XXiv PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Saintpaulia ionantha. — Dr. Masters showed flowers received 
from Mr. Ernst Benary, of Erfurt, showing a considerable range 
of variation in size and in colour. With reference to this matter, 
the proposal to refer this East African genus to the Chinese 
Petroxosmea was mentioned, and the opinion of Mr. C. B. Clarke* 
'the monographer of the order, was cited to the effect that until 
the ripe fruit of Saintpaulia was examined, and the numerous 
new forms of this order lately introduced carefully investigated, 
it was considered better to retain for the present the genus Saint- 
paulia — though, in all probability, it would eventually have to be 
merged into some other genus. 
Cattleya Lawrenceana. — Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., sent a 
raceme of this species bearing six flowers, all of which presented 
the same peculiarity. The two lateral petals were joined at their 
inner edges, and adherent also to the back of the column. 
Lindley Library. — Mr. Arthur Sutton obligingly presented to 
the Lindley Library a fine copy of L. Plukenet's " Opera Omnia,'* 
six volumes in two. Plukenet's volumes have an historical 
interest, as they serve to fix the date of introduction of many 
garden plants. Plukenet was botanist to Mary, Queen of 
William III., was Superintendent of the Gardens at Hampton 
Court, and at one time had a botanic garden of his own not far 
from the present site of the offices of the Royal Horticultural 
Society in Victoria Street, Westminster. 
Scientific Committee, May 14, 1895. 
Dr. M. T. Mastebs, F.R.S., in the Chair, and five members 
present. 
Wellingtonia with Tuberous Growth. — Mr. Bunyard sent a 
specimen of a young plant which had produced a large globular 
woody growth at the base. It was perforated by some beetle, 
but this was apparently of subsequent occurrence, and had 
nothing to do with the cause. A very similar structure had 
formerly been sent in a Taxodium. It was forwarded to Mr. 
Blandford for further examination. 
Fwifji in Soil.- A sample of soil was received from Mr. 
Hooper, Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand, with a communica- 
tion stating that the roots of fruit trees which penetrated the 
