Botanical Fetes in France. 1 55 



ergot, (fee. and the means ofpreventing these formidable enemies 

 of the graminae. M. Chabrely pronounced an eulogium on Ab- 

 dolonymus. M. Chausaret, the secretary, treated of some dif- 

 ferences between the animal and vegetable kingdom. The Di- 

 rector then made a summary report of the fruits of the various 

 excursions of the morning which were spread before them, with 

 the result of the meteorological observations which the society 

 had just made. The reading was then continued as follows : 

 The influence of Botany on the moral faculties of man, by M. 

 Caboy. On the circulation of sap, and the colour of flowers, 

 by M. Bermond ; Eulogium of Dalichamp, by M. Teulere, 

 vice-president ; Apotheosis of la Pervenche, by M. Cauvain, 

 president of the section of Paris. M. Laterrade, the director, 

 (author of the Flora Bordelasensis, the second edition of 

 which includes 1611 species,) pronounced a discourse in 

 which he brought into view the agricultural, botanical, and 

 meteorological researches of the society since its last public 

 session. The two following paragraphs may interest culti- 

 vators. " The unseasonable heats which we have experi- 

 enced, excite your attention. Scarcely had the Ram opened 

 the portals of spring, when we beheld expanded the flowers 

 of summer. At the end of March, the nenuphar displayed 

 its golden corals, and the orchideae embellished our meadows. 

 The thermometer of Reaumur, placed in the shade, and 

 exposed to the north, has often stood at 30° or 31° ( = 100 F.) 

 How different is the scene at the present time, from that of 

 preceding years ! The greater part of the spring flowers 

 have run their race; the last plants of summer are opening 

 their calices, and the vine shows us its grapes, ready to change ■ 

 their colour." 



" In its excursions the society visited the domain, where 

 it is proposed to establish an experimental farm, for which 

 the duke D'Angouleme has just taken five shares. Your 

 committee has found a place proper for its destination, con- 

 vinced that it is by experience that we must prove that our 

 waste lands may be made productive.'' 



A new section of the society at Montpelier was proclaimed, 

 and the reception of its new members. 



2d. At LiBOURNE a report was made of the excursions of 

 the year, under the direction of M. Moyne, M. D. president, 

 and they found, for the first time in the department, the 

 Dianthus superbus. 



