LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LOXDOX. 3 



bulgings on either side of a flattened stem. In the Monkey-ladder 

 (CaidotretHs), besides the bulgiugs, flanges are added on the edges 

 making a complete girder. 



In Cucurbitaceae and Passiflora the tendril coils, after securing 

 a hold by its curled tip, the coiling being in opposite directions. 

 This is secured by a " crank " being first formed which rotates. 



In leaves, the distribution of the mid-rib and veins secures the 

 blade from transverse bending and tearing. In Bananas, the 

 leaves, being degenerate in character, are invariably torn to shreds 

 by the wind. 



In flowers adapted to insects, various mechanical contrivances 

 ■enable the calyx and corolla, or the stamens, to support the insect ; 

 while others enable it to carry tbe pollen away. The calyx multi- 

 plies its ribs and the corolla expands anteriorly, while the stamens 

 become levers, &c. 



Fruits are often subject to strains as in bursting, but if a pear 

 hang vertically from an oblique stalk, there is a tendency to tear 

 itself awav. Xature then develops a hump at the base which 

 counteracts the resultant of the two other forces. 



Dr. O. Stapf, the Eev. T. E. E. Stebbing, F.E.S., and the 

 President spoke on this paper, and the author replied. 



The last paper, by Miss Xellie Ba>-ceoft, B.Sc, F.L.S., " On 

 some Indian Jurassic Gymnosperms," was read in abstract by the 

 -Secretary for Botany. 



December 5th, 1912. 



Prof. £. B. PouLTON, F.E.S., President, in the Chair. 



The Minutes of the General Meeting of the 21st November, 

 1912, were read and confirmed. 



Mr. Thomas Pord Chipp, B.Sc. (Lond.), was admitted a 

 Pellow. 



Mr. John Harrison was proposed as a Fellow. 



Mr. Bernard Francis Cavanagh, Dr. Eeginald Euggles Gates, 

 Ph.D. (Chicago), Miss Alice Hibbert-Ware, Mr. Arthur Edward 

 Peck, Mr. Francis Henry Sikes, M.A., Mrs. Beatrice Stuart {nee 

 Xorbury, Mrs. Charles Urquhart Stuart), Mr. Henry Edward 

 Irnng Taylor, M.A. (Cantab.), and Capt. Sidney Miles Toppin, 

 E.A., were elected Fellows. 



The first communication was by Mr. E. J. Bedford, entitled 

 "Xotes on two Orchids new to East Sussex : Further Xotes on 



62 



