Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 315 



tenable. "I cannot believe," says Sir John, "that it (the avicu- 

 larium) is connected with the hydra, from rinding it seated and ac- 

 tive on the side of those cells wherein there are none. Nevertheless, 

 it is an integral part of the zoophyte, in so far as being generated 

 along with new or reproducing portions. This, indeed, does not 

 exclude the character of a parasite ; for I have understood that those 

 infesting the larger animals sometimes occur in the foetus." (p. 245.) 



Valkeria imbricata is well-figured on plate 50 ; V. cuscuta on 

 plate 51, and on the same plate V. spinosa in a less satisfactory and 

 less complete manner. 



Sir John is of opinion that the genus Serialaria is unnecessary, 

 and he places its only species in the genus Valkeria. It forms the 

 subject of plate 52. The cells are not ranged in a straight line in 

 single series as usually described, but " in partial alternation, the 

 convex side of one being applied to the opposite recess formed by 

 the union of two, somewhat like the position of two rows of cells in 

 a honeycomb." (p. 250.) Like all Valkeria, the polype has eight 

 tentacula. 



Bowerbankia repens and B. densa are figured in plate 53, and the 

 species are described in the text. But beyond furnishing us with a 

 series of interesting figures and authentic and original descriptions, 

 we do not find that our author has added any novelty to our know- 

 ledge of ascidian zoophytes, beyond some additions to their external 

 anatomy and some corrections of less careful observers. 



And now we bid a farewell — we trust a short one — to our author, 

 whose book has engrossed very pleasantly some days of our leisure. 

 We learn that his portefeuille contains many similar memoirs to 

 those herein published, and we could wish to have the influence of 

 hastening also their publication ; but surely such influence, if pos- 

 sessed, is unnecessary, for in the honourable fame this volume has 

 secured for Sir John Graham Dalyell there is enough to urge him 

 on to the completion of his ever-during monument. 



PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 



BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. 



Feb. 10, 1848.— The Rev. Dr. Fleming, President, in the Chair. 



The following communication was read : — 



" An Account of a Botanical Excursion to Braemar, Clova, and Ben 

 Lawers, with his pupils, in August 1847," by Professor Balfour. 

 Having made some general observations on the botany of the alpine 

 districts of Scotland, Dr. Balfour proceeded to give a detailed ac- 

 count of the localities visited and the plants gathered. From Aber- 

 deen the party went to Ballater, thence by Lochnagar to Castleton 

 of Braemar, where theyremained ten days, examining Ben Aven, Ben- 

 na-Muich-Dhui (on the top of which they slept for a night), Cairn 

 Toul, Breriach, Glen Callater, Clova, Glen Isla, &c. Leaving Brae- 

 mar, they walked by Glen Tilt to Blair Athol, and thence by the Pass 

 of Killiecrankie to Kenmore, Ben Lawers and Loch Lomond. All 

 the usual, and many very rare alpine species were gathered. Carex 



21* 



