406 NATURAL SCIENCE. JUNE, 
persists, but is more highly developed, while the root becomes sub- 
terranean ; whereas in Bromheadia it is mainly protective, preventing 
loss of water, while the absorptive function is carried on by root- 
hairs borne on the lower surface, which, in the terrestrial species, are 
reduced to strongly cuticularised papille. 
Hence, in the aérial branches of the subterranean roots of Gram- 
matophyllum the velamen dwindles, while in the subterranean roots of 
Bromheadia it peels off so as not to interfere with the process of 
absorption. 
SCIENCE AND DICTIONARIES. 
THE explanation of the sins of omission and commission in 
scientific words in dictionaries would task the acutest mind, and it is 
very dismal to notice that Dr. Murray’s monumental English 
dictionary is not conspicuously better than its less ambitious pre- 
decessors. In an idle hour we dipped into the ‘“‘ A’s” and brought up 
the following :— 
Sins of omission— 
Alecithal: Amphiblastula: Analogy (in its scientific opposition 
to ‘homology ”’): Asteroidea: Anamniota: Anthropomorpha: Acce- 
lous or Accela. 
Sins of commission— 
Ascidian—A group of animals belonging to the Tunicate 
Mollusca: considered by evolutionists to constitute a link in the 
development of the Vertebrata. 
Anthozoa—Another name for the zoophites called Actinozoa. 
THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE. 
FeL.ows of the chartered scientific societies have received so 
many pressing invitations to become Fellows of the Imperial Institute 
that they have long been anxiously awaiting a definite statement of 
the privileges and work in which they might share. Since the 
opening by the Queen, on May 10, their wish has at last been gratified 
by the appearance of an advertisement, which is strongly suggestive 
of that of the Crystal Palace and the Earl’s Court show, and seems 
to explain that the Institute is to be another summer resort for 
Londoners. A music and dancing licence has been obtained, and on 
four days a week the public are to be admitted to the entertainments 
at popular prices. ‘Tea, coffee, and other refreshments will be 
served from the garden kiosks. . . . Seats and tables may be reserved 
in the public dining-rooms by making application to the dining-room 
superintendent. . . . The full band of the Royal Artillery will play 
daily in the kiosk of the West Garden. . . . Entertainments of vocal 
and instrumental music will occasionally be given in the Great Hall 
and the Indian Pavilion.” Fellows and their friends have the sole 
enjoyment of these privileges on Wednesdays and Fridays. 
