Transactions. 13 



and the place of growth must, however, atlect tlieir develop- 

 ment, density, and size. The colour must be the result of 

 vital action. These colours (jerceptibly fade when the plants 

 are dry. Almost all species have a tendency to run into two 

 forms — one a dense compact variety caused by the shortening 

 of the internodes, and the other variety having the branches and 

 leaves bent down or squarrose. In tlie true determination of the 

 species of Sphagna almost every point in their structure must be 

 taken into account, and these points are so many that it is 

 difficult to name many of the species, not to speak of the 

 numerous varieties. 



II. A Visit to Birminyham with the British Association. 

 By Mr J. Shaw. 



In this paper Mr Shaw gave a brief description of the numerous 

 places of interest vi.sited by the Association, and a sketch of the 

 lectures given during the meeting. 



7th January, 1887. 



Major BowDEN, Vice-President, in the chair. Twenty-eight 

 members present. 



New Member. — Rev. J. M'Farlan, The Manse, Rutliwell. 



The Jiuthwell Cross. — The Secretary intimated tiiat the com- 

 mittee had adopted the following resolution, and moved its 

 adoption by the Society, viz. : — " That this Society is pleased to 

 learn that the Rutliwell Cross is at last to be protected from the 

 weather, and cordially approves of the action taken by the Rev. 

 Mr M'Farlan and the heritors of Rutliwell Parish, and recom- 

 mends that the Society contribute three guineas as a donation 

 towards the expense." This was seconded by Mr W. M'Dowall, 

 and unanimously agreed to. The Rev. Mr M'Farlan exhibited 

 and described the plans of the proposed erection, and stated that 

 they had already been approved by the Commisssioners of Woods 

 and Forests, and that the Government through the Commissioners 

 contributed £50 towards the expense ; one of the conditions being 

 that the Cross should be always accessible to the public free of 

 charge. On the motion of the Chairman, the thanks of the 



