EXTRACTS FROM PROCEEDINGS. 



xxxvii 



and defied every attempt at getting rid of the parasite, which is so 

 common in the neighbourhood as to prevent its being an object of 

 interest, which it might be in other localities. Chloranthiis incon- 

 spicuus was pointed out, as of some botanical and economical in- 

 terest, from its differing from Piperaceae in its pendulous (not erect) 

 ovules, and its being used by the Chinese for flavouring tea. A sec- 

 tion of Pinus Lamlertiana, from a tree in the Society's Gardens, at 

 Chiswick, was laid on the table, in which the development of 

 wood on the underside of the branch was much greater than 

 that on the upper, 8i inches against lk. This was due perhaps 

 partly to gravitation, and partly to the preponderance of 

 branchlets on the lower side of the branch. Specimens of a small 

 West-Indian mollusk, Bulimics Goodallii, were received from Mr. 

 G. F. Wilson, in whose garden it was committing great ravages 

 amongst the young Cucumber-plants. It made its appearance 

 there for the first time three years ago ; after two years' visitation 

 the gardener thoroughly cleared out all the old mould, white- 

 washed the brick-work, and had a fresh supply of peat from Wim- 

 bledon Common, but with no good results, for the snails are as 

 plentiful as ever. Young Cucumbers placed before them were 

 greedily attacked, as were the flowers and young plants ; as 

 appeared from specimens laid before the Meeting. The species 

 has existed for many years in the nursery of Messrs. Garraway, 

 at Bristol, where it is found principally about the roots of the 

 pines, which, however, it does not seem to attack. The Wands- 

 worth specimens are much larger than those from Bristol; but 

 Mr. Jeffreys, who is the great authority on such matters, is of 

 opinion that they are identical. The latter, however, seem to be 

 carnivorous. It is not, however, uncommon for Helices and their 

 allies to be carnivorous, as well as herbivorous, as was pointed out 

 many years since by Lister. If no other food is to be had, 

 when shut up in a box they will attack each other. Some allied 

 mollusks are chiefly carnivorous, and Testacella is wholly so. 

 Many of the Limaces appear to be omnivorous. 



Mr. Bateman then adverted to the poisonous qualities of Andro- 

 meda floribunda. His attention was first called to the fact by 

 a goat, which had eaten of it, being seized with an attack re- 

 sembling an epileptic fit, but more especially from the circum- 

 stance of two cows, one of which died, having browsed on some 

 twigs, which had been used for decorating a school at Christmas. 

 A still more disastrous case was reported in the • Agricultural 

 Gazette/ March 17, in which a quantity of sheep trespassed 



