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TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. VOLUME XXVI. INCLUDING SESSIONS LXXVI.—LXXIX. (1911-1915). WITH NUMEROUS JLLUSTRATIM INSLIBRARY NEW York BOTANICAL GARDEN EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY, LR CONTENTS OF VOL. XXVI. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. Some Modern Aspects of Applied Botany. By A. W. Borthwick, D.Sc. Remarks on Some Aquatic Forms and Aquatic Spenies of the British Flora. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. Alien Plants. By James Fraser Carex helvola, Blytt. By Arthur Bennett, * L. S. : : Ecological Terminology as applied to Marine Algae. By N. Miller Johnson, B.Sc., F.L.S. : : ‘ : Anthelia: an Arctic-Alpine Plant eniakas By W. G. Smith, B.Se., Ph.D. : ; ; : , - Mosses from the Western Gichlands: ‘By James Stirton, M.D., F.L.S. Scottish Forms of Sparganium. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. New or Imperfectly Described Species of Acacia from Western Australia. By Alex. Morrison Note on Victoria regia, Lindl. By Professor Giov anni Aecangelt Recent Additions to the Caithness Flora. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. Morphological Notes. I. The Inflorescences of the Ambrosiaceae. By K. von Goebel, Se.D., LL.D. (Plate I.) ; Notes on Some Mosses from the Three Lothians. By James M‘Andrew . ; : : : : : : F : Saxifraga Hirculus, L., in Caithness, and its Distribution in the British Isles. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. : A New Species of Pyrenochaeta. By Malcolm Wilson, D. Se »F.LS. Agathosma trichocarpa, n.sp. By E. M. Holmes, F.L.S. (Plate II.) A New Japanese Gratelowpia. By E. M. Holmes, F.L.S. (Plate IIT.) Kenfig Burrows : An Ecological Study. By M. Y. Orr Note on Argania Sideroxylon, Roem. et Schult., the eee Tree of Moroceo. By Symington Grieve : : : The Scottish Alpine Botanical Club Excursion, jou. By Alexander Cowan SHort Notes :— Barbula gracilis, Schwaeg., new to Scotland. By Margaret Corstorphine : : P : ; ‘ 3 Centunculus minimus, L., in Wigtownshire. By James Fraser . New Records for Scottish Vice-counties. By James M‘Andrew . Potamogeton praelongus, Wulf., in Orkney. By Arthur Bennett . Juncus alpinus, Vill., in Kirkcudbright. By Arthur Bennett PAGE 1 21 28 30 32 91 95 95 95 96 96 vi CONTENTS PAGE Ssaorr Norss: Philonotis rigida, Brid. By R. H. Meldrum ‘ . 96 Cornus suecica, Linn., in Peeblesshire. By G. G. Binskwond F 97 Zostera nana, Roth., in Haddingtonshire. By William Evans . 97 Petasites albus, Gaertn., in Fife. By N. Miller Johnson —. , 98 Cornus suecica, Linn. ‘By William Evans : ‘ : 98 Saaifraga aizoides, L., in Orkney. By Arthur Bennett : : 98 Utricularia vulgaris, L., in Caithness. By Arthur Bennett : 99 Cnicus oleraceus, Linn., in Perthshire, and Juncus tenuis, Linn., in Glen Ogle. By W. Barclay z : 4 : : : 99 Survey of the Vegetation of the Parish of Shotts, Lanarkshire. By George Brown, M.A. (Plate IV.) : 101 Mtwo New Himalayan Primulas from the Chumbi Ganley: By W. w. Smith, M.A, : : ; : . : ns A Contribution to the Flora of Avian: By William G. Prawie : «> 20 The Invasion of Vegetation into Disforested Land. By N. Miller Johnson, B.Sc., F.L.S. ; : : : < oe 29 A Revision of the Genus Cochlearia in Gee, I. Cochlearia danica, Linn. By M‘Taggart Cowan. : : 2 ‘ t iS SG Utricularia ochroleuca, Hartman, and U. intermedia, Hayne, as Scottish Species. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. . ‘ : + RAO Excursion of Scottish Alpine Botanical Club, 1912. By Alexander Cowan : : : 5 AP tal : : : . 144 Notes on Scottish Biante. By G. Claridge Druce, M.A., F.L.S. . eG Note on Araucaria Bidwillii, Hook. By Professor Giovanni Arcangeli 151 A New Pleurospermum. By W. G. Craib, M.A., and W. W. Smith, Mes. : 4 , : : : : 3 + Dbe William Gardiner, Antties of « ‘The Flora of Forfarshire ” (1848). By Alexander P. Stevenson. . : “ . = bb A New and Peculiar Astragalus from ae ‘Tibetan Frontier. By W. W. Smith, M.A. . : : : : : - V8 On the Leaves of some Species of Bante, By R. C. Davie, M.A., Tey SIEB) : : : : : : : : : ‘ . ahig Stratiotes Aloides, Linn., near Crieff. By R. C. Davie, M.A., B.Sc. (Plate V.) . : : ; : 4 = 80 Lychnis Preslii, Sekera, on other Tiathiect Plante By James Fraser 183 A New Lichen. Communicated by James M‘Andrew : ; . 184 Seedling of Thysanotus. By Professor Bayley Balfour, F.R.S. (Plate VI.) : : : : ; . Ss Embryo of lo eradiann s racemosu, coe By Professor Bayley Balfour, ¥.R.S. (Plate Vis.) . : : : : : ~) 86 Primulas of the Bullate Section. By Professor Bayley Balfour, F.R.S. (Plates VII.—XIL.) : : : . 188 Additions to the Flora of Orkney, as recorded in Watson? s “ Topo- graphical Botany,’ second edition. By Colonel H. H. Johnston, C. B.D; 8c.) 1 R.8.b., Hee... : : s a eA Notes on Some Rare or Interesting Orkney Flaite. "By Colonel H. H. Johnston, C.B., D.Sc., F.R.S.E., F.L.S. : A ; ae ‘3 CONTENTS vil The Pharmacopeeia of the Botanical Physician Eighty Years Ago. saith By the Hon. William Renwick Riddell, B.Sc., etc. —. : sy ORR Notes on Some Scottish Plants. By James Fraser . . : = PRE Photomicrography as Applied to Timber Study. By W. S. Jones, M.A., M.Sc. (Plate XIII.) : : : : : : Se oob Additional Mosses from West Ross-shire. By James Stirton, M.D. . 241 The Ecology of Knockdow Estate, Argyllshire. By Miss Augusta Lamont. (Map and Plates XV., XVI.) . : 2 - . 248 Note on Rhododendron cyanocarpum, Franch. By W. W. Smith, M.A. ery’ ig An Himalayan Vatiety of Phurbagela micr raheha, Spach: By w. W. Smith, M.A. : : : ; : . : eo 2T A Tuberous Senecio from China. By W. w. Smith, M.A. ‘ - 279 Pilularia globulifera, Linn., in Glamorgan, By M. Y. Orr. (Plate XVII.) : : : = : . : : : : - 281 Two New Leguminosae. By Dr. A. K. Schindler. : : 4 ZA The Scottish Alpine Botanical Club Excursion, 1913. By Alexander Cowan : : s ; : : ; . 287 Variations in the eae tistics By Miss Rosalind Crosse, B.Sc. (Plates XVIII., XIX.) ; : : : . 289 Note on Phyllody and Diatropism in the Eaves By Miss Flora M. Scott, M.A., B.Sc. (Plate XX.) . : : : : . 296 Primula obconica and its Microforms. By Professor Bayley Balfour, Bb. (Fiates WAL —GVE) 2 1 oe wk a OL The Flora of the Culbin Sands. By Donald Patton, M.A., B.Sc., and Edward J. A. Stewart, M.A., B.Sc. (Six maps, two figures, and Plate LVI.) ; : ; 345 William Arthur, M.D., Botanist to the King in letlotlond, 1715-1716. By Professor Bay ley Balfour, F.R.S : ‘ : : . 9375 Notes on Some Scottish Plants. By Daines Fraser. : 404 Note on the Occurrence in Scotland of Wegastigmus pini, Parf., in is Seed of Abies nobilis, Lindl. By James Fraser, B.Sc. ; . 405 Juncus tenuis, Willd.: its Distribution in the British Isles. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. ees ‘ ; <4 408 The, Pharmacopeeia of the Botanical Physi sician Tater: By the Hon. William Renwick Riddell, B.Sc., B.A. 4 : : : eae ATT Hydrilla verticillata, Caspary, in Great Britain. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. : 3 : : : ‘ : . 422 Additional Mosses from Danian "West Ross-shire, By James Stirton, M.D. . ; : . 423 The Scottish Alpine Botanical Club Teausaions 1914. By Alexander Cowan : 429 A New Method of Gaeta Ratouusiie Rauisieation of i ener tion, By R. A. Robertson, M.A,, B.Sc., and Miss 8. J. Wilkie, B.Sc. (Plate LVIII.) E ; : ; : : - 1432 APPENDIX : J s : 4 : : - ‘ “2435 INDEX ; : ; é g . a d 3 : . 444 “Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin.,” vol. xxix., part ii., py 4IS (1925): X In “Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin.,” vol. xxvi, p. 214 (1914), in lines 5 and 6 from top of page, for “E. curtaA, IVettst., var. GLABRESCENS, Wettst. (fide E. S. Marshall)” vead E. BRevipILa, Burnat et Gremlt (fide Dennis Lumb). The following corrections in the names of some of my Orkney specimens of EUpHRASIA are made on account of my having accepted the determinations of Mr. Dennis Lumb in preference to those of the late Mr. Cedric Bucknall and the late Reverend Edward Shearburn Marshall :-— X In “Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin.,” vol. xxvi, p. 214 (1914), in line 2 from bottom of page, for ‘““EUPHRASIA CURTA, Wettst. (fide E. S. Marshall)” zead EUPHRASIA BOREALIS, Zowmnsend (fide Dennis Lumb). In “Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin.,” vol. xxvi, p. 215 (1914), lines 6-17 from top of page, delete from ‘““EUPHRASIA CURTA, Weftst., var. GLABRESCENS, Wettst.,” to the end of the paragraph “ August IgOl, p. 270;” and redistribute the stations among the following species :— EUPHRASIA BREVIPILA, Burnat et Gremili (fide Dennis Lumb). —Grassy banks at burnside, 270 feet above sea-level, Burn of Selta, Stromness, Mainland, 23rd August 1912, H. H. Johnston, native; and heathery and grassy pasture at top of cliffs at the seashore, 130 feet above sea-level, Brims, Waas, Hoy, 4th August 1912, H. H. Johnston, native. EupuHrasia scottica, Weftst. (fide Dennis Lumb).—Marsh, 300 feet above sea-level, Dale of Oback, Orphir, Mainland, gth July 1913, H. H. Johnston, native. EUPHRASIA C#RULEA, Tausch. (fide Cedric Bucknall and Dennis Lumb).—Damp pasture on hillside, 300 feet above sea- level, Wart Hill, Hoy, 15th August 1912, H. H. Johnston, native. See “Bot. Exch. Club Distributor’s Report for 1920,” vol. vi., part ii, p. 257 (September 1921); and “Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin.,” vol. xxviii, part 11, pp. 53 and 58 (1921). . = ae hl hn ae TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE OTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH fe VOLUME XXVLI. Part I, SEsston 1911-12, — EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY BY : NEILL & CO., LIMITED. And to be obtained from the SECRETARY OF THE Society, at the Royal Botanie Garden. 1913. CONTENTS. ee Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh PRESIDENTIAL AppREss. Some Modern Aspects of Appi re By A. W. Borthwick, D.Sc. Remarks on Some Aquatic Forms and Aquatic Species of the British Flora. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. Alien Plants. By James Fraser . Carex helvola, Blytt. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. Ecological Terminology as applied to Marine Alge. By N. Miller Johnson, B.Sc., F.L.8. : : ; : ; Anthelia: an Arctic-Alpine Plant Association, By W. G. Smith, B.Se., Ph.D. : : : : , 3 é . : Mosses from the Western Highlands. By James Stirton, M.D., F.L.S. Scottish Forms of Sparganium. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. New or Imperfectly Described Species of Acacia from Western Australia, By Alex. Morrison : P : : Note on Victoria regia, Lindl. By Prof. Giovanni Arcangeli Recent Additions to the Caithness Flora. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. . Morphological Notes. I. The Inflorescences of the Ambrosiacer. By K. von Goebel, Sc.D., LL.D. (Plate I.) : : : Notes on Some Mosses from the Three Lothians. By James M‘Andrew Saxifraga Hireulus, L., in Caithness, and its Distribution in the British Isles. By Arthur Bennett, A.L.S. A New Species of Pyrenocheta. By Malcolm Wilson, D.Sc,, F.L.S. Agathosma trichocarpa, n. sp. By E. M. Holmes, F.L.S. (Plate IL.) A New Japanese Grateloupia. By E. M. Holmes, F.LS, (Plate IIT.) Kenfig Burrows: An Ecological Study, By M. Y. Orr Note on Argania Sideroxylon, Roem, et Schult., the Argan Tree of Morocco. By Symington Grieve . 5 : : : = The Scottish Alpine Botanical Club Excursion, 1911. By Alexander Cowan . : . . . : ‘ : : : PAGE 88 91 (Continued on page iii of cover, TRANSACTIONS OF THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. SESSION LXXVI. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.—SOME MODERN ASPECTS OF (; APPLIED Botany. By A. W. Bortuwick, D.Sc. L ALL progress of nations and increase in population is preceded by the discovery of some new natural resource or by a new use of a previously known one. Science is the working force which leads to increase of knowledge and industrial progress. Industries increase, but natural resources are in danger of exhaustion. The average man demands more and more, and his needs increase with civilisation and industrial progress; hence at the present day he must study, investigate, and learn how to utilise the natural resources with the greatest economy; and as man demands more from Nature, she in turn demands more from man. He must learn how to care for his crops more scientifically, to increase their yield, and also to conserve and improve the soil. In what way can the natural resources be best and most economically utilised ? “? The obvious answer is by studying them in a scientific \{ manner in order that we may learn how to utilise them in “a scientific way. In the realms of science botany stands ut pre-eminently as the science which comes into the most intimate contact with the fundamental problems of life and living things. It is at the same time the science which lends itself most readily to practical application in many economic directions. Plants may be studied in a TRANS. BOT, SOC. EDIN. VOL. XXVI. 2 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Szss. LxXxvI. purely scientific spirit—that is, to increase the sum of human knowledge in the endeavour to satisfy the mind regarding the problems of life and existence. Impelled by his natural curiosity, man is always investigating, always discovering, and always discovering more to be discovered. The study of plants and the operations of the laws of nature is of direct value as a humanising influence upon mankind; but when we can apply the knowledge so gained to some practical, economic purpose, we add not only to the usefulness but also to the dignity of the science. Investigations pursued with a practical or economic object in view have in the past many times incidentally led to the elucidation of problems of interest in pure science, and, on the other hand, discoveries of the greatest technical importance have been made by men engaged in pure science investigation. It is impossible to separate the investigation of pure science from that of applied science, and every day the opinion-is gaining ground that there is nothing derogatory to science in its application to the arts and industries. In pure and applied biological science, and, indeed, in all science, there should be a common meeting-ground between the scientist and the practical man. In forestry, agriculture, and horticulture the practical man comes daily in contact with phenomena of diverse kinds, and in time he comes to know a large number of isolated facts, the meaning of which he is apt to misunderstand or to misinterpret. Had the practical man a little more science, or if the scientific man came more into contact with him, much valuable knowledge would be gained on both sides, and much time and money saved. This fact is clearly recognised by our Society, as the following extract from its general views and objects shows :— “The attention of the Society is turned to the whole range of Botanical Science, together with such parts of other branches of natural history which are immediately connected with it. These objects are cultivated : “By holding meetings for the interchange of botanical information, for the reading of original papers or 1911-12. } BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 3 translations, abstracts or reviews of botanical work, regarding any branch of botanical knowledge, practi- cal, physiological, geographical, and paleontological, and the application of such knowledge to agriculture and the arts.” This is what led me to select as the theme of my address some practical aspects of applied botany. In the whole range of botanical science, possibly cecology, physiology, and pathology are the three most important departments as applicable to the industries and arts. The Society at the present time is strong in cecological experts, and has within the last year or two published several important communications bearing on cecological problems. Regarding the introduction and cultivation of new plants of economic value, we find that this branch of economic botany has not received as much consideration and thought as its importance deserves. No doubt the world has been searched for plants of value in horticulture, and many trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants of great ornamental value have been introduced, but no properly organised and systematic endeavour has been made to introduce and test new species of economic rather than of ornamental importance. Several of our large seed firms and many private individuals have rendered valuable service to the nation by the production of new and im- proved varieties of plants already in cultivation, and the recent science of Genetics is certain in the near future to enable man to produce with greater rapidity and certainty plants of improved quality. It is, however, not only necessary to discover or to artificially produce new varieties: we must go further, and test the suitability of these new species and varieties under varying cecological conditions. Owing to the endless modification in soil and climate, it is not possible to formulate definite rules, and to say whether a variety which is a success in one place will do equally well in another. Still, by making an cecological study of a plant in its native habitat, we can form a very good opinion of how it will behave when introduced into new conditions. A knowledge of a plant's cecological characteristics enables us to select those conditions of 4 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess, LXXVI. locality and environment which are most likely to supply its requirements. At the same time it is only by actual trial or experiment that such questions can be definitely settled. We must apply to Nature direct for our informa- tion, and ask such questions by means of experiment, and note the reply she gives. I wish here to emphasise the fact that experiments based on scientific principles are likely to yield better and more valuable results than those conducted on blind trial and error, or rule of thumb methods. It is therefore essential that such trials should be carried out under expert supervision. It may be that some slight error in cultivation leads to failure; hence it is necessary to know in each case when failure occurs why it occurs, and, having found the cause, to try if anything can be done to ameliorate or modify the conditions to suit the plant. Otherwise, through some initial error or failure to select the proper cultural method, a plant might be lost which would otherwise have proved a valuable addition to the economic flora. It is in connection with such problems that the study of plant cecology will prove of great economic importance. In itself the study of plant cecology, or the geographical distribution of plants on a physiological basis, is of the highest scientific value; and when we can apply its results in a practical manner to the cultivation of plants, it assumes an economic value of equal merit. As an illustrative example, let us for a moment consider Dr. Kienitz’s important investigations into the shapes and types of the Scots pine, as it furnishes a splendid example of the value of cecological studies to a practical industry like forestry. He has shown that the tree occurs in several cecological forms, among which two well-marked cecological types can be readily distinguished. The one a strong- branched, strong-crowned tree, which is the typical form in Scotland; the other a slender, pyramidal-shaped tree, which is typical of the Baltic provinces. Such types are found to be hereditary, and are not altered by altered climate and soil. The Scottish type is better adapted to hold its own in the struggle for life in milder localities, whereas the slender, pyramidal type is better able to hold its own under more rigorous conditions, where wind, and especially heavy snowfalls, constitute the primary dangers. 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 5 Great care should therefore be exercised in selecting seed or in planting seedlings, of whichever form is better suited to a definite locality. In many places in this country we have examples of the Alpine or northern form of the Scots pine planted where they have no business to be. Plant Disetise—In applied botany there is no depart- ment of greater economic importance than that which deals with plant disease, i.e. plant pathology. Plants of all kinds as living things are subject to disease. It is difficult to give a short, concise definition of disease. The following is a dictionary definition: “A derangement in the structure or the function of any organ belonging to a vegetable or animal,” but this does not convey any definite or clear meaning. After all, probably it does not matter much whether we can in words draw up a hard and fast definition, as there is no hard and fast line of demarca- tion between health and disease. Let us for the present understand by disease any marked deviation of the vital functions from the normal. We may have various stages of healthiness, from the perfectly healthy body or organ, through less healthy conditions, till a diseased state is reached, and likewise we may have various stages of disease, from slight to severe. For health, the living body and its organs must be normal, and the environmental factors and conditions must approach as near the optimum in each case as possible. Otherwise, signs of unhealthiness may appear, probably not sufficient at the moment to cause much alarm to the practical cultivator, but the scientist knows that plants, even though slightly weakened, may have developed a predisposition to unhealthiness, and crops, though not actually diseased, may nevertheless be lable to an epidemic attack, the conditions for which may be made favourable through loss of vigour of the plants. Loss of vigour and subsequent unhealthiness in plants may be caused by unfavourable environment. In the plant kingdom, as in the animal kingdom, unfavourable environ- mental conditions may be grouped under two heads, namely, physical and organic environment. The physical environ- ment is supplied by the soil in all its variations of chemical composition, depth, porosity, moisture, temperature, texture, 6 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess, LXXvI. air-content, etc. Then we have the atmospheric conditions, namely, temperature, moisture, precipitations, lighting, wind, etc., the conditions of soil and atmosphere; in other words, the climate varies with latitude, altitude, aspect, and ex- posure. Man has but little power to ameliorate the atmo- spheric conditions, but he often does the opposite by allowing air to become polluted by smoke and poisonous fumes, thus producing conditions highly inimical to plant life’ On the other hand, something may be done to ameliorate the soil conditions. For example, by draining, manuring, and cultivating. As regards altitude, exposure, and aspect, man can select and cultivate species or varieties in those localities or situations where each is likely to find its nearest approach to its optumum conditions. The organic environment is supplied by the plant and animal kingdoms. In the vegetable kingdom we have plants in competition with one another for the best soil and air space. We have also the saprophytic and parasitic forms. The soil bacteria are not the least important members of the organic environment, although mentioned last. The science of Mycology is of the greatest importance in pure and applied botany. Fungi play a very important role in nature as saprophytes and parasites. Many forms have by careful selection and cultivation been pressed into the service of man in such important industries as cheese- making, bread-baking, wine and cider preparation, brewing, distilling, ete. The cultivated mushroom and the numerous wild edible forms, only too little known, have their importance as food plants. Finally, the study of the parasitic disease-causing forms is of the highest theoretical and economic importance. Pure science in investigating the effect of disease aims at discovering the changes of the living substance and tissues. It may be called Cytopathology. Applied science considers the influence of disease on the plant as regards its economic value. We must combine both in order to understand the phenomenon from an economic standpoint. 1 The question of smoke and fume damage to plants is receiving greater attention than ever on the Continent. Such damage has increased enormously with increasing industrial development. 1911-12] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 7 The fungi, bacteria, and insect enemies of cultivated plants cause enormous damage and annual loss, not only to the cultivators of plants, but to the nation as a whole. In Prussia the Phytopathological Commission gave in 1893 a striking example of the loss caused by grain-rust. The data were supplied by the Prussian Statistical Bureau, so that the figures are official. In 1891 the wheat harvest amounted to 10,547,168 doppelcentner, which at 22 marks per de. would have amounted to £11,459,690, but 3,316,059 de., or £3,595,758, fell to be deducted through depreciation by rust. From the rye harvest had to be deducted £8,896,364. Similarly, from the oat harvest had to be deducted £8,138,023. Hence the loss on a single harvest of wheat, oats, and rye amounted to £20,628,147. In Australia the loss in wheat in 1891 caused by rust was estimated at £2,500,000. The coffee-leaf disease of Ceylon caused by the fungus Hemileia was stated by Professor Marshall Ward to have cost Ceylon over a million pounds per annum for several years. He further states in his book on Disease in Plants that one estimate puts the loss in ten years at from £12,000,000 to £15,000,000. He further states that the Hop Aphis is estimated to have cost Kent £2,700,000 in the year 1882. If the recent outbreak of gooseberry mil- dew of the American type had not been scheduled under the Destructive Insect and Pest Act, and arrested, it would no doubt have wiped out the gooseberry crop throughout the country. Mr. E. S. Salmon states that the average annual value of the gooseberry crop in Kent, Wisbech, Evesham, Calstock, and Gloucestershire is from £97,000 to £160,000 in these districts alone. Also, that the value of the gooseberry crop to cottagers, private gardeners, etc., is incalculable. It was principally through his energy and influence that the disease was scheduled. At the British Association this year Messrs. Barker and Hillier described a disease known as Cider Sickness, that causes a loss probably amounting to several thousand pounds sterling each year in the West of England alone. It is brought about by a bacterium. A destructive bacterial disease of the banana and plantain has recently been discovered in the West Indies. The disease causes the leaves to become yellow and drop off. 8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Szss. LXXVI, The terminal bud is eventually killed and the whole plant rots down to the ground. The organism responsible for this has been isolated, and is being provisionally called Bacterium muse. A disease like this might easily become epidemic and ruin the cultivation of the banana in the West Indies, in the same way as the coffee-leaf disease ruined the coffee industry in Ceylon. T need not comment further on the loss that would result if plant pathologists were not on the spot, studying and devising means to prevent such a catastrophe. If we had any means of estimating the loss caused annually by the dry-rot fungus, the figures would no doubt be equally astounding. We have very little means of estimating cases of annual loss in this country due to disease, but the total must be enormous. Reference to the failure for some years and threatened extinction of the potato crop in Ireland about sixty years ago, with its attendant loss and suffering to millions of people, may recall the seriousness of an epidemic disease of a food plant. Since then preventive means in the shape of spraying have been devised, thanks to the development of applied botany, whereby the disease may be kept sufficiently in check to prevent a repetition of such a dire calamity. Within recent years an entirely new potato disease was discovered by Schilberskzy in Upper Hungary, namely, the Black Scab disease, which is caused by a fungus, Chryso- phlyctis endobiotica. In 1901 this disease was found in England by Professor M. C. Potter, and year by year it spread round the originally affected area, and also appeared in more distant localities, till centres of infection were reported from all over the country. In 1908 it was scheduled under the Destructive Insect and Pest Act as a notifiable disease. It is to be hoped that this may be effective in checking its further spread in this country. About two years ago this same disease was discovered by G. H. Gussow in Newfoundland. In connection with the outbreak, Mr. Gussow was sent by the Department of Agriculture of Canada to investigate the origin of the disease, and assist and advise the Newfoundland Govern- 1911-12. ] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 9 ment in dealing with it. He found the disease to be far more prevalent in Newfoundland than was supposed, and, needless to say, preventive measures have been put in operation by the Canadian Government to prevent the introduction of this disease to Canada. We can only form conjectures as to what would have been the result had this disease appeared forty or fifty years ago. Although it had not actually become epidemic, still we have every reason to suppose that in time it would have become epi- demic if preventive measures had not been adopted as the result of timely warning. An epidemic of Black Scab would no doubt be much more severe than was the epi- demic caused by Phytophthora infestans. The resting spores of the Black Scab fungus are extremely resisting to drought, and may remain capable of causing infection although kept in a very dry state for years. The disease itself is not influenced by varying seasonal conditions, such as wet and dry seasons. Hence, if it had been allowed to get the upper hand, its virulence would have been very severe. Who knows but that the disease may have been imported from this country to Newfoundland, and who knows what other British dependencies may not have been similarly laid open to the risk of infection? In any case, it is essential that all the resources of science should be employed to stamp out any new disease directly it appears. Owing to the increased and more rapid import and export of plants and plant products (seeds, fruits, tubers, etc.) there is an increased danger of their attendant diseases being spread all over the world. In connection with disease of forest trees, I pointed out in a paper! dealing with the liability of the occidental and Japanese larches to be attacked by Peziza Willkommii that: “As regards the in- troduction of exotics which are intended to be grown as timber - producing trees, certain objects must be kept in view. For example, an exotic is worthy of cultivation in our forests— “Firstly, if it is of a species at present unrepresented and capable of producing timber of utility, or if it possesses 1 Pexiza Willkommit, R.H., on Larix occidentalis, Nutt., and Lari leptolepis, Gord.,” published in “ Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, No. xxi., August 1909.” 10 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess, LXXvJ. advantages as regards rate of growth, and is less exacting as regards soil and climate. “Secondly, the introduction of an alien species is desirable if it is capable of resisting indigenous diseases, but great care must be exercised so as not to introduce a new disease along with an alien species. An exotic parasitic fungus if introduced may become rampant on indigenous species, and, vice versa, an indigenous parasitic fungus is equally liable to attack an exotic host. . . . “It is therefore quite possible that exotic trees from virgin forests, when introduced into a new country and grown under artificial conditions, may readily become a prey to parasitic fungi, although hitherto in their native habitat they may have been entirely free from disease of any kind.” We are told that in its native habitat the occidental larch is not attacked by Peziza Willkommii, and here was an example of an exotic species becoming the prey of an indigenous fungus, or, I should rather say, of a fungus previously introduced from the Continent with the Euro- pean larch. This country was in other words the common meeting-ground of an American host plant and a fungus disease from the Continent. As I had already learned from my former teachers in Munich, Professor R. Hartig and von Tubeuf, that such dangers existed, I was glad to be able to add this example as a warning in this country. How little such warnings are sometimes heeded here and elsewhere the following note by Professor von Tubeuf in his Journal, entitled “ Naturwissenschaftliche Zeitschrift fiir Forst- und Land- wirtschaft,” will show. He says: “In an article published in the Year-Book of the German Dendrological Society for the year 1904, p. 156, 1 drew attention to the danger and frequency of the spread of plant parasites by commerce, not only within a country, but from one country to another, and even to distant parts of the world. I also cited several instances of such occurrences. The transmission of the rust disease of the Weymouth pine within Germany by young infected plants was a typical example. “The news which now comes from America is still more interesting and significant. This dangerous disease of the 1911-12, | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 11 Weymouth pine has been introduced into America, the home of Pinus strobus, with a consignment of seedlings sent from Hamburg. In America the disease was unknown and had never been seen there on native trees. Every pre- caution has been taken to prevent the spread of the disease, and it is hoped that this invasion may be repulsed as a previous appearance of the disease in New York in 1906 was immediately stamped out. “Tt is difficult to understand why America imports seedlings of Pinus strobus in spite of all European experience and warning, instead of supplying her own wants by seedlings raised from native seeds.” Here is a remarkable example:—An American tree is introduced into Europe, becomes the victim of a European fungus, and in course of time young diseased plants are sent from Europe to America, to the imminent danger of the indigenous trees. The loss to America would have been great if she had not had an organised department to arrest and quarantine these infected plants even at the eleventh hour. The Weymouth pine is a very desirable tree to grow, not only arboriculturally for ornamental purposes, but also sylviculturally for the sake of its timber. It is called White pine in America, but on this side of the Atlantic its ' timber is known as Yellow pine, a kind of timber which has become very scarce and expensive of late years, owing to its having been too severely exploited in America. I have seen this tree growing well in the south of England, where it gave every promise of forming an excellent stand of timber in a comparatively short rotation, but I also noticed traces of this disease in its neighbourhood. In Scotland the Weymouth pine grows quite well in suitable places, but the disease is unfortunately rampantly epidemic. The fungus belongs to the group of metoxenous forms, its alternative host being almost every species of Ribes— certainly R. nigrum, R. alpinum, R. awreum, and R. grossularia. This fungus is doubly injurious, since it attacks two host plants of economic importance. No effort should therefore be spared to prevent the further spread of this disease or to stamp it out, and such is not beyond the power of properly organised practical mycology. 12 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Suss, LXRVI. The remedy recommended is to remove whichever of the host plants is considered to be of the least economic value. There exist among cultivated plants different varieties, some of them predisposed to disease, others immune. The immunity may be due to anatomical or physiological differences. Whatever the cause of the immunity may be, we can always test whether it exists or not by experi- mental methods. The fact of great importance is that it is possible to produce varieties which can resist certain diseases, and we are now learning more about the laws which govern the production of varieties, so that the special variety desired can be produced with greater certainty and rapidity than was formerly the case. Our future efforts in stamping out disease must be concentrated more on the rear- ing of resistant varieties than has been the case in the past, and this is another of the ways in which the modern science of Genetics will prove of great value in applied botany. The remedies for plant disease are mostly all of the nature of antiseptics or fungicides. They are not of the nature of medicines, as generally understood in animal ailments. Still, much may be done by keeping the plant healthy, and supplying it with the right kind and amount of food. Attention to the proper supply of water, heat, and light is also of importance. In other words, keep the plant in a proper hygienic condition, and it will, like the animal under similar conditions, be better able to resist all kinds of disease. In order to do this we must study and understand the inter-relationship between the plant and its surroundings, and it is in this connection that the study of plant cecology from a physiological point of view is of such vital importance. The method of dealing with outbreaks of disease when they occur locally may be of advantage locally, but in- dividual or isolated action, though of use, is of very little avail in stamping out an existing or preventing a threatened epidemic, because the methods employed are not funda- mental: they do not strike at the root of the disease. In stamping out disease we must have properly organised and combined action, otherwise the best efforts are bound in the long-run to prove futile. . The Americans were among the first to realise the im- 1911-12.] | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 13 portance of plant disease as a national economic question, on account of the enormous loss which, we have seen, may be caused thereby, and they have a special phytopatho- logical section in their Department of Agriculture, which Department dates from 1889 and has a Cabinet Minister at its head. The aggregate appropriation since 1900 is £18,002,412, and this year the Department has at its dis- posal about £4,000,000, double of what it was in last decade. The Department employs a staff of 12,480 men and women, 600 to 700 of whom are engaged in scientific research. The money appropriated for the Department in all its branches of activity would amount to £4,514,003. In spite of the magnitude of this sum, it is regarded in America as an investment, and not an expenditure. An interesting item is the vote of £1000 for the study of the Chestnut Bark disease. The Chestnut Bark disease is caused by a fungus, Diaporthe parasitica, a wound parasite which attacks the main trunk or branches of old and young trees. It first attacked the native American chestnut, but it has spread to the Japanese chestnut and other varieties. This disease was first discovered by Dr. Murrill in New York Botanical Gardens in 1905, and reported on by him in 1906. It spreads with great rapidity. The chestnut trees of greater New York have all been attacked and practically destroyed. Many valuable trees have been destroyed in all the counties of New Jersey. It has gone through Connecticut westward to the Berkshire Hills, and has spread over Long Island and Staten Island, and has reached far enough west to invade a large area in Pennsylvania. Unless some means is found to arrest the disease, it bids fair to ruin the growth of chestnuts in America, where the timber is highly prized for railway sleepers and posts, mining timber, and farm purposes. In rough construction it is used extensively. Government reports show that the yield in 1907 was 650 million feet B.M., of an estimated value of $11,000,000. The quantity used for railway ties alone amounts to $3,000,000 per year. The “ Gardener’s Chronicle of America” concludes an article on this disease as follows:—“The loss upon which it is most impossible to estimate in dollars is the loss to tree 14 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SEss, LXXVI. lovers and tree owners, who would not take any amount of money for the stately forest veterans which have been the pride of their estates. There are large areas of territory not yet reached by the fungus. We may hope that its course may be run, or that study and experiment. may evolve an effective remedy before the disease shall cover the remaining chestnut territory.” The expense of the Department may be great; but when the value of the work done and research carried out in the realms of applied botany is set off against it, the expense becomes dwarfed to vanishing point. Surely the American Government is very wisely and well advised in spending a paltry thousand pounds in order that, by study and_ experiment, an effective remedy may be evolved to save not only the remaining chestnuts but the future crops, whose annual value is reckoned in millions. Germany has now also a vast and well-equipped organ- isation for research in connection with plant protection. At home the practical cultivator of plants may get scientific advice from the Board of Agriculture, apart from which he has to seek his scientific advice from the staffs of our Universities and Agricultural Colleges. Many private societies and even individuals have hitherto done much to disseminate scientific knowledge of great import- ance to the practical grower of plants. We need only glance at the publications of many different societies to find much information, not only of great scientific interest, but with a direct bearing on questions of practical im- portance and utility. The Agricultural and Horticultural Press has become a valuable national asset owing to the way in which it has kept abreast of the times, and dis- seminates a great amount of accurate and valuable infor- mation and advice on matters where applied botany can be of assistance to farmers, gardeners, fruit-growers, and all who cultivate the soil. How THE BoTANICAL SOCIETY MIGHT EXTEND ITS RANGE OF USEFULNESS. In organising their Department of Vegetable Pathology, the Americans found it necessary to have special agents in connection with each institution. These agents are 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 15 appointed in as many different localities as possible. One of their principal duties is to instal and supervise experi- ments of various kinds. Their reports are sent in to the Central Institution, and when the results from a sufficient number of localities seem to justify any conclusion being drawn as to the success of, say, some preventive or remedial measure in connection with a certain disease, then such information is printed in bulletin form and circulated. In Germany we find much the same kind of organisation. In Bavaria, for example, the Central Institution, namely, the Institute of Agricultural Botany, is situated in Munich, and is under the direction of Dr. Hiltner, who has a staff of highly trained experts in all branches of plant protection. In conjunction with this Central Institution there are a great number of local stations (Auskunftstellen) situated in the smaller towns, villages, etc., throughout Bavaria. In charge of these centres are local agents or representatives, not necessarily expert plant pathologists, but nevertheless men of scientitic training. Many of these local represen- tatives are clericals, schoolmasters, leading agriculturists. ete. Their principal duty is to send in reports on specially prepared schedules to the Central Institution as nearly as possible every four weeks. Each local station has in turn correspondents (Vertrauensmanner) in as many country districts as possible. These correspondents are, so to speak, the men on the spot, and they are constantly in touch with the local agents, and thus the Central Institution is kept constantly informed regarding the state of field and garden crops all over the country, and, should occasion arise, experts can at once be sent to investigate and advise. The Imperial Biological Institution for Agriculture and Forestry situated at Dahlem, near Berlin, is the principal institution, and is kept posted up to date from all the other Central Institutions of the empire. The ceaseless activity of these institutions has already resulted in the accomplishment of an extraordinary amount of useful work of the highest scientific importance and economic value. As a Society, we cannot hope to deal with problems in applied botany on the same scale as a well-organised and subsidised State Department; but, nevertheless, we could 16 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Suss. LXXvI. be of some use, I think. We have Local Secretaries and members almost all over the country, and no doubt many would be quite willing to make systematic observations on the occurrence, spread, and severity of plant diseases in the forest, field, and garden of their own particular area. Doubtful cases of any disease, the cause of which was not evident to the local representative, might be sent in to headquarters, where a Special Committee might investigate and report. The reports and records of the Local Agents and those of the Central Committee would in time become not only of scientific interest but of great practical utility. The making and recording of these observations may seem all very simple and such as anyone might be able to make, but I do not propose for one moment that such records should contain a mere list of parasitic fungi found from year to year; such lists alone would have very little scientific or practical value. These investigations could only be carried out by botanists. They would have to be of the nature of an cecological study of the disease. Such factors as the influence of the soil, the climatic influence, the local method of cultivation, the nature of the attack—slight or severe —the presence of other plants, in fact all the con- ditions in the physical and organic environment which influence the relationship of host and parasite would be noted and recorded. It is only by such means that we can gain any clear and definite knowledge of the con- ditions in nature which influence the increase or decrease of disease. It is only when we are in possession of such records that prophylactic measures can be evolved, and plant hygiene placed upon a sound scientific basis. The complete study of a plant disease may be presented as follows :—First, we should learn to diagnose the disease from its outward visible effect on the plant. This may be called the symptomatology of the disease. Then comes the study of the etiology, or the investigation of the cause. Then, after the cause is known, we are in a posi- tion to find out the cure and future prevention, namely, the therapeutics and prophylaxis. The first and last of these, namely, the diagnosis and prophylaxis, are the most important from the economic standpoint. 1911-12. ] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 17 Everyone interested in the cultivation of plants should endeavour to make himself familiar with the appearance and effect, and possibly the botanical names, of the commoner disease-causing fungi, also the general pre- ventive measures to be adopted to prevent their spread. It is of the highest importance that a plant disease of any kind should be recognised in its earliest stages, as it is then that its spread may be prevented either by a timely spray- ing or by the more drastic method of removing the diseased individuals and burning them to make sure the disease- causing fungus is destroyed. It usually happens that before the advice of the plant pathologist is sought, the disease has made itself strikingly apparent by the amount of damage done. It is then often too late to effect a cure. On broader lines these remarks which apply to the individual apply equally to the State. We have seen how the Governments of other countries have established Departments to watch over the health of cultivated plants, and they are ready at a moment’s notice, so to speak, to aid these Departments by special legislation should occasion arise in the shape of a threatened epidemic. True, our own Government has passed special Acts with the view of preventing epidemics, but, unfortunately, these special laws have been so tardy and so long delayed that their effect on the disease may be the same as the proverbial delay in locking the stable door, and in any case there is not sufficient supervision to ensure that these special laws are carried out so as to be of real value. From the earliest times we have records that cultivated plants were subject to blights, pestilence, and disease, which the earlier cultivators of the soil attributed to various causes (moon, stars, etc.), but we also find the weather, climate, and soil held responsible for various brands, rusts, and cankers. The existence of parasites or the phenomenon of parasitism among plants was undreamt of. Still, we have here a foreshadowing of the study of the effect of the physical environment on the health of plants. We know now that certain kinds of weather and climatic conditions predispose plants to certain kinds of disease, whose life-histories we know, and we also know that their relationship to their host plants is regulated by external TRANS, BOT. SOC. EDIN. VOL, XXVI. 2 18 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess. LXXVI. physical conditions which may render the host plants more vulnerable, and thus enable the parasite to attack and cause disease. The weather as a physical factor may pre- dispose plants to certain organic diseases, so that the observers in these early times were quite correct in their observations, but their conclusions were inaccurate or incomplete. Bacteriology has mainly owed its development to the work and research carried out in connection with patho- genic forms. The importance of this department of applied botany is too obvious to require more than a passing comment. Although the layman may be accustomed to think of all bacteria as harmful, still the great dependence of the higher forms of plant life on those lower organisms is being made clearer every day. As I have already said, as man becomes more exacting upon the natural resources, so must he in turn endeavour to help Nature by artificial means. As cultivation becomes more intensive, the more must man employ scientific methods to conserve and improve the fertility of the soil, and, in this connection, valuable service has been rendered to agriculture, forestry, and horticulture by the botanist and chemist. The study of plant chemistry and plant physiology has opened up a wide field of research, in which already great progress has been made, many valuable results achieved, and probably nowhere with greater success than in the study of the soil bacteria. The rédle played by the nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria is becoming better understood every day. Suc- cessful experiments have been carried out in artificially inoculating the soil with these important organisms. In other words, the soil may be sown with these useful organisms, and upon the success of the development of this invisible soil flora depends the success of crops of higher plants. As we find almost always in Nature, these useful soil organisms have their enemies in other soil micro- organisms, and it has been found that by partially sterilising the soil, crops are improved, the improvement being due to the removal of those organisms inimical to the useful ones. In other words, methods of plant protection may be applied to protect these invisible plants, and thereby improve the quality of the soil and sustain its fertility. 1911-12.] | | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 19 During the last twelve years it is estimated that the agricultural produce of America has amounted to £16,000,000,000. The area of land under cultivation has not increased anything like so rapidly as the value of the agricultural produce; for example, ten years ago the farm products were valued at £800,000,000, now they amount to £1,800,000,000. The increase is attributed entirely to the better and more up-to-date scientific methods generally employed by the farmers, and the change has been brought about by the Agricultural Department. Recently, on the recommendation of the Development Commissioners, the Treasury has sanctioned the allocation of funds to be administered by the Board of Agriculture in initiating and organising schemes for systematic research in agriculture. The sum to be expended when these schemes are in full working order will be about £50,000 per annum. Grants will be made for research in various groups of subjects, among which we note plant physiology, plant pathology, and mycology, plant breeding, and fruit grow- ing, including the practical treatment of plant diseases, plant nutrition, and soil problems. A fund not exceeding £3000 per annum will be available for assistance in special investigations, for which provision is not other- wise made. The Board thoroughly realises the importance of having none but carefully trained men for work in connection with the scheme. The Board therefore proposes to ofter for 1911, 1912, and 1913 scholarships of the value of £150 tenable for three years. These scholarships will be twelve in number, and will be awarded only to thoroughly suitable candidates. Grants will also be made to Teaching Institutions, Universities, Agricultural Colleges, ete., in England and Wales. These will act as centres where farmers may apply for scientific advice on important technical questions, and further special investigations of local interest can be carried out by these institutions. By means of those grants for research scholarships, local advice, and investigations, it is hoped to provide an expert staff with both scientific and practical qualifications, the members of which will be engaged in solving problems of 20 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess., EXXVI. local importance and endeavouring in every way to secure the application of science to practice. It is very satisfactory to know that steps are being taken to provide more practical training for the university and college student in order to promote the application of science to practice. But, as I have already indicated, the practical man should have better facilities for acquiring a knowledge of the fundamental scientific principles upon which his practice is based. With one or two notable exceptions, it is not possible for the young gardener or forester in training to attend systematic courses of instruc- tion in the sciences underlying his future profession, unless he happens to be fortunate enough to be employed in some nursery or private garden in or near large towns. This difficulty might be got over by providing bursaries to enable such men to attend courses of instruction at suitable institutions ; but to this method there is the very serious objection that very few colleges are able to provide practical training under proper supervision and control along with scientific instruction ; however, there are indi- cations that, this unsatisfactory state of affairs will soon be improved. The point is—it is of importance that these practical men should not, when getting theoretical training, lose touch with practice; also, that for the practical work which they perform during theoretical training they should receive payment adequate as a subsistence allow- ance. A scheme whereby this is achieved is that which has been in operation in the Royal Botanic Garden, Edin- burgh, during the past twenty years. Young gardeners and foresters are taken on the staff and receive certain payment for their services, and at the same time are taught free of charge the scientific element of their work. There is no place in this country where more has been done to provide employment, combined with practical and scientific training, for the young gardener and forester, than at the Royal Botanic Garden, and we should feel proud that Edinburgh has led the way in this important development; and experience has shown that the men so trained have had no difficulty in obtaining the best appoint- ments both at home and abroad. With such provision for 191 -12.] | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 21 the training of the scientist and the practical man in applied science we may look forward to a time when the natural resources will be more carefully conserved and utilised, and the only way whereby this end may be achieved is through sound science to good practice. REMARKS ON SoME AQuaTic FORMS AND AQUATIC SPECIES OF THE British Fiora. By ARTHUR BENNETT, A.L.S. Dr. Gliick of Heidelberg is engaged on a study of the aquatic species of the European flora; and Dr. Rothert of Krakau, Austro-Hungary, on a monograph of the genus Sparganium. Both have been this year in England to study our collec- tions, and I had the pleasure of seeing them at my house and talking these matters over with them; these notes are a result, and we trust that our species will be examined. To Mr. G. West’s examination of about 140 Scottish lochs we are indebted for many hints as to the aquatic condition of various species, both of terrestrial, semiaquatic, and aquatic species! In these two papers Mr. West gives the vegetation of these lakes (including in many instances mosses, lichens, and algz) in their submerged, littoral, and surrounding conditions. He discusses many subjects, and these papers, it is to be hoped, will be followed up by others, after the manner of Dr. Magnin with the French and Swiss lakes of the Jura,? and the United States in Bull. Michigan Fish Commission, No. 2. “ The Plants of Lake St. Clair,” A. J. Pieters, 1894. 1. Ranunculus Flammula, L., var. natans (Pers.).—This is a remarkable form of Flammula found by Mr. West in two places, a floating form at the margin of peaty pools about Morton Lochs, Tents Muir. “A strong plant 2 to 3 feet long,” and a submerged form in the margins of lochs 1 1, “Comp. Study of Dominant Phanerogamic, etc., Flora of Aquatic Habit in three Lake Areas of Scotland,” Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., xxv., 1904-5, with fifty-five plates. 2. “A Further Contribution,” as above, Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., xxx., 1910, with sixty-two plates. 2 “Rech. végét. Lacs du Jura,” Revue Gén. de Bot., v. 241, 303. 22 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. LXXvI. and slow streams in water 6 to 24 inches deep. Abundant in Lochs Recar, Ballochling, ete. (Kirkcudbright). Persoon describes this as “y natans, fol. inferiorib. ovatis integris, superioribus linearibus,” “Syn.,” pl. v., ii. (1807), p. 102. Recorded from the same place by Lamarck in “Ency. Meth.,’ v., vi. (1804), p. 98, but given no name? 2. Ranunculus lingua, L.—The early submerged leaves of this species, first called attention to by the late Mr. Roper,” are so unlike the flowering stage leaves that unless one had watched the plants it could hardly be believed ; they are 8 to 9 inches long by 3 inches wide, and in those I watched were quite decayed when the plant flowered. 3. Peplis Portula, L—Mr. West found an entirely sub- merged form in Loch Doon (50 to 100 feet deep), Ayr, “orowing to a length of 3 feet with larger, thinner, semi- pellucid leaves, stems weak.” This is quite beyond any- thing I have seen; I have gathered it in Surrey (submerged) 13 inches long only. 4. Hydrocotyle vulgaris, L.—Usually a creeping species among higher vegetation in wet or damp places, but in Barlockhart Loch, Wigtownshire, Mr. West gathered a “floating form having stems 30 to 50 inches long, with leaves only 4 inch in diameter and very thin.” 5. Aprum imundatwm, H. G. Reichb.—This species varies considerably as to depth of submerged forms. I have seen it in water 2 feet deep. Mr. West records it “in water from 3 feet to 6 feet deep, reaching the surface from even the greatest depth.” In Engler’s “Bot. Jahrbiicher,’* Dr. Gliick throws these various semi- aquatics into groups under three series (p. 104)— (1) Die submerse Flora, (2) Die Schwimmblattflora, (3) Die Uferflora, placing these species with “Situwm latifoliwm, Enanthe fistulosa, G. fluitans, Littorella lacustris, ete.” Mr. West (2) remarks: “In some places, where the water has retreated, the seedlings grow so thick as to cover the 1 Mr. Ewing’s natans, “Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.,” p. 237, 1894, seems different from above. : 2 “ Jour, Linn. Soc.,” xxi. (1886), p. 380. 3 “Uber die Lebensweise der Uferflora,” Beibl. 99, 1909, pp. 104-119. j 1911-12] | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 23 i mud with a sward, but their further development in an aerial environment is restrained.” 6. Ceratophyllum demersum, L.i—Not from any sub- merged point, but as a remarkable instance of distribution, I mention this. In the whole of the Loch Ness area, the island of Lismore, and Nairn; then in Kirkeudbright. Wigtown, Fife, and Kinross (140 lochs), only once did Mr. West collect this species. In Otterston Loch (Fife) “it grows in such extraordinary abundance that in many places a boat can only be rowed through it with difficulty.” This I have experienced in Norfolk, where in Blackfleet Broad it was impossible to force the boat through it: it there grew intermingled with Chara polyacantha in thick masses. 7. Juncus swpinus, Moench.—In this we have another species that passes from a strictly terrestrial form through many phases to an extreme one in var. fluwitans. I have not been able to absolutely trace the submerged form to a terrestrial form, and cultivation is required here, which is just what Dr. Gliick is doing at Heidelberg. We seem to possess— (1) The type as var. nodosus, Lange. (2) var. pygmeus, Maisson.’ - “Caule 1-2 pollicari: anthela depauperata 1-2 cephala.” (3) var. uliginosus, Fries. (4) Kochii, Bab. (5) subverticillatus (Wulf.). (6) flwitans, Fries. What must be a remarkable form is J. confervaceus, St. Lager, “ Cat. bass. Rhone,” 749 (1882)=f. confervaceus, Buchenau, in “ F). N.W. Tiefeb.” 136 (1894). Mr. West has a very interesting note on these forms at p- 976 (No. 1). Tt is too long to extract, but two remarks may be quoted: “This is one of the most protean species imaginable.” “These forms are of extreme interest ; in them we seem to be able to trace the phylogenesis of an extremely abundant and dominant aquatic plant; from plastic ter- restrial and subaquatic forms; not now dominant nor abundant in this district.” From Rora Moss, Longside, V.C. 93, N. Aberdeen, Dr. Trail has sent me a specimen named var. comosus, Bréb. 1 “Flora Neu-Vorpommern,” p. 456, 1869. 24 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SEss. LXXVI. “J. uliginosus var. c. comosus. Capit. nombreux formés de feuill. sélacées en touffe seriées.” Specimen from “pools near the Deveron, Banff, L. Watt sp.,” is, I suppose, very near pygmcus, but it is 3 inches high, with setaceous stems and leaves and 2 fl. heads. It seems now we are to accept “J. bulbosus, L., ‘Sp. Pl. Ist ed., 327, 1753; Juncus foliis linearibus caniculatis, capsulis obtusis, ‘Fl. Suec., 284,” as the name for swpinus. 8. Scirpus flwitans, L.—A remarkable form of this species was found by the Scottish Alpine Club in Lochan Bhe, near Tyndrum (822 feet alt.), 1891. A. H. Evans sp. I have seen nothing so slender as this. I donot know what is the result of growing it at the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, but U think there is no doubt it is a form of S. fluitans, though the name has several times been challenged. Notices will be found in the “ Edin. Bot. Soc. Trans.” for 1891, 1894, 1895, and 1903, p. 318. We now come to a series of aquatics which Dr. Gliick has treated.” He here treats the plants under their growth and evolution. 9. Alisma Plantago, L.—He divides into two varieties— latifoliwm, Kunth, and lanceolatum, Schultz; again divid- ing these into two forms each—aquaticum, Glick, and terrestre, Gliick. The var. graminifolius, Wahlb., he gives as a species A. graminifolium, Ehrh., dividing it into four forms: angustissimwm, Asch. et Graeb.; typicun, Beck-Managetta; terrestre, Gliick; and pumilum, Nolte. 10. A. ranunculoides he places under Hchinodorus, dividing it into five forms: typica, Gliick ; natans, Gliick ; zosterifolius, Fries; terrestre, Gliick ; and pwmilus, Glick. He then takes the var. repens (Lam.) and divides that into four forms. No doubt many of these phases of plants may be found among Scottish specimens. I have A. graminifoliwm from Perth, Dr. B. White sp.; and Mr. West found it in Loch Gelly, Fife, as the f typica. 1 “ Brébisson, ‘‘ Fl. Normandie” (1869), p. 336. 2 Tn “Alle. Botanische Zeitschrift” for 1906, under “Systematische Gliederung der europaischen Alismaceen.” 1911-12] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 25 The var. zosterifolius, Fries, in “Bot. Notiser” (1840), p. 35, “foliis longissimis linearibus natantibus (fran Oland Sjostrand) ar en markvardig med Al. Plantago gramini- folium analog form.” Mr. West gathered this in Loch Corsock in 8.E. Kirkeud- bright, where “ it flowered under water at a depth of 3 feet ; without the flower-stalk these submerged forms look ex- tremely like Isoetes lacustris.” The Rev. E. 8S. Marshall? gathered it from “peat-holes above the Beauly river, E. Inverness, 1892.” Mr. West found the “/. terrestre at Loch Leven 13 inches high.” 11. A. parnassifolia, Bassi (Caldesia, Parlatore) has lately been found in Bavaria,” but I suppose we can hardly expect itin our isles. It has deeply cordate leaves, and only 6 to 9 carpels. 12. Alisma natans, L.—Are there any Scottish specimens of this species in herbaria? I have been unable to see one, but Hooker and Arnott® give “Black Loch, 6 miles from Stranraer,” Wigtown; and in the 2nd ed. of “ Topl. Botany,” “ Ayr, Duncan cat.” is added. Mr. Scott-Elliot * does not notice the species at p. 164, though he gives all Wigtown species. That it is often misnamed is certain, as for some years Ireland was credited with it, but it has been found to be a submerged state of A. ranuneuloides. It is certainly to be found in seven Welsh counties, and in two English (ze. Salop! and Chester !), and perhaps in two others (York and Cumberland). Dr. Gliick divides this into 7. typica, Asch. et Graeb.; 7. sparganifolius, Fries; f. repens, Asch. et Graeb.; and 7. terrestre, Gliick. 13. Sagittaria sagittifolia, L—Gluck divides this into f.typica, Klinge; 7. natans, Klinge; 7. terrestris, Bolle; and j. vallisnerifolia, Coss. et Germain. Why is Sagittaria so rare in Scotland? Two counties only are given, and Messrs. Kidston and Stirling added Stirling. Yet in Scandinavia it occurs from 8. Sweden 1 Cf. “Jour. of Botany” (1893), p. 48; and Bosch., “Prod. FI. Bataviz ” (1850), p. 253. 2 Gliick, “ Mitt. Bay. Bot. Ges.” (1910), p. 285. 3 “Brit. Flora,” 8th ed., 1860, p. 471. + “FF, Dumfriesshire,” 1896. 26 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess. LXxvi. (Scania) up to Norland, and is not uncommon in Finland up to 67° 50’ N. lat., is absent from Finnish Lapland, but reported from Umba in Russian Lapland, and S. Norway. Kirchner (/.c.) figures a curious form of Sagittaria, var. Bollei, Asch. et Graeb., which I gathered near Croydon in 1888. In this the three lobes of the leaf are only 4 mm. wide, and the basal lobes at an angle of 45°; the leaf- petioles are more succulent, and show the transverse partitions strongly when dry. The plate (Tab. 2) that accompanies the classic account of Sagittaria, with its details, is quite up to many of the recent drawings of aquatics, and far beyond most. The protecting sheaths of the stolons are in fig. 1 beautifully drawn. Anyone gathering the var. vallisnerifolia, Coss. et Germ.,? might well be excused in not referring it to Sagit- tarva; the leaves are all submerged, linear, varying in length with the depth of water (6 dm.!), and 10 mm. wide. This I have gathered in Surrey, and seen in Norfolk. A North-American species, S. heterophylla, Pursh, has established itself in the River Exe, near Exeter, Devon.? Sparganiwm.—Dr. Rothert has found in the late Mr. Beeby’s herbarium two specimens of Sparganiwm from Shetland that recede from S. minimwm and approach SV. hyperborewm, Laest., “ Bih. i. bot. arsber,” 1850. A species of N. Finmark, 8. Norway, N. Sweden, Finnish and Russian Lapland, N. Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Labrador, and Hudson’s Bay. S. glomeratwm, Laest., l.c. (S. flwitans, Fr.), is another Scandinavian species that should be sought for; this occurs as far south in Sweden as Scania. In another work‘ Gliick’s ideas are still further worked out, and many figures (Nos. 324 to 379) are given of varying forms, leaf and other sections. But in neither work are there any attempts to clear up or collate the many other names under these species given in 1 Nolte, “ Bot. Bem. iiber Stratiotes und Sagittaria,” 1825. 2 Cosson et Germain, “ Fl]. En. de Paris,” ii, (1845), p. 522. 3 Hiern, “Exch. Club. Rep. for 1908,” p. 399, 1909. ; + “Lebensgeschichte der Bliitenpflanzen Mitteleuropas,” by Drs. Kirchner, Low, and Schroter, 1907. 1911-12.] | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 27 European floras (mainly under Alisma). Neither do Ascherson and Graebner, in their review of these genera, account for many named varieties. The following experience will show the sequence of a species of aquatic (Damasonium Alisma, Mill.) that does not reach Scotland, but which I watched through the summer of 1887 on a common (Mitcham) near here. It had then several ponds, many ditches, and swampy places on a gravelly soil. In one pond (since filled up) the above plant grew pretty abundantly. In April it was the form graminifolium, Gliick; in May it began to make itself into the form spathulatum, Gliick; at the end of June it had become the form natans, Gliick; flowered through July and part of August; at the end of August the water became very low, and the plant here and there became stranded ; it was now the form terrestre, Gliick. The only one I could not say I saw was the form pumila, Gliick, which he describes as “misera forma terrestris semine nata, ete.” The figure in “Eng. Botany,” t. 1615 (8rd ed., t. 1442), shows a state between Gliick’s natans and terrestris. In the description no mention is made of any other leaves than the cordate floating ones. The plants noted were simply the growth and evolution of the species, influenced by warmth and depth of water. Certainly in July and August, when gathering this in other parts of Surrey, only the form natans could be seen on the water surface; but carefully working in the mud, the form graminifolius was found, probably the result of last year’s seeding. Syme in “Eng. Botany” queries it as a perennial; Hooker and Babington are silent on this point. Bentham calls it an annual. Grenier and Godron! call it perennial, and Ascherson and Graebner? also. My own opinion is that it is neither, but a biennial, as I never was able to find any stolons as in Hydrocharis or Alisma; and the seeds evidently drop off, sink (they sink at once when ripe !), and in winter or early spring form the little tufts found in July with grass-like leaves. 1 “Flora France,” iii. (1855), p. 167. 2 “Syn. Fl. Mitteleurop.” i. (1897), p. 389. 28 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess. LXXvI. ALIEN PLANTS. By JAMES FRASER. The following list of plants which I met with during 1911, unless where otherwise indicated, consists of ten new British records (these are marked with a star), several new county records, and plants mainly from localities which indicate a. wider and perhaps widening range of distribution for them in counties where they have already been known to exist. My best thanks are due to Professor Hackel, and to the Director of the Royal Gardens, Kew, for their help in determining several of the more difficult species. Actea spicata, L.—In the grounds of Monteviot, Rox- burghshire; several. Matthiolu tristis, Br—Near Musselburgh, Midlothian ;. several. * Silene imaperta, L.i—Near Musselburgh, Midlothian ; several. Lychnis Preslii, Sekera—Near Tantallon, East Lothian ; one clump. Oxalis corniculata, L.—On the shore of Loch Ryan, nearly a mile north of Sheuchan Mills, Wigtownshire ; two or three. Staphylea pinnata, L.—In the grounds of Prestonhall, Midlothian ; several seedlings. Trifolium Michelianum, Savi.—On reclaimed ground at the Esk mouth, Midlothian; one plant. Rubus spectabilis, Pursh.—Along the Heriot Water, at Borthwick Hall, Midlothian; very plentiful. Rh. odoratus, Lin the grounds of Prestonhall, Mid- lothian ; several. Poterium canadense, A. Gray.—On the shore north of Portpatrick, Wigtownshire ; several. Sedum Lydium, Boiss.—By the roadside near Cloven- fords, Selkirkshire ; plentiful. *Crucianella patula, L.— Near Musselburgh, Maid- lothian; several. * Millotia depawperata, Stapf, sp. nov.—A plant found on the Tweed shingle at Galafoot in 1908 has been so named by Dr. O. Stapf, Keeper of the Herbarium at the Royal Gardens, Kew, the full description appearing in the Kew Bulletin, No. 1, 1910. 1911-12. } BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 29 * Centawrea Moschata, L.—In an old quarry near Slate- ford, Midlothian ; several. Crupina vulgaris, Cass.—Near Musselburgh, Midlothian ; several. Campanula persicifolia, L.—Near Musselburgh, Mid- lothian: a large clump. Nymphoides peltatum, Rend]. and Brit.—In the pond, Prestonhall, Midlothian; plentiful. Verbascum virgatum, Stokes.— At Murieston, West Lothian, in 1910, and at Leith Docks in 1911; three or four in each. * Phalaris truncata, Guss.—Leith Docks; one plant in 1910. Named by Professor Hackel. Piptatherum multiflorum, Beauv.—Near Musselburgh, Midlothian; several. Calamagrostis epigeios, Roth Near Portpatrick, Wig- townshire; one clump. Aira provincialis, Jord.—At Leith Docks in 1905 and 1911; several. Wangenheimia Lima, Trin.—Near Musselburgh, Mid- lothian ; plentiful. * Avellinia Michelii, Parl.— Near Musselburgh, Mid- lothian; two plants. Named at Kew. Desmazeria sicula, Dum.—Near Slateford, Midlothian, in 1907, and at Murieston, West Lothian, in 1910; two or three in each. Poa Chaixii, Vill—Near Monteviot, Roxburghshire, in immense quantities; in the grounds of Darnhall, Peebles- shire, in large quantities; in a strip of wood east of North Berwick, East Lothian, scarce. *Outandia incrassata, Salz.; *C. divaricata, Desf.; Festuca clavata, Moench (Vulpia geniculata, Link), all identified at Kew: and F. tenuiflora, Schrader (Nardurus maritimus, Murb.), named by Professor Hackel; near Musselburgh, Midlothian ; several of each. Bromus rubens, L.—On reclaimed ground at the Esk mouth, Midlothian: several. B. squarrosus, L., var. villosus, Koch; and *Brachy- podium ramosum, R. and S.—Near Musselburgh, Mid- lothian ; several of each. 30 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. LXxvI. CAREX HELVOLA, Biytr. By ARTHUR BENNETT, A.LS. Carex helvola, Blytt, ap. Fries, “ Bot. Notiser” (1849), p: 58. “Spica composita, spiculis subquinis linearibus confertis (disticho-imbricatis), conformibus, distigmatibus, terminali basi mascula; bracteis evaginulatis, membranaceis, brevissi- mis; squamis ovatis, acutis; fructibus basi cuneata ovatis, glabris, in rostrum compressum subintegrum attenuatis.” —“ Bot. Not.,” l.c.; Fries, “Herb. Nor.,’ fase. xin Neweee 1849. C. canescens x lagopina, Kihlman. C. curta x lagopina. C. curta x Lachenalia, “ Flora Danica,” Supp., t. 32, 1853. In the Transactions of the Society in 1886 I first recorded this as a Scottish plant, gathered by Professor J. H. Balfour in 1846 on Lochnagar. In 1897 Mr. Druce gathered it on Ben Lawers in Perth- shire (14), and published an account of it (15). In 1906 the Rev. E. S. Marshall (18) gathered it on Lochnagar. “In the great corrie which faces north (above Loch-an-Ean) it grew in wet ground associated with C. canescens var. fallax. A fine patch of C. Lachenalii (lagopina) grew within 20 to 30 yards of it, so the hybridity was easy to account for. Alt. 3500 feet (27/7/1906), in an alpine bog associated with C. rariflora, Sm., above the same corrie, in much wetter ground, so that the specimens were on an average considerably more luxuriant. I believe the second station to be identical with Crawford’s; E. F. Linton grew his plant, and it remained quite sterile and unchanged. There I could see neither of the parents, but I believe the original station for lagopina was very close at hand” (Marshall in litt.). To Mr. Marshall’s (R. No. 2980) specimens Herr Kiikenthal has added “very characteristic.” Good culti- vated specimens were issued by Rev. E. F. Linton in 1909, through the Watson Botanical Exchange Club. In 1898 and 1899 Mr. Druce (19) gathered specimens on Ben Lawers that differed, and caused him to write “helvola 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 31 var.” (19). Some of these Herr Kiikenthal cites under “OC. canescens x stellulata=C. biharica, Simonk.” ;! others as “ C. tetrastachya, Traun.,? supercanescens, Kiikl.” I have specimens gathered on Ben Lawers (19/8/1886) by Messrs. H. and J. Groves which seem to be referable to helvola, at that date of course under “C. curta v. alpicola.” I have seen specimens also from Forfar (Edinb. Herb.), and Mr. N. E. Brown wrote (30/3/1886) that he believed there is a specimen from Ben Muic Dhui in the Kew Herbarium, but had not dissected it; and the late Mr. Beeby wrote: “I seem to have Carex helvola from Glas Mheil. leg. Duthie, 1874.” This is in Forfar, but on the confines of Forfar, Aberdeen, and Perth, alt. 3502 feet. C. Lachenalii (lagopina) occurs in Forfar (Ewing). The fullest account we have of the plant is furnished by Herr Kihlman (6), where he also describes a hybrid between canescens and norvegica, Willd., as C. psewdo-helvola. In Europe C. helvola occurs in Finnish and Russian Lap- land north to 69° 50’ N. lat.; Swedish Lapland; Sweden in Bohuslain, Upland, Sddermanland, and Vesterbotten: Norway to 71° 3’ (Norman),? and distributed from the Birch to the Willow Belts (4); Iceland. Asch. and Graeb., “S. Mitt. E. Fl,” 1902, p. 64. Greenland (5 and 9). I here confine myself to the original helvola, the Tirol, ete., plants being C. tetrastachya, Traun. Neuman (11) strangely puts helvola as “canescens x norvegica,’ yet has a canescens x lagopina, and refers to Hartman * (but he does not give helvola as a hybrid, merely saying “habit of the foregoing,” 1.e. C. microstachya, “ Ehrh. Hann. Mag.,” 1784, p. 9). Dr. Williams (17) gives other hybrids with canescens in Europe; of these C. pani- culatax, C. paradoxax, C. remotax, and C. dioica x are the only ones that can occur in Britain. Mr. Fernald® says his C. elachycarpa, figs. 133, 134, “at maturity strongly suggests the little known C. helvola, Blytt, which, however, has very different perigynia.” But 1 “Enum. FL Trans.,” 1886, p. 548. 2 Sauter, “ Flora,” 1850, p. 366. 3 “ Not. summ. concep Arctic Norway,” 1881, p. 500. 4 «Skand. FI.,” 11th ed., 1879, p. 471. 5 “Proc. Am. Acad. Arts and Sc.,” 1902, p. 492. 32 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess. LXXvI. the figure rather suggests a small or starved C. cwrta than helvola. C. helvola seems to have been first gathered in 1826 by Holmgren (2), and by Blytt in 1833 (2), but not published until 1849. One difficulty is, C. lagopima is not known on Ben Lawers. REFERENCES. (1) AnDERSSoN.—Cyper. Scand., 1849, p. 61. (2) Bryrr.—Norges Flora, 1861, p. 188. (3) Norman.—Soc. Nat. Spec., 1864, p. 43. (4) Buyrr.—Norges Fl., Supp., 1877, p. 1254. (5) Lanee.—Medd. Groenland (3), 1887, p. 288. (6) Kin~man.—Med. Soc. FI]. et Fa. Fenn., 1889, p. 16. (7) Herb. Mus, Fenn., 2nd ed., 1889, p. 16, 125. (8) Brytt.—Ny. bid. i. Norge, 1892, p. 15. (9) RoseNvince.—Medd. Groenland, Supp., 1892, p. 719. (10) Hsrent,—FI. Fennica, 1892, p. 256. (11) Neuman.—Sveriges Flora, 1901, p. 711. (12) A. Bennert.—Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin., 1886, p. 361. (13) = Jour. Botany, 1886, p. 149. (14) Druce.—Ann. Scot. N. Hist., 1897, p. 260. (lay * ys Jour. Linn. Soc., 1898, p. 157. GIG EOS Jour. Botany, 1898, p. 157. (17) Witi1ams.—Jour. Botany, 1908, p. 369. (18) MarsHaLu.—Jour. Botany, 1908, p. 108. (19) Druce.—Ann. Scot. N. Hist., 1909, p. 238. EcoLoGICAL TERMINOLOGY AS APPLIED TO MARINE ALG. By N. MILLER JOHNSON, B.Sce., F.LS. The works of Warming and Borgesen are eloquently sug- gestive of what research methods should be in ecological botany. That of the former is magnificently comprehensive, covering as it does the whole field, while the latter is no less comprehensive, from, however, a more restricted standpoint. Algee are included in Warming’s work, while they occupy the entire theme of Borgesen’s ‘‘ Faeroese Alge.” No doubt the general concepts of formation and associa- tion possess similar values in the mind of each writer, but 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 33 as regards Algz the terminology clearly shows that the concepts are different. It would appear that formation as used by Borgesen, implies association as used by Warming. According to the former, the word formation is used to denote a group of different species belonging, as in the Fucacez formation of ‘a sheltered coast, to the same family ; whereas, if one correctly interprets the latter, the word formation is used to designate the entire group of Alge (limno- or halo-nereid formation according to the fresh- or salt-water habitat). Borgesen’s association appears to be a formational unit consisting of one species only, while Warming’s association seems to imply a group of plants of one, two, or more species all growing together under the same or similar conditions ; or, in his own words, which must be taken to refer to ter- restrial vegetation only, “an association is a community of definite floristic composition within a formation” (p. 145). Thus it will be seen that while under certain circumstances the idea of association as used by both writers is the same, yet in the majority of cases formation, as used by Borgesen, means association as used by Warming, and the association of the former is the plant society of Moss (p. 48, 1910). The suggestion which the present paper wishes to em- body is, that as ecological terminology is now fairly definite, and accepted as such at least in Great Britain, an effort should be made to use the same terms, if not to the entire range of cryptogamic botany, at any rate to marine Algz. Just as a terrestrial formation may be divided into two or more sub-formations, the nereid formation (of Algz) is divided by Warming into two sub-formations : (a) Fresh-water (limno-nereid). (b) Marine (halo-nereid) (p. 169). It is customary to distinguish in the latter sub-formation two regions: (a) the littoral; (b) the sub-littoral. These regions could then be again divided into associa- tions and plant societies, according to groups, single species, or in many cases successive storeys, but it will be seen that the sub-littoral habitat would be a great drawback in actual delineation of group boundaries. TRANS. BOT. SOC. EDIN. VOL, XXVI. 3 34 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess, LXXVI. Borgesen’s methods of nomenclature will be seen from the following (p. 711) :— Of the formations of exposed coasts (littoral region), he recognises among others a Hildenbrantia formation con- sisting of Hildenbrantia rosea, Ralfsia verrucosa, and blue-green Algw; a chlorophyceze formation consisting of Prasiola crispa, Enteromorpha intestinalis, and Rhizo- clonium riparium; and a porphyra association found under the chlorophycee formation, and consisting of Porphyra umbilicalis. . It will be recognised that, according to the preceding matter and suggestions, the terminology would be as under :— The littoral region of exposed coasts being part of the general halo-nereid sub-formation, consists of, among others, a Hildenbrantia association composed of small or large plant societies of Hildenbrantia rosea, Ralfsia verrucosa, and blue-green Algz; a chlorophycez associa- tion consisting of plant societies of Prasiola erispa, Enteromorpha intestinalis, and Rhizocloniwm riparvum ; and, existing beneath the chlorophycee association as a lower storey, a plant society of Porphyra wmbilicalis. The following summarised notes may illustrate further the suggested method of treatment. These brief notes are from observations made by the writer on the marine Algze of the Kirkcaldy district of Fife (littoral region). Nereid formation of Algz; marine (halo-nereid) sub- formation ; littoral region. District I[—Ravenscraig to Craig Endle; rocks and sandy beach; creeks and isolated rocks. AtGe.—(1) Fucacez association, with Fucus vesiculosus (minus bladders) dominant between H. and L.W.M. (2) Plant societies of— (a) Callithamnion scopulorum.—Extensive, exist- ing beneath F. vesiculosus as a lower storey. (b) Enteromorpha compressa.—Not plentiful, on rocks both at H. and L.W.M. (c) Porphyra laciniata.—Fairly plentiful at L.W.M. District II.—Craig Endle to Dysart harbour; A, a series of creeks; B, a bay with rock areas. 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 35 A. (1) Fucacez association ; F. vesiculosus (with bladders where on creek sides) dominant. (2) Plant societies of— (a) F. serratws.—Common. (b) F. spvralis—Near H.W.M.; scarce. (c) Pelvetia canaliculata.—In honeycombed rocks near H.W.M.; scarce. (d) Enteromorpha compressa.—Abundant; due to sewage. (e) Laminaria digitata, L. Saccharina,and Chondrus erispus in tidal pools. (f) Ceraniwm rubrum (pale brown), and Hntero- morpha convpressa (colourless), in, and due to high stagnant pools. B. (1) Fucacez association; F. vesiculosus and F. ser- ratus dominant. (2) Plant societies of — (a) Ascophyllum nodosum. (b) Callithamnion scopulorum and Gigartina mamillosa.—Abundant as a lower storey on sea-wall between H.W.M. and half-tide mark. (c) Chylocladia articulata and Gigartina mamillosa. —Abundant as lower storey on sea-wall between half-tide mark and L.W.M. (d) F. spiralis—Near H.W.M.; scarce. Indubitably supporters of the view that this terminology, as applied to marine Algz, is capable of improvement, will not be lacking. The writer, however, ventures (with all due modesty) to suggest that the value of the suggestion lies in the fact that, if acted upon, the study of Algze from the present standpoint will be brought into unity and conformity with existing methods of phytogeographical terminology. LITERATURE. (i) Warmine, E., assisted by Vaunt, M.—(CEcology of Plants: an Introduction to the Study of Plant-Communities. Oxford, 1909. (2) Borausen, F.—The Algze Vegetation of the Faeroese Coasts, with Remarks upon the Phytogeography. 1905. (3) Moss, C. E.—The Fundamental Units of Vegetation ; reprinted from New Phytologist. 1910. 36 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SEss, LXXVI, ANTHELIA: AN ARcTIC-ALPINE PLANT ASSOCIATION. By W. G. Smits, B.Sc., Ph.D. In the course of the ascent of Ben Lawers by the Inter- national Phytogeographical Excursion last August, Professor C. Schréter and Dr. E. Riibel, two experienced Swiss botanists, pointed out a plant association extremely char- acteristic of the higher Alps. This association presents many points of interest as one in which several Hepatice and Mosses play the part of pioneers in colonising a sub- stratum which owes its origin in the first place to topography and in the second place to the action of running water. While the term “arctic-alpine zone” in Scotland is a convenient term for general use, most botanists will appreciate that the zone is by no means uniform in its development. Just as the vegetation of the lowlands presents itself as woods, moors, grassland, and other types, each with sub-types, so in the arctic-alpine zone there are many subdivisions (1) (2). The plant association now under consideration is one of these subdivisions, and it is proposed to bring together here some information which may direct attention to it and may stimulate the study of others. Last August on Ben Lawers, after ascending the morainic valley of the Tuim Bruic or Carie Burn, and traversing in succession the zones of Nardus-Juncus squarrosus grass- land and the Alchemilla alpina pasture, the lower levels of the south-west corries were reached. Shortly after leaving the clear springs which emerge from the rocks about 8000 feet at the highest limit of a definite stream channel. on the Lawers side of the valley, the Swiss botanists drew attention to a long, dark, crusted tract descending from near the base of the “Gentian Cliff” a very conspicuous tract in the rock-strewn green sward of this part. Other examples were seen in ascending the slope towards the low neck between Ben Lawers and B. Ghlas, frequently as dull dark stretches following a series of shallow troughs. Towards the summit the grassy turf becomes more limited, and Alchemilla alpina is more and 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 37 more restricted to sheltered places beside blocks. Here the most conspicuous plant association is Rhacomitriwm lanuginosum with Carex rigida and other mat-forming plants, but at frequent intervals the darker patches occur. The summit ridge shows many tracts of this black mossy crust, and in the “Cernua Corrie” there is one large patch at the rough wall near the ruins of the Ordnance hut. One has also recollections of other summits where this dark-crusted humous surface is a feature. The Swiss botanists recognised these patches and tracts as “Schneetilchen,” a term introduced by Oswald Heer in 1836. In L. Schroéter’s “Taschenflora” (3) the word is translated as “snow-valley,” but as English equivalent “snow-gutter ” or “snow-flush” more nearly expresses the kind of little runnels suggested by the original term. The vegetation of these snow-flushes has been described by authors like Kerner, Christ, Stebler, and Schréter. The more recent observations of Brockmann-Jerosch (4) indicate that, before dealing with the vegetation, attention should be directed to the topographical and physical factors that bring about its evolution. Anyone who has seen the snow melting on the higher hills can recall the early emergence of rocks or snow-bleached green slopes and knolls. In Switzerland and the Tyrol these are bedecked with flowers while the snow still lies a few yards away. Day by day the snow-patches decrease, becoming more limited to the lower depressions or sunless slopes. The snow-water soaks through the turf seeking the lower depressions till it flows from below the snow and streams away to still lower levels. Thus in troughs and depressions of undulating ground and along the foot of slopes or escarpments there is a system of temporary water-courses which, so long as the snow is melting, are more or less under water. The summer rain- water will tend to follow the same course, but with this difference that the larger supply of ice-cold water is replaced by more occasional trickles of warmer surface-water. On steep slopes these streamlets descend with some force and carve out little stream-beds (snow-water channels), but on gentle slopes or flats or in depressions the force of the flow is not sufficient to erode; the water wanders slowly through the turf and deposits accumulated suspended 38 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SEss. LXXVI. matter as a sediment.1 The snow-water carries the dust which gathers on lying snow, fine particles of mineral matter and fragments of plants, and it also collects other materials as it trickles over the surface. Snow-dust, according to Ratzel, may contain 50 per cent. of organic matter, and as this with the finely divided mineral matter is laid down amongst remains of last year’s vegetation, a rich soil is built up. The soil is dark and finely fibrous and when lifted adheres together as clods. On Lawers this turf contains numerous particles of glittering mica, while other samples from Sutherland show particles of gneiss. Brockmann-Jerosch points out that this sub- stratum owes its origin solely to the action of snow-water and rain, and that the snow-flush vegetation occurs where the snow-water collects, not necessarily where the snow- patches lie longest. The substratum results, therefore, from slow sedimentation combined with growth of vegeta- tion which is not swept away but remains perennial, rising gradually each year on the new sediment. This building- up may be seen where a boulder or piece of rock is present and becomes gradually embedded. On these grounds we regard this habitat as migratory and comparable to the flushes described by C. B. Crampton (2); the snow-flush vegetation will, therefore, come under that author’s group of migratory plant formations. During spring the snow-flushes are soaking and their moisture is retained far into the summer, hence in a moist season they remain slimy and slippery underfoot. In a dry summer (as in August 1911) they become cracked and crusted. Although it may be surrounded by a green sward of Alchemilla alpina with arctic-alpine grasses (Festuca, Poa, Deschanupsia, Nardus), the snow-flush is mainly dark in colour except where tufts of Gnaphaliwm supinwm, the dark-green mats of Salix herbacea, or moss-tufts of Polytrichum have become established. 1 These characteristics suggest the term “snow-flush.” The original definition of “flush” by C. B. Crampton (2) is: “Sloping ground gives rise to springs. Where the springs are of small volume, or where they are of a temporary nature flowing only in wet weather, the growth of plants prevents marked erosion of the surface and shallow gutters floored with vegetation result. These may be called ‘flushes.’ The vegetation and plant association of these flushes depends on the nature and source of the flow of water ” (p. 62). 1911-12] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 39 The vegetation of the snow-flush begins with eryptogams, and these frequently remain as the dominant vegetation. The Swiss botanists give the place of pioneer to one of the Hepatice, Anthelia Juratzkana. This plant lies close to the surface, and in the fresh, moist condition forms a bluish-green carpet. In summer it is often seen in the dry condition as a dark-brown or black mat, which with the lens appears as a tangle of shoots, about 1 mm. thick, closely beset with minute leaves, the whole recalling in miniature a mat of low-growing matted Calluna. As pointed out by Professor Schriter, the mat (in August) was dark but with a greyish coating which in his book (5) is ascribed to a thin covering of filaments of fungi. This is also recorded by Heeg (8), who states that the roots are permeated by fungal filaments and may rank as mycorhiza such as have been described for other Hepatic (9). Specimens taken from a typical snow-flush on Ben Lawers in August last, along with others from similar habitats in Sutherland, supplied by Dr. Crampton, were submitted to Mr. Symers M. Macvicar, who reports that they belong to the genus Anthelia, but as the specimens are sterile it is unsafe to say whether the species is A. Juratzkana, or A. julacea, or a mixture: Mr. Macvicar (10) states that A. Jwratzkana ascends to the summits of the highest hills in Scotland (4300 feet on Ben Nevis), and that it rarely descends below 1900 feet. In a recent letter he also suggests that the snow-flush association is probably what he has named the Marswpella association [(10) p. 7], and he points out that Arnell and Jensen have observed and described the occurrence of Anthelia and associated Hepatice in Scandinavia. C. Schréter (5) cites a letter in which W. Arnell says that Anthelia Jwratzkana flourishes best on soils periodically flooded by snow-water, and it also occurs on the banks of streamlets, and more sparingly on bare soil; also that the species becomes more abundant in Scandinavia the higher one goes, and that it is abundant 1 Anthelia Juratzkana (Limpr.), Spruce, in C. Schréter (5); A. julacea, Dum., var. clavuligera, Nees. in Brockmann-Jerosch (4); A. Juratzkana (Limpr.), Trevis (Jung. nivalis, Sw.),in S. M. Maevicar (10). A. julacea (L.), Dum., is the only other Scottish species. 40 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. ExxvI. in Spitzbergen. Riibel (7) follows the Scandinavian botanists in distinguishing an “ Anthelietum,” which he regards as the basis of the snow-flush types of vegetation to be indicated later. It is thus clear that experienced observers in Northern Europe and the Alps recognise in A. Juratzkana one of the pioneers of the snow-flush. Another cryptogamic element in the snow-flush vegeta- tion is the genus Polytrichwm, according to the Swiss accounts generally P. sexangulare, Flork., and P. alpunwm, L., two species recorded as characteristic of the summit region of Scottish mountains. On Ben Lawers we saw cushions of Polytrichwm (sp. not identified) in the snow- flushes pointed out. This genus of mosses has several species which are adapted for life in moorland flushes, as indicated by C. B. Crampton [(2) p. 62]. They can with- stand periodical submergence and soon grow through the shallow deposits of sediment laid down, so that they aid in binding these deposits into a humous turf; the close, compact growth also enables the tufts to withstand periods of drought. The snow-flush vegetation includes a limited number of flowering plants, but according to Swiss accounts some of these are very characteristic. The following is a list of species recorded in August 1911 (.e. after a dry summer) on the western slopes of Ben Lawers (about 3500 feet) in two snow-flushes where Anthelia was a conspicuous element: Polytrichwm. Gnaphaliwm supinum. Rhacomitriwm lanuginosum. Salia herbacea. Solorina crocea (orange lichen). Sibbaldia procumbens. Carex pilulifera. Euphrasia (? scotica). C. rigida. Festuca ovina (vivipara). A short list was recorded (August 13, 1898) by Robert Smith on Ben-y-Ghloe at about 3000 feet on patches where snow had recently melted :—Salia herbacea, Gnaphaliwm supinum, Alchemilla alpina, Galiwm saxatile. The Swiss “ Schneetalchen” is thus described (3) :—* Poly- trichum septentrionale usually appears as a pioneer and covers the ground with a dense, dark-green carpet. Soon afterwards Arenaria biflora begins to penetrate this carpet ; 1911-12. ] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 4] its slender stems and small leaves are half hidden in the moss, so that the stellular flowers seem to be scattered over the carpet as if by accident. Next the creeping, radiating mats of Cerastium trigynum associate themselves with these two plants. Later on Gnaphaliwm supinum steps on the scene, or the long red creeping shoots of the five-leaved lady’s mantle (Alchemilla pentaphyllea) become interlaced, so as to form connected masses.” Brockmann-Jerosch (4) gives the results of examinations of nineteen examples of snow-flushes, recording the number of times each species was noted. Riibel (7) also gives results from forty-eight stations. Both authors worked in the Rheetian Alps, an extensive area of high altitude. The following table gives—for Scottish species only —the number of times of occurrence recorded from the above two memoirs :— Riibel. Brockmann. Gnaphalium supinum . : : Ze] ak 15 | Salix herbacea . f : : : : 43 16 | Polytrichum, spec. div. . ? ‘ | 31 frequent | Poaalpna . : - | 27 | 9) Taraxacum officinale (alpinum) : aI 25 9 | Veronica alpna . . BLE e) 20 | ‘| Alchemilla pentaphyllea . é : ; 16 8 Anthelia Juratekana é 2 : . | 15 frequent | Sebbaldia procumbens. : : : 14 7 Cerastiwm cerastioides : : : 13 11 | Carex Lachenalw . ; : : at 9 Polygonum viviparum . ; : a 8 es | Euphrasia minima . : ; : : 5 eo | Deschampsia ceespitosa | 7 The species recorded for snow-flushes by Oettli (6) for the Churfurst and Sentis areas are also included in the above table. These lists are characteristic for stations on crystalline rocks. The catalogue from calcareous rocks is much longer, with few Scottish species, and has Salia retusa as a char- acteristic plant. The Scottish lists, taken along with other notes, suggest that the same association is represented as on the crystalline rocks of Switzerland. It is probable that in Scotland Cerastiwm cerastioides and Veronica 42 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SESS. LXXVI. alpina also occur on snow-flushes, while Poa alpina, Des- champsia ccespitosa (arctic-alpine form), and Polygonum viviparum are widely distributed over other arctic-alpine associations. The various authors point out that the conspicuous flowering species of the snow-flush vary from place to place. Here Polytrichwm may form a carpet, there Salix herbacea a mat, or Gnaphaliwm in white tufts. Riibel gives prominence as tone-imparting species to Polytrichum, Salix herbacea, Sibbaldia, Alchemilla, Graphalium, and Ingusticum Mutellina, and he demonstrates that the association presents sub-types according to the dominant plant; thus Arenaria biflora is given as much more abundant when Polytrichwm is the conspicuous plant; on the other hand, Gnaphaliwm is fairly constant in all the sub-types of snow-flush. This patchy occurrence of various plants in separate stations or within the same snow-flush leads Brockmann to the conclusion that accident or chance plays an important part in the constitution of the plant-covering. In other words, the snow-flush is an open association into which species from neighbouring plant communities migrate. The existence of compara- tively large pure patches of a single species, frequently observed in the snow-flush, is attributed to the capacity of the plants for vegetative propagation. It seems to be essential for existence in the snow-flush habitat that the species should form low matted tufts sufficiently compact to resist periodic flooding, and along with this the power to extend laterally by short horizontal shoots. Gnapha- lium swpinum forms mats from which the short flowering stems arise, and short horizontal shoots extend along the ground to give off new leafy shoots which flower in some future year. Cerastium, Sibbaldia, Alchemilla, and Veronica alpina extend by lateral branches rooting in the underlying carpet of MHepatice or Moss. Salia herbacea forms a loose mat extending comparatively rapidly by underground horizontal branches which root and may form new plants. That this habit of growth leads to con- siderable stability may be experienced when one collects specimens; either one brings away much soil attached, or the shoots break off short, leaving most of the plant behind. 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 43 Another interesting adaptation is noted by Brockmann- Jerosch, namely, the presence of a felted coating of hairs which entangles air when the plant becomes submerged by occasional water, and so prevents flooding of the leaf. He recalls the silky white sheen on such leaves as Gnaphalium, Cerastiwm, Sibbaldia, and Alchemilla alpina when seen under a shallow layer of flood-water. The evolution of the snow-flush vegetation is indicated in E. Riibel’s account. Anthelia, perhaps preceded by still lower organisms,! forms a humous tuft, fairly stable and liable to invasion by other species. Polytrichum follows later, and more or less takes the place of Anthelia. Later still Salix herbacea or Alchemilla assumes chief place. Riibel has observed where the different sub-types occur beside each other that Salix takes the higher and drier situations, which in Switzerland adjoin the extensive plant association of Carex curvula. Each of the stages of vegetation probably indicate stages in the evolution of the habitat, since the later vegetation will tend to give it increased stability. In time the accumulation of sedi- ment, humus, and vegetation may be such that the snow- water is diverted to new situations, where the sequence will begin over again. During the various phases other species secure a footing and flourish well or ill according as the habitat suitsthem. Riibel suggests that Taraxacwm and Cerastiwm cerastioides find in the snow-flush that abundance of organic matter which they require; in Switzerland both are characteristic species of the “lair- flora,” that is, places manured by sheep, goats, or other animals, where grasses like Poa annua flourish. Again, Carex Lachenallit he has observed invading the snow- flush from neighbouring marshes. All these observations point in one direction: that the snow-flush is a series of migratory associations. These were recently defined by C. B. Crampton (11) (p. 8): “Migratory formations are of comparatively short persistence on the same habitat, which sooner or later undergoes change or destruction, with renewal elsewhere. Their associations tend to rapid degeneration from plant invasion. All stages of pro- 1 Mr. Macvicar (in litt.) informs me that Anthelia is preceded by an alga. 44 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sxss. LXXVI. gressive successions of associations are encountered.” It seems to us that along these lines the somewhat complex distribution of our arctic-alpine vegetation must be studied. LITERATURE. (1) Types or BrivisH Vecerarion.— Edited by A. G. Tansley. Cambridge, 1911. (2) Crampton, C. B.—Vegetation of Caithness. 1911. (3) Scur6tER, L. — Taschenflora des Alpen-Wanderers (with notes by C. Schréter). Zurich, 1903. (4) Brocxmann-JeRoscH, H. — Die Flora des Puschlav. Leipzig, 1907. (5) Scur6rER, C.—Das Pflanzenleben der Alpen. Zurich, 1908. (6) Oxrrrit, M.—Beitrage zur Oekologie der Felsflora. Zurich, 1905. (7) Riper, E. — Pflanzengeographische Monographie des Bernina- gebietes. Zurich, 1911. (8) HEEG, .—Lebermoosen Niederdsterreichs. (9) Cavers, F.—“‘On Saprophytism and Mycorhiza in Hepatice.” New Phytologist, i1., 1903. (10) Macvicar, S. M.— “Distribution of Hepatice in Scotland.” Trans. Edin. Botan. Soc., xxv., 1910. (11) Crampton, C. B.—“Stable and Migratory Plant Formations.” Scot. Bot. Review, i., 1912. MossEs FROM THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS.—By JAMES Stirton, M.D., F.LS. Leucobrywm pumilwm (Michx.) has been found at last near Gairloch, Ross-shire, on the 20th of September 1911. Bryologists have searched during a long course of years for this moss throughout Europe and Great Britain, but until lately quite in vain. I have a distinct recollection of hear- ing Professor Schimper of Strasbourg, author of the “ Bry. Eur.,” while on a visit to this country in 1865, urge those interested in mosses to institute an organised search for a Leucobryum having leaves with deeply cucullate apices. Several in Glasgow directed their attention for twenty years thereafter towards the discovery of such a moss, but without success. In 1882 a Mr. Piffard discovered, in the New Forest, England, Z. minus (Hampe), then reckoned a variety of the common L. glawcum (L.), but now named L. albidum (Lindeb.), for what reason I know not. 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 45 At this stage the search gradually abated for nearly thirty years longer until, in 1911, L. pumilum (Michx.), the moss to which attention had been drawn fifty years previously by Professor Schimper, was found near Gairloch, growing on the debris of the Torridon Rock. I have carefully compared genuine specimens of this moss from Dr. Braithwaite, who got them from Mrs. Britton, keeper of the Moss Herbarium in Bronx Park, New York, and the Scottish and American specimens agree in every particular. Whilst working amongst the Torridon Rock what struck me as very peculiar is the fact that, in spite of its hardness, it is easily disintegrated by the rootlets of slender mosses. Many such, chiefly species of the genus Grimmia, are found growing on large exposed masses of this rock and mostly in saucer-like depressions. On detaching these tufts they appear as if they had been reared in loose sand, whilst a corresponding cavity in the rock is revealed. I may return to this subject on another occasion. Another peculiarity presented is the deep dark-green colour assumed by mosses growing on it, while the same mosses growing on other rocks usually exhibit a greyish appearance more or less deep. That this prevailing deep green is not of the same constitution throughout may be inferred from the fact, that in some instances it changes, in the course of two or three weeks, to a deep coppery hue throughout the entire plant, in others it slowly turns to a dingy yellowish-green, while in the majority of cases the colour remains nearly unchanged for many months. An instance of the first of these changes in colour is the following which, besides, is remarkable otherwise, owing to the peculiar shape of a proportion of the upper cells of the leaf, viz. barrel-shaped, with lateral walls, convex and rugose, while the ends are usually narrowed and nearly straight. Grimmia rubescens, sp. nov.—In small, dense, convex tufts of a dark green above, rapidly changing throughout to a dark copper colour, quite unlike the dingy grey usually assumed by others of the same genus; stems about an inch long or less, simple or dichotomously divided, much less frequently fastigiately branched; leaves closely arranged 46 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess. LXXVI. around stem, spreading slightly and straight when moistened, narrowly ovate lanceolate, ending in a broad apex, latit. (07-1 mm., surmounted by a broadish hyaline hair tapering to a point, sparsely spinulose, variable, from a third to nearly as long as the leaf proper; nerve narrow below (04 mm.), widening somewhat upwards, then narrow- ing to summit, pale then copper-coloured ; margin entire, recurved in lower half, plane afterwards, the other margin quite plane throughout, the upper half thickened by two couples of transverse cells and towards apex interruptedly bistratose throughout; cells in four to six short rows at inner base narrow, cylindrical, separate (especially later- ally), 04-07 by ‘004-6 mm., slightly granular, ultimately pellucid, outwards becoming (rather abruptly) nearly elliptical, dark, opaque, and granular outwards to recurved margin; on the plane margin two to five short rows hyaline, sharply oblong, close, °013—02 by ‘007-9 mm., up from base cells very irregular in size and shape, barrel- shaped or only irregular in outline, and slightly narrower than those at base but of the same length, or cells merely round but more of such nearer apex and nerve; only four capsules in a young state were found; seta pale, short, straight or slightly bent, about a third of an inch long; capsule elliptical, rugose; lid and teeth red, short, pointed ; acumen short, blunt, red, not more than a fourth the length of capsule. There is another moss rather closely allied to the preced- ing, but as it presents one strange peculiarity such as I cannot recall having ever seen previously, I consider it right to describe it here. Grimmia undulata, sp. nov.—In rather dense convex tufts of a dark-green colour above, becoming darker in the herbarium, ultimately assuming a dingy brown in the lower half; stems slender, about an inch long, simple or slightly branched; leaves laxly arranged around stem, nearly appressed, with the longer hairs everted ; when moistened spreading somewhat, straight and slightly undulating, re- maining attached to the stem nearly to base, long, slender, ovate lanceolate, acuminate, terminating in a slender hair very variable in length, from a mere point below to about half the length of leaf above, slightly spinulose ; cells at 1911-12.] | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 47 central base long, cylindrical, close, often attached, -06—09 by 006-9 mm., slightly granular, ultimately hyaline, outwards shorter, bluntly oblong, with two to four short rows of cells next margin smaller still, sharply oblong, ‘016 by 006 mm., but all basal cells becoming hyaline; upwards cells become gradually shorter and merge nearly transversely into the upper dense, opaque, chlorophyllose, round or roundly quadrate cells, length variable from ‘009 to -016 mm. in longer diameter,in upper third somewhat smaller,-007-9mm.; nerve soon turning brown, firm, solid, breadth near base ?05—065 mm., a little broader upwards then lessening to acute apex, of dense structure within; the posterior wall shows a single row of chlorophyllose cells as in the pagina, but nearer the front a row of three largish pellucid cells: margin of leaf recurved a little more than the lower half, entire; a thin transverse section of leaf shows the margins thickened in a remarkable manner, by a round cluster of cells grouped together without order, in number from seven to fifteen so as to form a thick round club three times the thickness of the rest of pagina; this thickening is often seen a little below the middle of leaf but smaller. Barren. On the red rock in several places near Gairloch. This moss is rather closely allied to Gr. trichophylla (Grev.). Another interesting moss deserves to be recorded, viz. a Brywm, so closely resembling in size and appearance the greenish forms of B. argentewm that I passed it on more than one occasion without inspection. Bryum elegantulum, sp. nov.—Tufts very dense, slightly convex, green above, pale but tending towards a reddish tint below; stems very slender, about half an inch or less in height, simple or sparsely divided, red and red-radiculose in lower half, to which also minute acutish leaves are attached; upper leaves rather suddenly enlarged, but still minute, scarcely a millimetre in length, closely arranged and even imbricated so as to form, at and near apex, a rather elongated comal group; such upper leaves are oblongo-ovate, concave, narrowing convexly above to a point, from which arises a long, slender acumen about one-third the length of leaf proper, or from - -2 to 35 mm. long, terminating acutely and having the same construction as the rest of the pagina, but the cells composing it a little longer; nerve slender and thin, breadth near base 48 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess, EXXVI, about ‘03 mm., tapering and ending in the acumen; margin plane, entire, having two rows of cells less than half the breadth of those of the rest of the pagina but longer; cells at base in two to four transverse rows (across base), oblong or quadrate, with thickish, opaque walls, ‘(025-032 by ‘012- ‘(022 mm., those above for the rest of leaf acutely rhomboid, large, close, (04-06 by ‘014-02 mm. Leaves almost destitute of chlorophyll. This moss is certainly distinct from B. argentewm in the narrow border-cells of the leaf, in the nerve which reaches the apex and, from the character of the cells in the lower part of the acumen, probably extends a little into it, as well as from the length and constitution of the acumen itself, which, in B. argenteum, is only represented by a bluntish knob; lastly, from the differences in the shapes of the leaves, as well as from differences in the paginal cells in the two mosses. In woods in Lovedale, near Gairloch. Only one long, strong seta was observed in a tuft, but as it dropped off I could not found anything on it. At Onich, on Loch Linnhe, a tuft of Plagiotheciwm Miilleri was picked up in fine fruit. The station is unusual, not many feet above sea-level. This is the only specimen which has been found in fruit in Great Britain. In 1909 at Onich, on Loch Linnhe, a moss was discovered to which a proper place could not be assigned, but as the same moss was secured in 1911 at Gairloch, I feel con- strained to give an outline of its main characteristics. Barbula incavata, sp. nov.—Tufts large, very dense, green above, changing in the herbarium to a dingy yellow- ish green, brown below ; stems simple or slightly branching, slender, about half an inch long; leaves incurved when dry, spreading a little and straight when moist, hollow through- out, elliptical or narrowly so, length 1-5 mm. by 35 mm. in breadth near middle, blunt and round at apex; margin plane, slightly incurved towards the summit, faintly crenu- lated or nearly entire; nerve strong, pale, then fulvous, vanishing a little below apex ; cells at inner base oblong or somewhat rhomboid, detached, ultimately pellucid, variable, 022-04 by ‘008-011 mm., outwards smaller, thinner, ultimately hyaline, latit. 006-008 mm. across, upwards 1911-12.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 49 changing transversely into others, very peculiar, giving at first the impression that they are very minute, viz. ‘004-7 mm. across, but such are ultimately seen to be the dimen- sions of particles of chlorophyll, whereas the cells proper are bluntly quadrate, close, with very thin transparent walls, containing four particles of chlorophyll in each, and 009-014 mm. across, ultimately dark and opaque; such are found throughout the rest of the leaf, the larger next the nerve. Leaves are minutely papillose, more especially in their upper third, less frequently on the margin; height about (0025 mm. At Onich near seashore in two places; in one place similarly situated at Gairloch, 1911. ScortisH Forms oF SpaRGANIUM. By ARTHUR BENNETT, A.LS. Following up my previous notes (see p. 26), I here give the forms of this genus, which I have from Scotland. The specimens have all been seen by the late Mr. Beeby and by Dr. Rothert. The names are given in the sense and value of the describers, although opinions may differ as to their being varieties, states, ete. Sparganium ramosum, Curtis (sensu Beeby).t f. microcarpum, Neuman in Hartm., “Sk. Fl.” 112, 1899. —Crianlarich, Perth, E. 8. Marshall sp., 1893. Dalmally, Argyll, E. S. Marshall sp., 1893. Baldernock, Stirling, R. M‘Kay sp., 1887. S. agjine, Schniz, a zosterifolium, Neuman (/.c.)—Unst, Shetland, W. H. Beeby sp., 1887. 8B deminutum, Neuman (/.c.)\—Loch na Criche, Moidart, v.c, 97, S. Maevicar sp., 1895. y microcephalum, Neuman (I.c.).—Loch between Rack- wick and Orgill, Hoy, Orkney, E. S. Marshall sp. S. minimum, Fries, var. flaccidum (Meinh. sp.).—* Mél. Biol.” xviii, 3, 393, 1893. Isle of Gigha, v.c. 101, 1 §. erectum (a), Linn, “Sp, Pl,” ed. 1, 1753, 971. 2 First part, all published, TRANS. BOT. SOC. EDIN. VOL, XXVI. 4 50 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ SESS. LXXVI. A. Somerville sp. Colonsay, v.c. 102, M. M‘Neill sp. var. rostrata (Larsson sp.), “Fl. Vermland och Dal,” ed. 1, 1859. Islay, v.c. 102, A. Somerville sp. The var. microcarpum of ramoswm is the one most nearly approaching in habit, ete., to S. neglectwm, Beeby. The only Scottish specimens seen of S. neglectwm, Beeby, are from the Isle of Lismore, v.c. 98, S. Macvicar.! Mr. Beeby remarked on these specimens :—“ From a care- ful examination of your Spargunia, they certainly appear to me to be S. neglectum. But hitherto the northern limit has been v.c. 62, N.E. York; while on the west side there is nothing north of Cheshire!. Hence I should have been glad to have seen a ripe fruit. The extension of range is remarkable; however, it occurs in Denmark (v. sp.), In almost the same latitude as Berwick, ec. 55° 50’, while Lismore is ¢. 56° 30’... There are records for the mainland of Sweden on good authority up to about 50°10’. Another at 59° will decidedly require confirmation. I cannot do other than name your plant S. neglectum.” — Beeby, 8/10/1898. Contrasting these against Mr. Burkhill’s from Sear- borough, York (1896), the fruit is decidedly smaller, and the Scarborough specimens would perhaps come nearer to the var. oocarpwm, Celak, in “ Oest. Bot. Zeit.,” 425, 1896. S. affine zosterifoliwm is taken as the type by Neuman; whether this is so with reference to Schnizlein’s specimens IT am unable to say, as I have not seen a type specimen. Ascherson and Graebner? under affine cite “S. alpinwm, Don ex G. Don, in ‘Loud. Hort. Brit.” 375, 1830, name only.” But in Headrick’s “Survey of Forfar” (1813) Don uses the name S. natans? as found in the. Lake of Forfar. So far as I have seen there. seems to be little variation in the other species, z.e. S. sumplex, Huds., in Scotland. The following are additional records to “Topl. Botany ” and Supplement :— S. ramoswm (Ebudes), 102, “S. Ann.,” 1906. S. neglectum, 74, Wigton, “Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.,” 101, 1910. “Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.,” p. 39, 1899. “Sy. Fl. Mitt. Europe.” - “Notes, Roy. Bot. Garden, Edin.,” No. xiv., p. 215, 1905. Oo np & 1911-12.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 51 S. neglectum, 78, Peebles, “Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist,” 101, 1910. S. affine, 85, Fife, G. West. S. affine, 109, Caithness, Dr. Davidson sp. Since Mr. Beeby’s remarks, S. neglectwm has been found in West Lancashire by Messrs. Salmon, Thompson, and Wheldon. New OR IMPERFECTLY DESCRIBED SPECIES OF ACACIA FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA. By ALEX. MorRISON. Acacia densiflora, n. sp. — Phyllodia subulate, terete, striate; flowers in globular sessile heads, 5-merous, with a short turbinate-lobed calyx. A rigid shrub with terete, closely woolly-pubescent branches, phyllodia subulate, somewhat spreading, terete but slightly flattened, rigid, mucronate but scarcely pungent, slightly narrowed at base, with 15-20 rather prominent strie and minutely pubescent, 0°8-2°5 cm. long and about 1 mm. thick. Inflorescence in globular sessile flower-heads crowded in pairs in the upper axils; flowers about 20 or fewer in the head, 5-merous, calyx turbinate with short lobes, woolly, less than half as long as the petals, which are subacute, smooth, with the midrib somewhat prominent near the top. Pod not seen. (Kellerberrin, E. Avon district. R. B. Leake.) Meissner describes a barren specimen from the interior (Preiss, No. 976, “ Pl. Preiss,” i. 12) as a possible variety of A. leptonewra, but Bentham in “Fl. Austral” has placed this under dA. aciphylla, without, however, having seen Preiss’s specimen. Our plant, if it should be the same as that collected by Preiss, differs in aspect from A. aciphylla, being a scrubby, rigid shrub, with the flower-heads dis- tinctly globular, so that Meissner seems to have been nearly right in placing it under A. leptonewra. Moreover, although the calyx is that of A. aciphylla, the globular flower-heads and the phyllodia approach those of A. leptonewra, so that this plant may be set down as a distinct species. 52 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SEss. LXXVI. Acacia longispinea, n. sp.—Phyllodia linear tetragonous, rigid, mucronate; inflorescence in pedunculate globular heads containing numerous 5-merous flowers, with free sepals and petals; pod flat, straight, seeds ovate attached by a short funicle without folds or aril. A glabrous shrub with terete branches, the phyllodia being incurved, with very prominent ribs as in A. gono- phylla, narrowed at the base, and tapering to a short point, 5-12°5 cm. long by about 15 mm. broad, stipules minute, deciduous. Peduncles in pairs in axils, slender, spreading or reflexed, 0°7 cm. to 2°2 em. long, bearing heads of about 6 mm. diameter, containing 40 or 50 florets. Sepals very narrow linear spathulate, ciliate, 3 as long as petals, which are distinct, tapering below, and smooth. Pod stipitate, linear-oblong, straight, slightly contracted and depressed between seeds, flat, 25-5 em. long by 0°5 em. broad, valves coriaceous with margins thickened. Seeds longitudinal but sometimes slightly oblique, ovate, flattened, mottled, 0°25 cm. long; funicle short and slender, dilated at base, but scarcely thickened or folded, about half as long as seed. (Kununoppin, E. Avon district. F. E. Victor.) F. v. M. and Tate, in their report on the plants of the Elder Expedition, p. 351, note “Acacia (aff.) gonophylla, Benth., with long phyllodes. W. A. near Barrow Range,” and probably this is the same species. As compared with A. gonophylla, Benth., besides having longer phyllodia, the peduncles are longer, the flower-heads larger and con- taining numerous florets, the ladle-like sepals with a very slender claw and broad orbicular lamina, and about 2 as long as the petals; the pod is depressed between the seeds but not contracted on the margins; the seeds are ovate and flattened, and the funicle is different. Acacia wneinella, Benth.—As the fruit of this species is imperfectly known, the following description may be given :— Pod (not quite mature) almost sessile, linear, straight, flat, with thickened sutures, slightly contracted between the seeds, obtuse and more or less beaked at the top, maxi- mum length 56 em. by about 0:2 cm. in breadth. Seeds longitudinal, oblong, funicle thickened and shortly folded 1911-12.} BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 53 under the seed and forming a white and membranous cup- shaped aril. (Kununoppin. F-. E. Victor.) Acacia triquetra, Benth—This species differs from A. Meissneri in the nerve-like margins of the phyllodia, longer peduncles, pod (immature) curved and narrow, not over 13 lines broad, and funicle short with a large aril. Bentham separated A. Meissneri, Lehm., and its var. angustifolia, as described by Meissner (“ PI. Preiss,” i. 13) under the one specific name, making the variety a distinct species, namely, A. triquetra. With the exception of the linear phyllodia, our plant answers to the description of this species, but its phyllodia have the obliquely obovate form of those of A. Meissneri, with the upper margin more arched than the lower, and bearing a gland below its middle, though differmg in having nerve-like margins. The chief distinction between the two species, however, is found in the pod, which in the Kununoppin specimen is nearly sessile, much curved and twisted, forming sometimes more than two circles, somewhat turgid and narrower between the seeds, which are longitudinal, oblong, with the funicle very short and bearing a very large yellowish aril broader than the seed. (Kununoppin. F. E. Victor.) Acacia pyrifolia, DC., n. var.—At the Ashburton river two forms of A. pyrifolia, DC., were met with; one, which appears to be the usual form, growing as a small tree on the open plain, where a heavy clay soil is sometimes seen forming a bare surface but is usually covered with sand. Its phyllodia are thick, undulate, rigid, and primose, and the inflorescence is of a very dark purplish colour. The other grew near the river, as a shrub, amongst others, and somewhat protected from the severity of the heat. In form the phyllodia were exactly the same, but this grew with more prominent veins, while the pods were of a paler colour. The funicle of the seed, however, is much shorter, not passing completely round the seed, while in the other form it makes a complete revolution before being folded twice and somewhat thickened to form an aril. Acacia microbotrya, Benth—As Bentham had doubts about the fruit of this species, the following may be added to his notes on the subject:—Pod (not yet mature) on a stalk of about 0°6 em., straight, flat, valves coriaceous with 54 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Suss. LXXxvi. thickened sutures, finely reticulate over the seeds and much contracted between them, seeds convex alternately on either surface of the pod, which is found to reach 15 em. in length and about 0°7 cm. in breadth over the seeds. Seeds some-_ times as many as ten in the pod, longitudinal, oblong, flat, 5 mm. in length; funicle long and slender, two or three times folded and expanded below the seed into a large club-shaped fleshy aril. (Hannan’s Lake, Boulder. W. D. Campbell.) Acacia Lindleyi, Meissn.—Meissner, describing A. Lind-_ leyi as a new species, speaks of it as being distinct from all others, but he cannot have seen A. subcwrulea, published by Lindley in the “ Botanical Register” in 1827, for. the description of the latter applies remarkably well to the former, as seen in specimens from Coolgardie and Keller- berrin districts. To this similarity may also be ascribed the origin of E. Pritzel’s A. swhewrulea, Lindl, var. swhses- silis (“ Bot. Jahrb.,” xxxv. p. 303). Spencer Moore also records A. subcerulea from near Coolgardie, but in the “Fl. Australiensis” the only localities given for this species are on the south coast. The only ready distinction is found in the longer racemose and more slender branches of the A, subcerulea. The fruit of A. Lindleyi, however—up to the present unknown—is very different from that of A. swhcwrulea. The pod measures up to 7°5 em. in length by 0°6 em. in breadth, it is stipitate, flat, obtuse, and is coiled more or less into circles; the valves are coriaceous, with the sutures somewhat thickened, depressed between the seeds, and showing transverse veins reticulating on their surface. The seeds are longitudinal, ovate, smooth, black, with a short and slender funicle, not thickened nor folded, about half the length of the seed. (Kununoppin. F. E. Victor.) Acacia dictyophleba, F. v. M. “Pod unknown,” Ben- tham, “Fl. Aus.,” 11. 388.—Pod very shortly stalked, flat but undulating over the seeds, resinous and glistening, oblong, rounded at both ends, valves coriaceous, margins straight and nerve-like, with numerous transverse veins reticulating over the surface, maximum dimensions 5:5 em. long, 14 cm. broad. Seeds transverse, oblong, .0°5 em.— 03 em., blackish brown; funicle flattened, thrown into 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH DO numerous short folds, forming a large pale yellow aril under the seed. (Uaroo, Ashburton River, N.W.) Acacia aciphylla, Benth.—As the pod has been only imperfectly described, a few notes are here given:—Pod shortly stipitate, linear, terete, slightly contracted between the seeds, with an obtuse more or less hooked apex, max. length 56 em. by 0:15 em. broad. Seeds longitudinal, linear-oblong, brown; funicle slender, thickened and _ re- peatedly folded below seed, and forming a white cup- shaped membranous aril embracing its base. (Kununoppin. F. E. Victor.) Acacia ephedroides, Benth—Pod on a stalk of 3-4 mm., linear, flat, obtuse or bluntly hooked at top, length 6°5 em., breadth over seeds 0°25 em., valves coriaceous, thickened along margins, contracted between seeds, light brown, veined on surface. Seeds longitudinal, narrow-ovate, 3 mm. in length, smooth, brown, funicle forming a number of large folds and expanding into a large white membranous aril below the seed. (Kununoppin. F-. E. Victor.) Acacia stereophylla, Meissn.— This specimen agrees perfectly with the description of A. stereophylla as given by Bentham (“FIl. Aus.,” 11. 404) as well as by Meissner himself (“ Pl. Preiss,” ii. 203), but as its fruit does not appear to have been hitherto met with, a description of the pod is here given. Pod shortly stipitate ; flat, straight, oblong-linear, bluntly mucronate, obscurely reticulate, valves chartaceous, light brown, slightly thickened along margins, 1-2°5 cm. in length by 03-04 em. broad. Seeds longitudinal, ovate, turgid, brown, smooth and shining, at most 0°25 em. by 015 cm.; funicle very slender in lower half, but folded and thickened above, forming a large membranous aril, as in A. acuminata. (Kununoppin. § F. E. Victor.) E. Pritzel has come to the conclusion that A. cibaria, F. v. M., is really the plant known as A. stereophylla, but this decision is evidently not based on an examination of the original or any other specimens of A. stereophylla, but on the published description only. A. cibaria (the de- scription of which is not available here) is believed to have all the characters of A. stereophylla as described, and therefore is the same species. Pritzel, however, describes 56 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Suss, LXXVI. the fruit of his plant, and finding it resembles that of A. xylocarpa, places it—that is, A. cibaria or stereophylla —near that species, instead of next to A. acwminata, of which Bentham thought it might prove to be a marked variety. The fruit of our specimen, however, confirms the close affinity between A. stereophylla and A. acuminata, as pointed out by Bentham. ‘There are several varieties of A. acuminata met with in the inland districts, but their pods have not been described; it is probable they may with dA. stereophylla form a group showing affinity in all details with the typical A. acuminata. Note on VICTORIA REGIA, LINDL. By Professor GIOVANNI ARCANGELLI. This plant, the most beautiful of all the species in the Nympheacez or water-lily family, has been recently culti- vated in the Botanic Garden of Pisa (Italy) with excellent results and very little expense, using chiefly solar heat. The germination of the seeds was carried out in a small tank of zinc, with water, gently warmed from below by a petroleum lamp. The sowing was made in the month of March or April in small pots immersed in the water of the tank. When the seedlings were sufficiently grown, with leaves 3-4 inches in diameter, one or two seedlings were planted in the bottom of a basin which was placed in a greenhouse without any apparatus for artificial warming but with glazing turned towards the south, and which was, during a large part of the day, in direct sunshine. In these conditions the seedlings, having been kept from the month of June at a temperature from 25° to 40°C., grew quite well and continued to vegetate vigorously during the months of July, August, September, and October. In the process of vegetation the plant developed a dozen and more very fine flowers, of nearly 30 em. in diameter, which expanded successively at intervals of from three to four days. The blade of the leaf is circular in outline, in the seedlings 5-12 em. wide and reaching at maturity 1-1:70 m. in diameter. The lifetime of each 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 57 flower was several days, and during the last few days they exhibited marked movements of nutation, rising gradually to water-level in the morning and sinking in the afternoon. The flower presented also the striking phenomenon of two successive expansions in two different days, the first in the penultimate and the second in the last day, in each case during the afternoon, the one with white, the second with red corolla, and graceful changes of colour with beautiful gradation. The plant ripened fruits with perfectly formed seeds, although without cross fertilisation. By these experiments, accomplished in the years 1907, 1909, and 1910, we may conclude that, if Victoria regia may grow on pools in Sicily on open ground (“ Bull. Soe. Tote. d Orticultura,” 1907, p. 114), probably also in southern Italy, it may be grown in the plains of central and northern Italy with an appropriate greenhouse and practically using only solar heat. The trials made to cultivate this plant on open ground in our botanic garden till now have all completely failed, because by night the culture-tank being without cover is cooled by radiation; nevertheless that is not to say that under special conditions and in very hot summers the cultivation may not be successful. Meanwhile, lately, during 1911, in the same greenhouse employed for the experiments above quoted, some seeds left in the bottom of the basin from the preceding culture germinated in the month of May, without artificial heating, and two of the seedlings so obtained grew and reached maturity, producing leaves of more than 1 m. in diameter, and flourished perfectly, bearing several flowers. I may say also that in the seeds of this plant I have been able to observe germinal asynchronism, viz. that the seeds germinate at different times, and then they may do so in different successive years, as is the case with Huryale and many other plants, an arrangement which is very profitable for the conservation of the species. 58 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. LXXVI. RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE CAITHNESS FLORA. By ARTHUR BENNETT, A.LS. The Rev. D. Lillie of Watten Manse wrote me that his daughter, Miss Isabel Lillie, had collected in Caithness in 1910 and submitted her specimens to Dr. J. W. H. Trail of Aberdeen. Dr. Trail has kindly sent me a list of what seem additions, though many are simply casuals or aliens :— Nasturtiwm microphyllum, Reichb.—Watten Loch. + Geranium Pheum, L.—Outside garden, Lybster. + Trifolium agrariwm, L.—Pasture, Stanstill, Bower. Lathyrus montanus, Bernh., var. tenwifoliws (Roth).— Banks of Reisgill Burn. * Rosa rubiginosa, L. * Saxifraga wmbrosa, L—Among trees, Lybster. * Sedwm albwm, L.—Old wall and bridge, Dunbeath. * Sedum stoloniferum, S. 'T. Gmel.—Wall in Castletown. Callitriche vernalis, L.—Loch Watten. Adoxa moschatellina, L.— From South Caithness in 1908. * Campanula latifolia, L.—Weed in manse garden at Watten. tiinaria Cymbalaria, L.—Garden walls, Swiney, Lybster. +L. vulgaris, L.—Old garden, Dunbeath. + Mentha piperita, L.—Forse, Latheron. Utricularia vulgaris, L.—Probably not characteristic. Carex cwrta, Good. ? + Bromus racemosus, L. The following have been found by other collectors :— Viola Lloydi, Jord—Thurso. “Anns. Scot. N. Hist.,” 19D Sp. 98: Trifolium arvense, L.—Edge of oatfield, Milton, near Wick. Mr. A. Henry sp. + Lamium maculatum, L.—Roadside, edge of a wood at Castletown. Mr. A. Henry sp. { : ; : 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 59 Melampyrum pratense, L., var. montanwm (Johnst.).— Scouthall wood. Dr. Davidson sp. These comprise about nine real additions. Mr. C. B. Crampton has published “The Vegetation of Caithness considered in relation to the Geology” and there has added the undermentioned species to its flora :— Corydalis claviculata, DC.—In a few places along the banks of the Langwell and Berriedale Waters. This is an interesting addition to this northern flora; it seems want- ing in all Sweden, occurs very locally in W. Norway (Slavenga) and S. Norway (Christianssand), in Denmark in several places, and North Germany, but not recorded for Finland, the Faroes, or Iceland. Occurs in East (Grant sp.) and West Sutherland (Marshall sp.). Filago minima, Fr.—Sandy places along Berriedale Water. On record for Ross and E. Sutherland, but not further north. Unknown in Finland, boreal Norway, and boreal Sweden. Vaccinium uliginosum, L.—Northern flank of Small Mount (1750 ft.), in the Langwell Forest. Found in Sutherland, Orkney, and Shetland!. Vaccinium Oxycoccus, L.—In the Langwell Forest, near the Dubh lochs of Skielton. Recorded up to E. Sutherland (Marshall, 1909). Milium effusum, L.—In the Achorn Gorge near Dun- beath. In E. Sutherland. Grant sp. Melica nutans, L.—Rocky banks of the Berriedale Water with birch scrub; scarce. W. Sutherland (Marshall). Bromus ramosus, Huds.—Achorn Gorge, near Dunbeath, and on the landslip beneath the cliff near Borgue. This is not an addition, though so given, but it being recorded under the name of B. asper, Murray, no doubt led to the mistake. It was found by Robert Dick at Dirlot, and I have seen it from the Forss Water. Asplenium viride, Huds.—Rock crevices on Smean (1500 ft.). In E. and W. Ross and Shetland. The above are an addition of seven species to the flora. The work whence these are taken enters fully into the ecological conditions of the plant-formations of Caithness from the top of Morven to the sea-coast. 60 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SEss. LXXVI. The most interesting plant as regards Scotland, Hvero- chloe borealis, is not mentioned. We know from Robert Dick that the plant occurs along the Boulder Clay of the Thurso river, but it would have been of interest if the occurrence of the species had been noticed from the geo- logical standpoint. Mr. Crampton gives localities for other Caithness plants which are not localised in any of the published lists, as— . Carex limosa, L.—Small loch in the corrie at Yarehouse, where it grows associated with C. dioica, L, and C. paniculata, L. Ranunculus auricomus, L.—Mr. Lillie of Swiney, Lybster, has sent me a specimen of the above species, gathered by one of the children of Boultach School, and brought to Miss Hamilton, the teacher. This is an interesting addition to the flora, as it is not on record north of Nairn on the east coast, and of Argyll! on the west coast. In Sweden its distribution is continuous from Skane to Swedish Lapland, in Norway north to 71° 8’, and in Russian Lapland to 69° N. lat. It also occurs in the Faroes, but not in Iceland. MorPHOLOGICAL NoTEs. By K. von GOEBEL, Sc.D. (Camb.), LL.D. (St. And.), Director of the Botanic Garden, Munich. (Plate I.) I. THE INFLORESCENCES OF THE AMBROSIACEA. The large family of the Composite, as is well known, is one of those groups whose individual representatives, in spite of all their variation, still show such a close agree- ment in the structure of the flowers and the inflorescences that one can offhand recognise them as members of one family. Only a few groups deviate to any great extent, and of these one of the most interesting is the Ambrosiacez. Ecologically they are interesting in the manner in which pollination on the one hand and the distribution of the fruit on the other hand are accomplished among them. The Compositz as a rule exhibit insect-pollination, but the Ambrosiaceze have reverted to wind-pollination. 1911-12.] | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 61 Hardly any greater contrast can be presented than between the resplendent flower-head of a Helianthus or a Dahlia, with its remarkable arrangements for dehiscence and for transference of the pollen, and the insignificant male and female floral attire of a Xanthiwm or an Ambrosia. There is a clear indication here that, quite apart from the lack of a corolla conspicuous in its colora- tion, the structure of the floral organs is in strict correla- tion with their functions. In the flowers no nectar is formed, there is no “concrescence” (in reality it is only agglutination or sticking together) of the anthers, and the pollen is formed in great quantity, as is the case with other anemophilous flowers. The condition of the exine indicates, however, that originally pollination took place by insects as in other Composite. It is well known that the pollen in entomophilous plants is provided with a spiny or sticky exine, whereas in anemo- philous plants the exine of the pollen-grains is smooth and not sticky. The Ambrosiacez, so far as I have been able to examine them, still show in the exine the remains of spinose thickenings such as are found in numerous other Composite, but these are so reduced that the pollen is no longer adapted for adhering. The male flowers still show on the rudiment of the stigma a hairiness which recalls the “stigmatic brush” of other Composite. In the female flowers, in which the stamens have dwindled without leaving a trace, there is no longer any indication of this stigmatic brush. Thus the Ambrosiacez, in contrast to other Composite, are retrogressive in structure. On the other hand, it is evident that they have developed new characters not attained by other Composite. This is seen more especially in the character of the noteworthy envelopes with which the fruit is enclosed. The fruiting heads of Xanthium are well enough known to the wool-grower as the detested “burrs” (Kletten), which by means of their bent hooks attach themselves to the woolly coats of animals, and are so dispersed. We shall see that as regards these fruiting heads the other Ambrosiaceze have also undergone retrogression in contrast with Xanthium. It is not surprising that such noteworthy plants have 62 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess, LXXvI. repeatedly formed subjects for investigation. So far as the developmental history is concerned, and apart from Payer’s! contributions, which in the present instance need only be indirectly considered, there are available only the investigations of Rostowzew,’ and these I propose in the following to supplement on some points. Thus one topic will be the male inflorescence, while another will be the “fruit” of Ambrosia. A. The Male Inflorescences. As is known, the Ambrosiaceze are monoecious to this extent, that the male inflorescences occupy the apex of shoots at the base of which are placed the female ones. The individual flower-heads (“capitula”) of Ambrosia tripartita are arranged in large numbers indefinitely (botryose) on an elongated axis, which in turn is terminated by a flower-head. The lateral capitula have this noteworthy characteristic, that the flowers are not placed as usual on the upper (adaxial) side, but on the under side—that is, the side turned away from the primary axis of the whole in- florescence (abaxial). It is natural, at first sight, to ascribe this occurrence to a torsion of the flower-stalk. This is indeed the opinion of Rostowzew, who says that the flower-head undergoes a torsion, in that the peduncle grows more rapidly on its upper side than on its lower. This interpretation in itself does not agree with the developmental history. If one examines the early stages, it is seen that the position of the capitula is “reversed ” at a very carly stage. The capitula are differentiated from the embryonal tissue as hemispherical primordia. The cells of the primordia on the adaxial (upper) side pass first into the phase of elonga- tion-growth, with the exception of the terminal part (a, fig. 1), which develops as the first leaf. On the other hand, the lower side remains embryonal. This is utilised for the development of the growing-point of the capitulum (6, 1 Payer, ‘ Traité d’Organogénie comparée de la fleur” (Paris, 1857, p- 638). iB : 2 T. Rostowzew, “ Die Entwicklung der Bliiten und des Bliitenstandes bei einigen Arten der Gruppe Ambrosiev ” (“ Bibliotheca botanica,” 20). 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 63 fig. 1), except the basal part (mearest the primary axis), which later gives rise to the intercalary meristem in the elongating peduncle of the capitulum. How shall we interpret this peculiar development? Two different views are obviously possible. It may be that the first leaf (a, fig. 1) arising from the growing-point of the capitulum is the first leaf of the in- volucre of the capitulum, the individual leaves of which, united together, form an apparently entire envelope. This is the concept of Rostowzew, which, however, has thus far to be supplemented, that the “torsion of the capitulum ”— if one assumes such a thing—is not a subsequent event, but it existed from the first; in other words, it is “con- genital.” Rostowzew does not mention that if this inter- pretation be assumed, then the lateral capitula of the Ambrosia would present one of the rare cases in which the “bracts” (Deckblatter) of lateral shoots have aborted completely. This occurrence is known in the flowers of the crucifere, ete., in which one can correlate the abortion of the bracts with excessive crowding originally under- gone by the flower-primordia before the elongation of the axis of the inflorescence. In the case of Ambrosia, this would be all the more striking because the female in- florescences possess well-developed bracts, although they are quite as closely crowded together as the male ones. In no instance have I observed in the male capitula even a trace of a subtending bract. The second possibility i is that the first leaf (indicated by @ in fig. 1) is the bract (Deckblatt) of the capitulum. The manner in which (@) develops from the primordium that gives rise to («) and (4) is similar to what occurs frequently in flowers and inflorescences. In this instance the bract, so to speak, is late in being formed. It does not develop in advance of its axillary shoot, but from a primordium common to both. The thing that surprises one is that the axillary shoot should arise on the under side of the bract, and not, as usual, on the upper side. But, after all, this is no more wonderful than the “congenital torsion ” already referred to, nor is it quite without precedent amongst other Dicotyledons. The remarkable flowers of Erythrochiton hypophyllanthus are situated on the under 64 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess. LXXVI. side of the leaf; also the axillary branches on the creeping shoots of some of the terrestrial Utriculariz arise on the side of the leaf furthest away from the growing-point." In other respects it may be assumed that the position of the male capitula of Ambrosia means the same thing as the torsion (entirely brought about by their weight) of the male inflorescences of Corylus, Alnus, Juglans, or the torsion of the anther of grasses: by this means the shaking out of the pollen is facilitated in all these anemophilous plants. Returning now to the morphological question, one might, in arriving at a decision, also take the anatomical facts into account. If (a) (fig. 1) represents the bract of the capitulum, then one might expect that the normal orienta- tion would be shown in the constitution of the vascular bundle, phloem on the lower side, xylem on the upper. Of course, I do not regard the anatomical conditions as decisive, since, in my opinion, these are determined by the morphological, not the reverse. In the present instance this would mean that, in the event of a relatively limited development and retardation in time on the part of the bract in comparison with the axillary shoot, it appears quite natural that the former (the bract) should be pro- vided with its vascular system from the latter (the shoot). This being so, one expects the xylem to be uppermost, with the phloem underneath. The conditions actually existing are briefly as follows: The thin, much-flattened peduncle of the capitulum contains two vascular bundles (rarely three); the phloem-groups of these are set towards the narrow margins, and the xylems are turned towards one another and somewhat obliquely downwards (fig. 3). This anatomical structure is interest- ing because unusual in a shoot-axis. A certain biassed school of anatomists assumes that shoots are distinguished from leaves by their anatomical structure, particularly in the arrangement of the vascular bundles. The shoot of the capitulum of Ambrosia does not differ in structure from many leaf-stalks, except that in the latter the xylem of the vascular bundle is directed upwards. 1K. Goebel, Utricularia (“ Annal. du jardin botan. de Buitenzorg,” vii, 1889). 1911-12. ] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 65 There is little doubt that this anatomical structure is the result of reduction; that is, the peduncle of the primitive type possessed more than two vascular bundles. Linked with these bundlesare those which ramify throu ghout the involucral leaves and the flower, but I have not followed these in detail. It may be mentioned, however, that the vascular bundles of the involucral leaves are normally orientated in that their xylem lies towards the growing- point of the capitulum. The orientation is that described above, and for the reasons given it does not seem to me possible to arrive at any definite conclusion as to the morphological interpretation of this leaf (a) from the anatomical structure. It might be advanced in opposition to the view that the leaf (a) is a bract, that later on it does not always stand opposite the peduncle; this might, however, result from displacement. In the younger stages I saw it in the median position occupying the whole breadth of the inflorescence- primordium (fig. 4). As regards the further development of the male capitula, two facts may be pointed out. Firstly, that the external side (that on which the letter (a) is placed) appeared to be much further advanced than the inner side; this is seen at once in fig. 4. Secondly, that the arrange- ment of the flowers is not “dichasial ” sympodial (as one of the recent authors wrongly states), but corresponds essen- tially with the other Compositz. One sees quite clearly the broad growing-point of the capitulum (V., fig. 4), from which the individual flowers arise; some of the outer ones have bracts even now. The characteristic arrangement of the flowers is determined by the fact that the capitulum as a whole is dorsiventral in structure, with a more advanced development on the outer side. B. The Female Inflorescences. As indicated by Rostowzew, these are dichasially arranged (fig. 5). Each consists of a single flower enclosed by an “envelope” (fig. 8). To understand their constitution it will be necessary to first compare the inflorescences of other Ambrosie. Here one finds the following series :— 1. Mixed inflorescences with female marginal florets. 2. Inflorescences with sexes distinct, in so far that in TRANS. BOT, SOC. EDIN. VOL. XXVI. o 66 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SEss. LXXVI. the female only the marginal florets flower, and only the minority of these, while in the male inflorescence the formation of female flowers is entirely suppressed. 3. There is also a diversity in the arrangement of the female and male inflorescences. Whereas the arrangement was originally indefinite (botryose), this is retained only in the case of the male inflore- scences, the female ones showing dichasial arrange- ment.! In Xanthium the male inflorescences are orientated norm- ally ; the structure of a young male inflorescence in longi- tudinal section is shown in fig. 6, I. The female capitulum consists of two flowers enclosed in the many-spined envelope. This envelope originates from the fusion of two bracts (Sa, Sb, fig. 6, II.) in whose axils the female flowers are placed. With reference to the development, the reader is referred to my recent account.2, Thisis noteworthy in this respect, that the two floral bracts entirely monopolise the growing-point of the capitulum (except what is required for the flowers arising in their axils), as is shown in the view from above (fig. 6, IV.), and that the flowers are deeply sunk in the axis of the capitulum. Comparing this inflorescence with that of Ambrosia, it will be found to have undergone still further reduction. Firstly, we see that the spines or barbed hooks outside the envelope are here reduced to a few small processes (figs. 7 and 8, st); secondly, each envelope contains only one flower. The processes referred to can no longer be of use in the dispersal of the fruits by animals.* How dispersal is effected can only be ascertained in the native land of the plant. The fruits are relatively light, and float in water for a short time at least, and they may even be rolled to a distance by wind. It is evident that the envelope of the fruit of Ambrosia corresponds to that of Xanthiwm. But is it, like the 1 With regard to diversity of male and female, compare Goebel, ‘Ueber sexuellen Dimorphismus bei Pflanzen” (“ Biolog. Centralblatt,” p- 657, 1910) 2 Goebel, l.c. (“‘ Biolog. Centralblatt,” xxx., 1910, p. 722). 3 They might, of course, become lodged between the claws or in the hoof, 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 67 former, a double one, or is it single? That there is some suggestion of a double envelope is evident by the fact that the apex of the envelope (originally laid down as a closed ring; see fig. 7, right-hand figure) is distinctly two-lobed in the later stages of growth. This indicates that two leaf-primordia take part in the formation of the envelope. Only one of these, however, has an axillary flower-primor- dium. Obviously a characteristic retrogression has taken place here: the flower monopolises the whole area within the envelope; hence it arises not as a lateral outgrowth on the growing-point of a capitulum, but is terminal. There are, of course, many examples of an organ genetically lateral in origin becoming ultimately terminal. We may cite the spikelets of many grasses, also the carpels which in many flowers monopolise all the residual part of the growing-point of the flower, and the terminal stamen of Navas, Callitriche, ete. Ambrosia is, however, a specially well-marked example of this procedure. The development of the female flower need not be described further, except to point out that there is only a mere trace of the corolla, while the stamens and calyx have disappeared without leaving a trace. Thus we see that Ambrosia has carried still further in its female inflorescence that reduction already indicated in Xanthium. Even in Xanthiwm the male organs of the capitulum are completely suppressed and the number of female flowers is reduced to two. As new structures there are present the hook-like spines on the outside of the con- crescent floral-bracts, which, taking the place of the pappus originally present, facilitate dispersal of the fruit. In Ambrosia these spines dwindle to a few rudiments and the number of flowers diminishes to a single one. In the male inflorescences, however, the number of capitula is probably increased considerably in comparison with the type-form with hermaphrodite flowers. With this may also be correlated, that these male capitula have departed from the prevailing scheme of development, and as seen in their “reversal” have progressed along new lines. Thus with no great effort, and with a basis of facts admissible in any new speculation, we are able to trace, in what seems to mea satisfactory manner, the historical evolution of the structure 68 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Suss, LXXVI. of the inflorescences of Ambrosia. At the same time, the case dealt with here illustrates once again the phenomenon to which the author has frequently made reference ; namely, that our phylogenetic series, so far as we can depict them with any degree of probability, all represent a reduction- series. The following may be advanced in support of this :— 1. Ina descending series we have a definite starting-point (that is, some one of the more completely equipped — forms as distinct from the more reduced ones) with which we can compare the less completely equipped members of the series. 2. In many instances the organs in question may still be recognised as rudiments. 3. The descending series arise latest; hence they are more completely preserved and easier to recognise than the ascending with a history extending much further back, and whose members are as a rule very in- completely preserved. Descending series of this kind are known to every botanist, since they appear again and again in almost every family. Other facts also indicate that organisms become modified mainly through retrogression and simpli- fication: thus “ mutations,’ for example, are essentially of this nature, since in them there is a loss of some definite characteristic." Has then the “nisus formatoris” of the ancient philo- sophers itself become antiquated? Not at all; botany at least has remained youthful. To be convinced of this, one need only glance at what is only possible where youthful aspirations exist, namely, the construction of genealogical trees from below upwards. “Alas, alike in their tenure of life, they are mostly ruins, not of the trees, however, but of the ephemeral day-flies !” 1 E. Baur, “ Einfiithrung in die experimentelle Vererbungslehre” (Berlin, 1911), says: “The large majority of mutations which have been closely investigated depend simply on the loss of some single Mendelian unit character. I have not found up till now, any absolutely certain case in which one or more unit characters have arisen de novo.” MonicH, April 1912. Trans. Bot Soc. Edin.] [Vo XXXVI PI I. Fig.8 K. von GOEBEL, ‘‘ Morphological Notes.” 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 69 EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES. Fig. 1. Longitudinal section through an inflorescence of Ambrosia tripartita. V, growing-point of the male inflorescence ; the individual capitula (with the exception of the terminal one) are placed laterally on the primary axis. 4a, the first leaf of a male capitulum of which 5 is the growing-point. Bl, female flower with its envelope, H. Fig. 2. Ambrosia tripartita. Longitudinal section through an older male capitulum. V, the growing-point. Fig. 3. Transverse section through the peduncle of a male capitulum of Ambrosia tripartita. The xylem in each of the two large conductive bundles is shaded. Fig. 4. Capitulum of Ambrosia tripartita seen from above. Around the growing-point, V, there are seen fifteen embryonal flowers in various stages of development ; the involucre surrounds the whole. Fig. 5. Ambrosia tripartita. Transverse section through a young female inflorescence-group. In the axil of a bract (Deckblatt), D,is a one-flowered female inflorescence, I, with its envelope, H ; this has two prophylls (Vorbliitter), V, in the axils of which other inflorescences are present. Fig. 6, I-III. Xanthium spinosum. I. Longitudinal section through a young male in- florescence. B, male flower with its bract, S. II. Longitudinal section through a female inflor- escence. Sa, Sb, the bracts (Deckblitter) of two flowers, Sa,, Sé,, which on the side towards the incurved margins of the bracts are pro- ceeding to develop the floral organs. IIT. Older inflorescence in which each female flower has now the stigma developed, st. IV. Xanthium strumaria. A young female inflorescence seen from above. Fig. 7. Ambrosia tripartita. On the left a female inflorescence, seen from the outside. st, primordia of the spines which remain rudimentary. H,' the envelope (clearly two-partite). Bl, flower-primordium seen through the envelope (which is regarded as transparent). On the right a young inflorescence seen from the outside. Fig. 8. Ambrosia tripartita. I. Fruit with its envelope, bisected longitudinally. H, en- velope ; st, spines; P, pericarp; S, seed-coat (very thin) ; E, embryo. II. Fruit with envelope seen from outside. 70 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess. LXXVI. NOTES ON SOME MOSSES FROM THE THREE LOTHIANS. By JAMES M‘ANDREW. Perhaps the following notes may prove interesting to local and Scottish bryologists. They consist principally of new records of British mosses gathered in the Lothians since the “Census Catalogue of British Mosses” was published in 1907. I am indebted to Mr. William Evans, Edinburgh, for about one-half of them; the others were gathered by myself and from time to time reported to Mr. R. H. Meldrum, and will no doubt in due course appear in the next edition of the “Census Catalogue.” HADDINGTON, v.c. 82. Sphagnum cymbifolium Ebrh. ; S. rigidum Schp.; Andrecea petrophila Ehrh.; And. Rothii W. and M. (Traprain Law, East Linton); Polytrichwm urnigerum L.; P.alpinum L.(Traprain Law); P. formosum Hedw.; Pleuridium subulatum Rabenh.; Rhabdoweisia fugax B. and 8. (Traprain Law); Dicranella squarrosa Schp.; Blindia acuta B. and S.(Traprain Law); Grimmia apocarpa Hedw., var. rivularis W. and M. (East Linton); G. patens B. and 8. (Traprain Law); G. decipiens Lindb. (Traprain Law—cum fructu); G. montana B. and S. (Trap- rain Law); G. Stirtoni Schp. (Garleton Hills, by W. Evans); Rhacomitrium protensum Braun (Traprain Law, by W. Evans); R. canescens Brid., var. ericoides B. and S.; Hedwigia vmberbis Spruce (Traprain Law) ; Pottia bryoides Mitt. (Gosford Bay, by Mr. John Hunter); Barbula fallax Hedw., var. brevifolia Schultz (west of Dunbar); Weisia microstoma C. M. (Gosford Bay); Cinclidotus fontinaloides P. Beauv. (river Tyne); Zygodon Mougeotii B. and S. (Traprain Law); Orthotrichuwm straminewm Hornsch. ; Bartramia pomiformis Hedw., var. crispa B. and S. (Trap- rain Law); Leptobryum pyriforme Wils. (W. Evans); Plagiobryum Zierii Lindb. (Traprain Law); Webera pro- ligera Bryhn (W. Evans); Brywm alpinwm Huds., and var. viride Husn. (Traprain Law); B. argentewm L., var. lanatum B. and 8. (Gullane Links); Mniwm stellare Reich. (Gullane Links); Pterygophyllum lucens Brid., and Hetero- cladiwm heteropterum B. and S. (Trapain Law); Brachy- thecium salebrosum B, and S.(Gullane Bay); B. plumoswm 1911-12.] | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 71 B. and S. (East Linton); Plagiothecium pulchellum B. and S. (Traprain Law); Amblystegiwm serpens B. and S., var. salinwm Carr. (Gullane Links); Hypnum elodes Spruce; H. aduncum Hedw., var. paternwm Sanio (all Gullane Links); H. Sendtneri Schp. (Gullane Links). Regarding this moss Mr. J. A. Wheldon, F.L.S., Liverpool, writes me: “Your plant is typical H. Sendtneri Schp. It is new to Haddingtonshire, and as a matter of fact it is the first specimen I have seen from Scotland, although recorded from v.c.’s 86 and 87. I have for years been trying to get a specimen of the inland plant, but without success so far.” It grows in a shallow lagoon on Gullane Links, and covers the whole bottom with a mass of several acres ex- clusively of this moss. H. fluituns L.; H. cwpressiforme L., var. filiforme Brid.; H. Patientiw Lindb. Traprain Law, East Linton, has several very interesting mosses such as Hedwigia imberbis Spruce; Grimmia montana B. and 8.; Grimmia decipiens Lindb., all three in great abundance, the latter in fruit; Andrewa Rothii W. and M.; Bryum alpinum Huds. Gullane Links also, like Tents Muir, Sands of Barrie, Dunbarnie Links, etc., have several rare mosses already recorded as Ditrichwm flexicaule Hpe., var. densum B. and 8.; Swartzia montana Lindb., and S. inelinata Ehrh.; Barbula Hornschuchiana Schultz; Trichostomum flavo-virens Bruch; Encalypta rhabdocarpa Schweg.; Amblyodon dealbatus P. Beauv.; Meesia trichoides Spruce; Catascopiwm nigritum Brid. ; Bryum calophyllum R. Br.; Amblystegium filicinum De Not., var. Whiteheadii Wheldon; Hypnum chrysophyllum Brid.; H. gigantewm Schp., Thuidium recognitum Lindb., ete. EDINBURGH, v.c. 83. This vice-county has been better searched for mosses than the two adjoining counties, and hence the new records for it are fewer. Sphagnum cuspi- datum Ehrh. var. submersum Schp.; S. molle Sull.; Polytrichum strictum Banks (all from Bavelaw Moss); Oligotrichum hercynicum Lam.,recently got in Corstorphine Hill wood, is now extinct; Fissidens crassipes Wils. (Colinton Dell); Barbula Hornschuchiana Schultz (waste ground north of Donaldson’s Hospital); Physcomitrella patens B. and S. (Torduff reservoir, by Mr. W. E. Evans, 72 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess, LXxvI. I got this moss in plenty on the dried-up bottom of a lagoon west of S. Queensferry last year); Brywm argentewm L., var. lanatum B. and §.; Brachythecium glareosum B. and S. (Flotterstone Bridge); Hypnum polygamum Schp.; H. aduncum Hedw., var. polycarpon Bland.; H. flwitans L., var. Jeanbernati Ren., and var. atlanticwm Ren.; H. exannulatum Giimb., var. pinnatum Boul, f. stenophylloides Ren., and var. pinnatum Boul., f. gracil- escens Ren.; H. intermediwm Lindb., var. tenellwm Roth (=H. pellucidwm Wils.) (all in Bavelaw Moss); 4. cupressiforme L., var. tectorum Brid.; H. imponens Hedw. (Bavelaw Moss). I got this also last year near West Linton in Peeblesshire, v.c. 78. LINuitHGow, v.c. 84. Sphagnum rigidum Schp., and var. compactum Schp.; S. cymbifoliwm Ehrh.; 8S. tenellam Ehrh.; S. fimbriatum Wils.; S. Girgensohnii Russ. (all in Drumshoreland Moss); Plewridiwm subulatwm Rabenh. ; P. alternifoliwm Rabenh. (N.B. railway embankment); Cynodontium Bruntoni B. and S. (Cocklerue); Fissidens recurvus Starke; Barbula lurida Lindb.; Barbula Horn- schuchiana Schultz; Physcomitrella patens B. and 8, (all west of S. Queensferry); Bartramia ithyphylla Brid., Leptobrywm pyriforme Wils. (Kirkliston distillery); Webera annotina Schweg. (Drumshoreland); Byrum alpinwm Huds. (Cocklerue); Thuidiwm recognitum Lindb. (west of S. Queensferry); Hypnwm riparium L. (Linlithgow Loch) ; H. stellatum Schreb., var. protenswm Rohl; H. exannu- latum Giimb.; H. cordifoliwm Hedw. (Drumshoreland curling pond); H. lorewm B. and 8. (W. Evans). In the “Census Catalogue of British Mosses” for 1907 there are several mosses which require rediscovery, for their records are old. For instance, the rare Grimmias on Arthur’s Seat have evidently disappeared. Grimmia leucophea Grev., is the last one of the group I have seen on Arthur’s Seat, and I suspect that now it too is extinct. The following among others require refinding :—Sphagnum Austini Sull. (v.c. 83); Bryum Warnewm Bland. (v.c. 82); Cryphea heteromalla Mohr (v.c. 82); Hypnum eugyrium Schp. (v.c. 838); Grimmia orbicularis Bruch (v.c. 83); G. anodon B. and S. (v.c. 83); G. conferta Funck (v.c. 83); G. commutata Hiibn. (v.c. 83); G. ovata Schweg. (v.c.’s 82 1911-12.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 73 and 83); Antitrichia curtipendula Brid. (v.c. 83), and several others. Trichostomum mutabile Bruch; T. ineli- natum Dixon; T. nitidwm Schp., have yet to be gathered in v.c. 82. SAXIFRAGA Hircutus, L., IN CAITHNESS, AND ITs Dis- ‘TRIBUTION IN THE British Istes. By ARTHUR BENNETT, A.LS. Mr. G. Lillie has kindly sent me good flowering specimens of the above species which he found growing “in a floating bog about ten yards across each way. It was very shaky, but there was not much danger of one sinking in it as there was considerable growth of grasses, plants, and mosses.” It occurred between Lybster and Loch Rhuard, altitude 430 feet, 58° 22’ N. lat., about 14 miles from the loch. The loch itself afforded Lobelia Dortmanna and Subularia aquatica, rare plants in the county. As the water from the loch and the stream running into it is dis- charged into the Loop river, thence to the Little river, and finally into the Thurso river, the plant belongs to the north-west watershed, not to the east. S. Hirculus is not on record north of West Perth and Kincardine, 57° N. lat.; the extension of range north to Caithness is interesting, though it is a high arctic and northern species. As a rare species it may be well to summarise its distri- bution in our Isles. 91. Kincardine. Wet moor on the farm of Jacksburns, Glenbervie. 21.6.1839.—Mr. James Rae. This is the station erroneously given in “Topl. Botany” as “ Aberdeen, J. Rae.” 87. Perth, W. Madie Moss, above Tillicoultry, c. 2000 feet. Northern side of the Ochils, Clackmannanshire. — Mr. W. Thompson. 83. Edinburgh. On a wet moor between Fala and Stow. —G. J. Blackie. Three miles beyond Blackshiels, Pentland Hills, Midlothian. 11.8.98.—F. C. Crawford sp. 81. Berwick. Moor south of Langton Lees farmhouse, plentiful.—Dr. Johnston, c. 1831; sp. Cardiff Museum !. 74 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. LXXv1. 78. Peebles. Pentland Hills, source of the Medwin, about 1000 feet. 11.9.1836.—Dr. A. Hunter. J. H. Balfour sp., 19.9.1838. 77. Lanark. Boorland Moss, Walston, Sept. 1850.—G. F. Blackie. No altitude given, but the parish ranges from 660 to 1000 feet alt. 69. Westmoreland. Neathheath Syke, alt. 1800 feet, Sept. 1840.—John Bell. Backhouse in Herbarium, York!. 66. Durham. Wet moor, Inishope, Weardale, 2.8.1885,— J. P. Soutter sp. } 65. York, N.W. Sedbergh.—J. Handley, “Yorkshire Naturalist” (1903), p. 408. Cotherstone Fell, 1847.—D. Oliver sp. The actual station is swamps at the junction of the river Balder with the Black Beck. Discovered here by J. Backhouse, 1810; sp. in York Herbarium. 58. Cheshire. Knutsford Moor, where it was associated with Andromeda, Melampyrum pratense, Carex limosa, curta, and stellulata;! also with Siwm angustifoliwm, Cicuta, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Carex ampullacea, Lastrea spinulosa, L. thelypteris, and Osmunda regalis. The date of its first record here (and for Britain) is 1724, Dill. in Ray, “Syn.,” 3rd ed., p. 855; but the plant had been gathered some time between then and 1696, as in an old volume of coloured impressions of Cheshire plants? the locality is given, and the names are those of the 2nd ed. of the “Synopsis.” Specimen sent from here by Mr. Okell of Chester, and figured in “Eng. Botany,” t. 1009,? Aug. 1801. Extinct in 1842. The species did not become extinct here altogether through natural causes, as the following extract will show :— “ Still exists on Knutsford Moor, but is almost destroyed by the rapacity of some individuals who have dug it up for sale in the most remorseless manner.”—Dr. J. B. Wood, in “ Phytologist,” 1. (1842), p. 282. In Ireland in the middle and north-east (7.e. in six of Mr. Praeger’s divisions), but characterised as very rare. In Europe it is a species of Arctic Norway to 69° 29’ N. lat., Swedish, Finnish, and Russian Lapland, Iceland, 1 Lord de Tabley, “Fl. Cheshire” (1899), p. 142. 2 Perry, “ Phyt.,” i. (1843), p. 700. 3 This plate is not quoted in the 3rd ed., iv. (1865), t. 550. 1911-12.] | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 75 along the Siberian coast to Behring’s Straits! The American Arctic coast to Labrador, south to Saskatchewan, E. and W. Greenland, as var. alpina, Engler Mon. Warming, “Qm Groenlands Vegetation,’ 1886-7, does not give any height for this, though citing many species up to 4000 feet. It will bear intense cold, as on the island of Kolegew, where “the thermometer never rose above 9° R. in July and August 1841”;? there it is common. It also occurs on Spitzbergen and Bear Island. I am not sure whether the first Scottish record was the Berwick one in Watson’s “ Outlines,’ 1832, or the Black- shiels one in the “Edin. Phil. Journal,” as I have not access to the latter. It is not given in Dr. Johnston’s “Flora of Berwick,” ii., 1831. Along with the Saxifrage there was a form of Cerastiwm vulgatum, L. (triviale, Link), which looked very different from the ordinary form of the species, no doubt induced by the place of growth. Still thinking it might be one of the Swiss forms so found, I sent specimens to Dr. Schinz of Geneva; he referred them to Dr. Keller of Berne. Dr. Keller reports: “They are only a form of C. cespitoswm, Gilib* (=vulgatum, Wahb.), but the plant ought to be observed. Like all species of Cerastium, cespitosum shows a great variation in all parts according to the medium in which it lives.” Dr. Keller writes: “C. vulgatum, L. {=glomeratum, Thuill., viscosum, Fr.),” which opens the door to a war of words. One accepts the decision; at the same time, the plant is easily distinguished by the eye. Another addition to the county was growing with it— Ranuneulus scoticus, Marshall. A New Species oF PyRENOCHETA. By MaALcotm Wutson, D.Se., F.LS. This plant was discovered by Mr. Wm. Nowell in consider- able quantity during the summer of 1911 on dead Holly leaves on Wimbledon Common, near London. In size it 1 Kjellman, “ Vega Expedition” (1882), 263, 302. 2 Erman, “Arch. Wiss. Kimde v. Russlandes” (1852), x. 313-16; quoted by Fielden and Geldart, “Trans. Nor. and Norf. N. Soc.” (1896), p. 169. 3 Gilibert, “Fl. Lithuanica,” v. (1782), p. 159. 76 - TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. LXXvI. exceeds most of the species of Pyrenocheta, the diameter of the perithecium being about 1 mm. when the sete are included. Numerous brown septate hyphe pass. from the base of the perithecium and penetrate the tissues of the host in all directions. Pyrenocheta Ilieis, n. sp. — Peritheciis amphigenis, sparsis, ovoideis vel subglobosis, 3-5 mm. diam. innato- erumpentibus, subcarbonaceis, atris, setis multis, nigris, rigidis, continuis, 200-400 « superne vestitis; ostiolo prominulo, rotundo; basiduis filiformibus, alterne ramulosis, ramulis brevibus; sporulis cylindricis, utrinque obtusis, continuis, hyalinis, 6-7 = 1-2 wu. Hab.: In foliis dejectis Ilicis Aquifolii, Wimbledon in Britannia. Considering the abundance of the host it is rather sur- prising that no record of this fungus has been previously published. AGATHOSMA TRICHOCARPA, N. SP. By E. M. Hotmgs, F.L.S. (Plate IT.) Since the publication of Harvey and Sonder’s “ Flora Capensis ” many undescribed specimens of rutaceous plants have been detected in Cape Colony, and not a few of these have as yet remained unnamed in herbaria. The species of the genera in the Diosmez, in particular, are so closely allied that it is difficult in the absence of complete material to separate one species from another. The plant to which I have given the above name occurs in herbaria under a number only, as No. 5240, Schlechter, “Plante Afric. Austr.” The specimen I received was in fruit, and was sent to me as a variety of Buchu used in S.E. Africa by the natives, by Mr. Stephen R. Webb, and was collected by Dr. Froembling. On comparing it at the Kew Herbarium, a specimen identical with it, but without flowers, was found there, and subsequently a specimen of the same plant in flower was met with in the Natural History Museum at South Kensington. Dr. F. Schinz of Zurich having paid much attention to 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 77 this group of plants, I wrote to ask him if it had been described as yet, since it is not easy to keep pace with recent publications unless one is working at a group and can Jook up all the literature up to date. He assured me that it had not yet been described. I therefore thought it desirable to publish a description and figure of the plant, which is here given :— Agathosma trichocarpa, n. sp. — Fruticulus erectus, ramosus, ramis erecto-patentibus, apicem versus fastigiatis, subcorymbosis; ramulis angularibus, dense foliatis, floren- tibus purpureo-rubris, pilis et glandulis obtectis; foliis parvis, sessilibus, lineari-lanceolatis obtusis, inferioribus longioribus reflexis, 6 mm. longis, 1-2 mm. latis supra planis vel subcanaliculatis; margine glanduloso-ciliatis ; glandulis pluricellaribus; floribus in capitulis paucifloris, pedicellatis dispositis, bracteis paucis linearibus ciliatis; calyce glabro, segmentis lanceolatis obtusis, 1‘5 mm. longis, et 1 mm. latis, nervo unico, crasso, glandulis biserialibus immersis preeditis, petalis albis, 4 mm., calycem superanti- bus, obovato-oblongis obtusis, in unguem gracillimum extenuatis ; utrinque glabris; staminibus fertilibus quingue, antheris glandula apice coronatis, staminodiis infra lineari- lanceolatis pilosis, apicem versus glabris valde angustatis, apice glandula minima coronatis:; disco cupuliformi, stylo filiformi glabro, carpellis inferne glandulosis, apicibus rostratis recurvis, pilis longis coronatis; seminibus nigris nitidis. Hab.: In regione occidentali, Africe Australis, S. R. Webb, Legit Dr. Froembling, 1911. Syn.: Agathosma, nov. sp., R. Schlechter, in planitie summi Mont Piquetberg, 530 m., ix. 9. 1894, No. 5240, Schlechter, “ Pl. Afric. Austr.” The present species resembles A. alpina, Schlechter (“ Journ. Bot.,” 1898, p. 25), in the hairy tips of the carpels, but differs in the angular twigs, the longer pedicels of the flowers, the few-flowered umbels, the thread-like ends of the staminodes, and the glabrous style. I am indebted to Dr. Schinz for a small specimen of a flowering twig of the plant and to Dr. A. B. Rendle, M.A., for kindly allowing me to dissect a flower of the British Museum specimen of Schlechter’s plant, No. 5240. 78 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess. LXXvI. EXPLANATION OF ILLUSTRATION. a. Twig in fruit, natural size, received from Mr. S. R. Webb. b. Flower cut open, received from Dr. Schinz as No. 5240 Schlechter. c. Calyx separated, showing position of double row of immersed oil glands. d. Showing disc and hair-tipped carpels, and glabrous style. e. Petal. f. Fertile stamen. g. Staminode. h, Fruit. 2. Seed. The figures 6 to h are magnified. A New JAPANESE GRATELOUPIA. By E. M. HoLMgEs, F.L.S. (Plate IIT.) Amongst some marine alge collected in Japan by Mr. S. Okubo, and brought to me for identification, I noticed one which I was unable to match either at the Kew Herbarium or at South Kensington. Although bearing some resemblance to Grateloupia filicina, it differs so much in habit and colour that I Bane decided to describe it as a new species. Gratelowpia subpectinata, n. sp.— Fronde compressa, plana, ad 15 cm. longa, et 3 mm. lata, pinnatim ramosa, ramis a basi angustiore, longe subuliformibus, inferioribus longioribus, infra medium latere inferiori ramellis brevibus subpectinatis, latere superiori dentibus paucis preeditis, ramis supremis simplicibus, brevibus. Color pulchre roseus. Hab.: Japan, S. Okubo, 1912. The nearest approach to this species, in the mode of branching, is Gratelowpia Pennatula, Kuetzing, a native of Cuba (“ Tab. Phyc.,” vol. xvii, tab. 27, a, 6,), which has similar ramelli, but both the ramuli and ramelli are lanceo- late-linear rather than subuliform, and are much shorter in proportion. The rose colour, so far as I know, is never found in forms of Grateloupia filicina, although I have seen many forms referred to this species. The structure is, however, typical of Gratelowpzia, and not of loose texture as in the section Glovogenia, to which a rose-coloured species, G. acuminata, from Japan, previously described by me, belongs. [Vol. XXVL Pl. II. \ > 2 y Agathosma trichocarpa, nov. sp. Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin. E. M. Homes. Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin.} E. M. HoLtmE Ss. [Volo XXvi. PIS. “a” \ L, if j di 7 “ \ A \ \ 1911-12. ] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 79 KeENFIG Burrows: AN EcoLoGicaL Stupy. By M. Y. Orr. Kenfig Burrows forms the southern extremity of a fringe of blown sand which borders the south-west coast of Glamorgan as far as Swansea, a distance of fifteen miles. The breaks in its continuity are brought about by the rivers Avon and Neath. At Kentig the sand dunes extend inland for over two miles at the broadest part, and occupy an area of approximately 1500 acres. The general drift of the sand is in an easterly direction. Apart altogether from the biological problems involved, the area is of great historical interest, for a waste of sand now covers what was at one time a prosperous town. A few scattered ruins on the northern dunes are all that remain to mark the site of the castle and buried city of Kenfig. The invasion of the sand since Roman times appears to have been gradual, but, according to tradition, sand storms of considerable magnitude occurred in the fourteenth century. In 1538 ruin had overtaken the town and castle, and both were abandoned to the advancing sand. Kentig is now represented by a little hamlet, situated about half a mile from the castle ruins, on a ridge over- looking the sheet of water known as Kenfig Pool. This water occupies the central portion of the landward margin of the dunes. From its eastern shore the ground slopes gradually upwards to the ridge, the height of which, and of the adjacent fixed dunes, varies from ninety to one hundred feet above sea-level. The pool forms the apex of a triangular wedge of fertile land which has not been invaded by the sand to any great extent. No doubt, the pool, owing to its position, forms a natural barrier to the further incursions of the sand. The area of this sheet of water is 68 acres, and its greatest depth is 11 feet. The water is fresh and fed by springs on the landward side. It has existed in its present form since 1876, but is of less extent and slightly different outline to the pool of 1814. It was originally a marsh, and its eastern margin is still, in part, characterised by a marsh vegetation. At that 80 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess. LXXvVI, time it was drained by a stream which flowed in a northerly direction and emptied itself into Kenfig river. To-day there is no visible outlet, but it is possible that its waters filter through the sand and ultimately enter the river in that way. Geology, Cluomate, and Rainfall. The blown sand rests on the Keuper marls of the Trias formation. Rocks which project here and there through the sand nearly all consist of conglomerate, which is more or less caleareous in composition. The wedge of land which has the pool as its apex is boulder clay resting on Triassic conglomerate, while the southern boundary of the “white” dunes is of like glacial origin. A broad stretch of alluvium marks the northern limit, and an irregular alluvial tract extends from the margin of the pool to within a short distance of the shore. The climate is mild and humid. Owing to the prevalence of warm south- westerly winds the mean January temperature is about 41° F., and it is probable that the resultant mild winters have a modifying effect upon the vegetation. The corre- sponding July temperature is 62°F, The average annual rainfall, estimated over a number of years, is a little over 33 inches. The wettest months of the year are July to January inclusive. A complete analysis of the soil and sand taken from different stations on the dunes is now being carried out, and a detailed account of soil conditions will be embodied in a future publication. Cattle and horses are pastured on the dunes, and the soil is thus enriched with manure. Molluscan shells are abundant in many of the hollows. The plant formation which covers this area is a natural one, and presents many interesting biological features. A comprehensive ecological study of its vegetation, on modern lines, is now being undertaken, and it is hoped to extend this investigation so as to include the entire belt of sand dunes from Portheawl to Swansea. So far, detailed observations have been chiefly confined to the Kenfig district. This communication is, therefore, not intended to be exhaustive, and is merely a brief account of the more salient features of the vegetation. 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 81 THE PLANT ASSOCIATIONS. The three most prominent and well-marked associations in this formation are the following: 1. The association of Ammophila arenaria; 2. the association of Salix repens; 3. the association of Pteris aquilina. 1. The association of Ammophila arenaria—tThis as- sociation is characteristic of the “shifting” dunes, with the Marram grass as the dominant species. This species occupies the first seaward line of sand hills, the Agropy- retum juwncei (sea couch-grass association) of the Somerset and Lancashire dunes being practically absent in this area. It is worthy of notice that Elymus arenarius, which in Norfolk gives rise to low dunes, is entirely absent from this coast. The higher inland dunes, many of them over ‘ fifty feet in height, bear on their crests the characteristic tufts of Marram grass. It descends on the leeward slopes and colonises the sandy hollows, and in many of the latter its rhizomic habit of growth is particularly obvious. As a “sand-binder” it is pre-eminent, and it is interesting to note that in the Charters of Kentig of 1330 special provision was made for its protection and preservation. Ammophila also occurs in abundance on some of the “fixed” dunes. 2. The Salix repens association.—Salix repens occurs on the “shifting” dunes as a “sand-binder,” producing a well- marked association. In the sandy dune valleys it forms a carpet of low-growing scrub, but in the more exposed stations it collects around it the blown sand and gives rise ‘to “hummocks” and small dunes. In the damp hollows it forms a fringe round the marshy ground and the de- pendent species vary accordingly. Salix represents the second stage in succession on the dunes, as Ammoplila represents the first. In the more open stations of this association Marram grass is the subdominant species. Salix repens occurs on the Lancashire dunes, but Moss describes it as a comparatively rare plant on the Somerset sand hills. .3. The Pteris aquilina association.—The bracken covers acres of the “fixed” dunes in this area, and its outliers blend with the willow of the preceding association. Its TRANS. BOT. SOC. EDIN. VOL. XXVI. 6 82 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SEss. LXXvVI- rhizomic habit of growth makes it likewise a successful sand-binder, and it forms the last stage in succession. According to Massart, Pteris is entirely absent from, or very rare on, the Belgian dunes. It has here undoubtedly adapted itself to life on the dunes and grows luxuriantly. The fronds are regularly harvested for cattle - bedding. Although it is such an abundant type on the “ grey” dunes near Kenfig pool, it is sparsely represented on the adjoining boulder clay. This may be due, in part, to the fact that the latter is under cultivation, or perhaps its absence may be accounted for by the more or less calcareous nature of the clay; the bracken being regarded by some authorities as a calcifuge. In these three chief associations the subordinate species vary according to the character of the association. The Marram grass association is essentially an open one, and on the seaward side of the first range of “ mobile” dunes it is an almost pure association. As a result of this open character, competition among the associated species is re- duced to a minimum. The Salix repens association is of a less open nature. The habit of growth of the Sala affords protection from blowing sand, and excessive insola- tion, to the types which it shelters. At the same time, a certain amount of humus is present, especially in damper stations. On the embryonic dunes formed by this species few associated plants occur, principally on account of the more exposed situation. These hummocks are subjected to frequent denudation by the wind, and their bases commonly present a weathered appearance. In the fixed dune asso- ciation where Pteris is the dominant plant, the amount of shade cast by its fronds is relatively greater, and the dependent species are mostly grasses, Agrostis sp., ete. These three dominant species are rhizomic in habit, and are specially adapted to hold their own under apparently unsuitable edaphic conditions. Extent and Distribution of these Associations. The Marram grass association extends inland as far as Kenfig Pool, where its outlying stations dovetail with those of the Salia association. This latter covers a broad area on the alluvium on the seaward side of the pool, and extends 1911-12.] | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 83 laterally on its flanks. It gradually loses its identity in the bracken association of the fixed dunes. Distributed throughout these chief associations are minor associations which are of local occurrence. Rubus cesius, the dewberry, for instance, forms a community of this description. This species occurs in certain situations on the dunes, and re- presents, with Pteris and Salza, the last stages in succession. Sometimes associated with it is a hybrid form of Rubus which gives rise to hummocks. In addition to these prin- cipal associations many sub-associations and plant societies exist. These will be described at a later stage. The term “plant association ” implies a plant community, and it therefore follows that the dominant types, mentioned above, have associated with them species which may be regarded as subdominant, abundant, or occasional, accord- ing to the frequency of their occurrence. Some species are apparently always associated with a particular dominant, but on the dunes there are many cosmopolitan types which are not limited in their distribution to any one association. A list of subordinate species occurring in any one plant community does not therefore imply that they are char- acteristic of that association alone, or that they do not occur as frequently in any other association. The majority of associated species colonise the sheltered “ flats” and dune valleys which wind in all directions among the high dunes. The configuration of these valleys is varied, and some are characterised by a flora quite distinct in composition from that of a neighbouring depression. Some are marsh-like in character, while others are undulating plains of blown sand, with embryonic dunes in various stages of formation. The species which occupy the dry hollows are psammo- philous, although some, like Cnicus arvensis, which fre- quently occurs, are as characteristic of other formations. On the fixed dunes sward-forming plants and others are associated with Pteris and Ammophila, while many species of moss form patches of bright green colour everywhere, and are particularly obvious during the early spring. The following detailed description of the associations is not intended to be exhaustive. Many problems arising out of the distribution of the dependent species in this formation have yet to be solved, and the listing of associated types is 84° TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SEss, LXXVI. but a step on the way to their complete elucidation. No sharp line can be drawn between two associations, and it is often difficult to determine whether a certain species belongs to one association or to another. In the Kenfig sand-dune area the Salia repens association is of a transitional type. In its more open stations on the mobile dunes the majority of its subordinate species are those of the Marram grass association. Towards its inner limit, fixation of the sand is complete, and the included species are those of the fixed dunes. Before enumerating the species which are found in the chief associations, it is necessary to call attention to the plants which occupy the foreshore, above high-water mark. These plants are usually included in the sand-dune forma- tion, although, as a rule, they are more of a halophilous nature. This association of strand plants is not well developed on this part of the coast; only a few species occurring here and there. The following are the commoner species: Cakile maritima, Scop.; Arenaria peploides, Linn.; Salsola Kali, Linn. . Marram Grass Association. In the “ flats” and sheltered hollows among the “ shifting ” dunes the following species occur :— DOMINANT SPECIES. Ammophila arenaria, Link. ABUNDANT SPECIES. Erodium cicutarvum, Euphorbia Paralias, Linn. L’Heérit. Euphorbia portlandica, Anaphalis margaritacea, B. Linn. & H. fil. Tris fetidissema, Linn. Senecio Jacobea, Linn. Carex arenaria, Linn. Onicus arvensis, Hoftm. FREQUENT OR OCCASIONAL SPECIES. Erigeron acre, Linn. Cynoglossum officinale, Linn. Taraxacum erythrosper- Verbascum Thapsus, Linn. mum, Andrz. Verbena officinalis, Linn. 1911-12.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 85 The variety glanduloswm, Bosch., of Erodiwm cicutarium has been recorded from this district. Anaphalis mar- garitacea is well established on the dunes, and apparently succeeds best where competition is reduced to a minimum. Cnicus arvensis colonises the sandy hollows towards the inner limit of the mobile dunes. It is also abundant on the fixed dunes, as in Norfolk. Euphorbia portlandica is absent from the Somerset sand hills. Salix repens Association. As already mentioned, this association includes within its limits plants of the mobile dunes, as well as those of the fixed dunes. The following species occur :— DOMINANT SPECIES. Salix repens, Linn. SUBDOMINANT SPECIES. Rubus cesius, Linn. Ammophila arenaria, Linn. FREQUENT SPECIES. Viola ericetorwm, Schrad. Leontodon (nudicaule), B. Viola Curtisiz, Forster. & S. Erodium cicutarium, Euphorbia Paralias, Linn. L’Heérit. Iris fetidissima, Linn. Rosa spinosissima, Linn. Carex arenaria, Linn. Erigeron acre, Linn. Phleum arenarium, Linn. Cnicus arvensis, Hoftm. Viola Curtisii was recorded from the sand dunes near Aberavon, over sixty years ago. It is not found in Somerset. The damp sandy hollows which occur within the limits of the Salix association possess a characteristic vegetation. These depressions lie at a low level, and during the winter months are frequently submerged. A layer of humus is formed in places, and in conjunction with an increased water content produce a plant society of a definite type. The Salix forms a fringe round the margin of these hollows, which are colonised by the following species :— 86 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. LXXvI. Samolus Valerandi, Linn. Littorella uniflora, Aschers. Erigeron canadense, Linn. -Helleborine longifolia, R. Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Linn. & B. Anagallis tenella, Murr. Orchis incarnata, Linn. Blackstonia perfoliata, Huds. Juncus effusus, Linn. Mentha aquatica, var. hir- Equisetum palustre, Linn. suta (Huds.). The occurrence of these species in the different hollows depends upon the relative amount of moisture present. Practically pure societies of one particular species are not uncommon. Kenfig Pool is situated within the limits of the Salix association, and its general features have already been described. On its sandy margin the vegetation met with is mainly that of the damp hollows. A sheltered bay on its landward side is rich in species, and the vegetation here and there is of the marsh type. On the opposite shore, which is exposed to frequent sand-blasts from the adjoining dunes, very few plants occur. Space does not permit of a detailed description of the flora and its distribution, but the following list of commoner species will suffice to indicate its character and composition :— Ranunculus peltatus, Polygonum anphibvum, Schrank. Linn. Castalia alba, Wood. Rumex Hydrolapathum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Linn. Huds. Menyanthes trifoliata, Linn. Tris foetidissima, Linn. Scutellaria galericulata, Alisma ranunculoides, Linn. Linn. Eleocharis palustris, R. & 8. Scutellaria minor, Huds. Carex leporina, Linn. Inttorella wniflora, Aschers. Curex Goodenowi, Gay. Limosella aquatica, var. tenuifolia, Le}j., was recorded as occurring in great quantities on the sandy shores of the pool in 1898, but it has not been observed in this locality since 1908. Trees are practically absent from the mobile dunes. On the northern limit of the fixed dunes sand plantations occur, while the alder grows freely on the banks of Kenfig river, and follows its course for a con- siderable distance on the alluvium. Stunted, wind-pruned specimens of Sambucus nigra are met with here and there 1911-12.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 87 on the “shifting” dunes, usually in somewhat exposed situations. Hippophaé rhamnoides, which forms a dense scrub on the Norfolk dunes, and is also reported by Moss as frequent on the Somerset sand hills, does not occur. Vegetation of the Fixed Dunes. The transition from the associations of the “mobile” dunes to those of the “fixed” dunes is gradual. Fixation by Salix, Rubus, and sward-forming plants, like Festuca rubra, begins in the more sheltered hollows, near the inner limit of the shifting dunes. In the more exposed stations the Marram grass still holds its own, and on the dune grassland, where Pteris is absent, it remains a dominant type. Where dune grassland gives place to cultivated land, bush vegetation and trees form a final barrier to the invasion of the sand. Pieris aquilina Association. In the more open stations of this association the follow- ing species occur, in addition to many of those already mentioned :— Erophila verna, E. Meyer. Sazxifraga tridactylites, Linn. Cerastium semidecandrum, Carduus nutans, Linn. Linn. Sedum acre, Linn. Cerastium tetrandrum, Lycopsis arvensis, Linn. Curt. Myosotis collina, Hottm. Stellaria apetala, Ucria. Koeleria gracilis, Pers. Sagina nodosa, Frenzl. Festuca rubra, Linn. and its Vicia angustifolia, Linn. different maritime forms. On those fixed dunes, from which Pieris is absent, Ammophila is almost a dominant type, and the association is a closed one. Many of the included plants are those of cultivated land. In addition to some of the species already mentioned as occurring in the bracken association, the following are abundantly represented :— Geranium molle, Linn. Leontodon nudicaule, B.& 8S. Galium sazxatile, Linn. Rumex Acetosella, Linn. Bellis perennis, Linn. Trtica dioica, Linn. Cnicus lanceolatus, Willd. Luzula campestris, DC. Cnicus arvensis, Hoftm, 88 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Skss.. LXXVI. On the innermost margin of these fixed dunes Ulex ewropeus is occasionally met with. Mosses and lichens are common here, and in the transitional associations. They play an important part in preparing the ground for the growth of flowering plants. Here and there on these fixed dunes limited areas have been enclosed and are now — under cultivation. It is impossible at this preliminary stage in the study of the vegetation of this formation to form any opinions on its composition and distribution which will be of lasting value. The particular area which forms the subject of this communication is too restricted in extent, in any case, for generalised deductions. The mere listing of species included in the different associations is but the initial stage in any ecological study Were these lists complete, much would yet remain to be done. Critical forms must be made the subjects of careful investigation. A thorough investigation of the dependent species and their habit of life must be undertaken, to determine the relationship existing between them and the dominant type, in the association in which they occur. The powers of adaptation and adjustment to environ- ment of the individual plants, and many other kindred problems, still await solution. NoTE ON ARGANIA SIDEROXYLON, ROEM. ET SCHULT., THE ARGAN TREE OF Morocco. By SyminGTon GRIEVE. Morocco, although so near to our shores, is less explored than almost any part of the world. Large areas of the country, especially along the line of the Great Atlas range, with stretches upon each side of these mountains, are quite unknown. It is from these mountain fortresses that have come those hordes of wild men who know no other law than that “might is right.” To judge from the merchandise brought to the coast towns, the country seems to be productive. Under good and firm administration its resources may perhaps be developed in a way that will surprise Europe. The impression formed from what we saw at Casa Blanca and elsewhere was that the French had come to stay. Recent events have shown that we were not wrong in our anti- 1911-12.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 89 cipations. No nation builds cantonments for its soldiers, and erects great walled caravanseries outside the gates of the coast cities to protect the merchants, their merchandise, camels, mules, and donkeys, from brigands, unless it anticipates being able to occupy the country permanently. It is in Southern Morocco that the only forest of Argania Sideroxylon is known. It grows upon the arid plains and lower spurs of the foothills of the great Atlas range, stretching from the river Tansift on the north, southwards past the walled city of Mogodor, to near Agadir, where the Germans recently anchored their war- ships. The Argan forests are confined to the two provinces of Haha and Shiadhma. The forest is quite natural and not cultivated in any way, and you may ride for miles and miles among these trees. Ata short distance the traveller might think he was approaching a forest of olive trees, but a little nearer the illusion is dispelled, as the leaf is different and the fruit larger. The trees are wide-spreading, thorny, and most grow to a height of from 15 to 25 feet. One of these trees is mentioned in Hooker’s Jowrnal of Botany for 1854 (vol. vi. p. 97), which measured not more than 18 feet in height, while its outer branches spread so as to give a circumference of 220 feet. Some are apparently of great age, with gnarled stems and branches, into which goats climb, as they, as well as camels, cows, and sheep, are very fond of the fleshy pericarp. It forms for these animals a valuable food, but is of no value otherwise. The ripe fruits contain a stone which, when broken, is seen to contain a kernel, and these kernels are of great commercial value. Budgett Meakin, Land of the Moors, p. 42, says :— “The nuts having been cracked between stones by the natives, the kernels are roasted, pounded. and kneaded by hand, first with the addition of a little hot water, then with cold. The oil is then expressed, and the residuary cake is given to cows and goats, as horses and camels refuse it. Argan oil is really good, but suffers like that of the olive from the primitive process employed. It is necessary to clarify it and to burn off impurities before use, unless one is hardened to its acrid taste and pungent smoke. This is accomplished by boiling the oil with a sliced onion and, when hot, dropping in a piece of crumb 90 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. LXxvI. bread which is allowed to char and is then thrown away. Both oils are used for burning in native lamps.” From the size of the trees it may be gleaned that they do not yield any really large timber, but some of the trees have short, thick stems; the wood is hard, fine-grained, and yellow in colour. The Moors very much prefer Argan oil to Olive oil for culinary purposes. They have, however, a strange belief that in some way its use predisposes to leprosy. Leo Africanus, who wrote about 1526, mentions this. As a specitic for leprosy it is recommended to use a decoction of Argan leaves, both internally and externally. G. G. Colacgo, Portuguese Consul at Laraiche in 1818, was convinced that copious draughts of this oil were a cure for the bubonic plague. This plague, known as the “black death,” had raged in Morocco just prior to that time, and he was so sure of the efficacy of the treatment that he had circulars printed in Arabic to enlighten the people and persuade them to use the remedy. It is said that attempts have been made to grow this tree in different countries with climates that seemed suitable. Some of these trials were at first attended with prospects of success, but ere long turned out entire failures. I obtained some of the fruits when in Morocco, and an attempt is now being made to grow trees from some of them at the Royal Botanic Garden.! The fruit is, when ripe or approaching ripeness, pale yellow, but, as it ripens further, becomes darker in colour, and old fruits are nearly black. The principal outlet for the trade of the Sahara, Tafilat, Marakesh, or Morocco city, the southern portion of the Great Atlas range, and the district of the Sus, is by the trade routes converging upon the city of Mogodor. The present city, with its imposing walls and gateways, was built in 1760 by Sidi Mohammed XVII. This town is well laid out from the plans of a French engineer named Cornuc. There is a good water supply, which is conveyed by an overground closed conduit from a fine spring near Diabat to a large stone tank beneath the sand hills. Even in recent times this city has had exciting experiences. On ' Young plants grown from the above fruits are now (May 1913) about 15 to 18 inches high, and are all in a healthy condition. 1911-12.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 91 13th August 1844 it was bombarded by the French under the Prince de Joinville. After the bombardment the neighbouring tribes sacked the city, massacring the in- habitants. A short time after, when the war with the French was ended, a messenger was sent by the Sultan to tell the inhabitants of the conclusion of peace. When he arrived there was not a soul left in Mogodor to whom he could deliver the message. In 1873 the tribesmen besieged the city closely, cut off the water supply, and destroyed the gardens. These proceedings had a most serious effect upon the besiegers, who could not storm the walls as they had no cannon, could not continue the siege without food, and so they had to retire. It is to Mogodor that almost all the Argan oil comes that is sold, but I understand that at present there is such a good home demand that very little leaves the country. THE ScoTTIsH ALPINE BoTanicaL CLuB Excursion, 1911. By ALEXANDER CowaAN. Owing to the visit to Edinburgh of His Majesty the King and the postponement of the Highland Show to the last week of July, it was decided to meet this year at Barnstaple, in Devonshire, in the first week of August, as several members of the Club had made arrangements to attend the annual meeting of the British Pteridological Society held there at the same date. Although several members had expressed their intention of joining the excursion, most of them were prevented at the last moment from going, and the party which left Edinburgh on Tuesday, Ist August, consisted of only the President, the Chaplain, and the Secretary. As a night had to be spent somewhere on the way to Barnstaple, it was decided to stay at Bristol in order that a visit might be paid the following morning to the Clifton Zoological Gardens, where the members were most kindly shown round by Mr. Harris, the curator. Here a large quantity of very fine specimen trees are to be seen, as well as a collection of over a hundred varieties of Holly, and the late Colonel Jones’ extensive collection of British Ferns, in which the varieties of Polystichum angulare and 92 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Suss. LXXVI. Scolopendrium vulgare were specially noteworthy for their magnificent growth and development, some remark- ably fine varieties of the latter fern being seen. After leaving the Gardens, in which a large collection of animals and birds is kept, the members walked along a part of Clifton Downs to the Suspension Bridge, and within two or three hundred yards of the bridge, where the formation is limestone, the following interesting plants were found :— Clematis Vitalba, Linn.; Poterium Sangwisorba, Linn. ; Sedum acre, Linn.; Foeniculum vulgare, Mill.; Galiwm verum, Linn.; Scabiosa Columbaria, Linn.; Carduwus acaulis, Linn.; Crepis virens, Linn.; Orobanche Hederae, Duby; Verbena officinalis, Linn.; Salvia Verbenaca. Linn.; Parietaria officinalis, Linn.; Aspleniwm Ruta- muraria, Linn. In the afternoon the journey was continued to Barn- staple, which was reached about six o’clock, and the Red Lion Hotel was made the headquarters of the party. On the morning of 3rd August the members went by railway on the Ilfracombe line to Braunton, and from there drove about three miles west in order to visit Braunton Burrows, which is the name given to a large tract of sand dunes lying close to the sea, and where a large number of very interesting plants were found, many of them new to the members, and several in large quantities. Though the whole day was spent here, only a small portion of the Burrows was explored. On the way from the Burrows back to Braunton Station the party saw quantities of Scolopendrium vulgare and Polystichum growing in the banks at the sides of the lanes. The following plants were found :— Reseda Lwuteola, Linn.; Viola Curtisii, E. Forst.; Saponaria officinalis, Linn.; Hypericum quadrangulum, Linn. ; H. perforatwm, Linn.; Melilotus officinalis, Lam. ; Trifolium fragiferum, Linn.; Agrimonia Ewpatoria, Linn. ; Cotyledon Umbilicus-Veneris, Linn. ; Peplis Portula, Linn.; Lythrum Salicaria, Linn.; Apiwm nodiflorwm, H. G. Reichb.; Siwm erectwm, Huds.; Oenanthe. fistulosa, Linn. ; Sambucus nigra, Linn.; Dipsacus fullonwm, Linn. ; Eupatorium cannabinum, Linn.; Erigeron acris, Linn.; 1911-12. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 93 Inula squarrosa, Bernh.; Pulicaria dysenterica, S. F. Gray; P. prostrata, Aschers.; Senecio erucifolius, Linn. ; Carlina vulgaris, Linn.; Centawrea Scabiosa, Linn.; Cichorium Intybus, Linn.; Anagallis arvensis, Linn. ; A. tenella, Murray ; Samolus Valerandi, Linn.; Ligustrum vulgare, Linn.; Blackstonia perfoliata, Huds. ; Centauriwm umbellatum, Gilib.; Lithospermum officinale, Linn.; L. arvense, Linn.; Solanwm Dulecamara, Linn.; Hyoscy- amus niger, Linn.; Verbascwm Thapsus, Linn.; Sibthorpia ewropaed, Linn.; Rhinanthus Christa-galli, Linn.: Marru- biwm vulgare, Linn.; Teueriwm Scordium, Linn. ; Salsola Kali, Linn.; Euphorbia Paralias, Linn.; EF. portlandica, Linn. ; Populus alba, Linn. ; Helleborine palustris, Schrank. ; Orchis latifolia, Linn.; Iris foetidissima, Linn.; Juncus maritimus, Lam.; J. acutus, Linn.; Typha latifolia, Linn.; Alisma Plantago-aquatica, Linn.: Scirpus mari- timus, Linn.; S. Holoschoenus, Linn.; Carex hirta, Linn. ; C. binervis, Sm.; OC. vulpina, Linn.; C. disticha, Huds. On 4th August the party, together with several members of the Pteridological Society, decided to travel by the narrow-gauge railway towards Lynton in order to visit Woody Bay, which is reached, after leaving the train, by a road passing across about two miles of moor, where, among the heather, were growing large quantities of a dwarf Ulex in fine flower, the colour effect of this and the purple of the heather, Hrica cinerea, being most striking. At Woody Bay the banks slope down to the sea, a distance of five or six hundred feet at a steep angle, and are well wooded; hence the name. The scenery, which was most picturesque and wild, was much admired, and the day was very fine and warm. Large quantities of Athyriwm Filiz-foemina, Blechnum, Lastrea, and Polystichwm angu- lare were seen; also Scolopendrium vulgare in great luxuriance on shady banks and walls. Though no variety of special note was found, a very good undulate variety of Scolopendriwm and two plants of Athyriwm Filix-foemina variety, medio-deficiens were found. The following plants were also found :— Hypericum Androsaemum, Linn.; Ulex Galli, Planch. ; Ulex minor, Roth.; Crithmum maritimum, Linn.; Sam- bucus Ebulus, Linn. 94, TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Suss. LXXVI- The members walked from Woody Bay east to Lynton, and returned to Barnstaple by train. On the morning of 5th August the left bank of the River Taw at Barnstaple was visited. Here, on the tidal reach, were found :-— Apiwm graveolens, Linn.; Aethusa Cynapivwm, Linn. ; Caucalis Anthriscus, Huds.; Inula squarrosa, Bernh. ; Artemisia vulgaris, Linn.; A. maritima, Linn.; Mentha rubra, Sm.; Scirpus maritimus, Linn.; Carex distans, Linn. ; Lepturus filiformis, Trin. In the afternoon a visit was paid to South Molton, on the railway towards Taunton, where Aspleniwm Adian- tum-nigrum, with variegated foliage, was found by the President. The following plants were also found :— Hypericum Androsaemum, Linn.; Circaea lutetiana, Linn.; Chaerophyllum temulum, Linn.; Caucalis Anthris- cus, Huds.; Centawriwm wmbellatwm, Gilib.; Satwrera Calamintha, Scheele; Scutellaria galericulata, Linn. ; Helle- borine latifolia, Druce; Tamus communis, Linn. ; Bromus’ ramosus, Huds. ; Blechnwm Spicant, With. ; Scolopendrivwm vulgare, Sm.; . ao AP ¢ ole Mii ie Ter « i; t. ; Nettao? « ime Tt Goi oe” . { 1,1 Creatas uv ait 4 Trans, Bot. Soc, Edin. | (Vol. XXVI. PLY. re om ce AA te Re | GF gS Ta GNF Mes AO fy Spasei_ i id =. JEST Sty vated A ss ~— tax i i! , Wh mi dH iS r + RA ram 2. ‘, a s ew ies o v! E ‘ AVE 3 Ml A eres PIAS el i mi; a2 \¢ x Po 2 ~\Ars be PARISH OF SHOTTS. (Scale $ inch to 1 mile.) he Ordnance Survey Map with the sanction of the Controller of 11. M. Stationery Office. TRANSACTIONS OF THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. SESSION LXXVII. SURVEY OF THE VEGETATION OF THE PARISH OF SHOTTS, LANARKSHIRE. By GrorGE Brown, M.A. (Plate IV.) Introduction. The following survey of the vegetation of the parish of Shotts was begun in July 1908, and has been continued at vacation times during the past four years. It is an attempt, not to give exhaustive lists of the plants of the area, but to study the various plant associations and their relation to the topographical, geological, and climatic char- acteristics of the district. For much help in connection with the finding and naming of certain of the plants I am greatly indebted to my old schoolmaster and friend, Mr. Dunn, Schoolhouse, Harthill. The various agricultural statistics were kindly supplied by the Board of Agriculture. Topography. Shotts Parish is in the north-east of the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire. It is bounded on the N.W. and N. by the parish of New Monkland, being separated therefrom by the North Calder Water; on the N.E. and E. by the parishes of Torphichen, Bathgate, and Whitburn, in Linlithgow- shire, separated from these by Barbauchlaw Burn and How Burn; on the S.E. and S. by the parish of weg TRANS. BOT. SOC. EDIN. VOL. XXVI. 102 | TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess, LXxviI nethan; and on the S.W. and W. by the parishes of Dalziel and Bothwell, the natural boundaries being the South Calder Water, Tillan Burn, and Shotts Burn. It has an area of about thirty-nine square miles (24,835 acres). Its greatest length—from the point on South Calder Water, where the parishes of Shotts, Cambusnethan, and Dalziel meet to the boundary line beyond Southrigg— is about eleven miles; its greatest breadth—from Shotts Tron Works, on the South Calder Water, to North Calder Water—being about seven miles. The surface consists to a large extent of undulating ridges! varying in height from 700 to 900 feet. The altitude ranges from 340 feet on the Shotts Burn to nearly 1000 feet on the Cant Hills, which form part of the ridge that is the water-parting of the basins of the Clyde and the Forth. The chief streams, besides those mentioned under bound- aries, are the River Almond and Forrestburn Water. The former rises within the parish and flows towards the east ; the latter flows east into Forrestburn Reservoir, the over- flow continuing to join Barbauchlaw Burn. The main water areas are: Hillend Reservoir, on the northern border, which supplies the Forth and Clyde Canal —of its area (300 acres) only 172 acres are in the parish; Lilly Loch, lying a little to the south of this and being a compensation reservoir for the same canal—the loch previous to its being altered for this purpose had water-lilies grow- ing in it; Forrestburn Reservoir, being the water supply for Linlithgowshire; Roughrigg Reservoir, farther to the west, supplying the Airdrie and Coatbridge district. Geology and Soil. The district consists entirely of Carboniferous rocks over- laid by glacial drift or boulder clay which varies both in composition and thickness in different parts. In some places there are present in the clay sandstone and gravel, but generally boulders of voleanic origin. The most notable 1 Of. the following place and farm names: Northrigg, Southrigg, Hillhouseridge, Westcraigs, Craighead, Knowehead, Roundknowe, Blairmuckhill, Bridgehill, Dewshills, Brownhill, Drumfin(=“the fair ridge”), Drumbowie (= “the yellow ridge”), ete. 1912-13.] | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 103 feature of the geological structure is the intrusion of a number of quartz-dolerite sills in the northern region of the parish, these being prominent features of the landscape. The dolerite varies much in structure, from a fine-grained rock to one of a more coarsely granitic structure. There is much variation in the soil—from a stiff, almost unworkable clay to a more easily worked and lighter sandy or gravelly soil, sometimes mixed with peat earth. Peat covers large areas, making bleak the district where it is dominant. In places it rests on glacial drift and in others on the dolerite bosses. But where the rock crops out, and where the coating of soil is consequently thin, there is often an absence of peat, a feature which is no doubt accounted for by the chemical composition of the dolerite.’ Region of Cultivation. Of the total area of the parish something like 14,000 acres are arable. It is a region which may be characterised as “without wheat cultivation,’ there being only 2} acres of wheat according to the latest returns. Oats are cultivated all over, almost to the highest point of the parish. The following statistics from the Board of Agriculture (see next page) give the chief subdivisions of the culti- vated area and the comparison of these divisions for the years 1867 (the year in which returns were first collected on a basis similar to that of the subsequent years), 1902, and 1912. One noticeable feature is the increase in permanent grass, the returns for 1912 being 3082 acres and 244 acres more than those for 1867 and 1902 respectively. There is a decrease in the acreage under cereals as compared with 1867, and an increase as compared with 1902. Both with regard to position and to the character of the soil oats cultivation is favoured. Owing to the altitude, the unsheltered position of the land, and the amount of rainfall, the parish does not lend itself to wheat raising. In many places the country-side is bleak, the westerly winds sweeping across it unhindered by mountain or hill. 1 Of. C. B. Crampton, “Stable and Migratory Plant Formations ” (“Scot. Bot, Review,” vol. i., No. 2). 104 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [ Sess. LXXVII. Acreage wnder Crops and Grasses vn the Parish of Shotts, Cownty of Lanarkshire. Crop. 1867.* 1902. 1912. Wheat : 10 294 24 Gam raed or Bere . 25 a ee Crops. 1 2ats- ; 1869 1 1844} Rye. : : 25 ade Beans and Peas 28 12 Totals . 1957 16044 18674 Potatoes : : 112 634 514 Turnips and Swedes . 279 2922 306 Green | Cabbage, K.-Rabi, Rape 22 352 85 Crops. (Including Mangold 4) Vetches or Tares he 12} | Totals . 4138 392 4543 Clover, Sainfoin and Grasses under Rotation 2526 34232 26114 Permanent Grass 5263 8101 8345 Other Crops . 70 272 112 Bare Fallow . 144 4 26 Total Acreage under Crops and Grasses. : ; i Pe ellORS ie 13,5494 13,3164 Mountain and Heath Land used for Grazing - c . | No return. 45314 4980 * Board of Agriculture Note.—‘‘ Returns of the area under mountain and heath land used for grazing were not collected in 1867, and as the returns generally, especially the areas under grass, may not have been so accurate in the earlier years as at present, comparison over so long a period should only be made with caution.” Rainfall statistics for the parish are not available, except But the following table, made up from “The Mean Annual Rainfall of Scot- land,” 1871-1910, by A. Watt, M.A., F.R.S.E., gives statistics for the district of Hillend Reservoir. 1912-13. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 105 DIAGRAMS. (From “ Agricultural Returns,” 1912.) Mountain and Heath 4980 acres Arable 13,3164 acres Permanent Grass Moor, Woods, 8345 acres Water, etc. Mountain and 65382 acres Heath 4980 acres Fig. 1.—Proportionate Areas of Arable and Fig. 2.—Proportionate Areas of Permanent Non-arable Lands. Grass and Mountain and Heath Land. Area not under Corn 22,9674 acres Permanent Grass Clover, Sainfo 8345 acres and Grasses endies Rotation Other Crops and Bare Fallow Fig. 3.—Proportionate Areas of Arable Land. Fig. 4.—Proportionate Area under Corn Crops. 106 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. LXXvII. for rainfall for certain stations—just outside the boundaries —in Lanarkshire and Linlithgowshire, having heights similar to those within the parish :— Height Mean Stations. above Period. aoe Annual Sea. * | Rainfall, Lanarkshire— Hillend Reservoir . . | 620 ft. | 1871-1910 40 37°78 ins. Roughrigg Reservoir . . | 661 ,, | 1906-1910 5 Brees 5. Hamilton Waterworks .{| 436 ,, | 1881-1910 30 | 85°48, Linlithgowshire— Polkemmet (Whitburn) . | 600,, | 1881-1900 20 43°64 ,, Bathgate, Boghead . . | 500 ,, | 1901-1910 10 39°16) 5; The region lies within the area of mean annual rainfall of 30-40 inches. The following table, made up from Dr. Buchan’s paper, gives the statistics of the mean January, July, and annual temperatures for stations in Lanarkshire having altitudes similar to places within the parish :— Height Mean Temperatures. Stations. | above Sea. January. July. | Annual, Tegnatis k . s . e | OS ORE 36°2 56-7 454 Carnwath . ‘ : 5) |) Goel Se 36°0 56°3 45°1 Douglas Castle. : 5 | 2A) 5p 35'8 56°0 44°9 In the “Statistical Account of Lanarkshire” (1841) is found the following account of the state of the land in the parish at that time :—“ From one-half to two-thirds of the lands in the parish are arable; the remainder is unculti- vated. At least one-half of the uncultivated land might be profitably improved. . . . There is a very marked con- trast between the state of the parish as it now exists, and as it is represented in the last Statistical Account. A large portion of these lands which were then unreclaimed, and which are there spoken of as unimprovable, is now made tillage and bears astonishingly good crops.” Parts of the 1912-13. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 107 uncultivated land referred to in the later account have been. and are being, reclaimed and cultivated. An interesting note on the early tillage of the region occurs in Dr. Grossart’s History of the Parish: “A circum- stance worth mentioning is that at the end of last century (eighteenth) farmhouses were more numerous on the high- lying central ridge (7.e. from Cant Hills across to Moffat Hills, the watershed of the Forth and the Clyde) than in the lower and more fertile parts. At the present day this is reversed. The cause is obvious: larger farms have been created out of the ruins of the smaller... . On the flat top of Paperthill Crags (865 feet above sea-level) are found the remains of old tillage, its age beyond the ken of the present generation. On the Cant Hills, the highest land in the parish, are to be seen the remains of a still more ancient tillage, pertaining to a long-forgotten era.”} The character of the soil has already been dealt with under Geology. There are some good farms where satis- factory crops are raised; while there are other farms where, owing to the poverty of the soil, poor crops are harvested. Woodland. What natural woods exist are to be found along the banks of streams, as, for example, on the South Calder? Water, Shotts Burn, Forrestburn Water, and North Calder Water. The others, except in the case of some of the small birch formations, are of an artificial character, being plantations of mixed deciduous trees, with conifers often very numerous. Decipuous TREES.—The beech (Fagus sylvatica, Linn.) is predominant, but most of the trees attain no great size, many of them being of a restricted, contorted growth. The woods of beech are small and occur in the cultivated area, some of them running in a north and south direction, thus serving as shelter and protection to the cultivated 1 “But what struck him (the traveller) most was the sight of huge yokes of oxen dragging the plough far up the steep hill-sides in almost inaccessible places ; and on his asking why? he learnt that the farmer was obliged to till the dry, steep braes because the ground below was hopelessly swampy.”—H. G. Graham, “Social Life of Scotland in the Eighteenth Century.” 2 Calder=“ the wooded stream.” 108 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SEss. LXXVII, parts from the prevailing winds. In these woods the beech is often uprooted by storms, and examination of some of the root systems has revealed that the roots are oftentimes superficial, spreading out all round but not sending down strong anchorage into the soil. The trees occurring in the mixed deciduous woods are: Fraxinus excelsior, Linn. (ash); Quercus Robur, Linn. (oak) ; Ulmus montana, Stokes (elm); Pyrus Aucuparia, Ehrh. (rowan); Crataegus Oxyacantha, Linn. (hawthorn); Sam- bucus nigra, Linn. (elder); Corylus Avellana, Linn. (hazel) ; Prunus Padus, Linn. (bird cherry); Prunus spinosa, Linn. (sloe); Salix, spp. (willows). Sycamore and _ horse- chestnut are also met with in the plantations. BircH Woops.—There is some extent of birch (Betula) in the districts of Fortisset, Hartwood, and Dykehead, and in the estate of Murdostoun. To the north-east, in the neighbourhood of Harthill, at a height of between 600 and 700 feet, there are three much-depleted woods of small extent. The farthest out, towards the east, consists of about two dozen stunted and contorted trees with some scores of old stumps. To the south-west of this there is another wood with many more trees and fewer stumps, and still farther to the south-west are traces of an old birch wood. These are probably the remains of what was originally a much greater extent of birch. No conifers seem to be present in any of these remnants. The trees are growing in peat of some depth—one of the characteristics of the birch being its adaptability to acidity of soil due to humus formation. Seedlings of both the birch itself and mountain ash are frequent in the birch woods generally. The herbaceous undergrowth is that of the adjoining heath, Calluna occupying much of the ground in the opener and drier woods. ConrIFEROUS Woops.—The dominant tree is the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris, Linn.). The most extensive develop- ment of the pine is to be found in the south-west of the parish, in the district of Fortisset, Dykehead, and Hart- wood, and on the estate of Murdostoun; but such woods are to be found all over the district. Some of the planta- tions are old and have undergone, and are undergoing, decay, while others have but recently been planted. In 1912-13. } BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 109 the region of Hirst+ Hill there are the remains of such old woods, many of the trees still standing but decayed, while alongside there is a young plantation, many of the trees but recently planted. Plantations of healthy young conifers are found also on the north and south sides of Forrestburn Reservoir, around Fortisset, and in certain parts of the Murdostoun estate; on a heather moor west of Hartwood young conifers and birches have been planted a year or two ago. In the “Statistical Account of Lanarkshire” (1841), the following is recorded of the parish: “ Formerly Scotch fir was planted to the exclusion of all other trees, but now spruce and larch are preferred, both of which thrive remark- ably well.” Spruce and larch are found intermingled with the pines both in the older and the younger plantations, but the pine is dominant. The examination of asmall wood of Pinus sylvestris (in December 1911) in the north-east of the parish revealed the fact that the trees were of from thirty to forty years’ growth. Measurements taken from the surface of the covering of needles to the harder layers, gave depths of from 12 to 18 inches, the layers being composed of humus and peat —peat being present at the surface in the opener parts of the wood. Birches and willows are scattered throughout the pines. Owing to the density of shade the flora is extremely limited, the only plants found being in the opener spaces and in the clearings of the wood, the follow- ing being the chief :— Potentilla Tormentilla, Scop. ; Galiwm saxatile, Linn.; Scabiosa Succisa, Linn.; Cnicus palustris, Willd. (in wet places); Vaccinium Myrtillus, Linn. ; Cal- luna vulgaris, Hull (in isolated patches): Rumex Acetosa, Linn. ; Juncus, spp. (in wet places); Anthoranthum odora- twm, Linn. (in patches); Agrostis vulgaris, With. (in patches); Deschampsia flexuosa, Trin. (in patches); D. caespitosa, Beauv. (in wet places); Athyrium Filix-foemina, Roth; Lastrea Filiz-mas, Presl; Lastrea dilatata, Presl. The effect of shade—which is determined generally by the age of the trees and their distance apart—may be shown from another wood on the South Calder Water. 1 Hirst=“a thick wood.” Close at hand are two farms called “ Blairmains” and “South Blair,” respectively. Blair=“a part cleared of trees.” 110 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [SEss. LXXVIL This wood is on rising ground. A few spruce and larch are mixed with the dominant Scots pine. On the outskirts of the wood are deciduous trees—beech, oak, birch, rowan, elm, and sycamore, seedlings of the rowan being common. Where the shade is dense and the covering of needles thick, plants are absent. In the opener spaces, however, most of the above are found along with Ozalis Acetosella, Linn. ; Lonicera Periclymenum, Linn.; Veronica Chamaedrys, Linn. ; and Ranunculus repens, Linn., towards the outside of the wood. In a wood farther to the west, where birch and rowan are numerous, the rasp (Rwbus idaeus, Linn.) is abundant. A study of the coniferous woods reveals the following characteristics of this formation and association :— 1. The dense shade affects both the trees and the undergrowth. The lower branches of the trees themselves decay, leaving bare stems with a dense crown. The under- growth is either absent or very sparse, the plants present being mainly the two Xerophytes, Deschampsia flexuosa, Trin. ; and Vaccinium Myrtillus, Linn. 2. The covering of decayed and decaying needles also prevents the development of undergrowth. 3. Calluna, when present, is found only in the opener and drier parts of the woods. 4. Deschampsia caespitosa, Beauy., Onicus palustris, Willd., and Juncus, spp., are characteristic of the wetter parts. 5. Athyrium and Lastrea form patches, occasionally of some extent, in the less dense parts of the woods. 6. Seedlings of birch, rowan, and willow frequently occur. 7. Many of the plants are invaders from the surrounding heaths or pastures. The parish is by no means rich in woodland flora; in fact there can hardly be said to be any true woodland plants as such, except perhaps in the woods on the banks of the streams. The following, in addition to those already mentioned, are found:—Anemone nemorosa, Linn.; Viola Riviniana, Reichb. ; Stellaria Holostea, Linn.; Hypericum pulchrum, Linn.; Vicia sepium, Linn.; V. sylvatica, Linn. (recorded by Dr. Grossart for Fairybank district); Spuraea 1912-13. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 111 Ulmaria, Linn.; Rubus fructicosus, Linn. (very poorly represented in the parish); Geum urbanum, Linn.; G. ‘rvivale, Linn.; Fragaria vesca, Linn.; Rosa, spp.; Chrysos- plenium oppositifolium, Linn.; Epilobiwm montanum, Linn.; Hedera Helix, Linn.; Cnicus heterophyllus, Willd. (recorded by Dr. Grossart for Fortisset district ; also found in the east of parish); Primula vulgaris, Huds.; Stachys sylvatica, Linn.; Mercurialis perennis, Linn. (forming communities in woods on South Calder Water); Urtica dioica, Linn.; Listera ovata, Br. (recorded by Dr. Grossart for Murdostoun woods); Epipactis latifolia, Sw. (recorded by Dr. Grossart for Murdostoun woods; also found in wood just outside eastern boundary). Grassland. This may be divided into three sections, all of which are represented in the parish :— 1. Natwral Pastwre.——Grasses are dominant, the soil is well drained, and there is an absence of peat. Under this heading is included the vegetation of the dolerite sills. 2. Artificial Pasture and Meadowland.—The soil has undergone tillage and is rich in plant food. 3. Grass Heaths.—Grasses are dominant but the flora is that of the moorland. 1. NaTuraL PasturRE.—There are fair stretches of this vegetation, but it often passes into grass heath, and peat bog. It is, however, easily distinguished from these at a distance by its greener covering and compact turf. There is much difference in the grasses composing the various associations, the chief, however, are: Festuca ovina, Linn.; Anthoxanthum odoratum, Linn.; Agrostis vulgaris, With.; Poa pratensis, Linn. The flora is varied, the following plants occurring :— Ranunculus acris, Linn.; R. repens, Linn.; Viola sylvatica, Fries; V. tricolor, Linn.; Polygala vulgaris, Linn.; Linwm catharticum, Linn.; Trifolswm pratense, Linn. ; 7. repens, Linn.; Lotus corniculatus, Linn. ; Poten- tilla Tormentilla, Scop.; Alehemilla vulgaris, Linn. ; Galiwm saxatile, Linn.; G. verum, Linn.; Scabiosa Succisa, Linn.; Gnaphalium sylvaticum, Linn.; Carlina vulgaris, Linn.; Centaurea nigra, Linn.; Achillea Millefoliwm, Linn.; 112 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. LXxvI. A. Ptarmica, Linn.; Hieracium Pilosella, Linn.; Cam- panula rotundifolia, Linn.; Veronica officinalis, Linn. ; Euphrasia officonalis, Linn.; Thymus Serpyllum, Linn. ; Plantago lanceolata, Linn.; Rwmex Acetosa, Linn.; R, Acetosella, Linn.; Urtica dioica, Linn.; Orchis maculata, Linn.; Habenaria viridis, Br.; H. bifolia, Br.; Briza media, Linn.; Pteris aquilina, Linn.; Ophioglossum vul- gatum, Linn.; Botrychium Lunaria, Sw. VEGETATION OF DOLERITE SILLS.—As mentioned under Geology, a characteristic feature of the district is the number of transgressive sills of quartz-dolerite, the ridges ranging in height from 700 to over 900 feet. The rounded tops of these sills are clothed with grass which is usually shorter and greener than that of the adjoining region—for instance, in places, damp reedy grassland gives way to a dwarf grass covering with drier conditions, having the following plants—the list being made from one such case in the neighbourhood of Harthill :—Potentilla Tormentilla, Scop.; Galium saxatile, Linn.; G. verwm, Linn. ; Scabiosa Succisa, Linn.; Campanula rotundifolia, Linn.; Thynvus Serpyllum, Linn.; with Vaccinium Myrtillus, Linn., and Calluna vulgaris, Hull, on dry mounds. The following is a list from the dolerite knoll on the north side of the Lilly Loch. The plants are similar to those given for the basaltic hills of the Edinburgh district, and the hills of the Carboniferous area of Fife and Kinross: 1 —Trifoliwm repens, Linn.; T. pratense, Linn.; Lathyrus pratensis, Linn.; Potentilla Tormentilla, Scop.; Galiwm verum, Linn.; G. saxatile, Linn.; Scabiosa Succisa, Linn.; Achillea Millefoliwm, Linn.; A. Ptarmica, Linn.; Cam- panula rotundifolia, Linn.; Rumex Acetosu, Linn.; Rh. Acetosella, Linn.; Festuca ovina, Linn.; Agrostis, spp. ; Poa pratensis, Linn.; Anthoxanthum odoratum, Linn.; with Ulex Europaeus, Linn., Vacciniwm Myrtillus, Linn., Yalluna vulgaris, Hull, and Erica cinerea, Linun., in occasional small patches; and Polygala vulgaris, Linn., Cnicus lanceolatus, Willd., Centawrea nigra, Linn., Kuphrasia officinalis, Linn., Plantago lanceolata, Linn., and Hieraciwm, spp., at the foot of the escarpment. 1 “ Botanical Survey of Scotland—Edinburgh District” ; “‘ Botanical Survey of Scotland— Forfar and Fife.” OF EDINBURGH 113 BOTANICAL SOCIETY 1912-13. | ‘S[[IG OFtuopody Jo uorynjoso, pword Ay, Sura yoyoyg oytsodwo0g 4 aunsodxy uUsoyqto Ny aansodxy usaqanog Aysany sosspasy) pun epary 11 enpavay (ywuo1s7090) F Au t f wu M yoo f 1D Jeplnog Menon F yv inc Cr wabpoie AAA iM dutoaos Aap uryy, neg, esd ‘049 ‘wnppidarg sniuhy f tN}! punjqvo sn pRioMUDY UUNULaY UDA LT Snap wnaiuaioon, THALYY] JO ‘N ospiy DaMaUID DILLY NR Ahk ; 7 4) 008 OOVUE] WILLE A aporve wniyoy ay: wphiydosay 10 wavs avou aBpry YOOW AvSsuTe VU NVTUANAG paw Tip, Leupy 114 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [Sess. LXxvuI. Most of the above plants are also found on the steep southern escarpment of Hirst Hill, along with the following: —Draba verna, E. Meyer ; Helianthemum vulgare, Gaertn. ; Geranium Robertianum, Linn.; Cytisus scoparius, Link ; Prunus Padus, Linn.; P. spinosa, Linn.; Rosa canina, Linn.; Hpilobium angustifolium, Linn.; Hedera Helia, Linn.; Lonicera Periclymenwm, Linn.; Vacciniwm Vitis- Idaea, Linn.; Tewerium Scorodonia, Linn.; Betula alba, Linn.; Corylus Avellana, Linn. Somewhat similar lists to those above were got from Duntillan Hill, and the high ridge near the farm of Wester Braco. On the dolerite of the latter (700 to 800 feet), with a south-western aspect, there is a conspicuous development of whin (Ulex) and bracken (Pteris aquilina, Linn.). Where the whin and bracken are in extensive patches there is an absence of other plants, but in the intervening spaces there is a covering of grass and other vegetation, the dominant plant being Teweriwm Scorodonia, which clothes the rock in somewhat mat-like formations. The hawthorn (Crataegus Oxyacantha, Linn.) is present, scattered over the face of the rock. Pteris aquilina, Linn., is found in some abundance on many of the southern slopes of these dolerite bosses. It is also present on some of the northern slopes—for example, on the ridges of the northern border of the parish to the west of Forrestfield. 2. ARTIFICIAL PASTURE AND MEADOWLAND. — This pasture is the grazing land for cattle in the cultivated areas. The grasses are of a more luxuriant growth, due to a greater richness of soil resulting from manuring, and there is greater variety:—Anthoxanthum odoratwm, Linn.; Phleum pratense, Linn.; Alopecurus pratensis, Linn. ; Agrostis, spp. ; Holcus lanatus, Linn. ; Cynoswrus cristatus, Linn.; Dactylis glomerata, Linn.; Festuca ovina, Linn.; F. pratensis, Huds.; Loliwm perenne, Linn.; Poa pratensis, Linn.; P. trivialis, Linn. Many of the plants of the natural pasture are present along with the following: Cerastiwm triviale, Link; C. glomeratum, Thuill.; Stellaria graminea, Linn.; S. media, Vill.; Vicia sepium, Linn.; V. Cracca, Linn. ; Potentilla Anserina, Linn.; Spiraea Ulmaria, Linn.; Hpilobvwm 1912-13. | BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 115 parviflorum, Schreb.;