I - , | THE BRISTOL COAL] [ELD. 



The following analysis is that of carbonaceous matter, taken from 

 the centre of a large sigillaria from a Pennant quarry at Frenchay.* 



It will thus he seen that the percentage of iron in the fossil plants in 

 very large, but that in the grit is only ordinary. 



In conclusion I desire to return my thanks to Mr. Monks, jun., of 

 the Baston Collieries, near Bristol, for the kind way in which he has 

 supplied me with specimens of rock and necessary information. 



COLOUR IN FLO WE Its. 



i:V P. T. MOTT, F.R.G.S. 



In the " Midland Naturalist " for 1879. I Vol. II., p. 175.) there is an 

 article of mine on this subject, containing a theoretical explanation of 

 vegetable colour, which has in it. I believe, some points of novelty. I 

 have recently observed a phenomenon of plant life, which, as far as it 

 _'<"s, seems clearly to support that theory. T have had in my window 

 during the winter a small hyacinth bull), in a small vase of water. 

 About three weeks ago this bulb had thrown up a flower spike six 

 inches high in tin- centre of the usual whorl of leaves. The flowers ex- 

 panded, but they were all quite green, as green as the leaves, and the 

 bulb was thought to be a failure. It was left in the window, however, 

 and a few days later the points of the perianth of the terminal flower 

 observed to be turning white. The change went on rapidly, and 

 within a week seven out of the eight flowers in the spike had become 

 pure white and fragrant, the eighth remaining green, but soon shrivel- 

 ling op. This change of colour was accompanied by an equally rapid 

 growth of tissue. The stalk shot up to nine inches, and the perianth 

 i. tits, which had been about three-quarters of an inch long, and 

 in. rely erecto-pateut, elongated to an inch and a half, and became cir- 

 oinnately recurved. 



I • .tint for the phenomenon thus. The flower-spike had been 

 thrown up in very 'lull weather and remained nearly in the con- 

 dition of foliage, The last of the four secondarv waves of vital energy 



• The bed of Hamlxi'ine from wbiob tins lust specimen was taken I bare not 

 tliou^lit it neceHsary to anahse. oh it was an ordinary i'ennaui 



