Field Note. 25 
Like the indigo of certain plants, it is thrown out or excreted in 
the form of minute granules on the exterior of the hyphae in the 
cortical portion of the upper surface. It would appear that when 
a decrease of the albumenoids takes place the quantity of this 
lichen-acid increases, so that it may be regarded as a sort of 
waste-product of the living plant, and not a true product of 
deassimilation. 
ParSLEY FERN (AJlosorus crispus).—This plant is distinctly 
local in habitat ; it nestles under huge boulders or largish stones 
on the mountain side, or under walls in shady lanes. Generally 
it affects rough and stony ground appurtenant to wild and well 
watered areas. The exterior aspect of its fillets differs from 
most of its class, resembling more those of certain dicotyledons ; 
but its chemistry is pretty similar to that of its ally and 
associate, the common bracken. The dried overground parts on 
19th July yielded 3.25 per cent. of wax with only a little carotin 
or glyceride ; there was much tannoid reacting like quercitrin, 
also a resin and a little tannin (insoluble in strong alcohol) 
which precipitated gelatine and bromine water, much sugar, 
proteid and starch, some mucilage non-coagulable by acids, but 
no oxalate of calcium ; the ash amounted to about 5 per cent., 
and contained 60.1 solubie salts, 14.2 silica, 5.2 lime, 5.9 
magnesia, 8 P2005, 3.5 SO3, and 4.2 chlorine, with much 
manganese and very much soluble carbonates, thus attesting the 
eminent richness of the plant in organic acids. The remarkable 
feature, however, is the large quantity of soluble salts con- 
jointly with the considerable amount of silica. We conclude 
that the carbohydrates engaged in the fruiting process have 
undergone a very active though incomplete oxidation, while the 
silica depositing incidental to a failing life-energy has already 
become manifest. Later on in November, the proportion of 
soluble salts diminished to below one half, and the silica per- 
centage rises to about 31. There is thus a considerable 
similarity in the life-cycle and the physiological processes to 
those of the more splendidly developed bracken ; but this fern 
évidently possesses more vitality and enjoys a longer life. 
ae Se 
ENTOMOLOGY. 
Chzrocampa celerio at Wakefield.—I have recently 
added to my collection a specimen of Cherocampa celerio, 
which was taken on the outside of a shop window in Wakefield 
on October 24th last by Mr. H. Lumb.—Geo. T. Porritt, 
Huddersfield. December 1oth, 1906. 
3go7 January 1. 
