PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 241 
concaye mirror, when a few trials will determine the best form of 
aperture. The markings of Plewrosigma fasciola, angulatum, &c., 
may be seen by its aid under powers which would not show them 
with any arrangement of achromatic condensers, and it also has 
the good property of shading all but the amount of light re- 
quired from the lower portion of the microscopic stage and stand. 
The dise might be attached to the lamp, but it appears to work 
better on a stand, and is susceptible of various modifications 
which will readily suggest themselves to the microscopist. 
Mr. W. H. Heys exhibited specimens of leaves of the vegetable 
marrow, showing reticulated markings somewhat similar to those 
of Symphytum, and presented a slide to the cabinet. 
Mr. Sidebotham stated that in sweeping over herbage for 
Coleoptera and other insects, he had found some yery curious 
seeds, to one of which, Sanicula Europea, he thought attention 
had not hitherto been drawn, though well deserving of it. Those 
of Henbane and Daucus were also most singular. 
Mr. Linton exhibited the elegant tufted stigmas of Poteriwm 
sanguisorba, and the very singular calyx of the gum Cistus, which 
almost might be mistaken for the skin and scales of a fish, 
January 16th, 1865. 
The following note from Mr. Dancer, addressed to the Presi- 
dent of the ection was read : 
“ Str,—I beg to state that, since our last meeting, I have care- 
fully examined, with various powers of the microscope, the cotton 
hairs whilst undergoing dissolution in Schweizer’s ammoniacal 
solution of copper. I am inclined to the belief that cotton 
hairs do not contain spiral vessels properly so called. I think 
that the spiral apparatus, which has been described by Mr. C. 
O’Neill and Mr. Heys as spiral vessels, can be clearly traced to 
a mechanical action which the solvent exerts on the vegetable 
cell. At some future time I hope to illustrate this to the sec- 
tion. “ Yours truly, 
“J. B. Dancer.” 
Mr. Heys explained that he had not intended to describe the 
cotton hairs as containing spiral vessels, in the botanical sense of 
the term, but had spoken of the appearance within them as that 
of a spiral thread. 
Mr. Watson read a communication “On the plumules or 
Battledore Scales of the Lycenide,” in which he showed that 
they will serve the purposes of identification by exhibiting 
generic and specific alliances, and differences similar to those 
