PEOCEEDINGS 01 SOCIETIES. 123 



to be little or no endosperm, and in T. speciosum only a single layer of 

 nucleated cells has been observed. This fact seems to supigest 

 the id-ea of these root-like processes being developed and extended in 

 order to seek for nourishment elsewhere. One of the specimens ex- 

 hibited under the microscope seemed to be in favour of this theory by 

 presenting a case where the extra-seminal process had failed to make 

 its exit from the embryo-cavity, and in consequence of this the embryo 

 had become shrivelled and useless. 



LiNK^EA.N Society. — Jan. 2\st. — Dr. G. J. Allman, President, in 

 the chair. A paper '* On Oak-galls," by Dr. Hollis, was read. The 

 author distinguished two classes : one-celled, to which belong the woody 

 oak-galls and the currant-galls ; and many-celled, including the spongy 

 oak-apple and the oak-spangles of the leaves. He believed that, with 

 the exception of the '' spangles," all are formed during the growth of 

 the leaf, the egg being laid in the bud ; and that ihe different layers 

 of the leaf could be made out in those of the gall. A fine collection of 

 epecimens lent by Mr. A. Murray illustrated the paper. 



Fehrwary 4:th. — Dr. G. J. Allman, President, in the chair. An 

 interesting series of photographs taken by officers of the Challenger 

 was exhibited, including some of Kerguelen's Land, showing the 

 growth of Pringlea, of St. Paul's Rocks, &c. — A letter from Mr. J. 

 Gammie,' of Darjeeling, was read, on the peculiar appendage to the 

 spadix of Ariscema speciosum — " On the Insects and Plants of Ker- 

 guelen's Land." By H. N. Moseley. In addition to several wingless 

 insects, a winged gnat was observed. — " On the Vegetation of Kod- 

 riguez." By I. B. Balfour. Mr. Balfour has been attached to the 

 Transit of Venus expedition and has been able to investigate the botany 

 of the island pretty completely. The island is only 10^ miles by 4 miles, 

 and the flora is not extensive ; species are much restricted in locality. 

 The natives reckon 4 or 5 different kinds of Pandanus, which should 

 probably be reduced to two species. Two Palms occur. — Extracts 

 from a letter to Dr. Hooker from Mr. J. Home, of Mauritius, were 

 read. The writer had visited all the islands of the Seychelle group 

 and collected some 300 species, most of which he had not seen before. 

 The affinities of the flora seem to be rather with Africa, Madagascar, 

 and Southern India, than with the Mascarene Islands. — " On the 

 Algae of Simon's Bay, Cape of Good Hope." By Dr. Dickie. — '' On 

 the Pungi of the voyage of H.M.S. Challenger:' By the Eev. M. J". 

 Berkeley. — ** On the Origin and prevailing Systems of Phyllotaxis." 

 By the Eev. G. Henslow. In the absence of the author, Mr. Hiern 

 gave an abstract of the paper. The various modes of leaf-arrange- 

 ment are considered to result from dislocation of opposite decussato 

 leaves, which mode is considered the fundamental one. 



March 4. — Dr. G. J. Allman, president, in the chair. Mr. D. 

 Hanbury exhibited a species of Phallus from South America, allied to 

 P. impudicus. Mr. J. G. Baker exhibited specimens of the fruits of 

 the two species of Plane-tree, Platanus occldentalis and P. orientalis, 

 and the variety acerifolia of the latter, showing their difl'erences ; also 

 the bulb of Brimia {?) haworthioides, which is epigoeal 

 and consists of a rosette of thick fleshy scales. The following 

 communications were read : *' On the plants in which ants make their 

 homes," by J. R. Jackson. — " On the so-called memhrana nuclei in the 



