94 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



is an alphabetical index to the papers ; but the compiler appears to 

 have got tired of this by the time he got to the physiological section. 

 It is to be hoped that the complete volume will be provided with an 

 accurate index (a sad desideratum in most German works), which 

 will add greatly to its value. It' continued with the promise of its 

 commencement, this *' Jahresbericht " will form a very useful index 

 to botanical literature, and will be indispensable to anyone who 

 desires to keep himself au courant with the progress of science. 



A. W. B. 



^rocccbing^ of ^^ocictic^. 



Botanical Society of Edinburgh, Jaji. I4th. — Prof. Balfour in 

 the chair. The following communications were read : *' Note on the 

 Geological Range of Adiantites lindscecBformis.^^ By K. Etheridge, 

 junr. This fossil- fern was first described by Sir C. Bunbury (M!em 

 Geol. Survey 82, Scotland, p. 151, fig. 26) and is characteristic of 

 that section of the lower carboniferous series known as the Wardie 

 Shales, well-developed in the Edinburgh district. Fragmentary 

 specimens have been recently received from Mr. A. Paton, from a bed 

 of shale overlying the Calderwood cement stone at Kirktonholm 

 Cement Works, E. Kilbride, Lanark, associated with marine organisms 

 and numerous ferns. They appeared to have undergone a good deal 

 of maceration pre^aous to tbssilization. Another specimen was found 

 by Mr. J. Bennie at Burnbrae old quarry, also in the E. Kilbridge 

 district. — " Notice of the contents of the crops of the capercailzie." 

 By M. Dunn. In the crop of a male bird examined on loth 

 November, 266 shoots and buds of Scotch Fir, besides a large handful 

 of detached leaves, were found ; and in another, examined on April 

 16th, the contents consisted wholly of the young shoots, buds and 

 leaves of larch, 918 buds being counted. The Capercailzie, which had 

 become extinct, was re-introduced to Scotland from Norway by the 

 late Sir W. Drummond Stuart, of Murthly, and is now spread over 

 the country from Stirling to Inverness. TJnless very numerous, the 

 author believed that the damage done was comparatively trifling. — 

 ** Remarks on the condition of Pinus austriaca in Scotland.'' By Sir J. 

 Naismith, Bart. The author gave an account of the cultivation of 

 this tree in Scotland as well as on the Continent. As a timber pro- 

 ducer it is not in repute, owing to the large quantity of resin con- 

 tnined in its wood, which renders it difficult to saw. This resinous- 

 property, however, is brought into use by the inhabitants of the 

 Engadine district, who cut the wood into strips which serve for 

 candles. In the German forests it appears to give way after a period 

 of thirty or forty years. The author concluded with some remarks 

 on the larch disease, which he was inclined to attribute partly to 



