PHOCEEDiNGS OE SOCIETIES. 
4i 
from three to five feet in circumference; and although it exudes sponta¬ 
neously, the natives make large punctures in the tree, in order to obtain it in 
greater quantities. The tree which yields the Socotrine Aloes, thrives only 
in barren spots; the island of Socotra being most thickly studded with them, 
from which 202 tons were exported in 1813. The commencement of a paper 
from Mr. Lusborough w^as next read, “ On the importance and practicability 
of adopting a more correct and systematic method in describing and arranging 
the genera of Grasses.^’ 
March T.—A. B. Lambert, Esq., in the chair.—The Chairman exhibited a 
stalk of the Cow-tree, from Sir William Symonds, which was nine feet four 
inches long, the circumference, at eighteen inches from the root, being 5| inches, 
and in two other parts 3| inches. It has been known, by Lord Lauderdale, to 
grow to the height of twelve feet six inches, and is frequently found but little 
' inferior in size. He also read a description of the Courie (Dalhara Australis)^ 
an immense tree, being in one instance forty-two feet ten inches in circumference, 
at a height of eight feet from the ground, and sometimes growing to sixty-four 
feet, clear of the branches. A communication was read from Mr. Bennett, 
being ‘‘Botanical Notices made during a late excursion to the South Seas.” 
These were,—1. The South-sea Arrowroot, growing generally in the Polynesian 
Islands, and some few in China, but more particularly in the Georgian and 
Society Islands. The plant is herbaceous, not exceeding five feet in height, the 
root being broad, and in three divisions. Its more favourable habitat is on the 
hills near the sea-coast, where it fiourishes amongst rank herbage. The root is 
ground with a rude instrument formed of the husks of Cocoa-nuts, or rubbed 
against the rough and strong tubercles of the skin of a fish of the Bay kind, when 
it is collected in water and washed. 2. The Nankin Cotton, from which this 
celebrated fabric derives its colour. 3. The Mountain Plaintain (Musa speciosa')^ 
growing in the groves to a considerable extent, each tree bearing only one cluster 
of fruit, and that but once, when it decays. 4. Casuarina aquacetafolia^ one of 
the numerous iron roots of Europeans, the specific gravity of which being greater 
than that of sea-water, is hence used in making wooden anchors. 5. South-sea 
Chesnut, a lofty and umbrageous tree, the fruit of which is pulpy and fibrous, 
and the kernel dense, but when roasted making good food; and 6 . Irum hcemo- 
phyllum^ a valuable timber and furniture tree, which is much used in the con¬ 
struction of churches and houses of Assembly.— Alhen(Bum. 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
Jan> 10.—W. B. Scott, Esq., in the chair. Mr. Beid described several Mam¬ 
malia presented to the Society by Mr. Darwin, who accompanied the surveying 
ship Beagle, as naturalist to the exnedition. The collection obtained by Mr. 
No. 7, Vol. IT. 
G 
