1854.] Linnean Society. 281 



Mr. Peach states that a small whiting, which was gliding round a 

 small weak Cyanea mirita, was attacked by a young pollack, or 

 " haddock," whose movements it easily evaded by dodging round the 

 Medusa. A second haddock, however, soon joined in the pursuit ; 

 but both were for some time baffled, until an unlucky move drove the 

 whiting from its poor shelter, and then a severe chase took place. The 

 pursuers were joined by others, who followed like a pack of hounds, 

 until the whiting became exhausted, and was left by its enemies, 

 who were unable to swallow it, to all appearance dead. In this 

 state the tide gently drifted it along with the Cyanea, until after a 

 time it recovered, swam slowly to its protector, and took refuge as 

 before. The pack soon observed it, drove it again into open water, 

 and this time succeeded in really killing it. During their attack 

 upon it, Mr. Peach repeatedly threw stones among them to induce 

 them to desist ; but so intent were they on the pursuit, that they 

 dashed on unheedingly, although at any other time the smallest 

 stone would have alarmed and driven them aside. 



Read a " Notice on the Characters and Synonyms of the genus 

 Senna." By M. J. B. Battka, of Prague. Communicated by G. 

 Bentham, Esq., F.L.S. 



The following are the characters by which M. Battka distinguishes 

 the genus : — 



Senna, Breyn, Prodr. ii. p. 59; Tourn. Inst. p. 390; Gartn. Carp. ii. 

 p. 312. t. 146. 



Calyx 5-sepalus. Petala 5, inaequalia. Filamenta longiora incurva. 

 AnthercE 2-poros8e, 10, supremae 3 steriles, infimce 3 radiatse. Stigma 

 centrale. Legumen membranaceum, oblongum v. reniforme, latum, 

 foliaceum, plano-compressum, bivalve, pluriloculare, dissepimentis 

 transversalibus ; loculis monospevmis, non pulposis, ad sedes seminum 

 torulosis. Semina albuminosa, rostellata, ad suturam superam legu- 

 minis hilo funiculis strictis longioribus affixa, testa carnosa, matura 

 et siccata subcordata rugulosa v. scrobiculata, margine hilo et micro- 

 pyle callosa, appendicula (loco deficientis plumulEe) lirello-cochleaii- 

 formi ornatii ; cotyledones fohaceae, trinerves ; radicula recta ; plumula 

 nulla. 



Under the head of " Petioli eglandulosi ; foliola obliqua," M. 

 Battka enumerates four species, — S. obovata, S. acutifolia, S. an- 

 gustifolia, and S. tomentosa, of which he gives the following cha- 

 racters and synonymy : — 



1. Senna obovata, foliis 3-6-jugis ; foholis obovatis vel retuso-obovatis 

 mucronulatis basi angustioribus, stipulis petiolorum lanceolato-lineari- 



