Linnaean -Society. 247 



derived from the pollen tube pressing before it a fold of the embryo- 

 sac. 



The primary utricle at its first formation being quite distinct from 

 the embryo-sac, even at its apex (although brought into contact with 

 it at a subsequent period, and ultimately penetrating it), cannot re- 

 sult from a depression or involution of the embryo-sac, as is main- 

 tained by M. Brongniart. 



The pollen tubes (which after impregnation may be traced in the 

 conducting tissue of the style) never reaching the micropyle, but 

 pollen granules being found in abundance in the channel leading to 

 it, and being doubtless brought into contact with the outer surface 

 of the embryo-sac through the exostome ; and the first trace of the 

 embryo appearing at this time in the formation of the spherical body 

 at the inferior extremity of the primary utricle — Dr. Giraud is led 

 to conclude that the origin of this simple spherical body results from 

 a peculiar process of nutrition, determined by the material or dyna- 

 mic influence of the fovilla, conveyed through the medium of the 

 primary utricle or suspensor. 



The paper was accompanied by a series of drawings representing 

 the ovulum of Tropceolum in the several stages of development de- 

 scribed. 



March 1.— T. Horsfield, M.D., V.P., in the Chair. 



Read a paper " On some rare and beautiful Coleopterous Insects 

 from Silhet, the major part belonging to the collection of Frederic 

 Parry, Esq., of Cheltenham." By the Rev. F. W. Hope, F.R.S., 

 F.L.S., &c. 



The number of species described amounts to fourteen, one of 

 which is regarded by Mr. Hope as forming the type of a new genus. 

 The following are the generic and specific characters : — 



LUCANID^. 



Hexarthrius Parryi, niger, mandibuHs exsertis subdenticulatis bidentatis, 



capite thoraceque scabriuscuiis, elytris postice castaneis. Long. lin. 36 ; 



lat. hn. 10. 

 Odontolabis Cuvera, ater, mandibulis valde exsertis denticulatis, elytris 



palhde castaneis littera V nigra signatis. Long, (mandibulis inclusis) 



lin. 34; lat. Hn. 11. 

 Odontolabis Baladena, niger, mandibulis porrectis multidentatis, capite 



thoraceque vmidentatis. Long. Iin«26; lat. 10. 

 Dorcas Westermanni, niger, mandibulis porrectis multidentatis capite 



thoraceque parum brevioribus. Long. lin. 26^; lat. lin. 9. 

 Dorcas DeHaani, niger, mandibulis porrectis capite parum longioribus : 



dente forti fere trigone ante basin posito : reliquis minoribus. Long. 



lin. 22 ; lat. lin. 7^. 

 Hab. in agro Assamensi. Mus. D. Hope. 

 Lucanus Brahminus, niger, mandibulis valde exsertis denticulatis capiti 



thoracique aequalibus, thorace postice utrinque dentato, elytris glabris 



mavginatis. Long. lin. 24^ ; lat. lin. 6|. 

 Lucanus Buddha, niger nitidus, mandibulis valde porrectis capite thora- 

 ceque longioribus denticulatis. Long. lin. 21 ; lat. lin. 6. 



RUTELID^. 



Mimela Passerinii, viridis, thoracis lateribus luteohs, elytrorum margini- 



