804 



always of small size. The Botanical Society has never received speci- 

 mens of true Viola lactea (Srn.). At least two dissimilar forms (pos- 

 sibly belonging to two different species) have passed under this latter 

 name, and among botanists who might be supposed very likely to 

 know the species of Smith. Indeed, Smith himself probably mixed 

 two species ; for the plant figured as V. lactea in ' English Botany ' 

 is scarcely the same with the specimens preserved in Smith's herba- 

 rium as V. lactea. 



*' Viola Curtisii" {?) — V. Rothomagensis? Again this dubious 

 plant, intermediately resembling both tricolor and Curtisii, comes be- 

 fore us from the New-Brighton sand-hills, on the Cheshire coast, sent 

 by Messrs. Brent and Sansom. The labels bear the name of " Cur- 

 tisii," as quoted ; and while I cannot affirm this to be correct, equally 

 I feel unable to assert that it is incorrect. .See ' Phytologist,' iii. 46, 

 and ' Cybele Britannica,' i. 183, for the grounds of this uncertainty. 

 Although our coast plant is much less hispid than French specimens 

 of V. Rothomagensis, the plant of the Cheshire coast closely resem- 

 bles that alleged species in other respects. Another link in the 

 series, standing between Curtisii and Rothomagensis, is the yellow- 

 flowered and hispid Viola from Portugal, numbered 391 in the ' Flora 

 Lusitanica ' of Welwitsch, but distributed by him without specific 

 name on the label, 



Poterium muricatum (Spach). Mr. Gibson has sent some ex- 

 amples of this species, which will probably be the most acceptable 

 plant in the parcels of this winter to some of the members. There 

 seems good ground to anticipate, however, that it will be found in 

 numerous localities when looked for. It should be collected in the 

 seeding stage, as being then more readily distinguished from ordinary 

 P. Sanguisorba. The name of muricatum may perhaps have to be 

 suppressed in favour of another. See • Phytologist,' iii. 707 and 715, 

 for reports of localities. 



Melilotus arvensis (Wallr.). The supply of this species is very 

 limited. For the specimens received the Society is indebted to Mr. 

 F. J. A. Hort, who labels them from Bottisham Lode. See ' Phyto- 

 logist,' iii. 344 and 481. 



" Fumaria agraria (Lag.)." In his valuable contribution, Mr. 

 Hort sends also several examples of this plant, which is rather a no- 

 velty by name than by reality ; for it is, perhaps, the most frequent 

 form of" F. capreolata," as formerly understood by English botanists. 

 Doubtless many botanists have it already in their herbaria under this 

 latter and older name. Distinguishable from the typical F. caprco- 



