20 



densum, was maliciously chopped up into over a dozen 

 fragments in Mr. Barnes* collection by some miscreant. 

 These fragments were collected by Mr. Whitwell, of 

 Kendal, and under his fostering care each one formed 

 a new axis of growth and a root system, so that subse- 

 quently a row of splendid specimens appeared in Mr. 

 Whitwell's garden. Oar attention being called to these, 

 we noticed at once that one, though indubitably of that 

 particular section, and equally indubitably derived from a 

 division of the original specimen, was distinctly different 

 from the rest, both in habit and cutting. This, of course, 

 proved that the mother-cell by which the plant had 

 originated as a bud on one of the fragments aforesaid 

 had of itself adopted a special and new plan of growth — 

 i.e. had sported. 



It is, indeed, now well known that bulbil propagation, 

 though fairly reliable as regards true reproduction of the 

 type, is by no means absolutely so. That sportive spores 

 may arise on an otherwise normal or nearly normal plant 

 has been shown in two interesting instances in our 

 personal experience. 



{To be continued.) 



The following paper was read by Mr. G. B. Wollaston at the 

 monthly meeting in November (1875), held at his residence, 

 Bishop's Well, Chiselhurst : — - 



Ladies and Gentlemen, 



You have kindly asked me to read a paper to you, 

 at this our first meeting after the recess, and I do so with 

 great pleasure, but at the same time with much diffidence 

 in my powers, and I trust you will make allowance for all 

 my shortcomings. 



It is now many years since I first rode a hobby, viz. 



