1079 



the points at issue rather than those minor features of the list, which, 

 as no one would object to them, require no further remark. — Leo. H. 

 Grindon ; Manchester, July 8, 1844. 



504. Note on Anthyllis Vulneraria. The observations in the two 

 last numbers (Phytol. 1000 and 1019), have induced me to examine 

 more closely the position of the stamens in Anthyllis Vulneraria. The 

 plant grows close at hand in this neighbourhood, and in great abun- 

 dance upon the cliffs and broken land ; I have thus been enabled to 

 consult numerous specimens. But as the result of my enquiries does 

 not appear to agree with the remarks either of Mr. Greenwood or Mr. 

 Babington, I give it in full, hoping some light may thereby be thrown 

 on the subject. One stamen is perfectly free at the base and extre- 

 mity, as in Diadelphia ; and, in the young state of the plant is united 

 to the other nine, as Mr. Babington observes, throughout most of its 

 length : but generally [separates] first from the base, meeting and 

 joining the left hand united filaments ; and at the summit separating 

 last firom the filaments on the same side. I have found it adhering to 

 the filaments on the right hand. This is the state of the stamens be- 

 fore the bursting of the anthers; after they have performed their func- 

 tion, the central stamen gradually separates from the right hand united 

 filaments, continuing more or less adherent to those on the left. In 

 some instances I have found the separation so decided that the single 

 stamen could be removed without difficulty. When the seed is ma- 

 tured it forces its way through the slit, but owing to the shrinking and 

 contraction of the stamens at their summit, a curious appearance is 

 presented, the threadlike style being still confined at its extremity. — 

 F. Townsend ; Steephill, Isle of Wight, July 21, 1844. 



505. Note on Iris foetidissima with double flowers. I beg to en- 

 close you a double blossom of Iris foetidissima, which I found to-day 

 growing near this town. I do not know whether it is sufficiently rare 

 to merit a notice in a botanical journal ; but never having seen a dou- 

 ble Iris, either among cultivated or wild plants, I thought it might 

 prove interesting to you. The plant was growing in a ditch, among 

 some tufts of common ones, and had three or four bunches of flowers 

 as double as those I now send ; while upon the other plants the seed 

 was nearly ripe. — Robert Battershy, M.D.; Torquay, July 29, 1844. 



506. Crepis biennis a Kentish Plant. As I believe considerable 

 doubt has been entertained with reference to the occurrence of Crepis 

 biennis in Kent, the very different and distinct Barkhausia taraxaci- 

 folia having been repeatedly mistaken for it; I have much pleasure 

 in communicating to the pages of 'The Phytologist,' a recently verified 

 habitat for the true plant ; my specimens of which, several of them 



