Page:Journal of botany, British and foreign, Volume 9 (1871).djvu/353

 Rh are separated, for in a strict propriety they only constitute along with the Lychnis one genus. But setting aside this last, it is evident that the two former might easily be joined without the least violence to the Linnæn system.

The Cucubalus viscosus was said to have been found on the coast near Montrose, but I suspect the Silene nutans has been mistaken for it, as is now found to have been the case in England. The S. nutans has, I believe, never been found in Scotland, at least it is not mentioned in the 'Flora Scotica.'

A species of Arenaria was observed on the Castlehill of Forfar, by Mr. Lightfoot, and by him thought to be the A. laricifolia of Linnæus. But from the figures referred to in the 'Flora Scotica,' it seems quite a different plant; but whatever it might have been, it is perhaps now lost to Scotland, as the greater part of the place on which it was said to grow has of late been cultivated, and the little that remains in its natural state I examined carefully, but without finding this or any such plant.

Sedum Telephium has been observed in some cornfields in the northern parts of this county.

Sedum anglicum, of Hudson, I observed on rocks near Dundee. It may not here be improper to remark, that there is at least some room to suppose this plant the S. annuum of Linnæus, as both authors refer to the same figure, viz. that given by Dillenius in Ray's 'Synopsis.' I should have been more confident in my assertion had I not observed that both plants are mentioned as growing in Kew Gardens. But I am even still inclined to think that some mistake has crept into the work in which this is to be seen, or if the plants are really distinct, it is evident that the synonyma have been misapplied.

Spergula saginoides grows in sandy ground near Forfar. This plant was called S. laricina, by Hudson and Lightfoot, and observed by the latter in the isle of Bute. It agrees perfectly well with the specific character either of the one or other of these plants.

Spiræa Filipendula grows on rocky ground near Dundee.

Turritis hirsuta is likeways to be found on several of the lower hills of Angusshire. I was likeways informed, from good authority, that the T. glabra had been found a few miles west from Montrose. This plant has never yet been found in Scotland, and is even very rare in England.

The variety of Erodium cicutarium, with a white flower, grows not uncommon on the seacoast. Perhaps it may be more than a variety, at least if it is only so, the differences are permanent and unalterable by cultivation. Although most authors have supposed these to arise from the influence of the sea. But as I have observed them unchangeable by culture I cannot accede to this opinion. Besides, I have frequently had occasion to see plants of this and of the common E. cicularium growing side by side; and we may add to this, that the former is known to grow in the King's Park, a place which we may safely suppose to be altogether removed from the influence of the sea, and it may likewise be observed that in the place now mentioned the E. cicularium does not grow. Upon the whole, this plant has certanly equal pretensions to a separate specific character from the E. cicularium, as the E. pimpinellifolium of Mr. Curtis and others.

Orobus sylvaticus has been observed in some shady woods near Airly Castle.