240 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
ant, and flea, the last named of which provoked discussion, some 
members questioning the existence of gastric teeth, the flea being 
non-mandibulate ; but several slides exhibiting the teeth im situ. 
as well as being separate also, the fact was generally admitted. 
Mr. Hanwell recommends the teeth of the cricket to be mounted 
in spirit and-water, and then viewed as an opaque object. 
Mr. Hendry upon one occasion displayed involuntary muscular 
fibre tinted with carmine obtained from the umbilicus and other 
parts, and contrasted these with the ordinary striped fibres. Upon 
a second occasion T'eichmann’s blood-crystals were produced in 
the presence of the members, and these were contrasted with the 
ordinary chemical evidences of blood in stains, spots, &c. And 
upon a third occasion Mr. Hendry exhibited as a novelty his 
newly obtained microscopical crystals in thin glass, through the 
agency of the blowpipe alone, probably a new arrangement by 
fusion of the ordinary constituents of glass, exhibiting uniformity 
in figure and nothing wanting either in number or beauty ; speci- 
mens have already been forwarded to some members of the 
Metropolitan Society. 
Mr. Prescott read a paper on the larger stinging nettle 
(Urtica dioica), in which he embodied the result of his hitherto 
unfinished researches on this much neglected order, observing 
that plants bearing perfect hermaphrodite flowers are far more 
common than are usually suspected, and in the male flowers are 
constantly found minute organs representing rudimentary pistils. 
With respect to the stinging hairs on the leaves and stem of the 
plant, they do not, as stated by some botanical authority, collapse 
at the base when the point is touched, but a slight discharge of 
an irritating fluid is caused by the removal of the button at the 
extremity of the hair, and much of the irritation known as the 
sting is probably due to the pointed button remaining in the flesh 
when detached from the hair. 
This interesting paper was amply illustrated by numerous well- 
mounted slides of microscopic sections of the plant, affording 
ready comparison with various excellent drawings of the same 
laid upon the table. 
Dr. Kelbourne King in the course of the session delivered two 
excellent demonstrations, one upon the “ Microscopical Structure 
of the Kidney,” with mounted and fresh specimens, and another 
“On the Development of the Ovum,” in illustration of the views 
of modern authors. 
Mr. Hunter exhibited polarization as a test in analysis whereby 
distinguishing soda and potash and other salts. ' 
Mr. Ball, of Brigg, exhibited in very great variety and beaut 
slides of his own mounting of the tongues of snails, &., with 
comment thereupon. 
Mr. James Young, one of the earliest of the Hull microscopists, 
and zealous labourer in the field of natural history, gave an in- 
teresting paper on the roots of plants, &e., with illustrations, 
under the following heads: —Source of plants, trees, &e. Fructi- 
