60 



MICROSCOPICAL AND NATUEAL HISTORY SECTION, 



Ordinary Meeting, December 4th, 1871. 



Joseph Baxendell, Esq., F.RA.S., President of the Section, 



in the Chair. 



Mr. R D. Darbishire, B.A., F.G.S., sent two photographs 

 of a plant of Cereus grandiflorus, Mill, taken with magne- 

 sium light, on the 12th of June last. Mr. Darbishire stated 

 that the plant was grown by the late Mr. James Darbishire, 

 about fifty years ago, against a south wall, in a hothouse at 

 Greenheys Hall. There it used to flower about once in 

 three years. The largest number of flowers out at a time, 

 that can now be recollected, was three. 



In 1852 the plant was removed and replanted against a 

 standard wire lattice, in a pine pit, at Pendyffryn, near 

 Conway. 



The removal seemed at first to have checked the growth 

 of the plant, but it soon recovered and throve well. During 

 several succeeding years the beautiful flowers continued to 

 come out more and more freely, and latterly so abundantly 

 that special record was kept of their appearance. 



In 1869 the first flower opened on the night of the 29th 

 of May, and the last on the oOth of June. The greatest 

 number out at once was 67, on the 26th of June, forming a 

 truly magnificent spectacle. That year there were altogether 

 131 flowers. 



In 1870 the first bloom again appeared on the 29th of 

 May ; the last on the 4th of July. The greatest number at 

 once was 28 on the 17th of June, the total that season 95. 



In 1871 the flowering again began on the 29th of May. 

 It continued, with little intermission, daily till the 28th of 



