Stomata. 37 



W. Dayman, representatives of the Marlborough College Natural 

 History Society were present. 



The following were the exhibitions: — 



Eggs of the Stormy Petrel, Ilerou, Oriole, Guillemot, short-eared Owl, 

 Skua Gull, and other birds, from the collection presented to the 

 Vaughan Library by Mr. Fisher. 



A Cuckoo's Egg, lent by 11. A. Willis. 



A Kestrel's Egg, taken at Harrow by F. Terapler. Bt the President. 



A collection of Brazilian Insects. 



Cumshaw Ball Tea 



Cumshaw Present Tea . . . . By the Rev. T. A. Pkeston. 



A collection of Moths, presented to the Society by the Exhibitor. 



By W. W. Daymaw, Esq. 



Eggs of the Little Bittern, and other eggs. By A. C. Almack, Esq. 



Eggs of the Night Jar, Cuckoo, Hooded Crow, Wood Wren, &c. 



By R. B. Smith, Esq. 



Three Greek Coins. Two Medals in Copper, by Pistrucci. 



Two Waterloo Medals. 



Four Silver Coins, struck during the Interregnum of the Popes. 



A large piece of Amber . . . . . . By \V. Jekyll. 



A Fossil Sponge. 



Curious Seed Vessel of the Nelumbium Columbinum, from Egypt. 



Some F'ossils . . . . . . . . By T. G. Roopek. 



G. T. PiLCHER read the following Paper on " Stomata." 



STOMATA. 



Plants, like animals, are covered externally with a thin membrane 

 called the cuticle, which is found on all its parts except the stigma 

 and the spongioles of the root. This adheres firmly to the cellular 

 tissue, though in some of the lower tribes consisting entirely of 

 cellular tissue, it is not distinguishable. To the natural eye it 

 a])pears a semi-transparent skin, but under a microscope it may be 

 Seen to be reticulated by constantly intersecting lines, and also 

 studded with small holes, which have the power of opening or 

 shutting, which are called Stomata. 



This cuticle itself has given rise to great discussion, as to its 

 being cellular tissue in a compressed state, or a peculiar membrane 

 marked by veins. The greater number of botanists have agreed 

 in the former opinion, which is now generally received ; the prin- 

 cipal arguments in its favour are that in the cuticle of some plants, 

 as in lilium candidum, the cellular slate is distinctly seen, and that 



