* 47 



On a wet moor between Fala and Stowe. 



On the northern side of the Ochills, not far from Dollar, found by 

 Mr. Wyville Thomson. 



Near Walston, Lanarkshh'e, found by Mr. Blackie. 



Dr. Balfour noticed the discovery, by Mrs. Balfour, in August last, 

 of Ginannia furcellata, of Turner, in Laralash Bay, Arran. This is 

 the first Scottish station for the plant. The Rev. Dr. Landsborough 

 has subsequently received this species from the same station, dredged 

 by Major Martin, Ardrossan. Specimens of the plant in fructifica- 

 tion were shown, both in the dry state and preserved in creosote, 

 and some were exhibited under the microscope. 



Dr. Balfour exhibited a recently invented apparatus for drying 

 plants, which had been sent to him by Mr. John Ball, of Dublin. 

 The principle on which the apparatus was constructed is to allow 

 free circulation of air, so that both plants and paper are dried without 

 much changing. 



There was exhibited, from Mr. Charles Lawson, a large plant of 

 Tussac Grass, grown in Orkney. Some recently received tufts of 

 this grass, when fresh, weighed about 1 cwt. 



Dr. Balfour exhibited specimens illustrating the production of 

 Vinegar. 



No. 1. The so-called vinegar- plant, with vinegar produced by it. 



No. 2. Syrup into which the plant had not been introduced, but 

 which had been left for four months undisturbed. In it a peculiar 

 fungus-like growth similar to the vinegar-plant was found, and the 

 fluid had become vinegar. 



No. 3. A specimen of vinegar produced by the vinegar-plant, which 

 had been filtered and then allowed to stand for several months, and 

 in which a fungus similar to that called the vinegar-plant had been 

 formed. 



Dr. Balfour thought the so-called vinegar-plant must be considered 

 the Mycelium of some fungus produced in a peculiar fluid, and which 

 acted as a ferment. The addition of any ferment would probably 

 cause a similar production of vinegar. 



A peculiar forked variety of Lastrea Filix-mas was exhibited by 

 Mr. Thomas Anderson, which he had picked in the neighbourhood 

 of Clonrael. 



