1910-1911.] 



435 



PLANT LIFE IN A MARSH. 



At a meeting of the Botanical Section, held on 21st January, 

 Rev. C. H. Waddell, B.D., gave an interesting address on above 

 subject. He said — Marsh plants form a fairly well-defined 

 association. They are called Halophytes, and are distinguished 

 on the one hand from Bog-plants, which grow on peat and have a 

 xerophytic character, and on the other from true Water-plants 

 {Hydrophytes), which draw their support from the water in which 

 they float. The roots grow in water-logged soil and the stems and 

 flowers rise above the water. 



Marsh plants have been divided into two main groups, those 

 of Peed-swamps, characterised by the dominance of Phragmites, 

 Typha, Scirpus lacustris, and other slender tall-growing species, 

 and Bush-swamps, where Woody Plants such as Willows and 

 Alders grow. 



Besides the tall-growing species, many lowlier forms are found 

 in marshes, such as Sundew, Grass of Parnassus, Marsh Violet, 

 Charas, and Mosses of many kinds. 



The Reeds which fringe lakes and ponds with their associated 

 plants gradually fill up the water and add to the land. 



THE LOWER CARBONIFEROUS ROCKS OF THE NORTH STAFFORD 

 COALFIELD. 



The Geological Section of the Club held its second meeting 

 of the Winter Session in the Museum on 25th January. Mr. W. 

 J. C. Tomlinson, Chairman of the Section, presided. 



Before calling upon Mr. Bennett to deliver his lecture, the 

 Chairman asked Mr. Robert Bell to make a short communication 

 regarding a fossil Coral new to this district. Mr. Bell said that 

 some years ago he discovered a specimen of Coral that was new 

 to him in the Ammonites-angulatus zone of the Lower Lias at 

 Hillsport. He showed it to his friend the late Mr. Stewart, who 

 pronounced it to be a new specimen. It has recently been sent 



G 



