4o6 NATURAL SCIENCE. June. 



persists, but is more highly developed, while the root becomes sub- 

 terranean ; whereas in Bromheadia it is mainly protective, preventing 

 loss of water, while the absorptive function is carried on by root- 

 hairs borne on the lower surface, which, in the terrestrial species, are 

 reduced to strongly cuticularised papillcc. 



Hence, in the aerial branches of the subterranean roots of Gram- 

 matophyllum the velamen dwindles, while in the subterranean roots of 

 Bromheadia it peels off so as not to interfere with the process of 

 absorption. 



Science and Dictionaries. 



The explanation of the sins of omission and commission in 

 scientific words in dictionaries would task the acutest mind, and it is 

 very dismal to notice that Dr. Murray's monumental English 

 dictionary is not conspicuously better than its less ambitious pre- 

 decessors. In an idle hour we dipped into the " A's " and brought up 

 the following : — 



Sins of omission — 



Alecithal : Amphiblastula : Analogy (in its scientific opposition 

 to " homology ") : Asteroidea : Anamniota : Anthropomorpha : Acoe- 

 lous or Acoela. 



Sins of commission— 



Ascidian — A group of animals belonging to the Tunicate 

 Mollusca : considered by evolutionists to constitute a link in the 

 development of the Vertebrata. 



Anthozoa — Another name for the zoophites called Actinozoa. 



The Imperial Institute. 



Fellows of the chartered scientific societies have received so 

 many pressing invitations to become Fellows of the Imperial Institute 

 that they have long been anxiously awaiting a definite statement of 

 the privileges and work in which they might share. Since the 

 opening by the Queen, on May lo, their wish has at last been gratified 

 by the appearance of an advertisement, which is strongly suggestive 

 of that of the Crystal Palace and the Earl's Court show, and seems 

 to explain that the Institute is to be another summer resort for 

 Londoners. A music and dancing licence has been obtained, and on 

 four days a week the public are to be admitted to the entertainments 

 at popular prices. " Tea, coffee, and other refreshments will be 

 served from the garden kiosks. . . . Seats and tables may be reserved 

 in the public dining-rooms by making application to the dining-room 

 superintendent. . . . The full band of the Royal Artillery will play 

 daily in the kiosk of the West Garden. . . . Entertainments of vocal 

 and instrumental music will occasionally be given in the Great Hall 

 and the Indian Pavilion." Fellows and their friends have the sole 

 enjoyment of these privileges on Wednesdays and Fridays. 



