Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 151 



not attaining more than a tenth or twelfth of their usual size. Thus we 

 find here a number of plants, simulating the appearance of the inhabitants 

 of alpine regions — e. g., Aster Trijpolium, in full flower, from half an inch 

 to an inch and a half in height ; and equally stunted, not starved, forms 

 of Samolus Valerandi, Euphrasia q^cinalis, Jasione montana,Erythr(jea 

 Centaurium, Ranunculus Flammula, &c. The higher portions of the 

 cliffs are cushioned by continuous tufts of the common thrift, Armeria 

 maritima, which, when in full flower, must be exceedingly beautiful. 

 The lower grounds are carpeted by Anagallis tenella, Banunculus Flam- 

 mula, Hydrocotyle vulgaris^ &;c., whilst the hill sides are dotted with 

 generally solitary plants of Erythrcea Centaurium, the broad-leaved 

 variety ; the little ridges towards the sea are lined with Glaux mari- 

 tima, the drier spots being covered with Radiola Millegrana, &c. 

 The following is a list of all the plants which were seen in flower : — 

 Ranunculus Flammula, in great abundance in wet places, towards 

 the lower portion of the cliffs, in company with Anagallis tenella, Jun- 

 cus hufonius, &c. ; Silene mariiima, Spergularia rubra, var. marina ; 

 Radiola Millegrana, on little elevated ridges; Poly gala vulgaris, Po- 

 tentilla Tormentilla, P. anserina, Sedum anglicum, the great ornament 

 of exposed and bare rocks here and in many other parts of Ireland, 

 from the beauty of its flower and the rich decaying tints of its foliage ; 

 Aster TripoUum, many specimens in full flower, not an inch in height ; 

 Bellis perennis, Achillea Millefolium, Senecio Jacobcea, Carduus pra- 

 tensis,Leontodon autamnale, Calluna vulgaris, very sparingly ; E. Tetra- 

 lix, very sparingly ; Jasione montana, Campanula rotundifolia, Glaux 

 maritima, coating the seaward face of the high ridges ; Anagallis tenella, 

 everywhere in moist places ; Samolus Valerandi, Euphrasia ojicinalis, 

 rarely exceeding half an inch in height ; Erythrcea Centaurium, Thymus 

 Serpyllu7n, Armeria maritima cushioning the whole of the upper surface of 

 the cliffs; Plantago maritima, P. Coronopus, Juncus hufonius, Luzula 

 campestris, Carex fiava, Aira caryophyllea, withered; Melica coerulea, 

 very sparingly. The paucity of grasses was remarkable. 



III. Notice of the Discovery of Fucus distichus, L., at Duggerna, County 

 Clare, Ireland. By Professor Harvey. 



In a letter to Dr Greville, Professor Harvey says : — 

 *' In a summer excursion to Kilkee, last July, in company with N. B. 

 Ward, we found what I take to be the true Fucus distichus of Linnaeus. 

 I have no authentic specimen of the Arctic plant, nor have I seen one, 

 but the specimens exactly agree with the description of authors, as well 

 as with the figures, though none of the latter do this plant justice. I 

 enclose specimens for your herbarium. Unfortunately we were rather late 

 in the season, and the fruit had mostly dropped off, leaving truncated 

 branches. Some, however, were in fruit. I suppose it is in perfection 

 either in winter or spring, and I mean, if I can manage it, to visit the 

 station next Easter. 



" It grows on a remarkable rock facing the sea, near lovv water mark, 

 but rising much above low water level — that is to say, the rock is at the 

 outer edge of a long reef, but rises above the reef level. The fucus grows 

 iR patches on little ledges of the perpendicular side of the rock, along 

 with Gigartina mamillosa, &c. It has quite a peculiar aspect when 

 growing. The stipes or base of stem is thick and rigid, and stands erect, 

 while the fronds are just sufficiently limber to bend over, but not to lie 

 flat, so that the patch looks like a miniature grove of weeping willows." 



