344 Botanical Society of Edinburgh : — 



eye and back upon the neck, another straight hne behind the eye, 

 and both are often more or less broken into spots. 



" Carapax dusky mottled with yellowish, a great black spot sur- 

 rounded with a pale areola upon each discoidal (!) plate, dorsal ridges 

 blackish with pale border, and lower parts wholly yellowish-white. 



*' Some are brighter coloured than others, and the ocelli become 

 proportionally smaller as they increase in size. 



" The carapax of our largest specimen measured 9 by Q)\ inches, 

 but it probably is not nearly full-grown." 



Hab. Burmah. 



7. CiSTUDO DENTATA, Gray. 



There is a fine adult specimen of this species in the Collection, 

 also from Mergui. 



BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. 



December 11, 1856. — Professor Balfour, Vice-President, in the 

 Chair. 



The following papers were read : — 



1 . " Description of a Method of Preserving Plants of their Natural 

 Form and Colour," by Thomas R. Marshall, Esq. 



The plant should be placed in a box, in such a manner as to preserve 

 the natural disposition of its parts ; fine sawdust (perfectly dry) of 

 box, or other hard wood, is then to be carefully sprinkled over it, 

 taking care not to shift the position of the leaves. The plants ought 

 to be quite fresh when put into the box. About a fortnight in he 

 dust is suificieut to dry the plants in summer (in a natural heat ) ; 

 succulent plants require a longer time. 



2. " On the species of Pine called in Moffat * Dr. Walker's Pouch 

 Fir,' " by Professor Fleming. 



3. " On some new species of Marine Diatomacese from the Firth 

 of Clyde," by Professor Gregory. 



4. "Notice of Hepaticse, found near Aberfeldy," by John 

 Lowe, Esq. 



The author enumerated fifty-five species. 



The third meeting of the session was held on January 8, 1857. — 

 Professor Balfour, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The following papers were read : — 



1 . " On the production of Ergot on Rye," by Kenneth Corbet, 

 Esq. 



The author stated that he found that native ergot was more certain 

 in its medical action than that imported from the Continent. 



2. " On a Monstrosity in the Fruit of Silene injlata, with some 

 remarks on Placentation," by A. Dickson, Esq. 



Mr. Dickson exhibited a specimen with partitions in the ovary. 

 He considered that the specimen he produced went to support the 

 view of central placentation in all cases, as suggested by Schleiden. 



