63 



as being concerned in the fertilization of the contents of the asci and 

 basidia. 



He next noticed the natural order Lichenes, and considered the 

 production of spores, whether naked or in asci, which are united in 

 the form of apothecia ; and of the round green bodies called gonidia 

 or gongyli, which are either single or in groups. He stated that 

 little was known in regard to the formation of the latter bodies, and 

 that the subject of reproduction in lichens was still very obscure; al- 

 though it might be said to resemble that of some Ascomycetous fungi. 



The Rieciacese, Marchantiaceae, and Jungermanniacese, were next 

 brought under notice. In these orders, organs which appear to be 

 equivalent to stamens and pistils were pointed out, as well as certain 

 bodies which might be reckoned as buds or gemma?. The presence 

 of Phytozoa with cilia, and of spiral fibres or elaters, was also re- 

 marked. 



The Equisetaceae were looked upon as in many respects allied to 

 the last-mentioned orders, especially in developing spores with spiral 

 filaments. 



The true mosses were then alluded to, and in them the author be- 

 lieved that re-productive organs have been demonstrated in the an- 

 theridia with their granular contents and Phytozoa, and the thecae or 

 sporangia with their spores. EJe detailed the various species in 

 which Phytozoa had been detected by Thuret, Brongniart, Meyen, 

 and Unger, pointed out the monoecious, dioecious, polygamous, and 

 hermaphrodite arrangement of the organs, noticed the difference be- 

 tween spores and gemma?, and concluded by stating the following ar- 

 guments in favour of the sexual nature of the spore-formation in the 

 whole muscal alliance: — 1. The existence of antheridia and pistil- 

 lidia, and the production of true spores by the latter. 2. The exist- 

 ence of Phytozoa in the antheridia. 3. The relation of antheridia 

 and pistillidia to one another in point of periodicity, both as regards 

 development and function. 4. Their relative arrangement, either to- 

 gether or separate, on the same or on different individuals. 5. The 

 provisions by which the coming in contact of the contents of the an- 

 theridia with those of the pistillidia may be effected. 



The paper was illustrated by a series of magnified drawings from 

 Dr. Balfour's collection. 



2. On the Ovule of Euphrasia officinalis, by George Dickie, M.D., 

 Lecturer on Botany, King's College, Aberdeen. 



In this paper Dr. Dickie gives a general view of the recent observa- 

 tions relative to the fertilization of the ovule and the formation of the 



