140 Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 



Oswestry and Ludlow, with occasional observations." By the Rev. 

 T. Salwey. (See p. 90 of the present Number.) 



2. Dr. Seller read part of a paper, entitled " Observations on some 

 Plants obtained from the shores of Davis's Straits." 



3. " On Datura tatula, as a Specific for Relief of Asthma." By 

 Mrs. H. N. Ferguson of Biel. In this communication (which is an 

 extract from a letter), the Datura tatula is described as most effica- 

 cious in relieving asthmatical complaints, while the D. Stramonium, 

 the species commonly used, was found quite inert. 



The following directions regarding the preparation of the plant 

 may be deemed useful : — " The proper time for taking up the roots 

 is towards the end of October, when the seed-pods are ripe ; the 

 plants should be drawn from the ground, and the roots cut off, with 

 an inch or two of the stalk. They should then be freed from soil, 

 and dried in the shade. When required for use, the root should be 

 torn into small shreds, and put into a clean tobacco-pipe. The 

 smoke causes no nausea, so that the most delicate lady may use it." 



July 10. — Dr. Douglas Maclagan, President, in the chair. 



The Curator reported that several valuable additions had been 

 made to the Society's collections during the present season, both in 

 the Foreign and British departments, and that the library had re- 

 ceived valuable additions through the liberality of members and 

 correspondents. During the past year the Assistant-Curator has 

 been chiefly engaged in adding to and arranging the Society's her- 

 barium, and he has to acknowledge the valuable assistance rendered 

 by Mr. C. C. Babington of Cambridge, in reducing to order the ex- 

 tensive collection of European plants. A very valuable and instruc- 

 tive series of these has been selected for the Society, the remainder 

 being set aside for distribution among the members. Much of 

 the Assistant -Curator's time has also been employed in the distribu- 

 tion of the Society's duplicates, especially to foreign members. This 

 work is now nearly completed. A large collection of British plants 

 which have been accumulating for several years is now being ar- 

 ranged, and specimens for the Society selected, in order to fill up 

 the different sections marked out in Mr. Brand's plan for arranging 

 that part of the herbarium. A detailed account of the donations to 

 the herbarium and library will be published in the annual report. 



The following communications were read : — 



1. Dr. Seller read the remainder of his paper, entitled '* Observ^a- 

 tions on some Plants from the shores of Davis's Straits." 



2. " On two species of Desmidiece." By Mr. J. Ralfs. 



Mr. James M'Nab exhibited a Pelargonium bearing two distinct 

 varieties of flowers which were strikingly dissimilar, and were 

 growing on separate branches, no artificial means having been em- 

 ployed in their production. 



Dr. Neill exhibited a specimen of the Tussac grass, received from 

 the Falkland Islands. 



