NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 51 



is very durable and strong, and is used where these properties are 

 required. 



Laurel. — This is an inferior wood, and is used for the commonest 

 purposes. 



Myrtus luma, "Luma," — So hard that it is used for cart-axles. 



Persea lingue, "Lingue." — A valuable timber tree. The wood 

 resembles cheap mahogany, and is used to make office furniture, 

 etc. 



"Belloto." — That is acorn, and so called because the fruit re- 

 sembles an acorn. 



Fruits. — The fruits cultivated in Chile are nearly all introduced 

 from the Old World: — Vine, Fig, Orange, Olive, Peach, Almond, 

 Plum, Apricot, Cherry, Mulberry, Walnut, Pomegranate, Pear, 

 Quince, Apple, Melon, and Cucumber. The only valuable native 

 fruit is a variety of strawberry; the others — "Bolclo," "Maqui," 

 "Quilo," "Peumo," "Avellano," etc. — rank no higher than our 

 hips, haws, sloes, and brambles. 



Grains. — The chief grains are wheat and maize. 



February 25th, 1879. 



Professor John Young, M.D., F.G.S., President, in the chair. 



Messrs. John C. Dougall, James Neilson, jun., and David 

 Macbrayne, were elected Ordinary Members. 



It was agreed to place on the record a notice of the death of 

 Mr. George Thomson, a corresponding member of the Society, and 

 that an extract from the minutes should be sent to the 

 surviving relatives of the deceased, accompanied by an expression 

 of the sincere sympathy of the members with them in the loss 

 they have sustained. 



Mr. Thomson was originally connected with the Naturalists' 

 Society, which became incorporated with the Natural History 

 Society in 1866, and for some years after the union he took an 

 interest in the business, and a share in the management of the 

 Society. He was unanimously elected a corresponding member 

 before he left this country for Western Africa for the purpose of 

 establishing a sanatorium for the benefit of missionaries labouring 

 in that field. For the accomplishment of this object he worked 

 with untiring zeal, and had the satisfaction before his death of 



