386 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 
by Mr. D. Scott, nurseryman. Mr. Wilkie also exhibited Hyp- 
num cordifolium, Hedw., from Giffnock, Renfrewshire. 
On behalf of Mr. J. J. Dalgleish, F.S.A.Scot., M.B.0.U., a 
paper was read by Mr. A. Somerville, B.Sc., F.L.S., entitled 
“‘ Notes on a ‘List of the Birds which have been observed in the 
District of Ardnamurchan, Argyllshire,’ with additions thereto,” 
in which the author brought his observations on the avi-fauna of 
Ardnamurchan up to the date of writing. (See page 347; also 
the Proceedings of the Society, Vol. III., p. 259, for the original 
list.) 
Professor F. O. Bower, D.Sc., F.R.S., gave a statement of results 
of recent work on Sporangia, which had been communicated by 
him previously to the Royal Society, London. Having traced 
the progress of the sterilisation of spore-producing tissues, as it 
may be seen in the Bryophytes, he emphasised the fact that in 
them the spores all originate from a connected non-septate tissue. 
In all the higher vascular plants there are distinct sporangia. 
The question is how the last-named class may have originated 
from the Bryophytes. By comparison of the anthers of certain 
flowering plants, it was shown that subdivision by septa has been 
a frequent feature in producing many pollen-sacs from a single 
one. On grounds of observation of various ferns, it was shown 
that a similar process has probably occurred there also. It was 
concluded, therefore, as probable that septation has been a factor 
in the progression from simple forms. While not wishing to take 
a dogmatic attitude, nor to define the importance of this feature, 
Professor Bower expressed the opinion that septation of sporangia 
has played an important part in the origin of vascular plants as 
they appear at the present day. 
3lst Marcu, 1896. 
Professor Thomas King, President, in the chair. 
Mr. William Bennett, Airdrie, was elected as an Ordinary 
Member. 
Mr. Richard M‘Kay reported on the excursion made by the 
Society to Overtoun. (See page 362.) 
Thanks were accorded to two gentlemen who had enabled the 
Society to add the Ornithologist to the list of periodicals it 
