LINNEAN" SOCIETY OF LONDON. 21 



afterwards for two minutes with a concentrated solution of 

 chloral hydrate, and then mounted in glycerine. The nuclei re- 

 semble the knot stage of those of higher plants, division stages 

 being visible. The observation is important (1) with reference 

 to the physiological question of the essential value of the nucleus 

 to the vegetable cell, and (2) from a systematic point of view. 

 Hitherto, from the alleged absence of a nucleus in the Schizo- 

 phytes, these have been separated from the Thallopliytes ; but 

 the distinction between the Cyanophycese and the true Algae 

 would now seem broken down. These conclusions confirm those 

 of Zacharias lately published in the ' Botanische Zeitung,' but 

 whose investigations appear to have been in a measure antici- 

 pated by Wille in 1883. 



Some preparations of the stem of Macrocystis were shown by 

 Mr. F. W. Oliver, which demonstrated the presence of plates of 

 callus on the sieve-tubes which occur in this gigantic Laininarioid. 

 He had compared the reactions given by the callus-plates in 

 question, and had found them identical with those given by the 

 same structures in such a plant as Cucurhita. The presence in 

 Macrocystis of sieve-tubes was originally demonstrated by Prof. 

 Parker, A.L.S., of New Zealand. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. "Transpiration as a Punction of Living Protoplasm." By 

 the Eev. G. Henslow, P'.L.S. 



2. " Vegetable Biology. — Part III. Influence of Light on Pro- 

 toplasm." By Spencer le Marchant Moore, P.LiS. 



3. "On an Alga on the European Tortoise." ByMichaelCresse 

 Potter, F.L.S. 



4. " A new Genus of Orchideae from St. Thomas." By H. N. 

 Eidley, P.L.S. 



June 16th, 1887. 

 William Caeeuthebs, F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 

 The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed. 



William Elborue, Esq., J. Thornhill, Esq., William Threlfall, 

 Esq., and Edmund G. Baker, Esq., were elected Fellows. 



Mr. Tokutaro Ito, F.L.S., exhibited a Japanese work, " Suizoku 

 Shashin," or Illustration of Fishes ; by Ohkura Tatsuyuki. 2 vols., 

 text and coloured plates, published at Teddo (Tokio), in 1857. 



There were shown for Sir Walter BuUer, K.C.B., F.L.S, several 

 of the royal quarto Plates in Chromo-lithograph, intended to 

 Dlustrate his new edition, now in the press, of the ' Historv of 

 the Birds of New Zealand.' 



