306 Proceedings of Societies. 



come fine trees ; and Mr Mackay noticed an instance of a similar kind, where some 

 plants of Pinus Canadensis, which he had grown from seed, after being cut to the 

 ground by a severe frost, had thrown up shoots from the stools. 



Mr Forbes communicated the names and localities of sixteen species of shells 

 new to Scotland, and had observed that many species, which on the east coast and 

 in the Irish sea, were found only in very deep water, occurred above low water 

 mark on the west coast. 



Dr Lloyd read a paper on the Marsiliaceffi. He confined his observations 

 more particularly to the Pilularia globulifera, and considered the two kinds of 

 grains found in the involucrum as respectively analogous to pollen and seed. In 

 causing the seed to germinate he had observed that the first appearance of the 

 leaf always took place at a determinate spot. There are no spiral vessels, but 

 only a bundle of minute ducts in the centre of the stem and leaves. 



An abstract of a paper by Mr P. Teale was read on the " Alcyonella stagno- 

 rum," and several specimens in beautiful preservation were exhibited. This ani- 

 mal was found near Leeds in 1835. 



Mr Yates exhibited several specimens of the insect called a " vegetating wasp," 

 which he had received from Jamaica. It appeared to be a Polystrix, according 

 to Mr Hope, and to be incrusted by a remarkable fungus allied to spharia, which, 

 it was asserted, attached itself to the body of the living insect. 



Dr Riley exhibited a skeleton of the two-toed ostrich, in which he pointed out 

 the fact, hitherto unnoticed, of there being in reality a third toe in a rudimentary 

 state, consisting of two phalanges, and articulated to a well-defined condyle. 

 Mr Bowman exhibited a specimen of Spircea hypericoefolia gathered near Den- 

 bigh, where it has become naturalized. 



Dr Tyacke exhibited specimens of Lamium intermedium from near Edinburgh 

 and several parts of the Hebrides. 



Dr Corbet sent a communication illustrated with dried specimens and draw- 

 ings, shewing the effects produced by causing plants to absorb first the prus- 

 siate of potash, and then the sulphuret of iron — J. S. H. 



Notices of Proceedings of Societies London. 



Medico-Botanical Society, May 25, 1836. (Continued from p. 208.) — 

 Dr Ryan in the Chair. A communication by Mr Alsop, on a new mode of mak- 

 ing and preserving infusions, was read. The alteration in the mode of prepara- 

 tion consisted principally of a perforated plate inside the infusion jar, resting on 

 a ledge, on which the material to be infused was placed. The boiling water 

 is then poured on, and as it becomes saturated, sinks through the perforations, 

 fresh liquid supplying its place, as long as there is any thing left which water 

 can dissolve. It is to be preserved by bottling it hot in well-stoppered vessels, 

 filled completely, so as entirely to exclude the atmospheric air. In this way, 

 Mr Alsop preserved an infusion for nine months. 



A paper by Colonel Galindo, the envoy from Guatimala, was next read, giv- 

 ing a list of the medicinal plants of that country. After which Mr Foote read 

 an essay on the use of the oil of turpentine in the treatment of inflammation of 

 the iris. In accordance with the views of Mr H. Carmichael of Dublin, he re- 

 commends its employment in those cases only, where, from previous free use of 

 mercury, or from idiosyncrasy, that powerful remedial agent cannot be had re- 

 course to. Several cases were detailed in proof of its efficacy. Mr Foote con- 



