ beauties” of the Linnean “ must perpetuate its pre-eminence.”
Were it shewn that, from the very subsidiary station the animal was,
made to occupy in this system, there was a fear attention should be
drawn from the object most worthy of it, we were seriously told that
the animal, even could it be procured, which was doubtful, would
never present those “ permanent and obvious points of distinction”
indispensable in the application of a system meant to be practical.
Wherein does the animal differ, it was asked in a tone of triumph,
signifying that reply was impossible,—“ wherein does the animal
differ from an unshapen mass of lifeless matter when coiled up with-
in its shelly habitation? And how are its natural shape and appen-
dages to be examined, but by the knife of an anatomist ?”{ Were

it proved, what indeed was most palpable, that species of opposite

* See the Prefatio to his Verm. Ter. et Fluv. Vol. i. 1773.
+ Misc. Zool. p. 72, 73. Lug. Batav. 1778.
¢ Lin. Trans. vii. p. 177.

258 History of Conchology.

habits and habitations were huddled together under a common head,
it was answered that to derive characters from such particulars was
contrary to axiom and unphilosophical ; and if it were demonstrative
that the class of Testacea, as a whole, was constituted of heterogene-
ous disparates,—es for example when Pallas indicated the difference
between this class and the Serpulz,—what then? Nature gloried in
variety and oppositions, and was herself systemless,* as if it were
possible to believe that He who made every thing in wisdom and
order had shook His creatures from His hand, with the same wanton
unordered profusion that the poet has represented the jocund May,
flinging the flowerets from her teeming lap. Such were the futile
reasons by which this System was upheld, and so firm was its des-
potism that, until within these twenty years, there was little or no
relaxation on its hold of public opinion ; and its evil effects are too
evident in the superficialness of the productions which emanated from
this school.

Even in France the Linnzan system soon became little less pre-
dominant. under the leading of Bruguiere, but the regard the French
paid to it was ofa less slavish character than it had assumed in Britain.
Bruguiere, though a Linnzan in principle, carried forward in some de-
gree the system of his master by intercalating several new and ob-
viously necessary genera ; and he was otherwise aconchologist of high-
er attainments than any England could at that period boast of. He
cannot be said to have promoted conchology in any very sensible de-
gree, but he made no effort to arrest it, or detain the science at the
stage where Linnzeus had left it. Nor indeed is it perhaps possible to
stop the march of any, however trivial the branch of science, to perfec-
tion. Like the operations of Nature in her living productions ever tend-
ing to maturity, there are periods of acceleration and delay, and causes
may for a season induce a sickly weakness that waits long for a re-
medy, but come at last this will. Conchology was now in her sickly
time,—nevertheless in a state of constant advancement. Ellis, Baster,
Bohadtch, Pallas, Muller, Forskal, Solander, and Otho Fabricius, all
of whom might have seen Linnzus in the flesh, and were his imme-
diate successors, drew attention to the naked molluscans in particu-

* « Nature does not seem to have observed any system, and an artificial one

will ever be attended with anomalies. Whatever method therefore most readily

leads to the subject under investigation, is certainly the best, and im this case it
is of small importance where that subject is placed, or how far it is removed
from others to which it seems to bear a general resemblance.”—Maton in Pul-
teney’s Life of Linneus, p. 2388.—Sir J. E, Smith also allows himself to talk of
the “ irregularities of Nature,” as an apology for some inconsistencies in the
zoological works of Linneus.—Tracts, p. 136.

History of Conchology- 259

lar whose curious variety was enticing and provocative to further
quest ; Herissant, Scopoli, Bruguiere, and Olivi, described many spe-
cies with their animals, and entered too into physiological questions
which it was worthy reasonable men to solve; Knorr, Davila, Mar-
tini and Chemnitz, Schroter, Born, Pennant, Da Costa, and Martyn,
set forth at intervals volumes of figures more numerous in species
and more correct than had been hitherto attempted; and the minute
or microscopic species, which notwithstanding their littleness have
played a most important part in the revolutions of our globe, were
well illustrated in the works of Soldani, Plancus, Boys and Walker,
and of Fichtel and Moll. Yet this array of names only proves a
wider spread of the study,—the students may have been, and we think
were, mediocrists, —many of them were simply ichniographistsand col-
lectors.* We can remember no discovery by which to distinguish
the period, for the developement or improvement of an artificial sys-
tem, the accumulation of species, and their more accurate discrimi-
nation, though points of considerable importance, are not sufficient-
ly so to mark an era. Perhaps the most curious and interesting
discovery that was made in it is that of the capability of the snail to
reproduce its tentacula, eyes, and head, when these have been cut off,
—the phenomena of which singular reintegration were amply eluci-<
dated by the experiments of Spallanzani, Bonnet, and others.

The first to raise us from this enchained slumber was Cuvier. Be-
fore this great naturalist entered the field, Poli, a Neapolitan physi-
cian, had indeed anatomized with admirable skill the bivalved mollus-
ca of his native shores, and had constructed a new arrangement of
them from the characters of the animal alone, but partly from the
political position of Europe, partly from the very expensive fashion
in which Poli’s work was published, and its consequent extremely
limited circulation, and in part also from the partial application of
his system and its didactick character, the erroneousness of his gene-
ral views, and the novelty of his nomenclature,—we cannot trace its
influence either as diffusive or propulsive of conchology. The result

* It is most especially necessary to except from this remark John Hunter,
but his labours and views were not published, and were not appreciated. “ John
Hunter was a great discoverer in his own science ; but one who well knew him
has told us, that few of his contemporaries perceived the ultimate object of his
pursuits ; and his strong and solitary genius laboured to perfect his designs
without the solace of sympathy, without one cheering approbation.” —D Israeli’s
Literary Character, Vol.i. p. 146. See Abernethy’s Physiological Lectures, p.
193, for a list of the Mollusca anatomized and exhibited in Hunter’s Museum ;
also p. 217, 263.

260 History of Conchology.

of Cuvier’s labours was happily very different. In 1788, when he was
scarcely nineteen years of age, circumstances fixed Cuvier for a time
at Caen in Normandy. His sojourn on the borders of the sea indu-
ced him, already an enthusiast in natural history, to study marine ani-
mals, more especially the mollusca, and the anatomies of them which
he now made conducted him to the developement of his great views
on the whole of the animal kingdom. With unwearied zeal he col-
lected the materials which were at no distant date to become the
basis of a classification which run through all its details in a harmo-
nious parallelism with the developement of organization, so that
the student of it when in search of the name and place of the object
in his hand was necessitated simultaneously to acquire a knowledge
of its principal structural peculiarities, on which, again, as Cuvier
beautifully explained, all its habits in relation to food, to habitation,
and to locomotion were made dependant. ‘The Linnzan system of
avertebrated animals, even in its primary sections, rested on a single
external character. The Insecta were antennulated, and the Vermes
were tentaculated avertebrates. Had the character been constant
or even general, it might have had some claim for adoption, but to
a want of constancy was added the fundamental defect of its inap-
preciable influence over the organisms of the hody. Cuvier’s object
being to give us not merely a key to the name, but to make that key
open at the same time a knowledge of the structure and relations of
the ‘creature, such arbitrary assumption of a character was to him
useless. After innumerable dissections had made him familiar with
many structures, and after a careful consideration of the respective
value of characters, as shown in their constancy and influence on the
economy of the species, Cuvier resolved to divide the animal king-
dom, not as hitherto into two, but into four principal sub-kingdoms,
drawing their lines of separation from differences exhibited in the
plan on which their muscular, their nervous, and their circulating
systems were formed. “ There exist in nature,” he says, “ fowr prin-
cipal forms, or general plans, according to which all animals seem
to have been modelled, and the ulterior divisions of which, whatever
name the naturalist may apply to them, are but comparatively slight
modifications, founded on developement or addition of certain parts,
which do not change the essence of the plan.” Of these forms the
mollusca furnish the second, of which the essential character is de-
rived from the peculiar arrangement of the nervous system, consist-
ing of some ganglions scattered as it were irregularly through the
hody, and from each of which nerves radiate to its various organs.
As there is no skeleton, so the muscles are attached to the skin,

a

History of Conchology. 261

which forms a soft contractile envelope protected, in many species by
a shell. The greater number possess the senses of taste and sight,
but the last is often wanting. “Only one family can boast of the
organ of hearing; they have always a complete system of circulation,
and organs peculiarly adapted to respiration ; those of digestion and
secretion are nearly as complicated as the same organs in vertebrated
animals.”* The sub-kingdom, characterized and limited by those im-
portant features, is next divided into six classes,the characters of which
are mostly derived from the organs of locomotion, or others not
less influential. Thus the Cephalopodes bear their feet and arms like
a coronet round the summit of the head; the Pteropodes swim in
their native seas by fin-like oars ; and the Gasteropodes crawl on the
belly by means of a flat disk or sole. Reaching now tribes among
whom the organs of motion are less developed, and accordingly less
influential on their manners, Cuvier resorts to others. Thus the
fourth class is named Acéphales, because it is strikingly distinguished
by the want of head and amorphous form of its constituents; the
Brachiopodes are equally acephalous, but near the mouth they have
two fringed fleshy organs which simulate feet; and the Cirropodes
have several pairs of subarticulated fringed feet, in addition to a multi-
valved shell of a peculiar construction. The orders of these classes,
when the class admits of further subdivision, rest upon distinct dif-
ferences in the structure and position of the branchie or respiratory
organs ; and when we reflect a moment on the paramount necessity
of these to the animal, and their necessary co-adaptation to its locali-
ty and wants, it is scarcely possible to conceive that a happier choice
could have been made.

It were unsuitable to our purpose to explain at greater length the
Cuvierian system. Enough has been said to show its vast superiori-
ty to all that had preceded it ; and the solidity of its basis is proved
by the fact that the numerous recent discoveries in this department
have not shaken it, or altered its principles. The lower divisions and
sections have been improved and increased, the definitions have been
rendered more technical and precise, but every method which has fol-
lowed, both in its outline and main features, are merely modifications,
and very slight ones, of Cuvier’s. He always regarded his labours in
this field with peculiar satisfaction, and watched their offspring with
some degree of jealousy, unwilling that the parentage should be either
doubtful or divided. ‘ It is well known,” he says, “ how much care
and time I have devoted to the anatomy of the mollusca in general,

* Memoirs of Cuvier by Mrs Lee, p. 107-9.
VOL. II. No. 9. s

262 | History of Conchology.

and in particular to the knowledge of the naked mollusca. The de-
termination of the class, its principal divisions and subdivisions, all re-
pose upon my own observations, for the magnificent work of M. Poli
aided me no further than by some descriptions, and some anatomies
useful to my end, and these were confined to the multivalves and bi-
valves. I have verified all the facts which that able anatomist has
furnished me, and, as I think, have determined with more accuracy
the functions of some organs. I have alsosought to characterize the
animals to which the principal forms of shells belong, and to classify
these in accordance with the organization of their inhabitants, leaving
the ulterior divisions of them into genera and subgenera, to those
who devote themselves in particular to this kind of work.” *

Did not our pages, on which we have already too much transgressed
with this subject, forbid the attempt, we would gladly go on to trace the
effects of Cuvier’s example and views. It must suffice to say, that they
raised the character of the conchologist, and gave a more philosophical
tone to his pursuit ; they originated a new school, with better directed
zeal, and a higher aim, and numbers became disciples when they saw
that here as much satisfaction and profit was to be reapedasinthe study
of almost any other class, for it may be laid down as an axiom that
no branch of natural history, however apparently trifling, “ but
may be ennobled by the manner in which it is pursued ; and when the
student carries all its wonders back to the one Great Source, the
smallest worm and the most beautiful of his own species will afford
him subjects for the deepest contemplation.” For some years Cu-
vier’s system, even in France, divided the favour of naturalists with
the more artfully constructed one of Lamarck, remarkable for the
precision and neatness of all its details, and its better adaptation to the
purposes of the mere nomenclaturist ; and in Britain we knew little
of Cuvier, until the peace of 1816 had restored a friendly corre-
spondence between the men of science of Europe, and it was some
years later still until his merits as a naturalist were appreciated, and
his system began to weaken and dissolve our Linnzan prejudices.
To indicate the modifications which this system has been made to
undergo in the hands of Lamarck, Gray, Blainville, Oken, Latreille,
&c. is here impossible ;—the same with the improvements proposed
on the arrangement of the Cephalopodes and Brachiopodes by Owen,
of the Pteropodes by Sander Rang, of the pulmoniferous Gasteropo-
des by De Ferrusac, of the Bivalves by Deshayes, and of the shelless
Acephales by Savigny. We must pass over in the same silence the

* Regne Animal, i. Pref. p. xxvi.

History of Conchology. 263

anatomical and physiological discoveries which so remarkably distin-’
guish the few last years, and have given that fulness and perfection
to the knowledge of molluscans which Linnzans were never weary
of telling us was unattainable. Berkeley, Blainville, Bojanus, Carus,
Chamisso, Deshayes, D’Orbigny, Dumas, Grant, Gray, Jacobson,
Milne-Edwards, Muller, Owen, Lund, Sander Rang, Roux, Savigny,
Sharpey, Unger, Vanbeneden, Armand de Quatrefages, Prevost,—
to these naturalists our homage is justly due for their labours in this
field, which, however, we should remember, was comparatively bar-
ren, until Cuvier made evident its natural productiveness, and taught
us to plough deeper in the soil.

Such is a very hurried sketch of the history of a department of
the animal kingdom, to which we confess our partiality, and to which
the works placed at the head of this article are intended to introduce
us. None of them come up to our ideas of what an ‘ Introduction’
ought to be, and in none of them will the student find a compendious
view of the actual state of conchology in reference to the anatomy,
physiology, economy, and systematic classification of its members.
Blainville’s Manuel, indeed, is the only one which makes this pre-
tence, and had it been complete (which it was not) at the date of its
publication, subsequent discovery would now have rendered it defec-
tive. It is, however, even in its plan and design discommendable as
an introductory work. The division of it into two books, one appro-
priated to the animals, and the other to the shells, seems to us un-
fortunate, as tending to divide what ought ever to be studied in close
connection ; und his plan of describing the anatomy of the organs
in distinct and widely apart chapters, from the functions of them, is
liable to the same objection. His chapters considered separately are
dry and sketchy,—no spirit in his style, nor vigour in his delinea-
tions, no wandering into pleasant digressions, no indulgence in higher
and aberrant contemplations, when the wonders of structure—its
beauties and singularities open upon him in such a manner as might
seem enough “ to excitate the earthiest soul.” Indeed Blainville has
made his book rather an exposition of his own views, and of his own
system, than an introduction to what was known and done by others ;
and as his system has not been adopted, nor his nomenclature ap-
proved, the value of the work is thus much lowered to a student.
With these deductions, however, he will find in it much information
not accessible otherwise in so compendious a form,—a manual he will
not often read, but which he must frequently consult.

Sander Rang might, without a charge of immodesty, have inscrib-
ed on his title-page, the “‘ parva sed apta” which Mr Swainson has,

264 ——— History of Conchology.

with so little propriety and a good deal of vanity, adopted. This
excellent volume is an exposition of Cuvier’s system of molluscans»
with such alterations and additions as recent discoveries seem to have
rendered advisable and necessary. It contains a very ample charac-
ter of the classes, orders, families, and genera, in which, as is becom-
Ing, the attention is principally directed to those exhibited by the
living animal. He informs us that his materials were chiefly taken
from the works of Adanson, Poli, Cuvier, and Blainville ; but from his
proper study, and during his travels as an officer of marines, he had
been able to compare their descriptions, made in general on dead spe-
cimens, with the animal in life, and had hence been able to rectify
some errors and add new characters. The “ discours sommaire” con-
tains a rapid but spirited and correct review of the exterior anatomy
and principal internal viscera ; and throughout we have scattered no-
tices on the habits of numerous species of great interest. Some of
these we would have willingly transferred to our review, had our
space allowed ; and this is the less necessary as the volume ought to
be in the hands of every conchologist. It is, however, too systema-
tic in its plan to be considered elementary, for those details of struc-
ture, function, and habits, which are not subservient to system, have
been purposely excluded,-while they must constitute the base of every
introduction worthy of attention.

The “ Genera” of Sowerby is just the opposite of Rang’s. The
latter is a very small and a very cheap volume, the former is a work
of large extent and great expence ; the one treats of living creatures,
and in every page there is evidence of a warm enthusiasm in their
study, the other concerns itself with the shell only, and the letter-
press 1s sobered down to suit the gravity of science. Sowerby’s book
is in fact intended rather for the collector of a cabinet of shells, than
for the student of living mollusca, and to the geologist it is perhaps
indispensable. The genera are carefully defined, and the limits of
each exactly pointed out, and illustrated by a series of admirable fi-
gures drawn from characteristic specimens. It is to be regretted that
this work has been so long in course of publication, now we imagine
some twelve or fourteen years,—for the incompleted state in which it
is left detracts from its usefulness, and renders its consultation very
irksome and inconvenient.

We refrain from giving an opinion of Mr Swainson’s Elements,
for humble critics are incompetent to estimate the worth of a pam-
phlet which the author avows was written because he excells in the
knowledge of the subject, and because he had not met with any in-
troduction which his children would not hereafter have to unlearn /

History of Conchology. 265

To this severity of censure his predecessors may naturally demur, and,
perhaps, there is some ground for retaliation, but that is an affair be-
tween themselves with which we need not meddle. To our children, or
readers, we cannot for our part recommend the boastful “ Elements,”
because we would wish them to be something better than amateurs,
and to know something more of conchology than the names of the
things they collect. The work is written in evident obedience to
the adage—“ a great book is a great evil;’—and in 62 duodecimo
pages we find an explanation of the few terms used in describing
shells, a distribution of these after the quinary plan, not more success-
ful than Oken’s was when he arranged them after the sacred number
of four, with definitions of all the genera simply and neatly done, but
the characters derived exclusively from the shells; and lastly a chap-
ter on collecting, preserving, and arranging these bodies, and a plan
of study. We shall defer our exposition of Mr Swainson’s system
until the publication of “ the Conchological volume of Dr Lardner’s
Cabinet of Natural History shortly to be published.”

“ It is easier to refute error than to establish truth :” quoth the
Rev. Mr Burrow with sententious profoundness, “ thus, the several
writers who have dissented from the Linnzan school have, indeed,
satisfactorily pointed out some flaws in the great fabric of the ‘ Sys-
tema Nature ;’ but in attempting to eradicate the faulty parts, and to
supply their place more fitly, they have injured some of the main sup-
ports, and have nearly involved the whole edifice in ruin. (Very
pretty !)—The following pages are devoted to the task of facilitating
the study of conchology, on the method of the Swedish naturalist ;
and they are written under the firm persuasion, that a material change
is dangerous even in speculative matters, when the principle has
stood the test of general consent, and when the means of reaching
perfection are not yet, or, perhaps, may never be, attainable.” —Such
is the twaddle—and there is much more of the same sort of stuff—
with which Mr B. recommends his ‘ Elements,’ containing, in this
year A. D. 1836, nothing more than a dry unprofitable exposition of
the Linnzan system, the spirit of which the author does not compre-
hend. Living remote from “ public haunt,” and consequently in igno-
rance of the progress of conchology among the metropolitan connois-
seurs, we had concluded that the race of Linnzans had become ex-
tinct, but it seems we have erred in our haste, and that some of them
are still in a living active state, for it were otherwise a sad prospect
to his publisher were this reverend gentleman to be alone left like

“« The late-blown rose
“ Lingering after all the rest.”

266 . Fauna Japonica, §c.

It is from a full conviction that such productions as the one before
us lessen and degrade a favourite pursuit in the eyes of all rational
men, and make it a laughing-stock to the satirical, that we feel cal-
led upon to protest upon their being received as evidence touching the
nature of our studies. So we willingly consign this one to our high-
est shelf, where it shall remain to gather the dust that already co-
vers, with a thick and undisturbed repose, the very similar volumes of
Mr Brookes and Captain Brown, and the “ exquisite Conchologist’s
Companion” of Miss Mary Roberts, who, however, sometimes enlivens
her pages with a sort of quixotical sentimentalism and a blundering

absurdity that provokes a smile ;—and thus only doth she surpass her
competitors.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

Fauna Japonica. Auctore Pu. Fr. De S1esotp.—Ophidii ela-
borantibus C. J. Temminck et H. Scuxiecer. Fol. Lugduni
Batav.

Tue Erpetologie of Japan has hitherto been sparingly illustrated.
The present number of this interesting work, commencing the Ophi-
dit, is therefore an important addition to our knowledge of the natu-
ral history of the Japanese empire. Former naturalists have borne
testimony that that department of the Fauna was very circumscribed,
and the present researches, in the words of Temminck and Schlegel,
have produced “ collections a la verité riches en individus, mais ou
les espéces sont toujours bornées a un nombre tres-limite.” The spe-
cies here described are only ten in number: 3 species of Coluber, 2
of Tropidonatus, 1 Trigonocephalus, and 4 Hydrophis. The plates are
lithographic and nicely executed, but uncoloured; hence all the ge-
neric characters, and the expression of the scaling are distinctly seen,
while we have to regret the want of those vivid tints which gene-
rally adorn the exterior of these creatures.

A part of the introductory portion of the whole work is also given,
which we shall notice more in detail at an early period.

A Synopsis of the Birds of Australia and the adjacent Islands. By
Joun Goutp, F.L. S. Part II. Royal 8vo. 1837.

The second number of this peculiarly managed work has just been
forwarded to us. It equals its predecessor in the beauty of its finish-
ing, and we have illustrations of the characters of forty species, com-
prised in the genera Monarcha, Amadina, Pardalotus, Platycercus,
Nanodes, Meliphaga, Acanthorhynchus, (a genus formed from the

4

Catalogue of Flowerless Plants of Great Britain. 267

Meliphaga tenuriostris of Vig. and Horsf. ;) Coturnix, Hemipodius,
Aigialitis, (a name proposed by Vieillot for a family among the Gral-
latores, here used as a generic title for the form of Charadrius re-
presented by the little ring-dotterel Ch. hiaticula ;) Himantopus, of
which the species described, H. palmatus, Gould, is extremely interest-
ing, as exhibiting a complete palmation or web between the toes, and
thus running into the avosets, Recurvirostra, Oxyura, and Sterna.

Catalogue of the Cellulares or Flowerless Plants of Great Britain, or
those included in the Linnean class Cryptogamia ; compiled from
Sir W. J. Hooker’s English Flora, Vol. V.; Sir J. E. Smith’s
English Flora, Vol. IV.; Mackay’s Flora Hibernica ; Henslow’s
Catalogue of British Plants, and other sources. By W. A. Lereu-
Ton, B. A., F. B.S. Ed. 8vo. London, Longman, 1837.

This sheet, as indicated by the title, is a mere catalogue, which has
been deemed necessary on account of “ the increased and increasing
study of the Cryptogamic tribes.” It is intended to facilitate the in-
terchange of species, to afford a convenient index for the herbarium,
and, if interleaved, to serve as a book for memoranda, regarding some
of the rarer species. For the above purposes this catalogue cannot
fail to be useful, and, being printed on a single large sheet, it can be
transmitted by mail at the charge of a single postage, and afterwards
cut and folded, as its possessor may find most convenient. The price
of the sheet is sixpence.

A History of British Birds, Indigenous and Migratory, including |
their organization, habits, and relations, remarks on Classification
and Nomenclature ; an account of the principal organs of birds,
and observations relative to practical Ornithology. Illustrated
by numerous engravings. By Wituiam Macciciivray. Vol. I.
8vo. London, 1837.

The work bearing the above title is a thick octavo volume of 631
pages, having for its object “ to lay before the public, descriptions of
the birds of Great Britain, more extended and, if possible, more cor-
rect than any previously offered.” * We do not wish to appear unne-
cessarily critical regarding the manner in which Mr Macgillivray has
accomplished this object, but we should not act fairly to our subscri-
bers were we to say that it is done successfully. The writing ap-
pears to us an affected attempt to imitate the styles of Isaac Walton
and of Audubon, which, being extremely peculiar, can only be relished

* Preface.

268 History of British Birds.

in the originals,—and here, as in the case of similar imitations, we —
desiderate their freshness, and dislike the misplaced quaintness of ex-
pression. It appears trifling, while the meaning is by no means dis-
tinctly conveyed. The incidental remarks and digressions liberally _
dispersed through the volume, (often totally irrelevant to the sub-
ject, see p. 125,) are sometimes expressed scarcely with a kindly
feeling, and seem to show an inclination to undervalue the opinions of
others when a unison of ideas cannot be found.

This book is composed of two parts: The first, introductory ; the
second commences the history of the birds themselves belonging to
four of the orders, which our author has thought necessary to form
on principles of his own, and which are “ doubtless excellent and ad-
mirable in the eyes of their inventor.”

The introductory portion * contains, first, “ remarks on classifica-
tion and nomenclature,” and “ samples” of systems are given in out-
lines of those of Linnzus and Vieillot. Next follows an exposition
of our author’s own system. This is “ primarily divided into four
groups, sections, or sub-classes, determined by their mode of life,” and
they come in the place of the familiar divisions of “ land and water
birds.”+ They are, I. Aérial birds, Aves Aériz or Volitoriz ; II. Ter-
restrial, Aves Terrestres or Ambulatoriz ; III. Amphibious or wading,
Aves Littorales or Grallatoria ; IV. Aquatic birds, or Natatoriz.
These again are separated into no fewer than Nineteen Orders, each
section containing four, except the second, in which seven have been
placed. We cannot consider this system more simple or comprehen-
sive than many of its predecessors, and we do not think the nomen-
clature improved by the introduction of sectional or generic titles,
such as, Volitatores, Deglubitores, Raptatores, Palpatores, &c. or
in another language, of Plunderers, Cooers, Huskers, Gropers,
Probers, &c. &c. ; but “ methods spring up and die like mushrooms,
and for the same reason; they are composed of flimsy and unsub-
stantial materials easily elaborated.” +

Of the concluding part of the introduction, ‘“‘ Remarks on the
structure of birds,” we have a higher opinion. It is a subject interest-
ing from the little attention which has hitherto been given to it, par-
ticularly in this country, and from the great importance which the
knowledge of structure is in our generalizations upon the func-
tions of the different parts, and the economy and habits of the indivi-
duals. This part, though short, is well done. The anatomy is con-

* Introduction, p. 15. + Ibid, p. 16. ¢ Ibid, p. 19.

Report on Percheron’s Bibliographie Entomologique. 269

cisely detailed, without any of the affectedness of style which we dis-
like so much elsewhere, and it is illustrated by nine engravings well
wrought from the pencil of the author, exhibiting views of the oste-
ology, the muscular arrangement, and the digestive organs in the
principal divisions.

The second part of the book, occupying 500 pages, is denoted to
the history of four of the orders “ Rasores, Scrapers. Gemitores,
Cooers. Deglubibitores, Huskers. VWagatores, Wanderers.” This de-
scription or historical part wants condensation ; it is much too length-
ened, without bringing together the information which is really of
use to the student of British ornithology. It is illustrated by wood-
cuts of most of the parts which are essential in the system, as generic,
many of which are well drawn and executed. We are treated also
with “ Practical Ornithology,” in chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4, but these
lessons we disiike 7m ¢oto, both in substance and in spirit.

Report by MM. De Blainville, Isidore Geoffroy. and Dumeril, on
M. Percheron’s work entitled Bibliographie Entomologique.

Those who particularly devote themselves to the study of one
branch of natural history, have a great interest in becoming acquaint-
ed with the works already published on the special object of research
or observation with which they are occupied. Accordingly the great-
er part of authors make it a rule to indicate in general works the
sources whence they have derived their information, and are careful
at the same time to arrange their citations in chronological order.

M. Percheron, who has long been assiduously engaged in the study
of insects, on some genera of which he has already published some
very good monographs, such as those on Cetonia and Passalus, has
strongly felt the necessity of arranging the works from which he ob-
‘tained useful intelligence, in a series according to their dates. He
had accordingly drawn up at first for his own use, a catalogue of all
the entomological books whose titles he had become acquainted with,
and undertook laborious researches to ascertain as many as possible :
this he conceived it would be of advantage to the science, and to
those who cultivate it, to publish for general use. He has made
it his object to inscribe all the writings relating to insects, considered
under the different relations of form, structure, classification, manner,
habits, utility, injuries, &c. in a word, all the works on entomology.

Such is the work which M. Percheron is about to publish, and of
which all the sheets hitherto printed have been examined by the
above-named commissioners. Itis asimple catalogue, in alphabetical
order, of the names of authors, with the indication of the complete

270 Report on M. Percheron’s Bibliographie Entomologique.

title of their works, the date of their publication, and, where that was
practicable, a notice of the period and the place of the birth and death
of these naturalists. Unfortunately these simple indications contain no
abridged notice of the contents of these works, and are unaccompani-
ed with critical observations, yet such additions are of great interest
on account of the judgments which they embrace.

After this first part of the work, which forms nearly three-fourths
or a volume and a half, the author has drawn up a table of the ar-
ticles in the order of the subjects and chronology ; this is divided
into chapters. The first comprehends the names of the authors who
have written on insects, but under certain points of view only, such
as the damages they may occasion, which our author names their
nocibility ; then in relation to their utility in agriculture, in the arts,
in medicine, or in the general economy of nature, regarded in a philo-
sophical manner. The second chapter indicates the books which
treat of insects in regard to their general natural history, zoological
or entomological. It is here that we find inserted travellers, museo-
graphers, micrographers. The third and last chapter makes us ac-
quainted with the works which have treated of insects exclusively,
such as memoirs relating to the formation and preservation of ento-
mological museums ; the generalities of their modes of life and meta-
morphoses ; special works on the anatomy, physiology, and classifica-
tion of insects; such as contain only observations on their different
countries ; and finally, all the works which have treated of the orders
in particular, whether relating to all the genera, or those of some par-
ticular country, or such productions as have appeared under the
title of monographs. Such is the order in which the name of every
author is here inserted and repeated according to the date of publi-
cation.

We cannot disguise the fact, that the execution of this Bibliographie
still leaves something to be desired, for we have remarked in it seve-
ral important omissions, and we find books and memoirs inserted
which have no relation to insects. However, the work may be of great
benefit to entomologists: it will no doubt greatly facilitate their re-
searches, and really promote the ulterior progress of the study of
that branch of natural history.*

* Comptes rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de | Academie des Sciences, 6th
February 1837.

Transactions of the Leeds Philosophical Society. 271

TRANSACTIONS AND PERIODICALS—British.

Transactions of the Philosophical and Literary Society of Leeds,
consisting of papers read before the Society. Vol. I. Part I. 8vo.
Longman & Co. London. 1837. /

Before noticing this volume, it may be satisfactory to our readers
to be informed of the progress of the Society whose Transactions it
proposes to detail. The following sketch was forwarded to us for in-
sertion in our last Number, but circumstances prevented us then
availing ourselves of the kindness of its author.

“ In Leeds, above forty years ago, a Philosophical Society was
established, which consisted of only a small number of members, and of
whose proceedings norecords remain. Amongst the number, two names
have come down to us, Dr Priestley and William Hey, Esq. F. R. S.
The society, however, did not meet with that support which its found-
ers had expected, and, like many similar ones, gradually fell off, and
became extinct. It is perhaps not too much to cunjecture, that, al-
though we have no certain or regular minutes of their meetings, yet
at some of these, the splendid discoveries of Dr Priestley might have
had their origin, and that, in consequence of some discussion, he might
have been stimulated to make experiments, which, but for such dis-
cussion, would never have been made. When the Doctor left Leeds,
he was succeeded at the Mill Hill Chapel by the Rev. William Wood,
F. L. S., &c., whose name as a botanist and general naturalist is well
known. He was author of Zoographia, and for some time con-
ducted the natural history department in the Annual Review, as

_ well as many of the articles on botany in Rees’s Cyclopedia. Mr

Wood died in 1809, from which period, for many years, there does
not appear to have been any attempt, either individually or jointly,
to promote scientific pursuits,—at least, if such were the case, it is
now forgotten. In the autumn of 1818, however, a reaction began
to be manifest, and a letter appeared in the Leeds Mercury, signed
Leodiensis, suggesting the formation of a Philosophical Society. The

_ proposal was received with approbation by a number of intelligent

i

ig

i)

and public-spirited individuals, and a meeting was held at the Court-

House, December 11, 1818, to concert measures, with a view to the
accomplishment of so desirable an object. The venerable William

_ Hey, Esq., whose memory will ever be associated with the history of

the intellectual, religious, and local interests of Leeds, presided on the

_ occasion, when, after a protracted discussion in reference to the ob-
_ ject and scope of the projected institution, it was resolved that a so-

272 Transactions of the Leeds Philosophical Society.

ciety should be founded on the most comprehensive principles, and
should include all branches of science and literature, excluding all
topics connected with politics, religion, and ethics. Fora short time
the meetings were held in the Court-House, after which a subscription
was opened for the erection of a suitable building, which, in a few
months, amounted toa sum so considerable as to justify the purchase
of land, and the commencement of other active operations. The first
stone was laid by Benjamin Gott, Esq. the 9th of July 1819, at the
south-east corner of the present handsome edifice, and underneath it
were deposited several coins of the reign of George III. The pro-
gress of the building was slower than had been anticipated, in conse-
quence of unavoidable circumstances. It was soon discovered that
the sum originally specified as adequate to its completion was insuffi-
cient for that purpose, and the work was consequently at a stand. The
munificent spirit of Benjamin Gott and John Marshall, Esqs., which
reflects equal honour upon those respected individuals and the town to
which they belong, interposed with a noble alacrity to extricate the ris-
ing institution from the alarming dilemma in which it appeared to be
placed. These gentlemen generously took each five additional L. 100
shares, and by that seasonable effort of liberality, relieved the society
from the difficulties which threatened it. The first meeting of the first
session was held on April 6, 1821, on which occasion the late C. T.
Thackrah delivered an introductory essay. This has since heen printed
for the society. The building is of stone, with two fronts, and sur-
rounded with pallisadoes, and consists of a lecture-room, laboratory, li-
brary-room, waiting-room, entrance hall, and resident curator’s apart-
ments on the first floor, above which are threeapartments, one devoted
to geology and mineralogy, in whichare arranged about 4000 specimens
of minerals and fossils,—the former arranged according to their chemi-
cal affinities after Phillips,—the latter according to the stratification
after Smith. The nucleus of these collections were principally the gifts
of one of its late curators, E. 8. George, F. L. S.—The minerals were
a few years since considerably augmented by an extensive purchase
of the sale of Sir Alexander Crichton’s minerals, by which very fine
specimens were added of malachite, chromate of lead, Vauquelinite,
Lapis lazuli, emerald, tourmaline, garnets, &c. One of the gems of
the collection is an zrolite or meteoric stone weighing | lb. 7oz. which
fell at Aigle, in the department of Orne, France. The geological de-
partment, although containing some very fine and unique specimens, is
very far from what it should be, considering the vast facilities offered
by the coal-pits and stone quarries so numerous in the immediate vi-

cinity, abounding as they do with organic remains, With such advan-
3

Transactions of the Leeds Philosophical Society. 273

tages at its disposal, the Leeds collection ought to possess one of the
finest series of carboniferous remains in the kingdom. Such a series
could only be formed by the united labour of several individuals inte-
rested in the science, who would visit the localities, of which, however,
in most provincial institutions, there are unfortunately but few,—the
majority contributing to the funds, but prevented by mercantile affairs
or other pursuits from giving their time to the fagging department.
Amongst the specimens are two uniqueheads of Megalicthys Hibberti,
anda portion of its body ; many fine Calamites, Asterophyllites, Lepido-
dendra, Sigillariz, Lepidostrobi, Pecopteri and Equiseti, from the coal
measures ; a Sigilaria nine feet in height, from the sandstone near
Wakefield ; remains of Ichthysosauri from Whitby ; fine mass of
Ophiura Milleri from Scarbro’ ; bones of the Mammoth of the banks
of the Ohio ; splendid lily encrinite from the Dutchy of Brunswick ; a
tolerably good series of shells from the calcaire grossiere of the
Paris basin, besides illustrations of the organic remains of the moun-
tain limestone, Kelloway rock, coralline oolite, chalk crag, &c.
The second room 43 feet by __, and 20 in height, surrounded by
a gallery, is devoted to zoology, the first nucleus for which was
a collection of 135 species of British birds, by the liberality of its first
and lamented curator, John Atkinson, F.L. 8. Surgeon. To the orni-
thological department, considerable accessions have since been made;
both foreign and British. Amongst the most attractive are, per-
haps, a case of South American birds from Charles Waterton, Esq. the
well known author of the Wanderings, a specimen of the rare Trogon
Pavoninus, Trinidad goatsucker, king of the vultures, ostrich,
Argus pheasant, and several of the Rhamphastide. The collection of
Mammalia, like that in most provincial museums, is but small. It
contains, however, a very fine skull of the Asiatic elephant, a wild
boar, lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, Polar and brown bear, wolf, kan-
garoo, seals, head of the walrus, porcupine, several simiz, examples
of the genera Galeopithecus, Dasypus, Ornithorynchus, Nasuta, Di-
delphis, Procyon, Bradypus, &c. The fish are nearly all in spirits,
and principally from the Mediterranean. The greatest rarity is a
specimen of the spiny shark, in a bad state of preservation, caught
near Scarbro’, and which is, I believe, the only British example in the
kingdom. There is also a fine sturgeon, 9 feet in length, caught
near Selby, and a specimen of Malthe vespertilio. The department
of comparative anatomy is very limited, consisting of about thirty
skeletons of animals, birds, and fishes, and a highly interesting series of
forty-two wet and dry preparations, exhibiting the anatomy and phy-
siology of the genus Zimax. Among the invertebrate tribes, the

274 Transactions of the Leeds Philosophical Society.

museum possesses some interesting examples of the different classes —
of the Zoophytes. The most prominent is a specimen of Meandrina

labyrinthica, weighing 16 stone: of the Pteropods, there is Cymbu- |
lia Peronit: of Gasteropods, Glaucus Scyllea, Doris, Aplysia: of
Echinodermata, there are Sipunculus, Holothuria, several genera of
the Echinides, Asteria, Ophiura, Buryale verrucosa and Comatula :
of Acalepha, Actinea and Physalia, &c. The insects, which occupy
nearly two glass-covered tables, include some rare and beautiful exe
amples of the orders, and are arranged according to the system of Dr
Leach, which was the most popular at the time, uniting the exotics |
and natives in the same case, the better to keep up the chain of affi-
nity, and exhibit the gradual approximation of one form to another. |
The Crustacea are arranged also according to the views of that lament-
ed naturalist. The shells according to Lamarck, which three depart-_

ments, although not numerous, are highly respectable ones. The
third room contains antiquities, works of art, and the dresses, &c. of
uncivilized nations. The object of principal interest in this room is
a very fine mummy of a priest, who lived during the reign of Ra-
messes V. upwards of 3000 years since, in a remarkably high state
of preservation, enclosed in a coffin of elaborate workmanship. The
head is bare, probably in conformity with the rites of priesthood. The
pupils are distinctly visible in the orbits, and during an examination
of the skull a few years since, the dura mater with its falx, was found |
to be quite perfect, the brain having been extracted through the nos-
- trils, by breaking down the ethmoid bone. ‘The muscles are by no
means dry, but, on the contrary, allowed of being dissected, and the
sciatic nerve traced. An account of this mummy was published by |
the Society five or six years since. There are also some curious re-
mains of Terra cotta, from Cuzco, the ancient capital of Peru, toge-
ther with some human skulls from the same spot. These have a sin-
gular appearance, from being artificially flattened on the right side and
top towards the back part. The library has never created that in- |
terest which such a feature of the institution must have been expect-
ed to do, and, consequently, is not extensive, containing only about
600 volumes on the various branches of science, with the transactions
of public bodies and journals of the day. Here is also deposited the
chemical, electrical, and galvanic apparatus. The Society consists of |
about 67 proprietors, 125 ordinary members, and 100 subscribers ; the —
first, having paid L. 100 towards the erection of the building, are
shareholders, with the power of transferring or bequeathing the share, i
and exempt from all annual subscriptions and fines; the ordinary
members, those who hold a three guinea share, with an annual sub-

i}

Transactions of the Leeds Philosophical Society. 275

scription of two guineas ; and the last, subscribers annually of one
guinea, having no interest in the property of the Society, or voice in
its deliberations. Meetings are held the first and third Fridays in
every month, from November to May, inclusive, for the reading of
papers and essays by the members, to which each has the power of
admitting astranger. In addition thereare annually two or three courses
of lectures, by some public lecturer of eminence, amongst whom there
have been Dr Dalton, Professor Grant, Professor Phillips, James
Montgomery, Esq. Edward Taylor, Esq. &c. From the commence-
ment of the Society 240 papers have been read on various branches
of literature and science.

The private collections in Leeds are, first, a valuable museum of
Natural History, &c. in Commercial Street, the property of Mr John
Calvert, admission ls.;—very extensive collections of shells, corals,
and minerals, belonging to Miss Banks and Miss Rhodes ;—the col-
lection of comparative and human anatomy, belonging to the Leeds
School of Medicine, and a collection of comparative anatomy and
Natural History, especially of the Invertebrata, belonging to Mr
Teale.” H. D.

The well “ got-up” volume before us‘is the first part of a proposed se-
ries of Transactions, and it gives us pleasure to know that the circum-
stances of the Society are now so prosperous as to enable it to publish a
portion of the valuable papers which hayeand may hereafter come before
it. From the abstract of the papers read since 1819, given in a short
introduction to the volume, we perceive that the leaning of the great
proportion of its members is more towards literary pursuits than the
study of zoology and botany. Nevertheless, there is a fair propor-
tion of papers devoted to interesting subjects in both these branches.
Wehavenow printed “ on the Bed of the Mississippi, by the late Joan
Luccock, Esq., read in November 1824, prepared from a personal
knowledge of the course of the river obtained in a lengthened journey
made in the previous year.” An interesting paper in favour of the
theory of the gradual corrosion or wearing of the barriers which stem
the great common lakes, with the author’s opinion of the former pro-
bable extent of water on the surface of the now existing North Ame-
rican continent. On the varieties of water, by Witt1am WEsT,
read November 1829. A description of the internal structure of
various Limaces, found in the neighbourhood of Leeds, by THomas
NuNNELEY, read November 1834 : illustrated by seven plates lightly
but distinctly executed. Abstract of a notice of certain Roman
Coin Moulds, by Joun Hey. On the Anatomy of Actinea cort-

276 _ Magazine of Natural History, &c.

acea, by Tomas PripGin TEALE. On Alcyonella stagnorum
by the same author—both good papers. Of the latter we have alrea-
dy had occasion to speak in a former Number of this Journal. Four
plates are devoted to the illustrations of these papers.——On the
Yorkshire Coal-field, by Mr Epwarp S. Georeg, F. L. S., read No-
vember 1836.

Loudon's Magazine of Natural History. New Series. May and
June 1837.

I. Zoology.
SHUCKARD on Generic Nomenclature, p. 248. WeEstTwoop’s

Observations in Reply to Mr Shuckard, p. 316. Briyte on the
Reconciliation of certain apparent Discrepancies observable in the
Mode in which the seasonable and progressive Changes of Colour are
effected in the Fur of Mammalians and Feathers of Birds; with va-
rious Observations on Moulting, p. 259 and 300. Dr Moore on
the Climbing and Gallinaceous Birds of Devonshire, p. 227.
Moore on the Wading Birds of Devonshire, p. 319.— -Cuartes-
wortu’s Notice of the Teeth of Carcharias megalodon in the Red
Crag of Suffolk, p. 225. On the Structure of the Fossil Saurians,
p. 284. Westwoop’s Description of a new Genus of British pa-
rasitic Hymenopterous Insect, p. 257. J. E. Gray on the en-
largement of the Eggs of some marine Molluscans during the period
of their hatching, p. 247.

II. Botany.
BirpD on the Existence of electric Currents in Vegetable Struc-
tures, p. 240, and p- 2938. Brown on the Preservation of Bota-
nical Specimens from the attacks of Insects, p. 311.

Companion to Botanical Magazine. By Sir W. J. Hooker, Pro-
fessor of Botany in the University of Glasgow.

THE continuation of this work from our last notice, p- 87, contains,
first, A sequel to the illustrations of Indian Botany by Waicut and
Arnot, with a plate of Acalypha Alnifolia. New Ceylonese Me-
lastomacee, by G.A. W. Arnot. The species described were collect-
ed by Colonel Walker, and transmitted to Drs Hooker and Graham.
Seven species of Sonerila, and thesame number of the Genus Osheckia.
Characters of new species of Indian Acanthacezx, by Professor Cu.
Gottrr. Nees Von EsENBECK. Synopsis of the East Indian
species of Drosera and Parnassia, by G.A. WALKER ARNoT. Notes
on a collection of plants made in the Province of Asturias, in the year

>

Companion to Botanical Magazine. 277

1835 by M. Durien, by N. I. Wincu, Esq. &c. This is continued
into the following number, with remarks on the distribution of each
species to Britain and Ireland. 412 species are noticed in whole, of
which 162 belong to the Cryptogamia. Flore insularum nove
Zelandize precursor; or a specimen of the Botany of the Islands
of New Zealand, by ALLAN CUNNINGHAM, Esq., continued from
a former number, contains the Fucoidez, Lichenes, and Musci Calyp-
trati. Remarks on M. Spach’s memoir on the Cistacee, a letter
from Dr Lindley in defence of some allegations made upon that
gentleman’s accuracy in a former paper. Botanical informa-
tion :—1. A favourable notice of the Musci Angusiani, or a col-
lection of the dried mosses of Angus and Forfarshire, preparing by
Mr W. Garpiner Jun. Dundee, a work to be comprised in 7 or 8
12mo fasciculi, at the price of 3s. 6d. each. 2. Dr J. F. Lippold.
We formerly mentioned the intention of this gentleman to proceed to
Madeira with the view chiefly of collecting plants, but also to prepare
other objects of natural history. A letter has been received from the
Doctor intimating his safe arrival at the island, his friendly reception
by Mr Lowe, and his delight in witnessing the luxuriance of vegeta-
tion. Collections of plants are expected during June. It is not propos-
ed that Dr Lippold should remain longer than the present summer at
his present station, and his new expedition has not yet been fixed on ;
but we shall doubtless have due intimation of the time and the
terms of subscription, through the worthy periodical we are now re-
viewing. 3. Notice of the “ Herbarium of the late John D. Pres-
cott, Esq. of St Petersburgh, an eminent merchant of that place, and
_ who has lately died suddenly. His leisure hours were devoted to
the study of plants and enriching his harbarium, which latter is perhaps
_ exceeded by few in Europe, especially that portion of it relating to
the Russian Empire.” It is warranted to contain 25,000 species,
_ and is now offered for sale at the price of L. 1000. 4. The an-
‘nouncement of the first arrival of dried Brazilian plants from Dr
_ Gardner, who visited South America to collect species for subscrib-
ers, accompanied by a long letter, which cannot fail to be most in-
teresting to them, and to botanists in general. He was about to start
_ for the Organ Mountains at the date of his dispatches, and an ac-
count of the expedition and his degree of success may be shortly
_ expected.

VOL. II. No. 9. r

278 Annales des Sciences Naturelles.

TRANSACTIONS AND PERIODICALS.—Foreign.

Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, MM. AupouIn et MILNE-
Epwarps. Botamique, MM. Ap. BrRonGNIART et GUILLEMIN.
Crochard & Co. Paris, Octobre, Novembre, et Decembre 1836.

I.— Zoology.

The October Number begins with a continuation of Ducss’ in-
teresting andelaborate Observations sur les Aranéides, which are now
apparently brought to a close. The other papers are,—Note sur
des animaux qui colorant en rouge les marais salans, par M. Payen.
Examen des Crustaces rapportés de la saline de Marignane,
par M AvpovuIn. Observations préliminaires sur Vexistence
ad Infusoires fossiles et sur leur profusion dans la nature, par M.
EHRENBERG. Du Foie des animaux sans vertébres en général,
et particuliérement sur celui de plusieurs Crustaces, par M. Duver-
NoY. Analyse des trauvaus présentés a (Acad. des Sc. pendant
le mois d’ Oct. 1836: viz. Notes sur quelques ossemens fossiles de
l Alsace et du Jura, par Duvernoy. Hapériences sur Vélectri-
cité de la Torpille, par M. Marreucct. Expériences sur la
Torpille, par M. CorLapon.

The contents of the Number for November are— Observations
Zoologiques sur les Pagures et description d’un nouveau genre de la
tribu des Paguriens, par M. Mitwe-Epwarps. Quelques obser-
‘vations d Helminthologie, par M. CuarLes LeEBLonp. Enume-
vation de quelques espéces de Reptiles provenant de la Barbarie,
par M. P. Gervals. Remarques sur Vévaluation de la Tem-
perature de la surface du Globe pendant la période tertiaire, d' apres
la nature des debris organiques qui s'y rapportent, par M. E. Dr
Beaumont.——-Analyse des travaux &c. viz. MM. BLAINnviL_e et
Duranp sur un chameau fossile. Lettres de M. Dusarpin sur
les Polypters fossiles de la Craie.

The Number for December is enriched with Miinre-Epwarps’
Observations sur les Polypiers fossiles du genre Eschare; and a
notice, by the same eminent person, sur un nouveau genre de Poly-
piers fossiles de la famille des Eschariens nommé Mélicérite. These
papers are illustrated by a series of excellent figures. Carac- —
teres du genre Plagiodonte et description du Plagiodontia Adium, |
par M. F. Cuvier. One of the Glires, little less than a hare, and —
nearly allied to Capromys, from which it is generically distinguish- —
ed by some peculiarities in the structure of its teeth, which Cuvier ~

fully details. The animals are called in Saint-Domingo ‘ Rat-Cayes,’ —
3 ‘a

Annales des Sciences Naturelles. 279

which signifies house-rats, whence the specific name: they do in-
deed approach inhabited places, but only during the night, for they
shun the light of day. The male and female rarely separate. Their
principal food consists of roots and fruit, and, like all the frugivo-
rous Glires, they are very good for the table ; and the Haitians, who
are fond of dainties, search after them so carefully that the house-
rat has now become very rare. Notice sur quelques Parasites et
produits organiques du Lombric terrestre pour servir ad sa physio-
logie, par M. Suriray. Additions au Mémoire de M. DuGEs
sur les Araneides. Analyse des travaux, §c. pendant le mois de
Decembre: viz. Rapport de M. Dumerit sur plusieurs mémoires
concernant diverses espéces d’insectes par M. Rozprneau Desvorpy.
Rapport sur un mémoire de M. Desnayes intitulé, Observa-
tions générales sur le genre Belemnite, par M. DE BuarnviLLe.
Des Rapports de la teratologie avec les sciences anatomiques
et zoologiques, par M. Istp. Grorrroi St Hivarre. Recherches
sur les rapports qui existent entre les propriétés nutritives de di-
verses substances végétales et la proportion d’azote qui entre dans
leur composition, par M. Bousstneauur. Rapport sur un mé-
moire de M. Rogrneau Desvorpy, ayant pour titre, ‘ Sur des che-
nilles qui ont vécu dans les intestins de l’homme, qui y ont subi leur
mue et qui en ont été expulsées vivantes par l’estomac, par M. Du-
MERIL.’

Il.— Botany.

Octobre.— Observatious sur. la propagation des Algues, par J.
AGARDH,—the son of the celebrated Swedish algologist, whose fame
he promises to extend and increase. The following are the inferences
which Agardh deduces from the observations detailed in this excel-
lent essay :—1°. The division of the Algz into the articulated and
inarticulated, hitherto adopted in all classifications, is inapplicable in
the present state of our knowledge of them, and destroys the most
marked affinities.—2°. If it is wished to distribute the Algz into two
more natural groups, the following may be substituted :

a. ZoOSPERMEE (Nostochinee, Oscillatorinea, Confervee, Conjugate, Ecto-
carpee@, Ulvacee, et Siphonee.) Materia granulosa interna uniuscujusque
loculi (cellule, articuli vel tubi) frondem consituentis, tandem in fructi-
ficationem abeunte ; sporidiis maturitate motu preditis, et singulis locu-
lis per porum unicum egredientibus, demum per extentionem evolutis, —
Viridescentes, incole precipue aque dulcis, marisque minus salsi (in
scrobiculis sinubusque, rarissime in aperto vel profundiori mari. )

6. FucoiE (Ceramiee, Floridee, auct. Sphacellariee, et Fucoidee, Ag.)
Fructificatione vel receptaculis propriis inclusa vel soris plus minus ex-
tensis frondi immersis collecta, Sporis locomotivitate destitutis, ger-

280 i ~ Annales des Sciences Naturelles.

minatione per membranam exteriorem novos utriculos emittentibus.—
Rosez et olivacexe, omnes thalassiophyt, ille maris aperti et profundi-
oris potissimum incole, hz sinubus tranquillioribus (apud nos, an sem-
per ?) plerumque prive.

3°. The movement of the sporules is not limited to the fresh-water
Alge, nor is it common to all Cryptophytes. It does not depend on
any external circumstances, but on the contrary, is intimately con-
nected with the vital phenomena of all the beings in which it is ob-
served. It is not the expression of an animal life, although it has
the appearance of this; and we ought not to compare it with the
movements observed in the Diatomaceze.—4°. Both kind of organs

of fructification of the Floridez are capable of propagating the spe-
“cies, and the one is never the rudiment or the young state of the
other.—5°. The Algz never grow from the reunion of several seeds,
but each seed (seminule) produces its own individual.—6°. The
theory of metamorphosis of modern algologists is based on facts which
ought to be explained otherwise than they have yet been. The
transformations of one species into another are illusory. Dvuriz1
iter asturicum botanicum, anno 1835 susceptum, auctore J. Gay.
Synopsis des Gerandiées, tribu des Scrophularinées, par M.
G. BentHam, from the “ Companion to the Botanical Magazine.”
Notice sur quelques cryptogames nowvelles, par J. DESMAZIER-
ES.— Observations sur les Diatomées, par M. bE BREBISSON.
Note de M. Turpin, ajoutée aux observations de M. DE BREBIssON.
This observer has discovered that the shell of the true Diatomacez
is composed of silex, in which he has been anticipated by Ehrenberg,
but his experiments are nevertheless very valuable, as confirmative
of a discovery which has given origin to some curious researches on
the composition and formation of tripoli and similar deposits.
Description de YEuphrasia Jaubertiana, nouvelle espece du sous-
genre Odontites, par A. BoREAU.

Novembre. Organographie des Cuistacées, par EDouARD
SPACcH. Quelques observations relatives aux genres Scilla et Ur-
ginea,—deux genres a établir dans la famille des Liliacées, et descrip-
tion d’une espéce nowvelle, par AD. STEINHEIL. Sur le Lythrum
alternifolium, par M. Borerau. Sur la faculté que posséedent les
plantes @absorber les infusions colorées par leurs racines, par J. G.
Towers. Sur la faculié d’absorption attribuée aux spongioles
des racines par M..Knicur. This and the preceding are trans-
lations from the Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London.
Note sur deux nouvelles espéces du genre Spitzelia, par M. C. H.
ScnuLttz.——- Enumeration des plantes decouvertes par les voya-

American Journal of Sciences and Arts. 281

geurs, dans les Iles de la Société, principalement dans celle de Tait,
par J.B. A. GuUILLEMIN.

Decembre.— Notice sur les Plantes cryptogames récemment dé-
couvertes en France, contenant aussi Tindication précise des locah-
tés de quelques espéces les plus rares de la Flore Frangaise, par C.
Monracne.——Duriazi iter Austuricum Botanicum, continued.
——RBiasolettia et Kladnikia, deux nouveaux genres de la famille
des Ombelliferes, par le Prof: Kocu. A translation from the < Flora.’
——Conspectus Monographie Cistacearum, auctore Epuarpo
SPAcuH. Rapport fait a V Académie des Sciences par MM. de
MireeL, DutrrocHet, et Aue. p—E Saint-HILaiRre, rapporteur,
sur un Mémoire relatif a la structure et au développement des organes
générateurs d'une espéce de Marsilea trouvée par M. Esprit Fare
dans les environs d’ Agde.

American Journal of Sciences and Arts. Conducted by BENJAMIN
Smutman, M. D., LL.D. Vol. xxxii. No. 1. April 1837. New-
haven. London agent, O. Rich.

The April number of this long established and important Ameri-
can periodical has just reached us, commencing the present year.

The following is a condensed abstract of its zoological and botanical

papers.

I. Zoology.

On the C&conomical uses of some species of Testacea, p. 53.——
History of the Mytilus Margaritiferus, Linn., Mya Margariiifera,
Linn., and Pinna rotundata? Linn. These historical accounts are
compiled from various sources, to which references are given. We
may remark, however, that the fishing, if such it may be called, of the
second species, the “ horse muscle,” is much more general in the

north of Scotland than the author supposes, and the shell much more
plentiful, literally paving the bottoms of some of the streams. In
many parts they are gathered into large heaps and either rotted, or
the pearl immediately extracted. We here allude to what is pro-

vincially termed the ‘“‘ Horse Muscle” as mentioned by the author of

_ the paper. We are not so sure that it is the M. Margaritifera of Linn.
_ This paper will be continued.——Notice of the Shad and Shad
fisheries of the river Delaware, by Samus, Howetyt, M.D. Nota

scientific, but nevertheless an interesting paper. The shad (no

4 scientific name for the fish is given) enters the Delaware for the

_ purpose of spawning in prodigious numbers about the middle of

March, and are fished in various ways, but chiefly by what are cal-

282 American Journal of Sciences and Arts.

led “‘ Gilling-Seines,” from taking the fish in the meshes by the gills.
The river continues at its height until the beginning of May, and the
season terminates about the 20th June. The annual amount taken
by those seines and drift nets is calculated at about one million five
hundred thousand, worth, at the usual price, about one hundred
thousand dollars. The principal market is Philadelphia—We
should like to see a scientific description of this fish with a little
more detail given to his habits during the ascent of the river. We
would recommend also the examination of the liquid contents of the
stomach, which is said to contain nothing solid, with a high magni-
fying power.——Description of a new Trilobite, by Jacop GREEN,
M. D., p. 167. Calymena phlycteinodes, Green, considered analo-
gous to the C. variolaris of Dudley in England.

II. Botany.

Account of an excursion to mount Katahdin, in Maine, by Profes-
sor J. W. Baruey, p. 20. The excursion seems to have been un-
dertaken rather hurriedly, and the time at the disposal of the party
was much too short. The country, however, was wild and interest-
ing, and might furnish materials for a valuable paper, were the
journey undertaken at leisure, and the members of the expedition
active and enterprising, rigidly examining the mountain and its en-
circling cypress swamps.——Remarks on the natural order Cycadee,
with a description of the ovula and seeds of Cycas revoluta, Wild.
by A. J. Downina, p. 45. A lithographic figure accompanies the
paper. The remarks chiefly refer to the impregnation of the female
flowers, and the alliance of this family to the Conifere.

There are several mineralogical and meteorological papers in this

Number.

[ 283 ]

INTELLIGENCE.

ZOOLOGICAL.

Trish Hare, (Lepus Hibernicus, Yarrell.)—Mr Yarrell was, I be-
lieve, the first zoologist who observed that a considerable difference
existed in the external character of the Irish and common hares.
His account will be found in the proceedings of the Zoological So-
ciety for July 23, 1833, since which time Mr Bell, in his History
of British Quadrupeds, has described both of them, characteriz-
ing the Irish hare under the name of L. Hibernicus. I am not,
however, aware that any observations on the anatomical distinc-
tions of the two species have been made public, With a view, there-
fore, of filling up the blank to a certain degree, this paper is written.

On placing the skeletons of the two species in juxtaposition, the
most obvious distinguishing characters are the greater size altogether
of the skeleton, the greater length of the lateral processes of the
lumbar vertebra, the superior breadth of the scapula, the greater
breadth of the ribs, the greater length of the humerus in proportion
to that of the ulna, (which is scarcely longer than in the common
hare,) together with the much larger size of the cranium and in-
ferior maxillary bones in the Irish hare. These differences would
probably distinguish it as a species distinct from the common hare,
did no other characters exist.

In the numbering of the vertebre and ribs they do not differ, ex-
cept as to the caudal ones, which in the Irish hare are 13, and in
the English 16 ; the sacral in both are 4, the lumbar 7, the dorsal
12, and cervical 7, making the total number in the Irish hare 43,
and in the common hare 46.

The ribs in each species are 12. The males of both species are
smaller than the females in all their admeasurements. The intes-
tinal canal is in the male of the Irish hare nearly two feet shorter
than in the female. The following table will shew the relative
measurements in the female of each species, of some of the principal
bones, and of the intestinal canal.

L. timidus, F. L. Hibernicus, F.
Length of the intestinal canal from sto-

__ mach to anus, = es 14 ft. 1 in. 18 ft. 6 in,
Length from cecum to anus, - SiR 4 1
— of cecum, é on et 2 0 1 7

284 <oology.

Length of humerus, - - 35 in.

33; in
Tater ulna, F ; 3y 3x5
—— femur, = 4.2. 45,
——_——- tibia, = io 48. 410
—_—- cranium, = e 33
Breadth of cranium, = z 13, We
—— —-~ scapula, - z ee te
T. C. Eyton.

Lutjanus rupestris.—A specimen of this interesting fish has
been taken on the coast of North Wales.—T. C. Eyton.

Clausilia Rolphii.—Specimens of this interesting British shell
have been forwarded to me by my friend, Mr C. Finch, who dis-

covered it in the old habitat, Charlton Wood, Kent, last M ay.—
DANIEL Coorer.

Ehrenberg’s Infusoria.—In making a recent communication to
the Academy of Sciences respecting the double nature of the organs
of generation in the infusoria, M. de Humboldt announced that the
great work of this author, on that singular class of animals, is very
nearly completed, and will be published in a short time. It will
contain engravings of 492 of the polygastric infusoria, and 163 of
the rotiferze, from drawings made by M. Ehrenberg.

- Proposed New Work on American Skulls.—A work, to be entitled
“‘ Crania Americana; or a comparative view of the skulls of vari-
ous aboriginal nations of North and South America,” is noticed in
the last number of Silliman’s Journal, as having been for some time
contemplated by Dr Samuel Morton. The work is proposed to be
of a folio size, and to contain from twenty-five to thirty lithographic
plates, on which “ at least fifty skulls will be represented, with such
national, individual, and anatomical illustrations, as can be obtained
in reference to each. The work will be preceded by an introduc-
tion, embracing a general view of the five great races of men, and
followed by an exposition of the peobatile! origin of the American
tribes.”

Fossil footsteps in Sandstone and Graywacke.—Professor Hitch-
cock has discovered in the valley of the Connecticut River, the im-
prints of what he considers fourteen new species. Some bear so
near a resemblance to the feet of living saurians, that they have
been denominated Sawriodichnites. The Professor says, “ I have

Botanical. 985

no certain evidence as yet that any of these impressions were made
by four-footed animals, although, in respect to two or three species,
I have strong suspicions that such was the fact. I have sometimes
thought they might have been made by pterodactyles; yet they
have in general fewer toes than those described by Cuvier and Buck-
land. Within a few weeks past I have found on the flag-stones, in
the city of New York, some marks, which I suspect were made by
the feet of a didactylous quadruped, which, like the Marsupialia,
moved by leaps. The rock is slaty graywacke, from the banks of
the Hudson, between Albany and the Highlands.” Drawings of
these marks, with the tracts of living birds, have been prepared, and
will be published so soon as the localities are again examined.—Si-
liman’s Journal, Aprit 1837.

BOTANICAL.

Blysmus Compressus.—I was not aware, until informed by my
friend, the Rev. W. Wood, that this plant had been found in the
neighbourhood of London, (not having seen any station for it.) It
is, however, most plentiful in a bog at Beddington Park gate, near
Carshalton, Surrey.—DanizL CooreEr.

Boranicat Society or Epinspureu, January 12th 1837.—
Professor Graham in the Chair. The following members were
elected :—Resident, Mr J. H. Branfoot, Mr R. Wilbraham Fal-
coner, Mr George A. Martin, Mr J. W. Mudge, Mr John Percy,
Mr Thomas R. H. Thomson, Mr Edward Wells. Non-Resident,
The Right Hon. The Countess of Dalhousie, Dalhousie Castle ;
Dr Allman, Dublin; Mr H. Baber, Trin. Coll. Cambridge; Dr
Frederick Farre, London; Professor Henslow, Cambridge; Mr
G. Quekett., London; Mr C. A. Stevens, Trin. Coll. Cambridge.—

Specimens were stated by the Secretary to have been received
since last meeting from Dr Alexander, Dr Macreight, Mr N. B.
Ward, Mr Baber, Mr Stevens, Professor Henslow, Mr Babington,
Mr Lloyd, Mr Mack, Mr Lindsay Carnegie, Dr Walker Arnott,
Dr Van Rensselaer, Mr Veronge, Mr R. W. Falconer, Mr White,
Mr Christy, Mr Munby, Dr Graham, Dr M‘Nab, Mr J. M‘Nab,
Mr Brand, Mr Stables, Mr Martin, and Dr Pollexfen.— Donations
to the library were announced from David Steuart, Esq. and C.
C. Babington, Esq.

Mr Percy read an account of an excursion to the “ Jardin de la
Mer de Glace” at Chamouni, which was made in July last, with
the view of exploring the botany of that elevated spot in the Alps

286 Botanical.

of Savoy. Mr Percy strongly recommended the Brezon, a moun-
tain about fifteen miles from Geneva, to the attention of botanists
who commence their excursions in Savoy, as it not only presents a
great variety of alpine plants, but affords the greatest facilities for
obtaining them. The “ Jardin” was described as consisting of a
few exposed and almost naked masses of rock, occupying only a
small triangular area, which is bounded by the “ Moraines” of the
adjacent glaciers ; and the appellation ‘‘ garden’ was stated to be
merely applied by comparison with the desert around. An enume-
ration was given of 33 Phanegamous and 6 Cryptogamous species,
which were collected at the Jardin, from an elevation of 9000 feet
above the level of the sea.

Mr Campbell read a letter from Mr R. Ball, Dublin, to Sir W.
J. Hooker, mentioning that Erica vagans had been discovered by
Dr Burkett, on an islet on the coast of Waterford, near Tramore
in Ireland.

Dr Barry exhibited specimens of the plants collected by him in
his ascent of Mont Blanc, 16-18th September 1834. A list of
the plants collected by Dr Barry, so far as named, was communi-
cated by him; dividing them first, into those from below the snow
line, which was stated to be in that Lat. 8000 feet above the sea ;
and, second, those from the Grand Mulet rock, about 9000 feet
above the sea, or nearly 2000 feet above the line of perpetual snow.

The Curator, Mr J. M‘Nab, exhibited specimens of Cinclidium
slygium, a moss new to Britain, discovered by Mr John Nowel,
of Halifax, on a moor near Maltham Tarn, in Yorkshire ; commu-
nicated by Mr Leyland.

Mr M‘Nab also read a communication, giving an account of some
remarkable forms of Norway spruce, (Abies communis, ) growing
on the property of Whim, in the county of Peebles.

Feb. 9th.—Dr Balfour in the Chair. The following members
were elected :— Resident, Mr A. Mack, Mr. Edward R. Roberts,
Dr Alexander Van Rensselaer, Mr Julius Veronge, Mr Frank Isa
White.— Non-Resident, Professor Royle, London.—Foreign, Colonel
Brown, Thun, Switzerland; M. Guthnick, Berne, Switzerland ;
Professor Meisner, Basle, Switzerland.

In accordance with certain resolutions come to at an extraordinary
meeting of the Society held on 4th inst., providing for the election
of honorary members, and fixing the number of these at six British
and twenty-five Foreign, the following noblemen and gentlemen
were elected, viz.— Brilish, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, His
Grace the Duke of Devonshire, Robert Brown, Aylmer Bourke

Botanical. ~ 287

Lambert, Nathaniel Wallich.— Foreign, Prof. Agardh, Lund; M.
Bieberstein, St. Petersburgh ; Prof. Brongniart, Paris ; Prof. Fries,
Lund ; Prof. Hornemann, Copenhagen ; Baron de Humboldt, Ber-
lin; Prof. Koch, Erlangen; Prof. Ledebour, Dorpat ; Prof. Link,
Berlin ; Dr Martius, Munich; Prof. De Candolle, Geneva; M. De
Lessert, Paris ; Dr Fischer, St Petersburgh; Prof. Mirbel, Paris; Prof.
Nees Von Esenbeck, Breslau ; M. Auguste St Hilaire, Paris ; Prof.
Tenore. Naples ; Prof. Torrey, New York ; Pref. Treviranus, Bonn.

Specimens were stated by the Secretary to have been received
since last meeting, from the Rev. Mr Gordon, Dr Walker Arnott,
Mr Shuttleworth, Professor Meisner, Mons. Guthnick, and Colonel
Brown. Donations to the library were presented from R. J. Shut-
tleworth, Esq. and Professor Meisner.

Dr Balfour read a communication, addressed to the President of
the Society, from the Rev. Gerard Smith of Chichester, accompany-
ing specimens of {.ycopodium pallescens, and explaining the proper-
ty which it possesses, in common with several other species of the
same genus, of expansion in water, and of recollapsing when dried,
subsequent to immersion ; a power which it retains for many years,
if not too long exposed to moisture, in which case the spikelets rot,
and fall off upon drying. Specimens were exhibited in different
states ; some which had been immersed and were fully expanded ;
others in the act of expansion; and others again, in the dried and
collapsed state.

A remarkable variety of Lamium purpureum, from Dr Greville’s
herbarium, was exhibited, which, from its deeply incised leaves and
general appearance, approached very near to L.incisum. A beautiful
series of drawings prepared by Dr Greville for the Alg@ Britannice
were also laid before the society, and attracted much interest.

March 9th.—Professor Graham in the chair. The following
members were elected: teszdent, Mr Henry Mapleton, Mr William
Walker. Non-resident, Mr George J. Lyon, Glasgow ; Mr James
Stuart Menteath, yr. of Closeburn ; Dr G. A. F. Wilks, London.

Specimens were presented from Mr M. J. F. Sidney.

Dr Graham read a letter from the Countess of Dathousie, inti-
mating her intention of presenting to the society her East Indian
Herbarium ; and at the same time exhibited one of the fasciculi of
this most valuable collection, as illustrative of the admirable manner
in which the specimens had been prepared -and preserved. The
thanks of the society were unanimously and warmly expressed to
Lady Dalhousie for her splendid donation ; and the proposal, that
her Ladyship should be elected an honorary member, having met with
_ the most cordial approbation, it was carried by acclamation.

288 Botanical.

Mr Nicol read a paper on the microscopic structure of the wood of
various species of Rhamnus, showing that in variousinstances marked
peculiarities of internal structure bore reference to obvious external
characters. The species examined were the Rhamnus catharticus, hy-
bridus, infectorius, oleoides, alpinus, Alaternus, latifolius and Fran-
gula; the first six of which have the vessels, as seen in transverse sec-
tions, arranged in asimilar and very peculiar manner. The two last,
R. latifolius and Frangula, present a structure so strikingly different
from that of the other species, as to have suggested to Mr Nicol

the possibility of a difference in the botanical characters, the farther -

investigation of which he said it was not for him, but for the bo-
_ tanist to undertake.

The first part of a paper by Mr Shuttleworth was read, contain-
ing an account of a Botanical excursion to the Alps of the Valais
in Switzerland. In this paper Mr Shuttleworth gave an interesting
account of an unsuccessful attempt to cross the Glacier of Taesch,
where he was compelled to remain upon the ice during the night,
and had the danger of his return greatly increased by a fall of snow.
The remainder of the paper, giving an enumeration of the species
collected, with observations upon them, was postponed till next
meeting. .

April 13th.—Dr Balfour in the chair. Mr Henry Melville and
Mr William Richardson were elected Resident Members.

_ The remainder of the Countess of Dalhousie’s East Indian Her-
barium was presented, accompanied by a letter from her Ladyship
to the President, authorizing the arrangement and disposal of the
specimens in whatever manner might be considered most useful, and
most conducive to the advancement of botanical knowledge. Se-
veral donations to the library from Dr Walker Arnott were pre-
sented.—The thanks of the Society were directed to be given to Lady
Dalhousie and Dr Walker Arnott for their respective donations.

An abstract of the second part of Mr Shuttleworth’s paper was
read by Dr Balfour. This portion of the paper contained an enu-
meration of 430 species of plants collected by Mr Shuttleworth in
the Canton of the Valais, with occasional remarks ; and of these Dr
Balfour had selected for his present purpose such as seemed to him
more immediately interesting to the British botanist. *

Mr Carpenter made some remarks on the different forms of the
organs of respiration in different classes of plants, and at different
periods of their growth. After pointing out the analogy in ele-
mentary structure between the leaves of vegetables and the pulmo-

* This paper will be found in the Mag. of Zool. and Bot.—No. vii. et seq.

a ee

Miscellaneous. 289

nary or branchial apparatus in animals, he stated that the cotyle-
dons in the higher plants appeared to perform all the functions of
true leaves, and to be analogous to the temporary gills so remarka-
ble in the Batrachian reptiles. In ferns, the frondose expansion,
which is formed by additional cells produced from the original spore,
and which decays when the gyrate frond is evolved, may be viewed
as similar to the cotyledonary body in phznogamous plants. In
other cryptogamous plants, as Marchaniia polymorpha, this primary
frond does not decay, but remains permanent, and may be looked
upon as a persistent cotyledon. Mr C. then went on to show that
the developement of the offspring, which takes place during the
ripening of the seed in phenogamous plants, is analogous to that
which in the cryptogamous follows the germination of the spore ;
thus fulfilling a law which appears to pervade organized nature,
that the different organs of the higher beings in the progress of
their evolution pass through a series of forms analogous to their
permanent states in the lower.

Dr Balfour read a communication regarding several species of
British ferns, in which he particularly alluded to the observations
recently made by Mr Don in the Linnean Transactions. Speci-
mens of all the species and varieties of the ferns alluded to were
exhibited by Dr Gilbert M‘Nab,—including Aspidium dumetorum,
dilatatum, irriguum, dc. Cistopteris dentata, both from England and
Scotland, also C. regia and alpina.

Dr Balfour mentioned having found Scabiosa columbaria last
autumn, in considerable abundance, on the sea shore near North
Berwick.—W. H. CampseE.., Sec.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Blumenbach.—* The great lion of this university (Goettingen) is
Blumenbach, Professor of Natural History, by whom I was most
graciously received, though without any formal introduction ; yet I

. have heard he is not always so courteous. He speaks English fluent-
ly,—in fact, he is the only professor who appeared to have any know-
ledge of the language, which surprised me much, considering the
intimate connection that exists between Hanover and our own coun-
) try. The venerable Professor, though he has reached his eighty-
Ma second year, still retains all his faculties perfect. He spoke of the
_ kindness of George III. during his visit to England, forty years
since, at which period he also went to Oxford. One of his apart-
| ments is fitted up as a museum ; it is by no means large, but con-
tains rather an odd medley of preparations, and a numerous collec-
_ tion of skulls of negro tribes, as well as specimens explanatory of

290 . Miscellaneous.

comparative anatomy. He called my attention more particularly to
a tattooed head of a New Zealand Chief, which was presented to
him by the Duke of Northumberland, and on which he appeared to
set a very high value.

«« His lecture commences every day, except Saturday, at three ;
his class did not exceed forty. He stoops considerably, usually
wore a shaggy great coat, with a small green velvet cap on his head,
his hair hanging in long silvery locks. He was particularly fond of
laughing at his own jokes and anecdotes, which he mentioned dur-
ing his lecture, sometimes raising his voice to a stentorian. pitch,
whilst at others it could scarcely be heard. He could read his notes
without the assistance of spectacles, and often explained his subject
in terms not quite adapted to ‘ ears polite ;’ expressing his asto-
nishment or admiration at the wonders of nature in no measured
language—making use of a phrase, which, though of very unusual
occurrence among us, still is very common among the Germans,—
that of “ Herr Jesus ;” which is, however, only an expletive, and
occupies the place of mon dieu of the French. He exemplified his
subject with preparations either dried or in spirits, as well as by
plates or drawings ; some of which, from their age and roughness,
were very curious.

«‘ A specimen he valued much, and which he prized above all
others, was the foetus ofa bear in spirits, which is very rarely seen ;
and it was certainly a most misshapen object, of very diminutive
‘size; it was quite, as the old Professor expressed it, an ‘ unlicked
cub. Another rather interesting specimen was a young porcupine
in spirit, before the quills had commenced growing ; in which he
pointed out, on the outer side of the scapula, the twomamme. An
ostrich egg, arrived at the full period of incubation, was also curi-
ous, where the young bird had half-eseaped from its shell: it was
of large size, and its neck of very considerable length. He always
appeared particularly delighted in mentioning any anecdotes connect-
ed with occurrences or incidents he had met with in England ; thus
he used to speak of the size and value of the horses employed in
the breweries of London, as well as those bred for the turf, or —
chase, in terms which no doubt excited the surprise, and perhaps,
even the unbelief of many of his hearers.

«¢ On the subject of the turtle, he gave some account of its excel-
lencies with respect to the table, saying that when he was in Eng-
land, he had seen whole courses served up in various forms and —
dishes, adding, at the same time, that the dessert consisted entirely —
of turtle, casting an apparently longing eye on the shell before him,
as if he still remembered the bygone repast ! !

Miscellaneous. 29)

‘On the subject of cocks, he gave an account of their fighting in
England, exhibiting to his class a pair of steel spurs, as used by them
in their battles. Of the flamingo* he had never seen a single spe-
cimen, though, at one of the museums at Oxford, he was shown a
dried leg and foot.

«« Blumenbach’s lectures were by far the most interesting of any
I attended at Gottingen. He exhibited one day a machine for hatch-
ing eggs, which he had frequently used, and which only required the
heat of a spirit-lamp, and constant attention to keep all in order.” —
Viator in Medical Gazette, April 15, 1837.

British Museum.— A- grant of L.1575 has been voted by the
House of Commons to enable the trustees of the British Museum
to purchase the collection of shells belonging to W. J. Broderip,
Esq. offered by him at the price of 1500 guineas, and valued by
Messrs Turner and Sowerby, at L.1640, 12s. 6d. Mr Gray says,—
« The collection consists of nearly 3000 specimens, and contains
about 200 species, or very distinct varieties, that are altogether
wanting in the already extenSive collection of the British Museum:
Such is the beauty of the specimens, in consequence of the great
attention paid by Mr Broderip to the purchase of none but the
finest that could be procured, and so remarkable are the deviations in
form and colouring in the several series of the more variable species,
that nearly every individual specimen of the remaining portion will
also be valuable to our collection, either in replacing a much infe-
rior specimen, or as rendering more complete the series which we
already possess. ‘the duplicates to be displaced will be few, and
will, for the reasons above given, be taken in every instance from
our present collection, and not from among the specimens in the new
acquisition. A very large proportion of the species contained in this
collection, and wanting in the British Museum, are among the rarest
shells that are known to exist, and many are absolutely unique.” +

Wernerian Society Prize Essay.—It gives us much pleasure to
announce that the honorary premium of Ten Sovereigns, or a piece
of plate of that value, offered by the Wernerian Society of Edin-
burgh, for the best account of the fishes of the district of the Forth,
has been awarded to Dr Richard Parnell, so well known to every

* The Dodo is evidently what Viator should have written.

+ Lord Stanley stated in his place in the House of Commons on Friday last,
That on Easter Monday, in the course of eight hours, 23,985, and on Whit-
Monday, 30,000 persons had visited the British Museum without doing the
slightest mischief.

292 Obituary.

one interested in British Ichthyology by the numeryous additions he
has made, within these two years past, to our native list.

OBITUARY.
Proressor AFzZELIus.—“ Professor Adam Afzelius, the Nestor
of scientific men in Sweden, died at Upsal, on the 30th of last Ja-
nuary, aged eighty-six years. He was the last pupil of Linnzus,
and was celebrated for his travels in Asia and Africa. His African
Herbarium, we believe, is now in the Banksian collection in the
British Museum.” Atheneum, April 22, 1837.—His name is com-
memorated in the genus Afzelia of Sir J. E. Smith. His papers
on “* Three species of T'rifolzwm,” and on the “ genus Pausus,” in
the Linnzan Transactions, Vol. i. and iv., have been pronounced, by
the Rev. Mr Kirby, to be “ as nearly as possible a perfect example
of a monograph ;” and are worthy the careful study of every one
who engages in a work of that class. Afzelius is among those “ re-
spectable names” mentioned by Dr Withering in his list of contri-
butors to the third edition of the “ Arrangement of British Plants ;”
he “ looked over,” says Withering, “ great part of the Author’s
collection, and afforded many valuable observations concerning the
identity of several Swedish and English species.” At this time
(1796) Afzelius was Demonstrator of Botany in the University of
Upsal. He is the author of the following botanical works :
1. De Vegetabilibus Suecanis observationes et experimenta, resp.
Wadsberg. | fasc. in-4. 1785.

2. Genera plantarum Guineensium, pars prima. 4to. 1804.

3. De Rosis Suecanis tentamen primum. 1804. 4to.—Tentamen
secundum. 1805.

E. Donovan, Esq. F. L. S.—In the Gentleman’s Magazine for
July there is a record of this naturalist’s death, with, we believe, a
complete list of his writings. He died February 1, 1837, in John-
Street, Kennington-road, and “has left a large family in destitute
circumstances.” The high price of his books has limited their sale,
and it is probable that few of them covered the expense of their pub-
lication. The principal of them are devoted to the ilustration of
British Zoology in almost every class: perhaps the best and most
interesting is his ‘ History of British Fishes,’ in 5 vols. 8vo, which,
however, is more valuable for its plates than the letter-press ; and
this indeed may be said-of all his works, for they do not rank high
in point of original observation or extensive literary research.
Foreigners have occasionally ascribed to Donovan the discoveries of
Montagu.

PRINTED. BY JOHN STARK, OLD ASSEMBLY CLOSE, EDINBURGH,

MAGAZINE
OF

ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

I.—Historical Notice of Antoine Laurent de Jussieu. By M. Ap.
BRoNGNIART. *

Tue History of Science shows us that there are men who have
been occupied during their whole life with a single idea, but that,
an idea of great importance and fruitful in results—men who have
exercised, even by works of apparently less extent than those of

‘many other inquirers, a vital influence on the progress of science,
because the works which they produce are often the base of the edi-
fice which their contemporaries and successors only serve to complete.

Such may be said to be the case with the individual to whose
memory the following pages are devoted ; an individual celebrated
throughout the scientific world, and venerated by every one who
knew him. It may be affirmed that all his reputation was acquired
by the publication of a single volume: his preceding works were
only a prelude to this, and those that followed merely the develope-
ment of it ; and, notwithstanding their importance, every one will
acknowledge that they were not necessary to add to the fame of the
author of the Genera Plantarum secundum ordines naturales dispo-
sita. This unique volume contains the most profound exposition
of the whole vegetable kingdom, and is as remarkable for the ex-
cellence of its principles as the perfection of its details. It is doubt-
less sufficient to confer on its author the high reputation which he

* Translated from the Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Tom. septiéme, Jan,
1837.
vou. 11. no. 10. U

294 Historical Notice of

enjoyed, and which has continued to increase in proportion as his
work became better known and its principles more fully understood,
discussed, and applied, whether by A. L. de Jussieu himself, or by
those botanists who have followed his steps.

What more convincing proof can be given of the superiority of
the principles on which this work is founded, than its general adop-
tion by all the most distinguished botanists of Europe, who have no
doubt sometimes modified it and brought it nearer perfection, but
who have all assumed Jussieu’s work as the point of their departure,
and most of them may even be said to have deviated but little from
it ?

It may, however, be asked, if this natural method, as it is ex-
plained in the admirable work alluded to, is destined to a lasting
reign—if it is, in short, the method most accordant with nature—
or if, like so many other systems, it is likely to enjoy but a limited
duration, and be replaced by some other method. If we consult only
the history of the sciences, and in particular that of botany, we shall
be inclined to believe that the predominance of the Jussieuan me-
thod will be temporary, like those of Ray, Tournefort, Linné, &c.
and that it will be superseded, at a nearer or remote period, by a
method more adapted to the progress of the sciences.

When we consider only the systematic portion of Jussieu’s work, it
may be perceived that important changes may be introduced in many
parts of it ; and modifications more or less commendable have in
fact been already proposed by the numerous inquirers who have de-
voted themselves to this branch of study. But does their modified
method owe its origin to the rules established by Bernard and An-
toine Laurent de Jussieu? I think it may be affirmed, that every
system which may hereafter be proposed, will be founded on the
fundamental principles admitted by these illustrious philosophers,
and will therefore be only their method brought to perfection, rather
than one entirely new.

This is what will naturally flow from the examination of the prin-
ciples which have guided these celebrated botanists in their works,
and from the progress made in this branch of the science since the
publication of the Genera. But let us examine for a moment the
origin of this method ; the first attempts made to attain to some
parts of it ; andin what state this branch of botany was placed,
when A. L. de Jussieu effectually introduced it into science.

The greater part of classifications preceding that of Jussieu, had
for their object the distribution of vegetables in some method calcu-
lated to facilitate their determination, rather than to arrange them

arr

Antoine Laurent de Jussieu. 295

in natural groups. Some eminent botanists, however, had not fail-
ed to perceive the importance of characters best calculated to divide
the vegetable kingdom into a few great natural classes. Thus Ray
in 1682, and Boerhaave in 1710, had recognized the importance of
the characters furnished by the embryo, and adduced the distinction
of monocotyledones and dicotyledones, although they often made an
inaccurate application of this principle. But their classification in
other respects, although preserving, like all other systems, a consi-
derable number of natural groups, is too systematic to avoid the in-
troduction of many which are completely artificial. All the older
methods, besides, admit the separation into trees and herbs, which,
for the most part, interrupts all natural relations.

Linné, who so greatly advanced the progress of botany by the pre-
cision he introduced into the science, by the simplicity of his sexual
system, and by his sagacious researches into the most interesting
phenomena of vegetable life, is pre-eminently entitled, from the en-
thusiasm of his numerous disciples, to be regarded as the head of a
systematic school, although he has positively declared that he used
every effort to lay the foundation of a natural method. Of this he
has presented us with a sketch in his Classes Plantarum in 1738,
and a new edition in his Philosophia Botanica in 1750.

He always esteemed this method preferable to every other,
and considered it as the essential object of science ; but it must be
admitted that if he was the first in attempting to indicate some frag-
ments (as he himself expresses it) of the natural method, these frag-
ments were extremely imperfect in many respects ; for of the sixty-
seven groups he established, only the half nearly correspond to such
as have been retained, while the others are united to genera pertain-
ing to very different families.

Moreover, Linné has neither indicated the characters of these
groups, nor pointed out the principles by which he was guided in
forming them. It may even be supposed that he has allowed him-
self to be directed rather by the natural perception of affinities which
a botanist of such discrimination necessarily possessed, than by a
profound and comparative study of the organization of the different
genera associated in each of his groups. It is easily perceived that
he was guided by no fixed principle in the formation of his different
natural orders, for in some of them, the Sarmentacee, for example,
the dicotyledones and monocotyledones are mingled almost in equal
numbers ; while in other instances, this is the case with the mono-
petales and the polypetales, as in his Dumose and Veprecule.

To Linné succeeded Adanson and Bernard de Jussieu, who de-~

296 Historical Notice of

voted themselves to the study of the natural method nearly at the
same period.

Adanson was struck with the diversity of the systems hitherto
established, and perceived that, notwithstanding the different prin-
ciples on which they rested, the greater part agreed in preserving
untouched certain groups which the intuitive perception of natural
afiinities led every one to recognize as natural groups. He there-
fore conceived, that, by purposely multiplying systems, and founding
them on all the organs, and on every consideration which these or-
gans could supply, the different relations existing between different
_ vegetables would be thus rendered apparent ; and that by bringing
together into one family such of these genera, as were found to cor-
respond in the greatest number of particulars in these artificial sys-
tems, we should attain to a true natural classification. Proceeding
on this principle, he established sixty-five different systems, founded
sometimes on characters of importance, at other times on characters
of little value, and almost impossible to define. The result of this
was, that by assigning nearly an equal value to these different sys-
tems, the general classification he deduced from them, instead of
being more perfect than that of Linné, interrupted the natural affi-
nities even more frequently. In fact, if we apply to them, in order
to form a comparative estimate of the two methods, the principle
admitted by Adanson himself in judging of the systems antecedent
to his—that is to say, if we examine how many of these groups there
are, which, notwithstanding the progress the study of natural families
has made, continue to be admitted or correspondent to two or three
families which our methods still permit to stand by the side of each
other,—we will find that, of the sixty-seven Linnean families, thir-
ty-four have undergone scarcely any alteration, while of the fifty-
eight families of Adanson, twenty-six only have been able to with-
stand the same proof. Thus the tedious and laborious investigations
of Adanson, at a period, too, when the science had made a great
advance, led him to a result which is no nearer approximation to the
truth than that of Linn».

It may only be remarked that Linné, aware of the imperfect
knowledge which could be obtained in his time respecting the na-
tural classification of plants, had appended to his methed, under the
title of vagw et eliamnum incerle sedis, a considerable series of
genera either little known, or whose position appeared to him doubt-
ful ; while Adanson, in the belief that his method was infallible,
attempted to classify them all, and this pretension to outstrip the
knowledge of his time was perhaps the cause of many of the impro-

Antonie Laurent de Jussieu. 297

per alliances he has been led to form. It would be unjust, at the
same time, not to acknowledge that there is to be found,-in many
parts of his work, the indication of affinities previously overlooked,
and which he very happily perceived.

While Adanson was engaged in these complicated labours to ar-
rive at the natural method, Bernard de Jussieu, examining nature
with a sagacity which may be judged of from the few memoirs he
has published, established the principles of this method, not in a
book, but by nature itself, namely, ina series of plants in the garden
of Trianon, or in a still more perspicuous manner, in the catalogues
used in the formation of that garden; for the manuscript lists he
has left, the most complete of which has been published at the head
of the Genera of Antoine Laurent de Jussieu, indicate the position
of many genera, which at that period were not cultivated in gar-
dens.

It is sufficient to compare this simple list with the attempts at a
natural method by Linné and Adanson, to see how much it is supe-
rior to both, and what a profound knowledge and sagacity it im-
plies in this learned botanist, whom Linné was pleased to designate
as one of the masters of the science. As a proof of this, upwards
of two-thirds of the groups established by Bernard de Jussieu have
remained untouched, notwithstanding the progress of botany, or
have only been subdivided, without these subdivisions being dis-
joined from each other. The examination of the genera united in
each of these families, as well as the series which he has establish-
ed. shows that Bernard de Jussieu had assumed as a character of
the first order, presenting no real exception, the structure of the
embryos, acotyledon, monocotyledon and dicotyleden ; for it is evi-
dent that the few instances where he has included in the same fa-
mily, plants differing in this particular, result from the still imper-
fect knowledge which we possess of the nature and structure of
fruits.

It may be seen, in like manner, that he had appreciated the im-
portance of the characters furnished by the relative insertion of the
different parts of the flower, and that he had even made this the
subject of a careful examination, for he has very rarely united in
the same family plants presenting any notable differences in this
respect ; and the order of these families, as well among the mono-
cotyledones as among the dicotyledones, is founded on the insertion
of the stamina, or of the corolla, on the pistil, the calyx, or the re-
ceptacle.

Although Bernard de Jussieu, therefore, has not made us ac-

298 Historical Notice of

quainted with the rules which directed him in his researches after
the natural method, it cannot be doubted that he acted on two prin-
ciples of this method which are still admitted as the most essential
and least liable to exception, namely, that the differences in the
structure of the embryo furnish characters of the first order, and
the different modes in which the parts of the flower are inserted,
supply characters of the second order, But when we examine the va-
rious catalogues which preceded the planting of the garden at Tri-
anon, we perceive that it was not by one trial that he arrived at this
result, and that he successively brought to perfection both the group-
ing of genera into families, and the distribution of these families.

Such was the state of botany, viewed in relation to the natural
method, when Antoine Laurent de Jussieu, who was born at Lyons
in 1748, came to Paris in 1765, to complete his medical and scienti-
fic studies, under the direction of his uncle, Bernard de Jussieu.
The first years of his abode in this city were entirely devoted to
these studies, and he terminated them in 1770, by a thesis for the
degree of doctor in medicine. The subject of this thesis, and the
mode in which it is handled, show the direction already given to
his studies, and the philosophical spirit which animated him at first
entering upon his scientific career. That subject was, An econo-
miam animalem inter et vegetalem analogia ? and it is, in fact, a
concise, elegant, and perspicuous exposition of what was positively
known at that period respecting the structure and functions of ve-
getables, and a comparison of them with the phenomena of animal
life. The manner in which this question is treated was evidently
a brilliant outset for a young man of twenty-two; and when Le-
monnier, then professor of botany, becameunable to attend at the Roy-
al garden, in consequence of the duties entailed on him by his situa-
tion as first Physician to the King, Bernard de Jussieu proposed
his nephew as his substitute, which was agreed to. Antoine-
Laurent de Jussieu then devoted himself, with renewed ardour, to
the study of that branch of science which he was thus called upon
to teach.

The memoir on the family Ranunculi, which he read to the Aca-
demy of Sciences in 1773, proves how speedily he bad turned his
studies to some account, and how thoroughly his mind was imbu-
ed with the excellent principles, which, as above-mentioned, had
evidently directed Bernard de Jussieu in his attempts at natural
classification.

In this memoir, which procured for its author admission into the
_ Academy of Sciences, and in a second memoir, presented the follow-

Antoine Laurent de Jussieu. 299

ing year, on the new arrangement of plants in the royal garden at
Paris, we find, for the first time, the fundamental principles of the
natural method explained with perspicuity and precision. We there
find a just appreciation of the grand principles of subordination of
characters, and their unequal value ; a principle unknown to Linné
and Adanson, evidently recognized by Bernard de Jussieu, but of
which Laurent de Jussieu was the first to perceive the full import-
ance, and he afterwards applied it with singular judgment.

Thus, in the first of the above-mentioned memoirs, we find this
passage :

“ We have seen, by some general principles developed in this
memoir, the affinity which exists between the parts of fructifica-
tion ; in this affinity different degrees are perceptible: all these
characters have not the same value, or the same efficacy in uniting -
or separating plants. Some are primitive, essential, and invariable,
such as the number of the lobes of the embryo, its situation in the
grain, the position of the calyx and of the pistil, the attachment of
the corolla and stamens; these serve for the principal divisions.
The others are secondary ; they are sometimes variable, but never be-
come essential, unless when their existence is connected with that of
some of the preceding, and it is their assemblage which distinguishes
the families.”

Such, then, from the date of 1773, were the fundamental prin-
ciples by which Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu was guided in drawing
up the Genera Plantarum. They are expressed with much _ preci-
sion ; and if he sometimes deviates from them, it may be perceiv-
ed that he does so as a concession to facility of study, or to the old
systems, rather than from real conviction. Thus in the memoir
read in 1774 on the new arrangement in the Garden of Plants, he
has evidently departed from the rigorous principle of the insertions,
as Bernard de Jussieu had admitted them in the catalogues of Tri-
anon, by dividing the dicotyledones into apetales, monopetales, and
polypetales ; but we have only to read his memoir to perceive, that
his only object was to multiply the great classes, and to establish
some relations between the new order and the method of Tourne-
fort which it replaced, and which was generally known, not only to
the pupils, but to the majority of the botanists of that era. We
must not therefore lose sight of the origin of this part of Jussieu’s
classification when we wish to appreciate the method followed in
the Genera Plantarum, which does not sensibly differ from it.

From this period up to 1785, Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu always
arranged the plants in the botanic garden according to this method.

300 ENstorical Notice of

The lists used in his demonstrations, worn out by use, often renew-
ed, covered with notes and additions, and at last presenting not
only the list of the genera and species cultivated, but the characters
of the families and most frequently those of the genera concisely
and perspicuously indicated,—all shew that these eleven years
were diligently employed in bringing his natural method nearer
perfection. From the year 1770, Bernard de Jussieu, now 71
years of age, ceased entirely to take any charge of the garden, which
he wholly entrusted to his nephew ; his health, and particularly his
sight, became feeble, and in 1777, after having experienced several
attacks of apoplexy, he finished his long career—a career which
had in reality so much influence on the progress of botany, although
in appearance it had been productive of little.

A comparison of dates will suffice to show what portions of the
natural method, as explained in the Genera Plantarum of 1789;
are due to Bernard de Jussieu, and what to his nephew. The ar-
rangement at Trianon, formed in 1759, proves that the classification
of the families according to the cotyledons and the insertion of the
stamens, is due to Bernard de Jussieu ; Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu,
while studying this series, and receiving his early botanical educa-
tion from his uncle, probably drew up the first principles of the
science ; but every thing proves that the influence of Bernard de
Jussieu on the works of his nephew is limited to this.

In fact, Bernard de Jussieu’s three note-books relative to the order
of the garden at Trianon, contain not a single character either of
the classes, families, or genera ; there is not even an indication of
any of the classes except those of the Monocotyledones and Dico-
tyledones. In his notes on the cards we find some generic charac-
ters accompanied with sketches of the section of the seed ; but these
cards, carefully preserved by his family, are far from numerous.

This method of description on cards (carles) was followed by his
nephew ; they are frequently dated, and amount to a great number
in 1774.

Finally, the oldest notes used in his demonstrations by Antoine-
Laurent, bear the characters of the families, which are not found in
any of those belonging to Bernard.

Thus the first principles of the classification are due to Bernard
de Jussieu, but the profound and sagacious application of these

principles and the true institution of the natural families are to be
ascribed to Laurent.

,

In 1785, Desfontaines succeeded Jsemonnier, and A. L. de Jus-
sieu discontinued his demonstrations as the substitute of the latter.

Antoine Laurent de Jussieu. 801

He immediately commenced to draw up his Genera Plantarum se-
cundum ordines naturales disposita, which was nothing else than the
developement of the writings used in his demonstrations, and which
he had been bringing to perfection from the year 1774. The mate-
rials prepared for the work, may, in fact, be seen in a catalogue of
genera, to which is added a list of all the new genera indicated in
recent works, and which were to be arranged in their proper order
in the Genera when completed.

The four years that intervened between 1785 and 1789 were
thus employed in digesting the materials which were to enter into
the composition of the Genera, and in the actual completion and
printing of the work. The printing went on as the author drew it
up, and yet the successive and definitive completion of the different
parts led to no important error, so carefully had the general plan
and the series of the genera been previously elaborated.

The fifty years which have now nearly elapsed since the publica-
tion of this work, and the numerous investigations of the natural
method which have taken place since that period, allow us to regard
the opinion of the learned world regarding it as the opinion of pos-
terity, and this opinion is so general and so unanimous in its favour,
that it would be fruitless to insist here upon its merit and import-
ance. However, without presuming to form a judgment on what has
been already determined by the most distinguished botanists of all
countries, we may be permitted to inquire, to what kind of merit the
Genera of Antoine Laurent de Jussieu owes the influence it has ex-
ercised, not only on the progress of botany, but likewise on that of
every other branch of natural history.

Up to the time of the publication of the Genera Plantarum, it
may be said that the natural method had not entered the field of
public inquiry. The series of Linné and Bernard de Jussieu, very
incomplete, and merely nominal, had no other effect than suggesting
some speculative reflections to men who were in a condition to guess
at their principles. The work of Adanson, destitute of general
principles, and destroying natural affinities in the majority of cases,
was presented besides in a form which necessarily rendered it diffi-
cult to consult, and afforded no opportunity for the author to ex-
plain the reasons which led him to form such and such relations.
Thus from the date of 1763, the time when Adanson’s Families of
Plants were published, up to 1789—a period of twenty-six years—
the natural method had made no progress in the learned world.
Neither in France nor in any other country had it acquired new fol-

3

302 Historical Notice of

lowers ; merely a passing glimpse had been obtained of it ; its nature
was not yet demonstrated.

The Genera of 1789 had, on the contrary, a speedy influence on
the direction of botanical studies. This influence was not indeed
immediate, for the public attention was then turned to events of
high importance altogether foreign to science. But at the end of
a few years the work had come almost into general use throughout
France in public teaching, not only in the instructions of the facul-
ties and the Garden of Plants at Paris, but also in the majority of
the central schools, those foci of general and varied instruction which
were too speedily destroyed.

Of the botanical works in ordinary use, the Flore Frangaise of
Lamarck and of Decandolle, as well as many local floras, were ar-
ranged according to this method, and made it more generally known ;
and scarcely twenty years had elapsed, when an eminent botanist
declared himself one of its most devoted champions, and contributed
materially to bring it to perfection. Since that time it has spread
over Europe, and it may be even said the whole world. Its supe-
riority over artificial methods is generally acknowledged, and the
latter are now admitted only in their proper character, namely, as
more or less convenient keys for opening a way to the nomenclature
of vegetables.

We may add, with Cuvier, that the influence of the Genera Plan-
farum is not confined to botany. Every branch of natural history,
and zoology in particular, have derived benefit from the principles
which guided Jussieu, and which he has so well explained in his
admirable introduction ; and we are inclined to think that Cuvier,
in expressing this opinion, founded it on his own experience, and
that the principles alluded to regulated him in the changes he in-
troduced into the zoological system. To exercise in a gradual and
durable manner so positive and generally acknowledged an influence
onthe progress of science,a work must necessarily unite two different
kinds of merit ; general ideas of a varied, important, and novel cha-
racter, and as perfect an application us possible of these principles
in all their details. These, in fact, are the qualities we find united
in the Genera of Antoine-Laurent de Jussieu. The introduction,
written in the most perspicuous and elegant Latin ever employed
on scientific subjects, presents an exposition not only of the fun-
damental principles of the natural method, but as perfect a view
of the structure of vegetables as the existing state of botany per-
mitted.

. The characters of the classes and families afford an opportunity
4

Antoine Laurent de Jussieu. 303

for applying and developing these principles; and the exactness,
perspicuity, and precision of these characters, particularly such as
apply to the families, still authorize us, if we keep in mind the pe-
riod when they were framed, to consider them as models which few
authors have equalled, and none surpassed.

Finally, the notes appended to the greater part of these families
form, perhaps, that portion of the work which most evinces the
judgment and extensive knowledge of the author.

It was in them that he often corrected the artificial tendency
which a linear series always assumes, that he pointed out the mul-
tiplied relations of families to each other, and that he indicated the
doubts left upon his mind by imperfect observations which he had
been unable to verify, or which led to the presentiment of remote
affinities, a foresight which greatly outstripped, so to speak, the
actual state of the science. Many of the improvements subsequent-
ly introduced into the natural method, are in reality, foreseen or in-
dicated either in these notes, or in the sectional divisions of the fa-
milies, or by a word placed at the end of the generic character.

This last part of the work, the characters of the genera, consi-
dered by some superficial authors as a simple compilation, is not in
our estimation, the least remarkable feature of it. Certainly the
work would have presented, after the characters and notes on the
families, a list of the genera comprised in each of these families, as
every one has since done who has followed in the same track, and
this of itself would have rendered an immense service to the science,
and sufficed to elucidate the natural method. Yet, without gene-
ric characters, a table of the families would have only been a sub-
ject for study and reflection, and would not have been adapted to
actual use, nor formed a manual, so to speak, for the botanist ; and
the natural method would have been disseminated much more slow-
ly among the learned.

But in introducing generic characters, it may be asserted that
they could not in general be taken by compilation, even from the
most esteemed works of the period ; for characters simply distinc-
tive, suitable for an artificial system, would often be quite unadapt-
ed to a natural method ; or a character which might appear trivial
to the author of the former, might acquire great importance in the
eyes of him who studies natural relations. Accordingly, the cha-
racters of the Genera have been generally traced by the hand of
Jussieu, either after nature, or after the published or manuscript de-
scriptions of botanists in whom he could place confidence, and the

304 Historical Notice of

mention of the sources from which he has derived them, always en-
ables us to judge of their value.

If the characters of the genera, then, are partly a work of compi-
lation, it is a kind of compilation which is indispensable in a pro-
duction of this nature, and often requires more talent and discern-
ment than direct observations.

It may therefore be affirmed that the Genera Plantarum, pub-
lished in 1789, was a work as perfect, in its execution as the state of
botany admitted of, and this execution is entirely due to Antoine-
Laurent de Jussieu.

- With regard to the principles of the classification, the fundamen-
tal basis of the method, they were the same as those explained by
the author in his memoir on the series of plants in the garden of
Paris ; that is to say, the same as those admitted by Bernard de Jus-
sieu, and deduced from the number of the cotyledons, and the rela-
tive insertion of the parts of the flower, to which were added such
as are derived from the presence and structure of the corolla.

The adoption of these characters, as the base of the first clas-
sification of the dicotyledones, has perhaps contributed to interrupt
the relations which Jussieu no doubt perceived to exist between the
apetales and the polypetales, and in some rarer instances between
the monopetales and these two last classes. But it is necessary on-
ly to refer to the memoir above-mentioned, to perceive that the de-
sire of multiplying the number of the classes, to render the natural
method of more easy use, determined the author, in this instance,
to depart from what he considered the rigorous principles of his
method. If any blame attaches to the author of the Genera rela-
tively to the classification he has adopted, it arises, I conceive, from
his having made this concession for the purpose of rendering his
work of easier application ; for it is probable that the characters
furnished by the corolla will one day be dispensed with, to a great-
er or less extent ; and this, to appearance, will be the most import-
ant modification which the method of the Genera Plantarum shall
have undergone, although in reality it will merely consist in revert-
ing to the original principles of the author.

The public events which almost immediately succeeded the pub-
lication of the Genera Plantarum, necessarily diverted the author’s
attention from his botanical studies. The period which elapsed be-
tween 1789 and 1800, was but little adapted to the peaceable study
of natural history: Jussieu employed it in rendering himself useful
both to his own species and to science, by lending his aid in improv-

ing the hospitals, and in organizing the museum of natural history.

Antoine Laurent de Jussieu. 305

In 1790, he was nominated by his section member of the munici-
pality of Paris, and wasentrusted, under that title, with the manage-
ment of the city hospitals: he fulfilled these duties till the year 1792.

In 1793, the garden of plants, or King’s garden, was remodelled
under the name of the museum of natural history. All the per-
sons appointed, under different titles, to teach or take charge of the
collections were raised to the rank of professors, and entrusted with
the management of the establishment. M. de Jussieu who, like
Vaillant and Bernard de Jussieu, had hitherto been merely a.de-
monstrator, was appointed, with the title of professor of rural botany,
to teach that science in the country. He thus shared the task of
teaching botany with his colleague Desfontaines ; and his herborisa-
tions, attended by a crowd of young students, and distinguished
amateurs, contributed to spread a taste for the study, and to diffuse
the enlightened principles which he had introduced into the science ;
and his followers were predisposed to give a favourable reception
to the latter, when they witnessed the simplicity and kindness of
him who demonstrated them.

Having been chosen successively by his colleagues to be director
and treasurer in the administration of the museum, he rendered im-
portant services to the establishment in these capacities, particular-
ly at the difficult period of its reorganization, when, notwithstanding
the obstacles which political events often opposed to the prosperity
and even the existence of the museum, he found means, by his zeal
and activity, to perform services of the highest advantage to it.

He resumed the publication of his botanical researches when the
Annales du Museum were commenced in 1802.

Besides a series of notices on the history of the Museum of na-
tural history, we find in the early volumes of this collection many
memoirs on new or imperfectly described genera ; or on families which
recent discoveries or more exact observations have enriched with
new genera. Thus the Amaranthe, the Nyctaginee, and the Ona-
grarie were successively submitted to a new examination.

It may be perceived that his object in these investigations was to
bring the Genera Plantarum and the natural method nearer perfec-
_ tion ; but this purpose became more evident in the fifth volume of
the collection, in 1804, when he began to publish a series of me-
moirs devoted to the examination of the general characters of the
families derived from the fruit, and confirmed or rectified by the
observations of Gertner. He mentions at the same time the addi-
tions which these families had received since the appearance of the
Genera, and discusses questionable points of organization or synony-

306 Historical Notice of

my, always displaying remarkable skill in the examination of ob-
scure genera, often ill described by their authors, and whose struc-
ture he refers to their true type with singular discrimination,-as ap-
pears from his decisions having been almost invariably confirmed by
more recent observations.

This revision forms the subject of fifteen memoirs, published
between the years 1804 and 1819, and embraces all the families of
the apetalous, and monopetalous dicotyledones, as well as the epi-
gynous, and hypogynous polypetales.

Always desirous to complete the view of the vegetable kingdom
presented in his Genera Plantarum, and to make that work keep
pace with new discoveries and the progress of science, Jussieu pub-
lished successively other memoirs, in which he established new
genera, occasioned either by his having become better acquainted
with their structure since the publication of his original work, or
by the numerous discoveries resulting from recent scientific travels,
which had introduced into collections so many forms either wholly
new, or associating with genera hitherto insulated, and which he
had not therefore ventured to consider as the types of particular fa-
milies. It was thus that the author of the Genera, by being the
first to add to the edifice he had himself reared, showed that he
considered it susceptible of modifications and improvements ; for,
like every one of an elevated mind, he was aware that the sciences
are never stationary, and admitted that the natural method must
become more perfect in proportion as botany becomes more extended.

In this way he added to the families already established in 1789,
those of the Loasez, the Passifloreze, the Monimiez, the Lobeli-
ace, the Polygalez, and the Paronychiex. Finally, many of these
memoirs are occupied with the examination of obscure genera, whose
relations to known genera and natural families could be with difh-
culty established ; of this description are the memoirs on the Pheli-
pea of Thunberg, the Hydropityon of Gertner, many genera of
the Laurinee which ought to be united into one, and on different
genera of Loureiro. Perhaps there are few memoirs of great ex-
tent which evince more strikingly than these short notices, the ex-
tensive knowledge and discrimination of Jussieu: we perceive at
every instant how the appreciation of characters, their value, their
subordination, or their incongruity, proved a safe guide to him in
this difficult investigation. We there see disclosed, so to speak, the
method he followed in ascertaining the alliances of numerous exotic
genera, often very imperfectly known, and which he has almost al-
ways succeeded in classing correctly in his immortal work.

Antoine Laurent de Jussieu. 307

The last memoir published by Jussieu appeared in 1820, in the
sixteenth volume of the Memoirs of the Museum. It related to the
family of the Rubiacez, and presented all the genera arranged and
described, after the manner the author intended to follow in a new
edition of the Genera Plantarum, which he then projected, and for
which he had constantly been employed in providing materials. This
last work, published when he was seventy-two years of age, is worthy
of its predecessor of 1789: we find in it the same arrangement,
thesame distinctness of ideas, the same simple and precise definitions.

From this period Jussieu’s sight became so weak that he was
obliged to relinquish the examination of nature, and confine himself
to studying the works of others. His only contributions to science
are some articles inserted in the Dictionary of Natural Sciences, re-
lating either to the families of plants, or such as are mentioned by
travellers under their vulgar names, which he endeavours to refer
to their proper genus or family. These consisted of materials collect-
ed long before, and we still recognize in them a mind which joined
a most extensive erudition to an intimate knowledge of nature.

We ought also to mention the article on the natural method, in
the same collection, published in 1824, in which the same skilful
hand has given, with his usual perspicuity, the history of the natu-
ral method in botany, and explained the principles on which it is
founded.

Finally, in the last years of his life, from the date of 1826, his
duties relative to the Museum of Natural History having been un-
dertaken by a son worthy of such a father, he passed a great part
of the year in the country, and divided his time between the read-
ing of the most modern books on botany, and drawing up an analysis
of such of his works as appeared to him of most utility to science.

Combining these recent discoveries with the knowledge he had
acquired in the course of his long career, he made them the subject
of a new edition of the introduction to his Genera Plantarum.

In this proemium, which is written in the same pure and elegant
Latin as the first Introduction, we find some of the same ideas as he
advanced in 1789, particularly those on classification : but it at once
appears that he was a stranger to none of the modern discoveries in
anatomy and physiology, for he conceived that they all should con-
cur in perfecting the natural method, the base of which should be
formed by all the parts of the organization of vegetables. He was
engaged almost to the close of his life in completing this work, which
turned his attention to his past studies, and agreeably occupied his
mind. But his sight had by this time become so weak that it could
no longer direct his hand, and he was often obliged to employ the

308 Notice of Antoine Laurent de Jussieu.

pen of another ; but this impediment did not make him discontinue
his exertions.

We conceive that this, the last work of so illustrious a man, writ-

ten when he was about 83 years of age, and yet worthy of the
author’s best days, will be read with interest by those who may have
a desire to compare it with the introduction to the Genera of 1789.
It is besides an homage which ought to be rendered to the memory
of an individual who has contributed much to the fame of our coun-
try, to lay it before the public ; and we are happy to have it in our
power to add it to the present notice.*
If the labours of M. de Jussieu entitle him to a place in the first
rank of savans, he may in addition be held up as a model for
amenity of character. He was full of kindness to those who devot-
ed themselves to the study of the sciences, and gave every encou-
ragement to such as distinguished themselves in the pursuit. En-
tirely devoted to the advancement of botany, and searching only for
truth, he candidly acknowledged his own errors, and pointed out
those of others without asperity. He was never drawn into the po-
lemics of science: no example can be cited, either in his work or in
his numerous memoirs, of a single word calculated to injure any of
his contemporaries, and yet he was the means of advancing the sci-
ence much more than those who have combated in support of their
views. His were founded on truth, and needed no adventitious sup-
port ; left to themselves they have gradually wrought their way into
science, till they are now generally admitted. He had the happi-
ness, therefore, to join to the distinction he acquired by his scienti-
fic superiority, the friendship of all who were able to appreciate him ;
and the young, to whom he was remarkably kind, entertained a
most filial veneration for him.

Surrounded by the marks of esteem and friendship, entirely de-
voted to the study of the sciences, and never extending his ambition
beyond this circle ;—happy in the bosom of a numerous family, and
seeing himself survive, so to speak, in a son worthy to bear his name,
and who had become even during his lifetime his colleague and stic-
cessor,—he passed his long career in the enjoyment of a happiness
which he owed as much to himself as to the circumstances in which
he happened to be placed ; and at last, in the eighty-eighth year of his
age, on the 15th September 1836, a short and not very painful disor-
der brought to an easy termination a life which had been spent in so
much usefulness and tranquillity.

* It will appear in the same volume of the Annales des Sciences Naturelles
.from which the above biographical notice has been extracted.

Notes on the Ornithology of Norway. 309

1I.—Notes on the Ornithology of Norway. By W. C. Hewrr-
son, Esq.

Havine long wished to explore the breeding places of those
birds (periodical visitants of our shores) which leave us during the
time of incubation, Norway was fixed upon as the country which we
supposed most likely to gratify our hopes ; and, could we have pla-
ced dependence on ornithological works, they would not have been
disappointed. It seems however to have been, (as I fear it is still,)
the custom with ornithologists to refer the breeding-places of those
birds about which they know nothing either to Norway or some other
northern country. Relying too much upon them, we had promised
ourselves a long list of acquisitions, comprising nearly all the rarer
British birds. On the other hand, all the books of travels in that
country which we consulted agree in describing the scarcity of birds
in the Norwegian forests.

Never was a country in appearance more fitted as the resort of
every class of birds,—with its extensive fiords,*—its numerous lakes
and rivers,—its unbounded forests,—its mountains and marshes,—
its lofty precipices,—and its unnumbered islands.

For weeks we explored those ceaseless forests, over paths at one
time the track of a mountain torrent, at another the margin of a
lake or river, penetrating wilds untrodden except by the bear
hunters, climbing in turn the tops of the snowy mountains, but with
so little success that we ceased to carry our guns,—almost the only
living creatures which we saw being the hosts of black ants with
which the woods swarm, and by the tracks of which (as clearly de-
fined as the footpath in our fields) they are everywhere intersected.

The fieldfare was the only bird which we ever saw in abundance
in the forest ; a thrush, a chaflinch, or a yellow-hammer, would some-
times, though rarely, cross our way.

Four-legged animals were alike rare ; no bear or wolf ever ap-
peared to peril our path, and the total number of quadrupeds seen
during our rambles consisted of three foxes, a hare, a few squirrels,
a rat, and a mouse.

With little better success we visited upwards of a hundred is-
lands, and though they were each of them occupied by a few of the

_ black-backed, heron, or common gulls, we never saw these, or any

fe

ete Cac

of the sea birds, (with the exception of the puflin, eider duck, and
common gull,) in the same abundance that they are seen at the
breeding places upon our own coasts.

* Arms of the sea.
VOL. 11. No. 10. x

310 Notes on the Ornithology of Norway.

Anxious to arrive in Norway at the first breaking up of winter,
we proposed to make the fieldfare our guide, and to take our de-
parture about the same time ; it was not, therefore, without feelings
of uneasiness that we watched its protracted stay upon our shores
long after the blackbird and the thrush had been busied in incuba-
tion. May had commenced, and yet the fieldfare tarried, and on
the 6th we sailed, and on our passage out were overtaken by seve-
ral small birds, which, after resting a few minutes on our rigging,
shot rapidly ahead of us. The solan goose was observed during the
whole time, and at the greatest distance from land.

The weather on our arrival was bitter in the extreme, the day
following was sunny and delightful, and in a few minutes walk
from Drontheim we found ourselves on the borders of the forest,
surrounded by the delicious notes of several of our own sweet
songsters.

With the exception of a few eagles, birds of prey were scarcely
ever seen ; once or twice only we observed a species of buzzard, a
harrier, and the hobby, while the kestrel and merlin were seen but a
few times.

Both the British eagles were, however, not unfrequent upon the
coast, the white-tailed the more common of the two. Few of the
large rocky islands were without them, to particular spots of which
they seem to form an attachment,—daily taking their stand for hours
‘together upon some points of rock to prune their feathers, or to sit
in motionless inactivity.

Mr John Hancock, who was one of our party, succeeded at mid-
night in watching a white-tailed eagle to its eyrie, which was upon
a ledge projecting from the side of a perpendicular precipice, and
inaccessible. With much difficulty Mr B. Johnson and myself suc-
ceeded in gaining a position above. In doing so we had climbed up
a deep ravine, and had passed so near the nest, displacing fragments
of the rock at every step, that we had given up all hopes of sur-
prising the old bird ; and having laid dewn our guns beside us when
the old bird left the nest, which had been hidden by a bush, and
was not many yards below us, we were then holding on by one
hand to tufts of grass to prevent our sliding down the oblique sur-
face of the rock, and it was to no purpose that we discharged our
guns with the other. We could now discern an egg and a newly
hatched young one.

Whilst cne day wandering in the forest, we were attracted by
the anxiety evinced during our loitering in the neighbourhood by a
pair of merlins ; and although at home we only know them as breed-

Notes on the Ornithology of Norway. 31]

ers on the ground upon the heaths of the north, we felt assured that
their nest must be in one of the trees, although we failed in our
endeavours to find it. Of this I have now no doubt, since I find by
reference to Temminck that they breed in trees.
Upon mentioning our surprise at the scarcity of the larger hawks,
we were told that they were now breeding far in the country, re-
mote from human dwelling places, and approachable only by seve-
ral days journey over snow, and that they are seen only in the win-
ter, or accompanied by the great eagle owl, following and feasting
upon the amazing troops of the marmot, the periodical processions
of which are so wonderful :—all the information we could learn re-
| specting them was, that they commonly come in the autumn, and
_ that the ground for a great space is completely covered with them.
Of the owls we only saw two alive, the great eagle-owl and
the short-eared owl. Dead and nailed against the houses during
_ the previous winter, we had frequently the mortification of seeing
_ the former.
The raven is in plenty upon the larger islands, and surprised us
_ by its tameness, contrasting with most other birds of the country,
_ and with its habits of extreme caution in our own.
The hooded-crow is also abundant by the sea coast, in the rocks
_ of which it breeds. One nest which we found was in the cliffs of a
small island covered with sea gulls, in the very camp of its enemies,
_ which unceasingly torment and harass it.
® The magpie is one of the most abundant. as well as most inte-
if resting, of the Norwegian birds,—noted for its sly cunning habits
here, its altered demeanour there is the more remarkable. It is
upon the most familiar terms with the inhabitants, picking close
about their doors, and sometimes walking inside their houses. It
_ abounds in the town of Drontheim, making its nest upon the
churches and warehouses, We saw as many as a dozen of them
at one time seated upon the gravestones in the church-yard. Few
farm-houses are without several of them breeding under the eaves,
their nests supported by the spout. In some trees close to houses,
their nests were several feet in depth, the accumulation of years of
undisturbed and quiet possession.
The inhabitants of Norway pleased us very much by the kind
feeling which they seemed to entertain towards them, as well as to
most species of birds, often expressing a hope that we would not
shoot many. Holes are cut in many of their buildings for the ad-
“mission of the starlings, and pieces of wood are nailed against them
_ to support the nest of the house martin. At Christmas, that the

ee ee SL. ee ee es
="

312 Notes ‘on the Ornithology of Norway.

birds may share their festivities and enjoyments, they place a sheaf
of corn at the end of their houses.

The jay occurred once or twice.

The starling (next to the fieldfare) is the most abundant bird in
the country, breeding in almost every house. |

Of the thrushes, the fieldfare is very common, although rather |
local, not generally dispersed through the forests, but occupying |
particular parts of them, to which it seems to return year after year, | |
—nests of previous years being mixed amongst those of the present. |
In these localities it abounds, breeding in society. .The nests (a |
hundred of which might be found in a very limited distance) are
placed in the spruce fir, at distances from the ground varying from
four to forty feet or upwards. They as well as the eggs very much
resemble those of the blackbird ; the latter were often five, and not
unfrequently six innumber. Their hurried flight from tree to tree,
and their loud harsh cries, very soon point out their locality. Mr
Swainson, in an article on the nests of birds in Lardner’s Cyclope-
dia, in order to support a rule laid down by him, that all insectivo-
rous birds are solitary builders, states that the fieldfares are never
known to breed together. In this statement, as I have shown above,
he is quite mistaken. How does he reconcile the habits of the house }
and sand martins to this rule? They (especially the latter) are not jf
solitary builders. |

The redwing was but seldom seen, and then perched upon the |
summit of one of the highest trees, pouring forth its delightfully |
wild note. It was always very shy, and upon seeing our approach |
would drop suddenly from its height, and disappear amongst the |
underwood. Its nest, which we twice found with young ones, (al-_
though our unceasing endeavours to obtain its eggs were fruitless, )
was similar to that of the fieldfare, but nearer the ground. |

The redwing is called the nightingale of Norway, and well it de-
serves the name. |

The song thrush and the blackbird were occasionally seen. The
ring ouzel often, frequenting many of the wooded rocks, and enliven- |
ing the most bleak and desolate islands with its sweet song. It |
shares with the redwing the name of nightingale, and often delight- |
ed us in our midnight visits amongst the islands.

‘he water ouzel was noticed a few times.

Of the swallow tribe, the swift and the swallow were seldom seen.
The house martin was in the greatest numbers, breeding in the lof:
ty rocks, through which the celebrated archway at Forghattan pas-
ses. The sand martin was breeding unmolested in the walls of

Notes on the Ornithology of Norway. 313

the town of Drontheim, at an elevation of two or three feet only from
the ground. The house martin was the only species which was ob-
served beyond 65° north.
Of the flycatchers we saw both the British species, though seldom.
The whiterump and the whinchat were amongst the most nume-
rous of the small birds in those limited parts which are clear of

wood.

We noticed also the redbreast, the redstart, and the blue-throat-
ed warbler, the sedge warbler, the blackcap, the white-throat, the
chiff chaff, and the willow wren, the latter upon the islands, as far
north as the Arctic Circle, from the coppices Of which we were
sometimes delighted by its soft sweet song. The golden crested-
wren, the greater, blue, marsh, cole, and long-tailed titmice. Of the
wagtails, the pied and neglected. Of the larks, the skylark, and
of the pipits, the meadow, rock, and tree species.

Of the buntings, the yellow, black-headed, and snow buntings.
The latter was in its beautiful summer plumage, of black and white.
We found a single nest with young under some loose stones.

The house sparrow was very local, and confined to a few farm-
houses at a distance from each other.

The chaffinch we saw throughout the whole of the inland district

| which we traversed. The mountain finch at one place only, where

it was breeding. The siskin, the lesser redpole, and the green lin-
net seldom. The crossbill would now and then cross our road
through the forest, but in such rapid flight, that it required great
exertion to keep pace with them as they passed from tree to tree,
examining the cones of the pines. Of the parrot crossbill we obtain-
ed two specimens.

Of the green woodpecker, we saw several near one of the church-
es, in the steeple of which (being of wood) they had bored several
holes in which to deposit their eggs. In two instances only the
great black woodpecker was seen at a distance, but so wild, that it
was impossible to approach it.

The welcome sound of the cuckoo was seldom heard.

The periodical visits of the grouse (Tetraonide) to this country
are very interesting. In one year the ptarmigan, which comprises
two species, (Tetrao lagopus and saliceti,) and the black grouse
(T. tetrix) abound in amazing numbers, breed around the houses

of the natives, and are extremely tame. The next year probab-

ly they are scarcely to be met with, The season we were there
was unfortunately the year of scarcity ; and although we took infi-
nite pains, and used every exertion to obtain the ptarmigan, it was

314 . Notes on the Ornithology of Norway.

of no avail. Whether or not this part of Norway is supplied with
birds emigrating from Russia or other parts of the continent, or by
more partial emigration from its own mountains, during the severe
months of winter, I will not pretend to say. The previous winter
had been such for extreme mildness as was not remembered, so
little snow having fallen that the sledges were useless, and the
communication ions the inland country cut off.

The capercailzie we had only twice the satisfaction of seeing alive
in the woods ; on the hospitable board of the merchants of Dron~
theim more frequently. They are scarce and very difficult to pro-
cure, and are only obtained by the natives with the greatest perse-
verance, being nearly always shot with the rifle, and either during

the night or at the break of day : it is considered in consequence a
very good night’s work to bring down one. They breed in the

mountainous parts of the forest far from any habitations, and it.

was with the greatest difficulty we could procure the eggs. They
are very similar to those of our black grouse, but larger. The other
species of game are the black grouse ; the British ptarmigan (T.
lagopus,) ought scarcely to be included in a list which is intended
to contain those birds only which we ourselves saw, not having met

with a single specimen, although extremely abundant in some sea-

sons. Of the willow grouse (T. saliceti) we shot a pair upon one
of the larger islands ; they were remarkably tame, and could not be
urged to take flight.

The note of the corncrake was once or twice heard.

The golden plover and the dotterel were in small flocks upon the —

patches of cultivated land. The ring-dotterel often upon the sea
shore, the colouring of a specimen baich we shot appeared to us
unusually bright and beautiful ; indeed, we observed this with regard
to several of the birds which we shot while there. Of the waders,
we noticed occasionally, the curlew, the whimbrel, the greenshank,
redshank, ruff, dunlin and purple sandpiper. We were much amus-
ed with what was to us quite new, with regard to some of the birds —
just mentioned. One day we were pursuing a bird of this class,

and after hunting a marshy place towards which it had flown to no-
purpose, we discovered it, much to our astonishment, seated above our

heads on the top of a tall tree. We found afterwards that it was ¥-
a common practice with the redshank and the greenshank, and
what surprised us more, the long legged curlew would frequently
alight on the top of the pine forest, and would pass from tree to tree 5

uttering its loud note.
The oyster catcher was frequent everywhere. Numbers of them

4
* |

%

i nes

Notes on the Ornithology of Norway. 315

were apparently idlers, and flying together in flocks during the whole
summer.

We were rewarded for many a toilsome search by finding the
nest and eggs of the turnstone. They were admirably sheltered
from the many storms to which the bleak islands where they breed
are exposed, being placed beneath the branches of the juniper
bushes, which creep closely along the surface of the rocks. We
afterwards found several of their nests; and it was an easy matter
for us to ascertain (before landing) upon which island we should
be successful in discovering another of their nests, by the daring at-
tacks they made upon any of the larger gulls which approached
them.

The coot was only once seen.

The bean goose was rather numerous upon one of the huge islands
near the Arctic Circle, where it had been breeding during the pre-
vious month.

Of the ducks we noticed the velvet duck, scoter, common wild
duck, teal, widgeon, shieldrake, long-tailed duck, golden eye, and
eider duck. The last mentioned by far the most numerous, breed-
ing in great numbers upon some of the islands; the male birds,
which were floating around them in hundreds, together giving the
sea a lively and most beautiful appearance. ‘They are a valuable
property to the natives, and are in consequence strictly protected by
them. Upon one island which we visited in company with the keep-
er, the females were sitting in great numbers, and were so perfectly
tame, and on such familiar terms with him, that they did not appear
to be in the least disturbed whilst we stood by to look at them, and
some of them would even allow him to stroke them on the back with
his hand.

Of the golden-eye we had the satisfaction to find a nest, and, for
a bird of its habits, most singularly situated. It was in a tree, in
a hole lately occupied by the great black woodpecker, at the height
of ten or twelve feet from the ground, and so small that it was with
difficulty we could insert the hand.

Of the goosander we frequently observed small flocks, almost en-
tirely male birds, accompanied rarely by one or two females. The
females must have been breeding somewhere in the neighbourhood,
but it was in vain that we made every search for theeggs. Upon
inquiry of the best informed people, we were told that the females
are never seen during the summer, nor until (accompanied by their
young ones) they join the male birds in the autumn.

The red-breasted merganser was frequent upon most of the lakes

Sage

816 Notes on the Ornithology of Norway.

and rivers, laying its eggs under the shelter of the spruce fir tree,
either upon their margins or their numerous woody islands.

The great northern and black-throated divers were seen, though
rarely, in the fiords ; the red-throated diver often upon almost
every piece of water. We frequently heard their loud singular
scream in an evening at a great distance.

The pretty black guillemot gave an interest to almost every island
where crevices in the rocks or loose stones were to be found as
breeding places.

Amongst the numerous islands which we visited it is a singular
fact that we never once saw either the common guillemot, the razor-
bill, or the kittiwake,—all birds the most frequent upon our own
_ coast. This was owing, no doubt, to the scarcity of those rocks which,
rising perpendicularly from the water’s edge, afford them the ne-
cessary security.

The puffin was alike rare, except upon one island, where they
abounded in incredible numbers. ‘The island rose in its centre to
the height of several hundred feet, one side being composed entire-
ly of rocks and large stones, piled upon each other in the wildest
confusion, and under these the puffin was breeding, and so nume-
rous were they, that we could distinctly see them the evening before,
from the hut in which we took up our night’s residence, although
at the distance of upwards of a mile. Whilst scrambling over the
rocks, we could hear them beneath us uttering a most singular groan-
ing kind of sound. They would frequently start from under our feet,
and join the dense throng which was unceasingly passing around us.
It was a sight which astonished at the same time that it delighted
us. I had never before seen so many kinds of one species together,
and probably their numbers are scarcely exceeded by the combined
numbers of guillemots and gulls which frequent one of the largest
breeding places upon our coast. We seated ourselves upon the rocks
to enjoy the scene, and numbers of them settled near us, forming
themselves into the most beautiful groups ; every rock or large stone
was covered with them, and hundreds were at the same time within
the range of our guns ; some were seated low upon the whole of the
foot, others erect upon the toes only ; some struck out their crops,
and strutted about exactly in the manner of pigeons.

Of the terns, the arctic was the only species we noticed.

Of the gulls, the greater and lesser black-backed, the heron,
and the common gull were numerous, the latter especially upon one
island, the owner of which had laid up a store of their eggs for win-

=

On the British Cerastia. S17

ter’s consumption, consisting of about 2000, from which we had the
pleasure of selecting specimens for our cabinets.

Some of the arctic gulls (Lestris) passed over us, apparently on
their way further north. The Lestris Richardsonii was abundant,
one or two pairs breeding upon almost every island. Birds in thew
different states of plumage being indiscriminately associated toge-
ther, the many nests which we found were in turns the property
either of two white-breasted birds, of two entirely of a uniform
dark colour, or of a pair consisting of one of each.

I1.—The British Cerastia: a Supplement to a former Essay. By
C.C. Bazineton, F.L.S.,&c. Plate 1X. Continued from p. 204.

CerAstium ATROVIRENS.—Leaves broadly ovate, petals much
shorter than the calyx, sepals lanceolate-acute covered with glan-
dular hairs their apex and margins narrowly membranous, bractece
herbaceous, capsule obovate or subcylindrical shorter than the
calyx, fruit-bearing peduncles two or three times as long as the
calyx and erect.

The whole plant of a dark-green colour, and covered with short
very viscid pubescence. Root small, fibrous. Stems numerous,
ascending repeatedly forked, bearing a flower in each fork. Leaves
very broadly ovate, somewhat pointed, the lower ones narrowed in-
to a broad petiole, the others sessile. Flowers scattered, one in the
axil of each fork of the stem, all their parts arranged in fours. Pe-
duncles two or three times as long as the calyx, always straight and
erect. Bractez totally without any membranous margin. Sepals
lanceolate, acute, covered with short glandular hairs, with narrow
membranous margins and apex. Petals about half the length of
the calyx. Capsule almost always opening with eight teeth in con-
formity with the quaternary structure of the flower; in one in-
stance I observed ten teeth remarkably short, never as long as the
ealyx, and usually about balf its length, obovate, or subcylindrical,
inflated below, and slightly curved towards the top, always erect,
and never forming an angle with its peduncle. Seeds rather large,
chestnut-brown, compressed and tuberculated.

Gathered by Dr G. Johnston on old walls in the immediate vi-
cinity of Berwick-upon-Tweed, flowering in May and June.

This plant is very nearly allied to C. tetrandrum, from which it
differs by not having an herbaceous line extending to the apex of
the sepals, its very short capsules, erect, that is, not reflexed fruit,
and the total want of a membranous margin to the bractee. It is

318 ! On the British Cerastia.

distinguished from C. pumilum by the same characters, (the mem-
branous apex of the sepals excepted,) in addition by the shortness
of its petals, its dispersed flowers, and long peduncles. From C.
pedunculatum, with which it agrees in its dispersed flowers and glu-
®tinous pubescence, it may be distinguished by its difference of ha-
bit, much larger and nearly orbicular foliage, shorter internodes, to-
tal want of a membranous margin to the bractez, and short capsules.
N. B. This species ought to have followed C. tetrandrum, describ-

ed in my former paper on the Cerastia, p. 201, Vol. ii.

Plate IX. Fig. 1, C. atrovirens, natural size; the figure drawn |
from a dried specimen. Fig. 2, A leaf from a fresh specimen.
Fig. 3, The flower. Fig, 4, The capsule and styles from a new
blown flower. Fig. 5, The capsule open and full of ripened seeds.
Fig. 6, The same, but older. Fig. 7, A seed. Fig. 8, A petal.
These figures are all magnified more or less.

C. Pumitum, Curt.—Leaves ovate-lanceolate, petals about as
long as the calyx, sepals lanceolate acute their apex and margins
narrowly membranous, bractez herbaceous with a very narrow mem-
branous margin, capsule cylindrical slightly curved upwards and
longer than the calyx, fruit-hearing peduncles reflexed and scarce-
ly longer than the calyx.

C. pumilum, Curt. Fl. Lond. 1i.t.92. Reichen. Fl. excurs. 4969.

C. semidecandrum, 6. Smith, Eng. Fl. 11. 331.

‘The whole plant covered, in my specimens, with short viscid pu-
bescence. Stems prostrate and ascending, branching at the root,
but nearly simple afterwards. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, small, the
lower ones narrowed into a broad petiole, the others sessile. Flow-
ers aggregated into small terminal dichotomous corymbs. Pedun-
cles very short, when bearing fruit reflexed, and scarcely exceeding
the length of the calyx. Bracteze with a very slight membranous
margin. Sepals lanceolate-acute, with narrow membranous mar-
gins and apices. Petals nearly aslong as the calyx. Capsule usual-
ly much longer than the calyx, but only slightly so in some few
cases, cylindrical and slightly curved upwards, reflexed together
with its peduncle. Seeds tuberculated.

Near Croydon. Mr Dickson.

Having recently obtained, through the kindness of the Rev. T.
Gisborne, some authentic specimens of the C. pumilum of Curtis,
which were given to him by Mr Dickson, its original discoverer, I

have been able to determine this little known plant. In general
3 4

¥
*

Natural History of British Zoophytes. 319

appearance it closely resembles C. semidecandrum, but is at once
distinguished by its very slightly membranous bractez and reflex-
ed fruit. It is probably C. semidecandrum of Loiseleur, FI. Gall. i.

323.

IV.— The Natural History of British Zoophytes. By GErorcE
Jounston, M. D., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of
Edinburgh. (Continued from Vol. i. p. 447.)

Class—ZOOPHYTA, Solander.
(Polypes, Cuvter.—Polypi, Lamarck.—Z. polypifera, G'rant.)
Order I. Hyproipa.

Character.—Polypes compound, rarely single and naked, the
mouth encircled with roughish filiform tentacula ; stomach without
proper parietes ; intestine0; anus 0; reproductive gemmules pul-
lulating from the body and naked, or contained in external vesicles.

Polypidoms horny, fistular, more or less phytoidal, fixed, exter-

nal.

“ As for your pretty little seed-cups or vases, they are a sweet
confirmation of the pleasure Nature seems to take in superadding an
elegance of form to most of her works, wherever you findthem. How
poor and bungling are all the imitations of art! When I have the
pleasure of seeing you next, we will sit down, nay kneel down if you
will, and admire these things.”* Thus did Hogarth—our great mo-
ral painter—write to Ellis in evident reference to the zoophytes of
the present order ; and he must indeed be more than ordinarily dull
and insensate who can examine them without catching some of the
enthusiasm of the artist. They excell all other zoophytical produc-
tions in delicacy and the graceful arrangement of their forms, some
borrowing the character of the prettiest marine plants, others assum-
ing the semblance of the ostrich-plume, while the variety and ele-
gance exhibited in the figures and sculpture of their miniature cups
and chalices is only limited by the number of their species.

The Hydroida vary from afew lines to upwards of a foot in height.
They are all, with the exception of the hydra or fresh-water polype,
marine productions, and are found attached to rocks, shells, sea-weed,
other corallines, and to various shell-fish. Many of them appear to
be indiscriminate in their choice of the object, but others again make
a decided preference. Thus Thuiaria thuja prefers the valves of old
shells, Thoa helecina is more partial to the larger univalves, Antennu-

* Lin. Corresp. Vol. ii. p. 44.

320 Natural History of British Zoophytes.

laria antennina grows on rocks, Campanularia geniculata delights to
cover the broad frond of the tangle with a fairy forest peopled with
its myriads of busy polypes, while the Sertularia pumila rather loves
the more common and coarser wracks. The choice may in part be
dependent on their habits, for such as are destined to live in shallow
water, or on a shore exposed by the reflux of every tide, are in gene-
ral vegetable parasites ; while the species which spring up in the deep
seas must select between rocks, corallines or shells, the depths at
which they are found being too great for the vegetation of sea-weed.*

The polypidoms are confervoid and more or less divided, the ra-
mifications being disposed in a variety of elegant plant-like forms.
The stem and branches are alike in texture, slender, horny, fistular,

* Lamouroux says,— We find some polypidoms placed always on the south-
ern slopes of rocks and never on that towards the east, west, or north. Others,
on the contrary, grow only on these exposures, and never on the south. Some-
times their position is varied according to latitude, and the shores inclined to-
wards the south, in temperate or cold countries, produce the same species as
the northern exposures in equatorial regions : in general their branches appear
directed towards the main sea.”——Corall. Flex. Introd. p. L.

r
.
;
;
NY
a
¥
f.
ve

Natural History of British Zoophytes. 321

and almost always jointed at short and regular intervals, the joint be-
ing a mere break in the continuity of the sheath without any cha-
racter of a proper hinge, and evidently formed by regular periodical
interruptions in the growth of the polypidoms. Along their sides, or
at the extremities, we find the denticles or cup-like cells of the poly-
pes arranged in a determinate order, either sessile or elevated on a
stalk, (Fig. a.) Though of the same substance, the cell is something
more than a simple expansion of the stem or branch, for near its base
there is a distinct partition or diaphragm on which the body of the
polype rests, with a plain or tubulous perforation in the centre through
which the connection between the individual polype and the common
medullary pulp is retained, (Fig. 6.) * Besides the cells there are found,
at certain seasons, a larger sort of vesicles, readily distinguished from
the others by their size and the irregularity of their distribution.—
The more robust tribes grow erect, and, being flexible and elastic,
yield readily to the waves and currents ; but some of the very deli-
cate species avoid a shock for which they are unequal by creeping
along the surface.

The polypidoms, when dried, are for the most part of a yellowish
or horn colour. ‘“ When they are immersed in water, they recover
the same form they appeared in when fresh in the sea; and soon be-
come filled with the liquid. This gives them a semitransparent amber
colour, and makes them very elastic.’+ Their material appears to
be analogous to horn or condensed albumen, which is moulded into
a homogeneous investing sheath, in which no vessels or cells indicat-
ing a definite organization can be detected.{ It seems to be in fact a
sort of hardened epidermis, at first in contact and partial adhesion
with the living interior, pulp, from which it is subsequently detach-
ed, in the natural progress of its consolidation, by a process of shrivel-
ling in the soft matter, and by the motions and efforts of the polypes
themselves. §

The polypes are placed in the cells within which, with the excep-
tion of the Tubulariz, they can hide themselves entirely when danger
threatens. When at rest and in their native. sites, they expand their
tentacula and push them far beyond the rim of their cups, in readi-
ness to arrest any small worm or crustaceous insect which may float

-within their circle. These tentacula are always simple but rough-
ish, (Fig. c,) andin the centre of the disk round which they arearrang-

* Lister, in Phil. Trans. 1834, p. 371. + Ellis, English Corallines, p. 3.

¢ The contrary is maintained by Link, and it appears by Cavolini and
Schweigger, who assert that they have seen vessels ramified in the stems and
branches of Sertulariade.-_Ann. des. Sc. Nat. Part. Bot. V. ii. p. 321.

§ See Lister’s Observations in Phil. Trans. 1884, p. 374.

322 Natural History of British Zoophytes.

ed we perceive the oral aperture (d, ) leading to a stomachical cavity
without intestine or other chylopoetick viscus. The body is somewhat
globular, soft and irritable ; and it is prolonged posteriorly down the
stalk or tube to be united with the central pulp which fills the branches
and stem, (e.) so that in this manner all the polypes of the same
polypidom are connected together by a living thread, and constitute
a family whose objects and interests are identical, and whose work-
ings are all regulated by one harmonious instinct :

** Unconscious, not unworthy, instruments,

By which a hand invisible was rearing

A new creation in the secret deep.”
Or if, with Linneus and Cuvier, we suppose that the polypes of
every polypidom constitute only one body or individual, this may be
described as a sort of hydra divided, after the manner of a tree, into
many or innumerable branches, from each of which pullulate one or
more armed heads to capture and digest the prey that is to serve for
the nutriment of their common trunk.

The reproductive gemmules of Tubularia and Coryne are generated
in the interior and extruded near the base of the tentacula; but in
all the other genera they are produced in external vesicles, which
were therefore appropriately named by Ellis the ovaries, and which
we have already mentioned as being larger than the cells and irregu-
lar in their distribution. They are produced at certain seasons only,
most commonly in spring, and fall off after the maturity and discharge
of their contents.* The number of the gemmules in each vesicle, and
their shape, varies in every species. In the vesicle they are con-
nected to a central placentular column, though there are some ex-
ceptions to this, and when mature they escape outwards by a disrup-
tion or fall of the lid which closes the top, being extruded in suc-
cession and, in some cases at least, after intervals of some hours.
From the observations of Professor Grant, it appears to be proved
that, after their discharge, the ova move about for some time in the
water by the vibrations of minute cilia, but having in due course set-
tled on a proper site, they throw out, in the manner of a vegetable
seed, a root-like fibre to fix themselves, and then push up a shoot as
a commencement to the future polypidom. Polype-cells and polypes
are rapidly evolved on the sides of this shoot, and nourishment being
now received from an external source, and circulating through the

* So that” Hedwig’s axiom, adopted by M. Virey, “ that the reproductive or-
gans of animals are continuous with the life of the individual, while the repro-
ductive organs of perennial plants, when their functions have been performed,
are thrown off, and replaced in the succeeding season by others,”—must be re-
ceived with some limitations. —See Tiedemann’s Comp. Physiology, p. 76

ie ial

Natural History of British Zoophytes. 323

whole animal, there is not merely an upward growth, but creeping
tubes, “ full of the same living medullary substance with the rest of
the body,” are projected from the base along the surface of the object
of fixture. ‘ These tubes not only secure it from the motion of the
waves, but likewise from these rise other young animals or corallines,
which growing up like the former, with their proper heads or organs
to procure food, send out other adhering tubes from below, with a
further increase of these many-headed branched animals ; so that in
a short time a whole grove of vesicular corallines is formed, as we
find them on oysters, and other shell-fish, when we drag for them in
deep water.’ *

There are many facts which prove that the growth of these poly-
pidoms is very rapid, but not more so than might be anticipated when
it is remembered how vast is the number of polype architects ; and
no sooner is a new branch extended than it becomes almost simul-
taneously a support of new workers which, with “toil unwearyable,”
add incessantly to the materials of increase. Their duration is vari-
ous: some have only a summer’s existence, as Campanularia genicu-
lata; many are probably annual, and the epiphyllous kinds cannot at
most prolong their term beyond that of the weed on which they
grow; but such as attach themselves to rocks are probably less pe-
rishable, for their size and consistency seem to indicate a greater age :
it is thus with the Tubulariz and some of the compound Sertulariade.

But the life of the polypes considered abstractedly is probably in
no instance coetaneous with the duration of the polypidom, for the
lower parts of this become, after a time, empty of pulp and lifeless,
and lose the cells inhabited by the polypes, which, in an old speci-
men, are to be found in a state of activity only near the summit, or
on the new shoots. The Thuiaria thuja affords a remarkable example
of this fact; the branches which carry the polypes dropping off in
regular succession as younger ones are successively formed, so that
the polypidom retains, throughout its whole growth, the appearance
of a bottle brush, the naked stem and the branched top being kept in
every stage in a due proportion to each other. Sertularia argentea,
Plumularia falcata, &c. are subjected to the same law,—the primary
polypiferous shoots being deciduous, so that in them also the stalk
becomes bare, while the upper parts are graced with a luxuriant rami-
fication loaded with tiny architects. But in our eagerness to genera-
lize, let us not forget that there are some species, as Sertularia pumila,
abietina, &c., in which this process of successive denudation is not ob-
servable, perhaps, however, because of their form, which is not of a

* Ellis and Solander’s Zoopbhytes, p. 33.

324 Natural History of British Zoophytes.

kind to be altered by it, and hence unnoticeable, or because the dura-
tion of the whole is too fugitive to permit the law to ‘produce a yi- -
sible effect.

There are facts which appear to prove that the life of the indivi-
dual polypes is even more transitory than their own cells; that like
a blossom they bud and blow and fall off or are absorbed, when an-
other sprouts up from the medullary pulp to occupy the very cell of
its predecessor, and in its turn to give way and be replaced by an-
other. When speaking of flexible corallines Lamouroux says, “ Some
there are that are entirely covered with polypi through the summer
and autumn, but they perish with the cold of winter: no sooner,
however, has the sun resumed his revivifying influence than new
animals are developed, and fresh branches are produced upon the old
ones.” * Of the Tubularia indivisa, Sir John G. Dalyell tells us that
“ the head is deciduous, falling in general soon after recovery from
the sea. It is regenerated at intervals of from ten days to several
weeks, but with the number of external organs successively diminish-
ing, though the stem is always elongated. It seems to rise within
this tubular stem from below, and to be dependent on the presence
of the internal tenacious matter with which the tube is occupied. A
head springs from the remaining stem, cut over very near the root ;
and a redundance of heads may be obtained from artificial sections,
apparently beyond the ordinary provisions of nature. Thus twenty-
two heads were produced through the course of 550 days, from three
sections of a single stem.” + The observations of Mr Harvey on the
same, or a very nearly allied, species of zoophyte confirm the expe-
riments of Sir J. G. Dalyell, so far as these have reference to the
deciduousness of the polypes and their regeneration ;{ and it seems

* Corall. Flex. p. xvi.

+ Edin. New Phil, Journ. xvii. p. 415.

+ “ The most singular circumstance attending the growth of this animal, and
which I discovered entirely by accident, remains to be mentioned. After I had
kept the clusters in a large bowl for two days, I observed the animals to droop
and look unhealthy. On the third day the heads were all thrown off, and lying
on the bottom of the vessel; all the pink colouring matter was deposited in the
form of a cloud, and when it had stood quietly for two days, it became a very
fine powder. Thinking that the tubes were dead I was going to throw them
away, but 1 happened to be under the necessity of quitting home for two days,
and on my return I found a thin transparent film being protruded from the
top of every tube: 1 then changed the water every day, and in three days time
every tube had a small body reproduced upon it. The only difference that I can
discover in the structure of the young from the old heads, consists in the new
ones wanting the small red papille, and in the absence of all colour in the ani-
mal.”—Proceed. Zool. Soc. No. 41, p. ou

wo

Natural History of British Zoophytes. 325

to me not altogether unwarrantable to infer a like temporary exist-
ence and revival in those of the Sertulariade from a reflection on the
experiments of Mr Lister,—incomplete certainly, but which prove
that under certain circumstances their polypes disappear by a pro-
cess of internal absorption,* and under convenient circumstances
would have been renovated, as I have witnessed in similar expe-
riments. + Had these singular facts been known to Linnzus, how
eagerly and effectively would he have impressed them into the sup-
port of his favourite theory! Like the flowers of the field the heads
or “ flores” of these polypidoms expand their petalloid arms, which
after a time fall like blighted blossoms off a tree ;—they do be-
come “ old in their youth,” and rendered hebetous and unfit for duty
or ornament by age or accident, the common trunk throws them off,
and supplies its wants by ever-young and vigorous growths. “ Ad-
miranda tibi levium spectacula rerum.” The phenomena are of those
which justly challenge admiration and excuse a sober scepticism, so
alien are they to all we are accustomed to observe in more familiar
organisms ; but besides that faithful observation renders the facts un-
deniable, a reflection on the history of the Hydra might almost have
led us to anticipate such events in the life of these zoophytes.
“ Verily for mine owne part, the more I looke into Nature’s workes,
the sooner am I induced to beleeve of her even those things that
seem incredible.”

I arrange the British species of this order under the following fa-
milies and genera :

Family I. HYDRAID/.

Polypes viviparous, the young pullulating from the body of the
parent.

1, Hypra. Polypes naked, single, locomotive.

* Phil. Trans. 1834, p. 374, 376.

7 On Saturday, May 28th 1837, a specimen of Campanularia gelatinosa was
| procured from the shore, and after having ascertained that the polypes were ac-
tive and entire, it was placed in a saucer of sea-water. Here it remained un-
disturbed until Monday afternoon, when all the polypes had disappeared. Some
cells were empty or nearly so, others were half-filled with the wasted body of
the polype, which had lost, however, every vestige of the tentacula. The water
had become putrid, and the specimen was therefore removed to another vessel
ith pure water, and again set aside. On examining it on the Thursday (June
St) the cells were evidently filling again, although no tentacula were visibly
rotruded, but on the afternoon of Friday (June 2d) every cell had its polype
omplete, and displayed in the greatest perfection.

VOL. 11. No, 10. ¥

326 Natural History of British Zoophytes.

Family Il. TUBULARIAD.
still gemmiparous, the gemmules naked, pullulating from the
bases of the tentacula.
* No Polypidom.
2. Coryne. Polypes naked, the tentacula filiform.
3. Hernia. Polypes tunicated, the tentacula with glandular tips.
** A distinct polypidom,
4, TuBULARIA. Polypes not retractile within cells: Polypidoms
fistular, simple or branched.

Family II. SERTULARIADE.
Polypes gemmiparous, the gemmules enclosed in external ovarian
persistent vesicles scattered on the polypidom.
* Polype-cells sessile.

5. Toa. Cells indistinct, tubular, the simple extremities of the
interwoven branchlets.

6. SeERTULARIA. Cells biserial, short, erect, the apertures everted.

7. Tuuraria. Cells biserial, imbedded, the apertures looking for-
ward.

8. PrumuxLaria. Cells uniserial ; the branchlets plumose or
pectinate.

9. ANTENNULARIA. Cells uniserial ; the branchlets whorled.

* Polype-cells on ringed stalks.
10. CAMPANULARIA. Cells campanulate.

I. HYDRAIDE.
I. Hypra, Linneus.

Character.— Polypes locomotive, single, naked, gelatinous, sub-
cylindrical, but very contractile, the mouth encircled with a single
series of granulous filiform tentacula.

1. H. viripis, grass-green ; body cylindrical or insensibly nar-
rowed downwards ; tentacula 6—10, shorter than the body. (Fig.
Vol. i. p. 236.)

Polypes verds, Trembley, Mem. 22, pl. 1. fig. 1; pl. 3, fig. 1—10.
Fresh-water Polypus, Trembley, in Phil. Trans. Abridg. viii. 623. Fol-
hes, in ibid. 676. pl. 17, and pl. 18, fig. 1—3. Hydra viridis, Zin.
Faun. Suec. 367, No. 1283, Zin. Syst. 1320. Mull. Verm. I. ii. 13.
Zool. Dan. prod. 230, No. 2783. Berk. Syn. i. 221. Ure’s Rutherg. 232.
Turt. Gmel. iv. 691. Turt. Br. Faun. 218. Zam. Anim. s. Vert. ii. 60.
Stew. Elem. ii. 452. pl. 12, fig. 4, 5. Blumenbach’s Man. 275. pl. 1,
fig. 10. Bosc Vers ii. 274. Stark, |Elem. ii. 443. Woodward, in Mag.
Nat. Hist. ii. 349, fig. 89. Roget, Bridgew. Treat. i. 162, fig. 59, and '
176—8, fig, 73—76. Adams on the Microscope, 399, pl. 21, fig. 5.
Carus, Comp. Anat, tab. 1. fig. 1. H. viridissima, Pail, Elench. 31.

Natural History of British Zoophytes. 327

Third sort of Polype, Baker, Polyp. 19 c. fig. Le Polype vert,
Cuv. Reg. Anim. iii. 295. L’Hydre verte, Blainv. Actinol. 494. pl.
85, fig. 1.

Hab. Ponds and still waters, common throughout England, and
the south of Scotland. In almost all the parishes in the vicinity of
Glasgow, Ure.

The polypes of this species differ from the following, “ not only
in colour, but likewise in their arms, which were much shorter in
proportion to their bodies, capable of but little extension, and nar-
rower at the root than the extremity, which is contrary to the
other species. Their arms were so short, they could not clasp round
a very small and slender worm, but seemed only to pinch it fast, till
they could master and devour it, which they did with as much greedi-
ness as any. I imagined these polypes owed their green colour to
some particular food, such as weeds, &c. and that they would lose it
upon being kept to worms ; but I find myself mistaken, for they re-
tain their greenness after some months as well as ever, and are now
grown of a moderate size, extending sometimes three quarters of an
inch ; their arms are also lengthened very much to what they were,
and are of a lighter green than the body, their number eight, nine,
orten. The tail is very little slenderer than the body, but more
spread at the end than the tails of other kinds.” — Baker.

Pallas says that the offspring are produced from every part of the
body, while Blainville thinks he has remarked that they shoot al-

ways from the same place, “ au point de jonction de la partie creuse
et de celle qui ne l’est pas.” Blainville is candid enough, however,
to inform us that Professor Van der Hoéven had made some ob-
servations adverse to his opinion ; and our own are certainly in ac-
cordance with those of Pallas and of the Professor of Leyden.

Trembley is careful to tell us that he discovered this species in
June 1740, nor can we smile at the particularity of the record when

we remember that the discovery is the foundation of his immortal
fame.* It was first observed in England in the spring of 1743 by
a Mr Du Cane of Essex. It appears to be a hardy animal. I have
kept it for more than twelvemonths in a small vial of water un-
changed during the whole of that time, and it remained lively, and
bred freely, feeding on the minute Entomostraca confined with it,
and which, propagating much more abundantly, furnished a good
‘supply of what was evidently a favourite food.

Be

| 2. H. vurearis, orange-brown or sometimes oil-green ; body
eylindraceous ; tentacula 7-12, as long or longer than the body.

328 « Natural History of British Zoophytes.

Polypes de la seconde espéce, Tremb. Mem. pl. 1, fig. 2, 5; pl. 2. fig. 2 ;
pl. 6. fig. 2 and 8; pl. 8. fig. 1—7; pl. 10. fig. 1—7; pl. 11, 12, 15.
figs. omn. partly copied in Adams, Micros. 399, pl. 21. fig. 6. ——Hydra
vulgaris, Pall. Elench. 30. Ellis and Soland. Zooph. 9. H. grisea,
Lin. Syst. 1320. Mull. Zool. Dan. Prod. 230, No. 2784. Verm. i. ii.
14. Ure’s Rutherg. 233. Berk. Syn. i. 222. Turt. Gmel. iv. 692.
Turt. Brit. Faun. 218. Stew. Elem. ii. 452. Zam. Anim. s. Vert.
ii. 60. Bosc, Vers ii. 275. Stark, Elem. ii. 443. Templeton in Mag.
Nat. Hist. ix. 418.—H. brunnea, Templeton, loc. cit. 417. fig. 56.
First sort of Polype, Baker, Polyp. 17. c. fig. L’Hydre commune,
Blainv. Actinol. 495.

Hab. Weedy ponds and slowly running waters. Probably com-
mon in all parts of the kingdom.

On comparing the descriptions of the authors quoted above, I am
led to conclude that this species is either subject to much variety,
or that two species have been confounded together, and given rise
to a discrepancy which seems otherwise irreconcileablee My own
experience inclines me to the latter supposition, but since I have
had no opportunities of making observations on specimens from dif-
ferent and distant localities, I deem it more prudent to indicate what
appear to be two species as only varieties of the vulgaris, until the
point can be settled by more leisured naturalists.

Var. a. aurantia, ight reddish-brown or orange-coleured ; tenta-
cula not longer than the body. Plate X. Fig. 1.

Var. b. grisea, light olive-green; tentacula paler and longer than
the body. Plate X. Fig. 2.

The first is by much the commoner, and does not exceed the H.
viridis in size, which it resembles also in its habits and form. It is
always of an orange, brown, or red colour, the intensity of the tint de-

pending on the nature of the food, on the state of the creature’s re-

pletion, becoming even. blood-red when fed upon the small crimson

worms and larve which usually abound in its haunts.* The tenta- —

cula in all my specimens have never exceeded the length of the body,
are usually seven or eight in number, and taper to the point insensi-

bly. Every part of the body is generative of young, which may fre- |

quently be seen hanging from the parent at the same time in different
stages of their growth. Baker's figure represents this variety very well.

The second is a larger animal and comparatively rare, less sensible
to external impressions, and of a more gracile form. Its colour is a
dilute olive-green with paler tentacula, which are considerably longer
than the body, and hang like silken threads in the water, waving to

and fro without assuming that regular circular disposition which they |

* “ T have found a bright red Hydra rather abundant on Putney Heath, near

London. It does not much differ, except in colour, from the green one.” J. Eg

Gray in lit. May 6, 1833. See Trembley’s Mem. p. 47, and 128.

Natural History of British Soophytes. 329

commonly do in the H. viridis. I have not observed more than one
young at a time, pullulating from near the middle of the body, and
after this has attained a certain growth, the polype has the appearance
of being dichotomously divided.

Dr Fleming’s Hydra vulgaris, Brit. Anim. 553, embraces this and
the preceding, as well as the following species, which are considered
the mere variations of one protean original ;—

«* Facies non omnibus una,
Nec diversa tamen :”—

but the conviction of their permanent distinctness has been forced
upon me by a long continuous observation of individuals in a state of
confinement. Had, however, personal observation been awanting, the
same conclusion would have been willingly adopted on the paramount
authorities of Trembley and Baker, who had very carefully studied
these creatures ; and Pallas speaks very decidedly to the same purport,
“ Species Hydre a Linnzo * pro varietatibus habitas, a Reeselio pri-
mum bene determinatas adoptavi, cum de trium priorum constantia,
propria me experientia certissimum reddiderit.’—Elench. 29.

3. H. Fusca, brown or griseous ; inferior half of the body sud-
denly attenuated ; tentacula several times longer than the body.
Polypes a long bras, Tremb. Mem. pl. 1. fig. 3, 4, 6; pl. 2. fig. 1, 3, 4; pl.
3, fig. 11; pl. 5, fig, 1-4; pl. 6, fig. 3-7, 9, 10; pl. 8. fig. 8, 11; pl. 9,
copied in Adams, Micros. 399, pl. 21, fig. 7, 8; pl. 23, A. B; pl. 24, A.
B. fig. omnes. Cuv. Reg. Anim. iii. 295. Long armed fresh-water
Polype, Ellis, Corall. xvi. pl. 28. fig. C. (the tentacula shortened for the
conveniency of introducing them within the size of the plate.) Second
sort of Polype, Baker, Polyp. 18 c. fig. Hydra oligactis, Pall. Elench.
29. H. fusca, Zin. Syst, 1320. Ellis and Soland. Zooph. 9. Berk.
Syn. i, 221. Turt. Gmel. iv. 691. Turt. Brit. Faun. 218. Stew. Elem.
ii. 452. Lam. Anim. s. Vert. ii. 60. Bosc Vers, ii. 275._—L’H.
brune, Blainv. Actinol. 495.
Hab. Still waters in England, rare. In a pond at Hackney, Mr
John Eilllicot. +
“ The tails of these are long, slender and transparent, and when
placed before the microscope, a long straight gut may plainly be dis-
tinguished passing from the body-part or stomach to an opening at
the end thereof. These are rather lighter coloured than the former,
(H. vulgaris,) and have seldom more than six or eight arms, but those
_ capable of great extension.”—Baker.
__ Baker reckoned that his English exemplers were of a sort different
_ from those he had received from M. Trembley, but the only apparent

* In the 10th edit. of Syst. Nat. p. 816, under the name of Hydra Polypus.

t Elected F. R. S. Oct. 26, 1738; and the author of several papers on sub.
jects in Natural Philosophy, published in the Phil. Trans. between the years
1745 and 1750. He was a watch-maker, and died in 1772.

330 Natural History of British Zoophytes.

difference lies in the greater shortness of the tentacula of the former,
and this is a character liable to considerable variation, and insufficient
of itself for specific distinction. The species has been beautifully il-
lustrated, in Trembley’s “ Mémoires,” by the pencil and graver of the
celebrated Lyonet, for it is an interesting fact that all the figures, and
most of the plates, which adorn the admirable book just mentioned,
were drawn and etched by the author of the “ Traité anatomique de
la chenille du saule,”* and are indeed among the very earliest speci-
mens of his extraordinary attainments in these arts.

It may be worth while to call attention to the remarkable resem-
blance of the Hydra fusca to the Cucullanus cirratus of Muller, Zool.
Dan. tab. 38, fig. 1-7, which is an intestinal worm!

4. H. verrucosa, pale cinereous ; body pedunculate, campant-
form ; tentacula longer than the body.

Hydra verrucosa, Templeton, in Mag. Nat. Hist. ix. 418, fig. 57.

Hab. Still waters. “In the pond at Cranmore (near Belfast, )
Sept. 1812,” J. Templeton, Esq.

“ Of a pale cinereous hue, with six verrucated tentacula, of mode-
rate length, and nearly equal thickness.” “‘ This species, when at
rest, assumes more of a campanulate form than any other species of the
genus, except lutea and the following. The warts are not uniformly
diffused, as in pallens ; nor do the tentacula diminish much in size to-
wards the tips.” — Templeton.

** Marine species.

5. H.? tirrora.is, “ white; head large ; about 10 extremely

short tentacula encircling the base.” Robt. Jameson. +
Hydra lutea? Jameson, in Wern. Mem. i. 565.—H. lutea, Flem. Brit.
Anim. 554.—H. corynaria, Templeton, in Mag. Nat. Hist. ix. 419, fig. 58.

Hab. Sea shore, adhering to Fuci. Frith of Forth, Professor
Jameson. ‘ Found adhering to Fucus vesiculosus, at White House
Point, Belfast Lough, Oct. 1810,” J. Templeton, Esq.

The figure represents a branched animal with enlarged clavate
heads encircled round the truncate apex, with tentacula rather shorter
than the diameter.—To justify the change I have made in the name,
it is only necessary to mention that nothing can be more certain than

* “ Ouvrage qui est a la fois le chef-d’ceuvre de l'anatomie et celui de la gra-
vure.”— Cuvier.

+ The name affixed to the specific characters is that of the person who, so
far as I have been able to ascertain the point, added the species to the British —

Fauna.—Mr Jameson is the present Regius Professor of Natural History in the —
University of Edinburgh. . |

Natural History of British Zoophytes. 331

that this species is not identical either with the Hydra lutea or cory-
naria of Bosc.

Obs. Leuwenhoek * discovered the Hydra in 1703, and the un-
common way its young are produced, and an anonymous correspon-
dent of the Royal Society made the same discovery in England about
the same time, but it excited no particular notice until Trembley
made known its wonderful properties, about the year 1744. These
were so contrary to all former experience, and so repugnant to every
established notion of animal life, that the scientific world were amaz-
ed ; and while the more cautious among naturalists set themselves
to verify what it was difficult to believe, there were many who looked
upon the alleged facts as impossible fancies. The discoveries of
Trembley were, however, speedily confirmed ; and we are now so
familiar with the outlines of the history of the fresh-water polype,
and its marvellous reproductive powers, that we can scarcely appre-
ciate the vividness of the sensation felt when it was all novel and
strange; when the leading men of our learned societies were daily
experimenting on these poor worms, aid transmitting them to one
another from distant countries, by careful posts, and as most precious
gifts; and when even ambassadors interested themselves in sending
early intelligence of the engrossing theme to their respective courts.

The Hydrz are found in fresh and, perhaps, also in salt. waters, but
the former species only have been examined with care, and are the
objects of the following remarks. They prefer slowly running or al-
most still water, and fasten to the leaves and stalks of submerged
plants by their base, which seems to act asa sucker. The body is
exceedingly contractile, and hence liable to many changes of form:
when contracted it is like a tubercle, a minute top or button, and
when extended it becomes a narrow cylinder, being ten or twelve times
longer at one time than at another, the tentacula suffering changes in
their length and diameter equal to those of the body. “ It can lengthen
out or shorten its arms, without extending or contracting its body ;
and can do the same by the body, without altering the length of its
arms: both, however, are usually moved together, at the same time
and in the same direction.”—The whole creature is apparently homo-
geneous, composed of minute pellucid grains cohering by means of a
transparent jelly, for even with a high magnifier no defined organi-
zation of vessels and fibres can be detected. On the point opposite
the base, and in the centre of the tentacula, we observe an aperture

* « Antonius y. Leeuwenhoek, civis Delphensis, peritus vitrorum politor,
euriosus, et ad paradoxas opiniones pronus.” Haller, Bib. Bot. i. 583. He
was born 1632; elected F. R. S, January 1680 ; and died in 1723.

382 Natural History of British Zoophytes.

or mouth which leads into a wider cavity excavated as it were in the
midst of the jelly,* and from which a narrow canal is continued down
to the sucker. When contracted, and also when fully extended, the
body appears smooth and even, but “ in its middle degree of exten-
sion,” the sides seem to be minutely crenulated, an effect probably of
a wrinkling of the surface, although from this appearance Baker has
concluded that the Hydra is annulose, or made up of a number of
rings capable of being folded together or evolved, and hence, in some
measure, its extraordinary ability of extending and contracting its
parts. That this view of the Hydra’s structure is erroneous, Tremb-
ley has proved ;{ and the explanation it afforded of the animal’s con-
tractility was obviously unsatisfactory, for it was never pretended that
such an anatomy could be detected in the tentacula, which, however,
are equally or more contractile. These organs encircle the mouth
and radiate in a star-like fashion, but they seem to originate a little
under the lip, for the mouth is often protruded like a kind of small
snout: they are cylindrical, hnear or very slightly tapered, hollow
and roughened, at short and regular intervals, with whorls of tuber-
cles which, under the miscroscope, form a very beautiful and interest-
ing object; and I have thought, when viewing them, that every lit-
tle. tubercle might be a cup or sucker similar to those which garnish
the arms of the cuttle-fish.§ Trembley has shewn us that this is a
deception, and that there is really no exactness in the comparison. ||

* Pallas denies this. ‘‘ Ab alimento recepto cavate, inquam, haud enim Hy-
drz corpus naturaliter intestini instar cavum crediderim. Totum solidum et
medullare, pro admoto alimento, cere instar, digitim admittentis, cavari concipio
parenchyma et alimentis insinuatis sese cireumfundere. Qui alias per longi-
tudinem dissecta Hydra, illico qualibet portione deglutire, et cavo clauso alimen-
ta condere posset? quod tamen observare rarum non est.” Elench. Zooph. 27,
28.—For a view of the Hydra’s stomach see Tremb. Mem. pl. 4, iis 7, co-
pied by Roget in his Bridgew. Treat. ii. 74. fig. 241.

+ “ The outward coat is white like the arms, and made up of minute annuli
or ringlets, that double in the midst, and can, occasionally, be folded close to-
gether, in the manner of a paper lanthorn.”—Hist. of the Polype, 25.

} Mem. 27.

§ Pallas has the same suggestion. Elench. 26. See also Roget’s Bridgew.
Treat. i. 182.—Baker says that “‘ two or three pretty long hairs” issue from each
of the papilla or tubercles, p. 36. ; and Trembly has figured a short hair issuing
from some of them, Mem. 62, pl. 5, fig. 3. This appearance of hairs is, I pre-
sume, produced by the glutinous secretion from them being drawn out into fine
lines and drying on the glass. The tentacula probably adhere to foreign bodies
principally by means of a mucous excretion, and being as it were engrained into
the microscopic interstices of the body to which they are applied.—Tremb.
Mem. 46.

| Mem. 108.

Natural History of British Zoophytes. 333

The tentacula are amazingly extensible, from a line or less to one or,
as in H. fusca, to more than eight inches; and “ another extraordi-
nary circumstance is, that a polype can extend an arm in any part
of its whole length, without doing so throughout, and can swell or
lessen its diameter, either at the root, at the extremity, in the mid-
dle, or where it pleases: which occasions a great variety of appear-
ances, making it sometimes terminate with a sharp point, and at other
times blunt, knobbed, and thickest at the end, in the figure of a bob-
bin.” We naturally enquire how this wonderful extension is made,—
by what power a part without muscularity is drawn out until it ex-
ceeds by twenty or even by forty times the original length? The
dissections of Trembley have proved beyond any doubt that the body
is a hollow cylinder or bowel, and that the tentacula are tubular and
have a free communication with its cavity ;* and in this structure,
combined with the loose granular composition of the animal, we find
an answer to the question. Water flows, let us say by suction, into
the stomach through the oral aperture, whence it is forced by the

vis a tergo, or drawn by capillary attraction, into the canals of the
tentacula, and its current outwards is sufficient to push before it the
soft yielding material of which they are composed, until at last the
resistance of the living parts suffices to arrest the tiny flood, or the
tube has become too fine in its bore for the admission of water attenu-
ated to its smallest possible stream,—how inconceivable slender may
indeed be imagined, but there is no thread fine enough to equal it,
seeing that the tentacula of Hydra fusca in tension can be compared
to nothing grosser than the scarce visible filament of the gossamer’s
web.

The Hydra, though usually found attached, can nevertheless move
from place to place, which it does either by gliding with impercep-
tible slowness on the base, or by stretching out the body and tenta-
cula to the utmost, fixing the latter, and then contracting the body
towards the point of fixture, loosening at the same time its hold with
the base; and by reversing these actions it can retrograde. Its or-
dinary position seems to be pendant or nearly horizontal, hanging
from some floating weed or leaf, or stretching from its sides. Ina
glass of water the creature will crawl up the sides of the vessel to
the surface, and hang from it, sometimes with the base, and some-
times with the tentacula downwards ; and again it will lay itself along
horizontally.+ Its locomotion is always very slow, and the disposi-

* Mem. 123—5; and 263.
tT ‘ The position in which they appear to take most delight, is, that of remain-
ing suspended from the surface of the water by means of the foot alone: and

334 . Natural History of British Zoophytes.

tion of the zoophyte is evidently sedentary ; but the contractions and
mutations of the body itself are sufficiently vivacious, while in seiz-
ing and mastering its prey it is surprisingly nimble ; seizing a worm,
to use the comparison of Baker, “ with as much eagerness as a cat
catches a mouse.” It is dull and does not expand freely in the dark,
but enjoys light, and hence undoubtedly the reason why we general-
ly find the Hydra near the surface and in shallow water.

The Hydre are very voracious, feeding only on living animals,* but
when necessary they can sustain a fast of many weeks without other
loss than what a paler colour may indicate. Small larve, worms,
and entomostracous insects seem to be the favourite food, and to en-
trap these they expand the tentacula to the utmost and spread them
in every direction, moving them gently in the water to increase their
chances, and when a worm, &c. touches any part of them it is im-
mediately seized, carried to the mouth by these flexible and contrac-
tile organs, and forced into the stomach. “ ’Tis a fine entertainment,”
says Baker, “ to behold the dexterity of a polype in the mastering
its prey, and observe with what art it evades and overcomes the su-
perior strength or agility thereof. Many times, by way of experi-
ment, I have put a large worm to the very extremity of a single arm,
which has instantly fastened on it with its little invisible claspers.
Then it has afforded me inexpressible pleasure, to see the polype
poising and balancing the worm, with no less seeming caution and
judgment than a skilful angler shows when he perceives a heavy
fish at the end of a single hair-line, and fears it should break away.
Contracting the arm that holds it, by very slow degrees, he brings
it within the reach of his other arms, which eagerly clasping round

this they effect in the following manner. When the flat surface of the foot is
exposed for a short time to the air, above the surface of the water, it becomes
dry, and in this state exerts a repulsive action on the liquid, so that when drag-
ged below the level of the surface, by the weight of the body, it still remains
uncovered, and occupies the bottom of a cup-shaped hollow in the fluid, thereby
receiving a degree of buoyancy, sufficient to suspend it at the surface. The
principle is the same as that by which a dry needle is supported on water, in the
boat-like hollow which is formed by the cohesive force of the liquid, if care be
taken to lay the needle down very gently on the surface. If, while the Hydra is
floating in this manner, suspended by the extremity of the foot, a drop of water
be made to fall upon that part, so as to wet it, this hydrostatic power will be
destroyed, and the animal will immediately sink to the bottom.”— Roget, Bridgw.
Tr. i. 179. This passage is nearly a literal translation from Trembley’s Hist.
des Polypes, p. 37-8.

* In confinement, however, Trembley found that they might be fed on min-
ced fish, beef, mutton, or veal.—Mem. 104.

Natural History of British Zoophytes. 335

it, and the danger of losing it being over, all the former caution and
gentleness is laid aside, and it is pulled to the polype’s mouth with a
surprising violence.” * Sometimes it happens that two polypes will
seize upon the same worm, when a struggle for the prey ensues, in
which the stronger gains of course the victory ; or each polype begins
quietly to swallow his portion, and continues to gulp down his half
until the mouths of the pair near and come at length into actual con-
tact. The rest which now ensues appears to prove that they are
sensible of their untoward position, from which they are frequently
liberated by the opportune break of the worm, when each obtains his
share, but should the prey prove too tough, woe! to the unready !
The more resolute dilates the mouth to the requisite extent, and de-
liberately swallows his opponent, sometimes partially, so as, however,
to compel the discharge of the bait, while at other times the entire
polype is engulped! But a polype is no fitting food to a polype, and
his capacity of endurance saves him from this living tomb, for after a
time, when the worm is sucked out of him, the sufferer is disgorged
with no other loss than his dinner. tf This fact is the more remark-
able when it is contrasted with the fate which awaits the worms on
which they feed. No sooner are these laid hold upon than they evince
every symptom of painful suffering, but their violent contortions are
momentary and a certain death suddenly follows their capture. How
this effect is produced is mere matter of conjecture. Worms, in or-
dinary circumstances, are most tenacious of life even under severe
wounds, and hence one is inclined to suppose that there must be
something eminently poisonous in the Hydra’s grasp, as it is impos-
sible to believe, with Baker, that this soft toothless creature can bite
and inject a venom into the wound it gives. “ I have sometimes,”
says Baker, “ forced a worm from a polype the instant it has been
bitten, (at the expence of breaking off the polype’s arms,) and have
always observed it to die very soon afterwards, without one single
instance of recovery.”{ To the Entomostraca, however, its touch is

* Hist. of the Polype, 65. Also Roget’s Bridgw. Treat. ii. 76.

+ Trembley, Mem. 112.

¢ Hist. of the Polype, 33—comp. with 67-8.—“ That insignificant and inac-
tive insect called the fresh water polypus, of all poisonous animals, seems to
possess the most powerful and active venom. Small water-worms, which the
polypus is only able to attack, are so tenacious of life, that they may be cut to
pieces without their seeming to receive any material injury, or to suffer much ©
pain from the incisions. But the poison of the polypus instantly extinguishes
every principle of life and motion. What is singular, the mouth or lips of the
polypus have no sooner touched this worm than it expires. No wound, how-
ever, is to be perceived in the dead animal. By experiments made with the

336 Natural History of British Zoophytes.

not equally fatal, for I have repeatedly seen Cyprides and Daphniz
entangled in the tentacula and arrested for some considerable time,
escape even from the very lips of the mouth, and swim about after-
wards unharmed ; perhaps their shell may protect them from the
poisonous excretion.— The grosser parts of the food, after some hours’
digestion, are again ejected by the mouth; but, as already mention-
ed, the stomach is furnished with what in one sense, may be called
an intestine to which, according to Trembley and Baker, there is an
outlet in the centre of the base, and the latter asserts that he has,
“‘ several times, seen the dung of the polype in little round pellets
discharged at this outlet or anus.’*

But the Hydra is principally celebrated on account of its manner
of propagation. It is of course like zoophytes in general, asexual ;
and every individual possesses the faculty of continuing and multiply-
ing its race, principally, however, by the process of subdivision.
During the summer season, a small tubercle rises on the surface,
which lengthens and enlarges every hour, and in a day or two de-
velopes in irregular succession, or in successive pairs, { a series of
tentacula, and becomes in all respects, excepting size, similar to its
parent. It remains attached for some time, and grows and feeds, and
contracts and expands after the fashion of this parent, until it is at
length thrown off by a sort of sloughing or exfoliation. These buds
sprout, in the common species, from every part of the surface of the
body, but not from the tentacula; and very often two, three or four
young may be seen depending at one time from the sides of the fruit-
ful mother, in different stages of growth, every one playing its part
independent of the others. They are evolved with rapidity in warm
weather especially, and no sooner has one dropt off than another be-
gins to germinate ; “and what is most extraordinary, the young ones

best microscopes, it has been found, that the polypus is neither provided with
teeth, nor any other instrument that could pierce the skin.” Smellie’s Phil. of
Nat. History, ii. 462.—The fact that fishes cannot be made to swallow Hydre,
seems to prove the presence of some irritating quality in the latter—See Trem-
bley, Mem. 137.

* Lib. s. cit. 27.—He adds,—“ Much the greater and grosser part of what
the polype eats, is most certainly thrown out again by the mouth, after lying a
proper time to become digested in the stomach; and, for a good while, I ima-
gined there was no other evacuation ; but am now convinced, that the finer part,
in small quantity, is carried downwards through the tail, and passed off that way.
I believe, however, there is also another purpose to which this passage serves,
and that is, to convey a: mucus or slimy matter to the end of the tail, for its
more ready adhesion to sticks, stalks, or other bodies.”

+ Baker’s Hist. 35.

Natural History of British Zoophytes. 337

themselves often breed others, and those others sometimes push out
a third or fourth generation before the first fall off from the original
parent.’—Trembley found in one experiment that an individual of
H. grisea produced forty-five young in two months; The average
number per month in summer was twenty, but as each of these be-
gan to produce four or five days after its separation, the whole pro-
duce of a month was prodigious. *

*‘ No sooner is a young one furnished with arms, than it seizes and
devours worms with all possible eagerness ; nor is it an unusual thing
to behold the young one and the old one struggling for, and gorging
different ends of the same worm together. Before the arms come out,
and even sometime afterwards, a communication continues between
the bodies of the old and young, as appears beyond dispute by the
swelling of either when the other is fed.+ But a little before the
young one separates, when its tail-end begins to look white, trans-
parent, and slender, the passage between them, I believe, is closed.
And when the young one comes away, there remains not the least
mark where it had been protruded.”—“ After a young polype once
gets all its arms, it alters indeed in size, but neither appears to shift
its skin, or undergo any of the changes most other insects do.” {

Instead of buds or little protuberances, the body sometimes push-
es forth single tentacula scattered irregularly over it, and these ten-
tacula can be metamorphosed into perfect polypes, the base swelling
out to become the body, which, again soon shoots out additional ten-
tacula to the requisite number ! §

This is a mode of generation which the term viviparous does not
correctly embrace, unless we give to that word a signification so ex-
tensive as to include all generations which are not oviparous : It is
an example of equivocal, or what some foreign physiologists deno-
minate, the generation by the individualisation of a tissue previously
or already organized, ||—and seems to be the usual way of propaga-

* Mem. pour |’Hist. des Polypes, 174—5. Also Baker, lib. s. cit. 53—4.

+ By some clever dissections, Trembley demonstrated the reality of this com-
munication. Mem. 161—2.

¢ Baker lib. s. cit. 50. § Baker ut cit. 11O—11 : 121—3.

|| La générationn’est pas pour cela spontanée : une génération spontanée doit
’ €tre la production d’un étre organisé de toutes piéces, lorsque des élémens in-
organiques se réuniront. pour produire un animal, une plante. Cette génération
est impossible, et n’a jamais lieu. Une génération équivoque est celle ou des tis-
sus organisés préalablement par un étre déja pourvu de vie, s’*tndividualisent,
c’est-a-dire se séparent de la masse commune et participent encore, aprés cette
séparation, de état dynamique de la masse, c’est-d-dire de sa vie, mais, 4 son
propre profit. C’est ainsi qu’un tissu produit un Entozoaire. C’est de la vie con-
tinuée.”—-Ch. Morrenin Ann, des Sc. Nat. an. 1836, Vol. vi. p. 90. Part. Zool.

338 ‘Natural History of British Zoophytes.

tion among the Hydre during the summer months. But in autumn
the Hydra generates internal oviform gemmules which, extruded from
the body, lie during the winter in a quiescent state, and are stimulat-
ed to evolution not until the return of spring and its genial weather.
Few observations have been made on these apparent ova, so that their
structure, their source, their manner of escape from the body, and
their condition during winter are scarcely known, ‘Trembley de-
scribes them as little spherical excrescences, of a white or yellow co-
lour, attached to the body by a very short pedicle. He never saw
more than three on the same polype. After sometime they became
separate, and fell to the bottom of the glass of water in which the
creatures were kept, where they came to nothing, excepting one only
which was presumed to have evolved into a polype, for although
his experiment renders this conclusion probable, it was still rather an
inference than an actual observation, so much so, that Trembley con-
tinued to entertain doubts of their nature. Jussieu, it seems, con-
ceived that each little excrescence was a vesicle filled with ova of
microscopic minuteness, but there is no foundation for any such hy-
pothesis.*

These are the modes in which the Hydra naturally multiplies its
kind, but it can be increased, as already hinted, by artificial sections
of the body, in the same manner that a perennial plant can be by
slips and shoots. If the body is halved in any direction, each half
in a short time grows up a perfect Hydra; if it is cut into four or
eight, or even minced into forty pieces,+ each continues alive and de-
velopes a new animal, which is itself capable of being multiplied in
the same extraordinary manner. If the section is made lengthways,
so as to divide the body into two or more slips connected merely by
the tail, they are speedily resoldered, like some heroes of fairy tale,
into one perfect whole; or if the pieces are kept asunder, each will
become a polype, and thus we may have two or several polypes with
only one tail between them ; but if the sections be made in the contrary
direction—from the tail towards the tentacula—you produce a mon-
ster with two or more bodies and one head. If the tentacula,—the
organs by which they take their prey, and on which their existence
might seem to depend,—are cut away, they are reproduced, and the

* Trembley, Mem. 196—7.

+ “ Jai ouvert sur ma main un Polype, je lai étendu, et j’ai coupé en tout
sens la peau simple qu'il formoit, je Vai reduit en petits morceaux, je l’ai en
quelque maniére haché. Ces petits morceaux de peau, tant ceux qui avoient
des bras, que ceux qui n’en avoient point, sont devenus des Polypes parfaits.”—
Trembley, Mem. 248.

3

Natural History of British Roophytes. 339

lopt off parts remain not long without a new body: if only two or
three tentacula are embraced in the section, the result is the same ;
and a single tentaculum will serve for the evolution of a complete
creature.* When a piece is cut out of the body the wound speedily
heals, and, as if excited by the stimulus of the knife, young polypes
sprout from the wound more abundantly, and in preference to un-
scarred parts ; when a polype is introduced by the tail into another’s
body, the two unite and form one individual ; and when a head is lopt
off it may safely be ingrafted on the body of any other which may
chance to wantone. You may slit the animal up, and lay it out flat
like a membrane, with impunity ; nay it may be turned inside out,
so that the stomachal surface shall become the epidermous, and yet
continue to live and enjoy itself.;+ And the creature seems even to
suffer very little by these apparently cruel operations, for before the
lapse of many minutes, the upper half of a cross section will expand
its tentacula and catch prey as usual; and the two portions of a
longitudinal division will, after an hour or two, take food and retain
it. ‘ A polype cut transversely, in three parts, requires four or five
days in summer, and longer in cold weather, for the middle piece to
produce a head and tail, and the tail part to get a body and head,
which they both do in pretty much the same time. The head part
always appears a perfect polype sooner than the rest.” “ And what
is still more extraordinary, polypes produced in this manner grow
much larger, and are far more prolific, in the way of their natural in-
crease, than those that were never cut. It is very common, when a
polype is divided transversely, to see a young one push out from one
or other of the parts, and sometimes from both of them, in a very few
hours after the operation has been performed : and, particularly from
the tail part, two or three are frequently protruded in different places,
and at different times, long before that part acquires a new head, and
consequently whilst it can take in no fresh nourishment to supply
them with: and yet the young ones proceeding from it, under these

* From the experiments of Trembley, (Mem. 235,) of a correspondent of
Baker’s and of Baker himself, it would seem that a tentaculum cannot produce
a new body, unless a part of the head or body is removed with it ( Hist. 193-4,) ;
but other experimentalists are said to have succeeded when this was not done.
For the particulars stated in the text, and others equally incredible, the reader
may consult the works of Trembley and Baker, passim.

{ Trembley had several by him “ that have remained turned in this manner ;
their inside is become their outside, and their outside their inside: they eat,
they grow, and they multiply, as if they had never been turned.”—Phil. Trans.
Abridg. vili. 627; and his Mem. 253, &c.

340 On a Confervoid State of Mucor clavatus.

disadvantages, thrive as fast, and seem as vigorous as those produced
by perfect and uncut polypes.” *

When such things were first announced—when to a little worm the
attributes of angelic beings were assigned +—it is not wonderful that
the vulgar disbelieved, albeit credulity may be their besetting sin,
when even naturalists, familiar with all the miracles of the insect
world, were amazed and wist not what todo. “II faut’—exclaimed
Reaumur—“ il faut porter la foi humaine plus loin qu il n’est permis
a des hommes eclairés, pour le croire sur le premier temoignage de
celui qui le raconte, et assure Yavoir vu. Peut-on se resoudre a
croire quil y ait dans la nature des animaux qu’on multiplie en les
hachant, pour ainsi dire, par morceaux ?” { But this illustrious na-
turalist was himself the first to promulgate, and experimentally to
verify the discoveries of Abraham Trembley, which have been fully
confirmed by many subsequent inquirers, and are now made so familiar
to us by their admission into elementary works and treatises on na-
tural theology, that we read of them with little surprise and without
incredulousness.

(To be continued.)

V.—On a Confervoid State of Mucor clavatus, Lk. By the Rev.
M. J. BerKevey, M. A. F. L. S.

TyoveH great advance has of late years been made, not only in
the study, but in the manner of studying cryptogamic plants, it is
plain from the pertinacious adherence of many botanists to their old
habits of looking rather to external and accidental, than to internal and
essential characters, that there is much room for improvement. In
consequence of this, mycology and other branches of cryptogamic
botany are still overloaded with a mass of anomalous productions,

* Baker, lib. s. cit. 92, 93.
+ “ Vital in every part, not as frail Man

In entrails, heart or head, liver or veins,
Cannot but by annihilating die ;
Nor in their liquid texture mortal wound
Receive, no more than can the fluid air:
All heart they live, all head, all eye, all ear,
— — — — and, as they please,
They limb themselves, and colour, shape or size
Assume, as likes them best.”

MILTON.

+ Hist. des Insectes, vi. pref. 49.
4

On a Confervoid State of Mucor clavatus. 341

which are, in fact, nothing else but unusual or undeveloped states
of different species. Hence we find amongst Alge certain states of
various Fungi, Lichens, Mosses, and Ferns, while amongst Fungi
we have the infant state of many species (Mycelia) arranged under
distinct genera. Indeed in the new system of Fungi which is now
in the course of publication, by Dr T. F. L. Nees von Esenbeck,
we still find such a genus as Himantia retained, though it is al-
most impossible for practical botanists not to observe the actual de-
velopement of the productions of which it is formed into perfect Hy-
menomycetous Fungi. Again in a late number of a supplement
to Bulliard, by M. Letellier, a new species of Geoglossum is formed
out of a state of one of the Mycelia, denominated by authors
Ozonium auricomum, a state, it is to be observed, noticed long ago by
Withering and Sir J. E. Smith. Many other instances might be
noted in which such productions are either again enumerated as
autonomous fungi, or new forms described. It is with great justice
_that Fries complains, that although he has again and again called
the special attention of botanists to this point, his labour at present
seems to have been all but useless. He expresses, however, his de-
termination of persevering, and his conviction that his views will
at length be adopted.

No tribe has afforded more of such doubtful productions than the
Mucedines, from many of the more common species being more or
less perfectly developed with such ease and celerity in various si-
tuations and circumstances. The sporidia of many germinate in si-
tuations in which their true habit is never assumed, in liquids for
instance ; and such imperfect states have been generally considered
as Alge. The habit, indeed, of arranging these Mycelia or masked
fungi amongst the alge had obtained some years since, such irre-
sistible influence, that, aided by a habit of theorizing, M. Carus,
though absolutely witnessing the curious forms assumed by the
same species under different degrees of moisture, considered the
circumstance as proof of the possibility of plants essentially belong-
ing to one order giving origin to plants of an order entirely distinct,
under a different adjustment of the elements. (Act. Nov. Leop.
1823, t. 58.) Very lately a volume has been published, which at
present I have only had an opportunity of casually inspecting in the
Library of M. Desmazieres, on these confervoid forms of Mucedines,
by Dr Biasoletto of Triest, in which they are considered as belong-
ing to distinct genera of the order Alge.

Having had the good fortune of witnessing the perfect develope-
VOL. II. No. 10. Z

842 On: a Confervoid State of Mucor clavatus.

ment of a very extraordinary production of this nature, which on a
slight inspection, without carefully weighing its nature, had all the
appearance of being a true Algz, I take an early opportunity of com-
municating the fact which I have witnessed, as a multiplication of
observations of this nature will alone induce cryptogamists general-
ly to consider the matter in its true light.

On the 17th of March a quantity of raisin wine was made in the
usual manner, with the exception that boiling water was used. The
quantity, however, of water applied at once was not suflicient to
communicate a high temperature to the mash. The weather which
succeeded was so extremely cold that fermentation did not take
place, and it was not convenient to place the tub in a proper tem-

perature. Ina few days the surface was spotted with white pat-
ches of mould, which when perfectly developed proved to be Peni-
cillium candidum, Lk. at least the plant was extremely small, and
the sporidia never acquired any colour. Meanwhile a few confer-
void tufts floating just beneath the surface became visible. This
was first observed on the Ist of April, and in a few days the whole
surface was coated with a thick scum, of the same colour as the li-
quor, resembling a piece of cotton wadding immersed in it, or some
of the more slender Conferve, such as C. sordida, when the green tint
has passed away. This production was examined at the time, and
found to consist of an intricate mass of branched threads, the
branches being often set on at a right angle. ‘Towards the base
they were generally more or less unequal, very irregular, without
‘articulations, giving out here and there, scattered or tufted, more
slender root-like branches. Towards the surface, the threads he-
came articulated, but varying extremely in the length and forms of
the divisions, some being nearly cylindrical, and in length exceed-
ing the diameter many times, while others were very much swollen,
and often almost globular. Occasionally there seemed an effort to
form asporangium. All were filled with a pale grumous nucleus,
in which a few distinct granules were visible. ‘Though resembling
Conferve in some points, Iwas convinced, from the irregularity in the
manner of articulation, and from a certain indescribable habit, that
the plant before me was a state ofsome mould. The scum being re-
moved was accordingly saved, but it underwent no further deve-
lopement. As often, however, as the wine was cleared, the produc-
tion was again developed, without affecting very sensibly the taste

or quality of the wine. Fermentation not taking place, the tub was
4

-

On a Confervoid State of Mucor clavatus. 343

at length placed in « room in which a fire was constantly kept up,
the temperature being seldom below 60° of Fahrenheit, and the
patches soon became smaller, but indicated signs of fructification.
It was in a short time clear that the plant was a state of Mucor
clavatus, Lk. which was further proved by the developement of that
species upon the skins of the raisins, which had been thrown into a
tub in which were some brewers’ grains. It is curious that in this
latter case there was scarcely any trace of a Mycelium.

The Mycelium of the Penicillium before fructification, though
more or less submerged, had little in it remarkable, consisting of
extremely fine branched, articulated, pellucid threads.

a. State of Mucor clavatus, in outline, highly magnified. 6. A
portion of the same to show the contents of the articulations. c.
Perfect fertile threads, with sporangia and columella.

REVIEWS AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS.

Voyage Scientifique en Morée. Paris. Levrault.

WHEN it was determined to employ the combined arms of England
and France in order to clear Greece of the remains of the barbaric
race of Othman, the opportunity was not lost by the French go-
vernment, and with the laudable zeal for science, which, amid the
motley changes we have witnessed in these days, has never ceased to
animate the various parties who have successively ruled at Paris, a
sort of ambulant Institute, resembling on a smaller scale the cele-
brated body which accompanied the Egyptian expedition, was fitted
out, with a view to explore the classic and almost unwrought soil
their arms were called ‘on to visit.

The result of the labours of this commission has been recentiy
made public, and we shall proceed to analyse such parts of it as the
nature of this publication permits. Although we must in candour
say that we have risen from the examination of it with a considerable
feeling of disappointment, and that when we consider the means at the
disposal of the commission, the time devoted to it, and the power
they possessed of perambulating a region of comparatively small extent,
and perfectly accessible in every point ; as well as the vast advantage
of visiting a country which, as far as natural science is concerned,
with the exception of the botany of Sibthorp, might be said to be un-
explored, we felt entitled to expect that more might, and in fact —
ought to have been done ;—nevertheless they have brought to light
some very interesting facts, which we shall lay before our readers, fol-
lowing the course of the publication itself.

The work contains a sort of personal narrative of the parties en-
gaged, a summary of the observations on mammalia, reptiles, insects,
fishes, botany, geology, antiquities, statistics, and topography. There
is a large volume filled with drawings and illustrations of various
kinds, most of them well executed, and of great interest and value; |

but we certainly think that the many sheets occupied by landscape
: 3

|

Voyage Scientifique en Moree. 345

views in lithography, although well executed, might have been ad-
vantageously bestowed on objects of higher value, leaving these sub-
jects of amateur interest in the hands of private individuals, who
would have been sure to avail themselves of the opportunity of pub-
lishing them. Nearly a year was devoted to the expedition, which
sailed from Toulon in January 1829, and returned in December of
the same year, previous to which it had been suddenly stopped in its
career by the dreadful pestilence of malaria, or marsh intermittent
fever, which in all ages has infected the shores of Greece, and the
prevalence of which has been increased by the want of cultivation
consequent on the invasion of the Mahometans. For this very se-
rious result, we conceive some parties, either the government at
home, or those in immediate command of the commission, must have
been very highly to blame. Every one who has the slightest know-
ledge of the Mediterranean is aware, that after the summer solstice
the marshy shores of nearly the whole range on both sides is subject
to this fever, which increases in force with the advance of the season,
and attains its maximum of virulence in the beginning of September,
after which it is checked by the rains, which in general fall from the

_ 10th to the 18th of that month, and induce a salutary and beneficial,
as well as most agreeable, change in the temperature. Not only the
general precautions founded on the knowledge of this unvarying
course of nature were unnoticed, but the common and unerring
warnings of danger, the presence of myriads of musquitos, which as-
sailed them in the deltas and marshes of Western Greece, were
equally disregarded, until they were roused to the sense of their si-
tuation by a simultaneous attack of nearly the whole party, which
put an abrupt termination to their proceedings, and compelled them
to disperse and seek for safety in a more healthy climate.

Now it is very clear, that, by the exercise of a little discretion and
forethought, proper stations might have been selected, whence the
observations could have been carried on according to the season with
perfect safety, and, by changing place to the islands or to the elevated
grounds during the worst period, examining the pestilential marshes
at the proper time, better results would have been obtained, and the
parties engaged saved from carrying, as we have no doubt some of
them will, the remembrance of this improvident arrangement to pre-
mature graves.

The narrative, which occupies the first volume, is drawn up by M.

Bory de St Vincent. In some parts the more remarkable animals
they met with are mentioned, but in general it is entirely personal,

346 Voyage Scientifique en Moree.

containing the admixture of slight and superficial notices of the pastor-
al and agricultural inhabitants of the country. We were not surpris-
ed to find their testimony respecting these people more favourable
than might have been expected from the reputation the Greeks have
acquired at Smyrna, Constantinople, and other trading places, where
the most disadvantageous comparisons are generally made between
them and their former barbarian masters. In other respects, the
drawing up of this narrative gives no very favourable opinion either
of the liberality or knowledge of the author, on certain subjects he
has the bad taste to introduce or rather parade before his readers.
He appears to be of that class of his countrymen who labour under
what may be termed, “ anglophobia,” which became prevalent in the
time of the empire, having succeeded to the “anglomanie” of the pe-
riod prior to the revolution, and is so prevalent at present, notwith-
standing the friendly terms we are on, that every candidate for public
favour must make his profession of it, or be purified, according to
the Spanish phrase, of any tendency to the older disease,—and we
doubt not this seasoning of anglophobia one cause for this volume
running to a second edition, as we understand it has, the merits of
the book itself being very small. The writer gives very unequivocal
proof of his being of the modern school, He deplores, in a way to
leave no doubt of his sincerity, the national arms being employed in
concert with those of England. Every rock seems to suggest visions
of occupation, and of goblins in the shape of British sailors and ma-
rines. taking permanent possession of them ;—a strange commen-
tary on the proceedings of his countrymen on the opposite coast of
Africa !

In one instance he travels quite out of his way, in speaking of the
Greek Priests, to introduce an observation on our manners, which, if
it were founded on fact, would be totally misplaced in his work; but
happening to be quite the reverse, it shews not only the animus
which dictated the insertion of it, but the utter ignorance as well as
low and vulgar prejudices of the author. These observations may
appear to be unnecessary here, and foreign to the subject we are
writing on; but they are by no means so. We are speaking of a
public body, the elite of one of the leading members of the great
republic of science, and it is not unimportant to notice the spirit
in which these reports, which are in fact public property, are con-

ducted. Independently of this there are other reasons. The same —
narrow and contracted views which have caused the introduction of —

these topics where they are quite uncalled for, infect various parts of the

y.

.
:

Voyage Scientifique en Moree. 347

body of the work itself. There is too visible a tendency to assume airs
of exclusive intelligence, and reduce everything to the petty scale of the
little circle or clique which were brought together. “ Nous,” “un de
nous,” &c. occur rather too often, whilst the works of others, which
might have assisted them, are either unnoticed, or mentioned so slight-
ly, that it would appear to be the result of force, rather than from
that general republican feeling which ought to animate those who
hold prominent situations in the scientific body. We regret any ten-
dency to this failing the more, from seeing its effect on our own lite-
rary and scientific societies, the tendency in which this evil is so strong,
and the difficulty so great, of avoiding the forming petty oligarchies,
with their moment of splendour, followed by stagnation, twaddle and
decay. It will be a real loss to the world, if this spirit (as it is beginning
to be thought, ) seize on the French; but to themselves it will be still
heavier, for it will entail the certain falling from the “high estate” to

which the great men who have lately departed had raisedthem. The lead

once lost will not easily be regained. Of the littleness we complain of,
one of the common forms is the fear of being “ devance,” and the
carefully abstaining from any connection of the observations made by
others in the corresponding zone of Europe, which, especially those on
Italy and Dalmatia, might have been introduced in awork of this sort,
where some general views of science might have been looked for, as well
as the more isolated facts which came to their knowledge. As, how-
ever, this appears not to have entered into the speculation of MM. de la

_ Commission, we shall proceed to analyse the information which they

have presented to us.

Mamma ia.—It would seem incredible that of the bats we should
only have V. murinus and pipistrellus mentioned. In a country like
Greece, which abounds in caverns and retreats suited to the genus, we
looked for a very different result. The very treasuries of Atreus and
Merigas, gy the walls of Messene and the vaults of Megarpelia might
have been ransacked, to extend the scanty list, in forming which we
fear little attention has been paid.

Traces of moles were observed, especially in the elevated table-
lands which form the centre of the Morea, but the species was not

made out. It is most probably the Aspalax or T. cceca of Savi.

They are said to disappear during summer,—no doubt retiring to the
marshes or to the depths of the shady forests, where the soil is easier

_ to work, and the food more abundant, than in the open grounds, which

hecome indurated with the rays of the burning sun.
The wild-cat, F. catus ? is extremely common, especially in the cen-

348 Voyage Scientifique en Moree.

tral parts of the Morea, where they prey chiefly on partridges; but at
some seasons they approach the isolated houses and seize the poultry.
The species is said to resemble that of the centre of Europe, but
in some degree to assimilate to one figured in the voyage of Belanger
to the East Indies, and called Felis rubiginosa, which they say has
spots on the breast and sides. We have carefully examined both the
plates, which are quite unlike each other. The cat of Belanger is so
badly represented that it is necessary to be told what animal it is
meant to represent, and considerable doubts exist as to its being a
genuine species, or more than the common cat of Madagascar.

The plate in the present work is much better, and is totally differ-
ent from the other. From the looseness of the description, we are
disposed to think that no very great attention has been paid to the
subject, and that the true species of the Morea remains to be more
accurately described. We have a strong suspicion that it may turn
out to be identical with a cat seen by the writer of this notice, in the
Sierra de Cuenca in Spain. This species, of which he has only seen the
individual specimen on which the observation was made, differs to-
tally from that of the north and centre of Europe. The fur was red-
dish, like some of the lynxes of the Alps, the back and head broadly
striped, and the tail barred with black. The greatest peculiarity was
in the ears, which were short and rounded, as if they had been clip-
ped, and they scarcely stood above the fur. The head was round and
the muzzle short, unlike the lynx and caracal, and the animal was
possessed of very great strength.

The zones or parallel of these localities nearly correspond with
each other, and it is very probable, when a more accurate account is
given of the cat of the Peloponnesus, that it may turn out to be si-
milar to that of Cuenca—respecting which we have written to Spain,
and hope, when the country is in a more tranquil state, to have some
further account.

The lynx is not uncommon, and it is protected by the pkejudices
of the people, who believe that it is the deadly foe of the wolf, and
assists in defending their flocks! Most probably this popular error
proceeds from their being seen engaged in conflict, to defend the prey
they had taken, which the stronger and equally rapacious brute was
desirous of appropriating to itself. We are left in ignorance of the
species, from which it may be inferred that it is the common lynx of
the centre and north of Europe. We should rather have expected to
hear of the spotted variety, which we found to abound in the Sierra
Morena, Felis pardina, or a variety of it? This, the most beautiful

Voyage Scientifique en Moree. 349

of the European quadrupeds, we have not seen in any collection. A
skin very nearly entire was sent by the writer to the British Museum,
but, not having been properly cured before it came into his possession,
was destroyed in setting up. There can be little doubt, that if it be
not found in the Morea, it may be looked for in the larger islands of
the southern Archipelago.

The wolf is very numerous, and were it not for the celebrated
breed of Molossian dogs, which have lost none of their qualities, would
render the keeping flocks of sheep extremely difficult.

The fox is very common in the Peloponnesus, as may be expected
in a country of mountain fastnesses, and of forest and wooded ra-
vines so well adapted to their habits. ‘The species is not given, but
they suppose it to be the same with that which inhabits the centre of
Europe. We rather suppose, on the contrary, that this was not ascer-
tained, owing to their being probably ignorant of the discovery of the
Prince of Musignano, and that the Grecian fox is the C. melanogaster,
or short-footed species, of that naturalist.

The most important discovery made amongst the Mammalia by the
Commission was that of the jackal, C. aureus, which not only inha-
bits the Morea, but is extremely abundant there. On one occasion
their yelpings at night put the little camp on the alert, and they stood
to arms as if expecting an attack. We are told this quite gravely ; and
we cannot help contrasting the restless vigilance of our neighbours,
bordering on timidity, which is a quality so valuable in war both by
sea and land, with the habits of our own countrymen, in whom it is
almost wholly wanting, often to the great prejudice of our arms ; and
when once composed, we engage that a party of John Bull’s family
would require a much stronger stimulus to rouse them from their
slumbers.

We confess feeling rather a sense of humiliation, that, after the
hordes of travellers we have sent annually, fit and unfit, to travel in
Greece for the last twenty-five years, the curious fact of the ex-
istence of the animal should have been left to the discovery of these
gentlemen in 1829.

We have a disquisition on the species, which it appears has en-
gaged the attention of F. Cuvier, who has made out the following va-
rieties : Caucasian, Nubian, Senegal, Algiers, and that of the Morea.
As the distinctions of those of Algiers, Caucasus, and the Morea, ap-
pear to be founded wholly on the colour, or rather shades of colour
and length of fur, we are not disposed to concur in them, as the influ-
ence of season, of age, or climate, will no doubt account for the appa-

350 Voyage Scientifique en Moree.

rent differences, especially as the observations can only be made on a
comparatively small number of individuals.

The case is different with the species of Nubia, which is probably
identical with that of Senegal. The skin is spotted, and the ears are
longer than in the northern race.

We are now favoured with a curious observation suggested by this
peculiarity in the ears of the Nubian species. We are told that the
elongation is common, not only to the quadrupeds which inhabit the
vicinity of the Zahara, or great desert, but to man also, and that the
Bedouins, who belong to it, have the conch of the ear singularly long,
differing from that in other races. We confess we were a little

‘startled at the intelligence. Our first idea was, whether, if the be-
ing born about the Zahara imparted such a peculiarity, the sojourning
some time in the vicinity might not be followed by some elongation of
the same part. Not finding, however, that this was the case, and
knowing that the Moorish Spaniards, whose ancestors came from the
region in question, have remarkably small ears, unless, indeed, that pro-
ceeded from their being removed from the locality, our thoughts then
turned very naturally to our old acquaintance Pan, and the Fauns with
their auricular appendages. According to this theory, instead of be-
ing natives of Mount Taygetus and Arcadia, their pedigree ought ra-
ther to be Numidian or Mauritanian. We wish the Commission had
discussed the subject in the part of their work which is dedicated to
the ancient animals of the Peloponnesus ; and we strongly recommend
the consideration of it to that portion of the Parisian savans, who
devote many sittings to the affinities of the genus homo with some of
the quadrumana. It might afford an interesting variety to these lec-
tures, of which the auditory begin very naturally to complain.

This fact, if established, might be of considerable use in assisting
the reform now carrying on so resolutely in the Ottoman dominions.
It is known to those who have been in the East, or have attended to
their peculiar method of conducting a government, that the common
mode of announcing a victory, before the introduction of gazettes and
bulletins, which are now coming into use, was by the arrival of Tartars
or couriers with sacks full of the ears of the vanquished, which were
pickled in salt. The heads, which ought to have been sent, being too
heavy for transport, this lighter substitute was found. Now it has
happened not unfrequently, that, in a scarcity of the article,—or from
the battle being of the nature of those in Spain, where it is difficult
to say which party is the conqueror, or rather who has lost the least,
excepting in ammunition and shoe-leather,—that a habit has prevailed

Voyage Scientifique en Moree. 351

of filling the bags at the expense of the rayas or infidel inhabitants,
especially the Jews of the towns in the line of march, who were
called on to make up the deficiency. In case of operations being
carried on in any of the parts in which this conformation existed, it
would have afforded an excellent means, by keeping the measurements
of the ears of the respective tribes, to check the accounts and state-
ments of the pachas, and be the means of preventing innocent and
guilty being placed in the same situation, as was too often the
case.

The Commission are too generous to deprive the author of this
speculation of the merit justly his due. It. is stated to proceed from
“un de nos consuls generaux.” However lightly we may be in-
clined to treat this lucubration of the worthy consul, we cannot but
applaud the zeal which has induced him to attend to such subjects,
and we wish him success in his future communications. We only
wish we had similar instances to report from our consular and diplo-
matic bodies, who are, with some exceptions, singularly deficient in
imparting information on such subjects.

One more observation on the jackal of the Morea. Are we to
consider them of the early inhabitants, prior to the first civilization,
and contemporary of the lions and other larger fer, which we have
historical testimony to bear out the belief, that they did really inha-
bit the Peloponnesus? or may they not have followed the train of
the Asiatic hgrdes, who at various times have crossed the Bosphorus
or the Hellespont under Xerxes and others? Leaving out the possi-
bility of their crossing by the bridge of that monarch, it is by no means
a rash supposition, that the abundant provender to be obtained by
following such bodies of men would impel animals to make an un-
usual exertion, in order to keep in a train so advantageous, and the
swimming the Hellespont is quite within the power of such a qua-
druped as the jackal. We have seen the shoals of sharks, one of
which was accustomed to follow each Guinea or slave-ship to the
West Indies from the coast of Africa, at the time that trade was per-
mitted, impelled by a similar motive. It is possible this may be the
origin of the present breed of jackals; but we should rather incline to
the belief that they were aboriginal, and co-existent with the Ne-
mean lion and the Erymanthian boar, both which races have disap-
peared, and that, by retreating to the fastnesses of Taygetus, or of
Pindus and Parnassus, they lived in seclusion during the period of
civilization, and escaped the extermination in which the larger fers
were involyed,—advancing again by natural progression, as the Turks

352 Voyage Scientifique en Moree.

reduced the country to a state more congenial to their habits, and
fitted to encourage their propagation.

Birps.—The catalogue of birds is extremely scanty, consisting of
only 66 species, without any pretension to novelty. We should be
inclined to say MM. de la Commission, What have you been about ?
In fact, it would seem incredible that such a list should be the pro-
duction of so much time and labour. We could be almost tempted to
furnish a supplementary list of those we know must be there, or which,
from some cause or other, have been overlooked. Our countryman,
Mr Strickland has, we believe, at least found one new Sylvia, and has
done more than the Grecian Institute.

A good plate is given of the Falco tinnunculoides, which, until
very recently, was, and still is, extremely rare in collections. (We be-
lieve the first seen in this country were those brought from Spain
hy the writer of this notice.) They claim the merit, we believe due,
of giving the first good representation of the most beautiful of the
smaller eagles, as the Falco Bonelli, when in full plumage, is unri-
valled amongst the larger of the genus of the European Falconide.

We have long been aware of this bird being common in Greece,
from the circumstance of first seeing a number of them blown off
by a gale from the Acroceraunian mountains several years since, du-
ring the war, when they were captured at sea. The writer of the orni-
thological report asserts that it is unknown in the west of Europe! Yet
they inform us in another place, that one of the party had been at Seville,
where they swarm, as they do in all the cities of the south of Spain,
and are seen as far north as Toledo. We do not despair, if our Hi-
bernian brethren, who are at last in the field, and will look vigiiantly
out, of adding this and other interesting birds to the British fauna.

A very moderate flight to a bird accustomed, as this is, to re-
main the whole day on the wing, would waft them from the western
coasts of the Peninsula to the nearest part of Ireland. We particu-
larly recommend the attention of the writer of the notice on the
irish birds in the late number of this Journal to the subject, and
especially to those which are mentioned as breeding about the steeples
of churches.

We wish steps were taken to naturalize these beautiful birds, which
we have no doubt would easily live in the south of England. They
are quite harmless, live on beetles and other insects, occasionally take
a mouse or mole, and would be highly ornamental in such situa-
tions as Exeter or Salisbury cathedrals. They can easily be procured

Voyage Scientifique en Moree. 353

at Seville by means of the keeper of the Giralda, who has access to
their nests.

The Strix bubo and Vultur fulvus were met with, but we are not
informed whether the former be of the common species of the north,
or of a supposed variety which is assigned to the zone of these ob-
servations.

If the list of birds be scanty, to make amends we have a new ar-
rangement of the Passeres, and a fresh coinage of names with which
M. Geoffroy has favoured his friends and the public.

The partridge of the Morea is said to be the P. rufa, contrary to
our belief that it is the P. Greca or Bartavelle. Probably both
species may occur, and it is pretty certain that the P. petrosa will
be found to be the prevailing species in some of the southern
islands.

The beautiful Poule Sultane, or purple water hen of Latham, Por-
phyrio hyacinthus, was found in the marshes near Navarino, the plains
of Helos, and other localities. It is probably more numerous than
it is supposed to be, if the habits resemble those of the species in
Sardinia, where they frequent the most infected parts of the marshes,
which are almost inaccessible during the heats of summer.

We strongly recommend to our friends of the new society in St
James’s Park to take steps for the introduction of this most lovely
bird. We were informed by the late Professor Bonelli, that they
are abundantly kept in the yards of houses at Catania in Sicily, as
they were in the time of the Romans. They live easily in a domestic
state, and would only require protection from the winter’s cold in
this country. Independently of their beauty of plumage, which re-
sembles the finest tints of the tropical birds, their habits of using
the long prehensile toes to lift their food gives them a peculiarly
elegant appearance.

ReprtiLes.—The Testudo emarginata abounds in the Morea, as
does the T. Grzca, which is common in Sicily, Calabria, &c.

The Testudo Europa (Gray,) which inhabits the marshes of the
south of Europe, was found abundantly at the mouth of the Eurotas.

A new species is given under the name of C. Hellenica. It was
found in the ditches which drain the plain of Nisi, in the heart of
Messenia. It appears to differ from its congener, by the form being
less elliptical, the sides more rectilinear and elongated. Some were
observed to be even less than rectilinear, and to be slightly concave
on the sides. There are also some minor points of difference.

354 Voyage Scientifique en Moree.

Emys Caspica (Gmelin) is common in the shallow streams of the
Morea, and in those of the Isle of Tenos.

We have thus a respectable addition to our scanty knowledge of
these reptiles. There is little doubt that the aquatic species could
very easily be naturalised in our streams and artificial waters of the
south and west of Eugland, where there is depth to enable them to
secure themselves against the winter’s cold. They are perfectly in-
nocuous in every respect, and as the steam-boats which now traverse
the Mediterranean in all directions give great facility for their trans-
port, they would form an interesting appendage to them. We can-
not speak from personal knowledge as to their fitness for the table,
never having tasted them, but we have heard that one of the terres-
trial species, probably T. Greca, formed a favourite item in the Lent
fare of the luxurious inhabitants of the wealthier convents in the
south of Italy, before their suppression at the time of the French in-
vasion. Our informant complained only of their highly stimulating
and nutritious properties, which ought to have made the worthy
monks cautious in the use of them.

Amongst the Saurians, a new lizard, under the name of L. Pelo-
pennesiza, is introduced. It is nearly allied to Lacerta muralis, the
green lizard of the south of Europe, but the palatal teeth are want-
ing, and the lateral parts of the head behind the eyes are said to dif-
fer, the scales being nearly equal and polygonal, without the large
central scale, as in the neighbouring species. It was found in the
Morea and in the islands with L. muralis, but is less common.

We should scarcely, after the description which is given, expect to
find the animal represented as almost wholly bright green, but so the
artist has turned it out. It is so managed that the very spots or
blotches meant to represent “ noiratres,” look like deeper tints of
the same colour. This inattention is inexcusable, otherwise the plates,
especially that of S. muralis, are beautiful.

Another new saurian is given as Algyroides Moreoticus, being of
a genus established by MM. Dumeril and Bibron to distinguish it
from Algyras, owing to some slight difference discovered in the
scales. It is a small but very beautiful species.

The Stenodactylus guttatus of Cuvier, (Agame ponctuée of the
great work on Egypt, and hitherto not observed out of that country, )
was found in some part of Greece, but the locality is not given, which
we would much rather had been the case. Its congener, the S. ver-
miculatus, which is common in the south of Europe, was found at
Modon, Argos, &c.

Voyage Scientifique en Moree. 355

The Ablepharis, Kitaibelin of Cocteau, a congener, which had only
been seen in Hungary, was also observed. ‘The form is longer and
more taper than that of the adjoining species.

The Pseudopus Pallasii, the Scheltopusik of the south of Russia,
was found to be common in the Peloponnesus. This curious genus,
of which we owe the discovery to Pallas, and probably has not been
seen by many of our readers, is a serpent witha long finny membrane
on each side upon the under part of the body, which makes it a con-
necting link between the lizard and snakes. The first which was
seen was basking in the vernal sun after emerging from its winter
retreat, and was demolished instantly by our naturalists with the but
of their guns ; and they were surprised on examination to find it had
no fangs, and was consequently not venomous, reminding us of the
youthful zeal with which we used to attack the poor Anguis fragilis
or slow-worm, when it unfortunately came in our way.

Many were subsequently taken, and were more mildly dealt with,
being kept alive about the houses in a half domestic state, to which
their mild and inoffensive manners enabled them to accommodate
themselves. Their powers of digestion must be considerable, for we
find the principal diet offered to them was hard boiled eggs, re-
minding us again of the practice of our younger days, as if animals
in a domestic state should be given the food most unlike that of their
natural habits. On one occasion, however, a pseudopus met with a
nest of young unfledged birds, which it soon demolished, and we have
no doubt fully enjoyed. The plate is good, the colour being more
russet and less green than that of the Prince Musignano, probably
owing to some difference in age or sex, or from the animal being
more recently killed than that figured in the Iconographia Romana.

Another species is given as new under the name of P. Durvillii.
It is much smaller, and is striped and varied in colour. We cannot
help thinking it possible that it may be the young of the preceding
species.

An Anguis or slow-worm, on which the name of A. punctuatissimus
has been conferred, seems to possess unequivocal claims to novelty,
the muzzle being narrower, the arrangement of the cephalic plates and
the disposition of colour differing from the common A. fragilis. The
upper part of the body is “ cafe au lait ;’ underneath it is grey, and
the whole dotted with very small black specks, forming longitudinal
lines round the body.

SERPENTS.—-A small yellow reptile, the Typhlops flavescens of

356 Voyage Scientifique en Moree.

these writers, was met with in the islands of the Archipelago. In
form it would appear to resemble Anguis, but it is placed amongst
the true serpents.

The Erix jaculus, Daudin, the Erix of the Delta in the great
work on Egypt, a small harmless species, was found in the islands of
Saxos and Tenos.

The Coluber siculus of Cuvier, which was named after specimens
brought from Sicily by Bibron, is common in the Morea, and a
species so nearly resembling it as probably to be identical, but which
is called Coluber bilineatus, is also figured. Both these, if they be
two species, are very nearly allied to C. natrix. The beautiful C. leo-
pardinus is also given, but the plate is not equal to that of the Prince
Musignano, who, they complain, preceded them owing to the delay
of the engravers.

The Coluber cucullatus of the great work on Egypt, which was
not known to exist in Europe, is given as found in Greece, but un-
fortunately we have no locality assigned to it.

The common and indeed only viper, according to these gentlemen,
is the C. ammodytes or snouted species. It is very common, and the
activity of its poison produces frequent accidents. The length is
not great, the largest only measuring from 15 to 18 inches in length,
but they are said to be very thick, a proportion which has not been
observed by the draftsman.

The Bufo palmarum, so called from its habit of seeking shelter un-
der the palmetes, is nearly of the same dimensions as the B. agua of
America. The largest known of the genus has hitherto only been found
in Sicily and in the Morea. Some individuals measured from the
nose to the extremity of the hind feet 40 centimetres, nearly half a
yard. The colour is dark yellow brown, and the appearance extreme-
ly disgusting.

A good plate is given of the B. viridis, a beautiful species, if the
idea of beauty can be attached to a frog. It was found in the ditches
of the fortress of Modon.

The extent to which this notice has been carried prevents our
noticing the sections of Fish, Insects, and Botany, &c. which we re-
serve for a future occasion.

History of British Birds, Sc. 237

BisLioGRAPHICAL NOTICEs.

A History of British Birds. By Witu1am Yarreuu, F.L.S.,
Secretary to the Zoological Society. Illustrated by a Wood-cut
of each Species, and numerous Vignettes. London, Van Voorst,
1837. 8vo. Nos. I. II.

WE merely announce the appearance of these numbers as the com-
mencement of another department of a valuable series of works de-
voted to the Natural History of the British islands, and bringing
down our information to the latest date. When the work has reach-
ed its completion, we shall endeavour fully to review its contents.
The present numbers are published nearly in the same beautiful style
of workmanship with their author’s Fishes and Mr Bell’s Quadrupeds.
The descriptions are concise and faithful, and contain all that is at
present known of the birds. The execution of the wood-cutting is
in general beautiful ; but we do not like the drawing of many of the
birds. Some of the figures are stiff and not artist-like ; as examples
we may mention those of the Neophron and white-tailed eagle, and
as a contrast we would refer to the finely wrought figure of the jer-
falcon.

The Birds of Australia and the adjacent Islands. By Joun Goutp,
Pel. S: Partl. Folio. 1837.

Icones Avium, or Figures and Descriptions of New and interesting
Birds from various parts of the Globe. By Joun Goutn, F.1L.S.
Forming a Supplement to his former works. Part I. Folio. 1837.

The two works of which we have now given the titles have been
sent to us by their indefatigable author. If carried through in
their present manner, they will be invaluable to the ornithologist ;
and from the materials which Mr Gould can call to his assistance,
and the talents as an artist possessed by his lady, we could not wish
the subjects to have been placed under a better charge. The
birds of Europe being now completed, ample time can be devoted
to these additional undertakings.

The first work contains figures and concise descriptions of ten
birds from Australia,— Malurus Lambertii and elegans, the latter
a closely allied but distinct species ; Calodera maculata ; Amadina
ruficauda ; Nanodes undulatus ; Nymphicus Nove-Hollandie ; Nes-
lor productus ; Hemipodius melanogaster ; Leptorhynchus pectoralis,
a curious bird intermediate in form between Himantopus and the

VOL. 11. NO. 10. Aa

358 Supplement to the Flora Metropolitana.

avosets, and Phalacracorax punctatus, a cormorant of gray and white
plumage, and orange-coloured legs and feet.

The ‘* Icones” contain Eurylaimus Dalhousie, of which Mr
Gould has formed a subgenus, Crossodera. Mr Swainson, in his
Synopsis of Genera, given in Lardner’s Cyclopedia, has also thought
this necessary,and has named the former Psarisomus, from its “ sup-
posed” resemblance to a Psaris. We are not sure which of these
names has the right of priority, but we are sure that the bird in
question has little resemblance to Psaris, and the bill appears to us
to be as much developed in form as in the other green or gray tinted
species from continental and alpine India,— Todws multicolor, describ-
ed by Gould in the proceedings of the Zoological Society, and now we

believe figured for the first time. We saw this species, in 1825,
in M. Temminck’s collection at Amsterdam.—lIanthocincla phe-
nicea, a beautiful and brightly-coloured species from alpine India.
—Calliope pectoralis——Microura squamata,—both from Hima-
laya.—Paradoxornis flavirostris —See Mag. of Zool. and Bot. i.
p- 64.—Pleroglossus Gouldiz, a species from the Brazils, and
named by M. Natterer in honour of our author.—Numida vultu-
rina, Hardw. a very fine species from Western Africa.—Ortyx plu-
mifera, one of the most beautiful species yet described. The head
is adorned with two narrow feathers nearly three inches in Jength,
forming a graceful bending crest. The other plumage is richly
blended shades of gray, brown, and chestnut ; and the bird is be-
sides remarkable in shewing the character and markings of plu-
‘mage which we perceive on the flanks of the red-legged partridges.
Three specimens were procured in California by the late David
Douglas.— Cursorius rufus, from the Indian islands, intermediate
between C. Asiaticus and Temminckii.

Supplement to the Flora Metropolitana, or Botanical Rambles within
thirty miles of London. By Danizu Cooper, A.L.S. 12mo.
1837. Highley, London.

A little work of 36 pages, giving localities which were omitted
(or at the time of its publication undiscovered) from Mr Cooper’s
former volume, noticed at p. 281, Vol. i. of this Magazine. The
greater portion of the pages is, however, occupied by a full index to
the whole work, containing the English and scientific names, and
indicating by contractions “ the time of flowering, and colour of the
flowers of the phanogamous plants.” And, in conclusion, a short |
table is given of the elevations of the principal localities round Lon-_
don, above the level of the Thames, at Trinity high-water-mark.

_ Loudonws Magazine of Natural History. 359

Similar tables would be very desirable were they appended to the
more extended Floras which we have of various districts both in
_ England and Scotland, and also, according to Mr C. Watson’s plan,
to note the ranges of elevation between which the plants are seen
to occur.—The greatest height within the limits of Mr Cooper's
_ Flora is Leith-Hill, 993 feet. The lowest is Kensington Palace, 66
feet, 1 inch.

PERIopIcaALs— British.
Bondar’ s Magazine of Natural History. New Series. July and
August 1837. (Continued from page 276.)
I. Zoolegy.
On Nomenclature by Zetetes, p. 421.

Eyton upon the Theory
of Hybridity, p. 357.

TEmMPLETON’s List of the Irish Vertebrate
eomals, p- 403. Dr Moore on the Web-footed Birds of Devon-
shire, p. 360. Observations on Woodcocks and Fieldfares breed-
ing in Scotland, by George FarrHoime, p. 337, with remarks
on the same subject, by Mr E. Biyru, p. 439.—~-On the struc-
ture of the Fossil Saurians, from the German of Hermann von
Merger, p. 341. Report of a Notice, by M. Rang, respecting the
“Inhabitant of the Argonaut, by MM. Dumerin and De Bratrn-
¢ VILLE, p. 393. Some observations on Mr Stutchbury’s proposed
new genus of univalve shells Cyprecassis, by G. B. Sowersy,
_ p- 366 and p. 431. Could not Mr Stutchbury’s views of a genus
in Malacology be controverted without the infusion of acrimony
which embitters this paper? In his ‘ additional remarks,’ Mr
Sowerby declares that he is not actuated by any personal feeling
against his opponent,—so that he seems to have had no reason
whatever for having stated his objections in the first instance in an
irritating and insulting manner, for assuredly there is no expression
in the original paper of Mr Stutchbury, which could provoke such
a bilious discharge. We do indeed very heartily wish that our me-
tropolitan brethren would cultivate a greater ‘‘ sweetness of speech,”
for their animosities and mutual recriminations afford no sport to
us, and do not tend to edifying. On the Mactrade, by J. E.
Gray, p. 370. Among the short communications we find, No-
tice of the South African Museum: Additions to the Zoological So-
ciety: the Fossil remains of Apes: on the Habits of the Viper; on
the swimming of snakes: on the alleged afhinity between the
Pigeons and Poultry : Eagle’s nest in Loch Skene: Ventriloquism in
Birds.

360 Companion to the Botanical Magazine, &c.

Il. Botany.

The communications under this head are limited to a few short
notices. 1. On Lamiwm intermedium, and 2. Fedia carinata, by
Mr Leieuton : 3. On Alyssum calycinum, and 4. Leucojum vernum
by Mr. Brown. It would appear not improbable, from a note of |
Mr Brown’s in p. 447, that the Betula intermedia is a native on the
Clova hills, where it has been mistaken for B. alba. The point is
deserving the attention of our Scottish friends.

Companion to the Botanical Magazine. By Sir W. J. Hooxer, |
Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow. (Continued |
from p. 276. Vol. ii.)

Tuts Number (the 24th of the work) completes the second vo-
lume ; and as we have received our August and September num-
bers of the Magazine, but without its worthy ‘‘ Companion,” we —
feel somewhat uneasy, and sincerely trust that it has not altogether
ceased, for want of encouragement and support.

The contents of the number are, Notes upon some genera and spe-
cies of South American Orchidee,by Joan Linney, Ph.D. F.R.S.
Chrysorhoe, a new genus of Chamezlauciex, by the same au-
thor. Flor Insularum Nove Zelandize precursor ; or a specimen
of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand, by ALLAN CuNNING-_
HAM, continued from last number, contains the Hepatice, Lycopodia-
cex, the Felices verz, and a portion of the Plantz vasculares. Two
- figures of Loxoma Cunninghamii, a new species belonging to the |
Polypodiacez, are given ; the one, illustrating the fructification, is
beautifully executed by F. Baurr. Botanical information con- |
tains a list of the species figured in the two last parts of the “ Icones_
Plantarum.” Some remarks by Dr Wricut, copied from the
Madras Journal of Literature and Science, relative to the descrip-_
tions of Dr Graham, from Colonel Walker’s specimens. Dr Wright
leaves the matter of the identity of the plants still uncertain, but is
of opinion that Dr Graham’s plants have been introduced to the isl
and of Ceylon, and are not indigenous.

PrEriopicaLs—Fforeign.
Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, MM. Aunow1n et
Mitnr-Epowarps. Botanique, MM. Ap. Bronentarr et GuiL-
LEMIN. Crochard and Co. Paris, Janvier 1837. :

I. Zoology
Recherches sur quelques Fe ‘es et larves parasites des insec-
tes Orthopteres et Hyménopteres, par Leon Durour, Professor

Annales des Sciences Naturelles, &c. 361

Vrouik sur les dents incisives et le nombre des cétes du Rhinoceros
Africain. Observations preliminaires sur Vexrstence d’ In fusoires
fossiles et sur leur profusion dans la nature, par M. Enxrenpere.
Etudes pour servir a Vhistoire naturelle des Myriapodes, par
M. P. Gervais. He has ascertained that the eyes of the Juli, Li-
thobii, and Scolopendrz increase in number with the growth of the
individual. Synopsis des genres et des espéces d animaux fossiles
decouverts dans les couches superieures des depots tertiaires des mon-
tagnes Sivalek de 1 Himalaya, par MM. Cautiury et Fatconer.
Baker sur le Chameau fossile du Sub-Himalaya. This and
the preceding are translations from the Journal of the Asiatic So-
ciety.——- Note sur les organes respiratotres des Capricornes, par M.
Picrer.

II. Botany.

Notice historique sur Ant.-Laur. de Jussieu, par M. Ap. Brone-
NIART. (See a translation of this paper in our present Num-
ber.) Note historique sur ce que lon a écrit en France de 1806
@ 1816 sur les mots conducteurs et cordons pistillaires, par M. A. de
Sarint-Hivaire. Note sur le genre Stephanotis, de la famille
des Asclépiadées, par M. Av. Broneniart. Description du nou-
veau genre Archimedea, par feu la P. Leandro do Sacramento, pré-
cédée d'une notice sur ce botaniste, par M. Aug. de Saint-Hivarre.
Note sur le genre Polycnemum et sur une nouvelle tribu de la
famille des Paronychiées, par A. Moqurn-Tanpon.
la disposition des feuilles curvisériées, par MM. Bravats.

Essai sur

x

Magazin de Zoologie, Journal destiné a etablir une correspondence
entre les Zoologistes de tous les pays, et a leur faciliter les Moyens
de publier les espéces nouvelles ow peu connues quwils possédent.
Par F. E. Guerin-MeENEVILLE. 8vo. Paris, 1836. Sixiéme
année.

Tuts periodical has now been continued for six years, the last
or sixth volume having been completed with the year 18°26. The
entire work is devoted to every branch of zoology, but the subjects
are arranged in classes, which can be subscribed for separately, ac-
cording to the taste and pursuits of individuals. The plan of the
work appears, from the prospectus and volume before us, to be re-
stricted to descriptions of what may be considered new species, the
information and figures being sometimes taken from contemporary
works, and to monographs and memoirs of particular families or
genera. No reviews or notices of new works, and no general in-
formation regarding the progress of zoology, are given.

362 Magazin de Loologie.

Among the Mammalia described, we have a description and figure
of the beautiful Colobus Guereza, taken from the “ Neue Wirbel-
thiere” of Riippel.—A notice of some of the animals brought home
by ‘La Corvette La Favorite,” and a short memoir, “ Sur le genre
Paphagomys et quelques autres Rongeurs qui l’avoisinent,” accom-
panied by a figure of P. ater, and a good plate of the dentition of
Oryctomys, Blain.

The ornithological department commences with descriptions of
some of the birds discovered by the expeditien of “ La Favorite,”
by MM. Fortune Eydoux and Paul Gervais. A figure of Gould’s
Pteroglessus ulocomus is given. The specimen was procured at
Para, and is said to be the only one in the Parisian collections.

- An Ibis is presented under the title of I. Lamellicollis, sent from
New Holland, and so named by M. Lafresnaye, but this is the
New Holland Ibis of Dr Latham, the I. spinicollis of Jame-
son, New Ed. Phil. Journal; and the I. Lathamii, Gray, Pro-
ceed. Zool. Society of London.—The same gentleman figures and
describes a shrike as new, and lately sent from the Cape of
Good Hope, by M. Verreaux, under the title of L. melanoleu-
cus.—How he has hit on the same title we know not, but a
plate and description will be found executed and published six or
seven years since in Illustrations of Ornithology by Sir W. Jar-
dine and P. J. Selby, from specimens sent to Europe by Dr Smith.
A curious bird from Madagascar, of which a new genus is made,
(Falculia, ) is figured and fully described. The form is consider-_
ed to be intermediate between the hoopoes and Promerops of Tem-
minck, and the colouring is peculiar, the head, neck, and under parts
pure white, the remaining plumage deep bluish-black. <A short
memoir by M. Lafresnaye on the species of the genus Orthotomus
of Horsfield——Remarks by the same person on the genus Certhi-
lauda, Sw. with observations on two South American species,
which are considered to be new, and a beautiful Micropagon
frem South Africa, or rather from the interior of the country, said.
to have been brought from the country of the “ Masilikats.” M.
Lafresnaye has named it M. sulphuratus. |

Motuvsca. Plate 71 represents Drepanostoma nautiliformis,
the type of a subgenus of Helix distinguished by a peculiarity in
the shape of the aperture which the name (from dgerayoy, a scythe,
and crow, a mouth,) is meant to express. The species is a native —
of the province of Como in Italy, living in families under stones
and decaying leaves in shady woods. The Rostellaria occidenta- —
lis of Beck forms the subject of Pl. 72. It belongs to the same
section as our British species ; and is a native of the North Ame- —

Magazin de Xoologie. 363

rican coast, and, it would appear, of the Greenland shores also.
Marginella Clery, figured in Pl. 73, is allied to M. Adansonii, from
which, however, it is well distinguished: it inhabits the coast of
Senegal. Helix Poeyi, from the interior of the island of Cuba,
occupies Pl. 74, but the shell only is given. This is followed
by Webb. and Vanbeneden’s notice sur les mollusques du genre
PARMACELLA, et description d’une nouvelle espéce de ce genre,—a
valuable paper which we have already noticed, Vol. i. p. 492. Two
plates, one zoological and one anatomical, are devoted to its illus-
tration. Note sur deux espéces nouvelles d’ Aplysies, par MM.
VANBENEDEN et WEBB. These fine species were procured from the
shores near Nice. Their characters are:

1. A BruenareLyi, colore aurantiaco: alis parum elongatis ;
tentaculis posterioribus colore privatis, ore membranis duabus ac-
cessoriis lateralibus munito. Testa ovata, tenuissima, fragili, pel-
lucida, striis concentricis eleganter notata. Rostro dextrum in-
clinato et in uncinam parvulam abeunte.—Long. 35 millim. larg
de la ceg. 12 millim.

2. A Wexsi, corpore limaciformi, virescente, maculis nigris
flavisque ornato ; alis palii parvis et partes testee medias minime
vestientibus ; siphone fere nullo. Marginibus pedis anterius dila-
tatis ; ore membranis accessoriis munito. Testa ovata elongata
compressa, striis linearibus sculpta incisura ad dextram sinuata, ros-
troque bidentato.—Long. 25 millim. larg. de la coq. 15 millim.

Crustacea.—The contributions to this class belong to its lower
forms, and the species are all described by Guerin. The Pteredas
is a new genus of the Isopodes, Fam. Cymothoades, nearly allied
to Higa. The species is named Pt. Webbii, from the naturalist who
procured it on the coast of Portugal. Description de quelques
genres nouveaux de Crustacés appartenant a la famille des Hypé-
vines. ‘The genera are Primno, nearly allied to Phronima,a native
of the South American seas ; Hieraconyx, which will stand in the
system near to the Themisto ; and Pronoe, near to Typhis. The
paper contains besides descriptions of a new species of Phronima,
viz. Ph. atlantica ; and of the Oxycephalus oceanicus, a very curi-
ous animal from the shores of Chili. The Phlias serratus de-
lineated in pl. 19, forms a new genus of Amphipodes, affined to
Amphitoe and Gammarus. M. Gaudichaud found this pretty little
species on his passage from the Maldive islands to Port Jackson.
Pl. 14 represents a new oniscidous insect named Deto echinata,
brought from the east by Olivier. It resembles in form our com-
mon Oniscus asellus.

364 Magazine de Zoologie.

ARACHNIDA.— Observations sur les aranéides du genre Hersilia,
et description de deux espéces nouvelles appartenant a ce genre par
M. H. Lucas. This is followed by a monograph of the genus Pa-
chyloscelis by the same naturalist ; who in pl. 15 describes a new
species of Attus from the neighbourhood of Paris, named A. venator.

Insecta.—Plates 139 and 140 represent Scarabeus, Anubis, a
fine species allied to Scar. Typhon and Goliath from Brazil_—_— Mo-
nographe du genre Pamborus, par M. H. Gory, with figures of all
the ascertained species. Notice sur les metamorphoses des coleop=
teres du genre Telephorus, par E. Buancwarp; and this lady con-
tributes also a notice of the larva of Staphylinus olens in pl. 165.
Meloe collegialis is described and figured by AupouIN in pl.
169, a species with considerable marks of affinity to the M. excava-
tus of Leach. Carabus basilicus from Porto-Rico, a very fine
insect, occupies pl. 170, erroneously numbered 169 in the letter-
press ; and the genus Bryaxis is fully illustrated in pl. 171.

Raprata.—The only paper in this class is entitled Recherches sur
la cause ordinaire de la phosphorescence marine, et description du
Noctiluca miliaris, par M. Suriray, already noticed in our Vol. i.
p. 491.*

* First part of a monograph on the Trachydérides, by M. Dupon Jeune,
seems well and carefully done. Figures are given of the species, and 42 on 24
plates are now published. We shall recur to this memoir on its completion.

ee

c 365

INTELLIGENCE.

ZOOLOGICAL.

Patella parva, Da Costa.—This shell, on the authority of Maton
and Racket, has been considered synonymous with the P. virginea
of Muller by all our recent writers. Dr Fleming threw out a hint
that it may have been confounded on our shores with the P. tessu-
lata of Muller, but he took no pains to ascertain the fact. My at-
tention was first called to the point by the statement of Audouin and
Milne- Edwards that the animal of the “ Patelles roses” found in the

English channel differed entirely in the structure of its branchiz

from the true Patella, and formed a new genus of pectinibranchous
mollusca allied to the Turbines. (Hist. Nat. du Litt. de la France,
i. p. 144.) Mr J. E. Gray informed me that these “ Pateiles roses”
were the same as the P. virginea of our shores, but on examining
these, I soon satisfied myself that those found on the coast of Ber-
wickshire at least were formed like the Patella, the cloak of the ani-
mal being ciliated all round with a fringe of short equal filaments.
The accuracy of this observation I have recently had occasion to con-
firm in company with my friend MrJ. Alder. It follows, therefore,
that the shell usually called Patella virginea by British concholo-
gists, is not that so named by Muller, but is probably his P. tessu-
lata, in which the margin of the cloak is ciliated.

Is the Patella pulchella of Forbes in Loudon’s Mag, Nat. Hist.
Vol. viii. p. 591, fig. 61, a Patella or a Lottia ?>—G. J.

Zoology of Africa.—Our readers are by this time aware that Dr
Andrew Smith has lately returned from an expedition undertaken
to explore the interior of Southern Africa, and that he has brought
to this country the whole of his collections in Natural History, which
are now publicly exhibited in London. In the published catalogue
of part of this collection there are the names of 62 mammalia, and
339 birds: there is besides an extensive series of drawings, MSS.,
&c. with other materials fully to illustrate the districts traversed ;
and in furtherance of his plan Dr Smith is about to commence print-
ing a work to be entitled, ‘‘ The Zoology of Southern Africa,” em-
bellished with highly finished plates, executed from the original
drawings. On the authority of an individual on whose judgment
we can rely, we are able to say that the materials are most valuable,

366 Botanical.

and the drawings full of character and interest. The Government
has granted L. 1500 to assist in defraying the expenses of the pub-
lication. ‘‘ In consequence of this,” says the editor of the Magazine
of Natural History, “an arrangement is being made with the intend-
ed publishers (Smith and Elder, Cornhill,) by which the public will
obtain the work at one-fourth or fifth of the actual cost price, the
Government grant defraying the whole expense of engraving the
plates.”

BOTANICAL.

BoranicaL Socrety or Epinpureu, May 11, 1837.—Professor
Graham in the chair. The following members were elected :—Re-
- stdent, Mrs Michael Percival, Mr Thomas Dickson, Mr James Ha-
milton, Mr James Nairne, Dr Silas Palmer, Mr George Trusted.
Non-Resident, Mr J. S. Bowerbank, London; Mr Alfred White,
London.

Specimens from Dr Salter were presented. Donation to library,
« Pugillus Plantarum Indiz Orientalis, composuit G. A. Walker-
Arnott,’—from the Author.

Dr Balfour read some extracts from a letter from Mr Gardner,
at present in Brazil, received along with the first invoice of Plants
sent home by that gentleman.

Dr Balfour then read a communication on Botanical Prosody, in
which he endeavoured to show that botanists in general did not pay
sufficient attention to the proper pronunciation of the terms which
they used. Whilst he allowed that in some cases the quantities of
botanical names were arbitrary, he proved that in others these could
be easily ascertained by a reference to classical authors ; and in il-
lustration of this, he adduced a number of instances, quoting the
authority for a different pronunciation from that usually given to
them.

A paper by Dr Walker-Arnott was read, containing observations
on the British Cichoracew, with an arrangement of these according
to the system adopted by Lessing in his “ Synopsis Generum Com-
positarum.” Dr Arnott expressed his belief that ali our Floras
would ere long follow Lessing’s arrangement of the Composite, and
adopt his generic characters, and for this reason strongly recom-
mended the study of his Synopsis, along with the fifth volume of
De Candolle’s Prodromus, in order to obtain a competent knowledge
of this difficult tribe, and the value of the different parts in generic
characters. Various species of Apargia, Leontodon, Hieracium, and
Crepis were especially noticed, and many interesting observations

i Fade

Botanical. 367

were made upon these. In particular, it was shown that Hieractum
molle being in all respects a Crepis, ought to be removed to that
genus.

Mr James M‘Nab exhibited a remarkable monstrosity of Spruce
Fir from near Kettle in Fife ; also Petasites hybrida from a station
in the same neighbourhood, where it is apparently wild,—both found
by Dr Howison.

June 8th.—Professor Graham in the chair. The following mem-
bers were elected :—Resident, Mr Henry Barham Mitchell Harris,
Mr Alexander Seton. Non-Resident, Mr John Ball, Christ’s Col-
lege, Cambridge.

Dr Graham presented from Lady Dalhousie a beautiful collection
of Lycopodiums and Ferns, being the remainder of her Ladyship’s
East Indian Herbarium.

Dr Douglas Maclagan exhibited specimens of a root called Hiarry,
received by him from Mr Watt, surgeon, Demerara, which is used
by the natives of British Guiana for intoxicating fish. The botani-
cal information regarding the plant was chiefly obtained from a
slight sketch sent along with the roots ; for no light had been thrown
on the subject by consulting botanical works. The flowers are pa-
pilionaceous, light-purple, five or six on a lax raceme, the pod about
the size of the common Laburnum, smooth, containing eight or nine
seeds. The root, though dried, was found to retain the property of
poisoning fishes ; and a watery extract was ascertained by various
experiments to produce on fishes nearly the same effect as Turkey
Opium, and to be superior in activity to the extracts of Belladonna,
Hyoscyamus, and Conium. <A chemical examination of the root
showed, that besides a large quantity of gum and colouring matter,
it contained a resin of a light-yellow colour and peculiar smell, and
an acid differing in quality from any known acid,—but regarding
the state of combination of which in the plant, no precise informa-
tion had been obtained. One-fourth of a grain of this acid, obvi-
ously not in a state of purity, poisoned a minnow in half an hour.
The effects of the Hzarry upon minnows, and comparative experi-
ments with opium, were shown in presence of the Society, in which
Dr Balfour, who read the paper in the absence of Dr Maclagan, was
kindly assisted by Professor Christison.

Dr Graham exhibited specimens in flower of Carex Buxbaumii
and Lophospermum scandens. He then stated, in reference to se-
veral species of Bletia lately obtained at the Botanic Garden, from
Jamaica, through the kindness of the Rev. Mr Campbell, that an
examination of these had satisfied him that the specific names in

368 Botanical.

this genus had been multiplied without due attention tonature. In
particular, he believed that Bletza florida, B. verecunda, B. Shep-
herdii, and he feared even B. patula, must be considered mere mo-
difications of the same species. Specimens upon which this opinion
was formed were exhibited. Dr Graham also exhibited a specimen
in flower of Philodendron crassinervium. This plant had been in-
troduced into the Botanical Garden, from Brazil, by Captain Graham
sixteen years ago ; but though it had several times developed flower
buds, the spatha had never till this season fully expanded, probably
owing to the command of heat having been heretofore inadequate.
—W. H. Campsett, Sec.

Glass eroded by a Lichen.—< Several pieces of glass were lately
brought to me by a glazier in this city, taken from the old windows
of an ancient church in the vicinity ; some of these had the appear-
ance of being worm-eaten. Struck with the singularity of this, I
immediately commenced an investigation of the circumstance, that
I might ascertain by what agency this corrosion had been induced.
Upon making a minute examination, I found it was caused by the
instrumentality of a cryptogamic plant, I believe of the lichen species.
The first indication of the plant was a greenish pulverulent mould
on the surface of the glass ; in this substance some light-coloured
brown dots appear ; these enlarge, and form cup-like substances of
a slightly violet tinge ; these plants increase, aud become fully de-
veloped. The glass is gradually acted upon, being first a little
roughened and indented ; afterwards small cavities, some even pene-
trating a considerable distance into the substance of the glass, are
formed.

«* Not having read or heard of any plant having hitherto been dis-
covered capable of decomposing and growing on and in the substance
of glass, I thought it right to make a public communication of the
fact through the medium of the pages of your valuable periodical,
leaving it to other and abler naturalists and philosophers to disclose
the kind of agency, whether chemical or galvanical, by which this
singular decomposition of glass is effected.

“ The glaziers of this city inform me, that glass similarly acted
upon may be met with in the cathedral and old church windows.”
Tuomas Hicxes, Gloucester, April 25, 1837, in Med. Gazette for
May 6.

Musci Angusiani, or Dried Specimens of the Mosses of Angus —
or Forfarshire.—This is the title of a work projected by Mr Wil-
liam Gardiner, Jun. of Dundee, of which a prospectus has been —

Botanical. 369

sentus. ‘ The work will be comprised in about seven or eight 120
fasciculi—price 3s. 6d. each—forming two neat pocket volumes. On
the left hand page of each leaf, one, two, or more specimens of a
species will be carefully gummed, with the scientific and English
name, reference to the page of the British Flora where the species
is described, locality, and time when found,—all accurately written
underneath. With the concluding fasciculus will be given, along
with title-pages for both volumes, a printed table of the contents of
each, arranged according to Sir W. J. Hooker’s British Flora, and
including a synopsis of the generic and specific characters. A blank
will be left at the top of each page for numbering the species, and
by means of the tabies the specimens can be numbered and arrang-
ed with the greatest ease, while the numbers not being attached
to them when published, will allow of any subscriber adopting what-
ever mode of arrangement he chooses, as well as of the author add-
ing species that may be found during the publication of the work.”

Northumberland Flora.—At the July meeting of the “ Berwick-
shire Naturalist’s Club,” the members, in the course of their walk,
discovered the Asplenium seplentriontale growing in great profusion,
on Kyloe crags, near Haggerston. The Hieracium molle was gather-
ed in Kyloe dean; and the Blyssmus rufus abundantly in a salt
marsh at the mouth of the Low below Beal. The two former plants
are not included in Mr Winch’s “ Floraof Northumberland and Dur-
ham ;” and for the latter, two localities only are given, both in the
south of Durham. Dr Francis Douglas exhibited a specimen of
Cladium mariscus, which he has discovered native in Learmouth
Bogs, Northumberland, where, however, it is not plentiful, but a
very interesting addition to the botany of the district. If to these
we add Dr Johnston’s discovery of Cerastiwm alrovirens, we have
sufficient evidence that the zeal in the investigation of indigenous
botany for which the northern botanists of England have been long
noted, is not grown lukewarm.

Cerastium pedunculatum.—The explanation of the plate illustra-
tive of this species having been omitted in its proper place, is here
supplied. Plate VI., C. pedunculatum, var. 6. 4-partitum. a, calyx
with capsule of do. 6, petal of the same. C. Fig. 1, calyx of Cer.
tetrandrum: 2, a sepal much magnified so as to show the herbaceous
point bordered by a pellucid membrane. D. Fig. 1, calyx of Cer.
semidecandrum : 2, a sepal of the same much magnified so as to
show the diaphanous margin and apex.

370 Miscellaneous.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Seventh Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement

of Science.

Tue Meeting of the British Association was arranged by previous
agreement to be held this year at Liverpool, the general meetings to
commence on Monday, 11th September. In the preceding week the
preliminary arrangements were made by the Council and General
Committee, while the town and corporation of Liverpool opened its
institutions, and prepared accommodation on the most liberal scale
for the various assemblies which were contemplated. The private
institutions in the town, and the principal manufacturing establish-
ments were also opened during the week of meeting ; excellent and

-commodious rooms were allotted for the business and debates of each
of the sections ; and altogether, the proceedings of this year have
been most important and satisfactory. Our particular department
being connected with one section, we shall only now notice the pro-
ceedings in Zoology and Botany, but previously will offer one or two
remarks on the manner in which some parts of the general business
has been conducted.

The British Association has always had our warmest wishes for its
success, and when circumstances permitted us to attend its meetings,
we departed at their conclusion impressed with a feeling of deep re-
gret that they had terminated, and that the friendly and scientific in-
tercourse had so soon been broken off; we thought that it was an
association which bid fair to extend the march of science, and would
give an additional thirst for the acquirement of knowledge to many,
who would not have been directed to any of its branches, simply be-
cause, what they had in reality to learn required to be pointed out ;
and where the direction of the subjects treated of, and the occasional
lectures given, as at the present meeting with reference to the local
application of science, the most important results might be expected.
We are sure then, that, having expressed our opinion thus of the
utility and importance of this great national assemblage, we shall not
be thought as invidiously finding fault with any portion of its manage-
ment, but that we wish to give the warning of a sincere well-wisher
to a body which we would most anxiously cherish. At the same
time, making the fullest allowance for occurrences which must take
place to a certain extent, where the members are so numerous and
the arrangements so multitudinous, there are one or two occurrences
which we feel it would not be our duty to pass over in complete si-
lence, particularly as we haye seen that none of our periodicals haye

Miscellaneous. 371

ventured to notice them, but have drawn their reports only in the
spirit of commendation.

Our first fault is with the manner in which the tickets of admis-
sion were distributed ; far too much bustle and confusion prevailed in
the rooms devoted for this purpose, and from half an hour to three
quarters were spent before an individual could make his way through
the crowd, and gain the presence of the Secretary ; and by the irre-
gularity of the manner in which those issued to the General Com-
mittee were marked, several gentlemen were subjected to the incon-
venience of being refused admittance to meetings where they only
had a right to be present. We know that Mr Taylor did his utmost
in the rooms to prevent this, but, as the forms to be gone through
had been previously arranged, it became no easy matter to keep
things in order. The points which we think should be attended to
at another meeting, and which we are sure our friends in Newcastle
will amend, are the assistance of one or two additional clerks,—to dis-
pense with so much signing and counter-signing, which prevailed at
Liverpool before the ticket could be finally given,—and to make some
separation between the tickets which are given to life members, and
those which are only taken out on the occasion.

On Friday, which nearly terminated the debating meetings of the
various sections, it was arranged that the President of each should de-
liver at the amphitheatre in the evening, a comprehensive report of
the whole proceedings during the week,—an arrangement at once both
useful and important, as laying before the public the manner in which
the sections had been employed, and allowing it to judge of the
importance of the subjects which had thus occupied them. These
gentlemen or their delegates (for we regret to say that one or two
were confined by indisposition,) certainly appeared when called on by
the President, to deliver their reports ; but, with the exception of Dr
Faraday and Professor Henslow, we looked in vain for any thing in
accordance with the task which had been entrusted to them. The
gentlemen whom we have mentioned devoted their twenty-five mi-
nutes * to the reading of plain intelligible statements of the transac-
: tions of the week, giving a concise analysis of the most important
papers, or offering remarks upon them, couched in simple and ap-
propriate, yet eloquent and classical language. The exhibitions of the
others were rambling discourses,—a lecture on the stethoscope, and a
rant on the benefits which the Association would confer on a com-
_ mercial community, —all totally foreign to the expected purpose ; and

* From the time which the first specimen occupied, Lord Burlington allotted
to each the space of twenty-five minutes.

372 Miscellaneous.

where we saw that the dignity of well informed men was somewhat
lost sight of in an attempt to make an impression on an audience,
which they supposed were not all capable of following the drier or
deeper points of science, which would necessarily require to have
been treated of.

There is still another little tailing of correctness of arrangement —
which we must notice,—fully convinced that, if such matters of little
moment in themselves remain unchecked, they would in time inflict
a wound which would often become irksome, and eventually refuse
to be soothed by mild or ordinary treatment. On the platform erect-
_ ed for the evening meetings, and on which the General Committee
or foreigners only have aright be present, a table has of necessity to
be devoted for the accommodation of the President and the gentlemen
officially connected with the meeting; around this we observed the
scions of some noble houses regularly to take their seats, to the ex-
clusion of some of the Presidents of the sections, and other officers
who might have been called on in the course of business. We
would always wish rank to assume its station, and rank with science
combined has our highest homage; but it must be recollected that in
these meetings the attainments of the individuals are the test of their
distinction ; and the office-bearers in the sections being elected as
the most fitting persons to fill these honourable stations, their places
should have been reserved during the short period they had been
thus honoured by their fellow members. Let us entreat the Associa-
tion to beware how they thus act again. Let the selection be made
as rigorously as possible, but when it has been made, let the chosen
officers be treated as such; at the same time, let rank and title have
its highest and fullest influence. Hitherto we think the Association
has acted most wisely. In the election of its Presidents, it has, in
the first place, run through a list of names high famed for sei-
entific acquirements; and latterly it has entered on a few whose
names are alike noble for their rank, and for the manner in which the
different branches of science have been prosecuted or patronized by
them ; and admiring the way in which this has hitherto been con-
ducted, we have been the more particularly induced to make the pre-
ceding observations, feeling that if the least inroad is permitted either
of this undue deference to men of high degree, or of the slightest
taint of party or political bias, we must bid farewell to all our delight
in these meetings, and to our anticipations of the great and extended
utility which we at present think the Bririsu AssocraTion may afford _
to individuals of every profession.

Miscellaneous. 373

Section D.— Zootocy anp Botany.
President,—W. Sharpe Macleay, F. L. S.
Vice—Presidents,—Dr Richardson, Professor Graham, Professor
| Lindley.
_ Secretaries,—C. C. Babington, W. Swainson, Rev. L. Jenyns.
Members of Committee,—Thomas Hincks; N. A. Vigors; Rev. F.
W. Hope; Pat. Neill; Professor J. S. Henslow; Professor T. S
> Traill ; Earl of Derby ; Rev. W. Hincks ; John Curtis ; P. B. Dun-
\ can; J. E. Gray ; Charles S. Parker; Rev. J. Yates ; J. E. Bow-
nian; T. Eyton; J. P. Selby ; C. Horsfall ; R. Ball; S. W. Dill-
wyn; J. N. Walker; A. H. Haliday ; J. T. Mackay; Captain
James Ross ; Sir W. Jardine; R. Harrison ; Mr Tinney ; H. Sand-
bach; J. Salisbury; Mr Green; Dr Duncan; F. Archer; G.
Cook.

Monday, September 11th.

_ The chair being taken about eleven o’clock, the business of this sec-
don was commenced by Dr Traill, (Professor of Medical Jurispru-
dence, Edinburgh,) exhibiting specimens of the Argas persicus, the
oisonous bug of the Mianneh of Persia, and making some short
erbal remarks regarding it. The bite was said to create a fever si-

“ilar to that of typhus, and it was considered fatal to sleep in some

f the villages near which it abounded. Mr Macleay considered
:. the specimens exhibited were not true insects, but belonged to
‘the family of the Arachnoidex, and that among them there were two
_ genera, Argas and Ixodes. He also did not consider the bite so fatal

| as stated by Dr Traill, but thought the inflammation might be produ-

ced by the serrated rostrum remaining in the puncture ; and remark-
ed that, in the Island of Cuba, there existed another poisonous insect
belonging to a similar family, which attacks the horses, producing great
pain and irritation, but he added, that the horses thus attacked
were always considered to be those in best health and condition. Dr
Traill persisted in his opinion.

Mr Gray exhibited drawings of a new water lily, sent from British
Guiana by Dr Schomburgh. He remarked, that this splendid plant
would form a new genus, with characters intermediate between Nym-
vhea and Euryale, and proposed to name it Victoria regina. It was
found growing in the river Berbice. The flowers are sweet-scented,
the outer petals white, but changing to pink as they expand, and
vhen fully opened showing a flower of from 15 to 18 inches in dia-
vou, 11. no. 10. Bb

874 Miscellaneous.

meter. The leaf is of an oblong ovate form, from 5 to Gfeet in
length, the under side with elevated spinous ribs, as in Huryale, |
and ofa rich crimson colour. The edges turn up, and form an erect |
fringe five inches high, making a frame or border around the leaf, and |
contrasting finely with the green colour of the upper surface. We J
have to regret, that neither seeds nor roots were brought home. |
The drawings are proposed to be engraved and published by the Geo-
graphical Society. (See our Plate XII.)

Mr Gray communicated the result of Mr Children’s repetition of |
the experiments made by Mr Cross, for the reproduction of insects
from an infusion of silica. Every attention was given that these |
experiments should be made exactly in the same manner with those
performed by Mr Cross, but Mr Children did not succeed in procur- |
ing the insects from the infusion. Mr Stuchbury of Bristol had made |
the experiments with the same result, so also had Mr Golding Bird; |
and these gentlemen seemed to be of opinion, that the acarus produced
by Mr Cross, being a recent species, and one well known as most abun-
dant in all situations, had come from eggs present in the distilled wa-
ter employed in the experiments, and called into existence by the
galvanic influence. . The question was, however, left open for fu-|
ture investigation and experiment. Mr Macleay compared the pro-
duction of the insects by Mr Cross under the galvanic influence tol)
the effect of a high temperature upon the germination of seeds 3|
and compared their vitality to some of the lower animals, which could!
be revived either after a long series of years, or when apparent
life had been completely suspended. Instances were noticed of the
germination of grains which had been found in the pyramids, after
having lain there upwards of 2000 years, and of the resuscitation of
the animals of the genus Vibrio, after having been completely dried,
Dr Graham mentioned instances of eggs of insects having preserved,
their vitality for a long period, and under high temperature, in which
Mr Gray agreed, and stated, that the eggs of Acarus lapicida have

been kept for two years in a dried state, still retaining their vitality ;
and that he had placed larva of one of the musca for three days in |
prussic acid, which, when removed, produced in due time the perfect
insect. The above remarks brought on a discussion, whether cireus
lation and respiration were completely suspended during torpidity. M. :
Macleay considered that it was so in lower animals, and gave as instan-

ces of it the species of Gordius and Filaria, which could be entirely),
dried and again revived. Mr Gray concurred in these opinions, while
Dr Graham seemed in fayour of these functions being only partially,

suspended, ci

:

4
;

Miscellaneous. 375

| Rev, T. W. Hope read a letter from Sir Thomas Phillips on the best
method of destroying insects which infest books and MSS. Sir Tho-
mas found the wood of his library attacked by Anobium striatum, par-
ticularly where beech had been introduced, and appeared to think that
this insect was much attracted by the paste employed in binding. He
recommended as preservatives against their attacks spirits of turpen-
tine and a solution of corresive sublimate, and also that the latter sub-
stance should be mixed with the paste. In some instances he found
the produce ofa single impregnated female sufficient to destroy a
book. Much unimportant discussion followed the reading of this let-
ter, regarding the best manner of preventing the Coleoptera and their
Jarve from destroying objects of natural history. Turpentine and
spirit of tar were recommended ; but Mr Gray stated, that the only me-
thod pursued in the collections of the British Museum was an abun-

dant supply of camphor, with attention to keeping the rooms dry,

warm, and well ventilated. Mr Macleay stated that it was acari only
which fed ou the paste employed in binding books, while it was the
Jarve of the Coleoptera only which pierced the beards and leaves. He

_ also recommended dryness and ventilation.

_. Mr J. Ball read a notice of Erica Mackaiana, Babington, from
_ Cunnemara, and exhibited living specimens ; adducing arguments in
" favour of its being distinct from Z. tetralix. Mr Mackay made re-
marks on its distribution, and stated, that another addition to the Bri-

tish flora had been discovered in the Hrica carnea, found wild with-

in eight miles of the town of Galway.

Tuesday, 12th September.

Mr Macleay read a communication from Captain Ducane of South-
_ampton, on some marine animals. In laying this communication be-
_ fore the section, he stated, in explanation of the objects of the paper,
that, while Mr Thompson had observed that the craw fish underwent
_ metamorphoses from the young to the perfect state, Rathke of Berlin
_ maintained the reverse, which would be a remarkable fact if proved, to
find that a change took place in long-tailed crustacea, while none
had been observed in the Brachyurine division. He felt inclined

to support Mr Thompson’s opinion, considering that gentleman an

accurate naturalist, and he could scarcely think that one who had
observed the remarkable fact of the cirrhipeds being locomotive and
free i in their young state, would now be mistaken. The letter about
to be read confirmed his views, and showed an instance of an indi-

‘yidual, who had not previously attended to natural history, observing
and proving the curious transformations which are puzzling our

376 Miscellaneous.

professed naturalists. Captain Ducane, Mayor of Southampton, had
his attention lately directed to marine animals. He found specimens
of what, at’ the time, he considered the common prawn (Palemon
serratus) in the ditches of a fen where the tide occasionally entered,
and the water was brackish. These were loaded with eggs, and when
put into fresh salt water, it was soon afterwards filled with small dia-
phanous creatures, very different in form from the parent animals. He
was not, however, able to keep them more than three days alive—the
parent only five or six. Drawings of this animal and the young were
shown to Mr Macleay, who discovered at once that it was not a Pa-
lemon, but a species of some allied genus, perhaps Crangon, and on
comparing Captain Ducane’s drawings with the figure of Mr Thomp-
son, copied from Slabber’s work, found them very similar, and almost
identical ; and this fact he considered went very far to prove the con-
firmation of that gentleman’s observations.

Dr Richardson hinted at the possibility of these young animals
being parasitical in the eggs of the Crangon, but Mr Macleay consi-
dered it impossible that every egg should contain a parasite. Mr Hope
remarked that Zoe had been found parasite on Beroe, while Mr Mac-
leay stated, that he had found the Decapod crustacea parasitical in the
Gulfstream, but could not perceive the smallest ground for believing
that the young alluded to in Captain Ducane’s letter could be ani-
mals of this description.

Mr Haliday exhibited engravings (from the Suites des Buffon)
of Argas persicus and iwodes, in illustration of the subject brought
forward yesterday by Dr Traill. Mr Macleay remarked, that the
term dite, which was employed yesterday when describing the wound
inflicted by this animal was improper, being produced by the insertion
into the skin of a serrated rostrum, which produced great inflamma-
tion. He also remarked that the history of this genus was remark-
ably curious. In Cuba oxen were sometimes covered with them, and
when they hadsucked their fill, the serrated rostrum breaks off, andthe
creature makes its way to the nearest stone, under which it may then
be found. When brought home, thousands of eggs would be found
issuing from the broken rostrum. He, however, did not pretend to
say that the eggs were not impregnated by the usual canal, but that
he had never seen them produced in any other way than from the
opening formed by the abrasure of these parts, which, when the ani- |
mal became so full, seemed to serve the common purpose of an in- |
testinal and generative opening. These eggs produced a hexapod |

larva, the young form of the great division Arachnoidez, of which the
Acari are the types.

Miscellaneous. 377

Mr Babington read a notice of a botanical excursion to Jersey
and Guernsey, made during the month of August last. (This paper
will appear in our next Number.) Professor Lindley stated, that Prof.
Augusta, a Spanish botanist, had investigated the flora of the Channel
islands, and had made out alist of the plants, so far as he knew them
to exist, which was deposited in the libraries of some of the institu-
tions there, and would be serviceable to botanists that might again
wish to examine the islands, Mr Forbes bore witness to the similarity
of the botany of Jersey to the adjacent coast of France, and stated that
Lamium album was not found in the Isle of Man.

My Allis read a paper on the Sclerotic bones of birds and animals,
and exhibited preparations of the bones from the collection of the
York Philosophical Society. He commenced by stating, that the
opinions expressed by several eminent comparative anatomists were
at variance with what he had observed, and cited those of Blumen-
bach, Carus, Cuvier, Yarrell and Buckland, pointing out in what
manner they differed from his own observations ; and adduced as an
example of the very great variation in the statements of these men,
the Eagle-owl, said by Cuvier to contain a series of twenty bones,
while Mr Allice could only find fifteen. The greatest number found
in any bird he had yet examined was seventeen, the smallest eleven ;
and he thought, that, from the different form and structure which
he had been able to observe, any particular order might be at once
distinguished.

Mr Reid communicated a paper on the chemical composition of
vegetable fibre,—alluding to the great difficulty which Prof. Henslow
had expressed in separating the cellular tissue from membrane, which
he now considered comparatively easily accomplished, and that its
composition could be therefore correctly ascertained. Prof. Henslow
considered that Mr Reid had not yet succeeded in separating the two
materials, and that he had not performed the experiments with suffi-
cient care ; in which Prof. Lindley concurred, stating that the hollow
cells emerge into the petals as well as the stamens, and that Prof.
Henslow’s meaning had been evidently mistaken.

The Rev. F. W. Hope read some observations on the genus Fi-
laria, confining his observations principally to those species which
infest insects, and exhibited a specimen of Steropus ethiops, with
the parasitic Filaria protruding. He considered that the first attack
was made in the larva state, and that in this respect they, to a cer-
tain degree, resembled the Ichneumons, and might, among Coleopte-
rous insects, assume their part, and be a wise provision for controlling
the exuberance of species. All the insects hitherto recorded as in-

379. Miscellaneous.

fested with these parasites, live in moist places, some of them are
entirely aquatic. One species he discovered in a species of Phry.
ganea, though he had not succeeded in detecting it in their larve ;
among the Lepidoptera he had not discovered any. A list of forty
species of insects, which were infested with Filaria, was laid before
the meeting. Rudolphi considered all the species to be identical;
but in this assertion Mr Hope could not agree, having detected se-
veral among the Coleoptera, while that in the Phryganea were dis-
tinct from all; and he considered that each species, or at least each
genus, possessed a species peculiar to it. Several distinct forms even
seemed to exist, while the distinction between Gordius and Filaria
had not yet been aufficiently marked, and he would now propose, that
Filaria should be restricted to the form exhibited by the common
Guinea worm (F. Medinensis, ) and concluded by recommending atten-
tion to the species which infested the animals composing our own
Fauna.

Mr Duncan asked if Mr Hope had paid sufficient attention to the
different species to say that they were distinct in each? Mr Hope
said he had, and that he considered they would afford the means of
distinguishing the closely allied animals, and that those infesting the
higher orders were distinct from the insect parasites. Mr Macleay
considered the paper a most valuable one, and thought that each in-
sect contained its peculiar species. He could add to the list on the
table,’ and possessed a spider which contained a Filaria. In an
article in the Bibliotheque Universelle, a Filaria is recorded from a
specimen of Gryllus. The tenacity of life was also alluded to: that
belonging to the Gryllus had remained dried up for several weeks, and
when placed in water again revived. Mr Hope concurred in these
observations, and stated that he believed the specimen on the table
was yet alive, having made yarious contortions since the insect had
been set up.

Mr Bowman read a paper by Mr Gardener on the internal struc-
ture of the palm tribe. Mr Gardener is now in the Brazils, making
observations on the botany of the country, of which that now com-
municated was among the first received. It contained some curious
observations regarding the manner in which the woody part was pro-
duced, assimilating its formation to a certain extent with that of the
Coniferze. Mr Bowman offered to be the medium of communication
between Mr Gardener and the Association.

Mr Niven communicated the results of some interesting experi~
ments in reference to vegetable physiology. The experiments were
made chiefly upon the Ulmus campestris, or common English elm,

Miscellaneous. 379

with the view of ascertaining the direction of the sap, and the sup-
posed peculiar principles which allowed it to develope leaves or roots.
Mr Niven considered, that there were two constant principles, the
one upwards, which he terms the leaf principle, the other downwards,
or that producing the roots, and he stated that he thought these
could not be controverted. In confirmation he produced a specimen
of the elm ringed round about to the depth of one or two layers in
the wood. The under surface of the cut part produced young shoots
with leaves, while on the upper part of the excision abundance of
roots were springing out. Various modifications of the same experi-
ments were detailed. Drawings in illustration of them were exhi-
bited ; showing at the same time, that the tree or branch would be
supported, and would live for a considerable time, at least when sub-
jected to a very deep incision or insulation of the parts ; different trees,
however, having various powers of prolonging their existence, or of
producing additional wood and bark under the above-mentioned cir-
cumstances. Professor Lindley observed, that the experiments were
all consonant with the present generally received opinions, but con-
sidered roots to be only the wood part sent down by the buds.

Mr Gray made some observations on one or two species of Mam-
malia preserved in the collection of the Royal Institution. The first
was a species of offer from Demerara. It is intermediate in form be-
tween the common otter or Lutra, and the Enhydra, is remarkable
for the great developement of the webs of the hinder feet, has the
tail partially broadened, or fringed with a lateral membrane, and
the muzzle is entirely hairy, with nothing bare excepting the edge
of the nostrils. Mr Gray considered this animal as being the
fourth type of the otters. The next animal was T’halacinus cynoce-
phalus, exhibited on account of the very young state of the specimen,
which would scarcely exceed four inches in height, and remarked
that the teeth now resembled in their formation those of the young
seals. Two specimens of Philantombo were shewn, a species of an-
telope from western Africa, called as above by the natives of Sierra
Leone, and which Major H. Smith had described from a young and
small specimen in the British Museum under the name of Ant. phi-
lantombo; and lastly, a perfect specimen of the Felis gracilis of Dr
Horsfield.

Mr Lindley made some additional observations on Victoria regina,
which was exhibited yesterday.

Wednesday, 13th September.
The paper brought forward by Dr Traill at last meeting was first

380 Miscellaneous.

read. It was a case communicated by Dr Williamson, of a young wo-
man, about 21 years of age living in a cellar, who, after much pain
and violent paroxysms, voided a large gray slug, after which the
annoying symptoms gradually subsided. Mr Jenyns considered the
specimen in question, now before the section, to be the Limax varie-
gatus, which inhabits cellars; and the Rey. Mr Hope, Mr Curtis, Mr
Macleay, and Professor Henslow, mentioned some cases of insects
and their larvee having been passed from the intestines.

Dr Richardson read a communication fromDr Bellingham on the
frequent occurrence of Tricocephalus dispar in the human intestines.
The author considered that it had been erroneously described by for-
mer observers, and stated, that it was found in the intestines of almost
every one. Some discussion took place on the subject, in which Dr
Richardson, Mr Curtis, Mr Selby, and Mr Macleay took part.

Prof: Lindley communicated a paper from Mr Ward on the cul-
tivation of plants without ventilation. These experiments ori-
ginated from Mr Ward’s unsuccessful attempts to rear plants in a
confined and smoky situation in London. They were made in small
bottles and glass cases of various sizes, and houses of twenty-five feet
in length. They went to prove the possibility of growing plants un-
der these circumstances, and would be one of the greatest discoveries
made in the manner of transporting living plants from distant coun-
tries under a varied temperature. Many cases had been already re-
ceived in this county, and the Messrs Loddiges bore testimony to the
success which had already attended the plan. On one occasion, plants
were shipped at New Holland at a temperature of 80°; in passing
Cape Horn the temperature fell to 20°; at Rio it rose to 100°; after-
wards to 120°; and on arriving in England it again fell to 40°; but
when taken out they were in perfect condition, notwithstanding the
various changes of temperature they had undergone. This me-
thod of growing some plants of no great size in our rooms, and of
noticing their various modes of growth, might he applied to many
purposes of experiment.

Mr Yates read the report from the Committee in Liverpool for
growing plants on Mr Ward’s plan. The green-house which had
been erected on the above construction was stocked with eighty spe-
cies of plants, and, so far as time had yet been afforded, they appear-
ed to be thriving and fulfilling every expectation. The report gave
rise to some interesting discussion on the power possessed by plants
to exist in vessels excluding the external air, and also on the practi-
cability of introducing small animals, or at least those of the lower
classes, along with the plants. Dr Graham considered, that with

Miscellaneous. 881

plants no necessity for circulation of air existed, but the vessel must
be placed in such a situation as to receive the influence of the sun,
for the purpose of causing the leaves to reproduce the atmospheric air.
He had found that several of the Cacti throve better in the moist at-
mosphere of a closed glass, than in the dry state in which they are
generally kept, and that he had grown species in his own room in this
manner for the last two years, some of which had not received water for
_ eighteen months. ‘The plants which the Doctor found to thrive best
under this treatment were the Lycopodii, the Grasses, which throve
remarkably, Begoniz and Cacti. Orchideous plants did not thrive
under these circumstances; and seed had never been seen to be
produced or ripened by any of the plants. Animals he considered
could not exist, for the reason that they had no power to reproduce
the atmospheric air; and the quantity which they would consume
would be so disproportionate to that produced by the plants, as to be
either insufficient for their maintenance, or would require vessels
much too large for the purpose of convenient experiment. Professor
. Lindley bore testimony to the importance of this discovery, and to
the perfect manner in which some plants had been transported. The
q Arucaria had been brought home and transplanted with the greatest
‘ success. He concurred generally with the opinions expressed by Dr
_ Graham.
Mr Bickersteth exhibited the milk from the Masaranduba tree,
_ the cow-tree of Humboldt (Galactodendron utile.) Dr Traill remark-
ed that there were two kinds of cow-tree; that he had analysed the
"juice of the Galactodendron or cow-tree of the Caraccas, which con-
sists principally of wax and resin; but that the juice of the cow-tree
_ of Demerara (botanical name unknown) contains chiefly caoutchouc.
Mr Pooly brought before the meeting an instance which occur-
red to himself, of three swallows being found on one of the German
lakes completely imbedded and frozen up in ice, one of which when un-
_ covered revived and lived for a short time.. He inferred from this that
_ the old theory of these birds going under water during winter was tenable.
“This notice excited considerable interest, and was remarked on by Mr
Allis, Mr Hutton, and Mr Selby, and after much cross-questioning, it
was generally concluded that the fact did not bear on the question of
hybernation, but that the swallows in question might have been
those of a very late brood, and being benumbed when in search of food,
| ‘had been frozen or surrounced with snow, a very short time previous
‘to their discovery.
_ Mr Gould exhibited drawings of some new Trogons for the con-

finuation of his monograph, and some figures for two new works
= VOL ir. No. 10. ce

382 Miscellaneous.

which he had in preparation. (See Bibliographical Notices, p, 357.) At
the same time he made some observations on the habits of the Tro-
gonide, which elicited from various members their opinions of their
proper station in the system, which most of the ornithologists present
considered to be among the Fissirostres. Mr Macleay made some
interesting observations on the T. temnurus (forming the genus Tem-
nurus of Swain.) which is remarkably abundant in the island of
Cuba. This species feeds principally on caterpillars which it seizes
on the bark and branches of trees; and it was thought that this man-
ner of feeding indicated the propriety of the views held by Mr Swain-
son, that it exhibited the scansorial type of the genus. The berry- |
_ eating species of the Trogons have been found principally, if not en- |
tirely, among the Caluri.

Mr Sandbatch exhibited specimens of an undescribed Prionites and _
a Parus from the collection of the Royal Institution : for the Motmot
he proposed the specific name of “ superciliaris,” from a stripe of ultra-
marine feathers which stretch over each eye. It is one of the most beau.
tiful of a limited genus, and appeared to be intermediate in the form
of the bill between the Pr. platyrhynchus, Jard. and Selby, and the or-
dinary forms, the bill very much depressed, and very finely serrated.

Mr E. Forbes read a notice of several new forms of British ani-
mals and plants, making observations on two Mollusca, one allied to
Doris pinnatifida, the other to the genus Montagua of Dr Fleming,
He exhibited also Asterias rubens of Johnston. The plants mention-
- ed were a new Polygala, which was described in the report of the Bo- |
tanical Society of Edinburgh, and a new Eupbrasia, distinguished from
E. officinalis, by being hairy throughout, and having its fruit placed |
in an alternate and opposite manner, so as to form four vertical lines, |}
and to give a square appearance to the spike.

Friday, \5th September.

Mr R. Mallet read a communication on the power of aged trees,
under certain circumstances, to reproduce themselves from the centre!
of the trunk. The trees which have been observed to become most,

numerous sketches of Peviidilcniale instances of ‘hig operation of
time and the seasons were exhibited. The meeting did not seem to)
agree generally with Mr Mallet in his opinions. Professor Henslow
and Mr Duncan made observations on the subject. a,

Mr Smith of Jordan Hill extibited two new shells dredgall :
from Rothesay Bay, and which had been named Fusus Boothit, and
F.umbilicatus. He also produced fourteen species of fossil shells,

Miscellaneous. 383

found among recent shells at a higher level than the present high
water, and which are not known to exist in a recent state.

Mr Macleay exhibited portions of the pier of Southampton,
which had been forwarded to him by Captain Ducane, and which
were completely destroyed by the operations of the Limnoria tere-
brans. Mr Macleay stated that this pier had been erected only a
few years since, at an expense of between L. 8000 and L. 10,000, and
that its state of decay was now such that it would require to
be rebuilt, and would cost nearly a similar sum. Mr Francis sug-
gested, that if the wood had been cayennised, it would have resisted
the effects of this destructive insect, and detailed many experiments,
by which, under other circumstances, its efficacy had been proved.
Mr Francis was requested to bring before next meeting the result of
a series of experiments which were now in progress, and also to di-
rect his attention to the power of this preparation in resisting the at-
tacks of insects.

My J. E. Gray exhibited some new land shells from the Museum
of the Royal Institution, and remarked on their peculiarities. One of
‘more than usual interest was a new species of Anodon, found near

_ Broughton in Craven Yorkshire, and named A. Roisiz.
The Rev. J. Meade read a paper on the solid materials found in
the ashes of plants and animals. This paper went chiefly to prove
that the earthy, saline, and metallic ingredients contained in plants,
were the maintaining substances of vegetable life.
_ Mr J. Taylor exhibited a specimen of Goliathus magnus from the
collection of the Institution ; also the jaws of a large shark, and spe-
‘cimen of the oil obtained from its liver. Mr Macleay made some in-
teresting remarks on the history and affinities of Goliathus, but was
prevented entering so deeply into the subject as he could have wished
from the time of the section being nearly run. The same reason pre-
_yented the reading of several other valuable papers which had been
entered in the list, particularly one on the affinities of birds by Mr
-Vigors, in which he proposed to illustrate the subject, and explain
“some of his views, which the opponents of the circular arrangement
had either misconstrued or not understood.

~~ =o

In the Committee of this section, which was not publicly open,
“the following grants were made from the funds of the association
for the purpose of performing experiments. A grant of L. 50 was
“proposed by Professor Henslow, to be placed at the disposal of the
“committee in Liverpool, appointed for the purpose of ascertaining
the results of experiments made for growing plants in apartments

384 Miscellaneous.

or cases where the external air was excluded. A greenhouse had
been already erected, and the experiments were commenced under
the superintendence of Mr Yates. Professor Henslow also pro-
posed that a sum of L. 25 should be placed at the disposal of a com-
mittee, for the purpose of ascertaining the best liquors for preserv-
ing specimens of animal and vegetable substances. The experi-
ments to be performed at Cambridge under the superintendence of
Professor Henslow, Dr Clark Professor of Anatomy, &c. and pro-
gress to be reported next meeting.

Some subjects were also recommended as worthy of particular at-
tention, and different individuals and committees were named who
_ agreed to furnish reports, so far as possible, by the next meeting of the

«\ssociation.——\Mr Gray and Mr Bald undertook the examination of
the manner in which molluscous animals bore intorocks.——Mr Chil-
dren engaged to continue his observations into the “ Chemistry of En-
tomology, and the Geographical distribution of insects.’ ——-Mr Vi-
gors proposed that a committee should be appointed to prepare a Fau-
na of Ireland, and should be requested to report progress at next
meeting. The gentlemen named were Captain Portloch, Mr R. Bald,
Mr William Thompson, Mr Vigors, Mr Halliday, and Dr Coul-
ter, with power to add to the number,—Mr Vigors to act as Secre-
tary.——The Rev. T. W. Hope agreed to prepare a report upon the
fossil insects of Great Britain and Ireland. Sir William Jardine
was requested to draw up a paper upon the species of the Genus
. Salmo found in Scotland, giving their specific characters, and no-
ticing the changes which took place in their progress from their
young state to maturity. Mr Gould undertook to lay before the |
next meeting a monograph of the Caprimulgide, describing the |
known species, and entering so far as possible into their habits and
affinities. |

It was agreed that the next meeting of the British Association |
should take place at Newcastle, in the month of August, the parti- f
cular day of meeting to be fixed by the Local Committee. The Duke
of Northumberland was proposed, and has accepted the presidency. |

British Museum.—The new buildings of the British Museum are |
proceeding, though rather slowly to completion. Weare happy to have
a good report to make of the part intended to be occupied by the zoolo- .
gical department, for which the accommodation, we understand from
good authority, will exceed that of any museum in Europe. The |
principal gallery is to be that now occupied by the minerals and or |
' 4

Obituary. 385

nithology, with one which is unfinished. The light is from the
top, as is well known, but, by an unfortunate oversight in the construc-
tion, is much less perfect than it might be. They have completely
succeeded in a noble room on the opposite side, which is called the
Egyptian Room, and is a model for every purpose of construction.
We very much wish before the collections are placed, the authorities
would examine into the practicability of altering the lights of the
gallery in question. It is a mere question of expense, and we cer-
tainly think, in a national building, that ought not to be the first
consideration, but that of having it complete and perfect as possible.
Nothing can be more admirable than the light in the Egyptian Room,
and we regret that in an adjoining wing, which is to be occupied by
the minerals, lateral lights have been introduced, which, besides the
loss of space they entail, we fear will be found quite insufficient for
the purpose. An observation has been made in constructing the ca-
binets worthy of notice. Most persons observe in the mineralogical
gallery the glare and reflected lights on the glass windows of the ca-
binets, owing to the mode of the light falling on them. The cor-
rective to this is found to be, the laying them horizontally or flat,
instead of sloping in the usual manner.

On the whole, although these buildings may be open to criticism,
we are thankful, considering the mode of laying out the public money
in other places, that we shall be comparatively well situated, and we
only wish Parliament would hasten the time of their completion by
larger grants.—S. C.

OBITUARY.

Feburary 11th 1837, at Winchester, in his 97th year, JouNn La-
tHAM, M.D. F. R., A., and L. SS. Member of the Royal College
of Surgeons, and of several foreign learned societies. He was the
son of Mr John Latham, a surgeon and apothecary at Eltham, in
Kent, where he was born on the 27th June 1740. He was brought
up to his father’s profession, and pursued it for many yearsat Dartford,
whence he removed, in 1796, to Romsey in Hampshire. Dr L.
was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries on the 15th of
December 1774; and of the Royal Society on the 25th May 1775.
In 1788, he was one of the original members or founders of the Lin-
nzan Society, all of whom he survived. The degree of M. D. was
unsolicited conferred on him by a foreign university (we believe
Vienna) in 1795. At the age of 80 he retired with his second
wife to the house of his son-in-law, W. N. Wickham, Esq. at Win-
chester, where he remained till his death. In his 82d year this in-

386 i Obituary.

defatigable man began publishing his “ General History of Birds,”
which was completed in 10 vols. 4to. 1n 1835, he for the first time
began to feel the failure of his sight. Infirmities gradually increased
on him ; but he was still an active and cheerful man, taking his daily
walk alone, and scorning the assistance of an arm. Four days before
his death he exhibited unusual vivacity ; this was followed by a fail-
ure of understanding, and he fell into a deep sleep, in which he expir-
ed without a pang. Though chiefly known, and most successful as a
naturalist, Dr L. was also much attached to antiquities. In a letter
to Mr Denne, written in 1797, he remarked, “ In respect to natural
history and antiquities, I compare myself to Garrick, between Tra-
gedy and Comedy ; and, though not so great a man, I cannot help,
like him, squinting towards that which pleases me best.” —Ertracted
from the Gentleman's Magazine for July 1837.

Dr Latham’s works in natural history were confined to Ornitho-
logy, in which they were for long the universal text-books, and they
are still held in considerable estimation. Cuvier says—“I] a surtout
enrichi l’Ornithologie de belles espéces nouvelles ; mais ses ouvrages
sans critique veulent étre lus avec précaution.”

On the 6th July 1837, Dr James WooprForpk, of Castle Carey,
Somerset.—Dr W. completed his medical studies at the University
of Edinburgh, where he graduated M. D. in 1825. The year pre-
vious he published “ a Catalogue of the Indigenous Phenogamic
Plants growing in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh,’ —the result of
much industry, and a useful companion in botanical excursions.
Can we suppose that in the motto prefixed to this work Dr W. had
the anticipation of his own brief career ?

“ Brevi cadentia hecce
Brevem docentne vitam ?”

EDINBURGH :
PRINTED BY JOHN STARK, OLD ASSEMBLY CLOSE.

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ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

I.—The Fauna of Twizell. By P. J. Serey, Esq. (Continued from
Vol. i. p. 424.)

From the circumscribed extent, as well as the natural features
of the district described, the list of birds is necessarily very limited
in species belonging to the Grallatorial and Natatorial orders, but
contains a fair ordinary average of Insessorial as well as Rapacious
and Gallinaceous birds. In front stands the great sea eagle,
(H. albicilla,) as I have twice had the gratification of seeing this
noble bird wing its way across the district on its route from the
coast to the interior. Scarcely a winter indeed passes without
one or more individuals being seen in some part of the county ; and
during one season three of these birds almost daily frequented Chil-
ingham Park, the seat of the Earl of Tankerville, where they were
observed to prey upon the fallen deer. These visitors, it may be
observed, are generally immature birds ; but as no eyrie at present
exists, either in Northumberland or in the south of Scotland, they
are probably the offspring of some of those pairs which are yet to be
seen in the northern districts and islands of Scotland, and which, in
defiance of the assiduity and daring of the shepherd and Highland
fox-hunter, continue at times to rear their young in some precipi-
tous and inaccessible rock, or else upon the islets of its little fre-
quented lochs. These, when able to provide for themselves, are
driven from the place of their nativity by their parents, who allow
of no compeer within their peculiar beat, and in their search of a

domain of their own pay us these passing visits. The peregrine
VOL. II. Nos 11. pd

388 . Fauna of Twizell.

falcon is still occasionally seen, but its appearance is now rarer than
it used to be a few years ago. This may be attributed to the destruc-
tion of two or three eyries in the adjacent districts, one of which
was placed in the remains of the tower at Dunstanborough Castle,
and another in a craggy precipice upon a moor, about three miles
to the south-west of Twizell. Eyries, however, of this falcon still
exist in some of the precipitous gullies of the Cheviot range, and in
the lofty rocks of the magnificent promontory of St Abbs Head. The
merlin breeds, but sparingly upon the neighbouring moors ; and for
three or four successive seasons a pair had their nest within a stone’s
throw of our little district. The increase of sheep stock, and
extended cultivation, is annually tending to diminish the num-
bers of this, as well as many other birds which formerly used to
abound.

The kestril, as well as the sparrow-hawk, annually breeds with
us, the former in a crag in the Dean, or else in the old nest of a
carrion crow ; the latter is always its own architect, though it does
not excel in the art, as the nest is a large flat fabric, loosely con-
structed of twigs and sticks, with a very trifling central depression.
The sparrow-hawk has frequently as many as six young ones, and
the havock they make'at this time among the smaller birds and
young game is almost beyond belief. I recollect inspecting a nest
in which lay the recent remains of a lapwing, a blackbird, a
thrush, and two green-linnets, some half devoured, and others
nearly whole, but all neatly and cleanly plucked. The common
as well as the rough-legged buzzard are only occasional visitants,
and the first is perhaps of even rarer occurrence than the latter,
but neither species has been seen for the last two years. The
honey- buzzard (Per. apivorus,) certainly one of the rarest of our
Falconide, figures in the list ; as a fine specimen of the adult male
is now in my possession, taken within the precincts of the district
in September 1835, by means of a trap baited with wasp’s comb, a
nest of which insect it had previously been observed to have scratch-
ed out from the root of atree. Within the last five or six years
several honey-buzzards have visited Northumberland and Durham.
Of those that have been secured, three or four which I have seen
are in what is now considered the immature plumage of the male,
in which state the greater part of the head and neck is white, the
breast and belly with dark-brown lanceolate streaks.* In those

* For a more detailed account of the honey-buzzard in this state, our readers
are referred to the first number of the “ Illustrations of Ornithology,” New
Series, and the Transactions of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club.

Fauna of Twizell. 389

that I have dissected nothing but the remains of wasps in various
stages were detected. The moor-harrier is rapidly declining in
numbers, many of the marshes in which they used to breed having
been drained and reclaimed. Some few years ago I recollect it as
one of the most abundant species in this neighbourhood ; now an in-
dividual is rarely to be seen. Of the owls, the long-eared (Otus
vulgaris) is the most plentiful, and is met with in all the planta-
tions where the fir, particularly of the spruce kind, abounds. They
breed early, and have generally eggs by the middle of March. An
old nest, either of the magpie or carrion crow, is the situation in-
variably selected as the place of deposit. The young continue to
be fed by their parents long after they have quitted the nest ; and
their querulous cry, which commences immediately after sunset, is
heard throughout the greatest part of the summer. The tawny
owl is now rarely seen. I may here mention, that a very small owl,
probably Nyctipetes nudipes or Tengmalmi, Swain. was seen near
the stables at Twizell by a person well acquainted with birds, and
who could scarcely mistake an owl of such small dimensions for any
of the common species, particularly as he was within a very short
distance, and had an opportunity of examining it before it flew from
its perch. The cinereous shrike, (Lan. excubitor,) is the only spe-
cies, I believe, that has yet been detected north of the Tyne. At
Twizell I have killed two or three individuals, and have seen va-
rious other specimens from the adjoining districts. Its time of ap-
pearance is between the months of November and March. Two
specimens, both adults, of the pied flycatcher (Mus. luctuosa) have
been killed within our confines, and another was seen but allowed
to escape. They all appeared in May ; but no instance of its breed-
ing either here, or within the county, has yet come to my know-
ledge. Of the various thrushes, it may be remarked, that the mis-
sel, (Mer. viscivora,) has of late years been rapidly on the increase
in the north of England and Scotland. I well remember when it
was considered a very rare bird. Now it is met with in all directions
and at all seasons, as it has not been observed to migrate even dur-
ing the severe winter months. This, however, the common thrush
usually does toa certain extent, as it regularly moves from the in-
terior to the sea coast towards the middle of November, and there
continues till January is pretty far advanced. The ring-ouzel
(Mer. torquata) pays us a passing visit on commencing its autum-
nal migration, but rarely remains more than a few days, during
which it is generally seen in the neighbourhood of the mountain-ash
trees, whose berries are a favourite repast of this as of all the other

390 Fauna of Twizell.

thrushes. Fieldfares frequently remain here till May is far ad-
vanced, a fact which long surprised me, as most of the species
which remain with us have ere then reared a full fledged brood. Mr
Hewitson, however, in his beautiful work on British Oology, sa-
tisfactorily accounts for so late an appearance, as he informs us
from actual observation that they do not commence nidification
in Norway, one of their breeding-stations, before the end of May ;
and further, that they differ from all their congeners in the re-
markable fact of breeding, like the rook, in large societies. The
dipper (Cin. aquaticus,) that lively attendant on our mountain
streams, and whose sweet and early carol enlivens the solitary
situations it frequents, breeds annually in Twizell Dean. The situa-
tion selected is the face of a rock or craggy steep overhanging the
water, and frequently in a spot where it might be expected to be
always saturated with wet from the dripping of the rock above,
yet so compact and well framed is the dome of the nest, that it shoots
off like a penthouse all superabundant moisture, and the eggs and
young remain dry and warm in their mossy and leaf-lined receptacle.
When the nest contains young, it is easily detected by their loud
chirping as often as the old birds fly past or approach the nest with
food. On quitting the nest, after feeding the young, the old birds
frequently drop into the water, dive, and rise at some distance, when
they take wing. I have before stated my opinion, that the dipper
does not walk at the bottom of the water when submerged,—a power
confidently attributed to it by various writers,—but uses the same
exertion in this act as other diving birds. This opinion is confirm-
ed by repeated observations, extending through a course of many
years, during which I have watched its habits with particular atten-
tion, and oft when the bird has been close to me, though unaware
of my near propinquity. The young, even before they leave the nest
of their own accord, if disturbed and made to quit it, dive instinc-
tively the moment they touch the water, but their progress beneath
the surface, which I have frequently seen extended to six or eight
yards, is always by the peculiar motion of the wings, made use of by
other diving birds, and never by walking at the bottom,—a feat they
ought to perform in common with their parents if given to them,
like the usual mode of diving, as a natural or instinctive habit. I
may also state that their internal anatomy presents nothing pecu-
liar, or that could give one reason to suppose that they were likely

to possess so extraordinary a power. Of the genus Salicaria, the |

sedge warbler (Sal. phragmitis) is still frequent upon the margins
of the brooks and moist bushy situations; but the grasshopper

Fauna of Ti wizell. 391

warbler (Sal. locustella,) which, during the early growth of many
of the plantations, then abounding in whin, broom, and other under-
growth, might be heard in various directions, pouring forth its sibi-
lous note, now that they have attained a considerable growth, is
rarely heard, and then only in the brushwood adjoining the moor and
other open ground. The white throat (Cur. cinerea) is plentiful ;
but no example of the lesser species (Cur. garrula) has yet been de-
tected. Of the greater pettychaps (Cur. hortensis) the number is
limited ; but its congener, the black-cap (Cur. atricapilla) is abun-
dant. Of the Sylvie or willow wrens, the hippolais of Lath. &c.
the rufa of Temminck, is, comparatively speaking, a rare bird, and
seldom more than three or four pairs annually visit the district,
which are always confined to peculiar spots or localities. The S.
sibilatrix or wood wren is plentiful in the woods of older growth,
particularly where beech and oak abound. The S. trochilus is, how-
ever, the most abundant of all our summer visitors. This species
and the black-cap arrive about the same time, and the period, from
the observations of many years, is between the 14th and 18th of
April; Mr Hewitson’s work renders it almost unnecessary to add, that
the nest of S. szbzlatrix is easily distinguished from that of S.trochi-
lus, by having a lining of hair instead of feathers. The diminutive
but active little gold-crest (R. auricapillus) is very plentiful, and
may be seen at all seasons in the plantations, delighting especially
in the thick masses of the spruce and silver firs, among which it
finds a constant supply of food, as well as a favourite site for its nest,
which, as a semipendulous structure, yields in neatness and elegance
of fabrication to none with which I am acquainted. In addition to
our constant residents, we receive a great accession of strangers
about the end of October and beginning of November from the
colder regions of Norway, Sweden, &c. The pied wagtail (Mot.
alba) migrates in autumn, but returns at an early period of the
year, as I have frequently noticed it on the roof of the house during
the last week of February, when the weather was mild. The ma-
jority of the grey species (Mot. boarula) also leave us during win-
ter, a few individuals only remaining, which are occasionally seen in
warm situations near spring heads and other water courses that re-
main open even during severe frosts. This species prefers the ledge
of a rock upon the banks of our limpid rivulets for the site of its
nest. It breeds very early, and the first brood has generally quit-
ted the nest before the middle of May. The yellow wagtail is
never seen in this district, though far from uncommon upon the dry
hilly grounds a few miles to the westward. The Anthus arboreus,

392 Fauna of Twizell.

tree pipit, breeds annually upon the lawn, and though its song does
not possess great compass or variety, its mode of delivering it as it
descends, with motionless expanded wing and outspread tail, from
the elevated station it has previously attained by a flight as peculiar,
makes it a general favourite. Its arrival does not take place till the
last few days in April or the first of May. That lovely bird the
wax-wing (Bombycilla garrula) has been twice or thrice seen with-
in the district. It is uncertain in its appearance, and sometimes
many years elapse without a visit. During the winters of 1835 and
1836 it was generally spread over the kingdom, and I saw many
specimens taken in the neighbourhood. I may here mention, that
_ a living individual was given to Dr Johnston of Berwick, who kept
it caged for several months. It soon became tame and familiarized
to its situation, and recognized those who fed and attended it. It
was frequently allowed to come out of the cage and fly about the
room, and at last made its escape, from the door of the cage having
inadvertently been left open opposite to an open window. It was
fed at first upon haws and holly berries, and when these failed,
seemed to thrive upon dried fruits, such as raisins, currants, figs, &c.

The bunting (Emb. miliaria) visits the district in small flocks
during the winter, but few breed with us, as it affects a more open
and perhaps a less cultivated country, and I have observed it to be
more abundant where meadows and pasture prevail. Flocks of
snow-flakes (Plect. nivalis) occasionally frequent the stubbles dur-
ing the winter months ; none, however, have appeared this last win-
ter although it has been long and severe, nor have I noticed them
in the adjoining districts. The lesser redpole (Linaria minor)
breeds in all the deans and copses wherever the birch abounds.
Small flocks are now and then seen during the winter, but the great
body seems to migrate further south. In April they return in flocks,
and for some time frequent the Wych elms, whose seed, which at that
time is beginning to ripen, they greedily devour. They do not nidi-
ficate before May, or till they can procure in sufficient plenty the
downy pappus of the willow, with which soft substance they chief-
ly line their nests. I have observed the siskin, (Car. spinus) to
be much more plentiful in mild than in severe winters ; it is there-
fore probable that when the latter prevail they migrate to a lower
or warmer latitude. ‘They are generally seen upon the birch and
alder trees, extracting the seed from the catkins, which they effect in
a quick and adroit manner. When feeding, this bird assumes, like the —
lesser redpole, a variety of interesting attitudes, in order to reach the
catkins. Its feet possess the true perching or insessorial form, and

Fauna of Twizell. 393

it is never seen upon the ground. The bullfinch (Pyrr. vulgaris,)
beautiful and ornamental as it is to the plantations, is the only spe-
cies whose numbers I wish to see diminished, being a true gemmi-
vorous bird, and when abundant, frequently making sad havock in
the orchard and garden, as soon as the buds begin to swell in spring.
It attacks the plum trees, gooseberries, medlars, certain varieties of
the apple and the thorn, and I have known two individuals in the
course of a couple of days denude a large plum tree of almost every
bud. Last spring two or three attacked a large medlar upon the
lawn, which they found so much to their taste that they never quit-
ted it till they had stripped it bare, and this they effected in a few
days. I may remark, that in the stomachs of a very great number
opened at various times, nothing but the triturated remains of the
embryo leaves and flowers could be detected, In winter they af-
fect the young plantations and birch woods, and I have observed
that they often feed upon the embryo shoots of the Scotch fir, as
well as the buds of the larch. The crossbill (Lox. curvirostra) is
well known as an occasional visitant. During the winter and spring
of 1836, they were particularly abundant throughout the island,
and whether from the ample supplies of food, or something peculiar
in the season, they remained in the north to a period much later
than I had ever before known them. On their former visits they
have generally quitted us before Christmas, and this I considered to
be in accordance with Temminck’s statement as to the period of their
breeding, for he remarks in his Manual, niche en hiver, but on their
last visit they were seen in considerable numbers during March and
April, and I continued to take specimens up to the 2d of May, on
which day a male and female, evidently paired, were procured. On
dissecting the female, eggs as large as a pea were found in the ova-
ries, the male also for the first time was heard to utter his love note,
a fine clear whistle (very unlike their usual call,) while perched on
the tree with his mate. Another pair was seen as late as the 16th
of May. From these facts, it appears that the species do not always
breed at the time mentioned by Temminck. Its nest hitherto has
not been detected in Britain, but it seems probable that on such
occasions as we have mentioned it may nidificate in the extensive
pine woods of Scotland.

Of the Corvide, the raven (C. corax) is now only seen occasion-
ally, but in former days it bred in Twizell Dean, where the Cor-
bies’ Crag still points out the situation of the nest. The carrion crow
(C. corone,) though persecuted to the death as the great destroyer of
the eggs and young of game, is yet too plentiful. From the obser-

394 Fauna of Twizell.

vations and experiments I have made, this wary bird appears to
rely much more on its acute vision than its sense of smell, to de-
tect approaching danger and avoid surprise, and I am certainly not
among those who believe in its nice discrimination of the fatal ef-
fects of gunpowder, the scent of which it is supposed to perceive at
many gunshots distance. The beautiful and active jay is rare, and
it is only now and then that its harsh and grating scream is heard
in the plantations. The great spotted woodpecker (P. major) is
the only species I have hitherto observed, and most of the instances
have been in autumn, during the period of the equatorial migration.
The common creeper (Certhia familiaris) is seen in all the planta-
tions. A pair of these interesting birds bred for some years ina hole in
~ the wooden back of a summer- house, where the female, when sitting,
almost allowed herself to be handled without quitting her charge.
Of the fissirostral tribe, the kingsfisher is a rare visitant, and it is
only at distant intervals that it enriches the margin of the burn
with its brilliant plumage. The chimney swallow (Hir. rustica)
is the only species that breeds with us in any number, for though
the martlet (Hir. urbica) used formerly to infest the corners of al-
most every window, and had besides a long row of nests under the
eaves of the stables, they have for some years past entirely deserted
the place, and it is only in autumn, when congregating previous to
migration, that they are seen. I attribute this desertion in part to
the growth and great extent of the plantations, for the natural si-
tuation or habitat of the species appears to be a naked open country ;
thus they are found breeding in vast numbers in many of the rocky
cliffs upon the sea coast, and under the eaves of houses upon extensive
moors ; and in Sutherland we found the face of the marble cliffs
near Inch-an-Damff, thickly beset with their clay built receptacles.
The night-jar (Cap. Europzus,) though never numerous, is far
from being rare ; several pairs breed annually within our precincts.
Its peculiar humming note, the invitation of the male, is seldom
heard befcre the latter end of May or beginning of June. This late
arrival of the species is in beautiful accordance with the appearance
of those hosts of insects, which furnish it an abundant supply of
food, viz. the nocturnal Lepidoptera, and some of the large night-

flying Coleoptera. When perched, the night-jar always sits length-

ways upon the branch, with its head low, and from its assimilating
colours, is with difficulty detected in that situation.

The ring pigeon or cushat (Colum. palumbus) is the only species

we can boast of, but oma it the number is very great, and seems annual-
]

Fauna of Twizell. 395

ly increasing, which may be attributed to the shelter and security
it finds in the plantations as nurseries for its young.

Among the Grallatores may be noticed the green sandpiper, (Tota-
nus ochropus) a bird of rare occurrence in all parts of the kingdom.
Its congener (T. hypoleucos) breeds upon the margins of the rivulet,
and from its lively manners and elegant flight, proves an interest-
ing addition to the Fauna. The golden Plover (Charadrius pluvi-
alis) visits the fallows during autumn and winter in large flocks ;
in spring they disperse and retire to breed upon the adjoining moors,
at which time they assume the livery of the C. apricarius of au-
thors, the white of the under parts giving place to a deep black.
To obtain the eggs, the birds must be watched at a distance, as the
female, upon the approach of any intruder, at the warning note of
the male, immediately skulks off from the nest, and only shows her-
self, when she has got to a considerable distance from it. The
dottrel (Ch. morinellus) we see only during its migration north-
wards in May, and then but occasionally, as the great resting point
of the flocks which pass by this route, is further to the north, in the
neighbourhood of Berwick. The wild goose sometimes in spring
alights upon our new sown fields, but the usual feeding grounds of
the species are all at a considerable distance, and these they have
been known to haunt from time immemorial. The wild duck (Anas
boschas) frequently breeds with us, but the old duck conducts her
young as soon as hatched with all possible dispatch further down
the rivulet, from whence they can have access to marshes and other
ground appropriated to their habits of concealment. The common
gull (Larus canus) is seen in the pastures, and plowed fields during
theautumn and winter months, whenever the ground is free from snow
and frost. It leaves us in April, retiring further north in order to
breed, and it is succeeded by the lesser black-backed gull (Larus
fuscus,) which resorts tothe Farn Islands in great numbers, for the
purpose of reproduction. _

Of the reptiles, the blind or slow worm (Anguis fragilis) is far
from uncommon in the dry and stony parts of the Deans; the ad-
der (Pelias berus of Buonap. Vipera communis of Jenyns,) abounds
in all the Deans, and other dry and warm exposures. I have been
unable to detect more than one species, though a great difference
of colour is observable among them, but this I find varies according
to the age of the epidermis, season of the year, sex, &c. ‘The com-
mon lizard (Lacerta agilis) is the only species I have yet had an
‘opportunity of examining, but I think we may possibly possess the

396

Fauna of Twizell.

L. stirpiam, as I have at various times observed individuals of a
larger size than the average one of L. agilis. :

List of birds, &c. found and observed upon Twizell:

FALCcoNIDé.
Halizetus albicilla, Sav.
Falco peregrinus, Gmel.
—— esalon, Gmel.
tinnunculus, Linn.
Accipiter fringillarius, Ray.
Buteo vulgaris, Bechst.
lagopus, Flem.
Pernis apivorus, Cuv.
Circus rufus, Briss.

- cyaneus, Flem.

STRIGIDA.

Otus vulgaris, Flem.

brachyotos, Flem.

Strix flammea, Linn.

Ulula stridula, Selb.

N. Tengmalmi ?
INSESSORES. '
Dentirostres.

_Lanius excubitor, Linn.

Muscicapa grisola, Linn.

luctuosa, Temm.

Merula viscivora, Selb.

pilaris, Selb.

musica, Selb.
iliaca, Selb.
vulgaris, Selb.

Merula torquata, Selb.

Cinclus aquaticus, Bechst.

Salicaria locustella, Selb.

— phragmitis, Selb.

Curruca atricapilla, Bechst.

hortensis, Bechst.

—— cinerea, Bechst.

Saxicola oenanthe, Bechst.

—rubetra, Bechst.

—rubicola, Bechst.

Erithaca rubecula, Swains.

Pheenicura ruticilla, Swains.

Sylvia sibilatrix, Bechst.

———— trochilus, Lath.

ruta, Demms

AVES.

Regulus auricapillus. Selb.
Parus major, Linn.
- ceruleus, Linn.
- palustris, Linn.
ater, Linn.
——- caudatus, Linn.
Accentor modularis, Cuy.
Motacilla alba, Linn.
————.- boarula, Linn.
Anthus pratensis, Bechst.
arboreus, Bechst.
Bombycilla garrula, Buonap.
Conirostres.
Alauda arvensis, Linn.
Emberiza miliaria, Linn.
schoeniclus, Linn.
citrinella, Linn.
Plectrophanes nivalis, Meyer.
Fringilla ccelebs, Linn.
montifringilla, Linn.
Passer domestica, Ray.
Linaria cannabina, Sw.
minor, Ray.
chloris, Swain.
Carduelis spinus, Steph.
—- elegans, Steph.
Pyrrhula vulgaris, Temm.
Loxia curvirostra, Linn.
Sturnus vulgaris, Linn.
Corvus corax, Linn.
corone, Linn.
cornix, Linn.
frugilegus, Linn.
monedula, Linn.
Pica melanoleuca, Vieill.
Garrulus glandarius, Flem.
SCANSORES.
Picus major, Linn.
Certhia familiaris, Linn.
Troglodytes Europzus, Selb.
Cuculus canorus, Linn.
FIssIROSTRES.
Alcedo ispida, Linn.

Botanical Expedition to Guernsey and Jersey. 397

Hirundo rustica, Linn.

urbica, Linn.

- riparia, Linn.

Cypselus apus, Flem.

Caprimulgus Europzus, Linn.

RAsoREs.

Columba palumbus, Linn.

Phasianus colchicus, Linn. and
torquatus, Temm.

Tetrao tetrix, Linn.

Lagopus Scoticus, Selb.

Perdix cinerea, Briss.

GRALLATORES.

Ardea cinerea, Lath.

Numenius arquata, Lath.

Totanus ochropus, Temm.

hypoleucos, Temm.

Scolopax rusticola, Linn.

SAURIA.
Lacertide.
Lacerta agilis, Flem.
OPHIDIA.
Anguide.
Anguis fragilis, Linn.
Serpentide.
Pelias berus, Buonap. Vipera
communis, Jenyns.

Scolopax gallinago, Linn.

-- gallinula, Linn.

Rallus aquaticus, Linn.

Crex pratensis, Bechst.

porzana, Selb.

Gallinula chloropus, Lath.

Vanellus cristatus, Meyer.

Charadrius pluvialis, Linn.

- morinellus, Linn.
NATATORES.

Anser segetum, and ferus, Flem.

Anas boschas, Linn.

erecca, Linn.

Clangula vulgaris, Flem.

Podiceps minor, Lath.

Larus canus, Linn.

—— - ridibundus, Linn.

- fuscus, Linn.

REPTILIA.
AMPHIBIA.
Caducibranchia.
Ranide.
Rana temporaria, Linn.
Bufo vulgaris, Flem.
Salamandride.
Triton palustris, Flem.
-——-- aquaticus, Flem.

PISCES.

OssEI.
Acanthopterygii.
Gasterosteus aculeatus, Linn.
Malacoptyerygii.
Abdominales.
Cyprinide.

Leuciscus phoxinus, Yarr.

Cobitus barbatula, Linn.
Salmonide.

Salmo fario, Linn.

eriox, Linn.

trutta, Linn.

II.—A Notice, with the results, of a Botanical Expedition to Guern-
sey and Jersey, in July and August 1837. By Cuartes C.
Bazineton, M.A.F.L.S., &c. (Read before the British Asso-—

ciation at Liverpool.)

Ir having been hinted to me, that a short notice of the results of my

- botanical examination of the islands of Guernsey and Jersey might be
interesting to this Section, I have drawn up (since my arrival in Liver-
pool) the following slight and imperfect outline of them. Although
the native plants of the Channel Islands have, for about two hun-
dred years, been nominally included in the British Floras, yet the

398 Botanical Expedition to Guernsey and Jersey.

islands appear to have been totally neglected by British botanists.
I am not aware that there has ever been any published account of
their Flora ; nor do I know of more than three botanists, since’the time
of Ray, who have communicated to the public any information con-
cerning them from personal observation. I refer to the papers of
Mr Woods in the Companion to the Botanical Magazine, Mr Christy
in the Magazine of Natural History, and Mr Trevelyan in the Sup-
plement to English Botany. Mr Woods has recorded the plentiful
occurrence of several of our rarer English plants, and has added
to the list the five following, viz. Allium spherocephalum, Bromus
maximus, Festuca sabulicola, Brassica cheiranthus, and Scirpus te-
_nuiflorus. Mr Christy notices only one additional species, namely,
Allium spherocephalum ; but that having been also recorded by Mr
Woods, (whose paper appeared at about the same time), it does not
add to the total number of discoveries. Mr Trevelyan, I believe,
gathered only one new plant, viz. Armeria plantaginea, but he re-
discovered Echium violaceum, which probably had not been noticed
since the time of Ray, and also Centaurea Isnardi and Lagurus
ovatus. There now remains only one recorded species of those
which have not been found in Britain, viz. Juncus capitalus, disco-
vered by Hudson, and I believe found recently by Mr Woods.

After these preliminary observations, I will now proceed to com-
municate to the Section the results of my own visit to the islands
during the present summer. Although my success has far exceeded
‘my expectations, yet, as I was only able to devote four weeks to
Jersey, three to Guernsey, and a single day to the little island
otf Herm, I have no doubt that much more remains to be done.
Indeed there is not a single plant recorded for either of the islands
of Alderney or Sark, both of which I was prevented from visiting
by bad weather.

In Jersey I noticed about 500 species of plants, and was so for-
tunate as to obtain from Mr Saunders, a nurseryman there, an ad-
ditional list of 200 species which had been gathered by himself,
making a total number for that island of about 700 native species.
In Guernsey I myself gathered about 420, and in Herm 196 spe-
cies, or 725 for the three islands. No cryptogamic plants are in-
cluded in these numbers except ferns.

In addition to observing numerous specimens of all those men-
tioned before, I was so fortunate as to find six plants, which have
not as yet been recorded in our lists, viz. Hypericum linearifolium, —
Neottia aestivalis, Sinapis incana and Mercurialis ambigua in

Botanical Expedition to Guernsey and Jersey. 399

Jersey ; and Arthrolobium ebracteatum and Atriplex rosea in
Guernsey.

It may perhaps give some slight idea of the Flora of these islands,
if I now mention a few of the more common and rarer plants in
them, and compare the lists with those of England.

The following are rare in England, but common in Guernsey or

Jersey.

Asplenium lanceolatum. Herniaria glabra, (the nia (in both the isl-
Trichonema columne. plant of Suffolk n ands. )

Bromus diandrus. Cornwall. ) Orobanche ccerulea and
Cynosurus echinatus. Matthiola sinuata. Lotus angustissimus (in
Cyperus longus. Euphorbia peplis. Jersey only.)

Iris foetidissimus. Exacum filiforme. Lotus hispidus, and Poly-
Erodium moschatum. Scilla autumnalis, and gonum maritimum (in
Helianthemum guttatum. Scrophularia scorodo- Guernsey and Herm. )

I will now notice a few common English plants which are rare
in those Islands.

Bunium flexuosum. Lamium album. Ranunculus ficaria.

Cardamine pratensis. Primula veris. Mercurialis perennis.

- hirsuta. Lysimachia nummularia. Saxifraga tridactylites.

I may also mention a few common English plants which have
not been noticed in the Channel Islands.

Anemone nemorosa. Hypericum hirsutum. Habenaria chlorantha.
Bromus asper. Listera ovata. Helianthemum vulgare.
Campanula, (no species Betula alba. Juncus glaucus.

of the genus. ) Caltha palustris. Ononis antiquorum.

I am sorry that it has not been in my power, to make a similar
comparison of my list, with the Flora of the north of France 3* as I
am convinced that a far greater similarity would have been shown
to exist between the plants of the Channel Islands, and those of
that country, than appears between them and the native Flora of
Britain. Would it not be far better to separate the Channel Isl-
ands from the countries included in the British Flora, since, although
British by political connection, they are not so by geographical po-
sition? I suspect that their almost total neglect has been chiefly
eaused by their inclusion in our lists,—the French not consider«

_ ing them as part of their district, and the English thinking them

too small or too distant from our coasts to be worthy of examina-
tion. :

* In the discussion which followed the reading of this paper, Mr Forbes re.

marked, that the botany of Jersey was very similar to that of the adjacent coast
_of France.—Eps.

arte jae

400 History of British Entomostraca.

III1.— The Natural History of the British Entomostraca. No. IV.
By Witx14mM Barro, Surgeon H. C. 8. &c. (Continued from p.
144.)

In my papers in Vol. i. p. 514, and Vol. ii. p. 138, of this Ma-
gazine, I gave a history of the genera Cypris and Cythere, with a
list of all the species hitherto met with in this country. The next
two genera I shall notice are Daphnia and Lynceus, which vie with
any yet noticed, in variety and interest of details. In Latreille’s
arrangement, they form the third group of his section Lophyropa, the
Cladocera, In M. Edward’s work they will form the first order of

his legion Branchiopodes, the Cladoceres. Straus unites the Poly-
phemus, Daphnia, and Lynceus into one family, and calls it Daph-
nides.

Order, BRANCHIOPODA.—Section, LopHyRoPa.
Group, CLapocera.—Genus 1. Dapunia. IJ. Lynceus.

Ist Genus, Dapunra.

Bibliographical History.—Very great confusion exists amongst
the various authors who have noticed this genus, as regards the
species, and many are the errors in synonymy which they have com-
mitted. Indeed in this genus, as well as in the genus Cypris, very
little dependence can be placed either on the descriptions or figures
of many of the earlier authors. Swammerdam is the first author,
we know, that has taken notice of the Daphniz, though he mentions
that they had been observed before his time by Goedart, and named
by him “ pous aquatiques.” No mention is made by this author of
any insect resembling the Daphnia, in his work on the Metamor-
phosis of Insects, which is the only work of his I have seen, and
which Swammerdam quotes from liberally, in treating of the changes
which insects undergo ; and Straus says also, that he has never been
able to procure the work of Goedart, in which the notice of this
insect occurs. In his “ Historia Insectorum Generalis,” printed at
Utrecht in 1669, Swammerdam gives a pretty full description of a
species of Daphnia, which is evidently, from the indifferent figure
accompanying it, the Daphnia pulex. He calls it Pulex arboreus
or arborescens, the first part of which name has been retained, and
applied to this species by most authors who have written since his
time. His description is not very correct in some points, for he says
the beak is slender and pointed, and that it is by this sharp beak

Mistory of British Entomostraca. 401

the animal draws up its food as it were by suction, like other
aquatic insects. He describes, however, the motions of the insect
very well, and mentions them as being frequently quite red, or of
the colour of blood. This memoir of Swammerdam is republished
in his “ Biblia Nature,” where the same figures are’also given.*
Merrett, in his « Pinax rerum Britannicarum,”’ &c. London, 1677,
mentions these insects, or at least is said to intend them by the fol-
lowing short description,—‘* Vermes minimi rubri, aquam stagna-
lem colore sanguineo inficientes, unde vulgus dira portendit.” Fran-
cisco Redi, in his ‘‘ Osservazioni utorno agli animali viventi che si
trovano negli animali viventi,” Firenzi, 1684, gives three figures
of a species which Muller quotes as the Pulex (his pennata,)
but which are so very bad that it is difficult to make them out.
He calls them by the vague name of “ Animaletti aquatic.” In
his “ Opera” published at Napoli, 1687, he gives the same figures
as in the former work, and mentions them as “ Tre anima-
letti aquatici, che vivorno nelle acqua stagnanti, e ne’ pozzi,
osservati col microscopia.” Bradley, in his “ Philosophical Ac-
count of the Works of Nature,” London 1739, gives a long de-
scription of a “ wonderful insect, which had but one eye,” found in
the river Thames, with “‘ a head somewhat like that of a bird,” and
legs “ like the claws of an eagle ;” the antenne are described as
“« two branches, resembling the dugs of animals,” and which he says
*« we might suppose were designed for suckling their young” ! “ for
this insect,” he adds, “ is viviparous, which is contrary to other in-
sects before-mentioned ; for we did not only observe the young ones
alive in the belly of the mother, but likewise saw several of them
excluded from her body.” The figure which he gives is equally
good as his description, both of them shewing the force of imagina-
tion, for it is evident this “ wonderful insect” is nothing more than
the Daphnia pulex. Trembley, in his “ Memoires pour servir 4
) Histoire d’un genre de Polypes d’eau douce,” 1744, takes notice of,
and figures a species of Daphnia under the name of “ Puceron bran-
chu,” which seems to be the favourite food of the polypes, as they
‘devour them in great numbers. It is the Daphnia pulex, and his
_ observations on this subject, and figures also, are quoted and copied
by Adams in his “‘ Micrographia Ilustrata,” published in London
1746. Linnzus in his “ Systema Natura,” 1744, describes the same
species shortly under the name of Monoculus pulex arborescens, and
in his “ Fauna Suecica,” 1746, and “ Entomologia Faunz Suecice,”

_™ Vide Leyden edition, 1737. Tome i. p. 86; Tome ii. tab. 31. fig. 1—3.

402 History of British Entomostraca.

1789, he again describes it under the name of Monoc. ,ulea. Baker
in his “ Employment for the Microscope,” 1753, describes and
figures a species which is evidently the D. pulex. He maintains
that it has two eyes, and severely handles poor Bradley for saying
it has only one ; though that is about the most correct part of that _
author’s description! He quotes Swammerdam’s memoir, and re-
tains his name for it as expressive of its appearance and motion.
Joblot, in his “ Observations d’Histoire Naturelle, faites avec le |
Microscope,” 1754, describes a species under the name of “ Pou
aquatique,” which Muller quotes as his D. sima, but which Straus
says is not so, but is his D. macrocopus. The figures which Joblot
gives are very indifferent, and it is not very easy to say what spe-
cies they are meant to represent. Scheffer in his Memoir “ Die
griinen Arm-polypen die geschwanzten und ungeschwanzten zacki-
ger Wasserflohe,” 1755, describes at great length two or three
species, under the name of “ Geschwantzen zackiger wasserfloh”
and “* Ungeschwanzten zackiger wasserfloh,’—or “ water flea
with a tail,”*and “ water flea without a tail ;’ and this me-
moir is the first in which an attempt is made to distinguish dif-—
ferent species,—the various authors whom I have quoted above hav-
ing all, with perhaps the exception of Joblot, described only one and —
the same. He figurés two species, the D. pulex and sima, and gives
a sketch only of the head of a third, which being provided with a
tail, has been quoted by Muller and Straus as the D. longispina, but |
which is only a variety of the pulex. This memoir contains a great
' deal of very interesting information with regard to these insects,
and having been partly translated into French by Jurine at the end
of his work on the Monoculi, 1 shall be able to avail myself of many
of its details. In his < Icones Insectorum circa Ratisboniam indige-
norum,” 1766, the same author figures the D. pulex, under the
name of ‘* Branchipus conchiformis primus,” and in his “« Elementa
Entomologica,” published same year, I believe, he again figures it |
under the name of “‘ Branchipus conchiformis.” Poda, in his “ In-_
secta Musei Grecensis,’ 1761, describes shortly the same species |
under Linnzus’s name Mon. pulex, and Ledermuller, in his “ Mi+
kroskopischen Gemiths und Augen-ergotzung,” 1763, gives an in-
different figure of a species which is easily recognizable as the
same. Geoffroy, in his ‘ Histoire abrégée des Insectes,” 1764, gives
a good many details of this genus generally, and describes a spe-
cies under the name of “ Perroquet d’eau,’ which Muller quotes
as his quadrangula, but which Straus quotes, and I think more
correctly, as the D. pulex ; and Goeze, in the “ Naturforscher,”

History of British Entomostraca. 408

1775, describes the same species under the name which Swammer-
dam had given it, the “ Pulex arborescens.” Sulzer, in his “ Abje-
kurzte geschichte der insecten,” 1776, gives a very indifferent figure
of what he calls Mon. pulex, but which is evidently the D. vetula.
Muller, in his paper on the “ Cypris,” in the “ Philosophical Tran-
sactions for 1771,” has enumerated several species of this genus
also as occurring in Norway and Denmark, but under the general
name of Monoculus. In 1776, however, he established the genus
Daphne in his “ Zoologiz Danice Prodromus,” and describes eight
species, only three of which had ever been noticed before his time. In
his “‘ Entomostraca,” 1785, he adds one more species, gives figures of
all the nine, anda lengthened description of each. He changes the
generic name from Daphne to Daphnia, which latter has been
adopted by all succeeding authors, and changes the specific names
of two species, though without good reasons for so doing. De Geer,
in the 7th volume of his ‘‘ Memoires pour servir a |’Histoire des
Insectes,” 1773, gives a good many details concerning this genus,
pointing out two or three errors into which Swammerdam had fallen,
and giving very accurate descriptions of some portions of their ana-
tomy. He describes at length, and figures very prettily, and with
considerable faithfulness, four different species, two of which previous
to this had only been noticed by Muller in his “ Zool. Dan. Pro-
dromus.” Blumenbach, in his «‘ Handbuch der Naturgeschichte,”
1779, mentions one species of this genus, the Mon. pulex ; and Eich-
horn, in his ‘‘ Beytrage zur Naturgeschichte der Kleinsten Wasser-
thiere,” 1781, gives a tolerable figure of the same species. Gmelin,
in his edition of Linnzus’s “ Systema Nature,” 1788, gives all the
nine species of Muller, and adds te them the Mon. pediculus, which
Muller had formed into a genus by itself, the Polyphemus. Ma-
nuel, in the ‘‘ Encyclopedie Methodique,” 1792, gives all Muller’s
species, merely quoting his descriptions and copying his figures.
Fabricius, in his “ Entomologia Systematica,” 1793, changes Mul-
ler’s names in one or two instances, but merely gives his nine species.
Donovan, in his “ Natural History of British Insects,” 1802, gives
but an indifferent figure of a species taken when in its young state,
and which appears to be the D. vetula. He calls it “« Monoculus
Conchaceus,” and makes a few remarks upon its habits and manners,
giving a frightful picture of its ferocity and cowardice ! By numerous
filaments which it darts forth, he says, it causes such motion in the
water as to attract unresistingly the insects in the water to its mouth.
‘Thus it exists,” he concludes, “ a life of rapine and destruction, en-
joyed at the expence of the lives of thousands ; and as the objects of
VOL. 11, NO. 11. Ee

A04 - Mistory of British Lintomostraca.

its ravenous disposition are defenceless, so are they the sport of their
conqueror ; the few moments of intermission its craving appetite
grants them, is occupied equally in the spoil, first pressing them to
death, and then tossing them undevoured into the fluid. But should
a more powerful insect oppose him, he immediately contracts his
parts, and nothing more than the external covering is open to his
antagonist’s violence, and he will sooner die ignobly than offer the
least opposition.” * Latreille, in his “ Hist. gener. et partic. des
Crust. et Insectes,” 1802, gives all Muller’s species, retaining his
names ; and they are given in the same manner by Bosc in his
«« Hist. Nat. des Crustac. edit. de Buffon par Deterville,” 1802 ;
both authors giving a number of general details with regard to the
_ genus. Ramdohr in 1805, published a detailed account of the ana-
tomy of two species, the D. sema and longispina of Muller, in his
«« Beytrage zur Naturgeschicte einigen deutschen Monoculus-arten.”
Previous to his time, Scheeffer, De Geer, and Muller, were the only
authors who had attempted any particular anatomical details, and
this memoir of Ramdohr added much to what they had already done.
Lamarck, in his “ Hist. Nat. des Animaux sans vertébres,” 1818,
gives two species from Muller ; and Samouelle, in his “ Hist. of
British Insects,” 1619, gives one. In “ Rees’ Cyclopedia,” 1819,
we have all Muller’s species ; while Leach, in his article “ Crusta-.
ceology,” in the “‘ Edinburgh Encylopedia,” 1820, only gives the D.
pulex. From the time when Muller’s “ Entomostraca” appeared,
up to this period, no additions to the species had been made—and,
with the exception of Ramdohr’s memoir already mentioned, no ori-
ginal matter had been published concerning the genus—though, as I
have already observed in my former papers, this work of Ramdohr’s
seems to have attracted no notice from any of the authors who suc-
ceeded him. In 1620, Jurine’s splendid work on the “ Monocles qui
se trouvent aux environs de Genéve,” made its appearance after the
death of the talented and lamented author, in which we have a va-
riety of extremely interesting information, not only with regard to
their anatomy, but to their habits and manners. About the same
period, an elaborate and most excellent paper on the genus was read
before the Academy in Paris, by M. Straus, and published in the
«© Memoires du Museum d’Hist. Nat.” 1821. To these two authors
we owe the greater part of our knowledge with regard to these cu-
rious insects ; their labours and experiments having brought to light
much information with regard to their economy, which had escaped

* Vol. i, p. 15.

History of British Entomostraca. 405

all the previous writers. Jurine describes six species which had
not been described by Muller, and Straus deseribes three, though
some of them seem to be only varieties. Desmarest, in his work
<‘ Consid. Generales sur les Crustacés,” 1825, enumerates fourteen
species which had been described by the authors who had written
before his time, and which have been found in France—but adds no
new ones. Gruithuisen has published a very interesting memoir
upon the D. sima (Muller) in the 14th vol. of the ““ Nova acta Phy-
sico- Medica Academia Cesariz Nature Curiosorum,” part Ist, 1815,
in which he describes at some length the circulation of the blood as
observed by him in this insect. He describes two hearts, the arte-
rial heart and the venous heart, and gives a figure much magnified
of the blood in motion.* His figure of the insect itself, however,
(Fig. 1-2,) is either not very correct, or it is a species different from
the Sima of Muller.

Habits and Manners.—These insects areonly to be found in
fresh water, generally in ponds and ditches, where there is much
of the lemna or duck-weed floating on the surface. In such places

_ they are often to be found in myriads, and almost the whole year
_ round; and as they sometimes, and in some species, assume a
_ reddish colour, they have been said to have tinged the water
- with the hue of blood. Swammerdam asserts this to be the case,
and says that he has seen them in such numbers at Vincennes, as
actually to give the water of a horse pond the colour of blood;
and he quotes a friend of his in Holland, a Dr Schluyl, who had
_ observed the same occur in one of the canals near his house. This
has been repeated by Derham, in his Physico-Theology,+ and by
others upon Swammerdam’s authority ; but no writer since Swam-
_ merdam’s time has observed it himself. They are very prolific, hav-
ing a great many layings, and some of the larger species having been
observed to have as many as forty or fifty eggs and upwards in their
“matrix at once. According to Jurine, in June the young ones be-
gin to have eggs about ten days after birth, and it is probable they
“continue to produce all the summer through at frequent intervals.
The males are very few in number compared with the females, and
‘are only to be met with at certain seasons. From this circumstance
- Scheeffer and others have considered them as Hermaphrodites ; and
: Sulzer, (as quoted by Straus,) though he oppugns this, gives a more
‘singular opinion still, being of opinion that a copulation might take
place with the young before they see the light of day! These au-

f

'* Tab. xxiv. Fig. 6. + P. 364—(Note a.) Glasgow, 11th edit. 1745.

406 _ Mistory of British Hntomostraca.

thors had never seen the males, nor ever witnessed the act of copu-
lation. Muller and others, however, detected the male, and witnessed
the act ; and it is ascertained that one single copulation is sufficient
not only to fecundate the mother for her life, but all her female de-
scendants for several successive generations. This was observed by
Scheeffer, who followed them up to the fourth, by Straus to the fifth,
and Jurine tothe sixth,—the latter observing, that he thinks it probable
it might extend in some species to the fifteenth generation. Ex-
traordinary as this may appear, I have further found that the young
produced from the ephippia are also fecundated by this one copu-
lation, and have progeny ; and that their young again also produce
eggs, without the intervention of the male. I have followed up the
successive generations as far as the fourth in the Daphnie born
in the usual manner ; and as far as the third in those born from
ephippial eggs, and have found from repeated experiments that those
Daphniz which had ephippia became loaded with eggs soon after
they had thrown off their ephippia, and had progeny again without
the intervention of males ; and that the young so born from those
Daphnie, which had thrown off the ephippia, and become pregnant,
were also independent of the access of the male, and became mothers
in the same manner as the young of other Daphnie. November
29, Isolated a D. pulex, with an ephippium. 30th, Ephippium
thrown off. December 4, Daphnia has eggs. 8th, young ones |
born. 9th, has eggs again. 16th, young ones born. 20th, has |

eggs again. 24th, young born. 25th, has eggs again. January |
6, young born. Mother has eggs again. 14th, young born. Mo-
ther again has eggs. 22d, young born. February 1, has eggs
again. 8th, young born. On the 8th of December, isolated one |
of the young born from the subject of last series of observations, on
the 30th November. 21st, has eggs. 28th, young born. 29th,
has again eggs. January 9, young born. Mother has eggs again.
24th, young born. 25th, has eggs again. February 1, young |
born. Mother has eggs again. 9th, young born. 27th, has eggs |
again. March 8th, young born. In both these experiments the |
young were always removed from the vessel in which the mother
was kept, as soon as born. On the 2d of November I placed seve-
ra] ephippia in a glass of clear water. On the 10th, two young Daph-
niz were born. Isolated one of them. December 12, this Daphnia
has given birth toseveral young, and has eggs again. 18th, hasagain
given birth to several young. 19th, has eggs again. 24th, young
born. 25th, has again eggs. January 6, young born. 25th, af-
ter two several moultings without producing eggs, has again become

History of British Entomostraca. A407

pregnant. February 1, young born. On the 5th December, isolat-
ed a young Daphnia born from an ephippium. January 18, it has
given birth to young. 19th, isolated two of these, both females.
February 8, both of these have given birth to young. Isolated two
of them. I was at this period obliged, from circumstances, to sus-
pend my observations ; but the above experiment is suflicient to
prove the faci, that the young born from an ephippial egg produce
young, which in their turn become mothers without the interven-
tion of the male.

According to Jurine, who has watched the act with great care,
the following is the manner in which copulation is effected :—
When the male attacks the female for this purpose, he springs up-
on her back, and gradually descends till he reach the inferior edge
of her shell, and finds himself in a position where the open edges
of the shells are opposed to each other. He then introduces the
« harpons” and “ filets” of his first pair of feet into the interior of
her shell, and with them embraces her feet. Thus fixed, he then
curves up his tail so as to touch the female, who at first is much agi-
tated, but after a little time pushes out her tail also. They touch
each other, and then the Daphniz immediately separate, the male
at the time of touching having been agitated with convulsive mo-
tions. The eggs are first to be seen in the shape of small round
pellucid globules, which mark the situation of the ovaries placed
along the sides of the intestine. These soon lose their transparency,

_. become enlarged and continuous, and form a dark mass on the outer

edge of the intestine, partly globular and partly elongated. The insect
now changes its skin, and shortly after the eggs quit the ovary by the
communication to be hereafter mentioned, and take their place in a
spherical form in the open space on the back of the insect, where
they remain till the time of expulsion quite free and unattached.
At first they are quite round, and appear to consist internally of lit-
tle globules like air globules. The shape then alters a little, be-

coming oval, and the globules augment in number, but as yet no
_ trace of any part of the body is recognizable. A little afterwards

' we see a black spot in the centre, which is the eye, and which is the
first organ visible. The other organs then begin to shew them-

selves, butit is not till near the end of the fourth day, or the ninetieth

hour after laying, according to Straus, that motion is perceptible.

a

a Ace

At the end of the fifth day, according to the same author, they are
launched into open day. They are from the first exactly like the pa-
rent insect, undergoing no metamorphosis, but merely differing in

Behe less complete development of parts. In the D. pulex, the

408 Mstory of British Entomostraca.

young are ushered forth into the world, with the tail curved up
within the shell ; and very shortly after birth, (Straus says previous
to birth, but Scheeffer says a few moments after, which agrees with
my own observation,) this tail may be seen to spring forth with
a sudden jerk and assume its natural position. The setz of the rami
also may be seen to spring out in the same sudden manner, having
been apparently folded up along the stem. The suddenness of this
motion is attempted toe be accounted for by Straus, from the instanta-
neous flow of blood into these organs, but it is evident that this
rapid evolution of these parts is in a great measure owing to
the insect frequently stopping in its career through the water,
bending up its body within the shell, and pushing it quickly out
again beyond its edges, while the rami are bent downwards, so as
to enter the interior of the shell, where they are embraced by the
feet of the insect, and quickly drawn through them so as to catch
the ends of the sete and raise them up. The motions of the insect
during this process are exactly like those of the common house fly,
when it stops to clean its wings and feet. In a very short time
after birth, the insect is exactly like the parent, and gradually in-
creases in size, till the shell becomes too small to hold it, when it
throws it off, and comes forth with a new and a larger one. This
process of moulting is a very curious one, and all important for the
life of the animal. The intervals between each vary according to
the season of the year, being shorter in summer than in cold wea-
ther. Schceffer says, in the young it takes place every two days,
which agrees very nearly with Jurine’s experiments performed in
the month of June. In winter the intervals are somewhat greater.
In the month of December I found them thus: December 8th,
young one born. 12th, moulted first time. 14th, moulted second time.
17th, moulted third time. 21st, moulted fourth time, and has eggs.
29th, moulted fifth time. January 9th, moulted sixth time. 19th,
moulted seventh time. Ina young D. pulex born from an ephippial
ege, the intervals were as follows: December 5th, young one born.
13th, moulted first time. 17th, moulted second time. 24th, moulted
third time. January 3d, moulted fourth time, and has eggs. 11th,
moulted fifth time. 18th, moulted sixth time. Each time it moults
the insect increases in size, the moulting being evidently, as in the
Cyprides, necessary for the gradual growth of the animal. The
process does not seem to stop, however, when the insect has acquired
its full growth, but, as far as I have been able to judge, continues
during its whole life, even long after it has gained its full size.
As in the case of the Cyprides, the shell of the Daphinz soon be~

Sel call

Mistory of British Entomostraca. 409

comes overgrown with moss or parasitic infusoria, and thus the in-
sect’s motions become much impeded, and at last entirely destroyed ;
the moulting, therefore, seems to be necessary in the full grown in-
sect for the preservation of its life, for weak or sickly individuals
may be seen frequently so overgrown with moss, &c., that motion
and life are both soon arrested, the insect apparently not having
strength enough to throw off its exuvie. At the 4th moulting, *
the young insect has eggs, which are deposited in the open space
on the back, almost immediately after the old shell has been cast
off. The time that the eggs remain there varies according to
the season of the year. In summer, according to Jurine, three days ;
according to Straus, from four to six. In winter I have found the
interval between the eggs, being deposited in the open space,
and the young ones being born, to be eight days, as may be seen in
the experiments detailed above. Moulting takes place every time
after the young are born ; and generally within a very short period
of time after the change has taken place, eggs are again depo-
sited. Occasionally, however, this does not take place, and then
the insect remains without eggs for a space of time equal to
that of carrying the eggs, when she moults again, and then has
eggs. Straus says, that the young of the same laying are generally
speaking all of one sex, the two sexes being seldom to be found to-
gether in the same birth. He also says, that the Daphniz cease to
produce at the approach of winter or to change their skin, and that
they die before the commencement of frost. This does not accord
with my experience, having found them in considerable numbers
producing young and moulting as late as the month of December,
after both frost and snow had taken place. Indeed I have found
them as late in the season as February, though not in great num-
bers, but about that time they seem to disappear, and perhaps in a
severe winter earlier, young ones only being to be met with in the
spring. At particular seasons the Daphnizw may be found with a
dark opaque substance on the back of the shell. This is what Mul-
ler has called the Ephippium, from the resemblance the substance
has to a saddle. He was the first to take notice of this curious ap-
pearance; but though he describes it very well, and has given an ac-
curate representation of it, he does not give any opinion upon the
cause or use of the formation. Jurine next notices it, describes it
well, traces its gradual formation from matter contained in the

* Straus says after the third ; Jurine says generally between third and fourth,
I have always found it to be after the fourth.

Al10 - EMistory of British Entomostraca.

ovary, and gives it as his opinion that it is a disease these insects
are subject to, the effect of which is to arrest their future fecundity.
Straus, however, has been more fortunate in his observations upon
this very curious formation, and has found it to be asubstance con-
taining two eggs, destined, he says, for the future generations of the
insect in the spring, these eggs resisting the cold of the winter,
which proves fatal to the perfect insect. Straus says, that they are
generally to be met with in the months of July and August. Ju-
rine mentions them as occurring as early as May ; and I have found
them in abundance upon the insect as late as the end of the month
of November. Jurine says, that after the third moulting has taken
place, we may see a green matter in the ovaries, which differs both
‘in colour and appearance from that of the eggs. After the fourth
moulting this green matter passes from the ovaries into the matrix
or open space on the back, and spreading forms the ephippium. At
first it is of a grayish colour, and some hours after becomes of a black
hue. When examined by the microscope it appears of a dense tex-
ture, composed of a sort of net-work of hexagonal cells. In the
centre of this opaque mass we see two round or rather ovular bodies,
placed one before the other, called ampulle by Straus, who says
that they are capsules opening like a bivalve shell. In each of
these ovular bodies is contained an ovum covered with a horny shell,
by which means they are protected from the cold of the winter, and
enabled to resist the severity of the winter which kills the parent.
At the next or fifth moulting, the Daphnia abandons the ephippium,
which floats on the surface of the water, and remains containing the
two eggs inclosed till next spring, when the young are hatched by
the returning warmth of the season. ‘‘ These two species of eggs,”
says Straus, “ produced by the same animal, offer a very singular
example in the history of animals, and show with what wisdom na-
ture provides for the preservation of her smallest creatures.” Straus
says, he has frequently hatched the young from these ova by sud-
denly bringing them into a warm temperature. In the months of
November and December, I ascertained the truth of Straus’s state-
ment, and witnessed the young hatched from these ephippial eggs
by keeping them in my room. November 2d, I took several ephip-
pia which I found floating on the surface of a saucer full of water
containing D. pulex, numbers of which had ephippia attached to
them, and placed them by themselves in a wine glass of clear water.
10th November, two young ones born. 16th, one more. 29th, two
more born. 21st, one more. 23d, two more. November 29th, took se-
4

ry iby

—

History of British Entomostraca. 41]

veral ephippia from the same saucer, and isolated them in the same
manner. December 5th, three young ones born. 6th, two more.
8th, two more. 10th, two more. 16th, one more.

On the 19th November I isolated a Daphnia with the ephippium
attached. 21st, it has thrown off ephippium. December 5th, one
young one born from the ephippial eggs. I have repeatedly per-
formed the same experiment, and have always found the same re-
sults. The young from these ephippial ova do not differ from those
born naturally, unless that perhaps they are a little longer in com-
ing to maturity. In a young Daphnia pulex born naturally on the
8th December, it moulted the first time on the 12th, or four days
after birth ; fourth time and had eggs, on the 21st, or thirteen days
after birth ; whilst in a young one of the same species born from an
ephippial egg on the 5th of December, the first moulting was not
till the 13th, or seven days after birth, and the fourth when she first
had eggs, not till the 3d of January, or twenty-nine days after birth.
The periods between each moulting are also longerthanin the others.
It has been asserted, as I have mentioned above, by Jurine, that
these ephippia are the consequences of a disease these insects are
subject to, and that they have the effect of arresting their future fe-
cundity. From the experiments which I have detailed above, and
which I have mentioned as having been also made previously by
Straus, it is evident that they are not a disease, and that instead
they are ova of a particular nature destined to outlive the severity
of the winter, and to perpetuate the species which would otherwise

_ perish altogether. From some experiments which I instituted upon

this subject, I also found that Jurine is wrong in asserting them
as arresting the future fecundity of the insects. On the 29th

_ of December, I isolated two of Daphnia pulex with their ephippia
_ attached. On the 30th, both had thrown off their ephippia, and both

had moulted. Upon close examination I found that on the shell
where the ephippia were situated, there was left a mark correspond-

_ ing to its figure, and a scar or deeper mark like a cicatrix where the

ampullz containing the ova were situated. In the ovaries were to
be seen the transparent globules or first appearance of the ova. On
the 4th December, both had eggs lodged in their matrix ; and on the
8th the first family were born. Watched the farther progress of
one of these Daphnia. On the 16th December she had given birth
to a second family, but did not moult till the 20th, when she again
had eggs in her matrix; and on the 24th gave birth to a third fa-
mily. On the 6th January has given birth to a fourth family. Ja-
nuary 14th, has given birth a to fifth family. January 22d, has given

4.12 On the Mosses found in the

birth to a sixth family. One or two other experiments, with the
same results, prove satisfactorily that that assertion of Jurine’s is in-
correct.

The motion of most of the species of this genus is chiefly by short
bounds through the water, the most important organ producing the
motion being the rami, or arms, as Swammerdam calls them. Such
is the motion or manner of swimming in the pulex and vetula, &c.
but in the cornuta it is different, the motion in that species being con-
tinued, or produced by incessant motion of the rami, and not by short
bounds at a time. In my paper on the Cyclops, (Vol. i. p. 319,) I
have mentioned Jurine’s experiments upon the faculty these insects
were said to possess of returning to life after being dried. Scheeffer
~ has instituted some experiments upon this subject with regard to the

Daphnie also, and his results are, that after having exposed the in-
sect with eggs in the matrix, for a considerable time toa dry atmo-
sphere, and then replacing it in water, the eggs did not lose their vi-
tality, but were after a time hatched as usual. Sulzer, as quoted
by Straus, says that the parents return to life also ; but in the expe-
riments reported by Straus, he never found either mother or eggs
recover their vitality. The food of these insects, according to Straus,
consists of vegetable matter, and not animal; but I have no doubt
that they are carnivorous, as well as the other genera I have
mentioned; as I have invariably found that of two groups placed in
separate small vessels of clear water, the one having only particles
of vegetable matter placed beside them, while with the others there
were also introduced minute animalcules, the latter were stronger
and more active and throve better than the former.

(To be continued. )

IV.—Remarks on the Mosses found in the neighbourhood of Aber-
deen. By G. Dicxis, Esq.
BeroreE proceeding to enumerate the mosses found in this neigh-

bourhood, it will perhaps be necessary to give an outline of the
botanical character of the district in regard to its flowering plants.
This I shall do as briefly as possible, taking as a guide the remarks
made by Mr Watson at pp. 58, 59, &c. of his interesting work on
the Geographical Distribution of British Plants. On comparing
the Flora of Aberdeen with the remarks at pp. 60, 61 of the work
referred to, it would appear that this district partakes of the cha-
racter both of the northern part of the Region of the Plains and also
of the Upland Region, the former toward the north being characte

Neighbourhood of Aberdeen. 413

rized by the presence of Pinguicula vulgaris,{Parnassia palustris,
Geranium sylvaticum, Trollius europzus, Lysimachia nemorum,
Carex dioica, Gymnadenia conopsea, Habenaria bifolia, Hab. viridis,
Narthecium ossifragum, Comarum palustre, and more rarely Em-
petrum nigrum. All of these plants are extremely abundant
about Aberdeen, with the exception of Trollius Europzus and Ha-
benaria viridis, which are rare. Empetrum nigrum is abundant, grow-
ing upon our moors in a peat soil, occurring also in gravelly soil,
and even growing in pure sand, and in this latter situation binding
our sand hills along with Ammophila arundinacea, Carex arenaria,
Triticum junceum, Festuca rubra (var. hirta), and others. Mr
Watson, at p. 61 of his work, states that the Upland Region is
marked by the presence of Arbutus uva-ursi, Vaccinium vitis-Idea,
Polygonum viviparum, Linnza borealis, Trientalis europea, Cornus
suecica, Corallorhiza innata, Sedum villosum, Oxytropis Uralensis,
Galium boreale, and Listera cordata. Of these, in this neighbour-

hood, Trientalis europa, Listera cordata, and perhaps Linnea bore-

alis are of most general occurrence, and more plentiful than some of
the others; Arbutus uva-ursi, Vaccinium vitis-Idza, Polygonum vivi-
parum, and Galium boreale, are principally confined to a few spots,
but there they are abundant. The latter of these is only found on
the banks of the Dee, and I believe has not yet been found on Don
side. Cornus suecica, Corallorhiza innata, and Oxytropis Uralensis
have not as yet been detected in this district. From this short
sketch it will be perceived, that (as has been already mentioned)

_ the neighbourhood of Aberdeen partakes of the nature both of the

ays se

Sa NE TPT

northern part of the Region of the Plains, and also of the Upland
Region, approaching, however, more to the former than to the latter.

The following list of mosses comprehends all which have as yet
been found within the distance of ten miles of Aberdeen ; and it
may be proper to mention that many localities within that range

"still remain to be investigated. All of them have been gathered by

myself in the places mentioned, with the exception of a few; in
which cases, however, I shall mention the individual who found them.

List of Mosses.
Andrea rupestris. On detached rocks near Bridge of
Dee.

k , ; ae
Phascum subulatum Abundant in several localities.

. — cuspidatum.
_ Sphagnum obtusifolium. Abundant.
squarrosum. Corsehill and Stocket Bogs.

414 On the Mosses found in the

Sphagnum acutifolium. Same localities as last.
= cuspidatum. Loch Loirston, &c.
Gymnostomum ovatum. Walls at Rubislaw.
oe truncatulum. Banks of the Dee, &c.
eee fasciculare. On mould in gardens.

— microstomum. Banks of Don and other places.
Anictangium ciliatum var « and 6. Frequent.

Splachnum ampullaceum. This beautiful species has only hi-
therto been found in Corsehill Moss
near Scotstown. It was found by
Mr P. Grant of this place in July

1836.
- Encalypta vulgaris. Tops of walls near Denmore.
Weissia lanceolata. Banks of Don and Dee.

— cirrata. On detached stones at Nigg.
——— curvirostra. Banks at Denmore and Rubislaw.
——~— crispula. Along with W. cirrata.

——— controversa. Banks near Girdleness and other
places.
Grimmia apocarpa. Var. « common. var. 6 Dens of |
Rubislaw and Cults. |
——_————. maritima Abundant on the coast near Aber-
deen.
ee pulvinata. Common.
——— tricophylla. On stones at Rubislaw.
ee ovata. Rocks near Aberdeen. Mr P.
Grant.
Didymodon purpureus. Everywhere abundant.
—— rigidulus. Rubisiaw quarry.
== trifarius: Banks of Don.
——____—— heteromallus. Along with D. trifarius.
Trichostomum lanuginosum. Den of Maidencraig.
canescens. On stones at Middleton.
heterostichum. Frequent.
aciculare. Moist rocks at Leggart.
fasciculare. On stones at Rubislaw, &c.
—_—— polyphyllum. Along with T. canescens.
Dicranum bryoides. Abundant in several places.
———— adianteides. Moist shady places at Nigg, &c.
— taxifolium. Moist banks of Don.
— glaucum. Moist fir-woods at Rubislaw.

— cerviculatum. Den of Maidencraig, &c.

TTT

Neighbourhood of Aberdeen.

Dicranum flexuosum.

— squarrosum.
— pellucidum.
— undulatum.
— scoparium.

— varium.

— heteromallum.
— subulatum.
Tortula muralis.

ruralis.

—_—§ subulata.
——- unguiculata.
fallax.
Polytrichum undulatum.
piliferum.

commune.

urnigerum.
aloides.

nanum.
Funaria hygrometrica.

Orthotricum cupulatum.

— anomalum.
————— affine.
——-— diaphanum.
———. rivulare.

crispum,
— pulchellum.
Bryum androgynum.

palustre.
argenteum.
capillare.
cespititium.
nutans.
turbinatum.
ventricosum.
ligulatum.
punctatum.
rostratum.

juniperinum.

A415

Den of Rubislaw, &c.

Moist places, Bay of Nigg.
Rubislaw Den, in the burn.

At Belhelvie, near Aberdeen.
Abundant.

Rubislaw quarry, &c.

With the last.

Banks of Don, and at Torry.
Frequent.

Aberdeen Links, and other places.
Abundant.

Banks of Don.

Frequent.

Rubislaw, Stocket, &c.

Frequent.

Tops of walls.

Stocket Moss, and other places.
Rubislaw quarry. Abundant.
With P. urnigerum, and in other
places.

With P. aloides.

Abundant, generally associated with
Tortula subulata, and Didym. pur-
pureus.

Craig of Nairb.

Walls at Drum.

Trees and wall in several places.
On stones at Powis.

On stones at Gilcomston Dam.
Dens of Rubislaw and Maidencraig.
On birch trees, Den of Leggart.

In fissures of gneiss rocks, banks of
Dee, and Den of Maidencraig.
Bogs at Corsehill, Ferryhill, &c.
Abundant.

Belhelvie and other places.
Common.

Rubislaw quarry, and other places.
Banks of Black Dogburn, Belhelvie.
Corsehill and Ferryhill mosses.
Dens of Rubislaw and Leggart.
With B. ligulatum.

Old Town Links.

416 On the Mosses found in the

Bryum hornum.
cuspidatum.
Bartramia pomiformis.
— fontana.
Buxbaumia aphylla.

Fontinalis antipyretica.

Hookeria lucens.

Hypnum trichomanoides.
— complanatum.

— unduJatum.
denticulatum.
populeum.
molle.
stramineum.
purum.

— murale.

— piliferum.

~— Schreberi.

— catenulatum.

— plumosum.
——— alopecurum.
— dendroides.
myosuroides.
— proliferum.
— rutabulum.
— velutinum.
— ruscifolium.
— striatum.
— confertum.
— cuspidatum.

———-— polymorphum.

— stellatum.

— loreum.

— triquetrum.

— squarrosum.
— palustre.

— aduncum.

— uncinatum. |

Den of Rubislaw, &c.

With the last.

Banks of Don, Rubislaw, &e.
Strocket Moss, and other places.
‘© Wood near Aberdeen, Mr Jack-
son.” Hooker’s FI.

Abundant in many places.

In a wood at Old Bridge of Don.
Den of Cults.

On trees in several places.

Den of Rubislaw, &c.
Den of Rubislaw.

Shady rocks in several places.

Den of Rubislaw in the rivulet.
In Denburn.

Plentiful.

On walls at Rubislaw.

Den of Cults.

Hazelhead woods.

Moist rocks at Old Bridge of Don
Mr P. Grant. On rocks upon the
coast.

Banks of Don.

Den of Cults.

Old Town Links.

Den of Rubislaw and other places.
Frequent.
Common.

Common.

Dens of Rubislaw and Cults.
Banks of Dee, &c.

Den of Rubislaw.

Ferryhill, Stocket, and other places
in Bogs.

Den of Rubislaw, Stocket, &c.
Corsehill Moss.

Common.

Abundant in woods.

Woods at Rubislaw.

Black Dog Burn, Belhelvie.
Moist banks at Torry.

Den of Leggart.

Neighbourhood of Aberdeen. 417
Hypnum commutatum. Den of Rubislaw.
_ + ——- scorpioides. Ferryhill and Corsehill bogs.
: — cupressiforme. Abundant.

From this list it will be remarked, that, of the twelve British spe=
cies of Phascum, only two have hitherto been detected in this neigh-~
bourhood. This may perhaps be partly accounted for when it is
considered that they are generally minute plants, and not, there-
fore, readily discovered. And, according to Sir W. J. Hooker, « the
species are more frequent in the southern than the northern?parts
of Great Britain.” It is, therefore, very probable that few if any
other species remain to be discovered about Aberdeen. In Dr Gre-
_ ville’s Flor. Edin. seven are mentioned. In the Parisian Flora of
| Merat, twelve species are enumerated ; and at Hudson’s Bay, where
the mean annual temperature is low, no species of Phascum is found,
_ according to Richardson, in Edinburgh Phil. Jour. Vol. xii.

The species of Didymodon and Trichostomum found in this dis-
_trict-are, with one exception, the same as those mentioned in Flor.
Edm. Didymodon purpureus is one of the most common and abun-
dant mosses about Aberdeen, and occurs in many different varieties
of soil and situation. It frequently springs up along with Funaria
_ hygrometrica, where the Ulex Europzus has been burnt down. Of
the species of Dicranum, D. pellucidum is the rarest in this neigh-
bourhood. D. squarrosum occurs near the sea level, along with Jun-
-germannia blasia. Ihave gathered the same moss at a considerable
height in Glen Callader. Orthotrichum anomalum seems to be most-
ly confined to a range of serpentine rocks at the locality mention-
ed, where it is abundant. I have seen only a few specimens on
gneiss. O. pulchellum and O. diaphanum are the rarest, O.
‘crispum and QO. affine are the most common and abundant. Of the
twelve species of Bryum all are more or less plentiful, except the
‘interesting B. androgynum, which is of rare occurrence, and found
upon gneiss. I have never yet seen it in fruit. Gemme are fre-
quent and abundant, and from the readiness with which they germi-
“nate, there is no difficulty in accounting for the propagation of this
in species. B. palustre and B. ventricosum are common in

‘our peat bogs, along with Hypnum scorpioides and cuspidatum, and
all these four occur along with Splachnum ampullaceum in the
only locality where this elegant moss is found. Bryum palustre
frequently bears gemme as well as capsules. B. ligulatum and
punctatum are abundant in some places, and generally grow in
company. Specimens of the former are found with nine sete

a ae ee

418 ’ On the Mosses found in the

arising from nearly the same point of the stem. Buxbaumia is
mentioned upon the authority of Mr Jackson, in Hooker’s Flora,
Vol. ii., as growing near Aberdeen, but I have never had the plea-
sure of gathering it. Fontinalis antipyretica is very abundant in
slow running streams. It is, however, rarely found here in fruit.
The brilliant Hookeria lucens is plentiful in the locality mentioned.
In Brit. Flora, Vol. ii. p. 74, it is mentioned that the stems sometimes
reach a length of four inches. In this part of the country they never
exceed twoinches. Hypnum catenulatum is the rarest of the species |
enumerated. The list is, I suspect, rather deficient ; many species
of Hypnum, without doubt, have not yet been detected. Several of |
them, especially H. loreum, triquetrum, &c. afford a soil and shelter
favourable to the growth of the elegant Goodyera repens, so plenti-
ful in nearly all the old fir woodsin the neighbourhood of Aberdeen. *

When engaged in examining the species of the genus Hypnum, |
I have frequently observed that there is a very evident difference
in the form, and even in the cellular structure, of the stem leaves,
and of the perichetial leaves. Might not this difference be assumed _
as a specific character in some cases? I leave it to some more ex-
perienced muscologist to follow out this suggestion.

List of Hepatice found near Aberdeen.
Marchantia polymorpha. Abundant.
— hemispherica. Banks of Don, &c.
Jungermannia asplenioides. Abundant in several places.
—- cordifolia. Banks of Don.

pee eerommlata. With the former.
eee ee ata Corbie Den at Maryculter.
a ener Banks of Don.
——.-—- ventricosa. Den of Rubislaw. —
——- bicuspidata. Frequent.
——- pusilla. Banks of Don and other places.
——~—- umbrosa. Den of Rubislaw.
-——— undulata. Moist rocks upon the coast.
- albicans. Bay of Nigg.

* Goodyera occurs at the following places near Aberdeen; In a fir wood at
Drumoak, at the thirteenth milestone, on the Deeside road; at Hazelhead,
Denmore, Parkhill, in a fir wood opposite Fintray House, where Linnea bore-
alis also grows ; at Loch of Skene, in two different woods. The firs at these
places are from forty to sixty years old. The plant is also springing up in a wood

at Middleton, three miles up Deeside. This wood does not much exceed twenty
years.

On new or obscure species of Plants. 419

Jungermannia cochleariformis. With the former.

—- complanata. On trees, Dens of Rubislaw and
Legegart.
| —__-______. bidentata. Stocket Moor.
pee —- barbata. Den of Rubislaw.
—— —- serpyllifolia. Abundant on trees.
——_—_—_——-- Tamarisci. Rocks upon the coast.
a dilatata. On trees, Den of Rubislaw.
—- —- multifida. Common in several bogs.
—_____—-- Blasia. Bay of Nigg and Den of Leggart.
———-- epiphylla. Frequent.

Tothese must be added a minute species which is found upon
Hypnum piliferum, round the stems and leaves of which its slender
branches are entwined. It is also sometimes found on Polytrichum
aloides, The leaves of this species are ovato-lanceolate, acutely bi-
partite, and rather distant from each other. It seems to come near
Jungermannia Turneri. I have not as yetfound it in fruit. J. Blasia
is said to be rare in fruit. It is abundant in the localities mentioned,
both in fruit, and with the flask like bodies. Jun. epiphylla is men-

_ tioned in British Flora as bearing fruit in September. In this neigh-
bourhoed it invariably sends out its ‘‘ white sparkling silvery
threads,” or fruit-stalks, in March and the beginning of April.

V.— Observations on some New or Obscure Species of Plants. No. I.
‘By G. A. Wacker Arnott, LL.D. F.L.S., &c.

Caxorroris, R. Brown. (Asclepiadez. )

Iw the second volume of the Hortus Kewensis, Brown describes
_ two species of this genus, one, the C. gigantea, from India, the other,
_C. procera, from Persia. Dr Hamilton, in the Linnean Society's
Transactions, Vol. xiv. p. 246, conceiving that he had found the
_ Persian plant also in India, described a new species as such, and to
which Dr Wight, in his Contribution to the Botany of India, gave
the name of C. Hamiltoni. Since then Dr Wight has made fur-
ther observations on this species in the Madras Journal of Litera-
ture and Science, Vol. ii. p. 69. t.1. although, through inadvertency,
he has resumed the name of C. procera. Having had no opportu-
“nity of examining the plant of the Hortus Kewensis, it may appear
presumptuous in me to attempt to decide on the difference, if any,
between it and Hamilton’s; but having received from Arabia Petrza,
a specimen of a Calotropis, which answers to the short character given
by Dr Brown, I have little doubt of its being the same as that from

VOL. 11. No. 1]. Ff

:

#

420 ] Observations on some new

Persia, and between it and Hamilton's plant there is so considerable
a difference in the form of the leaflets of the corona, that the two
can be distinguished with great facility. In C. gigantea the leaflets
of the corona are three-toothed at the apex, and then flat and close
pressed to the column, while their base is spirally recurved: in C.
Hawmiltonii these have a conduplicate bifid patulous apex, and an
acute simply recurved base : in what I consider the true C. procera,
the apex is precisely as in C. Hamiltonii, but the base as in C.
gigantea. The characters of the Indian species are given in Wight’s
Contributions and the Madras Journal ; the Persian and Arabian
one is distinguished as follows :—

C. procera ; corolla campanulata segmentis patulis margine planis,
- corone staminez foliolis gynostegium equantibus basi obtusa cir-
cinnatim recurva apice conduplicato bifido patulo, stigmate plano.

It thus agrees most with C. Hamiltonz, but differs by the form of
the base of the coronal leaflets.

Buiyrria, Arn. (Asclepiadez.)
Corolla rotata 5-partita. Corona staminea simplex, 5-phylla, foli-
olis ovalibus, obtusis, discretis, carnosis, planiusculis. <Anthera@
membrana terminate. Masse pollinis ventricose, pendule. Stig-
ma muticum. Gynostegium exsertum. Folliculi leves, abortu sub<
solitarii. Semzna comosa.
Fruticulus sesquipedalis glaber, ramis patulis rigtdis. Folia op-
posita, petiolata, oblonga vel oblongo-lanceolata, obtusa. Umbelle
' interpetiolares, pedunculate, folio breviores. Flores parvi. |
1. B. Arabica, Arn.—Periploca? Stend. et Hochst.in Herb. Un. —
It. 1837. n. 816.
Hazr.—lIn collibus granitosis prope Dscheddam: W. Schimper.
This genus is obviously closely allied to Cynanchum, particularly
those species which have the corona deeply 5-partite ; but here the
leaflets are perfectly distinct and somewhat distant from each other.
From Xysmalobium it differs by the corolla, and absence of denti-
culi between the larger leaflets of the corona. J

Ruinoiosium, 4rn. (Asclepiadez.)

Corolla patens, profunde 5-fida. Corona staminea tubo filamento=
rum imposita, 10-phylla ; foliolis 5, antheris oppositis, carnosulis,
gynostegium zequantibus, subrotundis, intus sub apice recurvato
dente erecto triangulari planinusculo auctis ; 5 reliquis alternantibus
minimis. Anthere membrana terminate. Masse pollinis teretes,

or obscure species of Plants. 491

apice attenuato aflixe, pendule, appendiculis gracilibus. Stigma
truncatum pentagonum. Folliculi .

Herbe ? erectw, viminee, graciles, simplices, iignabeaventen Folia
opposita, linearia. Umbelle interpetiolares, subsessiles ; pedicelli
Jiliformes, foliis multo breviores, ac calyces pubescentes. Flores parvi.

1. R. tenue (Arn.) foliis lineari-filiformibus margine revolutis.
Ad Caput Bone Spei legit C/. Harvey (Herb. Harv. n. 629.)

This genus is allied in character to Xysmalobium, also from the
Cape, but that is destitute of the projecting toothlet, which arises
in this from the inside of the coronal leaflets. Cynanchum jiliforme
Thunb. is apparently another species with broader and flat leaves.

Besides the present, I have received only two other Cape species
of Asclepiadez from Mr Harvey: one is Cynanchum pilosum, R. Br.
(Herb. Harv. No. 413.) ; and the other Secamone Alpini, R. and S.
(Herb. Harv. no number.)

In Wight’s “ Contributions,” and Decandolle’s fifth volume of
the “ Prodromus,” two-plants are referred to the genus Blepharis-
permum ; but on account of the specimens of one of them being im-
perfect, the character was principally taken from 6. petiolare.
More lately, having received additional specimens of B. subses-
sile from Dr Wight, I am now enabled to describe it more fully ;
and as it cannot be conjoined into one genus with JB. petiolare,
(unless indeed Athroisma be also united,) I shall here give the re-
formed character of Blepharispermum, as well as of the new one.

BLEPHARISPERMUM, Wight. (Composite.)

Capitula innumera in glomerulum globosum coacervata; axi
hemispherica. Bractew sub, glomerulo oblongo-lanceolatse, mem-
branacee. Capitula 4-flora, monoica. Receptaculum paleaceum.
Involucrum oligophyllum. Flores exteriores 2, feminei, filiformes.
tridentati ; interiores 2, masculi, tubulosi, 5-dentati. Anther@ basi
Sagittato-subcaudate. Stylus fl. masc. subinteger. Acheniwm femi-
neum obovali-oblongum, tetragono-obcompressum, angulis laterali-
bus ciliatis, ceteroquin glabrum ; mascul. tetragonum, lineare, gla-
brum. Pappus fem. e paleis scariosis, paucis, inequalibus, acumi-
Natissimis ; masc. nullus.

Suffrutex Ceylanicus, glaberrimus. Folia alterna, petiolata, ovato-
lanceolata, acuminata, integerrima, penninervia. Glomeruli longe
pedunculali, terni ad apicem rami, bracteis involucralibus glomerulo
brevioribus.

1. B. petiolare, D. C. in Wight. Contr. p. 12; Prod. v, p. 368;
Wight. Cat. n. 1417.

422 ; Observations on some new

Hazs.—lIn Ceylona, prope Ugandamlej ; Klean.

I have here followed Klein’s views (as mentioned in Wight’s
Contributions) of the structure of the capitulum, in preference to
those of Decandolle, as they agree better with my own observations.
Decandolle himself, before he was aware of Klein’s memoranda on
the subject, appears to have had doubts if such were not the real
structure. :

LeucoBLePHARis, Arn. (Composite.)

Capiiula innumera in glomerulum hemisphericum coacervata ;
axi plana. Bractee sub glomerulo ovate, mucronate, foliacez.
Capitula 8-flora, monoica. Receptaculum paleaceum, paleis conca-
vis. Involucrum oligophyllum. Flores exteriores 4, feminei, tubu-
losi, 4-5-dentati: interiores 4, masculi, apice latiores, 5-dentati.
Anthere basi sagittato-subcaudate. Stylus fl. mase. integer, apice
incrassatus. Achenia nigra, nitida, hinc plana, illinc convexa, mar-
ginibus dense villis albis longis erectis ciliatis ; fem. late-ovalia, ob-
compressa, angulo dorsali paullum albo-ciliato ; masc. angustiora,
dorso convexiore subglabro. Pappus conformis, paleis scariosis, plu-
rimis, flexuosis, inzequalibus, acuminatissimis, villis achenium mar-
ginantibus absconditis.

Herbacea, glabra, simplex. Radix crassa, premorsa, lignosa.
Folia alterna, subsessilia, elliptica, utrinque obtusa vel attenuata, in-
tegerrima, triplinervia. Glomerulus terminalis, solitarius, subses-
silts, bracteis involucralibus glomerulum superantibus.

1. L. subsessile, Arn—Blepharispermum subsessile, D. C. in
Wight. Contr. p. 12; Prod. v. p. 368; Wight. Cat. n. 1418.

Has.—In Mysore ; Heyne. Prope Bellary; Wight.

By comparing this generic character with that of Blepharisper-
mum, it will be seen that it differs very widely in the structure of
the achenium and pappus of the sterile floret, in which respect it
approaches much more to Athroisma; but in that genus the angles
of the acheninm are merely ciliated at the apex, and the pappus |
appears to be composed only of a few short hairs. The habit of |
these two genera is also very unlike.

Maparoetossa, D.C. (Composite. )

This genus is said by Decandolle to be allied to Blepharipap-
pus of Hooker, but to differ by the ray having no pappus. Froma |
slight examination of specimens of both genera in Sir W. Hooker’s |
Herbarium, it seems that both these distinguished botanists have the
same in view; but that either ought to be separated into two genera.

or obscure species of Plants. 492

Sir W. Hooker’s character comprehends both; but Decandolle’s is
more limited, so much so, indeed, as to exclude, perhaps, all the
species he refers to it. In Lindley’s Nat. Syst. of Botany, p. 443,
I separated B. glandulosus under the name of Eriopappus, propo-
sing to retain Blepharipappus for B. scaber. About the same time
that my genus was published, or perhaps previously, Fischer and
Meyer defined the same under the name of Callichroa ; and indeed,
so far as I can judge by the description, Blepharipappus glandu-
losus, Hook. Madaroglossa heterotricha, D.C. Prod. v. p. 694, and
my Eriopappus glandulosus, are scarcely distinguishable as species
from Callichroa platyglossa, F.and M. To Blepharipappus I would
refer Madaroglossa hieracioides, and M. angustifolia of Decandolle.
In Madaraglossa the achenium of the ray is said to be glabrous,
and the styles of the disk florets included. The latter is characte-
ristic of what I consider the true species of Blepharipappus, and the
former of Hriopappus or Callichroa ; but indeed Mad. angustifolia
is expressly said to have the achenia of the ray villous.

LastHenrA, Cass. (Composite. )

This genus, as defined by Decandolle, requires some elucidation.

In his character, which it is unnecessary to quote at length, the
capitulum is said to be nearly homogamous, that is, without any
conspicuous ray, the female florets being small and tubular ; the in-

_ volucre to be 5-8-15-toothed, and the pappus of 5-10 palez, or
_ wanting ; while he adds, that it differs from Gamolepis by the capi-
_ tulum being nearly homogamous, and by having a paleaceous pappus.
_ Three species are described ; one with a paleaceous pappus and
an obscure ray: this (L. obtusifolia, Cass.) which is the type of the
genus, is the Rancagua of Poeppig, Hymenatherum of Lessing,
(but not of Cassini,) and Coilopodium Chilense of Decandolle, Prod.
v. p. 642, (noticed under Hymenatherum Kunthit) : to it the whole
; generic character given by Decandolle applies, with the exception
_ of the involucre being 15-toothed, and a pappus of 5 or no palex.
fi Another species is L. glaberrima ; of this the ray is not mentioned,
" but the involucre is said to be 15-toothed, and the pappus of 5 pa-
“lee. What plant Decandolle has had in view, and which he re-
' ceived from the Horticultural Society, I cannot determine, but what
I have received from Professor Lindley has a large ray, and is the

‘ same with Burrielia gracilis of Decandolle ; while that figured in
the Botanical Register seems to have also a large ray, but no pap-
" pus, and to be either a variety of or closely allied to L. glabrata,
Lindl. The third species, L. glabrata, mentioned by Decandolle,

+:

AQ4 Observations on some new

has no pappus, and a large ray : and consequently, as far as the ray
is concerned, must, along with that figured by Lindley, and quoted
by Decandolle under his L. glaberrima, be removed from Lasthe-
nia. It appears that this must have been Decandolle’s first in-
tention, and that the manuscript genus Gamolepis was intended to
contain these. It is allied to Baerza of Fisch. and Mey., but in
that genus the leaflets of the involucre are free from each other. I
am therefore disposed to keep the Chilian plant alone in the genus
Lasthenia, and adopt the genus Gamolepis for Decandolle’s second
section from California.

Monactis, H. B. K. (Compositz.)

In the generic character the scales or leaflets of the involucre are
said to be lanceolate-linear. The form is perhaps of little conse-
quence, and I possess a plant collected by Mathews in the province
of Chachapoyas in Peru, which seems principally to differ from M.
Flaverie, Dec. by that character. Omitting then from Decan-
dolle’s character of the genus, the words “ squamis lanceolato-linea-
ribus,” I would distinguish the two species thus :

1. M. Flaveriew, (Dec.) squamis involucri lanceolato-linearibus.

2. M. Kunthiana, (Arn.) squamis invol. oblongis obtusis.

Kunth describes another species, M. dubia, but this Lessing has
separated from the genus under the name of Astemma. In Monactis
the ray is composed of a solitary floret ; in Astemma no ray whatever

could be traced. I am, however, inclined with Kunth to refer the

latter to Monactis, as it is not improbable that in the few specimens
examined the ray had dropped off. As a species of Monactis, I
scarcely know to distinguish it from M. Kunthiana, a name which
perhaps ought to be retained, as that given by Kunth is inadmis-
sible on the supposition of its actually, as in Mathews’ plant, pos-
sessing one large ligulate floret in each capitulum, and being a true,
not doubtful species of the genus.

Hewiopsis, Pers. (Compositz.),

Of this Decandolle describes the achenia, “ angulato-compressa
glabra, omnino calva.” In the species which I have examined, I
find uniformly the achenia, when young, to have a pappus of four
small ciliated teeth, which may sometimes also be traced in the ad-
vanced fruit: the achenia of the ray are triquetrous, of the disk
4-quetrous.

Micropsis, Dec. (Composite. )
To M.nana, Dec., I refer a plant collected by Mr Bridges in

or obscure species of Plants. 425

Chili, (n. 642 of his collections) : but Decandolle’s generic character,
although agreeing in most points, yet differs somewhat from the
following drawn up from Bridges’s specimens :
_. Involucrum scariosum subbiseriale : capitulum heterogamum pau-
ci-(sub 9)-florum: floribus femineis uniserialibus, filiformibus in
_ambitu; hermaphroditis tribus tubulosis in centro, intra rachidis
pbracteolas uniseriales isarithmas dispositis. Antherew basi bi-
setosee. Stylus hermaph. ramis pube infra apicem decurrente ob-
y sessis. Achenia estipitata, erostria, oblonga ; fem. sericeo-villosa,
_villis pappum occultentibus ; hermaph. glabra, compressiuscula,
hine linea sericea notata, bracteolis membranaceis valde concavis
" apice scarioso-appendiculatis, dorso gibbis omnino involuta. Pap-
fi pus conformis, coroniformis, brevissimus, crenato-dentatus, persis-

tens.

_ Herba pygmea, annua, albo-tomentosa. Folia oblonga-spathula-
ta. Capitula glomerata, terminalia, foliis sub involucro obvallata.

The principal difference between Decandolle’s and the above de-

“scription lies in the central florets, which he makes to be male,
_ whereas I find them to possess a perfect style and achenium. He
also says the receptacle is destitute of pales ; I find it paleaceous :
he consequently arranges the genus near Hvax and Micropus among
_ the Plucheinez, whereas I feel rather disposed to remove it near to
‘ Filago (Giflago, Cass. and Less.) among the Helichrysee.

_ Having now noticed several genera of Composite, I may here
mention that the genus Clairvillea of Decandolle appears to be
" quite the same as Cacosmia of Kunth, nor can I perceive any spe-

cific difference between the two plants. It belongs not to the Se-
necionidez, but to the Vernoniacez, as proposed by Lessing. Phi-
_loglossa of Decandolle, if I be correct in referring to this a plant
collected by Mathews in Peru, also belongs to the Vernonicew, and
is allied to Alibum. Apalus of Decandolle is not distinct from
_ Blennospermum of Lessing: both authors describe the same species
from specimens collected by Bertero, and named by him Unxia an-
themidifolia. Kuhnia Arabica, Hochst. and Stend. in Herb. Un.
“It. 1837, n. 863, is a species of Pegolletia, and scarcely different
from P. Senegallense, Cass.

Saccuarum, L. (Graminee.)
_ While lately preparing materials for an Agrostographia Indie
_ Orientalis along with my friend Professor Nees von Esenbeck of
_Breslaw, I, like many other botanists, experienced more difficulty

426 On some new or obscure species of Plants. —

while studying the genus Saccharum, and the group to which it
belongs, than almost any others of the family. The following Cla-
vis Analytica of the species, which I drew up to lessen my own la-
bours in future, may perhaps prove useful likewise to others. Most
characters are excluded which are not essentially necessary for dis-
tinguishing the species mentioned from each other.

Valvula flose. hermaph. inferior vel deficiens vel neutri valde dissimilis ; (Glu-
me dorso glabre ; villi involucrales longi. )

Gluma saltem inferior pallide chartacea, ; : Sect. 1.
Gluma basi brunneo-callosa, 3 3 Sect. 2.
Yalvula flosc. hermaph. inferior neutri fere nui et equimagna.
Glume chartacez pilose, villi involucrales longi, Sect. 3.
Glume brunneo-callose ; villi inyolucrales breves, Sect. 4.

Sect. 1.—Husaccharum.
Flosculi superioris yalvulz aii minut, ovarium sub-

zequantes, é S. officinarum, L.
Flosculi superioris valvula superior lafeenlata neutro dimidio
brevior, inferior nulla, : : 4 SS. Sinense, Roxb.

Sect. 2.— Tylosaccharum.
Flosculi super. valvule nulle, spicule ovate, folia subulata
canaliculata,
Flosculi super. valvula infer. Tieretet ladieeaites superior bre-
vissima subquadrata, spiculz lanceolate,
Folia angusta nervo albo latiusculo canaliculato, pani-
cula oblonga ramis compositis, : S. semidecumbens, R.

S. canaliculatum, R.

ramis sub simplicibus, : canaliculatum, N.
ab E. in Wight. Cat.

Folia subulata omnino canaliculata, panicula linearis S. spontaneum, L.
Sect. 3.— Trichosaccharum.
(Glume subulato-acutate : valvula inferior flosc. hermaph. setuligera. )
Folia canaliculata anguste linearia, nervo albo lato cana-

liculato, 3 ‘ f : 3 S. Munja, Roxb.
Folia plana -

Panicule rami graciles laxi decompositi, (S. Sara, Hook. et

x procerum, Roxb.
Arn.

Panicule dense contracte, rami stricti rigiduli ;
S. arundinaceum,
Spicule distantes ; rami panicule elongati poly- \ Retz. S. exaltatum,
stachyi, : : ; : N. ab E. in Wight
Cat.
Spicule approximate, (rhachidis internodia pedi-
cello spic. pedicellate vix longiora, )
Paniculz rami subelongati decompositi polystachyi, 8. Sara, Roxb.
Panicule rami breves oligostachyi, : S. exaltatum, Roxb.
3

Contributions to the Natural History of Treland. AY7

Sect. 4.— Gymnosaccharum.
Spicule acute ; folia versus apicem supra scabra, : S. Baka, Ham.
Spiculz obtuse :
{ S. fusca, Roxb. ? CS.
| eee Ham. )
Folia utrinque levia, ‘ ; S. Modhuja, Ham.
How far these are really aiceinet species, I will not here inquire.
The three of the last section were perhaps all included by Rox-
burgh under his S. fuscum. As to S. Sinense, it is as commonly
cultivated in the West Indies as S. officinarum, and is indeed the
S. offictnarum of Kunth’s En. Graminum. I have not yet had an
opportunity of examining any specimen referable to the description
given by Roxburgh of his S. Sara. All the others I have seen.
ArRLARY, 10¢h October 1837.

Folia versus apicem supra pilis brevissimis aspera,

V1.—Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. By Wit-

LiAM THompson, Esq., Vice-President of the Belfast Natural
History Society.

CINEREOUS SHRIKE,—Lanius excubitor, Linn.—This species has
in a few instances been obtained in various parts of Ireland. In the
. north, Mr Templeton records two specimens from Down and An-

No. 4.—On the Birds of the Order Insessores.

trim, (Mag. Nat. Hist. Vol. i. p. 404, New Series,) and three indi-
_ viduals have subsequently been procured in these counties. In the
_ former, one in mature plumage was shot at Echlinville, late in the
autumn: about fifteen years ago, and in the latter, an adult male was
_ killed at Beechmount, near Belfast, in November 1826. This latter
~ is preserved in Dr J. D. Marshall’s collection. A second indivi-
_ dual was in company with it,'and remained about the place for a
_ few weeks afterwards. Near the same locality, another shrike was
_ shot during the few days of frost that prevailed at the end of Janu-
ary 1835. One bas been mentioned to me as obtained near Mul-
_ lingar, in Westmeath, and two in the county Dublin. Of these lat-
ter, one was killed on Shankill mountain in 1822, or 1823, and the
other in the Phoenix Park about 1831. I have been informed that
it has occurred in Tipperary more than once, and Mr R. Ball tells
_ me that he has seen a specimen which was shot near the city of
i Cork in 1824.
. I cannot say whether this species has ever bred in Ireland. (See
Selby’s Il]. Brit. Orn. Vol. i. p. 148, 2d ed., and Journal of a Na-

a cocina ms fore oe

4298 Contributions to the

turalist, p. 187, 3d ed.) The respective dates of its occurrence else-
where than in the north are unknown to me.

Tue Srorrep Friy-catcHer,—Muscicapa grisola, Linn.—Is a
regular summer visitant to the north-east of Ireland, and probably
to suitable localities throughout the country, though it has been but
little noticed. From the dulness of its plumage, want of song, and
its weak call being seldom heard, it is certainly one of the least ob-
trusive of our birds ; the period of its arrival too, being prolonged
until the trees have put forth their “ leafy honours,’ further serves
to screen it from observation.

It is the latest of the summer birds, appearing in the neighbour-
‘hood of Belfast about the 12th of May, and remaining till autumn
is far advanced. In addition to the ordinary places selected for nidi-
fication here, as holes in walls and trees, &c. I have seen a nest
resting in part upon an aperture ina wall, and partly on the branch
of a fig tree trained against it. An observant friend has remarked,
that one which he saw placed against the unglazed window of an
out-house was so covered with cobwebs inside and out, that no other
material was visible. In another instance, the parent bird was very
bold on its nest being approached, flying angrily so near the intruder,
that it might almost have been struck by his hand. The Rev. Tho-
mas Knox informs me, that the spotted fly-catcher breeds about
Killaloe, (county Clare,) and he supposes has occasionally either two
broods, or builds a second time if the first nest be destroyed, as on
the 1st of August 1833, he saw one sitting on young birds, though
on the 8th of June in the previous year, he knew a brood to have
been hatched. On this subject see White’s Selborne, p. 179, ed.
1837, and Journal of a Naturalist, p. 207.

Tue Warer-OvuzeL—Cinclus aquaticus, Bechst.—Is as gene-
rally distributed over Ireland, as I may say from personal observa-
tion, it is in suitable localities in England, Wales, or Scotland.
With the romantic and picturesque in scenery this bird is associat-
ed, frequenting the stream only so far as it can boast of such charming
accompaniments ; whenever it descends to the lowlands, to move
sluggishly through the plain, the water-ouzel forsakes it to continue
in its upland haunts. By Montagu and Selby it is described mere-
ly as a very early songster ; but in the north of Ireland its song is
occasionally heard at all seasons ; and indeed most frequently in the
winter months, the bright mornings and forenoons that occur dur-_
ing the most severe frost and snow, have always seemed to me the

4

Natural History of Ireland. 429

favourite time. I have heard it sing when flying at a great height,
as well as when perched just above the water.

It is remarked by Mr Selby, that these birds are seen “ always
on the margin of the stream, or perched in their particular attitude
on some projecting stone in the middle of the water,” and thus are
they characteristically represented in his splendid “ Ulustrations of
British Ornithology,” as well as by Bewick, whose vignette more
especially exhibits the species in its ‘“ rightful place” in connection
with the scenery depicted ; but about the ponds at Wolf hill, an ele-
vated situation near Belfast, and where they have chiefly come un-
der my observation, the willows that fringe the banks are their con-
stant perch.

The first nest of this bird I remarked was placed ina hole in
the clayey bank of a pond, where, owing to the shelter afforded,
there was no occasion for the display of its domed architecture,
and this was consequently dispensed with. This nest contained four
eggs, from which three young were produced. As soon as these
were fledged, they were to be seen early every morning, accompani-
ed by their parents about the same pond, some singing, others div-
ing from the rail on which they were perched into the water, none of
them for a moment atrest ; but when neither diving nor singing, going
through the most grotesque and amusing evolutions. Thuswerethey a
highly interesting group, presenting quite a picture of social happiness.
Similar playfulness of manner I have frequently witnessed, though
from being generally seen singly, the species is regarded as unsocial.
In autumn, at a favourite haunt, I once saw a water-ouzel seated on
a large stone singing, and jerking about its head most ludicrously,
whilst a second individual moved in a saltatory manner round the
base of the stone. The following note by a relative, who is an ac-
curate observer, also illustrates the same trait : “ On the 26th Sep-
tember,*a pair of water-ouzels, at the upper pond of Wolf hill, plung-
ed several times into the water, which was some feet deep, and remain-
ed, moving about in it with only their heads above the surface ; twice
one of them disappeared altogether for a few seconds ; they then
pursued each other round the pond, alighted, when one of them
sang, and they repeated over again several times all these mancu-
vres.” Of five other sites observed to be selected for nidification in
this neighbourhood, three were in the fissures of rocks close to the
finest cascades of our mountain streams. One of them was tastefully
placed on a niche near the summit of a waterfall of 30 feet, the
¥ reck directly above it rising to such an elevation as to render it

* The date is mentioned, to show that they are not any of the captivating arts
preceding the nuptial season.

4390 Contributions to the

inaccessible. Here the nest was very large, formed of moss, and
of the regular domed structure, upon which the spray from the cas-
cade seldom ceased to beat, the water flowing over the rock being
only about two feet distant. This, however, I fear, caused the de-
sertion of the nest, as it was abandoned before the production of a
brood ; it was not completed until the 20th of April. Onthe 27th
of the same month in a subsequent year, a nest containing young,
and lined with the dried stalks of grass, and a few leaves, was ob-
served at the side of a rock bordering a stream, and elevated a foot
only above its surface. A fifth was placed in the hole of a wall be-
side an artificial fall* of the river Lagan. Throughout the breeding
season of 1832, a pair of these birds frequented a shade erected over
a large mill-wheel of nearly forty feet diameter, at Wolf hill, where
it was presumed they had a nest, though in such a place it was im-
possible to discover it. Their appearance emerging from this gloomy
and dark abode often caused surprise, especially when they sallied
forth between the arms of the gigantic wheel when in motion, a
state in which it was almost constantly.

The stomachs of two individuals which I examined in the month
of December contained only the remains of the larve of aquatic
coleoptera, and one in January exhibited but the fragments of in-
sects. The stomach of one examined in October was, excepting two
full-sized dorsal spines of a three-spined stickleback, (Gasterosteus, )
filled with the remains of crustacea. A person who has had ample
opportunities of observing the species, states, that from shallow
water he has often seen it bring the larve of phryganew, and
break their cases on a stone to get at the contained animal. I have
repeatedly seen this bird dive into a pond of clear spring-water ten
feet in depth.

As several authors to whose works I have just referred differ in
their descriptions of the colour of the water-ouzel’s legs, it may be
remarked, that two mature specimens particularly inspected by me
had the entire front (and it only) of the tarsi and upper side of
the toes of a whitish colour, being in general appearance like the
clouded or opaque part of a quill: all the rest was blackish. t

* To take a wider illustration than Ireland can afford of its partiality to fall-
ing waters, it may be remarked, that on the Rhine between Cologne and Schauff-
hausen only once did this bird attract my attention, and then it was at the great
fall near the latter city. On the sublime alpine torrents of Switzerland it is al-
ways attendant ; and about the fall of Velino, near Terni, in Italy, said to sur-
pass all other European cataracts in the beauty of its surrounding scenery, either
three or four of these birds appeared to me at one view.

+ Mr Selby having remarked that the water-ouzel is “ probably” met with in

Derbyshire, it may be added, that I never saw the species more plentiful any

Natural History of Ireland 431

Tue MisseLt-Turusp—Turdus viscivorus, Linn.—Has of late
years extended its locality in Ireland, as in other parts of the Bri-
tish islands, and is now found throughout the country. Previous to
the last twenty years, it was very partially known, but now, from
the southern counties of Clare, Kerry, Cork, and Tipperary, my
correspondents attest its gradual increase, though in some of them
it has been known for a very few years. To the extreme north-
west it has penetrated, and although in Down and Antrim it was
at the earliest period alluded to, confined. to the richly wooded val-
leys, it now inhabits the plantations far as they stretch towards the
mountain tops.

Like some others of the genus, the missel-thrush is in England
considered only as an early songster, but, with the exception of the
moulting season, its song may be heard in Ireland at every period
of the year. Within the first fortnight of December 1832, I have
notes of its singing on five different days.

The missel-thrush’s nest is generally most conspicuous, being in
every instance that it has occurred to me placed in the forking or
junction of the main stem, or branches of trees, whether these be
wholly bare or clothed with cryptogamic vegetation. In young
plantations, rising from twenty to thirty feet, I have frequently
seen it. May it not be on account of this exposed site, which ac-
cording to the dictates of nature, is selected, that this species is at
the same time endowed with the extraordinary courage and perse-
verance manifested in the protection of its nest? Often have I
seen a pair of these birds driving off magpies, and occasionally fight-
ing against four of them. On one occasion, a pair of hooded crows
(Corvus cornix) joined, or it may be followed in the wake of a pair
of magpies, in their assault on a nest at the “ Falls,’ when the
thrushes were unfortunately routed. By an ornithological friend, a
pair of these birds was seen pursuing a kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
that approached their nest,—though probably without any felonious
intent—when one of them struck it several times, and was as often
foiled in the attempt by the hawk suddenly rising to avoid the com-
ing blow. Respecting the pilfering propensity of the missel-thrush,
I may mention that a few years ago a lady residing near Ballymena
lost a lace-cap in spring, when out drying ; in autumn, when the
leaves began to fall, something white appeared in one of the trees,
and on inspection proved to be the cap that had been used by one of
_ these birds in the construction of its nest. In another instance, a

_ where than in that county, especially about the romantic Dove, and the river
at Matlock.

432 ; Contributions to the

similar depredation, but of a minor degree of turpitude, was com-
mitted last summer ; a narrow piece of net, a yard in length, having
been carried off when bleaching, and afterwards, in my presence,
found composing part of the nest of a bird of this species.

As soon as the breeding season is over, these birds assemble either
in families, or large flocks, and are very destructive to the fruit in
certain gardens and orchards about Belfast. On the 5th of July, I
once saw two or three families congregated ; and on the Ist of August
1832, my friend at the “ Falls” reckoned fifty-four in a flock at
his garden, where, during the month, they consumed almost the en-
tire crop of raspberries. Several of the young birds were caught in
rat-traps baited with this fruit. Towards the end of August this
same year, they resorted in such numbers to an orchard, containing
the most venerable fruit-trees in the neighbourhood, that on one
morning, twenty-six, and on the next, seventeen of them were shot,
and, with one or two exceptions, singly : here late cherries were the
attraction. Missel-thrushes were this year more than ordinarily
abundant. In 1833, the report of the gardener at the “ Falls” was
not, however, very satisfactory —that since they had eaten the great-
er part of the raspberries, and had cleared the trees of the late crop
of cherries, he had not seen many. I have been thus particular, as
similar depredations on the part of this species have not been related
in any ornithological work with which I am acquainted. In his
“« History of Selborne,” White remarks, that ‘ missel-thrushes do
not destroy the fruit in our gardens like other species of Turdi,”
and on this passage not one of his numerous commentators has made
an observation. _ In an anonymous contribution to the Magazine of
Natural History, facts similar to these I have brought forward are
recorded. (Vol. iv. p. 184.)

The stomachs of two individuals, examined by me in January
and September, contained the remains of coleopterous insects in ad-
dition to vegetable food.

Tur Frerprare—Turdus pilaris, Linn.—Is a regular winter
visitant to Ireland, appearing in the north towards the end of Octo-
ber. Its departure is occasionally prolonged until a late period.
On the evening of the 7th May 1886, my friend, William Sinclaire,
Esq. at his residence, “ The Falls’, near Belfast, observed a large
flock migrating in a north-east direction, and heard them calling as
they passed overhead. He considers that they were on their way
from some distant locality, as none had been seen in his neighbour-
hood for some time before ; but when the season was as far advanced

Natural History of Ireland. 433

in the very late spring of 1837, they still frequented their winter
quarters, the great body of them remaining longer than ever before
known to him. I am likewise informed that they remained in the
county of Kerry last spring until the end of April, a period later
than had before been observed. With respect to his present neigh-
bourhood, and that of Killaloe, his fomer residence, the Rev. Thomas
Knox of Toomavarat, remarks in a letter to me, that the fieldfares
_ are not so numerous, and are always later in appearing than the
redwings, and that if the weather be mild, they retire for weeks toge-
ther, though in the depth of winter, but one or two nights of frost
__ arecertain to bring them back again. When they disappear he thinks
they visit the mountains. Such are their habits in the north, as in
the open weather they frequent the upland districts, but are driven
to the lowlands by frost and snow, (see Journal of a Naturalist, p. 259,
third ed. for the opposite procedure.) Their favourite haunts
around Belfast are the fields skirting the base, and most nearly ap-
proximating the mountains, more especially if surrounded by tall
white-thorn hedges that for the sake of shelter have been permitted
to grow to maturity in a state of unpruned and wild luxuriance.
When returning at a late hour from hunting, I have several times
in the short days of winter raised flocks of fieldfares that were roost-
ing near the summit of heath-clad hills considerably distant from
their daily haunts, as well as from any hedges or plantations. <A
valued friend and correspondent states that he once saw a flock of
about five hundred perched for the night ona spruce-firnear Youghal.
That fieldfares generally, as in England, leave the northern parts
of this country when a severe frost sets gradually in, I have little
doubt, from having at such times remarked their scarcity. Though
the species is naturally wild and difficult of approach, such indivi-
_ duals as remain behind suffer so severely, perhaps from cold, in ad-
dition to the want of food, as to become easy victims to the most
_ juvenile sportsmen.
_ As adifference of opinion exists among authors on the subject of
_ the fieldfare’s food, I give the contents of the stomachs of six indi-
viduals that I have examined, and which were killed at various
_ times and places during two seasons. Of these one contained two
_ limacelli, (internal shells of naked snails belonging to the genus Lz-
~ max, Linn.) the remains of coleopterous insects, and some vegetable
{ _ matter ; with this last substance only the second was supplied ;
the third was filled with oats alone, though the weather had been
i mild for some time before, and when it was shot; the fourth con-
tained worms and bits of grass; these last. together with pieces of

434 Contributions to the

straw and the husks of grain, were found in the fifth,—the weather
was severe and frosty for a week previously ; and the sixth was stor-
ed with the husks and a grain of oats.

Tue Sone Toruss—Turdus musicus, Linn.—Is very common
throughout this country, in which it is permanently resident. Al-
though I have seen flocks of thrushes late in autumn, I agree with
Mr Selby, that it is not our indigenous birds that so congregate,
but that these bodies are on their migration from more northern
countries ; confirmative of which there seems not any diminution of
the species in its accustomed haunts, nor are these flocks seen, except
for a short time at a particular season.

In England the thrush is considered only as an early songster,
beginning its melody at earliest by the end of January, (Selby,) and
continuing it until July, (Jenyns,) but in Ireland, where our winters
are milder, its song is in the north, with the exception of the time
of moulting, continued in fine weather throughout the year, and, as
if it felt the winter day too brief, its melody ceases not even when
the sun goes down. By reference to memoranda, it appears that in
December 1831, I heard it at Wolfhill, on the 5th, 30 minutes, on
the 19th, 40 minutes, and on the 26th, 45 minutes after sunset.
In summer, too, indeed, its notes are sometimes prolonged until a late
hour. On the 27th of May, Ionceheardthem at half past nine o’clock
Pp. M.; and a friend informs me, that about midsummer he on one
occasion heard them, in this neighbourhood also, at a quarter to ten
‘o'clock p.m. In June | have listened to its song so early as a quar-
ter past two o'clock a. m. When travelling in the month of Juneover
a very wild mountain tract between Cushendall and Ballycastle,
(co. Antrim,) covered with heath, and having no trees within miles
of it, I heard two thrushes singing ; the nearer one, which I saw and
listened to for some time, was perched on a ragweed (Senecio Ja-
cobexa) that overtopped the heath. The next day I saw one at a
still wilder place, near the summit of the promontory of Fairhead.

The favourite site of the thrush’s nest in the north of Ireland is
in evergreen shrubs, and young trees, and in beech hedges, yet even
where these abound, it not unfrequently prefers placing it in the
holes of walls and beneath the roofs of sheds. In one of the latter
situations I knew a pair to build on the top of a beam for three suc-
cessive summers, though this house was in the midst of shruberries
and plantations. A relative, who has attended much to the nidi-
fication of birds, found the nest of a thrush containing five eggs, on
the ground in a meadow, with grass about two feet high waving

Natural History of Ireland. 435

over it. This also was at a place abounding in the ordinary situations
that are selected. This same person once saw a nest in a pear tree
in a well-kept garden, where mosses were scarce, that, excepting the
inner coat of plaster, was entirely formed of hay. The thrush has
commonly a second brood. I have several memoranda of young
birds being unfledged late in August. The following remarkable
instance of fecundity, &c. which seems worthy of being fully de-
tailed, has been furnished me by Mr Edward Benn, an accurate
observer :—Very early in 1836, a thrush built her nest in a beech
hedge in our garden, at Saul, near Downpatrick. When the leaves
were blown from the beech by the gales of early spring, she was
quite exposed to view, but on perceiving herself looked at remained
on the nest without being disturbed. We commenced feeding her
with worms, which, to avoid startling her by a too near approach,
were offered on the end of a long rod ; then with bread, which was
taken from the hand ; she was now as tame as a domestic fowl.

There were three young. When these were fledged a second nest

was formed near the same place, and now she fed as before, but in

_abolder manner. There were in this instance five young. When
these were well grown, soas to fill the nest, she would perch on the
edge, and feed from the hand, allow her plumage to be stroked, but
_ if too much disturbed, became noisy, and struck with her wings at
_ the intruder. When this brood could provide for themselves, a
third nest was constructed, when the same part was repeated, and
__ five young produced. These gone, she built a fourth nest at the far-
_ ther end of the hedge from the house, but on going to feed her here
_ one morning as usual, she appeared in great consternation on the
! bank, and the nest was found torn to pieces. A day or two after-
wards she began the erection of a fifth, and, evidently for the sake
of protection, this time chose a site quite close to the house. On this
occasion four young got offin safety, after which we saw her no more.
Thus seventeen young altogether were produced. Thirty persons
at least witnessed what is here related, and fed the bird in her nest.
She was indifferent to the presence of strangers.

Although thrushes are very destructive to our cherries and other
fruits, the admirationsin which their song is held generally pleads
so strongly in their favour as to save them from destruction. Ina

_ friend’s garden near Belfast, I have known a few of them to forfeit
_ their lives by eating of the fruit, with which traps were baited for
blackbirds. In the hothouse at this same place, the gardener one
g day caught a few of them regaling on his grapes. By several Bri-

_ tish authors, the Helix nemoralis is particularized as a favourite re-
VOL. I1. No. 11. Gg

.

a eS ae.

es

436 Contributions to the

past with this species, to which one author adds the Hel. hortensvs,
(Jour. of a Nat. p. 339,) and another the Hel. lucida, (Wern. Mem.
Vol. iii. p. 180,) but its predilection for such food is far from being li-
mited to these species. The beautiful Helix arbustorum, whose
delicate shell is much more easily broken than either of the others,
is an especial favourite ; but this species is not by any means so ge-
nerally distributed, particularly as the first mentioned. So eagerly
is it sought for by the thrush, and probably also by the blackbird,
that in some localities, when the fragments of shells they had broken
first announced to me its contiguity, I have found it difficult to ob-
tain specimens after their successful foraging.
In addition to the naked or externally shelless snails, insects,
_seeds, &c. the smaller Helices and other land shells form in winter
a very considerable portion of the thrush’s food. From a single
stomach I have taken the Helix cellaria, H. pura,and H. radiata,

in addition to Limacelli ; and have similarly met with the Bulimus
lubricus.

Repwine— Turdus ihacus, Linn.—The migration of this species,
like that of the fieldfare, extends every winter over Ireland. In
the north they generally arrive early in October, and remain until
the beginning or middle of April; until the end of this month they
delayed in the late spring of 1837. About Killaloe, I am informed
that their average arrival is in the first week of November. In
Kerry the redwing is reported to me as more common than the
‘fieldfare, and in the north it likewise prevails numerically over this
species. What has been said a page or two back on the haunts and
occasional migration of the fieldfare equally applies to the red-
wing. In the severe winter of 1813 these birds were so reduced
about Youghal that my informant killed several of both species with
a stick thrown from the hand. In the north, I am told, this winter
was remarkably fatal to birds generally.

In fine weather, and chiefly towards spring, a flock of redwings
from a hedge or plantation sometimes delights us with a most agree-
able concert, and asingle bird cccasionally utters a few melodious
notes. A young friend resident at Cromac, near Belfast, who states
that he has often heard single redwings sing their favourite tune,
being early in the morning and forenoon, compares what he desig-
nates their song to that of the gray linnet, (Fringilla cannabina,)
and remarks, that it is always in a low subdued tone ; but from what
we read of their melody in their native forests, they are called the

Natural History of Ireland. 437

nightingale of Norway. * What is here mentioned seems to me no-
thing more than a repetition of their notes, or what bird-fanciers
call “ recording.”

Of the stomachs of three redwings opened by me, one in January
contained the remains of insects, two shells of Helix cellaria and
one of H. radiata ; two in December exhibited worms, vegetable
food, (chiefly bits of grass,) remains of cloeopterous insects, and se-
veral Limacelli ; one had in addition two of the Bulimus lubricus,
a Helix hispida, and three of H. rufescens: of these shells some
were perfect.

The common name of this species in the north is “ small Felt,”
in contradistinction to the fieldfare, which is called « big or pigeon

Felt.”

Tue Bracxsirp—-T'urdus merula, Linn.—Is constantly resi-
dent, and very common in Ireland. The indigenous birds do not
congregate, nor have I heard of flocks being ever seen on their mi-
gration from the north of Europe in any part of this country, as
they appear in England. (See Selby’s Il. of Brit. Orn. Vol. i. p. 167,
2d. ed.) They are indeed stated to be more numerous about Tra-
lee (co. Kerry) in winter than in summer, but their comparative
scarcity in the latter season is attributed by my correspondent to
the want of woods and thickets wherein to nestle. In the middle
of June, I have heard the blackbird sing as early in the morning as
a quarter past two o'clock. Thomas Walker Junior, Esq. of Bel-
mont, Wexford, remarks in a letter to me, dated November 1836,
that “ last year numbers of people went to Mr Boxwell’s of Lyn-
gestown, to hear a blackbird in his shrubberries that clapped his
wings and crew like a bantam cock. The circumstance was mention-
ed in several newspapers at the time.” A similar fact is particu-
larly described in the Magazine of Natural History, Vol. iv. p. 433.

In the north of Ireland, they are very destructive to fruits of al-
most every kind ; even apples when fallen to the ground suffer
much from them. To the earlier fruits in a friend’s garden near
Belfast they were so injurious in the autumn of 1833, that he had
recourse to the common rat trap for their destruction. It was bait-

_ ed with currants, cherries, and early peas, and although exposed to

view, + forty of these birds soon fell victims to it, and at the same

* Mag. Zool. and Bot. Vol. ii. p. 312.
+ For many species, such as the magpie, hooded crow, &c. it requires to be

concealed, the bait only being exposed to view.

438 Contributions to the

time three thrushes shared a similar fate. When a cherry and
pear were placed on the trap, the former was’ always prefered
to the pear. All of these birds but one were caught by the neck,
thus proving that it was in the act of eating the fruit they were
secured.

On observing some plants in the Belfast Botanic Garden in Janu-
ary last, that had been much injured by birds, I learned on inquiry
from the curator, that he had seen blackbirds tearing up different
species of saxifrage, even in mild weather ; and I saw plants of the
Saxifraga pedatifida and S. tridactylites, of which hardly a fragment
remained, though each had formed a round clump at least a yard
in diameter ; beside these, I remarked a similarly large patch of Sax.
-hypnoides untouched ; but this species, I was told, had elsewhere
been attacked in the garden. In the present instance it was unin-
jured, apparently in consequence of forming a more unyielding mass,
and, besides, its green surface foliage was so dense, that insects, &c.
could hardly lodge beneath it. In our mountain glens I have in
winter observed tufts of the rein-deer lichen (Cladoma rangiferina)
lying strewn about, and inferred it was the work of either the
thrush or blackbird in search of food, and, from what is just stated,
I have little doubt of the correctness of my inference.

Ten of these birds killed in November, December, and January
in various years, the contents of whose stomachs I inspected, pre-
sented haws, coleopterous and other insects and their larve, earth
worms, limacelli ; &c. in three of them were land-shells, one
alone producing six specimens of Bulimus lubricus, and ten of Helix
yadiata—the weather was mild when this bird was obtained, as it
was when another filled with haws was procured.

I have seen several Irish specimens of the blackbird variegated
with white, in some instances obviously the result of disease. Some
of them had the legs and toes also marked with this colour.

Tue Rine Ouzer—Turdus torquatus, Linn.—Extends its mi-
gration in summer over this country. It has occurred to me in the
mountains of the extreme north-west in Donegal, * and at Achil
Head, one of the most westerly points of Connaught. In the counties
of Clare, Kerry, Cork, Waterford, Tipperary and Dublin, it is stat-
ed by correspondents to be met with ; and I have seen it on Carling-
ford mountain in Louth, as well as in the chain of Mourne moun-

* J. V. Stewart, Esq. mentions in a letter to me, that he has twice seen the
ring-ouzel during winter in this county.

]

Natural fMistory of Lreland. 439

tains, &c. in Down, and the range of Belfast mountains and others
in Antrim.

Not later than the middle of April it appears about Belfast, ge-
nerally departs towards the end of September, but occasionally re-
mains until the middle of October. Here commonly one, but in
some instances two pairs, frequent the wildest and most rocky parts
of every glen or ravine that intersects the chain of mountains to the
westward of the town. Within the distance of five or six miles
there are as many of these localities resorted to by them, and here
only are they found, except at the periods of their migratory move-
ments. When walking in the Crow Glen, one of these haunts,
on a summer evening in 1829, with my pointer dog some paces in
advance, it was amusing to see twv ring-ouzels pursuing him with
their loudest cries, and approaching so near as to strike the air
violently within a few inches of his head. Many an earnest and ex-
pressive look the dog gave me, as if desirous of advice in his extre-
mity, but finding it all in vain, at length ran up to me, when they,
nothing daunted, followed, and gave myself as well as two friends
who were with me, the same salute, flying so near that we could
almost have struck them with our hands. At the beginning of the
onset, a female bird appeared, as if inciting the males forward, and
remained so long as they were attaining the highest pitch of violence,
and then like another heroine, retired to a commanding eminence
to be “ spectatress of the fight.” Had they been a pair of birds
protecting their young, or assuming similar artifice to the lapwing,
in withdrawing attention from their nest, in which the ring-ouzel is
also said to be an adept, the circumstance would perhaps be un-
worthy of notice, but they were both male birds .in adult plumage.
The chase of the dog was continued a considerable way down the
glen, and for fully fifteen or twenty minutes.

The nest of the ring-ouzel is placed on the ground, and generally
on the side either of the shelving or precipitous banks of our moun-
tain streams. One of those found by a relative before alluded to,
was artfully set beneath an overhanging bank, whose mosses, of
which materials the nest was composed, entirely concealed it from
ordinary view.

The stomach of a ring-ouzel which I obtained in the middle of
September last, exhibited a quantity of the larvze of insects of seve-
ral kinds. In the north this species is known by the name of “ rock
or mountain blackbird.”

GotpEn Or10oLE-—-Oriolus galbula, Linn.—A bird described to

440 Schomburgh’s Description of Victoria Regina.

R. Ball, Esq. as having frequented a garden at Middleton, in the
county of Cork, about the year 1817, he is satisfied must have been
of this species. From the Zoological Journal (Vol. i. p. 590.) we
learn that “a specimen of the Oriolus galbula, Linn. was shot in the
county of Wexford in May last, (1823,) and is preserved in the Mu-
seum of the Dublin Society.” In the spring of 1824, a female of
this species was shot by a gentleman of my acquaintance near Dona-
ghadee, in the county of Down. A male bird was soon afterwards
seen about the same place.* Near Arklow, in the county Wick-
low, I have been credibly informed that a specimen was procured
about the summer of 1827. In a letter from Dr Robert Graves of
Dublin, to a mutual friend in Belfast, dated November 1830, it is
‘mentioned that a male golden oriole was shot in the previous sum-
mer by one of his pupils in a valley above one of the bays of the
county Kerry.

Tae Heper AccENtor—Accentor modularis, Cuv.—Is very
common throughout Ireland. It is not confined to the country, but
also takes up its abode in the plantations about the squares, &c. in
towns. From a narrow skirting of shrubbery before our house in Bel-
fast, I have frequently heard its song trilled forth in mild days dur-
ing winter. It has always seemed to me one of the most peaceable
of birds, but that it can be moved to enmity, I have the testimony
of a friend, who at the end of May once witnessed a fight between
two of them, in which one was killed ; the victor after having slain
his antagonist, twice or thrice uttered a song apparently of triumph,
at the finale of which he each time flew at and struck his victim.

The bill and legs- af the hedge accentor are occasionally in this
country covered with large excrescences, like those described in the
Magazine of Natural History, Vol. vi. p.154. “ Hedge sparrow” is
the name applied to this species in the north. It is very agreeably
treated of in the Journal of a Naturalist, p. 148.

VIIL.—Dr Robert H. Schomburgh’s description of Victoria Regina,
Gray. Plate XV.

Tue character of grandeur so peculiar to the productions of a tro-
pical sun and a humid climate is highly developed in the object of
the above description. The Holy Cyamus or Pythagorean Bean
is said to have been derived from a plant closely related to the

* These are the same individuals alluded to by Mr Templeton, Mag. Nat.
Hist. Vol. i. p. 405, New Series.

Schomburgh’s Description of Victoria Regina. 44]

Nymphacez, (Nelumbium speciosum,) and not only that it is high-
ly valued in India and China, and cultivated in large ornamental
pots in the gardens and houses of the Mandarins, but it has been
held in such high estimation that at last it was considered sacred.
The description and illustrations which have been transmitted to us
of this noble plant have raised the desire in many a botanist to see
it in its native country. In my rambles through the West Indian
Archipelago, I had frequently met the white water lily ; but the re-
mark of an eminent botanist, that these floating plants were entire-
ly unknown on the continent of South America, did not make me
expect to find a representative of that tribe, which, for the superior
grandeur of its leaves, the beauty of its flowers, and its fragrance,
may be classed amongst the grandest preductions of the vegetable
world. It was on the lst of January this year, while contending
with the difficulties nature opposed in different forms to our pro-
gress up the river Berbice, (in British Guiana,) that we arrived at
@ point where the river expanded and formed a currentless basin.
Some object on the southern extremity of this basin attracted my at-
tention. It was impossible to form any idea what it could be, and,
animating the crew to increase the rate of their paddling, shortly
afterwards we were opposite the object which had raised my curio-
sity. A vegetable wonder ! all calamities were forgotten, I felt as
botanist, and felt myselfrewarded. A gigantic leaf, from 5 to 6 feet
in diameter ; salver-shaped, with a broad rim of light green above,
and a vivid crimson below, resting upon the water. Quite in cha-
racter with the wonderful leaf was the luxuriant flower, consisting
of many hundred petals, passing in alternate tints from pure white
to rose and pink. ‘The smooth water was covered with them, and
I rowed from one to the other, and observed always something new
to admire. ‘The leaf on its surface is of a bright green, in form al-
most orbiculate, with this exception, opposite its axis, where it is
slightly bent up. Its diameter measured from 5 to 6 feet ; around
the whole margin extended a rim about 3 to 5 inches high, on the
inside light green, like the surface of the leaf, on the outside, like
the leaf’s lower part, of a bright crimson. The ribs are very pro-
minent, almost an inch high, radiate from a common centre, and
consist of eight principal ones, with a great many others branching
off from them. ‘These are crossed again by a raised membrane, or
bands at right angles, which gives the whole the appearance of a
spider’s web, and are beset with prickles ; the veins contain air-cells
like the petiole and flower stem. The divisions of the ribs and
bands are visible on the upper surface of the leaf, by which it ap-

442 Contribution towards a

pears areolated. The young leaf is convolute, and expands but
slowly ; the prickly stem ascends with the young leaf till it has
reached the surface ; by the time it is developed its own weight
depresses the stem, and it floats now on the water. The stem of the
flower is an inch thick near the calix, and is studded with sharp
elastic prickles, about three quarters of an inchin length. The calix
is four-leaved, each upwards of 7 inches in length, and 3 inches in
breadth ; at the base they are thick, white inside, reddish brown and
prickly outside. The diameter of the calix is 12 to 23 inches, on it
rests the magnificent flower, which, when fully developed, covers
completely the calix with its hundred petals. When it first opens,
it is white, with pink in the middle, which spreads over the whole
flower, the more it advances in age, and it is generally found the next
day of pink-colour. As if to enhance its beauty, it is sweet scent-
ed. Like others ofits tribe it possesses a fleshy disk, and the petals
and stamen pass gradually into each other, and many petaloid
leaves may be observed which have vestiges of another. ‘The pe-
tals next to the leaves of the calix are fleshy, and possess air-cells,
which certainly must contribute to the buoyancy of the flower.
The seeds of the many-celled fruit are numerous, and imbedded in
a spongy substance. We met them hereafter frequently, and the
higher we advanced the more gigantic they became. We measured a
leaf which was 6 feet 5 inches in diameter, its rim 54 inches high,
and the flower across 15 inches. The flower is much injured by a
beetle, (Trichius. “‘ Spec ?”) which destroys completely the inner
part of the disk, we have counted sometimes from 20 to 30 in one
flower. Extract of «@ letter from Dr Schomburgh to the Botant-
cal Society of London, 17th October 1837.

= ee Se 2

VIII.— Contribution towards a knowledge of the Crenilabri ( Cuv.)
of Ireland, including Descriptions of Species, apparently new to
Science.* By Wiri1am TxHompson, Esq. Vice-President of
the Natural History Society of Belfast. Plates XIII and XIV.

CRENILABRUs TINCA, and C. CornusBicus of Authors.

During the month of September 1835, which I spent at Bangor,
on the coast of Down, I embraced the opportunity of examining
these species in a recent state, as on every calm day they were in

* Read in part to the Zoological Society of London in June 1837, when
specimens of all the species and varieties treated of were exhibited.

knowledge of the Crenilabri. 443

about equal numbers caught by lads, fishing from the rocks, who
provided me with them.

This examination proved to my satisfaction that the C. tinca
and C. Cornubicus are not distinct. The colowr was as commonly
described, in so far that the smaller specimens,* up to the length of
six inches,—but not all under this size,—had on the body at the
base of the caudal fin the black spot of C. Cornubieus, and the
larger (C. tinca) wanted it ; also, in the former being generally
rather less brilliant in colour. Some specimens of an intermediate
size, however, had the above-named spot of an obscure brown, sug-
gesting, that this spot, originally black, may change gradually te
this colour, and afterwards become obliterated,—an effect analogous
to which, but to a much greater extent, takes place, according to
Agassiz, in certain species of the Salmonide, The dorsal fin was
similar in all, the spinous portion being marked alternately with
longitudinal lines of green and red, and the soft portion red, with
roundish green spots. In no other marking or distribution of co-
lours was there any difference between them.

In not one of the many characters which come under the head of
« form’ was there any difference ; the proportion of depth to length,
denticulations of pre-opercle and teeth,+ being similar in both. In
these characters Mr Jenyns considers the C. tinca and C. Cornu-
bicus differ, (Man. Brit. Vert. p. 398,) and from his great accuracy
there cannot be a doubt that they did so in the specimens he exa-

_ mined ; but it was, I presume, merely individual, as the differential
characters he has assigned to each have occurred to me in the other.
_ Dr Fleming has brought these species together, (Brit. Anim. p.
_ 208 ;) but we are not informed whether it was their general simi-
larity, or an actual examination of specimens that led him to this
_ conclusion.
Mr Couch remarks of C. tinca and C. Cornubicus, (Mag. Nat.
Hist. Vol. v. p. 742,) that they differ in size, shape, colour, and ha-
bits. The three first differences have been already dwelt upon;
_ but as to habits, I have only circumstantial evidence of their simi-

* In the collection of R. Ball, Esq. of Dublin, there are smaller specimens
_ than any obtained at Bangor. Ten of these which I examined, and of which
several were about 13 inch long, had the black spot conspicuous. The largest,
individual I have seen with this marking is 8% inches in length. It was procur-
ed on the northern coast of Ireland in the course of the Ordnance Survey.

+ In two Bangor specimens of C. Cornubicus there are fourteen teeth in the
lower jaw, a greater number than which is not possessed by any C. tinca I
examined with them. The second row of teeth in the upper jaw is most appa-
rent in the larger individuals, or, in other words, in C. tinca.

Sean eo

444 Contributions towards a

larity, by the supposed two species being taken in like quantity at
the same time and place, and with the same bait. The C. Cornu-
bicus is, under the name of ‘“ Corkwing,”’ admitted by Mr Couch
occasionally to want the black spot on the tail, (Mag. Nat. Hist.
Vol. v. p. 18,) and is in this state considered by him to constitute the
** Gibbous Wrasse” of Pennant. I, believing the C. linca and
C. Cornubicus to be identical, am inclined to think the gibbous
wrasse is an accidental variety of C. tinca. The only thing like
a specific difference that I can perceive in any of the characters in-
cluded under “ form” in the C. gibbus, is its greater depth, which
is to its length as three to eight,—the average depth of C. tinca I
find to be as three to nine, and the proportion varies,—though cer-
_ tainly, not so far as I have observed, according to any peculiarity of
colouring, which is supposed to mark C. tinca and C. Cornubicus.
The only difference between them in colour worthy of remark is,
that C. gibbus has a “ dusky semilunar spot above each eye,” and
the “ pectoral fins marked at the base with transverse stripes of
red.” The C. tenca has a “ dusky” mark behind the eye, which
does rarely reach above it posteriorly, and amongst my specimens
is one exhibiting three transverse stripes of red at the base of the
pectoral fin, though all the others have but one stripe. Finding
specimens of the C. ¢énca thus varying both in form and colour, |
have not a doubt of the C. gibbus being an accidental variety of it,
an opinion which is mueh strengthened by one individual only hav-
ing ever occurred. With these views, it appears to me that the
‘name of C. tinca should be used to designate the species, and C.
Cornubicus and C. gibbus to mark its varieties. This species, in
its ordinary aspect, and in that of the variety first mentioned, pro-
bably occurs on all the rocky parts of the Irish coast. I have seen
specimens of both from a wide range of the northern, eastern, and
southern shores.

Since the above was read to the Zoological Society, I have ob-
served in the collection of my friend K. Ball, Esq. a fish named by
him C. gibbus, which further serves to illustrate what has been
just advanced. ‘This specimen, which was taken at Youghal, is in
length 8 inches, its greatest depth of body, exclusive of fins, 2 inches
7 lines,—the depth to length thus being as 1 to 23.—The fin rays
are :

D.16+9 A.3+10. V.1+ 5. P. 15. C. 15, and some short.
Its profile from the mouth to the commencement of the dorsal fin
is even more vertical than represented in Pennant’s figure of the
gibbous wrasse, but here, instead of about the centre of this fin, is

knowledge of the Crenilabri. 445

its maximum height. From this point it falls away gradually to the
tail, so that without including the dorsal fin, it does not present
the depth relatively to the length described by Pennant. It is at
the same time evidently his C. gibbus, and as evidently a mal-formed
specimen of C. tinca. The original colour cannot now be accu-
rately determined. It, however, wants the black spot of C. Cornu-
bicus.

CRENILABRUS RUPESTRIS,* (Lutjanus rupestris, Bloch, )
Jago’s Goldsinny.

On the 10th and 13th of September 1835, I detected two speci-
mens of this fish at Bangor, (co. Down,) amongst a number of the
C. tinca and C. Cornubicus that were taken by boys fishing from
the rocks, and using as bait a species of Nereis, apparently the JV.
rufa of Pennant. The following short description, drawn up from
them when recent, may not be unacceptable, as the species is sub-
ject to much variation. Total length 43 and 4? inches; number
of fin rays,

D.17+9. P.14. V.14+5. A.3+4+8. C. 15, well developed. Br. 5.

18 + 9. 15. 1 + 5. 3 + 8. 15.

Depth, equal to length of head ; head to length of body nearly as t
to 3; lateral line taking the precise form of dorsal profile. A row
of pores appearing near the margin of the pre-opercle is continued
forward over the eye. Behind its upper portion they are numerous,
and irregularly disposed. Caudal fin covered with scales for two-
thirds of its length from the base, none upon the dorsal and anal
fins, their base being concealed by the scales of the body. Colour
above the lateral line greenish-brown, below it changing gradually
to pale green, the colour of the belly. Some irregular rows of orange
spots occur longitudinally beneath the lateral line. Pectoral fins
orange-yellow, which colour, with lighter shades of yellow, prevails
in all the fins except the anterior portion of the dorsal, which from

the first to the fourth ray is black ; of this colour also are the upper
margin of the eye and orbit, and a roundish spot at the upper edge
of the tail. The centre of the scales being of a rather darker shade
than their margin, gives to these specimens the appearance of being
faintly lineated.

They seem to be identical with the species represented in the
vignette to C. duscus, in Mr Yarrell’s “ British Fishes,” (Vol. i. p.
301,+) though certainly not with the figure preceding the article,

* See Mr Selby in Mag. Zool. and Bot. Vol. i. p. 170.
+ Mr Yarrell has subsequently informed me that this vignette was drawn from

a specimen of C. rupestris.

%; 7
we

io <r

4.46 Contributions towards a

nor with the description of C. luscus. The vignette differs from
them in the mouth, which is placed too high, and is thus made un-
naturally to resemble that of the T'rachinus vipera.

Such were the observations made on these individuals in a recent
state. In the month of February 1836, a specimen of the same fish,
which was cast ashore at Bamborough, came into the possession of
P. J. Selby, Esq., and formed the subject of a communication to
this Magazine in the following August. Mr Selby here satisfac-
torily showed that it was the goldsinny of Jago, and Lutjanus ru-
pestris of Bloch, but of a different species from the fish now known
by the former name. My specimens had not the least indication of
transverse bands on the sides, as described and figured by Bloch
and Selby, nor was there any appearance of blue either in spots or
lines upon the head. On examination of several individuals in Mr
Yarrell’s collection, I found no appearance of transverse markings.
Nillson observes (Prod. Icht. Scand.) that the colour of the species
is variable.

CRENILABRUS MICROSTOMA, Couch MS. Small mouthed Wrasse.
Plate XIV.

In the month of June 1836, a species of Crenilabrus was found
on the beach of the county Antrim near Cairnlough, by my friend
Dr J. L. Drummond, when engaged in collecting Algw, and on his
return to Belfast shortly afterwards, was kindly handed over to me.
Being apparently undescribed, I at once drew up a minute account

_of it. When in London at the beginning of last summer, I ascer-
tained that the same species had been met with in Cornwall by Mr
Couch, who likewise considered it as new, and sent two specimens
to Mr Yarrell, under the appropriate name of C. microstoma, a term,
which, although unpublished, I consider it but fair to adopt, as Mr
Couch had the priority in obtaining the species.

Its most prominent characters are: Body rather deep, mouth
small, teeth few in number, and rounded or truncated at the sum-
mits ; scales very large, those on the body concealing the base of |
the dorsal and anal fins, but none on these fins, anal fin with five or
six spinous rays, ventral scale half the length of ventral fin, no black-
ish spots on body or fins.

D. 19 + 6. A.6 + 7. P. 13. V. 1 + 5. C. 14. and some short = Br. 5.

Detailed description.—Length 3 inches ; depth to entire length
nearly as 1 to 34; first quarter of dorsal profile sloping moderate-
ly upwards, second flat, third turning rather suddenly downwards,
and terminating with the dorsal fin, thence straight to the base of
the caudal fin ;* ventral profile very convex, sloping equally from

" Two specimens have this form ; the other two have the dorsal profile fine-

er eee

Knowledge of the Crenilabri. 447

both extremities to centre ; head occupying about one-fourth of en-
tire length ; jaws equal ; mouth small ; lips double, much resemb-
ling those of Labrus maculatus, Bl. ; teeth strong, rounded or truncat-
ed at the summits, not serrated, a single row of twelve, rather uni-
form in size in the lower jaw ; two rows at the interior part of up-
per jaw, those of the outer row the larger, and seven in number, ex-
ceeding the teeth of the lower jaw in size, eyes large, more than
their diameter distant from the snout, their distance from each
other equal to their diameter ; a row of pores round the eyes, and
some on the top of the head ; pre-opercle somewhat rounded at the
base, ascending rather obliquely, strongly serrated, the denticulations
extending half-way along its base, covered with small scales ; oper-
cle somewhat triangular, covered with large scales ; scales on the
body very large, smooth, and roundish at their free margins, three
rows above lateral line, nine below it ; lateral line for two-thirds an-
teriorly placed high, at one-fourth of the depth, and the precise form
of dorsal profile ; ventral central ; dorsal fincommencing at one-fourth
of the entire length from snout, and continuing to near the tail, end-
ing almost in a line with the anal fin, first ray very short, but they
gradually increase to the twenty-fourth, which is longest, a mem-
branous filament near the point of each spinous ray ; pectoral fin two-
thirds the length of head, originating in the same line with the dor-
sal fin; ventral fin beginning at about one-third of the entire length
from the head, ventral scale about half the length of ventral fin ;
anal fin originating nearly in a line with the fifteenth spinous ray of
dorsal fin, and like it, when laid against the body, reaching to the
outer short rays of the caudal fin, the dorsal rather exceeding the anal
in length ; caudal fin obscurely rounded, and covered with scales at
the base for one-fourth of its length ; scales of the body concealing
the base of the dorsal and anal fins, but none on the fins.

Having had an opportunity in the present month (October 1837,)
of looking over the collection of fishes obtained on the coasts of the
counties of Londonderry and Antrim, during the progress of the
Ordnance Survey, I had the satisfaction of seeing three specimens
of the C. microstoma, which were liberally offered for my use by
Captain Portlock, R. E., who at the same time suggested, that, if de-
sirable, a drawing of one of them should be made by the gentleman
attached as draughtsman to the Survey. To this kindness I am in-
debted for the drawing which accompanies the paper, the original

ly arched, and from the centre slope equally to each extremity; in these the

ventral profile is rather less convex than in the former. The difference is pro-
bably sexual.

448 Contributions towards a

specimen having been too much dried up by exposure on the beach
to be available for this purpose. Of these individuals, the first was
obtained at the mouth of Lough Foyle, (co. Londonderry,) and the
others in the small bay at Cairnlough, where the specimen was found
by Dr Drummond. These are respectively 43, 5, and 53 inches in
length, and those sent from Cornwall to Mr Yarrell, being about
the same size, render it probable that they may be full grown.
Their colour in spirits varies slightly, but the one which best re-
tains its original markings may be described as having the sides of
a deep salmon colour, with a dusky tinge ; upper part of head purple ;
upper margin of eye and orbit blackish ; stripes of violet and orange
alternating below the eye longitudinally to near the mouth, where
they become vertical; belly silvery white ; some of the scales, in-
cluding those on which the lateral line appears tinged, witha gold-
en metallic lustre ; dorsal fin violet blue at the base, with an orange
stripe above; anal fin violet blue, striped with reddish orange ;
pectoral fin, brownish orange, with a dark stripe at its outer base,
as in C. tinca; ventral fin diaphanons, tinged with orange ; caudal
fin dusky, towards the tip blackish. The fin rays of these three
specimens are,

D.19+ 7. P. 14. V.1+5. A. 5 4 7. C. 13? and some short = Br. 5.

19 + 6. 13. 1 + 5. o + 7. 13. do.
20 + 6. 15. Let 5. 6 + 7. 15. do.

In the number of spinous rays in the anal fin, this species agrees
with a British Crenilabrus, the ‘© Scale-rayed Wrasse” of Couch,
(Mag. Nat. Hist. Vol. v. pp. 18 and 742,) which, however, differs
from it widely in the form and number of the teeth, in the num-
ber of dorsal fin-rays, (21 + 8,) in having processes of imbricated
scales between the rays of the dorsal and anal fins, and above all,
in form, being “ very much elongated.” With the C. eolelus,
which has a wide range over the European seas, it accords more
nearly than with any other species I have seen described. The
number of spinous rays in the anal fin is the same, but the C. exoie-
tus, as describedin detail by Risso, (Hist. Nat. l’Eur. Merid. T. iii.
p- 329, ed. 1826,) differs from it in the number of rays in the dorsal
fin, (20 + 9,) and in having scales on its base, in the teeth, (which
are pointed,) and in having a large black spot on the caudal fin.
Linneus in his description of this fish, (Labrus exoletus, Syst. Nat.
T. i. p. 479, ed. 13,) gives about the same number of rays in the
fins as the Irish specimens possess ; but the brevity of his description*

|

* “ Pina dorsali ramentacea, corpore lineis ceruleis, pinna ani spinis 5. D.
oP, 13. V. 2. A. Se. 6 13.”

Knowledge of the Crenilabri. 449

precludes farther comparison, and at the same time it leaves us in
doubt whether his Labrus exoletus and the Crenilabrus microstoma
may not be identical.

CRENILABRUS MULTIDENTATUS, Nob. Ball’s Wrasse. Pl. XIII.

Three specimens of a Crenilabrus, taken at Youghal in the sum-
mer of 1835, have been kindly sent me for examination by R. Ball,
Esq. As in the instance of the last species, I cannot, by careful re-
search, find any fish described with which they accord, I with some
hesitation bring them forward as new, under the name of C. multi-
dentatus.

Their chief characteristics are—Form elongated ; mouth large and
powerfully armed with pointed teeth ; pre-opercle obscurely denticu-
lated ; scales of mederate size ; ventral scale one-fourth the length of
ventral fin ; a blackish spot behind the eye, one at the base of the
last ray of the dorsal fin, and a third at the lowermost portion of
the tail.

D. 19-10. A. 3-+-8 P. 14. V.1-++5. C. 13, well developed = Branch. mem. 5°

The specimen from which the following description is drawn up
is in length 23 inches; depth 1 of the entire length, and less
than the length of head ; head to entire length is 1 to 2% ; upper
jaw the longer ; lips prominent and double ; mouth large ; teeth
numerous and large, two rows in the upper, one in the lower jaw ;
number in lower twenty-six. The five hinder ones in each side
equal, thence forward to the centre eight unequal, of which the two
in front are considerably the largest, and curve inwards ; in the
outer row of upper jaw twenty, the four hinder on each side of equal
size, next six increasing somewhat gradually to the centre ; no ser-
ration visible with the highest power of a lens on any tooth ; the
larger teeth in both jaws sharp and curving inwards. This number
and arrangement of teeth relatively to size, the same in two out of
three specimens. Eyes of moderate size, distance between them
equal to their diameter ; a row of pores appears above each eye, ex-
tends back to the pre-opercle, and thence through its entire length
a short way in from the margin ; pre-opercle ascending obliquely,
obscurely denticulated, especially towards the base ; covered with
small scales ; opercle covered with large scales ; scales of the body
of moderate size, somewhat rounded at their free margins, strongly
marked with concentric striz ; lateral line takes the form of dorsal
profile, and extends between one-third and one-fourth of the entire
depth below it ; ventral central. Dorsal fin commences at one-third of
the entire length, and ends considerably nearer the tail than the anal

450 Contribution towards a knowledge of the Crenilabri.

fin, its soft portion one-third higher than the spinous ; a membranous
filament from near the point of each spinous ray. Anal fin begins
nearly in a line with the seventeenth spinous ray of dorsal fin, its
distance from the caudal fin equal to its entire length. Pectoral
fin rounded, more than half the length of head, originates a very
little in advance of dorsal fin, and about one-fourth of its length in
advance of ventral fin, placed low, its distance from the latter
equal to its own base. Ventral scale about one-fourth the length
of ventral fin. Caudal fin rounded. ‘The central rays rather dis-
proportionately long, one-third of its base thickly covered with scales,
of which there are none in the dorsal and anal fins.

Colour of the specimen in spirits, very pale greenish brown over

the back, olive green on the sides, becoming paler beneath ; sides
with darker longitudinal bands throughout ; from dorsal to ventral
profile above the lateral line, they take its form, below it they are
straight. Three blackish spots, one on the pre-opercle behind, and
rather below the centre of the eye, a second on the body at the base
of the caudal fin, and at its lowermost portion, and the third at the
base of the last ray of the dorsal fin.

It is perhaps worthy of particular mention, that the specimens
under consideration have been critically compared with Risso’s
descriptions (ed. 1826) of all the numerous species of Crenilabri,
and also with the Labri, in consequence of the pre-opercle being
but obscurely denticulated, inhabiting the Mediterranean, as well
_as with all those described under the genera Lutjanus and Labrus,
in the general works of Bloch and Schneider.

Explanation of Plates.
Pl, XIII. Crenilabrus multidentatus, natural size.
SIV, C microstoma. a. scale nat. size.

REVIEWS AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS.

Dr Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopedia. Natural History. Natural
History and Classification of Birds. By W. Swanson, Esq.
A.C.G., F.R.S. L., &e. Vol. IZ. London, Longman and Co.
1837.

Since the publication of the seventh Number of the Magazine of
_ Zoology and Botany, in which our review of this interesting depart-
ment of the Cabinet Cyclopzdia embraced the whole of the volumes
_ then published, another has appeared, being the second of the orni-
_ thological series, and which, as bringing to a conclusion the author’s

observations and views on the natural history and arrangement of
birds, is too important not to demand our early notice and attention.
_ Of this volume we can venture to speak in terms of approval simi-
_ lar to those we have bestowed upon the previous labours of the dis-
tinguished author. It is a companion worthy to stand by its pre-
decessors, exhibiting, wherever Mr Swainson has allowed himself
_ to go into detail, the same luminous and philosophic views in regard
to natural arrangement, and that thorough acquaintance with his
subject, even to the minutest analytical detail, which proclaims him
_ to be one of the first ornithologists, we may add naturalists, of the
present age. We cannot however but regret, that the limit to
_ which he has been restricted has obliged him to compress into one
_ volume, matter sufficient to have occupied two, for with the excep-
tion- of the Insessores, the other orders are comparatively left in an
unfinished state ; in some of them the great or primary division
_ alone being glanced at. We undoubtedly are aware, that, with our
_ present limited knowledge of the constituent parts of these orders, it
is impossible to determine or arrange the whole of the inferior
groups in a natural series, but we feel convinced that he could (had
space permitted) have added considerably to that valuable informa-
tion he has conveyed. Much, therefore, it is evident, remains to
_ be done to work out and determine the minor natural groups of the
Natatorial, Grallatorial, and Rasorial orders, but the impetus has
VOL, 11. No. ll. uh

452 Classification of Birds.

been given, the path pointed out ; and we confidently hope to see
the various circles of these orders as fully and beautifully elucidat-
ed, either by the author, or the labours of other ornithologists who
work in the same vineyard, as those of the orders Raptores and In-
sessores.

By those who are opposed to the Macleayan theory, or who
have not studied natural history in the analytical mode pursued by
Mr Swainson, it may be objected, that he has made his arrangement
subservient to his theoretical views ; that is, he has, to prove the
correctness of that theory, introduced and forced forms into situa-
tions they actually do not, or at least which he cannot satisfactorily
prove, they occupy in nature. Now this we think is not the case,
and that no systematist is less guilty of such a charge. We have

punctually followed him pretty extensively in that analytical detail
which he pursued, and so strongly recommends, and we must con-
fess, it is only in a very few instances we have been obliged to dif-
fer from him in our conclusions.

This volume, like the rest of the work, is well got up, and is il-
lustrated with a profusion of wood-cuts, all of which are intimately
connected with the subject matter, and tend to elucidate what it is
often very difficult to make intelligible or clear by mere verbal de-
scription. The fourth or concluding part of the volume is a “ sy-
nopsis of a natural arrangement of birds,” in which the reader will
find the whole of the acknowledged genera up to the present time,
arranged under the different orders to which they belong. In this
Synopsis, “‘ some slight alteration in the arrangement of the groups ,
from what they appear in the foregoing part” will be observed ; but
this, he observes, “ has resulted from further analysis, and by in- |
corporating our researches up to the latest time.”

Mr Swainson, it will be recollected, concluded his last volume
with observatious on the Insessorial or perching order, its primary
divisions, and the analogies of the dentirostral tribe. The present
commences with the enumeration of the families of this prominent
division, viz. the Laniade, the Merulide, the Syluiade, the Am-
pelide, and the Muscicapide ; the three last forming the aberrant
divisions, the Laniade and Merulidew, the typical and subtypical
groups. The family of the Laniade, with which he begins his ex-
position, from the rapacious habits of its typical representatives, and
strongly notched bill, he justly considers as analogous to, or repre-
senting the Raptores. He finds it composed of the five following mi-
nor divisions or sub-families, viz. Tyrannine or tyrant shrikes; Ce-
blepyrine, or caterpillar-eaters ; Dicrurine, or drongo shrikes ;_

Classification of Birds. 453

Thamnophiling, or bush shrikes, and Laniane, or true shrikes,
_ The affinities of these various groups, and the natural series in
q which they appear to follow each other, are then traced through-
_ out their various ramifications, with a degree of skill which we can-
_ not but admire, and which, so far as we have followed him in his
_ analysis, we have proved to our own conviction to be correct. In
concluding his account of this family, he offers a few pertinent re-
marks on two forms which have generally been supposed to come
within its precincts, viz. genus Vanga, Buff. and genus Platylophus,
Sw. ; but which he now would place in the family of the Corvide,
belonging to the conirostral tribe, believing that the resemblance
they bear to the shrikes is merely one of analogy, and not of aftini-
ty. In this view, particularly as regards the New Holland Vangze,
_ we are inclined to concur, having remarked the aflinity that subsists
between them and the genus Barita, a group which undoubtedly
\ belongs to the corvine family. Of Platylophus we speak with more
; diffidence, not being acquainted with its habits and economy. The
_ analogies of the sub-families of the shrikes to the tribes of Perchers

_ are thus stated :—

. Dentirostres......... Laniane

i Conirostres...........hamnophilina

: Scansores............. Dicrurine
Tenuirostres......... Ceblepyrine
Fissirostres............ 'yrannine.

_ The family next brought under consideration is that of the Meru.
_ lider, « the most numerous as well as the most diversified of the
_ toothed-bill tribe,” aud which he also considers in its typical groups
_ as the most perfect in its organization, possessing advantages in the
structure of the bill, feet, &c. which are either denied to, or but
_ partially enjoyed by, the rest of the Dentirostres. This family,
_ from the modifications of the typical characters as they exist in the
' blackbird, fieldfare, and other true thrushes, as well as the analo-
_ gies its members bear to other tribes, is again divisible into the five
- following sub-families, viz. Meruline and Myiotherine, constituting
_ the typical and sub-typical groups, Brachypodine, Orioline, and
: Craieropodine, the three aberrant. This exposition of the peculi-
_ arities and relations, both of analogy and affinity of these groups,
. though already so fully discussed in the second volume of the Nor-
_ thern Zoology, contains much additional and interesting matter ;
but as our limits will not permit us to follow him through all his
details, we must restrict our observations to the mode in which he
considers the union of the various groups of this family with each

Ts

454 Classification of Birds.

other, as well as with the other divisions of the tribe is effected.
Commencing, then, with the short-legged thrushes, or sub-family
Brachypodine, he considers that its union with the shrikes or Lanz-
ade is through T'richophorus, Temm. or bristle-necked thrushes, a
genus limited to the warmer latitudes of Western Africa and Ori-
ental India, and which appears to pass almost immediately into the
Drongo shrikes. In addition to the typical genus Brachypus, under
which are several sub-genera, this sub-family also contains, Micro-
pus, Sw.; Dasycephala, Sw. also an American form is a fourth, and
is so named from the stiff bristly feathers which surround the fore-
head and crown ; and the fifth is Cenelus, Bechst. to which genus our
well known dipper belongs. He concludes this chapter with a va-
riety of interesting observations on the analogies of the Myiotherine,
with the other portions of the Merulida, illustrated by a series of
_ tables, which we recommend the student to compare with the types
of the various forms before him. Many of these analogies will, no
doubt, at first sight appear to be indistinct and far-fetched ; but as
we have before observed, it only requires patient and minute inves-
tigation to be convinced of the general correctness of our author’s
views, and of that law of representation or resemblance which ap-_
pears to pervade all nature, and which, though less striking and ap-
parent, as might be expected, in groups or in individuals far remov-
ed from each other, is no less true than that which is readily admit-
ted to exist between those which are propinquant.

The next chapter treats of the family of the Sylviadaw, a nu-
merous assemblage of birds, mostly distinguished by their small
size and delicate structure. The groups of this extensive division,
‘Mr Swainson observes, ‘‘ are found over all the habitable regions —
of the globe, and are destined to perform an important part in the
economy of nature. To them appears intrusted the subjugation of
those innumerable minute insects which lurk within the buds, the —
foliage, or the flowers of plants, and thus protected, escape that de-
struction from swallows (we may add flycatchers) to which they are
only exposed during flight.” The natural and primary division of
this family is into the sub-families Sylviane and Philomeline, the —
typical groups, and the Sazicoline, Motacilline, and Pariane,
which form the aberrant divisions. Commencing with the Motacil-
line, which collectively represent the tenuirostral type of the per-—
chers, and are the most aberrant section of the family, he points to
the gemera Motacilla, Linn., and Icteria, Vieil.; Trichophorus,
Temm. ; and Phyllastrephus, Sw. The passage from the short-leg-
ced thrushes to the orioles, Orioline, he supposes to be through the _

Classification of Birds. 455

palm-thrush, genus Dulus, Vieil. This beautiful group is distin-
suished by the prevailing yellow colour of its typical species, as ex-
emplified in Oriolus galbula, &c. In it we find the regent
oriole, Sericulus chrysocephalus, Sw. and the Oriolus paradiseus,
Temm., as well as the lovely Zrena puella of Horsf. By the re-
gent bird, distinguished from its congeners by the length of the
tarsi, the way is prepared for a direct passage to the next sub-family,
Crateropodine, a group distinguished from the other thrushes by
their long and powerful legs and feet, their short wings, and, gene-
rally speaking, sombre plumage. Of this group more requires to be
known before its typical forms can be precisely defined, but the
near approach of some of its members to the Brachypodine tends
to prove the circular disposition of the three aberrant groups. Of
the true thrushes or Merulinw, which exhibit the typical perfection
of the whole family of the Merulide, he points out the genera Me-
rula, Ray.; Orpheus, Sw.; Petrocincla, Vig.; and Chetops, Sw.
as four of the prominent groups. Like other pre-eminently typical
forms, the true thrushes (Meruia) are found in all parts of the
world, while the mocking-thrushes (Orpheus, ) which lead to the
Crateropodine, are confined to the American Continent. By the
rock-thrushes ( Petrocincla ) he finds a passage through Myopho-
nus and other forms to the sub-family Myzotherine. In this
division, which represents the sub-typical or dentirostral type of the
family, we have the beautiful genus Pitta distinguished by the
short tails and elongated legs of its members, with a richly varied
plumage, in which blue, red, and brown predominate. Myothera,
_ Ill. is a third genus restricted to tropical America, and in its own
_ circle analogous to the Thamnophiline and Budytes, Cuv. answer-
ing to our wagtails as typical forms, nearly allied to which are
the members of the party-coloured genus Enicurus, Temm. an In-
dian group, succeeded by Anthus, Bechst., which, placed as it
_ were at the extremity of the Dentirostres, leads immediately to
_ the family Alaudine in the circle of the Conirostres. A fourth
form, intermediate, as he thinks, between Anthus and Motacilla,
_ is his Lessonia erythronotos, a Chilian bird, but of whose affinities
we have not ourselves had an opportunity of judging. He enters
_ the next sub-family Parianw by the Seiurus auricapillus (golden
_ crowned thrush of the earlier writers,) considered as a subgenus of
Accentor, Bechst. the members of which, he remarks, “ stand at the
confines of that group which contains the most scansorial warblers
_ of the family,” and which station must be conceded to Parus, and
its nearly allied congeners. The other groups which complete the

:

456 Classification of Birds.

circle of the. Pariane, are the genera Parus, Linn., Sylvicola, Sw.,
Setophaga, Sw., and Trichas, Sw. Upon each of them he digres-
ses at considerable length, proving, we think satisfactorily, the cor-
rectness of his views by a minute analysis of their contents, and
showing that their analogies or the law of representation exists in
as great perfection in the sub-generic or lowest groups, as they do in
those of a higher value. From the Pariane@ he passes to the Syl-
viane by the intervention of the gnat snappers or genus Culicivora,
Sw. an American group, with a bill intermediate between Setopha-
ga and Sylvia, to which latter genus the pre-eminently typical
groups of the whole family Sylviade, it directly leads. Besides
Sylvia, Lath. under which he ranks Regulus, Sylvia, Acanthiza,
and Cyanotus, as subgenera, he includes in it Malurus, Vieil. the
subgenera of which are also given in the Synopsis, Orthotomus,
- Horsf: and perhaps Praticola, Sw. a remarkable Australian form,
but whose economy and habits require to be better known before its
real station can be precisely established.

The Philomelinew, typified by the nightingale and its immediate
congeners, form the fourth subfamily. In addition to the genus
Philomela, it contains Curruca, Bechst. under which he has also in-
cluded the genus Salicaria, Selb. represented by the hedge and
reed warblers, which we think upon investigation will be found
entitled to rank as a generic group, and not as a subgenus of Cur-
vuca, the last being more likely to prove a subgeneric form only of
Philomela. The other members are classed under the generic heads
of Phenicura, Sw. Bradypietus, Sw. and Agrobates, Sw. the last
typified by the Sylvia galactotes of Temminck. From Phwnicura
the passage to the robins, Erythaca, Sw. which introduces us to
the fifth subfamily or Saxicolinz,is easy. In this last division, we
also find the genera Saxicola, Bechst. Petroica, Sw. Thamnobia,
Sw. and Gryllivora Sw. the types of which will be found in the
synopsis under their respective generic heads. The union of all
the subfamilies of the Sylviade is there stated as being effected
by the genus Gryllivora, just mentioned, uniting with that of Eni-
curus, which, as will be remembered, stands on the confines of the
Motacillinee, with which he commenced his analysis of the family.

The Ampelide or chatterers, forming the fourth great division or
family of the Dentirostral tribe, is next brought under review. He
remarks, “ it is a family more remarkable for beauty and singu-
larity, than for its extent ; hence much difficulty has arisen in mak-
ing out the subordinate divisions and successions of its groups.” He
has, however, pointed out what he conceives to be the types of the

ll ea tl

fe

Classification of Birds. 457

subfamilies of which it is composed, suggesting, at the same time,
that the accuracy of two of these, viz. Leiotrichane and Pachyce-
phaline, remain to be further tested, by extended observation and
analysis. Tropical America is the habitat of the typical species,
the Bombycilla garrula, or waxwing, being the only European re-
presentative of the family. They are, he remarks, distinguished
from all others of the Dentirostres, by the enormous width of their
gape, which in many extends beyond the eye, and in some is nearly
as wide as that of a goatsucker. The particular use of this struc-
ture is at once explained by the nature of their food. They live al-
most entirely on soft berries and small fruits, which, from being
swallowed whole, naturally require a very wide passage to pass
down the throat.” The subfamilies are designated as follows, Leto-
trichane, Pachycephaline, which he afterwards changes in the
Synopsis to Vireonine, Bombycilline, Ampeline, and Piprine, the
three first forming the aberrant, the two last the typical divisions.
Under Leiotrichane, he places Leiothrix, Sw. and Pteruthius, Sw.
each represented by a single species, natives of India,* and whose
direct affinities appear to have been mistaken or overlooked by their
first describers, the one having been included in the genus Parus,
the other described asa species of Lantus. A minute examination of
these birds is, however, sufficient to show that their appropriate sta-
tion is within the limits of the present family. In Vireonine, he places
the genera Vireo, Vieil. Pachycephala, Sw. and another which he
now calls Péilochlorus. In Bombycilline, the last of the aberrant
division, and representing the Fissirostres, he places Bombycilla,
Briss., Phibalura, Vieil., and Procnias, Hoff. The subfamily 4m-
peline, containing the true or typical chatterers, are united to the
Bombycilline by means of the genus Calyptomena, Raff. Chrysopte-
ryx, Sw. follows, and is succeeded by Casmorhynchus, Temm. and
Ampelis, Linn. the first distinguished by the curious appendages with
which the heads and throats of some species are furnished, the second,
for the surpassing beauty and richness’ of the plumage of its mem-
bers. The fifth form or genus of the subfamily is represented by
Rupicola, Briss. rock manakin, which leads directly to G. Phe-
nicircus, Sw. (the Ampelis carnifex of Linn.) by which he enters
the Piprine or subtypical group of the family, generally known by
the name of manakins, from the diminutive size of most of the
species. Under this division he includes Pzpra, Linn. Calyptura,
Sw. and Pardalotus, Vieil.

“ The valuable collections of birds sent from Nipaul by Mr Hodgson contain
a second species of Leiothrix.—Ep.

458 Classification of Birds.

The family of the Muscicapide, which closes the circle of the Den-
tirostres, is next brought under review, and after a few appropriate
observations upon the distinctive characters of its typical members
and their peculiar habits, he proceeds to trace its primary divisions,
referring the reader to a separate work upon the subject, entitled
«the Natural History and Arrangement of the M uscicapide, or Fly-
catchers, in which”* < the contents of the whole family, together with
the singular and beautiful analogies presented by the minor groups,
even in their most minute details, are fully illustrated.” These pri-
mary divisions or subfamilies are represented by the five following
types, Eurylaimus, Horsf. Muscicapa, Linn., Fluvicola, Sw., Psaris,
Cuv., and Querula, Vieil., under each of which he mentions the va-
rious genera and subgenera of which they are composed. The ge-
nera composing the Ewrylamine, are stated to be Eurylaimus, Cym-
‘birynchus, Vig., Platystomus, Sw., Psarisomus, Sw., and Serilophus,
Sw.; but we think that further investigation is required to deter-
mine the exact value of each of these, and whether they are all really
entitled to stand as subgenera, or even to attain that rank. By Serilo-
phus, the crested or rasorial type, and its apparent analogy to Bom-
bycilla, he finds a link of connection with the Ampelide. The nu-
merous subfamily Muscicapide, embracing the ordinary fly-catchers,
containsthe genera, Todus, Linn., Muscicapa, Linn., Megalophus,Sw.,
Monacha, Horsf.and Vig., and Rhipidura, Horsf. and Vig. Upon
the two first of these the guia groups, and which are divisible into
assemblages of lower value, he enters at considerable length, detail-
ing the characters of the subgenera, and exemplifying the circles of
the two genera, and their analogies by a table and diagram.

Under the Fluvicoline or water-chats, he enumerates, as types of
generic groups, Sezsura, Horsf. and Vig., Fluvicola, Sw., Perspicilla
Sw., Alecturus, Vieil., and in the synopsis Gubernetes, Vig., which
last leads to, if it does not actually enter the subfamily Psariane,
of which only two generic forms, allowing Gubernetes to remain
among the Fluvicoline, are at present recognized by Psaris,
Cuv., and Pachyrynchus, Spix. The fifth subfamily or Queruline,
represented by Querula, Vieil., and Lathria, Sw., closes the circle
of the Muscicapide ; and although these birds evince a strong ana-
logy, indeed affinity to the chatterers, we believe the present to be
their true station, in which they form that prominent link which
immediately connects the Ampelide with the Muscicapide.

From the Dentirostral he now passes to the Conirostral tribe,

* This will form an early volume of the “ Naturalist’s Library.” The draw-
ings are now in the hands of the engraver.-—Ep.

Classification of Birds. 459

‘the most highly organized of all those which form the grand
division or order of perchers, of which in consequence it is pre-
eminently typical. The distinguishing characteristic of the tribe is
the conic-shaped form of the bill, which is also less decidedly notch-
ed than in the members of the dentirostral, while the full and per-
fect development of the feet at once distinguishes it from the three
aberrant circles of the Fissirostres, Tenuirostres, and Scansores.
Its primary divisions or families he considers to be the Cor-
vide and Sturnide, forming the two typical groups; the Buceri-
de, Musophagide, and Fringillidw, the aberrant, although the
mode in which these three unite to form a circle within themselves,
is not yet discovered. The Buceride are described as a small, and,
in a great measure, an isolated family, as no immediate link with
other groups has yet been satisfactorily made out. It is at present
restricted to a single genus, which, however, contains several spe-
cies. He makes it the Fissirostral type, in consequence of the pe-
euliar habit its members exhibit, viz. that of throwing up their
food in the air, and catching it before it is swallowed,—an analogy
in accordance with the habits of the Pelicanidz, also a fissirostral
type in its own order. The Corvidz, or crows, which he deems
the nearest allied to the last, though several intervening forms are
wanting to complete the connection, is not only the family typically
representing the great order Jnsessores, but in the genus Corvus
of its subfamily Corvine, or true crows, “ exhibits the greatest per-
fection, and the most varied powers with which nature has invested
this class of animals.” The natural series of its subordinate divi-
sions is indicated by arranging the genera under the subfamilies
Frigilline, Corvine, Garruline, Crypsiine, and Coracine, the
disposition of which, under their appropriate genera and subgenera,
will be found on a reference to the synopsis at the end of the vo-
lume. We observe that he very properly excludes from this family
the genera Epimachus, Coracias, and Gracula, which by other au-
thors were considered to belong to it ; for ourselves, we had longsince
placed the Rollers among the Fisszrostres, in near connection with
Eurystomus and other birds belonging to the family Meropide. The
Sturnide, or starling group, he further divides into the minor divi-
sions of Siurnince, Lamprotornine, Scaphidurine, Icternine,and Age~
laine. The Scaphidurine, so named from the structure of the tail,
which is boat-shaped or concave on its upper surface, contains those
large glossy crow-looking birds disposed underthe genera Scaphidura,
Sw., Quiscalus, Vieil., and Scolecophagus, Sw., all natives of America.
He also places in it that splendid bird the Astrapia gularis of Vieil-

460 Classification of Birds.

lot, which some writers, from the richness of its plumage, had asso-
ciated with the birds of Paradise, but its affinities clearly show its
station to be in that family whether it remains in the present group,
or is removed to that of the Lamprotornine, the subfamily which
immediately follows, and the members of which, as contained in the
genera Lamprotornis and Piilonorynchus, are remarkable for the me-
tallic lustre of their plumage. The Slurnine, or true starlings,
succeed the Grackles or Lamprotornine ; under this denomination,
he includes the genera Sturnus, Linn. ; Palor, Temm.; Graculas,
Auct.; Acridotheres, Vieil.; and Oxystomus, Sw. The passage
from this to the Agelaine, or maize-birds, is effected by the Stur-
nella vulgaris, a well-known species. And under this subfamily
are also included the genera Agelaius, Vieil. ; Leisies, Vig. ; Doly-
chonyx, Sw, ; and Molothrus, Sw. ; to which genus that remarkable
_ bird the Cowpen bunting belongs. The last subfamily, or Iclerine, are
distinguished from the preceding by their arboreal habits and shorter
legs. It contains the genera Cassicus, Daud.; Zanthornis, Cuv. ;
Icterus, Cuv. ; and Chysomus, Sw. ; all of which, as well as the ge-
nera of Agelainz, are natives of the American Continent. To en-
ter the family of the Fringillide we are prepared by the small co-
nic-billed species of the Agelaine, some of which, as our author
observes, “‘ so closely resemble finches, that only an experienced
naturalist can point out the distinction. The primary divisions,
or subfamilies, are considered to be the Coccothrausling, Tana-
grine, Fringilling, Alaudine, and Pyrrhuline, the two first
the typical, the remaining three the aberrant groups. Under the
Coccothravsiine, of which our hawfinch is an example, he ar-
ranges ‘* Coccothraustes, Briss. Ploceus, Cuv: Tiaris, Sw., Car-
duelis, Briss., and Linaria, Briss. In treating of the Tanagers,
“the most diversified and numerous of all the groups in this com-
prehensive family,” he states the difficulties which at present ex-
ist in making an arrangement, strictly according with their natural
affinities. He thinks, however, that the following are likely to repre-
sent the genera or minor groups of which it is composed, viz. Tar-
divola, Sw., Tanagra, Linn., Phenisoma, Sw., Nemosia, Vieil., and
Aglaia, Sw. Of the sub-family Fringilline he considers Frin-
gilla, Linn, and Emberiza, Linn., to be the typical groups, the aber-
rant being represented by Pyrgiia or Passer, Auct. Plectrophanes,
Meyer, and Agrophilus, Sw. Though he adds that “‘ some uncer-
tainty hangs over the latter, as to its real value,’ and whether it
may not ultimately prove to be only a sub-generic type.
For the next sub-family, A/audine, we are prepared by the genus

Classification of Birds. 461

Plectrophanes, which resembles Emberiza in the shape of the bill,
and the larks in the structure of the feet. It contains the follow-
ing genera, Alauda, Linn. Calendula, Linn. Agrodroma, Sw., Macro-
nyt, Sw., and Certhilauda, Sw. We must observe, that the charac-
ters of dgrodroma, which he considers the insessorial or pre-eminent
type, approach so near to those of others, that its type, dnihus ru-
Jfescens, and the other two species, have hitherto always deen arrang-
ed with the Pipits. He enters the Pyrrhuline by means of the genus
Pyrrhulauda, Sw., a small group, belonging to tropical India and
Africa, which indicates an aflinity to both sub-families, in the form
of its bill and feet ; under this division he also places the genera
Pyrrhula, Auct. Psittirostra, Temm. Hemorhous, Sw., and Loxia,
Linn. It also seems probable, that the bird figured by Mr Gould
under the title of Paradoxornis will enter among the bullfinches,
whose circle requires to be further analyzed.

The fifth and last family of the Conirostres, is that of Musopha-
gide, or plantain-eaters, so named from the genus Musophaga,
which contains the largest birds of the division, though, as he adds,
“ it is by no means clear that it is the real type of the whole fami-
ly.” That this is the proper station of the birds he has here assem-
bled, we are strongly of opinion, though their connections at present
with the other Conirostral families is not so prominent or well mark-
ed as might be wished for or expected. Three sub-families only
appear to be recognized, under the titles of Phytolomine, Coline,
and Musophagine. They are remarkable for the varied form and
structure of their feet ; in some, as the Colies, the whole of the toes,
four in number, are brought forward,—a provision in beautiful ac-
cordance with the habit they have of suspending themselves from
the branches of trees, head downwards. In the Touracous, Cory-
thaix, the outer toe is partially reversible, or capable of an outward
direction, in Hyrews the toes are only three, while in Phytotoma they
are four and arranged like those of the finches. He then traces an
analogy between the Coryihaix gigantea, and the Buceros galeatus,
through which he conceives the union of the two families is effected.

(To be continued.)

A462 Magazine of Natural History.

Periopicats—British.
Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History, New Series. September
and October 1837. (Continued from page 360.)

I.— Zoology.
Observations on the opposable§iPower of the Thumb in certain
Mammals, considered as a zoological character ; and on the natural af-
finities which subsist between the Bimana, Quadrumana, and Pedi-
mana, by W. Oaixsy, Esq. p. 449 and 517. Description of the
membranes of the Uterine Feetus of the Kangaroo, by R. Owen,
Esq., p. 48]. WATERHOUSE on the Palm Squirrel, p. 496.
WEISSENBORN on the Habits and Economy of the common
Fox, p. 507. Some remarks on the Plumage of Birds, by Epw.
Biyta, Esgq., p. 477. Notes on the Pern or Honey Buzzard,
3 by the same, p. 536. G. R. Gray on a new Subgenus, and some
remarks on birds belonging to the family Laniade, p. 487.
GovuLp on some species of the genus Motacilla of Linnzus, p. 459.
Characters of a new Form in the Fringillid, with a descrip-
tion of the only species yet referable to it, by ANDREW SMITH,
M. D. p. 535. Letter from Dr Cuarke of Ipswich to WiLLiIAm
YaARRELL, Esq. noticing the recent occurrence of the Fry of a spe-
cies of Hemiramphus on the coast of Suffolk ; with some additional
observations by Mr YarreELt, p. 505. Description of a new
British Wasp, with an account of its Development from the Larva
to the Imago, by W. E. Suuckarp, Esq. p. 490. Hlustrated
Zoological Notices, by Kpw. CoaRLESWoRTH, Viz. on the Argonaut,
p- 526 ; on the head of a Crocodile, (? Stenzeosaurus) lately discover-
ed at Whitby, p. 532 ; and on a Form of cephalopodous Shells con-
necting the genera Nautilus and Ammonites, p. 533. SturcH-
spury’s Additional Remarks on the genus Cyprecassis, p. 470.
J. E. Gray on a new genus of Land Shells, p.484.
Zoological Notices, by J. B. Harvey, p. 473.
There is no botanical communication in either number, but the
usual supply of short notices. We have to thank the editor for the fa-
vourable notice he has been pleased to take of our labours ; the Ma-
gazine of Zoology and Botany was neither begun in rivalry, nor
from a wish to injure in any way the Magazine of Natural History,
for the plan and object of the two works were at first essentially
different, and there is still a specific distinction, which a careful rea-
der will be at no loss to perceive.

Miscellaneous

Annales des Sciences Naturelles. 463

PERIODICALS.—Foregn.

Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, MM. Avuvouin et
Mrine-Epwarps. Botanique, MM. Av. Broneniarr et GuiL-
LEeMIN. Crochard and Co. Paris. Fevrier et Mars 1837. (Con-
tinued from p. 361.)

1.— Zoology.

Fevrier.—Kitude microscopique de la Cristatella mucedo, Cuv.
par M. Turpin.—Recherches sur les Polypes d'eau douce des genres
Plumatella, Cristatella e¢ Paludicella, par M. P. Gervais. Of
these interesting papers we shall, on a future occasion, give a very
full analysis. Recherches expérimentales physico-physiologiques
sur la température des tissus et des liquides sur animaux, par MM.
BrEcquEREL et BrescHet. Experiences sur le mécanisme du
mouvement ou battement des artéres, par M. FLoURENS. Descrip-
tion du double systéme nerveux dans le Limneus glutinosus, par A.
J. VANBENEDEN. Note sur les ossemens fossiles des terrains
tertiares de Simorre, de Sanson, etc., dans le département du Gers,
et sur la découverte récente d'une machoire de Singe fossile, par M.
Larter. Description d’une troisiéme espéce vivante de la fa-
mille des Crinoides, servant de type au nouveau genre Holopus, par
M. D’Orsteny. Tabulz synoptice Scincoideorum, par M. Coc-
TEAU. Description d’une nouvelle espéce du genre Dreisseina,

_ par M. J. VANBENEDEN.

Mars.—Analyse ou étude microscopique des différens corps orga-
_ nisés et autres corps de nature diverse, qui peuvent accidentellement
__ se trouver enveloppés dans la pate translucide des Siler, par M. Tur-
pin. Very interesting. Recherches anatomiques sur le corps
muqueux on appareil pigmental de la peau, daus (Indien Charrua, le
; Neégre et the muldtre, par M. FuourEns. Note sur le Rhynchoa-
nete, nouveau genre de Crustacés décapodes, par M. H. MItLne-
; Epwarbs. Du genre Eligmodonte et del Eligmodonte de Buénos-
| Ayres, Eligmodontia typus, par M. Frep. Cuvier. Rapport sur
_ une note de M. Rane concernant le poulpe de l Argonauie, par M.
_ de BiatnviLee. Experiences sur la pression a laquelle Vair con-
tenu dans la trachée-artére se trouve soumis pendant Uacte de la pho-
nation, par M. Cacniarp-Latour. Rapport sur un mémoire
intitule: Dela marche de Vossification du sternum des oiseaux, pour
faire suite aux travaux deMM., Cuvier et Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, par
M. L’HERMInier.

464 The American Journal of Science and Arts.

II.— Botany.

Fevrier.—The greater portion of the Number is occupied with a
continuation of Bravars’ essay, sur la disposition des fenilles cur-
visériées. There are other two original articles—Histoire de l’ In-
digo, depuis lorigine des temps historiques jusqi a l'année 1833,
par M. Aue. de Sarnt-HIvaire. Précis des observations sur
la famille des Hypoxylos, par M. de A. Lipert. The Number con-
tains besides a short notice of EsenBeck’s well-known Genera Plan-
tarum ; and of a large systematic work on the Grasses by Kuntn.
An error in the memoir of Jussieu is corrected. It is there stated,
that in 1789, among other families, Jussieu established the Parony-
chie, but Aug. de Sainr-HivLarre shews that he was really the
author of this, as the former had himself acknowledged.

Mars.—The only original paper is a Mémoire sur Caccroissement
en grosseur des Lxogéenes, par M. Girou de Buzareineues. The
other contents are extracts from Communicaiions sur Java faites a
MM. Wirtgen ef Nees d’Esenbeck par M. JuNcuunre. Ma-
tériaux pour servir a Tetude des Algues, par J. N. de Suur.
Einumération des plantes decouvertes par les voyageurs dans les éles
de la Société, principalement dans celle de Taiti, par J. B. A. Guit-
LEMIN.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by BEen-
gamMiIn Siuuiman, M.D. Vol. xxxii. No. 2, July 1837. (Con-
tinued from page 282.)

On the Economical uses of some Species of Testacea, continued,

p- 235.—The species treated of are Murex.—tThe shell purple of

the ancients, M. Tritonis, Linn.— Murew,—affording the dye used

by painters.— Ostrea edulis,—the history of this shell-fish is imper-
fect, the writer also considers the European oyster “ smaller and
thinner, and more rounded than the American, while the lower valve
is less concave or vaulted. It is not beaked, and the fish, compared
with the size of the shell, is smaller, and it possesses a different
flavour, while their habits are so dissimilar, that there can be no
doubt of their being distinct species.”—Ostrea scabra.—Mya
pictorum.—Turbo littoreus, Linn.—Pecten maximus.—P. oper-
cularis.—P. concentricum.—Voluta gravis—Cyprea moneta.—

Chiton fasciatus, cooked for the table in the island of Barbadoes.

—Murex despectus—Solen siliqua.—Mytilus edulis, differs from

the British species, “in being flatter, not so much ridged, more an-

gular, more extended at the lower end, more polished on the out-
side, and it seldom grows so large or thick, but it is probably only
}

Magazin de Zoologie. 465

a variety.”— Cardium edule-—Helix pomatia.— Unio.—Chama gi-
gas.—Some additional notes are given of the particular ornamental
uses, &c. to which shells are put in various countries. At Mobile the
roads are mended with them, (the species so used is not mentioned, )
and they are found to answer well. Upon the whole, we have in
this paper a useful outline of the economical uses of the 'Testacea.

Art. VIII. p. 292, ts a favourable review of Dr Jundley’s Natu-
ral System of Botany, 2d edit. It is introduced as an original ar-
ticle. Description of several new Trilobites, by JAcop GREEN,
M. D. p. 343. Description of the Skull of the Guadaloupe Fos-
sil Human Skeleton, by James Mouutrie, M. D. Professor of Phy-
siology in the Medical College of the State of South Carolina, The
remains alluded to are said to be portions of the Guadaloupe skele-
ton in the British Museum, and were procured on the spot by Mon.
)Herminiére, and placed in the Literary and Philosophical Society
of South Carolina. They consist of five fragments of the skull ; and
the investigation was made for the purpose of ascertaining, so far as
possible, whether these relics belonged, as had been supposed, to
an individual of the Carib race. Dr Moultrie considers that they
certainly do not, but bear all the marks of the American variety ;
«« In so much, that if it were possible to exfoliate, if I may so say,
the fossil relics from their incrustation, the vacancies might be filled
with the corresponding parts taken from the head of the Peruvian.”
The Miscellanies contain the annual report of the Curators of
the Boston Society of Natural History, which appears to be increas-
ing rapidly. Notice of the Discovery of the remains of the Ele-
Phas primogenius in 1833 on the Irondiquot creek in the town of
Perintow, ten miles east of Rochester, N. Y., and at about the same
distance from Lake Ontario.

Magazin de Zoologie, Journal destiné a faciliter aux Zoologistes
de tous les pays, les Moyens de publier leur Travaua, et les especes
nouvelles ou peu connues quils possedent. Par F. E. Guerin-
MEnevILLe. 8vo. Paris. Septieme année, Livs. 1,2. (Continued
from p. 364.)

Livraison 1, 7me année.

1. Recherches Anatomique et Zoologiques sur les Mammiferes
Marsupiaux, par M. Laurent, Professeur d’Anatomie. Part of
an interesting memoir, proposing to treat, ‘“‘ 1. De l’appareil mam-
_ maire des Marsupiaux et de la bouche de leur petits.—2. De J’os
Marsupial.—3. Du périnée des Marsupiaux—4. De leurs parties
sexuelles ou génitales.—The first part is not completed.—_-~2.. Me-

466 Magazin de Zoologie.

moire sur les Pachydermes Fossiles connus jusqu’a ce jour, et de-
scription du nouveau genre Dinotherium de M. Kaup. par Emine
J acQuemMIN. 3. De LaArresnaye, description of Mesange a
Huppe Jaune, Parus flavo-cristatus. This bird will not rank
among the true pari. It has been long known in the British col-
lections, but we believe is till now unfigured. A second new and
closely allied species has been lately brought from the Alpine dis-
tricts of India. 4. Synopsis Avium ab Alcide D’Orbigny, in ejus
per Americam meridionalem itinere, collectorum, et ab ipso viatore
necnon ade Lafresnaye in ordine redactarum. Specific descrip-
tions in Latin are given with the species considered new.
5. Description de deux especes d’ Anodontes Fossiles, precedé de
quelques details sur le terrain dans lequel elles se trouvent. Par M.
Cuar.Les D’Orzieny, with a plate. 6. Note monographique
_ surle genre Limnadie, et description d'une espece nouvelle de ce
genre, par M. F. E. Guerin, with figures of Limnadia, Mauri-
tiana, and Hermannii.im—7. Fulgora Castressii,a new species de-
scribed by Guerin, and beautifully figured. It is a native of Mexi-
co.——8. Calognathus Chevrolati, considered as a new species,
and now described and figured as such by Guerin.

Livraison 2me. 7 année.

1. Continuation of “« M. Laurent, recherches anatomique et Zoolo-
giques surles Mammiferes Marsupiaux.’”——2. Continuationof “ Sy-
nopsis avium ab ALciDE D’OrxBiGNy.”——23. Notice surla famille des
Engoulevents, (Caprimulgide) et les differents genres dont elle se
compare, par M. de Larresnaye. A useful paper regarding this
little investigated group, accompanied with a figure of Egotheles,
and the characters of M. Lafresnaye’s principal sections. Two great
divisions or sections are here proposed ; Ist, Les Engoulevents
humicoles, Caprimulgide humicole, restricted to the true Goat-
suckers, having C. Europeusas Typical. 2d, Les Engoulevents pre-
henseurs, Caprimulgide prehensoriz. Several species are describ-
ed. 4. Notice sur deux especes Africanes de Genre amphisbéne
(amphisbena, Linn.) par M. P. Gervais, witha figure. 5. J. Pe-
Tit de la SaussayYE, description of “ Helice nemoraline, H. nemora-
lina, Petit. A new species from the Island of St Thomas, found at
an elevation of 1400—figured. 6. Description de quelques especes
nouvelles de coquilles fossiles de la Champagne, par M. Micuaup.
7.WeEstwoopvon Steira costata,and Luperus nasutus. 8. Memoire
sur une seconde especes vivante de la famille des Crenoides ou En-

crines, servant de type au nowveau genre Holope (Holopus) par —
4,

Se ee

En Or

Miiller’s Archiv fur Anatomie, Physiologie, &¢. 467

M. Atcipe D’Orsieny. The species was discovered at Martinique
by M. Rang, and is named by its present describer H. Rangit.

Miller's Archiv fiir Anatomie Physiologie, §c. 1837. Parts 1 and 2.
(Contained from Vol. i. p. 587.)

This number contains a Description of Euchytreus, a new genus
of Annelida, discovered by Dr Henle of Berlin. These animals
are found in situations similar to the common earthworm, generally
rolled together in pellets of damp soil, amongst which they are not
easily seen until they have been detached by dissolving it in water.
They are found in the greatest numbers in the inside of flower-pots,
on account of which the generic name Euchytreus (from yurgos, a
vase,) has been bestowed upon them. They will live about four-
teen days immersed in water. In length they vary from two to six
lines. The head is pointed and conical and the tail truncated.
The body is formed of a series of rings, each being barrel-shaped, or
swelling out in the centre. The fifth or sixth nearest the head is
proportionally longer than the rest. The number of rings varies
greatly in individuals of different length. In twelve specimens,
they ranged betwen nineteen and sixty-one. They are covered ex-
ternally by an epidermis, beneath which is a muscular skin formed
of longitudinal and transverse filaments. The organs of generation
are always situate between the eleventh and twelfth rings, from
which it is inferred that the growth of the animal takes place either
by the addition of new rings, or by the subdivision of those already
existing beyond the twelfth. Only one species belonging to this
genus has hitherto been discovered, and from its colour the name
Buchytreus albidus has been chosen for it. Like the common earth-
worm it moves by means of minute bristles, four groups of which
are attached to each ring, viz. two on the belly, and one on each
side. ‘The average number of bristles on each side is three ; in the
earthworm the average is two, and several other points of difference
occur between them. In Euchytreus they are straight and point-
ed, and they sometimes seem to be attached to each other by a mem-
brane resembling the web of a swimming bird. ‘They take their
rise in the inner muscular skin before-mentioned. In the systema-
tic arrangement of the Annelide, Euchytreus occupies a place next
to Lumbricus, from the similarity of its form, its organs of locomo-
tion, and its internal structure. Lumbricus rivalis, described by
Fabricius in the Fauna Greenl. p. 278, seems to approach the nearest

to it, but his description is somewhat vague.——Remarks upon the
VOL. 11. No. 11. Ii

468 Muller’s Archiv fur Anatomie, Physiologie, §c.

Hybernation of Animals. By Dr A. A. Bertuotp. Although
many reasons have been assigned to account for the sleep of several
of the Mammalia during winter, Otto seems to be the first who has
attributed it to a peculiar organization of the vessels of the brain,
and not merely to a decrease in the temperature of the air. [The
result of his latest researches tends to show, that the carotis cere-
bralis in such animals is carried through the aperture of the stapes
or stirrup bone. |
Dr Berthold has kept for some time specimens of Myoxus avel-
lanarius, some of which were captured when full grown, and others
quite young in the nest. His observations upon them tend to con-
firm those of Pallas, Spallanzani, &c., and in some instances to cor-
rect the statements of other writers on the subject. The animals
fell asleep whether they were kept in the open air or in a warm
room. Saissy states, that Myoxus glis did not fall asleep until the
temperature was below 44° Fahr. Dr Berthold’s specimens of M.
avellanarius were kept during the winter in a room, the temperature
of which was never below 50°, usually from 59° to 63°, and some-
times as high as 68°, and they slept without intermission. Their sleep
is more profound in a low than in a high degree of temperature, so
that inthe former case they may be shaken about for a long time with-
out producing any effect, but in the latter, the shaking causes them
to roll themselves up still more firmly, by pressing the head upon
the breast, but even then they donot awake. Those kept in a warm
room remained longer awake than others in a cold one. In October
the latter began to sleep continuously, some, however, awoke every
day for some time longer and took some food. Towards the middle
of December their sleep became deeper and deeper, and from that
time till the middle of March they only awoke two or three times
at most. The sleep of these which were kept in a room of ordinary
warmth was modified by sudden changes of weather, until it reach-
ed the most profound state. When snow or frost was coming on
they slept more soundly ; as the weather became milder they were
more active, and often awoke for several hours, when they took
some food, which they digested completely and then relapsed into
sleep. Whenever they awoke under any of these circumstances,
their character as nocturnal animals remained constant, as it always
happened in the evening or during the night. When old ones, and
their young which had not passed a winter, were kept together, the
former fell asleep first, as the latter, not yet having attained their
full growth, required more food, and their sleep was retarded by the
calls of hunger. The temperature of the animals during their sleep

Miller's Archiv fur Anatomie, Physiologie, &c. 469

is regulated very much by that of the surrounding air. For in-
stance, when a thermometer placed in the saw-dust which formed
their nest indicated 36°, the heat of their bodies was 37°. At other
times, the heat of the saw-dust and the animals was respectively,

AO y o StsDO? B4P) ooh iige 8?
60... « 58 Gaye nes
Bhgesers | ba §9).09 0 Ok

Thus it appears that the temperature ef the animals is sometimes
higher, and at other times lower, than that of the surrounding me-
dium. In order, however, to prove this more clearly, the nest was
placed in the open air at night, when the thermometer stood at 23°,
and the respective temperature of the animals and the nest was taken
down every half hour. The result showed that the body is more
slowly susceptible of change than the saw-dust, but that when the
heat of the day is greatest, that of the animal soon surpasses it, and
is longer in cooling down again. The heat of different individuals,
however, is subject to variation. They are also so constituted, that
they remain some degreesabove 32° when the externalair sinks below
that point. In times of extreme cold, unless they are surrounded
by a nest of warm materials, death ensues, and the slowness with
which their heat is lowered to that of the air is no doubt a provi-
sion of nature to provide for their safety in such cases.

The author’s view of the question is, that hybernation does not
proceed from too great a degree of cold, nor from want of nutriment,
(since animals fall asleep though kept in a warm place and supplied
with abundance of proper food,) nor yet from the want of power
to retain a due supply of heat whilst the temperature of the air is
becoming lower ; but he regards it as a part of the great system of
nature, which exhibits a deficiency of vital energy in every branch
of the animal and vegetable world at stated periods. ‘This condi-
tion shows itself in some animals when instinct leads them to pro-
vide receptacles against the approach of winter, either singly or in
societies, then in a state of inactivity, and a desire to sleep, and
lastly, in a complete suspension of the action of the nerves, the cir-
culation, the digestive organs, &c. or, in other words, which he calls
the condition of “ vita minima.” This condition is represented
amongst the Mammalia which do not hybernate by the shedding of
fur, &c.; amongst birds by moulting, and by migrations ; by conceal-
ment and torpidity amongst the Amphibia and the Invertebrata ; and
in the vegetable kingdom by the ripening of seeds, the falling of
leaves, branches, &c. The same cause will account for the torpidity

_ during summer of the Tanrec of Madagascar, of the crocodile,

470 Linnea Hin Journal fir die Botanikh, &c.

and of various serpents in South America ; in short, whilst the heat
of the sun in tropical climates produces periodically a diminution of
vital energy, the absence of that heat in our latitudes ites si-
milar effects, as shown by the torpidity or “ vita minima” of the
animals under consideration, both being parts of a comprehensive
and uniform system pervading every branch of animated nature.
Continuation of Prof. M1irscHERLIca’s Observations on the ef-
fects of Oxyde of Copper on the Organization of Animals.
Srannius on the effects of Strychnine on the nervous system.
ReEIcHART on the Changes which take place in the Viscera in
Birds and Mammalia. GRvuBE on the Anatomy of Sipunculus nu-
dus. Professor WrBer’s microscopic observations on the Mo-
tion of Lymph in the lymphatic vessels of the Larva of the Frog.

-Linnea,—Ein Journal fiir die Botanik, &c. Vol. xi. Parts 2 and 3.
(Continued from Vol. i. p. 588.)

Buck on the Cape Plants of the genus Echium. TRINIUS on
a new grass, Zenkeria elegans, a native of the East Indies, allied
to Festuca. Remarks on Lichens by Hampe.
Echinocactus xanthacanthus, spec. nov. Revision of the genus
Anoda by D. von ScHLECHTENDAL. Description of Webera
Meyeniana, spec. nov. from Chili, and of Sporledera, genus no-
vum muscorum frondosorum Phascaceorum, by E. Hamps. Cr-
sATI on the genus Ambrosinia, on monstrous varieties of certain
plants, and on some of the Umbellifere. Description of a new
species of cane, Canna Altensteinii.- Notaresia, novum genus
muscorum, proposed by E. Hamps, containing three species, N. Ca-
pensis, N. Virginica, and N. Italica.

Description of

[ 471 ]

INTELLIGENCE.

ZOOLOGICAL.

Nemertes, Mag. Zool. and Bot. i. p. 529.—Accidentally turn-
ing over the “ Edinburgh Journal of Natural and Geographical
Science” for June 1831, my attention was caught by some observa-
tions on Planaria and allied genera by M. Ant. Dugés. From
these it is evident that Dugés’ genus Prosioma is the same as that
I have named Nemertes. He considers the organ described by me
as a stomach to be the mouth; and the groups of points on each
side of it he thinks are probably intended to retain the prey on
which the worms feed. The ovarian pouches, according to him,
open externally along the sides, and are capable of being protruded
by compression. ‘These are points which we shall soon, perhaps,
have an opportunity of reconsidering when describing some addi-
tional species of the genus. It is to be remarked, that all those
described by Dugés appear to be natives of fresh water.—G. J.

British Land and Fresh Water Shells found at Mickleham, near
Box Hill, Surrey, Summer 1837.

Helix pomatia, abundant in lanes and woods.

——- fulva, common on a bank ; Juniper Hill Estate.
——- pura, found with the preceding.

——- rupestris, under stones, &c.

——- lucida, in woods, &c, among decayed leaves.
——- nitens, common under stones, &c.

——-alliaria? do. do.
- crystallina, among decayed leaves.
——- virgata,
——- var. a
: common in pastures, &c.
——- ericetorum
——- var.

——- arbustorum, in hedges.
Also the ordinary varieties of Helix hortensis and H. ne-
moralis in great plenty.
Carocolla lapicida, abundant in a copse on the Juniper Hill Estate.
Cyclostoma elegans, do. do.

A472 Botanical.

Clausilia biplicata,

— laminata, |
— var. white, } in woods and coppices.
— rugosa,
— parvula ?

Pupa marginata,

a under stones.
umbilicata,

Achatina Acicula, chalky banks, (rare.) I have never found this
species in the neighbourhood of London with the
animal alive.

Vertigo Juniperi, among moss at the foot of juniper bushes, (not
common.)

Bulimus obscurus,

— lubricus,
“Ancylus fluviatilis, very plentiful, adhering to stones in the river
Mole, (fine.)

\ in woods, &c. among decayed leaves.

DanieEL Cooper.

BOTANICAL.

Berkeley's British Fungi.—The third Fasciculus of this important

botanical collection is now ready for distribution to subscribers. It is

a double number, and contains preserved specimens of one hundred
and twenty species.

Fungi under the Tropics.—After some stay at Weltevrede and
Samarang, I am now at Djocjokarta (Java,) where I shall probably
reside for eight months. This town is situated on a gently sloping
plain, abont twelve miles in extent, which reaches from the foot of
the volcano, named Merapi, to the southern coast of the island ; it is
at an equal distance from the volcano and the shore. There are here
many sandy places, particularly rich in leguminous plants, and the dry
beds of the torrents contain an immense quantity of ferns. Calcareous
rocks, scattered here and there, rise like towers tothe height of almost
a hundred feet. Up their steep declivities climbs the Cissus sca-
riosus, Bl. whose roots serve as a matrix to the Rafflesia Patma,
Bl. (have gathered the latter in all its states, and find it still every
day. I owe the employment which gives me leisure for my botanical
pursuits, to M. Fritze de Nassau, chief physician, who seconds with
kindness my zeal for science, and favours to his utmost my study of
natural history. I have already made several excursions in the
Sudgebirge, a low chain of mountains which extends from this place

to the south-east point of the island, inhabited by tigers and pea-

BO a 5

Botanical. 473

cocks, and which is covered by a vegetation of incomparable richness
and beauty. Here rise woods of Tectona grandis, which require a
whole day to cross ; they are met with chiefly in places where the
rocks “ de grés” predominate. At their foot, and under their shade, 1
found such a great number of beautiful fungi, especially agarics,
polypori, pezizz, clavariz, and spherie, (all quite different from our
European species), that the vast hopes which Professor Blume had
inspired were much below reality. Among these fungi, I remark-
ed also several very interesting new genera. It appears that under
the tropics, the vegetation of plants of this family is not limit-
ed, as with you, to.certain fixed seasons of the year, for, at this
moment, even in the middle of the dry season, I gather a greater
number of them than in December, when abundant and continual
rains prevail. Consequently these expressions : ‘‘ when mushrooms
predominate, autumn wanes, the leaves fall, and the vegetable king-
dom thinks of a new spring,” can apply only to what passes in the
temperate zone. Indeed, to continue in this figurative style, here
the sun is immoveable, the leaves preserve their verdure, the flowers
exhale incessantly their delicious perfume, spring and autumn em-
brace each other ; the virginal breath of the young plants is fatal to
the old ; the power of the fungous vegetation is similar then to these
parasites, who, at the conclusion of a sumptuous banquet, on which
they have largely fed, go to produce a new offspring. A transient
autumn is quickly changed for an eternal summer, whose only
clouds are the shades of the forests. The circumstances which prine
cipally favour the development of vegetables are found here: the
heat is constant, and the difference of temperature between the wet
and dry seasons is scarcely sensible ; and humidity never abandons
these primitive forests, where the arches of foliage rarely permit a
ray of the sun to penetrate. Lastly, the rich and brownish humus
of the plain, perpetually impregnated with this moisture, is of that
softness which favours the growth of the fungi. The quantity of
water raised in vapour by the heat of the day, and which the cool-
ness of the nights deposits again, covers the leaves with a dew so
abundant, that in the driest day, one can scarcely go far into one of
these woods, without coming out quite soaked. Add to this, the
immense quantity of twigs, branches, and even trunks, lying scat-
tered on the ground,—trunks whose interior is already changed to
mould, which the bark, so thin that one may easily break it, only
preserves in its first form ; and you may form to yourself an idea
of the external circumstances which favour the uninterrupted de-
velopment of fungi in the tropical forests, and decks them every

474 Miscellaneous.

year with such different species, without it being possible te notice
that their evolution is confined to any particular season of the year,
as, for example, the autumn in the temperate zones. Besides, the
same kinds are not limited in their vegetation to a fixed period, but
individuals suceeed without interruption those which have preced-
ed them. Contrary to what takes place in Europe, where they en-
liven the forests in autumn, either by their beautiful colours, or by
their union in great numbers, fungi here grow more solitary, and
group rarely in large masses. It is also the polypori, principally
those which grow parasitically on the trunks and branches, and they
are almost all different from the European species, which attract
us from a distance, and charm us by their lively, brilliant, and
varied colours. In Europe it is the agarics, and chiefly the terres-
trial kinds, which predominate, and give to its forests in autumn, 2
peculiar character—JUNGHUSN in Ann. des Sciences Nat. Mars

1837.

Growth of plants inclosed in cases.—Led by the interesting dis-
coveries of Mr Wood, I undertook about two years since, as many
experiments on growing plants inclosed in cases, as my ingenuity sug-
gested. In this pursuit I was induced recently to imitate a dripping
cave, (the natural habitat of Trichomanes brevisetum, Hygrophila
irrigua, &c.) The mode I adopted was as follows, I took a large
packing case, glazed in front, fixed a number of inclined shelves to
its sides and back, formed a trough at bottom, and a cistern at top
havingits bottom perforated, withsmall holes ; over these I laid a sand
bag to moderate the flow of water supplied‘each morning. I then
planted my ferns, &c. in suitable soil on the inclined shelves, and in
the trough ; they were thus exposed to a constant gentle dripping
of water, which escaped below, while little if any change of air was
effected. ‘The result has been the growth of the ferns in a luxuri-
ance so. greatly exceeding my anticipations, that I cannot refrain
from recommending the plan to all who are desirous of witnessing
the rapid development of these interesting plants in most exquisite
verdure.—Rogert Bau.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Corrections and additions to Report of Meeting of British As-
sociation, held at Liverpool 1837.—Mr Macleay expressed the great-
est doubt, not only of the deadly effect of the bites of the Argas Per-
sicus, but even of its poisonous nature. These doubts were found-
ed, 1. on the circumstance of the genus Argus not giving a bite,

Miscellaneous. 475

but only a puncture with its rostrum. 2.On the Argas reflexus,
so common in pigeon-houses, being merely a bloodsucker. 3, On the
puncture of the Ixodide, generally, to which family Argas belongs,
producing a mechanical rather than a poisonous irritation, the teeth
of the rostrum being directed backwards. 4. On the possibility that
persons in a bad habit of body may have given rise to the Persian
story, from having suffered under the inflammation consequent on this
serrated nostrum being broken off in the wound. 5. On the fact,
that two species of Argas, and those of the genus Ixodes, that is,
two different genera, were exhibited under the denomination of
the poisonous bug of Mianneh ; “ so that it would follow, if the col-
lector of these Arachnid be correct, that not only Argas is in that
district of Persia a poisonous genus, but also Jvodes, a well known
generic group, troublesome enough in our own and other countries,
but never yet considered poisonous. Mr Hope remarked, that he
had heard of a poisonous Ixodes in St Domingo ; while Mr Macleay
added, that he also knew the St Domingo species, which was com-
mon in Cuba ; but that though it often covered the hides of the cat-
tle, tormenting them greatly, it was never considered poisonous, and
that Oviedo, an old Spanish writer, who describes them under the
name of Garrapata, long since held the same opinion.

The eggs of the Ixodes produce a hexapod larva, which is the
typical form of the young of the Acaridea, which form so vast a
portion of the class Arachnida.

In reference to Captain Ducane’s paper, Mr Macleay made the
following remarks, which may be substituted for those at p. 375,
(Report of Tuesday, 12th September :) “ If Thomson, who profes-
ses to have observed the developments of the crabs, and Rathke,
who professes to have observed the developments of the crayfish,
be both right, it will be a singular fact, that the Brachyurous deca-
podes undergometamorphosis, while certain Macrourous decapodes do
not undergo it. It was also singular, that if Captain Ducane, who
agrees with Thomson as to the metamorphosis of certain macrou-
rous decapod crustacea, and Rathke were both right, then some ma-
crourous decapodes, such as prawnsand shrimps, do undergometamor-
phosis, and others, such as the crayfish, do not.” Mr Macleay has since
his return from Liverpool received specimens of the “ Ditch prawn,”
(mentioned p. 376,) and found it to be a true prawn or Palemon,
the P. varians of Dr Leach, if indeed that species can be accurately
distinguished.

Botanica Society oF Epinpuren, July 13, 1837.—Dr Bal-

476 Miscellaneous.

four in the chair. Mr J. E. Gray, President of the Botanical
Society of London, was elected a Non-Resident member. Dona-
tions to the library were announced from Mr Sowerby and Mr
Leighton.

Mr J. M‘Nab read an extract from his Journal of a Tour through
Canada and the United States during the summer of 1834, contain-
ing a highly interesting account of an excursion to the Falls of Nia-
gara, with particular reference to the botanical features of that cele-
brated locality. The Arbor vitz ( Thuja occidentalis) was observed
to be exceedingly abundant in the neighbourhood of the Falls, over-
hanging the rapids in many places in the most curious manner.
Drawings were exhibited of some of these which had sprung up in
a very singular way. Several large lime trees had been cut down,
many years ago, about two feet above the ground ; and, after decay

_had commenced, some seeds of Arbor vite had got into the centre
of them, where they had germinated, and now formed beautiful and
handsomely shaped trees, upwards of 20 feet in height, with stems
20 inches in circumference. The deciduous trees chiefly consisted of
platanus and tulip trees, oaks, elms, limes, ashes, walnuts, beeches,
birches, and poplars. The herbaceous vegetation was very luxuri-
ant, and presented many rare and interesting species. The exposed
rocky ground above the Falls was richly adorned with dwarf shrubby
plants, of which the Hypericum Kalmianum, then in full flower, was
the most conspicuous, whilst the swampy grounds were profusely
covered with the beautiful scarlet and blue cardinal flowers ( Lobelia
cardinalis and siphilitica.) Impatiens biflora was remarked as the
plant growing nearest the descending water of the Falls, being con-
stantly within the influence of the spray, and assuming a tall and
spongy habit, without any appearance of flowers. On Goat Island,
which separates the American from the British Fall, the herbaceous
plants were very various, including Hepaticas, Trillium, Cypri-
pedium, &c.; also Sanguinaria Canadensis, Hedrastis Canadensis,
Podophyllum peltatum, Arum triphyllum, Jeffersonia diphylla, Sym-
phira racemosa, &c. &e.*

Dr Graham stated, that, in consequence of the early, long-continu-
ed, and severe winter, a very considerable number of half-hardy
shrubby plants in the Botanic Garden had been more or less in-
jured ; and that he proposed exhibiting in a tabular form the extent

* Several members of the Society requested Mr M‘Nab to publish the Jour-
nal of his Tour, and stated their readiness, should he incline to publish it by
subscription, to do all in their power to aid him in procuring the requisite
number of subscribers.

Miscellaneous. 477

of the injury,—distinguishing the plants according to their native
country, their natural orders, and the situations they occupied in the
garden, whether upon walls or in exposed or sheltered borders. He
mentioned at the same time, that, in consequence of the much greater
quantity of snow than usual, herbaceous plants had sustained little
injury, and gave as an example the Roscoea purpurea, one of the
Zinziberacee, which had lived in the open border without protec-
tion during several winters, and flowered freely each summer.

Specimens of Cochlearia anglica, from the “ Banks of the Cree,
and Palnure Burn, Kirkcudbrightshire,” where it was discovered by
Dr G. M‘Nab, were exhibited. Also specimens of Festuca arena-
ria, so named by Mr Gorrie, brought from the sands of Barry, by
Dr Knapp, which were shown by Mr Campbell to be identical with
a hairy var. of Festuca rubra from North Queensferry.

Several monstrosities were exhibited by Dr Balfour, Mr A.
Mack, and Mr Arthur, Walltower Garden, North Berwick.

W. H. Campsett, Sec.

Botanica, Society or Lonpon.—May 4th 1837. W. H.
White, Esq. in the Chair.—The ordinary business of the evening
having been accomplished, the Secretary proceeded to read a paper
from J. Reynolds, Esq. illustrating the singular noticns entertained
by the ancients, with respect to plants and their uses in the cure of
diseases, &c. A communication was then read from Arthur Wal-
lis, Esq. on the Flora of Chelsmford. Mr G. Dennes also read a
translation of Professor Meyen’s Memoir from the Annales des
Sciences Naturelles for November 1835, on the Circulation in
Vegetables, which excited much interest. The meeting was then
adjourned until May 18th.

May 18th 1837.—John E. Gray, Esq. F. R. S., President, in the
Chair.—Names of visitors, donations to the library and Herba-
rium, and candidates’ certificates having been read, a memoir was
read by M. Hopkins, Esq. on Vegetable Fermentation, the subject
of saccharine fermentation, and the formation of beet-root sugar,
(of which specimens were exhibited, ) having been discussed at full
length, the President announced the donation of some valuable seeds
from the Cape of Good Hope, presented by Monsieur Schmidt to
the Herbarium. The Society then adjourned until June Ist.

June Ist.—The President in the Chair.—The names of visitors
having been read, and members elected, Mr Hopkins continued his
paper on Vegetable Fermentation. Mr Daniel Cooper, the curator,
begged to inform the members that the plants in the Herbarium were

478 Miscellaneous.

nearly arranged, and that the regulations respecting the time of dis-
tribution would shortly be announced. The meeting was then ad-
journed untiljJuly 6th.

July 6th.—The President in the Chair.—Donations of plants from
Messrs G. Gardiner, G. E. Dennes, Daniel Cooper, Dr Bell Sal-
ter, Dr Macreight, &c. having been announced, Mr Hopkins con-
cluded his interesting paper on Vegetable Fermentation. The
meeting adjourned until August 3d.

August 3d.—John Reynolds, Esq. Treasurer, in the Chair.—
Presents having been announced, Mr G. E. Dennes proceeded to
read a translationof the report made to the Academy of Sciences
by M. Mirbel, Dutrochet, and Auguste St Hilaire, reporting on the
memoir relative to the structure and development of the generat-
ing organs of a species of Marsilea, found by M. Esprit Fabre,
about the environs of Agde. The society then adjourned until Sep-
tember 7th.

September 7th.—J. E. Gray, Esq. F. R. S. President, in the
Chair.—Names of visitors having been read, the secretary announ-
ced a collection of botanical works for the library, from Mr Pam-
plin of Wandsworth, and specimens of plants, amounting to up-
ward of 3000, from Daniel Cooper, Esq. the curator ; also plants
from Mr Dennes and Mr Rich. A communication, accompanied by
drawings, from M. Schomburgh, on a supposed new species of Nym-
pha, found by him at the River Berbice. British Guiana. This
interesting plant is described by M. S. as producing leaves 6 feet
in diameter, and flowers upwards of 15 inches across. Upon ex-
amination it was discovered to belong to a genus intermediate be-
tween Nymphea and Euryale, to which the name of Victoria, in
honour of her Majesty, to whom the plants (drawings) had been
sent, and received her approbation. The name of Victoria regalis
has been given to this plant.* M.S. also communicated a new species
of Loranthus, which he calls L.2Smythii, in honour of Lady James
Carmichael Smyth, a zealous patron of the science. M. S. was
unanimously elected a foreign member. The society then adjourned
until 3d October.

October 3d.—J. Reynolds, Esq. Treasurer, in the Chair.—Col-
lections of plants were_announcedéfrom R. Leyland, Esq. of Hali-
fax, C. Conway of Pentywydd, and from Mr Freeman of Stratford,
Essex. Mr Freeman then read a paper on the Flora of Stratford,
Essex. A continuation of Mr Wallis’s former paper was also read,
accompanied by a donation of numerous specimens. }\, The secretary

* See Plate in this Number, with extract from M. Schomburgh’s letter.

Miscellaneous. 479

then read some extracts from M. A. Decandolle’s Memoir on Alimen-
tary Plants, accompanied by a chart of the world, in which were
laid down the boundaries, north and south, as mentioned by Decan-
dolle.

Dr Bossey exhibited specimens of grasses affected with ergot.
Mr D. Cooper stated that he had had in the course of the season,
much conversation with the Essex farmers, and they informed him
that since the increased navigation of steam-vessels in the Thames,
their lands had been considerably more productive of late years,—
which they attributed to the prevailing winds blowing the smoke
and soot over their lands. This point having been fully discussed,
the meeting adjourned until November 2d.

November 2d.—Dr Macreight, F. L. 8. V. P. in the Chair.—
Donations of plants were announced from Mr W. A. Lewis, Mrs
Dennison, Mrs Gawler, Mr Hopkins, &c. Dr Bossey then read his
paper on the Fungi which he had observed to attack grain. The
paper led to an interesting discussion, and the meeting adjourned
until November 16th.

Narurat History Society or NewcastLe.—On Thursday the
21st Sept. the anniversary meeting of the Natural History Society of
Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle upon Tyne, was held in
the Society’s new building, C. J. Bigge, Esq. the society’s treasur-
er, in the chair. Mr W. Hutton, the senior secretary, read the re-
port of the committee for the past year, which stated that they had
to congratulate the members on the continued prosperity of the so-
ciety. The treasurer's account showed a larger income than ever
they had received in one year, and, though there was a balance
against the society, the subscriptions which they had yet to receive
would do more than cover that amount. They had often had to re-
cord the donations made to the society, and it was with pleasure
that they now referred to the munificent gift of the Earl of Tanker-
ville (in addition to a handsome annual subscription,) consisting of
500 specimens of corals, corallines, fossils, &c. in a large glass case.
This splendid donation imparted quite a new feature to the museum,
and the committee thought it their duty to order a new case for the
reception of the specimens, in which they can be properly arranged
and named, a display which the size of the original case did not ad-
mit of, and which, when completed, will form one of the most attrac-
tive portions of the museum. It was stated, in the report of last
year, that the society expected a present of a series of casts from
the fossil bones and shells in the Jardin des Plantes ; the committee
had to announce that these had arrived, and were very valuable, but

480 Miscellaneous.

they were not yet arranged, and, for that purpose, the committee had
ordered new cases to be made. The part of the society’s transactions
formerly announced were, from unavoidable causes, not yet ready for
publication, and although the committee regretted the delay, vet they
had, by it, been enabled to add to the part several local articles of
great value. Often as those papers had been praised by others, and
pleasing as that praise was to the authors, it would still be a great-
er pleasure to them to know that a law had been passed at the late
meeting of the British Association at Liverpool, by which the au-
thors of those papers were made free members of the council of that
association. It also afforded the committee sincere pleasure to
think that the efforts of the society, in conjunction with those of the
Literary and Philosophical Society, had been crowned with success,
and that it had been determined that the next meeting of the Bri-
tish Association was to be heldin thistown. Such a determination
did the highest honour to the town, and, as the Natural History So-
ciety had taken an active part in inducing the Association to come to
that determination, it would be their duty to do everything in their
power for the Association when it came. The committee, therefore,
ventured to express a hope that many members of the society would
prepare papers to read at that assemblage, by which the so-
ciety. would maintain that credit with the Association which it
had already gained, and that, afterwards, if it was found neces-
sary, they would allow those papers to be printed for the benefit of
science. The committee also recommended that the next anniversary
meeting of the society should be held immediately after the close
of the meeting of the British Association, and that some of the most
learned members of the Association should be invited to attend the
meeting, a circumstance which, the committee conceived, would be
highly beneficial to the interests of the society. The committee,
in conclusion, had to state that the plan, recommended previously,
of admitting the public to the museum, had been acted upon by
them ; that certain days had been set apart for their admission, and
that the museum had occasionally been opened in the evenings. By
these means thousands had been gratified with a sight of the museum,
and the committee had again the gratification of announcing that
they were not aware of any loss or damage sustained in consequence
of such unrestricted admission.

OrNITHOLOGICAL Society oF Lonpon.—The four leading
peculiarities which distinguish and recommend this society are,
first, that it furnishes a gratuitous exhibition of birds, which

Miscellaneous. 48}

is open to the view of all classes of the metropolitan public ;
second, that it forms a museum peculiarly adapted for the pur-
poses of science ; third, that the museum and library are to be
always open without restriction to scientific persons and artists; and,
fourth, that practical advantages are aimed at by the introduction,
naturalization, and gratuitous distribution of useful and ornamental
foreign birds.

With regard to the first of these points, a very interesting
and valuable collection of aquatic birds is now open to the view
of all classes in the beautiful garden in St James’s Park. The
study of natural history is so conducive to our moral and corporeal
health, that we rejoice over every institution and project which is
intended to diffuse more widely among our fellows that pure happi-
ness which we ourselves are conscious of having derived from this
enchanting source. The Horticultural and Zoological Gardens have
added greatly to the enjoyment of the inhabitants of the crowded
metropolis ; but those gardens are generally accessible to none but
the higher and more wealthy classes, and gardens of natural history
for the poor were a desideratum hitherto unsupplied, until the Or-
nithological Society stepped forward to supply it. We trust that
this benevolent example will be followed, and that we shall live to
see the royal parks of London converted into gardens of botany and
zoology, sculpture and statuary. Such a conversion might easily be
effected without the slightest loss, but, on the contrary, with a most
remarkable addition to the beauty and picturesque effect of the
parks, and an incalculable improvement, moral and intellectual, of
the people.

With regard to the second point, the scientific character of the
museum, it is intended to form a complete collection of skeletons
and of skins, which, as every ornithologist knows, are far more use-
ful for examination than mounted specimens ; to preserve anatomi-
cal preparations of parts ; to collect eggs, nests, &c. so as to teach
(as it were) ornithology by the eye.

Upon the third point, the opening of the museum and library
without restriction to scientific persons and artists, it is unnecessary
to make any explanation,—the intention is as wise as it is liberal.

The last point, viz. the introduction, naturalization, and distri-
bution of foreign birds, is one of some difficulty, but of exceeding
interest and value. With the pheasant in our woods, the turkey
and Guinea-fow] in our farm-yards, and the parrot and Canary bird
in our cages, it is wonderful that these examples of the advantages
of the introduction of foreign birds have not excited us to more en-

482 Obituary.

terprising and efficient endeavours to introduce the numerous species
which might so advantageously be added to our stock of domesticat-
ed birds. It is positively disgraceful to this country, that we have
no ponds planted with Valisneria, and stocked with the canvass-back
duck, that venison of the feathered race. The Curassows are still
strangers in the land. The glorious capercailzie has not been re-
called from exile ; and for cage-birds, why, the very sounds are
mockery. Humming birds, and a bird of Paradise, have been
brought alive into this country— Here is encouragement for the en-
terprise of this society! We must not forget to mention, that all
the superabundant eggs and birds are to be gratuitously distributed
among the members: this will not only act as an inducement to
join the society, but is perhaps the very best means that could be
devised for diffusing the introduced species throughout all parts. of
the united kingdom.

Shows are to be instituted, and premiums given ; ornithological
works are to be published and patronized ; and lectures have been
already commenced. At the last general meeting on the 7th July,
when the ordinary business had been completed, Mr Vigors deli-
vered a masterly and interesting introductory lecture, exhibiting the
five types, and aberrations from the types, of ornithological forms,
explaining their typical stations, and adaptations to their modes of
life. The lectures will be resumed in November.

There are now about two hundred members. The scientific cha-
racter of the society may be estimated from the following selection
from the list: Dr Burchell, the Earl of Derby, J. E. Gray, John
Gould, Dr Horsfield, W.S. Macleay, the Bishop of Norwich, Dr
Royle, Wm. Swainson, Col. Sykes, N. A. Vigors, and Wm. Yarrell.
In addition to the above, Dr Richardson, Mr Selby, and Dr Andrew
Smith, have promised their assistance.—H. C.

OBITUARY.

On the 15th of April 1837, at his residence in Norwich, JosrPH
SPARSHALL, Esq. F. L. S., in the 40th year of hisage. There isa
notice of his character in the Mag. Nat. Hist. for October, p. 559.
He was a well-known practical entomologist.

EDINBURGH :
PRINTED BY JOHN STARK, OLD ASSEMBLY CLOSE.

MAGAZINE

OF

ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

I.—A Revision of the Genera of Bats (Vespertilionide ), and the De-
scryption of some new Genera and Species. By Joun Epwarp
Gray, F.R.S., President of the Botanical Society of London,
&c. &c.

Some of the older authors placed these animals with the Birds,
but Ray (Syn. Anim. Quad., p. 43,) properly arranged them with the
Mammalia, and formed them into a particular group, of which he only
knew a single species ; Linnzus divided the few species he knew
into two genera, which, on account of the difference in the number
of their teeth, he placed in two different orders, an error which he
was not often guilty of committing, and which Pennant, Pallas, and
Brisson corrected, by referring them back to a single genus; but
the latter author (Le Régne Animal, 4to,) in 1762, divided in his
specific characters, the fruit-eating bats from the insectivorous ones,
by the number of their claws ; and this group was long afterwards
converted into a genus by Geoffroy, under the name of Péeropus ;
Daubenton in 1759 (Mem. Acad. Paris,) described several new
species, and gave some figures of the heads of these animals, which
greatly facilitated their determination. Pallas, in 1767, (Spic. Zoolog.
6,) when describing many new species, showed that the bats might
be divided into sections by the number of their teeth ; and Erxleben
(Sys. Anim.) 1777, acting on Pallas’s suggestions, divided the bats
into two genera, giving to those that have four cutting teeth in the
upper and lower jaw the name of Pteropus, and retained in the genus

Vespertilio the other bats ; which he divided into sections according
VOL. 11. No. 12. Kk

484 A Revision of the Genera of Bats,

to the absence, presence, and number of these appendages. These
divisions were adopted by Gmelin (Syst. Nat. 1. 45.), who reduced
the genus established by Erxleben to the rank of a section. In
1805, M. Geoffroy St Hilaire, who was then employed in naming the
Mammalia in the Paris collection, commenced a series of papers in
the Annales du Museum, in which he established various genera of
these animals, described the different species which he referred
to them, and illustrated them with figures. Cuvier in 1817 (Regne
Animal,) placed the bats with the insectivorous Mammalia, and
divided the insectivorous genera into groups according to the number
of the phalanges of the index and middle finger ; and his system has
been very generally followed, and from time to time new genera have
been added by Dr Horsfield, F. Cuvier, Charles Bonaparte, and
others. Dr Leach, in 1822, (Linn. Trans. xiii.) published two pa-
pers, in which he described and figured some new genera. One of
_ the papers is on those “ bats with foliaceous appendages to the nose ;”
and the other for those that were without these organs. In 1823,
Spix, in his work on the South American monkeys and bats, adopted
these divisions, and gave a Latin name to them, and he has been ge-
nerally quoted as the founder of these sections. Such was the state of
the science when, in 1826, I published a short paper in the Annals of
Philosophy, and in 1829 a second in the Zoological Journal (p.
242,) in which I divided the bats into five natural sections; and
in the Philosophical Magazine for the same year I printed a revi-
sion of the genera from personal examination, and added to it an
artificial table, for the purpose of facilitating the discovery of them.
This paper was translated into Latin by Dr Fischer (Synop. Mamm.
659,) and into German by Oken in the Isis, and into French by Les-
son in his Manuel ; and the arrangment has been adopted by Mr
Swainson in Lardner’s Encyclopedia; and, lastly, by the anonymous
writer on bats in the Penny Encyclopedia, who, having merely trans-
lated the article from Lesson’s Manuel, erroneously attributes it to
that author, though Lesson quotes me as the author of the tribes. The
accompanying paper may be considered as an abridgement of afurther
revision and extension of that article; and for the purpose of writing
it, I have examined all the bats which have passed through my hands,
or that I have been able to see in the English collections and in the
Government museums of France, Germany, and Holland ; and I
hope, that I shall not now hear persons complain of the difficulty they
experience in making out the species, much less the genera of these
interesting animals. I believe that the real cause of the difficulty is
the little attention that zoologists have paid to them, and, asa proof
of this inattention, I am induced to give a sketch of the history of

and Description of New Genera and Species. 485

the discovery of the various species which inhabit this country. Ray
and Merret, as I have before observed, only knew a single species,
and this was the only one recognized as British, until the year 1738,
when Albin first figured (Birds, t. 101.), and 1766, George Edwards
again figured the long-eared bat in his work on Birds (t. 201. f.
3.) ; and Pennant recorded these two in his first edition of the Bri-
_ tish Zoology. In his succeeding editions he extended the number
_ to4,adding the Noctule on the authority ef the Rev. Dr Buck-
worth, who had observed a large bat, which Pennant thought to

|
| be this species, (Brit. Zool. Hlust. 1770-85,) at Queen’s College,
;

{

Cambridge ; but the Rev. Gilbert White had written to him,
and given him a good history of this bat in 1769, (Hist. Selborn,
1779, 75, 76,) and secondly, the horse-shoe bat, Rhinolophus
JSerrum equinum, which had been discovered by Mr (afterwards Dr)
Latham at Dartford. In 1806 (Ann. Mus. vii. 198,) M. Adolphe
Brongniart, when travelling from Dover to London, discovered a
new species which was described under the name of V. emargina-
tus; and, in 1808, Montagu in the Linnzan Transactions (i. 71,)
added to those already known, the little horse-shoe (Rhinolophus
hipposideros), and the barbastelle (Vesp. Barbastellus ;) but it is
_ doubtful if the animal described by Montagu was the real barbas-
_ telle, for the remains of the specimen so named in his collection, was
certainly Vesp. mysiacinus of Kuhl, but the fact of the Barbastelle
being British was fully established in 1805, by the figure of it
_ given by Mr Sowerby in his British Miscellany, from a specimen
found by Mr Peate at Dartford.

In 1825, Dr Leach described and figured in the Zoological Jour-
nal, (7, t. 22.) what he considered as a new species, under the name
of Vespertilio pygmeus, sending the specimen described to the British
Museum. In 1826, feeling from the experience that I had gained
when studying with that great reformer of zoology in England Dr
Leach, that the British bats had not had the attention paid to them
that they deserved, I examined the various specimens collected by
‘Dr Leach, myself, and our correspondents, which were then in the
British Museum, and in the Zoological Journal (p. 108) for that year,
I gave a list of the specimens then in the collection, and by that
means added the four following species, viz. Vespertilio Bechsteinii,
V. Nattereri, V. serotinus, and V. mystacinus. Dr Fleming having
overlooked my paper in 1828, when his work on British Animals
appeared, merely gave the species that were known before its pub-
lication ; while the Rev. Leonard Jenyns and Mr Bell, in their works
on the British Mammalia, have been able to add two more species to
the list, viz. V. Leisleri and V. discolor, which I had added to the mu-

486 A Revision of the Genera of Bats,

seum collection since the publication of my paper, the latter of them
having been sent from Plymouth by Dr Leach. In 1833, Mr Leonard
Jenyns (Lin. Trans. xvi. 55, t. 1, f. 2.) described what he considered
as a species under the name of Plecotus brevimanus ; but from the ob-
servations which I have been enabled to make on the development
of the wings of these animals, (Phil. Mag. and Annals, vi. 1829-35, )
which do not gain their full size until after the animal has done suck~
ling, I am now certain that both the Vesp. pygmeus and Plecotus
brevimanus are only the young states of other species, the latter being
the young of the long-eared bat, and the former most probably the
young of the pipistrelle ; and I am borne out in this opinion by the
soft state of the cranium, the large size of the joint arising from the
epiphysis of the bones not being knit, of the specimen of both these
animals which have come under my notice, and I may observe, that
the first joint of the middle-finger of all the adult bats I have exa-
mined is as long as the arm-bone, which is not the case in these
animals.

Fam. V. VESPERTILIONIDS.

The limbs elongated ; fingers of the fore-hands and tail enclosed
in a nearly naked membrane, serving for wings ; fingers very long ;
thumb free, clawed ; toes of hind-feet short, equal clawed ; teeth
variable.

A. IsriopHort, or Leafnose bats. Nostrils placed in a bald space,

often elevaied behind into a leaf; teeth acutely tubercular ; im-
_dex-finger not clawed.
TrisE I. Leafnose kind. PuytLostoMINa.
Nose-leaf expanded into a leaf behind, simple and pierced with
the nostrils in front ; ears lateral, separate.
+ Forehead pitted ; ears close together. Old World.

1. Ruinopoma, Geoff. Tail long, exserted beyond the short in-
terfemoral membrane ; forehead with a deep pit; ears close to-
gether ; nose-leaf small.

Indian Rhinopome. Rhinopoma Hardwickii, Gray. Zool. Mise.
37. Inhabits India. Gen. Hardwicke.

Egyptian Rhinopome, Rhinopoma microphylla, Geoff. Vesp.
microphyllus, Schreb. Brunnich, Cat. Copenh. t. 6, f. 1-4. Inhabits
Egypt. Dr Riippell.

See also Rhinopoma Carolinensis, Geoff: if a true Rhinopome ?

+ + Forehead simple, ears lateral, tongue short, under lip entire mith
a triangular smooth space in front. New World.

2. ArcTIBEUS,. Leach.—Phyllostoma, Spix.—Tail round (none ?)
interfemoral membrane deeply cut in, forehead simple, ears far —
apart, lateral, nose-leaf simple lanceolate.

and Description of New Genera and Species. 487

* The inner edge of the lips not fringed.

Jamaica Arctibeus. Arctibeus Jamaicensis, Leach.—Phyllos-
toma Jamaicensis, Horsf: Zool. Journ. ; young, Madateus Lewisii,
Leach.—Tragus with | or 2 lobes on the middle of its hinder edge.
Inhabits Jamaica, Cuba, Mr Redman.

See also Arctibeus planirostris. Phyllostoma planirostre, Spiz,
Braz. t. 36, f. 1. << Tragus lobed,” Spiz.

Fringed-lipped Arctibeus. Arctibeus fimbriatus, Gray.—Nose-
leaf elongate, lanceolate, apex with a broad midrib ; fur mouse-
colour, very soft, with pale tips, rather paler beneath than above ;
fore-arm and under side of the wing near the fore-arm and side of
the body with scattered fur ; the front of the lower lip with a se-
miovate space, with a central tubercle surrounded by small warts.
Expanse 17”. Inhabits Brazil.

Sooty Arctibeus. Arctibeus fuliginosus, Gray.—Fur sooty-
black; wings and membrane black; chin with a triangular space,
having 5 or 6 warts on each side; nose-leaf ovate-lanceolate, acute,
with a deep groove parallel to the edge of each side, front part free
on the edge ; lips fringed ; ears moderate, rather naked, black. Ex-
panse 16” ; body and head 3”, arm-hones 2” 6”. Inhabits S. Ame-
rica. Museum Lyons.

See also Arctibeuslineatus, Gray.—-Phyllostomus lineatus, Iliger,
Licht Doub. 3, Phyll. lineatum, Geoff.

* * Tips not bearded internally.

Lobed Arctibeus. Arctibeus lobatus, Gray.—Tragus 3 lobed.
Inhabits ? British Museum.

Arctibeus perspicillatus——Phyllostoma perspicillatum, Geoff:
Ann. Mus. xv.t. ii. P. superciliarum, Pr. Maz. P. lineatum, Geoff. ?
Vesp. perspicillatus, Linn. Grande fer de lance, Buffon, Suppl.
vii. t. 74, cop. Encycl. Meth. t. 32, f. 4. Phyllostomus lituratus,
Lilig. Licht. Phyll. lineatus, Illiger. Collection of Mr Swainson.

3. Vampyrvs, Geoff. Vamypire.—Tail none, interfemoral mem-
brane large, with 3 diverging lines, truncated at the end; muzzle
long ; central upper cutting teeth lobed.

Pale Vampyre. Vampyrus spectrum, Leach.—Phyllostoma spec-
trum, Geoff. Ann. Mus. xv. t. ii. f. 4; head and skull. Dict de Sc.
Nat. Vesp. spectrum, Linn. Seba, i. t. 58, f. 1, cop. Schreb. t. 54,
Shaw, t.43. Wampyrus sanguisuga, Lesson ; front of lower lip with
2 small smooth warts in front. Inhabits Brazils. British Museum.

4. Puytiostoma, Geoff. Phyllostome. Vampyrus, Spiz. Tail
very short, on the upper side of the interfemoral membrane tips.

488 A Revision of the Genera of Bats,

* Front of the lower lip with a triangular space, having a large

mart on each side and a series on the edge.

Javelin Phyllostome. Phyllostoma hastatum, Geoff. Ann. Mus.
xv. t. ii. Phyllostomus maximus, Pr. Max. Abbild. t. 71. Vesp.
hastatus, Pall. Le Chauve-souris fer de lance, Buff. H.N. xii. t.
33, cop. Schreb. t. 46. Encyc. Meth. t.30.f.4. Vesp. perspicillatus,
Schreb.t 46, a. Pteropus hastatus, Hraleb. Javelin Bat, Penn, t.
30, fig. 4. Variable in colour, hair brown, tipt with gray. 1. male,
fulvous brown ; 2. female, brown; 3. male, blackish. Inhabits
Brazil. British Museum.

See also Phyllostoma elongatum, Geoff. Ann. Mus. xv. t. 6. f—
Phyllostoma crenulatum, Geoff. Ann. Mus. xv. t. 6, f. Desm. Nouv.
Dict. xxvi.t. m. 28, f. 3. Encyc. Meth. t. 3, f. 10. Inhabits >

Sooty Phyllostome. Phyllostoma fuliginosum, Gray.—Sooty-black,
_ hair of head and neck with greyish tips, beneath greyer ; nose-leaf
ovate-lanceolate, quite entire, 14 as long again as broad ; ears sharp ;
wings black ; tail end free. Inhabits S. America. British Museum.
From Sir Everard Home.

* * Lower lip nith an half ovate group of crowded warts.

Children’s Phyllostome. Phyllostoma Childreni, Gray.—Brown,
slightly grizzled, with grey tips to the hairs, beneath greyer ; ears
large with rather membranaceous rounded at the ends ; nose-leaf ovate-
lanceolate, rather longer than wide ; wings brown ; warts of lower lip
in 3 or 4 arched series, crowded. Expanse 12”. Inhabits S. Ame-
rica. British Museum. From J. G. Children, Esq.

* *.* Front of lower lip mith a small smooth ovate space formed of

two small tubercles, as in Vampyrus.
~ Bennett’s Phyllostome. Phyllostoma Bennettii, Gray.—F ulvous
brown, rather paler beneath ; hair very long, soft, with greenish
tips ; ears very large, rather acute ; nose-leaf very large, ovate-lan-
ceolate, with a thick convex midrib ; wings brown. Exp. 12”; nose-
leaf 8'’’. Inhabits S. America. British Museum. Named in me-
mory of my excellent friend, whose early death all zoologists must
deplore.

* ek #

Front of the lower lip with a large central wart, having
a series of large oblong transverse warts on the edge, the upper
warts sometimes divided into 2 or 3.

Soricine Phyllostome. Phyllostoma soricinum, Fischer. Vam-
pyrus soricinus, Spix, Braz. t. 36, f. 2-6. Inhabits Brazils.

5. Caro“uia. Interfemoral membrane large, truncated ; tail
none ; tragus very small.

Brazilian short-eared bat. Carollia Braziliensis. Phyllostoma
brachyotum, Pr. Max.t. f. 1-2. Inhabits Brazils.

and Description of New Genera and Species. 489

6. Lopnostoma, Orb. Interfemoral membrane large, truncated ;
tail rudimentary ; tragus entire.

Lophostoma sylvicola, Orbigny, Voy. Amer. Merid. t. 6. Inhabits
S. America. Perhaps the same as the former.

7. Epostoma, Orbigny. Edostome. Tail none; interfemoral
membrane very small, marginal; heel-bone none ; nose-leaf double,
erect, anterior pierced with the nostrils, hinder erect, larger, sepa-
rated from the front one by a considerable space.

, Ashy Edostome. Edostoma cinerea, Orbigny, Voy. Amer. Me-
‘ « rid, t. 8.
e

|

:
‘
:

8. MacropnyLium, Gray. Macrophylle. Tail elongated, reach-
ing to the truncated tip of the large interfemoral membrane, under
lips ?

Prince Nieuwied’s Macrophylle. Macrophyllum Nieuwiedii,
Gray. Phyllostoma macrophyllum, Pr. Max. Abbild. t. Inhabits

f Brazil.

i 9. BRacHyPHyLua, Gray. Cavern Bat. Tail very short, inter-

femoral membrane deeply nicked, two rayed; nose-leaf small, sur-
rounded by a deep groove, which separates it from the face ; front
of under lip with a smooth triangular space bearded on the edge.

Cavern Bat. Brachyphylla cavernarum, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc.
li, 123. Inhabits St Vincents (West Indies.) Brit. Mus. and
Zool. Soc. Mus.

10. Dienyiys, Spix. Tail none ; interfemoral membrane none ;
nose-leaf double, one being placed behind the other ; tragus lan-
ceolate ; under lip ?

Diphylla ecaudata, Spia, Braz. t. 36, f.7. Glossophaga diphylla,
Fischer. IUnhabits Brazils.

1]. SrenopEerMa«, Geoff} Desmodus, Pr. Max. ? Tail and inter-
_ femoral membrane none ;_ nose-leaf very small, scarcely elevated ;
nostrils with an arched ridge behind ; thumb long, free ; under lip
>
Stenoderma rufum, Geoff: Dict. Sc. Nat. t. Inhabits_ Brazils.
Mus. Paris, (bad state.) Is the Desmodus rufus, Pr. Max. Abbild.
_ t. Rhinolophus ecaudatus, Schinz. distinct ? Temminck considers
this to be a young Dysopes!

t + + Forehead simple ; ears lateral; tongue long, fitting into
the notch of the chin; lower lip deeply cut in the centre of the
front, and often fringed; head elongated ; chin with reflered
whiskers. New World.

12. Puytuopnora, Gray. Tail short ; apex enclosed in the
large truncated interfemoral membrane ; apex superior.

490 A Revision of the Genera of Bats,

Phyllophora amplexicaudata, Gray. Glossophaga amplexicau-
data, Spix. Braz. t. 36, f. 4. Inhabits Brazils. British Museum.

13. GLossopHaGa, Geoff: Tail none ; interfemoral membrane is
large and deeply cut out.

Soricine Bloodsucker, Glossophaga soricina, Geoff: Vespertilio
soricinus, Pall. Misc. t. 5. Spic. Zool. iii. t. 3-4, cop. Schreb.
t. 47; and Encyc. Meth. t. 32. f. 5. Edwards’ Birds, t. 201, f. 1.
Pteropus soricinus, Hraleb. Phyllost. soricinum, Geoff? Ann. Mus.
xv. t.2. Leaf-bat, Pennant. Inhabits West Indies. British Mu-
seum, from Thomas Bell, Esq.

14. Monopuytuuvs, Leach. Tail short, prominent above the very
small deeply cut interfemoral membrane ; thumb elongated, thick ;
heel-bone rather elongated ; head short,

Redmann’s leaf-nose bat. Monophyllus Redmanni, Leach, Linn.
‘Trans. xiii. 76. Brown, beneath rather paler ; membrane black ;
— lower lip fringed, and with two slight tubercles in front. Inhabits
Jamaica.

Glossophaga caudifera, Geoff? Mem. Mus. iv. t.. 17, cop. in Dict.
Se. Nat ; may not be different from the former.

15. ANoura, Gray. Tail-less Bat. Tail none, interfemoral mem-
brane small, just margining the hind legs; heel bone very short ;
cutting teeth +" ; thumb very small and slender.

Geoffroy’s tail-less bat. Anoura Geoffroyi, Gray. Glossophaga
ecaudata, Geoff. Mem. Mus. iv. t. 181. Pr. Max. Abbild. In-
habits Brazil. British Museum.

t+tt Forehead simple; ears large, united over the forehead.

16. Mecaperma, Geoff: Broad-winged bat. Nose-leaf simple,
erect, front part flat, on the nose behind; lips simple; wings, in-
terfemoral membranes and ears, large, membranaceous ; tail none ;
cutting teeth 9. India.

Megaderma trifolium, Geoff: Ann. Mus. xv. t. 12, head. Me-
gaderma spasma, Geoff: Ann. Mus. xv. t. 12, from Vesp. spasma,
Linn. from Seba, i. t. 56. f. 1. cop. Schreb. t. 48. Shaw's Zoology,
t. 41. Vesp. lanceolata, Deschamp, MSS. Inhabits Java. Mu-
seum Leyden.

Lyre-nosed broad-winged bat. Megaderma Lyra, Geoff: Ann.
Mus. xv. t. 12. cop. Encycl. Meth. t. 3. f. 11. B. Dict. Se. Nat.
Inhabits India. British Museum.

17. Lavia, Gray. Nose-leaf simple, erect behind, with an ex-
panded elevated edge in front, and a fold forming a canal in the upper
edge of its centre ; lips simple ; tail none ; cutting teeth 2. Africa.

Lavia frons, Gray. Megaderma frons, Geoff’ Ann. Mus. xv.

3

and Description of New Genera and Species. 49]

t. 1, head: la Feuille, Daubenton, Acad. Paris, 1769. Inhabits
Africa, (Egypt, Senegal, Gambia.) British Museum.

Nose-leaf large, membranaceous, hairy, the hinder part elongat-
ed, with a deep fold on each side forming a broad central tapering
kind of midrib, the lower part of each fold furnished with a mem-
branaceous expansion covering the nostrils. The front of the leaf
large, with a broad expanded free edge, furnished with a fold in
centre of the front, forming a conical canal.

? 18. Mormooprs, Leach. not F. Cuv. Nose-leaf simple; ears
large, close together in front, united to the nose-leaf above, and to
the membranaceous ridges round the mouth and chin ; interfemoral
membrane large, truncated ; tail short, inclosed ; apex free above ;
cutting teeth +.

Mormoops Blainvillii, Leach, Linn. Trans. xiii. t. 7. Inhabits
Jamaica.

The genus described by M. F. Cuvier under this name appears
to be perfectly different. This genus differs from Vampyrus in
the large ears, the mouth being fringed with membranes, wartiness
of the chin, and in the under lip being entire in front.

Trise I].—RuHInoLoPHINA.

Nose disk expanded into a leaf behind, and mith a pit or process
between the nostrils in front.

* Interfemoral membranes very small ; tail none ; disk with a large
deep pit between the nostrils.

19. Arireus, Gray. Istiophorus, Gray (not Cuv.) Nose-leaf
erect, lanceolate, simple behind, rounded in front ; ears lateral ;
separate tragus ; lanceolate-toothed ; interfemoral membrane only
margining the legs ; heel-bone, moderate.

Yellowish Ariteus. Ariteus flavescens, Gray. Istiophorus flaves-
cens, Gray. Zool. Misc. 37. Inhabits ? British Museum.
* * Interfemoral membranes large ; tail long. (Old World.)

20. RutxoLopuus (Noctilio, Bechst.) Horse-shoe Bat. Nose-
leaf thin, extended into a transverse lanceolate leaf, with 4 cells at its
base, and with a toothed longitudinal crest in the middle space, be-
tween the nostrils in front, and a slight pit in its front ; ears large,
separate ; pubes with distinct false teats. Tragus small.

Rhinolophus hipposideros, Geoff: Leach. Misc. t. 121. Rh. bi-
hastatus, Geoff. Ann. Mus. xx. t. 5. Temm. Mon. n. Vesp. mi-
nutus, Montagu, Linn. Trans. ix. t. 18, f. 6. Noctilio hipposideros
Bechst.(1601.) V. ferrum-equinum § Gmel. Petit feracheval. Dau-
bent. Buffon, N.H. iii. t. 20. Inhabits Europe. Brit. Mus.

492 A Revision of the Genera of Bats,

Rhinolophus ferrum-.equinum, Leach, Zool. Misc. Vesp. ferrum-
equinum, Schreb. t. 62, upper fig. Vesp. hippocrepis, Hermann.
Noctilio ferum-equinum, Bechst. Grand fer a cheval. Daubent.
Mem. Acad. Paris, 1759, t. 1. f.4. Buffon, N.H. viii. t. 17. f. 2.
Rhinolophus unihastatus, Geoff. Ann. Mus. xx. t. 5. Temm. Mon.
No. 13. Inhabits Europe, Asia, and Africa. (Britain, Turkey, Sy-
ria.) British Museum.

Rhinolophus megaphyllus, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. iii. 52. In-
habits New Holland. British Museum.

See also 1. Rhinolophus minor, Horsf Java, t. f.a, b, head. Temm.
Mon. No. 14. 2. Raflinis, Horsf’ Inhabits Java. Museum, India
House ; and 3. Rhinolophus griseus, Meyer. Bonn. Trans. 1824.
Inhabits ?

Rhinolophus Capensis, Licht. Rhinolophus clivosus, Ruppell.
_ Atlas, t. 18. Temm. Mon. No. 15. Rhinolophus Geoffroyi, A.
Smith, Zool. Journ. Inhabits Africa, (Egypt, Cape of Good
Hope,) and Europe, (Dalmatia, Sicily,) Asia, (Levant.) British
Museum.

21. Hrpposiperos, Gray. Phyllorhina, Bonap. The nose disk
extended inte a short reflexed leaf behind, with a thick cross rib on
the front of its base, to which it is attached by 3 longitudinal bands,
the front part flat, simple, pierced with the nostrils. Tragus none.

a. Forehead pierced with an expansie pore ; pubal teats distinct.

* Face leafy on the sides of the nose disk.

Hipposideros insignis. Gray. Rhinolophus insignis, Horsf: Java,
head. Temm. Mon. No. 3, t. 1, f. 2. Vesp. cyclope, Desch. MSS.
Ears acute, front, with a narrow and a broad hairy band ; tail end
not produced. Inhabits Java. Museum, India House.

Dr Horsfield’s specimen of Rhin. deformis, (t. 7, £ 9, head,) ap-
pears to be a specimen of this species, the base of the tail of which
has been drawn out when the animal was skinned.

Hipposideros apiculatus, Gray. Ears acute, front edge hairy,
hinder edge plicated ; last joint of the tail elongated and produced ;
fur soft, silky ; base whitish ; tips dark-brown. Inhabits India. W.
Elliot, Esq. British Museum.

* * Face not leafy on the sides of the nose disk.

Hipposideros fulvus, Gray. Fur reddish fulvous ; silky, rather
paler beneath ; ears very large, rounded, dark, with a few short
scattered hairs on the outsides, and 2 or 3 lines of long hairs on the
front edge; last joint of tail slightly produced. Inhabits India,
(Madras.) W. Elliot, Esq. British Museum.

Mouse-coloured Horse-shoe-Bat. Hipposideros murinus, Gray.

4:

and Description of New Genera and Species. 493

Fur pale mouse-colour, hairs with brown ends, and very small white
tips ; whitish beneath ; ears very large, rounded, with 2 or 3 lines of
long hairs on the front edge ; tail, last joint slightly produced. In-
habits India, (Madras.) W. Elliot, Esq. British Museum.

This difference of colour is not sexual, as Mr Elliot had male
and female of each. See also Rhinolophus armiger, Hodgs. from
Nepaul.

b. Forehead concave, deep, with a tuft of rigid brown hair in the

Sront, in the place of the frontal pore ; (tail destroyed ;) sides

of face leafy.

Pencilled Horse-shoe Bat, Hipposideros penicillatus, Gray.
Brown, with a tuft of brown hair on each side over the eyes, anda
small pencil of rigid brown ones on the front of the forehead. In-
habits India, (Madras.) W. Elliot, Esq.

c. Forehead simple 3 nose leaf entire, rounded ; tail as long as the

membrane ; muzzle leafy on side of nose disk. (India.)

Hipposideros diadema, Gray. Rhinolophus diadema, Geoff.
Ann. Mus. xx. t. 5. Zemm. Mon. n. 2. Inhabits Timor.

Hipposideros nobilis, Gray. Rhinoloph. nobilis, Horsf: Java,
Head from dry specimen, Z’emm. Mon. No. 1, t.1,f. 1. Inhabits
Java. Museum, India House.

Hipposideros larvatus, Gray. Rhinolophus larvatus, Horsf. Java,
head. Temm. Mon. No. 9. Inhabits Java. Museum, India House.

Hipposideros vulgaris, Rhinolophus vulgaris, Horsf: Java, t.
7. f. E. head. Inhabits India. British Museum. Museum, India
House.

See also Rhinolophus Commersonii, Geoff! Ann. Mus. xx. t. 5,
head. Only known from Commerson’s drawings ; tail half as long as
the thigh. Inhabits Madagascar. See also R. torquatus, Hodgs.
of Nepal.

d. Forehead simple ; nose leaf 3-toothed ; tail longer than mem-
brane ; pubal teats none. Asellia.—Gray.

‘Three-toothed Horse-shoe Bat. Hipposideros tridens, Gray.
Rhinolophus tridens, Geoff. Descrip. Egypte, t. 2, in Ann. Mus.
xx. t. 5, head. Dict. Sc. Nat. Temm. Monog. No. 6. Cheeks with
longitudinal ridges. Inhabits North Africa, (Egypt.) British
Museum.

The difference in the form of the front part of the nose-leaf, on
which Dr Horsfield founded part of his specific character, appears
to depend on the drying of the specimens. All the specimens de-
scribed by that excellent zoologist were in a dry state. I have made
the foregoing references to his species after the examination of

494 A Revision of the Genera of Bats,

his own specimens in the India House, and those which he sent to

the British Museum as types of his species.

B. Anisr1opHort, or Simple nosed bats. Nostrils simply pierced
in the end of the muzzle without any nasal leaf.

Tribe I1].—VEsPERTILIONINA.

Grinders acutely tubercular, wings broad, large ; tail elongated,
as long as, and enclosed in, the large conical interfemoral mem-
brane, upper cutting teeth near the canines, with acentral space.

+ Ears united or approximate ; nostrils each placed in the front
of a groove, the grooves are close together in front, diverging from
one another behind, and are covered by their spirally convolute
outer margin, which is lobed in front for the passage of the air.

22. Nycreris, Geoff. Ears large, united over the forehead ; tra-
gus distinct ; wings and interfemoral membrane large ; tail long,
forked at the tip.

* Ears united on the forehead. Africa.

Nycteris Thebaica, Geoff. Descript. Egypte, t.1, No 2. Ann. Mus.
xx. t. 1, head. Vespert. hispidus, Schreb.? Nyct. Geoffroyii, Temm.
Inhabits Africa. (Egypt and Guinea?) Brit. Mus.

Add also 1. Nycteris Capensis, A. Smith, Zool. Journ. iv. and
2. Nycteris affinis, A. Smith, Zool. Journ. iv. Inhabits Africa.
(C. G. H.) .

* * Ears not united in front, forehead mith a large deep oval
naked concave pit, having a naked groove in front running down
between the nostrils. Asia. (Petalia, Gray.)

. Nycteris Javanica, Geoff. Ann. Mus. xx. t. 1. N. Kuhlii, Temm.
Vesp. policaris, Deschamps. Inhabits Java. Mus. Ind. House.

t + Ears united ; nostrils in the front part of a short lunate

groove.

23. Nycrorpuitus, Leach? Temm. Barbastellus, Gray. Nose
grooves united together behind by an elevated membranaceous crest,
extending across the nose ; forehead bare with a central longitudi-
nal furrow having inflexed bald edges.

Australian Nyctophile. Nyctophilus Geoffroyii, Leach. Linn.
Trans. xiii. 78? Temm. Vy. (1833.) Barbastellus Pacificus, Gray.
Zool, Misc. (1831) 38. Inhabits Pacific Islands. Mus. Brit. and
Linn. Soc. Mus.

24. BaARBASTELLUS, Gray. Nasal groove simple lunate, extend-
ing a short distance behind the nostrils ; forehead flat with an oval
bald longitudinal line ; ears large, broad, subquadrate ; skull con-
vex ; face narrow.

|

and Description of NewGenera and Species. 495

Common Barbastelle. Barbastellus communis, Gray, B. Dau-
bentonii, Bell. Plecotus barbastellus, Lesson. Vesp. barbastel-
lus, Schreb. Barbastelle, Daubent. Mem. Acad. Paris, 1759, t.
2.f. 8. Buffon, H.N. viii. t. 19, f. 1, copied, Schrebd. t. 559, En-
cycl. Meth. t. 38. f. 6. Geoffroy, Ann. Mus. viii. t. 46. 48. Europe.
Brit. Mus.

_ 25. Puecortus, Geoff: Nasal groove simple, lunate ; forehead with
a linear bald streak ; forehead flat ; ears and tragus very large, elon-
gate.

Common long-eared bat, Plecotus communis, Lesson. Plecotus
auritus, Geof. . Vesp. auritus, Linn. Oreillard, Daubent. Mem.
Acad. Paris, 1759, f. 1. and 2 (head). Buffon. H.N. viii. t. 17. f.
1, cop. Schreb. t. 50, and Encycl. Meth. t. 83, f. 1. Geoff? Ann.
Mus. viii. t. 47 head. Edwards’ Birds, t. 201. Penn. B. Zool. t. 103.
Shan’s Zool. t. 40. Young, Plecotus brevimanus, Jenyns, Linn.
Trans. xvi. t. 1, f.2 9. Europe. Var. «. Egyptiacus, Geof: 8. Aus-
triacus, Desm. Brit. Mus.

See also 1. Plecotus cornutus, Lesson. Vesp. cornutus, Faber,
Isis 1826. Inhabits Jutland. 2. P. Bonapartii, P. brevimanus, Bo-
nap. 3. Plecotus Peronii, Isidore St Hilaire, Mag. Zool. t. 3, f.1.
Inhabits——? 4. Plecotus leucomelas, Ruppell, Atlas t. 28 b. In-
habits N. Africa. 5. P. Macrotis, Le Conte.

Christie’s long-eared bat, Plecotus Christii, n. s. Fur pale, hairs
whitish with dusky tips ; beneath white ; spur very long ; interfemo-
ral membrane with 11 or 12 cross lines of vessels on the back of
the thigh and skin ; tragus half as long as the ears. Inhabits N.
Africa. Dr Turnbull Christie. British Museum.

+ + t Ears lateral, separate ; nostrils in the front of a long simple
edged groove.

26, Romicia, Gray.—Nostrils small, ovate, apical ; each in the
front of a converging groove, which are united behind into a groove
on the centre of the nose between the swollen cheeks.

Long-spurred Romicia, Romicia calcarata, Gray.—Chin with two
small warts on each side, and a large one on the front part of the
throat ; fur brown with grey tips ; the tips of the hair on the under
side longer and whiter, tragus elongated, oblong, blunt ; ears rounded;
wings black ; interfemoral membrane with regular muscular bands ;
heel-bones very long, two-thirds the length of the margin, with a
lobe on the outer edge of the base ; the other third of the margin
with a strong muscular band. Inhabits ? British Museum.
+++ Ears lateral separate ; nostrils with only a very short nasal

groove behind them.

27. VESPERTILIO. Head round ; forehead convex ; facesmall, pro-

496 A Revision of the Genera of Bats,

duced, nearly covered with hair ; wings and ears thin, membrana-
ceous ; body covered with woolly hairs ; tail long, the whole length
of the interfemoral membrane, cutting-teeth > ; skull globular;
jaws produced, narrow ; eyes large, exposed.

+ Thumb moderate ; ears short.

Vesp. mystacinus, Leisl. (Kuhl. 1. c.) Europe. British Museum.

Vesp. Nattereri, Kuhl. Wetter. Ann. iv. t. 2,3, (head.) Inhabits
Europe, (London.) British Museum.

Vesp. Daubentonii, Kuhl. Wetter. Ann. iv. t. 25, f. 1, head.
Inhabits Europe. British Museum.

Hardwicke’s bat, Vespertilio Hardwickii, Horsf Inhabits Java.
British Museum. East India Company.

Painted bat, Vespertilio pictus, Pallas. V. kerivoula, Bodd.
Inhabits Java (andCeylon.) British Museum. East India Company.

See also 1. V. fuliginosa, Hodgs. 2.V. capaccini, Bonap. 3.
V. emarginatus, Brong,

** Thamb moderate ; ears large.

Large eared bat, Vespertilio myotis, Bechst.—Vesp. murinus,
Geoff. Ann. Mus. viii. t. 47 and 48, (not Linn.) Daubenton, Mem.
Acad. 1759, t.1, £1. Buffon, H.N. viii. t. 16, cop. Encycl. Meth.
t. 38, f, 2. Jun. Vesp. murinus, Bechst. var. Vesp. submurinus,
Brehm. Inhabits S. of Europe, (‘ not found in Sweden,” Nilsson.)

* * * Thumb very long.

Vesp. Bechsteinii, Leisl. Kuhl. Wetter, Ann. iv. t. 22, f. In-
habits Europe.

eee * Thumb pe a: end of tail rather produced.

Vesp. Capensis, Smith, Zool. Journ. iv. Inhabits Cape of Good
Hope. M. Jourdan.

98, Furia, Fr. Cuv. Furipterus, Bonap,—Head round ; fore-
head compressed, convex ; face small, broad, produced, nearly cover-
ed with hair; wings and ears thin membranaceous ; tail bony for
half its length, cartilaginous at tip, cutting teeth 4, upper acute.

Furia horrens, Fr. Cuv. Mem. Mus. xvi. t. 9. Vesp. Furia,
Fischer. Inhabits S. America. Does not the peculiarity of the tail
arise from the bones having been partly withdrawn when the animal
was skinned P

29. Naratus, Gray. Head small ; face depressed ; nostrils apical,
ovate, separated by a central ridge ; lower lip callous, grooved ; hind
legs and tail very long ; the heel-bone extending the whole length of
the interfemoral membrane. ;

Natalus stramineus. Vesp. longicaudatus, Gray, MSS. Fur
pale yellow-brown ; paler beneath. Inhabits—? British Museum.

and Description of New Genera and Species. 497

30. Mrniorprerus, Bonap. 1837. Head subglobose ; forehead
convex ; face short ; ears small, thick, rounded ; tragus lunate ;
eyes partly hid ; feet long ; tail very long ; interfemoral membrane
very large, folded on each side

Miniopterus Ursinii, Ch. Bonap. Fauna Ital. Italy, and M. Sci-
boldii, Japan. Museum, Leyden.

31. Scoropuitus, Leach. Nycticejus, Rafin ? Horsf. Pi-
pistrellus, Bonap. V.Pachyote, Gloger. Head oblong ; forehead
flat ; face swollen on the sides, naked in front ; wings and ears thick,
rather coriaceous ; body covered with short fine adpressed thick-set
hairs ; cutting teeth *,%, when young 11 ; when adult ; skull flat
above; forehead shelving; eyes small, hid in the fur.

The genus Nycticejus, Rafinesque, from an old specimen, as Sco-
_ tophilus, Leach, is from a young specimen of this genus ; Nyctalus,
_ Bowdich, is only a species with ticks in its ears, and interfemoral
membrane nearly bald.

: Common bat. Penn. Scotophilus murinus, Gray. Vespertilio
i Pipistrellus, Schreb. V. murinus, Linn. Junior, Vesp. pygmeus,
Leach. Zool. Journal, iti. Inhabits Europe. Colour variable.
i Leach’s specimen of V. pygmeus is so young that the bones of the
\ skull are neither united nor hardened, and the epiphyses are visible
in all the joints.

b Serotine Scotophile, Scotophilus serotinus, Gray. Vesp. Seroti-
nus, Schreb. V. noctula, Geoff: Ann. Mus. viii. t. 47, 48 head.
Le Serotine, Daubenton, Acad. Par. 1759, t. 2, f. 2. Buffon, HN.
vii. t. 18, f. 2. cop. Schreb. t. 53, and Encycl. Meth. t. 23, f. 4.

Serotine bat, Pennt. Inhabits Europe.
Scotophilus Noctula, Gray. Vesp. Noctula, Schreb. t. 52. Fr.
Cuv. Mam. Lith.—var. Sumatrana, Fr. Cuv. Inhabits Europe.
_ Brit. Mus.

Scotophilus Kuhlii, Gray. Vesp. Kuhlii, Natterer. Kuhl. 1. ¢.
_ Inhabits Europe.

Scotophilus Leisleri, Gray. Vesp. Leisleri, Kuhi. V. dasycar-
_ pos, Leisl. MSS. Inhabits Europe.

Scotophilus discolor, Gray. Vesp. discolor, Kuh/. Wett. Annal.
iv. t. 25, f. 2. Inhabits Europe (Bucharia.)

_ Scotophilus Schreibersii, Gray. Vesp. Schreibersii, Kuhl. In-
habits Europe.

Scotophilus Leachii, Gray. Scotophilus. Kuhlii, Leach, Linn.

_ Trans. xiii. 72. (Young) male chesnut, female brown. Inhabits

? British Museum.

Scotophilus Temminckii, Gray. Vesp. Temminckii, Horsf.

y

498 A Revision of the Genera of Bais,

(Young) Vesp. Belangeri, Jsid. Geof: Belanger, Voy. adult. In-
habits India. - E. India Company.

Scotophilus castaneus, Gray. Vesp. castaneus, Gray. Illustr.
Ind. Zool. Inhabits India. General Hardwicke. :

Scotophilus Heathii, Gray. Nycticejus Heathii, Horsf. Proc.
Zool. Soc. 114. Inhabits India, (Madras.) Mus. Zool. Soc. Pro-
bably only a variety of Scotophilus Leachii ?

Scotophilus Javanicus, Gray. Vesp. Javanica, Fr. Cuv. Nouv.
Ann. Mus. 1.21. Inhabits Java.

Scotophilus Coromandra, Gray.—Vesp. Coromandra, Fr. Cuv.
Nouv. Ann. Mus. i. 2]. Inhabits India. WVesp. formosa, Hodgs.
Inhabits Nepaul. (If it is not Scot. Leachii, Leach.)

See also 1. Vesp. Alcitoe ; 2. V. Leucippe ; 3. V. Aristippe ; 4.
V. Savi, and 5. V. Vispistrellus, Bonap. ; Fauna Ital.

** Upper surface of interfemoral membrane slightly covered mith hair.
. (Pachyotus.)
+ Face villose.

Scotophilus polythrix. Vesp. polythrix, Isid. Geoff. Ann. Sc.

Nat. iii. 443.
t+ t Face parily bald.

Scotophilus levis, Ised. Geoff. Ann. Se. Nat. iii. 443.

* * Upper surface of interfemoral membrane covered with close hairs

Lasiurus—Atalapha, Rajfin.?

Scotophilus pruinosus. Vesp. pruinosus, Say, Long’s Exp. 167.
Inhabits N. America, (River Missouri.) British Museum.

Scotophilus lasiurus, Gray,—Vesp. lasiurus, Schreb. t. 62, B.
cop. Encyc. Meth. t. 31, f. 4, Geoff. Ann. Mus. viii. t. 47, head.
Inhabits Cayenne.

Scotophilus Blossevilii. Vesp. Bonariensis, Voy. Coquille, t. 2, f.
1. Vesp. Blossevilii, Lesson, Bull. Sc. Nat. viii. 95. Inhabits S.
America (La Plata.)

See also, Scotophilus Noveboracensis. New York bat, Penn.
Syn. t. 31, f. 2, cop. Encyc. Meth. t. 34, f.5. Atalapha Ame-
ricana, Rafin. Vesp. Noveboracensis, Eraleb. Doubtless belong to
this section, but want further examination.

Tripe LV. Nocrixionina.
Grinders acutely tubercular ; wings long and narrow ; body thin ;
tail thick,
* Tail short, tip on the upper surface of the large interfemoral
membrane.

32. TapHozous, Geoff: Saccopteryx, Illiger. Head conical, de-

—_—s

ee

and Description of New Genera and Species. 499

pressed ; forehead with a large pit ; cutting-teeth, 2; throat of
males with a transverse slit. Inhabits Old World.

Taphozous perforatus, Geoff; Descript. Egypte, t. 3. f.1. Dict.
Hist. Nat. t. T. Senegalensis, Geoff: (dry ?) from Lerot Volant,
Daubenton. Tail rather longly produced. Inhabits Africa, Egypt.
British Museum. —

Taphozous lepturus, Geoff: Saccopteryx lepturus, Idliger, from
Vesp. lepturus, Schreb. t. 57. Vesp. marsupialis, Miller, Naturf.
19. Said to come from Surinam ; scarcely appears to differ from
the former.

Taphozous nudiventer, Riippell. Atlas, t. 27. Inhabits Africa
(Nubia) Dr Riippell. British Museum.

Taphozous rufus, Harlan, from the Red bat, Wilson. (Am. Orn.
vi. t. 50. f. 4.) is a Scotophilus from the manner in which it bends
its tail, perhaps Scot. pruniosus.

33. Noctinio, Linn. Celaeno, Leach. Head conical; forehead
flat ; muzzle acute warty ; lips dependent ; cutting-teeth, $ young, 3
adult. America.

The genus Celaeno of Leach is only a specimen in which the bones
of the tail have been withdrawn out of the skin. The original speci-
men is in the museum of the University College, London.

Noctilio Americanus, Linn. N. unicolor, Pr. Maz. Vesp. le-
porinus, Linn., Schreb. t. 60. Seba, t. 55, f. 1. Peruvian Bat,
Penn. Inhabits South America.

Noctilio mastivus. Vesp. mastivus, Vahl. Selsk. Skriv. iv. t.
132, f. 7. (1797.) Noctilio dorsatus, Pr. Maz. Beitr. N. vittatus,
Pr. Maz. Abbild. t. Pteropus leporinus, Erwleb. Jun. N. albiven-
ter, Spix, Braz. t. 36. f.2. Desm. Mamm. Inhabits South Ame-
rica. British Museum.

? Noctilio rufus, Spex, Brazil, t. 35, f. 1. Inhabits S. America.

34. Progoscipea, Spix. Embalanura, Kuhl. Head long, conical ;
muzzle sharp, produced ; forehead flat ; upper jaw longest ; cutting
teeth % =?.

* Interfemoral membrane truncated. (Proboscidea, Spzw.)

Proboscidea saxatilis, Spix, Braz. t. 35, f.8, bad. Vesp. naso,
Pr. Maz. Abbild. t. Embalonura saxatilis? T’emm. ?-

Proboscidea rivalis, Spiz, Braz. Inhabits Brazils.

Proboscidea canina. Vesp. caninus, Pr. Maz. Abbild.t. Inha-
bits Brazils.

* * Interfemoral membrane produced conical ; heel-bone very long,
Centro nycteris.
Proboscidea calcarata. Vesp. calcaratus, Pr. Max. Abbild. t.

_Vesp. Maximiliani, Fischer. Inhabits Brazils.

VOL. 11. No. 12. mk

500 A Revision of the Genera of Bats,

* * * Interfemoral membranes, &c. ? (Embalanura, Kuhl.)

Proboscidea monticola. Embalanura monticola, Kuhl. Face de-

pressed ; forehead rounded ; wings brown ; expanse 6 inches ; heel-~
bone 4 lines. Inhabits Java. Museum, Leyden.

35. Arto, Leach. Head subconic ; forehead flat ; ears large, se-
parate ; cutting-teeth 2 ; upper, chisel-shaped, 2 cut ; tail rather
elongated with a membranous band to the tip of the large truncated
interfemoral membrane ; heel-bone very slender.

Aello Cuvieri, Leach. Linn. Trans. xiii. 71. Inhabits ——-— ?
Museum University College of London.

t + Tail produced beyond the bend of conical interfemoral membrane.

36. Preronotus, Gray. Ears lateral ; tragus elongate lobed ; chin
with a reflexed cartilaginous edge to the lower lip, and an erect
membranaceous ridge across its lower part ; wings only afhxed by a
narrow line to the middle of the back, which is covered with fur be-
neath them ; hind-feet long ; the ankle rather produced and exposed ;
the lower angle of the wing lies folded over it.

Pteronotus Davyi, Gray. Mouse-coloured, wings baldish ; exp.
12 inches. Inhabits Trinidad. Museum Fort Pit, Chatham. ‘Tail
imperfect. In honour of Dr John Davy, so well known for his phy-
siological papers.

t+ + Tail thick, produced beyond the end of the short transversely-

folded interfemoral membrane ; thumb large, swollen beneath ;
cutting-teeth very variable in number.

37. CuerromELES, Horsf. Dysopes, Temm. not F. Cuv. Ears
small, separate, lateral ; back nearly naked ; great toe very large,
versatile, bearded.

Collared-handed Bat. Cheiromeles torquatus, Horsf: Java, t.

copied in Dysopes cheiropus, T'’emm. Mon. t. 7, and t. 23, f. 15.
Molossus torquatus, Fischer. Molossus cheiropus, Less. Inhabits
India, (Siam.) Museum, India House.

38. Nycrinomus, Geoff. Ears very large close together, or folded
down on the forehead; muzzle obliquely truncated, bristly ; lips
very large, transversely grooved, and with scattered bristle-like
hairs; thumb and little toe with a patch of white tufted hairs.

Nyctinomus plicatus. Molossus plicatus, Fischer. Vesp. plicatus,
Buchanan, Linn. Trans. v. t. 13. Dysopes plicatus, Temm. Nyc-
tinomus tenuis, Horsf: Java t. (dry) cop. Dysopes tenuis, Z'emm.
Mon. t. 19, 20, t. 23. f. 30. 16 skeletons. Nyctinomus Bengalensis,
Geoff. Vesp. labiata, Hodgs. Dysopes labiatus, Temm. MSS. ? Nye-
tin. dilatatus, Horsf: Java. Gray's Mlustr. Ind. Zool. 2. Molossus
dilatatus, Lesson.

The upper edge of the nose disk surmounted by a series of short
close processes ; face, with scattered flattened hairs, which are cury-

and Description of New Genera and Species. 501

ed at the tip, some of them forming a tuft on the front of the lip ;
ears united in a common tubercle in front; the pad of the great and
little toes narrow, hairs slender, long. Inhabits India (Bengal) Java.
British Museum.

Nyctinomus Riippelli. Dysopus Riippelli, Temm. Mon. t. 18,
t. 23, f. 6, 8. Molossus Riippelli, Lesson. Upper lip with scatter-
ed straight black bristles, intermixed with flat hooked ones; pad
of great and little toes very large. Inhabits Egypt and Fernando
Po. British Museum.

Nyctinomus pumilus. Dysopes pumilus, Riippell, Atlas, t. 27, a
Inhabits North Africa, (Egypt.) Dr Ruppell.

Nyctinomus murinus, Gray, Griff. A. K. v. 187. Molossus muri-
nus, Fischer. Petit chauve-souris obscure, Azara? Face hairy,
with black bristles ; upper lip simple in front ; ears round, sepa-
rated at the base in front ; tragus slender ; pad of great and little
toes large, broad. Titi bite South America, (( Braids 3) West mp cies?
(Jamaica.) British Museum.

Nyctinomus nasutus. Molossus nasutus, Spia, Braz. t. 35, f. 7
Dysopes nasutus, Temm. Mon. t. 24, f. 2, 3. Nyctinomus Brazi-
liensis, I. Geoff: Ann. Sc. Nat, I. t. 22, f. i. cop. Zool. Journ. t.

39. Moxossus, Geoff: Ears very large, close together and folded
down on the forehead ; face conical ; nose rounded at the end; lips
smooth or hairy; great and little toe with a pad of hooked hairs ;
throat with a central pouch in front ; lower joint of thumb swollen.

Molossus velox, Lesson. Dysopus velox, Temm. Mon. t. 22. f. 1.
t. 23, f. 22; upper lip with a roundish group of close slender hook-
_ ed hairs in front ; throat-pouch large. Inhabits Brazils, Cuba. Bri-
_tish Museum.

Molossus fuliginosus. Face naked, black with a bunch of hairs

on each side, just before the eyes ; upper lip with a triangular patch

_ of hooked white hairs in front ; lips smooth, inner edge slightly
_ fringed with rather stiff hairs in front ; tragus long pointed ; tail
half free ; nose-disk convex with denticulations on the edge, with
a triangular bunch of hair below the nostril ; end of face hairy ;

_ throat-pouch small. Inhabits ? British Museum.

Molossus rufus, Geoff} Dysopes rufus, T’emm. Mon. t. 23, f. 19.
1 teeth. Dysop. perotis, Pr. Max. Abbild. t. . Upper lip with a nar-
_ Tow erect triangular group of hooked hairs between the nostrils;
_ edge of the nose disk finely crenate ; ears close together in front.
Inhabits Brazils, Surinam. British Museum.
Molossus australis. Dark-brown, rather paler beneath, with a
_ broad pure white streak down each side, between the wing and the
ody, and a narrow white streak round the edge of the rump be-
eath ; ears large, broad, rounded ; tail nearly one-half free. In-

502 A Revision of the Genera of Bats,

habits New South Wales. (Major Macarthur.) United Service
Museum.

40. TuyrorrEra, Spix. Ears large, close together, and folded
down over the forehead ; lips thick; muzzle obliquely truncated ;
thumb thin, with a large rounded dilatation at the middle-joint ;
hind feet weak, small.

Thyroptera tricolor, Spzz, Braz, t. 36, f. 1, evidently young.
Black-brown above, beneath pale-white ; wings and ears black. In-
habits Brazil.

41. Myopreris, Geoff: Ears large, lateral; muzzle short and
blunt ; cutting teeth, $, upper pointed, close together.

Myopteris Daubentonii, Geoff. from Rat volant, Daubenton,
Mem. Ac. Paris, 1759, 386. Inhabits N. America. Is it a Noctilio ?

See also Nycticegus cynocephalus, Le Conte.

* * * Tail very short, many-jointed, enclosed in a two-valved
sheath, placed at the base of the extended interfemoral mem-
brane.

42. Dicuipurus, Pr. Maz.

Diclidurus Freyreissii, Pr Max. Isis, 1819. D. albus, Pr. Maz.

4bbild, t. Inhabits Brazils. Museum, Neuwied. Perhaps more
allied to Vespertilionina.

Tripge V.—PTEROPINA.

Grinders bluntly tubercular ; nose simple ; nostrils slightly pro-
duced ; end of index finger-clawed ; head conical ; ears simple, la-
teral ; tragus none ; wings long ; lower joint of thumb long, united

_to the wing by a membrane ; interfemoral membrane short ; tail
none, or short ; living on fruit in Indian islands and Polynesia.

43. Ternate Bat, PrzEropus. Head long, conical ; muzzle acute ; |
evinders $ or 4; tongue short ; wings from the side of the body; |
tail none, or short. :

* Tail none ; ears large. |

Black Ternate Bat, Pteropus edulis, Pennt. Pt. Javanicus,
Desm. Temm. Mon. t. 15, f. 1. Pt. Edwardsii, Geoff. 2 Vesp.
vampyrus, Linn. Vesp. Celaeno, Herm. Seba, t. 57, f. 2. Ternate |
Bat, Pennt. Var. Pt. Edwardsii, Geoff Inhabits Java, Sumatra,
Timor, Bengal ? |

Indian Ternate Bat, Pteropus medius, Temm. Inhabits India, |
( Calcutta, Pondicherry.)

* * Tail none ; ears small.
Pale-faced Ternate Bat, Pteropus phaiops, Temm. Inhabits |
Madagascar. |

Grey-headed Ternate Bat, Pteropus poliocephalus, Temm. In-

habits New Holland.

and Description of New Genera and Species. 503

Red-necked Ternate Bat, Pteropus dasymallus, Temm. Mon. t.
10, t. 13, f. 10, 11, cran. Pteropus rubricollis, Szebold, not Geoff.
inhabits Japan.

Common Ternate Bat, Pteropus vulgaris, Geoff. Rousette,
Buff. H.N. x. t. 14. cop. Vesp. caninus, Schreb. t. 44. Inhabits
Isle of France, Bourbon, (Madagascar ?)

Red-collared Ternate Bat. Pteropus rubricollis, Geoff. Pt. col-
laris, Licht. Vesp. Vampyrus 8. Eraleb. Rousette, Buff. H.N.
x. t. 17. Inhabits Cape of Good Hope, Lichtenst. Bourbon and
Madagascar, Temm.

Pale Ternate Bat, Pteropus pallidus, Temm. Mon.t. 15, f. 8, 9.
Inhabits Banda.

Keraudren’s Ternate Bat, Pteropus Keraudrenii, Quoy and Gaim.
Voy. Uran, t. 3. Temm. Mon. t. 15, f. 7. cran. Pt. Marianus,
Desm. Inhabits Island of Guam. Quoy and Gaimard.

Amboyna Ternate Bat, Pteropus Dussumieri, [sid. Geoff: Be-
danger, Voy. 9, 8. Inhabits India and Amboyna.

Grey Ternate Bat, Pteropus griseus, Geoff? Ann. Mus. xv. t.
6. cop. Temm. Mon. t.1]. Inhabits Timor. Pennt.

Masked Ternate Bat, Pteropus personatus, Z’emm. Mon. 189.
Inhabits Ternate Islands.

See also Pteropus leucocephalus, Hodgson. Inhabits Nepaul.

* * * Tail very short.

Pteropus Aegyptiacus, Geoff Pteropus Geoffroyi, Temm. t. 15.
f.14,15. Inhabits N. and E. Africa. Dr Turnbull Christie.

Pteropus Leachii, A. Smith, Zool. Journ. Inhabits Cape of Good
Hope.

Pteropus stramineus, Geoff: Temm. Mon. 1, t. 15, f. 12, 13. In-
habits Timor.

* * * * Tail rather elongated. (4 inch.)
| Pteropus Leschenaultii, Desm. Inhabits Pondicherry.
_____ Pteropus amplexicaudatus, Geof? Ann. Mus. xv. t. 7. Cop. Dict.
_ Sc. Nat. t. and Temm. Mon. t. 13. t. 15, f. 16. Inhabits Timor,
Amboyna, Sumatra, Siam. (C. Good Hope ?)

44. Cynoprrrus, Ff. Cuv. Pachysoma, Isid. Geoff. Head short
broad ; lips thick on the sides ; grinders }; tail short, free ; wings
from the side of the back.

Cynopterus marginatus, Fr. Cuv. Pteropus marginatus, Geoff.
Ann. Mus. xvi. t. 8. cop. Temm.1,t. 14. Inhabits India.

Cynopterus titthecheilus. Pteropus titthecheilus, Z’emm. Mon.
t. 13, f. 17, 24. Pachysoma mammilevre, Geoff. Male with a tuft
of hair on the side of the neck, white in young, reddish in adult.
Is. Geoff:

Cynopterus brevicaudatus. Pachysoma brevicaudatum, Js. Geoff’

504 Revision of the Genera of Bats, &c.
Inhabits Sumatra. Tail very short. This and the next are probably
varieties of the former.

Cynopterus Diardii. Pachysoma Diardii, Js. Geoff. Inhabits
Sumatra.

Cynopterus Duvancellii. Pachysoma Duvancellii, Is. Geoff. In-
habits Sumatra. ‘Thumb of wing elongated.

Cynopterus melanocephalus. Pteropus melanocephalus, Temm.
Mon. t. 12, t. 18, f. 3, Scel. f. 4, teeth. Pachysoma melanocepha-
lum, J. Geoff: Inhabits Java. Wings very short, rounded.

The Vespertilio Sphinx, Vahl. Natur. Selsk. Skriv. iv. 130, from
Tranquebar, probably belongs to this genus.

45. Eromornorus, Bennett——Head very large, muzzle acute
long ; grinders © front lower small ; tail none? wings far back.

a. Tuft of white hair near the ears, and another on the sides of

the body, false grinders 3.

Epomophorus Whitii. Pteropus Whitii, Bennett, Trans. Zool.
Soct.—Pt. epomophorus, Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Inhabits W. Africa.
b. Tuft of white hairs at the base of the ears ; head very long.

Epomophorus macrocephalus. Pteropus macrocephalus, Ogilby,
Proc. Zool. Soc. iii. 100. Pt. megacephalus, Swains. Lardn. Cycl.
92, p. 31 and 154. Inhabits W. Africa. British Museum.

e. Tuft of white hairs at the front base of the wing, head mode-

/ rately long.

Epomophorus Gambianus. Pteropus Gambianus, Ogilby, |. c.
W. Africa.

46. Macroctossa, Lesson. Macroglossum, F. Cuv. not Fabr. Head
elongated ; muzzle slender, subcylindrical ; tongue long, slender,
exsertile, smooth ; wings from the sides of the back ; live chiefly on
the fruit of Eugenie.

Macroglossa minima. Pteropus minimus, Geoff: Pt. rostratus,
Horsf. Java, t. Temm. Monog. t. 15, f. 25,30, t. 16, f. 1,2, M. kio-
dotes and M. Horsfieldii, Lesson. Inhabits Java, (Gen. Hardwicke.)
British Museum. East India Company.

47. Harryia, Llliger. not Cuv. Head short broad ; lips thick ;
grinders ? wings arising from the centre of the back ; index-
finger clawed ; tail very short.

Harpyia Pallasii, Desm. Cephalotes Pallasii, Geoff: Ann. Mus.
xv. Vesp. cephalotes, Pall. Spic. Zool. ii. t. 1 and 2. cop. Schreb.
t. 61. Cephalote, Buffon, H. N. Suppl. iii. t. 2. Molucca bat, Pennt.
Pteropus Cephalotes, Tvedem. Inhabits Molucca Islands.

See also Cephalotes teniotis, Rafin. from Sicily.

48. Cepuatotes, Fr. Cuv. Hypoderma, Jsid. Geoff: Head short,
broad, lips thick ; wings arising from the centre of the back ; in-
dex-finger not clawed.

Botanical Eacursion to the Alps of the Valais. 505

Cephalotes Peronii, Geoff? Ann. Mus. xv, t. 9. cop. Dict. Se.
Nat. t. Hypoderma Peronii, Jsid. Geoff jun. Pteropus palliatus,
Geoff: Ann. Mus. xv. 99. Inhabits Timor.

I].— Account of a Botanical Excursion in the Alps of the Canton of
Valais, Switzerland, in August 1835; and Catalogue of the
Plants collected, with occasional Remarks. By R. J. Sautrye-
worTH, Esq. (Continued from p. 196.)

235. C. scabiosa, L. «. macrophylla, foliis radicalibus maximis ly-
rato-pinnatifidis, laciniis integerrimis, terminali ovatu-obtuso
maximo. y. leptophylla, foliis radicalibus subbipinnatiiidis, cau-
linis pinnatifidis, laciniis fere linearibus acutis subintegris, sub-
tus, presertim junioribus, subincano-tomentosis. CC. scabiosa, y.
tenuifolia, Gaud ?

H. «a. In dumetis inter Thermas Leucenses et Inden ; 8 in colli-

bus apicis inter Varen et Siders.

Obs. Folia radicalia in spec. meis var. «, 6 ad 8 uncialia laci-
nio terminali 2-3 uncias lata et 3-5 longa. Caulina etiam maxima
sublyrata profundissime pinnatifida, laciniis etiam integerrimis ar-
cuatis, recurvis. In var. @. capitula fere duplo minora quam in
var. a, involucro majis ovato, et. phyllis pallidis breve ciliatis.
Varietatem inter a. et y fere mediam in segetibus Hibernic legi,
foliis subbipinnatifidis, laciniis ovato-lanceolatis inciso-dentatis.
236. Carlina vulgaris, L.

H. In apricis inter Inden et Varen.

237. Xeranthemum inapertum, Willd.

H. In arvis incultis inter Varen et Siders. copiose.

238. Hieracium pilosella, L. HH. foliis integerrimis obovato-
elipticis, stolonibus repentibus, involucri squamis lineari-lanceola-
tis, scapo monocephalo. «a. viride. Ser. foliis utrinque viridibus,
sparse pilosis. H. P. 6. viride, Gaud. Helv. v. p. 71, 6. vulgare,
foliis dorso-tomentosis, pilis utrinque sparsis longis hirtis. H.
P. «. vulgare, Gaud. l. c. y. arenarium mihi, late repens, pluris-
capum, foliis minoribus facie viridibus pilis sparsis longis hirtis,
dorso, stolonibusque, incano-tomentosis; capitulis parvis involucre
incano. 6. incanum, involucro, foliisque utrinque incano-tomento-
sis, tomento brevissimo, vix pilosis. H. P. 8. incanum, DC. H.
Fr. iv. p. 23. H. P. y. incanum, Gaud. l. c. «. piloselleforme, fo-
liis dorso-ineanis, facie sparse pilosis, scapo elato incano, pube
brevi atra conspersa ; capitulis majoribus, phyllis lineari-lanceo-
latis latioribus incanis, pube brevi atra ad carinam consitis. H.
pilosella forme Hoppe, Gaud. 1. c. H. pilosella alpina Hoppe

exst, 2. Peleterianum, foliis obovato-lanceelatis elongatis, sub-

506 Botanical Excursion to the

tus tomentosis, scapo anthodioque longissime villosis. H. pele-

terianum Mérat. Rechb. H. P. y. Dub. Bot. Gall. 6 Gaud. 1. c.

H. 8. ad viam inter Inden et Varen; y. in arenosis ad Rhoda-

num prope Leuk ; 6. in pascuis M. Fiinelen et in alpibus supra
Tesch ; ¢. in collibus graminosis inter St Nicholas et Zermatt
et in pascuis alpinis supra Zermatt.

Obs. Inter «. et <. nullos limites invenire potui, variant nempe
involucro incano vel viridi, phyllis linearibus, lineari-lanceolatis vel
lanceolatis ; capitulis majoribus minoribusve ; foliis utrinque vel
tantum facie sparse pilosis, dorso seepius incano-tomentosis. Var.
@.me judici potuis quam ¢. a stirpe separanda: 6. sepe extolono-
sum, sed etiam ut ¢. stolonibus longis sepe preditum ; folia majus-
cula, capitula sepe majuscula. y. varietas insignis ; stolones re-
pentes nempe instar Polypodia Americana minora demum indu-
_rescunt, et scapi plures ex eodem nodo prodeunt.

239. H. dubium, Willd. H. auricula, Rchb. Germ. exe. No. 1719,
a. vulgare, 8. uniflorum, y. pilosum, foliis facie longe pilosis.

H. a. et B. In pascuis alpinis M. Schwarzseeberg et Fiinelen ;

y. Ad viam inter Stalden et St Nicholas.

240. H. angustifolium, Hoppe!

H. In pascuis et ad moles glaciales M. Schwarzseeberg, Fiinelen,

et supra Tesch.

241. H. piloselloides, Vill. Rchb. H. florentinum, ii. piloselloides
Gaud. 8. acutifolium, minus alpinum, seapo brachiato 3-4 floro.
Gaud. 1. ¢. p. 8.

H. In arenosis inter Siders et Leuk, et ad viam inter Stalden et

ag ., » In pascuis M. Schwarzseeberg.

249. H. alpicolum, Schleich ! Gaud. 1. c. p. 73.

H. rarissime ad moles glaciales, M. Fiinelen.

Obs. Stirps rarissima. Caulis submonophyllus, 1-2 asians
stellato-tomentosus, superne pilis longis sericeo-albidis, aliis brevi-
bus glanduliferis nigris intermixtis, tectus: folia lineari-lanceolata
dorso stellato-tomentosa, facie longe setosa: Involucrum subglobo-
sum, pilis luridis hirsutissimum. Planta paradoxa huic Piloselloi-
deis (H. angustifolio, Hoppe,) inde eriocephalis (H. glandulifero
Hoppe) affinis.

243. H. glanduliferum, Hoppe! H. glabratum, Schleich! Thom !
exs. non Hoppe. H. Schraderi glabratum, Gaud ?

H. In M, Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, in M. Funelen.

Obs. Caulis pollicaris, semipedalisve, monocephalus, nudus vel fo-
lio unico minimo instructus, ubique sed presertim superne indu-
mento duplici tectus, tomento albo brevi et pilis glanduliferis nigris
numerosissimis : Folia anguste-lanceolata, acuta glaucescentia gla-
briuscula vel facie pilis longis albidis, presertim ad petiolum in-

F
-
:
:

A.
¢ i
#
a
;
ot

Alps of the Valais. 507

structa, sepius undulata. Involucrum densissime luride-villosum

ut bene observat cl. Rchb. ‘‘ Anthodium quasi murinam pellem

sistat.” Pracedenti magis quam H. alpino vel Schraderi affine.

244. H. Schraderi, DC.

. H. In saxosis M. Gemmi ad talis glaciales Lammerngletscher,

31 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Involucro ad H. glanduliferum Hoppe, foliis magis ad se-
quentem et. H. villosum, L. occedit.

245. H. subnudum, Schleich !

H. In alpibus supra Tesch.

Obs. Caulis submonocephalus, folia elliptico-lanceolata obtusa
involucroque villosissima. Folia caulina pauca minima. Cum H.
Schraderi conjunxit cl. Gaudin, sed H. villoso magis affine, quo
transit varietate foliis acutis.

246. H. valde pilosum, Vill.

H. In saxosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach et ad lacum Dauben.

Obs. Caulis foliosus, folia caulina numerosa lata, amplexicaulia
involucroque villosissima. In planta alpina caulis plerumque mo-
nocephalus, in planta ¢ Jurasso capitula 2-5.

247. H. villosum, L. «. foliaintegruiscula. . caule humili foliis
radicalibus longe petiolatis ad basin sinuato-dentatis vix longiori.
H. a. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach. 4. in umbrosis su-

pra Kandersteg.

Obs. Folia caulina pauciora angustiora quam in precedenti, vix
amplexicaulia: involucrum, caulis, et folia piloso-villosa.

248. H. rupestre, All.? Auct.ad Ped. Tab. i. f. 2, (sed non omnine
cum nostra planta convenit.) «. caule scapiformi 1-2 flora nu-
diuscula, foliis dorso villosis. Gaud. Helv. v. p. 92. H. rupes-
tre, Schleich. Thom. exs.!

H. In saxosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

Obs. Folia lanceolata, utrinque attenuata, firma, dentata, subtus
pilosa, facie glabra.

249. H. staticifolium, Vill.

H. Ad viam et in apricis inter Inden et Varen, prope Leuk, inter

Stalden et St Nicholas et (caule monocephalo) in glareosis
M. Fiinelen.

250. H. amplexicaule, L.

H. Prope Kandersteg.

251. H. Halleri, Vill. H. hybridum, Vill. Dauph. ii. Tab. 26.

BH. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

252. H. intybaceum, Jacq. H. albidum, Vill.

H. *Zermatt. In M. Grimsula infra Hospitium.

253. H. prenanthoides, Vill. 8. ramosum, caule elato, ramoso mul-
tifloro, foliis maximis firmioribus.

508 Botanical ELacursion to the

H. In pratis humidis prope Kandersteg ; 8. inter Thermas Leu-
censes et Inden.

254. H. murorum, L. var alpina.

H. In glareosis et petrosis ad nives perennes M. Gemmi.

Obs. Caulis humilis pedalis, oligo (seepius) monocephalus, sub
nudus vel folio unico angustissimo instructus : folia radicalia breve-
petiolata lanceolata acuminata vel ovalia acuta, basi truncata, satis
profunde inciso dentata dentibus patulis, mucroni glanduloso tereti-
filiformi terminatis. Capitula mediocra, involucro incano-pubes-
centi. Ad varietatem pictum et incisum auct. accedit, sed non
omnino.

255. H. prunellefolium, Vill.

H. In glareosis M. Gemmi ad nives perennes supra Schwarren-
bach. Copiosissime in consort. Apargiz Taraxaci et Ranunculi
parnassefolii.

256. H. sabaudum L. var. y. 8. villosum, Gaud. Helv. v. p. 109?
Caule, foliisque ovato-lanceolatis amplexicaulibus sursum decre-
scentibus, summis minimis, hirsutis ; capitulis corymbosis et axil-
laribus solitariis, involucro pubescenti.

H. In apricis umbrosis inter Inden et Varen.

Obs. Hane plantam etiam in Jurasso legi, et ab am. Thomas ut
H. sylvaticum Gouan accepi.

257. H. lanatum, Vill.

H. In apricis inter Inden et Varen, et prope pagum Fiinelen,
supra Zermatt.

258. H. blattarioides, L. Soyeria—Monn. Catorica—Moench.
H. In umbrosis pascuisque humidis prope Kandersteg.

.259. Phanicopus decurrens, Cass. Prenanthes viminea, L.

H. Inter Stalden et St Nicholas.

Obs. Cum icone All. Ped. Pl. LII. f. 2, vel xxxii. f. 1. (P. ra-
mosissima) haud bene convenit nostra planta, et fateor has species
non omnino intelligo. Ut P. ramosissima, plantam a cl. B. albis mis-
sam possideo, que, pusilla et ramosissima, diversa videtur. Nostre
plantz, caulis bipedalis et ultra ramosus, ramis gracilibus elongatis ;
capitula aggregata subsessilia secus ramos approximata, numerosa ;
folia glabra concoloria, caulina inferiora pinnatifida, laciniis anguste
lineari-lanceolatis bifidis vel integerrimis, summa linearia decur-
rentia ; Achenia striata scaberrima in stipitem longam aterrimam
attenuata.

260. Picris hieracioides, L. (6. alpestris, levior, foliis lanceolatis,
cordato-amplexicaulibus, sinuato-dentatis vel integriusculis ;
ramis rigidis divaricatis, pedunculis valde incrassatis. y. petio-
lata, scabra hirtaque sepe multicaulis, caule pedali sesquipedali
vix ultra, foliis radicalibus longissimis, caulinisque inferioribus

Alps of the Valais. 509

lineari-lanceolatis, lanceolatisve, obsolete sinuato-dentatis, in pe-

tiolum longum attenuatis, superioribus sessilibus, summis am-

plexicaulibus vix auriculatis ; corymbo terminali simpliciusculo,

-pedunculis brevibus vix incrassatis. P. hieracioides 8. longifolia,

Gaud? P. umbellata, Nees ab Es. ?

H. 8. in umbrosis humidis prope Kandersteg. y. in pratis humidis

inter Varen et Siders.

Obs. In var. 8.—forma foliis sinuato-dentatis asperior est quam
forma foliis integriusculis, cujus caulis glabriusculus. Planta Bri-
tannica asperrima a forma vulgari Helvetica recedit, pilis longiori-
bus numerosissimis intricatisque. In var. y—variat interdum co-
rymbo subdichotomo, ramis elongatis erectis, foliisque caulinis supe-
rioribus sabauriculatis.

261. Barckhausia fetida, DC.

H. In incultis prope Varen, Siders, et in arvis inter Stalden et

St Nicholas.

262. Chondrilla juncea, L.

H. In arvis incultis prope Siders et Leuk.

263. C. acanthophylla, Bork. in Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 1802. Chon-
drilla foliis, << radicalibus sinuato pinnatifidis, dentibus acumina-
tis pectinatis,” (Rchb. 1. c.) caulinis lineari-lanceolatis, lanceolatis,
ovato-lanceolatisve, setaceo-dentatis, involucro farinoso canescenti.
«. angustifolia mihi, foliis lineari-lanceolatis setaceo-dentatis vel in-
terdum subintegris, dentibus paucis ad basim instructis. Ch.
acanthophylla Rchb. exsic! 6. latifolia mihi, foliis lanceolatis
vel ovato-lanceolatis setaceo-dentatis. C. rigeus, Rchb. Germ exc.
No. 1803? C. graminea, M. Bieb. Tour. Cauc. ii. 244? (Plan-
tam < Volga sub hoc nomine a cl. Bieberstein missam possideo,
quz nullo modo a nostra differt, folia nempe etiam summa, ovato-
lanceolata marginibus setaceo-dentatis, dentibus tantam minus
conspicuis quam in planta nostra: sed cum diagn. cl. auctoris male
convenit.)

H. Ad viam et in arvis inter Stalden et St Nicholas.

Obs. Glaucescens, caulis ad basim hispidus, in « (ut in Spec.
Rchb.) satis ramosus, ramis minus longis quam in C. juncea, sube-
rectis ; in var 6. minus ramosus, ramisque brevioribus. Capitula
majora, involucris farinosis: achenia ut in C. juncea, nisi forsan
longiora, superne ad angulos exasperata, et apice dentibus 5 longi-
oribus coronata. Helvetia nova cives, a C. juncea, distinctissima,
sed forsan cum C. latifolia, MB. 1. c., mihi ignota, conjungenda, que
differt squamis involucri “ setis longiusculis patentibus hispidis.’”—
Differentiz < colore ligularum a cl. Rehb. sumpta, me judici, nulli
momenti sunt. ;

264. Lactuca sacriola, L. «. foliis radicalibus ad carinam aculeo-

510 Botanical Excursion to the

latis, panicula laxa, ramis adscendenti-patentibus. 8. foliis om-

nibus ad carinam muticis, &e. y: foliis omnibus ad carinam mu-

ticis panicula exacte-pyramidata, ramis deflexo-patentibus.

H. «a. Ad viam inter Siders et Leuk. 8. in arvis inter Stalden

et St Nicholas. y. in incultis prope Varen.

265. L. perennis, L.

H. In apricis inter Stalden et St Nicholas.

266. Podospermum laciniatum, L.

H. In incultis prope Siders.

267. Leontodon alpinus, Jacq. Apargia Host.

H. In pascuis M. Finelen.

268. L. crispus, Vill.

H. Ad pagum Finelen supra Zermatt.

Obs. In exempl. macrioribus scapus interdum divisis, dicephalus.
269. Apargia taraxaci, Willd. @. demidata, involucro pilis bre-

vibus minus copiose hirsuto, foliisque minus dentatis.

H. In glareosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach copiose. §.

rarius.

Obs. Planta Scotica, cujus spec. nimis manca possideo, videtur
diversa. Involucrum var. 6. vix magis hirsutum quam in Leontodon
Alpino, sed scapus valde incrassatus omnino A. taraxaci a.

270. A. hyoseridifolia, Less. Syn. p. 132. Hieracium, Vill.

H. rarissime in glareosis ad lacum Dauben M. Gemmi in consort.

A. taraxaci et rariunculi parnassifolii. 31 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Pulcherrime rarissimeque stirpis nova localitas.

271. Taraxacum levigatum, DC. Rehb. Germ. exc. No*1796.

H. Ad nives perennes M. Schalmetti in M. Gemmi.

272. Tragopogon campestris, Bess. ? En.P]. Volh, p. 84. Tr. invo-
lucro sub 8-phyllo, phyllis decoloratis flosculos equantibus vel
superantibus, pedunculo subincrassato ; foliis linearibus, lineari-
lanceolatisve carinatis planis strictis, Achenius incurvatis muri-
cato-striatis.

H. In pratis inter Thermas Leucenses et Inden.

Obs. Caulis bi-tripedalis ramesus, ramis erectis strictis ; capitula
parva semi aperta (non ut in T. pratensi horizontaliter patentia,)
involucrum flosculos interdum multo excedens, sed sepius zequans
vel paulo superans, phyllis 5-8. Flosculi flavi, antheris fuscis atro-
purpureisve. Hanc plantam etiam copiose in segetibus vallis Lig-
nieres in Jurasso inveni: seruis floret quam T. pratensis, (in Ju-
rasso 10, &c. Jul. in Valesiz, 19. Aug.) Meram varietatem Tr. pra-
tensis vix constitueri potest, nisi etiam et Tr. major inter var. Tr.
pratensis redigendus. Medius inter Tr. pratensem et majorem, ab
utroque satis differt : variat ut affines foliis apice tortilibus.

273. Sonchus alpinus, auct.

a, oe

a oe Be ee

~

Alps of the Valais. 514

H. In M. Grimsula infra Hospitium.

274. Scabiosa columbaria, L.

H. In graminosis aridis prope Varen.

Obs. Forma calcarea. Caulis pedalis, sesquipedalis ramosus fo-
liisque canescenti-pubescens. Folia caulina tenuissime bipinnati-
fida vel pinnatifida laciniis linearibus incisis involucrum floribus bre-
vius vel vix equale capitula parva.

275. S. lucida, Vill.
H. In pascuis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

276. Galium lucidum, All. Ped. ii. p. 77. (. caule inferne foliisque

inferioribus pubescentibus, Gaud. Helv. i. p. 419.

HZ. In apricis inter Inden et Varen.

Obs. Vix a G. tenuifolio, All.! distinguenda. {In exempl. meis
G. tenuifolii ex Herb. All. folia non sunt retrorsum (ut habet Cl.
Rchb.) sed autrorsum scabra.

277. G. helveticum, Weig. Gaud.
H, In glareosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

278. Astrantia minor, L.

H. In umbrosis M, Gemmi supra Kandersteg.

279. Bupleurum ranunculoides, L. var. involucellis octophyllis.

H. In saxosis et graminosis, M. Schwarzseeberg.

Obs. Caulis simplex uncialis—pedalisve. Folia summa amplexi-
caulia cordata ovato-lanceolata, potius bractez vel involucra dicenda,
nam textura et forma omnino cum involucris conveniunt ; et seepe in
eorum axillis flores abortivos vidi. In exempl. fere omnibus, qua
ex alpibus accepi et in Jurasso legi, involucella constanter 5-phylle
sunt ; involucra autem monophylla usque ad hexaphylla inveni—B.
caricifolium W. species mihi dubia, et forsan recte a cl. Koch hee
specie conjuncta.

289. Athamantha cretensis, L. «. alpina, dense incano-hirsuta, foliis
bipinnatis, pinnis pinnatifidis, laciniis brevibus lineari-ovatis
acutis.

H. Ad rupes M. Gemmi supra Sehwarrenbach.

Obs. In Jurasso oceurrunt var, g and y.

£, tomentosa, foliis tripinnatis, pinnis pinnatifidis, laciniis lineari-

filiformibus elongatis acutis apiculatisve. y. glabriuscula lete-

virens, laciniis pinnarum filiformibus elongatis.

281. Gaya simplex. Gaud. Ligusticum, All. Pachypleuram—
Rchb.

H. In pascuis, M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, supra Zermatt

et Tesch.

512 Botanical Heecursion to the

282. Imperatoria Ostruthium, L.

H. In petrosis M. Fiinelen.

283. Laserpitium hirsutum, Lam., L. Halleri Gaud., Hall. Tab. 19.

Opt.

H. In petrosis alpinis supra Tesch.

284. Torilis helvetica, Gm. Bad. i. 617. 8. anthriscoides, DC.

Prod. iii. 219.

H. In arvis incultis prope Varen.

Obs. Caulis ramosus bipedalis, ramis suberectis. Pedunculi non
longiores quam in T. Helvetica «. (ex agris prope Genevam,) fruc-
tusque vix major, minus coloratus: differt tantum statura albiori,
caulibus ramisque erectioribus. T. neglecta, Schult. DC. Prod. 1.
ce. Koch. Syn. p. 313. T. infesta, Rehb. Germ. exc. No. 2910, vi-
detur notis nimis levibus a T. helvetica separata ; et me judici aucte
_ nomine T. infest, Hoffm. designande.

285. Saaifraga cesia, L.

H. Ad fissuras rupium M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg et Schwar-
renbach copiose.

Obs. Variat caudiculis elongatis, foliisque multo minus congestis.

286. S. oppositifolia, L.

. H. In rupibus M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach et ad moles gla-
ciales summi jugi alpium supra Tesch.

287.* S. Hornungii, mihi.

Saxifraga caulibus prostratis ramosis laxe ceespitosis, ramis ad-
scendentibus, foliis oppositis remotiusculis obovatis spathulatisve
apice subincrassatis unipunctatis dorso planis sabcarinatis, superiori-
bus sepe alternis, laciniisque calycis glanduloso ciliatis, floribus ter-
minalibus 2-3 capitatis, petalis distantibus lanceolatis stamina sub-
equantibus. S. biflora, Gaud. Helv. iii. p. 95. Koch. Deuts. F'.
iii, p. 126. Syn. p. 269. Dub. Bot. Gall. i. p. 207. Dec. Prodr.
iv. p. 18. Rcehb. Germ. exc. No. 3604, et exscc ! Hornung in Bot.
Zeit. 1835, p. 470.—Non All.

H. In alpibus supra Zermatt, etiam In M. Sylvio Vall. D. Ni-
colai, et in M. Tzermenonanz (Gathnick !) Alp. Tyrol. prope
Zell. (Sauter in Rchb. exscc !)

Obs. Cl. Gaudin, 1. c. iconem Allionii molam esse observat ; sed
certe auctores omnes citati nec descriptionem Allionii intento animo
legerunt, neque ejusdem iconem recte examinaverunt. Allionius
in Ped. ii. p. 71, No. 1530, de sua planta ita disseruit. << Flos
magnus pulchre roseus petalis ovato-acutis duplo et ultra calyce
amplioribus ;” ‘ Stamina decem embryone vix altiora purpurea,”
et ita etiam in icone sua Pl. XXI. f. 1. optime depinxit. Hee
descriptio cum S. biflora, auct. (nostra S. Heornungii) nullomodo

Alps of the Valais. 513

convenit, et, ut etiam icon. ad sequentem plane pertinent. Quod

‘¢ foliis alternis in ramis floriferis, All. 1. c et ic.” attinet, occurrunt

in utraque specie, sed ad formam non ad typum pertinent. Hoc

pacto manifeste patet (cf. seq.) vera planta, All. auctoribus hucus-
que ignota, a cl. Kochio et Hornungio 1. c. primum distincta ut
nova species descripta est.

288. S. biflora, All. Ped. ii. p. 71, No. 1530. Tab. xxi. f. 1,
(rami floriferi uniflori ; sed opt.) nec auct.

Saxifraga caulibus prostratis ramosis laxe czspitosis, ramis ad-
scendentibus, foliis oppositis laxe imbricatis obovatis spathulatisve
apice subincrassatis unipunctatis dorso planis subcarinatis, superio-
ribus interdum alterius laciniisque calycis glanduloso ciliatis, flori-
bus terminalibus solitariis vel 2-3 capitatis breve pedunculatis, pe-
talis oblongis contiguis stamina bis-terve superantibus. S. Kochii
Hornung, 1. c. p. 465, et seq. Koch. Syn. 1. c. (Dese. opt.)

H. In glareosis ad moles glaciales Lammerngletscher M. Gem-

mi. 31 Aug. 1836, cespites laxos maximosque efficiens.

Obs. Folia infima interdum rosulata, multo congestiora quam in
precedente: rami floriferi sepe uniflori (et hujus forme icon, All.
citata optima) vel 2-3 flori in eodem individuo. Color in utraque
specie diversa in S. Hornungii (e sicco) corolla atropurpurea, folia
rubro-purpurascentia: in S. biflora (Planta viva et sicca) corolle
lilacine, purpurascentes, et folia omnino viridia Species distincte,
sed in Herb. meo sub nomine S. biflore intermixte adsunt.

289. S. aspera, L. Koch. 1. c. p. 270. S. aspera a. elongata, Gaud.
H. In petrosis alpium supra Tesch.

290. S. bryoides, L. Koch. 1. c. S. aspera 8 bryoides, DC. Gaud.
H. Jn graminosis ad nives perennes M. Gemmi—in M. Fiinelen.

291. S. stellaris L.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg, et in uliginosis supra
Schwarrenbach.

292. S. muscoides, Wulf. Koch. 1. c. « compacta Koch. 1. ¢. p. 272.
S. muscoides «. microphylla, Gaud. Helv. iv. p. 130. y. laxa.
Koch. 1. c.

H. a. in M. Gemmi in rupibus prope “ der Wintereck.” g. su-
pra Schwarrenbach.

293. S. exarata, Vill. Dauph. iii. p. 674. Pl. 45. 4. laxa, Koch.
].c. p. 273. S. intermedia, Gaud. et Koch. 1.c. Thom. exs. !
H. ad moles glaciales summi juge Alpium supra Tesch.

294. S. androsacea, L.

H. In M. Gemmi, supra Schwarrenbach.

295. Sedum atratum, L.

514 Botanical Excursion to the

H. vulgatissimum in M. Gemmi.
296. S. annuum, L. Koch. Rehb. S. xstivum, All. Ped. No. 1746.
S. saxatile, Gaud. Helv. iii. p. 222. nec. All.
H. ad muros inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.
297. S. repens, Schleich. Gaud. S. saxatile, All. Tab. lxv. f. 6.
H. In glareosis ad moles glaciales, M. Fiinelen.
298. Sempervivum arachnoideum, L.
H. ad rupes inter Stalden et St Nicholas ; in pascuis sterilibus
inter Tesch et Zermatt, et in M. Finelen.

299. Scleranthus annuus, L.

H. ad viam inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.

300. S. perennis, L. 8. erinaceus, mihi, humilis confertosissimus,
caulibus prostratis ramosissimis, floribus numerosissimis in sphe-
ram densissimam congestissimis.

H. copiose in saxosis M. Grimsulz, supra Obergestelen.

Obs. Florum sphera ita congesta, ut nihil aliud conspiciendum.
Folia, nisi perpauca ad dichotomias superiores, vix ulla. Calycis
segmenta obtusa, late membranacea, fructifera clausa, Habitu a
typo et congeneribus valde differt, proxime tamen Sclerantho ne-
glecto Rochel atlinis. S. neglectus, Roch. mihi bona videtur species,
sed in exempl. meis a cl. Rochel et Heuffel in cac. M. Muraru
Bannatu lectis, calycis fructiferi partitiones potius clause quam pa-
tentes, cf. Koch. Deuts. Fl. iii. p. 175, 176, et Syn.

301. Herniaria glabra, L.

H. in pascuis aridis arenosis ad Vispam inter Tzesch et Zermatt.
802. H. alpina, Vill.

H. rarius ad moles glaciales supra Tesch.

303. Epilobium Dodonei, Vill. Gaud. erectum, floribus race-
mosis. numerosissimis, foliis obsolete denticulatis. E. Dodonzi,
Koch. Syn. p. 239. E. rosmarini folium, Henke, Rchb. pl. crit.
ic. 522. 4g. prostratum, Gaud. Helv. ii. p. 9. humile, pauci-
florum, foliis evidentius denticulatis. E. augustissimum, Rchb. pl.
crit. ic. 523. E. denticulatum, Wend. Koch. Deuts. Fl. iii. p. 12.
E. Fleischeri. Hochst. Koch. Syn. p. 239.

H. «. in petrosis inter Inden et Varen. 4. in M. Gemmi, supra
Kandersteg.

Obs. « et @. variant foliis plus minusve conspicue denticulatis,
stylo ad basin vel supra medium sericeo-barbato (interdum et etiam
in var. &. omnino glabro), staminibus sublongiori, zquali vel breviori,

demum semper deflexo (quod in icon. Rchb. non depictum est.)

Alps of the Valais. 515

Unicum discrimen inter a. et g. videtur caulis prostratus, et petala
obtusiora, var. #.

304. E. organifolium, Lam. Rchb. 1. c. ic. 314,

H. Ad rivulos M. Gemmi, supra Schwarrenbach.

Obs. Capsule longiores, longiusque pedunculate sunt quam in
icon. cit.

305. Cotoneaster vulgaris, Lindl. 8. prostrata.
H. Ad rupes in Alpinis supra Zermatt.

306. Rosa Alpina, L. «. fructu elliptico-pyriformi vel fusiformi.
aé. fructu, calycis segmentis pedunculisque glabris, petiolis ser-
raturis nervisque foliolorum glanduloso-pilosis. 8. fructu subglo-
boso. fa. fructu pedunculisque glabris, calycis segmentis, pe-
tiolis, serraturis nervisque foliolorum glanduloso-pilosis. 88. fruc-
tu glabro, pedunculis glanduloso-hispidis, calycis segmentis, pe-
tiolis, serraturis nervisque foliolorum, glanduloso-pilosis.

H. «. In alpinis supra Zermatt. . Ad sepes inter St Nicholas

et Zermatt.

Obs. Var. au. calycis segmenta eximie foliacea.

307. #. glandulosa, Bellardi, Koch. Deutsl. Fl. iii. p. 462, Syn.
p- 225. Dub. Bot. Gall. i. 177. Rosa glandulosa glauca junior
rubicunda, aculeis geminis vix falcatis aut nullis ; foliolis 5-9,
ovato-rotundis duplicato serratis stipulisque latiusculis acutis
margine glandulosis ; tubo calycis subgloboso pedunculisque glan-
duloso-hispidis, sepalis subintegris longe subspathulatis corollam
superantibus. «a. inermis mihi, foliolis 7-9 ellipticis, floribus so-
litariis, sepalis integris, et fructu globoso. 8. aculeata mihi, fo-
liolis majusculis 5~7 subrotundis quadruplo-serratis, floribus sub-
ternis, sepalis 3 pinnatifidis, et fructu ovato. KR. rubrifolia glan-
dulosa et R. rubrifolia montana, Ser. in Mus. Helv. p. 12. Tab.
ii. f. 3 and 4. (folia pessima.) R. rubrifolia montana, Gaud.
Helv. iii. p. 348. excl. Syn. plur. R. Reyneri, Hall. fil.! Ser.!
Schleich !

H. (a. In Jurasso, in collibus vallis Liguicres ad pedem M. Chas-

seral.) 6. Ad sepes inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.

Obs. R. rubrifolia, g. pinnatifida, Ser. Gaud. 1. c. ad R. rubri-
foliam Vill. pertinet. R. montana, Vill. absque dubio diversissima,
omnino abhorret. Rchb. in Germ. exc. No. 3780, hanc speciem
hybridam “ rubrifoliam-villosam” esse existimat, mihi autem spe-
cies omnium pulcherrima ab affinibus facillime distinguenda videtur
Species rarissima, paucis cognita, hucusque, variationibus supra no~

VOL. II. NO. 12. Mm

516 Botanical Excursion to the

tatis exceptis, constans, sed cultura nondum subjecta. Ut observat

cl. Koch, R. rubrifoliz et alpine affinis, sed affinitas cum R. canina

mihi perobscura.

308. R. canina, L. «a. foliolis simplice vel duplicato-serratis gla-
bris, fructu globoso glabro. . foliolis duplicato-serratis glabris,
petiolis, sepalis fructuque ovato-globoso glanduloso-setosis.

H. Ad sepes inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.

309. R. rubiginosa, L. Var. fructu ovato-elliptico pedunculisque
glabris, R. rubiginosa, 6. sepium, Gaud. R. canina, 6. sepium,
Koch. Syn. p. 227.

H. In collibus inter Varen et Siders.
Obs. Certe ad R. rubiginosam non ad caninam redigenda. To-
mentum ferrugineo-glandulosum, odorque aromaticus.

310. R. villosa, L. R. pomifera, Herm. Koch.

H. Ad sepes inter St Nicholas et Zermatt, et inter Brieg et
Minster. f
Obs. Variat floribus solitariis, ternis vel sub corymbosis. Var.

y. corymbosa, Gaud. differt solummodo fructu basi tantum hispidu-

lo. Folia forsan maxima generis, fructus globosus, nutans, maximus,

interdum in collo brevi, coarctatus.

311. Geum (Sieversia) reptans, L.

H. In saxosis M. Gemmi supra lacum Dauben, rarius.

312. G. (S.) montanum, L.

H. In saxosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, et ad lacum
_ Dauben, copiose. In M. F iinelen.

313. Potentilla multifida, L.

' H. Ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium super Tesch.

314. P. argentea, L. Var.? 8. foliis planis latioribus obtuse in-
ciso-dentatis.

H. In pascuis aridis inter St Nicholas et Zermatt, . unicum
individuum inveni.
Obs. Forma monstrosa vel forsan P. collina, Wig. Koch. Syn.

p. 214, sed exemplo meo flores carent.

315. P. aurea, L. P. Halleri, Ser.

H. In M. Fiinelen.

316. P. Salisburgensis, Hanke? P. aurea, Ser. a. firma, Koch.
Syn. p. 216. P. aurea, 8. firma, Gaud. P. sabauda, Thom. exs.!
vix DC. «.(. Macrantha, villosior, foliolis discretis, corolla fere
duplo majori.

H. In M. Gemmi in graminosis ad nives perennes supra Schwar-

renbach.
4

Alps of the Valais. 517

Obs. Foliola late ovata, obtusissime incisa sese invicem margine
tegentia, serraturis rotundatis ; stipulis magnis, corolla magna, pe-
talis obcordatis, calycis segmenta valde inzqualia alternatim duplo
latiora et longiora, omnia fere obtusa, plus minusve colorata. Planta
pygmeza plus minusve hirsuta, vix ultra 2 uncias alta, parum cas-
pitosa. Bene quadrat cum exempl. a 6. Gaudino acceptis, sed mi-
nus villosa et colorata. P. sabauda, DC. (spec. ¢ Gallia possideo,)
vix hue sed potius ad varietatem elatiorem pertinet. P. alpestris,
Hook. Brit. Fl. ad varietatem §. graciliorem, Koch, 1. c. pertinere
videtur.

317. P. verna, L. Var. zstiva, Hall. fil. in Mus. Helv. p. 32.

Gaud. ?

H. Inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.

Obs. Maculam croceam ad basim petalorum non vidi: differt a
typo, hirsutie, foliisque radicalibus majoribus longe petiolatis et
profunde incisis.

318. P. grandiflora, L.
H. In pascuis et petrosis M. Fiinelen.
319. P. minima, Hall. fil. in Mus. Helv. p. 5].
H. Copiose in M. Gemmi prope Schwarrenbach, et ad lacum
Dauben, &c.
320. P. caulescens, L.
H. In rupibus inter Inden et Varen.
321.* Sibbaldia procumbens, L.

H. Zermatt.

322. Alchemilla vulgaris, L. 4. subsericea, Gaud. Koch. A. hy-
brida, L. et Auct.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

323. A. pubescens, M.. Bieb. Taur. Cavl. i. p. 114, excl. syn. pl.

Koch, Syn. p. 231. A. pubescens, Lap. ! —

H. Ad moles glaciales vallecule Tesch.

Obs. Planta a cl. M. Bieb! missa tantum elatior et, nisi foliis
minus profunde incisis, potius habitum sequentis refert. Differt a
precedenti foliis tantum apice serratis, subtruncatis, nec circumser-
ratis ; a sequenti foliis crenato-dentatis, pubescentibus, et panicula

_ multo congestiori: sed opinor cum sequente ut var. 4 pubescens

=
fr

&

f

¥

x
+
7
i

—

4

.

conjungenda.

324. A. fissa Schummel. Koch, Syn. p. 231. Gaud—Rchb. exsic. !
H. cum precedenti.
Obs. Species distincta nullomodo cum A. vulgari conjungenda.

325. Ononis Columne, All.

518 Botanical excursion to the

H. In arvis et incultis prope Varen et Siders.
326. O. Natrix, L.
H. In apricis inter Inden et Varen et prope Siders.
Obs. O. rotundifoliam, L. Etiam inter Inden et Varen observavi
sed non legi.
327. Anthyliis vulneraria, L. «. floribus flavis, foliis caulibusque
parce villosis aut subglabris, DC. Prod.ii. p. 170. 4. purpurascens

mihi.
H. «. In M. Gemmi infra Schwarrenbach. 4. ad moles glaciales
M. Finelen.

Obs. «.—Forma alpina, prostrata, calyce dense sericeo excepto,
glabriuscula ; capitula maxima, corollis saturate tlavis—g. est va-
rietas insignis forma, glacialis, prostrata, appresse sericea ; caulis, pe-
tioli, bractei, calyces apicibus et interdum foliorum margines, luride
purpurascentes. Corolle ochroleuce, vexillo dorso purpurascente,
- carina apice purpurea ; foliola lateralia minima, interdum plane
nulla.

328. Medicago falcata, L. . versicolor, Koch, Syn. p. 160?

H. Ad viam in arenosis prope Varen.

Obs. Procumbens adscendensve, folia quoad firmam magnitudi-
nemque variabilia ; bractee interdum minimz ; corolle violacez,
flavescentes ; Legumina falcata vel cochleata sub 2-cycla, plus minus
ve pubescentia.

329. Trifolium ochroleucum, L.
H. In pascuis valleculz Tzsch.
330. T. saxatile, All.

H. Ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tasch.
331. T. fragiferum, L.

H. Ad viam inter Stalden et St Nicholas.

332. T. cespitosum, Reyn.
H. In pascuis ad moles glaciales supra Tesch.
333. JT. badium, Schreb.

H. Ad moles glaciales supra Tesch.

334. Lotus corniculatus, L. «.tenuifolius, DC. Z. uniflorus, Gaud.

H. «. in arenosis prope Leuk. *%. Zermatt.

Obs. In var. «. Pedunculi bini in capitulo 4-6-floro congesti. @.
piliosusculus, glaucescens, folia subrhomboidea.

335. Tetragonolobus siliquosus, Roth.

H. In paludosis prope Pfyn inter Siders et Leuk.
336. Colutea arborescens, Iu.

H. In apricis inter Inden et Varen.

337. Phaca lapponica, Wahl. Helv. p. 131, in Ann. DC. Prod.

he

—_

Alps of the Valais. 519

Oxytropis.—Gaud. Koch. Syn. Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 3273°, in

corr. Astragalus acutifolius Schleich. !

H. rarissime in M. Schwarzseeberg, et ad moles glaciales summi
jugi alpium supra Tesch. in cons. Oxytrop. cyanwa, M. Bieb.

Obs. Caulescens, interdum subacaulis, sericeo-pilosa. Legumina
brevissime pubescentia, nigrescentia, ovalia, pendula. Forma suba-
caulis, florens, egre ab Ox. cyanee distinguenda.

338. Oxytropis Uralensis, DC. &. villoso-sericea, scapis, petiolis,
calycibusque dense villoso-sericeis, foliolis latioribus densissime
sericeis, junioribus villosis, leguminibus subremotis ovato-oblongis.
H. In collibus et pascuis aridis prope Siders.

Obs. Var. y. appresse-sericea mihi, quam ad rupes M. Burglen
ditione Bernensi (circa 5000’s-m.) legi, differt foliolis appressesericeis,
seepe angustioribus, et leguminibus ovatis brevioribus confertis.
Planta Scotica variat leguminibus ovatis vel ovato-oblongis, sed
sepius minus sericea quam var. y.: differt ab. O. sordida, Pers.
(quacum conjuncta est in Syn. pl. sud,) specie mihi valde dubia, ca-
pitulis erectis nec cernuis. Bractez in utraque var. variant calyce
breviores vel sublongiores. O. sordida, Gaud.! Helv. vi. p. 360, in
vallecula glaciali, Roththal, ab. am. Roth lecta et mecum commu-
nicata, est forma pusilla O. campestris: capituli certe cernua,
sed secundum asseverationem repertoris amici ipsius, ex exemplari-
bus marcidis et male exsiccatis orti sunt.

339. O. campestris, DC. Variat «. scapis decumbentibus, folia
zquantibus, foliolis oblongis. 4. scapis adscendentibus, folia super-
antibus, foliolis oblongis. y. scapis elatioribus suberectis, folia su-
perantibus, foliolis lanceolatis acuminatis.

H. a. In pascuis M. Gemmi prope “‘ die Wintereck,” et supra
Schwarrenbach. 4. prope Zermatt. et in M. Schwarzseeberg et
Funelen. yy. prope pagum Zermatt.

Obs. sepe fere pedalis evadit.

340.* O. foetida, DC.

Hi. In alpibus supra Zermatt.

Obs. Scapi superne lana spe nigra tecti, foliola glanduloso-viscosa.
Legumina pubescentia majuscula, subarcuata.

341. O. pilosa, DC.

H. In apricis prope Siders.

342. O. montana, DC.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

Oés. Minute pubescens, legumina longe stipitata brevissime pu-
bescentia, duplo latiora quam in sequenti.

343. O. cyanea, M. Bieb. Taur. Cauc. iii. p. 503.

520 Botanical Excursion to the

H. In M. Schwarzseeberg et ad moles glaciales supra Tesch.

Obs. Molle sericea, legumina brevissime stipitata, dense sericeo-
villosa, suberecta, ovato-cylindrica. c. M. Bieb. 1. c. est var. sua 4:
albana. Non intelligo quomodo O. triflora Hoppe Koch, Syn. p.
182, a nostra cyanea differt: In O. cyanza racemi sepe triflori
sunt.

344. Astragalus alpinus, L. Phaca, DC.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, in M. Schwarzseeberg.
345. A. leontinus, Wulf.

H. In pascuis alpinis et in petrosis supra et prope Zermatt.
346. A. onotrychis, L.

H. In pascuis arenosis prope Siders et ad viam prope Leuk.
347*. A. aristatus, L’ Herit.

H. Zermatt. ;

348*. A. leiocarpus mihi.

Astragalus acaulis, foliolis ovatis obtusis numerosis (circa 35,)
glaucescentibus brevissime mucronatis, petiolisque parce pilosis ; co-
rollis calycibusque glabris, dentibus calycis longe subulatis ; legu-
minibus trigono-compressis dorso applanatis ovatis mucronatis, etiam
junioribus glaberrimis, brevissime stipitatis.

Obs. Imprimis pro A. fabaceum, M. Bieb. et DC. Prod. habui,
sed differt a desc. DC. scapis brevissimis foliis multo brevioribus, et
dentibus calycinis longe subulatis: et Cl. M. Bieb. in Ann. in FI.
Taur. Caue. ii. p. 496, observat legumen plant suze ab A. Beetici
legumine haud absimile, quocum nostra planta nullam affinitatem
habet.

Legumina minora et magis compressa quam in A. exscapo, per-
fecte bilocularia, erecta vel pendula. In spec. meis male exsiccatis
corollam examinare non potui. Maxima cum A. exscapo L. afli-
nitas, sed ab eo, prasertim leguminibus minoribus intra calycem
breve stipitatis, glaberrimis, et ad suturam magis incrassatis, et ab
omnibus Astragalis Tauricis vel Rosicis mihi cognitis omnino dis-
tinctus.

A. utrigerum et longiflorum, Pall. possideo sed tantum florentes.

Hujus plant exemplaria nonnulla cum multis A. exscapi, L.
mixta, et cum multis aliis, vallis D. Nicolai indigenis a pastori Va-
lesiaco emi: sed certe procul dubio est, Alpium vallis Zermatt, ubi
A. exscapus copiose viget, hee pulchra planta incola et indigena.
349.* A. exscapus, L.

Astragalus acaulis, ubique, calycis tubo corollesque exceptis,
dense molliterque hirsutus ; foliolis ovatis vel subrotundis, interdum
retusis, plerumque muticis ; scapo nullo ; calycis dentibus subula-

Alps of the Valais. 52)

tis, leguminibus sessilibus subtrigono-compressis acuminato-mucro-
natis, junioribusque dense-hirsutis erectis.

H. Zermatt.

350. Coronilla vaginata, Lam. Koch., Syn. p. 187.

H. In arvis incultis et in apricis prope Varen.

Obs. Frutescens, prostrata, foliolis ovatis obtusis interdum subre-
tusis apiculatis, infimis, nisi foliorum superiorum, a caule remotis.
351. C. eoronata, DC. Koch., Syn. p. 188.

H. In apricis ad viam inter Inden et Varen.

Obs. Fruticosa, diffusa ramosissima, ramis adscendentibus, folio-
lis glaucis retusis mucronatis, infimis caule approximatis. Planta
rarissima.

392. Onobrychis arenaria, DC. Hedysarum arenarium Viet ! Hedy-
sarum carneum, Schleich! H. angustifolium, Thom. !

H. In pascuis aridis prope Varen et Siders.

Obs. Rarissime occurrit, et mihi nondum satis cognita.

_ 353. Lathyrus heterophyllus, L.

H. In vineis et ad sepes prope Varen.

Obs. lL. latifolii var. foliolis bijugis, Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 3458,
« Tyro”’—et species distincta in corrigendis, No. 3458>.—Rchb.
peritus. !

_—~-354. Rhamnus pumila, L.
__H. Inrupibus, M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

355. Geranium lividum, L’Herit. G. pheum £8. Koch.

H. In saxosis, M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg, 29 Aug. 1836, ad
sepes infra Thermas Leucenses.

Obs. Species distincta non tantum corollz colore, sed etiam foliis
_ 5-7 fidis tenuiterque inciso-dentatis.

356. G. sylvaticum, L.

_ H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, et Thermas Leucenses :
In M. Finelen et in alpinis supra Tesch.

357. G. aconitifolium, L. Herit.

H. In alpibus supra Tesch.

Obs. Semina, ut et precedentis, subtilissime punctulata.

| 358.* Hypericum perforatum, L.

H. Zermatt.

359. H. dubium, Leers. Gaud. H. quadrangulare, L. ex Fries,
Rehb. et Koch, non Sm. vel auct.

H. copiose in M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg.

522 Botanical Excursion to the

360. Linum tenuifolium, L.
H. In pascuis aridis prope Siders.

361. Gypsophila Saxifraga, L. et auct. G. rigida Rehb. ! germ. exe.

et exsic. Tunica Saxifraga, Scop. Koch, Syn. p. 94.

H. In apricis et arenosis inter Inden et Varen.

Obs. Cl. Smith et Rehb. nostram plantum a Linnzana diversam
esse habent ; sed vix recte: nam in Lin. Spec. Plant. ed. 3¢'?
Gypsophile et saxifraga et rigida perennes notantur. Descriptio
Bauhini ‘ Betonica coronaria sive Tunica minima,” Hist. iii. p.
337, certe ad plantam nostram pertinet. et ¢ loco Bauhiniano,
“« Geneve in muris, &c. et au Plain palais,” specimina multa legi,
qua omnino (. saxifraga nostra sunt. Icon Bauch. 1. c. certe malam.

In Caryophyllarum speciebus bracteatis fere omnibus, numerus
et situs Bractearum valde inconstantes. G. scabra Schult! huc a
Rchb. recte allata, est planta tenuior scabriuscula, bracteis inzequa-
libus 2-3-4, videtur culta.

362. G.repens L. « prostrata alpina, floribus roseis ; ascendens, cam-
pestris erectiuscula, floribus pallide carneis.

H. a. In saxosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach. (. In_are-
nosis ad viam inter Visp et Brieg.

363. Dianthus atrorubens, All. D. vaginatus alpinus, Rchb. exs. !

H. In M. Gemmi supra Thermas Leucenses ; prope Inden, in
collibus inter St Nicholas et Zermatt, et in alpinis supra Tesch.

Obs. 1™*. Species intricatissima et forsan mere varietas D. car-
thusianorum, L. quo videtur colore atro rubente petalorum, et peta-

lis minoribus solummodo differe. In alp. capitulum semper pauci-
florum, sepius ]—6 florum, et caules vix semipedales. cf. Koch,
Syn. .

Obs. II14*. D. atrorubens, Rehb. Pl. Crit. vi. ic. 735, certe non
est pl. Allionii sed Biebersteinii (D. capitatus, DC.)

D. diutinus, Rehb. 1. c. ic. 729, quoad incisionem petalorum et
dentes calycinas cum D. polymorpho MB. acl. Fischer Goriusk : et
Schott misso omnino convenit : calyx in exempl. meis occurrit den-
tibus obtusiusculis et subacutis, sed nunquam “ rotundato-obtusos”
observavi.

D. vaginatus, Rchb. Pl. Crit. 1. c. ic. 731, et exsic! nullomodo a |
D. carthusianorum campestri differt: nervi validi bractearum in
icon. cit. depicti, in exempl. Rchb.! non occurrunt; Bractee in
D. vaginato et carthusianorum omnino similes sunt.

364. D. sylvestris, Wulf. Koch, Syn. p. 97. 8. humilior, Koch, 1. ¢. :

Alps of the Valais. 523

caule plerumque unifloro, rarius bifloro, foliis rigidis. y. alpinus,

caule unifloro, vix ultre 4-5” alto, calyce colorato, corolla satu-

rate rosea, et foliis tenuioribus. D. sylvestris, Rchb. exs!

H. &. inter Thermas Leucenses et Inden et prope Siders. y. In

alpibus supra Tesch, copiose.

Obs. In Jurasso occurret frequenter var. « Koch. 1. c. caule ela-
tiori facile bipedali et ultra, corolla rosea vel pallide carnea, et foliis
linearibus angustissimis (cf. Wulf. in Jacq. Coll. i. p. 237,) arcuatim
patentibus. Ad hanc varietatem pertinet. D. Scheuchzeri Rchb.
forsan etiam D. caryophylloides, Rchb. et D. virgineus, Rchb. et auct.
‘D. sylvestris. y. imbricatus, Gaud. (a Rehb. ad D. virgineum cita-
tus) est potius forma monstruosa vars. «: exemplaria a cl. Chaillet
prope Neocomum lecta caule pedali et ultra non ut apud Rchb.
«« humili palmari-spithameo” gaudent.

365, Silene otites, L.

H. In apricisad viam inter Varen et Siders, in valle D. Nicolai.
366. S. quadrifida, L.

H. In’saxosis humidis, M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg.

367. S. rupestris, L.
H. In saxosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach ; et inter St Ni-
cholas et Zermatt.
368. Lychnis Flos-jovis, Lam.
H. In apricis ad viam inter Stalden et St Nicholas.

Spergula Baril. Ord. Nat. p. 302.

Calix 5 sepalus. Petula 5 integra. Stamina 5-10. Styli 3-5.
Capsula 3-5 valvis, polysperma. Semina exarillata. Folia stipu-
lata, stipulate scariose. Spergula, L. excl. sp. exstipulatis. Are-
nariz, L. sp. stipulate. Arenaria Sect. Spergularia, Pers. DC. Al-
sine Rchb. Alsine auct. sp. stipulate. Alsine sect. Spergularia, Koch.

Obs. Numerus partium fructificationis Alsinearum in uno et
eodem individuo valde variabiles est, et sicut genera hodie constitu-
ta sunt, nisi numerum stylorum et capsule valvarum, nullum dis-
crimen habitu vel notis inter Saginam, Spergulam, Arenariam et
Alsinem, L, et auct. invenire potui. Capsula 5 locularis Spergu-
larum in Hook. Brit. Fl. ed. 24? et 3°* p. 191, certe ex errore typo-
graphica orta. Capsula 6-valvis Spergularum in Lind. Syn. ed.
242 p. 48, et DC. Prodr. i. p. 394, vix in Spergulis veris stipulatis,
et tantum rarissime in Spergulis exstipulatis occurrit. Genus for-
san melius inter Paronychias locandum, cf. Bartl. 1. c.

369. Spergula rubramihi. Arenaria,L. Alsine, Wahl.

H. Ad viam inter Stalden et St Nicholas.

524 Botancal Excursion to the

Arenaria.

Calyx, 4-5 sepalus. Stamina, 4-10. Styli, 3-5.

Capsula, 3-6 valvis, polysperma. Semina exarillata. Folia ex-
stipulata.

Arenaria sp. exstipulate, Auct. Alsine sp. exstipulate, Auct.
Sagina, L. Spergula sp. exstipulate, Auct. Sagina, Alsine et
Arenaria, Bart. 1. c. p. 305. Sabulina, Arenaria, Sagina et Sper-
cella, Rehb. germ. exe.

Obs. Plurima genera etiamnum huc forsan referenda. Holos-
teum-petalis dentatis differt. Moehringia-seminibus arillato-appen-
diculatis. Stellaria-petalis bifidis vel bipartitis. Cerastium-cap-
sula apice 8-10 dentata (Mcenchia et Malachium videnter vix a
Cerastio distincta.) Cherleria mihi nondum satis cognita est, pro
charact. vide Koch, Syn. et etiam cf. Griesselich kleine Bot. Schrif-
ten, I. Theil p. 332., ubi genera, habitu et notis satis distincta im-
merito conjuncta sunt.

Genus ita constitutum in sectiones constantes dividere haud facile
est. Arenaria rubella, Hook. occurrit capsula 3-4-5 valvf: in ex-
empl. meis Scoticis 5 valvi,in Norvegicis “‘ Alsine rubella, Wahl !”
3 valvi. In Arenaria saginoidi (Spergula, L.) 4. glaciali mihi, cap-
sule occurrunt 4-5-6 valves.

Scct. I™*. Sabulina, (Rchb.)
Capsula plerumque 3 valvis.

370. Arenaria laricifolia, L.

H. In umbrosis ad viam inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.

371. A. verna, L. gg. diffusa, Gaud.

-H. In M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg.

372. A. recurva, All. 4? viscosa mihi, minor, ubique Vviscoso-pu-
bescens, floribus duplo minoribus, foliis minus arcuatis.

H. Ad moles glaciales M. Schwarzseeberg. 4. supra Tzesch.
Obs. Radix lignosa, longissima. Icon. All. Ped. Tab. lxxxix. f. 3.

Nimis rudis habitum male refert. Icon. Jacq. Coll. i. Tab. xvi. f. 1.

melior, sed corolle forsan majores.

373. A. mucronata, DC. Gaud. Alsine rostrata, Koch, Syn. p. 114.
H. In arvis et incultis saxosis ad moles glaciales supra Zermatt.
Obs. Planta speciosa omnino a sequenti diversa. Caules e basi

ramosissimi, prostrato-ascendentes ; folia tenuissima setacea ; flores

speciosee sequentis vix minores ; sepala acutissima equalia, margi-
nibus late-scariosis, et nerva dorsali viridi tenui, tertia vix parte
corollam superantia, in planta florenti patentia. Flores, e sepalo-
rum marginibus scariosis, pulcherrime eburnei. Semina rugoso-

Alps of the Valais. 525

dentata duplo majora quam in sequenti. Omnino accedunt nostra
specimina ad sp. Gallica. Huc forsan pertinet A. fastigiata, Sm.
Eng. Fl. ed. 2da, p. 310, sed “ Alsine, No. 870, Hall. Hist. tab.
xvii. f. 2.” omnino ad sequentem pertinet, ut e descriptione, icone
(planta laxa) et presertim localitate patet ; sed Spec. Scotica non-
dum vidi, et e descr. Smithii recedunt “ stems erect, straight,
densely corymbose ; petals very short.” Quoad plantam Gouani,
dubilanter hzreo, quoniam illustrationes suas nondum vidi cl. Koch,
in Syn. p. 114. Floram Britannicam Hookeri, confusione inextri-
cabile, citavit.

374. A. Jacquini. (Alsine Jacquini, Koch, Syn. p. 115,) A. fasci-
culata, Jacq. (ex Koch, 1. c.) Gaud. Alsine fasciculata, Koch,
Deuts cl. Fl. iii. p. 288. Hall. Helv. No. 870, tab. xvii. f. 2.
H. In incultis vineisque prope Varen; in arenosis inter Siders

et Leuk. (etiam occurrit in arenosis Jurassi.)

Obs. Caules e basi ramosi, rigide erecti, crassi; folia caulina basi
lato-scarioso connata, rigida ; flores axillares, corymbosique plerum-
que congesti, sepala anguste acuminato-pungentia, marginibus sca-
riosis tenuioribus apicem non attingentibus, inter se inequalia,
etiam in planta florenti, erecto-clausa. Petala calyce triplo bre-
viora, semina ut in precedenti sed duplo minora.

Specimina omnino similia in Bavaria Rhenana prope Diirckheim
legi, et etiam e Germania var. 8. pubescentem ab am Wissmann
accepi. Huc forsan pertinet A. fasciculata, Gouan, sed nomen
Gouani valde confusum vix restituendum.

Sect. II4*.—Sagina. (Sagina, L. et Spergela, Rchb.)
Capsula plerumque 4-5 valvis.

375. A. saginoides, mihi. Spergula, L. Spergela, Rchb. «a. dif-
fusa, laxa segmentis calycinis obtuso rotundatis, foliis longioribus.
8.? glacialis, congesta dense cxspitosa, caulibus abbreviatis erec-
tiusculis, foliis brevioribus et segmentis calycinis lanceolatis ob-
tusis.

H. a. In graminosis humidis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.

&. In glareosis ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen.

Obs. In uno et eodem individuo var. &., capsulas multos 4 valves,
plurimas 5 valves, et unicam 6 valvem inveni. Habitus a var. a.
valde absimilis, et forsan species distincta. In utraque varietate

_ folia nondum mutica observavi.

Sect. I1I*.—Arenaria. (Arenaria, Koch. Rchb. excl. sp. pl.)
Capsula plerumque 6 valvis.

526 Botanical Excursion to the

376. A. ciliata, L. Koch. Wulf. «. Koch. A. ciliata 4. multi-
caulis, Gaud. Wahl. excl. Syn. A. multicaulis, Wulf. L.
H. In M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg et Schwarrenbach.
Obs. Caules 7-flori et ultra ; petala calycem vix zequantia. Ha-
bitus A. serpyllifoliz.

377. Cherleria sedoides, L. @. brevifolia mihi.

H. Ad moles glaciales, M. Fiinelen.

Obs. Folia vix lineam unam longa, dense rosulata, rigida stricta ;
caulis subterraneus ramosissimus lignosus, salicem herbaceam emu-
lans. Flores breve pedunculato, capsule calycibus subduplo lon-
giores. Florentem non inveni.

378. Moehringia polygonoides, M. et Koch. Deuts. FI. iii. p. 272.
Syn. p. 116. Arenaria polygonoides, Wulf! in Jacq. Coll. i. p.
241. tab. xv.

H. In saxosis et glareosis ad nives perennes M. Gemmi, supra

lacum Dauben, 31 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Semina nitidissima reniformia arillato-appendiculata omni-
no ut in M. muscosa, L.

379. Stellaria cerastoides, L.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, et ad moles glaciales

M. Finelen.

380. S. Nemorum, L.

H. In umbrosis saxorum in accensu M. Gemmi supra Kander-

steg. 29 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Sterilis, caules prostrati valde stoloniferi.

381. Cerastium latifolium, L. Gaud. Koch, Syn. p. 123. Bentham,
Cat. Pyr. p. 69. 6. subcaule, Gaud. Helv. iii. p. 250. C. lati-
folium, 6. glaciale, Koch, Syn. p. 123. C. glaciale, Gaud. Tho-
mas exs.! «.? pedunculatum, Koch. 1. c. C. pedunculatum, Gaud.
ieee:

H. In saxosis et glareosis humidis, M. Gemmi supra Schwar-

renbach. 6. and «.in glareosis ad moles glaciales M. Fiinelen.

Obs. Ubique breve-glanduloso-pubescens : capsulas maturas for-
me vulgaris non inveni. C. latifolium, Light. Hook. &c. et Britan-
norum certe ad C. alpinum et preesertim ad varietatem C. lanatum, |
auct. pertinet. In omnibus exempl. meis ex Alp. Clova, &c. Sco- |
tie. ab. am. Campbell, Barry, Brand, Greville, &c. communicatis,
pili omnes eglandulosi sunt, sed pedunculi uniflori solitarii, ebrac-
teati. Var. c. habitu omnino a parietatibus precedentibus recedit,
et forsan vera diversa species, sed notas constantes non inveni.
Folia lineari-oblonga, interdum 10 lineas et ultra longa ; pedunculi

.

Alps of the Valais. 527

solitarii, axillares terminalesque 1-2 unciales ; petala calycem vix
superantia angusta, bifida segmentis sabacutis ; capsule subcylin-
dric vix curvate calycem duplo et ultra longiores, vel interdum
etiam breviores. Caules interdum abbreviati, interdum filiformes
valde elongati.
382. C. arvense L. ? var. glaciale mihi, ubique cano-pilosum, foliis
lineari-lanceolatis, ovato-lanceolatisve infimis minoribus.
H. copiose in graminosis ad rivulum glacialem vallecule Tzesch.
Obs. Planta gracilis ; caules pauciflores (2-5.) Pili longi eglan-
dulosi patentes. Bractew marginibus late membranacez, pilisque
longioribus ciliate. Habitu et primo aspectu, a C. arvensis forma
vulgari facillime distinguendum.

383. Polygala vulgaris, L. Rchb.
H. Ad viam inter Siders et Leuk.

384.* Viola pinnata, L.
H. Zermatt.

385.* V. arenaria, DC.
H. Zermatt.

386. V. biflora, L. «. innotata, petalis inferne saturatius luteis,
nervis concoloribus percursis. 4. notata, petalis inferne lineolis
fuscis pulcherrime notatis, floribus minoribus.

H. «a. ad nives deliquescentes, M. Gemmi. 4. In fossis ad viam
prope Randaa.

387. V. tricolor, L.y. alpestris, DC. Prod. i. p. 303. V. tricolor, +.
saxatilis, Koch. V. tricolor subalpina, Gaud.

H. In pascuis alpinis prope pagum Fiinelen supra Zermatt.

388. V. calcarata, L. «a. vulgaris, foliis subrotundo-ovatis, vel ob-
longo-lanceolatis, crenatis vel integriusculis, utrinque glabris mar-
gine ciliatis. 4. lancifolia, Roem! in Herb. meo. V. Villarsiana
Roemet Sch. ! foliis lineari-lanceolatis, lanceolatisve sinuato-cre-
natis utrinque minute pubescentibus ciliatisque.

Hi. a. In glareosis et graminosis, M. Gemmi supra Schwarren-
bach. 4. supra Zermatt.
Obs. «. variat magnitudine coloreque corollz, et longitudine nec-
tarii, caulescens vel subacaulis. 4. variat ut precedens caulescens
vel subacaulis: corolla sepius pallide cerulea.

_ 389. V. cenisia, L. All. Ped. Tab. xxii. f. 6.

H. In saxosis et glareosis, M. Gemmi ad moles glaciales Lammern-
gletscher, 31 Aug. 1836.
Obs. Viola valderia, All. Tab. xxiv. f. 3. mihi diversa videtur.

528 Botanical Excursion to the

Specs. in Herb. Roem. conservata majorem aflinitatem cum. V. he-
terophylla Bertol. quam cum V. cenisia habent cf. Koch, Syn. p.
88, et Rchb. germ. exc. No. 4512 et 4513.

390. Helianthemum Fumana, Desf.
H. In aridis inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.
391. H. alpestre, Rcehb. Pl. Crit. i. ic. 2. H. celandicum 4. Koch.
H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.
392. H. vulgare, Gartn. 4. concolor. Rchb. Germ. exc. No. 4547.
H. In arenosis inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.
Obs. H. obscurum, Pers. huc a cl. Koch. altatum mihi videtur
potius ad H. grandiflorum DC. referendum.

393. Arabis perfoliata, Lam. Turritis glabra, L.
H. ad viam inter St Nicholas et Zermatt et inter Brieget Mun-
ster.
394, A. alpina, L.

H. In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach ; et supra Zermatt.

Obs. Caules interdum unciales vix ultra, et subuniflori occurrunt.
395. A. arcuata mihi.

Arabis caule simplici pilis simplicibushirsuto; foliis radicalibus obo-
vato-oblongis sessilibus vel in petiolum attenuatis, caulinisque sessili-
bus lineari-oblongis integriusculis, pilis ramosis hirsutis; racemo
erecto, abbreviato, pedicellis calyce (demum) vix longioribus ; siliquis
nervo prominulo tetragono-compressis anguste linearibus confertis
arcuato-patentibus rigidis ; seminibus apteris impunctatis. A. ciliata
&. hirsuta, Koch. Syn. p. 29. (excl. syn plur.?) A. hirsuta incana,

.Gaud. Helv. iv. p. 315.

H. In glareosis, M. Gemmi ad nives perennes supra Schwarren-

bach.

Obs. Caules sepe numerosi, semipedales vix ultra, superne in-
terdum glabri. Folia radicalia eximie rosulata pilis ramosis hirsuta
et ciliata obscure dentata vel sinuata, caulina pauca remota inte-
griuscula, superiora glabriuscula.

Racemus per maturitatem caulis partem vix quartam obtinens.
Siliquee nervose nitide livide arcuato-patentes et szpius fere se-
cunde.

Syn. fere omnia dubia, dum auctoribus silique erecte stricte
semper descriptz sunt, sed huc referende videntur, A. hirsuta ses-
silifolia 4. alpestris. Gaud. 1. c. Turritis alpestris, Schleich. A.
incana, Rchb. germ. exc. No. 4341. Et forsan A. ciliata, auct.
Helv. et germ. et Koch, |. c. ad formam glabram plante nostre

Alps of the Valais. 529

etiam referenda ; sed hucusque exemplaria per pauca hujus plant
examinare mihi licuit.

A. incana, Roth. Catal. Bot. i. p. 79, planta distinctissima potius
ad A. auriculatam, Lam. vel ad A. saxatilem, All. referenda est :
sub hoc nomine species diversissimas ex. gr. A. alpina, A. hirsu-
tam, &c. accepi.

Proxime sane accedit nostra planta ad A. ciliatam, R. Br. (e loco
ab. auct. Brit. citato “‘ Hibernia, in arenosis maritimis prope Ren-
vyle Cunnamara, exempl. permulta lege et examinavi) ; sed A. ci-
liata e toto glabra est, folia nempe tantum ciliata, subcarnosa ; caulis
valde foliosus pedalis et ultra, foliis plerumque confertis, rarissime
remotis. Racemus valde multiflorus, caulis partem dimidiam et
ultra obtinens. Silique erectz latiores, longioresque stricte, ad
caulem plerumque appresse ; pedunculi inferiores forsan longiores.

A stricta, Huds. A. collina, Ten.! et A. muralis, Bertol.! omni-
no diverse sunt.

A arcuate exempl. permulta examinavi: imprimis legi: in Ju-
rasso, in saxosis sterilibus summis, M. Téte de Rang, com. Neoco-
mensi. In saxosis glareosisque ad nives perennes, M. Faulhorn, et
in M. Gemmi, et accepi ab am. Guthnick e M. Steinberg, Vall.
Lauterbrunn. ;

396. A. serpyllifolia, Vill? Gaud. Helv. iv. p.310. Koch. Syn.

p: 40.

H. In saxosis umbrosis prope Kandersteg.

Obs. Florentem non inveni, sed bene convenit cum exempl. a. b.
Demarat e ditione Friburgensi missis; paululum a descriptione
Gaudini recedit, racemo magis conferto, et siliquis evidenter in stylo
brevi attenuatis. Icon. Vill. Dauph. iii. p. 318. Tab. 37, certe plan-
tam dissimilem refert, sed cl. Villarsius plantas suas seepius mole
depinxit. Sub nomine, A. auriculate plantam e Pedemontio accepi,
que caulibus prostrates ramosissimis valde foliosis, siliquis brevibus
crassoribus et magis patentibus melius ad diagnosim et iconem Vil-
larsii accedit.

Nostra planta caulibus ad singula folia flexuosa-fractis debilibus,
rosulis laxis, foliis ovalibus in petiolum attenuatis parvis plerumque
integerrimis et seminibus apteris gaudet: et his notis, siliquisque
multo angustioribus ab A. pumila, Wulf. qua non absimilis, satis
differt.

397. A. pumila, Wulf.
_ H. In M. Gemmi in saxosis et ad rupes supra Kandersteg, et
_ supra Schwarrenbach et lacum Dauben.

530 Botanical Exeursion to the

Obs. Silique obscure carinate, semina pallide fulva ala pellucida
pallidiori fere albida cincta.
398. A. bellidifolia, Jacq.

H. In uliginosis, M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, 31 Aug.
1836.

Obs. Glaberrima, silique evidentur carinatz, semina fusca ala

concolori vel paulo dilutius colorata.

399. A. cerulea, Wulf.

H. In M. Gemmi ad nives perennes. }

Obs. Silique evidenter carinate colorate, semina fulva ala paulo
dilutius colorata.

400. Cardamine bellidifolia, L. 4. alpina, DC. Gaud. ec. alpina,
Willd., Koch.

H. Ad nives deliquescentes, M. Gemmi.

Obs. Petioli in exempl. meis limbo interdum duplo longiores.
Plantam lapponicam nondum vidi.

A401. C. resedifolia, L.

H. ad moles glaciales, M. Fiinelen.

402. Sisymbriwm Sophia, L.

H. Ad viam inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.

403. Erysimum helveticum, DC. FI. fr Syst. Veg. i. p. 501, Gaud.
Rchb et Germ. exc. No. 4395. E. palleus, «. foliis integerrimis,
Koch, Syn. p. 53.

H. In Valesia vulgaris : ad viam in apricis inter Inden et Varen,
et inter St Nicholas et Zermatt.

Obs. Ab hac specie abunde differt, Erysimum ochroleucum, DC.
FI. fi. Dub. Bot. Gall. i. p. 46. ; Gaud. Helv. iv. p. 366.; Rehb. 1.
-c. No. 4396. Cheiranthus ochroleucus, Hall. Dec. Syst. et Prod.
Ch. decumbens, Schleich! Caules decumbentes, ramosi, folia den-
tata, denticulata, caulina latiora petiolata glabriuscula. Flores fa-
cile duplo majores odoratissimi, petalis citrinis, ochroleucisve longe
stipitatis ; silique duplo longiores latioresque, subtorulose in stylum
augustum ad duas lineas longum attenuate. Non intelligo qua
ratione cl. Koch in Deutsl. Fl. iv. p. 694, et nuperrime in Syn.
p- 53. has species sub nomine “ E. palleus,” Hall. fil. conjunxit.
E. ochroleucum tantum in saxosis Jurassi, ex. gr. in M. Creux du
Van! Chasseral! occurrit: E. pumilum, Gaud. Helv. l.c. Cheiran- |
thus alpinus, Schleich! vix ab. E. helvetico, DC. differt ; stylos
semper evidenter et vix breviores inveni, et, me judici, mere forma
nana alpina est.

Brassica, L.
Obs. Erucastrum Schimp. et Spenn: Koch, Deutscl. Fl. iv. p.
3

Alps of the Valars. 531

702, Syn. p. 56. Seminibus oblongis, vel ovatis compressis tantum
a. Brassica, L. differt, quo genere semina globosa sunt: note certe
nimis leves. Denominationes cl. Soyer-Willemet in Ann. des Se.
Nat. 2de Serie ii. p. 115 et seq. non retinui, quoniam Brassica eru-
castrum, Linnezi e sententia cl. Dec., Koch, Gaud., &c. inextri-
cabilis est. Species ambe a. cl. Koch, Rehb., &c. bene descripte
sunt, et nominia trivialia ab iisdem proposita accepi.

Brassica Pollichii, mihi.

Sr. foliis profunde pinnatifidis, laciniis oblongis inzequaliter ob-
_ tuse dentatis sinu rotundato, sepalis petalisque (ochroleucis) erecti-

usculis, siliquis patentibus rostro conico aspermo. Br. ochroleuca,
Soyer. 1. c. Br. erucastrum, 4. ochroleuca, Gaud. Helv. iv. p. 301,
_ BErucastrum Pollichii, Schimp. et Spen. Fl. Frib. ii. p. 946, Koch,
l.c. E. inodorum, Rehb. germ. exc. No. 4428. Sisymbrium eru-
castrum, Poll. Pal. ii. p- 224, e. Koch. 1. ¢.

H. In arenosis ad lacum Biennensem! Muratensem! Neocomen-
sem! in insulis et in arenosis Arole prope Solothuru! et ad Rhe-
_ num prope Basileam. (Fischer !)

_ Obs. Valde variat forma foliorum. In exempl. fere omnibus
iq (et ultra 200 examinavi) pedunculi infimi folio pinnatifido stipati
sunt, sed etiam in exampl. sequentis “ ad muros antiquos Hunin-
_ gue” lectes (Fischer !) bractez similes occurrunt. Petala videntur
angustiora quam in sequenti, sed certe non “ dimidio minores.”
Silique magis distantes ac crassiores.

A404. Br. obtusangula, mihi.

B. foliis profunde pinnatifidis, laciniis oblongis ineequaliter angu-
_ lato-dentatis sinu rotundato ; sepalis petalisque (citrinis) patentis-
_ simis, siliquis patentibus rostro toruloso plerumque monospermo.
Bz. erucastrum, Soyer. 1. c. B. erucastrum «, Gaud. Lc. cum
icone mala. Erucastrum obtusangulam, Rchb. germ. exc. No. 4429.
_ Koch, 1.c. Sisymbrium obtusangulam, Schleich! Dec. Syst. ii.
- 465. Prod. Dub. Bot. Gall. i. p. 44.

1H. In arenosis ad viam prope Leuk, et inter St Nicholas et Zer-
im matt.

{ Obs. Etiam quoad foliorum formam et loborum directionem va-
" riabilis; differt a precedente etiam siliquis tenuioribus confertiori-
| bus ac magis numerosis. In exempl. meis pedunculi omnes aphylli.
_ Rostra plerumque monosperma, interdum asperma.

405. Eruca sativa, Lam. Brassica Eruca, L.

H. In arvis incultis et ad viam prope Varen.

_ Obs. Silique pilis paucis retrorsum hispide, interdum glabrius-
_ cule, rostro scabro triplo longiores. Semina in exempl. meis, uni-
VoL. 1. wo. 12. Nn

53% Botanical Excursion to the

serialia, Petala citrina vel flava, venis fuscis picta, interdum pur-
purescentia, demum albescentia.
406. Alyssum calycinum, L.
H. In arvis ad moles glaciales supra Zermatt.
407. Draba aizoides, L.

H. (a-) in fissuris rupium, M. Gemmi, supra Schwarrenbach,
(42) ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Twsch in fissuris
rupium. In M. Fiinelen ad rupes M. Gemmi ad lacum Dauben,
31. Aug. 1836.

Obs. Planta valde variabilis (ut species fere omnes generis intri-
catissimi) et ¢. varietatibus species plures ab auctoribus forsan male
institute sunt. Formas sequentes distinguo.

a. microcarpa ; silicule ovales vel suborbiculares 14 ad longe 2
lineas long, pedicellis subssequantes ; racemus abbreviatus pauci-
florus floribus parvis; folia lineari lanceolata brevia.

Variat siliculis levibus et ciliatis, folioramque latitudine et lon-
gitudine ; semina perpauca, forsan abortione sepissime uniserialia.
Draba Sauteri Hoppe Koch, Syn. p. 62. Reich. pl. crit. iv. ic.
564-566 et exsic! (specimen immaturum) hee varietate proxima,
differt siliculis suborbicularibus, stylo per brevi, caulibus prostratis
ramosis elongatis laxe czespitosis, sterilibus remote foliosis ; sed
denuo indaganda, annon transitio occurrit.

8. intermedia ; silicule lanceolate-elliptice, ad 3 lineas longe,
pedicellis aquales vel longiores; racemus congestus, floribus nu-
merosioribus.

Variat ut var @ ; et in uno et eodem individuo stylos vix dimidiam
lineam et ultra lineam unam longos inveni. Ad formam microsty-
Jam sine dubio referenda est Dr. Zahlbruckneri, Host. Koch, 1. ec.
Rehb. exsic !—y. macrocarpa ; silicule lineari-lanceolatz, lanceo-
lateve, 4-6 lineas longx, pedicellis elongatis, breviores. Racemus
multiflorus, demum valde elongatus, floribus magnis ; folia linearia |
uncialia et seepe ultra. —

Hc forma copiose ad rupes calcareas Jurassi ubique occurrit et
cespites maximos, interdum laxos efficit ; variat etiam ut forme
precedentes. Ab hee varietate omnino differt Draba Aizoon Wahl!
Dr. lasiocarpa Rochel! (omnino eadem species contra Koch, lic.) ff
-foliis duplo triplove latioribus, pedicellis divaricato-patulis, stylo |
breviore, floribus duplo minoribus ochroleucis, calyibusque atrovi-
ridibus (in Dr. aizoidi flavescentibus) sed forsan calycis color varla-
bilis. Var. a. facile in g. transit, et forme intermediz inter 8. et y-
in Jurasso non desunt : pedicelli longitudo in uno et eodem indivi-

duo variabilis.
4,

Alps of the Valais. 588

408. D. tomentosa, Wahl. Helv. p. 123, Tab. in. Koch. Rchb. pl.
crit. viii. ic. 1011-1014. exsic! Gaud.

H. In M. Gemmi in fissuris rupium supra Schwarrenbach.

409. D. frigida, Sauter. Koch, Gaud. Rchb. 1. ¢. iii. ic. 359, et ex-
sic ! «. siliculis glabris. 4. siliculis scabriusculis.

H. a In M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach.* Zermatt. @. ad

moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tesch.

410. D. Johannis, Host. Koch, Deutsl. FI. iv. p. 553. Syn. p. 63.
D. Carinthiaca, Hoppe. Rchb. pl. crit. iv. ic. 567-569, et exsic !
(differt tantum a suo nivali! floribus paulo minoribus, et siliculis
forsan longioribus, sed planta junior est.) D. nivalis Lapeyr!
Gaud. Helv. iv. p. 256. Rchb. I. e. viii. ic. 1045-1047, ex Germ.
exc. No. 4238 et exsic!

H. Ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tesch cum
precedente.

Obs. D. muricella, Rehb. pl. crit. viii. ic. 1023-1025, a cl. Koch
in Deutsl. Fl. 1. c. ad D. Traunfellneri citata (in Syn. l. c. iconem
Rehb. non citavit, sed D. Traunfellneri ad D. Johannis ducit) vi-
detur omnino diversa. Sub nomine D. rivularis Berut plantam
omnino similem ab Opitz accepi. Huc etiam de hirtam Gaud. l. ¢.
pertinere opinor, sed plantam Gaud. nondum vidi. D. hirta, Wahl!
(c. Laponnica) diversissima est species, et icon. Rehb. bona. In
Herb. meo spec. vallesiaca “ Drabe alpine, Liliebl.” possideo qua
satis hene ad iconem Rehb. D. muricelle accedunt. ~ D. muricella,
_ Wahl! videtur planta tantum minor, caulibus simplicibus. Draba
; tupestris R. Br. (Ben Lawers, Watson ! Campbell !) species mihi
_ non satis cognita est. Inter specimina mea exempl. occurrunt stig-

mate sessili, et etiam stylo evidenter sed brevi : silicule tamen sem-

_ per pilis stellatis furcatisque tectz sunt.

_ All. D. lapponica, Willd.? Rehb. pl. crit. viii. ic. 1019-1022.

_ Koch, Syn. p. 64. D. fladnizensis, Gaud. 1. ¢, ?

H, Ad moles glaciales summi jugi alpium supra Tesch.

Obs. Forma silicularum paululo variat, sed quoad habitam et si-
liculas icon Rchb. optima est. In exempl. meis, folio sunt lanceo-
lata, integra vel, et presertim caulina, dentata, pilis stellatis ubi-
que tecta, interdum Jongioribus simplicibus ciliata. Scapi3—3 un-
ciales unifoliati, inferne pilis stellatis adspersi, superne siliculisque
glaberrimi. Siliculze ovato-lanceolate vel ovate minime, stylo brevi

_ sed evidenti terminate.

OD. fladnizensis, Wulf. Rehb. pl. crit. viii. ic. 1016-1018. D.
sclerophylla, Gaud. 1. c. hee proxima, differt habitu humiliori
_ et crassiori, foliis lineari-lanceolatis glabris pilis rigidis simplicibus

f

534 Botanical Excursion to the

subremotisque ciliatis, stigmate subsessili. Hance plantam in M.

Faulhorn copiose viget, et ibidem 1835-36 legi.

412. D. fladnizensis, Wulf. ?% pubescens mihi. D. ramosissi-
ma, scapis nudis pubescentibus, foliis ovato-vel lanceolato-line-
aribus obtusiusculis, dorso exstante carinatis, pilis rigidis cili-
atis, utrinque glabris: siliculis ovato-lanceolatis pedicellis longiori-
bus, pilis simplicibus longiusculis tenuissimis pubescentibus, stylo
brevissimo subnullo.

H. In fissuris rupium ad nives perennes M. Gemmi supra
Schwarrenbach., (exemplaria 5 pro D. aizoides formam pus-
sillam legi.)

Obs. Czspites congestis parvos eflicit ; scapi vix semiunciales,
interdum unifoliati, 2-5 flori: Florentem non inveni, ut dubitor
annon potius ad D. Sauteri 4. Spitzelii Koch l.c. referenda. Huc
etiam referenda mihi videtur D. rupestris Rchb. germ. exc. No.
4245, (cf. ann.)

413.* D. confusa Ehrh. Koch. 1. c. Gaud. 1. ce. Rehb. |. c. ic. 1033,
opt. D. stylosa, Gaud! in Herb. meo.

H. in alpibus supra Zermatt.

Obs. D. levigata, Hoppe, D. ciliata, Scop. Koch., 1. c. mihi incog-
nite.

414, Biscutella levigata, L. Koch, Syn. p. 71.

a. Siliculis glabris, lavibus. B. laevigata Gaud. DC. 8. silicu-
lis lepidoto-scabris. |B. saxatilis, Schleich. Gaud. Dec. Rchb. pl.
crit. vil. ic. 840.

H. «. inter Thermas Leucenses et Inden. (. ad viam inter Ran-
daa et Zermatt, et in alpibus supra Tesch.

Obs. B. levigata, Rehb. 1. c. ic. 837 et B. obcordata ejusdem ic.
836, siliculis superne non excisis differunt, sed in exempl, Rchb.!
et in meis omnibus siliculas excisas inveni. In M. Burglen dit.
Bernensi plantam legi B. obcordate omnino simillimam, nisi siliculis
superne excisis fere ut in icone Rchb. B. saxatilis, Schleich. In uno
et eodem individuo siliculas valvulis superne stylo appressis (ic.
Rchb. B. saxatilis, 840), vel a stylo remotis (ic. Rchb. B. obcordate,
836), observavi. In utraque var. semina omnino similia sunt et
tenuissime punctato-rugosa. Variant foliis obovato-lanceolatis, lan-
ceolatis vel lineari-lanceolatis remote inciso-serratis, sinuatis, vel |
sub integris, plus minusve hispidis.

415. Hutchinsia alpina, R. Br. «. major, diffusa caulibus elongatis ra-
mosis foliosis, siliculis pedicello multo brevioribus, utrinque at-
tenuatis, stylo conspicuo. 4. brevicaulis, minor congesta, cauli-

Alps of the Valais. 535

bus abbreviatis erectiusculis, siliculis pedicello spe longioribus,

obovato-obtusis, stylo brevissimo subnullo.

H. a. ubique frequens. In M. Gemmi; supra Zermatt. . ad

moles glaciales M. Finelen.—

Obs. In Herb. normali, Rchb. exs.! plantam sub nomine. H.
brevicaulis Hoppe possideo, sed specimen tantum florens pessimum
(talio per seepe in Herb. norm. Rcehb. occurrunt) et admodum com-
pressum ut non examinandum est ; sed vix dubitor. H. brevicaulis,
Hoppe Koch. Syn. mere forma glacialis H. alpine est.

416. H. rotundifolia, R. Br. Thlaspi—Gaud. Koch.
H. In glareosis M. Gemmi ad moles glaciales Lammerngletscher,
31 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Silicule aptere leviter emarginatz, semina matura non habeo

sed cotyledones videntur accumbentes.

417. Thalictrum foetidum, L.
H. In saxosis inter Inden et Varen ; inter St Nicholas et Zer-
matt.
418. * Anemone vernalis, L.
H. Zermatt.
419. A. Halleri, All.
H. In graminosis, M. Fiinelen.

_ 420. A. alpina, L. 4. sulphurea, Gaud. Koch.

H. In graminosis alpinis supra Tesch.
Obs. Var. elatior pedalis macrantha, foliis profunde incisis hir-

sutioribus et humilioribus vix digitalis micrantha, foliis minus incisis

_ hirsutisque.
_ 421. Ranunculus glacialis, L. (y. crithmifelius, Rchb.)

H. Ad moles glaciales in glareosis M. Fiinelen :—rarissime in
M. Gemmi ad nives perennes supra lacum Dauben, 31 Aug.
1836.

422. R. alpestris, L.

H. Ad nives deliquescentes, M. Gemmi.

Obs. Variat folio caulino trifido laciniis linearibus, et lineari-spa-
thulato indiviso. Forma foliorum radicalium etiam variabilis, et
non semper ceespitosa crescit, et, me judici, R. Tranufellueri Hoppe.
Koch, Syn. p. 13, vix species diversa est.

423. R. parnassifolius, L.

H. Copiose in glareosis M. Gemmi: ad pedem rupium, M. Schal-
mette ;—et ad lacum Dauben.
Obs. Carpella ut in R. pyreneo. Hec est forsan var. parviflorus

536 Botanical Excursion to the Alps of the Valais.

sed florentem. non inveni. Folia omnia supra ad nervos et margines
plus minusve dense lanuginosa sunt.
424. *R. pyreneus, L. «. vulgaris, DC. Gaud.

H. Supra Zermatt.

Obs. Variat etiam foliis latioribus, cauleque bifloro—Transitus in
var. y. plantagineum, DC.

R. lacerus, Bell (¢. Vallesia et etiam ¢«. Pedemontio a cl. Balbis
missa) omnino forma R. pyrenei y. plantaginei est, cui folia apice
leviter vel profunde incisa sunt, et nullo modo proles hybrida, R. py-
renezi et aconitifolii.

425. Aconitum napellus, L.

Var. I. Hians, nectaris exsertis. A. Schleicheri, Rehb. Illust.
Ac. Tab. I. f. 1. '

H In ascensu M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg, 29 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Flores purpurascentes.

Var. II. Compactum, caule valde crasso, spica densa foliosa. A.
Napellus compactum, Rehb. 1. c. Tab. iu. f. 1. A. Napellus y. brac- |
teosum, Ser !

H. In M. Gemmi in glareosis humidis prope et supra Schwarren-

bach copiose.

Obs. Variat foliorum partitionibus latioribus et angustioribus.

Var. III. Glaciale, pygmeum, foliis parvis tenuiter dissectis, in-
ferioribus longe pedunculatis, spica pauciflora, nectariis inclusis. A.
Napellus 6. pygmzum, Ser !

H. In glareosis M. Gemmi supra Schwarrenbach, copiose.

Obs. Videtur medium inter A. Schleicheri et Napellus compac- |
tum. Folia A. Schleicheri, Rchb. 1. c. et spica fere A. Taurici, Rchb.
l.c.. Tab. Ixli. Hee forma est forsan A. Tauricum Auct.

426. A. multifidum, Koch, Rehb. Ill. Ac. Tab. Ixx. f. a et h. opt.

A. Napellus var. Koch, Syn.

H. In ascensu M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg, copiose in umbrosis. |

29 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Caulis 4—5—pedalis, panicula laxa ramosissima floribus mag- |
nis speciosis.

427. A. acuminatum, Rehb. ?

H. In ascensu M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg. 29 Aug. 1836.

rarius. :

Obs. Flores speciosi, purpureo violacei, pedicelli erecto-patentes ff
pubescentes, panicula simplex ; folia ut in A. cernuo sed profundius
et tenuiter dissecta, laciniis longioribus. Panicula et flores fere ut |
in A. multifido, Rchb. 1. c. sed pedicelli longiores, et rostrum magis
productum. Omnino medium inter Napelloidea et Cammaroidea.

On the Fauna of Shropshire and North Wales. 537

In icone Rehb. A. acuminati, Tab. Ixviii. (flos unicus) cassis multo
angustior est quam in nostris : sed cassidis forma et preesertim rostrl
pre eztate variabilis est.

428. A. rostratum, Bernh.

H. In locis humidis umbrosis prope Kandersteg. 1 Sept. 1836.

Obs. Cassis minus curvata quam in icone, Rchb. Tab. xi. sed
‘eandem formam et plantam iconi Rchb. omnino similem copiose in
M. Stockhorn legi. Nectaria erectiuscula vel modice inclinata.
429. A. cernuum, Wulf. Rehb. |. c. Tab. xxxiii. et exsic. !

a. flexicaule, panicula laxa ramosa, ramis pedunculisque flexuosis,

H. In locis humidis umbrosis prope Kandersteg copiose, et in

ascensu M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg. 29 Aug. 1836.

Obs. Occurrit carpellis ternis et quinis, glabris et etiam maturis
pubescentibus ad formam carpellis pubescentibus pertinet A. hebe-
gynum, auct. et etiam ad formam carp. pub. A. paniculati. Nec-
taria arcuato-cernuo.

@. pyramidatum.

H. In ascensu M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg. 1836.

Obs. Panicula ramosa magis coarctata ramis rigide erecto-patulis.
A. paniculatum, Lam. Rchb. Hl. Ac. Tab. xxxii. videtur species
distincta ; hujus formam hebygenam in M. Gemmi a cl. Seringe
lectum possideo.

430. A. Lycoctonum, L. Var. Cynoctonum. A. Vulparia 4. Cynoc-
tonum, Rehb. Ll. Ac. Tab. lvii. opt.

H. In sylvis in ascensu M. Gemmi supra Kandersteg. 29 Aug.

1836.

Obs. In petrosis calcareis umbrosis Jurassi, A. Vulparia y. Tra-

goctonum, Rchb. |. c. Tab. lvill. copiose viget.

IlI.—An Attempt to ascertain the Fauna of Shropshire and North
Wales. By Tuomas C. Eyton, F.Z.S.

Tue following attempt towards perfecting a Catalogue of the ani-
_ mals indigenous to Shropshire and North Wales was originally read
before the Natural History and Antiquarian Society called after
that district, the museum and meetings of which are at Shrewsbury.
_ A few additions have, however, since been made. One of the prin-
_ cipal objects for which this society was formed was to complete a
i list of the Fauna of the above-named district. Any steps towards its
_ accomplishment, therefore, is so much gained. It is with this view

538 An Attempt to ascertain the

alone that I have offered the following Catalogue, however imper-
fect, as a sort of foundation to work upon, and have accompanied it
witil notes, where anything interesting, and not before recorded
with regard to the habits or peculiarities of the species, presents
itself, thus breaking in some measure the monotony of a mere list.
It is my intention, also, to subjoin at the end of each class a notice
of the extinct species, where there is good authority that they for-
merly did exist ; fossil ones, however, will not be included. In-
troduced species will not be noticed, except in cases where they
have, as it were, almost become indigenous.

Before commencing the catalogue of animals contained in the

above-mentioned district, it will be perhaps interesting to many of
my readers who live at a distance, to give some slight account of the
face and general appearance of the country. «1s however, wherever
soil, the geological formation or elevation appear to influence the dis-
tribution of a species, I shall particularly mention it when giving an
account of that species, it will therefore be unnecessary to occupy
much space here.

The surface of Shropshire is chiefly covered by the old and new
red sandstone formation, traversed in a north-westerly direction by an
eruption of trap or igneous rock, forming hills, the principal of which
are the Wrekin, Ercal, Lileshall, Stretton hills, Longmynd, Sti-
ferstone. There are also other hills in Shropshire of sandstone,
which, although the trap does not make its appearance, are doubt-
less elevated by it. The principal of these are Grinshill, Timhill,
Hawkstone, Nessoliss, and the hills in its neighbourhood. On the
sides of the trap hills the rocks belonging to the silurian system of
Mr Murchison are generally exposed to view ; for a further account
of which I must refer my readers to a series ss papers read by him
before the Geological Society, and to his forthcoming work on the
geology of Shropshire. An extensive coal-field is found with the
carboniferous series belonging to it, between Wellington and Shif-
nall, but the district occupied by it is far too thickly populated to be
very interesting to the zoologist. Extensive peat bogs exist, par-
ticularly those of the Wild or Weald moors, running from Newport
to the river Tearne at Crudington, the greatest breadth of which
may be estimated at four miles, and Baggymoor or Boggymoor, tra-
versed for its whole length by the river Perry, and extending from
Halston to Ruyton. Of the eleven towns I have never been able to
find any authentic account of animal remains having been found in
either of them. Lakes or meres, as they are called, occur in consi-

;
F.
i

Fauna of Shropshire and North Wales. 539

derable abundance on the Welsh border, in the neighbourhood of
Ellesmere. The far-famed river Severn traverses the county, to
which most of its brooks and rivers are tributary.

The most extensive woodlands are those situated in the neigh-
bourhood of the Wrekin and Ercal, a part of Bewdly forest, and the
woods adjoining. The county would, indeed, altogether be called a
wooded one, abounding with oak timber, and underwood.

Those parts of North Wales which bound Shropshire are chiefly
composed of limestone hills, running far up into the principality, and
of the Cambrian system of rocks of Professor Sedgewick. Various
slates also occur, but no granite has as yet been discovered. A dike
of trap has, however, lately been mentioned by Mr Wyatt to the
Geological Society, discovered in the Penrhyn slate quarries. A
large coal-field is found at Ruabon, and another smaller one at Chirk.

The whole of North Wales is thickly interspersed with lakes. From
the summit of Snowdon alone, above thirty may be counted, and
nearly every valley has its river. Many of the hills are partially
clothed with oak and birch underwood, arising from stumps of an-
cient date, in many instances probably the remains of Druidical
groves ; in many also extensive plantations of the different sorts of
fir have been made. The sea coast is extensive, and consequently a
large proportion of marine animals are found.

On the gravel deposits of Shropshire and Wales, which being the
uppermost, would probably in the greatest degree influence the dis-
tribution of species, a very interesting paper was read by Mr Mur-
chison to the Geological Section of the British Association, to which,
as the detail of it would far exceed my proposed limits, I must re-
fer those who are iuterested with the subject.

The Brown Ace is the highest hill in Shropshire, (1805 feet
above the sea.) There are others, however, which nearly approach
it. The general level of the county may be said to be about 1000
feet lower. The summit of Snowdon is the most elevated point in
North Wales, (3571 feet above the sea,) from which we find points
of all heights to the actual coast.

MAMMALIA.
VESPERTILIO NOCTULA, Desm. (Great Bat.) A specimen is in
my collection, killed near the castle, Shrewsbury.
VESPERTILIO PIPISTRELLA, Geoff. (Common Bat.) Frequently
occurs. I once found upwards of twenty congregrated together in a

hole, by the side of a door-post, in the month of May.

540 An Attempt to ascertain the

PLEcoTUS AURITUS, Geoff. (Long-Eared Bat.) In Shropshire
this bat is decidedly more common than the preceding. ;

ERInAcEus Evropmus, Linn. (Hedgehog.) Common. It has
been said that this animal feeds on eggs. Although I confined one for
some time, and deprived it of other meat, I was unable to persuade
it to touch one.

TaLpa Evropza, Linn. (Mole.) Common. Albinos have seve-
ral times occurred.

Sorex ARANEUS, Linn. (Common Shrew.) Common.

Sorex FoDIENS, Pall. (Water Shrew.) An albino of this species
is in my collection, captured near Shrewsbury ; and a paper will be
found in Vol. 11. p. 219, of Loudon’s Magazine of Nat. Hist., en-
titled, ‘“‘ Some account of the Water Shrew, a mouse supposed to
have been lost for about a century, by John F. M. Doveston, Esq.
-A. M. Oxon of West Felton, near Shrewsbury,” which gives the best
account we have of its habits, and of its occurrence near that place.

Me.es Taxus, Flem. (Badger.) Formerly common in this coun-
ty, but becoming more scarce every year. In North Wales, however,
there are still plenty.

Mosteta Putorivs, Linn. (Polecat.) Common.

MustTELa ERMINEA, Linn. (Stoat.) Common. Stoats will occa-
sionally pursue moles in their burrows. A mole-catcher once inform-
ed me, that he had caught a mole and stoat in the same mole-trap.

MustexLa vutearis, Linn. (Weasel.) Common.

MustEva. (Martes, Ray.) Forxa, Linn. (Common Marten.)
North Wales. Not uncommon ; but I have never seen a Shropshire
specimen.

Marres ABIETUM, Ray. (Pine Marten.) Two specimens have
been taken in Shropshire at Stapleton, near Shrewsbury. It also
occurs in the neighbourhood of Snowdon, and near Barmouth, North
Wales. That this and the foregoing species are not really distinct,
I have scarcely any doubt. A specimen is now in my collection,
which appears to be intermediate between the two. The test of
anatomical character is, however, the only mode in which this can be
determined.

Lurra vuiearis, Desm. (Otter.) A common animal on the
rivers both of Wales and Shropshire. I once shot one with a ball near
Holyhead at sea. He rose inthe act of struggling with a large con-
ger eel, no doubt with the intention of making a meal upon him.
He appeared, however, to have quite as much as he could manage, -
the conger being coiled round him. ‘The ball passed through the

a a

Fauna of Shropshire and North Wales. bAL

heart of the otter, and head of the conger. The former I procured,
but the latter, slipping through one of the boatmen’s fingers, was
carried off with the tide.

Canis vuLPES, Linn. (Fox.) Common. A female in the possession
of Edward Gataene, Esq. of Gataene, bred in confinement, having
made an earth by scratching up a large flag-stone, her young, how-
ever, having been looked at, she destroyed them when two or three

days old.

PxHoca viTuLina, Linn. (Common Seal.) Pennant, in his British
Zoology, nentions the occurrence of this species on the coasts of
Caernavonshire and Anglesea. The fishermen also have several times
informed of its occurrence. I have never, however, succeeded in
obtaining or seeing one. Mr Bell, in his “ History of British Qua-
drupeds,” page 263, mentions, on the authority of Professor Nilsson,
that the oblique position of the teeth is a constant character in this
species. It is, however, one which appears to vary with the age of
the animal. In the cranium of a specimen in my collection obtain-
ed in Scotland, and of whose habits while alive some account was
published in the first number of this Magazine, the two posterior
molars are not oblique, and the third only slightly so. The fourth
and fifth are, however, as represented in Mr Bell’s work, page 268.
The teeth in the lower jaw correspond with those of the upper, al-
though a young one, which appears from the state of the ossification,
and the total length being only 3 feet 4 in. It has no remains of
milk teeth. The following particulars with regard to the skeleton
may perhaps contribute towards the elucidation of the genus. The
palatine bones are as figured by Mr Bell. Vertebre, cer. 7; dor.
15; lum. 5; sac. 6; caud. 8; the tip of the tail was slightly in-
jured, but I believe the enumeration to be correct. Ribs, 15.

Sciurus vuLeaRis, Linn. (Squirrel.) Common.

Myoxus AVELLANARIUS, Desm. (Dormouse.) In woods near
the Wrekin, consisting chiefly of oak and hazel underwood, grow-
ing from old stumps, in which they make their winter quarters.
The strokes of the wood-cutter’s axe awake them, when, in their
endeavour to escape, they are frequently captured. My specimens
were obtained in this manner.

Mus messorius, Shaw, (Harvest Mouse.) <A specimen is in
my collection taken near Eyton.

Mus sytvaricus, Linn. (Long-tailed Fieldmouse.) Common
during a late flood on the wild moors. I could have captured any
number of these mice, every little tuft of grass that was tolerably

542 An Attempt to ascertain the Fauna of Shropshire, §c.

dry being full.of them. When pursued they occasionally dived ;
they also ascended trees with the greatest facility.

Mus pEcuMANUS, Pall. (Norway Rat.) Common. An introduced
species.

ARVICOLA AMPHIBIUS, Desm. (Water Rat.) Common. This ani-
mal, like others of its genus, hybernates. There are numbers in the
banks of the drains on the wild moors in summer, while in winter not
one is to be seen.

ARVICOLA ARVALIS, Flem. (Field Vole.) In this neighbourhood,
(Eyton, ) this species frequents the banks of drains, and both swims
and dives well. I have not yet met with A. pratensis, Baill. within
the district.

Lepus timipus, Linn. (Hare.) Common. Several specimens of
a whitish variety have also occurred.

| Lepus cunicuxus, Linn. (Rabbit.) Common. Black specimens

are found occasionally on Rudge Heath, and in the neighbourhood
of Eyton. A buff or yellowish variety is common near Longford
Newport. .

PHoc&NA DELPHINUS, Cuv. (Porpoise.) Common on the Welsh
coast in summer. The time of migration of this species would be
worth the investigation of any one who had the opportunity.

EXTINCT SPECIES.

Canis Lupus, Linn. (Wolf.) The former existence of this ani-
mal is sufficiently proved by a mandate of Edward the First (quoted
by Pennant) to Peter Corbet, to superintend and assist in the de-
struction of them through the several counties of Gloucester, Wor-
cester, Hereford, Salop, and Stafford.

Castor FIBER, Linn. (Beaver.) Pennant quotes Geraldus Cam-
brensis for the former existence of this species, who travelled
through Wales in 1188, and states that in his time they were found
in the river Teivi. Two or three waters in the principality still
bear the name Lyn-yr-afange, or beaver lake.—Ray.

Mus rattus, Linn. (Black Rat.) Although IJ have not been able
to find any notice of the present or former existence of this animal
within the district, I have here inserted it, as it is most probable
that it was an inhabitant before the introduction of its destroyer,

the Norway rat.
3

On new or obscure species of Plants. 545

1V.—Observations on some New or Obscure Species of Plants.
No. II. By G. A. Waker Arwort, LL. D. F.L.S., &c.
(Continued from page 247.)

PentaLosa, Lour. (Violacez.)

Dr Brown has long since demonstrated that Loureiro’s genus
and Alsodeia of Petit Thouars, were the same in every respect ex-
cept the fruit, which Loureiro says is a five-seeded berry, but pro-
bably erroneously, as he had made another mistake regarding the
ovary, to which he attributed five parietal placente, while Dr Brown
finds only three in a specimen from himself. The description of the
fleshy fruit may have arisen from its having been immature, in
which state it is coriaceous and slightly fleshy in some, if not in®
all the species. I prefer, therefore, restoring the name given by
Loureiro, to adopting that of Alsodeia.

All the East Indian species have a simple disk, as in De Can-
doile’s first section of the genus, and the anthers destitute of bris-
tles or hairs at the apex. I shall here add a short description of a
new one from Ceylon, found there in spring 1836, by Dr Wight,
and abridged specific characters of the others from India, which have
been hitherto noticed by authors.

Sect. 1. Discus subcarnosus, dentatus vel subcrenatus, extus haud cingulatus.
Filamenta inclusa, latiuscula, glabra. Antherz apice imberbes.

1. P. Ceylanica, (Arn. ;) foliis obsolete denticulatis axillis ner-
vorum subtus eporosis, floribus fasciculatis, ovario styloque glabris.
— Wight. Cat. n. 268.

Haxs.—In insula Ceylano.

_ Fruticosa, glaberrima. Folia petiolata, petiolo 24-4 lineas longo,
oblongo-lanceolata, obsolete denticulata, basi obtusa, apice attenuata,
subtus eporosa. Flores fasciculati, axillares, brevissime pedicellati.
Sepala ovato-lanceolata, acuta, ciliolata. Discus cupuliformis, sim-
plex, o-dentatus. Stamina 5, glabra, petalis breviora. Filamenta
-distantia, brevissima, anthera breviora, carnosa, e basi lata acumina-
ta, intus ad disci dentes et paullo infra apices inserta ac illis opposi-
ta. Anthere oblonge, dorso in ligulam membranaceam erectam ova-
tam acuminatam loculos fere duplo superantem product ; connec-
tivum apice cuspidulatum. Ovarium glabrum, ovato-globosum, dis-
cum paullo superans, uniloculare, ovulis tribus parietalibus appensis,
Stylus erectus, conico-acuminatus, crassus, carnosus, glaber, stamini-
bus paullo longior, petalis brevior. Stigma 3-lobum. Capsula co-
riacea, globoso-trigona, glabra, 3-sperma, styli basi mucronata. Se-
mina globosa.

544 Observations on some new

2. P. Bengalensis, (Wall.) foliis argute serrulatis subtus ad ax-
illas nervorum.excavato-ciliatis, floribus fasciculatis, ovario styloque
glabris— Wall. Cat. n. 4896.—Alsodeia Bengalensis, Wall. in Act.
Med. and Phys. Soc. Calcut. vii. p. 224, (cum descriptione locuple-
tissima. )

Haxs.—In Bengala.

3. P. lanceolata, (Wall.) foliis lanceolatis longe attenuatis obso-
lete denticulatis subtus ad axillas nervorum eporosis, floribus con-
gestim racemosis, sepalis late ovatis obtusis glabriusculis, disco 10-
15-crenato, ovario styloque hirsutis.— Wall. Cat, n. 4023.—Vareca
lanceolata, Roxb. fl. Ind. i. p. 648 ; (ed. Wall.) ii. p. 246.

Has.—In Sincapore.

Folia 6-9 poll. longa, 13-2 lata, breve petiolata, petiolo vix duas
lineas longo. Pedunculus communis petiolo brevior ; pedicelli breves,
erectiusculi. Sepala dorso glabra vel minutissime pubescentia, mar-
- gine ciliolata. Discus cupulatus, brevis, truncatus, 10-15 crenatus.
Stamina inclusa: filamenta linearia, planiuscula, lata, anthera sub-
longiora, glabra: antherarum appendix membranacea, ovata, acumi-
nata, loculis dimidio longior.

4. P. sessilis (Lour.) foliis lanceolatis leviter serratis, floribus fas-
ciculatis, sepalis lanceolatis pilosis, disco 5-dentato, filamentis corol-
lam fere equantibus, ovario styloque pilosis.—Lour. Coch. (ed.
Willd.) p. 191.

Has.—In montibus Cochin China ; Loureiro.

This species is obviously very closely allied to the last, but ap-
pears to differ by the hairy lanceolate sepals, and the disk. The
above diagnosis is derived entirely from Loureiro’s description.

_ 5. P. macrophylla (Wall.) foliis oblongis vel oblongo-lanceclatis
utrinque subacuminatis obsolete dentatis subtus eporosis, petiolis
ramulisque hispidulis, foribus congestim racemosis, sepalis lanceo-_
latis acutis extrorsum hispidis, disco subintegerrimo, ovario hispido,
stylo glabro.—Wall. Cat. n. 4024 ?—Alsodeia macrophylla, De
Caisn. herb. Timor. p. 100, t. 19.

Haxz.—In insula Timor.—Penang ? ; Porter ?

Filamenta brevissima ; appendix antheram suam fere duplo super-
ans, cordato-ovata, acuminata.

De Caisne does not quote P. macrophylla, Wall., nor am I ac-
quainted with it ; perhaps the two plants are quite different.

Sect. 2. Discus submembranaceus 5-partitus. Filamenta exserta, capillaria,

ad anthere basin villosa. Anthere apice imberbes.

6. P. Roxburghit (Wall.) foliis subsessilibus oblongo-lanceolatis
crenatis basi cuneatis subtus ad axillas nervorum excavatis, floribus

or obscure species of Plants. 545
fasciculatis, disci laciniis apice incurvo-bifidis filamento in incisura
inserto, ovario glabro, stylo hirsuto.— Wall. Cat. n. 7189.—Vareca
heteroclita, Rowb. Fl. Ind. i. p.648 ; (ed. Wall.) ii. p. 246.

Hazs.—In Hindustania ; Martin.

Folia (in exemplo meo) 1-1} poll. longa, basi cuneata, subsessilia.
Antherarum appendix lata, loculos parum superans, truncata.

Roxburgh says of the base of the filaments, that ‘each side is
enlarged with one or more adjoined hornlets, which are bearded at
the base.” These hornlets are what I consider the lobes of the seg-
ments of the disk, and in the only flower, in a sufficiently advanced
state, that I found on my specimen, they were quite glabrous, but
the base of the anthers, or very apex of the filaments was woolly.
I am not quite satisfied whether the disk is, as I have called it, only
5-partite, or whether it be not composed of 5 scales distinct at the
base ; they appeared slightly connected there, but separated with
great facility.

In all the species which I have examined, there are only three
ovules in each ovarium, one to each parietal placenta. 1 hesitate,
therefore, in placing in the same genus Vareca moluccana, Roxb., of
which the ovary is said to contain “ many ovules attached to two

' or three parietal receptacles ;” but that plant, as described, differs

also from Pentaloba in several other important particulars, as in the
want of stipules, villous peduncles, young shoots clothed with fer-

_ruginous pubescence, calyx 5-toothed, villous and caducous, and

apparently no disk. Can it be a species of Prosthesia of Blume?
a genus as already pointed out by Meisner (Plant. vasc. gen. Comm.
p- 18,) very closely allied to Pentaloba, but differing by the nume-
rous ovules. If so, Roxburgh’s description must be considered as
erroneous in several particulars. I feel, however, more disposed to
refer it to Pittosporum, to which genus Itea umbellata Roxb., and
Celastrus verticillatus, Roxb. appear also to belong.

Hortons, Wight MSS.

Flores hermaphroditi? Perianthium seu involucrum e foliolis nu-
merosis concavis imbricatis, exterioribus orbiculatis subcoriaceis per-
sistentibus, interioribus subpetaloideis angustioribus tarde deciduis.
Stamina circiter 7, perigyna. Lilamenia brevia, basi utrinque glan-
dula pedicellata cucullata truncata submembranacea stipata. An-
there magne, suborbiculares, biloculares, adnate, extrorsum verse,
longitudinaliter ? dehiscentes. Ovaria plurima in receptaculi plano
parce piloso inserta, trigono-subulata, basi uniloculares. Ovulum
solitarium, pendulum, Stylus nullus. Stigma obliquum, dilatatum,

546 Observations on some new

compressum, membranaceum, sublacerum. Carpella (ovariis plurimis
abortientibus) sicco-drupacea, breviter stipitata, ovoidea, compres-
siuscula, apice obliqua, unilocularia. Semen unicum, pendulum.
« Albumen magnum, carnosum, haud ruminatum. Embryo minu-
tus, in regione hili situs.” (Wighi.)

Frutex magnus, glaber, Ceylanicus. Folia apposita, exstipulata,
petiolata, oblongo-lanceolata, utrinque acuminata, integerrima, pen-
ninervia, sublus reticulata, epunctata. Cymi pedunculati, axillares,
oppositi, petiolo longiores. Involucri foliola exteriora, atque pedi-
cellt ramulique guniores minutim ac sparsim stellato-puberul. Flo-
res pallide flavi.

1. H. floribunda ; Wight, Cat. n. 2467.

Hax.—In sylvis editioribus insula Ceylani, prope Newere Ellia,
Wight.

“I dedicate this genus to Lady Horton, on account of the lively
interest she takes in botany, and her extensive knowledge of Cey-
lon plants. It appears to hold a place intermediate between Mag-
noliacez and Anonacez,* having the numerous petals and large albu-
men, with minute embryo of the former, and extrorse anthers and
distinct carpels of the latter, differing from both in its opposite and
axillary inflorescence.” (Wight in lilt.) Dr Wight remarks, that
there are 8-10 stamens, and numerous petals in several rows, 8-10
ineach, I have, however, in no instance, observed more than seven
stamens, and as for the petals or leaves of the perianth, there are
not two situated in the same plane, all forming a dense spiral of se-
veral rows at the apex of the pedicel. I therefore consider the sup-
posed floral covering more in the light of an involucre, and in this
way Hortonia will obviously approach the Monimiacee. From these
it differs principally by the imbricated zstivation, and definite sta-
mens placed in a single series around the ovaria, and neither insert-
ed into the tube of the involucre, but upon a flat receptacle or di-
lated apex of the pedicel. All the anthers which I have examined

* Belonging to the natural order Schizandracez, which does hold this interme-
diate place, I have received from Dr Wight, collected in Ceylon and Malabar
(in 1836,) a species of Kadsura, differing only from the character of that genus,
as limited by Blume, by having three ovules in each ovarium: itis K. Wightiana
(Arn. ) dioica, foliis obliquis ovalibus obtuse acuminatis supra medium denticula-
tis, pedunculis axillaribus femineis petiolo longioribus calyce (seu perianthio)
12-phyllo sub 4-seriali, filamentis discretis, ovariis 3-ovulatis, stigmate obliquo
planiusculo ovato subpeltato, carpellis suborbicularibus obtusis mucronulatis.—
Wight, Cat. n. 2478.—Pauslowia, Wight in litt.

Differt a K. Roxburghiana (que K. Japonica, Wall., K. altera species a Du-
nalis memorata, et Uvaria heteroclita, Roxb.) antheris haud immersis et ovario ; a
K. Japonica, Kempf., si fidem descriptioni Thunbergiano ponas, plurimis notis.

or obscure species of Plants. 547

had each cell marked along the middle with a longitudinal furrow,
and contained pollen ; hence I infer that they are fertile, and open
by slits (not by valves,) but I have seen none after dehiscence, and
as at the same time they bear the closest resemblance to the stami-
nodia of many genera of Laurinez, so it is not improbable that they
may be sterile, and that the fertile ones (on a different plant) do
open by valves. If this view were to be adopted, Hortonia would
_ be more allied to Atherospermee, particularly to Lawrelia (the fila-
ments of which are likewise furnished with a couple of glands at
their base, as in Laurinez,) but in all the Atherospermece the ovule
is described as erect, not pendulous, and the style is long, persistent,
_ and plumose. At present, Hurtonia ought perhaps to be consider-
ed as a connecting link between Monimiacee and Atherospermee,
_ agreeing with, but at the same time differing from both, in several of
their peculiar characters. The flower buds, if they may be so call-
_ ed, resemble those of a double flowering myrtle, and are very fre-
- quently injured and internally deformed from having been attacked
_ by the larvee of insects.

_ In Lindley’s Introduction to the Natural System, all the species of
_ Monimiacez are said to be natives of America ; this is surely a mere
_ Inadvertency ; a very few only are found in the New World.

Acrocarrus, Wight MSS. (Leguminosz.)

Calyx subcoriaceus, ebracteolatus, campanulatus, 5-fidus, laciniis
erectis, superioribus et inferiori ceteris paullo majoribus. Yorus
‘tubum tegens. Petula oblonga, subcoriacea, subsqualia, sessilia,
diu persistentia, in ore calycis inserta ac ejus lobis alterna et paullo
longiora ; zstivatiosubimbricata, carinalis. S/amina 5, ibidem in-
serta, petalis alternantia : jilamenta e basi lata subulata, petala 2-
3—plo superantia, libera, recta: anthere oscillatorie. Ovarium longe
stipitatum, stipite libero, oblongo-lineare, falcatum, stylo brevi in-
curvo acuto mucronatum, multi (sub-15,) ovulatum. Fructus. . .
Arbor magna, speciosa, glabra. Folia alterna, imparipinnata, de-
cidua ; petiolus 4—6 poll. longus, teres : foliola 3-4 juga, lanceolata,
| acuminata, basi paullo inequalia, 3-poll. longa, integerrima subtus
pallida, petiolulo semipollicart. Flores ante foliorum evolutionem ex=
pansi majusculi, coccinei, racemosi; racemis spiciformibus densiflo-
ris 6-8 poll. longis ; pedicellis lineam vel sesquilineam longis recurvis.
| Stamina fere pollicem longa.

1. A. frawinifolius, Arn. in Wight Cat. n. 2466.

- Has. Ad Courtallum, florens fere absque foliis mense Februario ;
Wight.
| VOL. 11. No. 12. ov

548 Chservations on some new

This genus is allied to Humboldtia, as far as regards the number
of stamens, and their insertion into the mouth of the calyx, but
there the relation seems to end; for that genus, with Jonesia and
a few others, form a small group distinguished by the stipes of the
ovarium cohering on one side with the tube of the calyx ; here it is
perfectly free. 1 have not seen the fruit, but the ovary in many
respects resembles that of several species of Pongamia and Ptero-
carpus. It seems, however, to belong to the second section of Ces-
alpinee of Decandolle, or third of Vogel, and to be more allied to
the genera with a diminished number of petals, ( Crudya and Di-
alium,) than to any of the others, on account of the simply pinna-
ted leaves with a terminal leaflet. Dr Wight remarks, that the
native name is Malle-vemboo-marum, meaning Hill-margosa tree,
or Azadarachta Indica, to which it bears no resemblance whatever,
except in being also a tree with pinnatifid leaves.

_ Another genus of the same group, but more allied to Macrolo-
bium, I have received from Bahia by the kindness of M. De Les-
sert (No. 2567) ; it does not agree with any of those described by
Vogel, and obviously differs from Macrolobium by the short (not
very long) style, and nearly equal petals. If not already named
by M. De Lessert, it may be called

ZENKERIA.
- Calycis sepala 3 in tubum turbinatum connata ; lacinie sub-
equales, reflex. Petala 3, subaequalia, tubi ore inserta, obovata,
basi attenuata. Stamina 3, fertilia, erecta, petalis alternantia, se- |
palis opposita ; filamenta libera, glabra, apice subiter subulata ; an- |
there oblonge, Ovarium stipitatum, compressum, pubescens, bin-
- ovulatum. Stylus brevis, crassus, glaber, stigma depresso-capita-
tum, obliquum. Fructus :
Arbor? glabra. Rami teretes. Folia pinnata, foliolis 4-5, al-
ternis, petiolatis, ovalibus, obtusis vel retusis. Stipule oblonge@.
Flores fasciculati vel subcorymbosi secus basin ramulorum juniorum |
digesti, ante foliorum evolutionem expanst. Pedicelli flores equan=
tes. Petalaalba. Stamina petala equantia. Stylus ovario semi-
ovali duplo brevior.
1. Z. dalbergioides.
I have named this in honour of the late Professor Zenker of Je- |
na, the genus of that name described by Trinius being the same |
with Amphidonax, N. ab E. in Lindl. Nat. Syst. p. 449 (excluding,
however, Arundo Bengalensis, Roxb. the only species there referred
3

a ae

vA

i se SS

ET ee a a a ee ee

or obscure species of Plants. 549

to, which appears to me neither to agree with the character given,
nor to differ from Arundo of Kunth.)

SpHmrocarya, Wall.

About six years ago, Dr Wight and I, while examining some of
his East Indian plants which were in an imperfect state, found
specimens of a pear-shaped fruit accompanied with some detached
leaves, which we considered to belong to Sphwrocarya. These we
soon afterwards noticed in Jameson’s Edinburgh Journal (for July
1832,) under the name of S. Wallichiana ; we had seen no flowers,
but from the remains of them on the top of the fruit, we were in-
duced to alter considerably the character of the genus, in so far as
we conceived it to have no petals, but that the bodies so called by
Dr Wallich were an exterior petaloid row of glands. Whether we
were correct in ascribing this structure to the Nepal plant, the
type of the genus, I have never been able to determine, not having
been so fortunate as possess or even see specimens of it, but having
now obtained flowers belonging to the peninsular species, I find
that it must be separated from Dr Wallich’s genus. In the Nepal
plant there are said to be five persistent petals and alternating
scales, (or perhaps a double row of scales, the outer petaloid, the
inner minute,) and no disk ; in Dr Wight’s there is a disk, but
neither petals nor scales. Dr Wallich says, that the ovule is “ erect,
supported by a fleshy subdiaphanous spirally twisted cord, which
rises from the bottom of the ovary, and is conducted into the oblong
cell by means of a proper tube or canal ;” on which account Sphe-
rocarya would be a doubtful member of Santalacez, (if the sup-
posed erect ovule and fleshy cord be not in reality a more central
column,) while the peninsular plant belongs, 1 should suppose, un-
questionably to that order. I propose to call it

>

ScLERopyRuM, (Santalacee. )

Flores abortu dioici? Masc. Perianthium ebracteolatum, 5-fi-
dum, laciniis patentibus: tubus turbinatus, Intus disco cupulato
5-lobo tectus. Petala nulla. Stamina 5, sepalis opposita, inter
disci marginem perianthiumque inserta. Fvlamenta planiuscula,
sepalis paullo breviora, apice bifida, segmento utroque anther lo-
culum antice ferente. Ovariwm (abortivum ?) disco immersum,
uniloculare, (nunc fere solidum,) columella centrali carnosa cylin-
drica e basi loculi orta apice libera instructum. Stylus conicus
erassus. Stigma 3-4-lobum, lobis erectis ineequalibus, duobus ma-
joribus. Frm. Flores (fide Rheidei) ut in mare at tubo pyriformi.

550 Observations on some new

Fructus drupaceus, pyriformis, monospermus, laciniis perianthii
marcescentibus et disco coronatus. Semen sphericum, hilo prope
basin. Albumen carnosum. Embryo axilis, gracilis, semine dimidio
brevior. Radicula supera.

Arbor (Rheedeo teste) spinosa. Ramuli teretes, glabri. Folia
glabra, alterna, exstipulata, breve petiolata, 33-6 poll. longa, 14 23
lata, supra lucida, ex ovatis obtusis in ovalia lanceolata, penninervia,
nervis paucis subtus prominulis secus costam decurrentibus, ad axil-
las nervorum eporosa, integerrima. Flores subsessiles, dense spi-
cati, spicis in awillis foliorum (sepius delapsorum) subsessilibus,
Jlorentibus folio 3-4-plo brevioribus, rachi dense pubescenti, brac-
tea minute lanceolata pubescente persistente sub quoque flore. Flores
masculi illis Pomaderridis haud absimiles. Filamenta apice infra
Jissuram dorso, perianthiique lacinie ad medium, villis albis paucis
instructe. Drupa basi in pedicellum brevem crassum attenuata.

1. S. Wallichiana, Arn.—Spherocarya Wallichiana, Wight et
Arn. in Ed. Phil. Journ. (1832) xv. p. 180; Wight, Cat. n. 948.
—Idu-mulli, Rheed. H. Mal. iv. t. 18, (fem.)—Tiri-itti-Canni,
Rheed. H. Mal. vii. t. 30, (mas.)

Haxz.—tIn Malabaria. | i

In all the flowers I have examined the stigmas appeared imper-
fect, and although the central column of the ovarium was slightly
incrassated at the apex, I could perceive no trace whatever of ovules.
I therefore consider them as unisexual, in which I am confirmed by
Rheede, who says of his Tiri-itti-Canni, “ fructus nulli :” in his
Idu-mulli, or the fructiferous plant, no stamens are figured, but
they are described ; probably they are abortive. Rheede figures the
female with thorns on the branches, but not the male, although he
describes them. On my specimen there are none whatever, but it
is the mere termination of a young branch. Rheede says of the
male that it is a parasitical plant, of the female that it is a lofty
tree : the former appears to me quite a misconception on his part. —
The figures he has given, the one of the male flower, the other of
the fruit, are faithful.

Mackaya, Arn.

Calyx ebracteclatus, brevis, late campanulatus, limbo brevissimo
5—denticulato. Corolla subgamopetala. rotata, 5—partita, decidua,
lobis oblongis calycis denticulis alternantibus ; estivatio valvata,
Stamina 5, inter glandulas duas inserta prope basin corolle lacini-
arum ac lis opposita. Anthere sessiles, incurve, ovate, biloculares,

longitudinaliter versus latera dehiscentes, connectivo crassiusculo.
4,

= — = ee

or obscure species of Plants. 551

Ovarium semiadherens, uniloculare absque axi columellare centrali,
partie libera conico-ovata in stylum brevem crassum sensim acumi-
nata: ovula 3 ex apice loculi pendula. Stigma 3-lobum. Fructus
omnino cohxrens, oblongus, apice calycis denticulis styloque per-
sistente coronatus, unilocularis, crustaceus, indehiscens, cortice (seu
calyce) per maturitatem in valvas 3-4-5 ab apice ad basin subirre-
gulariter delacerato. Semen unicum, pendulum. Albumen olea-
gineo-carnosum. /mbryo minutus, in basi albuminis (sc. prope
hilum) situs.

Frutex glaber, scandens. Folia alterna, longiuscule petiolata,
subpellata, triplinervia, integerrima, ovata, apice atlenuata, bast
rotundata vel retusa, subtus glauca. Pedunculi graciles, dicholomi,
pauciflori, axillares aggregali vel secus ramulum brevem axillarem
aphyllum aut apicem versus oligo-phyllum alternatim dispositi, nunc
in ramis gunioribus axillares solitari vel in axillis superioribus in
cirrhos mutati! Flores longe pedicellati, magnitudine ac quodam-
modo facie eorum. Myosotidis palustris colore forsan albo.

1. M. populifolia, Arn Wight, Cat. n. 2465.

Haz.—Ad Courtallum ; Wight.

Of this genus I cannot indicate the natural order, nor even the
place in the linear series which it ought to occupy. In the struc-
ture of the ovarium it approaches Combretacee, but in that of the
seed is very different from them. I hesitate whether or not the
petals be not really distinct: they certainly do cohere by their
margins at the very base, forming a kind of short tube, but when
they fall off, they leave, not a continuous circular mark, but five
distinct scars on the top of the fruit alternating with the teeth of
the calyx: 1 can perceive no epigynous disk, One might suppose
it a species of Olacinee with inferior fruit, but it differs from the
true genera of that order, as well as of Santalacez, by the want of
a central columella to the ovarium: at the same time it is more re-
lated te these than to any other order at present characterized, and
has as much right to be placed near them as some others usually
referred there, but differing widely in their ovaria and fruit. In
many respects it bears a relation to Schawpfia, a genus referred by
Decandolle to Loranthaceze, having a cup-shaped bractea under
its ovarium, and said to have a trilocular ovary ; whereas here the
calyx is naked at the base, and there is no trace of a central axis.
In Schepfia arborescens, however, the only species which I possess
or have had an opportunity of dissecting, the ovary is unilocular,

. with three ovules suspended from the apex of a thick angular, but

free central column, as in Olacineaw and Santalacez ; nor does it ap-

552 On some new or obscure species of Plants.

pear distinct from the latter except by the presence of a true co-
rolla, or from the former except by the cohering calyx. Perhaps,
then, notwithstanding the difference of structure of the ovary,
Schepfia and Mackaya may be linked together, and form a small
(artificial?) group among the .Calyciflore, connecting Santalacee
with them, as Olax does with the Thalamiflore ; a view which
would be strengthened, if we were to consider with Dr Lindley,
while speaking of Anthoboleze, Nyssez,* and Santalaceee, that the
superior or inferior fruit was a character of more importance than
the position of the ovules. Without, however, granting this, for
which I am not prepared, the two may be placed near each other,
till other and better affinities be discovered.

I may here add with regard to Schepfia, that although Vahl,
(under Codonzum,) and some other botanists, describe the ovarium
as half-superior, that portion which is elevated above the margin of

‘the calyx is perfectly solid and fleshy, and appears to me to be more
an epigynous disk, similar to what is observed in many Rubiacee,
than a part of the ovarium itself: the ovary is thus truly inferior,
and this constitutes the principal objection to uniting the genus to
Olacinee. The ovules are narrow oblong, attenuated at their point
of attachment, and reach from the apex of the columella nearly to
its base, with the angles of which they alternate. In S. arborescens
the style is cylindrical without any trace of furrows, and reaches to
about the middle of the corolla; the stigma is capitate, and not at
all lobed ; it is, however, slightly flattened: the lobes of the corolla
are recurved and acute, nor do I see how S. flexuosa is to be dis-
tinguished except by its rather narrower leaves. Wahl mentions
that there is a small tuft of hairs on the corolla at the back of the
anthers, which I perceive also in my specimen (from Bahia:) there
thus seems to be no distinction in this respect between the Ameri-
can and Indian species ; but in one of those from India, and pro-
bably in both, the stigma is clavate and 3-lobed, and the corolla in-.

fundibuliform, by which Decandolle’s two sections may be charac-_
terized.

“ The genus WVyssa differs from Santalacez not only in habit, but by the very
large embryo nearly as long as the albumen, which is thin ; the whole structure
of the seed is not very unlike that of Fagonia cretica, and some other genera of
the class Rutacee, as also of Euphorbiacee: In those species I have examined
I have found only one ovule in the ovarium

i ee eS

pas O88:

REVIEWS AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS.

Dr Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopedia. Natural History. Natural
History and Classification of Birds. By W. Swatnson, Esq.
A.C.G., F.R. S.L., &c. Vol. II. London, Longman and Co.
1637. (Continued from p. 461.)

WE now pass to the tribe Scansores or climbing birds, “ compriz-
ing all those families whose feet are more particularly organized for
climbing trees, and whose modification of structure have been al-
ready so fully explained” in a previous volume. With the exception
of the creepers (Cerlhiade,) the whole tribe have their toes placed
in pairs. The primary divisions are naturally arranged under the
families Certhiada, Picide, Psittacide, Ramphastide, and Cucu-
lide ; and these, he observes, “ collectively form a complete circle,
the junction of the last with the Ramphastide being effected by
the great hollow-billed genus Phenicophaus, and by Scythrops, the
Australian genus of toucans.” The certhiad@, which show the
closest affinity to the Zenuirostres or suctorial tribe, are generally
of a small size, with a bill of slender proportions as compared with
other Scansores, but the hinder toe greatly developed. The subfa-
milies of this division are the Anabatine, with the tail slightly rigid,
but never acute, the outer toes free ; Certhiane, having the tail ter-
minating in sharp and often horny points; Buphagine with the
bill thicker, and tail as in the first group, Troglodytine, the wrens,
and Sitting, with a short and partially wedge-shaped bill, the toes
greatly developed in proportion to the size of the body. From this
family he has rejected the genus Upupa, Linn. which he now places
among the Promeropide, as the tenuirostral form ; as well as Ortho-
tomus, which we have seen him introduce as a scansorial type among
the Sylviane ; and Mniotilta, which holds thesame station among the
American Sylvicole. The Picide which, from their structure, he
considers to be the most perfect of the climbers, constitute the
typical division of the tribe. Of its minor groups, the subfamily
Piciane, or true woodpecker, has been investigated with great suc-

554 Classification of Birds.

cess, and its circle down to the subgeneric groups wonderfully work-
ed out. The Buccoine, containing the genera Asthenurus, Sw.
Picumnus, Temm. Bucco, Linn. and Pogonias, Il. is another sec-
tion, and it is probable the genera Vunz, Linn. and Oxyrynchus,
Temm. may prove representatives of others. The Psittacide, or par-
rot form the third family, and subtypical division. Of these curi-
ous and beautiful birds, he justly remarks, that, if any group in na-
ture be isolated, it is this. Possessing in themselves the strongest
characteristics, there is no bird yet discovered which presents any
point of connection to them. Approximations, indeed, are certainly
made towards them by the teoth-billed barbuts, (Pogonias), but
there is still a gap which no genus yet discovered is calculated to
fill up.

The subfamilies, as indicated by the genera, appear to be the Wa-
erocercing, Psittacine, Plyctolophine, Loriane, and Platycercine,
under each of. which he has in the Synopsis given the genera and
subgenera, which donot essentially differ from the arranzements con-
tained in the history of parrots, forming the sixth volume of the
“* Naturalist’s Library.” The Ramphastide, or toucans, represent
the fourth family, a group remarkable for the enormous size and
comparative lightness of their bills, a provision beautifully adapted
for that excessive development of the olfactory organs which gives
them the most exquisite powers of smell. The genera recognized
are four, viz. Ramphastos, Linn. Pteroglossus, Tll., Aulacorynchus,
Gould, and Scythrops, Lath. .The cuckoos or Cuculide form the
fifth and last family of the Seansores. This he divides into the sub-
families Cuculline, Corryzine, ‘Crotophagine, Leptosomine, and
Indicatorine ; but as our limits will not permit us to enter into fur-
ther details, we refer our readers to the author’s elaborate papers on
this group, contained in the third and fifth numbers of this Maga-
zine. We may, however, remark, that he conceives the necessary
union between the scansorial tribe and the rasorial order of birds, is
effected by certain species of the genus Leptosoma. The tenuiros-
tral tribe or honey-suckers, which he considers the most aberrant di-
vision of the insessorial order, are principally distinguished by the
structure of their tongue, which is always retractile and long, some-
times simply forked, but more frequently with the tip brush-like or
filamentous; the feet and legs are generally small and slender, and
the bill in the typical groups is so delicate, as to appear to be form-
ed rather for the purpose of sheathing or defending the tongue, than
for seizing or grasping food. The primary divisions are thus named

from the generic types, Z'rochilide, Cinnyride, Promeropidea, Pa-

Classification of Birds. 555

radiside, and Melliphagide. Of these the two first are considered
the typical and sub-typical divisions, In the Melliphagidx we have
) a curious and highly interesting group, containing within itself, as
__ he observes, types of every order and tribe throughout ornithology.
| By the Ptiloris paradiseus, or ritle-bird of Australia, it seems
| brought in connection with the Promeropide, while its smaller forms

lead to the sun-birds or family Cinnyride, the typical groups of
which are natives of the tropical regions of the old world. In these
birds the margins of the bill are minutely dentated, the tongue
forming a bifid tube, but the tip without the filaments or brush-like
appendage of the Melliphagide.

In the Trochilide or true humming-birds he remarks, ‘“ we have
the full development of the suctorial perfection belonging to this
tribe.” As a group they still remain in a degree isolated, no imme-
diate connecting link with the other families having yet been dis-
_ covered, though there is obviously a strong affinity between them
_ and the Cinnyridz ; and in the large species lately discovered, we

are inclined to think a close approximation to the Promeropide will ~
_ be found to exist. He determines the five principal forms under the
generic heads of T'rochilus, Cynanthus, Lampornis, Campylopterus,
_ and Pethornis. We now arrive at the last tribe of the Insessores, |
which, from the great width of the gape of its members, has been
_ named the tribe of Fissirosires. Asa whole, Mr Swainson observes,
“ they are distinguished by having the powers of flight developed
in the highest degree ; all energies of their nature seem concentrated
in this one perfection ; for their feet ure always very short, weak,
and generally so imperfect as to be of no further use than to rest
_ the body after flight. Their food is insects captured upon the wing.”
The primary divisions are supposed to be the families Caprimul-
gide, Hirundinide, Meropide,* Halcyonide, and Trogonide.—
_«mongthe Bee-eaters, Meropide, we find the Rollers, genus Coracias,
which by former systematists used to be placed among or near to the
crows. That the present is their natural station, no one, we think,
_who has investigated their structure and economy, as well as their
immediate affinity to the genus Eurystomus will be prepared to
doubt. Among the Halcyonidz he properly places the puff-birds or
“members of Yamutia, and its sub-genera, an extensive group,
which, in systems where natural affinities and economy were either
little understood, or not attended to, used to figure among the Cu-
lid. The jacamars, also, (Galbula), which at one period were
placed close to the hornbills, he has transferred to their proper sta-
tion in this family. ‘that the ‘i'rogons, whose situation hitherto has

556 Classification of Birds.

been a subject of much doubt and discussion, actually form a por-
tion of the fissirostral tribe, an examination of the species, as well
as what we know of their habits and economy, has satisfied us, al-
though some links may be wanting to render their connection with
the other groups of a closer nature than it is at present. With the
Trogons he associates the Motmots, (Prionites, Ill.,) which also pos-
sess a serrated bill ; by some of the species such as P. platyrynchus,
and a beautiful recent intreduction P. superciliaris, a decided afh-
nity to the Meropide and Halcyonide is indicated. |

The gallinaceous birds, or order Rasores, next claim attention ;
but as our analysis has already extended to an inconvenient length,
we must confine our remarks to a mere notification of the primary
groups of which it and the two remaining orders seem to be com-
posed. The rasorial families are the Pavonide, Tetraonide,
Struthionide, Columbide, and Cracide, or as he afterwards names
it in the synopsis Megapodide. Of these five the two first are the
typical and subtypical divisions. The analogies of the rasorial
birds with the ungulated quadrupeds, respecting which we have al-
ready stated our opinion, are given in the following table.

Pavonides. junc Mates es Solipedes
Tetraonide..c2 5. 20: 6%: Ruminantes
GCracidséin. gees sot. Anoplotheres
Columbideet.: .«.20.<..2 Edentates
Struthionide........... Pachydermes

The connection of this order with the Insessores through the me- |
dium of the Scansores, its analogue, he endeavours to prove, and we |
think successfully, to be effected by certain birds of the family Cu- |
culide, such as G. Crotophaga, Leptosoma, and the Coccyzus Geoff-

— royii, and not by Musophaga or Corythaix, as supposed by Cuvier |
and other writers ; the athnities of the last mentioned genera clearly |
indicating them to belong to the Conirostral, and not to the Scan- |
sorial tribe. A few additional ‘observations on the affinities of the |
gallinaceous birds closes this chapter. |

The Grallatorial order, or wading-birds, comprises, in Mr Swaine —
son’s words, ‘‘ all such families as live both on land and sea, and
to whom one element is as essential as the other.” The families |
or. primary divisions of the waders are supposed to be comprehended —
under} the following heads; Ardeade, Charadriade, Scolopacida,
Rallide, and Tantalide. Among the Ardeade, he places the |
Cranes, which we were inclined to consider as a distinct family,
and that his:family Yantalide entered within the circle of the
Ardead@ ; our views, however, we confess, may have been errone=

1 eee ee ee eee

Classification of Birds. 557

ous, as our investigation of the contents of this order has not been
of that minute character to enable us to speak confidently of its
affinities and analogical relations. The order Natatores, or swim-
ming birds, closes the great ornithological circle, and is composed
of such families as habitually live upon the waters. They are cha-
racterized as having feet short in proportion to the size of the body,
generally placed behind the equilibrium, with toes rather long, and
more or less united by a thin membrane or web, and with the ex-
ception of the waders, are the only order which have the neck con-
siderably longer than the legs. The five great divisions which are
supposed to constitute the natural families of the order, are the
Analida, Laride, Pelicanide, Alcadea, and Colymbide ; of these he
considers the two last, from the great development of the natatorial
powers, to be the primary types, but adds, that further investigation
is required, before the analogies of its primary groups can be satis-
factorily determined ; at present, he supposes them to stand thus.

Families of Natatores. Tribes of Insessores. Orders of Birds.
Colymbide, Conirostres, Insessores,
Alcade, Dentirostres, Raptores,
Pelicanide, Fissirostres, Natatores,
Laride, Tenuirostres, Grallatores,
Anatide, Scansores, Rasores ;

and though not fully convinced of the truth of his positions, we must
confess, his arguments in their favour are ingenious, and of consider-
able weight. Among the Anatidz, whose circle, in some of its
minor divisions, as that of the Anatine, has been successfully worked
out, he places those singular birds, the flamingoes, G. Phenicop-
lerus, a transportation from the grallatorial order in which they
were left by other writers, but for which change, judging from what
we have seen of these birds, both as to structure and habits, he has
good grounds for doing. It thus, as an aberrant form, becomes
the grallatorial type of the Anatide, and forms that link by which

_ the Natatores are united to the Grallatores. Of the families Co-

lymbide, Aleadew, and Pelicanide, much remains for further exami-
nation, and he merely points out the known genera of each. The
Laride or gull family, including the terns, gulls, albatrosses, skuas,
and petrels, is the fifth and last ; the circle being closed by the sub-
genus Pachypiila, Forst., which, in the form of the bill, indicates a

near approch to the family of the Anatide. Among the Laride

he has also placed the genus Dromas, Payk., the representative of

_ which is figured and described in the “ Illustrations of Ornithology,”

under the title of Erodia Amphilensis ; but we cannot think Mr

558 Classification of Birds.

Swainson’s views in regard to this curious bird are correct, its form
and structure apparently bringing it much closer to some of the
grallatoriai families, and we can only attribute its present station to
the circumstance of the author never having seen or examined a
specimen.

The concluding half of the volume is occupied with “ a Synopsis
of the Natural Arrangement of Birds,” in which the whole of the or-
ders, families, and other minor divisions are arranged in that series,
which the latest researches of the author indicate to be most in
consonance with their direct affinities, and consequently with that
order which they occupy in nature. Upon an inspection of this
synopsis, it will be observed, that the distribution of the groups in
some cases is different from what they appear in the text, but this,
he observes, “ has resulted from further analysis, and by incorpo-
rating his researches up to the latest time.” These changes, indeed,
are mostly of minor importance, that is, they do not interfere, or

are at variance with the principle of his arrangement, being mostly
confined to such forms or groups as had not previously undergone a
searching analysis, or which, as osculant species, and showing a
double affinity, it was difficult, without additional information, to
locate in the groups to which they are in reality most nearly allied.
The nomenclatural department, it» will be seen, has undergone con-
siderable change ; several new genera have been added, and many
generic and specific names introduced by other writers have been
altered. With the first class we find no fault, so long as the forms
present characters of sufficient importance to warrant generic dis-
tinction. With the other, though we do not approve of all the innova-
.tions introduced, we nevertheless think the names are generally, as
being more classic in their derivation, preferable to those for which
they are substituted; and further, that an author is justified in
making such changes whenever the rules of nomenclature, as laid
down by the ‘ fathers of science,’ have been palpably violated or ne-
glected, otherwise it is impossible a system of classic nomenclature
can ever be established or insured. Upon quitting this part of the
volume, we shall just glance at ene or two forms, whose situation, if
not inappropriate, we at least deem doubtful, with the limited infor-
mation at present possessed of their habits and economy. The first |
is that of his Catheturus Australis, (the Alectura or New Holland -|
vulture of Dr Latham,) which he places among the Vulturide, of
which family he considers it the rasorial type, though he had pre-
viously assigned that station to the Dodo of authors,—a bird of whose
existence at-any period, under the form generally represented, we
have always been very sceptical. Our own impression, from a mi- |

Classification of Birils. 559

nute examination of skins of Catheturus, is, that it belongs to the
rasorial order, and will enter the family named Cracide, or now by
Mr Swainson, Megapodide. Its exterior characters certainly ap-
pear more nearly allied to the rasorial than the raptorial forms—the
bill, though strong, being in shape essentially that of a gallinaceous
bird, with nostrils partially protected by a superincumbent scale.
_ The tail, as the generic name first given it clearly imparts, is strict-
_ ly rasorial, and the legs in structure closely approach those of some
of the birds with which we would associate it. Of its habits and
_ mode of living, upon which much depends, we unfortunately know
_ little or nothing. A second is that,of the genus Chionis or sheathbill,
_ which he has placed as a form in the family Columbida, but whose
_ affinities require to be better understood before its real station
can possibly be determined. ‘The cranes, genus Grus, &c. we
_ still think entitled to a rank of higher value than that of a
: subfamily of Ardeade. It will be cbserved that the genus and its
subgenera have been altogether omitted or forgotten in the synop-
sis. Of the present situation of the genus Hamatopus, we also have
considerable doubts, and believe that it will be found to belong toa
| different division of the Grallatores. Of the affinity of Dromus,
_ the last genus of the synopsis, we have already stated our opinion.

_ Having atlength brought our observations to a conclusion, we take
_ our leaveof Mr Swainson, with feelings of gratitude for the lasting be-
nefit he has conferred upon science. He has in the volumes now pub-
lished given us a system or arrangement of two of the great classes of
vertebrate animals, which, if not yet perfect in all its details, has,
nevertheless, its great outlines and demarcations based upon fixed
and important principles, proving it to be infinitely superior to any
that has before been attempted, and more in accordance with, or
more nearly approaching, the natural system. He has, we think, suc-
cessfully carried out the views and principles of that eminent natu-
ralist, which were first disclosed in the pages of the Horw Ento-
-mologice, and, in addition, has announced, and we think gone far
_to prove, the existence of other important natural and general laws.
‘That much remains to be done to render the arrangement perfect
‘in all its parts and minor details, we freely allow ; it is indeed a
matter of time, and must occupy years to accomplish. Day after
| day, however, new objects in every department of natural history

| are being brought to light. These, so far from increasing our diffi-

culties, must essentially diminish them, as we may naturally expect

to find, among the variety discovered, forms which we wanted to

fill up those links of the chain which at present are imperfect or

disjointed.

560 T'entamen Pteridographia.

BisBiioGRAPHICAL NoTICEs.
Tentamen Pteridographia, seu Genera Filicacearum, presertim jua-
ta venarum decursum et distributionem exposita. Auctore Ca-

ROLO Bor. Presu. Prage, 1836, 8vo. pp. 290.

ALTHOUGH published in 1836, this very interesting work has only
just come in our way, and we hasten to bring it under the notice of
ourreaders. As the title indicates, it is an attempt to determine
the genera of Filices, according to characters mainly derived from
the venation of the frond.

“«« Dignitas vasorum seu nervorum venarumve,’ observes the author,
“ in dignoscendis plantis jam eo usque cognita est, quod ex contem-
platione illarum in foliis diversissimis plantz monocotyledonee a di-
cotyledoneis facile discerni possunt. Dispositio nervorum vel ve-
narum in laminis foliaceis indicat compagem organorum, in quibus
— obvenit, et cum dispositione vasorum in truncis et petiolis conten-

torum arctissimo coheret vinculo. Hee vasa in organis foliaceis
Filicacearum tamquam cost, vena et venule palam fiunt et ex
supra allatis causis maximum in describendis dividendisque Filici-
bus possident argumentum. Filicacese compage venarum anatomi-
ca ab omnibus aliis vegetabilibus phanerogamis quam maxime dif-
ferunt ; hac ex causa ven Filicacearum characterem essentialem
et validissimum ex interna structura harum plantarum desumtum
preebent.”

The work is illustrated by twelve folding. plates filled with a
great number of accurately drawn and beautifully executed figures,
exhibiting the venation and fructification of the genera. Perhaps

_M. Presl has in some cases pushed his principle a little too far,
and formed genera of groups which might have been retained with
advantage as sections. The number of new genera amount nearly
to fifty! There is no doubt that venation has been too much ne-
glected, and that henceforth it will be held of primary importance
in defining the genera of this large and beautiful family.

Bryologia Europea seu Genera Muscorum Europworum Monogra-
phice illustrata. Auctoribus Brucn et W.P.Scuimpsr. Fase.
I. cum. Tab. xi. Stuttgartie, 1837. 4to. |
This is the first part of an entirely new work upon the Mosses of §

Europe, and, if completed according to the plan proposed, will form |

a valuable addition to our botanical libraries. The generic and spe-

cific characters are in Latin ; the observations in French and Ger- |

man. Every species is figured, and the well-executed plates abound |

— Sa

u
7

Encyclopedia Britannica. 561

with those minute details (drawn by the authors themselves,) for
which the German naturalists are celebrated. The present fascicu-
lus contains the Puascace® and BuxBAuMIACEs. The second
and third fasciculi; containing the OrrHorricuace, illustrated
with twenty plates, are probably already published. Each mono-
graph is perfect in itself, and may be purchased separately. We re-
commend the work to the attention of all muscologists.

Encyclopedia Britannica, Edited by Professor Narier. 4to. Black
and Co. Edinburgh. Article Mammalia, &c.

TuHouGuH an Encyclopedia scarcely comes under the range of a
Magazine devoted to Zoology and Botany, yet works of this kind
often contain so much information on physical science, and have held
such an important station in the literature of almost all countries,
that we think ourselves bound to direct attention to the articles
devoted to natural history, and more particularly as these can now
be obtained bound up apart from the great work itself. The Ency-
clopzdia Britannica is now in the course of publication by an enter-
prising Edinburgh bookseller, having the various departments, in-
dependent of the superintendence of an enlightened general editor,
placed under the charge of men whose names are a guarantee for the
accuracy and merit of the essays which fall under their review.
The zoological department has been entrusted to Mr James Wilson,
author of the “ Illustrations of Zoology ;” and there has already ap-
peared, in addition to shorter and less important articles, Entomo-
logy, Ichthyology, and Mammalia. The first, being the favourite
pursuit of its author, has perhaps had the most pains bestowed upon
it, and forms an excellent introductory treatise on this branch, oc-
cupying a complete half volume. Ichthyology runs through nearly
a hundred pages ; and the last article, Mammalia, occupying a hundred
and twenty pages, forms a good and concise exposition of the Cu-
vierian system, which has been adopted in both the latter branches,
“rather than that of any more modern, or it may be amended
classification,’ which from “ critical asperities have scarcely in them-
selves subsided into a lucid or tranquil element of science.”* Most
of the latest discoveries have been introduced in their proper places,
and the treatise will be found to contain a summary of what was
known up to the date of publication. The engravings, generally
copies from the standard illustrated works, both British and foreign,
are well executed, and in the three departments, amount to forty-
eight in number.t+

* Mammalia, pages 84 and 88.
+ Mammalia 17, Ichthyology 11, Entomology 20.

| 562 ]

INTELLIGENCE.

———$———

MiscELLANEOUS.

Boranicau Socitery.—1837, November 9th.—Professor Graham,
President, in the Chair.—The following members were elected :
Resident, Mr A. H. Balfour ; Mr James Crossfield ; Mr Alexander
Dempster. Non-resident, Mr C. E. Broome of Rudloe ; Mr Samuel
Holker Haslam, of Chesham ; Mr John Sheer, Aberdeen. Forergn,
M. S. Bischoff, Berne ; M.George Dolliner, Vienna ; M. F. Glocker,
Berne; Dr Oswald Heer, Professor of Botany in the University
- of Zurich ; M. Albert Kolliker, Zurich ; Dr Francis Lagger, Fri-
bourg ; Rev. Christian Munch, Basle ; M. Charles Naegeli, Zurich ;
M. Phil. Max. Opitz, Prague; M. L. Rabenhorst, Luckau ; M.
J. L. Schaller, Fribourg; M. R. Schartow, Berne; M. C. Sinz,
Berne ; Professor John Bernh. Wilbrand, Giessen.

Specimens were presented from Sir William Jardine and twenty-
four members of the Society, received since 13th July last, along
with various donations to the library from Professor Wilbrand,
Mr J..T. Mackay, Professor Heer, Mr R. J. Shuttleworth, Mr
P. J. Brown, M. P. M. Opitz, and Mr R. W. Falconer, &c. &c. The
thanks of the Society were given to Dr Greville, Dr Balfour, and
Mr Brand, for their exertions and trouble in collecting for the So-
ciety, a large stock of Alpine duplicates, chiefly from the mountains
of Forfarshire and Aberdeenshire.

Mr R. W. Falconer exhibited a specimen of Celosia cristata rais-
ed from seed, inthe open air, in a garden near Bath, which by fre-
quent transplantation had attained to a great size. This plant is
a nativeof Japan, where Thunberg says the crests or heads of flowers
are often one foot in length and breadth, but that when removed
from their native soil they rapidly degenerate. The flower in the
specimen shown measured 2 feet 4} inches from side to side, and
1 foot 23 inches across, and was one of twenty equally large.

Dr Balfour read an extract from a letter which he had recently
received from Mr W. B. Carpenter of Bristol, wherein Mr Carpen-
ter mentioned that, on tracing up the reproductive system, from its
simplest appearance in the lowest cryptogamic to its most special-
ized form in the highest flowering plants, he was inclined to think

Miscellaneous. 563

that there is no essential change in its character throughout the
vegetable kingdoms, although the organs becomie progressively more
complicated, the lowest and simplest, however, possessing all that
is essential in the highest. Mr Carpenter intimated his intention
of making these views ere long the subject of a paper to be sent to
the Society.

Dr Graham exhibited drawings, and gave an account of several
remarkable forms of trees which he had recently seen and examin-
ed. 1. In the M‘Nab burying-ground at Killin, a small Scotch fir
(Pinus sylvestris) is suspended from one much larger, by adhesion
to its side. The suspended tree is alive both above and below the
point of union, and is of considerably greater diameter below that
point than above it. Notwithstanding a legend regarding it, that
thirty years ago, in a gale in February, a branch was broken from
a neighbouring tree, and stuck in a cleft in the one here alluded
to, Dr Graham thinks it quite certain that the suspended tree had
grown on the steep bank adjoining, and, lying against its neighbour,
had formed a union with it, whilst its own roots were yet in the
ground, and then, having been detached from the soil, remained
suspended, and lived by the fluids obtained through the point of
union. 2. The apparent union of a horse-chestnut and beech at
Cambusmore near Callander. A branch from the horse-chestnut

_ lies across the stem of the beech, and is pinched tightly in the acute
_angle formed by the stem, and a large branch proceeding upwards
from it, so as to be completely imbedded and covered, with the ex-
ception of a narrow strip of the bark along the upper side of the
branch, which remains exposed. Dr Graham is satisfied that there
is no transfusion of fluids from the beech to the horse chestnut, not
even organic adhesion between them, and he feels assured that the
branch will die as soon as it is completely enveloped by the beech.
3. At Gargunnock House, Stirlingshire, two elm trees, (Ulmus
montana) grow near to each other, so near that they might be sup-
_ posed to arise trom the opposite sides of a considerable stem, felled
: many years before. Between these, and a little to one side, is the
stem of an ash tree, less than half the diameter of either of the
elms ; and in the centre are three stems of holly, two of which are
_ certainly portions of one tree, but whether the third is a distinct
tree or not, it was found difficult to determine. At their bases, all
_ these are so intermingled and so imbedded in each other, that it is
scarcely possible to believe that no organic union subsists between
them. One of the holly stems has died; and another appears to
be fast going to decay,—for having become wholly imbedded in the
VOL. 1. NO. 12. Bp

564 Miscellaneous.

elm, its bark must be destroyed, and no power left of transmitting
its elaborated fiuids to the roots. All the other trees are perfectly
healthy, and together form a top which at a distance seems one
well-shaped handsome tree.

December 14th.— Professor Graham, President, in the faaid The
following members were elected :—Resident, Mr Herbert Giraud,
Mr David Graham, Mr John Thomas Syme, Mr Emanuel Young.
Non-Resident, Dr Robert Hibbert Taylor, Dumfries. Mr Robert
Graham was appointed Local saree at mie Fi and Dr Gilbert
M<Nab in Jamaica.

The Chevalier Giovani enieeu: of Naples was proposed by the
Council, and elected a Foreign Honorary Member.

Specimens were presented from Dr Greville, Mr Percy, Rev. A.
Rutherford, Mr Edwin Lees, Dr Tyacke, Rev. W. S. Hore, Mr

J. Cruickshank, Mr William Reid.

' Dr Greville presented a beautiful design for a diploma, for which
the thanks of the Society were unanimously given to him.

Dr Greville then read a “ Notice of a Botanical excursion to the
Highlands of Forfarshire and Aberdeenshire.” Dr Greville left
Edinburgh on the 16th of August, accompanied by Dr Balfour and
Mr Brand,—one of the principal objects of the party being to col-
lect specimens of the rarest Scottish plants for the Botanical So-
ciety. The party proceeded by Dundee to Airlie, and from thence
to the head of Glen Isla, which forms a part of the richest botani-
cal mountain district in Scotland. About three miles from Dundee —
the true Rumex aquaticus of Linnzeus was observed to be not un- :
frequent, the only station for which plant in the British islands,
hitherto recorded, being near Ayr, where it was discovered by Mr
Goldie. In Canlochen, one of the glens which terminate the head
of Glen Isla, were found Thilaspi alpestre, Gentiana nivalis, Alope-
curus alpinus, Phleum alpinum, Poa alpina, Erigeron alpinus,
Dryas octopetala, Veronica alpina, V. saxatilis, Epilobium alsinifo-
lium, Saussurea alpina, Sonchus alpinus, Juncus caslaneus, Carex —
atrata, Salix lanata, besides numerous other rare species in which
this glen abounds, and which so remarkably characterize and dis- x
tinguish it from Caness, the other terminal branch of Glen Isla,—
the latter being as unproductive in the scarcer alpine plants, as the |
former has been shown to be the reverse. From 19th to 25th |
August, the head-quarters of the party were fixed at the hamlet or
Kirktown of Clova, near the head of the valley of the South Esk, |
from whence‘excursions were made to Glen Dole, Glen Phee, Loch |
Brandy, &c. and a large accession of plants made to those already \

Miscellaneous. 565

collected,—including Lychnis alpina, Astragalus alpinus, Linnea
borealis, Sonchus alpinus, Pyrola rotundifolia, Carex rariflora, C.
Vahl, Salix arenaria, 8. reticulata, Hieracium alpinum, Lycopo-
dium annolinum, Azalea procumbens, Isoetes lacustris, Cerastium
alpinum, Oxytropis campestris, Woodsia hyperborea, Weissia lati-
folia, Didymodon glaucescens, &c. From Clova the party removed
on the 25th, proceeding by Glen Dole, the White Water, and Glen
Callader to Castleton in Braemar, where they remained till Ist
September, making excursions in the interval to Glen Callader,
Loch-na-gar, Ben-y-bourd, &c. Specimens were obtained of Carex
rupestris, discovered in Glen Callader in August 1836 by Mr Dickie ;
also Carex Vahlii, C. pauciflora, Juncus castaneus, Alopecurus al-
pinus, Saxifraga rivularis, Stellaria cerastoides, Arabis petraea,
Cornus Suecica, &c. Dr Balfour found a new station for the rare
Sawxifraga rivularis on Ben-y-bourd. On Ist September the party se-
parated, Dr Greville and Dr Balfour recrossing the mountains to Air~
lie, on their way to Edinburgh, Mr Brand proceeding by the summit
of Benmuickdhui, the highest ground in Scotland, (in order to gather
Luzula arcuata) to Inverness. It is worthy of remark, that Rumea
aquaticus, which was one of the first plants met with, was observed
to prevail throughout the whole of the district traversed, and even
to be found in abundance by Mr Brand in Morayshire, about
Peterhead, &c. During the excursion the party suffered occasion-
ally from severe cold, attended with storms of.wind, rain, and
snow ; but, in the conclusion of his narrative, Dr Greville observes,
that it “ was probably, taking all things into consideration, the most
productive one ever made in the Highlands of Scotland. The num-
ber of specimens procured cannot, I think, fall short of 15,000, and
it only remains for me to express a hope, that, as far as the Botani-
cal Society is interested in the result of our seein its a eae
will not be disappointed.”

- Dr Balfour exhibited a Carex transmitted to him by Dr Murray
of Aberdeen, which had been found by Mr Dickie in August 1836,
on rocks near the summit of Loch-na-gar. Dr Balfour stated that,
on careful examination, it appears to him to be Cares leporina, Linn,
Willd. and Flor. Dan., C. lagopina, Wahl., and C. Lachenalii, Schk.
a species never before found in Britain. The Carex leporina of
Huds., Leers, Lightf., Ehrh., and Wahl., is merely a synonym of
-C. ovalis, Gooden.

Dr Pollexfen exhibited specimens of Delesseria ruscifolia, Rho-
‘domenia Palmetta, and Bonnemaisonia asparagoides, found by him
last summer in Orkney, and all new to the Scottish Flora. Also

566 Miscellaneous.

Nemalion lubricum, Duby, (Chordaria nemalion, Agardh,) found
by Miss Watt at Skaill, Orkney, being a new genus to Britain.
Lastly, a new species of Striaria, found by Dr Pollexfen in Kirk-
wall Bay, Orkney, which he proposes naming §. Grevilliana. It
is chiefly distinguished by its irregular ramification.

Dr Graham read some remarks on a paper published by Dr Wight,
in the Madras Journal, (No. 13, p. 300,) which paper contained a
commentary on a letter from him to Dr Wight, regarding the gam-
boge tree of Ceylon. In this paper Dr Wight mentions that Dr
Graham differs from him by having made the following statements :
1st, That the plant sent to him from Ceylon, and which he (Dr G.) has
since named Hebradendron gambogioides, is the only one which pro-
duces gamboge jit to be used in the arts ; 2d, That the Hebradendron
gambogioides is the plant which yields the true Ceylon gamboge ;
3d, That Drs Wight and Arnott were mistaken when they asserted
that the Xanthochymus ovalifolius is the only indigenous plant in
Ceylon that produces gamboge fit to be used in the arts; and 4th,
That Hebradendron gambogioides is a native of Ceylon.

Dr Graham showed, by reading the extract from his letter which
Dr Wight himself had published, that he never made one of these
statements, except the second, the accuracy of which he is quite pre-
pared to maintain, having proved, by his own experiments and those
of others, that the concrete juice of Hebradendron gambogioides is
excellent gamboge, chemically, medicinally, and as a pigment,—and
knowing from the perfectly unexceptionable authority of Mrs Walker
that it is collected in large quantity in Ceylon. The first statement
Dr Graham not only never made, but it is opposed to the opinion
which he actually holds ; although information, he thinks, is still re-
quired on the subject. On the third point there is a threefold error.
Dr Graham never maintained that Drs Wight and Arnott had as-
serted that Xanthochymus ovalifolius is the only indigenous plant in
Ceylon which produces good gamboge. They asserted that it is the
only plant in Ceylon which does so; but Mrs Walker has enabled
Dr Graham to prove that there is another. He is now farther able-
to assert that the concrete juice of Xanthochymus ovalifolius cannot
be employed advantageously as a substitute for gamboge. The fourth
statement Dr Graham never made, and indeed, until lately, he had
no information upon the subject ; but recent letters from Mrs
Walker, he thinks, now entitle him to say that the Hebrandendron
gambogioides is indigenous in Ceylon,—at any rate certainly enable
him to disprove the assertion upon which was founded Dr-Wight’s
opinion that it is not.—W. H. C. Sec.

| Berkeley, M. Tr on the existence of

Berkeley, M. J.,

Aberdeen, on the mosses found in

the neighbourhood of, : 412
Africa, zoology of, ; 365
Afzelius, Prof. ie death, 292

Alder Joshua, on the leat and ost
water Mollusca, of Great Britain, 101

Alps of the Canton of Valais, Botani-

cal xcursion in the, 1-24; 180-
196 ; 505-537

* American Journal of Science and

Art,’ noticed, 281; 464
‘ Annalen der Physique und Che.
mie,” noticed, 89

© Annales des Gerereesi Natareiles,:
noticed, - 89; 278; 360; 463

* Archiv fur Anatomie, Physiologie,
und Wissenschaftliche, Medicia,’
analysis of, F

Arnott, G. A. W., on some new or
obscure species ’ of plants, 419

427; 543-552

92

467

Arvicola pratensis,

C Australia, Synopsis of the Birds
of,’ noticed, :

© Australia, and the adjacent eft}
the Birds of,’ noticed,

266
357

Babington, Charles C., on the Bo-
tany of Erris, 119; on the Bri-
tish species of the genus Ceras-
tium, 197-204; his Supplement
to British Cerastia, 317~319;
Botanical Expedition to Guernsey
and Jersey,

Baird, W., History of the British
Entomostraca, 132-144; 400-412

Bank Vole, - 92

Bats, revision of the Genera és, and
description of new genera and spe-
cies,

397

483

a second membrane in the Asci

of Fungi, 222; ou a confervoid

state of Mucor clavatus,

¢ British chee 2
472

340

noticed, “
Bibliographic Entomologique, Re-

port of, noticed, 269

7

‘ Birds, British, A History of,’ no-
ticed, F

‘ Birds, History of,” noticed,

‘ Birds, Natural History and Classi-
fication of,’ noticed, 75-85 ; 451

461 ; 5532559

Blainville, M. his *‘ Manuel cs Ma-

lacologie et de Conchyliologie,.

397
267

noticed, : : 238
Blumenbach, - A 289
Blyssmus compressus, . 285

Bonaparte, Carolo L., his Chelonio-

rum Tabula Analytica, 58
Botanical Expedition to Guernsey
and Jersey, notice of, 6 397
‘ Botanical Magazine,’ Companion
to the, noticed, - 873 276; 360
Botany, Local, on the advancement
of, in the environs of London, 163
British Association, report of meet-
ing of, at Liverpool, 370; correc-
tions and additions to, 474
British Museum, - 384
Brongniart, M. Ad., his historical
notice of Antoine Laurent de Jus-
sieu, 293
Bruch and Schimper, MM., ‘their
‘ Bryologia Europea,’ noticed, 560
‘ Bryologia Europea,’ noticed, 560
Bryum androgynum, on the gem-
me of, 226
Burrows, Kev. om Je, § ee Elements
of Conchology,’ reviewed, - 238
Caprimulgus Europeus, observa-
tions on the, : 158
* Catalogue of the Flowerless Plants
of Great Britain,’ noticed, 267
Cepola rubescens, 93
Cerastium pedunculatum, 369
Cerastium, on the British species of,
197
Cerastia, on the British, 317
Cheloniorum Tabula Analytica, 58
Clarke, W. B., on the co
Europeus, 158
Clausilia Rolphii, 284

aa

568

Coleoptera, on the localities of Scot-
tish,

Cooper, Daniel, on the advancement
of local botany in the environs of
London, 163; his ‘ Supplement to
the Flora Metropolitana,’ noticed,

Crenilabri, contribution towards a
knowledge of the,

232

398
442

Dickie, G., on the Gemme of Bry-
um androgynum, 226; on the
mosses found in the neighbour-
hood of Aberdeen,

Donovan, E. Esq., his death

Drummond, James S. M. D. his di-
rections for the Le ae of sea
plants,

Duncan, J., Char acters and Descrip-
tions of the Dipterous Insects of
Britain, - 205

Ehrenberg’s Infusoria, ‘ 284

¢ Elements of Modern Conchology,’
reviewed, 238

‘ Elements of Conchology,” reviewed, 238

* Encyclopedia Britannica,’ noticed, 561

Kntomostraca, British, the History of,

132-144 ; 400-412

Erris, on the botany of, 119
Eyton, T. C., his attempt to ascer-

tain the Fauna of Shropshire and

North Wales, : 2 537
‘ Fauna Japonica,” noticed, 266
Fauna of Shropshire and North

Wales, an attempt to ascertuin, 9537
Fauna of Twizeil, 387
‘Ferns, British, end their Allies,’

an analysis of, reviewed, . 85

‘ Flora Metropolitana,’ eee

to, noticed, 308
Flora, Worthumaherland: 369
Footsteps, fossil, in sandstone and

greywacke, 5 284
Fossil footsteps in snndetone and

284

grey wacke,
Francis, G. W., his ‘ Analysis of
the British Fems and their Allies,’

reviewed, . cit3)
Fungi under the Tropics, ; 472
Fungi, on the existence of a second

membrane in the asci of, 20222

¢ Genera of recent and Fossil Shells,’
reviewed, .

Glass eroded by a Lichen,

Gould’s ¢ Synopsis of the Birds of
Australia, 266; his work on the
* Birds of Australia and the adja-
cent islands,’ 357; his ‘ Icones

Avium,’ : : 357

Index.

Gray, J. E., on a peculiar structure
in shells, 228; observations on
the shell of Spherulites, ib. ;
his revision of the genera of Bats,
and descriptions of new genera
and species,

Guernsey and Jersey, notice of a bo-
tanical expedition to,

505

397

Hare, the Irish, 283

Hewitson, W. C., his notes on the
ornithology of Norway,

Hooker, Sir W. J., his ‘ Icones
Plantarum,’ noticed, 743; his

‘ Companion to the Botanical Ma-
gazine,’ noticed, 87 ; 276; 360

309

‘ Icones Avium,’ noticed, 357
‘ [cones Plantarum,’ noticed, 74
Infusoria, Ehrenberg’s, 284
Insects, Dipterous, of Britain, 205
Insects, subaquatic, notes on, 124
Ireland, contributions to the natural
history of, 42-57; 170-179;
427-440
Jenyns, Rey. L., on the dentition
and other characters of the Bri-
tish Shrews, 24
Jersey and Guernsey, notice of a
botanical expediticn to, 397
Johnston, Dr George, Miscellanea
Zoologica, 63; History of Bri-
tish Zoophytes, 5 319
Jussieu, Antoine Laurent, Biogra-
phical notice of, 293
Latham, John, M. D., his death, 385

Leighton. W. A., his ¢ Catalogue of
Flowerless Plants of Great Britain,’

noticed, 267
‘ Linnea,’ analysis of, 470
Little, Rev. W., on Subaquatic In-
sects, 124; on the localities of
Scottish Coleoptera, 232
London, on the advancement of local.
Botany in the environs of, 163
Lutjanus rupestris, 284

Macgillivray, W., his ‘ History of
British Birds,’ noticed, 267

‘ Magazin de Zoologie,’ noticed,
361 5 465
‘Magazine of Natural History,’

analysis of,

¢ Manuel Malacologie et de Conchy-
liologie,’ reviewed

‘ Marnie de Diistoire Natunclle
des Mollusques et de leur e Coutite
les,’ reviewed,

Miscellanea Zoologica,

238

86; 276; 359; 462 ff

238 ff

}

Index.

Mollusca of Great Britain, notes on

the land and fresh water, 101
Morée, Voyage Scientifique en, 344
Mosses found in the neighbourhood

of Aberdeen, remarks on, 412
Mucor Clavatus, on a confervoid

State of, : 340
‘ Musci Angusiani,’ ue of, 368
Museum, British, 291
Nemertes, 471
Norway, on the Ornithology of; 309
Ornithology of Norway, notes on, 309
Peonia officinalis, 100
Patella parva, 365
Percheron’s ‘ Bibliographie Ento-

mologique,’ report of, noticed, 269

Plants, on the dispersion of, in the
environs of London, 1633; on
some new or obscure specics of, 419
427 ; 543-552; on the growth

of, inclosed in cases, 474
Plants, sea, directions for their pre-

servation, 144
Presl, M. his ‘ Mentamen Pterido-

graphiz,’ noticed, . 560
Prize essay, Wernerian Society, 291

Rang, M. Sander, his ‘ Manuel de
Y Histoire Naturelle des Mollus-
queset de leur Coquilles,’ reviewed, 238

Rhea, 92

Schimper and Bruch, MM., their

* Bryologia Europe,’ noticed, 560
Schomburgh, Dr. R., his description

of Victoria regina, 440
Selby, P. J., on the Fauna of Twi-

zell, 387
Shells, British land and fresh water,

found at Mickleham, 471
Shells, on a peculiar structure in, 228
Shrews, British, on the dentition and

characters of, 24

Shuttleworth, R. J., ae Botanical
Excursion to the Alps of the Va-
lais, 1-24; 180-196; 505-537
Siebold’s ‘ Flora Japonica, noticed, 266
Silene maritima, 100
Sivatherium, : 3 93

569

Skulls, American, proposed new
work on, 284
Society, Botanical, of Tondons 97; 477
Society, Botanical, of Edinburgh,
93; 285 ; 366; 475 ; 562
Society, Ornithological, of London,
Plan of, 98 ; notice of, 480
Society, Nat. Hist. of Newcastle, 479
Society, Philosophical and Literary,
of Leeds, ‘ Transactions’ of, no-
ticed, 271
Sowerby, G. B., his * Genera of re-
cent and Fossil Shells,’ reviewed, 238
Sparshall, Joseph, Esq. his death, 482
Spherulites, observations on the
Shell of, 228
Staphylinide, British, a new genus
of, described, : 124
Surnia Nyctea, 93
Swainson, W. Esq. his ‘ Elements
of Modern Conchology,’ reviewed,
238 ; Natural Histories in ‘ Bead
ner’s Cyclopedia,’ reviewed, 75—
85; 451-461 ; 553-559

‘ Synopsis of the Birds of Australia,’ 266

Tamus communis, 100
‘ Tentamen Pteridographic, no-
ticed, 560
Thompson, W., Contributions to the
Natural History of Ireland, 42-57 ;
170-179 ; 427-440; his contri-
bution to the Crenilabri, 449
Twizell, Fauna of, 387
Victoria regina, notice of, 440
Voyage Scientifique en Morée, 344
Watson, Mr H., his ‘ New Botanist’s
Guide,’ Vol, 2, destroyed, 98
Wernerian Society Prize Kssay, 291
Westwood, J. O., his notes upon
subaquatic insects, 124; descrip-
tion of a new genus of British
Staphylinide, 124
Woodforde, Dr James, he death, 386
Yarrell, W., his ‘ History of British
Birds,’ noticed, C 357
Zoophytes, British, the history of,
319

ERRATA.

Page 107, line 7, for sea, read lea.

166, —— 22, for country, read county.

—— 167,-— 17, for do. read do.

—— 169, at Table 8, for 681 genera, 286 species, read the reverse.
—— 328, line 24, for Fig. 1, read Fig. 2.

—— —- —- 26, for Fig. 2, read Fig. 1.

—— 384, —- 12 and 18, for Mr Bald, read Mr BAut.

—— 429, -— 27, for jerkins, read perking.

—— 433, —- 7, for Toomavarat, read 'Toomavara.

—— 488, —- 10, for Tridactylites, read Trifurcata.

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