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32 BOTANICAL NEWS.
Edinbttbgh BoTAmcAi- Society.—The first meeting of the Society for the
thirty-thii'd session was held at Edinburgh, on Thursday, the 12th of Novem
ber, when the President, Mr. Charles Jeuuer, delirered an opening address on
botany as a means of mental culture. The following communications were
read :— I. " Description of Bieracium collinum. Fries, a New British Plant."
By Professor Balfour. Specimens and drawings of the plant were exhibited.
(See 'Journal of Botany,' Vol. VI. p. 353, PL LXXXVI.)—II. "Notice of
Grimmia contorta^ Schimper, a New British Moss." By Professor Dickie.
This moss was discovered by Mr. John Sim, Strachan, growing in consider-
able quantity on the great rock of Clochnaben, Kincardineshire, in June, 1868.
Specimens were exhibited and presented to the herbarium.— III. " Extracts
from Botanical Correspondence." By Professor Balfour. 1. From Mr. Shut-
tleworth, Berne, giving an account of the botany of the Var and of the Alpes
Maritimes, and part of Liguria. 2. From Professor Dickie, noticing the naturalization
of Lujpinus perennis in several places on Deeside. 3. From Mr.
Gilbert A. C. Stewart, enumerating the plants naturalized on the banks of tlie
Tweed, the seeds having been introduced by wool brought to the Galashiels
factories. 4. Mr. Archibald Jerdon, transmitting specimens of Polt/carpon
tetraphylluni and Medicago denticulata, collected near Melrose. 5. From Mr.
P. S. Robertson and Mr. Henderson, presenting specimens of potato tubers
exhibiting the second growth, where numei'ous tubers are produced from a
parent tuber. 6. From Mr. J. F. Robinson, giving a list of the ferns found in
Cheshire. Professor Dickson gave a demonstration on the hard structure of
the pith in the Ak/aga ordeal poison plant of West Africa. Specimens were
shown under the microscope.
Local Names.—It is desired to collect as many as possible of the local
names of British plants ; and tlie assistance is requested of all who take an in-
terest in the subject, or who may have the opportunity of ascertaining and re-,
cording them. Any lists sent to Mr. James Britten, High Wycombe, or
to Mr. Robert Holland, Mobberley, Knutsford, will be thankfully received
and acknowledged.