1917- 



Irish Societies. 33 



Prof. G. H. Carpenter showed stained sections through the seminal 

 vesicles of an earthworm in which the stages in the conjugation and 

 sporulation of the well-known sporozoan parasite Monocystis, as lately 

 described by Cuenot, could be clearly demonstrated. 



W. N. Allen exhibited a specimen of the myxomycete Dictydiaethalium 

 plumbeum, Rost., one of three plasmodia found growing on a log in 

 Dickson's Nursery, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dubhn, on 

 22 November, 191 6. The plasmodium shown was the largest of the 

 three, and measured about one square centimetre ; when found it was 

 in the rose-coloured stage, and had completed its development when 

 exhibited, being thus of a brownish slate colour. Accompanying the 

 exhibit were coloured drawings of the plasmodium and of the spores, 

 which measured from 6.35 ^u. to 12.7 ^ in diameter, and contained when 

 examined on 2nd December numerous globules which have since been 

 disappearing. 



D. M'Ardle showed specimens of Amblystegimn serpens, var. angusti- 

 folia Lindb. (Limpr.) and a microscopical preparation of stem and leaves, 

 and copious hght yellow-coloured rhizoids. It differs from the type in 

 the complete absence of a nerve, and the leaves more widely ovate-cordate 

 at the base, forming a distinct auricle, tapering to a fine acumen, margin 

 bluntly and distantly dentate or sinuolate, especially in the lower half. 

 Cells large-ovate, unequal-sided, four times as long as broad, increasing 

 in size upwards, the fine acumen formed of a single cell. The whole 

 plant presents an unusual fragile structure, and forms an interesting 

 microscopic object. The specimens were collected recently at Killakee on 

 the Dubhn Mountains on old wood, they are of a deep green colour, \ to 

 I inch long, growing in neat strata. No fruit has been found ; it will 

 be searched for with the hope of finding more evidence to rank this 

 beautiful distinct form as a species. The exhibitor is not aware of 

 its being previously found in Ireland, and it is an addition to our 

 cryptogamic flora. 



REVIEW. 



BRITISH PLANTS. 



Illustrations of the British Flora. Drawn by W. H. Fitch, F.L.S., 

 with additions by W. G. Smith, F.L.S. 4th revised edition. London : 

 L. Reeve. 1916. 95. net. 



The new edition of this well-known work has been brought up to date 

 by the inclusion of a few recent additions to the flora of our islands ; 

 and in place of the bare list of Natural Orders given in previous editions 

 an enlarged version of the " Arrangement of Natural Orders " as given 

 in the last edition of Bentham's " Handbook of the British Flora " is 

 substituted, to assist the reader in running down his plant. In the body 

 of the work the addition of certain synonyms and of the English names 

 of the plants will also be a help to the reader. 



