***!(te" n X I CM u i - 1* THE JBwtttel) ttatnmlist A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF NATURAL SCIENCE. EDITED BY J. W. H. TRAIL, A.M., M.D., F.L.S. professor or hotany is tub imveksity or ahlhdef.*. VOLUME I.— NEW SERIES. (VOLUME VII. FROM THE BEGINNING.). PERTH: S. COWAN & CO., PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS. 1883-1884 ty c r 1 1) : S. COWAN AND CO., STRATHMORE PRINTING WORKS. CONTENTS OF INDEX. Index of Articles. . Index to Contributors, Index of Articles in Periodicals, &c Geology .... Zoology .... Botany .... Excursions of Societies Historical Sketches of Societies Obituary Notices of Members Species more Fully Noticed Fungi . Lichens .... r.VGE i ix ix ix xi xii xiii xiv xiv xiv xiv xvi 6 d ' JL o • INDEX OF ARTICLES, Aberdeen, Rare Fishes at, ... Aberdeenshire, Rare Birds in, Aberdeenshire Coast, Bank's Oarfish on, Adams, Andrew Leith, Obituary Notice of, /Ecidium Jacobcece, Angel-Fish or Monk-fish in Loch Ryan, Balfour, John Hutton, Obituary Notice of, Bank's Oar-fish (Regalecus Banksii) on the Aberdeenshire Coast, ... Berwickshire Slugs, Biological Classification, Scientific method in, ... ... 98, Birds as Enemies to Turnip Crops, Birds, Rare Birds in Aberdeenshire, Botanical Notes, Botanical Work of George Don of Forfar, ... ... 126,176, Botany, Articles in Journal of Botany, ... ... 47,138, Botany, South Kensington Lectures on, Bramble, on the Species of Phragmidium on Bramble in Scotland, British Association, Meeting at Southport, British Aphides (Buckton's) Review of, British Botany, New Works on, reviewed, ... ... 48, 230, British Oribaticlae (Michaels') Review of, British Phytophagous Hymenoptera (Cameron's) Review of, British Plant, Trifolium agrarium as a probable, British Spongiadae (Bowerbank's), Vol. IV., review of, ... Page 55 107 1 68 41 284 106 160 168 105 195 200 167 229 258 234 104 123 129 204 221, 280 205 204 178 204 157, 217, 192, Capture of Insects in the Hebrides, and in St. Kilda, Cargill, Ferns on Railway between Cargill and Woodside, Casuals and Introduced Plants in N.E. Scotland, List of Cladonia pyxidata var. leplophylla Flk., in Scotland, Classification, Scientific method in Biological, ... Cetacea, Rare Cetacea on Scottish Coasts, Chara fragilis Desv., var., Sturrockii (var. no v.), 284 40 243 186 98, 157, 195 200 184 Desmids, List of Desmids found in Mull, ... ... ... 37 Dickie, George, M.D., F.R. S., Obituary Notice of, ... ... 3 Diptera, List of Diptera taken in North of Scotland, chiefly in " D e," 9 Doassansia alismatis, ... ... ... ... ... 124, 1 So Don, Botanical Work of George Don of Forfar, ... 126, 176, 217, 258 East of Scotland, Natural History in, 193 vi INDEX. Page Editorial Notices, ... ... ... ... ... ... I Egg, on an Egg with a Stone in it, ... ... ... ... 207 Entomologists' Monthly Magazine, Notices of Articles in, 140, 191, 233 Entyloma canescens and E. calendula?, .. ... ... 124,180 Entyloma, Species of Entyloma parasitic in Species of Ranunculus in Scotland, ... ... ... ... ... ... 227 Excursions of Societies, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 134, 138, 185, 186, 232, 284 Federation of Natural History Societies in the East of Scotland, ... 149 Federation of Scottish Scientific Societies, Suggestions for, ... 49 Fifeshire, Rubus Idaeus, var. Leesii, in Fifeshire, ... ... 9° Fishes, Rare Fishes at Aberdeen, ... ... .. ... 55 Flowering plants and Ferns of Orkney, New List of, ... 20, 72, 1 10 Food of Rooks, ... ... ... ... ... ... 163 Forbes, ; Wm. A., Obituary Notice of, ... ... ... ... 46 Formation of a Herbarium, Hints on, ... ... ... ... 58 Fungi, Second Supplementary list of Fungi of Moray, ... ... 224,270 Fungus-eating Animal, The Squirrel as a, ... ... ... 105 Galls, Scottish, ... ... ... ... ... 9°> 2 °6, 276 Gardener's Chronicle, Notes from, ... ... ... ... 229 Geological Magazine, Articles in, ... ... ... ... 48, 192 Geological Society, Quarterly Journal of, Articles in, ... ... 140 Grevillea, Articles in, ... ... ... ... 47, 139, 234 Helix arbustorum, Variety of, new to Britain, ... - ... ... 57 Herbarium, Hints on the Formation of a, ... ... ... 58 Hetercecism in the Uredines, ... ... ... ... 79, 116 Hygrophorus hypothejus, ... ... ... ... ... 104 Injurious Insects, Notices of Ormerod's Reports for 1882 and 1883. 162, 202 Introduced Plants in N.E. Scotland, List ot Casuals and ... 243 Journal of Botany, Articles in, ... ... ... 47, 138, 192, 234 Journals, Articles on Scottish Natural Science in, ... 47, 138, 191, 233 Leaf- parasites, New or Rare in Britain, ... ... ... 124 Lectures on Botany at South Kensington, ... ... ... 104 Lepidoptera in Roxburghshire, ... ... ... .., ... 201 List of Casuals and Introduced Plants in N.E. Scotland, especially in Dee, 243 List of Desmids found in Mull, ... ... ... ... 37 List of Diptera taken in North of Scotland, chiefly in " Dee," ... 9 List (New) of Flowering Plants and Ferns of Orkney, ... 20, 72, no List (Preliminary) of Scientific Societies in Scotland, ... ... 97,160 List (Second Supplementary) of Fungi found in Moray, ... ... 224, 270 Meetings of Scientific Societies (as below.) Aberdeen Natural History Society, ... ... 136, 184, 233 Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, British Association at Southport, ... Cryptogamic Society of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Scientific, &c. Society, East of Scotland Union of Natural History Societies, Edinburgh, Royal Society of, Huntly Field Club, Inverness Scientific Society and Field Club, Kirkcaldy Naturalists' Society, 93 129 132 i35> 187 193 188 136 136, 188 130, 1S9 INDEX. vii Page Kirkcudbrightshire Field Naturalists' Club, ... . 135 Montrose Natural History and Antiquarian Society, ... 187 Montrose Scientific and Field Club, ... ... ... 187 Northern Scientific Societies at Banff, ... ... ... 91 Perthshire Society of Natural Science, ... ... ... 136,231 Memoranda of a Summer's Work on the Potamogetonaceae of Perthshire, ... ... ... ... ... ... 26 Method, Scientific Method in Biological Classification, ... 98, 157, 195 Mercurialis perennis, Monoecious Plants of, ... ... ... 96 Midland Naturalist, Article in, ... ... ... ... 47 Monk-fish or Angel-fi-h in Loch Ryan, ... ... ... 106 Monoecious Plants of Mercurialis perennis, ... .. ... 96 Mouse and Rat, ... ... ... ... ... ... 54 Museum, Natural History Museum of Perthshire Society, 51, 101, 154, 194 Mycologia Scotica, Supplement to, ... ... ... 29,85, 114, 181 Names, Plant, ... ... ... ... ... 65, 107, 169 Natural History in East of Scotland, ... ... ... ... 193 Oban, Pennatulida, Notice of Report on, ... ... ... 202 Obituary Notices of Adams, Andrew Leith, ... ... ... ... ••• 4 1 Balfour, John Hutton, ... ... ... ... ... 160 Dickie, George, ... ... ... •■• ••• 3 Forbes, Wm. A., ... ... ... ... ••• 4° Parnell, Richard, ... ... ... •• ... 43 Sadler, John, ... ... ... ... ••• ••• 43 Thomson, Alien, ... ... ... ... ... 199 Thomson, Sir C. Wyville, ... ... ... ... 44 Orkney, New List of Flowering Plants and Ferns of, ... 20, 72, no Ormerod's Reports on Injurious Insects in 1882 and 1883, ... 162, 202 Parnell, Richard, Obituaiy Notice of, ... ... ... ... 43 Pennatulida, Oban, ... ... ... • •• ••• 20 2 Perthshire Natural Plistory Museum, ... ... ... 51,101,154,194 Phragmidium, Species of, on Bramble in Scotland, ... ... 123 Plant Names, ... ... ... •• ••• 65,107,169 Potamogetonaceae in Pertr shire, Memoranda of a Summer's Work in, 26 Potamogetons Scottish, New or Rare Varieties, ... ... ... 24, 26 Preliminary List of Scottish Scientific Societies, ... ... 97> x 5o Proceedings and Transactions of Scottish Scientific Societies (as below.) Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, ... .. ... ... 186 Edinburgh Botanical Society, ... ... ... ••• *37 Glasgow Geological Society, ... ... ... ... 94 Glasgow Natural History Society, ... ... ... 137 Perthshire Society of Natural Science, ... ... ••• 59> J 38 Stirling Natural History and Archaeological Society, ... 230 Railway, Occurrence of Certain Ferns on Railway between Cargill and Woodside, ... ... ... ••• ••• ••• 4° Ranunculus, Species of Entyloma parasitic in, in Scotland, ... 227 Rare Birds in Aberdeenshire, .. ... ••• ••• l ^7 Rare Cetacea on the Scottish Coasts, ... ... ... ••• 2 °° Rare Fishes at Aberdeen, ... ... .. ... ••• 55 viii INDEX. Page Rat and Mouse, ... ... ... ... ... ... 54 Ray Society, Reviews of Books on British Zoology published by, ... 203 Regalecus Banksii (Bank's Oar-fish) on Aberdeenshire Coast, ... 168 Reviews of New Books. British Aphides (Buckston's), ... ... ... ... 204 British Fresh Water AlgaB (Cooke), ... ... ... 48,231 British Fungi, Illustrations of (Cooke), ... ... ... 48 British Mossflora (Braithwaite), ... ... ... .. 48,231 British Oribatidce (Michael), ... ... . . ... 205 British Phytophagous Hymenoptera (Cameron), ... ... 204 British Spongiadae (Bowerbank), Vol. II. (Norman), ... 204 English Botany (Sowerby). Parts 84-86, ... ... ... 230 Fertilisation of Flowers (Miiller, translated by D'A. Thompson), 142 Oban Pennatulida, Report on, ... ... ... ... 280 Omerod's Reports on Injurious Insects for 1882 and 1883 ... 162, 202 Ray Society, Books on British Zoology published by, ... 204 Student's Flora (Hooker), 3rd edition, ... ... ... 202 Topographical Botany (Watson), ... ... ... ... 141 Rooks, Food of, ... ... ... ... ... ... 163 Roxburghshire, Lepidoptera in, ... ... ... ... 201 Rubus fruticosus (Bramble) Species of Phraginidium on, in Scotland, 123 Rubus Idaeus var. Leesii Bab. in Fifeshire, ... ... ... 90 Sadler, John, Obituary Notice of, ... ... ... ... 43 Scientific Journals. See Journals. Scientific Method in Biological Classification, ... ... 98, 157, 195, Scotica, Mycologia, ... ... ... ... 29, 85, 114, 181 Scottish Galls, ... ... ... ... ... 90, 206, 276 Scottish Trichoptera, ... ... ... ... 144, 235, 284 Slugs, Berwickshire, ... ... ... ... ... 105 Societies, Federation of the Natural History Societies in East of Scotland, ... ... — ... ... ... 149 Societies (Scientific Scottish) Meetings of. See Meeti?igs. ,, ,, ,, Proceedings and Transaction^. See Proceedings. ,, ,, ,, Preliminary List of, ,, Suggestions for Federation of Scottish Scientific, Thomson, Allen, Obituary Notice of, ... Thomson, Sir C. Wyville, Obituary Notice of, ... Transactions of Scottish Scientific Societies. See Proceedings. Trichoptera of Scotland, ... ... ... ... Trichoptera Scottish, Tri folium agrarium L. as a probable British Plant, Turnip Crops, Birds as Enemies to, Two New British Ustilagineae, Uredines, Heteroecism in the Usnea, notes on the Genus, ... Ustilagineae, Two New British Woodside, Occurrence of Certain Ferns on the Railway between Cargill and Woodside, ... ... ... ... ... 40 Work, Botanical Work of George Don of Forfar, ... 126, 176, 217, 258 Zoologist, Articles in, ... ,,. ... ,,, 140,191,233 97, 160 49 199 44 235, 285 144 178 200 241 79, 116 74 241 INDEX. ix INDEX TO CONTRIBUTORS. Page Barty, Rev. Thos., ... ... ... ... ... 106 Brebner, James, ... ... ... ... ... ... 104 Davidson, Rev. Wm, L., ... ... ... ... 98, 157, 195 Druce, George, C, F.L.S., ... ... 126, 176, 217, 229, 258 Durie, William, ... ... ... ... ... 65, 107, 169 Edward, Thomas, A.L.S., ... ... ... ... ... 54 Editor is responsible for all unsigned articles. Elliott, Adam, ... ... " ... ... ... ... 201 Fortescue, Wm. Irvine, ... ... .. ... 26, 72, no Grove, H. &J., ... ... ... ... ... ... 164 Keith, Rev. James, LL.D., ... ... ... ... ... 224, 270 King, James J., and Morton, Kenneth, ... ... ... 235, 285 M 'Andrew, James, ... ... ... ... ... 184 M'Tier, W. F., ... ... ... ... ... ... 90 Morton, Kenneth, and King, James J., ... ... ... 235,285 Plowright, Charles, F.L.S., &c, ... ... ... 104, 105, 284 Roebuck, Wm. Denison, ... ... ... ... ... 105 Roy, John, ... ... ... ... ... ... 37 Roy, Tom, ... ... ... ... ... ... 201 Sim, George, ... ... ... ... ... 55, 167, 168 Smail, James, ... ... ... ... ... ... 163 Stevenson, Rev. John, ... ... ... 28, 85, 114, 132, 181 Stirton, James, M.D., F.L.S., ... ... ... ... 74 Sturrock, Abraham, .. ... ... ... ... 26, 40 Trail, James W. H., M.D., F.L.S., 5S, 79, 90, 116, 123, 124, 1S0, 206, 227, 241, 243, 276 (Editor) Vice, Wm. Armstrong, M.B. ... ... ... ... 9 White, F. Buchanan, M.D., F,L.S., ... 49, 51, 101, 154, 17S, 194, 280 INDEX OF ARTICLES IN PERIODICALS &c, GEOLOGY. On the causes of changes of climate during long periods. John Gunn, 192 On the action of water in effecting geological changes. Dr. Gilchrist, 135 Twenty minutes on the Aberdeen beach. George Sim, ... 233 Notes on the Igneous rocks of the Kilmacolm district. Arthur Pratt, 94 Sketch of the Geology of part of the mainland of Shetland. T. Stewart, 94 The Geology and Palceontology of Bankhead, Bellfield, and Coal- field, Lesmahagow. J. R. S. Hunter, ... ... ... 95 Notes on limestone in the parishes of Cathcart and Eastwood, Ren- frew. J. Stewart, .,. ... .,. ... ... 95 x INDEX. Page Geological excursion to Cathkin Quarries. D. C. Glen and John Young, ... ... ... ... ... ... 95 Geology of Banff, Portsoy, and Cullen. John Home, ... ... 92 Geological papers and sections (South of Scotland). David Carr, 94 On a recent visit to Kidland (mineralogy). James Hardy, ... 95 The Secret of the Highlands. Charles Lapworth, ... ... 48 The Highland problem. G. Callaway, ... ... ... 48 The age of the newer Gneissic rocks of the Northern Highlands, G. Callaway, ... ... ... ... ... ... 140 Notes on a series of rocks from the N. W. Highlands, collected by G. Callaway. T. G. Bonney, ... ... ... ... [40 On the metamorphic and overlying rocks in Ross and Inverness- shires. Henry Hicks, ... ... ... ... ... 140 On the lithological characters of the Scotch rocks, collected by Dr. Hicks. T. G. Bonney, ... ... ... ... 140 The Silurian rocks of Logan water, Lesmahagow. J.'R. S. Hunter, 94 On the Silurian rocks of the Muirkirk district. D.Forsyth, ... 94 On a conglomerate with boulders in the Laurentian rocks of wSouth Uist. J. Thomson, ... ... ... ... ... 130 Scottish Silurian Brachiopoda. T. Davidson, ... ... 48 Palaeozoic Conchology of Scotland. R. Etheridge, jun., ... 48 On several new forms of Graptolites, from the Silurian shales of Dumfries-shire. J. Dairon, ... ... ... ... 94 Notes on Graptolites. J. Dairon, ... ... ... ... 95 The volcanic history of the Old Red Sandstone period north of the Grampians. J. Home, ... ... ... ... ... 94 Fossiliferous strata between the lower and upper limestones of the Beith and Daly districts. R.Craig, ... ... ... 95 The Carboniferous fossils of Scotland, ... ... ... 140 On a Coral Atoll on the shore line at Arbigland, near Dumfries. J. Thomson, ... ... ... ... ... ... 130, 140 On the fossils in a thin bed of impure carboniferous limestone at Glencart, Ayrshire. John Young, ... ... ... 137 On altered dolomitic limestone from Balagan group. J. J. Dobbie, 94 On a carboniferous selachian from cement limestone series of East Kilbride. J. Coutts, ... ... ... ... ... 95 A new fossil shark from lower carboniferous rocks of Eskdale, \ A new fish (Elonichthys ortholepis) from ,, ,, f A new fish (Aganacanthus striatulus) from Blackband Iron- ( stone, near Edinburgh. All by Ramsay H. Traquair, ) On the organisms that occur in limestone. H. A. Nicholson ... 1S5 Notes on Mull and its leaf beds. W.E.Koch ... ... 94 On the Basalt-glass (Trachylyte) of the Western Islands of Scotland. J. W. Judd and G. A. J. Cole, ... ... ... .. 141 On the post-tertiary beds of Garvel Park, Greenock. D. Robertson, 94 Drift Deposits at Ochtertyre. James Geikie, ... ... ... 95 Travelled Boulders of Lochaber. C. Livingstone, ... ... 136, 1 88 Description of an erratic boulder on the Highland Railway. E. A. Wunsch ... ... ... ... ... ... 94 On a large boulder of mixed schist near Inverbeg, Loch Lomond. Dugald Bell, ... ... ... ... ^... ... 95 On worm-borings in boulder-clay in Aberdeen. A. Cruickshank, 184 On the occurrence in Perthshire of sub-fossil bones of red deer. F. B. White, ... ... ... ... ... ... 136 Recent shells sub-fossil, near Bridge of Allan, ... ... ... 232 Shell middens, &c, at Tents Muir, Fifeshire. Rev. W. Paul, ... 232 Stone implements. A. Mathewson, ... ... ... ... 136 Stone circles of the district around Nairn. J. Fraser, ... ... 136 Old Ironworks at Loch Maree. J. H. Dixon ... ... ... 136, 188 INDEX. xi Page A list of Hill Forts, intrenched camps, &c, in Roxburghshire, on the Scotch side of the Cheviots. Prof. J. Geikie, ... 186 On fossil cryptogams. Dr. Gilchrist, ... ... ... 133 On the denticulated hinge-line of Spirifera trigonalis Martin. John Young, ... ... •-• ••• •■• ••• 19 2 On the external differences between Fenestella plebeiaand F. tuber- culo-carinata Eth. John Young, ... ... ... 95 ZOOLOGY. Evolution, and some things said regarding it. Rev. Dr. Milroy, ... 190 Instinct. James Shepherd, ... ... ... ... ... 1S9 Some points in the chemistry of animals and plants. F. W. Young, 136 Morphology of plants and animals. Pat. Geddes, ... ... 136 Teeth. W. J. Hardie, ... ... ... ... ... 189 The Flora and Fauna of Keig, Aberdeenshire. Rev. Thos. Bell, 91 On the Fauna and Flora of the North-East of Scotland. J. W. IT. Trail, ... ... ... ... ... ... 136 Wanton destruction of animal life in Shetland, ... ... ... 191 The Mammalia of Buchan. W. Horn, ... ... .. 137 Capture of a white whale on the coast of Caithness. J. E. Harting, 233 On the occurrence in Perthshire of sub-fossil bones of red-deer. F. B. White, ... ... ... ... ... ... 136 Observations on the migration of birds at lighthouses and lightships, 130 Method of recording (ornithological) observations. J. A. Harvie Brown, 191 Ornithological notes from Skye. II. A. Macpherson, ... ... 140 Ornithological notes. R. Gray, ... .. ... ... 187 Ornithological jottings from Loch Lomond for 1881. J. Lumsden, 137 Additional notes on the Birds of X.W. Perthshire. W. Horn, ... 137 Bird life of the Firth of Forth during storms of 1SS1. R. Gray, ... 186 Notes of some rare British birds. O. V. Aplin, ... ... 191 The islands and rocks of Haskeir and their bird-life. J. A. Harvie Brown, ... ... ... ... ... ... 137 The Flannan islands and their bird-life. J. A. Harvie Brown, . . T37 On the Eagle Owl (Bubo ignavus), from near Ardrishaig. J. M. Campbell, ... ... ... ... ... ... 137 Supposed nestling Grey Plover from the Orkneys. H. A. Macpherson, 140 Grey Shrike and Waxwing in Aberdeenshire. J. Whitaker, ... 140 Pale-coloured Kestrel from Skye. O. V. Aplin, ... ... 191 Rough-legged Buzzard and Waxwing in Shetland. T. Edmonston, 233 Rooks and Rookeries. James Smail, ... ... ... 1S7 Late breeding of swallows and martins in Kirkcudbrightshire. R. Service, ... ... ... ... ... ... 140 Orthagoriscus Mola caught in the Firth of Clyde. J. M. Campbell, 137 Sociological value of entomology. D. Sharp, ... ... ... 135 Mimicry in insects. S. T. Ellison, .. ... ... .. 138 How an insect flies. S.T.Ellison, ... ... ... ... 232 Captures in North Uist and St. Kilda. C.W.Dale, ... ... 192 Additions to the etymology of the Isle of Harris. C. AY. Dale, ... 233 Captures in the Isle of Skye. C.W.Dale, .. ... ... 233 Notes on new British Coleoptera since 187 1. W. W. Fowler, ... 140 The British species of Dicyphus. O. M. Reuter, ... ... 140 Captures of Coleoptera near Pitlochry. Alf. Beaumont, ... ... 140 Agathidium Rhinoceros near Colinton. Alf. Beaumont, ... 233 Dimorphism in Oak Gall makers and their galls. J. W. H. Trail, 190 Notes on Tenthredinidae. P. Cameron, ... ... ... 233 Lepidoptera in Roxburghshire. Adam Elliot, ... ... ... 1S7, 201 xii INDEX. Page Argynnis Euphrosyne and Eudorea murana in Sutherland. H. T. Stainton, ... ... ... ... ... 140 Natural history of Zygaena exulans. Wm. Buckler, ... ... 191 Natural history of Endromis versicolor. Wm. Buckler, ... ... 140 Catocala fraxini near Culross. Alf. Beaumont, ... ... [40 On the European Crambi allied to C. margaritellus. G. T. Baker, 191 Crambus furcatellus. J. B. Hodgkinson, ... ... ... 191 Notes on British Tortrices. C.G.Barrett, ... ... ... 233 New British Trichopteron (Mesophylax aspersus). J.J.King, ... 140 Variety of Philopotamus montanus Don. from Scotland. K. G. Morton, 233 Panorpa Germanica, var. borealis, in Sutherland. J. J. King, ... 140 Elipsocus cyanope in Scotland. J. J. King, ... ... ... 140 British Homoptera, additional species. Jas. Edwards, ... ... 191 Annotated list of British Anthomyidoe. R.H.Meade, ... ... 140 Chelifer Degeerii C. Koch, near North Berwick. H. Crowther, ... 139 Scutigera (Cermatia) coleoptrata, near Aberdeen. T. D. Gibson- Carmichael, ... ... ... ... ... ... 140 On the animal nature of Euglena vindis. Allen Harker, ... 95 Mollusca of Perthshire. Henry Coates, ... ... ... 95 Life-history of a garden snail. H. Coates, ... ... ... 136, 190 Some varieties of Helix nemoralis (from Perthshire). H. Coates, 190 Nudibranchiate mollusca of the Moray Firth. A.Sutherland, ... 91 Some notes on Goniocypris mitra. Thomas Scott, ... ... 137 BOTANY. Some points in the Chemistry of plants and animals. F. W.Young, 136 Morphology of plants and animals. Pat. Geddes, ... ... 136 Autumn Tints, their why and wherefore. H. Coates, ... ... 138 The Flora and Fauna of Keig, Aberdeenshire. Rev. Thos, Bell, 91 The Fauna and Flora of the N.E. of Scotland. J. W. H. Trail, ... 130 The Flora of Banff. Rev. W. S. Bruce, ... ... ... 91 The Flora of Perthshire. F.B.White, ... ... ... 136 The Flora of Ben Laoigh. P. Ewing, ... ... ... 139 On a recent visit to Kidland. James Hardy, ... ... ... 94 On the Flora of West Kilbride and Ardrossan. D. A. Boyd, ... 137 Caithness as a field for scientific study. W. Docherty, ... ... 91 Notes on local plants (of Stirling). G. Macdougall, ... ... 232 On plants on the Kincardineshire coast. J.Taylor, ... ... 233 List of Casuals in Phanerogamic Flora of N.E. Scotland. J. W. H. Trail, ... ... ... ... ... 1S5 Additions and corrections to Watson's "Topographical Botany." J. W. H. Trail and J. Roy, ... ... ... ... 185 Damage to Pine trees by the snow-storms of 1882-83. M. T. Culley, 94 Effects of storm of wind of Oct., 1881, on trees and animals, ... 187 Local Meteorological conditions, &c. J. Moncur, ... ... 95 Meteorological notes, and remarks on the state of the vegetation in the Public Parks of Glasgow. D. M'Lellan, ... ... 137 On the vegetation in the gardens of the Royal Botanic Institution, Glasgow, in 1882. R. Buller, ... ... ... ... 137 Report on Temperatures and open-air vegetation in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. John Sadler, ... ... 137 On the Tables of Flowering of Plants in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. John Sadler, ... ... ... ... 137 On Memorial Trees in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. John Sadler, ... ... ... ... ... ... 137 Notes on the season. F. B. White, ... ... ... ... 95 Plants in flower at Perth on 10th Jan., 1884. F. B. White, ... 190 INDEX. xin Kirkcudbrightshire R. Braithwaite, Groves, . E. A. L. Batters First blossoming of wild Flowers of Tynron. James Shaw, Ancient Husbandry. Charles Howie, Remarks on Fruit culture. Dr. Robertson, Cultivation of Fruit on waste lands, &c. Dr. Robertson, Cultivation of plants in fertilised moss. John Sim, Leaves, their development, structure, and functions. A. H. Gibson, Insectivorous plants. J. D. Macfarlane, On the modes of dispersion of the seeds of (chiefly) Scottish plants J. W. H. Trail, A visit to Glens Clova and Callater. G. C. Druce, Measurements of large trees at Edgerstone House. Sheriff Russell On Pyrola rotundifolia as a Perthshire plant. F. B. White, Cerastium Holosteoides in Wigton and Kirkcudbright. G. C. Druce Two new Potamogetons. Arthur Bennett, Carex ustulata from Ben Lawers, List of Mosses, Lichens, and Hepaticae of J. M'Andrew, ... A new British Moss (Trematodon ambiguus). New localities for rare mosses. H. N. Dixon, Notes on British Characeae. H. & J. Groves, Notes on British Characeae for 1883. H. & J. Notes on the Marine Algae of Berwick-on-Tweed. New British Marine Algse. E. M. Holmes, Algae Britannicae rariores. E. M. Holmes, Algae of the Firth of Forth. G.W.Traill, Additional notes on Algae of the Firth of Forth. G. W. Traill, .. Alphabetical list of do., do., do., Notes on British Desmidieae. W. Joshua, New British lichens. James Crombie, Enumeration of the British Cladoniei. James Crombie, ... Additions to the British Cladioniei. James Crombie, A new British lichen (Synalissa intricata Arn). J. M'Andrew, Lichens from Newfoundland, New Zealand, and the South of Scot land. James Stirton, Fungi of Berwickshire. D.Paul, Supplementary list of Fungi of Moray. Rev. James Keith, New British Fungi. M.C.Cooke, ... ... ... 47, Hypoxylon and its allies. M. C. Cooke, On Xylaria and irs allies. M. C. Cooke, Cryptosphaeria millepunctata. M. C. Cooke, .. Classification of the Uredines. M. C. Cooke, .. Do., do., C. B. Plowright, .. Heteroecism of the Uredines. C. B. Plowright, Experiments upon the Heteroecism of the Uredines. C. B. Plowrigh Heteroecism in the Uredines. J. W. H. Trail, Heteroecism in Leaf-Fungi. R. Turner, A new Puccinia (P. aegra). W. B. Grove, On the British Bramble Phragmidia. C. B. Plowright, ... The /Ecidium of Ranunculus Ficaria. C. B. Plowright, New British species of Mucorini. W. B. Grove, On the Fungi of the potato disease. Thos. King, A monograph of the British Hypomyces. C. B. Plowright, Life-history of Fungi destructive to field crops. J. W. H. Trail, On Sclerotium durum and some allied forms. James Taylor, Abnormal fruits of Blackthorn. James Hardy, t, Page 187 136 136 138 184 136 I.36 95 47 187 95 139 47 190 133 139 192 47 192 186 48 48 48 48 48 138 192 48 192 138 137 186 184 139, 234 48 48 48 48 47 47 47 *33 133 138 139 139 139 133 47 136 2 "7 *^ 1S7 EXCURSIONS OF SOCIETIES— Aberdeen Natural History Society, Berwickshire Naturalists' Club, ..'. 185 93, 94, 186 xiv INDEX. Cryptogamic Society of Scotland,... Northern Scientilic Societies (at Banff), Perthshire Society of Natural Science, Stirling Natural History and Archaeological Society, Page 1 34 92 95. 9<->, 138, 282 232 HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF SOCIETIES— Edinburgh, Royal Society of, Past Hundred Years' History (Lord Moncreift), ... ... ... ... ... 188 Glasgow Geological Society, Origin and Early History of (Thos. M. Barr), ... ... ... ... ... ... 95 Perthshire Society of Natural Science, Annals of (F. B. White), ... ... ... ... ... ... 95 OBITUARY NOTICES OF MEMBERS IN PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSACTIONS— Allan, James, ... Alston, Edward R., Blackie, G. Stoddard, ... Christison, Sir Robert, ... Jameson, W., ... Pratt, Arthur, ... Rankin, Daniel Reid, Sadler, John, ... Stevenson, William. Thomson, Sir C. Wyville, . 137 137 J37 137 137 137 137 '. 138, 186 94 137 SPECIES MORE FULLY NOTICED, FUNGI. sEcidium Jacobsese Grew 2S4 Agaricus am bust us Fr., 30 aurantius Schaeff. (correction), 29 luteo-albus Bolton, 30 Saundersii, S. & S., 30 Trogii Fr., 29 tumulosus Kalchb. 30 Ascobolus subfuscus Bond, S 7 A scomyces deformans Berk, ... s 7 Barya aurantiaca. Pi. and Wils., 230 Cenangium subnitidum, C. and Ph., ... 86 Claviceps Wilsoni, Cooke, 230 Coprolepa equorum Fchl., ... - 115 Cortinarius alboviolaceus P., 31 paleaceus Weinm. 31 scandens Fr., ... 31 Cttciirbitaria Laurocerasi, Ph. and PL, 114 Diatrype pyrrhocystis, B. and Br 89 verrucaeformis Fr., 89 1XDEX. xv Page Doassansia alismatis Cornu, ... ... ... ... ... 124, 180 Dothidea Trifolii Fr. ... ... ... ... ... 89 Entorrhiza Cypericola, ... ... ... . ... 241 Entyloma Calendula Oudem., ... ... ... ... 124, 180 canescens Schrot. ... ... ... ... ... 125, 180 Ficatiae F. von Waldh. ... ... .. ... ... 228 Ungerianum De By., ... ... ... ... ... 228 Ephelis radicalis (Cooke), Ph. and Keith, .. ... ... 89 Fusidium Geranii West. ... ... ... ... ... 85 Hydnum gelatinosum, ... ... ... ... ... 1.35 Hygrophorzis hypothej us, ... .. ... ... ... 104 Isaria felina Fr. , ... ... . . ... . . 84 Lactarhis capsicum, ... ... ... ... ... 135 Masmria Tiliae, Ph. and PI., ... ... ... ... 114 Melotce7iin?ii enclogenum, ... ... ... ... ... 243 Mucor phycomyces Ehb., ... ... ... .. ... 86 Ombrophila brunnea Phil., ... ... ... .. ... 87 Ovularia Syringse Berk. ... ... ... ... ... 229 Peronospora affinis Rossm., ... ... ... ... ... 35 Alsinearum Casp. ... • •• ••• ••• ••• 35 arborescens B., ... •■• ... •■• ••• 34 leptosperma De By., ... .. ... ••• ••• 35 pygmaea Unger, ... ... ■•• ■•• ••• 34 Peziza electrina, Ph. and PI., .. ••• ••• ••• 8b oocardii Kalchb. ... ... ••• •• ••■ 86 Pilaira Cesatii Van Tieg (Pilobolus anomalus Ces), ... ... 139 Pilobolus Kleinii Van Tieg, ... ... ... ••• ... 139 oedipus Mont., ... ... ... ••• ••• 139 Phragniidium Rubi Pers., ... ... ■■ ,. ■•• 139 violaceum, Schulz, ... ... ... ... ... 128, 139 Polyporus obducens Pers., ... ... .. ••• ••• 3 2 Protomyces (Fergussoni, B. and Br.), .. ... ... ... 180 pachydermus Thiim, ... ... ... •■■ ••• 33 rhizobius Trail (sp. n.), ... ... ... ••• 125 Puccinia Baryi (B. and Br.), Winter,... ... ... .. 32 Lapanse Fckl., ... ••• -■• ••• ••• 33 Oxyrise Fckl., ... ... ... ... ••• ••• 33 paliformis Fckl., ... ... • •• ••• •■• 118 Poarum Niel., ... ... ■•■ ••• ••• I2 o Thalictri Chev., ... ... ... ••• ••• n8 Ramularia calcea Desm. , ... ... ... ••• ••• 36 Cochlearise, Cooke, ... ... ••• ••• ••• 85 MalvseFckl., ... ... ... ••• ••. -• 3& pruinosa Speg., ... ... ... ••• ••• 3^ Veronicas Fckl., ... ... ... ••• ••• 36 Sckinzia Alni Wor., ... ... ••• ••• •■• 88 Seplotia Lysimachiae West. ... ... ... ... ••• 3 2 Sordaria Equorum Winter, ... ... ... ... ... 115 Sphozrella innumerella Karst. ... ... ••• ••• H5 proximella Karst. ... .. ... ••• -•• n6 SphcRria herbarum var. Pisi, ... ... ... ••• ••• 115 praetermissa Karst. ... ... ... ••• ••• 115 Synchitrhtm Anemones Wor., ... ... ... ■•• 33 Taraxaci De By. and Wor., ... ... ... ... 3 4 xvi INDEX. c Page Syzygites mcgalocarpus Ehb., ... ... ... ... 86 Taphrina aurea Fr., ... ... ... ... ... 88 Thecaphora Trailii Cooke, ... ... ... ... ... 85 Tilletia sphrcrococca F. von "Waldh., ... ... ... ... 234 Torula gram inis Desm., ... ... ... ... ... 32 Ustilago Sal veii, B. and Br., ... ... ... ... ... 36 LICHENS. Chlorca malacea Strtn. (sp. n. ), ... ... ... ... 74 rigidula Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 75 Cladoiiia pyxidata var. leptophylla Flk., ... ... .. 184 bacillaris var. subcoronata Nyl. ... ... .. ... 234 sylvatica f. tenuis Lamy, ... ... ... ... 234 degenerans var. pleiolepidea Nyl., ... ... ... 234 coccifera var. incrassata Flk., ... ... .. ... 234 macilenta var. scabrosa Mudd. f. incrassata Cromb., ... 234 Lecanora miniatula Nyl., ... ... ... ... ... 234. Synalissa intricata, ... ... ... ... ... ... 138 Usnea chaetophora Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 76 flexilis var. intestiniformis Strtn., ... ... ... 77 foveolata Strtn., ... ... .... ... ... 77 himantodes Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 75 lorea Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... ... 76 maculosa Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 75 molliuscula Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 77 pangiana Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 77 pectinata Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 77 protensa Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 76 punctulata Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 76 rubescens Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 7° undulata Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 75 xanthophora Strtn., ... ... ... ... ... 77 Twelve years ago, when the Perthshire Society of Natural Science decided to take the bold step of issuing a new Magazine devoted to Scottish Natural History in the widest sense, it is probable that not one of the originators anticipated for their venture a longer career than one or two years. It met, however, with a very kind reception, and not only continued to exist but to receive increas- ing support, and, it is hoped, fulfilled in some measure the object of its existence — the promotion of the study of the Natural History of Scotland. Yet, the Scottish Naturalist has shared the common fate of such magazines in its vicissitudes of fortune, and more than once it has seemed as if the time had come when it must be brought to a close ; but in confessing this to our friends it is with the confident hope that they will extend the same kind aid in the hour of need, should that come, that they have so readily given in the past. The time has come when from personal reasons I must resign the editorship ; but not, I trust, sever all connection with the Magazine. In its pages I still hope to meet in the spirit the friends with whom my intercourse has been so pleasant during the past twelve years ; and with them I still hope to labour in a com- mon field and for a common object. With this hope I now resign the Magazine into the hands of my successor. One duty alone remains to be discharged, and that is the plea- sant one of thanking most heartily all the friends (though some dear ones alas ! have passed from among us), by whose kindness alone I have been enabled to conduct the Scottish Naturalist till now. F. BUCHANAN WHITE. It will be admitted by all lovers of the natural sciences in Scot- land that the Scottish Naturalist has attained in no small degree the object of which its originators aimed, and that in all future labours in the field of Scottish Natural History in the widest sense frequent reference must be made to its pages. A 2 The Scottish Naturalist. In the new series, just commenced, the promotion of the study of the Natural History of Scotland will continue to be the chief aim ; an aim that it is hoped will be fully attained by the continu- ance in future, no less liberally than in the past, of contributions based on original observations and investigations by the Naturalists of Scotland. Much still requires to be done ere we can imagine that our knowledge of the Natural History of the country is ap- proaching completeness. By such support alone can this Magazine continue to fill worthily the place that it has gained in the past ; and the present editor ventures confidently to appeal to all students and lovers of science in Scotland, or that feel an in- terest in its progress among us, for their aid. As far as possible reports of the proceedings of the various Natural History Societies and Field-Clubs of Scotland will form a regular feature of the new series ; and it is hoped that the Secre- taries will favour the editor with such reports, and with abstracts of the articles of general interest, or, if agreeable to the authors, with the more important papers for publication in this journal. It is also proposed to give occasional short reviews or abstracts of the more interesting new works and magazine-articles, English and foreign, in the various departments of Natural Science ; and specially where they can render aid in the study of any branch of Natural Science in Scotland. It is hoped that our readers will approve the attempt to give a short record of those Scotchmen that have extended the know- ledge of any branch of Biology or of Geology, as well as of all that have done good service to these studies in Scotland, though not themselves Scotchmen. The editor will feel it an obligation if the well-wishers of the Scottish Naturalist will kindly assist him in making the record as complete as possible of all such as these, who, when they pass from among us, " leave behind them foot- prints on the sand of time." He trusts that any errors or im- portant omissions will be excused, if such should by inadvertence be made. To render the Scottish Naturalist as widely and thor- oughly fitted as possible for promoting the advance of all depart- ments of Natural Science in Scotland, and to conduct it to the satisfaction of its well-wishers, will be the constant aim of its present editor. JAMES W. H. TRAIL. The Scottish Naturalist. Iff MEMOEIAM-DE. GEORGE DICKIE. HPHOUGH now nearly a year has elapsed since the death of ■*■ Dr. Dickie, our readers will feel with us that the new series of this Magazine cannot be more fittingly opened than with a brief sketch of the life and work of one that for many years held a fore- most place among British Biologists, and that added to the well- earned fame of Scotland in the Natural Sciences by labours worthy to be ranked with those of Greville and other masters in science. In his knowledge of the Marine A/gce, to which group he had for many years paid close attention, latterly almost to the exclusion of other departments of Botany, he stood unrivalled in Britain ; and his death must long be felt as a grievous loss by all students of those plants ; yet may we not hope that a successor will arise among us to occupy the vacant place, and so to pay the truest and best tribute to the memory of one of the most devoted and least self-seeking students of the works of the Creator. He was born in Aberdeen on the 23rd November, 18 13, in the house in which he passed most of his life, and in which he did most of the work that gained him distinction. After the usual course of education at school, he entered Marischal College as a student in the Arts Faculty in 1826, at the early age of 13, and took the degree of Master of Arts in 1830. It may be well to state, for the information of those not familiar with the former history of Aberdeen, that in 1830, and until i860, there were two distinct and rival Universities (afterwards united to form the existing University of Aberdeen), — viz., King's College in Old Aberdeen, and Marischal College in Aberdeen. Though keen rivals as regarded the classes in Arts and in Theology, to some extent they united for common interests, and they shared in supporting a medical school. There was, how- ever, no properly equipped medical school ; and the deficiencies had to be made up as far as possible by the appointment of lec- turers. After completing his arts course, he entered on the study of medicine, and spent the two next years in that study in Aberdeen; but thereafter he went to Edinburgh, and entered the Brown Square School of Medicine, in which he gained the medal for 4 The Scottish Naturalist Pathology and Practice of Medicine, in 1833. In 1834 he became M.R.C.S. of London. He at one time intended to enter the naval medical service, but relinquished that intention and returned to Aberdeen, where he undertook for a time private medical practice. However, his tastes from early life had tended very strongly in the direction of scientific research, especially in Botany, and he found medical practice therefore uncongenial and incompatible with his favourite studies. In 1839 he was appointed lecturer on Botany in King's College, and continued in that office till 1849. For a part of that period he also lectured on Materia Medica and on Zoology, and held the post of librarian of the University. In 1842, the honorary degree of M.D. was conferred on him by the University; and on his resigning his various appointments in 1849, he received the thanks of the Senate " for the excellent manner in which he had discharged the duties of these offices." In 1849 ne l e ft Aberdeen, having been appointed to the chair of Natural History in the new University of Belfast. While there, he had to deliver lectures on Botany, Zoology, Geology, and Physical Geography. In i860, Marischal College and King's College were united to form the new University of Aberdeen, and several new professor- ships were instituted, among them one of Botany, for which Dr. Dickie was a candidate, and being successful, became the first pro- fessor of Botany in the University. Not long after his return to Aberdeen he spent some days with his students botanising among the hills and corries of Braemar. The weather was most un- favourable during almost the whole of the time, and the exposure injured his health so much, that on his return home he suffered from a very severe and dangerous illness, which resulted in more or less chronic bronchitis and deafness, becoming worse during the rest of his life, though with occasional remissions. In 1877, he felt unable to continue to discharge the duties of the professor- ship, and resigned them in the spring of that year. The relief had a beneficial effect on his health, and he was able to continue his work among Marine A/gce, though with occasional hindrance from attacks of illness, till within a short time of his death. In the spring of 1882 he was confined to his room for some weeks, but in June had become considerably stronger ; and his friends were hoping that he had still some years of life before him. To their sorrow, he was again prostrated by illness ; and after about a week of gradual loss of strength, attended with great suffering, borne The Scottish Naturalist. 5 with Christian fortitude and patience, he died on 15th July, 1882. In August, 1856, he married Miss Agnes Low, of Aberdeen, and is survived by her and by six of a family. Of him it may be truly said that he was born a naturalist. At an early period he began to examine for himself the flora and fauna, both terrestrial and marine, of his native district ; and to keen and unwearied powers of observation in the field, he added a wide and accurate knowledge of the literature of not the biolo- gical sciences alone, but of the other natural sciences also, as well as of a still wider range. The love and pursuit of truth as truth was a marked characteristic of his disposition, not alone in his researches in science, but in all things that he entered on. An- other characteristic of a true naturalist, displayed by him in an eminent degree, was the pleasure that he felt and showed in assist- ing to the utmost of his power the progress of any student of science, whether with advice, information, or aid of a more material kind. To his instruction and assistance not a few of his pupils can trace much of their success in later years, while their success seemed to give him as great pleasure as if it had been his own. To him any advance in the knowledge of truth was always a source of pleasure, and not less so when made by another than when the result of his own labours. He studied botany as a medical student in 1830, and again in 1833, under Dr. Knight, who was professor of Natural Philosophy in Marischal College, but also lectured on Botany ; to his zeal as a botanist Dr. Dickie bears testimony in his Botanist's Guide, but in this case the pupil soon excelled his teacher. During the earlier years of his life, Dr. Dickie was assiduous and unwearied in his study of the flora around Aberdeen, and of the Braemar High- lands ; and he added several flowering plants to the British flora, as well as largely extended the knowledge of the species found in the districts examined by him. Among the cryptogams his labours were still more successful, and peculiarly so among the Alga. The value of his researches among these plants is evidenced, among other proofs, by the assistance from him acknowledged in Harvey's Phycologia Bi-ittanica, Ralfs British Desmidece, and Smith's British Diatomacece, as also by the fact that several species were named by these authors in his honour (Staurastrum Dickiei, 6°r.), and one genus (Dickieid). But besides increasing the number of known species, he devoted considerable attention to the morphology and physiology of various 6 The Scottish Naturalist. plants, and to the study of the reproduction and development of various groups of cryptogams, and also to viviparous reproduction in phanerogams. Nor did he leave unstudied the allied science of zoology, as shown by several articles on the morphology and the physiology of animals. The first article published by him of which there is any record appeared in 1837, in Jardine's Magazine of Zoology and Botany », and is entitled, " Remarks on the Reproductive Organs of Pila- /aria globulifera and the Globules of Chara Vulgaris." After that year he published numerous articles in the London Journal of Botany, the Annals and Magazine of Natural History, the Reports and the Transactions of the Edinburgh Botanical Society, and the British Association Reports, and other journals ; but latterly restricted his articles for the most part to the Journal of the Linnean Society. In the latter, of late years, numerous papers by him appeared, dealing chiefly with the Algce of the " Challenger" expedition, but also giving an account of collections of fresh-water Algce from tropical regions. A list of his articles, previous to 1873, is contained in the Royal Society's Catalogue of Scientific Papers, and its appendix. He published his first paper on Algce in 1844, in the Annals a?id Magazine of Natural History, the title being, " On the Marine Algce of the Vicinity of Aberdeen ; " and at intervals he continued to publish papers on them, as well as on other plants, till 187 1, after which year he restricted his published articles to Algce. He also wrote the botanical appendices to the works of various Arctic travellers, and reported on the Algce of the " Transit of Venus " expeditions. The botanical appendix to Macgillivray's Natural History of Deeside and Braemar was also drawn up by him, and his assistance is also frequently acknowledged in that book by its author. Dr. Dickie's longer works are, A Flora of Aberdeen (1838), The Botanist's Guide to the Counties of Aberdeen, Banff, and Kincardine (i860), and A Flora of Ulster (186 4). In these works are included the results of his personal investigations, and of information supplied to him by various friends and former pupils, whereby he was enabled to give more fully the distribution of the species in the areas treated of. In the first and last- mentioned books he restricts himself to the vascular plants ; but in the Guide he includes the cellular cryptogams also. For the latter he had to depend on his own labours and on information from only one or two friends, hence the lists, though of much interest, are less complete than among the vascular plants, except The Scottish Naturalist. 7 for the Marine Alga, The results of careful and systematic ob- servations on the altitudinal ranges of plants in Aberdeenshire are also given in the latter work. The evidences of design in creation possessed a great attrac- tion for him, as manifested alike in the general principles that pervade the universe, in the homologies of structure that may be traced in the various groups of animals and of plants, and in the special adaptations of each individual species of living organism, fitting it for existence amidst its special environments. His studies in this field found expression in a work by him and Dr. M'Cosh entitled, Typical Forms and Special Ends in Creation, to which Dr. Dickie contributed chapters on Zoology, Physiology, Botany, Geology, and Physical Geography. In this work various curious and interesting subjects are treated more or less fully — e.g., amongst others, the relation between the modes of branching of trees and shrubs, and the venation of their leaves ; also the arrangements and distribution of colour in plants both in healthy life and in the autumnal changes of leaves. Dr. Dickie became a member of the Edinburgh Botanical Society in 1838, and contributed numerous articles to the Trans- actions. In 1877 he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Society. In 1863 he was elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society, and in 1881 had the honour of being received into the Royal Society of London. He was also a member of the " Societe des Sciences Naturelles de Cherbourg." He was one of the original members of the Scottish Crypto- gamic Society, instituted in 1875, an< ^ was several times a member of the Council of the Society. The annual meeting in 1882 was to have been held in Aberdeen under his presidency, in the autumn, but his death anticipated the desire of the Society to show honour to the foremost Scottish algologist. In consequence of his death, the place of meeting was changed to Kenmore, in Perthshire, and the visit of the Society to Aberdeen was deferred till a future year. He was also a member of the first Natural History Society known to have existed in Aberdeen, about 1845, and was a member of the present Natural History Society of Aberdeen from its origin in 1863 till his death. He was also a member of the Philosophical Society of Aberdeen, and of the Natural History and Philosophical Society of Belfast. To these various societies he communicated numerous papers, taking a warm interest in the success of the meetings so long as his health permitted him to venture out in the evenings. 8 The Scottish Naturalist. By those who had the pleasure of personal acquaintance with him, Dr. Dickie will be remembered as a most kind and obliging friend, on whose kindness and goodwill full reliance could at all times be placed. The state of his health, and the deafness that troubled him in the later years of his life, almost precluded inter- views with strangers for some years; but he enjoyed seeing his friends, and retained his interest in the progress of science, and especially of Botany, to the end of his life. The Alga collected during the " Challenger " expedition, as well as other collections received at Kew, were submitted to his examination, and only a very short time before his death he com- pleted the investigation of one of these collections, and reported on it. As a professor, he was very successful in gaining and in retaining the confidence, respect, and esteem of those whom he taught. Those students that showed a love of science always found him a true friend, ready to advance their wishes to the utmost of his power, whether by affording them facilities for con- tinuing their studies, by aiding them to overcome the difficulties in their way, or by obtaining for them situations of a kind such as to give the opportunities required for future success. He con- tinued to correspond with and encourage not a few of his former students after they had left the University, and had entered on the active duties of life. To him the writer, in common w r ith others, owes a debt of grati- tude for his instructions, his example, and his unfailing kindness, and for recommendations and assistance by which in great measure his course in life has been shaped. Though he is gone from among us, his memory will be cherished by many of those whom he taught, and most by those that knew him most intimately. ZOOLOGY. LIST OP DIPTEEA TAKEN IN THE NORTH OP SCOTLAND, CHIEPLY IN THE PROVINCE "DEE." By W. ARMSTON VICE, M.B. [ N Scotland, as elsewhere, the Diptera have been so much ne- *- glected by entomologists that but little is known of their distribution and abundance or rarity ; and it may without rashness be assumed that any thorough examination of almost any locality in the country will add largely to what is yet on record in regard to Scottish Diptera. Hence I have thought that it may prove of interest, in the present lack of information, to give in systematic form the results of collections made by myself among some of the groups of Diptera in the north of Scotland, chiefly in the counties of Aberdeen and Kincardine, and to a less extent in the north of Forfarshire, in Sutherlandshire, and in Orkney. In the Scottish Naturalist for 1874, there are some articles on Diptera of the districts treated of in the following list — viz., at p. 199, by Mr. G. H. Verrall, on "Diptera at Braemar, Aberdeen, and Aberlady, including six species not hitherto recorded as British ; " and by myself on " A new British Dipteron (Laphria flavd)" p. 120, on " Syrphidas of the Dee district," p. 203, and on "Diptera in the North of Scotland," p. 275, this last paper dealing only with those insects taken by me in Orkney and Suther- landshire. Since these were published, no additions have been made, so far as I am aware, to the recorded lists from Scotland north of the Tay. Mr. Verrall's paper was the result of a few days spent in the localities named in it in July, 1873, and though of much interest, is of course limited because of the shortness of time spent in each ; while my own papers either treat only of par- ticular families of Diptera, or were also results of only a very brief stay in the localities treated of. Hence the following list, though making no pretensions to completeness, includes a number of io The Scottish Naturalist. species not previously recorded, so far as I am aware, from the north of Scotland. My collections were made almost altogether during the years 1872 to 1875, mostly at Aberdeen or in its neighbourhood, while attending medical classes in the University. In the present list I have incorporated with my own observations the species enumerated in the article by Mr. Verrall referred to above, to render the list as nearly as possible complete for the north-east of Scotland. Except in some families, we have little yet but a commencement to our knowledge of Scottish Diptera, while not a few families have as yet not been touched ; and how few are the localities from which even the most fragmentary information about their Dipterous fauna can be as yet obtained. An approach even to satisfactory and complete knowledge regarding them cannot be made without such continued and careful investigation as has already been made in many localities for the larger Lepidoptera. Unfortunately, systematic works on Diptera in English are both hard to obtain, and by no means satisfactory when obtained. Assistance in the form of specimens from any locality, with locality and date noted, will be very acceptable in order to aid me in extending the know- ledge of the Diptera that are native in Scotland. They do not require to be carefully set, but may be put into spirits of wine or pinned unset, or will keep well in a little sawdust well sifted to free it from dust, and thereafter moistened with a few drops of carbolic acid. I shall also, as far as I can, be willing to name specimens sent me, (to 5 Belvoir Street, Leicester), from any part of Scotland. In regard to the gall-making Diptera, belonging to the Trypetidse and the Cecidomyidae, notes of their occurrence will be found scattered in the papers on " Scottish Galls," that have appeared in the earlier volumes of this Magazine, from Professor Trail. In the nomenclature I have followed Walker's Insecta Britan- nica for most families, but in the Syrphida and the Dolichopidce Verrall's lists, published in the Entomologist's Monthly Magazine have been adhered to. I am much indebted to the latter gentle- man for assistance in naming species undescribed or ill-described in Walker's work, or about which I was in doubt. The localities in which the species enumerated below were taken extend from the sea-level to about 1200 feet above the sea in Brae- mar. Mr. Verrall's additions to those captured by myself are dis- tinguished by his initials affixed to them. Where no special locality TJie Scottish Naturalist. II j> >» >> is mentioned, the insect has been taken in the province " Dee," as denned in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. I., p. 161. STBATIOMID^J. Beris chalybeata Ftr. Strathdon, Aberdeenshire. ,, Morrisii Dale, Ballater. Stratiomys viridula Fb. near Aberdeen. Sargus iridatus Spl. „ ,, Chrysomyia formosa Shr. common. polita L. near Aberdeen, pallipes Mg. not rare, flavicornis Mg. Keith. TABANID^E. Tabanus luridus Fin. Ballater. „ tropicus L. Braemar (G. H. V.) Chrysops oecutiens L. „ (G. H. V.), Montrose. Haematopota pluvialis L. common in " Dee " and in Sutherland. ASILHXaS. one female in Strathdon (see above). on sand-hills near Aberdeen. near Montrose. Ballater and near Aberdeen. Culter and Fyvie. Fyvie. LEPTID^. common, "high upon Cairn Taggart" (G. H. V.) common. Kincardineshire. at Banchory and in Sutherlandshire. Strathnaver in Sutherlandshire. Chrysopila holosericea Sp. common in north-east of Scotland. Atherix Ibis Fb. at Banchory, one female. Sympheromyia crassicornis at Fyvie and in Sutherlandshire. BOMBYLID^J. Thereva bipunctata Mg. common on sea-coast of " Dee." along with last species. EMPID^a. Laphria flava L. Asilus cingulatus Fb. „ fimbriatus Mg. Dioctria rufipes Dg. Reinhardi Wd. >> 5) cothurnata Mg. Leptis scolopacea L. >> if if tringaria L. notata Gurtl. lineola Fb. strigosa Mg. j> annulata Fb. Phthiria gibbosa 01. Empis tessellata Fb. livida L. >i very common. near Montrose and in Sutherland. 12 The Scottish Naturalist. Empis opaca Fb. common. brunnipennis Mg. near Aberdeen. j> chioptera Fin. pennaria Fin. grisea Fin. stercorea L. trigramma Hms. punctata Fin. bilineata Lw. Hilara matrona Hal. maura Fb. nigrina Fin. chorica Fin. pilosa Ztt. interstincta Fin. fuscipes Fb. lurida Fin. nana Mq. )i >) ?> 5) }) J) )) }> it >} J) J> ?> J) 3> » litorea Fin. quadrivittata Wd. nitidula Ztt. Ardoptera irrorata Fin. common. near Old Aberdeen. Culter, near Aberdeen. frequent. very common. near Old Aberdeen. common. frequent. Culter and at Keith, near Aberdeen. on Donside. on Deeside and on Donside. near Aberdeen. Ballater. common near Aberdeen and in Ork- ney. JJ 5> I Braemar (G. H. V.) Braemar (G. H. V.) and at Pittodrie. Heleodromia fontinalis Hal. Culter and in Orkney. Rhamphomyia nigripes Fb. Woods, near Aberdeen. sulcata Mg. near Aberdeen and in Braemar (G. H. V.) spinipes Fin. ,, „ and on Donside. cinerascens Mg. „ ,, and at Keith. caesia Hms. near Old Aberdeen. dentipes Ztt. near Aberdeen. variabilis Fin. common at Culter and in Orkney. tarsata Mg. near Aberdeen. albosegnata Ztt. on Donside. geniculata Mg. near Old Aberdeen. sethiops Ztt. at Banchory. on Donside. common at Culter and in Orkney. Pittodrie. Pittodrie and in Orkney. near Aberdeen. 5> >> 5) )> }} )J }? 3) » J> » >> pennata Mq. flava Fin. ^Edalea minuta Fin. Cyrtoma spuria Fin. nigra Mg Ocydromia glabricula Fin. near Old Aberdeen. „ rufipes Mg. near Aberdeen. The Scottish Natniralist. 13 Hybos grossipes L. common near Aberdeen, at Fyvie, and in Sutherlandshire. „ femoratus Mir. near Stonehaven. Platypalpus flavipes Fb. Kincardineshire. „ bicolor Fb. common. „ pallidiventris Mg. „ candicans Fin. on Benachie, Aberdeenshire. ,, divisus Wlk. Culter. „ comptus Wlk. near Aberdeen. „ dissimilis Fin. Culter. Hemerodromia precatoria Fin. near Aberdeen and in Sutherland. Hemerodromia monostig- near Aberdeen, in Sutherland, and ma Hms. Orkney. Sciodromia immaculata Hal ' Tachista albitarsis Ztt. ,, nervosa. Tachydromia pallipes n • -d rr- TT tt \ ..,. J . \ } „ Y all in Braemar (G. H. V.) Microphorus clavipes Mg. Phyllodromia melanoce- phala Fb. Phyllodromia vocatoria DOLICHOPID^J. Dolichopus atripes Mg. at Banchory, near Old Aberdeen, and in Sutherlandshire. „ vitripennis Mg. near Old Aberdeen. „ atratus Mg. „ ,, „ planitarsis Fin. ,, „ rupestris Hal. ,, „ and in Sutherland and Orkney, nubilus Mg. common along the valleys of the Dee and Don. discifer Stn. common near Aberdeen and in Braemar. plumipes Scop, common from coast to Braemar. „ popularis Wd. along with last. pennatus Mg. common with last. urbanus Mg. at Muchalls, in Kincardineshire. longicornis Stn. Culter. simplex Mg. Stonehaven and Fyvie. trivialis Hal. Stonehaven and Sutherlandshire. brevipennis Mg. coast near Old Aberdeen. it 5) 5) 14 The Scottish Naturalist. Dolichopus equestris Hal. at Banchory, seneus Dg. very common, griseipennis Stn. in Orkney. signatus Mg. near Old Aberdeen and in Braemar. (G. H. V.) Gymnopternus germanus Wd. in Sutherlandshire. ,, nigripennis Fin. common. „ cupreus Fin. near Old Aberdeen. „ serosus Fin. ,, „ 5) J5 parvilamellatus Mq. along with last, celer Mg. Braemar (G. H. V.) Tachytrechus notatus Stn. near Old Aberdeen. „ consobrinusWlk. Braemar (G. H. V.) Argyra diaphana Fb. Banchory and Braemar. ,, argentina Mg. Orkney. Syntormon tarsatum Fin. common near Old Aberdeen. „ pumilum Mg. Scotston Moor (G. H. V.) and Orkney. Synarthrus pallipes Fb. near Old Aberdeen. Xiphandrium appendicula- tum Ztt. near Aberdeen. Porphyrops nemorum Mg. ,, „ „ consobrinus Ztt. Braemar (G. H.V.) Chrysotus neglectus Wd. Scotston, near Old Aberdeen. „ viridulus Fin. „ and in Sutherlandshire. „ gramineus Fin. Braemar (G. H. V.) Sympycnus annulipes Mg. Orkney. Campsicnemus curvipes Fin. Culter and Scotston. „ scambus Fin. Sutherlandshire. Liancalus virens Scop. Muchalls, in Kincardineshire. Scellus notatus Fb. near Stonehaven and Aberdeen. Hydrophorus nebulosus Fin. Muchalls. „ borealis Lw. Sutherlandshire. Medeterus truncorum Mg. common on walls at Old Aberdeen. Psilopus platypterus Fb. common at Banchory. LONCHOPTERID^l. Lonchoptera punctum Mg. common in " Dee " and in Orkney. PIPUNCULID^J. Pipunculus sylvaticus Mg. near Old Aberdeen. „ campestris Mg. Pittodrie. SYRPHID^J. Bacha elongata Fb. in woods at Ballater. Tlie Scottish Naturalist. 15 Kintore. very common in marshes. less common than last in marshes. near Aberdeen and in Sutherland. Braemar. Sphegina clunipes Fin. Ascia podagrica Fb. „ floralis Mg. Sphaerophoria scripta L. ,, picta Mg. ,, menthrastri L. Orkney Syrphus pyrastri L. near Aberdeen, laternarius Muel. Culter. glaucius L. Fyvie and Monymusk. vitiger Ztt. Ballater, Donside, and Keith. ribesiiL. common in "Dee" and in Sutherland, vitripennis Mg. common near Old Aberdeen ; also in Orkney, common. Scotston. with last, lasiophthalmus Ztt. Culter and Scotston. barbifrons Fin. along with the last, compositarum Ver. Sutherland, punctulatus Ver. near Aberdeen, maculicornis Ztt. Scotston. Kintore. common. Scotston. common at Fyvie and in Orkney. Braemar (G. H. V.) Platychirus manicatus Mg. common. albimanus Fb. common in " Dee " from coast to Braemar, in Sutherland, and in Orkney, latimanus Whlly. Muchalls. 5> >> JJ 5) 11 5J 1) }J 11 11 )> ?> 11 11 11 11 11 corollse Fb. luniger Mg. arcuatus Fin. auricollis Meig. cinctellus Ztt. cinctus Fin. balteatus Dg. grossulariae Mg. 11 peltatus Mg. scutatus Mg. clypeatus Mg. scambus Ztt. Cheilosia cestracea L. flavimana Mg. grossa Fin. chloris Mg. antiqua Mg. vernalis Fin. >> )> >> ?j ^ » ?) >> common in " Dee " up to Braemar, in Sutherland, and in Orkney. Strathdon. common. in " Dee " from coast to Braemar. frequent. near Aberdeen and at Ballater. at Muchalls and near Aberdeen, common. at Banchory and Ballater. near Aberdeen. i6 TJie Scottish Naturalist. Leucozona lucorum L. Rhingia campestris Mg. Volucella bombylans L. „ pellucens L. Sericomyia borealis Fin. )) lappona L. Arctophila mussitans Fb. Eristalis tenax L. intricarius L. arbustorum L. rupium Fb. nemorum L. it horticola Dg. pratorum Mg. Helophilus trivittatus Fb. Sutherland pendulus L. lineatus Fb. Xylota segnis L. ,, syl varum L. Syritta pipiens L. Orthoneura elegans Mg. nobilis Fin. at Stonehaven, at Keith, in Sutherland, and in Orkney, very common in "Dee," Sutherland, and Orkney, not rare in valley of the Dee. not rare in " Dee." very common in] " Dee," Sutherland, and Orkney. Stonehaven and Scotston. one female taken in Strathdon. very common. common in " Dee " and in Sutherland, in " Dee " and Orkney. Strathdon. common in " Dee," Sutherland, and Orkney, at Alford and at Fyvie. )> very common in u Dee " and Orkney, numerous at Scotston. Ballater. Monymusk and Rothiemay. very common in "Dee," also in Orkney. Muchalls and Keith. Aberdeen Links and Braemar(G. H. V.) Chrysogaster splendida Mg. near Aberdeen. „ metallina Fb. very common in "Dee" and Sutherland. „ viduata L. common in " Dee," Sutherland, and Orkney. „ chalybeata Mg. Kintore. „ splendens Mg. with last. Pipiza noctiluca L. common at Keith. ,, bimaculata Mg. near Aberdeen. Cnemodon acuminata Lw. at Keith. Chrysotoxum arcuatum L. near Aberdeen. „ bicinctum L. Montrose. CONOPSID^J. Conops quadrifasciata Dg. near Aberdeen. BIBIONID^J. Bibio Marci L. common in "Dee." The Scottish Naturalist. U Bibio Pomonae Fb. Johannis L. lanigerus Hfm. nigriventris Hal. hybridus Hal. Dilophus spinatus Muel. „ femoratus Mg. Scatopse notata L. 33 33 33 33 Anisomera nigra Latr. j) )> 33 33 3) }3 Old Aberdeen. near Old Aberdeen. very common. near Aberdeen. Scotston. very common in " Dee." woods near Old Aberdeen. TIPULID^E. near Aberdeen. Banchory. vittata Mg. Erioptera fuscipennis Mg. Stonehaven. ,, ochracea Mg. with last. Limnobia leucophsea, Hfm. ,, disjuncta Walk, near Aberdeen and Ballater. tripunctata Fin. „ ,, marmorata Hfm. „ „ and at Ballater. discicollis Mg. Ballater. punctum Mg. ,, flavipes Fb. near Aberdeen and at Ballater. nubeculosa Mg. Banchory. Pedicia venosa L. Deeside from coast to Ballater. Dolichopeza Chirothecata Scop. near Aberdeen. Tipula lutescens Fb. Muchalls, common, gigantea Schr. with last. longicornis Schm. coast at Stonehaven and near Aber- deen*, near Aberdeen. Ballater. near Aberdeen. Muchalls. near Aberdeen, near Old Aberdeen. Ballater. near Aberdeen. Old Aberdeen Links, on birch-stumps, Braemar (G. H. V.) j> 33 }> J) >) 3) )J J) 3? varipennis Hfm. vernalis Mg. oleracea L. pruinosa Hfm. lunata L. fascipennis Hfm. annulicornis Mg. scurra Hfm. flavescens L. Ctenophora atrata L. 33 33 Ptychoptera albimana Fb. near Aberdeen and at Ballater. 33 33 lacustris Mg. Ballater. fasciata Scop. Scotston. B i8 The Scottish Naturalist. MUSCID^E.-Sect. Calypterse. Ochthera mantis. Echinomyza grossa L. Braemar (G. H. V.) Links near Aberdeen and in Suther- land, in Sutherland and in Orkney, in Sutherland •>•> )> Links near Aberdeen, common. ?> near Old Aberdeen. •all common. Tachina vulpina Fin. „ spinipes Mg. „ detracta Walk. Dexda canina Fb. Gonia capitata Dg. Sar.cophaga carnaria L. ,, (Cynomyia) mor- tuorum L. „ alpina Ztt. Musca (Calliphora) vomi- toria L. Musca (Calliphora) ery- throcephala Mg. Musca (Lucilia) Caesar L. „ cornicina Fb. Old Aberdeen Links, illustris Mg. Strathdon. nitens Ztt. Culter and Fyvie. rudis Fb. Fyvie. domestica L. abundant everywhere, corvina Fb. Old Aberdeen Links, lasiophthalma Mg. near Aberdeen. (Morellia) hortorum Fin. Muchalls. (Graphomyia) ma- culata L. Fyvie. (Mesembrina) meri- diana L. Anthomyia lardaria Fb. very common. MUSCID^E.— Sect. Acalypterae. Cordylura liturata Wd. near Aberdeen. V J5 )) >J 5J ?) J) y> jj ">■> spinimana Fin. Scatophaga merdaria Fb. stercoraria L. lutaria Fb. squalida Mg. litorea Fin. Ccelopa frigida Fb. Orgyma luctuosa Mg. 55 V » 5> 3) Old Aberdeen, common. i) all on beach among sea-weed at Muchalls. The Scottish Naturalist. 19 \ sea beach at Aberdeen. Actora sestuum Mg. Sciomyza obtusa Fin. Heteromyza flava Mg. Banchory. Dryomyza flaveola Fb. common. Tetanocera rufifrons Fb. cucullaria L. lineata Fin. Scotston. aratoria Fb. ? Ballater. umbrarum L. Scotston and Braemar ? (G. H. V.) Hieracii Fb. Banchory, punctulata Braemar (G. H. V.) ? elata Scotston (G. H. V.) Borborus nitidus Mg. „ „ equinus Fin. near Aberdeen. „ ater Mg. „ „ Lauxania lupulina Fb. „ aenea Fin. Old Aberdeen and Ballater. Sepsis punctum Fb. Aberdeen and Ballater. Nemopoda cylindrica Fb. Stonehaven, Aberdeen, and Ballater. Themira Leachi Mg. near Aberdeen. Loxocera ichneumonea L. coast near Aberdeen. „ sylvatica Mg. Muchalls and Pittodrie. Psila Rosae Fb. Aberdeen. Meromyza pratorum Mg. Links near Old Aberdeen. Chlorops hypostigma Mg. „ glabra Mg. Cereris Fin. Ballater. ?> RHYPHID^E. Rhyphus cinctus Fb. near Aberdeen. HIPPOBOSCID^E. Ornithomyia avicularia L. Braemar (G. H. V.) The following species are also in Mr. Verrall's lists t viz. : — Spilomyia fallax L. Braemar. Clinocera stagnalis. Scotston. Elgiva albiseta. Limnia lineata. Elgiva albiseta. with last. 5> „ unguicornis. Braemar. PHYTOLOGY. A NEW, LIST OF THE FLOWERINQ PLANTS AND TEENS OF OKKNEY. ^Edited by W. IRVINE FORTESCUE. {Continued fro7n Vol. VI., p. 375.) CLII. Lysimachia L. 273 nemorum L. Swanbister Burn and Ramsdale, 1875; also Gills at Scalpa, B., Quoys Burn, Hoy, H. The only stations. CLIII. Anagallis Tour. 274 arvensis L. Fields at Westness, H. 275 tenella L., B. Not uncommon on the Mainland. CLIV. Glaux Tour. 276 maritima L., B. Not uncommon. PLUMBAGINACE^E. CLV. Armeria Willd. 277 maritima Willd., B. Common by the sea-shore. Summits of Hills, D. and H. PLANTAGINACE^E. CLVl. Plantago L. 278 major L., B. Common. 279 lanceolata L., B. Common. 280 maritima L., B. Common. 281 Coronopus L., B. Common. CLVII. LlTTORELLA L. 282 lacustris L., B. Common. CHENOPODIACE^E. CLVIII. Sileda Forsk. 283 maritima Dum., Fidge at Swanbister, 1849, B. Bay of Wood- wick, D. The Scottish Naturalist. 21 CLIX. Salicornia L. 284 herbacea L., Fidge at Swanbister, 1849, B. PeerieSea, Kirk- wall, D. Eus, Firth. CLX. Chenopodium Tour. 285 album L., B. Swanbister. Scarce. CLXI. Atriplex Tour. 286 angustifolia Sin. Stennes, B. 287 erecta Huds. Fidge, Swanbister, B. 288 Babingtonii Woods, B. Common. POLYGONACE^E. CLXIL Rumex L. 289 conglomerate Murr. Reported by Lowe. 290 obtusifolius Auct, B. Common. 291 pratensis M. and K. 1873, B. Scarce. 292 crispus L., B. Common. 293 aquaticus L., B. Common. 294 acetosa L., B. Common. 295 acetosella L., B. More abundant than acetosa. CLXIIL Oxyria Hill. 296 reniformis Hook. Hoy Hill, B. CLXIV. Polygonum L. 297 Convolvulus L., B. A weed. Scarce. Fields in Harray and Birsay, J. W. H. T. 298 aviculare L., B. Common. a. agrestum. b. vulgatum. d. microspermum. 299 Hydropiper L. Reported by Lowe. 300 Persicaria L., B. "In many places," D. and H. Harray and Birsay, J. W. H. T. 301 lapathifolium L. Swanbister. Introduced, B. 302 amphibium L., B. Scalpa; Skail. Local. North Ronald- shay, Dr. Traill. b. terrestre, Harray, J. W. H. T., B. Crantit ; the Bridge of Broigar ; Skail. 303 Bistorta L., Neill. " In all probability in the castle garden," H. Now extinct there. Certainly not native. 304 viviparum L., B. West side of Rousay; Egilshay; Stron- say, D. 22 The Scottish Naturalist. EMPETRACE^S. CLXV. Empetrum L. 305 nigrum L., B. Common. In one or two localities in such profusion as to scent the air. EUPHORBIACE^E. CLXVI. Euphorbia L. 306 Helioscopia L., B. Common. 307 Peplus L. Swanbister, 1873, B. Gardens at Kirkwall, H. Mercurialis Tourn. 308 perennis L. Recorded by Miss Boswell. CERATOPHYLLACEvE. Ceratophyllum L. 309 aquaticum, E. B. 3. b. demersum, Loch of Ayre. Hubbin at Kirbuster, H. URTICACE^. Urtica Tourn. 310 dioica L., B. Common. 311 urens L., B. Common D. and H. Kirkwall, Swanbister, Hoy. Rather local. Turmiston in Stennes, J. W. H. T. AMENTIFERuEJ. Corylus Tourn. 312 Avellana'L. Berriedale Hoy, B. Elsewhere in Hoy, H . Betula Tourn. 313 alba. b. glutinosa, B. In several places in Hoy. Myrica L. 314 Gale L. " Eday, J. R. Hebden." D. and H.'s list. Populus Tour. 315 tremula L., B. Hoy, Walls, Hobbister Cliffs, Flotta Calf. Salix Tourn. 316 acuminata Sm. Moist places. Dearness, Neill. 317 cinerea L., B. Rather scarce. b. aquatica B. 318 aurita L., B. Common. 319 Caprea L., B. Walls and Hoy. 320 phylicifolia L., B. Rather common. This and the two last species are called Rice in Orkney. 321 nigricans Sm. I think a plant from Groundwater (Orphir) is this, B. The Scottish Naturalist. 23 322 ambigua Ehrh., B. Occurs among S. repens. 323 repens L., B. Not uncommon. b. fusca. Common in many places, D. and H. g. argentea. Downs in Sanday, Neill. 324 Lapponum L. a. arenaria, Hoy Hill, H. Doubtful. 325 Arbuscula L., Hoy Hill, Neill. Doubtful. b. prunifolia, valleys in Hoy Neill. Doubtful. 326 herbacea L., Hoy Hill, B. Walls H. ; Rousay. 327 reticulata L., Hoy Hill, H. CONIFERS. JUNIPERUS L. 328 nana Willd., B. Hoy. Dr. Traill, of Woodwick, tells me it occurs on Fair Isle. TYPHACE^E. Typha L. 329 latifolia L. Loch of Aikerness Evie, D. and H. Doubtless introduced. It occurs only in one patch, covering perhaps half an acre of the swamp which once was the loch. Sparganium L. 330 ramosum Huds., B. Local, but common in the streams con- nected with Loch of Kirbuster, also Lurquoy Burn, Orphir, Harray, Scalpa, &c. 331 simplex Huds. Burn of Scalpa, D. ; Howan in Birsay, J. W. H. T. 332 affine Schnizl., Hoy, B. Sandswater, Walls, H. Standing Stones of Stennis. LEMNACE^E. Lemna L. 333 minor L., B. " Dr. Macnab, extremely doubtful," D. and H.'s list. I have specimens from Tankerness gathered by Mr. Cowan. NAIADACE^E. POTAMOGETON L. 334 natans L. Ditch near Maeshowe, and Loch of Harray, B. 335 Polygonifolius Pour., B. Common. 336 heterophyllus Schreb., B. Common. 337 nitens Web. Loch of Harray 1873, B. 338 perfoliatus L., B. Common. 339 crispus L., B. Rousay H. Ditch draining Loch of Aikerness, Evie, 1882. 24 The Scottish Naturalist. 340 pusillus L. Loch of Kirbuster, B. 341 pectinatus L., B. Loch of Kirbuster, Loch of Harray. Very common in Harray and Birsay, J. W. H. T. 342 filiformis Nolte., B. Loch of Harray, Fidge, Swanbister Mil Pond, Pond at Hoxa Links, S. Ronaldshay. No doubt else where. / subjoin here a copy of notes on Orcadian Potamogetons by Mr. Arthur Bennett, F.L.S., sent by him to me. Pota?nogeto?i filifor?nis, Pers. (Nolte !) "Swanbister, Orkney, 1852, J. Boswell." "Loch of Harray, Dr. J. W. H. Trail, 1876." " Bridge of Broigar, L. of Harray, 1880." This last approaches P. fasciculatus Wolfgang, of which I have a specimen from the author. P. heterophyllus Schreb. " In a ditch of running water between Kirkwall and Strom- ness, Orkney, Sept., 1873, J- T; Boswell." P. heterophyllus Schreb. " Kirbuster Loch, Orphir, Orkney, July, 1875, J. T. Bos- well, form with broad bared submerged leaves." This answers to Swedish specimens of P. intermedins Tis., " ad interim." P. nitens, Weber. "Birsay, Orkney, August, 1876," Dr. Trail. This is a remarkable plant, but seems best placed under nitens. It has the stem much branched, with elongated peduncles. P. Crispus L. is not mentioned in these notes by Mr. Bennett, but I sent him specimens, which he said were correct. — W. I. F. P. nitens, Weber. " Loch of Harray in ' Bay of Islands,' Orkney, August, 1873," J. T - Boswell. I believe this is correct : it is of course widely different from the curvifolius If ait., and comes between Weber's type and var. latifolius, Tis! P. prcelongus, Wulf rv\.k. No. 1776. On leaves of Anemone. May. East. — — — — Moray — West. — — — — Dunphail. Rev. Dr. Keith. England. Europe. 2274. P. arborescens Berk. C. Hbk. No. 1785. On Papaver dubium. June. The Scottish Naturalist. 35 East. _______ Moray — West. — — — — Forres. Rev. Dr. Keith. England. Europe. 2275. P. affinis Rossm. Karst. Myc. Fenn. Ft. 4. p. 81. Fertile threads stout, regularly 5-7 times dichotomous ; branches patent, ultimate ramuli short, subulate, straight or curving downwards. Acrospores obovoid, apex very obtuse, base rather acute, membrane pale and dirty violet. Epispore of oospores yellow-brown. On Fumaria officinalis. July. East. — — — — Moray — West. — — — — Greeshop. Rev. Dr. Keith. Europe. 2276. P. leptosperma De By. Karst. Myc Fenn. Ft. 4. p. 83. Threads of mycelium slender, suckers small, vesicular, obovoid or globose. Fertile threads colourless, emerging singly or 2-3 together from the stomata of the leaves, dichotomous or trichotomous above, branches repeatedly dichotomous or trifurcate, all except the last thicker towards the top, the last from a broad base suddenly contracted to a subulate, straight or curved apex. Acros- pores for the most part large, of various forms, ellip- soid, clavate, ovoid-cylindrical, often elongate-cylindrical, straight or curved, very obtuse at both ends, white. Oospores small, irregularly angled, pale brown. On Pyrethrum inodorum. July. East. — — — — Moray West. — — — — Forres. Rev. Dr. Keith. Europe. 2277. P. alsinearum Casp. Karst. Myc. Fenn. Ft. 4- p. 79- Fertile threads stout, equally, rarely unequally 4-5-8 times dichotomous ; branches spreading, the ultimate ones subulate, elongate, and for the most part arcuate. Acrospores ellipsoid very obtuse at both ends, more or less dirty-violet. Oospores somewhat regularly reticulated, with stout, thick, connected crests, bright brown. On Stellaria media, Cerastium triviale, and Scleranthus annuus. Aug. East. — — — Dee Moray — West. — — — — 36 The Scottish Naturalist. Forres. Rev. Dr. Keith. Muchalls and Aberdeen. Pro- fessor J. W. H. Trail. Europe. 2278. Ramularia pruinosa Speg. Grevillea, Vol. xi. p. 15. Spots ochraceous, at first small, round, soon occupying the entire leaf; tufts densely gregarious, covering the surface of the spots with a frosty whiteness. Threads hyaline, continuous ('04-'o6 x '003 mm.), apex 1-3 toothed ; conidia cylindrical, rounded at the ends (•o2-*o3 x oo3- # oo4 mm.), continuous or uniseptate, hyaline. Saccardo in Michelia, II. p. 170. On Senecio Jacobaea. East. — — — Dee Moray — West. — — — — Forres. Rev. Dr. Keith. Aberdeen. Professor J. W. H. Trail. Europe. 2279. R. malvae Fckl. Sythb. Myc. p. 360. Grevillea, Vol. xi. /• 72. Tufts lax, yellow-green on dried-up, white, orbicular or elongate spot ; hyphse erect, nearly simple ; conidia as long as the hyphae, fusiform, for the most part curved, obliquely and obtusely apiculate at each end, simple, for the most part 21-22 mik. long, 4 mik. thick, hyaline. The spores in the specimens found by Dr. Keith become uniseptate. On Malva moschata. Aug. East. — — — — Moray — West. — — — — Castle Grant Gardens. Rev. Dr. Keith. Europe. 2280. R veronicse Fckl. Symb. Myc. p. 361. Tufts occupying almost the whole underside of the leaf, snow-white ; threads long, branched ; conidia cylin- drical or elliptical, simple, varying in size, hyaline. On Veronica montana. June. East. — — — — Moray — West. — — — — Forres. Rev. Dr. Keith. Europe. 2281. R. calcea Desm. A?m. des Sci. Nat. XVII. (1842),/. 95. Hypophyllous ; tufts small, round, thin, pulverulent, The Scottish Naturalist. 37 chalky-white, encircled with a darker spot, spores rather large, straight, cylindrical, or somewhat fusiform, obtuse at both ends. On Glechoma hederacea. July. East. — — — Dee Moray — West. — — — — Forres. Rev. Dr. Keith. Aberdeen. Prof. J. W. H. Trail. Europe. (To be continued.) LIST OF THE DESMIDS HITHERTO FOUND IN MULL. By JOHN ROY. The following list has been drawn up from three small samples collected in July, 1878, by Mr. George Ross, Oban, and one collected by Dr. Buchanan White in September, 1881. Mr. Ross collected at Sarsta-beinn, at Loch Snail, and at Tobermory. These localities are indicated in the list by S., L.S., and T. respectively. Dr. White's locality was not specified ; it is indicated by M. The list contains 105 species, which a little investigation in other parts of the island would, no doubt, largely increase. With few exceptions, the species here noted are quite common. The rarer species are : Cosmarium intermedium, Delponte, hitherto found in Italy only ; Staurastrum Maamense, Archer, Con- nemara, Deeside, Sweden ; St. Arctiscon, Ehr., a noble species, long known in Connemara, Sweden, North America, and recently found in North Wales ; only one example found in Mr. Ross's Tobermory gathering ; Docidium seeptrum, Kg. ? This is the second time this species, as limited here, has been gathered. It was previously found by Mr. Archer in Connemara, and sent by him to me. In the Mull gathering it was abundant, but not in good condition. Hyalotheca dissi liens Sm. — T. ; M. Didymopriwn Borreri Ralfs. — M. Sphcerozosma excavatum Ralfs. — T. Gonatozygon Brebissonii de Bary. — T. Micrasterias Jenneri Ralfs. — T. ; M. M. denticulata Breb. — L. S. M. truncata Corda. — T. ; M. M. crenata. — T. M. mucronata Dixon. — T. Euastrum pectinatum Breb. — M. E. oblongum Grev. — M. E. crassum Breb. — L.S. ; M. ; T. E. ventricosum Lundell. — L.S. ; M. E. ampullae eu77i Ralfs. — T. ; M. E. Didelta Ralfs.— L.S. ; M. E. cuneatum Jenner. — T. E. ansatum Ehr. — L. S.; T. ; M. 38 The Scottish Naturalist E. insigne Hassall. — T. E. elegans Breb. — T. ; M. E. decedens Reinsch. — T. ; M. E. pule hell urn Breb. — M. E. erosum Lundell. — M. ; T. E. binale Turp.— T. ; M. Var. B.— M. E. lobulatwn Breb. — T. ; M. E. sublobatum Ralfs. — T. ; M. E. insulare Wittrock. — T. E. pusillum Breb. — M. Cosmarium margariliferu?n Turp. — T. ; M C. reniforme Archer. — T. C. Botrylis Bory.— T. ; M. C. teti-aophthalmum Kg. — L. S. ; T. C. Brebissonii Menegh. — S. C. Regnesi Reinsch. — M. C. azlatum Ralfs. — M. C. notabile Breb. — M. C. crenatwn Ralfs. — T. ; M. C. calcareu?n Wittrock. — T. C. Bceckii Wille.— M. C. Nymannianum Grunow. — M. C. Phaseolus Breb.— M. C. pachydermum Lundell. — S. ; M. C. pyra?nidaium Breb. — T. ; M. C. pseudo-pyramidatum Lundell. — S. M C. variolatum Lundell. — M. C. granatum Breb. — S. ; T. C. gottlandicum, Wittrock. — T. C. melanosporum Archer. — T. C. venustum Breb. — T. C. tetragonum Nseg. — M. C. exiguum Archer. — T. ; M. C. Meneghinii Breb.— S. ; T. C. angulosum Breb. — M. C. orbiculatum Ralfs. — M. C. quadratum Ralfs. — M. C. obliquum Nordstedt. — T. ; M. C. sinuosum Lundell. — T. C. homalodermum Nordstedt. — T. ; M C. cucurbita Breb. — L. S. ; M. ; T. C. cucumis Corda. — M. C. Ralfsii Breb.— T. C. intermedium Delponte. — T. Arthrodesmus Incus Biib. — M. A. octocornis Ehr. — /3. major Ralfs. — M. Staurastrum mulieum Breb. — M. S. orbiculare Ehr. — M. S. incanspicuum Nordst. — M. S. dejectum Breb. — T. The Scottish Naturalist. 39 S. CTMearii Archer. — M. S. cuspidaium Breb. — T. S. pterosporum Lundell. — M. S. Avicula Breb. — T. S. margaritaceum Ehr. — L.S. ; T. ; M. S. dilatatum Ehr. — M. S. Brebissonii Archer. — L.S. .>. crista turn Nseg. — T. S. Maamense Archer {S. pseudo-crenatum Lundell). — T. S. scabrum Breb. — M. ; T. 6". spinosum Ralfs. — M. S. Beinsckii, n. sp. {Reinsch " Contrib. Alg. et Fung.,'''' Tab. XVII., f. s.)— T. ; M. S. polymorphum Breb. — T. ; M. S. cyrtocerum Ralfs. — T. S. paradoxum Megen. — M. S. tetracerum Kg. — T. ; M. S. pileolatuni. — T. S. Arctiscon Ehr. — T. Tetme?7iorus Brebissonii Menegh. — L. S. ; T. ; M. Var. £.— M. ; T. T. granulatus Breb. — L.S. ; M. ; T. T. /^Kg.-T.; M. Closterium obtusion Breb. — S. ; M. C. didymotocum Corda. — M. C. cornu Ehr. — M. C. calosporum Wittrock. — T. C. Venus Kg.— M. C. attenuatum Ehr. — M. Benium Digitus Ehr. — T. ; M. B. oblongum de Bary. — T. ; M. B. Navicula Breb.— L.S. ; M. B. didymocarpum Lundell. — T. B. polymorphum Perty. — T. ; M. B. Iruncatum Ralfs. — T. ; M. Cylindrocystis Brebissonii Menegh. — S. ; T. ; M. C. crassa de Bary. — T. ; M. Docidium minutum Ralfs {Ben. minutum de Bary). — T. ; M. D. Ehrenbergii Ralfs. — T. ; M. D. Sceptrum Kg. — M. Some years ago Mr. Archer sent me this curious and very distinct species from the west of Ireland, as being possibly the Docidium Sceptrum of Kiitzing. It may be, but I fear it is impossible to identify his species with any certainty from his description in " Species Algarum, p. 168. From the swollen base the slender semi-cell tapers gradually to a sharply truncate apex, which is terminated by four small, acute, conical teeth. Surface smooth. Length of semicell, which has a slightly projecting ring at the base, y^ in. ; breadth of basal swelling, tt^o m - '■> do. immediately beyond, ^ Vo ^ n> '■> do. at apex, ^55 in. These measures are approximate only, the gathering containing this species not being in good condition by the time it came into my hands. 40 The Scott is J i Naturalist. I find that Delponte, in his excellent work, " Specimen Desmidiaceraum Alpinum" supposes Kutzing's species to be the same as Ralfs' Dotid. Baculum, which may be ; but in the absence of drawings or specimens from Kiitzing himself, I am quite convinced that it is impossible to identify his species, and as his name suits the one under consideration very well, I have taken the liberty of adopting it. The following 26 species were found in a gathering made by Dr. Buchanan White in Skye, I think on Ben Blaven. Euastrum decedens Reinsch. Eu. insulare Wittrock. Cosmarium margaritiferum Turp. C. prcemorsum Breb. C. Botrytis de Bary. C. tetraophthahnum Kg. C. concinnum Rabenhorst. C. angulosum Breb. C. venustum Breb. C. Nymannianum Grunow. C. holmiense Lundell, large form. C. pusilhwt Breb. C granatum Breb. C tinctum Ralfs. C. Palangula Breb. C. cucumis Corda. C galeritum Nordstedt. Staurastrum orbiculare Ehr. Si. puncttdatum Breb. St. meriani Reinsch. Tetmemorus Brebissomi Menegh, Tet. granulatus Breb. Tel. Itevis Kg. Penium closterioides Ralfs. P. didymocarpum Lundell. Closterium striolatum Ehr. NOTE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN FERNS ON THE RAILWAY BETWEEN CARGILL AND WOODSLDE. Having heard that Scolopendrium and various other ferns were to be found at Woodside, on the railway between Coupar- Angus and Perth, I visited the place in the end of October last with a view to ascertain the facts of the case. As the season was so far advanced, I did not expect to verify what I had heard by personal observation ; I, therefore, called upon Mr. Ilopkirk, the intelligent station-master at Woodside, who furnished me with the following particulars, and also showed me the ferns growing in his garden, which he had himself gathered on the ground in question. Scolopendrium, he told me, had been found on the line for the last fifteen years. At one time it was pretty plentiful, but the "hunters" had found it The Scottish Naturalist. 41 out, and have almost, if not quite, eradicated it. In addition to the common Lastreas and Athyrium, which abound elsewhere in the neighbourhood, Poly- podium Dryopteris, Asplenium Tnchomanes, and Cystopteris fragilis, are con- fined to the railway. Naturally enough they occur only in the cuttings, of which there are three, the longest of them, where the ferns are found in greatest abundance, being about midway between Cargill and Woodside Stations. The ditches in these cuttings are all more or less wet, and the ferns grow in the retaining walls, which are built of sandstone from a quarry in the district. I am not so much surprised at the "Maiden-hair" and the Bladder- fern being found in such places, for they are in a manner ubiquitous, though Mr. Hopkirk assures me they are not found within miles of the railway, but where did the "Oak-leaf" and the "Harts-tongue" come from? I cannot think that "ballast," that capricious distributor of phanerogamous plants has had any- thing to do with the matter. A. Sturrock. Rattray, 27/^ November, 1882. OBITUARY. TOURING the year 1882 several Scottish biologists died. They r^ were : — Andrew Leith Adams, Professor of Natural His- tory in the University of Cork ; George Dickie, ex-Professor of Botany in the University of Aberdeen ; Richard Parnell, M.D. ; John Sadler, Curator of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden ; and Sir C. Wyville Thomson, Professor of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh. On 14th January, 1883, died William A. Forbes, who, though less closely connected with Scotland, may yet be included in this obituary. An account of the life and labours of f Dr. Dickie will be found in the beginning of this volume ; a brief sketch of each of the others named follows below. Andrew Leith Adams, A.M., M.D., was a graduate of the University of Aberdeen. His father was a medical practitioner in the valley of the Dee, at Banchory Ternan, not far from Aberdeen. Dr. Adams, senior, was himself an accomplished botanist, though he confined his published writings on that science to additions to the works of others, e.g., in Murray's Northern Flora. His name is also frequently quoted in Dickie's Botanist's Guide, as the autho- rity for localities of many of the rarer plants of the north-east of Scotland. Doubtless from him his son derived in great part his strong love for Natural Science. Dr. A. L. Adams, on the completion of his medical studies, 42 The Scottish Naturalist. entered the army, as assistant surgeon, in 1848; rising to be surgeon-major in 1861. The duties of his profession were always thoroughly discharged by him. His report on an epidemic of cholera in Malta in 1865, and his conscientious devotion to the care of the sick during the epidemic, won him high praise. In 1873 he retired from the army with the rank of Deputy Surgeon- General. The same year he was appointed to the professorship of Zoology in the College of Science in Dublin. In 1878, he became Professor of Natural History in the University of Cork ; which post he held till his death in the summer of 1882. He became F.G.S. in 1870, F.R.S. in 1872, LL.D. of Aberdeen Uni- versity in 1 88 1, and D.C.L. of Queen's University, Ireland, a few weeks before his death. During his service in the army Dr. Adams was stationed in various parts of the world, including Canada, the Maltese islands and Egypt, and the Western Himalayan mountains and Cashmere. In all these countries he spent as much of his time as he could spare from his official duties in field zoology, and in examination of the fossiliferous caves and fissures, from which he obtained many interesting fossil remains of vertebrates. After the year 1858 he published numerous articles in scientific journals on the habits and haunts of the birds and mammals of the countries visited by him ; as well as on the geological formations and the fossiliferous caves of Malta, with their contained fossils. Among these fossils he met with numerous remains of a small elephant, which led to his making a special study of the elephants, and to a " Monograph of the British Fossil Elephants " published in 1877. During his residence in Ireland he assisted in working out the contents of fossiliferous caves in that country also, and wrote on the extinct mammals of Ireland. His papers are scattered through the Reports of the British Association, the Annals and Magazine of Natural History, the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, the Proceedings of the Zoological Society, the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, the Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, and various other journals. Dr. Adams also wrote several longer works, which were pub- lished separately. These are : — u The Wanderings of a Naturalist in India, the Western Himalayas and Cashmere" (1867); "Notes of a Naturalist in the Nile Valley and Malta" (1870); "Field and Forest Rambles, with Notes and Observations on the Natural The Scottish Naturalist. 43 History of Eastern Canada" (1873). He does not seem to have worked at the fauna or flora of Scotland. Richard Parnell, M.D., died at Edinburgh towards the end of the year 1882 ; but for many years previous to his death he had so completely abandoned the field of Science that probably few, save his personal friends, of the present generation of botanists and ichthyologists, knew that he still lived in Edinburgh, or thought of him but as of one of a bye-gone time. In early life he was an assiduous student of the fishes and of the grasses of the district around the Firth of Forth ; and between 1832 and 1844 a number of articles from his pen were published on the fishes, and two on the grasses of that district. These papers appeared in the Memoirs of the Wernerian Society, and in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh ; in Jar -dine 's Magazine of Zoology and Botany ; in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History ; and in the Reports of the British Association. In them numerous species of fishes are recorded as new to the British fauna ; and he enters more or less exhaustively into the natural history and economical value of the species of most value to man. He made a special study of Grasses, not only throughout Bri- tain, " but also in the West Indies and the southern parts of North America ; " and, besides the two articles already mentioned, he wrote a valuable work on the " Grasses of Scotland," published in 1842. To this he added a second volume in 1845, and changed the title of the whole work to " The Grasses of Britain." In this work are carefully described the species and varieties of British grasses, with figures of each and of dissections of the more im- portant parts, drawn and engraved by himself. In it he proposed a genus Bucetum, to include certain species of Festuca and names, and describes as new several forms of Poa ; but his conclusions have been regarded by later botanists as founded on characters of too minute a kind to be followed. To prevent uncertainty in regard to the forms described by him, he placed in the herbarium of the Linnean Society in London " specimens of the original grass plants employed in the descriptions and figures throughout the entire work." Since 1845 he has not published anything, so far as can be ascertained, in any branch of Natural Science. John Sadler, born on 3rd February, 1837, at Gibbleston, Fifeshire; died on 9th December, 1882, in Edinburgh. For 44 The Scottish Naturalist. many years he was assistant to Dr. J. H. Balfour, Professor of Botany in the University of Edinburgh, and took an active part in teaching the classes, and particularly in the excursions with the students during the summer, in which his minute knowledge of the localities of the flora around Edinburgh rendered him a very efficient guide. He also made frequent excursions with the botanical class to the Scottish Highlands. He had a good know- ledge of the alpine plants of Scotland, and in 1874 he discovered, in the Corrie of Loch Kander in Braemar, two additions to the British flora — viz., Carex frigida (a species found also on the mountains of Central Europe and Asia) and Salix Sadleri, described and named by Dr. Boswell from the specimens then found. Mr. Sadler acted as secretary to the Botanical Society of Edin- burgh from 1858 until 1879, when he was appointed to be Curator of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden; and the botanical papers written by him almost all appeared in the transactions of the Society, from the year 1863 onwards. He gave considerable attention to the Mosses of Scotland, especially to those found near Edinburgh ; and several of his articles record the results of his study of these plants, of which he added several species to the flora. He wrote occasionally on other Cryptogams also (ferns and fungi), and assisted Dr. Balfour in drawing up his small " Flora of Edinburgh," published in 1863. For several years he published observations on the times of flowering of the plants in the Botanic Garden, and on the effects of the winters on plant-life in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. A collection of several hundred British mosses prepared by him was purchased for the herbarium of the British Museum in 1861. Sir Charles Wyville Thomson, born at Bonsyde, near Linlithgow, on 5th March, 1830; died in Edinburgh, on 10th March, 1882. He studied medicine in Edinburgh, having entered on the study at the age of 15. While a student he joined the Botanical Society there, and also became secretary to the Royal Physical Society. In 1850 he succeeded Dr. Dickie as Lecturer on Botany in King's College, Old Aberdeen. After Dr. Macgillivray's death he was appointed, in 1853, to the same office in Marischal College, Aberdeen, the two colleges at that time constituting distinct and independent universities. But a vacancy occurring in the chair of Natural History in Cork, on Professor Nicol's appointment to the same position in Marischal The Scottish Naturalist. 45 College, Mr. Thomson applied for the Cork professorship, and was successful. A few years later on Dr. Dickie's vacating the same chair in Belfast University, on his return to Aberdeen as Professor of Botany, Dr. Thomson was a second time his suc- cessor. This latter appointment he held from i860 until in 1870 he succeeded Dr. Allman as Professor of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh. Owing to the state of his health, he resigned his office in October, 1881. From an early period he directed his attention to marine zoology. He first appears as writer on zoology in a short paper in the Amials a?id Magazine of Natural History, in 1852, entitled " Notes 071 some Scotch Zoophytes and Polyzoa ; " and much of his later work bears on these and allied groups of marine animals, both recent and fossil. The embryogeny of the Echinodermata interested him greatly, and he worked out the life-history of several forms very fully, and made several interesting and important dis- coveries in this way in the relationships of the various living and fossil forms. His scientific studies led to his becoming always more con- vinced of the probable abundance and diversity of the fauna to be found by systematic dredging of the deeper parts of the ocean bed, where it has been supposed that life could not exist. Be- lieving it to be of great importance in the advancement of know- ledge of recent and of fossil animals alike, he exerted all his influence to obtain from the Admiralty the use of a vessel suitable for such investigations, and properly equipped for a cruise. In this he was successful; and in August 1868 the "Lightning" sailed for a cruise in the North Atlantic. The vessel returned to Oban in September. A full account of the results will be found in Thomson's " Depths of the Sea." They proved the existence of abundant and varied animal life at depths of 600 or 700 fathoms. Some of the forms met with were startlingly similar to groups supposed to have died out in the Tertiary or the Chalk periods ; and public interest was awakened vividly to the import- ance of such investigations in their bearing on the past history of the earth as interpreted by its fossils. Another subject of much interest and importance in the study of marine faunas and climatology had some light thrown upon it during the cruise — viz., the distribution and temperature of oceanic currents. The investigations were resumed next year in the " Porcupine," from May till September. During part of this time Dr. Thomson directed operations in the Bay of Biscay, and in the Atlantic to the west of the British Islands. Again, in 1870, the "Porcupine" was sent out, but an attack of illness prevented him from taking part in the work. The results of both cruises are described in the " Depths of the Sea." They were such as to raise still higher the general expectation of great and very valuable scientific results being secured were a well-equipped expedition sent forth to sur- vey the bottom of the great oceans, with a scientific staff thoroughly 4.6 The Scottish Naturalist. qualified to avail themselves of the opportunities at their command for research in these unexplored regions. This feeling led, in 1872, to the "Challenger" being thoroughly fitted out, and de- spatched on a voyage round the world, with Dr. Thomson in charge of the scientific staff. The voyage lasted for three years, during which Professor Huxley acted as Dr. Thomson's substitute in Edinburgh. The " Challenger " brought back to England large stores of material for future examination, (distributed to numerous speci- alists at home and abroad), which, when fully wrought out, must add very largely to all that was previously known concerning the ocean-bed. Several volumes of the " Challenger Reports " have already appeared. On his return home Dr. Thomson was knighted, and one of the gold medals of the Royal Society of London was conferred on him. His health, after his return, was broken; and in 1879 he became paralysed, and was unable to conduct the work of his class, or to take part in the preparation of the Reports of the " Challenger Expedition," except occasionally. He was a mem- ber of several scientific societies ; among these were the Royal Societies of London and of Edinburgh, the Linnean, and the Geological Societies. William A. Forbes, though hardly a Scottish zoologist, may yet be included among such, as he studied medicine for some time in the University of Edinburgh, and published some short articles on the fauna of Scotland. He was the second son of Mr. J. S. Forbes, the railway-director ; and was born at Cheltenham, in 1855. From childhood he showed a great love for zoology. He was educated at Kensington School, and thereafter at Winchester till 17 years of age, when he spent a year at Aix-la-Chapelle, in order to learn German. He next became a student of medicine at Edinburgh, and spent two years there. In 1875 he went to London University to complete his medical studies, but next year changed his plans, and entered on the study of Natural Science in Cambridge University, where he graduated B.A. in 1879, taking a First Class in the Natural Sciences. In January, 1880, he was appointed to succeed Pro- fessor Garrod as Prosecutor to the Zoological Society of London, a position in which he proved himself to possess abilities of a very high order. He was also Lecturer in Comparative Anatomy in Charing Cross Hospital in London. His vacations were chiefly spent in travelling. He frequently visited the Alps ; in 188 1 he visited Pernambuco in Brazil ; and in the following year he spent some time in the United States, that he might become personally acquainted with the zoologists of that country. During these excursions he was never unmindful of his favourite pursuits, as his numerous scientific papers show. In July, 1882, he left England to spend some months exploring 7he Scottish Naturalist. 47 the fauna of the Niger, but hindrances detained him in the un- healthy lower tracts of country; and on 14th January, 1883, he died of dysentery, at the early age of 27. Mr. Forbes began, like so many others, with a strong predilec- tion for entomological studies, and his earliest papers relate to entomological subjects. However, by degrees, he gave almost his whole time to the investigation of the comparative anatomy of vertebrates, and chiefly of birds. The results of his investigations appeared in the form of numerous papers in the "Ibis" and in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, as well as a smaller number in other scientific periodicals. His last work before leaving England was to finish a memoir on the anatomy of the petrels, a work since published in the "Zoology of the Chal- lenger Expedition." His premature death has cut short the promise of an eminently successful and useful career as a scientific man. NOTICES OF NEW WOEKS. ARTICLES IN JOURNALS. Journal of Botany, 1883. H. &J. Groves. Notes on British Characese, the result of the examination of specimens, which had passed through their hands during 1882. A list of species, with their distribution as worked out during the year, is given, in which several Scottish localities are included ; but it is stated that from one half the botanical provinces into which Scotland is divided, they have no information, and cannot record a single species, and they add, " We shall therefore be very glad to see any specimens that may be collected, in order as far as possible to complete the census." The following are recorded for Scotland : — Chara fragilis Desv. (from Kirkcudbright to Orkney), var. barbata from Stirling ; var. Hedwigii, Dumfries ; var. delicatula, Kirkcudbright, Braemar, and Orkney. C. aspera Willd., Sutherland and Orkney; C. polyacanl/ia Br., Roxburgh; C. contraria Kuetz., Haddington; C. hispida L. , East Perth; C. vulgaris L., Sutherland and Caithness; var. atrcvirens, Orkney ; Nitella translucens Ag., Perth, N. flexilis L. Kirkcud- bright, E. Perth ; var. crassa Braun., W. & E., Perth, differs from type in its much stouter stems and branchlets, and shorter end-segments, much resemb- ling N. translucens, from which it differs in its end-segments consisting of one cell only, and in absence of the bright shining green colour ; occurs in deep water, and may be 4 or 5 feet long ; var. nidifica Wallm., E. Perth ; N. opaca Ag., Kirkcudbright to Caithness. Arthur Bennett, Two new Potamogetons ; of these P. Grifithii, sp. n., was found in Aber lake in Wales, at 1250 feet above the sea-level, and should be looked for in Scotland ; it has much the habit of P. prcelongus Wulfen. but differs in having floating leaves ; Mr. Bennett has described and figured it, Midland Naturalist, Jan. 1883. G. C. Druce. A Visit to Glens Clova and Callater. Grevillea, Vol. XL, September, 1882, to June, 1883. C. B. Plowright. A Monograph of the British Hypomyces : with illustrations of all the species, by Dr. M. C. Cooke. (12 plates accompany this monograph). On the Hetercecism of the Uredines ; Experiments upon the Heteroecism of the Uredines; and Classification of the Uredines. Dr. M. C. Cooke, New British Fungi ; among the species described are the following from Scotland : — Ovularia Svringa B. & Br., in Gard. Chron. 1881, II. p. 665, found on Lilacs in Aberdeenshire, by Mr. A. S. Wilson ; Ratnu- laria pruinosa Speg. , from Forres, Rev. J. Keith; Puccinia Oxyrice Fckl., from 48 The Scottish Naturalist. Skye, F. B. W. ; Ramularia Malvce Fckl., from Forres, Rev. J. Keith ; Thecaphora Trailii Cooke, on Carduus heterophyllus in capitula, from Brae- mar, J. W. H. T. ; Ramularia Cocklearite Cooke, on Cochlearia officinalis, near Aberdeen, J. W. H. T. M. C. Cooke, Cryptosphaeria millepunctata, Grew; On Xylaria and its allies (pp. 81-94) ; Hypoxylon and its allies (pp. 121-140) ; Classification of the Uredines (pp. 151-152); Rev. J. M. Crombie, Enumeration of the British Cladoniei (with their arrangement, general distribution in Great Britain and Ireland, and reference to British published Exsiccati), includes numerous species from Scotland ; E. M. Holmes, New British Marine Algae, and Algae Britannicae rariores exsiccatse. Many of the species noted are from Scottish localities ; these are as follows: — Phyllitis Fascia Ktz., from Elie, E. M. H., and Berwick-on-Tweed, E. Batters ; Dictyosiphon fceniculaceus Grev., snbsp. hispidus Kjellm., near Edinburgh, G. W. Traill ; D. hippuroides Aresch., along the south coast of the Firth of Forth, G. W. T., and at Berwick-on-Tweed, E.B. ; D. Mesogloia Aresch., Elie, E. M. H., Longniddry, G. W. T. ; Phlceospora tortiiis Aresch., Joppa, near Edinburgh, G. W. T., Berwick-on-Tweed, E. B. ; Sphacelaria plumigera Holmes, Joppa, G. W. T. ; S. ccespitula Lyngb. , Berwick-on-Tweed, E.B. ; S. plumosa Lyngb., Kinghorn, G. W. T., Ardrossan and Portincross, Rev. D. Landsborough ; Elachista Grevilhi Am. ; Nitophyllum reptans Crn., Berwick-on-Tweed, E. B. ; Prasiola marina Cm., Joppa, G. W. T. (Note. — In this connection it may be mentioned^hat Mr. G. W. Traill has published the following papers : — The Algae of the Firth of Forth, read before the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh on 17th December, 1879 '■> Additional Notes on the Algae of the Firth of Forth, read on 19th Jan- uary, 1 88 1 ; and an Alphabetical List of the parasitical Algae of the Firth of Forth, read, on 17th April, 1882, before the Royal Dublin Society, and published in the Scientific Proceedings, Vol. III., Part V. ; in this list the host-plants on which each species has been observed are enumerated.) The Geological Magazine. Since the beginning of the present year, the following papers have appeared in this journal : — Thomas Davidson, LL.D. , F.R.S., On Scottish Silurian Brachiopoda; Part II. of a review of The Palaeozoic Conchology of Scotland delivered by R. Etheridge, Jun., as his address to the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, published 1882 ; Prof. Charles Lapworth, The Secret of the Highlands, in which he deals with the age of the strata that form the Scottish Highlands, as determined by the fossiliferous strata at Durness and Eriboll in north-west Sutherland ; and arrives at a conclusion opposed to that of Murchison, and supported since Murchison's time by the members of the Geological Survey ; Dr. C. Callaway, The Highland Problem, stating shortly the conclusions arrived at by himself on the same subject as the former. NEW BOOKS ON BRITISH CRYPTOGAMIC BOTANY. In at least some departments, the study of the Cryptogamic Flora of Great Britain, including of course Scotland, ought to be very much more easy to beginners, and certainty in the determinations of the species discovered in any district by the monographers of local floras (of whom there are now so many), ought to be attainable to a degree formerly beyond even the limits of hope. The publication of such works as Dr. Cooke's Illustrations of British Fungi (Hymenomycetes), at so moderate a price as to put them within the reach, if not of all individual botanists, at least of all societies, places in the hands of all a means of accurate work formerly unattainable. We are glad to see that this work has already reached its 17th part. Another work by the same author, of a similar kind, British Fresh-Water Algae, exclusive of Desmidieae and Diatomaceae, has now reached its 5th part — the groups already treated of in it being the Palmellacece, Protococcacece and VolvocinecE. Zygnemacece, Vaucheriacecz, Ulvacea, and Confei-vacece, and the QZdogoniacece, Dr. Braithwaite's British Mossflora is also progressing, though more slowly, and has now reached its 6th part. It keeps well up to the high standard of excellence of the earlier parts. SUGGESTIONS FOE THE FEDERATION OF SCOTTISH SCIENTIFIC SOGILTIE c. HP HOSE who are best acquainted with the workings of the -*■ various Natural History Societies that are scattered through- out the country cannot but confess that in too many cases the results are net quite commensurate with the labour, time, and money expended. It is happily true that not unfrequently good and enduring work is done, but this is only a proof that the capability for work exists, and that if some method were devised by which the energies of the societies could be guided into the right direction, the percentage of good results would be very greatly increased. Conversation with members of various societies has indicated that one means towards the attainment of the desired end, is a closer union amongst the different associations. Each at present pursues its own course, quite irrespective of the work done by the others. Hence, in some cases, the same ground is gone over repeatedly, and in others, some field that would well repay investi- gation is left untouched. That a more or less intimate union is not only practicable, but would result in good, is evident from what has been, and is being, done in England by the associated societies of Yorkshire, and bv those of the Midland Counties. In Scotland no direct attempt at association has been made ; but the Inverness Scientific Society has taken a step in the right direction by organising, during the past two or three years, an annual joint-meeting of several of the Northern Societies. What is required, however, is something more than this. From the distance between the respective headquarters of many of the societies, it seems scarcely feasible (at least at present) to form a confederation of all the Scottish Societies, but there appears to be good reason why an attempt should not be made to form several confederations, and when time and experience has shown the best way of working these, then attention might be D 50 The Scottish Naturalist. turned to the attainment of a general confederation. Each group of societies will be able to estimate how federation may best be carried out in individual cases, but, in the meantime, we will mention some ideas that have occurred to us on the subject. It should be premised that it is in connection with the various societies in the east centre of Scotland that we have been induced t "» discuss this subject, and the scheme may best be explained by a short sketch of how federation might be carried out amongst these societies. The area in question includes the two districts defined for zoo- and phyto-geographical purposes, as " Tay " and " Dee," or in other words, those parts drained by the Tay, Dee, and Don, and the rivers between them. From a natural history point of view. "Tay" and " Dee " have much in common. Within their boundaries lie the two chief alpine districts of Scotland, and, as regards the lowlands, their productions are very similar. It seems therefore fitting that they should, to a certain degree, be "worked" together. In this area there are societies at Perth, Dundee, Arbroath, Montrose, Aberdeen, and perhaps elsewhere — altogether eight or nine in number. They are all within a few hours' reach of each other, so that it is possible for the members of any of them to attend — so far as distance is concerned — without much difficulty, a meeting at any of their respective head-quarters. As initial steps to confederation each society should appoin: one or more delegates, and all the delegates should meet at some selected place to discuss the basis of union. It must be remem- bered that, of course, it is not proposed to interfere in the slightes: degree with the independent existence and autocracy of any society, but simply to receive joint and combined action in carry- ins: out the objects for which all the societies have been founded. How this may be best attained it is for the delegates to consider, but the following amongst other points should be discussed : — The appointment of a standing committee (of representatives of each of the societies) to conduct the affairs of the union ; an annual meeting to be held at the headquarters of each of the societies in rotation ; the desirability of meetings in addition to the annual meeting ; the source whence the expenses of the union are to be defrayed, &c. There still remains to be considered the special objects on which joint action by the societies forming the confederation should be taken, but this is a matter that can best be discussed at the first general meeting:. The Scottish Naturalist. 51 As for the other parts of Scotland, the following areas of federa- tion may be suggested : — One for all the west between Dumfries and Glasgow (north of this there seems not to be any societies yet in existence), or in other words the districts " Solway " and " Clyde ; " one for the south-east, from Fife and Stirling to the borders (that is, the districts " Forth " and " Tweed") ; while the societies in the north would naturally form another confederation. F. B. White. THE PERTHSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM. By F. BUCHANAN WHITE, M.D., F.L.S, AT page 97 of Vol. VI. of this magazine is a short description of a building which had just been erected in Perth for the Perthshire Society of Natural Science. As all our readers may not have had an opportunity of reading this description, we may mention that the building in question was erected chiefly by means of the"MoncreirTe Memorial Museum Fund/' subscribed in memory of the late Sir Thomas Moncreiffe, who died while President of the Society, and who, during his term of office, had been an enthusi- astic promoter of, and large subscriber to, a scheme for founding a Natural History Museum in Perth. In addition to lecture-room, library, laboratory, &c, the building in question contains a museum-hall. This is 56 feet long by 22 broad, and 19 feet 6 inches high to the spring of the rafters of the roof. The ceiling is open and made of varnished pitch-pine. The hall is lighted by a row of windows on one side and a double series of windows in the roof. Though it is not much more than a year and a half since the Museum was furnished with cases, yet the arrangement is so far completed that it is in contemplation to open it to the public in a short time. The arrangement, it must be remembered, has been entirely a labour of love, and, as like most other societies, the Perthshire Society has comparatively few workers, the space of time in which it has been carried out is by no means excessive, but rather the reverse. As a considerable amount of thought had to be expended on the scheme of arrangement, it has been con- sidered that some details of it may not be without use to other societies or individuals who contemplate the formation of a museum. The object of a museum is of course educational. A museum 52 The Scottish Naturalist. situated in a large town, and with ample space and means at its disposal, may endeavour with some hope of success to bring together the products of every clime, and to arrange them in such a manner that they may best convey instruction. But a provincial museum, with necessarily limited space and funds, will probably, if its vaulting ambition leaps too high, achieve no better end than that of showing " how not to do it." What the aim of a local museum should be is to get together as complete a collection as possible of the natural productions of the district, and to arrange them in the manner best calculated to instruct any visitor, however ignorant he may be of natural science. But such a col- lection has other uses than this, since it will eventually supply a mine from which the educated naturalist may derive much valuable information. Moreover, such a museum may attain in its o>\\ n line the perfection which is beyond the reach of the more ambitious, but less judiciously planned one. At the same time, to more effectually carry out the educational objects of the local museum, it is well to supplement the local collection (which will form its principal contents) by a smaller collection constructed to show the chief features of the classification and structure of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms. Such a collection is called an " index collection," and should be kept apart (or as far apart as circumstances permit) from the local collection. On this plan the arrangement of the Perthshire Natural History Museum has been carried out. Most of the space has been allotted to the zoology, botany, and geology of Perthshire, and the Basin of the Tay, but four table-cases have been set apart for the index collection, and we will begin with the description of the latter. Each table-case is 13 feet long by 4 feet wide, and consists of two longitudinal compartments, each of which contains twelve wooden trays for holding specimens. The cases are made of polished mahogany, and glazed with plate-glass. Inside they are lined with white paper, and have a gentle slope backwards from the front to the middle longitudinal line. Owing to the limited space (rather more than 200 square feet) afforded by the table-cases, it is evident that if the collection was to fulfil its purpose, the specimens must be very judiciously selected, and space allotted. One case and a half has been devoted to geology, the same amount to zoology, and one case to botany. The geological index collection contains three departments. The Scottish Naturalist. 53 One is devoted to mineralogy, a second to illustrating the structure •of rocks, and the third shows, by means of characteristic fossils, the succession of the sedimentary rocks. The mineralogical department possesses already upwards of 300 species and varieties of the most typical minerals, a little preponderance being given to those which occur in the rocks of the district. They are arranged according to Dana's classification, and each specimen is placed on cotton wool in a small paper tray, the trays being arranged in rows, and each row separated from the next by a squared black stick, on which the label is placed. The label indicates the name, the crystalline system, the chief chemical components, and the locality whence the specimen has been derived. In addition to the label appropriate to each specimen, a larger label or placard on the perpendicular back of the case indicates the group or groups to which the specimens in each of the wooden trays belong. In order to avoid the risk of confusion in any re-arrange- ment of the collection, each specimen has a number painted on it, the label bears the same number, and the same is entered in a catalogue of the specimens. The department containing the fossils of the sedimentary rocks is arranged in a similar way to the mineralogical one, and has specimens illustrative of upwards of 300 species of animals and plants. As amongst the minerals, so each specimen of the fossils has a number painted on it. The labels indicate the formation and division of the formation of which the fossil is characteristic, the name of the species, and the locality whence the specimen has been derived. The larger labels behind the trays point out the geological epoch of the contents of the wooden trays. The department relating to rock structure is not yet quite as complete as it is intended it should be. The larger labels at the back of the case indicate the nature of the specimens in the trays, the main divisions being igneous rocks, aqueous rocks, specimens showing contact-phenomena between igneous and aqueous rocks, and altered or metamorphic rocks ; while a small part of the case is devoted to historical geology, illustrated by stone implements. As in the other departments, each specimen bears a painted number. {To be continued.) ZOOLOGY. EAT AND MOUSE. On passing an old ruin one day and hearing a rather loud squeaking, which I suspected to proceed from rats fighting, as I knew they were plentiful there, I stood in the hope that they might come out. In this I was not disappointed. In a short time one appeared at a hole, but with his tail first. Here he came to a dead halt, and could get no farther. He seemed from his writhings to be dragging something that he could not. very well manage. This continued for a time. At last, however, and with what looked like an extra effort, he cleared the opening, and brought another rat with him. The two now fixed on each other in a fresh, and as it seemed, a deadly combat. The screaming was fearful. They rolled and tumbled about for a long time, but at length one got clear and bolted. Both were bleeding. The other now turned and looked, as I thought, rather anxiously all round. He then sped to the hole, but stopping short at its mouth looked at me, came and ran over and over and smelled my shoes, then actually had the audacity to stand up against the wall on which I was leaning, and stared me in the face, his large black eyes glisten- ing the while. Satisfied that I was either a friend or a statue, he left me and ran to his abode. Soon after he entered, the squeaking recommenced, but now on a much lower key. This ceased, then out came the ratten, carrying in his mouth what I took for a young one. Having gone to a distance the burden was dropped, and I could now see that it was a mouse, so big with yoUng that it could scarcely walk. The rat having disposed of his burden, returned to his domicile. The mouse, after wandering amongst a lot of loose stones and rubbish, came back and entered the hole too. A little more squeaking followed, and then out came the rat as before ; and having carried the intruder fully farther than he did last time, he dropped it again, and then ran back to his retreat. The mouse this time came direct back, and entered again also. A few minutes now elapsed, when a slight noise indicated that the affair, finished, as I was beginning to think, was not yet all over; and shortly after the mouse was thrust out of the hole, but not carried this time. The rat then came out, took the mouse by the back of the neck, and having dragged it several yards, lie then tossed it farther with his nose. This done, he once more returned to his house ; but instead of disappearing, he now seated himself at the entrance, from which he looked at the mouse and at me alternately. Poor mousie seemed now very much exhausted ; in fact, it was hardly able to move. On recovering itself a little, however, it began even again to crawl towards the rat. Seeing this, as it came near, the rat rushed at it and threw it back with some force, if not violence. This stunned the little creature, so that it lay quite motionless. Thinking that it was now time to put an end to the matter, I picked the mouse up, more dead than alive, rolled it into my handkerchief, put it into my pocket,. The Scott is! i Naturalist. 55 hanked bis ratship for what he had clone, and then bade him good-bye. While sjoing along I passed many a braw house with beautiful doors and clean thres- holds, but I stopped not at these. Getting to a rather disreputable part of the town, however, I soon found a dilapidated hovel. Here, I said to myself, is just 5tich a place as any mouse could wish to live in. I therefore unwrapped my captive, and put it very gently in beyond the door, which I would have shut, at found it had no latch; I managed, however, to close it nearly as well. I en crossed to the other side of the street, where I commenced a quarter-deck march, but kept my eye on the door all the time. This I continued for about . ■ [uarter of an hour, and not seeing mousie again I left, thinking and hoping it it had at last found a congenial home. I am well aware that rats eat mice, and how this one escaped is not for me to say. Neither do I offer any opinion as to the most extraordinary pertinacity e> libited by the mouse to get into the rat's abode. I have told the facts, plain 1 simple, and now leave the rest to the reader. Thomas Edwards, A.L.S., Banff. OCCURRENCE OF RARE PISHES AT ABERDEEN. THE ANGEL FISH — Rh'uio sqiiat'ma. \ fine specimen of this species was brought to land by one of our local vling steamers, on January 20th, 1SS3, and is the first example for the ility. Yarrell says that this fish "is common on the coasts of Kent and S sex, where it is called a Kingston." Parnell, in his " Fishes of the Firth "l Forth," says of it : " On the eastern shores of Scotland it is seldom seen. It has been, however, noticed by Dr. Xeill as occurring occasionally in the Firth of Forth ; and I myself have met with two examples, taken with the hook, in the month of June, from the same quarter. The fishermen have no name for them further than that of Mongrel Shale. " Couch, in his notice of the species, says : " The monk is a common fish on the western parts of the kingdom, but it becomes more rare as we proceed to the north, although it has been taken so far in that direction as the Orkney Islands." He, however, gives no authority for this latter statement. Dr. Francis Day, of Cheltenham, informs me, by letter, that one was cast upon the Banffshire coast in the winter of 1S51. In Low's " Fauna Orcadensis," no notice is taken of this species as occurring in that region, yet Baikie asserts that it occurs there. The specimen under notice was a female. The stomach contained fish remains. As an article of food, the angel fish is coarse, and could be eaten only in the absence of anything better. THE GREAT-FORKED BEARD — Phycls blcillioides. On the 23rd, 24th, and 28th of February last, four of the above, three females and one male, were brought into port by some of our local trawlers. Each of the females was carrying spawn, which was about half-way towards maturity. Unfortunately all their stomachs were empty, thus affording no clue as to what their food consists of. According to Jewyns and Yarrell, this species was first described as British by the late Mr. Iago, on the Cornish coast, where it is not common, and it is there called the Hak/s Dame. It is recorded as having 56 The Scottish Naturalist occurred at St. Andrews, Tnde, " Memoirs of the Warnerian Nat. Hist. Society vol. vi., p. 569." It is not mentioned by Parnell in his "Fishes of the Firth of Forth," nor in Low's "Fauna Orcadensis." Mr. Couch remarks: "This species may be regarded as scarce, rather than rare." Dr. Day, in his "Fishes of Great Britain and Ireland," at present in course of publication, says of this species: "Mostly seen off our coasts during winter, and but little is known respecting its habits. It has been recorded as rare in Banff (Edward)." The smallest of those now referred to was fifteen inches long, and the largest twenty-four inches. In each case the stomach was empty. One of them, when cooked, proved to be excellent and delicate eating. In the hand- book issued in connection with the London Fisheries Exhibition, on " British Marine and Fresh-water Fishes " (by W. Saville Kent), a most excellent and useful little work, a mistake occurs in speaking of the fish under notice, in as far as it is there called the Great Fork-Beard, or Torsi', Brosmius brosme, thus confounding two very different species. drummond's echiodon — Fierasfer den talus A small specimen of the above was cast on the beach here, on the 18th of March last, and is the first of its kind that has come under the notice of the writer. This interesting form was first discovered as British by Dr. J. L. Drummond, who found one on the beach at Carnclough, County Antrim, June, 1836. Subsequently another was found, " thrown on the shore by a storm in the harbour of Valencia ' : (Couch). In the Zoologist, for April, 1863, it is reported by Mr. Edward that six specimens of this fish had been obtained at Banff; but this report is not noticed by Dr. Day in his history of British fishes. This species is found on the Mediterranean and Italian shores, and is remarkable [principally on account of its extraordinary dental development, which appears much beyond the little creature's requirements. However, when we come to know its habits, and of what its food consists, about all of which at present we are ignorant, there is little doubt but that an explanation of its long, sharp canines, and numerous other keenly-edged teeth, will be rendered to us. the basse — Lcibrax lupus. A fine specimen of this species was caught in the salmon nets, near the mouth of the Dee, on the 21st of May last, and was brought to the writer by the fishermen. It was a female, laden with spawn, and was thirty inches long, a id ten pounds in weight. This fish was known as Labrax, or " sea wolf," by the Greeks, and Lupus, or " wolf," by the Romans. Dr. Day remarks : " In Britain it is most common in the summer months, along the southern coasts, while towards the north it decreases in numbers. In Scotland it is rare to the north of the Firth of Forth. Edward records a single example, found dead in the River Deveron, in Banffshire, in 1839, while it has not been recorded from the Orkneys and Shetland Isles." The stomach of the one referred to was empty, and but little is known, with any degree of certainty, as to what its food consists of. As an article of food, this fish is excellent, and it is, therefore, to be regretted that it is not more plentiful in our seas. THE STRIPED RED MULLET, OR SURMULLET — Mullus SUYVnihtUS. A specimen of the above, ten inches long, was brought in by one of our trawlers on the 20th August. This is one of the rarest fishes on the north-east 9 TJie Scott is Ji Naturalist. 57 coast of Scotland. During a period of over twenty years' daily observation, the writer has not seen one till the present, and our local fishermen did not know, nor had they seen, the species before. " One was caught amongst herrings off Peterhead, in September, 1S4S, measuring ten inches long" (Dr. Dyee's MS.) It is recorded from the Moray Firth by Dr. Gordon, and from Banfishire by Mr. Edward. It is not mentioned in Parnell's " Fishes of the Firth of Forth," nor by Low, in his " Fauna Orcadensis." Yarrell mentions it as of "frequent occurrence along the extended line of our southern coast, from Cornwall to Sussex, but becomes more rare in proceeding from thence northward by the eastern coast." Dr. Day figures and describes this form as a " variety of the plain red mullet [niullus barbatus)" which is equally rare along the eastern coast of Scotland. The stomach of the one referred to was empty, and little is known as to what constitutes its food. As an article for the table, the mullet is held in high esteem. August 2>\^, 18S3. Geo. Sim. ON A VAEIETY OF HELIX AKBTJ3T0KUM, NEW TO BEITAIN. By JOHN W. TAYLOR. In my Life History of this species, published in the Journal of Conchotomy for October, 1881, I gave an account of all the varieties then known to inhabit these isles, with a full description of each form and summary of its distribution ; in addition, I described the most interesting varieties found on the Continent, but not yet discovered in Britain. One of the most remarkable of these — the var. Baylc'x Lecoq — has been added to our fauna by Mr. W. Baillie of Brora, one of the most assiduous and successful of Scottish conchologists, who discovered it a few weeks ago, "on a cold exposed rock, with a north-east aspect, in the neighbourhood of Loch Brora, at an elevation of 600-S00 feet above sea-level, feeding upon nettles and foxgloves." The specimens already found are hardly mature, but the peculiar character of the variety Baylei is strongly marked. They are exceedingly transparent, thin and vitrinaceous in texture, of a clear, uniform, yellow colour, tinged with greenish, and entirely devoid of the calcareous maculations usually present in the species. According to continental conchologists, the characters specified are the effects of altitude and deficiency of calcareous earths, and are exemplified in other species in a similar way. The conchological fauna of Scotland is very far from being known, and I trust the re-issue of the Scottish Naturalist will stimulate the conchologists to investigate and work out fully the fauna of their country. POTTERNEWTON LODGE, LEEDS, July 1 6th, 1883. r?" KSSPWif tf"^ 3p fuscescent, soon naked. Perithecia 3-6, seldom more* spheroid, with a short neck. Asci clavate, very much elongated at the base, polysporous. Sporidia minute, spermatoid. On Alder. May. East. — — — — Moray — West. — — — — Forres. Rev. Dr. Keith. 2298. D. pyrrhocystis B. & Br. C. Hbk. No. 2441. On Hazel. May. East. — — — — Moray — West. — — — — Forres. Rev. Dr. Keith. (To be continued.) 90 The Scottish Naturalist. ON THE OCCURRENCE OP RUBUS ID2EUS, VAR. LEESII BAB,, NEAR ST. ANDREWS, FIPESHIRE. By W. F. MACTIER, M.D. (To the Editor of the Scottish Naturalist.} Sir, — I have the pleasure to send you specimens of the Rubus Idceus var Leesii of Babington, gathered last week in this neighbourhood. I found the plant for the first time in June of last year, and sent a note of the circum- stance to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, before which it was read at their meeting on the 9th November, and afterwards published in the Gardeners* Chronicle of 25th Nov., 18S2, to which I refer any one interested in the subject. As, however, this paper may not be in the hands of all your readers, it may be worth while to call their attention to the plant, in order that they may be on the look out in their own districts. Though not I believe hitherto noticed in Scotland, I cannot but think it may be of more frequent occurrence than we are aware of, and that it may only require to be looked for, especially in the north (Deeside ?) where the common Rasp is so very abundant. You will notice (as I have mentioned in my paper) that the annual shoots differ materially from the flowering ones, and that it is only in the second year that the leaves assume the simple rounded form which is so characteristic of the plant. Besides this form, I noted a good many plants in which the departures from the typical Idaeus were much less marked. In these the leaves are tri- foliolate, but the leaflets more or less rounded. A sort of transition in fact between the two. In acknowledging specimens of R. Leesii sent to him, Professor Babington writes on the 28th November last : * ' It is certainly a. very singular barren form of Idaeus, and curious that it should be formed as simple plants, spreading by underground stems, in such distant parts of W» Europe. Rotundifolius connects it with the typical plant." With reference to this, I am disposed to think that we have here both varieties. St. Andrews, Fife, 28/^ July, 1883. SCOTTISH GALLS. In addition to the numerous forms already described by myself in the Scottish- ■Naturalist^ I have met with a good many during the past year, and one or two this summer, not recorded previously from Scotland ; others have kindly been sent me by friends. Of a few I can find no record in any articles on Galls and their makers accessible to me. As might be expected, the new forms are chiefly inconspicuous, being the work of mites (Phytoptus), or of Anguillulidie. Of these " worm-galls " I have found examples on Hypochoeris radicata, Hieracium Pilosella, Plantago maritima, and P. lanceolata, in addition to those formerly recorded by me on grasses. Some of the additions to my list are the work of Cynipida; on oaks, and one or two are galls of Cecidomyidcr, on Cardamiue pratensis and other plants. Descriptions of the various galls not in my former lists will appear in due course. My present object is to say that any assistance in working out the distribution of galls in Scotland will be most welcome; and that I shall be most happy to see and to name any specimens from any part of Scotland ; and to assist, as far as I can, any one that may commence the study of these structures. James W. H. Trail. 1 he Scottish Naturalist. 9 1 MEETINGS AND PROCEEDINGS OF SCOTTISH SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. MEETING OF NORTHERN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES AT BANFF. The meeting this year, the third that has now been held by the combined 1 societies of the North of Scotland, was held at Banff on the third and fourth August ; and proved very successful, being much enjoyed by those able to be present at it. There were present representatives from the following societies and field clubs : — Aberdeen Natural History Society, Alford Field Club, Banff- shire Field Club, Caithness Field Club of Deer, Edinburgh Geological Society, Elgin Literary and Scientific Association, Huntly Field Club, Inverness Scientific Society and Field Club, Gaelic Society and Literary Institute, Keith. Field Club, Nairn Literary Association, and Ross-shire Philosophical Society. The meeting opened on Friday afternoon with a visit to the Banff Museum, where the visitors were welcomed by the President of the Banffshire Field Clulv after which they were shown the chief objects of interest in the museum. The inspection occupied about half an hour, after which the company divided into. two parties, of which one visited Duff House, while the other visited the chief places in the town and the Castle. An evening meeting was held at 6. 30 p.m. in the Academy Buildings, nnder the presidency of Mr. A. Ramsay, and was well attended. A number of papers were read : some of them were on anti- quarian studies in the North of Scotland, and therefore need not be referred to more fully in this report. The following papers relate to subjects that fall within the scope of this magazine : — 1. " The Flora and Fauna of Keig" (in Aberdeenshire), by Rev. Thomas. Bell. Mr. Bell finds in the parish 290 Phanerogams, 10 Ferns, 4 Lycopods, 2 Equiseta, and 91 Mosses. Of these none require special mention here. In the Fuana he finds that 71 species of birds have been observed, and that of these 49 are permanent residents, 18 are summer visitors, and 4 come in winter. Of butterflies 15 species have been taken, and he has also taken a considerable number of spiders, the rarest being Salticus scenicus and Epeirat conica. He also remarked on the existence of Formica rufa in Castle Forbes Woods, as being the furthest point east known to him where these ants occur in the district ; the nests are to be found by scores, and are in some cases, as much as 4 feet high, and 25 to 30 feet in circumference. 2. — A paper was read on the " Nudibranchiate Mollusca " of the Moray- Firth, by Dr. A. Sutherland, Invergordon. The author stated that the number of species yet found in the Firth was 27, distributed into the following genera, — Doris (6), Goniodoris (1), Polycera (3), T?itonia{2), Doto {2),Dcndronotus (1),. Eolis (11), Eimapontia{i). Arranging them by theirjdistribution in depth, 21 are found in the littoro-laminarian zone, 15 in the coraline zone, and 3 \vu the deeper zones. Collectively they have a northern aspect. 3. — Mr. W. Docherty read an interesting paper on " Caithness as a field for scientific study ;" and called attention to its special advantages for the study of botany, of zoology, and of antiquarian research. 4. — "The Flora of Banff " was the subject of a communication by Rev. W. S.. Bruce, in which he acknowledged the assistance that he had received from Mr*. T. Edwards and from a manuscript of the late Dr. Todd of Alvah. The lis. 92 TJie Scottish Naturalist reaches about 400 species of Phanerogams, though the mountain plants are conspicuous by their absence in the vicinity of Banff. Among the more interest- ing plants of the neighbourhood may be noted Carex incurva, Senebiera Corott- ofns } Habenaria albida and H. viruiis, Scilla verna, Merlensia maritima t Pyrola secunda, Linncea borealis, Anagallis tenella, Sambucus Ebuius, and Cm-ex pendula. The members of the various societies supped together the same evening in the Fife Arms Hotel. Saturday was devoted to an excursion westward to Boyndie, the Boyne, Portsoy, and Cullen, where lunch was taken. During the excursion, visits were made to the Old Church at Boyndie, Craigherbs with the adjacent camps, the ruins of the Castle of the Boyne, the Serpentine Quarry of Portsoy, the old camp and the Castle of Findlater, and the Old Kirk of Cullen and Cullen House. During the excursion Mr. Home acted as' guide to all points of geological interest ; and kindly drew up the subjoined notes on the geology of the districts visited. Neighbourhood of Banff. — Between Macduff and Gamrie there is a great development of the clay slate series of Banffshire, consisting of shales, flags, and grits, which, owing to the curvature of the strata have been thrown into a : succession of anticlinal and synclinal folds. The ripple-marks on the surface of the beds, the false bedding in the beds of grey wacke, the pebbles in the grits and conglomerates, unquestionably point to the conclusion that they are ancient sedimentary rocks. But when we cross the Deveron, the rocks gradually assume a crystalline aspect. The thin bedded flags and shales are converted into mica . schists, which in the more advanced series of metamorphism, merge into knotted schists. These gradations may be followed along the shore between Banff Harbour and the Links of Boyndie. Still more intense, however, is the nature • of the metamorphism in the rocks visible at low tide on the west shore of Boyndie Bay. The reefs consist of soft unctuous hydro-mica schists alternating with bands of pebbly quartzite, which have been stained by infiltration of iron ■oxide from the Old Red Sandstone strata that formerly covered them. In this case also, the pebbles in the grits point to the sedimentary origin of the strata, ■ even though the matrix in some places has been changed into micaceous quartz- schist. Resting on the truncated edges of these crystalline rocks in Boyndie Bay, there are two small outliers of old red sandstone, composed of con- glomerates and grits. From the character of the blocks in the conglomerate, it is evident that we have represented at this locality a fragment of the deposit which accumulated along the ancient shore line in the Old Red Sandstone Period. They connect the Old Red area of Gamrie with those of Cullen and Buckie. At Blackpots there is a thick deposit of finely laminated clay, which has yielded numerous liassic and oolitic fossils ; but there can be no doubt of ■ its glacial origin, from the fact that it contains at one point of the section frag- ments of glacial shells. PORTSOY District. — At Portsoy, a visit was paid to the marble quarry, where the relations]of the serpentine to the diorite were discussed. The diorite, which occupies the greater part of the section from the mouth of the Durn Burn, westwards to the marble quarry, is of very variable character. When •typically developed, as, for example, round the battery, it is an extremely beauti- ful rock, showing under the microscope large crystals of horn blende, with the normal cleavage angle, diallage. labradorite felspar, and magnetite. Within a The Scottish Naturalist. 93. short distance, however, this type disappears, owing to the limited development of the felspar and the greater abundance of the horn blende. In the latter case, the rock approaches the type of amphibolite, and where foliation occurs it might be termed a horn-blende schist. All these varieties are to be found on the shore west of Durn Bay. At various points lenticular patches of quartzite, mica schists, and calcareous bands occur in the midst of the diorite, with the normal strike of metamorphic strata in the neighbourhood. There are no fewer than six veins of serpentine associated with this mass of diorite, two of which are of special interest and importance. Both of them lie to the west of the Battery, the largest occurring at the marble quarry. From these veins excellent speci- mens may be obtained of the green and mottled varieties of serpentine. The joints are usually mottled with steatite, and thin veins of chrysolite of great beauty intersect the rock. In addition to these minerals, asbestos and enstatite have also been met with. The large vein to the west of the Battery displays a gradual passage from the diallage rock or gabbro into serpentine, a graduation which is amply proved by chemical analysis as well as by microsopic examin- ation. On the west side of the marble quarry, the serpentine is bounded by diorite or foliated horn-blendic rock passing downward into chlorite schists* large bomb-shaped masses of diorite are completely enveloped in the soft green chlorite schists. They vary in size from 2 to 5 feet in diameter, and are arranged in a linear manner along the lines of foliation. From the appearances presented by the chlorite schist it is evident that they are the result of the alter- ation of the diorite masses at that locality. Following the shore westwards, we gradually descend through flaggy limestones, argillites, chiastolite slates, mica schists, with actinolke and serieite schists to the quartzitcs of Redhythe Point and Durn Hill. Cullen Bay occupies the centre of a synclinal fold in the ancient crystal- line rocks. The fine-grained quartzites and mica schists which dip to the south-east on the cliffs near Cruats, reappear with a north-west inclination to the east of the harbour. The members of this series are the northern prolong- ations of the quartzites on Ben Aigen and the Bin of Cullen, but owing to various foldings, they occupy a large part of the coast section. The Three Kings of Cullen consist of these fine-grained quartzites, which have been brec- ciated by faults running in a north and south direction. On the west side of the bay there is an important outlier of Old Red Sandstone, which exhibits a remarkable instance of double unconformity. At the base, the strata consists of coarse brecciated conglomerates, dipping at a gentle angle to the west of north, and passing underneath friable red sandstones. As we follow the cliffs northwards in the direction of Scar Nose, the basal conglomerates disappear, and the overlying sandstones rest directly on the truncated edges of the quartzites. This outlier must have extended formerly along the valley of the Cullen Burn, because another fragment of this formation is to be found on the right bank of the stream above Cullen House. BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS' CLUB. On 27th July, the second meeting of the season was held, the day being devoted to an excursion to Holy Island. There was a full attendance, repre- sentatives being present from most of the southern counties of Scotland, and also from Durham. The interesting ruins on the island received the attention they merited, while the botany proved of much interest to several members, with the result of yielding the following additions to the recorded flora of the 94 The Scottish Naturalist. island : viz., Equisetum variegation, Lycopodium Selagiuoides, Anagallis tenella t Carex dislans, Ambylodon dealbatus (abundant in fruit), and Cladonia Endivice- Jolia, var. alcicomis. Besides these there occurred numerous local or other- wise noteworthy plants, so that all were charmed with the richness of the flora. The party afterwards visited Lowlynn, where a collection of rock-plants was much admired. About forty members remained to dinner at the Half-way House. After dinner the following papers were read or laid before the meeting : — I. "William Stevenson : his scientific work and writings," with an obituary notice, by Prof. Duns, of Edinburgh ; 2. "On the damage done to Pine trees at Coupland Castle by the snowstorms of winter 1882-S3," by M. T. Culley, Esq. ; 3. " On the signification of the name Lindisfarne," by R. Carr-Ellison, Esq. ; 4. *' Geological Papers and Sections," by Mr. David Carr, viz. (1), Breaks of the coal-measures to the Tweed and the Till for three miles, (2), A section of the Kyloe hills, from Fenwick, N.E. of the Hills to the Low, (3), A section of the face of the Hetton Limestone ; 5. " On a recent visit to Kid land, with an account of its antiquities, botany, zoology, and mineralogy," by James Hardy, Esq. In the beginning of August some excursions were made in connection with the club by Mr. Hardy and others with a view to extending investigations in the Cheviots. During these, various noteworthy observations were made, anti- quarian, botanical, and zoological. Of the plants noted there were new to the flora of the Cheviots, Epipaclis latifoiia, Jimcus diffiisus, and Alopecurus ■ a^reslis. Many rare continental and exotic trees thrive as if they were natives in the woods at Hedgeley. Several examples of the Painted Lady butterfly were seen ; and the turnips were observed to be suffering seriously from the attacks of Plutella Cruciferarum. Plusia Gamma was also noticed to be very prevalent, a fact that has also been very conspicuous during the month of July around Aberdeen, where the larvre are very common now in the end of August. TRANSACTIONS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. Of these transactions Vol. VII. , Part I., has just been published, containing the records of the Society for the sessions 1880-81, 1881-82. The Society is evidently in a flourishing condition ; and that it is doing excellent work is shown by this publication. We heartily wish it the success it so well deserves, and many years of continued prosperity. Though not absolutely confined to the geology of Scotland, most of the papers relate to some part or other of our own country ; the belief evidently being recognised as a good one that each provincial society will find abundant material for work without seeking it at a distance. In that belief we most fully agree. Among the many valuable papers it is somewhat difficult to make a selection for special mention ; hence we shall only give the titles of those relating to Scottish Geology and Mineralogy, leaving those that wish a closer acquaintance with the contents to consult the papers themselves. These papers are as follows : — 1. "On the Post-tertiary Beds of Garvel Park, Greenock," by David Robertson ; 2. " Notes on several new forms of Graptolites from the Silurian Shales of Dumfriesshire," by James Dairon ; 3. " Notes on the Igneous Rocks of the Kilmacolm District," by Arthur Pratt; 4. "Note on a specimen of altered Dolomitic Limestone from the Cement-stone series of the Ballagan Group," by James J. Dobbie, M.A., &c. ; 5. "Notes on Mull and its Leaf-beds," by W. E. Koch, B. A., &c. ; 6. "The Silurian Rocks of Logan Water, Les- mahagow," by J. R. S. Hunter, LL.D. ; 7. " Description of an erratic boulder ■on the Highland Railway," by E. A. Wunsch; 8. "Sketch of the Geologyjof part of the Mainland of Shetland," by Thomas Stewart ; 9. "Notes on the Silurian Rocks of the Muirkirk District," by David Forsyth, A.M.; 10. "The Vol- canic History of the Old Red Sandstone Period, north of the Grampians," by John Home, F.R.S.E., &c. ; II. " On the Fossiliferous Strata lying between The Scottish Naturalist. 95 the Lower and Upper Limestones in the Keith and Dairy District, by Robert Craig; 12. "The Geology and Paleontology of Bankend, Bellfield, and Coal- burn, Lesmahagow," by John R. S. Hunter, LL.D., l\x. ; 13. " Notes on the Limestones in the Parishes of Cathcart and Eastwood, Renfrewshire, "by James Stewart ; 14, " Notes on a Carboniferous Selachian Fish from the Cement-lime- stone Series of East Kilbride," by James Coutts ; 15. "A Geological excursion to Cathkin Quarries," by D. C. Glen and John Young ; 16. " On a large boulder of Mica-schist near Inverbeg, Loch Lomond," by Dugald Bell ; 17. " Notes on Graptolites," by James Dairon; 18. " Remarks on some of the ex- ternal characters which distinguish Fenestella plebeia of M 'Coy from those of F. tuberculocarinata of Etheridge, jun.," by John Young. There is also a paper by Mr. Thomas M. Barr on the " Origin and early History of the Geological Society of Glasgow," in which will be found a very readable account of the earlier Geological Societies of Glasgow, and of the origin and vicissitudes of the existing Society, tracing its' development from small beginnings in 1858 up to its present healthy and vigorous condition. The " get-up " of the Transactions is as satisfactory as the contents. PROCEEDINGS OF THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE, lS8l-82. Volume I. Part II. When in 1871, the Perthshire Society decided to risk the publication of the " Scottish Naturalist," it took the place of the " Pro- ceedings " that would otherwise probably, as the years went on, have been given forth from the Society. This Magazine has not had the support of the Society drawn from it, but it has been deemed desirable to issue distinct "Pro- ceedings." The series of these began to appear in 1SS1. We have now before us the second part of the same, containing a record of considerable interest as -the result of the year's work of the Society during the session, 1SS1-82. The papers published almost all deal with local (or Scottish) botany and zoology, or with the past history and future work of the Society ; and the occasion of the entrance into new premises and the opening of the new Museum buildings has wisely been taken advantage of to direct the thoughts of the members to what lies before them in advancing to a more complete knowledge of the fauna and flora of Perthshire. The leading papers in this part are as follows : — 1. " The annals of the Society from its foundation to the present time," by Dr. F. B. White : 2. "Climatic and Geographical Changes in Post-Glacial Times," by Dr. Geikie ; 3. Local Meteorological Conditions, and Conditions of Local Meteorology, " by James Moncur ; 4. "Notes on the Season," by Dr. F. B. "White ; 5. " The Modes of Dispersion of the Seeds of (chiefly) Scottish plants," by Prof. Trail (printed in the " Scot. Nat." in 1882) ; 6. Address by the Pre- sident, Dr. Geikie, on the " Aims and Ends of Natural Science Studies ; " 7. Notes by Dr. White on Pyrola rotund ifoli a as a Perthshire plant, and on the dates of flowering of rock-plants at Perth during the spring of 1882 as com- pared with former years ; 8. "On the Mollusca of Perthshire," by Henry Coates ; 9. "On the Animal Nature of Euglena viridis," by Prof. Allen Harker. During 1882 the Society held four excursions: viz., on June 3rd, to Logie- rait, along the Tay as far as Dunkeld. Various rare or local plants were found, among these being Polygonatum verti dilation ; and of insects were taken E?nmelesia albulata, Eiipcecilia ciliella, Botys fuscalis, larvae of Tkei'a juni- perata, and other species. On July 1st, to Douneand Blairdrummond Moss, where extensive reclaiming operations have been in progress for years. Numerous rare plants were met with, including a few species of Andromeda Polifolia. On August 3rd, to Comrie and Glenartney. In this excursion Dr. Geikie pointed out at Ochtertyre the distribution of the drift deposits ; near this place they form hillocks and other massive deposits, which bury the Old Red Sand- stone conglomerate below them ; " erratics " are very plentiful among and upon these deposits. Dr. Geikie pointed out the relation of the deposits to the great glaciers that had formerly existed in this part of Scotland ; and that after g6 The Scottish Naturalist. the ice had melted the Carse had been occupied with a large lake. In Glen- artney the Old Red Sandstone rocks are well seen, standing almost on end. Nothing noteworthy was observed by the zoologists in their Speciality ; but a goodly number of flowering plants of interest were met with. Among these we may note Sambucus Ebulus, radiant plants of Centaures nigra, Agrimonia odorata and Lactuca muralis. On September 2nd, to the Lochs near Blairgowrie. The chief object of this trip was to work out the flora of Lochs Cluny, Marlee, the White Loch, &c. The results were of great interest, though the day was hardly so fine as might have been desired. Among the most rare or local plants gathered were Reseda lutea, Cardans nutans, and Geranium columbinum ; in Loch Cluny grew Potatnogeton borealis, P. Zizii, and a variety of P. pusillus ; in Loch Marlee several species of Potamogeton were found (Pert/zensis Sturrock, lucens, with its var. acuminatus, rufescens, Sec), along with Naias Jiexilis, Elatine luxan- dra, &c. In the Lunan Burn other Potamogetons were added to the above (see Mr. Sturrock 's paper in the July number of the "Scot. Nat."). In Fingask Loch Ranunculus Confervoides was obtained ; as was also Naias Jlexilis. In the White Loch Potamogeton pseudo-nitens was got hold of. In addition to the plants some attention was also directed to the water-molluscs : and some insects were noticed, as was also the green Spongilla lacustris. ON THE OOCUEKENCJE Of MONOECIOUS PLANTS OP MERCUKIALIS PERENNIS. As this species is very generally dioecious, so much so that it is stated expressly to be so in almost all "Floras," I was a good deal interested in June of this year to find plants showing monoecious arrangements of two different kinds. Both grew on a wooded bank beside the river Don, not far from Aberdeen, amidst a profusion of the ordinary dioecious form. Of the abnormal forms the first plant was possessed of several aerial stems arising from a common rhizome. Of these stems two bore exclusively female inflorescences of the usual appearance, while there were four stems similarly exclusively male. The other plants were two in number ; at least, I found two stems a good many yards apart, and evidently belonging to distinct rhizomes, each of which bore several inflorescences. In several of the inflorescences male and female flowers were intermixed, though not quite side by side. In both forms the flowers seemed sexually mature. In the Botanisckes Centralblatt, 1SS3, Vol. XV. p. 29, Dr. Fr, Thomas mentions finding at Ohrdruf six examples like my second form. J. W. H. Trail. To Correspondents. — Communications, either longer articles or notes on all branches of the Botany, Zoology, and Geology of Scotland, or bearing upon these sciences, are solicited. Contributors will oblige by sending their com- munications clearly written on one side of the paper only, to the Editor, Pro- fessor Trail, M.D., Kent Cottage, King Street Road, Aberdeen, not later than the beginning of the month preceding the issue of the number in which the writer wishes it to appear. If unused MS. is desired in any case to be returned, the writer will oblige by stating the wish when the MS. is sent to the Editor, who will not hold himself responsible for MS. in any case. The Authors alone are responsible for the contents of their papers. Books Received.— The Journal of Conchology, July, 1SS3 ;■ the Naturalist, August'and September, 1883 ; the Canadian Entomologists, June, 1SS3 ; the Zoologist, August and September, 1883 ; the Entomologist, September, 1883 ; Grevillea, September, 1883 ; Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow, Vol. VII., Bart I., 1SS3. PRELIMINARY LIST OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES IN SCOTLAND. TO further the attainment of the federation of the scientific societies of Scotland, and of the best methods of rendering more widely useful the work done in them, the following pre- liminary list has been compiled, in the hope that its deficiencies will be supplemented by those interested in this subject, and that it may thus be possible to obtain a more clear idea of the strength of the various societies among us. With the kind assistance of the secretaries, it would be possible to give a sketch of the rise and progress of some of the leading societies, such as have been distinguished for the value of the work done by them in the past ; nor is it doubtful that such sketches would be alike interesting and valuable, as well as very suitable for the pages of the Scottish Naturalist. The subjoined list is based on that submitted in- 1883, at Southport, to the Council of the British Association ; but in that list are included only societies that publish Proceedings, all others being passed over in silence. Hence the list given herewith is considerably fuller for Scotland, though probably several are omitted from it in absence of information concerning them. Any additional information will be gladly received by the editor, and supplementary lists will be given if necessary. The arrangement has been made geographical, for convenience of reference, beginning from the south of Scotland, and first taking the east side, then the west. Cryptogamic Society of Scotland (never meets in the same place for two successive years). Berwickshire Naturalists' Club. Edinburgh Botanical Society. Geological Society. Highland and Agricultural Society. Naturalists' Field Club. Royal Society. G 9$ The Scottish Naturalist. Stirling Natural History and Archaeological Society. Alloa Society of Natural Science and Archaeology. Kirkcaldy Naturalists' Society. Largo Field Naturalists' Society. Perthshire Society of Natural Science. Dundee Naturalists' Society. Arbroath Horticultural and Natural History Association. Montrose Natural History and Antiquarian Society. Aberdeen Natural History Society. Royal Northern Agricultural Society. Philosophical Society. Alford Field Club. Huntly Field Club. Keith Field Club. Banffshire Field Club. Elgin Literary and Scientific Association. Inverness Scientific Society and Field Club. Ross-shire Philosophical Society. Caithness Field Club. Kirkcudbrightshire Field Naturalists' Club. Dumfries-shire and Galloway Scientific, Natural History, and Antiquarian Society. Glasgow Geological Society. Natural History Society. Philosophical Society. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD IN BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION. By REV. WILLIAM L. DAVIDSON. I. DEFINITION. DEFINITION, in its application to the Biological Sciences, may be taken in any one of the three quite different significations. It may mean the explanation of the technical terms employed in the particular science or department under consideration ; or it may mean the exposition of the keystone of the natural classification, the Graded System ; or it may mean adducing the various characters that go to mark off the several groups at the different stages in the classifying scheme. The first of these is, strictly speaking, Terminology ; the second is techni- cally known as Nomenclature. It is the third alone that we here The Scottish Naturalist. 99 intend by Definition ; and with this alone we shall at present occupy ourselves. Now Definition, thus understood as dealing with the " characters " of groups, is either of two kinds, according to the object we have in view. If we intend simply to aid identifica- tion, it will be sufficient to state the one or two leading characteristics (such as are obvious and readily recognised) that serve to distinguish one group from another ; but if we be guided by scientific purpose, then something fuller and more ambitious will be required. We shall have to exhaust the characters ; and, in doing so, to attend to all the niceties that the subject-matter admits of, and that the logic of method demands. The first of these is indeed an affair of considerable importance, and ought certainly to have attention bestowed upon it, and to occupy a definite place in every text -book of botany ; but the difficulties attaching to it are not great, and, as it possesses considerable utility both to the teacher and to the learner, there is little risk of its being neglected or inadequately handled. But the second is a matter of no small difficulty ; and as it demands in whoever atempts it the subtlety of the logician as well as the knowledge of the expert, it is apt to create interminable embarrassment, and to lead to very unsatisfactory results. Let us then concentrate our attention for a little on this latter, and see what principles are implicated in the process, and how best we may deal with the difficulties that crop up. Definition, as I have already said, has to do with the botanical " character." Now, this word, even in botany, is a term of equivocal import. It may stand for the single identifying peculiarity of a group, such as the basal gland on the petal of a Ranunculus, or the pair of opposite lines of hairs on the Ger- mander Speedwell ; or it may signify the congeries of peculiarities that a group possesses, and that need to be taken in their totality before you can have the full meaning of the particular assemblage, such as the five peculiarities of the class Dicotyledons — viz., 2 cotyledons, exorhizal germination, exogenous growth (carrying with it the facts of distinct or separable bark and wood in continuous rings), quaternary or quinary symmetry, and reticulated venation ; or the corresponding five peculiarities of the Monocoty- ledons. Perhaps little inconvenience arises in practice from this double usage ; but to obviate all ambiguity, the word " mark " might be employed to designate the sum of the distinguishing features (in which case, instead of speaking of a class-character, 100 The Scottish Naturalist. a generic character, and so forth, we should say a class-mark, a generic mark, &:c.), and "character" would be applicable to any one of the mark's constituents, and the sum-total of characters would be the mark proper. But a point of more importance arises when we come to con- sider what characters are worthy of being regarded as indispensable to the mark. Are the necessary constituents simply those that are possessed by every member of the group ? or shall we further include those that are shared by the majority of members, though not by all ? No doubt the distinction between universal and general characters would be a very desirable one, if only it could be kept up. But, unfortunately, it is not workable. In many species and genera, indeed, it might be pretty rigorously applied (and there it should be rigorously adopted), but it fails when we reach the higher grades, classes, sub-classes, &c. Thus, for instance, there is not a single character in the class Dicotyledons that all Dicotyledons have in common. Even the fact of dicoty- ledonism fails in the case of the Dodder, which is acotvledonous (though not of course in the same way as the Acotyledonia or Cryptogams), and in Abronia, which is monocotyledonous ; and if we include Conifers and other Gymnosperms in this class, we have a large group of /^^cotyledonous plants. But if dicoty- ledonism fails, much more does every other character as yet discovered, for there is no other fact of equal generality with it. The mode of growth varies to an indefinite extent j so does the venation ; and so does the floral symmetry. Universality then is a thing not to be thought of, and we must rest content with bare generality. Yet care should be taken that this generality is real, and not merely apparent ; for a feature may be striking, and may be shared in by a large number of plants, and nevertheless this large number may be simply the minority. There is nothing but a quantitative measure to go by, and a general character is the same thing as a character possessed by a majority of members of a group. Under these circumstances, various things become necessary. It is indispensable (i) to exhaust the characters at every grade in so far as this is possible ; (2) to indicate the exceptions, when the characters are not absolutely universal, or, where it would be too cumbrous to give a full enumeration, to supply good typical instances; and (3) rigorously to exclude from the denning mark of a grade irrelevant characters — i.e. (a) every particular that pro- perly belongs to the grades subordinate as well as to the grades The Scott is J i Naturalist. 101 superordinate; (b) contradictory opposites put in the form of an alternative, as when we are told that a group is characterised by '•leaves divided or entire," or by "flowers regular or irregular," or by "stamens indefinite or definite," which is very much like saying that the distinctive feature of men is " having beards or being without them." And, indeed, a plausible objection may be raised against giving alternatives as characters at all ; for, strictly speaking, no alterna- tive can characterise. A fact is never an alternative — in other words, a thing is what it is, a definite something with definite and positive qualities ; and so long as it continues to be that thing, it is not and cannot be anything else. Hence to say that a group has flowers red or white or yellow, for instance, is so far not to ascribe one positive attribute to its members, but to give us a choice of several ; and so, in strictness, is not to characterise. But then, on the other hand, if our alternatives be exhaustive, there is no question that we do obtain from them some positive information. Although we may not be able to say off hand what the colour may be in the flower of any given member of the group, it will always be something if we can with confidence affirm that it will be one of a limited number, red or white or yellow, and not blue or pink or green. Hence, in this sense — i.e., if we can exhaust the alternatives at any particular stage — we may enumerate them as a character ; but if we fail to exhaust them, or if we deal in contradictory alternatives, we have no right to adduce them as a character or to present them as part of the defining mark. [To be continued.) THE PERTHSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM. By F. BUCHANAN WHITE, M.D., F.L.S. ( Continued from page 53. ) As has been already stated, one and a half table-cases are devoted to the zoological index collection. These cases contain thirty-six trays, thus apportioned : — Protozoa, one tray ; Cozlenterata (includ- ing Spongia), five trays ; Echinodermata, three trays ; Arthropoda and Mollusca, each six trays ; and Vertebrata, twelve trays. The Protozoa are illustrated by drawings of selected types of the species that have no shell, and by models (obtained from Fritsch of Prague), of the Foraminifera and Radiolaria, as well as by specimens of the actual shells of the latter groups. 102 The Scottish Naturalist. As in the geological department, the back of the case bears a placard, indicating the nature of the specimens in the tray. In the zoological department these placards give the name and essential characters of each sub-division. In the trays themselves are placed narrow bands of paper, crossing from one side to the other, and indicating the names, and the essential characters of the various classes, orders, or families. Thus in the tray devoted to Protozoa, we have three such bands, being one to each of the classes Rhizopoda, Gregarinida, and Infusoria. Each specimen, model, or drawing is also labelled with its name, and any other information that may seem desirable. All the sub-divisions of the Invertebrata are treated in the same way, and, wherever possible, actual specimens are given. In such a sub-kingdom as Cozlenterata, many of the animals in which are not possessed of hard parts, and which are also difficult to preserve so as to give any true idea of their structure and appearance, models have been largely resorted to. Fortunately, the beautiful glass models prepared by Blaschka of Dresden, which illustrate not only the external appearance of the animals, but also, in many cases, their internal structure, can be purchased at a moderate price. Here it may be well to observe that in arranging such a collec- tion as the one we are describing, it will be found a very great advantage to have a narrow upright case between each two table- cases, furnished with glass shelves, on which to place the prepara- tions that must be preserved in fluid in jars. Experience proves that it is impossible to display to any advantage such preparations in a table-case, and that for purposes of study, the latter must be supplemented with the upright case. At the commencement of each sub-kingdom is placed a diagram of its essential type of structure ; and where necessary this diagram is supplemented by others. The sub-kingdoms Echinodermata and Venues are illustrated in the same manner as the Ceelenierata, by means of actual speci- mens, fluid preparations, models, and drawings ; and the life- history and anatomy of several species are demonstrated. To the Arthropoda are allotted, as has been said above, six trays. Of these the Insecta occupy three, not that they are con- sidered to be of so great relative importance, but because, from the inland situation of the Museum, they form a very large part of the Invertebrata of the surrounding district. Hence it has been considered advisable to show specimens to illustrate all the chief orders. Preparations illustrate the structure of certain selected types, and also their metamorphoses, whether complete or incom- plete. The other three trays are divided amongst the remaining arthropods, which are illustrated in the same manner as the insects. The sub-kingdom Moilusca occupies six trays. Here, again, The Scottish Naturalist. 103 models have been largely made use of to illustrate such parts of the animals as are not easily preserved in a dry state, as well as to demonstrate their structure and development. Preparations of the shells show the internal structure, e.g., the internal form of the spire in univalves, and the attachment of the muscles in bivalves. Their geological history is also shown, so far as space permits, by examples of extinct species. It should have been said that this has been done in the other sub-kingdoms also. Twelve trays may at first sight seem quite inadequate to illus- trate a sub-kingdom containing so many large forms as the Verte- brata, but a little consideration will show that even in this space it is possible to exhibit the essential characters of the five Vertebrate Classes ; and that in a small museum it is not advisable to do much beyond this. We need not describe the treatment of the Classes separately, since, for the ease of comparison, they are illustrated in a somewhat similar manner throughout. In each there is a perfect skeleton shown, and along with it are specimens to show the nature of the integument and its covering ; and, as far as space allows, typical species of each group are shown. Models of brains and of the hearts with the large vessels are placed in the case; while dissections in fluid, with the bloodvessels injected, demonstrate other details. The younger stages of the lower Classes are illustrated by examples. Any remaining space is de- voted to instructive specimens, such as skulls with the different bones coloured and named. It is intended to show by coloured crania, when these can be procured, the system of classification now generally adopted for birds, which depends on the form of the vomer and palatine bones. A whole table-case is allotted to the Botanical index collection. Of the twenty-four trays in it, fourteen are occupied by the Flower- ing Plants or Pha7ier ogams. In these are shown, as far as possible, the form and structure of the various parts of the plants, the specimens being supplemented by drawings. Thus we have the forms, normal and abnormal, of roots and stems, both recent and fossil, illustrated by sections longitudinal and transverse, and by drawings of the microscopic structure ; so that the differences between exogenous and endogenous stems is well exhibited. The lower divisions have not been entered on however. Other trays contain preparations and dissections of the leaves and flowers, supplemented largely by drawings to exhibit the nature of those parts too small to be seen with the unaided eye in the actual specimen. A series of trays is devoted to the various forms of seed-vessels and fruits, concluding with examples to demonstrate the seeds and their inner structures. To the Pteridophyta, or Ferns and their allies, three trays are given, beginning with drawings to show the processes of reproduc- tion in the group, and followed by types of the different plants com- posing it, both recent and fossil, illustrated by specimens. The 104 Th e Scottish Naturalist. two groups of Bryophyta and Thallophyta are exhibited in like manner, with the addition of models of some of the Fungi. The polymorphism of some of the latter is also pointed out, as well as the composite nature of the Liche?is. As in the Zoological department, the back of each case bears placards, giving the most important characters of the groups. (To be continued.) LECTURES ON BOTANY AT SOUTH KENSINGTON. After an interval of several years, a selection of about thirty Science teachers- had, during last July, the privilege again accorded to them of attending a short course of lectures on Botany, and of working in the Biological Laboratory, South Kensington. Representatives were present from various parts of Great Britain and Ireland, and among the number were teachers from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Cullen, &c. The lectures were delivered by Mr. F. O. Bower, who also superintended the laboratory work. The students were- equally pleased with the parts of the subject selected for his prelections, his clear expositions, and the painstaking manner in which they were guided and helped in their practical studies. They wrought from proof copies of a scheme- of practical instruction prepared by Mr. Bower, which we are glad to learn will shortly be published. The students, both male and female, engaged in their work with the utmost enthusiasm, and' this wise and enlightened policy on the part of the S. and A. department will doubtless bear fruit in the more efficient teaching of Botany throughout the country by those who were fortunate enough to spend three busy weeks at the Normal Scho6l of Science in acquiring facility in the use of the Microscope and the Microtome. Dundee, \yh October, 1883. J. Brebner. HYGKOPHOKUS HYPOTHEJUS. Fries says that this species does not come up until after the first frost in autumn. Be this as it may, its appearance certainly is an indication that the glory of the agaric season is waning. It is one of the most variable species we have in point of colour. Before me are two specimens, gathered the other day upon a sandy heath under some Scotch firs — its favourite habitat. One is- a dark smoky brown on the top of its pileus ; the other bright orange, passing at one or two places into a bright vermillion. A casual observer would never take them to be the same fungus ; but compare their gills and stems, and they are clearly the same. This change of colour from brown to orange is simply due to the weather. A succession of rainy days had washed off the brown gluten ; then the stray gleams of sun and slight frosts at night completed the metamorphosis. This fungus is often extremely abundant where it occurs. This was the case where these two specimens were gathered. The majority of the specimens bore marks of birds having pecked them. Some were quite destroyed, only a few fragments remaining to show where the fungus had been. Others had only a small part pecked out from the centre of the pileus. Charles B. Plowright. 7 King Street, King's Lynn, iy/i Nov., 18S3. ZOOLOGY. THE SQUIRREL AS A FUNGUS-EATING ANIMAL. All mycologists must have noticed the frequency with which the larger hymenomycetous fungi are injured by animals. I have seen various Baled, notably B. luleus, with its pileus pecked to pieces by birds, I believe by rooks. Mr. Broome once found a number of Tubers stored up in the nest of a field mouse. Often the pilei without being destroyed entirely are marked by the teeth of rodents, and it has usually been supposed that a rabbit was the mycophagist. While on a visit to Glamis last September, Mr. Stevenson and I were one day sitting quietly under a tree on Hunters Hill, discussing sundry mycological problems, when we noticed a squirrel descend from a tree and begin eagerly to devour a fungus. We allowed him to finish his repast, and then inspected the fragments. He had left little else but the base of the stem and the gills, but we had no difficulty in recognising these as belonging to Russula nigricans. A little later in the day we noticed another squirrel run up a tree with something in its paws. This obviously was a fungus ; and as the little creature seemed to set great store by its prize, which was so large in pro- portion to itself, that it was with considerable difficulty that it got it conveyed to the upper branches, we refrained from frustrating its endeavours ; but we were almost certain that the fungus in question was another Russula, namely R. foeiens, a fungus not considered to be edible. Growing near the foot of the tree were several specimens of Boletus salanus, all the pilei of which bore marks of having been recently nibbled by some small rodent. There were no indica- tions of rabbits near, and doubtless the squirrel was in this instance too the mycophagist. Respecting Boleti as articles of human food, personally, I do not like them. There is a degree of sliminess about them when cooked, so strongly suggestive of boiled slugs — a mere fancy of course, but a sufficiently strong one to be unpleasant. It is not generally known in this country that the common Boletus granulosus is esculent. My friend the Rev. Canon Du Port is warm in its praise. The other day I met a lady with a basket of Boletus luleus, which were subsequently eaten and enjoyed by a hungry family in King's. Lynn. Fries mentions the fact that both these species are edible, but it is certainly not generally known in England, whatever may be the case in the North. There is a record in one of the Woolhope Transactions of a lady being made ill by eating Boletus fiavus ; so unless you are quite clear in your know- ledge between B. fiavus and luteus, gentle reader, you had better leave them for the squirrels. CHARLES B. Plowright. 7 King Street, King's Lynn, 25//* Oct., 1S83. BEKWICKSHIKE SLUGS. By WM. DENISON ROEBUCK. I AM indebted to Mr. R. Renton of Fans, near Earlston, in West Berwickshire, for living slugs collected in that neighbour- hood, some of which are interesting varieties — interesting, inas- much as they have not before been formally placed on record for the British fauna. The forms themselves are no doubt common enough, but the group has been so much neglected by British malacologists, that the arrears to be worked up in investigating the 106 The Scottish Naturalist. range of variation of slugs are by no means inconsiderable. Mr. Renton sent me a few specimens of Limax arborum (the tree- slug), and several of L. maximas, var. vulgaris. This, which is the typical form of the species, is characterised as being black- spotted on the shield, and having four longitudinal black stripes on the body. To this character the smaller specimens sent by Mr. Renton conform, but the large ones differ, inasmuch as the body stripes are not black, but merely dark cinereons. There were a large number of Limax agrestis sent, which ranged them- selves into four forms, all equally common, viz. : — The type form, as understood and defined in Lessona and Pollonera's excellent " Monografia dei Limacidi Italiani " (cinereus immaculatus), and the varieties reticulata, tristis and sylvatica, all of which may be regarded as common in Berwickshire, and no doubt elsewhere as well. The consignment also included several specimens of Arioti- ater, which exhibited slight variations, not of any very great im- portance. Out of seven sent, five were full grown, and had dark- coloured feet ; while the two immature specimens had their feet dirty-white. One of these last had the foot-fringe quite black, while in the other it was dull buff marked with transverse black streaks. With the slugs Mr. Renton sent specimens of Vitrina pellucida, Zonites cellarius, Limncea peregra, Physa hypnorum, Sphcerium corneum, Pisidium pusillum, Helix nemoralis, and H. Horteusis, as a contribution towards the working out of a county list of mollusca. I may perhaps be permitted to ask Scottish conchologists (or naturalists generally) to help me in working out the variation and geographical range of the British slugs. To this end I wish to have specimens of all, especially the common species, from every county in the British Isles, and in the case of some of the larger counties which are divided for the purpose of botanical and chrono- logical geography (see Watson's Topographical Botany) from each of their divisions. The divided Scottish counties are Sutherland (north-west and south-east), Ross (east and west), Argyle (Cantire split off), Inverness (E. and W.), Aberdeen (N. and S.), and Perth (East, Mid, and West). Specimens of slugs should be sent alive, in a close-fitting, air-tight tin box. Sunny Bank, Leeds, 20/// October, 1883. THE ANGEL PISH, OR MONK PISH, IN LOOH KYAN. A good specimen of this strange-looking fish was recently taken in a salmon net in Loch Ryan. So far as I could learn, it had not previously been seen by any of the fishermen here. I had not seen it before, but had no difficulty in identifying it from the drawing and description given by Mr. F. Buckland in his " Familiar History of British Fishes." It is there named Squalus squatina, Squatina angelus, or Squatina vulgaris. Mr. B. says, " It is by no means rare on our coasts, especially in the northern parts of the kingdom," thus differing from the statement of Couch. I think it must be considered a somewhat rare fish. T. Barty. PHYTOLOGY. PLANT NAMES. By Wm. DURIE. Part II. T T AVING given, in the former part of this paper, illustrations ■■■-*■ of plant names derived from persons, myths, places, and primitive sources, we now proceed to consider the remaining divisions already enumerated. V. The well-nigh infinite variety of properties belonging to the various species of plants has given rise to a most extensive list of names, while imaginary properties have, in ignorance, been the occasion of fixing names in other cases. Let us first take some Scotch names. Carl-hemp, the largest stalk of hemp bearing the seed ; from Carl, male or strong, found also in Carl-partan, Scotch for male crab. Lucken-gowan (Trollius Europceus), the Globe-flower. As it ex- pands only in bright sunshine, it is called " lucken," or " locken," locked or closed. In dull weather it is closed, and forms a complete globe. Sourocks, the Common Sorrel, used proverbially for ill-nature. Thus, Gait, in the " Entail," says, " Hey guidman, but ye hae been eating sourocks instead o' lang kail." Mays, the primrose, from blooming early in May. The English give this name to the Hawthorn blossom, and the Germans, to lilies of the valley. Bindwood, Ivy, from the strong hold it takes of walls. Wood-bine is the same word reversed. Wood-bind, for the honey- suckle, from its clasping neighbouring trees. Daft-berries (Atropa belladonna), because chewing the berries causes delirium. •Catch-rogue, or Catch-iueed (Galium aparine), because generally growing in hedges, it tears the clothes of people attempting to break through, or, at least, the fruits adhere to them. It io8 The Scottish Natui-alist. is also called goose-grass, as being a favourite food of geese,. though probably a corruption of gorse-grass, from its rough- ness. Chasbol, or Chesbowe, the Poppy. Some light may be thrown on this name from the Belgian name for the poppy, sleep-boll, or bowl inducing sleep, from its resemblance to a bowl and its soporific property. Next, English names as derived from other languages, e.g. Saxifrage (splenwort), Latin for stone-breaker, because it was supposed good for breaking up stones in the human bladder.. Sassafras, a kind of Laurel, was so named for the same reason. Sage, Latin, salvus, sound or whole ; French, sauge, from belief in its healing powers. Sloe, Dutch sleeuw, meaning sour, from its tartness. Witch-elm, Anglo-Saxon wice, bending or drooping, from its pendulous branches. Bryony, from Greek |S/>u«, denoting luxuriant growth. Thyme, Greek e^o; from its sweet smell. French ihym, pro- nounced " tim," hence the silent " h " in our word " Thyme." Hoarhound (Marrubium vulgare), Anglo-Saxon hore-hune, literally,. strongly-scented. Agrimony, Greek a^j^v, white spot, because supposed to remove white spots from the eyes. Ane?none, Greek, av^w, wind-flower (same root as animal : an, to breathe), so called from the action of the wind on its leaves. Pansy, or hearfs-ease. French, penser, to think ; the flower of thought or remembrance. Narcissus, Greek vupxi.C, placed by Winter in his group Hemipuccinia (characterised by possessing only uredo and teleuto-spores, but not secidio-spores), under the name F. Phrag- mitis Schnm. M. Cornu (Compt. rend. Vol. XCIV., 1882, JVo. 26) states that he has succeeded in causing the spores of this fungus to germinate on Ranunculus repe7is, and to produce on the latter plant an jEcidium, formerly referred to JEc. Ranimculacearum ; and he also states that the same jEcidium is met with on R. bul- oosus, R. acer, R. sceleratus, and R. Flammula. It will be observed below that jEcidia are said to be produced on some of the same species of Ranunculus by Uromyces Dactylidis Otth. The Scottish Naturalist. 117 (U. graminum Cooke). M. Cornu also mentions. the occurrence on the same host plant (the common Reed) of Puccinia graminis, said to give rise to JEc. Berberidis on the Barberry, and of P. Mag- nusiana (vide supra) said to cause jEc. Rumicls on species of Rwnex ; P. sessilis, Schum. is also a reed-parasite ; the correspond- ing fungus being JEc. Allii (vide infra). The following is the classification referred to above {Scot. Nat., Oct., 1883, p. 84) in so far as it applies to the Uredines known to us as Scottish : the numbers are those under which they stand in the Mycologia Scotica : — UROMYCES Link., teleuto-spo'res unicellular, free, not enclosed in a peridium, ultimately forming a powdery mass. A. — Lepturomyces, only teleuto-spores present, which germinate at once ; no examples yet found in Scotland. B. — Micruromyces, teleuto-spores alone occur, fall away easily, but do not germinate for some time. U. Ficariae (Schum.) (1272). U. Scillarum (Grev.) (1276, U. concentrica Lev.) C. — Hemiuromyces, both uredo-spores and teleuto-spores occur. U. Rumicis (Schum.) (1293, Ured. bifrons). U. Alchemillae (Pers.) (1275, U. intrusa Grev.; and p.p. 1 281, Uredo Potentillarum, D.C. D. — Uromycopsis, only aecidio- and uredo-spores present. U. Scrophulariae (D.C.) (1274, U. concomitans B. and Br. ; 1372, /Ecidium Scrophulariae D.C.) U.' Behenis (D.C.) (2187, JEc. Behenis D.C.) E. — Euuromyces, aecidio-, uredo-, and teleuto-spores all present. (a) Auteuuromyces, all three spore forms on same host- plant. U. Polygoni (Pers.) (1277 and 1222, Puc. vaginalium Link.) U. Betas (Pers.) (13 19, Trichobasis Betas Lev.) U. Limonii (D.C.) (2253, Uredo Statices Desm.) U. Valerianae (Schum.) (1310, Lee. Valerianae B.; 1361, JEc. Valerianacearum Duby). U. Orobi (Pers.) (p.p. 1266, Tr. Fabae Link.; p.p. 1267, Tr. fallens Cooke, 1320, Tr. Fabae Lev. ; and 1365, -^Ec. Orobi Pers.) U. Geranii (D.C.) (1273 and 1370, JEc. Geranii D.C.) U. Parnassiae (Grev.) (1369). (b) HetereuromyeeS) uredo- and teleuto-spores on one host- plant, aecidio-spores and spermogonia on another. U. Dactylidis Otth. (p.p. 1358, JEc. Ranunculacearum on Ranunculus bulbosus. ; the other forms are said to occur on Poa nemoralis, Dactylis glome- 1 1 8 The Scottish Naturalist. rata, Avena elatior, and Festuca elatior (being U. graminum Cooke), but have not been recorded from Scotland. (See note at end of this list.) U. Poae Rabh. (1358, p.p. Mc. Ranunculacearum D.C., on Ran. Ficaria and R. repens. the other forms referred to this species are found on Poa nemoralis and P. pratensis ; they have not been recorded from Scotland.) U. Pisi (Pers.) (? p.p. 1267, Tr. fallens Cooke). PUCCINIA Pers., teleuto-spores two-celled, free, not enclosed in a peridium, forming a powdery mass when ripe. A. — Leptopuccinia, only teleuto-spores, which form a rather compact hemispherical mass, remain long on their stalks, and usually germinate while still adherent. P. Buxi(D.C) (1268). P. annularis (Strauss.) (1228, P. Scorodoniae Link.) P. verrucosa (Schum.) (1226, P. Glechomatis D.C. P. Veronicse (Schum.) (1225, P. Veronicarum D.C.) P. Asteris Duby (1243, P. Tripolii Wallr.) P. Valantise Pers. (1245 and 1247, P. acuminata Fckl.) P. Chrysosplenii Grev. (1257). P. Circese Pers. (1265). P. Malvacearum Mont. (2189). P. Arenarise (Schum.) (1261, P. Lychnidearum Link. ; see also note in Scot. A^at., Vol. VI., p. 119). B. — Micropuccinia, only teleuto-spores, which fall readily from their stalks, but germinate only after some time. P. Betonicse (A. and S.) (1230). P. Campanulas Carm. (1232). P. Virgaureae (D.C.) (1239). P. ^Egopodii (Schum) (125 1). P Saxifragse Schl. (1256). P. Rhodioke B. and Br. (1262). P. Fergussoni B. and Br. (1260). P. Thalictri. Chev. abundant on lower surface of leaves of Thalictrum minus, van montanum, at Kinloch-Rannoch ; not previously recorded from Scotland. C. — Hemipuccinia, uredo- and teleuto-spores both occur, but no a3cidio-spores, though spermogonia are often present. P. Baryi (B. and Br.) (Epitea Baryi B. and Br.), on Brachypodium silvaticum near Aberdeen last year. P. paliformis Fckl. on Koeleria cristata. P. Phragmitis (Schum.) (12 15, P. arundinacea Hedw.) P. oblongata (Link.) (1219, P. Luzuke Lib., and 1317, Tr oblongata B.) P. polygoni-amphibii Pers. (2 181). The Scottish Naturalist. 119 P. Bistortee (Strauss) (1223). P. Oxyrise Fckl., on Oxyria reniformis. P. Vincse(D.C) (1231). P. suaveolens (Pers) (1240, P. Cirsii Lasch. ; 132 1, Tr. suaveolens Lev. ; and 13 18, Tr. Cirsii Lasch). P. bullata (Pers.) (1253, P. Conii Fckl. ; 1250, P. Apii Cda ; and p.p. 1248, P. Umbelliferarum). D. — Pucciniopsis, tecidio- and teleuto-spores known, no uredo-spores. P. conglomerata (Strauss.) (1237, P. Syngenesiarum Link; 1238, P. glomerata Grev. ; 1244, P. Sene- cionis Lib. ; and 1366 d., JEc. Compositarum Mart, var. Jacobaeae Grev.) P. Bunii (D.C.) (1360, JEc. Bunii D.C.) P. fusca. (Relh.) (1254, P. Anemones Pers. ; and 1349, JEc. leucospermum D.C.) E. — Eupuccinia, aecidio-, uredo- and teleuto-spores all occur. (a) Auteupuccinia, all three forms grow on same host-plant. P. Porri (Sow.) (2252, P. Allii). P. Asparagi D.C. (1220). P. Soldanellse (D.C.) (1352, ^Ec. Soldanellae Hornsh.) P. Primulae Grev. (1224, and 1374, ^Ec. Primulae D.C.) P. Menthse Pers. (1227, and 137 1, JEc. Menthse D.C.) P. flosculosorum (A. and S.) (1235, P. Compositarum Schl. ; P. Lapsanae Fckl., Tr. Lapsanae Fckl. ; 1241, P. variabilis Grev. ; P. Centaureae D.C. ; P. Hieracii Mart., with the corresponding uredo- or trichobasis- spores in each case ; and also with corresponding yEcidia). P. Tragopogi (Pers.) (1234, P. sparsa Cooke). P. Tanaceti D.C. (1236, P. discoidearum). P. Galii (Pers.) (1246, and 1359, JEc. Galii Pers.) P. Adoxae D.C. (1255, anc * 1350? ^c. albescens). P. Pimpinellse (Strauss) (2183, and 1248 p.p. ; 1248, P. Heraclei Grev., with the corresponding uredo - and secidio-spores. P. Saniculae Grev. (1252, 1367, ^Ec. Saniculse Carm.) P. Epilobii-tetragoni (D.C.) (1263, P. Epilobii D.C; 1264, P. pulverulenta Grev. ; 135 1, ^Ec. Epilobii D.C.) P. Vioke (Schum.) (1259, P. Violarum Link.; 1368, JEc. Violse Schum). P. Calthae Link. (1258, and 1357, JEc. Calthae Grev.) (b) Heter eupuccinia, spermogonia and secidio-spores on one host-plant, uredo- and teleuto-spores on another ; heteroecious species. P. graminis Pers. (12 14, on cereals and other grasses ; 120 The Scottish Naturalist. 1313, Trichobasis linearis Lev. on grasses; 1354, ALc. Berberidis Pers. on Barberry). P. rubigo-vera (D.C.) (13 12, Trichobasis rubigo-vera Lev. on grasses; 1362, JEc. Asperifolii Pers. on Anchusa arvensis, rare in Scotland ; P. straminis Fckl., also referred to this species ; has not yet been reported from Scotland). P. coronata Corda (12 17, at Menmuir; ^Ec. Rhamni Gmel. on Rhamnus sps., also referred to this species ;. has not been recorded from Scotland). P. Molinia) Tul. (1218 on Mol. coerulea ; 1377, ^Ec. Orchidearum Desm. on Orchis and Listera ; both forms rare in Scotland.) P. Poarum Niel (1366 c, ^Ec. Tussilaginis ; var. of Mc. Compositarum ; the Puccinia-spores referred to this species occur on species of Poa ; they were found in September, 1883, at Granton, on Speyside, by Mr. Plowright and Dr. Keith). P. Magnusiana Koern. (1375, Mc. rubellum Pers. ;. teleuto-spores have not been detected in Scotland.) P. sessilis Schn. (1376, Mc. Allii, on Allium ursinum ; P. sessilis occurs on Phalaris arundinacea ; it is not known as Scottish). P. Caricis (Schum.) (12 16, P. striola Link, on Carex sps. ; and 1364, Mc. Urticae D.C. on Urtica dioica and U. urens). P. silvatica Schr. (1368 a., ^Ec. Compositarum Mart. var. Taraxaci, on Taraxacum officinale ; the teleuto- spores, on Carex muricata and one or two other Carices, are not known as Scottish). • To which groups the following species should be referred is uncertain at present, viz. : — P. clandestina Carm. (1233). P. Andersoni B. and Br. (1242). GYMNOSPORANGIUM, teleuto-spores, two-celled, not enclosed in a peridium, but closely united to form a vertical spore- bearing layer, in which they are embedded in a gela- tinous substance ; eecidio- spores in a well -formed peridium. G. Sabinse (Dicks.) (1280, Podisoma Sabinse Fr., on Juniperus Sabina ; Rocstelia cancellata, regarded as the secidium, is not known from Scotland. G. Clavariaj forme (Jacq.) (1279, Podisoma Juniperi Fr. on Juniperus communis; and 1346, Roestelia lacerata Tul. on hawthorn). G. Juniperinum (L.) (1278, and 1345, Roestelia cornuta Tul. on mountain-ash.) The Scottish Naturalist. 121 TRIPHRAGMIUM Link., teleuto-spores formed of three cells side by side, but otherwise like those of Puccinia; uredo- spores occur, but no secidio- spores are known. T. Ulmaria? (Schm.)(i2i3 ; Uredo-spores are Uromyces Ulmaria? Sch.) PHRAGMIDIUM Link., teleuto-spores formed of three or more cells in a row, in loose clusters on a basis like that in Puccinia ; secidio-spores surrounded by a circle of clavate paraphyses, but no distinct peridium recognisable ; hence uredo- and aecidio-spores not easily distinguished, but the former are developed singly, the latter in rows. A. — Phragrnidiopsis, secidio- and teleuto-spores known, uredo-spores wanting. P. carbonarius (Schl.) (1208, Xenodochus carbonarius Schl., Tweed; the uredo-spores, Lecythea Poterii Lev., have not been recorded from Scotland). B. — Euphragmidium, all three forms of spores known, and always on the same host-plant. Phr. subcorticium (Schr.) (1209, P nr - macronatum ; 1296, Coleosporium pingue Lev. ; the axudio-spores are Lee. Rosa? Lev.) Phr. Fragaria? (D.C.) (12 12, Phr. obtusm Fr.) Phr. (12 10, Phr. bulbosum Schl. p,p ; violaceum sch.) (See note on p. ) Phr. Rubi-Ida?i (Pers.) (121 1, Phr. gracile B. ; Lee. gyrosa B.) MELAMPSORA Cast, teleuto-spores of one or more cells, usually divided by vertical, less often by horizontal or oblique walls, united to form a compact flat spore-layer ; uredo- spores borne singly on their basidia, and enclosed usually in a kind of peridium ; secidium as in Puccinia. A. — Micromelampsora, only teleuto-spores known; none in Scotland. B.— Hemimelampsora uredo and teleuto-spores known. M. Betulina (Pers.) (1303). M. Populina(Jacq.)(i3oi, and 1302, M. Tremula? Tul.) M. Salicis-caprea? (Pers.) (1304, M. Salicina Lev.; 1308, Lee. mixta Lev. ; and probably 1309, Lee. Saliceti Lev.) M. Helioscopia? (Pers.) (1300, M. Euphorbia?, Cast; most common as Lee. Euphorbia?, the uredo-spores). M. Lini (Pers.) (131 1, Lee. Lini B.) • M. Cerastii (Pers.) (1286, Uredo Caryophyllacearum Johnst.) M. Hypericorum (D.C.) (1285, Uredo Hypericorum). M. Circa? Schum. 122 The Scottish Naturalist. M. Epilobii (Pers.) (1284, Uredo pustulata). M. Vaccinii (A. and S.) (1288, Uredo Vacciniorum Pers.) M. Padi (K. and Schm.) (1287, Uredo porphyro- genita Kunze). C. — Melampsoropsis, secidio- and teleuto-spores known, but not uredo-spores ; not known to occur in Scotland, though M. (Calyptospora) Gocppertiana Kuehn may be looked for on thickened orange-red branches of Vacci- nium Vitis-Ida3a). COLEOSPORIUM Lev., teleuto-spores formed of several (usually four) cells standing one above the other, and united to form a compact waxy flat stratum, surrounded by a colourless gelatinous mass ; each cell of the teleuto-spore in germination emits a simple promycelium, which forms on it a single sporidium ; uredo-spores in short rows, forming powdery uncovered heaps ; secidium in a strong peridium, otherwise as in Puccinia. A. — Hemicoleosporium, .only uredo and teleuto-spores known. C. Euphrasia? (Schum.) ^1299, C. Rhinanthacearum Lev.) C. Campanula? (Pers.) (1297). C. Sonchi-arvensis (Pers.) (1298 ; 1294, C. Tussilaginis Lev. ; 1295, C. Petasitis Lev.) B. — Eucoleosporium, all three forms of spores known. C. Senecionis (Pers.) (1347, Peridermium Pini Chev., and P. acicolum Link on Pinus sylvestris and P. austriaca; 2184, Col. Senecionis Fr. on species of Senecio. APPENDIX. Uredines of doubtful affinity, only uredo-spores or secidio-spores being yet known in each. Uredo. — Each spore produced singly on tip of a basidium. U. Polypodii (Pers.) (1283, U. Filicum Desm.) U. Pirola) (Gmel.) CaGOma. — Spores produced in rows ; no peridium, paraphyses may be present or absent. C. Orchidis (A. and S.) (1290, Uredo Orchidis Mart). C. Mercurialis-perennis (Pers.) (1289, Uredo confluens D.C.) C. Empetri (Pers.) (1291, sub Uredo). jEcidium. — Spores in rows, surrounded by a peridium. M. Pedicularis Lib. (1373). yE. Compositarum Mart, as regards the host-plants not mentioned above (1366 vars.) The Scottish Naturalist. 123 M. Periclymeni Schum. (1356, JE. crassum var. Pericly- meni D.C.) M. Thalictri Grev. (1355). M. depauperans Vize (2188.) JE. Grossulariae Gmel. In the September number of Grevillea, Mr. Plowright adds to his articles quoted above a few remarks (p. 36). 1. That the teleutospores of Uromyces Pace Rabh. , previously unknown in Britain, have been found abundantly this year on Poa trivialis and P. pratensis wherever these grasses grow near ^/Ecidium Ficaricc. 2. That the ALcidium on Ranunculus repens is connected with Urom. Poce, and not with U. Daciylidis. 3. That jEc. Rumicis is con- nected with Puc. arundinacea, and that it has followed the application of the spores of the Fuccinia to Rnmex obtusifolius, crispus, Hydrolapathum, and conglomerates, as well as to common Rhubarb. 4. That no results have followed the same application to Rumex acetosa. 5. That as there is no Puccinia on Gooseberry known in Britain ALcidium Grossulariae here is not a Pucciniopsis, but is"probably heteroecismal. As bearing on the same subject, it may be worth notice that Rostrup has recently (1883) published a paper on injurious Fungi in Denmark, in P. E. Mueller's " Tidskrift for Skovbrug," Vol. VI. (pp. 199 to 300), in which he claims that careful observations by himself and by Nielsen have proved that Jl/elampsora salicina is heteroecious, and that Ctzoma Ribesei and C. Euony?ni are the ALcidia belonging to it ; and he also asserts, on the same evidence, that Cceoma Mercurialis belongs to the cycle Melampsora Tremulae. Note. — In the Journal of Botany for September, 1883, Mr. Grove describes the Puccinia (under the name P. ccgra, sp. n.) developed from the same my- celium, on various species of Viola, as sEcidium depauperans of Vize, which fungus would thus require to be placed in the group Auteupuccinia of Win- ter's arrangement quoted above. As the ^Fxidium has been found by Dr. White in Perthshire, the luccinia will probably also be found in Scotland, though apparently rarely developed. The changes to which it gives rise in the host- plants are so marked that its occurrence ought to be readily detected. ON THE SPECIES OF PHRAGMIDIUM ON BRAMBLE (RUBUS FRUTICOSTJS) IN SCOTLAND. While preparing the paper on Scottish Uredines {vide stqira), I was led to re-examine my specimens of the Phragmidium on brambles, of which I have ex- amples from a good many localities in Scotland, these localities being widely separated. I find that they all belong to the form known as Phr. violaceu??i Sch. as stated in my paper. The other form Phr. rubi (recorded by Mr. Plowright, from Yorkshire) has not fallen into my hands from any part of Scot- land. Though it would be rash to assume that the latter does not occur with us, the former is certainly the common species throughout Scotland. The distinguishing characters will be found elsewhere in this number of the Scottish .Naturalist. James W. H. Trail. 124 The Scottish Naturalist. ON SOME LEAF-PARASITES NEW OR RARE IN BRITAIN. By JAMES W. H. TRAIL. IN the course of the past summer I have met with two or three fungi, living in the interior of the tissues of the host-plant (for the most part in the leaves), of which I cannot find notices in our British lists. They have all been found in the vicinity of Aberdeen, and will doubtless be found to occur elsewhere if looked for. Doassansia Alismatis, Cornu, was rather plentiful in the leaves of A lis ma Plantago, in a small pool near Aberdeen at Cults. The fungus was described this summer in the " Annates des Sciences Naturelles" (vi. Ser., t. xv., 1883, 285, pi. 16, figs. 1-4). The genus is characterised as follows by its author (I.e.) : — " In planta viva parasitica ; spora coacervatce,mcarceratce. Cortex sort cellulis simplicibus, arete adnatis. Gerniinatto sporarum, ut i?i Entylomatibus, coronam sporidioriun effingit." The species under review is characterised thus : — D. Alismatis, effnsa, circiuans, in utraque pagina Alismatis Pla?itaginis. Junto mense in locis uligi- nosis." Sori .2-. 2 8 mm. diam., and .16-. 2 mm. deep ; spores .01 8-. 01 2 nun. diam. The above description applies in all essen- tial particulars to the specimens formed by myself; but some addi- tional points may be noted here. The leaves for a time do not show much sign of injury ; but here and there roundish spots, about 10-15 mm - across, begin to turn a yellowish-green. After a time the leaf assumes a fading aspect, its colour becoming- a yellowish-green, verging towards brown, and in the spots occupied by the fungus a number of small dark dots may be seen, resem- bling the spore-clusters of a Puccinia. These are the spore-masses, enclosed in an envelope found of a layer of oblong or wedge- shaped cells, arranged side by side, with the narrow ends inwards. There are usually many of these masses in each spot. On making a transverse section of the leaf, the masses are seen to be usually rather flattened, the dimensions being from .16 mm. to '24 mm. in breadth, by about one-fourth less in depth. The spores are very numerous in each mass. They are nearly spherical, aboat .008 mm. in diameter (instead of from .012 mm. to .018 mm., as in France), pale brown, and thin-walled. The cells of the outer wall are brown in colour, and are about .02 mm. long, by .008-.01 mm. broad. Entyloma Calendulse, Oudemans, is common in leaves of Hieracimu vulgatum near Aberdeen, alike in shady spots in woods and on the bare sandhills along the coast ; but I have not met with it before autumn. Its presence is easily detected, inas- much as it causes in the leaves roundish spots about 5-6 mm. across. These spots are not thickened at all, but they become pale yellowish or whitish-green, changing after a time to brown as The Scottish Naturalist. 125 the tissues of the leaf die at the spot. Frequently the dead tissues fall out, leaving a hole. The species belongs to the group of Entyloma that do not form conidia, i.e., in which the spores do not begin to germinate while still on or in the spot; in the leaf. On microscopic examination of a section of such a spot, the tissues are found to be full of the small cells of the fungus. The spores are rounded, .01-.012 mm. diam., smooth, with cell-wall nearly colourless or pale brown. Entyloma Canescens, Schroter, (Beitr. z. Biol. d. Pflan- zen, II., p. 372) occurred rather commonly on some plants of Myosotis arvensis, near Aberdeen, in the month of October. The presence of the fungus is indicated by spots on the leaves, 1-3 mm. diam., at first whitish, then turning brown or black as the tissues of the leaves dry up, or again becoming whitish in the centre, owing to the formation of conidia by the germination of the spores while still in or on the spot. On microscopic examina- tion of the leaf, it is found filled with the spores of the fungus. These are nearly spherical, •008-.012 mm. diam., smooth, almost colourless, and rather thin-walled. They germinate while still in the leaf, forming a circle of sporidia at the end of a club-shaped pro-embryo. The sporidia are spindle-shaped, and' are about .020-. 040 mm. long. Dr. Keith sent me the same fungus from Forres, before I had myself gathered it, as Protomyces Fergussoni B. and Br., in which determination I believe he is right, so far as the very brief diagnosis of that species will allow of identification. It is, however, an F?ityloma. Protomyces Rhizobius, n. sp. While treating of internal parasites of plants, I may describe one found by myself, in May, 1883, on the roots of Poa annua, growing on a dry and seldom used road at Old Aberdeen. In the roots one finds from one to eight cells in groups, but very seldom in absolute contact. They lie in the cortex of the root ; but owing to their size being much greater than that of the root-cells, it is hardly possible to ascertain whether they lie in the cells of the root or between them. Nor could I convince myself as to the nature of the mycelium, though able to make out what seemed to be a delicate mycelium. The fungus-cells are spherical, .o3-.o33 mm. diam., nearly smooth, and very thick-walled, the contents forming a mass of only about .008 mm. diam., and the wall occupying the rest of the diameter. It is pale^ brown or nearly colourless. The characters seem to agree best with those of Protomyces, but I can find no mention of a species living in roots of grasses, hence I venture to name this species Protomyces Rhizobius. Grasses attacked by it show very little sign of in- jury externally, though they look weakly; but the starved appear- ance might be passed over as due to the unfavourable place of growth. 126 The Scottish Naturalist. THE BOTANICAL WORK OF GEORGE DON OF FORFAR. By G. C. DRUCE, F.L.S. IN some numbers of the Scottish Naturalist for 1881 (April — October), appeared a most interesting account of " The Life and Labours of George Don," ^by Mr. John Knox of Forfar, which drew attention to a long overlooked working naturalist. The attention thus directed to his work has led me to think it will not be altogether without use if some supplementary material, having especial reference to the Botanical work of Don, be added, although I sincerely wish the task had fallen to one more able to do justice to the subject. My primary object in view is to draw the attention especially of northern botanists to the unverified plants of Don, some of which it is trusted may yet be found. To myself, as probably to many other young botanists whose opinion had been gained by perusing the list of errors at the end of "The Student's Flora," or by the various paragraphs in the 6th or 7th edition of Hooker & Arnott's British Flora, or even of Wat- son's Compendium to the Cybele Britannica, Don seemed to rank pre-eminent in the list of loose, if not entirely unreliable re- corders. I pictured to myself some long-legged, red-headed celt loaded with a wallet of garden plants going out surreptiously to place one here, another there, later on recording with a flourish of trumpets the addition of a new plant to the British Flora, and gaining by this detestable trick any amount of kudos and recom- pense from the too easily imposed upon botanists of that day ; and any one who picks out Dr. Arnott's remarks in the British Flora will be induced to overlook this too hasty judgment. Mr. Watson in the Cybele Britannica gives considerable details as tothe localities, &c, of Don's plants, and with his usual scientific exactness blames Don's looseness and want of precision in de- scribing localities, &c. : these remarks I shall later on refer to. Mr. Watson was our best Phytogeographer ; he had a very com- plete knowledge of the various records of British plants, and of their geographical distribution, not alone in- Britain but on the Continent; he was extremely keen in detecting "errors" and " impositions ;" he was merciless in punishing and exposing mis- takes ; neither wealth or position for a moment deterred him ; our leading botanists, such as Professor Balfour, Professor Bab- ington, Dr. Trimen, &c, at one time or another fell under his lash ; so that if his opinion be quoted, one can rely that justice will not be influenced by undue mercy. This is what he says : — " It appears that Don was in the habit of bringing the plants, found on his excursions, into his garden for cultivation, and there can be scarcely a doubt that he occasionally gave or sold plants from his garden without explaining that they were not sent direct from native localities but indirectly through his own garden. When we add to this obvious source of error on the part both of sender The Scottish Naturalist. 127 and receiver, the fact that botanists were far less particular about the nativity of specimens some half century ago ; and also that George Don not having had a scientific education, was loose even among the loose in his (?) indications and reports of lo- calities, the presumption of frequent errors becomes very strong. Hence I come to the conclusion that every thing reported by, or from, Don, and remaining unverified after modern search, ought to be excluded from our list of native plants and their stations ; it being safer in science to take the chance of losing a few small truths of small detail, than to run the great risk of mingling many errors with our presumed facts. Still I do not see that anything at present known of his conduct or any necessary inferences from known facts would sufficiently warrant us in charging him with intentional deception or wilful falsehood. My individual impres- sion is that George Don's report of species and stations, though many of them were doubtless correct, cannot safely be relied on in strict science unless confirmed afresh, but that a fair degree of moral confidence should still be given to his statements." (Cybele JBrita?mica, note under Lychnis alpina ; suggested by Arnott's ac- cusation of Don's sowing the plant in Clova). After this important statement and summary of his opinions by one so well qualified to judge, it will be well to quote at length the list of unverified plants recorded by Don from Sir Joseph Hooker's Student's Flora, and afterwards give the various opin- ions expressed by Dr. Arnott in the British Flora, Dr. Boswell in English Botany, and Mr. Watson in the Cybele Compendium, later on supplementing these with my own opinions formed after seeing Don's original specimens in his collection of grasses and rushes, and in the nine volumes of his fasciculus of British plants in the possession of Mr. John Knox of Forfar ; and a collection of plants sent in a living state to the fourth Countess of Aylesford (for the purpose of painting some volumes of English plants, still probably in existence at Packington Hall), and afterwards pre- served by her and kindly lent me by her granddaughter, Miss C. E. Palmer ; while reference will also be made to Sir James E. Smith's English Flora, to Gardiner's Flora of Forfar, to Hooker's Flora Scotica, &c. (The following contractions will be used in the subjoined notes : St. Ft. — Hooker's Studenfs Flora; Brit. Ft. — Arnott's British Flora; C. C. Brit. — Watson's Compendium of the Cybele Britan- nica ; Cyb. Brit. — Watson's Cybele Brita?mica ; Eng. B. or E. B. — Sowerby's E?iglish Botany, edited by Dr. Boswell Syme ; Bab. Man. — Babington's Ma?iual of British Botany ; Gard. Fl. F — Gardiner's Flora of Forfarshire ; PI. of Forfar — Don's Plants of Forfarshire.) These species are as follows : — Ra?iunculus alpestris L. Clova mountains. " Don, never confirmed," St. Ft., " apparently from Don's 128 The Scottish Naturalist. garden " Arnott's; Brit. Fl. ed. vi., " A specimen from Don marked rocks near the head of Clova, has the aspect of a wild one ; " Br. Ft. ed. rii., "G. Don in Smith Herb., Clova mounts, now generally excluded from our list." C. C. Brit., " It is difficult to decide under what category of citizenship this alpine Ranunculus ought to be placed. The existence of a specimen in Smith's herbarium, with a memorandum that it was collected in Forfar by Mr. G. Don, seems very good evidence in favour of its nativity, and yet no other botanist among the many who have searched the mountains of that country has ever detected an example of the species. Moreover, its geographical distribution otherwise would not much incline us to expect the species in Scotland, since it is not found in Scandinavia nor any of the Arctic lands. At the time when Mr. Don collected, it was not the custom with botanists to be very particular in recording the locality and distribution of plants, and they might not always be sufficiently careful in keeping British and foreign, or wild and garden, examples of the same species apart from each other." Cyb. Brit. " No doubt Mr. Don made some mistake in thinking he found it there." Boswetis Eng. B. Against the foregoing statements we must say that in the English Flora (vol. XXXIV. 2390), by Sir James Smith, R. alpestris is said to have been gathered by the side of little rills and other moist places about two or three rocks of Clova ; it flowers very early in the spring, and Mr. Don says it rarely produces flowers, and is very easily overlooked from the similarity of its foliage to that of other species. Mr. Don found it on April 3rd, 1809. {See also Lin. Trans. X. 343). After this precise statement by Mr. Don, we must, I think, be inclined to believe he found it somewhere wild in Forfar ; and it must be remembered few botanists visit the Clova mountains so early in the season — April and May — while, unless in flower, the plant would be by no means conspicuous. At any rate, attention should be directed to the possibility of re- finding it. Carex frigida is an example of an alpine Sedge not found in Scandinavia, yet occurring in our Scotch Highlands, so the geographical distribution is not entirely against its nativity there. Nyman in his Sylloge gives the Pyrenees, Juras, Alps and Car- pathians as its European range. Caltha radicans Forst. " Unknown except as a garden plant," Brit. Fl. " Forfarshire, Don " (known now in cultivation only). *S/. Fl. " Mr. Forster, who first defined this species of Caltha, favoured us with specimen from his garden which agrees with wild ones sent by Mr. John. G. Don from Scotland, except that in the latter the stems are more erect. Mr. Forster's plant was found in Scotland by Mr. Dickson." Smith's English Flora y vol. XXXI. 2175. " Caltha radicans may be retained as a book species in compli- ment to its author, but it is no species in nature apart from C. The Scottish Naturalist. 129 f>alustris. Hooker correctly places one as a variety of the other." Cyb. Brit. Province 15, in a ditch, Carse, Forfar, 1790, G. Don, Syn. 26, Cyb. i"92. Bab. Man. vii. 12. " Var. b. radicans, Hook." Gard. Fl. F 5. " In a ditch that runs from the farm house, called Haltown, on the estate of C. Gray, Esq. of Carse, Forfarshire, 1790, Mr. G. Don. No other botanist has, I believe, found this, but if the station is not destroyed, future research may determine whether it is not identical with C. palustris, minor, the alpine state •of the common plant." Caltha radicans Forst. only escaped inclusion in the list of Don's " reputed discoveries " from its being given as a variety of ., Scot. Nat. Vol. VI. p. 214 ; A. lentus Pers. ; Polyporus caesius Schrad ; P. adustus Willd. ; Trametes mollis Smrft ; Geoglossum glabrum Pers. ; Peziza macropus Pers. TAY. — Agaricus mappa Fr. ; A. brevipes Fr. ; A. griseus Fr. ; A. hypno- philus Berk. ; A. caperatus Pers. ; A. astragalinus Fr. ; A. alveolus Lasch. ; A. conopileus Fr. ; Coprinus lagopus Fr. ; Cortinarius tabularis Fr, ; Typhula phacorrhiza Reich. ; Dacrymyces chrysocomus Bull. ; Uredo statices Desm., Mycol. Scot. Supp., Scot. Nat. Vol. VI. p. 219; Peziza coccinea Jacq.; Erysiphe horridula Lev. ; Acrospermum compressum Tode. DEE. — Exobasidium Rhododendri Cr., Mycol. Scot. Supp. Scot. Nat. Vol. VI. p. 117; Phyllosticta Violae Desm., Mycol. Scot. Supp. Scot. Nat. Vol. VI. p. 118; Asteroma Ulmi Klotsch. ; Phragmidium obtusum Fr. ; P. violaceum Schultz, Scot. Nat. 1884, p. 123; Puccinia striola Link.; P. Cirsii Lasch. ; P. acuminata Fckl. ; P. amphibii Fckl., Mycol. Scot. Supp. Scot. Np. Scot. Nat. Vol. VI. p. 213 ; A. acervatus Fr. ; A. clavus L. ; A. plexipes Fr. ; A.proliferus Sow.; A. majalis Fr. ; A. sobrius Fr. ; G. turmalis Fr. ; C. tophaceus Fr. ; C. cinna- barinus Fr., Mycol. Scot. Supp, Scot. Nat. Vol. VI. p. 217; Lactarius vietus Fr,. Mycol. Scot. Supp. Scot. Nat. Vol. VI. p. 217 ; L. pallidus Pers. ; L. pube>cens Fr. ; Boletus flavidus Fr. ; B. cyanescens Bull. ; Cyphella capula Holmsk. ; Typhula Grevillei Fr. ; Hendersonia oreades Dur. & Mont. ; Septoria Epilobii West. ; S. Ficariae Desm. ; Ascochyta Pisi Lib.; A. Dianthi Berk. ; Sporochisma mirabile B. & Br. ; P. Malvacearum 1 82 The Scottish Naturalist. Cda., Mycol. Scot. Su/>/>. Scot. Nat. Vol. VI. p. 119; P. amphibii Fck!., Mycol. Scot. Supp. Scot. Nat. Vol. VI. p. 1 18; Aecidium leuosuermum D.C.; Ae. Galii Pers.; Ae. Valerianaccarum Duby. ; Isaria intricata Fr. ; Sporocybe alternata Berk., Mycol. Scot. Supp. Scot. Nat. Vol. VI. p. 121 ; Macrosporium concinnum Berk.; Peronospora gangliformis Berk.; P. Viciae Berk.; P. effusa Grev. ; P. Urticae Casp. ; P. Ficariae Tul. ; P. calotheca De By. ; P. sordida Berk. ; Ramularia obliqua (Peronospora obliqua Cke.) i Morchella semilibera D. C. ; Stigmatea chaetomium Fr. ; Diaporthe velata Pers. ; Valsa crataegi Curr. ; Sphaerella Rusci De Not. SOLWAY. — Agaricus mappa Fr. ; A. rubescens Pers. ; A rachodes Vitt. ; A. granulosus Batsch. ; A. melleus Fl. San. ; A. rutilans Schaeff. ; A. terreus SchaefT. ; A. gram'mopodius Bull. ; A. nebularis Batsch. ; A. clavipes Pers. ; A. phyllophilus Fr. ; A. candicans Pers. ; A. infundibuliformis Schaeff. : A. maculatus A. & S. ; A. dryophilus Bull. ; A. rubro-marginatus Fr. ; A. sanguinolentus, A. & S. ; A. galopus Pers. ; A. vulgaris Pers. ; A. dryinus Pers. ; A. cervinus Schaeff. ; A. lampropus Fr. ; A. serratulus Pers. ; A. squarrosus Mull. ; A. spectabilis Fr. ; A. flammans Fr. ; A. pumilus Fr. ; A. calamistratus Fr. ; A. geophyllus Sow. ; A. semiorbicularis Bull. ; A. tener Schaeff. ; A. hypnorum Batsch. ; A. mollis Schaeff. ; A. aeruginosus Curt. ; A. semilanceatus Fr. ; A. foenisecii Pers. ; A. papilionaceus Bull. ; A. disseminatus Pers. ; Cortinarius cyanopus Seer. ; C. collinitus Sow. ; C. elatior Fr. ; C. caninus Fr. ; C. torvus Fr. ; C. armillatus Fr. ; C. hinnuleus Pers. ; Paxillus involutus Batsch. ; Hygrophorus chlorophanus Fr. ; Lactarius torminosus Schaeff. ; L. blennius Fr. ; L. deliciosus L ; L. rufus Scop. ; L. serifluus D. C. ; L. mitissimus Fr. ; L. subdulcis Bull. ; L. camphoratus Bull. ; Russula nigricans Bull. ; R. adusta Pers. ; R. virescens Schaeff. ; R. cyanoxantha Schaeff. ; R. foetens Pers. ; R. fellea Fr. ; R. Queletii Fr. ; R. emetica Harz. ; R. integra L. ; Maras- mius peronatus Bolt. ; M. ramealis Bull. ; Lentinus cochleatus Pers. ; Boletus luteus L. ; B. chrysenteron Bull. ; B. pachypus Fr. ; B. edulis Bull. ; Polyporus elegans Bull. ; P. destructor Schrad. ; P. dryadeus Fr. , Mycol. Scot. Supp. Scot. Nat. Vol. VI. p. 37 ; P. fomentarius L. ; P. igniarius L. ; P. radiatus Sow. ; P. terrestris D. C. ; Stereum rugosum Pers. : Corticium quercinum Pers. ; Calocera cornea Batsch. ; Tremella foliacea Pers. ; T. albida Huds. ; T. viscosa Berk. ; Naematelia encephala Willd. ; Dacrymyces deliquescens Bull. ; Lycoperdon pyriforme Schaeff. ; Tilmadoche nutans Pers. ; Arcyria punicea Pers. ; Trichia varia Pers. ; Torula pulvcracea Corda. ; Phragmidium violaceum Schultz. ; Coleosporium Tussilaginis Lev.; Lecythea Saliceti Lev. ; Roestelia cornuta Tul. ; Peronospora parasitica Corda. ; Rhizina undulata Fr. ; Peziza cinerea Batsch. ; Helotium citrinum Fr. ; H. claro-flavum Berk. ; Ascobolus furfuraceus Pers. ; Dichaena strobilina Fr. ; Nectria cinnabarina Fr. ; Dothidea Junci Fr. ; D. rilicina Fr. ; Ustulina vulgaris Tul. ; Hypoxylon multiforme Fr. ; Diatrype disci- formis Fr. ; Psilosphaeria moriformis Tode. ; P. pulvispyrius Pers. ; Sphaeria acuta Mong. The following countries are to be added for the species enu- merated : — ICELAND. — The names within brackets are the vernacular Icelandic names of the species. Agaricus campestris L. (Aetisveppr) ; A. ericaceus Pers. ; A. campanulatus L. ; Hygrophorus conicus Scop. ; Russula fragilis Pers. : Boletus luteus L. (Reidikula) ; B. bovinus L. (Kualulli) ; B. scalar Fr. ; Phlebia radiata Fr. ; Clavaria muscoides L. ; Bovista plumbea Pers. ; Lycoperdon giganteum Batsch. ; L. caelatum Fr. ; L. pusillum Fr. ; L. gemmatum Fr. ; Scleroderma bovista Fr. (Gorkula, Fissipepper) ; Puccinia Bistortae D. C. ; P. variabilis Grev. ; P. pulverulenta Grev. ; Melampsora salicina Lev. ; Ustilago urceolorum Tul. ; Aecidium Thalictri Grev. ; Aspergillus glaucus Link. ; Mucor mucedo Linn. ; Helvella atra Konig. ; Peziza cupularis Linn. ; P. scutellata Linn. ; P. cinerea Batsch ; Helotium The Scottish Naturalist. 183 aeruginosum Fr. ; Rhytisma salicinum Fr. ; Sordaria discospora Awd. ; Sphacria (Pleospora) herbarum Pers. AFRICA. — Boletus flavidus Fr. ; Polyporus elegans Bull.; P. nidulans Fr.; P. igniarius L. ; P. velutinus Fr. ; P. aneirinus Smrft. ; P. callosus Fr. ; P. vulgaris Fr. ; P. molluscus Fr. ; P. sanguinolentus A. & S. ; Merulius corium Fr. ; M. serpens Tode. ; Radulum orbiculare Fr. ; Corticium cinereum Fr. ; Cyphella Curreyi Berk. ; Clavaria cristata Pers. ; Exidia glandulosa Bull. ; Geaster limbatus Fr. ; Lycoperdon pusillum Fr. ; L. saccatum Vahl.; L. gem- matum Fr. ; Scleroderma verrucosum Pers. ; Physarum Schumacheri Spr. ; Tilmadoche nutans Pers. ; Didymium microcarpum Fr. ; D. physaroides Pers. ; D. squamulosum A. & S. ; Stemonitis fusca Roth. ; Arcyria cinerca Bull. ; Lycogala epidendrum Bux. ; Septoria Scabiosaecola Desm. ; Phrag- Tnidium obtusum Link. ; Puccinia coronata Corda. ; P. Menthae Pers. ; P. Lychnidearum Link.; Uredo filicum Desm.; Cystopus candidus Lev.; Aecidium Compositarum Mart. ; Ceratium hydnoides A. & S. ; Peziza coccinea Jacq. ; P. cinerea Batsch. ; Helotium claro-flavum Berk. ; Ascobolus furfuiaceus Pers.; A. ciliatus Schum. ; Dothidea graminis Fr. ; Xylaria polymorpha Grev. ; Hypoxylon concentricum Grev. ; Valsa salicina Fr. AUSTRALIA. — Coprinus plicatilis Curt. ; Hygrophorus miniatus Fr. ; Russula sanguinea Bull. ; R. emetica Ilarz. ; Lentinus cochleatus Pers. ; Lenzites betulina L. ; B. pachypus Fr. ; Fistulina hepatica Huds. ; Polyporus brumalis Pers. ; P. perennis L. ; P. melanopus Fr. ; P. chioneus Fr. ; P. adustus Willd. ; P. applanatus Pers. ; Daedalea unicolor Bull. ; Merulius corium Fr. ; M. lachrymans Wulf. ; Solenia ochracea Hoffm. ; Hydnum laevigatum Swartz. ; Hydnum repandum L. ; H. ochraceum Pers. ; H. udum Fr. ; Phlebia radiata Fr. ; Thelephora intybacea Pers. ; Stereum purpureum Pers. ; S. rugosum Pers. ; Hymenochaete rubiginosa Schrad. ; Corticium laeve Pers. ; C. incarnatum Fr. ; C. comedens Nees. ; C. anthochroum Pers. ; •Clavaria fastigiata L. ; C. muscoides L. ; C. coralloides L. ; C. stricta Pers. ; •Calocera cornea Batsch. ; Tremella albida Huds. ; Exidia glandulosa Bull. ; "Geaster striatus D. C. ; Hymenogaster Klotschii Tul. ; Badhamia utricularis Bull. ; Physarum cinereum Batsch.; Fuligo varians Sommf. ; Craterium vulgare Ditm.; Chondrioderma difforme Pers. ; Didymium farinaceum Schrad. ; Stemo- mitisferrugineaEhr. ; Arcyria cinerea Bull. ; A. incarnata Pers.; A. nutans Bull.; A. ferruginea Sauter. ; Lycogala epidendrum Bux. ; Excipula strigosa Fr. ; Tilletia caries Tul. ; Morchella semilibera D. C. ; Leotia lubrica Pers.; Peziza Tbadia Pers. ; P. melaloma A. & S. ; P. scutellata Linn. ; Ascobolus furfuraceus Pes. ; Hysterium pulicare Pers. ; Hypomyces rosellus Tul. ; Nectria san- rguinea Fr. ; N. coccinea Fr. ; Dothidea graminis Fr. ; Xylaria digitata Grev. ; Poronia punctata Fr. ; Hypoxylon multiforme Fr. ; Lasiosphaeria ovina Pers. TASMANIA. — Polyporus lucidus Leys. ; Merulius corium Fr. ; M. pallens I5erk. ; Hydnum udum Fr. ; Grandinia granulosa Pers. ; Clavaria juncea Fr. ; C. cristata Pers. ; Tremella frondosa Fr. ; T. foliacea Pers. ; T. lutescens Pers. ; T. albida Huds. ; T. viscosa Berk. ; Exidia gland- ■ulosa Bull. ; Hirneola auricula-Judae L. ; Dacrymyces deliquescens Bull. ; Lycoperdon pyriforme Schaeff. ; L. gemmatum Fr. ; Sphaerobolus stellatus Tode. ; Badhamia hyalina Pers. ; Fuligo varians Sommf. ; Craterium minutum Leers. ; Leiocarpus fragilis Dicks. ; Tilmadoche nutans Pers. ; Didymium •squamulosum A. & S. ; Comatricha Friesiana De By. ; Stemonitis fusca Roth. ; Trichia varia Pers.; T. chrysosperma Bull. ; Puccinia graminis Pers. ; Tilletia •caries Tul. ; Aecidium Ranunculacearum D. C. ; Peziza cochleata Bull. ; P. aurantia Vahl. ; P. coccinea Jacq.; P. scutellata L. ; P. virginea Batsch. ; P. hyalina Pers. ; P. firma Pers. ; P. cinerea Batsch. ; Helotium citrinum Fr. ; Bulgaria sarcoides Fr. ; Stictis radiata Pers. ; Hypocrea rufa Fr. ; II . citrina Fr. ; Nectria coccinea Fr. ; Melanospora caprina Fr. ; Poronia punctata Fr. ; Hypoxylon concentricum Grev. ; H. coccineum Bull. ; H. multiforme Fr. ; Eutypa lata Tul. Note. — The following new British species will appear in their proper place in a future sup- plement : A. aureus Mattusch, Lactarius capsicum Schulz, and several leaf parasites. 184 The Scottish Naturalist. CHARA FRAGILIS Desv., var. STURROCKII., var. nov.— Stem 2-3: feet high, very imperfectly triplostichous. Spine-cells tubercular. Branchlets 1-3 inches long, with all the segments ecorticate. Bract-cells whorled. East Perth (coll. A. Sturrock.) This is a very remarkable plant, and although we have included it under C. fragilis for the present, we think that an examination of a series of speci- mens may show characters on which to found a species. A form of C. fragilis var. Hedivigii occurs in the same loch, and though much like this plant in size, &c, it differs in the cortication of the stem, as well as in the presence of cortical cells in the branchlets. We understand from Mr. A. Bennett that Professor Nordstedt has proposed the name of C. fragilis var. gymnophylla ; but in view of the complication of nomenclature resulting from having several vars. gymno- phylla in the same genus, we think it best not to adopt such names for varieties which appear permanent, and have distinctive characters other than those im plied in the name. H. & J. Groves (in the Journal of Botany, 1884, p. 2). CLADONIA PYXIDATA var. LEPTOPHYLLA. Flk. in Scotland.— Towards the end of last year I gathered this exceedingly rare Cladonia by the side of the Newton Stewart road, about 1^ miles from New Galloway. It was scattered over a space of several square yards on a heathy roadside bank, was in excellent and abundant fruit, the capitate flesh-coloured apothecia hav- ing the appearance of large specimens of Bceomyces rufus. The Rev. W. A- Leighton in his " Lichen Flora," has the following very interesting remarks on< this lichen : — " Of this I have seen no British specimens, but possess an authentic one from Dr. Nylander, collected in Java, 7000 ft. alt. Coemans- (Clad. Achar.) states that the Acharian herbarium at Helsingfors contains a specimen of this lichen from England, and that he considers it as a variety of eartosa, which it certainly generally resembles, but the different reaction keeps- them quite distinct. He gives it as being found by Mr. Borrer in " Tilgate- and St. Leonard's Forests, Sussex." The European Geographical distribution in addition to England is " France and Switzerland." Dr. Nylander in his- " Synopsis " speaks of Cladonia leptophylla Flk. as found "super terram macram praesertim argillosam in Anglia, Helvetia, et Gallia parce." Schaerer writes in almost similar terms. It is certainly a very rare lichen, and is one ol a num- ber of very good Cladonia found in this district of Kirkcudbrightshire. I am certain that the majority of the species of British Cladonise could be gathered'. here. — James M 'Andrew. MEETINGS AND PBOOEEDINGS OF SCOTTISH SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. [Note. — Accounts of meetings during the month preceding date of issue of" any number of this Magazine are too late for insertion in that number, but will appear in the following one.] ABERDEEN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.-i8th December, 1883. — Four papers were read. I. "On the Cultivation of Plants in Fertilised Moss," by Mr. J. Sim. Mr. Sim gave an account of his own experience of this method of cultivation, and pointed out its suitability for use in ornament- ing the interior of rooms with living plants. In illustration of his remarks, he- showed several plants belonging to different groups, all of which looked very healthy and vigorous. 2. " On Worm-Boring's in Boulder Clay, shown i» Excavations at Esslemont Avenue, Aberdeen," by Dr. A. Cruickshank. Dr. C. called attention to the peculiarity of worm-borings extending several feet down into the very hard red boulder clay, and remarked that some at least of the burrows ended in a pouch about the size of a walnut, in which lay a The Scottish Naturalist. 185 collection of small stones. Some of the burrows were branched. In the dis- cussion the suggestion was made that the burrows might be the work of marine annelids, before the elevation of the ground above the sea-level. 3. "Supple- mentary List of the Fungi of the Province of Moray," by the Rer. Dr. Keith of Forres. 4. Beport by the Secretary (Mr. John Roy), on the Excursions made by the Society during the Summer. These were three in number — viz., on June 2nd to Strachan and across the hills by Drumtochty to Fordoun ; on July 14th, to Loch Kinnord ; and on Septem- ber Sth, to the Loch of Strathbeg, in Buchan, near Peterhead. The excursion to Loch Kinnord was devoted to dredging the loch for pondweeds ; but the results were of less interest than had been hoped. During this excursion a visit was paid to an extensive deposit of Diatom earth {Kieselguhr), which is now being rather extensively worked on the estates of Lords Aberdeen and Huntly, to be used in the preparation of dynamite. The Loch of Strathbeg is a noted resort of wildfowl in winter, and it has also attractions for botanists in the plants that grow on a swampy strip of ground on its east shore, several of which are of very rare occurrence elsewhere in the north-east of Scotland. The loch occupies the upper end of what was formerly an inlet of the sea with a wide opening at its southern end, scoured clear by the tides. At this opening stood the royal burgh of Rattray, with the inlet as its harbour. In course of time the upper end of the bay became cut off from the sea by a broad sand and shingle bank, thrown up by storms, and a fresh-water loch replaced the bay. The level of the loch is now some feet above the sea, and the only communica- tion between them is by a burn. The destruction of its harbour was fatal to> the burgh, and the only remaining trace of the latter is the ruin of the church, one of the oldest ecclesiastical buildings in the north of Scotland. January 15. — Prof. H. Alleyne Nicholson gave a very clear and fully illus- trated lecture on " The Organisms which occur in Limestone." February 19. — Professor J. W. H. Trail submitted the following papers, with verbal remarks on some of the more interesting points in them, the papers themselves entering too much into details to be read in full : — • " Supplementary Notes on Galls and their Makers in ' Dee,' and on a few from other parts of Scotland," and " A List of the ' Casuals ' in the Phanerogamic Flora of the North-East of Scotland." He thereafter laid on the table a paper by Mr. Roy and himself, entitled : "Additions and. Corrections to the Records in Watson's Topographical Botany, Edit. II., of Vascular Plants indigenous in the Counties of Forfar, Kincar- dine, Aberdeen, and Banff." A considerable number of additions fall to- be made to the lists for these counties in the above well-known book ; and a few of the records there given are doubtful or incorrect. Mr. Roy read a note on the occurrence of a small stone in the interior of the egg of a red grouse. Mr. F. Ogilvie exhibited a piece of granite from Kemnay Quarries containing; a very large macled garnet. Mr. Roy and Professor Trail, who had been appointed at the meeting on 15th January to represent the Society at the meeting of delegates in Perth oil 9th February, reported what had been done at that meeting, and urged that the Society should join the Union then constituted. On the motion of Mr. Forrest, seconded by Mr. Cruickshank, the Society resolved to join the Union, and appointed Mr. Roy and Prof. Trail to be their representative members on the Council of the Union. 1 86 The Scottish Naturalist. PROCEEDINGS OF THE BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS' CLUB. —This well-known and energetic Society has recently published vol, X. part 7 of its proceedings. Like the earlier volumes, it is characterised by the care and excellence shown in its preparation, and sustains the reputation so long and worthily enjoyed by the veteran secretary, Mr. Hardy. An index of titles of its contents would facilitate reference to them, however. The papers in it dealing with Scottish botany, zoology, and geology, are as follows : — The Anniversary Address by the President, the Rev. James Far- quharson of Selkirk, occupies 64 pages, and gives a full account of the ex- cursions of the Club during the summer of 1882. We observe that they were largely attended. They were to the following places : — On May 31st, to Haddington, and thence to the Garlcton Hills. In this excursion the interest was chiefly archaeological. The second excursion (date ?) was to Hounam, and a very full account of the observations made during it was kept by Mr. Hardy, but space will not allow us to transcribe them. The third meeting was held on 26th July to visit Longformacus, in the Lammermoor Hills, the place of meeting being Dunse. Some notes of interest to botanists were made on the ornamental Coniferse planted around the mansion-house of Longformacus. The occurrence of Rubus Chamceftiorm is also confirmed, so that Berwickshire falls to be added to the county records for this plant. The fourth meeting was held at Corbridge, in the valley of the Tyne, on August 30th. The fifth meeting was held at Jedburgh on 27th September. A short description of the geology of the neighbourhood by Prof. James Geikie is given. The last meeting for the season was held on nth October at Selkirk, but the weather proved un- favourable. The Haining was visited, and the party drove up the side of the Yarrow as far as Hangingshavv. At this meeting it was agreed that the meet- ings of the Club in 1883 should be held at Leitholm and Eccles, Holy Island, Aberlady, St. Mary's Loch, Wooler and the Cheviots, and Berwick. Several mushrooms from the district were recorded by Mr. Paul and Dr. Stuart. At the various meetings papers were read contained in the volume under review. Mr. Hardy, as Secretary, submitted obituary notices of nine members of the Club that had died during the year. Of these, Mr. Sadler, of whom an obituary notice has already appeared in our pages, is the only one that calls for special mention from us. Of him there are two other obituary notices in this volume by Dr. W. Craig and by Dr. C. Stuart respectively. Then follows a short note by Rev. D. Paul on "The Fungi of Berwickshire," the substance of which appears in " Mycologia Scotica." " On the Bird Life of the Firth of Forth during the Storms of October and November, 1881," by Robert Gray, deals with their fatal effects on birds. Dr. J. Robson-Scott reports that a heronry at Swinden, Bowmont Water, has been deserted by the birds. "Notes on the Marine Algae of Berwick-upon-Tweed," by E. A. L. Batters, is a list of the species of Algre that have been found by Mr. Batters, and that he is not aware of any record of the occurrence of in the dis- trict previously. The list includes 41 species, several of which are of much interest, but need not be detailed here, as the chief rarities will be found on p. 48 of this volume of the Scottish A T aturalist. A " List of Hill Forts, Intrenched Camps, &c, in Roxburghshire, on the Scotch side of the Cheviots," by Prof. J. Geikie, is a valuable contribution to the archaeology of the district, and is based on observations made during the geological survey, so that it may be regarded as complete. The Scottish Naturalist. 187 Next follows a paper on "Lepidoptera in Roxburghshire," by Adam Elliot, which will be found noticed subsequently in this Magazine. "Rooks and Rookeries" by James Smail, is an interesting article on the habits of rooks ; and deals at some length on the question of their food. The subject is one of considerable interest in itself, as well as in view of the very different opinions held on the relation of rooks to agriculture, hence we venture to extract a part of Mr. Smail's paper, in the hope that the Club will permit our doing so. The author also gives a list of the rookeries, excluding a few very small ones, in the counties of Berwick, Roxburgh, Selkirk, and Peebles, and in Northumberland. Their number in the Scotch counties is 152. Of winter rookeries, as distinguished from the breeding rookeries, there are 21 in these counties as reported to him, but he is of opinion that this number is too high. 16 rookeries have been destroyed in the above district of Scotland. The trees of almost all the large rookeries are Scotch Firs ; though some moderately large ones are on hard-wooded trees, among which the Ash seems preferred. The remaining articles are short. They include "Ornithological Notes" by Robert Gray, on birds of the east of Scotland from Fifeshire southwards ; " On the effects of Lightning in Smelting and Altering Gravel at Chapelhill, Cockburnspath, 10th July, 1882." by James Hardy; "Notes on the Measurements of a few of the larger Trees at Edgerstone House, taken in January, 1883," by Sheriff Russell ; " Arrivals, Depart- ures, and Occurrence of Birds near Belford, 1881-2," by John Aitchison; "Reports on the Effects of the Great Storm of Wind, 14th Oct., 1881, on Trees and Animals," in the form of letters to the Secretary from various parts of the district covered by the Club ; "On some extraordinary abnor- mal Fruits of the Blackthorn," by James Hardy (with plate IV.). We observe, in conclusion, that the Club has expressed its sense of the great services rendered to it by Mr. Hardy by presenting him with a microscope and accessories, the case bearing that it was "Presented to James Hardy, Esq., Oldeambus, together with a purse of above 100 sovereigns by 122 members of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club at its jubilee meeting (29th June, 1881), in testimony of their appreciation of his long and able services as Secretary and Editor of the Proceedings of the Club, and of the high respect in which he is held for his many scientific attainments and valuable contributions in various departments of Natural History and Archaeology, during a period of above 40 years." All lovers of these sciences in Britain will join in the wish that he may long enjoy the use of the gift, and that he may continue to make as valu- able contributions to their progress among us in future as he has done in the past. DUMFRIES-SHIRE AND GALLOWAY NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. — At a meeting on 4th Jan., Mr. Henderson exhibited several specimens from Manitoba, with remarks on his experiences in that province of Canada. Mr. James Shaw, Tynron, communicated observations on " First blossom- ing of the Wild Flowers of Tynron." These observations were made at a height of from 300 to 1300 feet above the sea-level, though chiefly at the lower level. Commenting on his catalogue of plants Mr. Shaw says : — " The Marsh Marigold, Wood Stitchiuort, and Common Broom are thus found a week behind in 1883. The " Craw-taes" or Spring Blue- bell {Agraphia nutans), and also the Marsh Violet, are noticed a fortnight later in 1883. The Early Orchis 1 88 The Scottish Naturalist. plants were in bloom in April 1882, but were not noticed until the third week of May 18S3. Geum rivale is equally behind. Some of the flowers noticed in blossom in the first week of June 1882 were not noticed until the third week of June 1883. Lapsana communis and Scabiosa succisa or "Devil's bit,''* noticed in blossom in the first week of July 1882, were not observed until the third week of July 1883. Generally speaking, the vanguard of any given species came to the front a fortnight later in 1883." Mr. G. F. Black of the Edinburgh Museum of Antiquities followed with " Notes upon the National Collection of Antiquities, Edinburgh," dealing chiefly with the foreign section. The Chairman, Dr. Gilchrist, con- cluded the business of the meeting with " Natural History Notes on Southport." At the meeting of the ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH on the 4th February, Lord Moncrieff delivered an address on "The Past Hundred. Years' History of the Society," in which he reviewed the origin and pro- gress of the Society, with especial references to the illustrious savants whose names are enrolled among its founders or its later members. The address is given in full in Nature, XXIX., p. 368-370 (Feb. 14th, 1884). INVERNESS SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY AND FIELD CLUB. — On Tuesday, December 4th, the Secretary read a paper by Mr. Colin Livingstone, Fort William, on "The Travelled Boulders of Lochaber." The district of Lochaber is very rich in traces of ice action during the " Glacial-period ; " its lofty mountain ranges having been a centre from which the glaciers pressed outwards. Of the information to be gathered from a careful investigation of the district Mr. Livingstone made full use, and he has shown reason to believe that the ice had pressed downwards in the direction of Glenmore ; though at one spot in Lochiel, on the north side, the distribution of the boulders some- what conflicts with this belief. At the meeting on 8th Jan., a paper was read on " Old Ironworks in the- Highlands," by Mr. John II. Dixon of Inveran. The author treated specially of the works near Loch Maree, where he had seen traces of seven different works. He also sent a list of the different ores of the district around Letterewe, including native ironstone from the quarry and field at the furnace there, also from Innisglask, hamatite from Letterewe and from a heap at the Pool at Poolewe, clay ironstone horn both localities named, and specimens of iron slagg r limestone, iron, and cliarcoal from various points along the shores of Loch Maree. In the discussion that followed the reading of the paper, Mr. Mac- kenzie, of the Celtic Magazine, showed from the New Statistical Account, and from a record of the MacRas, that these works had been commenced probably about the beginning of the seventeenth century, and were consequently about 270 years old. They are, therefore, so far as can be ascertained, the earliest smelting works in Scotland ; since those at Abernethy, the next earliest on record, were not commenced till 120 years later. The works at Loch Maree were discontinued when the wood in the neighbourhood had been consumed — wood having been the only fuel employed for smelting the iron. Dr. Aitken thereafter read a paper on "Dorsetshire Thunderbolts," a name locally applied to nodules of A/arcasite ( White Iron Pyrites), that occur abundantly in the Chalk formations of the South of England. The Scottish Naturalist. 189 KIRKCALDY NATURALISTS' SOCIETY.— 29th January, Mr. James Shepherd read a paper on "Instinct," which has since been printed for private circulation. The subject is one at once exceedingly interesting and ill-under- stood. Mr. Shepherd has been successful in putting the facts before his hearers in a way that could not fail to engage their attention and interest ; and his anecdotes of observations made by himself on pet animals are well worth attention. MONTROSE SCIENTIFIC AND FIELD CLUB.— At the meeting of this Club on Tuesday, 12th February, Mr. \V. J. Hardie gave a lecture on the Teeth, illustrated by models and diagrams. Dr. Howden reported that he had attended the meeting at Perth, on the 9th February, of delegates called to con- sider the federation of the Scientific Societies in the east of Scotland between Fife and Aberdeenshire. He gave an account of the proceedings at the meeting, and advised the Club to join the Union. It was unanimously agreed to do so. MONTROSE NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. Feb. 20th. — The annual meeting of this Society was held in the Museum at noon. The Secretary, Mr. R. Barclay, reported a miscellaneous gathering of donations to the Museum during the year. From the list it is evident that the collections are, like those in most provincial museums, of a very mixed kind ; and among other gifts during the year is one of a gold cup won by a horse of General Ramsay at Mysore in 1865, and bequeathed by him to the Museum. The cup is valued at 250 guineas, and the Society for it may have to pay ^26 5s. of legacy duty. We do not wonder that some of the gentlemen present ex- pressed the opinion that the gift was of the same nature as a " white elephant." The Society is desirous to extend the buildings of the Museum, and an Exten- sion Fund has been commenced. Part of the money has been contributed, but, as usually occurs, only a minority of the members have as yet intimated sub- scriptions. In connection with the proposed extension, Dr. Howden moved : *' That, in any addition to be made to the Museum buildings, provision shall be made for the formation of a purely local collection, illustrative of the natural history of Angus and A/earns, and of an educational typical collection of classes, orders, and genera, for a lecture-room, a library, and a laboratory for scientific ivork." After he had spoken in support of his motion, it was seconded by Captain Forsyth Grant ; and after a good deal of talk, it was remitted to the Directors to consider and report to the next annual meeting. It is to be hoped that the motion will receive full and fair consideration ; and that, if the necessary expenses can be met in any way, it will be carried into action as soon as possible. On the motion of Dr. Howden, the Society agreed to join the East of Scot- land Union of Naturalists' Societies ; and he and the Secretary were appointed to represent the Society in the Council of the Union. PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE.— December 6th, 1883. — Several new members were admitted into the Society, and donations intimated to the Museum. Thereafter, on the motion of the Secretary, it was resolved to add to the constitution of the Society : " In the event of any surplus arising from the annual voluntary contributions, subscriptions, donations, or other income or funds of the Society, the said shall be applied in furtherance of the objects of the Society as above stated, and no part thereof shall be applied in 190 The Scottish Naturalist. making any dividend, gift, division, or bonus in money unto, between, or among any of the members of the Society." The object of adopting this rule is to relieve the Society in future of taxation, which had hitherto been felt a consider-' able burden. Dr. Buchanan White gave a verbal explanation of what had been done in regard to effecting a Union of the Societies in the east of Scotland ; and he and Mr. R. Pullar were appointed representative members to a meeting of delegates of the various Societies in the east of Scotland, to be held as early, as possible, with this object. A paper by Prof. J. W. H. Trail, of Aberdeen, on "Dimorphism in Oak-Gail Makers and in their Galls" was then read. The subject was treated only in relation to the Cynipideous oak-gall makers in Scotland, and descriptions of all the galls formed by this group that have as yet been recorded from Scotland were given to facilitate their recognition. The paper was illustrated by specimens and diagrams. January 10th, 1884. — After the usual election of new members, numerous interesting donations to the Museum were announced. Among the more im- portant of these were specimens of the timber of 17 indigenous trees of Perth- shire, including longitudinal and cross sections, from the Duke of Athole, and specimens of Perthshire minerals and animals from various donors. Dr. White submitted notes on a hedgehog s nest found by him in his rock-garden, formed of long withered grass so arranged as to form a ball externally. In this the hedgehog was curled up for the winter. He also gave a list of plants observed by himself in flower on the day of the meeting, amounting to 29 species, a number of them being common weeds. Mr. Henry Coates then read a paper illustrated by means of diagrams, specimens, and microscopical preparations, on " The Life History of a Garden Snail." February 7th. — Several additions to the Museum were reported. Among these additions was a specimen of Carex uslula'a presented to the herbarium by Mr. John Knox, Forfar. This specimen was gathered by George Don, and bears the label in his writing : " I discovered this plant on Ben Lawers in 1810." It has the aspect of a wild plant, and has on its roots the micaceous soil characteristic of the plants of Ben Lawers. No one but Don has ever gathered this species in the British Islands, hence doubt has been cast on his claim to have discovered it ; and hence the very great interest attaching to the specimen now in the Society's Museum. An able and interesting paper on '•Evolution and some Things said regarding it," by Rev. Dr. Milroy, followed. After it was concluded, Mr. Henry Coates read notes " On some Varieties of Helix nemoralis" from the neighbourhood of Bargowan, and showed the shells. They were remarkable for the extraordinary amount of variation presented by them, which he had not seen equalled from any equally limited area. He had been able to recognize nine varieties, besides the type, among them ; but thinks that Jeffrey's opinion, that there is but one species of snail included under the name H. nemoralis, is founded on arguments that are conclusive as against the view supported by Mr. J. W. Taylor, that there are two species confounded under this name. The varieties detected by Mr. Coates were as follows : — I, The type quinque-fasciata has a shell .75 — .9 inch in diameter, of a brown or chocolate colour, with five brown bands (dis- tinguished 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and a brown lip; 2, hortensis Mull, has the shell rather smaller and more globular than in the type, the ground dull lemon yellow, and the lips white (this form is often regarded as a distinct species); 3, minor Moq. resembles hortensis, but is only about .31 inch in diameter of shell ; 4, hortensis-lutea Moq. resembles hortensis save in absence of bands (o, o, o, o, o), the lip is like white porcelain, and the animal is bright yellow (this variety is not common, but Dr. White has found it in Glen Tilt at a height of 1,600 feet, 5, libellula Risso ; and 6, castanea Moq. have a ground-colour of yellow and chestnut respectively, a brown lip, and no bands (o, o, o, o, o) ; 7, hyalozonata The Scottish Naturalist. 191 Taylor has the bands translucent (one specimen of this variety in the collection, has the mouth contracted, the lip white, the second whorl very large, and the spire rather produced) ; 8, cincta of French authors has a single narrow band (o, o, 3, o, o), and the lip is brown ; 9, coalita of French authors has the bands more or less coalesced (1-3 4-5, or 1-2 3-5, or 1 2-3 4-5, or 1-5, the hyphen indicating coalescence of the bands joined by it. In the last of these there is a very broad band formed that covers the greater part of the spire). The Society formally opened the Museum with a conversazione lasting for the three days, December 20-22, 1S83. The conversazione was a complete success, and a very lively interest was manifested by the numerous visitors to it in the collections that have been brought together. We may say, from per- sonal observation of the Museum, that it may well be regarded as a model to> be followed by other Societies in their efforts to promote a knowledge of and love for the study of the sciences of botany, zoology, and geology. From it may be realised how much can be done if only there exists the will to do the utmost. The Perthshire Society of Natural Science deserves the hearty con- gratulations of all kindred Societies, and the frank and willing recognition th«.t it has set an excellent example to the other Scottish Societies in this matter. SCIENTIFIC JOUKNALS. THE ZOOLOGIST (January, 1884).— "Note of some Rare British Birds in the Collection of Mr. J. Whitaker," by O. V. Aplin, mentions the following from Scottish localities: — Falco fslandicus, Gmd., from Kirk- wall; Milvus iclinus, Sav., Sanday, Orkney; Cyanecula suecica, L., taken on a fishing-boat off the Aberdeenshire coast, and sent by Mr. Sim ; Pagophila eburnea, Pliipps, from Aberdeen. "Wanton destruction of Animal Life in Shetland" is a protest against the following advertisement which is ex- tracted from the " Shetland '1 i7ties" of 12th January, 1884: — "Destruction of Vermin. — Mr. Urquhart will pay the undernoted prices for Vermin brought to him : — is. for every Gyr or Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, Buzzard, Kite or Hobby ; 6d. for every Black-backed Gull, Raven, Merlin, and every species of Hawk and Harrier ; 3d. for every Hoody Crow ; 6d. for every Weasel. By order of Committee of Commissioners of Supply. Lerwick, 12th January, 1884." [It is hardly necessary to say that we most heartily join in the protest against such wholesale destruction of our native fauna. — Ed. Scot. Kat.~\ "Method of recording Observations," by J. A. Harvie Brown, advocates systematic records of the occurrence of rare birds, &c. " Pale-coloured Kestrel from Skye," by O. V. Aplin. ENTOMOLOGIST'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE, Vol. XX. (December, 1883). — "The Natural History of Zygsena exulans," by Wm. Buckler, is of interest, though worked out from Swiss examples, from the fact that the in- sect is confined in Britain to the Aberdeenshire Grampians. The larvae were found to feed on Silene acaulis, Cherleria sedoides, Trifohum a/pinum, T. repens- and T. praiense, Medicago lupiclina, Geum monianum, Alchemilla alpina, and Sibbaldia procumbens. They hibernate as larvse. A full description of the various stages is given. " On the species of European Crambi more or less allied to C. margaritellus," by George T. Baker (cont. from Vol. XIX. pp. 239-244). (Januaiy, 1884) — " Crambus furcatellus" (recorded as plentiful in 1847 on a range of hills stretching from Killin to Ben Lawers), by J. B. Plodgkinson. (February) — " BritishHomoptera, Additional species," by James Edwards, records, with description, the capture of Thamnvtettix stu,- 192 The Scottish Naturalist. pidula Zett. at Pitlochry, by Mr. A. Beaumont ; thus bringing its range ten degrees south of any previous record ; Mr. Edwards says that it " may always be distinguished from T. subfuscula, the most nearly allied British species, by its greenish-yellow ground-colour, even when the dark markings on the elytra are obsolete or entirely wanting." "Captures in North Uist and St, Kilda," by C. W. Dale gives a list of insects taken by him during a visit to these islands last June. JOURNAL OF BOTANY.— (January, 1884, pp. 1-5)— "Notes on the British Characeee for 1883," by Henry & James Groves, contain the infor- mation accumulated by the authors during the year, in regard to the distribution of these plants in the British islands. The notes relating to Scotland are as follows:--" From the following (counties and subcounties) we are still without a record : — Wigton, Ayr, Renfrew, Lanark, Selkirk, Linlithgow, Kincardine, Aberdeen N., Banff, Westerness, Dumbarton, Cantyre, EbudesM.S.and N., Ross E. and W., and Hebrides. We shall be especially glad of specimens, or even the loan of specimens, from these counties." The special records for Scotland are . — Chara fragilis Desv. Fife, Elgin, Argyle ; var. barbata Caithness ; var. ■capillacea Perth M. and E. ; var. Hedwigii Roxburgh, Perth E., Forfar; var. delicatula Perth M. and E., Argyle; var. Siurrockii, Perth E. ; Ch. aspera IVilld. Perth E. in Ardblair Loch, Caithness in Walter Loch ; var. subinermis Perth E. near Blairgowrie, Orkney in Loch of Harray ; ), but differs from it in aspect decidedly. The flower-buds alone are attacked, but frequently the whole inflor- escence is affected, and remains short and stunted, forming a rounded mass. Sometimes the gall remains green, though usually it becomes reddish brown in colour. Each inflorescence forms a mass about 5mm. in diameter. The flowers open, but all their parts are slightly fleshy and remain abortive, with no marked differences in colour. I could not find any trace in Braemar of gall (a), but in autumn of 1882 I found them near Aberdeen, and had previously found them in Orkney. Of gall (d) I did not find any trace either near Aberdeen or in Orkney. The latter gall has been described from various localities on the Continent. The mites live in the flowers. LEONTODON AUTUMNALIS L. :— On this plant I found mite-galls on the leaves in considerable numbers in the beginning of October, 1883, among low growing grasses on the cliffs of the Kincardineshire coast near Aberdeen. The galls consist of the leaf-margins altered so as to become thickened, fleshy, and dull red or purple. The surface of the gall is covered with abundant red hairs, which give it a slightly velvety appearance. Very frequently the margin of the leaf is rolled up- wards and inwards, in some cases for the greater part of its length. Occasionally the galls are hardly larger than a pin's head, but usually they are over an inch in length : but they are never con- spicuous. On microscopic examination of the gall, the mites are to be found in small numbers among the hairs. On section the tissues in the interior of the leaf are found little altered, though the epiderms on both surfaces are much modified, and the hypoderm is thickened, and has its cells slightly enlarged and modified in shape. I can find no previous record of the occurrence of galls on this plant. HYPOCHOERIS RADICATA L. :— (a) Galled ovary (Sc. Nat. IV, 16.) (b) Leaf-galls caused by Anguillulidce belonging to the genus Tytenchus, Externally they are small thickenings, usually near or around the mid-rib, about 2 to 5 mm. long by twice the thickness of the mid-rib. The surface differs little from that of the rest of the leaf, save in its yellowish green colour. In structure it much resembles the gall on Hitracium Pilosella next to be described. The galls were not rare on a spot on the Links north of Aberdeen in August, and one specimen was found in Rannoch 2 i 2 The Scottish Naturalist. in September, 18S2- Eggs and young animals were common enough in the galls at that season. HIERACIUM PILOSELLA L. :— (a) Galls of mites (Phytoptus), being inrolled leaf-margins, are exeedingly common on the Links north of Aberdeen in autumn, though local apparently. Frequently several of the leaves in a rosette remain small, with the pale lower surface visible, owing to the margins continuing to be closely involute from the base even to the tip of the leaf usually, though at times only in spots here and there. Not seldom almost every leaf on some of the smaller plants is attacked, and the plant soon withers up. The affected leaves are rather thick and fleshy, but are little altered in colour, though conspicuous from the exposure of the lower surface. The margins usually make one and a half or two turns, forming a tube in which one finds a few mites. The inner tissues of the leaf are very little altered, beyond being slightly hypertrophied in the cellular tissues, and the epiderm is far less modified than in L. autumnalis. The mites are of rather large size for the genus Phytoptus. There are no hairs specially developed in the interior of the tube. I had observed similar deformities on H. Pilosella in Perthshire, and elsewhere in Scotland, before I had recognised their origin. They have been recorded from Germany and Switzerland (Thomas and Schlechtendal), and from Austria (F. Loew). (6) Leaf-galls of Tyle?icJuts sp. ? They are very inconspicuous, and consist of a spot in the leaf, usually towards the margin, about 2 to 4mm. across, irregular in outline, about twice as thick as a healthy leaf, hence slightly prominent on both surfaces ; differing but little in aspect from rest of leaf, except in being slightly paler, or sometimes reddish-brown, in colour. The differences brought about by the gall-makers can be under- stood only by a comparison with a healthy leaf in section. The latter shows, from above downwards, the epiderm, then two or three layers of rather closely packed palissade cells, elongated at right angles to the surface, then two or three layers of irregularly branched cells, elongated in directions nearly parallel to the surface, and showing large intercellular spaces among them. Among these cells lie the fibrovascular bundles, usually close below the palissade layers . Then comes the lower epiderm, bearing numerous and variable branched hairs. In the galls the loose mesophyll below the palissade layers The Scottish Naturalist. 213 seems to be the first part attacked. The cells become less regular in form, and lie with the long axis in any direction, and are separated by wider interspaces. The next cells attacked are the lower palissades, and the upper palissades soon follow, the cells all resembling those of the loose mesophyll, without differen- tiation of the tissues as in the healthy leaf. Neither epiderm nor fibrovascular bundles undergo any noticeable change in structure. The interspaces were well filled in August with eggs and young worms ; but neither males nor females could be found, hence there may be a doubt as to the maker of the gall being a Tylenchus. These galls are common on the Links near Aberdeen, bnt I have not found them associated with diseased Hyp. radicata, though the plants are often common in the same spot. The galls on the two are, however, so much alike that one may fairly enough suppose them to be the work of the same species. HIERACIUM VULGATUM Fries :— On this plant I have found, near Aberdeen and near Dumfries, galls so similar in every respect to the galls of Phytoptus on H. Pilosella (and like these galls the work of Phytoptus) that I can hardly doubt that they are the work of the same species of mite. They differ from the galls described above only in their rather larger size, and in absence of hairs and consequent greener colour. CAMPANULA ROTUNDIFOLIA L. :— a. Galls of Cecidomyia Campanula Muell., consisting of a swollen fleshy bud or group of buds, that never develop fully ("Sc. Nat." I., 187). b. Galls of Gymnetron Campanula:, consisting of swollen ovaries (" Sc. Nat." I.e.) Both these galls are common in the district near Aberdeen in July and August. c. Galls of a mite {Phytoptus), consisting of a very inconspicuous inrolling upwards of the margin of the leaf, usually from base to tip on each side, so as to form a roll or tube about 1 mm. in diam., and slightly fleshy, but not differing otherwise in appear- ance from other parts of the leaf. Inside the tube the mites may be found. In July I found these galls in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, and in September in Rannoch in Perthshire. Mr. Hardy, the well-known naturalist of Berwick, recorded the results of his own observations on the work of mites in Berwickshire in the Zoologist a number of years ago, including among them this gall. It has also been recorded from Switzerland and from Germany by Dr. Thomas (in Schweizer Milbengallen, 1872). 214 The Scottish Naturalist VACCINIUM VITIS-IDAEA L. :— I formerly described briefly (Se. Nat., i., 158) galls on this plant found by me in Braemar ; but could offer no conjecture as to the maker, as the galls had been lost. In the autumn of 1882 I again have found these galls in Braemar ; and have found in each a few yellow larvae of a Cecidomyia between the involute imbricate red fleshy leaves of the terminal buds. Mr. Cameron describes (E.M.M., xii., 190) a Saw-fly, Nematus erassipes var. Vacriniellus Cam. reared by himself from galls on V. Vitis-Idaea, but does not describe the gall, which I have not myself met with. GENTIANA CAMPESTRIS L. :— In August 1882 I found, in Braemar, two plants of this species bearing flowers tenanted by small pale yellow larvae of a Cecido- myia. Some of the flowers were abnormal in having buds growing in the axils of the petals and from the centre of the ovary ; but the larvae also were present in other buds which differed from the normal condition only in having the parts of the flower slightly swollen and fleshy, with the sexual organs ill developed. Larvae were numerous inside the ovaries, the seeds in which were quite abortive or else ill developed ; and they also were present in small numbers between the other parts of the flowers. Dr. Dickie has described {Edinb. Bot. Soc. Trans, ii., pp. 192-196) abnormal flower-buds like the above from near Aberdeen ; but he makes no mention of the presence of larvae in these found by him. PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA L. :— a. Galls of Mecinus py raster Herbst (Se. Nat. ii., p. 252, and iv.j p. 16), oval swellings of the scape near the top, less often of the petiole. These weevil-galls are not rare in a good many places in the North-east of Scotland. b. Galls of one of the Anguillulidce (? Tylenchus sp.), so similar in structure to those just to be described on P. maritima that it is needless to describe them on both plants. They are of larger size on P. laneeolata, occasionally almost extending from edge to edge of a leaf; and are less markedly different in colour from the rest of the leaf, than they are in P. maritima. I have found these galls in one or two localities near Aberdeen, from May till October ; also at Banchory Ternan on Deeside, and at Rescobie in Forfarshire. PLANTAGO MARITIMA L. :— Galls of Tylenchus {? sp. it.) in the leaves and leaf-stalks, seldom The Scottish Naturalist. 215 in the scapes. Possibly they may be the work of the same species as makes the second kind of galls just mentioned on P. lanccolata, as the galls are so similar on the two plants. On P. maritima they are conspicuous, as they enlarge the part attacked to as much as four times the normal breadth, and usually assume a pale yellowish green, less often a red or purple shade. There is often marked distortion in the structure of the galled parts. The deviations from the healthy state caused by the gall will be besr understood after a brief sketch of the transverse section of a healthy leaf. A normal section shows a very regular arrangement of its tissues, viz., the epiderm all round the mesophyll, which is made up of oval thin- walled cells, lying so that their long axis is at right angles to the surfaces. Usually about 9 layers of cells can be made out between the epiderms, those in the middle usually being rounder and smaller than the others. There is no distinction recognisable into palissade cells and loose layers, and the interspaces, though numerous, are all small and nearly equal. The fibro-vascular bundles lie in a row in the middle layers of the leaf, and are hardly at all altered in the galls. One can usually distinguish a mid-rib, and on each side of this two lateral bundles : and between the five large are several smaller bundles. The galls differ from the above in structure almost solely in the mesophyll, of which only a part may be altered, or the gall may extend the full breadth of the leaf. At times the galls reach 15mm. in breadth, but they are in general considerably smaller. On making a transverse section of a gall, one finds the cells of the mesophyll much elongated and irregular in form, assuming the type known as branched parenchyma, so that large intercellular spaces are formed. In these spaces lie numerous "worms," which I was able, after examining all stages and both sexes, to refer to the genus Tylenchus of Bastian, but they differ from any species of which I can find descriptions in Bastian's Monograph on the Anguillidae {Trans. Linn. Soc, vol. xxv). The epiderms of the galls have fewer stomata in proportion, and their cells are hardly so regular as in the healthy leaf. The galls are abundant on the ■coast of Kincardine all summer and autumn. VERONICA OFFICINALIS L. :— Flowerbuds galled by Cecidomyia {? Veronica JBremi), quite similar to those already described by me (Sc. Nat., iv., 170) on V. Serpyllifolia. The buds swell to twice or thrice their normal size, and remain unopened or open but slightly. They may be rather pale green, or the petals may show slightly and of the 2i6 The Scottish Naturalist. usual colour. The parts of the flower become slightly thickened and fleshy, and remain abortive, at least in function. The larvae, yellow or orange in colour, live between them ; and one finds cocoons in the galls occasionally. I have these galls from Bourtie in Aberdeenshire, found in the end of August 1883. The galls on V. Serpyllifolia are rather common near Aberdeen. PEDICULARIS SYLVATICA L. :— Galls of mites (P/iytoptns sp.) sometimes are very numerous towards the tips of the shoots ; in some plants distorting almost every leaf on at least the upper half of the stem, in others being confined to only a few of the upper leaves, rarely occurring on only a single leaf. Not rarely the sepals also are attacked, but without marked injury to the development of the flower. Plants when severely attacked become very much changed in appearance. The affected parts are of a dull purple-red or brown-red, somewhat thickened and fleshy, revolute, and generally more or less covered with grey hairs ; and they may also be more or less stunted in size. On transverse section the mesophyll is found to be but little changed ; but the epiderms are loosened from it, and the cells exposed to light are filled with coloured cell-sap, usually purplish-red. From the epiderm cells hairs grow out, generally simple, consisting of a row of cylindrical cells, the last cell of the row being bluntly rounded. There may be up to 15 cells in each hair. The hairs are often a little twisted, owing to slight irregu- larities in the form of the cells ; occasionally they arise so close together as to seem to fork at the base. They are pale or coloured according to the exposure they undergo to light. The mites live in small numbers among them. I met with these galls in con- siderable numbers in the end of June on Scotston Moor, near Aberdeen, this year. Similar galls have been described by Dr. Thomas as occurring on P. palustris in Thuringia. RUMEX ACETOSELLA L. :— Flowers galled by Cecidomyia Ramicis H. Loew. The buds become considerably swollen and rather flesh)', are orange-red in colour in most cases, and remain closed. The sexual organs abort ; and one or more orange larvae, or white cocoons may be found in each flower-bud. Many flowers are attacked usually on a plant; and the galls in 1883 were extremely abundant near Aberdeen, though, owing to their small size, one is apt to overlook them. The midges are very easily reared from them. This insect is included in Walker's " Insecia Britannica" III., p. 100. (To be continued.) PHYTOLOGY. THE BOTANICAL WOEX OP GEQEGE DON OP POEFAE. By G. C. DRUCE, F.L.S. ( Continued from page 1 78. ) " Stellaria scapigera seems to have been found by Don by the sides of rivulets between Dalwhinnie Inn and the old Kirk of Lagsian, Perth, and by Loch Nevis, Inverness. Is apparently a monstrosity of S. graminea, and probably from Don's garden, some plant he met with being mistaken for the same as the one he had in culti- vation." Boswe.ll E. Bot. It is figured in Eng. Flora, vol. xviii., 1269, and the following details given. "Mr. G. Don obligingly communicates wild specimens of this new and curious Stellaria. He gathered it at different times from the year 1794 to 1803 on the sides of rivulets in Perth and about Loch Nevis. The plant was received by the younger Linnaeus from Kew Garden, but its native country was altogether unknown till Air. Don's fortunate discovery." Sm, Eng. Flora. " Prov. 15-16. Perth, Inverness. G.Don in Eng. Fl. Ambiguity," Cyb. 1 '225. According to Boswell Syme, this is apparently a monstrosity of S. graminea ; whereas Prof. Babington can scarcely believe this is a state of S. graminea. Prof. Arnott says its seeds produce S. graminea.' 1 '' Comp. Cyb. Br., 492. In Don's fasciculus, No. 10, is a specimen of S. scapigera, localised: "sides of rivulets on the mountains of Badenoch be- tween Loch Ereachd (Ericht) and Loch Laggan, and by the side of a rivulet on a mountain to the eastward of Loch Nevis, Inverness." Does the fact of Don having this plant in his garden prove he never found it wild ? Is there not an equal probability of his first finding it wild as he stated, and then introducing it to his garden? If the plant be a monstrosity of S. graminea, it must originally come from somewhere (it is not suggested it is^ a mere garden sport), and why not as likely be found in Scotland as in Germany? 218 The Scottish Naturalist. Lychnis Alpina, L. : — Arnott says in Brit. Flora :-— " We have strong reason to believe the plant was sown on Culrannoch almost sixty years ago." This brings it to the time Don worked Clova. "This interesting plant was first discovered in Little Culrannoch by the indefatigable Mr. G. Don." Gard. Flora, Forfar. " Mr. G. Don first made this interesting discovery on rock near the summit of Clova mountains in August, 1795. The plant is there very scarce, being only found, anywhere, on the most elevated spots. "We have preferred drawing Mr. Don's original speci- mens, though dry, to any garden one." Eng. Bot., vol. xxxii. 2254. "Discovered by G. Don on summits of Clova mountains in 1 795, and found by Dr. Graham and others on the summit of a hill called Little Kilrannoch, between Glen Prosen and Glen Callater. Dr. Graham estimated the hill as 3,200 feet. It was pointed out to me by a shepherd from the head of Canlochen Glen, and at that distance I thought it scarcely above 3,000 feet." Cyb. Br., 1*204. Hypericum barbatum, J acq. " Perthshire. — Don never confirmed." Students' Flora. " We do not believe it has ever been found wild in Perth." Arnotfs Br. Flora. "No one has found it since, and if ever it occurred there it was doubtless an escape from cultivation, as it is most unlikely an Austrian plant not occurring in Scandinavia, France, or North Germany could be wild in Scotland." Bo swell, E. Bot. Sir James Smith says some of the specimens sent by Don reached him in a sufficiently fresh state to be drawn for E. B. plate. Vol. xxviii. Plate 1986. "Prov. 15, Perth. G. Don sole authority. Ambiguity. A garden plant." Cyb. 1*254. In the English Flora, Smith accepts this as a true native, and without a word of doubt, attributing it to " bushy places in Scot- land," as though there were any number of localities for it in addition to the one specially mentioned "by the side of an hedge in Strathearn." Smith was too exclusively a botanist of the study, not of living nature, to warrant any reliance on his decision about the] genuine nativity or otherwise of plants in Britain. Comp. Cyb. Br., 494. " Was found in Perthshire by Don, but was probably not a native." Bab. Man., vii. 67. The Scottish Naturalist. 219 The last statement is one which will commend itself to most of your readers. A specimen is in Miss Palmer's collection. "Austr. Styr, Hung. &c." Nyman. Potcntilla irideiitata, Sm. " Clova mountains. Don never confirmed." Stud. Flora. 41 Werron Hill, Clova. G. Don, but by no one else." Arnott, Br. Fl. "Pro v. 15. Forfar. G. Don sole authority. Error," Cyb. 1.348, iii. 418. "Not British or European." Comp. Cyb. Br., 501. " Said to have been found by Don on Werron Hill and East rocks, Loch Brandy, Clova, but no doubt Sibbaldia procumbens has been mistaken for this American plant." Boswell, E. Bot. " Incog. The late Mr. G. Don appeared quite confident that he had seen or collected this species in Forfar, and there is even a specimen preserved in Sm. Herb which is labelled as though actually collected on the Hill of Werron in that county by Don, with the date of April 3, 1809. Is it possible that Mr. Don could have mistaken plants of Sibbaldia or Potentilla Fragariastrum for this species, and have sent or pointed out to Smith an example of P. tridentata as being the same species he had seen on Werron or other hills ? I do very much suspect that this is the true solu- tion of some of the mystery which attaches to several of Mr. Don's habitats — namely, that intending to send or show the same species, he or Smith inadvertently confused it with some other species." Cyb. Brit., 1*348. " P. tridentata, justly regarded by Mr. Don the most beautiful of its genus, was found by him on a mountain called Werron, in Angus. Linn. Trans, x. 343." Sm. En. Flora. Vol. xxxiv. 1389. u This hill has since been searched by Mr. Kerr and a party from Montrose, but without success. It may, however, have occurred only in one spot, and such a spot may elude again and again the keenest researches of the mountain rambler. An authentic specimen, gathered by Don, is in Mr. Kerr's herbarium; and there is also a specimen among the remains of an herbarium formed by Mr. Douglas Gardiner in 1813, which had likely been given to him by Don, as they were intimate friends." Gard. Fl. Forfar. "An American plant, said to have been found at Clova ; was probably Sibbaldia." Bab. Man. vii. 103. At a meeting of the Edinburgh Botanical Society, March 14, 1850, Mr. M'Nab exhibited a dried specimen of P. tridentata sent 220 The Scottish Naturalist. by Mr. Westwood, of the Botanical Garden, Dollar, as a part of a plant picked by him and Mr. C. Stewart on Ben Wyvis, about ten years ago. The only way in which Don could possibly have mistaken this plant for Sibbaldia was in gathering a specimen out of flower, planting it in his garden, and then P. tridentata being afterwards believed to be the same ; but this suggestion requires such an amount of ignorance on the part of Don that I cannot adopt it. Remember in his original record Don says the plant is the most beautiful of its genus ; " its beautiful white flowers at once dis- tinguish it ; " and also one must bear in mind that Sibbaldia must have been to Don one of the commonest plants, and must have been known to him in all its forms. Surely one who could differ- entiate the characters of the cut-leaved Saxifrages, and the Alpine Poa and Aira forms, could have never confounded these two plants. Mr. Watson suggests Potentilla Fragrariastrum, a slightly more probable solution. Mr. Gardiner makes a still more pertinent suggestion. It must be remembered that both this and Ranun- culus alpestris are positively stated by Don to have been gathered by him on the same day, April 3, 1809, a date on which I venture to doubt no botanist of critical acumen has visited either locality. The fact is, Don's critics, when they do not call him a knave, suggest he is a fool. Don, were he alive, would prove, as did Newman in his " Apologia," that he was neither the one nor the other. Potentilla intermedia Nessl. P. opaca Sm. " P. opaca. Clova mts. Don, never confirmed, but the speci- mens are intermedia Nessl." Stud. Flora. " Province 15, Perth and Forfar. G. Don only. Error. Incog. Repeatedly as the hills of Clova have been searched by the best collecting botanists of Scotland and England since the time of Don, this species has not again been found." Cyb. Brit., 1,345. "Clova mts., Mr. G. Don." Flor. For/. '• P. intermedia, Ness. {Opaca Sm. En%. Fl., 2,449, vol. xxxviii.) Said to have been found by Don on the hills of Clova and Braes of Balquhidder and seashore, opposite Dundee ; but not found by any other botanist, and his authority alone is not sufficient to establish its occurrence." Boswell, Eng. Pot. " Is not known as a native." Bab. Ma., ed. vii., 102. Mr. David Don, son of George Don, in a paper contributed to the Wernerian Society, says that the Potentilla was first dis_ covered by his father, and that he himself saw specimens when The Scottish Naturalist. 221 they were freshly brought from their native habitats, and his de- scription is drawn-up from specimens in his father's herbarium. In the fasciculus No. 165 it is localised " Mountains of Angus and the west of Clova." Eng. Bot. 35,2449, says that Mr. Don, of Cambridge, has had the true opaca sent him from Scotland. There is a specimen in Miss Palmer's collection. Nyman in the Conspectus gives it for Scotia, Scandinavia, Dania, Germania, &:c. Sanguisofba media, L. S. {officinalis') media, Don, not Linn. " One of Don's reputed discoveries not confirmed." Stud. Flora. " Prov. 13 or 16, West of Scotland." G. Don. Comp. Cyb. Br. 5°9- " Incog. Said to have been found by Mr. Don in the West of Scotland ; but some variety of the British species, S. officinalis, would seem to have been mistaken for the American plant." Cybele Brit., 1.360. Dr. Boswell in E.B. repeats Mr. Watson's suggestion. One need add nothing to Mr. Watson's statement ; Don knew but little, I suppose, of synonymy. i Mr. Borrer says he has Don's specimen ; it is S. officinalis, with a longer head than usual, such as he had repeatedly found in the lake district. Alchemilla conjuncta, Bab. A. argentea, G. Don. Cyb. Br., 1-363, 3*423, says: "Incog. 12-15. Said to have been collected on the Clova mts. Mr. Don's specimens are still in herbaria, but I suspect some mistake ; the specimen appears to be like those from gardens." " George Don distributed examples from the Forfarshire hills ostensibly ; but Don habitually sent garden examples of supposed wild plants, so that his testimony alone goes for nothing. Mr. A. O. Black also reported the plant from Forfarshire, and showed examples ; but Mr. Black was convicted of reporting a planted American shrub, as if also a true native of that county ; so that, relying on his testimony, we ought equally to include the Diervilla Canadensis among truly British plants now and for ever." Comp. Cyb. Brit., 470. " Clova mts., Mr. G. Don. A specimen is in Mr. Borrer's herbaria, but I have never been able to recognise it among the hundreds of specimens of A. alpina examined for that purpose." Gard. Flor. Forfar, pp. 64. Professor Babington informs me that he has specimens collected -> J T 7'/r Scottish Naturalist. by Mr. A. O. Black in Glen Dole, and that most of the garden plants originally came from Don. The exact station in Glen Dole is about 300 feet from the base of the Glen Dole of Craig Rennet, on left hand side of the first large ravine which comes down from Craig Rennet on entering Glen Dole. Saxifraga muscoides, Wulf. " One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Flora. Prov. 12. (?) Highlands. Error, Cyb. 1*416.; Eng. Fl. ii. 272 ; Eng. Bot. iv. 287. Conip. Cyb. 516. " S. moscliata S/n. Mr. Don of Cambridge has given us speci- mens from his garden, the roots of which he had from the High- lands of Scotland." Eng. Fl. 33*2314. Not given in the Flora of Forfar, '•Don's original record is 'Saxifraga nova species] which I believe to be the S. muscoides of Willdenow. Plants of Forfar." " S. muscoides. Pyren., Arvern., Juras, Alps, Apen." Nyman* This can scarcely be called one of Don's reputed discoveries, as he himself makes no positive statement of having found it. Saxifraga pedaiifida, Ehrh. " One of Don's reputed Scotch discoveries. His specimens are the common garden S. irifurcata." Stud. Flora. " Don does not pretend to have found it, but sends a garden specimen, saying he has heard it has been found in Scotland." Dr. Boswell signed "letter, 1864." Comp. Cyb. Br. 517. " Said to have been found on rocks at the head of Clova ; also reported from Achill Isle by D. Wynne ; but there seems no satis- factory evidence of the latter being the true plant." Eng. Bot. Mr. Watson, in Cyb. Brit. 1*417, thus refers to it : — " Native. (?) Said to have been found by Don in rocks near the head of Clova. In his account of the Botany of Forfarshire, Don says, in his usual vague or careless language, ■ Summits of the Clova mountains,' but with him the summits sometimes mean declivities very far below, and usually intending rocks at 700 or 8oo yards, the actual summits are 1,000 yards or upwards, though there are peaks and ridges of only 800 or 900 yards above the sea-level." Arnott says " probably a mistake." Br. Fl. It is figured in Eng. Flora, vol. xxxii., p. 2,778; and it is there stated that " Mr. Don and the late Mr. J. Mackay both gathered this plant in the Highlands, the former on the mountains of Clova, Angus- shire. Our figure is unavoidably taken from a cultivated specimen." The Scottish Naturalist. 223 '•Rocks near the head of Ciova. Mr. G. Don." Flora of Forfar. "Probably of garden origin." Bab. Man., v., 143. If Don habitually did distribute his garden plants, as if they had been gathered wild on the mountains, that does not prove that he did not find S. pedatifida in Clova mts. Smith says that both Don and Mackay gathered this plant. (See Linn. Soc. Trans. „ x., 240.) The Achill locality is also distrusted, but among some Saxifraga collected by Mr. Andrews in Achill occurred true pedatifida, of which I possess a specimen. Miss Palmer's plant from Don is a garden specimen. 6". pedatifida is given by Nyman for Gallia mer., Ardenne, &c. Chozrophyllu?n aureum, L. " Scotland. Don, not confirmed." Stud. Flora. u Prov. 14-15. Edin., Forfar. G. Don only. Error or casual. Cyb. 1*463." Conip. Cyb. Br. 520. " Between Arbroath and Montrose, Forfar, and at Corstorphine, Edinburgh. Mr. G. Don." Eng. Bot. " I discovered this plant some years ago by the side of the corn fields between Arbroath and Montrose." Mr. G. Don in Flora Forfar. It is given in No. 207 of the fasciculus, and is also included in Miss Palmer's collection. " This is one of those rare plants discovered by Mr. G. Don, with which few botanists are at all acquainted." Eng. Flora, 30-2103. A plant introduced by cultivation. Nyman gives for it : Pyren. Ceven, Arvern, Lozere, Del, Juras, Germ, mer., &c. Choirophyllum aroinaticum, L. " Scotland. Don, not confirmed." Stud. Ft. "Prov. 15. Forfar. G. Don sole authority. (?) Error," Cyk. 1 '463. Co in p. Cyb. Br., 520. " River Lunan, near Guthrie, Forfar. Don." Eng. Bot. " I discovered this in 1870 by the side of the river called Lunan and Vennie, not far from Guthrie, in a truly wild state." Mr. G. Don in Flora Forfar, pp. 86. Mr. D. Don, in the paper in Wernerian Society's transactions, says this plant was seen by him when brought home by his father,, as in the case of P. opaca. Another casual plant, a native of Eastern Europe. 2 24 The Scottish Naturalist. SECOND SUPPLEMENTARY LIST OF FUNGI FOUND WITHIN THE PROVINCE OF MORAY. {The former lists are published in the Scot. Nat., Vol. II. , IV., V.) By Rev. JAMES KEITH, LL.D. 1. Agaric us L. (1) Amanita. 1041. virosus, Fr. Birch wood above Railway Station at Grantown and at Dunphail. Aug., Sep. 1042. mippa, Batsch. In woods. Forres, Cawdor, Grantown. Aug., Sep. 1043. spissus, Fr. In woods. Rothiemurchus. Aug. (2) Lepiota. 1044. Friesii, Lasch. In stubble-field, Rafford. Sep. Rare. (3) Armillaria. 1045. bulbiger, A. & S. In fir woods. Ord-ban, Rothiemurchus. Aug. 1046. robustus, A. & S. In fir woods. Forres, Grantown, Rothiemurchus. Aug., Sep. Mistaken for A. aurantius, Schoeff., and published under that name in my first list. (4) Tricholoma. 1047. sejunctus, Sow. In woods. Cawdor. Sep (Crypt. Soc.) 1048. immundus, Berk. Among grass. Forres and Nairn. Sep. 1049. melaleucus, P. On grassy path. Ord-ban, Rothiemurchus. Sep. (5) Clitocybe. 1050. tumulosus, Kalchb. On thistle roots. Forres. Sep. 1051. pithyophilus, Seer. In fir woods. Clunyhill, Forres. Sep. 1052. vermicularis, Fr. In fir woods. Chapelton Wood, Forres. Sep. (6) Collybia. 1053. acervatus, Fr. On fir stumps, Rothiemurchus. Aug. 1054. clavus, L. On small sticks and potato stems in Greeshop Wood, Forres. July, Oct. 1055. plexipes, Fr. On the ground among beeches, Altyre Wood, Forres. Sep. 1056. ambustus, Fr. On burnt ground. Forres and Dunphail. (7) Mycena. 1057. strobilinns, Fr. On wood, probably fir cone, buried in the ground, in Altyre Woods, Forres. July. 1058. proliferus, Sow. In Manse Garden, Forres. July. 1059. speireus, Fr. On mossy trunk of willow in Greeshop Wood, Forres. Oct. 1060. pterigenus, Fr. On dead brakes. Altyre Woods, Forres. Nov. (8) Oinpbalia. 1061. hepaticus, Batsch. Altyre Woods. Sep. (Crypt. Soc.) (9) Pleurotus. 1062. acerosus, Fr. In fir woods, Rothiemurchus. Sep. (11) Entoloma. 1063. jubatus, Fr. Lawn at Brodic Castle, Forres. Aug. The Scottish Naturalist. 225 1064. majalis, Fr. Altyre Woods, Forres. May. (12) Clitopilus. 1065. undatus, Fr. On grassy banks, Rothiemurchus. Aug., Sept. (13) Leptonia. 1066. chalybreus, P. In pastures. Forres and Grantown. Sep. (14) Nolanea. 1067. mammosus, Fr. In pastures. Rothiemurchus. Aug. (15) Pholiota. 1068. radicosus, Bull. In birch wood above Railway Station, Grantown. Sep. 1069. pumilus, Fr. In damp mossy spot, Grantown. Sep. (16) Hebeloma. 1070. asterosporus, Q. On the ground. Rothiemurchus. Aug. (17) Flamraula. 1071. fiavidus, Schreff. On fir stump. Dunphail. Oct. 1072. inopus, Fr. On fir stumps. Forres, Grantown, Rothiemurchus. Aug., Nov. (IS) Naucoria. 1073. tenax, Fr. In fir wood, Grantown. Aug. 1074. myosotis, Fr. On the grassy margin of Loch Garten, Strathspey. Aug. 1075. sobrius, Fr. On grassy spots in woods. Altyre and Edinkillie. July. 2. Tubaria. 1076. paludosus, Fr. On Sphagnum, Grantown. Aug. 3. Cortinarius. (1) Phlegmacium. 1077. claricolor, Fr. In birch woods. Forres, Grantown, and Rothie- murchus. 1078. turmalis, Fr. In woods. Rothiemurchus. Sep. 1079. cyanopus (Seer). In woods. Forres, Cawdor, Grantown, Rothie- murchus. Aug., Sep. 1080. serarius, Fr. Greeshop Wood, &c, Forres. Sep. (2) Myxacium. 1081. mucifluus, Fr. In fir woods, Grantown. Aug. lOSla. delibutus, Fr. In birch woods. Grantown and Rothiemurchus. Aug. 1052. stillatitius, Fr. The Bechan, Grantown. Aug. (3) Incloma. 1053. alboviolaceus (Pers.). Among beeches in Altyre Woods. Sep. 1054. tophaceus, Fr. Among birches. Ord-ban, Rothiemurchus. Aug. (4) Deroiocybe. 1055. cinnabarinus, Fr. In wood at Rothiemurchus. Aug. (5) Telamouia. 1056. impennis, Fr. In meadows under alders. Waterford, Forres. Sep., Oct. 1087. flexipes (Pers.). Altyre Woods, Forres. Sep. 1088. incisus (Pers.). Greeshop Wood, Forres. Sep. 1089. paleaceus (Weinm.). Altyre and Greeshop Woods, &c, Forres. Sep. (6) Hygrocybe. 1090. leucopus (Bull.). Fir woods, Grantown. Sep. P 226 The Scottish Naturalist. 1091. scandens, Fr. Greeshop wood, Forres. Oct. 1092. decipiens (Pers.). Forres and Grantown. Sep., Oct. 4. Hygrophorus. 1093. eburneua, Fr. On Ord-ban, Rothiemurchus. Aug. 5. Lactarius. 1094. rubeseens, Fr. Ord-ban, Rothieinurehus. Aug. 1095. bysginus, Fr. The Duloeh, Grantown, and Ord-ban, Rothiemurchus.. Aug. 1096. flexuosus, Fr. Ord-ban, &c., Rothiemurchus. Aug. 1097. pallidus, Fr. Ord-ban, Rothieinurehus. Aug. 1098. vietus, Fr. Ord-ban, Rothieinurehus, Aug. 1099. subduleis, Fr. The Beehan, Grantown. Aug. 1100. helvus, Fr. Castle Grant Woods, Grantown, and Ord-ban, Rothie- inurehus. Aug. 1101. pieinus, Fr. Ord-ban, Rothiemurchus. Aug. 1102. fuliginosus, Fr. The Beehan, Grantown, and Ord-ban, Rothiemur- chus. Aug. 7. Russula. 1103. vesca, Fr. Castle Grant Woods, Grantown. Aug. 1104. Queletii, Fr. In fir woods. Forres, Grantown, Rothiemurchus- Aug., Sep., Oct. 8. Marasmius. 1105. porreus (Pers.). Among oak leaves, Darnaway. Nov. 1106. erythropus (Pers, ). Among leaves in mixed wood, Brodie. Sep. 1107. saccharinus (Batsch.). On decayed fern, Dunphail. Oct. 9. Lentinus. 1108. Scoticus, B. & Bv. On birch stick above Cothall. Feb. 10. Boletus. 1109. elegans, Schum. Rothieinurehus. Aug. 1110. navidus, Fr. In marshy ground in fir wood at Loch Morlich. Aug. 1111. cyanescens, Bull. The Beehan, Grantown. Aug. 11. Polyporus. 1112. polymorphic, Rostk. On a stick, Kinrara. Aug. 1113. reticulatus, P. On a piece of birch bark, Darnaway. Sep. 1 2. Trametes. 1114. Pini, Fr. On fir trees, Darnaway, Grantown, and Rothiemurchus. 13. Hydnum. 1115. scabrosum, Fr. In fir woods. Chapelton Wood, Forres, and at Rothiemurchus. Sep. 1116. nigrum, Fr. In fir woods. Rothiemurchus. Sep, 1117. melaleucum, Fr. In Chapelton Fir Wood, Forres. Sep. 1118. udum, Fr. On a stick, Darnaway. Sep. 14. Cyphella. 1 1 19. muscigena, Fr. On mosses. Altyre. Sep. 1120. Capula, Fr. On nettle steins, Greeshop Wood. July and Sep. 1121. gibbosa, Lev. On old potato stem at Manse of Dyke. July. 15. Clavaria. 1 122. Btricta, P. Ord-ban, Rothieinurehus. Aug. 1 123. aigillacea, Fr. Beside Scourie Bridge, Forres. Sep. 16. Typhula. 1121. erythropus, Fr. On dead stems of herbaceous plants in Greeshop Wood. Oct. The Scottish Naturalist. 227 1125. Grevillei, Fr. On leaves in Greesbop "Wood. Oct. 1126. filiformis, Fr. On leaves in Greeshop Wood. Oct. 17. Pistillaria. 1127. quisquiliaris, Fr. On fern stems, Dunphail. Oct. 18. Physarum. 112S. sinuosum, Bull. Cawdor. Sep. "Crypt. Soc." 19. Craterium. 1129. mutabile, Fr., [G. aureum Schum. ) On a whin' stick, Darna way. Aug. 20. Stemonitis. (Lamproderma.) 1130. arcyrioides, Somm. On decayed cabbage stalk, Forres, July. 21. Enerthenema. 1131. papillata (Pers. ). Ou a fir board, Rothiemurchus. Aug. 22 Arcyria. 1132. cinerea, Bull. On a stick, Darna way. Sep. 23. Septoria. 1133. Polygonorum, Desm. On P. Persicaria, Forres. Sep. 1131. Epilobii, West. On E. inontanum, Dunphail. July. 1135. Ficarise, Desm. On Ranunculus Ficaria, Dunphail. July. 24. Ascochyta. 1136. Pisi, Lib. On pea leaves, Forres. May. 1137. Dianthi, Berk. On Lychnis leaves, Forres. July. 25. Excipula. 1138. strigosa, Fr. On grass stem, Forres. June. 26. Torula. 1139. graminis, Desm. On grass, Forres. March. 27, Sporochisma. 1140. mirabile, B. & Br. On beech stump at Chapel of Blair, Forres. July ON THE SPECIES OF ENTYLOMA PASASITIO IN SPECIES OP RANUNCULUS IN SCOTLAND. THE only species of Entyloma of which any record can be found as occurring in Britain in any species of Ranunculus is E. Ungerianum De Bary (Frotomyces microsporia Unger), said tooccur in R. Ficaria, and recorded first by Berkeley from specimens sent from New Pitsligo (Ann. Mag. N.H., No. 147 1, under Unger's name). In " Grevillea" (vi. 73), it is mentioned under the former name, under which it stands in Cooke's u 3ficroscopic Fungi " 1878, 233, and in u Mycologia Scotica" p. 255. In each case the record stands for R. Ficaria as the food-plant. 'In "Mycologia" it is recorded as from Forres also. I have for some time thought that the identification of the species with Unger's was wrong ; inasmuch as I have for two or three 228 The Scottish Naturalist. years been familiar with an Entyloma in the leaves of R. repens, from near Aberdeen, from Forfarshire, from Perthshire, and from Forres, which agrees with the descriptions by Unger (" Exanthe- mata'' 345), in all respects, besides being in the same food-plant mentioned by him, but which is perfectly distinct from the Entyloma in R. Eicaria. In the belief that they would prove to be distinct species, I have examined carefully with the microscope specimens of the two, and I find that they correspond entirely with two described in Winter's " Pilze" in Rabenhorst's " Kryptogamen- flora" as given below. EntyloHia Ungerianum De By. {Protomyces microspores Unger), in the leaves of Ranunculus repens, less often in R. acris, in deformed and conspicuous patches of the leaf. The patches occupied by the fungus are 1-3 mm. wide, and become very convex on one side, very concave on the other side of the leaf, and often occur in large numbers on the leaf-blade, or, as described by Unger, on the leaf-stalk. At first they are pale yellowish-green, but they soon become gradually browner, and at last wither. The surface of the spot never shows any sign of sporidia as in the form described below from R. Eicaria. The spores are densely crowded in the spots frequently ; they are irregularly marked with surface-ridges, owing to unequal thickness of wall, are nearly globular or oval, 12-20 mk. in diameter, and in colour vary with age from nearly colourless to pale brown. This species seems to be local, but far from rare. Entylorna Ficariae, F. von Waldh. [Eusidium Ranunculi Bon., Protomyces Eicarioz Cornu and Roze, Protomyces microsporus Berk, (nee Unger). Entyloma Ungcrianum Cooke (nee De By.)], in the leaves of Ranunculus Eicaria, causing flat pale spots about 1-3 mm. across, visible on both surfaces, but especially below, at first pale green, then dirty white, with a whitish dust on the sur- face, produced by the development of sporidia from the spores while still in the leaf; after a time the spots become brown as they begin to wither. The spores are rounded, or slightly polygonal, from mutual pressure, and push out mycelium or conidiiferous tubes very readily. They measure 8-12 mk. in diameter, and vary with age from almost colourless to pale yellow-brown. Their wall is almost uniform in thickness, and is thinner than in the last. I have convinced myself by an examination of specimens of Cylindro- sporium Eicaria} B. and Br.. No. 1458, in the exsiccati published by Mr. Berkeley himself (No. 212), and by Dr. Cooke (exs. ii., No. 172), that this supposed species is certainly nothing else The Scottish 'Naturalist. 229 than the conidia of the Entyloma formed on the surface of the leaf. This Entyloma is exceedingly abundant on R. Ficaria wherever I have looked for it, and doubtless is so almost everywhere. It is exceedingly distinct from the true E. Ungerianwn of De Bary. On the same leaves with it I have found with singular frequency Peronospora Ficarice developed, the two fungi often occupying the same spot of the leaf. Indeed, so constantly have I found the two on the same leaf that it was some time before I found a leaf that contained one without the other, and I was for a time inclined to suspect some genetic connection between them. But more extended investigation showed that they were not so universally associated as that belief would require to corroborate it. While writing on Entyloma, it may not be amiss to mention that I am persuaded that we have a much larger number of species in Scotland than is generally suspected, since several are known to occur without producing any remarkable external deformity of the host. I have myself found cells of Entyloma in dead flower-stalks of Plantago lanceolata and of Hypochceris raJicata, and have seen what looked much like them in the dead tissues of other plants also. James W. H. Trail, M.D. BOTANICAL 1T0TES. Trifolium agrarium L.— -Last July, in company with Messrs Sturrock and Knox, I saw several plants of this species between Fingask Loch and Blair- gowrie, but not native, as they had been introduced with "seeds." As a casual plant, I have seen it in central England in newly laid down grass fields, but it does not appear to be permanent. Cares vesicaria, var. dichroa, Anders.— A sedge which I found on the Killin side of Ben Lawers in July, 1874, anf l which I at first thought to be C. pull a, and afterwards considered an Alpine variety of vesicaria, Mr. Ar. Bennet has recently determined to be C. vesicaria b. dichroa, Anders, not pre- viously recorded as British. G. C. Druce, F.L.S. Oxford, 23rd? May, 18S4. NOTES EKOM THE " GAKDEKERS' CHBONIOLE." "Resting Spores of the Lilac Fungus" (Ovularia Syringee Berk), by W. G. Smith (Oct. 6, 18S3), describes the method of cultivating the fungus. The affected leaves were laid one above another in a broad plate ; a little water 2^0 The Scottish Naturalist. was put into the plate, which was then tilted slightly, so that the ends of the leaves touched the water and permitted it to be drawn up slowly. The plate was then covered with a bell-glass, the glass with a duster to exclude light, and the whole was kept in a warm room. On examining the leaves about three weeks afterwards, Mr. Smith found that the mycelium of the fungus had run abundantly over and inside of the decaying leaves, and that it had pro- duced an abundant crop of resting spores. These are half as large again as those of P. infeslans, with which they agree in structure, and shine like mirrors. Mr. Smith suggests the above method of cultivation as likely to be successful with other Peronosporea, of which the resting spores are as yet unknown. "On Barya aurantiaca, Plowright and Wilson, n. spy (Feb. 9, 1884, p. 17b) gives descriptions and figures of a new fungus grown by Mr. A. S. ^Yilson from the ergot of Claviceps purpurea on Glyceria fluitans, from Kin- mundy, near Aberdeen. The Barya is parasitic on the Claviceps ergot, some- times pushing up its erect growths from the same sclerotium as bears the mature hymenium of the Claviceps, but usually the Claviceps does not develop its hymenium on the sclerotium attacked by the Barya. The description given by the authors is as follows : — " Stroma vertical, clavate or subcapitate, 10-20 mill, high by 1-3 mill, in diameter; when young fioccose, while' with conidiiferous hyphce, and bearing yellozu perithecia with orange ostiola on its upper tzvo-thirds. Conidia elliplico- lanceolale, borne in chains on the end of branching conidiiferous hypha, 10-12 by 2-3 mk. Perithecia pyriform, yellow, almost free, with elongated necks, which with the minute ostiola are orange, 250-300 by 150 mk. Asci cylindrical, 200- 2 5° by 30 mk. Sporidia filiform, filexuoits, continuous, as long as the asci. The base of the stroma springs from a floccose mass of yellozvish-white mycelium. On Claviceps purpurea on the ergot of Glyceria fluitans •." Experiments to infect the ovaries of wheat, rye, and Poa trivialis with the mature sporidia of B. aurantiaca directly were without result. In appearance it resembles some species of Cordiceps, but its sporidia do not break up into joints as in them. It resembles Hvpomyces in habit, but differs in its fruit, as the latter genus has short oblong or fusiform uniseptate sporidia. In Grtvillea, in March, 1884 (p. 77), Dr. Cooke has named this fungus Claviceps IVilsoni, and has given a description of it under that name, noting that it "differs from all other species in the elongated clavate capitulum, and in the lax manner in which the perithecia are produced. In the June number of Grruillca, p. 100, he notes Barya aurantiaca Plow, and Wils. as a synonym of his Claviceps IVilsoni, and adds : " This has nothing in common with th e genus Barya, to which it has been referred, that being only a crcspitose A ci'osperm tim." NEW WORKS ON BRITISH BOTANY. So-uerb/s English Botany, edited by Dr. Boswell, seems likely to be com- pleted at last in a short time. The twelfth volume has been commenced, to include the Vascular Cryptogams, and also such species of Phanerogams as have been discovered in Britain since the completion of the account of the flowering plants some years ago. Parts 84-86 have already appeared, with 152 pages of letterpress and plates 1825 to 1863. The Scottish Naturalist. 231 They treat of the Marsileaceez, Lycopodiacea, and Equiseta in part, and the .Ferns, of the British Islands ; and, of course, include the distribution of these plants in Scotland, so far as known to the Editor, than whom there is probably no man more competent to speak on this matter. An examination of the parts issued shows that Dr. Boswell has done his part of the work with all his wonted care, though even here it might be possible to add minor details to the information given by him. For example, we observe under Lycopodiutu hiundatum, in speaking of the distribution, Kincardineshire is mentioned with some uncertainty, while Aberdeenshire is entirely omitted. The plant is very local in both counties, but occurs 'rather plentifully in more than one locality on Deeside, where it was, we believe, detected by Mr. Roy, of Aberdeen. Unfortunately, some of the plates show the very unsatisfactory colouring, only too familiar to those that have had occasion to use the earlier volumes of the work. In some cases, vide Selaginella selaginoides, the figures cannot be said to be at all characteristic. A first glance at the plates roused fear that a new genus had been adopted for Isoetes tchinospora, which appears under the name Poetes, hence it was with a feeling of relief that we, on turning to the letterpress to realise the worst, dis- covered that Poetes was but a misprint for the familiar designation. But though noticing these defects, in the hope that they may not be met with in the sub- sequent parts, we are glad to welcome the last volume of this well-known and valuable flora, the fullest and most complete on British plants yet published ; and we venture to express a hope that it will itself aid in rendering it possible, in no long time, to witness the publication of a national flora, worthy in the plates, no less than in the letterpress, to rank alongside of the " Flora Danica," or Reichenbach's "Deutschlands Flora." Part VII. of Braithwaite's British Mossflora has been published (6 plates) continuing the Dicranaceez. Parts VI {Ulotrichatece and Chatophoracecc), VII {Chroococcaceee and Nostoc), and VIII {Nostocece and Lyngbyce of Cooke's British Fresh-water Atgcehnve recently appeared. We observe that the author gives (as an appendix to Chroococcacece) descriptions of the Chytridiece yet known as British. We be- lieve that he is, however, disposed to regard them as Fungi, despite including them here. MEETINGS AND PKOCEEDINGS 0E SCOTTISH SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. [Note. — Accounts of meetings during the month preceding date of issue of any number of this Magazine are too late for insertion in that number, but will appear in the following one.] PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE.— March 6th— Annual Meeting. — Numerous donations were intimated to the local collection in the Museum. Reports were then submitted by the Council, the Treasurer, the Librarian, the Editor, and the Curator of the Museum. The attendance at the meetings has been considerably increased during the past session. Four excursions were made during the summer of 1883. The membership of the Society now reaches 321. The Museum has been visited since it was opened by a constant succession of people, the total number of visitors up to the date of the report having reached 7000. The financial position is satisfactory, the income for the year being ^113 13s. 5d, and the expenditure ^104 5s. o,d. The library now contains upwards of 460 volumes, of which 325 belong to the lending department. The curator — Col. Drummond Hay — makes an appea 232 The Scottish Naturalist. to all friends able to help to aid in securing for the Museum a complete set of the rarer mammals and birds of Perthshire. He was aho retiring President ; and in his valedictory address he took as his subject the present state of the collections, and their chief desiderata, required in order to render them thoroughly representative of the fauna, flora, and geology of the valley of the Tay. April yd. — Donations were reported to the collections. Thereafter Mr. Ellison read a paper on "How an Insect Flies," entering somewhat ex- haustively into the subject. May 1st. — After the usual intimation of further donations to the Museum had been made, Dr. White exhibited catkins of a willow (salix fragilis) bear- ing male flowers, with a few female flowers scattered among them towards the base of each catkin. Some of the catkins showed a tendency to bifurcate. Dr. Robertson, Errol, then read a paper on "Fruit Culture, and some of the Hindrances to its more General Cultivation." The excursions of the Society lor 1884 are to be eleven in number, as. follows : — May 10th (half-day) to Craighall ; May 22nd, Kincardine Glen ; May 31st, Aberfeldy, Castle Menzies, and Weem ; June 14th (half-day), Abercairny ; June 28th, Ben Chonzie ; July 12th (half-day), Invermay ; July 26th (half-day), Birnam ; August 9th, Banks of the Tay between Caputh and Cargill ; August 28th, Errol to Cairney Pier ; September 6th (half-day), Necessity Brae ; Sept. 20th (half-day), Invergowrie. STIRLING NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCHJIOLOGICAL SOCIETY.— This Society for a few years past has published an annual account of its proceedings, along with the papers that have been read at the meetings ; and we have been favoured with that for 1882-3, recently published. From it we are glad to see that the Society seems to be in a prosperous con- dition, and bids fair to do good work, though it may be suggested to the con- sideration of the Council whether some of the papers may not be given in abstract, so that the Society's strength may be directed rather to publishing real additions to what is already known of the fauna, flora, and archaeology of the midland counties of Scotland. All that have had experience in the management of such Societies soon realise that not a kw of the papers read are hardly deserving of permanent preservation, though serving at the time a good office in exciting the interest of the members in the subjects that fall under the attention of the Society. The ramre of subiects noticed in the volume is a wide one, including various archaeological notes of local interest. The papers of such general interest as to deserve special notice from us are the following : — Mr. Croall, the Pre- sident, in his address indicates the progress that has been made during the year in local biology. The excursions had not proved quite so successful as during the previous year. It was agreed, among other changes in the rules, that the Society shall "form and take the custody of specimens, and form a reference library.'''' "Shell Middens and other Interesting- Remains at Tents Moor, Fife," by Rev. R. Paul, gives an account of the shells and other- remains found in these mounds. The shells consist exclusively of four species — the cockle, the mussel, the periwinkle, and the common whelk. In the middens themselves neither pottery nor flint implements were found, though the latter are abundantly scattered over the moor. " Notes on Local Plants," by Mr. G. M'Dougall, is rather misleading, as those mentioned are, many of them, not found nearer than Ben Lawers apparently ; while those from near Stirling are almost all certainly plants that have escaped from cultivation. "Notes on Recent Shells" notes the occurrence at Forglen, near Bridge of Allan, of beds of shells of ten or twelve species, such as are still living on our sea-coasts. In an account of the excursions of the Society, independently and. in conjunction with the Edinburgh and Glasgow Geological Societies, the more interesting plants met with are noted ; and at the end of the volume is a short li>L of additions to the flora of Stirling recorded during the year. These are Ilonckenya pcploides, Erodium mos< hal/im, Ononis arvensis, Alcheniilla, conjuncla, Peucedanum Ostruthium, Cardiacs crispus, Campanula rapimcu- loides, Veronica Buxbaumii, Borago officinalis^ Glaux marilima, Plantago The Scottish Naturalist. 233 lanceolata, Sparganium simplex, and Bromas sterffis among flowering plants. It is hardly necessary to mention that some of these are certainly not true natives. Of mosses the following additions are recorded : — Sphagnum compactum, S. rubellum, S. subsecuudu/u, Phascum cuspidatum, Gymnostomum rupestre, Weissia controversa, Dicranella subulata, D. majzis, Fhyscomitrella patens, Polytrichum formosum, Crypheea heteromalla, Eurynchium piliferum, Hypnum stellatum, and H. sarmentosum. ABERDEEN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.— March 18th.— Mr Tames Taylor read two papers, one on Selerotium durum, and some allied forms, and the other, Notes on some plants found along the coast from Aberdeen to the south of Stonehaven. The most interesting plant was Erythrcea littoralis Fries, (recorded in Dickie's Botanist's Guide, under the name E. linarifolia Pers., from one spot on the coast where it has for years been extinct) rediscovered in a new locality. April 15th.— Mr. G. Sim read a paper entitled Twenty minutes on the Aberdeen beach, the object of which was to explain the cause of faults and unconformable beds observed in sandpits. Mr. S. Burnett read notes, chiefly zoological, made during a trip by land and sea in 1878 round the north and west coasts of Scotland, including visits to several islands off the coasts ; and also notes recorded during visits to the south of England, the Channel Islands, Brittany &c, chiefly respecting birds and the plants observed by him. The Society resolved to hold two excursions during the summer. EAST OF SCOTLAND UNION OF NATURALISTS' SOCIETIES.— Space requires us to defer to the next number a report of the lir.-U annual meeting of the Union, held at Dundee on Friday and Saturday, 6th and 7th June. SOIENTIPIO JOUENALS. ENTOMOLOGISTS' MONTHLY MAGAZINE [March).— "Agathidium Rhinoceros, near Colinton," by Alfred Beaumont (a few taken on a patch about twenty yards square). [April) "Additions to the Entomology of the Isle of Harris," and "Captures in the Isle of Skye," both by C. W. Dale. [May) "Notes on Tenthredinidse," by P. Cameron (describes two new species of Nematus — viz., N. orbitalis and N. sylvestris. The larvae of both feed on sallow ; the former is noted as taken in Cadder Wilderness, and at Ballantrae, in Ayrshire ; the latter presumably is found in the same localities, though no locality is mentioned). '' Description of a Variety of Philopo- tamus montanus Don, from Scotland," by Kenneth J, Morton (the variety is named Chrysopterus, and is described fully. The specimens (three males) were taken South Lanarkshire). In all the three numbers, Mr. Charles G. Barrett continues his " Notes on British Tortrices," in which are found at times references to Scottish species. ZOOLOGIST [March) "Rough-legged Buzzard in Shetland," by T. Edmondston, jun., believed to be the first record of its occurrence in the Shetland Islands. " Waxwing in Shetland," shot last January at Norwich, Unst. [April) At a meeting of the Zoological Society in London on March 4th, Mr. Howard Saunders exhibited and remarked on specimens of two gulls, Xema Sabini and Larus Philadelphia, both in breeding plumage, and both killed in Scotland. [June) " Capture of a White "Whale on the Coast of Caithness," by Mr. J. E. Harting (noticed elsewhere in this Magazine). -34 The Scottish Naturalist. JOURNAL OF BOTANY (April). — Mr. Britten gives an account of the life, so far as it can now be ascertained, and of the botanical work of Francis Masson, a botanist of last century, born at Aberdeen in August, 1741. In 1772, he was sent from Kew, where he bad been employed as a gardener, to the Cape of Good Hope, by the advice of Sir Joseph Banks, to collect seeds and plants for the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. There he spent many years, with only the break of an occasional visit to England. He finally left the Cape in 1795. In 1797, he was sent on similar work to North America, and died there, at Montreal, in December, 1806. He introduced many new plants to the conservatories of his native land from all the countries visited by him. The most of his dried plants are now in the British Museum, though a few are scattered in other herbaria. {May) Mr. Britten continues his account of Masson's work in an article entitled " Masson's Drawings of South African Plants." " New Localities for Rare Mosses," by H. N. Dixon, among other notes, Cemtodon conicus Lindb, from Dalwhinnie, Inverness (1883), in fruit; recorded hitherto only in the barren state from Newhaven and from Ireland ; Campylopus atrovirens, var. falcatus Braitkw, from Loch Coruisk, in Skye (1883), barren; Didymocton cylindricus Schimp. From Kintail, Ross-shire (1883), in fruit. GREVILLEA {June), contains the following notices of species not pre- viously recorded for Scotland. "New British Lichens," by Rev. James Crombie, is an enumeration, with descriptions of new species, of Lichens described in "Flora'''' by Nylander from examples sent him from British localities. Among them are " Lecanora {Placodium) miniatula Nyl. in "Flora," 1883, p. 98 (subsimilar to L. lobulata Smmrf., with the thallus sub- miniate planet and the spores smaller, .007-. 010 mm. long by .004-005 mm. thick. On quartzose rocks, Morrone, Braemar (Crombie). Probably only a variety or subspecies of L. tegularis (Ehrh.) " "Additions to the British Cladoniei," also by Mr. Crombie, notes C. degenerans var. pleiolepidea Nyl., rare among the N. Grampians, Morrone, C. coccifera, var. incrassata, Flk. {-C. macilenta, f, demimtta, Crombie), rare in the West Highlands and among the central Grampians. C. macilenta, var. scabrosa, Mudd,/. incrassata Cromb. " Podetia larger, turgid, densely and coarsely granulato-squaiiuilose, probably not infrequent among the Grampians. C. bacillaris, var. subcoronata Nyl., not common in N. England, the S. Grampians, and N. W. Ireland. Cladina sylvalica, f. tenuis, Lamy, probably not uncommon, var, grandis Flk., local and rare in N. England, S. Scotland, and amongst the Grampians. "New British Fungi," by Dr. M. C. Cooke, mentions the occurrence in ovaries of Agrostis pumila, from Glen Cluny (presumably in Braemar) of Tilletia sphaerococca F. de Waldh. {Dull Mosc. 1867, /. 255) characterised thus : — ' ' Mycelium black spores, globose or obtuso-ovoid ( 026. -03 mm.), dark brown reticulations of the cpispore more prominent than in Tilletia caries" INSECTA SCOTICA, THE TRICHOPTERA OP SCOTLAND. By JAMES J. KING and KENNETH J. MORTON. IN order to maintain the uniformity of the catalogues of the " Insecta Scotica " we have, in the following list of Trichoptera, followed the plan of the catalogues of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera, by Drs. Buchanan White and Sharp respectively, published in the earlier volumes of the "Scottish Naturalist." At page 161 of vol. i., first series, will be found full details of the thirteen divisions into which the country is divided, for the pur- pose of indicating the distribution of each species ; but as this volume may not be in the hands of some, it may be well to repeat these divisions here. Eastern Districts. i. Tweed. — The part drained by the Tweed and other rivers entering the sea between Berwick and Cockburnspath. 2. Forth. — The part drained by the Forth and other rivers between Cockburnspath and Fifeness. 3. Tay. — The part drained by the Tay and other rivers between Fifeness and Cratown. 4. Dee. — The part drained by the Dee and other rivers between Cratown and Pitsligo. 5. Moray. — The part drained by rivers between Pitsligo and Ord of Caithness, and by the Caledonian Canal as far west as Loch Oich. 6. Sutherland. — The part drained by rivers between Ord of Caithness and Cape Wrath. 7. Orkney. 8. Zetland. Western Districts. 1. Solway. — The part drained by rivers between the Liddel and Culzean Castle. 236 The Scottish Naturalist. 2. Clyde. — The part drained by the Clyde and other rivers between Culzean Castle and Loch Awe; includes Arran and Islay. 3. Argyle. — The part drained by rivers between Lochs Awe and Aylort ; includes Mull, Tiree, and adjacent islands. 4. West Ross. — The part drained by rivers between Loch Aylort and Cape Wrath ; includes Skye. 5. Hebrides. An attempt has been made to show the degree of scarcity or abundance of each species, followed by an indication of the condi- tion of water affected by it in its preparatory states, in the neighbourhood of which the perfect insect may usually be found. Be it remarked, however, that many caddis-flies — such for example, as the species of Stenophylax, certain Limnophili, and others — are essentially nocturnal and very retiring in their habits, and thus their rarity may be more apparent than real. As regards habitats, the indications given must not be applied too rigorously, as some species can accommodate themselves to slightly differing condi- tions — for instance, a species ordinarily a pond-frequenter may sometimes occur about slowly running streams ; besides, the larger species possess strong powers of flight, and may often be found in fir-trees, &c, long distances from water of any kind. It is to be regretted that, for some of the districts, we have been unable to obtain any information whatever, and for others the re- cords are very meagre. It has not been considered advisable, in the present state of our knowledge of the distribution of these insects, to indicate the probable occurrence of a species in any dis- trict in which it has not been taken. Much remains to be done before we have anything like an accurate knowledge of our native caddis-flies, and this can only be considered a preliminary list ; it is hoped, however, it may have the effect of turning the attention of Entomologists resident in Scotland to this much neglected and interesting group, as well as to the other divisions of the Neuroptera. Caddis-flies may easily be taken along with Lepidoptera, and should be set in precisely the same way. To make the list as complete as possible, Lepidopterists and others would confer a great favour by sending us any odd speci- mens they may have beside them, or may take during the coming summer, with a note of the localities whence procured; these would be taken good care of, and returned in due course. The nomenclature used is that of the systematic catalogue in- The Scottish Naturalist. 237 the appendix to M'Lachlan's monographic " Revision and Synopsis of the Trichoptera of the European Fauna." IN^QUIPALPIA. PHRYGANEID^. NEURONIA Leach. RUFICRUS Scop. Not rare. Weedy ponds. Distribution — East, o o Tay 00000 West, o Clyde 000 PHRYGANEA L. grandis L. Not rare. Deep ponds. Distribution — East. 00000000 West. Solway Clyde 000 Probably confined to low-lying districts. striata L. Common. Deep ponds. Distribution — East, o o Tay Dee Moray 000 West, o Clyde 000 Varia F. Common. Deep ponds. Distribution — East. 000 Dee Moray Sutherland o o West. Solway Clyde 000 OBSOLETA (Hag.) M'Lach. Common. Deep ponds and lakes. Distribution — East, o o Tay Dee Moray Sutherland o West, o Clyde Argyle o o This insect is probably general throughout Scotland, excepting in low-lying districts in the South ; some of the specimens are very large. PHRYGANEA minor, Curt., is recorded from Scotland by Curtis on the authority of J. C. Dale. AGRYPNIA Curt. pagetana Curt. Apparently rare. Marshes and still waters. Distribution — East, o Forth 000000 West, o Clyde 000 LIMNOPHILID^E. COLPOTAULIUS Kol. INCISUS Curt. Common. Marshes. 238 The Scott is Ji Naturalist. Distribution — East, o Forth Tay o o Sutherland o o West. Sohvay Clyde 000 GRAMMOTAULIUS Kol. atomarius F. Not common. Marshy districts. Distribution — East, o Forth o o Moray 000 West. 00000 GLYPHOT^LIUS Steph. PEL.LUCIDUS Retz. Not uncommon. Ponds and lakes. Distribution — East, o Forth o o Moray 000 West. Sol way Clyde 000 LilMNOPHILUS Leach. rhombicus L. Frequent. Ponds and lakes. Distribution — East, o o Tay o Moray Sutherland o o West. Sohvay Clyde 000 BOREALIS Zett. Very local. Marshes. Distribution — East, o o Tay o Moray 000 West. 00000 SUBCENTRALIS Brauer. Rare. Marshes. Distribution — East, o o Tay o Moray 000 West, o o Argyle o o FLAVICORNIS F. Common. Marshes. Distribution — East. 00000 Sutherland o o West. Solway Clyde 000 MARMORATUS Curt. Very common. Ponds and lakes. Distribution — East, o Forth o Dee Moray Sutherland Orkney o West. Solway Clyde o o Hebrides Some of the varieties that occur in Scotland are well marked. stigma Curt. Very common. Ponds. Distribution — East, o Forth Tay Dee Moray Sutherland o West, o Clyde 000 Commonest at some little elevation, say 1000 It. The Scottish Naturalist. 239 xanthodes McLach. Not uncommon. Ponds and lochs. Distribution — East. 00000000 West. Sohvay Clyde 000 ltjnatus Curt. Very common. Standing water. Distribution — East. o o Tay Dee Moray Sutherland Orkney o West. Sohvay Clyde 000 Some of the specimens from the Highlands are very dark and well marked. elegans Curt. Very rare. Frequents heathy and moorland districts. Distribution — East, o o Tay 00000 West. 00000 POLITUS McLach. Scarce. Distribution — East, o Forth Tay 00000 West. 00000 Said to frequent both standing and running water. ignavus (Hag.) McLach. Locally common. Moorland lochs. Distribution — East, o Forth Tay o Moray 000 West. 00000 NIGRICEPS Zett. Locally common. Moorland lochs. Distribution — East, o Forth Tay o Moray 000 West. 00000 This insect does not appear until well on in the autumn and hence may be overlooked. centralis Curt. Very common almost anywhere. Marshy districts. Distribution — East, o Forth Tay Dee Moray Sutherland o o West, o Clyde Argyle o o VITTATUS F. Very common almost anywhere. Marshy districts. Distribution — East, o Forth o Dee Moray Sutherland Orkney o West, o Clyde 000 Specimens from Sutherlandshire are very grey instead of the usual straw colour. j_j.o The Scottish Naturalist. affinis Curt. Apparently not very common. Marshy districts. Distribution — East, o Forth o Dee Moray Sutherland o o West. Solway Clyde o o Hebrides. auricula Curt. Rather common. Shallow running water. Distribution — East, o Forth Tay o Moray Sutherland o o West. Solway Clyde o o Hebrides Occurs in pine woods some distance from water. GRISEUS L. Common. Marshes and ponds. Distribution — East, o Forth Tay Dee Moray Sutherland Orkney o West. Solway Clyde o o o LIMNOPHILUS BIPUNCTATTJS Curt. Rare. Distribution — East, o o o o Moray o o o West, o o o o o EXTRICATUS M'Lach. Common. Running waters, probably also deep ponds and lakes. Distribution — East, o o o Dee Moray o o o West. Solway Clyde o o Hebrides HIRSUTUS Pict. Rare. Distribution — East, o o Tay o o o o o West, o o o o o L.URIDUS Curt. Common. Slowly running shallow waters. Distribution — East, o Forth Tay o Moray Sutherland o o West. Solway Clyde o o o SPARSUS Curt. Very common everywhere. Marshy districts. Distribution — East, o Forth Tay Dee Moray Sutherland Orkney o West. Solway Clyde o o o The varieties of this insect are almost endless, and some of the Scottish ones are very fine. FUSCICORNIS Ramb. Scarce. Slowly running streams and deep ponds. Distribution — East, oooooooo West. Solway Clyde o o o Kb 08 *^? . I 8 R A R Yl: PHYTOLOGY, »"-,••. '**,&-■<** A V *■*>•' TWO NEW BEITISH USTILAGItfE£. Eniorrhiza cypericola (Magnus) Weber, and Melanotcenium endogenum Unger. By Prof. JAMES W. H. TRAIL, A.M., M.D., F.L.S. r ^HE Fungi described below agree in being parasites within X the cellular tissues, especially the cortex of the plants attacked by them, and in producing marked distortion where they are found to occur, but in other respects they are widely different. Entorrhiza cypericola is found in swellings at the tips of the rootlets ot J uncus bufonius. The specimens of these swellings, found by me near Aberdeen, were generally white, oval, smooth, or nearly so, and varying from the size of a small pin's head to that of a small pea. In Germany they have been observed like the above, but are often larger, and often branch a little, as if by abortive roots, at the lower end. At the further end of the swelling the root cap may be detected on a careful examination, especially in section. Externally, the growths look much like galls, e.g., such as are formed by species of Anytillulidcc on the roots of various grasses (e.g., Elymus arenarius), and other plants. On making a transverse section of the tumour, it is at once clear that the altered tissue is entirely confined to the parts outside the central cylinder, in which lie the unaltered fibro-vascular bundles. The cells of the cortex are seen to be more or less enlarged, with the long axis of each at right angles to the surface of the roots, except one to three layers of hypoderm, which, like the epiderm, are found to be made up of cells enlarged in directions parallel to the surface. The outer layers, after a time, tend to become brown in colour, rendering the whole tumour brown. In the first-men- tioned cells of the cortex lie many spores of a fungus connected together by mycelium filaments, which, though very delicate, are quite distinct. These filaments are zig-zag or wavy, or spirally Q 242 The Scottish Naturalist. twisted, or collected into inextricable coils, and they may be simple or may branch slightly. They give the usual reactions when chemically treated, and show an exceedingly delicate membrane or wall. Usually, the masses give off branches which surround the nuclei of the cells of Juncus, or bore through from cell to cell to form masses anew. The spores are produced at the tips of wavy or spiral branches, thinner than the ordinary branches from which they arise. They become round, and thereafter become oval, and reach an average size of about -02 by '017 mm. The spore is enclosed in a wall of two layers — the inner is thin and delicate, while the outer becomes covered with rather large low warts, and is deep yellow or red-yellow in colour usually, though sometimes it remains pale. The spores mature in order of succession from the base of the tumour towards the tip. They remain in the tumour all winter after its tissues have become dis- organised. I have found these tumours common on the roots of Juncus bufonius in one spot on the sandy links across the Don ; and I have also gathered them at Park on Deeside. In both localities they were as described above. Professor Balfour told me a week ago that he had this summer found considerably larger branching tumours in the neighbourhood of Glasgow, on what he believed to be the roots of Juncus lamprocarpus. Probably these are also caused by the same or by a closely-allied fungus. The earliest notice of the tumours ony; bufo7iius was published by Professor Magnus in the Verhandl. d. hot. Vereins d. Prov. Brandenburg, 1878, p. 53, in which he described them briefly, and named the fungus in them, and in similar tumours on roots of Cyperus flavesccns, from near Berlin, Schinzia cypericola, Herr C. Weber, a pupil of Professor De Bary, has recently (13th June, 1884), published in the Bota?iiscke Zeitimg (vol. xlii. pp. 369-79, t. 4), a valuable paper on this fungus, worked out on material from J. bufonius obtained near Strassburg. From that paper I take the following additional information, insufficiently shown in my specimens : — Experiments with the spores show that germination begins only in the spring following their production. It is easily brought about by placing them on a damp stratum. From each spore one or more (up to four) promycelia proceed, with no regularity of origin, but bored through the epispore anywhere. They may become five times as long as the diameter of the spore. They are usually simple, and almost always wavy. They may show a division wall The Scottish Naturalist. 243 •at some point. At or near the tip a sporidium forms, very rarely more than one, nearly straight, or usually more or less curved, and narrowed to both ends. The sporidia are very much smaller than the spores. Herr Weber never succeeded in following the germination of the sporidia on fresh plants of Juncns bufonius under any condi- tions. He concludes, as a result of his observations, that the fungus is a peculiar type of the Ustilaginece, From the ordinary forms of this group it differs chiefly in the numerous promycelia, in the small size, and the spirally-curved form of the sporidia. It is, therefore, not a Schinzia, and he accordingly places it in a new genus (which he calls Eiitorrhiza), among Ustilaginece. Melanotaenium endogenum, a fungus first noted by Unger in his Exantheme dc?- Fhflanzen as attacking the stems, especially at the nodes, of Galium mollugo, is very abundant on the sand- hills along the Aberdeenshire coast, and probably elsewhere, in the stems of Galium verum. The plants attacked by it become markedly different from healthy plants in their whole aspect. They remain stunted, erect, and not unlike a miniature Equisetum in habit. The stems become dark, usually dull purplish or blackish throughout, or at the nodes with streaks of the same colour down the stem and alonsr the mid ribs of the leaves below. The leaves otherwise are sickly yellowish-green, markedly different from the green of the healthy plant. The flowers usually remain unde- veloped. On transverse section the cortex of the plant is seen to be much crowded with the spores of the fungus, usually collected in groups, the spores in which are more or less angular from mutual pressure. They are brown, but vary considerably in shade or depth of colour, probably differing with their age and develop- ment. The plants attacked by this fungus are very conspicuous, and it cannot be confounded with any yet recorded from the British Islands. LIST OF CASUALS AND INTKODUCED PLANTS IN N.E. SCOTLAND, ESPECIALLY IN DEE. By Prof. J. W. H. TRAIL, A.M., M.D., F.L.S. MY original intention in :.naking up the following notes was merely to put together the results of personal observa- tions made either in my out-door work, or in examining some collections that have passed through my hands ; but as the work 244 The Scottish Naturalist. progressed, it seemed to me advisable to modify this first design r and to include all the casuals of this district of which I could find a record. It will be readily understood that "The Botanist's Guide " of my teacher and predecessor, Dr. Dickie, has been my chief source of information, apart from personal investigations. In several cases I have found myself constrained to differ from him in the conclusions to which I have come in respect to the claims of certain plants to be regarded as indigenous in the north- east of Scotland ; hence some of those admitted by him seem to me to be open to dispute as natives, while others placed by him among introduced species might fairly claim a place in our native flora. It must, however, be constantly borne in mind that such questions are, by the nature of the case, very hard to decide beyond dispute. There is good reason to believe that no smalL proportion of species admitted without controversy or mark of doubt into British Floras, were originally introduced by man, though unintentionally so. I refer to the numerous weeds of culti- vated ground, such as the poppies, some spurges, speedwells, and others that it would be tedious to specify. There are certain, others that can hardly be called weeds of cultivation, but that are seldom, if ever, to be seen at a distance from human habitations,, and that delight to grow on ruins or on ground rich in nitrogenous substances — e.g., on dung-stances. Among such may be instanced the nettles, the common goosefoot, &c. If left to struggle for existence with other plants, unaided by the interference of man- kind, these species are apt to be crushed out of the situations for- merly occupied by them, and thereby prove their inability to have in the first instance spread as unaided colonists into the places, where we now see them. Again, we find that plants show very different powers of establishing themselves in a new locality, when by any chance they are brought into it. Some species are so well fitted to survive in the struggle that in a few years they oust the original occupants to a great extent, and themselves spread so widely, and become so abundant, that they would readily be re- garded as native, were we not able, through fortunate circumstances, to trace their past histories. Of such plants in our own neighbourhood, Mimulus hitens, Ver- onica Buxbaiunii, Aigopodium podagraria, Lupinus perennis, and Elodca canadensis, are examples. Some grasses have a wide distri- bution given them from being employed in the mixtures used by The Scottish Naturalist. 245 farmers in agriculture, such as the Serrafalcus group oiBromus^ and Lolium italicum. Another source of uncertainty that adds a good deal to the difficulty of deciding on the claims of some species arises from the fact that in the middle ages numerous species of herbs were culti- vated because of their real or supposed medicinal virtues, or as pot herbs, and that a large proportion of these ceased to be culti- vated when other species of greater value or beauty were brought from distant lands. Not a few of the plants formerly cultivated had to some extent naturalised themselves in the gardens, but on falling into disrepute they came to be regarded merely as trouble- some weeds, and their former reputation being lost, the fact that they had once been cultivated was forgotten, and, along with this, their origin fell out of view. Probably more species than we are aware of have been introduced in this way. But even among the species in the introduction of which man has had no share, direct or indirect, the claim to be native rests not a little on the length of time since they were introduced, and on their suitability to the new conditions in which they are placed. Probably all floras are receiving slow additions by causes apart from the influences of man ; and it is opposed to all the lessons of nature to endeavour to establish hard and fast laws in this depart- ment of Botany, no less than in others, in which this is already fully recognised. But while not attempting to lay down such hard and fast rules, we may aid in coming to a knowledge of the laws that regulate the changes that the flora of any locality undergoes by noting carefully the first appearance of plants newly introduced into it, whether by man, consciously or unconsciously, or by causes independent of him. We may learn something of the laws that enable certain forms to conquer in the struggle for existence, by observing which of the new comers into our plant-world can hold their ground, and the conditions under which they succeed in doing so, and we may be able to detect the causes whereby others, under the most favour- able circumstances, apparently die out and disappear. It is as a contribution in this direction that this list has been prepared. An analysis of the list will show a considerable addition to the number of " casuals " recorded in the " Botanist's Guide." A few of these are somewhat striking species, and are not very rare ; but most of them are, as might be supposed, merely sporadic in their 246 The Scottish Naturalist. appearances. Only a small proportion of the "casuals' 1 that reward one's search seem at all able or likely to establish themselves, and most of them die out in the course of a year or two at most. It will be observed on a moderately careful scrutiny of the list that the "casuals" fall naturally into a few great groups in respect of their introduction into the district. These groups are : — 1. Trees or shrubs intentionally introduced into plantations. These species may not spread, or they may produce fruits, which may be dispersed by the wind (poplars and willows), or by birds (service-tree, &c.) 2. Introduced with or as part of field crops — e.g., beans, tares, clovers, medick, grasses, &c. 3. Introduced into gardens for their beauty, or for culinary value, and thence spreading by stolons or seeds, or thrown out among weeds and rubbish of the garden. 4. Accidental introductions, with imports — e.g., in wool, in Esparto grass, or other commercial products, or in ballast. Corn- field weeds belong to this group. 5. Mode of introduction doubtful, springing up sporadically. There are few in this group. Specimens of all the following " casuals " from the north-east of Scotland, except those quoted solely from " The Botanist's Guide," are in the herbarium collected by myself. Guide : Dickie's " Botanist's Guide " ; /. T. : Prof. James W. H. Trail; T.E.: Mr. Thomas Edwards, of Banff ; /. R. : Mr. John Roy. Ranunculace^e. Ranunculus aconitifolius L. (flore pleno). Den of Craigston^ Turriff. Eranthis hiemalis L. Alford on Donside (J. T.); in a plantation in the grounds of Duff House, Banff (T. E.). Introduced. * Helleborus foetidus L. Rubislaw Den, near Aberdeen (J. T.). Introduced. * H. viridis L. Recorded in Guide from Rubislaw Den. * Aquilegia vulgaris L. Along the Dee commonly, at Rubislaw,. and elsewhere. Escape. The Scottish Naturalist. 247 BERBERIDACE/E. * Berberis vulgaris L. Very doubtfully native, though widely distributed. Probably planted, or afterwards scattered by birds. PAPAVERACEiE. Papaver somniferum L. Occasionally in sandpits and in other places where rubbish is deposited, but not holding its ground. P. Rhoeas L. Rare, at Heathcote (15th Oct., 1880, J. T.) ; a corn-field introduction. The other poppies are doubtful natives. * a Meconopsis cambrica Vig. Occasional, Banchory-Ternan and elsewhere (J. T. and Guide). Escape. FUMARIACE^E. * Corydalis lutea D.C. Has been gathered on a garden wall be- side Raeden, near Aberdeen, by Mr. Robert Davidson. Peterculter House {Guide). Crucifer/E. * Brassica Rutabaga D.C. and B. Rapa L. Both occur frequently enough beside the margins of fields and streams as escapes. * Sinapis alba L. Near Aberdeen, and at Dunottar. * Koniga maritima Br. Coast near Aberdeen (" British Flora "). Erysimum Cheiranthoides L. Once found on a recently stripped bank beside a road near the village of Banchory (July, 1875). The plants were abundant, but very stunted. Hesperis matronalis L. Outcast or escape from gardens, not rare ; Aberdeen at Rubislaw (T. E.), at Park (T. E.), at Slains (J. T.) Neslea paniculata Desv. A fine plant in flower and fruit, on the bank of rubbish at New Bridge of Don on north side (July, 1883.) * Camelina sativa Crantz. Occasionally near Aberdeen— *.£"., near Raeden (R. D.), and on reclaimed Inches (T. E., June, 1883). Lunaria biennis L. In hedge near Old Aberdeen (June, 1876, J. T.) Resedace^e. Reseda odorata L. On rubbish heap in sandpit near cemetery in King Street Road (Aug., 1883, J. T.). Outcast. 248 7 /id Scottish Naturalist. * R. lutea L. Formerly on the Inch at Aberdeen (Guide). * R. luteola L. Though given as native in some parts of Scotland, and by Dickie for the north-east, this seems to have no claim to be so considered here, since its appearances are so un- certain, and are of such a nature that they can be accounted for only on the supposition that it is introduced with farm seeds. I have met with it near Aberdeen only in the summer of 1877, when it occurred in six or seven localities. \ IOLACE^E. Viola cornuta L. Was found by me rather abundantly (in July, 1877), on a rubbish heap in Rubislaw Quarries, as an out- cast. Caryophyllaceje. "* Saponaria officinalis L. Occasionally, as an escape, or as a relic of former cultivation; Peterhead (1877, J. H. Walker); near Aberdeen, at Alford, and at Strachan (Guide). Saponaria Vaccaria L. In sandpit near Old Aberdeen (August, 1878, J. T.); on reclaimed Inches (T. E., July, 1883). Escape or casual. Silene anglica L. On reclaimed Inches (T. E., June, 1883). Casual. Lychnis coronaria Lam. On bank of river Dee above Ballater (August, 1879). PORTULACACE/E. Claytonia perfoliate Don. Grows as a weed in a garden beside King's College, probably introduced undesignedly ; near Ballater (Mr. Brebner). MALVACE/E. Probably none of the species of this order are natives with us ; but have been introduced for their beauty or supposed medicinal virtues. * Malva moschata L. Is common in various localities in Kin- cardineshire. * M. sylvestris is too common throughout the district to require special localities to be noted ; but its habitats, so far as I have observed them, are always suspiciously near gardens or houses, from which it had probably strayed. * M. rotundifolia L. Is still less apparently native than the others, occurring only beside houses in Johnshaven, &c. The Scottish Naturalist. 249 M. borealis Wallm. Once found on reclaimed Inches (T. E., August, 1883). LlNACEiE. * Linum usitatissimum L. By roadsides, &c, in various localities. An accidental introduction, or a relic of former cultivation in some cases. HYPERICACEiE. * Hypericum calycinum L. Near church of Banchory-Ternan, Dr. Stephen {Guide). GERANIACEiE. * Geranium phseum L. At Kincausie and elsewhere, as an escape, or in some places intentionally introduced. G. striatum L. Two plants in Rubislaw Den (July, 1877, J. T.). Accidental. G. lucidum L. In Rubislaw Den (J. T.) and elsewhere, pro- bably introduced to grow on rock-work and walls. Oxalis stricta L. Weed in gardens at Peterhead (July, 1876, Dr. J. H. Walker). O. corniculata L. Weed in garden in High Street, Old Aber- deen. (Sept., 1879, J. T.). Rhamnace.e. "* Rhamnus catharticus L. On bank of the Dee below the bridge at Banchory-Ternan, probably planted (July, 1876, J. T.). At Alvah (Dr. Todd, Guide). Celastrace^e. Euonymus europaeus L. Gight (July, i860, A. Ogston), pro- bably planted. LEGUMINOS-E. Medicago sativa L. Near Dubton Station, on side of railway embankment (Aug., 1879, J. T.), escape from cultivation. Near Banff (T. E.) "* M. denticulata, Willd. Formerly on the Inch, introduced in ballast {Guide). M. falcata L. On reclaimed Inches (Aug. 1883, T. E.), small and larger forms. Accidental or outcast. "* Melilotus officinalis, Willd. A fine plant beside road to Scotston Moor, in flower and fruit (Aug., 1883, J. T.), outcast. Inch at Aberdeen ( Guide). 250 The Scottish Naturalist. Trifolium hybridum L. Is now to be met with in clover fields- almost throughout the district. Cultivated. T. agrarium L. Is not rare as an introduced plant in Kincar- dineshire in fields or on their borders ; St. Cyrus, &c. Ornithopus perpusillus L. A doubtful native, Gight (July, i860, A. Ogston). Vicia sativa L., V. Faba L., and Pisum sativum L. All occur not uncommonly by roadsides or on the borders of fields, as escapes from cultivation. Lathyrus Aphaca L. One plant on the reclaimed Inches (Nov., 1883, J. T.). Reported by Mr. Roy from Clatt,as naturalised. Lupinus perennis L. Very common along the Dee on shingle beds on the banks, or on islands in the river. Rosacea. * Prunus Cerasus L. Introduced here and there, probably by birds. * Prunus Avium L. Along the Dee and Don, introduced. * Spiraea Filipendula L. (flore pleno), roadside near Cults (Aug. 1877, J. T.) ; St. Cyrus cliffs {Guide). Potentilla argentea L. One plant on reclaimed Inches (Aug., 1883, T.E.) Aremonia Agrimonioides L. Abundant in a small grove of trees near west entrance to Balgonie Lodge, flowers in May, but is sterile (1883, J. T.), Outcast or escape. Fragaria elatior Ehrh. Near Brig o' Balgonie (July, 1876, J, T.). Outcast or escape. Pyrus Malus L. Deeside (June, i860, A. Ogston). Planted? or accidental ? P. Aria Hooker. Culter and elsewhere in shrubberies, pro- "bably planted, though possibly also dispersed afterwards by birds. Crataegus Oxyacantha L. Common in hedges, &c. CRASSULACE/E. * Sedum Telephium L., var. Fabaria. In many places by road- sides and on rubbish-heaps as a garden outcast. * S. album L. On a wall in Stonehaven (Sept., 1879, J. T.). In Bervie (Guide). S. reflexum L. In Rubislaw Den and at Ruthrieston, near station, abundant in both places (J. T.) ; Castle of Tol- quhon (A. Ogston). Outcast or escape. The Scottish Naturalist. 251 * Sempervivum tectorura L. Roofs of houses near Aberdeen, and in Midmar {Guide). Grossulariace^:. * Ribes Grossularia L. Frequent by roadsides, &c, probably planted in some places, dispersed by birds elsewhere. * R. rubrum L. Beside the Dee at Banchory-Ternan (June,. 1883, J. T.)j Midmar {Guide). * R. alpinum L. Mortlach {Guide). Saxifragace^e. * Saxifraga umbrosa L. Alford and Dunideer {Guide). * S. Geum L. Den of Knockspock {Guide). UMBELLTFERiE. * Carum Carui L. Freo t uent by roadsides and near houses as an escape. * ./Ethusa Cynapium L. A common weed in gardens at Old Aberdeen. Levisticum officinale Koch. Once found as an escape beside the Ythan below Ellon (July, 1876, J. T.) * iEgopodium Podagraria L. Though probably introduced in the Middle Ages, because of the medicinal virtues ascribed to it in large measure, is now most effectually naturalised all around Aberdeen, where it is a most troublesome weed. It is probably abundant elsewhere. * Peucedanum Ostruthium Koch. In Rubislaw Den (J. T.) ; at Gight (A. Ogston, July, i860). Introduced for its medi- cinal value ? Parishes of Skene and Echt {Guide.) * Smyrnium Olusatrum L. In various places around Aberdeen {Guide) ; Corbie Den (A. Ogston, i860); Inverugie Castle and Old Churchyard of Rattray (J. T.). Formerly cultivated as a pot-herb and salad, and now naturalised. * Myrrhis odorata L. In numerous places. Formerly used as a pot-herb or as salad, and also as an aromatic stimulant. * Coriandrum sativum L. Is recorded {Guide) as found on the Inch opposite the Dock gates. * Apium graveolens L. Is also recorded {Guide) from Craiglug near Aberdeen, on Dr. Murray's authority. Caprifoliace.e. * Sambucus nigra L. Common, but hardly to be regarded as 2$2 The Scottish Naturalist. native, since in places where not evidently planted it has probably sprung up from seeds conveyed by birds. * S. Ebulus L. Is a very doubtful native, since in the few localities in which it is found it seems to have been intro- duced, if we may judge by its vicinity to buildings. - Lonicera Xylosteum L. Is recorded {Guide) as found at Alvah. Valerianace.e. Valeriana pyrenaica L. On the banks of the Deveron, about a mile above Banff (June, 1883, T. E.), probably planted. Composite. Onopordon Acanthium L. Near Culter Station (Sept., 1879, J. T.). Escape. Carduus eriophorus L. Near Loch Kinnord (July, 1877, J. T.). Casual. * C. Marianus L. Occasionally on rubbish-heaps near Aberdeen as an outcast. Centaurea Scabiosa L. Near Aberdeen at Rubislaw (i860, A. Ogston). Casual or escape. Calendula officinalis L. (flore pleno). Sand-pit near Cemetery, in King Street Road (August, 1883, J. T.). Outcast. * Matricaria Parthenium L. In many places, though hardly fully naturalised. Formerly cultivated as a tonic. M. Chamomilla L. Occasionally as an outcast. * Tanacetum vulgare L. Common as an escape or outcast in various places near Aberdeen, at St. Cyrus, &c, ; formerly cultivated as a tonic, and also as a condiment. '* Anthemis arvensis L. In field beyond Rubislaw (J. T.), Ferry- hill, near Aberdeen (i860, A. Ogston). Casual ? Common in counties south of Forfar. Occasionally in fields near Aberdeen (Professor Macgillivray, Guide). Anthemis tinctoria L. On a rubbish-heap on the Links (July, i875, J- T.) Achillea tomentosa L. Is recorded {Guide) from Auchlunkart, in Banffshire. Artemisia Abrotanum L. On the sandy beach about a mile north of Donmouth (Aug., 1876, J. T.), probably carried down the Don, and washed ashore to place where found. "* Senecio saracenicus L. Beside Burn of Culter, outcast or The Scoitisli Naturalist. 253 escape from neighbouring manse garden (July, 1876, J. T. ; see also Guide). * Doronicum Pardalianches L. Naturalised in numerous places — e.g., on north bank of Don, near Balgonie, at Echt on road-side, &c. (J. T. ; see also Guide). Petasites fragrans Presl. Abundant as a weed in the Manse garden and beside King's College, Old Aberdeen. For- merly cultivated. * Cichorium Intybus L. Occasionally in many localities (see Guide) ; reclaimed Inches (August, 1883, T. E.) * Helminthia Echioides Gaertn. Once on reclaimed Inches (Aug., 1883, T. E.) * Lactuca muralis Fres. On a wall near Banchory-Devenick Church, beside the road (Aug., 1883, T. E.). Native? * Hieracium aurantiacum L. Is recorded in Guide. Campanulace.e. * Campanula Rapunculus L. Near Aberdeen (i860, A. Ogston). * C. Trachelium L. ? Peterhead (July, 1876, Dr. J. H. Walker). Jasminace.e. * Fraxinus excelsior L., Ligustrum vulgare L. Both these species are common in the district, but only where planted, or where the seeds of the introduced plants could have been readily conveyed by wind or otherwise. Apocynace.e. * Vinca major L. In Rubislaw Den, well naturalised (June, 1876, J.T.) * Vinca minor L. So very common in some localities, and so widespread that it might almost be regarded as native. POLEMONIACE.E. * Polemonium cceruleum L. In Rubislaw Quarries (July, i860, A. Ogston ; see also Guide). CONVOLVULACE.E. * Cuscuta Epilinum Weihe (see Guide). SOLANACEiE. * Solanum Dulcamara L. In numerous localities (see Guide) ; additional localities are Peterhead (J. H. Walker) and Banchory-Ternan (J. T.). 254 The Scottish Naturalist. * Hyoscyamus niger L. Here and there beside ruins, or by the roadside — e.g., at Nigg (J. T.), and still at Dunottar Castle. SCROPHULARIACE^E. * Verbascum Thapsus L. Occasionally as an outcast or an escape around Aberdeen, at St. Cyrus, &c. (see also Guide). * Scrophularia vernalis L. On garden wall in Old Aberdeen (July, 1882, J. T.) ; near Manse of Alford (Guide). * Linaria vulgaris L. Well naturalised in many localities. On the north bank of Don beside the north road it bears cleistoga- mous flowers. Escape or outcast. * L. repens Ait. Is recorded (Guide) from Ballater, Auchindoir, and Alford. L. purpurea L. Well established on wall of Latin Manse in College Bounds, Old Aberdeen, for many years. Escape. * L. Cymbalaria Mill. On walls at Ferryhill, Rubislaw Den, and elsewhere around Aberdeen (J. T.). "* Mimulus luteus L. Thoroughly naturalised along all lower course of the River Don, on the Ythan, on the Bervie, &c. Veronica polita Fries. Occasionally in corn-fields ; a weed. V. Buxbaumii Ten. Rather a common corn-field weed in many places. Labiatje. Lamium maculatum L. Den of Craigston near Turriff (May, 1877, J. K. Ledingham). Teucrium Chamsedrys L. A large clump in wall of Old House of Rubislaw, near Aberdeen, where it has been for many years. Formerly cultivated. "* Mentha viridis L. Recorded (Guide) from Castle Fraser, and from Glen Callater. * Baliota nigra L. Near Keig, and at Castle Forbes (Guide). BORAGlNACEiE. Pulmonaria officinalis L. In a park at Duff House near Banff (April, 1883, T. E.). Formerly cultivated as medicinal. * Lithospermum arvense L. A doubtful native ; confounded with L. officinale in Guide ; on reclaimed Inches (July, 1883, T. E.) ; near Bridge of Don (J. R.) * L. officinale L. A doubtful native ; Banchory-Ternan (J. T.). * Anchusa sempervirens L. In numerous localities, but always on roadsides and near gardens; thoroughly naturalised— e.g., near Old Aberdeen, Park, &c. The Scottish Naturalist. 255 "* Borago officinalis L. On a rubbish-heap on the Links (August, 1878, J. T.) ; also in Guide for Methlic and Cullen. Echinospermum Lappula Lehm. In sand-pit near old Aberdeen (August, 1878, J. T.) ; probably a casual introduction. Symphytum asperrimum Bieb. Roadside near Echt (September, 1879, J.T.). * S. officinale L. Occasionally near Aberdeen, at St. Cyrus, &c. (J. T.); probably introduced by cultivation. * Cynoglossum officinale L. Recorded in Guide from several places. Chenopodiace.e. * Beta vulgaris L. Recorded bv Dickie as once found on the Inch. * Chenopodium Bonus-Henricus L. Not scarce by roadsides and near houses throughout the district. Formerly cultivated. * Atriplex littoralis L. Recorded by Dickie as formerly on the Inch. POLYGONACEiE. * Polygonum Bistorta L. Is a doubtful native as far as my observations go, the localities in which it occurs being such as to leave doubt whether it is not an escape from former cultivation ; it easily establishes itself. Urticace^e. None of the species of this Order seem to be true natives of this part of Scotland. Both Urtica dioica and, still more markedly, Urtica urens are closely associated with man, nor do we meet with them away at any distance from signs of past, if no longer actual, human occupancy ; hence they would seem to have been introduced unintentionally by man. * Parietaria officinalis L. On several old buildings (Guide), where it had been planted. I have it from Inverugie and from Tolquhon Castle. Humulus Lupulus L. In hedges in various places — e.g., near Balgownie, at Cults, and elsewhere near Aberdeen ; pro- bably planted almost wherever it occurs. Ulmus montana Sm. and U. suberosa Ehrh. Are not infrequent, but are either planted, or the produce of planted trees. AMENTIFERjE. Castanea vulgaris L. Is not rare — e.g., at Cults, Benholm, &c, but only where planted. 256 The Scottish Naturalist. Fagus sylvatica L. Is very abundant in many places, but has no claims to be considered a native. Carpinus Betulus L. Is pretty common in some places, but can make no claim to be native ; at Inverurie, &c. Populus alba L. and P. nigra L. Are both to be seen in a good many places, but only where planted, or where the seeds of introduced trees have been dispersed. Salix. Of this genus numerous species have been introduced,. and may at times be found apparently wild, in shrubberies, or even in natural thickets on the banks of our rivers. I have nothing special to add to the records in the Guide. GYMNOSPERMS. Conifers. Pinus austriaca and other species of the genus, along with various species of Abies (alba, nigra, &c), and a good many other Conifers are to be met with in plantations ; but the only intro- duced species of Conifers that may be met with apparently wild, alike from their situation and from their abundance are : — Abies excelsa. A. pectinata. Larix Europaea L. MONOCOTYLEDONS. Typhace^e. * Typha latifolia L. Recorded by Dr. Dickie from Loch of Park ; is still abundant there. Aracejg. * Arum maculatum L. Thoroughly naturalised in various places- near Aberdeen, as recorded by Dr. Dickie, at Seat on and Rubislaw. Hydrocharidace^:. * Elodea canadensis Mich. (Anacharis Alsinastrum Bab.). Thoroughly naturalised in Rubislaw Quarries and burn, at Culter near St. Cyrus in the North Esk, &c. Accidental ? No longer on Old Aberdeen Links. Liliace/e. * Polygonatum multiflorum All. At Monymusk (i860, A. Ogston), o ,nd elsewhere as recorded in Guide. Asparagus officinalis L. Peterhead (i860, A. Ogston); an escape. The Scottish Naturalist. 257 Ornithogalum umbellatum L. Wood above Old Bridge of Don (i860, A. Ogston) ; an escape. * Allium oleraceum L. Is recorded in Guide from Arbuthnot, as introduced ; but it is abundant on a wooded bank below Stone of Morphie in St. Cyrus, under conditions that cer- tainly seem exceedingly like those of a native plant ; hence from my own observations I am disposed to consider it as native there at least. Graminace.e. * Digitaria sanguinalis Scop. Is recorded by Dickie as once found on the Inch. Introduced in ballast. * Setaria viridis Beauv. Has the same record ; and Mr. Roy has also notes of its occurrence, as also of the occurrence of Setaria verticillata Beauv. Phalaris canadensis L. Is very frequently to be found near the town on rubbish-heaps, in sand-pits, on the Inch, and else- where as an accidental introduction, owing to its use as a food for birds. It nowhere holds its own. * Alopecurus agrestis L. Dickie records it at Kettock's Mill, and on the Inch. Polypogon monspeliensis Desf. Has been .obtained by Mr. Roy from Stonehaven ; probably a ballast plant. * Avena flavescens L. Is rather doubtfully native ; its appear- ances are more such as may be accounted for by introduc- tions. Avena sativa & A. strigosa Schreb. May both be found by roadsides and near houses, as escapes from cultivation, but they are never permanent. * Glyceria aquatica Sm. Is recorded at Breda and thence down the Don, in Guide ; also at Gight (i860, A. Ogston). * Bromus arvensis L., B. secalinus L., & B. commutatus Schrad., all of which occur in grass fields and by roadsides and on river banks, seem to have been introduced into the district among agricultural seeds. Bromus rubens L. Has been sent me by Mr. W. Tait from Inverurie, gathered on the ground where esparto grass is spread when imported. * Hordeum murinum L. Has doubtful claims to be considered native, but is included among our native plants in the R 25S The Scottish Naturalist. Guide. I have a specimen gathered at Cults (i860, A. Ogston). * Lolium temulentum L. Is recorded by Dickie as in fields in different parts of the district, but I have not met with it. L. italicum Braun. Is common in fields around Aberdeen. Introduced for agricultural purposes. [Anthoxanthum Puelii. Has been observed in numerous dis- tricts of Britain within the past few years, introduced among grass seeds. It will probably be observed here also if looked for, especially if the seed has been brought from Southern or Central Europe. It much resembles A. odoratum, but is smaller, is annual, and differs in some minor points of structure of the spikelet. There is a description of it in the February number of the Journal of Botany '.] THE BOTANICAL WORK OP GEORGE BON OF PORFAR. By G. C. DRUCE, F.L.S. ( Continued from page 1 78. ) Galium saccharatum All. " One of Don's reputed discoveries. Stud. Fl. " Said to have been found in corn-fields in the Carse of Gowrie by Mr. G. Don, but it does not appear to have been perfectly naturalized." Eng. Bot. In Flora Forfar, G. saccharatum and G. Mollugo are enumer- ated as natives of Forfar, but no stations are given. Arnott suggests it was probably introduced with seed corn. Br. Fl. " Whether this species of Galium, i.e., verrucosum, confounded by almost all botanists with our tricorne. has ever been gathered in Britain before Mr. G. Don observed it in corn-fields near the Carse of Gowrie, we have no sure means of knowing. . . . It has been observed near Malton, Yorkshire, by Mr. R. Miller, and is annual." Eng. FL, 3, 2173. " Prov. 10-15. Casual ii. 19, iii. 449." Comp. Cyb. Br. 522; Cyh. Br. 3.449. Mr. Borrer writes that his specimen from G. Don is like that figured in Eng. Bot. as G. verrucosum, "and as that figure appears to be a true example of G. saccharatum it The Scottish Naturalist. 259 would seem that the species had been really found in Britain ; thoush, if so, it was doubtless as a casual introduction only." Miss Palmer's specimen is from the Carse of Gowrie. Nyman gives for its distribution, Lusitania, Hispania mer., cent, or., Gallia mer.-occ, Helvetia. Germanica (rara et inconstans adv.) etc. Galium cinereum Sm. " One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Fl " G. cinereum Sm. G. diffusion, Don. Ambiguity, Eng. Bot. 4.216; Eng. Fl, 1.208. Comp. Cyb. Br. 521. Flora Forfar 93, says — " Near Kinnaird. Mr. G. Don." " G. cinereum Sm. G. diffusion, Hook. On banks of the Water of Leith near Slateford, about 3 miles from Edinburgh. It may be considered a very doubtful native, as no one but Don has found it." Eng. Bot. A doubtful native. Bab. Man. vii, 170. A better definition would be a casual, formerly found in Edin- burgh and Forfar. Galium spurium L. ' Flora Forfar 2X p. 93 says, "In corn-fields near Forfar; rare. Mr. G. Don." A specimen is in Miss Palmer's collection. In the Cyb. Brit, vol. 2, 20, Mr. Watson writes — " Don appears to have discovered it in Forfar, and a specimen is pre- served in Smith's herbarium ; but Mr. Gardiner appears not to have found the same species in the county." In Eng. Bot. Dr. Boswell says — "No one besides Don has found it ; was probably an accidental straggler." In the Fasciculus, No. 104, is a label to the specimen saying, " G spurium was found near the village of Redditch, in Wor- cestershire, in corn-fields, and in corn-fields near the village called Lochhead, about 2 miles from Forfar." Figured in Eng. Flor., vol. 29, p. 187 1, and'referred to as found by Don in corn-fields about Forfar, but sparingly, as mentioned at t. 1641. Comp. Cyb. Br. 522. Casual. Bab. Man. vii., 169, Nyman gives for it — Scot, (r), Ang. Scand. med., mer. Germ., Belg., Gall., etc. Galium aristatum Sm. " Prov. 15, Forfar; Don. Sym. 518, evidently one of the intermediate forms connecting G. elatum with G. erectum." Coi?ip. Cyb. Brit. 522. Eng. Bot. 4, 217. 260 The Scottish Naturalist. a Angus-shire, not common, Mr. G. Don." Flor. For/. 93,. ' probably a state of erectum" Bab. Man. vii., 170. Given in Stud. Fl. as a synonyme of G. erectum Huds. Tussilago alpina. " One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Fl. "Prov. 15, Forfar, G. Don. Cyb. ii. no, iii. 459 ; absent from Scandinavia." Comp. Cyb. Br. 533. " Rocks among the Clova mts." PL of For/. 5. " Said by Mr. Don to have been found in Forfar, but it has been found by no one else." Fug. Bot. " There is a specimen in Herb. Brodie, from G. Don, ' On rocks by the side of rivulets on the high mts. of Clova called Garrybarns,' but we are not on that account prepared to admit the plant as indigenous." Arnott's Br. Fl. " Included, like so many other dubious plants, among Don's discoveries in Forfar, but no other botanist appears to have found it in Britain. Mr. Gardiner suggests that Don intended Frigeron alpinus, but it is difficult to conceive a mistake between plants so very dissimilar." Cyb. Br. ii. no. " Mr. G. Don mentions T. alpina, an Austrian plant, found on the Clova mts. May his plant not be the Erigeron alpinus which he has not enumerated?' 1 Gardiner's Flora Foi-far, p. in. lyb. Br., vol ii. 459, says of this species : — Mr. Borrer says of this, ' My specimen from G. Don is the true plant.' Such being the case, I do not understand why the Homgyne alpina should be totally excluded from British Floras. ex. gr. Bab. Man., while plants less likely to occur in Britain, which rest on no safer authority, are admitted, even as genuine natives, ex. gr. Potentilla tridcntala. I do not, however, believe- this to be a British species." There is a specimen in Miss Palmer's collection. Nyman gives its distribution as Pyren. Alpes. Jura. Badia. Wurtemb. Bavar., Morav. Bohem. Mr. Gardiner's suggestion of Don's mistaking Erigeron for it will not do, as he knew Erigeron well ; and alludes, in corres- pondence, to finding it in the Clova district. If any plants could be mistaken for it out of flower Oxyria, or Tussilago Farfara are the least unlikely. The latter becomes singularly dwarfed in the Clova mts., where I have seen it growing at nearly 3000 feet above the s">a, and is not very dissimilar from barren states of Honwgyne. Ccntauiea intybaeca L. " One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Flor. C: a The Scottish Naturalist. 261 " Fields by the Forfar coast in several places." PL of For/. 24. "Prov. 15, Forfarshire. G. Don sole authority. Error, Cyb. ii. 91." Comp. Cyb. Br. 532. " Said to occur in Forfar by G. Don ; no doubt a pale flowered variety of C. Scabiosa has been mistaken for this plant as sug- gested by Mr. H. C. Watson. Eng Bot. " In the fields by the shore in several places in Forfar accord- ing to G. Don, who adds an opinion that it must have been con- founded with C. Scabiosa, which it much resembles. " It seems likely that Don may have given the above name to the pale flowered variety of C. Scabiosa, the resemblance between the two species being such as to render the confusion very pro- bable." Cyb. Brit. ii. 91. No notice of this plant occurs in Gard. Flor. Forfar, but he says of C. Scabiosa " three varieties, as respects the colour of the flowers, were found on Will's Braes, prior to their destruction by the railway — one with the flowers white, a second rose-coloured, and a third with the radial floret rose-coloured, and the discoid purple." Nyman gives its distribution as Mure. Arrag. Gall, narbon. ; occ. (Herault rr.), prov. (Marseille). Crepis pulchra L. "One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Ft. "Prov. 15, Forfar. G. Don sole authority. Error, Cyb. ii. 49 ; Flora Forfai , 99. Comp. Cyb. Br. 525. " Mr. Don said he found this plant among the debris of the rocks of the hills of Turin and Pitsandy, Forfar. Dr. Arnott remarks: "The very few specimens from Don which we have seen are more luxuriant than Smith's acknowledged cultivated one from which the figure in Eng. Nora was made." Eng. Bot. (See PI. of 'For/. 19, Don says very rare.) Incog. Don stated he had found this plant, but very rare, on the hills of Turin. It was sought unsuccessfully by Mr. Gardiner in 1845, who says, in Flora Forf, "that a turnip field now occupies the spot." Cyb. Brit., vol. ii. 49. Figured in Eng. Ft., 33 vol., 2325 plate, which is drawn from a plant raised from seed sent by Don, who found it wild, in 1796, amongst crumbling rocks on the hill of Turin, Forfar. " Was probably an error." Bab. Man. vii. 209. Nyman : Poetic. Castil. Arrag. Catal. Gall. Belg. (??). Germ, occ, €tc. In Linn. Soc. Trans., x. 345, Smith says: " Not at present 262 The Scottish Naturalist. known in our gardens, though said to have been cultivated in Chelsea in Rand's time. Mr. Don rightly determined it to be a Crepis, and the Linnean specimens decided its species. My worthy friend, Dr. Afzelius, once told me an amusing anecdote to account for the specific name of this Crepis. The Queen of Sweden, Louisa Ulrica, celebrated as the great patroness of Linnaeus, used frequently in her visits to the Upsala Garden to jest with him for valuing many mean and ill-looking plants, in which she could see nothing to admire. Coming to this little Crepis, which is far from ornamental, the Queen exclaimed, " This, I suppose, you call a pretty plant." Linnaeus replied, " The plant has as yet not been called anything, but your Majesty has given it a name which shall certainly be adopted." He therefore called it Crepis pulchra. There is a specimen in Miss Palmer's collection. Hieraciwn ceri?ithoides L. " One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Flora. " Rocks near the head of Clova 1 " G. Don. Flor. For/. 102. " Don did not appear to know the true plant." Arnott Br. Ft. " Said by Smith to have been sent him from the Highlands by Mr. G. Don. The figure is from a cultivated specimen, and no doubt the plant which Don saw wild, and believed to be the same, was H. Anglicum var. b." Eng. Bot. " G. Don asserts it to be ' not rare ' in the Highlands of Scot- and, and localizes it more specifically ' on rocks amongst the Clova mts.' The garden plant given here by Mr. Borrer is surely not H. anglicum" Cyb. Brit., vol. ii. 59. " Sent from the Highlands of Scotland by its discoverer, Mr. G. Don, who informs us this species is by no means uncommon there upon rocks. Fug. Flora., vol. 34, t. 2378. Cyb. Br., 3,453, says: "Mr. Borrer's garden plant, mentioned on page 59, vol. 2, was not of British origin ; but it is believed by him to be the same species with the specimens from G. Don. Might not the latter be of garden and foreign origin only ? Miss Palmer's plant is not a form of Anglicum. Hieracium divaricatum. G. Don. " Prov. 15, Clova mts." G. Don. Ambiguity, Cyb. ii. 61. Hieracium lingulatum Backhouse Mon. 30. Comp. Cyb. Br., p. 526. Incog. " On rocks among the Clova mts." Cyb. Br. ii. 61. This is referred to H. lingulatum in the Stud. Fl. The Scottish Naturalist. 263 Hieracium amplexicaule L. " Clova mts. Mr. G. Don." Flor. For/. 102. " According to Don it occurs on the Clova mts." Cyb. Br., ii. 61. Forfar, G. Don, probably false. Comp. Cyb. Br. 527. Erigeron uniflorum L. "Prov. 15, Perth, G. Don," in Eng. Fl. Error. A misnomer for E. alpinus, in single-headed states. Comp. Cyb. Br. 533. " Gathered on Ben Lawers as well as on rocks by the River Almond, near Lynedoch, 7 miles from Perth, by Mr. Don, who justly distinguishes this species from E. alpinum." Eng. FL, 34.2416. Referred to E. alpinus in the Stud. Flor. An error of Smith's in separating it from alpinum, caused by his confounding it with the uniflorum of Linnaeus. (See Linn. Tran. x. 346. Salix Doniana Sm. ' S. purpurea var. sericea R.' Prov. ? Scotland. G. Don in Eng. Fl. Baldovan Woods. Flor. For/. Ambiguity, resembling S. purpurea. Brit. Fl. 8. Comp. Cyb. Brit. 573. " Was stated by the late G. Don to be a native of Forfarshire, no doubt erroneously. A native of stony place in Mid and South Germany. Described by Andersson as exactly intermediate be- tween repens and. purpurea." Stud. Fl. I do not see that this is " no doubt erroneously " re- corded, or why should not a hybrid willow as likely be found in Bal- dovan Woods as elsewhere. Whether it was a native is open to doubt. Nyman gives Scot. Slesv. (rr.) Hercyn. Guestph. Boruss., etc. Omnino media inter 6". purpuream et S. repentem et certe ex iis hybrida ; S. purpureo-repens Wimm. et repens-purpurea Wimm. Salix hastata L. "Reported from Sands of Barrie ; never confirmed." Stud. Fl. " A Swiss alpine, most unlikely to occur even naturalized on the Sands of Barrie, where Drummond met with it." Arnott FL Brit. "Not native, even if found in the recorded locality. Eng Bot., vol. 8, 263. (See Eng. Fl. iv., 180. "Sands of Barrie, Mr. G. Don." Flor. For/., 169. Nyman gives M. Nevad. Pyren. Alpes. Sudet. Hercyn. Dan. Norv. Suec. etc. 264 The Scottish Naturalist. A form of repens was probably mistaken for this species, although Don's knowledge of the species was very considerable. Juncus tenuis. Willd. " One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Flor. " We have specimens from Don's garden, but we doubt much if the roots were ever found in Clova." Arnotfs Br. Ft. Prov. 15, Scot. ; Dickson. Clova mts., G. Don. Ambiguity, Cyb. iii., 47. Neither authority is reliable, but the figure of gracilis in Eng. Fl, vol. 31, No. 2174, may pass well enough for tenuis." Comp. Cyb. Br. 586. " Said to have been found in a rivulet in marshy ground among the mountains of Clova." Boswell Eng. Bet. " Found by G. Don in 1795 or 1796 by the side of a rivulet in marshy ground among the mountains of Angus-shire, but very rarely. It appears to be a nondescript, but we received from Mr. Dickson, some years before the above date, a specimen, not so far advanced towards maturity, of what seems to us the same species.'' Fug. Fl. 31, 2174. " By a rivulet in marshy ground among the mts. of Clova, near their summits. Mr. G. Don and Mr. D. Don (Hb.F.)" Gar- diners Flora Forfar, 183. " Such a record as Don's is worthless in science until confirmed by some more accurate botanist of the present time." Cyb. Brit. u A mistake." Boi. Man. 364. In Don's collection of grasses, etc., is a specimen of this labelled " Clova. I consider it tenuis, and see no reason why it should not again be found in some of the lower glens of the Clova districts. Miss Palmer has also a specimen of it. Nyman gives Gall. occ. Belg. Batav. Germ. (plur. sed sporad.), Bohem. [In the Journal of Botany for March, 1884, vol. xxii., p. 91, Mr. R. F. Towndrow records finding a tuft of C J. tenuis in the parish of Gradley, Herefordshire, and that his specimens had been confirmed as of this species by M. J. G. Baker of Kew. (Ed. Scot. Nat.)] Eriophorum capitatum. Host. " One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Fl. " We fear Mr. Don had mixed, by mistake, some foreign or cultivated specimens in his possession with the E. vaginatum which is very common on Ben Lawers, and which alone we have found there. Most specimens distributed by him belong to E. vaginatum." Arnotfs Br. Fl. The Scottish Naturalist. 265 Prov. 15, Perth. G. Don. "Error, Cyb. iii., 82 ; Eng. Bot.x. 174. Misnomer? Comp. Cyb. Br., 587. 'The figure in E. F, 2387, is certainly nothing more than E. vaginatum, and the only specimen of Don's E. capitatum which I ever saw, that which is in the herbarium of the Bot. Soc. of London, belonged, without doubt, to the same species." Eng. Bot. In Eng. Flora, vol. 34, 2387, it is thus recorded — "Discovered by Mr. G. Don, August 12, 18 10, by the side of a rivulet on Ben Lawers, near the limit of perpetual snow. The plants were rooted in a sand bank, and appeared to have been brought from some still more inaccessible part of the mountain. His specimen agrees exactly with those sent by Professor Schrader, and from Switzerland." In Cyb. Brit, it is stated : " There is no perpetual snow on Ben Lawers ; and, even supposing the words used to be simply a loose mode of expressing a patch of late lying snow, I have seen what would justify the latter reading only in a hollow near the summit where there is no rivulet, and cannot be one from the broken and fissured character of the rock. It must be remem- bered that G. Don was very inexact in describing localities, and that a bad description will not necessarily imply an intentional falsehood. There is said to be a specimen from Don in the herbarium of Sir W. J. Hooker, which 'resembles capitatum, but the upper part of the stem is triangular.' Bab. Man., ed. iii, 352. This is unsatisfactory. Is the specimen one of capitatum or not? By the triangular stem it is rather vaginatum ; but yet, by the Br. El, it would seem that Don's specimens were E. capitatum, but of foreign origin." In Don's collection of sedges, etc., in the possession of Mr. Knox, is a specimen of E. capitatum, labelled " Ben Lawers and Clova mountains, 18 10." Under E. poly stachion L., in Bab. Man., vii„ 385, we find — " An alpine form has but one nearly sessile spike. E. capitatum Don ? " Miss Palmer's plant I consider true capitatum. Nynam gives its distribution as Ross. arct. Fenn bor., Lapp., Suec. bor. Vermel, Norv., Spitz. Island. Pyren. (r.) Delph. Helvet. Ital. br. (Alpes), etc. Carex ustulata Vahl. " One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Fl. 266 The Scottish Naturalist. " Prov. 15, Perth and Forfar. G. Don sole authority. Error? Cyb. hi., 129. Eng. Bot. 137." Comp. Cyb. Br. 588. Sm. Eng. Fl. vol. 34, 2404, says : "Gathered in watery places on micaceous soil on Ben Lawers by Mr. Don, the only person who, to our knowledge, has met with this species in Britain." " Stated to have been found ' on Ben Lawers, very rare ' by George Don, so rare indeed that not one among the many botanists who have since been on that often examined hill, have again found it." Cyb. Br. 3, 130. Bab. Man., ed. vii., 398, says : — "Specimens are preserved in Don's collection of sedges labelled 'Ben Lawers, 1810.' There is mica adhering to the roots." {Vide note in Scottish Naturalist, 1884, p. 190, Proc. Perth. Soc. Nat. Sci.) Miss Palmer has a specimen from the same place. There is little doubt that Don actually gathered the plant some- where in the Lawers district. Mr. Sturrock shrewdly suggests that Don was not only a botanist but a florist ; and we gather from his correspondence there was a good deal of jealousy between Don and other workers, so that he may have purposely extirpated the plant in the locality where he found it, and this may be also the case with other plants. If so, his botanical reputation has paid dearly for this short-sighted policy. Nyman gives the range as Scot. (Ben Lawers), Norv, Suec. bor.,. Lapp., etc. Car ex hordeiformis Wahl. " One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Fl. " Drummond, we suspect, found this species among his collec- tions without any memorandum as to where they had been gathered, and drew the conclusion that they were obtained in one of his excursions. Arnott's Br. P/ora. " Said to have been gathered in Den of Panmure by Mr. T. Drummond ; but Arnott suggests they were accidentally gathered in the garden at Forfar." Eng. Bot. Prov. 15; Forfar. Th. Drummond. Error, Cyb. iii. 143. Gard. Plor. Porf. 217 — Small valley about 3 miles west of Pan- mure ; Mr. T. Drummond. " Perhaps accidentally sown." Bab. Man. vii., 402. This appears to be one of " Don's reputed discoveries " which he never claims to have made. Car ex laxa Wahl. Clova mts., Forfar ; Don. Error. Hendrick's Agricult. Survey of P"orfar. Co nip. Cyb. Br. 591. The Scottish Naturalist. 267 Phleum Michelii All. " One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Fl.\ Plants of Forfar, p. 9. Prov. 15, Forfar; G. Don, sole authority. Error, Cyb. iii. 157. Very summit of the highest mountains. Comp. Cyb. Br. 592. " No one has verified it. The specimens given by him were cultivated ones." Arnott Br. Ft. " Discovered by Mr. G. Don on rocky parts of the high moun- tains of Angus-shire. The specimens agree with authentic speci- mens, except in being less luxuriant, owing probably to its more northern locality or more barren piece of ground." Sm. Eng. Flora, vol. 32, 2265. " Said to have been found on the highest mountains of Forfar by Don, but by no one else. Mr. H. C. Waison suggests that possibly the long awned form of Alopecurus alplnus, to which I have given the name JVatsoui, may have been mistaken for it." Eng. Bot. Cyb. Br. says : — " Incognita. Don, in HendricKs Forfarshire^ says, ' Lately I found three other grasses new to the British flora — Avena planicuhnis {A. alpina), Aira laevigata (A. alpind) and Phleum Michelii. These grasses grow on the very summit of the highest mountains.' Can the Phleum Michelii be the Alopecurus alpestris (A. JVatsoni)? True, the figure in English Botany does not represent an Alopecurus technically, but it bears that first-glance resemblance to my supposed alpestris, which may suggest the possibility of Don having seen that one, and somehow substituting the other for it. In Don's Collection of grasses, etc., is a specimen of P. Michelii (not an Alopecurus) labelled — "1 discovered this in 1808 on rocks on the Clova mountains, but rare." In this same collection are Aira alpina and Avena alpiua both labelled " Clova mountains, 1808." Nyman gives its distribution, Delph. Juras. Alpes. Ital., etc. In Miss Palmer's collection is a specimen labelled " Phleum Michelii" from the Clova mountains, in the Countess of Ayles- ford's writing ; but the specimen is Alopecurus alpinus, an inter- mediate form between typical alpinus and the long-awned form Watsoni. Here, again, Lady Aylesford may have mislabelled the plant ; but the probability seems strong that Don himself made the error. If so, it lessons the chance of Phleum Michelii being a native of Britain. 268 The Scottish Naturalist. Triticum cristatum . Sch reb. " One of Don's reputed discoveries." Stud. Fl. " On steep banks and rocks by the seaside between Arbroatli and Montrose. Mr. G. Don, who alone has found it. Gard. Flora Forfar* " Prov. 15, Forfar. G. Don, Lunan Bay, Arbroath. Ambiguity, Cyb. iii. 237. Specimens from Don are in herbaria. Com p. Cyb, Br. 597. " Could not have been indigenous, it being a plant almost peculiar to the east of Europe and Asia." Arnotfs Br. Fl. " Said by Mr. Don to have been found by him on steep rocks between Arbroath and Montrose. Mr. H. C. Watson states that in a letter from Sir W. Trevelyan, dated August 19, 1839, he re- marked that " T. cristatum was then abundant by Lunan Bay near Arbroath;" but in 1845 Mr. Gardiner asserted, in his Flora of Forfar, that Don never found it." Fug. Bot. " Discovered by Mr. Don on steep banks and rocks by the sea- side between Arbroath and Montrose, flowering very sparingly." Fug. FL, 32, 2267. Specimens of this are in Don's collection of grasses, etc., labelled between Arbroath and Montrose, and also in Miss Palmer's. It may have been only a casual introduction. Hierochloe borealis, L. " Recorded from Glen Cally by Don, but that place has bee minutely searched without success. Don's specimen appears to have been cultivated." Arnotfs Br. Fl. Cyb. Br. iii., 153, says: — " Incognit., Glen Cally, G. Don. No other botanist, perhaps, has found this grass in the locality named, which is a long, narrow valley descending from the high mountains near the head of Canness into Glen Isla. It does not grow about the head of the glen, which was carefully examined in July, 1843." Gard. Flora Forfar, 199. " Formerly in Forfarshire." Stud. Fl. " Glen Kelly or Cally, Forfar ; Mr. Don." Bab. Man,, vii., 412. With respect to the ' minute search ' referred to by Arnott, it is only fair to say that one of the searchers afterwards stated that although he had made a careful search, from what he had since learned from Mr. Dick about the flowering of the plant, i.e., that it flowers in Caithness early in May, after which it withers, and becomes impossible to find, and considering his search was made much later in the year, he withdraws his previous statement. Fhe Scottish Naturalist. 269 Gardiner says the upper part of Glen Cally has been searched, but it is more likely to occur in the lower portion of the glen by the stream than among the rocks at the head. Triticum bifiorum Brig. T. caninutn var. bifiorum Mitten. T. 'alpinum Don mss. Prov. 15, Ben Lawers, Perth; Don in Borrer's Herb. Ambiguity, Cyb. iii., 237 ; Lond. Jour. Bot., viii., 533. Gomp. Cyb. Br., 597. Hooker says, " This is only T. repens" Stud. Ft. " The present is one of those plants gathered by the late Mr. G. Don, which appears to have been overlooked by other botanists. This label in Mr. Borrer's herbarium runs thus : ' Triticum alpinum nova spec, it differs from caninum by its short arista and upright spikes, and from repens by not running at the roots.' No date is mentioned. It is thus clearly evident that he distinguished it as a new species. The only British species with which it can be confounded is T. caninum, from which it may be distinguished by its leaves smooth on both sides, its usually two-flowered spike- lets, and its want of the long awn ; it also appears "to be a more slender plant, with narrower leaves." Mr. Mitten in Jourri. Bot. viii. 533- The locality indicated is " Rocks on Ben Lawers." Arnott and Babington place Don's plant as a variety of T. caninum. A specimen of this is preserved in Don's collection of grasses " from Ben Lawers. Nyman gives as its range as Lapp, occ, Suec. bor., Norv. Alp. T. violaceum Horn ; Exs. Fr. v. 99." T. alpinum — Don (Scot.) The foregoing list of 'reputed discoveries ' may be divided into — First — The plants which Don almost certainly found in their recorded localities, but which were only casual plants introduced with seed corn or other means. Of these are Rapistrum orientale D.C. ; Neslia paniculata Desv. ; Hypericum barbatum Jacq. ; ( 'hcerophyllum aromaticum L. ; Galium saccharatum All. ; Galium cinereum Sm. ; Galium spurium L. ; Friticum cristatum Schreb., and probably Salix Doniana. Secondly — Plants which have since been found by others in Britain, including Lychnis alpina L. ; Caltha radicans Forst. ; Alchemilla conjuncta, Bab. (argentea, Don) ; Hierochloe borealis, an&Juncus tenuis, the two latter not in Don's district. Fhirdly — Plants which probably Don really discovered, and which may yet be found when sought at the pioper season, viz. : Sag ma alpina, Juncus tenuis, Car ex ustulata, and Hierochloe borealis. 2/0 TJie Scottish Naturalist. SECOND SUPPLEMENTARY LIST OP FUNGI POUND WITHIN THE PROVINCE OF MORAY. (Continued from page 227.) By Rev. JAMES KEITH, LL.D. UROMYCES Link. 1141. Alchemillce (Pers.) On Alchemilla Vulgaris. Uredospores (Uredo Alchemillae Pers.) Greeshop. June. Teleutospores (Uromyces intrusa Lev. ) Grantown. Aug. 1142. Valeranise (Schum.) On Valeriana officinalis. JEcidio-spores (^Ec. Valerianacearum Duby). At Dulsie. June. Uredospores (Lecythea Valerianae Berk.) Altyre. June. PUCCINIA Pers. 1143. Malvacearuin Mont. On Hollyhocks in Sanquhar Garden, Forres. July. 1144. Arenarire (Schum.) On Stellaria uliginosa. Forres. Aug., Sept. 1145. Fergussoni B. and Br. On Viola palustris. Cothall, near Forres. July. 1146. Sua veolens (Pers.) On Cirsium arvense. Uredospores (U. suaveolens Pers.) Forres. June. Teleuto-spores (P. obtegens Tul.) Forres. July., Aug. 1147. Umbelliferarum D.C. On Anthriscus sylvestris and other Ura- belliferse. Uredo- and Teleuto-spores. Forres. Aug. 1148. Anemones Pers. On Anemone nemorosa. JEcidio-spores (/Ec. leucospermum, D.C.) Dunphail and Glenfernes. May and June. Teleuto-spores. Common. June and July. 1149. Galiorum Lk. On Asperula odorata and Galium aparine. JEcidio- spores (vEc. Galii Pers.) and Uredospores (Trichobasis Galii Berk. ) Dumphail and Blair Chapel. July. Teleuto-spores. Sluie. Sept. 1150. Pimpinelhe (Strauss.) On Pimpinella Saxifraga. Uredo- and Teleuto-spores. Aviemore. Sept. 1151. Sanicuhe Grev. On Sanicula Europsea. JEcidio-spores (Ma. Saniculse Carol.) Grantown. Aug. Teleuto-spores. Sluie. Sept. 1152. Epilobii D.C. On species of Epilobium. jEcidio-spores. On E. montanum. Dunphail. July. 1153. Flosculosorum (A. & S.) On Composita?. jEcidio-spores. On Crepis paludosa. (/Ec. Crepidis Wllr.) Dulsie. June. Uredo-, along with Teleuto-spores. On Lapsana communis (P. Lapsan.-B Fckl.) ; Centaurea nigra (P. Centaurese D.C.) ; Crepis virens and various Hieracia (P. Hieracii Mort.) June — Sept. 1154. Rubigo-vera (DC.) Uredospores (Trichobasis rubigo-vera Lev.) and Teleuto-sjwres. On Holcus. Sept. 1 155. Poarum Niel. JEcidio-spores {Mc Tussilaginis Pers.) On Tussilago farfara. Common. June. Teleuto-spores. On Poa fluitans. Grantown. Sept. The Scott is Ji Naturalist. 271 COLEOSPORIUM Lev. 1156. Senecionis (Pers.) JEcidio-spores (Peridermium Pini Chev. & P. acicolum Link). On Pinus sylvestris and P. Austriaca. Forres and Rothie- murchus. May, June. Uredo and Teleuto-spores. On Senecio sylvaticus. Scrapehard, Forres. July. CiEOMA. 1157. Laricis West. On Larch leaves. Rothiemurchus. June. iECIDIUM Pers. 1158. Compositarum Mart. var. Rellidis D.C. On Bellis perennis at Boat-o'-Birdge. July. / am not aware that other forma of the two foregoing species have been discovered. PROTOMYCES Ung. 1159. Macrosporus Ung. On stems and leaves of Goutweed (iEg. Poda- graria L. ) Sanquhar. June. 1160. Pachydermus Thum. On leaf -stalk, midrib, and flower-stalk of Taraxacum officinale. Forres. May. SYXCHYTRIUM De By. 1161. Anemones Woron. On leaves of Anemone nemorosa. Rothie- murchus. June. USTILAGO Lk. 1162. Salveii B. & Br. On Holcus and Triticum. Forres. June, July. SOROSPORIUM Rud. 1163. Trientalis Woron. On Trientalis Europsea. Chapelton Wood. Oct. EXTYLOMA De By. 1164. Ungerianum De By. On Ranunculus repens. Dunphail, &c. July. 1165. Ficarise Fischer von Waldh. On Ranunculus ficaria. Common. May. 1166. Canescens Schrut. (Protomyces Fergussoni, B. & Br. ) On Myosotis arvensis. Waterford. Sept. ISARIA Fr. 1167. Intricata Fr. On decayed Agaric. Dunphail. Nov. SPOROCYBE Fr. 1168. Alternata Berk. On damp pasteboard. Forres. Sept. MACROSPORIUxM Fr. 1169. Concinnum Berk. On a basket for holding a sponge in my dressing- room. May. RHINOTRICHUM Cda. 1170. Repens Preuss. On fallen trunk. Darnaway. Sept. PERONOSPORA De By. 1171. Pygmnsa Ung. On Anemone nemorosa. Dumphail. May. 1172. Gangliformis Berk. On Senecio sylvaticus. Manachie. May. 1173. Vicia? Berk. On Vicia cracca. Forres and Grantown, July, Aug. 1174. Calotheca De By. On Asperula odorata. Dunphail. July. 1175. Arenaria; Berk. On Arenaria trinervia. Greeshop Wood. June. 1176. Alsinearum De By. On Stellaria media and Cerastium vulgatum. Forres and Grantown. Aug. 272 The Scottish Naturalist. 1177. Effusa Grev. On Spinach in Manse Garden, and on Chenopodium at the side of the railway at Forres, June, and at Grantown, Aug. 1178. Ficarire Tul. On Ranunculus ficaria at Dunphail, and on R. acria at Waterford. June. 1179. Affinis Rossm. On Fumaria officinalis on the sloping side of railway- opposite Greeshop. July. 1180. Urtica? (Lib.) De By. On Urtica urens beside Sanquhar Garden. June. 1181. Arborescens Berk. On Papaver dubium on sloping side of railway opposite Greeshop. June. 1182. Sordida Berk. On Digitalis. Dunphail. July. 1 1 83. Leptosperma De By. On Leaves of Pyrethvum inodorum on slope of railway embankment behind Greeshop farm. July. RAMULARIA linger. 1184. Rufibasis (Peronospora rufibasis B. & Br.) On leaves of Myrica gale. Grantown. July — Sept. 1185. Obliqua (Cooke). On Dock leaves. Common. Summer. 1186. Veronica3 Fckl. On Veronica montana. Greeshop Wood. June. 1187. Heraclei Oud. On Heracleum. Common. June — Aug. 1188. Pruinosa Speg. On Senecio Jacobcea. Brodie. July. 1189. Malvae Fckl. On Malva moschata in Castle Grant garden. Aug. 1190. Calcea Desm. On Glechoma hederacea. Chapel of Blairs, &c. July. DACTYLIUM Nees. 1191. Roseum Berk. On an osier basket decaying on the ground. Forres. SPOROTRICHUM Lk. 1192. Sulfureum Grev. Along with the preceding species. SYZYGITES Ehrb. 1193. Megalocarpus Ehrb. On decaying Agarics. Forres. Sept. ONYGENA (Pers.), Tul. 1194. Equina Pers. On decaying horse-hoofs and sheep-horns. Forres and Rothiemurchus. Aug. — Oct. MORCHELLA Dill. * Esculenta Pers. var. conica Fr. Sluie, Rafford, Clunyhill, Sanquhar, and Rothiemurchus. May. 1195. Semilibera D.C. Greeshop Wood. May. HELVELLA L. 1190. Infula Schreff. Sawdust opposite the Dell, Rothiemurchus. Sept. 1197. Atra Kong. At the base of Ord Ban, Rothiemurchus. Aug. M1TRULA Fr. 119S. Cucullata Fr. On fir leaves. Clunyhill and Altyre Woods. Abun- dant. Nov. LEOTIA Hill. 1199. Circinans P. Fir woods. Under Spruces near the Schoolhouse, and in abundance at corner of Ord Ban, Rothiemurchus. Aug. — Sept. GEOGLOSSUM P. 1200. Difforme Fr. Rothiemurchus. Aug. RHIZINA Fr. * Undulata Fr. In immense abundance at Rothiemurchus, where a plantation had been burned down eighteen months before. Aug., Sept., 1883. The Scottish Naturalist. 273 PEZIZA L. 1201. Cupularis L. Darnaway. Sept. 1202. Xanthomela Pers. Darnaway. Oct. 1203. Oocardii (Kalch.) On wet rotten birch -wood. Darnaway. Nov. 1204. Furfuracea Fr. On Alder. Sanquhar and Greeshop. March. 1205. Bulbocrinita Ph. On primings. Greeshop. July. — Sept. 1206. Hirtococcinea Ph. On moss in firwood. Rothiemurchns. Aug. 1207. Rhytismse Ph. On spots of old Rhytisma on .Sycamore leaves. Greeshop. June. 120S. (Edema Desm. On Bramble leaves on decayed Phragmidium bulbosum, Forres. June. 1209. Leucophrea Pers. On old stems of Stachys sylvatica. Greeshop. June. 1210. Nidulus Schum. and Kuuz. On rotten steins of Spiraea ulmaria. Greeshop. May. 1211. Pteridis A. & S. On decaying leaves of Pteris aquilina. Rothie- murchus. June. 1212. Nuda Ph. On moss near Coilam Bridge, Rothiemurchus. Aug. 1213. Urceolif ormis Karst. On stems of Vaccinium vitiskhea. Grantown. 1214. Subularis Bull. On Angelica seeds. Greeshop. Oct. 1215. Echinophila Bull. On Chestnut husks. Cawdor, Clunyhill, and Altyre. Sept. — Nov. 1216. Caucus Reb. On catkins of Alder. Greeshop. Oct. 1217. Pallido-virescens Ph. On roots of grass or some trailing stems. Greeshop. 1218. Coronata Bull. On petioles. Greeshop. Oct. 1219. Scutula Pers. On stems of Spiraea ulmaria. Greeshop. Oct. 1220. Electrina Ph. & PI. On decaying pine leaves. The perfect form was found by Mr. Plow right at Forres, in September, 1879. I had previously found the less perfect form (Dacrymyces succineus Fr. ) at Grantown. It is this which is given under the name of Fusarium pezizoides, as No. S37 in my second list (See Grew VIII., 154). 1221. Lacustris Fr. On straw of Phalaris arundinacea. Greeshop wood. Nov. 1222. Palustris Rob. On withered grass. Greeshop and Dumphail. June. 1223. Mercurialis (Fckl.) On dead stems of Mercurialis perennis. Cothall and Greeshop. May. 1224. Ventosa Karst. On Willow stump. Greeshop. July. 1225. Sphreroides Pers. On dead stems of Lychnis diurna. Greeshop. June. 1226. Xanthostigma Fr. On old wood. Rothiemurchus and Forres. Common. Summer. 1227. Sordida Fckl. On broom. Manachie. Jan. HELOTIUM Fr. 1228. Epiphyllum Fr. On damp oak leaves. Darnaway. Sept. 1229. Sulfuratum (Flo. Dan.) Ph. On fallen pine leaves. Cawdor, W. Phillips : Clunyhill, J. K. Sept.— Nov. 1230. Lutescens (Hed. ) Fr. On a piece of wood covered with moss. Manachie. Jan. 1231. Alniellum (Nyl.) Karst. On catkins of Alder. Greeshop. Oct. PATELLARIA Fr. 1232. Discolor Mont. On Alder sticks. Altyre and Greeshop. June — Oct. CENANGIUM Fr. 1233. Subnitidum Cke. & Ph. On hazel at Chapel of Blairs. May. 1234. Pulveraceum Fr. On a stick. Darnaway. Oct. ASCOBOLUS Tode. 1235. Viridis Cur. On the ground in Greeshop wood. Oct. 1236. Subfuscus Boud. On cat's dung. Forres. April. S 274 The Scottish Naturalist. 1237. Microsporus B.