Journals of Travels in Assam, Burma, Bhootan, Afghanistan and the Neighbouring Countries Part 59

The frond of Ceterach is very frondose-looking, it has stomata on its under surface, and the cells of the cuticle very sinuate. There can be no doubt of the propriety of including the nature of these ramenta and scales in its generic character.

I can see nothing peculiar in the situation of the scales or ramenta to suggest the reason of the situation of the capsules.

In several cases, each pinna appears to have scales only which become barren lobes? the scales and ramenta have the same imbricate situation.

In this country it will be useless to expect more proofs. But the four genera alluded to afford evidence enough, and sufficient to show that these ramenta are formed with reference to some important function, that their universality is incompatible with any functions of such minor degree as are attributed to them by those who represent them to be scales or hairs.

To those who require proof of the existence of the complex male organ of Phaenogams, or of a male of that form with which only they are familiar, I do not address myself; but to the philosophic botanist, who expects to meet with in the lower orders of plants, a lower organization, one with a tendency of reduction to the essential elements, and who bears in mind the comparative anatomy and structure of similar bodies in adjoining, or not very distant groups, I beg leave to suggest the intimate study of the ramenta of Ferns.

Various as the situation of the fructification is, in three out of the above four genera, yet the initial arrangements are precisely the same.

The various forms therefore may not depend proximately on fructification itself, but on the peculiar growth given to the species, in the same way in fact as we have the numerous modifications of the theca in mosses, etc. and the infinite modifications of the carpels in Phaenogams.

(Attention is particularly pointed to those ferns which have general capsules or involucres.

Above all to the Cyatheoid forms.

To Ophioglossum.

To naked Thecae.

To indusiate as Asplenia, etc.)

But however erroneous these views may be, they will still have been of service if general attention is directed by them to plants, in consequence of the suggestions they make. The time now thrown away on isolated species, the station of which, still does not become fixed, when devoted to the philosophical examination of ferns, will rescue botany from one of its numerous reproaches. It is strange that such should exist to the greatest degree in all those families stamped by nature as most distinct. Those chaoses Polypodium, Aspidium, Davallia, would then undergo distinct creation, and the primary divisions of the family would become fixed; and we should then be spared the reproach of drawing characters from organs, of the nature and functions of which we are quite ignorant of, and of the importance of which in a science of demonstration like that of botany, it is impossible to judge, without a true knowledge of structure.

Vide Lindley's Introd. ed. 2, 407, for the protest of Greville and Arnott.

What is the most comprehensive definition of a pistil. A case in which the future organs of reproduction are developed; and here is a most curious circ.u.mstance, namely, that though the calyptra, which is a genuine pistillum containing an _ovulum_, becomes torn up from its base, yet it remains in contact with that part of the seta in which the sporules are developed until these make their appearance, or even later!!

so that one might as well deny a pistillum to a Reseda, or Leontice, as deny it to these plants on the strength of its being torn from its attachments. Sprengel's objections are worthy only of being noticed from their having been quoted by Lindley. The vagueness of his statement destroys all weight.

His objections in all cases amount to the fact, that the _stellulae_ or _buds_ containing the anthers are capable of growth. So is the prolongation of an axis of Anana.s.sa.

A Gemma has a general character in its formation as well as an anther, or as pollen; one is a congeries of cellular tissue, with or without vessels, the other a sac consisting of a single cell containing active molecular matter. As an anther producing a single grain of pollen is not inconsistent with our notions of structure, so neither is an anther consisting of a single grain of pollen.

Will any one show me an instance of a proved gemma taking upon itself the form of one of these anthers? Will any show an instance of a sac containing fluid matter capable of growth _after dehiscence_. The real gemmae of the Hepaticae puts the question of gemmae out of doubt. Is there any plant existing with two sorts of gemmae, so differently const.i.tuted? Many phaenogams have gemma in addition to s.e.xes, so have Hepaticae. Which is the most probable? That they should have no s.e.xes, reproductive organs, and two sorts of gemmae, or s.e.xes, reproductive organs, or gemmae of one evident kind?

I cannot adopt the belief of any one having seen the germination of the powder in the axillary bodies, that is, if applicable to the organs I take for anthers.

(_Memorandum_.--To draw up a parallel between the two sets of organs, and the steps followed in the development of each.)

CHAPTER XX.

_From Pushut to Kettore and Barowl in Kaffiristan_, _and_ _return to Pushut and Cabul_.

_February 20th_.--Fumaria found.

_23rd_.--Cloudy, threatening rain. Swallows coming in, also Fringillaria, with blackish cheek-streaks, also Pyrgita alia, starlings uncommon up to this day about the site of the camp, where there is much straw, and camels are lying. Flocks of _rooks_, genuine rooks, flocks of daws, _minas_, pigeons, and many carrion crows have been daily resorting to camp, all very wild from being constantly fired at, as in this country every man almost has a matchlock. No Gypaetos seen for several days.

_26th_.--Fine weather after two days uncertain, in which the large-headed lark has just come in abundance, this and the _English_ one frequent fields; the crystal one is found almost exclusively on certain stony cultivated places: swallows have likewise arrived with many wild fowl.

Four raptorial birds are now seen about this, or rather three, for Gypaetos has gone, viz. the common kite, or one which looks much like it, a beautiful white slaty-blue and black _harrier_, at least it comes about constantly, and looks much like an Indian species, and much like one I shot high up in Bootan, together with a large blackish and white one, with a _distinct collar_. The fis.h.i.+ng hawk, I saw it yesterday catch a large fish, making a strong rapid plunge boldly into the water, and emerging again from it without much difficulty; its habits except while fis.h.i.+ng, are very sedentary, and it seems to prefer _one spot_, viz.

the top of some particular tree, near perhaps its favourite feeding place.

_27th_.--Another new bird has come in. A _Fringillina_, with curious Flycatcher habits, I have only seen two individuals, they perch towards the top of trees, and thence sally out after winged insects. I examined the contents of its stomach, and found only seeds, gravel, and soft insects.

The sun is increasing wonderfully in power, but the trees are not as yet budded. Shrubby Polygoneae, with flagellate branches and leaves, in which the petiole is as much developed as the lamina, form a curious feature of Affghan Flora; Euphorbia linifolia common, the herbaceous one in profusion.

_28th_.--Spring coming on rapidly, snow not within 2,000 feet of where it was twenty days back, and the sun oppressively hot; winged ants in abundance: whenever this happens it proves the perfection of the crows, which are on all such occasions to be seen acting the part of flycatchers in addition to their various other callings, soaring and sweeping round after these insects, but not returning as Merops or real flycatchers to a fixed station. I have hitherto seen only the jackdaws at this spot in Calcutta, but here the real crow mingles in it.

In Calcutta, the common kite often acts a similar part, but catches only _with its feet_.

A small kingfisher is to be found here _rarely_, it is much like the Indian blue and reddish one, the white and black kingfisher is not seen here, although found at Jallalabad.

The species of _sub_-wader, with a stout upturned beak, is a true Grallator, yet is not always about water, but often in the driest places; the genus has a flight strongly resembling that of certain Anatidae.

A _Monaul_ pheasant, or some similar splendid bird is found in the snows of Kaffiristan, all I have seen of it are a few feathers.

Merula more common, _Anthus_, _Timalia_, observed.

To-day one good specimen of a splendid pinus, allied to P. longifolia, was brought from the mountains, where it is found _among snow_: this makes the third species; one cultivated at Candahar near a mosque; the short-leaved _Julghozeh_, from Tazeen; and this one which has as fine a cone as can be wished.

Where did the profusion of Justicia Adhatoda which I find here come from, is it not a distinct species?

_March 2nd_.--Proceeded to Chugur Serai, started from the other side of the ferry at 11.30 A.M., and reached at 4 P.M. No halt of any consequence on the road. Pa.s.sed Nachung at 12.50: the first rocky ground occurred at the narrow part of the north side of the valley 2.25.

15th.--And thence to Chugur 4 P.M., distance certainly thirteen miles.

Road decent, good about half-way, where it extends over cultivation on firm ground, then over rocky, stony, raviny ground. From the 12.50 station, the valley becomes much narrower, and the river confined to one bed: cultivation scanty, between this and Chugur, where, about 400 yards of excessively difficult ground occurred, commanded by the precipice under which the path, which is execrable, runs. It is quite impa.s.sable for guns.

After this the country traversed seemed to be well cultivated: and even picturesque.

The fort is nothing particular; it is placed on the right bank of the river, which is deep, narrow and raviny: descent to the river abrupt. The bridge very richly ornamented, and of curious and simple Bootan timber construction.

Town small, and the people very civil: I lodged in Meer Alum's own house.

Iris crocifolia abundant, towards Chugur, a Mazus or Stemodia.

Mimosa that of the Khyber, common, Polygoni in abundance on the rocks, Dodonaea.

The hills about Pushut are here only recognisable in two instances, the central one presenting three peaks, next to it the barren cliff, and the three mountains south-west of Dhurrah.

_3rd_.--Proceeded to Bala Chugur Serai, which is not more than six miles up the river, occasionally pa.s.sing along the stony bank under hills, otherwise over cultivation, which is conducted in terraces.

The scenery pretty, reminding me of low parts of Bootan, although much more barren; watercourses well made: two _kafir_ ruins pa.s.sed; valley very narrow, but rather straight. Both chakor and small partridges common. Vegetation is here the same as elsewhere. Zaitoon trees, Mimosa, Euonymus, Dodonaea, Amygdalus in abundance, Polygonum of yesterday.

The stony slopes of hills, covered with Andropogoneous gra.s.ses. Rice, beans, wheat, oranges, _toot_, _chanra_. Narcissus in swarms, brought in from the _kafirs_.

Another bridge was here crossed, the same as at lower Chugur Serai. No tributaries pa.s.sed, the river fordable at rapids, but the road is not pa.s.sable for guns.