xxxvi Proceedings. [May 7th, 1907. 



Professor F. E. Weiss, D.Sc, F.L.S., exhibited a series of 

 photographs illustrating the vegetation of Corsica. Beginning 

 with the plants found near the shore he showed how well 

 protected they were against the drought to which they were 

 exposed during the summer months. Dwarf shrubs of Heli- 

 chrysum and tufts of leafless sea-lavender {Stat ice art icu lata) were 

 most characteristic of this zone. A little further from the sea 

 the slopes showed raiher more abundant vegetation consisting 

 largely of various species of Rock-Rose {Cistus) with handsome 

 white flowers and fragrant foliage. Interspersed with these 

 were clumps of Asphodel, while on the roots of the Rock-rose 

 the bright coloured Cytinus was found as a parasitic plant. 

 Above this region the slopes are covered by the macchia or 

 maquis, a typical Mediterranean brushwood, consisting largely 

 of shrubby arbutus and evergreen oaks interspersed with the 

 tree-heath {Erica arborea). This plant-formation resembles 

 very much the bush found on the slopes of Table Mountain 

 and in other places in South Africa. 



Above the macchia which clothes the foothills, and more 

 inland are found large forests of Corsican pine and groves of 

 beeches and other deciduous trees. The highest mountain 

 slopes are studded with small spring shrubs, largely Leguminosre 

 while Alpine plants allied to those of the Swiss Alps are found 

 on the rocky summits. 



Mr. C. L. Bafnes, M.A., concluded his paper on "Science 

 and Poetry," by reading a selection of the poems he has 

 collected from various sources. Among these were verses by 

 Professor J. C. Maxwell, Professor Rankine, and Archbishop 

 Whateley. 



Mr. J. E. Petavel, M.Sc, F.R.S., read a paper entitled 

 "On the Compression of Gases by means of Hydraulic 

 Apparatus." 



