231 



preparation is made which, when put under the microscope, exhibits 

 spiral vessels and annular ducts distinctly without any further trouble. 



Dr. Balfour exhibited specimens of Knappia agrostidea, recently 

 collected by Mr. Syme at Gullane Links, but which he had subse- 

 quently ascertained to have been sown there by several botanists at 

 different times; as also Ranunculus confusus, Gr. et G., from a pond 

 at the same place ; and R. trichophylliis, from the pools at Gullane : 

 the latter is considered bj' Mr, Babington and others as a variety of 

 R. aquatilis. Dr. Balfour also exhibited from Mr. Syme dried speci- 

 mens of Narcissus poeticus, retaining the beautiful colour of the 

 flower; the specimens had been received in a fresh state from the 

 Rev. Mr. Bree, Allesley Rectory. 



Many interesting plants were exhibited from the Botanic Garden, 

 among which were Solanum fragrans, a well-flowered specimen of 

 Dendrobium densiflorum, a set of Robertsonian saxifrages, alpine 

 plants, rare Carices, &c. 



A collection of beautiful alpine plants was likewise exhibited, from 

 the garden of Dr. Neill, Canonraills Cottage, including Stellaria sca- 

 pigera, Oxyria reniformis, and others of interest, 



Mr. Stark exhibited Stylidium androsaceum. Orchis muscifera, 

 Aceras anthropophora, and other interesting plants in flower; also a 

 fresh specimen of Trichomanes radicans, in a state of fructification. 



The following gentlemen were elected Fellows : — George S. Blackie, 

 Esq., Alexander G. Duff, Esq., and Charles J. Davenport, Esq., Edin- 

 burgh. 



Microscopical Society of London. 



May 21, 1851. George Shadbolt, Esq., in the chair. 



Thomas Chamberlin, Esq., Jabez Hogg, Esq., John Ladds, Esq., 

 William Ladd, Esq., Joseph Taylor, Esq., and George Field, Esq., 

 were balloted for and duly elected members of the Society. 



A paper by George Shadbolt, Esq., ' On the Sporangia of some of 

 the Filamentous Fresh-water Algae,' was read. 



After stating that the facts to which he wished to direct the atten- 

 tion of the Society were, if not hitherto entirely unknown, at any rate 

 not made public, so far as he had been able to ascertain, the author 

 proceeded to describe that he had ascertained that the sporangia of 

 Zygnema quadratum, Z. varians, and of another of the Algae, probably 

 a species of Tyndaridea, undergo a gradual change of form, and 

 finally assume a stellate character, precisely similar in appearance to 



