]4 



II. " On the Anatomy of Victoria Regia" Part II. By ARTHUR 



HENFREY, Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S. &c., Professor of Botany 

 in King's College, London. Received May 5, 1859. 



(Abstract.) 



This paper is a continuation of one published in the Philosophical 

 Transactions for 1852 (p. 289), and discusses the general question 

 of the anatomical structure of the stems of Monocotyledons and 

 Dicotyledons, especially in reference to some objections taken against 

 the author's views respecting the stems of the Nymphseacese. Cer- 

 tain peculiarities of the structure of roots are next examined, and 

 these are shown to be formed on the Dicotyledonous type in 

 Victoria. 



The germination of the seed is described in a manner differing to 

 some extent from the accounts given by Planchon, Trecul, and 

 Hooker. The error of Trecul, in stating that the earlier leaves are 

 devoid of a stipule, is shown to depend upon his overlooking the 

 true axillary position of that organ. 



The Phyllotaxy is next treated, with the development and arrange- 

 ment of the leaves and roots ; lastly, a complete history of the develop- 

 ment of the flower, showing that the apparently inferior position of 

 the ovary depends upon a great enlargement of the receptacle after 

 the formation of the various organs forming the flower. 



III. " On the Conductivity of Mercury and Amalgams." By 

 F. GRACE CALVERT, Esq., and R. JOHNSON, Esq. Com- 

 municated by Professor STOKES, Sec. R.S. Received 

 April 14, 1859: 



(Abstract). 



The object of the researches described in this paper, was to carry 

 out with reference to amalgams the investigations relative to alloys 

 contained in a former paper. In comparing the results of theory 

 and experiment in the manner followed in the former paper, the 

 conducting power of mercury itself was a constant, which it was 

 essential to know. The figure given in the former paper was 

 mercury =6 77, on the scale silver =1000. On adopting in the first 

 instance this value of the conducting power of mercury, the results 



