1842.] Linnean Society. 159 



unknown. It holds a middle rank between them and P. orientale 

 hracteatum, being tall and bearing seeds, which are sometimes pro- 

 lific, and well deserv^es to be introduced into English gardens. 



Dr. Forster adds, that about ten years ago Mr. Curtis showed him 

 a bed of seedlings of the second year in full flower in May, which 

 had round capsules and orange flowers like P. orientale, but which 

 he stated to have been derived from seeds of P. hracteatum. Mr. Cur- 

 tis attributed the change to the bees having transported the pollen 

 of that plant, but the uniform appearance of the whole bed led Dr. 

 Forster to think this explanation doubtful. He further states, that 

 he has been assured in the South of Europe that the best opium and 

 in the largest quantity is obtained from P. orientale hracteatum ; and 

 as this plant suits the English soil and seeds freely, he thinks it 

 might often be advantageously substituted for P. somniferum. 



Read also a Note " On Secale cornutum, the Ergot of Rye ;" and 

 " On a species of Asplenium, related to A. Trichomanes, L." By A. 

 Haro, M.D., of Metz, communicated by the Secretary. 



In the latter communication Dr. Haro calls attention to a fern dis- 

 covered by himself in the well of an old castle. The well in which 

 it was found is described as being large, four-cornered, and having 

 at the top on one side a square window, freely admitting air and 

 light. The opposite wall is lined with the fern, which lies flat upon 

 the stones, to which the fronds are said to be attached throughout 

 their length by slender roots, rendering it difficult to remove them 

 even with a knife. Dr. Haro submitted the plant to a Professor of 

 the faculty of Nancy, who regarded it as a new species, more distinct 

 from A. Trichomanes than A. viride or A. Petrarchce, and supplied 

 the following descriptive characters of these four species : — 



A. Trichomanes, frondes patulce, glabrcB, impari-pinnatae ; stipes nigres- 

 centi-vernicosus, supra membranuld cvenulata et ab insertione pinnu- 

 larum utrinque decurrente manifeste appendiculatus ; pinniilse medias 

 ovatcB inasquilaterales, superiores oblongje et basi oblique cuneatEe, 

 impar crenulata, omnes obtusas ohtuse(\ue crenatse. 



A. Harovii, frondes decumhentes saxoque fibrillis tenuissimis adfixae, 

 glahrcE, impari-pinnatae; stipes nigrescenti-vernicosus, supra membra- 

 nula obsoleta et ab insertione pinnularum utrinque decurrente appen- 

 diculatus ; pinnulse mediae hastato-rhomboidecB, trilobafcE, superiores 

 oblongae basi obh'que attenuatse vel cuneatae, impar pinnatifida, omnes 

 obtusEe sed acute dentatae. 



A. viride, frondes erecto-pntulce, glabra, impari-pinnatae ; stipes viridis, 

 supra canaliculatus, inappendiculalus ; pinnulse mediae fere omnes ovato- 



