- BOTANICAL NEWS. 127 
Indian Letters from Dr. Cleghorn. Communicated by Professor Balfour. 
4, Notes on the Physiological Action of the Calabar Poison Bean (Physo- 
stigma venenosum, Balfour). By Thomas R. Fraser, .D. This paper was an 
abstract from Dr. Fraser’s graduation thesis of last session. It was concluded 
that it induces a condition of shortsightedness, and 
the pupil, and sympathetic dilatation of the pupil of the other eye.—Edin. 
. Journ. March, 1863.] 5. Register of the Flowering of Spring Plants in 
the open air, at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. By Mr.M‘Nab. The 
register showed the dates at which the flowering took place in 1861, 1862, 
and 1863 respectively. 
Sydney, Oct. 26th.—The improvements lately carried out in the Botanic 
Gardens deserve to be noticed as adding to the attractions of a spot of which 
the people of Sydney are justifiably proud, and the natural aud artificial 
beauti. i 
colony. The Botanic Gardens have always been a favourite resort with the 
residents of Sydney ; but their features of interest have been greatly increased 
since the addition of a zoological to the botanical collection, A further addi- 
tion of about two acres in extent has been made to the Lower Garden. The 
Garden now reaches to the Governor’s bathing-house, which may be said 
to complete its extension in that direction. The greater portion of the re- 
ng 
illustration of the exogenous plants by means of compartments, each com- 
artment or bed representing some family ; the whole are divided by broad 
na A rustic house has been erected close to this ground, for the purpose 
of affording shelter in ease of rain, and also generally for the convenience of 
botanical students. The house is octagonal in shape, each alternate side being 
open, the close sides being formed of ironbark saplings, in various ingenious de- 
i ing a different design. The inside of the roof is 
is neatly paved with octagonal blocks, and seats are being placed against the 
closed sides, and also round a table in the centre. The roof is thatched with 
