48 



unprejudiced botanical eye compare Smith's own specimen of V. flavi- 

 cornis with the two smallest among his specimens of V. lactea, and 

 that eye can scarcely fail to pronounce them identical. Mr. Forster 

 is correct in referring the " Surrey violet" to V. lactea (see Phytol. ii. 

 964) ; and I am equally so in referring it to Smith's V. flavicomis 

 (see Phytol. ii. 1021). Smith has described the same thing twice 

 over, that is, under two names. In Babington's Manual it stands un- 

 der three names; first, as a mere synonym of his " pusilla" variety of 

 V. canina ; secondly, under the name of " Ruppii ; " thirdly, as a spe- 

 cies distinct from V. canina, under Smith's name of " V. lactea." I 

 think V. lactea (including Smith's flavicornis) will prove to be a spe- 

 cies distinct from V. canina of Linneus. 



CEnanthe silaifolia (Bieb. ?). — Plenty of excellent examples of this 

 species have been sent by different members ; though few of them are 

 sufficiently advanced to show the form of the mature fruit. Some few 

 of Mr. Salmon's specimens have fruit nearly full grown, and proving 

 beyond all cavil that it has the callous base, and is nearly cylindrical 

 in form, widely different from the figure given by Mr. Lees, and from 

 the descriptions given by Ball. It is obvious from the Manual, that 

 Mr. Babington still misunderstood this species even in 1847. 



Hieracium heteropliyllum (Bladon). — There are no duplicates of 

 this for distribution ; but from specimens kindly sent for my own her- 

 barium and that of the Botanical Society, I think I may safely say 

 that it is the H. boreale of Fries. 



Filago gallica (Linn.). — This is the first time that British speci- 

 mens of this very local, and perhaps not truly indigenous, species 

 have been sent to the Society. They were collected by Mr. Varenne, 

 in corn-fields, near Brerechurch, Essex, and doubtless will be deside- 

 rata with most of the members. 



Carex montana, Sisyrinchium anceps, Vaccinium macrocarpum, 

 Luzula nivea, and other rarities, native and introduced, have been 

 liberally supplied by their respective discoverers. Of Leersia oryzoi- 

 des, Malva verticillata, &c, the stock is scanty, and we must hope 

 for more another season. Tragopogon porrifolius, Lobelia urens, 

 Helianthemum Breweri and ledifolium, Galium Vaillantii, &c, &c, 

 will still be in request, and the supply of these is plentiful, this year. 



Hewett C. Watson. 



Thames Ditton, January 19, 1848. 



