264 



cient ground for withholding the payment also. It is unjust also to 

 contributors to delay the publication of their discoveries for such an 

 unreasonable length of time; the dates of those contained in this part 

 range from January 20, 1846, — five years and a half, — to June 20, 

 1848, — three years. Surely this is an unwarrantable delay. When 

 we reflect on the antiquity of this Society, on the high scientific 

 standing of many of its members, on the acknowledged value of its 

 Transactions, on the extent of its library and herbaria, comprising 

 inter alia those of Linneus and Smith, it cannot but be a matter of 

 regret to all right-minded men of science to see it sinking, as it were, 

 into a state of lethargy and inanity. Let the managers reflect that 

 these are dangerous symptoms, — symptoms of approaching dissolu- 

 tion. The Zoological Society, after reaching a similar state of mes- 

 meric coma, has been aroused and resuscitated by the single-handed 

 exertions of one man ; the tide of exuberant life again flows through 

 its veins; its pristine vigour has returned: it has indeed slumbered, 

 but it has arisen from its slumber " as a giant refreshed." Sincerely do 

 I hope it may be thus with the Linuean Society ; that it too may have 

 its regenerator, its arouser ; that the somnolency which at present op- 

 presses it may not be the sleep of death. 



The botanical papers in this part are intituled as below : — 



' Note on Samara laeta, Linn. By G. A. Walker- Arnott, LL.D., 

 F.L.S., &c., Reg. Prof, of Botany in the University of Glasgow.' 



' On a new Genus of Plants, of the Family of Burmanniaceae. By 

 John Miers, F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.' 



Two species are described, Ophiomeris Macahensis and O. Iquas- 

 suensis, both from the province of Rio de Janeiro. 



' On Jansonia, a new Genus of Leguminosae from Western Australia. 

 By Mr. Richard Kippist, Libr. L.S., &c., &c.' 



The species is called Jansonia formosa. 



' On the Structure of the Ascidia and Stomata of Dischidia RaflSe- 

 siana, Wall. By the late William Griffiths, Esq., F.L.S., &c. Com- 

 municated by R. H. Solly, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c.' 



' On the Impregnation of Dischidia. By the late William Griffiths, 

 Esq., F.L.S., &c., &c. Communicated by R. Brown, Esq., V.P.L.S., 



&c., &c.' 



' On Athalamia, a new Genus of Marchantieae. By Hugh Falconer, 

 Esq., M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., Superintendent of the Hon. East India 

 Company's Botanic Garden at Calcutta, &c., &c.' 



The species described is called Athalamia pinguis. I do not ob- 

 serve any notice of its habitat. 



