LINXEAjy SOCIETI OF LOXDON. 3 



in the endosperm. The first leaf of the pkiraule breaks through 

 the cotvledou-sheath, the base of which subsequently becomes 

 fleshy, to form the outermost scale of the young bulb. 



A discussion followed on these exhibitions, in Avhich Messrs. AV. 

 Carruthers, A. W. Bennett, and B. Daydon Jackson took part. 



The President called attention to a specimen of Luzala nivea 

 from a culti\ated plant of unusual dimensions. 



Mr. C. B. Clarke, F.E.S., F.L.S., communicated some Xotes on 

 the types of species of Carex in Boott's Herbarium, on which 

 observations were made by Mr. Carruthers. 



The following paper was read : — 



" On the Life- history of the Black - Currant Gall-Mite, 

 Eriophyes {Phytoptus) ribis, AVestwood." By Cecil AVarburton, 

 M.A., F.Z.S., and Miss Alice Embleton, B.Sc. (Communicated by 

 Prof. G. B. Howes, P.E.S., Sec.L.S.) 



Xovember 21st, 1901. 

 Prof. S. H. A'lXEs, F.E.S., President, in the Chair. 



The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed. 



Mr. Christopher George Keddell was admitted a Fellow of the 

 Societj-, 



The President referred to the experiment made this Session of 

 reserving certain evenings for Botany and Zoology respectively, 

 and pointed out that the continuance of the practice depended 

 upon the cooperation of the Fellows and their attendance in 

 sufficient numbers to warrant such reservation. 



Dr. A. B. Eendle, F.L.S. , showed specimens of Rubvs austmlis, 

 Forster, the ]S'ew Zealand " La\^"yer-A^ne," which had been sent by 

 Mr. F. AV". Burbidge from the Trinity College Botanic Gardens, 

 Dublin. The specimens, which comprised three forms, furnished 

 a striking example of variability within the range of a single 

 species. One, the leafv form, bore leaves with three large leaflets 

 somewhat prickly on the stalks and midrib, recalling our native 

 Blackberry. In an intermediate form the leaflets were much 

 reduced in size, while the stalks were longer and much more 

 prickly. In a third the flat leaf-surface had completely disappeared, 

 the leaves now consisting of an elongated stalk bearing long naked 

 midribs, beset, like the leafstalks and the stem, with strong, short 

 reciu-ving prickles, by means of which the plant climbs over 

 surrounding vegetation. Mr. Burbidge states that the three 

 forms are from three distinct plants, reared from seeds sent from 

 New Zealand ; thev are said to be permanent under cultivation. 



62 



