J. SAUNDERS NOTES ON TUE CHAEACE^. 26 



lands, several small driiiking-ponds were made on the rough pasture 

 called the Litany. In the spring of 1893 three of these contained 

 T. intricata, two of them scantily and the third in great luxuriance. 

 In 1894 it was absent from all three of these ponds, although they 

 had not diied up during the previous summer. In 1895 it was 

 absent from the pool in which it was so abundant in 1893, and 

 occurred plentifully in one of the others in which it previously 

 grew sparingly. 



The question naturally arises as to the reason of the erratic 

 appearance of the Characeae, and also why in a given locality 

 a species may be present one season and in siibsequent years be 

 replaced by a totally different one. It is not unusual, however, 

 to find two or more species growing in the same pool. Replies 

 to these queries are yet wanting, or rather no solution of these 

 problems have suggested themselves to the mind of the writer. 

 Observations have been carried on for 13 or 14 years with the hope 

 of obtaining sufficient material to at least theorize on the subject, 

 but as yet this would be premature. 



Probably the most noteworthy record is the finding of NiteUa 

 mucronata, a species which had only once before been recognized in 

 England. This was by Mr. Borrer, who discovered it in a ditch 

 at West Grinstead, in Sussex, in 1858, About the year 1880 

 Mr. H. Groves made a special journey to this spot in the hope of 

 finding the plant, but it had disappeared from Borrer's station. 

 Its re-discovery in this country is due to Mr. C. H. Davies, of 

 Bedford. Specimens of the plant were sent to me, with others, 

 by Mr. Davies, senior, early in October, 1882, with a request to 

 have them determined. The one referred to was doubtfully named 

 N. Jlexilis, but as it was barren and very fragmentary it was 

 forwarded to Messrs. Groves for authoritative opinion. A 

 letter was received by return of post naming it nmcronata, and 

 expressing much pleasure that it had again been found in England. 

 Under these circumstances I felt desirous of visiting the spot to see 

 it growing. The afternoon appointed turned out very wet, but I 

 proceeded to the place with Mr. C. H. Davies, when, to our dismay, 

 the station was found to be inundated, owing to the heavy rains 

 for which October was remarkable. Said my companion: "We 

 cannot get it." My reply was : " How deep is the pool? " But 

 that was unknown, and could not be judged by reason of the dis- 

 colouration of the water. After a little consideration the only 

 practicable plan seemed to be to wade barefoot through the flood, 

 sheltered by a huge umbrella to keep off a little of the overhead 

 deluge. This was attempted, and, by the verbal guidance of the 

 lad, and gauging the depth with a stick, the shallowest parts 

 were chosen. Eventually a water-hole was reached where the 

 NiteUa was supposed to grow. Carefully groping in the turgid 

 pool with a hooked stick, the only materials brought up were 

 dead leaves, twigs, and such rubbish as would be swept in by the 

 flood. Almost despaii'ing of success by reason of the rain above 

 and the waters beneath, the question was shouted to the youth 



