38 

 599. -THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENT. 



A special instancr of the influence of environment in the growth 

 of plants has recently been observed. 



For a series of \ ears observations have been made on the growth 

 of Omphalea, megacarpa, Hemsly. In the native forest this plant is 

 found as a climber covering trees to the height of 70 or 80 feet, and 

 not flowering or fruiting until it readies their topmost branches-. 

 Seed was obtained and trees were planted in an open sunny spot 

 where there was nothing for the plant to climb upon. For several 

 years it threw out long trailing branches with the evident intention 

 of " going away " upwards. For the last two years, however, its 

 growth has been vigorous, but less of the climbing habit was visible 

 and flowers were produced in 1903 sueeeeded by two fruits, and in 

 1904, by several fruits. 



A similar instance was formerly observed in a plant known as 

 lioupcllia grata. Of this Ave have also plants '•> feet high in flower in 

 the open, while in one planted near a tree, it has grown fully sixty 

 feet high and flowered in the topmost branch* of its host. 



600.-ANIBA MEGACARPA, Hemdey, n. sp. 



In Hooker's Icones Plantarum, Vol. 4. pari •'!. ofNovember, 1903. 



is published a description by W. Botting Hemsley. Esqre., of a species 

 of Laurineae, which is new to the West Indian tlora. Its discovery 

 was first recorded in Bulletin, Vol. 4, p. 103, 1901. Fruits, however, 

 were sent on to Kew in 1900, and again in 1901, with flowers, and 

 drawings of the flower. It was brought in by a native collector 

 from the districts of Guapo and Tabaquite. It is there known as 

 •" Laurier Matac," and is said to be a good hard wood timber, the 

 trees growing to bo feet in height. Seeds were procured and sown 

 and three plants are now growing at the Experiment Station. The 

 fruit is in appearance much like a huge acorn, and over three inches 

 in length. It stands in the Trinidad Herbarium as No. 6786. It is 

 mi far unique in West Indian collections. 



601.-JAMAICA PRIZES FOR SMALL HOLDINGS. 



The Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural Society for February, 



L904, contains a very interesting report by Mr. C'radwick. travelling 

 Agricultural Instructor, which was read at a meeting of the Society 

 held 28th .January. I'.KH. 



As the ieporl is held by the Societj for future consideration it 

 would be premature to discuss its points, bu1 it is reproduced in full 



for the benefit of reader- of the Bulletin. 



Sir, 



1 beg to submit the following reporl on the Prize Holdings Com- 

 petition in the Parish of Westmoreland : — 



" ; Assisted by the Rev. K. Arnett I visited and examined !>2 

 Holdings. We awarded the fifteen prizes offered by the Jamaica 



