156 Proceedings of Societies. 
132 0z. to 34 0z. When the fruit attains a large size, the flavour is 
generally inferior, 
Horticulturists propagate this fruit-tree by layers and grafts. The 
natives generally are acquainted with the system of layering, but not of 
grafting, which perpetuates the flavour of the parent stock. In the 
different horticultural gardens, a great number of mango grafts are taken 
from the choicest kinds, and are annually distributed over the presidency, 
The Alphonzo and Mazagon varieties are preferred, from their honey- 
flavour and the absence of fibres; the former, which is distinguished by 
its russet rind and deep orange mesocarp, is known at Madras as the 
Petre pasand, from the circumstance of its having been introduced from 
Bombay by a former governor, Mr Petre. Other kinds are highly 
esteemed, as Ramani (alter Rama), Dil pasand (Delight of the Heart), 
Shah pasand (Delight of the King), &e. Some have a slightly acid taste, 
and the mesocarp varies in colour from orange to nearly white. 
Mangoes of very fine quality are produced in the Chittur, Salem, and 
Bangalore districts of the Madras Presidency. 
Report of the Flowering of Plants in the Botanic Garden. 
By Mr M‘Nas., 7 
Symphytum caucasicum, Feb. 24 | Scilla bifolia-alba, . | Mar. 9 
Muscari botryoides . — 26 | Hyoscyamus Scopolia, — 9 
Anchusa sempervirens — 28) Rhododendron Nobleanum— 10 
Orobus vernus ‘ Mar. 4) Pulmonaria mollis, . — 12 
Narcissus pumilus, . — 6 | Corydalis nobilis, . — 12 
Arabis albida, ; — 6) Primula nivalis, . — 12 
Primula denticulata, — 7|Erythronium Dens-canis, — 14 
Scilla bifolia, blue, . — 7/| Puschkinia scilloides, — 18 
»» . sibirica, 7 — 8 
Thursday 11th April.—Dr W. H. Lowe, President in the Chair. 
The following communications were read :— 
1. The Flora of Iceland. By W. Lauper Linpsay, M.D., F.R.S.E., 
F.L.S., &c. 
(This paper appears in the present number of the Journal.) 
2. On the species of Dioscorea (yams) occurring in South India. By 
Dr CLEeGHorn. 
The author adverted to the great importance of these tropical esculents, 
which are of such value in eastern countries, particularly in seasons of 
famine like the present, when the rice crops have failed and the suffer- 
ing population resort to the forests in quest of yams and other indigenous — 
roots. The Aracecw and Dioscorcacce yield starchy tubers, which are 
much more wholesome than the Cucurbitaceous fruits so extensively used 
by the natives. The former contain a large amount of nutriment, and 
when roasted or steeped in cold water are deprived of their acridity ; but 
the latter are a fruitful source of diarrhwa and mischief. A good con- 
spectus of the genus is still a desideratum. The best description of the 
Asiatic species was given forty years ago by Roxburgh, who cultivated 
seventeen species in the Botanic Garden, Calcutta, the roots having been 
transmitted to him from different districts of Bengal. Of these, thirteen 
species are now recognised in the public gardens. ‘The student will find re- 
presentations of these in Wight’s ‘‘ cones,” and in Rheede’s ‘‘ Hortus 
Malabaricus.” The growth of some of the yam tribe is very remarkable. 
A tuber of Dioscorea alata, 1lb in weight, was planted at Madras in 
