120 



April 19th. 



MICROSCOPICAL MEETING.— ROTATION OF CELL 

 CONTENTS. 



Ml'. "WoNFOR reminded the members that, at the last meeting,, 

 it was unilerstood that, at this one, members should bring 

 forward any slides which should illustrate Dr. Corfe's pajier on 

 " Dinetical currents in radicles of roots and tlieir analogues." At 

 this time of the year, there were some three plants obtainable^ 

 in which cyclosis, or rotation of cell contents, erroneously called 

 circulation, might be seen to lesser or greater advantage, namelVr 

 the American jjond weed, unachurk, the vali^nerm, and iiitella. 



Dr. Corfe asked if it had occurred to Mr. Wonfor what 

 was the motive powers of these actions — not in the stems, or 

 leaves, or hairs, but in tlie roots. 



Mr. WoNFon remarked that they had only heard Dr. Corfe's 

 explanation; they had not liad tlie opportunity of making 

 observations for themselves. It Avould, therefore, be premature 

 to conclude what might l)e the causes, whatever they might 

 imagine. 



In the course of continued conversation on the subject, 



Dr. Corfe A\ondered why railway companies encouraged 

 vegetation by throwing uj) embankments, such as that near 

 Hassock's Gate, a spot which had given more trouble to the 

 London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company than the 

 whole line, in consequence of the sinking of the ground. 



Mr. WoxFOR remarked that this was a striking instance of 

 the fact that Avhile they could not get vegetable life in unmoved 

 chalk, yet if it were moved they would got annuals, then 

 biennials, and then perennials. 



Soon after the conversation gave place to microscopic 

 investigation. 



