493 



liowever, of my plant, I'roni tlie normal form of S. Limonium, will I think admit of a 

 reasonable doubt whether it is not a species distinct from that. — W.L. Notcutt; Fare- 

 ham, January 25, 1 843. 



Art. CXXl. — Proceedings of Societies. 



BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH- 



Thursday, Januai-y 12, 1843. — Dr. Douglas Maclagan in the chair. James Irving, 

 Esq. was elected a resident fellow, and Baron Ludwig, — Arden Esq. and Wm. Cald- 

 well Faure, Esq., Cape of Good Hope, non-resident fellows of the Society. 



Mr. Goodsir then read two papers by John Ralfs, Esq., Penzance, on the Diato- 

 maceoB. In these able papers the author described numerous species, and made some 

 important observations on the structure and habits of these microscopic plants. Spe- 

 cimens were exhibited, and displayed under the microscope. 



Mr. Brand read a description of two new species of British mosses, by Dr. Taylor, 

 Duukerron. 



The next paper was entitled " Description of a new species of Carex, found near 

 Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire." By C. C. Babington, Esq., M.A., F.L.S., &c., St. John's 

 College, Cambridge. The author staled that it was now nearly two years since Mr. 

 S. Gibson, of Hebden Bridge, had forwarded to him a Carex which he believed would 

 prove to be a new species. He was now satisfied that is so, and has dedicated it to 

 its discoverer (under the name of Carex Gihsoni), than whom no person can be more 

 deserving of commemoration by means of a plant of this genus, to the careful study of 

 which he has long and successfully applied himself. 



" Remarks on the Scenery and Vegetation of Madeira.'' By Dr. Cleghorn, 

 H.E.I.C.S. Dr. Cleghorn sailed from Spithead for India on the 15th of August, and 

 reached Madeira on the 26th. His own narrative somewhat condensed is as follows. 



In the evening of the 26th the vessel sailed into Funchal Bay. The sea was beau- 

 tifully calm — glittering like a lake — the splash of the dolphin and the scream of the 

 sea-bird being the only sounds. The stupendous mountains which rise behind Fun- 

 chal, with their gigantic peaks, are very magnificent, and when viewed by moonlight, 

 the general outline of these mountains resembles so much some scenes in the central 

 Highlands, that I should have been impressed with the belief that I had been trans- 

 ported to Caledonia — had not the dense foliage of the plantain, the orange, and other 

 trees fringing the coast, proved its vicinity to the tropics. From whatever quarter the 

 island is approached, the aspect is singularly abrupt and picturesque. Next morning 

 we went on shore. Much care is required in landing, as there is no quay, and the 

 rocks are shelving. When the boat approaches the shore, on a signal being given, 

 eight or ten boatmen yelling aloud, and tugging simultaneously, pull the skiff twenty 

 yards up an inclined plane, so that passengers must holdfast, or they are capsized. 



After a kind reception at the consul's residence, where are some splendid views of 

 the neighbouring scenery, I sallied forth to see the lions of Funchal — the cathedral, 

 nunneries, hospital and fortifications. Passing through the market, where were abun- 

 dance of grapes, figs, dates, oranges, bananas, tomatas, &c., affording a delicious ban- 



