IV 



HOYAL nORTICULTTTRAL SOCIETY. 



Alexandra and its varieties, distinguished by its ciliated column. 

 The other species seemed very near to O. Ilallia?. 



Xanthosoma appendiculaium , an Arad which formed part of 

 Mr. Bull's splendid collection, was remarkable for an appendage 

 on the underside of the leaf, as if a portion had been turned 

 inside out. An exactly similar formation occurs in an Indian 

 species of JFicus, of which Dr. Carter brought home specimens. 



Draccena fragrans was exhibited from the Society's Gardens, a 

 night-blooming species and exceedingly fragrant. It was figured 

 in the ' Botanical Magazine ' as long ago as 1808, and is well 

 worthy of cultivation. 



From the Gardens also were sent Ficus Cooperi in fruit, and 

 Pgcnostachgs urticcefolia, of which seeds were sent home by 

 Dr. Livingstone. All the species are of African origin, or from 

 adjacent islands ; but the present far exceeds the others in 

 beauty. 



Herrania palmata was exhibited, but only in an early stage of 

 growth. Its relation to Theobroma was pointed out, to which genus 

 the plant belongs which produces chocolate. 



Young plants of Palicourea discolor were sent from Chiswick, 

 an extremely pretty member of Ivubiacese. Its lovely leaves pro- 

 mise to make it a favourite when generally known. It is one of 

 Mr. Weir's discoveries in Brazil. 



Attention was drawn to some specimens of Aucubae, from their 

 interest in a commercial point of view. A fruited plant which in its 

 barren state was worth half-a-crown, was now valued at from 

 fifteen to twenty pounds. A small male plant was pointed out, 

 the selling-price of which was two guineas. Such plants were 

 actually let out to nurserymen for the purpose of impregnation. 



A seedling pear was received from Mr. R. H. Betteridge, Milton 

 Hill, near Steventon, Berks, which in shape resembles the Beurr6 

 d At 'ember g ; and is also not unlike a medium-sized specimen of 

 Huyslie's Victoria. The flesh is very melting and juicy, and has 

 a flavour similar to that of Autumn Bergamot. It possesses the 

 desirable property, that, when it begins to decay, it does so from 

 the surface, and not from the core. This was awarded a First- 

 Class Certificate. 



Handsome specimens of Tlvedale's St. Germain, were exhibited 

 by George F. Wilson, Esq., and which were grown on trees, in 

 pots, in his orchard house at Geshurst Cottage, Weybridge Heath. 

 They were producedy^r in one cluster, and the whole number 

 were perfected in the condition in which they were exhibited. 



