288 THE N\TUKAL HISTORY KEVIEW. 



In making a cutting on tlie south-eastern side of the hill, a bed 

 of sand containing four species of land-shells was discovered near 

 the base of the gravel. No other fossils have been found in the 

 deposit, with the exception of a single tooth of a species of Equus. 

 Dr. Blackmore concluded by describing the implements themselves, 

 which nearly all belong to the long-pointed type, thus confirming 

 the opinion of Mr. Evans, that this form is mainly characteristic 

 of the Higher-level gravels. 



3. LiNNEAN Society, (Burlington House). 



January l^th, 1865. 



The following papers were read : — 1. " Extract of a letter from 

 Mr. "W. H. Brewer, State Geologist to the survey of California, on 

 the Eorests of Sequoia (JVellingtonia^ gigantea''' addressed to Sir 

 W. J. Hooker. — 2. " On a new Banana from Tropical Africa," by 

 Dr. Kirk. This plant, which was evidently closely related to Musa 

 Ensete, was proposed to be called Musa Living stoniana. — 3. " On 

 the Anatomy of Doridopsis, a genus of Nudibranchiate Mollusca," 

 by Albany Hancock, Esq. 



Felruary 2nd, 1865. 



The following papers were read : — 1. " On the Movements 

 and Habits of Climbing Plants," by C. Darwin, Esq. The author 

 divided climbing plants into three groups, namely twimug plants, 

 leaf-climbers, and tendril-bearers, and detailed at great length 

 his observations under each division. In his concluding remarks he 

 observed that it might be presumed that plants become climbers in 

 order to reach the light and to expose a larger surface of leaves to its 

 action, and to that of the free air. This was effected by climbing 

 plants with wonderfully little expenditure of organised matter in com- 

 parison with trees, which have to support a load of heavy branches 

 by a massive trunk. Those plants which have a twining habit are 

 furnished with revolving internodes. In the next group the pos- 

 session by a plant of leaves with their petioles or tips sensitive, 

 and with the consequent power of clasping any object, would be of 

 very little use unless associated with revolving internodes, by which 

 the leaves could be brought into contact with surrounding objects, 

 though on the other hand revolving internodes without other aid 

 suf&ce to give the power of climbing. Unless, therefore, we suppose 



