212 
THE JOUltNAL OF BOTANY 
hypothesis the probability of the occurrence of the quincuncial, 
apotactous, and paratactous phases would be y 5 g- (31*25 per cent.) each, 
and that of the convolute phase y 1 ^ (6*25 per cent.). The approxi¬ 
mation to these percentages observable in each separate set of flowers 
examined seems to indicate that the direction of overlap is mainly, if 
not entirely, a matter of chance. On the whole, a slight excess of 
quincuncial corollas is observable in both species, and a corresponding 
deficiency of apotactous corollas. This irregularity might disappear 
on counting larger numbers. 
Conclusions. 
1. The method of aestivation of the petals in Ranunculus bulbosus 
and R. acer is apparently fortuitous. 
2. This indicates that the petals are arranged cyclically, not 
in a i spiral—otherwise the quincuncial arrangement would be much 
more frequent. According to Payer (Organogenie, 255, t. 57 ; 1857) 
the primordia of the petals arise simultaneously. 
3. The sepals are, on the other hand, normally arranged in a t 
spiral (quincuncially). Payer (/. c .) states that their primordia arise 
successively. 
4. The difference in arrangement of the sepals and petals 
respectively lends support to the view that the sepals and petals in 
Ranunculus may have had a different origin, the former having 
possibly been derived from bracts and the latter from stamens. 
MYOSOT1S SICULA Gussone IN JERSEY. 
By A. J. Wilmott, B.A., F.L.S. 
While in Jersey last year, Mr. Francis Druce and I found two 
unusual forms of Myosotis growing together at the east end of 
St. Brelade’s Bay on the fixed dune between the strand and the pond. 
One proved to be the white-flowered form of M. versicolor mentioned 
in the Flora of Jersey as the var. pallida of Brebisson ; the other 
proved to be that very local species M. sicula , exactly matching 
specimens from the Loire Inferieure (Nantes). 
M. sicula has the appressed hairs and extremely short style of 
M. ccespitosa, but differs in being (? always) annual, with a bright 
green usually almost glabrous shoot whose branches are peculiarly 
divaricate and flexuous, leaves oblong linear obtuse, pedicels about 
equalling the conico-cylindric fruiting calyx, teeth rather obtuse sub- 
connivent slightly appressed-hairy, corolla minute, limb typically 
concave, nutlets narrowly ovoid, slightly more than half the length 
and less than half the breadth of those of M. ccespitosa . The Jersey 
specimens are short, only 5-10 cm. 
The distribution of the species is wide, but the known localities 
few. Those which I have so far traced are:— 
France : Loire inf. (Nantes ! Ancenis !) ; Maine et Loire (Angers); 
Hautes Alpes (Marais de Chateauroux !). 
Portugal’. “ Beira transm. e mend.” (Coutinho FI. Port. 397: 
1913). 
