NATURAL IIISTORV SOCIETV OF GLASGOW. Ixxiii 



and the Side-saddle Plant (Sarracenia) with its remarkable 

 peltate stigma ; several fine specimens of Tree-Ferns, including 

 Cyathea medullaris, a native of New Zealand, with ebony-black 

 stipes; Alsophila cHnita, a magnificent species recently pre- 

 sented by Professor Bower, with numerous long graceful fronds 

 which give It somewhat the appearance of a palm ; an immense 

 and probably unique specimen of the Silver Tree-Fern {Cyathea 

 dealhata) with a double trunk ; Aspleninm Nidus, from Aus- 

 tralia, commonly known as the "Bird's-nest Fern," from the 

 circular arrangement of its spreading fronds appearing some- 

 what like a gigantic bird's-nest ; Platycerium alcicorne, with 

 fronds shaped like the antlers of a stag; Ayigiopteris erecta 

 and 3Iarrattia cicutifolla, two representatives of the sub-order 

 Marrattiaceae, with a succulent irregiilar caudex upon which 

 the stems are articulated, these being furnished at the base with 

 a pair of large flap-like auricles of a leathery texture. A pan 

 of prothalh, raised from spores of Marrattia cicutifolia, was 

 also examined. These differ from the prothallus of the time 

 ferns in being rather fleshy, of a very dark green colour, and 

 having the antheridia developed on the upper as well as the 

 lower surface. Owing to the backward season, there were 

 comparatively few plants in bloom in the herbaceous ground, 

 but the following were observed in flower: Ranunculus aconiti- 

 jouus, B. auricomus, R. speciosiis, Trollius europceus, T 

 asmticiis, Caltha paliistris, Cardamine macrophylla, Iberi's 

 sempermrens. Lychnis diurna, Trifolium suhterra,ieum, Al- 

 chemUla alpina, Geum rivale, Potentilla Fragariastrum, Sedum 

 Rhodwla, Saanfraga granulaia, S. stellaris, Dondia EpipaHis, 

 ChcerophyUum aureum, Doronicum Pardalianches, Primula 

 nivalxs, Leucojum cestivum, and Luzula sylvatiea. Owing to 

 darkness setting in, the Filmy-Ferns, Mosses, and Liverworts 

 in the Mossery could not be seen to advantage ; and the inspec- 

 tion of these interesting plants was postponed to a future 

 occasion. 



Mr. John Renwick reported on an Excursion made to Loch 

 Humphrey on 23rd inst. The party ascended Glenarbuck, and 

 passed along the Kilpatrick Hills until the loch was reached. 

 Ihe day was very unfavourable, and vegetation on the high 

 ground was found to be in a very backward state. Among the 

 plants observed were Arabis sagittata, DC, Arenana trinervia 

 L., Cerashiim glomeratum, ThuiU.. Prunus Avium, L., and 

 ±^. Padus, L. 



The Chairman (Professor King) exhibited specimens of Arabis 

 sagittata, DC, from Glenarbuck. 



Mr. John Renwick showed specimens of Geranium pJumim, 

 L., from Leswalt, Wigtownshire, and Scilla verna, Huds., from 

 Irortpatrick. 



