G56 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



and hints given for overcoming the troubles. The treatment 

 for satisfactorily displaying the capsule, with its peristome > 

 was entered upon at some length, and a reference made to the 

 section- cutting required, in order to render evident the com- 

 ponent cells of the stem and leaves. Finally the necessity for a 

 collection of slides as an assistance to identification was insisted 

 upon in the following paragraph : " Fifty years ago English 

 bryologists considered themselves well served with ten species 

 of Sphagna, the separation of which was no great strain on one's 

 mental powers. At the present time it is useless to touch the 

 group unless you are prepared to distinguish between at least 

 forty species, with an average of four varieties each. Of 

 Sphagnum acuti folium alone, Warnstorf describes sixty varieties. 

 It will be seen from this how valuable an authenticated collec- 

 tion of slides would be to the bewildered student." Dixon's 

 Student's Handbook of British Mosses was recommended as a 

 handbook to any one taking up the study of the group. 



The paper was most valuable from a practical point of view,, 

 and would no doubt have led to an interesting and useful dis- 

 cussion ; but, unfortunately, owing to the lateness of the hour, 

 this was altogether impossible. 



Votes of thanks to the donors of the slides added to the 

 Cabinet, and to the authors of the interesting communications 

 brought before the meeting, were proposed from the chair, and 

 carried unanimously, with great heartiness. 



At the 507th Ordinary Meeting of the Club, held on April 27th, 

 the Hon. Treasurer (Mr. F. J. Perks) in the chair, the minutes of 

 the meeting held on March 23rd were read and confirmed. 



Messrs. William Williamson, Roy Gerald Evans, John Richard 

 Duncanson, Walter Lauwers and the Rev. S. Rennie Craig 

 were balloted for and duly elected members of the Club. 



A hearty vote of thanks was returned to Dr. E. J. Spitta for 

 a presentation of lantern slides of historical interest to the Club, 

 which had been previously exhibited to the members at the 

 500th meeting. The lantern slides in question were placed 

 upon the table for the inspection of the members. The members 

 also thanked Mr. C. Huish for presenting to the Club one dozen 

 slides of Mycetozoa. Amongst the additions to the Cabinet it 



