1004 



pancy consisting in the connexion of all the sepals with the two lateral 

 petals. The difference inhabit is considerable from the great density 

 of the spike, and the arrangement of the flowers in three spiral lines. 



BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINDUKGH. 



Thursday, April 11, 1844. — Professor Graham, President, in the 

 chair. Donations to the library and herbarium were announced from 

 Dr. Gottsche, Altona, Mr. W. C. Trevelyan, Mr. C. C. Babington, 

 Mr. Parker, Mr. Ogilvie, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Evans. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. On four genera of Desmidiesae, by Mr. Ralfs, Penzance. In 

 these papers, which were illustrated by beautifully executed sketches, 

 fourteen species of this group are described, nine of which belong to 

 Euastrum, two each to Tetmemorus and Micrasterias, and one to 

 Berkeleya. Regarding the former of these, Mr. Ralfs makes the fol- 

 lowing remarks, which are worthy of attention from such botanists as 

 may wish to study this minute though interesting family : — " The 

 species of Euastrum are not well defined ; plants of this genus vary 

 greatly in form, and it is not unlikely that young fronds have been 

 described as distinct. Whenever it is practicable, the frond should 

 be examined in four different directions, namely, in the front or usual 

 position, at the side, at the end, and by a transverse oy junction view, 

 after the segments have been separated." And again, in describing 

 E. gemmatum, he says, — " Whilst engaged in examining this species 

 I was first struck with the advantage to be derived from the figure of 

 the transverse view in the discrimination of nearly allied species. I 

 have since obtained Meneghini's Synopsis of this family, and find that 

 he has extensively availed himself of it in forming his specific cha- 

 racters of this genus." 



2. Note on a Monstrosity of the Pistil of Primula vulgaris. By Mr. 

 C. C. Babington, M.A., &c., Cambridge. The curious monstrosity 

 described in this paper was sent to the author by Mr. J. H. Walton, 

 of St. Bees College, in Cumberland. Flowers of the usual form and 

 structure were found on the same root, with two flowers possessing 

 the anomalous organ, which Mr. Babington describes as follows : — 

 " Within the base of the corolla is situated a small fleshy cup, from 

 the centre of which springs a cylindrical stem, capped with another 

 shallow fleshy cup, having a wavy margin. An exposed conical pla- 

 centa, covered with peltate ovules, is seated in the centre of the lat- 

 ter cup. Thus the true ovary is converted into a cup-sliaped body, 

 and the capitate stigma has become an open fleshy ovary." The 



