December  4,  1902. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
523 
Societies. 
R.H.S.  Scientific  Committee,  November  18th. 
Present :  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters  (in  the  chair)  ;  Messrs.  Douglas,  Odell, 
Saunders,  Bowles,  Worsdell,  Holmes,  Veitch,  Baker,  Druery,  Hooper, 
and  Worsley  ;  Drs.  Rendle  and  Cooke  ;  Prof.  Boulger ;  Revs.  W. 
Wilks  and  G.  Henslow.  Hon.  Sec. 
Dr.  M.  C.  Cooke ,  V.M.II. — Dr.  Masters  rose  to  offer  in  the  name  of 
the  committee  their  hearty  congratulations  and  goodwill  to  Dr.  M.  C. 
Cooke  on  having  been  presented  with  the  society’s  medal.  Dr.  Cooke 
in  reply  observed,  in  thanking  the  committee,  that  he  had  no  antici¬ 
pation  of  i  the  honour,  as  it  was  quite  unexpected,  since  whatever  he 
had  done  was  always  con  amove. 
Stenoglottis  longifolia. — Mr.  Odell  brought  spikes  of  this  S.  African 
Orchid  with  fasciated  stems.  The  flowers  are  very  small,  pale  rose, 
and  spotted  with  crimson.  He  observed  that  the  method  of  cultivation 
was  similar  to  that  of  Disas  in  a  cool  house.  Mr.  Henslow  remarked 
that  D.  grandiflora,  "The  Glory  of  Table  Mountain,”  does  not  seed 
freely  there,  but  propagates  itself  by  stolons  underground. 
Lily,  fasciated. — Mr.  H.  Simpson,  Wandsworth,  sent  a  fine  specimen 
of  Lilium  auratum  in  this  condition. 
Acorns,  striped. — Rev.  M.  C.  H.  Bird,  of  Brunstead  Rectory,  Stal- 
ham,  Norwich,  sent  specimens  of  acorns  peculiar  to  one  tree  in  the 
above  locality,  a  variety  of  the  common  Oak  ;  they  are  very  small  and 
transversely  striped.  Q.  nigra,  of  U.S..  has  similar  striping,  but  the 
cause  is  unknown. 
Ruellia  Cleistogamous. — Mr.  H.  C.  Davidson,  Great  Totliam, 
Witham,  Essex,  called  attention  to  this  hitherto  unknown  peculiarity. 
The  Ruellias  referred  to  should  have  borne  “large,  blue,  Bignonia-like 
flowers”;  but  the  flowers  borne  were  white,  and  so  small  that  they 
could  hardly  be  seen  unless  they  were  looked  for.  The  envelope  was 
early  pushed  off,  like  that  of  Eschscholtzia,  but  the  pods  swelled  and 
produced  seeds.  One  of  the  plants  carrying  the  tiny  white  flowers 
and  also  ripened  seed-pods,  has  since  produced  a  single  blue  flower. 
Fertility  of  hybrids. — Mr.  Cb.  C.  Hurst  sent  the  following 
communication : — “  In  the  report  of  the  last  meeting  of  the  above 
committee  in  Journal  of  Horticulture ,  1902,  ii.,  page  330,  under  the 
heading  ‘  Vigour  in  Hybrids,’  the  following  statement  is  made  : — ‘  It 
was  observed  that  hybrids  of  Cypripedium  Fairrieanum  will  not  cross.’ 
According  to  the  records  this  statement  can  hardly  be  accurate, 
because  on  sixteen  distinct  occasions  hybrids  of  C.  Fairrieanum  have 
produced  offspring  which  have  duly  flowered.  The  following  is  a  list 
of  the  crosses  recorded  (for  detailed  references  see  the  forthcoming 
‘  Orchid  Stud  Book.’)  (1)  Paphiopedilum  x  vexillarium,  a  hybrid 
between  P.  barbatum  and  P.  Fairrieanum,  has  been  successfully 
crossed  with  P.  barbatum,  P.  bellatulum,  P.  hirsutissimum,  P.  Spicer- 
ianum,  P.  insigne,  P.  Stonei,  P.  X  ealophyllum,  P.  x  Io,  and 
P.  x  Williamsianum.  (2)  P.  x  Arthurianum,  a  hybrid  between 
P.  insigne  and  P.  Fairrieanum.  has  been  successfully  crossed  with 
P.  Argus,  P.  Spicerianum,  and  P.  x  Leeanum.  (3)  P.  x  Niobe,  a 
hybrid  between  P.  Spicerianum  and  P.  Fairrieanum,  has  been 
successfully  crossed  with  P.  insigne,  P.  Spicerianum,  P.  x  orphanum 
and  P.  x  javanico-superbiens.  We  may  therefore  conclude  that 
whatever  degree  of  fertility  may  be  peculiar  to  hybrids  of  P.  Fairrie¬ 
anum,  it  cannot  be  said  that  they  are  absolutely  sterile.”  Mr.  Veitch 
quite  corroborated  Mr.  Hurst’s  observations. 
Introduction  of  fungus  pests. — Dr.  Cooke  made  the  following 
observations  on  this  subject:  “Apropos  of  Mr.  Geo.  Massee’s  state¬ 
ment  at  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Scientific  Committee  that  a  fungus 
pest,  a  smut  on  grasses  (Cintractia),  was  introduced  into  Britain  with 
a  species  of  Bromus  from  Patagonia.  A  similar  instance  has  come  to 
hand  as  to  the  introduction  of  the  destructive  Apple  and  Pear  scab 
(Fusicladium  dendriticum)  into  South  Australia.  This  disease  was 
apparently  wholly  unknown  in  that  colony  previous  to  1877,  when  its 
introduction  was  attributed  to  an  infected  Seckel  Pear  tree  which  was 
imported  from  America.  This  is  not  improbable,  and  should  serve  as 
a  warning  to  destroy,  without  reserve,  any-  and  all  imported  plants 
which  give  evidence  of  disease,  and  thoroughly  disinfecting  the  soil.” 
Ferns  proliferous. — Mr.  Druery  exhibited  a  pinna  of  Athyrium 
Filix-fcemina  var.  plumosum,  Druery.  showing  a  profusion  of  young 
plants  developed  from  dorsal— i.e.,  soral,  bulbils,  which  first  appear  as 
fleshy  excrescences  among  the  sporangia,  most  of  which  abort.  As  a 
rule,  the  bulbils  only  develop  into  minute  excrescences,  in  which  it  is 
extremely  difficult  to  maintain  vitality  during  the  winter,  owing  to  the 
almost  immediately  subsequent  decay  of  the  deciduous  fronds  ;  hence 
only  few  plants  have  been  raised  by  this  means.  This  year,  however, 
due  probably  to  the  moist  season,  the  bulbils  appeared  much  earlier 
than  usual,  and  developed  fronds  which  appear  in  the  specimen  very 
clearly  on  the  upper  surface.  This  proliferous  trait  is  inherited  from 
the  progenitor,  the  Axminster  plumosum. 
Apple,  pyriform. — Mrs.  Bayldon  of  Dawlish  sent  an  Apple 
resembling  a  Pear,  from  a  large  old  tree  in  an  old  cottage  garden. 
A  similar  fruit  was  thought  to  be  a  hybrid  between  an  Apple  and  a 
Pear,  but  such  has  never  been  obtained. 
Black  Hamburgh  failing. — Abortive  flowering  shoots  were  sent  by 
Mr.  G.  H.  Ricketts  of  Cranemoor  Lodge,  Christchurch,  Hants,  who 
observes  that  “  every  year  the  branches  promise  fairly  well,  but  the 
Grapes  fall,  being  good  for  nothing.”  Failure  in  root-action,  probably 
waterlogging,  was  the  general  opinion  of  the  committee.  Mr.  S.  T. 
M  right  of  Chiswick  Gardens,  to  whom  they  Were  submitted,  reports 
that,  in  his  opinion,  the  Vine  is  “  Canon  Hall  Muscat,  a  notoriously 
bad  setter,  and  only  succeeds  well  as  a  bearer  in  a  few  places.  I 
would  suggest  rooting  it  out  or  grafting  witli  a  more  reliable  variety. 
Black  Hamburgh  never  shows  branches  in  the  form  of  the  specimen 
sent.” 
Potatoes  with  tuberous  shoots. — Mr.  C.  Osman,  Button,  showed 
samples  of  Potatoes  which  had  sent  out  shoots  each  of  which  bore 
numerous  small  Potatoes.  The  peculiarity  had  been  figured  by 
Dr.  Bindley  about  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  but  it  is  not  so 
common  as  super-tuberation  or  secondary  tubers  issuing  from  the 
main  one.  This  has  been  common  in  certain  places  this  year, 
apparently  due  to  prolonged  degree  of  warm  weather,  which  causes 
the  Potatoes  to  start  into  growth,  but  instead  of  forming  leafy  shoots 
produces  tubers.  The  variety  known  as  The  Garden  is  said  to  be 
particularly  liable  to  it. 
Plant  clyes. — Dr.  Plowright  sent  the  following  communication 
together  with  specimens  of  the  dyes  described  :  - 
11  The  common  Larkspur. — Delphinium  consolidum,  as  the  older 
botanists  used  to  call  it,  is  a  plant  of  considerable  interest.  The 
generic  name  Delphinium,  for  instance,  is  taken  from  Delphis,  a 
dolphin,  the  similitude  being  in  the  flower  buds  before  they  expand. 
One  of  the  aberrant  members  of  the  Ranunculacere,  it  was  in  the  olden 
times  admitted  to  a  place  in  the  English  Flora  on  doubtful  grounds. 
‘The  expressed  juice  of  the  petals,  with  the  addition  of  a  little  alum, 
makes  a  good  blue  ink,’  Withering  tells  us  in  his  ‘Botanical  Arrange¬ 
ment’  (14th  edition).  The  quantity  of  juice  which  can  be  expressed 
from  the  petals  is  very  little;  but  when  they  are  crushed  with  a  small 
quantity  of  water,  and  alum  added,  a  green  liquid  is  obtained.  That 
it  is  possible  to  write  with  this  is  evident  from  the  sheet  of  writing 
now  exhibited  ;  but  that  it  merits  the  designation  of  ink  is  another 
matter.  The  green  colour  is  not  due  to  chlorophyll.  It  is  capable  of 
retaining  its  colour  for  more  than  a  year,  as  is  evident  from  the  specimen 
exhibited  ;  in  point  of  fact,  the  sentence  written  with  the  1901  ink  is 
rather  darker  than  that  written  with  the  1902  ink.  But  this  green 
fluid  possesses  another  character  of  considerable  optical  interest,  it 
is  fluorescent.  When  viewed  by  reflected  light  it  is  green,  as  is  the 
case  when  daylight  is  transmitted,  not  only  ordinary  daylight,  but  even 
direct  sunlight.  When,  however,  an  artificial  light  is  viewed  through 
it,  the  fluid  appears  a  red ;  the  electric  light,  gas  light,  or  even  the 
flame  of  a  wax  vesta  match  has  the  same  effect.  A  solution  of 
chlorophyll  in  alcohol  is  also  fluorescent,  but  in  the  reverse  way,  being 
green  by  transmitted,  and  reddish  by  reflected  light.  (1)  Indigo-red 
dissolved  in  alcohol.  This  specimen  is  prepared  from  wood  after  the 
manner  described  by  Prof.  M.  W.  Beyerick,  of  Delft:  'To  an  infusion 
of  fresh  wood  leaves,  isatin  and  hydrochloric  acid  are  added  and  the 
mixture  boiled.’  It  assumes  a  dark,  almost  black  colour,  which  is  due 
to  the  deposition  of  innumerable  acieular  crystals  of  indigo-red,  which 
are  readily  observable  under  the  microscope.  These  crystals  are 
insoluble  in  water,  so  that  if  the  fluid  be  filtered,  they  remain  on  the 
filter  as  a  black  powder ;  this  may  be  dissolved  by  alcohol.  (2)  A  red 
colouring  matter  soluble  in  Avater  and  in  alcohol.  Obtained  by 
treating  dry  wood  seed  with  hot  water  and  hydrochloric  acid.  This 
specimen  is  an  alcoholic  solution.  This  coloiming  matter  is  turned 
green  by  alkalies,  whereby  differing  from  indigo-red.  (3)  An 
alcoholic  solution  of  the  red  colouring  matter  contained  in  the 
flower  heads  of  Hypericum  perforatum.  This  has  been  known  for  a 
very  long  time.  Linnaeus  speaks  of  the  Scandinavians  colouring  the 
spirituous  liquors  by  it.  It  is  turned  bright  green  by  alkalies. 
(4)  The  male  catkins  of  the  black  Poplar  crushed  with  water  and 
hydrochloric  acid.  (5)  Petals  of  Geranium  sylvaticum  crushed  with 
alum  and  water.  These  last  two  (5  and  6)  are  probably  the  so-called 
erythrophyll.  (6)  Petals  of  Centaurea  eyanus  crushed  with  alum  and 
water.  This  is  said  by  the  older  botanists  to  yield  a  “  blue  ink  ;  ”  but 
the  mixture  thus  obtained  can  hardly  be  called  blue,  but  rather  a 
dirty  chocolate.  It  has,  however,  a  red  fluorescence  by  transmitted 
light.” 
Cladium  Mariscus. — Specimens  were  received  from  Dr.  Plowright, 
who  writes: — •“  These  distorted  leaves  were  found  upon  plants  growing 
on  Ashwicken  Fen  during  the  past  season.  Many  plants  were 
similarly  affected.”  They  had  evidently  received  some  check  during 
growth. 
Helenium  autumnale  virescent,  dct-  -Mr.  Worsdell  showed  specimens 
of  this  not  uncommon  malformation.  The  bracts  of  the  involucre  were 
enlarged  and  subfoliaceous,  while  the  corollas  were  virescent ;  but  in 
lieu  of  the  pistils  was  a  minute  capitulum  surrounded  by  several 
brown  anthers  devoid  of  pollen.  The  virescent  corollas  of  the  ray 
florets  were  very  much  enlarged  and  trumpet-shaped,  as  in  Centaureas. 
but  both  ray  and  disc  florets  had  minute  capitula  in  place  of  the 
pistil. 
Crimson  Oak  leaves. — Mr.  Wilks  showed  leaves  which  came  from 
a  single  tree  of  a  bright  crimson  colour  on  both  sides.  It  was 
remarkable  that  no  other  trees  bore  such  leaves  in  the 
neighbourhood. 
National  Chrysanthemum,  December  2nd,  3rd,  and  4th. 
The  last  of  the  long  series  of  flower  shows  held  in  the  Royal 
Aquarium,  London,  has  now  been  recorded :  and  this  latest 
exhibition  of  the  National  Chrysanthemum  Society  was  indeed 
conspicuously  meritorious.  The  classes  were  all  well  filled,  one 
