500 Linncean Society. 



their formation was the author enabled to detect the presence of 

 nuclei. 



Soon after the separation of these cells their yellow contents 

 exhibit lighter streaks running across, which denote that they are 

 each about to separate into four portions. When these portions are 

 completely isolated and become coated by their proper membranes, 

 they constitute the spores, and are subsequently set free by the so- 

 lution of the membrane of the parent-cells. Their contents then 

 again become clear and almost colourless, their membrane becomes 

 thickened and of a bright yellow colour, and finally their cavity 

 becomes filled with globules of pretty regular size. No trace of 

 septa dividing the parent- cells into chambers, such as are met with 

 in the special-parent-cells of the pollen, were observed, even when 

 treated with iodine ; and when the parent-cells in which the contents 

 had parted into four portions were ruptured at one place, all the 

 contents passed out and the membrane remained as a simple sac. 

 In the ripe spore the author could distinguish only a single coat, 

 which grows out into a tube at one point in germination. During 

 this process the entire spore with its contents becomes colourless, 

 the yellow colour and the globules disappearing ; and after a short 

 time chlorophyll vesicles appear, which, on the application of iodine, 

 are seen to be imbedded in a coagulable, colourless protoplasm. 



In conclusion, the author again directs attention to the striking 

 circumstance, that throughout the whole course of development he 

 met with no nuclei ; neither did he observe nuclei during the deve- 

 lopment of the spores of Sphcerocarpus terrestris, which he had also 

 partially traced. Sometimes the globular bodies before alluded to 

 as formed in the yellow protoplasm presented appearances which 

 might be mistaken for nuclei ; but careful investigation always led 

 him to believe that these appearances were deceptive ; and as he 

 obtained clear and well-defined views of all the various stages with 

 fully sufficient magnifying powers to see nuclei if present, he states 

 that he is compelled to deny their existence here. 



A series of illustrative figures accompanied the paper. 



December 4.— T. Horsfield, M.D., V.P., in the Chair. 



The Meeting having been specially summoned to supply the 

 vacancy in the Council caused by the death of the Bishop of Norwich, 

 and to elect a President in his stead ; the Vice-President in the Chair 

 opened the business of the day, and the votes having been taken for 

 a Member of Council, Charles Morgan Lemann, M.D., was declared 

 to be elected into the Council. 



The ballot for President having also closed, Robert Brown, Esq. 

 was declared to be elected President. 



December 18. — Robert Brown, Esq., President, in the Chair. 



The President nominated Thomas Horsfield, M.D., Sir William 

 Jackson Hooker, William Yarrell, Esq., and Nathaniel Wallich, M.D., 

 to be Vice-Presidents for the remainder of the year. 



A letter was read, addressed to the Secretary by John Hogg, Esq., 



