98 Linnean Society. [Nov. 5, 



the cause of the diuretic effects produced by Maize-bread upon 

 persons unaccustomed to its use. With regard to the Indian-bread, 

 called by the Carancahua Indians Toqui, Mr. BoUaert states that he 

 found it in great abundance in the pine-woods of Huntsville, lat. 31° 

 N., long. 95° 30' W. The edible part is the root : immediately 

 below the stem commences the formation of irregularly- shaped 

 potato-like tubers, rather larger than the potato, and so abundant 

 that one plant will yield two bushels. These are used by the Indians 

 made into a sort of bread ; and the pioneer, trapper and backwoods- 

 man are frequently obliged to have recourse to it for the same pur- 

 pose, and sometimes obtain from it by fermentation a liquor of a 

 pink colour to which they give the name of beer. Of this plant, 

 and of the mode of growth of its tubers, sketches accompanied the 

 paper, which concludes with a notice of some of the botanists who 

 have visited the State of Texas for the purpose of collecting plants, 

 and with a list of the plants collected by Mr. Lindheimer in his 

 Earlier Journey, and by Dr. Kenan. 



November 5. 



Robert Brown, Esq., President, in the Chair. 



Robert Ellis, Esq., and William Henry Hallett, Esq., were elected 

 Fellows. 



Mr. W. W. Saunders, F.L.S., exhibited specimens and a drawing 

 of a species of Cyclamen (probably C. hedercefolmm, Dec), found by 

 him in the neighbourhood of Hastings ; he regards it as undoubtedly 

 wild. 



Read a Paper on " The Temstrcemiaceous Plants of Hong Kong." 

 By Capt. Champion, 95th Regiment. Communicated by the Pre- 

 sident. 



The author commences by referring to the number and beauty of 

 the trees and shrubs of this family which are natives of India and 

 China ; and suggests that the elevation at which they are generally 

 found, flowering in China alongside of the Azaleas which have been 



