Proceedings of the South African Institution. 85 



iemarkable tenacity of life observed in them ; and the modifi- 

 cations of this principle produced by the common mode of 

 killing them. 



November 25. — John Reed, Esq. was elected a Member of 

 the Institution ; and the following papers were read : — 



Sketches of the Botany of South Africa, No. 3. By Mr. Bowik 

 — The author, after a variety of general remarks, concluded 

 with a list of the plants that might be expected to flower in 

 the Cape District during the months of December, January. 

 February, and Mai'ch. 



A Visit to some of the Caffre Tribes beyond the Colony. By 

 Mr. Gill. — The hordes of Pato, Zambi, Henza, and Vosanic, 

 came under review ; and the author described at some length 

 a variety of the manners and customs of those savages, as 

 well as furnished a detailed account of the character of the 

 country over which he travelled. The latter he illustrated 

 by a plan, shewing the directions and positions of the moun- 

 tains, rivers, &c. 



December 30. — The Rev. Mr. Faure was elected a Membei 

 of the Institution. 



A paper was read, entitled, Experiments on Candle-Wicks, 

 and on the Effects of Chlorine upon the combustible properties 

 of the Wax of the Candle Berry Myrtle* By Mr. Reed— The 

 author, after making some remarks on the nature of com- 

 bustion, passed on to notice the different circumstances con- 

 nected with the wicks, which tended to increase or diminish 

 the light, and gave a statement of the comparative quantities 

 of light afforded by common tallow candles, and ones of im- 

 pure and bleached myrtle-berry wax. He proved the great 

 superiority of a candle with two wicks o-ver a candle with only 

 one, and shewed that when either are placed with a certain 

 inclination, that the carbonized portion of the wick gradually 

 fal's off, and do not require snuffing. 



A paper On the Exotic Plants which have been introduced 

 into South Africa, with remarks on their Cultivation and Uses. 

 By Mr. Bowie. — In this communication the writer detailed the 

 different Exotics which have yet been cultivated in the South 

 of Africa, and described the best methods of rearing them, 

 as well as stated the uses to which they might be applied. 



A description of two supposed undescribed species of Fishes. 

 By Mr. Webster. — Printed in the present number of the 

 Journal. — Vide page 26. 



A description of the Birds inhabiting the South of Africa, S^c. 

 By Dr. Smith. — A portion of this paper is printed in the 

 present Number. 



* Myrica, icthcnpica, serrata, laciniata, quercifolia, and cordifolia. 



