—* ee eee eee ——E 
nth. ae - 
143 
the ground, exhibiting pods the fruit of which, however, never ripens 
ain England, owing to the absence of a particular moth, through which 
these night-flowering plants are fertilized in their native habitat. 
Gunneras, from South America (vide Darwin’s “ Voyage of the 
Beagle”), with leaves measuring sixteen feet across in their native 
home, flourished this year, and the small Gunnera Magellanica flowered 
for the first time. These were amongst the plants exceptionally affected 
by the past season. The well ripened shoots of this year will probably 
most beneficially affect the growth of the next year, and many shrubs 
hitherto tender are likely to be sufficiently. hardened to stand the hard 
frost now existing. As to the effect of frost on vegetation, more 
information was still to be acquired, and members of Field Clubs were 
asked to make especial observations (1) as to the different degrees 
.and effects of frost at different elevations. Sometimes the low lands 
ut the beginning of a frost register lower temperatures than higher 
lands, sometimes as the frost continues this is reversed. Observe then 
(a) the minimum, (6) the elevation, (c) the aspect. (2) Note how 
plants are affected by the frost, z.e., what <pecial parts of the plants’ 
‘structure are most affected, and how. Note also the way in which 
they suffer, sometimes their top leaves are nipped and the whole plant 
dies ; at others their roots are affected first and the process of destruction 
goes upwards ; hence observations are required whether they are killed 
‘from above or from below. 
After this interesting communication, which gave rise to a 
short discussion, the Secretary exhibited a recent addition to the 
Museum from the Rev. W. W. Martin, a former member of the 
‘Club. This was a mounted specimen of the now almost extinct 
New Zealand bird the Apteryx (Muntelli or Australis), called from 
its peculiar cry the “ Kiwi-kiwi.” After a few words explanatory 
of its wingless character, its habits, food and habitat, the Secretary 
Stated that it would henceforth be placed in the gallery together 
with the bones of the now extinct Dodo, illustrating the gradual 
-disappearance of these struthious birds. 
The Second Afternoon Meeting took place in the Lecture Room 
of the Institution on Wednesday, January 14th, when the followin g 
Paper was read :—“ Thoughts on Bath as a Roman City,” by 
Emanuel Green, F.S.A. (Vide p. 114). 
