48 



]>^ote on Coleochate scutata. By John Ralfs, Esq., A.L.S. 



Amongst the numerous additions lately made to our microscopic 

 Algae, there is no one more deserving of notice than the Coleochaete 

 scutata, Breh. This minute parasite appears like a mere speck upon 

 the leaves of aquatic plants. It was first discovered by my friend, 

 Mr. Sidebothara, in a pond near Manchester ; and has since been ga- 

 thered near Aberdeen, by Dr. Dickie, and in Sussex, by Mr. Jenner, 

 on the decaying leaves of grasses. It is also not imcommon near 

 Penzance, but is here always found on the under surface of the leaves 

 of Potamogeton natans. This plant is probably common, but over- 

 looked from its minuteness. 



Coleochajte seems to approximate very closely to the Phylactidium 

 of Kutzing, of which genus a species has been lately detected in Ire- 

 land by Dr. Allman. In both genera the frond is circular, and com- 

 posed of series of cells radiating from a centre. If these genera are 

 not identical, the only distinction between them depends upon the 

 fact that Coleochaete in an advanced state has processes from the dor- 

 sum of the joints, each of which is terminated by a long bristle. 



John Ralfs. 

 Penzance, December 26, 1844. . 



Notes on the species of (Enanthe. By J. S. Mill, Esq. 



The readers of ' The Phytologist,' and all botanists, are much 

 indebted to Mr. H. C. Watson for his careful, and I believe accurate 

 investigation, in the January number, of the three species of Qdinanthe, 

 hitherto confounded under the names of peucidanifolia and pimpinel- 

 loides (Phytol. ii. 11). I have long been convinced that there was 

 some unknown quantity to be determined among the English species 

 of this very interesting genus, which has until lately received very 

 little critical investigation in this country. It is not generally known 

 that one of these three species grows abundantly in so familiar and 

 much frequented a locality as Battersea fields. I have observed it 

 there for more than twenty years past, in a small patch of grass land, 

 which is passed through in crossing the fields diagonally from Nine 

 Elms, at an acute angle with the direction of the river. Valeriana 

 dioica and Polygonum Bistorta grow copiously near the spot. I have 

 never yet been able to procure the fruit, as the grass is always cut 

 before the plant is out of flower. But the leaves, the tubers, and the 



