SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, MARCH 28. 



xxiii 



we cannot succeed with small side-shoots from an old trunk, 

 these latter shoots being furnished with a thick bark and stout 

 foliage of the mature tree." Mr. Tidmarsh raises the question 

 whether the larger leaves of these Aralias may not be the naturally 

 mature form, and the smaller foliage characteristic of the young 

 stage, as with the Eucalyptus. An examination of the epider- 

 mides of the leaves sent shows that the number of cells in the 

 same area of the broad-leaved form is to that of the narrow- 

 leaved as fifty-five to thirty-eight (upper), and as forty-four to 

 thirty-six (lower), so that this element does not support Mr. 

 Tidmarsh's view, inasmuch as the cells, being smaller on the 

 larger leaf, would per se suggest its being the younger. 



Scientific Committee, April 11, 1893. 



Dr. Maxwell T. Masters, F.R.S., &c, in the Chair, and 

 eight members present. 



Calif omian Oranges. — Dr. Bonavia showed samples of this 

 newly imported fruit. They are peculiar in having the rind 

 open above, with a small Orange protruding from the apex. It 

 appears to be an established variety of " carpellary multi- 

 plication," though incapable of propagation by seed, as these 

 Oranges are seedless. It is of common occurrence in the variety 

 called " Mellarose"— (" Teratology," by Dr. M. T. Masters, 

 p. 134). 



Gentiana acaulis. — Mr. Wilson exhibited about a dozen 

 flowers of this plant, showing variations in the colours, from 

 lavender to the deepest blue. Mr. Michael remarked that he 

 had noticed very many about 2,000 feet above Innspruck of the 

 pale blue variety, the pink-coloured variety being rare. Mr, 

 Wilson's were specimens cultivated at Weybridge and Wisley. 



Oxlip var. — Dr. Masters exhibited an umbel of the true 

 Bardfield yellow Oxlip, P. elatior, which is rare in Britain ; and 

 a red-flowered variety, from a clump originally introduced into 

 his garden together with the former, which has hitherto borne 

 only yellow flowers. 



Grammatophyllum loith Spinescent Boots. — He also showed 

 a specimen of the roots of this Orchid, remarkable for their 

 much-branching character, the longer roots being covered with 



