660 



right in judging it to be an Attalea ; but it is not from Africa, but no 

 doubt from some part of the Brazil coast, most likely from the Ama- 

 zon, where it abounds. There are a number of species described, 

 more than I think really exist: they are so much alike that they are 

 very diflScult to make out. I believe the present one is Atlalea 

 compta of Martius. They are all very slow growers. They make 

 good roots and leaves, but take years before they form a trunk to begin 

 to ascend." 



Sehesten Plum (Cordia Sebestana). 



The wood of this tree is said to give out a delicious perfume while 

 burning ; and a red dye is also prepared from its leaves. 



Fruit of the Ochro (Abelmoschus esculentus). 



The young pods are gathered green, and used in soups, also pickled 

 like capers. They are full of nutritive mucilage, and when cooked 

 with butter make a rich dish. 



Vegetable Rope. 



Specimen of peculiar root-like twigs, found hanging at the extre- 

 mities of the long rope-like stems of the Cassia trifoliata, at Spanish 

 Town, Jamaica. This vegetable rope is frequently from twenty to 

 thirty feet in length. 



Dried Fruit of the Mammee Tree (Mammea araericana). 



The fruit is eaten raw, cut in slices, with wine and sugar. The 

 seeds are bitter and resinous. 



Jamaica Pickles. 



Mr. M'Nab exhibited specimens of Jamaica pickles, made from the 

 leaves and young flower-spikes of the cocoa-nut, from the leaves of 

 the macaw-tree {Cocos fusiformis) and cabbage-palm [Euterpe nion- 

 tana), and from the fruit of the water-melon {Cucurhita Citrullus), 

 and prickly cucumber (Cucumis anguria). 



The following papers were read : — 



Fluorine in the Stems of GraminecB, Sfc. 



' On the Presence of Fluorine in the Stems of Gramineae, Equi- 

 setaceae, and other Plants, with some Observations on the Sources 



