527 



disseminating the seeds of plants is accoraplislied by the hygroscopic 

 properties of their tissues. The subject is one of much interest, and 

 well worthy the attention of the student of nature. In pursuing the 

 enquiry he will almost invariably j&nd the means so admirably adapt- 

 ed to the required end, that not only would it be impossible for human 

 ingenuity to devise an improved plan, but the plans adopted by na- 

 ture often offer us models and exhibit combinations which have sug- 

 gested some of our most apt and useful applications of mechanical 

 power. 



VII. — The process of charring Vegetable Tissue as ctpplied to the examina- 

 tion of the Stomata in the Epidermis of Garden Rhubarb. By the 

 Rev. J. B. Reade, M.A., F.R.S. 



The Rev. Mr. Reade's paper on charring vegetable tissue appears 

 to be of great importance, as tending to settle the mooted question of 

 the existence or otherwise of a membranous covering to the stomata 

 of vegetables. The author's conclusions are these : — 



" That in the simple unchaiTed state of the semitranspaieiit tissue there is much 

 room for difference of opinion, so that the eye, fortified by a little previous theory, 

 might most pardonably see the stomata either open or closed. 



" That the application of the process of charring proves, beyond a do"ubt, that the 

 stomata in this tissue of the rhubarb are distinct openings into the hollow chambers 

 of the parenchyma of the leaf. 



" That the perforation is the rule and not the exception in the structure. 



" And that the exception, where it exists, i. e. where the stomata are closed, proves 

 the existence of the overlying membrane discovered and described by Dr. Brown." — 

 p. 41. 



Art. LXXXV.— Varieties. 



203. Additions to Mr. Flotver^s List of Plants in the vicinity of Bristol, (Phytol. 68), 



Bromus erectus. Between Horfield and Scilla autumnalis. Near bridge, St. Vin- 



Filton, abundantly. cent's Rocks. 



Danthonia decumbens. Clifton Rocks, spar- Fritillaria Meleagris has been gathered in 



ingly. flower two or three different times in 



Anchtisa sempervirens. Between Frenchay a field of Mr. Maule's at Stoke Gif- 



and Downend. ford. 



Anagallis ceerulea. Cornfield at Horfield. Juncus maritimus. Portishead. 



Sa7nolus Valerandi. Stapleton Quarries, Rurnex Hydrolapathum. River-side near 



near the river. bridge at Stapleton. 



Rhamnus catharticus. Hedges at Stoke Triylochin maritimum. Clevedon. 



Gifford. Colchicum autmnnale. Fields near Dundry 



Viola hirta. Stapleton, Leigh Woods and Paris quadrifolia. Near Sliirehampton. 



St. Vincent's Rocks. Silene maritima. Clevedon, abundantly. 



