131 



Mr. Sprague staled that he had been unable as yet to 

 determine the species, or even genus of this bulb. In en- 

 deavoring to obtain further information relative to this plant, 

 Dr. Reynolds had ascertained that the missionary station, where 

 it was obtained, was called Otymbingo amongst the Ovambo 

 tribe, about three weeks' journey from Walfisch Bay, the nearest 

 seaport. The bulbs are found in very great abundance around 

 the mission, in a poor soil of reddish-looking clay. During the 

 dry season they give no evidence of activity ; but when the 

 average amount of water falls during the rainy season, they 

 shoot out their leaves to the height of three or four feet. There 

 is a kind of spiral turning of each leaf, and it is curved outward 

 at the tip. The stem, which is four or five feet in height, bears 

 several flowers. Mr. Schvvarz considers the plant allied to the 

 Amaryllis tribe, and is inclined to place it amongst the Bruns- 

 wigia. 



Dr. C. T.Jackson exhibited a very handsome specimen 

 of Hematite Iron Ore, belonging to the Brandon Iron 

 and Car Wheel Company. This iron is remarkable for 

 its stalactitic character, and is probably of hydrous 

 origin. It is composed of hydrated peroxide of iron, 

 85g per cent., water, 141 per cent., with a minute quantity 

 of manganese and silica. This ore produces the very 

 best kind of iron, and is easily smelted. It yields about 

 fifty per cent. 



Dr. Hayes stated that he had proved, from careful analysis 

 and examinations of pseudomorphs, as well as the more ordinaiy 

 foi'ms of hematite, that the infiltration of an aqueous solution of 

 silicates of proto-peroxides of iron and manganese, caused the 

 production of hematite. The beautiful black, glossy coveriu"-, 

 which confers so much beauty on the ores of iron not truly hem- 

 atites, as well as the ore of manganese, is always composed of 

 silicate of proto-peroxide of iron, with silicate of one or both 

 oxides of manganese ; and the compact peroxides of manganese, 

 often owe their density and hardness to this compound. 



Mr. T. T. Bouve, referring to a discussion on a previous even- 



