es 
REPORTS ON EXCURSIONS. L237 
of the largest of the pinnate-leaved kind, Ptychosperma Cunning- 
hamiana, K. Wendl., were regarded with interest, the former being 
in fruit and the latter in flower. In the Stoves a great variety 
of plants were in flower, including the peculiar Pelican Plant, 
Aristolochia gigas, Lindl., Costus speciosus, Sm., a handsome plant 
belonging to the Zingiberacez, and several Aroids with brilliant 
: ' spathes. Ficus Cooperi, Hort., and fF. edulis, Bur., were 
observed in fruit. Amongst ferns, Acrostichum crinitum, Linn., 
and A. spathulatum, Bory, seemed to excite the interest of those 
present, as they are so unlike other more familiar members of the 
family in all particulars. After a short visit to the Moss House, 
the company dispersed, leaving the inspection of the Herbaceous 
Ground to a future occasion. 
Lares, 14th August, 1897.—On the afternoon of this date, 
Halkshill, Largs, was visited. The weather was unfavourable, 
and the party numbered only six. Some time was spent in the 
garden at Halkshill, which is finely sheltered from the east and 
north winds, and has a good southern exposure. Along the walls 
‘the Ivy-leaved Toad-flax (Linaria Cymbalaria, Mill.) occurred in 
profusion, while numerous climbing plants were observed, notably 
Jasminum revolutum, Sims, a species with yellow flowers and 
elegant dark-green foliage; J. officinale, Linn., with white and 
sweet-scented flowers; Wistaria chinensis, DC., &c. The collec- 
tions of herbaceous plants and ornamental shrubs are extensive. 
After passing the mansion-house, the party proceeded up the glen, 
but did not go far, owing to the wet condition of the ground. 
The following micro-fungi were observed in the garden and 
policies :—Peronospora trifoliorum, De Bary—on Lotus cornicu- 
latus, Linn. ; Puccinia pulverulenta, Grev.—uredospores and 
_ teleutospores on Lpilobium alpinum, Linn.; P. Baryi (B. & Br.), 
Winter.—uredospores on Brachypodiwm sylvaticum, R. & §.; 
| Phragmidium fragariastri (DC.), Schrét.—uredospores on Poten- 
_ tilla Fragariastrum, Ebrh.; Melampsora circee (Schum.), Winter. 
_—uredospores on Circea Lutetiana, Linn.; Trochila craterium, 
_ Fr.—on dead leaves of Hedera Helix, Linn.; 7. buai, Capron.— 
; on dead leaves of Buaus sempervirens, Linn.; 7. laurocerasi 
_ (Desm.), Fr.—on dead leaves of Prunus Lauwrocerasus, Linn.; 



