MEETING OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 23 
the distribution of raphides in the vegetable kingdom is not yet suffi- 
ciently precise and extensive to give much significance to such isolated 
facts ; and it should be borne in mind that I restrict the term raphides, 
as more particularly described in the • Popular Science Review,' vol. iv. 
p. 576-7, to the bundles of acicular forms occurring in cells, which 
forms are not mere crystals, but constitute with their cells a true 
organic structure. 
The examinations now made of W. Brasiliensis have been confined to 
three or four old dried fronds from Weddell himself, and for which I 
am indebted to the courtesy of a friend. 
Edenbridge, December 7th, 18G6. 
ON THE EUPHORBTACEOUS GENUS CAPELLENIA, T. et B. 
MM. Teijsmann and Binnendyk have described and figured a new 
genus of the Natural Order Euphorbiacece in the c Natuurkundige Tyd- 
schrift voor Nederlandsch India/ Deel xxix. p. 236, et seq., which they 
■ 
called in honour of Baronet van der Capellen, the founder and protec- 
tor of the botanical gardens at Buitenzorg, in Java. This genus proves, 
however, to be identical with Endospermum, Benth., in Fl. Hongkong. 
]). 304. This is now a third species of that genus, which must bear 
the name of Endospermum Mohtccana, being different from E. Malac- 
cense and E. Sinense by the peltate leaves, etc. 
J. Kuuz. 
BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF 
SCIENCE. 
We have been obliged to defer the publication of abstracts of some 
important papers, read before the Association, at its meeting at Not- 
tiugham in August last. We give the following now, and hope to com- 
plete our report in an early number. 
On Insular Floras : a Lecture. By Dr. J. D. Hooker. 
Confining his attention to what are more properly designated 
oceanic islets, Dr. Hooker pointed out that these are invariably volcanic, 
mountainous, and very small in comparison to the immensity of tli 
Oceans that surround them. Hi* attention was early directed to them 
from his having accompanied Sir James Roas'fl Antarctic expedition, 
