EXTRACTS OF PROCEEDINGS. 



xvii 



Boot Development— The Rev. George Henslow showed a felted 

 mass of fine root-fibrils and root-hairs, taken from a pot plant 

 which had been laid aside and forgotten. Mr. Berkeley pointed out 

 the resemblance to the fungus growth in Xylostroma. 



Change of Sex in Begonias.— The Rev. George Henslow showed 

 drawings of the male flowers of Begonias in which the connectives 

 of the anthers had developed in the guise of stigmas. 



Cross Fertilisation in Pelargoniums. — Dr. Denny described a 

 singular bud variation that had occurred upon a white-flowered 

 variety of Zonal Pelargonium of his own raising. Upon a good- 

 sized propagated plant flowering in his house he observed a truss 

 of flowers which differed very considerably from those ordinarily 

 produced, its petals being much thicker and larger ; its foot-stalk 

 and the foliage of the twig were also of more robust growth. This 

 small branch being propagated maintained its distinctive character, 

 and has, in fact, upon further propagation, developed an increased 

 amount of robustness of habit, resembling that of an old variety 

 known as Beaute de Suresnes, the variety from which the first of 

 the robust-growing doubles originated, in the form of a sport. The 

 flower, too, has increased in size and quality, but the most singular 

 characteristic property of this sport consists in its being infertile 

 with any of the ordinary varieties of the Zonal Pelargonium— 

 4< even with the pollen of the flowers of the plant from which it 

 was taken." It is not sterile, for it produces seed from its own 

 pollen. In this respect it resembles (as well as in its habit of 

 growth) Beaute de Suresnes, which would not fertilise, or be ferti- 

 lised, save with two or three varieties. The Duke of Cornwall (an 

 old variety) was one with which it was fertile, and it would be in- 

 teresting to know if this sport would prove fertile with these 

 varieties ; but Dr. Denny stated that he had been unable to obtain 

 them at any of the nurseries, and that he should be extremely 

 obliged if any one who may possess either would forward him a 

 cutting. 



Diseased Yew and Cypress.— The Hon. and Rev. J. T. Boscawen 

 sent specimens of diseased Yews and Cypresses for examination. 

 The trees were gradually dying. The cause was not very obvious, 



but some aphides were observed on one of the specimens, which 



c 



