Xviii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



were ultimately referred to Mr. Berkeley and Mr. MacLachlan to 

 report upon. 



Solanum Dulcamara as a Decorative Plant, — Mr. MacLachlan 

 referred to the use of this plant as a decorative plant in some parts 

 of Switzerland, where it proved not only very ornamental, but no 

 apprehension appeared to exist as to any danger arising from the 

 berries. A conversation arose as to the causes of the wide 

 distribution of the plant, for which no very obvious reason could be 

 assigned beyond the lengthened period in which the seeds are known 

 to retain their vitality. 



Aphides and Wasps* — Mr. Jennings made some comments on 

 some plants of Abies Nordmanniana iuiested with aphides (Lachnus 

 sp.) which were greedily eaten by Wasps, which became stupified 

 and died afterwards, but whether in consequence of their feast was 

 not proven. 



Sail and Leaves. — Mr. Jennings commented on the different 

 manner in which hailstones affected the leaves of different varieties 

 of Planes growing in the same nursery, the injury being much 

 greater in some cases than in others. 



Roman " Sleepers" — Mr. Noble sent for exhibition some logs of 

 Oak with the bark still on them, and which had formed part of a 

 Koman road at Bagshot, now 6 feet below the surface. The logs 

 were used after the fashion followed of making corduroy roads. 

 The wood and the bark were singularly well preserved. Mr. 

 MacLachlan alluded to great quantities of partially blackened Oak, 

 removed from the Lake of Neuchatel this summer, owing to the 

 unusual lowering of thej3urface of the water. 



Trichonema suavis. — Mr. Bull showed a plant of this pretty 

 sweet-scented Orchid from Assam, to which, from its novelty and 

 interest, was adjudged a Botanical Certificate. 



Leaves of Spruces and of Silver Firs.-— Dr. Masters commented 

 on the comparisons to be made between the form, internal structure, 

 and power of movement exhibited by the leaves of these plants. In 

 the Spruces the leaves are cylindrical or angular, no one surface 

 greatly exceeding another. Such leaves are so placed as not to 

 interfere one with the other ; they are about equal in size, and the 

 degree of exposure to the light is about equal. Such leaves, though 



