142 



of the species and unworthy of a varietal name. The antiquity of 

 the species was shown by the discovei-y by Dr. G. M. Dawson of well 

 preserved specimens in the rocks of the Laramie age in the North- West 

 Territories. 



Dr. H. B. Small read an entertaining account of a volume of lec- 

 tures on botany which he had recently acquired. These lectures were 

 delivered at Harvard University in 1788 by Dr. Benj. Waterhouse and 

 were the first lectures delivered in America upon botany of which we 

 have any record. 



Mr. Robert Whyte spoke for some time upon the subject of bog 

 plants, and illustrated his remarks by exhibiting a fine collection of the 

 local species. The various so called insectivorous forms were treated of 

 and the theories as to their powers of digesting food discussed. This 

 address gave rise to much animated and edifying discussion in which 

 many valuable items of information were brought out. 



Messrs. Baptie, Harrington, Ballantyne and Fletcher took part in 

 the discussion. The sundews and pitcher plants were discussed and 

 their habits and structure explained. 



During the evening the following note by Prof John Macoun, was 

 read : 



NOTE ON THE POISONOUS PROPERTIES OF THE 

 AGARICUS ROD MAN I. 



KY JOHN MACOUN, M.A., F.L.S., F.RS.C. 



During the past autumn many edible mushrooms have been col- 

 lected in the vicinity of the city, some of which have had doubts thrown 

 upon their value by an unfortunate occurrence which took place early 

 in September. 



A lady purchased two lots of mushrooms on the market, one from 

 the stalls and the other from the open market. The latter lot was 

 that from which the lady partook and which resulted in her death. 



Late in September Mr. Martin Benson of this city also purchased 

 a lot on the market and when thoy were being cooked his wife noticed 

 that they had an offensive smell and the family refused to eat them. 

 A few were sent to the writer who advised Mr. Benson not to use them 

 as they were to say the least of it, unpleasant to both taste and smell. 



