SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, AUGUST 27. 



CXXXV 



some inquiries about this, but, in the absence of specimens, the Com- 

 mittee could not pronounce an opinion. 



Ceropegia debilis. — Mr. Odell exhibited specimens of this curious 

 stove chmber from the Zambesi. 



Lyccris squamigera and other Floioers. — Mr. Worsley showed flowers 

 of this species which turn of a slaty-blue when exposed to the light. 

 Also flowers of a Hippeastnmi with rosy, acute, perianth segments, 

 traversed by veins of a deeper colour. The leaves are produced some 

 months after the flower is expanded. The filaments are more exsert 

 than in H. stylosmn, to which it is nearly allied. Also flowers of the 

 single and double varieties of Zinnia Haagaana, and of Tagetes ijatula 

 nana. Seeds from this latter form, known as ' Cloth of Gold,' produced 

 pure yellow flowers, and some had, except in their dwarf habit, reverted 

 to the large African Marigold. Both single and double forms were 

 observed. Mr. Worsley also alluded to the variation in the Dahlia. 

 Seeds of a white-tipped variety produced 70 per cent, of self-coloured 

 flowers, and 30 per cent, of flowers varying in colour from red and yellow 

 to white. 



Diseased Crocus Corms.—Mv. Bowles showed diseased corms, which 

 were referred to Dr. Cooke for examination. 



Proliferous Aconite. — Mr. Bowles also showed flowers of an Aconite, 

 in which the stamens and carpels were absent, and in their place w^ere 

 secondary flower-buds, each with five green sepals, no petals, numerous 

 stamens, and generally no carpels. 



Plantago major. — Mr. Bowles exhibited fine specimens of the so- 

 called ' Rose Plantain,' in which the bracts are replaced by tufts of large 

 green leaves. 



Mandragora officinalis. — The egg-shaped fruits of this species were 

 shown by Mr. Bowles. 



Osmunda regalis. — Mr. C. T. Druery exhibited fronds of an entirely 

 new type of Osmunda regalis recently found in Co. Kerry by Mr. M. A. 

 Cowan, of Penicuik, and Mr. W. Boyd, of Melrose. Nine plants in all 

 were found, six of which were fertile, and three barren, the latter being 

 more finely cut than the former, and apparently forming the plumose type 

 of the species. In both forms the usually simple pinnules, with quite 

 smooth edges, are deeply lobed on the edges on the lower and larger 

 divisions, which, towards the upper part of the frond, merges inio a 

 distinct and thorough tertiary pinnation, rendering the frond extremely 

 handsome. The fertile spikes consist also of rows of bead-like sporangia, 

 while normally these are only slightly lobed. Mr. Druery has named 

 Mr. Cowan's form Osmunda r. deconiposita, reserving the naming of 

 Mr. Boyd's find until its distinct character is confirmed. 



Scientific Committee, August 27, 1901. 



Dr. M. C. Cooke, M.A., LL.D., in the Chair, and ten memb.^rs present. 



Aimcot sjjUtting. — Dr. M. C. Cooke reported on the Apricot the 

 pulp of which was found to be split, and a foreign substance growing 

 upon it. This, however, was nothing but the common blue mould which 



