XVI PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



an account of the situation and altitude at which they had been 

 gathered; and the Chairman made some remarks on the geo- 

 graphical distribution of each species. 



Mr. C. Sherry exhibited a few typical specimens of the useful 

 and beautiful group of plants included in Scitaminece, viz. : 

 HedychUtm Gardner ianuin, representing the Ginger order 

 (Zingiberacece) ; Canna indica, representing the Arrowroot 

 order ( Marantacece ) ; and Strelltzla regince, representing the 

 Banana order {Musaceai). He described the flower of Canna 

 indica, which is of a very peculiar type. The androecium is 

 represented by a number of petaloid staminodes, only one of 

 which — the posterior stamen of the inner whorl — is found with 

 a, dimidiate or one-celled anther. One of the staminodes is 

 larger than the others, and is reflexed, forming a labellum. 

 The style is also petaloid, the stigma forming a withered sur- 

 face at the apex. The fruit is three-celled, and the seeds, which 

 are spherical and very hard, are sometimes used as shot in the 

 East Indies; hence the name, "Indian Shot." Strelltzla regince 

 is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. The flower-stalk is 

 encircled by the sheath of the leaf -stalk, while its upper portion 

 gives rise to a large bract or spathe, placed obliquely, within 

 which are the flowers. The perianth consists of six segments in 

 two rows : the three outer are ovate-lanceolate, and of a bright 

 orange colour; and the inner are unequal in size, of a bright 

 purple colour, united together, each lobed on the outer side and 

 concealing within a fold five perfect and one sterile stamen. 

 The style is thread-like, and the stigma is divided into three 

 linear branches. This is considered one of the most gorgeous 

 flowers in cultivation. 



Mr. Sherry stated that a remarkable Banana, probably the 

 largest in Britain, could now be seen at the Royal Botanic 

 Gardens, Glasgow. It has a soft herbaceous stem 14 feet high, 

 and bears many immense leaves measuring 13 feet x 4 feet. 

 These are traversed by a large midrib of purplish colour, which 

 renders the appearance of the leaves still more remarkable. 

 The plant is a native of Abyssinia, and was recently introduced 

 into this country. 



Mr. James Steel exhibited a small collection of exotic Ferns. 



Mr. William Craibe Angus exhibited the following Birds 

 obtained in Scotland during last autumn, viz. : 



Sabine's Gull, Gavla Sabini. — This species, which is new to 

 the Fauna of Scotland, was first discovered on the coast of 

 Greenland in the breeding season by Capt. Sabine, who re- 

 marked on the courage with which the bird defended its nest. 

 A specimen found in Ireland was exhibited by Mr. Thomson to 

 the Linnean Society in 1834. Other examples have since then 

 been obtained in Ireland, and according to Yarrell two at least 

 have been captured in England. The specimen under notice 



