37-4 Proceedings of Societies. 



ments rather more than a quarter of an inch in length, narrow, broader 

 at the base, concave externally, the edges folding back during flowering, 

 so as to give the segments a linear appearance, the internal lower surface 

 showing numerous minute cellular papillae. Staminal crown gamophyllous, 

 consisting of five brown leaflets, each of which is trifid, the two lateral 

 segments being erect or divaricate, and awlshaped, and the central por- 

 tion triangular, acute, and incurved, so as to cover the anthers. Pollen 

 masses yellow, elliptical, attached above the base where there is a sort of 

 operculate margin. Stigma blunt. 



The plant was sent to the garden by Mr Giles Munby. It was found 

 by him on the rocks of Santa Cruz, and on the rocks overhanging the 

 sea between Mers-el-Kebir and Cape Falcon, in Oran. The Arabs and 

 the goats eat the young shoots. 



Erianthus japonicus, according to Major Madden, occurs all along the 

 Himalaya from Assam up to Simlah, growing on the northern sides of the 

 mountains, in damp woods, and generally near rivulets, up to 7000 or 

 perhaps 7500 feet, and is a fine species. It is noticed by Griffith, under 

 the name of Saccharum rubrum, but it has no saccharine qualities. 



6. Observations of the Temperatures observed at the Royal Botanic 

 Garden during the month of February last. By Mr M'Nab. — The 

 lowest temperature was 5° Fahr. 



Californian Academy of Natural Sciences. 



September 4, 1854. 

 Dr A. Kellogg in the Chair. 



Dr Kellogg exhibited a drawing and specimens of a plant from the sea- 

 shore and the salt marshes of the bay of San Francisco, — the Frankenia 

 grandijlora. 



Dr Ayres presented descriptions of the following species of fish, be- 

 lieved to be new : — 



Zabrus pulcher, Ayres. This species is brought to the market from 

 the 1st of August until the close of February, and is sold by the 

 fishermen under the name of " Black-jish." It is taken near San 

 Diego. 



D.12.10. ; A.3.12. ; P.18. ; V.1.5. ; C.14. 



Hemitripteras marmoratus , Ayres. A species reaching from six to 

 eight pounds weight. It appears to represent on this coast H. aca- 

 dianus of the rocky shores of our Atlantic States ; it is, however, 

 entirely distinct from it, the structure of the head alone being enough 

 to separate it. 



D.11.17. ; A.13. ; P.14.; V.6. ; CIO. 



September 11, 1854. 



Dr A. Kellogg in the Chair. 



Dr Kellogg presented a drawing of a plant given him by Mr Wallace 

 of Los Angelos, called by the Mexicans Chia. It belongs to the Labiate, 

 but the genus is unknown. The seeds are said to be very mucilaginous, 



