2 Proceedings of the Society. 



upon which Dr. Sigmond, the Professor of Toxicology, deli- 

 vered some observations. 



The Professor of Botany cited a case which had come under 

 his own immediate observation, which tended to shew that, in 

 some cases, a cold infusion of Sarsaparilla was preferable to a 

 decoction. 



The following Resolution, adopted on the 31st of October, 

 by the Council of the Royal Asiatic Society, was read : 



" Resolved, that the collection of dried plants and the MSS. 

 relating to the Materia Medica of Ceylon, that were presented 

 to the Society by Sir Alexander Johnston, be transferred to the 

 Medico-Botanical Society, accompanied by the assurance, that 

 this Council feels fully impressed with the importance of the 

 objects to which the Medico-Botanical Society directs its atten- 

 tion ; and that they confidently trust, that the Medico-Botanical 

 Society will favour them with any communications they may 

 receive, that are connected with Oriental subjects." 



January the Wth, 1828. The Bye-Laws, as revised by a 

 Special Committee, were read, approved, and ordered to be 

 printed. 



An extract was read from a letter of Messrs. Boussingault 

 and Mariano, published in the Annales de Chimie and Physique, 

 which stated, that the constituent parts of the milk of the Cow 

 tree appeared from chemical analysis to be, 1° wax ; 2° fibrine ; 

 3° a small proportion of sugar ; 4° a magnesian salt, which is 

 not an acetate ; and 5° water. They further observe, that the 

 presence of fibrine explains its nutritive qualities, and that the 

 tree might be cultivated in the Valley of Araqua with advantage 

 for the wax, which is very superior. 



Anniversary Meeting, January the 16th. The Secre- 

 tary's Report for the preceding year shewed an increase of 17 

 Honorary Fellows, 1 Honorary Member, 65 Fellows, and 19 

 Corresponding Members. 



The Librarian's Report shewed an increase of 117 Volumes 

 of printed Books, 56 Pamphlets, 14 MSS., and 597 coloured 

 Drawings of Plants. 



