xl
Journal of Proceedings.
English leave, he had gone after him, and found that he had a box in his
pocket—Mr. English was never without a box—(laughter)—and he had it
there. It contained—preserved by Mr. English's wonderful method—a
specimen of the Bird's-nest Orchis (Neottia nidus-avis) from Epping
Forest, and some plants of the Water Crowfoot, concerning which Mr.
English communicated the following note :—
" I have a little incident to bring before you, relating to a condition or
adaptation of plant-life. The fact has in all probability been observed
before, although not generally known, but may be of interest to the young
botanist.
" The usual habitat of the Water-Crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) is,
as its name implies, in pools of water, where its moss-like foliage grows
submerged during the greater part of the year. In the spring it grows up
to the surface of the water, produces its lobed floating leaves, white
flowers, and perfects its head or fruit of beaked achenes. This is the
normal condition of the plant. But in a dry season, such as we have
just passed through, the pools of water often partially dry up, depriving
the crowfoots of the necessary conditions for the development of their
secondary lobed floating leaves. Under these circumstances, however,
the plants frequently produce flowers and fruit springing direct from the
moss-like submerged foliage, an incident which never happens when the
Batrachian Ranunculi are growing in their usual stations surrounded by
water. When heavy rains occur, the specimens begin to throw up their
lobed leaves, and rapidly assume the normal characters of the species.
I exhibit specimens showing the variations above described."
The President said he was sure they would welcome short notes like
that of Mr. English's with great pleasure, especially when accompanied,
as that was, with specimens of the objects described. The abnormal
condition pointed out appeared to be of considerable interest. He then
asked the Club to record its thanks to Mr. Fisher Unwin for the very able
paper read that afternoon.
Mr. Unwin, in acknowledging the hearty vote of thanks accorded, said
it had been a* pleasure to him to write the paper at the request of their
Secretary. He thought that a society which had its head-quarters in the
parish of Chigwell, and was visiting the village of Chigwell, ought to
have the history of the place told. He regretted that he had so short a
time, that it was necessarily a meagre epitome. He trusted that the
members would look it up for themselves, for there was a great deal yet
to be told, and he would be glad to have information sent to him. He
thought the history of Buckhurst Hill might be worked at with ad-
vantage.
Mr. Fletcher, President of the Ottawa (Canada) Field Club, thanked the
Club for the welcome which it had extended to himself during his stay in
the old country, and the President having appropriately replied, the
proceedings of a very pleasant meeting — despite the dulness of the
weather—came to an end.