PROCEEDINGS OE SOCIETIES, 
375 
grain was described as highly nutritious, and grateful to the taste, and it was 
considered that it might form a useful addition to the staple food of this country } 
if proper attention were paid to its culture. 
ROYAL SOCIETY OF HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE. 
Jan. 8.— Mr. Glenny, F.H.S., in the chair.—Prof. Johnson described several 
interesting varieties of the genera Cactus and Euphorbia , which were on the table, 
and gave a lecture on these remarkable plants, which are now so much admired 
as objects of cultivation. 
ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 
Jan. 19.—Prof Wilson, Director, in the chair.—A short biographical notice 
was read by Dr. Royle, on the late Dr. Rotteler, who died at the advanced 
age of eighty-six years. He was highly distinguished as a botanist, and especially 
for his researches into the Flora of Zanguebar, and in eliciting information on 
the Medical Botany of the country. He had been a large contributor to an 
herbarium, consisting of upwards of 3,000 plants, which had lately been presented 
by the Church Missionary Society to King’s College.—Dr. Royle next read a 
paper from Mr. Solly, on the production of Caoutchouc in India, an abundant 
source of it having recently been discovered in Assam, although the mode of 
preparation at present adopted is objectionable.—Dr. Royle being called upon 
by the chairman, detailed the results of the inquiries made by the Com¬ 
mittee of Agriculture and Commerce, with respect to the growth of American 
Cotton in India. Several communications on the subject had been received, 
among which was one from Dr. Falconer, who stated that the upland Georgia 
Cotton gave hopes that its introduction would be very advantageous. A letter 
from Mr. Heath stated that the natives might be trusted in its culture, and that 
in the South of India the Bourbon Cotton-plant had superseded the indigenous 
varieties, of which there were two, one being annual and the other perennial. 
He also observed that the vicinity of the sea-coast was not, as had been alleged, 
necessary for its. successful cultivation, as his own experience had shown him 
that it could well be grown at a distance of 150 miles in the interior, and every 
hope was given that the introduction of the American varieties would soon prove 
a great source of industry and wealth in our Eastern possessions. It was 
pointed out as very desirable that the staple should be sent over in a cleaner 
state. 
ST. ANDREWS LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 
Jan. 8.—Lord Wm. Douglas in the chair.—The report of the meeting of this 
flourishing and important Institution occupies five closely-printed columns of the 
