998 



A paper by Dr. Macgowan, of Ningpo, ' On the Soap Beans of 

 China,' was read. 



In this paper, the author gave a popular description, chiefly from 

 Chinese authorities, of two species of Caesalpinia, which furnish the 

 soap-bean {Isaukih) and the plump soap-bean (Jitsaukih) of the Chi- 

 nese. The beans have marked saponaceous qualities, and are used 

 as detergents, for cleaning silver vessels, &c. 



Flora of Arran. 



A paper by Dr. Balfour, ' On the Flora of the Island of Arran,' was 

 read. 



Dr. Balfour gave an account of the Geology of the Island, and 

 noticed the plants which occur in different districts, in connexion 

 with the roclis. He mentioned that he had observed between 500 

 and 600 Phanerogamous plants, and 27 ferns and Equiseta. He 

 made some remarks on the rarer and more interesting species, espe- 

 cially Triticnra laxum, Rosa involuta, various forms of Rubi, Pyrus 

 fennica, Hypericum dubiura, Mentha sylvestris, var. veliitina, Ulva 

 montana, Petalonema alatum, Ginnania furcellata, Fucus vesiculosus, 

 evesiculosus, &c. ; also Lastrea Foenisecii and L. dilatata, the rhi- 

 zomes of which ferns appear to diff'er in the number and arrange- 

 ment of the vascular bundles. The section of L. dilatata is generally 

 pale, and has comparatively few dark bundles ; while that of L. 

 Foenisecii is dotted with black specks. 



Dyeing Properties of Lichens. 



The third part of Mr. Lindsay's paper ' On the Dyeing Properties 

 of the Lichens' was read. 



The author detailed the various processes of manufacture, as carried 

 on in different countries, on the large scale (by the manufacturer), and 

 small scale (by the peasant), with the principles on which these are 

 severally founded. The following is the rationale of the usual pro- 

 cess ; the mode of treatment, in the case of different lichens, being 

 the same in principle, though differing slightly in detail : — 



1. The plant is carefully cleaned, dried, and comminuted, or 

 reduced to powder. 



2. This powder is ground, or made into a pulp with water. 



3. The ammoniacal liquor, of whatever kind, is added, in smaller 

 or greater quantity, from time to time. 



4. The whole mass is constantly stirred, so as to expose it, as freely 

 as possible, to the action of the air. 



