SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, MARCH 22. 



XXV 



in a mean temperature of 60° Falir. The fleshy covering of 

 these seeds, analogous to that of our native Yew berry, is edible, 

 and is used as dessert in China and Japan according to Siebold 

 and other authors. It is well known that this tree rarely if ever 

 fruits in Britain, a fact perhaps due to its dioecious character. 



" These seeds also illustrate a very interesting physiological 

 fact mentioned by Sachs ('Text Book,' p. 665). ' If the tempera- 

 ture is sufficiently high, the green colouring substance (chloro- 

 phyll) is found in the cotyledons of Conifers, and in the leaves 

 of Ferns in complete darkness, as well as under the influence of 

 light.' 



" I am by no means certain that Ferns and Conifer seeds 

 alone possess this peculiarity ; it is known to occur in other 

 seeds, notably in those of Acer pseudo-platanus, the common 

 Sycamore, the Seakale, Crambe maritima, and possibly others 

 which I have not examined. 



" Doryanthes excelsa. — It may be of interest to state that this 

 plant, known as the Spear Lily of New South Wales, is just 

 now opening its flowers in this garden, the crimson Lily-like 

 flowers being congested on a scape 10 feet high and 2 inches in 

 diameter." 



Other specimens sent by Mr. Burbidge comprised Candollea 

 cuneiformis, Erythronium Hartwegi, Asparagus plumosus in 

 flower, Masdevallia Chimaara var. Roezli, Arisaema ringens, 

 Stapelia deflexa in fruit, Coccoloba platycladon, Acer macro- 

 phyllum (buds), and Begonia corallina. 



Scientific Committee, Apeil 12, 1892. 

 Dr. M. T. Masters in the Chair, and seven members present. 



Galls on Bibes. — A report was received from Mr. E. A. 

 Fitch upon the galls on Ribes aureum, in which he observed that 

 ' 'the only sure thing to be said is that the galls are made by an 

 unknown species of Phytoptus, allied to that making the well- 

 known witch-knots on Birches." (See Entomologist, vol. x., pp. 

 83-86, April 1877). He remarks that the species of Phytoptus 

 are but little known in this country. 



Narcissus Bulbocodium, fasciated. — Mr. Morris exhibited a 

 specimen with five flowers united, and remarked that of twelve pots 



