. 73 



In the first of these Mr. Hort contends that the two spurges 

 known under the names stricta and platyphj'lla are specifically dis- 

 tinct, in opposition to the view lately advocated in the sixth edi- 

 tion of the ' British Flora,' where the learned authors apparently 

 consider them as constituting but one species. The examples of 

 platyphylla examined by Mr. Hort were well adapted for that pur- 

 pose, being of unusual luxuriance, two feet or more in height. The 

 distinguishing characters, apparently drawn up with the most praise- 

 worthy care, are as under : — 



" In E. platyphylla the very large, spreading, terminal umbel con- 

 sists of from three to five rays, which divide into from two to three 

 secondary rays; these again being repeatedly, as often as five times in 

 the larger specimens, bifid. The leaves and general bracts are elon- 

 gate-obovate, broadest above the middle, gradually narrowed to the 

 cordate, sessile, but not amplexicaul base, often shallovvly plicate just 

 above the base; the first partial bracts rhomboid-ovate, obtuse, api- 

 culate ; the other bracts rhomboid- or triangular-orbicular, rotundate, 

 above apiculate ; all cordate. The involucres, which are slightly 

 bristly, contain seven or eight male flowers : their glands are oval. 

 The capsules are covered with irregular, mostly conical tubercles, 

 which shrink much, and become ' depressed ' when dry; while in a 

 young state they bear a few bristles. The grayish brown seeds are 

 roundish, obovate, indeed almost globular when the testa is removed ; 

 the funiculus is an oblong mass, having two slight protuberances on 

 the side adjoining the placenta, with a deep notch between them. 

 Stem erect, single, sometimes throwing out axillary branches. 



"InE. stricta the terminal umbel consists of from three to five rays, 

 each of which forms from three to five bifid secondary rays; but 1 have 

 never seen any further subdivision, even on the most luxuriant plants." 

 The contrast here set up by Mr. Hort does not seem to me perfectly 

 satisfactory. I think the very luxuriant plants of platyphylla may 

 exhibit the subdivision of which he speaks, but on a comparison of 

 smaller specimens with Tintern plants of a similar magnitude the dis- 

 crepancy is scarcely perceptible. 1 believe T had the pleasure of 

 first calling the attention of botanists to the very striking spurge 

 which is so abundant at Tintern, and the scarcely a]ipareut discre- 

 pancy in the division of the umbel was not at that lime considered of 

 importance. The seed, I think, if Mr. Hort's characters prove con- 

 stant, will form a safer guide. '" The lower leaves are elongate-obo- 

 vate, and broadest above the middle ; the upper elongate- oblong, and 

 broadest about the middle ; all gradually narrowed to the cordate, 



Vol. IV, L 



