234 Botanical Society of London. 



was only found. The following were the principal plants met with : 

 Ulcx nanus, Carex Odrri, Teesdalia nudicaulis, Lycopodium clavatum 

 and Selago, Littorella lacustris abundant, Hypericum elodes, Anagallis 

 tenella, Luzula congcsta, Trigonella ornithopodioides, Hottonia palus- 

 tris, Hyoscyamus niger, &c. &c. Mr. Gray noticed a new structure 

 in the second year's tuber of the root of Orchis Morio, which led to 

 some discussion. The meeting then adjourned. 



September 7th. — C. Johnson, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 



A paper was read by the Secretary, communicated by the Cu- 

 rator, entitled, " Observations on a new principle of Fencing con- 

 structed by Mr. Breese, formed according to the laws of vegetable 

 physiology." It is in fact a natural living fence, and consists simply 

 of growing and planting for the purpose trees or shoots of the same 

 species, or species of the same genus, and causing them to unite by 

 means of the process of " grafting by approach or inarching." A 

 trench being made around the ground intended to be inclosed, the 

 young trees or shoots are then planted in two directions a foot from 

 each other ; one set, for example, pointing or sloping towards the 

 north, the other set sloping towards the south. Where they cross each 

 other, the bark is removed on both stems, and the two stems are then 

 tied together. In the course of a few weeks they unite, and a natural 

 living fence is formed, acquiring additional strength every year by 

 the deposition of new wood sent down from the upper portion of the 

 shoot bearing leaves, &c. The advantages possessed by this kind of 

 fence over the one usually employed are numerous. It never re- 

 quires to be repaired, living wood resisting the action of the weather. 

 It increases in strength annually. It never requires to be covered 

 with tar, &c. It is cheaper in the first instance than ordinary wooden 

 palings. It may be carried up to any height required for fencing. 

 It may be composed of trees, or shrubs bearing fruit, or armed with 

 prickles. The shoots or small trees to be used are reared in a piece 

 of ground appropriated for the purpose, and are kept trimmed and 

 run up to the proper height for the intended fence, when they are 

 transplanted into the trenches as above described in a good earth. 

 The fences which Mr. D. Cooper describes were on the estate of Sir 

 Thomas Neave at Dugman Park, Essex, and were formed of ash. 



A communication entitled, " Observations on a variety of Poly- 

 gonum aviculare, called P. marinum of Hudson, &c. occurring abun- 

 dantly in the margin of salt-water ditches in Kent and Essex," was 

 also read from Mr. D. Cooper. The Society then adjourned. 



