354 The Scottish Naturalist. 



aquaticus." Now that it has been found in such widely-separated localities 

 as Kinross, Fife, and Roxburgh, it deserves a place in the British Flora. 

 R. praiensis is common in this district wherever crispus and obtusifolius 

 grow near each other. Like conspersus it also varies, sometimes approach- 

 ing one parent, sometimes the other. Unlike hybrids generally, these two 

 docks are fertile, as Dr. Boswell has raised them from seed. Both have 

 one characteristic in common — viz., very few of the fruit coming to per- 

 fection, while in their parents it is the opposite, as nearly every one gets 

 fully developed. 



It may be worth mentioning here, that on some plants of S. aquaticus, 

 may be found a few of the enlarged petals bearing small tubercles, the 

 absence of which being considered a characteristic of that species. — Andrew 

 Brotherston, Kelso. 



Carex aquatilis var. Watsoni Syme.— Along the whole course of 

 the Tweed with which I am acquainted — from its mouth to Caddonfoot in 

 Selkirkshire — this is, in many parts, the commonest sedge, occurring in 

 long narrow beds close to the edge of the river. The farthest up that I 

 have seen it is between Yair Bridge and Caddonfoot. in Selkirk ; but, if 

 looked for, I have no doubt that it will be found higher up. It grows in 

 great plenty at Makerstoun in Roxburghshire. I have seen it also in both 

 the counties of Berwick and Northumberland (Cheviot-land), which extends 

 the comital census of this plant — as given in the last (7th) edition of the 

 " London Catalogue " — from five to nine. It is very probable that its range 

 will be yet extended, as it has frequently been confounded with C. acuta, from 

 which it may be distinguished by the leaves being involute at the margin, 

 those of acuta being revolute — best seen when dry. In the latter (C. acuta) 

 the fruit is veined, in Watsoni it is without veins. Watsoni has obtuse 

 glumes, while those of acuta are longer and acute. By noticing the above 

 characters, these two are easily separated. — Andrew Brotherston, Kelso. 



NOTES. 



We have received the circular of a new Botanical Exchange Society 

 situated at Buda-Pesth. The subscription is 4s. Botanists desirous of 

 obtaining European plants, especially of the East, may be glad to know 

 of this Society, and may learn further particulars by writing to M. Richter 

 Sajos ("Hungary, Budapest, Erzherzogin Marie Valerie Gasse, No. I "). 



The second Annual Conference of the Cryptogamic Society of Scotland 

 took place on Sept. 26-29U-1, at Killin. From the scarcity of fungi, it was 

 determined that there should be no public show this year, so the time not 

 occupied by the business meeting was devoted to excursions. Altogether 

 a very successful and pleasant meeting was held. We shall give a longer 

 report in our next. 



