NOTES FROM CURRENT LITERATURE I IQ 



large flowers, though doubtless in herbaria it will be often found to 

 represent that species. From S. siibulata its more creeping habit 

 and more woody root-stock will distinguish it. Owing to the 

 difference in the capsule it may be worth while distinguishing the 

 Scottish form from the Continental species as var. scotica." 



Another interesting plant from Ben Lawers, Alchemilla vulgaris, L., 

 var. acutidens (Buser), pointed out by Dr. Ostenfeld, who is very 

 familiar with this plant in the Faroes. 



Professor Graebner also pointed out Calluna vulgaris, Hull., var. 

 Erikce, Ascherson and Graebner, which is a prostrate rooting plant 

 with descending branches, the flowers being turned downward ; it is 

 said to retain its character under cultivation. 



The claims oi /uncus ranarius, Fries., to be considered a species are 

 discussed, Professor Graebner being of opinion that it is worthy of full 

 specific rank. Mr. Druce records it from many places, including 

 Scottish records for vice-counties 85, 90, 105, 107. 



The Report includes descriptions of several new varieties and a 

 considerable number of vice-county records, while there are also 

 valuable notes upon many of our more critical species and varieties. 



An interesting memoir on the vegetation of Natal has just been 

 published by Professor J. W. Bews of Natal University College, 

 Pietermaritzburg (formerly of the University and Royal Botanic 

 Garden, Edinburgh), as a reprint from "Annals of the Natal 

 Museum," ii. part 3. Natal may be said to present a coastal belt, 

 then a series of terraces at about 1000, 2000, and 3000 feet respec- 

 tively, with a mountainous region above 5000 feet. Into this 

 system the chief rivers cut back deeply so that in the higher region 

 rugged gorges are formed, while in the lowlands the valleys are 

 broad and flat. Climatic details are given, and in discussing them 

 the author throws useful light on the occurrence of veld and forest. 

 The rain-clouds from the Indian Ocean deposit first on the coastal 

 belt, and a dense bush is the natural vegetation. Towards the 

 mountains the rains fall mainly on the rising edge of each terrace, 

 while the intervening terrace-plateaux are much drier ; the result is 

 a forest-zone on each terrace margin and a treeless veld on the 

 plateau. The valleys are much drier than the highlands, especially 

 in winter, the dry season, when they are also colder. The vegeta- 

 tion of the valleys resolves itself into " rocky stream thickets " in the 

 narrower higher valleys, and a dry " thorn veld " of trees and grasses 

 in the broader drier valleys. In view of the economic development 

 of Natal as regards forestry, stock-grazing, and agriculture, the author 

 has done great service in this memoir through his study of natural 

 vegetation in relation to climate and physiography. A series of 

 excellent photographs of landscapes illustrate the physiognomy of 

 the country, and the numerous floristic lists will be valuable for the 

 systematist. The memoir as a whole conveys the impression that 

 field experience in the varied topography of Scotland is an excellent 

 preparation for the study of the vegetation of other lands. 



