376 THE BOTANICAL EXCHANGE CLUB OF THE BEITISH ISLES. 



as a proper species, and regarded in its whole geographical distribution, 

 may thus comprehend some not equivalent forms. Nevertheless, 

 in the majority of cases it shows a striking uniformity, and as sharp 

 limits as both of the presumptive parents. Provided that it has a 

 heterozygotic origin, we must not think that hybrid individuals arise 

 again and again. I rather think that the majority of the S. media 

 are not of to-day, but old specimens, bringing forth a numerous off- 

 spring by layers as long as they are devoid of seeds " Prof. Lindman 

 points out that the figure E.B. t. 2105, 1810, is the true S. saginoides 

 (L.), as is the plant labelled Spergella macrocarpa in Reichb. Ic. Fl. 

 Germ, et Helv. v., fig. 4963 b. The plant in f. 4962 labelled Spergella 

 saginoides, is, he says, S. media. Swartz (K. Vet. Ac. Handl. Stockh. 

 44t. if. 2, 1789) has correctly figured the Linnean species. It is also 

 given in Flora Danica ix., t. 1577, 1818. Presl, when he described 

 his S. Linnaei (Eel. Haenk. ii , i., 14, 1831), cites the English Botany 

 figure for his plant, and I may add the plate of L saxatilis in Syme 

 E.B. t. 249 is also this species, being the original E.B. drawing not 

 very wisely altered. 



A word may be added as to the use of the names Sagina media 

 B rugger and S. Normaniana Lagerheim. With all due deference to 

 Prof. Lindman, I would suggest that, assuming our plant to be a good 

 species, both names appear to be untenable according to the Actes, as 

 they were given to what was considered to be a hybrid plant, not a 

 species. As regards S. media Briigger, the only available specimen so 

 labelled by the author, is, as Thellung says, and as Lindman agrees, 

 not even the hybrid, but only a form of procumbe?is, so that media 

 should be rejected. 



Robert Brown collected this plant on Ben Lawers in August 

 1794, and he considered it to be a new species In the British 

 Museum Herbarium there are specimens labelled by him, " Nimis 

 affinis Saginae procumbenti, differt praecipue floribus quinquefidis, 

 decandris, pentagynis, capsulis longioribus, statura majore, pedunculis 

 longioribus et denique statione alpina." 



OBITUARIES. 



Henry Groves, born Oct. 15, 1855, died at Clapham, Nov. 2nd, 

 1912. Educated at Godalming Grammar School, where he acquired a 

 love for, and studied Botany and Natural History under the kind 



