12 British Association for the Advancement of Science. 
in no other way be introduced into this country. ‘The paper 
commenced, “Consider the lilies how they grow.” The atten- 
tion of the author was first directed to this point by accident. 
He had placed under an inverted jar a chrysalis, and on looking 
at it some time after, he found a fern and a blade or two of grass 
had grown under the jar, the sides of which appeared to be cov- 
ered with moisture. Taking the hint, he introduced some plants 
of Hymenophyllum under a jar, which grew and flourished in 
this situation. The Messrs. Loddige then enabled him to per- 
form some experiments on a larger scale. ‘The plants were en- 
closed in glass cases, or small green-houses, made tight with paint 
and putty, but, of course, not hermetically sealed, and were wa- 
tered once in five or six weeks. From his experiments, the au- 
thor came to the following conclusions :—First, that confining the 
air secured a mere equable temperature fer plants, as its expan- 
sion and contraction by change of external temperature, by its re- 
lation to heat in those states, prevented any great or sudden change. 
This was remarkably exemplified in some plants that were brought 
from India, which were in the course of three months success- 
ively exposed to 20°, 120°, and 40° of Fahrenheit. The enclo- 
sed plants were very frequently found surrounded by a tempera- 
ture higher than the external atmosphere. Secondly, that vaseu- 
lar plants required to be grown in a greater quantity of air than 
eellular. Thirdly, that light must be freely admitted. Fourthly, 
that the enclosed air must be kept humid. This can be done by 
oceasional watering, provided any means of escape for the water 
is allowed, but is not necessary where the water has no means of 
escape. Besides the advantage of enabling us to bring plants 
from abroad, it would also furnish to the physiological botanist 
the means of observing those operations of nature in his study, 
for which, before, he had been obliged to resort to the forest and 
the plain. Asan instance, the author had been enabled to observe 
the rapid growth of a Phallus fetidus, by merely devoting to it 
a few hours of the night. The writer concluded by suggesting 
that this mode of preserving tropical productions might ne ex- 
gees from the vegetable to the animal kingdom. 
_ Prof. Lindley also read a letter from the Messrs. Loddige to 
Mr. Ward, stating that in every case in which his instructions 
tat tritinhn:$ foesige Seg ate a inert - 
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