1897.] Among the Wild Flowers, 271 



that tlie unilocular anthers of Malvaceae have " only onert//." In a book 

 intended exclusively for the outdoor worker it would be ungenerous to 

 criticise these small matters too closely but the work of the young field 

 naturalist will be none the worse if he knows something of the mar- 

 vellous structure of the framework of the plants he studies. 



Scene II., "Under the Hawthorns" at Dundonald Glen, Co. Down 

 deals w4th an assemblage of shade-loving plants ; the species noted 

 serving as texts for an account of the phenomena of sleep-movements, 

 parasitism, &c. It is a pity that, in describing the habits of the 

 parasitic ScrophuIariacecE, Mr. Praeger should have perpetuated the 

 fanciful account given by Kerner of the function of the scale-leaves in 

 Lathrcea, The researches of Groom and others have shown that the 

 glands on the epidermal lining of the pocket-shaped cavities are not 

 absorptive organs at all. Their function is the excretion of water, which 

 is given off in considerable quantity into the cavity of the pocket, and 

 escapes thence into the surrounding soil. The concave form of the 

 leaves is not assumed with the object of forming a trap for the capture 

 of minute animals, but simply for the protection of the delicate 

 water-excreting hairs lining the cavity. 



Scene III., " By the River," is an interesting description of the aquatic 

 and semi-aquatic plants growing by, and in, the Boyne at Bective, Co. 

 Meath ; and in Scene IV. we have a charming description of the 

 Murrough of Wicklow, and the characteristics of the maritime plants 

 growing on its shingle-beach. The formidable armature of the Sea- 

 Holly leads up to a short account of plant-defences. 



The next Scene, "A Fragrant Hedgerow," treats chiefly of climbing- 

 plants and the object and mechanism of climbing, followed by a brief 

 discussion of plant-movements in general. 



A delightful chapter is that descriptive of Scene VI., " A Connemara 

 Bog," with its rare and beautiful Heaths, its numerous insectivorous 

 plants— Sundews, Butterworts, and Bladderworts, and many another 

 striking species. The distributional problems suggested by the peculiar 

 flora of the West of Ireland are dealt with in a very interesting manner. 



In Scene VII. we are conducted once more to the sea-shore " where the 

 Samphire grows" (Howth, Co. Dublin), and are introduced to many mari- 

 time plants that love to grow in the crevices of the cliffs on that rock- 

 bound coast, where they are exposed to the dash of the salt spray. The 

 presence of Geranium sanguineuni among the more truly maritime species 

 leads to a consideration of the various devices adopted by plants for the 

 dispersal of their fruits and seeds. 



Scene VIII. is " A Flowery Meadow," ''waist-deep in flowers," and 

 ablaze with the glorious spikes of the Purple Loosestrife and the creamy 

 masses of Meadow-sweet blossom, mingled with orchids and many other 

 plants. Here comes in very appropriately a clear and most readable 

 account of the numerous contrivances adopted by plants for ensuring 

 cross-fertilisation by the aid of wind and insects. 



Next follows *' A Study in Weeds" in a cornfield, and a description, 

 based on the occurrence there of two or three species of Catchfly, of the 



