60 



of Orchis macrophylla, Corallorhiza multiflora, Aralia hispida and ra- 

 mosa, Aster acuminata, and Aspidium bulbiferum, which, with the 

 Cyperus retrofractus from the most exposed places, formed the most 

 interesting part of our collections this day. After some difficulty we 

 reached the summit, and the view as seen around was truly grand. 

 Here we beheld the St. Lawrence winding its way through a vast ex- 

 tent of level country, while in various parts extensive wooded islands 

 were seen obstructing its course. On descending the south side of 

 the mountain, which is closely wooded, the thermometer indicated 

 80° of Fahrenheit. The exertion caused by ascending and descend- 

 ing was overpowering ; and owing to the parched state of the ground, 

 and the flaccid vegetables with which it was covered, walking was 

 rendered nearly as difficult as over sea-weeds on a rocky shore." 



At this meeting the election of office-bearers for the ensuing year 

 took place ; when Dr. Douglas MacLagan was chosen President, and 

 Professor Graham, Drs. Lowe, Greville and Seller, Vice-presidents. — 

 Edinhuryh Evening Post and Scottish Record. 



Thursday, January 9, 1845. Dr. Douglas Maclagan, President, in 

 the chair. The following communications were read : — 



L Notice regarding a plant from Ichaboe, supposed to yield Afri- 

 can Olibanum, by Dr. D. Maclagan. 



The plant in question had been picked on the coast of Africa, close 

 to the Island of Ichaboe. Nothing was known regarding its botani- 

 cal characters, as it was destitute both of foliage and inflorescence : 

 its habit, however, was very peculiar. A short stem, about four inch- 

 es long and two thick, terminated above in a round knob, from which 

 the principal branches arose, and each of these was ended by a simi- 

 lar knob, from which the short, thick, and abrupt branches sprang in 

 an irregularly trichotomous manner. Microscopic examination of 

 the wood did not elucidate its history. On making a section of a 

 branch, a soft resinous matter exuded, which by exposure dried up 

 and became brittle. Dr. M. had succeeded in collecting some of this, 

 and found, that like African Olibanum, it consisted of resin, volatile 

 oil, and a peculiar matter analogous to, but not identical with, gum ; 

 and it was quite possible that this might be the plant yielding the 

 African Olibanum, which drug had never yet been traced authenti- 

 cally to its source- Dr. Maclagan was confirmed in this belief, by 

 finding on a specimen of African Olibanum in his museum, pieces of 

 the bark of a tree, exactly agreeing in physical characters with the 

 bark of the plant now before the Society. Dr. Maclagan's object in 

 making this communication, was to direct attention to the subject, in 



