Linn(Ban Society. 247 



derived from the pollen tube pressing before it a fold of the embryo- 

 sac. 



The primary utricle at its first formation being quite distinct from 

 the embryo-sac, even at its apex (although brought into contact with 

 it at a subsequent period, and ultimately j^enetrating it), cannot re- 

 sult from a depression or involution of the embryo-sac, as is main- 

 tained by M. Brongniart. 



Tlie pollen tubes (which after impregnation may be traced in the 

 conducting tissue of the style) never reaching the micropyle, but 

 pollen granules being found in abundance in the channel leading to 

 it, and being doubtless brought into contact with the outer surface 

 of the embryo-sac through the exostome ; and the first trace of the 

 embryo appearing at this time in the formation of the spherical body 

 at the inferior extremity of the primary utricle — Dr. Giraud is led 

 to conclude that the origin of this simple spherical body results from 

 a peculiar process of nutrition, determined by the material or dyna- 

 mic influence of the fo'\'illa, conveyed through the medium of the 

 primarj' utricle or suspensor. 



The paper was accompanied by a series of drawings representing 

 the ovulum of Tropceolum in the several stages of development de- 

 scribed. 



March 1.— T. Horsfield, M.D., V.P., in the Chair. 



Read a paper " On some rare and beautiful Coleopterous Insects 

 from Silhet, the major part belonging to the collection of Frederic 

 Parry, Esq., of Cheltenham." By the Rev. F. W. Hope, F.R.S., 

 F.L.S., &c. 



The number of species described amounts to fourteen, one of 

 which is regarded by Mr. Hope as forming the type of a new genus. 

 The following are the generic and specific characters : — 



LuCANID.i:. 



Hexartlirius Parri/i, niger, mandibuHs exsertis subdenticulatis bidentatis, 



capite thoraceque scabriusculis, elytris postice castaneis. Long. hn. 36 ; 



lat. lin, 10. 

 Odontolahis Cuvera, ater, mandibidis valde exsertis denticuiatis, elytris 



palHde castaneis littera V nigra signatis. Long. (mandibuHs inclusis) 



hn. 34; lat. lin. 11. 

 Odontolahis Baladetia, niger, mandibulis porrectis mukidentatis, capite 



tboraceque unidentatis. Long, Hn. 26; lat. 10. 

 Dorcas Westermaiini, niger, mandibuHs porrectis multidentatis capite 



thoraceque parum brevioribus. Long. lin. 26i ; lat. lin. 9. 

 Dorcas DeHuani, niger, mandibuHs porrectis capite parum longioribus : 



dente forti fere trigono ante basin posito : reliquis minoribus. Long. 



Hn. 22 ; lat. Hn. 7\. 

 Hah. in agro Assamensi. Mus. D. Hope. 

 Lucnnus Brahminus, niger, mandibulis valde exsertis denticuiatis capiti 



thoracique tequalibus, thorace postice utrinque dentato, elytris glabris 



marginatis. Long. lin. 24| ; lat. lin. G^. 

 Lucaiius Buddha, niger nitidus, mandibuHs valde porrectis capite thora- 

 ceque longioribus denticuiatis. Long. Hn. 21 ; lat. Hn. 6. 



RUTJLLID.*;. 



Mimela Pojiserini?, viridis, thoracis lateribus luteolis, elvtrorum margin!- 



