1905. 



NOTES. 



BOTANY. 



Chantransia Alarlse in Ireland. 



In the [ournal of Botany for November, Mr. J. Adams records the 

 discovery of Chanti ansia Alaria: at Portrush. This is a northern seaweed^ 

 which was described by Jonsson in 1901 from Icelandic specimens, and 

 has since been recorded from the P'aeroes. 



The Vitality of Seeds. 



In the November number of the Irish Naturalist Mr. Adams draws at- 

 tention to the fact that there is a great dearth of authentic observations 

 on the time during which seeds can retain their vitality. He also re- 

 cords the appearance of certain weeds in fields where loose soil has been 

 thrown up. The inference drawn from these facts is that the seeds of 

 the newcomers had remained for a long time buried deep in the soil, had 

 retained their vitality, and had germinated when brought up nearer the 

 surface. I cannot think that is the correct explanation, We know that 

 these annuals produce seeds in profusion, and no doubt very many of 

 these seeds are spread by winds, birds, and other agencies over the ad- 

 joining or neighbouring grounds. Pasture fields will be, more or less, 

 charged with them. They are there awaiting a chance to germinate and 

 spring up. This opportunity is afforded when the soil is disturbed, and 

 in this way we may account for the phenomenon. It is in fact an 

 immigration, not a resurrection. 



S. A. Stewart. 



Belfast. 



Glyceria festucaeformis at Portaferry. 



I found a few tufts of this grass in a new station last July, and Dr. 

 Rendle has kindly confirmed the naming. The locality is close to 

 Portaferry, a wet, rocky bit of shore at the north-western end, where it 

 grows with G. inaritima. I also saw it in larger quantity further round 

 the coast, at Mr. Praeger's original station at Marlpit Bay. After 

 seeing its habitat so low down on the shore, and considering its wide 

 distribution, I have little doubt it is not a casual, but native on our 

 coast. 



. ; C. H. Waddki.1.. 



Saintfield. 



