of Edhiburgh, Session 1879-80. xxiii 



II. The Floioering Plants of Neio Zealand and, their relation to 

 the Insect Fauna. By Geoege M. Thomson, F.L.S., 

 Dunedin, New Zealand. Communicated by Professor 

 Balfour, 



In the subsequent discussion Isaac Anderson-Henry, Esq., 

 suggested that the reason of their faihire here to cultivate many 

 New Zealand plants, otherwise compatible with our soil and 

 seasons, might be the lack of their corresponding insects specially 

 necessary for their fertilisation. 



With reference to Mr Thomson's observations of insects visiting 

 certain plants just as the day was sunshiny or not, Mr Taylor 

 called attention to M. Gaston Bonier's observations made to the 

 Botanical Society of France. He had noted how the Hymenoptera 

 actively visit certain plants in Norway which they desert in the 

 latitude of Paris. The species so distinguished were Hieracium 

 Pilosella, L. ; Campanula rotundifolia, L. ; Geum iirhanum, L. ; 

 Potentilla Tormentilla, Nesk. 



Bonier argu,ed that the production of nectar in these plants in the 

 north was owing to the larger amount of sunshine they experienced, 

 caused by the greater length of the day. But in another paper he 

 questioned if there was a necessary connection betwixt the visit of 

 an insect and the fertilisation of a corresponding flower. 



III. Exhibition of Geaster fornicatus. Sent by Dr Dyce 



DUCKWOETH. 



Dr Dyce Duckworth sent a fine specimen of the Fungus Geaster 

 fornicatus to the Botanical Museum, which had been obtained at 

 his house in Surrey, 



IV, Additional Observations on Tree Measurement. By Sir 

 RoBEET Christison, Bart. 



Sir Robert Christison, Bart,, made some supplementary observa- 

 tions to his papers on the exact measurement of trees, and which ho 

 promised to lay subsequently more at length before the Society. 

 This season had been favourable to the growth of certain trees in 

 the district, especially those of the coniferous order. From observa- 

 tions made since April 30 last, the Cuprcssus Lmcsonia had increased 

 in girth in several specimens over 1 inch to lyV^h inch ; while 

 three species of the Hungary Oak in the Eoyal Botanic Garden had 

 similarly progressed to the extent of y^ths of an inch. Some 

 interesting details were given of an oak tree which had been thrown 



