1882.] on the ExcitoMity of Plants. 167 



I will not attempt to answer this question, for no thoughtful 

 person ever asked it in earnest. Another question lies behind it, which 

 is a deeper and much older one. Is it worth while ? Is the knowledge 

 we seek worth having when we have got it ? Xotwithstanding that 

 so recently even those who are least conversant with onr work have 

 been compelled to acknowledge the beauty and completeness of a 

 life devoted to biological studies, still the question is pressed upon us 

 every hour— How can you think of spending davs in striving to 

 unravel the mechanism of a leaf, when you know 'all the time ^that 

 if there were no such thing as Diontea, the world would not be less 

 virtuous or less happy ? This question like the other I willindv leave 

 to those who put it. From their point of view it does not admit of an 

 answer ; from mine it does not require one. They must go on seeldn cr 

 for and finding virtue and happiness after their fashion ^ we must cro 

 on after ours, striving, by patient continuance in earnest work. 1o 

 learn year by year some new truth of nature, or to understand 

 some old one better. In so doing, we beHeve that we also have our 

 reward. 



[J. B. S.] 



GEXEEAL :\IOXTHLY MEETIXG, 

 Monday, July 3, 1882. 



Geoege Busk, Esq. F.E.S. Treasui-er and Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The Peesents received since the last Meeting were laid on the 

 table, and the thanks of the Members returned for the same, viz. : 



FROM 



Tfie Governor- General of JnJ/a— Geolosdcal Survey of India • Eecord^ Vol XV 

 Part 2. Svo. 1SS2. ^ " ^- -vr. 



Accademia dei Lincei, Ueale, Eoma—Atti, Serie Terza. Vol. TI. Fasc. 12. ito. 



Asiatic Sociefij of Bengal — Proceedinsfs, Xo. 3. Svo. 1SS2. 



Journal, Vol. LI. Part 1, Xo. 1. Svo. 1SS2. 

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 Australian Museum, Si/dney—CatAhgne of the Australian Stalk- and Se^^ile-Eved 



Crustacea. By W. A. Haswell. Svo. Svdnev. 1SS2. 

 British Architects, Royal Institute o/— Proceedings.' lSSl-2, Xos. 16, 17. 4to 

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Crisp Franh. Esq LL.B. F.L.S. de. M.E.I, (the Tcf/for)— Journal of the Koval 



Microscopical fcociety, Series II. Vol. II. Part 3. Svo ISS'^ 

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By E. P. Edwards and T. Williams. Svo. 1SS2. 

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