100 REPORT— 1862. 
at least three Coriarias, which some botanists regard as mere varieties of C. rusci- 
folia, L., and others consider separate species. The author had made, in July 
1862, an examination of all the species of the genus Corvarta contained in the 
Hookerian and Benthamian Collections at Kew, the result whereof was a strong 
conviction of the necessity for a critical revision of the whole genus, throughout all 
its species, wherever distributed. The author considers the specific names of the 
Toot-plant (both ruseifolia and sarmentosa) objectionable, as not truly applicable or 
descriptive; and proposes the specific term C. tutw—the Maori name of the plant, 
as more convenient to indicate the type of the species, leaving such terms as 
ruscifolia, thymifolia, and sarmentosa to represent varieties or other species, as a 
subsequent critical examination of the genus may render necessary or desirable. 
In contrast to, and in connexion with the toxic action of C. ruscifolia, the 
author remarked on the better-known poisonous properties of C. myrtéfolia, familiar 
as an adulterant of senna, and on those of other species of the genus Coriarta. He 
announced his belief that the whole genus Coriaria must be considered endowed 
with poisonous properties, gaa of the narcotico-irritant class, and that, as such 
(especially in reference to the extent and importance of the economic losses caused 
by such species as Toot), it is eminently deserving of thorough scientific investi- 
ation: 
Under this head he pointed out the fact that— 
a. While certain animals seem to be themselves exempt from, or insusceptible 
to the action of the poison, they may, by feeding upon certain species, or certain 
parts of certain species of Coriaria, and assimilating thereby or secreting the con- 
tained poison in their tissues, communicate poisonous effects, or become poisons, 
to man or the lower animals, to which they (the animals first mentioned) have 
become articles of diet. He cited a recent instance in connexion with C. myrtifolia, 
in which several persons, near Toulouse, were poisoned by a dish of snails which 
had been fattened on its leaves and shoots *. 
b. That Royle in reference to the fruit of C. Nepalensis, Peschier of Geneva in 
regard to C. myrtifolia, and other authorities in regard to other species of Coriaria, 
have published instances of their harmless or even beneficial effects, under certain 
circumstances, on man or the lower animals. Such conflicting statements would 
mond to indicate that there are peculiarities in the action of the poisonous prin- 
ciples of all the Coriarias, or ES mepensies in the records of instances of the said 
action, which discrepancies or peculiarities demand reconciliation or explanation 
at the hands of competent scientific experts. 
On the Occurrence of Asplenium viride on an Isolated Travertine Rock among 
the Black Mountains of Monmouthshire. By the Rev. W. 8. Symonps. 
Mr. Symonds drew attention, at the Meeting of the British Association held at 
Oxford in June 1860, to the selection of a peculiar geological habitat by some of 
the rarer British plants. Aspleniwm viride was found in 1862, by Mr. George Roberts, 
of the Geological Society of London, growing in considerable abundance on an 
isolated rock of travertine, Capel-le-fin, Llanthony, Monmouthshire. This Asplenium 
is not known elsewhere in the district. 
Zoouoey. 
On the Generative Zooid of Clavatella. By Professor Atuman, M.D., F.B.S. 
In this communication the author confirmed the observations of Hincks and 
Krohn with regard to the generative zooid of Clavatella prolifera, Hincks, and stated 
that he had succeeded in fully demonstrating the gastro-vascular system described 
as existing in it by Krohn. 
* Medical Times and Gazette, Sept. 13, 1862, p. 282. 
