238 Miscellaneous. 



not only a similar calyptra, but calyptrse also occur at all the healthy 

 parts of the compound roots of the full-grown plant, proving evi- 

 dently that the Pistice are floating plants during the entire period of 

 their existence. The second, but later developed, leaf of the germi- 

 nating plant has the same flat disk-like form as the first gemmule 

 leaf, and the third is the first which appears to have the sestivatio 

 conduplicata of the later leaves. As soon as these three leaves have 

 spread themselves on the water, a large quantity of simple radicular 

 are developed downwards, among which, at times, occur compound 

 roots similar in miniature to those of the grown plant. The result 

 of these observations is therefore, that Pistia from the structure of 

 its gemmula and from its germination approaches to Lemna, but as 

 this latter in all other respects stands in a much inferior scale of or- 

 ganization, it is impossible to agree with Lindley, who brings them 

 both together in one family, the Pistiacece ; but it would be best to 

 make of the two plants two different small anomalous families of the 

 Aroidea. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



NEW BRITISH ZOOPHYTE. 



Miss Attersoll has lately discovered, on the coast of Sussex, the 

 Cornularia rugosa of Cavolini, growing on a Tubularia, and has com- 

 municated specimens of these interesting zoophytes to the British 

 Museum. This genus has hitherto been believed to be confined to 

 the Mediterranean. It differs from most other thorny zoophytes in 

 the tentacles being pinnate like those of Gorgonia. — J. E. Gray. 



SPEAKING CANARY BIRD. 



The attention of some of our friends has lately been called to what, 

 so far as we know, is a novel fact, namely, the power of articulation 

 having been acquired by a canary-bird, in the possession of Mrs. 

 Hardy, of No. 28, Piccadilly, by whom it was brought up from the 

 nest. This docile little creature has certainly learnt to imitate with 

 surprising success some phrases which had often been addressed to 

 it, and possesses a faculty which had never been suspected in the fa- 

 mily to which it belongs. 



LARUS MINTTTUS. 



A beautiful adult specimen, in the winter plumage, was shot near 

 Newton, Northumberland, by the sea, in February, 1838, and is now 

 in possession of Mr. Embleton, surgeon, Embleton. This is the first 

 recorded instance of its appearance upon the Northumbrian coast. 

 —P. J. S. 



