Abstract
LONDON Linnean Society, February 21.—W. Carruthers, F.R.S., vice-president, in the chair.—Mr. Thos. Christy illustrated by diagram and made remarks on M. Ossenkep's new system of plant-propagation; and he also showed the recently imported fresh berries of the Liberian coffee of this year's crop.—Mr. Holmes exhibited a remarkable oak gall of Aphilothrix sieboldii, Hart., obtained at Willesboro, Leas, Ashford.—Mr. Thiselton Dyer likewise exhibited and made a few observations on the inflorescence and a drawing of the palm Pthychosperma rupicola, Thw., which had flowered for the first time in Europe at Kew.—A paper, notes on the Mahwa tree (Bassia latifolia), was read by Mr. E. Lockwood. This tree grows in abundance in India; a hundred thousand may be seen in the plains around Monghyr. Wild animals of all kinds greedily devour the flowers, of which one tree will yield several hundredweights. Besides being highly nutritious to man, it is an excellent fattening agent for cattle, &c. A strong-smelling spirit is obtained by distillation of the corolla, an essential oil from the fruit, and as an agent in soap-making the tree is invaluable. Thus, certain yield, unlimited supply, nourishing and chemical qualities, easy preservation, and its cheapness, all combine to render it a commercial product of no mean importance to our Indian empire.—The gist of a “Synopsis of the Hypoxidaceæ,” by Mr. J. G. Baker, was given. This group differs in some respects from the Amarylli-daceæ, and offers a close alliance with the Bellosiceæ. Four genera, and between sixty and seventy species are known. The Cape is their head-quarters, but some are found in Tropical Africa and Angola, a very few in Abyssinia and the Mascarenes. None are found in Europe, Polynesia, North and Central Asia, nor Extra Tropical South America. —The Secretary read an abstract of a technical paper on the Schoepfieæ and Cervantesüæ, distinct tribes of the Styraceæ, by John Miers, F.R.S.—Then followed a communication by Mr. Arthur G. Butler, on the butterflies in the collection of the British Museum, hitherto referred to the genus Euplœa of Fabricius.—Dr. Hance, of China, Mr. E. Milner, Dr. Geo. Shearer, and the Rev. R. Boog Watson were elected Fellows of the Society.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Societies and Academies . Nature 17, 394–396 (1878). https://doi.org/10.1038/017394b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/017394b0