520 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 



sporangium like that of a Fern had been previously described,* and was 

 again demonstrated. Until now it had not been possible to identify the 

 sporangium in question, but within the last few weeks similar stages of 

 germination had been observed within a sporangium certainly belonging 

 to Stauropteris oldhamia.^ It was probable, from the structure of the 

 former sporangium, that it too was referable to a species of Stauropteris. 

 As the phenomena of germination in these cases were entirely similar 

 to those in recent Ferns, it appeared to be established that the genus 

 Stauropteris belonged to the Ferns and not to the Pteridosperms, a 

 question previously left open. There was a certain affinity with 

 Botryopterideas, but the characters of the exannulate sporangia differed 

 from those of other fructifications of this family. 



Dr. Scott desired to acknowledge the help which he had received 

 from his wife, Mrs. D. H. Scott, F.L.S., in the detection of these fossil 

 germinating spores. 



The paper was illustrated by fossil and recent sections, thrown on 

 the screen by means of the epidiascope, as well as by lantern slides. 



Mr. Karop said it would no doubt be their pleasure to return a very 

 hearty vote of thanks to the President for his very interesting and in- 

 structive address on a subject of which he was facile priticeps. 



The motion, being put to the Meeting, was carried unanimously. 



The President, in responding, said that he was greatly obliged to the 

 Fellows present, not only for their vote of thanks, but for the kind way 

 in which they had received a communication which, to those who were 

 not botanists, must have seemed very technical. 



It was announced that the rooms of the Society would be closed from 

 August 17 to September 17, and that the next Meeting would take place 

 on October 17, when the following papers would be read : " New Indian 

 Rotifers," by Mr. James Murray, and " Gornuvia serpula : a Species of 

 Mycetozoa new to Britain," by Mr. J. M. Coon. 



The following Instruments, Objects, etc., were exhibited : — 



Dr. Hebb : — High-power Stereo-photomicrographs, taken by Mr. 

 W. P. Dollman. 



Mr. J. T. Holder : — An Old Microscope, by Pritchard, lent for ex- 

 hibition by Mr. W. R. Reeves. 



The President : — Recent and Fossil Sections and Lantern Slides, 

 shown on the screen, in illustration of his paper. 



New Fellow. — Mr. William Charles Greaves was balloted for and 

 elected an Ordinary Fellow of the Society. 



* Scott, Germinating Spores in a fossil Fern-Sporangium, New Phytolog., 

 iii. (1904). 



t Cf. Scott, Sporangia of Stmiropteris Oldhamia, New Phytolog., iv. (1904). 



