398 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 



Loranths ' feeding ' (to adopt Mr. Bentham's expression) other 

 Loranths (i.e., representatives of the genus Loranthns). He 

 would draw particular attention to these because they seemed to 

 throw light upon the question of the interpretation to be placed 

 upon a remarkable statement in the " Narrative of a Visit to 

 the Australian Colonies" by the late Mr. James Backhouse, a 

 very capable botanist and a keen and accurate observer : — 

 " 20th [July, 1835]. Three species of the genus Loranthus, 

 which consists of plants, allied to Mistletoe, grow parasitically 

 on trees in this neighbourhood [" a few miles to the east of 

 Sydney"]. They have handsome blossoms, a little like Honey- 

 suckle, but with more green, than yellow or red in them. Two 

 of them have external roots adhering to the bark of the trees 

 that support them, and incorporating themselves with it; but 

 occasionally, one of these species happens to grow upon the other, 

 and then it emits no external root ! This is a striking instance 

 of that power, sometimes exhibited by a plant, to adapt itself to 

 circumstances, and which is called Vegetable Instinct." 



At next Meeting discussion would be invited upon the subject 

 of the relationship subsisting between two Loranths under the 

 conditions indicated. As well-established Loranth-fed Loranths 

 were scarce and difficult to obtain. Members who were able to 

 show specimens were especially requested to be good enough to 

 do so. 



