Miscellaneous. 35 1 



found in situ. It occurs on the large stems of Laminaria digitatdi. 

 and appears to be an inhabitant of deep water, being only found 

 cast up after storms. Mr. Dickie says, "After comparing numerous 

 fresh specimens of G. rostratum and D. alata, I feel convinced that 

 there is no essential diflference in the structure and outward form ot 

 the fruit in these plants. In both the ternate granules are terminal 

 and axillary, and the capsules occupy the same position. The seeds, 

 however, differ in form, those of D. alata are mostly oval ; in the 

 other they are spherical." 



3. On some anomalies in form in Scolopendrium vulgare. By Mr. 

 Joseph Dickson. — The fronds exhibited by Mr. Dickson presented 

 every possible variety of shape, from lanceolate to reniform, and 

 from entire to lobed or rather digitate. The more usual form is cer- 

 tainly entire and oblong o -lanceolate, and it is difficult to account for 

 the freaks of form which not unfrequently occur in this species of 

 fern. 



After these papers were read, Professor Graham exhibited some 

 very beautiful and interesting specimens of exotics from his own 

 green-houses, and the Society then accompanied him in a walk through 

 the garden, which presented a most gratifying appearance. 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. — MR. LONSDALE. 



We regret to hear that the Geological Society of London will 

 shortly be deprived of the services of their invaluable Curator and 

 Librarian, Mr. Lonsdale. Intimately connected as we have been for 

 many years with this Society, we can well appreciate the sorrow 

 which this announcement has caused to all the members, — who 

 thoroughly estimate the high qualities of this eminent person, and 

 entertain the deepest gratitude for the devotion and unrivalled skill 

 with which he has, during the last thirteen 3'^ears, arranged their 

 collections and conducted the publication of their volumes. Mr. 

 Lonsdale's retirement, we are grieved to say, is occasioned solely 

 by the state of his health : and to this notice of the loss which the 

 Geological Society is very soon to suffer, we shall only add our 

 hope, that a naturalist and man of letters may be found competent 

 to succeed him as editor of the Geological Transactions*. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



STERNA ARCTICA. 



A FLOCK of the Sterna arctica made its appearance on the 8th inst. 

 on the river Avon in this county. Several specimens were shot,, 

 three of which I have had an opportunity of examining, and it is 

 remarkable that all these were females. Their ovaries being very 

 slightly developed, it appears that their breeding time was still di- 

 stant, and we may therefore conclude that these birds were on their 



* Upon this subject we believe that application may be made to the Pre- 

 sident and Council of the Society at Somerset House. — [Edit.] 



