134 
the fertile branch, the stipes, or petiole, or scape of which is very long. 
The barren branch, or leaf, also differs in a marked manner from that 
of rutaceum ; its petiole is longer than the leaf; it is distinctly tripar- 
tate, its divisions being stipitate and somewhat tripartite. Comparing 
it primary lateral divisions with the first pair of pinnz in rutaceum, 
they are deltoid instead of linear, broader at the base instead of nar- 
rower, distinctly petiolate instead of subsessile. These differences 
are constant, no intermediate states occurring. 
We have now only to ask on what evidence B. rutaceum is united to 
B. lunaria ; and the reply is, the paucity of specimens. This seems 
plausible, but insufficient. The same argument would erase, and per- 
haps with propriety, Asplenium germanicum from the list of species. 
But it should be shown that the deltoid or trigonate frond of ruta- 
ceum is a modification of the linear frond of lunaria; and it should 
also be shown how the elongate pinnez of rutaceum, with their evident 
median axis, are modifications of the flabellate pinne of lunaria, which 
have no median axis. To myself, there appears no mode of explain- 
ing the phenomenon; for those examples of lunaria which show a 
disposition to greater division retain the flabelliform outline, but 
become digitate; while those which evince an opposite tendency 
merely become more entire on the margin. Information is earnestly 
solicited. 
EpwarpD NEwmav. 
Proceepines oF SocieETIizEs, §c. 
THE PHYTOLOGICAL CLUB, 
(In connexion with the Pharmaceutical Society.) 
March 8, 1854.— Robert Bentley, Esq., F.L.S., President, in the 
chair. : 
Several new members were elected, and a list of candidates read 
and proposed. 
Relation of Meteorology to Botany. 
The Secretary made some observations on the Relation of Meteoro- 
logy to Botany. He thought the weather was a very proper subject 
for discussion in an association formed for the purpose of promoting 
the study of Botany. Man was sensitively alive to every modification 
