113 



sativa, or that a bunit forest of Tilia parvifolia would be succeeded by 

 another of Tilia europtea, the changes would have corresponded bet- 

 ter with the theory. In a future communication, I will try whether 

 Botany cannot yield some facts more applicable as tests of this the- 

 ory. Meantime we may leave it an " open question," which is not to 

 be answered in the negative too hastily. Hewett C. Watson. 



Thames Ditton, March, 1845 



On the proposed Chatige of Name in Lastraa recurva. 

 By William Wilson, Esq. 



With all deference to those who propose a change in the name of 

 Lastraea recvuva, I must say that I see no reason whatever for dis- 

 carding it : on the contrary, I think it very apt and expressive, and 

 in perfect harmony with the use of the term in other cases. 



William Wilson. 



Orford Mount, near Warrington, 

 March 17th, 1845. 



On the name of Lastrcea recurva. By Charles C. Babington, Esq., 



M.A., F.L.S., &c. 



As in a recent number of the ' Phytologist ' Mr. Newman has taken 

 upon himself to express his belief that I am the author of the review 

 of his 'History of British Ferns' in the 'Annals of Natural History,' 

 (Phytol. ii. 26) ; and as, in the point now to be noticed, I fully agree 

 in the opinion there expressed ; I take the liberty of replying to the 

 article by Mr. Bree in the last ' Phytologist,' (Id. 75). 



My idea of the botanical meaning of the word recurvus is derived 

 from the uses to which it is applied by the best botanists. For in- 

 stance : Smith sa^'s " recurva or rejlexa, curved backwards," (Intr. to 

 Bot. 118.). De Candolle, ^^ Recurvus, recurvatus, reflexus, reflechi, 

 courbe ou flechi en dehors," (Theor. Elem. 478). Bischoff, " recur- 

 vatus und recurvus, zuruckgekriimmt, answarts oder ab wartsge- 

 kriimmt," (Worterbuch der beschreibenden Botanik,' 170). Martyn, 

 ^^ recurvatum folium. A reciu*ved leaf. Deorsum flexura, ut arcus 

 superiora spectet. [Linn.] Delin. PL — Bent, or rather bowed or 

 curved downwards, so that the bow or convexity is upwards," (Lan- 

 guage of Botany). Bertolini, — ^^ recurvata, deorsum flexa, curva, ut 

 convexitas arcus superiora spectet," (Praelectiones Rei Herbarise, 274). 



Q 



