2 
sheaths, and inflorescence all received attention, the remarks being 
illustrated by means of a large bamboo and a sugar cane, as well 
as by several small specimens and diagrams. Silica abounds in 
the stems (or culms, as botanists call them) of grasses generally. 
It is no doubt taken up from the soil chiefly in the form of silicate 
of potash, and is of great service in giving firmness to the stem. 
Grasses and Sedges are very widely distributed, some of the former 
even flourishing in the sea. As to height, they range from one 
inch to fifty feet. Both orders differ greatly in their flowers from 
other monocotyledonous plants Instead of the brightly coloured 
perianth of such flowers as the lily, we find here dry scales called 
glumes, enclosing other glumes and either stamens or pistils, or it 
may be, both. After touching upon other interesting topics the 
lecturer concluded with a hope that questions and discussion would 
follow. 
A vote of thanks was proposed by the Rev. W. Hall and carried 
unanimously. 
The whole of the grasses of the locality were illustrated by dried 
specimens. 
Dercemser 137TH, 1888. 
The meeting was held at the Town Hall. Dr. Fitzgerald, the 
president, occupied the chair, and there were present the Revs. C. 
Bosanquet, W. Hall, and G. C. Martin, Dr. T. Eastes, Dr. Tyson, 
Mr. Walton, and other gentlemen, and also several ladies. Dr. 
Tyson read the following paper on 
VARIOUS FORMS OF BURIAL. 
We must all die! The difficulty of dealing with the body must, 
however repugnant the subject is to us, be faced. I will begin my 
paper by giving a short history of the modes of burial that have 
been adopted in various countries. The first method was that 
which is, of course, common to all the lower animals, except house- 
hold pets, viz., of simple exposure, or which might be better 
described as no burial at all. Thus bodies have been hung up on 
trees, placed on wooden planks, supported by tall poles, or nations 
have purposely so exposed their dead, that predatory animals have 
destroyed them. The next method is that of water burial; of 
course, this has been more common among maritime nations, than 
nations who have no sea-board, and is the method still used when © 
death occurs ‘“* at sea.” The bodies thus buried are doubtless soon 
devoured by fish. It is interesting to note that the above form has — 
lately been recommended as a universal system, to avoid evils re- 
