1 86 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



of habitat it prefers. It is also sometimes obtained by us in the 

 stomachs of fishes, i.e. haddocks, etc. (a specimen was obtained in 

 the stomach of a haddock captured in the Firth on the 30th ult.) 

 We are indebted to Professor MTntosh for the name of this species. 

 — Thomas Scott, Leith. 



BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS. 



Alehemilla vulgaris, L. — I have been much interested in the 

 translation from A. Kerner, and also in the remarks by Mr. Druce 

 himself on this plant and its forms. It is one to which I have 

 paid some heed, being struck with what appear to me to be two 

 low country forms, and two distinct alpine forms. 



1 st. We have A. vulgaris, eu., almost glabrous, common by the 

 moist waysides and in shady places. This is a strong-growing plant, 

 with the largest leaves on the stem near the roots. The whole 

 plant is of light green colour. 



2nd. We have a form, common in similar, but dry situations. 

 It is of a more recent state of growth, with long brown hairs ; but 

 otherwise appears to be the same plant. I have always taken this 

 to be A. montana, Willd. 



3rd. We have on moist rocky ledges at considerable elevations, 

 and beside mountain rivulets, a plant that seems to come very near 

 A. glabra of Wimmer and Grabowski. It has long, smooth, and 

 shining petioles, generally of a ruby colour. The leaves are much 

 thinner than in either of the preceding, and their colour is light 

 green when the plant grows at about 2500 feet. The parts of this 

 plant are often larger than are those of the other forms ; and, as 

 a rule, the largest stem-leaves are about the middle of the stem. 



I sent this form to Mr. Bennett some years ago, but he returned 

 it as A. vulgaris, L. ; for my own part I have always pointed it out 

 on the hill as A. vulgaris, L., var. alpina ? I have now got a name 

 that pleases me far better, viz. A. glabrata ? 



4th. We have that small form, with short grayish pubescence, 

 which is common on mountain sides, and grows almost to the top 

 of our highest mountains. 



It is possible that the difference in these forms is entirely due to 

 situation ; but, when extreme forms are compared, it is somewhat 

 difficult to admit this. 



Should the opportunity occur I will collect these forms and send 

 out sets of them to one or two of my friends, as well as to Mr. 

 Druce. 



The late Professor Balfour told me that a plant of A. alpina 

 had become A. conjuncta after a few years' cultivation in the 

 Edinburgh Botanical Gardens. I put a plant from Ben Lawers into 



