489 



healthy condition of the whole plant, and from such examples alone, 

 where any doubt existed, should specific characters be drawn. In 

 cultivation, a most important test in doubtful cases, the plants ought 

 to be exposed to many different kinds of condition, otherwise a va- 

 riety or abnormal form might be continued for a time by the very 

 same influences which first produced it, while the varied conditions 

 would afford the best means of judging of the relative constancy of 

 characters, afforded by the different organs of the plant — G. E. D. 



On the Flowering of Plants. By Henry Boyer, Esq. 



In the ' Phytologist ' for this month I read an interesting article on 

 the "Dates of the Flowering of British Plants." 



I send you a list of some of the plants 1 have found this year, with 

 the dates, as it may tend somewhat further to illustrate the subject. 

 The Corydalis claviculata is remarkably early ; June and July are the 

 months stated by Hooker and Babington for its flowering. 



January 25. Mercurialis perennis and Primula vulgaris. 



January 26. Viola odorata (not found by myself). 



January 29. Ulex europaeus. 



January 31. Vinca minor and Ranunculus Ficaria. 



February 15. Tussilago Farfara. 



February 17. Draba verna. 



February 19. Viscum album. 



February 21. Corydalis claviculata. 



March 9. Veronica hederifolia in flower and seed. 



Henry Boyer. 

 Farnham, March 15, 1849. 



Occurrence of Sph&rocarpus terrestris near Fakenham. 

 By George Fitt, Esq. 



Being at Gately, five miles from hence, on Monday last, I examin- 

 ed a turnip-field which looked a likely place for Sphaerocarpus terres- 

 tris to grow in, and to my great pleasure found it in abundance, and 

 producing fruit. I have since examined fields within half a mile of 

 this town, and with the like success. It is this season plentiful 

 Vol. hi. 3 s 



