698 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



I believe, -was this: The Doctor had buried the chrysalis of a sphinx moth 

 in some mould ^yhich he placed in a covered bottle, and after a time he 

 observed some grasses and ferns spring up, which at first he thought 

 nothing of, but observing that the}' continued growing day by day and 

 yet remained perfectly healthy, it led him to make further experiment, which 

 resulted in the beautiful ferneries and parlor greenhouses so prevalent 

 among us now. At present the. plants that are found to thrive best in 

 these miniature greenhouses are the different varieties of mosses, ferns, 

 cacti, aloes and orchids; and there is no doubt that as our knowledge 

 extends, we shall find that almost every description of flowering plants 

 may be cultivated in a similar way, and when that time arrives wo shall 

 see every dwelling adorned with its Wardian greenhouse or conservatory, 

 for it must be borne in mijid that when this system is fully developed it ' 

 will not be necessary to have any such small arrangements as at present, 

 but regularly built conservatories the whole width of the house, with 

 proper means of entering them so as to arrange the plants and flowers con- 

 tained within. Such a one I believe Dr. Ward has now, or had until very 

 recently, attached to his dwelling, situated in the very heart of London. 

 As I before observed, when the principle of these conservatories is more 

 thoroughly understood, we shall be enabled to have plants and flowers in 

 the greatest luxuriance in cities as well as in the country, and that too 

 with one-half the care that is now requisite, for under this system the con. 

 eervatory if necessary may be closed up for a fortnight or even months 

 during tlie summer, or other period that we may be absent, as the plant 

 will require no water, having once received their proper supply to last for 

 a given period. 



On motion of Mr. Jireh Bull the thanks of this Association were presented 

 to Mr. John Henderson, for his beautiful exhibition of winter flowers, and 

 also for his interesting and instructive lecture, and a copy was requested for 

 the use of the Association. 



On motion of Mr. William S. Carpenter it was 



Resolved, That as a mark of our appreciation of the eiforts of Mr. Hender- 

 son, in making this splendid display of flowering plants exhibited this eve- 

 ning, that it be recommended that the silver medal of the Institute he awarded 

 to him. 



Mr. Mead — The double White Primula on the table, which the modesty of 

 the lecturer has prevented him from alluding to, was introduced by him. This 

 plant has received high honors from the lloyal Horticultural Society of 

 England. 



."Dr. Rich exhibited some leaves, cones and seeds of the Silver tree, of the 

 Cape of Good Hope, brought by Mrs. Fannie V. Mangum from that country. 

 The following description of the tree was prepared by her : 



Silver Tree of the Cape of Good Hope. 



In the midst of so much that is curious and beautiful in the vegetable 

 world, my attention has been particularly drawn to the brilliant and graceful 

 Silver tree, that belts this magnificent mountain, and is at once the pride and 

 boast of the Africandia, who declares it to be a habitant of no other portion 

 of the globe. 



