43 



The above description of the Woolwich plant is very imperfect; the 

 specimens had apparently been dried by the application of heat and 

 considerable pressure, so that immersion in boiling water did not re- 

 store them to a good state for examination. The present notice may 

 however lead to the detection of this variety (or rather monstrosity) in 

 other localities. 



Monotropa Hypopitys. I have long wished that some able botanist 

 would seriously set to work on this plant, in order to determine whe- 

 ther it be really a parasite or not. The question has been settled with 

 regard to Lathraea ; and there is no doubt that a series of observations 

 conducted in the same candid spirit which characterises the investiga- 

 tions of Mr. Bowman, would in this case lead to equally satisfactory, 

 though I suspect somewhat different results. From my earliest botani- 

 zing days I have felt much interested in the enquiry, and have neglected 

 no opportunity of endeavouring to ascertain whether a connection does 

 really exist between this plant and the roots of the trees among which 

 it grows ; but either from not being able to command the requisite time 

 or necessary patience, my researches have hitherto led to nothing sa- 

 tisfactory. In the neighbourhood of Reigate the Monotropa grows 

 under the beeches in the rather stiff clay capping the chalk hills. On 

 taking up a tuft containing several individuals of Monotropa growing 

 in a large lump of soil, I have generally found that however loose and 

 friable the upper surface might be, the lower part was invariably hard 

 and thoroughly permeated by the fibres of the beech-roots. It is al- 

 most impossible, in clearing away this part of the soil, to avoid break- 

 ing off the very brittle fibrous roots of the Monotropa ; the fibres of 

 the beech, being much tougher, may, with a little care, be extracted 

 in considerable lengths. One would suppose, if the plant were really 

 parasitical, that to these beech-fibres we should find attached at least 

 some small portions of its roots ; this I have not observed to be the 

 case. Steeping the clay in water in order that it may be washed from 

 the plants, appears rather to have the effect of rendering it harder : I 

 once had a tuft in water for upwards of a week, but the steeping did 

 no good. 



I have generally found a number of young detached plants of Mo- 

 notropa dispersed through the lump of earth : they vary in size from 

 little, white, pea-like bodies to half an inch or upwards in height; and 

 I should say are certainly not connected with the beech-roots. I am 

 inclined to believe that a portion at least of the nourishment of this 

 plant is derived from a layer of vegetable matter, consisting chiefly 

 of the slowly decaying leaves of the beech, which are generally co- 

 vered with a white byssoid fungus. 



