462 



than those of any other plants ; and this seems to be illustrated by 

 the very frequent appearance of foreign Leguminosae in Britain. 



5, ' Notice of the Abnormal Structure of a Turnip ;' by Mr. James 

 B. Davies. The author of this paper, after defining the nature of the 

 root of the turnip, giving some observations on tap-roots in general, 

 and showing their relation to those of a fibrous nature, proceeded to 

 remark that all roots are subject to variation, as well from non-deve- 

 lopment as from increased growth. He exhibited a monstrous tur- 

 nip, having the appearance of two bulbs, joined in the form of an 

 hour-glass. This he conceived to have been caused by sonae injury 

 to the root, arresting the expansion of the superior, or first-formed, 

 bulb. He likewise exhibited another specimen, presenting two bulbs, 

 united at the neck, the union extending to a third of their circumfe- 

 rence. Mr. Davies did not believe that such monstrosities as this 

 resulted from the chemical condition of the soil, or from the opposi- 

 tion of any external body in the soil, but that one instead of two tap- 

 roots were originally produced, of equal dimensions. This conclusion 

 he had arrived at from an examination of their internal structure, hav- 

 ing traced a mass of the small cells resembling those found towards 

 the exterior of the bulb, rising to a considerable height through the 

 root, thus forming an apparent wall between the two bulbs. He had 

 likewise found, in tracing the course of the fibres, that two great 

 masses arose from the crown, and proceeded, in separate courses, one 

 to each bulb. As a remedy for the disease Mr. Davies recommended 

 the raising of seed from transplanted bulbs. He illustrated his 

 remarks by drawings, showing the structure of the turnips alluded to, 

 and the structure usually seen in the turnip bulb. 



Dr. Balfour read a letter from Dr. Earnest Meyer, of Konigsberg, 

 intimating the transmission of a collection of interesting plants from 

 M. Patze, who has paid particular attention to the species of willow. 

 " As regards the willows," Dr. Meyer remarks, " which constitute M. 

 Patze's delight, I can assure you that each specimen in leaf is taken 

 Irom the same plant as those which are in flower, whether male or 

 female. As to the hybrid forms of the genus Salix, which have caused 

 such a confusion in our systems, there is not one of them which has 

 not been observed by M. Patze for several years, and found, almost 

 always, sterile and in small quantity, among the two common species, 

 which he suspects to be the parents." Dr. Balfour then exhibited the 

 following, most of which he had presented specimens of to the Society's 

 herbarium: — Salix acuminata ( S. acuuiinata-viminalis), cinerea- 

 })urj)urea, cincrca-viminalis, purpurea, silesiaca (various forms), pur- 



