421 • 



Mr. Thomas Anderson exhibited several fossil leaves from the ter- 

 tiary formation, belonging to dicotyledonous plants. 



Mr. James B. Davies exhibited the following specimens from Mr. 

 Lawson, jun., who remarked, in a letter accompanying them, " I send 

 a few specimens of novelties which may perhaps be interesting to 

 some of the members: — Some new varieties of curiously-marked kid- 

 ney beans from Portugal ; new turnips and radish from France (the 

 white variety is the earliest I have ever heard of, being ready in three 

 weeks, I understand) ; specimens of the Bromus Schraderi and Cana- 

 densis, showing very abundant foliage at this season (this grass has 

 been long known to botanists, but there seems great difficulty in 

 making our agricultural friends believe in its value) ; Isatis Tndigotica, 

 as employed in China for dyeing tea." 



Mr. Fortune remarked that the early turnip was common in China, 

 and had probably been imported into France, whence Mr. Lawson 

 had obtained it. 



Mr. Davies also exhibited specimens of Elymushordeiformis affected 

 with ergot, and a variety of Elymus Canadensis with a branching spike 

 of several heads. 



Mr. Stark exhibited growing specimens of Portugese plants, amongst 

 which was a beautiful species of Linaria, apparently allied to L. supina 

 or L. alpina, but with large flowers, of a rich purple. 



At the request of the President, Mr. Fortune gave some interesting 

 information relative to the manufacture of tea in China, and also in 

 regard to the tea plantations belonging to the Hon. East India Com- 

 pany in the Himalaya. 



Daniel Oliver, jun., of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was elected an Ordi- 

 nary Fellow. Six candidates were proposed for election at the next 

 meeting, which will take place on the second Thursday of December. 



Tliursday, December 11, 1851. — Professor Balfour, President, in 

 the chair. 



The following donations were announced ;— A very large and valu- 

 able collection of Fungi from Dr. Greville ; British plants from Mr. 

 Thomas Moore, Botanic Garden, Chelsea, and Mr. Withers, Bath ; 

 ' Botanical Gazette,' from the Editor. 



Dr. Balfour exhibited the following donations, presented to the 

 museum at the Botanic Garden by Dr. Alexander Hunter, Madras : — 

 1. Fibres of the Musa paradisaica, or plantain; 2. Cord made from 

 the fibres of that plant ; 3. Paper made from the fibres of the same 

 plant ; 4. Various kinds of caoutchouc, procured from Ficus iudica, 



