4 PEOCEEDINOS OF TUE 



usual position in the act of copulation, which in fact, as is shown 

 by the ])hotograph, is as in other Pachyderms. 



Mr. William Wilson, junior, sent for exhibition branches with 

 ripe berries of Toxus haccata and its variety hibemica produced 

 by natural cross-fertilization ; this occurrence of a large crop of 

 Tew-bcrries is very rare so far north as Central Aberdeenshire, 

 where these grew. 



Mr. Thomas Christy exhibited specimens of the seed-pods of 

 Strojyhanthus hispidus, lately received from the Eiver Niger. 

 This form is distinguished by its brown velvety seeds, and is 

 intensely bitter in taste. He also showed another kind, Stro- 

 pTinntlius aurantiacus, grown in Mauritius, from seeds received 

 from Madagascar. This yields a small, very bitter, light-coloured 

 seed, which has yet to be tested for mediciual purposes. 



Mr. J. G. Baker exhibited specimens of Lycopodium albidum, 

 a new species from the Andes of Ecuador, received from Mr. E. 

 V. Sherring ; it is allied to L. clavatum, but with the leaves 

 entirely destitute of chlorophyll except at the very base. There 

 was also shown Neoharonia xipJioclades, a new phyllodineous 

 papilionaceous plant, just received from Madagascar, from the 

 Eev. E. Baron, F.L.S. 



Mr. D. Morris exhibited the following specimens, viz. : — 



(1) A fibre exported from Vera Cruz to the value of nearly 

 £60,000, under the name of Broom Eoot. This was a new article 

 of industry, and investigations carried on at Kew proved that 

 Broom Eoot was simply the root-fibres of one or more species of 

 grass belonging to the genus Epicampes ; one species, viz. Epi- 

 campes macroura, Beuth., was undoubtedly used. The local name 

 is Zacaton, and hence the fibre is known among the Mexicans as 

 Eaiz de Zacaton. 



(2) A Mexican fibre or Ixtli, largely used in this country in 

 the manufacture of nail-brushes, &c. The origin of this fibre 

 has been for a long time obscure. Dr. Percy exhibited at the 

 Kew Museum in 1879 fibre and brushes made from it, said to be 

 derived from Af/ave Sechiquilla, Torr. This species is identical 

 with Af/ave PoseJgerii, Salmdyck, and A. heteracantha, Zucc. A 

 careful examination of the fibre derived from living plants at Kew 

 of A. heteracantlia has established its identity with Mexican 

 fibre or Ixtli. The fibre is short, very tough and rigid, and is 

 evidently well adapted for use in the place of animal bristles. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. " Certain Factors of Variation in Plants and Animals." By 

 Patrick Geddes, F.E.S.Edinb. (Communicated by Dr. James 

 Murie, F.L.S.) 



2. " Copepoda of the Canaries." By Isaac Cooke Thompson. 

 (Communicated by Prof. W. A. Herdman, F.L.S.) 



