102 SEVENTH REPORT—1837. 
On the Internal Structure of the Palm Tribe. By G. GARDNER. 
Communicated by E. Bowman, F.L.S. 
Mr. Gardner had examined the species called Coquiero by the Bra- 
zilians. He said that the fibre of woody matter descended from the 
leaves at an angle of 18 degrees, towards the centre, and then out- 
wards in a more oblique angle towards the bark, near which it rami- 
fies and descends parallel to the bark. In this plant the chord of the 
are formed by their fibres is 2} feet. 
The author thinks that Mohl’s views on the structure of the palm 
tribe are correct. 
On the Power possessed by Aged Trees to reproduce themselves from the 
Trunk. By R. Maurer. 
The author exhibited a number of drawings of aged trees to illustrate 
his paper, and mentioned that the natural inarching of trees was caused 
by the decay of the central part of the trunk, and the formation of new 
wood and bark was to enclose the detached part. He said that after 
this had taken place, a but was formed on the inner surface, from 
which a stem ascended and roots descended, so as to form a new tree 
in the centre of the old one. 
On the Milk of Galactodendron Utile. By Mr. Bickersteru. 
On New and Rare Forms of British Plants and Animals. By 
E. Fores. 
Two new Mollusca (one allied to Doris pinatifida, the other to 
Montagua of Fleming), from the shores of the Isle of Man ; aspecimen 
of Asterias rubens, to show its distinctness from Asterias speciosus ot 
Link, and specimens of supposed new species of Polygala and Euphrasia 
from the Isle of Man, were presented and ‘explained by Mr. Forbes. 
On Vegetable Physiology. By Mr. Niven. 
The author stated that he had made a series of experiments upon 
elm-trees (Wlmus campestris) of about 42 years old, by the removal 
of the bark, cambium or alburnum, and that, from the results, he was 
disposed to maintain that two distinct principles exist in the bark of 
plants, viz. one descending and forming roots, and the other ascending 
and forming branches. This he illustrated by showing a branch of 
elm ringed through the bark and cambium, and having roots descend- 
ing from the upper edge of the ring, and branches ascending from the 
lower one. 
