68 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Stokes Bay. (2) Chara canescens {=C. crinita), obtained from 

 a pool between Helston and the Lizard, W. Cornwall, by 

 Mesara. Gruardia and Groves, and also at Little Sea, Studlaud, 

 Dorset, by Mr. Mansell Pleydell. 



Mr. George Murray showed dried and moistened examples of 

 an Alga, Glceocapsa, found by Mr. Pryer in bird's-nest caves in 

 North Borneo. 



Mr. J. G. Baker read the followiug letter from Mr. W. Brock- 

 hurst, of Didsbury, dated November 17, 1884 : — " On April 2 

 I had the pleasure of exhibitiog to the Society a number of 

 prepared specimens of the Daftbdil, which appeared to prove 

 that double Daffodil flowers might produce seeds ; and I advanced 

 some arguments, based upon the observations I had made, to 

 show that they were spread over wide areas in a wild state by 

 seeding. The specimens showed the seed-vessels filled with 

 ovules ; but this did not fully prove that ripe seeds capable of 

 germination would be matured. I therefore carefully observed 

 a number of flowers of double Daffodils (^Narcissus telamonius 

 plenus) and marked them as they went out of bloom, to prevent 

 any mistakes. One of these produced a capsule containing nine 

 shining black seeds, which were gathered June 24th, and at once 

 sown in a pot and covered with a sheet of glass. Of these seeds 

 four have already germinated, and show grass-like growths an 

 inch above the soil. This therefore completes the proof; and if 

 you tbink it will interest the Liunean Society, I shall be glad if 

 you will communicate it on my behalf at the next meeting." 



Mr. W. T. Thiselton Dyer showed and made some remarks on 

 some sterile runners of Mentha piperita, on the remains of 

 flowers of Epilobium hirsutum, both taken from a wreath found 

 by Prof. Maspero in a tomb near Thebes, and supposed to be of 

 tlie 20th or 20th dynasty. Mr. Dyer also exhibited fresh flowers 

 of Ipomcea purpureo-ccerulea. 



Mr. Thomas Christy exhibited two specimens of Lycaste 

 Skinneri, Lindl., one with two flowers on one stem, the other 

 with an abortive lip, adherent for the greater part of its length 

 to the column. He also drew attention to samples of the tea 

 (probably a species of Ilex) used largely in Bogota, but which isj 

 said to be deficient in flavour. 



Mr. E. C. Stanford thereafter showed some of the products! 

 derived from Seaweed, viz. : — Algiu, the insoluble form of which) 

 (Alginic acid) can be made into shirt-studs resembling hornjl 

 the soluble Algin (or Alginate of Soda), which diminishes the] 

 brittleness of Shellac, besides other uses. 



The following papers were read ; — 

 1. "Remarks on Cinchona Ledgeriana, Moens, as a Sj^ecies."] 

 By E. M. Holmes, P.L.S. 



