Botany. 151 
lidus. Some years since I introduced this plant from Oxford into my 
garden, whence, by means of its volatile seeds, it has made its escape, and 
has now, for a long time, voluntarily and firmly established itself on the 
walls and waste banks of this village. Sir J. Smith observes, in English 
Botany, that Senecio squalidus “ grows abundantly on almost every wall in 
and about Oxford, and, though long since noticed there by Sir Joseph 
Banks, it has not found its way into the Fldra Ovoniénsis.” Sir J. Smith 
was probably not aware of the doubtful origin of the plant, nor that the 
“ Senecionis species,” mentioned in Dr. Sibthorp’s preface, alluded to S. 
squalidus. — W.7. Bree. Allesley Rectory, Sept. 8. 1829. 
Typha latifolia. — Sir, Having 
lately examined many specimens 
of T'ypha latifolia, and finding in 
them a character not noticed in 
several botanical works which I 
have consulted, I take the liberty 
of sending you the accompanying 
sketch and description (fig. 33.), 
thinking it may interest some of 
your readers. 
Before the plant comes into 
flower the whole of the spike is 
enveloped in a sheath with mem- 
branous edges, which rises from 
the base of the female catkin, 
and terminates in a leaf, which, 
with the sheath, is about twice the 
whole length of the spike. This 
leaf first falls as the flower swells, 
previouslyto the male catkin coming 
into blossom. At the base of the 
male catkin, and with its membra- 
nous base sheathing the whole of 
it, arises another leat, which is alto- 
gether about twice the length of 
that part of the spike: above this 
are several other alternate mem- 
branous leaves or bractez (4: to 8} 
a, A leaf arising at the base of the female catkin, diminishing in size as they approach 
sheathing the whole of the spike. ¥ ie Cee 
b, A leaf arising at the base of the male catkin, the top of the catkin, which they 
and enveloping that part of the flower, all reach, and the lower ones some- 
ey Pie pee y eelleat qd, ab the commencement times extend vaslittle beyond: i. 
d, A membranous leaf on the male catkin,above Several of the upper ones-are very 
the leat d. : Sei ies aetce gin 
e, Sinall linear membranous leaves, or bractex, small and linear. I am, Sir, &e. 
near the top of the mate catkin. —W.C.T. Wallington, July 31. 
1829. 
[ A monstrous Cowslip.— Sir, I reside in a country abounding with the beauties of Flora; 
and, ere long, it is probable that I may be able to present you with a somewhat particular 
account of them. Among other flowers, we have abundance of that beautiful and useful orna- 
ment to our meadows, the cowslip (Primula véris). There is something remarkable in the 
arbitrary choice of situation (if I may use the expression), which this plant evinces. I find it 
diffusely, and pretty regularly scattered over our downs ; abounding in such profusion, as,to throw 
over our meadows, in some particular spots, an almost uninterrupted tint of golden yellow ; while 
in other situations, and those not remote from the last mentioned, not a single cowslip is to be 
seen. In the year 1824, I brought home a good root, with about seven or eight blossom buds on 
it, and planted it in my front court. The soil was composed chiefly of calcareous sand and vege. 
table earth, blackish, and perfectly light. In 1825 the cowslip, as far as I can recollect, came into 
flower again, but without exhibiting any striking appearances. In 1826, 1 noticed that the ad- 
vancing umbel, while yet buried in the centre of th: leaves, exhibited a vast and bulky mass. I 
watched its progress, and at length it threw up, and fully expanded, the flower which I now send 
you. The peduncle, or flower-stalk, did not retain its usual cylindrical form, but was grooved and 
channeled, as if two or three stalks had become laterally united. We counted fifty-three blossoms 
L 4 
