620 



and seeds were out of the question, as there were no organs of repro- 

 duction. I then collected a number of F. ovina, to try if I could find 

 any of the flowers of that grass in a viviparous state ; and after I had 

 examined them on the spot, I gathered specimens and brought them 

 home, and examined them more minutely. This investigation con- 

 vinced me that the two grasses are abundantly distinct, but how far 

 they may be considered species, I shall leave to the better judgement 

 of others. The two plants may be distinguished by the outer valve 

 of the corolla of F. vivipara (when present) being more strongly cili- 

 ated on their edges, and, as Smith says, " keeled " on the back, not 

 cylindrical as in F. ovina. The calyces are also strongly ciliated on 

 their edges in F. vivipara, while, in F. ovina, they are, as Hooker de- 

 scribes them, subglabrous. I now enclose a specimen of each, and, 

 by comparing them you will be able to see the difference. — Id. 



318. Note on Linaria Bauhinii. It may be interesting to some of 

 your readers to know that Linaria Bauhinii grows plentifully on the 

 rocks of Coniston-water. It was discovered by John Roby, Esq., of 

 Rochdale, in 1841. — Id. 



319. Note on Viviparous Grasses, Sfc. I imagine that Mr. Grindon 

 (Phytol. 584) takes the exception for the rule, in the matter of the vivipa- 

 rous grasses. That Festuca ovina, e. vivipara, produces heads of young 

 plants, is certainly true, indeed, if such were not the case, I do not see 

 why it should be introduced into lists as a variety ; but, that the seeds 

 of grasses do germinate in the husk in wet seasons, I think cannot be 

 doubted, not only from the fact of the viviparous growth constantly 

 taking place imder such circumstances, in grasses and sedges also, but 

 that it seems infinitely more probable than a change in the nature of the 

 parts concerned. A circumstance came under my notice last year, which 

 illustrates the effect of moisture on seeds while still in the seed-vessel. 

 I collected some specimens of Drosera rotundifolia in flower, on Wim- 

 bledon common, and placed them in a Ward's case. The plants 

 throve, and some time after I noticed on one of the heads, among the 

 withered petals, a small green body. I watched this from day to day; 

 two cotyledons were gradually protruded from the capsule, and at last 

 a leaf, having the peculiar circinate vernation. The little plant then 

 withered away, of course for want of nourishment. Nature not ha\ang 

 intended Drosera for an aerial plant : whereas if it had been part of 

 the original plant, there is no reason why it should not have gone on 

 producing leaves, since it was not interfered with in any way. I may 

 mention that it was in a small case, and kept very wet. It is, however, 

 quite worth while to settle the point concerning grasses, by facts ; 



