NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. . 229 
whether this was owing to the great number of confervae which 
were attached to them I cannot say, but, one circumstance I noticed 
was, that a specimen brought home in a bottle continued to grow 
for a time) but latterly vanished, while some of the confervae, which 
could not be disengaged from the plant when collected, continued 
to grow with increasing vigour till the whole space was filled. 
When the water was examined about this time, a number of animal- 
cules were seen disporting themselves, and appeared as if feeding 
on the algae; whether that was the case or not, the quantity of 
confervae began to show signs of diminution, and continued to do so 
till scarcely a fragment remained; but the animalcules increased in 
numbers and now have usurped the place formerly held by the two 
vegetable organisms. May we call this a practical example of 
evolution? I have not been able to make out the species, the plants 
not being in very good condition—could they have been specimens 
of Utricularia minor? Besides the above-named station, I also 
noticed some plants of the same genus in a pool by the side of the 
road between Aranagour and Acha, but they seemed to be different 
from the last-mentioned, having the utricles on separate branches, 
while the latter had them on the leaves. They seem therefore to 
partake more of the character of Utricularia intermedia, but, mean- 
while, not having sufficient knowledge of the genus to enable me to 
determine their species without the aid of the flowers, I leave them 
without particularizing the species till I know more about them. 
Anagallis tenella was common by ditch sides, &e. Alisma ranun- 
culoides was also of frequent occurrence. Another plant, some- 
what rare in Scotland, which I found in the small loch behind 
the overseer’s new house, was Cladiwm mariscus. Hooker 
says of this plant:—“found in Sutherland, Wigtown, Berwick, 
only, in Scotland,” but its number (35), in the London Catalogue, 
would indicate a wider range in the other divisions of the British 
Islands. Its long-pointed, rigid, and saw-edged leaves, form a very 
good distinctive character. Koeleria cristata was common in many 
places. 
The next plant to which I wish to draw your attention I 
was rather surprised to find on the island, though that might be 
accounted for because of my imperfect knowledge. I refer 
to Sclerochloa loliacea. Hooker speaks of its distribution 
“from Fife southwards, and in Ireland,” thus indicating that, so far 
as Great Britain is concerned, it is decidedly an east country plant. 
