98 Notice of rare Plants, fyc. 



seeds is cylindric, beautifully ribbed lengthwise, and somewhat 

 wrinkled between the ribs. The albumen, of a singular blue 

 color. On comparing a specimen with the fine figure of 

 Prof. Hooker, in Flora Londinensis, and again with T. 467 of 

 English Botany, and also through the suggestion of Geo. B. 

 Emerson, (President of the Boston Society of Natural History). 

 I am inclined to think, that ours is a distinct species, though 

 seemingly heretofore confounded by American Botanists, with 

 the British species. A subsequent examination gave me the 

 following results, viz. 



1. Greater length of leaves : ours being many yards the 

 British according to Hooker " from four inches to a span long." 



2. Want of distinct sheaths, at base of leaves. 



3. Leaves of American species, mucronate, (ending in a short 

 point :) while those of the British species are " obtuse at the 

 extremity." 



4. Flower-sheath at a greater distance from the sheaths, 

 than is represented in the figures of Hooker, and English 

 Botany. 



This part of the subject will receive further attention. 



Zostera belongs to the natural group of Naiadre of Jussieu, 

 and Potamophilae of Richard, and Fluviales of Lindley. Lin- 

 noeus places it in Gynandria ; Withering in Polyandria, Polygy- 

 nia ; and in this country Elliott, Nuttall and Bigelow, consider 

 it as referable to Monoecia. Its Spathseform floral envelope 

 allies it to Aroideas, as noticed by Richard, who also points out 

 the real distinction between each. 



EcHIUM VULGARE. L. 



Viper's Bugloss. Bigelow 's Plants, &c., p> 70. 



Natural order. Boraginse. Jussieu. 



This, though a common weed in the dry pastures of England, 

 especially near Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, has been consid- 

 ered remarkable for beauty, and for striking effect when growing 

 in masses. Its raceme-like flowers on a prickly stem, its leaves 

 studded with red tubercles, its rosy buds and rich purple blos- 

 soms render it highly conspicuous. The first instance of its 

 occurrence in this vicinity, was noticed by me during the past 



