EXTRACTS OF PROCEEDINGS. 



xlvii 



nature of prepared soil he could not say, but with him they die 

 out in such a medium, whereas an escape on the hard margin of 

 a bed grows and flowers well. It is the same with many other 

 bulbs. In the centre of the bed they will perish, while the 

 plants on the edge, which has been trodden down, will thrive. 

 In an orchard where- G. Elwesi was growing they were best in a 

 position near to the roots of trees and in the most shaded parts. 

 Mr. Barr suspects that fungus diseases are therefore correlated 

 with uncongenial conditions, and that the cure rests in more 

 attention to Nature's laws. 



Mr. Wilson observed that in his experience snowdrops grew 

 well in a rich soil. This was also Mr. McLachlan's, except that 

 they became double. While it was suggested that manure might 

 be the source of the spores of the fungi, Mr. Dyer remarked that 

 no variation in the soil could have had anything to do with the 

 production of the fungus. It was observed that, like the cocoa- 

 nuts described above, some lowering of vitality appeared to 

 render herbaceous plants more receptive of fungi, and the causes 

 might be various, including high cultivation, which stimulated 

 the vegetative system. 



Bime, Phenomena of. — A communication was received from 

 Rev. L. Blomefield, to whom the Secretary had forwarded Mr. 

 Plowright's account of injuries to trees by rime, and the photo- 

 graphs of broken trees, with inquiries if he had ever experienced 

 a similar occurrence. In reply, he said that he had only once 

 seen such excessive rime at SwafTham Vicarage, " when all the 

 twigs of the trees, even the slenderest, were so enveloped in long 

 spicule, standing out perpendicularly to the length of an inch or 

 two at least, as to resemble bottle-brushes. The effects were 

 injurious in some cases, but not to the extent of large boughs 



of trees being broken Fog, combined with a very low 



temperature and a perfectly still air, I suppose to be essential 

 conditions." Mr. Plowright forwarded a large bough with 

 several branches broken through and hanging upon it, illustrating 

 the remarkable effects of rime near Lynn. 



Plants exhibited. — Shortia galacifolia, by Mr. H. J. Elwes, a 

 native of the Alleghanies, flowering for the first time in Europe ; 

 it appears to be allied to Pyrola. Anoiganthus breviflorus, 

 Baker, a new Amaryllid from Natal with yellow flowers. 

 Crocus vernus var. leucorhyncus. Narcissus minimus, brought 



