148 TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Sess. lv. 



of which, the one next the micropyle, is a female sporoeyte, 

 while the one next the plerome-elements of the ovule is a 

 male sporoeyte ; that two of the eight cells resulting by 

 their division undergo conjugation, and thus give rise to the 

 endosperm-cell, which must be looked upon as a true embryo, 

 but which, being weaker than the embryo resulting by cross- 

 fertilisation, has become modified to serve as a storehouse for 

 the stronger embryo. 



On Temperature and Vegetation at the Eoyal Botanic 

 Garden, Edinburgh, during May 1891. By Eobert Lindsay, 

 Curator of the Garden. 



The past month of May has been one of the most un- 

 favourable experienced for many years. Dull, inclement 

 weather during the day, and frequent frost at nights, has 

 prevented vegetation from making very much progress. A 

 few showers of rain fell, but not of that genial nature wanted 

 at this season of the year. At the close of the month few of 

 the ordinary forest trees were in full leaf, except the Maple, 

 Elm, and Horse Chestnut ; the latter is well set with flower 

 buds, which, when fully expanded, will make a grand display. 

 Eruit trees, such as Apple, Pear, and Cherry, are flowering 

 most profusely. Trees and shrubs generally, though later in 

 flowering than I ever remember, promise to be quite up 

 to the average in flowering. Laburnum, Hawthorn, Holly, 

 Lilac, Azalea, and others, are very well set with flower buds, 

 ready to burst forth wlien more genial weather comes. 

 Vegetation generally is very much in the condition usually 

 found in April ; so late a season very rarely occurs. During 

 the month the thermometer was at or below the freezing 

 point on five occasions, indicating a total of 10° of frost. The 

 lowest readings were on the 4th, 30° ; 5th, 31° ; 17th, 27° ; 

 19th, 30° ; 21st, 32°. The lowest day temperature was 48°, 

 on the 8th, and the highest 74°, on the 12th of the month. 



On the rock-garden 260 species and varieties of plants 

 came into lUnver, against 305 for the corresponding month 

 last year. Among the incjst interesting were : — Andromeda 

 fastigiata, A. tetragona, Androsace ladea, A, sarmeniosa, 

 Amelia echioides, Auhrieiia Hendersoni, A. Leichtlini, 

 Anemone olj/in", Cor/Aisa MaWiioli, Cyiisns dreumhens, C. 



