TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION D. 1081 
The work begun by him should now with the help of the anatomical method 
‘be resumed and completed. 
Perhaps I may be permitted to call to mind an instance in which the sole way 
of arriving at any certainty regarding the materials in old Herbaria mentioned 
was by employing the anatomical method. I mean with regard to what is to be 
anderstood by Paullinia curassavica L. and Paullinia polyphylla L., which we 
now refer to Serjania. The same was the case with other species of these diversi- 
fied and difficult genera, the members of which, in the absence of fruit, often can- 
not be referred to the right genus, even by one well acquainted with them, except 
calling in the aid of the anatomical method. And what holds good for these 
genera holds good for numerous others. 
To mention only one more plant, Sideroxrylon mite L., which I have only been 
able to thoroughly elucidate within the last few days on having recourse to the 
Linnean Herbarium ; perhaps I may be permitted to explain how the anatomical 
method alone led to its elucidation. 
Sprengel, perceiving that certain of the characters attributed to this plant by 
Linneus did not accord well with the genus Sideroxylon, regarded it as a species 
of Myrsine and named it Myrsine mitis. Under this name, too, it was found by 
Dr. Bokorny in the Munich Herbarium, and by him recognised as an exception in 
respect of a prominent anatomical character denoting the Myrsinex, being destitute 
of the internal resin-glands which give the dotted appearance to the leaves. A 
second similar exception was offered by Myrsine marginata Hook.1 Later investi- 
gations on the systematic value of the structure of the wood in various families, 
carried out by another pupil of mine, Mr. Solereder, led to the supposition that the 
two plants in question did not belong to the Myrsinew at all. 
With regard to Myrsine marginata, fragments of the original plant of which I 
was able to examine through the kindness of Professor Oliver, an anatomical 
investigation soon brought to light that it had been wrongly placed, really belong- 
ing to the Sapotacee rather than the Myrsinew, and henceforth to be designated 
Chrysophyllum marginatum. 
And as to the Myrsine mitis Spreng., that turned out to be a species of Lex, 
the South African Ilex capensis Sond. Unfortunately this result gave no clue to 
the identity of Sideroxylon mite L., and this appeared permanently hopeless; for, 
on making inquiries, I was informed that it did not exist in the Linnean Her- 
barium. But after my arrival in England, as I was able to look for it myself, it 
was easy for the eye sharpened by the anatomical method to detect it, in spite of 
the absence of flowers and fruits, and to decide that it was nothing else than Ilex 
capensis Sond., which now, according to De Candolle’s rules of nomenclature, must 
be called Ilex mitis, 
It would seem superfluous to cite other examples in order to demonstrate the 
value of anatomical characters in systematic botany, and how much science would 
benefit from a sifting of the older herbaria by the aid of the anatomical method. 
Permit me, therefore, to conclude with an appeal to all English botanists to 
direct their attention and their influence to the accomplishment of the work which 
I have suggested ; in doing which the British Association might perhaps contribute 
substantial assistance. The thanks of botanists of all times would certainly accrue 
to England therefrom. 
2. On the Influence of Impregnation on a Plant. By E. J. Lows, F.R.S. 
Some experiments were made in 1884 and continued in 1885 in order to 
ascertain to what extent a plant was influenced by the impregnation of a flower 
{t.e.,as to whether the effect of impregnation was confined to the solitary indi- 
vidual flower or extended along the branch which produced the flower). 
A self yellow mimulus, M. Lurpus Willd. was selected for the experiment, 
and this was crossed with pollen from a copiously spotted mimulus known as 
* See Bokorny in Flora 1882, pp. 374-376. 
