Journal of Proceedings. Ixv 



Copland. C.E., H. C. Chilton, W. T. Christian, Sir J. Clarke 

 Jervoise, Bart., and James Miller. 



The Secretary gave notice, on behalf of the Council, that it was 

 intended at the Annual General Meeting to propose some slight 

 alterations in, and additions to, Rules III., IV., VII., and XV. 



It was announced that, in accordance with Rule III., the following 

 members would retire from the Council : H. B. Hooper, Rev. C. J. 

 Ridgeway, C. E. Taylor, and T. J. Woodrow. The following members 

 were recommended for election into the Council : B. G. Cole, Rev. T. W. 

 Peile, Charles Thomas, F.G.S., and T. Fisher Unwin. No other can- 

 didates were proposed. As officers for 1881 the following members 

 were recom.mended by the Council : Prc5/rf^«^— Raphael Meldola, 

 F.R.A.S., F.C.S., &c.; Tfeasurer—Uenxy J. Barnes; Secretary— WiWmm 

 Cole; Librarian — Alfred Lockyer. 



The President said that, by Rule XV., the Annual General Meeting 

 should be held on the second Saturday in January, which would fall on 

 January Sth. The Council was of opinion, however, that this would 

 hardly allow time for the officers to prepare their statements, and there- 

 fore, with permission of the members, it was proposed to alter the date 

 to January 22nd, and to confirm such alteration at the Annual Meeting. 

 This was agreed to. 



The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of Mr. John Waller, some sections 

 of the common crab-apple {Pynts Mains) with Mistletoe attached, showing- 

 the mode of growth of the parasite in the wood of the tree. These 

 specimens were obtained at High Beech, Epping Forest, in 1876, by 

 Mr. Waller, and were beautifully cut and polished. The specimens 

 showed the root of the parasite forcing its way into the very heart of 

 the wood, the pressure distorting the concentric rings and medullary 

 rays of the apple tree in a very curious manner. 



Mr. Meldola observed that there was a point in the life-history of the 

 Mistletoe well worthy of consideration. It was well known that the 

 glutinous seeds were deposited on the bark of the trees by birds, and it 

 was stated on very good authority that in whatever position the seed 

 might be placed with respect to the branch, the radicle (or embryo root) 

 always turned towards the bark of the tree as development took place. 

 He was disposed to think that the cause of this phenomenon lay in the 

 avoidance of light ; the radicle required shade for vigorous growth, and 

 therefore it turned towards the bough of the tree to which the seed was 

 attached. He would recommend it as a matter for experiment to their 

 botanical members ; it would lend a new and scientific interest to a plant 

 which possessed, he understood, a peculiar charm at this season of the 

 year. 



Mr. H. J. Barnes exhibited, on behalf of his brother, some fossils 

 found at Shanklin, Isle of Wight. They appeared to belong to the 

 Lower Bagshot formation. 



