200 ANOMALIES IX THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



add one more very scarce flower which I found in the marsh near l^otnes 

 Weir — the Summer Snow Flake, (Leucojitm testivum^) growing amidst willows. 

 It has never been found here before I believe. It would be impossible for me 

 to enumerate all the flowers I found in my delightful walk^ but I hope 

 this slight mention of a few of our Botanical treasures may induce others to 

 examine for themselves^ the beauties of their own county. 

 Tvtnes, June Isf.^ 1851. 



ANOMALIES IN THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



BY J..B. DAVIES, ESQ. 



The interesting notice of the monstrous Earth Worm, by Mr. Edwards, in 

 '•'The Naturalist" for September, has suggested to me the idea of keeping a register 

 of the various anomalies noticed among plants by Naturalists throughout 

 the kingdom. Acting upon the idea, I begin with a tribe which has come 

 more within my notice of late than any other^ that is, the Graminioe^ and 

 beg to send you a list of the variations I have observed among them; some 

 of these are perfectly well known, and others less so, but all I think deserving 

 of being recorded in a collected form, so as to form a nest-egg for other 

 observers to increase from. 



I am certain that I am not the only one among j^our readers who would 

 be interested in such a record as I propose to keep, and if it should meet 

 the ideas of others, I shall feel happy to contribute my mite towards the 

 gathering together of stones, to build a correct Science of Morpjhology; as it 

 is only from the possession of abundant data that we can ever hope to arrive 

 at anything like ultimate facts. 



The variations of grasses may be classed as follows: — 1st. — Flowers becoming 

 viviparous, that is producing young plants instead of seeds. 2nd. — Change in 

 the seeds, supposed to be caused by the presence of a fungus, causing it to 

 enlarge and become dark in colour, and known as Ergot. 3rd. — Division of a 

 simple spike, or union of distinct ones. 4th. — Variations in the colour of the 

 leaves, the colouring matter being absent in certain parts, causing longitudinal 

 white lines. 5th. — Miscellaneous Sports, as extraordinary devolopment of glumes, 

 ligule, root, etc. 



The following species have been noticed in a viviparous condition: — 



Poa alinna, common on high hills in Perthshire and Forfarshire. Head 

 large and tufted. In the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, and Golden Acre 

 Nursery, Edinburgh. 



Festuca ovina, likewise found in mountainous districts in Scotland. Same 

 places as above. 



Aira cocspitosa, to be found in collections; forms a very gracefully drooping 

 head. Kept up in cultivation by division of the roots. Same places as last. 



I have noticed Ergot, in the following species: — 



Secale cercalc, Rye, very common. 



