80 Linnean Society. [Nov. 17^ 



November 17. 



Mr. Forster, V.P., in the Chair. 



Mr. Janson, F.L.S., exhibited specimens of the Neottia tEstivalis, 

 discovered in August last by liimself and Mr. Branch, near Lynd- 

 hurst, Hampshire, being the first time it had been observed in 

 England. 



Mr. Ogilby, F.L.S., exhibited a specimen in flower of a new 

 species of clover recently introduced from Cabul, remarkable for the 

 quantity of herbage which it yields. The species is very nearly re- 

 lated to Trifolium resupinatum. 



Read, " Description of Aucklandia, a new genus of Compositce, 

 supposed to be the Costus of Dioscorides." By Hugh Falconer, 

 M.D., Superintendent of the Honourable East India Company's 

 Botanic Garden at Saharunpore. Communicated by Dr. Royle, 

 F.R.S. & L.S. 



This interesting plant, the root of which, under the name of koot, 

 forms an important article of Cashmeer commerce, is considered by 

 Dr. Falconer as identical with the long-disputed Costus of the an- 

 cients, and his opinion appears to be borne out by the accordance 

 of the root with the description given by Dioscorides, by the striking 

 analogy of the Arabian synonym koost to its Greek and Cashmeer 

 appellations, and also by the commercial history of the drug. 



The roots, which are possessed of a strong aromatic and pun- 

 gent odour, are collected in large quantities, principtdly for export- 

 ation to China, where they are held in high repute, as an aphrodisiac, 

 and are also burnt as incense in the temples. The quantity annu- 

 ally collected varies from 10,000 to 12,000 khurwars (of 96 seers, 

 or 192 lbs.,) or about 2,000,000 lbs. weight. At Canton the price 

 per cwt. is 21. 7s. 5d., while the cost at the depot in Cashmeer is 

 only 25. 4:d. 



The plant is not held in much repute as a medicine by the Cash- 

 meerians, who are only astonished at the estimation in which it is 

 held in other countries ; nor do they apply it to any other use than 

 that of protecting bales of shawls from the attacks of moths : por- 

 tions of the stem are, however, suspended from the necks of children 

 to avert the " evil eye," and to expel worms. 



The plant is regarded by Dr. Falconer as constituting the type of 

 a new genus of Cynarece, which he has named in compliment to the 

 present Governor- General of India; and as it was discovered during 



