NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. XXXI 



shape from capsules of this moss produced under ordinary conditions, 

 we might accordingly infer that in some cases, at least, the calyptra 

 is not necessary for the perfect development and normal growth of 

 Ihe capsules. 



Mr. James Steel exhibited several preserved specimens of Fungi 

 from British Guiana. 



On behalf of Mr. Thomas Scott, Corresponding Member, Mr. Steel 

 exhibited specimens of the following Mollusca, Land Isopoda, and 

 Cumacea, from Bute: 



Zonites al/iarius, Mill]., var. viridula, Jeff. 



Pliiloscia mnscorum, Scop. — A remarkably dark-coloured variety. 



Pliilougria riparia, Koch. — Not previously recorded for Bute. 



Campylaspis costata, G. 0. Sars. — New to Britain. 



Iphinoe serrata, Norman. 



Mr. C. Sherry exhibited a specimen of Ataccia cristata, and 

 stated that the remarkable genus Ataccia belongs to the Taccacta}, 

 a small order of monocotyledonous plants. The species under 

 notice has a short conical underground caudex or rhizome, from 

 which are produced three or four large obloDg-acuminate leaves. 

 The scape is about as long as the leaves, erect, stout, angled, dark- 

 purple, and terminated by a large four-leaved involucre, of which 

 the two outer leaflets are dark-purple, opposite, sessile, and spread- 

 ing, while the two inner are much larger, placed side-by-side, and 

 green with a deep-purple base and stalk. The numerous flowers 

 form a drooping one-sided umbel ; the perianth is dark-purple with 

 a turbinate hexangular tube, and a sexpartite limb which is 

 suddenly reflexed, the segments being arranged in a smaller 

 outer and larger inner series, and the rim of the mouth forming a 

 crenated ring. The flowers contain six stamens inserted at the 

 base of the segments of the ring, and having broad filaments which 

 are concave above ; the style is short, thick, and three-furrowed, 

 with a capitate three-lobed stigma; the ovary is sub trilocular, 

 containing numerous ovules, and becoming a semi-trilocular many- 

 seeded berry. The plant is a native of the Islands of the Malayan 

 Archipelago, and one or two other species occur in India. These 

 are of no known utility, but from a morphological point of view 

 their curious structure presents features of considerable interest. ' 



Mr. Richard M'Kay exhibited specimens of Nitella opaca, Agardh, 

 from Possil Marsh. 



