EXTRACTS OF PROCEEDINGS. 
CXXY 
normal-rooted trees are 8 feet to 9 feet high. I have measured 
the root-ball of one straight tree of 6 feet in height, and find it 
(the ball) 16 inches in circumference. The soil of the spot is a 
poor light loam on gravel. Some years ago, in transplanting a 
large bed of seedling Cupressus Lawsoniana, one was noticed— 
and it is preserved here—with a similar protuberance at what 
nurserymen call the collar. In this example there is a clear 
space between the roots and the swelling. I will have one of 
these Sequoias planted again to see, if I am spared, whether this 
bulbous development will increase, and whether the tree will 
continue as it is, comparatively fibreless in proportion to its 
size and age.” No information was forthcoming from the 
Committee on the subject. A wood-cut of this singular deformity 
is annexed. 
Fruit of Fischerici .—Dr. Masters also showed a large four¬ 
winged downy follicle containing numerous seeds surmounted 
by a tuft of silky hairs. The fruit was collected in New 
Granada, and was sent to Mr. Alfred Borwick. The fruit was 
evidently that of an Asclepiad allied to Fischeria, but in the 
absence of further evidence the exact genus could not with 
certainty be determined. 
Pods of the Ironwood of Brazil. —Sir J. Hooker showed 
legumes of Ccesalpinia ferrea, the tree said to produce the very 
hard and little known Ironwood of Brazil. 
Disease in Stem of Bobinia .—Mr. Wilson Saunders sent 
some beautiful drawings and a manuscript description of a 
peculiar disease in the stem of Bobinia pseudo-acacia, which 
uppears, with illustrations, in this number of the Journal.*' 
Va?ida suavis. —Mr. Jennings called attention to a plant of 
this species shown in the conservatory, and in which the 
inflorescence was terminal, instead of axiliary, as usual. 
Action of Frost on Clay .—Mr. Jennings made some remarks 
on the peculiar cleavage shown by clay when subjected to frost, 
the clay breaking up into more or less cubical masses, to the 
great detriment of the roots of the plants growing in it. Sir 
Joseph Hooker remarked that the action of frost on different 
soils was a complicated matter, and that on it depended to a 
large extent the amount of injury inflicted on plants by frost. 
Thus in some parts of the garden at Kew in 1866 the ground 
See page 169. 
