342 FREAKS OF PLANT LIFE. 



so closely that only experts can distinguish them 

 from Patellaria amongst fungi. Bceomyces amongst 

 lichens imitates Stilbum in fungi, whilst the graphi- 

 deous lichens seem to coalesce almost with Hysterium, 

 and Platygrapha with Stictis. 



Already our comparisons are too technical, and we 

 must rest content with thus much allusion to a subject 

 which presupposes too much practical knowledge for 

 a popular volume. We may, nevertheless, urge that 

 amongst the lower order of plants there are coinci- 

 dences as striking as those instanced in flowering 

 plants. Whatever the interpretation may be, the 

 facts are worthy of remembrance, since we may here- 

 after, subject to a wider experience, suggest reasons 

 which would now be regarded as premature. 



In bringing this interesting subject to a conclusion 

 we may briefly allude to certain fancied resemblances 

 which are occasionally met with, reminding us strongly 

 of members of the animal kingdom. Certain fruits 

 and seeds are supposed to resemble beetles, bugs, &c, 

 and some flowers to mimic bees, flies, and butterflies. 

 In passing we have alluded to some of these, and 

 shall now rest content with reference to the snake 

 nut of Demerara. This fruit was discovered and 

 made known by Sir Robert Schomburgk in 1840. 1 

 " For several years past," he says, " nuts of the size 



1 "Annals of Natural History," 1840, vol., p. 202. 



