SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, MARCH 2:5. 



xxxvii 



Orchid hybrids. — Mr. Chapman showed Odontioda Bradshaiuiae 

 " Oakwood var.," raised by crossing Odontoglossum crispum var. Graire- 

 anum with Cochlioda Noczliana. The flowers showed no trace of 

 blotching, but were almost of one shade of colour throughout. Another 

 form, Odontioda Bradshaioiae "Cookson's var." raised from Odontoglossum 

 crispum x Cochlioda Noczliana, had a deep mauve margin to the brick- 

 red segments, and showed distinctly the deeper coloured blotches upon the 

 lighter ground colour. The difference in colour and markings in these 

 two varieties forms an interesting problem in heredity. 



" Vegetable " asbestos. — Mr. Holmes, F.L.S., reported that he had 

 examined this material, and could find no trace of vegetable structure in 

 it. The substance was creamy-white in colour, and was lamellated, fairly 

 soft to the touch, and resisted fire. Chemical analysis showed it to contain 

 alumina in large quantities, magnesium, calcium, and smaller quantities of 

 sodium and silica. Mr. Holmes considered that the analysis pointed to 

 this being of mineral origin, and not of having been derived from a " Cactus 

 from China," as the sender had suggested. It appeared to be nearly allied 

 to the substance known as " mountain leather." 



Bulb on inflorescence. — Mr. Worsley showed an inflorescence of 

 Lachenalia tricolor having a small bulb occupying the position of 

 a terminal bud on the inflorescence. 



Aberrant Orchid. — From Mr. Miller, of Wisbech, came a specimen of 

 Cypripedium Pitcherianum " Williams var.," with a well-formed double 



up. 



Fasciation in Euonymus japonicus. — Mr. Fraser, F.L.S., showed 

 fasciated branches of Euonymus japonicus. The fasciation had followed 

 after severe cutting back of the stem. Numerous buds had started in 

 growth from near where the cut had been made, and among them some 

 had produced fasciated shoots. 



Malformation in Tulip. — Eev. J. Jacob sent a flower of Tulip having 

 on the outer side of the mid-rib of one of the perianth pieces two small 

 horn-like growths. The structure was similar in character to those seen 

 in crested flowers, and was apparently the commencement of a crested 

 growth. 



Scientific Committee, Makch 23, 1909. 



Mr. E. A. Bowles, M.A., F.L.S., F.E.S., in the Chair, with thirteen 

 members present, and Messrs. F. W. South and G. Wilson, F.L.S., 

 visitors. 



Boots of Sweet Peas dying. — Mr. Massee, V.M.H., reported that he 

 had examined the roots of the Sweet Peas sent to the last meeting, and 

 had found that the cortical cells and root hairs were all killed and 

 browned. He thought they were perfectly free from any disease due to 

 insects or fungi, but had probably been injured by some injurious sub- 

 stance in the soil, or by some fertilizer. Possibly peaty soil with 

 Sphagnum had been used, and humic acid had caused the damage. 



Parsnips from ivild stock. — Mr. F. J. Baker showed some roots of 

 Parsnips of the sixth generation from the wild plants. The roots were 

 of good size, although grown on poor land, and had lost the greater part 



