863 



Algiers ; and specimens of plants from Dr. Philip W. Maclagan, and 

 Dr. Dickie. 



The following communications were read : 



1. Notice of plants collected in the line of the Rideau Canal, Cana- 

 da West. By Dr. Philip W. Maclagan. 



In this paper Dr. Maclagan gave an enumeration of the plants ob- 

 served by him along the line of the Rideau Canal, in May, 1843. 

 This great work, which commences at Bytown on the Ottawa, and 

 terminates near Kingston on Lake Ontario, is about 137 miles in length. 

 The points examined were Smith's Falls, about half-way between By- 

 town and Kingston; the Isthmus and Davies' Locks, some miles fur- 

 ther on; Jones' Falls, 30 miles north of Kingston; and Kingston 

 Mills, within five miles of the latter town. The paper was illustrated 

 by dried specimens collected during the route, and living plants of 

 Trilliums were exhibited to show the peculiarities of the Flora. 



2. Notice of the discovery of Gagea lutea in Dalkeith woods, by 

 Mr. James Mitchel. Communicated by Dr. Balfour. 



Specimens of some rare Orchids from South America, and of a new 

 shrubby plant belonging to the Compositae, were exhibited from the 

 hothouses of the gardens. 



Dr. Balfour exhibited a piece of turf containing numerous fresh 

 specimens of Primula Scotica, received from the vicinity of Thurso, 

 through the kindness of R. Heddle, Esq., who remarks that the plant, 

 which is common all along the northern shores of Caithness, flowers 

 several times a year, from May to December ; and that in the later 

 flowering specimens the limb of the corolla is much thrown back. 

 He also mentions P. acaulis as common, but has never observed P. 

 veris. 



The following gentlemen were admitted ordinary resident fellows of 

 the society : Andrew Brown, Esq., 13, Argyle Square ; Robert Foulis, 

 Esq., F.S.S.A., Bruntsfield Lodge ; and Dr. Dubuc, 121, George 

 Street. 



Notes on Viola odorata, and its Occurrence in Fifeshire, 8jc. 

 By George Lawson, Esq. 



The sweet purple violet is a sweet flower indeed : the very mention 

 of its name calls to our minds thoughts of the most pleasing character ; 

 — our hearts throb with happy emotion — and a thousand scenes of 

 loveliness are called to our recollection. Sunny braes and shady 



