Xiv Annual Report. [ February, 1918. 
within.” His observations on the habitat from Knovia mollis, 
W. & A., are very interesting. 
Professor Fyson has also contributed a paper on a Malfor- 
mation of the Common Pine-apple (Ananas sativus, Schult.). 
n a paper entitled Observations on Pollination in Alysi- 
carpus, Mr. Cherian Jacob gives an interesting account of how 
the explosive pollination mechanisn in this genus brings about _ 
xenogamy, sometimes by aid of insects and sometimes without 
“ 
the aid of external agencies, 
Physical Science. 
Two chemical papers read at the Science Congress held 
in Bangalore at the beginning of the year have been published 
in our Journal. One of these papers was by Mr. Charles Stanley 
Gibson and Dr. John Lionel Simonsen on the stereochemistry of 
Alanine derivatives, the compounds selected for study being 
such as are easily prepared and beautifully crystallized. It 
was shown that increasing the mass of PR in compounds of the 
its 
type H—C,—NHR, where R is an acyl group, increases the 
COOH A 
rotary power; but if CO is replaced by SO,, a diminution of 
rotary power takes place. 
constitution of morphine. As regards the latter subject the 
author produces some evidence in favour of the view that the 
nitrogen atom in morphine forms part of a five-membered ring 
Baluchistan. The rock has a porphyritic structure, the pheno 
erysts being titaniferous augite and olivine and the ground- 
mass consisting of lath-shaped microlites of felspars, augite 
c 1 glass e author arrives at the conclusion t 
a considerable portion of the limburgites are closely allied 
the picrites. : 
Medical Section. 
Several. At another meeting Lt.-Colonel W. D. Sutherland. 
PAS.B., read a paper on criminal abortion, in which he advo- 
