242 



of the allied species said to be confounded with it, usually abound 

 through its entire length and breadth. Last season I much wished 

 to have examined what I have hitherto regarded as CE. pimpinelloides 

 and QE. peucedanifolia of British botanists, with a view of ascertain- 

 ing whether one or both might not rather be referred to CE. Lachena- 

 lii of Mr. Babington's excellent Manual, not having as yet devoted 

 much attention to the subject. Whether from something unfavourable 

 in the season, or from a consciousness of demerit in passing through 

 life under false names, I know not, but certain it is, that when wanted 

 particularly for examination, both species contrived to make them- 

 selves so exceedingly scarce, that I only fell in with a few specimens 

 of what I have been in the habit of calling Qi. peucedanifolia at the 

 close of the summer. I am greatly inclined to the opinion that we 

 have but one genuine species (under the above-names) in the I. of Wight, 

 and perhaps, may I not add, in the whole of Britain ? Our common 

 plant here (pimpinelloides ?), assuredly a most variable species, and 

 accommodating itself to every kind of situation, from dry pasture and 

 mowing lands to the wettest salt marsh, it is not to be wondered at 

 if its external characters should be as multifarious as its localities are 

 different. I shall not enter at present upon any discussion of a ques- 

 tion so difficult as the determination of the British species of CEnanthe, 

 but as the plant which currently passes for ffi. pimpinelloides has 

 vouchsafed to present itself again this year in its usual abundance, I 

 trust to be enabled to lay before the readers of the ' Phytologist ' the 

 result of my observations made on an extensive series of fresh speci- 

 mens, in every stage of advancement towards perfect maturity. 



W. A. Bromfield, M.D. 

 Ryde, Isle of Wight, June 27, 1845. 



Account of a Botanical Excursion to the Bass Rock, in July, 1844. 

 By William Keddie, Secretary of the Botanical Society of 

 Glasgow.* 



Professor Balfour's class excursions, which have contributed so 

 much during the last three summers to extend our knowledge of the 

 flora of the west of Scotland, were this season diversified by a visit to 

 the east coast, including the Bass Rock. The pleasure of exploring 

 a field of botanical research which was new to all the party except 



* Read before the Botanical Society of Glasgow, and communicated by Pro- 

 fessor Balfour. 



