X PEOCEEDINGS OF THE 



The lecturer then described the downward motion of the peduncles of TrlfoUum 

 subterrancum, which succeed in burying their fruits for the sake of nourishing them 

 independently of roots. 



The circumnutation of the young stems of seedlings as they issue from the 

 ground was described, their ascent being the combined action of apogeotropism, 

 or the tendency to turn away from the earth, and circumnutation. 



The motions of leaves were then considered. The most interesting and pro- 

 nounced being the so-called Sleep of Plants. Mr. Henslow selected several 

 instances described in Mr. Darwin's book on the ' Movements of Plants,' which 

 clearly showed that the object gained by the folding of the leaves together, 

 which takes place in so many plants, is to prevent injury from radiation at night. 



The lecturer finally described several cases of motion in flowers, such as in the 

 corolla of many flowers which opens and shuts, the stamens which move forwards, 

 as in barberry, and even of the pistil as in Stylidiuin and Maranta, the purpose 

 in every case being connected with insect-fertilisation. 



For further details the reader is referred to Mr. Darwin's work mentioned 

 above ; and an abstract of it by the lecturer iu the last volume of the 

 ' Popular Science Eeview.' 



Specimens and diagrams were exhibited by the Author in 

 illustration of the lecture. 



Oedinaky Meeting, 22nd November, 1881, at Watfoed. 

 George Eooper, Esq., F.Z.S., President, in the Chair. 



Mr. George Brightwen, The Grove, Stanmore ; Mrs. James 

 Currie, Hill Side, Watford; Mr. Marlborough R. Pryor, M.A., 

 F.Z.S., Weston Manor, Stevenage; and Miss Rooper, Nascott 

 House, Watford, were elected Members of the Society. 



Mr. William Hill, jun., The Maples, Hitchin ; Mr. Eobert May 

 Christopher James, Clarendon Lodge, Watford ; Mr. Francis Ransom, 

 Fairfield, Hitchin ; and Mr. John Weall, Rutland Lodge, Watford, 

 were proposed as Members. 



The following communications were read : — 



1. "On Some of the Effects of the Recent Gale in Hertfordshire." 

 By Alfred T. Brett, M.D.^' 



2. " On a Whirlwind between Watford and St. Albans." By 

 John Hopkinson, F.L.S., F.M.S. {Trcmsadions, Vol. II, p. 95.) 



3. "On Methods of Prevention of Insect-Injury." By Eleanor 

 A. Ormerod, F.M.S. {Transactions, Vol. II, p. 1.) 



4. "Note on a Cloud of Butterflies." By John E. Littleboy. 

 {Transactio7is, Vol. II, p. 96.) 



5. " Note on a Cuckoo laying in a Swallow's Nest." By George 

 Rooper, F.Z.S. {Transactiotis, Vol. II, p. 96.) 



* Incorporated in the Rev. C. "W. Harvey's paper on the " Gale of the 14tli 

 of October, 1881," ' Transactions,' Vol. II, p. 17. 



