second best in a race with a good lively slug.-A. J. Jenkins, New Cross.

FOUR-FOOTED BIRD.-The following paragraph was taken from a well-known weekly newspaper about a year ago. "An American naturalist, Mr. Em. Brigham, has announced the discovery of four-footed birds on the Anabija river, in the island of Marago, at the mouth of the Amazon. Curiously enough, the bird scientifically called Opisthocoma cristata is four-footed only in early life, and after a few days one pair of legs develop into wings. The bird... frequents the beds of 'aninga,' a semi-aquatic plant, and rarely flies far from its peculiar haunts." I am not a student of ornithology, and this seems hard to swallow."A. G. H.

NOTES FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA.-I have lately come out here, and shall be very glad to have exchanges etc. with you for such things as I can procure here, and I'll be glad to know what you wish me to do for you. Anything interesting to an amateur photographer, either in way of reading or appliances will be very acceptable; mine is full plate with and carriers. On my arrival here in October it was something magnificent to see the Orchidaceae of the hills in bloom, and all the shrubs in endless variety and of exquisite beauty, even grasses were in themselves sufficient to call for unreserved admiration. Oh how I wished I could have sent collections to my various English correspondents, as I used to when at home in the hills of Burren, co. Clare, and I hope I will next season be able to do so. There are such lovely orchidaceous plants in every shape and colour (yellow, blue, white, brown, copper, etc.), and as for bulbous plants they are innumerable. One very pretty thing I saw under shrubs and shady glens was, Drosera Menziesia, a bulbous-rooted D., size of a marble, with a crown of spathulate leaves on the surface, from which rose a zigzag spike, on top of which four or five flowers, size of 6d. (white with lovely pink spots), the stem 18 inches, covered all along with small cupshaped leaves, studded with crimson and pink tentacles; it is a semi-trailer, and holds itself upright by the curling of the little leaf-stalks round the twigs and grasses, in the way of the nasturtiums. If two or three happen to grow together, the effect, in the sunshine, is something to remember, as they clasp each other and become quite a pillar of sparkling jewels. These bulbs, I trust, I shall be able to introduce to my English friends, and shall be glad if you mention me to yours, or insert any portion of this in your journal and oblige me very much.-T. McGann.

SPIDER'S CONTRIVANCES.-Referring to a spider's contrivance "explained by G. E. G. in the SCIENCE Gossip," I found several similar instances at Bürgenstock on the Lake of Lucerne, but instead of a fragment of stone sometimes a piece of clay was employed. This plummet was so far distant from the spider's web above, that I had no means of arriving at the clever and probably truthful explanation given by your correspondent.-7. Lawrence Hamilton, M.R.C.S.

TOADS SPAWNING.-On Saturday April 14, I observed a large number of toads in a ditch on the Lea marshes near Clapton. I counted no less than nineteen breeding, and could have seen many more in all probability, had I used my net. I captured a group of five, all closely clinging together. In my net, one old toad detached himself from the mass, apparently in a great rage, and bit vigorously through the muslin, which however he did not injure.

The remaining toads were making a queer noise, something between croaking and squeaking. When I had repeatedly shaken the net, they very reluctantly left each other, and then, to my surprise, I found that the centre of attraction was a large frog. I was unable to see whether it was male or female. I should like to know whether any instances are recorded of toads breeding with frogs. My experience is that as a rule toads do not begin to breed until the frogs have ceased to deposit their spawn; I should like to know whether this is a fact, and also whether toads croak. I have always studied the habits of frogs and toads, and consider the latter to be by far more interesting and intelligent than frogs, green or otherwise. They are also much more easily kept alive. I have had one in my possession since Sept. 1884, and he is quite tame.-James Holloway.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

TO CORRESPONDENTS AND EXCHANGERS.-As we now publish SCIENCE-GOSSIP earlier than formerly, we cannot undertake to insert in the following number any communications which reach us later than the 8th of the previous month.

TO ANONYMOUS QUERISTS.-We must adhere to our rule of not noticing queries which do not bear the writers' names. TO DEALERS AND OTHERS.-We are always glad to treat dealers in natural history objects on the same fair and general ground as amateurs, in so far as the "exchanges" offered are fair exchanges. But it is evident that, when their offers are simply disguised advertisements, for the purpose of evading the cost of advertising, an advantage is taken of our gratuitous insertion of "exchanges" which cannot be tolerated.

WE request that all exchanges may be signed with name (or initials) and full address at the end.

J. B. M. (Longsight).-Your "Exchange" was an advertisement, and could only be inserted as such.

E. P.-You will find a fuller general account of the Norfolk and Suffolk crags than could be given in Dr. Taylor's Address, in his "Geological Stories" (Story of the Crags'), and a stil more extensive account in his 'Geology of Suffolk,' in White's "Suffolk Gazetteer and Directory."

E. W. MATHERS and A. G. H.-See Rutley's "Elementary Manual of Mineralogy," 2nd ed. Also various papers on the subject in SCIENCE-GOSSIP. The fullest information, however, is in Mr. Teall's work on Petrology.

J. S. H.-Your alga appears to be a species of Batrachospermum. Dr. M. C. Cooke is now publishing, in parts, a work on British freshwater alga.

J. H. JAMES.-The "Selborne Magazine" is published by Eliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, E.C.

R. C. C.-You will be able to get sheet indiarubber by ordering it through any apothecary. See articles on "Double Staining," in SCIENCE-GOSSIP, vol. for 1875.

EXCHANGES.

SHALL be glad to correspond with persons interested in Australian Orchidacea, and other plants and seeds for cultivation, &c.; also in microscopic slides and material, &c. Exchange photographic and scientific books and journals. T. McGann, Kaumantoo, South Australia.

WANTED, mineral specimens, fossils, foraminiferous materials, echinoderms, &c., and mounted slides. Will give good exchange.-J. H. Cooke, 178 Prince of Wales Road, Sliema,

Malta.

I SHALL be glad to meet with a correspondent in conchology, with a view to occasional exchanges. Will exchange shells of this district and others for land or freshwater shells, British or foreign, also marine.-J. Russell Weldman, 14 Hargher Street, Burnley, Lancs.

CURIOUS old compound microscope, by Martin, date about 1843, fitted in cabinet with six object glasses, two liberkuhns, stage forceps, ten ivory slides, eighty-three glass slices and fourteen wooden ditto, and various other appliances; originally cost £50. What offers ?-R. H. L. James, Watford Vicarage, Herts.

DUPLICATES.-Sph. rivicola, D. polymorpha, N. fluviatilis, V. piscinalis, P. nitidus, Helix sericea and caperata, B. obscurus, C. tridens, and many others. Wanted, B. Leachii, and varieties of Helix hortensis.-F. C. Long, 8 Cog Lane, Burnley, Lancashire.

WILSON'S "Bryologia Britannica."-Wanted, a good copy of Wilson's "Mosses," in exchange for handsome microscope by Mathews, Carey Street.-Dr. Roberts, Bryntêg, Menai Bridge. P. glaber, L. peregra, and H. arbustorum, in exchange for land and water shells and fossils.-Albert Walton, 44 Canning Street, Burnley.

DUPLICATES.-S. pubis, S. elegans, H. nemoralis, H. hortensis, H. arbustorum, H. aspersa, H. Cantiana, H. virgata (var.), H. ericetorum, H. rufescens, H. caperata, H. rotundata, C. lubrica, C. rugosa, C. minimum, L. stagnalis (var. fragilis), L. truncatula, B. tentaculata. Wanted.-H. Cartusiana, H. concinna, H. revelata, H. obvoluta, H. pygmæa, B. montanus, P. secale, &c.-Chas. A. Whatmore, Much Marcle, Herefordshire.

WANTED, Rimmer's "Land and Freshwater Shells," or any other good book on conchology, in exchange for Lyell's "Students' Elements of Geology."-Chas. A. Whatmore, Much Marcle, Herefordshire.

FOR exchange, P. glaber and others for British land, freshwater and marine shells, or foreign specimens.-W. Dean, 50 Canning Street, Stonyholme, Burnley, Lancs.

FOREIGN butterflies. Many fine duplicates in Orn., Papilio, Morpho, and other orders; also wings of brilliant species, such as P. paris, U. rhypheus, M. menelaus, &c., for microscopic work. Hudson, Railway Terrace, Cross Lane, near Manchester.

To Egg Collectors.-I shall be glad to exchange for sideblown, one-hole, authentic eggs of British birds, clutches preferred.-J. B. Young, 2 Elgin Villas, Rodwell, Weymouth.

WHAT offers in good scientific books, &c., for "Knight's Encyclopædia, 27 vols., complete, in good condition (cost about £10); Ward, Lock and Co.'s "Universal Instructor," in 3 vols. (new); Kingsley's "Glaucus; or, wonders of the Sea-shore" (with coloured plates), new?-H. Parrit, 103 Camden Street, London, N.W.

WANTED, dragonflies from all parts of the British Isles; common species acceptable. Natural history books and specimens offered in exchange.-W. Harcourt Bath, Ladywood, Birmingham.

LINDSAY'S "British Lichens," Stark's "Mosses," Gosse's "Naturalist's Sojourn in Jamaica," Rymer Jones's "Aquarian Naturalist," &c., offered in exchange for good works on natural history, Kentish books, works on coins, or microscopic accessories.-C. A. Grimes, Dover.

SNAIL shells.-Wanted, a number of specimens, with or without the animals, of commoner species of Helix, Zonites, Clausilia, Bulimus, &c. Will send box of cover glass in exchange.-G. H. Pickering, 13 Balfour Road, Highbury, London, N.

WHAT offers for five gerbilles, full grown, size of small rats; very hardy; very little smell; easily tamed-worth 5s. each at "Zoo' ?-Ernest Robson, Dalton, Huddersfield.

WOULD any readers of SCIENCE-GOSSIP kindly assist a teacher in forming a school museum by sending him anything suitable in natural history, &c. ?-T. W. Paterson, West Fountainbridge School, Edinburgh.

SPECIES and varieties of Sphærium and Pisidium wanted from any locality: good exchange given in fossils or other shells.H. E. Quilter, 4 Cedar Road, Leicester.

MAGNESIAN limestone, liassic, and other fossils; also land and freshwater shells offered for fossils, &c.-John Hawell, Ingleby Vicarage, Northallerton.

WANTED, ammonites from any formation.-John Hawell, Ingleby Vicarage, Northallerton.

OFFERED: Historia Muscorum Dilleni," 1741; "Bridel Brideri Bryologia Universa," 2 vols., 1826: "Muscologia Hibernica Spicilegium," by Dawson Turner, 1804; "Acharius Lichenographia," 1810; all well bound, clean, and good as new, with plates complete. Wanted, first-class work on marine algæ, and zoophytes.-J. Miles, 26 Sudely Place, Kemp Town, Brighton.

WANTED, two original Jubilee sixpences; will give the following micro-slides, Watson's mounts, in exchange, viz : group of diatomaceæ, Actinocyclus ralfsii, anchors and plates of synapta, arranged; foraminifera from Adriatic Sea, transparent; and selenite, blue and yellow; or would give a Mall. wood's finder, in case.-Mathie, 127 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. OFFERED, "Antiquary," 12 parts for 1880; "Entomologist," 36 parts for 1882-4. Wanted, "Geology: Chemical, Physical, and Stratigraphical," by Prestwich (Oxford, 1888).-J. Smith, Monkredding, Kilwinning.

WANTED, to borrow slides suitable for micro-photography; prints given in exchange.-Edward Goodwin, Canon Court, Wateringbury, Kent.

OVER 1000 species (many very rare) of British and foreign shells offered in exchange for others (recent or fossils) not in collection. Foreign correspondence particularly desired.-Miss Linter, Arragon Close, Twickenham.

FOR disposal, four plants of man orchis and two of large butterfly orchis, latter showing flower buds.-W. H. Lowe, 24 Brodie Road, Guildford.

WANTED, to exchange British for North or South American plants. I have about 700 species which are not native in North America. Printed list sent on receipt of address.-H. Fisher, 26 Stodman Street, Newark, Notts.

LAND and freshwater shells (British) in exchange for fossils, dried plants, microscopic slides, or shells not in collection.W. Crossley, 15 Barker Street, Cornholme, near Todmorden, Yorks.

WANTED, Mactra subtruncata, Capulus Hungaricus, Pleurotoma turricula; many others to offer in exchange.-W. J. Jones, jun., 27 Mayton Street, Holloway, London, Ñ.

FIFTY-THREE IS. parts of the "Intellectual Observer" (with coloured plates), 1862-6; also “Gardening" (illustrated), from March 1886 to Dec. 1887, unbound, in exchange for diatom or other micro-slides.-W. E. Harper, Norfolk Road, Maidenhead. LOW-POWER microscope with five object glasses (Lennie, Edinburgh), in exchange for British beetles, or good work on same.-W. Wallace, 28 Watson Street, Aberdeen.

MARINE alga.-Correspondents wanted with a view to exchange of specimens.-W. Wallace, 28 Watson Street, Aberdeen.

THE Italian Microscopical Society (Acireale, Sicily) is forming a library and a cabinet of slides, and will be very much obliged for anything donated to it. Address-The Italian Microscopical Society, Acireale, Sicily.

WANTED, skins of wryneck, marsh and cole tit, shrike, pied flycatcher, rock pipit, redstart (male), whitethroat, garden, reed, marsh, and grasshopper warblers, chiffchaff. Offered, equivalent in odd numbers of SCIENCE-GOSSIP, "Scientific Enquirer," "Nature," and "Naturalist's World."-J. H. K., 18 Church Street, Commercial Street, E.

FOR exchange, several species of British birds' eggs. List on application. Wanted, British and foreign land, marine and freshwater shells, named and localised, or fossils.-Ernest A. Meyers, Richmond House, Hounslow, W.

WANTED, Murex trunculus, L.; British land and freshwater shells in exchange.-Ernest O. Meyers, Richmond House, Hounslow, W.

FOR exchange, fifteen species of Cypræa, unnamed and unlocalised. Wanted, eight species of named and localised British or foreign marine shells not in collection, or plants.-Ernest 0. Meyers, Richmond House, Hounslow, W.

Clausilia rugosa (var. tumidula) in exchange for varieties and band-variations of H. nemoralis and hortensis.-Ernest O. Meyers, Richmond House, Hounslow, W.

WANTED, named foreign shells in exchange for British species or tertiary and chalk fossils.-Fredk. Stanley, M.C.S., 6 Clifton Gardens, Margate.

WANTED, exchanges in British land, marine and freshwater shells; have numerous duplicates in each class. Lists exchanged.-Fredk. Stanley, 6 Clifton Gardens, Margate.

WANTED, secondhand photographic enlarging apparatus. State size and particulars.-J. Bates, 20 Lord Street, Burnley. P. glaber and others in exchange for other land and freshwater shells, British or foreign.-J. Bates, 20 Lord Street, Burnley.

FORAMINIFEROUS material, dredged in Belfast Lough, in exchange for mounted foraminifera.-Rev. H. W. Lett, Aghaderg Glebe, Loughbrickland, co. Down.

WANTED. Exotic, British, or foreign Lepidoptera; land and freshwater shells, and gault fossils offered in exchange.-A. H. Shepherd, 70 Brecknock Road, London, N.

WANTED, Specimens of dragonflies (Odonata) from all parts of the world. Will send in return N. American insects of any order.-Philip P. Calvert, Entomological Section, Acad. Nat. Sci., 19th & Race Sts., Phila., Pa. U.S.A.

NESTS and eggs of humming birds, and other rare eggs, in exchange for clutches of rare British eggs.-W. Wells-Bladen, Stone, Staffs.

BOOKS, ETC., RECEIVED.

"Geology for All," by J. Logan Lobley (London: Roper & Drowley)." The Microscope." "Scientific News."-"Book Chat." "The Amateur Photographer."- "The Garner.""The Naturalist."-"The Botanical Gazette."-" Journal of the New York Microscopical Society."-" Belgravia."-" The Gentleman's Magazine."-"American Monthly Microscopical Journal."-"The Essex Naturalist."-"The Midland Naturalist."-"Feuilles des Jeunes Naturalistes."-"The American Naturalist."-" Journal of Microscopy and Nat. Science.""Scientific News."-" Wesley Naturalist," &c., &c.

COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED UP TO THE 12TH ULT. FROM: H. E. H.-J. H.-A. E. P.-A. B.-I. S.-W. J. H.-J. R. W. -G. P.-W. G.-W. J. H.-J. H. C.-R. H. L. J.-Dr. B.P. H. G.-T. T.-R. H. A.-E. T. B.-H. W. P.-J. H.G. C.-A. C. G. C.-W. J. R.-J. H.-J. B. Y.-J. L. H.W. D.-A. B.-H. F.-H. P.-P. F. G.-T. McG.-C. A. W. -I. B.-J. B.-F. S.-Rev. R. C. C.-E. O. M.-J. H. K.P. B. M.-S. C. H.-W. H. B.-E. M., jun.-H. W. L.G. P.-W. E. H.-H. F.-W. W.-W. J. J., jun.-W. C. W. H. L.-J. E. L.-H. T.-E. G.-J. Š.-W. M.-J. M.J. H.-T. W. B.-H. E. Q.-E. R.-G. R. G. H. P. C. A. G.-W. G.-E. G.-G. T. W. N.-F. C. L.-Dr. R.A. J.-J. J.-R. L. M.-B. H.-E. G.-Dr. A.-W. C.-E. P. -J. B. M.-E. H. V.-P. H. C.-W. W. B.-H. G.-A. H S. -A. J. H. C.-G. H. W.-&c.

WFTER a few days botanising at Bex about the middle of May last year, we found that vegetation in the mountains behind the village was not sufficiently advanced for us to add many plants to our collections, and so we decided to make an excursion to the warm upper Rhone valley for the three days that remained available.

Making an early

start and catching the first train, we arrived at Martigny at seven, and while breakfast was preparing in the humble but very comfortable inn near the station we looked over some rough ground close by and gathered Sisymbrium Sophia and Echinospermum lappula. Breakfast over, we started about eight for Branson, some three miles off, each carrying a goodsized package of drying-paper, for in so hot a locality, where even so early in the year the thermometer stood at mid-day at 86° in the shade, plants soon wither if kept long in the vasculum.

En route, Euphorbia Gerrardiana, Hippophaë rhamnoides and Salix triandra were gathered on the banks of the Rhone, then Hyoscyamus niger, and at the foot of the hill, near Branson, Medicago minima, Silene otites, Sempervivum montanum and arachnoideum, Thalictrum minus, Orlaya grandiflora, and Helianthemum Fumana.

To give a good idea of the vitality of the Sempervivums, a root was gathered here not yet in flower, which after remaining over three weeks in the vasculum flowered when planted in a London garden. Arrived No. 283.-JULY 1888.

at Branson, we deposited the paper in a small inn and mounted the hill. Helianthemum salicifolium, Vulpia pseudonymus, Dianthus sylvestris, Orchis eriophora, Carex nitida, and Herniaria glabra were quickly found, then Anemone montana and, further on, at the corner of the hill round which the Rhone turns northward, Adonis vernalis, not yet in flower, Oxytropis Halleri, H. pilosa, and Biscutella lavigata, all in fruit. Descending to the foot of the hill several Salices were found, and then remounting the rocks, which by this time were quite hot to the touch, we found Vicia onobrychioides and V. tenuifolia, both allied to our V. cracca, but the former of the two with larger and fewer flowers on the stalk Onobrychis arenaria, Astragalus onobrychis, and Potentilla recta. Further on, in a vineyard, Ajuga Genevensis, and then above Branson, in a rough pasture, Lathyrus sphæricus. Descending to the village, we emptied our vasculums, which by this time were quite full, and arranging the plants in paper we shouldered our packs and started off for the next village, Fully. En route we gathered Herniaria ciliata, Trigonella Monspeliaca, Eruca sativa, Ononis altissima, Bunias erucago, and a crucifer with enormously long flowerstalk, Calepina corvini. The last two named are natives of a more southern latitude, which have found a congenial resting-place in this hot valley. In a wood above Fully we gathered Veronica teucrium, Astragalus glycyphyllos, and Vicia pisiformis, the last unfortunately not in flower. At Fully we tried in vain to get something to eat, but were obliged to content ourselves with a little fairly good red wine, and started off quickly for Saillon, some few miles further on. Our route now lay only the right bank of the Rhone and yielded very little of interest. Near Saillon we stopped a short time to look at some recently opened quarries of a stone called Cipolin. High up the rocks was a small black speck, the mouth of the quarries from which enormous blocks of stone are brought down on a tramway, that from below looks almost perpendicular. At the foot of the trams are the workshops where the stone is worked up into mantel-pieces, monumental stones,

H

and other articles of this description. Though the quarries have only recently been opened, a very con siderable industry has already sprung up in the stone, which somewhat resembles marble in appearance.

Soon afterwards we reached Saillon, and on the castle hill gathered Scorzonera austriaca, Onosma stellulatum, and Ononis Columna, the latter not in full flower; and, descending to the town, Isatis tinctoria. We now crossed the Rhone, and near the banks gathered Orchis latifolia and Camelina sativa; and then, after a weary tramp along a straight shelterless road for some two miles, reached Saxon. Here we were more fortunate than at Fully, and after some luncheon, finding there was still a good time before the departure of the afternoon train to Martigny, we strolled through the town. The baths still attract a considerable number of visitors, but before the suppression of the gambling-tables the village must have been a very lively place in the season. Behind the village rises a range of mountains, the best known peak of which is the Pierre-àvoir (8123 ft.), a famous point of view. On the flanks of this range we gathered Adonis vernalis, covering a large space with its beautiful golden flowers, and Veronica prostrata, and then returned to the station and took the train to Martigny, where we arrived in time for dinner, very tired, but well satisfied with the results of our first day. Rising early next morning, we mounted the hill near the station, gathering Sisymbrium Thalianum, Onosma stellulatum, Allium vineale, and Helianthemum Fumana, and a few others, and descended in time for breakfast and to catch the 7 A.M. train for Riddes, where we left the train, sending our baggage on to Sion. Our route now lay along the left bank of the Rhone, and before long yielded us Typha Laxmanni, a beautiful little plant, Carex vesicaria in swampy ground, and on the cliffs to our right Diplo taxis tenuifolia; out of easy reach grew Ononis rotundifolia, but our day's journey was to be too long a one for us to delay to climb after it. Before long we gathered Dracocephalum austriacum, a beautiful Labiate plant with large purple flowers, growing in a locality recently discovered, and almost the only one now left in Switzerland. Along with it grew Thalictrum fœtidum and Veronica prostrata. Here we rested for a while under some fine walnut trees, chatting with a well-to-do peasant who owned a considerable extent of land covered with wellgrown fruit-trees. Starting off again, we tramped for about two hours along the bank of the Rhone, a most unpleasant walk-fine white sand in which the foot sank deeply at each step, a broiling sun and not a breath of air, and what is more, not a single interesting plant to enliven the way. Crossing the Rhone opposite Vetroz, we gathered Hieraceum lanatum, growing amongst the stones of the embankment, and shortly after, Ephedra distachya, Helianthemum Elundicum, Ononis rotundifolia, Achillea

setacea, and Sclerochloa dura, but our search for Androsace maxima was fruitless. Passing over Montorge, a hill on the road to Sion, we found Arabis turrita and Amygdalus communis, the latter growing in what to me looked suspiciously like an abandoned garden. It was now a good deal past midday, and we were almost done up with the heat, so we descended into Sion, and sending for our traps from the station, pressed our plants while dinner was preparing. Later on we strolled up the hill on which the old Episcopal castle is built, we gathered. Vicia lathyroides, Veronica verna, and Allium sphærocephalum, and then back to the town to discuss plans for the next day. After feeling much tempted to search for Cypripedium calceolus and other plants on the hill on the opposite side of the valley, the knowledge that several rarities were to be had at the entrance of the Visp Thal, leading to Zermatt, decided us to proceed thither. Foolishly we postponed our departure till the first train next morning, and thus shortened by several hours the last day of our excursion. It was nearly ten when we alighted at the Visp station, and already very hot, so we lost no time in starting off in search of the two specialities we had in view-Arabis auriculata and Silene vallesia. Our hopes of finding the latter were soon destroyed, as we saw plants growing in a garden at Visp which showed no sign of flower. Soon after leaving the station we found Erysimum Helveticum, Daphne alpina, Juniperus Sabina, Arabis saxatilis and A. muralis, Hutchinsia petræa, Hieracium pictum, and several other species of this difficult genus, Viola arvensis, var. minima, and Salvia officinalis. Near Stalden were gathered Crupina vulgaris, Veronica triphyllos, Trigonella monspeliaca, Saxifraga tridactylites, and after looking longingly up the valleys. leading left and right to Zermatt and Saas respectively, we retraced our steps to Visp, and took the evening train back to Bex.

It will be understood that in this brief account of a three days' excursion, all the plants seen are not named, but only those which we had not previously gathered. Nor would any stranger to the valley be able in so short a time to find all the species mentioned, but one of us having visited the neighbourhood on a previous occasion, was able to find. many of the localities without much difficulty.

H.

NOTES ON THE EIGHTH EDITION OF THE
LONDON CATALOGUE OF BRITISH
PLANTS.

By ARTHUR BENNETT, F.L.S.
[Continued from page 131.]

1673 is 1520, 7th ed.
1673 d is a var. with aristate glumes.
1674 is 1521, 7th ed.

1675 is 1522, 7th ed., alter name to discolor R. et S.

1676 is 1523, 7th ed.

1676c is a var. found by Mr. Melvill in Perthshire. 1679 is 1526, 7th ed., but alter name to T. pratense, Pers.

1681 c is a long-leaved var.

1684 is 1531, 7th ed.

1685 is 1483, 7th ed., alter authority to Koel.

1686 is 1534, 7th ed.

1687 b is a var. found in the Isle of Wight, as also

var. c.

1688, alter authority to Ard.

1688b is an Irish var. of the plant, with a different facies to the Scotch plant.

1961 is what has mostly been reported as K. albescens, DC. I have seen true arenaria from the Channel Isles and the Kentish coast.

1692 b almost explains itself, as a depauperate_var. 1693b is a small maritime form of the plant. 1707 b, alter to cæsia, Gaud.

1707 b, c, d, are described in the 3rd ed. of "English Botany."

1708b, c, two vars. described by Parnell in his "British Grasses."

1710 b, c, d, three vars. described in the 3rd ed. of "English Botany."

1757, alter to secalinum, Schreb.

In the ferns the species and vars. are taken from the 3rd ed. of "English Botany," they not having been published when the 7th ed. was compiled, which was "adapted to Mr. Syme's 'English Botany,'” The sequence of the genera from Hooker. 1803, the name alter to calcarea, Fée. 1811 b, c, two added vars.

1816, added species found by Mr. W. H. Beeby in Surrey; on the continent, by some authors supposed to be an hybrid between 1815 and 1817.

1819 is a rare Irish equisetum.

1829 is a tall var. from Lough Bray in Ireland, described in "Journal of Botany."

The Charace are adapted to the various careful publications of the Messrs. Groves, who have done much to elucidate our British species.

It is hoped that these notes will, to some extent, clear away some of the difficulties in using the 8th ed. of the Catalogue. Very much yet remains to be done to record the distribution of our flora, though Mr. Watson's works have gradually built up a mass of solid information, to which future workers can add. The writer of this will be glad to receive notices of plants found in any county not recorded in 2nd ed. of "Topographical Botany," accompanied by specimens, which will be returned if required.

Many of the writers on botanical subjects in SCIENCE-GOSSIP do not seem to belong to either of the Botanical Exchange Clubs, or to the Botanical Record Club; hence permanent records of their finds may not be made; all can help, and it is only by the aid of many that the flora of a county can be kept up to date.

I shall be glad to see any observations in SCIENCEGOSSIP on these notes, and will do my best to further explain any seeming anomalies.

I have not touched on the exclusion or inclusion of introduced 'species, as this may form a pretext for endless disputation.

One of the gravest objections that have been made is this: "Where are we to find these new species and varieties described?" The fact is this, the Catalogue is ahead of any Flora; hence some difficulty will be experienced until one or the other of our standard Floras is published in a new edition. (Concluded.)

STUDIES OF COMMON PLANTS. THE MARIGOLD (CALENDULA.)

By E. A. SwAN.

Tower is curious and interesting. Two whorls

HIS plant belongs to the order Composite. The

of sepals form the involucre, two or more whorls of petals the ray florets, and a numerous company of closely packed blossoms the disc. The involucre fits