235 



who explains the meaning of recurvus as curved contrary to the usual 

 direction, whether upwards, downwards, outwards or backwards ; and 

 this is most undoubtedly a distinguishing character of Lastraea re- 

 curva : no other British Fern has a similar curvature, while several, 

 as we have already seen, possess an opposite ( the usual ) curvature. 

 But before the terra received the powerful advocacy of Mr. Watson, 

 Mr. Wilson's opinion (Phytol. ii. 113) that the name " was a/?/ and 

 expressive, and in perfect harmony with the use of the term in other 

 cases" appeared to us so sound, so satisfactory and so incontrovertible, 

 that we have regretted any attempt should be made to renew the dis- 

 cussion. We venture to express a hope that no further idea of chang- 

 ing the name will be entertained : but that our botanists will rather 

 endeavour by diligent search to find this fern in other localities, since 

 its great beauty and peculiarity is rapidly causing its extermination in 

 the vicinity of London. 



A Day's Botanizing on the Lizard. By the Rev. W. S. Hore, 

 M.A., F.L.S. 



A SHORT account of a day's botanizing on the Lizard, a district most 

 interesting not only on account of its geological features, but also from 

 the many rare and beautiful plants which grow on its rocky and steep 

 cliffs, may not prove unacceptable to the readers of the ' Phytologist.' 

 Should any of them undertake an investigation of the Botany of this 

 mass of sei-pentine, micaceous and hornblende rocks, the present 

 sketch will enable them with little difficulty to obtain, in a single day, 

 the species referred to below, and thus afford time for inspecting more 

 carefully the whole line of coast from Porthalla to Mullion, the limits 

 of the serpentine formation. I believe that a close examination of this 

 district would amply reward the exertions of any active botanist, who 

 might feel inclined to dedicate a fortnight to its accomplishment, and 

 that he would find himself at the expiration of that time in posses- 

 sion of a richer stock of plants than he could have collected during a 

 similar period in any other part of England. 



The season that I would recommend is the beginning of July, when 

 the Lizard plants are in finest condition, and when the whole of those 

 enumerated in the present paper, with the exception of Scilla verna, 

 may be obtained. To prevent disappointment I would however state 

 that Erica vagans, the Cornish or Goonhilly heath, does not flower till 

 August, and that any one whose principal object was to witness this 



