32 
like roots, which had shot out into the air, and were not less 
than six inches from the ground, which, however, they made 
no effort to reach. They did not increase in length, shewing 
that their function was to hold the plant in its place, and 
that this function being already performed by the dead stem 
there was no need for them to grow longer. Why the fleshy 
nature of the leaves peculiarly fits the plant for a barren soil 
and a salt air is not so easily determined ; partly, probably, 
by the abundant supply of moisture thus contained—as in the 
stomach of the camel—within the plant itself, rendering it in- 
dependent of the moisture of the soil, and partly by increasing 
the power of secreting from the air the carbonic acid, to 
which, decomposed as it is in plants by the agency of light 
alone, the woody constituents of the plant have to look for 
their sustenance. 
The presence of iodine and of the salts of soda in sea-side 
plants is accounted for by their neighbourhood to the sea, 
the great source of both, and the absence of these in such as 
grow at the tops of mountains is similarly explained. But 
apparently these Halophytes cannot do without salt, so not 
being able to get soda from the sea, they take potash from 
‘the land, and thrive upon that. The procumbent growth of 
the plants I have given reasons for; but I am not chemist 
enough to offer a reason for the prevalent glaucous colour, 
though I may have my conjectures. 
I must now leave the subject for yourselves to follow out. 
I hope any of you who may have the chance will especially 
look out for these sea-side plants in the course of your Sum- 
mer rambles. I should like to have said a few words upon 
various intermediate forms, such as one of the two forms of 
the common Bladder Campion, both of which may be found 
between the ‘‘ Valiant Sailor’ and the Lady-Wood, and also 
upon sea-side ferns. But in mercy to you, as well as to 
myself, I must stop. 
Tea was provided in appropriate style at 4.30 o’clock, and 
by the time it was over the train had called again for the 
members. 
