609 



already universally acknowledged as natural. Mr. Newman 

 thought that its name might be changed, for the sake of uni- 

 formity, to Orthobrya. 



The author observed, that in carrying out this new system some 

 rather startling separations, as well as combinations, would be neces- 

 sary. Thus, Thelypteris and Oreopteris would belong to separate 

 groups ; Polypodium vulgare and P. Phegopteris must part company, 

 as must Cystopteris fragilis and C. montana. On the other hand, 

 Polypodium alpestre and Athyrium Filix-foemina could not be gene- 

 rically separated ; neither could Polypodium Dryopteris and Cysto- 

 pteris montana ; neither could Polypodium vulgare and aureum. 

 These three Polypodia would now stand out almost as types of great 

 groups. 



Pteris serrulata in Dorsetshire. 



The President read a letter, addressed to himself, by Mr. J. W. 

 Bailey, of 71, Gracechurch Street, which was accompanied by nume- 

 rous specimens of Pteris serrulata, said to have been gathered on the 

 south coast of Dorsetshire. He thought the statement required inves- 

 tigation, and that some mistake must have been made. 



Orchis speciosa. 



The President next alluded to the report, which had been widely 

 circulated in Irish and other newspapers, of Orchis speciosa of Host 

 having been found in Ireland by Mr. David Moore, the learned 

 and most energetic Curator of the Glasnevin Botanic Garden at Dub- 

 lin. He had corresponded with Mr. Moore and other botanists on 

 this subject ; and the following conclusions seemed almost inevitable : 

 ■ — 1st, That the plant in question is the Orchis mascula, (3., of Koch ; 

 and 2ndly, That it is not the Orchis speciosa of Host, a plant of 

 which Mr. Babington has German specimens, with which he has 

 carefully compared it, and finds the sepals of the Irish less acute than 

 those of the German specimens, a conclusion with which Mr. Moore 

 appears now fully to coincide. Dr. Lindley, however, thinks diffe- 

 rently, and pi'onounces the Irish plant to be the true O. speciosa. 

 The Irish plants are eighteen inches high, have invariably unspotted 

 leaves, and look, as regards superficial appearance, very unlike O. 

 mascula. Is the Orchis speciosa of the continent a species } 



Chenopodium Jicifolium. 



The President read the following exti'act from a letter addressed to 

 him by Mr. E. G. Varenne, of Kelvedon : — 



VOL IV. 4 I 



