SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, NOVEMBER 14. 



cxxvii 



it ; but they appeared to be quite fresh shells. Mr. McLaclilan 

 suggested herons as having perhaps done it. The cause of the 

 peculiarity, however, was recognised generally as obscure. 



Winter Moth. — Mr. Wilson sent the following observations 

 on this insect : "On the 3rd of this month there were fifty-four 

 females on the greased bands on our fruit trees at Oakwood. 

 They do not usually appear so early with us. Great quantities 

 of both females and males have been caught since the above date. 

 Perhaps the wood and ponds are attractive to them. We have 

 so few at Weybridge that it is not worth while to band the trees." 



Clitorea tcrnatea peloric. — Dr. Bonavia showed photographs 

 and a coloured drawing (by a native) of this plant from India, 

 illustrating transitions from the normal " Pea- like " blossom to 

 the regular or peloric condition, much resembling a Periwinkle. 

 The colour is a bright blue. It appears to be not uncommon in 

 this species. 



Casuarina dimorphic. — Dr. Masters exhibited a specimen 

 received from Baron von Muller, in which a portion had 

 developed sharp-pointed leaves exactly similar to the pointed- 

 leaved form of Juniperus, which is often dimorphic in the same 

 way. Mr. Henslow mentioned that these changes are paralleled 

 by the Thuja-leaved forms of Veronica, which grow at great 

 altitudes in New T Zealand, and observed that analogies seemed to 

 suggest varying degrees of drought or moisture as likely to be 

 the direct cause of the different kinds respectively. 



Wheat -eared Siccet William. — Dr. Masters also showed a 

 specimen of this well-known malformation, in which, while the 

 flowers are suppressed, the small bracts at the base become 

 multiplied excessively. Mr. Veitch observed that it is very 

 common and difficult to eradicate. No cause could be suggested 

 for its occurrence. 



Canna Madame Crozy. — Dr. Masters observed that it has 

 been stated that this variety of Canna was really a very old form, 

 having been figured in Loddiges' Cabinet, No. 449 ; but, as he 

 pointed out, though the colours were similar, the petals having 

 a yellow rim, the size was very different, the modern form very 

 probably having originated from that older variety. 



Germinating Cocoa-nut. — Dr. Masters showed a drawing of 

 the globular cotyledon developed within the cavity and applied 

 against the edible endosperm. With reference to its power of 



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