1845.] Linnean Society, 273 



The existence of storaata in the submerged leaves of E. setaceum 

 is mentioned as ratlier corroborating than weakening the general 

 rule laid down by M. Adolphe Brongniart, that submerged leaves are 

 destitute of cuticle. The stomata of Eriocaulonea are described at 

 length, and regarded as offering excellent examples of the correct- 

 ness of M. Brongniart's statements with regard to the nature of these 

 bodies. Their aperture communicates directly with the interior of 

 the leaves, and is invariably occupied by air ; the communication in 

 E. setaceum, and in two other species in which the parenchyma is 

 confined to the upper surface, being uninterrupted; while in the 

 leaves of those species in which the parenchyma is deposited on the 

 lower as well as the upper cuticle, there is invariably an open space 

 left in it, corresponding with each stoma, and" this opening appears 

 always to be occupied by a bubble of air. The author states, how- 

 ever, that he is far from considering it proved, that such a free com- 

 munication through the stomata, although the same structure is ob- 

 vious in other plants belonging to diflferent families, is universally 

 present. 



As Xyrideee present none of the peculiarities of organization above 

 mentioned, Mr. Griffith considers these peculiarities as corroborative 

 of the correctness of Richard's opinion, since adopted by Professor 

 Von Martins, that Eriocaulon is the tjrpe of a distinct family. 



December 16. 

 E. Forster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 

 George Bowdler Buckton, Esq., was elected a Fellow. 



Read a memoir " On the causes of disjunctions of Vegetable Sub- 

 stance, especially those which are horizontal." By the Rev. William 

 Hincks, F.L.S. &c. &c. 



After some preliminary observations on the subject of disruptions 

 in general, the author briefly notices certain cases of vertical disrup- 

 tion, and then proceeds to the more immediate object of his paper, 

 the horizontal separation of vegetable substance by natural means. 

 This, he observes, may take place in the axis itself, or in any of the 

 organs connected with it at their points of attachment, as in the fall 



