38 Proceedings. 



what would happen, the result being that m the following 

 year the weed was far less abundant and soon almost died 

 out. This he ascribed to its having exhausted all the nutri- 

 ment from the soil of the particular kind it required ; whereas 

 if he had dug over the ground he would not have got out all 

 the roots, and those left in the ground would have a supply 

 of fresh soil over them, which would impart new vigour to 

 them and perpetuate the nuisance from year to year. He 

 then alluded to the growth of several species of aquatic 

 plants — Sac/ittarias, Hottonia palustris, Nijmphaas, &c. He 

 described the resting tubers of the Sagittarias, and the 

 manner in which he had induced the Hottonia to grow in a 

 stream in his garden. He had some Minnows introduced 

 into his tank for stove aquatics, for the pm-pose of eating up 

 the worms, and he frequently noticed the fish suddenly turn 

 over on their sides and sink. As the number of his Minnows 

 rapidly decreased, he watched closely and soon found that 

 the strange behaviour of the fish was caused by a quantity of 

 Dytisciis in the tank ; these creatm-es seized the Mmnows, 

 who turned over to try and escape as they were being dragged 

 down by then- enemies. He also related how he kept a 

 number of Axylotls from Mexico in a tank in his greenhouse, 

 and he caused some amusement by his description of the 

 adventures of an unfortunate Axylotl which had strayed from 

 home and fallen into the clutches of the cat, which latter 

 animal had succeeded in partially disembowelling it. Mr. 

 Boyle replaced the protruding parts and sewed up the body 

 again, and shortly after the Axylotl appeared as lively as 

 ever, and none the worse for its escapade. The curious Mud- 

 fish were also described, and the story related as to how the 

 gardeners of a scientific gentleman of Mr. Boyle's acquaint- 

 ance caused his Mud-fish mysteriously to disappear, as they 

 declared they could not bear the look of their eyes. Mr. 

 Boyle lastly exhibited specimens and drawings of the Lattice 

 plant, a native of Madagascar introduced into this country by 

 Mr. Ellis, the missionary. This plant is very difficult to gi'ow, 

 and requires to be planted in running water. Mr. Boyle has 

 grown it very successfully, and has several times supplied the 



