1142 



Pattonii. There are also two Piceas, one of which (supposed to be 

 Picea lasiocarpa) grows to the height of 250 feet; and the other (sup- 

 posed to be new), to the height of 280 feet. We can hardly realize 

 the idea of such stupendous trees ; but it may help us to some notion 

 of their height if I compare them with some familiar object here. 

 The height of the brick stalk of the Gas Company's chimney, from the 

 stone pedestal, is 264 feet (the pedestal is 65 feet) ; the top of that 

 chimney is five feet higher than the top of Nelson's Monument ; so 

 that if we fancy a tree growing down in the valley between the 

 Canongate and the Calton Hill, on an eminence the height of the 

 pedestal, and overtopping Nelson's Monument by ten feet, we may 

 form some notion of the monarchs of the forest which are now being 

 introduced into this country." 



The Phytologist Club. 



One Hundred and Fifty -fir at Sitting . — Sdturday, November 26, 

 1853. — Mr. Newman, President, in the chair. 



The President read the following communications : — 



Thymvs Serpyllam and T. Chamadrys. 



" I have, during the last ten years, paid much attention to the 

 habits and physical difference of these plants, which are nearly allied 

 to each other in appearance ; and will give such descriptions as will 

 enable the novice in Botany to detect them. 



" The name of Thymus Serpyllum was formerly applied to both 

 species, botanists considering them as one ; but still T. Serpyllum 

 may be significantly applied to one, which I will describe first. Thy- 

 mus Serpyllum creeps and roots along the earth over a considerable 

 space, and remains many years. It comes into bloom about the mid- 

 dle of June, has a slight smell of lemon, and tastes a little aromatic ; 

 which taste and smell, as also its stratal adaptation, which I would 

 call the geology of plants, — a study most interesting to the botanist 

 and agriculturist, — are essential to its discrimination. It prefers a 

 very dry sandy soil on rocks, and in ditches and dry pasture- fields. 



" Thymus Chamsedrys, for it has obtained that name, comes into 

 bloom about the middle of July, always a month, or nearly so, later 

 than the other species ; has a pungent, acrid taste ; a powerfid smell, 



