XXviii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



hard-looking grain, where the proportion of the two elements was 

 nearly equal. The nitrogen content varied in the same way, so that it 

 was much higher where the calcium and magnesium content of the 

 soil approached equality than where the calcium content was much in 

 excess of the magnesium. The crop also increased with the increased 

 content of magnesium, until the ratio between calcium and magnesium 

 reached unity. Dr. Voelcker exhibited these specimens to illustrate 

 the influence of the chemical composition of the soil upon the character 

 of a variety. The experiments were carried out in triplicate, and with 

 three different varieties, with similar results. Mr. Elwes, F.E.S., ex- 

 pressed himself in general agreement with Dr. Voelcker 's views as to the 

 influence of soil and climate in changing the characters of wheat, and 

 doubted whether the attempts now being made to produce strong 

 wheats for growth in Great Britain would be really successful. He 

 considered, however, that strength as now understood by the miller and 

 baker was a matter of but minor importance to the farmer and con- 

 sumer. 



HymenocdUis macro Stephana. — Mr. Elwes showed flowers of this 

 plant (figured in Botanical Magazine, t. 6436). H. macro stephana is 

 reputed to be a hybrid between Ismene calathina and Hymenocallis 

 speciosa. Both species are now included in the genus Hymenocallis. 

 Mr. Hoog, of Haarlem, some time ago, repeated the cross, and raised 

 the fine form Hymenocallis * Daphne, ' very similar to, but finer than 

 the original H. macro Stephana. See note by Mr. Worsley in Gar- 

 deners' Chronicle," xxix. (1901), p. 72. 



Galanthus. — Mr. Elwes also showed a fine and vigorous form of 

 Galanthus, which Mr. Bowles thought to be of hybrid origin, and 

 took for further examination. 



Dasylirion glaucophyllum. — Mr. Holmes showed portions of a 

 plant of the fodder plant, to which attention was drawn by Dr. Voelcker 

 at a recent meeting, and which was then thought to be a species of 

 Hechtia. He was now able to identify it as Dasylirion glaucophyllum. 



Achillea Millefolium var. rubra. — Mr. Eraser showed a dark red 

 form of Achillea, similar to that often grown in gardens, which he 

 had found growing wild at Killin, Perthshire. 



Polypodium vulgare var. — Mr. Druery, V.M.H., showed a frond ( 

 of a Polypodium very nearly approaching the beautiful variety cornu- 

 biense, which had been found growing near Barnstaple, North Devon, i 



Odontioda x Craveniana. — Mr. Eolfe, A.L.S., showed flowers of 

 this hybrid, raised by Messrs. Charlesworth, between Cochlioda Noez- 

 liana j , from Ecuador, and Odontoglossum cordatum $ , from 

 Mexico, and remarked upon the great differences between the parents. ; 

 The hybrid was bright scarlet, like the Cochlioda. 



Fasciated Wallflower. — Mr. E. Knowldin sent from Dublin a j 

 fasciated wallflower, which had been growing on a wall. The speci- 

 men broadened out and forked at the top of the stem. 



