106 Queries and Answers. 



of its parent tree. The elegant and lamented author of the invaluable 

 English Flortty with characteristic diffidence, says, " the real root is, I be- 

 lieve, fibrous and parasitical ; " and the profound philosophic botanist to 

 whom we are indebted for the Prodromus Florce Nov. Hol.y &c. &c., and 

 whose extensive knowledge of vegetable physiology first suggested the true 

 nature of the gigantic Raffl^sm, confessed to me, not many months since, 

 that he had recently endeavoured to discover the mode of growth of the 

 Lathrea, without success. Allow me, then, to state, that after having been 

 frequently baffled in my attempt, I was fortunate enough, during the last 

 season, to ascertain this hidden fact. I also detected some peculiarities in 

 its organisation and economy, which throw considerable light on the func- 

 tions of this singular and interesting plant ; but before giving them to the 

 public through another channel, I wish to confirm them, by further investi- 

 gation, the ensuing spring. In the mean time, I would feel much gratified 

 to see, in your next Number, any observations which Mr. Smith or any 

 other correspondent may have made, bearing upon this more important part 

 of the subject. — J. E. Bowman. The Court, near Wrexham, Nov. 18. 1828. 



Smell of neiv-mown Hay. — Sir, In your Magazine of Natural History 

 (Vol. I. p. 381.), I observed an article on the " Cause of the smell in new- 

 mown Hay," in which the writer there seems inclined to believe that the 

 fi'agrance in new-mown hay arises from the sweet-scented vernal grass (An- 

 thoxdnthum odoratum"). I have made, on a small scale, several species of 

 grasses, separately, into hay, with a view to satisfy myself on the subject ; 

 and I found the hay made from them all, more or less, partake of fragrance. 

 Might not the scent arise from the fermentation of saccharine matter con- 

 tained, more or less, in grasses in general, and also from the manner in which 

 the hay is got up ? I remain, Sir, yours, &c. — Humphrey Gibbs, London, 

 Dec. 1828. 



Skeleton Plants. — Will any of your correspondents favour me, by com- 

 municating, through your pages, the process necessary for divesting the 

 leaves and capsules of plants of their soft parenchymatous matter, leaving 

 only the blanched and reticulated vessels, which so clearly displays their 

 interior structure or framework, and presents so beautiful a picture of vege- 

 table anatomy ? The ingenious Mr. Crow, of Kensington, has brought this 

 art to the highest pitch of perfection ; and I am inclined to think it is 

 effected by some simple means. — J. E. B. Wrexham, Feb. 4. 1829. 



Durability of Seeds. — Permit me to ask you for a reference to any work 

 or works in which the durability and indestructible qualities of seeds are 

 treated of at length ? — Charles Greaves. Devonport, Nov. 24. 1828. 



Marine Vegetables. — Will you call the attention of botanists to marine 

 vegetables, with a special view of ascertaining if there are not many 

 plants fit for eating, which would be serviceable to our seamen on distant 

 shores ? Has not Dr. Maculloch printed a paper on this subject ? — Id. 



Coal Fossils from Clifton, near Manchester. — Sir, I send you a sketch 

 (^g. 24.) of a fossil cane or reed, which I got out of the little mine coal in 



24 



the township of Clifton, near Manchester, at the depth of 8 1 yards. It is 

 about 2i in. broad, pressed flat on the under side, but raised in the middle 

 on the upper side. I also send you a sketch of two other vegetable fossils 



