1X17 PEOCEEDIXGS OF THE EOYAL H0ETICTJLTT7EAL SOCIETY. 
Hew Caledonia ; Pleione Hookeri a species which he found on the 
Sikkim Himalayas, at an elevation of 10,000—11,000 feet, buried 
in long moss, which was crammed with pseudo bulbs; it was grow¬ 
ing on the horizontal branches of a species of Bhododendron. 
Skeleton Leaves. —-Three cases of “ skeletonised ” leaves were 
shown by Mrs. Cussons, of Southport, with the following note :— 
“For the dissection of leaves I find the process of maceration 
too long and tedious, to say nothing of the uncertainty as to the 
results. I have therefore adopted the use of alkali in saturated 
solution, the specimens to be introduced while the liquid is heated 
to boiling point. The time of immersion to be regulated by the 
character of the various leaves, and the nature of the epidermis to 
be removed. When the specimen is freed from epidermis and 
cellular tissue, ib must be subjected to the action of chlorine to 
destroy the colouring matter. The introduction of peroxide of 
hydrogen serves not only to render the lace-like specimen purer in 
colour, but preserves it also. In destroying the colouring matter in 
Ferns this likewise is invaluable ; added to the chlorine it gives a 
solidity to the bleached fronds, and appears to equalise the action of 
the chlorine. For skeletonising capsules the slow process of macera¬ 
tion by steeping in rain-water is alone available—a moderate heat 
may be applied to hasten the process, but alkali is useless. 
“ Skeletonised leaves and capsules appear to gain in the process 
a toughness and durability not possessed by them in their natural 
state.” 
Petalody of the Ovules of Cardamine pratensis. —Bev. Geo. 
ITenslow showed specimens in which several of the lower fruits had 
assumed a globular or ovoid form, and were elevated upon a long 
gynophore, produced by an elongation of the floral axis above the 
point of insertion of the other floral whorls. Several had burst on 
one side, whence issued a mass of small pink petals. On dissecting 
some of these abnormal ovaries, it was found that the false 
dissepiment was wanting, but that a large mass of petals had taken 
the position of the ovules, generally in one chief cluster, forming a 
miniature “ double ” flower at the point of attachment to the 
placenta. 
Ihe Native Country of the Potato. —Mr. Hemslev contributed a 
paper on this subject, pointing out some errors into which M. 
Andre had fallen in a recent communication to the Illustration 
Horticole. This communication is published in the Society’s 
Journal. 
