SJ' PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



the first edilioii, are here traced to their origins. Some, however, sucli 

 as " Paigle," yet remain to puzzle inquirers, as none of tlie explanations 

 proposed can be considered satisfactory. A new derivation of " Cowslip" 

 is given. A most important addition is the list at the end of the volume, 

 in which all the English names are brought together under their respective 

 Latin equivalents ; in this way the Avant of a Latin index, which was felt 

 in the first edition, is in a measure supplied. We note at p. 24^7 the 

 statement that Elodea canadensis " has hitherto been generally known as 

 Babington's curse.' " Is this foolish and misleading name in actual use? 

 Parkinson applies the name " Jone Silver-pin " to Papaver sonmiferum, not 

 to P. Rhceaa, as stated by Dr. Prior. We do not know why the names 

 Crowfoot, Buttercup, Goldcup, etc., are, in the " systematic" list, given 

 only as equivalents of Ranunculus acris, in the body of the work they are 

 more correctly given for Rannnculiis ; three species, at least, being gene- 

 rally so known. W^e should have been glad to have seen more local names 

 in this edition, and we miss some of the more specially philological notes 

 of the former one ; but it would be ungracious to complain of a book 

 which is simply invaluable to those who make any study of plant-names, 

 and which cannot fail to interest any intelligent reader with philological 

 or botanical predilections. 



J. B. 



Ijrotctbiirgs of Societies. 



LiNNEAN Society. — November 3rd, 1870.— G. Bentham, Esq., in the 

 chair. Several communications were read from Dr. Mansel Weale, sent by 

 Mr. Darwin, detailing the structure and mode of fertilization of South 

 African species of Habenaria, of Disa micrantha, and of a species of Dis- 

 peris ; also of certain Asclepiaders. Some of the Orchids w'cre believed 

 to be self-fertilizing, but to need insect agencv. 



November 17^//,^1870.— J. D. Hooker, C.i3., F.R.S., Vice-President, in 

 the chair. The only botanical paper was an elaborate " Memoir on 

 Fasslflorai" by Dr. Maxwell T. Masters, F.R.S., of which the author 

 gave a general verbal summary, copiously illustrated by specimens and 

 drawings. The memoir contains a full investigation of the morphology, 

 biology, and systematic position of the Order, and of its generic and spe- 

 cific types. Eirst, he spoke upon the morphology of the organs, dwelling 

 on the nature of the tendrils, which here are aboitive flower-branches, and 

 the mode of development of the leaves and parts of the flower. The 

 flower-tube, he maintained, was distinctly axial, and developed later thau 

 the other parts of the flower. The two sets of floral envelopes, though 

 they fall together, he regarded as distinct in their nature, the outer a 

 calyx of the ordinary quincuncinl type, the inner a corona, of which the 

 parts are produced simultinieously. With regard to the carpels, he criti- 

 cized not only the theories but the alleged" facts brought forward by 

 Schleiden : Dr. Masters considered them as unmistakably appendicular. 

 Next, he explained in detail the way in which in Passijlora and Tacsonia 

 cross-fertilization is eftccted. Li the fully-expanded flower, even when it 

 is pendulous, the versatile stamens become extrorse through the harden- 

 ing and curving of an ehistic process at the top of the fdameut, and bees 



