XXXIV PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



variety of what is now generally called T. gigantea. But the 

 original T. plicata having probably died out, the name has now 

 become transferred to a form or variety of T. occidentalis from 

 the Atlantic side of the United States. It is probable that both 

 species are represented by a "plicata" variety; but it is not 

 certain whether the Pacific variety is now in cultivation. Speci- 

 mens of the original plicata from Vancouver are in the Her- 

 barium of the British Museum, so that it is a question whether, 

 strictly speaking, the name T. gigantea should not be super- 

 seded by that of T. plicata. The plant now bearing that name 

 should then be called T. occidentalis var. plicata. 



Sisal Fibre. — A sample of this fibre extracted from Agave 

 sisalana was received from Mr. W. Floyer, of Basingstoke. It 

 was grown at the experimental farm at Mualla, near Luxor, by 

 Mr. E. A. Floyer, of Cairo. He hopes to grow enough to supply 

 all the bags for Egyptian sugar, cotton, &c. The fibre is very 

 white, and extremely strong. The Governor of Malta is anxious 

 to introduce the cultivation of this Agave into that island ; 

 but as all the uncultivated parts of the island consist of hard, 

 exposed rock it is doubtful if it would pay, even if the climate 

 proved suitable. The name was given to the fibre imported from 

 Yucatan (" Kew Bull, of Misc. Inform.," March 1887). 



Scientific Committee, March 9, 1897. 



Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, and eight members 



present. 



Beetles with Grapes. — Mr. McLachlan had received some 

 small beetles found about the roots of Vines, about a quarter of 

 an inch long, with a blunt thorax and rather sluggish in manner. 

 They proved to be Trox sabulosus, and were introduced in the 

 crushed bones used for manure. Not being vegetable feeders 

 they do no harm to the Vines. The best trap would be a dried 

 rabbit skin with the inner side downwards. 



Larvce of Daddy Longlegs. — He also received a sample of 

 propagating soil in which Iceland Poppies were grown, abounding 

 with the larva) of this fly. Bisulphide of carbon, cyanide of 

 potassium (| to 1 per cent, solution in water), or to remove the 

 soil and burn it, were methods recommended in such cases. 



