PROSPECTUS.

In undertaking the ANNALS OF Natura. History, the

Editors are desirous of making them not merely a vehicle for

original communications pertaining to the entire subject of

Natural History, but a means of enabling their readers to keep

pace with the progress of the science in every stage of its ad-

vancement. .

Memoirs on Descriptive Zoology ; Monographs ; charac-

ters of new Genera and Species; notices of the habits, in-

stinctive faculties, and geographical range of animals already

known ;—as also Zootomical communications, in so far as they

serve to correct or confirm the systematical station of species

or entire groups, will occupy a due share of this Journal.

With regard to the Vegetable Kingdom, besides the space

which will be devoted to Monographs and to Descriptive Bo-

tany, attention will also be given to Vegetable Physiology and

Phytotomy. To all Naturalists, even to those who do not

make Botany their peculiar study, these subjects must be in-

teresting, and indeed indispensable for the acquirement of a

general proficiency in Natural History. A portion of our

pages, therefore, will be especially devoted to them, as well

as to all that pertaing to the accurate characters of Families,

their geographical ‘range, their uses in the arts, and in medi-

cine.

The investigation of Fossil Organic Remains stands in such

intimate connection with Zoology and Botany, that the claim

of this subject to a place in this Journal can hardly be ques-

tioned. Due attention will therefore be given to those de-

partments of descriptive Geology that come within the pro-

vince of Natural History.

Biographical sketches of illustrious Naturalists, and those

who have travelled for the sake of advancing science, will be

occasionally introduced ; and the Editors also hope to be en-

abled to furnish the reader with matter of popular and gene-

ral interest supplied by the correspondence of Naturalists

who are engaged in voyages of discovery.

Reviews of new works, and Notices of the most important

British and Foreign Publications connected with any of these

subjects, will be regularly brought before our readers.

From the Foreign sources of Intelligence, which in Natural

History are abundant and valuable, such a selection will be

made as may give early and copious information of the labours

and discoveries of the Naturalists of other countries.

The kind assurances of co-operation which the Editors have

received from eminent Naturalists, both in this country and

abroad, warrant them in already entertaining a confident hope

that this Periodical will prove in no degree inferior in inter-

est and utility to those of the highest reputation on the

Continent; and they rely on the favourable disposition of

those to whom such a work may seem desirable for the sup-

port and encouragement requisite for its success.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I. }

NUMBER I.

I. On a new Oscillatoria, the colouring substance of Glaslough Lake

Ireland. By James L. Drummonp, M.D., Professor of Anatomy in

the Royal Belfast Institution ............ pends Ske toges Lacan ead sect edenes page 1

II. Some Remarks on the Germination of Limnanthemum lacunosum.

By Dr. Griespacu. (With a: Plate.) .....ccccecscccesccesensosscessesscencnces 6

_ III. Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. By Wittram

Tuompson, Esq.,° Vice-President of the Belfast Natural History Society 12

- IV. On'some new Species of Quadrupeds and Shells. By Joun Ep-

WARD IMI Tl Rees” Cann cies (elscpestacbatanpeeetonace Be Re et gt RA 27

V. Prodromus of a Monograph of the Radiata and Echinodermata.

By Lovuts AGasstz, M:D. 2... :.c.ccccccccsscccccscosscccsesececcscssscvevescoees 30

- VI. Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorcz Jounston, M.D., Fellow

of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. (With Plates.) ...... 44

VII. Information respecting Botanical Travellers ........cc.seeeeseeee 56

New Books:—Poissons d’Eau douce d’Europe, par Louis Agassiz,

M.D. ; Das System der Pilze, von Dr. F. Nees von Esenbeck und

A. Henry; Plantes Cryptogames de France, par M. I. Desma-

ziéres; Magasin de Zoologie, par F. E. Guerin-Meneville ... 69, 70

Proceedings of the Linnean Society ; Zoological Society; Royal So-

ciety of Edinburgh ; Entomological Society ; Botanical Society. 71—78

On a new Trilobite (Calymene Rowit) ; Fossil 4rgonauta; Generation

of Pteroptus vespertilionis......+++ Rocatayoctewact ne heoth Sede ka bas v0 79, 80

NUMBER II.

VIII. On the Fructification of the Pileate and Clavate Tribes of

Hymenomycetous Fungi: By the Rev. M. J. Berxerey, M.A., F.L.S.

CORRUR MCR a bash aa stE as be Setese es dhe tSSaceecosps ese pedabadeersenesssophscre 81

IX. Notices accompanying a Collection of Quadrupeds and Fish

from Van Diemen’s Land. By Ronatp Gunn, Esq. With Notes and

Descriptions of the New Species. By J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S., &c.... 101

X. On the existence of Spiral Vessels in the Roots of Dicotyledonous

Plants. By the Rev. J. B. Reape, M.A., F.R.S. ..........sssseeeeeeseeeeee 111

» XI. Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorce Jounston, M.D., Fellow

of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. (With Plates.) ...... 114

XII. On the Genus Jorreya. By G. A. W. Arnott, Esq., LL.D. 126

XIII. On the Genus Procyon, with a Description of two new Spe-

cies. By Prof. F. A. WIEGMANN. (Extract.) sseccccseeseereeees db vevetccey 132

XIV. On two new Genera of Californian Plants. By Tuomas Nut-

ALU, PaBQ. ciicnnsvecsseradsevenvencsscehnsvecsccessesagevepeensenduaceevadences we. 136

XV. Information respecting Botanical Travellers .............sessee0 139

New Books :—Molluscous Animals, including Shell-fish, by J. Fleming,

D.D.; Animals in Menageries, by W. Swainson, Esq., F.R.S. ;

The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, conducted by Prof.

JAMEBON. .escecssccessovesers Pisigscncddsonnsecacddeebenacisdvonressdes 147—149

Proceedings of the Linnean Society ; Geological Society ; Botanical

Society of London .........csesesesseseeesscecscevecsseaeees eseseseee LOZ—155

Notes on Irish Birds ; Fossil Salamander and Coprolite; Habits of the

Blue Titmouse (Parus ceruleus); Zoological Garden in Edin-

burgh; Tweedside Physical and Antiquarian Society ; Meteorolo-

gical Observations for 1837 ...... bod nedsecovectdcscusuctsdessetess 156—160

v1 CONTENTS.

NUMBER III.

XVI. Observations on the Coregoni of Loch-Lomond. By Ricuarp

Paanei., M.D., FR. CWith a Plate.) ....5...cccssssstsuneeeiess page 161

XVII. An account of a J ourney to, and a Residence of nearly Six

Months in, the Organ Mountains, with Remarks on their Vegetation.

By Greorce Garpner, Esq. ...... sae boneeheneations veensceccecsovececeees eeeee 165

XVIII. Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. ‘By W.

Tuompson, Esq., Vice-President to the Belfast Natural History Society 181

XIX. On a new English Species of Urtica. By Cuarues C. Ba-

PUMP Ps Bey Eo: bistheg CS > sod ncdccsddcsegtaahbeensduechh doveteannevester’ cose! 195

XX. Notices of British Fungi. By the Rev. M. J. Berkeey, M. A.,

Be Aocaie oC tla CO F1Stes.)> woes incéeseisviacnonssnessdasted slivesns bisnmh axes 198

XXI. Ona new Species of Epilobium. By W.H. Waite ......... 208

XXII. Flore Insularum Nove Zelandiz Precursor; or a Specimen

of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By Attan Cunninc-

HAM, Esq. .ssccccseccsecasseses Seevececcceseese Covcceccccteccvssesccccoveboos eevee 210

XXIII. Observations upon some recent Communications of J. E.

Gray, Esq., to the Annals of Natural History, with Descriptions of

two new Kangaroos from Van Diemen’s Land. By W. Ocizsy, Esq.,

DAB, Fo Lastons- 2 dssag GCs “daca vicenbleossneih diva in eee Coccemeneeccesscosevesonss . 216

XXIV. Information respecting Botanical Travellers ....... tevccvseees 221

New Books :—A History of British Reptiles, by Thomas Bell, Prof.

Zool. in King’s College, London; The Birds of Australia and the

adjacent Islands, by John Gould, F.L.S. ......eseeeeseseeeees 222, 223

Proceedings of the Zoological Society ; Botanical Society of Edinburgh ;

Linnzan Society ; Royal Academy of Berlin ............... eos 225—236

New British Zoophyte; Speaking Canary-bird; Larus minutus; Syn-

gnathus equoreus ; Petromyzon Planeri; Meteorol ogical Table 238—240

NUMBER IV.

XXV. On the Snowy Owl (Surnia nyctea). By Witttam Tuomp-

BON, IGE. ..cccsccveacvocesisse ce cehecwenspelisnasuWeseneee dasa Dae eeccccesccesessens 241

XXVI. The Natural History of the British Entomostraca. By

WiiuiaM Barrp, Esq. (With a Plate.) ....cccsscccccsssceceessces ndeese osivee 245

XXVII. Notices of British itil By the Rev. M. J. Berxetey.

(With a Plate.)...... ine toma onsedaiined nash anghhestnntaii can = shasnal’ Sansdgta nates 257

XXVIII. Remarks on the Ant Tree of Guiana (Triplaris Ameri-

cana). By RoBert ScHOMBURGK, Esq....cscesessccssecetsecscecess atevageess 264

X XIX. On the Root of the Madder. By M. Decatsne...... henroaiad 267

XXX. A Catalogue of the Slender-tongued Saurians, with Descrip-

tions of many new Genera and Species. By J. E. Gray, Esq. ......... 274

XXXI. Characters of nine new Species of Glumacee. By Dr, C.

G. Ness v. Esensecx ; communicated by Dr. LinDLey ....-..........00+ 283

XXXII. An Attempt to ascertain the Fauna of re cag and

North Wales. By T. C.. Ey roity Taq. | scswssssctnenconpacanstascsahonsevos cue 285

XXXIII. Remarks respecting Phalangista Cookii. “By J.E. Gray,

EAU. sinhwespncve vagestecdscdelecries ope bount side calaunerbadrsans pieekarcar cay she nies 293

XXXIV. Prodromus of a Monograph of the Radiata and Echino-

dermata. By Louis Acassiz, M.D. .......cceeeees censncaeMbn ure tieayenies 297

XXXV. Descriptions of British Chalcidites. By F. Wauxer, Esq. ... 307

XXXVI. Description of a new Species of Tetrapturus from the

Cape of Good Hope. By J. E. Gray, Esq. (With a Plate.) ...,........ 313

New Books :—The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, super-

intended by Charles Darwin, Esq., F.G.S. Part I. No. 1. Fossil

Mammalia, by Richard Owen, Esq., F.R.S.; A Geographical

and Comparative List of the Birds of Europe and North Ame-

CONTENTS. Vii

rica, by Charles Lucian Bonaparte, Prince of Musignano; Mala-

cologia Monensis, a Catalogue of the Mollusca inhabiting the

Isle of Man, by E. Forbes, Esq.; Wiegmann’s Archiv der Natur-

geschichte Coe reeereereeer® Oe sete serererereses OOO e ee ereseeessone page 314—321

Proceedings of the Zoological Society ; Linnzean Society; Royal So-

ciety of Edinburgh ; Royal Academy of Berlin ......... odds <2 322—332

Fungi of India; Zrachypterus Vogmanus; Otis tarda; Zoology of

Java—Two species of Echidna; Meteorological Table ...... 334—336

NUMBER V.

XXX VII.—Florula Keelingensis. An Account of the Native Plants

of the Keeling Islands. By the Rev. Prof. J. S. Henstow............00. 337

XXXVIII. On Fishes new to Ireland. By W. Tsompson, Esq. ... 348

XXXIX. Onthe Rhizophoree. By G. A. Warxer Arnott, Esq. 359

XL. On Habenaria bifola and chlorantha. By Cuar.zs C, Ba-

BINGTON, Esq. ...... weesccoes coessacee casinvoe pe ncbancabdsnenehins si pes dahscccdtys 374

XLI. Flore Insularum Nove Zelandiz Precursor; or a Specimen

of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By Atian Cunnine-

HAM, EESQ...sccccscccccstcrsvccscecvcnce cones SNe Ra asian CE akan tie cvibans pedacess os. O16

XLII. Descriptions of British Chalcidites. By F. Wauxer, Esq..., 381

XLIII. A Catalogue of the Slender-tongued Saurians, with Descrip-—

tions of many new Genera and Species. By J. E. Gray, Esq......... . 388

XLIV. Illustrations of Indian Botany. By Drs. Wicur and Ar-

NOT T cecccccccscccsceescvcccsccctetcccece evacesevecce Coe crcvececsensevecccece ebbecsebe 395

New Books :—I\chthyologiske Bidrag til den Grénlandske Fauna, by

Prof. J. Rheinhardt, Part I.; Ordnance Survey of Ireland, by

Colonel Colby, R.E. Superintendent, vol. i. ; The Edinburgh New

Philosophical Journal, conducted by Prof. Jameson; A History

of the British Zoophytes, by George Johnston, M.D. ...... 395—400

Proceedings of the Zoological Society; Botanical Society of Edinburgh ;

Royal Asiatic Society ; Linnzean Society............ lagkavecsesas 401—409

Description of the new Genus Holopus, by M. D. Orpiany ; the Gi-

gantic Japanese Salamander ; Zootoca vivipara; Description of a

new Species of Voluta; Gigantic Echinus Spine ; Curtis’s British

Entomology ; Obituary; Meteorological Observations ; Meteor-

ological Table.........++. Pe adele AER Bee le ip hebieeeeeked AE EIS, 412—416

NUMBER VI.

XLV.—Further remarks on the British Shrews, including the distin-

guishing Characters of two Species previously confounded. By the

Rev. Leonarp Jenyns, M.A,, F.L.S., &......cccccceseecceces PEERS OB APE EE: - 417

XLVI. On the “ Jatun condenado” (Lycopodium catharticum), an

efficacious remedy for the Leprosy among the Indians of Columbia. By

Sir Wu. J. Hooker. (With a Plate.)............ccesscesesees Seeseccccseesscese 428

XLVII. Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorce Jouyxston, M.D.,

Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. (With a Plate.) 431

XLVIII. On the Erythrea diffusa, Woods (Gentiana scilloides,

Linn. fil.). By Sir W.J. Hooker. (With some remarks on the Genus,

By Dr. Griespacn.) (With a Plate.) ...cccecccssceesceeceeees AST kabdica ee 437

XLIX. Prodromus of a Monograph of the Radiata and Echinoder-

-mata. By Louis Acassiz, M.D. .........+.. meee ncensssede eeeececsascnesonte 440

L. Descriptions of British Chalcidites. By Francis Watker, F.L.S. 449

LI. Flore Insularum Nove Zelandie Precursor; or a Specimen

of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By Atitan Cunnincuay,

PO ci dink soddonisadensesves Secivacvenaneccens eas svapnbenesnndereccdanvesecs Seevneee’ 455

LIL. Information respecting Botanical Travellers ...........0005 neesee 463

Vill CONTENTS.

New Books :—A Monograph on the Anatide or Duck Tribe, by T. C.

Eyton, Esq., F.L.S., F.Z.S, ; The Bee-Keeper’s Manual, by Henry

Taylor; Monograph of the Genus Cinothera; British Flora;

Linnea, ein Journal fiir die Botanik, &...........s00e0008 page 473—477

Proceedings of the Royal Society ; Linnzan Society ; Botanical Society

OF LONGOD) os iaecacblecgive ssi ca deceet hake epunenteeneee meee seoveseee 477—481

Trigonia of Van Diemen’s Land; the Sexes of Limpets; Meteorolo-

gical Observations; Meteorological ‘Table ...........0..seceees 481—484

PLATES.

Puate I. Germination of Limnanthemum lacunosum.

II. ILI. Scottish Mollusca.

IV. V. Fructification of Hymenomycetous Fungi.

VI. Coregoni of Loch Lomond.

VII. VIII. British Fungi.

IX. British Entomostraca.

X. Tetrapturus Herschelii.

XI. Stenotaphrum lepturoide.

XII. Urera Gaudichaudiana.

XIII. Solanum giganteum.

-_ XIV. Lycopodium catharticum.

XV. Entozoa.

XVI. Erythreea diffusa.

ERRATA,

Page 56, line 20, for Luyon, read Luzon.

— 62,6 lines from bottom, for Mutisa, read Mutisia.

63, first line, for Cartilleja, read Castilleja.

63, line 11, for Schomburgh, read Schomburgk.

66, line 3 of note, for Paraua read Parana.

74, line 18, for Coregonus Marenula, Jard., read C. Willoughbigii, Jard.

75, line 7, for Dr. Pownell, read Dr. Parnell.

82, line 9 and 10, omit though it is quite clear that his observations,

as far as they go, are substantially the same as my own.

96, line 12, for fruit-bearing hairs, read branchlets.

152, line 13, for Cadnabranchia, read Caducibranchia.

182, line 9 from bottom, for king, read ring.

184, line 19 from top, for hunting, read haunting.

186, line 2 of note, instead of for, read from.

186, line 10 of note, and at p. 188 and 192, for Rutly read Rutty.

19], line 14, after Esq. read of Dublin.

195, line 15, for hairs, read haws.

238, line 24, for thorny, read horny.

414, line 9, for spine, read spire.

eee bare tact

hat

ata

ANNALS

NATURAL HISTORY.

‘

I.—On a new Oscillatoria, the colouring substance of Glas-

lough Lake, Ireland. By James L. Drummonp, M.D.,

Professor of Anatomy in the Royal Belfast Institution, &c.

Havine in the month of June last paid a visit to a friend

resident at Glaslough, im the county of Monaghan, I embraced

the opportunity of inquiring into the origin of the name of

that place. It is a small town built on the borders of a lake,

which occupies an area of about one hundred acres in extent,

and from it the town has its name. Glas-lough signifies in

the Irish language “ the green lake,” an appellation given to

it from time immemorial, on account of the hue of its waters,

which exhibit a green tinge equal to, or exceeding in intensity,

that of the sea, though it is not at all times equally striking.

The opposite banks of the lake, which are high but not

rocky, are thickly clothed with a wood of noble trees, and on

my first seeing this beautiful sheet of water I was inclined to

suspect that its green colour might arise simply from the re-

flexion of the rich foliage on its surface. On further inquiry,

however, I ascertained that the colour resided in the water it-

self, and was owing to what I believe is an undescribed Os-

cillatoria.

When a little of the water is lifted in the hand it seems per-

fectly transparent, and it appears equally clear at the edges of

the lake, in a depth of not more than a few inches, and there

the pebbles at the bottom show perfectly distinct, without any

intermediate cloud to obscure them. But at a depth of two

feet the bottom is undistinguishable, and the water presents

‘a sort of feculent opacity, accompanied with a dull, dirty, green-

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.1. No. 1. March 1838. B

2 Mr. J. L. Drummond on a new Oscillatoria.

ish hue. On lifting some of this in a glass, it seems at first

sight quite transparent, but on holding it up to the light, in-

numerable minute flocculi are seen floating through every

part of it, and producing a mottled cloudiness throughout the

whole.

On examining these under the microscope their nature was

at once obvious ; they consisted of excessively fine simple fi-

brill belonging to some species of Oscillatoria. On inquiry

among my friends at Glaslough, I found that several theories

were entertained respecting the green tinge of the lake, very

wide of its true cause: according to one surmise it was owing

to some mineral impregnation, probably of a copper mine at

the bottom of the water; and another, equally unfounded, at-

tributed it to the drainings of a tan-yard running from the

town.

At first I could only find the plant diffused through the

water, as above mentioned; but at length I discovered a wet

ditch extending from the lake into an adjoining field, and there

it appeared swimming on the surface in large masses several

inches in thickness, and above a foot and a half in length.

These seemed evidently to be produced by an agglomeration

of the filaments floated in from the lake, matted together at

the surface and increased in growth. ‘The masses thus formed

had a considerable degree of toughness, and were so slippery

that they could not be lifted out on the point of a stick. The

surface of these masses where dried by the contact of the air

was of a bright blueish verdigris hue, while the parts immersed

in the water were of a dull opake green.

That these masses were formed by an aggregation of fila-

ments which had previously floated through the lake, but now

being freed from the agitation of the waves were allowed to

congregate in the motionless water, I would infer from the

tendency they show, when undisturbed, to ascend to the sur-

face. This tendency I ascertained, not from any experiment

of my own, but from the fact, familiar to every inhabitant of

Glaslough, that when the water of the lake (which is much

used for washing and other domestic purposes) has stood at

rest in a vessel for a night or two, a green scum spreads over

its surface, which it is usual to remove before use, either by

Mr. J. L. Drummond on a new Oscillatoria. 3

skimming as cream is skimmed off milk, or by straining the

water through a fine cloth.

Masses similar to those I found in the ditch are often seen

floating at the sides of the lake, or cast ashore in large quan-

tities; but I could not ascertain with precision from the ac-

counts I received, whether this took place especially at some

seasons, or whether at all times after a continuance of calm

weather. I am disposed to conjecture that the latter is the

case; but on this head I could determine little from my own

‘observation, as during the greater part of my visit the weather

was wet and blustery, and calms of very short duration. . The

lake too was said to exhibit much less of the green tinge than

is often observable. That the agglutinated masses alluded to

are much more copious in the lake at some times than at

others, is illustrated by a remark used by the imhabitants of

its neighbourhood on their appearance, viz. that “ the lake is

purging itself.”

In the hope of detecting the stratum, if indeed there be any

such, from which the floating filaments in the lake might have

their origin, I attempted in a boat, in company with my friend

the Rev. Mr. Smith of Glaslough, to bring up some debris

from the bottom. Our instrument for dredging was indeed

very imperfect, being only a fagot of branches with a weight

attached. We tried various depths from forty-five feet (which

seems to be the deepest part) to three or four, but the experiment

was altogether fruitless, our instrument coming up as clean in

general as it went down, and without any trace of the object

of our search. . 3 |

Some years ago the late Colonel Leslie put a number of

swans upon the lake, one only of which now remains, and it

was observed that while they continued on it the peculiar pro-

perties of the place were lost. This however can only, I pre-

sume, refer to the disappearance of the glutinous masses, which

the birds had devoured as fast as they were formed.

Another observation which I have to make is, that although

_ the County Monaghan abounds in lakes, the phenomena now

mentioned are peculiar to this alone, at least such was the

confident assertion of every one with whom I conversed on the

subject; and there is a beautiful little sheet of water called Kel-

B 2

4 Mr. J. L. Drummond on a new Oscillatoria.

vey Lake, the only one which I had an opportunity of exa-

mining, situated about a quarter of a mile from Glaslough,

in which I could trace no similar appearance.

The history now given of the Glaslough Oscillatoria bears

a striking resemblance in some points to that of the O. rube-

scens of the Lake Morat’in Switzerland, as described by De-

candolle in the third volume of the Mémoires de la Société de

Physique etd’ Histoire Naturelle de Généve, from which I

select the following particulars. It is stated in that account

that the lake Morat during every spring presents the appear-

ance of a reddish scum upon its surface, which the fishermen

express by saying that the lake és in flower. But in the spring

of 1825 this phenomenon was so very remarkable as to strike

with astonishment the inhabitants of its banks, and an article

published by Dr. Engelhardt respecting it excited the atten-

tion of the Swiss naturalists, especially those of Geneva, In

the year stated, the red appearance continued from the month

of November till May, and its unusual exuberance was sup-

posed to originate from the great mildness of the winter, and

the consequent smaller elevation of the water of the lake being

favourable to the development of the matter, which was evi-

dently organic, and caused the redness.

During the early hours of the day the lake presented no-

thing remarkable, but soon after there appeared long, red, very

regular and parallel lines along its borders and at some di-

stance from the shore ; the breezes urged this matter into the

little creeks, and heaped it up around the reeds. There it co-

vered the surface of the lake like a fine reddish scum, forming

patches of colours varying from greenish black to a beautiful

red; it was also seen of a yellow, a red, and grey of every

shade ; some of them were marbled, and others presented fi-

gures much resembling those produced by positive electricity

on the electrophorus. During the day this mass exhaled an

infectious odour, but during the night all disappeared, to be re-

newed on the following day.

When the lake was agitated by strong winds, the phenome-

non disappeared, but again presented itself on the re-establish-

ment of a calm.

Many species of fish, as perch and pike, probably from ha-

Mr. J. L. Drummond on a new Oscillatoria. 5

ving eaten of this matter, had their bones and flesh tinged red

as if they had been fed on madder, but without any inconve-

nience, as was remarked by Dr. Engelhardt. The same ob-

server and M. Frechsel relate that other small fishes which

came to the surface for air, or in pursuit of flies, perished after

some convulsions when they traversed this matter, either, ac-

cording to some, from having eaten of it, or according to others

from the mephitic gas at the surface*.

- In the Oscillatoria of Glaslough, the thick conglomerated

masses had a heavy but nothing of a mephitic odour like that

of O. rubescens, and the plant, so far as I could learn, seemed

to have no evil influence on any species of animal, the lough

abounding in pike, ells, roach, and perch. I also observed

sticklebacks in the shallow parts, and I believe there are also

some trout. I found Helix stagnalis and some other lacustrine

shells in abundance, and coots and water-hens were numerous.

From the accounts I received, the green colour is evident in

the lough throughout the year, and if I may judge from my

own observation, every drop of it is impregnated with the os-

cillatory filaments. On examining specimens in the micro-

scope, I sometimes observed their motions to be very vivid,

and in other instances little or no motion could be perceived.

They are extremely minute ; their transverse striz very nume-

rous, and at distances of about half a diameter from each other.

The filaments in the conglomerated masses appeared to me

to be many inches long, and running parallel together; the

broken fragments dispersed through the lake cross each other

in all directions. Presuming that this is an undescribed spe-

cies, I would suggest the specific name erugescens, from its as-

suming the blueish verdigris colour on drying, as being the

most characteristic appellation.

I have only to remark further, that I could perceive nothing

peculiar about the lake at Glaslough to which might be at-

tached a conjecture as to the growth of one aquatic more than

another; the shore being in some places composed of shelving

clay banks, in others flat and muddy, and in others of small cal-

careous stones and gravel: one considerable portion is of peat-

bog. Among the plants fringing its edge I observed Arundo

* Lib. cit. part. sec. p. 29 et seq.

6 Dr. Grisebach on the Germination

Phragmites, Hippuris vulgaris, Menyanthes trifoliata, Alisma

Plantago, Equisetum limosum and palustre, Scirpus lacustris,

Chara hispida, Nymphea alba, and several others.

The following are all the characteristic marks of this ion

that I can recollect.

O. erugescens, Filaments extremely slender, opake green, con-

glomerated in large toughish glutinous masses in sheltered

calm situations, and nearly floating on the surface; in more

open exposures broken into innumerable fragments, and sus-

pended like cloudy flocculi in the water. Strize numerous, at

distances of about half a diameter apart from each other. Os-

cillatory motion often lively. Colour when dried a beautiful

zeruginous blue; adheres strongly to paper, exhibiting a

glossy surface ; filaments expanding by moisture so as to

seem recent, and sometimes resuming the oscillatory mo-

tion.

Hab. Lake at Glaslough, County Monaghan, Ireland.

Belfast, August 14, 1837.

Il.—Some Remarks on the Germination of Limnanthemum la-

‘cunosum. By Dr. GrisEBACH.

[ With a Plate.}

WueEn I was preparing a year and a half ago a monograph on

the Gentianee, I ventured to hope that. my endeavours would |

be furthered by the assistance of such botanists as have larger

materials at their disposal, this being the spirit of a science

whose followers seem to participate in that bountiful and tran-

quilly working principle’ which reigns over the Vegetable

Creation. Far from finding myself disappointed in these

views, I have received every where the most liberal, generous,

and disinterested support ; and am only anxious lest my labours

should not correspond with the unparalleled confidence which

some of the most eminent naturalists were kind enough to.

show me. Among the very rich collections of Gentianee be-

longing to Sir Wm. J. Hooker, all of which he entirely en-

trusted to me by sending them hither, there were germina-

ting specimens of Limnanthemum lacunosum, (Villarsia, Vent.)

; Ann. Nat Hist. Voi... P11.

a’

(

eemnaling Phone MIM LUMO SeaiSe

of Limnanthemum lacunosum, 7

collected at Boston, North America, by Mr. Greene, which,

as they seem to afford a new example of very unequal cotyle-

dons, are the more entitled to particular investigation, since the

fuller development and the petiolar inflorescence of that genus

has long excited the curiosity of botanists. I was able to ex-

amine two germinating specimens hanging still to their seeds ;

but unfortunately neither was quite entire, though one, how-

ever, perhaps explains the other. One plant (Plate I. fig. 1.) is

in avery young state ; it consists of the seed, which is laterally

- opened and encloses a small dark body, viz. one of the coty-

ledons, connected with the radicle by a very short petiole ; the

radicle is an inch long, very slender, and descends parallel

to the seed: opposite to this enclosed cotyledon, rises, in an

oblique direction, a very fine white filament, almost as long as

the radicle, but mutilated or torn off at its tip.. In the other

specimen (fig. 2.), the radicle of which is very short and evi-

dently in an injured state, this filament is almost two inches

long, white, cylindrical, and scarcely half a line in diameter,

and ends here in an oblong body, out of which three cylindri-

cal long roots descend, while a petiole with its leaf and the ru-

diments of a second ascend from it. Though it cannot be quite

determined whether that oblong body has a foliaceous nature,

nevertheless it seems certain that it embraces the base of the

petiole, as well as that the roots arise from the same point:

therefore I cannot but consider that body as the other coty-

ledon, at the top of whose petiole, the germs of the new plant

originate. For, first, the filament, which I think to be the

petiole of the cotyledon, stands opposite to the cotyledon,

inclosed in the seed, and has that situation towards the

radicle, which cotyledons always have in exogenous plants.

Secondly, Trapa affords a similar instance of unequal coty-

ledons. Thirdly, the more advanced vegetation of Limnan-

themum shows the strongest analogy with such a formation

of petiolar development as that alluded to; namely, the

seed and its filament being obliterated, more and more roots

and leaves grow from the same point (fig. 3.), till one petiole

attains a much greater length than the others (fig. 4.) ; this

petiole, commonly half a foot high, while the rest are scarcely

more than an inch, develops soon, not far from the origin of

= Dr. Grisebach on the Germination

the leaf, a new set of germs, some of which descend and form

small and somewhat thick roots, of a very simple cellular tissue,

while others put forth peduncles and flowers. Such a process

is often repeated, for when the plant is in its full vigour and

its base has become a thick rhizoma*, as many as twenty long

petioles are not unfrequently to be met with, the leaves of

which float as well as the flowers, the latter rising from the

upper part of each petiole, all at the same point and opposite

to petiolar roots. In some other species of this genus, viz.

L. cristatum, between the floral buds not unfrequently one large

branch shoots forth which does not end in a flower, but grows

laterally to a great length and produces another leaf, which

again bears floral buds and roots in the same way near the top

of the petiole. It may easily be conceived that the develop-

ment of buds on those points is highly analogous to the origin

of the young plant from the petiolar top of the long-stalked

cotyledon. Besides, it seems clear enough that the formation

of germs from the petiole is owing to an union of a cauline

organ with the petiole, as well as of the plumule with the coty-

ledon in the latter case.

If we compare this germination, if correctly understood, with

that of Trapa, we see here also one cotyledon inclosed by the

nut and the young plant at a great distance from it; but here

is this remarkable difference, that the inclosed cotyledon is the

long-stalked one, while the other is most obliterated, and that

the plant grows in the common way from the axis of both co-

tyledons, the radicle being the real origin of the root. In Lim-

nanthemum the radicle dies soon after the development of coty-

ledons, and the true roots rise at another point, viz. from the

petiole of the long-stalked cotyledon. This is indeed highly

singular, and I know of nothing analogous to this fact; but I

am also as little aware of any analogy to the further vegetation

of that genus. Another resemblance to Trapa lies in the for-

mation of roots from the higher parts of the stem ; or in Lim-

nanthemum from the petioles which perform the function of a

* This rhizoma must be considered as the real caulis, and I cannot

agree with M. A. de St. Hilaire (Voyage au Bresil, vol. ii. p. 413.) who

takes for the stem that part of each petiole which is inferior to the inflo-

rescence. This view is refuted by the younger plant.

of Limnanthemum lacunosum. 9

stem. May not this analogy help to prove how erroneously

some authors have considered those of Trapa to be stipules ?

If we investigate more particularly the structure of Limnan-

themum, a genus which adorns the waters of far the greater

part of both hemispheres, we shall not without some interest

inquire into the peculiarities of its organs. For my present

purpose it seems sufficient to touch chiefly upon the structure

of the seed in this genus, which certainly does not well corre-

spond with the theory of its germination just proposed, or at

least there are no characters in the seed by which the follow-

ing phenomena may be foreseen. I am highly indebted to

my friend Dr. Schleiden* for an examination of these parts ; as

he has been for years, and with the fullest success, occupied in

investigating the development of ovula; and the acknowledged

precision and admirable acuteness of his microscopical re-

searches afford the following observations a greater weight

than my own inquiries, if unassisted, could do.

The question whether the Menyanthidee really belong to the

Gentianee may be solved more easily if we compare the essential

parts of their flowers before we are biassed by a view of their

vegetative organs. The Gentianee have an ovarium com-

posed of two carpels, which bear an indefinite number of ovules

at their sutures. The genera with a placenta centralis make

no exception to this rule, the latter being combined of four

placentze, whose vessels rise from the introflexed margins of

the carpella in an earlier state. The seeds have only a single

testa, are antitropous, and contain a small cylindrical embryo

which les in the middle of a fleshy albumen ; the latter being

formed in the interior of the sacculus embryonis, while the nu-

cleus is obliterated. The cotyledons in that state are oblong

and somewhat thickish (fig. 14—16), and between them may

be observed a thin layer of albumen, so that Mr. Brown called

the cotyledons of Menyanthés and Genitiana lutea “ semi-dis-

cretz.” This structure of the seed is quite identical in the Me-

nyanthidee and in the other Gentianee; there is not the least

trace of disproportion in the cotyledons of Limnanthemum

while still in their seed, though the radicle be very slightly

* Dr. Schleiden’s interesting paper on the development of the organiza-

tion in Pheenogamous plants will be found in Phil. Mag, for February 1838.

10 Dr. Grisebach on the Germination

bent, which I did not see in any other plant of the family. But

another difference is afforded by the testa of the ripened seed,

which is covered by a thick and somewhat woolly epidermis

in all Menyanthidee, while the testa of the Gentianee is quite

simple: the epidermis of the former is often muricated, a cha-

racter which seems to be very constant, and may be employed

for specific distinctions. If we consider that the Menyanthidee

are aquatic, many of them even floating plants, we may ascribe

the presence of the epidermis of their seed to their habitat ; for

a similar one has not been observed in the Gentianee, nor can

we consider this lobe a distinctive character, as it may disap-

pear, when either one of the Gentianee is detected growing in

water, or one of the Menyanthidee on dry ground. Finally, the

placentz rise, in Menyanthes trifoliata, from the middle of the

valves, which seems to result from an union of them with the

interior surface of the endocarpium, and which occurs also in

many Gentianee; the seeds are commonly much larger, but

im Frasera they are equally large: in the latter genus their

number is subdefinite, and in Villarsia ovata it is reduced,

lastly, to a single seed on each side. Finally the induplicative

eestivation of the corolla affords a good character for the Meny-

anthidee as a peculiar group of the family, being dextrorsum

contorta in all Gentianee; but the transition of these charac-

ters takes place in those Gentianee which have a plica between

the lobes of the corolla, these plicze having also an induplicate

zestivation ; and, as in G. Andrewsii, the lobes disappear wholly

by abortion: the corolla by the plice remaining affords the

same zestivation as in the Menyanthidee. So far with regard to

the differences of these groups in their reproductive organs, for

I know of no more than these, and I find besides strong ana-

logies, as for instance, in the direction of the unequal sepalum

being remote from the axis (fig.7.). As to what concerns the dis-

parities of vegetation, these depend mostly on their aquatic or

terrestrial station, viz., the development of a rhizoma, and ac-

cordingly of alternate leaves (which are repeated in Swertia),

the development of long petioles, so that the leaf may arrive

at the surface of the water, and the verticillze of leaves in Meny-

anthes trifoliata being remote from its stem for the same

purpose, &c. I think an accurate examination of all these

of Limnanthemum lacunosum. 11

points may be decisive for bringing the Menyanthidee and its

congeners into a distinct tribe, but for retaining them in the

same family. |

The regularity of the embryo of Limnanthemum lacunosum

may be esteemed a strong argument against the correctness of

my theory of its germination ; and though it is not decisive I

was much disposed to believe my views erroneous, and to con-

sider the body inclosed. by the seed, either as consisting of

both cotyledons (in which case the germination would be ana-

logous, e. g. to that of Tropeolium), or as having lost already

one cotyledon by mutilation; but as both cases would have

been made out by examination, and the analysis, so far as it

depends on the materials, was against them, I could not but

recur to my formeropinion. Therefore I leave the matter, as

it stands now, to those who may examine living specimens ;

and until their decision the point may be deemed doubtful.

I have still to add a few words on the reasons by which I was

induced to propose a new nomenclature for these plants.

After the discovery of Villarsia Cristagalli and some Indian

LInmnanthema, it seemed impossible to retain the old genera

Menyanthes and Villarsia, as distinguished by the appendices

of their corolla. I followed an observation of Mr. Brown, that

the floating species have a nondehiscent fruit; when I proposed,

according to their habit, to adopt three genera, one irregularly

dehiscent, with the seeds affixed to the middle of the valves

(Menyanthes), another with a capsule at the same time loca-

licidal and septicidal, and the seeds hanging to the margins of

the valves (Villarsia) ; and a third, comprehending all floating

species with an indehiscent fruit, and the seeds affixed as in

Villarsia (Limnanthemum, Gmel.). .The species of the latter

genus have hitherto not been correctly distinguished, though

some of them have lately been well defined by Sir W. J. Hooker,

and Dr. Wight. I observe that there are many variations as

to the largeness and surface of the leaves according to their age

which are not to be applied as specific distinctions. Gene-

rally the leaves are, in the first instance, smooth, then appear

glands on the inferior surface, these are obliterated and more

or less roughness remains ; sometimes the glands are to be seen

in the bottom of small circular processes, from which appear-

12 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

ance the name l/acunosum seems to have originated. But cha-

racters which are not subject, so far as I know, to any obser-

vation, are afforded by the appendices corolle, by their colour,

by the form and length of the style, and by the surface of the

seeds.

Dr. GRISEBACH.

Berlin, March, 1837.

III.— Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. By

Wiuuiam Tuompson, Esq., Vice-President of the Belfast

Natural History Society.

No. 5.—On the Birds of the Order Insessores*.

[Continued from Magazine of Zoology and Botany, ii. p. 440.]

Tue Reppreast—Sylvia Rubecula, Lath.—Is very common

in Ireland. Well known as are its habits, a few notes illus-

trative of them in the neighbourhood of Belfast may be se-

lected: and first, with regard to its familiarity. In the

very mild winter of 1831—32 aredbreast very frequently joined

a friend and his lady residmg in the country at breakfast,

and without invitation, eat of the bread and butter on the

table, and when not so employed, made itself quite at home

by perching on the toasting-fork at the fire. In summer it

built in one of the out-houses, and visited the kitchen daily ;

its song was in August, poured forth in the hall. In this

house also a redbreast once built its nest in the fold of a bed-

curtain in an occupied chamber: such a proximity being held

undesirable, the room window was closed against the intruder,

and in consequence the first egg was laid outside on the bare

window-sill. ‘This circumstance caused pity for the bird, and

the egg was placed in the nest, where the usual number was

duly deposited and incubated. One young bird only was pro-

duced, which was overfed to such a degree that it grew to a

* The order in which the species appear in Mr. Jenyns’s ‘ Manual of the

British Vertebrata’ is followed in these papers. In the MS. of the first

of the series on the Raptores, one, two, or three synonyms were given to

each species, with the view that some one of them might be known to every

reader. The editors however considered one scientific appellation sufficient

in every instance ; and being thus limited I adopt that used by Temminck

as the most widely known, although I am partial to a much greater sub-

division of genera than appears in his ‘ Manuel.’

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 13

most unnatural size, but did not long survive, falling a victim

most probably to too good living. Butter is so great a dainty to

these birds, that in a friend’s house frequented during the

winter by one or two of them, the servant was obliged to be

very careful in keeping covered what was in her charge to. save

it from destruction: if unprotected it was certain to be dis-

covered. I have notes of their visitmg labourers at their

breakfast hour and eating butter out of their hands, and en-

tering a lantern to feast on the candle. But even further than

this, I have seen the redbreast exhibit its partiality for scraps

_ of fat, &c. Being present a few days ago (December 1837)

when the golden eagle described at page 45 of vol. ii. of the

Magazine of Zool. and Bot. was fed, to my surprise one of

these birds took the eagle’s place on the perch the moment

he descended from it to the ground to eat the food given him,

and when there it picked off some little fragments; and this

done, quite unconcernedly alighted on the chain by which he

was fastened. I at the same time learned that it thus regu-

larly visited the eagle’s abode at feeding-time, and as yet there

has not been any severity of weather. A plant of the Fuchsia

tenella in the “ Falls” greenhouse was entirely deprived of its

seed by these birds.

Except at the moulting period the song of the redbreast is

heard with us throughout the year, and in the grey morning

as well as the dusk of the autumnal and winter afternoon ; by

moonlight it was once heard by an ornithological friend at the

last-named locality. I have more than once listened to the

commencement of its song in the first week of June at a

quarter before three o’clock. In fine autumnal mornings suc-

ceeding wet nights, the favourite time for the harmony of this

and many other birds, I have seen and heard about a dozen

of redbreasts singing at once, when perched at pretty regular

distances, twenty-five to thirty yards apart. So many of them

sending forth their notes at one time—without reference to

_ plumage, which sufficiently marks the adult from the imma-

ture—satisfies me that the young birds of the year bear their

part in the concert, and the fact of every individual in view

trilling forth its notes, favours the idea that the female bird

also is possessed of song.

14 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

That a single bird or pair of redbreasts have generally a

particular beat or range I have had abundant evidence, (vide

Dovaston in Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. vi. p. 3,) as also that they

very frequently keep within it as spring advances, instead

of retiring to the thickest woods to nestle as described by

many authors. Within towns they have been known to me

as frequenting a certain quarter throughout the year. For

two seasons this occurred in our own office-houses at Belfast,

and in both two broods were reared. In one instance the

nest was placed on the top of a wall supporting the roof of

the gateway, and in the other on the same part of the side~

wall of a three-story building, their only approach to it being

through small apertures, about two inches in diameter, that

were cut in trap-doors on the first and second floors to admit

the rope attached to a pulley. Perched on the neighbouring

buildings these birds gave forth their song, and for about the

latter half of the month of October 1831, when the days were

very fine and bright, one regularly frequented the stable, and

sang when perched upon the stalls without being in any de-

gree disturbed by the general business of the place going for-

ward, even within two or three feet of his station.

A pair of redbreasts that were assiduously watched during

their nidification in the conservatory attached to the town-

house of an acquaintance, were one morning found in great

consternation, produced, as it turned out, by the nest having

been taken possession of by a bat, which they eventually com- -

pelled to change his quarters.

Four particularly noted instances of the redbreast building

within doors near Belfast in the summer of 1833 here follow.

In all of them (and the country house already alluded to may be

added) shrubberies and plantations are quite near to the chosen

sites. The two first were communicated by my relative, (noticed

in one of my former papers on birds,) and occurred at Wolfhill.

He observes: “The nests of a robin that I examined in the car-

penter’s loft are placed on the corner of the wall which supports

the roof; the foundation is large wood shavings, of which the

sides of the nest are likewise formed, together with moss, beech

leaves, wool, tufts of cow-hair, &c., but with horse-hair only

are they lined. The mass of materials in which these two nests

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 15

are made is about a foot and a half in length, eight inches in

breadth, and five inches in thickness. In wet days the male

bird kept much within the loft and sang there. The carpen-

ter tells me that one only flew in with the leaves and collected

the shavings; this individual he knew from its wanting the

tail: it made very free with his pot of grease, and picked from

it while in his hand. On another occasion the nest was built

in the joist-hole of a wall, m the process of completing which it

was necessary to remove it, when it was placed in an adjoin-

ing aperture of the same kind. The parent bird after looking

for some time about the spot where the nest had been, rejoined

her young—of which one was killed by falling out of its do-

micile in the course of removal—in their new situation ; and

here she did not remain undisturbed, as in the breaking out of

a door within a foot of the nest the mortar and stones fell pe-

rilously near her, but she nevertheless deserted not her young.”

At Fort William, the seat of a relative, the following occurred.

In a pantry, the window of which was kept open during the

day, one of these birds constructed its nest early in the sum-

mer. The place selected was the corner of a moderately high

shelf among bottles, which being four-sided gave the nest the

singular appearance exteriorly of a perfect square. It was

made of moss, and lined with a little black hair, and on the

side that was exposed to view, and that only, were dead beech

leaves. When any article near the nest was sought for, the

bird, instead of flying out of the window as might be expected,

alighted on the floor, and there patiently waited until the cause

of disturbance was over, and then immediately returned to its

nest again. Here five eggs were laid, which, after being incu-

bated for the long period of about five weeks without any suc-

cess, were forsaken. The room above this pantry was occu-

pied as a bird-stuffing apartment ; and after the redbreast had

deserted the lower story, a bird of this species, and doubtless

the same individual, visited it daily, and was as often expelled

in the fear that the specimens might in consequence be inju-

red. Finding that expulsion was of no avail, recourse was had

to a novel and rather comical expedient. My friend had a

short time before received a collection of stuffed Asiatic qua-

drupeds, and of these he selected the most fierce-looking Car-

16 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

nivora, and placed them at the open window, which they nearly

filled up, hoping that their formidable aspect might deter the

bird from future ingress ; but the redbreast was not to be so

frighted “from its propriety,” and made its entrée as usual.

Its perseverance was at length rewarded by a free permission

to have its own way, when, as if in defiance of the ruse that

had been attempted to be practised upon it, the chosen place

for the nest was the head of a shark, (the mouth being gagged

may have prevented its being selected,) which was hanging on

the wall, the tail of an “ alligator stuff?d” serving to screen it

from observation. During the operation of forming this nest

the redbreast did not in the least regard the presence of my

friend, but both worked away within a few feet of each other.

On the Ist of June I saw it seated on the eggs, which were

five in number : they were all productive, and the whole brood

in due time escaped in safety.

That the noisy operations of the ship-builder will not pre-

vent the selection of a place in his immediate vicinity for nidi-

fication, is shown by a circumstance which came under my

own observation. On May 13, 1836, I saw a redbreast’s nest

containing young in a hole apparently where a knot had been

in one of the timbers of the “ Dunlop,” then under repair in

the dry-dock at Belfast. It was built inside the vessel about

three yards from the top of the timber, (the deck was off,) and

at the time of its construction, as at present, the deafening pro-

cess of driving in the ¢ree-nails was carried forward, and oc- |

casionally so close to the nest.

An observant friend discovermg a redbreast’s nest in which

the bird was seated, remarked its apparent stupidity, and ha-

ving lifted it off the eggs and laid it on his open hand, it

sought not, and indeed seemed to want the power, to escape.

He placed it in the nest again, and returning the next day

found the young brood out. The appearance of the bird on

the previous day it was now presumed had been caused by its

extreme intentness on the last stage of incubation. |

But in such an instance as the following, any notice of the

well-known pugnacity of the redbreast would be supereroga-

tory. On one occasion I saw two of these birds fighting most

wickedly in the air, and then alighting to take breath, which,

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 17

when they had a little recovered, and were again within a foot

of each other ready to recommence the charge, a duck that

had witnessed the combat quickly waddled up, and in the

most gentle and pacific manner shoved with its bill the one to

the right further inthat direction, and the one to the left further

so, thus evidently separating them to prevent a renewal of the

conflict.

In snares set for small birds during frost, I have remarked

that redbreasts were generally the first victims. Their ex-

treme tameness before a fall of snow wherever we meet with

them unerringly shows their sensibility to the coming change,

and has in several instances led me to prognosticate it, and

always with certainty, when no other indication was percept-

ible.

Buack Reprait, Sylvia Tithys, Scop.—The redstart no-

ticed by me in the Zoological Proceedings for 1834 (p. 30.)

as the Phenicura ruticilla, on the authority of Robert Ball,

Esq., has since been proved by that gentleman to be the

rare British species S. Tithys. I am likewise informed that

in the autumn of 1818 or 1819 he shot five individuals

of this species at Youghal, county Cork, but of which, un-

fortunately, all that remains is one ill-preserved specimen.

A redstart was subsequently taken in a corn-store at Youghal,

and in June 1837 another was seen in a garden within the

town ; but whether these also were the S. Tithys cannot now

be determined.

In the counties of Dublin and Armagh I have heard of the

redstart’s occurrence, but have been unable to learn anything

satisfactory on the subject.

It appears somewhat strange that the common species P.

ruticilla should not be a regular summer visitant to any part

of Ireland, for in no country are their localities apparently

better suited to it: of these I judge from the haunts in which

it has occurred to me in Westmoreland and Derbyshire, and

those in which I very frequently met either with it, or some

of the closely allied Phenicure (Swainson) in Switzerland.

GrassHoppeR Warsuier, Sylvia Locustella, Lath—

_ Montagu states that he has found this bird in Ireland (Orn.

- Dict.), and Templeton remarks that it is “not very uncommon

Ann. Nat. Hist, Vol. 1.—No. 1. March 1838. c

i8 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

during spring and summer,” (Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. i. p. 405,

New Series,) which observation I know, from having access to

his MS., applies to the neighbourhood of Belfast. Here there

is not an Irish-killed specimen of the bird preserved, owing

perhaps as much to the gun not being used during the time

of its sojourn in this country as to the difficulty of procuring

individuals ; nor have I anywhere had the opportunity of ex-

amining a native specimen. By several ornithological friends

as well as myself, a warbler has in the north occasionally been

seen, and more frequently heard, whose note agrees with the

peculiar one of this species. About Killaloe, county Clare, the

Rey. Thomas Knox has partially seen and has heard a bird

the note and habits of which correspond with those of the

grasshopper warbler, but a specimen of it has not been ob-

tained by him.

Tue SepGe WaRBLER, Sylvia Phragmitis, Bechst.,—Is

a regular summer visitant to Ireland. It is generally ob-

served around Belfast within the first ten days of May, but

in 1836 one was seen on the 16th of April. The 5th of Sep-

tember is the latest date on which I am aware of its being no-

ticed, but further observation may possibly show that it re-

mains until a later period, as it doesin England. (Selby’s Ill.

Brit. Orn., vol. i. p. 202.) The migration of the sedge warbler

extends to the extreme north-west of Ireland, where on July

1, 1832, I heard and saw one near Dunfanaghy; and Mr.

Stewart, in his Catalogue of the Birds, &c. of Donegal, ob-.

serves that it is common. Throughout the northern counties

generally it has occurred to me in suitable localities ; these are

not confined to where “ reeds and other tall aquatic plants ”

abound, or even grow, as is generally described, but it is

found in the lower grounds about old ditches, on which the

sloe or blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and other shrubby plants

afford it a safe asylum; also on the banks of mountain rivulets

at as great an elevation as the spontaneous growth of the wil-

low or any underwood forms sufficient shelter; and it likewise

frequents the wooded borders of well-kept ponds, where none

of the aquatic plants alluded to appear.

It is perhaps too common-place to be remarked here, that

it is simply from natural inclination and not from shyness that

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 19

the sedge warbler inhabits the “tangled brake.” When

perched singing on a reed it has admitted my approach

within about three paces without ceasing its song ; and what

might perhaps be termed its boldness, is evinced by any ob-

ject flung into its haunt prompting it to sing, as if in defiance

of the interruption, or, as a certain author would imagine,

“to keep its courage up.” The well-known and._most amusing

song of this species is sometimes heard from its arrival until

the end of July.

A bird described to me by the Rev. T. Knox as frequenting

the county of Westmeath and the vicinity of the river Shan-

non, is I have little doubt the sedge warbler.

Buacxcarp WarBLER, Sylvia Airicapilla, Lath—Mr.

Templeton remarks that the blackcap was seen at Cranmore,

his residence, near Belfast, on the 17th of June 1818, andtwice

since that time. A male bird shot near Dublin in the first

week of December 1833, was forwarded to my friend Robert

Ball, Esq., before the vital heat had fled. On March 1, 1834,

I saw a recent specimen of this bird, an adult male, which was

brought to be set up at a bird-preserver’s in Belfast by the

Bishop of Down, in whose garden, within a few miles of

the town, it had been shot either on that or the preceding day.

Mr. Robert Davis, jun., of Clonmel, county Tipperary, informs

me that in his collection there is one which was killed in that

neighbourhood on Dec. 27, 1834, and which was stated by

the person who shot it to have been accompanied by five or

six others. By Mr. W. S. Hall, bird-preserver, Dublin, a

specimen was shown me which was killed at the Vale of Avoca,

county Wicklow, on May 23, 1837, and a few more were

seen at the same time.

The blackcap does not, so far as I can learn, appear annually

in any part of Ireland. A drawing taken a few years ago

from a bird so rare in one of the most southern counties as to

be unknown to a scientific collector, was submitted for my

opinion, and represented a female* of this species. It is sin-

* Judging from Temminck’s description in the Ist part of his ‘Manuel’:

in the 3rd part, since published, he adds, thatthe young males resemble

the female, the red colour of the top of the head being only less decided,

c 2

20 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

gular, that of the occurrence of the blackcap on the few occa-_

sions here mentioned, it must in three instances be presumed.

to have wintered in Ireland, and further, that such should

have been in the north, the centre (as to latitude),.and the

south. Being one of the latest summer birds appearing in

England, it may I think be fairly concluded that the occur-

rence of an individual on the 1st of March is rather indicative

of a winter residence than of an unprecedentedly early vernal

migration.

Thebird described in Rutty’s Natural History of the County

of Dublin, vol. i. p. 317, as the “ Blackcap,” is obviously not

the Sylvia Atricapilla.

GREATER PerrycuaPs, Sylvia hortensis, Lath.—The fol-

lowing observations on this species are copied from the MS.

of the late John Templeton, Esq.: “On the 21st of May

1820, I had the pleasure of seeing this bird, to whose haunt

in my garden I was attracted by its pleasing melody. * *

It was not very shy, coming near enough to be distinctly seen,

but was extremely restless, flitting every moment from place

to place, and only stationary on the branch while it gave out

its song.* * The male continued to sing until the young were

reared, when his song ceased for about a fortnight ; then it was

again renewed, as I suppose on the construction of a second

nest.”

Tue Wuireruroat, Sylvia cinerea, Lath.,—Is a re-

gular summer visitant throughout Ireland. Like the sedge:

warbler it appears about Belfast early in May, and has

been reported to me by Mr. James Garrett of Cromac, near

this town, as observed on the 24th of April* 1836 : by the same

gentleman also one was seen on the 15th of September last,

the latest date on which I am aware of its having been re-

marked here. This bird is well known in Ireland. Mr.

Stewart observes that in Donegal it is “ common,” a term that

may be generally applied to it in the north.

In communications with which I have been favoured, it is

stated by the Rev. T. Knox to have been obtained by him at

* On the 21st of this month it was once heard near Carrickfergus.

M’Skimmin’s Carrickfergus, p. 354, 2nd ed.

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 21

Killaloe; by Mr. Robert Davis, jun., to be not uncommon

about Clonmel; and by Mr. T. F. Neligan, to be a regular

summer migrant to the county of Kerry.

Its song commences on arrival, and generally ceases

early in the month of July. From its habits, and the gro-

tesquely earnest appearance that the erected feathers on

the crown of its head and the distended throat impart when

singing, it is one of the most interesting of our warblers.

When on one of its harmonious flights, the whitethroat,

though generally so, is not always constant to returning to the

same place again. I have seen it rise from a low bush, and

singing in its upward and irregular flight, alight on a leafless

tree at some little distance, and there continue to pour forth

its notes without intermission, or as if it had been perched in

one place all the time. Under the date of June 4, 1833, a

note appears in my journal that two accurately judging friends

had several times of late heard the whitethroat imitate the

songs of other birds much after the manner of the sedge

warbler,

Early in July, 1837, a nest was discovered at the “ Falls,”

within about ten paces of a public highway, and double this

distance from an occupied dwelling-house. It was elevated

about a foot above the ground, in a sloe-bush, and concealed

by the growing grass of a late meadow: at this late period it

contained eggs. Again, on July 11, 1833, when walking at

the side of the river Bann, near Coleraine, a whitethroat,

perched upon a hedge, and with a caterpillar in its bill, de-

noting the vicinity of its nestlings, permitted my approach

within about two paces, all the time keeping a great uproar,

which was a mere repetition of the word churr. This species

seems partial to placing its nest in thorny plants; thus in the

latter instance it was at the base of a whitethorn hedge, in

the former in a sloe. In brambles it most commonly occurs

here, and occasionally in the wild rose: grasses generally

serve to screen it from observation*.

— * Sylvia Curruca, Lath. In a note added by the late Mr. Templeton to

a copy of Dr. Patrick Brown’s ‘ Catalogue of the Birds of Ireland,”’ pub-

lished in Exshaw’s Magazine for 1772, I find,—** Motacilla Curruca,

White-bellied Nightingale, seen about Ballydangan in May 1773, Brown.”

In the Catalogue the Mot. Sylvia, or Syl. cinerea, appears. Several of my

22 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

Woop Wren? Sylvia sibilatrix ? Bechst.—Relying on

the accuracy of a relative, who has bestowed much at-

tention on birds and their nests, I should be disposed to

give this species a place here with confidence but for one

character, hereafter to be mentioned. On June 19, 1832, it

is remarked of a nest he detected on the ground in a small

meadow surrounded by a wooded glen, near Belfast, that it

belonged to a bird most nearly approaching the willow wren,

S. Trochilus, but larger, and with a whiter breast; and that

the eggs, instead of being marked with numerous very minute,

and a few large specks of a dark pink colour, like those of the

S. Trochilus, were dotted all over, so much so as to give the

egg, at a cursory view, a light brown appearance. Sketches

of these eggs and of those of the willow wren, made at the

time, are now before me, and present the difference here

pointed out. He observes that it was a very pretty nest,

formed of moss, and lined with feathers*.- On the morning

of the 19th of June it contained one egg, on the 21st three,

and on the 24th five eggs; on July 7th the young were

hatched, and on the 19th had left the nest: thus in six days

the couxplement of eggs was laid, in thirteen they were incu-

bated, and in eleven or twelve days the young were fledged.

There was a second nest at the same ie place (Wolfhill) this

season, containing similar eggs.

The S. sibilatriz is not recorded as Irish.

Tue Wittow Wren, Sylvia Trochilus, Lath.,—Is a

regular summer visitant to Ireland, and is commonly di-

spersed in suitable localities throughout the country. The

rernark has been made by Montagu, that “ it is frequently

found with the wood wren, but does not. extend so far to the

west in England, as it is rarely met with in Cornwall.”

But if there be thus a diminution of numbers to the west in

England, the circumstance must, I presume, arise from some

other cause than geographical position. In Ireland the wil-

correspondents residing in the more southern portion of the country are

disposed to consider the S. Curruca one of the regular summer birds of

passage.

* This is the only character against its being that of the S. sibilatriz,

whose nest is stated by authors to differ from that of the S. Trochilus in

not being lined with feathers.

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 23

low wren ranges equally to the counties jutting out to the

extreme south-west and north-west of the island, bemg com-

mon both to Kerry and to Donegal*.

In the neighbourhood of Belfast this species generally ap-

pears about the middle of April, when its presence is at once

proclaimed ‘by its song. In the years 1833 and 1834 it

arrived within the first week of this month, but in the back-

ward spring of 1837 was later than ordinary. It is commonly

seen until the middle of September. On the 24th of this

month, and on the 10th of October 1832, I heard it sing; on

the former occasion incessantly for about half an hour, or so

long as I gave attention. From the period of its arrival until

the moult commences, the song of the willow wren is con-

stantly heard; and as soon as the moulting is over, is recom-

menced, often in a weaker tone, and continued during fine

weather until the very time of its departure.

My friend at Cromac, who has had many nests of the

willow wren, describes them all to have been composed of

fine hay,—hence the name of “ hay-bird” in some parts of

England,—and lined with feathers. They were situated on

the ground at the foot of trees, except in one instance, when

the nest was placed in the open meadow, several yards distant

from the hedge; there was usually a long approach to them

through the brake. ‘Towards the end of August I was once

amused on perceiving several willow wrens rising into the

air from some pea-rods in a garden, after the manner of the

spotted flycatcher when on its aérial captures, and thus two

of them were occasionally occupied at the same time. A few

flycatchers (Muscicapa grisola) were also on the pea-rods,

from which they now and then sallied after their winged prey,

having thus apparently prompted the S. Trochilus to these

flights. |

In the north of Ireland this species frequents plantations,

from those of the town-square to the most elevated on the

mountains. Although from the circumstance of its general

* In Mr. Stewart’s Catalogue it is set down as ‘‘ common” in Donegal,

and so have I met with it there. By Mr. T, F, Neligan, of Tralee, it is

stated to be very common in Kerry.

24 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

occurrence in pleasure-grounds and gardens (these it frequents

in the town of Belfast) the name of “ willow wren” may be

thought “ unmeaning,” (vide note to White’s Selborne, p. 84,

ed. 1837,) I cannot so consider it. This name was doubtless

bestowed upon the bird originally on account of its partiality

to willows. This I have particularly remarked, on which oc

casions the twigs and branches of the common osier, Sali.

viminalis, abounding with aphides, were its chief favourite

Never have I seen these birds so numerous anywhere,—anc

I include several continental countries, in addition to thx

British Islands,—as they were annually in a certain hedge

row of these trees in the neighbourhood of Belfast. On some

scattered trees of the Salix Smithiana, in the same locality

they were for a similar reason almost equally plentiful.

A young willow wren that was caught at the “ Falls”

last summer soon after it had left the nest, became at once,

from its familiarity, very attractive. When at liberty in a

room, and called by the name of “ Sylvia,” it immediately

flew to and alighted on a finger held out for the purpose.

So partial was it to this unnatural perch, that, like a hooded

hawk upon the “ fist,” it there remained stationary when

carried out of doors to feed upon the aphides infesting some

monthly roses near the house, and when so engaged it flew

not to the plant, but rested by choice upon the finger. To

the exceeding grief of its owners it soon died, in consequence

of too frequent washing. |

In my possession is a specimen of the S. Trochilus, which

flew on board a ship in 1834, to the north-west of the Azores, in

latitude 44° N. and longitude 34° W.; the date, unfortunately,

was not communicated.

Tue Cuirr-Cuarr, Sylvia Hippolais, Lath.,—Is a regular

visitant to certain localities in the north of Ireland, and also,

as I am informed by Robert Ball, Esq., to the vicinity of

Dublin. In the first week of April its notes are generally

heard about Belfast ; but in the spring of 1837 they did not at-

tract attention until some time after this period. In the middle

of May I have been for the greater part of a day in Colin Glen,

the great resort of the species in this neighbourhood, without

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 25

once hearing its notes, though during a similar time, a month

before, they were almost constantly uttered, and when the days

alluded to were equally fine. A certain progress of their broods

may have caused this silence. The chief haunts of the chiff-

chaff in the counties of Down and Antrim are wooded glens

and extensive plantations, especially where there is cover from

underwood, though it generally frequents the higher trees:

hedge-rows too are occasionally visited.

As a difference of opinion exists about this bird, (vide

note to White’s Selborne, pp. 80 e¢ seqg., ed. 1837) I had in-

tended entering pretty fully into the subject ; but turning to

the description of the species in the ‘ Manual of the British

Vertebrata, p.112, I find it to accord so well with my speci-

mens,— which, from being shot in the month of April, when

uttering their notes, may be considered adults,—as to render

further observation unnecessary.

The terms Sy/. Hippolais, Lath., and chiff-chaff have been

correctly used as synonymous in the best British works. The

original description in the ‘ Index Ornithologicus’ (vol. ii.

p- 507.) in a few words marks the species; Temminck how-

ever, in his valuable ‘ Manuel’ of the Birds of Europe, (part i.

p- 222.) has adopted Latham’s name for a continental Sylvia

very different from the one to which it was applied by this

author.

GoLp-cRESTED Reauius, Sylvia Regulus, Lath.—This

small and beautiful bird is common, and resident in plan-

tations throughout Ireland. In the north its song is occa-

sionally commenced in the month of February, and has been

heard at the end of September. In the nuptial season the

male erects his crest so as to make his whole head appear a

blaze. My friend at Cromac on one occasion, when attending

to the process of nidification adopted by a chaffinch that built

within view of his window, discovered that he was not the only

spectator, a regulus at some little distance (and, as it after-

wards proved, with sinister intent,) being recognised as a

looker-on. When the chaffinch took flight from the nest, this

bird, in the most cunning manner, stole round to it in an

opposite direction and carried off part of the materials. This

26 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

was its constant practice, as, in at least a dozen instances it was

so observed; but the chaffinch eventually discovering the regu-

lus in the act, gave it a severe chase through the plantation,

and its mal-practices were never afterwards known to be re-

peated. Of two nests of which I have notes, neither was

domed ; one was neatly fixed to the branch of a silver fir,

whose foliage shaded its little opening of one inch diameter ;

and the other was placed in a laurustinus, the larger leaves of

which afforded more efficient protection.

Soon after the young can provide for themselves, they and

their parents flit about in company, and ring their little changes

throughout every plantation. In the first autumns that they

thus came under my observation, I, from hearing them simul- »

taneously everywhere around Belfast, was rather disposed to

believe in a migration from the north, (vide Selby’s Ill. Brit.

Orn., vol. i. p. 230, 2nd ed.,) but having subsequently heard

them in different years so early as the month of August, I] now

consider that it is our indigenous birds alone that by constantly

uttering their little cries thus attract attention.

The gold-crested regulus seems not to me the hardy bird

that authors generally imagine. In the north of Ireland it

has been frequently found dead in severe weather, and even

after slight frosts*. Early in the winter of 1835 a friend

brought me three of these birds, that had been captured by

a cat in a small garden, in a very populous part of Belfast,

and on the preceding day four or five had in the same place

shared a similar fate.

Of three stomachs of the regulus which have come under

my inspection in the months of December and January, two

were entirely filled with insects, among which some Coleoptera

were apparent; and the third contained, in addition to frag-

ments of stone, only seeds, of which there were two or three

kinds.

[To be continued. ]

* In a note to White’s Selborne (p. 180, ed. 1837), Mr. Herbert gives

instances of the fatal effect of cold on caged individuals.

1V.—On some new Species of Quadrupeds and Shells. By

Joun Enwarp Gray.

Tue British Museum has lately purchased some very interest-

ing skins of Quadrupeds from Sierra Leone, among which are

the following new species.

Antilope Zebra, Gray. Back bright fulvous fawn with

broad glossy black transverse stripes, beneath pale fulvous ;

outer side of legs grey-brown, darker beneath.—This is evi-

dently the animal described by my late friend E. T. Bennett

in the Proc. Comm. Science Zool. Soc., vol. ii. p. 123, from a very

imperfect skin: the one now in the Museum has the tail com-

plete, and shows that he was quite correct in thinking that it

was probably an antelope, and it is certainly the most brilliant

of that beautiful genus. His specimen was said to come from

Algoa Bay, but this is probably a mistake, as that in the Mu-

seum was sent direct from Sierra Leone.

Felis neglecta, Gray. Fur very short, brownish grey, with

small close blackish spots; smaller, more elongated, and closer

together down the rather darker dorsal line; sides rather paler;

throat, belly, and inside of limbs white with larger black spots

and stripes; nape darker, with close narrow rather darker

lines; outer side of legs and feet brownish grey not spotted ;

tail rather slender, about half the length of the body, grey-

brown with a darker central line and varied darker on the sides.

Length of body, 3 feet; tail, 15 inches.—Had. Sierra Leone.

Unfortunately we have only an imperfect skin, wanting the

face and claws, of this highly interesting animal, which must

be as large as a small leopard. Among the skins received there

is one also of another cat, very like the common domestic cat in

appearance, but so regularly and peculiarly marked, as to

make me inclined to believe it to be a distinct species, or a

very decided variety.

I will here describe some new Shells from the same country.

Apporrhais Senegalensis, Gray. Shell regular, spirally stri-

ated; the upper whorls with one central, and the last with

two subcentral, series of small nodules, with a series of much

smaller tubercles in front of them; outer lip, with two acute

expanded lobes. Axis 13!.—Sierra Leone. My cabinet.

Fusus elegans, Gray. Shell fusiform, white; whorls nine,

28 Mr. Gray on some new Species of Quadrupeds and Shells.

ventricose, rounded, with rather distant, acute, raised, narrow,

brown topped spiral ridges, and regular broad rounded plaits ;

canal subcylindrical, rather shorter than the spire; inner lip

rather raised with a few slight plaits, outer lip crenated ;

throat grooved, Axis 2".—Sierra Leone. Brit. Mus. and

my cabinet.

Fusus niveus, Gray. Shell ovate, fusiform, regularly and

closely spirally grooved ; spire conical; whorls with a sub-

posterior series of nodules and shelving to the suture; apex

small, subcylindrical, blunt ; canal short, rather oblique, in-

ner lip rather thickened, smooth ; throat grooved. Axis 15!",

—Sierra Leone. My cabinet.

sywtyPes Nassa vitrea, Gray. Shell ovate, turreted, transparent,

473\78

with distant spiral striz; whorls with equidistant nodulose

varices, and a subanterior brown spiral band; outer lip thick-

ened, white, with a brown spot in front. Axis 5!—Sierra

Leone. Brit. Mus. and my cabinet.

Cardium leve, Gray. Shell ovate-cordate, ventricose, pale

brown, reddish spotted, smooth, with thirty to thirty-one very

indistinct flat radiating ribs ; lozenge smooth ovate-lanceolate.

Very like Cardium levigatum, but more ventricose.—Sierra

Leone. Brit. Mus. 7

Turbinella spinosa, Gray. Shell fusiform, white, covered

with a smooth brown periostracum; whorls 7, upper ones

with a series of conical tubercles, the last with distinct spiral

ridges and a subposterior series of conical spires ; canal sub-

cylindrical with the mouth about as long as the spire; throat

ridged; pillar with three very slight plaits. Axis 15”.—Sierra

Leone. My cabinet.

Dritiia, Gray. (Pleurotomina.) Shell turreted; mouth

oval, linear; inner lip thickened, outer lip inflexed, thickened

behind, with a deep thick-edged posterior sinus, and a small

sinus in front, just before the short rather recurved canal.

Drillia umbilicata, Gray. Shell white, closely and spirally

striated; spire acute, half as long again as the mouth; whorls

slightly raised, with a series of transverse compressed tuber-

cles, the last with 6 or 7 larger tubercles ; axis umbilicated;

lips sharp-edged; mouth reddish white. Axis 15'.—Sierra

Leone. Brit. Mus. and my cabinet.

Drillia clathrata, Gray. Shell dark brown, closely and spi-

Mr. Gray on some new Species of Quadrupeds and Shells. 29°

rally ridged and concentrically plaited; axis slightly perforated;

outer lip strongly thickened behind; canal short. Axis 1!’8,

—Hab. ? My cabinet.

Drillia bicolor, Gray. Shell black, spirally striated, with a

subposterior series of angular tubercles crossed with a yellow

spiral band; inner lip thickened; mouth slate colour. Axis 4".

—Hab. ? My cabinet.

Drillia suturalis, Gray. Shell yellowish white, closely spi-

rally striated; whorls with a posterior groove near the suture,

the upper whorls slightly nodulose; outer lip thickened be-

ITY PE

hind ; canal rather elongate, scarcely recurved.—Hab. ?

My cabinet.

Demovuuia, Gray, n.g. (Buccinide). Shell ovate, subglo-

bose, covered with a downy periostracum; spire short, conical;

apex papillary; whorls compressed; mouth ovate; inner lip

thickened, with a ridge behind, outer lip contracted, thicker ex-

ternally, not variced, strongly plaited internally ; canal short,

sharply recurved.—Intermediate between Nassa and Dolium,

but differs from both in being covered with a velvety peri-

ostracum, in having no distinct varices, in the large size of

the spire, and in the contraction of the mouth.

Demoulia pulchra, Gray. Pale reddish, covered with a

brown periostracum, slightly spirally striated; outer lip white,

inner lip smooth; spire short; upper whorls rounded; suture

deep. Axis 10/.—Sierra Leone. My cabinet.

Buccinum retusum, Lam. Encyc. Mét. n. 24. t. 394. f. 3, and

perhaps the fossil Buccinum Pupa and B. glabratum, should

be referred to this genus; the latter has the inner lip strongly

toothed or plaited, which unites it to Nassa.

Pleurotoma tenuis, Gray. Shell fusiform, thin, pale, brown-

ish, pellucid; whorls with a broad smooth posterior sutural

‘concave band, convex in front, and marked with arched trans-

verse ridges ; canal tapering; mouth and canal nearly as long

as the spire; axis with a linear perforation in front. Axis 2”.

—Sierra Leone. (My cabinet.) 02, .

Mactra Sauliana*, Gray. Shell ovate-elongate, compressed,

* T have named this species in honour of Miss Saul of Poplar, a most

industrious and liberal collector of shells, to whom I am indebted for this

species.

30 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

thin, pellucid, pale, with whitish rays and darker submarginal

streaks; covered with a thin pale brown laminar periostracum;

lunule and lozenge smooth, keeled; lateral teeth very thin.

—Hab. China.

Very like M. Helvacea, but smaller and much more com-

pressed.

V.—Prodromus of a Monograph of the Radiata and Echino-

dermata. By Louis AcAssiz, D.M.*

Havine had occasion for some years to examine a great

number of Echinodermata, and having paid particular attention

to their general organization, but more especially to the solid

portions of their integument, which have been hitherto consi-

dered the most important of their external characteristics, I have

felt induced by these circumstances, and others no less favour-

able to inquiries of this kind, to publish the following outline

of a survey of the genera of this class as an introduction to a

more general and critical work, in which I purpose hereafter

to treat of all the species and their comparative anatomy.

The section of radiated animals to which the Echinodermata

belong, should, in order to be characterised m a general man-

ner, be reduced to three classes: the Polypi, the Acalephze, and

the Echinodermata. Intestinal worms, and a great part, if not

the whole, of the Infusoria should be restored to the section

of articulated animals. That I may not be compelled for a

moment to lose sight of the main object of this paper, I think

it advisable, as M. de Blainville has already proposed some of

these changes, to refer for information as to the limitation of

these classes tothe article “Zoophytes” in the ‘ Dictionnaire des

Sciences Naturelles,’ though there are several points of detail

on which he and I disagree.

The class of the Echinodermata confined within its natural

limits should contain no more than the three genera Holothu-

ria, Echinus, and Asterias of Linnzus, which have become the

* Translated from the extract in the ‘ Annales des Sciences Naturelles,’

Mai 1837, taken from the ‘ Mémoires de la Société des Sciences Naturelles

de Neufchatel,’ tome i.

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 31

types of as many families. It is therefore necessary to exclude |

from it the Sipunculi, &c., which constitute the second order

of this class in the Animal Kingdom of Cuvier, and to place

them amongst the Vermes. Thus reduced the class is charac-

terised especially by the presence of retractile pedicles arranged

in rows between the vertical segments of the integument of

the body. On account of this peculiarity M. de Blainville ©

has changed the name of Echinodermata, which is not really

applicable to the Holothuria, into that of Cirrhodermata, al-

though the nature and functions of these moveable organs, as

well as their relations to the external integument, are too im-

perfectly known at present to justify him fully in giving them

that name. The name of Radiated, borrowed from Lamarck,

and restricted to the limits which science now assigns to this

class, seems therefore entitled to a preference. It has the advan-

tage of being simple, and that of involving no systematic idea.

The most general character commonly assigned to the Echi-

nodermata is that all the parts of their bodies are disposed like

radii about a common centre. This character they possess in

common with the whole division of radiated animals. How-

ever, on closely examining this radiated disposition of the

parts, it is observable that in different genera the rays are

not always alike, and do not always tend to a centre of the

same nature. My first care has been therefore to discover the

general laws of configuration and organization in this class, and

to determine the analogies which the different regions of the

body bear to one another and to those of other animals, in order

thus to obtain an appropriate terminology for their description.

The regular radiated disposition of the parts in most of the

Radiata renders it difficult to fix such a terminology. I thought

it best therefore to begin with the study of the forms most re-

mote from the star type, (in which an anterior and. posterior,

a superior and inferior, and consequently a right and a left re-

gion are naturally exhibited,) in order, if possible, by easy

gradations to trace the same relations in the most regular and

even in the spherical and star forms. If, for instance, we ex-

amine the disposition of the parts in the Spatangi, we see at

once that the form of their body, more or less elongated, is a

consequence of the mouth and the anus being placed towards

32 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

the two extremities, and that besides four ambulacral and four

interambulacral series symmetrically placed in pairs on each

side of a plain, which, if continued from the mouth to the anus,

would divide the animal into two equal parts, there is an odd

series of each kind. The odd ambulacral series, above the

mouth, must certainly be the anterior series, while, in the pos-

terior part of the body, itis the odd interambulacral series that

occupies the middle of the disc. It is also a remarkable fact,

that in these animals the anus is always placed amongst the

plates of the /atter odd series. In the Spatangi we have there-

.fore an anterior region indicated by the odd ambulacral series,

and a posterior region indicated by the odd interambulacral

series. On the two sides of the animal the series of plates are

disposed in symmetrical pairs, so that on the left and on the

right there are two pairs of ambulacral and two of interambu-

lacral series. The first or anterior pair, which is contiguous

to the odd ambulacral series, is a pair of interambulacral series,

immediately behind which there are placed, first a pair of am-

bulacrals, next a second pair of interambulacrals, and finally

a second pair of ambulacrals, which includes the odd inter-

ambulacrals, posterior and middle. Notwithstanding this ra-

diated and at the same time symmetrical arrangement, the se-

ries of plates not being of equal breadth throughout their

height, the Spatangi have, between the mouth and the anus,

a disc formed by the greater or less dilatation of the posterior

interambulacral series, on which they creep, and which is, in

fact, the lower side of the animal ; while its upper side is the

region towards which all the series converge above the disc.

As to the Clypeastres, the Galerites, the Neucleolites, &c.,

which have the mouth in the centre and the anus marginal or

submarginal, it is still easy to judge of the position of their

parts, because the position of the posterior interambulacral

series being given by that of the anus, there can be no diffi-

culty in determining the symmetrical relations of the other

series, both the odd and the even. There are even some differ-

ences observable in the form of the plates and the ambulacra

of the several pairs ; and the bilateral parity which these ani-

mals still retain is rendered perceptible by this circumstance.

At first sight it may seem more difficult to discover any

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 33

traces of this bilateral symmetry in the Echini and the Asteria,

whether simple or ramified, and consequently to determine the

antero-posterior diameter in animals whose mouth is perfectly

central, and the anus, when there is one, is likewise situated

in the central but upper part of the body. Nevertheless, even

in this case, nothing is easier than to determine the relations

which all the radiated parts bear to the longitudinal axis of

the animal. It is true that all their rays so closely resemble

each other in their external aspect, that it might seem of little

or no consequence whether we observe in their generic ar-

rangement those traces of bilateral symmetry which are so

clearly visible in the Spatangi. But if we take into account

the differences of structure in some plates of the several series,

we shall be convinced that the same symmetrical parity is pre-

served here also, though under the appearance of a completely

radiated disposition. We observe in fact on the upper part of

the disc of the Echinodermata, especially in the Echini, the

Cidarites, &c., in that region where the series of plates consti-

tuting the testa become convergent, some plates of a peculiar

form, which are called oviducal and interoviducal, and commu-

nicate with the ovaria and the aquiferous system. These

plates may serve as infallible guides in determining the regions

of the body. The largest of them (generally to the number of

five) alternate with the ambulacral series, so that they make

two pairs and an odd one. The anterior pair is thus placed

on the sides of the odd anterior ambulacrum ; the second pair

between the anterior and the posterior pair of ambulacra; and

the fifth or odd plate, which is not always to be found in them,

is situated between the two posterior ambulacra, that is to say,

towards the anus or posterior part of the body. The structure

of this fifth plate is of a peculiar porous kind analogous to that

of the madreporiform body of the Asteria, and is found in the

Echini also, but under a different form. In those which have

but four oviducals, the plate which presents this peculiarity of

structure is that which is wanting, and its place is then indi-

cated by a depression or even a lacuna. Therefore, however

regular the position of these plates in the Cidarites and cir-

cular Echini may be, we can, nevertheless, always determine

the posterior extremity of their body by the odd plate, which

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.1.—No. 1. March 1838.

34 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

is also generally a little larger than the others: and in the ob-

long Echinodermata, should they have the mouth masked

(which is often the case in the fossil species), the posterior end

of the body may still be ascertained by the circumstance that

an odd oviducal plate does not present itself between two of

the ambulacra; for in this case, that these are always the two

posterior ambulacra is evident from the position of the anus

in those in which it is visible. We may therefore say that the

direction of the anterior ambulacrum is always opposite to the

odd oviducal plate, which is always placed towards the anus.

The analogy observable between the structure of the madre-

poriform body of the Asterie, and that of the odd oviducal

plate of the Echini, is in these animals an important point of

resemblance, which may help to guide us in determining the

position of the parts in the first of these families, and enable

us to discover in that also a bilateral arrangement. In fact, .

one of the five rays of the common As¢erie is opposite to the

madreporiform body, and must therefore be considered as the

anterior ray, while the four others are placed in pairs on both

sides of the longitudinal axis. The case is the same with the

Solasterie, except that the number of rays arranged in pairs

is greater, and that sometimes the odd rays are wanting.

Thus, whatever may be the external form of the Echino-

dermata, whether they are oblong like the Spatangi, and have

the mouth and the anus placed towards two marginal extre-

mities of the body opposite to each other, or are completely

of the star form, circular, or even spherical, with the mouth

and anus placed opposite to each other as the two poles of

their spheres, it is still easy to observe in them a bilateral ar-

rangement, and to determine which is the anterior and which

the posterior region, as well as to see how all the parts are dis-

posed in pairs on the two sides of the animal.

M. de Blainville has already observed the relations existing

between the arrangement of the plates in the testa of the Echi-

ni and in that of the starfish, but has not formed a complete

or precise idea of the connexion of those parts. He is perfectly

right in giving the name of ambulacral plates to those which

form the grooving of the inferior side of the rays, and that of

interambulacral to those which are placed on their sides. In

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 35

order however to complete the analogy, the starfish must be

represented as if swelled; then its back answers to the dorsal

summit of the Hchini, whence the ambulacra radiate even to the

mouth, by passing in the starfishes through the extremities of

the rays. We have thus, as in the Clypeastres and the Spa-

tangi, two sorts of ambulacra, one at the upper and the other

at the lower part. of the animal. So far the analogy is com-

plete; but in order to be justified in saying that the lateral

plates of the rays are analogous to the interambulacral plates of

the Echini, we must not consider the upper and lower plate of

each side of a ray as forming a whole, though M. de Blainville

seems to admit this; but we must conceive the upper lateral

plate of a ray as if soldered to the corresponding upper part

of the next ray ; and the lower lateral plates are to be viewed

in the same manner, by always supposing the two sides of

the rays which bound the channel between two neighbouring

rays to be united. It is in these interambulacral plates that

the large thorns of certain starfishes are found, and these

thorns are analogous to the spines of the large mammellz to be

seen in interambulacral plates of the Echini. In the starfishes

there are also secondary spines surrounding the principal

spines in greater or less regularity.

Besides the five oviducal plates, we observe at the summit of

the Echini five other smaller plates, situated at the extremity of

the ambulacra with which they are connected, and likewise per-

forated at one point, but all of the same structure as the larger.

Mr. Gray has given them the name of interoviducal plates.

As to the membranous tubes issuing from the holes of the

ambulacra, it is proper to remark that they do not in any way

contribute to locomotion. It is rather amusing to trace the

history of their advancement to the honours of this function,

As they are placed, in the Echini, in bands, more or less nar-

row, between the large mammellated plates which bear the

spines, the old naturalists, fancying that they bore some re-

semblance to the alleys or walks in a park, gave them the name

of ambulacra, without describing with greater precision their

nature and destined use. More recently the idea attached to

the word ambulacra was extended tothe organ which is placed

amongst them, and has been, since then, most erroneously con-

36 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

sidered as a locomotive organ. How, in fact, could these small

tentacula, with all their softness of texture, situated as they

generally are in that part of the body which is never brought

into contact with the ground when the animal moves, and

overhung (débordés) by calcareous solid spines,—how, I ask,

could these flexible tubes be used as organs of motion? It is

an undeniable fact, and I have often observed it myself, that

it is with their spines the Echini move themselves, seize their

prey and bring it to their mouths, by turning the rays of their

lower edge in different directions. But the correction of an

error respecting the functions of the ambulacral tubes does not

solve the problem relating to their nature and use. This pro-

blem we are yet unable to solve, as we know nothing more re-

specting them than that they are connected with the aquife-

rous system.

The position of the anus, in the true Echini, between the

oviducal and interoviducal plates and those additional plates

which surround the orifice at the dorsal summit, where the

ambulacra terminate, has suggested the notion of a relation of

dependence between the ambulacra and the posterior orifice of

the alimentary canal. But this is far from being a correct no-

tion ; for the ambulacra, which have been often represented.as

extending from the anus to the mouth, invariably converge to-

wards the upper part of the disc, where they appear in the

form of a rosette more or less distinct, while the position of

the anus varies considerably. It is not even median and su-

perior except in the Echini properly so called and in the Cida-

rites. In all the other Echinodermata, in which it exists, it is

situated between the two series of plates which form the pos-

terior interambulacral space and diverge more or less from

each other at its issue. In this case, which is the more fre-

quent of the two, the anus has no direct communication with

the ambulacral spaces.

The position of the dental apparatus, and particularly of the

teeth themselves, with respect to the rays of the body, is an

object which I would recommend to naturalists as well worthy

of their attention ; for at present I myself am unable to solve

all the difficulties connected with the comparison of the differ-

ent modifications of the dental system in the several genera of

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 37

Echinodermata. I shall therefore merely remark, in general,

that the teeth alternate with the ambulacral spaces and are

placed directly opposite to the middle of the interambulacral

spaces, between the two series of plates which compose these,

and to which they are attached by means of a very compli-

cated apparatus. The structure of this apparatus, which is dif-

ferent in different genera, I shall describe as soon as my re-

searches respecting it are more complete. As the teeth corre-

spond to the interambulacral spaces, it is obvious enough that

there must be an odd one. It is this odd tooth that is found

behind on the antero-posterior axis itself. Its motion is di-

rected forwards from the hinder part. The four other teeth

are in pairs, and move laterally from right to left and from left

to right in contrary directions on both sides of the mouth.

Their motion may therefore be compared with that of the max-

illze of articulated animals, while the odd tooth may be consi-

dered as bearing some analogy to the lower lip of some of

these. The space between the teeth and the lower orifice of

the testa is covered with small moveable plates similar to those

which surround the anus.

It is scarcely necessary to observe that the determination of

these points must be of the utmost importance in examining

the situation of the intestines and their mutual relations. Un-

fortunately, the state of the specimens which I had intended

for dissection, did not allow me to investigate thoroughly all

those points which I had wished to decide; and when I was

dissecting some fresh specimens at the sea-side, I was not yet

aware that it was possible to determine so precisely and posi-

tively the relation of the different regions of the body of these

animals. Jam therefore now obliged to postpone all further

detail until I have completed this part of my labour. The

facts which I have just stated appeared to me sufficiently re-

markable to warrant their separate publication without an im-

mediate review of the whole organization of this class. As to

the manner in which I have designated the several regions of

the Echinodermata, it may be objected that, most of these

animals having the mouth beneath the disc, the side on which

it is found cannot be considered as the anterior region of the

body. But this denomination is no less correct on that ac-

38 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

count; and that the position of the animal in walking or swim-

ming is not sufficient to guide us with reference to this point

is evident from the case of the Mollusca and certain insects

which swim on the back. Moreover, the anus of the Echino-

dermata is placed on the upper side, a situation different from

that of the same organ in other animals. I feel therefore suf-

ficiently warranted in considering the mouth as the principal

point of departure and as determining the anterior part of the

body. Do we not, in fact, see it placed in the fore part of the

Holothuria, which by habitually moving on the same side ap-

proximates to the Vermes, and in the pedunculated starfishes,

which, though fixed to the ground, uniformly put the mouth

forward in balancing themselves on their stems? If, neverthe-

less, it were deemed advisable to adopt a different nomencla-

ture, and to call that side on which the mouth is placed the

lower side, that would make no change in the relations already

pointed out: that which I call the upper would then become

the forepart, that which I call the hind part would become the

upper part, and the lower would become the hind part.

As I know not that anything has been yet published re-

specting the growth of the Echinodermata, I am the more in-

clined to think that the few observations which I have col-

lected on this subject will be found interesting, at the same

time that they will show the Echinodermata, whatever be their

form, to be all subject to the same mode of development. The

only known fact bearing on this point is, that the Echini and

the starfishes consist of fewer pieces when they are young

than at a more advanced age. It does not appear even that

that there is any positive limit to their growth, though the se-

veral species habitually exhibit a sort of middle size which is

proper to themselves, and from which the extremes are not

very far removed. It is in the Echini more than any others,

and especially in the Cidarites, that we find it most easy to

decide on the exactness of this indication, although several

authors appear to have sometimes forgotten it, particularly

when their object has been to establish new species. But we

have been told by no one where and how the new plates grow,

and in what manner they are developed. In order clearly to

comprehend the mode in which the Echinodermata grow, we

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 39

must steadily keep in view the general disposition of the solid

pieces which form their tegument. In the Echini these are

plates, of larger or smaller dimensions, arranged in vertical

zones which diverge from the mouth towards the periphery of

the body, and thence seem to converge towards the superior

centre. In the starfishes they are plates, the smallest of which

are placed at the top of the rays, and the largest at the centre

of the channel by which the rays are separated. We mark

however three distinct types in the form of these animals:

some tubular (the Holothuria), some spheroidal (the Echini),

and others of the starform (the Asterie); but these types may

be reduced to two, inasmuch as the tubular form may be con-

sidered an elongated spheroid; yet further, these two types

may be reduced to the same plane of organization, since the

large growth of the plates in the summits of a spheroid com-

bined with the contraction of the interradial planes would pro-~

duce a starfish ; while, vice versd, the increase of the interradial

planes and the reduction of the central plates in the starfish

would produce a spheroid. Nor is this a mere hypothesis ; we

shall see hereafter that the essential difference between the

Echini and the Asterie consists in the different modes of their

growing. As to the disposition of the plates, there are in the

Echini twenty series of them, forming ten zones, five of which

are perforated and five not perforated. The five zones or

double series of perforated plates are called the ambulacral, and

the others the interambulacral series. In the starfishes the

series formed by the solid plates are less regular and vary in

number: however, in those starfishes that have large plates

at the edges of the rays, we see that these plates correspond

with the interambulacral series of the Echini, while each ray

has a complete ambulacral series which extends from the

mouth along the extremity of the ray to the superior centre,

and the middle of which, at the extremity of the ray, is con-

sequently narrower than the ends: in the Echini, on the con-

trary, each series is broadest in the middle and narrowest at

the extremities, If we now attentively examine an Echinus of

the middle size (among those of its own species), we shall find,

especially in the genera Cidaris and Echinus, that the plates

of the several series are not so strongly attached to each other

40 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

at the dorsal summit, and that the spines which they bear in

this region are less fully developed. If, carrying the examina-

tion still further, we remove the spines, we shall then observe

that amongst the oviducal and interoviducal plates and the

interambulacral plates that bear spines there are some less

fully developed, irregular in form, wanting even the mamellze

and the spines, and taking their place among the mammellated

plates only in proportion as they gradually attain to a larger

size. The new plates are at first very small, and may be com-

pared to points of ossification which at first grow simulta-

neously in all directions, though their lower side completes its

formation sooner than the upper, and the upper side is some-

times yet incomplete, even when an incipient mammella is ob-

servable in the middle of it. Inthe region of the body where

this increase takes place, the membrane which unites all the

plates and spreads itself over their surface, forming an articular

capsule about the base of the spines, is softer and more spongy

than it is in the inferior part where the plates are consolidated

and immoveable. It is in fact this spongy mass that deposits

the calcareous matter of which the plates are composed: and

the spines shoot out in the centre almost in the same manner

as the horns of a stag. They do not become moveable until

they have attained a certain stage of development, and there

is a period in their growth after which their size does not in-

crease. Those however which drop off accidentally are replaced

by others, formed, as those had been, by the tumefaction of

the membrane which covers the plates. We may always ob-

serve in a single specimen of the Cidaris all the gradations of

increase, from that of the plates which have completed their

growth and bear spines several inches long, down to the

smallest points of ossification of the plates yet unfurnished

with spines. These facts I have ascertained by examining se-

veral individual specimens which exhibited all the interme-

diate stages of development through which the pieces in ques-

tion must pass: and indeed, when we have no direct means of

observing the growth of an animal in one individual, the only

resource left us is to compare a great number of individuals

representing a complete series of all the stages through which

the species to which they belong has to pass before their

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 41

growth is completed. The only difference between this pro-

cess and the direct observation of any development is, that in

the one case we observe in one and the same individual that

succession of changes, which in the other we trace through a

series, as complete as possible, of several individuals. Such

is the course that I have taken with respect to the Echinoder-

mata. The young Echini have a small number of plates in each

of their vertical series; they appear to be slowly increased in size

by the deposition of calcareous matter at their circumference

until those which surround the mouth have completed their

growth and are entirely consolidated. The superior plates con-

tinuing to grow, increase, from the top downwards, the peri-

phery of the body, which remains depressed so long as the in-

ferior are the only plates consolidated ; but in proportion as a

greater number of plates become immoveable, and as there is

formed, in the upper region, a greater number of plates reach-

ing down to the circumference of the spheroid, the testa be-

comes rounded and finally assumes a spherical form. It is to

this cause that we are to ascribe the differences of contour ex-

hibited by the EHchini at different ages. In some species there

are found individuals presenting even a pyramidal shape, and

this takes place when there is still formed a great number of

plates subsequently to the consolidation of those occupying

the greater diameter of the animal’s body. These facts suffi-

ciently explain the gradual growth of beings which approximate

more or less nearly to the spherical form, and show how care-

fully we should guard against the introduction of nominal spe-

cies in consequence of a mere difference of form resulting from

age only.

It would be interesting to trace the development of these

. animals ad ovo. But no naturalist has yet observed the state

of the Echini on their first issuing from the egg. As to the

spines, it is evident, especially in the Cidarites, that those sur-

rounding the mouth are the first that attain their full growth,

while the largest are those in the upper tier of the disc; and

those which have not yet completed their growth are found

around the oviducal plates on the outside. The correctness of

these observations will be demonstrated by comparing the dif-

ferences of development exhibited in this region by the spines

42 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

that stand nearest to each other. We should be mistaken how-

ever as to the growth of the Echinodermata, did we think that

there is a generic connexion between the plates, on account

of their forming vertical series from the mouth to the summit of

the disc. It has been already remarked that the plates of each

space are alternately a little more elevated than each other, but

no attention has been paid to the manner in which the plates

of all the spaces succeed each other in the same Hchinus ; and

yet, if we consider it closely, we shall see that the new plates

are developed in spiral lines, passing, without interruption,

from one series to another through all the spaces from the

circumference of the mouth to the dorsal summit, so that those

which rest on each other in a vertical line do not make their

appearance in immediate succession. It appears to me well

worthy of remark, that in these animals, holding so low a rank

among organized beings, we should find the succession of the

solid parts composing their integument so strikingly analogous

to the arrangement of the leaves around the stems of plants ;—

an arrangement, the laws of which have been recently disco-

vered by M. Schimper, and explained, so far as regards the Co-

nifere, in a memoir of M. Braun on the arrangement of the

scales of their cones.

The small plates surrounding the mouth and those around

the anus are arranged in a peculiar manner; they are easily

moved, and thus facilitate the deglutition of the food and the

voiding of the excrements. In general the testa of the Echini

is not so immoveable as one who had not observed them in a

fresh state might be led to suppose. All the plates forming the

upper part of the disc are often set in motion: sometimes they

sink, sometimes they rise, and, in the oblong species, the lon-

gitudinal diameter is often extended beyond its ordinary length,

The great mobility of the spines, the variety of their move-

ments, and the manner in which they help the animal to seize

its food, have been already noticed.

The growth of the starfishes and the Crinoides will appear

to be carried on by a process exactly the same, as soon as + is

agreed that an ambulacral space of an Hchinus answers to an

ambulacral surface of a starfish, and that an interambulacral

space of the former answers to the large marginal pieces of

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 43

two contiguous rays in the latter: for the pieces exhibiting its

growth are formed in the angles of the rays on the upper and

lower surface of the body, and, becoming larger and larger,

elongate the rays and drive the extremities of them to a greater

distance ; so that the number of the plates continually in-

creases and cannot be considered as a specific characteristic.

The growth of the summit in the Asterig and of the stem in

the Crinoides, as well as that of the moveable pieces of the

mouth, is also independent of the rays in these animals, and

accompanied by a peculiar position of their parts, as in the

Echini. Hence it is easy to conceive how a body of the star

kind may grow larger and still retain its form.

The study of the organization of the Echinodermata has led

me to introduce in their classification and in the defining of their

genera some changes, which I shall also exhibit ina synoptical

table. I found that the characters deduced from the combi-

nation of the plates and the arrangement of the ambulacra

formed groups more natural and better defined than those de-

duced from the position of the mouth and the anus.

The class of the Echinodermata is divided into three orders:

the Stellerides, the Echinides, and the Fistulides, which re-

semble in the degree of their organization the three classes of

the Radiata. The Stellerides answer to the class of the Polypi;

the Echinides to that of the Acalephze, which connect the sec-

tion of the Radiata with the Mollusca; while the Fistulides, as

the culminating point of this division, represent the section of

the articulated animals, and more especially the Vermes.

As to the genera established in this class, I found that the

characters deduced from the combination of the plates and the

disposition of the ambulacra formed groups more natural and

better defined than those deduced from the situation of the

mouth and the anus. My observations on this subject I shall

publish in a monographic paper (accompanied with plates),

for which I have already collected most of the necessary ma-

terials.

[To be continued. ]

V1.— Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorce Jounston, M.D.,

Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Plates II. and III. |

(Continued from Magazine of Zoology and Botany, ii. p. 73.)

IV.—Tue Scotrtsn Motiusca NupiprancaiA.

CHaractTerR. Mollusca gastropodous, shelless, bisexous :'

branchie external, dorsal, always symmetrical, placed either

posteriorly in the median line or along the sides: tentacula

from one to three pairs, more or less retractile : eyes sessile or

none: head scarcely marked. NupiBRANCcHES, Cuvier, Reg.

Anim. 11.50. Rang, Manuel, 124.—Trironiens, Lamarck,

Anim. s. Vert. vi. i. 298.

Tue Nudibranchia are all natives of the sea, where they re-

present the land slugs, to which they havea considerable degree

of outward resemblance, and are otherwise allied to them in

structure and habits. Like the slugs they crawl on a muscular

disk or foot which occupies the entire length of the body ; their

mode of progression is of the same slow and continuous na-

ture; a glairy fluid exudes from miliary glands imbedded in

the skin to render the surface lubricous, less resistent, and

less liable to injury from friction ; both tribes are equally vege-

table feeders ; and they are also hermaphrodites after the same

remarkable fashion. What peculiarly distinguishes the pre-

sent order is the external position of the branchiz or breath-

ing organs, where placed on the back they float in the oxygen-

ating medium, and require no subsidiary apparatus to bring

this into contact with the blood. In form and location these

organs are exceedingly diversified, becoming, when fully dis-

played, the creature’s principal ornament, and its most obvious

claim to our notice and admiration. They are placed on the

posterior part of the body in the Dorides, where they form a

circle of arborescent leaflets, which can be drawn within at

pleasure and removed from injury ; but in all the other genera

they are incapable of retraction, and are distributed on the

sides and over the back in a pattern each after its kind. To

aid them in their important function, we find that the surface

of these branchial leaflets or filaments is clothed with minute

cilia, which by a quick and constant succession of vibrations in

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Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca. 45

a determinate direction propel the water over it in corre-

sponding currents, and thus supply a never-failing stream of

unbreathed water*.

The varied position of the branchiz necessarily implies

some corresponding peculiarities in the arrangement of the

circulating system. It is a general rule in physiology that the

heart shall be placed in the immediate vicinity of the organs

which air the blood; and accordingly it is found situated, in

the Doris, far backwards, just anterior to the branchial circle ;

while in the other genera, which have the branchiz distributed

along the sides, its position is more forwards and nearly cen-

tral. It is a strong muscular organ, consisting of an auricular

and a ventricular cavity, separated by two semilunar valves,

and its inner surface is netted with numerous fleshy columns,

like the heart of a vertebrate animal. Receiving the blood, or

what, because of its cold and colourless qualities, Linnzeus

called the sanies, from vessels bringing it in a purified condi-

tion from the gills, it propels the stream forward into an aorta,

by whose divergent ramifications this is led to every part and

_ organ of the body. By venous vessels, nearly parallel but run-

ning in the contrary course, the blood is again returned, the

~vessels as they trend inwards uniting repeatedly, until, after

~“tmany unions and coalescences, they form two or one large

trunks that serve the place of a pulmonic heart. In the Trito-

niade these vessels run parallel, two along each side of the

body, in correspondency with the position of the branchiz, and

give off a small branch to every tuft and filament of them ; but

in Doris they keep a more central and medial course. The

blood collected in them is effete and unfit to continue life ; but

by numerous branchlets which depart from these trunks and

ramify through the gills, it is again dipersed and exposed to

the oxygenating medium before it re-enters the heart to begin

again the ceaseless circuit.

The nervous system consists of four ganglions placed over

the origin of the cesophagus, from which filaments are sent .

to the different organs, to the foot, and cutaneous envelope.

There is neither other ganglion nor plexus. From this sim-

* Sharpey in Cyclop. Anat. and Phys. i. 620.

46 Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca.

plicity of plan, it is probable that the instincts and sensibilities

of these mollusca are few and of a low character*,

cdeens --. animal sine fraude, dolisque,

Innocuum, simplex,.....+++.

and we know no trait in their habits that is repugnant to this

inference. Cuvier says he could detect no evidence for the

existence of more senses than sight and touch: the former is

seated in the small black specks which may be seen, in some

of the genera, at the bases of the tentacula; the latter sense

has no particular locality, but is diffused over the whole sur-

face, though exercised more especially, and with greatest de-

licacy, by means of the endermoid processes, such as the ten-

tacula and branchial fringes. I cannot, however, but suspect

that the tentacula have some more specific use ; for their struc-

ture, in Doris and Tritonia at least, is complex, and their po-

sition ill suited to organs intended to be employed as tactors.

Blainville supposes, with some show of reason, that they may

be organs of smell+; and, we may add, perhaps of hearing also.

* The slow-moving molluscous animals,” says Professor Grant,

“are less provided with organs for perceiving the properties

of outward bodies than the active articulated classes ; but many

of the higher pulmonated gasterops seem both to hear and to

smell, although the precise seats of these feelings have not

been determined, and 77ritonia arborescens emits audible sounds

under water, which are, without doubt, intended to be heard

by others of the same species, as we see in insects, and pro-

bably to serve as a means of communication between these

hermaphrodite and almost blind animals, although the organs

have not been detected which are appropriated to their per-

ception {”.

Some foreign species are rapid in their movements, swim-

ming with ease in the ocean and on its surface, but the pro-

* Lamarck, Anim. s. Vert. vi._i. 265.

+ ‘* Enfin une autre opinion qui est la ndétre, c’est que c’est l’extrémité

des tentacules véritables, ou de la premiére paire d’appendices qui est l’or-

gane d’olfaction. La peau y est en effet encore plus molle, plus lisse, plus

délicate que dans aucun autre endroit, et le nerf quis’y rend est plus con-

sidérable.”,—Man. de Malacologie, 107. Carus’s objection to this opi-

nion appears to be founded on a verbal quibble.—See Comp. Anat. i. 73.

Trans.

$ Outlines of Comp. Anat. 279.

Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca. 47

gression of our natives is usually slow, even, and continuous.

They creep along the bottom or among the branches of coral-

lines; but when confined in a basin they ascend to the surface,

place themselves in a reversed position, and thus glide along

it with ease, aiding themselves by undulations of the cloak and

its expansions. Lamarck erroneously asserts that the Kolides

and Tritonie cannot swim *, for this seems in fact to be their

favourite mode of progression, and in which they exert their

locomotive powers with most success. When laid on the sur-

face I have seen several of the smaller sorts form the posterior

edge of the foot or tail into a kind of circular sucker, and by

its means hang pendent for some time.

The mouth is situated in the front of the nearly acephalous

body between the overlapping cloak and the foot: it is a sub-

circular or vertical aperture with fleshy lips, which the Doris

can protrude to a considerable extent to form a short proboscis.

At the sides of the mouth there is usually a pair of fleshy fila-

ments, more or less elongated, which appear to perform the

flice of feelers to guard against the entrance of noisome food,

alt select what may be agreeable ; and above it we perceive

a development of the cloak with a laciniated margin which has

received the denomination of the oral veil. The mouth is either

emaxillary, or, as in 7ritonia, furnished with a pair of large

corneous jaws, which, moved by powerful transverse muscles,

serve to divide the sea-weed on which the animals feed+; the

fare of the others being presumed to be of a softer nature and

less restricted in kind{. Forced by appropriate muscles down

the oral or proboscideous canal, the food is next laid hold on

by the tongue, a broad membrane of the most delicate and

beautiful mechanism, consisting of a lace-work of minute

prickles set in regular array with their sharp points all pointed

backwards§. Passing over this membrane the vegetable tex-

* Anim. s. Vert. vi. i. 301 and 304.

+ ‘« Ces deux James sont fort tranchantes, et il n’est rien de vivant qu’elles

ne puissent couper lorsque l’animal en fait glisser les deux tranchans |’un

sur l’autre.”,—Cuvier, Mém. sur la Tritonia, p. 11.

t Risso says that the nourishment of the Nudibranchia consists of small

zoophytes.—Hist. Nat. de l’Europ. Mérid. iv. 40 ; see also Loudon’s Mag.

Nat. Hist. viii. 78.

§ Dr. Fleming says that the tongue of Tritonia “ differs remarkably from

the same member in the Doris. In the latter, the spines with which it is

48 Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca.

ture is rasped and frittered down, and in this dissolved state

the mass is again brought forward by the regulated contrac-

tions of the adjoining muscles, and the peristaltic motions of

the tongue itself, to be forced down the csophagus into the

stomach, which is simply a membranous dilatation of the ali-

mentary canal. This canal is very short, scarcely equal to the

length of the body, a fact which may seem irreconcilable with

the unnutritive character of their fare; but the want of length

is probably compensated by the unusual size and complexity

of the salivary glands, and perhaps also of the liver*, which

lies in the immediate proximity of the stomach, and more or.

less envelops it, pouring in its copious secretion by several

. apertures. In Doris there is another singular organ which

sheds its secretion into the stomach, a vesicle with the inner

surface roughened with conical papillz, but which has no di-

rect communication with the substance of the liver. Dr. Grant

considers this organ to be analogous to the pancreas in higher

animalst.

The Nudibranchia are hermaphrodites of a peculiar kind:

each individual possesses the organs of both sexes, but is in-

capable of self-impregnation, and requires the aid of another

to render the ova fruitful. These are deposited on the under

sides of stones, on shells, and on the roots and fronds of sea-

weed, in glutinous masses, which are sometimes broad and flat

like a ribbon, and at other times more like ravelled thread.

The number of ova in each mass is prodigiously great, and

they are usually arranged in regular lines, straight or zig-zag,

each ovum, or perhaps two or three, inclosed in a separate

vesicle imbedded in the common mass, which is itself covered

by a membrane of the most perfect transparency. The embryo,

beset are reflected, and draw the food to the gullet; while in the former,

the spines are deflected, and serve to keep the food within the reach of the

aws. The tongue of the Doris, therefore, serves for deglutition, that of the

Tritonia for mastication.” —Phil. of Zoology, ii. 469. I have not noticed

this distinction ; and it should be remembered that the prickles are move-

able and may be directed either backwards or forwards, though the former

is their ordinary position.

* According to Cuvier the liver is not comparatively large, at least in

Tritonia.—Meém. p. 12. But Blainville says that the liver has always ap-

peared to him to be larger in phytophagous than in zoophagous mollusca.

—Man. de Malacologie, 124.

+ Loudon’s Mag. Nat. Hist. viii. 79.

Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca. 49

while in the ovum, has been observed to have a rotatory mo-

tion produced by vibratile cilia placed on the exterior; a mo-

tion, which appears destined to bring a constant supply and

renewal of sea-water into the interior of the organization, in

order to perfect the animal before it is, as it were, launched

into the ocean. Possibly, also, the continued friction of the

cilia against the interior of the egg may tend to abrade it, and

open a passage for the young animal*.

There are few Scottish species of the order hitherto ascer-

tained, but I have found the task of determining them, and

their synonymy, very difficult and irksome. This has resulted

partly from the meagreness of their descriptions in Linnean

authors, partly from the want of access to some expensive

works containing figures that might have supplied this de-

ficiency of detail, and partly from the difficulty of ascertaining

the extent of variation in the species themselves. In the hope,

however, of drawing attention to so interesting a tribe, and of

laying a foundation for a more accurate knowledge of it, I offer

the result of my study to the British naturalist, persuaded that

he will receive with indulgence an essay that neither care nor

industry has been able to free from imperfection and doubts.

Family I. DORIDAL.

Branchie retractile, posterior and dorsal, placed in a circle

round the anus. CycLosprancuiATA, Blainville, Man. 488.

—Urosrancatis, Latreille, Fam. du Reg. Anim. 173.—LEs

Doris, Rang, Man. 131.

1. Doris. Dorsal tentacula lamellated : anus without scales.

Family Il. TRITONIADA.

Branchie non-retractile, lateral and dorsal: anus lateral and

anterior. PoLYBRANCHIATA, Blainville, Man. 484.

* Branchie@ arbuscular : dorsal tentacula two, retractile within a sheath at

their base. Dicrerata, Blainville, Man. 487.—SERIBRANCHIA,. La-

treille, Fam. du Reg. Anim. 174.—Les Tritonizes, Rang, Man. 128.

2. Trironta. Branchie arborescent: tentacula fissile and

pectinate. :

3. MeLiIBEA. Branchie ovate, muricate : tentacula filiform,

simple. $.5

-* Roget, Bridgew. Treatise, i.°216.

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 1.—No.1. March 1838. E

50 Dr. Johnston on Scottish Moilusca.

** Branchie papillary : tentacula two or three pairs, sheathless, contractile,

simple. TeTRAcERATA, Blainville, Man. 484.—Puy.Lioprancuia, La-

treille, Fam. du Reg. Anim. 175.—Les Guiavuques, Rang, Man. 125.

4, Kourpi1a. Branchie papillary, undivided.

*** Branchie papillary, scattered: dorsal tentacula two only, imbricate.

5. Triopa. Branchie simple, and, as wellas the tentacula,

without a sheath.

1, Dorist, Linneus.

CuHaracter. Body acephalous, ovate-depressed with the

margin of the cloak free, or prismatic and limaciform: mouth

proboscidiform with a pair of labial tentacula: dorsal tenta-

cula 2, lamellated and retractile: anus posterior, dorsal and

mesial, encircled with the arborescent or pinnate branchiz,

which are retractile within a sort of cup: foot plane: orifice

of the organs of generation on the right side and anterior.

Cuvier, Reg. Anim. iii. 51. Lamarck, Anim. s. Vert. vi. 1.309.

Rang, Man. 132. Blainville, Malacol. 488. i

* Margin of the cloak overlapping the foot.

1. D. tuberculata, body ovate-depressed, above closely tu-

berculate, the margin of the cloak rather narrow; orifices of

the tentacula without sheaths ; leaflets of the branchiz 8, plu-

mose. Plate II. fig. 1—3.

Doris tuberculata, Cuv. Mém. v. 23. pl. 2. fig. 5. Lam. Anim. s, Vert.

vi. i. 311. Johnston in Zool. Journ. iv. 416.—Doris Argo, Pen. Brit.

Zool. iv. 82. pl. 24. malé. Jameson in Wern. Mem. i. 556. Stew.

Elem. i. 387. Turt. Gmel.iv.77. Turt. Brit. Faun. 133. Blumen.

bach, Nat. Hist. 245. Fleming in Edin. Phil. Journ. viii. 295; and

Edin. Encyclop. xiv.618. Grant in Edin. Phil. Journ. xiii. 198. lem.

Brit. Anim. 282.—D. Argus, Stark, Elem. ii. 68.—D. Pseudo-argus,

Rapp in Nov. Act. Phy. Med. Acad. Ces. Leop. Car. Nat. Cur. xiii.

519.

Hab. ‘‘ Among the sea-weeds and crevices of rocks near low-water

mark, common,” fev. Dr. Fleming. On the rocks near the Beacon at Leith,

Professor Jameson. Frith of Forth, Dr. Grant. Bell-Rock and Isle of May,

common, Rev. Dr. Fleming. On the E. shore of Bute, Dr. Coldstream,

Coast of Berwickshire, occasionally.

Desc. Body sometimes three inches long and nearly two

broad, ovate-depressed. Cloak usually grey, sometimes straw-

coloured or sulphur-yellow, marbled with cimereous and pink

blotches, and closely covered with small round unequal tuber-

+ The mother of the sea-nymphs called Nereides.

Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca. 51

cles of a bluish colour; its margin entire, somewhat undu-

late, overlapping. Space between the cloak and foot white or

yellow, smooth ; the foot varying from pale yellow to an orange,

plane and broad. Dorsal tentacula conical, short, the upper

half yellow and lamellate*, the base white and smooth, issuing

from sheaths level with the surface. Branchie of 8 large tri-

pinnate plumose leaflets, some so deeply divided that the leaf-

lets appear to be eleven or twelve+, of a light blue colour ir-

regularly spotted with white and yellow about their bases,

Anus prominent, tubular, whence, in many specimens, lines of

a sulphur colour diverge to the branchiz.

When handled the cloak has a cartilaginous somewhat gritty

feel, from containing in its texture a vast number of crystalline

spicula, clustered more especially in the tubercles. These spi-

cula are cylindrical, slightly curved, obtuse at both ends, some-

times bulged about the middle, colourless, pellucid and calca-

reous, for they dissolve readily in weak acids. Similar spicula

are-to be found in the tentacula radiating from the centre, in

the branchiz and in the foot; but less thickly set than in the

cloak, and perhaps less regular in their figure.

D. tuberculata is a very sluggish creature. When kept in

a vessel until the water becomes unfit for respiration, it dis-

charges, in dying, a large quantity of a gelatinous fluid from

the skin, and some dirty greenish liquor from a small aper-

ture placed before and a little to the right of the anus. This

is the orifice of a duct which takes its origin from the liver, so

that this viscus, besides the bile, appears to prepare another

excremental secretion, that may, perhaps, be of use to the ani-

mal in rendering it disagreeable to its enemies. Of sucha

combination of functions there is no other example among

animals, and the fact was so strange and anomalous that re-

peated careful dissections were required to convince Cuvier of

its reality; and, after no further doubt could be entertained,

he suggested a possibility of two glands being here so inti-

* Cuvier says, these tentacula ‘‘ sont toujours composés de petits feuil-

lets extraordinairement minces, empilés les uns sur les autres, et comme

enfilés dans un pédicule commun.”—Mém sur le Doris, p. 12.

+ Rapp, under his description of Doris grandiflora, says that the number

of branchial leaflets cannot be used as a specific character, because they

vary considerably in this respect in different individuals,—an observation

which I believe to be applicable to the genus.

E 2

52 Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca.

mately interlaced that no dissection could unravel the portions

that belonged to each*.

Cuvier’s description and figure of his Doris tuberculata ap-

ply with such sufficient exactness to our Scottish species as to

render their identity scarcely doubtful. I have been informed

by Mr. J. E. Gray, to whom a specimen was sent, that it is

the same as the English ones from the coast of Devonshire,

usually confounded with the D. Argus, but which are, or were,

labelled in the British Museum as D. Britannica or D. Mon-

tagui. The D. tuberculata of Rapp in Nov. Act. Acad. Nat.

Cur. tom. xiii. p. 521. tab. 27. fig. 4. 5. appears to me distinct

from Cuvier’s, in having the cloak sprinkled with granules

merely and not tuberculated, and in the greater proportional

breadth of the margin. It seems to be nearly allied to the fol-

lowing species.

2. D. obvelata, body ovate-depressed, the cloak even and

finely granulated with a rather broad margin; tentacular

sheaths level with the surface; branchial leaflets bipinnate,

about 15, forming a cup when expanded. Plate IT. fig. 4—7.

Doris obvelata, Mull. Zool. Dan. Prod. 229. Turt. Gmel. iv. 79. Lam.

Anim. s. Vert. vi. i. 311.

Hab. On rocks under sea-weeds near low-water mark. Berwick Bay,

where it was discovered by Mr. J. Alder of Newcastle.

Desc. Body nearly one inch long, one third as broad, ellip-

tical, depressed, equally rounded at both ends, of a uniform

yellowish-white colour, usually dashed with a few dusky spots.

Cloak even, smooth and punctate to the naked eye, but really

finely granulated, as it appears through a common magnifier,

the border rather broad, undulated and plain. Space between

the cloak and foot smooth. Dorsal tentacula short, ovate,

bulged, obscurely lamellated, issuing from apertures without

any sheaths. Branchie surrounding the nipple-like vent in

an entire circle, forming by their union a beautiful cupped blos-

som: there are fifteen leaflets of equal size, bipinnate, not

* «« En voila le premier exemple dans la nature, et la chose était assez

singuliére pour me faire douter long-temps, et pour me faire mettre dans

cet examen toutes les précautions possibles. [Il n’y a qu’une seule sup-

position a faire qui soit contraire 4 mon idée; c’est que les lobules de deux

‘glandes différentes seroient tellement entrelacés, qu’on ne pourroit les di-

stinguer 4 la vue; une partie de ces lobules seroit hépatique, et produiroit

la bile ; l’autre donneroit la liqueur que le canal en question transmet au

dehors.””—Cuv. Mém. sur le genre Doris, p, 16.

Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca. 53

spreading, white. Foot ovate, white, undulated. Innume-

rable calcareous spicula enter into the composition of the

cloak and skin. ug

This is readily distinguished from every variety of the pre-

ceding by the chaliced form which the branchie assume when

displayed and by the smoothness of the cloak. I have not

seen Muller’s figure of D. obvelata, but the specific character

which Lamarck gives of it is very suitable to our species :—

“corpore ovali-oblongo, supra tuberculis parvis pie ; velo

marginali lato repando.”

3. D. bilamellata, body ovate-depressed, the cloak rough,

with equal tubercles ; branchiz short, numerous, simply pec-

tinate, forming an unistexrupted circle. Plate II. fig. 8.

Doris bilamellata, Linn. Syst. 1083.—D. fusca, Mull. Zool. Dan. Prod.

229. Zool. Dan. tab. 47. fig. 6—9. Lam. Anim. s. Vert. vi. i. 312.

Dy verrucosa, Pen. Brit. Zool. iv. 82. pl. 23. fig. 2. malé. Turt. Gmel.

ivi@7- Turt. Brit. Faun.133. Fleming in Edin. Encyclop. xiv. 618.

Stew. Elem. i. 386. Flem. Brit. Anim. 282.—Tritonia verrucosa, Jame-

son in Wern. Mem. i. 556.

Hab. On rocks near low-water mark. The sea near Aberdeen, Pennant.

Leith shore and Shetland Islands, Prof. Jameson. Coast of Berwick-

shire, not uncommon.

Desc. Body about an inch long, oval, depressed, nearly

equal in breadth at both ends, which are rounded and plain.

Cloak mottled and clouded generally with brown of various

tints, rough or muricated with numerous nearly equal small

tubercles, the margin rather narrow. Dorsal tentacula conical,

smooth towards the base, closely imbricate on the upper half,

retractile within a simple cavity that sometimes appears like

an ocellated spot. Branchie forming a circle of not less than

twelve simply pectinated short leaflets retractile within a de-

pression with an entire rim. Foot oval, white except where

stained by the interranea. As in the preceding species, the

cloak contains an immense number of calcareous spicula, of un-

equal sizes, and aggregated more particularly in the tubercles.

This pretty species is subject to great variety in colour, and

I have seen one or two individuals which were entirely white.

It agrees so well with Linnzeus’s description of D. bilamellata

that I have not hesitated to adopt his name; and the figure

of Pennant is sufficient to enable any one conversant with the

54 Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca.

appearance and habits of the creature to identify it as his

D. verrucosa. The wonder is how this should ever have been

considered the same with the D. verrucosa of Linnzus and

Cuvier,—a large species found mn the Indian seas, and differ-

ent in every respect. Dr. Fleming says the branchial plumes

are about twenty-four in number, “arranged in a semicircle,

those at each end shortest.” It is very difficult to ascertain

their exact number from their close apposition, but I think

they do not much exceed twelve. |

4. D. levis, “cloak smooth in the middle, slightly tuber-

culated towards the margin ; branchial plumes eight in num-

ber.” Fleming.

Doris levis, Lin. Syst. 1083. Mull. Zool. Dan. Prod. 229. Turt. Gmel.

iv. 79. Cuv. Mém, v. 26. Fleming in Edin. Encyclop. xiv. 618. Lam.

Anim. s. Vert, vi. i. 312. lem. Brit. Anim. 282.

Hab. ‘‘ Common among the Zetland Isles,” Rev. Dr. Fleming.

Desc. “ Length about half an inch, rounded in front, nar-

row behind; of a milk-white colour.” Fleming.

5. D. pilosa, body ovate, tumid, the cloak tomentose with

an ample margin; branchiz from 7 to 9, plumose. Plate II.

fig. 9, 10.

Doris pilosa, Turt. Gmel. iv. 79. Lam. Anim. s. Vert. vi. i, 312. Cuv.

Mém. v. 26.—D. tomentosa? Cuv. loc. cit. 26.

Hab. Under Algez between tide marks. Coast of Berwickshire, occa-

sionally.

Desc. Body less than an inch in length, oval, very convex

dorsally, snow-white, but so pellucid that its purity is slightly

stained by the opacity of the internal viscera: the cloak tomen-

tose with small papille, the margin ample and plain. Foot

oval, obtuse. Dorsal tentacula yellowish, cylindrical, lamel-

late, without sheaths. Veil above the mouth large, somewhat

triangular, produced at the superior angles. Branchie white

like the body, beautifully plumose, the leaflets about seven,

but it was difficult to ascertain the number exactly.—The spe-

cific name tomentosa so well expresses the white woolly ap-

pearance of the cloak in this species that it seems preferable

to pilosa, but I feel so far persuaded that the names have been

applied to variations of the same animal as to prefer that which

has the claim of priority.

e i “F4 .

| Oe See

Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca. 55

6. D. nodosa, “cloak with four equidistant papillz on each

side the medial line.” Fleming.

Doris nodosa, Montagu in Linn. Trans. ix. 107. pl. 7. fig. 2. Fleming in

Edin. Encyclop. xiv. 618. Pen, Brit. Zool. iv. 85. Flem. Brit. Anim.

282. |

Hab. ‘‘ Among the rocks at St. Andrew’s,”” Rev. Dr. Fleming.

Desc.

7. D. nigricans, “ cloak thickly covered with short lan-

ceolate tubercles ; branchial plumes about eight in number.”

Fleming.

Doris nigricans, Fleming in Edin. Encyclop. xiv. 618. Flem. Brit. Anim.

283.

Hab. “ Zetland,” Rev. Dr. Fleming.

Desc. “Length about half an inch, pale, freckled with

dusky; cloak emarginate anteriorly ; sheath of the superior ten-

tacula notched in the margin.” Fleming. May not this be a

variety of D. pilosa?

**® Body prismatic.

8. D. Barvicensis, body smooth; branchial leaflets eight,

plumose. Plate II. fig. 11—13.

Doris electrina?? Pen, Brit. Zool. iv. 83. pl. 26. fig. 1. Stew. Elem,

i, 387.—D. bilamellata?? Turt, Brit. Faun. 134.

Hab. Amongst corallines in deep water. Coast of Berwickshire, rare.

Desc. Body prismatic, ;6ths of an inch long, about one-third

as broad, of a white watery colour irregularly clouded with sul-

phur-yellow and pink, (the latter dependent on the viscera,)

and sprinkled all over with minute white dots. Back smooth,

the cloak adnate, thickened at the sides, where it forms a sort

of narrow membranous rim. Sides abrupt, smooth. Foot

elongated beyond the cloak and tapered to an obtuse depressed

tail, white, with a yellowish medial line and a thin pellucid

edge, the anterior angles produced into two distinct tentacular

processes. Dorsal tentacula cylindrical, yellowish, the upper

half lamellated with the shaft lengthened into a small mucro ;

they issue from wide sheaths emarginate on their inner sides,

Branchial leaflets eight, when moderately extended like papillze

or tubercles, but when fully expanded they are somewhat plu-

mose and encircle the prominent tubular vent, from which

white lines radiate to the branchiz : just behind the branchial

56 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

circle and behind the anus there is a small but distinct orifice

of a deep red colour.

This description is taken from a anaes specimen, the only

one I ever saw, and it is probable that the colour may vary in

different individuals. It seemed fond of swimming in a re-

versed position; and evacuated some small pellets of a bright

red colour while in confinement, but it was not ascertained

whether these came from the vent or the adjoining excremental

orifice.

[To be continued. ]

VII.—Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

Letters have lately been received from Mr. Cuming, (so well known

by his splendid South American collections of Natural History,) dated

Manilla, Dec. 24, 1836; from Dr. Schomburgh, dated New Amster-

dam, Berbice, April 8th, 1837, Demerara, August 8th, 1837; from

Mr. Gardner, dated Organ Mountains, Brazil, April 5th, 1837.

Mr. Cuming had reached Manilla in July of last year, just as the

rainy season had set in, when he was unable to make any excursions

until the end of September. He then left Manilla for the Hacienda

of Calaguan in the centre of Luyon, where he remained until the

15th of December, visiting and exploring the woods and mountains

in the neighbourhood, and then returned to Manilla with his collec-

tions. These consist of about 1150 species found in the island of

Luyon; and of these nearly one-tenth are ferns of the most varied

and beautiful forms; two of them are tree-ferns; and one he de-

scribes as constituting a shrub, throwing out branches like the fir;

and with the exception of a few, they were all found in fructifica-

tion. He secured about 60 species of Orchidee, of which the greater |

part were not in flower; many species of Mosses, and 125 Fungi.

Many trees afforded specimens with splendid inflorescences, some

blossoming twice in the year ; but others flower principally in March,

April and May, and could not be collected in a satisfactory state at

a later season. Without having then visited the coast, he had col-

lected no less than 250 kinds of Shells, and a proportionate number

of Insects, Reptiles, Crustacex, &c.

His reception from the Government (which hitherto had been so

jealous of foreigners visiting their country, that I know of no natu-

ralist who had ever penetrated into the interior of the island except

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 57

Mr. Cuming) was flattering in the extreme; every facility had been

afforded to his researches, and the hospitality of the resident Spa-

niards was even greater than what he experienced from the same na-

tion in South America. Although Calaguan is deemed the most un-

healthy spot in the island, and although Mr. Cuming explored the

woods, mountains, marshes and river-banks, frequently exposed to

torrents of rain during a whole day, he never suffered an hour from

illness, nor experienced a moment’s pain, except from the bites of

venomous insects. Mr. Cuming’s return to England with his col-

lections may shortly be expected. f

Mr. Gardner, whose intention of visiting the Organ Mountain is

noticed at p. 346, vol. ii. of the Companion to the Botanical Maga-

zine, writes from his residence of ‘‘ Fazenda de St. Anna de Paque-

quer” in that range, at an elevation of 3100 feet above the level of

the sea. He says in his letter,—

**T have to acknowledge the receipt of your long and highly wel-

come letter of the 25th of October, which I had not intended to an-

swer at this time, not expecting an opportunity of despatching my

reply. I have however just heard that a vessel is to sail direct for

Liverpool in about three days; and a Swiss planter, a very kind

friend of mine, whose estate lies about three leagues distant from

this Fazenda, having arrived here to-night on his way to the city,

and offering to convey anything I may wish to send thither, I sit

down to write you a few hurried lines, to inform you that I am in

the enjoyment of good health, and busily employed in an excellent

botanical field. It will be impossible for me now to dilate on all I

have seen and collected upon this mountain range. This informa-

tion I trust to be able to give on my return to Rio, which will pro-

bably take place in about a month, when it is my intention to ar-

range and pack up all my collections,—a process for which both

house-room and paper are wanting here.

_ «© When sailing up the bay to this Fazenda, we passed many little

rocky islands, on which I observed a number of Cacti; and on my

return to the city I hope to take a boat, and spend a day or two in

surveying them. Should any new species of the Cactus tribe, as I

expect, reward my researches, they shall be sent to my generous

patron the Duke of Bedford, to whom I regret that there has been

no opportunity of forwarding a box of living Palms.

«There are very few Mosses on these mountains, and not many Li-

chens, but an abundant harvest of Ferns, many of which, I have no

doubt, you will find to be new. Several of those I have examined

58 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

are undescribed by Sprengel. Among the most remarkable is a very

fine Osmunda, and a curious bipinnate species, with a habit corre-

sponding to that of Lygodium, but the fructification of a Blechnum.

I have met with a few Fungi, but have not collected any. Agaricus

campestris is very abundant just now on the pastures of this estate.

** Among my recent discoveries are two most beautiful species of

Cattleya, both of them, I believe, new. A single living plant of each

was all I could secure; but I dried and preserved in spirits some of

the blossoms.

“Your obliging suggestions as to my future movements have met

with my best attention; but I am yet undecided what plan to pur-

sue. Since receiving your letter, my opportunities of obtaining in-

formation respecting the route to Goyaz have been very small; and

all I have heard is, that the journey would occupy several months,

and be attended with heavy expense. From our mutual friend, Dr.

Loudon, I had a letter a few days since, containing a most pressing

invitation to visit him in that province; and as Von Martius seems

to consider the interior from thence as a good botanical field, I feel

inclined to proceed thither when quitting Rio, as from the immediate

vicinity of Pernambuco much might be obtained, which could not

fail to prove acceptable to my subscribers, whether for living or dried

plants. After spending four or five months there, it would be time

to think of exploring the interior. But although I may remain in

Brazil two or three years more, I shall not resign the idea of a trip

across the Pampas and Andes to Chili. On all these points you

shall hear further when I have the honour to write, along with my

Organ Mountain collections.

“« Ever since Christmas day I have been residing at this Fazenda ;

and when my stay is completed, which will be in a month, I hope

to send home 400 or 500 species. I now enclose in a box contain-

ing insects, two capsules of a species of Talauma. This is a grand

and handsome tree of frequent occurrence in this vicinity, which

bears abundance of large yellowish white, highly fragrant flowers.

I arrived just in time to secure a few specimens, which I succeeded,

after much trouble, in drying. This spot is at an elevation of 3100

feet above the level of the sea; but the highest peak of the Organ

Mountains attains twice that altitude. It has never yet been as-

cended; but I hope this will not continue to be the case, as the En-

glish clergyman at Rio projects an excursion to the summit next

week, and kindly permits me to accompany him. We expect to be

absent at least three days and two nights; and since many miles of

the route lie through a dense virgin forest, where it will be neces-

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 59

sary to cut our way, we shall take four negroes with us, who will

also carry provisions, &c. I expect to find many curious things; and

only regret that our mode of travelling must preclude the possibility

of making large collections. My friends would, I dare say, hardly

recognize me in the garb that I assume during these excursions,

which consists of only a shirt, thin trowsers, linen shooting-jacket

with wide pockets, and a straw hat as broad as the Culross girders

used for baking the oat cakes of my native land. Neckcloth and

vest are incumbrances here : instead of the former, a string suspends

round my neck a large knife ; while a cutlass for cutting down trees

hangs by my side, and a huge botanical box is strapped to my back.

I should also mention that deep Brazilian boots of untanned yellow

leather incase’‘my legs, and come up as high as the body. My ex-

cursions generally extend to a distance of ten or more miles, as I

often ride on a mule; and when I tell you that the woods here are

most beautifully adorned with several arborescent species of Mela-

stomacee@, principally of the genus Lasiandra, whose deep green foli-

age and purple blossoms give them the appearance of gigantic Rho-

dodendrons, and which are mingled with large trees of the genus

Cassia, covered with lovely yellow flowers, you will easily believe

that I return home at night loaded with novelties.

* April 5th, 1837. “ Grorce Garpner.”

A more recent communication from Mr. Gardner has put us in

possession of his journal, written during his residence in the Organ

Mountains, which will be given in an early number of our Annals ;

and of a letter, dated partly at sea and partly on his arrival at Per-

nambuco, from which we make the following extracts.

** On board Her Majesty’s Packet Opossum, between Bahia and

Pernambuco, October 6, 1837.

*« By the last packet I wrote, stating that I had determined to

visit Pernambuco before going south, having been advised not to

think of proceeding to Buenos Ayres, in consequence of the present

unsettled state of the country between that place and Chili. Seve-

ral friends, well informed on the point, concurred in this opinion;

and while it is with reluctance that I give up my first intention, I

still think that twelve months will not be unprofitably spent in the

north of Brazil. Pernambuco and the adjoining provinces have been

less visited than the rest of this country; and M. Riedel, the bota-

nist attached to M. Longsdorff’s expedition, with whom I have just

been conversing, states, that while he has explored all the rest of

Brazil, he did not visit Pernambuco, a district, with which though

60 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

he is personally unacquainted, he understands to be peculiarly rich

in plants.

“Tam carrying letters to several of the merchants in Pernambuco,

one of whom happens to be a fellow-passenger with us from Bahia.

This gentleman informs me that he possesses a country house not

far from a large fresh-water lake, eight miles inland from the city,

where he has kindly invited me to spend some time. Another of

the passengers from Rio is a young Spaniard, who has a large Es-

tancia or farm in the republic of Monte Video, situated about 160

leagues up the Uraguay river. He was educated in England, and

is now on his way to visit his father who lives in London. From

this individual, with whom I have formed some intimacy, I have re-

ceived a most hospitable invitation to make use of his house for as

long a time as I may remain in that quarter. It is situated only

three days journey from the Missiones, where Bonpland resides; and

abundance of the Matéor Tea plant of Paraguay, (Ilex Paraguayen-

sis) is cultivated there. As this gentleman intends to return in less

than twelve months, I shall not prolong my stay in the north beyond

that period. By this arrangement I hope to reach Buenos Ayres

about the beginning of what is the summer season there. I antici-

pate that this gentleman’s kindness will be of the utmost service to

me, as he is acquainted, not only with all the Spaniards who possess

large farms in that country, but with the greater part of the English

also; and in case of his not having returned so soon as my arrival

shall take place, he has given me letters to the manager of his estate,

who, like himself, is an Anglo-Spaniard, and to some of his relations

in Buenos Ayres. He informs me that, however dangerous travel-

ling may be in the country between Buenos Ayres and Mendoza,

Cordova and Tucuman, it is perfectly safe to do so in the Banda

Oriental and Entre Rios.

‘«‘ While at Bahia, I saw in one of the numbers of Silliman’s North

American Journal a drawing and description of the new plant-press* .

which you propose to me. It is certainly constructed on a much

superior plan to any of those now used, and for an individual who is

stationary, excels all others; but I incline to think that, for the pur-

pose of travelling, no mode of drying plants is so ready and commo-

* Of the usefulness of this newly-invented plant-press I can speak with

confidence, after nearly twelve months’ experience in the use of it. It was

presented to me by its inventor, Dr. Locke of Cincinnati, state of Ohio,

a gentleman who has lately visited England, and who is distinguished for

his extensive mechanical knowledge. A figure and pb oan will be

offered in a future number of our Journal.—W., J.

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 61

dious as that afforded by two thin boards the same size as the paper,

with strong cross bars, a couple of leathern straps, and a big stone.

_ “T trust that my second shipment of specimens will have arrived

ere you receive this letter. I have yet a few Rio plants to send,

most of them collected just before I left that city, and dried during

the passage to Bahia, which occupied thirteen days. At the latter

place we spent forty-eight hours, during which I made two short

botanical excursions, and found several novelties ; among them two

species of Hriocaulon, a yellow-flowered shrubby Cuphea, (C. flava ?

Sprengel), Pistea stratiotes in flower and seed, Angelonia hirtea (of

Chamisso), and some others which I have not yet had time to exa-

mine. Here also were several specimens of what seems to me Cory-

anthes speciosa, (Hooker), growing on the Mangrove, Cocoa-nut, and

other large trees on the Victoria Hill. The country round Bahia is

much lower than the neighbourhood of Rio; but its vegetation is

ranker and far more luxuriant. The Mangoes, the Jacka (Artocar-

pus integrifolia), the Cocoa-nut and other Palms attain nearly twice

the size they do about Rio; and the general. Flora is also quite dif-

ferent, the common plants being altogether dissimilar in the two

places. On my second botanizing trip I was accompanied by a young

man from Glasgow, who has been eight years in a merchant’s. house

here. Though he attended the lectures of the Professor of Botany

in that city, he has forgotten all about that science: but his ac-

quaintance rendered him a useful companion. These plants will be

sent with the first collection from Pernambuco.

‘‘ Before quitting Rio, I again went up to Tejuca, in order to procure,

if possible, a few plants of Oncidium Russellianum ; but though I staid

three days and explored every probable spot, I had but little success.

The few Orchidee that I obtained are sent home, packed with all the

skill and care of which I am master, by H.M. ship Blonde, which is

expected to make a short passage. * * * * * I left two boxes to

be forwarded from Rio to Liverpool, containing reptiles and shells :

in the former are two birds of the country ; one of them the Jacutinga

(Penelope Jacutinga of Spix), a small monkey and a squirrel. I have

also collected several insects; among them another fine species. of

Ceutrotus, which is only found on the small branches of Carolinea

alba; it is much larger than any of the others.

“« Gzorce GARDNER.”

Five days after the date of the above letter, i.e. in twenty-five days

after quitting Rio, Mr. Gardner reached Pernambuco, where he was

kindly welcomed by Dr. Loudon, a gentleman from Glasgow, now

resident in that city, who is well known, to ourselves, having joined

62 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

us in several botanizing parties to the Highlands of Perthshire, and

who has paid much attention to the natural history of Brazil. Dr.

Loudon assured Mr. Gardner that he thought there would be no

difficulty in exploring the interior of the province, by making some

cotton or sugar plantation his head-quarters: he offered him all the

assistance in his power.. As soon as Mr. Gardner should have col-

lected two hundred species, he intended to despatch them home, so

that we may soon look for specimens from him.

I may here remark that Mr. Gardner’s extensive harvest of Organ

Mountain plants have reached London, where such parcels as are ad-

dressed to the English and continental subscribers will betaken out by

Mr. Hunneman: the rest willbe forwarded withoutdelay to Glasgow.

Since the above was written we have had the pleasure of receiving

Mr. Gardner’s collection of Organ Mountain plants, which will be

distributed to the different subscribers with as little delay as pos-

sible. Itis, as we anticipated, extremely rich in rare and novel spe-

cies, remarkably well preserved. The number of the fullest sets ex-

tends from 301 to 735 phenogamous plants, together with a very

fine collection of Ferns, and some good Mosses (which latter are not

distributed). Little, comparatively, as is the distance between Rio

and the Organ Mountains, yet, on account of the elevation, the vege-

tation of the latter is considerably different from that of the former

place. Among the genera we find two of Clematis, a magnificent

Talauma, two singular species of Viola (one V. balsaminoides, Gardn.

MS.), a Qualea, a Platanthera (ciliosa, Mart.), a Chorisia (speciosa,

St. Hil.), several Clusie, or perhaps Schweiggeria, St. Hil., Noran-

tea (Brasiliensis), a Trigonia, some fine Sapindacee, a Stematosiphon,

Pohl ; Ilex Paraguensis (!) ; several Casearie ; numerous Leguminose,

especially Cassia; a Rubus, Cerasus, Fuchsia, many exceedingly beau-

tiful Melastomacee and Myrtacee ; four Passion-flowers, one with an

unusually large and handsome blossom; Cereus truncatus, and a new

species (C. Russellianus, Gardn. MS.); Hydrocotyle macrophylla,

Pohl ; an Eryngium, four Loranthee, several Rubiacee, two Valerians,

some very handsome Lobelia and Gesneriacee, a Gaultheria, a Vac-

cinium and Andromeda, numerous and very fine Composite, particu-

larly a Baccharis with large coriaceous cuneate leaves (perhaps B.-pla-

typoda, Dl.), and a Mutisa, Cybianthus (cuneifolius, Mart.), some

Asclepiudee and Apocynee, anoble Lisianthus, Talbachia (among Gen-

tianee), and a magnificent Prepusa (of the same family, very differ-

ent from the P. montana, Mart. Nov.Gen_ t. 190.), P. connata, Gardn.

MS. ; several Solanee ; Franciscea, two species, (one of them the very

handsome and little-known F. hydrangeeformis, Pohl); two Virgu-

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 63

larie, a Cartilleja, Peltodon, Hyptides, four Salvie, a new Cyrtan-

draceous (?) plant, some singular Utricularia, one with a large cordate

leaf, several curious species of Begonia, Laurinee, a Rhopala, an Ari-

stolochia (cymbifera, Mart.) ; a caulescen Dorstenia, two Alstremerie,

an Eriocaulon, several Monocotyledonez, and among them no less

than fifty-eight species of remarkably well-preserved Orchidee. Sel-

dom have we received a more interesting collection from any country ;

and we trust that Mr. Gardner’s researches in Pernambuco will be

rewarded with similar success, and he cannot fail to extend greatly

our knowledge of the vegetable riches of Brazil.

We heartily wish that Dr. Schomburgh had been equally fortu-

nate in his travels with Mr. Cuming and Mr. Gardner; but he has

had difficulties.to contend with of no ordinary character, as will be

seen in the following extracts from the letter above-mentioned, dated

‘* New Amsterdam, Berbice, April 8, 1837.

“I acknowledge with the greatest gratitude your kind letter of

November the 12th, 1836, which I received a few days ago on my

return to the colony. It evinces in the most flattering terms the

interest you take in my proceedings, and stimulates, as it ought to

do when I consider the source whence it proceeds, my ardent desire

to make myself worthy of that interest. I have to contend with a

thousand difficulties; months elapsing, during which I have had no

other habitation than an oil-cloth roof and some poles taken from the

wood as uprights whereon to sling my hammock. The interior of

British Guiana is uninhabited; and while ascending the Berbice, we

saw no appearance of human beings from the commencement of

December till our return a few days ago. This circumstance alone

may show the difficulty which attends the collecting and drying of

plants in these regions. Let there be but a hovel which affords

shelter and the means for preserving the specimens which have been

collected with so much toil, and it is preferable to our late temporary

habitations. The greatest traveller of his own time, or of any time,

the celebrated Humboldt, found Indian settlements along the wild-

est. part of his tours; yet I have been for months past in districts

where human foot never trod before, and starvation looked us

pretty earnestly in the face. There is little doubt that part of

the river Berbice has never been visited. No person can be more

anxious than myself to send large and good collections of plants to

Europe; and during my late expedition everything has been done

to fulfil this wish.. An assistant was engaged by me, and no op-

portunity neglected for collecting: still the number of species. does

64 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

not exceed 220 to 230, exclusive of those which had been previously

found on my visit to the Essequibo. It is quite a mistaken idea to

conclude that a tropical heat is qualified to dry specimens better

than the temperate zone. I can assure you that the contrary is the

fact; and I am but too frequently compelled to have recourse to ar-

tificial heat, to prevent the plants from spoiling. The dense wood

generates moisture at all times, even when the atmosphere appears

most clear and serene, which, alas! has been a rare circumstance

during my stay in British Guiana, much to the injury of my astro-

nomical observations and botanical stores, During my visit to the

Berbice it rained almost daily, and from Christmas to the commence-

ment of April wet weather was incessant. I cannot sufficiently

regret that many of the Essequibo plants were in such a bad condi-

tion, as I would have made any sacrifice rather than cause dissatis-

faction to my subscribers ; and to obviate this, I have offered to de-

duct the amount of such, or to replace them, where practicable, with

more perfect samples, in order that botanists may become acquainted

with all that I have found, and have no reason for complaint. Of

No. 156, to which one of my subscribers objects as being without

inflorescence, I may state that I couid only find three plants in flower,

which were, of course, destined for my first three subscribers; but

as the juice of the species itself forms one of the ingredients in the

famous Wonrali poison, I considered it of sufficient interest to war-

rant my sending it. No. 157 is of similar interest, being the tree

which gives the Amapaima or Caska preciosa. Of No. 160 I have

only transmitted a portion of the leaves; but Palms must not

henceforth be expected from me; for if foliage, spathas and fruit are

looked for, how could these be transported in corials? No. 168 has

leaves only, no flower; but I considered that the tree which yields

the Guiana vegetable milk, and of which the juice is also used by

the natives as a varnish, was surely worth sending. I am thankful

to the individual who has drawn my attention to these and other

Nos.; in some instances I may have been in fault, and-I can only

repeat my offer that twelve specimens be deducted from my Berbice

plants, and that any sample to which a well-founded objection can

be made, should be rejected. If cabinet botanists, those who work

at home, did but know what trouble it costs to collect plants, espe-

cially in the tropics, where Nature seems only to exist in the ex-

tremes of either a burning sun or pelting rain, they would be lenient

in their judgments respecting those individuals, whose time, labour

and expenses it is out of the question to think of repaying. The

dense forests of this country are not very productive of those plants

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 65

which are most easily collected and preserved; I mean the herba-

ceous kinds. In these the Savannahs are far richer, while they also

yield an equal number of shrubs, &c.

«An abridgement of my reports to the Royal Geographical Society,

to which all papers connected with my journey justly belong, has

appeared in the Journal of that body. I have, however, protested

against any more being published for the present, as my views may

change with respect to ‘the country and its productions; and with

regard to the character of the natives, it cannot be studied during a

six months’ journey. My investigations of British Guiana will be

concluded in 1838 or 1839 ; so that if the Almighty spares my health

and strengt ; I hope to have many opportunities before me of in-

creasing my-stock of knowledge. I have gone to the expense of

engaging a draughtsman, who, under my own inspection, executes

drawings of such plants as I may consider interesting; the parts of

fructification I delineate myself. Upwards of fifty have been done,

many of them new; and I have preserved the inflorescence, and

otherwise paid the greatest attention to the faithful representation

of the whole plant.

“T am glad to hear that the Cacti reached Woburn in good order,

though I much doubt that the first I sent was C. semperangularis,

as the numeral classification, according to the sides which the stem

presents, is highly deceptive. M. Otto of Berlin pronounces three

of those which I sent from Tortola to be new. Not a Melocactus

nor Echinocactus have I seen since I reached this country; the gra-

nitic regions sometimes present a Cercus or one of the Rhipsalidee,

but scarcely anything of the Cactus tribe. The islands are doubt-

less the region of the latter, and these I hope shortly to visit; for,

as you are probably aware, Cuba, St. Domingo and Portorico have

never been sufficiently investigated, though these are among the

largest and most fertile of the West India islands. It is true that

Péppig has been in the first and Bertero in the two latter; but their

labours were limited. It is therefore my plan, after returning early

in the year 1839, to commence a tour through the islands, from Tri-

nidad to the Bahamas. Have the goodness to tell me candidly whe-

ther the collections of plants from these countries would find pur-

chasers. The mountain chain of Cuba, but chiefly that of San Do-

mingo, is yet unexplored.

** Now for the discoveries made during my late expedition. At the

head stands a new Nymphea, the most wonderful production I have

seen since my botanical researches commenced. I observed it first

in the upper regions of the river Berbice ; it is generally found where

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 1. No. 1. March 1838. F

66 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

the river is currentless, the membranaceous leaves being a lively

green on the surface and bright crimson beneath, and from 5 to 64

inches in diameter; the rim is turned up, and from 2 to 6 inches

high: the salver-like form of the foliage is most regular, and the

flower vies in beauty and singularity with the leaf. It is from a foot

to fifteen inches in diameter, of a lovely pink in the middle, and pure

white externally. Extensive stretches of the river are covered with

this splendid Water Lily, affording so singular an appearance, that

when I saw it for the first time, I could have wished my corials had

wings, to enable me to ascertain what this beautiful inmate of the

waters could be. The sensations of astonishment and delight with

which I first surveyed this vegetable wonder are not to be described.

I had a faithful drawing taken, and attempted likewise to preserve

the leaves and flowers. The former failed utterly ; but the blossoms,

which are in strong brine, are tolerably well preseryed. In a short

time you shall hear more of it*.

‘«« My second discovery of interest is a genus of Fern, which I have

not previously observed nor seen described in any of the botanical

works I possess: it seems to connect the Ferns with the Mosses. Of

that curious tribe, the Balunophore, I possess a species; but all my

* Probably it is this very, Water-Lily to which M. d’Orbigny alludes

in his Voyage dans l’ Amérique Méridionale, when he says, Le 3 Mars j je

recommencai ma navigation, et déscendant le Paraua, jarrivai a a V’em-

bofichure du petit ruisseau de San Jose, qui forme un immense marais

avant de se réunir au fleuve. La je trouvai une plante qui est peut- -€tre

V’un des plus belles d’Amérique. Cette plante, qui parait appartenir a la

famille des Nympheacées, voisine du Nénuphar de France, mais dans des

dimensions gigantesques, est connue des Guaianais sous le nom de Yrupé,

qu’elle doit 4 son séjour habituel et 4 l’analogie de la forme de ses feuilles

avec celles de certains grands plats ou avec la couverture de certains pa-

niers ronds fabriqués dans le pays. Qu’on se figure, sur une étendue de

prés d’un quart de lieue de long, et de plus de largeur, des feuilles arron-

dies, flottant a la superficie des eaux, toutes larges d’un a deux métres, et

dont le pourtour est muni de bords relevés_perpendiculairement a deux

pouces au-dessus de l’eau comme un plat. Ces feuilles, lisses en dessus,

se divisent en dessous en une foule de compartimens réguliers, qui forment

des cétes trés-saillantes, remplies d’un air qui les soutient a la superficie

de l’eau. ‘Toute la partie inférieure de la feuille, ainsi que sa tige et ses

fleurs, sont couvertes de longues épines. Au milieu de cette vaste plaine,

brillent, dans la proportion des feuilles, des fleurs larges de plus d’un pied,

de couleur tantét violarée, tantdt rosée, tant6t blanches, toujours doubles,

et exhalant un parfum délicieux. Ces fleurs produisent une espéce de

fruit sphérique, qui, dans sa maturité, est gros la moitié de la téte, et plein

de graines arrondies trés farineuses; ce qui a fait donner a cette plante le

nom de mais del agua (mais d’eau) par les Espagnols du pays, qui, a ce

qu’il parait, receuillent ces graines et les font rdtir pour les manger. Je

ne pouvais me laisser d’admirer ce colosse des végétaux, dont je recueillis

des fleurs, des feuilles et des fruits, et je m’acheminai vers Corientes, ot

j ’arrivai a quatre heures du soir.”

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 67

attempts to preserve were fruitless; it is, however, among my draw-

ings. No less interesting are three new species of Podostemee, of

which my first subscribers will receive specimens. I am just occu-

pied in arranging my plants, and must acknowledge with what dis-

tress I see the damage which the moisture has caused them, in spite

of the chests being tinned inside. Nothing can effectually guard

against this evil, and it is needless to complain. I had taken every

precaution; and_exposed the boxes be the sun whenever there was an

opportunity ; though, sad to say! a sunbeam did not occur above

four or five times during the whole two months of my journey.

** There is little doubt that my steps will next be turned to the

mountains near the equator. In my ascent of the Essequibo I may

meet with many of the plants I found before, and I shall be obliged

by your pointing out to me such among them as you deem worthy

to be drawn and described on the spot.

*‘ T have been very unfortunate with my entomological collections ;

they fared worse even than the plants. ‘The wreck of those collected

in my last expedition were sent to the Entomological Society, while

those which I got together during the Berbice and Conrantine trip

were, with the exception of a very few, completely ruined by the

corial being swamped ; when, unfortunately, in the agitation of the

moment, the box was neglected to be secured. I hope to be less

unlucky another time. I had almost forgotten to mention that I

have three Cacti for Woburn: a number of seeds of Palms, and other

plants shall accompany them. It will probably be necessary to send

these things via Demerara, where I shall be in the commencement of

May, as thereis no communication from Berbice to Glasgow and

Liverpool. ‘“‘Rospert H. Scuomsurenu.”

Since the above extracts were penned for publication, much valu-

able information has been given at the late meeting of the British

Association at Liverpool respecting the splendid Nympheaceous

plant discovered by Dr. Schomburgh in the river Berbice. A new

genus has been formed of it, which has been dedicated to our young

queen. It is the Nymphaea Victoria ofits discoverer; Victoria Re-

gina of Mr. Gray; Victoria regia of Dr. Lindley, who has done am-

ple justice to Dr. Schomburgh’s drawings by having it engraved on

an imperial atlas size, at his own expense, and accompanied by a

description for private distribution. It detracts nothing from Dr,

Schomburgh’s merits, if it be really the case, as stated in some of

the foreign Journals, that the same plant was also found by Dr. Pép-

pig in the Amazon river, and named Huryale Amazonica; a genus

F 2

68 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

from which Professor Lindley has found it necessary to distinguish

it. Dr. Schomburgh’s letter to the Botanical Society of London re-

specting this plant, together with an accurate and coloured figure,

have also appeared in the 11th number of Sir William Jardine’s

Magazine of Zoology and Botany.

By the latest account that we have received from this courageous

and scientific traveller, dated Demerara, August 28th, 1837, we learn

that he was then about to undertake another expedition, and to pro-

ceed, without delay, to ascend the Essequibo to William the Fourth’s

Cataract, which he had reached in 1835-6; thence to continue the

survey of that river to its sources, which are considered to be in the

supposed mountain chain near the equator. If time and circum-

stances permit, he will then prosecute his researches to the eastward,

' return to the junction of Rupernuny in January 1838, and select

his tropical winter-quarters (i.e. during the rainy season) at the

Brazilian Fort San Joaquim. He then trusts to be enabled, as soon

as the dry season sets in again (in August 1838), to start towards

the mountain chain where the Orinoco is supposed to have its sources,

and to return to Demerara in February or March 1839. In this

difficult enterprise we fervently wish him success. Botany has al-

ready benefited considerably by his researches, notwithstanding his

heavy losses and the difficulties he has had to encounter; and he

has sent to his subscribers in England many valuable plants besides

the Victoria above alluded to, and amongst them specimens and draw-

ings of four species of that highly curious aquatic genus Lacis (Po-

dostemon, Mirb.), of which further notice will be taken in a future

number of our Annals. |

Mr. Mathews, the indefatigable Peruvian traveller, has lately des-

patched another collection of dried plants from the neighbourhood

of Moyobamba. ‘The specimens are in beautiful preservation, rich

in Melastomacee and Composite; but by no means so numerous in

species as we could have wished. Mr. Mathews has neglected to

number them, which will occasion some delay in the distribution to

the Subscribers. a

Mr. Tweedie, by whose researches in extra-tropical South America

our gardens as well as our herbaria have been so much enriched, has

recently performed a journey of some little difficulty to the south-

ward of Buenos Ayres, beyond the Rio Saladillo, to a ridge of hills

called Serras de Tandil, a country, as far as we know, never before

visited by a botanist. The account with which he has favoured us ~

of this journey will be given in our next number. .

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

Poissons d’ Eau douce d’ Europe. Par Louis Aeassiz, M.D.

This work is now far advanced, and the publication will be com-

menced immediately. It will be completed in six livraisons of thirty

plates each, giving in the whole work one hundred and eighty for

the illustration of species and varieties. The first livraison will be

devoted to the Salmonide, and will contain the species of Salmon,

Thymalus, and Coregonus which are at present known to exist in the

European waters, accompanied with the requisite details.

Das System der Pilze, Durch Beschreibungen und Abbildungen er-

lautert, von Dr. Th. Friedr. Ludw. Nees von Esenbeck und A.

Henry. 8vo. Bonn, 1837. Erste Abtheilung. 12 Tab.

Much expectation was raised by the announcement of the present .

work in consequence of the great merit and originality of the Genera

Plantarum Flore Germanie published under the same auspices,

and especially because of the well-known System der Pilze und

Schwiimme of the author’s brother. This expectation however has

been by no means answered, the figures being with very few excep-

tions mere copies and illustrations which have been repeatedly before

the public, and frequently not the best which might be selected.

The genera are often too vague and adopted on slight and insuffi-

cient grounds. We think moreover that affinities enunciated by the

great Swedish Mycologist have sometimes been rejected with evi-

dent loss to systematic harmony. Indeed it is to be regretted that

many hints thrown out by Fries, such as the identity of Nemaspora

and Libertella, a fact to the truth of which we can ourselves bear

testimony, have been neglected. Though, however, but little addi-

tion is made to our knowledge of the structure or affinities of Fungi

in the present publication, as a compendium of genera and store-

house of illustrations it will be of great use to students who have no

ready access to the works to which the authors have had recourse.

The price is very moderate.

Plantes Cryptogames de France. Par I. B. H. I. Desmaziéres.

Fasc. XVII. Lille, 1836.

This admirable publication, resembling in its nature that of Bulliard

upon the Cryptogamic plants of the Vosges Mountains, is the con-

tinuation of one well known to all Cryptogamists, Plantes Crypto-

games du Nord de France. The new title of the work indeed is a

consequence of the great importance to which the more partial one

Bibliographical Notices.

had arrived, comprising as it does eight- hundred species. The spe-

cimens are extremely good and in several cases are accompanied by

beautiful lithographic sketches, the execution and accuracy of which

cannot be too highly praised. Copious notes frequently are subjoined

to the species, of which the principal synonyms are indicated. We

cannot better show what may be expected from its enlarged scope,

than by giving a list of the species which the present Fasciculus con-

Itis greatly to be regretted that it is not possible to procure

many of the earlier Fasciculi, of which we hope that the excellent

author will be induced to give a second edition. Those marked with,

an asterisk are accompanied by figures.

at Lille is 10 francs.

tains.

*801.

*802.

*803.

*804.

*805.

806.

807.

808.

809.

*810.

*811.

$12.

813.

814.

815.

816.

817.

818.

819,

820.

821.

822.

823.

824.

Frustulia major, Kutz.

Closterium lunula, Nitz.

lamellosum,

Bréb.

Micrasterias denticulata, De

Bréb.

Anabaina Brebissonii, Desm.

Corynephora marina, Ag.

Rivularia nitida, Ag.

— plana, Harv. in Hook.

Br. Fl.

Desmidium mucosum, De Bréb.

Gaillonella varians, Desm.

? subflexilis, Desm.

Asperococcus rugosus, Lam.

- bullosus, Lam.

Dumontia incrassata, Lam.

——-—. capillaris, Crouan.

Delesseria ruscifolia, Lam.

sinuosa, Lam. .

— arborescens, De La

Pylaie.

sanguinea, Lam.

Laminaria bulbosa, Lam.

saccharina (junior),

Crouan.

Cystoseira granulata, Ag.

— barbata, Ag.

— ericoides, Ag.

825.

826.

827.

§28.

829.

839.

*831.

832.

833.

834.

835.

836.

837.

838.

839.

840.

841,

842,

843.

844.

845.

846.

847.

848.

849.

850.

The price of each fasciculus

Racodium rubiginosum, (var.)

Fr.

Peziza brunneo-atra, Desm.

Tami, Lamy.

culmicola, Desm,

insidiosa, Desm.

Vibrissea truncorum, Fr.

Agaricus radians, Desm.

(Lycoperdon radiatum, Sow.)

Uredo utriculosa, Duby.

——- Artemisia, Chev.

Umbellatarum, Chev.

——- cylindrica, Strauss.

- epitea, Kz.

—- Tropeoli, Desm.

Spheria salicina, Pers.

— Lamyi, Desm.

Laburni, Pers.

Berberidis, Pers.

atrovirens, a. A.&8.

Phoma Phaseoli, Desm.

Lecidea aromatica, Turn.

albo-ceerulescens, Ach.

speirea, . cretacea,

Ach.

anomala, Ach.

erythrocarpia, Ach.

subcarnea, Ach.

canescens, Ach.

Magazin de Zoologie, Journal destiné 4 faciliter aux Zoologistes de

tous les pays, les moyens de publier leur Travaux, et les espéces

nouvelles ou peu connues qu’ils possédent.

q p

Par F. E. Guerin-

Meneville. 8vo. Paris, Septiéme année, Livs. 3. 4.

Livraison 3™¢, 7™© année.

1.—Notice sur le groupe des Tangaras Rhamphoceles, et sur toutes

Proceedings of Learned Societies. 71

les especes qui le composent, et description d’une nouvelle espece de

cette division. Par M. De Lafresnaye.—The author makes out six

species, including his undescribed one, to be now known in this li-

mited South American genus. The new species figured under the name

of M. dimidiatus seems to be identical with the R. melanogaster of

Swain. described in. Lardner’ s ‘ Animals in Menageries,’ p. 359, and

if so the latter name ‘must give way. It is said by Lafresnaye to be

brought from the southern part of Mexico, and is entirely of a bril-

liant scarlet, inclining to rich purple on the head and neck, and with

the wings, tail, and centre of the belly deep black. Mr. Swainson

gives Peru as the locality for his species.—2. Continuation of the

“Synopsis Avium, ab Alcide D’ Orbigny.”—3. Continuation of “ Voy-

age de la Favorite,” Classe III. Reptiles, illustrated by five plates.

Livraison 4™°, 7™° année.

dy Pacusenti pour servir a Vhistoire naturelle des Céphalopodes

cryptodibranches, par M. Rang. These “ documents” are not com-

pleted ; what we have published commence a series of notes on the

genus Argonauta, and are accompanied by three figures of the A. Argo

in different positions in the shell.—2. Déscription de trois nouvelles

especes de Paludines fossiles, par M. Charles D’Orbigny, with figures,

—83. Forficula parallela, Westwood. A native of Mexico. Figured.

—4. HelopsLanipes, Fabricius: description and figures of the states of

the imperfect insect.—5. Insectorum nonnullorum exoticorum e fami-

lia Cynipidarum descriptiones, auctore J. O. Westwood. -Leiopteron

peras, West. Italia scalpellator, West. Shortly described. The two

first figured in outline.—6. Genus Conura, Spinola. — Conura flave-

scens, shortly described and figured.—7. Xiphicera, Latreille. X.Cater-

naultii, Leisthamel, n. s., described by Baron Leisthamel, and illus-

trated with a coloured figure; and X.Pierrettii, described by Blanchard,

and also illustrated by a coloured engraving : both are considered new

to science, and of the last the describer is aware of only a single spe-

cies. The first is a native of Cayenne, the latter of Brazil.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

LINNZAN SOCIETY.

Jan. 16, 1838.—Mr. Forster, V. P., m the Chair.

Read a Paper on the Structure of Cuscuta europea. By CuarEs

C. Basineton, Esq., M.A., F.L.S.

The descriptions and figures of this plant given in the yarious

works. on our native plants are very imperfeet, Mr. Babington’s

72 Linnean Society.

observations on recent specimens gathered in Sussex, in company

with Mr. Bower, confirm the statement of Mr. Brown as to the ex-

istence of scales in the tube of the corolla, a fact denied both by

Sir J. E. Smith and Sir W. Hooker, who, however, appear to have

examined dried specimens. ‘These scales are transparent, closely

pressed to the corolla, and very minute, so that they are easily over-

looked, even in recent specimens, and in dried ones it is scarcely

possible to discern them, They are bicuspidate, erect, and situated

at the inner base of the filaments, which they partially inclose.

Their form and position appear to have been first accurately described ©

by Raymond, as recorded by Romer and Schultes. Reichenbach

describes and figures them as palmate, and as situated at the base of

the tube, so that it is probable his plant is different from ours, as

Mr. Babington suggests. The nature of these scales is not well under-

stood: by most botanists they are regardéd as a‘vorticil of abortive

stamens, and by Reichenbach as petals; but their situation always

within the stamens, and opposite to them, appears to refute both these

opinions. Analogous scales occur in Hydrophyllee. The following

characters are given by Mr. Babington of our British species :

C. europea, florum glomerulis bracteatis sessilibus, squamis bifidis erectis,

tubo corollz per anthesin cylindrico, fructiferze ventricoso, adpressis.

C. Epithymum, florum glomerulis bracteatis sessilibus, squamis palmato-

sectis conniventibus, tubo cprollz cylindrico limbo campanulato.

A third species of this curious genus has very lately been added

to our Flora by Mr. J. E. Bowmian, F.L.S., namely the C. Epilinum

of Weihe. (Reich. Ic. t. 500. f. 693.)

Feb. 6, Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair.—Mr. Newman, F.L.S.,

exhibited a specimen of a variety of Nephrodium dilatatum gathered —

in Ireland, and remarkable for the great size of its sori.

Mr. Henry Doubleday exhibited a specimen of Lavatera Olbia, from

the banks of a road lately cut through Epping Forest, where the plant

was growing in abundance, and apparently naturalized. -

Read the commencement of a paper by John Hogg, Esq., M.A.,

F.L.S., on the classification of Amphibia.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

September 12th,—Dr. Bostock in the Chair.—Some observations

were made by Dr. Andrew Smith, Corresp. Member, on the necessity

for a revision of the groups included in the Linnean genus Syualus.

Dr. Smith commenced with stating that in the course of his ex-

amination of the Sharks which he had obtained while at the Cape,

Zoological Society. 13

he found that although they could all readily be referred to the ge-

nus Squalus, as defined by Linnzeus, yet there were many forms among

them which would not admit of being placed in any of the subdi-

visions proposed by Cuvier. This led him to perceive the necessity

of either altogether remodelling Cuvier’s groups, or of establishing

additional ones for the reception of the new species. After mature

consideration, he determined upon the adoption of the latter course,

_ finding the new forms:so distinct and numerous that they could not

with propriety be included in any divisions which only ranked as

- sub-genera.

Dr. Smith stated that he could not attempt to indicate the higher

groups of the family of Squalide, but he was satisfied that all the

sub-genera of Cuvier would receive such alterations and additions as

would raise them to the rank of sub-families. In the very first sub-

genus Scyllium, he had detected nine distinct minor groups, most of

which included several well-marked species. Since fixing upon names

for these groups, he had learned that several of them had been de-

scribed as genera about a month previously by Prof. Miiller and Dr.

Henle of Berlin, and he had consequently adopted their nomencla-

ture in preference to the terms under which it was his intention to

have characterized them, with only this difference, that he regarded

these divisiops as sub-genera rather than génera. nit

‘ Dr. Smith enumerated the sections above = i to of the genus

Scyllium as follows: _. FO

1. Scyllium, restricted, includes fe Li sp: soles, * ; lcalines ‘Linn.,

Squalus Canicula, Bloch, Scyllium c«pense, Saleh. S ith bitter, id.

2. Catulus, Willoughby, (three species,) £ yqualus Cawtouids Linn.,

_ Scyl. marmoratum, Bennett, Catulus Edwardii, Smith,

3. Poroderma, Smith, (four species, all found in the Cape seas,)

Scyllium Africanum, Cuv., Poroderma pantherinum, Smith, Por. sub-

maculatum, id. Por. variegatum, id.

4. Ginglymostoma, Miiller and Henle, (one species) Squalus Gate,

Garra. :

5. Chiloscyllium, Miller and Henle, (two species) Scyllium plagi-

osum, Bennett, Le Squale dentelé, Lacep.

6. Stegostoma, Miiller and Henle, (two species) Squalus ens.

Bloch, Squal. maculatus, id.

7. Hemiscyllium, Miiller and Henle, (one species) Squalus ocella-

tus, Bloch.

8. Chrossorhinus, Miller and Henle, (one species) Squalus lobatus,

described in Phillips’s Voyage to Botany Bay.

74 Proceedings of Learned Societies.

9. Pristiurus, Bonaparte, (one species) Scyllium melanostomum,

Bonap.

Some drawings were exhibited by Dr. Smith, of the forms pre-

sented by the teeth of the species composing several of the above

sections, and he remarked that on a future evening it was his in-

tention to lay before the Society some further observations upon

other groups of the cartilaginous fishes.

Professor Miiller of Berlin being present confirmed the views en-

tertained by Dr. Smith as to the number of divisions which might

properly be made of the family Scyllium, several of which he had

already published, as mentioned by Dr. Smith. As to the rank which

these groups should hold in a systematic arrangement, he considered

this a point upon which we are hardly in possession of sufficient evi-

dence to justify a decided opinion.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH.

Dec. 4, 1837.—Sir Thomas Brisbane; Bart., President, in the Chair.

On the Food of the Vendace, Herring, and Salmon. By Joun Starx.

1. Food of the Vendace (Coregonus Marenula, Jardine). ‘The author

observed, that fishes in lakes, and feeding on animal food, must ne-

cessarily subsist on the small aquatic animals found in these lakes;

that there is no reasonable analogy between the vendace and herring,

because they live in different mediums, the one in salt the other in

fresh water, and that their food cannot therefore be the same, none

of the animals upon which fishes feed being common to both; that

writers on Natural History state the animalcules which are found in

the stomach of the vendace, and other minute animals found in lakes,

to be the food of freshwater fishes generally ; and that Leuwenhoek

had even figured the identical animal lately found in the stomach of

the vendace more than 130 years before, stating that it and the other

minute animals in similar localities formed the food of the larger

fishes.

2. Food of the Herring (Clupea Harengus, Linn.). The author

stated that the food of the herring was better known than that of any

other fish: that the food of the herring was, in particular, known to

and described from personal observation by Paul Neucrantz previous

to the year 1654, by Leuwenhoek in 1696, by Muller in 1785, by

Bloch about the same period, by Fabricius in 1781, by Latreille and

Lacépéde in 1798, by the Rev. Dr. Scoresby in 1820, by Pennant and

others, and in fact is mentioned by every writer who treats of the na-

tural history of fishes ; and that what had been stated by all writers on

Royal Society of Edinburgh. 75

the subject, is corroborated by the examination of the stomach and

intestinal canal of the herring, and the stomachs laid on the table of

the Bocletye,

3. Food and Reproduction of the Salmon (Salmo Salar, Linn.). The

author stated on this. head what had been remarked by the most

esteemed authors on natural history to form the food of the salmon ;

and exhibited preparations by Dr. Pownell confirming the statements

of these writers, He next noticed the valuable evidence taken before

a Committee of Parliament in 1824-25, regarding the food and na- ~

tural history of the salmon, which also corroborated the statements

of systematic writers ; and remarked, that when these fishes prey upon

animals in roe, such as the Asterias, the ova often remain in the

stomach and intestinal canal after the other portions of the food are

wholly digested. He next gave an abstract of the evidence laid be-

fore the Parliamentary Committee as to the periods of the ascent of

the salmon in the different rivers for the purpose of spawning and the

descent of the fry to the sea; and pointed out the experiments made

on the development of the ova: by Mr. John Hogarth, jun., in the

Appendix to the Report of the Committee, and those detailed by

Mr. Schonberg in Sir David Brewster’s Journal -of Science.

Dec. 18, 1837.—Dr. Hope, Vice-President, in the Chair. .

Experiments on the Growth of the Fry of the Salmon, from the exclu-

sion of the Ova to the age of seven months. By Mr. Joun Suaw.

Communicated by Mr. Stark.

The author of this paper had formerly.made experiments on the

growth of the salmon fry, by procuring spawn. from the river bed

where it had been deposited by the salmon... Not considering these

experiments, however, as.entirely unobjectionable, he procured. two

fishes from. the river Nith in the act of spawning; and having ex-

pressed the. ova of the female in a convenient,place, the milt.of the

’ male fish was made to impregnate them as nearly as possible in imi-

tation of the natural process. The ova were then placed im ponds

prepared for the,purpose, and so arranged as to exclude all chances

of error as to the species or the nature of the,progeny. The ponds

were twoin number; one twenty-five by eighteen feet, the other fifty

by thirty feet, and two feet deep. The bottom was thickly imbedded

with gravel; anda small stream of spring water entered the ponds

at the upper corner, and escaped by an opening: at the other end.

Both apertures were covered by a wire grating. The ova in one ex-

periment were deposited on the 20th of January 1737. On the 10th

of March (fifty days after deposition) the embryo fish were visible.

76 Proceedings of Learned Societies.

On the 27th of April (ninety-eight days after deposition) they were

excluded from the egg. Specimens were exhibited of thirty days old,

taken on the 26th of May, measuring nearly an inch in length, and

the ovum still adherent. On the 27th of June, at two months old,

the fry measured an inch and a half in length; and on the 27th of

October, at six months old, a specimen exhibited measured about

‘four inches in length. The temperature of the pond and of the air

was noted at the periods 6f examination. Another experiment in a

different pond afforded analogous results. Mr. Shaw is of opinion,

from what he has observed in these and former experiments, that the

young salmon remains in its native stream for two years after being

hatched ; and that the Parr, or what is termed the Parr in his neigh-

bourhood, is the young of the salmon.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Extract from an Address on the Fourth Anniversary, January 22nd,

1828. By James Francis Stepuens, F.L.S., President.

“« With regard to our Collection of Insects, it is with unusual satis-

faction I announce that, from the prosperous state of our finances,

as you have heard from the report of our worthy Treasurer—(ap-

pended at the end)—we shall be enabled to command the services of

a paid assistant to those gentlemen who have so kindly and so libe-

rally undertaken gratuitously to superintend its arrangement; and

as we are now in possession of several excellent cabinets, I hope be-

fore the recurrence of another anniversary, the entire collection will

be so far arranged as to be available to the student ; for I speak ad-

visedly when I add, that several individuals have hitherto declined

joining our Society, and one has actually tendered his resignation, in

consequence of our collection, extensive though it is, remaining in

an unarranged condition. I need not, therefore, impress upon our

valuable curators the boon they will confer upon the Society, by ex-

pediting as much as in their power the labours they have so hand-

somely undertaken to perform; though at the same time, knowing:

the various difficulties they have to encounter, we cannot expect

their progress will be very rapid, from the very limited time they

can afford to devote to the subject; at all events, I feel that the

thanks of the Society are justly due to them for the exertions they

have already made in furtherance of the task voluntarily imposed

upon themselves, and, let us hope, that they will merit a reiteration

of the same from their increased exertions on our behalf during the

present year.

“ The design and objects of this exit have alteady been re-

Entomological Socrety. "7

peatedly alluded to by my predecessors ; nevertheless, I cannot avoid

reverting to the fact, that one of its immediate, and, as it appears to

me, most momentous objects, is the publication of the labours of its

members; and.I am, therefore, happy to announce that the Fourth

Part of our Transactions is now upon the table ready for distribution,

and, J feel assured, that several of the papers will reflect great credit

upon the writers, from their practical utility, and tend considerably

to advance the views contemplated by the Society.

** Amongst the latter, the Prize Essays established by the Society

may be referred to for their practical importance to the Agriculturist ;

the Essay proposed for the past year, was an investigation into the

habits, &c. of the ‘‘ Nigger,” or black caterpillar of the Turnip-Fly

(Athalia Centifolia), towards the prosecution of which the Agricul-

tural Society of Saffron Walden joined us, by proposing an addi-

tional Five Guineas for the successful Essayist.

** Surrounded as I am by individuals fully competent to judge of

the vast and almost boundless extent of the subjects comprehended.

within the scope of the Society’s investigation, it may not be thought

useless to suggest to them the adoption of the most simple methods

of carrying their inquiries forward. Most of you, doubtless, have ex-

perienced, at one time or other, the vexatious loss of time consequent

upon being compelled to wade through voluminous works for the

purpose of ascertaining whether any account or description of the

insect, then under your investigation, was therein contained, and

after the most laborious research have been frequently disappointed

in your endeavours to. extract the wished-for information, arising

from the diffused and miscellaneous character of such publications ;

and, as I trust that our Transactions will eventually become volu-

minous, would it not be advisable for the working members of the

Society to confine their labours, as far as practicable, to groups, in

preference to the mere description of new and isolated species?

thereby gradually laying the foundation of a valuable series of Es-

says, by preparing a succession of monographs of such groups of in-

sects as are but little known, and of which the descriptions, so far as

they have appeared, lie scattered over numerous bulky volumes. I

would, however, except from this rule all notices or descriptions of

new species, regarding which any important fact of ceconomy, phy-

siology, structure, &c., may present itself; but in this case, as well

as in the previous instances of monographs, I would recommend that

an occasional abstract of the species described in the preceding vo-

lumes of our Transactions should be prepared in an arranged form

as an index to their contents, and as a guide to the student, and that

78 Botanical Society of London.

this arranged index should be occasionally continued, and the pre-

vious abstracts incorporated : indeed the necessity of rendering the

results of our exertions accessible cannot be too much insisted upon.

The astounding number of works, relating to Entomology, enume-

rated in» Percheron’s Bibliographie Entomologique, is sufficient evi-

dence of the drudgery required by the investigator into the ascertain-

ment of new species, &c.; but numerous as are the works recorded

by that author, there appear to be so many serious omissions, that I

cannot do better than reiterate the suggestion of my predecessor,

that a Manuscript Catalogue should be formed as an Addendum to

to the above-mentioned work.

«« With respect to the various papers which have been presented

to the Society, and have contributed towards our instruction or en-

tertainment at our meetings during the past year, I have no particular

remarks to make, than to observe, in general terms, that the most

valuable of them will shortly appear in your Transactions; and I

have great satisfaction in saying, it is the intention of your Council

to publish our fasciculi at shorter intervals than has hitherto been

the practice.”

BUTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.

Extract from the First Annual Report, read 29th November, 1837 ;

President, J.E. Gray, F.R.S.—<Thenumberof British plants received

amount to 4819 specimens, including ferns; 767 species, including

1313 specimens, have been arranged in the Herbarium, according to

the system of De Candolle. The remaining 3506 duplicates, in-

cluding 515 species, will be distributed‘to those persons who have

favoured the Curator with lists of desiderata for that purpose. This

distribution will take place under the direction of the Council in the

months of December and January every year, when each member will

receive such of his desiderata as may be contained among the dupli-

cates in the Herbarium in proportion to his contributions: those

_-gentlemen who have not contributed to the Herbarium receiving

their duplicates after the distribution to the contributors has taken

place. The Council beg also to inform the members, that in order

to afford every facility for examining the Herbarium and Library,

the rooms of the Society will be open one hour and a half previous

to the ordinary meetings of the Society, when the Curator and Se-

cretary will attend to render any assistance that may be required,

and to circulate the books. In addition to the extensive and valu-

able collection of British plants, the Council beg to announce the

receipt of a large collection of French plants, supposed to be a por-

Miscellaneous. 79

tion of the Herbarium of Jean Jacques Rousseau, together with

some plants from Mahon, Minorca, presented by the Secretary.

Another collection of foreign plants from America, collected by the

officers of the Hudson’s Bay Company, has been presented by

Joseph Freeman, Esq. Also specimens of Lycopodium Circinnatum,

from the President, sent by Dr. Forbes, F.R.S., of Chichester.

Specimens of three new British plants have been received, viz. -

Claytonia Alsinoides, from Mr. W. Baxter of Oxford; also a moss

new to Britain, Cinclidium Siygium, from Mr. Leyland of Halifax ;

and specimens, of which there are many duplicates, of Spartina

Alternifolia, from Itchin Ferry, Southampton, presented by Dr.

Macreight, V.P. The Society have also received from Mr. R. H.

Schomburgh, now travelling in British Guiana, papers accompa-

nied with drawings on the two following interesting plants, .which

were read before the Society, viz. Victoria Regina and Loranthus

Smythii. Also donations of seeds from the Cape of Good .Hope,

presented by M. Schmidt.

** On the first Friday in March the Curator, Daniel Cooper, Esq,,

will commence a course of Lectures on the Practical Part of Botany,

which will be continued every night of meeting one hour previous to

the chair being taken.”

MISCELLANEOUS.

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW TRILOBITE.

CaLyMENE Row11, Green.—The outline of this fossil as it lies

upon the rock presents a very regular oval figure. The buckler and

the body are a good deal elevated, and-measure longitudinally nearly

an inch and two thirds.

The buckler is lunate, and is edged round its whole border with a

little groove or channel. Its front or middle lobe is elevated above

the cheeks, is rounded at its anterior part, and gradually enlarges as

it approaches the middle lobe of the abdomen. There are no tuber-

cles or folds upon it, but its posterior angles are so truncated as to

form a subtriangular protuberance on each side of the commencement

of the vertebral column. The cheeks are shaped like spherical tri-

angles, and seem from our specimen to have projected on each side

- to the fourth articulation of the abdomen. The oculiferous tubercles

are large and lunate; they are placed close to the front, and seem

almost to form a part of it; they are situated just before the protu-

berances above mentioned.

The abdomen and tail can readily be distinguished. There are

twenty-three articulations in both. The middle lobe is very promi-

80 Miscellaneous.

nent, is separated from the lateral ones on each side by a deep chan-

nel, and gradually and regularly tapers to its termination, which is

near the end of the body. ‘The dateral lobes are rounded. The

costal arches of the abdomen have a furrow scooped out of their up-

per surface, and their outward extremities terminate in obtuse points,

between which there is a raised line. The caudal arches are not

grooved, but there is a faint impressed line running along their up-

per surface, which is slightly bifurcated at their termination.

This beautiful and highly interesting trilobite was found by Mr.

George L. Le Row, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., to whose kindness I

owe this opportunity of describing it. The specific name is given in

compliment to the discoverer. There is a strong analogy in some

leading particulars between this species and our C. Diops. Pro-

fessor Dalman’s C. concinna represented on his first plate, fig. 5, a, d,

and ¢c, comes very near it, but there are many marked differences be-

tween them. It was found imbedded in a layer of soft argillite,

slightly ferruginous, and of such is the fossil composed. ‘The strata

in which it was found was filled with Orthocere and numerous other

fossils. Immediately under this layer is another of argillite, of

harder texture and darker colour, and free from petrifactions.—Dr.

Green, in Silliman’s American Journal of Science, No. 2. Jan. 1838,

FOSSIL ARGONAUTA.

Mr. Sismonda, jun., of Turin, has discovered near Coningliano,

in the blue marls of the super-cretaceous deposit, the Argonauta

Argo, Linn., a genus which does not appear to have been hitherto

found in a fossil state.—Ann. des Sci. Nat., Adut 1837.

GENERATION OF PTEROPTUS VESPERTILIONIS.

Chr. L. Nitsch has lately ascertained that the Pteroptus vesper-

tilionis, Dufour, (Gamasus vespertilionis, Lat.) is by no means ovipa-

rous, (as Géze supposed, ) but viviparous ; that it bears but one young

at a time; that this comes into the world with eight feet, but the

younger foetus or embryo has only six feet, and therefore undergoes

a metamorphosis in the body of the mother, which in many other,

also parasitical genera of Acari, first takes place after the birth,

or after quitting the egg. The six-footed embryos are soft, milky |

white, and quite without hair. The feet and palpi are non-articu-

lated, the former terminating conically and abruptly, without any

claws. ‘The feet and palpi in the 8-footed foetus exhibit evident ar-

ticulations, amounting in the former to seven; the claws are present.

The colour is yellowish white.—Wiegmann’s Archiv, Part IV. 1837.

ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

<é

—

VIII.—On the Fructification of the Pileate and Clavate Tribes

of Hymenomycetous Fungi. By the Rev. M.J. BERKELEY,

M.A., F.L.S.

IN the sixth volume of the New Series of the Annales des Sci-

ences Naturelles, p. 336, in the Number dated Dec. 1836, but

not published till some months later, M. Montagne has the fol-

lowing observation under Gomphus rutilus: “ Elle m’a donné

occasion de faire des observations précieuses pour le mémoire

que j’ai eu Vhonneur de lire devant l’Académie des Sciences

sous le titre de Recherches anatomiques et physiologiques

sur ’hyménium des Agaricinées.” This attracted special no-

tice, as my attention had been directed for some time to the

real structure of the hymenium in Agarics, which I had rea-

son to believe had been altogether misunderstood. It appeared

highly probable that the result of his investigations was in

substance the same as that to which I had myself arrived, from

a series of observations on the supposed asci of Agarics ; but

at the same time I felt that, if this were the case, it would not

be useless, in a matter of such difficulty and obscurity, to pub-

lish an account of my own perfectly independent researches.

I was however desirous before doing so of following up the

matter in as many genera as could be procured of Pileate Fungi,

and this led to an examination of the Clavate group also, which,

from their very close affinity, I could scarcely believe, notwith-

standing the received notions of mycologists, to differ essen-

tially in organization. The facts which presented themselves

appeared to me not only interesting from their novelty, but of

such importance, that I considered it expedient, as far as pos-

‘sible, to trace the history of the present state of knowledge

on the point in question, and it was curious to observe that

the earlier notions were the more correct.

Since almost the whole of my observations were made, and

the greater part of the present memoir drawn up, I have had

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.1. No.2. April 1838. G

82 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on the Fructification of the

the good fortune to meet with the Comptes Rendus des Séances

de Académie for the Session January 2, 1837, in which there

is a report of M. Montagne’s paper by MM. Mirbel, Turpin

and Richard, from which it appears that there is a great dif-

ference between our observations, though at the same time

there is a strong confirmation in what is there adduced of the

correctness of the views which are now offered. He under-

stands the evolution of the reproductive bodies in a very dif-

ferent way from myself, though it is quite clear that his ob-

servations, as far as they go, are substantially the same as my

own, and he appears to have altogether overlooked the very

important fact that their arrangement is very generally qua-

ternary as in Coprini. His observations appear not to have

been extended at all to the Clavate Fungi.

I should perhaps feel more diffidence with respect to my

own correctness, on finding such discrepancy in the account

given by so eminent an observer as M. Montagne, if 1 were

not in the first place sure that the facts as stated by him are

such as will eventually lead him to similar results with my

own, and were I not in the second place supported by the tes-

timony of accurate observers, to whom I have communicated

the facts, who have seen precisely the same appearances as

myself. When once any notion is very generally received and

supported by high authority, it is very difficult even in matters

of much less obscurity than minute microscopic analysis where

there is so much room for the exercise of imagination, to divest

oneself entirely of preconceptions. A fortunate moment some-

times puts one in possession of truths which it would have

taken a long and tedious process to arrive at in the ordinary

routine of investigation. Nothing can more clearly show that

we are both in the right track, than the fact that while M. Mon-

tagne has been led to see the perfect analogy between the

spores of Botrytis Bassiana and the reproductive bodies of |

Agarics, I have myself recognised the same fact as regards the

spores of Botrytis curta, a species nearly allied to Botrytis

parasitica, an analogy which would by no means be suspected.

In 1729, Micheli* first, I believe, attempted an analysis of

* Nova Genera Plantarum juxta Tournefortii methodum disposita, Flo-

rentiz, 1729,

«+ Tae

(

Pileate and Clavate Tribes of Hymenomycetous Fungi. 83

the hymenium of pileate Fungi. Indeed Dillenius* so late as

1719 denies that Fungi possess seeds. At tab. 65 B is a re-

presentation of a portion of a gill of some dimidiate Agaric re-

ferred to his genus Agaricum, which consists of lateral Polypori,

Agarici, Hydna, &c. It is fringed with cylindrical shortly pe-

dicellate bodies which are called flowers, and separate seeds at

D. “ Harum flores,” he says, p.117, “sunt apetali monoste-

mones, seu unico filamento constantes, steriles, et nudi, nempe

calyce, pistillo, atque staminibus destituti, et vel in lacunarum

vel in foraminulorum ore nascentes. Semina autem rotunda

vel subrotunda.” The flowers are evidently cells fringing the

margin of the gills or cavities of the hymenium. The seeds

are said to be hid in tubes as in Fistulina, or to adhere to the

external processes as in Hydnum. Again at tab. 68, under the

genus Suillus, which is the modern Boletus, are representations

of similar bodies ; and at O the so-called seeds are very clearly

shown in situ adhering to the interior surface of the tube with

their longer axis perpendicular to it, which, as far as it goes,

is perfectly consistent with the facts I have to bring forward.

The same appearances are described in his genus Polyporus,

consisting of central-stemmed Polypori. In Erinaceus, which

consists of mesopous Hydna, the seeds are said to adhere to

the prickles. In his genus Fungus (Agaricus of authors) the

same things are described p. 133, with slight differences: “ In

earundem lamellarum margine nascuntur flores apetali, nudi,

constantes ex mero filamento cylindrico, in nonnullis speciebus

solitario seu inter se distincto, in aliis vero in massam seu floc-

cum digesto. In superficie autem utriusque partis supradic-

tarum laminarum undique nascuntur semina rotunda vel sub-

rotunda et minutissima, in aliquibus sigillatim dispersa, in aliis

quaterna sibi contigua.” He also describes and figures the

utricles of the Coprini, whose office he believes to be the pre-

vention of the gills coming in contact. The flowers are here

again very evidently short single hair-like cells, or fascicles of

them. No definite information is given with respect to the

fructification of the clavate Hymenomycetes.

On the whole then Micheli clearly considered the seeds as

* Appendix ad Catalogum Plantarum sponte circa Gissam nascentium,

1719, p. 72.

G 2

84 Rey. M. J. Berkeley on the Fructification of the

superficial, and he described the quaternate arrangement and

utricles in the Coprini.

In 1753 the same things were confirmed by Gleditsch*,

his figures being copied from those of Micheli. He professes,

however, p. 5, not to have servilely copied Micheli, but to have

certified himself of his correctness. |

In 1762 Schmidel+ described the gills of Agaricus comatus

as furnished with seeds, “ qui utrumque parietem dense ves-

tiunt.” Analyses of certain Clavarie are also given, which,

though very incomplete, are as far as they go correct.

In 1763 Gleichen ft figured a portion of the gill of an agaric

with an appearance described as “ vaisseaux de poussiére avec

leurs filets noires et tachetés de blanc,” which must have arisen

from optical deception. The so-called “ filets” are of consi-

derable size, swelling upwards and supporting lobed masses

of naked reproductive bodies. He appears to consider these

imaginary bodies as the same with the utricles described by

Micheli and Gleditsch in Coprini, who, he says, have well ob-

served them; but Schaeffer§$ denies their existence. The re-

productive bodies themselves are well figured.

In 1780 Muller || gave an excellent figure of a portion of

a gill of Ag. comatus, in which not only is the quaternate ar-

rangement of the spores very well expressed, but towards the

edge they are accurately represented as naked and supported

by little peduncles.

In 1783 Bergeret§ noticed the large utricles in Ag. mica-

ceus (Ag. farinaceus, Berg.), but appears to have been unac-

quainted with the quaternary arrangement. |

In 1784 Hedwig published his Theoria Plantarum Crypto-

gamicarum, a second edition of which appeared in 1790. In

this four plates are devoted to pileate Fungi. At tab. 41, fig 2,

the gills of some Cortinaria, and at tab. 42, fig. 2, a prickle of

Hydnum imbricatum, are represented as covered with project-

* Methodus Fungorum, &c. Berolini, 1753.

+ Icones Plantarum et analyses partium. Nuremberg, 1762.

{ Supplément d’observations mélées, tab. 4, in Observations Microsco-

piques. Nuremberg, 1763.

§ Vorlaufige Beobachtungen der Schwimme um Regensburg. Regens-

burg, 1759.

fi Flora Danica. Fase. XIV. Hafniz.

q Bergeret, Phytonomatotechnie Universelle. Paris, 1783.

} fo;

Pileate and Clavate Tribes of Hymenomycetous Fungi. 85

ing spiculz, but without any reproductive bodies. The spores

which had fallen on the veil were considered by him as male

organs, an error pointed out by Bulliard in 1791.

In 1791 Bulliard* distinguished two different kinds of

bodies in the hymenium of Agarici, Boleti, and Thelephore by

the name of spermatic vessels and seeds. The utricles on the

gills of Coprini are an instance of the first; and though ana-

logous bodies, as will be seen hereafter, exist in Boleti, &c.,

he appears often to have called the true reproductive bodies

by the same name, and sometimes perhaps the fringes noticed

by Micheli. The true sporidia, or more properly speaking

spores, he figures as superficial, tab. 1. fig. iii. 10. 11, tab. 2.

fig. xi. p; and at fig. ix. k the spores of Auricularia phylac-

teris are represented (under the name however of spermatic

vessels) as seated four together upon a common peduncle.

The same structure is also given under Auricularia caryophyl-

lea, tab. 483.6 & 7.8. Indeed, he says, “ Les champignons

dont nous venons de parler ont presque toutes leurs graines

inserées a des filets extrémement courts.” (p. 50.) Such are re-

presented tab. 2. fig. 1. F. G. In fig. vil. and vui., which re-

present the structure of Boletus and Fistulina, superficial grains

are figured, which in the former case probably consist partly

of the spores and spore-bearing cells, in the latter possibly of

the spores only. No analysis is given of Clavaria. 'The re-

marks about spermatic vessels in that genus apply principally

to Spheria and Hypoxylon.

In 1796 Persoon+ described the quaternary arrangement of

the reproductive bodies of Corticium cesium (Thel. cesia,

Nees), comparing it with the similar arrangement in Coprini.

It is highly probable that he considered them as superficial.

Up to this time all seem agreed that the reproductive bodies

are superficial. Muller and Bulliard figured them as sup-

ported by peduncles; and Bulliard and Persoon detected the

quaternary arrangement in Thelephora. Modern notions of

the structure of the hymenium appear to have arisen from two

- important memoirs of Link, to which we have now to call at-

* Histoire des Champignons de la France, vol. i. p. 44. &c. Paris, 1791.

+ Observationes Mycologice. Pars prima. Lipsie, 1796.

86 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on the Fructification of the

tention. In 1809 Link* first described and figured the re-

productive bodies as contained in thece, in the genus Agari-

cus. Merulius, Cantharellus, Xylophagus, Dedalea, Boletus

(fig. 59), Fistulina, Sistotrema, Hydnum (fig. 61), Thelephora,

Stereum, Merisma, Clavaria are also described as thecigerous.

“ Omnibus fere series unica sporidiorum in theca excepto

Coprinus et paucis aliis.” Of Coprinus, he says, “ Ab omnibus

fere Fungis charactere singulari thecarum differt. Hee enim

non juxta posite sunt ut in Agaricis, nec unicé sporidiorum

serie farctee, sed segregate majores quadruplici sporidiorum

serie referte. Hinc sporidia dum effunduntur quaternatim

disposita sunt, donec nimia prodeuntium copia ordo turbatur.”

The figures, it should be observed, are by Ditmar. The same

year produced another memoir on the same subject from the

same pen}. The analyses of Hymenomycetous genera are

upon the whole more clearly made out. In Amanita bulbosa

tab. 1, fig. 14, the sporidia are represented as contained at

first in the thecze and then escaping. Of Coprinus he says,

“ Thecee magne sporam regulariter emittentes in frustulis

segmenti parum obliqui apparent, unde satis patet quamlibet

thecam quaternam sporarum seriem amplecti, et hanc ob

causam, sporam ad quatuor orificii latera excutere.” It is

clear from this that his figure of the contents of the thece in

Coprinus is ideal, representing what was supposed to be the

structure, and not what was actually seen. The united au-

thority of Link and Ditmar has prevailed to hand down this

notion almost to the present moment.

In the same year, however, Mr. Sowerby t¢ figured the spores

in Merulius lamellosus (Ag. panuoides, Fr.) as naked and seated

upon short hairs. The same appearance is represented in the

figure of Hydnum membranaceum published in 1801. In both

cases the bodies are called glands in the text.

In 1813 Ditmar§ ascribed thece to Agaricus phlebophorus.

* Der Gesellschaft naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin Magazin. Dritten

Jahrgangs, erstes Quartal. Berlin, 1809. Observationes in Ordines Plan-

tarum Naturales. Dissertatio prima.

+ Nova Plantarum genera e classe Lichenum, Algarum, Fungorum; in

Schrader’s Neues Journal fiir die Botanik, vol. iii. Erfurt, 1809.

' { Coloured figures of English Fungi, tab. 403. Supplement. London, 1809.

§ Deutschlands Flora, 3t* Abtheilung. Nurnberg, 1813.

—)

)

Pileate and Clavate Tribes of Hymenomycetous Fungi. 87

He has not however represented sporidia within them. In

1814 he represented sporidia within the thece in Ag. pluteus,

and, amongst the thecz, urn-shaped bodies crowned with two

or three spicules. This was, in more modern times, the first

step, however distant,—for he does not consider them as hav-

ing any immediate connexion with the sporidia, but compares

them with the utricles in Coprini,—towards a knowledge of the

true arrangement of the spores in the rest of the Agarics.

Under Cantharellus villosus, Pers., thecze are also represented

as containing from one to three globose sporidia.

Nees von Esenbeck’s* important work appeared in 1817.

His original designs of analyses of various pileate and clavate

genera are on the whole in perfect accordance with those co-

pied from Link. Under Thelephora cesia, the figure of which

is copied from that of Persoon alluded to above, it is remarked

that the quaternary arrangement of the sporidia forms as it

were a prelude to that in Coprini. From this it should seem

that he regarded them as contained in thecz (asci).

Fries + in 1821 describes the asci generally in his Hymeno-

mycetes evoluti as “in superficie collocati immersi. Sporidia

in ascis seriatim disposita.” Under Thelephora, 8 Phylacteria,

he writes, “ Sporidia quaterna serie Coprinorum instar dispo-

sita.””

Dr. Greville} commenced his great work in 1823. Twenty

pileate and clavate Fungi are there more or less analysed ; the

figures according entirely with the observations of Link, Dit-

mar, and Nees von Esenbeck. In 1825 Fries§ separated The-

lephora from Auricularia on account of the quaternary ar-

rangement of the sporidia. Dr. Greville followed him in this

separation, but apparently did not understand Fries correctly,

as the asci of Thel. laciniata are figured as containing a single

row of four sporidia, whereas Bulliard figured to a certain

degree correctly their quaternary arrangement on a peduncle,

a fact which Fries could not have overlooked. Indeed expe-

rience has clearly shown that Dr. Greville must have been

* System der Pilzeund Schwamme. Wurzburg, 1817.

+ Systema Mycologicum, vol. i. p.1. Gryphiswaldia, 1821.

t Scottish Cryptogamic Flora. Edinburgh, 1823, &c.

§ Systema Orbis Vegetabilis, p.1. Lunda, 1825.

88 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on the Fructification of the

misled by a confidence in Fries’ correctness, who however ap-

pears not to have had himself a very clear perception on the

point. Fries’ real notion, though nowhere expressed very di-

stinctly, is perhaps sufficiently clear from the expression*

“ Hymenium e setulis quaternatis,” under the subtribe Phy-

lacteria of Thelephora.

In 1828 M. Desmaziéres+ described the sporidia of dg. ra-

dians just as Link had done those of the Coprini, “ les sporules

sont, comme dans les Coprini avant la déstruction de Phymé-

nium, disposées sur quatre rangs dans des théques distantes

les uns des autres.”

In 1830 Fries{ still described and figured Favolus Brasi-

liensis and Cyclomyces fusca as ascigerous. In the latter spo-

ridia are figured in the asci.

In 1831 Krombholz§ published figures by Corda of the fruc-

tification of Agaricus, &c. I have not seen the work myself,

but from the account of it in the Linnea I conclude that it

accords with the observations of Link and Ditmar. Articu-

lations are figured in the fruit-cells of Ag. alutaceus, but evi-

dently from incorrect observation, though he is borne out by

Nees v. Esenbeck. See fig. 199 B.

In 1833 Klotzsch || figured in Favolus Boucheanus clavate

asci containing sporidia. Wallroth’s Flora Crypt. Germanize

published in the same year follows the views of Link.

In the third volume of Nouv. Ann. du Muséum are some

observations on Fungi by Dutrochet, republished in the col-

lected Memoirs, vol. ii. in 1837, with the author’s latest cor-

rections. Turpin there figures the reproductive bodies of Can-

tharellus Dutrochettii, Mont., (which is apparently a state of

Ag. panuoides, Fr.) as attached to the walls of the filaments of

which the gills are composed. There is also a memoir on the

same Fungus by M. Turpin, vol. xiv. des Mém. de l’Ac. des

Sciences Naturelles, which I much regret that I have not seen.

The second part of the fifth volume of the English Flora

* Elenchus Fungorum sistens Commentarium in Systema Mycologicum,

vol. i. p. 170, Gryphiswaldiz, 1828.

+ Annales des Sciences Naturelles, vol. xiii. p. 215.

+ Linneea, vol. v. p. 511, 512.

§ Krombholz naturgetreue Abbildungen der essbaren, schadlichen und

verdachtigen Schwamme. Heft I. Prag. 1831.

|| Linnzea, vol. viii. p. 316.

Pileate and Clavate Tribes of Hymenomycetous Fungi. 89

was published in 1836. Under Ag. prunulus, p. 76, I have

given the following description : “ Gills covered with very mi-

nute conical papille, ending in four spicule. Sporules often

seated upon the spicule.” The fructification of Ag. cernuus,

Ag. bifrons, Ag. gracilis, and Ag. disseminatus is described as

quaternate. In Ag. semiovatus the reproductive bodies are

described as quaternate, the major axis perpendicular to the

gills. Under Ag. panuoides it is remarked that “ the gills are

beset with minute hairs, upon which the sporules are often

seated, as in Ag. prunulus.”

A paper by M. Montagne* was read before the Academy of

Sciences at Paris on January 2, 1837, in the report of which

are the following observations: “ Des planches dessinées 4 la

chambre claire du microscope composé de M. Charles Cheva-

lier sont destinées 4 montrer tous les degrés par lesquels passe

une sporidie avant de se détacher de Putricule ov elle a pris

naissance. Avant sa chute, cette sporidie est ordinairement

supportée par un pédicelle plus ou moins long, qui se forme

peu a peu, quoique d’une maniére trés prompte en égard a la

vie éphémére de ces végétaux, aux dépens du sommet de Putri-

cule, qu’elle chasse devant lui.” The latter sentence is so con-

fused that the reporter’s meaning is not clear; but judging from

the observations on the evolution of Botrytis Bassianat, with

which it is expressly compared, it should seem that M. Mon-

tagne considers the reproductive bodies as essentially internal ;

in other words, as sporidia and not spores. “ Les sporidies,”

he says, speaking of Bot. Bassiana, “se forment a Vintérieur

des filaments, et en sortent et se groupent symmétriquement

a Pextrémité des ramules par un mécanisme que nous avons

tenté d’expliquer. Elles s’échappent de Vextrémité des fila-

ments et des rameaux par un mécanisme particulier qui con-

sisterait en ceci. Chaque seminule arrivée a lextrémité du

tube, avant de s’en séparer, en emprunterait une seconde en-

veloppe qu’elle conserverait.”

It is clear that when the notices given above from the En-

glish Flora were published, I was not satisfied with the cha-

* Recherches anatomiques et physiologiques sur l’Hymenium, &c.

+ Expériences et Observations sur le Champignon Entomoctone, ou hi-

stoire botanique de la;Muscardine. Par M. Montagne, Aug. 16, 1836.

90 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on the Fructification of the

racters assigned to the hymenium of Agarics; but the great

body of authority in favour of the received notions prevented

my doing more than recording such isolated observations,

which indeed are accompanied in the text with other circum-

stances which are not always perfectly correct. The acquisi-

tion of a more powerful doublet than I before possessed de-

termined me to examine accurately the structure in Coprinus,

in Link’s account of which I did not feel confidence ; and the

result was such as to lead to a more extended examination of

species of the genus Agaricus belonging to different tribes,

and those of other pileate genera. The clavate Hymenomy-

cetes were then reviewed, and. the investigation has ended in

a conviction that, notwithstanding the vast body of authority

and evidence which existed on the point, the structure has

been almost uniformly mistaken since the publication of Link’s

observations, and that in true pileate and clavate Fungi asci

do not exist, but that the reproductive bodies are naked, and

consequently are, properly speaking, neither sporules nor spo-

ridia, but spores, and that with very few exceptions they are

quaternate as inthe Coprini. In proof of this position I will begin

by stating what I find to be the structure in Coprini, in which

it is most easy to form a correct estimate; and then, in order,

give the result of my observations in other tribes of the genus

Agaricus, and as many genera as I have been able to examine

of pileate and clavate Fungi.

It is perhaps right that I should state that, with the excep-

tion of the few similar facts published in the English Flora,

all my observations have been made subsequently to the pre-

sentation of Montagne’s Memoir, though without a know-

ledge of its existence.

The agaric first examined was a form of Ag. micaceus, dif-

fering from the ordinary state of that species in having the

pileus minutely pilose instead of being sprinkled with mealy

particles. As it grew in dense clusters consisting of indivi-

duals in every stage of growth, it afforded me a good oppor-

tunity of tracing the development of the hymenium. In very

young specimens it consisted of oblong, obtuse, transparent

cells, disposed side by side like the pile of velvet with their

tips all level. It was not possible with a magnifying power of

Pileate and Clavate Tribes of Hymenomycetous Fungi. 91

}

600 diameters to trace the cellular texture of the substance in-

terposed between the two layers of the hymenium, though in an

extremely thin slice cut in the direction of the gill there was a

faint trace of lines running in the direction of the section. There

was scarcely any change so long as the margin of the pileus was

not detached from the stem; but in an individual a little more

advanced some of the cells were found to have acquired a more

cylindrical form, having grown faster than the others, and in

consequence to project beyond them. The intermediate sub-

stance was now seen to consist of elongated, somewhat anasto-

mosing cells, coated on either side by a layer of shorter ones,

which are subglobose. The contents of the cells of the hyme-

nium are grumous. As the pileus expands, the tips of some

of the more elongated cells, or, if I may so call them, sporo-

phores, show four minute points disposed nearly in a square,

which rapidly increase in length till they are about half as

long as the portion of the sporophore which is emersed. In

this stage of growth they are slightly curved inwards. On

the tip of each of these a minute globule is soon developed,

which is at first perfectly pellucid. This rapidly increases,

acquiring an oval form, though more gibbous on the side

which is turned from the axis of the sporophore, so that the

position of the perfect spores upon the spicules is oblique.

The apex becomes minutely papillate, and at the base there is

a very short peduncle. The grumous contents of the spores,

which were at first almost colourless, acquire in the perfect

fruit a rich purple brown. The contents of the sporophores

as they increase become more distinctly granular, and are at-

tracted towards the apex as the spores are developed, which

appear to be nourished by them. When the spores are per-

fected the sporophores are nearly empty.

It is to be observed that the sporophores in the mature

plant are not all of the same height. In looking down upon

a thin slice from the surface of the gill, the lowest, which are

frequently without spores, appear like circles ; others are ob-

served to be furnished with four spiculee ; and it is not uncom-

mon, when the gill has not acquired its deepest tint, to see

the spores themselves in various stages of development. The

92 Rey. M. J. Berkeley on the Fructification of the ©

large utricles so conspicuous in most Coprini were here ex-

tremely few. The arrangement of the sporophores appears to

be by no means vague. J.ink figures the spaces between the

sori as square. ‘This does not accord with my own observa-

tions. I find them triangular in 4g. striatus, Bull., five or six

being arranged around each sporophore, so that the sporo-

phores are arranged round a central one in pentagons or hex-

agons. In Ag. macrocephalus, Berk., the sporophores are urn-

shaped and supported upon long peduncles. The cellular

layer beneath the hymenium is here exceedingly obscure, and

the central stratum very thin and consisting of filaments much

more slender in proportion than in Ag. micaceus. In that spe-

cies there are about three layers of subglobose cells between

the hymenium and the central stratum. In Ag. momentaneus

the sporophores are similar; and the utricles large as in dg.

macrocephalus.

The quaternary arrangement of the spores has been recog-

nised from the time of Micheli, but no one appears to have

suspected how general it is in Agarics. It may, however, be

very readily seen with a good doublet, if a thin slice from the

surface of the gill be examined ; and a thin transverse section

will showthem to be arranged on the spiculz of the sporophores

exactly as in the Coprini.

Taking the tribes as they stand in Fries, I will mention the

species which I have had under observation, making occa-

sional notes where requisite.

The quaternary arrangement then has been verified in

Ag. phalloides, Fr. Ag. Columbetta, Fr.

— vaginatus, Bull.

— pantherinus, Dec. — emeticus, Schaeff.

— rubescens, Fr. — fotens, Pers.

— muscarius, Linn.

— volemum, Fr.

— procerus, Scop. — theiogalus, Bull.

— rufus, Scop.

— erubescens, Fr. — pyrogalus, Bull.

— hypothejus, Fr. — fuliginosus, Fr.

— piperitus, Bolt.

— luridus, Schaeff.

In most, if not in all the Galorrhei, the spores are minutely

echinulate. In 4g. fleruosus, Fr. alone, the arrangement of

OK ie

Pileate and Clavate Tribes of Hymenomycetous Fungi. 93

the spores appears to be uniformly binary, the one being ex-

actly opposite to the other. The other pair appears to be sup-

pressed.

The arrangement is quaternary again in

Aq. nebularis, Batsch. Aq. pelianthinus, Fr.

— grammopodius, Bull.

— ceraceus, Wulf.

In the two latter, which belong to the section Calodontes,

besides the fertile sporophores, there are barren ones or utri-

cles, which are coloured, and give the peculiar character to

the section.

4g. radicatus, Relh. } Aq. pudens, Pers.

The gills are studded with cells much longer than the spo-

rophores, which in some states are surmounted by a large pel-

“lucid globule. This at length vanishes and leaves the tip of

the utricle denticulate.

Ag. velutipes, Curt.

— peronatus, Bolt,

— oreades, Bolt.

— balaninus, Berk.

4g. prunulus, Scop.

— fertilis 8. intybaceus, Fr. Occa-

sionally in this species there

appear to be only three spiculze

and three spores.

rhodopolius, Fr.

— tenacellus, Pers. The gills have

utricles like those of 4g. radi-

catus.

— Rotula, Scop.

chalybeus, Pers.

— ostreatus, Jacq. asprellus, Fr., or an allied species.

In most of the Hyporrhodia the spores are very irregular in

form, with a globose central nucleus (sporidium) which is

small in proportion to the spore itself.

Aq. genitilis, Fr. Ag. pusillus, Dec. Cylindrical utricles.

scaurus, Fr. In this species there Spores occasionally reduced to

are sometimes five spores to- two.

gether.

— campestris, Linn.

rimosus, Bull.

— lateritius, Schaeff.

— cucumis, Pers.

tener, Schaeff.

— stipatus, Pers.

— gracilis, Fr.

trechisporus, Berk. The spores

have little granules upon them.

The utricles are like those of

Ag. pudens.

involutus, Batsch. Gills with

large pointed transparent utri-

cles many times longer than

the sporophores.

— semiovatus, Sow.

— titubans, Bull.

— disseminatus, Pers.

— (Gomphus) rutilus, Schaef.

Spores elongated; grumous,

contents disposed in twomasses.

94 Rev.M.J. Berkeley on the Fructification of the

In all these species it will be observed the reproductive

bodies are naked spores, and that, except in Ag. flexuosus, the

arrangement is almost uniformly quaternary. The exceptions

are very rare, and no more invalidate the general rule than

occasional additions or suppressions of parts in pheenogamous

plants. In all, the major axis of the spores is vertical to the

gills, and in general they are placed rather obliquely upon the

spicules.

But this description of the spores and their arrangement

applies with slight modifications to other pileate Hymenomy-

cetes. In all, the reproductive bodies are naked spores seated

upon spicules which crown the sporophores, and in the ge-

nera which most abound in species the arrangement appears

to be in general quaternary, though in some genera the num-

ber four does not prevail. It must be confessed, however,

that a sufficient number of species have not yet been examined

to warrant any general conclusion.

In Cantharellus cibarius, Fr., and C. tubeformis, Fr., the

spores are six, seated upon rather long spicules disposed in

pairs so as to form an ellipse, two pairs forming a square in

the narrow part of the ellipse, and the other seated at the

apices of the major axis +::+ 3 or five by the suppression of

one of the spores belong to the single pair. In Canth. cornu-

copioides, Fr., there is only a single pair, apparently from the

suppression of the four which form a square. In Canth, fis-

silis, Fr., the spores are solitary, but still seated on spicules.

Polyporus squamosus, Fr., has quaternate spores.

Boletus subtomentosus, Linn, Boletus luridus, Schaeff.

pachypus, Fr. scaber, Bull.

Have the spores quaternate. There are also acuminate utri-

cles, generally furnished with an articulation towards the tip.

In Hydnum repandum, L., the spores vary from three to five.

In Hydnum farinaceum, Pers., they are solitary, which is pro-

bably the case in most of the lower resupinate Fungi.

Thelephora laciniata, Pers, Thelephora purpurea, Pers.

cristata, Fr,

The arrangement is in these quaternate. In the latter there

are cylindrical utricles, and probably the bristles in Thel. rubi-

ginosa, &c. are of the same nature.

/ /

a f

Pileate and Clavate Tribes of Hymenomycetous Fungi. 95

Phlebia vaga, Fr., has quaternate sporidia.

We have now to inquire what is the arrangement in the

clavate Fungi which are clearly very closely related to the

Pileati. In point of structure the hymenium is just like that

of the pileate species. In Clavaria cristata, Pers., the spores

are binary, or occasionally ternary. In Clav. crispula, Fr., ter-

nary or quaternary. In Clav. vermicularis, Swartz., binary.

Calocera viscosa, Fy., has solitary spores curved like those of

some Tremelle. In Typhula gyrans, Fr., the spores are qua-

ternate.

In Geoglossum, Spathularia, and Mitrula it is well known

that the reproductive bodies are not spores, but sporidia con-

tained in distinct asci. In Geoglossum they are curved and

septate. Spathularia has very long and slender sporidia,

which are filled with sporidiola, thus approaching very near

to Leotia, in which they are cylindrical, containing four glo-

bose sporidiola. At present I have not seen perfect sporidia

in Mitrula. It is clear then that these genera, which differ

so essentially in their fructification, are not properly associated

with the clavate Hymenomycetes.

The essential character of hymenomycetous Fungi appears

then to consist in a hymenium composed of closely packed

sporophores, which support on spicules a generally determi-

nate number of spores. If this be deemed of the importance

Iam inclined to attribute to it, the elvellaceous Fungi, as also

the Cupulati, cannot be included in the same primary division.

The Tremellini, on the contrary, appear to me to be true Hy-

menomycetes. In Tremella albida the curved spores are

- superficial, vertical with regard to the hymenium, and seated

obliquely upon spicules, almost exactly as in Calocera viscosa,

At present I have not had sufficient leisure to examine their

structure attentively, and there are some peculiarities in it

which I do not understand. The Sclerotiacei I consider an-

other tribe of true Hymenomycetes, though very imper-

fectly organized. I have stated in the English Flora that I

believe the true “ideal notion” of their structure is that of

highly condensed Hyphomycetes, which, if the analogy of the

spores in Botrytis be taken into consideration, confirms greatly

the present view. The abbreviated flocci of Botrytis curta,

Berk., with their two or three spicule-form branchlets, each

96 Rev. M.J. Berkeley on the Fructification of the

bearing a spore, resemble very closely the sporophores of

pileate and clavate Hymenomycetes. The notion that they

are condensed Coniomycetes arises from the consideration of

one or two obscure epiphyllous species, which are scarcely

more than abortive Uredos.

We have then, as the typical group of Hymenomycetes,

Agaricus and allied genera. The subtypical consists clearly

of the clavate genera Clavaria, Calocera, &c. The 'Tremellini

and Sclerotiacei form two aberrant groups. The third aber-

rant group consists, if I mistake not, of Jsaria and certain al-

lied genera. It is only necessary to compare the prickles of

one of the resupinate Hydna with the fruit-bearing hairs of

Isaria citrina, or, what is better, some of the more obscure

Pistillarie and Typhule, to be convinced of the propriety of

such an arrangement. Anthina, with its subgenus Péerula,

is still more evidently allied. Ceratiwm again has spores dis-

posed on short bristles, altogether reminding us of the Hyme-

nomycetes. The sporidia, of the second order mentioned by

Greville and Fries, are merely the tips of the spicules from

which the spores have fallen. It is remarkable that these

spicules are distinctly disposed in quincunxes. The spores

too, when seen with high powers, are much narrower at one

end, and have their longer axis vertical to the hymenium.

The pileate Fungi pass evidently into the Tremellini by

means of Phlebia mesenterica, which scarcely differs generi-

cally from Exidia Auricula Jude. 'The Tremellini are con-

nected with Sclerotiacei by means of Pyrenium, and these

again with Isariacei by means of Periola.

If we now turn to the cupulate and mitrate Fungi excluded*

from Hymenomycetes, we have in them, if 1 mistake not, the

typical and subtypical groups of another grand division cha-

racterized by the presence of true asci; Peziza and its allied

genera forming the first, and Helvella, Leotia, &c., exactly

analogous to Clavati, forming the second. We shall then have

as the aberrant groups the Scleromycetes, Perisporiacei, and.

that part of Angiogastres comprising the truffles, Carpobol,

‘and Nidularie.

* In the new Systema Fungorum, the twelve first sheets of which I have

_ received from the author since the above was printed, these are, in fact, now

separated by Prof. Fries from Hymenomycetes, under the title of Discomy-

cetes. The Hymenium in the former is still described as ascigerous,

Pileate and Clavate Tribes of Hymenomycetous Fungi. 97

We cannot doubt the very close relation of the cupulate

and scleromycous groups. The Scleromycetes evidently pass

into the Perisporiacei by means of some of those epiphyllous

species whose asci are reduced to the form of sporidia, and

the sporidia in consequence mere sporules. This makes

way through Perisporium for a new form of free asci, the so-

called sporidia of Erysiphe. The transition from thence to

Angiogastres is very easy through Polyangium. 'The Carpo-

boli, as Fries has admirably pointed out, are Perisporia with

avolva. The circle returns to Mitrati through Tuber and

Rhizina. The Hymenomycetous and Uterine circles are con-

nected by Tremelila and Tuber. I have reason to think

that this will appear much more evident than it does at first

sight, when the structure of Zremella shall have been more

perfectly studied.

The intimate structure of the Phalloid Fungi, as I hope to

show at some future opportunity, is exactly that of Tricho-

gastres, as appears from the examination of both before ma-

turity. Indeed the transition from them through Battarea

and Geastrum is far from abrupt.

I am inclined then to think that the typical and subtypical

groups of the Gasteromycetes-consist of Trichogastres and

Phalloidei; two of the aberrant groups being Myxogastres

and Trichodermacei.

The phalloid group is connected with Trichodermacei by

Spadonia and the curious fungus figure by Battara, tab. 40,

A—E, a Phallus, without a volva. The gasteromycous circle

is evidently connected with the uterine by Agerita.

The group Myxogastres, as Fries remarks, differ in their

singular vegetation * from all other Fungi, and have but few

and remote analogies. The old notion of their connexion with

Hypodermii is, I believe, correct, and by means of these they

pass either into Coniomycetes, or through them to Trichoder-

macei. At present, however, I dare not venture to remove

them from Coniomycetes. The fifth group, therefore, is left

blank in the diagram.

I do not attempt to indicate the groups of Hyphomycetes

* It is curious that spiral vessels, differing in no respect, as far as I have

been able to discover, from those of pheenogamous plants, have been observed

by M. Corda and myself, to compose the flocculent mass in the genus Trichia.

Ann. Nat, Hist. Vol. 1.—No. 2. April 1838. i

98 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on the Fructification of the

or Coniomycetes, as so much uncertainty still exists with re-

gard to many of them. Indeed, notwithstanding all the at-

tention that has been paid to Fungi, it may be asserted with-

out fear of giving offence, that the modern improvements of

microscopes have opened quite a new field to the mycologist.

All the genera require an accurate revision, and in such case,

I am sure from my own experience, that the structure of many

would be found to differ much from received notions. If it

had not been from the imperfection of instruments, it is quite

impossible that it should have fallen to the lot of any one at

the present day to describe the true structure of the hyme-

nium in Agarics, or that the quaternary arrangement should

have been scarcely recognised except in the Coprini.

The annexed is a tabular view of the affinities of Fungi as

indicated above.

HYPHOMYCETES.

Sclerotiacei.

ININALA

Scleromycetes.

Trichogastr

Pileate and Clavate Tribes of Hymenomycetous Fungi. 99.

I am by no means positive as to its correctness in all points.

I have probably in some instances confounded analogies with

affinities; but they are thrown out at least as hints. It

would carry me to greater length than is desirable to state

fully the grounds on which they are indicated. My object is

principally to call the attention of students to the room which

still remains for ‘investigation, even in the field which has

been so successfully trod by Fries. Too much attention can-

not well be paid to any of his suggestions, to which every my-

cologist must acknowledge the deepest obligations. It seems,

however, almost impossible that any system can be right in

all its parts which is founded on false notions of the struc-

ture of the group of highest importance.

The facts stated above confirm in a striking degree the

theory that a quaternary arrangement prevails in Cryptogamic

plants. It will be seen from the anomalous cases mentioned

above that the spicules have a definite arrangement, even

when the number exceeds four. Few facts are more curious

than that the number‘ four should prevail when the fructifica-

tion consists of spores, and a multiple of four when it is con-

tained in asci. ?

How far modifications of the form of the sporophores may

be found of use in distributing the species of the genus Aga-

ricus I am not prepared to state, not having made a series of

observations with a view to that especial point. M. Montagne,

it appears, is distinctly of opinion that they are of great value,

taken in connection with the structure of the inner substance

of the gills. Link pointed out nearly thirty years since that

an easy distinction is afforded by the nature of the cellular

substance between the Russule and Ag. Russula. The sub-

ject is one of considerable interest, but of extreme difficulty,

and requires for its investigation all the aid that can possibly

be afforded by the best instruments and the most dexterous

manipulation; and no attempt at generalization can well be

expected to be successful till some hundreds of species have

been examined. It cannot be in better hands than in those

of the learned French mycologist, the publication of whose

memoir we wait for with great anxiety.

100 On the Fructification of Hymenomycetous Fungi.

EXPLANATION OF PLATES.

PLATE IV.

Fig. 1. Section of gill from a very young specimen of a var. of Ag.micaceus,

showing the young sporophores not yet distinct from the other cells

of the hymenium.

. Ditto, in a specimen rather more advanced. The sporophores have

become more cylindrical, and are longer than the other cells. ‘The

central cellular substance of the gill is distinctly marked.

3. The sporophores have acquired four spicules.

4, Section very highly magnified, showing the spores just besieiticie t to

be developed, and a sporophore with four spores more advanced.

5. Tip of sporophore, with four infant spores, magnified 600 diameters.

‘s Ditto, with four mature spores.

LS)

. A spore seen from one side.

. Ditto seen from behind.

; seo of gill of 4g. momentaneus, with two sporophores and an

utricle.

10. Ditto of 4g. macrocephalus, showing an utricle, with sporophores

and spores in various stages of growth.

11. A form sometimes assumed by the utricles in very young plants.

12. Utricle.

13. Part of a gill of 4g. striatus, showing the disposition of the sporo-

phores, each of which is marked with four dots, which are the

tips of the spicules.

14, Sporophores in 4g. Phalloides.

15. Tip of sporophore, with its four spores in 4g. nebularis.

16. Portion of gill of Ag. velutipes, from a sketch by Mr. Cornelius

Varley, very highly magnified.

.17. Tip of sporophore of 4g. fleauosus, with its two echinulate spores.

18. Sporophore of 4g. Volemum with its four echinulate spores.

19. Spore of the same.

20. Portion of hymenium of 4g. pudens. Two of the utricles are

crowned with a transparent globule; in one the globule has va-

nished, and another is obtuse without any crown.

21. Portion of hymenium of 4g. balaninus, with its coloured utricles.

The structure of 4g. pelianthinus is similar.

22. Sporophores of 4g. fertilis, var. intybaceus.

23. Spores. ’ :

24. Spores of Ag. chalybeus and Ag. asprellus with their nuclei.

25. Portion of hymenium of dy. tener.

26. Portion of hymenium and pileus of 4g. rimosus.

27. Hymenium of 4g. involutus, with utricles.

28. Spores of ditto.

PLATE V.

29. Hymenium of 4g. pusillus, with an utricle and a sporophore bear-

ing two spicules.

30. Hymenium of 4g. semiovatus.

31. Hymenium of Gomphus rutilus, with utricles.

32. Sporophore of ditto.

33. Spore.

34. Tip of sporophore of 4g. ostreatus. .

35. Spore.

36. Portion of hymenium of Cantharellus cibarius.

37. Ditto of Cantharellus cornucopioides.

inn, Nat, Hist. Vol.1. PLIV

——*

Cf ae : : : wy Ce *

Fruditals wid Vie LAY Mle ECA! a ee

| : : V4 ee

M1 Berkeley Del? Swan a?

eta i per esamly Vel Shad

Weg iies Sige

Me tana #2

be Fy

Ann, Nat. Hist. Vet. 1.F1.V.

ceo

Mammalia and Fish from Van Diemen’s Land. 101

38. Spicules and two spores of the same.

39. Horizontal section of hymenium of Boletus luridus.

40. Utricle of Boletus scaber.

41. Spore of ditto. f

42. Portion of hymenium of Hydnum repandum.

43. Spore of ditto.

44, Portion of hymenium of Thelephora laciniata.

45. Ditto of Thelephora purpurea, showing an utricle.

46. Ditto of Clavaria cristata.

47. Spore and spicule of Calocera viscosa.

48. Portion of Phlebia vaga, highly magnified.

49. Hymenium of ditto.

50. Sporidium of Geoglossum difforme.

51. Sporidia of Spathularia flavida.

52. Sporidium of Leotia lubrica.

53. Sporophore and spores of Agaricus trechisporus.

54. Spores of ditto.

55. Utricles of ditto.

56. Utricle in which the globule has vanished.

1X.—Notices accompanying a Collection of Quadrupeds and

Fish from Van Diemen’s Land. By Ronaup Gunn, Esq.,

addressed to Sir W. J. Hooker, and by him transmitted to

the British Museum. With Notes and Descriptions of the

new Species. By J. E. Gray, F.RS., &c. |

MAMMALIA.

1. Tue Thylacinus cynocephalus is called in Van Diemen’s

Land indiscriminately by the names of Tiger and Hyena. It

is common in the more remote parts of the colony, and they are

accordingly often caught at Woolnorth and the Hampshire

Hills. I have seen some so very large and powerful, that a

number of dogs will not face one.- They are usually noc-

turnal in their attacks on sheep, but they also move about in

the day time; and upon those occasions, perhaps from their

rather imperfect vision by day, their pace is very slow. A

number of skins could be procured if much wanted, or their

skulls perhaps more easily. In Murray’s Ency. of Geography

it is stated, p.1485, that its taal is compressed, which suggests

the supposition that it is used in swimming. The tail is not

compressed, neither is it at all aquatic in its habits. They

_are most numerous inland, and when I was recently at the

Hampshire Hills two were caught in one week at the sheep,

twenty miles from the sea. As to their feeding on fish, I

102 Mr. Gunn’s Notices of some Mammalia

hardly know how it could have been ascertained, unless the

fish had been previously caught and given to one, when, like

many carnivorous quadrupeds, it is probable it would eat them.

Deductions are frequently too hastily drawn by naturalists

(or persons professing to be such) from isolated facts. That

the Thylacinus may often be seen on the sea-coast, as also

every other species of our quadrupeds, is quite probable,

and may once or twice have been seen eating a dead fish

thrown up by the sea; but as to its fishing, it is out of the

question.

2. (Phalangista Cookii?) is common near Launceston, and

is there usually called Ring-tail Opossum as a specific name.

All the opossums come out of the holes of the trees, in which

they usually sleep all day, about twilight ; and for an hour or

two after sunset they may be seen busily employed eating the

leaves of the various species of Hucalypti: on the branches on

moonlight nights they are usually shot, and opossum shooting

is sometimes fine sport where a few join together. Orchards

in country places suffer sometimes from the opossums eating

all the leaves and young branches.

3. (Phalangista Vulpina.)—The habits of this species are de-

scribed under No. 2. It is the most common species near

Launceston, and there usually called Brush-tail Opossum.

9. (Phalangista fuliginosa, Ogilby?)—Iris reddish brown. It

is the kind from Circular Head, and some specimens attain a

size fully as large as No. 3. At Circular Head I have seen

neither Nos. 2 or 3. A small species of Phalangista (Phalan-

gista nana, Geoff. ?) exists in Van Diemen’s Land about the

size of a large mouse; but although I have seen some alive in

_ the possession of gentlemen, I have been unable to procure a

specimen. No species of Petaurus, or flying opossum, exists in

Van Diemen’s Land, although one species, P. sciureus, is

abundant at Port Philip and along the-south coast of New

Holland. |

6. Perameles Gunni, Gray. Bandicoot.—The bandicoots

are very numerous everywhere; they burrow in the ground

universally as far as I have seen, and live principally on roots.

I knew one gentleman’s entire collection of Cape bulbs, prin-

cipally Babianee, eaten by them, and I suffered considerably

and Fish from Van Diemen’s Land. 103

myself, having lost some entire species of bulbs through these

animals.

4. Phascolomys, Wombat.—Commonly called in the colony

by the name of badger. I found this animal in very various

situations, on the tops of mountains and in dense forests. In

the mountains it finds holes among the rocks in which it can

lodge, but in other places it burrows in the earth. Itis usually

nocturnal I believe, but I have frequently killed them in the

day time; their pace is slow, and on being -attacked they

grunt somewhat like a pig. The skin is excessively thick, and

curiously attached to the bones of the hips, as also slightly along

the vertebre of the back. At the hips however you have to

cut through solid gristle. The whole skin has to be cut off, as

it will not separate from the flesh like the skins of most other

animals. The eyes are unusually small, iris dark brown. I

obtained a very large one recently at the Hampshire Hills ; but

the man to whom I gave the skin to immerse in a decoction

of bark, put it in the warm liquor, thereby destroying its

value : to such losses a person is always subject. It measured

thirty-six inches from snout to tail, and thirty-four inches in .

circumference round the body. Wombat flesh is very good

to eat, and I have upon many occasions made hearty meals of

it when out in the woods. The aborigines were also fond of

it. The molares are remarkable, and by extracting one you

will see how curiously they go into the lower jaw; at least they

appear so to me, being semicircular and long.

I saw one or two specimens of an animal brought from the

south coast of New Holland bearing a general resemblance to

the wombat, in being tailless, (the Koala, Phascolarctos cine-

reus?) but I think the toes differed in some points, and_it lived

on the tops of the trees like the opossums. Its cry at night,

I was informed by the gentleman who shot it, was not unlike

some of the early notes in the braying of an ass. .

4*, Dasyurus ursinus, the Devil.—I have only been able to

procure a young specimen of this species. It exists all over

Van Diemen’s Land, and naturalists are wrong in supposing

that because it, the Thylacinus, and some others are found

on the sea coast, that they exist there only. The sea coast is

certainly the part most likely to be visited by voyagers, but

104 Mr. Gunn’s Notices of some Mammalia

an inference should not thence be drawn that they only liveon

the sea coast, and feed on dead seals, &c. I know of no spe-_

cies that exclusively inhabits the sea coast. The devil is de-

structive to sheep all over the colony, and is indeed the most

destructive of our indigenous quadrupeds, the Thylacinus

being much scarcer. The D. ursinus is nocturnal, very fierce,

and a match for an ordinary dog ; they bite very severely.

5. (Dasyurus Viverrinus,) the Native Cat of Van Diemen’s

Land.—Of this animal I think there are many species, differ-

ing in size, colour, &c. (Dasyurus Maugei:) they are very de-

structive to poultry throughout the colony, entering fowl-

houses by the smallest aperture, and. killing an immense num-

ber; they only suck the blood, and rarely, if ever, are known

to carry off the bodies.

7. Hydromys chrysogaster, Water Rat.—I am ignorant of

its habits. Found in rivers and streams.

9. Echidna.—I have only sent home one miserable speci-

men of this animal. It is common in some parts of the colony,

and I am informed by those who have eaten them that they

are excellent food. They are harmless.

10. Kangaroo.—Of this genus I know four species in Van

Diemen’s Land, or perhaps there may be more. The speci-

men sent is the species known in Van Diemen’s Land by the

name of “ Wallaby.” I shall however to a certain extent de-

scribe all. First, the forest kangaroo (Macropus major, Shaw,)

called also the “ boomer,” (from the heavy sound in jumping,

I presume,) the “ forester,” and various other names. It is

a very large species, frequently exceeding 7Olbs. weight; the

colour very light mouse colour. It exists on the top of the

Western Mountains, and in the more remote parts. On the

Western Mountains I saw them in great numbers, and the

‘country being perfectly open I had some beautiful hunting ;

but in some cases they completely outstripped the kangaroo

dogs, which are a cross between the greyhound for speed and

bull-dog for strength. I had a tame one which allowed my

children to play with it, and was extremely docile. The tail

is nok used in progression, although universally asserted; in

leaping they usually hold it out pretty horizontal, but never

as a third limb. Indeed, in defence, the hind legs alone are

and Fish from Van Diemen’s Land. 105

used, with which they can give most powerful strokes, and a

very large kangaroo will keep off in a favourable situation one

or moredogs. Kangaroos, although, from circumstances of their

food being abundant in spots, as on recently burnt land, they

may be seen in flocks, are not gregarious; their food brings them

to one spot, but you never see even ¢wo together properly speak-

ing; and on no occasion have I ever seen or known them in

_ flocks, owning a leader and proceeding en masse, as all wild

animals do. They are perfectly independent of each other.

Kangaroos do not burrow in the ground, although it is so as-

serted in various works: they lodge during the heat of the day

amongst high ferns, such as Pteris esculenta, high grass, and

in underwood, commonly here called scrubs, that is, dense

patches of Melaleuca, Leptospermum, &c., on the margins of

streams, &c. And although almost all our forest trees (Hu-

calypti) are hollow at the butt, and innumerable dead and

hollow trees cover the ground, I have never known them use

them as sleeping places, as is but too frequently asserted :

under a dead tree is however much more likely than in the

hollow of a live one. Many other assertions, probably equally

devoid of foundation, are constantly made by authors, who are

but too frequently mere compilers from'the assertions of others;

and I can assure you even in Van Diemen’s Land I receive

every statement on natural history subjects with the greatest

caution. There is so great a want of investigation, joined to

a natural proneness for the marvellous, that a simple fact is

perverted to such a degree, that it would puzzle any one to

tell how much was really founded on fact.

The next species in size is commonly called the Brush Kan-

garoo (Halmaturus? ?). Itis by far the most common

everywhere, easily overtaken by swift kangaroo dogs, and

used most generally for food. When roasted or the tail made

into soup, it bears a pretty close resemblance to hare, and is

universally esteemed. It is however usually cut up like mince

meat, with salt pork, pepper, &c. and stewed, and is colonially

called a steamer; in this way it is really delicious. The skins

are tanned and is the only kind of leather used in the colony

for the uppers of ladies’ and gentlemen’s boots and shoes.

Many thousands of skins are also annually exported from Van

Diemen’s Land to New South Wales for the same purpose.

106 Mr: Gunn’s Notices of some Mammalia

The kangaroos usually feed at night, and in the evenings and

mornings, but they are exceedingly sharp-sighted in the day

time.

The third species is the “ Wallaby,” of which a specimen is

sent. It is of a much darker brown, smaller than either of the

preceding, and is most common near the sea, and on the is-

lands in Bass’s Strait. They are excellent eating, but the

smallness of the skins renders them less valuable for tan-

ning.

A fourth species, commonly called Kangaroo Rat, may prove

to be of the genus Hypsiprymnus; they are considerably smaller

than the'wallaby, but progress on their hind legs similar to

the kangaroo. There may, in reality, be some other species, :

but I have not closely examined many specimens. Their mode

of bringing forth young, &c. is now so much better known in

England than out here, that I need make no remarks on the

subject.

Milk-white or cream-coloured kangaroos (Halmaturus al-

bus, Gray,) exist in Van Diemen’s Land, although but spa-

ringly. also possessed a white opossum of No. 3 alive, which

I gave Mr. Short to take to England. I had previously pos-

sessed a white skin. I presume them all to be albinos.

Notes on the above, with descriptions of two new Species.

By J. E. Gray, F.R.S.

The above paper contains the best remarks on the Mammalia

of Van Diemen’s Land that I have seen, and corrects several in-

accuracies into which naturalists have fallen from not having

the opportunity of examining the animals on the spot. Among

the collections are two new species, which I shall now proceed

to describe. Having occasion some years ago to consult the

original description of the wombat given by Bass in Collins’s

Account of New South Wales, ii. 155, I found that all the dif-

ficulty which has occurred with respect to his animal is occa-

sioned by a simple misprint of five for ¢wo in his description,

by which he is made to say that the animal “has five long

grass-cutting teeth in the front of each jaw, like those of a

kangaroo ; within them is a vacancy for an inch or more; then

appear ¢wo small canines, of equal height with, and so much

similar to, eight molares situated behind them, as scarcely to be

and Fish from Van Diemen’s Land. 107°

distinguished from them. The whole number in both jaws

amount to twenty-four.” It is evident from his whole number

that the cutting-teeth should have been two and not five, as

they are in the wombat described by Geoffroy. Llliger, (Pro-

dromus, 77,) overlooking this misprint, and being aware that

no known Mammalia have an odd number of cutting-teeth, de-

scribes his genus Ambdlotis as having six teeth in each jaw.

Succeeding naturalists have been inclined to believe that

Illiger and Bass’s animal is to be discovered. I have seen

Bass’s specimen, which is now in the Museum of the Natural

History Society of Newcastle-on-Tyne: it is the same as the

one we now usually receive from Van Diemen’s Land, only

discoloured by having been kept in spirit.

It is to be regretted that no specimen of No. 2 was sent, as

there are two different species confounded under the name of

P. Cookii, one coming from Van Diemen’s Land, which must

be called the real P. Cookii, as it is the opossum of Van Die-

men’s Land described by Cook, last Voyage, i. 108, t. 13

from this arises the Phalanger de Cook, Cuv. Reg. Anim.,

1.179; Phalangista Cookii, Temm. Monog.,i. 7. The other,

which was found near the Endeavour River, New Hol-

land, may be.called Phalangista Banksti; it is the New Hol-

land opossum of Pennant (Quad., ii. 25.), the Opossum of

Hawkesby, Voy., ii. 586, and probably the Balantia Cookii of

Kuhl. (Beitr. 63.) Capt. Cook thought that the Van Diemen’s

Land animal might be the male of the one discovered. by Sir

J. Banks in New Holland. Dr. Shaw, in his white-tailed opos-

sum, has partly combined Pennant and Cook’s descriptions.

Cuvier refers to Cook’s plate ; and 'Temminck says that he de-

scribed a specimen brought home in Capt. Cook’s expedition |

which is now in the Leyden Museum.

9. Phalangista fuliginosa, Ogilby? Back and tail black;

sides brownish; throat, chest, and belly yellowish brown;

under side of the tip of the tail bald.

6. Perameles Gunnii, Gray. Muzzle elongate, conical, ta-

pering, grey-brown, with scattered black tipped rigid flattened

bristles ; lips, throat, belly, inside of the legs, feet, tail, and

_ four broad bands on each side of the rump white ; front claws

elongate, slightly arched, yellow ; ears moderate, rather naked,

108 Mr. Gunn’s Notices of some Mammalia

brown and hairy in front; the thumb of the hand feet small,

subcylindrical, blunt, clawless. Length: head, 5 ; body, 11;

tail, 44; hind feet, 24 inches.

These animals have been generally supposed to feed on in-

sects, and Dr. Grant discovered the remains of insects in the

stomach of the one he examined.

The “ Wallaby” kangaroo is quite different from the spe-

cies which usually goes by that name in this country, and

proves to be a species which I have not before seen, belonging

to the subgenus Zhylogale ; therefore I shall characterise it.

Halmaturus (Thylogale) Tasmanei, Gray. Blackish brown,

reddish and black varied ; upper lip, chin, throat, and beneath

pale reddish brown; hind feet short, brown, grizzled; tail

rather short, scaly, covered with short close-pressed hairs, with

longer soft crisped hairs along the upper part of its base.

Length, 25; tail, 10?; hind feet, 53 inches.

This species is very different from any of the specimens

which I have described in my lately-published revision of the

family, and if the tail is not injured it will agree in the short-

ness of this member with the H. Thylogale brevicaudatus, the

Kangaroo a queue courte figured by Quoy and Gaymard in the

Voyage of the Astrolabe, (Mammalia, t. 19,) but which is

quite differently coloured.

FIsHEs.

I have this season, from my residence being so near the sea,

procured a few fish, but have not numbered them. They

were all caught in a seine at Circular Head except one spe-

cies, called a “ Nurse” (Cestracion Philippi, Cuv.); I caught

it at Western Port. Another species of shark, called here

Sword Fish, (Pristis cirrhatus, Lath.) is abundant; the pe-

culiarly prolonged and armed snout struck me as curious:

three specimens are sent. A fish called Sea Hedge-hog or

Porcupine (Diodon) is also very abundant. On being brought

to land it inflates itself into a perfect sphere, the skin as tight

as a foot-ball, and the spines erect and stiff in all directions

from the body: it continues so for some time. Some of the

skins now sent are well-preserved.

“ Leather Jackets” (Monacanthus, Cuv.). Of these, two are

and Fish from Van Diemen’s Land. 109

this year sent. They are of a greenish colour, with a strong

spine on the back.

“ Parrot fish” (Ostracion, Linnzeus,) so called from the shape

of the head and mouth I suppose, as also perhaps from the

various and beautiful colours. Of these I send twelve speci-

mens of two or three species ; one specimen, although much

faded and altered, is still very beautiful.

“‘ Sea Horse,” so called, I believe, from a fancied resemblance

of the shape of the head to that of a horse. The specimen this

year sent I picked up on the beach a few miles from Circular

Head ; it is of a different species to those usually caught in

the rivers Tamar and Derwent. The tail differs considerably.

I think few, if any other, marine productions require notice.

I cannot and do not devote much time to the pursuit, but I

plainly see that much might be done. To asincere lover of

natural history, possessed of knowledge and the necessary

means, a finer field than Van Diemen’s Land could scarcely

be found. Crabs are very various and curious; fish also. And.

indeed a good cask of spirits might be filled with sundries

highly interesting to a scientific person.

Notes on the Fish. By John Edward Gray, Esq.

“The Nurse” is Cestracion Philippi of Cuvier, the Squalus

Philippi of Schneider, figured as the Port Jackson shark in Phi-

lipp’s Voyage, t. at p. 283. Itis probable from their descrip-

tions that neither Cuvier, Miiller, nor Henle have ever seen

this species, but were only acquainted with it from the figure

above-cited; it is perhaps the only specimen now in Euro-

pean collections. It is much more nearly related to Scyllium

than any other of the sharks. I am therefore induced to give

the following description of the specimen sent by Mr. Gunn.

Cestracion Philippi: muzzle short ; nostrils large, near the

lips operculate; operculum subspiral (partly injured in the skin-

ning); events? very small, low down on the cheek under the

hinder angle of the eye; front teeth small, conical, com-

pressed, lancet-shaped, the larger one with a small lobe on

each side of its base; eyebrows elevated, ridge-like. Dorsal

Jims two, each with a spine in front ; anal fin one; caudal fin

deeply lobed: the front dorsal fin over the middle of the space

110 On some Mammalia and Fish from Van Diemen’s Land.

between the large pectoral and ventral fin, the second over the

middle of the space between the ventral and anal fins. Re-

spiratory slips five, the three hinder ones over the base of the

pectoral fins: skin rough, grey, with two very indistinct dark-

er lines on each side of the tail. There is a second species of

this genus, from China, which I have described in my Zoolo-

gical Miscellany, under the name of Cestracion Zebra, figured

in Hardwick, Drawing of Cartilagineous Fishes, t.5, which dif-

fers in the body being marked with broad black cross bands.

The “ parrot fishes,” or Ostracions, consist of three very di-

stinct and beautiful species allied to Ostracion auritus of

Shaw (Nat. Misc., ix. t. 338), for which I have formed a sub-

genus under the name of Aracana.

1. Ostracion (Aracana) ornata, Gray. Granular, white,

with hexangular spots, leaving whitish reticulations; face and

belly with alternate unequal dark and white oblique streaks ;

fins pale ; front of dorsal and anal fin dark ; caudal fin with a

dark submarginal band and dark streaks betwen re strong

caudal rays.

2. Ostracion (Aracana) flavigaster, Gray. Granular, pale,

with dark longitudinal lines ; under lip, throat, and beneath

yellow ; fins all whitish; front of anal and dorsal fin rather

clouded ; caudal rays sleniien

3. Ostracion (Aracana) lineatd, Gray. Rough, séith tessel-

lated ridges; whitish back, with irregular black marks; face

and sides with crooked black streaks; belly and Linnie lips

white ; fins all whitish; rays of caudal fin slender ; base of

tail with three black streaks.

In some specimens of this species the spines (which agree

in number and position in all these species) are very short and

tubercular, and only rudimentary.

The specimen of Ostracion auritus figured by Dr. Shaw, is

in the British Museum collection ; it appears to be most allied

to the last species, but differs se it in being larger and co-

vered with small granules, and is of a nearly uniform brown

colour; but this may arise from some imperfection in its ori-

ginal preservation.

In the British Museum there is also a fifth species of this

section, sent from China by Mr. Reeves, which I figured in

On Spiral Vessels in the Roots of Dicotyledons. 111

the Indian Zoology (in t. —.) under the name of O. (Aracana)

auritus. On comparison with these species it proved to be

very distinct, and therefore I propose for the future to distin-

guish it as Ostracion Reevesii. It is much larger than any of

the Australasian species. It is regular, granular, with three

smooth rather arched bands on each cheek ; in its present dry

state it is of a uniform whitish grey colour, and much com-

pressed, and higher than the species above described. The

rays of the caudal fin are thick. Besides those named in the

list there was also sent an Apistes, which appears to be new 3

it may be called A. Tasmanensis, Gray: when dry, lead colour,

scaleless, suborbital and preopercular spine very long, pro-

duced; middle of dorsal fin with a large black spot; palatine

teeth velvet-like.

Brit. Mus. Feb. 10, 1838.

X.—On the Existence of Spiral Vessels in the Roots of Dico-

tyledonous Plants. By the Rev. J. B. Reanpz, M.A., F.R.S.

To Richard Taylor, Esq.

Peckham, Feb. 10, 1838.

My dear Sir, |

In the few explanatory remarks which I ventured to offer in

Philosophical Magazine for Nov. 1837, on the chemical com-

position of vegetable membrane and fibre, I had occasion to

allude to the existence of spiral vessels in the roots of dicoty-.

ledonous plants. The attention of English botanists being

hereby directed to a statement somewhat at variance with re-

ceived principles, I have been requested to furnish a more de-

tailed account than the nature of my former communication

permitted. I must beg, therefore, to avail myself of your va-

luable pages.

It has been usual to consider spiral vessels as peculiar to

the structure of monocotyledonous roots, and as forming a di-

stinctive character between the root and the stem of dicotyle-

dons ; and so thoroughly has this opinion of their position

gained credit, that I have been able in no case to remove it but

by giving ocular demonstration that it is in opposition to facts.

An attempt to trace to their origin the spiral vessels in the

112 Rev. J. B. Reade on the Existence of Spiral Vessels

main trunk and leaf-stalks of the carrot led to an examination

of the layer of vessels which lie immediately under the bark

of the root, and these I found, at first sight, to have every ap-

pearance of closely-wound trachee. Their brittleness, how-

ever, and the frequent anastomosis of the successive coils in- _

duced me to suppose that they were annular and not spiral ;

but, upon maceration, the strong membranous tube to which

the fibre was firmly attached suffered speedy decomposition,

and the spiral thread was readily unrolled. These tubes taper

off at each extremity into conical terminations, and I have

seen the contained fluid pass from tube to tube through the

oval perforation where they overlap each other. This pecu-

hiarity of structure, 1 am well aware, may be looked upon as

imparting to these vessels an intermediate form between elon-

gated cells and true vascular tissue; and hence, perhaps, I

ought not to adduce them as examples of the true spiral. I

would however notice the curious fact that all the very nume-

rous vessels in this root are of the kind now described. Such

is not the case in the root of any other dicotyledon which I

have hitherto examined.

In the paper to which I have referred I rested the fact of

the occurrence of spiral vessels in the roots of dicotyledonous

plants upon the single example of the root of common garden

mint. To this I may now add the roots of the radish, dahlia,

Convolvulus minor, and mustard. The interesting phenomena

connected with the development of the root of mustard, as well

as the structure of the root itself, will amply repay the most

minute attention. Ifa seed be immersed in water, the testa,

in the course of a few hours, will be covered with very minute

vessels, starting like radii from its surface. The peculiar re-

fractive power of these vessels renders them a remarkably dif-

ficult microscopic object, and I should probably have failed

without the assistance of my friend Mr. Bowerbank in ar-

riving at an accurate knowledge of their structure. Their .

form is entirely novel. A number of wine glasses, with long

stems, and inserted into each other, may furnish a somewhat

apt illustration of their remarkable appearance; and as the

walls of the bell-shaped portion are strengthened by a spiral

fibre, the vessels may be described in one word as fibro-cam-

in the Roots of Dicotyledonous Plants. 113

panulate. Were I to theorize upon the possible functions of

these, the first instruments of the vital principle, I should pro-

bably be met by the rebuke, justly merited indeed when but

few facts form the basis of confident speculation, “ La théorie !

la théorie ! peut-étre que de long-temps encore il nous sera pas

permi de nous guider dans ces recherches 4 la lueur d’un autre

flambeau.”. I pass on, therefore, to describe the structure of

the root. we ;

The medullary canal of the stem with its system of vessels

is continued without any interruption into the body of the

root; or perhaps it would be more accurate to invert the order

of these terms, as the root is first developed. The cellular

tissue of the young root is studded throughout its entire length

with fine fibrils. These I notice for the sake of observing

that their length varies under different circumstances of

growth. If the seed be well supplied with water these fibrillze

are short, but if the seed be allowed to attach itself to the side

of a bottle, for instance, and a few inches from the surface of

the water, their length is considerable, and they are constantly

beaded, as it were, with small condensed drops of the ascend-

ing vapour. It is evident that, in the latter case, the demand

for nutriment being greater than the supply, we have a clue

to the beautiful contrivance of the elongation of the absorbent

vessel. I will here add, though I cannot at present go into

the important questions connected with the statement, that

the plants which I am now describing were raised in distilled

water, and fed by the vapour of distilled water.

In addition to these interesting facts connected with the

germination of mustard seed, it only remains for me to state

that the column of vessels which is found in the body of the

root is composed of dotted ducts, derived from the apposition

of short cylindrical cells, base to base, annular vessels and

spiral vessels. The latter are without doubt “the true vessels

which strictly compose the vascular tissue.”

_ Hoping that these few remarks will serve to elucidate this

subject, Iam, my dear Sir,

Faithfully yours,

J. B. READE.

Ann. Nat. Hist, Vol. 1, No.2. April 1838. I

114

X1.—Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorer Jounston, M.D.,

Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Plates II. and III.

(Continued from p. 56.)

2. Tritonta*, Cuvier.

Cuaracter. Body limaciform, the head indistinct: mouth

with a pair of corneous jaws, overarched by a veil: dorsal ten-

tacula two, fissile and pectinate, issuing from tubular sheaths:

branchie forming a fringe or a series of arborescent tufts along

each side: orifices of generation and anus on the right side in

front : foot plane. Cuvier, Reg. Anim. ii. 52. Lamarck, Anim.

s. Vert. vi. i. 303. Rang, Man. 131, Blainville, Malacol. 487.

1. 7. Hombergii, branchiz forming a continuous but unequal

arborescent crest along each margin of the back. Plate ITI.

fig. 1, 2.

Tritonia Hombergii, Cuv. Mém. iv. 4. pl. 1, 2. fig. omnes. Lam. Anim.

s. Vert. vi. 1. 304, Flem. Brit. Anim. 284. Stark, Elem. ii, 68.—

Doris frondosa, Mull. Zool. Dan. Prod. 229. Turt. Gmel. iv. 79.

Hab, Amongst corallines in deep water, Frith of Forth, Sir J. Z. Dalyell.

Coast of Berwickshire, not uncommon.

Desc. Body from two to four or occasionally even eight

inches long, oblong, subtetragonal, the back slightly convex

or plane, closely covered with small warts of a brownish co-

lour with a tinge of bluish grey ; veil over the mouth contrac-

tile, but when expanded forming two semicircular lobes with

a margin cut into numerous tentacular points. Dorsal ten-

tacula issuing from a wide uneven sheath, columnar, the base

white, the upper half dusky, divided into fine beautifully pec-

tinate seements forming a circle, on the posterior side of which

there is a short cylindrical filament with a pale apex. Branchie

encircling the body in numerous arbuscular tufts connected

by a lower fringe of the same kind. Sides of the body smooth

or granular, the anterior vent protuberant, the posterior

smaller and somewhat lobed. Foot watery white, oblong,

* Formed from Triton, the name of the trumpeter to Neptune. It rather

unfortunately happens that Z7itonia is, however, one of the names of Mi-

nerva; and Triton has been too frequently honoured by zoologists.

+ “ Les tentacules eux-mémes ont la forme de panaches composés de

cing plumes, déchiquetées comme les feuilles des fougéres,’’—Cuvier,

Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca. 115

tapered behind, plane.—The structure of the tongue is wonder-

fully fine, and forms an excellent object for the microscope.

Tritonia Hombergit of Blainville, Man. de Malacologie,

p- 487. pl. 46. fig. 6. is either distinct or very badly drawn.

2. T. arborescens, branchial tufts distinct, five or six on each

side; oral veil in four arborescent lobes.

Tritonia arborescens, Cuv. Mém. vi. 28. pl. 1. fig. 8—10. . Fleming in

Edin. Encyclop, xiv. 619. Lam. Anim, s. Vert. vi. i. 304. Edin. Phil,

Journ. ix. 254. Grant in ibid. xiv. 165 and 185. lem. Brit. Anim.

284: Stark, Elem, ii. 68.—Doris arborescens, Mull. Zool. Dan. Prod.

229. Fabr. Faun. Grenl. 346. Turt. Gmel. iv. 79. Bosc. Vers. i,

112.—Doris cervina? Turt. Gmel. iv. 78.—Tritonia cervina? Bose.

Vers. i. 106.

Hab. Frith of Forth, Dr. Grant. Loch Broom, Ross-shire; and Zetland

Isles, Rev. Dr. Fleming. .

Desc. “Length about an inch; foot narrow, sides com-

pressed ; cloak smooth, its margin above the mouth with four

plumose appendages ; branchie decreasing in size towards the

tail; tentacula conical, transversely striated ; the sheath with

a divided margin.—I have found this species in the Zetland

Isles, agreeing with the characters of Cuvier, with this differ-

ence; that the branchis in his are only five on each side,

while in our specimen there appeared to be six. But as the

two posterior ones are very small, and as his examples were

preserved in spirits, it is probable that they have escaped de-

tection.” Rev. Dr. Fleming.—Dr. Grant has noticed this spe-

cies to emit at intervals a peculiar and very audible sound.

‘The sounds,” he says, “ obviously proceed from the mouth

of the animal ; and at the instant of the stroke we observe the

lips suddenly separate, as if to allow the water to rush into a

small vacuum formed within. As these animals are herma-

-phrodites, requiring mutual impregnation, the sounds may pos-

sibly be a means of communication between them; or if they

be of an electric nature, they may be a means of defending

from foreign enemies, one of the most delicate, defenceless, and

beautiful gasteropods that inhabit the deep.”

3. T. plebeia, branchial tufts distinct, five or six on each

side; oral veil entire, sinuate in the middle, the margin ten-

tacular. Plate IIL. fig. 3—4.

Tritonia plebeia, Johnston in Edin. New Phil, Journ. v.77,

116. Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca.

Hab. Amongst corallines in deep water. Coast of Berwickshire, not un-

common.

Desc. Body oblong, tapered behind, one inch in length,

three or four lines broad; grey, marked with brown and freck-

led much in the same way as the common slug; the back flat,

obscurely tuberculated; the sides abrupt. Mouth overhung

with a semicircular veil, the margin of which is cut into seven

tentacular processes, of which the lateral ones are the longest.

Tentacula exertile from wide entire circular sheaths, columnar,

white, the apex yellowish and cleft into narrow pinnatifid seg-

ments. Branchie arborescent, small and not much divided,

separate, the tufts five or six on each side, the first and last

pairs minute. oot white, oblong, plain.

The Tritonia pulcra described in Edin. New Phil. Journ. v.

p- 78. is probably a variety of this, distinguished by the red

colour of the body, which is marked across the back with three

narrow whitish bands, and speckled with minute ocellated

dots. I have never met with a specimen but the one from

which the original description was taken, and further expe-

rience has taught me that colour is far from constant in these

animals. I have seen specimens of T. plebeia of a whitish co-

lour, either uniform or marked with spots of milk-white opa-

city.

3. Mevipea*, Rang.

CHARACTER. Animal limaciform, the mouth overhung

with a veil: fentacula two, dorsal, filiform, retractile within

wide sheaths: branchie in separate muricated or tuberculated

masses placed in a single row along each margin of the back :

foot linear-oblong, tapered posteriorly, plane: vents as in Tri-

tonia.

1. M. pinnatifida, branchial masses in eight or nine pairs,

Tritonia pinnatifida, Cuv. Reg. Anim. iii. 53. note. Fleming in Edin.

Encyclop. xiv. 619. Flem. Brit. Anim, 284, Johnston in Mag. Nat.

Hist, viii. 61. fig. 4.—Doris pinnatifida, Montagu in Linn. Trans. vii.

78. pl. 7. fig. 2,3. Turt. Brit. Faun. 134, Penn. Brit. Zool. iv. 83.

edit, 1812, |

Hab. In deep water amongst corallines. Coast of Berwickshire.

* Meliboa is the name of a maritime town of Thessaly, famous for its

purple dye, and undoubtedly is the original of Rang’s name for this genus,

Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca. 117

Desc. Body half an inch in length, linear-oblong, yellow-

ish brown but variable in marking; the back plane, with a

' few distant tubercles; the foot tapered to a point behind.

Branchie eight or nine on each side, ovate, muricate, affixed

by a narrow base, the three hinder pairs small. Veil above

the mouth enlarged, truncate, entire. Tentacula Yong and fili-

form, protruded from a wide trumpet-shaped sheath uneven

on the margin.

2. M. coronata, branchial masses in4d—6 pairs. Plate III.

fig. 5—8.

Doris coronata, Turt. Gmel. iv. 78.—Tritonia coronata, Lam. Anim, s-

Vert. vi. i. 305. Bosc. Vers.i, 107. Grant in Edin. Phil. Journ. xiv.

185.

Hab. In deep water amid corallines. Frith of Forth, Dr. Grant. Coast

of Berwickshire.

Desc. Body from three to four lines long, limaciform, of a

buff-orange colour, sometimes very pale, clouded and freckled

with pink and reddish brown. Mouth with an entire semi-

circular veil. Tentacula filiform, extruded from wide open

sheaths. Branchie four or five pairs, very beautiful and large

in proportion to the body, subpediculate, pyramidal, muricate ;

there appear to be about fifteen papille to each of the larger

masses, and each little papilla has a dark eye-like spot on its

apex: the posterior pair of branchiz are minute, and the an-

terior pair are less than the second. One of the most lovely

mollusksI have ever seen. In one specimen, fully as large as_

the others, there were three pairs of branchiz only ; in another

smaller specimen four pairs; and in one individual the spots

on the apices of the papillz were scarcely visible. The pa-

pillee are covered with vibratile cilia, and hence appear rough-

ish under the microscope.

Not having seen Bommé’s figure of Doris coronata, the sy-

nonyms may be considered doubtful, but the specific cha-

racter of Gmelin seems very descriptive of our animal : “ D. lace

tea, subtus hyalina; papillis dorsi rubro punctati pyramidali-

bus utrinque sex apice rubris.” From its similarity to the

preceding, one is tempted to conjecture that this may be its

young, but there are no certain data to determine the fact. I

found about a dozen specimens which had concealed them-

118 Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca.

selves in a tuft of Plumularia Catharina, and they only differed

in the intensity of their colouring, yet they were mature, if the

capability of propagating the species is a proof of that state.

The spawn was wrapt round the stalks of the coralline in a

white spiral gelatinous mass full of imbedded ova.

Cuvier referred these species to the genus Tritonia, but the

structure of the tentacula and branchiz seem too dissimilar to

warrant such a collocation. Rang has suggested their relation

to Melibea, and I have followed this suggestion, giving accord-

ingly a greater latitude to his generic character ; but, perhaps,

the preferable plan would be to form them into a new genus.

4, Eouipi1a*, Cuvier.

CHARACTER. Animal limaciform: the foot linear-oblong,

tapered behind, plane: mouth with a pair of thin corneous

jaws: tentacula 4—6, non-retractile, two of them labial, sim-

ple, elongate, conical, the dorsal subannular : eyes two, sessile

at the bases of the dorsal tentacula: dranchie in the form of

elongated papille arranged along the sides or on the back in

series: anal and generative vents placed forwards on the right

side. Cuvier, Reg. Anim. iii, 55. Lamarck, Anim. s. Vert. vi. i.

301. Rang, Man. 127. Blainville, Malacol. 486,

1. E. papillosa, branchize numerous, papillary, covering the

sides in several series: tentacula four,

Doris, Baster, Opus. subs. i, 81, tab. 10, fig, 1, copied into Eneyelop.

Method. pl, 82. fig. 12.—Limax papillosus, Lin, Syst, 1082.— Doris pa-

pillosa, Mull. Zool, Dan, Prod. 229. Fabr. Faun. Grenl. 345, Turt.

Gmel, iv. 78. Montagu in Lin, Trans. xi. 16. pl. 4. fig. 3. Stew. Elem.

i. 887.—D. vermigera, Turt. Brit. Faun. 133.—Tritonia papillosa, Flem-

ing in Edin, Encyclop. xiv. 619. Bose, Vers.i.105. Jameson in Wern.

Mem. i. 556. Penn. Brit. Zool. iv. 81,—Eolida papillosa, Flem, Brit.

Anim. 285. Edin, Phil. Journ. viii. 295.—Eolis Cuvieri, Stark, Elem.

ii, 69,—Eolidia papillosa, Johnston in Mag. Nat, Hist, viii, 376, fig, 35.

Hab, Among sea weeds, near low water, Leith shore, Prof. Jameson.

Bell Rock and Isle of May, common, Dr. Fleming. Coast of Berwickshire.

Desc. Body between two and three inches in length, and

more than half an inch in breadth, limaciform, narrowed at

the tail, of a freckled purplish-brown colour with grey or

* Formed from olis, applied to females descended from AZolus. La-

marck more properly used Lolis. |

Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca, 119

cream-coloured shadings, the brown disposed in some places

in darker patches. Middle of the back naked; the smooth

space divides the branchial processes, which are very nume~

rous and arranged in close indistinct rows along the sides,

sloping backwards ; they are slightly compressed, lengthened,

unequal, those next the foot being the shortest. When ex-

amined narrowly, they are seen to be mottled by the configu-

ration of their interior structure, and when compressed be-

tween plates of glass it will be found that there is always a

transparent circular spot at the apex. Head depressed; the

mouth terminal, subinferior, encircled with a dilatable lip, and

furnished interiorly with a pair of rather large thin oval cor-

neous jaws, twisted into a tooth-like process at the apex, so

that they somewhat resemble the shell of a Sigaretus. Tongue

armed with numerous rows of transverse narrow corneous la-

mine finely pectinated on the free margin. Tentacula conical,

nearly equal, very contractile ; the inferior originating at the

sides of the mouth ; the superior placed on the back, and an-

nularly wrinkled. From the bases of the inferior a dark line

runs backwards to the superior tentacula, and forms a trian-

gular mark above the mouth, but this is often absent. Inthe

centre of the back there is a tumid spot, indicating the posi-

tion of the heart, the pulsations of which are often very per-

ceptible. Foot watery white, with a thin rather broad undu-

lating margin, prolonged at the anterior angles into an acute

process.

This curious snail crawls slowly, feeling its way with the in-

ferior tentacula. The superior cannot be used for this pur-

pose, but they are in constant motion during the animal’s

progress, and appear to be of essential service ; they are often

shortened, so as to appear like mere tubercles, but there are

no sheaths for their recession and protection. If the finger is

placed in the plate, about an inch before the creature, when

active and creeping, it will stop, turn back, and agitate the

tentacula, and then pass on to a side. The feces are dis-

charged in pellets, like those of mice; and when the animal

is dying, a small quantity of an orange fluid sometimes escapes

from one of the lateral apertures. It is not common in Ber-

wick Bay, but in spring a few specimens may generally be

120 Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca.

found lurking under stones between tide-marks. They seem

to have left the deeper water to shed their spawn, which is

laid on the under side of stones, in white gelatinous masses,

each mass being formed of a chain-like or beaded thread,

convoluted in every direction, and firmly attached by a colour-

less jelly. - If unravelled, the chain would measure several

inches, but the separate links are only about one-tenth or one-

eighth of an inch long, and contain, each of them, numerous

ova. These are roundish or oval, with a rough irregular out-

line ; two, or at most three, contained within their own little

pellicle of jelly, which again lies immersed in the common

mass.

2. E. Cuvierii, branchiz numerous, papillary, clothing the

sides rather irregularly ; tentacula 6. Plate III. fig. 9—11.

Eolide, Cuv. Mém. vi. 26. tab. fig. 1\2—15.—Eolis Cuvierii, Lam. Anim.

s. Vert. vi. i. 302. exclus. syn. ‘

Hab. Berwick Bay, rare.

Desc. Body limaciform, upwards of an inch in length

when extended, tapered to a fine point posteriorly, convex and

rounded dorsally, naked along the middle, the sides covered

with rather long branchial papille arranged in transverse

series: the prevailing colour is a rose-red (proceeding from

the viscera shining through a transparent skin), with clearer

patches and a line of white irregular spots running along the

back from the one extremity to the other. Head subtruncate,

depressed, the mouth with a pair of long setaceous tentacula on

each side, of a watery-white colour with milk-white tips: the

dorsal tentacula rather shorter than the oral, somewhat annu-

late, olivaceous with yellowish tips. Eyes two, placed behind

the base of the dorsal tentacula. Branchial papille of a uniform

rose-red, subclavate, unequal, collected in about eleven imper-

fect clusters (about six in each cluster), set transversely on

the sides, and of which the foremost forms a sort of ruff be-

hind the dorsal tentacula. Foot narrow, linear-oblong, with

a plain free pellucid undulating margin, the anterior angles

produced into tentacular points.

This is a beautiful delicately coloured species, more active

than its congeners, creeping along the bottom of the vessel,

or swimming in a reversed position with great elegance and

Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca. 121

ease, while it seems to feel its way with the oral tentacula.

Sometimes it will fix itself by the tail, which it has the power

of contracting into a sort of disc, and will thus hang with

the rest of the body at freedom. The branchiz readily fall off,

and it is then curious to see them move through the water

here and there like living independent worms, propelled by

the motions of the cilia which clothe their surfaces. The

spawn is deposited in summer on the under side of stones, in

long threads of a milk-white colour laid in circles.

I can scarcely doubt the identity of this Holidia with the

Eolide of Cuvier*, for the slight differences which may be

pointed out between our figures and descriptions may be rea-

sonably ascribed to a difference in the circumstances in which

they were made,—his from specimens preserved in spirits,

mine from the living mollusks. In the disposition of the

branchiez our species makes a close approximation to the ge-

nus Montagua of Fleming, the Cavolina of other authors ; and

the fact is perhaps sufficient to prove that those naturalists

act more judiciously who unite them in one. LE. Cuvierii,

however, cannot be regarded as synonymous with any species

described by Cavolini or Montagu, although nearly affined to

the “ Spezie di Limache” of the former +, and to the Doris

longicornis of the latter {. Like them it has the anterior an-

gles of the front of the foot greatly produced, so that they re-

semble tentacula with a slit along the inferior side, and hence

the species are characterized as having six tentacula; but in

reality they have four only, and the prolongation of the angles

of the foot is observable to a lesser extent in all the genus.

3. E.rufibranchialis, branchiz numerous, papillary, clothing

the sides rather irregularly, of a scarlet colour with white

apices ; tentacula 4,

_ Eolis rufibranchialis, Johnston in Mag. Nat. Hist, v. 428. fig. 85.—Koli-

dia Embletoni, Johnston in ibid. viii. 378. fig. 36.—Doris pedata?

Montagu in Linn, Trans. xi.197. pl. 14. fig. 2.—Eolida pedata? Flem.

* E. Cuvierii of Blainville, Man. de Malacologie, p. 486, pl.46 bis. fig. 8.

is a totally distinct species.

+ Pol. Mar. 190. tav. 7. fig. 3.

j Linn. Trans. ix. 107. pl. 7. fig. 1.

122 Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca.

Brit. Anim, 285.—Doris auriculata? Mull, Zool, Dan. Prod. 229. Turt.

Gmel. iv. 78.—Tritonia auriculata? Bosc. Vers.i. 106.

Hab. Among corallines in deepwater. Coast of Berwickshire, frequent.

Desc. Body half an inch long, limaciform, truncate in front,

gradually tapered to a point behind, of a white colour some-

times tinted with rose-red. Tentacula four, equal or nearly

so, conical, rather long, the posterior pair wrinkled. Eyes mi-

nute, one at the base of each dorsal tentaculum, and before

these organs there is a dusky spot (sometimes scarcely visible),

produced by the opacity of the oral apparatus, which consists

of a pair of large corneous jaws and a filiform spinous tongue.

Branchie numerous, elliptic-oblong, round, arranged in three

or four imperfect rows on each side, sometimes continuous, or

divided at intervals in other specimens into four companies or

patches, the first separated by a distinct naked space from the

second, the others almost coalescing; they are of a fine scarlet

colour, with white apices which appear to be perforated, and

can be protruded into a conical point. Foot watery-white,

enlarged and rounded in front, where the corners are produced

into acute angular points.

A more extended experience in the examination of these

animals has convinced me that E. rufibranchialis and Emble-

toni are the same species; and I much suspect that this will

be found identical with the Doris pedata of Montagu, though

his figure represents the branchiz collected in separate bundles

more distinctly than I have ever observed them to be. The

colour is variable, either white and opake or almost transpa-

rent, or tinted with rose-red, or freckled with brown; and the

branchiz are sometimes reddish-brown, rose-coloured or scarlet

on the upper part, the tips only being white. It is a beautiful

species, and apparently abundant in our seas.

4. E. purpurascens, “ five bundles of branchiz on each side ;

tentacula linear.” Fleming.

Eolida purpurascens, lem. Brit. Anim. 285, Flem. Phil. Zool. ii. 470.

pl. iv. fig. 2.

Hab, ‘Frith of Tay,” Dr. Fleming.

Desc. “ Length about an inch, slender, pointed behind,

rounded in front, of a pink colour, Anteal tentacula shorter

Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca. 123

than the superior ones, which have the eyes behind, ‘Three

filiform branchiz in each bundle.” Fleming.

5. E. plumosa, “a single row of simple linear branchiz on

each side.” Fleming.

Tritonia plumosa, Fleming in Edin. Encyclop. xiv. 619.—Eolida plumosa,

Flem. Brit. Anim. 285.

Hab. “In Zetland,” Dr. Fleming.

Desc. “ Length about half an inch. The superior tenta-

cula pinnated toward the dextral extremity ; the front ones

simple.” Fleming. The structure of the tentacula is peculiar.

6. E. despecta, branchial papille three on each side in a

single row ; tentacula four.

Eolida despecta, Johnston in Mag. Nat. Hist. viii. 378. fig. 35 e.

Hab, Berwick Bay, between tide-marks, rare.

Desc. Body two lines long, limaciform, watery-white, trun-

cate anteriorly. Tentacula simple, cylindrical, the dorsal long,

the inferior much shorter. Eyes two, distinct, placed behind

the bases of the superior tentacula. Back with three pairs of

clavate branchiz, the two first pairs large and nearly equal,

the posterior minute. oot linear-oblong, tapered behind.

Dr. Grant mentions the EZ, peregrina as a native of the Frith

of Forth (Edin. Phil. Journ. xiv. 185), but no description, de-

rived from a native specimen, has been published. Its cha-

racter as given by Lamarck is: “ I. corpore lacteo ; cirrorum

ex fusco cceruleorum in dorso seriebus decem ;” and a good

figure of it is given by Cavolini, Pol. Mar. p. 206. tav. 7. fig. 3,

which, however, is somewhat at variance with the above cha-

racter. The branchiz are arranged in only six rows across the

back; and the head is furnished with six tentacula, of which

the two anterior are the longest.

TRIoPA*, Johnston,

CHARACTER. Animal limaciform, acephalous : mouth with-

out feelers: ¢entacula dorsal, two, short and imbricate: branchie

in the form of short papilla or tubercles irregularly disposed

on the sides and back, non-retractile, simple: foot oval or linear-

oblong, plane.

* The name of a son of Neptune.

124 Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca.

1. 7. claviger, body ovate, the back ornamented with scarlet -

tubercles, the sides with a series of short a papillee

tipt with orange.

Doris clavigera, Mull. Zool. Dan. Prod. 229. Zool. Dan. tab. 17. fig.

1—3. Turt. Gmel. iv. 77.—Tritonia clavigera, Bosc. Vers.i. 104. pl. 8.

jig. 2. pessima.—Tergipes pulcher, Johnston in hin Nat. Hist. vii.

490. fig. 59.

Hab. Berwick Bay, in deep water, rare.

Desc. Body half an inch long, ovate, soft, white ornamented

with scarlet tubercles scattered over the back, and with short

cylindrical processes tipt with bright orange arranged round

the sides. Mouth subinferior, terminal, with a linear-oblong

membranous tongue set with minute prickles in close trans-

verse series. Tentacula two, dorsal, non-retractile, short, oval,

imbricate, orange-coloured. Back plane, studded with many

scarlet unequal tubercles, some of which, when magnified, ap-

pear ocellated. Towards the tail are three short white pro-

cesses placed in a line across the back, which are also not re-

tractile ; and there are eighteen short obtuse branchial pro-

cesses placed on the margins, the smallest in front, and all

tipped with orange. oot oblong with plain margins. Aper-

ture of generation lateral and anterior.

When viewed through a magnifier this pretty mollusk has

a roughish or flocculent appearance. Its motions are slow.

The cloak contains numerous calcareous spicula interlaced in

every direction, the spicula of unequal sizes, curved, with a

sort of knob in the centre, whence it tapers to either end, the

points of some of them being forked. The latter sort are

abundant in the branchial processes, and the forked end is

always pointed outwards.

Cuvier referred this remarkable species with doubt and he-

sitation to Tritonia ; and with repugnance I placed it first with

Tergipes ; but the eiinnctiBtatey mouth, the structure of the skin,

full of spicula, and the facies, point out its true relations to be

with Doris. It is unquestionably the type of a new genus,

which I have attempted to characterise rather loosely, that it

may embrace the following equally anomalous molluscum.

2. T. nothus, body limaciform, variegated with black, yel-

Dr. Johnston on Scottish Mollusca. 125

low and red; back with some scattered branchial papillee.

Plate II. fig. 14—16.

Doris quadrilineata?? Mull. Zool. Dan. tab 17. fig. 4—6.

Hab. On oyster shells from Prestonpans Bay.

Desc. Body limaciform, three lines long, convex dorsally,

truncate in front, tapered and somewhat keeled posteriorly,

variegated with black, yellow and red disposed in lines and

circular patches in an areolar fashion. Mouth inferior. Ten-

tacula two, dorsal, short and ovate, imbricate, contractile.

Eyes none. Cloak closely fitted to the body without any ex-

pansions, but raised into a narrow crenulate fold along each

side, with three pale papille on it about half-way between the

head and tail, and a few smaller papillae on the medial line

above the tail. Branchie in the form of two ovate papillz

smaller than the tentacula, placed about the middle of the

back, of a dark ‘colour with yellow apices. Foot flesh-coloured,

oblong. 7

This beautiful animal has a more coriaceous skin than any

of its order, and is remarkable for the darkness as well as for

the disposition of its colours. Its motions are slow, and I rarely

saw it swimming in a reversed position as most of the Nudi-

branchie are fond of doing. A considerable number of cal-

careous spicula enter into the composition of the cloak or skin :

they are simple, slightly curved, cylindrical, rounded at each

end. The red patches of colour depend on the viscera, and

may be expected to vary according to the nature of the food

and the animal’s state of repletion.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

Prate II. Fig. 1. Doris tuberculata, the figure taken from a small speci-

men.—Fig. 2. The same seen from below, with the penis protruded.—

Fig. 3. The dorsal tentacula as seen through a common magnifier.—Fig. 4,

5, 6. Doris obvelata in various positions.-—Fig. 7. A branchial leaflet as

seen through a magnifier.—Fig. 8. Doris bilamellata, in three positions,

of the natural size.—Fig. 9. Doris pilosa, natural size.—Fig. 10. The

branchial leaflets as seen through a magnifier.—Fig. 11, 12, 13. Doris

Barvicensis, in three positions. —Fig. 14, 15, 16. Z'riopa nothus, in three

positions, the figures all greatly enlarged.—(Fig. 15. is reversed on the

Plate, as is also fig. 12.)

Puare III. Fig. 1. Zritonia Hombergii of the natural size—Fig. 2. The

same seen from below, from a smaller specimen.—Fig. 3, 4. Tritonia ple-

beia of the natural size.—Fig. 5, 6, 7, 8. Melibea coronata, in different

positions: the three last figures magnified,—Fig. 9, 10, 11. Zolidia Cu-

vierii, of the natural size. :

126

XII.—On the Genus Torreya.

By G. A. W. Arnort, Esq., LL.D.

Last winter I was so fortunate as to receive from my friend

Dr. Torrey of New York a fragment of the Torreya panicu-

lata of Sprengel. According to Sprengel’s remarks in the

Neue Entd., (1821.) ii. p. 121, the peculiar features of this genus

would seem to be that it has a spreading five-lobed calyx, a

tubular corolla, five greatly protruded stamens inserted on the

tube of the corolla, a superior ovary concrete with the corolla,

a long slender style, and a simple stigma ; that in the artificial

system it is next to Cestrum and Sessea (among the Solanee),

but in the natural arrangement is nearest Salpianthus, among

the Nyctaginee. If the description given were correct, the

genus would certainly be a very distinct and remarkable one;

the insertion of the stamens would at once prevent its being

placed in Nyctaginea, and would seem to remove it to the

Corollifloree, while again the cohesion of the ovary with the

corolla would appear to indicate that the latter was the only

perianth, that the ovary was inferior, and the supposed calyx a

bractea; and consequently the situation of Torreya ought to

be among the Monochlamydez Peristamineze.

Such at least were the contradictory opinions I had formed

of the genus ; but now that I have had it in my power to ana-

lyse it, my observations lead to a different result. Sprengel

describes the calyx and corolla with sufficient precision : these

two are, however, scarcely glandular, but, as well as the whole

panicle, are more or less clothed with a hoary pubescence.

The stamens when moistened become spirally twisted, and are

inserted on the corolla, as he says; but what is important,

there are only four, not five, and they are didynamous and

slightly secured. The place for the genus is then in Didyna-

mia, not in Pentandria. The style is deciduous and simple,

but the stigma is decidedly bifid, the lobes short, subulate,

and unequal. The ovarium does not adhere to either the calyx

or corolla, but is perfectly free and somewhat fleshy. In the

young state, in which alone I have it to examine, it is one-

celled: there are two opposite dissepiments which almost meet

Dr. Arnott on the Genus Torreya. 127

in the axis, but then divide into two divaricating branches,

like the top of the letter T (thus =&), which branches be-

come involute, and have each a single ovule attached to their

extremity. Thus the Torreya belongs to the Corollifloree, and

has four didynamous stamens and an ovarium with four ovules,

a circumstance which Sprengel must have entirely overlooked.

Of the two orders, Labiate.and Verbenacee, which contain

genera with these characters, it is obviously most allied to the

latter, on account of the nearly equal lobes of the corolla. But

this order (as well as the Labiate) has a four-celled, not uni-

locular ovary; this however does not appear to be of any

consequence, and is more a difference of words than of facts; :

for, from the proximity of the extremities of the two half dis-

sepiments, the parallelism of the divaricating branches, and

the fleshy nature of the ovarium, it is highly probable that in

a more advanced state the approximate parts would either co-

here, or have the interval filled up with a fleshy substance,

The ovaria of all the drupaceous Verbenacee which I have

examined exhibit the same structure, which is distinctly de-

scribed by Roxburgh in his Flora Indica, iii. p. 67, where he

says of Siphonanthus hastatus, “germ four-cornered, seem-

ingly four-celled, with one ovulum in each lobe attached to

the concave side of the wings of the parietal fungiform recep-

tacle meeting in the centre but not uniting, hence seemingly

four-celled.’ The same structure is readily traced in the ma-

ture fruit of Clerodendrum Siphonanthus, Br. (Siphonanthus In-

dicus, L.), where the shell of each nut or pyrena is not of one

solid piece, but is a convolute lamina formed of the inner wall

of the drupe, the dissepiment, and one of its divaricating invo-

lute branches ; or, to speak more philosophically, it is the con-

volute half of one of the two carpellary leaves, thus ©) GD

of which the ovary and fruit is composed. wo

Sprengel’s Torreya, then, belongs to the Verbenacee, and the

enlarged calyx, tubular corolla, with an equally five-lobed

limb, much protruded stamens and style, bifid and acute

stigma, as well as the structure of the ovary, point out its

identity with Clerodendrum: it belongs to Mr. Brown’s first

section, but I have seen no species that agrees with it in the

inflorescence and size of the flowers (about half an inch long),

128 Dr. Arnott on the Genus Torreya.

and Sprengel’s description of the foliage is too imperfect to

permit of its being referred with certainty to any described

species. It approaches most to one in Sir W. J. Hooker’s

herbarium from the east coast of South Africa, Sprengel

mentions that it was collected by M. Perrin in Brasil: Dr.

Torrey, who sent it to Sprengel, informs me that this must be

a mistake, as M. Perrin only botanised in Guadaloupe and

the neighbouring islands.

About the same time that I received the above-mentioned

specimen, Dr. Torrey wrote me as follows:

“ Did I tell you of a beautiful and new Taxoid tree from

Middle Florida?. It was discovered about three years ago

by my esteemed friend H. B. Croom, Esq., of Tallabassee.

Although so abundant about Aspalaga that it is sawed into

planks and timber, no description of it has hitherto been pub-

lished. A small specimen, without flowers or fruit, which

Mr. Croom, soon after he discovered the plant, sent to Phila-

delphia, was seen by Mr. Nuttall, who supposed it was the

Taxus montana, or Podocarpus taxifolius, Rich., and he inserted

a very brief notice of the plant in the 7th vol. part i. of the

Journal of the Philadelphia Academy. I received a duplicate

specimen from Mr. Croom about the same time; but it was

impossible for me to determine the plant without the organs

of fructification. About a year afterwards I received the male

flowers, and more lately Mr. Croom kindly sent me the fruit

preserved in spirits. It is evidently one of the Tavinee, (be-

longing to Richard’s second subdivision of the family, with

erect flowers,) and must form a new genus: it differs from

Podocarpus by the erect fertile flowers, and from Taxus by

the want of the fleshy enlarged cup or disc in which the seed

of that genus is immersed, and by the anthers being four-

lobed and dimidiate, and inserted by a pedicle on an axis

which is at length elongated. It is a tree of from six to

eighteen inches in diameter, and from twenty to forty feet

high, with numerous spreading branches, the ramuli dividing

trichotomously : its appearance at a distance. is not unlike

that of Pinus canadensis. The wood is dense and close-

grained, heavy for one of this family, and in old trees of a

Dr. Arnott on the Genus Torreya. 129

reddish colour, like that of Juniperus virginianus: it is of a

strong and peculiar odour, especially when bruised or burned,

hence it is frequently called, in the country where it grows,

‘stinking cedar; it makes excellent rails, and is not liable

to the attack of insects. A blood-red turpentine, of a pasty

consistence, flows sparingly from the bark; it is soluble in

alcohol, forming a deep clear solution ; when heated it evolves

a very powerful terebinthaceous, but unpleasant odour. The

foliage is much like that of Taxus canadensis and Podocarpus

taxifolius, only the leaves are larger. The ripe fruit, or rather

seed, is as large as a nutmeg, with beautifully ruminated al-

bumen, the inflexions of the brown investing membrane pene-

trating through the white albumen about half-way to the axis ;

a structure which alone will separate it from Taxus, nor in-

deed has it (so far as I know) been observed in any other of

the family. There is no fleshy cup, but the external coat of

the seed itself is fleshy or rather leathery, and covers the whole, |

leaving a minute perforation at the summit. The seed, de-

prived of its succulent external covering, strongly resembles

the gland of a large acorn, as well as the fruit of Taxus nuci-

Jera, Kempf., (figured in Richard’s Mem. on the Conifere;

tab. 2.) which is larger than any other species of the genus.

Indeed I once suspected that this plant (a native of Japan)

might prove to be a congener; but, on consulting the figure

and description in the work just referred to, I am now con-

vinced that it is very distinct: the albumen is not ruminated,

and the testa, or exocarp, is comparatively thin. Richard,

who only notices the seeds of this species, says that they were

without the fleshy involucre or cupule, neither is there any

mention made of it by Kzmpfer, who first described the plant.

The fleshy covering may have fallen from the specimen, or

Kempfer may have overlooked it, for in 7. baccata and T.

canadensis it is at first very short, and concealed by the invo-

lucral scales. I have a specimen with good male flowers, one

of those distributed by Dr. Wallich, and for which I am in-

_ debted to Dr. Lindley; but these agree in every respect with

the male flowers of the common species of Taxus.

“There is another point of structure in the seed of the

Florida plant, to which I have not found anything analogous

Ann. Nat, Hist, Vol, 1.—No, 2. April 1838. K ‘

130 Dr. Arnott on the Genus Torreya.

in Taxus. On the inside of the shell are two opposite longi-

tudinal ridges, extending from the base to within a short di-

stance of the summit, where they project a little from the side

of the shell. The projecting extremity of the ridge is perfo-

rated, and communicates obliquely downwards, with a fora-

men on the external surface of the nut. A bundle of fibres

in the parenchyma of the exocarp extends up on each side of

the nut, and appears to give off a filament at the external fo-

ramen, which passes through the narrow canal and emerges

from the orifice at the summit of the internal ridge. Respect-

ing the use of these canals I have as yet been unable to ascer-

tain anything satisfactory.”

As I have above pointed out that Sprengel’s genus Torreya

must be reduced, I feel certain that I express the general wish

of all botanists that this name be now appropriated to the

Florida tree, of which I proceed to give the following de-

scription.

| TorRREYA, Arn.

FLORES DIOICI.

Mase. Amentum primo subglobosum, demum elongatum. Rachis nuda,

demum elongata, basi squamis siccis quadrifariam imbricatis bracteata,

multiflora. Squame staminiferz, pedicellate, subpeltate, dimidiate,

hine antheram 4-locularem pendulam gerentes.

Fom. Amentum ovatum, basi ut in mare bracteatum, uniflorum. Dis-

cus carnosus hypogynus nullus. Ovulum erectum. Semen ovatum basi

squamis siccis haud grandefactis bracteatum, ceeterum nudum, testa

crassa extus carnoso-coriacea, intus fibrosa : tegmen crustaceum, durum.

Albumen ruminatum, Embryo subcylindricus, brevis; cotyledones

connate.

Arbor. Rami patentes; ramuli distiche furcati. Folia disticha, linearia,

rigida, mucronato-pungentia.

1. 7. taxifolia, Arn., in Hook. Ic. Plant. v. 3. ined.—Taxus montana,

Nutt. in Journ. Ac. Se. Phil. vii. (non Willd.) -

Hab. in Florida Media, in collibus calcareis secus ripam orientalem flu-

minis Appalach prope confluentes Flint et Chattahoochie; et ad Flat

Creek influentem fl. Appalach ; etiamque ad “ Aspalaga” copiose.

Arbor mediocris, undique glaberrima. ami patentes; ramuli distiche

fureati, petiolis decurrentibus angulati. olia approximata, solitaria, di-

sticha, patentia ad ang. 50-70 grad., brevissime petiolata, petiolo vix semili-

neam longo crassiuscula, linearia; 10—15 lineas longa, versus apicem cur-

vilineo-acutata, mucronata, mucrone longiusculo pungenti acutissimo, supra

convexiuscula viridia nitida, subtus pallidiora glaucescentia nervo lato utrin-

que rubro limitato,

Dr. Arnott on the Genus Torreya. 131

Masc. Amenta axillaria sessilia, subsolitaria, primo globosa, dein ovalia,

demum elongata linearia. Bractee inferiores rhombeo-ovate, obtusiuscule,

mediz et superiores late ovatze, acute ac sensim majores, omnes quadrifariam

imbricata, convexe, carinate, crassiuscule, rigidee, mesophyllo carnosulo.

fachis (columna staminum Monadelphorum, Auct.) primo brevis et crassa,

vix bracteis longior, tandem tenuior exserta ac eas 4—5-plo superant, angu-

lata rufescens, esquamata. Pedicelli apice squamam antheriferam (florem

singulum) gerentes, in rachi spiraliter inserti, primum suberecti, demum hori-

zontaliter patentes graciles attamen breves. Sguame inequaliter quadran-~

gulatze, peltate, at prope latus posterius affixee, dimidiatee. Anthere flavie,

ad latera squamz anteriora affixce pendule, quadriloculares, loculis liberis

contiguis, primum inter se ac pedicello parallelis, intus dehiscentibus, postea

divergentibus.

Fam. Amenta axillaria, sessilia, solitaria vel bina. Bracteze quadrifariam,

arcte imbricate iis maris conformes, interiores majores ovulum unicum

junius fere omnino inyolventes. Discus hypogynus vel plane nullus vel

saltem tenuissimus et obsoletus, ac nunquam per xtatem grandefactus vel

carnosus. Fecundatione peracta bractee irregulariter imbricate evadunt.

Tune etiam ovulum erectum ultra bracteas exsertum ; ovatum, acutiusculum,

subcompressum, (in sicco) cceruleum et valde glaucum: testa crassa car-

noso-coriacea, fibris albis minutis cylindraceis flexuosis levibus inarticulatis

erectiusculis per carnem inspersis; foramen (exostoma Mirb,) majusculum,

ore ineequali ob testam apice hinc in labium brevissimum incumbentem pros

ductam : tegmen teste conforme et secundum etatem plus minusve: ¢a bre-

vius eaque basi solummodo cohzerens; foramen (endostoma Mirb.) minutum

nucleus ovatus mammillatus summo apice depressus et quasi foraminulatus,

tegmine fere dimidio brevior. Semen maturum nudum, disco carnoso nullo

immersum, ad basin squamis fere immutatis hinc repulsis bracteatum, ova-

tum vel oboyatum, 11-15 lineas longum, 8-11 crassum, apice mammillatum

et obscure perforatum: testa lineam crassa, extus corrugata, interne car

noso-fibrosa et cellulis cylindraceis vacuis plurimis impleta: tegmen (seu

endocarpium internum auctorum) oblongum, teste cavum implens et ea

omnino cohwrens, apice ostiolo conspicuo perforatum, durum, crustaceum,

vix 4 lineam crassum, extus levissimum: nucleus tegmini conformis, eoque

fere omnino coherens, apicem versus solummodo liber. Albumen mem-

brana tenui fusca tectum, subcartilagineum, album, rimis ac fissuris flexu-

osis profundis membrana tegente impletis eleganter ruminatum. Limbryo

in albuminis axi ad apicem situs, rectus, albumine 5-plo brevior subcylin-

draceus, ad basin (cotyledonum regionem) brevissime bilobus, apice ad ra-

diculam paullo attenuatus. Radicula supera cum albumine coherens.

Cotyledones duze, connate, per germinationem discrete, lineares e basi

seminis erumpentes.

The female flowers are decidedly sessile, but the only entire

fruit in my possession is with its bracteas at the extremity of

a pedicle or stalk, which, at about half an inch below the fruit,

K 2

132 Prof. Wiegmann on the Genus Procyon.

is furnished with a few minute imbricated scales, similar to

those which surround the ovule when very young: this stalk

is thus probably a young shoot.

By those botanists who retain Tazus in Monadelphia, and

who consider the rachis as the staminiferous column of a

single flower, this genus will also be placed there; but the

examination of the rachis, or male amentum of Podocarpus,

indicates that it is composed of numerous flowers.

I shall only further remark, that with regard to the Taxus

nucifera, to which Dr. Torrey alludes in his letter to me,

all the figures and descriptions given by modern bota-

nists appear to be borrowed from Kzempfer (Am., p. 814,

t. 815), and Gertner. The reticulated arillus inserted be-

tween the flesh and the nut resembles closely the fibrous part

of the testa of Torreya. Geertner remarks: “ Corticis bac-

cati figuram et descriptionem a Kempfero mutuatus sum:

videant itaque alii num omnino clausus, anne saltem per ma-

turitatem apice obturatus sit? Arillus, quem ad naturam de-

lineavi, nihil aliud esse mihi videtur quam involucri carnosi

membrana interna.” But, whatever be the case with respect

to the Japan plant, we cannot view in this light the testa of

Torreya. Gzeertner describes and figures the embryo as placed

at the base of the albumen; but he does the same in Taxus

baccata, which we know to be incorrect. Dr. Torrey men-

tions that the male flowers are those of a Taxus; but as his

specimens (as likewise those in my herbarium) were collected

by Dr. Wallich in Nepal, distributed by him under No. 6054

of his Catalogue, and considered by that eminent botanist as

but doubtfully the same as Kempfer’s species, we may still

look on the true 7. nucifera as involved in great obscurity, as

to both kinds of flowers.

XIII.—On the Genus Procyon, with a Description of two new

| Species. By Prof. F. A. WreaMann*.

I HAVE been induced to publish these few observations in order

if possible to obtain a more accurate account of the country of

the species, which would fix their geographical range, this

being one of the main objects of special zoology. The two new

* Extract from Wiegmann’s Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte, Part IV. 1837.

Prof. Wiegmann on the Genus Procyon. 133

species are in the Museum of Berlin, and drawings of them

will shortly appear in Prof. A. Wagner’s continuation of Schre-

ber’s Mammalia.

In order to avoid any mistakes I will here give the dia-

gnoses of the five species of Raccoons, with short descriptions,

without entering into the various errors of synonym which are

‘found here and there in zoological writings.

1. Procyon Lotor.

P. flavescenti-griseus, nigro variegatus, pedibus flavescenti-griseis, cauda

mediocri, laxa, fulvescenti, apice annulisque sex integris fusco-nigris.

America septentrionalis. |

Length of head and body in male, 2 f. 3"; of tail, 10"; of the head from

the point of the snout to behind the ear, 5”; of the snout from the front

angle of the eye to the point of the nose, 2"; breadth of snout before

the ocular cavities, 1” 6’"; at the canine teeth, 1" 1'’; length of ears,

2" 1", “Female: length of head and body, 1f. 8”; of tail, 93".

Colour of the body yellowish grey with a mixture of black-

ish brown. The bristles at the basis brown, in their middle

yellowish grey, the upper half black, which produces the

blackish brown colour upon the back and on the sides. The

fur is of a greyish brown ; the band running from the forehead

to the tip of the nose, as also that surrounding the eye, are

blackish brown. The snout is rather pointed; the obovate ears

are almost half as long as the body.

_ 2. Procyon Hernandesii, Wagl.

Albido-griseus, fusco variegatus, pedibus fuscis, cauda mediocri, fulves-

cente, apice annulisque 6, infra subinterruptis (?) fusco-nigris. Patria,

Mexico.

Length of the body to the extremity of the tail (in a young animal), 17”;

of the tail, 7”; of the ear, 1" 6”. The distance between the front angle

of the eye and the extremity of the snout, 1” 6".

Wagler was the first to distinguish this species from the

common North American raccoon, to which it is very similar,

and to which it had been referred. It differs chiefly by its

dark brown colouring of the feet, which in P. Lotor are con-

stantly of a dirty whitish grey. A more accurate knowledge

of this species is very desirable.

3. Procyon brachyurus, n. sp.

Albido-griseus, nigro-fusco variegatus, pedibus griseo-albidis, cauda bre-

vissima, densissime pilosa, fulvescente, annulis 6 confertis, nigro-fuscis,

134 Prof. Wiegmann on the Genus Procyon.

inferne interruptis, apice extus fulvescenti, medio nigra. Patria, An-

tillee ?

Distance between the eye to the extremity of snout, 1" 10; breadth of

snout at the canine teeth, 1” 2”; breadth of snout before the ocular ca-

_vities, 1” 10’; length of ears, gn ings length of head, 4}"; head and

body, 1 f. 9"; of tail, 5”.

I have named this species brachyurus from the remarkable

shortness of the tail, which is densely covered with close hairs,

and is rather thinner than in P, Lofor, of light ochre yellow

colour, with six bands surrounding the upper surface of the

tail, being interrupted on the yellowish white under side, and .

only indicated by a darker ochreous yellow diagonal spot.

The form of the snout is very remarkable, being shorter,

thicker, more obtuse and flatter than in P. Lotor. This species

has the general colouring of the common raccoons.

4. Procyon obscurus, n. sp..

Supra e badio nigricans subunicolor, nitore pilorum eximio, infra cinereo-

fuscus, pedibus fuscescenti-griseis, cauda mediocri, densa, supra uni-

colore, subtus cinereo-fusca annulisque nigris sursum evanescentibus

semicineta. Patria ignota.

Length of head and body, 2 f. 1" 4"; of head to behind the ears, 43"; ; of

ears, 1" 8"; of snout from the front angle of the eyes, 1" 8"; of tail, 94";

circumference of tail, in middle, 7"; breadth of snout before the pat 5

cavities, 1" 10; at the canine teeth, 1”; length of hind feet, 33!"

The colour of the upper part of the body dark brown ; upon

the back of the head, nape, shoulder and fore part of the back

more of a black brown; upon the hinder part and crupper,

through a mixture of many chestnut-brown hairs, becoming

more of a chestnut-brown. ‘The contour hairs of the back

black-brown or chestnut-brown, with a very lively lustre. The

fur thick, greyish-brown. The inside of the ears and their

upper exterior edge with whitish hairs. The stripe over the

eyes to the cheek a yellow brownish grey. The middle stripe

upon the snout, and the cheek spot encompassing the eye, de-

scending to the throat, black brown; sides of snout and chin

greyish white, with a yellow brownish intermixture. The fore

and hind legs dark brown. The fore and hind feet light brown-

ish grey. The tail is not quite half the length of the body, is

cylindrical, covered thickly with hair, and appears from this

circumstance thinner than that of the common raccoon. The

Prof. Wiegmann on the Genus Procyon. 135

upper part is of the same colour as the back, with a mixture

of several single long bright fox red hairs; the lower part is

greyish brown, surrounded on the upper side by four black

bands not quite so distinct, the last of which almost passes

into the black end of the tail. The snout is shorter than that

of the Lotor, without being thicker and broader on that ac-

count. The oval ears are shorter, and measure only one third

of the length of the head. The fore and hind legs are thinner,

more slender than in P. Lotor, from which it appears longer

legged than the grey species. The soles of the hind feet not

bare to the heel, smaller than in P. Lotor ; the heel covered

with hair. 3

5. Procyon cancrivorus, Ill.

Supra cinereo-fulvus, fusco irroratus, subtus albicans, capite nuchaque

canescentibus, macula oculum cingente fusco-nigra, parva, in genam

haud porrecta, cum opposita supra naribus in rostro medio confluente,

fascia superciliari alba, genis fuscescenti-cinereis, antibrachiis cruribus-

que fuscis, pedibus digitisque subrasis (parce pilosis) e fusco-cinereis,

cauda gracili, griseo nigroque annulata. America meridionalis,

Length of body, 2 f.; tail somewhat above 1 f. ;

The descriptions which authors have given us of Procyon

cancrivorus do not at all agree. Compared with Procyon

Lotor it appears higher legged, as the Prince of Neuwied had

already observed in his description of this animal; it has a

much shorter ear, shorter claws, and the feet are but thinly

covered with hair. The hair of the body is also different ; the

fur is less developed, the bristles shorter and stiffer: the fore-

feet between the knee and the foot are datk brown; the four

feet are more of a brownish grey. The circumference of the

mouth whitish; a white band passes from the forehead over

the eye to the cheek. The smallness of the blackish brown

mark surrounding the eye, which in the other species descends

lower than the cheeks, but in this does not even reach them,

besides its mixing on the back of the snout with that of the

other side, is especially characteristic for this species, as was

already noticed by Fischer. The tail in our specimen has the

colour of the back; then follow six black bands, which alter-

nate with as many yellowish white grey bands: its tip is black.

136

XIV.—On two new Genera of Californian Plants.

By Tuomas Nutra, Esq.

ANEMIA *.

Natural Order, SAururEa#. Linnean Class and Order,

HexaAnprRiA TRIGYNIA,

Involucrum 5—8 phyllum, coloratum.. Spadix simplex; floribus herma-

phroditis bracteatis. Cal. et Cor.0. Stamina 6—8. Styli 8—4, ex-

serti. Jructus cum spadice coalescens. Capsule uniloculares, 3-

valves, apice solo dehiscentes, sub-6-sperme. Semina subrotunda,

punctulata.—Herba perennis, subaguatica. Stolonifera; scapo mono-

phyllo, prolifero, unifloro. Capitula involucrata. Anemonis facies,

unde nomen.

Anemia Californica.—Root perennial, creeping, reddish,

possessing the aromatic smell and spicy taste of the Acorus

and Saururus. Leaves clustered round the crown of the root,

oblong-oval, cordate at the base and rounded at the extremity,

smooth and somewhat glaucous beneath, the petioles and

scapes pubescent, the leaves 3 to 5 inches long and 14 to 2

broad, with the base of the petiole evidently dilated and sheath-

ing. From the axils of the leaves come forth either stolons

or one-flowered scapes; on the latter, about the centre arises

a single, amplexicaul, roundish, cordate leaf, beyond which

the stem or scape sends out a solitary peduncle, and from the

same sheathing leaf also issues commonly one or two. leaves

of an imperfect or restrained stolon. The involucrum consists

of from 5 to 7 or 8, though most commonly 6, white, roundish-

oval, petaloid leaves, that finally fade, after long persistence,

into a brownish red colour. The spadiz is a cylindric cone,

covered with flowers, so as, with its involucrum, completely

to resemble an Anemone; these flowers, as well as the succeed-

ing fruit, are all ingrafted together on the spadix ; still each

one, consisting of an area of 6 to 8 stamens and 3 to 4 styles,

is subtended by a small round coloured bract. Filaments

very short, and united with the linear-oblong, 2-celled anthers.

Styles long, thickish, subulate, at length diverging. Capsules,

or utriculi, of a spongy texture when dry, ingrafted together

* There being already an Anemia among the Ferns, perhaps ANemopsis

might with propriety be adopted by Mr. Nuttall_—Ep.

_ Mr. Nuttall on two new Genera of Californian Plants. 137

at the sides, of one roundish cell, containing about 6 seeds and

without valves, or opening merely by the divergence of the

bases of the 3 styles. Seeds roundish, subcylindric, punctated

and somewhat rough, containing a farinaceous perisperm.

Has. Springy bogs and open marshes by streams around

Sta. Barbara and Sta. Diego in Upper California. This

present plant is very nearly related to the Houttuynia cor-

data of Thunberg, differing principally in the coalescence of

the fruit with the spadix. Compared with a specimen in the

Herbarium of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadel-

phia, the aspect of the flower and leaf, as well as the mode of

growth, is also exceedingly similar.

* DIPLACUS.

Natural Order, Personata. Linnean Class and Order,

DipYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA.

Calyx prismaticus, apice 5-fidus. Corolla ringens, 5-fida, lobis sube-

qualibus plerumque emarginatis. Stigma bilamellata. Capsula lineari-

oblonga, bilocularis, placenta (s. receptaculum seminis) lata, demum

bipartita, adnata. Semina minuta, utrinque subulata.

Frutices Californice, Mimulo proxime;; folia opposita plerumque viscosa.

Diplacus* wpunicea, fruticosa viscosa glabra, foliis lineari-lanceolatis

subconnatis vix serrulatis acutiusculis, calycinis laciniis inzequalibus

acuminatis ; corolla punicea, lobis emarginatis ; caule elato ramosissimo.

Nutt. in Bot. Mag. t. 3655.

A very elegant shrub, flowering in its native soil nearly the

whole year. Like the other species of the genus, it has alto-

gether the aspect of a Mimulus, and one of them has long been

known under the name of Mimulus glutinosus. The present

species is a much taller growing plant, and more of a true

shrub. The Jeaves are of a deep green, narrow lanceolate and

somewhat acute; the stems and calyx have also a purplish

hue, and the corolla, considerably exserted, is of a deep vel-

vety scarlet with shades of pink lake: its lobes are also con-

stantly emarginate.

Has. In sandy loam by the borders of small winter

streams, attaining commonly the height of a man, growing

near to Sta. Diego, in Upper California. Flowering in April

and May. In cultivation continuing to bloom apparently

nearly the whole year.

138 Mr. Nuttall on two new Genera of Californian Planis.

The generic name alludes to the splitting of the capsule,

attached to each valve of which is seen a large placenta, and

under its edges are found the slender subulate seeds.

Diplacus glutinosa. (Mimulus glutinosus, Wiuup.) If the

plant now before me (so marked in the Herbarium of the

Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, making for-

merly a part of that of the late Mr. Schweinitz) be indeed the

true species, it is readily known from the preceding by the

shorter and wider somewhat obtuse leaves, and particularly

by the inferior length of the peduncle, the wider and more

obtuse, as well as nearly equal and proportionately shorter

calyx. It is probably, however, different, and the plant of

Wendland, “ caule hispido glutinoso,” entirely unknown to me,

appears distinct from the M. aurantiacus of Curtis.

Diplacus * latifolia; suffruticosa, viscosa; foliis oblongis sublanceolatis

obtusiusculis serrulatis, subtus puberulis; pedunculis brevibus; caly-

cibus glabris, laciniis ineequalibus acutis ; corolla lobis vix emarginatis,

latis.

Nearly allied to the two preceding, but readily distinguish-

able from the first by being scarcely more than an under shrub,

with broader leaves and larger shorter yellow flowers, and with

the lobes of the corolla scarcely emarginated. This is also a

very showy species, and may also be the Mimulus glutinosus,

an inadmissible specific name, as all the species of the genus

are equally glutinous. In flower round Montersey, Upper

California, in April. -

Diplacus * leptantha; fruticosa viscosa, foliis oblongo-lanceolatis acutius-

culis subserrulatis glaberrimis; pedunculis brevissimis ; calycibus gla-

bris tubulosis elongatis, laciniis ineequalibus acutis brevibus ; corolle

lobis latis, oblique emarginatis.

Of this very distinct species I have seen only a single good

specimen in the Herbarium of the Academy of Natural Sci-

ences of Philadelphia, communicated to the late Mr. Schwei-

nitz by Sir William Jackson Hooker, and marked * Mimulus

glutinosus, from Mr. Menzies.” From all the preceding easily

distinguished by the great length of the calyx and flower.

The leaves also are more attenuated upon the petiole, per-

fectly smooth, and unusually thin. The flower of this species

is also yellow. |

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 139

Diplacus * longiflora, suffruticosa viscosa pubescens ; foliis lineari-lanceo-

latis utrinque attennatis, vix serrulatis, margine revolutis, supra gla-

bris; pedunculis brevissimis, calycibus villosis, laciniis vix ineequalibus

acutis ; corollz lobis latissimis, oblique emarginatis.

Has. In rocky places by small streams, in the vicinity of

Sta. Barbara (Upper California). A species remarkable for

the width and very oblique emargination of the lobes of the

corolla, which is of a paler yellow than in any other species,

and inclining to a fawn colour. ‘The stems are very leafy,

pubescent, and the’ leaves elongated and acuminate. The base

of the calyx is also almost lanuginous, Flowering in April.

Toomas NuTtTALu,

Philadelphia, October 12, 1837.

XV.—Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

Mr. TwEepiE’s Journal of an Excursion from Buenos Ayres

to the Serras de Tandil. (In a Letter communicated by the

Author 12th April, 1837.)

On the above day I set out on a botanizing excursion to the Ser-

ras de Tandil, a dry ridge of rocky hills, or rather stony heaps, about

300 miles to the south of this city. My excursion would have been

made earlier in the season, but domestic affairs prevented me, Mid-

day being come before we started, we were able to travel only about

sixteen miles, through a country intersected with wretched roads;

for there being no material for making roads in this country, every

one seeks the best way he can through the flat plains. The first

thing which interested us was the sticking fast in a bog of one cart

out of six belonging to my guide, a Mr. Methuen of Perth. The

peons dug a track for the wheels, whilst eight pair of bullocks were

employed to drag it out, After looking at their awkward work, we left

them, and proceeded on our journey; and in the afternoon passed

some large and beautiful groves of peach and Carolina poplars, the

only sort of wood grown in this country. The peach plantations

attain the height of from ten to twenty feet in three years, and are

then cut down for fire wood, The poplars remain and soon become

fine trees ; these plantations last for forty years, treated as osiers are

in England. i .

At night we halted at the house of a Mr, Roger, who left Killwin-

140 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

ning as a hired servant for the Scotch colony of Montegrande in the

year twenty-five, then not possessed of a shilling ; now ofa cattle farm

stocked with about 600 cattle, more than 100 horses, and a large flock

of sheep. The farm is about six miles in circumference, its soil as

fine a grass land as one could wish to look upon; all his own free pro-

_ perty, the fruit of his own and his family’s industry in that short

time. As we quitted his house the next morning, he set out on his

usual weekly trip with 107 lbs. of butter, at about 15d. per lb.: he

says he sometimes takes more than 200 lbs. He has no hired ser-

vants ; though the work of managing the wild cows of this country

is incredible to strangers.

13th. This day we travelled through a fine flat grassy country,

well stocked with cattle and sheep: the land is dry, and the roads

better than in the vicinity of Buenos Ayres. We passed through the

village of San Vincente, a straggling mass of Panchos of straw and

peach wood, coarsely patched with mud, the church of the same ma-

terials, but better plastered with mud, and white-washed. This village

contains a population of about 2000 inhabitants. The country round,

though flat, is beautiful, from the thick interspersing of little villas

with which it is dotted. These habitations, each surrounded witha

small plantation of figs, peach trees and poplars, make the country

appear rich and beautiful, although in themselves they are as miser-

able as can be conceived. In the rooms there is no furniture, ex-

cept a kind of cross-legged bed-frame ; for the clothes of the family

are contained in a large box which also serves as a dining table.

There are seldom more than three or four slender rush-bottom chairs ;

the common seats being the skulls of horses or bullocks : these, with

an iron pot, and an iron rod stuck into the floor to serve’ as a spit

for the meat, are all the household furniture. Strangers and inmates

of the dwelling have no other bed than a hide spread upon the floor.

All travellers must carry their bed-clothes with them, or go without.

I observed that this is the mode in all parts of the country.

At sunset I came to the house of an Irish merchant, who was the

first to set the example of sheep-farming in these formerly cattle

plains, having introduced a breed of Merinos from Spain about nine

years ago. The success which has attended this attempt has been

so great, that a taste for this species of farming has been widely dif- .

fused. Joint-stock companies even among mechanics are formed for

this object in Buenos Ayres: it is consequently the rage of the day,

heightened by the great demand for wool in the English and North

American markets. Here I met an acquaintance who had prepared

Information respecting Botamcal Travellers. 141

a few specimens of what he said Signor Bonpland told him were rare

plants; onea species of Cleome, plentiful near Buenos Ayres, a dwarf

Eupatorium which I had often seen in the Pampas, and a slender

species of Colutea, abundant in Banda Oriental ; and near this farm

I gathered a beautiful purple-flowered perennial Senecio, found first

in a valley between the hills of Maldonado. Leaving this, the last

English stage on a journey of sixteen leagues from Buenos Ayres,

with a supply of five fresh horses, on the morning of the 14th, we

travelled four leagues through a fine grassy country, containing no

variety of herbage. The dry parts of it were beautifully adorned with

three or four species of purple and yellow Ovalis, We breakfasted

at the Guardia de la Monte, in the Pancho of an Italian gardener,

whose wife was a daughter of one of the late ephemeral governors

of Buenos Ayres. She was now, with her husband, contentedly

transplanting onions, of which crop they had several acres. Onions

are all transplanted in this country, as they will not thrive in seed-

beds.

Leaving this in a §.W. direction, through a country nearly unin-

habited, something like the Scottish moors, covered with a species

of Santolina, called by the natives Genga Nigro, from its imparting

a black and dismal appearance to a country of hundreds of miles in

extent, enlivened only in a few places with flowers of the Ovalis and

a few species of Verbena ; in the afternoon we passed some extensive

- lagunes, on whose shores not a vestige of aquatic plants were seen,

on account of the summer drought. About sunset we crossed the

Riosolado, or Sollan, as it is pronounced. There we saw what in

England would be accounted cruel and wasteful; for the drivers of

a herd of about 2000 cattle, which the men, sixteen in number, were

conducting to Buenos Ayres, having stopped at the above river for the

night, had killed two young cows which had newly dropped their

calves. ‘These cows are their favourite food, which they roast nearly

whole, just taking out the entrails. They place the whole carcase, with

the skin on, over a large fire : thus it lies until they consider it suffi-

ciently roasted, when all hands fall to work with their long knives,

satisfying their appetites as fast as they can, without either bread or

salt. This they called carne con cuera, and a choice feast. The two

orphan calfs being left strolling in the desert, a flock of buzzards had:

begun to torment the helpless young creatures and to endeavour to

kill them by first picking out their eyes: in this way they destroy

great quantities of sheep : even horses are thus killed by these strong

and ravenous birds. Having crossed the river, we travelled about

twelve miles farther, mostly in the dark, when we arrived at a post-

142 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

house or stage; where, if horses are wanted, they are supplied at

ls. per league and 6d. for a peon to take them back; an open Pancho

also for a bed-room, and a hide for bed accommodation. This day

our journey was but about twenty leagues: we found no specimens

except a species of Hordeum of the marshes.

15th. The morning was foggy: the peons did not get the horses

till near night. About ten we arrived at Arrog Commoron Chico ;

here I found a pretty kind of Triglochin nearly covered with sand

from the river. On the bank of this Arrog stood the principal s-

tancea of Signor Angenina, considered the wealthiest landholder of

the Argentine republic. Our road continued for forty miles on his

land, passing amongst many herds of cattle, also by some of the most

beautiful lagunes to be seen, covered with a vast number of geese,

swans, two species of flamingo, and a great variety of ducks, one of

which is much larger than a well-grown hen, which it resembles

more than it does a duck. ‘These are called Patto de las Serras, or

Mountain Duck: they congregate in very large flocks, and seem to

delight to feed on land rather than water. Land birds are also, after

passing to the south of the Rio Solado, more numerous, particularly

the partridge of the country, of which there are two species, a small

and a large. The former is by some called the pheasant. I believe

they both belong to the quail genus; they have no tails. The smaller

species resembles in shape, size, and colour the Corn Crake of Scot-

land, and is caught in thousands by the herds on horseback. When

approached, they settle close to the ground ; the rider then goes three

or four times round, closing in nearer each time, and holding in his

hand a slender rod with a small lasso at the point, which he throws

over the bird’s head and plucks it off. Thence he goes a little

further distant, where he meets another bird; and in this manner

he will take hundreds in one day. The larger kind is caught by

running : they rise but twice, fly the first time from fifty to one hun-

dred yards: their next flight is shorter, and the rider galloping soon

overtakes them and fells them with sticks. ‘The swans are usually

captured by five or six men on horseback, who go together into the

shallow lagunes at a spot where they see a considerable flock col-

lected. All birds of this country are so much accustomed to horses

and cattle, that they take no heed to them, and are in a manner

tamed: thus the riders are enabled to draw close to the swans, who

rise in a cloud; when the men shout with all their might, make as

much noise as possible, which stupifies the birds, so that they drop

into the water, and are killed with sticks.

In this day’s long ride we picked up only two species, one Cleome

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 143

spinosa, an annual, in the marshes of the LagunaClara; and a creeping

syngenesious white-flowering perennial, very conspicuous amongst

the black herbage of the Santolina formerly mentioned.

At dark we arrived at the Pancho of a friend of Mr. Methuen,

where we got a good supper of fowl stewed with pumpkins, a soft food

without the addition of bread. There are no mile-stones in this

country; but we calculated that we had ridden this day sixty-three

miles, with only one change of horses, through fine dry plains and

with pleasant weather. The landlord of the house where we stopped

was absent in search of his whole flock of sheep, 300 in number,

which had been stolen the previous night. On my return I called

again, and found that he had regained them, and had sent, the thieves,

two men anda boy, to the prison of Buenos Ayres.

16th. The morning was thick, foggy, and cold. I sucked two or

three mattas for breakfast, and afterwards rode about two leagues

through a dry trackless plain, and entered a great marsh said to be

ninety miles in length, and varying from two to eight miles in breadth,

called Barreado de Bessino. Its herbage was tall Junci and coarse

species of Carex, so tall that a flock of cattle is lost sight of in it; it

has a brownand dried appearance, Ata spot which we passed, two

miles and a half in breadth, though the season was dry, our horses

were frequently up to the belly in mud: this marsh is valuable for

the breed of the ‘‘ Coypou? (Myopotamus),” thousands of whose skins

are sent from this country to Liverpool annually.

At mid-day we arrived at the Estancea of a Buenos Ayres merchant,

~ ealled Laguna Robino, a beautiful seat on the borders of a fine lake,

covered with a great variety of water-fowl. Here they had attempted

to grow peaches, willows, and poplars ; but these were completely de-

stroyed by the sheep, which are more hurtful to plantations in this

country than horses are in Britain: now not a vestige of trees is to

be seen in this country. The fire wood of the people is a Solanum, a

suffruticose species of the marshes, which grows to the height of three

to six feet: in naming my seeds I called it Solanum glaucum. At dark

I arrived at the house of my guide, Mr. Methuen, where I stopped

for ten days; in this day’s journey I did not see a single new speci-

men.

Between my going out and coming home, in the marsh which we

passed in the morning, two carts were attacked bya band of deserters,

and plundered, and the drivers were barbarously wounded. Ata post-

house, where we changed horses in the afternoon, I met a man whom

I had seen in Buenos Ayres, a native of Peterhead, coming to Buenos

Ayres from Tandil, in company with a Creole, This Creole attacked

144 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

the Scotchman immediately afterwards on the solitary road and mur-

dered him for his trifle of wages, which he had earned by working

as a bricklayer at the fortifications of Tandil. So much for the safety

of travelling here !

During my ten days’ stay I lost no opportunity of riding and tra-

velling through the neighbourhood to the distance of thirty miles in

circumference ; yet I did not meet with a single new specimen, ex-

cept a dwarf Juncus and a Rumez, with a creeping insignificant grass

of the country.

I visited the principal Estancea of a Colonel Alsega, who keeps an

English gardener, but the garden contains nothing more than pump-

kins, onions, maize, some good cabbage, lettuce, and turnips, with

capsicums and cucumbers: these are the principal produce of the best

gardens of this country, with the addition perhaps of a few sweet -

potatoes, melons, and water-melons in their season. This place is

called Juncus Grandes from a lagune west of it, where that species

grows very strong. The gardener is more active with his gun than

with his spade; and this fine sheet of water gives him full employ-

ment in shooting ducks, geese, swans, and flamingos, with several

kinds of land animals, as three species of armadillos, foxes, deer, &c.

&c. The latter are seen running over these vast plains unclaimed

and little disturbed, though several hundreds may be met with in a

day.

This Englishman had promised to preserve me a few rare birds

of this place for stuffing. After searching every bog and cave of this

neighbourhood, I did not see a single new plant except a dwarf Ru-

mex, and a minute anonymous plant plentiful on the shores of LaPerta.

In rich moist pastures near this place I saw fields of the Dipsacus

Sullonum.

26th. I left the Estancea of Mr. Methuen, who was so kind as to

accompany me with his own horses and peons as a guide to the

Serras, distant twenty-four leagues from his house. The top of the

highest of them could be descried on a clear evening rising above

the horizon to the height of apparently six or seven feet. Though

the whole of this district is as flat as a bowling-green, yet the sight

terminates at the distance of from four to five miles: beyond this,

every object is lost sight of. It is strange, that though the country

is frequently a plain open field, and though the atmosphere is un-

clouded, neither house, cattle, nor tree is to be seen, although at no

great distance.

This day’s ride was very uninteresting : great part it of lay through

vast tracks of strong coarse grasses as high as our horses. Fortu-

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 145

nately our path was, through most of the way, marked out by an old

road track ; much of the grass was of the kind which is called Pocho

blanco, having long white spikes at the head of the flower stems,

from four to eight feet in height. At night we came to the Estancea

of Leon Biga, a wealthy cattle-farmer, who being a friend of Mr. Me-

thuen, supplied us with the best that his house contained; with

plenty of wine and music, which made the night pass more pleasantly

than lying upon a hard hide for eight or nine hours.

27th. A pleasant clear morning, and my favourite sight, the moun-

tains, in view, (areminiscence of home to me, after passing years in

a monotonous plain!) distant only about six leagues: we struck

across the trackless plains towards the nearest of them, which are a

line of dry rocky knolls, lying east and west. The village or Guardea

lay in the centre, and at about six miles’ distance from the spot where

we left the horses and climbed the hill on foot. There we found a

strange contrast with our former travelling, where not a stone above

the size of a pea was to be seen; whilst here we might almost have

been tempted to imagine that the whole Pampas had been cleared of

stones to supply this place. The Serras are a tract of low hills and

knolls lying sometimes at a mile distant from each other. The prin-

cipal line runs east and west, but detached from each other like loose

stones thrown into heaps of 300 to 400 feet in height, consisting of

no solid rock, but blocks of grey granite. The herbage varies little

from that of the Pampas: not a tree or shrub was to be seen. The

only few plants which I found were three species of Cactus ; three of

a procumbent slender Mimosa, of which two only were in flower ;

(Enothera undulata, with large fine-scented blossoms, the root leaves

long, narrow, and much undulated ; a species of Nierenbergia, which is

a beautiful dwarf shrubby-like plant with large white flowers, slightly

streaked with blue veins ; a Gnaphalium, with thyme-like leaves ; and

two Ferns : these were the only strangers to be met with at this sea-

son. The most interesting plant here is a yellow or straw-coloured

Cynanchum, flowering during the greater part of the year: on a dry

night, when the wind, sweeping over the hills towards the village,

passes over this plant, it comes laden with a most delicious scent.

We stopped in the village or Guardea only three days; our lodging

being in the house of an American Pulperaro. Here I met a Scotch

gardener who cultivates a piece of ground on which he raises vege-

tables for the soldiers. He told me that he came from the county

of Fife, where he was a fellow-workman with Mr. Drummond: he

also met Drummond again on his arrival in the States, and travelled

with him there for some time. He seems to be acquainted with afew

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.1.—No.2. April 1838. L

146 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

plants, and has promised to collect anything interesting as it comes

into season in this hilly country : he is familiar here and well known —

among the Indians, whose villages are numerous amongst the Serras ;

so that from him I expect something new, principally in the Cactus

tribe.

The village, or Guardea de Tandil, is a military station, where is

a strong earthen battery, surrounded with deep ditches as a defence

against the Indians, who till lately were very troublesome. A little

while before we arrived, they had come in a body of about 200,

passed two Estanceas, and on the third cleared off every animal they

found, to the amount of several thousands.

We turned to the north-west along the Arrog de Chapple

Aguha, and travelled six miles to the Hstancea of a Bremen ship-

master, who has become cattle-farmer. He has been for nine years

in the country, and now possesses a farm of 6000 cattle, 200 horses,

and several thousand sheep. This dwelling is strongly guarded by

ditches and a battery of three cannon ; being always on the alarm, as

attacks and robberies are frequent in this district. On crossing the -

plain to his house, we came to an Arrog not visible till we were close

upon it: when entering it to cross it, we drove in the foremost horse ;

but before he entered four yards, he was out of his depth, with our

bedding, my specimens, seeds, &c. totally immersed in water.

Having at dusk arrived at the house of the Bremen captain, we

found him a hospitable and well-provided bachelor, having everything

about him in good European style; and we shared in his hospitality

as freely as if we had been among friends. He said he was always

glad to see persons from a Christian country, for he lived almost in

the midst of savages, where he considered himself every night in

danger of an Indian visit: he is however well prepared for defence,

He mounted his horse and accompanied us for a good way the next

morning, to put us in the direction homewards ; for road there was

none. As I had searched in vain for specimens in the country, which

was a plain dry pasture field, I made up my mind to return to Buenos

Ayres.

On the Ist of May I left the Arrog de Chapple Aguha for Buenos

Ayres. I travelled this day between sixty and seventy miles without

seeing a single new plant, through a monotonous, rough, grassy, and

in some places marshy plain. At ten at night we arrived at a mise-

rable straw hut, where lodged four cut-throat Govgaas, who gave us

a coarse joint of beef to cook for supper; but, except green weeds,

we had no firing. However, having tasted nothing on our day’s

journey, we were quite ready for supper; and then we cleared a

Bibliographical Notices. 147

corner in the midst of hides, stinking Tollo dogs, &c., where we

spread our bedding for the night’s rest : sleep we guarded against,

as our company did not seem any of the safest. No sooner indeed

was the light put out, than we heard one of them examining our lug-

gage ; but when we made a noise to indicate that we were not asleep,

he desisted.

Next evening we arrived again at the Hstancea of Mr. Methuen,

where we rested for a day; then, with my peon and three horses,

I set out for Buenos Ayres, where we arrived after a five days’ dull

ride, and nearly a month’s journey in search of that which was not

to be found.

We have been favoured by Mr. Bell with the sight of a letter just

received by him from Mr. Cuming at Manilla, and which brings down

our intelligence of him to so late a date as Nov. 1, 1837, after ha-

ving been absent ten months among the southern islands of the Phi-

lippines, where he has made a very large collection of Crustacea,

which he has forwarded to the Zoological Society and to Mr. Bell;

also five cases of animals for Mr. Owen, including a great number of

fish, snakes, lizards, frogs, dragons, and bats. He states also that

he has collected 1809 species of shells, amongst which are 300 from

the woods, many of them magnificent. It was his intention to leave

Manilla in a month for the southern provinces of Luzon and the ad-

jacent islands, for a period of at least nine months.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

Molluscous Animals, including Shell-fish ; containing an Exposition of

their Structure, Systematical Arrangement, Physical Distribution,

and Dietetical Uses, with a Reference to the Extinct Races. Form-

ing the article ‘‘ Mollusca,” in the 7th edition of the Encyclopedia

Britannica. By John Fleming, D.D., F.R.S.E., &c. Edin. 1837.

12mo.

During our cursory perusal of this volume we had forcibly brought

to recollection some lines of Chaucer, which the lapse of three cen-

turies or so has not rendered the less unfitting.

“‘ For out of the old feldis, as men saieth,

Comith all this newe corne fro yere to yere,

And out of oldé bokis, in gode faieth,

Comith all this newe science that men lere.”’

And yet the lines are not very applicable to the purpose either, for

148 Bibliographical Notices.

the books out of which this little new one comith are of too recent

a date to be pronounced old. ‘The volume consists of four chapters,

of which the first is a republication of that portion of the author’s

‘‘Philosophy of Zoology,” which treated of molluscous animals;

which again was a reprint from an article in Brewster’s Edinburgh

Encyclopedia. Chapter II. is not inthe ‘‘ Philosophy,” with the

exception of five or six pages; but the matter in its other pages is

so familiar to us, that we feel pretty sure of having before read them

in some other book: they are probably from the article ‘‘ Concho-

logy”’ in Brewster’s Encyclopedia, or from the Supplement to the

Encyclopedia Britannica, or from both. Chapter II]. is also from

the fruitful ‘‘ Philosophy,” with one or two trifling interpolations»

amendments, and omissions: and Chapter IV. is reprinted from the

Supplement to the Encyclopedia Britannica, whether verbatim or

not we cannot pronounce decidedly, but nearly so. Surely the ma-

terial must be good that allows so frequent a transfusion! It may

be so, and the article may, for all that we know, come up to that

standard of excellence by which encyclopedists measure their con-

tributions ; but this we are certain of, that as a separate “‘ Treatise”’

on molluscous animals it is very defective in every point of view.

The beginner will read the book with advantage, because the manner

in which the subject is treated is a good one,—anatomy and physi-

ology going hand in hand with the systematist and ceconomist ;—

but the further advanced conchologist will find it no more than a con-

venient and cheap collection of articles he has previously studied.

The Cabinet Cyclopedia ; conducted by the Rev. D. Lardner. Naturat

History. Animals in Menageries. By William Swainson, Esq.,

F.R.S., L.S. 8vo. London, 1838.

The subject to which this volume is devoted, our author tells‘ us,

‘*is one in which little novelty can be expected ;”’ and we must con-

fess that in all respects it scarcely comes up to the usual standard of

the volumes in Dr. Lardner’s Cyclopedia. ‘The two first parts are

a compilation neatly enough executed, but still a compilation in al-

most every line, without the least pretence to novelty; and it isa

pity that here and there an original remark should be introduced on

the unscientific character of the works of Fred. Cuvier, or upon the

‘careless and ungrammatical” style of that of the venerable Latham,

especially as such ample use is made of both the works. These do

not contribute to the value of Mr. Swainson’s volume, neither do

they add to the pleasure of most of its readers. The ornithology of

‘the latter, though not possessing the lucid arrangement which may

Bibliographical Notices. 149

be given to the works of the present day, contains an immense mass

of information, with descriptions of many of the birds which are now

recelving names as entirely new. We must notice one little error

in the second part. Speaking of Clangula Barrovit, it is said, ‘‘ We

believe only one specimen is in England, and it has hitherto only

been found in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains ;”—a beautiful

male specimen of this rare bird was shot some years since in Iceland

by Mr. Atkinson ; so that its range is more extensive.

The third part of the work, ‘‘ Two centenaries and a quarter of

birds either new, or hitherto imperfectly described,” has no connec-

tion with the first or second parts. The short specific descriptions

are a little troublesome, from having the species mixed up together,

and not generically arranged; and it is less useful than it might be

from the want of synonyms; for though many are new, many are also

described and indicated in other works: for instance, Platyurus

niger seems to be Scytalopus fuscus, Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. for 1837;

Ramphapis Melanogaster is the same with Lefresnaye’s M. dimidia-

tus, figured in the Magazin de Zoologie in the beginning of the last

year; Aglaia melanotis is very like D’Orbigny’s Tanagra Schrankii,

&e. ; Crypticus ‘‘ Superciliosus,’ should be C. Superciliaris, at least

so Mr. Sandbach named it. Some of the birds again scarcely re-

quire to be introduced as little known; Leistes Suchii, here called

L. orioloides, has been at least twice figured, and several times de-

scribed.

The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Professor

Jameson. Nos. for April, July, October, 1837. Edinburgh, A.

Black and Co. 8vo. (continued from Mag. of Zool. and Bot., i.

p. 575.) ;

Aprit. Zoology.

I. Analysis of Fossil Scales from the old red Sandstone, Clashbermie,

Perthshire. By A. Connell, Esq. The most curious fact in the ana-

lysis of these scales is, that the ratio of the phosphate to the car-

bonate of lime is in the proportion nearly of thirteen to one, and

similar to two out of three analyses of recent fish-scales by Che-

vreul, Of the animal matter there remained only a “‘ trace.” —II. On

the organized bodies found in the mina I fluid of Animals, and their

analogy to the pollen of Plants. By G. R. Treviranus. (Taken from

Tiedemann and Treviranus’s Physiological Journal.) The paper en-

deavours principally to establish the analogy between the fertilizing

particles of the productive parts of plants and animals.—III. Further

Observations on the Unity of Structure in the Animal Kingdom, &c.

150 Bibliographical Notices.

By Martin Barry. Additional illustrations of the author’s views on

this subject.—IV. On the Development of the Decapcdes. By H.

Rathke. This short paper is the contents of a letter written to

Professor Miiller, and is a rough sketch of observations made by the

author on the shores ofthe Black Sea and at Dantzic. The result

of these researches are rather opposite to those of Mr. Thompson :

he concludes by saying, ‘‘ All the Jsopodes, with whose development

I am acquainted, come into the world with fewer bones than they

exhibit in their state of maturity. These animals, we can say

with justice and reason, enter the world in an extremely imperfect:

condition; but as to the Decapods, so far as I have examined their

development, I must deny such an assertion ; and of them I can say

nothing less, than at the end of their existence in the egg they have

exactly the same aspect, and are as fully developed, as the full-grown

individuals.”

Botany.

Contributions to the Botanical Geography of Southern Europe,

by Professor Link, (translated from Wiegmann’s Archiv fiir Natur-

geschichte, 1836,) and Dr. Graham’s list of new and rare plants

which have flowered in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, are the

only botanical communications.

Jury. Zoology.

I. On Unity of Function in organized Beings. By William Car-

penter, M.R.C.S., Sen. Pres. of the R. Med. Soc., Ed. A paper of

considerable merit, suggested by those by Dr. Barry on the ‘‘ unity

of structure.”—II. Organic Remains in the old red sandstone of Fife.

By the Rev. John Anderson, Minister of Newburgh.—III. On the

Fossil Organic Remains found in the Coal formation of Wardie, near

Newhaven. By R. Patterson, M.D. This paper refers to both the

remains of plants and animals. The chief plants are Filices, with

the genera Calamites, Lepidodendron, Lepidophylla, Polyperites, and

Knorria, besides ‘‘many which we have been unable to name.”

Among the animals are abundance of Entomostraca, belonging to

the genera Cypris and Daphnoidea, and the author considers the oc-

currence of these two, in conjunction with sea-shells and corallines,

as an argument against the fresh-water or lacustrine formation of

Burdie-house, as adopted by Buckland and Dr. Hibert from the im-

mense deposit of Entomostraca without any marine productions.

Five or six genera of fishes with coprolites are also stated to occur.

- IV. Notice of the result of an experimental Observation made re-

garding equivocal Generation, By ¥. Schulze. An experiment per-

formed with distilled water, mixed with various animal and vege-

Bibliographical Notices. 151

table substances. Germs, &c. were destroyed by heat (212° F.), and

the introduction of matter was prevented by other contrivances,

while the exposure to atmospheric air, light, and heat was continued.

Three months produced no living creature ; but a few days after the

inclosed matter had been exposed, many Vibriones and Monades, with

‘‘ larger polygastric infusoria,’’ were noticed.—V. On the Sivathe-

rium, a@ new fossil ruminant genus found in tertiary strata in the

Valley of the Markanda, in the Sivalik branch of the Sub-Himalayan

Mountains, contains only remarks from sources already published.—

VI. On the colossal fossil Mammiferous Quadruped named Dinothe-

rium giganteum. Extracted from Buckland’s Bridgewater Treatise ;

Blainville and M. Rauss, in the ‘Comptes Rendus.’—VII. Account

of the Skull of a Fossil quadrumanous Animal, found in the tertiary

rocks of the Sub-Himalayan hills, near the Sutlej7. Extract from

Journal of the Asiatic Society. |

Botany.

I. On the condition of Fossil Plants, and on the process of Petri-

faction. By H.R. Goppert. Translated from Poggendorff’s Anna-

len.—II. Remarks on the Origin of Amber. By the same author,

and from the same source. The author here considers “ that amber

is nothing else than an indurated resin derived from various trees of

the family of the Conifera; which resin is found in a like condition

in all zones, because its usual original depositories, viz. beds of brown

coal, have been found almost everywhere under similar circum-

stances.”

OcrosEeR. Zoology.

In this number there is little relating to zoology or botany. The

only paper which comes under our range is, I. Analysis of the Scales of

the fossil Gavial of Caen in Normandy. By A. Connel, Esq., F.R.S.E.

In the result of his analysis Mr. Connel considers that ‘‘ these scales

were originally of the nature of bone, and in all probability analo-

gous to the osseous bones of fishes ;” and he suggests the more de-

tailed inquiry whether the coverings of the extinct and recent Sau-

rians are identical. In the ‘ Scientific Intelligence’ there is a notice

by M. Baer, of the Prussian and Polish aurochs being found in the

Caucasus. No botanical papers in this number.

152

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

LINNZAN SOCIETY.

Feb. 20, 18838.—Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair.

Read the conclusion of Mr. Hogg’s paper on the classifications of

the Amphibia.

The author takes a review of the different modes of arrangement

that have been proposed for this remarkable class of animals, and

he concludes his paper by suggesting the following classification,

founded upon the organs of respiration, as the result of his investi-

gation, viz.

Class IV. AMPHIBIA.

Subclass I. Monopneumena.

Order 1. Abranchia. Branchial apparatus none.

Family. Cecilide.

Order 2. Cadnabranchia. Branchial apparatus decaying.

Families. Ramide. Dactylethride. Astrodactylide. Salamandride.

Order 3. Imperfectibranchia. Branchial apparatus imperfect.

Family. Menopomatide.

Subclass IJ. Dirtopneumena.

Order 4. Manentibranchia. Branchial apparatus remaining.

Families. Sirenide. Proteide.

Read also a classified catalogue of Nepalese Mammalia, by Brian

Houghton Hodgson, Esq., F.L.S., British Resident at the Court of

Nepal. .

The catalogue comprises eighty-seven species, of which fifty-five

were first made known by the author. The most remarkable feature

in the Nepalese Fauna is the large number of native ruminant ani-

mals, which amount to twenty-four species, a greater proportion

than occurs in any other Fauna, with the exception of that of the

Cape of Good Hope.

The following new genera are characterized by the author in the

present paper, viz.

Canide.

Cuon nob. Molars &®. Odour and aspect of the Jacalus Indicus; head

6.6

blunter, tail and ears larger; teats 12 to 14; soles of feet tufted. 1 Sp.

Cuon primevus nob. type. Canis primevus of Beng., A. S. Transact.

Viverrine.

ViverricuLa nob. Size small; habit vermiform; nails more or less rap-

torial; thumb not wholly elevated. 2 Sp. Indica et Rape auct.

Musteline.

Urva nob. 1Sp. Urva cancrivora nob. type. Teeth as in Herpestes.

Structure and aspect precisely mediate between Herpestes and Gulo. On

Linnean Society. 153

either side the anus a large hollow smooth-lined gland secreting an aqueous

fetid humour, which the animal ejects posteally with force. No subsidiary

glands nor any unctuous fragrant secretion. ‘eats 6, remote and ventral.

Orbits incomplete. Parietes of the scull tumid, with small cristz.

Ursine.

Ursiraxus nob. 1 Sp. inauritus nob. Indian badger of Pennant and

v 4.4 :

Hardwicke. Molars 7;. Aspect and size of Taxus; no ears; coarse scant

hair; anal glands as in Mydaus ; genital organ, bony and annulated spi-

rally; typically plantigrade and fossorial ; carnivorous.

Bos.

Subgenus? Bizos nob. Head and fore-quarters exceedingly large; cra-

nium bovine in its general character, but much more massive and de-

pressed ; its breadth between the orbits equal to the height and half of the

length; frontals extremely large in all proportions, deeply concave, and

surmounted by a huge semi-cylindric crest, rising above the basis of the

horns; posteal plane of the skull vertical, equal to the frontal plane, and

divided centrally by the lambdoid crest; orbits more salient, and rami of

the lower jaw more pointed and straighter, with less elevated condyles than

in the Bos; 13 pairs of ribs ; spinous processes of the dorsal vertebree ex-

tremely developed with gradual diminution backwards, causing the entire

back to slope greatly from the withers to the croup; neck sunk between the

head and back; dewlap evanescent; horns short, very thick and remote,

depressed, subtrigonal, presenting the acute angle of the triangle to the

front.

1 spec. new and type. Bibos cavifrons, nob. Gauri Gau of Hindoos.

Hab. Saul Forest. Large wild Indian Bibos, with fine short limbs, short

tail, not reaching to the houghs; broad fan-shaped horizontal ears; smooth

glossy hair of a brown-red or black colour, paled upon the forehead or

limbs ; tufted knees and brows, and spreading green horns with round in.

curved black tips, and with soft rugous bases, furnished posteally with a

fragrant secretion; 10 feet long from snout to rump, and 54 feet high at

the shoulder; head (to the crown of the forehead) 24 inches, and tail 33

inches; female rather smaller, but preserving all the characters of the

male.

N.B. To all appearance two other species of Bibos may be found in the

fossil Urus of Europe and in Aristotle’s wild bull of Persia, with depressed

horns, These I would call respectively Bibos classicus and B. Aristotelis.

Antelopide.

Pantuoxors nob. Molars aa incisors erect, strong, and rectilinearly

ranged; horns with a clear sinus in the cores, long, slender, erect, subly-

rate, inserted between the orbits, compressed, nodose, and approximated at

their bases; large inguinal purses; no suborbital sinus; nose ovine, bluff,

and hairy; large intermaxillary pouches or subsidiary nostrils; knees sim-

ple; ears pointed, short; tail short, full; hoofs low, broad and padded;

154 Geological Society.

size, habits and general aspect of Antilope and Gazella; females hornless,

with lesser inguinal purses, and two teats.

1 spec. new and type; Antilope Hodgesonii of Abel ; the Chiru of Thibet.

Cervide.

Genus Cervus.

Subgenera: Harana nob. 1 spec. Cervus Wallichii Auct. type. Size

small; tail nearly obsolete; horns small, branched at the base as in Cervus,

above as in Rusa, and quadrifurcate.

Rucervus nob. 1 spec. Cervus Elaphoides nob. type. Aspect and size

mediate between Elaphus and Hippelaphus; muzzle remarkably pointed ;

horns moderate, smooth, pale; one forward basal process on each beam ;

no median ; summit branched as in Elaphus; canines in the males only.

Rusa, 2 new spec. Jaraya et Nipalensis, nob. ; canines in both sexes.

GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Extract from the Address of the President, the Ruv. W. WuEwEL1u,

delivered at the Anniversary on the 16th February, 1838.

‘The Council have awarded the Wollaston Medal, as you have al-

ready been informed, to Mr. Richard Owen, for his general services

to Fossil Zoology, and especially for his labours employed upon the

fossil mammalia collected by Mr. Darwin in the Voyage of Captain

Fitz Roy. I need not remind you, Gentlemen, how close are the ties

which connect the study of living and of fossil animals ; how much

light the progress of comparative anatomy throws upon the inter-

pretation of geological characters; and what important steps in our

knowledge of the past condition of the earth are restorations of the

animal forms which peopled its surface in former times, but have

long vanished away. Since the immortal Cuvier breathed into our

science a new principle of life, the value of such researches has ever

been duly appreciated; and the award of the Wollaston Medal last year

is an evidence how gladly your Councii take that method of congra-

tulating the successful cultivators of such studies. JI am sure that

all who are acquainted with Mr. Owen’s labours will rejoice that we

have in this manner marked our sense of his success. His earlier

researches, those for instance on the Nautilus, have been of exceeding

use and interest to geologists. And the first part of his description

of the fossil mammalia, collected by Mr. Darwin in South America,

contains matters of the most striking novelty, interest, and import-

ance. We have there the restoration, performed with a consummate

skill, such as fitly marks the worthy successor of Hunter and the disci-

ple of Cuvier, of two animals, not only of new genera, but occupying

places in the series of animal forms, which are peculiarly instructive.

Botanical Society of London. 155

For the one, the Toxodon, connects the Rodentia with the Pachyder-

mata by manifest links, and with the Cetacea by more remote resem-

blances ; and thus contributes to the completion of the zoological scale

just in the parts where it is weakest and most imperfect: while the

other animal, the Macrauchenia, the determination of which is con-

sidered by anatomists as an admirable example of the solution of such

a problem, appears to be exactly intermediate between the horse and

the camel. But this creature is also interesting in another way, since it

closely resembles, although on a gigantic scale, an animal still existing

in that country and peculiar to it, the Llama. Thus, in this as in some

other instances, the types of animal forms which distinguish a certain

region on the earth’s surface are clearly reflected to our eyes as we

gaze into the past ages of the earth’s history, while yet they are mag-

nified so as to assume what almost appear supernatural dimensions.

The Llama, the Capybara, and the Armadillo of South America are

seen in colossal forms in the Macrauchenia, the Toxodon, and the Me-

gatherium. 1 will not omit this occasion of stating that the profound

and enlarged speculations on the diffusion, preservation, and extinc-

tion of races of animals to which Mr. Darwin has been led by the re-

mains which he has brought home, give great additional value to the ~

treasures which he has collected, and make it proper to offer our con-

gratulations to him, along with Mr. Owen, on the splendid results

to which his expedition has led and is likely to lead. Mr. Owen and

Mr. Darwin are engaged in the restoration of other animals from

the South American remains in their possession, and I am able to

announce that two or three other new genera have already been de-

tected.”

BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.

March 2.—John Reynolds, Esq., Treasurer, in the Chair.

According to notice, the Curator, Mr. Daniel Cooper, commenced

a course of lectures on the practical part of Botany, at 7 P.M, (one

hour previous to the chair being taken,) to which the Members and

their friends (ladies and gentlemen) were invited. The lecture,

being the first of the course, was chiefly introductory. The chair

being taken at the usual time, the Society proceeded to ballot for

H. B. Fielding, Esq., of Stodday Lodge, near Lancaster, and who

was accordingly elected a Member and Local Secretary for the

district. Mr, White communicated a paper on a new species of

Epilobium, which led to some interesting remarks from the Mem-

bers*. Some beautiful specimens of Stipa pinnata were. exhi-

* We shall be able to insert this paper entire in our next Number.

156 Miscellaneous.

bited ; and upon the table there were several new kinds of roots,

including the new vegetable (Tropeolum), &c., presented by Mr.

Kernan. After the usual discussion, the Meeting was adjourned

until the 16th March.

March 16.—John E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President, in the Chair.

The Curator delivered his second lecture on Roots, &c. to the

Members and their friends. The Society proceeded to ballot for Dr.

J. Streiten of Worcester, who was accordingly elected. The Secre-

tary announced that since the last Meeting the Society had received

from H. B. Fielding, Esq., of Stodday Lodge, near Lancaster, a valu-

able donation of plants from all parts of Europe, comprising upwards

of a thousand species, some of which were exhibited. A paper was

then read from J. Riley, Esq., of Nottingham, in answer to a paper

by Mr. White on the Hybridity of Ferns, which excited much inter-

est. Mr. D. Cooper exhibited and explained the principles of the

Endosmometer, after which the Society adjourned until April 6th.

MISCELLANEOUS.

NOTES ON IRISH BIRDS.

Kite. Milvus ictinus, Sav.—In the Magazine of Zoology and Bo-

tany, vol. ii. p. 171, this bird is mentioned as of doubtful occurrence in

Ireland; but from what I have subsequently learned from the very

intelligent gamekeeper at Shanes Castle (the seat of Earl O’Neil, on

the borders of Lough Neagh), who, from having frequently taken

the species in Northamptonshire, is quite conversant with it, and de-

scribes it accurately, I have no doubt of its occasional appearance

in this country. He states that in cold weather (the season is not

remembered), about eight years ago, he saw a kite on two or three

occasions hovering over Glenarm Park (county of Antrim), and that

in March, 1835, his attention was called to a strange bird, which

appeared for three successive days in Shanes Castle park, and which

proved to be of this species. In both instances the forked tail served

for specific distinction: neither specimen was obtained.

Tawny Owt. Ulula stridula, Selby (vide Mag. Zool. and Bot.,

vol. ii. p.179).—By the same person I am assured that an owl of

this species was killed within the last few years in Shanes Castle

park. Having served in the capacity of game-keeper in England,

before coming to this country, he then became acquainted with this

bird, which was correctly described to me under the name of Brown.

Miscellaneous. 157

Owl. From his evident knowledge of both species, I have perfect

reliance on the accuracy of my informant.

Repstart. Sylvia Phenicurus, Lath.—Since the article was writ-

ten which appeared in the first number of this work (p. 17), I am

enabled to add the following note on this species :—Some years ago

in the autumn, a specimen which was shot in the neighbourhood of

Belfast, was, when quite recent, obtained by Dr. J. D. Marshall, who

informs me that it proved identical with English specimens of S.

Phenicurus in his collection. It has been unfortunately destroyed

by moths.

Spotrep Repsaank. Totanus fuscus, Leis.—As I did not give any

particulars of this bird when it was first recorded as Irish in the

Magazine of Natural History, vol. v. p.578, it may be here men-

tioned that the specimen alluded to fell by my own gun in Belfast

Bay, on August 22, 1823. It was in immature plumage, as admi-

rably represented by Bewick.

Nicut Heron. Nycticoras Europeus, Steph.—In the Proceedings

of the Zoological Society of London for 1834 (p. 30), I noticed a

specimen of this bird, which was stated to have been sent from

Letterkenny to Dublin, and received there in a recent state at the

beginning of that year. Subsequently, one of these birds, in the

plumage of the first year, or that of the Gardenian Heron, was shot

in the county of Armagh, and presented to the Belfast Museum.

Forx-Trarrep Guiu. Larus Sabinii, Sab.—I have to record the

occurrence of a fourth individual of this species in Ireland. It was

shot in company with Terns (Sterne) in the bay of Dublin, on

September 12, 1837, and came into the possession of H. H. Dom-

brain, Esq., of that city. This gentleman has kindly informed me

that the specimen corresponds with the description of the L. Sabinii

in the plumage of the first year (Mag. Zool. and Bot., vol. i. p. 460)

in every respect but one, that of having ‘the under part of the

throat and the upper part of the breast’”’ white, instead of “ pale ash

colour,” as in the bird originally described. Having just seen the

notes of the late Mr. Montgomery on the first of these gulls ob-

tained in Ireland, I am enabled to add the colour of the bill, legs,

&c., which in the immature bird has not been described. Under

the name of ‘‘ Larus minutus’, which it was considered to be, it is re-

marked of this individual, ‘irides dark, bill black, legs pale flesh

colour, weight 54 ounces.”” The dates of the occurrence of the L.

Sabinii in Ireland approximate very closely, though they were all

obtained in different years. In Belfast Bay they were shot on the

15th and 18th of September, and in Dublin Bay on the 12th of the

158 Miscellaneous.

same month. The date when the first specimen was procured here

is unknown.

The Wooncock (Scolopaxr rusticola) breeding in Ireland. —Within

the last few years these birds have bred in several of the Irish coun-

ties, including northern, central, and southern. The details on this

subject, as well as on the spotted redshank and night heron, are re-

served for their due place in my intended series of papers on the

Birds of Ireland, of which three have already appeared in the second

volume of the Magazine of Zoology and Botany, and one in the first

number of this work.—W. Tuompson, Belfast, March 1838.

FOSSIL SALAMANDER AND COPROLITE.

In a Letter from M. de Paravey to the French Academy, the

writer states that he saw at Leyden, in the cabinet of M. van Breda,

the fossil skeleton of a salamander, about three feet long, and ina

more perfect state than that figured by Scheuchzer in his Homo di-

duvit testis. What increases the value of this specimen is that it

contains in the part corresponding to the abdomen several copro-

lites, in which we detect fragments of the bones of frogs and of eels,

&c., so that we have proof that the antediluvian species had the

same kind of food as the larger salamanders of the present day. A

very large salamander, brought by M. Siebold from Japan, is still

living at the Leyden Museum, and is fed chiefly with frogs. This

celebrated traveller brought to Europe the male and female, but the

latter was one day- devoured by its companion, which no doubt had

been kept too long without food.—Comptes Rendus, Nov. 19, 1838.

HABITS OF THE BLUE TITMOUSE (Parus ceruleus).

A redstart (Phenicura ruticilla,) and a blue titmouse built nests

in an old wall within a few feet of my parlour window. The nests

were placed within three feet of each other; that of the redstart in

a very open rent, while that of the titmouse was better secured by

having a very small entrance, as is usually the case with the situa-

tions chosen by this bird. My attention was at first attracted by

the violence with which I frequently saw the titmouse drive away

both the parent redstarts when approaching their own nest with food

for their young; and, knowing the pugnacious disposition of the tit-

mouse, I at first thought that it wished to destroy its neighbours, as

after chasing them to a little distance it would fly into the redstart’s

nest. As the redstart was to me the rarest bird, I began to debate

with myself whether I should not destroy the titmouse, that the

other might not be prevented from bringing up its young. In the

Miscellaneous. 159

course of doing so, and observing the attacks I have described. fre-

quently repeated, I was at last astonished to find that the object of

the titmouse was actually to feed the young redstarts together with

its own. I spent many an hour in watching this, and have seen that

when both parents arrived at the same time with caterpillars in their

bills, the titmouse would fiercely drive the redstart away and give

the caterpillar to its young. In this way did the titmouse indiscri-

minately feed the young in both nests, while the redstart never at-

tempted such a reciprocation of favour; but when arriving with food

for its own young, would wait on a neighbouring branch till the old

titmice left their nest —M. Hii, Rowmore.

ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN IN EDINBURGH.

For several years there has been an endeavour to establish a Zoo-

logical Garden in Edinburgh. Mr. Wombwell made offers at one

time, and Sir Thomas Dick Lander has often used his interest for

the same purpose. The great want has hitherto been the difficulty

of getting some active person as a general superintendent; and Mr.

Douglas, who has for several years imported for sale a considerable se-

lection of foreign birds, has expressed his willingness to undertake the

charge, and to embark a portion of his own capital in the undertaking.

Several influential gentlemen in Edinburgh and its vicinity have been

spoken with, and have expressed their anxiety to support the Gar-

den. A piece of ground at the west end of the town, on the pro-

perty of Coates, has been examined, and could it be obtained would

be a most suitable site, being free from damp, and at the same time

affording facilities for artificial waters. When the plans are more

matured we shall report progress, and in the mean time will hope

that the Societies already prosperous will contribute to the advance-

ment of one about to be commenced.

TWEEDSIDE PHYSICAL AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.

This Society, only established in 1834, has advanced most rapidly.

Its collections have increased so greatly that more accommodation is

now required; and at a late meeting it has been resolved to build a

museum in Kelso. For this purpose the gentlemen in the vicinity

have subscribed liberally; while the society of gentlemen educated

at Kelso Grammar School have given the sum of 200/. to aid in its

erection. We are induced to make this short notice to show the ad-

vance which Natural Science is making north of the Border; and as

the first instance, we believe, where a provincial Society in Scotland

has ventured to erect a Museum, for the purpose alone of accommo-

dation for its meetings and the preservation of its collections.

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Ann, Nat. Hist. Vol. 1. PIV.

Coreqorus Leegpredes Nalial rye

Corego TUS raucrocephuilas Nehwud ane

KR j Danull

ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

XVI.— Observations on the Coregoni of Loch-Lomond. By

RicuarpD PARNELL, M.D., F.R.S.E.

(With a Plate.)

In Loch-Lomond, one of the largest and most picturesque

lakes in the west of Scotland, are found two species of Core-

gonus, one of which I believe to be an undescribed British spe-

cies, and the other, which was first noticed by Lacépéde under

the name of “ Coregone Clupeoide,” has been confounded by

British naturalists with the Coregonus Lavaretus or Ulswater

Gwiniad. Pennant, in his third volume of British Zoology,

considers the Coregonus of Loch-Lomond to be the same as

the Vendace of Lochmaben, the Gwiniad of Ulswater, and the

Pollan of Loch Neagh in Ireland. Dr. Fleming in his work

on British Animals entertains the same opinion. Sir William

Jardine, Bart. in the third volume of the Edinburgh Journal

of Natural and Geographical Science has given an interesting

account of the Vendace of Lochmaben, and has clearly shown

it to be a distinct species from the other British Coregoni.

Mr. Thompson of Belfast has satisfactorily proved the Pollan

of Loch-Neagh to be also a distinct species, and has minutely

pointed out the characters in the first volume of the Zoological

and Botanical Magazine; nor should I be surprised still to

find additional species were attention directed to the Gwiniads

of Cumberland, since the whole of the Coregoni are so closely

_ allied. From: Lacépéde’s short and imperfect description of

the Coregone Clupeoide, and as two species are found inhabit-

ing the same locality, it is impossible to state with certainty

to which he alludes; therefore to prevent the confusion which

otherwise might arise from synonyms, I propose for the one

species the name of Coregonus Lacepedei, and for the other Co-

regonus microcephalus.

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.1. No.3. May 1838. M

162 Mr. R. Parnell on the Coregoni of Loch-Lomond.

THE LONG-NOSED Powan, Coregonus Lacepedei, Parnell.

Description: from a specimen of fourteen inches in

length. Head long and narrow, of an oval form, about one

fifth the length of the whole fish, caudal fin included; depth

of the body between the dorsal and ventral fins less than the

length of the head. Colour of the back and sides dusky blue,

with the margin of each scale well defined by a number of’

minute dark specks; belly dirty white; the lower portion of

the dorsal, caudal, pectoral, ventral, and anal fins dark bluish

grey; irides silvery; pupils blue. First ray of the dorsal fin

commencing half-way between the point of the snout and the

base of the short lateral caudal rays; the first ray simple*,

the rest branched ; the second and third the longest, equalling

the length of the pectorals ; the seventh as long as the base

of the fin; the last one third the length of the fourth; adi-

pose fin large and thin, situate midway between the base of

the fourth dorsal ray and the tip of the long ray of the caudal

fin; anal fin commencing half-way between the origin of the

ventrals and the base of the middle caudal ray; the first ray |

simple, the rest branched ; the second rather the longest ; the

third as long as the base of the fin; the last half the length

of the fifth; ventrals commencing under the middle of the

dorsal ; the third ray the longest, equalling the length of the

same ray of the dorsal; pectorals long and pointed, one sixth

the length of the whole fish, caudal fin included ; the first ray

simple ; the second and third the longest, the last short, not

one fourth the length of the first ; tail deeply forked, with the

upper portion of the long rays curving slightly inwards, giving

the fin a peculiar form. Gill-cover produced behind; the

basal line of union between the operculum and sub-operculum

oblique; the free margin of the latter slightly rounded ; pre-

operculum angular; snout prominent, somewhat of a conical

form, extending beyond the upper lip ; jaws of unequal length,

the lower one the shortest. The maxillary bone broad, the

free extremity extending back to beneath the anterior margin

of the orbit. Teeth in the upper jaw long and slender, about

* The first three short simple rays of the dorsal fin, and the short lateral

rays of the caudal, are not here taken into consideration, as when recent

they are liable, from their size, to be overlooked.

Mr. R. Parnell on the Coregoni of Loch-Lomond. 163. |

six in number; those on the tongue shorter and more nume-

rous. Eyes large, extending below the middle of the cheeks ;

lateral line commencing at the upper part of the operculum,

and running down the middle of the sides to the base of the

middle caudal ray. Scales large and deciduous, eighty-four in

the lateral line, eight between the dorsal fin and lateral line,

and the same number between the lateral line and the base of

the ventrals. Number of fin rays,

D.12; P.16; V.12; A.11; C.20. Coca 120.

This fish occasionally grows the length of sixteen inches, and

is distinguished by the great length of the head compared to

that of the body; the snout extending beyond the upper lip ;

the under jaw the shortest; the length of the pectoral and

dorsal fins ; the large scales; the number of rays in the anal

fin, the peculiar shape of the caudal, and the position of the

dorsal fins. It agrees in figure with the Salmo Wartmanni of

Bloch, but not in description. In the stomach of one of the

specimens I examined were found several species of entomo-

straca, larva of insects, a few coleoptera, a number of small

tough red worms little more than half an inch in length, and

about the thickness of a coarse thread, besides a quantity

of gravel which the fish had probably accumulated when in

search of the larva.

THE SHORT-HEADED Powan, Coregonus microcephalus, Parn.

DsscripTion: from a specimen thirteen inches in length.

Head short, of a triangular form, one sixth the length of the

whole fish, caudal fin included; depth of the body between

the dorsal and ventral fins considerably more than the length

of the head. Colour of the back and sides dusky blue, with

the margin of each scale well defined by a number of minute

dark specks; belly dirty white ; the lower portion of the dorsal,

caudal, pectoral, ventral, and anal fins dark bluish grey; irides

silvery ; pupils blue. First ray of the dorsal fin commencing

half-way between the point of the snout and the adipose fin ;

the first ray simple, the rest branched, the second and third the

longest, more than equalling the length of the pectorals; the

sixth as long as the base of the fin, the last one third the length

of the fourth ; adipose fin large and thin, situated midway be-

M 2

164 Mr. R. Parnell on the Coregoni of Loch-Lomond.

tween the base of the eighth dorsal ray and tip of the long ray

of the caudal fin; anal fin commencing half-way between the —

origin of the ventrals and the base of the middle caudal ray ;

the first ray simple, the rest branched; the second rather the

longest ; the third as long as the base of the fin; the last half

the length of the fifth ; ventrals commencing under the middle

of the dorsal, the second ray the longest, equalling the length

of the fourth ray of the dorsal; pectorals short and pointed,

one seventh the length of the whole fish, caudal fin included ;

the first ray simple, the second and third the longest ; the last

short, about one third the length of the first; tail deeply

forked with the long rays curving slightly inwards. Gill cover

very slightly produced behind; the basal line of union between

the operculum and sub-operculum very oblique, the free margin

of the latter rounded; pre-operculum angular. Snout trun-

cated, not projecting beyond the upper lip; under jaw rather

the shortest ; maxillary broad, extending back to beneath the

anterior margin of the orbit. Teeth in the upper jaw long and

slender, about six in number; those on the tongue shorter

and more numerous. [yes large, reaching below the middle

of the cheeks; lateral line commencing at the upper part of

the operculum, and running down the middle to the base of

the centre caudal ray. Scales large and deciduous, eighty-

four in the lateral line, eight between the dorsal fin and late-

ral line, andthe same number between the lateral line and the

base of the ventral. Number of fin rays,

D..12; P.16; V.12; A.11; C. 20. Coca 116.

Stomach filled with entomostracous animals, presenting in

the mass a granular appearance, and a reddish brown colour.

This fish differs from C. Lacepedet in the shortness of the

head and pectoral fins, and in the snout not projecting beyond

the upper lip, as well as in other respects, as will be best seen

by comparing the descriptions and accompanying figures. It

is at once removed from C. Willoughbigii of Jardine, the Loch-

maben Coregonus, and C. Pollan of Thompson from Loch

Neagh, by the under jaw being the shortest. On comparing

it with C. Lavaretus of Jenyns, it is a much deeper fish ; the

head and pectorals are much shorter, the upper jaw rather the

Mr. Gardner on the Vegetation of the Organ Mountains. 165

longest, and furnished with distinct teeth; anal fin with fewer

rays: it besides grows to a larger size. The descriptions of

continental authors are not sufficiently minute to identify this

species.

These fish are found in Loch-Lomond in great numbers,

where they are named Powans or Freshwater Herrings. They

are caught from the month of March until September with large

drag nets, and occasional instances have occurred in which a

few have been taken with a small artificial fly ; a minnow or

bait they have never been known to touch. Early in the

morning and late in the evening large shoals of them are ob-

served approaching the shores in search of food, and rippling

the surface of the water with their fins as they proceed. In

this respect they resemble in their habits those of the Loch-

maben Vendace and the common saltwater herring. They

are never seen under any circumstances during the middle of

the day. From the estimation these fish are held in by the

neighbouring inhabitants, they are seldom sent far before they

meet with a ready sale, and are entirely unknown in the

markets of Glasgow. In the months of August and Septem-

ber they are in best condition for the table, when they are con-

sidered well-flavoured, wholesome, and delicate food. They

shed their spawn in October and December, and remain out of

condition until March*.

XVII.—An account of a Journey to, and a Residence of nearly

Six Months in, the Organ Mountains, with Remarks on their

Vegetation. By Mr. GrorGE GARDNER.

(Communicated by the Author to Sir W. J. Hooker.)

Havine packed up all the collections which I made in the

neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, and left them in the city to

be forwarded in the first ship for London, I started on the

morning of the 25th of December for the Organ Mountains.

The peaks which receive this appellation are part of a moun-

tain range stretching from beyond Bahia in the north to Bue-

* Communicated to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, when specimens of

all the British Coregoni were at the same time exhibited.

166 Mr. Gardner’s Journey to the Organ Mountains,

nos Ayres in the south. The name which the Portuguese

have bestowed on them (Serra dos Orguds) originated from a

fancied resemblance which the peaks, which rise gradually the

one above the other, bear to the pipes of an organ. Having

learned that two or three English merchants, whose families

had gone up to the mountains for the summer months, were

about to start to spend the Christmas holidays with them, it

was with much pleasure I accepted an invitation to accom-

pany them in their boat. One of them was George March,

Esq., the gentleman at whose “ Fazenda ” I was to live while

remaining on the mountains.

It was midday before we could leave the city, and under the

influence of a strong sea breeze we reached Piedade, the landing

place, at half-past three, the distance from the city being about

twenty miles. The day was a most delightful one, in conse-

quence of which, and of the many verdant little islands among

which we were constantly gliding, the passage was so pleasant

that I almost regretted its shortness. At Piedade, mules from

Mr. March’s fazenda were waiting for us and our luggage;

and after a short stay for the arrangement of the latter we

commenced our land journey. The road from Piedade to

Magé, a village about four miles distant, leads through a flat,

sandy, and in several places marshy plain, covered with lowtrees

and bushes, principally Melastomacee, Malvacee, and Myrta-

cee, and great abundance of Selinum terebinthifolium (Raddi).

In the hedges, by the road side, I saw several species of Cissus,

Bignonia, and Paullinia, and in moist places many plants of

Dichorizandra thyrsiflora in beautiful flower. The sandy fields

were covered with a large species of Cactus, among which

many plants of Fourcroya gigantea (Vent.) were to be seen

throwing up their flowering stems to a height of twenty and

thirty feet. From Magé to Freschall, a distance of fourteen

miles, the road is still flat, but winds. round many low hills,

the sides of which are covered with Mandiocca plantations.

We arrived at Freschall at half-past seven o’clock p.m., and

remained there for the night.

Next morning by break of day we again continued our

journey. At about two miles from Freschall the ascent of the

mountains begins. From thence the distance to Mr. March’s

with Remarks on their Vegetation. 167

fazenda, which stands at an elevation of three thousand one

hundred feet above the level.of the sea, is twelve miles. During

the whole way the road is very bad, and in many places so

steep that it is with considerable difficulty the mules make

their way upit. Indeed to one unused to travel on such roads,

which have more the appearance of the bed of a mountain

torrent than a pathway for beasts of burden, many parts of

it appear impassable; but he is soon undeceived by the slow

yet sure manner in which the mules pass over the worst por-

tions of it, especially if left entirely to themselves. During the

whole ascent the road passes through a dense forest. The

magnificence of these forests cannot be imagined by one who

has not seen them and penetrated into their recesses. Those

remnants of the virgin forest which still remain in the vicinity

of the capital, although they appear grand to the eye of the

newly-arrived Kuropean, become insignificant when compared

with the mass of giant vegetation that clothes the sides of the

Organ Mountains. Many of the trees are of immense size,

their trunks and branches covered with myriads of parasites,

consisting of Orchidee, Bromeliacee, Ferns, Peperomie, &c.

I have since ascertained that a great proportion of the largest

of these trees are species of Ficus, Myrtus, Laurus, Melasto-

macee, and Leguminose. Some of them have their trunks en-

circled by twiners, the stems of which are often thicker than

what they surround. This is particularly the case with a spe-

cies of Ficus, called by the Brazilians Cipo Matador. It runs ~

straight up the tree to which it has attached itself, but at the

distance of about every ten feet it throws out from each side

a thick clasper, which curves round, and closely entwines the

other stem, As both the trees increase in size, the pressure

ultimately becomes so great, that the supporting one dies from

the embrace of the parasite.

At the base of the mountains the underwood principally

consists of shrubs belonging to the natural orders Melasto-

macee, Myrtacee, Composite, and Rubiacee, among which are

many large species of herbaceous ferns and several palms.

About the middle palms and tree-ferns abound, some of the

latter reaching to a height of not less than thirty feet. At an

168 Mr. Gardner’s Journey to the Organ Mountains,

elevation of about 2000 feet a large species of bamboo (Bam-

busa Tagoara, Mart.) makes its appearance. The stems of

that gigantic grass are often eighteen inches in circumference,

and attain a height of from fifty to sixty feet. They however

do not grow perfectly upright, but are much bent, the tops of

them sometimes nearly reaching to the ground. By the road

side I saw many herbaceous plants in flower, which I had not

then an opportunity of collecting.

We reached Mr. March’s fazenda early in the forenoon.

It being Christmas-day, we found his slaves, who amount to

100 in all, performing a native dance in the yard before the

house. His estate embraces an extent of country containing

sixty-four square miles. The greater part of it is still covered

by virgin forests; what is cleared of it consists of pasture

land, and several small farms for the cultivation of Indian

corn, fiagrens (French beans), and potatoes. Plentiful crops

are yielded by the two former, but the produce of the lat-

ter is neither so abundant nor so good as it is in England.

He has also near to his house a large garden, underthe manage-

ment of a French gardener, in which all the European fruits

and vegetables grow tolerably well. Many of these he has

been at much trouble and expense in introducing from the

Old World. From this garden he sends regular supplies of

vegetables to the Rio market, and they are by far the best that

are to be found in it. The most fertile part of the estate is si-

tuated between the higher chain of the Organ Mountains and

a range of smaller mountains nearly parallel with it. Through

this valley there runs a small river, about the size of the Kel-

vin at Glasgow, which is fed by several small streams from the

mountains.

At this elevation the seasons are much better marked than

they are at Rio. On my arrival I found that summer was just

setting in, and consequently I was just in time to secure the

first flowers of the season. Two months earlier I was told that

I should have met with but few plants in flower. As my ex-

cursions extended in all directions, to a distance of from ten

to twenty miles from Mr. March’s house, my collections will

give a tolerably accurate knowledge of the vegetable produc-

with Remarks on their Vegetation. 169

tions of this part of the country. In the following short

sketch I shall merely mention what are the most common

plants, which are peculiar to a few well-marked situations.

Ist. Marshes.—The shrubby vegetation of marshes consists

chiefly of Melastomacee, some of which are beautiful large-

flowered species of Lasiandra, which rival the Rhododendrons

in the richness of their colours. Among these are also to be

seen a few species of Myrtaceae, and several fruticose and sub-

fruticose species of Vernonia. The herbaceous plants consist

of Composite, the most common one of which is a large white-

flowered species ; several Utricularia; a Drosera; different

species of ferns, one of them a fine Osmunda; many species

of Begonia, Cyperacee, Graminee, and terrestrial Orchidee.

2nd. Pastures.—The turf of these consists of different spe-

cies of Graminee, principally of the genus Chloris, but it is

with labour that pastures can be kept from running into a

mass of shrubs and underwood, from the rapidity with which

plants of these characters usurp the soil. Hence all the pas-

tures which exist on the Organ Mountains are artificial, not

natural. The shrubs which spring up most commonly are

various species of Melastomacee, Myrtaceae, Croton, Rubia-

cee, Leguminose, Solanum, Myrsinee, Samydee, Vismia Bra-

siliensis, Lantana, Malvacee, &c. 'The suffruticose and her-

baceous plants which are met with in greatest abundance in

pasture lands, consist of numerous kinds of Composite, em-

bracing species of Vernonia, Eupatorium, Baccharis, &c.; a

few of Hyptis, Rubiacee and ferns. Of the latter, Pteris cau-

data is by far the most troublesome.

3rd. Cultivated lands.—The plants of these places are a spe-

cies of Phytolacca, Sonchus oleraceus, Tagetes minuta, Capsi-

cum, Ageratum conyzoides; a repent species of Polygonum,

Chenopodee, Richardsonia scabra, and Stellaria media.

4th. Bushy places. (Capcera)—The plants belonging to

this division are what have sprung up in land which many

years had been under cultivation. They consist principally of

small trees and shrubs, of various sizes, and are always very

different from what constituted its original vegetation. Here

may be observed several species of Lastandra and other shrubs

belonging to the natural order Melastomacee ; an arboreous

170 Mr. Gardner’s Journey to the Organ Mountains,

Vernonia, and various species of Inga, Cassia, Solanum, Cro-

ton, Myrsinee, Egiphila, Myrtacee and Lantana, Cerasus

spherocarpa, Clethra fagifolia? Cestrum of different species,

and, principally by the sides of rivers, Datura arborea ; among

these grow many herbaceous plants and climbing species of

Composite and Leguminose. Among the shrubs of this divi-

sion I met with a species of Ilex, perhaps Ilex paraguaiensis,

the leaves of which are used by the blacks as a substitute for

tea. I did not see it in flower, and could only meet with two

specimens, having asingle fruit on each. In habit it is a very

upright growing shrub, about fifteen feet high; where the

ground is rather swampy a fine species of Talauma prevails.

It forms a tree from fifteen to thirty feet high, and its large

green leaves and large pale yellow flowers render it one of the

most striking trees I have ever met with. The flowers are

highly odoriferous, and a single tree can be discovered by the

sense of smell alone at a distance of more than half a mile

when the wind blows in the direction from it. In swampy si-

tuations one or two species of Laurus are also found.

5th. Virgin Forests. 1st. Trees.—So far as I have been

able to ascertain, these consist for the most part of numerous

species of Palme, Laurus, Ficus, Cassia, Bignonia, and Sola-

num. Chorisia speciosa (St. Hilaire), and many myrtaceous

trees also abound in the dense forest, among which I found

three species of Campomanesia, two of them in fruit, but from

the other I obtained good specimens. I likewise observed se-

veral trees of a large size belonging -to the natural order Pro-

teacee. Specimens from one of them will be found in the col-

lection of dried plants from the Organ Mountains, marked

No. 615. The various species of Laurus form fine large trees,

and when growing, as they often do, in an open part of the

forest, they remind the European of the oaks of his native

country. They flower in the months of April and May, at

which season the atmosphere is loaded with the rich perfume

of their small white blossoms. When their fruit is ripe, it

forms the principal food of the Jacutinga, (Penelope Jacutinga,

Spix,) a fine large game bird. Some of the largest trees of

the forest are species of Ficus; one, with an enormous height

and thickness of stem, is called by English here the buttress

\ ie ~

OLE oe ete

with Remarks on their Vegetation. 171

tree, from several large thin plates which stand out from the

bottom of the trunk. They begin to jut out from the stem at

the height of ten or twelve feet from the bottom, and gradually

increase in breadth till they reach the ground, where they are

connected with the large roots of the tree. At the surface of

the ground these plates are often five feet broad, and through-

out not more than two inches thick. The large Cassie have

a striking appearance when in flower; and as an almost equal

number of large trees of Lasiandra Fontanesiana and other

species belonging to the same natural order are in bloom at

the same time, the forests are then almost one mass of yellow

and purple from the abundance of these flowers. Rising amid

these the pink-coloured flowers of the Chorisia speciosa can

be easily distinguished. This is a large tree, with a stem, co-

vered with strong prickles, from five to six feet in circumfe-

rence, unbranched to the height of twenty or thirty feet. The

branches then form a nearly hemispherical top, which, when

covered with its thousands of beautiful large pink-coloured

blossoms, has a striking effect when contrasted with the masses

of green, yellow, and purple of the surrounding trees. Many of

these large trunks afford support to various species of climbing

and twining shrubs belonging to the natural orders Bignonia-

cee, Composite, Apocynee, and Leguminose. The stems of

these climbers frequently assume a very remarkable appear-

ance. Several of them are often twisted together and dangle

from the branches of the large trees like ropes, while others are

flat and compressed like belts: of the latter description I have

met with some six inches broad, and not more than a quarter

of an inch thick. Two of the finest of these climbers are the

beautiful large-flowered Solandra grandiflora, which diffusing

itself among the branches of the largest trees of the forest gives

them a magnificence not their own; and a showy species of

Fuchsia, which is very common, attaching itself to all kinds of

trees, and often reaching to a height of forty and fifty feet.

2nd. Shrubs.—The shrubs which are found in the virgin

forests principally consist of numerous species of Rubiacee,

Myrtacee, Melastomacee, and Palms ; Franciscea ramosissima,

(Pohl), and another species allied to Pohl’s F. hydrangee-

172 Mr. Gardner’s Journey to the Organ Mountains,

Sormis, Cybianthus cuneifolius, (Mart.) which is very abundant,

and several fruticose Composite.

3rd. Herbaceous Plants.—These are often very numerous,

particularly in moist shady situations. They consist of great

profusion of ferns, suffruticose and herbaceous species of Be-

gonia, some of them with very large foliage, and rising to the

height of twelve and fifteen feet. In dry rocky places Brome-

liacee, Orchidee, and Dorstenie prevail, mixed with suffru-

ticose and tuberous-rooted species of Gesneriacec.

Having thus given a general view of the vegetation of the

Organ Mountains at an elevation of three thousand feet above

the level of the sea, I shall now offer an account of two jour-

neys which I made to the high peaks of that range. The es-

timated altitude of the loftiest point is six thousand feet, and

consequently is three thousand feet above Mr. March’s house,

which is the highest on the range. The only botanists who

have visited his estate are Langsdorff, Burchell, and a German

of the name of Lhotsky. The former explored the vegetation

in the neighbourhood of the fazenda during a few weeks,

about twelve or thirteen years ago; Mr. Burchell remained

six weeks, nine or ten years since ; and Lhotsky two or three

weeks only, five years ago. None of them botanized higher

than the level of Mr. March’s house, and the knowledge of

this fact made me the more anxious to spend a few days

among the high peaks for the purpose of making collections

of their vegetable productions. I had fixed on the early

part of April for going up, but the whole of that month was

so wet that I was prevented at that time from putting my de-

sign into execution. May however having set in fine, I set

off on the morning of the 6th accompanied by four negroes.

One of them, a Creole upwards of sixty years of age, was to

act as guide. This old fellow is one of the most active, not

only of blacks, but of any individual of his years I have ever

seen. From his infancy he had been used to the woods, and

is one of the best hunters on the estate. The other three

were engaged to carry provisions and to assist in taking home

my collections. We entered the forest at about a mile to the

north of Mr. March’s house, and our route for that day was

Se ee ee ee

with Remarks on their Vegetation. 173

nearly due west. Two years ago an English merchant for

mere curiosity ascended to within a few hundred feet of the

summit of the highest peak, guided by the same old black who

accompanied me. For the first few miles we were able to

keep on the path which he had made, but from the rapid

growth of the bamboos and underwood through which it had

been cut, it was as difficult to force our way through it as if

no path had ever been made. Our progress was but slow,

one of the blacks requiring to go before in order to cut a way.

Some of the bamboos are of immense size; I measured several

more than four inches in diameter, and their height could not

be less than sixty or seventy feet. The internodes are always

half filled with water, obviously secreted by the plant itself.

Prince Maximilian in his travels speaks of this fluid as form-

ing a most refreshing beverage to hunters and others in the

woods. I have frequently tasted it, but always found it so

nauseous that the most urgent thirst alone would compel me

to drink it.

Near the entrance of the wood we passed a large species of

Copaifera, the lower part of the stem of which had been

pierced for the purpose of obtaining the balsam which exudes

from it. For several miles our route lay nearly parallel with

a small river, along the banks of which grew some very large

trees, among which I observed a large species of Laurus and

another of Lasiandra, both in flower. The underwood con-

sisted of great variety of shrubby Melastomacee, Myrtacee,

Rubiacee, and suffruticose species of Begonia. Beautiful ferns

and handsome flowered Begonie were trod down at every

footstep.: The stems of the large trees were covered with

Bromelie, Tillandsie, Orchidee, ferns, and climbing species of

Begonia. Occasionally a large plant of Cereus (Cactus) trun- °

catus was to be seen hanging from the stem of some large

tree covered with hundreds of beautiful pink blossoms. Among

the shrubs I found Cydianthus cuneifolius (Mart.), and col-

lected specimens both in flower and in fruit. The latter not

having been found by Martius I have been enabled to note

its structure, respecting which the only fact worthy of being

noticed in this place is the circumstance of its embryo having

four cotyledons: as none of the species of the order are men-

174 Mr. Gardner’s Journey to the Organ Mountains,

tioned either by Decandolle or Lindley to be possessed of

this conformation, it seems to be an anomaly. The plant

grows in shady places of the forest, and reaches to a height of

from four to six feet, with the leaves growing for the most

part at the ends of the long slender branches. In crossing

over a hill about five hundred feet high, the low trees on the

top of it were literally covered with various species of Orchi-

dee, but I found nothing among them that I had not pre-

viously met with. Several large plants of Oncidium divaricatum

were in flower, as were also a small Mazillaria and some

small EHpidendra. On this hill 1 observed two species of

Bambuse different from the large kinds in the woods below.

One of them had the internodes considerably shorter in pro-

portion to the size of the plant, and was altogether much

smaller.. The other species was still less, its stem not being

more than a quarter of an inch in diameter, but continuing

of that thickness to a height of fifteen or twenty feet. The

getting through these was the most difficult part of our day’s

journey. At 4 p.m. we reached a place by the side of a small

stream, where I determined to remain for the night ; and while

the blacks were occupied in cutting wood for a fire and in

preparing some food, I went up the course of the little stream

in search of plants; as I estimated this spot to be about 4500

feet high, and naturally expected a different vegetation from

what there was in the plain below. The first plant that at-

tracted my attention was what I then imagined to be a fine

individual of Cereus truncatus in full flower hanging from the

under side of the trunk of a large tree that was bent over the

stream. As I wanted to add a few specimens of it to my col-

lection I soon managed to put myself in possession of the

whole plant, when to my surprise and delight I found it to be

a new species. I felt glad that I had taken the plant down

and not passed it by as I had once intended. In habit it is

quite like C. truncatus, but when the flowers are examined it

proves abundantly distinct, in its four winged ovarium, its

straight and regular, not oblique and irregular, flower, the

deeper and more delicate hue of the inflorescence, and the pink

not white colour of its filaments. I have named it Cereus

Russellianus in honour of His Grace the Duke of Bedford. A

fo:

0 EE a ee eee

with Remarks on their Vegetation. 175

little way further up, by the side of a small water-fall, and on a

moist slanting bank near it, I found great quantities of a fine

dark red-flowered Amaryllis, of which I collected specimens

and took up a good many of the roots. It is perhaps unde-

scribed, as I can find nothing to agree with it in my books,

but this may soon be ascertained as I have sent home speci-

mens and a great many bulbs. The place where it grows is

one of the most charming I have ever seen. ‘The bed of the

stream is about ten feet broad, but it is only during heavy rains

that it covers this space. At this time the stream was little

more than perceptible. The water falls over three successive

shelves of granite, each about eight feet high ; along the stream

at the bottom of the fall there are several middle-sized trees,

the branches of which are festooned with the long branches of

the same Fuchsia as grows abundantly below, loaded with

splendid crimson flowers. By the side of the fall are several

bushes of a large flowered species of Lasiandra, and along with

them a few of a red-blossomed Virgularia, and a broad thick-

leaved species of Clusia, loading the atmosphere with a delight-

ful odour arising from its large white inflorescence. Beneath

these grows the Amaryllis already mentioned, an Eryngium,

and several Bromeliacee. On the face of the rocks I saw se-

veral mosses, but none of them in fruit. Having gained the

upper part of the fall I found a space extending to a consider-

able distance on each side and for some way up the mountain,

destitute of trees;—nothing but bare portions of rock with oc-

casional masses of low shrubs and herbaceous plants. Among

these, the beautiful Zygopetalon Mackaii, and the odoriferous

Mawillaria picta, were not the least common. Darkness now

beginning to set in, I returned to the encampment, and found

a large fire lighted and something prepared to eat. After din-

ner I put the plants which I had collected during the day into

paper. The evening was so fine that I considered the erection

of a hut unnecessary, and lay down about 8 p.m. on a few palm

leaves by the fire, with my poncho wrapped round me, to pass

the night.

When I arose next morning at day break I found the ther-

mometer at 46°. While breakfast was preparing I again went

out to botanize, but added little more than a few ferns to my

176 Mr. Gardner’s Journey to the Organ Mountains,

collection of the previous evening. Our journey of the first

day to the place where we now halted was of very gradual

ascent. To-day we commenced the ascent proper of the peaks.

Leaving behind all that was not actually necessary to be taken

with us, we commenced our journey by passing the little water-

fall and walking up the bed of the stream along the gently slo-

ping fall of a granite rock. The ascent of several parts of

this was rather difficult, having to crawl up on our hands

and knees. After half an hour’s hard work we reached a com-

paratively flat wooded spot. On the steep part I collected in

moist places an Eriocaulon, a Gentiana, and a few other curious

little plants, and saw also a small Drosera, but could meet

with none of it in flower. In passing through the wood above

mentioned I saw great plenty of my new Cactus growing on

the stems of the larger trees. Emerging from the wood we

again encountered another steep place almost entirely covered

with a large species of Bromeliacee, above which rose a few

plants ofa fine large scarlet-flowered shrubby species of Salvia

and a pale blossomed Virgularia, while, twining among thin

stems was a small-!eaved and small white-flowered species of

Apocynee, of all of which I collected specimens. On a nearly

bare portion of the rock I also found an herbaceous plant be-

longing to the natural order Gentianee. It grows from a foot

to a foot and ahalf high, with thick succulent glaucous leaves,

the upper ones connate, from out of which proceed about half

a dozen pedicles each bearing a single flower. The inflores-

cence is large, the calyx much inflated and tinged with pur-

ple, particularly on one side. The pale yellowish-white corolla

is nearly hidden by the calyx. The stamens are six. As I

believe this to be the type of a new genus I have called it

Gastrocalyx connatus. 'The seed-vessels were all too young

to enable me to procure ripe seeds of it, a circumstance which

I much regretted. Passing this place we again entered a

wooded district of the mountain. Here we found many anta

(tapir) paths, as we had also done the day previous, in the

woods below along which we passed, thus rendering our pro-

gress much quicker than it otherwise would have been, as the

branches above only required to be cut away to make a good

road. Judging from the abundance of the tracks which we

with Remarks on their Vegetation. 177

here met with, the tapir must be a very common animal in this

remote and solitary part of the mountains. Here they are as

yet out of the reach of the hunter, who commits great havoc

among those of the lower woods, and there is also abundance

of herbage to supply them with food. In passing through this

forest one of the blacks shot a Jacutinga, (Penelope Jacutinga,

Spix), and I collected a few orchideous plants and specimens

of a large yellow-flowered Senecio. Leaving this wood we

came upon a slanting boggy piece of ground, in ascending

which I found a fruticose proteaceous-like species of Composite,

perhaps a Baccharis ; a Vaccinium and Andromeda (?) both in

fruit ; two species of Melastomacee, one of them with large

eas flowers and small leaves ; abundance of the Hriocaulon

which I met with further down ; a Utricularia, a Hyptis, and

a Salvia. Judging from the top of the mountain we were now

at an elevation of more than five thousand feet. Inthe wood

through which we last passed there were no large trees, and

those of another which we had now entered were still smaller,

the highest not exceeding fifteen or twenty feet. Leaving it

we commenced the ascent of a very steep place covered with

low shrubs, among which were three species of Melastomacee

which I had not before found, a frutescent Lobelia, and at a

considerably higher elevation the ground was principally co-

vered with Gaultheria hispida (Sprengel), and a Weinmannia,

of which I could only find three specimens in flower. The

Gaultheria grows from two to three feet high, and the Wein-

mannia a little higher. Wecontinued our way for more than

an hour through this stunted vegetation, making but slow pro-

gress, although we were much facilitated by having the path

of the tapir to crawl up. By following this tract we reached

a point whence we had a beautiful prospect of the surround-

ing country, particularly to the eastward, where as far as the

eye could reach it was one mass of conical shaped hills, one

ridge only rising to a considerable elevation above the rest.

The point which we had attained was the summit of one of

the many peaks which form the range of the Organ Moun-

tains. At less than a quarter of a mile distant stood the high-

est peak, and certainly not more than three hundred feet above

us; but between the two peaks lay a densely wooded ravine

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 1. No. 3. May 1838. N

178 Mr. Gardner’s Journey to the Organ Mountains,

about two hundred feet deep. It being now two o’clock p.m.

it was too late to think of ascending it that day; so I deter-

mined to remain where we were for the night and attempt it

next day, but the blacks refused to do so on account of no

water being nearer than a little above where we had slept the

night previous. As I could not force them to remain, I was

consequently, much against my will, obliged to abandon all

idea of reaching the summit. Not having.a barometer with

me I took up a thermometer that I might ascertain the boil-

ing point of water; but unfortunately broke the tube before

I could do so. On the very top of the peak, a granite rock

almost destitute of soil, I found a great patch of a large bul-

bous-rooted plant: it was not in flower, but had all the appear-

ance of being an Amaryllis. I carried some away and have

since sent home a good many roots of it. After partaking of

a slight repast we commenced our downward journey, and

reached our encampment just as evening was setting in. After

preparing a little tea for myself I put my day’s collection of

specimens into paper, and again lay down wrapped in my

poncho to enjoy some rest, being not a little fatigued with the

toils of the day. At 6 a.m. next morning the thermometer in-

dicated 47°. After breakfast I brought all my collection of

parasites, bulbs, &c. together, and allotted to each negro his

burden, the weight of which caused no little grumbling among

them; but when they saw me load myself as heavily as any

of them they said nothing. We started at 8 a.m. and followed

the route by which we had come. The only thing which I

picked up on my way back worthy of notice was a new spe-

cies of Zygopetalon growing on the stem of an old tree. It

is not so fine as either of the other two Brazilian species. Its

petals and sepals are greenish-yellow, the labellum white,

streaked at the base with purple. I have named it Z. Mur-

rayanum in honour of my excellent friend Mr. Murray of the

Glasgow Botanic Garden. At 4 o’cloek p.m., groaning under

our loads, we reached the fazenda.

Being anxious to obtain a few more plants of the new Cactus,

and also a larger stock of those bulbous plants which I had

met with on my visit to the mountains, as well as to add more

specimens to my collection of dried plants, I made prepara-

with Remarks on their Vegetation. 179

tions on the evening of the 14th of May for starting on the fol-

lowing morning. On this journey I was again accompanied by

my old guide “ Pai Phelipe” and the other three blacks. We

left the fazenda at 8 a.m. and reached our former encampment

at 3-p.m. After dinner I went out to botanize, taking three of

the blacks with me. One of them I left at the little water-fall

to collect bulbs of the Amaryllis formerly mentioned as grow-

ing there ; the other two accompanied me to assist in collect-

ing specimens; and I was thus enabled to add considerably

to my previous stock ; but the only new thing I met with was

a species of Melastomacee, a tree about ten or twelve feet high

covered with small white flowers. After getting all my spe-

cimens put into paper I once more lay down on a few palm

leaves covered with my poncho to pass the night. We arose

next morning by break of day, when I found the thermometer

at 50°. As there was little to be had on the top of the moun-

tain but the bulbous roots already mentioned, I sent two

of the blacks up to bring-as: many of these as they could

carry, intending myself to walk slowly with the other two to

the bog in which I formerly found the Vaccinium. During

my walk I gathered plenty of Cereus Russellianus. This plant

is a good example of nearly allied species representing each

other in different regions. During the four times that I passed

through the woods in my journey to and from the mountains,

I always found Cereus truncatus confined to the dense virgin

forests below the elevation of 4500 feet, while from that point

to nearly 6009 feet Cereus Russellianus alone was seen. Little

new was added to my number of species on this visit, but I

- much increased my former limited stock of specimens. Early

in the afternoon the two blacks and myself returned to the

spot from whence we had started loaded with collections.

The day was one of the most delightful I ever remember to

have witnessed, quite like one of the finest days of an English

summer. The sky was clear and unclouded, and the atmo-

sphere being free from that haze which often in the finest

weather renders the view of distant objects indistinct, allowed

us to obtain a perfect and well-defined prospect of the outline

of the high mountains far to the eastward. Shortly after the

other two blacks returned from the top of the mountains.

N 2

180 Mr. Gardner’s Journey to the Organ Mountains.

One of them brought me a single specimen of a beautiful little

Alstreemeria in flower. I had observed it on my former visit,

but the few plants which I then met with were in fruit, and

as the seeds were ripe I carefully preserved them. Having

got all my specimens safely put into paper, I lay down shortly

after seven, little dreaming what a miserable night I was to

spend. I had just fallen asleep when I was suddenly awaken-

ed by a deluge of rain which was pouring down. One of

those sudden and heavy showers which are only witnessed in

tropical countries had commenced. Had we been in an open

place we might have seen it approaching and been able to

reach some shelter before it came on, but the tops of the

trees by which we were covered had prevented this. I never

was abroad in such weather. In a few minutes our large fire

was extinguished and the place was swimming. I had laid a

small bag of Amaryllis roots under my head as a pillow, which

I now was obliged to use as a seat, after having covered my-

self with my poncho, which although a good one was but a

poor protection for such a night. In half an hour the small

stream beside us, which during the day had only a few inches

of water, came pouring down like thunder. To add to our

misery, the night was pitch-dark, so that we could not see to

remedy our situation. What a night I spent may be imagined

when I mention that I sat in one position from half-past seven

in the evening till nearly three the next morning, under an

incessant deluge of rain. A more perfect picture of patience

I flatter myself could not be witnessed. About three it began

to abate a little, and being in a shivering condition from the

cold and wet, we made several attempts to kindle a fire, but

without success ; everything being too wet to burn, and we

were therefore obliged to content ourselves without one. By

seating myself at the root of a tree, and leaning my back

against it, I managed, at four different intervals, to obtain about

an hour’s sleep, but constantly awoke, cold and shivering.

Never was I so glad as when the first rays of daylight were

seen streaming through the trees ; and as soon as we could see,

we lost no time in preparing to return home. Shortly after

we started the rain began, and continued till we reached the

fazenda, which we did at two p.m. On my way home I col-

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 181

lected a few specimens of a digitate-leaved species of Mi-

kania.

Up to the beginning of June I still continued to add to my

-stock of dried specimens, and on the 9th of that month left

the mountains, with all my collections, for the city of Rio de

Janeiro.

Gro. GARDNER.

Rio de Janeiro, July 14th, 1837.

XVIII.—Contributions to the Natural History of Ireland. By

Wiuu1AmM Tompson, Esq., Vice-President of the Belfast

Natural History Society.

No. 6.—On the Birds of the Order Insessores.

[Continued from p. 26. ]

Tue Prep Waetait, Motacilla alba, Linn.*—Is a common

_ species in this country, and though said to leave the northern

to winter in the southern parts of England, is in the northern

counties of Ireland permanently resident. One disposition

towards a movement may however be witnessed, which is their

collecting in the autumn in flocks, commonly consisting of

about thirty individuals. Thus have I seen them at the end

of September, on the borders of Lough Neagh, and have so

observed them come to roost upon the reeds (Arundo phrag-

mitis,) and the adjacent ground, on the banks of the river

Lagan, until after the middle of November; but I am not

aware whether the portion of these birds so congregated ever

move southwards. Mr. R. Ball has likewise observed them

in large flocks in the south of Ireland about Youghal, during

the month of October. Towards the end of January the song

of the wagtail is frequently heard in the north, and occasionally

* The pied wagtail of Ireland is identical with the M, alba of British

authors generally, and with the M. Yarrelli of Mr. Gould. By this author

a new name has been applied to it, as he states, in consequence of a species

peculiar to the temperate portion of continental Europe being the true

M. alba of Linneus, and from which the British species is distinct. (Mag.

Nat. Hist. vol. i. p.459, New Series.) The two characters which form the

description of M. alba in the ‘Systema Nature,’ are found in our bird.

These are “ pectore nigro, rectricibus duabus lateralibus dimidiato oblique

albis,” t. i. p. 331, 13th ed.

182 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

so late as in October. The situations generally known to me

as selected for its nest were on the ground beneath piles of

loosely heaped stones, the eggs four in number, and as de-

scribed by Mr. Selby. A nest examined by my relative was,

excepting some thread and bits of cloth in its foundation, en-

tirely formed of cow and horse hair,

Montagu remarks of this species (Orn. Dict.), “as the

weather becomes severe, they haunt marshes subject to the

flow of the tide. In such places on the coast we have seen

them in abundance, when none were to be found inland.” In

the north of Ireland they are always to be met with in the in-

terior of the country, and in the most genial seasons of the

year frequent the sea-side when the tide has ebbed. Like the

dunlin (Tringa variabilis), and birds of similar habits, I have

in some localities observed them daily attend upon the flowing

tide in autumn. During the breeding season they have oc-

curred to me on small and low rocky islets in the sea.

The wagtails are very general favourites. It is interesting

to observe their confidence in man, which is especially shown

in their closely following and keeping pace with the plough

and harrow, when the loud calling of the driver to his horses

or other noise they heed not, as if knowing it is not addressed

to them. In thus feeding; one manner only of taking their

prey is resorted to; but elsewhere, when winged insects are

the objects of pursuit, we may see in addition to running, both

leaping and flying adopted; in the last they resemble the

spotted fly-catcher, and through the air I have seen them

pursue insects as far as this species. It is amusing to behold

what appears to be their playfulness of manner towards other

birds, and the reception it meets with from them. Thus have

I seen one fly out to sea after a king plover (Charadrius Hia-

ticula), and strike at it several times, the latter exerting all its

powers to avoid it, as if the wagtail, not more than half its

weight, were a bird of prey. Again, when one of these birds

and a yellow bunting were feeding near each other, the wag- |

tail gave chase to the latter, and after taking many turns,

through all of which they maintained a regular distance of about

a foot from each other, they alighted peaceably on the same

stone ; the chase thus seeming to have been undertaken for

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 183

mere diversion. On another occasion I saw a pair of wagtails

pursue, to its great annoyance, a poor bat (Vespertilio Pipistrel-

dus?) that untowardly appeared during one of the dark days

of December (9th, 1832).

Gray WacGtTaiL, Motacilla Boarula, Linn.—This beautiful

and graceful species, though much less common than the last,

is extensively, but not universally distributed over Ireland.

Like the pied wagtail it is permanently resident throughout the

country, whilst in the north of England it is known only as a

summer, and in the south* (in general terms) as a winter vi-

sitor. For many years I have remarked its presence during

every winter in the counties of Down and Antrim, and about

the mountain rivulets as well as those adjacent to the sea.

When by frost and snow the woodcocks have been driven from

the mountain heaths to the covers, and the snipes from the

marshes to the unfrozen springs, I have observed the gray

wagtail in its summer haunts about the ponds at the moun-

tainous locality of Wolfhill. At this season and late in the

autumn it is occasionally seen in places of a very different

character—in the extensive tan-yards, &c. of Belfast.

The situations generally selected for the nest are holes in

walls, those of bridges, about mill-wheels, or otherwise conti-

guous to water being preferred. In the romantic glens they .

also build, and for this purpose a pair generally resorts to a

fissure of the rock beside a picturesque cascade at “the Falls,”

just such a place as would be chosen by the water-ouzel. On

the 18th of March my relative has observed a pair of these

birds apparently contemplating nidification, by minutely ex-

amining their former breeding haunts, and on the 12th of May

has seen the young of the first brood on wing, though still re-

quiring their parents’ aid to feed them. The nest is generally

formed of grasses and lined with horse-hair. I have invariably

remarked the female as well as the male to possess the black

mark on the throat in the nuptial season. After Montagu and

Selby it may seem unnecessary to allude to this, but Tem-

minck’s having described it as characteristic of the male only,

* On August 28th I saw it in the gravelly bed of the river at Dole in

— In the third week of March I have remarked it at Ogley Pool, North

ales.

184 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

has induced the observation. Throughout the winter the gray

wagtail generally keeps in pairs; in autumn only have I seen

a whole family, and never more together. Their prey is taken

by the different methods described in the notice of the last spe-

cies. About the head of mountain springs I have frequently

observed this attractive bird, but knew not the object of its

pursuit in these interesting spots, until the examination of the

stomach of one in the month of December proved it, at least

in one instance, to have been the minute river limpet, Ancylus

fluviatilis, of which it contained many specimens. In so far —

as the haunts of M. alba and M. Boarula are regarded, I can-

not see the advantage of Cuvier’s division of the wagtails into

two genera. Under Budytes, a name suggested by its being

often seen among cattle (Rég. An. t. i. p. 391, 2nd ed.), he

ranks the gray, and under Motacilla, which is stated generally

to be seen about waters, is classed the pied ; but, according to

my observation, if either bird should in general terms be de-

scribed as frequenting pastures, and hunting insects among

the flocks, it should be the WM. alba ; and if hunting the vici-

nity of waters should be regarded as characteristic of the one

rather than the other, it should be of the M. Boarula. The

“form” of M. flava renders the propriety of his sub-genus more

obvious.

YELLOw WaeralL, Motacilla flava, Ray —Mr. Templeton

has remarked that this species is “arare summer visitant, ap-

pearing more commonly about Lough Neagh than elsewhere.”

From the observations of ornithologists in various parts of the

country, it seems to be generally a rare species. To myself

it has in Ireland* oceurred but once in a wild state, on June

24, 1832, in a turf bog on the confines of the county Donegal,

a few miles from the city of Londonderry. But once has it

been seen by Wm. Sinclaire, Esq., when, on April 28, 1833, a

single individual appeared, and on that day only, at “The Falls.””

In the collection of T. W. Warren, Esq. of Dublin, I have

seen a specimen} which was shot at Finglass, near that city,

* In England I have seen it in the month of July about the lakes of

Hawes-water and Windermete.

+ This is the true M. flava as distinguished from the J. neglecta of

Gould. ¢

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 185

about the 20th of April, 1835: it is the only individual that

has come under this gentleman’s observation. A specimen

set up by Mr. Wm. S. Wall, of Dublin, is stated to have been

shot in the vicinity of the Custom-house in May, 1837. In

the southern counties of Cork and Kerry it has not been met

with by my correspondents.

Meapow Pipit, Anthus pratensis, Bechst.—This bird is

very common in Ireland, from the meadows adjacent to the sea-

shore, and occasionally the shore itself, to the mountain tracts

of the very greatest elevation. It is permanently resident, but

suffers much from severe frost and snow, and during such

times is occasionally driven for food to the streets of Belfast,

where it has been noticed after even two nights of frost. I

once saw a meadow pipit walk into the sea and deliberately

give itself a complete washing. It is mentioned by my rela-

tive that one of these birds feigned being wounded for the

purpose of withdrawing his attention from its nest. My friend

» at Cromac has frequently found the nest of the meadow pipit

on the banks of water-courses and drains, as well as on the

ground in fields. One which was known to him at the side of

a drain was discovered by some bird-nesting boys, who pulled

the grass away that concealed it. On visiting it the next day,

he observed a quantity of withered grass laid regularly across

the nest ; on removing this, which from its contrast in colour

with the surrounding herbage he considered must have been

placed here as a mark by the boys, the bird flew off the nest ;

and on his returning the following day he found the grass si-

milarly placed, and perceived a small aperture beneath it, by

which the bird took its departure, thus indicating that the

screen which harmonized so ill with the surrounding verdure

had been brought there by the bird itself. The same gentle-

man once introduced the egg of a hedge accentor into a mea-

dow pipit’s nest, containing two of its own eggs; but after a

third egg was laid, the nest was abandoned.

‘The stomach of one of these birds, examined by me in De-

cember, was chiefly filled with minute coleopterous insects,

but also contained worms, minute fragments of brick, and two

perfect specimens of the shell Bulimus lubricus. This pipit

186 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

is commonly called “moss cheeper” in the north; by the

name of “ we keén” it is known in Kerry*.,

Rock Pipir, Anthus aquaticus, Bechst.—Although this

species does not appear, in Mr. Templeton’s published Cata-

logue of the Irish Vertebrata, known to his father (Mag. Nat.

Hist., vol. i. new series), I find by reference to the MS. that

he was acquainted with it. Under the name of Alauda pe-

trosa it is remarked, “ common about the rocks on the shore?’

The rock pipit is found on the coasts of Ireland throughout

the year, and has on those of the north, west, south, and east

occurred to me. Itis nowhere more plentiful than about the

rocky marine islets, of which the south islands of Arran, by

reason of their extreme western position (off the coast of

Clare), may be particularised,

With the following observations of Montagu my own en-

tirely agree. He remarks of the rock pipit that “ it seems

wholly confined to the neighbourhood of the sea, and is never

found, even in winter, more remote than the contiguous

marshes within the occasional influx of the tide, depending

chiefly on marine insects for its subsistence, and has never

been observed to be gregarious.” (Art. Rock Lark in Orn.

Dict.) Mr. Selby has observed it to be “strictly confined to

the rocky and abrupt shores :” (Ill. Brit. Orn., vol. i. p. 259.)

but close to the town of Belfast it frequents a coast of the very

opposite character, as on the lowest and most oozy part of the

beach ; it may always be seen about the rejectamenta of the

tide, consisting chiefly, in the situation alluded to, of the Zo-

stera marina, the accumulated masses of which form the chief

* Anthus arboreus, Bechst. On April 12, 1827, I for some time gave

attention to a bird at “ The Falls,” that, for general appearance, manner of

singing, &c., as described by Mr. Selby, I concluded must be this species.

One or two ornithological friends have likewise similarly seen a pipit, which

they presumed to be the 4. arboreus, but specimens have not been obtained

for examination that its identity might be determined. It is probably the

tree pipit that is alluded to in the following passage from Smith’s History

of Cork, published in 1774 (p. 338, 2nd ed.): “The Alauda pratorum,

Aldrov., or titlark, which is in England a bird of passage, is a stranger to

Ireland. Dr. Rutly informs me that an eminent bird-catcher is now in-

troducing them as a novelty in Dublin, being much esteemed for their sweet

note. Another species, called the pippit or 4lauda minor, whose legs are

yellow, and a smaller kind of lark, is a constant attendant to the cuckoo, as

a good bird-catcher assures us.”

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 187

attraction. To stony embankments, piers, and similar erec-

tions it is likewise partial. These Temminck mentions it to

frequent in Holland; but part of his remarks on the Anthus

aquaticus are very different from those of British authors*.

In pursuit of food we find most of the true shore birds

(Grallatores) frequenting the bare beach, whether oozy, gra-

velly, or sandy, but the rock pipit generally seeks its suste-

naiice either on the masses of seaweed which when growing are

exposed at ebb-tide, or on those which have been cast ashore.

When looking for the nests of terns upon the Mew Island,

off the coast of Down, on the 13th of June, I discovered one of

the rock pipit; this was entirely composed of fine grasses,

which also served for liming. It was on the ground, at the

base of a narrow ledge of rock, and contained three eggs ;

these were greenish white, closely and pretty uniformly

speckled all over with pale brown. The specimens of this bird,

which I have critically examined, correspond with Temminck’s

description of the young birds of the year.

Tue WueEat-EKar, Saxicola Ginanthe, Bechst.—Is a regu-

lar summer visitor to and commonly distributed over Ireland

and the surrounding islands. Nowhere have I observed it

in greater numbers than in the extreme north-west ; and when

visiting the largest of the south islands of Arran on the 8th

of July, 1834, accompanied by Robert Ball, Esq., it was the

only land bird of passage we met with. In the north the

wheat-ear is generally the earliest of the summer birds in its

arrival, appearing in the last week of March ; to this, however,

the late spring of 1837 proved an exception, the 15th of April

being the earliest date of its occurrence known to me about

Belfast. By my correspondent in Kerry it has not been seen

before the 25th of March. Although it is not the disposition

of this species to congregate, about a dozen were on April the

3rd, 1836, observed together contiguous to the sea near Belfast,

* Temminck observes under “ Habite: particuligrement le midi de

Y Europe, ot il niche; seulement de passage dans les provinces tempérées,

le long des bordes des eaux et des fleuves, aux environs de Paris, ** #

Niche dans les pays en montagnes, méme sur les plateaux stériles de celles

qui sont trés-élevées, comme les Pyrénées et autres; plus rarement sur les

falaises et sur les roes qui bordent la mer.” Man. Orn. Eur., part 1, p-

267, 2nd ed. Again, in Part 3 of this work it is remarked, “ Vit en Suisse

et sur le Rhin,” p. 189.

188 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

and from so appearing at this season they had very probably

‘migrated in company. Throughout our wild mountain pastures,

as well as the rabbit-burrows and sand-hills that skirt the coast,

the wheat-ear is found in its season, and in the first-mentioned

localities, where even at the most genial period of the year we

see but few of the feathered tribe, is highly attractive from the

beauty of its plumage, lively habits, and variously uttered

song. In such situations it nestles in old stone walls. The

egos I have examined, in form, size, and colour strongly

resemble those of the hedge accentor, but on minute in-

spection differ from the uniform bluish-green colour of the

eggs of this species, in being faintly speckled with very light

brown.

During the first week of October I have seen wheat-ears in

the vicinity of the sea in Downshire, but have never known

any to be met with in the winter, as they are “in many parts

of the south of England” (White’s Selborne, p. 257, &c. ed.

1837); nor are they ever specially looked after for the table

in the north of Ireland ; indeed, for this purpose the species

does not appear here in sufficient numbers. In his Natural

History of the county of Dublin, Rutly remarks that “it is

excellent food and very fat, and for its delicacy is by some

called the Irish ortolan” (vol. i. p. 313).

THe Wuin-Cuat, Savicola Rubetra, Bechst.—Like the

wheat-ear, is a regular summer visitant to this country, but is

much less diffused; besides, its places of resort contribute to

render it still less known than, as a regular bird of passage, it

might be. These about Belfast are chiefly the base of the

mountains and the adjacent fields. It is in the north of Ire-

land, as elsewhere in the British Islands, considerably later in

its arrival than the wheat-ear. In Mr. Stewart’s catalogue it is

described as common in Donegal *, and so it is also stated by

Mr. Neligan to be in Kerry. This gentleman has remarked

to me that the whin-chat is very partial to alighting on docks

(Rumex) in the meadows it frequents, and that every summer

it resorts to the same fields. In 1832 and 1833 the whin-chat

was seen by the Rev. T. Knox about Killaloe, where he consi-

* From the adjoining county of Fermanagh, as well as in Donegal, I have

seen specimens.

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 189

ders it rare. The stomach of one which came under his in-

spection was, excepting a caterpillar, filled with flies and beetles.

Tue Stone-Cuat, Savicola Rubicola, Bechst.—Is resident

and common throughout Ireland. Around Belfast it equally

frequents the old ditch-banks, covered with the sloe and

other shrubby plants, that surround the lowest-lying mea-

dows, and the furze, or whins, or other cover on the mountain

sides. In the earliest of the mild days of spring its song is

heard. At the end of April I have seen the parents carry

food to their young. My friend at Cromac has found its nests

both in low bushes and on the ground, but only once in the

latter situation. The stomach of one of these birds, sent to

me in December, was entirely filled with minute coleopterous

insects. ‘Temminck remarks that the stone-chat is resident.

in Africa, but in Europe is a bird of passage.

Great Titmouse, Parus major, Linn.—This is a common

species in Ireland, and is resident, like all the other titmice

found in the country. Town plantations, as well as those in

the country, are frequented by this bird. I have also re-

marked it in districts destitute of trees, and where white-

thorn hedges afforded it the only shelter. Soon after the mid-

dle of December its song is generally commenced in the north.

During last winter a pair of these birds, along with two blue

titmice, daily visited the window-sill of a friend’s house in

the country, at a particular hour, when crumbs of bread were

left there for them. The latter species only has renewed its

visits in the present winter. The stomach of a Parus major,

examined by me at the end of March, contained some seeds

and the remains of coleopterous insects.

Buve Titmouse, Parus ceruleus, Linn.—This is the most

common species of titmouse in Ireland. In the ordinary

places of resort its lively and varied attitudes have often been

_ described. In winter, whether mild or otherwise, this species

is very partial to the reeds fringing the river Lagan. The

force of one of these birds flying upon a reed sways it with a

graceful bend almost to the water, in which the lower portion

is immersed, but the bird nevertheless retains its grasp; then

betaking itself to another, rapidly runs up its stem from near

the base to its point, and almost dips into the river again. In

190 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

addition to its more ordinary haunts it feeds pretty much on the

highways, and occasionally builds in the walls of town gardens.

These birds are known to suffer considerably from the cold

of winter, and when kept in the house are also very sensible

to it. One in the possession of my friend at “the Falls,” when

let out of the cage in summer roosted upon its top; but in

winter, although in a warm room, selected the hottest place

for the night in which it could remain in safety, roosting under

the fender, which afforded it at the same time sufficient space

and shelter. This bird is from its familiarity and vivacity most

amusing. Its cage is covered with close netting, which it has

several times cut through and effected its escape into the

room, when it flies to the children, and if taking hold of a

piece of bread or cake in the hand of the youngest, will not

forego the object of attack, though shaken with the greatest

force the child can exert, and on one occasion so persecuted

her for a piece of apple that she ran crying out of the apart-

ment. It is especially fond of lump sugar. Confined in the

same cage with it are some other birds, and amongst them a

redbreast, which it has sometimes annoyed so much as to

bring upon its head several chastisements, but in such cases

the redbreast acted only on the defensive. Its favourite trick

is to pull the feathers out of its fellow prisoners, and by so

doing, it sadly tormented the young willow wren before men-

tioned, and made the same attempt even on a song thrush

lately introduced to its domicile, but by this bird it was suc-

cessfully repelled. It escaped out of doors several times, but

always returned without being sought for. The titmouse

often falls a victim to ignorance in this country as it does in

England, in consequence of the injury it is supposed to do to

fruit trees. Mr. Selby most justly pleads in favour of its

being’a friend rather than an enemy to the horticulturist ; and

Mr. Knapp, treating of the species very fully in his most

agreeable manner, is indignant that it should in these days be

ranked as vermin, and a reward be offered for its head. In

the stomachs of two specimens killed in March and December,

I found coleopterous and other insects. ‘“ Blue-bonnet” is

the common name of this species in the north of Ireland.

Marsu Tirmovuse, Parus palustris, Linn.—In Smith’s

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 191

History of the County of Cork it is remarked, “ Besides this

species (Parus major), there is also the cole titmouse, the black-

cap, the blue titmouse or nun, and the long-tailed titmouse”

(vol. ii. p. 340, 2nd edit.). Ifwe take for granted that the

term “black-cap” is correctly applied to a Parus, the marsh

titmouse must be considered the one that is meant. This

species is not commonly distributed in Ireland. In a very few

instances only has it occurred to me around Belfast, and not

in any other locality. By two ornithological friends it has

been met with but once or twice, and though within a few

miles of the town, the localities and times of appearance were

always, different. By R. Ball, Esq., it has been seen only about

Ballitore in the county of Kildare. In the collection of T. W.

Warren, Esq., a native specimen is preserved, which was shot

in the Pheenix Park near that city.

Cote Trrmouse, Parus ater, Linn.—Montagu and Selby

state that this species is less numerous in England than the

P. palustris, but in Ireland the relative proportion of the two

species is very different. To one only of my correspondents

is the latter known with certainty, but all who have bestowed

much attention on the subject attest the presence of the cole

titmouse in their respective counties, viz. Donegal, Clare,

Kerry, Cork, Tipperary, and Dublin. In the north generally,

and wherever I have been in suitable localities throughout the

country, it has occurred pretty commonly. Seeds as well as

insects, &c. form a portion of its food. In a plantation con-

sisting chiefly of the common pine (Pinus sylvestris) and the

alder, I once in the middle of December for a considerable

time observed some of these birds, accompanied by the gold-

crested regulus and lesser redpole (Fringilla Linaria).. They

were all occupied in flying from one alder to another, and were

intent on procuring the seed of this tree only. The various

attitudes of these three beautiful species were highly interest-

ing, as the light bunch of pendent seed admitted not of their

being stationary for a single moment. ‘To observe a troop of

titmice comprising three or four species, in addition to the

gold-crested regulus, and occasionally one or two others of our

smallest birds, moving about in company, now pausing as if

to display their graceful attitudes on a few adjacent trees, then

filing rapidly through the thickest plantations with the esprit

192 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

du corps of one species, has always been to me, but especially.

in the wintry wood, a source of much attraction, and at such

times their shrill little notes, evidently more than sight, serves

to keep them together. The following note appears in my

journal under the date of November 19, 1833:—Being in Colin

Glen to-day, I as a matter of course saw the gold-crested regu-

lus and the blue and cole titmice m company. I was amused

on observing both species of Parus cling to the centre of the

under side of the leaves of the sycamore (Acer Pseudo-Plata-

nus) still attached to the trees, and describe a circle with their

bills by picking with extreme rapidity all round them, during

which. operation their weight brought not to the ground a

single leaf, though all were “ sere and yellow.” The stomach

of one of these birds which came under my inspection at the

end of March, in addition to fragments of stone, contained

only seeds.

LONG-TAILED TitmovusE, Parus caudatus, Linn.—This

interesting bird, though not a well-known species in conse-

quence of its retired and wooded haunts, has long since been

recorded as indigenous to Ireland; and as such, appears in

the county histories of Cork (Smith’s) and Londonderry.

Rutly in his Natural History of Dublin remarks, that it “ was

found in the county in the winter of 1768.” It is at present

less known in the south than in the north; over which it is

diffused, but not very plentifully. None of my correspond-

ents resident in the province of Munster have seen this bird

in its native haunts ; but in the vicinity of Cahir, county of

Tipperary, it is stated to occur. Mr. R. Ball observes, that

the long-tailed titmouse is not uncommon about Dublin,

though around Youghal, his former place of residence, he

never met with it. Of late years its numbers seem to have

increased considerably throughout the north*, To the late

Mr. Templeton it occurred only twice; but within several miles

around Belfast this titmouse has for some years past been

seen wherever there is a sufficiently great extent of wood, this

alone being apparently the essential requisite to the species ;

as it oaney inhabits the plantations of the mountain glen,

. At the same time their numbers fall greatly short of those of P. cwru-

leus, which in Mr. Sampson’s catalogue of the Birds of Londonderry is said

to be less frequent than the P. caudatus.

Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 193

those around the beautiful seats which adorn the shores of

the bay and of the most highly improved demesnes in the

valley of the Lagan: a family of these birds appear particu-

larly interesting when flitting over the waters of the river and

about the overhanging trees that border it. When the beau-

tiful rosy hue of its breast is conspicuous, it adds much to the

attraction of this species. The first of these birds I ever saw

excited my attention by its peculiar note uttered when sta-

tionary, and though different from that of the others, had a

generic similarity which satisfied me that it must proceed from

some species of Parus. Its call when in motion is soft, thus

differing from the shrill little voices of some of the same ge-

nus, with with it seems less to consort than with the gold-

crested regulus.

On May 13, 1832, my relative describes, as an amusing

spectacle, a pair of these birds, which he saw feeding seven

young ones, which having left the nest were clustered together

on the branch of a tree within the space of about six inches.

The manner in which a family of long-tailed titmice crowd

together for warmth during snow and in the cold wintry night

has been well described; (vide Habits of Birds, p. 60, and note

to p.171 of White’s Selborne, ed. 1837,) but that it is the ordi-

nary habit of the species, and not consequent on the piercing

breath of winter, is indicated in the following note from my

journal, under the date of July 5, 1833. Mr. Wm. Sinclaire

remarks, that some days ago he was much entertained by ob-

serving a family of about ten or twelve long-tailed titmice

going to roost in company, when each individual endeavoured

to get as near the middle of the group as possible, and that

enviable situation was no sooner attained by a few than those

from the outskirts used all their efforts to insinuate them-

selves between them, and foiled in this, next exerted their

- powers to avoid being placed outside—in all respects just the |

winter practice. A similar procedure on the part of the gold-

crested regulus is described by Mr. Herbert in a note to White’s

Selborne, (p. 180, ed. 1837.). So many as twenty long-tailed

titmice have twice been reported to me as seen in company.

The stomach of one, which came under my examination in the

month of January, was filled with insect food, of which some

Ann. Nat. Hist, Vol.1. No.3. May 1838. O

194 Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland.

minute beetles were perfect. M.Temminck describes the

female only as having the black streak over the eyes; Mr.

Jenyns considers it common to both sexes: in nine specimens

of P. caudatus now before me, this marking is apparent, but

in some individuals is much better defined than in others; in

one only of them the sex was observed, when it proved to be

a male bird: of this sex it may fairly be presumed are others

of the remaining eight individuals*. |

Brarvep Titmouse, Parus biarmicus, Linn.—Of this bird

I have never seen a native individual, and can only repeat the

short notice of it as Irish communicated by me to the Zoolo-

gical Society of London in 1834. “ Mr. W.S. Wall, bird-pre-

server, Dublin, who is very conversant with British birds, as-

sures me that he received a specimen of this Parus from the

neighbourhood of the river Shannon a few years since.” Zool.

Proc., 1834, p. 30. Bewick’s admirably characteristic wood-

cuts of birds are of constant reference with Mr. Wall.

BoHemMiaAn Wax-Winea, Bombycivora garrula, Temm.—

Mr. Templeton has said of this bird : “ Sometimes seen about

Belfast, but more common in Tullamore Park, county Down ;

has been several times} shot in the county of Derry.” Mag.

Nat. Hist., vol. i. p.405, N.S. By a veteran sporting friend

the wax-wing has twice been obtained in the neighbourhood

of Belfast, and in both instances in- wooded glens within the

district of the Falls. One of these birds was shot rather more

than twenty years ago, and the other considerably before that

time, and when severe frost and snow prevailed. Mr. R. Ball

informs me, that about 1820, one was killed at Castle Martyr,

in the county of Cork. In the winter of 1822-23, a speci-

men of the Bombycilla Bohemica, Briss., was found dead in

the woods of Burton Hall, in the county of Carlow.” Zool.

Journ., vol. i. p.590. Dr. J. D. Marshall has noticed an in-

dividual which was shot in the neighbourhood of Dublin in

* Families of the long-tailed titmouse have frequently been seen by a

sporting friend on the wooded banks of the river Stincher in Ayrshire.

+ In the late Mr. Templeton’s MS. the word “ once” is used in the place

of *‘ several times” in the printed Catalogue. Another instance of the wax-

wing's occurrence in Ireland has been made known to me since the above was

written. The specimen was shot about the winter of 1825-26, in the Castle-

reagh Hills, county of Down.

Mr. Babington on a New English Species of Urtica: 195

1829, Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. ii. p.394. In the Belfast News-

letter of Dec. 20, 1831, the following paragraph appeared :—

“In the early part of last month a beautiful specimen of the

‘Bohemian wax-wing (Bombycilla Bohemica, Briss.), was shot

in Newtownlimavady. It was perched upon a rowan tree in

a garden, and seemed busily employed in picking off the ber-

ries; many of them were found in its craw when it was

opened,” In the collection of Dr. R. Graves of Dublin, T have

seen one which was killed in Ireland. On Feb. 6, 1835*, an

extremely beautiful individual of this species was shot in a gar-

den at Ballymacarret, in the suburbs of Belfast, and on the

following day another was seen at the same place. The former,

which came under my inspection, proved on dissection to be

a female ; its stomach, which I did not examine until the 10th,

four days after its death, was entirely filled with the hairs of the

white-thorn (Crategus Oxyacantha), which possessed an odour

as fresh as ifjyust plucked from the tree. Each wing exhibited

six plumelets, with their scarlet wax-like adornments; some

authors have described the female as wanting these altogether,

and the greatest number I have seen attributed to her are four

or five. (Temm.) In a few other instances, but without par-

ticulars, I have had reports of the wax-wing’s occurrence in

Ireland.

XIX.—On a New English Species of Urtica. By CuaruEs

C. Basineton, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c.

Ar a recent meeting of the Cambridge Ray Club my atten-

tion was drawn (by the Rev. Dr. Jermyn,) to the fact, that two

very distinct plants existed in our native herbaria under the

name of Urtica pilulifera, Linn., and I can only account for

our not having previously observed their differences from the

circumstance, that English specimens of the true plant of Lin-

nzus do not exist in the collections of Cambridge botanists.

Upon further examination I was much pleased by finding

that one of these plants was the true U. pilulifera, and that

-* Just at this time a specimen was mentioned in the papers to have been

shot near Alcesterin England.

196 Mr. Babington on a New English Species of Urtica.

the other exactly corresponded with the U. Dodartit of Lin-

neeus, of which there is a specimen in the University Her-

barium, ticketed as the plant of Dodart by the elder Martyn,

and also another with the Linnzan description appended in

the hand-writing of the younger Martyn. In the Linnean

Herbarium there is a specimen which quite accords with our

native plant, but its locality is unknown. Dodart’s original

figure agrees very well with our plant, as do the descriptions

of all the authors to which I have been able to refer. In

Smith’s Herbarium there is a specimen, marked U. Dodarti,

Martigny, Switz. in Herb. Davall, which differs from our

plant by having the leaves slightly serrated.

I now proceed to give the characters and descriptions of our

two plants.

1. U. Dodartii, Linn. Foliis oppositis ovatis ovato-lanceolatisve subintegris,

stipulis lanceolatis, glomerulis fructiferis globosis pedunculatis, semini-

bus sublzevibus.

U. altera pilulifera parietariz foliis, Dod. Mem. 131. plate.-—U. Dodartii,

Linn. Sp. Pl. 13895. Willd. Sp. Pl. 4. 347. Enum. Hort. Berol. 966.

Sm. in Rees’ Cyclop. v.37. Aiton. Hort. Kew. 5. 262. Reichen. Fi.

excurs. No. 1106.

Stems erect, numerous, cylindrical, hollow, leafy, 2—3 feet

high. Leaves ovate or slightly ovate-lanceolate, very nearly en-

tire,(in Martyn’s specimens, gathered inthe Cambridge garden,

September 1761, and in one of those in Smith’s Herbarium,

they are decidedly serrate, but not in the same peculiarly

coarse way as-in U. pilulifera,) 3—5 ribbed at the base, on

long stalks. Stipules small, narrowly lanceolate. Peduncles

axillary, two together. Male flowers on a slender common pe-

duncle, which is longer than the petiole, and has two or three

longish branches springing from the axil of a minute lanceo-

late bractea; at the base and extremity of each branch there

is a cluster of very shortly branched flowers.

Female flowers on a simple stalk which is shorter than the

petiole, in a dense globular head. Seed brown with numerous

dark purple dots, nearly smooth and shining.

Locality, Copford, Essex, Rev. W. Whitear ; Upwell, Nor-

folk, Rev. L. Jenyns ; near Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire, Rev. Dr.

Jermyn. The stations given by Reichenbach, who I believe

Mr. Babington on a New English Species of Urtica. 197

to be the only author that has mentioned its native country,

are near the Hague, near Delft, and in Friseland.

- Doubts have been thrown upon the truly native character

of this plant, and also of U. pilulifera. It appears not im-

probable that they may both have been introduced into this

country at some former time. But as this is uncertain U. Do-

dartii has an equal claim to be considered as a native of En-

gland with U. pilulifera, which has long been introduced into

our lists.

2. U. pilulifera, Linn. Foliis oppositis, laté ovatis cordatisve acuminatis

grossé dentatis, stipulis oblongo-ovatis, glomerulis fructiferis globosis

pedunculatis, seminibus punctato-tuberculatis.

U. pilulifera, Linn. Sp. pl. 1395. Eng. Bot. 148. Sm, Eng. Fl. 4. 134.

Wallr. Sched. Crit. 488. Reich. Fl. excurs. no. 1105. Koch. Syn, 635.

Stems erect, bluntly quadrangular. Leaves broadly ovate,

usually cordate at the base, the margins deeply cut into large

divaricated teeth, much larger than those of U. Dodartii, and

on longer and thicker stalks. Stipules oblong-ovate, broader

than in the preceding. Fruit stalks very short, scarcely ex-

ceeding the diameter of the large globular head. Seed dark

brown with numerous darker prominent points, rather opaque.

Locality, in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.

Owing to the want of English specimens the description

has been drawn up from the comparison of two foreign spe-

‘cimens (one No. 22 in Reichenbach’s Fl. Germ. Exsic. com-

municated to that work from Thuringia by Wallroth, the other

from Rome, gathered by W. C. Trevelyan, Esq.) with the plate

in Eng. Bot.

The specimen of U. Valearica in the Linnzan Herbarium

appears to be nothing more than a larger leaved form of this

species, notwithstanding its usually cordate base to the leaves.

Both the specimens mentioned above, and also the plant in

Smith’s Herb. from Hungary, are rather the U. Valearica than

the U. pilulifera of Linnzus. I have never seen specimens

with the leaves so decidedly rounded (not at all cordate) at

the base as in the original plant of the Linn. Herb. | It is

much to be wished that botanists resident in the eastern coun-

ties would pay attention to these plants, in order that we may

obtain information concerning their variations, and also their

198 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi.

real claim to be considered as native, not naturalized, plants

in this island. I may add that some botanists consider both

these plants to form only one species. This last is a question

well worthy of experimenta! inquiry.

St. John’s Coll. Cambridge, March 30, 1838.

XX.—Notices of British Fungi. By Rev. M. J. BERKELEY,

M.A,F.LS. ~

{With two Plates.]

(Continued from No. III. Mag. of Zool. and Bot., vol. i. p. 513.)

*59. Agaricus fulvus, Bull. Dec. Fl. Fr. vol. ii. p.186. The

form described in the English Flora is that with pallid gills

noticed by Retz. The present season has afforded a few spe-

cimens in which the gills and inside of the stem were more

or less yellow.

60. Ag. decolorans, Fr. Syst. Myc. v. 1. p. 56. Woods, at

King’s Cliffe, Sept. 1, 1837. Distinguished from A. alutaceus

by its pale sporidia, in consequence of which the gills remain

much longer white, so that on an hasty inspection it might be

passed over as a form of Ag. furcatus. The inside of the stem,

which is thick and spongy, acquires in general a cinereous

tinge. It is an esculent species clearly pointed out by Mi-

cheli, p. 155. n. 1.

*61. Ag. grammopodius, Bull. Inserted in the English

Flora on the authority of Withering and Purton. I have

found it in two fields at Apethorpe, Norths, sometimes form-

ing large rings, where it appears every autumn. The descrip-

tion given in Eng. Fl. of Ag. nebularis, a species with which

I was not at the time of its publication well acquainted, be-

longs to the present Agaric. The discovery of the true plant,

which is figured by Dr. Greville under the name of dg. tur-

gidus, has cleared up all doubt upon the point.

62. Ag. unguinosus, Fr. Syst. Myc. v.i. p.101. Amongst

wet grass and moss close to the Spa, King’s Cliffe, Oct. 18,

1837. |

63+. Ag. calyptreformis, n. s. Ag. conicus, 4. amenus,

+ I have not thought it necessary to give figures of this or other new or

little understood Agarics, as beautiful drawings have been made by Mr. J.

Be Ma EEG Wp le res eee a. ee

Ann Nat Slist. Vol IP, Vi

e. |

Mins a

SpDepazia Dianthr Spherta. ophiagla ssoides Ray

Crtaspora. orbicutaris

: * / Ascolricha harlarum Labrelta Plarmice

| ART Berkeley del® CL itis liagpyf

Swarr i

- Ann. Nat, Hist. Vel.2 Pt. V7.

Botrytis curta Epochniam macrosporetdeum

4 | a .. —— o.

Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi. 199

Lasck in Linnea, vol. iii. p. 380. This elegant species which

occurred at the same time and place as the foregoing, is re-

ferred without doubt by Lasch to Ag. conicus. It does not

however change to black when bruised or in decay, nor does

it dry up, but becomes pallid and dissolves into a feetid jelly.

My specimens are of a beautiful rose colour, but according to

Lasch, who, as far as I can discover, is the only author who

has noticed it, it is also red and purple. The apex is often

yellowish, and the whole gradually assumes an ochraceous tinge.

It retains its colour, however, as observed by Lasch, when

carefully dried. Pileus acutely conic, lobed below, about one

inch high, three quarters broad at the base in unexpanded spe-

cimens, moist, striated, under a lens, with innate but raised

fibrille ; rose-coloured gradually turning pallid; flesh rather

thin. Gills rose-coloured, at length pallid like the pileus, very

narrow and almost evanescent behind in many specimens, in

consequence of the form of the pileus, though properly adnate,

distinct. Stem one inch or more high, pure white except

within the pileus where it has a slight roseate tinge, brittle,

often splitting longitudinally, remarkably smooth, slightly

striate, having in great measure the same transparent appear-

ance as Clavaria vermicularis, hollow, the walls fibrous within.

The young pileus has a great resemblance to the internal

bracteze of an artichoke just before expansion.

64. Ag. pudens, Pers. Syn. p. 313. (sub 4g. radicato). Ag.

radicatus. 8. pudens, Fr. Syst. Myc. vol.i. p. 119; Ag. longi-

pes, Bull. quoad tab. 232. This very elegant species is far less

common than Ag. radicatus. It has occurred two or three times

in the present autumn in Rockingham Forest. The stem is

quite as velvety as in Ag. velutipes, and the pileus, especially

its margin, more or less so, and by no means glutinous. It

appears to me quite distinct from dg. radicatus, as Persoon

D. C. Sowerby for the forthcoming new edition of English Fungi. It is his

intention to publish it systematically, so that should it not meet with suf-

ficient encouragement to secure its completion, each portion will be complete

as far as it goes. The first volume, for instance, will comprise the genus

Agaricus, for which figures of the greater number of British species are al-

ready prepared. The plates of the old edition will be used as far as may be

thought expedient, but all errors will be as far as possible corrected, and

many additions made. New plates wil! not in general be given of such spe-

cies as are figured in the Scottish Cryptogamic Flora.

200 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi.

suspected, who well distinguished it; and intermediate between

it and Ag. velutipes.

65. Ag. erythropus, Pers. Syn. p. 367. Abundant at Lax-

ton, Norths, upon various substances, as wood, roots of grass,

seedling chestnuts, &c. I have also found it at Nash Court,

near Margate, and at King’s Cliffe. |

*66. dg. Vaillantii, Fr. Syst. Myc. v. 1. p.136. On grass,

&c., Ashtcn, Norths, Sept: 1837.

*67. Ag. conchatus, Bull., t.298. On stumps of ash, Ape-

thorpe, Norths, infested with Spheria aurantia.

68. Ag. cyanus, Pers. Syn. p.276.; Ag. cwerulescens, Scheff.,

t. 34. f.5. This is considered by Fries, to whom it appears

known only by Persoon’s character, as a state probably of Ag.

callochrous, to which indeed it is allied, but, I think, quite di-

stinct, and certainly one of the most beautiful species with

which I am acquainted. I have seen it in one locality only at

King’s Cliffe, Sept. and Oct. 1837. Pileus two and a half to

three inches broad, at length nearly plane with the margin

repand, of a beautiful azure blue; at first viscid, when dry

marked with a few innate indistinct squamiform patches,

fleshy, flesh rather firm, not changing to violet when bruised.

Gills rather distant, adnate, subdecurrent, obscurely emargi-

nate, violet, at length stained with the sporidia. Stem three

inches high, half to three quarters inch thick, solid, bulbous

of the same colour as the pileus, fibrillose. Smell like that of

radishes.

69. Ag. bolaris, Pers. Syn. p.291. In beech woods, King’s

Cliffe, Sept. and Oct. 1837.

70. Ag. reticulatus, Pers. Ic. and. Descr. t. 4. f. 4.6. On

rotten stumps, Apethorpe and Laxton, Norths, Sept. and

Oct. 1837. This species, which is one of considerable interest

from its exact analogy with Ag. phlebophorus, Ditm., varies so

much in passing to maturity, that till I found the fully ex-

panded plant at Laxton, I was in great uncertainty whether

it were the plant intended by Persoon. In the younger state

the pileus is of a delicate bistre, and it is only in age that it

assumes a violet tinge, apparently from the colour of the spores

being partly seen through the flesh.

71. Ag. trechisporus, n.s. Amongst fern leaves, &c., King’s

Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi. 201

Cliffe, Aug. 1837. Pileus one inch broad, convex, strongly

umbonate, margin thin ; viscid but soon dry and satiny; umbo

tawny, margin paler with a slight livid tinge. Gills ventricose,

emarginate, scarcely adnate, pinkish-grey ; extreme margin

white, denticulate. Spores bistre-brown, subreniform, co-

vered with granules, which appear sometimes to be arranged

regularly in lines. Transparent, ventricose ; pedicellate pro-

cesses like those of the Coprini are scattered over them. These

are crowned with a globule, which at length vanishes, and they

are then denticulate. Stem two inches high, two lines thick,

white, slightly striate under a lens and farinulent, nearly

equal, except at the base, the outer coat of which is cottony,

and has very much the appearance of an obsolete volva. I

have not seen this species in an early stage of growth, and

cannot therefore say distinctly what the nature of the volve-

form base is, or whether it is merely accidental. The great

peculiarity of the species consists in the granulated sporidia,

a structure I have seen in no other Agaric. It appears to be-

long to the division Inocybe.

72. Ag. centunculus, Fr., Syst. Myc. vol. i. p. 262. On

stumps, Apethorpe, Oct. 1837.

73. Ag. depluens, Batsch, Cont. i. f. 122. On the ground

on the margin of a damp marshy spot amongst dead leaves of

Carices. King’s Cliffe, Norths, Oct. 1837. Ag. rubidus,

Berk., Mag. Bot. and Zool., is a pedunculate form of this

Species.

*74. Cantharellus lutescens, Fr., Syst. Myc. vol. i. p. 320.

King’s Cliffe, Sept. and Oct. 1837. It is to be observed that

Ditmar’s synonym has by some accident in transcribing been

recorded in Eng. Fl. under the present species. It is clearly

C. tubeformis which is represented by him.

*75. Cantharellus undulatus, Fr., Syst. Myc. vol. i. p. 320.

Helvella floriformis, Sow., t. 75. This rare species was found

by the Rev. H. Margetts in the present month (Oct.) at King’s

Cliffe. |

76. Cantharellus fissilis, Fr., Syst. Myc. vol. i. p. 324. Pe-

ziza membranacea, A.andS. p.316. tab. 1. fig.5. Montagne

in a late number of the Annales des Sc. Nat. very properly

unites Peziza Campanula and Pez. Capula, which he compares

202 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi.

with the genus Cyphella. I am inclined to think that both

may be considered as synonymous with the present species.

At least there is a very strong resemblance. The particular

specimens I have now in view, which in the same spot varied

from white and yellow to grey, are clearly Cantharellus fissilis,

Fr. The hymenium of perfect individuals is that of a Can-

tharellus, while the younger plants would certainly be referred

partly to Peziza Campanula, partly to Peziza Capula. On ash

petioles, Apethorpe. I have found it also of a pure white with

a remarkable venous hymenium on a dead thistle.

77. Merulius tremellosus, Schrad., Fr. Syst. Myc. vol. i.

p- 327. On an ash stump abundantly, Apethorpe, Oct. 1837.

I think that Boletus arboreus, Sow., t. 346. belongs to this

species, though referred after Fries in Eng. Fl. to Mer. lachry-

mans. It appears that Sowerby had no doubt that the two

plants figured by him were distinct, and it may be inferred

from the short printed notice which accompanies the plate,

that his plant had the border reflected, as indeed the figure

shows, though not quite satisfactorily.

*78. Polyporus spumeus, Fr., Syst. Myc. vol. 1. p.358. On

ash and apple trees, Apethorpe, King’s Cliffe.

79. Boletus felleus, Bull., t. 379. King’s Cliffe, Aug. 1837.

80. Thelephora levis, Pers. Syn. p. 575. Common upon

fallen trees.

81. Thelephora lactea, Fr., Syst. Myc. v. 1. p. 452. Easily

known by its smooth white hymenium, covering a stratum con-

sisting of thick fibrillz. I do not think with Fries that Fidri/-

laria stellata, Sow. t. 387. fig. 1. belongs to this species. It

appears rather to be an himantioid mycelium.

*82,. Clavaria pistillaris, Linn. Suec. n. 1266. This rare

species occurred at King’s Cliffe in the present autumn, but

a much paler form than that represented by Sowerby.

83. Clavaria flavipes, Pers., Comm. (ed. 1797) p. 207. t. 1.

fig.4. On peaty ground beneath Péeris aquilina, King’s Cliffe,

Sept. 1837.

84. Typhula? gracilis, Desm. and Berk. in Herb. This

curious little plant, which occurred, but sparingly, in the early

part of the present year with Pistillaria culmigena, I found

marked in M. Desmaziéres’ Herbarium Typhula? Typhe, for

Rey. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi. 203

which by mutual consent the name of gracilis was substituted.

Its real place is rather doubtful, as in some measure it con-

nects Typhula with Isaria. The structure was not however

precisely the same in all the individuals, for though in some

of them the fruit-bearing cells of the hymenium were inter-

spersed with delicate bristles, which were surmounted by a

single spore, as in Isaria intricata and citrina, this is not con-

stant, and I am therefore inclined to think that it arises from

some of the cells being elongated. Pallid, one line or a little

more high, simple or forked ; rugged with the fruit-bearing

cells, which are frosted with the spores, and interspersed

sometimes with short bristles, of which some of the upper ones

support a small spore; tips often acuminate and then nearly

barren. ‘Stem short, smooth, or bristly. Spores elliptic,

having a sparkling appearance under a lens.

Prare VII. fig. 1. a, Typhula? gracilis, nat. size; 6, ditto magnified.

85. Pistillaria culmigena, Mont. and Fr., Ann. de Sc. Nat.

n. 8. vol. v. p. 337. t. 12. fig. 2. Berk. Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3.

n. 152. Fotheringhay, Deene, Norths, on sheaths of wheat

straw, Jan. 1837.

*86. Helvella elastica, Bull., t. 242. It has long been re-

marked that some states of this plant resemble so closely Pe-

ziza macropus, as to make it matter of great difficulty whether

or no to consider it as a distinct species. Fries dismisses the

question with the remark, “ video szepe meliora probog.—sed

quis omnes presumtas opiniones pessundare audet?” His

views are confirmed by the circumstance, which appears not

to have been observed heretofore, that the sporidia are pre-

cisely the same, as I have ascertained both in the white and

dusky forms. I the rather call attention to the fact, as Dr.

Greville’s analysis of H. crispa and lacunosa might lead to a

contrary notion. He has by some mischance represented

only the sporidiola in those species and not the elliptic spo-

ridia. It is possible that in his specimens they may have

been absorbed, a circumstance by no means uncommon in

Fungi, a fact to which I have been led, as to many others of

great importance, by M. Morren’s paper on the Clostéries, a

204 Rey. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi.

memoir which ought to be well studied by every investigator

of the more obscure phenomena of Cryptogamic plants *.

87. Peziza saniosa, Schrad., Journ. Bot. 1799, ii. p. 64.

Two specimens of this very curious species, which appears not

to have been found since the date given above, occurred at

King’s Cliffe early in the present autumn, upon soil overrun

with Thelephora incrustans. As it is of such rare occurrence

I have thought it right to give a figure.

Prats VII. fig. 2. a, Pexiza saniosa, nat. size; b, vertical section ; c, asci

with their paraphyses and sporidia magnified; d, a single sporidium highly

magnified.

88. Peziza melaloma, A. and 8. p. 336. t. 2. f. 5. South-

wick, Norths, abundantly on ground where a fire had been

made, after the first autumn rains.

*89. Peziza rhabarbarina, Berk., Eng. Fl. vol. v. part 2.

p-197. This is clearly the same with Montagne’s Pez. Arden-

nensis, Ann. de Sc. Nat, n. s. vol. v. p. 287. If it be retained

in the genus Peziza the former specific name must be pre-

served. But there is reason to believe that M. Desmaziéres,

who finds it in the north of France, is correct in referring it to

the genus Patellaria. He proposes in this case to give it the

specific name of Rosacearum. The sporidia are longer than

Montagne figures them. He is correct in representing para-

physes, though he does not seem to have ascertained their

form, which is linear with spathulate tips.

*90. Dacrymyces Urtice, Fr. Syst. Myc. v.2.p.251. Fu-

sarium Tremelloides, Grev. Sc. Cryp. Fl. t. 10. Eng. Fl. vol.

v. part 2. p.355. The structure of this fungus is not to be

ascertained clearly without high magnifying powers. Ona

slight inspection with rather low powers the structure some-

what resembles that represented by Dr. Greville, but a close

inspection will show that the mass consists not of long fusi-

form sporidia but of erect branched subdichotomous threads,

which consist of articulations not to be seen without a very

nice adjustment. The structure is very nearly that of Dacry-

myces stillatus, nor does it differ sufficiently to warrant the

* Prof. Meyen’s remarks, with abstracts of this curious paper, will be

found in Meyen’s Report of the Progress of Vegetable Physiology, in the

year 1836. Philosophical Magazine, vol. xi. p. 386.

Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi. 205

formation of a distinct genus. The specimens in my copy of

Scleromyc. Suecie do not belong to this species but to Peziza

fSusarioides. I have examined repeatedly specimens from va-

rious localities and find all to agree with the accompanying

figure.

Puare VII. fig, 3. a, Group of filaments of Dacrymyces Urtice; , fila-

ments magnified 600 diameters.

91. Sclerotium neglectum, Berk. Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3.n. 165.

On dead leaves of various trees, as poplar, sycamore, oak, &c.

Winter. Verycommon. More or less oblong, subadnate, at

first covered with the cuticle, pallid; at length naked and

dark-brown. Nearly allied to S. inclusum, Schm. and Kz.

n. 137; but besides being almost adnate and seated in general |

upon the main nerves, it is far less wrinkled when dry, and

pale when young.

*92.. Spheria ophioglossoides, Khr. Beautiful specimens of

this very rare species occurred at King’s Cliffe, September

and October, 1837. ‘The observations upon the curious

structure of the parts of fructification in this and the allied

species given in Eng. Fl. have been fully confirmed by the

examination of the recent plant. The asci are very long, ac-

companied by extremely slender paraphyses, and contain about

six rows of minute oblong sporidia, which remain attached to

each other after they have escaped, presenting when the asci

burst the appearance of the threads of a Schizonema.

Puate VII. fig. 4. Asci of 8S. ophioglossoides, with their paraphyses and

sporidia magnified 600 diameters.

93. Spheria pedunculata, Dicks. Sow. t. 437. Berk. Brit.

Fung. Fasc. 3. n. 168. For observations upon this most in-

teresting plant I refer to the Magazine of Zoology and Botany,

vol. i. p. 223.

94. Spheria hippotrichioides, Sow. t. 200. Thamnomyces

hippotrichioides, Khr. Hor. Phys. Ber. p.82. Berk. Eng. FI.

l. c. p.284. In the month of April I found some old matting

covered with this fungus, in its infant state, in the church at

Apethorpe. Having kept it in a cellar till the present month

(October), it has perfected its perithecia, and given me an op-

portunity of ascertaining that it isa true Spheria, with perfect

asci. I had before suspected such to be the case from the

206 Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi.

observation of one of the forms assumed by Spheria peduncu-

lata, Dicks., in which the receptacle is quite thread-like, and

the perithecia naked. ‘This resemblance became still stronger

when the sporidia were submitted to the microscope, being

furnished with a groove on one side exactly as in that species.

I did not observe, however, that they had any gelatinous coat.

It is probable that Spheria filiformis will be found to resemble

it in structure.

95. Spheria riccioidea, Bolt. Brit. Fung. tab. 182. 8S. par-

melioides, Mont. in Ann. de Sc. Nat. v.6. p. 333. tab. 18.

fig. 4. This species, though figured both by Tode and Bolton,

has been entirely neglected by authors till its recent discovery

by Dr. Montagne. He has, however, overlooked Bolton’s sy-

nonym, whose figure and description, as far as they go, are

with the exception of the cross section tolerably correct, and

consequently has given it a new name, which must of course

give place to that originally imposed by Bolton, Tode having

published his plant under a different genus.

96. Spheria populina, Pers. var. on ash. The asci and spo-

ridia of this species are figured in the Magazine of Zoology

and Botany, v. ii. t. 7. f. a. b. ¢.

97. Spheria sinopica, Fr. El. 2. p. 81. On shoots of ivy,

King’s Cliffe. My specimens when young are frosted with a

yellowish meal. In other respects they appear to be what

Fries describes. Having found it abundantly I shall be able

to publish specimens in the fourth fasciculus of British Fungi.

In some points it resembles Sp. Lamyi, Desm., but the asci

are linear. Sporidia elliptic uniseptate, each articulation some-

times containing a single sporidiolum.

98. Spheria acervata, Fr. Syst. Myc. v. 2. p. 416. Berk.

Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3.n. 174. On a dead apple-tree. Ape-

thorpe, Norths.

99. Spheria pardalota, Mont. Ann. d. Sc. Nat. n. 8. v. 1.

p- 304. tab. 12. fig. 1. Berk., Brit. Fung. Fase. 3. n.175. On

dead stems of Convailaria multiflora. Milton, Norths. Com-

municated by Mr. J. Henderson.

100. Spheria obducens, Schum. b. minor. Fr., Scler. Suec.

ed. nov.n.119. Berk. Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3.n.177. On pales.

Apethorpe, Norths.

- Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi. 207

101. Spheria Avellane, Schm. Myc. Heft. 1. p.64; Berk.

l.c.n. 182. On dead hazel leaves. King’s Cliffe. A true

Spheria. The specimens given in the British Fungi are young

and have not perfected their asci.

102. Spheria Ostruthii, Fr., Obs. 1. p.174; Schm. and

Kz. n. 205. On Angelica sylvestris. Bungay. Mr. D. Stock.

103. S. (Depazea) graminicola, Berk., Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3.

n. 186. On leaves of the harsher grasses, as Arundo Epigejos

and Bromus pinnatus. Apethorpe, &c. Spots oblong, pallid,

surrounded by a more or less distinct darker line; perithecia

obscurely disposed in lines immersed.

*104. S. (Depazea) Dianthi, A. and S. p. 47. t. 6. fig. 2..

On Agrostemma Githago. Tansor, Norths. Sporidiat spa-

thulate, sometimes divided into two parts, as the spores of

Dactylium pyriferum, Fr., containing afew globose granules.

Perithecia irregular conglomerate.

Puate VII. fig. 5. a, sporidia magnified ; b, asingle sporidium magnified

600 diameters.

105. S. (Depazea) vagans, Fr., Syst. Myc. v.2. p.532, i.

Lamiicola, Berk. Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3.n. 188. On Lamium al-

bum. Oundle, Norths, where I also at the same time met with

the form which grows on the common mallow.

106. Cytispora orbicularis,n.s. Forming orbicular patches

upon small orange gourds. King’s Cliffe. Perithecia ex-

tremely thin, if indeed there be any wall distinct from the

cellular substance of the matrix, more or less ovate when di-

stinct, but in general confluent, with one or two orifices to

each group. Sporidia very minute, oblong, pale vinous red,

discharged in the form of slender tendrils. In a vertical sec-

tion there is an appearance of distinct perithecia, but in the

horizontal section this is scarcely observable. I am satisfied,

however, that in any case it is much better referred to Cyti-

spora than Nemaspora.

Prate VII. fig. 6. a, Cyt. orbicularis, nat. size ; 6, vertical section; ,

horizontal section; d, sporidia, all highly magnified.

+ The bodies of which the tendrils are composed are very variable, a cir-

cumstance which induces me to call them sporidia rather than asci. Fries’s

rule is well worth attending to, that “ sporidia either arise from conidia or

are separated from flocci or asci. The form of the former is variable, of the

latter constant.”

208. Mr. W. H. White on a new Species of Epilobium.

- 107. Labrella Ptarmice, Desm.! n. 189. Fr. El. 2. p. 149.

In the early part of the present year I brought from M. Des-

maziéres’ garden at Lambersart, near Lille, a root of the double

variety of Achillea Ptarmica, which is there always infested

with Labrella Ptarmice. When the young shoots appeared

a few leaves were attacked, and on examining the parasite I

was surprised to find that, contrary to the generic character

given by Fries, there are distinct asci and paraphyses. Asci

short, obtuse, broad above, attenuated below. Sporidia few,

obovate-oblong, sometimes rather contracted in the centre,

and there occasionally furnished with a septum. Paraphyses

short, flexuous, their tips obtuse or slightly clavate. Peri-

thecium passing beneath the hymenium of a reticulated cellu-

lar structure. |

-Puate VII. fig. 7. a, a small portion of the hymenium; 8, asci, with

their sporidia and paraphyses; c, sporidia magnified 600 diameters.

[To be continued. }

XXI.—On a New Species of Epilobium nearly allied to Epi-

lobium angustissimum and rosmarinifolium. By W. H.

Wuite.*

In 1830 a collection of seeds was sent from the Botanical Garden

of St. Petersburgh, by Dr. Fischer, to the Botanical Garden of Lou-

vain. The greater part of them were from Central Russia. Among

the number of packages was one of an Epilobium, without any spe-

cific name, and with the indication new species,

The following particulars have been transmitted to me by M.

Denkalaar, chief gardener at the Botanical Garden, Louvain, rela-

tive to the culture of this new species of Epilobium; and, as it con-

tains some interesting remarks, I thought I could not make better

use of them than by laying them before this Society.

This plant has been cultivated with the greatest care ; and from

a minute observance of its developments, and researches made into

its characters, the cultivators have become convinced that up to the

present time, this species has neither been described nor cultivated

elsewhere. In order therefore to give a faithful exposition of its

characters, and to make it better known to the botanical world, the

* Read before the Botanical Society of London, March 2, 1838, and com-

municated by the Secretary of that Society.

Mr. W. H. White on a new Species of Epilobium. 209

following specific denomination has been given to it, in accordance

with the principles of the angustissimum and rosmarinifolium.

Our plant has a straight stem, much branched, branches diffused

and silky, furnished with leaves alternate, lanceolate, acuminate,

and of a silky whiteness. Its flowers, disposed in loose ears, are at

considerable distances, solitary, and of a pale rose colour; stigma

quadrifid and rather bent; the pod of the same length as the pe-

duncle. :

“« This description sufficiently indicates that the species in ques-

tion belongs to a generic group designated by Decandolle, in his

Prodrome, by the name of Chamenerion, consequently to the same

series in which is placed the Kpilobium angustissimum.”—Curtis.

This last species, confounded by all authors with Hpilobium ros-

marinifolium, Haenke, (not Pursch,) until the publication of the

Flora of Reichenbach, is in fact very different, as a long series of

observations has proved, so that the above-named publication has

become comparatively useless by the publication of the Flora Ex-

cursoria.

However this may be, I take the liberty of stating that Reichen-

bach has not shown the essential differences between these two spe-

cies of plants.

The one, in fact the Epilobium angustissimum, so beautifully figured

in Curtis’s Bot. Mag., Pl. 76, has its ascendant stem diffuse, branched,

reddish, as well as its branches; its leaves linear-lanceolate, obtuse,

very smooth, marked with glandular serratures ; the flowers loose,

solitary upon their footstalks, and flesh-coloured; stigma quadrifid

and bent; the pod twice as long as the footstalk. It flowers long

before the following, and grows spontaneously in Bavaria, Ireland,

and Scotland. .

The other, the Epilobium rosmarinifolium, Haenke, is a plant from

Bohemia and the Tyrol, and has, on the contrary, an erect stem, dif-

fuse, very much branched ; branches spread ; leaves lanceolate and

acuminate, nearly entire, very slightly pubescent; along ear, flowers

more compact and of a puce colour; the stigma is of the same length

as the footstalk, but the pod is four times that length.

In comparing the characters of the Epilobium angustissimum and

rosmarinifolium with those of the Kpilobium now described, the re-

sult is that the latter ought accordingly to be placed as interme-

diate between the other two, or at least as allied to both species.

I propose to name it canescens, which will give a suitable idea of its

habit. In recapitulating the characteristic traits of the three above-

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.1. No.3. May 1838. P

210 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand.

mentioned species, I think their mutual affinities and their diagno-

stic characters will be fully determined as follows :

1, Epilobium canescens, nob. Foliis lanceolatis, acuminatis, integer-

rimis; ramisque sericeo canescentibus; siliqué pedunculi longitu-

dine.

2. Epilobium angustissimum, Curtis. Foliis lanceolato-linearibus, ob-

tusis, glanduloso-serratis; ramisque glaberrimis, siliqué pedunculo

duplo longiori,

3. Epilobium rosmarinifolium, Haenke. Foliis lanceolatis, acuminatis,

subintegerrimis, ramisque puberulis; siliqué pedunculo quadruplo

longiori.

I will now beg leave to remark with respect to the Epilobium an-

gustissimum of Curt., that that species furnishes a variety with leaves

still more narrow and stem feeble, which has been designated by the

name of Epilobium Dodonai by Allioni, of Epilobium Lobelit by Vil-

lars, of EH. Halleri by Retz; and in later periods by EH. angustissimum,

B alpinum by Sering.

And with respect to the E. rosmarinifolium, Haenke, I beg leave

to remark that it is a species totally distinct from his homonym, the

E. rosmarinifolium, Pursch. This last is in fact a North American

plant, discovered in 1810 in the environs of Philadelphia, and since

by Bigelow, who calls it H. lineare; some few years still later in

a hundred places south-west of that city, in the territory of Bos-

ton. Nuttall has found it, and has given it the name of HE. squam-

matum.

XXII.—Flore Insularum Nove Zelandie Precursor ; or a Spe-

cimen of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By

ALLAN CUNNINGHAM, Esq.

{Continued from p. 378 of vol. ii. of Sir W. J. Hooker’s Companion to the

Botanical Magazine. |

EXOGENA sev DICOTYLEDONES.

PIPERACEA, Rich.

1. Pirsr, LZ.

323. P. excelsum. Forst. Prodr.n. 20. Rem. § Sch, Syst. Veg.i. p. 3138.

A. Rich, Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 356.—Kana-Kana of the natives.

New Zealand (Middle Island).—1773, Forster. (Northern Island,) a

strong rambling shrub, frequent on the margins of forests. —1834, A. Cun-

ningham.

Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 211

2. Pereromia, Ruiz §& Pav., Kunth.

324. P. Urvilleana, foliis ovati-oblongis obtusis, basi attenuatis subtriner-

viis membranaceis glabris, spicis lateralibus rectis filiformibus (solitariis),

caule filiformi erectiusculo subsarmentoso. 4. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 356.

New Zealand (Middle Island), shores of Tasman’s Bay.—1827, D’ Urville.

(Northern Island), upon shady rocks on the sea-shore, &c.—1834, R. Cun-

ningham.

CONIFER, Juss.

3. Dammara, Rumph., Lamb.

325. D. australis, foliis alternis oppositisve lineari-oblongis ellipticisve

enerviis rigidis strobilis turbinatis, squamis apice patulis acutis. Don. in

Lamb. Pin. ed. 2. App.—Agathis australis. Salisb.in Linn. Tr. vol. viii. p.312.

Loud. Encyel. Pl. p. 802.—Podocarpus? zamiefolius. 4. Rich. Fl. Nov.

Zel. p.360.—Kauri or Kouri of the natives.

New Zealand (Northern Island). Cook, Forster. In forests at the river

Thames, at Mercury Bay and along the coasts north of the Bay of Islands

and Wangaroa on the eastern side, and Hokianga on the western coast.—

1826, 4d. Cunningham.—1834, R. Cunningham. It is said not to exist on

the Middle Island.

The most important among the timbers of these islands, inhabiting

dark forests, as well on the coasts as remote from the sea-shore,

where it is to be observed from 50 to 100 feet high ; the trunk, at the

base of such, varying from six to twelve feet in diameter. The timber

is of excellent quality, close-grained, durable, and applicable to a

variety of purposes, in house carpentry, as well as in plank or spar

for naval uses. As yards and topmasts for ships, it has been found,

by repeated trials, superior to all others, both as regards strength

and flexibility. The tree yields a large quantity of a white and.

amber-coloured resin, which burns with a bright flame, diffusing an

agreeable smell. This resin is called by the natives ‘‘ Vare,”’ and is

used by them as a masticatory. It is also burnt for the soot, which

the smoke deposits in abundance, and from which pigment, called

by these people Ngarahu, is obtained the colouring substance em-

ployed by them in the operation of tattooing their persons.

4. Puytiocianus, R. Br., Rich. Conif. p. 129.

326. P.* trichomanoides, frondibus pinnatis, foliolis cuneatis inciso-lobatis,

lobis truncatis dentatis. Don. in Lamb. Pin. edit. 2. App. Rich. Conif.

* Species altera hujus generis est :

P. rhomboidalis, frondibus rhomboideis lineatis inciso-serratis, inferioribus

connatis decurrentibus. Don. in Lamb. Pin. ed. 2. App. Rich. Conif.

p- 129. f. 3.—Podocarpus asplenifolius. Labill. Nov. Holl. 2. p. 71. t. 221.

Parsley-leaved or Adventure-Bay Pine, Colonis.

Hab. In Insula Van Diemen, ad Adventure Bay, &c.—1793, J. J. Labil-

lardiére.—1819, A. Cunningham,

212 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand.

p-129. t.3.—P. rhomboidalis. 4. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 363. non E. L. Rich.,

Br. et excl. syn. Labill.—Tanekaha of the natives, Rev. W. Yate. “ Toa-

toa ab incolis vulgo dicitur,” D’ Urville.

New Zealand (Northern Island), forests on the banks of the river Thames,

and in dry woods on hills at the Bay of Islands, Wangaroa, &c.—1826, 4.

Cunningham.

A tree of straight tapering growth, occasionally attaining the

height of sixty feet, seldom, however, exceeding a diameter of three

feet. The wood is a shade darker than the Dammara or Kauri; it

has a closer grain, smells strongly of turpentine, and being less af-

fected with wet than any other pine, is regarded as an exceedingly

valuable wood. ‘It is used,” says the Rev. W. Yate, “ for all kinds

of outside work, such as posts and floors for verandahs, and is much

sought after for the decks of vessels.”” Its bark is used by the natives

for dying a red colour, which they prepare in the following way :

“‘ The bark,” says Bennett, ‘‘is pounded and then placed in a vessel

of cold water, into which hot stones are thrown till the water boils,

this being the natives’ mode of treating water, since, having no know-

ledge of pottery, they possess no vessel which can be placed on the

fire. After the bark has been boiled for some hours, the decoction

becomes of a dark red colour ; it is then left to cool, when it is strained

and ready for use.” .

5. Popocarpus, L’ Hérit.

327. P. ferruginea, foliis pectinatis lineari-lanceolatis acuminatis falcatis.

Don. in Lamb. Pin. ed. 2. App.—Miro or Mairi of the natives.

New Zealand (Northern Island), in forests near the Keri-Keri, and in

the country between that river and the Hokianga, &c.— 1834, R. Cunning-

ham. Occasionally to be observed on hilly ground.—1792, Govr. Phillip.

« A tree,” says the Rev. W. Yate, “growing from forty to sixty feet

high, but never arriving at a larger circumference than twelve feet.

It produces a brittle, close-grained, durable wood, of a red colour,

planes up smoothly, and appears capable of receiving a high polish.

It is, however, too brittle for the cabinet-maker, or it would not be

a bad substitute for mahogany. The fruit, which is devoured by the

large wood-pigeon, is of the colour of the yew berry, but larger, and ~

with a strong taste of turpentine.”

828. P.? Totarra, foliis undique versis lineari-lanceolatis mucronatis

subtus glaucis. Don. in Lamb. Pin. ed. 2. App.—Dacrydium taxifolium.

Sol. MSS. Lamb. Pinn. p. 137.—Totarra of the natives.

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks.—1792, Phillip.

—1826, A. Cunningham. Banks of the Kahio, Wangaroa, &c.—1834, R.

Cunningham. (Middle Island,) of large size, like Dammara or Kauri.—

1791, A. Menzies.

Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 2138

This pine is regarded with great esteem by the New Zealanders

while growing, and when it has acquired a sufficient magnitude, is

felled to construct canoes; its lightness, toughness, and durability

giving it a higher value than even the Kauri itself. The Totarra is

a red pine of stately erect growth, twenty to sixty feet high to the

branches, and hence producing excellent spars. The value placed

by the natives on this pine, the trunk of which varies in circumfe-

rence from six to eighteen feet, is sometimes the occasion of quarrels

sufficiently serious to terminate in bloodshed, if it be cut down by

any one except the party by whom it is claimed; for which rea-

son a mark is placed on the trunk that it may be known to whom it

belongs. The tree is then sufficient to stand till it has acquired a

suitable bulk for use, so that it is not unusual for a Totarra to de-

scend from the father to the son.

6. Dacrypium, Soland. and Lamb., Rich. Conif.

329. D.? Mai, foliis aversis linearibus obtusis apiculo subcalloso, margi-

nibus revolutis, supra levibus viridibus, subtus glaucis, ramulis adultioribus

strictis, junioribus valde virgatis—Mai or Metai of the natives.

New Zealand (Northern Island), in forests at some distance from the sea-

coast, where it attains the height of eighty feet.—1826, 4. Cunningham.—

1834, BR. Cunningham.

A red pine, as dark as cedar. ‘The wood has been found durable,

but being brittle it furnishes very indifferent spars.

230. D.? plumosum, foliis (ramuli junioris) pectinatis linearibus mucro-

nato-aristatis, adultioribus (parvis) compresso-triquetris distichis arcte im-

bricatis carinatis obtusis supra concavis, ramulis quum complanatis oppo-

sitis. Don. in Lamb. Pin. ed. 2. App.—Kawa-ka of the natives, Rev. W.

Yate,

New Zealand (Northern Island), forests near the Bay of Islands, &.—

1829, G. Bennett.—1834, R. Cunningham.

Mr. Yate informs us that it is a tree growing about thirty feet

high with a diameter of one to three feet. The wood is beau-

tifully grained, close and heavy, and would make beautiful picture

frames if they were required of a deep stain. It is, however, not

much known, and has never as yet been sought after to be applied

to any useful purposes.—Yate’s New Zealand, p. 45.

331. D. excelsum, foliis laxe imbricatis subulatis compresso-tetragonis

mucronatis glaucis angulis depressis. Don. in Lamb. Pin. ed. 2. App.—

Podocarpus dacrydioides. 4. Rich. Fl. Nov, Zel. p. 358. t. 39.—Kahi-Katea,

nom. vernac.

New Zealand (Northern Island), swampy grounds on the margins of

rivers, viz. the Thames, Kana-Kana, and Hokianga.—1826, 4. Cunning-

214 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand.

ham. (Middle Island), in marshy forests on the shores of Tasman’s Bay.—

1827, D’Urville.

A white pine of tall stately growth, exhibiting oftentimes a clear

stem of eighty feet, and with its branched head attaining a height of

120 and 1380 feet, the diameter of such trees exceeding five feet.

Except for common canoes, in the construction of which it is em-

ployed by the natives on account of the great length of its trunk,

its wood is seldom used, being of so soft and spongy a nature as to

rot in afew months of exposure to the weather. It has been asserted

that as for all the canoes made on Middle Island this timber is em-

ployed, so the Dammara or Kauri does not grow upon it. Certain

it is, at least, that the latter noble tree has not been seen in its

forests by voyagers. .

332. D. cupressinum (Sol.), foliis linearibus subulatis tetragonis muticis

viridibus angulis elevatis, junioribus divaricatis, adultioribus laxe imbricatis,

ramulis flexuosis dependentibus. Sol, MSS. Lamb. Pin. p.93. t. 41. Rich.

Conif. p. 127. t. 2. A. Rich. Fl, Nov, Zel. p. 361.—Spruce tree of New

Zealand. Cook’s 2nd Voyage, i. p. 70. t.51.—Rium or Deum of the natives.

New Zealand (Middle Island), Dusky Bay.—1773, G. Forster.—1791,

A. Menzies, Esq. Astrolabe Harbour.—1827, D’Urville. (Northern Is-

-land).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks.—1826, A. Cunningham. Bay of ~~ &e.

—1834, R. Cunningham.

This elegant tree, a red pine, attains its greatest perfection, as we

learn from Mr. Yate, in shaded woods and in moist rich soils. Its

topmost branches are not more than eighty feet from the ground,

and the diameter of its trunk seldom exceeds four feet. The foliage,

especially when the individual is young, is remarkably graceful and

beautiful. Capt. Vancouver, who met with it in abundance in the

forests of Dusky Bay, cut down several of these trees to refit his

vessel, and found the timber solid and close-grained and very much

resembling the Bermudas cedar. From the younger branches, which

give out a bitter resinous juice, Capt. Cook on his second voyage to

those islands prepared a kind of spruce beer, which he found ex-

cellent in scorbutic complaints, with which some of his seamen were

affected.

URTICEA, Juss.

1. Urrica, L.

333. U. feroxr, Willd. Sp, Pl. 4. p.352. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 354.

Forst. Prodr. n. 346.

New Zealand (Middle Island), Queen Charlotte’s Sound, Cook’s Strait.—

1773, G. Forster.

334. U. debilis, caule herb2ceo erectiusculo foliisque alternis ovatis petio-

latis integerrimis pilosiusculis, pedunculis axillaribus trifloris. Endl. Prodr.

Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 215

#l. Norf. p. 37.—Parietaria debilis. Forst. Prodr. n. 387. Willd. Sp.

Pl. 4. p.958. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 354. Ic. Ferd. Bauer. t. 116.

(Endl.)

New Zealand (Middle Island).—1773, G. Forster. (Northern Island),

flooded banks of the Kana-Kana river, Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cunning-

ham.

2. Exarostema, Forst. Char. Gen. t.53. Endl.

335. E.? rugosa, caulescens, foliis sessilibus alternis ovato-oblongis acu-

minatis obliquis rugosis scabris versus basin angustatis grosse inzequaliterque

serratis, basi auriculatis, capitulis axillaribus subsessilibus.—Dorstenia ru-

gosa. Banks and Sol. MSS. in Herb. Banks.—Paratanaiwa of the natives.

R. C.

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Frequent in

damp shady woods on the banks of rivers, the Kana-Kana, &c.—1826, 4.

Cunningham.—1834, R. Cunningham.

It appears closely allied to H. pubescens, Forst., or sessile of the

same author, a plant indigenous to the Society group; but that

species is described as having axillary capitula on pedicles and leaves

not wholly destitute of petioles.

3. Hepycaria, Forst. Char. Gen. 127. t. 64.

#leres dioici. Mas. Perianth. monophyllum, plano-rostratum, 8—10-

fidum, laciniis lanceolatis subeequalibus. Stam. Anthere plurime (50)

oblonge quadrisulcz, apice barbatz, per totum fundum perianthii ses-

siles. Fam. Perianth. ut in Mase. persistens. Pistillum. Pedicelli breves

numerosi cylindrici, in medio perianthii elevantes. Germina globoso-

depressa. Styli nulli. Stigmata papille per germine sparsa. Pericar-

pium nuces (8 s. 10) pedicellate, globose, subosseze, monosperma, I'ru-

tices Nove Zelandie et Australasia. Folia opposita, petiolata, exstipu-

lata, venosa, pellucido-punctata dentato-serrata, serraturis glanduloso-

callosis. Racemi axillares.

336. H. dentata*, foliis ovatis obovatisve obtusiusculis remote denticu-

lato-serratis ramulisque glabris, racemis axillaribus corymbosis tomentosis.

Forst. Prodr. n. 349. Willd. Sp. Pl. 4. p.? A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p.354.

* In New South Wales two other species have been observed, which may

be thus characterised, viz.

H. macrophylla; foliis ellipticis obtusiusculis breviter petiolatis remote

serratis quandoque sub coriaceis rare integerrimis, utrinque glabris reticu-

lato-venosis, venis prominulis, ramulis racemi axillaris cinereo-scabridis.

A large shrub, frequent in shaded woods on the coast, especially on the

banks of the larger rivers of the colony.—1804, R. Brown, Esq.—1818, Al-

lan Cunningham.

H, angustifolia, glaberrima, foliis lanceolatis ovato-lanceolatis attenuatis

acutis discoloribus, a basi versus medium integerrimis, deinde ad apicem

grosse serratis, racemis axillaribus simplicibus.

In ravines in the Blue Mountains.—1834, R. Cunningham.

216 Mr. Ogilby’s Descriptions of two new Kangaroos

—Zanthoxylum Nove Zelandie. 4. Rich. Fl. Nov. p. 291. t. 33.—Poroki-

wiri of the Islanders. &. Cunningham.

New Zealand (Middle Island).—1773, G. Forster. (Northern Island),

a tree twenty-five feet high, frequent on the banks of the Kana-Kana and

other rivers at the Bay of Islands, Wangaroa, &c.—1826, 4. Cunningham.

—1834, R. Cunningham.

337. H. scabra, foliis elliptico-ovatis vel ovato-lanceolatis distanter ser-

ratis utrinque ramulisque scabris, corymbis axillaribus strigoso-pilosis.

Spreng.? conf. Steud. Nomencl. Bot. p. 390.

New Zealand (Northern Island), a tree thirty feet high, Keri-Keri river,

Bay of Islands.—1826, Allan Cunningham.

4. Brovussonetia, Vent. tab. 3. p. 567.

338. B. papyrifera. Duham. Arb. ii. xvi. t. 5. Willd. Sp. Pl. 4. p. 748.

Andr. Repos. t. 480.—Morus papyrifera. L. Forst. Prodr. n. 347.

New Zealand, in the northern parts of the Northern Island.—1769, Cook.

After enumerating certain plants that he observed in cultivation

among the New Zealanders, on his first visit in 1769, Capt. Cook

adds, “‘ We also found the Chinese Paper Mulberry Tree, the same

as that of which the inhabitants of the South Sea Islands make

their cloth ; but it was scarce, and only used to wear as an ornament

in the holes which they make in their ears.’’-—Cook’s First Voyage,

lil. p. 443.

Obs. An veré indigena ?

[To be continued. |

XXIII.—Observations upon some recent Communications of

Mr. J. EK. Gray, of the British Museum, to the Annals of

Natural History ; with Descriptions of two New Kangaroos

Jrom Van Diemen’s Land. By W. Oaiusy, Esq., M.A.,

F.R.A.S., F.L.S., F.G.S., F.Z.S., &c.

In the first number of the Annals of Natural History, p. 27, Mr. Gray

has given a notice of two skins of an animal originally described by

the late Mr. Bennett, but which that gentleman refrained from

naming, because from the imperfect nature of the materials at his

disposal, he was not certain whether it was a Zebra or an Aatelope.

Mr. Bennett’s own opinion originally was that the animal in ques-

tion belonged to the genus Equus; but the researches which, as

most zoologists know, I have myself prosecuted for the last six

years on the subject of the Ruminantia, enabled me to arrive at a

more just conclusion, and to determine both the characters and affi-

nities of this beautiful quadruped. This result I communicated to

Mr. Bennett, expressly stating to him my conviction that it was

from Van Diemen’s Land. 217

closely allied to the Guib and Boshbok (Antilope scripta and syl-

vatica), and though he naturally placed less confidence in my induc-

tion than I did myself, it nevertheless occasioned him to modify his

opinion, and to think, as he himself observes, (Proc. Com. Sci. Zool. -

Soe. ii. 123.) after expressly stating his reasons for believing it to be

a species of Zebra, that ‘‘ it might not improbably belong to some

species of Antelope.” Four years after Mr. Bennett’s notice, viz.

in Nov. 1836, having occasion to describe some new and rare Ante-

lopes at a meeting of the Zoological Society, at which Mr. Gray was

present and took part in the proceedings of the evening upon the

subject of my communication, I took the opportunity of detailing at

length my opinions with regard to the characters and relations of

the animal in question, to which I gave the name of Antilope Doria,

and announced its true habitat to be the western coast of Africa,

and not Algoa Bay as supposed by Mr. Bennett. A short abstract

of these observations will be found in the Zool. Proc. iv. 121.

I have been induced to detail this history of the Antilope Doria up

to the period of Mr. Gray’s notice, simply for the purpose of show-

ing that whatever little merit can result from having pointed out the

characters and affinities of this beautiful animal, and consequently

the right of naming it, belong neither to Mr. Bennett nor Mr. Gray.

The former gentleman was too just to claim such a right ; the latter,

though he has taken the liberty of exercising it, has still less pre-

tensions ; for not only has he added nothing new to the history and

description of the animal, but his observations are even fewer and

less important than those which I have long since published. That

I have just cause of complaint I cannot help thinking, when I re-

member that Mr. Gray took part in the proceedings of the meet-

ing when my observations were made and my name given; and that

he must be well acquainted with the published account of those

“Proceedings” containing both the name and the observations,

having been officially engaged in their revision ; and finally, that the

original skin has been long exhibited, with my name attached, in the

Museum of the Zoological Society, to which he is a frequent visitor,

besides being a member of the Museum Committee. It was my in-

tention to have noticed this subject in the last Number of the An-

nals, but I was prevented from doing so by a communication from

Mr. Gray, of which the following is an extract: ‘ He also takes the

opportunity of informing Mr. Ogilby that it is his (intention ?) to

correct the error into which he has fallen with respect to the Anti-

lope Doria in the next Number of the Annals.” This promise Mr.

Gray has not fulfilled; but instead of the promised correction the

218 Mr. Ogilby’s Descriptions of two new Kangaroos

second Number of the ‘ Annals’ contains a favour of another and

very different description on the part of Mr. Gray, which I shall now

briefly notice.

On the 28th of last November I exhibited and described at the

Zoological Society a new species of Phalanger, from the island of

Van Diemen’s Land, which I proposed to call Phalangista Viverrina,

and which, I observed, was the species figured in Cook’s Voyages,

and hitherto confounded with the Phalangista Cookii of M. Geoffroy

St. Hilaire. I stated moreover that I had been long acquainted with

the characters of the animal, and its specific distinction from the real

Phalangista Cookii, from a specimen in the British Museum, in which

establishment it was confounded with that species, but that I refrained

from noticing it, as well from a point of delicacy as because I was

unacquainted with its precise habitat. Mr. Gray was present at the

meeting in question, and took a very prominent part in the proceedings

of the evening. With the exception of one or two mistakes, he has

in the last Number of the Annals reproduced the observations which

I made on that occasion almost word for word, appropriating them

to himself, without any allusion to my communication, and propo-

sing a new name of his own (P. Banksii), not for the new species,

but for the old Phalangista Cookii, reserving the latter name most

improperly for the new species, which had already been named

by me Viverrina, avoiding the charge of suppressing my name.

Mr. Gray’s observations manifestly show that at the time they were

written he was not aware that the Van Diemen’s Land species was

the animal so long possessed by the British Museum, as he regrets

that no specimen was sent by Mr. Gunn, and I presume that he had

either forgotten this part of my observations or refreshed his memory

from the minute book of the Zoological Society, in which a very

brief abstract only of them is given: yet I observe that he has since

had the label ‘‘ Hepoona Cookii, Van Diemen’s Land,’’ attached to

the animal in the collection of the Museum, having, I suppose, be-

come acquainted with the characters of the animal from the speci-

mens of both species in the Museum of the Zoological Society. This

is but a supposition on my part; but it cannot be far from the truth,

as the two species have been exhibited with my names in the Zoo-

logical Society’s collection ever since the period of my observations,

and Mr. Gray’s paper plainly shows that he had no original know-

ledge of their specific distinction. Mr. Gray is at considerable pains

to show that the Van Diemen’s Land species, which is the new one,

and to which I gave the name of P. Viverrina, should be called

P. Cookii, and that the old one which has always passed by that name

from Van Diemen’s Land. 219

hitherto, is that which should have a new name, and he accordingly

proposes for it the name of P. Banksii*. The cause of Mr. Gray’s

anxiety in this matter may perhaps easily be divined; but of this

the reader will judge. The P. Cookit of all writers refers to the con-

tinental species, of which there are specimens at Paris, Leyden, Frank-

fort, &c.; and Mr. Gray’s attempt to transfer the name to the Van

Diemen’s Land species, merely because a plate in Cook’s Voyage has

been confounded with it, is as productive of confusion as it is dis-

ingenuous. His proposed generic name of Hepoona is equally un-

happy; it is really the native name of a Petaurist, and not at all of

a Phalanger as erroneously supposed by Mr. Gray: besides which,

the group which he thus designates is one which I first pointed out

and characterised in March 1836, under the name of Pseudocheirus.

The wallaby kangaroo, which Mr. Gray has likewise renamed

(H. Tasmanei), is the same species which I had previously described

at the Zoological Society under the name of Macropus rufiventer,

_ and of which I have here given a more detailed description.

I regret having been obliged to make these statements, and sin-

cerely hope that Mr. Gray will spare me the trouble of doing so in

future.

I have been much pleased with Mr. Gunn’s communication, which

contains much valuable information upon the mammals of Van Die-

men’s Land; and it is therefore with real satisfaction that I have it

in my power to supply one of its very few deficiencies, by the follow-

ing descriptions of two of the species of kangaroos there mentioned.

(p. 105.)

Macropus (Halmaturus) fruticus, the Brush Kangaroo.—Head,

back, croup, and outer surface of the arms and thighs clear russet

brown, slightly grizzled with silvery grey, the fur being of a slaty

brown colour at the root, and russet brown at the tip, long, copious

and thick; the face from the eyes down, the lips and chin are deep

uniform brown, as are likewise the paws both fore and hind, but the

whole of the tarsus and hind legs are of a clear light grey colour,

* Mr. Gray is evidently wrong in this matter. He cannot take away the

name of P. Cookii from the animal to give it to a mere picture, merely be-

cause the original describers made the mistake of referring to it. Cook dis-

covered both species and figured one: the wnfigured species has been long

known and described under Cook’s name; the figured species was first de-

scribed by myself last November by the name of P. Viverrina: in proposing

to change the names of both species Mr. Gray commits not only a private

wrong with regard to me, but a great public injury both to science and the

original describers of P. Cookii, by the confusion which he would introduce

into the nomenclature.

220 Mr. Ogilby’s Descriptions of two new Kangaroos.

and form in this respect a striking contrast to the sombre hue of

the toes ; the under surface of the tarsus is naked and callous; the

belly and under parts of the body are very light hoary grey, the fur

here being equally long and dense as above, and of the same deep slaty

brown colour at base, but with a long and conspicuous hoary point ;

the tail of middling size, attenuated, dirty yellowish grey, with a

small, brown, obscurely tufted tip, and very nearly naked beneath,

the hair being worn short and bristly on the terminal half; the ears -

pretty large, rounded, with dirty white hair about the edges, within,

densely covered with long soft hair without, grizzled at the base, but

dark brown with a shade of russet on the terminal two thirds. The

two front incisors larger than the lateral, separate at the base, con-

verging at the point; the external lateral incisor twice the size of

the middle one, and divided in the proportion of about 2:3 bya

vertical duplicature on the outer face, giving the tooth at first sight

the appearance of being double. The claw of the great hind toe is

short, round, and blunt, as in M. penicillatus ; and M. fruticus is the

only kangaroo besides that species in which I have noticed this cha-

racter. Length, 2 ft. 9 in.; tail, 1 ft. 10 in. ; head, 53 in.; ear, 3 in. ;

tarsus to the origin of the great claw, 73 in.

Macropus (Halmaturus) rufiventer, the Wallabee of Van Diemen’s

Land.—This is a very different species from the Wallabee of New

South Wales, (M. Ualubatus,) being smaller, and of a more reddish

brown colour. It is considerably smaller than the last species (M. fru-

ticus), but has similar incisors, except that the middle pair are not

proportionally longer or larger than the lateral, and the duplicature

of the external so small as to be apparent only on the posterior face,

dividing the tooth in the proportion of about 1 : 3 ; this tooth is

itself of smaller dimensions comparatively speaking than its ana-

logue in M. fruticus. The general colour of M. rufiventer is greyish

brown above, considerably darker than the wild rabbit, and deeply

shaded on the back and croup with pure black hairs, which, in cer-

tain lights, give these parts a perfectly black shade; the paws and

outer face of the fore legs are of the same colour; the tarsus and

hind legs brown; the chin, throat, belly, and abdomen, sandy red,

more or less intense in different specimens; ears yellowish red

within, black or very dark brown on the outside; tail short, rather

darker than the body above, dirty yellowish on the sides, naked and

granulated for two thirds of its length on the under surface ; claws

long and pointed; nose naked; length of the body, 2 ft.; tail,

1 ft. 2 in. ; head to root of ear, 44 in.: ear, 13 in. ; tarsus to great

claw, 54 in. First described before the Zoological Society, February

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 221

28th, 1838, under the name here given: afterwards by Mr. Gray

under the name of H. Tasmanei (vide Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. i. p. 108.

for April 1st, 1838). Mr. Gray’s description of this animal is

manifestly independent of mine, since his paper, though only pub-

lished on the Ist of April, is dated February 10. My own know-

ledge, both of this species and M. fruticus, dates from November

last, when I had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with them

through the kindness of Mr. Gould: the question between us, there-

fore, on this point is merély one of precedence.*

XXIV.—Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

Tue following interesting communication has been received from

George Bentham, Esq., Secretary to the Horticultural Society, &c.

M. Theodor Kotschy, a botanical collector from Vienna, joined as

botanist an expedition of Austrian geologists sent to search for use-’

ful fossils in the domain of the Viceroy of Egypt. With this expe-

dition he touched at Greece in the year 1836, from thence went to

Cairo, and after a very short stay in Syria, he spent two of the most

favourable summer months of that year in the Jittle-known chain of

the Taurus. From this country he transmitted to Vienna a consi-

derable collection of dried plants, containing many species entirely

new, and many others only known by the collections of Tournefort

and other older botanists, and only now to be found in a very few

herbaria.

From Syria M. Kotschy proceeded in 1837 to Nubia and Abyssi-

nia, and at the time the last news were received from him at Vienna,

he was in the most southern parts of Cordofan and Darfour, between

10° and 11° N. lat., and was expecting, after the rainy season, to

penetrate still further south. He represents the vegetation of these

countries as in the highest degree remarkable and imposing. The

expedition had already met with several troops of elephants and of

giraffes, and Mr. Kotschy also mentions some stems of Adansonia of

an enormous size. It is probable he may be mistaken as to the iden-

* Having intimated to Mr. Gray the subject of Mr. Ogilby’s communica-

tion, we have received from him the following note, which he had intended

to send us last month, but had mislaid.—Ebir.

Antilope Zebra. 1 find that Mr. Ogilby, in a notice of some other Ante-

lopes, in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society for 1836, p. 121, had pre-

viously given the name of Antilope Doria to the skins of this animal noticed

by Mr. Bennett ; but as he gives no additional particulars, and as the name

is only incidentally mentioned, and does not even occur in the index of the

volume, I had overlooked it.—J. E. Gray.

222 Bibliographical Notices.

tity of these trees with the Adansonia of Senegal ; but it will not be

the less interesting, should this be the case, to ascertain what vege-

table giant in Western Africa represents the colossus of the East.

Some sets of M. Kotschy’s Taurus and Syrian plants, consisting

of from 230 to 260 species, most of them named, may still be had at

the rate of about thirty shillings the hundred, besides the carriage

from Vienna. ‘The collections from Nubia are on their way to Vi-

enna, and the price will only be fixed after their arrival there.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

A History of British Reptiles. By 'Thomas Bell, Professor of Zoology

in King’s College, London. Illustrated by a Wood Cut of each

Species, with some of the varieties, and numerous Vignettes, No. I.

8vo. Van Voorst, London, 1838.

Tuts is the first number of another portion of M. Van Voorst’s

series of works illustrating the British Fauna, and in its general

character we think it one of the very best. The figures are well

and scientifically drawn, and are beautifully cut. ‘The descriptive

part is also excellent, and enters at once into the difficult parts of

the synonymy, and the distinctions between the species of our rep-

tiles which are allied to each other, or to those of the continent. We

have only one objection ; the work is a history of Bririsn Reprizes,

but the range of the species out of England is scarcely touched on.

This information, it is true, is difficult to be procured from actual ob-

servation, but there are surely persons in both the sister divisions of

our islands who would have willingly communicated what they

knew.

The number commences with the two turtles (Chelonia imbricata

and Sphargis coriacea) which possess so slender a claim to a place in

our Fauna.» We would consider the instances where both species

have been found within ‘the range as entirely accidental. And it

seems questionable even that either of them were wafted to our

shores, from having mistaken their course, or from an extraordinary

war of elements. The Lacertide follow next, and in the description

of the first, the application of Lacerta agilis, Linn., to the proper

animal seems clearly made out, and the fact of our possessing two

species, members of distinct genera, established without a doubt.

We are not aware that the L. agilis, Linn. and Bell, L. Stirpium of

Jenyns, has yet been discovered in Scotland; since the publication

of the ‘Manual’ by the last-named naturalist we have been look-

Bibliographical Notices. 223

ing anxiously for it, but in all the inland localities the little Zootoca

vivipara only occurs. The latter species, which Mr. Bell remarks

extends “ even into Scotland,” is most abundant, and ranges far to

the north. We have seen it on the southern confines of Sutherland

and Ross-shire, and from thence to the English border ; it is common

on all the subalpine heaths reaching to a considerable elevation. It

is also frequent on the sandy downs of the coast where heath and

bent-grass abound, and where the true L. agilis might be expected.

We would remark of Mr. Bell’s figure or cut of this pretty reptile,

that the common Scotch variety is more distinctly marked than that

which he has exhibited, the interior of the lateral dark markings

being bordered by a yellowish white line, clearly conspicuous even

when the creature is running. In a specimen of what appears to be

this reptile, taken on the coast, the scales containing the femoral

pores are larger than what is stated. They appear as large as those

represented in the cut at page 21, but are round and oval, not of the

triangular form seen in fig. a. The animal, we think, agrees in other

parts with the characters given of Z. vivipara, and in the proportion

of the toes and toothless palate.

The subject of the next figure and description, Anguis fragilis, is

also common in the south of Scotland. We have found it most com-

monly in dry, stony, subalpine situations, where it easily finds a re-

treat on the appearance of danger.

A beautifully cut figure of the common snake follows, but as the

description is just commenced, we leave it till the publication of the

next number.

The Birds of. Australia and the adjacent Islands. By John Gould,

F.L.S. Part II. Folio. London, 1838.

We formerly (in the Mag. of Zool. and Bot. vol. ii. p. 357.) no-

ticed the first and commencing number of this work, produced in the

same style of art, and on a similar ‘scale, with Mr. Gould’s other

highly-finished illustrations. The second part is now before us, equal

in every respect to its predecessor, and containing figures of the fol-

lowing species: but before making any remark upon them, we can-

not avoid alluding to the expedition which our author has in con-

templation to make to Australia. Such a journey will be of the

highest interest to the traveller; and knowing Mr. Gould’s activity

in the field, and his qualifications for observation and recording what

he does observe, we look forward to his return with an intense inter-

est. Many species have now been forwarded to Europe from this

most interesting country, a few of them from very inland districts ;

224 Bibliographical Notices.

but with the exception of the skin alone, and the description of the

outward form of the bird, we have received almost no other inform-

ation; in fact, we are more deficient in our knowledge of the ceco-

nomy of Australian species than of those of any other quarter of the

world. This department should be Mr. Gould’s great object: he

should endeavour to collect everything, together with what he can

himself observe, regarding the manners of those species which have

given rise to so much speculation among our systematists, and to se-

cure for after-dissection individuals of the various genera, which he

well knows have long been desiderata to the comparative anatomist,

Apteryx, Menura, Alectura, &c. We firmly trust that health and

strength may be spared to him actively to go about his work, and

safely to return again to his native country.

Chetura macroptera. Mr. Gould should endeavour to procure in-

formation regarding the manners of this bird, particularly its scanso-

rial habits. Most of the Hirundinide make use of the tail as a sup-

port when resting, or when constructing their nests; but the authen-

ticity of the fact of their climbing on the face of cliffs in search of

food rests scarcely on complete evidence, and it will be a curious

circumstance if confirmed, in the ceconomy of birds possessing so

great extent and power of wing.—Dacelo cervina, a beautiful spe-

cies, and apparently very rare; Mr. Gould remarks that only two

specimens are known in London. This is another genus of birds

worthy of attention; a good account of their manners would be a

valuable acquisition to our knowledge.—Pachycephala pectoralis, M.

& F. The females of this genus have frequently been described under

distinct names from the opposite sex.—Amadina castanotis, M. & F..

—Nestor hypopolius.—Platycercus hematogaster, n. s—Myzomela

nigra, 0. s., a curious species, the colours black and white, with

nearly the same distribution as in M. cardinalis.—Apteryx Australis,

an interesting figure of this very singular and still little-known bird.

Mr. Gould mentions the existence of four specimens in the London

collections, and from his examination of them has been led to con-

clude that it will range among the Struthionide, (where also Mr.

Swainson places it in the tenuirostral type,) but that between the

large members of this family and the Apteryx there may be supposed

to exist several undiscovered intermediate links ; indeed he mentions

in the description, that at a meeting of the Zoological Society, a na-

tive of New Zealand, who was present, when shown the Apterya,

stated that he knew another kind, ‘‘ with a shorter bill.” —The last

figure in the number is Agialitis (Charadrius) Monachus, a chastely

coloured species, and now not very uncommon in our collections.

Zoological Society. 225

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

Sept. 26th, 1837.—Richard Owen, Esq. in the Chair.

Two small quadrupeds from the Society’s collection were exhi-

bited by Mr. Waterhouse, who stated that he believed them to be

undescribed species. The first was characterized as

Gataco ALLENI. Gal. auribus permagnis, digitis perlongis ; vellere

intense plumbeo, rufescente lavato ; corpore subtis flavo lavato.

Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caude basin, 8 unc. 1 lin.; caude,

10 unc.; auris, 1 unc. 24 lin.: latitudo auris, 11 lin. : longitudo pol-

licis antipedum, 6 lin.; digiti longissimi, 1 unc. 1 lin.; pollicis pedum.

posticorum, 7 lin.; digiti longissimi, 1 unc. 2 lin.; pedis postici a calce

ad apicem digitorum, 2 unc. 11 lin.

Hab. Fernando Po.

Obs. This specimen, which has four incisors in the upper jaw, and

six in the lower, is about the same size as the Galago Senegalensis, but

may be readily distinguished from that species by the greater size

of the ears, (the length of which is equal to the distance between

the tip of the muzzle and the base of the ear,) and the great length

of the fingers and toes. In the colouring there is also a difference,

G. Senegalensis being grey, washed with yellow ; whereas G. Alleni is

of a deep slate grey, all the hairs of the upper parts being of a rusty

yellow at the apex, or, as on the fore legs, rusty at the tip. The

under parts of the body are of a paler hue than the upper, the hairs

being of a dirty yellow colour at the tip; but like those of the upper

parts, they are of a slate grey for the greater portion of their length:

on the throat and chin each hair is whitish at the apex. The hairs

covering the feet are of a deep brown colour. ‘The tail is dusky

brown.

Preromys (Sciuropterus) Horsrietpi. Pier. fuscus, pilis flaves-

centi-fuscis crebré intersparsis ; corpore subiis flavescenti-albo,

genis et patagio lumbari ad marginem rufescenti-flavis ; caudd

subtis nitide ferrugined ; auribus mediocribus.

Longitudo ab apice rostri ad caudz basin, 9 unc. 6 lin.; auris, 74

lin.; tarsi digitorumque, 1 unc. 5 lin.

Obs. This species is of a larger size than the Pieromys sagitta, from

which it differs in having the ears larger in proportion; the tail

more bushy and of an uniform bright rust colour beneath; the mar-

gin of the flank skin is of a reddish yellow colour, as are also the sides

‘of the face below the eye. On the upper parts of the body the fur

is of a deep brown, each hair being grey at the base; the inter-

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 1. No.3. May 1838. Q

226 Zoological Society.

spersed longer hairs, which are abundant, are of a bright brown or

reddish-yellow colour at the apex. The general tint produced by

this mixture is rufous brown. On the under parts of the body the

hairs are of a yellow or yellowish white colour, and not grey at the

base.

The specimen from which the above description is taken is either

from Java or Sumatra. I have taken the liberty of naming it after

the author of the ‘ Zoological Researches in Java,’ &c.

Mr. Gould exhibited from his Australian collection of Birds two

species of the genus Platycercus, which he considered new: for one

of these he proposed the specific name of hematonotus, from the red

spot upon itsrump; and for the other, which he had very recently

/received, and which he remarked was one of the most beautiful spe-

cies of the genus hitherto discovered, that of hematogaster.

PLATYCERCUS HZMATONOTUS. Plat. summo capite, fronte, genis,

nuchd pectoreque smaragdino-viridibus ; dorso fuscescenti-vi-

ridi ; uropygio coccineo ; articulo humerali, ald spurid et po-

goniis externis primarium ad partem basalem nitidé ceruleo-

nigris, notd sulphured humerali. Remigibus majoribus et

minoribus, rectricibusque caude duabus intermediis viridibus,

hoc colore in ceruleum transeunte ad apicem, apicibus ipsis

nigro-fuscis ; rectricibus reliquis ad bases viridibus, ad apices

et ad pogonia externa cineraceo-albis ; abdomine medio flavo ;

femoribus obscuré ceruleo-viridibus ; crisso cineraceo-albo ;

rostro corneo ; pedibus fuscis.

Long. tot. 11 unc.; ale 5 ; caude 64; tarsi 3.

Puuuus intra annum primum, ab ave adultd differt partibus, que in

hde smaragdino-viridibus, in illo cinerescenti-viridibus ; necnon

crisso haud coccineo, abdomine haud flavo ; ast primariis nonnuliis,

secondariisque ad bases albis.

Hab. Nova Cambria Australi.

Obs. This species unites Platycercus to Nanodes, and is in fact so

directly intermediate between these genera in size and other charac-

ters, that it is difficult to decide to which group it should be referred ;

but I am induced to include it among the Platycerci.

PLATYCERCUS HEMATOGASTER. Plat. fronte facieque ceruleis ;

summo capite, nuchd, plumisque auricularibus flavescenti-cine-

reis ; pectore cinereo tincto brunneo ; plumis auricularibus ad

partem superiorem stramineis ; uropygio, tectricibusque supe-

rioribus caude cerinis; articulo humerali pallidé ceruleo ;

primariis intensé fuscis et ad apicem acutis ; secondariis tectri-

cibusque majoribus violaceo-ceruleis ; tectricibus minoribus

Zoological Society. — 227

alisque ad partem superiorem intensé coccineis ; lateribus tec-

tricibusque inferioribus pallidé flavis ; abdomine medio nitideé

eoccineo; plumis duabus intermediis caude ad bases pallidé

olitaceo-viridibus ad apices in ceruleum transeunte. Reli.

quis plumis ad bases intensé ceruleis ad apices in album trans-

— eunte; rostro corneo; pedibus fuscis.

Long. tot. 12 unc.; ale 3; caude7 ; tarsi 2.

Hab. Nova Cambria Australi.

Mr. Gould also exhibited, on the part of Mr. Burton, a new spe-

cies of Kingfisher, from the collection at Fort Pitt, Chatham, be-

longing to the genus Ceya#, of Lacépéde. Mr. Burton had proposed

to characterize it under the specific name of microsoma.

Cryx microsoma. Ceyx subcristata, capite cauddque supra,

nuchd et humeris rufis ; strigd ab oculis ad nucham (pone ocu-

los leviter, apud nucham intense) dorso et uropygio hyalino

splendentibus ; alis brunneis, pogoniis remigum internis rufo

marginatis, tectricibus punctis hyalinis ornatis: infra pallideé

rufa héc colore apud ventrem dilutiore ; mento, guld et strigd

auriculari albidis: rostro pregrandi, aurantiaco. Pedibus

rubris. ;

Long. corp. 44 une.; capitis 2; rostri ab apice ad rectum 1};

caude 1.

Hab. in India Maderaspatana.

Mr. Gould afterwards exhibited, on the part of the same gentle-

man, a specimen of the genus Caprimulgus, supposed to be the fe-

male of C. monticolus, and of which Mr. Burton had furnished the

following description :

CAPRIMULGUS MONTICOLUS, Franklin*. Foemina? Capr. pal-

lidior mari: remigibus maculd notatis rufd, ubi mas gaudet

albé ; jugulo rufo tincto ; caudé rufa nigro fasciatd et inspersd,

rufo rectrices apud exteriores dominante, cauddque externd maris

albo omnino carente.

Formé et staturd mari simillimd. :

Hab. in India septentrionali. In Muszo Medico-militari, Chat-

ham.

Obs. The general form, character and colouring of this specimen

harmonize so perfectly with those of Caprimulgus monticolus, that

I have thought it safe to consider it as the female, until local obser-

vation or dissection shall have decided the question; at all events, it

is new, and hitherto undescribed.

Sega 2 of the Committee of Science and Correspondence (Zool. Soc.),

Q 2

228 Botanical Society of Edinburgh.

‘A species of the genus Carduelis, also from the collection at

Chatham, was characterized by Mr. Gould as

CarpveEtis Burtoni. Card. fronte et regione circum-oculari pul-

chre roseis ; vertice genisque nigris ; corpore obscure fuscescenti-

roseo, alis extern? nigris, singulis plumis plis minusve albo ad

apicem notatis ; ald spurid albd ; rectricibus caude nigris ; duabus,

intermediis ad apicem albis, duabus prowimis longius ad apicem

albis, reliquis albd notd interne ad basin excurrente ornatis ;

rostro pedibusque pallidé fuscis.

Long. tot. 6} unc. ; rostri, 3; ale, 3%; caude, 24; tarsi, 3.

Hab. Himalaya.

Obs. I am indebted to the collection of Fort Pitt, at Chatham, for

the knowledge of this very fine species of Carduelis: the specimen

here characterized is, as far as I am aware, unique. It departs in

some respects from the other members of the genus, particularly in

the robust form of the beak, which is slightly angulated at the base :

the form of its wings and tail, together with their peculiar markings,

however, clearly points out that it is only an aberrant species of that

group.

I have been induced to give this fine bird the specific appellation

of Burton, for the purpose of paying a just compliment to Staff-Sur-

geon Burton, for the warm interest he took in the formation of the

Fort Pitt collection, and for the readiness he has at all times evinced

to aid in any way the advancement of zoological science.

BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH.

The following gentlemen have been elected office-bearers for 1838;

President.

Rosert Grauay, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., Professor of Botany in the University

of Edinburgh.

Vice-Presidents.

Joun Hurron Batrour, M.D. Davip Fatconar, Esq. of Carlowrie.

Patrick Herm, LL.D. Professor CurisTIson.

Council,

Anprew Dovetas Martacan, M.D. ~ Wituram MeNas, Esq.

Joun Hutton Potiexren, M.D. Davip Srevart, Esq.

‘Rosert Kaye Grevitite, LL.D. Joun Percy, Esq.

Secretary.—Wiit1am Hunter Campsext, Esq.

Treasurer.—Wtu1AM Branp, W.S.

Curator.—James M‘Nas, Esq.

Foreign Secretaries.—Epwarp Forsss, Esq. and Martin Barry, M.D.

January 11th, 1838.—Professor Graham, President, in the Chair.

Mr. R. W. Falconer read a Paper ‘‘ On the ancient history of the

Rose,” in which he gave an account of the rose trees mentioned and

Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 229

described by the Greek and Roman writers of antiquity ; also of the

modes in which roses were cultivated, their periods of flowering, and

the various uses to which they were applied. Theophrastus and

Pliny appear to have given the fullest account of the rose, the former

enumerating five kinds of roses, the latter fifteen, eleven of which,

he says, were familiarly known to the Romans. After comparing

the descriptions given by these authors with those of Dioscorides,

Clusius, and other writers, Mr. Falconer proceeded to give an ac-

count of the ancient rosaria or rose plantations, collected from the

various works of Pliny, Columella, and Palladius; also of the means

employed for propagating and forcing roses, mentioned by Theo-

phrastus, Didymus, Pliny, and Seneca. The different localities re-

nowned for their roses were next stated; Nicander, Athenzeus, and

Pliny, being the principal authorities on this point. Among the

ancients the rose was employed medicinally at their festivals and at

their sacred ceremonies ; also as an article of luxury at their banquets

and for making unguents. The uses of the rose among the Greeks

and Romans were nearly the same, the latter nation, however, using

them more profusely, and setting a higher value uponthem. Ana-

creon was the first author whom Mr. Falconer could find to have

mentioned the rose, and he flourished about 600 years B. C. My-

repsius, a medical writer of the 13th century, was the latest author

quoted.

A communication from Mr. Edwin Lees of Worcester was then

read, giving an account of a specimen of Pyrus domestica, Sm., or

Sorb-tree, now growing in Wyre Forest, Worcestershire. Mr. Lees

thinks it probable, from the situation of Wyre Forest, on the con-

fines of three counties, Worcester, Salop, and an isolated portion of

Stafford, that this locality for Pyrus domestica may have been inad-

vertently multiplied ; and that the station given by Dr. Plot and

Ray in the ‘‘ Moorlands of Staffordshire,” may possibly refer to the

specimen in question, which, however, is situated in the parish of

Rock in Worcestershire, about three miles from Bewdeley. Froma

close inspection of the locality, Mr. Lees is inclined to think that the

tree alluded to is not there indigenous, although probably entitled to

an antiquity of not less than 400 years. The vestiges of a habita-

tion and garden he thought might be traced in some bricks and re-

mains near the spot, and in the presence of solitary specimens of Li-

gustrum vulgare and Prunus domestica, the only individuals which he

observed in the whole forest. ‘The tree when visited in 1836 was much

dilapidated, and presented the appearance of extreme old age, in the

battered state of its bole, great height (about sixty feet), broken

230 Linnean Society.

lower branches, and tenuity and tortuosity of the upper ones, which

only bear flower from the young shoots at their very ends. Fruit is

produced annually, and is eagerly gathered as a curiosity by the

country people, who look upon it as a charm, suspending it in their

habitations, and appearing to consider it a safeguard; while to the

mountain ash (Pyrus aucuparia) they pay no sort of attention, al-

though they seem to be fully aware of the relationship between the

species, designating the latter the ‘‘ Whitten tree,” while the former

is called the ‘‘ Whitten Pear-tree,”’—the fruit very much resembling

a small jennet pear. The stations given for Pyrus domestica in Corn-

wall and the Isle of Wight, Mr. Lees thinks rest on doubtful author-

‘ity, and that its claims to being considered indigenous to Britain

would require to be based on a stronger foundation than that af-

forded by the solitary individual in Wyre Fcrest.

LINNAZAN SOCIETY.

March 6, 1838.—Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair. |

Mr. Newman, F.L.S., exhibited specimens of the Noctua cubicu-

laris in the larva state, obtained from Ham Green, near Bristol, the

seat of Richard Bright, Esq., where this caterpillar had proved very

destructive to wheat in the rick.

Dr. Bromfield, F.L.S., exhibited a specimen of a singular variety

of Crepis virens, with the leaves nearly entire, gathered by him in a

wood near Yarmouth in the Isle of Wight.

A plant in flower of the rare Ophrys lutea of Cavanillas was ex-

hibited by Mr. Anderson, from the Apothecaries’ Garden at Chelsea.

Read a description of the Mosses collected in the journey of the

late deputation into Upper Assam, in the years 1835 and 1836. By

William Griffith, Esq., Assistant Surgeon on the Madras Establish-

ment. Communicated by R. H. Solly, Esq., F.R.S.& LS.

The discovery of the China tea plant in Upper Assam attracted the

attention of the Indian government, and accordingly a deputation,

consisting of Dr. Wallich, Mr. M‘Clelland, and Mr. Griffith, was

sent from Calcutta to investigate the subject. The present paper

comprises descriptions of the Musci collected in the journey; but

the greater portion of the species, Mr. Griffith states, was gathered

in the Khasya Hills, an elevated tract of country, forming part of

the eastern frontier of British India. The breadth of this tract va-

ries from thirty-five to sixty English miles, and the following heights*

of places situated on the route of the mission, and copied from Cap-

tain Pemberton’s report, are given by Mr. Griffith. if

Linnean Society. 231

feet.

CRUTTR, PUDICS. ccacocnorceanessoansacorcccereee Asberdsae Soee

PINUNOOIE ccs ccitapisxessess dkciadenietaceseaci pahesasse OOUe

Mofong oi .c..scstcccscoseees. beh cahhd scaees Mebtienesunass 5942

DENN season snikgs a Sisieetenehsesdspsvsecestanecces saxon 5940

TOGIOW © ncetnncncsscsencet bisakuateasdacesons vs eui keen 4553

The climate is described to be excessively moist, which will ac-

count for the large number of mosses collected in the journey by Mr. -

Griffith, forming about one eighth of the entire family, 1324 being

the amount of species enumerated by Bridel in his Bryologia Uni-

versa. We subjoin a list of the genera, together with the number

of species contained in each.

RWIS ssccccsscvceveccasnens Neat | Brought up ......... 62

Polytrichum ......44. ta soelesdenes SP BOrer asd 5.5 sc seneccctcassvicnes 3

Diphyscium ...cccccereee sivaenaas 1 | Brachymenium .uscccccsecceceers 3

GyMnNostoMum seccecsevecsensens FA BORE 0 cevovsapvienabsgbeavenedss 7

eT MIRUOUO S viycbe cepoissbicesdecnie Df PROPOR IN aS. ies setcasees os 4

Orthotrichum.cercerssceccccsereee GE LVOOREP A: o iebiciesssnteviucsrveges 20

Schlothetmia ......0cesseccecees Gat es Ee NOONE oc ccots napa exe ayes ee

OF DING Wenskcsiciicceund Kaus seiaes D: | PCM ODUE cc cnceecsecvssarserenece 3

BUTCH iis csciseviands vxcced sis St Anhymensu .isccecsehseseseves ) T

TOMA 5 iia pihdicuh se bansond koas Fb EA OOMOTER sp. vessixenteadinpivdooce 4

STOIILOLIOM - siden bscdeandesnyess SL LPAROE® sc pNcenes Seaadpadacebaracee 7

RPETUE Sadivvevscclhesis tebeds CFE ORR i sbisccveeceevtedes via 28

Fissidens .....0000s pases o94% vinnite 10 —_——

Didymodon .secccrerevere Seveseds 4 143

y MOEEE ssi vesceesaeses sepeescave me Undetermined ...... 9

62 Total species ...... 152

The collection contains Sphagnum obtusifolium, Polytrichum urni-

gerum and aloides, Weissia Templetoni, Dicranum scoparium and glau-

cum, Bartramia fontana, and several others familiar to the European

muscologist; but the far greater part of the species have not been

previously described.

March 20.—Dr. Horsfield, V.P., in the Chair.

Read a description of the Mora tree. By Mr. Robert H. Schom-

burgk. Communicated by George Bentham, Esq., F.L.S.

This tree is a native of the forests of British Guiana, where it at-

tains a large size, the trunk often exceeding ninety feet in height,

with a circumference of upwards of twenty feet. The trunk pro-

duces large buttresses at its base, which from their partial decay

afterwards become hollow beneath, and form a chamber capable of

sheltering several persons standing erect. The tops of these but-

‘tresses, and the trunk itself, are found clothed with innumerable

epiphytes, which greatly add to the singularity of the tree. The

tree affords timber of excellent quality, being close-grained, strong,

232 Linnean Society.

tough and durable, and not liable to split. The Mora tree consti-

tutes a new genus of the order Leguminose, belonging to’ the sub-

order Cesalpinee, and tribe Cassiee. Mr. Bentham adopts the na-

tive name for the genus, and proposes that of excelsa for the species.

The following is his character of the genus.

Mora. Benth.

Calyx urceolato-campanulatus, breviter et late 5-dentatus, zestivatione im-

bricativa. Corolla: petala 5, sequalia. Stamina 10, exserta, quorum 5

petalis opposita, fertilia sunt, antheris bilocularibus medifixis longitu-

dinaliter dehiscentibus, 5 petalis alterna filiformia, antheris clavatis

cassis. Ovarium breviter stipitatum, pluriovulatum. Stylus compres-

sus, subrectus, stigmate tenui terminali. Legumen coriaceo-lignosum,

oblongum, abortu (an constanter?) monospermum. Semen magnum,

reniforme, cotyledonibus crassis, radicula conica recta.

The genus is nearly related to Tachigalia of Aublet, and Leptolo-

bium of Vogel, but differs from both in the woody texture of the

pod, which is moreover naturally dehiscent, in the greater regularity

of the parts of the flower, and in the sterility of the alternate sta-

mina. :

April 3.—The Bishop of Norwich, President, in the Chair.

Read a communication on the existence of Stomata in Mosses. In

a letter to R. H. Solly, Esq., F.R.S. & L.S. By William Valentine,

Esq., F.L.S. |

The discovery of stomata in mosses was reserved for Mr. Valen-

tine, an opinion of their absence from that family having univer-

sally obtained amongst botanists. It was in Bryum crudum that Mr.

Valentine first detected stomata, and'of one hundred and three Bri-

tish mosses examined by him, seventy-eight were found to possess

these organs. ‘Their situation in this family is very remarkable, be-

ing confined, with one exception, to the theca, and the thinness of

the tissue will readily account for their absence from other parts. In

Bryum crudum they occur only on the apophysis, and wherever that

organ is present they are to be met with. On the apophysis of seve-

ral species of Splachnum they exist in considerable abundance, but

in S. ampullaceum they are confined to the upper part of that organ,

being the only spot where the subcutaneous tissue has separated

from the cuticle. They occur on the whole of the theca in Enca-

lypta ciliata and vulgaris, and in several species of Orthotrichum. In

Cidipodium Griffithianum they exist on the upper part of the fleshy

seta, as well as on the apophysis. In many mosses without the apo-

physis, they are found in a single row at the base of the theca, as,

for instance, in Trichostomum patens, and in the genus Phascum, with

a Linnean Society. 233

the exception of Phascum alternifolium, which is wholly destitute of

them. They are found equally on the most fully developed species,

such as Hypnum rutabulum, as well as on the very lowest, of which

Phascum serratum affords an example, while on the contrary they

are wanting in species of both extremes, as Hypnum denticulatum and

Phascum alternifolium. Their number and size vary according to

the age of the theca; in the very young theca they are very small,

and much less numerous than on the mature organ. In Orthotri-

chum diaphanum when mature they are from twenty to twenty-five,

whilst on the very young theca Mr. Valentine has found as few as five.

They are very numerous on the apophysis of Funaria hygrometrica.

The more common form of the stomata in mosses is similar to that

generally found amongst phenogamous plants. Each consists of two’

oblong reniform cells, with their concave sides opposed to each other.

In Funaria hygrometrica they consist of a single cell in the form of

a hollow ring, and in five British species of Orthotrichum (diaphanum,

pulchellum, rivulare, anomalum, and cupulatum) they have a raised

border of projecting cells which form a cavity above the stoma, re-

sembling somewhat those of Marchantia and Targionia.

Mr. Anderson, F.L.S., exhibited, from the Chelsea Botanic Gar-

den, flowering plants of Pterostylis concinna and Perdicium lyratum.

April 17.—The Bishop of Norwich, President, in the Chair.

Read a paper by Prof. Don, Libr. L.S., describing two new genera

of the natural family of plants called Conifere.

These two genera belong to the Cupressinee, to which they form

an interesting addition, from their peculiarities of habit and struc-

ture, and they differ from all the genera hitherto established of that

group by the female spikes assuming the form of a cone, as in P2nus.

The Cupressinee are characterised by theirreproductive organs having

a tendency to become indefinite, by their atropous ovula, naked buds,

and other peculiarities of habit. The following are the essential

characters of these two genera.

CRYPTOMERIA.

Cupressi sp. Lin. Fil.

Amenta mascula spicata. Squame antherifere rotundate, adpressé im-

bricatz, sessiles. Antherarum thece 5, connate! basi squamarum om-

nino adnate, anticé foramine amplo dehiscentes. Ovula erecta. Stro-

bili solitarii, globosi, squarrosi: sguamis &pericarpio 3—6-dentato brac-

teAque lanceolaté acuminata inferné concretis compositis. Semina 4 v.

6, compresso-angulata, vix alata.

Arbor (japonica) procera, sempervirens. Folia feré omnind Araucarize

Cunninghamii, 5-fariam ordinata, subulata, viridia, verticalitér com-

234 Lannean Society.

pressa, vie pollicaria. Amenta mascula in spicam terminalem aggre-

gata; foeminea solitaria, globosa.

1. C. gyaponica.

Cupressus japonica. Linn. Fil, Suppl. 421.

Habitat in Insulé Nipponiz.

The habit of this tree is so like that of Araucaria Cunninghamii,

that a branch of the one might readily be mistaken for that of the

other. The male catkins, which in the other genera of Cupressinee

are solitary, are here numerous, as in the normal tribe of Pinus, and

crowded in a spike-like manner at the extremity of the branches.

The thece, five in number, are unilocular, very short, combined to-

gether in a single series, concealed at the base of the scales, and

open inwardly towards the axis by a large aperture. The female

catkins are solitary, globular, and squarrose. ‘The scales, or peri-

carpia, apparently consist each of a verticil of leaves combined to-

gether and concrete with the bracte, which is much developed. The

ovula vary from four to six, and appear to bear some relation to the

divisions of the pericarpium. ‘The more complex structure of this

genus appears to confirm the accuracy of Mr. Brown’s view of the

scales being the pericarpial leaves, and to militate against the opinion

lately advanced by Dr. Schleiden,* who regards the scale or expanded

pericarpium of Abietinee as the placenta, and what has hitherto been

regarded as the bracte as the true pericarpial leaf.

The wood of Cryptomeria is compact, and the fibrous tissue is com-

posed of very slender vessels, united generally by their truncated

ends, and furnished on the sides parallel to the medullary rays with

a single row of minute dots, having a circular outline, and an opake

centre, much smaller and more crowded than in P2nus.

The author’s description of this remarkable tree is taken from a

specimen communicated by Thunberg to the younger Linneus, and

now forms part of the extensive collections of the Linnzan Society.

ATHROTAXIS.

Amenta mascula solitaria, multiflora, capitata, laxa. Squame antherifere

longé unguiculate, subfastigiate. Antherarum thece 2. bivalves, dis-

tantes, divaricato-patentes. Ovula3, pendula. Strobili sguame indefi-

nite, lanceolate, acute, regione seminifera incrassata. Semina 2 v. 3,

compressa, margine altero alato.

Arbusculz (Tasmanienses) sempervirentes, facie Lycopodiorum, foliis im-

bricatis, amentis terminalibus solitariis sessilibus.

The habit of this singular genus recalls to mind the Lepidodendra,

~ * For Dr. Schleiden’s interesting memoir on this subject, vide Philoso-

phical Magazine, vol. xii. p. 172.

» Linnean Society. 235

those forms which at present exist only in a fossil state; their axis

is studded with the persistent adherent bases of the leaves, resem-

bling the lozenge-shaped marks on the stem of the fossil genus

above-mentioned, and the ramification frequently presents a dichoto-

mous appearance, which arises from the non-development of one of

the lateral branches, the normal arrangement in this genus being a

primary axis with two opposite lateral ones. ‘I'he bases of the leaves

of Lycopodiacee being so completely continuous with the axis would

not present such marks as those mentioned, and the author is there-

fore inclined to consider Lepidodendron as allied rather to Conifere

than to that family, and the present interesting genus appears to

present us with an evident link of connexion. ‘The scales, as they

are usually termed, of the male spike of Conifere, the author regards

as the anthers, although usually presenting a foliaceous character,

a portion only of the subcutaneous cellular tissue being converted

into pollen. It is generally the under surface of the modified leaf or

anther that becomes polliniferous, the upper surface remaining most

frequently unchanged. ‘These polliniferous thecz are analogous to

the subdivisions of the anthers in Rhizophoree, Laurinee, &c., and

are in all cases unilocular, being destitute of any septum, and their

line of dehiscence is various, being sometimes in the direction of the

axis, and sometimes contrary to it. I ought to except Athrotazis

and Pinus, in both of which the scales differ but little from the ordi-

nary condition of the anthers of other plants. The author’s opinion

of the scales being simple, and not originating from the confluence

of several anthers, is founded upon their resemblance to the bractes,

from their nervation, which is entirely that of a simple leaf, exhi-

biting no traces of composition. ‘The wood of Athrotazris presents

nothing unusual in its structure, but resembles that of Cryptomeria,

except that the dots are fewer.

The following are the characters of the two species of this genus :

1. A. selaginoides, foliis lanceolatis acuminatis laxé 5-fariam imbricatis,

squamis antheriferis acutis.

2. A. cupressoides, foliis ovatis obtusis adpressé 4-fariam imbricatis,

squamis antheriferis ellipticis obtusis.

The author is indebted to Dr. Lindley for the opportunity of gi-

ving descriptions of both species of this interesting genus, the speci-

mens from which they were taken being contained in his rich herba-

rium, and had been sent to him by Mr. Gunn, a medical gentle-

man and a zealous botanist, who is settled at Launceston in Van

Diemen’s Land.

236 Royal Academy of Berlin.

Read a paper by Charles Lush, M.D., F.L.S., on the identity

of three described species of Acacia.

The species are, A. Lebbek of Linnzeus, speciosa of Willdenow,

and Sirissa of Roxburgh, which Dr. Lush has satisfactorily proved

to be identical. They will all range under Acacia Lebbek, which,

although extensively cultivated as an ornamental tree in Egypt, is

not indigenous; and Dr. Lush suspects that it had originally been

imported from the Deccan, and its Indian name, Serisch, as recorded

by Forskal, appears to support this opinion. The leaves on the

same tree vary in the number of the pinne.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF BERLIN.*

Feb. 20, 1887.—M. Horkel read a paper on the structure of the

seed and on the germination of the genus Pistia. A specimen of

Pistia Stratiotes, Bonpl. (not of Linnzeus), from Brazil, preserved in

spirit, had enabled him to add a few additional notices to what had

already been published by Mirbel, Turpin, and Lindley respecting

the seeds of other species of Pistia.

It is easy to conceive, that as his precursors had employed for their

examination only dry seeds, in which the true form is not restored

by any length of moistening, they have described and figured it as

cylindrical and very rugose, while it is pear-shaped and smooth, as

Louis Nee, who had the opportunity of observing fresh Pistia seeds

in many quarters of the globe, describes it, comparing its form to

that of a small pestle. This pear-shaped form of the seed originates

through a considerable thickening of the spongy testa at the free or

micropyle extremity of the seed, while the chalaza extremity becomes

gradually thinner and passes quite imperceptibly into the thick short

funiculus, whence originates a considerable cavity at the separation

of the ripe seed in the proximity of the chalaza. The third reticulate

coat of the seed described by Mirbel is not present, but there are on

more than the two ordinary ones, testaand membrana interna. The

first of these was considered, quite erroneously, by Turpin as an arillus.

Although M. Horkel found on his specimen ovula and seeds in all

their stages of growth, so that he could even plainly detect the course

of the pollen tubes from the style into the ovula, yet much of the in-

terior of the full-grown ovula had become opake, from the too great

strength of the spirit, rendering it impossible for him to give a com-

plete history of the development. However he saw thus much of it,

that the nucleus is very early obliterated by the rapid extension of

* Translated from the Bericht iiber die Verhandlungen der kénigl. Aka-

demie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin.

Royal Academy of Berlin. 237

the embryonal sac; when therefore Mirbel speaks of a Périsperme

farineux, he uses this term in the old indefinite sense, for since the

embryo-trophic mass is formed in the same sac with the small cylin-

drical embryo, it must be named, according to the minute distinction

of modern Carpology, endosperm and not perisperm.

From the smallness of the seed of Pistia, Bonpl. nothing could be

ascertained for certain as to the structure of the embryo itself. How-

ever in the Pistia (Stratiotes) Jacg., where the seeds are twice the

size, he succeeded in convincing himself of the presence of the

aroideal fissure, which was doubted by Lindley, and which in Pistia,

as in Calla, &c., has a longitudinal direction, and not, as in Lemna, a

transverse one, round the radicular end of the embryo. M. Horkel

further found that the gemmule is not a pointed convolution of leaves,

such as Mirbel and Turpin have figured it, but is a round thick disk,

situated obliquely in the radicular extremity of the embryo, and is

connected for some length with the wall of the embryo situated oppo-

site to the rima.

As up to the present time there have been no observations made

on the germination of Pistia, the following, although in some degree

imperfect, as only dried germinating plants were at M. Horkel’s dis-

posal, will still add some little to our knowledge of the germination

of this plant. We must expect a more perfect history from such

botanists only who have occasion to study its germination within the

tropics, or we must have at our disposal at least an entire series of the

plant in the various states of its germination well preserved in spirit.

The germination begins in Pistia as in Lemna with the separation

of a thickened part of the membrana interna, occurring round the

micropyle, and consisting of long radiating cells, with which in Pistia

the superincumbent portion of the testa, through which the micro-

pyle canal passes, also separates in the form of an operculum; and

in Pistia as in Lemna remains stationary at its original place, the ra-

dicular end of the embryo, which in both plants is raised in the form

of a sac, so that the spreading gemmule leaf in the interior of this

sac (in Lemna it is the entire discoidal plantula seminalis), remains

for a long time hidden, until at last it is forced through the widened

fissure, and thus shows itself as the first leaf of the germinating plant,

and soon afterwards the radicula primitiva is thrown out at the side

opposite to the rima, only not so high. This is also in the beginning

covered by a disk-like prolongation of the embryo, which is pierced

at a later period, when the radicula with its end covered as in Lemna

with acalyptra, becomes evident. The simple radicule of the germi-

nating plant, which at a later period are formed in abundance, have

238 Miscellaneous.

not only a similar calyptra, but calyptre also occur at all the healthy

parts of the compound roots of the full-grown plant, proving evi-

dently that the Pistie are floating plants during the entire period of

their existence. The second, but later developed, leaf of the germi-

nating plant has the same flat disk-like form as the first gemmule

leaf, and the third is the first which appears to have the estivatio

conduplicata of the later leaves. As soon as these three leaves have

spread themselves on the water, a large quantity of simple radicule

are developed downwards, among which, at times, occur compound

roots similar in miniature to those of the grown plant. The result

of these observations is therefore, that Pistia from the structure of

its gemmula and from its germination approaches to Lemna, but as

this latter in all other respects stands in a much inferior scale of or-

ganization, it is impossible to agree with Lindley, who brings them

both together in one family, the Pistiacee; but it would be best to

make of the two plants two different small anomalous families of the

Aroidee.

MISCELLANEOUS.

NEW BRITISH ZOOPHYTE.

Miss Attersoll has lately discovered, on the coast of Sussex, the

Cornularia rugosa of Cavolini, growing on a Tubularia, and has com-

municated specimens of these interesting zoophytes to the British

Museum. This genus has hitherto been believed to be confined to

the Mediterranean. It differs from most other thorny zoophytes in

the tentacles being pinnate like those of Gorgonia.—J. E. Gray.

SPEAKING CANARY BIRD.

The attention of some of our friends has lately been called to what,

so far as we know, is a novel fact, namely, the power of articulation

having been acquired by a canary-bird, in the possession of Mrs.

Hardy, of No. 28, Piccadilly, by whom it was brought up from the

nest. This docile little creature has certainly learnt to imitate with

surprising success some phrases which had often been addressed to

it, and possesses a faculty which had never been suspected in the fa-

mily to which it belongs.

LARUS MINUTUS.

A beautiful adult specimen, in the winter plumage, was shot near

Newton, Northumberland, by the sea, in February, 1838, and is now

in possession of Mr. Embleton, surgeon, Embleton. This is the first

recorded instance of its appearance upon the Northumbrian coast.

—P.J.S.,

Miscellaneous. 939

SYNGNATHUS £QuoREUSs.—Yarrell.

A fine specimen of S. Avquoreus was found upon the sea beach near

Bamborough, in February, 1838. It measures 184 inches in length,

and agrees in all respects with the description of the species given

by Mr. Yarrell in his History of British Fishes.—P. J. 8.

PETROMYZON PLANERI.

Upon turning to Jenyns’ Manual of Brit. Vert. and Yarrell’s Brit.

Fishes, I find that this little fish has only been noticed in a few parts

of the kingdom. I therefore suppose that it will be interesting to

naturalists to learn that it occurs frequently in small brooks in the

neighbourhood of Framfield, Sussex, where I have recently taken

numerous specimens.—April 19, 1838. Robert M. Lingwood.

It is Mr. D. Cooper’s intention to form a class this summer (simi-

lar to the one last year) for the study of Practical Botany. The

excursions to take place twice every month, from the beginning of

May. ‘The day hereafter to be fixed most convenient to those who

may form the Class.—82, Blackfriars Road. |

Chiswick.— March 1, 2. Rain. 3. Fine: rain. 4. Rain: foggy. 5.

Overcast. 6. Clear: cloudy: clear at night. 7,8. Fine. 9. Frosty:

fine. 10—12. Very fine. 13. Rain. 14. Hazy: fine. 15. Fine. 16.

Fine: stormy showers at night. 17. Clear and cold: showery. 18.

Cloudy and fine. 19. Drizzly. 20. Boisterous, with showers, 21. Clear,

cold and dry. 22. Hazy: rain. 23, Bleak and cold, with slight snow-

showers. 24. Fine: rain. 25. Fine. 26. Frosty and hazy. 27, 28,

Fine. 29. Foggy: very fine. 30. Fine. 31. Hazy and cold.

Boston.— March 1, 2. Cloudy: rain early a.m. and p.m. 3. Cloudy.

4, Cloudy: rain a.m. and p.m. 5. Cloudy. 6. Fine: rain early a.m.:

hurricane with rain p.m. 7. Fine: stormy with rainrp.m. 8—12. Fine.

13. Rain. 14—16. Cloudy. 17. Fine: snow early a.m. 18. Fine.

19. Cloudy. 20. Stormy: rain early a.m. 21. Stormy. 22. Cloudy.

23. Snow a.M.: rain P.M. 24—27. Fine. 28. Cloudy, 29. Fine. 930,

31. Cloudy.

Applegarth Manse, Dumfriesshire-——March 1. Soft weather: dull and

cloudy. 2. Rain: soonceased. 3. Rain and sleet: cleared in the even-

ing. 4. Fair and mild: chill in the evening. 5. Fine and clear: wet in

the evening. 6. Storm of wind and rain. 7. Showery, with wind. 8,

Clear, but cold: morning frosty: sun shone out. 9. Frosty: cloudy:

raw in the evening. 10. Cloudy: wet afternoon. 11. Softrain. 12,

Fine day, but frosty: sun shone out. 13. Fine rain, but soon ceased.

14. Soft and genial shower. 15. Brisk wind and dry: sun shone out.

16. Hail showers: sleet: wind. 17. Showers of snow: high wind. 18,

Frosty: clear: sun shone out. 19. Soft: cloudy: watery. 20. Stormy:

wind andrain. 21. Dry and cold. 22. Sprinkling of snow: cold: sun

shone out. 23. Frosty: slight snow: sun shone out. 24. Frosty: fine

day: sun shone out. 25. Fine day: snow on the hills: sun shone. 26,

Drizzling day, but cleared and sun shone. 27. Fine spring day: sun

shone. 28. Fog in the morning: cleared: sun shone. 29, Fine and

clear: sun shone out. 30. Fog: sunshine for half an hour. 31, Dull

and cold: sun shone for a little.

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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

XXV.—On the Snowy Owl, Surnia nyctea, Dumeril. By

WiuuiiAM THompson, Esq., Vice-President of the Natural

History Society of Belfast.

ON the 2nd of December, 1837, a beautiful specimen of the

snowy owl was shot in a quarry on Scrabo mountain in the

county of Down, and came into the possession of Thomas

M‘Leroth, Esq., of Killinether House, in that neighbourhood,

who liberally presented it to the Belfast Museum. Having

come under my inspection in a recent state, I drew up the

following description of it, which, differing in some particulars

from that of other specimens described in detail*, and for the

purpose of comparison with individuals noticed in the sequel,

may not be superfluous.

inch. line.

Length, entire ....cscccerscscersceevessrsrccccsccsssscsscsceceees 24° 0

Length of wing from carpus to end of longest quill ...... 16 6

—— EATSUS ...rccccesccccescceesccccceecconsccsossccsessces a Te

bill measured along ridge ........seecseceseeeeees BeeeQ

CELE ON Its TIA! ...ccececrcrscocccccccsersovscsseecs 0... 9

— billin a straight line from rictusto outeredge 1 9

middle toe ......eseee. SdbesNcesecdspsscevonus eves Sr NET: ieee

its claw, following curvature .....cceeceseseeseees i's 8

-—_—_—— its claw in a straight line ........ccsseseeseeesees Lis 38

———— inner claw, following curvature......ccsesscceres NS

outer claw, following curvature.........cccesseee ee

-— hind claw, following curvature ........escecsseee ng

Wings pass the tail ........ssssccsscceceessonsereveceecereccnens NE

Extent of wings 4 feet 93 inches; first quill 14 inch

shorter than the second, which is about 2 lines shorter than

the third, this being the longest; the fourth is about 2 lines

shorter than the second, the fifth 2 lines less than the first in

length: this relative proportion of the quills is the same in

another specimen preserved in the Belfast Museum.

Colour of forehead, throat and: upper portion of breast,

* See ‘ Fauna Boreali-Americana,’ Part 2. p. 190.

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.1. No.4. June 1838. R

242 Mr. Thompson on the Snowy Owl.

lower part of belly, under tail coverts, under side of wings,

(except the roundish spots towards the points of primaries,

secondaries, and tertials,) and entire legs, white. Plumage of

the body beneath the wings, lower part of breast and upper

portion of belly, white, beautifully barred with blackish-brown

in waved and variously formed lines, about half an inch apart,

and becoming narrow as they approach the tail; the greatest

breadth of these dark bars about 1, line. Feathers of the oc-

ciput white, tipped with black ; lower part of nape where the

head joins the body white ; back, scapulars, and coverts of the

wings, white, closely barred with blackish brown. Primaries,

secondaries, and tertials (which, as to colouring, cannot well

be. separated in description from blending into each other,)

at first darkly barred on both outer and inner webs towards

the tips, but gradually becoming less so towards the centre,

(secondaries generally,) where three or four round spots appear

on the outer web only ; thence the spots become more nume-

rous, and towards the body (tertials) the bars again appear on

both webs, thus in the markings balancing the primaries on

the ‘opposite side; upper tail coverts with narrow bars of

blackish brown. ‘Tail feathers twelve in number, the two

outer ones pure white, third and fourth with two broad bars

of dark blackish brown near the tip, fifth and sixth with three

bars of the same colour. Irides golden yellow. Weight 34 lbs.

This bird was fat and in high condition. On dissection it

proved a male; its stomach was quite empty.

In the month of October last, my relation Richard Langtry,

Esq., of Fort William, near Belfast, received three live spe-

cimens of the snowy owl, which were taken in the previous

month of August, from a nest in the vicinity of the Moravian

settlement, on the coast of Labrador. He had commissioned

a person to procure for him there living specimens of the Gyr

falcon, for which the owls were mistaken. These nestlings

were at the time covered only with down, and were so young

that it was at first feared they would not survive until the ar-

rival of the vessel in London. Due care was however taken

of them: upwards of 700 mice, procured by an Esquimaux for

the occasion, were stowed in the vessel for their support; when

these were consumed, reindeers’ flesh was given them; and

eae ee ee a

Mr, Thompson on the Snowy Owl. 243

when the vessel came near soundings, they were supplied with

sea-culls caught upon baited hooks. An examination of these

individuals has enabled me to correct an error which appears

in some of the best ornithological works respecting the plu-

mage of the snowy owl in the first year. This error seems in

part, at least, to have originated with Bullock, who states, but

not from personal observation, that the young birds which are

seen in the Shetland Islands flying about with their parents

are brown at the end of summer. Temminck also remarks,

that “les jeunes, au sortir du nid, sont couverts d’un duvet

brun ; les premiéres plumes sont aussi d’un brun clair*.”

Audubon observes, “ I have shot specimens, which were, as I

thought, so youngas to be nearly of a uniform light brown

tint, and which puzzled me for several years, as I had at first

conceived them to be of a different species}.” On arrival,

when they were in good condition, the birds under consider-

ation were as follows: One much smaller than the others,

and presumed to be a male, was considerably whiter than the

specimen shot in a wild state, and whose plumage has just

been described, but displayed two markings which the other

does not possess ; the back of the head. where it joins the body

being blackish brown, and another patch of this colour on the

body just before the carpal joint of the wing. The supposed

females, which are much larger than the last-mentioned,

differ exceedingly from it in markings. They have the facial

plumage or that within the disk, the throat, body beneath the

wings, under surface of the latter, and the legs and toes pure

white. The plumage of the head from the disk posteriorly,

back, upper side of wings, and whole under plumage between

the folded wings presents as much of a blackish brown colour

as of white, the former being disposed in the same manner as

described in the specimen with which this communication

is commenced; but the bars and other dark markings are so

broad as to occupy equal space with the white or “ground”

colour.

As immature, and especially the young birds of the year,

generally wander further than those which have attained ma-

turity from their native domicile, it has hitherto appeared

* Man. Orn. Eur, t. i. p. 82. + Orn. Biog. vol. ii. p. 136.

R 2

244 Mr. Thompson on the Snowy Owl.

singular to me that none of the specimens of the snowy owl

obtained in so southern a limit of their flight as England and

Ireland, should be in the garb which is described previous to

the first moult ; but the plumage exhibited by these Labrador

birds satisfies me, that the young of the snowy owl, like the

immature individuals of many other species, do scatter them-

selves more widely than the adults.

The bird shot at Scrabo I have no doubt was a nestling in

the summer of 1837. The individual figured by Mr. Selby *

is also less white than Mr. Langtry’s male bird, and if belong-

ing to the same sex I should consider it a bird of the first year.

Of two other individuals, male and female, recorded by Mr.

Selby to have been killed in Northumberland in 1823, the

latter was, from the number of black bars and spots, consi-

dered by that gentleman to be a young bird, but no opinion

on the age of the male is offered ; he is however stated to have

been much whiter than the female, a circumstance which, as we

have seen, does not militate against his also being a young bird

of the year. Of the other specimens killed in England I have

not seen such detailed descriptions as enable me to judge of

their age from comparison with the Labrador birds; nor, in

consequence of its sex being unknown, can a satisfactory opi-

nion be offered on the first snowy owl recorded to have been

obtained in Ireland. (Zool. Proc. 1835, p. 78.) Were the

sex of the individuals known, we should probably find that the

greater number of these noble birds which have wandered to

the British Islands have been the young in the plumage of the

first year.

It is thought desirable to add the following notice of the

habits of these owls reared from the nest, as compared chiefly

with those of Dr. Neill’s bird+, procured when full grown.

The male and one female specimen now in Mr. Langtry’s

possession are wild, and sometimes fast for one or two days

though food is within their reach. They are chiefly fed on the

heads of poultry, wild fowl, and rabbits, but mice and rats are

preferred, as are also sea gulls; from these birds no feathers

have to be plucked, as the owls very efficiently render this

* Til, Brit. Orn. pl. 23.

+ See Naturalist’s Library: British Birds, Part I. p. 307.

Y, STO

L “lh POLL) lis MMiff Uj

E p

British Entomostrac.

Mr. Baird on British Entomostraca. 945

service for themselves. The heads of plaice (Platessa vulgaris)

several times offered them were refused, and being forced

down their throats were instantly ejected. Castings of the

indigestible portions of their food are regularly thrown up.

Although the female is very partial to washing, the male has

never been known to wash himself. Their usual cry is a long-

drawn scream, but frequently they keep a low purring noise

like a cat, and the male bird, when chased to his annoyance,

utters a sound like coo-coo-coo (described by Dr. Neill as

““ cuckoo.”).

The third individual, a female, is very different from the

others, in being somewhat playful and quite familiar even

with strangers. Live rats turned out to her have been inva-

riably captured within a very short time. In the few instances

where I have seen dead prey seized, the four claws were

used*, Standing about a pace distant from this bird on one

occasion when she was at liberty, and during bright sunshine,

it was interesting to observe the contraction of the pupil of

the eye, which was particularly conspicuous from contrast

with the immense golden irides. When attracted by larks

which were singing at a great elevation and distance, the pupil,

from the ordinary size, adapted to near objects, instantly dimi-

nished to its minimum or half the ordinary diameter; and

again when the sight was directed to birds at less distance,

its diminution varied accordingly. The other two owls are

not in the least affected by bright sunshine; and from their

observing birds passing at a great height in the air, or as ex-

pressed to me “ almost in the clouds,” they are considered to

see as far as a golden eagle, their companion in captivity. _

XXVI.—The Natural History of the British Entomostraca,

No. V. By Wiux.iAm Bairp, Surgeon, H.C.S., &c.

[With a Plate.]

(Continued from Mag. Zool. and Bot. vol. ii. p. 412.)

DAPHNIA.

Anatomy.—The body of the insect is composed of two parts

very distinct from each other; the one much smaller than the

* See observation to the contrary in the last-cited work, p. 310,

246 Mr. Baird on British Entomostraca.

other, forming the head; the other, much larger, being the

body properly so called, or abdomen. This soft body is con-

tained within a very slender and delicate shell, the part cover-

ing the head being much harder than the other parts and pro-

longed underneath into a considerable sized beak. The valves,

which inclose between them the abdomen, are in most of the

species perfectly smooth round their cireumference, but on the

middle are marked with deep crossed lines, forming a mesh

work, or as Scheeffer describes it, are shagreened like the skin

of the shark. They are open on the anterior margin, and along

the posterior extremity as far as the tail, but have no hinge,

being, as Goeze says, simply soldered together, though Scheeffer

asserts that the animal can open and shut them at pleasure.

In some species these valves are prolonged posteriorly to a

point forming the tail, which at some periods of their growth,

and in some varieties, is very long, in others very short, and

in some altogether wanting. In the head we distinguish the

following parts: beak, antennze, eye, rami, brain, mouth, and

part of the digestive canal. In the body we distinguish part

of the digestive canal, the body of the animal itself, heart, legs,

and organs of generation. The beak is a prolongation of the

hard covering of the head, and. is asserted by Swammerdam

to be the mouth of the animal, by means of which, being

pointed, it sucks up its food. Both DeGeer and Scheeffer how-

ever pointed out the erroneous nature of this assertion, and

later writers, such as Jurine and Straus, have still more clearly

shown it to be wrong. At the extremity of this beak, and a

little underneath it, we see two small projecting organs, which

are the antennz. Scheffer, who is perhaps the first person

that has noticed these, considered them as palpi, by means of

- which the insect distinguished food proper for itself. Jurine

calls them “barbillons,” but Straus considers them as being

the true antennz of the insect, though he says they do not

seem to possess any voluntary motion. In the female they are

extremely small, and from being much larger in the male,

Muller, who does not seem to have observed them in the female

at all, considered them as the male organs of generation.

Jurine describes them very particularly in the male ; he calls

them “harpons” (Plate ix. fig. 11), says they occupy the

Anatomy of Daphnia. 247

place of the “ barbillons” of the female, and are each composed

of four rings; the first of which is very long, a little arched,

and has at its extremity a “talon” from which issue two stiff

hairs. The second and third are very small, whilst the fourth

is along horny hook. They seem to assist the first pair of

feet in the act of copulation. The eye (plate ix. fig. 12.) is a

spherical body contained in an infundibuliform tube, allowing

of a semi-rotatory motion upon its centre, and is furnished.

with twenty crystallines according to Straus, which are limpid,

and when isolated are each pear-shaped. Swammerdam as-

serted that there were two eyes, which seemed to be joined

together, and several authors have adopted the same opinion.

Scheffer however says there is only one, and Muller and

DeGeer repeat this, an opinion which has also been adopted

and proved correct by Straus and Jurine. Eichhorn, as quoted

by Straus, asserts that the eye is the stomach of the insect!

On each side upon the base of the head are inserted the rami

orarms. ‘They consist each of a single joint at the base, divi-

ding into two branches. This first joint is slightly conical, of

the length of the head, and very moveable at the base, by

means of a joint which unites it to the body and facilitates its

motions in every direction. The posterior branch of each is

divided into four articulations, the first being very short : the

other is divided into three. Both branches are furnished with

several long filaments or sete, the posterior branch having

none on the two first joints, one at the extremity of the third,

and three at the extremity of the fourth. The anterior branch

has one at the extremity of each of the first two joints, and

three at the extremity of the third. These filaments in some

of the species, such as the Pulex, &c. are beautifully feathered

or plumose, and are each of them composed of three moveable

joints, which, as DeGeer says, augment their flexibility.

Swammerdam calls these organs the arms, and describes their

motion very particularly, which he says is three-fold: recti-

lineal, up and down, and to each side ; unequal, keeping the in-

sect now at the bottom and then again at the top of the water,

which sort of motion he compares to the flight of a sparrow ;

and.gyratory, by which the insect moves itself in a circular

manner. DeGeer also calls them arms, but Muller, and most

248 My. Baird on British Entomostraca.

other naturalists after him, call them antenne. Jurine,

however, calls them “ bras ramifiés,” and Straus, considering

them very justly as the chief or almost only organs of loco-

motion, and acting as it were as fins, calls them rami, or

rames branchues: they are in fact, he says, a first pair of feet,

and act as such; as it is by means of these organs alone that

the insect moves, the other feet not serving at all for that

purpose. |

The brain, or first ganglion of the nervous system, is situ-

ated near the eye, and is composed of two lobes, from the

Superior anterior commissure of which we see, going off to

the eye, the optic nerve. The mouth is of a rather compli-

cated structure, is situated near the junction of the head and

body, near the base of the beak, and consists, according to

Straus, who has given the most correct account of this organ,

of a “labre” or lip, two mandibles, and one pair of jaws. The

“labre” or lip (plate ix. fig. 3.) consists of a flattish body,

strongly compressed at the sides, and has at its extremity a

large lobule (a). It is fixed to the posterior part of the base

of the beak, is very moveable upon its antero-superior angle,

and admits of a considerable separation. The mandibles

(plate ix. fig. 2.) are very strong, and consist each of a pretty

broad plate, which at its superior extremity is in form ofa

narrow point (a), and articulates there with the body. It de-

scends from thence vertically to the mouth, its inferior extre-

mity being curved sharply inwards, so as to penetrate into the

mouth between the labre and corresponding jaw, and termi-

nating in a sharp, simple, cutting edge (6), which has neither

teeth nor triturating surface, and is quite free and unattached.

These mandibles are not provided with either palpi or bran-

chize, but are quite naked, and are moved by two muscles; an

abductor which moves them upon themselves from within

outwards, and an adductor (ce) which brings them back to

their first position, and at the same time bringing them nearer

each to the other. The jaws (plate ix. fig. 1.) consist each of

a strong body (a), somewhat in the form of a disc, or rounded

on the posterior surface and a little flattened on the sides,

which terminates in four strong, horny spines (cc), three of

which are prolonged into hooks, which are strongly curved

Anatomy of Daphnia. 249

forwards and inwards, and a prolongation or neck which is

somewhat hollowed out into a gutter (0), and articulates by

means of it with the “labre” or lip. These parts seem to be

almost constantly in motion, as if the animal were perpetually

employed in eating. Jurine describes these organs some-

what differently from Straus, and his figures also vary a good

deal from those of this latter author. The “labre” or lip he

calls “ sou-pape ;” and the jaws, though Straus denies his

having seen them at all, are, I suspect, what he calls “ barbil-

lons,” which he says consist of four rings, terminating in four

filaments. Their use is, he says, to push into the “sou-pape”

the bodies which ought to enter as aliment. The mouth, as I

have already stated, was placed by Swammerdam at the ex-

tremity of the beak, an opinion adopted also by Ledermiiller.

Scheeffer, however, pointed out this error, and showed its real

situation, and DeGeer also pointed out its true place. Scheef-—

fer describes the two mandibles, and fancied he also saw two

lips, but could not make them out distinctly, from the small-

ness of the shell. Part of the digestive canal is also situated

in the head, and part in the body. It commences immediately

behind the mouth in the form of an cesophagus, which is

short, narrow, slightly curved, and stretches obliquely for-

wards and upwards, and terminates immediately behind the

brain, in the stomach.

The stomach is in form ofa large vessel, diminishing slightly

in diameter from before, behind, and is curved somewhat in

the shape of an €, or a figure 3 reversed, as described by Scheef-

fer. It runs almost all the length of the insect, opening by

the anus between the two first dentated arches of the poste-

rior part of the last segment of the body. Immediately be-

hind the eye, near the cardiac extremity of the stomach, we

see two vessels, curved upwards, the arch turned towards the

eye: these are described by Scheeffer, who considers them as

organs for furnishing the necessary juices for the nourish-

ment of the body. DeGeer says they resemble czeca. Jurine

supposes them to be organs proper for furnishing a juice

destined to perfect digestion. Straus at first considered them

as such also, but upon more mature examination at length

concluded them to be really ceca. The body of the animal,

250 Mr. Baird on British Entomostraca.

or abdomen, is quite free and unattached within the valves of

the shell. It is slender and long, and is divided, according to

Straus, into eight segments, the first of which is the largest,

and is the only one which is attached to the valves. At the

second segment the abdomen suddenly diminishes in vertical

diameter, sinking down and leaving above a strong projection,

formed by the first segment. From this projection, through-

out the rest of its extent, the body is unattached to the shell,

and leaves a vacant space between it and the edge of the

valves, into which the insect deposits the eggs after laying

them, and where they remain till hatched and ready to be

launched into the world. The seventh segment is provided

with two filaments, which have an articulation about the

middle of thei length, like those of the rami. In the last

segment we perceive two dentated arches, between which is

situate the anus. Beyond this it contracts in size, and ter-

minates in two horny hooks, the last of which is the longest.

The whole of the body, except the first segment, as I have

already said, is free and unattached, and the insect can ex-

tend it beyond the valves at pleasure, the two hooks at its

extremity serving well for enabling it to clear the interior of

the valves. It seems also to clear the feet from any particles

of mud or dust adhering to them, and Scheffer thinks it may

also assist in bringing before the mouth objects of food. He

says, also, that perhaps the motions of the insect are partly

regulated by the strokes of this body or tail, as he calls it,

and certainly it is in almost constant motion when the insect

swims. On the back of the insect, in the first segment of

the body, we see an ovoid-shaped vesicle, possessed of very

rapid contractions ; this is the heart (plate ix. fig. 4.) Ac-

cording to Jurine, there springs from its anterior extremity

an arterial vessel (a), which contracts in an opposite manner to

the heart itself, curves immediately from its origin, and goes

backwards, following the direction of the intestinal canal.

Gruithuisen describes the heart and circulation at greater

length. He makes two hearts, one venous, the other arte-

rial: the venous supplies the intestines and other parts of the |

body with blood; the arterial supplies the head and parts

connected with it, its branches making the circuit of the shell

Anatomy of Daphnia. 251

on the anterior edge, and collecting near the posterior inferior

part into one large trunk, which runs along the back of the

shell, and returns to the arterial heart again. The legs are

five pairs, all differing in many respects from each other, and

serving a different purpose than as organs of locomotion.

The first pair (plate ix. fig. 5.) are the smallest and most

simple of construction, and are situated immediately behind

the mouth, being inserted into the body of the insect by the

first joint (a), which is long and nearly cylindrical. It has

four joints; the second being in form of a large vesicle (4) 5

the third joint is fixed to the inferior part of the vesicle (c), is

nearly triangular, compressed, and furnished at the inferior

edge with ten long needles (d), situated all on the same plane,

like the teeth of a comb. Attached to one corner of this

third joint is an appendix (e), small, and terminated by a

small spine, accompanied with a needle similar to those of the

preceding joint; this is called a fourth joint by Straus. The

second pair (fig. 6.) are larger than the first, and are articu-

lated to the body a little behind them; the second joint (8)

or vesicle is more heart-shaped than in the first pair, and the

third joint (c) is much flatter. It is a slender plate, quadri-

lateral, attached by its upper edge to the preceding joint, and

carrying inferiorly five strong plumose needles (d).. The ap-

pendix to the third joint (e) is larger than the corresponding

one in the first pair, and is terminated by two long spines.

On the anterior edge of the third joint we see attached to it

a slender, semicircular-shaped branchial plate (7), which has

on its free unattached edge a row of twenty needles, ar-

ranged like the teeth of a comb, the last of which is the long-

est. In the third pair (fig. 7.), the first and second joints

(a & 6) are much the same, but larger than those of the prece-

ding pair. The branchial plate (c) is attached to the external

face of the second joint; is larger and longer than in the prece-

ding pair, having seventy-six filaments on its free edge; and

has at its posterior extremity a small ovular appendix of the

same nature as the branchia, and terminated by four bran-

chial filaments. The third joint (d) is attached to the inter-

nal edge of the second; it is a large, almost square plate,

and, sends forth from its posterior border four flat, plumose

952 Mr. Baird on British Entomostraca.

digitations or spines. The fourth pair (fig. 8.) is very similar

to, but rather smaller than, the third, and has only sixty-five

branchial filaments. The fifth pair (fig. 9.) differ in many |

respects from the four preceding ones: the first joint is much

the same as in the other feet, but the second, or vesicle (a), is

kidney-shaped instead of heart-shaped. From this joint, and

inferior edge of the first, arises an elongated plate (6), which

has no filets. Behind this plate arises also from the second joint

another (c), very short and broad, arched upwards, and ter-

minating above in a flat, plumose, or rather ciliated prolon-

gation. Inferiorly it terminates by a small moveable joint (d)

having a long needle directed downwards, without cilia. Ju-

rine says this last pair of feet are not inserted into the body

of the insect, but the one is confounded with the other on

the opposite side; the junction of the two forming the com-

mencement of a gutter or canal, which is prolonged along the

immediate attachment of the anterior feet to the mouth, where

it terminates. These five pairs of feet are in almost constant

motion, even when the animal is still and at rest, and their

use at such times is to communicate an undulatory motion to

the water, from one pair to another; thus establishing a cur-

rent which enters the shell by the anterior part, carrying the

molecules, &c. in the water to the posterior part, where the

gutter commences, and there being driven by the vermicular

motion back again to the anterior extremity of the canal or

mouth. None of these feet are used for locomotion. The first

and second pairs according to Straus are used by the insect for

prehension. According to Jurine, the chief action of the first

pair is to direct the alimentary particles brought up by the

current of water along the canal above-described, into the

mouth. When the mouth is opened, says the same author, to

receive the food, the motion of all the feet except this first pair

ceases, but in them, on the contrary, is then accelerated. The

grand use of the third and fourth pairs is for respiration, be-

ing adapted for that purpose by their branchial plates, which,

as DeGeer had already observed, serve the same purpose to

these insects as the gills of crabs, certain aquatic insects and

larvee, fishes, &c. The second joints of these feet, which I

have above described as heart-shaped vesicles, were con-

Anatomy of Daphnia. 253

sidered by Schzeffer as pockets filled with a liquid destined

for the reproduction of the shell at each moulting. This

opinion, however, has never been verified by any succeeding

observer. ‘Till Jurine and Straus described these insects, the

number of the pairs of feet even seemed to be undetermined.

Joblot says he believes there are three pairs. Scheeffer says

there are one or two pairs more. Muller describes five pairs

in Daphnia Pulex (pennata), but four only in longispina. All

the species however have five pairs. In the male, the first

pair of feet (plate ix. fig. 10.) differ considerably from the cor-

responding pair in the female. The appendix to the third

joint (a) (the fourth joint of Straus,) is terminated by a strong

claw, curved strongly outwards; and the last bristle of the

third joint is much elongated, nearly the length of the body,

and floats outside the shell. Jurine describes this pair of

feet very particularly, and shows the use of them to be the

same as the hinge-jomt antennz in the male Cyclops; viz.

for seizing and retaining hold of the female during the act of

copulation, the male introducing them along with the “har-

pons” or antenne, into the interior of the shell of the female,

and grasping her feet.

Organs of Generation—The male organs have never been

discovered, Muller having mistaken the antenne for them;

neither have the female organs been observed, with the ex-

ception of the ovaries. ‘That they reside in the lower portion

of the body appears most probable, from the description I

have already given of the method of copulation as observed

by Jurine. Straus thinks they have no external organs at

all, but that the male simply injects the semen under the

valves of the female, from which it introduces itself into the

ovaries. The ovaries are placed along the sides of the” ab-

domen, as in Cyclops, and show their situation by the mat-

ter of the eggs in the shape of small round pellucid globules.

These make their appearance in the young insect after the

third moulting ; and gradually after that increase in size, lose

their transparency, become continuous, and form a dark mass

on the outer edge of the intestine, partly globular and partly

elongated. At the sixth segment of the body the ovary commu-

nicates with the open space on the back of the insect, already

254 Mr. Baird on British Entomostraca.

described, and immediately after the fourth moulting we see

the eggs already laid and deposited in this space, where they

remain till fully hatched.

Species. \

I. Daphnia Pulex. Valvulis longe caudatis; capite magno; ramis plu-

mosis; segmente corporis sexto quatuor lobulis instructo.

Hab. Ponds and ditches. Common.

Synonyms. Pulex arborescens, Swammerdam, Hist. Insect. Generalis,

p. 76. tab.1. fig.a, b,c, 1669.—Vermes minimi rubri, Merrett, Pinax

Rer. Nat. Britan. p. 207, 1677.—Animaletti aquatici, Redi, Osserva-

sioni, tab. 16. fig.5, 1684. Hedi, Opere, vol. ii. tav. 16. fig. 5, 1687.—

Pulex arborescens, Swammerdam, Biblia Nature, p. 86. tab. 31. fig. 1.

3, 1737. Bradley, Philosoph. Account of Works of Nat. p. 202. pl. 25.

jig. 5, 1739.—Monoculus Pulex arborescens, Linneus, Syst. Nat. edit.

4, p. 96, 1744.—Puceron branchu, Trembley, Mem. pour servir al’ Hi-

stoire d’un genre de Polypes d’eau douce, p.92. pl.6. fig.3. p.and fig.11,

1744.—Monoculus pulex arborescens, Linneus, Fauna Suecica, p.344,

1746,—Water Flea with branched horns, Baker, Emp. for Micros. p.

302. pl. 12. fig.14, 1753.—Pou aquatique*, Joblot, Observ. d’ Hist. Nat.

Sc. tom.i. part 2. p.105. pl.13. fig. P.Q.R, 1754.—Geschwantzer-zack-

iger Wasserfloh, Scheffer, Die grun. arm. Polyp. &c. tab.1. fig. 1—8,

1755.—Monoculus Pulex, Poda, Insect. Mus. Grecens. p. 124, 1761.

Ledermiiller, Mikroskopischen Gemuths-und Augen-ergotzung, p. 146.

tab. 75. fig. 2, 1763.—Le Perroquet d’eau, Geoffroi, Hist. Abrég. des

Insectes, t. ii. p. 655. no. 1, 1764.—Monoculus Pulex, Muller, Faun.

Insect. Fridrichsdalens. p.95, 1764.—Branchipus conchiformis primus,

Scheffer, Element. Entom. t. 29. fig.3,4, 1766. Goexe, Naturforscher,

part 7, 1775.—Daphne Palex, Muller, Zool. Dan. Prod. p. 199. no. .

2400, 1776.—Monoculus Pulex ramosus, De Geer, Mem. pour serv. &c.

t. vii. p. 442. pl. 27. fig. \—4, 1778.—Monoculus Pulex, Blumenbach,

Handbuch der Naturgeschichte, p.399, 1779. Eichhorn, Beytrige zur

Naturgeschichte, §c. p. 51. t.5, fig. H, 1781.—Daphnia pennata, Mul-

ler, Entomostraca, pl.12. fig.4—7, 1785.—Monoculus Pulex, Manuel,

Encyc. Method. Hist. Nat. t. vii. p.722. no. 15. pl. 265. fig. 1—4, 1792.

Fabricius, Entomol. System, tom. ii. p. 491, 1793. Latreille, Hist.

Nat. gen. et part. des Crust. §c. t. iv. p. 223, 1802. Encyclopedia

Britannica, art. Entomology, 1810.—Daphnia Pulex, Lamarck, Hist.

Nat. des Anim. sans Verteb. t. v. p. 126. no. 1, 1818. Samouelle’s

British Insects, p. 80, 1819.—Monoculus Pulex, Jurine, Hist. des Mo-

noc. §c. p. 85. pl. 8. fig. 1, 2. pl. 11. fig. 1, 3,5, 1820.—Daphnia Pulex,

Straus, Mem. du Mus. d’ Hist. Nat. tom. v. pl. 29, 1821. Desmarest,

Consid. Gen. sur les Crust. p. 372. pl. 54. fig. 3,4, 1825.

* This is quoted by Straus as identical with his D. macrocopus.

Anatomy of Daphnia. 255

The Daphnia longispina of Muller (who quotes Scheffer,

pl. u. fig. 1.) and many other succeeding authors, amongst

others Ramdohr, is merely a variety of D. Pulex, or rather the

same insect in a less advanced stage of growth. The D. magna

of Straus, pl. xxix. f. 21, 22, is also a mere variety of the

Pulex, as I have found them both together im considerable

numbers, and running into each other.

The shell is quite transparent in general, though sometimes

reddish coloured. The extremity of the valves terminates in

a long spinous tail. Head large, beak sharp-pointed, rami

beautifully plumose. The sixth segment of the body has four

projections issuing from it, the first being prolonged and

curved upwards. The tail of the shell varies much in length,

sometimes being short and blunt, which is the D. pennata of

Muller, the D. Pulew of Straus; at others it is long and

pointed, and in this state it is the D. lonyispina of these au-

thors. Jurine has, I think, satisfactorily shown these to be

mere varieties, the length of the tail varying according to age.

In the young it is always long, and becomes shorter as the in-

sect advances in age. The male is much smaller than the fe-

male, and has the antennze much longer, as already described.

II. Daphnia vetula (plate ix. fig. 13.). Valvulis non caudatis, ramis plu-

mosis, segmente sexto corporis non instructo lobulis.

Hab. Ponds and ditches, common.

Synonyms. Ungeschwanzter-zackiger Wasserfloh. Scheffer, p. 229. pl, 1.

jig. 9, 1755.—Daphne vetula. Muller, Zool. Dan. Prod. p. 199. no.

2399, 1776.—Sulzer, Abgekurzte Geschichte der Insecten, p. 266. pl. 30.

jig. 10. e, 1776.—Mon. exspinesus. DeGeer, tom. vii. p. 457. pl. 27.

fig. 9—11, 1778.—Daphnia Sima. Muller, Entomostraca, pl. 12. fig.

11—12, 1785.—Mon. Simus. Linneus, Syst. Nat. 3000. no. 25, 1788.

—Mon. Simus. Manuel, Encyc. Méth. t. vii. p. 723. no. 18, 1792.—

Mon. levis. Fabricius, Ent. Syst. t. ii. p. 492, 1793.—Daphnia Sima.

Latreille, Hist. Nat. gen. et part. t. iv. p. 288, 1802.—Daphnia Sima.

Bose. Hist. Nat. Crust., &c. t. ii. p. 283, 1802.—Mon. Conchaceus.

Donovan's Nat. Hist. of Brit. Ins. vol. i. p. 15. pl. 5. fig. 1, 1802.—

Daphnia Sima. Ramdohr Beytrdge, §c., 1805.—D. Sima. Gruithuisen,

Nova Acta Phys. Med. Acad. Cesar. Natur. Curios. vol. xiv. part 1st.

p. 399. pl. 24. fig. 1—6, 1815.—Mon. Sima. Jurine, p. 129. pl. 12,

jig. \—2, 1820.—Daphnia Vetula. Straus, t.v. pl. 29. fig. 25—6, 1821.

—Daphnia Sima. Desmarest, p.373, 1825.

In this species the valves of the shell are without the spi-

256 Mr. Baird on British Entomostraca.

nous tail of the preceding, being rounded and slightly serrated ©

on the inferior margin. The rami are plumose, but not so

decidedly as in the preceding species. The head is obtuse,

much smaller than in Pulex, and the beak less projecting. The

sixth segment of the body has one or two slight projections

upon it, but is not provided with the lobules of the Pulex. The

shell is smooth and transparent. It is smaller than the prece-

ding species.

III, Daphnia reticulata (plate ix. fig. 14.). Valvulis rotundatis, reticulatis,

brevi-caudatis, capite parvo.

Hab. Ponds. and ditches round London, ditch near Surrey Zoological

Gardens, &c.

Syn. Daphnia quadrangula. Muller, Entomostraca, 1785.— Mon. qua-

drangula. Linneus, Syst. Nat. no. 24, 2999, 1788.—Mon. quadran-

gularis. Manuel, Encyc. Méth. t. vii. p. 723. no. 17. pl. 265. fig. 8, 9.

1792.—Mon. quadrangulus. Fabricius, Ent. Syst. t. il. p. 492, 17938.—

Daphnia quadrangula. Latreille, p. 227. t. iv., 1802.—Daphnia ro-

tunda? Straus, op. cit., 1821.—Mon. reticulatus. Jurine, p.139. pl. 14.

jig. 3. 4, 1820.—Daphnia reticulata. Desmarest, p. 374, 1825. .

The valves of the shell in this species are nearly rounded,

reticulated, provided with a short tail. The head is small and

has no beak; the rami are not plumose. The figures of

D. quadrangula, Muller; D. rotunda, Straus; and Mon. reti-

culatus, Jurine, all differ somewhat in appearance ; but I have

seen this species frequently assume the appearance of Muller’s

figure as well as that of Straus, and I have no doubt of all

these being the same species.

IV. Daphnia cornuta (plate ix. fig. 15.). Valvulis convexis, curti-caudatis,

capite longe rostrato, ramis curtis.

Hab. New River, London.

Syn. Monoc. cornutus. Jurine, p. 142. pl. 14. fig. 8. 9. 10, 1820.—

Daphnia cornuta. Desmarest, p.375, 1825.

This little species is provided with a very long beak, which

is slightly curved. The anterior, inferior angle of the shell is

prolonged into a short tail. The rami are very short, scarcely

the length of the beak. In many respects it bears a strong

resemblance to a Lynceus, and seems to be the connecting

link between the two genera.

257

XXVII.—Notices of British Fungi. By the Rev. M. J.

BerKE.ey, M.A., F.L.S.

{With Plates. ]

Continued from p. 208.

108. Leptostroma juncinum, Fr.! Scler. Suec. n. 330. Berk.

Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3. n.197. On dead stems of Juncus con-

glomeratus. Thringstone, Leic. Churchill Babington, Esq.,

King’s Cliffe.

109. Diderma contextum, Pers., Obs. Myc. 1. p. 89. Ditm.

in St. Deutsch. Fl. t.39. On grass, fern, &c. Wothorpe.

Norths.

110. Didymium melanopus, Fr., Syst. Myc. v.3. p.114. B.

Physarum Clavus, A. and §. p. 96. t. 2. fig. 2. On moss.

Apethorpe, Norths.

111. Didymium xanthopus, Fr., l.c. p.120. Cionium xan-

thopus, Ditm. in St. Deutsch. Fl. t. 43. On ivy leaves, &c.

King’s Cliffe.

112. Diachea elegans, Fr. |. c. p.156. Trichia leucopodia,

Bull. t. 502. f.2. On living leaves of Convallaria majalis,

&c. King’s Cliffe.

113. Stemonitis typhoides, Dec., Fi. Fr. vol. ii. p. 257. Ehr. |

Sylv. Myc. Ber. fig.7. On rotten wood. Apethorpe.

114. Stemonitis arcyrioides, Sommerf., Fr.1.c. p. 162. On

dead laurel leaves, &c. Apethorpe, Norths. Clifton, Notts.

115. Arcyria ochroleuca, Fr.1.c.p.181.. A. silacea, Ditm.

l.c. t. 8. Onrotten wood. Collyweston, Norths. This spe-

cies has, I believe, been found in Scotland by Dr. Dickson.

116. AscorricHa, n. g. Peridium thin, at length burst-

ing, clothed with dark, sub-pellucid, even, obscurely jointed

hairs. Sporidia simple, contained in linear asci. Superficial

at length free, or only supported by the investing thallus ;

black. |

Ascotricha chartarum. On white printed paper in a deal

candle-box. King’s Cliffe. The present plant is one of con-

siderable interest, and not referable to any genus at present

established. When submitted to the microscope, if the asci

be distinctly seen, a hasty or superficial examination might

pronounce it a Spheria of the division Villose ; or on the other

hand, if the asci were not observed, a Chetomium. A more

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol. 1. No.4. June 1838. S

258 Rey. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi.

mature examination will show that it belongs to the Peri-

sporiacee, being allied on the one hand to Antennaria and on

the other to Chetomium, and that its relation to Spheria is,

if I mistake not, merely one of analogy. With Chetomium it

agrees in most points, but the sporidia are not irregularly dis-

tributed in the gelatinous contents of the peridium, but are

contained in distinct though highly transparent asci. The

hairs are of a very different structure from those in Cheto-

mium elatum, where they are curiously scabrous with minute

rough points arranged in transverse lines, and nearly opake;

in the present plant perfectly even and far more pellucid,

though dark. A more important circumstance, perhaps, is

the freeness of the peridia, in which point some approach is

made in the genus Antennaria, which again presents a mo-

niliform arrangement of the sporidia. ‘The analysis given of

Antennaria cellaris by Dr. Greville is exceedingly correct, and

it will be seen that there is not the slightest trace of asci.

Fries, however, whose acute observation nothing escapes,

directs our attention to the apparently moniliform arrange-

ment of the sporidia in Spheria Peziza, which torulous ap-

pearance arises from the sporidia bulging out in consequence

of the slenderness of the asci; and to this hint I have to ac-

knowledge the being able to refer to its proper place the pre-

sent production, which at first somewhat puzzled me. In the

instance before us the asci are distinctly developed, though

difficult to see, in consequence of their great transparency ;

but attentive observation will show them as distinct as repre-

sented in the figure. Indeed, except in old individuals, they

are always to be seen with a careful adjustment. It is scarcely

needful to add, that in the species of Spheria of the division

Villose the sporidia are always more or less distinctly septate,

and altogether very different from those of the plant before us.

The branching of the hairs which invest the peridia is very

curious, and very much resembles that of the vine as ex-

plained by Turpin (See Ann. des Sc. Nat. n. s. 1. p. 225).

At first appearing under the form of a minute branched

Sporotrichum, interspersed with globose brownish conidia.

As it advances in growth globose black peridia become visible

among the flocci, clothed with and supported by alternately

Rey. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi. 259

branched obscurely jointed filaments (thallus), the branches

of which generally form an acute angle with the stem. The

ramification of these is very peculiar, the stem and main

shaft of each subdivision being almost constantly abbreviated

and surmounted by the branchlet given off near its apex; this

again is often abbreviated and another branchlet given off,

which again surpasses it, and occasionally the same circum-

stance takes place a third time. The apices are clavate and co-

lourless ; the rest of the filaments, when viewed by transmitted

light, brown, even, and pellucid; a few globose conidia are

usually attached to them. The peridium is thin, black to the

naked eye, of an olive brown under the microscope, filled with

a mass of linear extremely transparent asci, each containing a

single row of broadly elliptic chocolate sporidia. These have

a paler border ; sometimes the colour entirely vanishes either

from age or abortion, and there is only a minute globose nu-

cleus, or more probably a vesicle of air, in the centre ; occa-

sionally they become so transparent that the globular bodies

alone are visible. After the peridia burst, several are fre-

quently collected together into an irregular linear body, which

consists principally of the conglomerated sporidia.

~ Tas. VII. fig. 8. a, Ascotricha chartarum, nat. size; b, peridia, a portion

of the filaments only being represented, that their ramification may be more

easily seen; c, peridium, artificially ruptured ; d, portion of thallus, with

conidia; e, asci; f, sporidia: all more or less magnified.

117. Isaria arachnophila, Ditm., |. c. t. 55. On a dead

spider at the foot of a sallow, Collyweston, Norths. The spo-

ridia are distinctly arranged in moniliform threads exactly as

in Aspergillus glaucus or albus, of one of which species, or

possibly of some Penicillium, I strongly suspect it to be a

state. My specimen exactly accords with Ditmar’s figure.

118. Lsaria intricata, Fr., Syst. Myc. vol. iii. p. 278. On

various dead Fungi, as Agaricus mutabilis, &c., Apethorpe,

King’s Cliffe. Some specimens belonged to the form described

by Fries, others to Isaria subsimplex of Schumacher.

*119. Anthina flammea, Fr., Syst. Myc. vol. i. p. 283.

Amongst leaves of oak, beech, hazel, bilberry, &c., King’s

Cliffe, Norths. ; Sherwood Forest, Notts.

120. Syzygites megalocarpos, Ehr. Verhandl, Naturf. Freund.

s 2

260. Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi.

vol. i. p. 98; Fr. Syst. Myc. vol. iti. p. 329. On decaying

Agarics, King’s Cliffe. The manner in which the peridiolum

in this most curious production is formed after the two lateral

branches unite is very remarkable. The matter contained in

them is attracted on either side towards the point of junction ;

a partition is then thrown out behind each grumous mass,

which gradually becomes more and more distinct from the

parent branch ; at length the common commissure becomes

obsolete, and finally the central septum which consisted of the

two coats of the united branches is absorbed.

121. Myxotrichum chartarum, Kz. Myc. Heft. ii. p. 110. ;

Berk. Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3. n. 207. On straw, &c. in damp ©

places, King’s Cliffe, &c.

122. Myzxotrichum deflexum, n.s. On paper which had been

wrapped round a piece of decayed hazel wood on which was

Arcyria punicea, and on the wood itself, King’s Cliffe. This

species to the naked eye perfectly resembles Myx. chartarum ;

but on examination not only does it want the curved apices

to the flocci, but the mode of branching is altogether different.

In the one the branches form more or less acute angles with

the stem ; in the present species they are mostly opposite, set

on at right angles and deflexed. The main threads are gene-

rally simple, and if branched not trifid and subcymose.

Forming little patches consisting of little gray downy balls.

From these arise a number of radiating threads furnished with

a few opposite deflexed branchlets, which decrease in size from

the base upwards, so as to give the appearance of a little

grove of larches. The branches have occasionally a few short

acute branchlets, which are often alternate. Sporidia collected

in patches about the base of the threads, oblong-elliptic.

Puate VIII. fig. 9. a, Myx. deflexum, nat. size; b, a portion of one of

the patches; c, a few of the filaments with masses of sporidia; d, sporidia; e,

filaments of Myxotrichum chartarum from a part of a mass not producing »

the spiral tips.

123. Helminthosporium Clavariarum, Desm.in Ann. d. Se.

Nat. n. s. v. il. tab. 2. fig. 2. On Clavaria rugosa, y grisea,

King’s Cliffe.

124. Dematium echinobotryum, Fr. in Ind. Alph. p. 87.

Echinobotryum atrum, Corda in St. Deutsch. FI. fase. 12. tab.

Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi. 261

26. On decaying walnuts, Milton, Norths. My specimens,

though tolerably abundant, were rather past maturity, but

they agree with Corda’s figure. His specimens were found at

the bottom of an oil cask sprinkled with broken blister flies.

The discovery of this plant is interesting as confirming

the general correctness of M. Corda in one of the most extra-

ordinary of the new objects represented in his continuation of

Ditmar’s admirable work on German Fungi. I have lately

met with another of these curious productions, Hemicyphe stil- -

boidea, which is however clearly a species of Mucor, very

nearly allied to Mucor clavatus. It is much to be regretted

that he has made so many new genera on utterly insufficient

grounds, and indeed that he has represented as autonomous

species many mere Mycelia, or what is worse, decayed Fungi,

or bad specimens of common species overrun with minute

gelatinous Algz. ‘To the greater part of the sixteen produc-

tions represented in the last number, all referred to new ge-

nera, these remarks are strictly applicable. M. Corda’s work

is valuable as a register of various interesting forms of Fungi,

but it is of little use where a correct delineation is requisite of

parts differing but slightly from each other, on which the dis-

crimination of nearly allied species depends.

125. Macrosporium sarcinula, n. s. On decaying orange

gourds, King’s Cliffe. Its first appearance is that of orbicular

white downy patches consisting of suberect slightly branched

threads. These soon vanish, leaving a dark olive green stra-

tum, consisting at first of short clavate filaments with one or

two septa. Their apices gradually become much incrassated,

and the number of articulations increases. The septa are

mostly horizontal with a few vertical ones ; a few occasionally

are inclined. In this state the colour is yellowish when viewed

by transmitted light. The sporidia gradually assume a browner

tint, become more and more distinct from the peduncle, and

at length fall off, acquiring a rectangular outline, and resem-

bling very much little corded bales, from which circumstance

the name is taken. They vary greatly in size and in the num-

ber of cells. A few of the peduncles are seen amongst the

sporidia, their articulations being frequently swollen above.

262 Rey. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi.

I am not certain whether the white filaments mentioned above

properly belong to the plant.

Prate VIII. fig. 10. a, Macrosporium sarcinula, nat. size; 6, white fila-

ments and infant sporidia; ¢, sporidia from a patch in which the dewn has

vanished; d, same, more highly magnified; e, perfect sporidia; /, same,

more highly magnified.

126. Aspergillus alternatus, n. s. On damp paper, King’s

Cliffe. Grey black. Forming little orbicular patches. Ex-

tremely minute, scarcely to be distinguished without a lens.

Mycelium thin, decumbent; fertile flocci articulate, erect, or

subdecumbent, branched alternately in a zigzag manner ;

each branch terminated by a slightly swollen receptacle which

is studded with oblong subtruncate sporidia. The mode of

branching is as it were annotinous, the same as that of Asco-

tricha chartarum. The habit is that of Sporocybe, but in struc-

ture it agrees with Aspergillus.

Puate VIII. fig. 11. a, Aspergillus alternatus, nat. size ; b, a portion mag-

nified ; c, the termination of one of the branches with its head of sporidia ;

d, sporidia.

127. Botrytis citrina, n.s. On dead branches of cherry

lying upon the ground, King’s Cliffe. Summer. Forming

thin delicate mucedinous patches, about an inch across. My-

celium nearly white, as indeed is the whole plant at first.

Fertile flocci erect, articulated, branched; branches subcymose,

lemon-coloured, as well as the obovate spores.

Prate VIII. fig. 12. a, a portion of the plant ; @, upper part of one of the

fertile flocci more highly magnified.

128. Botrytis curta, Berk. Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3. n. 209. On

Anemone nemorosa, King’s Cliffe. Distinguished from Bo-

trytis parasitica, which comprises many distinct forms by its

simple denticulate, not branched or scarcely branched threads.

Extremely minute, at length grey brown; flocci simple, ab-

breviated, their tips denticulate ; spores oval.

Puate VIII. fig. 18. Flocci and spores highly magnified.

129. Penicillium fasciculatum, Sommerf. Fr. |. c. p. 407 ;

Berk. Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3. n. 210. On various dead herba-

ceous plants, generally springing from Sclerotium durum,

King’s Cliffe, &c.

Rev. M. J. Berkeley on British Fungi. 263

130. Oidium chartarum, Lk. Sp. 1.p. 124, On damp paper,

King’s Cliffe.

131. Epochnium macrosporoideum, n. s. On the decorti-

cated portion of a decayed twig apparently of Ribes rubrum,

King’s Cliffe, August. Forming a thin slate-black stratum.

Flocci transparent, perfectly colourless under the microscope,

as far as I have observed not septate, very slender, effused,

irregularly branched, often anastomosing at right angles. From

the tips or on very short lateral branches spring subglobose

or oval colourless transparent vesicles with a central nucleus ;

these by degrees are furnished within with obscure septa still

retaining their transparency; at length they acquire when full-

grown a brown hue, and are from ;,5 to goa5 of an inch in

diameter. They are then in general more or less globose, di-

vided by septa into a few lobes, which are disposed in a radia-

ting manner like the berries of a mulberry. Occasionally the

septa appear darker than the rest of the sporidia. A few are

furnished with a little apicular peduncle, but the greater part

lose all traces of the point of attachment. I have sometimes

seen one or two cells projecting from the otherwise globose

sporidia, and in one instance two sporidia were united by

means of such a process. I have little hesitation in referring

the present highly curious production to the genus Epochnium,

the circumstance of the sporidia being globose being clearly

comparatively of small importance.

Puate VIII. fig. 14. a, Epochnium macrosporoideum, nat. size; 6, early

stage of do.; ¢, a portion more pereect d, sporidia; e,a single aporkdiuik

more hignly magnified.

*132. Sepedonium roseum, Fr. |. c. p. 438. On Helvella

crispa, Laxton.

133. Xenodochus carbonarius, Schlecht. in Linn. vol. i.

p- 237. t. 3. f. 3. Upon Uredo miniata of the common Burnet.

This very interesting addition to our Flora was found near

Ashby de la Zouch by Mr. Churchill Babington. It appears

to have been detected before only by Schlechtendal.

134, Torula graminis, Desm.n. 169. On dry leaves of large

Carices, Collyweston, Norths.

135, Cylindrosporium Ficarie, Berk. Brit. Fung. Fase. 3.

264 M: Schomburgk on the Ant Tree of Guiana.

n. 212. On Ranunculus Ficaria. Common. White, sporidia

irregularly oblong, slightly curved.

136. Uredo Artemisia. Chev. Fl. Par. vol. 1. p. 399; Berk.

Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3.n. 235. On Artemisia Absinthium, King’s

Cliffe.

137. Uredo pompholygodes, Schlecht. in Linn. vol.1i. p. 248;

Berk. Brit. Fung. Fasc. 3. n. 236. On Anemone nemorosa,

King’s Cliffe, May. It is to be observed that U. Ranuncula-

cearum, Dec., is at least in great part the same species with

the present, of which U. Anemones, Dec. Fl. Franc. is a sy-

nonym. Consequently the species described in Eng. Fl. under

the name of U. Ranunculacearum on Link’s authority, must

bear the name of Uredo Ficarie, Alb. and Schwein.

XXVIII.—On the Ant Tree of Guiana (Triplaris Americana).

By Rosert ScuomBurek, Esq.*

TRIPLARIS, Lin.

Class IX. Ord. II. Ord. Nat. PoLyconea, Juss.

Flores dioici. Calyx basi tubulosus, pilosus. Flores Masc. Calyx limbo

6-partitus. Corolla 0. Stamina 9. Flores Fem. Calyx 3-partitus. Co-

rolla 3-petala. Ovarium 3-quetrum. Styli tres. Akenium 3-quetrum,

calyce aucto tectum.

T. Americana, foliis alternis, integerrimis, oblongis, acutis, nervosis ; sti-

pulis lanceolatis laceris, spicis terminalibus axillaribusque brachiatis.

Triplaris Americana, Linn. Sp. Pl. p. 130. Aubl. Guian. ii. p. 915.

t. 347.—T. Pyramidalis, Jacg. Amer. 13. t. 175. f. 5.

A TREE from fifty to sixty feet in height; its trunk smooth,

of a greyish colour; the branches erect, frequently in the

form of a pyramid; leaves entire, oblong and narrow, from

nine to twelve inches long, of a dark green colour ; petiole di-

lated at the base, somewhat amplexicaule, with ochreate sti-

pulz, and marks at the opposite direction, as of fallen-off pe-

tioles ; flowers unisexual. Males: calyx hairy, tubular, sur-

rounded by a laciniated bractea, six-parted; corolla absent ;

stamens nine, divided in three parcels of different sizes, the

large ones opposite the segments of the calyx, filaments

somewhat crooked; anthers ovate, two-celled, dehiscing

lengthwise. Females: calyx provided with the bractea, three- _

* Read before the Botanical Society of London, April 6, 1838, and com-

municated by that Society.

M. Schomburgk on the Ant Tree of Guiana. 265

parted; petals three, lanceolate ; ovarium superior; styles or

stigmas three ; alkenia triangular, protected by the calyx ; seed

farinaceous.

Dr. Lindley, in his Natural System of Botany, in speaking

of the geographical distribution of Polygonee, observes,

“There are few parts of the world that do not acknowledge the

presence of plants of this order. In Europe, Africa, North

America, and Asia, they fill the ditches, hedges, and waste

grounds, in the form of Docks and Persicarias; the fields,

mountains, and heaths, as Sorrels and training and twining

Polygonums; in South America and the West Indies they

take the form of Coccolabas or sea-side grapes ; in the Levant

of Rhubarbs ; and even in the desolate regions of the North

Pole they are found in the shape of Oxyria.”

The object of my description adds another instance to illus-

trate these remarks; the Triplaris, which pronounces, in its

habits of growth, leaves, stipule, its triangular nut protected

by the calyx, the farinaceous albumen, &c. its relationship to

that tribe, extends from Columbia to the verge of Brazil’s west-

ern boundary. The sandy banks of the inland rivers of Guiana

are peopled with them ; and when shrubs, stunted in growth

by the poverty of the soil, scarcely reach the height of five or

six feet, the T’riplaris overtops them forty or fifty feet. The

trunk is slender and grows up straight, and its erect branches

form a pyramid. As already observed, it is unisexual, and the

flowers of both sexes are insignificant: those of the male last

only for a few days, when they dry up ; this is likewise the case

with the petals of the females : the segments of the calyx how-

ever continue to grow, changing in their growth from green

to white and vermilion, and become so attenuated that the

branched nerves are easily perceptible. In that state they are

three times as large as the fruit, which is still protected by the

tube of the calyx, and the whole might in appearance be re-

sembled to a shuttlecock. The risps are dense, and the tree

presents now a most elegant appearance. One unacquainted

with the contrary, would consider the tree covered with white

_ blossoms, tinged with red, among which the dark green leaves

have only occasionally room to make themselves visible. The

uncautious botanist, who, allured by the deceptive appearance,

266 M. Schomburgk on the Ant Tree of Guiana.

should approach the tree to pluck the blossoms, would bit-

terly rue his attempt. The trunk and branches of the tree are

hollow, like those of the trumpet tree (Cecropia), and provided

between space and space with partitions, which answer to the

position of the leaves on the outside.

These hollows are inhabited by a light brownish ant, about

two to three tenths of an inch long, which inflicts the most

painful bites. Its antennz are placed near the middle of the

anterior portion of the head; mandibles triangular ; peduncle

of the abdomen with two rings ; the anus hairy and provided

with a sting or piercer (Myrmica, Latr., nova species). They

fall upon their prey with the greatest virulence, and insert

their mandibles almost instantly, as soon as they come in

contact with any soft substance, emitting a whitish fluid ; their

bite causes swelling and itching for several days. If they find —

themselves captured, they attack and kill one another like the

scorpions.

The Arawak Indians call the tree Jacuna, and the ant Ja-

cuna sae; the Warrows Epouahari, the literary translation

being ant tree; the Caribis Itassi; the colonists, from its

growth, “long John.”

The presence of the scarious stipulz, in the form of an

ochrea, is sufficient to determine the natural order to which

Triplaris belongs ; other evidences, namely, the formation of

its leaves, its organs of fructification, and particularly the erect

ovulum and the superior radicle, put its relationship to Poly-

gonee beyond doubt. It resembles strikingly the Coccoloba in

the form of its petiole, and the manner in which it is attached

to the stem; we have in Coccoloba a similar mark opposite

the petiole, and those asperities which are to be found below

the latter organ are likewise observable in Triplaris. In Coc-

coloba the calyx swells and forms a juicy berry, in Triplaris it

becomes three times as large as the nut. In its hollow trunk

and branches, and the septums of the latter ; in the division of

the sexes, it resembles Cecropia ; but to these affinities in ap-

pearance but little importance can be attached.

Triplaris has received hitherto a very meagre description.

Jacquin gives the representation of its fruit, and Aublet a

branch; it is however evident that the flowers of the male

M. Decaisne on the Root of the Madder. 267

were described from those of the female flower: the bractea,

present in both, has been completely passed over; the calyx of

the male is stated to be three-parted, while it is six-parted ; and

the pubescence, which is present in the calyx of both sexes,

has been likewise omitted ; the bractea is likewise covered with

hair.

River Quitaro, Lat. 2°. 50’. N., November 1837.

XXIX.—On the Root of the Madder. By M. Decaisne.

In the valuable ‘ Recherches Anatomiques et Physiologiques |

sur la Garance, lately published at Paris by M. Decaisne,

that gentleman gives the following interesting account of the

root.

The roots of the Madder or Turkey red (Rubia tinctorum)

are of the form generally described as a branching root, for

though undivided when young, they shortly begin to ramify,

though the original shoot remains the thickest; their anatomy,

which I shall proceed in few words to describe and trace

through its several stages of growth, will explain their structure.

During the first days of germination, and while the plant has

no other leaves than its two cotyledons, the root is simple and

unbranched ; its upper part, immediately below the neck,

being covered with very slender fibrillee, which closely clasp

the grains of sand with which they may come in contact. If

the young root be cut horizontally across at this part, it will

be seen to consist, looking from the circumference to the

centre, of, first, a row of extremely small cortical cells, some

of which emit externally a very fine and simple prolongation,

constituting the above-mentioned fibrille, in the same way

as the epidermal tissue of leaves gives rise to hairs. After

this row of cortical cells comes a thicker or thinner layer of

cellular tissue, whose divisions diminish in size as they ap-

proach the centre, while the innermost part is almost con-

founded with the fibrous tissue which surrounds the vessels

occupying the whole middle of the root. The vertical section

of a young rootlet (if it may be so termed) exhibits the cor-

tical cells arranged in nearly regular longitudinal series,

slenderer than the others; then those which compose the

fleshy portion in series which become more and more regular

268 M. Decaisne on the Root of the Madder.

as they advance further towards the fibrous tissue, which lat-

ter is formed of more elongated cells arranged with equal re-

gularity. It is in this fibrous part that, more generally than

elsewhere, we find cells containing crystals as well as the ves-

sels of the latex; the latter, which I have only been able to

detect in a single instance and by means of maceration, ap-

peared to me flattened, and with swellings at regular distances.

As regards the cellules which form the fibrous tissue, these are

seen to be elongated and to terminate in a blunt apex; they

are transparent, and have thicker partitions than those of the

cellular tissue which contain the green matter, and are closely

applied to one another.

The centre of the root is almost entirely formed of vessels ;

if examined at the same stage as in the preceding observations,

these vessels will appear under the form of transparent elon-

gated cells, generally placed end to end, and forming by their

combination a sort of cylinder, placed in the centre of annu-

lated vessels which are separated by long intervals from each

other, and surrounded for its entire length by the cellular and

fibrous layers formerly described; it extends a little further

and below these, forming a slight projection which constitutes

the spongiole. .

In this incomplete state of organization these vessels seem

to perform an office similar to that of the cellular tissue or

medulla. Later, and when they have attained their perfect

organization, instead of being thin and transparent, they pre-

sent (on examining, when highly magnified, their horizontal

section) many divisions, which are of a brighter or paler fawn

colour, and in which I could clearly distinguish the cavities

to which MM. De Mirbel and Hugo Mohl have lately called

the attention of the curious. These belong to what are termed

punctuated vessels, and are of uncertain diameter, with empty

spaces between them. These hollow spaces or intervasculary

meata contain a colouring matter analogous to that of the cel-

lular tissue ; and it is probable that the madder powder, fur-

nished by the central or vascular part of the root, only owes

its superior quality over what is obtained from the cellular

tissue, (or alburnum of the manufacturers,) to the entire abs-

ence of all foreign substances. In fact, [never observed any

M. Decaisne on the Root of the Madder. 269

crystals among the vessels, and this is the only difference I

have been able to detect between the parts of the two tissues

containing the colouring principle. However, the woody

part, completely stripped of the surrounding cellular tissues,

affords the very finest powders, according to the observations

of the manufacturers in the South of France ; these remarks

contradicting those of M. E. Keechlin, as will be shortly seen.

I ought to state that I have cut through these vessels at dif-

ferent periods of growth, and never found them filled with li-

quid. It is they which appear, in an early stage, to produce

the radicles; in fact, when examining young roots, I have often

seen, after removing the cellular tissue by maceration, that the

ligneous body formed of the vessels I have described, has

emitted from its circumference projections more or less appa-

rent, which afterwards by elongation produce the radicles

which are already noticed.

If the root be again scrutinized when far more advanced,

still its internal structure will appear to have undergone no

material change, and the organization which I have described

is found to be the same; the only appreciable difference con-

sisting in a proportionate increase of the tissues, whose several

layers are thickened by the addition of new rows.

The madder root, which was pale yellowat the earliest period

. of its developing, gradually acquires a deeper and deeper tinge,

as takes place in age with the several parts of almost all ve-

getables. The same phenomenon exists in the cotyledons ; for

if a section of the infant stalk be made at the period when it

first bursts from the seed, the cotyledons will be seen to emit

a yellowish fluid, which shortly assumes a decidedly red hue.

_ By the above facts, it may be ascertained that, so far as de-

pends on the arrangement of the different parts, the root of

madder departs in no respect from the common structure of

roots. No peculiar cavities, designated by the name of reser-

voirs for the proper juices, seem to exist. If the fluid which

the vessels of the latex contain were in any respect unlike that

which is observable in all the cells, it can be only in the fainter

colour, since these are with difficulty discerned ; and as tothe

existence of crystals in some of the cells, this is by no means

270 M. Decaisne on the Root of the Madder.

an extraordinary circumstance, as they may be frequentlyfound °

in other plants.

It remains for us to see what are the phenomena that take

place in the fluid that is diffused through the whole cellular

tissue of the‘root. It has been already remarked, that the roots,

which, when very young, are pale yellow, assume a much

deeper hue when old. If this fluid be carefully examined, it

will not appear to hold any substance in solution ; and whether

it escapes through the partitions of the cells or by an incision

purposely made, it still seems perfectly limpid. As, however,

when the root is thoroughly dried, the internal cells, though

all the fluid has evaporated, still assume a yellow tint if laid

to steep, it would appear that the liquid had originally pos-

sessed a solid colouring principle, though, even in this state,

such is its tenuity, that the largest swellings do not allow it to

be seen.

It is of course presumed in the above observations, that

the different parts have been subjected to no external agency

whatever, as such agency produces great changes; for in-

stance, after having made sections, whether vertical or hori-

zontal, of a young root, and subjected them to microscopical ex-

amination, this juice, which is so perfectly limpid in the living

plant, presently becomes thick and cloudy, while its originally

pale yellow tint changes to a bright rose colour. Experiments

on older roots yield the same results, except that as in these

cases the yellow fluid is originally much brighter, so its change

to red when exposed to the air becomes proportionably in-

tense, and instead of acquiring, as in the preceding case, a

roseate tint, the result, from an orange colour, is a change to

the most vivid red.

If attention be paid to the circumstances under which this

red colour is obtained, which did not exist before the section

of the parts, we cannot but suspect that the action of the air,

which was previously excluded, is the cause more or less of

this change, and an increased number of experiments confirms

this opinion. In a thin layer the modifications occasioned by

the external air on the yellow colour may be successively

traced ; the red tinge always manifesting itself first in that

M..Decaisne on the Root of the Madder. 271

* part of the cellular tissue contiguous to the vessels of the

latex ; next in the cells occupying the intervals of the dotted

vessels in the centre of the root; and lastly in the various

parts of the cellular tissue which compose the fleshy portion,

and which is the principal deposit of the yellow fluid.

It is easy to understand these phenomena in a thin layer

of root, and to explain the production of the red hue in these

determinate places; the air passes most freely, and conse-

quently with the greatest rapidity, into the part filled with

vessels, the cutting open of which, at both ends, makes a free

way for it, and where it meets with no obstruction from the

transverse diaphragms that exist in the cellular tissue. The

proper vessels situated immediately next to these, and habit-

ually replete with liquid, and protected with very thin parietes

through which any gas can readily take effect, will be the first

to become coloured, as well as the spaces comprised between

these vessels and those to which I formerly alluded; while,

lastly, the cellular tissue being composed of numerous super-

incumbent cellules, and thus offering many impediments to

the action of the air, it is easy to perceive that the most ex-

ternal cellules will first receive its influence, and that in the in-

termediate layers there will be portions on which it can only

act after a longer or shorter time, and of which the colour will

consequently remain yellow while the cellules around have

assumed a red colour. ‘Those cells which lie on the thin edges

of the section are always first tinged, evidently because the

air affects them first. It is practicable too to alter at will the

hue of one or more cells, to effect which it suffices to remove

a thin slice from a previously dried root, some cells remaining

uninjured; then, if with great precaution certain cells be

punctured with a curved point, so as to admit the entrance of

the air, the yellow fluid with which they are filled will be seen

to pass instantly to red. I have also placed some sections of

madder root in water which had been exhausted of air by the

operation of boiling, and in this case their originally yellow

hue remained entirely unaltered, the utmost care having been

previously taken to keep these sections of root in tightly closed

bottles, without which they redden slightly.

I have tried the action of different gases collected in gra-

272 M. Decaisne on the Root of the Madder.

duated tubes plunged in the mercury, in whichI deposited thin

segments of fresh madder root cut both vertically and hori-

zontally, and they remained there eight days without exhibit-

ing the slightest change of hue. But when by means of a blow

pipe I introduced a few drops of water into the tube of oxygen

gas, the red colour was instantly produced. Carbonic acid

gas did not appear to me to exhibit the same peculiarities ; and

certainly the oxygenated water, whether applied to the roots

ina fresh or dry state, failed to effect the change to red at all

more quickly than as much common water would have done.

Thin slices of young roots, when exposed for some hours to

the air, after undergoing the customary transitions of tint,

often acquire a blackish or violet hue which is not observable

‘In old roots.

From all that has been stated, it results that the madder

root, when living, has no colour but yellow, and that this co-

louring principle only varies by the deepening intensity of

age. These different degrees of intensity are represented

in the series of drawings, where I have represented the varia-

tion of hue in the roots from the young to the old state. This

observation is easily verified; nothing more is necessary than

to break two roots of different ages and to watch the change

of hue from that instant till the air begins to take effect ; the

fluid will then be seen to be perfectly transparent while in-

closed in the cells, but shortly this pellucid and pure liquid

will become muddy and granulated so as to darken the parts

of the cells with which it comes in contact. These granules,

which seem to me to partake of the nature of gum resins, are

partly soluble in alcohol; but as the dye of iodine fails to im-

part to them a blue colour, they do not show any identity with

feculum. Their diameter is nearly equal, but they are inap-

preciable except in a mass, when insulated being hardly visible,

as even with the aid of an excellent microscope divided in

300dths of millimetres, it was impracticable, by reason of their

tenuity, to measure them precisely.

The madder roots many years old contain no coloured

parts except what I have now pointed out, whether the plant

be examined dry or after the exsiccated portions have been

subjected to maceration. The existence of a yellow colour is

M. Decaisne on the Root of the Madder. 273

all that I have been able to ascertain, and the simple yet stri-

king fact of the absence of the red colouring principle until

the root has been pulverized, seems to have been unknown to

the present day.

Still this observation, originally made by M. Chevreul, is

stated in a paper by M. Keechlin, inserted in the Bulletins de

la Société de Mulhausen, vol.i. No. 3, in the following words :

“ By compressing the fleshy part of the fresh root an acid

liquid is obtained, which, originally yellow, turns red when

exposed to the aixy This liquid, applied to acloth that has re-

ceived the mordant of acetate of alumina, produces a bright

red, which by soap changes to a dullish rose, It tinges am-

monia purple and concentrated sulphuric acid red, and an ad-

dition of water to the tinged acid precipitates the colouring

substance. These experiments seem to prove that the colour-

ing substance is in a state of solution in this fluid.

“The stalk of madder and its root, whether whole or the

woody and fleshy parts individually, have been used to dye

samples of the same size and printed with mordants red, pink,

violet and black, and the result is that the fleshy part contains

almost exclusively the colouring substance, the woody portion

possessing no more of it than do the stalks of this plant.

“ These various parts of the madder, when used fresh, have

invariably produced much richer hues than the same parts if

previously dried, although this process of desiccation had not

diminished their weight. And however numerous were the

experiments, their result was always the same.

“ When the root is examined with the microscope, no trace

of separate colouring substance is discernible ; the woody part

is very porous, as in all vegetables; ; and the fleshy portion seems

composed of mucilaginous liquid parts, inclosed in a net-work

of woody filaments, without offering any trace of porosity.

“The ‘ Alizaris’ of Avignon are composed of stems and

roots ; the former having been covered up with earth, assume

the appearance of roots without acquiring their dyeing virtues,

so that the cultivator who thus increases the quantity of his

produce materially lessens its value. For these stems, con-

taining very little colouring principle, this plan only tends to

adulterate the madder, of which the quality thus depends on

Ann, Nat. Hist. Vol.1. No.4. June 1838. T

274 Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians.

the greater or less quantity of stem that had been buried and

is now gathered and sold with the root.”

The authors who have most fully treated this subject, how~

ever, regard the roots as imbued with a red colour while grow-

ing, and undergoing no change in this respect from subsequent

circumstances. Many manufacturers, ignorant of this fact,

to whom I submitted my observations, and showed the roots

passing through all the stages of colour up to that which they

attain when reduced to powder, while they formerly exhibited

no trace of a red hue, have positively assured me that this re-

mark would certainly lead to modifications in their manufac-

ture. The assumption of a red colour is therefore a chemical

phenomenon quite independent of vitality, while the yellow

hue, on the contrary, seems to arise from a vital action which

forbids the first ; thus, if I place, for comparison, two portions

of root, one living and the other dried, in a bottle, the former

will preserve its yellow hue, while the second turns red, and

in two days ends by acquiring a violet tinge.

Finally, the better to establish the vital power of the cells,

and to prove that the production of the colouring principle

was entirely determined by their peculiar action, I caused two

young madder plants to germinate in distilled water; they.

grew very little, but the tissue of their roots notwithstanding

secreted a yellow fluid, the tint of which seemed to me quite

as decided as in young plants of equal size raised in earth,

This colouring therefore depends on a peculiar action of the

cellular membranes, to solve which it would be necessary first

to solve that hitherto inscrutable problem of the vital powers*.

XXX.—Catalogue of the Slender-tongued Saurians, with De-.

scriptions of many new Genera and Species. By Joun

EKpwarp Gray, Esq., F.R.S., Senior Assistant in the

Zoological Department of the British Museum, &c.

Tue Saurian reptiles may be divided into two nearly equal groups ;

one having a short, thick, slightly-nicked papillary tongue, and the:

_ other a more or less elongated forked tongue.

_™ [We shall reserve the author’s analysis of the stems for a future Num-

ber of the Annals,—Enir.] .

Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians. 275

The former of these groups contain two very distinct sections; the

one consisting of the nocturnal lizards, as the Geckoes, which are easily

known by the structure of their eyes and the composition of their

skulls; and the other the diurnal lizards, as the Agames, Chameleons

of the Old World, and the Iguanas, which are confined to the new

continent; the former have permanent teeth placed on the edge of

the jaw, while the latter have them placed on the inner side of the

jaw, below the edge, where they are gradually replaced by new ones

as their edges become worn down by use.

As Messrs. Dumeril and Biberon have lately published a work on

the species of the thick-tongued lizards, leaving the description of

the new species which I have of that group for the present, I at once

proceed to the revision of the family and genera of the slender-

tongued kinds, and describe the various new species which have come

under my observation either in the National Collection or Museum of

the Army Medical Board at Chatham.

The British Museum Collection of these animals is one of the rich-

est that I have ever had the opportunity of examining, as the novel-

ties of this catalogue will fully prove; and as it is daily receiving’

additions, I hope by the time that it is removed into its new locality

it will be one of the most extensive in Europe.

Since the publication of the Synopsis of Reptiles, and my other

papers on these animals, I have been induced to propose a new ar-

rangement of them, of which the following table may be considered

as an outline. ~

I. Typical group. Scaly Reptiles. (Squamata.) Body covered with

scales; tympanic bones distinct; skull formed of separate bones.

1. Saurians. (Saura.) Jaws united by a bony suture; legs 2 or

4, rarely wanting.

Including the Saurian and Ophidosaurians of my former arrange-

ments, except the genera Amphisbena and Chirotes.

_ 2, Ophidians. (Ophidia.) Jaws very dilatile, only united by a mem-

brane; legs none, or hid under the skin.

IJ. Annectant groups. Shielded Reptiles. (Cataphracta.) Body

covered with square imbedded shields; tympanic bones inclosed in

the skull, which is formed of hard united bones.

3. Amphisbenians. (Amphisbena.) Body cylindrical, with rings of

square shields; penis double.

4. Chelonians. (Chelonia.) Body depressed, inclosed in a bony case,

formed of the expanded ribs and sternum; penis simple; legs 4;

jaws toothless.

+, Emydosaurians, (Emydosaura.) Body depressed, elongate, in-

T 2

276 Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians.

closed between two shields formed of square plates; penis simple ;

legs 4; jaws toothed.

These orders appear to be analogous to the following Orders of

Mammalia and Birds.

Reptiles. Mammalia. Birds.

SAURIANS ...... (Climbers) ........ PRIMATES... . PASSERES.

Oruipians,.....(Carnivorous)...... PERS... 6. ss ACCIPITRES.

Emyposaurians . (Aquatic)......... OBTE ST ceaesls s ANSERES.

Curtonians.... (Large-hoofed)..... Uneuata..., GALLINE.

AMPHISBENIANS . ( a Bagh ame ees Cine. os. GRALLE.

Slender-tongued lizards. (Saure Leptoglosse.) Tongue elongate,

more or less slender, with the apex forked or bifid; eyes diurnal,

generally provided with two connivent valvular eyelids; pupil round;

body subcylindrical; the feet formed for walking; toes unequal, the

outer hinder one being lower down and rather opposable to the rest.

Section I. Tongue contractile; head with regular normal shields;

scales four-sided or lozenge-shaped, placed in rings.

Subsection 1. Sides covered with small granular soales ; scales and

shields in transverse and longitudinal series.

* Sides rounded; head pyramidical ; femoral pores distinct ; throat

scaly.

Fam. I. Trp.

Head pyramidical; supra-orbital plates horny; collar double ;

throat with scales. Confined to the New World.

* Throat with two cross folds ; the scales in the middle between them

6-sided ; abdominal shields smooth ; tail rounded ; nostrils between

two large nasal plates.

a. Abdominal shields small, longer than broad ; dorsal scales small,

equal.

Trius, Merrem. Podimema, Wagler. Monitor, Fitz. Toes 5—5;

tail round; ‘‘teeth on the edge of the jaw; front ones conical, hin-

der very blunt.”

Teius Teguixin, Variegated Lizard, Shaw, Zool. t.73. Lacerta

Teguixin, Linn. Tupenambis Monitor, Daud.—Spiz, t.19. Teius

nitor, Merrem. Seba, t. 96. f. 23. P. Maz. t. from life.

South America.. :

Crenopon, Wagler. ‘Tail round; toes 5—5; teeth on the inner

side of the jaws; front pectinately lobed, hinder 3-lobed, rest like

Teius.”’ Wagler.

Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians. 277

Ctenodon nigropunctatus, Wagler. Tupen. nigropunctatus, Spiz,

Braz. t.

Inhab, South America. |

Acrantus, Wagler. Teius, Fitz. Toes 5—4; tail round; teeth 6,

front maxillary simple, with two rather acute transverse tubercles.

Acrantus viridis, Wagler. Lacerta Teyou. Daud.

Inhab. South America. (From the Berlin Mus.)

b. Abdominal shields smooth, broader than long ; thighs shielded be-

neath.

Ameiva, Cuv., Fitz. Cnemidophorus, Wagler. Toes 5—5.

Ameiva punctata, 'Teius Ameiva, Merrem.—Spix. Braz. t. 23. P.

Maz. Beytr. t. —. good. A. vulgaris, Lichst.? A. Argus, Fiiz.?

Guerin, Icon. Rept. t.4.f.1. Olive; nape and front of back black

speckled, sides with bands of black-edged white or yellow spots;

abdominal shields 12-rowed.

Inhab. Demerara. Capt. Sabine, R.E.

Ameiva undulata, Seba, i. t. 88. f. 2. Olive brown with narrow

brown wavy cross-bands; sides dark, pale, mottled with a palish

streak on the upper part of each side; throat white; chest and belly

greenish; sides dark, greenish, spotted; abdominal plates 12-rowed.

Inhab.

Ameiva maculata, Seba, i. t. 88. f.1.—t. 90. f. 7.2 A. lateristriga,

Cuv. Olive-green; back spotted, with a broad black streak down each

side, edged beneath with a narrow white streak; sides and the black

streaks, with cross-bands of small white spots; abdominal shields 10-

rowed.

Var. back scarcely spotted, paler on each side near the lateral

streak.

Inhab. Brazil.

Ameiva gutiata, Teius cyaneus, Cuv. T.cyanus, var. Merrem.

From Seba, ii. t.105.f.2. Lacép.i.t.31. Seps murinus, Laur. Olive-

green; sides darker, with 6 or 7 cross-rows of 3 or 4 large white

spots; abdominal plates 10-rowed.

Inhab.

Probably the green-spotted lizard, Edw. Birds, t. 203; but our

specimen is bleached, and does not show any pale tapering dorsal

streaks. The tail of this specimen has been partly broken, and an-

other false tail has sprouted from the crack. Such specimens are

not uncommon in the animals of this family, hence they have been

called forked-tailed lizards.

Ameiva dorsalis, Sloane, Jam. iii. t.273. £.3. Olive; back witha

278 Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians.

pale central streak, commencing with a point in the nape, and gra-

dually increasing in width to the thighs, with two wide black and

two very narrow white lines on each side of it, and the lower part

of the sides with two series of bluish spots; abdominal plates 10-

rowed, lateral ones bluish-spotted.

Inhab. South America, Jamaica.

Ameiva lineata. A. coerulescephala, Cuv.? Daud. from Seba, i. t.

91. f.3. Bluish; back with 5 broad, dark, and 6 narrow, bluish

white lines; sides white-spotted; belly greenish; abdominal plates ~

8-rowed ; przanal plates 5.

Var. 1. The dark vertebral streak divided into two by a narrow

central pale one. .

Var. 2. Upper part of sides with an additional pale streak.

Var. 3. Younger; sides not spotted; back and sides with 10 li-

near, pale streaks. Lac. Lemniscatus, Linn. Am. Lemniscata, Cuv.

from Seba, i. t. 92. f. 4.

Inhab.

** Throat with a collar of large shields.

a. The collar and ventral shields lanceolate, imbricate, keeled ; thighs

beneath scaly ; nostrils between two nasal plates 3 tail round.

Acantuoryea. Pseudoameiva, Fitz. Scales of the back large,

keeled; keels continuous; of the sides small, granular.

Acanthopyga striata. Lacerta striata, Daud. Merrem. Wetter. Ann.

i.t.1. Pr. Maz. t.13. Guerin, Icon. t. Kentropyx striatus, Fitz.

Inhab. Brazils,

Centropyx. Trachygaster, Wagler. Acanthopyga, Leach. The

scales of the back moderate, ovate, keeled; of the sides rather smaller ;

of the belly very large.

Centropyx calcaratus.

b. The ventral shields 4-sided, smooth, as long as broad; nostrils in

the centre of a trigonal nasal shield ; tail compressed.

ADA, Gray. Dracena, Daud. Thorictis, Wagler, Scales of the

back unequal, larger ones oval; tail with a serrated crest on each

side above. ‘‘ Teeth on the edge of the jaw.”

Ada Crocodilurus. 'Teius Crocodilurus, Merrem. Dracena Gui-

nensis, Daud. Lacerta Draceena, Bonnat.

South America.

CrocopiLurus, Spix. Scales of the back equal; ‘teeth on the

inside of the jaws;” rest like Ada. :

Crocodilurus amazonicus, Spix. Braz.

Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians. 279

| Fam. 2. Lacerrinip&.

Head shielded; superorbital plate rigid; throat scaly; tongue

exsertile, tip longly forked.

A. Collar distinct ; dorsal scales somewhat granular ; nostrils erect,

lateral, subapical; ventral shields broad, smooth; toes simple.

Zootoca, Wagler. Lacerta, Linn. Nostrils, in the suture of two

scales, placed on the sides of the nose; abdominal shields square.

* Dorsal scales rather long, 6-sided.

Zootoca muralis. Lacerta vivipara, Jacg. L.crocea, Wolf. Sturm’s

Fauna, t.4. L. pyrrogaster, Merrem. I. agilis, Pennant. Male in

summer. Lac. cedura, Sheppard.

Var. Lacerta nigra, Wolf. Black, nearly uniform.

Inhab. England, Germany. Var. Ireland.

‘See also Lacerta Savicola, Eversman, Mem. Mosk. iii. t. 30. f. 1.

** Dorsal scales small, broad, 6-sided.

Zootoca quadrilineata, Gray. Collar continuous, even; ventral

shields 6-rowed, middle row rather the narrowest, green, with irre-

gular, unequal black spots.

Inhab. Sardinia.

Lacerta, Linn. Bonap. Lacerta and Podarcis, Wagler. Nostril

erect, in the suture of three scales, placed on-the side of the muzzle;

abdominal shields square, two ae series narrower, with oblique

sides. we

a. Dorsal scales ovate, short, thick, smooth, convex.

* Abdominal plates 8 or 10-rowed (Lacerta). :

Lacerta ocellata, Daud. Edw. t. 202. Pet. Gaz. t. 92.f.1. Po-

darcis ocellata, Wagler. Jun. Lacerta Lepida, Daud. iii. t.37.f.1.

Inhab. South of Europe.

Lacerta Senegalensis. Very like the former, but twice as haps

Inhab. Senegal.

: ** Abdominal plates 6-rowed.

Lacerta levis, Gray. Greenish-grey, beneath greenish-white; dor-

sal scales roundish, 6-sided, convex; preeanal plates with an arched

series of 6 rather large shields in front.

Inhab.

b. Dorsal scales elongate, keeled ; throat scales large, broad. Podarcis.

Lacerta viridis, Linn., Daud. ili. t.34. Podarcis viridis, Wagler.

Lacerta varius, Edw.

Var. 1. Lac. bilineata, Daud.

Var. 2. Lacerta fusca, Daud.

Inhab. Europe.

280 Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Sauriang.

Lacerta agilis, Linn.? Lichst. Lac. Europe, Pallas.

Var. 1. Lac. stirpium, Daud. iii. t. 35, f. 2.

Var. 2. Lac. arenicola, Daud, iii. t. 38, f. 2.

Inhab. Europe, England.

See also Lacerta longicaudata, Ruppell. Mus. Francf.

Tera, Gray. Nostrils erect, in the suture of three scales, ‘lateral; ab-

dominal shields (6-rowed) all square ; throat scales small; toes simple.

Teira punctata. Lacerta Dugesii, Edw. Ann. Sci. Nat., t.6, f.2.?

Dark, blackish-green, darker on the sides, closely and minutely white

speckled, beneath pale green; caudal scales obscurely keeled.

Inhab. Europe; Madeira?

Eremias, Fitz. Nostrils in the suture of three scales, lateral ; ab-

dominal plates with the outer side oblique and contracted behind ;

temple scaly; preeanal scales two, small, triangular, one behind the

other, with oblong four-sided shields on each side of them.

* Abdominal shields 6-rowed ; muzzle short ; dorsal scales small ; smooth,

ovate. Nucras. -

Eremias Lalandii. Lacerta Lalandii. Edw. Ann. Sci. Nat. t. 5,

f).6,3:t. 8. 5.

Inhab. Cape of Good Hope.

** Abdominal shields 14 or 16-rowed ; scales smooth, small. Eremias.

Eremias velox. Lacerta velox, Pallas.

B. Collar distinct. Dorsal scales rather granular. Nostrils hori-

zontal in the keel on the sides of the muzzle. Toes fringed. Ven-

tral shields oblique.

Scarreira, Fitz. Ida, Gray, MSS. Brit. Mus. Nostril in the

upper edge of the first labial shield, with two small shields above

and behind it; preanal shields numerous; abdominal shields rhom-

bic, the central ones often narrowed on both sides behind; toes

fringed on the outer side; the claws very long, acute.

a. Preanal shields broad ; three of the central series placed one be-

hind the other ; abdominal shields 8-rowed, rhombic.

* Dorsal scales large.

Scapteira inequalis. (Ida inzequalis, MSS. B. Mas. ) Savigny Rept.

Egypt, t.1,f. 10? Pale olive; black dotted; scales of the back large,

rhombic, keeled ; of the sides small, keeled ; tail very Jong, slender.

Inhab. N. Africa, Egypt. 7

** Dorsal scales small.

Scapteira pulchella. (Ida pulchella, Gray, MSS. Brit. Mus.) 8a-

vigny, Rept. Egypt, t. 2, f.2.? Olive (under the epidermis brown) ;

back with six longitudinal whitish streaks, and intermediate series of

irregular unequal white spots; limbs white spotted, beneath white.

Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians. 281

Inhab. Egypt.

Scapteira lineata. (Ida lineata, Gray, MSS. B. M.) Greenish ;

back and base of the tail with six bright blue longitudinal streaks ;

beneath yellowish; scales of the back rather large, rhombic, keeled ;

of the base of the tail short, sharply keeled.

Inhab. N. Africa.

b. Preanal shields similar, but narrower ; abdominal shields 10 or

12-rowed, contracted behind ; interparietal plate rudimentary.

Scapteira maculata, (Ida maculata, Gray, MSS. B. M.) Savigny

Rept. Egypt, t. 1, f. 9.?? Greenish, with a broad pale dorsal streak,

marked with indistinct blackish spots ; sides of the back blackish,

with three or four series of longitudinal oblong pale spots; scales of

the back small, rhombic, acutely keeled; of the base of the tail

broad, short; toes slightly fringed.

Inhab. Tripoli. |

c. Preanal shields unequal ; the hinder central one large, the rest

smaller, placed in an arched series ; abdominal plates, 12-rowed. Ida.

Scapteira inornata. (Ida inornata. Gray, MSS. B.M.) Green-

ish olive; tail paler, with a dark streak on each side; beneath sil-

very white; scales of the back:small, ovate, acutely keeled; of the

base of the tail broad; preanal scales 10 or 12, subequal, with small

scales on the sides, placed in four transverse subalternating series.

Inhab. Tripoli. re

Scapteira punctulata, (Ida punctulata, Gray, B. M.) Olive; back

with six longitudinal series of small distant blackish dots; tail and

cheeks brown varied; beneath whitish; scales of the back small,

convex, rather rhombic, smooth; of the tail elongate, narrow.

Inhab. ‘

Scapteira nebulosa. (Ida nebulosa, Gray, MSS. B. M.) Pale

olive; back with three series of rather large distant black spots ; tail

elongated, with a series of black dots on each side; scales of back

minute, granular, smooth, flattish, of upper part of tail elongated,

truncated.

Inhab. Egypt.

Scapteira leiocerca, (Ida leiocerca, Gray, MSS. B.M.) Olive

black, varied with brown, leaving six series of small round pale spots,

and six series of large oblong transverse pale spots, placed between

the others; scales of the back small, rhombic, acute, smooth ; of the

base of the tail large, similar, smooth.

Inhab. :

— The toes of S. inornata are longly, of S. inequalis, S. maculata,

282 Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians.

S. lineata, and S. leiocerca shortly, and of S. pulchella, S. punttu-

lata, and S. sabulosa scarcely fringed.

Merotzs, Gray. Nostrils horizontal, marginal, between two

scales; the lower one placed over the first and second labial shield,

and with asmall triangular scale at its hinder edge; preanal shields

numerous; central ones in a longitudinal series; abdominal shields

rhombic ; toes fringed on the outer side; dorsal scales small, rhom-

bic, keeled; abdominal plates 12 or 14-rowed. :

* Interparietal plate large.

Meroles Knozii. Lacerta Knoxii. Edw. Ann. Sci. Nat. t.6. £. 8.

Inhab. S. Africa, Cape of Good Hope.

** «« Interparietal plate rudimentary.”

Meroles Dumerilit. Lacerta Dumerilii. Edw. Ann. Sci. Nat.

Inhab. Senegal.

“ @. Collar none, with a small axillary plait on each side, sometimes

obsolete. Dorsal scales lanceolate, keeled. Nostrils superior subapical.

Mesauina, Gray. Nostrils marginal, convex, in the centre of

three small unequal nasal scales, placed over the first labial plate ;

loreal shields 2, first linear, hinder triangular; scales of back small,

convex ; ventral shields subrhombic, 2 central series narrower ; pree-

anal shield single, surrounded by a series of 4 or 6 small ones, and

then some smaller scales; toes slender, nearly simple; claws long.

_ Mesalina Lichtensteinii. Olive, beneath whitish; abdominal shields

8-rowed; scales of the back ovate, rhombic, convex, smooth; of the

tail rhombic, elongate, slightly keeled.

Inhab. N. Africa?

D. Collar indistinct, united to the chest in the middle, with a dis-

tinct plait before each shoulder; dorsal scales rhombic, keeled.

Casrita. Nostrils in a horizontal suture, between two small

nasal shields, having a smaller one behind them. Collar adnate in

the middle, free on the sides ; preanal shield single, surrounded by

five small shields in front; scales of the back rhombic, keeled.

Cabrita brunnen. Ventral shields 6-rowed, central ones narrowed

on each side; middle of the back bay; sides dark brown, with two

rather wider white streaks on each side ; tail and limbs pale brown,

beneath silvery. |

_s» Inhab. ; Collection of Thomas Bell. Esq.

Auerra, Cuv. Psammuris, Wagler. Nostrils small in the hori-

zontal suture, between two nasal scales, which have two others at

their hinder side, so that it appears nearly in the centre of four small

shields ; ventral shields six-sided; scales of the back broad, rhombic,

Von Esenbeck on new species of Glumacez. 283

keeled; two central preanal shields largest, placed one behind the

other, rest smaller.

Algira punctata, Gray. Olive-green, sides pale, black-spotted,

with two white streaks on each side; temples scaly, with two small

shields.

Inhab. Shores of the Mediterranean.

Algira Cuviert, Gray. Olive-green; sides black, with three nar-

row green streaks; side of the back black and white-spotted; ven-

tral shields silvery, with a central black spot; temple unequally

shielded. 3

Inhab. : Mus. Francfurt.

Psammopromus, Fitz. Nostrils in the suture between two un-

equal nasal plates; ventral shields — ?; scales of the back

acute, keeled ; przeanal shields, one large, surrounded by many small

ones; collar none; a band of shields close to the front of the chest,

and only separated from them by a series of small scales, which are

hidden, except when the head is bent back.

Psammodromus Hispanicus, Fitz.

_Inhab. Spain, Mus. Francfurt.

[To be continued. }

XXXI.—Characters of Nine new Species of Glumacee. By Dr. C.

G. Nexzs v. Esenzecx, President of the Imperial Academy Nature

Curiosorum. Extracted from a Letter to Professor Lindley.

Melica colpodicides; panicula composita et decomposita (ante anthesin

contracta), pedicellis nudis scabro-puberulis, spiculis oblongis bi-trifloris,

glumis inzequalibus obtusiusculis, superiori flosculos subzequante, valvula in~

feriori flosculorum perfectorum apice brevi spatio membranaceo-appendi-

culata 7-nervi, flosculo supremo sterili, sublineari, antheriformi! foliis an-

guste linearibus vaginisque scabris. (M. scabre et pallide H. et K. affinis.)—

California, Douglas.

a, sesquiflora. 8, subtriflora.

Lophochlena californica. Ch. Gen. Spicule multiflorz, rhachilla articu-

lata. Glumz 2, membranacez, obscure 1—3-nerves, flosculis breviores.

Flosculi callo truncato inserti, omnes perfecti: valvula inferior chartaceo-

rigida, plurinervis, apice membranacea, bifida, lobis preemorso-dentatis, inter

lobos setigera seta recta; superior plano-complicata lateribus in medio den-

tato-laceris apicem versus serratis; apice emarginato. Lodicule truncate,

connate. Stamina 3 (antheris violaceis). Ovarium oblongo-lineare, gla-

brum; styli breves, discreti; stigmata parva plumulosa. Inflorescentia:

racemus simplex, secundus. Gramina mollia, Folia brevia. Spicule bro-

284 Von Esenbeck on new species of Glumacez.

moidez, oblongo-lineares, speciosee. Locus inter Poas Glycerieas juxta

Glyceriam, cui mediante Glyceria (Windsoria) pallida consiliatur. Forsan

hee W. pallida, amplificato generis nostri charactere, isti potest connecti.—

California, Douglas.

Polyantheriz Hystrix., (Trib, Triticess, Locus inter Elymum et Zgilopem.)

Ch. Gen. Rhachis spice articulata. Spicule disticho-alterne, gemine,

rhachi oblique parallel, pluriflorz, subsessiles. Glume bine, collaterales,

hine ad speciem quaterne, profunde bifidz laciniis bifidis trifidisve omnibus

longe setaceis, tertia (ubi adest) minima. Flosculi 3—4, inferiorum uno

alterove sterili glumis simili, summo tabescente. Fertilium valvula infe-

rior chartacea, ex apice bidentato bisetove longe setigera; superior minor,

integra, marginibus inflexis, flexuree angulis ciliatis. Lodiculz lanceolate, in-

tegree, ciliate, Stamina 3, antheris brevibus. Ovarium apice hirsutum;

styli distantes; stigmata plumosa, Gramina specie Elymi et Hordei. Po-

lyantheria Hystriz est Egilops Hystric Nutt. gen. J. p. 86.—California,

Douglas. ,

Poa Douglasii; panicule ovate ovalisve dense spiciformis ramis geminis

brevibus inzequalibus, spiculis ovatis compressis trifloris pallidis, valvulis

acutis basi liberis dorso parce ciliolatis, inferiori acute carinata 5-nervi,

culmo (foliis breviori) simplici ad paniculam usque vaginato, vaginis albo-

membranaceis, foliisque convoluto-filiformibus glabris et levibus, radice

repente (filiformi). Est e societate Poarum: tricoloris, conformis, curvule,

abbreviate R. Br. etc.—California, Douglas.

Chasmanthium ornithorhynchum; racemo subspicato simplici, flosculis

divaricatis eequivalvibus. (Chasmanthium gracile Link sic describo: Ch.

racemo composito, flosculis erectis inzequivalvibus. In charactere generico

del. : “ valvula superior brevior.”—Alabama, Drummond.

Ceratochloa simplex; racemo simplici paucifloro erecto, spiculis oblongo-

lanceolatis pubescentibus, arista flosculum subeequante, gluma superiori et

valvula inferiori 7-nervibus, vaginis retrorsum foliis in pagina superiori an-

trorsum pubescentibus. (Species a reliquis distinctu facilis.)—Peru, Mathews,

No. 717.

Eragrostis cretacea; spica simplici rigida, rhachi undata marginata, spi-

culis secundis distichis incumbentibus alternis 4-floris subovalibus utrinque

convexis, glumis zequalibus ad carinam bisulcis, valvula inferiori ovata ob-

tusa angulato-trinervi, culmo humili erecto simplici compresso, foliis angus-

tis complicatis glabris. Similis Hragrosté, bifarie, sed habitu alieno.—

Madras, Mr. Griffith.

Meoschium Griffithii, N. § W.; spicis binis, spicula altera subsessili,

utriusque gluma inferiori late semiovata margine exteriori dilatato aliformi

levi, reliquo dorso a basi usque ad medium fere transversim arcuato-rugoso

cartilagineo, spicula subsessili hemiologama mutica, foliis linearibus vagi-

nisque glabris, culmo humili ad apicem usque vaginato. Meoschio Arnot-

tiano affine, at sat distinctum.—Madras, Mr. Griffith.

Isolepis hispidula; capitulo globoso polystachyo densissimo, spiculis com-

presso-trigonis pubescenti-scabris ovalibus, squamis ovatis carinatis infra

Mr. Eyton on the Fauna of Shropshire. 285

apicem mucronatis pallidis carina viridi trinervi, involuero diphyllo altero

capitulum subzequante, foliis subulatis brevibus culmoque pubescentibus,

vaginis ore barbatis, caryopsi obovato-trigona leviuscula. Isolepidi bar-

bate@ similis, differre videtur pubescentia et foliis crassioribus, cet.—Madras,

Mr. Griffith.

XXXII.—An Attempt to ascertain the Fauna of Shropshire

and North Wales. By T. C. Eyton, Esq.

[Continued from Mag. of Zool. and Bot., vol. ii. p. 542. ]

No. II. Aves.

Falco peregrinus, Ray. (Peregrine Falcon.) Not an uncommon

bird on the Welsh coast, rearing its young on shelves of rock over-

hanging the sea. I have never observed nests nearer to one another

than two miles. Two or three specimens have occurred in Shrop-

shire. A fine old bird was this winter (1837) procured by John

Rocke, Esq., near Clungurford. I have several times succeeded in

training the young bird (the lanner of Fleming and Pennant,) for

hawking pigeons and partridges, and found the process much easier

than I could have supposed from the accounts of it given in the older

books on the subject; indeed, excepting the treatise by Sir John

Sebright, there is not more humbug contained in any description of

books than in those on hawking.

The trachea of the Peregrine Falcon is furnished with two pairs

of muscles of voice, similar to those described by Mr. Yarrell in the

Linnean Transactions to exist in the Indian crowned pigeon.

Falco Subbuteo, Ray. (Hobby.) Several specimens have occurred

near the Stretton hills in Shropshire; all that I have seen have been

in the young state of plumage.

Falco Aisalon, Ray. (Merlin.) Rare in Shropshire, but breeds

not uncommonly in the neighbourhood of Cader Idris, where the

young are generally supposed to be of a different species, and is

called the stone Falcon.

Falco Tinnunculus, Ray. (Kestrel.) Common. The kestrel is

generally supposed to be the most common of the British hawks ;

but in the neighbourhood of Eyton, and I believe that most of the

gamekeepers in Shropshire will say the same, the sparrow-hawk is

decidedly the most common. On the Welsh coast, on the contrary,

I have obtained in general about four specimens of the kestrel for

one of the sparrow-hawk.

Falco (Menofalco, Cuv.) Islandicus, Linn. (Gyr Falcon.) One of

286 Mr. Eyton on the Fauna of Shropshire.

these rare British birds was killed three or four years ago on Lord

Cawdor’s estate in Wales.

Aquila Chrysaétos, Linn. (Golden Eagle.) ‘‘This kind of eagle

sometimes migrates into Caernarvonshire, and there are instances,

though rare, of its having bred in the Snowdon hills, from whence

some writers give that tract the name of Creigiau’r eryri, or the eagle

rocks.”—Penn. Brit. Zool.

Falco (Pandion, Sav.) Haliaétos, Linn. (Osprey.) A fine specimen

is in the possession of Burton Borough, Esq., of Chetwynd, Salop,

killed a few years ago, while hovering over a pool near that place.

Accipiter fringillarius, Ray. (Sparrow-hawk.) Common.

Milvus regalis, Briss. (Kite.) Formerly common both in this

county and in Wales, but is now becoming rare in consequence of

the persecution it has undergone from gamekeepers.

Falco Buteo, Sibb. (Lagopus, Linn.) (Rough-legged Buzzard.)

A specimen is in my collection, killed near Ludlow; and in the edi-

tion of Pennant’s British Zoology, published in 1812, vol. 1. p. 228,

will be found a note mentioning a specimen, obtained in Flintshire.

Buteo vulgaris, Sibb. (Common Buzzard.) Common in North

Wales; now and then I have observed a solitary one, or a pair, in

some of the large woodlands in Shropshire. This species is easily

tamed. —

Falco (Circus, Briss.) cineraceus, Mont. (Ash-coloured Harrier.)

But one of this species has come under my observation, nor have I

ever heard of others. The specimen alluded to was killed near Dol-

gelly.

Falco (Circus, Briss.) Pygargus, Linn. (Common Harrier.) I

have several times observed these birds near Corwen; they have also

been observed near Walford by R. A. Slaney, Esq. It is remark-

able with what regularity they return to the same beat at the same

time for many days together, which propensity often tends to their

destruction.

Circus rufus, Briss. (Moor Buzzard.) Common in Wales. This

bird takes endless varieties with regard to the colouring of the head _,

the crown being sometimes of the same colour as the rest of the

body, (as in the specimen figured in Loudon’s Mag. Nat. Hist.,

which is now in my possession, ) and sometimes nearly white.

Otus vulgaris, Flem. (Long-eared Owl.) Though not common,

has several times occurred in the district.

Strix (Otus, Cuv.) Brachyotus, Gmel. (Short-eared Owl.) Tole-

rably common in Wales, where it is called the Woodcock Owl, from

its arriving about the same time with that bird. — ;

Mr. Eyton on the Fauna of Shropshire, 287

Strive flammea, Linn. (Barn Owl.) Common.

Strix (Syrnium, Sav.) stridula, Linn. (Wood Owl.) Common.

Strix (Syrnium, Sav.) Tengmalmi, Linn. The bird described by

Pennant under the name little owl, does, I believe, belong to this

species; he mentions it as having occurred in Flintshire.

Lanius Excubitor, Linn. (Great Shrike.) Only once observed

near Capel Curig, North Wales, in the month of May.

Lanius Collurio, Linn. (Red-backed Shrike.) Very common in

Wales, particularly near Capel Curig and Barmouth; at the latter

place they feed chiefly on insects belonging to the genus Geotrupes,

which particularly abound. At Capel Curig grasshoppers appear to

constitute their chief food: some dozens of them may be seen on

the side of the hill above the lakes, which is thinly covered with

scattered hawthorn bushes, and abounds with their prey. This spe-

cies, when taken young, is very easily tamed, and makes a mis-

chievous but amusing pet.

Muscicapa grisola, Ray. (Spotted Fly-catcher.) Common.

Muscicapa atricapilla,Gmel. (Pied Fly-catcher.) The Rev. John

Rocke, of Clungurford, possesses a specimen of this bird killed near

Downton.

Bombycilla Bohemica, Briss. (Bohemian Chatterer.) Four spe-

cimens were killed a few years ago by the last-mentioned gentleman,

and are now in his possession, beautifully preserved by Mr. Shaw of

Shrewsbury. Other specimens have also occurred in the neighbour-

hood of Oswestry.

_ Turdus Merula, Linn. (Blackbird.) Common. The white va-

riety has also occurred. ;

Turdus torquatus, Linn. (Ring-Ousel.) Not uncommon in Wales.

I have several times observed them on the Borroyn chain, near Cor-

wen, but never in the valleys or on the tops of the hills; but at a

certain elevation, until driven out, they keep themselves closely hid

in the fern and heath-bushes. An observation of this kind with re-

gard to elevation was made on a species of thrush inhabiting Java.

(T. varius) by Dr. Horsfield.

Turdus viscivorus, Linn. (Missel Thrush.) Common. This bird

among the lower classes in Shropshire is known by the name of the

storm cock, from its being said to utter its peculiar chattering note

before rain.

Turdus pilaris, Linn. (Fieldfare.) Common. Mr. Selby, in his

British Ornithology, states that these birds do not arrive until No-

vember in this country, I have observed a flight of them in Shrop-

288 Mr. Eyton on the Fauna of Shropshire.

shire as early as the 20th of September. They occasionally remain

as late as the 20th of April.

Turdus iliacus, Linn. (Redwing.) Common. A few of these

birds remain in the neighbourhood of Eyton all the summer. In order

to place this beyond doubt I have killed several, but have never suc-

ceeded in finding their nests: the great bulk of them, however, ar-

rive about the same time as the preceding.

Cinclus aquaticus, Bechst. (Dipper.) Common on most rocky

rivers in the district.

Motacilla (Sazicola, Bechst.) Rubicola, Linn. (Stone-chat.) Com-

mon in Wales, particularly in the neighbourhood of Holyhead: not

nearly so abundant in Shropshire.

Motacilla (Saxicola, Bechst.) Rubetra, Linn. (Whin-chat.) Com-

mon during the summer months in Shropshire, where it is called the

utich or hutic.

Motacilla (Savicola, Bechst.) Cénanthe, Linn. (Wheat-ear.)

Rather rare in the district; all that I have observed have been in

September, probably during their migration.

Motacilla (Ficedula, Bechst.) Rubecula, Linn. (Red-breast.) Com-

mon.

Motacilla (Philomela, Sw.) Luscinia, Linn. (Nightingale.) Fre-

quents during summer the southern border of the district: I cannot

trace them further northward than the Wrekin.

Sylvia’ (Saligaria,. Selby.) arundinacea, Lath. (Reed Warbler.)

Common.

Sylvia (Salicaria, Selby. ) Phragmitis, Bechst. (Sedge Warbler.)

Not so common as the preceding.

Motacilla (Curruca, Briss.) Atricapilla, Linn. (Blackcap.) Com-

mon.

Sylvia (Curruca, Briss.) cinerea, Lath. (Greater White-throat.)

Common. Arrives generally during the first fortnight in April.

Curruca garrula, Briss. (Lesser White-throat.) Somewhat rare,

but I have always observed a few specimens in the neighbourhood of

Eyton before the leaves appear, and generally before the arrival of

the gréater white-throat:

Motacilla (Accentor, Bechst.) modularis, Linn. (Hedge Sparrow. )

Common.

Sylvia (Regulus, Cuv.) ignicapilla, Brehm. (Fire-crested Wren.)

Rare; but two or three specimens have been observed.

Regulus aurocapillus, Selby. (Gold-crested Wren.) Common.

Sylvia (Sylvicola, nob.) sibilatriz, Bechst. (Yellow Wren.) Ar-

Mr. Eyton on the Fauna of Shropshire. 289

rives in Salop generally during the last week in April: not so com-

mon as the two following.

Sylvia (Sylvicola, nob.) Trochilus, Lath. (Willow Wren.) Com-

mon: arrives generally before the last-mentioned species.

Sylvia (Sylvicola, nob.) rufa, Lath. (Chiff-Chaff.) Common,

and arrives about the same time with the last. ‘The three last-men-

tioned species are difficult to distinguish: the only constant charac-

ter appears to be the sloping of the quill-feathers, given in Jenyns’

Manual of British Vertebrata.

Troglodytes Europeus, Steph. (Wren.) Common.

Motacilla alba, Linn. (White Wagtail.) Common.

Motacilla (Budytes, Cuv.) flava, Linn. {Yellow Wagtail.) Com-

mon: generally observed to arrive about the 29th of April. |

Motacilla (Budytes, Cuv.) Boarula, Linn. (Grey Wagtail.) Com-

mon: departs about the end of March, and arrives in September.

Alauda (Anthus, Bechst.) trivialis, Linn. (Pipit Lark.) Occa-

sionally met with near Eyton, but nct commonly.

Alauda (Anthus, Bechst.) pratensis, Linn. (Tit Lark.) Very

common during the winter months, in company with wagtails on

flooded meadows. |

Anthus aquaticus, Bechst. (Rock’Lark.) Found in the neigh-

bourhood of Holyhead, particularly between the town and the South

Stack lighthouse, where it may be seen hopping about in search of

small marine animals on stones which the sea has just left.

Alauda arvensis, Linn. (The Lark.) Common.

Alauda arborea, Linn. (Wood Lark.) I have never observed this

species in the neighbourhood of Eyton, but near Walford it is not

uncommon, remaining all the year.

Parus major, Linn. (Great Titmouse.) Common.

Parus ater, Linn. (Cole Tit.) Common.

Parus palustris, Linn. (Marsh Tit.) Common.

Parus ceruleus, Linn. (Blue Tit.) Common.

Parus caudatus, Linn. (Long-tailed Tit.) The singular provin-

cial name of Huggen muffin is attached to this bird.

Emberiza Citrinella, Linn. (Yellow-hammer.) Equally common

everywhere. Specimens obtainedgin Anglesey, near Holyhead, were

of a much brighter yellow than those obtained at the same time of

year in Shropshire.

Emberiza Scheniculus, Linn. (Reed Bunting.) Common.

Emberiza Milaria, Linn. (Great Bunting.) Common.

Fringilla (Pyrgita, Cuv.) domestica, Linn. (Sparrow.) Common.

Fringilla (Pyrgita, Cuv.) montana, Linn. (Mountain Sparrow.)

Ann, Nat, Hist, Vol.1. No.4, June 1838, U

290 Mr. Eyton on the Fauna of Shropshire.

Rare in the district, but occasionally seen in the neighbourhood of

Walford.

Fringilla Celebs, Linn. (Chaffinch.) Common.

Fringilla Montifringilla, Linn. (Brambling.) Occurs regularly,

but sparingly, in Shropshire, during the winter months, frequenting

beech trees, and feeding on the mast.

Carduelis aurata, nob. (Goldfinch.) Common.

Fringilla (Linaria, Bechst.) Spinus, Linn. (Siskin.) Found com-

monly in Shropshire during winter; frequenting the tops of alder

trees, on the seed of which it feeds, in company with the lesser red-

pole.

Fringilla (Linaria, Bechst.) borealis, Roux. Linaria canescens,

Gould. (Mealy Redpole.) At different times, I have obtained seve-

ral specimens of this bird in Shropshire, but have never observed

them in large flights, the utmost number I have ever seen together .

being ten or twelve, in company with the siskin, in which points

they differ in habit from both the greater and lesser redpoles.

Fringilla (Linaria, Bechst.) flavirostris, Linn. (Lesser Redpole.)

Common in winter, in company with the siskin, and feeding in the

same manner.

Fringilla (Linaria, Bechst.) cannabina, Linn, (Greater Redpole.)

Common.

Fringilla (Linaria, Bechst.) Montium, Gmel. (Mountain Linnet.)

Occasionally found in Shropshire: common in North Wales, where .

it breeds, making its nest on the ground under the shelter of some

furze bush or tuft of grass.

Lowia (Coccothraustes, Briss.) Chloris, Linn. (Greenfinch.) Com-

mon.

Lowia (Coccothraustes, Briss.) vulgaris, Flem. (Grosbeak.) A

regular winter visitant, frequenting fir trees in the neighbourhood of

Hawkstone and elsewhere, and often seen in company with the

crossbill.

Pyrrhula vulgaris, Temm. (Bullfinch.) Common.

Lowia curvirostra, Linn. (Crossbill.) Occasionally found on fir

and pine trees, during the autumn and winter months, particularly

such as stand high, as in those gf Hawkstone and Pimhill: arrives

in September.

Sturnus vulgaris, Linn. (Starling.) Common. I have at differ-

ent times seen many starlings, with their upper and lower mandi-

bles crossed ; one is in my collection: they have all been birds taken

from the nest. Query. Does not a tendency to this monstrosity

show an affinity to the crossbills?

Mr. Eyton on the Fauna of Shropshire. 291

Turdus (Pastor, Temm.) roseus, Linn. (Rose Ousel.) A beauti-

ful male specimen of this very rare British bird was killed three or

four years ago in the garden behind the hotel at Holyhead, where it

had been observed for a day or two before; its habits were described

by the gardener as being like those of the thrush: the preserved

skin is in the possession of Captain Stephens, formerly of that place,

who kindly permitted me to inspect it.

Corvus (Fregilus, Cuv.) Graculus, Linn. (Chough.) Found com-

monly on all the bold headlands of the Welsh coast. I have seve-

ral times procured young ones and tamed them: they are exceed-

ingly amusing, though very mischievous, stealing everything they

can carry off. I never, although they made all sorts of odd noises,

succeeded in teaching one of them to articulate clearly any sound ;

they were particularly fond of cheese, attacking any nest of mites

whenever they could find their road to the cupboard: they learned

to know the servants’ dinner hour, and if not admitted would rap at

the window with their strong bills, much to the danger of the glass.

During winter, in their wild state, they proceed some distance into

the country, often accompanying flights of rooks and jackdaws; but

during summer I have never observed them far from the sea-coast.

Corvus Monedula, Linn. (Jackdaw.) Common,

Corvus frugilegus, Linn, (Rook.) Common.

Corvus Corax, Linn. (Raven.) Often observed in Wales: afew

pair breed in Shropshire, and have been known to build in the same

trees from time immemorial, in spite of the nest being robbed every

year.

Corvus Corone, Linn. (Crow.) Common.

Corvus Corniz, Linn. (Hooded or Royston Crow.) A few years

ago I obtained one of these birds during winter by setting a trap near

a dead sheep: this is the only instance I know of its occurrence.

Pica caudata, Will. (Magpie.) Common during winter. More

than two or three of these birds are seldom seen together; but in

March and April, after they have built their nests, I have observed

flights of forty and fifty roost in the same plantation.

Corvus (Garrulus, Briss.) glandarius, Linn. (Jay.) Common. I

have several times observed that if the nest of this bird be found and

the eggs touched or disturbed, they are sure shortly to disappear,

Query. Are they carried off by the bird to some safer situation ?

Corvus (Nucifraga, Briss.) Caryocatactes, Linn. (Nut-cracker,)

The only specimen that I know of, obtained in the district, is one

mentioned in Pennant’s ‘ British Zoology,’ killed near Mostyn in

Flintshire, October 5, 1753. ,

U 2

292 Mr. Eyton on the Fauna of Shropshire.

Hirundo (Cypselus, 1.) Apus, Linn. (Swift.) Common.

* Hirundo urbica, Linn. (House Martin.) Common: arrives about

the same time with the swallow.

Hirundo rustica, Linn. (Swallow.) Common: arrives generally

about the 20th of April, but I have observed one or two earlier.

Hirundo riparia, Linn, (Sand Martin.) Common: arrives the

first of the swallow tribe, generally about the 10th, or from that to

the 15th, of April.

Caprimulgus Europeus, Lmn. (Goat-sucker.} Common in North

Wales; not very common in Salop.

Sitta Europea, Linn. (Nuthatch.) Common.

Certhia familiaris, Linn. (Creeper.) Common.

Upupa Epops, Ray. (Hoopoe.) One individual of this species

was observed near the Black Bushes, Salop, four or five years ago,

and shortly afterwards one was killed in the neighbourhood, probably

the same: it is now in the collection of Sir Andrew Tobit, Bart.

Alcedo Ispida, Ray. (Kingfisher.) Common. A short time ago,

having placed a net partially over a small bait pool, stocked with

minnows, to defend them from the herons, a kingfisher got entangled

on the under side of it, and was drowned in the heat of the chase: .

he must have gone two or three inches under water in order to get

round the edge of the net.

Picus viridis, Ray. (Green Woodeckee: ) Common.

Picus major, Linn. (Greater Spotted Woodpecker.) Not so com-

mon as the other two species.

Picus minor, Linn. (Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.) Common at

Nesscliff and Hawkstone.

Cuculus canorus, Linn. (Cuckoo.) Common, arriving about the

10th of May. I once obtained a young one as late as the end of

September.

Tetrao Tetrix, Linn. (Black Game.) Found in most of the ex-

tensive heaths of Shropshire: has been introduced on the Beswyn

chain near Corwen, but appears to decrease in numbers.

Tetrao (Lagopus, Vieill.) Scoticus, Lath. (Red Grouse.) Common on

the Welsh mountains, and also on the Stiperstones in Shropshire.

Perdiz cinerea, Ray. (Partridge.) Common: the partridges found

on the Welsh mountains are of a smaller size than those of Shrop-

shire.

Coturnix vulgaris, Flem. (Quail.) In former times appears to

have been met with rather commonly in Shropshire by sportsmen in

September, but of late years rarely. I once saw a bevy of nine near

Eyton.

Mr. Gray on Phalangista Cookii. 293

Columba Palumbus, Linn. (Wood Pigeon Quice.) Common du-

ring the winter months, doing great mischief to the young clover

by feeding on it, picking out the green leaves in the centre of each

bunch.

Columba Ginas, Ray. (Stock Dove.) Common.

Turtur auritus, Ray. {Turtle Dove.) Breeds in Shropshire, where

it is called the Wrekin dove.

XXXIII—A Reply to Mr. Ogilby’s Communication to the

Annals of Natural History respecting Phalangista Cookii.

By J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S., Senior Assistant in the Zo-

ological Department of the British Museum.

My dear Sir,

in replying to Mr, Ogilby’s communication in your last Number I

will not suffer myself to be betrayed into the use of acrimonious ex-

pressions, which are unsuited to scientific discussions, and serve only

to irritate, and which I should regret the moment they were written.

The only purport of this note is to explain, in as few words as possible,

my impressions relative to the material facts adverted to in the com-

munication to which I refer.

The scientific objects of that communication are two in number ;

first, Mr. Ogilby contends that my name of Antilope Zebra should

yield to that of A. Doria previously published by him; and on this

point, as your readers are already aware, we are agreed :—secondly,

Mr. QOgilby maintains that the name of Phalangista Cookii should

be applied to the animal discovered by Sir Joseph Banks in Cook’s

first voyage, instead of that figured and described by Captain Cook

himself. On this we differ; but I know not why this difference of

opinion should give rise to angry feelings, or lead to the imputation

of unworthy motives.

As regards the first point, it is scarcely necessary to do more than

refer to the note which you have already printed (p. 221). I may

state, however, that when my description of the two more perfect spe-

cimens of the antelope in question, then in my possession, was printed

in the Annals, I was quite unconscious that Mr. Ogilby had pub-

lished anything on the subject. Mr. Bennett had described the ori-

ginal specimen as ‘obtained by Mr. Gould from Algoa Bay,” and

had indicated his opinion of its relations in the following terms:

**The quality of the fur is rather rigid, and the hairs are adpressed,

294 Mr. Gray on Phalangista Cookii.

resembling in these particulars the covering of the zebras: It may

not improbably belong to some species of antelope with which Euro-

peans are yet unacquainted.” (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1832, p.123.) Mr.

Ogilby’s reference to it (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1836, p. 121) is verbatim

as follows: ‘‘ The beautiful species mentioned by Mr. Bennett (Proc.

Zool. Soc. 1833, p. 1), which is a real antelope, and which I hope

shortly to have an opportunity of describing in detail under the name

of A. Doria, as a friend who has connections with the west coast of

Africa has kindly undertaken to procure me skins.’”’—He refers it,

without stating any reason, to a group of antelopes, all the distinct-

ive characters of which, as given by himself in the same place, are

derived from the head and horns, neither of which (in A. Doria) are

yet known to zoologists. This brief and incidental notice I had en-

tirely overlooked ; but immediately on being made acquainted with

it, so little did I desire to usurp the honours of a questionable name,

that I wrote of my own accord to Mr. Ogilby, stating my “ intention

to correct the error in the next Number of the Annals.”’ At the same

time I wrote the note published in your last Number, which, however,

not being immediately sent to you, was mislaid and forgotten. To

the charge of having neglected to send you the promised correction

I plead guilty in the fullest extent, and must patiently submit to the

punishment dueto my crime. I may plead, however, in mitigation,

that I had already placed in Mr. Ogilby’s own hands a full and volun-

tary confession of my default.

On the question of nomenclature (the only practical point involved

in the second count of Mr. Ogilby’s indictment), I am more than ever

convinced, after a careful re-examination of the subject, of the justice

of the conclusion to which I had originally come. My Phalangista

Banksii was discovered at Endeavour River, within the tropic, on the

east coast of New Holland, by Sir J. Banks, in Captain Cook’s first

voyage (see Hawkesworth, iii. 586); it is not however there described,

but a specimen brought home by the expedition formed the basis of

Pennant’s description of his ‘‘ New Holland Opossum” in his History

of Quadrupeds, edit. 1781, p. 310, and I am not aware of any other

published description that can with certainty be referred to this

species. My Ph. Cookit was found at Adventure Bay in Van Die-

men’s Land, in Captain Cook’s third voyage ; it is there described and

figured. ‘That figure and description are universally referred to as

the originals from which the name of Ph. Cookii was derived;

and even if the specimen described by authors under that name

belonged to a different species, I should still maintain that the

name of Ph. Cookii ought to remain connected with the animal figured

Mr. Gray on Phalangista Cookii. 295

and described by Captain Cook himself. But it is quite unnecessary

for my argument to go this length; for although Mr. Ogilby states

very decidedly that the specimens in the Paris Museum belong to the

continental or New Holland species, (meaning, I presume, that which

was originally found at Endeavour River,) I think there are strong

grounds for doubting the correctness of this opinion, which I will

now proceed to state.

Ist. All the French writers, as far as I am aware, who have de-

scribed the Phalangista Cookii, and who mention its locality, speak

of it as peculiar to Van Diemen’s Land.

2ndly. Their descriptions appear to me strictly applicable to the

Van Diemen’s Land species.

3rdly. The original specimens in the French Museum are stated by

M. Desmarest to have been brought home by Peron and Lesueur, and

by M. Temminck to have been derived from the voyage of Labillardiére.

I know not which of these gentlemen is right, but in either case it

is much more probable that the specimens were from Van Diemen’s

Land than from Endeavour River, both expeditions having visited

Adventure Bay, while Peron and Lesueur touched at no part. of

the east coast of New Holland, except Port Jackson, and Labillar-

diére did not visit that coast at all. I may add, that the Van Diemen’s

Land species is by far the most abundant in our own collections *.

These reasons appear to me to be so conclusive, that I would even

venture to hope that they may induce Mr. Ogilby to reconsider his

opinion.

As regards the personal matter introduced into the question by

Mr. Ogilby, I am loath to meddle with it; he has, however, rendered

it necessary that I should state the facts in justice to myself, and I

am determined that this shall be done without a word of harshness

or recrimination. Long before Mr. Ogilby made his observations on

the subject at the Zoological Society, I had satisfied myself that there

existed two very distinct varieties or species of white-tailed pha-

langer, confounded by Shaw under the name of ‘‘ White-tailed Opos-

_ * To obviate any misunderstanding, it may be observed that M. Temminck

has erroneously referred to a specimen in the French Museum, brought

home by M. Gaimard, as having been procured from the island of Rawak, one

of the Moluccas; but this error has been corrected by M. Lesson (Dict.

Class. d’Hist. Nat. 13.), who, after giving Van Diemen’s Land as the ha-

bitat of the species, expressly states that the specimen in question was ob-

tained alive at Port Jackson. With the same view, I may add, that the ani-

mal described and figured as the Ph. Cookii in M. Frederic Cuvier’s ‘‘ Mam-

miféres,’’ and again described by the same author in the Dict. des Sciences

Naturelles, under the name of Petaurus Cookii, belongs to a very different

species from either of those in question.

296 Mr, Gray on Phalangista Cookit.

sum.” Mr. Ogilby’s observations in no degree altered the view

which I had already taken, but satisfied me, that as our courses were

diametrically opposite, we could not possibly interfere with each other;

and I did not hesitate, when adding my notes to Mr. Gunn’s com-

munication, to publish my long-formed opinion on the subject of one

of the species therein mentioned. I did not refer to Mr. Ogilby’s

observations, because (as they were then unpublished) I might have

unconsciously misrepresented them, and I could have referred to

them for no other purpose than that of controverting his views, a

task which on all occasions I would if possible avoid. Neither did

I refer to the specimens, of which there are three, in the collection of

the British Museum, and that for the same reason as is stated for the

same forbearance on the part of Mr. Ogilby himself, ‘‘ because I was

unacquainted with their precise habitat,” the localities obtained from

dealers being in most cases difficult of verification. That they are

of the same species with that figured in Cook’s Voyage, I never en-

tertained a doubt, and the specific name of Cookiit was consequently

long since attached to one of them, which has been for several years

in .the collection : the only recent alteration has been to substitute

in place of the paper label another painted one bearing my new ge-

neric name.

With respect to the “supposition” that this was done in conse-

quence of a visit to the Museum of the Zoological Society, and a re-

freshment of my memory from the abstract of Mr. Ogilby’s observa-

tions in the minute book of the Society, I have only to state, that I

have not visited the Museum for some months, except on the Anni-

versary Meeting of the Society held therein on the 30th of April,

the day on which Mr. Ogilby’s communication was published in

your last Number; that I have never inspected the minute book for

this or any similar purpose ; and further, that I have never seen Mr.

Ogilby’s name attached to the skins of either of the species of Pha-

langista in question, or to the mutilated portions of the skin of 4.

Doria in the Society’s collection. If I have reproduced Mr. Ogilby’s

observations ‘‘ almost word for word,” one or other of us must have

been singularly unfortunate in the choice of expressions, our views

being so totally unlike ; but I am wholly unconscious of any such

coincidence ; and it is not the least remarkable part of the “‘ suppo-

sition,” that I am at the same time accused of this extreme accuracy

of memory, and of having entirely forgotten the only point in which

I was immediately and personally interested.

Two other questions of nomenclature are introduced by Mr. Ogilby.

The first of them has reference to my generic name for the group of

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 297

animals of which Ph. Cookii forms part, which he rejects because it

is believed to be the native name of an animal not comprehended in

that group. If all generic names (whether classical or barbarous)

in the same predicament were to be rejected, how many new names

would it not be necessary to introduce into the science in place of

those given by the highest authorities! The other question has re-

ference to my Halmaturus Tasmanei; and as Mr. Ogilby admits it is

merely one of precedence, I leave it therefore on his own statement

to the decision of those whom it may concern; observing only, that

“ previously” can in no way apply to the 28th of February in refer-

ence to the 10th of the same month in the same year, or to the Ist

of May in reference to the Ist of April.

I regret to have been placed under the necessity of occupying so

much of your valuable space on questions of little more than per-

sonal importance. I trust, however, that I have treated them without

any exhibition of personal feeling, and it would give me sincere plea-

sure to find them met in a similar spirit.

Yours most sincerely,

Joun Epwarp Garay.

British Museum, 10th May, 1838.

XXXIV.—Prodromus of a Monograph of the Radiata and

Echinodermata. By Lovis Acassiz, D.M.*

[Continued from p. 43. ]

Tue order Fistulides or the Holothurie contains but one family, which

corresponds to the genus Holothuria of Linnzeus, with the exception

of those species which did not rightly belong there. Their body is

soft, contractile, more or less elongated, beset with tentacula similar

to those of the ambulacra of the Echini, and are sometimes arranged

as regularly as in the latter. The mouth is situated at the anterior

extremity of the body, surrounded by appendices, more or less rami-

fied and fringed ; the anus is placed towards the opposite extremity.

Notwithstanding the elongated form of these animals, by which they

more or less resemble worms, we perceive in the interior and even at

the surface the radiated disposition of certain parts of their body,

which are arranged in vertical bands, extending from the mouth to

the posterior extremity. The numerous species which this division

now contains renders it necessary to establish several genera, which

* Translated from the Annales des Sciences Naturelles for May 1837.

298 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

are however not yet well enough based to be admitted without re-

serve. Several of them I have not had occasion to examine myself.

1. Synapra, Esch. (Fistularia, De Bl.—Tiedemannia, Leuck.—

Holothuria, De Bl. sect. D.)—Body vermiform, presenting no differ-

ence between the upper and under surface ; epidermis delicate ; the

mouth surrounded by large pinnatifid tentacula. Tubercles, for the

most part crooked, and serve as feet, although the animal is not en-

tirely destitute of vascular tubes.

S. Beselii, Jeg.—S. oceanica, Less.—S. mammillosa, Esch.—S. vitiata,

Jag.—(Tiedemannia vitt., Leuck.)—S, reciprocans, Jeg.—(Fistularia, re-

cipr., Forsk.—Holothuria glutinosa, Lam.)—S. maculata, Jeg. (Hol. mac.,

Cham.) —S. radiosa, Jeg. (Hol. rad., Regn.) —S. inherens, Wieg. (Hol. inh.,

Mull.) |

2. Curropota, Esch.—Epidermis thin, rather thicker however

than in Synapta, beset with a small number of feet or merely of re-

tractile mammille. Tentacula digitate. }

Ch. purpurea, Less.—Ch. lumbricus, Esch.—Ch. verrucosa, Esch.— Ch.

discolor, Esch.

3. Tuyonz, Oken. (Mulleria, Flem.) This genus differs from the

preceding solely in having the entire body covered with retractile

papillee.

Th. papillosa (H. papill., Mull.).—Th. fusus (H. fus., Mull.).—Th. im-

patiens (B. imp., Forsk.).—Th. maculata (Hol. mac., Le S'.).— Th. Briareus

(Hol. Br., Le S.):—Th. lapidifera (H. lapid., Le S.).—Th. peruviana (H.

peruv., Le S.).

4. Trepane, Jeg.—Body subcylindrical; mouth anterior, sur-

rounded by ten to twenty tentacula in a peltate head; feet confined

to the belly. This genus is doubtful, and ought probably to be

united to the Holothurie properly so called.

T. edulis (Hol. edul., Less.).—7. ananas, Jeg.

5. Hotornurta, Linn. ; De BI. sect. B. (Fistularia, Lam.) —Body

subcylindrical, anus rounded; mouth subinferior. Retractile tubes

developed, especially under the belly.

H. tubulosa, Linn.—H. columne, Cuy.—H. maxima, Forsk.—H. elegans,

Mull.—H. Forskalti, Delle Ch.—H. Petagnii, Delle Ch.—H. Sanctorii,

Delle Ch.—H. Cavolinii, Delle Ch.—H. Polit, Delle Ch.—H. Stellati,

Delle Ch.—H. Dismarii, Cuv.—H, appendiculata, De Bl.—H. radackensis,

Cham.—H. brunnea, Cham.—H., agglutinata, Le S.—H. umbrina, Rupp. et

Leuk.—H. quadrangularis, Less.—H. fusco-cinerea, Jeg.— H. atra, Jeg.—

H. fusco-punctata, Jeg.—RH. lilla, Less.—H. scabra, Jeeg.—H. monacaria,

Less. |

6. Muuueria, Jeg.—Back convex; belly flat; skin coriaceous ;

twenty tentacula peltate and disposed in two series round the mouth ;

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 299

five teeth surrounding the anus, to which are attached the longitu-

dinal muscles. In other respects it resembles Holothuria,

M. echinites, Jeeg.—M. Lecanora, Jeg.

7. Bouapscuia, Jeg.—Differs from the genus Mulleria by the

star-like form of the anus. This genus otherwise approaches closely

to Holothuria. :

B. marmorata, Jeg.—B. ocelluta, Jeg.—B. Argus, Jeg.—B. lineolata,

Jxg.—B. albiguttata, Jeg.

8. Cuvisrta, Peron.—Inferior surface flat and soft, furnished

with a great number of feet ; superior surface inflated, supported by

bony scales, pierced in front by a starlike orifice, which is the

mouth, and from which the tentacula proceed, on the under side bya

round aperture, which is the anus.

C. Squammata (Hol. Squammata, Mull.).—C. Cuvieri, Jeg.

9. Psotus, Oken.—Back convex ; belly flat; all the feet situated

in the middle of the under part of the body ; tentacula ramified, sim-

ple, not peltate. When the animal crawls, it raises its two extre-

mities where the head and anus are situated, which are more con-

tractile than the middle part, especially the anal extremity.

Ps. Phantopus (Hol. Ph., Linn.).—Ps. 2 ls actin (Hol. appen., De

- Bl.).— Ps. Timama (Hol. Tim., Less.).

10. Pentacta, Goldf. (Cucumaria, Cuv. et J eg. )-—Body cylin-

drical or oval-oblong ; pedicules disposed in five series; tentacula

pinnate or branchy. —

P. crocea (Hol. croc., Less.)—P. Pentactes (Hol. Pent., Mull.).—P.

Gertneri (Hol. Gert., De Bl.).—P. frondosa (H. frond., Gun.).—P. Do-

lolium (H. Dol., Pall.).—P. tentaculata (Hol. tent., Forst.).—P. levis (Hol.

levis, Mabr.).—P. minuta (Hol. min., Fabr.).—P. pellucida (Hol. pellu-

cida, Mull.).

11. Mrnyas, Cuv.—Body spheroidal, opened at both cutest:

grooved like a melon at the two sides, which extend from the anus

to the mouth, and which are formed of solid and corneous papille ;

mouth surrounded by three series of short, vermicular, and rounded

tentacula. This genus and the preceding connect the Holothuriz

with the Echinides.

M. cyanea, Cuv. (M. ceerulea, Less.)

II.

The order of the Echinides is characterized by a solid shell, sphe-

roidal, composed of adherent plates, and covered with moveable

spines ; all of them have a distinct mouth and anus. I divide them

into three natural families, which are the Spatangi, the Clypeastres,

and the Cidarites.

300 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

I, 'The Spatangi have the body more or less elongated and gibbous ;

their mouth is furnished with jaws, and is placed towards the anterior

extremity, and the anus towards the posterior extremity, sometimes

on the upper surface of the disc, sometimes on the lower. Their shell

is thin, covered with small tubercles, very numerous, among which

are observed some larger ones, which are scattered and often per-

forated like those of the Cidarites. The spines are setaceous, often

compressed, and of unequal size. ‘The anterior ambulacrum is gene-

rally less developed than the rest; they form round the mouth

grooves, where the holes are larger and whence proceed ramified

tentacula like those of the Holothuriz. There are only four ovidu-

cal plates, which are very distinct.

1. Disaster, Ag. (Spatangus, Ananchytes, et Nucleolites, auct.) The

odd ambulacrum and those of the anterior pair converge at a point

situated at a greater or less distance from the point of junction of

the two posterior ambulacra. All the species of this genus are fossils

of the chalk or of the jura.

D. bicordatus, Ag. (Spatangus bic., Goldf.)—D. ellipticus, Ag. (Anan-

chytes ellipt., Lam.)—D. excentricus, Ag. (Nucleolites excentr., Munst.)—

D, canaliculatus, Ag. (Nucleo. canal., Munst.)—D. granulosus, Ag. (Nu-

cleo. granul. Munst.)—D. capistratus, Ag. (Spat. capistr., Goldf.)—D. cari-

natus, Ag. (Spat, carin., Goldf.)—D. ovalis, Ag. (Spat. oval., Park.)—D.

analis, Ag.—D. ringens, Ag. (these two latter from the Swiss Jura.)

2. Hozaster, Ag. (Spatangus, auct.).—Disc heart-shaped ; ambu-

lacra converging uniformly towards a point at the summit; anus

superior. All fossils, especially of the chalk.

H. granulosus, Ag. (Spat. gran., Goldf.)-—-H. hemisphericus, Ag. (Spat.

hemisph., Phil.) —H. levis, Ag. (Spat. lev., Deluc.)—H. nodulosus, Ag.

(Spat: nod., Dolf.)—H. planus, Ag. (Spat. plan., Mant.)—H. complanatus,

Ag. (Spat. compl., De Bl.)—H. intermedius, Ag. (Spat. interm., Munst.)—

H. subglobosus, Ag. (Spat. subgl., Leske.)—H. suborbicularis, Ag. (Spat.

suborb., Defr.)—H. truncatus, Ag. (Spat. trunc., Goldf.)

3. AnancuytTes, Lam. and De Bl. (Echinocorys, Breyn. and Gray ;

Galea and Galeola, Kiein.)—Disc oval, no groove along the anterior

ambulacrum; anus oblong, placed longitudinally ; ambulacra con-

verging uniformly towards the summit, where the double pores are

very close, while they are widely apart at the circumference. All

the species are fossils from the chalk; they have been too much

multiplied from mere differences of age.

A. ovata, Lam.—A. gibba, Lam.—A. hemispherica, Al. Br.— A. pustu-

losa, Lam. is but the inner cast of 4. ovata.—A. quadriradiata, Leske, is

merely a monstrosity.

4. Hemipneustes, Ag. (Spatangus, auct.)—Disc heart-shaped,

L, Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 301

anterior ambulacrum formed of minute equal pores; the lateral am-

bulacra formed each of two series of double pores, differing among

themselves, the posterior series being much more marked than the

anterior. One species, from the chalk.

H. radiatus, Ag. (Spatangus rad., Lam.)

5. Micrasrer (Spatangus, auct.; Brissoides, Klein.; Amygdala

and Ovum, V. Ph.).—Dorsal portion of the ambulacra highly deve-

loped and rather starlike ; disc heart-shaped. ‘The most part of the

species are fossils from the chalk; there are some tertiary, and two

living.

M, Amygdala, Ag. (Spat. Amygd., Goldf.).—M. Bucklandii, Ag. (Spat.

Buckl., Goldf.)—M. Bucardium, Ag. (Spat. Bucard., Goldf.)—M. Bufo,

Ag. (Spat. Bufo, dl. Br.)—M. Cor. anguinum, Ag. (Spat. Cor. Ang., Lam.)

—WM. Cor. testudinarium, Ag. (Spat. Cor. test., Goldf.)—M. gibbus, Ag.

(Spat. gib., Lam.) —M. Goldfusi, Ag. (Spat. lacun., Goldf., non Gmel.)—

M. Prunella, Ag. (Spat. Prun., Lam.)—M. acuminatus, Ag. (Spat. acum.,

Goldf.)—M. suborbicularis, Ag. (Spat. suborb., Munst.)—M. canaliferus, Ag.

(Spat. canal., Lam.)—M, lacunosus, Ag. (Spat. lacun., Gmel., non Goldf.)

6. Spataneus, Klein and Gray. (Echinospatangus, Breyn.) —Disc

heart-shaped ; with a large, deep, anterior dorsal groove; the ambu-

lacra of this groove are formed of minute equal pores, which, near the

summit and at the circumference, present the form of a star. Be-

sides the small spines, which are smooth on the back, there are some

larger ones, but very slender. There are some fossil species from the

chalk and tertiary deposits, and several living species.

Sp. ornatus, Al, Br.—Sp. Desmarestii, Munst.—Sp. Hoffmanni, Goldf.—

Sp. purpureus, Leske.—Sp. meridionalis, Riss.—Sp. ovatus, Leske.—Sp.

Cruz Andree, Lam.—Sp. planulatus, Lam.

7. Ampurpetus, Ag. (Echinocardium, V. Ph. and Gr.—Spatan-

gus, De Blainv., Sect. A.)— Disc heart-shaped, anterior dorsal groove

deep, in which lies the odd ambulacrum, which is formed of minute

pores, and is prolongated between the anterior ambulacra. The se-

ries of double pores which form the four ambulacral pairs are at a

distance from each other towards the summit of the disc, and gra-

dually approximate towards the periphery in the form of a star. The

spines are very remarkable, the larger being arched and spatuliform

at their extremity, the cthers are small and smooth. I know but of

one fossil species from the chalk, and two living.

A, Goldfusti, Ag. (Spat. arcuarius, Goldf., non Lam.)—A. Seba, es

(Echinocardium Sebe, Gr.)—. pusillus, Ag. (Spat. pusillus, Leske.)

‘8. Brissus, Kl. and Gr. (Zchinobrissus, Breyn.—Nuces, V. Ph.

—Spatangus, De Blainv., Sect. D.)—No anterior dersal groove; odd

302 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

ambulacrum scarcely perceptible; the four ambulacral pairs de-

pressed, forming at the summit of the disc a kind of cross, circum-

scribed by a sinuous line without tubercles or spines. I am not ac-

quainted with any fossil species.

B. pectoralis, Ag. (Spatangus Pect., Lam.)—B. carinatus, Leske.—B.

columbaris, Lam.—B. Scilla, Ag. (Echinus Spatangus Scilla.) —B. unicolor,

Leske.—B. ventricosus, Leske.—B. compressus, Ag. (Spat. compr., Lam.)—

B. sternalis, Ag. (Spat. stern., Lam.)

9. Scutzaster, Ag. (Echinocardium, V. Ph. and Gr.—Spatangus,

de BI. Sect. B.)—Disc heart-shaped, very much raised posteriorly ;

anterior dorsal groove long and deep; four other grooves at the dor-

sal summit deep and narrow, in which the ambulacra_ are hidden.

One fossil species, and one living,

Sch. Atropos, Ag. (Spat. Atr., Lam.) —Sch. Studeri, Ag. (from the Italian

tertiary.)

II. The Clypeastres occupy the intermediate place between the

Spatangi and the Cidarites; their form is most generally circular.

The mouth is central or subcentral; but the anus is more or less

approximated to the periphery, and is found sometimes at the upper

surface, sometimes at the under surface of the disc.

1. Catoryeus, Ag. (Nucleolites, auct.)—Disc oval; ambulacra

converging uniformly towards the summit; anus at the posterior

surface. All the species are fossil, from the jura, chalk, and ter-

tiary deposits.

C. semi-globosus, Ag. (Nucleolites semi-gl., Munst.)—C. carinatus, Ag.

(Nucl. carin., Goldf.)—C. castanea, Ag. (Nucl. cast., 41. Br.)—C. pyrifor-

mis, Ag. (Nucl. pyrif., Goldf.)—C. ovulum, Ag. (Nucl. ov., Lam.)—C. de-

pressus, Ag. (Nucl. depr., 4/. Br.)—C. subcarinatus, Ag. (Nucl. subcar.,

Goldf.)—C. obovatus, Ag.

2. Pycaster, Ag. (Nucleolites and Clypeus, auct.)—Disc circu-

lar; ambulacra converging uniformly towards the summit; orifice

of the anus large at the upper surface of the disc. Species all fos-

sil, from the jura and chalk.

P. semisulcatus, Ag. (Clyp. semisul., Phil.) —P. depressus, Ag. (Nucl.

depr,, Munst.)

3. Gauerites, Lam. (Conulus, Klein.—Kchinochonus, De Bl.)—

Disc circular; ambulacra narrow, pierced with pores rather distant

from one another, converging uniformly towards the summit ; mouth

central, anus marginal and inferior. Species all fossil, from the chalk.

This genus approaches more to the Nucleolites and Echinonee than

tothe true Echini.

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 303

G. vulgaris, Lam.—G. abbreviata, Lam.—G. subrotunda, Mant.—(G. qua~

drifasciata, Burg., and seafasciata, Defr., are monstrosities.)

4. Discorpra, Kl.and Gr. (Conulus, Leske.—Echinodiscites, V.Ph.

—Galerites, Lam.)—Differs from the Galerites by the large ambu-

lacra pierced with small pores at very short distances from one an-

other. All the species are fossil, from the jura and chalk.

D. depressa, Ag. (Galer. depr., Lam.)—D. speciosa, Ag. (Gal. spec.,

Munst.)—D. albo-galera, Ag. (Conulus albo-gal., Leske.)—D. canaliculata,

Ag. (Gal. canal., Goldf.)—D. rotula, Ag. (Gal. rot., dl. Br. ibs rotula-

ris, Kl. (Gal. rotul., Lam.)—D. macropyga, Ag.

” 5, Cuyrszus, Kl. (Echinoclypeus, De Bl.—Echinosimus, V. Ph.—

Galerites, Lam.—Nucleolites, De Fr.)—Disc circular, more or less

flattened ; ambulacra converging towards the apex and towards the

periphery of the disc; anus superior and marginal. All the species

are fossil, from the jura, chalk, and tertiary deposits.

Cl. sinuatus, Park.—Cl. emarginatus, Phil.—C/. patella, Ag. (Gal. pat.,

Lam.)—Cl. orbicularis, Phil.—Cl. Sowerbii, Ag. (Nucleolites Sow., Defr.)

— Cl. conoideus, Ag. (Echinoclyp. conoid., Leske.)—Cl. hemisphericus, Ag.

(Echinoclyp. hemisph., Leske.)— C7. testudinarius, Ag. (Nucl. testud., Munst.)

— Cl. scutella, Ag. (Nucl. scut., Goldf.)

6. Nucieouires, Lam. (Echinobrissus, Breyn.—Clypeus, Phil. )—

Disc oval or heart-shaped; ambulacra more prominent at the apex

than at the periphery; they however do not form a petaloid star, as

in the genus Clypeus. All are fossils from the jura, chalk, or ter-

tiary deposits.

N. scutata, Lam.—N. pss ee Ag. (Clyp. clunic., Smith.) —N. dimi-

diata, Ag. (Clyp. dimid., Phil.)—N. planata, Roem.—WN. cordata, Goldf.—

N. lacunosa, Goldf.—N. scorbiculata, Goldf.—N. Olfersii, Ag.—N. grigno-

nensis, Defr.

7. CassipuLus, Lam. (Nucleolites, auct.)—Disc oval; ambulacra

petaloid, anus between the summit and posterior margin. All are

fossils from the chalk and tertiary deposits.

C. Lapis cancri, Lam.—C, patellaris, Ag. (Nucl. patell., Goldf.)—C. com-.

planatus, Lam.

8. Freutaria, Lam.—(Eehinocyamus, Leske and Gr.— Echinoneus,

Goldf.)—Shell spheroidal ; circumference oval or subcircular; am-

bulacra petaloid; anus between the posterior margin and the mouth..

The species are fossils of the chalk and tertiary deposits, and some

recent.

F. placenta, Ag. (Echinon. plac., Goldf.)—F. subglobosa, Ag. (Echinon.

subgl., Goldf.)—J’. ovata, Ag. (Echinon. ovat., Munst.)—J, scutata, Ag.

304 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

(Echinon. seut., Munst.)—F. suffolciensis, Leach.—F. craniolaris, Linn.,

Gmel.—F. ovulum, Lam.

9. Ecutnonevs, V. Phels. and Lam. (Hchinanaus, Koen.—Echi-

noconus, Breyn.)—Disc oval, more or less flattened ; ambulacra con-

verging uniformly towards the summit; anus between the mouth

and posterior margin. All the species are living.

E. cyclostomus, Lam.—£. semilunaris, Lam.—E. gibbosus, Lam.

10. Ecurnotampas, Gray. (Echinanthus, Leske.—Clypeaster and

Galerites, Lam.)—Disc oval or circular; front margin more or less

sloped; ambulacra very large at the summit, where they form a

star, the rays of which touch one another, but which gradually be-

come more narrow towards the periphery; anus marginal, inferior.

There are some fossil species from the jura, the chalk, and tertiary

deposits, and one living.

E. pentagonalis, Ag. (Clyp. pentag., Phil.) —E. fornicatus, Ag.(Clyp. forn.,

Goldf.)—E. globosus, Ag. (Gal. glob., Defr.)—E. Kenigii, Gr.—E. Les-

kei, Ag. (Clyp. Lesk., Goldf.)\—E. Montmollini, Ag.—£. productus, Ag.—

E. minor, Ag.—E. affinis, Ag. (Clyp. aff., Goldf.)—E. Bouei, Ag. (Clyp.

Bouei, Munst.)—E. Brongniarti, Ag. (Clyp. Brongn., AZunst.)—E. conoideus,

Ag. (Clyp. conoid., Goldf.)\—E. Cuvieri, Ag. (Clyp. Cuv., Munst.)—E. el-

lipticus, Ag. (Clyp. ellipt., Munst.)—E. hemisphericus, Ag. (Clyp. hemisph.,

Lam.)—E. Kleinii, Ag. (Clyp. Klein., Goldf.)—E. Linkii, Ag. (Clyp. Link.,

Goldf.)\—E. politus, Ag. (Clyp. poll., Lam.)—E. stelliferus, Ag. (Clyp. stel-

lif., Lam.)—E. subcylindricus, Ag. (Clyp. subcyl., Munst.)—E£. trilobus, Ag.

(Clyp. tril., Defr.)—E. orientalis, Gr.

11. Cryrrastrr, Lam. (Echinanthus, Breyn. and Gr.)—Echino-

dorum and Echinodiscus, V. Phils.—(Lagana, Gr. and De Bl.)—Disc

oval or subpentangular; ambulacra forming at the summit a large

star, the rays of which are rounded at their extremity ; anus inferior

and marginal. ‘The internal cavity is divided into chambers by ver-

tical pillars. The shell is very thick. There are several fossil spe-

cies from the tertiary deposits, and some living.

Cl. marginatus, Lam.—Cl, altus, Lam.—Cl. Gaymardi, Al. Br.—Cl. Ri-

chardi, Desm.—€l, rosaceus, Lam.—Cl. subdepressus, Ag. (Echinanthus

subdepr., Gr.)— Cl. ambigenus, De Bl.— Cl. scutiformis, Lam.

12. Ecurnaracuntivs, Leske and Gr. (Arachnoides, K1.— Echino-

discus and Lagana, De Bl.—Scutella, Lam.)—Disc circular or sub-

angular; ambulacra as in Clypeaster, from which this genus espe-

cially differs by the much flattened form of the shell, and by its thin

margins; anus marginal. There is one fossil species from the ter-

tiary beds, and several living.

- E, lenticularis, Gr.—E.. placenta, Gr. (Scut. plac., Lam.)—£. Parma, Gr.

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 305

(Scut. Parm., Lam.)—Z. placunarius, Ag. (Seut. placun., Lam.)—E. latis-

simus, Ag. (Scut. latissima, Lam.)—E. Rumphii, Ag. (Echinodis. Rumph.,

De Bi.)

13, Scureuia, Lam. and De Bl. (Echinodiscus, Leske and Gr.—

Mellita and Rotula, K1._—Lagana, De Bl.)-——Shell flattened, circular,

margins thin; ambulacra as in Clypeasier, but in proportion larger ;

anus inferior. The species are very numerous, some fossils of the

‘tertiary formation, and some living.

Sc. altavillensis, Defr.—Sc. gibberula, M. de 8.—Sc. hispanica, Defr.—

Se. nummularia, Defr.—Sc. occianta, Defr.—Sc. striatula, M. de S.—Sc.

subrotunda, Lam.—Sc. porpita, Bory.—Se. orbicularis, Lam.—Sc. ovalis,

Ag. (Lag. oval., Brug.) —Sc. integra, Brug.——Sc. inaurita, De Bl.— Sc. au-

rita, De Bl.—Sc. dentata, Lam.—Sc. radiata, Seba.—Se. digitata, Lam.—

Se. octodactyla, De B).—Sc. hexapora, De Bl.—Sc. pentapora, De Bl.—Se.

bipora, Lam.—8Sc. tetrapora, De Bl.—Sc. emarginata, Lam.

III. The Cidarites constitute a family, the most prominent cha-

racter of which is the spheroidal form of the shell, which is beset

with two kinds of spines; the first larger, situated on large mammille;

the others smaller, surrounding the base of the first, or covering the

ambulacra. The mouth is central, at the inferior surface of the

disc; the anus, which is diametrically opposite to it, is situated at

the summit of the disc, and opens between the small lamine sur-

rounding it, opposite and sometimes very near to the posterior am-

bulacral space.

1. Crparis, Lam. and Auct.—Ambulacra narrow, covered with

small, compressed spines, interambulacral spaces large, each of their

plates being surmounted with one large perforated tubercle bearing

a great spine, around which are several small ones. There are a

great number of species, fossils from the jura, chalk, and tertiary

deposits, as also many living ones.

C. Blumenbachii, Munst.—C. Buchii, Munst.—C. coronata, Goldf.—C.

erenularis, Lam.—C. elegans, Munst.—C. florigemma, Phil. (C. elongata,

Reem.}—C. glandifera, Goldf.—C. marginata, Goldf.—C. maxima, Munst.

—C. monilifera, Goldf.—C. muricaia, Roem.— C. nobilis, Munst.—C. pro-

pinqua, Munst.—C. Schmideliz, Munst.—C. spinulosa, Roem.—C. regalis,

Goldf.—C. clavigera, Koen.—C. corollaris, Mant.—C. cretosa, Mant.—C.

clunifera, Ag.—C. vesiculosa, Goldf.— C. limaria, Bronn.—C. discus, Bronn.

—C. rosaria, Bronn.—C. serraria, Bronn.—C. hystrix, Lam.—C. baculosa,

-Lam.—C. tribuloides, Lam.—C. veriticillata, Lam.—C. tubaria, Lam.— C.

bispinosa, Lam.—C. annulifera, Lam.—C, metularia, Lam.—C, stellulifera,

Bory.—C. imperialis, Lam.—C. granioides, Lam.—C. pistillaris, Lam.

2. DiapEema, Gray. (Cidarites, Lam.)—Shell more or less flattened ;

ambulacra large, converging uniformly towards the summit. The

Ann, Nat, Hist. Vol.1. No.4. June 1838. x

306 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

spines are often tubular. The tubercles of the ambulacral plates,

although equally perforated, are smaller and more numerous than in

Cidaris. 'There are fossil species from the jura and chalk, and

many recent.

D. Bechei, Ag. (Cid. Bech., Broder.) —D. subangulare, Ag. (Cidarit. sub-

ang., Goldf.)—D. vagans, Ag. (Cidaris vag., Phil.)—D. mammillanum,

Ag. (Cidarit. mam., Rem.)—D. hemisphericum, Ag. (Jura.)—D. trans-

versum, Ag. (Jura.)—D. variolare, Ag. (Cidarit. variol., 4/. Br.)—D. gra-

nulosum, Ag. (Cidarit. granul., Goldf.)—D. ornatum, Ag. (Cidarit. orn.,

Goldf.)—D. rotulare, Ag.—D. setosum, Gr.—D. calamarium, Gr.—D. spi-

nosissimum, Ag. (Cidarit. spinos., Lam.)—D. subulare, Ag. (Cidarit. subul.,

Lam.)—D. pulvinatum, Ag. (Cidarit. pulvin., Lam.)

3. Astropyea, Gray. (Cidarites, Lam.)—Shell flattened; ambula-

cra large, and converging uniformly towards the summit; oviducal

plates very long, lanceolate; several vertical series of spines on the

interambulacral spaces. One living species only.

A. radiata, Gray.

4. Satenta, Gr. (Cidarites, auct.)—This genus resembles that of

Cidaris by the disposition of the ambulacral plates, but they bear a

large mammilla, whose summit is not perforated. Around the anus,

instead of small moveable lamine, there are large scutelli (écussons)

articulated at their margins. ‘Ihe oviducal plates are also very large.

All the species are fossils, from the jura, or chalk.

S. Hoffmanni, Ag. (Cidarit. Hoffn., Raem.)—S. hemispherica, Ag. (Ci-

darit. hemisph., Ram.)—S. scutigera, Gr.—S. peltata, Ag.

5. Ecutnomerra, Breyn., V. Phels., and Gr. (Echinus, auct.)—

Shell oval transversely and obliquely to the longitudinal axis, more

or less flattened ; large tubercles on the interambulacral spaces, bear-

ing spines of very varied forms. Mr. Gray thought he perceived in

the obliquity of the ambulacra an objection to the bilateral arrange-

ment which I had observed in the Echinodermata; but this is merely

one example more of the want of symmetry notwithstanding the

similarity of the parts, as is found in most Mollusca. M. Wieg-

mann, in return, has very well observed, that their longitudinal dia-

meter is shorter than the transversal. The species belonging to this

genus are all recent.

E. atrata, Gr.—E. acufera, De B).—E. ¢arinata, De Bl.—E. Lesche-

naulti, De Bl.—E. lobata, De Bl._—£. Lucunter, Gr.—E. Mathai, De Bl.—

E. mammillata, Gr.—E. Maugei, De Bl—E. oblonga, De Bl.—E. pedifera,

De BlL—E. Quoyii, De Bl.—E. trigonaria, De Bl.

| 6. Arpacta, Gray. (Echinus, auct.)—True Echini, similar to the

‘ Diademe, but the tubercles are not perforated. _Ambulacral spaces

Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 307

narrow; ambulacra straight and simple, or each formed of two se-

ries of double pores. ‘The fossil species are from the jura, chalk,

and tertiary deposits. ‘There are also some recent.

A. hieroglyphica, Ag. (Echi. hierogl., Goldf.)—A. sulcata, Ag. (E. sule.,

Goldf.)—A. nodulosa, Ag. (E. nod., Munst.)—-A. granulosa, Ag. (E. gran.,

Munst.)—A. alutacea, Ag. (E. alut., Goldf.)—A. radiata, Ag. (E. rad.,

Heen.)—A. pusilla, Ag. (E. pusil., Munst.)—A. punctulata, Gr.—A. pus-

tulosa, Gr.

7. Ecurnvs, Linn. and Auct.—Ambulacra composed of segments

of arcs formed by several pairs of pores, and converging uniformly

towards the summit; disc circular or subangular, very regular. There

are fossil species from the jura, chalk, and tertiary deposits, as also

a great number of living ones.

E. germinans, Phil.—£. perlatus, Desm.—E. lineatus, Goldf.—Z. Me-

nardi, Desm.—E. Milleri, Desm.—E. regalis, Hoen.—E£. ventricosus, Lam.

— LE. scardicus, Lam.—E. pentagonus, Lam.—E. Peleolus, Lam.—E£. varie-

gatus, Lam.—E, esculentus, Linn.—£. vulgaris, De Bl.—E. lividus, Lam.—

E. variolaris, Lam.—E. melo, Lam.—E£. miliaris, Lam., &c.

[To be continued. }

XXXV.—Descriptions of British Chalcidites. By Francis Watxur,

F.L.S.

INSECTA TETRAPTERA NECROMORPHA.

Class HyMENOPTERA.

Stirps Ichneumonina.

Order Chalcidites.

Genus Cirrospilus, Westwood.

Fem. Corpus lineare, angustum, sat longum, parum convexum, nitens,

scitissime squameum, parce hirtum : caput transversum, breve, parvum, tho-

race angustius; vertex angustus; frons impressa abrupte declivis: oculi

mediocres, subrotundi, extantes: ocelli vertice triangulum fingentes: an-

tennz clavate, corporis dimidio certe breviores; articulus 1"% validus, 3%

brevissimus, 4"° mediocris, 5"° brevior et latior ; clava longiovata, apice

acuminata; 5° latior et plus duplo longior: thorax longiovatus: prothorax

bene determinatus, subtrigonus, transversus, postice latus incurvus: meso-

thoracis scutum subquadratum, longitudine paullo latius, postice angustius,

latera basi incurva; parapsidum suturz vix conspicuz ; scutellum obconi-

cum; postscutellum transversum, breve, lunatum, apud latera leve: meta-

thorax transversus, sat bene determinatus: petiolus crassus, brevissimus:

abdomen ovatum, depressum, subtus convexum, fere glabrum, thorace paullo

brevius non latius; segmenta transversa, 1" magnum lve micans, 2° et

sequentia ad 6"™ breviora, subzequalia; pedes sat longi, graciles, subzequales ;

cox parvee; femora subclavata; tibiz recte; tarsis articulus 1" brevis,

x 2

308 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites.

2"s et 3% longiores, 4"* adhuc longior; pulvilli sat magni: ale ample, pu-

bescentes, vix ciliatee: proalis nervus solitus ecostz dimidio paullo longior :

ulnaris humerali non brevior, cubitalis longus in ale discum deelivis, radi-

alis nullus, stigma minutum: metalis nervus unicus simplex cost dimidio

longior.

Sp. 1. Cirr. vittatus (Curtis’ Guide). Fem. Flavus viridi varius, antenne

Sulve, thorax viridi vittatus, pedes flavi, ale limpide.

Lzete flavus: fascia utrinque ad caput posticum arcuata viridis: fascia

quoque antica inter oculos brevis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne pallide fulve;

articuli 1" et 2"* supra virides, basi apice et subtus flavi; clava pallide fusea :

thorax flavus, cupreoviridi trivittatus: vitta media integra lata, vitte late-

rales interrupte contort: metathoracis dorsum viridicupreum : pectoris et

ventris disci pallide fusci: abdomen flavum; discus supra atro utrinque in-

cisus, basi zneus; pedes lete flavi; tarsi apice fulvi; protarsi pallide fulvi:

alze limpide ; squamule flavee, viridi maculate; nervi flavi. (Corp. long. ©

lin. }—1; alar. lin. #14.)

Var. @.—Antennis articulus 1"% supra viridi punctatus; 2": viridis, apice

et subtus flavus; clava fulva, basi supra fusca: abdominis discus nigro-

zeneus. :

Var. y.—Antennis clava fulva, basi supra fusea: abdomen supra atrum;

segmento cuique macula lateralis trigona flava: protibiz extus fulve.

Var. }.—Caput anticum omnino flavum: antenne flave; articulus 1

supra fusco maculatus; 2% fuscus, apice et subtus flavus; clava fulva, basi

supra fusca: thoracis vittee cyaneovirides, laterales perangustz: metathorax

cyaneoviridis.

Var. «—Var. 3. similis: capitis fasciz interrupte.

Var. ¢.—Capitis fasciee vix conspicue : antenne flave ; articulus 1" pal-

lide flavus; 2"° basi fulvus: thoracis vitta media latissima: abdominis dis-

cus eeneofuscus.

Var. 4.—Caput omnino flavum: antennz flave; articulus 1" supra vi-

ridi maculatus; 2"* viridis, apice et subtus flavus; clava fulva: thoracis

vitte virides, media perangusta, laterales fere obsolete: metathoracis discus

viridis: abdomen flavum; disco fascize 5 abbreviate nigrozenez plerumque

connexeze. !

May to September; near London, Isle of Wight, Wales, Ireland, Mr.

Haliday.

Fem. Corpus angustum, sublineare, sat longum, parum convexum, nitens,

scitissime squameum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, parvum, brevissi-

mum, thorace fere angustius; vertex latus; frons impressa, abrupte declivis:

oculi sat magni, subrotundi, extantes: ocelli vertice triangulum fingentes,

media perparum anteposita: antennz clavate, prope os inserte, corporis

dimidio fere breviores; articulus 1"5 longus, sublinearis, sat validus; 2"S me-

diocris, longicyathiformis; 3"° brevissimus; 4" linearis, 2° vix longior; 5¥*

brevior et latior; clava longiovata, acuminata, 5° latior et fere duplo lon-

gior: thorax longiovatus, convexus: prothorax transversus, sat. bene deter-

minatus, antice abrupte acuminatus, postice latus incurvus; mesothoracis

Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 309

scutum longitudine paullo latius; parapsidum suturee remote, bene deter-

minate ; paraptera et epimera magna; scutellum subovatum ; postscutellum

transversum: metathorax brevis: petiolus brevissimus latissimus: abdomen

longiovatum, supra depressum, subtus convexum, apice acuminatum, thoraci

guoad longum ac latum; segmentum 1¥™ magnum, basi lave, 2¥™ et se-

quentia ad 7" breviora, transversa, parallela, subzqualia: pedes graciles,

pubescentes, simplices, subzequales; coxee parvee; femora subclavata; tibize

rectz:; tarsis articulus 1" brevis, 2" et 3"° lengiores, 4"° adhuc longior ;

pulvilli magni: ale ample, pubescentes, non ciliatee: proalis nervus hirtus

costz dimidio pauilo longior, ulnaris humerali vix brevior, cubitalis longus,

radialis brevissimus; stigma minutum: metalis nervus simplex coste dimi-

dio longior.

Sp.2. Cirr. Thasus. Fem. Viridis flavorarius, antenne fulvofusce, pedes

flavi fusco et nigro cincti, ale limpide.

Cyaneoviridis: caput antice et circum oculos lete flavum, postice nigro-

zeneum: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz fusce, ad apices subtus et utrinque

fulvee ; articuli 2"° apice 3% que omnino fulvi: gula fulva: thoracis suture

genez: mesothoracis parapsides flavz, antice nigro plagiate ; scutum postice

et utrinque flavum; scutellum zeneoviride; postscutellum cupreum: abdo-

men cupreum: pedes lete flavi, coxze virides; tarsi apice fusci; protibiee

extus fulve ; mesotibize basi supra fusco maculatz; protarsi fulvi: ale lim-

pide ; squamule flave; nervi flavi. (Corp. long. lin. }—14; alar. lin.g—2.)

Var. 6.—Antenne obscure fusce, subtus et apice pallidiores; articulus

2"8 apice fulvus: prothorax cupreoviridis, latera flava: mesothoracis scutel-

lum cupreozeneum: metathorax cupreus.

Var. y.—Abdomen basi viride.

Var. }.— Var. @. similis: metathorax viridis : abdominis segmenti 1! an-

guli postici flavo maculati. -

Var. ¢.—Capitis vertex posticus flavo interrupte fasciatus: prothoracis

latera flava; mesothoracis scutellum cupreum.

Var. ¢.—Capitis fascia postica integra flava; antenne obscure fusce,

apice et subtus pallidiores; articulus 2" apice fulvus: thorax eneoviridis ;

mesothoracis scutellum cupreum,

Var. ».—Mesothoracis scutellum et postscutellum cuprea: abdomen zneo-

viride. ;

Var. 6.—Capitis fascia postica interrupte flava; antenne fulve; articulus

1" Jzete flavus, apice fulvus; 2"* basi supra fuscus: prothoracis latera flava:

abdominis latera ante medium flavo plagiata.

Var. «.—Caput supra viride: oculi antice flavocincti: thorax zeneo viridis:

mesothoracis scuti vittee obsolete, fascia postica perangusta: meso et meta-

femora basi nigro cincta; mesotibize late nigro cinctz ; metatibiz basi fulvo

cinctee.

Var. x.—Var. 4. similis: scuti fascia postica disco interrupta; scutellum

purpureo-cupreum : meso et metafemora basi supra fusco plagiata.

Var. ».—Caput omnino viride: antennz fuscz, apice et subtus pallidi-

ores; thorax viridis; mesothoracis scutellum purpureum: abdomen cupre-

310 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites.

um: meso et metafemora basi nigro cincta: mesotibiz late nigro cincte ;

metatibiz basi fulvo cinctz.

Var. u.—Var. 6. similis: caput et prothoracis latera omnino viridia: ab-

domen cupreum.

June to September ; on oak trees, &c., near London, Isle of Wight, Wales,

Cornwall, Ireland, Mr. Haliday.

Mas. Caput thorace fere angustius: antennz subclavate, corporis dimi-

dio longiores ; articulus 2"* longiovatus; 3"* brevissimus ; 4"° 2° multo Jon-

gior; 5"° 4° paullo brevior et latior ; clava longiovata, articulo 5° duplo lon-

gior et paullo latior: abdomen ovatum, depressum, thorace brevius et fere

angustius; segmentum 1% magnum; 2¥™ et sequentia brevia, transversa,

subzequalia.

Fem. C. Thasi statura.

Sp. 3. Cirr. elegantissimus, Mas. et Fem. Flavus viridi et cupreo varius,

antenne mari flave, fem. fulve, pedes flavi, ale sepissime limpide.

Cirrospilus elegantissimus, Westwood, Lond. and Edinb. Phil. Mag., Third

Series, i. 2. 128.

Mas. Lete flavus: capitis vertice fascia viridis ocellis confinis: oculi et

ocelli rufi: antenne flave; articulus 2"* basi fulvus; 5! et 61 ligamenta

fulva: thoracis discus viridis: mesothoracis scutum cupreoviride: petiolus

fulvus: abdomen apice viridicupreum: sexualia pallide fusca: pedes lete

flavi; tarsi apice fulvi: ale limpide; squamulz flavze; nervi flavi.

Fem. Caput lete-flavum ; vertici vitta abbreviata viridis, ocellis confinis;

macula postica utrinque nigra magna: antenne fulve; articulus 1"* flavus,

supra fuscus; 2" flavus, basi fuscus; 3"° et sequentes supra pallide fusci ;

thorax lete viridis : prothorax subtus et utrinque flavus: mesothoracis scu-

tum apice cupreum; parapsides flave ; scutellum cupreum, basi viride; pa-

raptera et epimera flava; postscutellum micans, apice cupreum: abdomen

flavum, supra nigrozeneum; latera antica flava; segmentum 1¥™ flavum,

cyaneoviridi varium : pedes flavi; coxze basi virides; ungues et pulvilli pal-

lide fusci: alee fulvo tinctee. (Corp. long. lin. 3—14; alar. lin. 1—24.)

Var. &. Mas.—Antennis articulus 2" basi flavus: thorax supra omnino

viridis: mesothoracis scutellum cupreum: abdomen basi supra viridi bipla-

giatum; dimidium posticum viridicupreum.

Var. y. Mas.—Var. 8. similis : mesothoracis parapsides fere omnino fla-

ve: abdomen flavum, apice cupreoviride.

Var. 3. Mas.—Var. @. similis: abdomen basi fuscoviride.

Var. ¢. Mas.—Thorax supra cupreoviridis: mesothoracis scutellum cu-

preum: abdomen basi fulvum; dimidium posticum cupreum: protibiz ex-

tus fulvee.

Var. @. Mas.—Thorax supra viridis: mesothoracis parapsides flavee; scu-

tellum cupreum : abdomen cupreum, basi viride, ante medium fulvo cinctum,

Var. ». Fem.—Antennis articulus 1"* supra et 2" basi nigrofusci: meso-

thoracis scutum apice viride : postscutellum cupreum : abdomen apice sub-

tus viride; segmenti li discus viridis.

Var. 6. Fem.—Antennis articuli 3"° et sequentes fulvi, subtus flavi : meso-

Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 311

thoracis scutum et postscutellum cuprea: metathorax cupreoviridis: abdo-

men subtus flavum, apice et supra cupreoviride ; segmentum 1¥™ viride,

utrinque flavum, apice cupreum.

Var. «. Fem.—Capitis maculz posticee maximz, connexe : mesothoracis

paraptera viridia: abdomen cupreoviride, subtus basi ferrugineo varium.

Var. x. Fem.—Abdomen cupreum, subtus basi ferrugineum; segmentum

1¥™ viridi micans.

Var. 2. Fem.— Antennis articuli 3" et sequentes flavi, supra fulvi: meso-

thoracis scutum et scutellum viridicyanea, hujus discus cupreus: abdomen

nigrocupreum, subtus fulvum, apice viride; segmentum 1¥™ basi viridi mi-

cans.

Var. uw. Fem.—Mesothoracis scutellum et postscutellum cuprea: abdomen

viridicupreum, basi et subtus fulvum; segmentum 1¥™ basi lete viridicya-

neum.

Var. ». Fem.—Capitis macule postice connexe: mesothoracis scutum

viridicupreum : abdomen viridicupreum, basi lete viride, subtus nisi ad api-

cem cupreum: alz limpidz.

Var. 2. Fem.—Prothorax supra viridis; anguli postici flavi: abdomen

supra et apice cupreoviride ; alz limpide.

Var. o. Fem.—Var. &. similis: mesothoracis scutum, scutellum et post-

scutellum cyaneoviridia.

Var. x. Fem.—Var. o. similis: capitis macule postice connexe: pro-

thorax omnino viridis: mesothoracis paraptera et epimera plerumque vi-

ridia. !

Var. e. Fem.—Var. x. similis: mesothoracis scutum et scutellum cuprea.

Var. o. Fem.—Var. x. similis: mesothoracis parapsides plerumque viri-

des, scutellum et postscutellum cuprea: ale fulvz.

Var. +. Fem.—Capitis maculz postice latee connexee: thorax supra viri-

dis; discus cupreus: abdomen cupreum, basi viride: ale limpide ; proalis

discus fulvescens.

May to October; on oaks, &c. near London, Cumberland, Ireland, Mr.

Haliday.

Sp. 4. Cirr. Salatis, Fem. Cupreus, antenne fusce, pedes flavi fusco macu-

lati, ale limpide.

Cupreus: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennze fusce, apice et subtus pallidiores ;

articulus 1"° nigrozeneus: pedes lete flavi; femoribus et tibiis vittee abbre-

viate fuscze; protibize extus fuscze; protarsi fusci; meso et metatarsi pal-

lide fulvi, apice fusci, basi et subtus flavi: alee limpide ; squamule picee ;

nervi pallide flavi. (Corp. long. lin. 3—%; alar. lin. 1—14.)

Var. 8.—Femora cupreopicea, apice flava; tarsi flavi, apice fusci; pro-

pedes tibiis tarsisque fulvis; mesotibize fulvo maculate; metatibize piceo

cinctz. ,

Found near London.

Fem. Corpus nitens, scitissime squameum, parce hirtum: caput parvum,

transversum, breve, convexum, thorace angustius; vertex sat latus; frons

abrupte declivis: antennz clavate, thorace breviores ; articulus 1" gracilis,

312 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites.

sublinearis; 2"° longicyathiformis; 3"* longus, sublinearis; 4° brevior;

clava longiovata, acuminata, articulo 5° fere duplo longior: thorax ovatus,

convexus: prothorax transversus, brevissimus, supra conspicuus : mesotho-

racis scutum longitudine latius; parapsidum suture remote, conspicue ;

scutellum magnum, obconicum; paraptera et epimera distincta: metatho-

rax transversus, bene determinatus: petiolus crassus, brevissimus: abdomen

ovatum, planum, thoraci fere quoad longum ac latum ; segmentum 1¥™ mag-

num; 2" et sequentia breviora, transversa, subzequalia: pedes graciles ;

tarsis articulus 1“* brevis, 2"* et 3°5 longiores, 4"° adhuc longior: ale late;

nervus ulnaris humerali vix brevior, cubitalis longus, radialis brevissimus.

Sp. 5. Cirr. Diallus, Fem. Cyaneoviridis, abdomen nigrocupreum, anten-

ne fulve, pedes flavi, ale limpide.

Cyaneoviridis: caput supra apud oculos flavum: oculi et ocelli rufi: an-

tenne fulve; articuli 1"° et 2" fusci, hic apice fulvus: gula pallide flava :

abdomen nigrocupreum: pedes lete flavi; coxe virides; ungues et pulvilli

fulvi: proale cuique disco maculaobsoleta flava: squamule flavee; nervi

flavi. (Corp. long. lin. $; alar. lin. 14.)

Found near London. | :

Fem. Corpus angustum, sublineare, sat longum, parum convexum, nitens,

scitissime squameum, parce hirtum: caput transversum, parvum, brevissi-

mum, thorace fere angustius; vertex latus; frons impressa, abrupte decli-

vis: oculi sat magni, subrotundi, extantes: ocelli vertice triangulum fingen-

tes, media perparum anteposita: antennz subclavatz, pubescentes, prope os

insertz, corporis dimidio vix breviores; articulus 1"* longus, gracilis, subfu-

siformis; 2"* longicyathiformis; 3"° et 4% brevissimi; 5"° longus, subline-

aris; 6" paullo latior et brevior ; clava triarticulata, fusiformis, acuminata,

6° paullo latior et fere duplo longior: thorax ovatus, convexus: prothorax

transversus, sat bene determinatus, antice abrupte acuminatus, postice latus

incurvus: mesothoracis scutum longitudine paullo latius; parapsidum su-

ture remote, bene determinate; paraptera et epimera magna; scutellum

subovatum; postscutellum transversum: metathorax brevis; petiolus cras-

sus, brevissimus: abdomen longiovatum, supra depressum, subtus carina-

tum, apice attenuatum et acuminatum, thorace paullo longius et angustius ;

segmentum 1% magnum, basi leeve ; 2¥™ et sequentia ad 7" breviora, trans-

versa parallela, subzequalia: oviductus abdominis basin versus apparens, sub-

exertus; vaginz pubescentes: pedes graciles, pubescentes, simplices, sub-

zequales; coxee parvee; femora subclavata; tibiz recte ; tarsis articulus 1"*

brevis, 2"8 et 3" longiores, 4"° adhuc longior; pulvilli magni; ale ample,

pubescentes, non ciliate: proalis nervus hirtus costg dimidio paullo longior,

ulnaris humerali vix brevior, cubitalis longus, radialis brevissimus, stigma

minutum; metalis nervus simplex coste dimidio longior.

Mas. Caput juxta thoraci latum: antenne extrorsum crassiores, corporis

dimidio longiores; clava articulo 6° duplo longior: abdomen conicum, tho-

> hrevius et angustius. -

[To be continued. ]

Xd TTA ay ayy wap

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wesreere

Mr. Gray on a New Species of Tetrapturus. 313

XXXVI.—Description of a new Species of Tetrapturus from

the Cape of Good Hope. By Joun E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S.,

Senior Assistant in the Zoological Department of the Bri-

tish Museum.

[ With a Plate.]

Cuvier in his History of Fish describes a species of this genus from

the coast of Sicily, first noticed by M. Rafinesque, and which my

friend the Prince Charles L. Bonaparte informs me is found along

the whole coast of Italy ; and indicates two others, one from Sumatra,

suggested by a note from M. Broussonnet; and the other founded

on the Makiara of Lacépéde, which is probably only a specimen of

Tetrapturus Belone, in which the observer had overlooked the ventral

fins.

The specimen I am about to describe, which greatly resembles

Lacépéde’s figure of the Makiara, was brought to this country last

year by Mr. Smuts, the author of a work on the Mammalia of the

Cape, and sold by him to the Trustees of the British Museum, where

it forms one of the chief ornaments of the Ichthyological collection.

Besides differing very considerably in the thickness and propor-

tionate shortness of the body from the species figured by Cuvier

(Hist. Poiss. viii. p. 228), it has one peculiarity which at once di-

stinguishes it from the Mediterranean species; as I cannot suppose

that it could have escaped the attention of M. Bibron, who made a

dissection of the specimen, if it had existed in that species. ‘The skin

of the Cape species is strengthened with numerous elongate-lanceo-

late flexiklgbones, varying from two to three inches in length, and —

sometimes united together by their outward surface. The fish ha-

ving been discovered during the visit of Sir John Herschel] at the

Cape, I have named it in honour of him,

_ Tetrapturus Herschelii. The upper beak elongate; the skin

strengthened with bony spicula. Inhab. Table Bay, Cape of Good

Hope. (Plate X). The specimen when stuffed is nearly 11 feet

long ; the beak to the gape is 2' 8"; the lower jaw to the gape, 1/3";

the pectoral fin, 1/9"; the ventral fin, which is imperfect, 9 inches ;

the crescent of the tail is 4 feet 10 inches long. The first dorsal fin

has 11 soft and 29 spinous rays, and the second 7 rays.

The dorsal and anal fins are furnished with a deep fold on each

side, between which they must be completely hidden when folded

down.

A tail, which appears to have belonged to a larger specimen of this

species, has been for many years in the collection of the British Mu-

seum. |

314 Bibliographical Notices.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, under command of

Capt. Fitzroy, during the years 1832 to 1836. (Published with the

approval of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury.)

Edited and superintended by Charles Darwin, Esq., M.A., F.G.S.

Part I. No. I. Fossil Mammalia. By Richard Owen, Esq. 4to.

London, Smith, Elder, and Co., 1838.

Ir has been long the practice on the continent for the government to

defray a part or the whole of the expense of publishing and illustra-

ting the accounts of the various voyages and expeditions undertaken

for discovery or other purposes connected with science. In Britain,

we believe, that until the publication of the Northern Zoology by

Richardson and Swainson, little encouragement was thus given to

works of a similar kind, and in consequence, an enormous price was

set on them, which limited their circulation nearly to the public libra-

ries or to those of the most wealthy followers of science and litera-

ture. But we are happy now to perceive that this same plan of en-

couragement has been still further pursued, and in the instance of

two expeditions, one undertaken publicly, the other by a private indi-

vidual, the Lords of the Treasury have come forward to assist in

defraying the expense of the illustrations ; this we are sure will be

attended with the best results for science, and we would only

strongly insist that proper precautions should always be used to se-

cure the excellency of the work and the cheapness of it to the pub-

lic. In regard to that now before us, we are well satisfied in one

respect ; but although the first number is certainly cheap, in propor-

tion to the run of prices of modern books, yet ‘tt*will depend on that

of the future numbers whether as a whole it will be available to the

general reader. Having thus shortly noted our opinion on the plan

now adopted for the promotion and assistance of science, we shall

endeavour to give an analysis of the part which has at this time ap-

peared.

In July 1831, H.M. ship Beagle was commissioned for the pur-

pose of surveying the southern parts of America, and afterwards cir-

cumnavigating the world, and Mr. Darwin was appointed naturalist

to the expedition. On returning to Britain the collections procured

during the voyage proved to be valuable and interesting, and many

of them entirely new to science; and ‘‘the object of the present

work is to give descriptions and figures of undescribed or imper-

fectly known animals, both fossil and recent, together with some ac-

count, in the one case of their geological position, and in the other

Bibliographical Notices. 315

of their habits and ranges.” And it is at the same time modestly

added, ‘* As I do not possess the knowledge requisite for such an un-

dertaking, several gentlemen have most kindly undertaken different

portions of the work.” To Mr. Owen has been deputed the descrip-

tion of the fossil mammalia; to Mr. Waterhouse those of the recent

mammalia; to Mr. Gould the birds ; Mr. Bell the reptiles ; and the

fishes to the Rev. L. Jenyns. The first part, as our title indicates,

is devoted to the fossil mammalia, described by Mr. Owen, to which

work and the admirable illustrations the Wollaston Medal was

awarded in February last by the Geological Society. This is pre-

faced by a Geological introduction by Mr. Darwin, detailing the lo-

calities where the remains afterwards noticed were discovered.

All the remains were found between latitudes 31° and 50° on the

eastern side of South America ; in the provinces bordering the Plata;

Bahia Blanca, situated near the confines of Northern Patagonia, and

Southern Patagonia. The principal deposit is contained in the al-

most boundless estuary of the Plata, forming a flat or pampa of red-

dish argillaceous earth, varying little in elevation and stretching over

a surface of some hundred miles in extent, where the traveller may

wander ‘‘ without meeting a single pebble or discovering any change

in the nature of the soil.” This is intersected by streams, which lay

open the immense deposits of animal remains which are there buried,

and exhibit to the traveller those wonderful relics which are com-

menced to be described in the -work before us. Mr. Owen, consi-

dering the information communicated by Mr. Darwin, is of opinion

that this deposit cannot bef very ancient date, and the facts he

states seem to bear him yu The change of level which has taken

place is by no meaitiRg@iti ide rable, and the numerous accompanying

remains of she ‘felong mostly to recent species, and to many which

are at this moment existing in the vicinity. He concludes that a

great bay formerly occupied what are now called the Pampas, and

the lower parts of Banda Oriental, and that into this the rivers which

are now united in the one great stream of the Plata must formerly

have carried down the carcases of the animals inhabiting the sur-

rounding country, and ‘‘ where the skeletons would thus be en-

tombed in the estuary of mud which was then tranquilly accumula-

ting.’”’ The second district where quadrupeds were found is in

Bahia Blanca, about 250 miles south of the Plata; it is a large bay

nearly surrounded by very low Jand, on which successive lines of

sand dunes mark in many parts the retreat of the waters; and it is

supposed, from the bones being found imbedded in their proper rela-

tive positions, that the carcases of the animals when they perished

316 Bibliographical Notices.

were probably drifted to this spot in an entire state. One of the

skeletons thus placed was encrusted with serpule and corallines,

which would indicate that it had been for some time before its en-

tombment in the deposit, remaining in the waters which then co-

vered the bay. Among the shells which were found with these re-

mains, twelve species are absolutely identical with existing species ;

four more are perhaps so, the doubt arising from the imperfect con-

dition of the specimens ; and of the remaining seven, four are very

minute and one extremely imperfect. The conclusion arrived at re-

garding this deposit is nearly similar to that relating to the first. The

streams, inferior to the Plata, acting together with the currents of a

large bay, drifted the remains of the animals towards a point where

sand and shingle were accumulating ; ‘‘ the whole area has since been

elevated; the estuary and mud of the former ruins have been con-

verted into wide and level plains; and- the shoals of the ancient

Bahia Blanca now form low headlands on the present coast.”

The third locality is in lat. 49° 15’, on the coast of Southern Pata-

gonia, Port St. Julian. The tertiary plains of that country are mo-

delled into a succession of broad and level terraces, which abut one

above the other. The whole surface is thickly covered by a bed of

gravel composed of various kinds of porphyries. The lower part

consists of several varieties of sandstone, and contains many fossil

shells, the greater number of which are not found in a living state.

The south side of Fort St. Julian is formed by a strip of narrow land

nearly a hundred feet in height, and on its surface existing species

of littoral shells are abundantly scattered. The gravel is there co-

vered by a thin but irregular bed of sandy or loamy soil, which like-

wise fills up hollows or channels worn through it. In the longest of

these channels the remains of the single fossil quadruped (Macrau-

chenia patachonica) was found imbedded. And Mr. Darwin suggests,

that as the Guanaco, the only large animal now inhabiting the plains

of Patagonia, often wanders over the extensive flats which are left

dry at the head of the harbour during ebb tide, we may imagine

that the fossil animal, whilst in like manner crossing the ancient bay,

fell into one of the muddy creeks and was there buried. In sum-

ming up the whole information collected regarding these deposits,

it is considered that there is strong evidence against admitting the

theory of a period of overwhelming violence by which these remains

were brought to their present state.

The first number, besides the interesting introductory remarks by

Mr. Darwin, is nearly entirely occupied with the description of a

single gigantic quadruped, of which the cranium was discovered in

Bibliographical Notices. 317

the Sarondis, a small stream entering the Rio Negro, about 120

miles N.W. of Monte Video, while an under jaw was procured at

Bahia Blanca. In this description there are some very able remarks

on the various affinities presented between the remains and the qua-

drupeds belonging to the Pachydermata, the Rodentia, Edentata and

Herbivorous Cetacea, to the first of which it is however more parti-

cularly referable. The name of Toxodon platensis has been applied

to this singular animal, the first or generic term relating to the

curved form of its teeth, the latter indicating the locality of its dis-

covery. The skull, which is figured of the natural size, on a large

folio folding plate, is in length two feet four inches, in breadth one

foot four inches. The subordinate dimensions and a description of

every part is minutely given, and the following deductions are made.

The teeth consist of molars and incisors, separated by a long dia-

stema or toothless space; in the upper jaw the former are fourteen in

number, seven on each side ; the incisors four, one very large and one

small in each maxillary bone ; but although the dentary system is de-

cidedly rodent, yet the number of the molar teeth, and their diminu-

tion of size as they advance towards the anterior part of the jaw, in-

dicate an approach to the Pachydermata; at the same time it is ob-

served, the Capybara, in the increased size of the posterior grinders

and other particularities, presents a somewhat similar alliance to the

same tribe. The depth of the zygoma bespeaks the size of the mas-

ticatory muscles; and the temporal muscles being also large, it is

presumed that the great incisors at the extremity of the jaws were

used like the canines of the hippopotamus to divide or tear up the

roots of aquatic plants. ‘The osseous parts pertaining to the senses

of sight and hearing resemble those of the aquatic Rodentia and Pa-

chydermata. The aspect of the nostrils is placed upwards, as in the

herbivorous Cetacea; but in the bony structure they materially differ,

-by having narrow canals of intercommunication between the nasal

‘passages and the frontal sinus. The articulating condyles of the

cranium indicate, that when the body of the Toxodon was submerged,

the head could be raised so as to form an angle with the neck, and

bring the snout to the surface of the water, without the necessity of

any corresponding inflexion of@lie.spine. There is no evidence to

determine the character of the extremities, whether they were un-

gulate or unguiculate, while the structure of the nostrils will sug-

gest that the habits of the animal were not so strictly aquatic, as to

warrant the supposition that the under extremities were altogether

wanting. Altogether the discovery of these remains is one of the

most important which has been made for a long period; and in the

318 Bibliographical Notices.

concluding words of Mr. Owen’s most valuable observations, ‘‘ It is

highly interesting to find that the continent to which this existing

aberrant form of rodent is peculiar (the Hydrocherus), should be

found to contain the remains of an extinct genus, characterized bya

dentition which closely resembles the rodent type, but manifesting it

on a gigantic scale, and tending to complete the chain of affinities

which links the pachydermatous with the rodent and cetaceous

orders.”

The description of the remains of another large animal scarcely

less interesting is commenced in the concluding pages of the number,

but we shall not notice this until we receive its completion. Suffice

it to say now, that from the portions of the skeleton which have been

discovered containing no parts of the skull or teeth, the animal is

considered referable to the order Pachydermata, but with affinities to

the Ruminantia, and especially to the Camelide. It has been named

Macrauchenia patachonica.

The number is illustrated by seven well-executed lithographic

plates.

A Geographical and Comparative List of the Birds of Europe and

North America. By Charles Lucian Bonaparte, Prince of Musi-

gnano. London. Van Voorst, 1838. 8vo.

A.rHoueH only a list of species, this is a valuable contribution to

geographical ornithology. Of the nomenclature and arrangement

we would not offer a remark, as the author says, ‘‘ The genera are

arranged in these lists in families and tribes, according to the gene-

ral system of birds on which I have been long engaged, and which I

now hope very shortly to bring before the public.” When this ap-

pears we shall give it due attention. We may state, however, that

the system of Boje is much used, at times too far, we think; at the

same time, this little publication is of much use, as showing a cor-

rect list up to the latest knowledge of species indigenous or partly

visiting each country. In another respect it is also important: the

ornithology of North America has always been considered as very

closely allied to that of Europe, and the identification of species has

been perhaps overdone. The Prince of Musignano’s catalogue gives

those common to both countries: his opinion is gathered from the

different name he has given to each, and, from the information which

we know this naturalist possesses of the Faunee of Europe and North

America, we consider it as bearing great weight; at the same time

observing, that so far as our own more limited observations have

gone, we are not prepared always to coincide. The letter-press is

Bibliographical Notices. 319

printed in double columns, the representing species of each being

placed opposite to each other.

The Linnean orders are retained, while the greater divisions are

put into subclasses. Among the Linnean Accipitres, the Raptores

of the moderns, we find Aquila Washingtonii retained asa species. The

American osprey is separated from the European under the name of

Pandion Carolinensis; but among European, North American, and

Australian specimens in our possession, we cannot discover charac-

ters on which we could found specific distinctions. Buteo Lagopus

and vulgaris are neither placed on the American side; the first is

considered, and we think correctly, as the young of B. Sancti Johan-

nis, and to the other the name of B. Swainsonii has been applied. F.

peregrinus is represented by the species considered hitherto as such,

but now called the F. anatum: the habitat given is “the northern

parts.” Astur palumbarius is represented by F. atricapillus. Circus

cyaneus is thought to be distinct from the American bird, which is

given as C, uliginosus. Noctua Tengmalmi of America is made di-

stinct, and is called N. Richardsonii, while the Kite or Barn owl of

Wilson is named S?. pratincola.

Among the Passeres of Bonap. and Linn., Insessores of moderns, we

find the following species, which have been considered identical, now

separated: Certhia familiaris, represented in America by C. Ameri-

cana; Pica caudataby P. Hudsonica; Corvus Corone by C. America-

nus; and the C. Corar by C. Catototi; and Corvus Columbianus is

placed under the genus Nucifraga. Ectopistes migratoria is omitted

in the European side, but we believe it has been twice killed in Scot-

land, and would rank as an accidental straggler with as much pro-

priety as the Erythrophrys Americana. Among the remaining or-

ders there is less change, the species most closely allied showing at

once some specific distinction easily seized, at the same time the

comparative list is most interesting to look over, and still more so if

the two representing species can be at the same time compared.

Among the ducks, Clangula vulgaris is placed opposite to C. Ameri-

cana, the A. clangula of Wilson. Several of the above-named birds

we have examined, and at the time we thought very minutely, and

considered identical: a comparison of many specimens from each

country might induce a change of opinion; and we have now to re-

egret that the distinctions between all those so closely allied had not

been shortly given, by which we should have been at once enabled

to judge of the propriety or impropriety of the Prince’s separations.

320 Bibliographical Notices.

Malacologia Monensis : a Catalogue of the Mollusca inhabiting the Isle

of Man and the neighbouring Sea. By Edward Forbes, For. Sec.

B.S. &c. Edin. 1838. Duod. pp. 63, with three plates.

We are partial to books of this description, which, although requi-

ring no high attainments on the part of their authors, and productive

of little fame and no money, are essential towards the completion of

a British Fauna, and are very acceptable to: that class of men who

find their ‘‘ hobby” in the quiet pursuit of collecting objects of na-

tural history,—men whose pleasure it is to discover species hitherto

unknown, and who accustom themselves to see

‘‘ Form in things which to the eye

Half-read is but deformity ;—

Grandeur in mean things and small,

And God’s great handiwork in all!”

To such this will be an acceptable volume, containing as it does a

copious list of species found in a little island, of the conchology of

which little is to be learned in works of more pretension and greater

extent. A few more notices illustrative of Aabit in the creatures,

and an occasional note relative to anything remarkable in the habitat,

would have been agreeable, and would have served to keep the reader

lingering a little over pages which are essentially a catalogue, and ex-

hibit scarcely more than a list of species. We would strongly im-

press on the attention of local Faunists the extrinsic aids and orna-

ments by which they might render their ‘‘opuscula subseciva”’ some-

what more extensively interesting and attractive.

As we glance over the pages, we remark that Doris Flemingii, as

D. nigricans of Fleming is here called, is no other than D. pilosa,

confirming a conjecture offered at p. 55 of the ‘Annals.’ The Me-

libea fragilis of Mr. Forbes, rather ambiguously characterized, is M.

coronata of the ‘Annals,’ p.117. Euprancuus, anew genus among

the Nudibranchia, is thus defined :

Corpore ovato, convexiusculo; tentaculis quatuor; oculis nullis; dorso

branchiis ovatis instructo :

and the only species, £. tricolor,

Corpore albo-carneo; branchiis pyriformo-ovatis tricoloribus. Long. +

un. Lat. 4.

The genus is referred, erroneously in our opinion, to the family Glau-

cea: it rather belongs to an aberrant group, not yet defined, and to

which Triopa likewise appertains. In many ensuing pages there is

nothing to detain us until we reach the “ Naticide,” which Mr. F.

has attentively studied, and his remarks on the species will interest

Bibliographical Notices. 321

the conchologist. Under Lima and Arca there are remarks equally

attractive; and lastly, we find the author of opinion that the Unio

- Roissyi is merely one of the variations of U. margaritifera.

This brochure is a specimen of a more extensive work which we

hope the author will prosecute and complete: we must bargain, how-

ever, for better plates.

Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte. In Verbindung mit mehreren Gelehrten,

herausgegeben von Dr. Ar. Fr. Aug. Wiegmann, Professor an der

Friederich Wilhelms-Universitat zu Berlin. Viertes Jahrgang.

Erstes Heft. Bertin, 1838.

As this is the first occasion of mentioning this journal in our pages,

we shall take the opportunity, before noticing the contents of the

present part, to inform our readers of the general tenor of this work.

Its plan resembles our own except in one point, namely, in the an-

nual Reports on the progress of the various branches of natural sci-

ence which it contains, and which are of the greatest value to all

naturalists. The zoologist finds notices of all the works which have

appeared in any couritry on zoology, with short criticisms ; also every

new species, and generally with the characters, giving him much of

the information which is most essential. The lover of vegetable phy-

siology will find in the valuable reports of Prof. Meyen the various

labours of physiologists, and the conclusions to which they have

come, criticized and compared with each other; so that without the

necessity of consulting works, many of which are extremely expen-

sive, he may be sufficiently informed with regard to the objects of

his pursuit to know generally what has been done, and not to ima-

gine he is making discoveries merely because he is unacquainted with

what others have accomplished ; whilst in regard to those subjects on

which further information may be desired, the sources from whence

it may be obtained are carefully indicated. We cannot too much re-

commend these reports to our countrymen, as the labours of foreign

naturalists are from various causes too tardily and imperfectly known

here ; and as they are the productions of persons well known to the

scientific world as being well qualified for the task of preparing them.

The zoological report is drawn up by Prof. Wiegmann; that on

helminthology by Dr. v. Siebold; on entomology by Dr. Erichson ;

on paleontology (Petrefactenkunde) by Dr. Quenstedt; on vegetable

physiology by Prof. Meyen; on phytochemistry by M. Marquart of

Bonn. Of these, Meyen’s report for the year 1836 has been trans-

lated in part, and Marquart’s on phytochemistry for 1835 entirely,

and are to be found in the Philosophical Magazine. On account of

Ann, Nat, Hist. Voll. No.4. June 1838. Y

822 Zoological Society.

their great length we must regret that we are unable to introduce

them into the Annals, and can only refer our readers to them as most

valuable sources of information. Among the contributors to the

Archiv will be found the names of Link, Kunth, Dr. Schleiden, Dr.

Philippi, Prof. Muller, Ehrenberg, Anton, Nitzsch, Wagner, Klug,

Burmeister, Dr. Fritsche of St. Petersburg, Schlegel, Nathusius,

and various other celebrated naturalists of Germany. Six parts ap-

pear yearly, and as nearly as possible every two months ; sometimes,

however, two parts appear together. Part I. of the fourth year (1838)

contains the following original articles :—-On the Manati of Orinoko

from the manuscript of A. v. Humboldt, with an appendix by Prof.

Wiegmann.—On the European Soricide, by H. Nathusius.—Use of

the Nuthatch (Sttta Europea) in destroying weevils.—Botanical No-

tices, by Dr. Schleiden.—On two new genera of Coleoptera from

Madagascar, by Prof. Klug.—On the genera of the Plagiostomi, by

Miiller and Henle; with translations of Agassiz’s Memoir on the

family of the Carps, and J. E. Gray’s on the Mactrade. We hope to

be able to give some extracts from the above in our next number.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

October 10th, 1837, R. Owen, Esq., in the Chair.—A paper was

read by Colonel Sykes ‘On the identity of the ‘Wild Ass of Cutch

and the Indus, with the Dzeggetai (Hquus Hemionus of Pallas).”

The author commences with observing, ‘‘it is somewhat strange

and anomalous, that an animal known to and named by Aristotle, and

noticed by Atlian, Pliny, and subsequent authors, down to our own

day, an animal remarkable for its beauty of colour, the antelope

lightness of its limbs, and the tales of its swiftness, and its classic

locality, should have attracted so little the attention of men of

science, that it was not even figured until Pallas put it before the

public*. The magnificent work of Buffon does not boast a representa-

tion of it; and as the proceedings of the scientific body at Peters-

burg are necessarily rare, and confined to some few great public

libraries, it was in fact scarcely known to the European world, even

though Pennant copied Pallas’s account in 1793. ‘To remedy this

defect we are indebted to M. Isidore Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, who

took advantage of the importation by M. Dussumier, of a female

into the Paris Menagerie, to have a correct coloured figure made to

accompany his paper, ‘Sur le Genre Cheval,’ in the Nouvelles An-

* In the Novi Commentarii Academie Scientiarum Petropolitana, t. xix.

3774, p. 417.

Zoological Society. - 323

nales du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle*. Though I have been an

amateur of Natural History for a great part of my life, I must con-

fess that it is to a private copy of M. St. Hilaire’s paper, obligingly

presented to the Zoological Society of London, that I am indebted

for my first view of a coloured representation of the Dzeggetai,

and it was only last week that this fell into my hands. I have

been thus particular in noticing the want of readily accessible fi-

gures of animals (for my observation will apply to many other ani-

mals beside the Dzeggetai,) as this want of means to correct my

judgement led me into the belief that a recently imported Wild Ass

of Cutch, which was sent to England by an old friend of my own

from Bombay, was a different species from the Dzeggetai of Pallas,

which is represented as inhabiting the desert regions between the

rivers Onon and Argun, on the southern parts of Siberia, through

Tartary, even to the frontiers of China and Thibet ; and I might have

been justified in my supposition had I attached the same weight that

some naturalists do, to the opinion that the geographical distribution

of animals is regulated by mean temperature, the Dzeggetai of Pallas

inhabiting the borders of the arctic regions, the Wild Ass of India the

borders of the torrid zone. There might be yet further question for

doubt, did wetake the description of colour from Griffith’s edition of the

*Régne Animal,’ in which it is stated ‘there is a black dorsal line

which enlarges on the crupper. In winter the hair is very long;

but of a smooth and shining appearance in summer. The colour of

the body is an uniform light bay, but in winter it partakes more of

redt+ ;’ and the forehead is described as ‘ flatted and narrow.’

‘‘M. St, Hilaire, who describes from the life, says ‘ Les deux cou-

leurs dominantes de l’Hemione, le blanc et Visabelle passent l'une &

lautre par nuances insensibles sur le ventre, vers sa partie inférieure,

et sur le cou, presque 4 égal distance de son bord supérieur, et. de

son bord inférieur. Sur la téte au.contraire, le blanc n’occupe

_guére que le museau et la gorge, le cou étant presque enti¢rement

isabelle. Sur les membres, contrairement a ce quia lieu sur le corps,

cest le blanc. qui domine,’ &c. _ Again, ‘Tout ce systéme de colo-

ration est rebassé supérieurement par une bande dorsale longitudi-

nale, non pas noire comme on la dit, mais d’un brun legérement rous-

satre.’ And now with respect to the change of colour with the season

of the year, instead of getting redder in winter it would appear from

the observations of M. Fred. Cuvier, that the:4animal ale poil plus

gris, plus pale et plus long l’hiver que l’été.’ These=discrepancies

* 4..iv. p..97. _ $ Quarto edit., vol. iii. p. 460.

¥2

324 Zoological Society.

would have afforded to those strongly disposed to multiply species,

some feeble grounds (particularly when I come to notice a point of

conformation in the head,) for asserting the right of the Wild Ass of

Cutch to the dignity of a specific character, for it will be borne in

mind that M. St. Hilaire describes his specimen, which was a native

of Cutch; while in Griffith's Cuvier the description refers to the Dzeg-

getai, whose habitat is from southern Siberia to Thibet and China ;

and we do not want instances of equally trifling discrepancies having

been made available for multiplying species.

«« And now with respect to the animals in the Zoological Gardens,

the one being called Dzeggetai, and marked on its ticket Mongolia

and Asia; the other known positively as the Wild Ass from Cutch.

The first, a male, has been in the possession of the Society since the

3rd of March 1832, and was presented to the Society by Captain

Glasspoole,R.N. Its birth-place is not known ; but from the nature

of Captain Glasspoole’s maritime duties, which carried his ship along

the coasts Cutch, Scind, and Persia, there is little doubt of its being

from one of these states; and as it is absolutely identical with the

animal I am about to speak of, my own judgement is formed on the

subject. This creature has long been known in the gardens from its

great beauty, its fine condition, its vivacity, and its wickedness.

The second animal was sent while quite a colt by an old friend of

mine, the British Minister in Cutch, to the Military Auditor General

of Bombay. It was allowed for a considerable period, (pending an

answer from me, whether or not I would accept of it,) to amuse the

children ; it was permitted to attend at breakfast-time, and eat from

the table; but manifesting as it grew up symptoms of ill nature, (no

doubt having been heartily teased,) it was put on board the Marquess

of Hastings, Captain Clarkson, and brought to England: there can-

not therefore be any doubt respecting its origin and its history; and

having one animal certainly from Cutch, we have a positive standard

of comparison. Like the preceding, it is a male, and with the ex-

ception of being younger and smaller, and with a less short and

glossy coat, it is identical with it in every feature; and these two

agree in all essentials with M. St. Hilaire’s very able and minute de-

scription and coloured figure of a female in the Paris Menagerie.

There is one point only in which there may be a difference, and there

are two or three others in which there is a difference. M. St. Hi-

laire does not state whether the forehead be flat or prominent ; and

though the figure represents it to be somewhat raised, it is certainly

not so much so as in the animals in the Zoological Gardens: with

them the frontal development is a very prominent feature ; such fea-

Zoological Society. 325

ture, however, being opposed to the descriptions in Griffith’s

‘Régne Animal.’ M. St. Hilaire also mentions another character,

which it required some little perseverance to discover in the larger

animal in the Zoological Gardens, the smaller animal being absolutely

destitute of it. He states that on the isabella colour on the limbs,

there are transverse lines or very narrow bands of a darker isabella,

in the manner of the markings of the Zebra. These lines had never

been observed by the keepers in the Zoological Gardens, and for

some time I could not discover them; but at last with a reflected

light-I could just discern the transverse lines noticed by M. St. Hi-

laire, but I was not so fortunate with the smaller animal. M. St.

Hilaire, on the authority of M. Geoffroy-Chateau, who sent to him a

description of a male Dzeggetai in Cross’s Menagerie in London,

states that there was a disposition in the dorsal band on that animal,

by lateral projections at the withers, to form a small cross, like that

ofanass. There is not the slightest trace or manifestation of such

a thing in either of the animals in the Zoological Gardens. Finally,

M. St. Hilaire speaks of the blending by insensible degrees of the

isabella and white markings of the Dzeggetai, but in our animals the

lines of demarcation are sufficiently strong.

“«M. St. Hilaire’s humorous description of the habits of kicking of

the female at Paris, is laughably exact with respect to our animals,

particularly the smaller one. I had sent one of the keepers into its

yard with some hay, to throw down. before it, to keep it stationary

(at least its body) while I took a rapid sketch of it with the assistance

of the camera lucida. The moment the hay was thrown down, the

creature turned round and commenced flinging out most vigorously

for some time, although the man was gone, and the odd beast all the

time was gravely munching its hay. So petulant were both these

creatures, that after having sketched them I could not get any of the

keepers to take their measurements, nor could I succeed in obtaining

them, but by getting them thrown down, which I declined to do. With

respect to the swiftness of ‘the Wild Ass of Cutch, without quoting

from Griffith ‘that it runs literally with the rapidity of lightning,’

or from M. St. Hilaire, who says, ‘it appeared to him to go as fast

as the best race horses ;’ I will mention in confirmation of its extra-

ordinary swiftness, that my friend Major Wilkins, of the Cavalry of

the Bombay Army, who was stationed with his regiment for years .

at Deesa, on the borders of the Run or Salt Marshes, east of Cutch,

in his morning rides used to start a particular Wild Ass so fre-

quently that it became familiar to him, and he always gave chase to

it; and though he piqued himself upon being mounted on an exceed-

ingly fleet Arabian horse, he never could come up with the animal.

326 Zoological Society.

‘It now remains to express my reasons for believing with M. St.

Hilaire, that the Wild Ass of Cutch is the same as the Equus Hemi-

onus of Pallas. ‘There are certainly sundry discrepancies in the ac-

counts of the two animals; in the colour, the dorsal line, the fore-

head, and above all in the difference of mean temperatures between

the northern and southern habitat of the species. But all the dis-

crepancies of descriptions may be easily remedied by the supposition

‘that animals examined by different individuals at different seasons

of the year, did really slightly differ, owing to the difference of

seasons ; and some part of the differences may be attributed to in-

-attention to terms. There are slight discrepancies between M.

St. Hilaire’s description and mine, both taken from life, and the

animals from the same locality ; no one therefore can doubt their

identity. In the main features the Dzeggetai and the Wild Ass

of Cutch perfectly agree ; and with respect to the extent of geo-

graphical distributions, I have elsewhere proved that it is no bar to

the identity of species inhabiting mean temperatures varying nearly

40° of Fahr., and separated by half the earth in longitude. But in

the case of the Dzeggetai and the Wild Ass of Cutch, there are not

any insuperable difficulties of geographical position. The Wild

Ass of Cutch and the north of Goojrat, is not found further south

in India than Deesa on the banks of the Bunnas river, in lat. about

23° 30’, nor have I heard of it to the eastward of the 75° of longitude

in the southern side of the Himalayan Mountains. In Cutch and

Northern Goojrat it frequents the salt deserts and the open plains of

Thoodpoor, Jaysulmer, and Bickaneor. By swimming the Indus it

may communicate through Scind and Buloochestand with Persia ;

and in Persia it evidently exists from Sir Robert Kerr Porter’s de-

scriptions ; to the east and north of Persia abuts upon the peculiar

localities of the Dzeggetai, through Bucharia to the deserts of Cobi,

where it delights in the salt marshes, as it does in India, and thence

‘te Tartary, Thibet, and South Siberia. The latitudinal range may

be from 35° to 40°; but the longitudinal range is necessarily very

great, probably from the 45° to the 180° or 140°, or 95° of longi-

‘tude; but in case it ever was found in Cappadocia it would have a

still greater range, or 100°. If it be desirable to believe that the

animal migrates according to the season, there do not appear to be

--any insuperable physical impediments ; and its extraordinary fleet-

ness and hardihood would sanction the belief in its making very

‘long journeys, even to the banks of the Indus. » But the animal of

Cutch and the Burmass river, would have to cross the Indus and its

branches to get to the north and west ; and as they are seen at all

seasons of the year in their Indian localities, I am quite content to

Zoological Society. ‘307

believe that the Dzeggetai of Southern Siberia and the Wild Ass of

Cutch are identical in species, and yet do not wander further than is

necessary for forage from their respective localities. I say little of

the advantage of domesticating this beautiful animal in Europe,

but I do say that it would be worthy of the reputation of the great

Society, to continue the attempt until success crowned its efforts.

“I wish also through the medium of the Society’s Proceedings to

call the attention of naturalists, amateurs, and travellers, who can-

not even draw at all, to the means the camera lucida affords them of

recording outlines with celerity and precision. I exhibit to the So-

ciety five sketches of the two Wild Asses in the Zoological Gardens ;

and though I do not profess not to be able to draw, I do not hesitate

tosaythat I can give muchmore correct figures of animals by its means

than withoutit. It may be objected that the restlessness of animals

renders the use of the camera lucida abortive; but I say that the rapid-

ity with which the lines may be traced with the pencil, enable a person

using it to make twenty sketches, where the draughtsman would other-

wise make but one, and it will be hard if more than one of the twenty

do not prove just. The five sketches exhibited were made in a few

minutes ; and only one proved abortive, making six attempts in all ;

and yet I have not used the camera lucida since 1830. The out-

lines have been subsequently traced in ink. I trust therefore this

notice may lead to its more extended use; a use in natural history

that cannot fail to be beneficial to the science. One word in con<

clusion. I have been adeclaimer in the Transactions of this Society

against the modern habit in natural history of generalization from a

limited number of facts; and in pursuing the above inquiries I met

with a new proof of the risk to truth of such a system. In the hi-

story of the Domestic Ass it is stated, ‘The countries most suitable

to the Ass are those of the south. Accordingly it is in Persia, Egypt,

and Arabia that the strongest and finest varieties of this species are

to befound. Some, very different from the small and feeble natives

of our climates, almost equal the Horse in magnitude and stature.

Spain also possesses some fine races of the Ass, which are also occa<

sionally to be found in the southern provinces of France; as we ad-

vance northward, the animal diminishes in size and becomes more and

more difficult of preservation.’ Opposed to this is the fact, that in

Western India, which it will be admitted is sufficiently far to the

south, the Asses are not much larger than good-sized Newfound-

land dogs. ‘They are used in droves to carry small loads of salt or

grain; they are also used by the pot-makers to carry their clay ;

and they are always seen, as in Europe, associated with gipsies.”

328 Linnean Society.

LINNEAN SOCIETY.

May 1.—Edw. Foster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair,

Mr. Curtis read a paper, being descriptions of the Coleoptera col-

lected by Capt. P. P. King, R.N., during his survey of the Straits of

Magellan.

No region of the world presents more curious forms or more

splendid colouring amongst insects than South America. As we

proceed to the more temperate regions of the south, however, they

partake considerably of the sober colours of our European species.

This interesting collection contains a very considerable number of

new species, and of these Mr. Curtis has formed the following genera.

Fam. Carasipa&. Gen. 1. Cascextivs.

Head rather small and ovate. Thorax elongate, obovate-truncate.

Elytra large, convex and oval, base narrowed, apex rounded. An-

terior tibie deeply notched, denticulated externally: anterior tarsi

with the 3 first joints dilated and obtrigonate in the male, interme-

diate slightly dilated, especially the basal joints. Antenne with the

2nd joint short, Ist and 8rd of equal length. External maxillary

palpi with the 2nd joint the longest, 3rd short, 4th stout and fusi-

form: labial with the 3rd joint long and fusiform, stouter than the

2nd, mentum trilobed, central lobe trigonate-truncate.

“The examples are C. Kingii and C. Gravesit.

2. CARDIOPHTHALMUS.

Head rather narrow and ovate; eyes cordiform. Thorax convex

cordate-truncate. Elytra connate, broad and ovate, base narrowed,

apex rounded. Anterior thighs tuberculated beneath, anterior tibiz

notched, with 2 long stout spines, anterior tarsi with the basal joint

elongated and a little dilated in the male, 3 following small obtrigo-

nate. Antenne with the basal joint stout, 2nd the shortest, 3rd

longer than the following. Palpi with the terminal joints elliptic-

truncate, the 2 apical of equal length. Mentum not largely emar-

ginate, with a broad deeply notched tooth in the centre.

Example. C. Clivinoides.

3. ODONTOSCELIS.

Head broad and ovate ; eyes small, remote from the base. Thorax

sublunate: scutel broad and triangular: elytra elongate-ovate, the

base narrowed, apex rounded. ‘Tibiz, anterior notched, the apex

produced into a long lobe externally : tarsi, anterior dilated in the

male, and spiny. Antenne not longer than the head, basal joint the

stoutest, 2nd subglobose, 3rd clavate, a little longer than the follow-

ing, which are turbinate; palpi external maxillary with the 3rd and

4th joints short, the latter elliptic-truncate and the stoutest ; 2 ter-

Linnean Society. — 329.

minal joints of the labial longer and slenderer. Mentum with 2

large lateral lobes and a strong conical one in the centre.

Example. O. Tentyrioides.

4, CYLLOScELIs.

Head broad, eyes small. Thorax subquadrate-cordate. Elytra

sublinear. ‘Tibiz, anterior dilated, with a shallow notch, the apical

spine broad and lanceolate, hinder longer, slender and curved : tarsi

anterior with the 4 basal joints cordate. Antennz not longer than

the head, basal joint the longest and stoutest, 3rd pyriform, 2nd, 4th

and following subovate. External maxillary palpi with the 3rd joint

nearly as Jong as the 2nd, 4th elongate and nearly linear: labial

with the 3rd joint long, subfusiform-truncate : mentum with a strong

trigonate tooth in the middle.

Example. C. ellipticus.

5. Merivs.

Head suborbicular: eyes prominent. Thorax subquadrate-cordate :

scutel dividing the elytra which are elliptical, the apex slightly

emarginate. Anterior tibiz not deeply notched : anterior tarsi with

the 3 basal joints dilated and obovate-truncate in the males. Antenne

slender, as long as the head and thorax, basal joint the stoutest, 2nd

not short, 8rd and following long. Labrum rather deeply notched :

mandibles short and strong ; terminal joint of palpi shorter than the,

penultimate, elliptic-truncate; mentum broadly emarginate and

simple.

Example. M. harpalioides.

The species noticed amount to 54, and were ee between 20°

and 56° south latitude.

Read a paper on the affinities of Arachis and Voandzeia. By George

Bentham, Esq., F.L.S.

The genus Arachis has been placed along with Voandzeia by De

Candolle among the Cesalpinee in his tribe Geoffree, which is cha-

racterized by having a papilionaceous corolla, combined stamina, and

a straight embryo; but at the same time well aware of the affinity

subsisting between those two genera and the arborescent Geoffree,

he suggests the probability of their forming a separate tribe. Mr.

Bentham has however, in the paper before us, clearly shown that the

real affinity of Arachis is with Stylosanthes, and consequently that its

proper place is among the Hedysaree, from which it differs chiefly

in the legume not separating into distinct articulations, a circum-

stance to be attributed to its position underground. Mr. Bentham

follows Ernest Meyer in referring Voandzeia to the Phaseolee.,

The perfect flowers of Arachis, accurately described by De Can-

dolle as to the calyx, corolla, stamina, ovarium, and style, are accord-

330 Royal Society of Edinburgh.

‘ing to Mr, Bentham constantly sterile, and although they are fur-

nished with an apparently perfect ovarium containing two or three

ovula, he has observed it to fall off with the calyx, and that the le-

gumes are produced both in hypogea and the other species by the

female flowers, whose structure is very. different, being destitute of

either calyx, corolla, or stamina ; but from between two small bractes,

resembling those occurring at the base of the sterile flowers, proceeds

a straight rigid stipes or torus, which speedily becomes reflexed and

elongated, and is terminated by what appears to the naked eye a

‘sharp point, which, when examined with a glass, discloses at its ex-

tremity a truncated, somewhat concave and dilated stigma, and

within it is found a cell bearing two or three anatropous ovula

placed transversely one above the other. After fecundation, when

the extremity has nearly reached the ground, it begins to swell, but

remains continuous with the stipes or torus, without any articulation

even at the maturity, when the legume is usually broken off with

more or less of laceration.

We subjoin the characters of the species given by Mr. Bentham.

1. A. hypogea, annua; caule erecto vel adscendente ramoso piloso, foli-

olis obovatis obtusis mucronatis, supra glabris, subtus pilosulis.

2. A. glabrata, perennis, glabra, vel hinc inde pilosula, adscendens ; sti-

pularum parte libera elongata ad foliorum par infimum subattingente,

foliolis oblongo-~ellipticis obtusis mucronatis basi rotundatis brevissime

petiolulatis, supra glabris, subtus vix pilosulis. Brasilia.

3. A. pusilla, perennis ; caule procumbente pilosulo, stipularum parte li-

bera brevissima, foliolis ovatis oblongisve acutiusculis mucronatis basi

rotundatis, supra glabris, subtus adpresse pubescentibus subsericeis.

Brasilia.

4, A. prostrata, perennis; caule prostrato villoso, stipularum parte libera

elongata at foliolorum par infimum non attingente, foliolis ovatis ob-

longisve obtusis mucronatis basi rotundatis, supra glabris, subtus ad-

presse villosis. Brasilia.

5. A. villosa, perennis, caule prostrato villoso, stipulis foliolorum par in-

fimum superantibus, foliolis lato-ovatis rigidis mucronatis, supra pu-

bescentibus, subtus pilosis. Brasilia.

6. A. tuberosa, perennis, caule brevi subsimplici, villoso, petiolis abbre-

viatis, foliolis obovatis oblongisve obtusis muticis basi angustatis rigidis

marginatis reticulatis glabris subciliatis. Brasilia.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH.

18th Dec. 1837.—Dr. Hope, V. P. in the Chair.

Read, Professor Traill’s remarks on the Ossiferous Caves of Cefn,

in Denbighshire.

These caves, which were first described by the present Bishop of

Norwich in 1832, and haye since been more fully explored by Dr.

Royal Society of Edinburgh. 331

Cumming of Denbigh, were visited by the author in the autumn of

1837. The principal cave is a fissure in a grand mural escarpment

of the mountain limestone of Wales, about two miles and a half south-

west of St. Asaph, and occurs half way down the precipice, which

seems to be about 250 feet in height. It forms at that point the

southern boundary of the limestone, which constitutes the basis of

the Vale of Clwyd; and is divided from the extensive greywacke

slate formation of that county by the narrow picturesque vale of

Cyffredin, through which the river Elwy flows.

The hill of Cefn consists of parallel beds of limestone, which the

extensive quarries on its southern flank show to have a regular dip

of about 8°. This cave was discovered in 1830 to contain earthy

‘deposits exceedingly rich in bones of mammifera: and, since that

‘period, they have been much employed as a manure by Mr. Lloyd,

the proprietor. During the excavations for this purpose, many teeth

‘and fragments of larger bones, so entire as to be readily recognised,

have been obtained. An interesting collection of them is preserved

at Cefn House, and some are in the hands of the author. Among

the former, he noticed part of the humerus and a molar tooth of a

rhinoceros, several teeth and bones of the hyzena, and beautiful teeth,

and a considerable portion of the lower jaw, of a bear. Dr. Traill

has in his possession two phalanges and two teeth of a bear; a pha-«

lanx of a large Felis, resembling the tiger; parts of the tibia, and of

the astragalus, and a phalanx of a large Bos; portions of the meta-

carpus of an immense ruminant, apparently a deer ; besides a variety

of fragments, not so easily ascertained on account of their mutilated

state.

The materials which filled up the fissure or principal cave almost

to its roof, are regularly stratified. ‘They formed together a mass of

earthy matter twelve feet in thickness. The first or upper bed con-

sists of layers of clay and very fine sand, two feet thick. The second

bed is of plastic clay-marl, containing many small water-worn pebbles,

‘chiefly of clay-slate, two feet thick. The third is a stratum so filled

with broken and comminuted bones, as apparently to consist entirely

of that material, two feet thick. It is in this bed that all the bones

mentioned, except those of the bears, are found. Immediately below

is the fourth bed, consisting of plastic marl-clay, with many water-

worn pebbles of slate and compact felspar, with angular pieces of

limestone ; this is also two feet thick. - The fifth bed consists of fine

sand, which seldom contains any pebbles. It rests on the floor of

‘the cavern, and has usually a depth of four feet. In one part of the

cave, however, Dr. Cumming detected below this bed a floor of hard

stalagmite, about sixteen feet square; and on breaking it up, bones

332 - Royal Academy of Berlin.

of bears were found mingled with sand and large water-worn pebbles

of the rocks already mentioned. '

One of the most interesting observations which occurred to the

author during his investigation was, that the stratified earthy mate-

rials filling the cave were not deposited horizontally, but had an evi-

dent dip, which he remarked was in the same direction and apparent

inclination as that of the limestone rock itself.. The important in-

ference he drew from this is, that the stratified materials were de-

posited in the cave before the limestone received its present position ;

and he conjectured, that the animals whose remains are here pre-

served may have existed even before the last great disturbances of

our carboniferous system of rocks. Should similar phenomena be

observed in other caves, it would perhaps carry back the existence

of mammiferous animals to geological epochs more ancient than ge-

nerally supposed; and account for the occurrence of diluvial mate-

rials in similar situations, without the startling supposition of exten-

sive degradations of solid rocks, by causes apparently inadequate to

produce them. Another cave exists in the same neighbourhood, in

which bones have also been found. It is near the village of Pont

Newydd. In its bottom was found a collection of hyzna bones, in

a mass of calc-sinter and gravel, four feet in thickness.

The author illustrated his paper by a view of the cliffs of Cefn,

and by a plan and sections of the principal cave.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF BERLIN.*

Feb. 23, 1837.—M. von Buch read a paper on the Jura in Ger-

many.

The German Jura in Swabia and Franconia is an uninterrupted

continuation of the Swiss Jura. Its external form is that of a glacis

of a fortification, with a gentle descent towards the exterior, and a

steep fall towards the interior. Opposite to it stands the similar

range of the French Jura, on the right side of the Sdone upwards,

and on the left sides of the Meurthe and Moselle downwards. The

steep declivities of these elevated ranges are turned towards each

other, and the space, which they for the most part surround, is in the

northern parts almost completely inclosed by older grauwacke moun-

tains. The interior of this immense bason contains the greatest por-

tion of Burgundy and Lorraine, the whole of Alsace, Swabia, Fran-

conia, and Hessia, and includes no mountains of the Jura formation.

For this reason M. von Buch considers the chains to have been ori-

ginally produced in their present form, with their canal-like valleys,

* Translated from the Bericht iiber die Verhandlungen der kénigl, Aka-

demie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin.

Royal Academy of Berlin. ‘ 333

which traverse four or five times the whole breadth of the chain,

and with their deep inlets and sections. This being exactly the form

and structure of the great coral reef which surrounds New Holland,

we may be inclined to ascribe to both a similar mode of origin. The

chalk formation draws itself close up from the exterior so as to sur-

round the Jura ranges, but in the interior of the encompassed coun-

try there is not a trace of it to be found. From this we have evi-

dence of the mural elevation of the Jura existing previous to the de-

position of the chalk.

The Jura range is divided by nature into three parts; 1. The

Swiss Jura, in which the layers are always much inclined, and form

long extended ridges and chains; 2. The Swabian Jura, in which

the layers lie regularly and horizontally upon one another, and form a

large plateau little undulated and extending over many miles; 3. The

Franconian Jura, in which the middle is occupied by extended masses

of dolomite, which appear on the heights like obelisks, towers, or

ruins of gothic castles. This appearance of dolomite begins almost

exactly where the Jura changes its north-easterly for a northern di-

rection. ‘The dolomite is no new superadded mass; one series of

strata would be deficient, were we to consider it a Jurassic stratum

which had hitherto not occurred. Besides, it possesses no peculiar

zoological character, and for this reason gives indications of its origin

from the metamorphosis of limestone.

In height or section the Jura ranges may also be divided into three

parts: 1, a black one, the layers of lias and shales; 2, a brown, the

coarse brown sandstone ; 3, a white one; fine-grained layers of lime-

stone, coral, and shell banks. A description and catalogue of the cha-

racteristic fossils of each layer of these divisions gives a more clear

and accurate idea of them and of their zoological character, than the

long, and frequently inaccurate descriptions often given, in which

the same thing is frequently repeated under different names.

The lias, which makes its appearance almost everywhere at the foot

of the mountains, contains almost nothing, but such organic pro-,

ducts as are peculiar to it alone, and these products in general are

the same in all countries hitherto examined.

The middle part of the Jura is more varying. That which appears

in the southern parts of England and in France in the form of oolite,

is in Germany a coarse sandstone, with analogous shells in it; but

in the north of England this sandstone contains a quantity of im-

pressions of plants, and even coal, which are quite similar to those

which we on the other hand find in the keuper, recollecting that in

other organic products both formations have nothing in common with

each other.

334 Miscellaneous.

In the upper or coralline part of the Jura, the limestone containing

Diceras and Nerinee has been followed, especially in 1836, as the

exterior covering and last layer of the Jura formation, over the whole

northern inclination of the Swabian Jura. This peculiar formation

(Portland stone) is wanting in the Franconian Jura. It commences

first below Hemmau, probably above the lithographic slates, forms

the vale declivities of the Nab and of the Laber near Regensburg,

the rocks of Abach and Kellheim near Altmiihl, the hills of Neuburg

and Ingolstadt, and raises itself near Ulm to the greatest heights of

the range at Nattheim and Heidenheim. It continues over Méskirch,

and probably joms immediately with those layers near Solothurn

which have been so accurately examined by M. Hugi. Diceras and

Nerinee at Ingolstadt, as also the large Pinna (Trichites) granulata,

(Mytilus amplus,) which first occurs in abundance near Pillmansdorf,

between Hemmau and the Laber, give to these layers a prominent

character. Besides, a quantity of other shells occurring in it, as Pho-

ladomya donacina, Pterocera Oceani, Terebratula triloba, Isocardia ex-

centrica, &c., may be regarded as fossils characteristic of it. It isnot

quite clear whether the lithographic slate really dips under the Dice-

ras limestone; perhaps they only occur together, without continu-

ing one beneath the other; for the lithographic slates are proved by

their Pterodactylus, Libellule, Alge and Fish, to be a littoral forma-

tion; but the limestone with Diceras and Nerinee, on the other hand,

appear, by their gigantic shells, to be a pelasgian formation.

MISCELLANEOUS.

FUNGI OF INDIA.

In General Hardwicke’s Drawings, now in the collection of the Bri-

tish Museum, there is a book containing figures of a considerable

number of Indian Fungi. It is curious to observe, that with only

one or two exceptions, such as the genus Podavon of Fries, they all

very much resemble the European species, and belong to European

forms.—J. E, Gray.

TRACHYPTERUS VOGMANUS.

Pror. Rernwarpt, of Copenhagen, has recently published in theTrans-

actions of the Danish Academy a detailed account of this curious and

very rare fish, which has hitherto been so imperfectly known.

OTIS TARDA.

Suora few days since near Dereham, a fine specimen of that rare and

nearly extinct bird, the Great Bustard, Of¢s tarda of Linneeus. It

-was a female bird, in excellent plumage, and is now in the possession

of Mr. J. Knight, the bird preserver, of London Street, Norwich.

Meteorological Observations. 335

‘ ZOOLOGY OF JAVA.

TremmMinck, in the Fauna Japonica, states, that he knows 82 kinds

of mammalia, 455 birds, and 90 species of amphibia, as inhabiting

that island, although the interior is almost entirely unknown.

ON THE TWO SPECIES OF ECHIDNA, BY J. E. GRAY.

Sir E. Hong, in his paper in the Phil. Trans. for 1802, figured two

specimens of this animal, and Cuvier (Régne Animal, vol. i. p. 225,)

considered them as two species, naming the one Echidna Hystriz,

and the other #. setosa; but most succeeding zoologists have re-

garded them as a single species, some considering the latter as

either the winter state, others as the young of the former. The

specimens which we have in the British Museum show that they are

very distinct species, coming from different countries, and differing

more in the colour of the fur than in the length of the spines. The

E. Hystriz, Cuv. (Myrmecophaga aculeata, Shaw, Misc. Nat. t. 109,

O. Hystrix, Home, tab. at p- 840,) is black, and came from the conti-

nent of New Holland, while H. setosa, Cuv. (Home, tab. at p. 341?),

is brown, with a blackish spot on the orbit: this is confined to Van

Diemen’s Land. They both grow to the same size: the full grown

are nearly eighteen inches long.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR APRIL 1838.

Chiswick.—April 1, Cold and dry: frosty. 2. Sharp frost: cold and dry.

3—5. Fine. 6. Cloudy. 7. Rain. 8. Cloudy. 9—14. Very fine. 15.

Fine: clear and windy. 16. Hail showers in forenoon: snow. 17. Cloudy

and cold: showery at night. 18. Cold and dry. 19. Slight snow : over-

cast and cold. 20. Sleet and hail. 21. Fine. 22. Rain: fine. 23. Very

fine: rain at night. 24,25. Fine. 26,27. Bleak and cold. 28,29. Cold

and dry. 30. Slight rain. The mean temperature of this month was four

degrees below its usual average at this place.

Boston.—April 1. Snow. 2—4. Fine. 5. Fine: rainp.m. 6, 7. Cloudy:

rain early a.M.; rainp.M. 8. Stormy: rain early a.m.; rainr.M. 9. Cloudy.

10. Rain. 11. Cloudy: 3% p.m. thermometer 65°. 12. Fine. 13. Cloudy.

14, Fine: rainr.M. 15. Cloudy: stormy p.m. 16. Stormy: snow p.m.

17, Stormy: snow early a.m. . 18. Stormy: snow p.m. 19, 20. Cloudy:

snow early a.m. 21. Cloudy: large quantity of hail a.m.: raine.M. 22.

Cloudy. 23. Fine: raine.m. 24. Fine. 25. Cloudy: rainp.m. 26,

Stormy. 27. Rain. 28,29. Fine. 30. Rain: snow early a.m.: rain P.M.

Applegarth Manse, Dumfriesshire —April 1. Clear and frosty. 2, Shower

of snow: melted. 3. Moist: showery: cold. 4, Showery but mild. 5,

Wet: cleared up: fine day. 6. Wet: blowy: cleared up. 7. Wet all

day. 8. Dry: hills covered with snow. 9. Dry: cold: frosty morning.

10. Wet: showery all day. 11. Stormy, and wet p.m. 12. Stormy: dry:

cold. 13. Clear and cold. 14. Slight showers, 15. Showers: violent

wind. 16. Coldand stormy: frosty. 17. Cold and boisterous. 18. Frosty

A.M.: very cold. 19. Cold and withering. 20. Still coldand barren. 21.

Hoar frost a.m.: dullevening. 22. Dulland cloudy: no frost. 23. Slight

rain a.M.: cleared up. 24. Slight rain a.m.: cleared up. 25. Cold and

ungenial. 26, Very withering. 27. Hoar frost a.m. 28. Still withering.

29. Looking like rain. 30, Rain: cleared up r.m.

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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

XXXVII.—Florula Keelingensis. An Account of the Native

Plants of the Keeling Islands. By the Rev. J. S. Hznstow,

M.A., Professor of Botany in the University of Cambridge.

THE Keelings consist of small coral islands, ranging in a cir-

cle, and inclosing a lagoon or salt-water lake of nine and a half

miles in its longest diameter. They lie in lat. 12° 5’ S., and

_ long. 90° 55! E., very nearly 600 geographical miles to the

S.W. of Java Head or the Straits of Sunda. They stand

apart from any other group or archipelago, and the naturalist

is curious to learn the character of their productions. Mr,

Darwin, who accompanied the Beagle in her late voyage round

the world, visited these islands in 1836, and is about to give

an account of their geological conditions, as well as of the

scanty zoology which they furnish. As he obligingly pre-

sented me with the plants which he collected, together with

his memoranda respecting them, I have thought that a list of

the species, accompanied by a few remarks, might be of in-

terest ; and chiefly as serving to point out a set of plants

whose seeds must be provided in a very eminent degree with

the means of resisting the influence of sea water. For the

satisfactory determination of the geographical distribution of

species, it is necessary to be extremely careful in discrimina-

ting the species and even varieties which occur in different

regions, and I have therefore generally added a few remarks

on the state of the individual specimens in question, that every

one may form a better estimate of the degree of probability of

each having been correctly identified.

The largest of the islands is about five miles long anda

quarter of a mile broad. Some sand hillocks on it are thirty

feet in height, but the general level does not exceed six or

eight feet. The foundation of all of them is a solid coral reef,

which receives continued additions from fragments of coral

and sand brought by the waves and wind. The soil is entirely

Ann, Nat, Hist. Vol.1. No.5. July 1838. Z

338 Rev. J. S. Henslow on the Native Plants

composed of broken corals and shells, sometimes in the form

of calcareous sand; and the quantity of vegetable mould is

extremely small. Twenty-three of the islands bear trees ; and

there are many others of small dimensions, scarcely elevated

above the surface of the ocean, which produce none. When

first seen, nothing can be observed but a belt of cocoa-nut trees

encircling the lagoon. The abundance in which these occur

has tempted a respectable Englishman named Ross to bring

his family and settle here. He has with him a party of about

eighty Malays, who are employed in manufacturing cocoa-nut

oil; and the nuts also are exported to Mauritius and Singa-

pore. Thrown as these men are so completely upon their own

resources, they have accurately investigated the. natural pro-

ductions of the islands, and readily pointed out to Mr. Dar-

win the different species of plants, and assured him that he

had seen them all except one, of which there was only a single

tree, bearing a large square and very hard nut, growing on

one of the islands which he did not visit. Excepting the

cocoa-nut, and one other tree which was not in flower, and

which attains a diameter of five or six feet, with particularly

soft wood, Mr. Darwin brought away specimens of all the

species he saw, amounting to twenty-one.

From the character of the soil and the condition of the

islands we might expect a priori to meet with a purely littoral

flora, and with none but extensively sporadic species. Mr.

Darwin heard of the trunks of trees, of many seeds, and of

old cocoa-nuts being washed on shore from time to time, and

probably all the species which have thus been introduced are

to be found in the East Indian Archipelago, or on the neigh-

bouring continent, though they have not all been noticed

there. Two at least of the species appear to be hitherto un-

described, and one or two others possess an interest from their

rarity, and the little information we possess concerning them ;

but All the rest have an extensive range throughout the intra-

tropical regions.

Of the few imported plants the banana does not thrive

well ; the sugar cane has in some parts run wild, but has lost

greatly in flavour, as also has the tobacco. Besides these a

little maize and a few vegetables are cultivated. Three species

of the Keeling Islands. 339

of grass had been introduced, (Panicum. ... .. , Eleusine

indica, and Poa plumosa,) as was stated, from Java, under an

impression that goats would not eat the rank herbage of the

island; but the settlers were surprised to find that one of

these animals left on the islands by Capt. Fitzroy preferred

the native to the imported species.

As the flora of the island of Timor, which lies nearly due

west of the Keelings without any intervening land, has lately

been described by Mons. Decaisne, I have placed a (T) in

the following list opposite those species which he has recorded

in his very excellent ‘ Herbarium Timorense.’

List of the Plants Indigenous to the Keelings.

Matvacez.

1. Paritium tiliaceum, St. Hil. T.

TiLiacEz.

2. Triumfetta procumbens, Forst.

LyTHRACER.

3. Pemphis acidula, Forst. T.

PorRTULACACER.

4. Portulaca oleracea.

LEGUMINOSZ.

5. Guilandina Bonduc, Hort. Kew.

6. Acacia (Farnesiana?) Linn. tT

UrTIcAcER.

7. Urera Gaudichaudiana, n. s.

AMARANTHACES.

8. Achyranthes argentea (var. ?)

Lam. si

NYcTAGINACER,

9. Boerhavia diffusa, Willd. T.

var. 6. ?

var. y.?

ScEVOLACER.

10. Sceevola Keenigii, Vahl. — T.

CINCHONACEA.

11. Guettarda speciosa, Linn. T.

CorpIAcEz.

12. Cordia orientalis, 2. Brown. T.

BoraGinacez ?

13. Tournefortiaargentea, Linn. T.

ACANTHACER.

14, Dicliptera Burmanni, (var. ?)

Nees.

ee eee

15. Ochrosia parviflora.

GRAMINEZ.

16. Panicum sanguinale, (var. ?)

Linn. ¥.

17. Stenotaphrum lepturoide, zn. s.

18. Lepturus Kepes, Forst.

PaLMz&.

19. Cocos nucifera, Linn. T.

Musc1.

20. Hypnum rufescens, Hooker.

Funct.

21. Polyporus lucidus.

= a pies trees of which no spe-

cimens were procured.

1. Paritium SSOP NOR: large, and the linear pore

upon one to five of the nerves on the under side.

“ Common on one of the islands.

It is exceedingly useful

throughout the Pacific ; and in Otaheite particularly, the bark

is employed in the manufacture of cordage, whilst the light

wood is used by the fishermen for floats. The natives readily

procure fire from the wood by friction.”—C. Darwin.

2. Triumfetta procumbens. Forster, Prod. n. 204.—This

species is placed by De Candolle among those “non satis

note.” By Mr. Brown’s kindness I have satisfactorily iden-

Z 2

340 Rev. J. S. Henslow on the Native Plants

tified it, by comparison with Forster’s original specimens in

the British Museum. As much uncertainty prevails respect-

ing the number of species in the genus, I shall add a detailed

description of the present specimens. Messrs. Wight and

Arnott have observed, at page 74 of their Prod. Flore Indiz :

“ In this genus it may be right to caution the student to place

no reliance on the shape of the leaves or their pubescence, or

suppression of the parts of the flower.” To this we would

add further, that neither can much reliance be placed upon

the character of the inflorescence, since the differences be-

tween the peduncles being axillary or opposite, seem chiefly

to depend upon different degrees of luxuriance.

Speciminum Keelingensium caules ramosi, ramis tomentosis, pubescentia

stellata. Folia longé petiolata, subrotunda vel laté-ovata, cordata, in-

divisa vel trilobata, inzqualiter serrato-crenata: supra nudiuscula,

subtus petiolisque incano-tomentosa, marginibus nudis subglandulosis.

Stipule lanceolate. Pedunculi inferiores axillares, sub-abortivi; su-

periores oppositifolii, foliorumque superiorum abortione sub-corymbosi,

horumque stipulis bracteas emulantibus ; pedicellis 3—5 sub-umbella-

tim dispositis. Calyx, sepalis 5 linearibus, sub apice acuminatis, extus

pubescentibus, zstivatione valvatis. Corolla, petalis 5, sepalis parum

minoribus, obovatis, unguibus basi villosis. Stamina 25, petalorum lon-

gitudine. Pistillum ovario ovali, hispido ; stylo lineari, hirto, tricuspi-

dato. Capsula junior globosa uncinato-hispida,

3. Pemphis acidula—The capsules burst by an irregular

transverse fissure about the middle, with the lower portion

more membranous than the upper. Forster describes them

as having six valves, and Lamarck as opening transversely at

the base.

“No sooner has a new reef become sufficiently elevated by

the accumulation of sand upon its surface, but this plant is

sure to be the first which takes possession of the soil.”—

C. Darwin.

4. Portulaca oleracea.—The specimen is in seed, tolerably

luxuriant, and seems unquestionably to belong to this species ;

but there are some minute hairs in the axils, which is not ge-

nerally the case, and not characteristic of the section to which

it belongs.

5. Guilandina Bonduc.—The specimen is only in bud.

* Grows only on one islet.”—C, Darwin,

, : Ape70. Week Dest Vet LPL Al!

4 / | ZW, Ne -

‘eee de |. ‘4 es ea bg

CPOH CARMEL CH CHMALALIUL.

FS. Pere S COW, Lee?

of the Keeting Islands. 341

6. Acacia (Farnesiana ?)—The specimen has no signs of in-

florescence, but the herbage closely resembles that of Farne-

siana; and as that species grows in Timor, it is probably the

same.

“ On the same islet with the last.”—C, Darwin.

7. Urera Gaudichaudiana. Plate XI.

Caule herbaceo; foliis longé petiolatis, laté cordatis, sub-acuminatis,

grossé serratis, undique pilis brevibus conspersis, subtus pallidioribus ;

cymis axillaribus divaricato-dichotomis petiolis subzequalibus.

I have named this species in honour of Mons. Gaudichaud

the founder of the genus Urera, who has attempted to group

the species of this much-neglected order in the volume de-

voted to the botany of the ‘ Voyage de ’Uranie.”? The only

described species to which it seems to approach is the Urtica

ruderalis of Forster, but a comparison with his original spe-

cimen in the British Museum has shown me that it is per-

fectly distinct.

The single specimen brought home by Mr. Darwin con-

sists of part of an herbaceous stem about seven inches long,

belonging apparently to a perennial. From each of the

axils of the two lowermost leaves proceeds a short branch, and

from each of seven or eight others spring divaricate branch-

ing cymose panicles about four inches long. The petiole and

limb of the largest leaf are each four inches long, and the

latter is 2} inches broad. The inferior panicles produce male

flowers on their lower branches and female on their upper ;

but the superior bear female only. Male flowers crowded in

small heads at the extremities of the short branches, their

calyx deeply 5-partite (fig. 1.); stamens 5. Female flowers

smaller than the males, their calyx of three sepals, or rather

of two sepals and an external bract (fig. 2.); the pistil soli-

tary, ovary ovate and slightly oblique (fig. 3.); the stigma

crowned with a ferruginous tuft of hair inclining to one side.

The ripe pericarp obliquely-ovate or gibbous (fig. 4.) contain-

ing one erect sessile exalbuminous seed (fig. 5.) with the em-

bryo inverted (fig. 6).

8. Achyranthes argentea (var. ? villosior.)

Foliis breviter pedicillatis, oblongis, basi sub-attenuatis, superne villosis,

subtus incano-sericeis.

342 Rev. J. S. Henslow on the Native Plants

There are two specimens of this, each about a foot long,

with the terminal spike on one of them six inches, on the

other not two. Largest leaves three inches. It is difficult to

decide whether this ought to be considered a new species or

only a variety of argentea.

Decaisne considers argentea and aspera to be identical. The

yery variable character of the herbage prevents our laying any

great stress upon the shape of the leaf, length of the spike, or

degree of pubescence. In these respects our plant comes

within the character of argentea given by Decaisne in the

€ Flora Timorensis.’

On comparing the several parts of the flower with those of

another specimen of argentea, brought by Mr. Darwin from

the Cape-de-Verd Islands, I find several remarkable differ-

ences, which I may here describe.

Comparison of the parts of the flower in specimens of Achyranthes argentea

from the Keelings and Cape-de-Verd. Plate XI. where K. means Keel-

ing, and V. Cape-de-Verd Islands.

Keexina. Cape-pe-VeErp.

Fi ig.7. Bract. Auricles at base, about About one third the length.

half the length of the bract.

vs Sepal.

9. Stamens and pistil.

10. Stamen, with part of connect-

ing membrane.

Anther, Elliptic-oblong, equal — Subrotund and much shorter.

to free portion of filament. :

Fringed lobes (from abortive TIncisions numerous and very irre-

stamens?) with few and re- gular.

gular incisions.

11. Pistil. Ovary ob-ovato-glo- | Ob-ovato-cylindrical, with the style

bose, depressed, with the half as long.

style three times as long.

The position and form of the ovule is also marked on the figures.

9. Boerhavia diffusa.—After an attentive examination of

Mr. Darwin’s specimens, I cannot detect sufficient differences

to class them under more than one species, though he had

himself concluded, from certain peculiarities m their habit

whilst growing, that they must belong to three. These three

forms, which I consider to be varieties of the diffusa of De-

caisne’s Herb. Timor., have each long, weak, straggling, terete

branches, clothed with close scattered pubescence, except on

the older parts, which are glabrous. The leaves are stalked

of the Keeling Islands. 343

‘and fleshy, modifications of ovate and repand. The flowers

in small heads, which themselves are arranged in dense um-

bels, with long axillary peduncles alternately disposed among

the uppermost parts of the branches.

Var. a. Stoutest in habit, and with the largest leaves, the

lowermost of which have their limb an inch long, with pe-

duncles of half an inch; all are pedunculate, ovato-rotund,

often slightly sub-cordate, much paler beneath. Stamens 2—3;

young fruit ob-clavato-fusiform.

Var. 8. Branches more than three feet long. Leaves rather

smaller and darker on each side, generally more acute, the

uppermost nearly or quite sessile. Seems to be B. diandra of

Bur. Fl. Ind., tab. 1. fig. 1. Stamens 2—4, alternate with

the segments of the- calyx; anther with two globose cells,

which, with the filaments, are pilose. Ovary oval, but in the

young fruit becomes fusiform and angular, with glandular

hairs. Stigma peltate. A toothed annulus round the calyx

was noticed in one specimen. Three or four bracts.

“‘ Grows upright and untidy, and is the commonest weed,

growing everywhere.”—C. Darwin.

Var, y. Branches a foot and a half long. More stunted,

with fewer, smaller, and more fleshy leaves. Stamens 2—3.

* Grows close to the ground, and is abundant on one spot

within ten or twelve yards of the sea, where it was pointed out

to me as possessing an esculent root, and considered to be

quite distinct from var. 8.”—C. Darwin.

A specimen of the root was preserved, and consists of long

wiry branches, which do not appear to have been ever very

succulent.

10. Scevola Kenigit.—The leaves are seven sindhes long and

three broad, quite glabrous ; the apex slightly retuse and the

margin somewhat repand. Segments of the calyx subulate

and glabrous. Corolla with the base of the tube slightly vil-

lose within, the segments of the limb lanceolate and glabrous.

Cupula of the stigma very pilose within. This specimen ap-

pears to be more glabrous than usual, whilst S. sericea (of

which I have specimens from Macao in China) differs from

the more usual state of S. Kenigii chiefly in being more de-

cidedly pubescent.

344 Rev. J. S. Henslow on the Native Plants

11. Guettarda speciosa.—Largest leaves eleven inches long,

and nine broad. Corolla with seven or eight segments. Sta-

mens 7—8. Ovary seven cells with a pendulous ovary in each.

Stigma eight rays. Pollen intermixed with numerous fibres

(pollen tubes ?).

“The flowers possess a delightful perfume.”—C. Darwin.

12. Cordia orientalis.—“ The settlers have named this

Keeling-teak, because it furnishes them with excellent timber.

They have built themselves a vessel with it. A large tree,

abounding in some of the islands, very leafy, with scarlet

flowers; but only a few blossoms were expanded at the time,

and they easily fell off.’—C. Darwin.

13. Tournefortia argentea.—Cyme ten inches long, bearing

both flower and fruit. Leaves oblong and obovate-oblong,

attenuated below.

“ A moderate sized tree, with small white flowers, ng com-

mon.”—C, Darwin.

14, Dieliptera Burmanni, var.?—Some of Nees von Esen-

beck’s species (in Wallich’s Pl. As. Rar. vol. iii. pp. 111, 112,)

run so closely together, that it is difficult to say whether he

would have referred these specimens to Burmanni or not. I

will here subjoin a full description of them, and it may serve

future observers in either extending the character of Burmanni,

or of reuniting with it some of the other forms now considered

to be distinct species, but formerly combined under the name

of Justicia chinensis.

Radix annua ramosa. Caulis obsoleté tetragonus. Folia inferiora 4 pol-

lices longa, 2} lata, petiolo unciali, subglabra strigosave, subtis pal-

lidiora, cum caule lineolata; foliorum margines pilis minutis appressis

tectz, et basim versus aliquando piloso-ciliate. Axille plerumque flo-

riferee. Pedunculi4—6 in quave axilla seriatim dispositi, 1—2 lineares,

majores interiores. Capitula 1—2-flora. Bractee primariz (sive um-

bellarum) plerumque subulato-cuspidate, pungentes, 6-lineares; ali-

quando inter umbellas inferiores eAdem secundariarum forma, sed ma-

jores et. foliaceze. Bractex secundarie (sive capitulorum) vel subspa-

thulatz vel obovate vel lanceolate vel lato-ovate, basi pallidiori atte-

nuato, nervo medio valido, in apicem cuspidato-mucronatum excurrente,

hirsutz, pilis longis articulatis glandulisque interjectis ciliate. Bractez

tertiarie (sive florum bracteole) bine setacex, calyce sublongiores.

Calyx subsessilis minutus 5-partitus, laciniis subsetaceis, bracteolisque

hirsute et ciliate. Corolla 7-linearis, tubo pallido, limbo roseo bila-

of the Keeling Islands. 345

biato, labio superiore breviter 3-dentato, inferiore obsoletissime 2-den-

tato, externe pubescens. Capsula orbicularis, tomentosa, compressa

ungue brevi dorsaliter compresso. Semina duo, orbicularia, compressa,

muricata, primum pallide denique autem saturatissime brunnea.

15. Ochrosia parvifiora.—This is unquestionably the Cer-

bera parviflora of Forster Prod. n. 121., as Mr. Brown showed

me by comparison with the original specimens in the Bri-

tish Museum; but Dr. Hooker’s C. parviflora, in Beechy’s ©

Voyage, p. 90, is certainly a distinct species, as I have ascer-

tained by an examination of his specimens, kindly forwarded

to me for comparison with Mr. Darwin’s. Dryander, in

the Linn. Trans., vol. il. p. 227, asserts that he had compared

Forster’s specimens of C. parviflora with Commerson’s of

Ochrosia borbonica, and found them to be the same species.

This has been since disputed. I have specimens of Och. un-

dulata from Mauritius, labelled by Bojer as the “ Bois jaune”

of that island, which appears to identify that species with

Jussieu’s Och. borbonica. There is some obscurity in the de-

scriptions hitherto given of the fruits of Cerbera, Ochrosia

and Tanghinia, and I had hoped to have been able to have

inserted here my own observations on them, but I must defer

them until I have time to clear up one or two points about

which I am doubtful. I should feel much obliged in the

mean time to any botanist who can furnish me with specimens

of the fruit of these, or any allied genera, for dissection. Mr.

Darwin’s specimens were accompanied by the following note :

“Forms straight handsome trees, with smooth bark, which

are commonly dispersed two or three together. The fruit is

bright green, like that of the walnut.” Two specimens of this

fruit were brought home, and though Mr. Darwin feels con-

fident that he gathered them, and, as he believes, from the

same tree which bore flowers at the time, yet it has been sup-

posed that they must belong to a species of Cerbera, and not

to an Ochrosia which this plant seems to be; and I shall there-

fore defer their description for the present, merely intimating

that I believe them to be identical with the Cerbera platy-

sperma of Gertner. The following is a detailed description

of the flowering specimens from Keeling.

Folia subternata (quorum longiora ciim petiolo sesquipedalia, limboque

decem pollices longo sex lato), oblonga vel obovato-oblonga, subacumi-

346 Rev. J. S. Henslow on the Native Plants

nata, basi parum attenuata, subcoriacea, integerrima, glabra, subtus

pallidiora, venis secundariis transversis parallelis, numerosis, superné

incurvantibus. Pedunculi axillares vel foliorum abortione extra-axil-

lares et terminales, sub-ternatim verticillati, petiolis longiores superné

di-tri-chotomi. Flores breviter pedicellati bracteis binis suffulti, densé -

corymbosimque dispositi. Calyx parvus 5-partitus. Corolla semiun-

cialis fauce parum inflata, limbo quinquifido. Stamina 5, antheris

acuto-ovatis, filamentis brevibus. Pistillum é carpellis ducbus in ova-

rium biloculare primum accretis, subitd in drupellas duas sex ovulatas

segregans; ovulis 2—4 solummodo maturascentibus ?

16. Panicum sanguinale, var.?.—i quote this species with

doubt, because the only specimen has the spikes half starved

and the spikelets not fully matured. It has much the habit

of P. pruriens of Trinius Gram. Icones, with a trailing stem

of four feet, but the glumes have the relative proportions

ascribed to P. sanguinale, and the margins of the superior one

are very hirsute. There are thirteen spikelets, but three or

four towards the summit are quite abortive. They are ar-

ranged in two whorls of four in each ; one is below the lowest

whorl, and the other four are scattered between the two

whorls. As Decaisne gives’'P. sanguinale as a Timor plant,

the present may the more probably be only a form of this.

17. Stenotaphrum lepturoide. Plate XII.

Spiculis subduabus alternatim dispositis, und rachi sessili, alteré pedun-

culata, foliis lanceolatis lineari-lanceolatisque.

Mr. Brown showed me a single specimen of this grass among

Forster’s specimens of Lepturus repens in the British Mu-

seum, and the general resemblance which it may be consi-

dered to bear to that plant has induced me to give it the spe-

cific name of lepturoide. It departs from the generic charac-

ter of Stenotaphrum, given in Kunth’s Agrostographia, in not

having the spikelets arranged unilaterally, and in the rachis

of the spike being terete or very nearly so; but in all essen-

tial points it is truly a Stenotaphrum, as the following detailed

description will be sufficient to show.

Culmi pedales et ultra, ramosi, procumbentes vel superné solummodo

ascendentes, plerumque fertiles, glabri, compressi, nodis brunneis.

Folia lanceolata vel lineari-lanceolata, acuta, plana, nervis 9 subpromi-

nulioribus, intermedio subtus validiore, membranaceo-rigida, utrinque

glabra, marginibus obsoleté scabriusculis, 1—2 poll. longa, 1;—-3 lin.

lata. Vagine ad basim fissee, marginibus primim ciliato-pilosis, ore

pilosiore, unipollicares, plerumque solute. Ligule obsolete, vel in

lacinias breves resolute. Spice in apice ramorum solitarie, basi ¢

TSE Nn ea

Ain Vite Aest Voc lL Pt Al,

Stercotiaphs tae Cepeur owe. Z

AS. Benslorw, dele

Stra, lethr-

ame ee

as pein aches eres

25 A

of the Keeling Islands. 347

summa vagina exsertd, subincurvantes, 3—4 poll. longe; rachi tereti,

vel paululum compressa (fig. 1.) acuta, interné spongiosa, vix lineam

lata, pro insertione spicularum utrinque excavaté. Spicule per binas

(fig. 1.) (vel inferne per ternas), quarum una sessilis, altera pedicellata

(figs. 2, 3.), ovato-oblongz, linez dimidio longiores, biflorz, flore in-

feriori unipaleaceo (figs. 6,7.) neutro; superiori hermaphrodito (fig. 8.)

bipaleaceo. Glumz duz subzequales (figs.4, 5.) concave, enervie,

membranacez, glabrze, spiculé quadruplo breviores, ovato-ellipticze, ex-

terioris (fig. 4.) apice sub-truncato eroso. Flos neuter é paled unica

ovato-elliptica dorso plana (fig. 6.), nervis 3 prominulis, medio sub-

carinante excurrente acuta, glaber, coriaceus, florem hermaphroditum

unilateraliter amplectens et paululum superans. Flos hermaphroditus

(fig. 8.) ovato-oblongus, sub-acuminatus, externe convexus, interne pla-

niusculus, pallidus, levis, glaber, paleis duobus, quarum inferior (fig. 9.)

oblongo-ovata, acuta, concava, trinervis, superiorem amplectens, mem-

branaceo-chartacea ; superior (figs. 10, 11.) ovata, binervis, concava,

dorso (fig. 10.) planiuscula, marginibus inferne inflexis. Squamule

(lodiculze) (fig. 12.) duze anticz, collaterales, truncato-lineares, ovario

longiores. Stamina 3, antheris (fig. 13.) lineari-oblongis. Ovarium

(fig. 15.) oblongum, apice in stylos duos elongatos attenuatum. Stig-

mata stylis duplé breviora, plumosa, pilis brevioribts, simplicibus, hya-

linis. ,

18. Lepturus repens.—“ Occurs in salt places, in the inte-

rior of the islands.”——-C. Darwin.

19. Cocos nucifera.—Although no specimen of this was

brought home, yet as the Keelings are also called Cocos

Islands, and as they have been recently colonized for the ex-

press purpose of trading in the oil and fruit, we may safely

assert it to be abundant.

20. Hypnum rufescens.—The specimens were submitted to

Dr. Hooker, who remarks, “In a very indifferent state cer-

tainly, but I think it may safely be referred to H. rufescens,

Hooker and Arnott, of Bot. of Beechy’s Voyage, page 76, t.

19. It is in a younger and greener state.”

21. Polyporus lucidus.—These were sent to Mr. Berkeley

with a query, whether they might not be P. australis; to which

he replies, “I have no doubt your fungus is P. ducidus. I have

before me specimens of precisely the same thing from Mau-.

‘ritius, together with a distinct variety resembling, I should

imagine, P. australis. That, however, is a perennial species,

and the substance is very hard; whereas your plant is at most

biennial, and the substance soft and spongy.”

348 Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Ireland.

XXXVIII.—On Fishes new to Ireland. By Wit.1am

Tompson, Esq., Vice-President of the Natural History

Society of Belfast.

In the course of a communication which I had the honour of

bringing before the Zoological Society of London, on the 13th .

of June, 1837, were a number of fishes new to Ireland, but

which, being known as British species, were introduced in

little more than a catalogue form, and so published in the

Proceedings of the Society. As the species are chiefly rare,

the following notes respecting them are brought together, in

the hope that they may prove acceptable for this publica-

tion.

TrigLa Cucutvus, Bloch*. T. Buocui, Yarr., Red Gur-

nard.—Of this gurnard, two small specimens, taken at

Youghal, county Cork, early in the summer of 1835, have,

along with many other fishes from the same locality, been

kindly submitted to my examination by Robert Ball, Esq., of

Dublin. |

They are respectively 3 and 33 inches in length. The num-

ber of rays in their fins are

D. 8—19; P.10, and 3; V.1/5; A. 18 (and 19) ;

C. 10 (and 11).

A black spot is conspicuous from 3rd to 5th ray of 1st D.

fin. P. fins extending so far as to be on a line with the ori-

gin of A. fin}. Dorsal spines, 27. Lateral line strongly ser-

rated. “Whole body rough” (as described by Montagu, Wern.

Mem., v. ii. p. 459) in consequence of spinous scales. Other

characters as given by Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist.des Pois.

t. iv. p.68,69: in this work the relative length of the 1st

and 2nd rays of the 1st D. fin is not mentioned {, nor is it in

* The 7. Cuculus, Bl., appears inadvertently in Mr. Templeton’s cata-

logue of ‘Irish Vertebrate Animals’ (Mag. Nat. Hist., N.S., vol. i. p. 409),

the species meant being the 7. pini, Bl.

; These are generally described as not reaching so far as the vent, but

their superior length in the present instance is probably consequent on the

specimens being so young, as in several other genera of fishes I have re-

marked the P. fins in very young individuals to be much longer proportion-

ally than they are in adult specimens.

+ Notwithstanding the trouble taken by Cuv. and Val. in clearing up the

synonyma of the Zrigl@, and which has been so ably done, there is still a

little confusion in one point respecting this species. At p. 70 itis remarked

that Risso has well described it; yet, on a comparison instituted between the

Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Ireland. 349

the descriptions of Bloch, Montagu, Fleming, or Jenyns. Mr.

Yarrell not having a specimen for examination, states on the

authority of Risso “ that the first spinous ray of the first dorsal

fin is the longest” (Brit. Fish. v.i. p.51), and so figures it;

but in both the specimens under consideration, the 2nd ray of

that fin is longest, thus corresponding in this important cha-

racter with Pennant’s figure of the species. See Red Gur-

nard in Brit. Zool., v. iii. pl. 57. ed. 1776, and pl. 66, ed. 1812.

In the Magazine of Natural History for September 1836

(p. 463) Mr. Couch has given “a description of the character-

istics,of a kind of Trigla, hitherto confounded with 7. Blochii.”

As it is from the description only of this species that the opi-

nion of Mr. Couch was formed, it may be stated, as affording

additional evidence of the correctness of his views, that after

a critical comparison of the specimens under consideration

with his description, I am satisfied—although the great dis-

parity in size between the English and Irish specimens may

be considered insufficient to warrant such a conclusion—that

they are distinct.

The more prominent differences are—in the form of the

snout; in the body of my specimens being very much rougher

than that of 7. Hirundo, with which Mr. Couch’s fish agrees

in this respect; in their lateral line being strongly and acutely

serrated, although in the individual described by this gentle-

man, it “ is but faintly though distinctly roughened.”

Finally, it may be observed, with reference to this last fish

being “hitherto confounded with T. Blochii,” that the exami-

nation of my specimens convinces me that the T. Cuculus of

Bloch, Cuvier, Pennant*, Montagu, Fleming and Jenyns re-

7. Cuculus and T. Gurnardus, there is nothing said of a difference in the

length of the rays of the Ist D. fin. The “ exactitude” of Pennant is at the

same time acknowledged, although he represents the 2nd ray of this fin to

be the longest, as Risso does the Ist. From this I should infer that Risso’s

character of “radiis pinna dorsali anteriore longissimus” has been over-

looked. And besides, Bloch’s figure of the 7. Cuculus, exhibiting the 1st

and 2nd rays of this fin of equal length, is criticised by Cuv. and Val., and

no remark made upon this discrepancy. Neither in Bloch’s description is

it stated that this species differs from other 7rigle in the relative length of

these fin-rays.

* Between the figures and descriptions of Bloch and Pennant there is

some disparity ; the latter author describes two spines on each side of the

snout, the former. four, which number my specimens possess. Bloch de-

scribes the lateral line as consisting of “ écailles épaisses, larges,” &c., which

mine exhibit; whilst Pennant observes that “the side-line [is] nearly

350 Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Treland..

presents but one species; that Mr. Yarrell’s 7. Blochii, ex-

cepting what is borrowed from Risso, is also identical, and,

judging from Mr. Couch’s description, that his Trigla is a dif-

ferent species. |

Muait Cuexo, Cuyv., Thick-lipped Gray Mullet.—On en-

deavouring, in the spring of 1835, to identify the common

mullet of Ireland with Cuvier’s species in the ‘ Régne Ani-

mal,’ I perceived its agreement with the few characters there

attributed to M. Chelo, but before recording it as this spe-

cies, awaited a comparison with a more detailed description.

This has since been afforded me in the ‘ Histoire des Pois-

sons’ of the same illustrious author; and, together with the

" accompanying figure illustrative of the head of M. Chelo, con-

firms, beyond a doubt, the identity of the species. |

In the justly valued works of Yarrell* and Jenynst, Mr.

Couch is mentioned as the only naturalist who has noticed

the appearance of the M. Chelo on the British coast ; but in a

review of the ‘ British Fishes’ in the Magazine of Zoology and

Botany, it is remarked, “ The thick-lipped grey mullet, reck-

oned so rare by Mr. Yarrell, as to have been seen only once

by Mr. Couch, is the common species on the eastern shores

of Scotland, where we believe his grey mullet is not known at

all, or is at least far from common. At the mouths of rivers

the former is taken in considerable numbers in autumn.” Vol.

i. p. 390. Every mullet that I have had the means of exa-

mining at Belfast, since first giving attention to them in March

1835, was of this species, as were likewise the only two indi-

viduals that I have seen from the southern coast of Ireland.

These are in the collection of Mr. R..Ball, of Dublin, and

were taken at Youghal in the county of Cork.

As information on the history of this species, at least as di-

stinguished from others, is very scanty in all the British and

continental works I have had the opportunity of consulting,

I have thought proper to enter into the following detail.

Notwithstanding the great increase of shipping of late years

at Belfast, the mullet is as plentiful in the bay as it was ever

known to be by the few persons engaged in its capture. By

smooth.” Bloch again describes the caudal fin as forked, and figures it very

much so; Pennant states that it is “almost even at the end,” which it is in

the individuals under consideration. Ve

* History of British Fishes. + Manual of British Vertebrate Animals.

Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to freland. 351

much the greater number are taken here in trammel or set-

nets, but at low water the sweep or draught-net is used in the

gullets*, and also, in addition to the former kind, is employed

in fishing for them within the flow of the tide in the river’

Lagan. They are generally sought for from about the middle

of March until the beginning of October, and are occasionally

taken before and after these periods. They probably never mi-

grate far, as in two different years, in the month of January,

dead individuals were washed ashore in the bay. The fishers

are, for their own sake, entirely guided by the weather, which

must be moderate, it being by night that the mullet is taken in

the greatest numbers, as, by reason of the darkness, they can-

not by leaping over it so well avoid the fatal net, though even

then they occasionally so escape. In clear moonlight, and by.

day, fish of every size often clear the net, sometimes springing

five and six feet over it, and when one has set the example

nearly all are sure to follow it: having surmounted the meshy

barrier, they sometimes take two or three-additional leaps, and

skim the surface beautifully before again subsiding beneath it.

In the stillness of the night, it is said, that by leaping and

plunging about, they make the water seem quite alive. In the

bright sunny days of summer, which they evidently much en-

joy, a whole shoal of mullet occasionally exhibit their dorsal

fins above the surface of the water, and when there are neither

nets nor other objects to obstruct them, may, in playfulness,

be seen springing a few feet into the air. This generally oc-

curs at high-water, when they appear to be more intent on

roving about than feeding, and penetrate as far up the river

as the tidal wave will bear them: at such times they have fre-

quently been captured in May’s dock, within the town of

Belfast.

Of their time of spawning I cannot speak with certainty,

nor have any individuals that came under my observation from

March till September been in the least degree spent by it, all

being firm and well-formed fish. When, on the 3rd of Janu-

* These are narrow and often deep channels of water intersecting the

banks over which the tide flows. In using the draught-net here, the smaller

fish in leaping over it sometimes alight on the banks—at this time dry—to

their destruction.

352 Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Ireland.

ary, 1835, in search of marine productions outside the entrance

to Strangford Lough, county Down, and accompanied by Mr.

Hyndman, a specimen of this mullet, under 2 inches in length,

was captured, and in the middle of September I have seen

others of 9 inches in length.

They are chiefly found in the most oozy parts of the bay,

and where the grass-wrack (Zostera marina) is abundant. In

search of food they make considerable excavations, which the

fishers distinguish by the name of mullet-holes*. The very

few Basse (Labrax Lupus, Cuv.) taken in Belfast bay—seldom

more than a single individual at a time—are generally cap-

tured along with M. Chelo, and are hence called “ white mul-

let” and “king of the mullet”; the largest known to me as

The species of fish frequenting the coasts of Down and An-

trim may be stated, in general terms, commonly to attain

the extreme size with their kindred in the Mediterranean,

and the M. Chelo proves not an exception, as specimens taken

in Belfast bay have considerably exceeded in this respect any

of those I find recorded to have been obtained in more south-

ern seas. The ordinary weight is from 24 to 5lbs,; the

largest procured by the respective mullet-fishers (all intelligent

men of other occupations, and who pursue this chiefly as a

pastime) have varied from 8 to 123 lbs. The heaviest of which

I have heard, was taken in the day-time, by my relative,

Richard Langtry, Esq., and, being accurately weighed, proved

to be 142 lbs.: this gentleman has likewise captured several

of 9 and one of 10 lbs. weight.

I shall here condense a series of observations made on this

species at Belfast during the last three years. It will be seen

that it is not obtained in any great quantity. On the 25th

of March, 1835, about sixty individuals taken in the bay, and

the first this season, were brought to market, where nearly all

* Pennant observes, that the grey mullet “ keep rooting like hogs in the

sand or mud, leaving their traces in form of large round holes.”’ Brit. Zool.,

vol. iii. p. 437, ed. 1812.

+ Risso states that they attain the weight of 8 Ibs. Cuv. and Val., jud-

ging from the size of the head, as represented in a collection of Spanish en-

gravings, consider that the M. Chelo may attain two feet in length, t. xi.

p- 51.

Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Lreland. 353

of them were alive when I saw them, though none had been

less than three hours out of the water ; they were from 16 to

20 inches in length. On the 27th and 28th larger fish were

captured; several of equal length—2 feet—that I had weighed,

were 53, 6, 64, 7 and 8 lbs., thus showing that the weight is

rather a consequence of depth than length: all were equally

firm and solid. About the ist of May this year the greatest

number occurred ; in one net 7 cwt. were procured at a single

draught, and on the same night about 9 cwt. by another boat.

They were sold at 4d. per pound to the fish-vendors in the

market, and retailed at 6d.; at these rates they have been

throughout the season. The best fish brought in by the one

boat weighed 7 lbs., by the other 11lbs. 12 oz., being the

largest example obtained this year.

In 1836 the first mullet were taken on the 18th of March.

The greatest quantity obtained any night during this year

was on the 11th of April, when 2 cwt. was procured by one

boat, and at the same time upwards of 21 cwt. by another.

On the 13th of May many fine fish were taken ; one which I

weighed was 83 lbs., and several more, judging from appear-

ance, were not less; these were about 2 feet long, and some

individuals, apparently not heavier, were somewhat above this

length. On the 12th of August a quantity was taken. On

September the 13th I saw a few specimens about 9 inches long,

on the 16th many of ordinary size, and on the 22nd several

about.a foot in length. With reference to the small fish, it

must be remarked, that individuals of herring-size form part

of the shoals in spring, but in the set-nets used at that period

none under 2 lbs. are “ meshed.” The smaller ones are all

taken in draught nets, employed at a later period of the year.

The largest fish obtained this season weighed 12} lbs. They

were sold regularly at the same prices, wholesale and retail, as

in 1835.

Towards the end of July, 1837, I on different occasions saw

specimens about a foot in length, which were taken in the river

_ Lagan, and with them, young herrings (C. Harengus), from

4 to 5 inches long, were captured. The greatest quantity of

mullet secured this year at one draught was ninety-two fish,

weighing 3 ewt.: they were obtained on the 10th of August.

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.1. No.5. July 1838. 2A

354 Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Ireland.

Until the 22nd of September mullet were brought to market,

and on this occasion in large quantity. The best fish of 1837

was about 10lbs. weight. During these three years the

largest captures were all made about Garmoyle, a deep por-

tion of the bay, about three miles from town. This fish is

sought for only with nets. An acquaintance out eel-spearing

in the bay once struck and secured with his spear a mullet of

5 lbs. weight, as it was swimming on the surface of the water.

With reference to European mullets generally, it is re-

marked in the Hist. des Pois. of Cuv. and Val.: “ Les anciens,

qui donnaient a tout une couleur poétique, ont en conséquence

fait du muge le plus innocent, le plus juste des poissons ; tout

au plus mangerait-il ceux qu’il trouverait morts,” t. xi. p. 77.

Mr. Couch, apparently from his own observation, says of the

M. Capito, “it is indeed the only fish of which I am able to

express my belief that it usually selects for food nothing that

has life.” Yarr. Brit. Fish. vol. i. p. 204. With the WM. Chelo

it is however far otherwise, as the contents of the stomachs I

have examined at various seasons, presented, from the minute

size of the objects, many hundred-fold greater destruction of

animal life than I have ever witnessed on a similar inspection

of the food of any bird or fish. From a single stomach I have

obtained what would fill a large-sized breakfast cup of the fol-

lowing species of bivalve and univalve mollusca (which had

been taken alive) —Mytilus edulis, Modiola Papuana (of these

very small individuals), Kellia rubra, Skenea depressa, Litto-

rina retusa, Rissoa labiosa and R. parva, Serpule and Mi-

liole. Of these moliusca, specimens of Rissoa labiosa, three

lines in length, were the largest, and the Kellia rubra, from the

smallest size to its maximum of little more than a line dia-

meter, the most abundant. In the profusion of specimens it

affords, the stomach of one of these mullets is quite a store-

house to a conchologist. In addition to these were various

species of minute crustacea. The only inanimate matter that

appeared, were fragments of Zostera marina and Conferve,

which were probably taken into the stomach on account of

the adhering mollusea. To this nutritious food may perhaps

be attributed the great size this fish attains in Belfast Bay.

In the ‘ Régne Animal?’ (t. ii. p. 232, 2nd ed.) Pennant’s

Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Ireland. 355

figure of the grey mullet in his British Zoology is referred to

as M. Capito, but in the ‘ Hist. des Pois.’ of Cuv. and Val. (t. xi.

p: 66.) it is believed to represent M. Chelo. In this last work

Donovan’s figure of the mullet (Brit. Fish. pl. 15.) is consi-

sidered a very good representation of M. Chelo, With this

opinion I fully coincide, although Yarrell and Jenyns refer to

both figures as M. Capito*. The descriptions of Pennant and

Donovan throw no light upon the subject, nor are we informed

whence the specimens were obtained that served for their il-

lustrations. Pennant’s figure exhibits the longitudinal lines

reaching about as far as they generally do in M. Chelo; but

Donovan, on the other hand, portrays them as extending to

of the form of the operculum and mouth, his figure represents

this species. I may add, that its greater than ordinary depth,

which induced Mr. Yarrell to remark that the proportions of

Donovan’s grey mullet approach “more closely to those of

M. curtus than to those of the common grey mullet of this

country” (Brit. Fish. vol. i. p.211,) seems not to me, from the

great diversity of depth in different ARO HRN to militate

against its being the M. Chelo.

The following is a description of a specimen eectioniived on the

21st of July. Total length, 22 inches; greatest depth, 51 in. ;

thickness, 31 in.; weight. 5lbs. D.4—1/8; A.2/9; P.17;

V. 1/5; C. 14.—Br. 6. In form it well agrees with the de-

tailed description of Cuv. and Val., t. xi. p. 51, e¢ seg.t The

colour of the back is, as there described, of a fine steel blue ;

thence it becomes gradually lighter towards the under surface,

which is pure opake white, glossed with silver; a blackish line

extends throughout the centre of the first ten rows of scales,

ending with the row beneath the base of the P. fin, and giving

to the fish its lineated appearance. Entire top of the head and

upper lip greyish black ; sides of the head just behind the eyes

deep gold. colour ; lower part of the head or base of the oper-

cula pure white; irides purplish black ; outer base of P. fin,

* Mr. Yarrell has taken it for granted that the Irish mullet is of this spe-

cies, vol. i. p. 202.

+ The scales generally agree in every particular with the description at

p. 52, but some do not either in proportion or sculpture.

2a?

356 Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Ireland.

and the body above and below it, tinged with gold, remainder

of the P., the D., C., and A. fins greyish black, the last be-

coming lighter noatettntes V. fins white, tinged with very

pale flesh colour.

This specimen accords with the description extracted by

Mr. Yarrell from the ‘ Fauna Italica,’ with one exception—

“the rays of the spiny D. fin [are there stated to be] longer

than half the depth of the body.” Vol. i. p. 208. In this indi-

vidual they are only + of its depth. In another specimen 20

inches long, the 1st and 2nd D. rays are equal, and 12 inch’

long, the depth of the fish. being about 5 inches. In an in-

dividual of 11 inches the 2nd D. ray is equal to -one-half the

depth, and in one of 10 inches is as 1 to 24. -Owing to this

species varying very considerably in depth, as elsewhere shown,

this must necessarily be a very uncertain character.

From the statistical surveys of counties and other sources,

we learn that mullet are taken in suitable localities around

the whole coast of Ireland ; but whether they be all of one ee

cies remains a question for future investigation. :

GoBIUS GRACILIS, Jenyns, Slender Goby.—Upon exami-

nation of eighteen specimens—seven from the coast of Down,

six from Louth, and five from Cork—of the Godius which until

lately has been considered G. minutus, I found one individual

from Down and another from Louth to be the G. gracilis of

Mr. Jenyns, (p.387.) These specimens are distinguished from

those of the G. minutus by having the “ rays of the 2nd dorsal

longer ; these rays also gradually éncreasing in length instead

of decreasing, the posterior ones being the longest in the fin ;”

and by having the “rays of the anal in like manner longer

- than in the G. minutus;” also. in “the anal and ventral fins,

which are dusky, approaching to black in some places, instead

of plain white, as in the G. minutus.” In addition to this differ-.

ence in the colour of the fins, my specimens of G. gracilis have

more black on the body generally than those of G. minutus,

being so different in this respect as to have attracted my at-

tention when they were first obtained.

CRENILABRUS RUPESTRIS, Selby, Jago’s Goldsinny.—See

Zoological Proceedings for 1837, p. 57, and Magazine of Zo-

ology and Botany, vol. ii. p. 445. :

Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Ireland. 357

Saumo Eriox, Linn., Bull Trout.—Dec.3,1836. In Belfast

market I selected from a basket filled with sea trout (S. Trutta),

in high condition, three specimens of S. Eriox, which were

taken along with them in the sea at Donaghadee in the county

of Down. Their length is from 19} to 21 inches ; weight of

each about 22 Ibs. Two are males, having the lower jaw very

slightly hooked*, the otheris a female ; the operculum differs

much in the sexes; teeth on the vomer of one male and the

female three in number, in the other male four; teeth gene-

rally much smaller in the female than in the males. Fin-rays

with one or two exceptions are in the three specimens—D. 14,

P. 14, V. 10, A.11, C. 19. |

- In colour they are silvery grey, having but few spots (of the

form x xx and purplish black) above the lateral line and

scarcely any below it. Donovan’s Sewen (pl. 91.), with which

they are evidently identical, is a very characteristic figure.

These specimens differ only from it in having fewer spots

below the lateral line—but in this particular they accord not

with each other—and in the darkness of the blue he represents,

being relieved or lightened by asilvery cast}. The tail of the

sewen cannot be called incorrect from being forked, as when

unexpanded it appears slightly so in the present specimens,

although when fully spread out it is square. The female ex-

hibits over the body and operculum, &c. as many more spots

as the males—on her operculum are six round spots, on that

of the males two or three. Fins of the female coloured as in

the sewen, but in the males all darker; V. and A. dull pink or

flesh colour in thefemale; in the males the V. grey for two thirds

posteriorly, the A. entirely dark grey ; their other fins merely

of a darker shade than those of the female. Irides sil- |

very.

The ova in the female are very minute, being not more than

half the size of clover seed; the milt in the males occupies

twice its space. These latter not having any of the red mark-

ings said to distinguish the adult male, and the hook of the

* In the ‘ Fauna Boreali Americana’ it is remarked, that “ the hook of

the under jaw is very decided, even in a young Salmo Cambricus,” (Part 3.

p- 807,) but in the present instance the reverse appears.

¢ This observation is perhaps superfluous, as different copies of the work

may not invariably exhibit the same shade of colours.

358 Mr. Thompson on Fishes new to Ireland.

lower jaw being so slightly developed, taken in connection

with the internal appearance of both sexes, lead to the con-

clusion that they would not have bred for another year. In

the stomach of one was a sand eel (Ammodytes Lancea) three

inches long, and in another a large piece of the marine plant

(Ceramium rubrum).

Gapus Cauuarias, Linn. Dorse—An examination of

the fishes before mentioned as taken on the coast of Cork and

forwarded for my inspection by Mr. R. Ball, enables me to

restore this species with certainty to the place it once held in

the British Fauna. Two small specimens thus received are

in length respectively 31 and 6 inches; in the latter the num-

ber of fin rays are D. 14, 18,18; A. 20,17; P.18; V.6;

C. 24.—Br. 7. In both individuals the 1st and 2nd rays of

the ventral fin are produced in slender filaments, of which the

second is the longer; eyes invested with a membrane as in

G. luscus, &c.; head to entire length as 1 to 3 in the larger,

as 1 to 33 in the smaller specimen ; no pores visible about the

mouth as in G. minutus. In other characters these indivi-

duals agree with the G. Callarias as described by Bloch and

Nillson, They were taken in sprat nets at Youghal in the

autumn of 1834, when a third specimen also occurred.

Subsequently I had the satisfaction of recognising a G, Cal-

larias among some native fishes presented by Mr, Wm. Mar-

shall (Memb, Nat. Hist. Society) to the Belfast Museum

without regard to species. Upon inquiry, I learned from

this gentleman that it had been captured by himself when

fishing in the month of June or July about the entrance to

Larne Lough, county of Antrim, and using the lug worm

(Lumbricus marinus) for bait. Its length is 8 inches. We

thus find that the species occurs both on the northern and

southern shores of Ireland.

Gapbus MiINuTUS, Linn. Poor.—Amongst some fishes taken

in a trawl net by Mr. Hyndman in Belfast Bay in the month

of September 1835, and kindly preserved for me, are three

individuals of this species, which as British has hitherto been

known only to the southern coast of England. These speci-

mens are under four inches in length ; their fin rays about the

number described by Mr. Jenyns, but it may be observed that

Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora. 359

in the Ist and 2nd D. fins the second ray is longest, in the

3rd D. fin, the third, fourth, and fifth rays are longest, and of

about equal length: in the Ist A. fin the rays gradually in-

crease in length posteriorly to the seventh, which, with the

eighth and ninth, are of about equal length. Tail slightly

forked, just as represented in both editions of Pennant’s Bri-

tish Zoology.

Feb. 19, 1836. In Belfast market I obtained a G. minutus

which was taken along with a quantity of atherines (4. Pres-

byter) in Strangford Lough. Its length is six inches; the

exact number of fin-rays are, D. 13, 24, 20; A. 27,22; P.14;

V.6; C. 20 (with many side rays).

Lateral line curved anteriorly for very nearly half its length,

remainder straight. Colour just as described by Bloch ; above

the lateral line pale yellowish brown, marked with extremely

minute black dots, below it silvery minutely dotted with black,

which latter marking prevails in the pectoral and anal fins ;

irides silvery ; tinged with black above.

In the same jar with the last-mentioned Gadus Callarias

were three specimens of G. minutus, which I learned from

Mr. Marshall were taken at the same time and place with it,

and with the same bait. The largest is 83 inches long, dia-

meter of its eye 8} lines. Jan. 12, 1838. I received a G. mi-

nutus 8 inches in length from Killough, on the coast of Down.

Among fishes from Youghal, submitted to my examination by

Mr. R. Ball, in July 1837, were two individuals of this spe-

cies, one 83 the other 10} inches in length.

The figures of G. Callarias and G. minutus in Mr. Yarrell’s

‘British Fishes’ are very characteristic; the curve of the

lateral line, however, approaches the tail more nearly in my

specimens of the latter than is represented in the figure—in

all of them about one half of this line is curved.

[To be continued. ]

XXXIX.—On the Ruizopyorrs. By G. A. WALKER

Arnott, Esq., LL.D., F.L.S., R.S.E.

Tue genus Rhizophora, as left by Linnzus and adopted by

De Candolle, ought to be rather considered a group of the

360 Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora.

order Rhizophoree, and to contain several distinct forms. The

group or sub-order may be defined as follows:

Calyx 4—12-fidus, persistens: zstivatio valvata. Petala sessilia 4—14,

calyci inserta ae ejus lobis alternantia. Stamina 8 vel plura, ibidem

inserta: filamenta disereta: antherze biloculares, longitudinaliter intus

dehiscentes. Discus carnosus inter ovarium et calycem, quandoque

inter ovarium et stamina in annulum brevem dentatum productus.

Ovarium plus minusve coherens, 2—4 loculare, loculis biovulatis, ra-

rius dissepimentis obsoletis uniloculare 6-ovulatum: ovula ad apicem

axis centralis suspense. Stylus unicus. Stigma 2—4-dentatum vel

simpliciusculum. Fructus coriaceus, unilocularis, monospermus, ad.

apicem, inchoante germinatione, embryonis radicula et tigello in cla-

vam longissimam productis perforatus. Semen pendulum. Albumen

nullum. Cotyledones plane. Radicula supera.—Arbores maritime

omnino fere tropicze, ramis oppositis. Folia simplicia, opposita, inte-

gerrima, coriacea, glabra. Stipulz interpetiolares, convolute, caducze.

Pedunculi axillares.

To the above De Candolle adds that the petals are furnished.

with zwo bristles or awns at the apex. In the particular spe-

cies he had examined there are three bristles, but in several.

others there are none whatever. His description of the sta-

mens and ovary is likewise too limited, and consequently in-

applicable to several species.

- In the ‘ Encyclopédie Méthodique’ and ‘ Illustrations des

Genres,’ Lamarck separated from the true species of Rhizo-

phora the R. gymnorrhiza under the name of Bruguieria.

This new genus was adopted in 1834, in the Prodr. Flor.

Penins. Ind. Or. 1. p. 311, by Dr. Wight and myself, with a

character in some respects too enlarged, and in others too re-

stricted, although suitable to the species we had then in view ;

but a few years previous (in 1827), Blume had also adopted

it in his ‘ Enumeratio Plant. Javee,’—a work with which we

were then unacquainted. Blume’s generic character of Bru-

guieria, applicable to the species from Java and the Moluccas,

differs in several points from what we proposed, and it be- —

comes therefore necessary to extend both a little, in order to

contain all the species.

Dr. Wight, in the course of some excursions he made to

the salt marshes in the neighbourhood of Quilon in Decem-

ber 1835 and June 1836, was so fortunate as to collect not —

only all the former species we described in the Prodromus,

Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora. 361

‘but one or two additional, specimens of all of which I have

since received from him. I shall therefore here endeavour to

give a synopsis of the genera and species of the whele group.

I. Rutzovuora, Lam., Kunth, Blume, W. & A.

Calyx 4-fidus; lacinie tubo 2—3-plo longiores. Petala 4 lanceolata:

acuminata apice nuda. Stamina 8—11, quorum 4 petalis opposita:

filamenta brevissima: anther magne, subsessiles, basi affixee, conni-

ventes, oblongo-lineares, acuminate, breviter cuspidate. Ovarium se-

miadherens, biloculare, 4-ovulatum, parte libera ovata carnosa solida,

sensim in stylum conicum brevem acuminata. Fructus subovatus, basi

calycis laciniis recurvis coronatus, tubo longior. -

Pedunculi 2—3-fidi vel dichotomi; calyx bractea cupulata suffultus.

‘Flores magni: alabastra ovoidea, levia.

§ 1. Stamina 8. Petala concava, coriacea, stamen unicum antepositum

foventia, versus margines induplicatos villosa.. Pedunculi ex axillis

foliorum hornotinorum orti, petiolis sublongiores, 2—3-fidi vel dicho-

tomi: flores plus minusve pedicellati.

1. R. Mangle (Linn.) ; foliis obovato-oblongis, obtusis. — «, pedunculis

2—3-floris, floribus sublonge pedicellatis, calycis laciniis triangulari-ob-

longis.—R. Mangle, Linn. Sp. P. 634 (ex parte); DC. Prod. IIT. p.

32; Vellox. Fl. Flum.v. t.1.—? pedunculis dichotomis.—R. racemosa,

- Meyer prim. Esseq. p. 185. DC. 1. ¢.

Hab. in America, et ? Africe oris occidentalibus.

I refer to the African locality with great doubt, not having

myself seen any specimens from that country. Brown, in his

appendix to Capt. Tuckey’s narrative of the expedition to the

river Congo, at p. 437, says: “Of Rhizophoree, as I have

formerly proposed to limit it, namely to Rhizophora, Brugui-

_eria, and Carallia, the collection contains only one plant,

which is a species of Rhizophora, the mangrove of the lower

part of the river, and probably of the whole line of coast, but

very different both from that of America, and from those ei-

ther of India or of other equinoctial countries that have been

described.” From which we learn two things, that Dr. Brown

considers that there is only one American species; and se-

condly, that the west African one is perfectly distinct from

it. On the other hand, Guillemin and Perottet say of the

African plant (Fl. Senegamb, i. p. 291): “ C’est bien la méme

espéce que celle qui croit si abondamment aux Antilles, au

Mexique, a la Louisiane, et au Brésil.” It is to be regretted

that neither of these botanists have given a complete descrip-

362 Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora.

tion from African specimens. Guillemin and Perottet quote

De Candolle’s specific character, “ pedunculis 2—3-floris, pe-

tiolo longioribus,” whence it appears to coincide in these re-

spects with the more common American form. From the

great general affinity, however, between the Senegambian

plants and those of East India, I would rather have supposed

the mangrove of the west of Africa to be allied to the next

species, but the leaves are said to be obtuse.

_ 2. R. mucronata, Lam.; foliis ovalibus longe cuspidatis, calycis laciniis

triangulari ovatis—R. mucronata, Lam. Enc. Méth. vi. p. 169; ill.

tab. 396. fig. 2. DC. 1, ¢.; Decaisne in Ann. Se. Nat.n. s.iv.p. 75.—

R. Mangle, Lin.? (ex parte). Roxb. Fl. Ind. ii. p. 459. Blum. en. Pl.

Jav. i, p. 91, (excl. syn.).—R. candelaria, Wall. Cat. n. 4878. Wight,

et Arn. Prod. Fl. Penins. I. O. i. p.310, (non DC.). Wight. Cat. n. 1041.

Hab. in insulis Mauritio, Madagascar, Ceylano, et Java, in Arabia Felice

prope Yemen (Bové, n. 230), Malabaria, ad ostia Gangis, ac verosi-

militer in aliis multis Indiz orientalis maritimis.

_ When the inflorescence is more divided, the pedicels are

conspicuous ; when reduced to three or five flowers, they are

usually very short. The specimens described by Roxburgh,

and those sent me from Quilon, belong to the latter form;

those from some other parts of the peninsula have the pedun-

cles as much and as loosely divided as in Lamarck’s figure of

the Mauritius plant. I have not seen a sufficient number of

both to enable me to ascertain if they be distinct varieties, or

if this difference be only accidental ; the pedicels, although evi-

dent, are usually shorter and thicker than those of R. Mangle.

This species takes the place of R. Mangle in India, and is

principally distinguished from it by the curious bristly point

of the leaves, formed not by the mere excurrent portion of

the midrib, but by a sudden contraction of the leaf itself. I

consider Lamarck’s plant to be the same as the Indian one,

notwithstanding that Lamarck does not describe the petals,

for what Poiret seems to take for them are the calyx-seg-

ments: in the ‘ Illust. des Genres’, the whole figures are not

explained; and it is not improbable, that what is represented

at letter g are the petals incorrectly split to the base, but

showing their ciliated margins. The Indian species does

grow in the Mauritius, which confirms this supposition; and

I have seen none but it from that island.

Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora. 363

Blume does not notice the woolly margin of the petals, and

the description in his generic character is applicable almost

solely to the next species. Wallich may have both in view

in his list of East Indian plants under No. 4878; but what I

have seen of that number belong exclusively to the present

species. |

§ 2. Stamina nunc 8, sepius 11—12. Petala plana, submembranacea,

glaberrima. Pedunculi petiolo multo breviores, ex axillis foliorum an-

notinorum orti, crassi, »pice sub-biflori : flores sessiles.

3. R. conjugata (Linn.); foliis oblongis subacuminatis longe cuspidatis.

Lin. Sp. p. 684; Fl, Ceyl. n.181; DC. 1. ¢. p.33; Wight. Cat. n. 2449.

Roxb. Hort. Beng. p. 36 (in fi. Indica omissa).—R. Candelaria DC.

l. c.—R. apiculata Blum. en. Pl. Jav.i. p. 91.—dtheed. H. Mal. vi. tab.

34. Rumph. Amb. iii. t. 71 et 72.

Hab. in insulis Ceylano et Java. In Malabaria prope Cochin, &c.

Rheede, Quilon; Wight.

Blume has referred the synonym of Rumph to his R. Man-

gle, but the peduncles are represented as extremely short, and

the petals appear to be glabrous, if these be what is meant by

*‘ staminibus quatuor aliis longioribus et incurvis supra florem

elevatis ;” but probably Rumph had both species in view, as

he says that the flowers are sometimes bigeminate, which has

more reference to R. mucronata. Rheede’s figure is a good

representation of R. conjugata, nor are the narrow glabrous

petals omitted by the artist ; but the description of the flower,

“ petalis lanuginosis hirsutisque,” is taken from the few-flow-

ered short-pedicelled form of R. mucronata.

I]. Ceriops, Arn.

Calyx 5-fidus ; lacinize tubo 2—3-plolongiores. Petala 5, ovalia, emargi-

nata, apice setigera, plana, ante anthesin stamina duo amplectentia.

Stamina 10, erecta; filamenta petalis subdimidio breviora: anther

cordato-ovate, obtusz, filamentis multo breviores, dorso paullo supra

basin affixe. Ovarium semiadherens, tri- (in una specie, forsan in

omnibus) loculare, 6-ovulatum, parte libera ovata carnosa solida apice

in stylum stamina superantem desinente, Stigma simpliciusculum.

Fructus subovatus, prope basin laciniis calycinis patenti-recurvis coro-

natus, tubo longior.

’ Pedunculi petiolum subequantes, cymum densiflorum subcapitatum ferentes.

Calyx bractea cupulata suffultus. Flores parvi, vix pisi magnitudine :

alabastra subovoidea. Valde a Rhizophora differt hocce genus habitu,

364 Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora.

inflorescentia, floribus pentameris, petalis, staminibus, stigmate, et

(an semper?) ovario.

1. C. Candolliana (Arn.); foliis obovalibus vel obovatis obtusissimis pe-

talis margine glabris apice trisetis, setis clavatis. Wight. Cat. n. 2450.

—Rhizophora Timoriensis DC.? Prod. iii. p.32; Decaisne? Herb.

Timor. p.124—Bruguieria Arnottiana Wight. in Litt.

Hab. in oris Malabaricis prope Quilon; Wight, 1836. In insula Timor

(fide De Cand. et Decaisn.). ‘‘Careening bay” in Nova Hollandia ;

Cunningham (in Herb. Hook.).

DeCandolle describes this with only two bristles at the apex

of the petals; but in all the species S of Rhizophorece which

have terminal bristles I have uniformly found one in the fis-

sure, in addition to those on the lobes. Decaisne, indeed,

mentions that there are three bristles, and moreover gives a

detailed description, agreeing in almost every particular with

Dr. Wight’s specimens and those from New Holland; the

only difference is in the ovarium, which Decaisne says is

“ uniloculare (ante anthesin),” whereas in those I have exa-

mined, both previous to flowering and shortly after fecunda-

tion, it is when uninjured certainly trilocular. Although I

feel almost certain about the identity of DeCandolle’s plant

with mine, I have preferred changing the specific name of

Timoriensis to one in honour of the original describer, partly

on account of the alleged difference of structure of the ovary,

and partly from the extensive geographical distribution the

plant enjoys.

2. C. Roxburghiana (Arn.) foliis obovalibus obovatisve obtusissimis, pe-

talis inferne glabris versus apicem setoso-ciliatis, setis (sub 7) validis.

—Rhizophora decandra Roxb. Hort. Beng. p.36; in cet. Merc. Ind.

Mus. tab. 1140 (in flor. Ind. omissa); Wail, ae n. 4875 ; Herb. Ham.

n. 1109.

' Hab. Ad ostia Gangis ; Goodlad ; Hamilton. Penang, Martaban, Tavoy,

&c. (fide Wallich.)

In the copy which I have seen of Roxburgh’s drawing re-

ferred to above, the petals appear ciliated with scattered long-

ish hairs or bristles round the whole margin ; but this is pro-

bably a mistake, for in the specimens I have examined of

Wall. Cat. n. 4875 a, and which were collected by Hamilton

in the locality from which Roxburgh obtained his, the petals

are only furnished towards the apex with about three stout

Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora. 365

bristles of equal thickness on each side, giving to them a pal-

mate appearance ; indeed the bristles resemble in miniature

the fingers of a person’s hand, the hand itself being repre-

sented by the petals. In C. Candolliana there are never more

than three bristles, which are much thickened at the apex,

and taper towards the base.

Of Dr. Wallich’s n. 4875, I have also seen (in Herb. Hook.)

the letter 6 from Penang; but it is without flower or fruit.

It is probable that several species of the genus remain to be

described, and on that account I have given a fuller specific

character to both the above than was otherwise necessary.

III. Kanpe.ia, W. & A.

Calyx 5-fidus ; lacinize tubo 3—4-plo longiores, lineares, patentes. Petala

5, membranacea, glabra, basi linearia subcanaliculata, ultra medium bi-

fida, laciniis in fila plurima capillaria longa inzequaliter fissis. Stamina

petalorum numero 6—8-pla: filamenta subulato-capillaria, calycis

lacinias fere equantia: antherz oblonge, parve, obtusze, dorso paullo

supra basin affixee. Ovarium adherens, 1-loculare, 6-ovulatum. Stylus

filiformis, stamina subsuperans. Stigma 3-dentatum. Fructus oblongus,

basi laciniis calycinis patentibus coronatus, tubo multo longior.

Arbor parva. Folia anguste elliptico-oblonga, obtusa. Pedunculi petiolo

longiores, 2—3-chotomi, 4—9-flori. Flores majusculi, nune rarius

6-meri: alabastra prismatica. Calyx bractea cupulata suffultus. Em-

bryonis germinantis tigellus clavato-subulatus, acutissimus.

1. K. Rheedei, W.& A.,1. c.; Wight. Cat. n. 1042.—Rhizophora Candel,

Linn, sp. p. 634. DC.1.c.; Wall. Cat. n. 4876. Roxb. Hort. Beng.

p. 36 (in fl. Indica omissa) ; Herb. Ham. n. 1110.

Hab. ad oras Malabaricas preesertim australiores. Lheede, Klein, Wight.

Ad ostia Gangis. Hamilton.

IV. Broueuiertia, L’Her., Lam., Brown, Blume, W. & A.

Calyx 8—14-fidus: laciniz tubum turbinatum subzequantes. Petala ob-

longa, bifida, basi circa stamina duo anteposita arcte conduplicata vel

convoluta. Stamina petalorum numero dupla, biserialia, e petalis tan-

dem elastice dissilientia: filamenta petalis subdimidio breviora, inz-

qualia interioribus brevioribus : anthere lineares vel oblonge, acute,

basi affix. Ovarium adherens, 2—3—4-loculare, loculis 2-ovulatis.

Stylus filiformis, staminum longitudine: stigma 2—3—4-dentatum.

Fructus turbinatus, tubum calycis haud superans ac ejus laciniis apice

coronatus. Os

Pedunculi 1—3 vel pluriflori. Calyx basi nudus: alabastra fusiformia

vel ovoidea. |

366 Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora.

§ 1. Petala apice nuda.

Of this section I have not seen any specimens, and have

therefore taken the specific characters from Blume.

1. B. gymnorrhiza (Blume), “ foliis ovalibus acutis, petalorum laciniis

apice nudis, fructibus” (seu tigellis) ‘ cylindraceo-acutiusculis costatis.”

Blume en. Pl. Jav. i. p. 92 (non Lam., nisi quod ad fructum a Geertnero

mutuatum).—Rhizophora gymnorrhiza, Lin. sp. p. 634 (ex parte).

Gerin. fr. t. 45.—Mangium celsum, Rumph. Amb. iii. p. 102. t. 68.

Hab. in Java atque Moluccis. |

It is impossible to determine what species Linnzeus had most

in view, as he quotes both the figures of Rumphius and

Rheede’s H. Mal. vi. t. 31 and 32. From, however, its ha-

ving been ascertained that he possessed a copy of Rumphius

and not of the other, but derived his information respecting

the latter from Ray’s Historia Plantarum; and as Rumph’s

description of the naked roots, as well as Rheede’s, may have

given rise to the specific name, I gladly follow Blume in con-

sidering the present as the type of the Linnzan plant. Seve-

ral, if not all the species of the genus, but particularly B.

Rheedei, exhibit a similar structure in the lower part of the

stem ; so that upon the whole it would be preferable to adopt

the name of B. celsa, especially as Lamarck, who first described

the genus Bruguieria, and gave the name B. gymnorrhiza, did

so from the Malabar plant. Lamarck, however, confounded as

varieties several distinct species.

Unfortunately Blume’s descriptions of this and the follow-

ing are not sufficiently explicit to enable me to compare the

species with those I have myself examined; but Rumph de-

scribes or figures in the present one ten calyx segments erect

in fruit, ten petals glabrous on the margin, and one-flowered

peduncles. Geertner says that there are 12—14 incurved calyx

segments ; Blume, however, does not refer to Geertner.

2. B. cylindrica (Blume), “ foliis oblongis acuminatis, petalorum laciniis

apice nudis, fructibus’” (seu tigellis) “cylindraceis obtusis levibus.”’

Blume, 1. ¢. p.91 (excl. syn. Rheede).—Rhizophora cylindrica, Lin.

sp. p. 635 (ex parte).—Mangium digitatum, Rumph. Amb. iii. tab. 70.

Hab. in Moluccis et Java, &c.

If it were difficult to fix the Linnzan synonyms of the last,

it is more so of this ; for while on the one hand Linnzus only

saw Rumph’s figure, on the other, in the ‘ Species Plantarum,’

Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora. 367

he only quotes Malabar as its native country. As, however,

Blume first limited the species, I have allowed the name to

remain with the Molucca plant. Blume quotes Rheede’s H.

Mal. vi. t. 33, as well as Rumph’s figures, from which I pre-

sume that this species ought to be compared with B. malaba-

rica. |

In Rumph’s work there are some discrepancies between

the description and figure ; thus it is said that the calyx has

8—10 or 11 patent segments that are finally reflexed, while in

the figure there are at least 10 segments erect, even when in

fruit. The tigellus is said to be neither angled nor striated,

but is represented in the figure slightly furrowed. The pe-

duncles, according to both figure and description, are one-

flowered, which circumstance would seem to remove it from

B. malabarica and its allies.

§ 2. Petala apice setigera.

* Calycis lacinie 9—14, lineari-acuminate, apicem versus triquetre, fruc-

tiferze suberectze. Antherz lineares. Ovarium 3- (nunc 4-) loculare.

Pedunculi uniflori, cernui, folio breviores. Flores magni.

3. B, Rheedei (Blume?) foliis ovali-oblongis utrinque acuminatis, calyce

10—14- (szepius 12-) fido laciniis demum erectis vel subincurvis, petalis

ima basi villosulis alioquin glaberrimis laciniis acutis apice bisetis cum

seta quinta in fissura. Blume? l.c. p. 92.—B. gymnorrhiza, Lam. (quoad

flores) ill. ¢. 397. f. a,b, c, et forsan d—f. Herb. Ham. n.1111. Wight

et Arn. l.c. p. 311 (ex parte); Wight, Cat. n. 1043 (ex parte).—Rhi-

zophora gymnorrhiza Lin, sp. p.634 (ex parte). Roxb. £1. Ind. ii. p.460;

in cet. Merc. I. O. Mus. tab. 1246. Wall. Cat. n. 4874. Lour.? Coch.

(ed. Willd.) p.364.—Rheed. H. Mal. vi. t.31 et 32. Rumph. Amb.t, 69

(fide Blume ; itaque huc trahenda R. Palun, DC. 1. c.)

Hab. in Malabaria, Rheede, Wight. Ad ostia Gangis, Goodlad, Hamii-

ton. In Moluccis ac Java (fide Blumei). Cochinchina, Loureiro, In

Penang, &c., Wallich.

Tigellus subcylindricus, levis, utrinque acuminatus, in hac, et forsan in

aliis hujus subsectionis speciebus.

I feel uncertain if this be Blume’s plant, on account of his

teference to Rumph’s Hortus Ambomensis : according to that

work the peduncles are usually two-flowered, the calyx seg-

ments 5 in the description, or as many as 8 or 10 in the mi-

serable accompanying figure, and the germinating radicle or

tigellus cylindrical and striated, which is not the case with the

Malabar species.

368 Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora.

In the Prodr. Fl. Penins., Dr. Wight and I have blended

together two species, on the supposition that the two or three

imperfect flowers we had of the present one presented glabrous

petals only by the accidental abrasion of the marginal hairs

found in the other. A careful comparison, however, of

Rheede’s figure and Roxburgh’s excellent description, with

specimens of both sent me lately by Dr. Wight, induce me

now to separate the two. It is probable that Wallich’s Cat.,

n. 4784, contains more than one species. The plant from

Penang (f°) I have seen in Dr. Hooker’s Herbarium, but with-

out either flower or fruit; it may be B. gymnorrhiza of Blume.

4, B. Australis (Cunn.); foliis ovali-oblongis utrinque acuminatis, calyce

9—10-fido, petalis basi lanatis secus margines pilosis laciniis linearibus

obtusiusculis versus apicem sub-4-setis cum nona longiuscula in fis-

sura.

Hab. ad “ Moreton bay” Novze Hollandie, 4. Cunningham (in Herb.

Hook).

5. B. eriopetala (W. & A.); foliis ovali-oblongis utrinque acuminatis,

calyce sub 10-fido, petalis a basi ad apicem versus margines dense ar-

genteo-hirsutis laciniis obtusiusculis prope apicem unisetis cum seta

tertia longiuscula in fissura. Wight. Cat. n. 2451.—B. gymnorrhiza, W.

et A. l. c. (ex parte); Wight. Cat. n. 1043 (ex parte).

Hab. ad Quilon, Wight.

This and the two preceding have the same habit, and are

scarcely to be distinguished except by an examination of. the

petals: in the present species I find constantly ten calycine

segments, in B. Australis nine or ten, and twelve in B. Rheedei,

but these may be subject to a slight variation.

** Calycis laciniz 8, oblongo-lineares, planiuscule, fructiferee patentes.

Petala ad margines parce villosula, laciniis apice 3—4-setis cum seta

unica in fissura. Antherz lineari-oblonge. Ovarium 2—3-loculare.

Pedunculi pluriflori. Tigellus germinans subcylindricus, leviusculus.

6. B. caryophylloides (Blume) foliis ovalibus utrinque acutis, pedunculis

petiolo brevioribus 3- (nunc dichotome 5-) floris, calycis laciniis acutis,

ovario biloculare, tigello subclavato acutiusculo. Blume, l. c. p. 98.

—Rhizophora caryophylloides, Burm. Ind. p. 109. Jack, in Mal. Mise.

i. p. 34; in Hook. Bot. Misc. ii. p.80; Wall. Cat. n. 4879.—Rumph.-

Amb. iii. tab. 78.

Hab. in Singapore et Pulo-Penang, Jack. Circa Bataviam, Blume. In

Moluccis, Rumph.

This I have not seen. Jack describes its ovary as two-

Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora. 369

celled, while Blume attributes to the whole genus a three-

celled ovarium.

7. B. malabarica (Arn.) ; foliis elliptico-oblongis utrinque acuminatis, pe-

dunculis petiolum eequantibus apice trifloris, floribus arcte sessilibus,

ealycis laciniis obtusiusculis, ovario biloculari, tigello cylindrico demum

supra medium paullo attenuato obtuso. Wight. Cat. n. 2452.—Rhizo-

phora cylindrica, Lin. sp. p. 635 (ex parte). Rheed. Mal. vi. t. 33.

Hab. ad oras Malabarize, Rheede, Wight.

Both this and the preceding have the germinating tigellus

tapering slightly and obscurely angled towards the point. I

as yet know of no character to separate the two except the

narrower and more pointed leaves, and longer peduncles of

the Malabar plant. I have never, in the present one, observed

more or less than three flowers on each peduncle, but the two

lateral ones often drop off before expansion.

8. B. parviflora (Arn.) ; foliis elliptico-oblongis seu lato-lanceolatis, pe-

dunculis semel bisve trichotomis multifloris, ovario 3-loculari, tigello

subeylindrico, Roxb.—Rhizophora parviflora, Roxb. Fl. Ind. ii. p. 461.

—R. cylindrica Roxb. Hort. Beng. p. 36. Wall. Cat. n. 4877.

Hab. Ad ostia Gangis.

My character of this is taken from Roxburgh, the only spe-

cimen so named, which I have seen, being from Penang

(Wall. Cat. 4877. c.) and having neither flower nor fruit; its

leaves are slightly acuminated at both ends, so that the species

may be R. cylindrica of Blume.

If the number of cells of the ovary and flowers on the pe-

duncle be liable to variation, the three species of this subsec-

tion may be combined, unless some of them be found to have

the flowers pedicellate, respecting which Jack, Blume, and

Roxburgh are silent.

| §. Vix nota.

9. B. sexangula (Spr.) ; foliis ovato-lanceolatis, pedunculis unifloris, ca-

lyce 10-fido magno laciniis acutis patentibus, petalis ciliatis, tigello

prismatico zequaliter hexagono obtuso.—Rhizophora sexangula, Zour.

Coch. (ed. Willd.) p. 363.

Hab. In Cochinchina, Loureiro.

This obviously approaches very closely to B. Australis, and

by the tigellus to B. gymnorrhiza, Bl., but from the imperfect

description of the petals, it is uncertain whether it be a form

of either, or a distinct species. Loureiro adds, “ filamenta 20,

Ann. Nat. Hist, Vol.1. No.5. July 1838. 2B

870 Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora.

capillaria, calyci insistentia, ipso longiora, antheris oblongis

stantibus,” which does not agree with B. Australis or its allies.

The following is a Clavis Analytica of the better known species.

Fructus semiadherens.

ROWE SE senses wtaaccassscenesdes Can seceee incses I. Rhizophora, L.

Petala 5.

Stamina 10........0+-s000 dean ssbag seceeeee LI. Certops, Arn.

Stamina indefinita.......sccscccsccecseees Ill. Kandelia, W. & A.

Fructus omnino adherens ......s.sseseees stb edglilgl IV. Bruguieria, L’Her.

}¥. Petala margine villosa.

Folia obtusa cecccceceeres nesosae seens Paaasas s. Lt. Mangle, L.

Folia apiculata ....... feces ves vdvebeveces eeseee Lt. mucronata, Lam.

Potala plaberrvinin.siscsnssivacanncasacsssed ceptanns R. conjugata, L.

II. Petala apice triseta ......... pedukas sdosbiaeeteaos C. Candolliana, Arn.

Petala versus apicem setoso-ciliata .........+. . C. Roxburghii, Arn.

HIT, (Unica species) <iiessecccsteceveceeast Soon teens K. Rheedei, W. & A.

IV. Petala apice nuda.

Tigelli costati .....00« sccenesevvetsesccseveece B. gymnorrhiza, Bl.

Tigelli leoves ..cc.csccocsccessscrseeccacvonsceses Oe cylindrica, Bl.

Petala apice setigera,

Calycis laciniee 9—14 fructiferze erectiuscule.

Petala (salva basi) glaberrima ........sesececees B. Itheedei, Bi.

Petala basi lanata secus margines pilosa...... B. Australis, Cunn.

Petala secus margines sericeo-hirsutissima ... B. eriopetala, W.& A.

Calycis laciniz 8, fructiferee patentes.

Pedunculi sub-3-flori ; ovarium 2-loculare.

Folia utrinque acuta; pedunculi pra B. caryophylloides,BI

, , Bl.

breviores.......+ Seeeweces Secsecees eeveveces

Folia utrinque acuminata; pedunculi ily Btnitaberiea; Ayn.

COQUANLCS —cececcececcversccsccsevccsecceces

Pedunculi multiflori; ovarium 3-loculare... B. parviflora, Arn.

From the order Rhizophoree must be excluded Olisbea rhi-

zophorefolia, DC., which is the same with Guildingia psia-

dioides, Hook. in Bot. Misc. i. p. 122. t. 30. Steudel in his

‘Nomenclator Botanicus,’ (a work I have not seen,) has, I

believe, enumerated, without description or synonyms, a Rhi-

zophora ceratophylloides; if the specific name be well founded

it can scarcely belong to this tribe of plants, but it may more

probably be a mere typographical error for R. caryophylloides.

Carallia (from which Baraldeia, Pet. Th., Diatoma, Lour.,

and Petalotoma, DC. are not distinct) is readily distinguished

from the Linnean genus Rhizophora by the unguiculate petals,

and from nearly all the genera into which I have divided that

Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora. 371

genus by the one-celled ovarium, agreeing in that respect

with Kandelia only, but in other points differing widely. To

this genus (Carallia) 1 have in the Nova Act. Ac. Nat. Cur.,

Xvili. p. 334. added two species, one which appears to be the

Diatoma bracchiata of Loureiro, the other from Ceylon. This

last I have also received lately from Dr. Wight, collected at

Quilon on the Malabar coast, accompanied with specimens,

procured at the same place, of another form which Dr. Wight

considers perfectly distinct and has named C. corymbosa: this

is almost intermediate between the Chinese and Ceylon plants,

if indeed the three be not varieties of one species. They all

have leaves with recurved margins, which although some-

times obscurely crenulate or serrulate towards the point, may,

in comparison with Roxburgh’s species, be said to be quite en-

tire; about seven orbicular slightly retuse but apiculate pe-

tals, broader than long, and cut and curled on the margin; a

stigma of usually four, but occasionally five or seven emargi-

nate lobes, and the teeth of the calyx are about equal in length

to the petals; they may be distinguished from each other as

follows :

1. C. Ceylanica, (Arn.) ; foliis cuneato-obovatis obtusissimis subretusis la-

titudine subdimidio-longioribus.—Arn. 1. c.; Wight. Cat. n. 2446 —

C. obcordata, Wight. in litt.

2. C. corymbosa (Wight); foliis oblongo-obovalibus obtusis vel obsoleto

ac obtuse acuminatis latitudine 2—23-plo longioribus.— Wight. Cat.

n. 2447,.—Rheed. H. Mal. v. t. 13, (inflorescentia ac floribus pessime

delineatis.)

3. C. Sinensis (Arn.) ; foliis cuneato-obovatis breviter ac obtuse acuminatis

latitudine subduplo longioribus.—rn. /. ¢. (cum syn.)

These obviously differ very slightly : in C. Ceylanica and C.

Sinensis the leaves are decidedly cuneate at the base, the mar-

gin presenting a rather concave curve; in C. corymbosa the

cuneiform appearance is less evident from the curvilineal mar-

gin being usually slightly convex. What C. integerrima, DC.

is, or from what part of India it was obtained, I have not ascer-

tained ; if distinct from all the above, it may be thus defined :

4. C. integerrima (DeC.) ; foliis ovalibus subacuminatis latitudine duplo

longioribus.

C. Baraldeia,W.& A. (Baraldeia Madagascariensis, Pet.Th.)

has slightly serrated leaves, and according to the author’s de-

2B 2

372 Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora.

scription constantly five petals and ten stamens; whereas in

the Indian species I believe there are never fewer than six

petals.

Dr. Brown has pointed out the affinity of Cassipourea, Aubl.

or Legnotis of Swartz with this order, although allied at the

same time to Salicariee. Of that genus I do not possess any

species, nor have I had an opportunity of examining them mi-

nutely ; but according to authors the stigma is entire, and the

number of stamens three or four times as many as the petals:

in other respects however I havea plant not much at variance

from Prince of Wales Island, and this agrees so well in ap-

pearance with Microtropis coriacea, Wall. Cat. n. 4338 (of

which I have not seen the flower) as probably to be the same.

This species has the stigma of Carallia, and stamens only

twice as many as the petals, and is thus still more allied to

Carallia and the true Rhizophoree than Cassipourea, but form-

ing a link between them: like Cassipourea, the ovary is free

and composed of several cells with more than two ovules in

each; as in the Rhizophoree with an inferior ovary there is a

perigynous disc between the ovary and the petals, the stamens

being attached to the outside (or underside) of this disc. Cas-

stpourea and the Penang plant have both fleshy albumen ; in

the former the cotyledons are said to be flat, in the latter they

are certainly semiterete. From these considerations I am in-

duced to propose it as a new genus, as follows:

DRYPTOPETALUM.

Calyx 4—5-partitus: lacinize ovate: estivatio valvata. Petala 4—5,

decidua, calycis laciniis subbreviora ac alterna, late cuneata, subungui-

culata, apice longe fimbriato-lacera, zestivatione involuta. Discus peri-

gynus 8—10-crenatus circa ovarii basin. Stamina 8—10, sub margine

disci libero inserta, 4—5 petalis opposita, totidem alterna: filamenta

subulato-filiformia, apice zestivatione incurva: anthereé globose, dorso

affixe, biloculares, intus dehiscentes. Ovarium liberum, ovato-globo-

sum, 5-suleatum, carnosum, 5-loculare (nunc loculo uno subabortivo) ;

loculis 4-ovulatis. Stylus filiformis, brevis. Stigma peltatum, 5-par-

titum; laciniis stellato-recurvis, linearibus, apice emarginatis. Fructus

pisiformis, baccatus, intus pulposus, sub-5-locularis, 8—10-spermus.

Semina oblonga, apice contracta, appensa; testa rugulosa, crustacea.

Embryo albus, teres, in axi albuminis carnosi albi: radicula supera,

cotyledonibus semiteretibus paullo longior.

Frutex vel arbor glabra. Folia opposita, coriacea, penninervia, venosa, ob-

TF Cae Cea eT a ON yet

Dr. Arnott on the Genus Rhizophora. 373

longo-ovalia, breviter acuminata, subintegerrima supra medium denticu-

lis paucis obsoletis, 4—5 poll. longa, 2—2} lata, basi in petiolum vix se-

mipollicarem subatienuata, Flores axillares, fasciculati, pedicellati, pe-

dicellis petiolo brevioribus, medio articulatis.

1. D. coriaceum, Arn.—Microtropis coriacea, Wall,?

Hab. In Pulo-Penang.

I have seen no stipules, but there are scars between the pe-

tioles as in Rhizophoree after the stipules have fallen off. The

ovarium and stigma seem to be always in a quinary propor-

tion, even when the flowers are tetramerous; but then two of

the divisions of the stigma are more approximated than the

others, and one of the cells of the ovary appears to be imper-

fect.

Martius in his observations on Indian plants in the ‘Alge-

meine Zeitung’ for January 1834,and ‘Ann. des Sc. Nat.’ n.s. 1.

p- 250, mentions that there are eleven species of Rhizophoree in

East India according to Wallich’s list: there are however only

eight noticed by Dr. Wallich, but this number may be made

up of the three species of Carallia described in De Candolle’s

Prodromus, of Rhizophora conjugata, gymnorrhiza and cylin-

drica of Linneus; R. caryophylloides, Jack; R. Candel and Can-

delaria of De Candolle, with R. parviflora and decandra of

Roxburgh mentioned in Wallich’s list. While one of these

has been unnecessarily split down, others, very distinct, ap-

pear to be confused under the same names, and Blume’s are

altogether omitted. I have now enumerated fifteen species of

Rhizophoree vere, from which we must deduct one from

America and another from New Holland not found in Kast

India. Of the remaining thirteen, one from Cochin China is

scarcely known; a second extends throughout the Indian

ocean, from the Mauritius to the Moluccas or perhaps Timor,

and as far north as Arabia Felix and Bengal ; a third is found

in Malabar, Timor, and New Holland; three appear to be

confined to the Eastern Islands; two to Malabar; one is

common to Malabar and the mouth of the Ganges; two found

at the mouth of the Ganges occur probably also further east and

in Penang; and the remaining two seem to have been observed

(unless different species are alluded to by different authors) in

Ceylon, Malabar, Bengal, Java and Amboina. To these thirteen

have to be added Roxburgh’s two species of Carallia with ser-

374 Mr. Babington on Habenaria bifolia and chlorantha.

rated, and the four species or varieties I have mentioned with

entire leaves: so that although Loureiro’s Rhiz. hexagona

were reduced, the number is about double of that given by

Martius. This order is thus concentrated in India or its islands;

the only known exceptions consist in the two or perhaps three

species of Rhizophora and one Carallia that occur further west,

and one Ceriops and one Bruguieria that are found in New

Holland; but of these, two are also natives of India.

Arlary, Kinross, Dec. 1837.

XL.—On Habenaria bifolia and chlorantha. By CuaRrLes

C. Basinaton, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., &c.

To the Editor of the Annals of Natural History.

Dear Sir,

At page315 of the 4the dition of his‘ Brit. Flora,’ recently pub-

lished, Sir W. Hooker having expressed his opinion that the

Habenaria chlorantha of my paper (Linn. Trans. xvii. 462) is

not the same as the plant figured by Reichenbach at t. 853, f.

1145, of his Iconog. Botan., I feel it incumbent upon me to

give my reasons for considering them as identical. The same

excellent botanist appearing to doubt the correctness of my

determination, that the Orchis bifolia of Linnzeus is the same

as my H. bifolia and Platanthera brachyglossa, Reich., 1 will

add a few observations upon that subject.

Since the publication of the paper referred to I have ob-

tained from Prof. Reichenbach himself a specimen of his

Plat. chlorantha. It is No. 948 of his Flora German. Exsic-

cata, and has the following label appended :-—“ 948, Platan-

thera chlorantha, Cust. and Rchb. Fl. Germ. 818. ic. 1145.”

This specimen agrees exactly with those English ones con-

tained in my herbarium. The shape of the petals, on which

Sir W. Hooker lays much stress, is the same in the German

and English specimens. In both they are narrower, and not

so acute as in Reich. f. 1145: the above ticket shows however

that the author of that plate considers my specimen as an ex-

ample of the plant there figured. The colour of the flowers

is known to be variable, and therefore I do not think that

their not being very green in our plant is sufficient cause for

Mr. Babington on Habenaria bifolia and chlorantha. 375

not considering it as identical with that of Reichenbach. As

far as can be determined from a dried specimen, my German

plant would appear to have had quite as white a hue as those

gathered in this county and in other parts of England. My

native specimens have the cells of the anther quite as diver-

gent as they are represented in the figure quoted above.

Concerning H. bifolia, Bab., I need say but little. It ac-

cords exactly with the only specimen of O. bifolia preserved

in the Linnzan Herbarium and with the figure (t. 852. f.1144.)

of Reichenbach ; and I continue, after the examination of very

numerous specimens of both plants, in a living state, to con-

sider it as quite distinct from H. chlorantha, Cust. and Bab.

The Pt. bifolia, Reich., H. fornicata, Bab., must continue

to be considered as a very doubtful plant, until we can either

obtain authentic specimens from Germany or discover it in

England. From not having access to specimens, I have thought

myself bound to continue it as a distinct species until the per-

manency of its characters can be determined. I have never

observed a hooded anther in any of the specimens of H. bifo-

lia, Bab., which have come under my notice; and since the

Linnzan Herbarium shows that Reichenbach’s plant is not

the true O. bifolia, Linn., I was obliged to give it a new name.

Sir W. Hooker not having mentioned the characteristic dif-

ferences between the two native plants, I trust that I shall not

do wrong by repeating them here for the information of those

botanists who do not see the Linnzan Transactions.

1. H. chlorantha, Bab. Calcare ovario duplo longiore subclavato, labello

lineari integerrimo, petalis superioribus conniventibus obtusis, anthera

inferne duplo latiore truncata: loculis oblique ascendentibus et apice

convergentibus. LZ. B. t. 22.

2. H. bifolia, Bab. Calcare ovario duplo longiore subclavato, labello lineari

integerrimo, petalis superioribus conniventibus obtusis, anthera oblonga

truncata: loculis parallelis. Bab. in EZ. B. Supp. t. 2806.

In the former the anther is very large and broad, the bases

of its cells twice as far apart as their tops; the central line

between the cells elevated into a prominent ridge in front and

grooved on the back ; the stigma is very broad, slightly pointed

in the middle, and curved into a semicircular form.

In H. bifolia the anther is truncate or slightly emargi-

376 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand.

nate, rarely somewhat rounded at the top; its cells are nearly

parallel throughout their whole length.; the central line be-

tween the cells is a deep furrow in front and a keel behind,

and the stigma is rather broad, truncate, folded so as to leave

a channel between its pointed lobes, its middle emarginate.

H. fornicata, Bab., Pl. bifolia, Reich., has a hooded anther

with parallel cells and the upper petals not converging.

St. John’s Coll., Cambridge, May 18, 1838.

XLI.—Flore Insularum Nove Zelandie Precursor; or a Spe-

cimen of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By

ALLAN CUNNINGHAM, Esq.

[ Continued from p. 216.]

EUPHORBIACEX, Ad. de Juss.

1. Evpnorsia, LZ.

339. E. glauca, caule fruticoso, foliis ad apices ramorum confertis lanceo-

latis integerrimis glabris, umbella 4—6 radiata, radiis simplicibus trichoto-

misque, foliis floralibus oppositis ovali-acutis, involucris 4—5 fidis. nd.

Prodr. Fl. Norf. p. 86. Forst. Prodr. n. 208. Spreng. Syst. Veg. iii. p. 790;

A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel, p. 352. Ic. Ferd. Bauer, t. 166. (Endl.)—Kekiri

gnott of the natives, around whose houses the plant is frequent. D’Urville.

New Zealand (Middle Island), Astrolabe Harbour.— 1827, D’Urville.

(Northern Island), sandy shore, at the embouchure of the Hokianga river.

—1820, 4. Cunningham.

SANTALACEA, R. Br.

1. Mina, (Thesium, Linn.)

Perianthium 5-partitum, persistens, eglandulosum. Disco epigyno nullo. |

Stam. 5, extus fasciculo gracili villorum munita. Anthere biloculares.

Stigma 3—4 lobum. Nuzx corticata coronata. A. Br.in obs. :—Arbus-

cule glabre, ramis ramulisque plerumque alternis. Folia alterna, guan-

doque subopposita, utrinque glabra, nitida, venosa. Flores racemost

axillares s.terminales. Nomen vernaculum Mida, unde nom. generis.

R. Cunningham.

340. M. salicifolia, foliis angusto-lanceolatis attenuatis.

New Zealand (Northern Island). A slender tree fifteen feet high, bearing

flower and fruit in October, in the forests of Wangaroa.—1826, 4. Cunning-

ham.—1834, R. Cunningham.

341. M. eucalyptoides, foliis lanceolatis acuminatis.

New Zealand (Northern Island). A small tree fifteen to twenty feet high,

in fruit in October and November in shady woods at Wangaroa.—1826, A.

Cunningham. .

Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 377

342. M. myrtifolia, foliis ovalibus ovato-lanceolatis obtusiusculis acumi-

natisve. |

New Zealand (Nerthern Island). A tree thirty feet high; growing in woods

in the neighbourhood of the Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cunningham.

THYMELAA, Juss.

1, Pimetea, Banks and Solander, Sm.

(Passerine et Banksia, sp. Forst.)

343. P. Guidia, Vahl. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. p. 50. Reem. §& Sch. Syst. Veg.

1. p. 274. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 171.—Banksia Guidia. Forst. Gen.

Char. p. 8.—Cookia Guidia. Gmel. Syst. Veg. p. 24.

New Zealand (Middle Island), upon rocks on the shores of Dusky Bay ;

also on the summits of the mountains.—1773, G. Forster.—1781, 4. Men-

xies, Esq. Astrolabe Harbour.—1827, D’ Urville.

Obs. Frutex bi- vel tri-orgyalis, erectus, ramosissimus, glaberrimus. Flores

albi odorati, extus non raro carnei. Perianthium externe villosum.

344. P. pilosa. Vahl. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. p.50. Reem. et Sch. Syst. Veget.

1. p. 275. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 172.—Banksia tomentosa. Forst. Char.

Gen. p. 8.—Cookia pilosa. Gmel. Syst. Veg. p. 24.

New Zealand (Middle Island), in thickets on the coast, as also in the

mountainous districts.—1773, G. Forster.

Obs. Caulis fruticosus erectus, + orgyalis, glaber. Ramuli albo villo ves-

titi. Folia opposita, linearia, obtusa. Flores albo-sericei.

345. P. virgata. Vahl. Enum.\. p. 306. Reem. et Sch. Syst. Veget. 1.

p- 275. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p.173.—P. axillaris. Banks and Sol. Mss.

—Kai-Kai Atuaniu. Incol. Anglice, “‘ The food of the Great God.”

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Among under-

wood and in bushy moist grounds, Bay of Islands. —1826, 4. Cunningham.

—1834, R. Cunningham.

346. P.prostrata. Vahl. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1.p.51, Roem. et Sch. Syst. Veget.

i. p. 274. 4. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p.174.

New Zealand (Middle Island), on barren mountains.—1773, G. Forster.

Shores of Astrolabe Harbour.—1827, D’Urville. (Northern Island,) in

open fern grounds, Bay of Islands.—1826, Allan Cunningham.—1834, Kh.

Cunningham.

347. P. arenaria, foliis decussato-oppositis ellipticis obtusiusculis paten-

tibus, supra glabris, subtus cano-hirtis, floralibus capitulum 5—7 florum sub-

zequantibus, perianthii tubo brevissimo subaristato lanuginoso persistente,

styli staminibus parum longiore, fructu baccato. Accum in Bot. Mag. t. 3270.

—Ou-tato-rangha of the natives. Rich. Cunningham.

New Zealand (Northern Island), sandy ridges at the mouth of the Hoki-

anga River.—1826, 4. Cunningham. At Takou, on the east coast, near

Wangaroa.—1834, R. Cunningham.

348. P. Urvilliana, foliis (parvulis) oppositis ovalibus obtusis glabris, capi-

tulis 6—8-floris, perianthii tubo brevissimo, externe dense albido-sericeo,

Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand.

laciniis patulis suborbicularibus obtusis, staminibus brevissimis fauci insertis,

stylo tubo perianthii duplo longiore. 4. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 175.

New Zealand (Middle Island), shores of Tasman’s Bay.—1827, D’ Urville.

(Northern Island), on dry hills, among fern, Bay of Islands.—1834, 2. Cun-

ningham.

PROTEACEZ.

1. Persoonra, Smith.

349. P. Tora, foliis elongato-laciniatis acutis basi attenuatis strictis sub-

faleatis obsolete trinervibus utrinque glabris nitidis, racemis axillaribus latera-

libusve multifloris, pedunculis perianthiisque tomento ferrugineo tectis, ova-

riis glabris dispermis epedicellatis, caule arborescenti, cortice levi. 4.

Cunn. in Bot. Mag. t. 3513.—Tora incolis audit, unde nomen triviale.

New Zealand (Northern Island), on the wooded ridges of the highest hiils

near Wangaroa, near the shores of the Bay of Islands, and in the great

Forest near Hokianga, &c.—1826, 4. Cunningham.—1833, R. Cunningham.

Obs. Arbor sempervirens, 20—40 pedes alta, potius gracilis, admodum

venusta, et in habitu omnino aliquot specierum <Acaciarum aphyllarum,

trunco erecto ad basin diametro 6 uncias zequante, cortice levi, sursum ra-

mosissimo, Jolia alterna, versus apices ramulorum confertiora, elongata,

coriacea, valde glabra, supra nitidissima, venosa, seepe sex uncias longa, et

semiunciam lata. acemi plerumque axillares, erecti multiflori, tomento

rubiginoso tecti, flores unibracteati. Ovarium glabrum, dispermum, sessile,

vel epedicellatum. Glandule hypogyne 4, brevissimee. Stigma depresso-

capitatum. Drupa baccata, putamine biloculari.

2. Knieutia, Brown in Linn. Soc. Trans., v. 10.

350. K. excelsa, foliis oblongo-ellipticis lanceolato-oblongisve obtusis co-

riaceis glabris profunde serratis, serraturis remotis, racemis axillaribus sub-

sessilibus multifloris, perianthiis ferrugineo-tomentosis, bracteis (parvis) so-

litariis deciduis, stylis elongatis persistentibus, caule arborescenti. Br. in

Linn. Soc. Trans. vol. x. p. 194. tab. Roem. et Sch. Syst. Veget. iii. p. 431.

—Rewa-rewa of the natives. Yate.

Obs, Distinctum a Ropala affini, seminibus quaternis, apice solum alatis.

—h. Br.

*New Zealand (Northern Island), east coast. A noble tree, often eighty

feet high, discovered at Opuraga (Mercury Bay, in lat. 36° 45! S.) and near

Tolaga (Howa-Howa Bay, 38° 22’ S.)—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Dry forests

near the Bay of Islands and Wangaroa.—1826, 4. Cunningham.—1833, R.

Cunningham.

* The hitherto very obscurely known Embothrium strobilinum of M. La-

billardiére, erroneously stated by that author to be a native of Western

Australia (Terra de Leuwin), has been at length ascertained by Mr. Brown

to belong to the above genus, its ovarium containing 4 ovules. The struc-

ture however of the matured seeds is not yet ascertained. In the mean time,

it may be considered a Knightia, though, as Mr. Brown suggests, of a di-

stinct section from X. excelsa, and may be thus characterized :

K. integrifolia (Encarpha), foliis obovato-oblongis subspathulatis integris,

racemis densis obovato-capitatis, axillaribus pedunculatis, perianthiis glabris,

Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 379

The wood of the Rewa-rewa is beautifully variegated, being mottled

with red, upon a ground of light brown ; it is therefore well adapted

for making articles of elegant furniture. The freedom with which it

splits causes it to be far more frequently employed for paling-fences ;

but roofing-shingles made of it are found to warp readily with the

sun.

LAURIN, Ventenat.

1. Laurus, L., Brown.

Flores hermaphroditi aut dioici. Perianthium 6-fidum zquale. Stamina

12, duplici ordine ; exteriora 6 fertilia, interiora 6 exterioribus opposita,

horum 3 sunt fertilia, basi biappendiculata aut biglandulosa, cetera al-

terna sterilia. Anthere biloculares. Stigma capitatum. Drupa nuda

monosperma.

_ 851. ZL. Tarairi, arborea, foliis lato-ellipticis coriaceis obtusis petiolatis,

supra glaberrimis, subtus venosis glaucis ramulisque tomentosis, racemis pa-

niculatis ferrugineo-lanatis axillaribus terminalibusve, foliolis perianthii ob-

longo-ellipticis acutiusculis—L. macrophylla. (4. C. Mss. 1826, non Don.)

Tarairi Incol.

New Zealand (Northern Island). A tree fifty to seventy feet high, in dry

woods on the banks of rivers, Bay of Islands, Wangaroa, &c.—1826, 4. Cun-

ningham.—1834, R. Cunningham.

Obs. The timber is white and splits freely, but is seldom employed.

352. L. Tawa, arborea, foliis lanceolatis acuminatis subundulatis minu-

tissime venoso-reticulatis, supra glabris nitidis, subtus glaucis adpresso-seri-

ceis, racemis paniculatis pilosiusculis terminalibus, pilis cinereis sparsis, ra-

mulis petiolisque foliorum juniorum tomentosis, perianthii laciniis ovalibus

obtusis.— Tawa, Indigenis.—L. salicifolia. Banks et Sol. Mss. non Swartzii.

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. A tree forty to

sixty feet high, frequent in shaded moist forests, at the Bay of Islands, &c.

—1826, A. Cunningham.—1834, R. Cunningham.

The wood of the Tawa is light, and on account of the facility with

which it splits is used by the natives for their short fences. It de-

cays, however, in the course of two years and becomes perfectly use-

less; but as the New Zealanders seldom cultivate one spot for a

longer period than two successive years, they do not experience the

inconvenience which would otherwise accrue from the rapid decay of

bracteis (maximis) ellipticis imbricatis mox deciduis, stylis caducis, caule

fruticoso.—Embothrium strobilinum. Labill. Nov. Holl. ii. p. 116. t. 265.

Reem. et Sch. Syst. Veg. iii. p.432. (vide fig.)

Hab. In Nova Caledonia, Labill., sed nunquam Terra Van Leuwin, in-

cola.

Obs. Frutex orgyalis, ramis teretibus erectis. Folia petiolata, obovata,

integra, venosa, infra attenuata. Gemme florigere axillares solitariz, pe-

dunculatz, strobiliformes, bracteis ovatis deciduis. Folliculus lignosus, ob-

longus, hine gibbus. (da Labill, loc. cit.)

380 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand.

the wood. The fruits of both of the species, that of the Tarairi re-

sembling a Damascene in size and appearance, are eagerly devoured

by the large wood pigeon; and the aborigines, when they are tra-

versing their native forests, and happen to be provided with muskets,

always halt awhile beneath these trees in their fruit season (the

months of October and November) for the chance of a shot. The

islanders themselves also eat the fruit when boiled; by which pro-

cess the poison, which abounds in it in a raw state, is extracted.

353. L.? calicaris (Soland.); dioica, foliis ellipticis ovato-lanceolatisve

acuminatis venosis, supra nitidis, subtus glaucis, umbellis femineis axillaribus

glomeratis pedunculatis subquinquefloris, pedicellis cinereo-villosis, involu-

cris pentaphyllis imbricatis, foliolis subrotundis latissimis perianthiis 7—8

fidis, laciniis oblongis acutis, pedunculis fructiis incrassatis apice dilatatis

calyciformibus. Banks and Sol. Mss.—Tetranthera Tangao. R. Cunn. Ms. —

1834.—Tangao, Indigenis.

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. River sides at

the Bay of Islands.—1834, R. Cunningham.

I have never seen the male flowers, and am therefore ignorant of

the structure of the anthers; but as the stigma, in all the female

flowers examined, is dilated and more or less lobed, it seems pro-

bable that it may be a genuine species of Tetranthera, to which genus

R. Cunningham has referred it. He has described the male flowers

as involucrated and subsessile. In the absence, however, of more

perfect materials, I have placed it with Solander’s in the Linnzan

genus Laurus, to which all the plants of the order were in his day

referred.

ATHEROSPERMEA, R. Br.

Flores diclines, vel hermaphroditi. Calyx monophyllus, limbo diviso, la-

ciniis seepe duplici serie. Sguamule faucis in foem. et hermaphr. Cor. 0.

Stamina in masculis floribus numerosa, fundo calyci inserta. Anthere

adnatz, biloculares, loculis valvula longitudinali a basi ad apicem de-

hiscenti. Ovaria imo plura sepius indefinita, monosperma, ovalo erecto.

Styli simplices. Stigmata indivisa. Pericarpia clausa seminiformia

stylis persistentibus plumosis aristata, tubo aucto calycis inclusa. R.

Br.—Genera Atherosperma, Laurelia.

1. Laurecia, Juss.

(Pavonta, Ruiz, non Cavanill.)

Flores monoici vel dioici.g. Perianth. monophyllum. Tubus campanu-

latus seu brevissimo-cylindricus, limbus 5—13 fidus, laciniis (imbricatis)

2—3-plici dispositis. Stamina 7—14 ad basin singula, glandule due

subrotunde sessiles. Anthere ad apicem filamentorum utrinque adnate,

biloculares, valvis elastice dehiscentibus apice filamentorum affixis, sur-

sum spectantibus. Squamule 3 ad basin staminum.

Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 881

Q@ Perianthium ut in mare? Squamule plure ovate, per discum floris

sparse. Pistilla numerosa, villosa. Pericarpium corticatum, e peri-

anthia tubo efformatum intus pilosum, stigmatibus prominulis cerona-

tum, in quatuor partes patentes dehiscens. Caryopses plures, subulate,

pilose. Arbores (Chilenses et Nove Zelandie) glaberrime, semper-

virentes (odore Lauri sassafras valde redolentes), 5—20 orgyales et

ultra. Folia opposita ovalia, petiolata, serrata. Flores axillares, ra-

cemosi vel subcymosi.

354. *L. Nove Zelandie, dioica, foliis elliptico-oblongis obtusis coriaceis,

racemis multifloris incano-villosis.

New Zealand (Northern Island). A tree thirty feet high, on the margins of

the streams falling into the Keri-Keri river.—1826, 4. Cunningham.

Of this very remarkable plant the tree bearing the female fructifi-

cation has not been discovered in its native country. I have, never-

theless, not’ only placed it in Mr. Brown’s family Atherospermee, to

which it most assuredly belongs, as indicated by its opposite serrated

leaves and by the structure and mode of dehiscence of its anthers,

which, however, accord with those of the Laurine, but I have re-

ferred it to Pavonia of Ruiz and Pavon, of which it appears a second

species, although it is dicecious, and the female flower and fruit re-

main yet to be examined.

[To be continued. ]

XLII.—Descriptions of British Chalcidites. By Francis WALKER,

F.L.S.

[Continued from p. 312.]

Sp. 6. Cirrospilus Lyncus, Mas. et Fem. Luteus viridi-varius, antenne

fulve, pedes flavi, ale sepe fulvescentes.

Fem. Luteus: caput postice fuscum, fascia vertici viridis, ocellis confinis :

oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne fulvz ; articuli 1% et 2° supra fusci: thorax

viridis: mesothorax luteus, scutum antice et scutellum viridia: abdomen

luteum, segmenta media postice, discus et apex viridia: oviductus fulvus ;

vagine fuscze: pedes lete flavi; coxe basi virides; pulvilli fulvi; ale ful-

vescentes ; squamule flave ; nervi flavi.

Mas. Flavus: capitis vertici fascia viridis: antennz fulve ; pro- et meta-

thorax supra virides: mesothorax apud proalis squamulas fulvescens ; scutum

anticum et scutellum posticum viridia: abdomen apice pallide fuscum :

_ * The type of the genus is L. Chilensis, which may be thus defined :

L. Chilensis ; monoica foliis ovatis oblongisve acutis, racemis subtripartitis

cymosis glabris.—L. aromatica, Juss. Spreng. Syst. Veg. vol. ii—Pavonia

sempervirens, Ruiz et Pavon Syst. Veg. Flore Peruv. et Chil. (8vo.) 1. p. 253.

Fil. Peruv. et Chil. Prodr. (fol.) p. 127. tab, 28.—Thiga Chilensis, Molini,

conf. Spreng.

Hab, In regno Chilensi. Arbor 40 ulnarius et ultra.

382 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites.

pedes late flavi; pulvilli et protarsi fulvi: alae subfulvescentes. (Corp. long.

lin. 4—1 ; alar. lin. 3—1}.)

Var. 8. Fem,—Parapsides viridi-fusco maculate : abdomen viridi-cupre-

um, basi luteum; segmentum 1” utrinque viridi-maculatum.

Var. y. Fem.—Var. @. similis : caput supra et postice fere omnino viride :

mesothoracis scutum viride, postice luteum: parapsides viridi maculate.

Var. 3. Fem.—Var. y. similis: abdomen cupreo-viride, subtus basi ful-

vum; segmentum 1"™ apice fulvescens: procoxee virides.

Var, «. Fem.—Var. 6. similis : mesothoraci viridi fascia angusta flava.

Var. §. Fem.—Var. 3. similis : mesothorax viridis; parapsides plerumque

luteze.

Var. ». Fem.—Caput supra et postice viride: antennis articuli 1"% et 2

omnino fulvi: mesothorax viridis, seutum postice fulvum, parapsides flave :

abdomen cupreum, basi fulvum; segmentum 1¥™ basi utrinque viride: ale

limpidee.

Var. 6. Fem.—-Var. y. similis: antenne obscure fulvee; alze fulvescentes.

Var. «. Fem.—Caput postice flavum: antennis articulus 2" fulvus, basi

pallide fuscus: thorax luteus: pro- et metathorax supra virides : mesotho-

racis scutum viride, apice luteum, parapsides fusco maculate, scutellum

late fusco vittatum : abdomen flavum, fusco late et dilute fasciatum; seg-

mentum 1" basi fuscum: coxee flave: alz limpide.

September; near London, Isle of Wight. Ireland, Mr. Haliday.

Mas. Corpus angustum, sublineare, sat longum, parum convexum, nitens,

scitissime squameum, parce hirtum: caput magnum, transversum, thorace

latius; vertex latus; frons impressa, abrupte declivis : oculi sat magni, sub-

rotundi, extantes: ocelli vertice triangulum fingentes, media perparum an-

teposita: antenne graciles, extrorsum crassiores, prope os insert, corporis

dimidio multo longiores ; articulus 1° ovatus, dilatatus, maximus; 2"* an-

gustus, subfusiformis ; 3"° brevissimus ; 4"8 et sequentes ad 7™ longi, subli-

neares; clava triarticulata, fusiformis, acuminata, articulo 7° plus duplo

longior et paullo latior: thorax longiovatus, convexus, fere levis : prothorax

transversus, sat bene determinatus, antice abrupte acuminatus, postice latus

incurvus: mesothoracis scutum longitudine paullo latius; parapsidum su-

turze remote, bene determinate; paraptera et epimera magna; scutellum

subovatum; postscutellum transversum: metathorax brevis: petiolus bre-

vissimus latissimus: abdomen longiovatum, depressum, thoraci fere quoad

longum ac latum; segmentum 1% magnum; 2" et sequentia brevia,

transversa, subeequalia : pedes graciles, pubescentes, simplices, subaequales ;

coxze parve; femora subclavata; tibize rectz; tarsis articulus 1"° brevis,

2"5 et 3"5 longiores, 4"° adhuc longior; pulvilli*magni: alee peranguste, bre-

viter ciliatee: proalis nervus hirtus costee dimidio paullo longior, ulnaris hu-

merali vix brevior, cubitalis longus, radialis brevissimus ; stigma minutum :

metalis nervus simplex coste dimidio longior.

Sp. 7. Cirr. Crino, Mas. Cupreo-viridis flavo varius, antenne fulve, pedes

flavi, ale limpide.

Caput flavum: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne pallide fulve; articulus 1"

Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 383

obscurior: thorax cupreo-viridis, apud paraptera et epimera flavus : abdomen

cupreum, apice viride, dimidium fere anticum flavum: petiolus fulvus:

sexualia pallide fulva: pedes lete flavi; tarsi apice fusci: ale limpide ;

squamule flavee ; nervi flavi. (Corp. long. lin. 4; alar. lin. 4.)

Var. @.—Abdomen cupreo-viride, basi flavum.

June to August; on grass beneath trees, near London, Windsor Forest.

Mas. Corpus angustum, sublineare, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce

hirtum: caput transversum, breve, convexum, thorace paullo latius: an-

tenne graciles corporis dimidio vix longiores; articulus 1"° maximus, dila-

tissimus ; 2"° longicyathiformis; 3"% et 4° breves, subquadrati; clava longi-

ovata, brevisetigera, articulo 4° latior et duplo longior : thorax longiovatus,

convexus: prothorax transversus, sat bene determinatus : mesothoracis scu-

tum longitudine paullo latius; parapsidum suture conspicuz ; scutellum

obconicum: metathorax transversus, brevis : petiolus brevissimus: abdomen

sublineare, planum, lve, thorace paullo brevius : pedes graciles : ale an-

guste, ciliate; nervus ulnaris. humerali longior, radialis brevissimus, cubi- :

talis sat longus.

Sp. 8. Cirr. Pacuvius, Mas. Viridi-cupreus, antenne picee aut fusce,

pedes fulvi, femora cuprea, ale sublimpide.

Cupreo-viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz picez : abdomen cupreum :

pedes fulvi; coxee cupreze; femora cuprea; tibize fuscze, apice et basi fulve :

alz sublimpide; squamule piceze; nervi fulvi. (Corp. long. lin. 4; alar.

lin. 4.)

Var. @.—Antenne fusce; articulus 1"° piceus: tibize fulvee, apice flavee ;

tarsi flavi, apice fulvi.

Found near London, Ireland, Mr. Haliday.

Fem. Corpus angustum, sublineare, nitens, scite squameum, parce hirtum :

caput transversum, brevissimum, convexum, juxta thoraci latum : oculi parvi,

subrotundi: antenne clavatz, dimidio paullo breviores ; articulus 1"* longus,

sublinearis; 2" longicyathiformis ; 3°° sublinearis, sat longus; 4"* brevior

et latior; clava ovata, articulo 4° latior et duplo longior: thorax longi-

ovatus, parum convexus ; prothorax mediocris, transversus, antice angustior:

mesothoracis scutum latitudine longius; parapsidum suture remote, bene

determinate; scutellum ovatum, angustum; metascutellum obconicum,

bene determinatum: metathorax mediocris: petiolus brevissimus : abdomen

ovatum, thorace latius, vix brevius: pedes graciles: alze longze ; nervus ulnaris

humerali vix brevior, radialis brevissimus, cubitalis ad alee apicem propensus.

Sp.9. Cirr. Singa, Fem. Cupreus, antenne fulve, pedes flavi, ale lim-

pide.

Lzete cupreus: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz fusco-fulve ; articulus 1"* ni-

gro-zneus, apice fulvus: pedes leetissime flavi ; tarsi apice fusci; propedum

tibize extus fulvo vittate, tarsi fulvi: ale limpide ; squamule flave ; nervi

flavi. (Corp. long. lin. 3—§; alar. lin. 1—14.)

September, North Wales. Ireland, Mr. Haliday.

Fem. Corpus angustum, sublineare, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce

hirtum: caput transversum, breve, convexum, thoracis vix latitudine: an-

384 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites.

tenn clavate, graciles, corporis dimidio paullo longiores; articulus 1" gra-

cilis, sublinearis; 2"° longicyathiformis ; 3"° et 4"° breves; clava fusiformis,

acuminata, articulo 4° latior et plus duplo longior: thorax longiovatus, con-

vexus: prothorax transversus, sat bene determinatus: mesothoracis scutum

longitudine latius; parapsidum suture conspicuz; scutellum obconicum :

metathorax transversus, mediocris: petiolus vix ullus: abdomen longiova-

tum, planum, leve, subtus carinatum, thorace paullo brevius non latius:

pedes validi, simplices, subzequales: alze angustz ; nervus ulnaris humerali

paullo longior, radialis brevissimus, cubitalis longus.

Cupreus: thorax fulvo interrupte bivittatus : oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz

fusco-fulvee basi et apice flavee: abdomen nigro-cupreum: pedes pallide fulvi ;

coxze znez; tarsi apice fulvi: ale limpide; squamule flave ; nervi flavi.

(Corp. long. lin. 3; alar. lin. 1.)

Found near London.

Sp. 10. Cirr. Phorbas, Fem. Cupreus, antenne fulve, thorax fulvo vitta-

tus, pedes fulvi, ale limpide.

Fem. Corpus angustum, sublineare, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce

hirtum: caput transversum, breve, convexum, thoracis latitudine: antennz

clavate, corporis dimidio non longiores; articulus 1"* gracilis, sublinearis ;

2"s longicyathiformis ; 3"° et 4"* longitudine latiores; clava longiovata; ar-

ticulo 4° latior et plus duplo longior: thorax longiovatus, convexus: pro-

thorax transversus, sat bene determinatus: mesothoracis scutum longitudine

latius; parapsidum suturz conspicue; scutellum obconicum: metathorax

transversus, brevis: petiolus vix ullus : abdomen longiovatum, planum, lve,

subtus carinatum, thorace paullo brevius et latius: pedes graciles: ale me-

diocres ; nervus humeralis ulnari longior, radialis brevis, cubitalis longus.

Sp. 11. Cirr. Arsames, Fem. Cupreus, antenne fusce, pedes flavi, femora

picea, ale limpide.

Nigro-cupreus: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz fuscee: pedes pallide flavi;

coxe nigro-cupree ; femora nigro-picea, apice flava; tarsi apice fulvi; pro-

pedes tibiis et tarsis pallide fulvis: ale limpide ; squamule fulve; nervi

flavi. (Corp. long. lin. +; alar. lin. 4.)

Found near London.

_ Mas. Corpus sublineare, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce hirtum: caput

parvum, transversum, brevissimum, convexum, thorace angustius; vertex

sat latus; frons abrupte declivis: oculi mediocres; non extantes: antenne

graciles, subfiliformes, pubescentes, thorace non longiores, articulus 1" li-

nearis, gracilis; 2"* longicyathiformis ; 3"* latior, oblongus; 4" 3° brevior ;

clava fusiformis, acuminata, articulo 4° fere duplo longior: thorax longi-

ovatus, parum convexus: prothorax transversus, brevis, supra conspicuus:

mesothoracis scutum planum, longitudine vix latius; parapsidum suture

remote, non bene determinate; scutellum subrotundum; pearaptera et epi-

mera parva: metathorax sat magnus: petiolus brevis, gracilis: abdomen

planum, thoraci fere quoad longum ac latum; segmentum 1" magnum;

2"™ et sequentia brevia, subzequalia; pedes graciles, recti, simplices, sub-

zequales ; tarsis articulus 1"° brevis, 2" 3° paullo longior, 4" 2° longior ; un-

Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 385

gues et pulvilli minuti: ale long; nervus humeralis ulnari vix longior,

radialis sat longus, cubitalis longus, in alee discum declivis, apice stigma fin-

gens minutum integrum.

Fem. Antenne latiores, breviores, subclavate: abdomen longi-ovatum,

thorace angustius et paullo longius.

Sp. 12. Cirr. Minceus, Mas et Fem. neus viridi et cyaneo varius, an-

tenne fusce, pedes enci, tarsi flavi, ale limpide.

/Eneo-viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne fusce; articulus 1"* nigro-

zeneus ; 2"* nigro-fuscus : mesothoracis scutellum purpureo-cyaneum : abdo-

men nigro-zeneum : pedes flavi; coxze viridi-zenez ; trochanteres fusci ; fe-

mora viridi-zenea, apice flava; tibiz nigro-zenez, apice et basi flave ; tarsi

apice fusci ; protarsi fulvi, apice obscuriores : alee limpidee ; squamule fusce ;

nervi fusci. (Corp. long. lin. l—14; alar. lin. 14—14.)

September, near London, Cornwall.

Mas. Corpus sublineare, depressum, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce

hirtum: caput transversum, parvum, brevissimum, fere angustius: oculi

parvi, subrotundi, non extantes: antennze extrorsum crassiores, corporis di-

midio non longiores ; articulus 1"* longus, validus, sublinearis ; 2"* longi-cya-

thiformis ; 3"* sublinearis, sat longus; 4" brevior et latior; clava sublinearis,

acuminata, articulo 4° plus duplo longior : thorax longi-ovatus, parum con-

vexus: prothorax sat bene determinatus, convexus, antice angustior: meso-

thoracis scutum fere planum, longitudine paullo latius; parapsidum suture

non bene determinatze ; scutellum ovatum, angustum : metathorax mediocris,

transversus : petiolus brevissimus : abdomen longi-conicum, depressum, tho-

race paullo brevius vix latius: pedes graciles; tarsis articulus 2"* 1° paullo

brevior, 3"° adhuc brevior, 4"° 3° longior; ungues et pulvilli minuti: ale

longze; nervus ulnaris humerali vix brevior, radialis brevissimus; cubitalis

ad alz apicem propensus.

Sp. 13. Cirr. Abron, Mas. Viridis cupreo-varius, antenne picee, abdomen

cupreum, pedes virides flavo-cincti, ale limpide.

/Eneo-viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennze picez ; articuli 1"° et 2" viri-

des: scutellum purpureo-cupreum: abdomen cupreum : pedes virides ; tro-

chanteres picei; femora apice flava ; tibiz piceo-virides apice et basi flavee ;

protarsi fulvi; meso- et metatarsi flavi, apice fusci: alee limpidz ; squamule

piceze ; nervi pallide fusci. (Corp. long. lin, +—+#; alar. lin, —12).

Var. B.—Thoracis discus cupreus.

Var. y.—Tibie virides, apice et basi flavee.

Var. }.—Var. y. similis: thoracis discus purpureo-cupreus.

Var. ¢«.—Var. 3. similis: thorax viridi-cyaneus; mesothoracis scutellum

cupreum.

Found near London.

Mas. Corpus sublineare, depressum, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce

hirtum : caput transversum, parvum, brevissimum, vix thoracis latitudine ;

vertex latus; frons abrupte declivis: oculi parvi, subrotundi, non extantes :

ocelli vertice triangulum fingentes: antennz subclavate, corporis dimidio

Ann, Nat, Hist, Voll. No.5. July 1838, 2c

386 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites.

fere breviores; articulus 1"° longus, sublinearis; 2"* longi-cyathiformis; 3"*

-sublinearis, sat longus; 4"* brevior et latior ; clava conica, acuminata, arti-

culo 4° plus duplo longior: thorax longi-ovatus, parum convexus: prothorax

sat bene determinatus, transversus, antice angustior: mesothoracis scutum

fere planum, longitudine paullo latius; parapsidum suturz remote, non

bene determinate; scutellum ovatum, angustum: metathorax mediocris,

transversus: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen longi-conicum, depressum, tho-

race paullo brevius vix latius; segmentum 1°™ magnum; 2"™ et sequentia

breviora subeequalia: sexualia vix exerta: pedes graciles, simplices, sub-

eequales; coxe parvee; femora subclavata; tibie recte; tarsis articulus

2"5 1° paullo brevior, 3"% adhue brevior, 4"° 3° longior ; ungues et pulvilli

minuti: ale longe ; nervus ulnaris humerali vix brevior, radialis brevissi-

mus, cubitalis ad ale apicem propensus stigmate minuto terminatus.

Fem. Antenne clavate, corporis dimidio breviores; clava Arico 4° du-

plo longior: abdomen ovatum, subtus carinatum.

Sp. 14. Cirr. Iscea, Mas et Fem. Viridis cupreo-varius, antenne nigre,

pedes virides flavo-cincti, ale limpide.

Fem. Leete viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigrz ; articulus 1" ni-

gro-viridis : thoracis discus cupreus: abdomen disco et basi cupreo-varium :

pedes virides; trochanteres fulvi; femora apice flaya; tibiz apice flave ;

tarsi fulvi, apice obscuriores; propedum tibiz viridi-fuscee, tarsi supra fusci :

ale limpide; squamule fusce ; nervi flavi. |

Mas, Pro- et mesofemora flava, basi viridia. (Corp. long. lin. 3—1; alar.

lin. 1—14.)

Var. @. Fem.—Capitis vertex cyaneo-viridis: abdominis segmenta apice

cyaneo-viridia,

Var. y. Fem.—Thorax supralete cupreus : abdomen cupreum ; segmenta

2um et sequentia basi viridia.

Var. 3. Fem.—Thorax omnino viridis.

Var. «. Fem.—Antennz apice fuscze: thorax eneo-viridis: abdominis

segmentum 1¥™ viride, apice cupreo et purpureo-varium : protarsi fulvi.

Var. €. Fem.—Thorax viridis: mesothoracis scutellum cupreum : abdo-

men viridi-cyaneum, basi cupreo-varium,

Var. n. Fem.—Proale fulvescentes.

Var. 6. Fem.—Var. y. similis: femora senea; tibize zene.

Var... Mas,—Viridis : caput postice viridi-cupreum : thoracis discus cu-

preus: pedes virides; trochanteres fusci; femorum et tibiarum se pal-

lide flavi; tarsi fulvi, apice fusci.

September, near London, Isle of Wight, Devonshire, Cornwall, Wales,

Scotland.

Sp. 15. Cirr. Medidas, Maset Fem. C. Isseze simillimus, minor et brevior

at vi« distinctus.

Mas. Leete viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz nigre ; articulus 1" vi-

ridis: scutellum viridi-cupreum : sexualia pallide fulva: pedes lete flavi;

cox virides; trochanteres fusci; pro- et metafemora viridia, apice lxte

flava; mesofemora basi viridia; propedum tibie obscure fulvee apice et basi

Sus 3 ; ry

Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 387

flavee, tarsi fulvi; meso- et metapedum tibiz piceo bicincte, tarsi fulvi, basi

flavi apice fusci: alze limpide ; squamulz pice; nervi flavi.

Fem. Antennz fuscze ; articuli 1"° et 2"° virides: mesothoracis scutellum

cupreum: abdominis discus cupreus: propedum tibice flavee, fulvo supra

biplagiatee, tarsi basi flavescentes; meso- et metatibice piceo-viridi bicincte.

(Corp. long. lin. +—4,; alar. lin. 3—14.)

Var. 8. Mas.—Viridis: antenne fusce; articuli 1"* et 2° virides: abdo-

men supra viridi-cupreum: pedes lete flavi; coxze virides ; trochanteres

fusci; femora basi viridia; propedum tibiz et tarsi fulva; meso- et meta-

pedum tibiz piceo bicincte, tarsi apice fusci.

Var. y. Mas.—Antenne fulve; articuli 1¥% et 2"° virides: abdominis

discus cupreus: propedum tibiz fuscze, tarsi fulvi, spe fusci; meso- et

metatibiz piceo-virides, apice et basi flavee:

Var.>. Fem.—Capitis vertex viridi-cyaneus: thorax viridis, suture cu-

preo-virides : mesothoracis latera cyaneo-viridia.

Var. s. Fem.—Thorax cyaneo-viridis: mesothoracis scutellum viridi-cu-

preum: protibiz fuscee : meso- et metatibice virides, apice et basi flavee.

Var. ¢. Fem.—Viridis: antennz picez, basi virides: thoracis discus cu-

preo-viridis : abdomen supra cupreum : propedum tibize extus fusco-virides,

tarsi fulvi apice fusci; meso- et metatine viridi bicinctz, horum fascize su-

pra connexe.

Var. ». Fem.—Var. €. similis : abdomen basi viride : protarsi fusci : meso-

et metapedum tibize virides, apice et basi flave, tarsi flavi apice fusci.

Var. 6. Fem.—Meso- et metatibiz fulvo bicincte.

Var. 1. Fem.—Viridis: thoracis discus cupreo-varius: abdominis discus

cupreus : femora basi viridia; propedum tibize pallide fuscze, apice flave, tarsi

fulvi; meso- et metapedum tibize virides, apice et basi flavze, tarsi apice fusci.

Var. x. Fem.—Viridis: thoracis discus cyaneo-varius : pedes flavi; coxz

virides ; femora basi viridia; protibize extus fulvze; protarsi fulvi ; meso- et

metapedum tibiz piceo-virides fulvo cinctz, tarsi apice fusci.

Var. x. Fem.—Thorax cyaneo-viridis : abdominis discus viridi-cupreus.

Found near London.

Fem. Corpus sublineare, depressum, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce

hirtum: caput transversum, parvum, brevissimum, vix thoracis latitudine ;

vertex latus; frons abrupte declivis: oculi parvi, subrotundi, non extantes:

antenne clavate, corporis dimidio breviores; articulus 1s longus, subli-

nearis ; 2"° longi-cyathiformis ; 3"° sublinearis, sat longus ; 4"* brevior et la-

tior; clava conica, acuminata, articulo 4° duplo longior: thorax ovatus, pa-

rum convexus: prothorax sat bene determinatus, transversus, antice angus-~

tior: mesothoracis scutum fere planum, longitudine paullo latius, parapsi-

dum suture non bene determinate ; scutellum ovatum, angustum: meta-

thorax mediocris, transversus: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen ovatum,

depressum, juxta thoraci longum, subtus carinatum: pedes graciles; tarsis

articulus 2" 1° paullo brevior, 3"° adhuc brevior, 4"° 3° longior; ungues et

pulvilli minuti: alze longze; nervus ulnaris humerali vix brevior, radialis

brevissimus, cubitalis ad alze apicem propensus.

[To be continued. ]

202

388 Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians.

XLIII.—Catalogue of the Slender-tongued Saurians, with De-

scriptions of many new Genera and Species. By Joun

Epwarp Gray, Esq., F.R.S., Senior Assistant in the

Zoological Department of the British Museum, &c.

[Continued from p. 283. ]

_ ** Sides with a narrow impressed line ; back, belly, and tail covered

with cross bands of 4-sided shields ; throat shielded.

Fam. III. Zonuripz.

A. Lizard-like ; ears exposed ; legs 4; femoral pores distinct. Old

World.

Zonurvs. Head depressed, broad behind; supraorbital plate ex-

panded. Tail depressed, with whorls of large square keeled spinose

scales; back with keeled subspinose, belly with smooth scales. Toes

5—5.

* Back and sides covered with large, rhombic, obliquely-keeled,

dagger-pointed scales ; lateral line narrow,

a. Dorsal scales spinose.

Zonurus Nove-Guinee, Schlegel, 1. c, t. 7. f. 2.

New Guinea.

b. Dorsal scales all keeled.

Zonurus cataphractus. Reddish; middle of the back varied with

olive; scales of neck ovate, keeled, spreading; temporal shields

keeled, subpyramidical. Tail spinose.

Cape of Good Hope.

Zonurus cordylus.. Pale brown, darker spotted ; dorsal and lateral

scales in sixteen series ; tail slender, elongate.

Cape of Good Hope.

c. The central dorsal series of scales flat, smooth.

Zonurus vertebralis, Pale brown; lateral and neck scales keeled,

dagger-pointed.

Cape of Good Hope.

“* Back covered with large keeled scales, with a vertebral series of

small scales ; sides covered with small and rather larger, scattered scales.

~ Zonurus Davyi. Black? Temporal scales large, smooth, many-

sided ; three pairs of preeanal plates, hinder largest.

Cape of Good Hope.

*&* Back and sides with small scales having series of larger conver

slightly keeled scales on the sides of the back and upper parts of the

sides. 3

Mr, Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians. 389

Zonurus microlepidotus. Cordylus microlepidotus, Cuv., Guerin,

Icon. t. 6. f. 1.

Cape of Good Hope. |

Ciciena, Gray, 1829. Gerrhosaurus, Wiegm. Pleurostichus,

A. Smith. Head pyramidical; tail rather compressed, armless ;

scales of the back armless, of the belly smooth. Toes 5—5.

Cicigna sepiformis. Scincus sepiformis, Schn. Lac. sepiformis,

Gmel. Gerrho. flavigula Wiegm., Wagler Icon. t. 34. f.1. Pleu-

rostichus typicus, Smith, 1. ¢. 3

Cape of Good Hope.

Cicigna Desgardinii. Pleurostichus Desjardinii, Smith, l. c. 143.

South Africa. East coast of the Cape of Good Hope.

Cicigna chrysobroncha. Pleurostichus chrysobronchus, Smith, l. c.

South Africa. Damp woody situations about Graham Town,

Cape of Good Hope.

Tacuypromus. Toes 5—5. Body very long; scales rhombic, la-

teral line wide, femoral pores one pair on each thigh.

Tachydromus typus. Brown with a broad greenish silvery stripe

along each side of the back; sides with a few small silvery spots ;

upper lip and beneath silvery ; back with four series of large, and

belly with six series of smaller keeled scales. Tail four times as

long as the body.

China.

Cait1a, Gray. Body very long, front feet very slender, elongate,

rudimentary ; hinder feet short, compressed, thick, rudimentary, un-

divided, with two large femoral pores on each thigh. Tail very long

and slender.

Caitia Africana. Olive brown, rather paler on the sides.

Cape of Good Hope.

B. Lizard-like ; ears exposed ; legs 4; femoral pores none. New

World.

Asronia, Gray. Head depressed, with an odd anterior central plate

between the 4 or 6 polygonal frontal ones ; back and tail with smooth

or very obscurely keeled scales; toes 5—5; tail round, tapering,

about as long as the body.

* Scales of the back smooth ; head depressed.

Ab. Deppii. G. Deppii, Wiegm. Herp. Mex. t. 9. f. 2. Above black,

white spotted scales of the back very smooth, lateral plait obsolete ;

toes with large rounded warts below.

Mexico.

** Scales of the middle of the back obsoletely keeled, of the sides

smooth ; head subdepressed.

390 Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians.

Ab. teniatus, G. teniatus, Wiegm. Herp. Mex. t. 6. f.1. Bluish-

white, black banded.

Mexico.

GERRHONOTUS, Wiegm. Cordylus, De Blainv. Head pyramidical

with an odd anterior central plate between the 4 or 6 polygonal

frontal ones ; toes 5—5; tail round, tapering, about as long as the

body; back and tail with keeled unarmed scales forming continued

ridges on the back.

Gerrhonotus ceruleus, Wiegm. Herp. Mex. 31.

‘Brazil.

Gerrhonotus tessellatus, Wiegm. Herp. Mex. 31. t. 10. f 3. (head).

Scincus ventralis, Green.

Jun. Gerrho. liocephalus, Wiegm.

Mexico. ;

Gerrhonotus Burnetti, Gray, Beechey’s Voyage, t. ined. Pale olive,

sides with cross bands of white tipped dark brown scales, beneath

white brown; back with 16, belly with 12 rows of scales; tail thick,

as long as the body and head. ; :

South America. Brit. Mus.

Barista. Head pyramidical, without any odd anterior central

plate between the two or three pairs of frontal ones. ‘Toes 5—5;

tail round, about as long as the body. Back and tail with round

meehed unarmed scales.

* Ventral plates 14-rowed.

Barisia rudicollis, Gray. Gerrhonotus rudicollis, Wiegm, ion.

Mex. t. 10. f. 1. and 4.

Mexico.

** Ventral plates 12-rowed.

Barisia imbricata, Gray. Gerrhonotus imbr., Wiegm. Herp. Mex.

t. 10. fig. 2. and 5.

Mexico.

Barisia lichenigerus. Gerrhonotus lichenigerus, Wagler, Icon. Amph.

t. 34. f. 2. Gerrho. adspersus, Wiegm. Herp. Mew. t. 10. f. 6. (Head).

Mexico,

Exearia. Head pyramidical with a large central anterior frontal

plate placed between two pairs of very narrow long band-like ante-

rior, and a pair of large 6-sided posterior frontals. Occipital plates

scale-like. Back and tail with slightly keeled armless scales. ‘Toes

5—5, limbs weak; tail much longer than the body, slender.

Elgaria Kingii. Gerrhonotus Kingii, Bell. MSS. Pale brown,

head brown spotted with two diverging streaks on each side of the

occiput; back and tail with brown cross bands, some of the scales

Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians. 391

on the sides tipped with white; scales of the back slightly keeled,

of the sides smooth ; on the back 16, on the belly 12-rowed.

Hab. Brit. Mus.

Elgaria multicarinata. Gerrhonotus multicarinata, De Blainv. Nov.

Ann. Mus. 1838, t. 28. f. 2. appears to be a second species of this

genus if it is not a specimen which has the tail reproduced. In the

figure the occipital plates are represented much more distinct than

in our specimen.

C. Snake-like ; legs 2, rudimentary or none; femoral pores none ;

ears exposed.

Pseuporus, Merrem. Legs 2, posterior, penny undivided.

Old World.

Pseudopus Pallasii, Cuv. R. A. ii. p. 69. Lacerta apoda, Pallas.

Ophisaurus serpentinus, Hichw. Bipes Pallasii, Wagler. Pseud. ser-

pentinus, Merrem.

Young ? Pseudopus Durvillii, Cuv. Guerin Icon. t. 17. f. 1. Apodal

Lizards, Shaw Zool. t.

Europe.

Opuisaurus, Daud. Legs none; tail long. New World.

Ophisaurus ventralis. Anguis ventralis, Linn.

North America.

Ophisaurus lineatus. Yellowish brown with a set of three black

and yellow streaks above the lateral line; belly bluish; top of the

head and sides of the neck brown, spotted.

North America. Mus. Col. Surgeons.

Fam IV. Crrcosaurip&.

The body subcylindrical, sides rounder with scales like the back ;

back and upper part of the tail with rings of large keeled scales

forming longitudinal series ; throat, belly, and tail beneath, with flat

square shields.

Crrcosaura, Wagler. Scales of the back large, oblong, quadrate,

compressed, keeled ; throat with a double series of imbricate shields;

collar rather distinct; tail roundish, compressed. Toes 5—5; ears

conspicuous ; upper eyelid small; supraorbital plate thin ; femoral

pores none.

Cercosaura ocellata, Wagler Amph. Syst. 158.

Hab. |

Cercosaura Schreibersiit, Wiegman. Tachydromus Schreibersii,

Fitz. Cat.

Brazil.

Fam. V. CuirocoLip2.

Back and the tail above and below covered with long uniform

392 Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians.

keeled scales, placed in rings alternating with each other. Belly and

neck with flat shields ; collar double; ears none; femoral pores none.

HerrTeropactytus, Spix. Chirocolus, Wagler. ‘Toes 4—5, hinder

long, very unequal.

Heterodactylus imbricatus, Spix. Braz. t. 27. f. 1. (not good).

Brazil. Mus. Zoological Society.

Fam. VI. CHAMA&SAURIDZA.

Body subcylindrical, elongate, the whole, except the head, covered

with rings of elongate keeled scales, forming longitudinal series ;

limbs rudimentary, ears distinct.

Cuamasaura, Fitz. Feet fin-shaped ; nostrilsin the lower hinder

edge of the nasal shield. Back with six series of broad, and belly

and sides with many narrow long keeled scales.

Chamesaura anguina. Lacerta anguina, Linn. Lac. monodactylus,

Lacép. Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. ii. t. 59. f. 1.

South Africa. Cape of Good Hope.

Fam. VII. Hernopermipa.

The back and sides with oblong convex shield-like scales, the

belly with flat, thin, square plates; the head depressed; muzzle

rounded ; teeth on the inner side of the jaws incurved, with an in-

ternal lateral groove; supraorbital plate thin; femoral pores none ;

tongue ? Legs 4, strong.

Hxrtoperma, Wiegm. Trachyderma Wiegm. Isis, 1829.

Heloderma horridum, Wiegm. Herp. Mex. t. 1. Trachyderma hor-

ridum, Wagler Icon. t. 18.

Mexico. Mus. Brit.

D. (Thecaglosse). Tongue elongate, slender, retractile, apex fili-

form horny ; head with minute polygonal shields; scales placed in

rings, those of the sides like those of the back ; thighs poreless ; su-

praorbital plates horny ; teeth adnate to the inner side of the jaws.

Old World. Near water.

Fam. VIII. Mownrroripa.

Psammosavrvs, Fitz. Nostrils oval, oblique, near the orbits; tail

roundish ; scales not pierced; toes rather long.

Psam. Scincus. Lacerta Scincus. Uaranus Scincus, Merrem. Tu-

pinambus griseus and T. Niloticus, Daud. Monitor terrestre, Cuv.

Ouran de Forskal, Geoffr. Rept. Egypt. t. 3. f. 2.t.4.f.14, 15.

Young.—TInner side of the neck with 4 brown stripes ; tail banded.

North Africa. India.

Monitor. Polydedalus, Wagler. Udaranus, Fitz. Nostril ob-

Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians. 393

long, longitudinal in the middle between the apex of the muzzle and

the front angle of the eye ; tail elongate, compressed, with a double

edged keel above ; toes elongate, unequal, strong ; teeth rounded.

* Scales small ; ventral shields small, twice as long as broad.

Monitor Dracena. Lacerta Dracena, Linn. Stellio Salveguardia,

Laur. ‘Tupinambis Bengalensis and T. Indicus, Daud. 30. and T.

Cepedianus, Daud. t. 29. Uaranus guttatus, U. punctatus and U.

’ Argus, Merrem. Monitor gemmatus, Guerin, Icon. t 3.f. 1.

India.

** Scales moderate ; ventral shields square, as broad as long.

a. Scales on the eyebrows equal.

Monitor Niloticus. Polydzdalus, Nilot., Wagler. Lacerta capen-

sis, Sparman? Tup. ornatus, Daud.

Junior, Tup. elegans and T. stellatus, Daud.

Africa, North, South, and Western.

Monitor capensis. Lac. capensis, Sparman.

Jun. Monitor pulcher, Leach.

South and Western Africa.

b. With a larger row of scales in the small scales over the eyebrows.

Monitor heraldicus, Gray, Griffith’s Anim. Kingd.

India. Brit. Mus.

Monitor nebulosus, Gray, Griffith’s Anim. Kingd. ix. 27. Dum.

and Bib. iii. 433. Tup. neb. Cuv. MSS,

India.

Empacusia. Nostrils oblong, rather in the front of the muzzle.

Tail (shorter than the body and head) tapering, roundish, with a

double-edged keel above ; toes short, strong, subequal; teeth

rounded ; scales large. .

Empagusia flavescens, Monitor flavescens, Gray, Griffith’s Anim.

Kingd. ix. 25. Uran. Russelii, Schlegel, MSS. Uran. Piquotii, Dum.

and Bid, ii. 483.

India.

Empagusia ocellata. Monitor ocellatus, V. Heyden, Ruppell Atlas, t.

Dongola.

Emp. albogularis. 'Tupinambis albogularis, Daud. iii. 72. t. 32.

Monitor Gillii, A. Smith, Zool. Journ. Brown, black-banded, with

a black streak on each side of the nape. Nostrils subposterior.

South Africa. Brit. Mus.

Hyprosaurus, Wagler. Tupinambis, Fitz. Nostrils near the apex

of the muzzle ; teeth compressed, sharp-edged, edge toothed; tail

elongate, with a double-edged keel above; toes unequal, elongate.

394 Mr. Gray on the Slender-tongued Saurians.

* Scales over the orbits small.

Hydrosaurus varius. Lac. varia, Shaw, Nat. Hist. iv. t. 83. Tup.

variegatus, Daud. Hyd. variegatus, Wagler. Uaranus varius, Mer- |

rem.

New Holland.

Hydrosaurus marmoratus, Wiegmann, Acta Acad. Nat. Cur. xviii.

t. 14, Monitor marmoratus, Cuv. Reg. Anim.

Manilla.

** Scales over the orbits with a series of larger plates.

Hydrosaurus chlorostigmus, Gray, Griffith Anim. Kingd. Dum.

and Bib.

India.

Hydrosaurus Gouldii, with two yellow streaks on the sides of the

neck ; scales over the orbits small, flat.

New Holland.

Aydrosaurus Bellu. Uaranus Bellii, Dum. and Bid. iii. 493. t. 35.

Hydrosaurus Timorensis. Monitor Timorensis, Gray, Griffith Anim.

Kingd. ix. 36. Tup. viridimaculatus, Daud.

Timor. | Mus. Paris.

Hydrosaurus bivittatus, Wagler. Stellio salvator, Laur. Tup. bi-

vittatus, Kuhi. Uaranus vittatus, Lesson. Monitor elegans, Gray,

Zool. Journ. Seba, ii. t. 80. f. 2. cop. Shaw, Zool. t. 66. Monitor

Lizard. .

Young—Tupinambis exilis, Reeve.

India. Java.

Opatria, Gray. Nostrils subanterior; teeth compressed, acute ;

tail round elongate, with rings of keeled subspinose scales, and with-

out any keel along its upper surface.

Odairia punctata. Head, tail, and limbs black (perhaps disco-

loured), the limbs and base of the tail yellow dotted; body brown,

black spotted, beneath yellowish, with darker cross bands. Body

and head 8, tail 16 inches long. ‘The ventral shields are long and

- narrow and perforated behind ; the shields of the head are flat, rather

unequal ; and those over the eyebrows small, rather granular and

equal; those of the back are rather small ovate and surrounded

with a series of small granules ; the toes are rather strong and mode-

rate.

Western Australia, Shark’s Bay.

[To be continued. |

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.1. Pl xi.

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Bibliographical Notices. 395

XLIV.——Iilustrations of Indian Botany. By Drs. Wienr and

ARNOTT.

[Continued from p. 306 of the 2nd volume of the Companion to the

Botanical Magazine. |

SoLANUM GIGANTEUM.

Plate XIII.

Caule fruticoso aculeato tomentoso, foliis oblongo-lanceolatis acuminatis,

supra nudis, subtus niveo-tomentosis, cymis nutantibus parvifloris,

corollz laciniis lanceolatis acutis, baccis globosis nitidissimis.

Solanum giganteum. Jacq. Coll. v. iv. n.125, Wight et Arn. Cat.n.1571.

Dunal. Sol. p. 202. Reem. et Sch. v. iv. p.633.—Solanum farinosum. Wall.

in Roxb. Fl. Ind. v. ii. p. 255. List of Pl. in E. I. C. Mus. n. 2610,—Sola-

num argenteum. Heyne, Herb. (fide Wall.)

A tall-growing, erect shrub, from 12—15 feet high. Branches

rounded, the older ones armed with short, conical, slightly compress-

ed prickles ; the younger ones, the petioles, the under surface of the

leaves, and the inflorescence clothed with a*thick coating of mealy,

white stellated, deciduous tomentum. Leaves approximate, oblong-

lanceolate, 6 to 8 inches long, by about 2 or 23 broad, finely acumi-

nate, entire, acute at the base, smooth, dark-green above, except the

younger ones, which are tomentose on both sides. Petioles rounded,

from } an inch to 2inches long. Cymes lateral, dichotomous, droop-

ing, many-flowered. Calyx small, 5-cleft, the segments ovate, ob-

tuse, scarcely half the length of the corolla. Corolla small, ‘white,

5-cleft; laciniz spreading, lanceolate. Stamens alternate with the

lobes. Anthers projecting. Ovary superior. Style equalling the

length of the corolla. Stigma obtuse. Berries round, about the

size of a pea, shining as if varnished, containing numerous round

flattened seeds.

In alpine districts. Mountains of Dindegul, about 2000 feet above

the sea. The specimen here figured was from mountains near

Salem; elevation unknown.

Fig. 1, Calyx and pistil; f. 2, corolla laid open, magnified ; f. 3, berries,

nat, size.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

Ichthyologiske Bidrag til den Grénlandske Fauna, af Prof. J. Rhein-

hardt. Férste Hefte, med otte Kobbere. Kjébenhavn, 1837, Ato.

Turs valuable work commences with some observations on the Mam-

malia of Greenland, which is followed by some notes on the Birds,

396 Bibliographical Notices.

of which he gives figures of four interesting species, a new Sylvia

nearly allied to S. mewicana, Fringilla leucophrys, Numenius hudsoni-

cus, Lath., 1. N. borealis, Wilson, and Anas Barrowii of Richard-

son. ‘Then follows a list of the Greenland Fish, accompanied with

numerous observations, and with the description of two new genera,

which he thus characterizes :

LycopEs.

Corpus elongatum, antice incrassatum, rostro obtuse conico, trunco com-

presso, cauda ensiformi. Sguame corporis rotund, minute, tenuissi-

mz, cuti immerse. Os dentibus validis, intermaxillaribus, mandibu-

laribus, vomerinis et palatinis armatum; rictus mediocris. Membrana

branchiostega sexradiata utrinque jugulo connata, apertura branchiali

angusta postica. Pinne ventrales obsolete brevissime latiuscule jugu-

lares. Pinna dorsalis et pinna analis longissime, apicem caudee cir-

cumdantes; radiis articulatis divisis. Vesica natatoria nulla.

Inter Zoareeum et Anarrhicam genus medium.

1, Lycodes Vahlit. Corpore fasciato, capite postice parum depresso; pin-

nis, dorsali et anali, squamis minutissimis adspersis, illa radiis 117, hac ra-

diis 93; ano ante medium gastrzeum sito. (Tab. V.)

Pustulated Blenny, Pennant, Artic. Zool.—Blennius polaris, Sabine.

2. Lycodes reticulatus, corpore reticulato ; capite postice compressiusculo;

pinnis, dorsali analique, nudis, illa radiis 95, hac radiis 75; ano fere in

gastreeo medio sito. (Tab. VI.)

3. Lycodes seminudus, corpore concolore, ab apice oris usque ad angulum

anteriorem pinnz analis nudo; capite postice compressiusculo; pinnis dor-

sali analique nudis, illa radiis 91, hac 71; ano pone medium gastreeum sito.

BytTuitEs.

Corpus breve compressum antice incrassatum, ore fere truncato, cauda

ensiformi. Squame corporis rotund minute imbricate. Linea Jate-

ralis tubulis exsertis cutaneis compacta, interrupta. Os dentibus acu-

tis intermaxillaribus, mandibularibus, vomerinis et palatinis armatum ;

rictus mediocris. Membrana branchiostega utriusque aperture invicem

connata sub isthmo libere suspensa; radiis octo; apertura ampla infero-

postica. Pinne ventrales obsolete uniradiate filiformes longiuscule ju-

gulares. Pinna, dorsalis et analis, longee, apicem caude circumdantes ;

radiis articulatis divisis. Membrum conicum crassum pone anum hori-

zontaliter porrectum, apice triphyllo papilligero. Vesica natatoria ca-

nali pneumatico nullo.

Bythites fuscus. (Tab. VII.)

Ordnance Survey of Ireland. Colonel Colby, R.E. Superintendent.

Volume the First, Memoir of the City and North-western Liberties

of Londonderry, parish of Templemere. 4to. Dublin. Hodges and

Smith. 1837.

We have always considered that a survey of a country, conducted

Bibliographical Notices. 397

by properly appointed men, whether its real purport was mere history

and statistics, or the ascertaining of the valuation and capabilities

of the district for culture and commerce, might also be made most

highly important for a knowledge of its natural productions ; and from

the clear manner in which the contents of the present volume (the

first of a series) are made out, with the elaborate detail given to

some of the departments, we ventured to expect something of a su-

perior class, and that some portion of the work would come fittingly

under our head of ‘ Bibliographical Notices.’ The volume is divided

into three parts or sections, the ‘‘ Natural,” “ Artificial” and ‘‘ Ge-

neral” Notes. It is with the first we have to do, divided again into

Natural Features and Natural History.

Hills. Geology.

Lakes. Botany.

Rivers, &c. Zoology.

With this part we are not satisfied. The parish of Templemere

is not a very favourable one for displaying the qualifications of a

naturalist or for exhibiting what might be done in the records of a

local Fauna; the plan pursued is excellent, but it is sadly deficient

in detail. We have the “natural features,” embracing geology and

botany, concisely described, giving a view of the general surface and

of the vegetation of the parish. Its botanical riches are not great,

not more than fifty species being mentioned as worthy of notice, but

some of these would be actively sought after by a botanist accus-

tomed only to the more usual flora of England or Scotland. For

zoology the parish is noted to be unfavourable, and undoubtedly it

is for a rare or very interesting list; but surely in mammalia Tem-

plemere can boast of more than a bat and the otter. The latter is

given as the Lutra vulgaris ; is it the species common to the Sister

isle and the continent of Europe? Seventeen birds are only men-

tioned, all of them common, if we except one, which, however, we

are at some loss to identify, from the remarks which accompany it.

No. 11, ‘‘ Sturnus ? vulgaris, or Turdus solitarius ;” if the true solitary

thrush, as it is called (a Petro cincla), then it is worth recording ; if

merely a young starling, scarcely so; and Mr. Thompson, of Belfast,

or Mr. R. Ball could have at once settled that question, if a reference

to the ‘“‘ Ordnance Collections” was inconvenient. The fish are bet-

ter treated of, though we have only twenty-two species recorded.

There are some interesting observations on the genus Scyllium. The

list of Mollusca enumerates only Mya arenaria, Turbo littoreus, and

Mytilus edulis. In this first part, occupying in all only sixteen

398 Bibliographical Notices.

pages, it is stated in conclusion, ‘‘ that the details will be filled up

and completed in the zoological department of the county ;” and on

this account we should not perhaps have spoken so lightly of it, but

we know that there are so many parts of Ireland unexplored that we

do feel disappointed. A naturalist should be attached to the survey

during all its working and travelling time; the expense would be

comparatively small, the information would be great, and without

this we can scarcely expect to see the ‘ natural state” brought up

to the same standard with the other portions of this great and na-

tional undertaking.

At the conclusion of this volume there is appended ‘“ Notices,”

accompanied with plates; these are very important. The Notices

are stated to be “‘ published for the more speedy information of men

of science, in anticipation of the parochial memoirs, in proper con-

nexion with which the subjects will be ultimately described,” and

the plates devoted to organic remains and to botany are beautifully

executed. This plan is also excellent, and might perhaps be made

to supersede entirely any temporary sketch of the natural state of

each parish, such as we have just noticed, until the natural history

of the whole county was prepared. They might also be so intro-

duced as to form a separate work, detailing the most interesting dis-

coveries among the natural productions of Ireland when the great

survey was completed, and thus be more useful and easily accessible

to the professed naturalist.

Many of these notices have appeared elsewhere previously, and

are chiefly relative to botany and the lower classes of zoology. The

plates are three, devoted to fossil remains, the others to Calama-

grostis lapponica, Carex Buxbaumit, Polysiphonia atropurpurea, and

P. affinis. , .

The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Professor

Jameson. No. for January 1838. Edinburgh, A. Black and Co.

Syo.

JANUARY 1838. Zoology.

I, Experiments on the development and growth of the fry of

the Salmon, from the exclusion of the ovum to the age of seven

months. By Mr. John Shaw, Dumlunry, Dumfriesshire. This is

one of the most important papers on the subject which has been

published since 1800; and although circumstances wherein any

animal is to a certain extent artificially placed must be viewed with

caution, the experiments now detailed are nearly as perfect as, under

the circumstances, they could be. Mr. Shaw was previously known

Bibliographical Notices. 399

to have performed some experiments to ascertain the range of the

growth of the young salmon after its exclusion from the egg, and

those now described were begun after these trials, and prior expe-

rience, had brought the whole arrangement tolerably perfect.

Mr. Shaw had made a series of small artificial ponds, having

a run of pure water passing through them; and the lead bottoms

gravelled so as to resemble as near as possible the native spawn-

ing beds, and the resort of the young fry after they were hatched.

Two salmon were taken from their spawning-bed in the frith while

just ready to deposit their spawn; these were made immediately to

shed their spawn together, in a pool formed for the purpose by the

side of the river, and the impregnated ova were afterwards removed

to Mr. Shaw’s breeding pond. There it was hatched 101 days after

impregnation ; and at the age of six months, or in the November

following (the time when his paper was read), the young had attained

the length of about three inches. From these results Mr. Shaw

considers that the young or fry do not proceed to the sea in the same

year they are hatched, as has been generally supposed, but that they

remain in the fresh water over the first winter, and migrate about

the May following, or when about twelve or thirteen months old.

The fry or young salmon have hitherto been supposed to migrate to

the sea the same spring in which they were hatched from the egg;

and if it shall be hereafter proved that they do not leave the rivers

for thirteen or fourteen months, it is evident that an immense destruc-

tion must take place during their continuance in the fresh water, a

circumstance of great importance to the fisheries.

Botany.

I,, On the Tree which produces the Gamboge of Commerce. By R.

Wright. (Extracted from the Madras Journal.) Together with

explanatory notes by Dr. Grohm. The paper in the Madras Journal

is written after reading Dr. Grohm’s papers in the Companion to

the Botanical Magazine, and evidently to a certain extent misunder-

standing the latter author, from having not seen all the accounts

which had been published in this country. Dr. Grohm corrects and

explains his own observations, in the remarks which accompany the

Madras extract; but nothing new has been elicited since we for-

merly noticed the subject.—II. On Alge which communicate a red

colour to the waters of some salt marshes. By M. Dunal. In seve-

ral of the Continental salt-works the crystals were often observed

to be of a beautiful rose colour, or the water to have a ferruginous

orange tint, at the edges of which was also observed a scum of the

400 Bibliographical Notices.

same colour. This was thought to be caused by a small ‘“ Branchio-

pode,” Artemia salina. The examinations of M. Dunal found how-

ever that this little animal, though abounding, was perfectly co-

lourless, or rather white than red; and continued observation has

shown him that the colouring matter proceeded from a minute Pro-

tococcus, to which he has applied the name of salinus. The orange

red again, or rosy colour, he found produced by another plant, to

which the name of Hematococcus salinus has been applied; but at

the same time, he observes, that the Protococcus may turn out to be

only the young state of the other. Among the “ Scientific Intelli-

gence’’ is recorded the discovery of Carex leporina, Linn., Loch-Na-

gar, by Mr. Dickie, of Aberdeen.

Works in the Press.

A History of the British Zoophytes. By George Johnston, M.D.,

Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, &c.

Tuer object of the present work is to describe every species of this

interesting class of animals ascertained to inhabit the British Islands.

The first part of the volume is devoted to the history of zoophytology,

and to details on the structure, physiology, and classification of

zoophytes ; and the second contains the description of the species.

We are perfectly convinced, that this volume will not only be

an acceptable one te scientific naturalists, but to all those who,

through various channels, have heard of the discoveries relating to

this class of beings in the memoirs of Trembley, Baker, and Ellis.

The work of Ellis on the British Corallines, published in the year

1755, has been long out of print, and is now extremely rare. But

the present author, with a complete knowledge of everything that

has been previously written on the subject, has given correct details

regarding all the species hitherto discovered from personal observa-

tion ; and his known talents leave it little doubtful that this work

will in future be a standard one in all that regards the Natural Hi-

story of British Zoophytes.

Since the publication of Ellis’s Essay on Corallines in 1755, no

separate work has appeared in illustration of the history of British

zoophytes. Inthe mean time, a much more accurate knowledge of

the structure and habits of these remarkable productions has been

attained, and many curious species have been discovered in our seas,

the notices of which lie scattered through numerous volumes of a

miscellaneous nature, often very difficult to procure, and not attain-

able without considerable expense. To collect into one volume, of

Zoological Society. 401

a convenient size and moderate price, these discoveries ; to systema-

tise the whole; and arrange the species after a more natural method,

has been the object of the author of the present work. In the plates,

figures, of the natural size and magnified, of nearly every species, are

given,—the figures drawn from nature expressly for the volume; and

from the care bestowed upon them it is confidently believed that

they will be found accurate and faithful representations of their ob-

jects.

This work will be published in a form so as to range with Yarrell’s

British Birds and Fishes, and will be accompanied with numerous

wood cuts and engravings.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

October 10, 1837, R. Owen, Esq., in the Chair.—Mr. Gould

called the attention of the Meeting to a collection of Birds from

Australia and the adjacent islands, belonging to the Raptorial Order,

and upon which he proceeded to offer the following observations.

‘* My attention during the last few days having been directed to the

Raptorial Birds of Australia and the adjacent islands, and my own

collection from those parts being particularly rich in the birds of

this order, I am induced to lay before the Society a slight sketch

of all the species found in that portion of the globe, and to exhibit to

the Meeting a few which I conceive to be now for the first time

made public. From our limited knowledge, however, of this vast

continent, my observations will more particularly refer to the birds

of the southern parts of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land, these

being the districts which up to the present time have been most ex-

tensively explored.

‘‘ Most of the forms now exhibited will be found to bear a striking

resemblance to those inhabiting Europe; indeed, the similarity

is so strikingly obvious as to leave no doubt of the influence of tem-

perature on the form of animals.

** A remarkable deficiency, and that a very important one, is the to-

tal absence of any of the Vulturide, or of any form by which this

family might be represented. It is true that a bird has been described

by Dr. Latham under the name of ‘New Holland Vulture;’ but

this bird is now almost universally admitted to belong to a totally

different order, that of the Rasores. I have placed an example of

this singular species on the table, an examination of which will en-

able any member present (who has not before had an opportunity of

Ann. Nat, Hist, Vol.1. No.5. July 1838. 2D

402 Zoological Society.

inspecting it,) to judge of the impropriety of assigning it a place

among the Raptores. The nearest approach to the Vulturide, said

to be from New Zealand, and brought from thence by Captain Cook,

is the Polyborus Nove-Zelandia, the Falco Nove-Zelandie of Dr. La-

tham: now as I conceive that the specimen brought home by Cap-

tain Cook will prove to be identical with those so frequently trans-

mitted from the Straits of Magellan, as I am not aware of any other

specimen except Captain Cook’s having been received direct from

New Zealand, and, moreover, that the form is strictly confined to

America and its adjacent islands, some mistake may have arisen in

labelling the specimen brought home by our celebrated navigator,

a circumstance which, if my opinion be correct, has involved the

history of the species in considerable confusion.

‘Of the genus Aquila only one species has as yet been discovered,

viz., the Aguila fucosa of Cuvier, which doubtless represents in Au-

stralia the Golden Eagle of Europe, from which it may be readily

distinguished by its more slender contour, and by its lengthened and

wedge-shaped tail.

_ “Of the genus Haliaétus or Sea Eagles, there are four species, the

.largest of which, clearly the analogue of the European H. albicilla,

is one of the species which I consider to be new, and which from the

wedge-shaped form of its tail I would characterise as H. sphenurus,

I cannot but consider the form of the tail in this species as particu-

larly interesting, inasmuch as it is a character peculiar to all the

species of Eagle inhabiting Australia, although in a less degree to the

others than to the present species. The second is a small species,

described by Messrs. Vigors and Horsfield in the Linnzan 'Transac-

tions as Hal. canorus, the European representatives of which are

not so clear to me as those just alluded to. ‘The third is the Ha-

liaétus Calei of Messrs. Vigors and Horsfield, of which a single spe-

cimen exists in the collection of the Linnzan Society, and which I

should be rather inclined to assign to the genus Astur than to that of

Haliaétus. In size this species equals the Common Buzzard, but has

the rounded wing and several other characters peculiar to the genus

Astur. The fourth is the White-breasted Eagle of Dr. Latham, a

species inhabiting the continent of Australia and Van Diemen’s Land.

At a cursory glance this powerful bird might be said to represent the

Haliaétus leucocephalus of northern Europe and America; and al-

though I cannot but admit their resemblance, I discern characters

sufficiently distinct to warrant its separation into a new genus. I

am not, however, prepared to make this division at the present mo-

ment; still I am of opinion this bird will prove to be one of a group

Zoological Society. 403

ranging between Haliaétus and Pandion, of which latter genus the

Osprey of Europe may be regarded as the type, and of which a single

species inhabits Australia. This bird appears to accord most accu-

rately with European specimens excepting in its smaller size; and if

this should ultimately prove to be identical with our bird, it may

then be said to be universally distributed over the Old World. The

Osprey of America, on the contrary, presents us with some slight

differences, which being constant, may I think be safely regarded as

specific.

‘* Of the genus Falco, the Peregrinus is replaced by a species most

nearly allied to, and hitherto considered identical with that bird: the

experienced eye of the ornithologist will, however, readily distinguish

an Australian specimen when placed among others from various parts

of the globe, so that there will be but little impropriety in assigning

to it a separate specific name. As, however, my engagements have not

allowed me to make that minute examination which is necessary to

determine the point, I defer for the present affixing a new specific

name for this species. The Hobby, so familiar as a European

bird, is represented by the Falcon, for which I now propose the

specific name of rufiventer, as I believe it to be undescribed. The

third species, which I have provisionally followed Messrs. Vigors and

Horsfield in placing among the true Falcons, is the Falco Berigora,

whose lengthened and slightly-formed tarsi indicate a difference in

structure, which may ultimately prove to be generic. The Cerchnis

cenchroides (Falco cenchroides of Messrs. Vigors and Horsfield,) ex -

hibits a beautiful analogy with the Common Kestril of our island,

but although nearly allied possesses several important and permanent

differences.

“‘ The great variety of changes to which the members of the genus

Astur are subjected, has led to vast confusion, and it is only by a

minute examination of the numerous examples in my collection in

various stages of plumage, that I have been able to determine the

species with satisfaction to myself; and if I have found it necessary

to consider as identical two or three species of this genus charac-

terised by Messrs. Vigors and Horsfield, I feel confident that it was

owing to the absence of sufficient materials at the time the Linnean

collection was so ably named by those gentlemen, that they were

described as distinct.

** My attention has of course been directed to the great difference

in size which exists between the males and females, and the various

changes from youth to maturity which occur in the members of the

genera Astur and Accipiter; and I must now call the attention of

2D 2

404 Zoological Society. |

the members present to the beautiful analogy which exists between

the Accipiter torquatus and the Astur approximans of Messrs. Vigors

and Horsfield, of which several examples are on the table; I say

analogy, because it is in colour alone that so great a similarity exists

between them. These gentlemen having applied the names of ap-

prozimans and fasciatus to two birds which I believe to be synony-

mous with the Falco radiatus of Dr. Latham, whose description was

taken from a young bird, I retain the name of Astur approximans in

preference to radiatus, from the near approach of these two birds to

Accipiter torquatus. It will, perhaps, not be out of place to say a

few words on the difference in structure of these birds, which in

outward appearance offer so close a resemblance to each other. The

females in both these minor groups far exceed the males in size, and

both groups appear with a trifling deviation to be subject to the same

changes of plumage; while in their structure they exhibit con-

siderable differences, the chief of which are the more delicate,

slender, and lengthened form of the legs of Accipiter, the great pro-

longation of the middle toe, and the square or forked form-of the

tail. On comparison it will be found that the centre toe of the little

male Accipiter on the table is fully as long as that of the male Astur

approximans, a bird nearly double its size ; that the tarsi in the latter

bird are comparatively shorter and more robust ; and that the middle

tail-feathers are the longest, giving a rounded form to that organ.

“Tt may be truly said that Australia abounds in anomalies, witness

its Black Swan and White Hawk, which latter bird has not a little

puzzled me, and I am not yet satisfied as to whether it be not a per-

manent albino variety of anotherspecies, examples of which are now

on the table with a corresponding number of birds in the white plu-

mage. Much difference will be found in their size, but this may be

readily accounted for by the difference of size in the two sexes.

‘‘The males and females of the white birds agree so accurately in

their measurements with those in the grey plumage, as to induce me

to believe that they are identical; and after a close examination |

am also led to consider the Astur Raii of the Linnzan Catalogue as

the young of the same species.

“Of the genus Milvus my collection contains two species, and two

more beautiful representatives of the two species inhabiting Europe

cannot be imagined ; for one of these, whose affinities ally it closely

to the Common Kite of England, I would propose the name of Mil-

vus Nove-Hollandie ; and for the other, which is equally allied to the

Milvus ater, that of M. aterrimus.

‘« The bird which has hitherto been considered as identical with the

Zoological Society. 405

Elanus melanopterus of Africa, is evidently distinct from that species;

an unerring difference may be found in the jet black spot on the

white part of the under surface of the wing; for this hitherto unde-

scribed species I would propose the name of notatus.

‘One species of Harrier only, but a very interesting one, inasmuch

as it represents there the Circus rufus of Europe, has come into my

possession. I believe the female of this species to be the Circus affi-

nis of Messrs. Jardine and Selby; but as the male has not yet been

characterised, and moreover differs very much from the female, to

which alone the name of affinis would apply, I propose to drop that

appellation and to give that of Jardinei instead.

‘‘ On examining the family of Strigide or Owls, we cannot but ob-

serve the deficiency which exists in some of the subgenera, and the

abundance of others; thus while we have never seen any birds be-

longing to the genera Bubo, Otus, Scops, &c., we have numerous

species of the restricted genera Strix and Noctua: the name of Noc-

tua, however, having been applied by Linnzus to one of the tribes

in Entomology, ought not perhaps to be adopted ; that of Athene, pro-

posed by M. Boje, and employed by some German naturalists, may

be used in its stead.

*“‘ Four species of this genus are now on the table, the two largest

of which are new to science. For the largest I would propose the

name of Athene strenua, and for the other that of A. fortis. The third

has been characterised by Messrs. Vigors and Horsfield as the Noc-

tua Boobook, and the Noctua maculata of these gentlemen seems to

be identical with it. For the fourth and last species of the genus,

which is from Van Diemen’s Land, and which is evidently distinct

from either, I propose the name of leucopsis, from the white colouring

of its face. The species of the genus Strix which I have called de-

licatus, together with my Strix cyclops and Strix castanops and the

Strix personata of Messrs. Vigors and Horsfield, may be said to be

closely allied, but distinct species.

‘‘ In conclusion, it may be remarked that the birds belonging to the

Raptorial Order inhabiting Australia and the adjacent islands are

extremely few in number, when compared with those found in other

countries; at the same time, as our knowledge of this part of the

world is very limited, the number will in all probability be consider-

ably increased as these countries become more fully known to us.

** At present the species are twenty-six in number, and are distri-

buted as follows.

1 True Eagle .... Aquila.

4 Sea Eagles .... Hualiaétus.

406 Botanical Society of Edinburgh.

bi Osprey clvak Pandion.

4 Falcons,....... Falco.

3. Hawks ........ Astur and Accipiter.

a BAO, sd ee 2 Milvus and 1 comes

1 New form allied to Pernis.

1 Bhaeriek ese Circus.

BS Owisi oo ueasics Strix and Noctua or Athene.”’

BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH,

February 8th, 1838.—Professor Graham, President, in the Chair.

A letter from Dr. Tyacke was read, containing an account of a

botanical excursion in the spring of 1837 to the Channel Islands and

the coast of France, with remarks on several of the species collected.

Observations by Dr. Graham on Plants collected in Scotland in 1837

by Dr. M‘Nab were read. He noticed particularly the following :

Arenaria norvegica, first seen on Serpentine Hills to the northward

of Balta Sound, Shetland, by a son of Dr. Edmonstone, and after-

wards found by Dr. M‘Nab in the same place. Specimens collected

by Dr. Pollexfen in 1835, were shown to the Society.

Cerastium latifolium, var. With dense cxspitose habit, orbicular

leaves, profusely glandular pubescence, and straight cylindrical cap-

sule, scarcely longer than the calyx. Hab. Shetland.

Lychnis dioica, var. With pale rose-coloured flowers, and stem

rarely three inches high. Seen by Mr. James M‘Nab some years ago,

and found to retain its peculiar habit in cultivation. Hab. Near

Newton Stewart, Galloway.

Agrostis canina, var. is perhaps Trichodium alpinum or rupestre.

Dr. Graham thinks the absence of the inner valve of the perianth,

though not a generic, is a good specific character. Plant first no-

ticed by Dr. Graham in Sutherlandshire some years ago, and after-

wards by Mr. Wm. M‘Nab in a viviparous state in the same county.

Hab. On the top of Goatfel, Arran.

Fedia mixta, Vahl. Specimens were gathered along with this,

showing the transition from F. dentata. Hab. Near Whithorn.

Mr. R. Falconer read a paper containing an account of the most

celebrated gardens of antiquity, with observations on the hortulan

taste which they exhibit. After some introductory remarks upon the

probable origin of gardens, he proceeded to give a detailed account

of the gardens of Alcinous mentioned by Homer; the Hanging Gar-

dens of Babylon ; the parks or gardens of the Persians mentioned by

Xenophon ; the gardens of Daphne in Syria, and the gardens of the

Hesperides. He then gave an account of the gardens celebrated by

the ancient Greeks and Romans ; among the latter those of Lucullus

Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 407

at Baiz, of Pliny at Tusculum, and Laurentum. Mr. Falconer con-

siders, that although a taste for gardening evidently prevailed to some

extent among the ancients, yet that it never attained to any perfec-

tion except among modern nations. Flowers he also believes never

constituted a peculiar feature of ancient gardens, and that they were

not esteemed as objects of taste by the ancients, who appear to have

cultivated them only as decorations to be employed on occasions of

public and private rejoicing.

Mr. James Macaulay then read a paper, the object of which was

to prove that flowers were esteemed by the ancients as objects of

taste, and cultivated as a source of amusement. He argued that the

very fact of flowers being deemed worthy of being offered to the

gods proved a previous taste and value for them ; and gave examples

of gardens among the ancient Hebrews, Greeks, and Oriental nations,

where amenitas, and not ufilitas alone, must have been the object in

the cultivation of flowers. He next alluded to the gardens mentioned

in the Latin classics, and contended that the garden of Lucullus, so

often referred to, ought not to be regarded as a specimen either of

the art or the taste of his time, as it was censured by his own con-

temporaries Cicero and Varro, the latter expressly stating ‘‘ Hortos

Luculli non floribus fructibusque sed tabulis fuisse insignes.”’ He also

showed, on the authority of Horace, Martial, and Pliny, that the citi-

zens of Rome used to cultivate plants in the balconies of their houses,

and to rear flowers in boxes and in flower-pots, which were called

“‘ Horti tmaginarii ;”’ and that it is not likely the rich would do this

merely to procure materials for their votive offerings, or to supply

the ornaments for their entertainments; but that a taste for their

cultivation as objects of amusement must also have prevailed.

Dr. Graham read the continuation of his observations on the plants

collected in Scotland in 1837, by Dr. M‘Nab.

Erythrea litioralis. Dr. Graham thinks it doubtful whether there

is more than one British species of Hrythrea ; and if the present is to

be considered distinct, that its only character would seem to rest on

the narrow linear segments of the 5-partite calyx, equal to the tube

of the corolla.—Hab. Brodick, Arran.

Lathyrus maritimus is apparently the plant of the North of Europe,

of Canada, and of the United States as far south as Boston; and

may be easily distinguished from L. pisiformis of Ledebour, or the

figure of Gmelin quoted by him and in Hooker’s British Flora, by

the winged stem and the shape of the stipules. The variety which

Dr. Graham considers to be the type of the species is distinguished

by its compact robust growth, and by the common petioles being

much arched backwards; whereas the present plant is of a slender

408 Royal Asiatic Society.

somewhat straggling habit, not from growing in wooded ground, but

probably from being the inhabitant of the less genial climate to

which the species is extended. It appears not to differ from Lathyrus

venosus of American botanists. Hab. Sands on the shore at Barra

Firth, Unst, Shetland, where Dr. Edmonstone had observed it for

several years.

Ervum tetraspermum and Allium arenarium.—Hab. Near Kirkcud-

bright.

Cladium Mariscus.—Huab. Ravenston Loch, Whithorn.

Lamium intermedium.—Hab. Shetland.

Mr. Campbell read a communication from Col. P. J. Brown of

Kichenbithl near Thun, containing a sketch of the botany of the neigh-

bourhood of the lake of Thun, Switzerland, chiefly in reference to

the geographical distribution and altitude of the species enumerated.

The lake of Thun having an elevation of about 1900 feet above the

sea, and the surrounding country being much intersected by hills or

long ridges, the vegetation assumes a subalpine character on the pas-

tures about 1800 feet above the lake, comprising Trollius europeus,

Hieracium aureum, Tussilago alpina, &c. The following is given as an

approximation to the species usually met with at different altitudes

on the surrounding mountains. Between 2000 and 8000 feet, Arena-

ria verna and ciliata, Dryas octopetala, Cotoneaster vulgaris, Hieracium

villosum, &c. Between 3000 and 4000 feet, Silene acaulis, Cerastium

alpinum, Phaca astragalina, Oxytropis uralensis, Saxifraga oppositifolia,

Hieracium aurantiacum, Arbutus alpina, Ajuga alpina, Orchis pallens,

Carex atrata, &c. Above 4000 feet, Gnaphalium alpinum and Leon-

topodium, Petrocallis pyrenaica, Draba tomentosa and stellata, Andro-

sace bryoides, &c. Col. Brown concludes his paper by stating that

he hopes to be able to communicate fuller information as to the pre-

cise elevations of the different localities mentioned on some future

occasion.

ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY.

April 21.—Professor Wilson in the Chair.

Dr. Royle read a communication from Colonel Sykes, respecting

the vegetable and other productions of the Deccan, having reference

to a similar communication at the beginning of the year, showing

their immense extent in the eastern continent and adjacent penin-

sula, which yet remained to be made subservient to the arts and ma-

nufactures of this country. The paper was accompanied by a great

variety of specimens and an extensive herbarium. These he divided

into the gummy, the astringent, the fibrous, the oil-producing, and

the saponaceous and dyeing, being classified according to their uses

in the arts. The caoutchouc, belonging to the first class, was be-

Linnean Society. 409

coming daily of greater importance ; its production was almost illi-

mitable, and there had been a preparing manufactory lately esta-

blished at Calcutta. The plants yielding astringent productions were

also very numerous, and some importance must be attached to this

class, as the supply of European barks must, at no distant day, di-

minish to such a degree as to call the attention of those interested to

the subject. The oil-producing plants were very numerous, and India

had been looked to as a country from which we may justly calculate

upon for supplies. The sapoline principle was developed in many of

the specimens, similar to that of the soap-plant of the West Indies; it

was now beginning to be usefully applied in washing silk. Several

flaxes and silks were also on the table; but before a proper account

can be given as to their merits, they will require to be prepared.

Dr. Cauter read a paper on a zoological collection, consisting prin-

cipally of molluscze and zoophytes, which he exhibited, and were col-

lected by him on the coasts of Sunberdunds. ‘The phosphorescent

changes of colour in the ocean caused by these animals he described

as rivalling in beauty those of the cameleon.

LINNEZAN SOCIETY.

May 24.—This day, the anniversary of the birth-day of Linnzeus,

and that appointed in the charter for the election of Council and

Officers, the Right Rev. the Bishop of Norwich, President of the

Society, opened the business of the meeting, and in stating the

number of Fellows whom the Society had lost during the past year,

gave the following notices of some of them.

James Agar, Esq., died at the advanced age of 81. He was the

last surviving member of a society established in London for the cul-

tivation of natural history, which preceded the foundation of the

Linnean Society, and which reckoned among its members John

Hunter, Hudson, and Curtis. Mr. Agar became a Fellow of this

Society in 1826, and in his capacity of trustee transferred to it the

books and other property which had belonged to the Natural History

Society. . )

William Bentham, Esq.

Thomas Castle, M.D.—This gentleman was the author of some

elementary works on Botany and Anatomy,

The Rev. John Horatio Dickenson.

Sir William Elford, Bart., F.R.S.—Sir William Elford was an

Honorary Member of the Royal Academy, and was up to a late pe-

riod of life, which was prolonged beyond 80, in the habit of add-

ing to the exhibitions at Somerset House some of his own paintings,

which were regarded by competent judges as evincing great merit,

410 Linnean Society.

The branch of natural history to which he was more particularly

devoted was ornithology.

John Hey, Esq.—An eminent surgeon at Leeds.

George Hibbert, Esq., F.R.S.—Mr. Hibbert was a distinguished

patron of botany, and long possessed a botanic garden richly stored

with the choicest plants at Clapham, and for the purpose of enriching

his collection he sent to the Cape of Good Hope Mr. Niven, an in-

defatigable botanical collector, by whose means he introduced from

that quarter into our gardens a great number of plants until then

unknown. Mr. Hibbert’s name is commemorated in a genus of the

Dilleniacee, and the name of Mr. Niven has been commemorated in

a genus of Proteacee by Mr. Brown in the 10th volume of the So-

ciety’s Transactions. ‘The herbarium formed at the Cape by Mr.

Niven was presented by Mr. Hibbert to this Society.

Sir Rickard Colt Hoare, Bart., F.R.S.—The news of the death of

this excellent man at the age of 80 reached town a few days ago.

He was more particularly distinguished as an antiquarian and for

his taste and patronage of the fine arts. The history of his native

county, Wiltshire, rich in ancient British remains, occupied a large

share of his attention during his long life, and the splendid works

which he has published on that subject evince great learning, com-

bined with deep research and patient industry. Sir Richard pos-

sessed a very extensive library, particularly rich in antiquarian lore,

at his splendid seat at Stourhead, where the man of science and

learning was sure to meet with a hospitable welcome. Botany also

occupied a portion of his attention. His garden was long famed for

the extensive collection of the Geraniacee which it contained, the

culture of which he himself superintended, and his name is comme-

morated in a genus of that family. Sir Richard was distinguished

for his urbanity and benevolence, and his loss will be severely felt

in the extensive agricultural district in which he resided.

The Rev. Thomas Poole Hooper, M.A.

Sir Abraham Hume, Bart., F.R.S.—Sir Abraham Hume was a

munificent patron of botany, and was the possessor of a choice col-

lection of plants, more especially of those from China and the East

Indies, which he cultivated with great success at his seat at Worm-

leybury. He likewise possessed a very valuable mineralogical col-

lection, which was particularly rich in precious stones, and which

had been arranged and named by the Comte de Bournon, author of

the Traité de Mineralogie.

Sir Abraham Hume reached the advanced age of 89, and his

love of natural history, especially of botany, continued unabated to

the last, a circumstance which doubtless tended to prolong that

Linnean Society. All

cheerfulness and amiability of disposition for which he was distin-

guished.

Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq., F.R.S., President of the Horticul-

tural Society.—One of the most original, ingenious, and eminent of

vegetable physiologists, and distinguished equally as a horticulturist.

He had been a member of this society for thirty-one years, but only

contributed two papers to its Transactions, one on the Variegation

of Plants in 1808, and the other on the different species of esculent

Strawberries in 1817.

The important results of Mr. Knight’s labours are to be found in

the Transactions of the Royal Society and in those of the Horticul-

tural Society, and in the gardens and orchards of this country. It

is to be regretted that his papers scattered through the extensive vo-

lumes of these Societies have never been collected and published in

amore accessible form; for however speculative many of the opinions

and views of the physiologist are, the facts elicited by the ingenious

experiments of Mr. Knight must always be valuable, and his reputa-

tion has perhaps never been duly appreciated out of his own country.

His labours were directed not only to the advancement of vegetable

physiology, but to useful practical results; and in the interesting la-

bours of the garden, orchard, and forest, the practical man has found

sagacious and useful explanations and directions in the writings of

Mr. Knight for his guidance.

It would be impossible to do justice to his memory in the brief

notice of our deceased members that is usual on this occasion. The

best tribute to his worth is the universal regret that his death, in his

80th year, has excited, and the respect in which he is spoken of, and

the feeling that prevails of the hopelessness of finding any one to

supply the vacancy he has made in the ranks of science. Whether

we regard him as the intimate friend and associate of the venerable

Banks, Sir J. E. Smith, and others who have gone from amongst us,

as the persevering and ingenious investigator of the laws of nature.

or as the enlightened and benevolent country-gentleman like Evelyn,

devoting his means, his talents, and leisure to the good of his coun-

try, or as the kind landlord endeared to a large and happy tenantry,

he is equally an object of our admiration and respect; and I have the

less regret at my inability to render the honour that is due to his

memory, because I am assured that a life so excellent cannot close

without a due tribute to it being paid by some one who is capable of

detailing its labours and holding it up to the imitation of others, _

Peter Rainier, Esq.

Matthias A. Robinson, Esq.

Sir John Deas Thomson, K.C.H., F.R:S.

412 Miscellaneous.

Sir Patrick Walker, F.R.S., Edinb.—Sir Patrick was a zealous

entomologist, and possessed the most extensive entomological col-

lection in Scotland.

Mr. William Wykes.

Among the Foreign Members is Godfrey Reinhold Treviranus,

M.D., of Bremen.—It would be impossible for me to attempt to give

even a brief outline of the career of this distinguished anatomist and

physiologist, of whom it is perhaps enough to say that he was the

intimate friend and fellow-labourer of Tiedemann.

Among the associates are Mr. Thomas Milne, who was a zealous

practical botanist and a contributor to the ‘ English Botany’. On

his authority the Cardamine bellidifolia has been received into the

British Flora.

_ Nathaniel John Winch, Esq.—A very zealous British botanist, but

his name stands more immediately connected with the Flora of

Northumberland and Durham, of which he published, in 1807, the

Botanist’s Guide, in 2 vols., and subsequently an Essay on the Geo-

graphical Distribution of the Plants of those counties, as well as re-

marks on their Distribution in connexion with the Geological Struc-

ture of the Soil. He wasalso the author of a paper on the Geology

of the Banks of the Tweed, which appeared in the volume of the

Transactions of the Natural History Society of Newcastle-upon-

Tyne, of which he was one of the founders and an active member.

At the election which subsequently took place, the Lord Bishop

of Norwich was re-elected President; Edward Forster, Esq., Trea-

surer ; Francis Boott, M.D., Secretary; and Mr. Richard Taylor,

Under Secretary. ‘The following five gentlemen were elected into

the Council in the room of others going out: viz. Arthur Aikin,

Esq.; John Jos. Bennett, Esq.; George Bentham, Esq. ; the Earl of

Derby ; and John Guillemard, Esq.

MISCELLANEOUS.

DESCRIPTION OF A THIRD LIVING SPECIES OF THE CRINOIDEA, FORMING

THE TYPE OF THE NEW GENUS HOLOPUS. BY M. D’ORBIGNY.

This new species was discovered by M. Rang at the Antilles: it

is distinguished from all the other genera of the Crinoidea by two

distinct characters; first, that which has obtained for it the name

of Holopus, and which consists in its having the foot entire, not di-

vided, a character possessed by none of the known genera; second,

that of also having the foot short, hollow, and serving as a recepta-

cle for the viscera, which is not the case in the other Crinoids, which,

on the contrary, have a peculiar dilatation for this purpose si-

Miscellaneous. 413

tuated at the summit of the foot. M. d’Orbigny gives the follow-

ing characters to the new genus which he establishes: ‘‘ Animal

fixed to the soil by a root taking the form of the solid bodies to

which it is attached ; from this root or base proceeds a foot or en-

tire body, short, thick, hollow, containing the viscera, and opening

into a mouth, which at the same time performs the functions of the

anus, placed at the bottom of an irregular cavity, formed by the union

of dense dichotomous arms, which are porous, exteriorly convex, and

grooved interiorly, divided into numerous articulations, and longi-

tudinally armed alternately with small conical very compressed

branches.” —Annal. Scien. Nat., Feb. 1837.

THE GIGANTIC JAPANESE SALAMANDER.

The attention of the continental naturalists appears to have been

at length attracted by the fine gigantic salamander, which was dis-

covered in Japan by Dr. Siebold, and which has been lying for se-

veral years in the yard of the Leyden Museum. Professor Van der

Hoeven has lately given some detail of its anatomy, and has shown

that it is as nearly allied in osteological character as it is in external

appearance to the American genus Menopoma of Harlan, though his

detail shows that Prince Charles Bonaparte was quite correct (when

he exhibited the drawing of the specimens at the Zoological Society

in the latter part of last year) in forming for it a new genus, which

he proposed to call Steboldia, after its discoverer. For according to

the account of Van der Hoeven it has no lateral opening on the

sides of the neck, which is so distinct in the Menopoma.—J.E.

GRAY.

ZOOTOCA VIVIPARA.

Desmarest, Daudin, and the other French naturalists are quite

agreed as to this lizard, which is widely dispersed over Europe, being

oviparous; and that the ova are deposited at the foot of walls, &c.

exposed to the sun. In Scotland the animal is ovo-viviparous, as I

have repeatedly ascertained from the possession of specimens which

have bred in my possession in 1827, 1828, and 1829. One of

these, caught 19th June 1829, brought forth on the 27th July nine

young in all. They were excluded inclosed in membranous sacs,

The young were of a blackish brown colour when alive, and very

active. For want of proper food they all died within a fortnight.

The mother of this brood was fed with flies. After October she

only crawled out of her hiding place in mild days and during sun-

shine. She was still alive at Christmas lying coiled up among the

moss in the box in which she was kept. She died however some

time during the severity of the winter.—J. Stork.

414 Miscellaneous.

DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF VOLUTA.

Voluta Norrissii.—Greyish white, very minutely black, dotted with

broad black wavy irregular longitudinal streaks, with three bands with

paler dots and streaks; nucleus blunt, upper part slightly crenated ;

last whorl subangular; mouth bright orange, with a white edge to

the outer lip. Inhab. ? Cabinet, Mr. Norris.

Very like Voluta nervosa, but the shell is minutely black dotted,

the longitudinal streaks are broader, and the three dark bands are

rather more towards the front of the shell; the hinder one occupies the

whole of the spine and hinder slope of the last whorl.—J. E. Gray.

GIGANTIC ECHINUS SPINE.

There has lately been discovered in Sicily the fragment of a gi-

gantic spine of an Echinus, nearly an inch and half in circumference

and more than eight inches long.—J. E. Gray.

CURTIS'S BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY.

The 15th volume of this splendid work commenced with a beau-

tiful plate of Stauropis Fagi with its grotesque caterpillar. Niti-

dula Colon, Ledra aurita, and Myopa fulvipes follow; a figure of

Orchestes Walioni, a new species of the saltatorial Curculios, has

enabled the author to record some facts respecting the destructive

ceconomy of these minute beetles. Acrolepia Betulella, an unde-

scribed Tinea, Crabro subpunctatus, and Hydressa pygmea, a pretty

little insect allied to Velia, complete the two first numbers. -

Those for March and April contain Dermestes lardarius, Lithomia

Solidaginis, a fine Noctua new to Britain, with its caterpillar ; Pro-

stemma guttula from an unique British specimen taken near Sandwich;

the rare Tetyra fuliginosa, Trachys minuta, Porrectaria albicosta, Cy-

nips nervosa, belonging to the tribe of Gall-nut flies, and Trigonome-

topus frontalis, a remarkable fly established asa genus by Macquart.

Nos. 173 and 174 exhibit Otiorhynchus maurus, with some remarks

on the great mischief committed by various species of the genus on

fruit trees, &c. Siona dealbata, an elegant moth, having very much

the appearance of a white butterfly. Tenthredo cingulata ; this is a

figure of an hemaphrodite specimen, in which the different colours

of the two sexes are strikingly contrasted in the body ; Capsus hirtus,

later aterrimus, Alucita hexadactyla, a strong variety of Panorpa

germanica, and Phasia speciosa, for the first time figured and recorded

as an indigenous species.

Of the 24 plants, which are as highly finished and as faithfully

depicted as the insects, we were most struck with the figure of the

wood strawberry (pl. 690.) and amongst the rare or local species

Meteorological Observations. 415

we observed Orchis tephrasanthos, Carum verticillatum, Villarsia

Nymphoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Lepidium latifolium, Tamarix gal-

lica, Petroselinum segetum, Inula Helenium, and Allium arenarium.

OBITUARY.

Died, at his house in Ridley Place, Newcastle, on the 5th of May,

aged 69, Nathaniel John Winch, Esq., greatly respected. Mr. Winch

was well known in the scientific world as an excellent British bota-

nist. He was author of ‘‘An Essay on the Geographical Distribu-

tion of Plants through the Counties of Northumberland, Cumberland,

and Durham,” which has passed through two editions; also ‘‘ Ob-

servations on the Geology of Northumberland and Durham, 4to.,

1814,” and of a very elaborate “ Flora of Northumberland and Dur-

ham,” printed in the Transactions of the Natural History Society of

Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle upon Tyne. He has be-

queathed the whole of his very extensive Herbarium and his Library

of Natural History to the Linnzan Society, of which he was a mem-

ber,. and has left a legacy of £200 to the Newcastle Infirmary, to

which he acted as Secretary for a period of 21 years. He for many

years maintained an active correspondence with several of the most

scientific men in all parts of the world; and their letters, carefully

arranged, present an interesting feature in his library.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR JUNE 1838.

Chiswick.—May 1. Fine: rain: fine at night. 2,3. Very fine. 4. Dry

haze. 5. Thunder: fine. 6. Slight haze: very fine. 7, 8. Very fine.

9. Hot andvery dry. 10. Coldanddry. 11,12. Fine. 13. Hazy: fine.

14, Cloudy and cold. 15—18. Fine. 19. Overcast. 20. Slight rain.

21. Cloudy. 22,23. Cloudy: rain. 24. Overcast. 25—27. Fine.

28. Rain. 29,30. Fine. 31. Very fine: heavy thunder-showers at night.

Boston.—May 1. Cloudy: heavy raine.m. 2. Cloudy. 3. Cloudy :

thunder, lightning, and rain early a.m. 4,5. Fine. 6. Cloudy. 7—12.

Fine. 13. Cloudy: rain early a.m.: rain p.m. 14. Cloudy: rain early a.m.

15—17. Fine. 18—19. Cloudy. 20. Cloudy: raine.m. 21. Cloudy.

22.Cloudy: raina.m. 23. Rain. 24,25. Cloudy. 26, 27. Fine. 28.

Fine: rainp.m. 29. Cloudy. 30, Cloudy: rain p.m. 31. Cloudy,

Applegarth Manse, Dumfries-shire—May 1. Sun shone: hoar frost a.m. :

cold p.m. 2. Sunshone: genial rain afternoon. 3. Sun shone, showery

a.M. 4. Sun shone: moist and mild: genial. 5. Sun shone: a beautiful

day. 6. Sunshone: very dry and parching. 7. Sun shone: warm and

genial. 8. Sun shone: very warm and clear. 9. Sun shone: the

same. 10. asterly wind: cool. 11. Sun shone: milder than preceding

day. 12, Sunshone: a few drops of rain p.m. 13. Sun shone:

withering day. 14. Sunshene: cold, with hail showers, 15. Sunshone:

clear and cold. 16. Sun shone: heavy hail showers. 17. Sun shone:

cold and showery. 18. Sun shone: cold and withering. 19. Cold and

very wet. 20. Heavy rain all day. 21, Sun shone: showery and mild.

22, Mild and very wet. 23. Sun shone: moist: rather cold. 24. Sun

shone: clear growing day. 25. Sun shone: mild and clear. 26. Sun

shone: clear and warm, 27. Dull and withering. 28. Sun shone: clear

and warmish. 29. Soft air: wet all day. 30. Sun shone: warm and

growing. 31. Sun shone: mild with showers.

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ANNALS OF NATURAL HISTORY.

-—

XLV.—Further remarks on the British Shrews, including the

distinguishing Characters of two Species previously con-

founded. By the Rev. Lronarp Jzenyns, M.A., F.L.S.,

&e,

INa paper published in 1837 in the ‘ Magazine of Zoology

and Botany,’* I endeavoured to prove that the Sorex Araneus

and the S. fodiens of English authors were not respectively

identical with the two species so called on the continent, The

former I referred to the S. fetragonurus of Hermann; and I

added the descriptions of what I considered to be two remark-

able varieties of that species, which I represented as very va-

riable in its characters. Further attention to the subject has,

however, convinced me of an error with regard to one of these

supposed varieties, which I am anxious to coriect. I allude

to the large specimens, found in marshy districts, described

as var. 1 in that paper, of which I have since obtained indi-

viduals of all ages, and in sufficient number to establish be-

yond a doubt that they are perfectly distinct from the smaller,

though hardly perhaps more common, species, which is found

in many situations, and which seems to be the one most ge-

nerally, if not exclusively alluded to, in the works of British

zoologists.

It will be my object in this paper, first, to point out the

distinguishing characters of these two shrews; secondly, to

make some remarks upon their nomenclature, which will re-

quire correction, as well as upon the nomenclature of S. fodiens

and S. remifer ; and thirdly, to give a synoptic view of all

the species of Sorex hitherto met with in Great Britain, with

their essential characters and principal synonyms, so far as

these last can be determined. I conceive that this synopsis,

which will include the characters of the genus, as well as those

of its subordinate divisions, will not be unacceptable to those

* Vol. ii. p. 24. =

Ann. Nat, Hist. Vol.1. No.6. August 1838. 2B

418 Rev. L. Jenyns on the British Shrews.

naturalists who interest themselves with our native Fauna, and

who may wish to know what our present knowledge of the

species of this puzzling group amounts to,

The square-tailed shrew, by which name I designate the

larger of the two species above alluded to, differs from the

common shrew of English authors, not only in its superior size,

but in the characters of the snout, feet, and tail, and to a less

extent in the dentition and colours. It may be thought that some

of these characters are not to be depended on after what I my-

self have stated on this subject in a former paper. But it

must be remembered that, though variable, the variations are

in some measure due te age; and that, if we can obtain indi-

viduals of different ages, we may at once know what allowance

to make for this circumstance. Also, although the same cha-

racter may in some cases vary in different individuals of the

same age, yet it still varies within limits, and by examining a

number of specimens we may obtain an average which will

be tolerably constant in a given species. Thus with regard to

the relative size of these two species, I find the average length

of the sguare-tailed shrew (measured from the extremity of the

snout to the anus) to be about two inches and three quarters,

individuals being occasionally met with that exceed three

inches ; whereas the average length of the common shrew is

hardly two inches and a half, nor did I ever meet with a spe-

cimen that was more than two inches and eight lines. Hence

the maximum size attained by the latter species is hardly equal

to the average size of the former. The characters of the snout

depend in some measure upon age. I have noticed in my

former paper, that this part is more attenuated in old than in

young specimens ; at least it appears so, from the circumstance

of its not increasing much in breadth as the animal grows.

But it will be at once manifest, on comparing individuals of

the same size, that in the sguare-tailed shrew the snout is much

broader, more swollen at the sides, and more obtuse at the

extremity than in the common shrew. In the former species

the distance between the eyes is contained barely once and a

half in the distance from the eyes to the end of the snout. In

the latter it is contained twice in the same. The fee? are also

obviously different in the two species. Those of the square-

Rey. L. Jenyns on the British Shrews. 419

tailed shrew, the fore feet especially, are broad and strong as

if formed for digging ; whereas those of the common shrew are

comparatively weak and slender, and much less adapted for

that purpose. The fai/, notwithstanding the changes induced

in it by age and other circumstances, also offers good distin-

guishing characters. Its average length appears to be great-

est in the common shrew, although this species is, in all other

respects, smaller than the other. It is also stouter in this

species, nearly cylindrical, and of more uniform thickness, the

end terminating abruptly ; better clothed with hair at all ages,

the hair standing very much out, especially in young speci-

mens, and though extending at the extremity beyond the

bone to the distance of a line or more, seldom converging into

a point to form a pencil. In the sguare-tailed shrew, as its

name indicates, the tail is more decidedly quadrangular at all

ages. It is also slenderer, and slightly tapering at the tip; the

hair not so long or copious as in the common shrew, and never

standing out, but, on the contrary, closely appressed in young

specimens, and forming at the extremity a short but fine

pencil. As age advances, the hair in this species often be-

comes so much worn, as to leave the tail nearly or quite naked,

without any pencil, and with the angles at the sides extremely

obvious. The only differences in the dentition of these two

shrews are to be seen in the relative size and position of the la-

teral incisors. In the sguare-tailed shrew, the first and second

of these teeth in the upper jaw are nearly equal; so likewise

are the third and fourth ; but the former two are obviously

larger than the latter two: the fifth is much smaller than any

of the preceding ones, very inconspicuous, and generally set a

little within the line of the others, so as to be not readily seen

from without. In the common shrew, the first four of these

incisors diminish in size more gradually, and form a more regu-

lar series ; the fifth is also larger in relation to the others, more

in the line, and more obvious externally. The colours of these

two species are not very dissimilar ; but they appear to be less

variable, and generally somewhat darker, in the sguare-tailed

than in the common shrew. The back, in the former, is not so

obviously tinged with reddish; and I alluded in my previous

paper to an appearance of three colours, occupying respect-

2B 2

420 Rey. L. Jenyns on the British Shrews.

ively the back, sides, and abdomen, which I have noticed in

most of the specimens that have fallen under my observation.

I need only add, indeed, to what is there stated, that the upper

and under surfaces of the tail are like those of the body, but

more reddish, with a tolerably well-marked line of separation

at the sides: occasionally, however, the tail is of a uniform

reddish brown above and below. The snout is always black

at the extremity. In the common shrew, a rufous or yellowish

tinge more or less pervades the whole of the body; and the

feet as well as the under parts of the snout (even to the tip)

and tail are often testaceous. ;

In addition to the above differences, which are founded

upon external characters, I may notice a marked dissimilarity

in the cranium, which is broader and much more depressed

in the sguare-tailed than in the common species, and with the

profile or chaffron rather more arched.

Having pointed out the distinguishing characters of these

two shrews, it becomes necessary to speak, in the next place, |

of their nomenclature. The larger of the two I have already

designated by the name of sguare-tailed, not only because the

title is extremely applicable, but because I believe this species

to be the true S. tetragonurus of Hermann and Duvernoy. It

is also decidedly identical with two specimens brought from

Germany last summer by Mr. Ogilby, to one of which the

name of tetragonurus is attached. But at the same time I

feel some doubts whether it be the S. tetragonurus of Geoffroy

and of other authors. With regard to the smaller of the two

species, or that which I have called above common shrew, I find

it impossible to identify it with complete certainty with any

of those described by continental naturalists. In fact there

are but two species belonging to this division of the genus

Sorex (exclusive of the S. fodiens of Duvernoy), the characters

of which, so far as I know, have been given in sufficient detail

to enable them to be recognised. These are the S. tetrago-

nurus and the S. constrictus of authors. The former (at least

as described by Duyernoy) I have already considered to be the

same as the square-tailed shrew of this paper. The latter,

which was also established by Hermann, Duvernoy considers

as the young of S. fodiens; but this cannot be said of the S,

Rey. L. Jenyns on the British Shrews. 421

constrictus of Geoffroy, which is evidently distinct, and which

appears in many of its characters, especially its size and the

form of the cranium, to resemble the sguare-tailed shrew of

this paper, or Hermann’s S. ¢etragonurus ; whilst, on the other

hand, the S. ¢etragonurus of Geoffroy, I think may possibly

be the same as my common shrew. That the name of fetra-

gonurus has been thus applied by Hermann and Geoffroy to

two distinct species, though Geoffroy did not confound the

species themselves, is further probable from the circumstance,

that the S. cunicularius of Bechstein, which seems closely to

approach the square-tailed shrew of this country, Duvernoy

considers as synonymous with the S. tetragonurus of Her-

mann, whilst Geoffroy regards it to be the same as his con-

strictus. It is useless looking to any of the later systematic

authors with the view of solving this question, as none of

them have added anything in their descriptions of the above

species from their own observation. And it appears to me

that the only step to be taken is to impose a new name on the

common shrew of this country, reserving the name of tetrago-

nurus for the square-tailed shrew of this paper, which I believe

to be the true ¢etragonurus of Hermann and Duvernoy. It is

not at all improbable that the former may be the S. constric-

tus of some authors, but it appears to me a more preferable

step to run the hazard of increasing its synonymy, than of

adding to the confusion which exists at present by giving it a

name, which may one day be proved to have been applied in

some cases to a distinct species. The name which I propose

for it is that of S. rusticus.

Before I proceed to the synopsis of British shrews with

which I propose to conclude this paper, I may say a few words

with reference to the nomenclature of S. fodiens and S. remifer

of this country. I stated in a previous memoir that the former

was not the S. fodiens of Duvernoy, and judging from the

characters of the teeth which he assigns to his species, I see

no ground for revoking that opinion. But further investiga-

tion has led me to believe that it is the real S. fodiens of

Gmelin, as well as of Bechstein, Brehm, and Wagler. I find

also, in confirmation of this latter point, that in a second me-

moir on the shrews read by Duvernoy to the Strasburg Na-

422 Rey. L. Jenyns on the British Shrews.

tural History Society in January last*, he assigns the same

dentition to the S. fodiens of Gmelin as he assigns to that

subdivision of the genus Sorex, to which our own species un-

doubtedly belongs. He has also considered the S. fodiens of

Gmelin as synonymous with the S. carinatus of Hermann. —

With regard to the S. remifer of English naturalists, I have

only to observe that it appears to be so very much smaller

than the S. remifer of Geoffroy, that I can hardly believe it to

be the same as that species. And whether it be or be not, the

name first imposed on it by Sowerby having the precedency,

it will be more proper that in accordance with that author it

should be called S. ciliatus.

Synopsis of British Shrews.

SOREX, Linn.

Two middle incisors much produced; the upper ones curved,

with a spur behind more or less prolonged ; the lower ones

almost horizontal; lateral incisors or false grinders, small,

3s ; *S +5 true grinders +:—; fur short and soft; snout at-

tenuated ; tail long.

1. AMPHISOREX{, Duv.

Middle incisors in the lower jaw with the edge denticulated ;

the upper ones forked, the spur behind being prolonged to a

level with the point in front ; the lateral incisors which follow

in the upper jaw 5 in number, and diminishing gradually in

* For an abstract of this paper see L’ Institut, No. 226. p. 111.

+ None of the British species yet discovered have less than four lateral

incisors above on each side.

t This group was denominated by M. Duvernoy in his first memoir Hy-

pRosOREX; but having discovered that it did not include the S. fodiens,

Gmel., a species pre-eminently aquatic, he has since transferred the name

of Hyprosorex to the next group, to which this species apparently belongs.

Of Duvernoy’s first subordinate group (Sorex, Duv.) no species has been

as yet detected in Great Britain. It may be useful, nevertheless, to annex

its characters, which may assist in determining any which may chance to

be met with.

Middle incisors in the lower jaw with an entire or simple edge; the upper

ones notched, or with the spur appearing as a point behind ; the lateral in-

cisors which follow in the upper jaw three or four in number, and diminishing

rapidly in size from the first to the last; none of the teeth coloured,

According to Duvernoy this group comprises all the extra-European spe-

cies, besides two (S. draneus, Geoff, and S. leucodon, Herm.,) which are

met with on the continent,

Rev. L. Jenyns on the British Shrews. 423

‘size from the first to the last ; all the teeth more or less co-

loured at their tips.

Sp. 1. S. rusticus, Jen. (Common Shrew.) Snout and feet

slender: tail moderately stout, nearly cylindrical, not atte-

nuated at the tip, well clothed with hairs, which are very di-

vergent in the young state, and never closely appressed.

S. Araneus, Man. Brit. Vert. p.17.—S. tetragonurus, Geoff. dnn. Mus.

xvii. p.177. pl, 2. f.3?—Fetid Shrew, Penn. Brit, Zool. i. p.125.—

Common Shrew, Bell. Brit. Quad. p. 109.

Hab. Appears principally to frequent dry situations; gardens, hedge-

banks, &c.

Var. @. S. Hibernicus, Jen. (Irish Shrew.)

I am indebted to Mr. R. Ball, of Dublin, for a specimen of

the common shrew of Ireland, which I believe to be a distinct

species; but as I have seen only one individual, I shall not at

present consider it as more than a variety of the S. rusticus.

It differs principally in its smaller size (although evidently an

old individual) ; in its more uniform colours, the under parts

being similar to the upper, only somewhat paler; and in the

form of the tail, which is not so stout or so long as in the.

common English shrew, and rather more tapering at the ex-

tremity. The hairs on the tail are short and very much worn,

the apical half of the tail being nearly naked, and consequently

without any pencil at the tip. The teeth are so much worn

down that their original characters can hardly be ascertained;

but the lateral incisors above appear more crowded, or set

closer together, than in the English shrew. The feet and

ears are similar; the snout not materially different, but the

distance from its extremity to the ear a little longer in propor-

tion ; this, however, may possibly be due to age. The follow-

ing are the exact dimensions of this specimen :

inch. line.

Length of head and body......eccvececssveers e233

head “ cisgoevencesesevnavenesys cove. 0 93

CARD spnerannnctodsasssiakssbsan cartes 1 3%

BIA OF sss vabd vas acianetecsennie Oo be

BONO L60b sé thny ndeerngakns scene cess 0 34

o RAE Li. dsetshoel cnatteyednbadecdaness 0 14

EGE BOP: 1G: CVO. cs.4 haceabons tesacseocsse es 0 3%

to end of the snout....sececcseees 0 8

Sp. 2. 8S. cetragonurus, Herm. (Square-tailed Shrew),

Snout broader than in the last species: feet, fore especially,

424 Rev. L. Jenyns on the British Shrews.

much larger: tail slender, more quadrangular at all ages, and

slightly attenuated at the tip ; clothed with closely-appressed

hairs in the young state, in age nearly naked.

S. tetragonurus, Duvern. in Mém. de la Soc. d’Hist. Nat. de Strasb. ii.

Liv. 1. p. 19. pl. 1. f. 2.—S. cunicularius, Bechst. Naturgesch. Deutsch.

i. p. 879. pl. 10. f. 2. (2)—S. constrictus, Geoff. Ann. du Mus. xvii. p.

178. (??)—S. Araneus, var.1. Mag. of Zool. and Bot. ii. p. 37*.

Hab. More attached to marshy districts than the last species, though not

confined to them.

Var. @.—S. castaneus, Jen. (chestnut shrew),—S. Araneus, var.2. Mag.

of Zool. and Bot. ii. p. 39.

Hab. Found in marshes with the preceding. 4

Not having been able to procure any more specimens of

this shrew, I shall still consider it as a mere variety of the S.7ze-

tragonurus, though a closer investigation of its characters has

led me strongly to suspect that it will one day be found to

constitute a distinct species. And in that case, the name

which I have given it above, derived from its peculiar colour,

might be adopted for it. The dimensions and distinguishing

characters of both sexes will be found in the ‘ Magazine of

Zoology and Botany,’ as already quoted. In addition, how-

ever, to what is there stated, I may notice a slight difference

in the cranium, which is broader posteriorly and rather more

elevated in the crown than that of the S. fetragonurus, thus

accounting for the “ fulness about the head” alluded to in my

first description of this variety. It is also slightly longer, and

these superior dimensions are even observable when compared

with those of the cranium of an aged specimen of S. éetra-

gonurus, of which the entire length exceeded by more than

half an inch that of the variety in question. The form of the

snout is not very different in these two shrews, but it is rather

more attenuated at the extreme tip in the chestnut than in the

sguare-tailed shrew. 'The dentition also is much the same.

2, Hyprosorext, Duv.

Middle incisors in the lower jaw with an entire edge; the

upper ones notched, or with the spur appearing as a point be-

* Perhaps to this species is to be referred the large shrew mentioned

in Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History, vol. iii. p. 471, met with in a

clover-field, which the writer was unable to identify with either of our then

known British species.

+ Denominated in M. Duvernoy’s first memoir by the name of Ampui-

SOREX.

Rev. L. Jenyns on the British Shrews. 425

hind ; the lateral incisors which follow in the upper jaw four

in number ; the first two equal, the third somewhat smaller,

the fourth rudimentary ; the tips of all the teeth a litile coloured.

Sp. 3. S. fodiens, Gmel. (Water Shrew). Deep brownish-

black above, nearly white beneath, the two colours distinctly

separated on the sides: feet and tail ciliated with white hairs.

S. fodiens, Gmel. i. p.113. Bechst. Naturgesch. Deutsch.i. p. 872. pl.

10. f.1. Brehm, in Bul. des Sci. Nat. (1827) xi. p.287. Man. Brit.

Vert. p.18.—S. bicolor, Shaw, Nat. Mise. ii. pl. 55.—Crossopus fodiens,

Wagler, in Isis, 1832 (fid. Duv.).—Water shrew, Penn. Brit. Zool. i.

p- 126. Bell, Brit. Quad. p. 115. ‘

Hab. Marshes and banks of ditches; but it is occasionally met with at

a distance from water.

Obs. Montagu has recorded an individual which had the

throat and breast pale ferruginous*. Fleming, in his descrip-

tion of this species}, states that there is a black spot in the

middle of the throat, with a line of the same colour along the

middle of the belly; also that the tail is nearly white at the

tip. Whether these variations of colour be merely accidental,

or dependent upon sex or season, or whether characteristic of

any allied species confounded with the above, remains yet to

be determined. Montagu’s specimen was a male; so likewise

was one mentioned by a writer in Loudon’s Magazine of

Natural History {, in which the throat is said to have been of

a deep chestnut. But nothing of this colour was observable

in any of the specimens | have met with in Cambridgeshire,

of which at least two have been males taken during the sum-

mer months. Neither have I ever seen the markings spoken

of by Fleming; but they are noticed by Bechstein in his de-

scription of this species. Also the writer in Loudon’s Maga-

zine, above alluded to, states that a week after the capture of

the male with the chestnut-coloured throat, a female was taken,

in which the throat was grayish. Both these last were caught

in a cellar during winter; and I am inclined to suspect that

they were the sexes of a species possibly distinct from the one

more commonly met with, in which the under parts, with the

exception of a triangular dusky spot on the vent, are nearly

pure white.

* Linn. Trans. vii. 276, + Brit. An. p, 8.

{ Vol. iii. p. 471.

426 Rev. L. Jenyns on the British Shrews,

Sp. 4. S. ciliatus, Sow. (Ciliated Shrew.) Black above,

greyish black beneath; throat yellowish ash: feet and tail

strongly ciliated with greyish hairs.

S. ciliatus, Sow, Brit. Mise. pl.49.—S, remifer, Yarr. in Loud. Mag. Nat.

Hist. v. p.598. Man. Brit, Vert. p.18.—Oared shrew, Bell. Brit.

Quad. p. 119.

Hab. Found in the same situations as the preceding.

Note.—Before concluding it may be well to apprise those

naturalists who may be led by Duvernoy’s memoirs, or by

either of my own,to examine the dentition of our native shrews,

that attention must be paid to the age of the individual before

determining the true characters of the teeth in any species.

It is only in adult middle-aged specimens that they can be

safely trusted. In the young always, and occasionally in the

very old, the teeth have an ambiguous appearance, which might

easily mislead a hasty observer. In the instance of the former,

this ambiguity arises from the circumstance of the teeth not

showing themselves at first, but being covered over with the

periosteum, which is common to them and the bone in which

they are implanted*, and which is not thrown off till after the

individual has considerably advanced in growth, and so far

assumed all its other characters as to appear mature. Also

this skin is not cast off all at once, but will be found still

investing the smaller teeth after that the larger and more

pointed ones are protruded. In a specimen of the S. éefra-

gonurus, which measured 2 inches 2 lines in length, ex-

clusive of the tail, and which, until the teeth had been exa-

mined more closely, was never suspected to be immature, the

molars and the middle incisors were found prominent, whilst

all the lateral incisors were still concealed by the periosteum,

so as.to present the appearance of one continuous bone or

tooth, with a sharp edge, filling the entire space between the

* There are some peculiarities connected with the first formation of the

teeth in the shrews, for the details of which I must refer the reader to

Duvernoy’s first memoir on these animals. I shall simply observe here,

that the teeth do not receive their first development within the osseous por-

tion of the jaw to be afterwards gradually evolved, as in the case of other

Mammalia, but are found from the period of birth in the exact places

they are to occupy in after-life, being simply enveloped by the periosteum

of the bone to which they are attached. From this and other circumstances,

Duvernoy infers that in these animals there are no milk-teeth to be suc-

ceeded by a second set at the season of maturity.

Rey. L. Jenyns on the British Shrews. 427

middle incisors and the first molar. In a young individual of

the S, leucodon (brought from Germany by Mr. Ogilby), in

which species the first lateral incisor is very much larger, in

relation to the following ones, than in any of those met with

in our own country, this tooth, in addition to the middle inci-

sors and the molars, was found prominent, whilst the second

and third lateral incisors were still concealed. This individual

was sufficiently grown to have attained the length of 21

inches, and so little did it wear any appearance of immaturity,

that the characters of the teeth might at first have been con-

sidered as indicating a peculiar type of dentition quite distinct

from that which belongs to the adult animal. It was not till

the investing periosteum had been removed with the point of

a needle that the anomaly was explained.

In the case of very old specimens, the teeth lose much of

their true character, in consequence of the attrition to which

they become subjected by long use. In one individual of the

S. tetragonurus, in my possession, the alteration from this cir-

cumstance is very considerable. The upper middle incisors

are positively ground down to beyond the point of bifurca-

tion, so as to have entirely lost all appearance of their original

typical form: the edge of the lower incisors has become en-

tire, the denticulations being quite effaced, and no trace of

colouring (which is generally confined to the tips of the teeth)

anywhere remains*.

Swaffham Bulbeck, June 8, 1838.

* [It may be well to direct the author’s attention, as well as that of the

reader, to a very valuable memoir lately published in Wiegmann’s Archiv,

(Part I. for 1838) on the European shrews, by H. Nathusius. In this paper,

which is only the first and historical part, the author carefully reviews the

various works and memoirs on this interesting family, and thus notices Mr.

Jenyns's first memoir published in the second volume of the Magazine of

Zoology and Botany: ‘‘ The most recent paper with which I am acquainted

is a very excellent memoir, by Jenyns, on the British shrews. In this Du-

vernoy’s incorrect statement respecting the dentition of the Hydrosoride

has unfortunately caused a new error. Jenyns fully proves that S. draneus

of all English authors is not the species described by Daubenton, but the S.

tetragonurus, Herm., and considers it probable that Linnzeus was acquainted

with this species, which, from Swedish specimens and Linnzeus’s first state-

ment, now appears to me to be no longer at all doubtful. S. Araneus is

stated hitherto never to have been seenin England. Respecting the British

water shrew, Jenyns is however in error, as, following Duvernoy’s descrip-

tion, he considers it to be different from the one of the continent; he there-

fore, with Shaw, names it S. bicolor, From his good description, however,

it is evident that they do not differ from one another.”

The author, after going through the history of this family, has carefully

arranged the numerous synonyms in chronological order.—Enrr. ]

428 Sir Wm. J. Hooker on the Medical Properties

XLVI.—On the “Jatun condenado” (Lycopodium catharti-

cum), an efficacious remedy for the Leprosy among the Indians

of Columbia. By Sir Wo. J. Hooker.

[With a Plate.]

Species of the genus Lycopodium exist in almost every part

of the world, from the equator to the extreme arctic regions,

and from the level of the sea to a height on the Andes ap-

proaching to the limit of perpetual snow. No less than 200

species are enumerated in the fullest list that has yet been

published*, and many new ones exist, yet undescribed, in

our Herbaria. All are, I believe, capable of affording a blue

dye; but not more than one, so far as I know, has been found |

to possess any remarkable or valuable properties. I allude

to the Lycopodium clavatum, or common club-moss of Kurope,

which has been celebrated for ages, and perhaps not unde-

servedly, for its various uses, insomuch that upon the conti-

nent it is a well-known article of commerce. The best general

account wehave of it is that given in the ‘ Nouveau Dictionnaire

des Sciences Naturelles,’ where we learn that “ the whole plant

possesses peculiar qualities, but is most celebrated for the

yellowish inflammable and detonating dust, which even re-

sembles gunpowder in the two latter respects, and is afforded |

by its capsules in an immense quantity. This substance. is

largely collected, and applied to different purposes, being known

by the vulgar name of vegetable brimstone or lycopode. A

pinch of it, when cast upon any burning matter, takes flame

instantly, darting forth a blaze which almost immediately dis-

appears, and without leaving any perceptible odour. It is

this singular property which has caused the lycopode to be

employed on the stage to represent lightning, infernal flames,

&c., as well as in the preparation of fire-works. Its consump-

tion is so great as to render it a rather lucrative object of com-

merce in Switzerland and Germany, where this vegetable

powder is principally collected, and where it is often adulte-

rated with the staminal dust of the fir-cones, which, however,

possesses none of its qualities. ‘Towards the close of summer,

during autumn, and the commencement of winter, the spikes

* See Hooker and Greville, ‘ Enumeratio Filicum’, in Bot. Misc., vol. ii.

p- 3860, and vol, iii. p. 104.

Aan Nat-Hest Vo LICXIV.

SII.

<SSSSs

oe SS So

S 7 . ‘i ey ES a, >

SSS Fe SS

SSS Sa ae

EI SSaeee

; Sse? > SS

‘ SS = DI OP Le PF

BSI SSS

=. =< — ti, . 27

LY COfIOP* MDA MMAITOTTL OUI.

SCOAN, ZUG -

_ ae

ean el

AN eae

heaaas am

meee:

ees

Se pes

of Lycopodium catharticum. 429

of this Lycopodium appear, and diffuse the lycopode contained

in their capsules. They are cut off and carried home to be

dried in boxes or sieves prepared for the purpose, and being

shaken from time to time, the powder drops out, when it is

collected, and, after being anew dried, is fit for sale.

“In pharmacy this dust is used to roll up boluses and pills,

the result being to cover them with a foreign substance,

which preserves them unaltered. In fact, so completely does —

the lycopode coat the surface of pills, that they may be put

into water and taken out again without being moistened, an

experiment which may be still more satisfactorily made by

putting one’s hand into water into which lycopode has been

thrown, when the hand will come outdry. The adherence of

these minute seeds to one another is doubtless the cause of

this phenomenon.

“This plant is administered in decoction as a diuretic, also

for the relief of gout and the destruction of vermin. The

powder is considered to be antispasmodic, and is drunk in

white wine to cure dysentery and scurvy. Formerly it was

used in pulmonary complaints, whence it obtained the name

of Pulmonaria, as it did that of Plicaria from being employed

in the north, principally in Sweden and Poland, for the cure

of the plica, a malady in which the hair becomes endowed

with sensation, and is mingled and matted together in a living

mass. ‘The effect of the lycopode in this latter dire disease

was, by preventing the mutual contact of the hairs, to hinder

their adherence.”

Of late years, and especially in this country, I believe that

as a medicine the Lycopodium clavatum has not maintained its

reputation, from a probably mistaken notion that its virtues

in the cure of scorbutic diseases have been greatly overrated.

But when it is known that the Indians of Columbia in South

America, guided by experience alone,—for they never can have

heard of the properties of our European Lycopodium,—have

discovered a remedy for the most lamentable of cutaneous

complaints in a species of the same genus, growing in their

own country, we cannot but deem the subject deserving the

attention of the physicians of the old world; and it may be

worth the while to subject to fresh tests the real virtues of our

430 On the Medical Properties of Lycopodium catharticum.

common club-moss (Lycopodium clavatum), and to ascertain

how far some of our other native species may be endowed with

similar qualities. ‘Three or four kinds are extremely frequent

on the mountains of Scotland and the north of England. It

should be ascertained too whether the active principles, if any,

reside in the foliage or in the seeds or spikes,

My attention was first called to the South American Lyco-

podium by William Turner, Esq., our late Minister at Bogota,

where he most obligingly devoted some of the time which

could be spared from his more important duties to collecting

seeds and specimens of the vegetable productions of that ex-

tremely rich botanical region, and which he has communicated

tome. Among those which arrived in the early part of this

year are fine specimens of the plant in question, and which 1

soon discovered to be anew and very handsome species of Ly-

copodium, as the subjoined figure will show. They were ac-

companied with the following note: “ Plants of ‘el Jatun

condenado, which in the inga language means the great

devil: this is another plant found in Asuay of the equator,

and whose medicinal virtues are only hitherto known to the

Indians. It has been discovered that it proves a remedy much

more efficacious than the Cugchimchullo* against leprosy ; and

it is stated that in fifteen days it cured a lady to whom an

Indian administered it from gratitude, and who had not re-

- ceived relief from any other medicine.”

Shortly after, my valued friend Professor Wm. Jameson sent

me a collection of plants from Pillzhum, including specimens of

this very Lycopodium, with the remark, “ From the mountains

of Pillzhum ;—it operates in a small dose as a violent purgative.

It has been administered as a remedy against elephantiasis,

and is known by the name of Jatun condenado. From the

violence of its operation it requires caution.”

This species I propose thus to characterize:

LYCOPODIUM CATHARTICUM.

(Plate XIV.)

Canle ascendente dichotomo, ramis (cum foliis) acutis, acute tetragonis

foliis arcte quadrifariam imbricatis ovato-acuminatis rigidis carinatis

* Jonidium parviflorum, of which see an account in ‘ Companion to the

Botanical Magazine’, vol. i. p. 277.

Ann. Nat. Hist. 707.7. Plate AV.

Po,

OoOno

305 108900

Cceo 80

9 G000

SC.

5.6. Fose

ik: 2.3. Phyllaine Hippogloss

Johnston, det*

tola Anguilla.

Bis

es eS Se

Dr. Johnston on Entozoa. 431

glabris basi paululum productis marginibus incurvis ciliatis, capsulis,

axillaribus reniformibus bivalvibus.

Hab. Asuay of the equator, Hon. Wm. Turner. Mountains of Pillzhum,

Prof. W. Jameson.

Caulis inferne radicans, procumbens, dein erectus, dichotomus, spitha-

mus, penna corvina parum crassior, ramis elongatis apice acutis. Folia

quadrifariam arcte imbricata, erecta, rigida, ovata, acuminata, paululum

incurva, rigida, glabra, subnitida, plerumque rufa, rarius pallide viridia, basi

paululum producta, dorso carinata, marginibus subinflexis, obsolete lacero-

ciliatis. Capsule axillares, majuscule, folio paulo latiores, reniformes, bi-

valves flave. Sporule minute, flavee.

As a species this may be considered allied to my L. rufes-

cens (Icones Plantarum, vol. i. tab. 36) from the same coun-

try, but it is quite distinct. The leaves are erect and closely

imbricated in four ranks, and with such regularity that the

keels of the leaves form four continued lines or angles, and

between these are four flat sides, so that’ the stems and

branches have a perfectly square appearance.

Fig. 1. Portion of the stem and leaves. Fig. 2, Side view, and fig. 3, back

view of a leaf, with the capsule. Fig.4. Capsule, magnified.

XLVII.—Miscellanea Zoologica. By Grorer Jounston,

M.D., Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edin-

burgh.

V. Descriptions or somME ENTOZOA.

[ With a Plate. ]

PHYLLINE Hiproctossi. Plate XV. Fig. 1—3.

Generic character. “ Corpus complanatum, breve, subovale,

gelatinosum, disco contractili magno uncinis armato postice ter-

minatum.’ Lamarck.

Specific character. “ Ph, dilatata, albida ; medio corporis

ocello didymo candido.”

Ph. Hippoglossi, Lam, Anim. s. Vert. v. 295. Stark, Elem, ii. 142.—

Hirudo Hippoglossi, Mull, Zool, Dan. Prod. 220. no. 2669. Zool. Dan.

tab. 54. fig. 1—4. abr. Faun. Greenl. 322. no. 302. fig. 8. Zurt.

Gmel. iv. 71. K. E. v. Baer in Nov. Act. Acad. Ces. Leop. Nat. Cur,

xiii. 678. pl. 32. fig. 5—6.

Desc. The body is about an inch long and three-quarters

of an inch broad, ovate, flat, thin, and semitransparent, lubri-

cous, firm, and somewhat cartilaginous to the touch, smooth,

432 Dr. Johnston on Entozoa.

watery-white, veined with milk-white and clear lines, the

veining less distinct on the dorsal than on the ventral aspect.

The body is narrowest anteriorly, and in front there is a small

piece which the animal can elongate to a slight extent and

make more or less concave ; the sides of this piece, from their

greater opacity, appear to be thickened, but they are not con-

formed into proper suckers. A little behind this frontlet, and

on the ventral surface, is the mouth, which has the appear-

ance of a very short, thick proboscis of a slightly corneous

texture, striated and obscurely three-lobed on the outer edge :

it can probably be protruded more or less, and when fully

extended by pressure resembles a short inverted cone (fig. 3.

a.) A little posterior to the proboscis we find generally, for

they are not constant, two ill-defined spots or organs (0); and

posterior to them, in the mesial line, a round viscus filled with

granular matter (c), above which there is usually to be seen a

yellowish-brown capsule or vesicle (0) with a long tortuous

thread attached to it, which runs forward obliquely by the

side of the mouth, opening outwardly on the margin below

the frontlet (d). Proceeding backwards in our examination

we next observe two very conspicuous round spots (e, e) se-

parate although closely approximated, and placed one on each

side of the axis of the body: they are filled with granules, and

form a marked character in the worm from their distinctness,

and from being encircled with milk-white vessels, from whose

posterior arch numerous capillary branchlets go off to ramify

in the space between them and the sucker. The posterior

edge of the body is truncate with a slight prominence in the

middle, whence the sucker originates, and above which the

anus. opens. The sucker is very large, subpedicellate, circular,

concave, rough with tubercles arranged in rows, and covering

rather more than two thirds of the disks, for the upper side is

smooth; and it is also furnished with two pairs of elongate

spiriform teeth so placed as to form by their union a sort of

oblong or horse-shoe shaped space running from the inferior

margin to the centre of the sucker (s).

Along each side of the body, running from near the head

to the tail, we readily distinguish, by its transparency, a large

vessel that seems as if it were rather excavated in the granu-

Dr. Johnston on Entozoa. 433

lar parenchyma than a distinct formation with proper coats.

These are the intestinal canals. I cannot trace their rise, nor

their continuation to the mouth, but their termination in the

anus is evident, previous to which they may be observed to

nigh one another. Where we first see them near the head,

they are fringed with short obtuse canals or ceca, that extend

down about a third of their length, the rest of the intestine

being simple and undivided.

The vascular system is beautifully developed, and distin-

guished by the milk-white colour of the vessels. On each

side there is a large trunk, which begins in the anterior central

or medial organ and runs forward to the mouth; while another

of the same size runs backwards to the sucker. From these

main trunks numerous lateral branches issue and divide into

lesser branchlets, which lose themselves about a line from the

margin ; for this is quite clear and unvascular, and is not filled

even with the granules of which the whole interior of the

worm seems to be composed.

This is, I fear, a very imperfect description ofa very curious

animal, but it is the best I have been able to make, and is

well illustrated by the beautiful figure which accompanies it. —

To determine the connexion and nature of the organs seems

to me a doubtful and difficult task. The mouth may be pre-

sumed to be ascertained and to have a suctorial character, al-

though Otho Fabricius placed it at the opposite extremity in

the centre of the caudal discs. The functions of the viscera

behind it are conjectural. I have sometimes thought that the

two foremost (4) were stomachical, but have been unable to

trace any canal of communication between them and the mouth

or the intestines; and it may be that they are rather subser-

vient to generation, standing in the place of the male organs.

The nature of the intestinal canals is not disputable: their

course and termination in the anus prove their office, and they

are extremely like the alimentary canal of the Diplozoon, an

evidently affined animal, in which Nordmann ascertained the

functions of the parts in question. The organ marked (0) is

evidently connected with the reproduction of the species.

Nordmann calls an exactly analogous organ of the Diplozoon

a testicle, and the long thread-like filament he believes to be

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.l. No.6. August 1838. 2F

434 Dr. Johnston on Entozoa.

a penis; but this I am certain is an erroneous view of their

nature ; and it seems, on the contrary, to be rendered at least

probable, by my observations on the Udonella caligorum (Mag.

Nat. History, vol. viii, p. 497), that the organ is a vesicle con-

taining ova or embryo young, which the Phylline lays and at-

taches to the fish by means of the filament. The round gra-

nular viscus connected with it (c) may be that in which the

ova are invested with their capsules ; and the didymous organs

in the centre of the body appear to be ovaries in which the

ova are themselves produced. From the researches of Nord-

mann in analogous worms, we may suspect that there are two

sets of blood-vessels and a true circulation, but I could see one

set only, such as they are delineated in our figure ; and in this

respect the circulating system resembles that of the Planarie

as described by Duges. .

Phylline Hippoglossi has not been previously recorded as a

native of our seas. It lives parasitically on the Holibut (Aip-

poglossus vulgaris) ; and about two years since I found nume-

rous specimens on a large individual that had been captured

in Berwick Bay. Following the older authors, Cuvier and

Lamarck have arranged it among the Leeches, but they were

well aware of the unnaturalness of this allocation, for its

nigher relations with the Polystome and Planarie are too ob-

vious to be overlooked; and, though living on the external

surface, the structure proves that, in the system of nature, it

forms one of a family (Trematoda, Rud., Sterelmintha, Owen,)

of which the greater number live within the intestines of other

animals.

Puate XV. fig. 1, 2, Phylline Hippoglosst of the natural size; the 1 a

view of the dorsal, the 2 of the ventral surface. Fig. 3. The same magnified.

FASCIOLA ANGUILL&. Plate XV. fig. 4—6.

Generic character. “ Corpus molle, oblongum, depressum,

interdum teretiusculum ; poris duobus remotis: altero antico

subterminal ; altero ventrali, laterali aut infero.—Os : porus

anticus. Anus: porus ventralis.” Lamarck.

Specific character. “ F. depressiuscula, subovata, crenata,

postice emarginata ; port antiet margine tumido, ventralis ma-

joris recto.” Lam. Anim. s. Vert. iii, 182. Turt. Gmel. iv. 36.

Dr. Johnston on Entozoa. 435

Desc. The body is about three lines long, oblong-ovate

when at rest, but extensible and mutable to a considerable de-

gree, not much compressed, of a brown colour varying in in-

tensity and more or less clouded, smooth, somewhat transpa-

rent. Mouth subterminal, placed under the narrower end,

circular, edentulous, with a thickened lip: the ventral sucker

about a line backwards, larger, encircled with a prominent

plain rim: posterior extremity obtuse, thickened, wrinkled

and opake, with a small emargination in the middle.

This worm has that degree of transparency which allows

the viscera to be seen through the skin, but to trace their

figures and disposition it is necessary to compress the body

slightly between plates of glass. The mouth (fig. 5, a.) is ca-

pable of being shut close or dilated to a considerable width,

the aperture assuming, in the change, sometimes a_ circular

and sometimes a triangular figure, but it is not susceptible of

being protruded beyond the surface. The powerful sphincter

encircling it enables the animal to apply the orifice very closely

and firmly to the surface of the stomach of the fish it infests.

The cesophagus is extremely short. From each side of it there

proceeds, nearly at right angles, an intestine (?) very narrow

at its origin, but suddenly dilating, it trends, in a flexuous

curve, towards the sucker (s), whence it proceeds down the

body in nearly a straight course and ends in a cul-de-sac near

the posterior extremity. This intestine is filled with a colour-

less liquid, and, as the liquid does not escape on pressure

from the mouth, but undulates backwards and forwards, we

are led to infer that a valvular apparatus at the origin of the

intestine prevents its efflux. The lower half of these intestinal

tubes is plaited transversely. Returning to the cesophagus we

observe an organ (¢), apparently continued from it down the

middle of the neck, and dilating into a pear-shaped sac of a

faint reddish colour, situated anteriorly to the sucker. This

sac is supposed to be a testicle, with what degree of probabi-

lity I am not prepared to say. The ovary or oviduct forms a

greatly convulated opake thread, which occupies principally the

centre of the body between the sucker and the tail: the infe-

rior end of it seems to be connected in some way with the

thickened tail of the worm, although I have not been able to

2F2

436 - Dr. Johnston on Entozoa.

discover the exact nature of the connexion. On compressing

a specimen, the tail was suddenly thrust out like a concealed

proboscis, carrying the end of the ovary with it, as is repre-

sented at fig. 6 ; but this occurred only once, notwithstanding

many subsequent trials on other specimens. The course of

the ovarian tube is shown in fig. 5, butit is far from constant,

and in many specimens there is less of it than is there exhi-

bited between the sucker and the mouth,-——in some none at

all. The duct is narrower at some places than at others; is of

a dirty greenish colour, and composed of numberless ova, en-

veloped and imbedded ‘in a colourless jelly; for the organ is

not hollow, as the term duct would seem to imply, but a fila-

ment formed of ova and jelly retained by a thin pellicle. When

examined separately the ova are of an ovate shape, pellucid,

with a speck in the centre, and in fact are very like the spo-

rules of parasitical fungi. I could not in any instance make

_ them separate and escape from the body without tearing the

skin ; but that they escape naturally by a minute aperture in

the aretetiton of the posterior extremity, I was led to con-

jecture from the circumstance just mentioned of the oviduct

being drawn down with it in its forced evolution ; but the con-

jecture is, perhaps, rendered improbable from its contrariety

to what occurs in other species. Mr. Owen in a large Distoma

(a generic name often used for the Fasciola) found that the

- orifice in question formed the outlet of a glandular sac lodged

in the enlarged extremity (Cyclop. of Anat. and Physiology,

vol. il. pp. 133 and 136); and Nordmann supposes that a si-

milar aperture in the Diplostomum is the termination of a canal

continued from the oviduct, a supposition which agrees well

with our observation. The ova, Cuvier says, “ sortent par

un canal replié qui aboutit 4 un petit trou a cété de la verge.”

(Régne Anim. iii. 264.) Such an organ and canal I could not

discover in the species under examination. On each side of

the sucker, and usually behind it, there is a large roundish

yiscus of a milk-white colour, apparently unconnected with

either the ovary or intestine, although it is probable that a

connexion does really exist. They are also supposed to be

connected with the generative functions ; and of the same na-

ture we are told is a similar viscus situated nearer the middle

Aan. NatHts? Vol 7D PLXM. !

LEP YER? CEE LOGS L .

Sir W. J. Hooker on the Erythreea diffusa. 437

of the body and of a less regular shape; but the ascription of

functions to these organs is surely in a great degree conjec-

tural. I could detect no traces of either a vascular or nervous -

system ; and the absence of the former seems remarkable after

finding it so fully developed in Phylline. The skin is a thin

pellucid pellicle traversed with lines in a netted manner.

The specimens from which our description is taken were

found in the stomach of a conger-eel. They stuck to the vil-

lous surface by their ventral sucker, but were removable with-

out difficulty. Their motions are very slow. The anterior

extremity can be lengthened to a considerable extent, when it

assumes the form of a narrow cylindrical neck ; and the figure

of the body is also changeable, though less so than the front.

I presume it is this protean character which induced Rudolphi

to call the species Distoma polymorphum. |

Prate XV. fig. 4. Fasciola anguille of the natural size.—Fig. 5. The

same magnified.—Fig. 6. The anal extremity as it appeared when evolved

by pressure.

[To be continued. ]

XLVIII.—On the Erythreea diffusa, Woods (Gentiana scil-

loides, Linn. fil.). By Sir W. J. Hooker. (With some

Remarks on the Genus. By Dr. GriesBAcu.)

[ With a Plate. ]

In the year 1835 our valued friend Mr. Joseph Woods made

an interesting discovery in Britany of an Hrythrea, which he

had good reason for believing to be undescribed, and to which

he gave the appropriate name of diffusa. His account of it,

in his ‘ Botanical Excursion into Brittany’*, is as follows.

“ On the 25th of June we came to Morlaix, and on a piece

of rough ground, at a very short distance south-west of the

town, found an Erythrea, which appears not to have been

previously noticed. Its characteristics are the diffuse mode

of growth, without any indication of a leading stem, and the

few flowers, not above two or three, in a panicle. This did

not arise from late shoots, as the Erythrea had hardly yet

begun to flower, and this may be considered as among the

* See Companion to the Botanical Magazine, vol. ii. p. 274.

438 Sir W. J. Hooker on the Erythreea diffusa,

earliest ; nor had it been eaten by cattle, for most of it was

well protected by the prickles of the Ulex, among which it

grew; nor was it owing to that shelter, for some of it was in

open and exposed situations. In all the appearance was alike,

and I should propose to call it Hrythrea diffusa ; caulibus dif-

Susis subbifioris. |

“The subulate divisions of the calyx afford here no charac-

ter, being sometimes quite as long as the tube of the corolla,

and sometimes considerably shorter. I find a specimen of

this species in the Herbarium of the late Sir James E. Smith,

from the Azores, with a memorandum, in that learned bota-

nist’s hand-writing, that it is the Chironia maritima of the

Hortus Kewensis, but not of Willdenow ; the description of

C. maritima in that work is, however, by no means such as

would identify the plant, and the principal reason for the sup-

position probably is that it is stated to have been introduced

from the Azores by F. Masson. The flowers are red.”

Specimens which Mr. Woods kindly communicated to me

were sent with my whole collection of Gentianee to Dr. Gries-

bach at Berlin, to assist him in his monograph of that natural

order. That gentleman ascertained it to be a plant of Lin-

neus’s Supplement, but unknown to every author since the

publication of that work, the Gentiana scilloides (Linn. fil.),

a species of the “Azores, found by Mr. Francis Masson.” It

is true that Dr. Griesbach has been led to this determination

by description alone; but the correctness of his judgement is

confirmed by the’ above observation of Mr. Woods, viz. that

there exists in the Linnean Herbarium of Sir J. E. Smith a

specimen of the same plant, sent from the Azores by Masson.

The observations in Dr. Griesbach’s letter to me, upon this

and other species of Erythrea, will be read with interest.

“ Erythrea diffusa (Woods) is indeed a new and highly in-

teresting species, as it will serve to do away with an old name

of a now unknown plant, since I cannot doubt this to be the

Gentiana scilloides (Linn. fil.),a species insufficiently described,

and of which all botanists are ignorant. The obscure terms

used in the ‘ Supplement’, though coinciding in the more im-

portant points with the plant of Mr. Woods, could hardly have

suggested the idea that this is an Erythrea. It stands next

with Remarks on the Genus by Dr. Griesbach. 439

to E. portensis (Link), but it differs sufficiently by ascending

stems, the form of the leaves, and length of the calyx; the

latter character is indeed most important in helping to di-

stinguish the polymorphous Erythree, as you will see by the

following list of all the species which I know.

“The tube of the corolla, when in flower, is as long as the

calyx in E. linarifolia (Pers.), chilensis (Pers.), caspica (Fisch.),

maritima (Pers.), spicata(Pers.), and probably Z. elodes (R.S.);

it is from one-fourth to one-third longer than the calyx in EF.

ramosissima (Pers.), latifolia (Smith,—a variety of which is

E. tenuiflora, Link), quitensis (Kunth), Roxburgh (Don),

australis (Br.), Miihlenbergit (mihi), mexicana (mihi), and dif-

fusa (Woods); double as long as the calyx in E. Centaurium

(Pers.), portensis (Link), and ¢richantha (mihi).

“You will see that I have done justice to the Erythree

of the British Flora. Those species in your Compendium are

as good species as any in the system, and the English Botany

is the very best basis for a correct knowledge of the European

Erythree. E. littoralis is the same with E. cespitosa (Link),

and this again is a smaller form or variety of EH. linearifolia

(Pers.), which grows especially on the German sea-shores,

and of which I will not forget to send you specimens. These

forms have been tolerably represented in Reichenbach’s ‘ Ico-

nographia’: there are not less than fifteen synonyms of this

species.

“ EH. pulchella (Fries), again, is a smaller variety of E. ramo-

sissima (Pers.), but the latter is identical with the English Z.

pulchella; to this species I also refer H. Meyeri (Ledeb.),

having seen intermediate states, and even our form itself, from

Siberia. . latifolia has a straight, nearly simple, and nar-

row-flowered variety, also on the sea-shores of the south of

Europe; this is HE. tenuiflora (Link), or H. centauroides

(Schrad.), or £. arenaria (Prest.), which occurs almost always

wrongly named in herbaria, though it is a remarkably com-

mon appearance of the plant. ,

“ Some years ago a dissertation on the genus Hrythrea was

published by M. Schmidt, but seldom have species and sy-

nonyms been so much confounded as by this writer.”

The following character and description, aided by the ac-

440 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

companying figure, which was drawn from Mr. Woods’s spe-

cimen, will, I trust, remove all doubts in future respecting this

beautiful little plant.

ERYTHRAA DIFFUSA.

(§ Euerythrea, Gries.)

Li. diffusa; caulibus ceespitosis adscendentibus inferne ramosis, ramis

1—3-floris, foliis inferioribus approximatis elliptico-subrotundis spathu-

latisque trinerviis, caulinis ellipticis oblongisque obtusiusculis, corolle

tubo sub anthesi calycem paullo superante, lobis tubum subequantibus

ellipticis acutiusculis. Griesb. MSS. Tab. Nostr.

Erythreea diffusa, Woods, in Hook. Comp. to Bot. Mag. v. ii. p. 274.—

Chironia maritima, Hort. Kew. Smith, in Herb. suo, apud Soc. Linn. (sed

vie fide Woods.)—Gentiana scilloides, Linn, Suppl. p.175. Willd. Sp. Pl.

v. 1. p. 1846. Roem. § Sch. v. vi. p. 163.

_ Hab. Azores, Francis Masson. On apiece of rough ground, near Mor-

laix, in Britany, Joseph Woods, Esq.

Descr. Glaberrima. Caulis gracilis, quadrangulus, digitalis fere ad spi-

thamzam, inferne decumbens, ramosus; rami elongati, erecti, subsimplices,

apice 1—3 flori. Folia opposita, decussata, semiunciam longa, inferiora ap-

proximata elliptica vel subrotuudo-spathulata, superiora magis remota, ob-

longa, sessilia, omnia integerrima, obtusa, nitidiuscula, trinervia. lores

terminales, solitarii, bini vel terni, majusculi, pulcherrime rosei; siccitate

seepe fusco-lutei. Calyx basi bibracteatus vel nudus, raro unibracteatus,

gracilis, 5-fidus, subangulatus, laciniis subulatis erectis tubum equantibus.

Corolla hypocrateriformis. Tubus gracilis, superne angustior, ante anthesin

calycem vix excedente, sub anthesi calyce } longior, limbo 4-partito, seg-

mentis ellipticis patentibus, acutiusculis. Anthere exserte, oblonge, flave,

spiraliter torte. Stylus longitudine staminum. Stigma crassum, bilobum.

XLIX.—Prodromus of a Monograph of the Radiata and

Echinodermata. By Louis Acass1z, D.M.*

[Continued from p. 307. ]

: III.

Tuer Stellerides constitute the last order of the class of Echinoder~

mata. Their starlike form, the mobility of their rays, which are fre-

quently manifoldly subdivided, the position of the mouth at the centre

ef the inferior surface, are the most prominent external characters of

this division, in which we must admit three families ; the Asterie,

the Ophiure, and the Crinoidea. With respect to their organization

Ehrenberg has recently made the interesting discovery that Asterias

* Translated from the Annales des Sciences Naturelles for May 1837.

L, Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 44).

violacea possesses eyes, showing themselves as beautiful red points

on the under surface of the extremity of the five rays.

I. The Asterte answer to the limits which Lamarck had assigned

to the genus of this name, established by Linnzus in a more com-

prehensive view. What distinguishes them is their possessing a

single orifice of the intestinal canal surrounded by suckers but void

of teeth. On the dorsal surface we remark between the two posterior

rays a lamellate or rather a fibrous tubercle, which has been deno-

minated madreporiform. There are deep grooves from the mouth to

the extremity of the rays containing several series of pedicels.

1. Asrerras, Linn, and Ag. (Astropecten, Link.—Crenaster, Lloyd.

—Pentastérie, De Blain. in part.—Stellaria, Nardo, a name already

employed for a genus of plants.) Body starlike; superior surface

tessellated; rays flattened, edged with two series of large laminz

bearing small spines. :

A. aurantiaca, Linn.—A. bispinosa, Otto.—A. caleitrapa, Lam., and se-

veral new species.

2. Cataster, Ag.—Differs from the preceding genus in having

the interior cavity circumscribed by laminz arranged like those of

the Hchini, and at whose summits we observe a star of ambulacra.

This genus approaches therefore by its organization to the family of

the Crinoidea, while its form is that of the true Asterie. I am only

acquainted with one fossil species, which is from the chalk.

C. Coulon, Ag.

3. GontastER, Ag. (Scutastérie and Platastérie, De Bl.)—Body

pentagonal, bordered by a double series of lamine bearing small

spines; upper surface nodose.

_G. reticulatus, Ag. ( Asterias retic., Linn.) —G. equestris, Ag. (Ast. equ.,

Linn.) —G. nodosus, Ag. (Ast. nod., Linn,)—G. tessellatus, Ag. (Ast. tessel.,

Lam.) I think this is also the place for several imperfectly known fossil

species, as G. porosus, Ag.—G. Couloni, Ag.—Asterias quinqueloba, Goldf.

—A. jurensis, Munst.—The laminz described under the names of 4st. scu-

tata, stellifera, and tabulata are probably only the calycinal laminz of some

_unknown Crinoidea, if they do not belong to this genus.

4, Opnipraster, Ag.—Body starlike, finely tessellated on its whole

surface, inferior grooves very narrow.

O. ophidianus, Ag. (Ast. ophid., Zam.)

5. Lryxra, Nardo (Cribella, Ag., MSS.)—Body starlike, rays

tuberculous and elongated ; epidermis porous in the intervals.

L. variolata, N. (Ast. variol., Lam.)—L. typus, N.—L. Franciscus, N.

The species described by Goldfuss under the names of Asterias arenicola

and obtusa, appear toform a separate genus which might be called Pleuraster.

I am however not sufficiently acquainted with them to decide.

442 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

6. Srettonra, Nardo (Uraster, Ag., MSS.—Pentastérie, De Bl.

in part, and his Solastéries), —Body starlike, entirely caveued with

more or less prominent spines.

St. rubens, Nardo (Ast. rub., Linn.).—St. sepitosa, N. (Ast. sepit., Linn.)

—St. glacialis, N. (Ast. glac., Linn.)—<St. spinosa, N. (Ast. spin., Link.)—

St. angulosa, Ag. (Ast. angul., Mudll.)—St. endeca, Ag. (Ast. end., Linn.)

—St. papposa, Ag. (Ast. pap., Linn.) —St. Helianthus, Ag. (Ast. Hel., Lam.)

—St. Echinitis, Ag. (Ast. Echin., Lam.)—-Those species in which the num-

ber of rays varies from 5 to 7 form the transition to the true Solasteri@. The

Ast. lanceolata and lumbricalis, Goldf., should probably also be referred to

this genus.

7. Asterina, Nardo (Clenaster, Ag. MSS,—Asterias, sect. C. De

Bl.—Pentaceros, Link).—Body pentagonal, covered with pectinated

scales ; upper surface inflated ; grooves of the under surface deep.

A. minuta, N. (Ast. minuta, Linn.)

8. Paumirss, Link. (Palmastérie, De Bl.—Anseropoda, Nardo).—

Body pentagonal, very flat, thin, but membranaceous at its edges.

P. membranaceus, Link.

9. Cuncita, Ag.—Body pentagonal, slit at the angles ; eneeen

granular.

C. discoidea, Ag. (Asterias discoid., Lam.)

II. The Ophiure are distinguished from the Asterie by the central

part of their body forming a distinct and flattened disc, to which are

annexed more or less elongated and even ramified rays, with no

grooves on their under surface.

1. Opurura, Lam. and Ag. (Sect. A. De Bl.)—Disc much flat-

tened ; rays simple, squamose, bearing very short spines adhering to

the rays.

O. texturata, Lam.—O. lacertosa, Lam., &c.

2. Orniocoma, Ag. (Ophiura, De Bl. sect. B.)—This genus differs

from the preceding in having long, very moveable spines attached to

the rays. :

O. squamata, Ag. (Ophiura squam., Lam.)—O. Echinata, Ag. (Ophiur.

echin., Lam.), &c.

3. Opniuretta, Ag.—Disc scarcely distinct. All the species are

fossil.

O. carinata, Ag. (Ophiura car., Munst.)-—O. speciosa, Ag. (Ophiura spec.,

Munst.)»—0O, Milleri, Ag. (Ophiura Mill., Phil.) —O. Egertoni, Ag. (Ophi-

ura Egertoni, Brod.)

4. Acroura, Ag., is closely allied to Ophiura, properly so called,

but differs in having, instead of the spines, small scales placed on

the sides of the rays. The rays themselves are very rough. One

fossil species.

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 443

A. prisca, Ag. (Ophiura prisc., Munst.)

5. Asprpura, Ag.—A star of ten plates covers the upper surface

of the disc, while the rays, which are proportionally large, are sur-

rounded by imbricate scales. One fossil species.

A. loricata, Ag. (Ophiura loric., Goldf.)

6. Tricuaster, Ag. (Zuryale, Auct.)—Rays furcate at their ex-

tremity.

T. palmifer, Ag. (Euryale palmifer, Lam.)

7. Euryarg, Lam. (Astrophyton, Link.—Gorgono-cephalus, Shaw.)

—Disc pentagonal ; rays branched and sub-branched from their base.

E. verrucosum, Lam.—L, costatum, Lam.—E. asperum, Lam.-—E. muri-

catum, Lam.—E. mediterraneum, Risso. (This last species does certainly

exist in the Mediterranean; I have seen several specimens collected in the

bay of Naples by Dr. Buckland. I make this observation because the exist-

ence of this species has quite recently been placed in doubt, although Ron-

delet mentions it.)

III, The Crinoidea, notwithstanding their starlike form and their

great external resemblance to the Asterie, constitute however adistinct

family, characterized by the presence of two separate orifices to the

intestinal canal, although very near to each other. These orifices

are by no means easily distinguished among the rays which surround

them, especially in the fossil species. The greatest part of the species

are pediculate, i, e. carried on a foot-stalk adhering to the centre of

the region, which, in the star fish, we considered as the middle of the

dorsal surface.

1. Comaruta, Lam. (Astrocoma, De Bl.—Decameros, Link.—

Antedon, Frem.—Alecto, Leach.)—Disc pentagonal, arched at its

upper surface, which bears several series of simple and articulated

rays; rays of the disc bifurcate, beginning however with two simple

pieces. The edges of the rays are pinnate; mouth central, sunk ;

anus between the mouth and the border of the disc, obliquely promi-

nent. Animai entirely free.

C. mediterranea, Lam., &c.

2. Comastrr, Ag. (Comaiula, Auct.)—This genus has the same

organization as the preceding, but the arms are ramified instead of

being simply furcate.

C. multiradiatus, Ag. (Comat. mult., Lam.)

3. Prrrocoma, Ag.—Rays pinnate, developed to such a degree

and so deeply bifurcate, that there appears to be no disc ; body free.

A fossil species.

Pt. pinnata, Ag. (Comatula pinn., Goldf.)

4, Saccocoma, Ag.—The disc presents the form of a rounded

444 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

cavity, to the border of which are annexed five rough rays, simply

bifurcate up to their base, and pinnate. Body free.

S. tenella, Ag. (Comat. tenell., Goldf.)—S. pectinata, Ag. (Comat. pec.,

Goldf.)—S. filiformis, Ag. (Comat. filif., Goldf.)

5. GurenoTREmMITEs, Goldf.—TI can only see in this genus the disc

of a Crinoid nearly allied to Comatula, but not in the least a genus

allied to Hchinus. (See also the 14th genus’ Solacrinus, Goldf.)

What distinguishes it is the having at its surface perforated impres-

sions which have been regarded as the points of insertion of spines,

but I believe them rather to be the articulated surfaces of dorsal rays,

while the five grooves surrounding the mouth are the points of in-

sertion of the rays. Five infundibuliform apertures round the mouth.

One fossil species from the chalk.

Gl. paradoxus, Goldf.

6. GanymepDA, Gray.—The same may be said of this genus as of

the preceding, from which it differs by the absence of the five infun-

dibuliform apertures round the mouth; as also of the alternating

grooves. ‘The flattened space of the summit is quadrangular. One

living species, of which I saw the original specimen at the British

Museum.

G. pulchella, Gray.

7. Marsurites, Mant. (Marsupium, Ken.—Marsupio-crinites,

De Bl.).—Disc composed of large polygonal lamin, one of which oc-

cupies the centre of the dorsal summit, without offering any trace of

a pedicel; three series of these lamine form the sides of the disc,

which resembles a purse, from the borders of which proceed five rays ;

mouth surrounded by numerous small laminz. One fossil species

from the chalk. °

MM. ornatus, Mant.

It is probably in the neighbourhood of this genus that the plates

which have been described under the names of Asterias scutata, A.

stellifera, and A. tubulata, should be arranged if they belong to some

unknown Crinoid.

8. Puytocrinus, De Bl. (Hibernula, Fl.—Pentacrinus, Thomps.)

—Pedicel round and articulated without digitation; disc circular,

formed of a central piece bearing a series of simple dorsal rays, and

nearer to the edge a series of bifurcate and pinnate rays, beginning at

the fourth articulation ; the first articulations touch one another at

their bases. One living species.*

Ph. europeus, De Bl. (Pent. europ., Thomps.)

* [This has been. proved by its discoverer to be the young state of Coma-

tula.—Ep1v.] ©

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 445 '

9. Penracrinus, Mill. (Pentagonites, Raffin.)—Pedicel more or

less pentagonal, bearing at intervals simple verticillate rays ; rays of

the disc fixed to the pedicel, each by a cuneiform piece followed by

two simple pieces, after which the rays bifurcate, and at a little

further distance divide into two, which then branch out into nume-

rous appendices, pinnate at their edges. The space between the base

of the rays, occupied by the visceral cavity, is formed by numerous

small lamine. One living species and several fossil species from the

muschelkalk, cretaceous, jurassic, and tertiary, deposits.

Those species in which the accessory rays form more or less distant

verticille might be designated under the name of Chladocrinus.

P. dubius, Goldf.—P. basaltiformis, Mill.—P. briareus, Mill.—P. cingu-

latus, Munst.—P. muliferus, Munst. (not Mill.)—P. annulatus, Roem.—

P. pentagonalis, Gold.—P. levis, Mill.—P. scalaris, Goldf.—P. subangu-

laris, Mill.—P. scriptus, Roem.—P. subsulcatus, Munst.—P. subteres,

Munst.—P. tubereulatus, Mill.—P. moniliformis, Mill. (not Munst.)—P.

subbasaltiformis, Mill.—P. caput Meduse, Mill.

10. Isocrinus, N. de Meyer.—Nearly allied to Pentacrinus, of

which it has the pedicel with its simple rays. The first articulations

of the rays of the disc are not prominent as in that genus ; the upper

portion of the pedicel however is more developed. One fossil species

from the jura,

I. pendulus, N. de M. (hitherto inedit.)

11. Encrrnvus, Guett.—Pedicel rounded and smooth ; rays of the

disc formed at their base of three simple consecutive joints, to the last

of which are articulated two series of smaller pieces, each bearing at

some further distance from the centre, two series of pinnate articula-

tions moveable on their hinges. All the species are fossils from the

muschelkalk.

LE. liltiformis, auct.—E, Schlotheimii, Quenst.

_ 12. Aprocrinus, Mill. (Astropoda, Defr.—Ceriocrinus, Keen.—

Pomatocrinus and Symphytocrinus, Koen.)—Pedicel rounded and

smooth, dilating insensibly towards the base of the rays, which are

composed first of the three simple consecutive articulations alter-

nating with five distinct pieces from the summit of the pedicel; at

some further distance each ray bifurcates and again subdivides into

lateral pinnule. These animals are fixed to the soil by a dilatation

more or less considerable of the base of the pedicel. All the species

are fossil from the jura and chalk.

A, elongatus, Mill.—d. flecuosus, Goldfi—. incrassatus, Rem.—4A.

mespiliformis, Schlot.—A, Milleri, Schlot.—A. obconicus, Goldf.—A. Pratii,

Gr.— A, rosaceus, Schlot.— A. rotundus, Mill.—A, ellipticus, Mill.

446 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

13. Everniacrinus, Mill. (Symphytocrinus, Ken.)—Pedicel

rounded and smooth, formed of a small number of long articulations.

The base of each ray is composed of an inflated and proportionally

large piece ; all these pieces (there are generally five, but sometimes

only four) are connected together. It is not known how the rays

ramify, All the species are fossils from the jura, (E. mespiliformis,

Goldf., from the greywacke appears to have distinct generic cha-

racters.)

E. caryophyllatus, Goldf.—E. compressus, Goldf.—E., Nausmanni, Roem.

LE, Noferi, Munst.—£. moniliformis, Munst.—£. nutans, Goldf,—E. piri-

formis, Munst.—EZ. quinguangularis, Mill,

14, Soracrinus, Goldf.—At first sight, this genus does not ap-

pear to differ from Eugeniacrinus, by the side of which Goldfuss

placed them, except by the presence of small distinct articulations

between the base of the rays. However I believe it to be more nearly

allied to Comatula, and especially to the gefius Glenotremites. The pe-

dicel is very short, rounded at its extremity, which makes me think

that these animals were free, and that the impressions which we no-

tice on the pedicel were the points of insertion of rays similar to

those which the Comatule bear on their dorsal surface. But not

having had opportunity to examine them myself, I leave them provi-

sionally in the place which the author of this genus has assigned to

them. All the species are fossils from the jura.

S. costatus, Goldf.—8. scrobiculatus, Munst.—S. Jegeri, Gold.

15. Raopocrinus, Mill.—Pedicel more or less rounded, tra-

versed by a pentagonal canal, base of the rays formed of five small

articulations, each topped by two other rather larger pieces, after

which follow other lamine similar but less regular and smaller, which

form underneath the visceral cavity, from the edge of which proceed

five rays which branch out like those of the Pentacrini. The spe-

cies are fossils from the greywacke and carboniferous limestone.

(The Rh. echinatus, Schlot., with spiny pedicel from the jura, appears

to form a distinct genus, the characters of which I am yet unable to

indicate, being unacquainted with the structure of the rays.)

Rh. canaliculatus, Goldf—Rh. gyratus, Goldf.—Rh. quinquepartitus,

Goldf.— Rh. crenatus, Goldf.—Rh. verus, Mill.— Rh. quinquangularis, Mill.

16, Acrinocrinvs, Mill. (Rhodocrinus, Koen.) —This genus differs

from the preceding by its pedicel being pierced by a round canal;

the laminz of the disc which surround the sides of the visceral cavity

are more numerous and less regularly disposed. ‘The species are

fossils from the greywacke and carboniferous limestone,

L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata. 447

A. cingulatus, Goldf.—A. granulatus, Goldf.—<A. moniliformis, Mill._—

A. muricaius, Goldf.—A. nodulosus, Goldf.—A. gothlandicus, Goldf.—A.

levis, Mill. —A. polydactylus, Mill.—A. tessellatus, Goldf,—A. triaconta-

dactylus, Mill.—A, tesseracontadactylus, Mill.

17. Mexocrinus, Goldf.—This genus differs from Rhodocrinus

and Actinocrinus only in the base of the five rays alternating with

five pieces distinct from the summit of the pedicel, and the lamine

which close the visceral cavity above being larger than those inclosed

between the rays at the point where they separate from the disc. In

other respects the structure of the Rhodocrinus, Actinocrinus, and

Melocrinus is very similar. ‘The species are fossils from the grey-

wacke and carboniferous limestone.

M. gibbosus, Goldf.—M. levis, Goldf.—M., hieroglyphicus, Goldf.

18, Evcatyprocrinus, Goldf.—Visceral cavity spacious, sur-

rounded at its base by five plates which alternate with three series

of ten lamine on the edgés of which are inserted the rays. One

fossil species from the greywacke.

E. rosaceus, Goldf,

19. Porzriocrinus, Mill.—Pedicel rounded, pierced by a round

canal ; visceral cavity surrounded at its sides by three alternating

series of five large hexagonal lamin, the upper of which bear five

bifurcate rays composed of elongated articulations. The species are »

fossils from the carboniferous limestone,

P. crassus, Mill.—P, tenuis, Mill.

20, Prarycrinus, Mill.—The base of the rays is sienpoied of five

large laminee adhering to each other, and alternating with the five

distinct pieces of the summit of the pedicel; the five rays are in-

serted at the edges; between their bases five small lamin may be

distinguished ; above these are some very small ones which close the

visceral cavity, ‘vhe species are fossils from the greywacke and

the carboniferous limestone.

Pl. ventricosus, Goldf.—P1, granulatus, Mill.—Pl. pentangularis, Mill,—

Pl. rugosus, Mill.—P1. striatus, Mill.—Pl, levis, Mill.—Pl, tuberculatus,

Mill.— PJ. depressus, Goldf.

21. Cyarnocrinvs, Mill.—This genus differs from the preceding

only by the disposition of the large laminz which surround the yisceral

cavity, and which are in two series, while in Platycrinus there is but

one. Between the bases of the rays we notice a small hexagonal la-

mina. The pedicel is either round or pentagonal, furnished with small

simple rays. The species are fossils from the greywacke and car-

boniferous limestone.

448 L. Agassiz on the Echinodermata.

C. geometricus, Goldf.—C. pinnatus, Goldf.—C. rugosus, Mill.—C. tuber-'

culatus, Mill.—C. planus, Mill.—C, quinquangularis, Mill.—C. abbreviatus,

Mill.—C. pentagonus, Goldf.

22. Spuaronites, His. (Echinospherites, Wahl.)—Possessing

but very imperfect specimens of this genus, I am unable to give the

characters. It is however certain that they are nearly allied to Cya-

thocrinus. Fossils from the greywacke.

S. pomum, His.—S. aurantium, Wahl.—S. granatum, Wahl.—S. Wahlen-

bergit, Ksmark.

23. Caryocrinus, Say.—Visceral cavity surrounded by polygonal

laminz, forming two series of six lamine and one of eight, four of

which bear bifid rays. Fossils from the greywacke.

C. ornatus, Say.—C. loricatus, Say.

24. Cupressocrinus, Goldf.—Pedicel rounded, pierced by a canal

in the form of a cross ; five inflated pieces at the summit of the pe-

dicel between which the two first pieces of the base of the rays are

articulated; they are the smallest, and on them are placed large la-

minze arranged in pyramids, the borders of which bear small moveable

appendices, Fossils from the greywacke. (C. gracilis, Goldf., ought

in my opinion to be placed under Cyathocrinus.)

C. crassus, Goldf.

25. Penrremites, Say.—Body pentagonal, carried on a very short

pedicel surmounted by five distinct pieces, above which arise five rays

of a pyramidal form, which may be compared to the interambulacral

spaces of an Echinus. Between the lamin of these rays we find five

very large interambulacral spaces situated on the upper surface of

the body, at the summit of which we notice five large holes alterna-

ting with these spaces. This genus thus presents characters ana-

logous to those of all the families belonging to the class Echinoder-

mata; it is also one of those whose species are found in the oldest

deposits.

P. florealis, Say.—P. ovalis, Goldf.—P. derbiensis, Sow.—P. piriformis,

Say.—P. ellipticus, Sow.—P. globosus, Say.

In this synoptical table of the Radiata I have abstained from

enumerating all the doubtful species, trusting to be able to make

them better known when I publish the detailed Monograph of this

class, of which I have given here but a very abridged sketch. In

the indication of the generic characters I have endeavoured to ex-

press them in the most simple manner, and I have avoided all the

improper terms of nomenclature which Miller introduced in order to

describe the lamine which surround the inferior portion of the visce-

Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites, 449

ral cavity of the Crinoidea, and which serve for the insertion of their

rays. In fact there is nothing in these animals which can be com-

pared to a bason, to costal or intercostal pieces, to a shoulder blade,

to arms, to a hand, to fingers, to tentacula, to a clavicule, to pectoral

or capital plates, and which would justify the use of these terms to

designate simple calcareous plates similar to those of the Echinus

and Starfish, disposed even in general, as in those two families, and

offering no other differences than the following ; namely, that at the

dorsal surface a certain number of plates is developed one upon the

other, which form a pedicel more or less long and moveable ; that the

principal cavity of the animal is surrounded at its sides by lamine

varying much in number and in form in the different genera, and

arranged very diversely around the mouth; and lastly, that the rays

which depart from the central disc ramify in various ways. In order

to simplify the names generally so very long which have been given

to the genera of the family of the Crinoidea, I have everywhere

changed the termination crinites into crinus, as M. de Blainville had

previously done for some of them.

L.—Descriptions of British Chalcidites. By Francis WALKER,

F.L.S,

[Continued from p. 387.]

Sp. 16. Cirrospilus Lycophron, Fem. Cupreus, antenne nigre, pedes

virides flavo-cincti, ale limpide. |

Obscure cupreus: oculi et ocellirufi: antennz nigrz ; articulus 1" zeneus :

abdomen cupreum, basi micans: pedes virides; trochanteres fusci; genua

albida ; tarsi fulvi, apice fusci: alee sublimpide ; squamule picez ; nervi

fulvi. (Corp. long. lin. 3—3; alar, lin. 1—1+.)

Var. 8. Purpureo-cupreus: tarsi leete flavi, apice fusci.

Found near London.

Mas. Corpus sublineare, leve, nitens, parce hirtum: caput transversum,

breve, convexum, juxta thoraci latum ; vertex angustus; frons abrupte de-

clivis: oculi sat magni: antenne setacez, hirte, corporis dimidio multo

longiores; articulus 1"° gracilis, sublinearis; 2%* longicyathiformis; 3"* et

sequentes longi, lineares, usque ad 7" attenuati: thorax longiovatus, con-

vexus: prothorax mediocris, transversus, antice angustior: mesothoracis

scutum longitudine vix latius; parapsidum suture bene determinate ; scu-

tellum obconicum; metascutellum parvum, transversum ; metathorax con-

spicuus: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen ovatum, planum, thorace brevius ;

segmentum 1¥™ sat magnum, 2"™ et sequentia breviora: pedes mediocres,

simplices, subzequales ; tarsis articuli 1° ad 38"™ curtantes, 4"* longior; ungues

et pulvilli sat magni; protarsis articulus 1"° brevissimus: ale anguste,

breviter ciliatze; nervus ulnaris humerali longior, radialis nullus, cubitalis

crassus in alze discum abrupte declivis, stigma minutum.

Ann. Nat, Hist, Vol.1. No.6. August 1838. ae

450 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites.

Sp. 17. Cirr. Coronis, Mas. Viridis cupreo-varius, antenne nigre, pedes

virides fulvo-cincti, ale fusca.

Viridis : oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigra; articuli 1" et 2"* virides;

thorax cupreo-varius: mesothoracis scutellum apice viridi micans: abdo-

minis discus cupreus: pedes virides; trochanteres ferruginei; genua fer-

ruginea ; tarsi fulvi, apice fusci; protarsi fusci: ale fuscee ; squamule picez ;

nervi picei. (Corp. long. lin. 3—4; alar. lin. 3—3.)

Var. @. Cupreus: mesothoracis scutellum viride, basi cupreum: abdomen

basi viride: meso- et metatarsi fusci, basi pallidiores.

Var. y. Abdomen basi viridi-cyaneum.

Var. }.—Var. 8. similis: thorax viridis.

September ; near London, Devonshire.

Mas. C. Isee similis: caput thorace fere latius: antennz subfiliformes,

corporis dimidio longiores ; articulus 1"° longus, validus, fusiformis ; 2"* lon-

gicyathiformis ; 3" latior, sublinearis ; 4"5, 5° et 6"° angustiores, longitudine

subzequales ; 7° fusiformis, acuminatus, 6° angustior et paullo longior: pro-

thorax conicus: mesothoracis parapsidum suture bene determinatz, postice

mutuo accedentes : abdomen longi-obconicum, subpetiolatum, thorace paullo

brevius et angustius; segmentum 1"™ longum, angustum ; 2% et sequentia

brevia, transversa, subzequalia.

Sp. 18. Cirr. Lycomedes, Mas. Cupreus viridi-varius, antenne nigre,

pedes enei, tarsi fusci, ale subfusce.

Cupreus: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigre; articulus 1" nigro-ceneus :

gula fusca: metathorax viridis: abdomen nigro-cupreum, basi late viride :

sexualia fusca: pedes nigro-zenei; trochanteres et genua obscure rufa; tarsi

fusci, apice obscuriores : alee subfuscee ; squamule fusce ; nervi fusci. (Corp.

long. lin. 3—+4,; alar. lin. +—3.)

Var. @.—Thorax viridi-cupreus: scutellum apice viridi micans : abdomen

basi viridi-eeneum.

Var. y.—Thorax lete viridis; discus cupreo-varius.

Var. }.—Mesothoracis scutellum viride micans, basi cupreum.

Var. ¢.—Scutellum purpureo-cupreum, apice aureum.

Var. €.—Abdomen omnino cupreum.

Var. y.—Scutellum apice cyaneo-viride.

Var. 6.—Thorax aureo-cupreus : abdomen nigro-viride, basi viride micans,

cupreo-varium.

July, August; near London.

Sp. 19. Cirr. Orelia, Mas. Viridis, abdomen cupreum, antenne nigre,

pedes virides, tarsi fusci, ale subfusce.

Leete viridis, cyaneo-varius: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigre; arti-

culi 1"° et 2"§ virides; abdomen nigro-cupreum, basi viride: pedes virides ;

trochanteres fulvi; genua fulva ; tarsi fusci, basi fulvi: ale subfusce ; squa-

mule fuscee; nervi fusci.

Found near London.

Fem. Corpus longum, angustum, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce

hirtum: caput transversum, breve, convexum, juxta thoraci latum; vertex

Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 451

latus: oculi parvi: antenne subfusiformes, late, corporis dimidio multo

breviores; articulus 1" gracilis, sublinearis; 2° longicyathiformis; 3"° et

4"8 approximati, subzequales; clava fusiformis, articulo 4° duplo longior :

thorax longiovatus, fere planus: prothorax bene determinatus, transversus,

antice angustior: mesothoracis scutum longitudine vix latius; parapsidum

suturee non bene determinate ; scutellum obconicum: metathorax conspi-

cuus: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen longiovatum, planum, thorace paullo

brevius et angustius: pedes simplices; tarsis articuli 1° ad 3"™ curtantes,

4% longior ; protarsis articulus 1" brevissimus : alee anguste ; nervus ulnaris

humerali longior, radialis nullus, cubitalis sat longus ad alze apicem propen~

sus; stigma parvum fingens.

Sp. 20. Cirr. Chabrias, Fem. Viridis cupreo-varius, antenne nigre, ab-

domen cupreum, pedes virides albo-cincti, ale albe.

Leete viridis cupreo-varius: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigre ; articuli

1" ef 2" virides : abdomen supra cupreum: pedes virides; trochanteres pi-

cei; genua alba; tibiz apice albe; tarsi albi, apice fusci; propedum tibize

apice et subtus fulvee, tarsi fusci: alee alba; squamule fulve ; nervi fulvi.

(Corp. long. lin. 3—1; alar. lin. 14—14.) .

Var, 8.—Thorax cyaneo-viridis: protibie fulvee, apice et subtus flave ;

mesotarsi apice fulvi.

October: near London.

Fem. Corpus longum, angustum, sublineare, nitens, scitissime squameum,

parce hirtum: caput juxta thoraci latum: oculi parvi, subrotundi, fere ex-

tantes: antennez clavate, corporis dimidio breviores; articulus 1"* longus,

validus, fusiformis; 2" longicyathiformis; 3"° et 4°° breves; clava longi-

ovata, articulo 4° latior et plus duplo longior: thorax longiovatus, parum

convexus: prothorax breviconicus, transversus, postice incurvus: mesotho-

racis scutum transversum, parapsides bene determinate, scutellum obconi-

cum: metathorax brevis: abdomen longiovatum, depressum, thorace paullo

longius et angustius: pedes graciles: alee ample; nervus ulnaris humerali

vix brevior, radialis brevissimus, cubitalis longus.

Sp. 21. Cirr. Clinias, Fem. Cupreus viridi-varius, antenne nigre, pedes

virides albo-cincti, ale albide.

Lete viridis, micans: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigre; articulus 1"

viridis: thoracis discus cupreus; abdomen supra leete cupreum; pedes vi-

rides; trochanteres picei; genua albida; tibie apice albide ; tarsi fulvi,

basi albi, apice fusci; propedum tibiee fulve extus virides, tarsi pallide fusci ;

alee albidze ; squamulee pallide fusce ; nervi concolores. (Corp. long. lin. 4 ;

alar. lin. 14. )

Var. @.—Caput supra lete cupreum : thoracis discus cupreus.

Found near London.

Mas. Corpus angustum, sublineare, leve, nitens, parce hirtum: caput

transversum, breve, convexum, juxtathoraci latum ; vertex angustus: oculi

sat magni: antenne subfiliformes, corporis dimidio multo longiores; arti-

culus 1" gracilis, sublinearis ; 2° longicyathiformis ; 3"° et 4"* longi, lineares;

2G2

452 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites,

clava fusiformis, apice attenuata et acuminata, articulo 4° plus duplo longior

non latior: thorax longiovatus, convexus: prothorax mediocris, transversus,

antice angustior: mesothoracis scutum longitudine vix latius; parapsidum

suture bene determinatz ; scutellum obconicum: metathorax conspicuus :

abdomen ovatum, planum, thorace brevius: pedes simplices; tarsis articuli

1° ad 3" curtantes, 4"8 longior ; protarsis articulus 1"° brevissimus: alz

anguste ; nervus ulnaris humerali longior, radialis nullus, cubitalis crassus

in alze discum abrupte declivis.

Fem. Capitis vertex latus: oculi parvi: antenne extrorsum crassiores,

corporis dimidio paullo longiores; articuli 3"° et 4"° eequales; clava fusi-

formis, acuminata, articulo 4° duplo longior : abdomen thorace vix brevius.

Sp. 22. Cirr. Eudora, Mas et Fem. Viridis aut cupreus, antenne nigra,

pedes virides, tarsi fulvi, ale limpide.

Mas. Viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigre ; articuli 1" et 2" vi-

rides: thoracis discus zeneus: abdominis discus nigro-zeneus: pedes virides ;

trochanteres fulvi; genua fulva; protarsi fusci; meso- et metatarsi fulvi,

apice fusci: alze sublimpide ; squamule picez; nervi fusci.

Fem. Viridi-zeneus: antennis articuli 1"° et 2"° zenei: thoracis discus cu-

preus: abdomen viride cupreo-varium : pedes enei: trochanteres rufi; tibize

fuscee, apice flavee; tarsi flavi, apice fusci; protarsi fulyi. (Corp. long, lin,

4—4; alar. lin. 3—+4.)

Var. 8. Mas.—Thorax cyaneo-viridis: scutelli discus cupreus : tibize fuscee.

Var. y. Mas.—Thorax cyaneo-viyidis cupreo-varius : abdomen basi viridi-

cyaneum.

Var. 3. Mas.—Cupreus: meso- et metatarsi fusci.

Var. «. Fem.—Tibize ene, apice et basi fulve ; protarsi fusci; meso- et

metatarsi fulvi, apice fusci.

Var. ¢. Fem.—Var. ¢. similis: caput viride: thorax cupreus: abdomen

viridi-cupreum.

Var. n. Fem.—Var. €. similis: scutellum apice viride.

Var. 6. Fem.—Cupreus: caput et abdomen cupreo-viridia: tibiz zenez ;

meso- et metatarsi fusci, basi fulvi.

Var. « Fem.—Var.¢. similis: thorax eneo-viridis: abdomen nigro-

zeneum, basi et apice viride.

Var, x. Fem.—Var. 6. similis: corpus omnino cupreum.

Found near London.

Mas. Corpus sublineare, leve, nitens, parce hirtum: caput transversum,

breve, convexum, juxta thoraci latum; vertex angustus: oculi sat magni:

antenne subsetacee, corporis dimidio multo longiores ; articulus 1" gracilis,

sublinearis ; 2"° longicyathiformis; 3"° et sequentes ad 5°™ fere zequales;

clava longifusiformis, apice attenuata et acuminata, articulo 5° plus duplo

longior: thorax longiovatus, convexus: prothorax mediocris, transversus,

antice angustior: mesothoracis scutum longitudine vix latius; parapsidum

suturee bene determinate; scutellum obconicum: metathorax conspicuus :

petiolus brevissimus: abdomen ovatum, planum, thorace brevius: pedes

simplices ; tarsis articuli 1° ad 38% curtantes, 4"° longior; protarsis articulus

Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. 453

1"5 brevissimus: ale anguste; nervus ulnaris humerali longior, radialis

nullus, cubitalis crassus, in alee discum abrupte declivis. —

Sp. 23. Cirr. Procles, Mas. neo-viridis, abdomen nigro-cupreum, an-

tenne nigra, pedes virides, tarsi fusci, ale sublimpide.

/Eneo-viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi : antenne nigre ; articuli 1" et 2"* viridi-

enei: abdomen nigro-cupreum : pedes virides ; trochanteres ferruginei; ge-

nua ferruginea; protarsi obscure fulvi: meso- et metatarsi fusci, basi et

subtus fulvi: ale sublimpide, squamule piceze; nervifusci. (Corp. long.

lin, 2; alar. lin. 2.)

Found near London.

Mas. Corpus sublineare, nitens, lave, parce hirtum: caput transversum,

breve, convexum, juxta thoraci latum ; vertex latus: oculi parvi: antennz

subfiliformes, hirtee, corporis dimidio multo longiores; articulus 1" gracilis,

sublinearis; 2" longicyathiformis; 3"° et sequentes longi, lineares; clava

fusiformis, apice attenuata et acuminata: thorax longiovatus, convexus: .

prothorax mediocris, transversus, antice angustior: mesothoracis scutum

longitudine vix latius; parapsidum suture bene determinate; scutellum

obconicum: metathorax conspicuus: petiolus brevissimus: abdomen ova-

tum, planum, thorace brevius: pedes mediocres, simplices, subzequales ; tar-

sis articuli 1° ad 3% curtantes, 4"° longior; ungues et pulvilli sat magni ;

protarsis articulus 1"° brevissimus: alee anguste ; nervus ulnaris humerali

longior, radialis nullus, cubitalis crassus, in alee discum abrupte declivis.

Sp. 24. Cirr. Abastor, Mas. Viridis, abdomen cupreum, antenne nigre,

pedes ferruginei, femora viridia, ale fusce.

Leete viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigre ; articuli 1° et 2s ni-

gro-virides: abdomen nigro-cupreum ; basi viride micans: pedes ferruginei;

coxee virides; trochanteres fusci, apice et basi flavi; femora viridia, apice

flava; tarsi apice fusci; protarsi pallide fusci: alee fuscee ; squamule supra

virides; nervi fusci. (Corp. long. lin. 4; alar. lin. 3.)

Found near London.

Fem. Corpus sublineare, nitens, scitissime squameum, parce hirtum : caput

transversum, breve, convexum, juxta thoraci latum ; vertex angustus; frons

abrupte declivis: oculi sat magni: antenne clavate, corporis dimidio paullo

longiores ; articulus 1"° gracilis, sublinearis ; 2"* longicyathiformis; 4"8 3°

brevior; clava longiovata, acuminata, articulo 4° duplo longior: thorax

ovatus, convexus: prothorax brevis, antice angustior: mesothoracis scutum

longitudine vix latius: parapsidum suture bene determinate; scutellum

obconicum ; metascutellum parvum, transversum : metathorax conspicuus :

petiolus brevissimus : abdomen ovatum, planum, thorace vix brevius; seg-

mentum 1¥™ sat magnum, 2" et sequentia breviora: pedes mediocres,

simplices, subzequales ; tarsis articuli 1° ad 3% curtantes, 4" longior; un-

- gues et pulvilli sat magni ; protarsis articulus 1“ brevissimus: alz angustz,

breviter ciliate: ; nervus ulnaris humerali longior, radialis nullus, cubitalis

crassus in ale discum abrupte declivis, stigma minutum.

Sp. 25. Cirr. Aratus, Fem. Viridis cupreo-varius, antenne nigr@, pedes

flavi, femora viridia, ale sublimpide.

454 Mr. Walker on the British Chalcidites. .

Leete viridis: oculi et ocelli rufi: antennz nigre ; articulus 1s nigro-

viridis: thoracis discus cupreo-varius ; mesothoracis scutellum cupreum : ab-

dominis discus cupreo-viridis; pedes flavi; coxe virides ; femora viridia, apice

flava; tarsi apice fusci; protibize extus fulve ; protarsi fusci: alee sublimpide ;

squamule fulvee; nervifulvi. (Corp. long. lin. 4—4; alar. lin. 3—1.) |

Var, @.—Caput postice cupreum : scutellum apice viride micans: abdo-

minis discus cupreus.

Var. y.—Meso- et metatibize fulvee.

Var. }.—Caput cupreo-varium : thoracis discus cupreus; abdomen viride;

segmenta basi cuprea. .

Var. ¢.—Pro- et mesopedum tibiz pallide fuscze : metatibize fulvee : meso-

et metatarsi fulvi, apice fusci.

Var. ¢.—Var. ¢. similis: tibiz omnes fulvo-fusce.

June, near London.

Fem. Corpus sublineare, leve, nitens, parce hirtum: caput transversum,

breve, convexum, juxta thoraci latum, vertex angustus: oculi sat magni :

antennz subsetacez, corporis dimidii vix longitudine ; articulus 1" gracilis,

sublinearis ; 2" longicyathiformis ; 3"5 et sequentes longi, lineares, usque ad

7m decrescentes: thorax longiovatus, convexus: prothorax mediocris,

transversus, antice angustior: mesothoracis scutum longitudine vix latius ;

parapsidum suture bene determinate ; scutellum obconicum: metathorax

conspicuus : petiolus brevissimus : abdomen ovatum, planum, thorace latius,

vix brevius: pedes simplices; tarsis articuli 1° ad 3% curtantes, 4"5 longior ;

protarsis articulus 1"° brevissimus: ale angustze; nervus ulnaris humerali

longior, radialis nullus, cubitalis brevis ad alz apicem propensus.

Sp. 26. Cirr. Lagus, Fem. Cupreus viridi-varius, antenne nigre, pedes

enei, tarsi flavi, ale limpide.

Cupreus: oculi et ocelli rufi: antenne nigre ; articuli 1"° et 2" virides :

mesothoracis scutellum apice viride : abdominis discus viridi-cyaneus: pedes

zenei; trochanteres ferruginei; genua ferruginea; tibiee zneo-picez, apice

flave; tarsi flavi, apice fusci; protarsi pallide fusci: ale limpide; squa-

mule piceze; nervi pallide fusci. (Corp. long. lin. 3—3; alar. lin. $—1.)

Var. ®.—Thorax viridis ; discus cupreus : abdomen viride, cupreo varium.

Var. y.—Var. 8. similis: abdomen supra cupreum.

Var. }.—Viridis : abdominis discus nigro-zeneus.

Var. ¢«.—Var. 8. similis: mesothoracis scutellum late cupreum.

Var. ¢.—Leete viridis cupreo-varius : scutellum et abdomen cuprea: ge-

nua pallide flava; tibize fulve, apice flavee.

Var. .—Var. é. similis : abdomen viride ; discus cupreus.

Var. 6.—Cupreus: antennis articuli 1"* et 2“* cuprei; abdominis discus

nigro-cupreus.

August; near London. ,

Var. :.—Nigro-cupreus: antennis articulus 1°° nigro-zeneus: abdomen

zeneo-cupreum; discus nigro-zneus: pedes fulvi ; coxe nigro-zenee; fe-

mora nigro-zenea ; tibize fusce, apice et basi fulvee; tarsi apice fusci.

August; near London.

Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 455

LI.—Flore Insularum Nove Zelandie Precursor; or a Spe-

cimen of the Botany of the Islands of New Zealand. By

ALLAN CUNNINGHAM, Esq.

[Continued from p. 381. ]

POLYGONEA, Juss.

1. Potyconum, LZ.

355. P. (Helxine) australe; caule arboreo, ramis flexuosis scabriusculis,

foliis ovato-cordatis acuminatis obtusis integerrimis levibus, racemis axil-

laribus terminalibusque compositis. Endl. Prodr. Fl. Nonf. p.42. A. Rich.

Fl. Nov. Zel. p.178.—Coccoloba australis. Forst. Prodr. n. 176. Willd.

Sp. Pl. 2. p.457. Puka Incolarum.

New Zealand (Middle Island), Dusky Bay.—1773, G. Forster.—Cook’s

Straight.—1827, D’Urville. (Northern Island), Bay of Islands, on the Keri

Keri River.—1834, R. Cunningham.

Obs. Folia polymorpha, in eodem ramis cordata acuminata et basi cqualia

ac obtusa; unde nequaquam duplex varietas quemadmodum. 4. Rich. loc.

cit. tnniitt erit admittenda. End.

356. P. adpressum, Br. Prodr. 1, p.420. Labill. Nov. Holl. 1. p. 99. t.

127. Bot. Mag. t. 3145. Hernan, incol.

New Zealand (Northern Island). In thickets on the banks of rivers,

Wangaroa, Kana-Kana, &c.—1826, A. Cunningham. Bay of Islands.—

1834, R. Cunningham.

357. P. complecum, glabrum dumosum, caule fruticoso flexuoso, foliis

(semuncialibus) subrotundis petiolatis subcordatis margine integerrimis,

racemis axillaribus terminalibusve, floribus polygamis? ramulis volubilibus

implexis scabris.

New Zealand (Northern Island), sandy shores of the Bay of Islands,

where it forms dense bushes.—-1826, 4. Cunningham.

358. P. prostratum, Br. Prodr.1. p.419. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p.177.—

Var. caule rectinato glabro.—Tutu naoué, Incol. (D’ Urville.)

New Zealand (Northern Island). In low humid spots, Wangaroa.—

1826, A. Cunningham. Bay of Islands.—1827, D’Urville.

2. Rumex, LZ.

359. R. crispus, L.—Campol. Monog. Enum. p.95. A. Rich. Fl, Nov.

Zel. p.177.—Engl. Bot. t. 1998.—Poon, Incol.

New Zealand (Middle Island), Astrolabe Harbour.—1827, D’ Urville.

Obs. Valvulis nudis cordato-orbiculatis integerrimis.

360. R. Brownianus. Camp. p. 81. Schutt. Syst. Veg. 7. p.1385,— |

R. fimbriatus. Br. Prodr. 1. p.421. Smith in Rees’ Cycl. n.19.—R. flex-

uosus Sol. Mss. Forst. Prodr, n. 515?

New Zealand (Northern Island). In low situations, in the Valley of -

Wangaroa.—1826, 4. Cunningham. Wytangy and Keri-Keri Rivers.—

1834, R. Cunningham,

Obs. Valvulis nudis venosis ovato-acuminatis pulchre fimbriatis,

456 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand.

CHENOPODEA, DC, R. Br,

1. CuEenopopium, ZL.

361. C. triandrum. Forst. Prodr, n.129.- Willd. Sp. Pl. v.1. p. 1299.

A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 180. Reem. et Schult. Syst. Veg. 6. p. 252. Poi-

papa, Incol. (D’ Urville.)

New Zealand (Middle Island), Astrolabe Harbour.—1827, D’ Urviile.—

1778, G. Forster. (Northern Island), Bay of Islands.—1834, BR. Cun-

ningham. -

362. C. Botrys. Willd. Sp. Pl.1. p.1804. Fl. Gree. t. 253.

New Zealand (Northern Island), sandy shores of the Bay of Islands.—

1834, A, Cunningham.

363. C. glaucum. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. p. 1305. Engl. Bot. t. 1454.

New Zealand (Northern Island), shores of the Bay of Islands, 1834.—

Rt. Cunningham.

364. C. maritimum. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. p. 1307. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel.

p- 181. Lngl. Bot. t. 663.

New Zealand (Middle Island), salt marshes, Astrolabe Harbour.—1827,

D’ Urville.

365. C. fruticosum. Schrad. Rem. et Sch. Syst. Veg. 6. p. 265.—Sal-

sola fruticosa, Z. orst. Prodr. n.131. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. p. 1316. A.

Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 182. Engl. Bot. t. 635. .

New Zealand.—1773, G. Forster.

2. Saticornia, L.

366. S. indica, Willd. Br. Prodr.1. p.44. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 182.

—S. australis. Sol. Mss. Forst. Prodr. n. 487.

New Zealand (Middle Island), shores of Astrolabe Harbour.—1827.

D'Urville. (Northern Island) on rocks washed by the sea, Bay of Islands,

—1834, . Cunningham.

AMARANTHACEA, Juss,

ALTERNANTHERA, Forskal.

367. A. denticulata. Br. Pr. 1. p.417, Roem. et Sch. Syst. Veg. 5.

p- 556. Nahuwie, Incol.

New Zealand (Northern Island). A procumbent plant, growing in bogs

and open marshy grounds. Bay of Islands.—1834, R. Cunningham.

Obs. Closely allied to 4. prostrata, Don. (Prodr. Fl. Nep.); but. that

species differs in having the foliola of the perianth nearly as short as the

utriculus.

PARONYCHICA, St. Hil. Juss. DC.

(ScLeranTHEA, Link, Lindl.)

Mniarum, Forst. Br.

368. M. biflorum, Forst. Gen. t.1. Linn. Suppl. 18. Br. Prodr. 1.

p-412. De Cand. Prodr. 3. p.378. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 319.—M.

pedunculatum, Labill. Nov. Holl. 1. p. 8. t. 2.—Ditoca muscosa, Banks et

Sol. Ms. Gerin.. Kohu-Kohu Incol. insule septentrionalis, 2. Cunningham,

—Naé-réoré, Indig. ins. media. D’ Urville.

New Zealand (Middle Island), Astrolabe Harbour.—1827, D’ Urville.

—(Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos, Banks. On dry banks among fern,

Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 457

1834, R. Cunningham. Rocky head of Wangaroa Harbour.—1826, 4. Cun-

ningham.

PLANTAGINES, Juss,

Prantaco, L.

369. P. major. L. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1. p.641. Roem. et Sch. Syst. Veg. 3.

p-111. A. Rich. Fl. Nov: Zel. p.184. Engl. Bot. t. 1558.

New Zealand (Northern Island). Banks of the river Thames.—1827,

D’ Urville.

370. P. varia. Br. Prodr.1. p.424. Roem, et Sch. Syst. Veget. 3. p. 150.

New Zealand (Northern Island). Between the villages of Ngaire and

Wainai, on the east coast, upon dry banks near the sea-shore,—1834, R. Cun-

ningham.

PRIMULACEZ, Venienat.

1. Anacauus, Z.

371. A. arvensis, L. Willd. Sp. Pl. v. 1. p. 821. Engl. Bot. t. 529.—

A. pheenicea, Lam. DC. Fl. France.

New Zealand (Northern Island), among fern, far from any European

settlement.—1834, 2. Cunningham. Perhaps scarcely indigenous.

2. Samouus, DL.

372. S. littoralis. Br. Prodr. 1. p.428. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 185.

Rein. et Sch. Syst. Veg. v.5. p.1. Endl. Prodr. Fl. Norf. p. 48.—Shef-

fieldia repens. Forst. Prodr. n. 67. Makoako, Incol. D’Urville.

New Zealand (Middle Island).—1773, G. Forster. _ Astrolabe Harbour.

—1827, D’Urville. (Northern Island). On rocks washed by the sea, Bay

of Islands, &c.—1826, 4. Cunningham.—1834, R. Cunningham.

SCROPHULARINESA, R. Br.

1, Veronica, L. Juss.

373. V. speciosa (R. C. Mss.) glaberrima, racemis terminalibus brevi-

bus erectis confertifloris, bracteis ovato-lanceolatis pedicelli dimidio brevi-

oribus, laciniis calycinis ovatis acutiusculis tenuissime ciliatis dimidium tubi

corollze subzequantibus, foliis (oppositis) planis obovatis obtusis coriaceis

decurrentibus, apiculo calloso obtuso marginibus integerrimis incrassatis co-

loratis, caule fruticoso erectiusculo vel diffuso. 4/1. Cunn. in Bot. Mag. sub

t. 3461.

Napuka ab indigenis vulgo vocatur.

New Zealand (Northern Island). South head of the river Hokianga,

West Coast.—1834, R. Cunningham.

Frutex spectabilis, 3—6-pedalis, caulibus pluribus robustis adscendenti-

bus. Folia 3—4-pollicaria. lores speciosi, cyaneo-violacei, fere facie

Lysimachie atropurpuree. Stamina exserta pistillum eequantia. Capsula

bipartibilis, elliptica, acuminata, glabra, calyce duplo longior,

374. V. salicifolia. Forst. Prodr. n.11. Vahl. Symb. 3. p.4. Roem. et

Sch. Syst. Veg. 1. p.103. A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 186. Endl. in Ann.

des Wien. Mss. band 1. App.t.14. Kolokian, Incol. Med. Ins. D’ Urville.

Korokio, Indig, ad flum. Hokianga, 2, Cunningham,

458 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand,

New Zealand (Middle Island).—1773, G. Forster. Shores of Astrolabe

Harbour.—1827, D’Urville. (Northern Island.) On the skirts of dense

humid forests near Hokianga River.— 1826, 4. Cunningham.—1834, R. Cun-

ningham.

Arbuscula 10—15-pedalis, 4. C. (2—3-orgyalis ex Forstero), ramosa,

rami elongati, graciles, glabri. olia opposita, decussata, palmaria, lineari-

lanceolata, acutissima, integra; petioli vix ulli basi dilatati semi-amplexi-

caules. lores albido-ccerulescentes, spicati. Spice elongate, axillares,

folio longiores. Corolle tubus longitudine calycis. Stamina exserta. Cap-

sula bilocularis, levis, calyce duplo longior.

375. V. ligustrifolia; racemis pedunculatis terminalibus pubigeris folium

subzequantibus, bracteis oblongo-lanceolatis pedicello duplo brevioribus, la-

ciniis calycinis ovato-lanceolatis acutiusculis longitudine tubi corollz, foliis

(oppositis) ovali-oblongis angusto-lanceolatisve obtusiusculis integerrimis

glabris, caule fruticoso. All. Cunn. in Bot. Mag. sub t.3461.

New Zealand (Northern Island). In close woods on the hills in the vi-

cinity of the Bay of Islands.—1833, R. Cunningham.

Frutex gracilis, bipedalis. Folia ovalia, vel attenuato-lanceolata, sessilia.

Flores albidi, spicato-racemosi. Calyx persistens, laciniis zequalibus. Co-

rolle lacinie acutiuscule.

376. V.macrocarpa. Vahl. Symb.3. p.4. Reem, et Sch, Syst. Veg. 1.

p. 103.

New Zealand, Vahl.

Frutex glaber. Folia quadripollicaria, lanceolata, integerrima, enervia.

Racemi erecti, laterales, longitudine foliorum. Calyx parvus. Corolle

tubus calyce duplo longiore, limbi laciniis obtusis. Capsula ovata, acuta,

calyce triplo longior.

377. V. angustifolia (Rich.) spicis gracilibus pedunculatis axillaribus

folio duplo et ultra longioribus, pedunculo puberulo, laciniis calycinis ob-

tusis tubo corollz duplo brevioribus, foliis (oppositis) lineari-angustis acutis

integris glabris glaucescentibus, caule ramoso fruticoso. A. Rich. Fl. Nov.

Zel. p. 187.

New Zealand (Middle Island). North Coast, “‘ Bassin des Courans, Passe

des Francais,” &c. on the sea-coast. —1827, D’Urville.

Suffrutex bi-tri-pedalis, ramosus. Jolia vix biuncialia. lores ccerules-

centes, spicati. Calyx persistens, laciniis ineequalibus ciliatis. Corolle la-

ciniis obtusis.

378. V. parvifiora. Vahl. Symb. 1. p. 67. Reem. et Sch. Syst. Veget. 1.

p. 103.

New Zealand.

Oss, Caulis fruticosus. Folia sessilia, approximata, lineari-lanceolata,

rigida, mucronata, glabra, integerrima, pollicaria. Racemi sesquipollicares,

erecti. Bractee minute. Corolle \aciniis obtusis. Capsula ovata, calyce

tetraphyllo duplo longior.

379. V.elliptica. Forst. Prodr.n. 10. Reem. et Sch. Syst. Veg. 1. p. 104.

A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 189.

New Zealand (Middle Island),—1773, G. Forster.

Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand. 459

Caules fruticosi, ramosi, biorgyales. olia elliptica (Daphnis) subpeti-

olata, opposita, decussata, glabra, avenia, apice obtusa, integerrima, polli-

caria. Jtacemi (spice) axillares, laxe pauciflori. Lacinie calycis subulate,

tubo corollz duplo breviores, Filamenta staminum corolle longitudine.

380. V. Catarracte. Forst. Prodr.n.9. Reem. et Sch. Syst. Veg.1. p. 104.

A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 189.

New Zealand (Middle Island).—1773, G. Forster.

Caulis suffruticosus, bipedalis, simplex, prostrato-adscendens, levis. Folia

lanceolata, serrata, petiolata, serraturis apice callosis. Racemus terminalis,

flexuosus. Calycis lacinie lanceolate, acute. '‘Lacinie corolle subrotunde,

lateralibus majoribus. Stam. corolla breviora. Capsula inflata subrotundo-

compressiuscula, calyce cincta, Hx Forst.

381. V. diosmifolia, (R. Cunn. Mss.), corymbis axillaribus terminalibusve

multifloris bracteis ovatis pedicello duplo brevioribus, laciniis calycis ovali-

bus obtusis dimidium tubi corollz equantibus, foliis decussatis petiolatis

lanceolatis acutis integerrimis serrulatisve serraturis simpliciter incisis re-

motis supra concavis levibus subtus discoloribus, caule fruticoso erecto.

A. Cunn. in Bot. Mag: sub fol. 3461. Piriti, Incolis.

New Zealand (Northern Island). In dense thickets at the head of the

Wyceldy River, and at the fall of the Keri-Keri River, Bay of Islands.—

1834, R. Cunningham.

Frutex gracilis, virgatus, 3—-12-pedalis, cum habitu omnino Zrachy-

menes. tami stricti, erecti, foliosi. Folia 9 lineas longa, avenia, subtus

carinata. lores albi. Capsula elliptica, acuta, compressa, bipartibilis,

calyce ciliato triplo longior.

382. V. calycina, racemis lateralibus pedunculatis paucifloris strictis folio

multoties longioribus, foliis late ovatis subcordatis rugosis inzequaliter ser-

rato-crenatis petiolatis cauleque hirsutis, calycibus pilosis ciliatis capsula

longioribus. 4. Cunn. in Bot. Mag sub t.3461. Br. Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holl.

1. p. 435. Roem. et Sch. Syst. Veg. 1. p. 119.

New Zealand (Northern Island). Banks of the Keri-Keri River, in

grassy places.—1834, R. Cunningham. —

Caulis herbaceus, elongatus (sepe 5—6-pedalis), in locis graminosis late

repens vel decumbens. Folia opposita grosse dentata, subtus discoloria, his-

pida, Calyx quadripartitus, capsula longior, laciniis obovatis obtusiusculis

nervosis. Capsula rotundata, compressa, emarginata, seu obcordata, poly-

sperma, dissepimento contrario.

2. Gratioua, L.

383. G. seadentata, (R. Cunn. Mss.), caule glabro procumbente ramoso,

foliis ovato-lanceolatis sessilibus extra medium paucidentatis pedunculum

gequantibus, laciniis calycinis lineari-lanceolatis obtusis capsula subemargi-

nata longioribus. :

New Zealand (Northern Island). In bogs at Manga-muka on the Ho-

kianga River; also between the Waimate and Keri-Keri Rivers.—1834,

R. Cunningham.

3. Eupurasia, LZ.

384, Z. cuneata; corolle laciniis inferioribus truncatis, calycibus obtusi-

460 - Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand.

usculis glabris capsula duplo brevioribus, spica multiflora, foliis cuneatis

obtusis crassiusculis, hine illinc lateribus 1—2-dentatis, caule ramoso scabro.

Forst. Prodr. n, 234. H. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 191. Rata, Incolis. D’ Ur-

ville.

New Zealand (Northern Island). On rocks upon the sea-coast, Tolaga

Bay (Lat. 38° 22'S.)—1769, Sir Jos. Banks.—1827, D’ Urville.

CYRTANDRACEA, Jack in Linn. Tr. v. 14. p. 28.

RuHABDOTHAMNUS.

Calyx ovario basi adnatus, profunde 5-fidus, subbilabiatus. Corolla tubu-

losa, bilabiata-(seu limbo quinque-lobato), labio superiore bilobo, in-

feriore trilobo subeequali. Stamina quatuor, didynamia, et quinti ru-

dimentum. Anthere omnes in discum lobatum coherentes. Annu-

lus hypogynus carnosus. Stylus longitudine staminum. Stigma bila-

mellatum. Capsula sicca (venosa) rostrata, unilocularis, bivalvis,

valvis medio fissis, marginibus valvularum inflexis, placentis duabus

lanceolato-lamellatis pedicellatis parietalibus demum liberis. Semina

numerosa. Frutex ramosissimus, dumosus, virgatissimus, ramulis gra-

cilibus pallidis pilosis. Flores tubulosi, striati, sordide rubri seu rubi-

ginosi. Calyx tubulosus, persistens. Folia subrotundo-rhomboidea, sub-

cuneata, petiolata, scabra, grosse serrata, venosa. Pedunculus uni-

florus.

Obs. Nomen genericum e Greecis vocabulis p2Gdo¢ virga, et Sauvos frutex,

ob virgatissimum fruticis habitum.

385. R. Solandri.— Columnea scabrosa. Sol. Mss. in Bibl. Banks.

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks. In dry woods,

in the vicinity of the Bay of Islands. Wangaroa, &c.—1826, Allan Cun-

ningham.—1834, Richard Cunningham.

SOLANES, Juss.

Sotanum, LZ.

386. S. laciniatum. Hort. Kew. ed.1. Br. Prodr.1. p. 445. non Ruizii.

Reem. et Sch. Syst. Veg. 4. p.578. Curt. Bot. Mag. t. 349. Willd, Sp. Pl. 1.

p- 1030, et Enum. Pl.1. p. 284.—S. aviculare, Forst. Prodr. n. 107. A.

Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 193.

New Zealand. In damp woods. Cook’s Strait.—1773, G. Forster.

(Northern Island.) —1769, Sir Jos. Banks. Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cun-

ningham. Poro-Poro, Incol. D’ Urville.

Some botanists, and, among them, Dunal and A. Richard, doubt

the identity of the plant of Hortus Kewensis and that of Forster.

The latter says of the plum-like fruit of S. aviculare, which Cook’s

sailors ate when they observed that the birds did not refuse them,

“ hujus baccee fulve, pruni majoris magnitudine, acide, parum dul-

cescentes, subnauseose, ab Incolis Nove Zelandiz avide vorantur,

aviculis etiam gratissime, neque nostratibus omnino rejiciende.”

Solanum tuberosum, L., is enumerated by A. Richard in his ‘ Flora,’

p. 194, although admitted to be a plant introduced by Europeans,

and now generally cultivated by the natives, who call it Tihon.

Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand, 461

MYOPORINEZA, R. Br.

1. Myororum, Banks and Sol.—R. Br.

387. M. letum, Forst. Prodr. n. 238. Willd. Sp. Pl. Pers. Syn. 2, p. 144,

A. Rich. Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 195,—Citharexylon perforatum, Forst. Mss. conf,

Steud. nom.

New Zealand (Middle Island).—1773, G, Forster. (Northern Island.)

Rocky shores of the Bay of Islands.—1826, 4. Cunningham.

388. MM. pubescens, Forst. Prodr. p. 239. Willd. Pers. Syn. 2. p. 144,

New Zealand (Middle Island).—1773, G. Forster.

. 2. AvicenniA, L,

389. 4, tomentosa, L. Br. Prodr.1, p.518. Willd. Sp. Pl. 3. p.395,—A.

resinifera, Forst. Prodr. n. 246. A. Rich, Fl. Nov. Zel. p. 195,

Manaova, D’Urville. Manawa ab Incolis dicitur, R. Cunningham.

New Zealand, on the immediate shores of both the Northern and Middle

Islands.

Ozs. I. This tree is the Mangrove of New Zealand, of which For-

ster says, to justify his name, ‘“ Gummi ex hac arbore exsudans

forte idem est, quo barbari Nove Zelandiz homines vescuntur, ut

patet e diario navarchi gallici Crozet (p.67. Voyage de M. Marion.).

Oss. II]. M. Ach. Richard insists that Forster’s plant, which that

voyager believed had produced a gum which the French observed

the natives using as a masticatory, is different from the Linnzean spe-

cies, notwithstanding that Mr. Brown, upon comparing authentic

specimens in the Banksian Herbarium, had seen no ground to separate

them. Richard’s characters are as follow: A. resinifera, Forst.,

corolle laciniis acutis glabris. A. tomentosa, L., corolle lobis obtusis

emarginatis villosis.

VERBEN ACE, Juss.

1, Vitex, Z;

390. V. littoralis: foliis ternatis quinatisve, foliolis ellipticis obtusis cum

acumine petiolatis glabris, paniculis brevibus racemosis axillaribus termina-

libusve, ramis dichotomis, calyce campanulato subedentato, staminibus ex-

sertis, corolla extus tomentosa.—Ephialis pentaphylla. Banks et Sol. Mss.

et Ic. ined. in Biblioth. Banks. Puredi s. Puriri, Incol. 4. Cunningham.

New Zealand (Northern Island).—1769, Sir Jos. Banks.—1826, A. Cun-

ningham. A tree of very irregular growth on the rocky shores of the Bay

of Islands, growing frequently within the range of salt water.

That able missionary, the Rev. W. Yate, observes that ‘‘ this tree

from its hardness and durability has been denominated the New

Zealand Oak, and indeed it seems to answer all the purposes of that

prince of trees. The wood is of a dark brown colour, close in the

grain, and takes a good polish; it splits freely, works well, and de-

rives no injury from exposure to the damp, twenty years’ experience

having proved that in that period it will not rot, though in a wet soil

462 Specimen of the Botany of New Zealand.

and underground. For ship building it is (like the teak, which belongs

to the same order) a most valuable wood ; as the injury which it has

received from being perforated in various places, by a large grub

peculiar to the tree, does not essentially diminish its value for the

timbers of ships or for the knees of boats. It grows from fifteen to

thirty feet without a branch, and varying from twelve to twenty feet

in circumference.” :

LABIATAE, Juss.

Micromeria, Bentham.

Calyx tubulosus, 13 rarius sub-15-striatus, 5-dentatus. Corolle tubus

zequalis, rectus ; limbus bilabiatus, labium superius integrum vel emar-

ginatum. Stamina 4, didynama, inferiora longiora adscendentia, apice

perparia appproximata, vel rarius subdivergentia. Anthere liber, bi-

loculares.

391. M. Cunninghamii, (Benth.) caule herbaceo prostrato tenuiter pube-

scente, foliis petiolatis rotundatis subintegerrimis, pedicellis elongatis nudis,

calycibus hirsutis, dentibus ovato-lanceolatis, fauce intus nuda. Benth. Lab.

Gen. and Sp. Suppl. p. 730.—Thymi species. 2B. C. Mss.

New Zealand (Northern Island). At Manga Muka, on the Hokianga

river.— 1834, #. Cunningham.

Obs. Calyx magnitudine M. Douglasii et pari modo post anthesin ovato-

globosus. Denes intus villosi, sed faux nuda. Corolla tubo incluso, mag-

nitudine et forma M. satureoides et australis. (Menthe sp. R. Br.)

A very remarkable species as belonging to the American section

Hesperothymus, and indeed very nearly allied to M. Brownet (Thymus

Brownei, Swartz) a West Indian and South American plant. Benth.

in litt.

BORAGINE, Juss.

1. Ancuusa, LZ.

392. A. spathulata, caule filiformi procumbente, foliis petiolatis ovatis ob-

tusis piloso-hispidis distantibus, pedicellis laterifoliis solitariis, nucibus levi-

bus. Ram. and Sch. Syst. Veg. iv. p.100.—Myosotis spathulata. orst,

Prodr. n. 62. Willd. Sp. Pl. 1.p.748. A. Rich. Fl, Nov. Zel. p. 198.

New Zealand (Middle Island).—1778, G. Forster. Astrolabe Harbour,

—1827, D’Urville. (Northern Island), dry rocky elevated spots. Wangaroa.

—1826, 4. Cunningham.

Obs. Veram esse Anchusam plante recentis indagator. &. Br. Prodr.

p. 494,

2. Myosotts, L.

393. M. Forsteri; foliis obovato-spathulatis strigoso-hispidis, racemis

ebracteatis, pedicellis in fructu erecto-patentibus longitudine calycis, laciniis

calycis oblongis obtusiusculis trinervibus. Lehm. Asper. p.95. Roem. and

Sch. Syst. Veg.iv. p. 779. Endl. Syn. Fl. Insul. Occ. Austr. in Ann, des

Wien. Mus. Band i. p. 174. n. 1221.

New Zealand (Middle Island.—1773, G. Forster). Endl,

[To be continued. |

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 463

LII.—Jnformation respecting Botanical Travellers.

WE are anxious to put our botanical readers in possession of some

further particulars respecting Mr. Gardner’s success in Brazil, and

we shall, without any further preface, lay before them the following

extracts from his Journal, which has been addressed to us in the

form of letters, as a continuation of what has been already given at

p. 165 of this volume of the ‘Annals.’ It was soon after he re-

turned from the Organ Mountains to Rio that Mr. Gardner embarked

for Pernambuco.

Pernambuco, Jan. 24, 1838.

In the following sheets I intend to give some account of my resi-

dence in this place, and of the general appearance of the country and

nature of vegetation in such parts of the province as I have visited.

You are aware that I landed at Pernambuco on the 9th of October.

Land was descried early in the morning from the mast-head, and in

the course of a few hours we could see it from deck, rising above the

horizon like a long black cloud. On nearing the coast it presented

a very flat and barren appearance, forming a great and unpromising

contrast to the magnificent entry to the Bay of Riode Janeiro. The

town being built nearly on a level with the sea, we could only ob-

tain a view of that portion which immediately skirts the shore. No

part of the coast, within many leagues of Pernambuco, rises to any

height, except that whereon the old town, called Olinda, stands, and

which is situated about three miles north of Receife, which is the

name of the sea-port. The first thing which attracts the attention

of a stranger when entering the harbour of Pernambuco is the na-

ture of the harbour itself. It is quite a natural one, being formed by

a coral reef which runs along the coast at a little distance from the

shore, and is entered through a breach in the reef, on the south

side of which a light-house and small fort are built, However high

may be the swell outside this reef there is always calm water within,

which at full tide is sufficiently deep to float the largest merchant

vessels which visit the port.

When I arrived I found Dr. Loudon waiting, who kindly invited

me to remain in his house during my stay in the place. Shortly

afterwards, having delivered the letters of introduction which I

brought from Mr. Hamilton, the English minister at Rio, to Mr. Watts

the British consul, the latter obligingly offered to introduce me to

the President of this province, Senhor Vicente Thomaz Pires de

Fiqueredo Comargo, as soon as it could be ascertained when it would

be convenient for him to receive us. The permission to wait upon

464 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

his excellency having been given a few days afterwards, Mr. Watts

and myself proceeded to the palace, accompanied by Dr. Loudon,

who is a personal friend of the President. He received us very kindly ;

and when Mr. Watts stated the object of my visit to the country, he

promised to afford me all the assistance in his power, and desired me

to call again the next day, when he would give me a letter to Dr.

Serpa, the Professor of Botany and Curator of the Botanic Garden at

Olinda.

For the first few days my walks extended but little beyond the

suburbs of the town. The country is quite flat, and the soil very

sandy; and as the dry season had commenced, the herbaceous vege-

tation on the more exposed situations was beginning to suffer for

want of rain. For many miles round the town of Pernambuco the

cocoa nut and other large palms grow in the greatest profusion, mixed

with fine trees of Anacardium occidentale (the Cashew), then loaded

with large yellow or reddish coloured fruits; with mangoes (Man-

gifera indica) which here attain a much larger size than at Rio,

though still far from equalling those of Bahia; and the two species

of bread fruit (Artocarpus incisa and. A. integrifolia), the ends of the

branches in the former and the trunks and main boughs of the latter

supporting their monstrous fruits. More attention seems to be paid

here than at Rio to the gardens which are attached to the houses

near the town, many of them being adorned with beautiful flowering

shrubs, chiefly of Indian origin. During my first walks I collected

specimens of the following plants : Turnera trioniflora, which grows

profusely in wasté and cultivated spots, and by road sides, even de-

corating some of the less frequented streets with its large pale yellow

flowers, which only expand during the early part of the day; and, in

the same situations, a fine large blossomed species of Richardsonia,

Boerhaavia hirsuta, and Argemone mexicana. In marshy places, which

were beginning to be dried up, I found fine specimens of Pontederia

paniculata, Hydrolea spinosa, and asmall purple-flowered Ammannia.

In spots which were either now under cultivation, or had once been

so, grew Elytraria tridentata, a narrow-leaved Stachytarpheta, An-

gelonia pubescens, Monnieria trifolia, a small Hriocaulon, several small

Leguminose, and Conoclinium prasiifolium, DC. Where the ground

was dry and among bushes I observed Hirtella racemosa, in great

plenty and full bloom, together with a small frutescent Malpighia-

ceous plant, and Jatropha urens, and J. gossypitfolia, the latter some-

times attaining the stature of a tree, and being not unfrequently used

for hedges. ~The Mimose and the fences, as about Rio, are festooned

with Malpighie, Bignonie, Ipomee and Leguminose, of which the

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 465

cowitch plant (Stizolobium urens) was the most abundant, and, min-

gling in many places with a species of Dodder (Cuscuta graveolens ?

of Kunth), which twines over the hedges with its long yellow cord-

like branches, gives to the surrounding scenery a most singular ap-

pearance. :

On the 21st of October I proceeded to visit Dr. Serpa and the

Botanic Garden of Olinda, accompanied by a Mr. Nash, a young

English gentleman, to whom I am indebted for many acts of kindness.

There are three ways by which Olinda may be reached from Receife ;

one is along the seasshore, but, from the loose sandy nature of the soil,

and the complete exposure of the traveller to the sun, this course is

seldom taken; another is to proceed in canoes‘up the river, by which

the large freshwater lakes that are situated behind Olinda empty

themselves into the sea. This stream runs almost parallel with the

shore, from which it is separated by a high sand-bank. ‘The third

and last way was that which we pursued, namely, a road that keeps

the inland side of the river, though at a considerable distance from

it. ‘This road is quite level, and at both ends are situated several

fine country-houses, though much of it passes through waste and

uncultivated land ; and a considerable portion is bounded by the lake.

Occasionally Mimosa hedges inclose it, where I observed a great

profusion of a small white-flowered Jasminum, which at the early hour

when we passed was perfuming the air with its delightful fragrance,

and a species of Securidaca, that, in similar situations displayed its

large clusters of rich purple flowers. The road-side was gay with

the pale yellow blossoms of Turnera trioniflora and the delicate pink

heads of the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica). Along its shore the

lake was fringed with low shrubs, among which I observed Anona

palustris, Avicennia tomentosa and A. lucida, Laguncularia racemosa,

and. a subarborescent kind of Caladium, while many parts of the water

were yellow with the flowers of Limnocharis Commersonii, and of a

large species of Utricularia. 'Towards Olinda I was delighted at

finding the surface of the water covered with thousands of the

splendid white blossoms and broad floating foliage of a water-lily

(Nymphea ampla, DC.). |

Besides the letter that I carried to Dr. Serpa from the President,

was another to Senhor Da Cunha, Professor of the French and En-

glish languages at Olinda ; and having called first on this gentleman,

he expressed his regret that he could not accompany us to the gar-

den, owing to his delicate state of health ; his looks indeed testifying

a tendency to consumption.

The Botanic Garden is situated in a hollow, rather behind the

Ann. Nat, Hist. Vol. 1. No.6. August 1838. 2H

466 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

town of Olinda, and if it were all under cultivation would be of

considerable size, The residence of the Professor stands nearly in

the centre ; it is a small building, of a single story. We found Dr.

Serpa in his study, a rather large apartment, which he also uses for

a lecture room; and were impressed by the intelligent and agreeable

manners of the old gentleman, who is perhaps above sixty years of

age ; and, besides his other duties, has the principal medical practice

in the town of Olinda. A few French works on botany and agri-

culture compose the chief part of his very limited library; among them

I observed a complete set of the Flora Fluminensis, by Padre Vel-

lozo, He showed me also three volumes of original drawings of

indigenous and exotic plants, executed by his sons in illustration of

the Linnzan system; many of them, however, were incorrectly

named; Cicca disticha for instance being called Ribes Grossularia.

Dr. Serpa then accompanied us in a walk round the garden, which

contained little worthy of notice; a few European plants, struggling

for existence, and some large Indian trees being its chief productions :

among the trees, however, were fine specimens of mango, tamarind,

and cinnamon, Weafterwards proceeded to see a little of the neigh-

bouring country, where I hoped to find something more interesting

than within the precincts of the garden, and in this expectation I was

not disappointed, having collected several species new to me, among

them Cuphea flava, which is common in dry situations in this pro-

vince, and acurious Hriocaulon. After visiting some of the churches,

and the ruins of an old convent, now inhabited by a hermit, we re-

turned ina canoe to Receife.

About a fortnight after my arrival at Pernambuco, Dr. Loudon

removed to his country-house, situated on the banks of the Rio Capi-

baribe, about four miles west from Receife. ‘The country round, be-

ing chiefly uncultivated, afforded ample scope for my researches. In

a low marshy spot near the house I found a good many Cyperacee

and Gramineae, and great plenty of the curious Pangatium indicum

(Lamarck); and in the same marsh, as well as along the banks of

the river, are some large trees of Avicennia nitida, some of their stems

measuring 5 feet in circumference, and rising unbranched to a height

of more than 20 feet. Near the entrance of Dr. Loudon’s house stands

a large tree belonging. to the natural order Chrysobalanee, perhaps a

species of Moquilea (No. 992 of this collection). The stem is of con-

siderable thickness, quite straight, and rises undivided to the height

of upwards of 35 feet; below it is much ribbed, and at the summit

is crowned by a top not unlike that of an European beech; upon

the whole it is one of the finest trees I have seen in this country, not

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 467

certainly for size, but for symmetry of form. It bears a yellow eat-

able drupe, about as big as a large yellow gooseberry. This fruit is

called Oyty, and the tree itself Oytycera. Opposite the house, on the

other side of the river, there extends a large tract of wooded country,

consisting chiefly of small trees and shrubs, which have sprung up

since the Virgin forests have been felled ; it is called Mato de Torre.

Between this wood and the river stretches a broad piece of open

ground partly covered with short grass, and partly with low shrubs

and herbaceous plants. The former consist of several species of

Solanum and Mimosa, some Myrtacee and suffruticose Vernonie.

Among the herbaceous plants I found beautiful specimens of the

lovely Angelonia salicariefolia, and a large white-flowered Cleome.

Jatropha urens and J. gossypiifolia are also common in this tract, in

the middle of which are some small freshwater lakes that afforded me

some good plants. To my great delight the first excursion to this spot

was rewarded with that curious aquatic fern, named after Mr. Parker

of Liverpool, Parkeria pteridioides. 'The lower parts of the fronds

are much inflated, by which the whole plant, being rendered speci-

fically lighter than the water, floats upon the surface of the shallows ;

its long fibrous roots only reaching the mud at bottom. Along the

borders of these lakes grow several large Polygona, one of them has

stout spikes of greenish white flowers, and another considerably re-

sembles our P. amphibium: there also abound Pontederia paniculata,

Hydrolea spinosa, and a species of Ammannia. Several parts are

covered with a floating turf, consisting principally of different Cype-

racee; and where this does not exist, Jussiea natuns throws along the

surface of the water its long floating branches, which are upborne

by numerous small white cylindrical bladders attached to the lower

side. The flowers are white, and about the size of those of Ranun-

culus aquatilis, to which, at a distance, it bears a considerable resem-

blance. Mingled with the Jussiea are vast quantities of the curious

Azolla magellanica and. Pistia Stratiotes.

In the wood itself grow many species of Myrtaceae, a few Mela-

stomacee, and several fine trees of the Cashew; also a good many

species of Coccoloba, and great abundance of Vismia brasiliensis, the

latter often attaining the stature of a small tree, together with nume-

rous Byrsonime, There are also several small trees of Hschweilera

parvifolia (Martius), which when covered, as was then the case,

with its curious pale-yellow flowers, presented a beautiful object.

Twining among these and other trees I observed fine plants of

Gomphia acuminata, the large panicles of golden blossoms contrasting

most agreeably with the shining dark-green foliage ; likewise a spe-

2H 2

468 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

cies of Trigonia, and, particularly among the lesser trees by the

bank of the river, a Combretum, with large clusters of small pale

yellow and highly scented flowers.

On first entering this wood I was peculiarly struck by the dif-

ference of its general aspect from those of the same kind about

Rio. Here everything betokened a dryer atmosphere and more arid

soil. No ferns, Begonie, Piperacee, or orchidexous plants could be

seen. On the stems and branches of the larger trees a few Brome-

liacee and Aroidee alone existed.

The Rev. Mr. Austin, the English clergyman here, having told me

of a curious plant which grew in bushy places a few miles beyond

his house, and kindly promised to accompany me thither, I started

early with him one morning to procure some of it. On reaching the

place where it grows, about ten miles west from Receife, I found it

to be a noble Hpidendrum, with stems more than 6 feet high, desti-

tute of leaves at top, and bearing large corymbs of fine red flowers.

It will probably prove to be Hpidendrum cinnabarinum of Saltzman,

first found by that botanist at Bahia. Whilst collecting specimens

of a small leguminous plant, growing near the Epidendrum, I observed

on the ground, under the shade of some low shrubs, another orchi-

deous plant in flower; anew species of Monachanthus, differing

from the one on which the genus was founded (M. viridis, Lindl.)

in its 3-lobed fringed labellum. The pseudo-bulbs are about 6 inches

long, and its flowering stem rises to the height of about 15 inches,

bearing nine greenish-yellow flowers. Though I made a diligent

search, I could find but one specimen. Near this place I collected

Stachytarpheta prismatica, and a Pteris about the size of P. aquilina,

which appears to be a troublesome weed in cultivated ground.

About sixteen or eighteen miles west from Pernambuco there is a

German colony. It was first settled about ten or twelve years since,

at the breaking up of a German regiment which had long been in

the service of the Brazilian government here. The colonists gain

their livelihood principally by making charcoal. It is called Catuca.

Being desirous of spending a day or two at this place, I started early

one morning in the beginning of November, accompanied by a young

Englishman with whom I had first made acquaintance in the Organ

Mountains, and guided by two Germans who were returning thither

from Pernambuco, whose horses carried our luggage. The route for

about two hours lay through a flat country, principally planted with

Mandiocia, though a great part was still uncleared ; the larger trees

only having been cut down, and some of these yet remaining and

rising high above their fellows of the wood. After passing the cul-

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 469

tivated ground and ascending a slight eminence, we entered the Vir-

gin Forest. Previously the road had been of a sandy nature, but

now we found it to consist of hard clay. Many of the trees were

very lofty, though they do not commonly attain the stature of those

in the province of Rio. Among the shrubs that grow below them I

observed a few Melastomacee, Myrtacee and Rubracee, also a beauti-

ful scarlet-flowered acanthaceous climber. ‘After riding for an hour

through this wood we reached the cleared valley, containing the cot-

tages of the colonists, passing several before we reached the one at

which we meant to remain. The buildings are generally small, but

much superior in cleanliness and neatness of arrangement to those

belonging to the same class of Brazilians. Having partaken of some

supper, we slung our hammocks in a small apartment, and enjoyed

sound sleep till morning.

My friend being desirous of having a day’s hunting in the woods

with one of the Germans, I determined to accompany them, in hopes

of making some additions to my botanical stores. We set off early,

entering the wood about a mile from the cottage. Here, as in simi-

lar situations near the town, I observed a great deficiency of herba-

ceous plants, and in a walk of about two hours only collected a few

ferns. Passing through this wood we suddenly came upon another

cleared valley, containing the ruins of several cottages. This, we

were told, had been the first site of the settlement ; but as the Ger-

mans were forbidden to cut any more wood in this direction, they

moved their quarters a few years ago to the place from which we

started. Near these dismantled dwellings we found plenty of pine-

apples, and refreshed ourselves with some which were ripe, shelter-

ing ourselves from the sun under the shade of an out-house which

had formerly served as a place for the manufacture of Mandioca.

Moist situations in this neighbourhood afforded plenty of Contoubea

spicata, while in dry, sandy and bushy places were a few plants of

a species of Cyrtopodium in flower. In the wood I observed a fine

tree covered with long spikes of bright yellow flowers, of which ha-

ving procured specimens, I found it to be a species of Vochysia, with

verticillate leaves. Near the same place were many trees, especially

by a small stream, of Moronobea coccinea, loaded with their globular

crimson blossoms; and, in returning, I collected a yellow-flowered

Palicourea, called ‘‘ Matto rato”, which is not, however, the same

plant as is known at Rio de Janeiro by the name of “‘Hrva do Rato.”

Next day I made an excursion into a wood on the opposite side of

the valley from the former, where I added a few more plants to my

collections, among them a small number of Orchidee, which appear

470 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

very rare here. On our return in the afternoon, I saw by the road-

side many specimens of Amaryllis Belladonna. A few miles further

we passed through a natural shrubbery, consisting chiefly of Hsch-

weilera parvifolia, beautifully in flower. Shortly afterwards I ob-

tained the blossoms of a small tree, bearing large yellow flowers,

which I first saw to-day, and found to be Cochlospermum serratifo-

lium. D C. (Wittelsbachia insignis of Martius). It grows from 12 to

15 feet high, with straight upright branches; and at the period of

inflorescence is almost destitute of foliage, the small quantity that

does appear being confined to the not-flowering boughs; while the

size and golden hue of the blossoms give the tree a very striking ap-

pearance.

Shortly after my return from Catnia I spent a day at the country-

house of James Stewart, Esq., a merchant of Pernambuco, to whom

I had brought introductions from Rio. His residence is about a

mile further than Dr. Loudon’s, and being fond of horticulture he

possesses a good garden. During a walk which I took with him in

the neighbourhood, I collected more flowering specimens, and also

ripe seeds of Cochlospermum serratifolium, with a species of Echites (?)

twining on its branches, and bearing pink-coloured and sweet-smell-

ing blossoms. We also met with several small trees of a Sapindus in

bloom; and in a low wood was Acacia tortuosa, a much-branched

shrub, about 15 feet high. Near this place I was highly gratified

by seeing for the first time the Gustavia augusta in flower, many of

whose noble pink blossoms were expanded, and were as large as those

of the white water-lily, while numbers were just ready to burst.

Close to the coast, and about thirty miles north of Pernambuco,

there is a small island called'Itamanca ; which on account of its pecu-

liar flavour, and the abundance and superior quality of the fruit pro-

duced there, is designated as the garden of Pernambuco. Of course I

was anxious to visit a place of which I heard so many praises, and for

this purpose I started on the morning of the 13th of December, and

considered myself peculiarly fortunate in having the company of Mr,

Oliver Adamson, a young gentleman from Glasgow, who is in a mer-

chant’s office at Pernambuco. He is particularly fond of the study

of nature, and collects plants for one of his relations. ‘To make the

voyage to Itamanca, we hired a jangada, one of the raft boats which

are so common in this part of the Brazilian coast. It consists of six

pieces of a very light kind of wood, a species of Apeiba, each about

twenty-five feet long and two feet in circumference, pinned and lashed

together. The jangada commonly carries one large sail, and is

manned by three men. The model of one which Dr. Loudon gave

Information respecting Botanical Travellers. A471

you when he last came home will best convey an idea of this most

insecure looking kind of boat ; and had I not been repeatedly assured

that, primitive as the construction appears, these vessels are perfectly

safe, I should have felt some hesitation in embarking upon one of

them. Having got our luggage, paper, &c. properly placed, so as

to be out of reach of the water which constantly washes over these

rafts, we commenced our voyage. The wind almost always. blows

at this season from the north, so that it was right against us, obliging

us to beat up so as to keep between the coral reef and the shore,

the distance between which varies from a quarter of a mile to two

miles, all the way from the town of Receife to the island of Itamanca.

At four in the afternoon we found that the unfavourable wind had

prevented our performing more than half the way, and we therefore

determined to land at a small fishing village, called Pao Amarella,

and there pass the night. It was with some difficulty that we ob-

tained a shelter wherein we could sling our hammocks. After meet-

ing with many refusals, the owner of a venda pointed us to an empty

hut made of cocoa-nut leaves, and permitted us to take possession

of it for the night. Hither, therefore, we moved our luggage, and

after a supper of stewed fish and farinha slept soundly till day-break,

soon after which we took a walk into the country. The soil is very

sandy, and we found that all the herbaceous vegetation had been so

dried as to be completely scorched up. One or two small shrubs

were in flower, and ina moist shady place was a tall blue-blossomed

Herpestes that was new to me. After breakfast we continued our

voyage. At this place the reef is about a mile distant from the shore,

and distinctly perceptible along its whole line both at high and low

water ; the ebb tide leaving the rocks bare, and the white surf of the

breakers marking its position even at the highest tide.

The wind having now shifted somewhat to westward we were

enabled to proceed, and as we made much more rapid progress than

the preceding day, we reached the island at noon, and landed on the

south-east end at a little village called Pelar. We carried two or

three letters of introduction, and the first which we delivered obtained

us quarters, where we remained during our stay. The name of our

host was Senhor Alexandre Alcantara, the proprietor of a salt work,

of which there are several on the island.

Shortly after our arrival we took a walk into the country, in the

direction of our landlord’s salt-pits, and found its whole general ap-

pearance very different from the vicinity of Pernambuco. Instead

of the almost uniformly level character of the latter there is a gentle

472 Information respecting Botanical Travellers.

undulation of hill and dale. There is not much large timber, the —

wooded parts generally consisting of small trees and shrubs, which

give to many parts of the island an aspect more like that of an En-

glish orchard than an uncultivated equatorial island. Some of the

views that we obtained from the hills over which we passed, if not

the grandest, were at least the most delightful that I had seen in

Brazil. The trees we found to consist chiefly of gempapo (Genipa

americana), a beautiful large tree, with dark green foliage and pale

yellow flowers; the cashew (Anacurdium occidentale) of which the

curious fruit was ripe, the juice of the large receptacle on which the

nut is placed affording a most grateful beverage to the wearied tra-

veller; also a fruit tree, abundant both here and about Olinda, the

Manguaba of the Brazils, which is_of small growth, belonging to the

natural order ApocynEe#, and having much the general appearance

of an ordinary apple tree, though its small leaves and drooping

branches more resemble those of the weeping birch. It bears a yel-

low fruit, a little streaked with red on one side, about the size of an

Orleans plum, and of delicious flavour, which is. brought in great

quantities to market. Curatella americana is also common, and we

procured both flower and seed of it : the natives call it Cashew brava

(wild cashew) from the similarity of its leaves to those of the Ana-

cardium. We also saw some fine large trees of a species of Juga (?)

with long bipinnate leaves, and the tips of their branches bearing

many grand spikes of small yellow flowers. By felling one of the

trees we obtained specimens of it. Another kind of Juga with

spikes of minute white blossoms was also of frequent occurrence.

Some of the shrubs that we met with here were particularly beau-

tiful, especially a Byrsoneona, about twelve feet high, of which the

broad foliage was woolly, and the inflorescence spicate with bright

yellow blossoms ; and a Gomphia of nearly the same size, bearing a

profusion of equally golden flowers.

During the afternoon we walked along the shore to the northward

and picked up a few shells, among which were fine specimens of a

species of Janthina containing the animal. Many Portuguese men-

of-war, as the Physalis pelagia is commonly called, had been lately

thrown on shore. In a rocky place near the sea we found Jacquinia

armillaris, and a little further on, in flat sandy spots, Sophora litio-

ralis in great abundance.

Two days before quitting the island we walked nearly across it,

and visited one out of the three sugar plantations which are on it.

This excursion made considerable additions to our collections. On

Bibliographical Notices. 473

a dry hill covered with low shrubs we found great plenty of Krameria

ixina, anda species of Clusia, with large white flowers, and attaining

the stature of a small tree.

The island is about three leagues in length and half as much

across, and is said to contain upwards of 2000 inhabitants, who de-

rive their principal subsistence from fishing, and though apparently

very poor showed us much hospitality. ‘Though there are both a

lawyer and a priest among them they have no medical man; and as

soon as it became known that I was such, I was consulted by great

numbers. Two of my patients were in the last stage of consumption,

but by far the greater proportion of cases were the results of inter-

mittent fever, chiefly consisting of derangement in the digestive or-

gans, especially the spleen and liver. As I would receive no fees,

many were the presents which the grateful creatures made me, and

I was loaded with fish, fowls, and fruit.

On my return to Pernambuco, I found that about fifty species of

living plants, and upwards of 700 specimens had been the amount of

my collections during the four days we had passed on the island of

Itamanca. G. GARDNER. .

The collections of dried specimens have safely reached this coun-

try, and we cannot but congratulate this enterprising botanist on the

success of his labours in the present instance (including a few from

Rio, which were not considered worthy of being added to the sets

for general distribution) amounting to upwards of 490 species, in very

fine preservation, with the numbers and localities attached to them, and

occasionally, when they could be determined, the names‘also. They

prove in the different character of the species how very dissimilar is

the vegetation of Pernambuco: very few Orchidee, very few ferns,

and comparatively few Monocotyledons ; rich in Composite, Melasto-

macee, Myrtacee, Leguminose, &c. &c. Several of the rarities of this

collection are already engraved for our forthcoming volume (the 3rd)

of the ‘ Icones Plantarum.’

We hope shortly to give an account of Mr. Gardner’s excursion

into the interior of the province of Pernambuco.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

A Monograph on the Anatidee or Duck Tribe. By T. C. Eyton, Esq.,

: F.L.S., F.Z.S. 4to. London, 1838.

The various works which are constantly appearing on natural

474 Bibliographical Notices.

history, and on ornithology in particular, show that the taste for this

study is rapidly increasing in the country. Here we have a splendid

4to volume devoted to a single family of birds, and that one cer-

tainly not the most attractive in external appearance, though ex-

ceedingly interesting for the peculiarities of their anatomy. On

this part of the subject the author has bestowed considerable atten-

tion, and indeed prides himself on having been the first who has

** made use of anatomical characters for divisions.”

The work is divided into two parts ; the first consisting of the cha-

racters of the tribes and genera of the family. This part is illustrated

in two series of plates representing the skeleton and trachea of a bird

of each of the tribes; while each of the genera is accompanied with

a wood-cut representing the bill and foot of the type species of the

natural size. :

The second part consists of a description of all the known species

of the family, amounting to 125 in number, six of which are beauti-

fully figured by Mr. Gould. Each of the species is accompanied by

a specific character in Latin and English, and a short English de-

scription with a few select synonyma, and some short remarks on

its habits and general geographic distribution. Indeed the author

appears to have paid considerable attention to the Jatter part of the

subject, and at the end of the work has given a table showing the

position of each species, either as a permanent resident, occasional

visitor, or migrant, in each of the five ranges into which Dr. Prichard

divided the world.

The work, as far as we know, is quite unique of its kind in any

language, and is well worthy of the taste and talent of the author:

it is much to be hoped, when he finds how well he has succeeded

with this intricate group, and that there are materials in this

country such as he has here brought together to occupy his leisure,

that he will take up some of the other families in succession. For

however others may disagree with his views in some particulars,

all must agree that the plan which the author has adopted is one

that must greatly advance the study of ornithology, and the know-

ledge of the different species of birds. The only improvement that

we would suggest is, that the author should pay more attention to

the synonyma, especially to those of the original authors, from

whence Latham, Gmelin, Vieillot and others have taken their de-

scriptions, as Bonaparte has so well set the example in his revision of

the ‘ Synonyma of the American Birds.’ We are aware that the com-

paring of birds with the original descriptions of different authors is

a wearisome process, and one which few but professional zoologists

Bibliographical Notices. 475

will undertake ; but it is one highly advantageous to the progress of

the sciences ; and to one who knew the species of ducks as well as the

author, it would have been a work of comparative facility.

The Bee-Keeper’s Manual. By Henry Taylor. pp. 78. Groombridge.

This little tract, though not of much pretension, and in a cheap ,

form, appears to have the merit of being judiciously arranged and

well adapted for practical purposes by one who had devoted his at-

tention to the subject as a favourite pursuit. It was designed, the

author informs us, as “‘ a brief practical compendium of the manage-

ment of Bee&, and in particular on the humane or depriving system,

in collateral ventilating boxes, as constructed by himself.”

“On reviewing his experience as a bee-keeper,” he adds, “‘ the

author was led to believe that the result of it, added to a concise

view of such particulars as are usually spread over a large surface in

works of this nature, and arranged according to the progressive or-

der of the seasons, might be useful to others, seeking like himself

occasional relaxation from weightier matters, in watching over and

protecting these interesting and valuable insects. Step by step, this

or that defect of construction in his hives had been remedied, and

such conveniences added, as necessity or the spirit of improvement

from time to time had suggested. These are briefly described in

the following little work.”

- Mr Taylor concludes his Manual, in which he states that ‘“ he has

confined himself entirely to matters of practice,’ with the following

remark ; ‘‘ My attention has been chiefly directed to the mechanical

part of bee-keeping. Beyond this I have no leisure or opportunity

to go, although doubtless much remains to be done in the pursuit of

scientific investigation. Those who wish to enter into the question

of the internal ceconomy and the general physiology of the honey-

bee may consult a variety of works. The principal of these are

quoted in Mr. Huish’s and Dr. Bevan’s elaborate publications, in

which are detailed a number of valuable facts, together with the re-

sults of many experiments.”

Of Dr. Bevan’s copious and highly interesting work, ‘“‘ The Ho-

ney Bee,’ a new and improved edition has been just received, and

will claim our early notice.

Monograph of the Genus Qtnothera.

We are happy to be able to state that a ‘‘ Monograph of the Ge-

nus Csnothera’” is in preparation, with drawings from the pencil of

476 Bibliographical Notices.

Mrs. Edward Roscoe, of Liverpool; and descriptions by the Rey.

William Hincks, F.L.S., of York. The work will appear in Numbers,

in 4to, each of eight plates, price 10s. 6d., and will extend from

seven toten numbers. We know that every facility will be afforded

to this accomplished lady, especially by specimens from gardens, to

make this work worthy of the public patronage. The plates will of

* course be coloured, and executed in lithography by M. Gauci.

British Flora. Fourth edition.

The fourth edition of Sir W. J. Hooker’s British Flora (contain-

ing the phenogamous Plants and Ferns) has lately appeared, with

considerable alterations and additions. We may mention particularly

that the present volume is accompanied, without any additional cost,

by four plates of numerous figures, beautifully executed in litho-

graphy : two of these plates are devoted to the illustration of all

the genera of the grasses ; the other two to those of the umbelliferous

plants, which will tend materially to facilitate the student in at-

taining a knowledge of those interesting but difficult tribes.

The same author has recently published the first part, with twelve

beautifully coloured plates, imperial 8vo, of his ‘ Genera Filicum,’

from drawings executed by Francis Bauer, Esq., Botanic Painter to

Her Majesty ; also the sixth part of the Botany of ‘ Capt. Beechey’s

Voyage’, and the ninth part of the ‘ Flora Boreali-Americana’.

Linnea, ein Journal fiir die Botanik, &c. Vol. XI. Parts 4, 5, & 6.

Vol. XII. Part 1. 1838.

Excursion from Trieste to Istria in the spring of 1833, with an

especial reference to Botany. By M.Tommasini and Dr. B. Biasoletto.

—Remarks on Grabowskia. By G. A. Walker Arnott, Esq.—Reply

to Meyer’s letter in Linn., vol. xi. p. 106. On the nature of lenticu-

lar glands. By Hugo M6hl.—On Scolecopteris elegans, a fructifying

fossil fern. By F. C. Zenker.—Contributions to the knowledge of

Ceratophylla. By Dr. M. I. Schleiden.—Description of Hordeum ce-

leste trifurcatum, H. Monsp. By the Editor.—On the writings of

Albertus Magnus. By Ernst. Meyer.—Monograph of Gassicurtia, a

genus of variolarious Lichens. By A. L. A. Fée.—On a state of the

white-flowered Sdlvia pratensis, in which the stigma was united to

the lower lip. By F. A. G. Miquel. Remarks on the fibres of the

roots of the higher plants. By E., Ohlert.—Observations on the

buds of trees and shrubs. By E. Ohlert.—Description of two new

Melocacti. By F. A. W. Miquel—On a new Atragene. By Prof.

Wenderoth.—Synopsis of the genus Cassia. Second Part. By Dr.

Royal Society. 477.

T. Vogel.—Descriptions of new and little-known Cacti; By F. A.

W.Miquel.—Some remarks on Cassia obovata and C. obtusata, Hayne.

By Prof, Wenderoth.—On the rise of sap in plants. By Fr. Kiitzing.

—Contributions to Meyer’s Chloris Hanoverana. By Thilo Irmisch.

—Query concerning. Kpilobium denticulatum. By Prof. Wenderoth.

—On the Hedysarea of Brazil. By Dr. I. R. Th. Vogel.—An in-

vitation to botanists to support the expedition of Schimper into.

Abyssinia. By Prof. Hochstetter and Dr. Steudel.

PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES.

ROYAL SOCIETY.

May 31.—A paper was read, entitled, ‘‘ An Experimental Inquiry

into the influence of Nitrogen on the Growth of Plants.’ By Robert

Rigg, Esq. Communicated by the Rev. J. B. Reade, M.A., F.R.S.,

&e.

The author, after briefly alluding to a former paper laid before the

Royal Society, describing the chemical changes which occur during

the germination of seeds, and some of the decompositions of vege-

table matter, proceeds, in the present paper, to trace a connexion

between the phenomena exhibited during the growth of plants, and

the direct agency of nitrogen. The experiments by which the au-

thor supports his views are arranged in separate tables, so drawn out

as to indicate not only the quantities of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen,

nitrogen, and residual matter, in about 120 different vegetable

substances, but also the quantity of nitrogen in each compound,

when compared with 1000 parts by weight of carbon in the same

substance. ‘The most important of these tables are those which ex-

hibit the chemical constitution of the germs, cotyledons and rootlets

of seeds; the elements of the roots and trunks of trees, and the cha-

racters of the various parts of plants, especially of the leaves, at dif-

ferent periods of their growth. From this extensive series, which is

stated to form but a small portion of the experiments made by the

author in this department of chemical research, it appears that ni-

trogen and residual matter are invariably the most abundant in those

parts of plants which perform the most important offices in vege-

table physiology ; and hence the author is disposed to infer, that

nitrogen (being the element which more than any other is perma-

nent in its character) when coupled with residual matter, is the

moving agent, acting under the living principle of the plant, and

moulding into shape the other elements. The method of ultimate

analysis adopted by the author, enables him, as he conceives, to de-

478 Linnean Society.

tect very minute errors, and therefore to speak with certainty as to

the accuracy and value of every experiment *.

LINNEAN SOCIETY.

June 5,—Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair.

Read observations on the Spongilla fluviatilis, By John Hogg,

Esq., M.A., F.L.S.

Mr. Hogg is disposed to adopt the opinion of Dr. Johnston of

Berwick in referring the sponges to the vegetable kingdom. The

lenticular bodies, which occur abundantly in specimens of the river

sponge, and which some naturalists, and among others Lamarck,

have regarded as the ovaria of the Cristatella vagans, Mr. Hogg in-

clines to consider as the sporules or reproductive bodies of the Spon-

gilla fluviatilis. These seed-like bodies occur principally in the cells

or pores of the sponge. Mr. Hogg has watched the development of

these bodies, for having placed some of them in a glass vessel, re-

plenished daily with fresh water, six of them soon became attached

to the bottom of the vessel, and in about three weeks each of them

was found covered with a whitish woolly substance, which he took

for the commencement of the sponge ; but unfortunately their further

progress was not observed, from the author being obliged to leave

home.

Read also a paper, entitled, on the Number and Structure of the

Mammule employed by Spiders in the procéss of Spinning. By John

Blackwall, Esq., F.L.S.

The author observes that all the species which have come under

his notice are provided with four, six, or eight spinning mammulz,

which are somewhat conical or cylindrical, and composed of one or

more joints each: they are usually closely grouped in pairs, which

may be readily distinguished from each other by their relative posi-

tions. The pair situated near the anus is called by the author supe-

rior spinners, and that furthest removed from it inferior spinners,

and the mammule placed between these two extremes he terms in-

termediate spinners. Exceedingly fine, moveable papille or spinning

tubes, for the most part dilated at the base, occur at the extremity

of the mammule, or are disposed along the inferior surface of their

terminal joint, whence issues the viscous secretion of which the

silken lines produced by spiders are formed.

Mr. Saunders, F.L.S., presented specimens of Potamogeton planta-

gineus and Medicago denticulata, var. apiculata, gathered in Sussex.

[* An abstract of Mr, Rigg’s paper on PE Daibiembine of seeds will be

found in the Lond. and Edinb. Philosophical Magazine, vol. ix, p. 536; see

also the same Journal, vol. xii. p. 31, 282,—Enprr. ]

_ Linnean Society. 479

Mr. Hogg, F.L.S., exhibited specimens of Plumatella repens and

Spongilla fluviatilis from a rivulet near Norton in the county of Dur-

ham. One of the Spongille was attached to the larva-case of Phry-

ganea, and another to a tuft of Hypnum riparium, which it had en-

tirely enveloped.

June 19,—Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair.

Specimens of the tree which yields the Caoutchouc or India Rub-

ber of Commerce, and which proves to be a species of Hevea, nearly

related to the guianensis of Aublet, were presented by Sir Everard

Home, Bart., Capt. R.N.

Read. a Description of a new species of Cattleya. By Mr. Robert

H. Schomburgk. Communicated by the Secretary.

This splendid orchideous epiphyte, remarkable for the beauty and

fragrance of its flowers, occurs on trees, which skirt the banks of

Currasawaka and other streams which fall into the Rupununy, a

river of British Guiana. Mr. Schomburgk has named the species

superba, with the following characters :

C. superba, sepalis lanceolatis acutis subeequalibus, petalis latioribus ob-

longo-lanceolatis undulatis denticulatis, labelli trilobi lobo medio sub-

rotundo-ovato dentato apiculato, pseudobulbis angustis, spatha magna

foliacea.

Read likewise observations on some genera of Plants connected

with the Flora of Guiana. By George Bentham, Esq., F.L.S.

The three genera which form the subject of this paper are Sym-

plocos, Seguieria, and Anthodiscus. To the first Mr. Bentham very

properly refers the Stemmatosiphon of Pohl, placed improperly by that

author in Meliacee. Mr. Bentham has satisfactorily shown that the

degrees of adhesion of the ovarium, and of the cohesion of the petals

in Styracinee afford only characters of secondary value, and that con-

sequently Styrax and Halesia must form part of the same natural

family. Seguieria, which has been referred along with Petiveria to

Phytolacee by Mr. Brown, is remarkable for its polyandrous flowers,

and its unilocular ovarium, with a solitary erect ovulum and a late-

ral stigma and the winged pericarpium. ‘The following are the cha-

racters of the new species described by the author. Some of them

are so like Securidaca in appearance that they are frequently con-

founded in herbaria with that genus.

1. S. parvifolia, stipulis minimis tuberculiformibus vix spinescentibus,

foliis ovali-oblongis basi in petiolum angustatis herbaceis.

2. S. coriacea, stipulis longis validis rectis spinescentibus, foliis subsessi-

libus oblongis obtusissimis coriaceis.

480 Botanical Society of London.

3. S. longifolia, stipulis brevissimis recurvis spinescentibus, foliis subsessi-

libus lanceolato-ellipticis acuminatis reticulatis coriaceis.

4, §. floribunda, stipulis minimis tuberculiformibus vix spinescentibus,

foliis breviter petiolatis ovatis acuminatis coriaceis, panicule rhachide

pubescente.

5. S. macrophylla, stipulis spinescentibus recurvis, foliis breviter petiolatis

amplis ovato-ellipticis acuminatis, panicule rhachide glabra.

The third genus Anthodiscus was first described by Meyer in his

‘ Flora Essequeboensis,’ but it has not been taken up in any of the re-

cent systematic works. It belongs to RKhizobolea. It is distinguished

from Rhizobolus by its cohering petals, many-celled ovarium, with

the styles equal in number to the cells. The leaves are ternate and

are either opposite or alternate.

BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.

April 6.—J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President, in the Chair.

The Secretary announced a donation of plants, presented by Ed-

mund Lees, Esq., F.L.S., Corresponding Member of the Society, and

Local Secretary for Worcestershire ; also a donation of books from

Mr. W. Baxter, A.L.S. Mr. D. Cooper, A.L.S., delivered his third

Lecture on the practical part of Botany; after which the Secretary

read a Paper from Robert H. Schomburgk, Esq. (now travelling in

British Guiana), on the Triplaris Americana, or Ant Tree of Guiana*,

which led to some discussion ; and thanks having been ordered to be

returned to Mr. Schomburgk, the Meeting adjourned until April

20th. :

April 20.—Dr. Macintyre, F.L.S., in the Chair.

The Secretary announced donations of plants and books. The

Secretary read a Paper from M. A. Wallis, Corresponding Member

of the Society, on the genus Myosotis, which led to some discus-

sion between the Chairman, Dr. Bossey, Mr. G. E. Dennes, and

other Members, after which the Meeting adjourned until May 4th.

May 4.—John Edward Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President, in the

Chair. 7

The usual business of the evening having been dismissed, the Se-

cretary proceeded to read a letter of thanks from the British Museum

for the specimen of Victoria regia, which the Council thought neces-

sary to deposit in the Botanical department of that Institution, and

which had been transmitted to the Society by Mr. R. Schomburgk,

now travelling in British Guiana. Mr. Dennes read a Memoir on

Polygonum Owenti, which, on account of its interest, he had trans-

* This paper was inserted entire in our last number.

Miscellaneous. 481

lated from the ‘‘Annales des Sciences Naturelles.” The Secretary also

communicated to the Society some notes on Lythrum Salicaria, re-

marking that he had observed this plant in several stations in the

neighbourhood of London, with the leaves variably situated on the

stem; and exhibited specimens in which the plant had alternate op-

posite, and leaves three in a whorl. These observations, together

with other peculiarities noticed by Mr. Dennes, led to an inter-

esting discussion. Mr. Daniel Cooper exhibited and offered for dis-

tribution to the Members several of the rarer plants found about

Reigate, Surrey, which he had that day expressly collected for the

purpose ; and stated that it was the intention of several of the Mem-

bers to collect in a similar way the rarer plants of the vicinity of

London, and exhibit them at the monthly nights of meeting through-

out the summer. Mr. Cooper called the attention of the Members

to specimens of Paris Quadrifolia, of which there were plants having

from three to seven leaves upon the table, but in no instance had he

observed more than five portions of the calyx, and not, as recorded

by some authors, a division of the calyx for each leaf found upon the

stem. Mr. Gray noticed a peculiarity in the flower of the Adoza

Moschatellina; and expressed his approbation of the plan of pro-

curing living specimens of the rarer plants for distribution at the

summer monthly meetings, as it would enable many of the Members

to examine and make such observations upon the plants as they

might think necessary, and who might be prevented from collecting

them at the proper period. Among Mr. Cooper’s collection were

specimens of the early Orchideous plants, comprising Ophrys apifer«,

O. muscifera, Orchis ustulata, Platanthera bifolia, Listera ovata,

Aceras Anthropophora, &c. Specimens of Leucogum Alstivum were

also exhibited by the Secretary, which were obtained from the old

station in Greenwich marshes, opposite Blackwall.

MISCELLANEOUS.

TWO RECENT SPECIES OF TRIGONIA.

The Trigonia of Van Diemen’s Land, first described by Lamarck ¢?*

(of which we have an original specimen in the British Museum,

presented by that justly celebrated naturalist), and the one disco-

vered by Mr. Stutchbury, in Port Jackson, New Holland, have been

considered the same species. The series of specimens from the first

Ann. Nat. Hist. Vol.1. No.6. August 1838. ae

482 Miscellaneous.

locality, which I have received from Mr. Ronald Gunn, proves most

decidedly, what I had long suspected, that they are very different

species, and they may be characterized as follows :

Trigonia margaritacea, Lam. Syst. Anim. sans Vertéb.—Shell ra-

ther compressed, with 20 or 23 rather narrow noduiose radiating

ribs; the hinder ribs very compressed, all excepting the front ribs

wide apart. Hab. Van Diemen’s Land. Ronald Gunn, Esq.

Trigonia Lamarckii, Gray.—Shell rather veutricose, solid, with 20

to 26 narrow flat-topped nodulose radiating ribs; the ribs of the

hinder slope, narrow, rather crowded ; convex, ribs all close together

and nodulose. Hab. New Holland, Port Jackson. Mr. Stutchbury.

Varies with the inside white, salmon-coloured, yellow, or purple

bronze.

The young states of these two species are so very different that it

is astonishing they could have ever been confounded ; the Van Die-

men’s Land species in all its stages of growth is about twice as large

as that from New Holland.—J. E. Gray.

THE SEXES OF LIMPETS. PATELLA.

The Patelle have generally been considered as hermaphrodite, but

this is certainly not the case, as I have remarked several years ago.

But notwithstanding repeated examinations, however, I have not

been able to discover any external difference in the animal, except a

slight variation in colour, nor is there any difference in the size and

form of the shells. In the autumn they are easily distinguished if

an incision be made along the right side of the foot, when the males

exhibit a white milky glairy fluid; and the females, which before

they are cut generally have a darker foot, a great quantity of round

eggs (the size and appearance differing according to their state

of development) swimming in a transparent viscid fluid. This can-

not be the two states of the same fluid, for after examining hun-

dreds of specimens, of different sizes and at various seasons, I have

never been able to find them in any intermediate state, although I have

found the egg in various stages of development. In their early state

they are dark and opake, but in the later they become more transpa-

rent. I have never been so fortunate as to find the foetal state of the

animal, showing the primitive form of the shell; but this state may

often be seen attached to the tip of the young specimens.

The larger limpets often form on the chalk, cavities the size of

. their shell, as I have noticed in my paper on the structure of shells,

in the Philosophical Transactions for 1833.—J. E. Gray.

Meteorological Observations. 483

HABITS OF PATELLA PELLUCIDA.

Tue animals of this shell are generally described as living on the

stem and leaves of the fucus digitatus; they are sometimes found

on the leaves, but the greater number*occur in holes which they

have eaten out, on the under side of the root of this plant. These

holes are often of an inch or rather more in depth, and the convex

form of the face of the shell may arise from the animal living in an

_ almost hemispherical cavity. The fucus which they inhabit being

confined to the rocks, which are only left dry at very low tides, the

animals are only to be procured by tearing up by the roots, which

may account for their history being almost unknown ; although I

find, since this communication was made to you, that it has been

described in a neglected paper by Le Gentil, in the Mémoires de

l’Académie for 1788. The shells are abundant on the coast of Sus-

sex, and near Berwick on Tweed, where I first found them in com-

pany with my friend Dr. Johnston.—J. E. Gray.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FOR JUNF 1838.

Chiswick.—June 1. Very fine: rain. 2,3. Cloudyand fine. 4. Fine:

rain. 5. Hazy: very fine. 6. Slight haze: fine. 7. Fine. 8. Cold

and dry. 9. Fine. 10. Cloudy and fine. 11. Hazy: rain. 12. Rain,

with thunder. 13. Fine: heavy rain at night. 14, 15. Overcast: rain.

16. Drizzly. 17. Cloudy. 18. Overcast: heavy thunder showers. 19.

Cloudy and windy. 20. Cloudy: boisterous with rain at night. = 21.

Cloudy and windy. 22. Showery. 23,24. Very-fine. 25. Fine; heavy

rain. 26. Hazy: rain. 27. Overcast and fine. 28. Slight showers:

very fine. 29. Fine: heavy rain. 30. Fine: rain,

Boston.—June 1. Rain. 2. Fine. 3. Fine: raina.m. 4. Fine: rain,

thunder, and lightning a.m. 5. Fine: heavy rain and hail, with thunder

and lightningr.m. 6. Cloudy. 7. Cloudy: rainp.m. 8, 9. Fine. 10.

Cloudy. 11. Rain. 12. Fine. 13. Rain early a.m. 14. Cloudy. 15.

Fine: rainp.m. 16. Fine. 17. Fine: rain early a.m. 18. Fine. 19.

Cloudy: heavy rainearly a.m. 20. Rain. 21,22. Cloudy. 23—25.

Fine. 26. Cloudy: rain a.M.andp.m. 27. Cloudy: rainep.M. 28.

- Fine. 29. Cloudy: rain early a.m. 30. Fine: rain p.m.

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INDEX TO VOL. I.

—__-—<$-—_———-

Aas SIZ, L., Prodromus of the Radiata

and Echinodermata, 30, 297,440; Pois-

sons d’Eau douce d’ Europe, noticed, 69.

Amphibia, classification of, 152.

Anatide, or Duck Tribe, Monograph on

the, reviewed, 473.

Anemia californica, description of, 136.

Animals in menageries, reviewed, 148.

Ant tree of Guiana, 264.

Antilope, on a new species of, 27.

Apistes, on a new species of, 111.

Arachis, affinities of, 329 ; description of

six species of, 330.

Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte, noticed, 320. .

Argonauta Argo, discovery of, in a fossil

state, 80.

Arnott, Dr., remarks on the genus Tor-

reya, 126; on the Rhizophoree, 359.

Arnott and Wight, Drs., illustrations of

Indian Botany, 395.

Ascotricha, on the new genus, 257.

Athrotaxis, a new genus of Conifere, 234.

Babington, Ch. C., on the structure of

Cuscuta europea, 71; on a new British

species of Urtica, 195 ; remarks on Ha-

benaria bifolia and chlorantha, 374.

Baird, W., on the Natural History of the

British Entomostraca, 245.

Bee-Keeper’s Manual, noticed, 475.

- Bell, Thomas, History of British Reptiles,

reviewed, 222.

Bentham, George, on the affinities of

Arachis and Voandzeia, 329; on some

genera of plants connected with the

Flora of Guiana, 479.

Berkeley, Rev. M. J., on the fructification

of Ilymenomycetous Fungi, 81; notices

of British Fungi, 198.

Bibos cavifrons, description of, 153.

Birds, notes on Irish, 156; of Australia

and adjacent Islands, reviewed, 223; of

Europe and N. America, reviewed, 318 ;

observations on Australian, 401.

Blackwall, John, on the mammule em-

ployed by spiders in spinning, 478.

Bonaparte, Chas. Lucian, birds of Europe

and North America, reviewed, 3:8.

Botanical Society, proceedings of, 76, -

155, 480.

Botanical Society of Edinburgh, proceed-

ings of, 228, 406.

Botanical Travellers, letters from, 56, 63,

139, 147, 221.

Botany, Indian illustrations, 395.

British Flora, noticed, 476.

Brown, Col., on the geographical distri-

bution of plants in Switzerland, 408.

Bruguieria, description of the genus, 365.

Buch, M. von, onthe German Jura, 332.

Burton, Mr., on a new species of king-

fisher, 227.

Bythites, on the new genus, 396.

Calymene Rowii, description of, 79.

Caprimulgus monticolus, described, 227.

Cardiophthalmus, a new genus of Cara-

bidee, 328.

Carduelis, on a new species of, 228.

Cascellius, a new genus of Carabide, 328.

Catalogue of the Mollusca inhabiting the

Isle of Man, reviewed, 320.

Cattleya, on a new species of, 479.

Ceriops, description of the genus, 363.

Cestracion Philippi, description of, 109.

Chalcidites, British, descriptions of, 307,

381, 449.

Clupea Harengus, food of, 74.

Colby, Colonel, Ordnance of Ireland, re-

viewed, 396.

Coleoptera, descriptions of several new

genera of, 328.

Conifers, description of two new genera

of, 233.

Coregoni, observations on, 161.

Coregonus, food of, 74.

Crinoidea, growth of, 43; description of

a third living species of, 412.

Cryptogamic plants, quaternary arrange-

ment of, 99.

Cryptomeria, a new genus of Conifere,

233; on the structure of, 234.

Cuming, voyage in 8. America of, 56, 147.

Cunningham, Allan, on the Flora of the

Islands of New Zealand, 210, 376, 455.

Curtis, Ch., descriptions of Coleoptera col-

lected in the Straits of Mayellan, 328 ;

British Entomology, noticed, 414.

Cuscuta europea, on the structure of, 71.

Cylloscelis, a new genus of Carabide,

329.

Dammara australis, use of the timber of,

211

Daphnia, anatomy of, 245; synopsis of

the British species of, 254.

Das System der Pilze, reviewed, 69.

Decaisne on the root of the madder, 267.

Demoulia, a new genus of shells, 29.

Desmaziéres, Plantes Cryptogames de

France, reviewed, 69.

Dicliptera Burmanni, description of, 344.

Diplacus punicea, description of, 137. *

Don, Prof., description of two new genera

of Coniferee, 233.

Doris, 49; D. tuberculata, 50; D. obve-

lata, 52; D. bilamellata, 53; D. levis,

54; D. pilosa, iid. ; D. nigricans, ibid. ;

D. nodosa, 55; D. Barvicensis, ibid.

Drummond, Dr. J. L., description of a

new species of Oscillatoria, 1.

486

Dryptopetalum, on the new genus, 372.

Echidna, on the two species of, 335,

Echinodermata, Prodromus of a Mono-

graph of, 30, 297, 440; position of the

dental apparatus in, 36.

Echinus, spiral development of the plates

in an, 42; gigantic fossil spine of an,

414.

Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal,

noticed, 149.

76.

Entomology, British, noticed, 414.

Entomostraca, British, Natural History of,

245.

Entozoa, descriptions of, 431.

Eolidia, 50; E. papillosa, 118 ; E. Cuvierii,

120; E. rufibranchialis, 121; E. pur-

purascens, 122; E. plumosa, 123; E.

despecta, 123.

Epilobium, on anew species of, 208.

Erythrea, on a new species, 437.

Euryale Amazonica, 67.

Eyton, T. C., on the Fauna of Shropshire

and North Wales, 285 ; Monograph on

the Anatide, or Duck Tribe, reviewed,

473.

Falconer, R. W., on the ancient history of

the rose, 228; on the gardens of anti-

quity, 406.

Fasciola anguille, description of, 434.

Felis, description of a new species of, 27.

Fish, Greenland, notes and descriptions of

some new species of, 101 ; new to lre-

land, 348 ; description of two new ge-

nera, 396.

Fleming, John, Molluscous Animals, re-

viewed, 147.

Flora Insularum Nove Zelandiz, 210,

376, 455; of the Keeling Islands, 337.

Forbes, Edw., Malacologia Monensis, re-

viewed, 320.

Fossil Mammalia, reviewed, 314.

Fossil salamander and coprolite, 158.

Fungi, on the fructification of the pileate

and clavate tribes of, 81; notices of

British, 198, 257 ; of India, 334.

Gardner, G., voyage in Brazil of, 57, 61;

collections of, 62, 473; on the vegeta-

tion of the Organ Mountains, 165; voy-

age to Pernambuco, 463.

Geological Society, proceedings of, 154.

Glumacez, characters of nine new species

of, 283.

Gould, J., the Birds of Australia and ad-

jacent Islands, reviewed, 223; on two

species of the genus Platycercus, 226 ;

on the genus Carduelis, 228 ; on a col-

lection of Australian birds, 401.

Graham, Prof., on Scottish plants, 406.

Gray, J. E., description of some new spe-

cies of quadrupeds and shells, 27 ; cata-

logue of the slender-tongued Saurians,

INDEX.

274, 388; remarks on Phalangista

Cookii, 293 ; description of a new spe-

cies of Tetrapturus, 313; on the two

species of Echidna, 335.

Green, Dr., on a new Trilobite, 79.

Griesbach, Dr., on the germination of

Limnanthemum lacunosum, 6; on the

gents Erythrea, 437.

Griffith, description of mosses collected in

Upper Assam, 230.

Gunn, R., notices accompanying a col-

lection of Quadrupeds and Fish from

Van Diemen’s Land, 101.

Habenaria bifolia and chlorantha, remarks

on, 374.

Halmaturus, on a new species of, 108.

Hedycaria, description of the genus,

215.

Henslow, Rev. J. S., an account of the na-

tive plants of the Keeling Islands, 337.

Herring, food of the, 74.

History of British Reptiles, reviewed,

222.

Hodgson, classified catalogue of Nepalese

Mammalia, 152; description of several

new species of Mammalia, 153.

Hogg, Mr., on the classification of Am-

phibia, 152; on the Spongilla fluviati-

lis, 478.

Holopus, a new genus of Crinoidea, 412.

Holothuria, symmetry of, 38.

Hooker, Sir W. J., on the medical pro-

perties of Lycopodium catharticum,

428; on the Erythrea diffusa, 437;

British Flora, noticed, 476.

Ichthyologiske Bidrag noticed, 395.

Ilex Paraguayensis, cultivation of, 60.

Infusoria, their place in classification, 30.

Ireland, contributions to the natural hi-

story of, 12; Ordnance Survey of, re-

viewed, 396.

Jameson’s Edinburgh New Philosophical

Journal, noticed, 149, 398.

Java, zoology of, 335.

Jenyns, Rev. Leonard, remarks on the

British shrews, 417.

Johnston, Dr., Miscellanea Zoologica, 44,

114; History of the British Zoophites,

noticed, 400; on some Entozoa, 431.

Kandelia, description of the genus, 365.

Kangaroo, habits of the, 105 ; description

of two new species of, 216.

Kingfisher, on a new species of, 227.

Knightia excelsa, use of the wood of,

378.

Kotschy, Theodor, Voyage in Cardovan

and Darfour, 221.

Larus minutus, occurrence of, 238.

Lavatera Olbia, station for, 72.

Lees, Edwin, on Pyrus domestica, 229.

Limnanthemum lacunosum, germination

of, 6.

Limpets, the sexes of, 482.

INDEX.

Linnea, ein Journal fiir die Botanik, &c.,

noticed, 476.

Linnean Society, proceedings of, 71, 152,

230, 328, 409, 478.

Lycodes, on a new genus, 396.

Lycopodium catharticum, medical pro-

perties of, 428.

Macrosporium, description of a new spe-

cies of, 261..° -

Madder, experiments on the roots of,

Magasin de Zoologie, contents of, no-

ticed, 70.

Malacologia Monensis, reviewed, 320.

Mammalia, Nepalese, classified catalogue

of, 152.

Matthews, Voyage in Peru, 68.

Melibea, 49; M. pinnatifida, 116; M.

coronata, 117.

Meteorological observations, 159, 239,

335, 415, 483 ; table, 160, 240, 336, 416,

484. .

Metius, a new genus of Carabide, 329.

Miscellanea Zoologica, 44, 114.

Moliusca, Nudibranchia, descriptions of,

44, 114.

Molluscous Animals, including Shell-fish,

reviewed, 147.

Mora Tree, description of the, 231.

Mosses, description of a collection of,

230; on the existence of stomata in,

232.

Mustard, curious development of the root

of, 112.

Myxotrichum, on a new species of, 260.

Nathusius, H., on Sorex fodiens, 425.

Nees von Esenbeck, his System der Pilze,

reviewed, 69; on nine new species of

Glumacez, 283.

Nitsch, C. L., on the generation of Pte-

roptus vespertilionis, 80.

Nudibranchia, descriptions of, 44, 114 ;

nervous system of, 45.

Nuttall, Thomas, description of two new

genera of Californian plants, 136.

Oak, New Zealand, 461.

Odatria, a new genus of Saurians, 394.

Odontoscelis, a new genus of Carabide,

328.

Cnothera, Monograph of the Genus, no-

ticed, 475.

Ogilby, W., description of two new kan-

garoos from Van Diemen’s Land, 216.

Oscillatoria, description of a new species

of, 1; colouring properties of, 3; Os-

cillatoria rubescens, its remarkable

properties, 4.

Ostracion, descriptions of three new spe-

cies of, 110.

Otis tarda, occurrence of, 334.

Owen, R., Fossil Mammalia, reviewed,314.

Parnell, Richard, observations on the

Coregoni of Loch Lomond, 161.

487

Parrot Fishes, description of three new

species of, 110.

Patella pellucida, habits of, 483.

Patella, the sexes of, 482.

Perameles, on a new species of, 107.

Petromyzon Planeri, occurrence of, 239.

Phalangista Cookii, description of, 107 ;

remarks on, 293; P. fuliginosa, 107.

Phylline Hippoglossi, description of, 431.

Pilze, Nees von Esenbeck’s System der,

reviewed, 69.

Plantes Cryptogames de France, reviewed,

Plants, dicotyledonous, existence of spi-

ral vessels in the roots of, 111; obser-

vations on Scottish, 406; geographical

distribution in Switzerland, 408 ; on the

influence of nitrogen on the growth of,

477; on some genera of, connected

with the Flora of Guiana, 479.

Poissons d’Eau douce d’Europe, noticed,

69.

Procyon, description of two new species

of, 132; P. brachyurus, 133; P. ob-

scurus, 134.

Pteroptus vespertilionis, generation of, 80.

Quadrupeds, notes and descriptions of

some new species of, 101.

Radiata, Prodromus of a Monograph of,

30, 297, 440.

Reade, Rev. J. B., on the existence of

spiral vessels in the roots of dicotyle-

dons, 111.

Redbreast, habits of the, 15.

Rhabdothamnus, on the genus, 460.

Rheinhardt, Prof. J., Ichthyologiske Bi-

drag, noticed, 395.

Rhizophorez, synopsis of the, 359.

Rigg, Robert, on the influence of nitro-

gen on the growth of plants, 477.

Rose, ancient history of the, 228.

Royal Academy of Berlin, proceedings of,

236, 332.

Royal Asiatic Society, proceedings of,

408.

Royal Society, Proceedings of the, 477.

Royal Society of Edinburgh, proceedings

of, 74, 330. .

Salamander, fossil, 158;

panese, account of, 413.

Salmon, food and reproduction of, 75;

on the growth of the fry of, idid.

Saurians, descriptions of several new ge-

nera and species, 274, 388.

Schomburgk, R., voyage in British Guiana

of, 63; description of the Mora tree,

231; on the Ant tree of Guiana, 264 ;

description of a new species of Cat-

tleya, 479.

Shaw, J., on the growth of the fry of the

salmon, 75.

Shells, description of new genera and se-

veral new species of, 27.

gigantic Ja-

a \er ‘

\* Ne a

488

Shrews, British, remarks on the, 417;

synopsis of, 422; formation of the teeth

in, 426.

Smith, Dr. H., on the genus Squalus,

72.

Spiders, on the spinning mammule of,

Spongilla fluviatilis, observations on, 478.

Squalus, revision of the Linnzan genus, 72.

Stark, J., on the food of the vendace,

herring, and salmon, 74.

Stenotaphrum, description of a new spe-

cies of, 346.

Surnia nyctea, remarks on, 241.

Swainson’s Animals in Menageries, re-

viewed, 148.

Sykes, Colonel, on the identity of the

wild ass of Cutch and the Indus, with

the dzeggtai, 322; on the vegetable

products of the Deccan, 408.

Syngnathus zequoreus, occurrence of, 239.

Taxus montana, description of, 128.

Taylor, Henry, Bee-Keeper’s Manual, no-

ticed, 475.

Tea plant of Paraguay, cultivation of, 60.

Tetrapturus, description of a new species

of, 313.

Thompson, W., on the birds of Ireland,

12, 181; on the snowy owl, 241; on

fishes new to Ireland, 348.

Thylacinus cynocephalus, food of, 182.

Titmouse, blue, habits of the, 158.

Torrey, Dr., description of a new Taxoid

tree, 128.

Torreya, remarks on the genus, 126.

Trachypterus vogmannus, 334.

Trail, Prof., on the ossiferous caves of

Cefn, 330.

Trapa, formation of the roots of, 9.

Trigonia, two recent species of, 481.

Trilobite, description of a new species of,

78.

INDEX.

Triopa, 50; T. claviger, 124; T. nothus,

125.

Triplaris americana, description of, 264.

Tritonia, 49; T. Hombergii, 114; T. ar-

borescens, 115; T. plebeia, 116.

Tweedie, Mr., voyage in South America —

of, 68; Journal of an excursion from

Buenos Ayres to the Serras de Tandil,

139. -

Tweedside Physical and Antiquarian So-

ciety, 159.

Urera Gaudichaudiana, description of,

341.

Urtica, description of a new British spe-

cies of, 195.

Valentine, William, on the ex’stence of

stomata in mosses, 232.

Vendace, food of the, 74.

Victoria’regia, ‘description of, 66.

Vitex littoralis, use of the wood of, 461.

Voandzeia, affinities of, 329.

Voluta, description of a new species of, 414.

Walker, Francis, description of British

Chalcidites, 307, 381, 449.

Waterhouse, on two undescribed species

of Quadrupeds, 225.

White, W. H., on a new species of Epilo-

bium, 208.

Wiegmann, Prof., on the genus Procyon,

with description of two new species, 132.

Wight and Arnott, illustrations of Indian

Botany, 395.

Zoological Garden in Edinburgh, 159.

Zoological Society, proceedings of, 72,

225, 322, 401.

Zoology of the voyage of the Beagle, re-

viewed, 314.

Zoophyte, description of a new British,

238.

Zoophytes, History of the British, noticed,

400.

Zootoca vivipara, ovo-viviparity of, 413.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

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