lvi Proceedings of the Botanical Society of 
of Leaves in the Genus Sansevieria.” She stated that four 
species had been studied minutely and also seedling leaves 
of S. cylindrica. All were inhabitants of the Eastern Hemi- 
sphere, and so far as she could learn they often grew in 
rocky or sandy places exposed to intense sun. She then 
compared the leaf structure in macro- and microscopic char- 
acters, contrasting the stomata, epidermal cells, fibres, bun- 
dles and chlorophyll tissue in the species. Dr. Miller sug- 
gested that possibly aloin might exist in these, and described 
the substance as first extracted by Smith Brothers. 
Mr. R. C. Banes next gave “Snap Shots on the Flora of 
Jamaica.” He described the varied and abundant vegeta- 
tion of the coastal region, and said that in a comparatively 
short walk one might secure forty-five to fifty species of 
fern alone. Short descriptions followed of the Government 
Botanic Gardens, but the speaker particularly dealt with the 
rich flora of the hill regions, and explained the meteorologi- 
cal conditions that permitted the growth of filmy and other 
ferns in great luxuriance. His lecture was illustrated by 
numerous lantern slides. 
May 2. Dr. Miller, President, in the chair. Dr. Amos 
P. Brown spoke on ‘The Flora of the Coal Period.” He 
said that during past ages of the earth’s history, several 
coal periods had occurred. During the Paleozoic period, 
the interior of this continent was covered with large areas 
of comparatively shallow water, and with tracts of marshy 
land highly favorable to a rich, luxuriant vegetation. De- 
posits were laid down from streams and rivers along the 
shores of these marshes, and these deposits, when rich in 
plant remains, formed the future coal beds. Frequent 
land depressions occurred also, and then extensive lime- 
stone deposits were made. No great body of land existed 
in the far north, either of America or Asia, while west of 
the Rockies were a few islands, and eastward, land and 
water areas interspersed. The speaker then sketched the 
leading groups of plants represented in the coal strata, and 
a ee 
ess 
