84 REPORT—1848. 
Conclusion.—Allusion to the observations of Forbes on the distribution of animals 
in zones of depth, &c. -- doubts raised by experiment with respect to the statements of 
Sir J. Ross, that the deepest regions of the sea are tenanted by animals and plants, &c. 
Additions to the British Flora, and an exhibition of Drawings pre- 
pared for publication in the Supplement to English Botany. By C.C. 
Basincton, W.A., F.LS. ; 
The author made a few remarks upon the causes of the recent great increase in 
the number of recorded British plants, which he supposed had resulted chiefly from 
the more careful and minute study of plants ensuing upon the attention of our younger 
botanists being turned to the works of foreign, more especially German and Swedish 
authors. He then noticed the necessity of attending to minute subdivision of species 
before any correct determination of what constitutes a species could be obtained, 
after which doubtless many of the sc-called species would be combined into real spe- 
cies. At present no good distinction of species and varieties is known. 
Species and varieties noticed :— 
Lolium linicola. Orobanche Picridis. Filago spathulata. 
Apera interrupta. Malva verticillata. F. apiculata. 
Anacharis Alsinastrum. Trifolium Molinerii. Crepis setosa, 
Simethis bicolor. T. strictum. and some others. 
Ranunculus tripartitus. Melilotus arvensis. 
Periodical Birds observed in the Years 1847 and 1848 near Llanrwst. 
By Joun Brackxwa tt, F.L.S. 
On the parasitic Character of Rhinanthus crista-galli. 
By Josuua CLARKE. 
Recent researches have discovered an interesting fact, that a whole group of plants 
closely allied to the Rhinanthus, is parasitic ; but the reason for thus noticing this 
habit in R. crista-galli, is its bearing on the practice of agriculture, viz. the in- 
jury and sometimes the destruction of the barley crops on clay lands. The extent 
of the evil due to this weed having been mentioned, the author stated the mode of 
effecting the injury as follows :—The fibres of the root of the Rhinanthus attach 
themselves to the fibres of the barley on which they grow. They then form small, 
round tubers, or what perhaps might be more properly called spongioles, on the 
sides of the fibres, which embrace the fibres so effectually, that they suck the juices 
of the plant so as to starve it, and sometimes ultimately destroy it. 
Note on the Development of Pollen. By A. Hrenrrey, F.L.S. 
The object of this note was to offer evidence from original investigation that the 
parent-cells of the pollen-cells are not formed through the agency of cytoblasts. 
The polliniferous tissue of the anther in T’radescantia at first exhibits a continuous 
cellular structure ; in the cells composing this new cells are formed around the en- 
tire periphery of the protoplasm, completely filling the original cells, the walls of 
which then decay leaving the new cells (the parent-cells of the pollen) free. The 
protoplasm of the parent-cells divides into two and then into four portions, so that 
two septa, generally crossing at right angles, are found, dividing the original cavity 
into four cells (the special parent-cells), each generally having the form ef a quarter 
ofa sphere, The protoplasm of these again forms a layer around its whole periphery, 
whereby a new cell (the pollen-cell) originates in each cavity. The walls of the pa- 
rent and special parent-cells then decay leaving the pollen-cells free. The nuclei 
never make their appearance before the formation of the septa in the parent-cells. 
