xvi PKOCEEDINGS. 



pended consisted of the same kind of cones, fixed lengthwise 

 in wire, and, being attached to the baskets by hooks, they 

 couUl be separated from tliem at pleasure, thus facilitating 

 the introduction of the plants. Various dried vegetables, 

 such as Peas, Haricot Beans, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, and 

 Turnips, &c., were exhibited from Peyrusset, Moller, and 

 Co., of Paris. These were stated to have been dried by a 

 process peculiar to M. Gannal, the celebrated embalmer of 

 animal substances. This process is understood to consist 

 chiefly in dividing the larger vegetables into pieces, and 

 placing them in an apparatus into wliich dried air is driven, 

 until they have parted with all their water, and have 

 become perfectly dry. In this condition they may be 

 preserved for any length of time ; it is said that their 

 flavour is not at all interfered with, inasmuch as nothing is 

 taken from them except the water they contained, and that, 

 after they are cooked, they are just as good as when fresh 

 gathered. If these facts, tlierefore, are borne out by expe- 

 rience, the discoveiy is a very important one, even as 

 regards vegetables, more especially to shipowners, for they 

 can be furnished in large quantities at a very cheap rate ; 

 but, in addition to vegetables, fruits— as Apples, Pears, 

 Apricots, &c. — and even flowers, may be dried and pre- 

 served by the same process, and, owing to the rapidity with 

 wliich it is conducted, the latter retain their natural colours 

 almost as brightly as when first obtained from the garden. 

 In confirmation of this, several dried specimens were shown 

 ♦ to the meeting ; and it was mentioned that others would 

 be exposed to public inspection in the " Crystal Palace" in 

 Hyde Park next summer. 



Novelties from the Society's Garden. A rose-coloured 

 variety of the Guatemala Lycaste Candida, Forsythia viri- 

 dissima, a valuable hardy shrub on account of its producing 

 a considerable amount of gaiety during the spring months, 

 either in or out of doors; and two Chinese Azaleas — one 

 obtusa, the other an unnamed sort. The latter will be found 

 useful on account of its having a disposition to flower earlier 

 than most of its neighbours. 



Cuttings of the following Pears were distributed to Fellows : — 



Geout Morceau de Cambron. 



This is an excellent variety, very little known. It is 

 quite distinct from the Glout Morceau. The fruit is more 

 allied to the Napoleon, being exceedingly juicy, sugary, 



