464 Mr. Ch. C. Babington on Primula vulgaris. 



The designation of Hapalogenys"^ was contrived to express the 

 velvety softness of the chin and lower lip, which is made more 

 conspicuous by contrast with the rigidly rough scales that cover 

 the rest of the head. A greater development of the fine tender 

 papillae of the under lip produces the beards of Pogonias — a ge- 

 nus having seven gill-rays and no recumbent spine before the 

 dorsal. The Pogonias nigripinnis however of the ^ Fauna Japo- 

 nica^ has only six gill-rays, a recumbent spine, three pores on 

 each limb of the lower jaw, and in fact stands in the same rela- 

 tion to Hapalogenys that Pogonias does to Micropogon, the rela- 

 tive development of the beards being the chief difference. The 

 Coins polota of Buchanan-Hamilton and Coins hinotatns of Gray 

 are similar forms, but an actual examination of specimens is re- 

 quired to determine whether they ought to be referred, as in the 

 ' Flora Japonica,^ to Anoplus or to Hapalogenys, 



The general form of Hapalogenys and its recumbent pre-dorsal 

 spine show some analogy to the Squamipennes, and bring it near 

 to Scorpis, but the vertical fins are not so fully enveloped in scales, 

 and the dentition removes it far from the Chcetodontidce, 



LIV. — On a Monstrosity of the Pistil in Primula vulgaris. By 

 Charles C. Babington, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S. &c.t 



The curious monstrosity represented by the annexed rude sketch 

 has just been sent to me by Mr. J. H. Walton of St. Bees College 

 in Cumberland. It occupies the place of the pistil, and may be 

 described as follows : — Within the base of the corolla is situated 

 a small fleshy cup, from the centre of which springs a 

 cylindrical stem capped with another shallow fleshy cUp 

 with a wavy margin. An exposed conical placenta, co- 

 vered with peltate ovules, is seated in the centre of the 

 latter cup. Thus in place of the ovary is a cup-shaped 

 body ; and the capitate stigma is replaced by a naked 

 fleshy ovary. Flowers of the usual form and structure 

 were found upon the same root with two flowers possessing this 

 curious organ. The other parts of the monstrous flower were not 

 altered, the stamens retaining their ordinary position. It seems 

 probable that this singular organ consists of two whorls of car- 

 pellary leaves instead of one, as is usual in Primula^ and that the 

 plant was not able to develope the inner whorl sufficiently to allow 

 it to close over the ovules. 



* From MTTocTios, mollis, et yhvs, mentum. 



t Read before the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, April 11, 1844. 



