xiv Proceedings of the Botanical Society 



II. Hote on the Flora of Mount Zomha, Central Africa. 

 By Mr John Buchanan. 



Mr Taylor exhibited 30 mounted specimens of plants from Mount 

 Zomba, Central Africa, from a series of over 160 specimens sent to 

 the Herbarium by Mr John Buchanan of the Church of Scotland 

 Mission there. The collection had left Central Africa on the 6th 

 July 1879, having previously been collected on varied sites, as on 

 the banks of streams, and from latitudes of 7000 feet in the Shire 

 highlands. 



Professors Balfour and Dickson both spoke of the scientific 

 value of the specimens communicated, at the same time commend- 

 ing the zeal and perseverance of this solitary explorer. 



III. Note on a New Method of Drying Plants. By Mr John 



Galletly, Chemist, Addiewell. Communicated by Mr 

 Taylok. 



Mr Taylor read a note on a new method of drying plants on 

 paraffinised paper proposed by Mr John Galletly, chemist, Addie- 

 well. Ordinary paper, preferably thin in texture, is dipped in a 

 bath of liquid paraffin of a high melting point, and hung up to dry 

 at the ordinary temperature ; when so, it will assume a waxy ap- 

 pearance, and be ready for use. The green parts specially of the 

 plants collected are covered by an absorbent material, and smoothed 

 over by a hot smoothing iron, to take out their moisture. The 

 flattened plant is next placed directly on the paraffinised paper, 

 covered, and again pressed by the hot iron. The paraffin is thus 

 temporarily made liquid, when it encrusts the plant in the way 

 mosses and ferns are fossilised in mineral springs. When the 

 paraffin cools, the plants are covered over by an enclosing envelope 

 of paraffin, preventing atmospheric action on its constituents, and 

 fixing it on the paper. The plant cannot suffer by this process, as 

 paraffin melts at a lower temperature than that which destroys 

 organic tissue. 



IV. Report on Temperatiires and on the Progress of Open-air 



Vegetation at the Boyal Botanic Garden. By Mr John 

 Sadlee, Curator. 



miscellaneous communications. 



1. Dr Cleghorn exhibited a fine specimen of Aristotelia racemosa 

 8^ feet high, of which twigs had been exhibited at last meeting. 



