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each tide. Very few plants were met with in flower and 
not a single specimen in fruit, and the plant is propagated 
by minute pear-shaped underground buds, whose tapering 
ends are somewhat recurved. Mr. Bailey pointed out the 
specific characters of the plant, and mentioned that it could 
be most readily identified by the porcelain-like appearance 
of the lower part of the culms. 
A paper by Mr. E. Heelis, Dimbula, was communicated 
by Mr. H. A. Hurst, entitled “ Ceylon : its Climate, Natural 
History, &c.” The paper included many interesting facts 
having reference to the zoology, botany, and geology of the 
central portion of the island. 
Mr. J. B. Dancer, F.R.A.S., exhibited a series of micro- 
scopical slides, consisting chiefly of the leaves of tropical 
plants. 
