We have also from Dr. Gillies, from Mendoza, a species 

 of Acseiia, belonging to the same set as the foregoing, but 

 characterised by its finely cut leaves, and more numerous 

 leaflets : this may be recorded thus : — 



A. myriophylla ; erecta pubescens, foliis 7-9-jiigis, foliolis linearibus alt^ 

 piunatifidis ; laciniis angustissimis subtus sericeis, spica cylindracea 

 basi interrupta, fructibus ovalibus tomentosis glochidatis. 



The following is the description of the Acsena pinna- 

 tifida as it appears in our Gardens : — 



An herbaceous plant, becoming slightly pubescent at 

 the base. Stem ascending, leafy, covered all over with 

 silky hairs, as are all the other parts. Leaves in 4-5 pairs ; 

 leatiets usually 4-parted, sometimes 3-parted, occasionally 

 5-parted, but this is not common ; the lower leaflets 

 smaller, alternate, and sometimes entire. Floivers herma- 

 phrodite, in interrupted spikes. Spike formed of several 

 heads, clustered at the top, becoming remote towards the 

 base, and finally changing to one or two axillary flowers. 

 Calyx inferior, having at its base several imbricated, hairy, 

 scarious bracteae ; the tube 4-cornered, verrucosa, thick- 

 ened, becoming indurated in the fruit ; the limb spreading, 

 5-parted, the divisions green, polished inside, hairy without. 

 Petals none. Stamens 5-10, uncertain in number, inserted 

 into the contracted tube of the calyx ; jllaments filiform, 

 decumbent ; anthers large, dark purple, nearly square, 

 2-celled, dehiscing lengthwise. Ovarium solitary, included 

 within the tube of the calyx, with a solitary pendulous 

 ovulum. Style continuous with the ovarium ; stigma large, 

 formed of a bundle of long fringes. 



This genus oflfers an illustration of what is called the 

 certainty and precision (! !) of the Linnaean system of Botany, 

 which is highly amusing. Perhaps some of our friends at 

 Liverpool, the last stronghold of the remnant of the followers 

 of the great Swedish Naturalist, will inform us to what 

 Linnaean class Aca^na should be referred. 



J. L. 



