Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 36

THE

TRANSACTIONS
OF

THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
OF

LONDON.
VOLUME

XVII.

LONDON:
PRINTBU BY RICHARD AND JOHN

E.

TAYLOR, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET:

SOLD AT THE SOCIETY'S HOUSE, SOHO-SQUARE;
AND BY LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMAN, PATERNOSTER-ROW;
AND WILLIAM WOOD, TAVISTOCK-STREET, COVENT-GARDEN.

MDCCCXXXVII.



CONTENTS.

I.

Description of the

Organ of Voice

nus Buccinator, Richardson).

new Species of IVild Swan (CygBy William Yarrell, Esq., F.L.S. 8^
in a

Z.S.

II.

page

Descriptions of three British Species of fresh-water Fishes belonging to

Genus Leuciscus of Klein.

the

By William Yarrell,

^

Esq., F.L.S.

Z.S
III.

5

Observations on the Tropseolum

David Don,
IV.

1

On

Libr.

By Mr.

pentaphyllum of Lamarck.

L.S

11

the Adaptation of the Structure of the Sloths to their peculiar

Life.

By

the Rev.

Mode of

William Buckland, D.D., F.R.S. F.L.S. F.G.S.,

and Professor of Geology and Mineralogy

in the University

of Oxford.

)

7

V. Observations on Naticina and Dentalium, two Genera of Molluscous Animals.

By

the late Rev.

Lansdown Guilding, B.A., F.L.S.

VI. Monograph of the East Indian Solaneae.

By

Christian Godfrey Nees

von Esenbeck, M.D., F.M.L.S., President of
Naturce Curiosorum, and Professor of Botany in

lau

29

the

Imperial

Academy

the University of Bre.s-

3/


CONTENTS.

vi

On

VII.

VIII.

Lycium of

the

late

Dioscorides.

By John Forbes

Royle, Esq., F.L.S.,

Superintendant of the Hon. East India Company's Botanic Garden

at

Saharunpore

./

Review of the Natural Order Myrsinese.

page 83

By M. Alphonse De

Candolle, Honorary Professor and one of the Directors of the Botanic Garden at Geneva
95

On

IX.

the Modifications of

referred to the

Estivation observable in certain Plants, formerly

X. Additional Observations on

the

Mr. David Don,

L.S

XI.

A

By Mr. David Don,

Genus Cinchona.

Libr.

Libr. L.S.

Tropseolum pentaphyllum of Lamarck.

By
145

Commentary on

(the late)

139

the Fourth Part of the Hortus Malabaricus.
Francis Hamilton, M.D., F.R.S. and L.S

By
147

XII. Memoir on the Degree of Selection exercised by Plants, with regard
the

Earthy Constituents

pi-esented

to their

Charles Daubeny, M.D., F.R.S. L.S. G.S.,
and Chemistry
XIII.

in the University

Absorbing Surfaces.
S^c, Professor

of Botany

of Oxford

Review of the Order of Hydrophylleae.

to

By
253

By George Bentham,

F.L.S

Esq.,

267

XIV. On Diopsis, a Genus of Dipterous Insects, with Descriptions of Twentyone Species. By J. O. Westwood, Esq., F.L.S
283

XV.

Descriptions,

8^c.

of the Insects collected by Captain P. P. King, R.N.,

F.R.S., in the Survey of the Straits of Magellan.
Esq., F.L.S.

Esq.,

;

A. H. Haliday, Esq.,

M.A.

;

F.L.S

XVI. Description of a new

By John

Curtis,

and Francis Walker,
315

Species of the

Genus Chameleon.

By Mr. Samuel


CONTENTS.

"HI

Stutchbury, A.L.S., and Curator of the Bristol Philosophical ListituPag^ =^61
tion

XVII. Observations on the Genus Hosackia and
George Bentham, Esq., F.L.S

American

the

363

Characters of Embia, a Genus of Insects allied

XVIII.

(Termites)

By

;

By

Loti.

to

the fVhite Ants

with Descriptions of the Species of which

it

is

composed.

369

O. Westwood, Esq., F.L.S.

J.

Auctore

XIX. De Marchantieis.

Thoma Taylor, M.D.,

S.L.S.

.

.

375

.

XX. On a new Arachnide uniting the Genera Gonyleptes and Phalangium.
397
By the Rev. F. W. Hope, M.A., F.R.S. F.L.S.
XXI. On

the Eriogonese, a Tribe of the Order Polygonaceae.

Bentham,

XXII.

By George
401

Esq., F.L.S

Observations on

the

By Joseph Woods,

Species of Fedia.

Esq.,

421

F.L.S
L.S.
XXIII. Remarks on some British Ferns. By Mr. David Don, Libr.

XXIV.

.

433

by
Descriptions of Five new Species of the Genus Pin us, discovered
439
L.S.
Dr. Coulter in California. By Mr. David Don, Libr.
.

XXV. Some Account of the
the

Dead

Sea.

Galls found on a Species of

By Aylmer Bourke Lambert,

Oak from

.

the Shores of

Esq., F.R.S. F.P.L.S.,

445
8sc

Note on the Mustard Plant of the Scriptures.

XXVI. On

several

new or imperfectly understood

By Charles

% Mr. Lambert

British

.

.449

and European Plants.

C. Babington, M.A., F.L.S. F.G.S., S^c

451


CONTENTS.

viii

Observations on the Development of the Theca, and on the Sexes of

XXVII.

Mosses.

XXVIII. On
Esq.,

XXIX.

By William

the Nervous System of Molluscous Animals.

By Robert Garner,
485

F.L.S

By David Don,

Descriptimis of Indian Gentianese.

Prof

page 465

Valentine, Esq., F.L.S.

Bot.

Kings

Coll.

Esq., Lihr. L.S.,

Lond

503

Observations on the Esula Major Germanica of Label.

XXX.

By Edward
533

FoRSTER, Esq., F.P.L.S. F.R.S

Notice respecting a Native British Rose, first described in Ray's

XXXI.

Synopsis, as discovered by

F.R.S.

XXXII.

James Sherard.

By Joseph

539

8s L.S., 8sc

Descriptions of some new Species o/"Diopsis.

By J. O. Westwood, Esq.,
543

F.L.S., 8sc

On

Sabine, Esq.,

Letter to

Genera of Orchideous Epiphytes.
By Mr. Robert
A. B. Lambert, Esq., V.P.L.S.

H. SCHOMBURGK

551

XXXIII.
In

a

XXXIV.

the Identity of three supposed

Extracts

don

XXXV.

from

the

Minute-Booh of the Linnean Society of Lon553

Extracts from the Council Minute-Booh of the Linnean Society of

London

56/

Catalogue of the Library of the Linnean Society
List of Donors to the Library of the Linnean Society

Donations

to the

Museum of the Linnean

Society

571

.589
597


TRANSACTIONS
OF

THE LINNEAN SOCIETY.
I.

Description of the

Organ of Voice

in a

By William

Buccinator, Richardson).

Read March

I AM

new Species of fVild Swan (Cygnus
Yarrell, Esq., F.L.S.

8^

Z.S.

20th, 1832.

indebted to the liberality and kindness of Dr. Richardson for an

example of the sternum and trachea of a new species of wild swan, the Cygnus
Buccinator of the Fauna Boreali-^mei-icana, Part
Dr. Richardson

II.,

of Mr. Swainson

and

a work in ornithology unexampled for beauty of illustration

;

and accuracy of detail.
The possession of this valuable and probably unique specimen affords me
an opportunity of placing before the members of the Linnean Society the
following description and drawing.

The
this

newly discovered

known

which

interesting vaiiations

swans,

species, as

will

be observed

in the

organ of voice in

compared with the same parts

cisive of specific distinction

;

and

the shape and colour of the beak

;

particularly

it is

the

number

worthy of

;

—from

notice, that as

of the tail-feathers

of the tube of the trachea within the cavity of the sternum
of the bronchiie

in other

an additional proof of the value of internal evidence as de-

is

the modifications observed in

them

;

;

the course

and the form

all

;

—have been

considered satisfactory as establishing the claim of Cygnus Beivickii to rank
as a species distinct from the

VOL. XVII.

Hooper: the same
B

parts, external as well as


;

Mr. Yarrell's Description of the Organ of Voice

2
internal, in

Cygnus Buccinator,

will be

found to be

all

equally distinct from

both.

Cygnus Buccinator

is

common swan

the most

countries of North America

;

and

it

is

in the interior of the fur-

to this species,

which

is

called the

Trumpeter, that the largest portion of the swan-skins imported by the Hudson's

Bay Company

belong.

These swans probably require

five

or six years

their full

at

to arrive

size; but this point attained, they are considerably larger than the oldest

Hooper.

The beak

of the Trumpeter

entirely black, without

is

any of the yellow-

orange colour so conspicuous in the Hooper and Bewick's swan
at the

same time

and more

larger, longer,

new species.
The forehead alone

;

and, being

depressed, at once distinguishes

this

is

tinged with rust-colour, and this tint prevails over a

larger space in younger specimens
third quill-feather of the

wing

is

;

the rest of the plumage

the longest

;

pure white

is

the tail-feathers 24 in

:

the

number

the legs black.

The trachea

is

made up

branous spaces as

of narrow bony rings and small intervening

far as the first

convolution within the breast-bone, but the

returning portion of the tube, forming a second convolution,

broader and stronger bony rings with wider intervals.
of structure

it

resembles the trachea of the Hooper

the sternum, as also in the form of the bronchise,

The

mem-

;

it is

is

composed of

In these peculiarities

but in

course within

its

decidedly

diff'erent.

trachea, after descending by the neck, passes backwards within the

keel and between the two plates of the breast-bone to the depth of six inches,

then curving horizontally and slightly inclining upwards, returns, at
the side

of,

and afterwards

the whole distance.

A

over, the first inserted portion, near

second curve of this returning portion

is

two

first

by

thirds of

then suddenly

elevated two inches above the line of the superior surface of the keel, and
traverses the interior of a hollow circular protuberance on the dorsal surface

of the sternum

itself.

The usual ascending curve

of the trachea then ensues,

by which the tube, ultimately receding, gains the internal cavity of the breast.

The bone

is

placed over the centre of the protuberance before

The bronchise

are but two inches each in length, small at their

of divarication

mentioned.


3

new Species of IVild Swan.

in a

expanded throughout
depressed, being one inch one line
the intermediate portions, and somewhat
origin

and

greatly
at their junction with the lungs, but

wide, and only eight lines in depth.

as in the Hooper
The muscles of voice are the same in number and situation
and Cygnus Beivickii.
the greatest
The whole length of the sternum is nine inches three lines,

width four inches

the hollow protuberance on

;

its

internal surface

which
by a sudden rounded elevation of the superior bony plate,
height one inch
at the sides, and measures in length as also in
in

width nine

lines

;

is

is

formed

compressed

six lines,

and

of the
from the edge of the keel to the upper surface

protuberance three inches

five lines.

comparison with
other measurements are here inserted for
Part of the Transactions
those of our British wild swans in the last-published

The following

of this Society.

Inches. Lines.

Point of beak to the end of the

70

tail

edge of the forehead

...

411

eye

6

occiput

8

24

Carpus to the end of the primaries
Tail-feathers, in number, 24.

^

6

middle toe and nail

6

9

the breast-bone

9

^

Length of tarsus

•

A

fine

Depth of insertion of the trachea

6

Length of the bronchial tubes

2

preserved specimen of the Trumpeter in the

Bay Company,
detailed.

Two

in

Fenchurch

museum

Street, afforded the external

skins of swans of the

same

of the Hudson's

measurements here

species in the collection of the

smaller in their
Zoological Society are from younger birds, and are somewhat
several dimensions.

be recollected, has but one decided convolution of the
Bewick's swan has also
trachea within the sternum, and that one is vertical
subject, it will be seen,
but one convolution, and that horizontal our present

The Hooper,

it

will

;

;

b2


;

4

Mr. Yarrell's Description of the Organ of Voice

in a

new fVild Swan.

has two convolutions within the sternum, of very opposite character in their
directions

;

the bronchise also differ materially from both.

The

representa-

tions of the various parts, on comparison with those already published, will

render these differences

much more apparent than

and the examination of them

will, I trust,

Cygmis Buccinator of Dr. Richardson

is

this concise description

convince ornithologists that the

a species perfectly distinct from any

hitherto made known.

EXPLANATION OF
Fig.

1.

3.

4.
5.

6.
7.
8.

9.

I.

Side view of the sternum, a section having been

trachea in
2.

TAB.

its

made

to

show the

natural situation.

The anterior portion of the sternum, seen from above.
The inside of the hollow protuberance.
The protuberance, seen from the right side.
The bronchise, seen from the side.
The bronchise, seen from above.
The bone of divarication, side view.
The same bone, seen from above.
The muscle of voice in its course along the tube of the

trachea.


t^

^
^

^n'



;

:

5

[

II.

]

to the
Descriptions of three British Species of fresh-water Fishes belonging
Klein.
By William Yarrell, Esq. F.L.S. &; Z.S.
Leuciscus

Genus

of

Read June

19th, 1832.

and Voyage to
observation.—" In the Mersey
the Hebrides, pp. U. and 12, has the following
Sephton, Lancashire, into
near Warrington, and in the river Alt, which runs by
Graining is taken, which in some
the Mersey near Formby, a fish called the
perhaps new species."
respects resembles the Dace, yet it is a distinct and

Pennant

in his published account of a

Tour

in Scotland

only, appears in the
short description of this fish, occupying a few lines
British Zoology and
quarto edition as well as in both octavo editions of the

A

;

the Graining

is

also

characterized by Shaw in the 5th volume of

his

General

Zoology, page 234, as follows
" Cyprinus Lancastriensis.

Pennant's Graining.

" C. argenteus, dorso subrecto coemlescente, oculis pinnisque inferioribus
rubentibus."

Notwithstanding these notices,

this fish

the present time, and has not, that

I

remains comparatively

am

unknown

to

aware, been found in any other

locality.

One
and

I

in Knowsley Park
of the streams which produce the Graining rises
of this Society,
President
have, by the kindness of Lord Stanley, the

from the examination
been most liberally supplied with specimens of this fish,
derived.
of which the following particulars have been
shape, is yet distinguished from
in
Dace
the
to
similar
though

The Graining,

it

by being

still

more slender

in its form.

in proportion to the depth as 4 to
5 to

1

;

and there are

1

:

In the Dace the length of the

fisli is

in the Graining these proportions are as

also other differences to be hereafter noticed.

The Graining has the top of

the head, the back, and upper part of the sides

of a pale drab-colour tinged with blueish red,

and separated from the

lighter-

;;

Mr. Yarrell's Descriptions of three

6

coloured and inferior parts by a well-defined boundary line
yellowish M'hite

the irides are

;

and

infra-orbital portion of the head, the operculum,

;

shining- silvery white tinged with yellow

;

sides,

the fins pale yellowish white

all

the lateral line descending from the upper angle of the operculum by a gentle

curve to the middle of the body, thence to the centre of the
line

the scales of moderate size,

;

and prominent radiating elevated
being brighter than

its sides,

fin

;

the cheeks

flat

;

ridges,

portion of the

the

;

the line of the back but

The mouth

the last ray double.
illary

bones

;

dorsal fin-ray

first

the eye large

;

is

The head

little

is

short, the

elevated

line,

The

fin

;

depressed

;

the

the last ray double

deeply forked.

ray of the anal

;

max-

than the nose

pectoral fin arises

little in

advance of

the anal fin commences, on a vertical

immediately under the termination of the dorsal
first

the fleshy

the abdominal line moderately

;

the ventral fins are placed on a vertical line, but

the anterior portion of the dorsal

small,

is

the dorsal

;

small, without teeth on either of the

below a triangular plate directed backwards
;

longi-

second ray the longest,

nostrils pierced nearer the eye

branchiostegous rays 3, operculum of two pieces.

convex

striae,

the central portion of each scale

commences exactly half-way between the nose and the end of
tail

a straight

and producing the appearance of shining

tudinal lines extending the whole length of the body.

depressed

tail in

marked with numerous concentric

fin is

short, the

the fleshy portion of the

tail is

fin-rays,

when

that fin

is

second ray the longest,

long and slender,

its

rays

I can speak with confidence to the differential characters of

the Graining and Dace, having been favoured on this occasion with a

Dace

from the same stream which produced the Graining. The length of the Dace
compared to the depth is, as I have stated, but as 4 to 1 the back and sides
;

are yellowish olive strongly tinged with blue, passing

dations to silvery white beneath
fin

;

by imperceptible gra-

the lower fins aie pale red

not surmounted by a similar triangular plate

;

;

the pectoral

and the radiating

lines

on

each scale are produced by grooved depressions and not by elevated ridges.

The number of all the fin-rays
greater, and in others less.

is

different, those in

D.
Graining

Dace

some of the

P.

V.

A.

C.

9.

17-

10.

11.

19.

12.

15.

9.

12.

19.

fins

being


British Species of fresh-water Fishes.

Several streams in the townships of Burton

Wood

Mersey below Warrington, and others

into the

7

and Sankey, which flow

in or near the

Knowsley, which also form the Alt, produce the Graining
numbers.
rapid and

In

its

still

habits

and food

it

township of

in considerable

resembles the Trout, frequenting both the

parts of the rivers, but

fished for with artificial flies like the

is

not

known

Dace or Trout

;

to exist in ponds.

It is

and Mr. Bainbridge, an

enthusiastic fisherman, in his excellent Fly-fisher's Guide, published at Liverpool, says, " that as they rise freely, they afford

good sport

when

a pannier with them.

in the

humour,

it

is

not

difficult to

fill

to the angler,

and

They

sometimes, though not commonly, exceed half a pound in weight, and are

much
The

better eating than the Dace."
largest specimen sent

up to

me on

the present occasion measured nine

inches in length.

A short

description of the Graining in Mr. Bainbridge's

" Rather more slender than the

Dace

the scales silvery, with a blueish cast

;

;

work

is

the body almost straight

thus given.
;

colour of

the eyes, the ventral and the anal

fins,

are of a pale colour."

Following the systematic arrangement of Baron Cuvier in the 2nd volume
of the R^gne Animal, this species will

now range under

the

first

division of

the genus Leuciscus of Klein, distinguished by the position of the dorsal

which

is

placed in a vertical line immediately over the ventral, and of which

division our well-known

As

fin,

Roach and Dace are examples.

the specific character of the Graining given by Dr.

precisely agree with that fish as described by

propose to substitute the following, but
to the species

by that

still

Shaw does

not

Mr. Bainbridge and myself,

retaining the trivial

name

I

applied

naturalist.

Leuciscus Lancastriensis.

Pennant's Graining.

L. elongatus, pinna dorsali supra pinnas ventrales posita, caudali profundi
biloba, capitis lateribus supr^ subparallelis

;

ore parvo

;

dorso

lateri-

busque supernfe subrufescenti-isabellinis, infern^ ventreque argenteis.

With specimens of the Graining, for which I acknowledge my great obligations to Lord Stanley, another species of the same genus was sent, which is
also new to our British catalogue, and which, like the Graining, is not de-


:

Mr. Yarrell's Descriptions of three

8

scribed, as far as I have been able to ascertain, in

any of the

works

different

of European ichthyologists.

From

the prevailing blue colour of this

the Azurine, Leuciscus coeruleus.

fish,

have been induced to call

I

it

belongs to Cuvier's second division of

It

the ^enus Leuciscus of Klein, a division intended to include those species in

which the dorsal

and anal

ventral

fin is

and of which

fins,

The

are examples.

placed, in a vertical line, over the space between the
division our Red-eye, Bleak,

and Minnow,

may

be stated as

Azurine

charactei-s of the

specific

follows

L. ovato-lanceolatus, pinna dprsali pone pinnas ventrales posita

plumbeo, ventre argenteo, pinnis
B.

D.

3.

Tlie depth of this fish

is

to

very similar to our Red-eye

;

its

but

A. 12.

9.

length as 7 to
is

and

2,

C. 19.
it is

at once distinguished

therefore in shape

from that species by

the silvery whiteness of the abdomen, which in the Red-eye

golden orange

;

and

by

also

white

its

fins,

It also differs in the

a fine vermillion.

The Azurine has

which

number

is

of a brilliant

in the other are invariably of

of

its fin-rays.

the upper part of the head, back and sides of slate blue,

passing into silvery white beneath, and both shining with metallic lustre
irides white, tinged with pale straw yellow
line,

dorso

albis.

V.

P. 16.

10.

;

;

the fins white

ail

;

;

the

the lateral

descending rapidly from the upper edge of the operculum, takes a curve

parallel to the deep

number

with a variable

broad

;

convex

the back arched

muzzle

of radiating lines
;

the dorsal fin

lip

;

tail

the

;

;

the

mouth

small, and without teeth

;

the eye large

midway between

;

the eye

the
first

The

nostrils

and the

operculum of two portions, the upper one large and marked with

radiating lines.

The abdomen convex

to the origin of the ventral fins,

advance of the dorsal
ventral

the head small,

;

marked
depressed, and

the scales large,

commences half-way between

pierced on the upper surface of the nose,

upper

;

short, the second ray the longest, the last ray double.

is

blunt

is

abdomen

and the end of the scaly portion of the

posterior edge of the eye

dorsal fin-ray

line of the

and anal

fins.

fin,

which

;

the pectoral fins long, reaching nearly
arise,

on a

and thus bring that

From

the vent the

fin

vertical line, considerably in

over the interval between the

body diminishes

rapidly,

and the


British Species of fresh-water Fishes.

anal

situated

fin is

9

The first ray of the anal
The fleshy part of the

on the obliquity thus produced.

the second the longest, the last ray double.

fin is short,

narrow, the rays moderately forked, the central rays being only half as

tail is

long as those which are terminal.

The

from which

localities

Knowsley, are but limited.

The
The

flesh is said to

food,

the Carp

pound

this species is derived, within the
It is

hardy, tenacious of

in

May.

be firm, of good flavour, and to resemble that of the Perch.

and the

baits used for

and the

largest specimen

;

township of

and spawns

life,

in weight.

I

capture, are the

its

known was

same

as those taken

by

not supposed to exceed one

hope at some future period to be able to add further

details.

While

fishing in the

month of August

last in the

Thames below Woolwich,

with the mouth of a whitebait net open against a strong flood-tide,

caught a

I

single specimen of Cyprimis Dobiila of Linuceus, but have not been fortunate

enough

any more

to obtain

Bloch, No.

common

5, is

to the Elbe, the

but has not, that I

site coast,

am

taken in any river of England.
of Klein,

and

to the

This species, well described and figured by

since.

same

Weser, and other

i-ivers

on the oppo-

aware, been recorded before as having been

This

fish also

belongs to the genus Leuciscus

division of that genus as the Graining, Leuciscus

Lancastriensis.

The specimen taken was 6§
slender in proportion to

its

inches long, and being a young male

was

fish,

The general colour a dusky blue on

length.

the

back, becoming brighter on the sides, and passing into silvery white beneath.

The

lateral line,

descending from the upper angle of the operculum, takes a

course along the side parallel to the curve of the belly
size

;

dorsal

orange red

;

and caudal

fins

shutting within

it

;

nostrils pierced

the eye than the upper lip

white

;

first

dusky brown

head rounded and blunt

ray of the dorsal

;

scales of

pectoral, ventral

orange

;

ray

is

second the longest, the

short,

and large

and the

lakes, in

VOL. XVII.

last

it

fins

pale

side of the head, rather nearer

arising half-way between the anterior edge of

last

ray double.

which

and anal

cheeks and operculum silvery

the orbit of the eye and the end of the fleshy portion of the
short, the

moderate

upper jaw the longest, the under jaw

;

on the upper

irides
fin

;

;

deposits

ray double

Bloch
its

c

;

tail,

the

first

of the anal fin also, the

ray
first

says, this fish prefers clear rivers

spawn

in the

months of March and


10 Mr. Yarrell's Descriptions of three British Species 0/fresh-water Fishes.

for its

on worms, small white snails, and water-insects. In
somewhat resembles our Roach, but is much less deep
length, and darker in colour it seldom exceeds half a pound in weight,

and

not in

April.
its

It is said to feed

appearance this

is

fish

;

swim near

much esteem

as

an

article of food.

Like most of those

fishes that

the surface, the specimen herein referred to died very soon after

being taken out of the water.

D.

9.

The numbers

P. 16.

V.

9.

of fin-rays were as follows

A. 10.

C. 20.

:


2'rans. linn, Soc.

]

.

T/u

(^r/y///l//l(/

VcLXni. 'lab. i'.j

2.rhe^h/iri//c

.



[

III.

11

]

By Mr. David

Observatiom on the Tropseolum pentaphyllum of Lamarck.

Don, Lihr. L.S.
Read December

This
Plata,

a native of the regions bordering on the Rio de la
collecappears to be far from rare, as it occurs in most of the
It was first discovered by
have seen from those countries.

curious plant

where

it

is

we
Commerson and from the materials
a

ralist, Lamarck was enabled to give

tions that

18th, 1832.

collected

;

figure

by that indefatigable natu-

and description of the species

in

MModlque, under the appellation of
the botanical part of the Encyclopddie
misapplied to a plant
Tropceohan pentaphyllum—^ name, it will be admitted,
of the same
description
whose leaf is merely deeply lobed. Another figure and
occurs in
under a different, although no less objectionable name,
plant, but

Professor Hellenius, and

an academical dissertation on this genus, by
Lamarck had appeared.
at Abo in 1789, a short time after those by

published

M. Au-

in his
and
guste de Saint-Hilaire has likewise given a figure
Notwithstanding these several authorities,
Plantes Umelles des BrasiUens.
hitherto but partially understood and
the characters of the plant have been

description of

it

;

it

was

liarities

of

while on a

we

gardens that the pecu-

not until its recent introduction to the British
its

structure have been ascertained.

visit at

Edinburgh

are indebted for

its

to

my

In the month of August

much-esteemed friend Mr.

had

introduction, I

Neill, to

last,

whom

the pleasure of seeing this interest-

ripe fruit, which has enabled me to
ing plant in flower, and subsequently with
a new genus. The most
determine its claims to be regarded as the type of

remarkable peculiarity

is

in the nature of

berry, not unlike, both in appearance

the reduced

number

of

its

and

its

fruit,

which

flavour, the

is

a black, juicy

Zante grape.

Besides

petals, a character the importance of which

I

am

likewise differs in the valvate
not disposed to insist much upon, the genus
pointed out by M. Auguste de Saintaestivation of its calyx, (a distinction first
Neither of these characters has
Hilaire,) that of Tropceolum being imbricate.
c 2

:

Mr. Don's

12

Obser'vatlons on the

been noticed in the figures and descriptions of the plant which have recently

appeared in the Botanical Magazine and Register.

am

I

inclined to think

that Tropa'olum dipetalum of the Flora Peruviana will prove to be a second

species of this genus, and

when

of other genera,
better

it is

may

possible that Tropceolum

include the types

the nature of the fruit in the different species becomes

known.

Tlie genus Tropceolum

was originally included by Jussieu among

but he afterwards changed his opinion somewhat, in considering

a distinct group

;

still

by continuing to place

his Gerania;

it

the type of

adhering, however, to his former views of

its affinity,

it

next that family, in which he has been followed by

Richard, DeCandolle, Auguste de Saint-Hilaire, and other botanists of deserved

eminence.

The

Tropceolece differ in

the Geraniacece, particularly in the

and other parts of the flower

;

many important

points of structure from

want of symmetry between the stamina

in the structure of their stigmata

in their

;

thick, fleshy cotyledons, with the short radicle placed between their lobes; in

the conspicuous plumule, by their axillary flowers

They have always appeared

of stipules.

to

me

;

and

to be

finally in the

more nearly

absence

related to

the CapparidecE than to any other family, being principally distinguished from

them by the quinary arrangement of the petals and lobes of the calyx. In the
hypogynous insertion and indefinite number of the stamina, in the inequality
of the petals, pendulous ovula, thick, fleshy cotyledons, absence of albumen

and

stipules,

and

in tlie axillary inflorescence, both families agree precisely.

In the Tropceolece there

column

is

likewise an evident indication of the pistilliferous

On comparing

so conspicuous in Cappariclece.

Hippocastcmece

many

as the quinary arrangement of the petals

of

this family

striking analogies present themselves

and lobes of the

symmetry between the stamina and other parts of the

ture of the ovarium, which in both

is

;

calyx, the absence

flower, in the struc-

formed by the union of

nionospermous carpels, in the absence of albumen,

with the

such, for example,

three, mostly

in the structure cf the

embryo, having large, thick cotyledons, which become united as the seed
advances towards maturity, with a conspicuous plumule, and a disproportionately small radicle.
in structure
for,

between

It is interesting to trace these

families,

remarkable coincidences

which apparently have no

real affinity together

although the Hippocastanece are chiefly distinguished from Tropxolece by


Tropseolum pentaphyllum of Lamarck.

and terminal

their habit, opposite leaves,

admit that there

exists

13

am

inflorescence, I

not disposed to

any relationship between them*.

The Tmptvolew, consisting of Tropceolum, Magallana, and the genus now under
consideration, form a small group peculiar to South America, and, as far as
yet

to the portion of that continent included between the 10th

know,

The

degrees of S. latitude.

three genera are chiefly distinguished by their fruit,

for as far as regards the structure of the flower they are pretty

now proceed

I shall

we

and 48th

to give the essential character

much

alike.

and a detailed

descrip-

tion of the genus.

CHYMOCARPUS.
Trop^olt

Octandria Monogynia.

Syst. Linn.

Trop^ole^,

Ord. Nat.

Calycis cestivatio valvata.

Char, essknt.
Descr.

sp. Auctt.

Juss.

Petala

Pericarpium baccatum

2.

Calyx monophyllus, 5-fidus, subbilabiatus

basi calcarato

:

lohis ovatis,

;

lahio superiore trilobo,

subsequalibus, sestivatione valvatis

minima, in labio superiore, spathulata, integerrima. Stamina
insequalia

:

biloculares
lutis,

Jilamenta subulata, basi dilatata
:

8,

Petala

!

:

valvulis distinctis, invo-

septum constituentibus (subinde antherse quasi 4-loculares

Ovarium

Stylus triqueter, glaber.

Fructus

solitariis,

:

triloculare

Stigma tridentatum

bacca sapida, tricocca

:

2,

hypogyna,

antherce obtusae, tetragonae,

locidis parallelis, connatis, turgidis

longitudinaliter solutis.

vis.

:

!

:

coccis

!)

demilm

ovulis solitariis, appensis.

:

dentibus subulatis, recur-

monospermis, abortu seep^

subglobosis, leevibus.

Herba (Bonariensis) scandens, radice tiiberosd, perenni. Caules^liformes, glabri,
purpara.sceiites. Folia alfenia,petiolata, quinato-partita

obhngis, obsolete 7nucr(mulatis,

:

segmentis

venis atroptirpureis, pollicaribus, basi angustatd substipitatis
longiorihus.

Vei\o\iJiliformes, glabri, bipollicares, virides,

* Since these obseirations
intitled, "

De

were written,

floribus et affinitatibus

striking analogies

I

elliptico-

integemmis, membranaceis, subtits glaucis,
;

intermediis

plerumque fiexu^

have seen a learned memoir by Professor Keeper of Basle,

Balsaminearum," in which that acute botanist has also noticed the

between the Hippocastanea and Tropaolea.

others in placing near to the Geraniacece.

The

latter family

he follows Jussieu and


Mr. Don's Observations on

14

Flores axillares,

osoconvoluti, cirrhmn mentientes.
culat'i, contorsioiie

the
solltarii,

Pedunculi assurgentes,

pediincuU scepk resup'mat'i.

Calyx: tubo eruhescenti: limbo

formes, eruhescentes, 3-unciales.

atroviolacea, sapore dulci gratissimo, magnitud'tne et figwdferi
.

Jili-

virtdi,

Bacca pulposa,

Petala pun'icea.

intus punctis lineolisque sanguineis notato.

1

long^ pedun-

Uvse minoris.

C. pentaphylliis.

Tropseolum pentaphylluin.

PL

ii.

Persoon Syn.

p. 299.

DeCand. Prodi:
Bat.

Mag.

T. quinatum.

p. 684.

1.

Diet.

i.

\.

p. 612.

Illustr.

Smith

p. 405.

t.

177-

t.

fVilld. Sp.

Rees Cyclop,

in

Usuel. Bras.

St.-Hil. PI.

Lindl. in Bot. Reg.

3190.

t.

Lam.

t.

in loco.

Grah.

A\.

in

1547.

Hellen. Diss, de Tropceoh, p. 20,

cum

tahuld.

Habitat in Agri Bonariensis locis arenosis (Commerson, Tweedie); in regionibus Cisplatinis.

Herb. Linn.

The name

is

fil.

et

A. de St.-Hilaire,

succiis,

and

xccg7ro?,fructus, in allusion to the

is

termed equitant, the anterior and

which are also most frequently the

inclosing the lateral ones.

lobed and unguiculate

;

The

in this genus.

and Capparidece, that variety of imbricate

generally obtains which

posterior lobes,

(v. v. c. et s. sp. in

.

which forms so remarkable a peculiarity

fruit,

In the calyx, both of Tropceolece
aestivation

11

Lamb.)

derived from x^mz,

juicy nature of the

Sello.

largest, overlapping

and

petals in both families are often unequal,

and the anthers adnate,

erect,

tetragonal, having

prominent valves, with involute edges, so as to give them the appearance of
being composed of four

cells.

In habit Cleome and Tropceolum are not unlike;

the leaves in both are peltately lobed

;

and

C. violacea

in

Cleomella the flowers are strictly axillary and solitary
there

is

;

and

in the

and were

it

genus

not that

a scandent species of Cleome, namely, C. longipes of DeCandolle, the

climbing habit of Tropceolum might have been urged against the approximation of the

two

families.

In the flowers of some species of Cleome, such, for

example, as C. gigantea, particularly in the bud
is

apparent at the base of the calyx, which

of a spur.

On

state,

may

the leaves of Cleome glandulosa similar glands occur to those

which are observed in 3fagallana, in which genus,

ovarium

is

a considerable gibbosity

be regarded as an indication

biiocular,

it

is

to be remarked, the

and the stigmata consequently reduced

to two.


15

Tropseolum pentaphyllum of Lamarck.

In Tovaria, a genus clearly referrible to Capparidece, the stamina vary from
In the
6 to 9, the stigma is 8-cleft, and the fruit is a round, sessile berry.

neighbouring group of Resedacece the stamina are also variable in number,

and the stigmata are 3 or

4.

In the Geraniacece, as has been well remarked by that accurate observer

M. Auguste de

Saint-Hilaire, the

same variety of

aestivation occurs as in Tro-

but in the former the styles are simply united, and the anthers
incumbent, being attached to the filaments by their middle, with compressed

pceolece;

paralltil cells,

united by a linear connectivum.

The stigmata

are filiform

and

piuinose, and the insertion of the stamina rather perigynous than hypogynous.

These circumstances, together with what has already been advanced, have led
me to dissent from the opinion of some of the most eminent authorities in
systematic botany, regarding the affinities of Tropoeolece, whose proper station,
I

am

fully persuaded, is

near to the Capparidece and Cruciferce.