SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, OCTOBER 18. 



liii 



especially in its bearings on the best practical methods of resist- 

 ing the injuries of fogs in the construction or adaptation of plant- 

 houses or otherwise. 



Peat-wood. — Dr. Russell showed some specimens of wood 

 from a peat bed of a few feet in thickness on Dartmoor, in 

 Devonshire, where there are no trees at the present time. One 

 was that of Birch, but the other was not recognisable on inspec- 

 tion. It was referred to Kewfor comparison with some museum 

 specimens. 



Fasciate Holly. — Mr. G. Paul sent boughs of Ilex domiing- 

 tonensis with this peculiarity. It appears to be a variety 

 particularly liable to fasciation. The cause of fasciation is still 

 unknown among trees. It is particularly common in the Ash and 

 Cotoneaster. 



Cunonia capensis. — Flowering sprays of this shrub were sent 

 by Mr. Burbidge. He observes that it is an old plant, but not 

 often to be seen in gardens at the present time. 



Pelargonium Sport. — A new double variety was received from 

 Mr. Cannell called " Double New Life," having the peculiarity of 

 the petals being white, red, and flaked in the same blossom. It 

 originated from a double Vesuvius called " Wonderful." A flaked 

 variety of the single Vesuvius appeared in the Isle of Wight in 

 1888. It has also sported to a salmon colour, as well as white, 

 several times. The leaves are peculiar in having acquired 

 almost a purple tint. The original Vesuvius was raised by Messrs. 

 A. & F. Smith, of Dulwich, in 1868. 



Egyptian Figs. — Mr. Henslow exhibited an instrument used 

 in Egypt for cutting off the tops of the nearly ripe fruit of the 

 Sycomore Fig. It consists of a circular strip of iron, one edge 

 being sharpened, and inserted like a loop at the end of a stick. 

 The object is to allow the insects to escape (Sycophaga crassipes, 

 Westw.), which always mfest that species. The Sycomore Fig is 

 never propagated by seeds hi Egypt. The custom is apparently 

 very ancient, and the Hebrew word translated " cultivator" as 

 applied to the prophet Amos (ch. vii. 14) really signifies 

 ' ' scraper," as correctly given in the Septuagint version (written 

 at Alexandria). It is described by Theophrastus and Pliny, but 

 no mention is made of the insects. As the fruit becomes sweeter 

 it was thought to ripen them. 



