X Froceedinr/s of the Botaniml Society 



muiiication no fewer tlian twenty-three species of grasses Avhich 

 were ergotised. The Juncacese and Cyperacece, which form a great 

 pro])ortion of this hill pasturage, were free from ergot, CJaviceps 

 purp7i,rea; but some of the CyperacecC were very subject to smut. 

 Mr Brotherston suggested the eating of ergotised grasses as a pro- 

 bable cause of the disease, which in this district is a spring one. 

 He emphasised the following in tliis connection : — No different 

 species of plants characterise the isolated localities infected with 

 the disease, but much ergotised grass was found there; the toxological 

 effects of ergot were similar to those physiological ones characteristic 

 of the disease. In Teviotdale spring is the only time when sheep 

 may perchance eat ergot in quantity. To eat the pastui'es bare 

 appeared to be the most feasible remedy for this disease. 



MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS. 



1. Dr AVm. Craig exhibited a specimen of Botrycldum Lunar la, 

 taken the previous week from a hill in the Upper Ward of Lanark- 

 shire, 900 feet above the sea-level. 



2. Mr Sadler read a note from Mr John Campbell, Ledaig, Oban, 

 noticing the remarkable progress of spring vegetation. The storm 

 of December 28 had done more damage to half-hardy shrubs, such as 

 myrtles, Veronica Andersoni, Aster argophyUus, than all the winter's 

 frosts. 



3. Mr Peach read part of a private letter from Unst, Shetland, 

 in which it was stated that on February 24, crocuses, snowdrops, and 

 polyanthus were in bloom, and that the rose bushes Avere unfolding 

 their leaves in the gardens. 



Mr Buchan remarked that such summer-like weather had pre- 

 vailed as far north as Iceland throughout the winter. 



4. On the table were exhibited in bloom Saxifraga Stracheyi, a 

 liardy plant, and Soldanella montana, a large seedling hardy form, 

 from the forcing department of the Eoyal Botanic Garden. A fine 

 stove plant from the same establishment, of a white texture and a 

 pleasant perfume, Posoqueria multijiora, also excited much attention, 



5. Sir Eobert Christison had presented, in illustration of a pre- 

 vious paper, a prismatic section from the diameter of a yew 237 

 years old from Inch Lonaig, Loch Lomond. 



G. Lord Strathmore also sent a section at 2 feet 6 inches from the 

 roots of a larch blown down at Glamis Castle in the Tay Bridge 



