SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, APRIL 17. 



Ixix 



about two-thirds — bore pinkish flowers, some of which, however, had a 

 patch of yellow upon them. The variation was very similar to that in 

 the cockscomb shown by Mr. Sutton at a meeting of the Committee on 

 October 24, 1905. See Journ. R.H.S. xxxi. p. Ixxxviii. 



Tropical Fruits. — Mr. Worsley exhibited a pineapple from Natal 

 which was peculiar in having the horny processes at the ends of the 

 bracts more highly developed than usual. He suggested that it might be 

 derived partly from Ananas macrodontes. There was a pleasant flavour 

 and a marked absence of woody fibre. 



Leaves dc. injured. — Mr. Jenkins sent leaves of ivy-leaved Pelargonium 

 upon which were brownish warts, which later dropped out, leaving a 

 small hole. Fuchsias, Hydrangeas, and other plants were similarly 

 affected in the house. Mr. Gussow took them to examine further. 

 Numerous other specimens of diseased plants were received from different 

 correspondents. 



Plants Exhibited. 



1. — Mr. Worsley drew attention to some plants of Tulipa dasystemon 

 (Kegel) shown by C. J. van Tubergen, F.R.H.S., of Haarlem, Holland. 

 This tulip is a native of Siberia, is dwarf in habit, and bears flowers of a 

 yellowish colour and very sweet-scented. One of the bulbs exhibited 

 carried five flowers. 



2. — Sansevieria Laurentii (De Wild). A species from the Congo, 

 introduced from Stanleyville, Stanley Falls, by the late Prof. Laurent 

 in 1904, having erect leaves, about 18 inches in length, margined with 

 yellow. 



3. — Ficus (/) Dryepondtiana (De Wildeman), from the same district 

 as the last. A handsome foliage plant, with bold dark green bullate 

 leaves, red beneath, and with narrow membranous stipules. To this a 

 Botanical Certificate, as an interesting novelty, was awarded on the 

 motion of Dr. Masters, seconded by Mr. Gussow. The last two plants 

 were shown by the Director of the State Botanic Gardens, Brussels. The 

 Ficus, if Ficus it be, is figured in the last number of the " Revue de 

 I'Horticulture Beige." 



Scientific Committee, April 17, 1906. 

 Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, and eight members present. 



Boots of Gardenia dying. — Roots of Gardenia in a dying condition 

 were received, and were referred to Mr. G. S. Saunders, F.L.S., for further 

 examination. See p. Ixx. 



Auriculas and Inheritance of Characters. — Mr. Douglas, V.M.H., 

 drew attention to some show Auriculas, pointing out the characters that 

 the florist aimed at procuring. He also showed a truss of flowers, all 

 except one of which were self-red, the exception being a yellow flower. 

 By raising seeds from red flow^ers crossed by red a large number of 

 yellows are produced, while if two show flowers with dark ground are 

 crossed, usually light-coloured flowers are found in the seedlings. 



Destruction of Wild Flowers. — A letter on this subject was read from 

 Miss Trower, who remarked on the wholesale destruction of such plants 



