GENERAL NOTES. 75 



Labiatae. 



Dracocephalum Ruprechti. The bees are very fond of the 

 flowers of this plant, the nectar of which completely intoxicates 

 or stupefies them. Mr. Cockayne says : — " I took three bees 

 off the flowers at the same time, all in a helpless state, and 

 pnt them under a tumbler. In an hour's time one had 

 recovered and was able to fly away, another died during the 

 day, and the third was, on the next day, as weak as when 

 captured." 



Mrs. Mason of Paradise, Glenorchy, reports that since the cutting- 

 down of the broom — which was almost the only plant visited in that 

 district, humble-bees have not been seen this season until very recently, 

 when one or two have been observed on the flowers of the honeysuckle. 



To the list given in my paper on p. 16, I have to add the 

 following : — 



Ranunculace^e. 



fligella damascened. 



CaRYOPHYLLEjE. 



Dianthus Jimbriatus. 

 Iride^e. 



Gladiolus, a crimson hybrid. 



Commelyne^e. 



Tradescantia virginica, on the blue, but not on the white- 

 flowered variety. 



On all these only small bees were seen, and these sparingly. — 

 G. M. T. 



AUSTRALASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT 



OF SCIENCE. 



CHRISTCHURCH MEETING. 



The third meeting of the Australasian Association was opened in 

 Christchurch, on Thursday, 15th January, and was formally brought to 

 a close on the 22 nd. From every point of view the meeting was 

 a success. The arrangements were excellent throughout, numerous 

 matters of great interest were brought forward and discussed in the 

 various sections, the attendance of members and their friends was very 

 good, while the kindness and hospitality of the people of Christchurch 

 made the stay of the visitors very pleasant. Not only were there 

 numerous eminent representatives from all the Australian colonies, but 

 the meeting was honoured by the presence of Professor Goodale, 

 Professor of Botany in Harvard University, and President of the 

 American Association for the Advancement of Science, which body had 



