652 



From these diflferences Mr. Babington considered that the species 

 was a distinct one, since it could not be confounded with either of the 

 other European species, E. ovata and E. atropurpurea, which consti- 

 tute Esenbeck's genus Eleogenus, and in which the glumes are all 

 equally large, and more densely imbricated than in the typical group 

 of species. 



The President concluded by observing that he considered it very 

 undesirable to found a species on such scanty materials : this as a 

 general rule. He was not sufficiently master of the subject under dis- 

 cussion to pronounce any opinion as to the value of the characters 

 pointed out. 



Variety of Polystichum aculeatum. 



The President exhibited lithographed sketches, kindly sent him by 

 Mr. Kinahan, of the remarkable state of Polystichum aculeatum no- 

 ticed by that gentleman, and recorded in the last number of the 'Phy- 

 tologist' (Phytol. iv. 632). 



Pseudathyrium alpestre. 



The President read the following interesting note, from Mr. West- 

 combe, of Worcester, dated Clova, July 23, 1852, and observed that 

 the plant was correctly named as P. alpestre : — 



Herewith I forward a sample of a certain fern, common in this dis- 

 trict, and which I consider is the Polypodium alpestre. I found it 

 in Canlochen, and also in Glen Prosen and Glen Phee ; and it is 

 commoner than Athyrium Filix-fcemina, and varies much in size, from 

 four inches to three feet in length. When lai'ge it has quite the ap- 

 pearance of Athyrium Filix-foemina, and when small and in fructifica- 

 tion looks more like a Cystopteris. Yesterday I had also the pleasure 

 of seeing Woodsia Ilvensis for the first time. Polystichum Lonchitis 

 is very abundant and fine, and I only regret that I cannot carry off 

 more spoil. 



Botanical News. 



The President read the following articles, contributed by a corre- 

 spondent : — 



Italy. 



The direction of the Botanic Garden in Rome has been entrusted 

 to Dr. Sanguinetti. — E. Otto's Gart. Zeit. 



