40 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



the functions of these bodies, very little seemed to be known, although 

 it had been thought that, like raphides, they might be excretions, and 

 that the plant got rid of certain waste products in this way. Like 

 raphides, they did not appear to perform any particular function in 

 the economy of the plant ; but it was, of course, quite possible that 

 they might have some function unknown to us, or may have had one 

 in past time, or, perhaps, may have a function to perform at some time 

 to come. 



A vote of thanks to Mr. Stewart for his communication was unani- 

 mously passed. 



Mr. Shadbolt suggested that it might be just possible that the cell 

 had at one time contained a secretion, which had, in course of time, 

 contracted upon the peduncle from the loss of aqueous matter. Sup- 

 posing the cell to have been, at one time, filled with a gummy secre- 

 tion, it might become contracted in this manner by evaporation. 



Mr. Charles Stewart said, that by looking at a young living leaf, it 

 would be found that this idea would not hold good — it would be quite 

 evident that there was originally a peduncle, and that layers were 

 deposited around it, which, in course of time, lost their original 

 character. It was quite clear that the matter, whatever it might be, 

 was deposited layer by layer upon the peduncle. 



'i he President said it struck him that there might be some relation 

 to the special secretion of the plant, the well-known elastic gum. 



Mr. Frank Crisp inquired if these bodies were mentioned by any- 

 one as being common to other plants as well as this one. 



Mr. Charles Stewart said there were many other jdants which con- 

 tained them — one interesting form was found in the leaf of Bohmeria 

 nivea (drawn on black-board), another occurred in Pilea densi flora; 

 and there were others. 



In concluding, Mr. Stewart stated that he did not pretend to 



originality in the above remarks, they being only made to explain the 



slide exhibited. Those interested in the subject may refer to the 



' Annales de Sciences Naturelles, Botanique,' 4th ser., vol. ii., p. 267. 



The meeting was then adjourned to January 7th, 1874. 



Scientific Evening. 



The first scientific evening of the session was held in the great 

 hall of King's College, kindly lent for the purpose, on December 10th, 

 when, notwithstanding the dense fog which enveloped London, between 

 fifty and sixty Fellows and their friends attended, many of whom ex- 

 pressed themselves highly pleased at having the opportunity of seeing 

 the numerous objects of special interest which were exhibited. The 

 Society was again indebted to Mr. Baker and Mr. How for kindly 

 sending a large number of excellent lamjis. 



The subjoined list is not as complete as could be wished, as 

 several exhibitors omitted to supply names or descriptions of their 

 objects. 



The Society exhibited Batrachospermum moniliforme and a species 

 of Draparnaldia from Philadelphia, mounted and sent by Mrs. 



