80 
SCIENTIFIC GLEANINGS. 
others proving abortive. The spore is developed, in situ, feeding upon the pro-embryo, as upon a 
cotyledon, and forming the new Fern. Sections made through the apothecia of Lecanora at various 
stages of growth, show, at an early stage, a hollow sphere of delicate rounded cells (perithecium), sur¬ 
rounding a number of elongated filiform cells (paraphyses), arranged vertically in a rounded mass. 
Advancing a little farther in development, the cells of the perithecium above the centre of the mass of 
paraphyses have given way, and among the paraphyses a few flask-shaped, delicate cells (asci), are 
visible, closely resembling paraphyses distended, and filled with mucus or cytoblastema. Shortly the 
fluid contents become slightly granulated, and the granules eventually aggregate into cytoblasts. 
Round these cytoblasts, delicate rounded cells are formed, which take at length an ovoid form, and we 
may generally easily perceive within them two free nuclei. Round these nuclei two secondary cells 
are developed, which gradually increase in size, so as nearly to fill up the parent cell. They become 
filled with densely granular chlorophyll, and finally the two cells conjugate; that is to say, the walls 
of both cells give way, and the granular contents amalgamate, nearly filling up the parent cell. The 
result of this conjugation is a large compound granular cell. Watching its further progress, we observe 
the granules becoming more and more distinct and defined, till at length the mother-cell bursts, and 
the contained cellules escape; at the same time the ascus gives way, and the cellules are dispersed as 
spores, to originate new individuals. Mr. Thomson considers the conjugation of cells as being in all 
orders of plants the type of the generative act. 
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SCIENTIFIC GLEANINGS. 
IHIHE variegated-leaved variety of Hydrangea japonica is a novelty deserving of cultivation in collec- 
A tions of curious plants. It differs from the typical plant simply in the variegation, the leaves having 
an irregularly-defined white border. M. Van Houtte has recently published a very excellent figure 
of it, in the Flores des Serres. It is a vigorous plant, without the diseased appearance sometimes 
borne by variegated plants, and especially those in which the variegation is marginal. 
Potentilla striata formosissima is a beautiful new garden variety of a now favourite race of hardy 
border flowers, of which many seedlings, of a very ornamental character, are in cultivation. This 
was raised by M. Ch. Van Geert, of Anvers, from seed collected indiscriminately from atrosan'guinea , 
Appleby ana, Hopwoodiana, Menziesii , Russelliana, and insignis. Its parent is supposed to be insignis 
fertilized by Russelliana. The flowers are large, bold, yellow, much blotched, streaked and veined 
with crimson. It will be a very ornamental plant, and, of course, quite hardy. 
Captain Cook’s Araucaria (noticed under the name of A. Cookii at p. 13) has been figured in the 
Botanical Magazine, by Sir W. J. Hooker, under the name of A. columnaris, which name he has 
restored in accordance with the botanical law of priority, the “ specific ” name of columnaris having 
been that first applied to the plant. It was called Cupressus columnaris by Foster, from its column¬ 
like appearance. The tree is most nearly allied to A. excelsa; and, like it, will no doubt prove 
tender, though a very elegant plant. 
It is difficult to give a clear and well-defined idea of Beauty in horticulture. Lessing, Wathley, 
and others, have given definitions more or less ingenious; but beauty, considered as far as it is in 
relation with the art of gardening, does not always show that harmony in its parts which many 
theorists believe. Cast your eyes on this plant, whose stem is so frail and fruit so heavy,—on this 
Rose, whose buds bend down the feeble branch by which it is supported; is there any harmony of 
parts ? No ! And this leads us to acknowledge the fact that beauty can also exist without harmony 
of parts. Beauty exists in all kinds of form ; but, perhaps, most frequently in the round form. A 
straight line in a landscape may please the eye, but a curved line is always agreeable. Plantations of 
trees scattered over the mountains, descending to the valleys, and dispersed in varied masses, is more 
acceptable to our flew, as a forest, than a monotonous level wood.— La Belgique Horticole. 
