PKOCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 57 



of median prolification ; the axis of the flower was prolonged beyond the 

 peltate stigma, and bore a second and smaller stigma. — " On grafted 

 roots of Mangold Wurzel." By the same. Roots of red and yellow 

 mangold wurzel had been successfully grafted, one upon the other in 

 different ways. It would be a matter of some interest to ascertain 

 whether, and if so, in what way, seedlings from the grafted roots 

 would be affected by the experiment. 



Aug. 24. Bepartment of Zoology and Botany. — '* On the recent 

 progress and present state of Systematic Botany in connection with 

 f^e development of the natural method and the doctrine of Evolution.' 

 By G. Bentham, F.K.S.*- Commencing with a summary sketch of 

 the state of science in 1830, when the natural method of Jussieu was 

 beginning to supersede the sexual system of Linnaeus ; of its progress 

 from that year to 1859, when the study of the general affinities of 

 plants had entirely superseded the classing them according to single 

 organs ; the author proceeded to discuss the great advance since 1859 

 owing to the explanation of affinities given by the adoption of the 

 doctrine of evolution. After some notes on the language to be pre- 

 ferred, systematic works were then considered under the six several 

 heads of Or dines plantar um^ Genera plantar um, Species plantarum, 

 Monographs, Floras, and miscellaneous descriptions. Under each 

 head the particulars required were specified, the principal recent 

 works glanced over, with a short mention of the chief desiderata now 

 recommended to the attentioji of systematic botanists. — " On the Em- 

 bryogeny of certain species of Tropceolum'* By Prof. Dickson. In 

 TropcBolum the principal pecularity consists in the constant penetration 

 of the carpellary tissue by the extra-seminal root-process. In T. majus 

 this is developed from the outer side of the base of the suspensor. After 

 perforating the seed-coat it becomes elongated, and finishes its course 

 in the cavity of the seed-vessel. In rare cases, however, this process 

 has been found to penetrate by its extremity the carpellary tissue. In 

 T. peregrinum the extra-seminal process penetrates the carpel after 

 having run in the cavity of the seed-vessel half way. In T. specio- 

 sum it dips into the carpel, immediately after emerging from the 

 seed. — " On the form of Pollen-grains in reference to the fertilisation 

 of flowers." By A. W. Bennett. In flowers fertiKsed by insects three 

 types of pollen occur. First and most commonly, elliptical grains with 

 three furrows ; secondly, elliptical or spherical grains with spines ; 

 thirdly, grains attached together by a viscid excretion. In wind- 

 fertilised plants, on the contrary, the pollen is light, dry, unfurnished 

 with furrows, and generally spherical. In the section Noniimium of 

 Viola the flowers are fertilised by bees, and the pollen-grains have the 

 ordinary elliptical furrowed form. In the section Melanium the pollen- 

 grains are much larger and pentagonal or hexagonal ; the style and 

 stigma are adapted for fertilisation by Thrips. PringUa antiscorbutica 

 has been supposed by Dr. Hooker to be wind-fertilised. [This is now 

 at best doubtful, the plant appearing to be frequented by a wingless 

 fly.] The form of the pollen, very small and perfectly spherical, 

 supports Dr. Hooker's view, being unlike that obtaining generally 

 amongst CrucifercB. In the primrose and cowslip the pollen of the 



* This will be pubhshed in exienso in the annual report. 



