GO 
MICROSCOPICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SECTION. 
Ordinary Meeting, December 4th, 1871. 
Joseph Baxendell, Esq.* F.R.A.S., President of the Section, 
in the Chair. 
Mr. R. D. Darbisiiire, B.A., F.G.S., sent two photographs 
of a plant of Cereus grandifiorus, Mill, taken with magne- 
sium light, on the 12th of June last. Mr. Darbishire stated 
that the plant was grown by the late Mr. James Darbishire, 
about fifty years ago, against a south wall, in a hothouse at 
Greenlieys Hall. There it used to flower about once in 
three years. The largest number of flowers out at a time, 
that can now be recollected, was three. 
In 1852 the plant was removed and replanted against a 
standard wire lattice, in a pine pit, at Pendyffryn, near 
Conway. 
The removal seemed at first to have checked the growth 
of the plant, but it soon recovered and throve well. During 
several succeeding years the beautiful flowers continued to 
come out more and more freely, and latterly so abundantly 
that special record was kept of their appearance. 
In 1869 the first flower opened on the night of the 29th 
of May, and the last on the 30th of June. The greatest 
number out at once was G7, on the 26th of June, forming a 
truly magnificent spectacle. That year there were altogether 
131 flowers. 
In 1870 the first bloom again appeared on the 29th of 
May; the last on the 4 th of July. The greatest number at 
once was 28 on the 17th of June, the total that season 95. 
In 1871 the flowering again began on the 29th of May. 
It continued, with little intermission, daily till the 28th of 
