PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 273 



The President exhibited dried specimens of Glaucium Jlavum, 

 Crantz. {G. luteum, Scop.), the Horned Poppy, from English, 

 Irish, and Scottish coast localities, the Irish specimen having been 

 lent for the occasion by Mr. Nathaniel Colgan, M.R.I.A., joint- 

 editor with Dr. R. W. Scully, F.L.S., of the " Cybele Hibernica." 

 This large and handsome yellow poppy was referred to as "a 

 vanishing quantity " in Scotland, partly owing to the action of 

 the thoughtless in rooting it up. When Hewett C. Watson 

 issued the " New Botanist's Guide," in 1837, the plant was still 

 " plentiful on the shoi-e at Helensburgh," and " abundant in 

 Arran. " From both of these quarters it has long since disappeared, 

 and now only occurs, very sparingly, at two spots on islands in our 

 estuary. The six species of Glaucium known to science, including 

 the British one, belong to the Mediterranean region. All occur in 

 Syria and Palestine — one {6. aleppictim, Boiss.) being of a rich 

 crimson, and all, excepting G. Jlavum, being inland plants. 



On behalf of Mr. Thos. G. Bishop and of Mr. John Henderson 

 there were shown a number of specimens of the fruit of the 

 Almond Tree (^Amygdalus communis, L.) grown in the open air 

 at Helensburgh. Mr. Bishop's trees, at Dalmore, 25 feet above 

 the sea-level, have fruited for the first time this year. Mr. 

 Henderson's trees, at Towerville, about 75 feet above the sea, are 

 older, and have fruited several times previously. 



On behalf of Dr. T. F. Gilmour there were exhibited fresh 

 specimens of Potentilla fragariastrum, Ehrh., the Barren Straw- 

 berry, found blossoming in abundance at Ardbeg, Islay, on 10th 

 instant, quite two months before the usual time of flowering, and 

 indicating the mildness of the season. 



The President made a statement with regard to the three 

 prospective European Expeditions to the Antarctic Regions — 

 viz., the British, German, and Scottish — and referred specially 

 to the last named, which is to be under the leadership of Mr. 

 William S. Bruce, F.R.S.G.S. The results of the intended 

 Scottish Expedition are likely to be of special interest to 

 biologists, as deep-sea work, dredging at great depths, and tow 

 netting are to be extensively engaged in. The meeting adopted 

 a motion of sympathy with Mr. Bruce in his arduous work of 

 obtaining the £35,000 required for a three years' absence, and 

 of which about £11,000 have now been subscribed. 



