13 



are never developed, as is very readily seen with respect to the sta- 

 mina of those plants. We may therefore infer among the ordinary 

 causes of disturbance in the floral symmetry, such as abortion, mul- 

 tiplication, degenerescence and adhesion, likewise that of the nonde- 

 velopment of organs. 



2. With respect to the origin of the union of the stamina called 

 monadelphous, diadelphous, polyadelphous and synantherous, their 

 adhesion is always subsequent to their first formation. The family of 

 the Stylidae (Stylidium adnatum) alone appears to me to furnish a 

 remarkable exception to this rule as regards the adhesion of the 

 styles. 



1 shall here enumerate three principal kinds of irregularity among 

 all irregular corollas that I have examined : — 



1. Irregularity by simple inequality of development among the 

 several segments of the corolla, with complication of adhesion or 

 complete atrophy or arrest of growth ; this is the most common. 



2. Irregularity by deviation, where the segments, although equal, 

 turn all of the same side ; for instance, the corolla of Sesevola levi- 

 gata (Goodeniaceae), and the genera with ligulate florets of the Com- 

 positae. 



3. Irregularity by simple metamorphosis of the stamina, as in the 

 family of the Cannes?, and probably that of the Zingiberaceae. 



TYNESIDE NATURALISTS FIELD CLUB. 



In accordance with an invitation of the Berwickshire Naturalists 1 

 Field Club, the last meeting of the Tyneside Club for the season was 

 held at Alnwick, on Wednesday, September 22, in conjunction with 

 the former Society. A few of the members of the Durham Botanical 

 Society also joined the party. The members present breakfasted 

 with Mr. Dickson, the Clerk of the Peace for Northumberland, after 

 which they proceeded to the Castle, when, after spending a short 

 time, they assembled at the Swan Inn for the transaction of business. 

 It being the anniversary meeting of the Berwickshire Club, the an- 

 nual address of the President of that body on his retirement from 

 office was read, and his successor was elected. There were no long 

 papers read or presented by either society. Mr. Selby, of Twizel 

 House, read a short notice of the occurrence of some birds and in- 

 sects in greater abundance than usual, during the last year. Amongst 

 Vol. in. d 



