G2 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



Brinjal, both very delicious vegetables. There was the Carica papaya, two varie- 

 ties of the fruit of which were exhibited, one growing as usual from the tree bear- 

 ing female flowers only, and the other growing on a plant bearing both male and 

 female flowers. The former was readily distinguished from the latter by its short 

 and thick peduncle or pedicel, the fruit growing from the later having a long curved 

 and slender peduncle, and several flowers on it, the peduncle often branching and 

 giving off other fruit-bearing flowers. The papaya is largely used now as a digestive 

 agent, and makes good pickles. The ripe fruit is also good. The Umbelliferae were 

 represented by the Carrot (Dauoas carota), Parsley and Celery. There was also the 

 green needle-shape leaved tender plant grown from Anethum sowa, which goes among 

 the Hindus under the name of Shepu, and is used as greens. Coming to the natural order 

 Cucurbitacea3, he said it was the plant of the season giving some of the finest and 

 most delicious dishes a vegetarian could command. A specimen of Tricosanthes 

 palmata (Kaundal) was exhibited by a member alongside of the edible vegetables, but 

 it was bitter and used for poisoning cattle. It was beautifully red when ripe, but utterly 

 useless except medicinally or as poison. Among the Leguminosa?, he said, there 

 were many which supplied abundant vegetables ; the Dolichos Lablab (Papdi) was 

 good in curries, the Dolichos sinensis (Chowli) was very pleasant and delicate eating. 

 Everybody knew the pea. The peculiar four-angled, fringed pod of Chowdhar when 

 cooked in thin slices with butter, salt, and pepper afforded an agreeble tender dish. 

 The tamarind supplied the place of vinegar in Hindu household economy. On 

 account of the lateness of the hour it was impossible to enter into the details of the 

 several other orders. But he hoped that on some future occasion he would be able 

 complete his observations and supply a few notes on the economic aspect of the 

 various fruits and vegetables growing and procurable in and around Bombay. 



The usual monthly meeting of this Society was held on Monday, the 1st November, 

 and was largely attended. 



The following new members were elected :— Messrs. F. D. Parker, H. W. Barrow, 

 Charles Taylor, A. W. Morris, Alexander Descubes, W. M. Daly, S. Hornidge, B. 

 Litchfield, W. C. Taylor, H. J. Hemming, and E. L. Luard. 



Mr. H. M. Phipson, the Honorary Secretary, then acknowledged the following con- 

 tributions to the Society's collections : t — 



Contribution. 



Description. 



Contributor. 



A quantity of Fish, Lizards 

 and Bats. 



A quantity of Insects 



1 Sarus Crane 



A quantity of Shells 



1 Snake 



68 Birds' Skins 



A large collection of Butter 

 flies and Moths. 



Skin of Red-bellied Flying 

 Squirrel. 



Skin of Grey Flying 

 Squirrel. 



Skin of Leopard Cat 



1 Bear's Skull 



1 Australian Bed Parrot ... 



1 Monkey Mouthed Shark... 



1 Eel 



A quantity of Coralines . . . 



A number of the new Spe- 

 cies of Balanophora. 



From Carwar Mr. H. S. Wise. 



Do 



Alive 



From Mauritius 



Typhlops brahminus. 



From Sind 



From Bombay 



Pteromys magnificus .. 

 Pteromys fimbriatus-.... 



Felis Bengalensis 



Ursus labiatus 



Alive 



Stegostoma tigrinum 



Sp. Murasna 



From Alibag 



From Mahableshwar 



Do. 



Mr. H. Barrett. 

 Mr. Alex. Descubes. 



Do. 

 Col. Swinhoe. 

 Mr. Fraser Hore. 



Major G. Poole. 



Do. 



Do. 

 Mr. E. L. Barton. 

 Mrs. M. C. Turner. 

 Mr. W. F. Sinclair, C.S. 



Do. 



Do. 

 Mr. W. E. Hart. 



