254 AXXALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



" Parka deripiens, Flem. — Stems rugose, about 4 cm. in diameter, 

 showing stumps of branches about 1 1 cm. distant. Leaves linear, 



1 cm. broad, with somewhat rounded terminations. Sporocarps 

 oval, 3 -5 x 5-5 cm., bearing more or less conspicuous impressions of 

 the contained sporangia. 



"a. media, n. var. — Sporocarps oval, nearly entire, 13x20 mm. 

 broad. Impressions of sporangia distinct ; usually carbonised. 

 " This var. shows no conspicuous leaves or stems. 

 "/3. minor, n. var. — Stems 4 mm. broad. Leaves linear, 1-5 to 



2 mm. broad, sometimes finely veined. Sporocarps oval, 6 to 

 1 1 mm. broad. Impressions of the sporangia distinct, often 

 carbonised." 



The paper, which shows that a great deal of care and labour has 

 been bestowed on its preparation, must be carefully studied by all 

 interested in the structure and affinities of Parka ; but, on the showing 

 of the writers themselves, there is scarcely enough of conclusive 

 evidence — the most of their conclusions are really in the form of 

 probable explanations or suggestions — to admit of the genus 

 Parka being so fully and rigidly defined as has been done by Pro- 

 fessor Penhallow; as we have no evidence placed beyond reasonable 

 doubt that the stems and leaves (?) with which Parka is associated 

 are really referable to it. The mere fact of their association on the 

 same slabs cannot be accepted as proving any original organic 

 connection between them. Their association may give ground for 

 the assumption of their being different parts of the same organism ; 

 but, in absence of any certain knowledge of their organic union, one 

 is scarcely justified in characterising a genus on merely supposed 

 relationships. The evidence on which it is accepted that Parka 

 possessed macrospores and microspo?-es is far too slender to justify the 

 important conclusions drawn from it — R. Kidston. 



CURRENT LITERATURE. 



The Titles and Purport of Papers and Notes relating to Scottish Natural His- 

 tory which have appeared during the Quarter — July-October 1893. 



The Editors desire assistance to enable them to make this Section as complete as 

 possible. Contributions on the lines indicated will be most acceptable and 

 will bear the initials of the Contributor. The Editors will have access to the 

 sources of information undermentioned. ] 



ZOOLOGY. 



A Catalogue of Local Lists of British Mammals, Reptiles, 

 and Fishes, arranged under Counties. By Miller Christy, 

 F.L.S. Zoologist (3), vol. xvii. No. 199 (July 1893). — Lists relating 

 to Scottish Reptiles [and Amphibia], pp. 249-251. Lists relating to 

 Scottish Fishes, pp. 260-262. 



