319 



natifid leaves on the same stem, Prunus Padus, Polj'podium Dryop- 

 teris, Trollius emopoeus, Potentilla Fragariastruin, Ranunculus auri- 

 comus, Myrrhis odorata, Geranium sylvaticum, Orchis mascula, &c. 

 He also gave an account of exem'sions to Arran on the 4th and 5th of 

 July, 1844 ; and to Toward-point, and the shore between that and 

 Dunoun. The discovery of Carex vesicaria and Thalictrum flavum 

 in the latter quarter was particularly noticed. 



Dr. Balfour laid on the table Mr. Keddie's prize herbarium, which 

 Mr. K. kindly proposed to incorporate with the Society's collection, 

 on the condition that it is to be accessible, under proper regulations, 

 to the students of the botanical class in the University. 



June 24, 1845. — The President in the chair. 



Dr. Balfour exhibited growing specimens of Cypi'ipedium pubes- 

 cens and spectabile, from the Botanic Garden. The specimens had 

 been transmitted by Dr. Gavin Watson, of Philadelphia. Dr. B. also 

 gave a description of the plants belonging to the section Cypripedieae 

 of the natural order Orchidacese, and explained the structural charac- 

 ters. The remarks were illustrated by dried specimens from North 

 America, Siberia, Europe, Brazil and Nepaul. Of twenty species of 

 Cypripedium mentioned by Steudel, one is found in Britain and in 

 other parts of Europe, four in Siberia, six in North America, four 

 in Brazil, three in Nepaul, one in Japan and one in the Malay 

 Archipelago. 



Dr. Balfour next exhibited a large specimen of the root of Calotro- 

 pis gigantea, which had been sent from Scinde, by Lieut. Maclagan, 

 of the Engineers. The plant belongs to the natural order Asclepia- 

 daceae, and receives the name of the Mudar or Madar plant. It is 

 common in India, where it attains a large size. Specimens of the 

 plant were exhibited. The bark of the root furnishes the article of 

 Materia Medica called Mudar, which is used in various affections of 

 the skin, and in rheumatism as a diaphoretic. The juice of the plant 

 is acrid and milky ; and a principle called Mudarrin was detected by 

 the late Dr. Duncan, of Edinbm-gh, which is remai'kable for the pro- 

 perty of gelatinising on being heated, and becoming fluid on cooling. 



Dr. B. then showed dried specimens of Cheirostemou platanoides, 

 the hand-tree or Manitas of South America, and explained the pecu- 

 liar structure of the stamens. 



A specimen of Androsace alpina was exhibited, which had been 

 gathered by Dr. Barry on Mont Blanc, at the height of 10,000 feet. 



Dr. Balfour then gave a short account of botanical trips with his 

 pupils to Roseneath, Ross, Largs and Wemyss-bay, Dumbarton and 



