2a 



in their natviral coloui-s. Mr. Leeming described 

 the process by which these photographs were 

 obtained through the medium of a screen Jon 

 taining stai-ch gi-ains of the three primary 

 colours, and wont on to explain that a very strong 

 light was absolutely necessary to obtain good 

 results. The pictures included views' of land- 

 scapes, specimens of fruit and flowers, still life 

 groups, etc. The natm-al eoloui-ing and general 

 excellence of the slides were much appreciated, 

 and the opinion was that the demonstration was 

 one of the best of the evening. Unfortunately 

 at the commencement the gas failed, but later 

 another much more successful attempt was made 

 and the pictures were shown very perfectly. 



Demonstrations were also given in the Newton 

 and Kelvin hiboratories by Mi-. Fagg of wire- 



less telegraphy, X rays, vacuum tubes, etc., 

 and much interest was evinced in this clever 

 display. The action of the electricity on the 

 o.icides of various metals was watched with keen 

 interest, and later several ladies and gentlemen, 

 in response to an invitation from Mr. Fagg, sub- 

 jected their hands to the power of the X rays. 



In the " Davy " room Mr. F. J. Jeffs made a 

 number of experiments with Uquid air, etc. The 

 intensely low temperature of this liquid was 

 demonstrated in various ways, quicksilver being 

 immediately frozen to a solid mass when immersed 

 in it. 



During the evening refreshments were handed 

 round, the catering being efficiently undertaken 

 by Mr. C. 'Wilson, and Mr. H. Court ably presided 

 at the piano. 



THE LIZARD ORCHIS (ORCHIS HIRCINA). 



[From photos >)y ^Ir. W. H. Ilaminond 



A few years ago the lizard orchis was regarded as verging on extinction in this country, 

 but recently it happily appears to have taken a new lease of life. It is hoped that a know- 

 ledge of this fact wUX not lead to its eradication by thoughtless specimen hunters. According 

 to Hanbury and Marshall's " Flora of Kent," it was first recorded in 1641. In " Flora Anglica," 

 published in 1798, it is reported as growing at Crayford and Dartford. " The Wild Flowers of Great 

 Britain," by Hogg and Johnson, contains a drawing taken from a quantity of wild specimens found 

 near London in 1867. Probably the spot would be the quany at Greenhithe, where it was found in 

 1878. " Flora Londinensis," by Sir W. J. Hooker, gives it as having been found near Maidstone, and 

 it is evidently not extinct there, as a specimen was found at Bosley this year, and referred to in the 

 South Eastern Gazette by Mr. J. B. Groom, F.L.S. With regai-d to the East Kent finis, the " Flora 

 of Kent " states that Mr G. C C-^enden noted twenty-seven plants between Charing and Walmer in 

 1858. Mr. Oxenden also reported a specimen growing in 8roome Park in 1860. A. few years after 

 this one was found on St. Alban's Downs, Nonington Probably this is the plant refeiTed to as 

 "near Wingham" in" Flora of Kent." The next recorded find was at Shepherdswell in 1885. This 

 plant did not re-appear. But now comes the quen'. There was no trace of any member of the orchid 

 family growing in the immediate vicinity, but about 250 yards away there was a solitary 0. fusca. 

 When the spot was visited in 1886 five young plants were found immediately on the spot where the 

 lizard grew. No others were to be found near. One bloomed, but instead of being O. hircina as 

 expected, it appeared to be an ordinary O.fusca, but a close examination revealed certain structural 

 differences. Sir Joseph Hooker labelled it 0. fusca, but after spending two hours examining it, 

 stated he had never seen one exactly like it. It is now preserved in his herbarium. Three of the 

 plants appeared the following year, but did not bloom. Aiter that they entirely disappeared. 



