TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION D. 871 
tion fundamental as regards the facts of distribution, although inefficient: as regards 
_ the origin of function or structure. The opposed theory of definite or constitutional 
variation along ‘ grooves of change, with corresponding limitation of natural selec- 
_ tion mainly to its evtinctive agency, may similarly be demonstrated in other cases 
currently explained by natural selection only. 
10. Note on the Occurrence in Yorkshire of Arenaria gothica (Fries). 
By Professor Sirvanus P. THompson, D.Se. . 
In June last year Mr. L. Rotheray, of Skipton, noticed, near Ribblehead station 
on the Midland Railway, some specimens of Avenaria, which on examination proved 
to be either Arenaria norvegica or Arenaria gothica, the two being scarcely dis- 
tinguishable except by the fact that one is perennial, the other annual. It will be 
sufficient here to accept the name of gothica, leaving the question of distinction for 
others to decide. 
The Ribblehead habitat was subsequently visited by Mr. Arnold Lees, Professor 
_ Jefferson, Mr. J. G. Baker, and other botanists. It is a matter of great regret that 
of the three hundred or so plants existing when it was discovered only a bare 
dozen have survived the greed of collectors. 
A second habitat was discovered in September of the same year by Mr. Arnold 
Lees, being like the first a roadside spot, and not more than 300 yards from the 
first. 
The author now announced that during the first week in August of the present 
year he discovered another habitat of Arenaria gothica, nearly three miles away 
from the original habitat. It is about a quarter of a mile from the nearest farm- 
house, and. lies nearer to the flank of Ingleborough, under Lord's Seat, at about 
1,000 feet above sea-level. It is not like the original habitat, on recently made 
ground, but is in a place where the limestone-rock comes up flat to the surface, 
with a stream running over it, and a thin mossy vegetation, resembling an Alpine 
garden, grows in patches on the rock. 
The plants growing beside the Arenarta are Sagina nodosa, two Sedums, 
| Luphrasia, and Arenaria serpyllifolia. It certainly cannot have been introduced 
here. There were at least two thousand plants. During the month of August, 
the author twice made subsequent visits to the spot, and has compared the specimens 
there with specimens from the original habitat. They precisely agree in habit, 
but are of a more luxuriant growth. 
He has also, in company with his sisters, the Misses Thompson, of Settle, 
searched the whole district between the original and the new habitat, but has 
found no Arenaria growing at intermediate spots. 
He forbears to indicate the spot more precisely lest the same fate that has 
already overtaken the plants at Ribblehead should overtake those at : 
11. The Flora of Victoria Park, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.} 
By J. Horses Panton, M.A., F.G.S. 
The writer in this paper described thirteen botanical districts into which the 
Park may be conveniently divided for the study of its flora, and then gave a list 
of the plants which he has obtained from them. 
The list embraces 71 orders, 261 genera, and 458 species. 
The Park contains 154 acres, in the form of a narrow strip of land, extending 
about two miles along the river bank. ‘This he first divides into four distinct 
divisions, viz. :— 
1. Talus at the river’s edge, derived from the disintegration of the perpendicular 
alls of dolomite, over 100 feet high. 
2. The perpendicular rocks covered with mosses, lichens, &c., in many parts. 
8. A level plain. 
1 This paper is published in extenso in the Report of the Park for 1889. 
