Mr. J. Lycett on the Upper Lias of Gloucestershire, 255 



the tissue of the nourishing root is established by a simple layer 

 of cells forming the inferior surface of the papilla. 



Osyris presents, both in its adult rhizomes and its stems, a 

 pith, medullary rays, and bundles of liber-fibres, which are 

 absent from the roots. Thei'e is not, however, that difference 

 between the rhizomes and the stems which M. Chatin su])posed 

 he found, doubtless because he examined only rhizomes of the 

 year at the commencement of their evolution. The author could 

 find no true tracheas in these organs. All the wood-cells, as 

 well as those of the medullary parenchyma, are riddled with 

 pits. 



The intimate affinity connecting all the Santalacese would lead 

 to the supposition that most, if not all, the types of this 

 group, are parasites. The same may be said of the true 

 Olacinese [Olax, Ximenia, Heisteria, Liriosma, Opilia, &c.), 

 which scarcely differ from the Santalacese. The black colour 

 assumed by most of these plants on drying, and their absence 

 from gardens, plead in favour of this idea. 



Dr. Planchon regrets that he has hitherto been unable to trace 

 the phsenomena of germination either in Osyris or Santalum. 

 This study, which he proposes to make at the proper season, 

 will enable him to settle beyond doubt in what degree these 

 plants are parasitical. Do they take part of their nourishment 

 from the soil ? Do all their radical fibres produce suckers ? 

 Whoi is the duration of the suckers ? A prolonged study is 

 required for the solution of all these questions. It may be stated 

 meanwhile, that the subjects attacked by Osyris do not appear 

 to suffer much from its presence, and fulfil as usual the vegeta- 

 tive and reproductive functions. 



XXVI. — On some Sections of the Upper Lias recently exposed at 

 Nailsworth, Gloucestei'shir-e. By John Lycett*. 



So few opportunities are afforded for examining the Upper Lias 

 of the Cotteswolds, so small are the artificial exposures of the 

 stage occasionally made, so limited their extent and depth, that 

 its fossils are almost unknown, and even the thickness of the 

 stage has been very variously estimated. During the author's 

 experience of more than twenty years, the Upper Lias has only 

 been known to him by small sections in clay-beds used for brick- 

 making, and these are usually quite destitute of fossils ; some 

 cuttings, therefore, recently made, which exposed the entire 

 thickness of the stage and many of its fossils, have induced him 

 to prepare the present brief notice. 



* Presented to the Cotteswolds Naturalists' Club, July 21, 1858. 



18* 



