what is wanted in turning for information to reports of experiments.

To deal with a question of this importance exhaustively is out of the question, but I hope I have said sufficient to indicate that the experimental side of horticulture should receive increased attention, and that greater advantage would result, even under existing conditions, were the experiments made in various parts of the country recorded with due regard to scientific exactitude.

OBSERVATIONS ON SOME OF THE PLANTS
EXHIBITED.

NOVEMBER 8, 1898.

By the Rev. Prof. GEO. HENSLOW, M.A., V.M.H., &c. NERINE HYBRIDS.-An interesting collection was exhibited by Mr. Elwes, of which N. pudica x N. sarniensis was shown with the parents. Of the latter were several varieties. These were apparently the result of spontaneous variation among seedlings. The hybrid is called 'O'Brieni.' Another was the result of crossing N. flexuosa (white) with N. Fothergilli (orange), and also with N. sarniensis. The latter showed the not uncommon result of mixing white with orange, in that one of the two colours in combination disappears, the hybrid shown being pink.

These latter hybrids are desirable because the foliage is fully developed simultaneously with the flowers (fig. 103); whereas in the former crosses it is more or less undeveloped. The usual period of flowering is in September; but an object Mr. Elwes had in view, and succeeded in obtaining, was to secure a race flowering later, so as to be associated with the Chrysanthemum.

Mr. Henslow called attention to a feature of N. pudica, in that the two lowermost perianth leaves spread out, destroying the regularity or symmetry of the flower. This feature is observable in many flowers which have their stamens declinate, as in Epilobium, Dictamnus, Clerodendron, &c.; and the inference is, that as the stamens form the landing place for the insect, this disturbance of the perianth is a result of the intrusion of the insect visitor, and it has ultimately become a fixed feature. As

the other species has regular flowers, it will probably disappear in the cross produce.

POLYPODIUM, sp.-A great variety of Ferns were exhibited by Mr. Ware, and the peculiarity in the genus referred to is the similarity of several species to the fronds of other genera. Thus one resembles a hart's-tongue, another an Asplenium, a third has narrow grass-like leaves; the interpretation being that, probably growing under similar conditions, they have developed similar fronds, though they retain the characteristic features of the reproductive elements which mark the genus. Mr. Henslow also called attention to another adaptation in that some had creeping aerial stems adherent to the surface of the flower-pots precisely like aërial Orchid-roots.

HYBRID POLYPODIUM.-A supposed cross between our English species and a foreign one was shown; but, as the lecturer explained, in consequence of the impossibility of strictly crossing them artificially, it could not be proved that the result was a true hybrid. It had not much of P. vulgare in its appearance. CYPHOMANDRA BETACEA.-This plant was introduced from South Brazil in 1836, and is miscalled the Tree Tomato. The oval orange-coloured egg-shaped fruits are edible. Mr. Henslow alluded to a popular conception that all purple fruits of the Solanes are poisonous, but that all yellow, scarlet, or orange fruits are edible. Though a good rule for public use, it is not absolutely true, as the purple berries of Solanum nigrum and the Aubergine, the fruit of Solanum Melongena of the market, are exceptions. The purple-black berries of the Deadly Nightshade are, however, extremely dangerous.

PEARS WITH OBLIQUE ENDS.-Mr. Henslow explained the origin of the peculiar hump often present at the stalk end of Pears. It is due to the fact of the stalk extending obliquely from the tree, the Pear itself hangs vertically, so that the tension of support and the weight are two forces acting at an angle at the base of the Pear. To meet the resultant of these forces and prevent rupture, the Pear puts on additional tissues, causing the hump to arise on the further side of the stalk. This is only one instance out of many adaptations to mechanical strains and tensions to which plants are often subjected; but in every case the plant meets the strain by putting a woody, fibrous, or other tissue requisite for the occasion.

A VISIT TO NAINI TAL, KUMAON, INDIA,

THE SUMMER RESIDENCE OF THE LIEUT.-GOVERNOR OF THE NORTH-WEST PROVINCES.

By Mr. C. MARIES, V.M.H.

Naini Tal, Sept. 25th, 1897.

This is not the best time to visit this beautiful hill station. Everything is still fresh and green on the lower hills, and from Katgodam Station, the terminus of the Rohilkund and Kumaon Railway, one passes on the road forests of Sal (Shorea robusta), first mixed with all kinds of Indian trees and shrubs, the giant-creeper Bauhinia Vahlii monopolising many trees, big Pothos covering whole rocks in the rushing mountain torrent bed, the banks on the road-sides being a perfect mass of Bamboo Grass (Arundinaria), Selaginellas, Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, Pteris longifolia, Cheilanthes farinosa, and other ferns; and by the lesser streams are masses of Alocasias and Caladiums, some with fine black blotched leaves. There are no tree-ferns here, but there are many noble fronded ones, which look grand in their native home. There are also many pretty Begonias, dwarf, bulbous hairy-leaved ones bearing solitary seeds. Numerous Balsams, yellow and pink, are everywhere on the banks. Then, at about 2,500 feet, come the forests of Pinus longifolia (see fig. 104 for a specimen in spring, before the long leaves are developed), splendid trees many of them; and here one misses the "Sal," Mango, and Jhamun trees, their places being taken by a Maple, an evergreen species with lanceolate leaves; also by Oaks, Dalbergias, Acacias, Wild Pear, Cherry, and Brambles, here called Raspberries, that produce enormous quantities of red or yellowish fruit. Here also is a garden, close by the road in the valley, called Douglas Dale. Strawberries, Mulberries, and all the Orange tribe grow to perfection, and one of the finest Bougainvilleas I have ever seen grows over the porch of the house. Near by are fine Walnuts. It is a strange sight for one lately arrived from England to see plants like Coelogyne cristata, Saccolabiums, and Aërides, growing in the open air with Walnut trees, Weeping Willows, and Oranges.