2 PEOCEEDINGS OF THE 



distribution of species within definite areas, Associations, the 

 result of Natural Selection, which he defined as the Struojgle for 

 Existence, and the Survival of the better-adapted under the 

 circumstances. 



Oecology proper, or the Physiology of Plant-geography, implied 

 what had been defined by Prof. Tansley as " The Study of the vital 

 relations of Organisms to their Environment." These include the 

 origin of adaptive structures, as varietal, specific, and generic 

 characters, by means of the protoplasmic response to what was 

 formulated by Darwin as " The Direct Action of the Conditions 

 of Life, leading to definite results, whereby new subvarieties arise 

 without the aid of Natural Selection." 



These statements were illustrated by specimens, diagrams, and 

 lantern-slides. 



The President opened the discussion, which was carried on bv 

 Mr. H. M. Bernard, Dr. D. H. Scott, Mr. W. P. Kirby, Eev. T. 

 E. E. Stebbing, Mr. H. Groves, Dr. W. Gr. Eidewood (who 

 pointed out the use of " Adaptation " in two senses), and Mr. W. C. 

 "Worsdell, and the lecturer replied. 



November 16th, 1905. 

 C. B. Clakke, Esq., E.E.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The Minutes of the General Meeting of the 2nd November 

 were read and confirmed. 



The following resolution was put from the Chair, and after 

 adoption was signed by the Chairman and Secretaries for trans- 

 mission to the President : — 



" The Eellows of the Linnean Society of London in General 

 JMeeting assembled, 36th November, 1905, congratulate the 

 University of Liverpool on the approaching inauguration of 

 the new Zoological Department, and request their President, 

 Professor Ilerdman, to convey the expression of their good 

 will and good wishes to the Chancellor, Council, and Senate 

 of the University on that occasion." 



Messrs. H. and J. Gboyes exhibited a number of specimens of 

 British Water Eanunculi, with the purpose of showing the modi- 

 fications in the form of the leaves. They pointed out that the 

 species might be roughly grouped under three headings : (1) 

 those in which only broadly lobed aerial leaves were produced ; 

 (2) those in M'hich submersed multifid leaves -with capillary seg- 

 ments were also produced; and (3) those with multifid leaves 

 only: that although the plants of the first group as a rule occurred 

 only on mud or in shallow water, those of the second and third 



