198 
PHARMACEUTICAL MEETING. 
4. Describe the botanical source and general characters of officinal Camphor, and state- 
how it may be distinguished from both Dryobalanops and artificial camphors. 
5. Describe the physical characters of Russian, East Indian, and English Rhubarbs; 
mention, as far as is known, their botanical and geographical sources. 
6 . Give the essential characters of the following Natural Orders, and enumerate the 
officinal plants which they respectively contain :—Malvaceae, Solanaceae, Atropa- 
ceae and Melanthaceae. 
Pereira Medal . Michael Carteighe. 
PRIZES FOR HERBARIA. 
Professor. Bentley said that during the last two or three years some 
good collections of plants had been sent for competition, but he had had 
to regret the small number of students who had competed. lie was led 
to believe that the fact of the Prize Herbaria becoming the property of the 
Council was the cause of the diminished number of competitors. The Council, 
therefore, had determined last year that in future it should be optional with the 
collectors whether they would leave their collections in hands of the Council or 
receive them back. The good effect of this alteration had already shown itself, as, 
whereas last year only one medal was awarded, on this occasion three prizes 
were given, and four collections had been sent in. This would show that the 
return of collections, upon which much value was placed by the owners, affected 
the number of competitors. The collection which had gained the Silver Medal 
was that of George Harrison, a registered apprentice of the Pharmaceutical So¬ 
ciety residing at Sheffield. It was now in the room for inspection, and contained 
altogether 548 species. It was due to Mr. Harrison that the meeting should see 
with what neatness and accuracy it had been arranged. Altogether, Professor 
Bentley said, it w r as most creditable to Mr. Harrison, and shcw r ed what an indus¬ 
trious and persevering apprentice could do when he had the opportunity afforded 
him. He did not say that it was free from errors of naming, but these errors 
were just what might have been expected from a young botanist, and proved to 
him that it was a bond fide collection. Pie hoped that Mr. Harrison would appear 
again before them in a future year as a successful candidate at the Sessional Prize 
Examinations. The second collection in order of merit was that of Edward Morell 
Holmes, an associate of the Pharmaceutical Society residing at Devonport. Mr. 
Holmes was already favourably known as a distinguished student in our school. To 
this collection the Council had awarded a Bronze Medal, a distinction which its 
merits amply deserved, for in point of numbers it was nearly equal to the first. 
Great credit w r as due to Mr. Holmes. The third collection in order of merit was 
that of Plenry Medd, a registered apprentice of the Society residing at Ilelmsby, 
Yorkshire. To this the Council had awarded a Certificate of Honour. It con¬ 
tained 450 specimens. Mr. Medd entirely deserved the honour he had acquired. 
In conclusion, Professor Bentley stated that these Herbaria prizes had fully 
answered the purposes for which they were originally offered by the Council, 
for they not only encouraged the study of Botany by apprentices, but he had 
frequently observed that those who gained these prizes were afterwards dis¬ 
tinguished students of the school. Professor Bentley said, that the Council 
would be glad to retain the competing Herbaria for inspection for one month, 
to remain in the care of the Librarian. He thought that the owners would 
readily agree to this request. 
The medals and certificate were awarded as follows:— 
Silver Medal . George Harrison. 
Bronze Medal . Edward Morell Holmes. 
Certificate of Honour . Henry Medd. 
