17 
under apparently very adverse circumstances and for long periods 
of years, were each discussed. 
On the subject of artificial selection, a point not sufficiently 
regarded by agriculturists and florists, it was shown what might be 
done in increasing both the size and number of seeds by carefully 
following a plan similar to that adopted with such success by Mr. 
F. Hattert, of Brighton. 
Reference was next made to seeds as objects for the micro- 
scope. Having spent several years in the collection and examina- 
tion of the seeds of wild and cultivated plants, as objects for the 
microscope, he considered few things in the vegetable kingdom 
presented such diversity of form, markings, and beauty. Although 
unwilling to lay down any law for classification, by means of the 
external appearance of seeds, he had often been able, in the case 
of unknown seeds, to determine the family to which they 
belonged, from certain peculiarities common to many plants of 
the same family. 
Among some of the most interesting families, affording good 
microscopic objects, might be mentioned the scrophulariacce, 
containing the mulleins, foxgloves, figworts, paulownias, &c. ; the 
composite containing many curious seeds; the caryophyllacce 
or pink family, containing a very great number of very beautiful 
seeds, not the least beautiful being the common chickweed and 
the ragged-robin ; the papaveracee exhibiting great variety of 
markings ; and the orchidacee, characterized by what had beeu 
termed the appearance of net purses, each containing a single 
gold coin. 
The majority required no other preparation than that of 
being mounted dry. Some, like the orchids when mounted in 
balsam, formed good polariscope objects. For making out the 
several coats of the seed, the embryo, &c., sections cut on the 
' plan, recommended by Dr. HAuurrax, gave admirable results. 
The paper was illustrated by a large collection of seeds, and 
by microscopic preparations, including sections shewing the several 
parts made by Dr. Hatiirax. 
Mr. WonFor also exhibited a collection of galls, found on 
British plants, made by Mr. W. H. Kidd ; and read a description 
of each and of the insects producing them, as well as their parasites, 
Cc 
