SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, DECEMBER 14. 



cxciii 



appearance was that of a Dahlia, the disc alone being rather 

 larger. Dr. Masters undertook to examine them more minutely. 



Monstrous Cypripedium. — Mr. Veitch sent a plant of C. 

 sitius bearing a single flower. It had no lip, but two columns. 

 It was referred to Dr. Masters for further investigation. 



The Copper-plant. — Dr. Masters exhibited an illustration of 

 Pohjcarpcm spirostylis, F. von Mueller. It has the above name, 

 as it is said only to grow where copper is to be found, and that 

 its presence is an indication to miners of the existence of that 

 metal in the neighbourhood. It is found by the mines of 

 Watsonville, &c, N. Queensland. 



Proliferous Chrysanthemum. — A specimen bearing three 

 flowers was received from B. Greaves, Esq., of Broome Hall, 

 Dorking. They were remarkable for consisting of a dense mass 

 of minute heads instead of distinct florets. Some of the show 

 Chrysanthemums, Dr. Masters observed, consisted of this 

 peculiarity, the separate heads combining to make a single large 

 " flower." The peculiarity is characteristic of the genus 

 Echinops, only the individual heads contain but a single flower 

 each. 



Scientific Committee, December 14, 1897. 

 Dr. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, and five members present. 



Cypripedium, Monstrous. — With reference to the specimen 

 sent to the last meeting by Mr. Veitch, Dr. Masters reported that 

 the lip was wanting, but the dorsal and ventral sepals as well as 

 the lateral petals were normal ; both stamens were present, but 

 only two carpels, standing in an antero -posterior position. 



Tuberous Growths on Vines.— Mi. S. T. Wright sent some 

 gall-like structures taken from Vines in the large vinery at 

 Chiswick. He observes that " many of the old and young rods 

 are similarly malformed at their base. It does not appear to 

 affect the health and vigour of the rods. In all the malforma- 

 tions grubs or maggots are present ; but neither moths nor 

 weevils have been seen in the house." Mr. Michael pronounced 

 the grubs to be coleopterous, but they were not likely to have 

 been the cause. Professor Church undertook to examine them 

 chemically. There was no apparent structure in them beyond a 

 mass of cellular tissue with a corky exterior surface. 



