LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. 277 



agglomerated together, so as to form a loose continuous crust. Various of the 

 algae, or sea weeds, were then introduced, as illustrative of the different modes of 

 union and progressive complication of these vesicles in the formation of the cellular 

 structure, and the manner in which this complication took place by the gradual 

 extension of the primary^ cells and successive development of secondary vesicles, 

 under varying circumstances of pressure, was pointed out. After a brief allusion to 

 the great division of plants into cellular and vascular, extended and interesting 

 details of the diversities of the cellular and vascular structures, and the intermediate 

 links connecting them, were brought forward. It was then shewn that notwithstand- 

 ing the vast difference between the extremes of the vegetable kingdom, the 

 gradation from one family of plants to its near allies, and from one individual 

 species to others of the same family, was often so slight as to render the separation 

 of allied plants and families a matter of considerable difficulty to the botanist. 

 Returning to the consideration of the more simple plants, the lecturer successively 

 alluded to the structure of the Lichens, Algae, Hepatici, Mosses, &c. tracing the 

 increasing complication of their forms, and their transition into and connection 

 with each other; from these, proceeding to the monocotyledonous tribes, of which 

 the grasses were especially noticed, and the more complex structures of the 

 dicotyledonous plants. After showing that a general similarity prevailed in the 

 internal organization and external form throughout the whole, the development of 

 the several parts of which these more perfect plants consist — of the root, stem, and 

 branches — leaves, flowers, and fruit, concluding with the bulb and the bud, both 

 of which were shewn to contain the rudiments of the future plant, was successively 

 detailed. The lecture was concluded by an appeal to the audience upon the utility 

 and dignity of these pursuits, and the good influence which they were calculated to 

 exercise upon the public mind. We regret that we have not space for a more ex- 

 tended analysis, but we hope on a future occasion to be able to lay before our 

 readers some of the curious particulars to which we have briefly alluded, in a 

 different shape. 



We cannot close this concise notice without bestowing our unqualified praise on 

 the beautifully executed drawings exhibited on this occasion in illustration of the 

 subject. 



The adjourned Quarterly Meeting of the Worcestershire Natural History Society 

 took place on Tuesday, the 14th instant, at which Dr. Hastings presided. After 

 some preliminary observations of a general nature, tlie following Donations and 

 New Subscribers were officially announced : — 



Beautiful specimen of Fossilized Sponge, from Mr. Warde, of the Athenffium ; 

 " Newman's Grammar of Entomology," with plates, from Mr. G. Newman, of Leo- 

 minster, an Honorary Corresponding Member ; various specimens from the Isle of 

 Staffa, from Mrs. C. L. Perrott; a beautiful variety of the Mustela Erminea, (shot 

 at Wolverlon,) from Mr. H. Deighton, High-street ; and L' Antiquity Expliquee et 

 Representee en figures," 6 vols. 4to., from John Simpson, Esq., LL. D. Shrub's 

 Hill. 



A donation of ten pounds each having been received from R. Berkeley, jun. Esq. 

 Spetchley, and the Rev. T. H. Newport, of Thorneloe House, those gentlemen were 

 elected life members. 



The new Annual Subscribers of one guinea each, elected Members of the Society, 

 since the last Report, were — Mr. John Herbert, Powick ; Mr. John Herbert, jun. 

 Powick; Mr. W. Holden, Lark Hill; Mr. Rob. Allies, Hill House; Mrs. Wheeler, 

 Foregate-street ; Mr. Gossage, Rushford ; Mr. Childe, High-street; Mr. Ledbroke, 

 Surgeon, Worcester. 



The Curator's Report was then read, (in every respect a satisfeictory one) of which 

 the following are the leading particulars : — 



" Since the last Report was presented to the Society, various donations have been 

 received for the Museum, the most interesting of which is a collection of Australian 

 Birds, from William and Hyla Holden, Esqrs. Of these, 60 specimens, many of the 

 genus Psittacus have been set up, and a considerable number yet remain to be done. 

 Numerous specimens in Geology have been likewise presented, which have been 

 classified as far as the present limited space will allow ; but another receptacle is 

 much wanted for a more perfect elucidation of the series. Various Insects, Plants, 



