LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDOX. XVU 



absent where the inflorescence is so loose that no pressure can 

 be exerted, and, on the other hand, in some cases where the 

 flowers are densely crowded the bracts nevertheless exist. 2. The 

 occasional presence of bracts in Cruclfers. About fifty illustra- 

 tions of this were named. A few species, as Sisymbrium supinum 

 and Mrsutum, have normally bracts to every flower ; in others 

 their occurrence is only occasional ; where the raceaie shows a 

 tendency to branch into a panicle, they may often be found at the 

 base of the secondary divisions of the inflorescence ; in Arabis 

 Turrita the lowermost pedicels have bracts at their base, the in- 

 termediate ones have bracts springing from their outer surface 

 above their base, while the uppermost have none at all. The 

 writer then discussed the various theories which have been pro- 

 posed to account for the variation in the position of the bracts 

 when present, viz. at the base or on the side of the flower-stalk 

 above the base. The causes assigned for the latter apparently 

 anomalous position were stated by different botanists to be the 

 following : — 1. Partition or subdivision of the axis ; 2. Congenital 

 union, or lack of separation between the bract and the pedicel ; 

 3. Upraising of the bud and its bract. Anatomy gives no evi- 

 dence of partition ; but it does afibrd in some cases the evidence 

 of fusion, or rather of inseparation, as in some of the Cruci- 

 ferae examined by Dr. Masters ; while in the case of Sedum, 

 Solanvm, and Spiraa the peculiar arrangement of the bract 

 seems to be owing to the third cause above mentioned. 



March 5th, 1874. 

 Special General Meeting. 



G-EOEGE Busk, Esq., E.E.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The Chairman stated the question for the discussion of which 

 the Meeting had been summoned, and then called on Mr. Car- 

 ruthers, who moved a resolution, " That a Committee be ap- 

 pointed to consider the Bye-Laws, and to suggest to the Council 

 such alterations, omissions, and additions as they may think de- 

 sirable." This resolution was seconded by Mr. "W. S. Dallas, 



LTNN. PROC. —Session 1873-74. c 



