Proceedings. Ixxxiii. 



they exhale the superfluous fluid of the crude sap. T.iey 

 absorb fluid matters, and exhale as well as absorb gases, and 

 in them to a large extent takes place the formation of the 

 various organic secretions and products of plants. He than 

 exhibited a large collection of the various gums and resins, 

 accompanying each exhibit with a description of its nature 

 and qualities, the plants or trees, and the countries whence 

 it is obtained, and its uses in the arts. He divided gums into 

 two great classes, those chiefly valuable for their aromatic 

 properties, such as the gum arabic, and other gums of the 

 myrrh family, nearly all obtained from the trees of the acacia 

 family ; and inodorous or malodorous gums, which are chiefly 

 emplo3'ed in the domestic arts, painting, glazing, varnishing, 

 &c. The various forms of lac were well represented, (see,i, 

 shell, and stick lac,) and their several uses enumerated. An 

 interesting illustration of these was furnished by the perfec- 

 tion with which a coating of lac varnish enables German 

 gilding to counterfeit gold leaf, though possessing not a single 

 particle of gold. 



Dr. Carpenter proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Nation, 

 and remarked upon the sanitary uses of various fragrant gums, 

 both in present and ancient times. The vote was very cordially 

 agreed to, and Mr. Nation, in returning thanks, remarked 

 that when a museum room was attached to the club the whole 

 or a great portion of the collection of gums which were then 

 on view would be given to it. 



Mr. E. LovETT gave a short account of fossil resin, and 

 enumerated the various specimens of insect and vegetable 

 life that are so often found preserved in it. 



The President then brought to the notice of the Club three 

 white Partridges, which were on the table, belonging to him- 

 self. Dr. Carpenter, and Mr. Rowland. These birds were shot 

 on Mr. Lewis Loyd's property. Spring Park, Shirley. There 

 were no less than eleven of these white birds this season — 

 five in one cove}^ three, two, and one in others ; the one died 

 young. The keeper noticed them in the different coveys when 

 quite small. The President said he examined carefully the 

 one Mr. Loyd gave him the day after it was shot. The' legs 

 were of a dirty straw colour, the eyes a pale blue, wit'.i no 

 distinct pupil, although darker in the centre, so no doubt in 

 life it was pink, and the bird a true albino. 



The following objects were exhibited : — Dr. Carpenter, 

 cannon balls dug up at Croydon ; Mr. W. J. Nation, collection 

 of Gums and Resins to illustrate paper ; Mr. E. Lovett, 

 another series, with ambers and fossil Resins ; Mr. Turner and 

 Mr. Gill, specimens of Gums ; Mr. Long, series of medicinal 

 Gums ; Mr. Berney, smoky quartz. Larva of B. rubi and S- 

 A 6 



