CXXXVi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



intendent of parks, Sunderland. It was forwarded to Kew for 

 further investigation. 



Wild Chamomile fatal to Lambs. — It was reported from the 

 Duke of Bedford's Woburn Estate that this very common plant. 

 Matricaria chamomilla, had proved highly injurious to sheep 

 and lambs, several having died inconsequence of having eaten it. 

 The plant has never been suspected of having dangerous qualities, 

 though the flowers are naturally rather acrid and bitter, in con- 

 sequence of the presence of the essential oil which they contain. 

 If the report be true, it may be suggested that the intense heat 

 of the early summer may have intensified these properties, as 

 is well known to be the case with Artemisias, &c, in sub-tropical 

 countries. 



Scientific Committee, July 28. 



Dr. M. T. Mastees, F.R.S., in the Chair. 



Primula with Myxogastres. — The following report was 

 received from Kew with reference to the specimen exhibited at 

 the last meeting : — " The organism is one of the Myxogastres 

 {Physarum gyrosum, Rost). It is not a parasite, and will do no 

 injury unless it occurs in immense quantity, when it might be 

 washed away by spraying. The early or plasmodium condition 

 develops in darkness, and finally creeps up anything, organic or 

 inorganic, for the purpose of forming its spores in a position 

 where they may be readily dispersed when mature by wind and 

 rain." 



Pelargoniums treated with Salts. — Notes were compared as 

 to the conditions of the three sets of white Pelargoniums under 

 experiment. Mr. Henslow said that in his case all the plants 

 treated with the salts, though perfectly vigorous, had failed up 

 to the present time to develop any flowers, the trusses perishing 

 when about half-an-inch long, but that they were now begin- 

 ning to form well. On the other hand, the two plants not 

 treated with salts had flowered well the whole time. Mr. 

 Wilks and Dr. Russell, both alike, had all the plants flowering ; 

 but up to the present time there had been no effect upon the 

 blossoms. 



Deodar with Cones. — Mr. Henslow recorded the somewhat 

 unusual fact that one tree out of four, planted about forty years 



