157 



bulb of which he had received from the Rev. W. T. Bree, Allesley 

 Rectory, who cultivated it in his garden from roots found apparently 

 wild near Tenby, in Pembrokeshire, by the late Joseph Boultbee, Esq. 

 It differs from N. Pseudo-narcissus in having the cup divided into six 

 distinct lobes, and of the same colour as the segments of the perianth, 

 which are broadly ovate and rather sharply acuminate. It is a very 

 handsome plant, and unlike any species known in gardens. 



Dr. Balfour read a communication from the Rev. W. Smith, of 

 Lewes, giving a detailed account of his examination of the Diatoraa- 

 ceous peat from Cantyre, referred to in a previous report. The fol- 

 lowing is a list of the species detected by him : — 



The above are all of them fresh-water species ; in the inner deposit 

 occur numerous spicula of Spongilla fluviatilis. One of the rare spe- 

 cies mentioned above is Stauroneis acuta ; this Mr. Smith has also 

 found in the Irish deposit : it is figured in the ' Histological Catalogue 

 of the College of Surgeons,' plate xii. f. 28, having been collected by 

 Dr. Mantell's son, at Plymouth, New Zealand. A drawing was given 

 of this species, and a specimen was sent for the microscope. The 

 communication was illustrated by beautifully prepared specimens, 

 which were exhibited under the microscope. 



Dr. Balfour likewise read a communication from Dr. James Dun- 

 can, on the supposed poisonous effects of the seeds of Abrus precato- 

 rius. This communication had reference to the case of three children 



