975 



The generic characters assigned to Pseudathyrium will require 

 revision. From an examination of fronds of " P. alpestre " in a 

 living state, it seems that the clusters of capsules first make their 

 appearance with a crescentic margin of attachment, Somewhat as in 

 Athyrium Filix fcemina ; and that there exists occasionally a rudi- 

 mentary involucral scale. The same crescentic margin of attachment 

 has been observed by Mr. Backhouse in the cultivated living frond 

 of the plant now called " P. flexile." The specific characters will 

 also require remodelling ; and a rigid investigation of the synonymy 

 is absolutely necessary, the names now proposed being provisional 

 only, the latter, more especially, being likely to be superseded by a 

 prior specific name. 



The Phytological Club, 

 [In connexion with the Pharmaceutical Society). 



May 2, 1853. — Robert Bentley, Esq., F.L.S., &c.. President, in 

 the chair. 



Several new members joined the Club. 



Mr. D. Hanbury exhibited the following specimens : — 



1. Ravensara nuts, produce of Agathophyllum arotoaticum, a tree 

 of Madagascar, where they are used as a spice, and whence they have 

 occasionally been brought to France. 



2. Casca pretiosa, the bark of Mespilodaphne pretiosa, a native of 

 Brazil. It is highly valued as an aromatic. It belongs to the natural 

 order Laurineae. 



Worcester Branch of the Club. 



The Secretary presented a report of a meeting of the members of 

 the Club, resident at Worcester, held April 22, when the " Worcester 

 Branch of the Phytological Club " was formed. A few simple rules 

 were adopted, providing for periodical meetings, herborizing excur- 

 sions, the formation of a local herbarium of plants found in the county, 

 &c. A standing note was appended to the Rules, to the effect that 

 members be exhorted to be particularly observant of Professor Bent- 

 ley's truthful remarks on the destruction of habitats for scarce plants, 

 viz., never to allow their love of collecting to supersede their love of 

 Botany. Considering the assistance that more experienced botanists 

 of the neighbourhood could give in the formation of a county herba- 



