Part 40

Footnote 34:

Without close examination, this plant appears to be a uredo; but it is in fact a sphæria. Uredo differs from sphæria chiefly in the vessels not containing the capsules in cells, but loose. Hoffman observes, that both sphæria and uredo discharge pollen from an orifice; but, if the summit of this plant be cut off, the capsules are obvious.

Footnote 35:

I am uncertain whether this plant has been noticed. Sphæria granulosa of Sowerby, and sp. tentaculata of Batsch, may be it in a young stage of growth; sp. faginea of Lamarck does not accord well with it.

Footnote 36:

Pileus—conical, one inch occasionally in diameter—pale gray becoming ocherous, summit orange, flesh thin.

Lamellæ—fixed, white, four in a set, stained in places.

Stipes—fistular, long, chestnut at the base, upwards pale brown root long, trailing, woolly.

Footnote 37:

This is the phallus esculentus of some; but Jussieu, Persoon, and others, have removed it from that genus, on account of its having no volva, but seeds in cells, not contained in a glareous mucus.

Footnote 38:

See note Q, appendix.

Footnote 39:

See note R, appendix.

Footnote 40:

As an event connected with the subject of temporary augmentation and diminution of creatures, I may be pardoned for noting the predominant increase of sex in some years. The most remarkable instance, that I remember of late, was in 1825. How far it extended I do not know, but for many miles round us we had in that year scarcely any female calves born. Dairies of forty or fifty cows produced not more than five or six, those of inferior numbers, in the same proportion, and the price of female calves for rearing was greatly augmented. In the wild state, an event like this would have considerable influence upon the usual product of some future herd. In the ensuing spring, we had in the village an extraordinary instance of fecundity in the sheep afforded us, one farmer having an increase of sixteen lambs from five ewes, four of which produced three each, and one brought forth four; however, only a small portion of these little creatures lived to maturity.

Footnote 41:

See note S, appendix.

Footnote 42:

See note T, appendix.

Footnote 43:

See Ray’s Synopsis.

Footnote 44:

he organ, which inflicts the pain, or sting, when we incautiously handle the nettle, is well known to be connected with a little vessel containing an acrid fluid, which being compressed, rushes up the tube of the organ, and is thus conveyed into the wound; and it is rather singular, that the larvæ of the admirable butterfly, which feeds upon the large hedge nettle, has the spines which arise from its body branched, and each collateral hair arises from a little bulb, similar to that of the plant on which it is chiefly found.

Footnote 45:

See note U, appendix.

Footnote 46:

Linnean Transactions, vol. vii.