LCD DON LILIES 87 
That is to say, if we reduce, by the ordinary rules for simplify- 
ing fractions, the portions 
1 1 1 
2 ' 2 f i 2 H 1 
1 1 + 1 
1 
and so on, the resulting fractions will be the same as those 
given above. 
I have said that the above series of fractions represent the 
arrangements which exist in nature, and it is not usual to find 
any species departing from the arrangement which may be 
characteristic of it ; in other words, the phyllotaxis of any 
species is almost always constant to that species. The follow- 
ing are illustrations : — 
Iris, or flag. The glumes (chaff) of all grasses. Some orchids. 
3. Carex, or sedges. Leaves of several grasses. 
3. Oak, hawthorn. This is one of the commonest arrangements. 
|. Holly, white lily, greater plantain. A common arrangement amongst 
mosses. 
yj. Convolvulus tricolor. Many orchids. Male fern. 
./y. Scales of spruce fir-cone. Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata). 
Yucca. Some mosses. 
■VJ. Hoary plantain (Plantago media). 
As an example of exceptions to constancy, the young student 
will find the common laurel {Primus lauro-cerasus) instructive ; for 
when the branches grow out horizontally the leaves are in two 
opposite rows, i.e., distichous (^) ; but when the shoots are 
vertical the leaves on them will be |. This shows that the 
arrangements can vary to suit the requirements of the plant. 
The different arrangements of the ivy, when growing against a 
wall and shooting out freely above it, should also be noticed. 
G. Henslow. 
LODDON LILIES. 
N the left-hand side of the road leading down to the river 
is a steep bank divided from the pathway by a little, 
damp ditch. This bank being sheltered from the rough 
winds, and yet receiving a large share of sunshine, is 
adorned early in the season with luxuriant patches of common 
wayside weeds. One may gather a bunch of these wild blossoms 
here when the more exposed situations have scarcely a flower to 
offer. Therefore, I always come to the spot with expectations, 
and, providing the season is not unusually backward, I am seldom 
disappointed. Common though the flowers are, they well deserve 
notice and admiration. Though small, even insignificant in 
