1020 



they were rather pressed before I returned home, and by the next 

 morning, all the globules bad collapsed, and their contents having 

 dried up, the residuum appeared in the form of a green powder dif- 

 fused upon the paper — doubtless the fructifying sporules of the Bo- 

 trydium. This reproductive economy seems not to agree very well 

 with the filamentose Vaucherise with which the present plant is asso- 

 ciated, but rather suggests a closer relation to the Fungi, or at least 

 the Nostochinese, Its appearance probably depends on meteoric cir- 

 cumstances, in consequence of which it is seldom to be met with, and 

 its existence even under favourable coincidences is but of short du- 

 ration. The exposed bottoms of ditches in the present dry summer 

 may possibly reveal the Botrydium in various localities to the Cryp- 

 togamic botanist ; and having been thus enabled to note it, and as, 

 according to Hooker, " few localities are published," I have thought 

 it might be interesting to bring it forward again under the eye of the 

 observer. — Edwin Lees ; Powick, Worcestershire, June 8, 1844. 



498. Note on the habitat of (Enanthe pimpinelloides. In the re- 

 port of the proceedings of the Edinburgh Botanical Society (Phytol. 

 1005), I notice a statement by Mr, Ball, enumerating three British 

 species of GEnanthe, and remarking, that Oil. pimpinelloides is very 

 rare, the author having seen only one specimen, gathered by me at 

 Fortharapton, Gloucestershire. I should rather say the plant was of 

 uncertain occurrence than very rare ; as for three years that I resided 

 at Forthampton, it was so plentiful in the two orchards adjoining 

 Forthampton cottage, as to form no inconsiderable portion of the hay 

 of those pastures, which are on rising ground, ascending towards 

 some of the highest land in the parish, and the soil a dry, hard, red 

 marl. I have not had an opportunity of inspecting the spot this year. 

 Last season, the plant was very abundant in several meadows at Po- 

 wick, whei-e I am now unable to find a single specimen. These mea- 

 dows were dry and hilly. I know nothing about OE. Lachenalii, 

 v/hich Mr. Babington describes, though omitting QE. pimpinelloides ; 

 but there is some discrepancy which requires correction, as to the 

 habitat of the latter. This is stated by Sir W. J. Hooker, Smith, and 

 I believe most if not all authorities, to grow in " salt marshes," while 

 CE. peucedanifolia is said to be found in " fresh water." This is cer- 

 tainly a mistake. I have never observed CE. pimpinelloides except 

 in inland places, on hilly, and often the nery driest ground of the 

 neighbourhood ; while as constantly do T find CE. peucedanifolia in 

 marshy places, whether of fresh or salt water. Last year, when on 

 the coasts of Devon and South Wales, I was very attentive to this cir- 



