368 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 
large specimen of Wistaria chinensis, DC. The flowering was 
nearly over, but some weeks before, the plant was loaded with 
blossom, and presented a beautiful sight. The President, on 
behalf of the Society, moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. 
Cruden and Mr. M‘Iver for their attention and courtesy. 
* Towarp, 20th June, 1896.— A party, about twenty in 
number, visited Castle Toward on the afternoon of this date, 
in favourable weather. The policies and gardens are of con- 
siderable extent, and occupy, in close proximity to the sea, 
a sheltered situation which is particularly well suited for the 
growth of many plants not considered hardy enough in some 
parts of Scotland to flourish in the open air. The great variety - 
of form and colour in the leaves of the Japanese Maples (Acer 
palmatum, Thunb.), of which there were a number of handsome 
examples, arrested attention. A One-leaved Ash (Fraxinus 
heterophylla, Vahl.), in the avenue approaching the Castle by the 
lodge nearest Toward, and a Birch (Betula alba, Linn.), which 
was conspicuous on account of the great size of the clusters of 
adventitious buds among its branches, were examined with interest. 
The last-named tree measured 8 feet 1 inch at 2 feet 9 inches from 
the ground. However familiar the true plane trees may be to 
dwellers in the South of our island, it is unusual to see a well- 
grown example in the West of Scotland, hence a large Western 
Plane (Platanus occidentalis, Linn.) with a girth of trunk 9 feet 
5 inches at 1 foot 11 inches from the ground on the west side, was _ 
regarded as a curiosity. On approaching the gardens fine clumps 
of bamboos growing most luxuriantly presented an unexpected 
contrast to the more familiar plants growing around. The Hoary 
Plantain (Plantago media, Linn.) was found on a grassy bank in 
this vicinity. Among the introduced species which attracted 
most attention may be mentioned one of the Japanese Yews 
(Cephalotaxus drupacea, Sieb. and Zuce.), Azara microphylla, 
Hook., Magnolia Soulangiana, Hort., Ptelea trifoliata, Linn., 
Griselinia littoralis, Raoul, a beautiful evergreen, and Olearia 
Haastii, Hook., one of the New Zealand Daisy Trees, which was 
just coming into bloom, A variety of well-grown Conifers and 
some Portugal Laurels of great size and covered profusely with 
