X Proceedings. \_January 2ph, i8gg. 



Kunth, 1843, is antedated by Piaropus Rafin.,* 1836, and 

 the specific name speciosa Kunth by crassipes Rafin. (/. ^.) 



Mr. Charles Bailey explained the structure of the peculiar 

 permanent sheath which encloses the extremity of each root and 

 rootlet of the Pontederia (Eichhornia) crassipes. The specimens 

 exhibited to the members, under the microscope, showed that 

 these sheaths were like the long finger of a glove in shape, 

 and varied in size according to the age of the organ. The 

 organic connection between the root and its sheath is found at 

 its extremity at the bottom of the sheath. These are of 

 fair consistency, and are doubtless designed for the protection 

 of the plant which, by means of its inflated leaf-stalk, passes 

 its life floating upon the surface of the water; the growing 

 and tender extremities of the root are in this way guarded 

 against the attacks of the smaller aquatic animals. The species 

 of the cryptogamic genus Azolla, which also pass their existence 

 in a floating condition, have a very similar root-sheath, but in 

 their case the organ is only temporary, being discarded before 

 the root reaches maturity. 



The President read a note " On the occurrence of 

 Chenopodium capitatum Ascherson, near Llandudno." 



This plant, more commonly known by the Linnean name 

 Blitum virgatum, was found by myself at Craig-y-don, Llandudno, 

 on waste ground, locally abundant, not very far from the Little 

 Orme's Head, in September, 1898. It has been from time to 

 time recorded as a casual in the British Islands, and Mr. F. J. 

 Hanbury informs me that he has a specimen in his herbarium, 

 collected by the late Dr. Boswell (Syme) at Fisherrow, near 

 Edinburgh. 



It is figured in Curtis' Pot. Mag., PI. 276, and used in old 

 times to be cultivated for ornament, the scarlet, round, axillary 

 clusters of fruit being conspicuous and suggesting the trivial 

 name "Strawberry Elite." The flowers are very small, one- 

 stamined, two-styled. 



Opinions differ considerably as to the exact generic position 

 * FI. Tellur. II. 81 (1836). 



