PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. Ixxix. 



BOTANY. 



In the present state of botanical science the discovery of a 

 new natural order (Amphiplerygiacece) is an unwonted event. 

 The species live in Mexico and Peru, and have flowers resem- 

 bling those of the oak. Another important discovery of a 

 different nature is the fact of parthenogenesis, or the fertili- 

 sation of seed without the intervention of pollen, in the 

 dandelion and some other plants. A fossil, Sequoia, allied to 

 the Californian mammoth tree (Sequoia giganlea}, has been 

 found in the Portland Beds of the Jurassic system, showing 

 that this genus has existed with hardly any change from the 

 times of the saurian. A third recent discovery is also of a 

 geological nature, and reveals the fact that amongst the 

 Pal&ozoic Cycado-filices, which had been believed to be entirely 

 reproduced from spores, are at least two species which bear seed. 

 The first discovery of this nature was made in 1872 by Mr. W. 

 Carruthers, F.R.S., who is the only surviving representative of 

 our first list of honorary members, printed in Vol. I. of our 

 "Proceedings." 



GEOLOGY. 



It is difficult to draw a dividing line between the present and 

 past tenants of our globe, and the latter are so associated 

 with geology that it merges into the branches to which I have 

 just been alluding. Our hon. member, Rev. Osmond Fisher, at 

 the British Association meeting at Cambridge, propounded a 

 new and attractive solution of the presence of the remains of 

 Elephas Meridionalis in the Dewlish fissure, preserved in our 

 Museum through the energy and scientific acumen of the late 

 Mr. Mansel-Pleydell. He suggested that the trench was con- 

 structed by human agency as a trap for these animals, which 

 were used as food. In connection with this I may mention 

 that the mammoth found in 1901 is now set up in the St. 

 Petersburg Museum in the position in which it was found, 

 trying to escape from a crevasse or quicksand. It has now 



