1005 



description of this cimous structure gave rise to some discussion, in 

 which the President and Dr. Greville took a part. 



3. On the Fructification of Cutleria, and continuation of the Ma- 

 rine Algae of the vicinity of Aberdeen. By Dr. Dickie, lecturer on 

 Botany in King's College. In this communication (in which the re- 

 mainder of the olive-coloured Algae, hitherto observed on the Aber- 

 deenshire coast, are enumerated), the author discusses at considerable 

 length the characters which have been assigned to various species by 

 different writers on Algae, and states his own view^s respecting them. 

 He also notices the comparative paucity of the marine Flora of Aber- 

 deenshire, ascribing the absence of the more delicate species, partly 

 to the unsheltered nature of the coast, and partly to the influence of 

 temperature; and says, — "Scarcely one half of the Melanospermous 

 Algae, enumerated in Harvey's Manual as occurring in Britain, are 

 found here — the proportions being as 34 to 80." 



4. On some British species of the genus QCnanthe. By John Ball, 

 B.A., &c., Dublin. In this paper three species of OEnanthe are de- 

 scribed as natives of Britain ; viz., QL. pimpinelloides, Lmn., (^. si- 

 laifolia, Bieb. (peucedanifolia, Sm.), and Q^. Lachenalii, Gmel. The 

 first is stated to be very rare, the author having only seen one speci- 

 men wanting fruit, which was gathered near Forthampton, in Glou- 

 cestershire, by Mr. E. Lees. He is, however, fully of opinion, that it 

 is the true pimpinelloides of Linnaeus and the continental botanists, 

 and proposes that the plant should resume its place as a species in 

 the English Flora ; the last is stated to be the commonest of the 

 group — he having received it from several parts of England, from the 

 coast of Galloway, and from near Dunbar in Scotland. The paper 

 concludes w4th the following remarks on the value of the characters 

 of these species : — " The position and size of the tubers of the root 

 are, I suspect, of doubtful constancy. Observation must determine 

 its importance. The general disposition and proportions of the leaves 

 are probably much to be depended on here, and throughout the whole 

 order. The hoUowness or solidity of the stem depends, I believe, 

 almost wholly on the place of growth, and is of no moment. The 

 petals vary somewhat in size, but scarcely in form, those of the outer 

 sterile florets being always compared with each other. The form of 

 the fruit seems not so constant as might be expected. The presence 

 or absence of the incrassated summit of the pedicel I never have seen 

 to vary." 



Thursday, May 9, 1844. — Professor Graham, President, in the 

 chair. The following papers were read : — 



