372 Dr. Cantor on the Fetus of Zygzena laticeps. 
the name above given. The Isle of Wight plant appeats cer- 
tainly to be the same as that of Sweden, and as in that country, 
so in this, it 1s a very variable one. Its nearest alliance appears 
to be with R. cesius and R. dumetorum, but it is very much 
stouter than either of those, having, in its strongest state, a stem 
of about an inch in diameter, and so thickly set with prickles on 
very dilated bases, that they may be said to be actually confluent. 
In the hollows between the bases or on the latter are a few scat- 
tered hairs and glands, with an occasional aciculus. The stem is 
occasionally slightly glaucous. The /eaves are very large and ru- 
gose, and soft with haus beneath. The flowers are on long, 
branched and excessively-armed panicles, are very large and of a 
beautiful deep rose-colour. As far as I have hitherto observed, 
they seldom mature their fruit, which is composed of a few large 
grains, of an acid taste, black and slightly glaucous. As observed 
by Mr. Babington, the prickles on the summer growth of the 
plant are nearly horizontal, while those on the autumnal portion 
are more slender and much-hooked. 3 
In the weaker states of the plant, the prickles are far less nu- 
merous than described above. 
The young plants are suberect, and before arriving at the fully- 
developed arching form, flower and mature their seed, quite as 
freely as the stronger plants. In some instances, where light or 
nutriment is deficient, it does not become developed beyond this 
point, when it constitutes the var. 8. above enumerated. In this 
form the panicle is very short, with large leaves among the 
flowers. 
XL.— Notice of the Fetus of Zygzena laticeps, Cantor. By 
Dr. Canzvor, Civil Surgeon, Prince of Wales Island. 
Library, East India House, Noy. 5, 1845. 
[Dear Sir,—Dr. Theodor Cantor, who has for several years zealously 
prosecuted his researches relating to the zoology of Penang and the 
opposite Malayan coast, has entrusted to me a notice on the Zygena 
laticeps, Cantor, to which Dr. John Richardson has, at my request, 
added an explanatory note, giving an account of the history of this 
fish, since the period of Dr. Cantor’s departure from England, with a 
remark on the most important points of this communication. Should 
you find it a proper subject for the ‘ Annals of Natural History,’ I 
wish to leave it at your disposal. 
Yours very truly, 
Tuomas HorsFiz.p. | 
Richard Taylor, Esq. 
Or the genus Zygena two species occur in the Malayan seas : 
Z. Tudes, Valenciennes (“ Koma Sorra,’ Russell), which is but 
