1857.] BOTANICAL NOTES, NOTICES, AND QUERIES. 143 



would esteem it a great favour if any botanist wlio sees or hears of this 

 notification would give liim or only lend him examples of the above va- 

 riety. The Doctor informs the readers of this, that one flower and one 

 leaf would be sufficient. If any such specimens are sent to the publisher 

 of the ' Phytologist,' they will be forwarded to Dr. Caspary, 

 45, Frith Street. 



It would greatly oblige us if our kind correspondent, E. M. A., who 

 contributed an account of Centaurea nigrescens, C. Jacea, and C. nigra 

 (see 'Phytologist' for October, 1856, p. 463), would furnish us, when 

 convenient, with diagnostics of these plants, but especially of 0. Jacea. 

 Specimens of the latter would very much oblige the Editor. 



Alders and Poplars. 



Dorsetshire woodmen apply the following adage to the Alder poles, 

 when peeled for rafters, viz. : — 



" Thatch me well, and keep me dry, 

 Heart-of-Oak I will defy." 



The wood-cutters of the midland counties repeat the same adage in praise 

 of WiUows and Poplars. — See '-Loudon's Arboretum,' p. 1681. ^ 



Where is the north coast of Sub4erland, where the rare Dryas octope- Ul , 

 tala is reported to be abundant? See Hooker and Arnott's Br. Flora, 

 7th ed. p. 120. 



What is the diiference between decurved and reflexed ? 



What are the well-known Cuxton plants? — 'Phytologist' for 1855-6, 

 p. 293. 



Bleciinum boreale, etc. 



Mr. Editor, — Can you or any of your readers inform me why the spe- 

 cific name of BlecJinum boreale, Sw., is printed spicans ? (See ' Phyto- 

 logist,' N.S. Vol. I. p. 301.) Its usual form is B. Spicant. Beta. 



What is the difference between the terms decumbent and procumbent, 

 between leafits and leaflets ? Querist. 



To Delta. 



The Herbarium of the Botanical Society of London is established by its 

 present proprietor, Mr. P. Y. Brocas, at 38, Tavistock Street, Covent 

 Garden, as the London Herbarium of reference. If Delta will send us 

 his dubious plants, we shall have much pleasure in attempting, at least, to 

 resolve his botanical doubts. Any specimens may be transmitted through 

 the Post-office, either to 45, Frith Street, Soho, or to 28, Upper Manor 

 Street, Chelsea. 



Trees in Ireland. 



It appears from a return moved for in the last Parliament by Mr. H. 

 Hughes, that 2,678,856 trees have been registered with the clerks of the 

 peace in Ireland during the last ten years. The compiler of the return 

 has not however obeyed the order of the House " to distinguish the num- 

 bers registered in each year." — Fro^n the ' Tmes,' April 10, 1857. 



