483 



these are not to be selected for comparison with leaves, independently 

 of those other flowers in which the substance is richly coloured. 



No. 103. — "A list of the scarcer amongst the Lichens which are 

 found in the neighbourhood of Oswestry and Ludlow, with occasional 

 observations upon some of them," by the Rev. T, Salwey. "On the 

 British Diatomaceae," by John Ralfs, Esq. " Botanical notices from 

 Spain," by Moritz Wilkomm (a continuation of the translation from 

 the Botanische Zeitung). " British Association for the advancement 

 of Science ; section of Zoology and Botany." " Miscellaneous ; Ra- 

 nunculus Lenormandi (F. W. Schultz). Carex montana {Linn.). On 

 the spores of some Algae, by M. Gustave Thuret." 



The occurrence in England of Ranunculus Lenormandi and Carex 

 montana has been recorded in former numbers of the ' Phytologist' 

 (Phytol. ii. 289 and 467), and no farther comment appears necessary. 



As usual, the proceedings of the British Association are character- 

 ized rather by the dearth than by the abundance of botanical inte- 

 rest. The Rev. L. Jenyns read a paper " On the turf of the Cam- 

 bridgeshire Fens." Sir R. Schomburghk read a description of the 

 Ita palm of Guiana. Professor Henslow exhibited a specimen of 

 Papaver orientale, in which the filaments were converted into bodies 

 bearing ovules. Professor Allman adduced a monstrosity occurring 

 in the flowers of Saxifraga Geum, first brought into notice and culti- 

 vation (as we believe) by Mr. William Andrews. Writing here from 

 recollection, we do not quite agree with the description and explana- 

 tion put forward by the learned Professor ; but the difference of view 

 is not greatly important, and may wait renewed examination of the 

 plant. Dr. Allman's report of the fact runs thus : " The three exter- 

 nal verticils of the flowers were normal, but between the stamens and 

 pistils there was developed a series of adventitious carpels, crowded 

 upon the margin of a cup-like production which surrounds the lower 

 half of the pistil. These adventitious carpels were characterized by 

 their backs being turned towards the axis of the flower. The carpels 

 bear ovules on their margins, which acquired a considerable degree 

 of development, becoming completely anatropous, like those in the 

 normal ovary." 



The longest report is devoted to Mr. Forbes' communication "On 

 the Endemic distribution of Plants." There is a good share of clever 

 ingenuity manifested in the geologic hypothesis of the learned botanist 

 of King's College, and as it is made to appear based upon botanical 

 facts, it will doubtless be received by those who are slenderly ac- 

 quainted with the actual present distribution of plants, and who are 



