867 



of an opalized endogenous stem, "carboniferous fern (Neuropteris), and 

 an old oak quaigh, from Orkney. From A. H. Balfour, Esq., Hong 

 Kong, China : Specimens of Chinese manuscripts ; the letters are 

 written on narrow leaves (probably of a palm), which are fastened 

 together so as to form small books. From Daniel Oliver, jun., Esq., 

 Newcastle : Four specimens of the interpetiolary glands and hairs of 

 Pentas carnea, put up in a solution of chloride of calcium, on slides 

 for the microscope. From Alexander Duff, Esq. : Large specimen of 

 Conferva segogropila, from a lake in South Uist, Outer Hebrides. 

 From Mr. James Scrymgeour, Dundee : Specimens of vegetable sub- 

 stance found in the interior of a coffin in the old burying-ground, 

 Dundee. 



Mr. Stewart M'Glashen exhibited his patent apparatus for trans- 

 planting trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. The method of ope- 

 rating was fully explained ; and a specimen of Araucaria imbricala, 

 2j feet high, with a ball of earth 21 inches square, and weighing in 

 all 3^^ cwt., was shown in the state in which it had been taken up from 

 the Botanic Garden ; also a specimen of Helleborus niger, in flower, 

 taken up with a ball of earth, by a smaller apparatus, consisting of 

 two semicircular spades, placed together so as to form a sort of iron 

 flower-pot, by the handles being pressed outwards. 



Dr. Balfour made some remarks on the efficiency of the apparatus, 

 and the ease with which it was applied. The Araucaria shown had 

 been taken up in six minutes from the time the spades were first ap- 

 plied to the soil. He had seen various kinds of trees and shrubs 

 taken up ; and in every instance the method was most successful. 

 In some cases four and five tons of earth had been taken up in the 

 Botanical and Experimental Gardens. Dr. Balfour considered the 

 invention as an admirable one, and as being well fitted for its purpose. 



Dyeing Properties of Lichens. 



The first part of a paper ' On the Dyeing Properties of the Lichens,' 

 by Dr. Lauder Lindsay, was read. 



Dr. Lindsay stated that his attention had been directed to the sub- 

 ject of the natural history of the lichens, two years ago, by Professor 

 Balfour ; that he had since been engaged in occasional researches 

 into the structure and properties of these plants ; and that the chief 

 object of his present paper was merely to show, from the present state 

 of our knowledge on this subject, the great amount of observation, in 

 various departments of lichenology, which still remains to be made, 

 and to ask the assistance and co-operation of members of the Society 



