PHOCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 355 



pronounced petaloid condition should have this phenomenon of nuclear 

 extrusion confined to themselves ; I think the explanation will have to 

 be looked for in other directions and on wider grounds. It would he 

 quite easy to examine stamens with petaloid conditions to see if this ex- 

 trusion is usual in such cases, as many flowers develop occasionally such 

 stamens. I gather from your remarks that such anthers have been 

 examined, and have not exhibited the phenomenon. I must confess 

 that at present I am unable to appreciate on what grounds the petaloid 

 suggestion rests. 



" I do not see much difficulty in examining ripe pollen-grains when 

 formed on petaloid anthers, as presumably the anthers could be fixed and 

 cut in the usual way after the ripe grains were formed, but I question 

 whether any information would be gained." 



A paper by Mr. H, J. Howard, entitled "Notes on Physarum carneum 

 G. Lister and Sturgis : a New British Species," was communicated by 

 Mr. Charles E. Heath, and will appear in extenso in the next issue of the 

 Society's Journal. 



The President and Mr. A. E. Hilton commented on this new dis- 

 covery, as far as England was concerned. 



Dr. E. C. Hort then made a communication on " The Life-history of 

 the Meningococcus and other Bacteria," copiously illustrated by mici'o- 

 photographs prepared and exhibited by Mr. F. Martin Duncan, which 

 will appear in the pages of the Journal. 



After a short discussion by Professor Adami and Dr. Eyre, Dr. Hort 

 briefly replied. 



The President said he was sure it would be the wish of Fellows to 

 tender to Dr. Hort their heartiest thanks for the extremely interesting- 

 evening he had provided. This vote was carried by acclamation. 



He also proposed a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Angus for the loan 

 of the microscopes necessary for the evening's exhibits, though such 

 provision meant the overcoming of great difficulties. 



The following Specimens were exhibited : — 



By Dr. E. C. Hort :— 



1. Giant "Meningococci" in act of gemmation. Benian's " Congo 



red " film. 



2. Comparison film to 1. Gram, counterstained with neutral red. 



3. Living Giant " Meningococci " on warm stage in act of gemmation, 



mixed with normal meningococci. Liquid culture in " Martin- 

 cell " serum-broth. 



4. Giant " Meningococci " showing internal segmentation. " Congo 



red " film. 



5. Giant "Meningococci" showing surface gemmation. "Congo 



red " film 



