30 



TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



[Sess. 



frost for the month, as against 38° for the corresponding 

 month last year. Not since 1880 has so much frost occurred 

 during November. 



A heavy fall of snow took place on the 26th, which lay 

 on the ground till the end of the month. The lowest read- 

 ings of the thermometer were on the 16th, 27°; 27th, 19°; 

 28th, 19°; 29th, 18°; 30th, 22°. The lowest day reading 

 was 31° on the 28th, and the highest 60° on the 19th. 



Out-door vegetation is in an almost dormant condition 

 now. Only two species of plants came into liower during 

 the month on the Rock Garden, viz.. Crocus Salzmanni and 

 C. mncellatus ; and with the exception of Hellehorus niger 

 altifolius, Polygala Cliamxhixus, and Lithospcrnium jrrostra- 

 tum, no others are in flower in good condition. 



Of berry-bearing plants the most conspicuous and effective 

 are the various varieties of Pernettya mucronata. The 

 berries are about the size of the Holly, the colours vary very 

 much, numerous shades of red, lilac and white, being repre- 

 sented. The plant is a native of Magellan, is very hardy, 

 and ought to be much more widely cultivated than it is at 

 present. In seasons when Holly berries are scarce, the 

 Pernettya forms an excellent substitute. 



Readings of exposed Thermometers at the Rock Garden of the 

 Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, during November 1890. 



