52 
NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. 
ftatuol if) is to nr Botes. 
The Great Comet of 1882.—Notwithstanding the long period during 
which this fine comet remained visible, great discrepancies have been 
made by astronomers in the calculation of its orbit, the cause doubtless 
being the change in form and even the multiplication of the nucleus. The 
latest, and probably the most trustworthy calculations—by Dr. Morrison, 
of Washington,—assign to the comet a period of 751 years. It is 
therefore identical with the comet of whose appearance we have 
records in 370 b.c., and again in 1131 a.d. As at one time certain 
astronomers were inclined to believe the comet of 1882 the same as 
that of 1880 and 1843, and therefore to predict its early return and 
possible rush into the sun, it may be some comfort to them to know 
that it is not again “ due ” till the year 2633. 
In the Journal of Botany for January are several articles of 
special interest to British botanists. Messrs. Henry and James Groves 
give their notes on British Characeae for 1883, in which new records are 
given for many of our British species. A new variety-of G. fragilis, Desv., 
var. Sturrockii, var.nov., is described, the special characters being “stem 
2 to 3ft. high, very imperfectly triplostichous, spine cells tubercular, 
branclilets 1 to 3in. long, with all the segments ecorticate, bract cells 
whorled.” A new species, G. Braunii , Gmelin, is also described, and 
figured. “ Stem moderately stout, much branched, without spine cells, 
whorls usually of 8 to 11 straight or slightly incurved branchlets; 
stipulodes in a single circle, alternating with the branchlets; branch- 
lets of 4 to 5 segments, the ultimate very short, scarcely exceeding 
the bract-cells; bract-cells at the fruiting nodes, 5 to 7, usually 
shorter than the nucules, nucules single or in pairs, ovate, 10 to 11 
striate. Coronula short, slightly spreading, nucleus black.” Cham 
Braunii was discovered by Mr. Charles Bailey, near Reddish, South 
Lancashire, in September last, in a canal in which the water is raised 
to an abnormal temperature by the hot water from the adjacent 
mills. TolypeUa prolifera, Leonb., has been found in Lincolnshire by 
Mr. W. H. Beeby ; not previously found in England since Borrer’s time. 
Mr. J. G. Baker, F.R.S., contributes a valuable and interesting paper 
“ On the Upland Botany of Derbyshire,” in which is an account of 
the various elevations in that county, and a full list of the plants 
observed, ascending 200 yards and upwards. Over 370 plants are 
recorded, with the highest elevations in yards at which they were 
found. Mr. W. H. Beeby gives notes “On the Flora of South 
Lincolnshire,” in which about 300 species are noticed. Of these, 
26 are unrecorded for South Lincolnshire in “ Topographical Botany,” 
ed. ii. In the short notes, Mr. Frederick Townsend gives a note on 
“ Proterogyny in Erythrcea capitate r, Willd,” and Mr. Arthur Bennett, 
F.L.S., announces the discovery in England of Carex Liyerica, Gay.— 
J. E. B. 
