nthe ogee eT ree Maw hie Peep eaos = Cee sem aaa p tN Be i hy } ft ' We ay? bi Pe : } a i ’ ii , a Pe | ; We i” " 4 [ei ay, | : : r hY ies " ; ; J i 9A wr ws ell fr i E { pant ae i 5 VA am ‘ Suet oie» Mle ve i y Fi a My " wh a pa THE ANNALS ee AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, INCLUDING ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, ann GEOLOGY. (BEING A CONTINUATION OF THE * MAGAZINE OF BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY,’ AND OF LOUDON AND CHARLESWORTH'S ‘MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. ) CONDUCTED BY Sir W. JARDINE, Bart.—P. J. SELBY, Esa., Dr. JOHNSTON, DAVID DON, Esa., Pror. Bor. K1nq@’s Couu. Lonp., AND RICHARD TAYLOR, F.L.S. WOE. VIEL. a LONDON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY R. AND J. E. TAYLOR. SOLD BY S. HIGHLEY; SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL; SHERWOOD AND CO.; W. woop, TAVISTOCK STREET, BAILLIERE, REGENT STREET, AND PARIS: LIZARS, AND MACLACHLAN AND STEWART, EDINBURGH : CURRY, DUBLIN: AND ASHER, BERLIN. 1842, “‘Omnes res create sunt divine sapientie et potenti testes, divitie felicitatis humanz: ex harum usu bonitas Creatoris; ex pulchritudine sapientia Domini; ex ceconomia in conservatione, proportione, renovatione, potentia majestatis elucet. Earum itaque indagatio ab hominibus sibi relictis semper xstimata; a vere eruditis et sapientibus semper exculta; male doctis et barbaris semper inimica fuit.”— Linn. CONTENTS OF VOL. VUI. NUMBER XLVIII. Page I. Description of some Molar Teeth from the Eocene Sand at Kyson in Suffolk, indicative of anew species of Hyracotherium (Hyr, Cunicu- lus). By Ricuarpv Owen, Esq., F.R.S., &. ........0006 Bevsctdenecedeseee 1 II. Remarks on the Horny Sponges, with proposed divisions of the Order Spongie. By Joun Hoae, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S. ......... 3 III. Notes on the Zoology of the Outer Hebrides. By Joun Mac- Gittiyray, Vice-President of the Cuvierian Nat. Hist. Society of Edin- WUE a ecteeee ss Oe asctewetenrecvcusewesucivevsescece Bebe ssureveverees Sosttt seecaeare 7 IV. Researches on the Structure of Annular Vessels. By Huco Monn 20Withi 2: Plates) i112: osetia. ds deeshttvtcd ede ccceccecectacececsenecce 16 V. Preliminary Reply to Mohl’s Essay on the Structure of Annular Vessels. By Dr. M. J. Scuueiwen ...... mebueataseeor cusuaencsancdeeseeocas 25 VI. Report of the Results of Researches in Physiological Botany made in the year 1839. By the late F. J. Meven, M.D., Professor of Botany in the University of Berlin. (Continued.) ....... specaccose=cos 27 VII. Indian Cyprinide. By Joun M‘Crexranp, Assistant Surgeon Meese MVC HICAL: SELVICE: ect ones ch doce e a te=cerce ss cotuaccosetesesasoacececeees 35 VIII. Notes on Birds. By T. C. Hivton, Esq.) FITS: occ cccecrsccce 46 New Books :—Continuation of Wiegmann’s Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte, by Dr. Erichson.—The Naturalist’s Library: Mammalia. Vol. xi. Marsupialia, or Pouched Animals, by G. R. Waterhouse, Esq. 47—55 Proceedings of the Royal Society ; Geological Society; Zoological So- ciety ; Microscopical Society ............06. Denne p an eae seeseane 55—74 Analogies of European and Indian Geology ; Suggestions for Experi- ments on the Conservation of Vegetative Powers in Seeds ; Mete- orological Observations and Table ............seee00s “eecocee te 74—80 NUMBER XLIX. IX. Observations on the Rodentia. By G. R. Wareruouse, Esq. (With a Plate.) ..... eRadeseene Seudue meee ecsecactstetouseeessecsenve? stebeeene 81 X. Observations on the Functions performed by the Hairs on the Stigma in Campanulacee, Composite, and other Plants. By Artuur iv CONTENTS. Page Hitt Hassatt, M.R.C.S.L., Corresponding Member of the Dublin % Natural Elistory, SOCIELY:..-srsscccascescesoaentenncessuaees: sceseseendaseortaase 84 XI. On some species of Eurepean Pines. By Capt. S. E. Win- DEINGTONS IRN serccsacccacscccedecavetenceetceereatet tas os ceanenecetensocsaeceas 87 XII. Diagnoses Algarum novarum a cl. Dre. Ferdinand Krauss in Africa Australi lectarum, auctore Dno. Herrne, Stuttgartiensi ......... 90 XIII. Observations on the Structure of the Pollen Granule, consi- dered principally in reference to its eligibility as a means of Classi- fication. By Arruur Hitt Hassatz, M.R.C.S.L., Corresponding Member of the Dublin Natural History Society ........sceessseeeereecees 92 XIV. Indian Cyprinide. By Joun M‘Cretuanp, Assistant Surgeon Bengal Medical Service. (Continued.)...........csssscescececerecscossessecs 108 XV. Notice of a hitherto undescribed character distinctive of the Sexes in certain Lucanide. By J.O. Westwoop, F.L.S. — .........0e- 121 XVI. Insectorum novorum Centuria, auctore J. O. Westwoop...... 123 XVII. Notice of Migratory Birds which alighted on, or were seen from H.M.S. Beacon, Capt. Graves, on the passage from Malta to the Morea at the end of April 1841. By Wm. Tuomeson, Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast .............0scsceseees Recsepyceaeen ores er scsceusr assem 125 XVIII. Report of the Results of Researches in Physiological Botany made in the year 1839. By the late F. J. Mevzn, M.D., Professor of Botany in the University of Berlin. (Continued.) ........ceceeeeeeeeeeeee 130 New Books :—Naturalist’s Library :—The Natural History of Dogs, vol. ii. ; The Natural History of Horses ; The Natural History of Fishesyavololispanceneccecnuceasaseacccoues teens eecsweccenecececcr eaavencie'see 137 Proceedings of the Zoological Society ; Microscopical Society ... 138—152 Mr. Schomburgk’s return to George-Town; Mr. W. S. MacLeay; Lieut. Tickell on the Natural History of the Hodésum (improperly called Kolehan) ; Fossil Foraminifera in the Greensand of New Jersey; A vast Stratum of Fossil Infusoria in the Tertiary Strata of Virginia; Mr. R. C. Taylor's Model of the Southern Coal-Field of Pennsylvania ; Meteorological Observations and Table... 153—160 NUMBER I. XIX. Description of some new species of Ammonites found in the Oxford Clay on the line of the Great Western Railway near Christian Malford. By Samuet Peace Pratt, Esq., F.L.S., F.G.S. (With Hour Plates) tes-scarseon see seceees Sentara sanenciescenentcccactmascsstceetnentans aaa GI XX. A List of Testaceous Mollusca collected in the Shetland Isles during a few days’ residence there in the autumn of this year, and not noticed by Dr. Fleming in his ‘ History of British Animals’ as indige- nous to that country. By J. Gwyn Jerrreys, Esq., F.R. & L.S....... 165 XXI. Brief and Practical Instructions for the Breeding of Salmon and other Fish artificially. By Sir Francis A. Macxenziz, Bart. ... 166 CONTENTS. iV, Page XXII. On Epilobium angustifolium, and species which have been confounded with it. By Mr. H. O. STEPHENS .....+......00- Sevetosnseee 170 XXIII. A List of Flowering Plants found growing wild in Western Norfolk. By the Rev. Georce Munrorp, Corresponding Member of the Botanical Society of London ...... yee ot Saee eee seek eeea her een se 171 XXIV. Indian Cyprinide. By Joun M‘Cietianp, Assistant Sur- geon Bengal Medical Service. (Continwed.).s...+.-sssseresesseseeseeseeeees 192 XXY. Insectorum novorum Centuria, auctore J. O. Westwoop ... 203 XXVI. On the names Promecoderus, Cnemacanthus and Odonto- scelis, as applied to certain genera of Carabideous Insects. By G. R. Warerunouse, Esq., Curator to the Zoological Society of London ...... 205 XXVII. On the Eel, and on the Freshwater Fish of Austria. By Capt. S. E. Wrpprineton, RN. ...seeeees SHH BCEC HBC OBaboDC CU CEaERESE acest 207 XXVIII. Information respecting Zoological and Botanical Travel- Uy aera oe “Lone ope ne reac ce cca eee t poste Mane cce rene ae enacebcnccseen tates 210 New Books:—A Manual of the British Algee, by William Henry Har- Vey, Esq. .-esccssccesccseseescrsscccsscasseonscevesecesscnsssssacsossccnsenens 211 Proceedings of the Entomological Society ; Zoological Society ; Micro- scopical Society......... Spacey aasaae sre snecmenccsuensraeaaacsemesecs 217—228 Cyclostoma elegans, Lam., an Irish Shell, by W. Thompson, Esq. ; Entophytes—Cryptogamous Plants developed on the internal sur- face of the air-cells of an Eider Duck whilst alive—similar in- stance in the Flamingo; On some Mammalia, Birds and Fishes lately observed in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, by Mr. J. Mac- gillivray ; On the Common Hare of the Gangetic Provinces and of the Sub-Himalaya, with a slight notice of a strictly Himalayan species, by B. H. Hodgson, Esq., Resident at the Court of Nepal ; The Hoopoe, Upupa epops; The Hoopoe; The Arctic Gull; Re- port on Ornithichnites, or Foot-marks of Extinct Birds; Natural History as a Branch of Education; Meteorological Observations amt, Table’. sssnescses Aapakccosicesc er agepeonsece oo Boe secceper ec 228—240 NUMBER LI. XXIX. Notice of a new genus of Mammalia discovered by J. Stuart, Esq., in New South Wales. By W.S. MacLeay, Esq., F.L.S., &c. (OW ICH Ay ENALE | - oenbeansoncsdcneracesnsces Soe Adela secandaedaan dasaaa daa ans 241 XXX. On two remarkable Marine Invertebrata inhabiting the fEgean Sea. By Epwarp Forses, M.W.S., For. Sec. B.S., &c. (With BPENALE A) oc duantvapenent cea sassmabags davencise due acsoacs Sontlissopesees Sorbie opuecoee 243 XXXI. On Epilobium angustifolium, Linn., and species which have been confounded with it. By W. A. Leicuton, Esq., B.A., F.B.S.E. 246 XXXII. Report of the Results of Researches in Physiological Botany made in the year 1839. By the late F. J. Meyen, M.D., Professor of Botany in the University of Berlin. (Continwed.) .c.cccccccseneecevens sas 249 vi CONTENTS. Page XXXIII. On the Phosphorescence of Zoophytes. By the Rev. i Davin Lanpssoroueu, of Stevenston, in Ayrshire .........csceceeeeeeeees 257 XXXIV. Remarks on the Fruit of the Natural Order Cucurbitacee. By Rosert Wieut, M.D., F.L.S., &c. ......086 Bide okie Wale Lloasaceds 260 XXXYV. Insectorum novorum Centuria, auctore J. O. Westwoop, BD S55 res js tase de. cee ted bdsb de ose ald dee Josacdaddseentert steals «c secede XXXVI. The Birds of Ireland (Family Fringillide). By Wm. Tuompson, Esq., Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast. (Continued.) 273 XXXVII. Information respecting Scientific Travellers :—Dr. Can- tor’s collections in the Isle of Chusan; Mr. Murchison’s second Geo- logical Survey of Russia......... Tpascdedsa=sdseatide sdesWaseatns setavuacdussseees 288 New Books :—Catalogue of British Plants (Part 1st, Flowering Plants and Ferns), by Prof. J. H. Balfour, Glasgow; C. C. Babington, Esq., F.L.S.; and W. H. Campbell, Esq., Sec. Bot. Soc.—Arcana Entomologica, or Illustrations of new, rare, and interesting Exotic Insects, by J. O.Westwood, F.L.S., &e.—Naturhistorisk Tidskrift, Copenhagen, 1840-41 .........4.. enieeewiecwewivela Gucuoteneneen nave 294—297 Proceedings of the Entomological Society ; Geological Society... 297—313 Three new species of Monkey, with remarks on the genera Semnopi- thecus et Macacus, by B. H. Hodgson, Esq.; Dr. E. Moore on the Pilot Fish; Vitality of Seeds; Little Auk; Birds of Kent; Durocher and Bowman on Glacial or Diluvian Phenomena; Me- teorological Observations and Table ...........seceeceesveeeees 314—320 NUMBER LII. XXXVIII. On the Saxifrages of the Robertsonia or London-pride group which are found in Ireland. By Cuarues C, Bastneron, Esq., M.A, BL.8., EsGS.,: &es - (Withia Plate.) < cic..sadesidsiids .taciack dane leae 321 XX XIX. On doubts respecting the existence of Bird-catching Spi- ders. _By W..S. MacLray, Esq., FDS.) 8:0. svetsesssevssssire eeeveus seve 324 XL. On the degree of Cold which the principal Mammalia of hot countries are capable of enduring. By the Rev. Roserr Everssz, in a note to J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S. &c....... Misia sMcuido Me da~ css swddaewuste dst 325 XLI. Report of the Results of Researches in Physiological Botany made in the year 1839. By the late F. J. Meyven, M.D., Professor of Botany; in.the University, of Berlin s2sis.tc..alsssevsecsdeds dese..sseesseoes 328 XLII. Additional Particulars respecting Antechinus Stuartii, a new Marsupial Quadruped. By W. 8. MacLeay, Esq., F.L.S., &c. ...... 337 XLIII. Notice of a hitherto unobserved Character distinctive of the Sexes in certain Cetoniide. By J. O. Westwoop, Esq., F.L.S., &c.... 338 XLIV. On the Phosphorescence of Zoophytes. By Arruur Hinz Hassart, Esq., M.R.C.S.L., Corresponding Member of the Dublin Natural History Society ........40. bbseaeceeeden bdtbolsesdesbiVedecce Wostheas 341 CONTENTS. vil Page XLV. Excerpta Botanica, or abridged Extracts translated from the Foreign Journals, illustrative of, or connected with, the Botany of Great Britain. By W. A. Leicuron, Esq., B.A., F.B.S.E., &c. No. 7. Notes on the genus Corylus. By Ep. Spacn ...... ie 3ns: XLVI. The Birds of Ireland (Family Fringillida). By Wu. Tuomp- son, Esq., Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast. (Continued.)...... 353 XLVII. Extracts from a Lecture by M. Dumas on the Chemical BrseeS IO Oe ARIZA REMI OR 4. aaco.-aingdidsocawacpmapuces dnaowechaSsasnnspsaras 360 New Books :—A List of the Genera of Birds, with their Synouyma, and an Indication of the typical Species of each Genus, by George Babert Gray ccctsresteesstecs “or SEDO LACS nchiggeencot ee ute dcaerccoscastos 367 Proceedings of the Zoological Society; Royal Society ; Geological So- ciety ; Microseopical Society ~......cccscoocceooseeeccecesses seeee 01 6—394 Niger Expedition—Mr. Fraser; Little Auk; New Crustacean Ani- mal; Mus agrestis; Disappearance of the Sylvia rubecola in parts of Belgium and Germany; Chair of Entomology; Mr. Gould on Menura superba; Anthus Richardi; Obituary—Professor Don, J. E. Bowman, Esq.; Meteorological Observations and Table 394—400 NUMBER LIII. XLVIII. On Epilobium angustifolium, Linn., and species which have been confounded with it. By W.A. Leicuron, Esq., B.A., F.B.S.E. ... 401 XLIX. Remarks on Lottia virginea. By Josuua Auper, Esq. ... 404 L. The Birds of Ireland (Family Fringillide, Sturnide, Corvide). By Wm. Tuompson, Esq., Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast. KCORISRUC NB chs Sacace rede occk ocehtasenieaetk scent ews vcddudo'sidenoctessoxkdees «-. 406 LI. Descriptions, &c. of a few rare or undescribed species of British Diptera, principally from the collection of J. C. Date, Esq., M.A., PEEL ep OL CV LARESE cate Vs stoi an cocksaabe\sebuesen Skulls, &c.Jof Rodentiav,.....0.0.> soa .sccnseeaeesnacuebiensnente eee 84 III. eh Ammonites from the Oxford Clay.......:.sesssseeseees SCCCOOE 165 VI. VII. Antechinus Stuartii, from New South Wales...............00- 242 VIII. New Marine Animals described by Mr. E. Forbes ......... 243 ae Pachyodon, a new genus of Fossil Bivalves.............. eee 482 XI. Saxifrages of Ireland........0....sssssesceveessessesccesscssseerens 322 NC ntusonaleAmimalculess-casscscceessscseeeectneeeeiseitee cessed: 543 Erratum, p. 278, 1. 10, for “ Switzerland, to the height of 11,000 feet,” read, “Switzerland, and to the,” &e. THE ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY. No. 48. SEPTEMBER 1841. 1.—Description of some Molar Teeth from the Eocene Sand at Kyson in Suffolk, indicative of a new Species of Hyra- cotherium (Hyr. Cuniculus). By Ricuarp Owen, Esq., F.R.S., &c. IN the Eocene sand underlying the red crag at Kingston or Kyson in Suffolk, from which the remains of Quadrumana, Chiroptera, and Marsupialia have already been obtained*, Mr. Colchester, the discoverer of those mammalian remains, has recently transmitted to me through my friend Mr. Lyell a second collection of fossils, including the teeth of small mammalian animals, some of which are referable to the small Pachydermal extinct genus Hyracotherium, established on a nearly entire cranium obtained by Mr. Richardson from the London clay near Herne Bay, in 18397. The teeth from Kyson are three true molars and one of the false molars, all belonging to the upper jaw. The crowns of the true molars present the same shortness in vertical extent, the same inequilateral, four-sided, transverse section, and nearly the same structure, as in Hyracotherium leporinum ; the grinding surface being raised into four obtuse pyramidal cusps, and surrounded by a well-developed ridge, produced at the anterior and outer angle of the crown into a fifth small cusp. These teeth are, however, of smaller size, as will be seen by the subjoined figures of a corresponding molar : vane) Lee i ple vay ee Scveceee Grallatores. 'Tenuirostres. ’ , b] swim very fast. Rasorial. { Head ornamented either) | with horns or soft ap- | Cobitine ......< pendages—habits gra- >Ungulata...... Rasores. Scansores. | nivorous or herbivo- | L rous. e) 50. It would be too much to expect from the materials of one zoological province to demonstrate satisfactorily all the properties of natural groups in the minor divisions of this fa- mily. That its typical and subtypical groups are circular is plain enough, from the diminution in the length of the intes- tinal canal we experience in passing from the Cirrhins to the Barbels ; and again, from the Barbels through the Gono- rhynchs to the Gudgeons that canal becomes longer, indi- cating an union between the latter and the group from which we set out. The same thing is observed in passing from the Systoms through the Opsarions, Perilamps and Leuciscs ; a tendency Mr. J. M‘Clelland on Indian Cyprinide. 197 between the former and latter to unite is indicated, thus form- ing the subtypical group (Sarcoborine) into a circle. A similar thing may be seen in the aberrant group (Apa- lopterine), in which the Schisture form one extremity and the Platycara the other, the intermediate space being occupied with the Peciliane, Psilorhynchi, and true Loaches. The en- tire caudal of the former points out their relation to Coditis prop. ; but until analysis be extended to all known species, European and American, the attempt to reduce the smaller groups to anything like precision would be difficult and un- certain, from the greater chance there is of the series being less complete than in the higher groups, of which we might always hope to possess at least a specimen of each genus. I shall therefore content myself with having submitted the preceding tabular view of the principal group, referring to the elucidation of genera for further details, in the confident ex- pectation that what has already been demonstrated will induce naturalists to investigate the subject from the materials of other countries as well as of this. We are far from being prepared to point out the most cha- racteristic types even of our Indian groups of this family. In- deed there may yet be some unexpected forms unknown to us, the discovery of which would necessarily derange any attempt we could now make to trace in further detail the parallel rela- tions of the minor groups among themselves. Six species collected in the mountain-streams at Simla by Dr. MacLeod, and obligingly submitted to me, have proved to be all unde- scribed, and one of them affords the type of a new genus, Oreinus, or Mountain Barbels, of which I had before received from Mr. Griffith a species from Boutan (O. guttatus) ; but as there was but one specimen in Mr. Griffith’s collections, and that considerably injured, I hesitated to form from it alone the characters of a new group*. ‘This genus has the form of Gonorhynchus ; the mouth is situated in like manner under the head, but the alimentary canal is considerably shorter, and the dorsal is preceded by a spine, as in the Barbels. 51. Iam uncertain as to the habits of the European Breams, not having examined them myself; but from all that I can glean on the subject, they appear to be insectivorous, and in the best figures I can find of them the mouth appears to be directed upward, and the anal fin to be long: these charac- ters may prove to be analogies rather than affinities to the Perilamps ; and until the point be decided, the parallel rela- * Cyprinus Richardsonii figured in Hardwicke’s ‘ Illust.,’ tab, 94, fig. 2, is an Oreinus, and may be appropriately named OQ. punctatus. 198 Mr. J. M‘Clelland on Indian Cyprinide. tions of the two groups cannot be made out. The only Indian Bream I am acquainted with (Cyp. cotis, Buch.) has the cha- racter of the Perilamps both in the form of its mouth and length of its alimentary canal; while, on the other hand, the old genus Leuciscus is not a natural group, some of the Euro- pean species, as Cyprinus cultratus, beimg doubtless an Op- sarius*, while others are certainly herbivoroust+, and might perhaps be referred to the Gudgeons; but until all these points be settled, it would be idle to dwell further on the par- allel relations between the typical and subtypical groups. 52. Cyprinide, of all fishes of equal importance, are those that appear to have occupied least the attention of naturalists ; a circumstance the more curious, as, in consequence of their being peculiar to fresh waters, they are more universally dis- tributed in the interior of continents, where they ought to be more familiar and useful to man than any other family of the same class. Regarding their distribution, little has hitherto been made known. It would not appear that there is any one species common to Europe and America; it is not however to be sup- posed that we are yet prepared to form an accurate compari- son between the Cyprinide of the Old and New Worlds, since the majority of species in either seems as yet to be but ill defined. Nor is it to be supposed that ichthyology has yet been prosecuted in America to an extent at all likely to make us acquainted with the numerous species that must inhabit the extensive lakes and rivers of that continent. Of African species, few only are referred to by Cuvier, while the Nile is known to present some species that are not found in the south of Europe. The Chinese species may yet be said to be al- most unknown, with the exception of a few determined by Cuvier from the very doubtful data afforded by paintings ; although it is seldom that so favourable an opportunity is afforded for collecting information on any branch of natural history as that which the British embassies in China pos- sessed for investigating the peculiarities of the freshwater fishes of that empire, from the length of time they passed in boats on some of the principal rivers. Nor is anything what- * Leuciscus ceruleus, Yarrell, and L. erythrophthalmus, Cuv., appear to be Perilamps ; L. doubla, L. Lancastriensis, Yarr., and Z. alburnus are also insectivorous. I have mentioned this in a letter to Mr. Swainson in October last, and I have no doubt the hint will be sufficient to direct the attention of this philosophical naturalist to an examination of the whole of the English species. + Leuciscus vulgaris, L. idus and L. rutilus are probably herbivorous, and, according to the length of their intestine, may either be added to one or other of the groups here indicated. Mr. J. M‘Clelland on Indian Cyprinide. 199 ever known, as far as I am aware, of the existence of Cyprins in New Holland, or any of the Polynesian Islands*. In India the fishes of several of the great rivers yet remain to be in- vestigated, as those of the Irrawaddi, the Indus, and the Ner- budda. A collection of drawings of the fishes of the Indus, prepared during a scientific mission under Capt. Burnes, has recently been deposited in the museum of the Asiatic Society ; and Mr. Griffith, to whom every branch of science is as dear * This and other blanks in our knowledge of the animals of New Hol- land are now about to be supplied by Mr. MacLeay himself, who, in Au- gust last, embarked with the intention of pursuing researches in every de- partment of the natural history of New Holland. On his departure from England, Mr. MacLeay intimated his desire to receive at Sydney, where he may remain for three or four years, insects, crustacea, and other neglected objects of a similar nature from India, in exchange for the productions of New South Wales, which he would be happy to supply. Few who enter- tain a just pride for the scientific character of our country, which Mr. Mac- Leay has been the means of elevating, would require the stipulation pro- posed to induce them to forward the views of one of our countrymen who has already been the means of exalting zoological pursuits to the highest place among intellectual occupations. Considering the intimate intercourse now established between Calcutta and Sydney, it is to be hoped that an ap- peal to India from such a quarter will not have been made in vain, and that all who are interested in the advancement of natural history will collect and forward whatever objects their particular localities may afford, with a view to facilitate the researches of the illustrious author of ‘ Hore Entomologice.’ Mr. MacLeay writes from London, 12th August 1838 : “I am now on the eve of embarking for Sydney, where I intend to remain for the next three or four years; and what I would ask of you is, to exchange invertebrated ani- mals, collected in India, as the Annelida, Annulosa, Cirripedes, Radiata, and Acrita, for other objects collected in New Holland; insects, spiders, and crustacea of India I at present desire above all, and shall feel obliged by any notes on their metamorphosis or ceconomy. With regard to such notes, I need not say I shall bear in mind the axiom ‘Suwm ecuique.’ If you will point out your particular desiderata in natural history, I will endeavour to add to your collections.” Mr. Swainson also writes as follows:—‘‘ At present I am engaged in ichthyological volumes, but as these will be published before you would have time to render me any assistance, I will rather entreat your aid in the class of Insects, which will next succeed in the ‘ Cabinet of Natural History.’ My cabinet is remarkably deficient in the entomology of India, particularly among the smaller and less showy species. ‘The best way of preserving beetles or coleopterous insects, as well as spiders, is by putting them into spirits ; all other insects should be stuck upon cork. Common bazaar spirits answers the purpose of preserving insects very well, if it be strong enough to burn, which it would be well to try always before trusting to it; and in- stead of cork, remarkably light and convenient trays may be made of a com- mon species of Zischynomene, called in Bengal Sola, and may be made so that a number of them fit into a box. The paste with which the Sola is fastened might be poisoned, and a little camphor rolled up in thin paper placed in each tray as a security against ants. I shall be happy to afford my aid to any friends of science in India, by forwarding any collections that may be entrusted to me for the eminent persons who have applied to us.” 200 Mr. J. M‘Clelland on Indian Cyprinide. as the one in which he is fast rising to the highest station, is now engaged in making extensive collections of, and obser- vations on, the fishes of the same river. The museums of Paris must already be well stored with Indian species col- lected by Messrs. Duvaucel, Jaquemont, and DeLessert, but I doubt if any of our British museums contain many of the commonest species of the Ganges. Natural history is now assuming a station so important in the highest scale of intellectual pursuits, that any remarks at all calculated to impress on the minds of those who are connected with missions into new countries a lively sense of the inter- est that attaches to its most minute details, will not, we may be assured, be taken amiss. Information, however carefully collected on such occasions as those referred to, becomes com- paratively useless when unaccompanied with specimens of the things to which it relates. We should ever recollect, that the easiest and best way to promote our own fame, and con- tribute at the same time to the advancement of natural history, is by making collections ; nor are we without examples of the highest awards having been, though somewhat prematurely, conceded to collectors. Nevertheless, to render collections of the highest degree of real value in the present advanced state of science, those who make them should gather at the same time as much information as possible regarding the circum- stances under which the various objects comprised in them live or occur; and it is in this that the intelligence of the na- turalist may be best and most profitably displayed during his journeys in new countries. 53. The following tabular view of the distribution of Cypri- nide, though avowedly imperfect, will serve to show how the leading groups are generally dispersed. Cirrhins, for instance, appear to be peculiar to India, or at least to the tropical parts of Asia, and the Catastoms to America; while both are repre- sented in Europe by the true Carps. From the number of Gangetic species, the Barbels, like the Cirrhins, would seem to have their metropolis in India, from whence the genus is extended over the Caspian Sea and the Nile into Europe. The Gonorhynchs would also seem, as a group, to be na- tives of the East, one species only having been found in South Africa, none in Europe, and eleven in India. The greater part of the Sarcoborine are probably also East- ern fishes, with the exception of the Breams and Leuciscs, although some of the European forms set down under the latter genera may be found to belong either to the Perilamps or Opsarions. The small subgenera of Pecilia appear to be equally distri- Mr. J. M‘Clelland on Indian Cyprinide. 201 buted in all parts of the world, one having been already found in Africa, two species in India, where a few more may be ex- pected, seven species in America, and seven in Europe ; but in every case the species of one continent have been found to be distinct from those of another. The Loaches (Coditis prop., Linn.) afford another instance of the concentration of numerous species in India, while three only are found in Europe, and none whatever in America. The annexed table exhibits the general distribution of the fa- mily. Cyprinide, Cuv. > iS] ) femniy. Genus. Subgenus. E Z| $ | 3| Ey é By s SVensraea | O Grin ngs. CUoews aoers| hi 3005s Saas Se ewes keaa weeds | rey TZ |e. |Seelscateen| US WabeosCuvs.c..chcecccccee pee eal 1] 1} 5 (g AtASLOUUNS WOCSEUI co2)- cos ondndansccccyee sssecconsaes aie |) Wee bed HA bbe eee (PC) S| | Barbus, Cuv. .........)..e-ceeceeeesseseseseeerreceeees AN ae TW ere| motel 18 aS Oreinus, M‘Clell. ......... circa! badead pocloaa il 2! 5 S| | Cyprinus prop., Cur. |.....seeeeeeccseeeseeseesesssnes 6 |---|. 47)42)...1... +(14? & GO DIOM Ome castrate |nsiecitclsace sac e'sitsoiceclscseaeritcter: sl onal | KB oa bad lee Bealls rks} eA Tineas Owes Be A VT al ep ae Pat Gonorhynchus, G7on.|.......2.++ AROCOSOSMODECE malice S01 09|| 1) Pool Boal pl sae fen LI Systomus, M‘Clell. ...)...ceecececeeesos Ne asneenenine on aca lbec 12)... Ae alles Real] al. Ay IAramiss) Cuosacecens dese: oelED | 1} 1]...]-0.]--. Pelee =| | Rhodeus, Agass. ee : Si f h EB S| 4 Apius, Ayass. ..|Fossil genera in the lacustrine deposit of @iningen. S& Perilampus, W‘C7ell. .|....... ardodeadoscpcnsoceoousens: B06 ||Soal| UPA Rel bor) oes |---| 12 5 MECEISEHS PALE, 05-4|-< cee. asacsastetecees sae doancns: 132/42] 9)...]...}... |...|262 e @Mpsaritiss MCI, ¢.s3he.5; <2.34adiaeouss Saracens Be |b Rey a te ica so eal 12 (peak THRO thy SAL. Sacllioce ||) 4has6 | Bod boa ocd bec eZ! | aebiass Guns .wseeessseehece 110 PF Fe Fe a cn , Fundulus, Lacép.......... BE) Al coe aba Boallesa 7 [ Peecilia, M‘!55th of an inch, pale whitish green. Capsule scarcely an inch long, linear -oblong, subattenuate at both ends, slightly curved, subpatulous, distinctly tetragonous. Prstil filiform, dilated upwards, hairy above the base, at first as long as, afterwards one-third longer than, the stamens, decurved, 4-cleft ; segments circinato-revolute. E. macrocarpum, Steph. Stem 3—4 feet or more high, roundish, glabrous, shining, simple, virgate, branched above. Leaves alternate, on very short petioles, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, somewhat attenuate at the base, acute, entire, obsoletely calloso-denticulate, with a strong central rib, from which numerous lateral ribs are given off in a nearly hori- zontal and very slightly oblique direction, which are again united in curves at a short distance from the margins ; dark opake green and wrinkled with veins on the upper surface, pale glaucous green beneath, glabrous. Racemes terminal and axillary, simple, leafy, smooth, slightly pubescent above. lowers solitary, on simple densely pubescent peduncles shorter than the germen, lower ones in the axils of the leaves, which gradually diminish upwards into bracteas, arcuate in flower, more or less erect 248 Mr. W. A. Leighton on Epilobium angustifolium. afterwards. Flower-buds obovate, somewhat attenuate at the base, suddenly contracted at the apex into a compressed curved point. Sepals 4, linear-lanceolate, attenuate into an acute point, as long as or slightly longer than the petals, spreading, pubescent on the exterior, purplish red, glabrous within, 3-nerved. Petals 4, spreading, subrotundo-obovate, subattenuate into a short claw, emarginate, wavy or wrinkled at the margin, bright and deep rose-colour with darker veins. Filaments dilated and conver- ging at the base, declined upwards, thickened immediately be- neath the anther. Pollen triquetrous, occupying three divisions in length on a micrometer of ;,,,th of an inch, pale, nearly white. Capsule about 24 inches long, linear, straight, erect, nearly parallel with the stem, tetragonous, the angles rounded and nearly obsolete, covered with pale dense minute pubescence. Pistil fili- form, swollen upwards, with a few hairs a little above the base, at first shorter than, afterwards as long as, or slightly longer than, the stamens, decurved, 4-cleft; segments at first erect, finally revolute. Some of these fresh specimens I forwarded with my de- scriptions to Mr. Borrer, who replies, (August 11, 1841,) “1 have been used to the sight of a larger and a smaller E. an- gustifolium, the former in gardens and the latter in our Sussex forests, but it never came into my mind to compare them. I now find the latter to be your No. 1. [macrocarpum] ; the former I have no doubt is your No. 2. [angustifolium], but I am not aware that it is in any Henfield garden. In my own I have the wild one only lately brought in. It agrees, as do my dried specimens, with your No. 1. in every respect, except that the flower-bud has not the remarkable pinched point, or in a few flowers only and in a very slight degree, and the se- pals have traces, varying in distinctness, of a second lateral pair of nerves. I have a dried specimen of No. 2. from Mr. Dalton, labelled by him ‘ E. angustifolium, without any men- tion of the place it came from. Upon the whole, notwith- standing the very remarkable *, I cannot persuade myself that the plants are specifically distinct. I suspect that we have No. 2. [angustifolium] wild in the west of Sussex, which I must take the first opportunity of ascertaining.” It would be very desirable that the plants in the Linnzan Herbarium should be ascertained. The synonomy of conti- nental botanists will be difficult to be determined by reason of the form of the capsule not entering into their characters, at least in such writers as I have means of consulting. W. A. LEIGHTON. | Shrewebury, Nov. 1, 1841. * Hiatus in Mr. B.’s letter.—Ep. Meyen’s Report for 1839 on Physiological Botany. 249 XX XII.— Report of the Results of Researches in Physiological Botany made in the year 1839. By F. J. Meyen, M.D., Professor of Botany in the University of Berlin*. [Continued from p. 137.] M. ScHLEIDENf, in a treatise on the spiral formations in the cells of plants, has collected together the results both of former observations and also of his own. His views respecting the metamorphoses of the spiral tubes are certainly for the most part correct: he says, “ The layers which are deposited upon the primary structureless cellular membrane have in every case, at their first appearance, a regular arrangement which may be made evident in different ways, and a spiral band or fibre as their foundation, and from this basis all the different forms of the walls of the so-called vessels and cells are de- veloped ; but the one cannot be considered as a stage of trans- ition to the others.” M. Schleiden then gives a view of the phznomena which occur during the growth and metamor- phoses of the cells of plants. In the first period, the simple membranes which form the cell increase throughout their whole substance by true intersusception; but whether the same kind of growth takes place at a later period could not be determined, although in some cases it cannot be denied that it is so. Now the deposition of new layers on the inner sur- face which follows is in the form of one or more spiral closely wound bands, and M. Schleiden thinks that from some as yet imperfect observations, he may conclude that originally two such bands at least occur, which correspond to the ascending and descending streams of the gummous formative substance. According to M. Schleiden’s views, it is from these second- ary deposits that all the various formations of the walls of cells and vessels proceed according to the influence of the following causes :— 1. Either the cell has or has not reached its full extension when the secondary deposits commence, and upon this ap- pears to depend the production of the spiral vessels and of the porous formations. Then are mentioned the different cases which may occur during the formation of the spiral fibres, and from this is derived the production of different forms of simple and metamorphosed spiral tubes. Here how- ever many statements are put forward, which partly contra- dict existing observations, and which partly open a wide field for discussion. * Translated and communicated by Henry Croft, Esq. t Flora von 1839, pp. 321—334 and 337—344. Translated in our Journal, vol, vi. p. 35. 250 Meyen’s Report for 1839 on Physiological Botany. 2. A circumstance which need only be cursorily mentioned here is the form of the cells in the different intervening steps in combination with the actual perforation of the primary membranes by resorption. 3. Another circumstance is more important. Generally several spiral deposits appear, and the rule is here that the succeeding deposits are arranged conformably with the pre- ceding ones; however some exceptions are known, as for in- stance, after the first spiral deposit has become changed by the extension of the cell, a new layer is deposited over the whole inner surface and assumes the porous form. The dif- ferent metamorphoses which are exhibited in such a striking manner by the spiral tubes in the fibro-vascular bundles of Monocotyledons, are explained by the author as resulting from a different extension of the several single elementary organs of these bundles. The distant banded annular vessels are said to be formed first, and in the form of spiral vessels; by the extension of the internodium the development is said to ex- tend towards the exterior, and therefore the outer spiral tubes are wound so closely because the extension of the cells longi- tudinally is already nearly completed when the spiral depo- sits take place. M. Schleiden comes next to the explanation of the produc- tion of the annular ducts, concerning which there has been so much written and disputed: he thinks that he has observed that the annular vessels are the cells in which the spiral de- posits are earliest formed. By drawings from the bud of Campelia Zannonia, Rich., M. Schleiden endeavours to explain the production of the annu- lar ducts ; they are formed out of spiral vessels: two whole whorls of the spiral fibre grow together and form a per- fect rmg, while the connecting ends of the fibre are corroded and at length completely absorbed by the cell; all the stages of transition are often visible in one and the same vessel, but in more advanced vessels the connecting volution is wholly dis- solved. ‘This is M. Schleiden’s new hypothesis ; I have read it through several times, but am not able to form an idea how rings can be produced from spiral volutions, if the free (eroded, or torn off, or absorbed) ends of the single whorls of the late spiral fibre do not join together. In the porous cells of the Conifere M. Schleiden thinks he has seen, in Pinus sy/- vestris, even in the latest zones, the cambium-cells before the formation of pores divided by fine black lines into narrow spi- ral bands, and these vanish when the pores are formed; of course, adds M. Schleiden, the primary wall of the cell being perfectly homogeneous. [] may be allowed to ask here, how Meyen’s Report for 1839 on Physiological Botany. 251 M. Schleiden convinced himself of the homogeneousness of this membrane. I formerly made known, that in old coniferous wood there is often an actual splitting of the entire walls of the cellular membrane, always in the direction of the juncture of the spiral bands of which the walls are composed, and that these clefts, which are often very large, always pass through the pores. | ' The reticular figures on the bast-cells of the Apocynee, M. Schleiden derives from the superposition of two very fine lay- ers which consist of oppositely wound spirals; and finally, he makes some remarks on the direction of the windings of spi- rals. M. Schleiden has laid down the following rule :—Of all spiral formations which are developed simultaneously, those which lie together in the direction of the radius are homodro- mous, those which lie together in the direction of the parallels to the periphery are heterodromous. As exceptions are men- tioned the annular and spirally fibrous cells of the Cacti; but as confirmatory of the first statement, the general crossing of the pore-clefts of neighbouring cells, which was first observed by me, is brought forward. M. Mohl* has endeavoured to disprove some of the views of M. Schleiden with which he does not agree, particularly that one, as M. Mohl says, which has extended to the present time, but is perfectly false, viz. that the annular vessels are produced from spiral vessels. He says, that even since the ap- pearance of Schleiden’s new theory, he still adheres to his former statements with regard to their origin. M. Mohl first gives some descriptions of the structure of the spiral and annular fibres in their perfect state, in order to make clearer some points which M. Schleiden in his observa- tions on the formation of the annular tubes had stated incor- rectly ; he describes particularly the lines and grooves which are often seen on the broad fibres of the Commelinee. Some- times these lines and grooves penetrate the whole thickness of the fibre, so that it is divided in some places into two or three fibres, and these either proceed in their course parallel to each other, or then join again after a longer or shorter course, or one of these fibres passes in a more perpendicular direction than the others, and joins the next whorl of the fibre. The direction of the winding of the spiral fibre is next spoken of: he had formerly shown that the spiral vessels are generally wound to the right, and he states that he cannot agree with M. Schleiden and other phytotomists who main- * Flora von 1839, p, 673—685, &c. ‘Translated at p. 16 of our present volume : see also Dr. Schleiden in reply at p. 25. 252 Meyen’s Report for 1839 on Physiological Botany. tain that spiral vessels are indifferently wound either right or left. He finds left-wound vessels so extremely rare, that they may rather be regarded as exceptions to the rule. In a vas- cular tube in a gourd, M. Mohl saw that the different divi- sions of the spiral fibre which are separated from each other by rings were wound in opposite directions. M. Schleiden demonstrated his new view of the formation of the annular ducts principally by means of the young shoots of Campelia;M. Mohl found, however, the roots of Commelina tuberosa much better, and gives excellent figures on the sub- ject. All the modifications which have been observed under which the rings appear in the vascular tubes of this plant are fully described, and their connexion with the spiral fibre ex- plained. According to my idea, M. Schleiden had quite cor- rectly stated that the line of division in the broad spiral fibres of the Commelinee is caused by two whorls of the fibre grow- ing together, or in other words, that those spiral fibres con- sist of two fibres which lie close and parallel to each other ; however M. Mohl makes objections to this, but which I can- not quite clearly understand. M. Mohl found, as others have done, that the rings in the annular tubes are generally quite unconnected with each other, but that the connecting fibres of the rings (when such exist) do not stand in any determinate relation to the breadth of the annular fibres. [This is however in general the case only in the broad and compound spiral fibres of the Comme- linee.—Mey.| During the formation of the annular tubes in the stem of Commelina tuberosa, M. Mohl thinks that he ob- served distinctly that these tubes at their first appearance were not spirally wound, but that the fibres formed, as in the perfect vessels, isolated rings of different breadths, or else rays between which were seen some spiral fibres, so that, with ex- ception of the small thickness and the short distance between the rings, there was no difference between these young ves- sels and the fully developed ones. This formation could be still better followed, step for step, in the roots of the Comme- lina ; and from these observations M. Mohl draws the conclu- sion, that annular ducts, spiral vessels, and reticular vessels are three very nearly related forms which pass into each other, but that they cannot be regarded as temporary grades in the metamorphosis of the same vascular tube. Much has been said in the former reports concerning this metamorphosis of the spiral into annular fibres, and it is to be hoped that the discussion will soon be ended ; all that M. Mohl has brought forward against the new theory of Schleiden I myself can fully confirm, if that were necessary, both by former Meyen’s Report for 1839 on Physiological Botany. 253 and also by new observations, and I have often declared that no one has ever seen the tearing of the spiral fibres ; but that the reticular spiral tubes are produced from developed annu- lar tubes, I think I may positively assert; Jmpatiens Balsa- mina, and the flower-stalk of Musa, showed me this very plainly. In the cells of the outer layer of the capsule of Hepatice, where rings only are almost always found, and interrupted, inasmuch as they do not extend over the outer wall of the cells, one can see that they are really original, and are not pro- duced by the resorption of isolated ends of the spiral fibres*. M. Decaisne}+ has laid before the Academy at Paris a trea- tise on the structure of the beetroot, on which M. Brongniart has given a report. M. Decaisne observed the development of the beet from the germination of the seed up to its perfect state; he saw that the beet consisted as it were of two parts of distinct origin ; the upper part formed out of the enlarged stipes, the lower out of the rootlets of the embryo. The se- paration of both parts may be seen in sections of the root by means of the pith, which is continued in the form ofa cone as far as the commencement of the root, but is wanting in the true root. Round about the pith are true spiral tubes, but in the true root there are only reticular tubes. The vascular bundles stand in regular circles, and their number increases toward the exterior ; outwardly they are sur- rounded by fine elongated cells which represent the woody tissue of plants. In the beet there are three different tissues : 1. Parenchyma, which is colourless in the common beet, but in others is filled with a red or yellow sap. 2. The reticular spiral tubes. 3. Elongated cellular tissue, which is very fine and transparent, and accompanies the spiral tubes, but is ge- nerally deposited towards the exterior. This tissue represents, by the position it occupies as well as by the lacteous vessels it contains, both the ligneous tissue and the bast of the bark. That the parenchyma of the beet con- tains little or no sugar is well known; it may be distinguished by the taste alone, that the cellulo-vascular parts of the beet are sweeter than the others. M. Raspail’s hypothesis, that the sugar is found in the spiral tubes, is, as might be expected, completely disproved by M. Decaisne’s researches, and he con- cludes that the sugar is formed principally in the fine tissue which surrounds the spiral tubes. The upper part of the root * Vide Miiller’s Archiv, 1839, tab. xiii. fig. 47. + Rapport fait 4 Académie par M. Ad. Brongniart, Janv. 14, 1839.— Annales des Sciences Nat., x1. p. 49. 254 Meyen’s Report for 1839 on Physiological Botany. which projects out of the earth contains the smallest quan- tity of sugar, but often exhibits a large number of crystals, which are also very commonly found in the leaves of this plant. In the report published in Berlin, 1838, p. 21, we an- nounced M. Decaisne’s excellent work on the Lardizabalee, which has now appeared*. M. Decaisne speaks at large on the anatomical structure of the stem of the Menispermee and the Aristolochia, in order to show that the arrangement of the natural families cannot be effected by means of the structure of the plant. The porous tubes of the Conifere and Cycadee have been found in Gnetum and Tasmannia, &c.; he more- over shows that Prof. Lindley made a great mistake in stating the structures of the Menispermee and Aristolochia to be similar, and that the want of zones in the stems which he ex- amined led him to consider the Menispermee as standing in the middle between the Mono- and Dicotyledons. M. Decaisne then describes the structure of the wood of Aristolochia la- biosa, Ar. sypho, Ar. clematitis ; the latter is exactly similar to the first. He also examined Menispermum canadense and Cocculus laurifolius, and draws the following conclusions :— 1. That the Menispermee are developed differently from the other Dicotyledons: annual zones are not present; each lig- neous fascicle remains simple, and the bast when once formed does not visibly enlarge. 2. That the single ligneous fascicle of the Menispermee cannot be compared with those of the Monocotyledons, as is done by Prof. Lindley, for they increase annually, and are placed regularly around the pith; moreover the bast takes no part in their formation. 3. Some plants, as for instance Cocculus laurifolius and Cissampelos Pareira, have a very anomalous structure; and M. Decaisne here describes that of the stem of Cocc. laurifolius, which is quite similar to that of Cissampelos which I have described in my ‘ Physiology,’ vol. 1. p. 374. In Cocc. laurifolius, as in the Dicotyledons, a layer of spiral tubes the fibre of which could be unrolled was found only in the first deposit of wood, and close to the pith. Finally, 4. M. Decaisne declares that the Aristolochia cannot, on account of their structure, be so strictly classed with the Menispermee : their ligneous fascicles divide towards the bark ; and the bast, which in a young state forms a circle, divides afterwards into two nearly equal parts, and these di- vide and subdivide again as the diameter of the branch in- creases ; but the bundles of bast always bear a relation to * Archives du Museum d’ Hist. Nat., i. Paris, 1839, p. 143. Meyen’s Report for 1839 on Physiological Botany. 255 the number of the ligneous bundles which have been formed by the above-mentioned division. M. Schleiden has published ‘ Botanical Notices’ (Wieg- mann’s Archiv, i. p. 211), in which several points of anatomy and physiology are treated of; | must refer the reader to the original treatise. Observations on the presence of certain assimilated and secreted substances in Plants. M. Morren* has published a short memoir on the presence of fatty and volatile oils in the cellular tissue of different plants, wherein attention is directed to several new facts. The author first gives a view of the results of observations on this subject, extracted from my works, and mentions that fatty or fixed oils are only formed within the cells, while the zthe- real oils make their appearance in peculiar, more complicated organs, as in glands, oil-channels, &c. M. Morren says, that from this one might believe that the ethereal oils, on account of their many peculiarities, are more perfectly elaborated, and therefore require peculiar organs for their formation, while the simple fatty oils are produced in the common cells. However these statements are not complete, for in my ‘ Physiology,’ vol. 11. p. 493, it is stated expressly, “ The secretion of these volatile oils takes place in peculiar glands, either simple or compound ; but in greater quantity in the internal glands. In general however the volatile oil is deposited in the common cells of the different parts of the plant, where it appears in the sap more or less plainly in the form of small oily drops or even in large masses. ‘This is almost always the case in the petals, and it is very rare that the oil is secreted in internal glands.” M. Morren observed the presence of drops of an zthereal oil in the cells of the epidermis of the stamens of Sparmannia africana, where it was first yellow and afterwards became red, and it is stated, that during the formation of this oil, the walls of the cells became thickened. Also in the cells of the epidermis of the upper surface of the leaf of Ophrys ovata, M. Morren found an ethereal oil, but it appears that it is only there during the time the plant is in blossom. [In another of the Orchidee, namely, in Pleurothallis ruscifolia, in the cells of the upper epidermis of the leaves, I have observed an oil, which had some similarity with a fatty oil—Mey.] For ata later period M. Morren could not discover it, and therefore he says that these observations prove to a certainty that the ethereal oil is formed in the cells and preserved there some * Bulletin de l’Acad. Roy. de Bruxelles, vi. No. 6. 256 Meyen’s Report for 1839 on Physiological Botany. time, until it is absorbed in order to grease the cuticle (le derme), so that it may not be wetted by the rain. As yet, it has always been believed that the bluish wax-like substance which is found on plums executes this office ; however he now begins to believe that it is the ethereal oil which is formed in the cells and then exudes. In the epidermal cells of the leaves of Colchicum autumnale, M. Morren also found an oil (in spring), which did not move in water as the oils in the two above-mentioned plants did, and therefore it is probably a fatty oil; M. Morren thinks that this also exudes through the walls of the cells to the cuticle and protects it from rain. In the oily seeds of Linum austri- acum, Papaver spectabile and Brassica campestris oleracea, it appeared to M. Morren that the oil was between the cells, and that within them there was no trace of it. Finally M. Morren mentions the large-stalked glands of Passiflora fetida as secreting an ethereal oil on the surface. This is however by no means uncommon, and is the case more or less with all such stalked compound glands, and I have described the same in the simple glands on the surface of Melissa offici- nalis. In a short memoir M. Morren* has described the circum- stances under which gum is found in the reservoirs in the leaf-stalk of the Cycadee ; he remarks, that when one cuts off the frond (wedel) of this plant so that more or less of the leaf- stalks remain on the stem, the gum exudes on this surface from the gum-passages ; and that from this it follows that the gum ascends from the stem into the frond, but does not, as physiologists have up to this time believed [? ?], descend from the leaves into the stem. If the stumps of the leaf-stalks are only two or three inches long, the gum exudes in the form of a long vermicular body ; M. Morren observed it two or even above four centimetres long ; in all experiments the gum was seen to proceed upwards, but not downwards. I have repeated several of these experiments and certainly found them to be correct, but I have also made some others which perhaps like- wise explain the phenomenon. If a strong frond be bent into pieces six to eight inches long, and these inverted in water, the exudation of gum from the openings of the reservoirs is ob- served; but here it passes downwards, and it seems to me that it may be explained by assuming an absorption of water by which the gum is expanded, and thus a quantity is forced out of the upper opening. When the gum exudes from the stumps left on the stem, one may suppose that a quantity of the nutritive * Bulletin de l’Acad. Roy. de Bruxelles, vi. No. 8. On the Phosphorescence of Zoophytes. 257 sap of the stem is absorbed by the gum which thereby ex- pands and at length exudes from the openings ; but it appears to me that the facts with which we are as yet acquainted do not allow us to assume an actual motion of the gum in the containing vessels. M. Morren assumes that this gum is formed by the meta- morphosis of the amylum in the interior of the stem, and that it thence passes into the frond. Although this assumption appears to me as yet groundless, still I can myself bring for- ward an observation which shows that a very large quantity of gum is contained in the interior of the pith of the stem of Encephalartos Frederici Gulielmi. A cavity had been formed in the interior of the pith into which the amylum metamor- phosed into gum flowed from the neighbouring cells, and was collected in a considerable mass, which gradually increased the size of the cavity. M. Morren describes moreover the position of the gum-pas- sages in the frond of Cycas revoluta: they are found both in the centre and in the circumference in considerable numbers, and may easily be seen by means of a simple microscope in every transverse section of the leaf-stalk. In the leaves these passages are found only on either side of the nerve. M. Morren saw the ramification of a gum-pas- sage in the leaf-stalk ; in the bark of the stem it was already known. The former statements concerning the production of the gum-vessels and on the structure are also confirmed. Finally, M. de Coninck has examined chemically the gum from the leaves of Cycas revolutu, but for this purpose he could not obtain a perfectly pure substance: the incinerated leaves con- tained 4°95 per cent. of inorganic substances consisting prin- cipally of carbonate of lime, which was probably produced from the oxalate ; moreover free oxalic acid was found in the leaflets. [To be continued. ] XXXIII.—On the Phosphorescence of Zoophytes. By the Rey. Davip LanpssorouGu, of Stevenston, in Ayrshire. In Dr. Johnston’s ‘ History of British Zoophytes,’ he quotes, in his description of Sertularia pumila, the following passage from Stewart :—‘“ This species, and probably many other S, 1 some particular states of the atmosphere, gives out a phos- phoric light in the dark. Ifa leaf ofthe above Fucus serratus with the Sertularia upon it, receive a smart stroke with a stick in the dark, the whole coralline is most beautifully illu- Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. vii. S 258 The Rev. D. Landsborough ox minated, every denticle seeming to be on fire.” I have lately discovered that it is not only probable that many others ex- hibit the same phznomenon, but that it is absolutely certain that they do so. I had thought that in making the experi- ment it would be necessary to put the sea-weed to which the Sertularia was attached into a vessel of sea-water, but I find that it can be made with less trouble. About two months ago I brought from the shore in a pocket vasculum or tin box, some Zoophytes attached to sea- weeds, and laid the vasculum on the lobby table till I should have leisure to examine them. When night came I put my hand into the vasculum to remove some of the Zoophytes for inspection, and on moving them I found to my surprise.and delight that they began to sparkle. Remembering what I had read in the extract given above, as I took them up, I gave them a hearty shake, and they instantly became quite bril- liant, like handfuls of little stars or sparkling diamonds. To ascertain what were the Zoophytes that emitted this phos- phorescent light, it was necessary to take them up singly by candle-light, and afterwards to make the experiment in the dark. The first I tried was Valckeria cuscuta, with which I was successful. From Sertularia polyzonias and Cellularia reptans little light arose ; Laomedea geniculata was very lumi- nous, every cell for a few moments becoming a star; and as each polype had a will of its own, they lighted and extin- guished their little lamps, not simultaneously, but with rapid irregularity, so that this running fire had a very lively ap- pearance. Flustra membranacea also was very beautiful, though very different from the former ; for as the cells are so closely and regularly arranged, it exhibited, when shaken, a simultaneous blaze, and became for a little like a sheet of fire. With Flustra pilosa I was very successful. That variety of it which is spread on a flat surface, and which, from the form that the polypidom assumes, is the Memdranipora stellata of Thompson, on being bent or shaken, became doubly enti- tled to the name of stellated, for every polype in its cell lighted up a very brilliant little star, and for a short time the polypidom became like an illuminated city. After some days, I repeated the experiment with other Zoophytes, and with similar success. A third time I brought home a well-filled vasculum ; but as I happened to be other- wise occupied, it was allowed to lie unopened for five or six days, when, thinking that the Zoophytes would be dead, I cast them out along with the sea-weeds to which they were ad- hering. They lay in the open air for a night and a day, and as it rained heavily during the whole time, weeds and Zo- the Phosphorescence of Zoophytes. 259 ophytes were constantly drenched. When the second night had set in, I thought I would try whether there were any symptoms of remaining life. I shook Laomedea geniculata, but its tiny fires were quenched. Membranipora stellata lighted up just one bright star; and Flustra membranacea shed one faint gleam of light, and refused to repeat the fire, however much shaken. About a week after, I brought home a fresh supply ; and on repeating the experiment, not only did the Zoophytes sparkle, but my fingers in handling them became brilliant, being adorned with little stars. The next time I made trial of these “ minims” was in the end of October, when a very frosty morning had been suc- ceeded by a very sunny day. On that occasion Sertularia po- lyzonias, Cellularia reptans, Flustra membranacea, and Mem- branipora steliata would emit no light. As the specimens had lain for hours on the shore exposed to the morning frost and the midday sun, it is probable that the polypes were dead. Laomedea geniculata was taken up quite moist and fresh, ha- ving been covered with sea-weeds ; and when the darkness of evening came, not only did they brightly sparkle when roughly handled, but they emitted a strong smell of phosphorus. On being allowed to rest, they immediately ceased to be luminous ; and though on being shaken or pressed with the fingers they shone forth again, if often repeated the light became fainter. On this occasion I made an experiment with a creature belonging to another department. Having found a very large specimen of Botryllus Schiosseri, one of the Mollusca tuni- cata, I subjected it to the experimentum crucis by shaking it roughly in the dark, and I had the satisfaction of seeing that it was as much disposed as the Zoophytes to resent the in- sult. In this case, however, it was not the sparkling wrath of a pigmy multitude, but the overspreading glow of one massy creature, which all shone, though with a lurid and sullen- looking fire. The last time I repeated the experiment was in the begin- ning of the present month of November. I tried Sertularia pumila, the Zoophyte mentioned by Mr. Stewart as phospho- rescent ; but though roughly shaken, it remained dark. I was equally unsuccessful with several others; but the tiny polypes had lain for hours on the shore, under a November sky, and the spark of life I suppose had become extinct. A specimen of Laomedea geniculata, which from being covered was quite fresh, was as brilliant as usual, and emitted as formerly its phosphoric odour. I tried for the first time the elegant Plu- S2 260 Dr. R. Wight on the Fruit of the mularia cristata, and though it had been too long exposed to the cold air, it emitted, on being shaken, a little light. Only a few of the denticles sent forth their stars, and they were very minute, and of a darker red. from these experiments, may we not surmise that the power of emitting phosphoric light is more generally pos- sessed by the inhabitants of the deep than we are apt to imagine? We are not yet at liberty to say that it is pos- sessed by all marine Zoophytes; but certain it is that it is by many. Neither are we entitled to say that it is possessed by all Mollusca tunicata; but we know for certain, what I think was not known before, that it is the property of one of them; and what is possessed by one, may also belong to more. As little are we entitled to say that it is possessed by all the little Meduse which as transparent jellies abound in the sea; but as it is known that it is possessed by some of them, may they not in general be phosphorescent when agi- tated? And as they are at times very numerous in the sea, may not the beautiful phosphorescence of sea-water at certain seasons, when put in motion, be owing to them and to marine Infusories, which in numbers numberless are found in the deep? And is it certain that it is not possessed by some fishes? The first time I spent a summer night at sea was in the herring fishing season ; and the sailors showed me how to ascertain whether the herring shoals were near at hand. When a smart blow was given to the vessel, the percussion was communicated to the deep, and immediately a flash of light was seen at a considerable depth, and this the sailors as- sured me was from the shoal of herrings. If this was phos- phoric light emitted by these finny wanderers, then is this phosphore escent quality possessed by Zoophytes, Meduse, Mollusca tunicata, and fishes. DoE XXXIV.—Remarks on the Fruit of the Natural Order Cucur- bitacee. By Ropert Wient, M.D., F.LS., &c.* THE order Cucurbitacee is perhaps one of the most curious and inexplicable in the system of plants, and though at differ- ent times much studied by several eminent botanists, is still imperfectly understood; at least if we may judge from the fact, that no two writers on the distribution of plants accord- ing to their natural affinities seem to agree as to what families are its nearest allies. It is not now my intention to examine * From the Madras Journal of Literature and Science, No. 28, p. 43. Natural Order Cucurbitacez. 961 this question, for which, indeed, I have not at present leisure, even supposing I possessed the requisite materials, which I do not; but merely to offer a few observations on the general character of the family and fruit, introductory to a Conspectus of the genera of the order, with which Dr. Arnott kindly favoured me, and at the same time permitted me to place on the pages of the [Madras] Society’s Journal, should I deem that desirable. Deeming the conspectus really a most desi- rable addition to our Indian botanical literature, I have much pleasure in submitting it for that purpose, in the hope that the Society may be of the same opinion. The Cucurbitacee are a tribe of plants so very unlike the rest of the vegetable kingdom, that I think I may safely say, no one having the slightest knowledge of family likeness among plants could ever mistake so far as to refer one of them to any other family. Though thus isolated from all around, and without a single near relation with whom they can be justly compared or confounded, they yet stretch their more remote affinities on all sides ; hence the difficulties which systematic writers find in decisively referring them to any one place, more than another, in the series of orders. Nearly all, however, now agree in placing them among orders having pa- rietal placentz, that is, among plants the ovary of which is one-celled. To any one who will take the trouble to look attentively at a slice of a young cucumber this must appear strange, but is yet not the less true. In one of the latest and best introduc- tions to botany in the English language, Dr. Lindley’s, a pe- ponida, the peculiar fruit of the order, is thus defined :— “ One-celled, many-seeded, inferior, indehiscent, fleshy ; the seeds attached to parietal pulpy placente. This fruit has its cavity frequently filled at maturity with pulp, in which the seeds are imbedded; their point of attachment is, however, never lost. The cavity is also occasionally divided by pro- jections of the placentz into spurious cells, which has given rise to the belief that in Pepo macrocarpus there is a central cell, which is not only untrue but impossible.” Dr. Arnott, in the article Botany, ‘ Encyclop. Brit., ed. 7, gives a different account of it, but still, it appears to me, far from a correct one, namely,—“ A pepo or peponida is a fleshy inferior fruit, either indehiscent or bursting irregularly, and consisting of about three carpels, each of which is divided into two cells by its placentiferous margin, being so introflexed as to reach the dorsal suture. The sides of the carpel, and even sometimes the introflexed portion, usually become extremely thick and fleshy, forming the great mass of the ripe fruit, so 262 Dr. R. Wight on the Fruit of the that by losing the general character of dissepiments they might almost be said to disappear; and thus at first sight a pepo would be said to be, and has been so described, a one- celled, fleshy, indehiscent fruit, with parietal placenta, that send out sometimes false dissepiments towards the axis, as the cucumber and gourd.” This view, therefore, is essentially different from Dr. Lind- ley’s; for, according to Arnott, the placentz are virtually central, not parietal; the only difference between a pepo and an apple being, according to him, that the placentiferous margins of the carpellary leaf are introflexed, and extend out- wards nearly to the parietes of the fruit, in place of remain- ing in the axis. Lindley, on the other hand, views a pepo simply as a one-celled fruit with parietal placentz, the cavity being occasionally divided into spurious cells by projections of the placentz. Neither are altogether consonant with ap- pearances, though that of Arnott appears the most so; but both, in common with all others that have yet been promul- gated, are incorrect both as to theory and fact. While our ideas of the structure of the most essential or- gan of the plant, with reference to natural affinities, are thus vague, can it be matter of surprise that we are unable to trace its relations, and determine its affinities in the system of plants ? What then is a peponida? I have said above that it is neither a one-celled fruit with parietal placentz, nor a three- celled one with introflexed central placenta. But before I can say what it is, and point out the difference between it and a fruit of the usual construction, it is necessary to state what the usual structure is. This I shall do by means of a short extract from Lindley’s ‘ Key to Structural Botany.’ “354, A CarpEt is formed by a folded leaf, the upper sur- face of which is turned inwards, the lower outwards; and the margins of which develope one or a greater number of buds, which are the ovules. “355. When the carpels are stalked, they are said to be seated upon a thecaphore, or gynophore; Kx. Cleome, Passiflora. Their stalk is analogous to the petiole of a leaf. 355 a. When the carpels are all distinct, or are separable with facility, they are apocarpous ; when they all grow into a solid body, which cannot be separated into its constituent parts, they are syncarpous. “©3556. The ovary is the lamina of the leaf. “357. The style is an elongation of the midrib (174.). 358. The stigma is the denuded, secreting, humid apex of the midrib. Naturai Order Cucurbitacee. 263 “ 359, Where the margins of the folded leaf, out of which the carpel is formed, meet and unite, a copious development of cellular tissue takes place, forming what is called the p/a- centa. “360. Every placenta is therefore composed of two parts, one of which belongs to one margin of the carpel, and one to the other. ; “ 361. As the carpels are modified leaves, they necessarily obey the laws of arrangement of leaves, and are therefore de- veloped round a common axis. ‘ “© 362. And as they are leaves folded inwards, their margins are necessarily turned towards the axis. The placenta, there- fore, being formed by the union of those margins, will be in- variably next the axis.” ; From this we learn, in few words, that the carpellary leaf is always so folded that its midrib is towards the circumference, or forms the dorsum of the cell or carpel, while the placent1- ferous margins are placed in the axis ; that the difference be- tween a one-celled and many-celled fruit merely consists 1n the placentiferous margins of the carpellary leaves of the former not extending inwards to the axis, but stopping in the circumference and bearing their ovules attached to the walls of the cell—hence parietal. This position of the carpellary leaf is so constant, that the possibility of an inversion of this order of things in a pepo seems never to have entered into the calculations of any one of the numerous botanists who have given their attention to the investigation of the structure of this curious fruit; and yet such is simply the case. Ina pepo the normal position of the midrib of the carpellary leaf is reversed, that is, is placed in the axis, and the placentife- rous margins towards the circumference. That such is actually the case requires no argument to prove; we have only to cut the ovary of any true cucurbitaceous plant to be made sen- sible, at a glance, that it is so; though I confess that in none have I seen it so clearly made out as in Coccinia indica, owing to the carpels of that species remaining distinct, merely held together, not as usual by cohesion between the respective car- pels, but by the tube of the calyx in which they are enclosed. Did I wish to illustrate the theory by means of a diagram, I could not devise one more perfect than a simple section of the ovary of that plant, merely extending the natural divisions, by dividing the calyx, so as to allow each of the carpels to be slightly separated in the representation, to facilitate the de- monstration. This, however, is I think even unnecessary, for with the clue to the true structure which this species fur- nishes, there can no longer be any difficulty in understand- 264 Dr. R. Wight on the Fruit of the ing it from the examination of any genuine species of the order*. What effect this new exposition of the structure of the ova- rium may have on the determination of the affinities of this order, I am, up to the present time, quite unprepared to say; but of this I feel certain, that, in so far as structure is con- cerned, they are as far removed from all their now reputed al- lies, as their peculiar habit removes them from all the parietose families, except Passiflore, among which Bartling, Endlicher and Lindley have placed them. This very unusual structure, in short, marks them as a peculiar order, the affinities of which have still to be sought for. I am equally unprepared to say to what extent this unlooked- for structure may influence our views in regard to other ano- malous orders, especially those with solitary carpels ; since, having established the fact that the usual stracture may be inverted, it will naturally lead to new investigations, which may prove that the solitary carpels of Leguminose are not, as now supposed, necessarily the result of constant abortion of one of two carpella, but may be explained on some other theory more consonant with the almost invariably observed structure in that large and interesting order ; which, like Cu- curbitacee, stands an isolated family in the system of plants, through this one remarkable peculiarity,—a peculiarity so constant, in this tribe, that it goes far to prove the existence of that botanical nonentity, a terminal leaf. But, being un- prepared to offer any matured opinions on these points, I for- bear further speculation, and shall at once proceed with the Conspectus ; trusting however, ere long, to be able to re-enter more at large on the consideration of this interesting inquiry. The subjoined remarks I copy from the article Cucurdi- tacee in my forthcoming Number of the ‘ Illustrations of In- dian Botany.’ “The following explanatory extracts from the letter which accompanied the Conspectus may not inappropriately be in- troduced. «¢ T have lately been revising our East Indian Cucurbitacee, in consequence of Schrader’s paper in the ¢ Linnea,’ vol. xii. At first I was inclined to consider it worse than useless to sub- divide old genera, especially Bryonia, as he has done; but * After this paper was in the printer’s hands, it was suggested that some illustrations were desirable to render the verbal description more easily un- derstood. The accompanying figures representing the three different forms of ovaries—one-celled with parietal placentz, several-celled with central placentz, and a peponida—were therefore prepared. Natural Order Cucurbitaceze. 265 when I came to consider his sectional characters, and that the form and position of the stamens and anthers and stigma and fruit are really the only characters hitherto employed for ge- nera by other botanists; and that all Schrader has done, is to keep only those species in their old genera that agree with the character, and turning out and making new genera of those that do not, then I felt inclined to go great lengths towards adopting his views. I intend here to give you a Conspectus, or abridged generic characters, which I have drawn up, not only for the Indian, but also for the whole world, which I shall not object to your publishing as ‘ abridged characters of the genera of the tribe Cucurbitee of Schrader.’ ’ * At the conclusion of the Conspectus he continues,— ‘These seem to be all the genera known that truly belong to Cucurbitee ; they have all unisexual flowers. Gronovia has them bisexual, but is otherwise very closely allied. Allasia cannot be of this order unless we suppose the description quite erroneous; and if so, Loureiro may have had _ before him, in part at least, the Telfairia pedata; Myrianthus cannot belong to Cucurbitacee. “<< Thladianthus Runge is imperfectly described as to the stamens, but may perhaps form a seventh tribe. “¢T have laboured under great difficulty in making out these characters, partly because the published descriptions were very imperfect, partly because I had not several of the genera, and partly from the extreme difficulty of examining the anthers after being dried and pressed. I would therefore suggest to you and other Indian botanists to re-examine all the Indian ones on living plants, and have drawings made, paying particular attention to the representation of the anthers. * ¢ At first you may, as I did, confuse section 7 with section 9; butif you will compare the flower of Citrullus, Momordica or Lagenaria with Cucurbita or Coccinia, you will readily see the difference. In section 7 the connectivum is lobed, and the anther-cells are placed along the edge of the lobes ; in sections 8 and 9 the connectivum is not itself lobed, but the anther- cell is bent (it winds upwards and downwards along the back of the connectivum).’ “Warned by the concluding paragraph of the difficulty at- tending the description of these plants from dried specimens, I took occasion, as opportunity offered, to compare some of the sectional characters with recent specimens, and feel dis- posed to think the sections too numerous and not sufficiently distinguished. I have not yet succeeded in comparing the whole, but would suggest the following alterations, which I think would improve the arrangement. 266 Dr. R. Wight on the Fruit of the “ Section 6 might with advantage be suppressed, and its only genus referred to section 5. Sections 7 and 9 would be better united, the anthers being the same in both; transfer- ring, however, Cucurbita to section 8, on account of the an- thers, which are similar to those of Trichosanthes, making the insertion of the filaments a matter of secondary consideration —a generic, not a sectional distinction. “'The difference between sections 7 and 8 would then be, not that in the former the anther is lobed and in the other entire, but that in section 7 the back is traversed by an ele- vated gyrose ridge, on the top of which the long gyrose anther is placed ; while in section 8 there is no such elevation, the anther-cell being sunk into the substance of the connectivum, not elevated on a ridge with a deep furrow between each bend. To this may be added, that the connectiva in section 8 are elongated ; hence, from the union of the three, a cylinder re- sults, while in the other their union produces a sort of capi- tulum. “ Bryonia Garcini, doubtfully referred to Bryonia, is anew species of Pilogyne: Bryonia leiosperma, I find, from the ex- amination of dried specimens, is a second species of Mukia, with which it agrees well in habit. * Notwithstanding these differences of opinion, it is not my intention to alter the Conspectus, but print it simply as it reached me, the few additions I have to make being included within brackets—thus [ ]. Before proceeding further it may be well to explain what is meant by the term tri-adelphous, as applied to this family, which is of such frequent occurrence in the following characters. The normal structure of Cucurbi- tace@ is to have five stamens, in place of which we usually find only three ; but when these are carefully examined, it ap- pears that two of them are twice the size of the third, and are actually made up of two united: each set is then called an adelphia or brotherhood, and the three together, tri-adelphous. This structure is readily seen in the Pekunkei (Cucumis acu- tangulus, Ainsley), where the anthers do not cohere. In those where they do cohere it is not so clearly seen, as they then require to be separated artificially before it can be made out. “In some genera the anthers are described as being one- or two-celled: these characters require to be used with caution, as being generally of very difficult application in practice. Theoretically every anther is two-celled; and here, in exami- ning a number of instances with particular care, under a high magnifier, I have found most of them actually two-celled, though on less careful examination they appeared only one- celled. If such is the case when examined with fresh speci- Natural Order Cucurbitacez. 267 mens, how much more liable to error must we be when work- ing with dried ones! CONSPECTUS, OR ABRIDGED CHARACTERS OF THE GE- NERA OF THE TRIBE CUCURBITEA* OF SCHRADER. § 1. Filaments 5, inserted on the throat of the corolla; anthers distinct or 3-adelphous, anticous, straight ; fruit baccate, few- seeded. 1. Conranpra (Schrad.). Corolla 5-partite ; connectiva conniving, oblong, conical; fruit beaked. South Africa. 2. Cyrronema (Schrad.). Limb of corolla 5-partite; filaments 5, incurved; connectiva incrassated, 3-adelphous ; anthers fixed laterally under the apex. South Africa. § 2. Filaments di- or tri-adelphous, inserted on the tube of the corolla ; anthers lateral, straight, 2—3-adelphous. 3. Sicyprum (Schlecht). Corolla 5-petaled, petals undivided ; fila- ments 3-adelphous, dilated and incurved at the apex ; anthers without a beak. Mevxico. 4. Bryonopsis (Arn.). Corolla 5-partite ; lobes obovate, entire, un- dulated ; filaments 3-adelphous, inserted on the throat, straight ; anthers pointless; stigma fringed; berry few-seeded. Kast Indies—Courtallum. . AcuMaANpDRA (Arn.). Lobes of the corolla undivided ; filaments tri-adelphous, very short; anthers anticous, inserted along the margins of the connectivum, linear, oblong ; connectivum pro- longed into a short beak beyond the anther; fruit baccate (al- ways?) beaked. Hast Indies. Bryonia epigea, rostrata, del- toidea, and an undescribed species from Malabar. Obs. Perhaps this and the two last genera might be joined to Melothria. 6. Metoruria (Linn.). Lobes of the corolla undivided, denticu- lated ; filaments 3-adelphous ; connectivum pointless ; fruit bac- cate, not beaked. America. Obs. Schrader notices an East Indian one, but that may perhaps be an Achmandra. . CeraTosanTuEs (Schrad.). Lobes of the corolla linear, bifid ; filaments 3-adelphous. America. 8. Aneuria (Linn.). Lobes of the corolla entire; stamens di-adel- phous; fruit somewhat 4-angled. America. or ~“I § 3. Filaments 3-adelphous, inserted on the top of the tube ; anthers all cohering by means of their connectiva, and applied at the back along the margins of the connectiva, sigmoid. 2-celled. (?) 9. Scuizostiema (Arn.). Style simple ; stigma peltate, fleshy, cleft * This tribe contains all the East Indian genera except Zanonia. Schrader refers Erythropalum of Blume to Cucurbite@, but that genus is very closely allied to Mackaya (Arnott in Jardine’s Mag. of Zool. and Bot., vol. ii.), and dues not belong to the order. 268 Dr. R. Wight on the Fruit of the into 10—12 radiating linear lobes. Andes of Mendosa. (Cucur- bita asperata, Gill.) § 4. Filaments distinct or 3-adelphous, inserted on the throat of the corolla ; anthers 6- or 3-adelphous, gyrose, anticous. 10. SpHENANTHE (Schrad.). Mezico. § 5. Filaments 3-adelphous, inserted at the base of the corolla ; anthers lateral, straight, 3-adelphous. 11. Prnoayne (Schrad.). Calyx campanulate ; segments of the co- rolla patent, much longer than the calyx; anthers 1-celled ; style entire; stigma 1, pileate; fruit baccate, few-seeded, ob- tuse. South Africa. (Hast Indies—Bryonia Garcini ?] 12. Zenneria (Endl.?). Lobes of the corolla quite entire ; style trifid ; stigmas 3, flabelliform, quite entire ; fruit baccate, few- seeded, blunt. South Africa, East Indies, and ? Norfolk Island. —Bryonia Mysorensis, B. Hookeriana. Perhaps this is only a subgenus of Pilogyne. 13. Karrivra (Arn.). Calyx urceolate; corolla scarcely exserted ; lobes minute, quite entire ; anthers 2-celled; style entire ; stigma pileate, 3-fid; fruit a peponida, many-seeded, blunt, or with a short thick beak. Hast Indies, Bryonia umbellata. B. amplesxi- caulis. 14. Rayncnocarpa (Schrad.). Lobes of the corolla denticulate, ciliated ; style trifid ; stigmas 3, jagged and toothed ; fruit with along slender beak. Guinea. § 6. Filaments tri-adelphous, inserted at the base of the corolla ; anthers all cohering, posticous, linear, straight. 15. Mura (Arn.). Style entire ; stigmas 3, more or less cohering, erect; anthers distinct, l-celled, lateral: [connectivum pro- longed, forming a projecting point: a globose abortive ovary in the bottom of the calyx.] Hast Indies—Bryonia scabrella. [B. leiosperma. | § 7. Filaments 5- or 3-adelphous, inserted at the base of the co- rolla; connectiva toothed or lobed ; anthers applied at the back along the margins of the connectivum, and therefore flexuose, gyrose, or anfractuose. 16. Bryonta (Linn.). Corolla 5-cleft; anthers tri-adelphous, 1- celled ; style trifid ; stigmas subreniform or bifid ; fruit ovoid or globose, baccate, few-seeded. Hurope and Kast Indies—B. la- ciniosa, India. B. alba, B. dioica, Europe. Perhaps also B. Gar- cini and leiosperma, but of these I have no male flowers by me to examine. [B. Garcini. Stamens tri-adelphous, 1-celled; cells linear, marginal, not sigmoid, anticous ; style one; stigma di- lated, peltate; ovary few-seeded; pepo inverse, reniform, 2- seeded. This is probably a new genus ; but if not, seems to be- long to Pilogyne rather than any other here. It cannot pos- sibly belong to Bryonia.] In the European plants, the type of the genus, there are two ovules Natural Order Cucurbitacez. 269 in each of the three cells of the ovary: nearly all Blume’s spe- cies belong to other genera. 17. Crrruiyus (Schrad.). Corolla persistent, 5-parted, subrotate ; anthers tri-adelphous, bilocular; style trifid; stigma obcordate, convex; fruit a fleshy or dry and fibrous, many-seeded pepo- nida. Africa, Hast Indies—Cucurbita Citrullus and Cucumis co- locynthis. 18. Ecsariam (Rich.). Corolla 5-cleft; anthers tri-adelphous ; ovules in 2 rows in each cell; stigmas 3, 2-horned; fruit an elastically and irregularly bursting peponida. Hurope-—Momor- dica Elaterium. 19. Momornpica (Linn.). Petals 5, adnate to the base of the calyx, deciduous ; anthers all cohering; ovules in a single row* in each cell ; stigma 2-lobed ; fruit a capsular, elastically bursting, 3-valved peponida. Hast Indies, South Africa and America. To this genus seem to belong Muricia, Loureiro, and Neurosper- mum, Raf. 20. Lurra (Cay.). Petals 5, inserted in the base of the calyx, de- ciduous ; anthers all distinct or di-tri-adelphous; style 3-fid ; stigma reniform or bipartite ; fruit a peponida, at length dry and internally fibrous, usually opening by a terminal lid, rarely in- dehiscent. Hast Indies and Arabia. ‘There are three sections of this genus. lst. Stamens distinct, Luffa pentandra, acutangula, and Kleinii. 2nd. Stamens 3-adelphous. LL. amara, Roxb., and nearly all the species of Turia, Forsk. 3rd. Stamens di-adelphous—L. tuberosa, Roxb. 21. Brenrycassa (Sav.). Corolla (yellow) 5-parted, patent ; anthers 3-adelphous ; style undivided, very short; stigma large, thick, irregularly lobed and plaited; peponida fleshy, indehiscent. Asia. 22. Lacenaria (Ser.). Corolla (white) 5-petaled; anthers 3-adel- phous ; style almost none; stigmas 3, thick and 2-lobed ; pepo- nida fleshy and indehiscent. India, South Africa. § 8. Filaments 3-adelphous, inserted on the tube of the corolla ; connectiva entire; anthers 3- or mon-adelphous, posticous, linear, bent upwards and downwards ; calyx long, tubular. 23. Tricnosantues (Linn.). Segments of the corolla lacerated and fringed; anthers 3-adelphous? or all united; style trifid; stigmas oblong, subulate ; fruit a peponida, many-seeded. Last Indies. [In all the species I have had arf opportunity of carefully examining, the anthers are mon-adelphous or united. The style is not trifid, nor pro- * This, though practically correct, is not theoretically so, the carpellary structure being the same here as in others ; each margin has its placenta and ovules: and though at any one section only one row appears, we do not find the ovules always attached to the same line of placenta on slicing the ovary successively from end to end, but sometimes on the one, sometimes on the other side of the cell; such, at least, I find it in Momordica Charantia, 27 I 0 Dr. R. Wight on the Fruit of the perly speaking the stigmas subulate, as they cohere nearly to the apex by their central face, though the stigmatic surface extends for some di- stance outwardly, and presents a somewhat subulate outline. ] reunite Jnvolucrarea to this as a mere section depending on the bracteas, the character taken from the anther not holding good, at least T. cucumerina has frequently the anthers all united, and I suspect also T. anguina; perhaps they only become tri-adel- phous after fecundating. [In 7. anguina they are never tri-adelphous, the anthers cohere to the last as represented in the accompanying figure. This last species, with T. globosa and trifoliata, Blume, and Jnvolucrarea, Serange (7. Wal- lichana), form avery characteristic section, perhaps a subgenus, distin- guished by their curiously bracteated male flowers.-—R. W.] . Gymnoretatvo (Arn.). Calyx constricted at the mouth; co- — BS 25. 26. 27. 28. Pte rolla (yellow) 5-parted; segments quite entire; anthers all closely cohering; fruit baccate, ovate, beaked, few-seeded ; seeds large, roundish, with a blunt margin. Hast Indies. There are two species :— . G. Ceylanicum (Arn.). Leaves deeply 5-lobed; perianth gla- brous. Bryonia tubiflora. W. and A. G. Wightii (Arn.). Leaves 3—5, angle-lobed ; perianth hairy. Courtallum. § 9. Filaments usually tri-adelphous, inserted at the base of the perianth ; connectiva entire, unless when produced into append- ages beyond the anthers ; anthers linear, posticous, bent up- wards and downwards (calyx campanulate or rarely infundibu- liform). Cucumis (Linn.). Corolla 5-parted ; anthers tri-adelphous, or all of them slightly cohering, with appendages at the apex ! Peponida fleshy, indehiscent, or rarely irregularly dehiscent, po- lyspermous; seeds ovate, compressed, sharp-edged. Asia, Africa and America. Cucurszira (Linn.). Corolla campanulate, 5-cleft; filaments tri-adelphous at the base, or quite mon-adelphous ; anthers all cohering, without appendages ; peponida fleshy, indehiscent, polyspermous ; seed with a slightly thickened edge. Asta and America. Exarerium (Linn.). Petals scarcely united at the base ; fila- ments mon-adelphous ; anthers all cohering ; style thick ; stigma capitate ; fruit a coriaceous, 1-celled, few-seeded capsule, burst- ing elastically by two or three valves. America. ScuizocarpPeum (Schlch.). Corolla infundibuliform, quite en- tire ; filaments 3-adelphous ; anthers all cohering; peponida many-seeded, bursting by several valves that cohere by their apex. Mezico. Coccrnia (W. and A.). Corolla campanulate ; segments acu- minated ; filaments mon-adelphous; anthers tri-adelphous, comni- ving, without appendages; peponida somewhat baccate, many- seeded. [Usually of an oblong oval shape, and bright red when ripe.] Hast Indies. Natural Order Cucurbitacee. 271 § 10. Filaments mon-adelphous, connate into a column, which is ca- pitate at the apex, and then bearing the gyrose posticous anthers. 30. CepHatanpra (Schrad.). South Africa. EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES. Fig. 1. A tricarpellary 1-celled ovary; that is, the placentiferous margins of the carpellary leaves meeting in the circumference, and bearing their ovules on the walls or parietes of the cell. a. Supposed position of the midrib. b. Placentz parietal. Fig. 2. A tricarpellary 3-celled ovary, the laminz of the carpellary leaves folded inwards until they meet in the axis, and there produce ovules. a. Supposed position of midribs. b. Placentz axillary. Fig. 3. An imaginary section of a pepo explanatory of Dr. Arnott’s theory of its construction ; copied, but with some modification, to render it more explanatory, from his figure in the Encycl. Brit. a. Supposed position of the midrib. b. The placentiferous margins represented introflexed, reaching nearly to the dorsal suture, dividing the carpel into two cells. Fig. 4. Section of the: ovary of Coccinia indica; the calyx divided in the line of the partitions of the carpella, by which they are permitted to fall apart. Fig. 5. Section of the same; the parts in situ. Obs.—The original is also a¢companied by dissections of Mo- mordica Charantiu, Trichosanthes anguina, Cucurbita maxima, Coccinia indica, Lagenaria vulgaris, and Mukia scabrella, prepared with the view of showing that sections 7 and 9 are not distinguishable by the characters assigned, the anthers being lobed or entire ; and that, by taking our characters rather from the form of the anthers than the insertion of the filaments, Trichosanthes and Cucurbita might be ad- vantageously placed in the same section, leaving the character taken from insertion available as a generic distinction between them. 272 Mr. Westwood on new Insects. XXXV.—IJnsectorum novorum Centuria, auctore J. O. Wesrwoop, F.L.S., &c. Decadis tertia, ex ordine Dermapterorum, DeG., Synopsis. Familia Manrip#. Vates (Burm. = Theoclytes, Serv.) Ashmolianus, W. Fuscus, ca- pitis vertice rotundato, antennis gracillimis, prothorace longis- simo angusto, lateribus serrulatis; hemelytris et alis abdomen haud tegentibus, cercis analibus latis foliatis, pedibus 4 posticis brevibus, femoribus ad apicem 3-foliatis tibiisque ante medium supra partm foliatis. Long. corp. unc. 44; (prothor. unc. 12.) Habitat ? In Mus. Ashmol. Oxon. Toxopera (Serv.) tenuipes, W. Fusca, tegminibus brunneis posticé pallidis, alis infumatis, nigro fasciatis cyaneo-iridescentibus, coxis anticis longis anticé lobatis et spinosis, femoribus anticis basi vix crassioribus, femoribus 4 posticis longis apice subtus foliolis duobus minutis instructis, supra inermibus, cercis anali- bus latis foliatis, ut videtur 6-articulatis. Long. corp. unc. 5. Expans. tegmin. unc. 44. Habitat in Senegallia. Mus. Hope. Familia Locustipz&. Mastax vitrea, W. Fusca, facie fulvescente abdomine medio palli- diori, pedibus fuscis, femoribus posticis pallidius fasciatis, tegmi- nibus et alis hyalinis partm infumatis. Long. corp. unc. 1. Expans. tegmin. unc. 13. Habitat in msula Java. Mus. Hope. Masrax apicalis,W. Lutea, capite supra, thoracis et abdominis dorso nigricantibus, hoc fascia pone medium apiceque extremo luteis, pedibus luteis nigro-maculatis, tegminibus et alis hyalinis, ad apicem tenuiter fusco-coloratis. Long. corp. unc. #3. Expans. tegmin. unc. 1#. Habitat in insula Sumatra, D. Raffles. Mus. Soc. Zool. Lond. Mastax guttata, W. Nigricans, subtts paulld pallidior, facie ge- nisque luteis vertice angulato; abdomine ¢ ad apicem valde clavato, femoribus posticis fulvo oblique bifasciatis, tegminibus fuscis, nitidis, guttis duabus versus apicem hyalinis, postica majori et ad marginem posticum extensa ; alis hyalinis margine postico fusco. Long. corp. lin. 7. Expans. tegmin. lin. 144. Habitat in Sumatra, D. Raffles. Mus. Soc. Zool. Lond. ; et in ins. Philipp., D. Cuming. Mus. Britann. Obs. Genus Mastaz, antennarum articulis paucis capiteque elevato Proscopiam approximat. Orsomata gladiator, W. Luteo-fusca, virescenti partum tincta, ca- pite antice in rostrum (prothorace feré duplo longius) producto, antennis gracilibus, rostro brevioribus, prothorace carina mediana fere obliterata, tegminibus pallidé fuscis, angustis, alis hyalinis vix incoloratis, abdomine longissimo, pedibus 4 anticis brevissi- mis, posticis vix abdomine longioribus. Long. corp. unc. 34. Mr. W. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 273 Long. capitis ante oculos, unc. 3. Expans. tegmin. unc. 33. Habitat in Sierra Leone. Mus. Hope. Terrix laticeps, W. Fusca, capite lato, oculis valde prominentibus, facie carina elevata, antennis longioribus 10-articulatis, nigris, articulo ultimo albo, prothorace abdomine multo longiori apice gracili parim recurvo, dorso (supra thoracem) in folium mem- branaceum elevato, lateribus inter pedes 4 anticos in spinam utrinque productis, pedibus posticis scabris, supra dentatis tarsis articulo basali et basi articuli ultimi albis. Long. ad apicem pro- thoracis, lin. 7. Habitat in Brasilia. Mus. Westwood. Terrix ensifer, W. Fusco-ferruginosa opaca, prothorace supra ca- put in rostrum compressum (dimidii abdominis longitudine) por- rectum apice subbifido ; dorso longitudinaliter carimato, parte postica abdomine longiore, supra abdomen oblique carinato, apice acuto, femoribus posticis supra tuberculatis. Long. ad apicem prothoracis, lin. 9. Habitat in insulis Philippinensibus, D. Cu- ming. Mus. Britann. Variat rostro prothoracico subtis in spinam, faciem impendentem, producto, dorsoque supra abdo- men impressionibus varilis ovalibus, magnitudine decrescentibus. Long. lin. 10. Terrix dimidiata, W. Fusco-ferruginosa opaca, prothorace sub- compresso, dorso feré recto acuto, supra caput partim porrecto, apice antico deflexo, apice postico dimidium abdominis haud su- perante, subtruncato, femoribus posticis supra vix tuberculatis. Long. ad apicem abdominis, lin. 9. Habitat cum precedente, D. Cuming. Mus. Britann. Tetrix areolata, W. Fusco-arenosa rugosa opaca, setis brevibus fuscis induta, prothorace supra caput cucullato, margine antico biemarginato, dorso acute carinato carina subsinuata, parte pos- tica (supra abdomen in areas angulatas, lineis elevatis divisa ; lateribus supra basin pedum posticorum puncto pallido margi- nali) ad apicem abdominis extensa, extremo apice subbifido, fe- moribus tuberculatis. Long. ad apicem prothoracis, lin. 8. Habitat cum precedente, D. Cuming. Mus. Britann. Obs. Figures and detailed descriptions of the insects described in this Century are already prepared, and will be published hereafter. XXXVI.—The Birds of Ireland (Family Fringillidz), By Wma. Tuompson, Esq., Vice-Pres. Nat. Hist. Society of Belfast. [Continued from vol. i. p. 195.*] Tue SKYLARK, Alauda arvensis, Linn., Is common throughout Ireland. Judging from works in which this bird is treated of, its song, recommenced in the * Bonemran Wax-wina. An example of this bird killed in Ireland, is here erroneously stated to be in the collection of Dr. R. Graves, of Dublin. Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Vol. viii. fh 274 Mr. W. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. autumn, would seem to be continued further into the winter in this island than elsewhere, a result attributable to the hu- midity and mildness of the climate. Its song may be heard as frequently in fine bright days during the month of October, and in the bird’s most elevated haunts in the mountain pas- tures about Belfast, as at any other season. One note may be given on this subject : under the date of November 7, 1835, the following appears in my journal—I never heard more sky- larks singing at any period of the year than in the early part of this day in the high pastures bounded by the heath in the Belfast mountains. The day was very fine and bright; the ground very wet from continued rain throughout the days and nights of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, early part of the 5th, and oc- casionally since, up to this morning. The skylark is gene- rally noticed by authors as singing merely upon the wing, but it not very unfrequently does so when upon the ground, and an intelligent observer mentions that he has often seen it perched on whins when pouring forth its song. Montagu remarks, that this bird is “rarely seen on the extended moors at a distance from arable land,” and later British authors re- peat the observation. This may be of general application to England, but in Ireland the wild mountain pasture is a fa- vourite abode, and there, as mentioned in the following note, the “most sweet voice” of the skylark may occasionally be heard at a rather late hour mingling with the bleating of the snipe:—June 22, 1840. When at half-past seven o’clock this evening on the highest part of the old road from Belfast to Crumlin (perhaps 850 feet above the sea), larks were bu- sily engaged in singing on every side at the same time that snipes (Scolopax Gallinago) were bleating and giving utter- ance to their other calls. The mingling of their notes, which are so very dissimilar, had a singular but very pleasing effect. In hard winters our indigenous larks congregate in large flocks, which remain with us unless the weather become ex- traordinarily severe, when they move more or less southwards: even when the winter is mild in the north of Ireland, these birds, generally in small or moderate flocks, migrate hither from Scotland, and have repeatedly been seen crossing the Channel by my friend Capt. Fayrer, R.N., during the several years that he commanded the government mail-packet which plies between Portpatrick and Donaghadee. Although the autumn of the year 1832 had been very fine and mild, so early as the 17th of October [ saw a very large flock of larks, which had doubtless migrated to this country. In the winter of 1837-38, larks remained in flocks to a late period—on the 24th of March I remarked not less than sixty congregated. Mr. W. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 275 An observant friend has on different occasions known several circular holes to be made by pairs of these birds, before fixing upon one for their nest. The skylark occasionally exhibits variety in its plumage, though less frequently than some others of our small birds. The collection of my friend Wm. Sinclaire, Esq., of Milltown, near Belfast, contains one of a black colour, which was shot in a wild state among a flock, and a white one is reported to me by a correspondent as in his possession. The stomachs of several larks which I exa- mined, especially in winter, contained seeds and the remains of other vegetable matter, with an occasional insect-larva: they all exhibited fragments of stone. As a sporting friend was shooting upon his moors in Ayr- shire in the month of October, a lark pursued by a merlin (Falco Aisalon) came from the distance of about a hundred yards directly towards him and his servant, and alighted near their feet, apparently for safety—when it reached the ground, it is represented to have been so exhausted as to be unable to close its wings. A lark which had its liberty within the green-house of a relative, lived eight years there, and was eventually lost to him, by effecting its escape. Nowhere perhaps is the skylark more sought for as a cage-bird than in Ireland, and the song given forth “ right merrilie” from the little patch of green-sward within its pri- son seems to imply that the bird bears confinement well. Nevertheless, it is always with regret that we see the lark, whose nature is to pierce the clouds when singing, so circum- scribed, and we cannot but wish for its own sake that it had the freedom of “ fresh fields and pastures new;” yet we do not, like a class of persons in the world, think only of the skylark. To the poor artisan in the town this bird is of great service in enlivening him with its song, associated with which in his mind are doubtless scenes in the country, the love of which is instinctive to the human breast. The lark too is generally treated with affectionate care, and the first walk of its master in the very early morning before the day’s task begins, has for its object the providing of a “ fresh sod ” for his pet bird*. * The following anecdote, communicated by my venerable friend Dr. M‘Donnell of Belfast, shows the high value once put upon a skylark :— “A rather poor chandler in Belfast, called Huggart, had a lark remarkable for its song. Mr. Hull, a dancing-master and great bird-fancier, going into his shop one day, said, he came fo purchase his bird. ‘Indeed,’ replied the other, ‘1 donot think, Mr. Hull, you are likely to get home that bird, which delights all my neighbours as well as myself.’ ‘ Well, I think lam,’ was the reply : ‘here are five guineas for it.’ The sum was instantly refused, when ten guineas were offered, but also rejected. He was then ‘told, ‘It is now T?2 276 Mr. W. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. Late in April in the present year I saw the skylark about Navarino, and at the end of the following month observed it near Smyrna. Toe Wooptark, Alauda arborea, Linn., Is one of those unobtrusive species which is little known except to the lover of nature, and by him perhaps valued the more on that account. Jn flocks it is not at all to be met with, like the skylark. It is so very choice in the place of its abode as to be quite a local species, and in the counties of Down and Antrim frequents districts where the soil is warm, the country well cultivated and wooded, or scenery, which, like its song, is of a sweet, soft character;—cold clay districts, though equally improved and sheltered, cannot, so far as known to me, claim it for a tenant. In its favourite localities here, the Woodlark may be heard singing almost daily, and chiefly in the morning from September to June. This species is enumerated as one of the birds of Dublin in Rutty’s Natural History of that county, and has a similar place in Smith’s ‘ History of Cork.’ In the latter county, Mr. R. Ball informs me that it is not unfrequent, and being much prized for its song, is greatly sought after by bird-catchers. A friend living near Belfast kept woodlarks for a year or more in his aviary in company with other birds, but they never sang. Tue Snow-Buntine, Emberiza nivalis, Linn. (genus Plec- trophanes, Meyer.), Is a regular autumnal migrant to the more northern parts of Ireland. Towards the south it becomes gradually scarcer, and in the extreme portions of that quarter, although the highest mountains in the island are situated there, it can only be called a rare and occasional visitant*. Its numbers are stated similarly to decrease from the north to the south of England. The island of Achil should perhaps, from its far western position, be particularized as being regularly visited by this bird—a fact communicated by my friend W. R. Wilde, the fair-day, and the market full of cattle: go and purchase the best cow there, and I shall pay for her:’ but Huggart still declined, and kept his lark.” * In a catalogue of the birds of the south favoured me by Dr. Harvey of Cork, the snow-bunting is noticed merely as having been met with at Duns- combe Wood, near that city. Dr. Burkitt, of Waterford, in a list of the na- tive birds known to him obligingly sent to me since this paper went to press, notices it only as shot in the neighbourhood of that city in January 1832. To Mr. T. F. Neligan of Tralee, it was unknown as a bird of that quarter in 1887, but Mr. Wm. Andrews of Dublin informs me that specimens were obtained near Dingle during the last winter, 1840-41. Mr. W. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. Pare | Ksq. Early in the month of October, snow-buntings make their appearance in the north of Ireland, and occasionally re- main until the end of March. Their haunts in mild weather are chiefly the mountain-tops, whence one night’s severe frost has been known to drive them to the nearest roads for food. Occasionally in the lower grounds and even on the sea-shore they may be met with when there is neither frost nor snow: to the last they are obliged to resort when the weather sets in very severe. During the great snow-storm of March 1827, flocks appeared in the outskirts of the town of Belfast; and such numbers were killed on the sea-shore in its vicinity, that they were purchased by Mr. Sinclaire as the cheapest food he could procure for his trained peregrine falcons. AlI- though of regular passage to the Belfast range of mountains, snow-buntings are much more numerous in other and less frequented mountainous districts in the county of Antrim, as about Newtown-Crommelin and Clough. At the former of these places, where the Rev. G. M. Black was several years resident, he always observed them during the winter in very large flocks, and in which not more than one in twenty were adult individuals. From the other locality, examples have been brought to me by Mr. James Garret, who also supplied the following note under date of January 4, 1834:—“ When shooting today about two miles from Clough, I met with an immense flock of snow-buntings, out of which I killed thirty at one discharge as they flew past me. Their call resembled the chirping of the grey-linnet, and the number of wings made a considerable noise, as the flock consisting of several hundreds swept by: some were nearly white, and others of a dark brown colour.” In any of the flocks which have come under my own observation, the adult males bore only a small proportion to the females and immature birds, but, except in very small flocks, were always present throughout the win- ter*. This speties, under the name of Cherry-chirper!, is mentioned in Rutty’s ‘Natural History of Dublin’ as “ found on our strand in December 1747 and kept in a cage until December 1748, and fed with oats, hemp-seed and cuttlings.” —Vol. i. p. 317. Wilson, Audubon, and Dr. Richardson give most interest- ing notes upon this bird from their personal observation in North America, and the last author had the gratification of meeting with it in its breeding-haunt in that continent. Mr. * In some of the latest works on British ornithology, the adult birds are stated to appear in Great Britain only late in the winter, or when the wea- ther is very severe. On the 23rd of October I once received a fine adult male bird, which was shot on the Belfast mountains. 278 Mr. W. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. Selby too gratifies us with the result of his observations on the species in the north of England. The snow-bunting is truly a most attractive bird, not only from its pleasing form and finely-varied plumage, but as one of the very few species met with in the depth of winter on the mountain-top, where, as it flits overhead uttering its pleasingly wild chirp, it brings be- fore the mind the far-distant region within the arctic circle, whence it may have come. In ascending in the month of July above the perpetual snow- line in the Alps of Switzerland, to the height of 11,000 feet, the greatest elevation I have reached, the snow-finch (Fringilla niwalis), a bird which at a little distance, in size, marking, and note, reminded me of the snow-bunting, was almost ever-pre- sent; and its little voice, with occasionally that of the Alpine Accentor (Aecentor alpinus), seemed, im one sense, strangely out of unison with the stern grandeur of the scenery, where rarely any other sound broke upon the ear than the rent of the glacier or the distant fall of the avalanche. Tue Common Buntinea, Emberiza Miliaria, Linn., Is found throughout the island, and is permanently resi- dent. On reading the opinion expressed by Sir Wm. Jardine some years ago (in his edition of White’s ‘ Selborne’), that there is a migration of buntings to Great Britain in winter, I thought it might be likewise applicable to Ireland; but on subsequent consideration, did not see good reason to believe that there is any increase to the numbers of these birds bred in the country. The change from the summer to the winter haunts of the bunting might lead to such a supposition, as about the time that our winter birds of passage are arriving, flocks of buntings make their appearance in localities—often hedges along road-sides—which frequenting through the winter, they “leave on the genial approach of spring: so late as the end of March they occasionally remain congregated. Their song may be heard in the north throughout the greater part of the year, including occasionally the months of November and December. My observation is quite in accordance with that of White, who in his ‘ History of Selborne’ remarks of the bunting, that —“in our woodland enclosed districts it is a rare bird.” It is rather an inhabitant of simply arable than of the rich and wooded parts of the country, and where some little portion of wildness still exists, such as is implied in the common name it bears in the north of Ireland of Briar-Bunting. The ditch- bank run wild with “briars ” or brambles has more charms for this bird than the “neat trim-hedge,” and within the shelter Mr. W. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 279 of such humble underwood it nestles. In severe frost and snow, buntings not only betake themselves to the roads for subsistence, but at such times may be seen in the less-fre- quented streets and stable-yards of the town of Belfast. The plumage of this species is very liable to be varied with white or cream-colour, and when with the latter, some examples which I have seen were of a very rich and handsome appear- ance. On opening some of these birds killed in winter, I have generally found them filled with grain ;—the species is sometimes called the Corn-Bunting. Tue REED oR BLACK-HEADED BuntTineG, Emberiza Sche- niculus, Linn., Is a resident species distributed over the island, which from the prevailing humidity is peculiarly well suited to it. The reed-bunting ‘is one of those birds which is nowhere numerous, and owing to the places of its abode—among the shrubby underwood and herbage in moist places and at the edge of waters—is not very commonly or popularly known. It is particularly interesting from being an inhabitant of lo- calities in which comparatively few other birds are to be seen :—it has often been highly pleasing to me to observe a few of these birds gathering in to roost for the night upon the exposed roots of alders or willows that overhung the gently-flowing stream, and in a vicinity unsuitable to any of their congeners. Like them, however, reed-buntings will betake themselves during the snow-storm to the public roads for food. In different parts of Ireland, the reed-bunting still has the undue reputation of being a sweet songster of the night, and is believed to be the veritable “Irish Nightingale,” a name bestowed on the mysterious bird, be that what it may, which sings through the summer night, but which, in strict justice, may be claimed by the sedge-warbler. Montagu, with his usual acuteness, long since accounted for this error, and in the following words :—* It is somewhat extraordinary that the manners and habits of, so common a bird should re- main so long in obscurity ; even modern authors tell us it is a song-bird, that it sings after sunset ; and describe its nest to be suspended over the water, fastened between three or four reeds. There can be no doubt, however, that the nest as well as the song of the sedge-warbler have been taken and confounded for those of this bird; for, as they both fre- quent the same places in the breeding-season, that elegant little warbler is pouring forth its varied notes concealed in the thickest part of a bush; while this is conspicuously 280 Mr. W. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. perched above, whose tune is not deserving the name of song; consisting only of two notes, the first repeated three or four times, the last single and more sharp*.” Reed-Spar- row and Black-cap are the names commonly bestowed on this bird in the north of Ireland. YELLOW Buntine, Emberiza Citrinella, Linn. This handsome bird, differing from the last-noticed species in being a constant resident about the farm and the precincts of the rural dwelling, is very well known in Ireland, over which it is diffused in suitable localities. Its monotonous, and to my ear, mournful song, is heard in mild weather throughout much the greater part of the year. The nest, from being placed in an open hedge or rather bare grassy ditch-bank, is often easily discovered ; but a person who from practical observation is well versed in the sites chosen by birds for their nests, remarks, that he has more frequently found that of the yellow bunting in whins than elsewhere. In a friend’s garden near Belfast, a pair of these birds built their nest at the edge of a gravel-walk, and brought out four young, three of which were soon destroyed. In consequence of this, the nest containing the fourth was for greater safety placed in a bank a few feet distant, and the single young one was so well provided by its parents with food as quickly to grow to an extraordinary size.