Proceedings. 93 



{Microscopical and Natural History Section^] 

 Ordinary Meeting, February 10th, 1896. 

 John Boyd, Esq., President of the Section, in the Chair- 

 Mr. Hyde exhibited a plant found in Chili which was. 

 new to the members. It grows in dense isolated masses 

 of a grey colour, which, from a distance, have the 

 appearance of a flock of sheep. It is said to be used 

 locally for fuel. 



Mr. Allen exhibited a number of leaves of cabbages 

 gathered within a mile of Widnes, some injured by fumes 

 and others showing natural decay. The former were 

 marked by black and blue metallic spots. Under the 

 microscope those injured by fumes could be easily 

 distinguished. The metallic particles (especially iron) 

 contained in the dust deposited as soot is acted on by- 

 sulphuretted hydrogen and converted into sulphides, 

 which on leaves (or ice) are observed as metallic-looking 

 blue spots. These sulphides are principally observed on 

 damp mornings ; they rapidly oxidize and are converted 

 into sulphates, which are corrosive and leave brown 

 spots on the leaves. 



[Microscopical and Natural History Section.^ 



Ordinary Meeting, March 9th, 1896. 



John Boyd, Esq., President of the Section, in the Chair.. 



Mr. Rogers referred to the plant exhibited at the 

 last meeting as having been gathered in Chili, and stated 

 that it had been examined by Mr. Leo Grindon and 



