"8. Here, again, we have a very singular condition: the calyx and corolla separated from each other, the stamens partly developed, the axis continued beyond the corolla, branched and bearing normal leaves so as exactly to resemble an ordinary stem, while in consequence of the calyx and corolla being bent down to the ground, adventitious roots were developed from the axis on the under side above each of them. In another case, where the calyx and corolla were approximated, the ovary was open above and sent out six shoots from within, perfectly developed, clearly representing the central placenta and five axile buds, and each giving out a number of adventitious roots at its base."
Hermaphrodite Catkins in Salix aurita.—I have this year gathered two species of willow, namely, Salix fusca and S. aurita, in which a gradual transformation of stamens into pistils, that is, male into female flowers, is apparent. The normal state of the plants we know is dioicous. The bushes of S. aurita from which my specimens were collected, grow at the south end of the Gillbrook, in a very moist, boggy place, and altogether spread over some four or five square yards. All the catkins are more or less hermaphrodite, from those fully developed to those just emerging from the protective scales. There are many bushes of the female plant growing near, which present no unnatural variation. A careful examination has enabled me to select a long series (nearly thirty) of different condition, showing the stages of metamorphosis from one extreme to the other. It appears from these, that the change is very various in its character and extent in individual flowers; almost all, however, range themselves under one of the forms mentioned below. No change was perceptible in the scale or gland.
1. Filaments distinct, one bearing an ordinary anther, the other having at its summit an ovarium, sometimes with, and sometimes without, a small mass of pollen on one side, in either case containing ovules of less than the ordinary size. The anther-bearing filament withers away.
2. Filaments united in the lower portion, dividing about two-thirds up into two arms, each bearing a small ovarium instead of an anther; one of these when more developed is grey and silky, and in shape resembles the ordinary lanceolate germen or carpel. Its fellow apparently does not enlarge. Ovules contained. The stigmas dark brown.
3. Filaments united through their whole length, short and thick, surmounted by a downy green ovarium, cleft from the apex half or two-thirds of the way down. On the inner face of one side pollen is sometimes seen. There is perhaps in this form more appearance of the union or cohesion of two ovaries in their lower portion, than of actually being one and cleft as stated above.
4. Filaments united at the base, one stamen is transformed into an ovarium, the other is not enlarged, but terminates in a kind of stigma.—F. M. Webb in Naturalists' Scrap Book.
New British Lichens.—In the Annals of Natural History the Rev. W. A. Leighton describes and figures three species of lichens new to this country. They are named respectively Thelocarpon Laureri, Lecidea Caradocensis, and L. Friesii. The first was found on a decorticated larch rail at Middleton, in Shropshire. The second has been found in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Leicestershire, on oak palings, &c., and third on old oak trees and stumps in Cleveland, Yorkshire.
Starry Puff Ball (Geaster hygrometricus)—The Rev. H. H. Higgins exhibited a specimen of this curious fungus at a meeting of the Liverpool Literary and Philosophical Society, Nov. 14. It had been recently found on a bank at Rainhill, growing upon a portion of a decayed root of a birch tree. It was remarked that all the larger species of earth stars, or starry puff balls, were uncommon. This constitutes the fourth species of Geaster found in the neighbourhood of Liverpool.—The Reader.
GEOLOGY.
