78 
various salts of silver, and precipitating that element in a metallic 
form. This decomposing effect was so strikingly similar to that of the 
electrotype process, that we were not surprised to find that electrical 
powers resided in the violet ray. It had long been known that a 
magnetic needle lost its power when exposed to} violet light, and the 
fact was not without significance that the electric ‘‘ brush” and ‘‘star,” 
the sparks exhibited in vacuo, and the zigzag coruscation “ chain ” 
lightning were always of this colour. 
There was so close a relation between electricity, chemical action, 
and vital energy, that he should expect the reproductive organs of 
plants to absorb violet light, and such was generally the case. The 
pistils and stamens, but more especially the anthers were usually of a 
yellow colour, and it was seldom indeed that this colour was entirely 
absent from the flowering part of plants. He did not record his 
further observations on this difficult subject, not deeming them suffi- 
ciently reliable. He did not claim to have establised any point of 
importance, and he was aware that many and grave objections stood 
in the way of the theory which he had ventured to indicate; but if 
some should be convinced, from anything he had said, that the subject 
of floral colour was not altogether devoid of interest, he should have 
done something, however slight, to extend the field of botanical 
research. 
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. G. Nash exhibited a 
curious figure in iron, found about 20 years ago under a stone in 
Aldrington Church. The figure was provided with a large apron, and 
it was suggested that it might be the effigy of a blacksmith, or, indeed, 
of St. Dunstan. 
Aveust 15TH anp 20TH. 
SOIREES OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR 
THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. 
The Committee appointed to carry out the Microscopical displays 
at the Soirtes of the British Aesociation, finding the space at their 
disposal did not admit of the exhibition of more than about 80 
— 
