SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, JULY 24. 



cxlix 



in Carnations (flaked, self, &c), the flowers having been all 

 gathered from one and the same seedling plant. 



Pojjpy, Monstrous. — He also showed a drawing by Mr. G. W. 

 Smith of a field Poppy, in which two normal flower-buds had 

 issued from the axils of opposite petals. 



Vine diseased. — He also showed a fragment of a bunch which 

 was described as being of an extraordinary size, the flowers of 

 which were aggregated into minute woolly balls. The petals 

 remain closed, but without having any stamens or pistil within 

 them. The hairs (ribbon-like and twisted, resembling cotton 

 hair) grow mainly from the margins of the petals. It has been 

 suggested that it is caused by a phytoptus ; but, as no insect or 

 fungus is present, Mr. Henslow observed that it may be the result 

 of atrophy of the essential organs, accompanied by an excess of 

 hair as a compensatory process, according to a theory of M. Mer. 



Geniiana acaulis, diseased. — Dr. Morris exhibited a specimen, 

 and observed that if it be sprayed with Condy's fluid at an early 

 period the fungus may be kept in check ; but large masses must 

 be burnt if they are badly attacked, as the disease is due to 

 Puccinia Gentianae, and if the plant is not destroyed the resting 

 spores will get into the soil and reproduce the disease in the 

 following year. 



Products of the Banana. — Dr. Morris also exhibited a collec- 

 tion of various products obtained from the Banana, exhibited by 

 the " Stanley Syndicate " at the Universal Exhibition at Antwerp, 

 1894. Mr. Stanley had called attention to the great value of 

 this fruit in his " In Darkest Africa," and the investigation was 

 carried out by Mr. Hartogh, engineer at Amsterdam, to discover 

 for what uses the Banana was available. Its chief value lies in 

 the great quantity of starch (80 per cent, of the dried pulp) ; 

 hence it proved to be a very good source of spirit, as " the quality 

 of the alcohol may be considered good." It was found to be 

 especially available for the manufacture of glucose, while the 

 meal mixed with one-third ordinary wheat flower makes a very 

 nourishing material for bread, cakes, &c. Among other uses, gruel, 

 puddings, marmalade, syrup, &c, may be mentioned ; while the 

 dried peel, and flour of the peel, would be useful for fattening 

 pigs. Lastly, the fibre can be used for paper and string. Persons 

 desiring to have more ample information, or who would like to 

 take part in the proceedings of the Stanley Syndicate, can address 

 themselves to the latter, Avenue Copes 24, The Hague. 



