time correctly; but, since that, the standing bough has fallen, and the tree is otherwise fast going to decay. Not the slightest portion of bark was left upon the trunk, although not a bough was affected in that way, nor the leaves thrown off. The fissures reached from the top to the ground, but not in connection; gradually decreasing downwards, except the lowest, which decreased upwards. Pieces of bark were thrown the distance of ninety yards. This was one of six trees standing in a line, and not the tallest. In the summer of 1822, a fine oak was struck by lightning, which was growing on Scottow Common, in the same county; but which, so far from being killed, had continued to grow and flourish till 1828, when it was felled, and proved to be a sound and good tree in most parts. The tree was large and wide-spreading, affording shade in the summer, and shelter in the winter, to the stock turned out to pasture; and, at times, attracted attention from the number which it could cover. From the time of its being struck, not a head of cattle has been near it, not only not seeking its shade, but obviously avoiding the tree as being disagreeable. This (to me curious) fact is attested by many witnesses of the highest respectability; and, if any of correspondents will favour you, and you the public, with the reason for the aversion which the cattle have from this tree, they will much oblige many, and your Yours, &c. Weston Rectory, Nov. 28. 1828. T. W. S. ART. VII. Notice of some Fragments of Orthoceras annulàris and striàta, found in the Barr Limestone in Warwickshire. By FREDERICK JUKES, Esq.; with a Note by J. D. C. SOWERBY, Esq. F.L.S. Sir, THE discovery of the Barr Trilobite, which you did me the favour to insert in a former Number of your Magazine (p. 41.), being new to the English lime formations, I am induced to offer to your notice some fragments of Orthoceratites from the same stratum referred to in my former paper, in the hopes that they may also present some variety in fossils of that nature not already discovered. The enclosed drawing (fig. 67.) may, probably, be worthy of insertion, as it yet bears the marks of a very beautiful external configuration; the section exhibits lumn, with an elevated ring corre sponding to each septum. It is surrounded, also, by a number of beautifully waved lines, which, on the rings, form angular projections. The specimens I have yet seen, from this place, are quite straight, and present, perhaps, three or four varieties. Some specimens (fig. 67.) have elevated rings, with waved lines around them; others (fig. 68.) have slight depressions with longitudinal straight lines. The larger kind are frequently from 2 in. to 3 in. in diameter, and upwards of 1 ft. in length; but the smaller specimens are generally most perfect and beautiful. 68 The shaft from which the new trilobite was obtained, and from which the most perfect orthoceratites may also be procured, is at this time filled with water; and the open-work or out-crop of this stratum being subject to decomposition, from atmospheric influence, very few specimens of value can at this time be obtained. The upper, or Dudley, stratum, which also extends superficially to this place, carries with it all the train of fossils which are found at Dudley and Walsall; but, in the lower stratum, I have not yet heard of any others than the large trilobite and orthoceratites having been found. Since I wrote the above, I have been informed, by Mr. Miller of Bristol, that he has in his possession two specimens of trilobites, discovered in the transition limestone at Ledbury, corresponding precisely, in size and outline, to the large species found in this neighbourhood. Mr. Miller also states, that, at Ledbury, the upper and lower portions of the A'saphus caudatus are abundant, though seldom in a perfect state. The Calymène Tristani is occasionally found there; but the Calymène Blumenbàchii, so plentiful at Dudley, has not yet been discovered. The Orthoceras also occurs there, though not sufficiently perfect to exhibit the external shell. It would be a satisfactory circumstance to persons interested in geology, to know if the orthoceratites, and large trilobite discovered at Ledbury, are found in lower beds to those which contain fossils of the Dudley character. I remain, Sir, &c. FREDERICK JUKES. THE specimens with elevated rings (fig. 67.) are of one species, Orthoceras annulàris Min. Con. t. 133.; the others (fig. 68.), found in Colebrook Dale also, are the Orthoceras striata of Mineral Conchology, tab. 58., a species that is found in the Black Rock near Cork, and in the low beds of limestone near Preston, Kendal, and other parts of the transition series; in none of which, however, as far as I know, has the Barr trilobite been discovered. Many fossil sheils are found with it in all these places, but, according to Mr. Jukes, not at Barr; a distinction which appears extraordinary, and requires to be verified by a diligent search. The figure in Min. Conch. of O. annulàris is taken from a specimen by no means so strongly marked as one sent by Mr. Jukes; but another approaches very near to it, and proves them to be only varieties. 234 PART II. REVIEWS. ART. I. A Flora of Berwick upon Tweed. ston, M.D. &c. Vol. I. - Phænogamous 8vo. 1829. By George John- In the course of time many wise saws have been held current in physic, and many vain promises made by the empirical, yet we are acquainted with no apothegm half so wise as that which is condensed by Dr. Cullen, into two lines of small pica, and read as follows: "I have cured weak stomachs by engaging the persons in the study of botany, and particularly in the investigation of native plants." This being our sovereign panacea for the cure of the ills which flesh is heir to in this great city, we shall be excused for calling our readers' attention, more at large than usual, to one of the best local Floras that has passed through our hands. The northern counties have been more than ordinarily fortunate in the number of active botanists who have resided within their borders. Mr. Winch of Newcastle, so well known among naturalists for his skill and accuracy, has published various works as Guides to the Botanists through this interesting corner of the island. Then, Mr. Thompson, a surgeon in the army, set an excellent example to his migratory brethren, and showed them how they might reap laurels in other fields than those of death, and published "A Catalogue of Plants growing in the vicinity of Berwick," adding thereto many which had not been observed before. The author of the present work, not content with describing species for the hundredth time, and giving a mere catalogue within a limited district, has thrown in many pertinent remarks respecting their geological distribution, their uses in the arts, their physiological phenomena; and in the Flora of a river so celebrated in pastoral as the Tweed, "where flowers of fairy blow," he has noticed the superstitions connected with them in former times, and the illustrations they have furnished to the poet. Not a field nor a flower but suggests to our author some beauty which is veiled from the ordinary passenger. The pleasures of science are thus greatly enhanced, and a higher relish given to the pursuits of life. The district, whose vegetable productions he professes to examine, contains every variety of soil, whether inland or on the sea shore; and is remarkably distinguished also for the variety of its stratification. The catalogue is very properly prefaced with an account of the geology of the neighbourhood, drawn up by a friend of the author, who has justly impressed upon his readers, both by precept and example, the importance of remarking the geological relations of plants. Up to a late period, the compilers of Floras have thought it of more consequence to add a species, than to ascertain its relation to the locality in which it was found; yet every addition to the Flora of a country throws some light on the laws of vegetable distribution. It suggests the questions whether it be indigenous and coeval with the soil; or if introduced, by what means that has been effected. Whether arts or commerce, agriculture or manufactures, superstition or medicine, has brought it; or, which is frequently the case, whether the altered state of the earth's surface has not afforded to Nature, by her ordinary laws, increased means of diffusion. In the days of Gesner, Fumària officinalis was a very rare plant in the fields of southern Europe, and supposed to have come from the East; now it is the commonest weed in corn fields and gardens, from Greece to Lapland. Again, as plants approach the limits of their range, it is often curious to enquire what soils or rocks they prefer. Many south country species,. without showing any particular attachment in places where they abound, become choice as they approach their northern boundary. Some terminate their range on chalk; others on mountain limestone, or red sandstone, or the sea shore. Some, which with us affect the driest soil, occur, in southern latitudes, in moist ones, as Lìnum catharticum. On the contrary, plants coming to us (so to speak) from the north, what strata and soils do they prefer or reject? how are the moisture, the temperature, the isothermal range, compensated for, when plants reach more southern parallels? Daphne Mezèreum may safely be pronounced not to be indigenous; because its head quarters being in the subalpine regions of the north, and its locality in England being in the chalk woods of Hampshire, according to Miller, it is contrary to all our experience of compensation. What is there, again, in the nature of some plants that should dispose them to be vagabonds all over the earth, while others are limited to a single spot? It is very important, also, that botanists should observe the negative list of particular places, as well as the positive. For instance, it is remarkable that Anthemis Cótula (stinking May-weed) should not be found |