M ISC ELLA XEO UH SOTEb. 





No. XIX.— AN INTEKESTINO CASE OF DlSTI!Jm TION. 



Tho genus I'o(/<mia of the Orchideiu has two species growing in the 

 Bombay Presidency, P. carinata, Lindl., and P. plicata, Lindl. In June 

 last, 1 found an orchid near Koppa, Ktidur District (Western (Jhats of 

 Mysore), which when sent to Coinibatore was identified as Poyonia jirai- 

 niana. King and Prantling. This orcliid has not hitherto been described 

 in Mysore or the Bombay Presidency. Its occurrence in Mysore and its 

 absence in the neighbouring country is a remarkable instance of dis- 

 tribution. 



Bangalore, iith March lt>17, 



M. K. VENKATA KAO, 



Senior Assistant Mycologist. 



No. XX.— FALL OF SEED IN KAIN STORM. 



( )u the night of April li*th last there was a heavy rain storm over a wide- 

 spread area of the Junagadh State registering from i^O to 7o cents in the 

 various villages. Over the whole area tlie rain was accompanied by a fall 

 of seed locally known as Lai Jowari (or red jowari). I enclose a specimen of 

 the seed collected. 



The phenomenon is recognised bj^ the villagers and in their opinion 

 presages a tine season and generally good luck. 



This seed does not occnr in Kathiawar and must have been blown in from 

 some neighbouring province. I am informed by the oldest Jain priest here 

 that such falls occur at intervals of five or seven years and are invariably 

 followed by a bumper season. Perhaps some of our members may have 

 noticed similar occurrences in other parts of the country ? 



E. BIJOOK-FOX. 



JUXAGADU, KaTHIAWAK, 



nth April 1917. 



[The seed sent is a variety of Snrghiiin viilgarc. Pers. — Eds.] 



t-'O 



