938 



done by others. Of all cases of parasitism by means of roots, none 

 are more striking than those which occur in Orobanche, inasmuch as 

 the parasite does not attach itself laterally, but at the very extremity 

 of a root of the nutrient plant ; O. barbata seizing upon the roots of 

 ivy, while O. major attaches itself to the roots of Ulex europseus. In 

 the latter case, the root of Ulex becomes very much swelled at the 

 point of contact j a longitudinal section of it and of the scaly rhizoma 

 of the Orobanche, presented the appearance of such complete union 

 of the cellular tissue of both plants, that the exact line of junction 

 could not be absolutely determined; and it seemed as if even the vas- 

 cular tissue of the two plants had become intimately blended ; the 

 base of the rhizoma of the Orobanche being continuous with the root 

 of the Ulex, It is difficult to comprehend in what way the seeds of 

 Orobanche are brought into contact with the roots of its prey, unless 

 it be by the agency of earthworms or slugs. Perhaps some one who has 

 facilities for the purpose, will undertake to study the germination of 

 these plants, for the benefit of the readers of ' The Phytologist.' — Id. 

 468. Note on Villarsia nymph<Boides^ (Phytol. 904).* The Villar- 

 sia nymphajoides is met with in an old deserted bed of the Clyde below 

 Govan, on the north side of the river, and in the dam very abundant- 

 ly between Partrick and Govan-ferry, immediately west of York-hill, 

 where it has been abundantly found in both places for more than 

 twenty years; but I remember well its introduction. At a time when 

 we were cleaning out the pond in the old Botanic Garden, I filled my 

 specimen-box with it, and going at the time to the Highlands, I emp- 

 tied it out in both these places before going on board the steam-boat 

 at Govan-ferry. I also put in some of the Stratiotes and Nuphar lu- 

 tea, both of which continue to exist, although they have not spread 

 like the other. Thirty-five years ago the Rev. Mr. M'Ritchie, of the 

 parish of Cluney (Perthshire), introduced the Villarsia into the Loch 

 of Cluney, and it has spread over several acres of its surface. We 

 put a good many plants into the Kelvin three years ago ; and last 

 summer it made some appearance opposite the garden. — Stewart 

 Murray ; Botanic Garden, Glasgow, March 9, 1844. 



469. Effect of cultivation on Hyacinthus non-scriptus, Linn. When 

 this plant is taken from its native woods, and planted in an ordinary 

 flower-bed, I have reason to believe that the following changes take 

 place in its habit and characters; namely, the inflorescence ceases to 

 be either secund or drooping, and the flowers become more widely 



* Communicated by Professor Balfour. 



