SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, AUGUST 15. 



lxxxiii 



Osmunda Fronds as Food. — Mr. Druery, V.M.H., showed a specimen 

 of the dried young fronds of Osmunda regal/ s which had been sent to 

 him by the Yokohama Nursery Co. with the following note : — " The 

 young, tender sprouts up to 12 inches or so in length are gathered in the 

 mountains as they appear, and are then boiled and dried. The price is 

 about 405. per 100 lb. They make a convenient provision for the army. 

 Several tons are dealt with every year in Japan, where it is used for food , 

 To prepare for eating, soak in water for about ten hours, changing the 

 water several times, then boil. In Japan it is stewed with soy sauce and 

 fish gravy, but any agreeable sauce may be tried with it. It is very 

 tender, and we think you will find it eatable." As shown, the stalks were 

 in the form of roundish, black sticks about 10 inches in length, somewhat 

 flexible and rather tough, and having something of a tarry odour. 



Various Amaryllids. — Mr. Worsley showed specimens of the 

 following : — 



Zephyranthes Candida var. major, a fine variety, but rather more 

 tender than the type. 



Zephyranthes rosea, a tender species, requiring almost a stove tem- 

 perature, which produces seeds freely. 



Leucqjum (Acis) autumnale, a pretty little species, difficult to grow 

 on account of the liking slugs have for it. 



Hippeastrum brachyandrum flowers from plants raised from seed, 

 somewhat improved upon the wild stock from Argentina. 



Urceocharis Clibrani, a hybrid between Urceolina aurea and Euclmris 

 grandiflora. The flower-buds before they open have a yellowish tinge, 

 but afterward become pure white. The plant never produces seed. 



Hippeastrum advenum. — Similar to the type, but with perianth 

 segments about double the width. This flowered in three-and-a-half 

 years from seed. 



Lycoris squamigera. — The flowers fade very quickly if exposed to the 

 hot sun, but retain their colour for a considerable time if cut and brought 

 indoors. 



Tritonia rosea. — A pretty species grown from bulbs gathered in the 

 hills above Grey town. 



Hybrid Cannas. — Mr. Worsley also drew attention to the fact that 

 the hybrids raised between Canna flaccida x Canna (garden form), 

 known as orchid-flowered cannas, were always sterile, but that there was 

 always a much larger number of ovules in the ovary than in that of the 

 garden cannas, a character which was also to be seen in Canna flaccida. 



Botanical Certificate. — On the motion of Mr. C. T. Druery, seconded 

 by Mr. G. S. Saunders, it was resolved : 



" That the Chairmen and Secretaries of the Orchid, Floral, Fruit, and 

 Narcissus Committees of the R.H.S. be invited to confer with Dr. Master;? 

 and Mr. Chittenden as to the status of the Botanical Certificate with a 

 view to defining the grounds upon which that award should be made." 



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