50 PllOCKEDlNOS OF THE 



collet eight stem biiiulles are to be found which are eontiiiued 

 uiiwiirils as the four equally spaced bundles of the cotvledous. 

 In addition, however, are to be found alternate xyleni elements in 

 tlie cot^ledonary plane, i. t"., that passing through the centre of 

 each cotyledon. 



The existence, as well as the resor|)tion, of tliese elements which 

 are usually in direct contiiuiity with the cotyledonary root poles, 

 has now been established in a large number of dicotyledonary 

 s|)ecies, and was observed by Chauveaud so early as 1901, and by 

 the writer independently in 1902. The extent of development 

 and the amount of resorption varies with age, region, and species. 

 In Jiicimis very few elements are formed and much resorption 

 occurs, so that their observation is didicult. The rapid elongation 

 of the hopocotyl no doubt accounts for their frequent absence in 

 the basal region of the hypocotyl. 



The discovery of alternate xylein elements between the central 

 bundles of the cotyledon of liiciuns proves the homology of these 

 w ith the double bundle of Mento-ialis and other forms as suggested 

 by the writer in 1907 ("A Theory of the Double Leaf-trace 

 founded on Seedling Structure" — ' Xew Piiytologist,' vi. (1907) 

 ]<p. 77-91). It also negatives the view that the presence of 

 alternate or centripetal xylem in the cotyledons is necessarily 

 associated with " high " transition. 



A long eeries of lantern-slides were shown in exemplification of 

 the details described. 



Dr. D. H. Scott, F.K.S., spoke, explaining that an error in his 

 description of the early anatomy of the wallflower, CJuiraiiiJins 

 CJiein, was due to the fact that the observations were fonnded 

 upon material which had lost the structm'e now pointed out bv 

 Dr. Thomas. 



The last paper ^vas read in title; it was by Dr. C. II. 

 O'DoxoCfHUE on Opisthobranchiala collected in the Abrolhos 

 Islands, and was communicated by Professor W. J. Dakix, F.L.8, 



Two exhibitions followed, the lirst of some abnormal specimens 

 of Ranunc^dus acris with small flowers and aborted stamens, sent 

 by -Mr. Jonx Parkin from Cumberland, where they have been 

 abundant this year. The second, by the President, of Fasciations 

 of a Crejiis, Ox-eye Daisy, and two states of the Foxglove, one 

 havins: a terminal regular flower. 



