Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 



Edward Vernon Harcourt. 



BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. 



May 12, 1853. — Professor Balfour, President, in the Chair. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. "On the Soap Beans of China," by Dr. Macgowan of Xingpo. 

 This paper contained a popular description, chiefly derived from 

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

 Soap Bean and the Plump Soap Bean of the Chinese. The Beans 

 have marked saponaceous quahties, and are used as detergents, for 

 cleaning silver vessels, &c. 



2. " On the Flora of the Island of Arran," by Dr. Balfour. The 

 author noticed the plants which occur in different districts, in con- 

 nexion with the rocks. He mentioned that he had observed between 

 500 and 600 Phanerogamous plants, and 27 Ferns and Equiseta. 



3. "On the Colorific properties of the Lichens. Part III. The 

 Manufacture of the Lichen-dyes," by W. Lauder Lindsay, M.D. 

 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. 



June 9. — Professor Balfour, President, in the Chair. 



Dr. Balfour stated that some of the Palms in the Botanic Garden 

 had sent their fronds through the roof of the Palm-House, and that 

 unless measures were taken immediately for making an addition to 

 the house, he would be vmder the necessity of destroying some of the 

 finest Palms in Britain. 



The following are the measurements of some of them. In giving 



t Where there are stars it is on my own authority. 



