256 Proceedings of Learned Societies. 
The author has proposed the following character of the species : 
N. rigidum, fronde lanceolata bipinnata : pinnulis oblongis pinnatifidis: la- 
ciniis arguté dentato-serratis: venulis inconspicuis, soris biseriatim 
contiguis, indusio scarioso dilatato, stipite rhachique densé paleaceis. 
The species ranks next to dilatatum and spinulosum, but differs 
from both by its larger and more crowded sori, broader and more de- 
pressed indusium, and by the stipes and rhachis being copiously clothed 
with narrow ramentaceous scales as in Aspidium aculeatum. The more 
delicate*fronds, with pinnatifid pinnule, having the lobes serrated with 
sharp-pointed, incurved teeth, essentially distinguish it from Nephro- 
dium Filix Mas, between which and spinulosum it appears to be inter- 
mediate in its habit and characters. 
Read also remarks on some varieties of Erica ciliaris and Tetraliz. 
By Professor Don, Libr. L.S. 
The extreme states of these two species are easily recognised at first 
sight; but it must be admitted that varieties do occur in which the 
characters of both appear blended. The normal form of ciliaris is 
characterized by its flat, ovate, ternary leaves, elongated axis of its 
inflorescence, oblong and slightly curved corollas, and naked anthers ; 
and that of Tetralx by its quaternary, linear leaves, revolute at the 
edges, capitate inflorescence, globular corollas, and aristate anthers. 
Some of the varieties of ciliaris exhibited to the meeting, for which 
the author was indebted to Mr. Hewett C. Watson, had the axis of 
their inflorescence quite as much depressed as in Tetralizx, along with 
the narrow quaternary leaves of that species. Another specimen, 
clearly referrible to Tetralix, had the corolla nearly as long as in cilz- 
aris. Another variety of Tetralix, lately discovered in Ireland, and 
which by some botanists is regarded as constituting a distinct spe- 
cies, has entirely the habit of ciliaris, but with the depressed inflo- 
rescence, globular corollas and aristate anthers, of the former species ; 
and it differs from both in the entire absence of the short pubescence 
from the upper surface of the leaves. 
The only permanent mark by which ciliaris and Tetralix can be 
separated is by the absence or presence of the awn-like appendages at 
the base of the anthers. 
A comparison of Irish specimens of Gypsocallis mediterranea with 
others containedin the Smithian Herbarium, shows that they agree in 
every essential point; and although the two plants when grown to- 
gether in a garden exhibit a somewhat different aspect, there cannot 
remain any doubtas to their identity. G.carnea is readily distinguished 
by the much greater length of its anthers and ovarium. 
GIBRALTAR SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY.—NEW OBSERVATORY AT 
CATANIA. 
It is truly gratifying to see that activity in scientific pursuits is fast 
spreading from Britain to her colonies. The institution at Quebec has 
already distinguished itself by the publication of some able papers on 
American geology, topography, and statistics ; and we now find that 
a new society has started up at Gibraltar, which, we trust, may prove 
