SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, APRIL 23. 



xliii 



covered with spiny branches and minute leaves with inrolled margins. 

 These features are very characteristic of many plants growing in deserts 

 and other excessively dry localities. It is a native of Palestine. 



Epidendrum hybrids. — Mr. Veitch exhibited and described the follow- 

 ing new hybrids: — E. Waliisi x E. Endresi = E. Endrasio-Wallisi. 

 This hybrid x E. Waliisi = E. elcgantulum, E. Waliisi x E. elcgantulum 

 = E. ' Clarissa.' E. Waliisi grows to a height of 5 or G feet, whereas 

 E. Endresi is not more than about 1 foot in height. The first hybrid was 

 about 2 feet in height ; the second, E. elegantulum, grows to a height of 

 3 to 4 feet. There are many varieties among the ' Clarissa ' progeny, one 

 being much finer than all the rest, called C. siq^erba. E. Endresi is a 

 native of Costa Rica, and E. Waliisi of New Grenada. The hybrids 

 partook more of the characters of the flower of E. Endresi than of those 

 of E. Waliisi, which has a much larger blossom than the former. 



Peduncles of Grapes becoming Tendrils. — Mr. Hudson exhibited some 

 specimens from a vinery in which the whole crop had degenerated into 

 quasi tendrils, but bearing small groups of buds upon them. It is well 

 known that peduncles and tendrils are homologous in the Vine, and there- 

 fore interchangeable. The cause was presumably an arrested growth from 

 chill, as the roots v/ere said to be healthy. 



Fasciated Stems. — Mr. Burbidge sent a series of examples of this 

 peculiarity, remarking upon a bunch of Cotoneaster microphylla, which 

 had the buds continually rubbing on a roof, that this irritation possibly 

 caused the fasciation, adding, " I am led, after considerable observation, 

 to believe that irritation of, or injury to the normal terminal or lateral 

 buds, whether by friction, insects, or other causes, is at the bottom of the 

 phenomenon." He adds that "besides being hereditary from seeds in the 

 Cockscomb, the ' Stag's-horn ' Ash — a fasciated condition — can be 

 perpetuated by grafting." Mr. O'Brien referred to his experience that 

 Ferns standing near the entrance of a conservatory, and continually 

 "brushed" by passers, become more or less fasciated and crested. Mr. 

 Druery mentioned how Ferns if tripinnate became crested. Mr. Hudson 

 observed, that of some Water Lilies which produced fasciated stems, 

 portions of the rhizomes were transferred to Kew ; they also produced 

 them there, showing that fasciation may be an acquired habit, and trans- 

 mitted either by the vegetable or reproductive organs. 



Fasciation and Allied Phenomena. — Mr. Henslow explained how 

 fasciation arose from a continual bifurcation of the fibro-vascular bundles 

 of the stem without forming cylinders for axillary buds. A similar 

 cause gave rise to "multifold " flowers as distinct from " synanthic." It 

 also applied to fimbriated and crested flowers, as well as multifold axes in 

 Pears and carpels in Tomatos. Being an " aft'ection " it would be 

 hereditary, as in the Tomato and the campanulate terminal flowers of 

 Foxgloves. (See p. 160.) 



Scientific Committee, April 23, 1901. 



Dr. M. C. Cooke, M.A., LL.D., in the Chair, and twelve members present. 



Peziza tuberosa. — Mr. Holmes exhibited specimens of this fungus, 

 consisting of funnel-shaped cups, of a bright brown colour on an 



