222 Report of the Microscopical Section. [Sess, 
volume. Much had already been done in order to elucidate 
its physiological structure." The lecturer said he would only 
mention two of its curious characteristics—namely, its response 
to stimuli, that corresponds to muscular action in animals; and, 
in connection with that phenomenon, the evidence which the 
plant gives of possessing memory response. A concise account 
of the observations on these points was then given, when it was 
stated that, in order to cause the lobes of the leaf to fold over, 
either two hairs must be touched or one hair must be touched 
twice. If the interval between successive stimuli was too great, 
no response followed, the leaf seeming to retain sharply the 
memory of the first stimulus for about 140 seconds only. 
When the stimuli continue to act at proper intervals, say 
by an insect, the leaf becomes firmly interlocked on its 
halves, and a secretion which is acid to litmus paper pours 
over the insect. This secretion, analogous to the peptic juice 
of the human stomach, soon digests away the soft parts of- 
the insect. Want of time only, the lecturer added in closing, 
prevented him from pursuing this interesting theme further. 
Dr Macfarlane’s address was followed throughout with the 
closest attention, and at its close, on the motion of Mr Syming- 
ton Grieve, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded the 
lecturer. 
REPORT OF THE MICROSCOPICAL SECTION. 
By Mr JAMES RUSSELL, Convenzr. 
THE members of the section decided to follow up during this ; 
session their studies of the previous session, and to devote 
their attention to the consideration of some of the smaller 
Crustacea. The sub-class chosen was the Entomostraca. The 
name is derived from two Greek words — évrouov, an 
insect, and dorpaxov, a shell, and thus signifies “insects in — 
shells.” Prof. Thomas Rupert Jones, F.R.S., thus defines the 
1 For a notice of Dr Macfarlane’s investigations on Dionwa see ‘Transactions, — 
vol. ili, p. 62, “Recent Work by Dr J. M. Macfarlane,” by Dr Watson. 
et Ree ops SAS 
a 
4 
: 
i eS 
Te 
