Page:Journal of botany, British and foreign, Volume 9 (1871).djvu/346

 318 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

of commerce, and whether in that way the idea was promulgated that it was produced in the laud and districts from which it was shipped, by way of the lied Sea to Europe. In answer to a question Mr. Haubiiry further mentioned that the common name in India of Cinnamon — ' Dar-Chiui' — seemed to indicate that it was originally obtained from China (Cassia), and not from Ceylon. Cinnamon and Cassia were anciently hardly dis- tinguished. Cinnamon was indigenous to Ceylon, but the form which

yielded the bark was a cultivated one. Captain Elton, "The Limpopo

Expedition." In the discussion it was stated that some interesting in- ferences as to the former physical features of this country had been de- duced by Mr. Chapman from the mode of growth of the 15aobab. It occurs in groves on little elevations in wide plauis, which were once possi- bly lakes. The trees of each group are of about the saine age, the oldest being highest up the country. It is possible that the seeds of the Baobab only germinate just a little above the level of the water. As the country became drained, each elevation, on its emergence, would be stocked with the Baobab by fruits floating down from the older and higher groves.

Mr. Chapman measured one tree, 155 feet in circumference. Dr. J. D.

Hooker, C.B., F.R.S., " The Ascent of the Atlas Range." The account given in this paper was in substance the same as that already published in Dr. Hooker's letters to the ' Gardeners' Chronicle ' [see numbers for

May 27, June 10, June 17]. Dr. Cleghorn said that, like everything

else done by Dr. Joseph Hooker, this investigation had been carefully and thoroughly carried out, and a great desideratum of botanical knowledge had been obtained. The absence of Primroses, Gentians, and Anemones was most remarkable. The observation on the exhausted condition of the forests was also noteworthy.

��Botanical Society of Edinburgh. — IS/k July. — Alexander Buchan, M.A., President, in the chair. — The following communications were read : — " Has Colour in Plouers a Eunclion to Perform in the Eer- tibzation of the Ovule ?" By Mr. Neil Stewart. [A notice of this paper will be found in our report of the British Association fp. 316), ■where it was also read.] "Notes of Botanical Excursions made with Pupils in the Neighbourhood of Edinburgh." P)y Professor Balfour. June 7. — Melrose, Eildon Mills, and Ivhynicr's Glen. Among the plants collected were Ciyptogramme crispa, Valeriana dioica, and Cameiina foetida. June 24'. — Cupar and Leuchars. Teesdulia niidicanlis, Cerastium arvense, Malva moschata, Helosciadinm iniindatinn, Scrophnlaria veriialis, Trientalis europrsa, Litlordla lacustris, Lislera cordata, Rhinaiithus major, etc. July 8. — Bridge of Allan and Stirling Castle Rock. Calaminlha Clinopodium, Paris quadrifolia, Keottia Nidus-avis, Eguiselnm umbrosum, Brassica canipestris, Sednm album, Lacluca virosa, Silylium mariauum, Atropa Bellddoutia, Verbascum Lyclutitis, Aqidleyia vuh/aris, etc. — Dr. John Lowe sent a note, with sketch, of the station for Carex inciirva, near Prestonpans, where he collected it in large quantity in 1854. — Mr. Archibald Jerdon sent specimens of TLujilwrbia dulcis, L., which he had collected recently near Jedburgh. Professor Balfour stated that this plant, which was the Euphorbia purpurata of Tlmillier, was collected by the late Dr. Graham anion"; trees in an old neo;lccted "arden on the side

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