59 



noticing the general aspect of the province, its geological formation, 

 and the nature of its climate, as regards temperature and moisture, he 

 alludes to its vegetation, as divided into a northern and southern 

 Flora. 



In the forests of Upper Styria, he states that the pine tribe pre- 

 vails ; — the species being Pinus sylvestris and Picea, Abies com- 

 munis, Larix europaea, and in the higher regions Pinus Cembra and 

 Pumilio ; Taxus baccata occurs generally in scattered patches, but 

 forms whole forests upon the Ketbeuze, near St. Lambrecht. Among 

 the other trees of the district mentioned are Fagus sylvatica, Betula 

 alba, Acer Pseudo-platanus, Populus tremula, alba and nigra, Sorbus 

 Aucuparia, Fraxinus excelsior, Alnus glutinosa, &c. He then enume- 

 rates some of the Alpine species, and concludes by stating that the 

 harvest in this part of the province is in September and October, and 

 is not unfrequently gathered from under the snow ; buckwheat form- 

 ing the first crop. In Lower Styria the vegetation is of a less Alpine 

 nature, but is very rich. The vine and maize are universally culti- 

 vated, and buckwheat forms the second crop. 



2. Dr. Greville exhibited beautifully prepared specimens of (nearly) 

 all the British species and varieties of the genus Sphagnum, and gave 

 a verbal notice regarding them. 



3. A specimen of Phalaris utriculata, gathered by J. Hussey, Esq., 

 in the corner of a corn-field near Swanage, Salisbury, was exhibited. 

 The specimen was sent by Dr. Hole, a non-resident member of the 

 society. 



4. Beautiful specimens of Pimpinella magna, from the banks of the 

 Teith, Perthshire, were sent by Dr. Dewar, who discovered it. This 

 plant occurs in many places in England and Ireland, but this is the 

 only known Scottish locality. Sir J. E. Smith mentions a Scotch 

 specimen as existing in Bruce's herbarium, but gives no particular 

 habitat. 



5. Dr. Balfour mentioned the discovery of Carex leporina near the 

 summit of Cairn Toul, between three and four thousand feet above the 

 level of the sea, by his party, on the 14th August last. This is the 

 second known station for the plant in Britain. 



6. Specimens of Anacharis Alsinastrum, Bab. MSS., found near 

 Market Harborough, Leicestershire, by Miss Kirby, were shown in a 

 living state ; and a dried specimen of this new British plant was pre- 

 sented to the Society's herbarium by Mr. Babington. A full descrip- 

 tion will be afterwards given. 



7. Read a communication from W. Wilson, Esq., on Pilotrichum 



