SCIENTIFIC COMMITTER, JANUARY 9. 



lix 



Clematis Stem cracked. — Mr. G. S. Saunders, F.L.S., showed a piece of 

 the stem of Clematis Jackmanni which had split open for a distance 

 of two feet, starting about three inches above the surface of the ground. 

 In the interior of the stem a callus like growth had developed. The stems 

 were referred to Mr. Massee. See p. Ix. 



Fruits dc.from Neiu South Wales. — Dr. Masters showed the following 

 on behalf of Mr. Bland, of Soham, Cambridge : — 



Macadamia ternifolia (" Queensland Nut "). — The tree, which belongs 

 to the ProteacecB, grows wild in the large scrub in the colony. The nuts 

 are very nutritious and of very fine flavour, but are encased in an 

 exceedingly hard shell, which can only be broken by the aid of a hammer. 



Castanospcrmum australe. — The large pod of this, the " Australian 

 chestnut," with ripe seeds, was also shown. 



Gleditschia triacaiithos. — Legumes of this plant, which occasionally 

 fruits in this country. 



Aleitrites triloba syn. nioluccana. — The candle-nut tree produces 

 edible nuts, which contain a considerable quantity of oil. From the roots 

 the Sandwich Islanders extract a brown dye. 



Coffea arahica var. angustifolia. — Grown in New South Wales. 



Dodoncea triquctra. — Fruits of this sapindaceous plant with winged 

 carpels, giving a superficial resemblance to hops. 



Panicum maximum. — A specimen of this grass, which produces three 

 crops per annum. Stock are very fond of it. An analysis of the grass 

 gives : — Moisture, 18*9 ; albuminous compounds, 7*8 ; carbonaceous matter 

 and woody fibre, 58*32 ; mineral ash, 14-97. 



Mr. Bland also sent a silken case into which pieces of twig had been 

 interwoven, and in which a caterpillar lives. The larva suspends the case 

 from branches, fences, &c., and protrudes its head from the opening. At 

 the slightest noise or touch it withdraws its head instantly. 



Excrescences on Loganberry. — Mr. J. S. Turner sent specimens of 

 large, almost spherical, growths, of about three inches in diameter, on 

 roots and stems of the Loganberry, very similar to those frequently seen 

 on the roots of ' jMarechal Niel ' roses, formed just below the surface of 

 the soil. The formation of these swellings has been attributed to frost, 

 or in other cases to irritation set up by a mite, a species of Bhizoglyphus. 



Excrescences on Boots of Birch. — Mr. Notcutt, of Woodbridge, Suffolk, 

 sent an example of a similar but much larger growth on the root of 

 silver birch. The formation of this gall-like growth on the birch roots 

 has been attributed to the presence of Schinzia Bctuli. 



Water for Spraying do. — Lady St. Oswald sent the following 

 communication concerning the rain-water supply for garden purposes : — 

 " We are situated in the midst of collieries, brick, coke, and other works, 

 and we think our water supply, which is collected into cement tanks in 

 the usual way, contains an injurious amount of sulphuric acid &c. Our 

 reasons for thinking the water is harmful are that, when used for syringing 

 plants and fruit trees, the points of the leaves where the w^ater has been 

 hanging gradually die away until nearly the whole of the leaf is gone. 

 This has been a regular occurrence here, particularly with peach leaves. 

 Sphagnum-moss on orchid pots and pans does not thrive, but turns brown 

 and dies ; but if the syringing is discontinued the young leaves grow 



