118  JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER .  February  7, 1901. 
Royal  Horticultural  Society. 
Scientific  Committee,  Jai].  29th. 
Present  :  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters  (in  the  chair),  Mr.  Bowles,  Rev. 
W.  Wilks,  and  Rev.  G.  Henslow,  Hon.  Sec. 
Bryonia  dioica  root. — Mr.  W.  G.  Smith  sent  an  enormous  root  of 
the  common  Bryony.  He  says  that  the  weight,  after  being  kept  for 
two  months  in  a  dry  room,  was  just  over  21  lbs.,  and  had  not  the  ends 
of  thick  branching  roots  been  broken  off  it  would  have  been  at  least 
5  lbs.  heavier.  The  length  of  its  broken  condition  was  2  feet  ;  the 
circumference  at  the  middle  was  22i  inches.  It  was  dug  out  of  brick- 
earth  at  Caddington  Hill,  near  Dunstable.  It  appears  to  much  exceed 
the  average  size,  for  Dr.  R.  Hogg  writes  in  his  “  Vegetable  Kingdom  :  ’> 
“The  roots  are  of  an  immense  size,  sometimes  a  foot  or  2  feet  long; 
and  as  thick  as  a  man’s  arm.”  It  is  occasionally  offered  for  sale  as  the 
“  Mandrake,”  bnt  the  latter  is  not  a  British  plant.  Though  the  root 
abounds  in  starch,  which  could  be  extracted  by  grating  it  to  a  pulp  and 
straining  with  cold  water  ;  but  the  juice  is  deoidedly  poisonous,  as  are 
also  the  berries  of  the  Bryony. 
Abies  lasiocarj)a  var.  arizonica. — Foliage  and  bark  of  this  new 
variety  were  sent  by  Herr  H.  Henkel,  from  Darmstadt.  Though  the 
species  ranges  from  Oregon  to  New  Mexico,  this  tree  only  occurs  on 
the  mountains  of  Arizona.  The  bark  is  remarkable  in  being  of  a 
cream  colour  and  corky  in  nature.  The.foliage  is  bright  glaucous  green 
above,  but  white  from  a  mossy  bloom  below,  probably  due  to  its 
mountain  habitat.  Herr  Henkel  observes  that  he  has  succeeded  in 
importing  and  establishing  this  tree,  which  he  names  Abies  arizonica, 
Merriam,  var.  argentea.  The  plants  were  collected  at  an  altitude 
of  from  7250  to  10,000  feet,  the  temperature  being  as  low  as  —  25° 
to  -  30°  (C.). 
Australian  Rhubarb. — Specimens  were  sent  by  Mr.  Sutton  of  this 
Rhubarb  alluded  to  at  the  last  meeting.  The  stems  are  very  slender, 
are  about  a  foot  long,  of  a  bright  scarlet. 
Pinus  austriaca  attacked  by  beetle. — A  branch  perforated  by  some 
beetle  was  received  from  a  resident  of  Fordington,  Dorchester.  It  was 
sent  to  Mr.  McLachlan  for  determination. 
Croci  species  and  varieties. — An  interesting  series  was  exhibited  by 
Mr.  E.  A.  Bowles  of  Myddelton  House,  Waltham  Cross,  Herts,  who 
contributed  the  following  particulars  : — 
C.  biflorus  v.  argenteus. — An  abnormal  bloom  with  eight  perianth 
segments  and  five  style  branches.  V.  estriatus. — The  unstriped  form 
from  Florence.  V.  Leichtlini. — A  small-flowered  form  intermediate 
between  v.  estriatus  and  v.  nubigenus,  pale  blue,  external  surface  of 
outer  segments  yellowish  with  broad  band  of  pale  blue  down  the  centre  ; 
anthers  of  a  curious  shade  of  greenish  grey.  This  tendency  to  melanism 
in  anthers  of  Croci  of  the  section  annulatiof  Maw  was  further  illustrated 
by  specimens  of  C.  Crewei,  in  which  the  anthers  are  a  deep  chocolate, 
and  C.  chrysanthus  vars.  fuscotinctus  and  fuscolineatus,  with  anthers  of 
a  dark  smoke  colour  and  the  typical  form  of  C.  chrysanthus,  in  which 
the  barbs  at  base  of  the  anthers  are  tipped  with  black. 
C.  Korolkowi  in  two  vars.  a,  The  type  as  distributed  by  Dr. 
Regel,  and  figured  by  Maw ;  a  small,  shy  flowering,  late  form ;  external 
surface  of  outer  segments  grained  with  rich  brown,  throat  externally 
nearly  black,  ft,  Larger,  paler,  very  floriferous  and  robust  in  habit ; 
in  bloom  three  weeks  earlier;  external  graining  grey,  greenish  blue  at 
throat. 
C.  ancyrensis.' — Type  and  a  specimen  externally  feathered  with 
brown,  a  variation  not  hitherto  noticed  in  this  species. 
Crocus  Fleischeri,  a  delicate  species  with  long,  narrow  perianth 
segments,  white,  the  three  outer  externally  lined  purple ;  v.  albus, 
without  the  external  purple  markings  except  at  the  throat,  and  contrary 
to  rule  with  .albino  forms,  has  the  appearance  of  being  a  more  robust 
form  with  wider  perianth  segments. 
C.  Balansae,  an  abnormal  bloom,  semi-double,  of  the  form  with  outer 
segments  externally  rich  mahogany  colour. 
C.  dalmaticus,  the  true  plant,  with  large,  very  pale  mauve  flowers, 
outer  surface  of  outer  segments  pale  buff,  veined  with  grey  at  the  base. 
C.  Tomassinianus,  pale  and  dark  vars. 
C.  Imperati,  several  varieties. 
All  from  open  ground  except  Fleischeri  and  Korolkowi  type,  which 
were  grown  in  a  cold  frame. 
The  Committees  for  1901. 
Full  particulars  of  the  exhibitions  of  the  Society  oan  be  had  from 
the  “  Arrangements  for  1901,”  in  which  are  also  given  lists  of  the 
various  committees,  and  these  we  reprint  for  the  benefit  of  our  readers. 
Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 
Chairman. — Bunyard,  Geo.,  v.m.h.,  Maidstone,  Kent. 
Vice-Chairmen. — Balderson,  H,,  Corner  Hall,  Hemel  Hempstead. 
Pearson,  A.  H.,  Pelham  Road,  Sherwood  Rise,  Nottingham. 
Secretary. — Wright,  S.  T.,  R.H.S.  Gardens,  Chiswick. 
Basham,  J.,  Fairoak,  Bassaleg,  Newport,  Mon. 
Bates,  W.,  The  Gardens,  Cross  Deep,  Twickenham. 
Beckett,  E.,  Aldenham  House  Gardens,  Elstree.  . 
Blaker,  Dr.  E.  S.,  The  Cedars,  East  Grinstead. 
Cheal,  Joseph,  Lowfield,  Crawley,  Sussex. 
Coomber,  T.,  The  Hendre  Gardens,  Monmouth. 
Crump,  W.,  v.m.h.,  Madresfield  Court  Gardens,  Malvern. 
Dean,  A.,  62,  Richmond  Road,  Kingston,  S.W. 
Divers,  W.  H.,  Belvoir  Castle  Gardens,  Grantham. 
Esling,  H.,  Hillview,  Croft  Road,  Carshalton. 
Farr,  W.,  Spring  Grove  House  Gardens,  Isleworth. 
Fyfe,  W„  Lockinge  Park  Gardens,  Wantage. 
Gleeson,  M.,  Warren  House  Gardens,  Stanmore. 
Herrin,  C.,  Lydhurst,  Hayward’s  Heath,  Sussex. 
Iggulden,  W.,  North  View,  Frome,  Somerset. 
Jaques,  J.,  Waddesdon  Manor  Gardens,  Aylesbury. 
Keif,  Geo.,  The  Gardens,  South  Villa,  Regent’s  Park,  N.W. 
Lane,  Fred.  Q.,  Berkhamsted. 
Markham,  H.,  Wrotham  Park  Gardens,  High  Barnet. 
Molndoe,  James,  v.m.h.,  Hutton  Hall  Gardens,  Guisborough. 
Miles,  G.  T.,  Wyoomb  Abbey  Gardens,  High  Wycomb. 
Mortimer,  S.,  Rowledge,  Farnham,  Surrey. 
Norman,  G.,  Hatfield  House  Gardens,  Hatfield. 
Parker,  R.,  Goodwood  Gardens,  Chichester. 
Pope,  W.,  Higbclere  Gardens,  Newbury. 
Ponpart,  W.,  Marsh  Farm,  Twickenham. 
Reynolds,  G.,  The  Gardens,  Gunnersbury  Park,  Acton,  W. 
Rivers,  H.  Somers,  Sawbridgeworth. 
Smith,  James,  v.m.h.,  The  Gardens,  Mentmore,  Leighton  Buzzard. 
Veitch,  J.  H.,  King’s  Road,  Chelsea. 
Veitch,  P.  C.  M.,  Exeter. 
Ward,  A.,  Trent  Park  Gardens,  New  Barnet. 
Wilks,  Rev.  W.,  m.a.,  Shirley  Vicarage,  Croydon. 
Willard,  Jesse,  Holly  Lodge  Gardens,  Highgate,  N. 
Woodward,  G.,  Barham  Court,  Teston,  Maidstone. 
Wright,  John,  v.m.h.,  8,  Rose  Hill  Road,  Wandsworth,  S.W. 
Wythes,  G.,  v.m.h.,  Syon  House  Gardens,  Brentford. 
Scientific  Committee. 
Chairman. —  Sir  J.  D.  Hooker,  k.c.s.i.,  c.b.,  f.r.s.,  v.m.h.,  Sunningdale. 
Vice-Chairmen- — Foster,  Sir  M.,  k.c.b.,  v.m.h.,  m.p.,  Sec.  R.S.,  Great 
Shelford,  Cambridge. 
Masters,  Maxwell  T.,  m.d.,  f.r.s.,  &c.,  Mount  Avenue,  Ealing,  W. 
Thiselton-Dyer,  Sir  W.  T.,  k.c.  m.g.,  f.r.s.,  Kew. 
Hon.  Sec. — Rev.  Prof.  G.  Henslow,  m.a.,  v.m.h.,  f.r.s.,  80,  Holland 
Park,  W. 
Baker,  J.  G.,  f.r.s.,  v.m.h.,  3,  Cumberland  Road,  Kew. 
Balfour,  Prof.  I.  B.,  f.r.s.,  v.m.h.,  Botanic  Gardens,  Edinburgh. 
Bateson,  W.,  f.r.s.,  Merton  House,  Granohester,  Cambs. 
Bennett,  A.  W.,  f.l.s.,  6,  Park  Village  East,  N.W. 
Bennett-Poe,  John  T.,  29,  Ashley  Place,  Westminster. 
Bonavia,  Dr.  E.,  Westwood,  Richmond  Road,  Worthing. 
Boulger,  Prof.  G.  S.,  34,  Argyll  Mansions,  Kensington,  W. 
Bowles,  E.  Augustus,  Myddleton  House,  Waltham  Cross. 
Brown,  Dr.  Horace,  f.r.s.,  52,  Nevern  Square,  Kensington,  S.W. 
Burbidge,  F.  W.,  m.a.,  v.m.h.,  Trinity  College  Gardens,  Dublin. 
Chapman  H.,  Cambridge  Lodge,  Flodden  Road,  Camberwell,  S.E. 
Church,  Prof.  A.  H.,  m.a.,  f.r.s.,  Shelsley,  Kew  Gardens. 
Cooke,  M.  C.,  m.a.,  ll.d.,  53,  Castle  Road,  Kentish  Town,  N.W. 
Darwin,  Francis,  f.r.s.,  Wychfield,  Huntingdon  Road,  Cambridge. 
Dod,  Rev.  C.  Wolley,  m.a.,  v.m.h.,  Edge  Hall,  Malpas,  Cheshire. 
Douglas,  James,  v.m.h.,  Great  Bookham,  Surrey. 
Druery,  C.  T.,  f.l.s.,  11,  Shaa  Road,  Acton,  W. 
Ellacombe,  Rev.  Canon,  Bitton,  Bristol. 
Elwes,  H.  J.,  f.r.s.,  v.m.h.,  Colesborne,  Andoversford,  Glos. 
Engleheart,  Rev.  G.  H.,  m.a.,  v.m.h.,  Appleshaw,  Andover. 
Ewbank,  Rev.  H  ,  St.  John’s,  Ryde. 
Farmer,  Prof.  J.  B.,  m.a.,  Royal  College  of  Science,  South  Kensington. 
Godman,  F.  DuCane,  f.r.s.,  10,  Chandos  Street,  Cavendish  Square. 
Gordon,  George,  V.M.H.,  Priory  Road,  Kew. 
Groom,  Prof.  Percy,  F.l.s.,  Hollywood,  Egham. 
Hartog,  Prof.,  d.sc.,  m.a.,  Queen’s  College,  Cork. 
Hogg,  R.  A.  Milligan,  12,  Mitre  Court  Chambers,  Fleet  Street. 
Holmes,  E.  Morell,  f.l.s.,  Ruthveb,  Sevenoaks. 
Houston,  D.,  f.l.s.,  Technical  Laboratory,  Chelmsford. 
Hurst,  Captain  C.,  Burbage  Grove,  Hinckley. 
Im  Thurn,  E.  F.,  c.b.,  23,  Edwardes  Square,  Kensington,  W. 
Lindsay,  R.,  Murrayfield,  N.B. 
Llewelyn,  Sir  J.  T.  D.,  Bart.,  f.l.s.,  Penllergaer,  Swansea. 
Lynch,  R.  Irwin,  a.l.s.,  Botanic  Gardens,  Cambridge. 
Massee,  George,  f.l.s.,  Gateacre,  Sandycombe  Road,  Kew. 
Mawley,  Ed.,  Rosebank,  Berkhamsted. 
