of distinction in the plants contained in Maho- 
nia is their pinnate leaves; those species retained 
as true Barberries having undivided leaves, like 
the common English shrub, published under No. 
383 . 
In our article on the Berberis vulgaris we noticed 
the irritability of its stamens, a circumstance now 
pretty generally known; some further particulars 
of this physiological fact may not, however, be un- 
interesting to many of our readers. It should be 
noticed, that although the stamen exhibits a high 
degree of irritability when touched on that side of 
its base next to the germ, the same phenomenon 
does not occur when it is touched on the outside of 
the filament, nor does the anther possess irritability. 
It is further noticed by G. Don, in his General Sys- 
tem of Botany, that “If the stamen be bent to 
the stigma by means of a pair of scissors applied 
to the anther, no contraction of the filament is |)ro- 
duced. From all this, it is evident, that the spring 
of the stamens is owing to a high degree of irritabi- 
lity in the side of the filament next the germ, by 
which, when touched, it contracts, that side becomes 
shorter than the other, and consequently the fila- 
ment is bent towards the germ. This irritability is 
perceptible in flowers of all ages. If the germ is 
cut olf the filaments will still contract; and nothing 
being in their way, will bend over quite to the o})- 
posite side of the flower.” 
The Berberis empetrifolia grows freely in sandy 
peat, and may be increased by laying the young 
shoots. These will make roots, so as to admit of 
separation in about twelve months. 
Don’s Syst. Bot. v. 1, 117. 
