154 Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 



identity of the three common Primula, I consider that no argument 

 can be derived from their keeping distinct, in nature or under cul- 

 ture. It is purely a physiological question, whether all of them may 

 not originate from the seeds of any one, — a question which can only 

 be decided by direct experiment. Let a cowslip be highly manured, 

 and its seeds sown in a shady, moist aspect, and I suspect the 

 chances are in favour of some of them coming up as primrose-, or, 

 at least, as oxlips. I have had several independent testimonies to 

 the fact of cowslip roots changing to primroses ; and until proof, by 

 direct experiment, contradict the experiments of Mr. Herbert and 

 myself, I cannot help believing that the three species (as they are 

 thought) and the polyanthus are merely races of one species." 



4. On certain Fungi found near Audley End, Essex, &c., by the 

 Rev. J. E. Leefe. 



5. Notice of additions to the Flora of Aberdeen, by Mr. George 

 Dickie, Lecturer on Botany, King's College, Aberdeen. — These 

 papers, though important to the Society, do not present so much of 

 interest for the general reader. 



6. On the varieties of Dry as octopetala, by Mr. C. C. Babington, 

 M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c. — The characters distinguishing these are 

 the proportional length and form of the sepals, the form of the base of 

 the calyx, the form of the leaves, and the pubescence of the petioles. 

 Two of these varieties are apparently confined to Ireland, where 

 Mr. Mackay first noticed the differences existing among plants of 

 this species, and the third is commonly found in alpine situations in 

 England, Scotland, and on the continent of Europe. The latter 

 being the best known form, may be considered as the type of the 

 species, and in it the sepals are acute, and three or four times as long 

 as broad, the base of the calyx being hemispherical ; in /3. the calyx 

 is very nearly the same, being only less acute ; but in y. the sepals 

 are scarcely twice as long as broad, and very blunt, and the base of 

 the calyx is truncated in a very remarkable manner. 



This Society held its fifth meeting for the session on Thursday 

 evening, the 10th March, Professor Christison in the Chair. 



The following gentlemen were elected as Non-resident Fellows : — 

 William Borrer, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c, Sussex ; Rev. W. Lewes 

 Pugh Garnons, B.D., F.L.S., Cambridge; Richard Taylor, Esq., 

 Under-Secretary L.S., F.A.S., F.G.S., &c„ London ; Augustus P. 

 Hamilton, Esq., M.D., Poole, Dorsetshire ; and William Mort, Esq., 

 Manchester. 



Numerous donations to the Library and Herbarium were reported 

 from different parts of Britain and the continent. 

 The following papers, &c., were read : — 



On four new species of British Jungermannice, by Dr. Taylor, 

 Dunkerron. Communicated by Mr. Wm. Gourlie, jun., Glasgow. 

 — Mr. Gourlie read the descriptions of the species, and illustrated 

 them by beautifully preserved specimens. Some of these were so 

 minute as to require microscopic aid for their examination, a circum- 

 stance which enhances the merit of their discovery by Mr. Wilson 

 and Dr. Taylor, who have laboured with so much zeal and success 

 in the field of Cryptogamic botany. 



