63 
nothing. It now assumed great activity, and, by gradual changes, be- 
came the seed itself. This was saying a great deal; for that insig- 
nificant seed contained the embryo of the future plant, the embryo 
containing the radicle, stem, and a leaf, sometimes so large as to be 
_ seen by the eye. It was truly marvellous that these results should be 
brought about by so insignificant an agent as the Pollen, which con- 
verted the primordial seed into a poppy or oak, as the case might be : 
f changes worked out by what we call vital power, beginning as it did in 
so humble a way, and ending in such important results. Whatever is 
the plan or pattern laid down for the Pollen Grains, that is the plan or 
pattern of the future plant. Thus the Pollen of the Polyanthus always 
produces a Polyanthus, and nothing else. He had brought for illus- 
_ tration a number of specimens, in addition to objects kindly furnished 
__ by Messrs. Curties and Wonfor. 
Avery cordial vote of thanks was given to Dr. HALLIFAX, when an 
interesting discussion followed, in which the President (Mr. G. Scott), 
_ Dr, HALuiFax, Messrs. C. P. SMirH, PAYNE, T. GLAISYER, and 
WonFroR took part, the last-named gentleman stating that Dr. 
_ HALLIFAx’s modesty prevented his saying that he had not only 
worked out this subject years ago, and had made sections to show 
_ the Pollen-tube passing through the pistil, but had exhibited photo- 
a - graphs showing the same thing last year during the British Associa- 
tion Meeting. 
_ The meeting then became a conversazione, when some very 
‘beautiful objects, including the photograph referred to represent- 
ing the Pollen-cells entering the stigma of the evening primrose, were 
_ exhibited by Drs. Hallifax and Badcock, Messrs. R. Glaisyer, C. P. 
_ Smith, W. H. Smith, F. E. Sawyer, and T. W. Wonfor. 
Later in the evening some slides, obtained by the distillation of . 
_ coke, were shown by Mr. Wonfor. 
JUNE 12TH. 
~ ORDINARY MEETING. — MR. J. J. SEWELL 
ON “COPROLITES.” 
_ He had been induced to introduce the subject of the “so-called 
Cambridge Coprolites,” or phosphatic nodules, in comparison with the. 
