L'G the jovhnai, or botany 



the Lichens are nearest the sea from which they emerged, and still 

 retain a more complete expression of the original algal soma, as well 

 as indications of an older phase of sexual reproduction and the double 

 life-cycle. 



While the preceding generalizations may suffice to indicate the 

 mechanism of the progression, so far as it concerns the somatic 

 organization of the individual, through successive phases of reduced 

 and heterotrophic saprophytism, to recovered autotrophv by the 

 vicarious agency of intrusive green flagellates of the type of Zoo- 

 ehlorella, — it remains to follow the simultaneous progression of tin- 

 racial mechanism of reproduction, as presented in the process of 

 fertilization and the provision of means of dispersal, as also the 

 adjustment of the meiotic p"oblem in the life-cycle, which may throw 

 additional light on other phases of the problem, as well as confirming 

 the general hypothesis. It should now he sufficiently evident that 

 the phenomenon was eminently polyphyletic ; and many seaweed 

 phyla, as the mixed flora of the littoral zone, residual in standing ponds, 

 ma} r have successfully solved the same problem. The fact remains 

 that one Fungus-series, the Aseomycetes, has survived to show it 

 better than any other; although the point is not invalidated that tin- 

 latter systematic group probably constitutes a wide polyphyletic range 

 of types, and one wholly empirical, since of unknown algal origin and 

 now abruptly isolated. 



Botanic Garden, Oxfoi-d, 

 November 21, 1920. 



.SOME PLANTS FROM JEBEL MARK A, DARFUR. 

 By L. V. Lester Oakland, M.A., F.L.S. 



In the early part of last year Captain H. Lynes, K.X.. and a 

 companion visited the province of Darfur in order to study the 

 Natural History and collect specimens. Their stay was unfortunately 

 cut short just as they reached the upper zone of the mountainous 

 district which has very seldom been visited by Europeans and is sure 

 to possess features of considerable interest. Captain Lynes started 

 again for Darfur in November, and means to spend a year there. 

 He will return, no doubt, with a large amount of detailed informa- 

 tion ; but it is perhaps worth while to record at once the plants 

 which he brought back from the high ground, and which he has 

 been kind enough to present to the British Museum of Natural 

 History. For the information contained in the following paragraphs 

 1 am entirely indebted to Captain Lynes. 



Darfur is a vast plain about 20 °/ larger than the combined 

 British Isles, and with a mean altitude of about 2300 feet above sea- 

 level. The highest part lies in the centre, whence it slopes gradually 

 downwards and outwards, with local series of low, rolling hills. The 

 volcanic massif of Jebel Marra, which forms the centre of the 

 province, is in extent about fifty miles N. and S. by 20 miles E, 

 and W., and its importance seems to have been much underrated up 



