Iviii PROCEEDINGS. 



Examples of Myatt's Linnaeus Rhubarb also came from the 

 Garden, and some Lettuces which were sent to show that sowing 

 this kind of vegetable in autumn and wintering it in frames is not 

 so advantageous as sowing it early in February in heat, hardening 

 it gradually off, and planting it out in the end of March. Of the 

 kinds thus treated, the spring sown ones were nearly twice as 

 large, and far more succulent than those sown in autumn. 



The attention of the meeting was next directed to some examples 

 of textile materials furnished by Dr. Royle. They chiefly con- 

 sisted of bundles of threads or prepared fibre from the leaf of the 

 Pine-apple, from which it was stated the beautiful Manilla 

 muslins are made, and which was shown to yield fibre readily of 

 great length and sti'ength, and in any quantity. Of the specimens 

 exhibited, some of which came from Madras, Java, Celebes, and 

 Singapore, one of the whitest and best came from the last- 

 named place. 



There was also shown some fibre prepared by J. B. Sharpe, Esq., 

 of 44, Myddelton Square, Pentonville, from the long leaves of 

 Bromelia Penguin, a plant plentiful in tropical America; and two 

 specimens of paper, one white and of most beautiful quality, tlie 

 other coarse and intended for packing, both manufactured for 

 Mr. Sharpe from the fibre of the West Indian Plantain or Musa. 



IV.— BOOKS PRESENTED. 



Archives du Museum d'Historie Naturelle, Vol. VII. Parts 1 and 2. From the Museum 

 The AthenaBum for April. From the Editor. 



The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society, No. 38. From the Society. 

 Proceedings of the Royal Society, Vol. VI. No. 99, 100, and 101 ; and Vol. VII. No. 1 



and 2. From the Society. 

 Flora Batava. No. IV."?, 174, and 175. From his Majesty the King of Holland. 



June Srd, 1854. (Garden Exhibition.) 



The morning of this day was showery; but the afternoon, 

 though cloudy and cold, remained dry. The exhibition was, in 

 all respects, excellent. Stove and greenhouse plants were even 

 more abundant than in May ; and the brilliancy and beauty of the 

 Orchids have never been surpassed. Fruit was also displayed in 

 admirable condition, and in such abundance as to show that under 

 the new regulations, this department is fast rising in importance. 



