d74 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 
On behalf of Mr. A. Somerville, B.Sc., F.L.8., there were 
exhibited the inflorescence and leaves of Crambe maritima, Linn., 
the Sea-Kale, from Tmacher Point, Arran, where the plant, in its 
wild state, has been long established. It is gratifying that a large 
and conspicuous species, like the Sea-Kale, should in these days 
have ‘escaped the ravages of the thoughtless. Where it occurs 
among the shingle at Imacher, there can be counted at present not 
fewer than 250 plants. Two peculiarities within the flower of this 
plant call for notice—(1) the filaments of the four longer stamens 
are, on their outer sides, toothed near the tip; and (2) the indehiscent 
seed-vessel is an erect pod, consisting of an upper and a lower part or 
joint, the lower being slender and empty, and forming a pedicel 
for the upper, which contains but a single seed. Crambe maritima 
was formerly eaten wild; it was, according to Hooker, cultivated 
in England for 200 years, and was introduced into the Continent 
from this country. As a wild plant, it occurs from the coast of 
Finland to the Bay of Biscay, reappearing on the Black Sea, As 
a genus, Crambe is found in Europe and Western Asia, and there 
are 16 species known to science. 
Mr. Alexander Sweet exhibited flowering specimens of various 
species of cultivated herbaceous plants, and in the course of his 
remarks alluded to the phenomenon known as the “doubling” of 
flowers. The introduction of this topic led to an interesting and 
animated discussion as to the causes which bring about the 
transformation of stamens and stigmas into petals. 
Mr. Peter Ewing, F.L.S., exhibited a specimen of Hquisetum 
arvense, Linn., var. alpestre, Wahlenb., from Killin, and in 
referring to a visit made to that district at the end of May he 
stated that, in consequence of the recent dry, hot weather, many 
hill plants, which in ordinary seasons do not ripen fruit until the 
latter end of July, had this year fruited and dispersed their seeds 
in May. 
6TH Avugeust, 1895. 
Mr. William Stewart, Vice-President, in the chair. 
The Chairman referred to the loss the Society had sustained in 
the recent death of an active member, Mr. Thomas B. Wilkie, 
and sympathy was expressed with the bereaved family. 
