320 



*Myrica Gale. Botany Bay, near South- Athjrium Filix-fcemina. Ditto. 



ampton, plentiful. Asplenium Adianlum-nigrmn. Faveliuui 



Lomaria SpieanL Botany Bay. Road. 



Osmunda regalis. Ditto. Seolopendrium vtdgare. Ditto. 



Lastrea dilatata. Ditto. — W. L. Notcotl , Fareham, July 6, 1842. 

 1 2 



fig. 1. Lower part of stem of Monotropa, with a portion of the branched root. 2. Part of the root 

 with its attached fibrils, magnified. 3. A fibril detached from the root, as seen under a higher power. 

 4 & 5. Sections of the end of one of the fibrils, showing the loose cellular tissue of which the tip is composed, 

 highly magnified. The * attached to the various figures indicates the transparent cellular tip of the fibrils, 

 as seen under different powers. 



205. On the Mode of Growth of Monotropa Hypopitys. The discussion between 

 Messrs. Lees and Wilson on the parasitic nature of Monotropa excited so much inte- 

 rest in my mind, that not only did I regret its sudden termination, but determined on 

 the first opportunity to examine the matter thoroughly for myself. Today, through 

 the kindness of Mr. Wilson, I obtained specimens from Southport, and after some la- 

 bour and trouble have arrived at the following conclusions, which, as they differ in 

 some measure from those of both the combatants above mentioned, I beg to hand you 

 for a place, if thought worthy of it, in your invaluable Journal. Having carefully 

 removed the outer covering of sand, I came to the matted roots of the willow, which, 

 from their density, and the t^uantity of sand amongst them, threatened to prove an ef- 

 fectual barrier to my further progress, for an hour was spent in unsuccessful picking 

 and poking at them with a penknife. In this stage of my proceedings a large bowl 

 of water was procured, and by slowly moving the mass, held carefully between my 

 hands, through the water, the stem of the plant being supported by my thumbs, I 

 had soon the gratification of seeing, not only all the sand, but the loose willow-roots 

 and much other foreign matter, deposited in the bowl. The plant was then allowed to 

 drain for a minute, and it afterwards required very little labour to extricate it, with 

 roots, as seen at fig. 1. The plant is not parasitic ; it has no organic connexion with 



