SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, NOVEMBER 9. CCXX1X 



Dorstenia Waller i. — Mr. Chittenden showed a plant of this interesting 

 species from the Society's garden, grown from a tuber received from 

 Central Africa. The species was first described in the Gardeners' 

 Chronicle, August 12, 1893, p. 178, plants having been raised at Kew 

 from seed received from Central Africa. Like other plants of the genus 

 the green inflorescence is flattened, and bears the flowers like an opened fig 

 upon the flattened stem ; the margin of the inflorescence is raised 

 somewhat, and gives rise to four or five coarse, long, tapering filaments. 



Acorns refused by stock. — Mr. Bowles showed some Acorns from three 

 trees at Myddelton House, Waltham Cross, which neither cattle nor sheep 

 would eat. Mr. Holmes took them for further examination. 



Abnormal bulb formation in Nerine. — Mr. Worsley showed a curious 

 bulb of Nerine which had developed at the apex of a flattened process 

 somewhat similar to that seen in the bulbs of Vallota. The occurrence 

 of a bulb in the position assumed by this is unique in Mr. Worsley 's 

 experience of Nerines, and he considered it probable that it was owing 

 to the diseased condition of the basal part of the bulb. 



Scientific Committee, November 9, 1909. 



Mr. E. A. Bowles, M.A., F.E.S., F.L.S., in the Chair, and nine 

 members present. 



Variation in Primulas. — From the garden of Sir Arthur Hort, Bart., 

 came red flowers of Primroses which in the spring bear blue flowers. 

 It was suggested that the change may be due to the cell sap being acid 

 in reaction instead of alkaline, owing perhaps to some variation in 

 external conditions, such as temperature. Mr. Hill, M.A., drew atten- 

 tion to the fact that several Primulas had varied in the same directions 

 as P. sinensis, particularly noting the fimbriation of the edges of the 

 petals which occurred in P. obconica, P. japonica, P. Sieboldii, and now 

 in P. x hewensis. He enquired whether any member of the Committee 

 had noticed similar variations in the common Primrose, P. acaulis. 

 Mr. Chittenden said he had once seen a plant, with the edges both of 

 the petals and sepals much cut, in a cottage garden at Chelmsford, but 

 no other member of the Committee had noticed any. Mr. Douglas and 

 Mr. Fraser pointed out that if seedlings showed signs of roughness at 

 the edges of the petals they would be discarded immediately by florists, 

 and no record would be kept. The Committee would be glad to hear of 

 instances of parallel variations in different species of Primula under 

 either natural conditions or when cultivated. For instance, double 

 forms of P. acaulis are well known in gardens, but appear to be very 

 rare wild ; and there seems to be only one record of their being raised 

 from seed (by Mr. Murray Thomson, in litt.). Doubling of a similar 

 nature has occurred in P. sinensis. 



Scilla socialis. — Mr. Ledger showed a specimen of this uncommon 

 Natal plant, flowering profusely. It was figured by the late Mr. Wilson 

 Saunders in " Refugium Botanicum," t. 180, and the present plant 

 appeared to be a direct descendant of the plant originally figured. 



