based 07i the Principle of Cephalization. 



273 



We pass now to Plants. The plant, in contrast with the fore- 

 and-aft animal, is an up-and-down structure, having up-and-down 

 polarity. The axis is vertical like the dorso-ventral in the lower 

 animals, to which it is strictly analogous, as is shown from a 

 comparison with Radiates, — Radiates and Plants being alike in 

 type of structure. The primary centre of force is central, in the 

 same sense, in the regular flower and the symmetrical Radiate. 



Thus, the structures under the animal-type and plant-type are 

 based on two distinct axial directions, one at right angles to the 

 other : in the animal-type the antero-posterior axis being the 

 dominant one, while the two co-exist ; and in the plant-type the 

 axis at right angles to this being the only one. 



In the above way (as well as in its non-percipient nature), the 

 plant exhibits complete decephalization — a condition to which the 

 Radiate only approximates, as it has generally, if not always, an 

 anterior and posterior side, besides other animal characteristics. 



Synopsis of Canadian Ferns and Filicoid Plants. By 

 Geoege Lawson, Ph.D., LL.D., Professor of Chemistry 

 and Natural History iu Dalhousie College, Halifax, Nova 

 Scotia. 



{Continued from the January Niimher.) 



SCOLOPENDRIUM. 



S. vulgare, Smith. — Fronds (in tufts) strap-shaped, with a cordate base, 

 undivided, margin entire, stipe scaly. Scolopendrium vulgare, J. E. 

 Smith, Bab., J. Sm., Moore, &c. >S'. ojicinarum, Swartz, Schkr., Gray 

 Man., p. 593 ; Torr. Fl. N. Y. ii. p. 490. S. Phyllitis, Roth. S. offici- 

 nale, DC. S. Lingua, Cavanilles. Asplenium Scolopendrium, Linn. 

 Sp. Plantarum, &c. A. clongatum, Salisb. Blechnum linguifolium, 

 Stokes. Phyllitis Scolopendrium, Newman. — Owen Sound, Georgian 

 Bay, Lake Huron, on soft springy ground, amongst large stones, growing 

 in tufts, abundant, 1861, Robert Bell, junior, C.E. This interesting ad- 

 dition to our list of Canadian ferns has been collected in the same place by 

 the Rev. Prof, William Hincks, F.L.S. Mr Bell's specimens agree, in 

 every respect, with the typical European form of the species, which is ex- 

 ceedingly variable. Only one station was previously known for this fern 

 in all North America, viz., limestone rocks along Chittenango Creek, near 

 the Falls, respecting which Professor Torrey observed : — " This fern is 

 undoubtedly indigenous in the locality here given, which is the only 

 place where it has hitherto been found in North America." It was first 

 detected by Pursh, who found it in shady woods, among loose rocks in 

 the western parts of New A^ork, near Onondago, on the plantations of 

 J. Geddis, Esq. This species (he said) I have seen in no other place 

 but that here mentioned, neither have I had any information of its having 



