70 Botanical Society of Edinburgh, 



with fine specimens of Athyrium JUix-foemina. The party looked in 

 vain for specimens of Carex Grahami in the old station in Glen Fiadh, 

 and they failed in seeing Potentilla tridentata on the rocks near 

 Loch Brandy, which is the station given for it by Don. Dr. Balfour 

 noticed the heights at which the alpine species occurred, and exhi- 

 bited a plan of the alpine district of Scotland, with specimens of the 

 plants arranged upon it at their different altitudes. 



Dr. Balfour stated that, through the kind permission of Colonel 

 Ogilvie, the party had the use of the large hall at Clova, and that 

 Lord Castlereagh offered every facihty for visiting Caenlochan Glen. 



2. "Notes of a Tour on the Hartz Mountains, Part II.," by W. 

 Lauder Lindsay, M.D. 



3. " Note on a Vegetable Substance formed in a water-pipe at 

 Hafton, Argyleshire," by James Hunter, Esq. of Hafton. Commu- 

 nicated by Henry Paul, Esq, 



About twelve months ago, having occasion to bring in an additional 

 supply of water for the use of Hafton House, I had formed a small 

 reservoir or fountain-head, as it is called, from which to lead the 

 water to the then only existing fountain-head, so as to increase the 

 supply in the latter. The connexion between the two was by means 

 of a burnt clay-pipe, 2 inches in diameter, and in lengths of 36 inches, 

 securely fastened at the joinings with Roman cement or mastic, the 

 total length of the piping being 320 yards, secured at each end by 

 zinc roses 4 inches in diameter in order to prevent any impurities 

 passing through the pipe. When the work was finished the supply 

 of water was very good, and it continued so until a fortnight ago, 

 when the running of the water through the tile piping gradually di- 

 minished, and at last almost entirely ceased, a mere driblet, indeed, 

 finding its way into the old fountain-head. Upon examination as to 

 the cause of this change, by raising a considerable portion of the 

 piping, there was found about halfway between the two fountain- 

 heads the vegetable substance herewith sent. It was firmly lodged 

 in one length of the piping and projected an inch or so into another. 



It is very curious to observe that the colour of the water pressed 

 out of this substance when first taken out of the pipe, and saturated 

 as it was, was deep brown, whereas the water itself flowing through 

 the pipe to the very last was as pure as crystal. 



Several new Members were proposed, and the Society then ad- 

 journed till the second Thursday of December. 



December 8, 1853. — Professor Balfour, President, in the Chair. 



The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year : — 



President. — Professor Balfour. 



Secretary. — Dr. Greville. 



Treasurer. — W. W. Evans, Esq. 



Curator of Museum. — Dr. Anderson. 



Assistant Secretary and Curator. — Mr. G. Lawson. 



The following papers were read : — 



1 . ** Notice of a Botanical Trip to Helvellvn, with pupils, in July 

 1853," by Professor Balfour. 



