706 EEPOKT — 1886. 



13. Note 011 the Floral Symmetrij of the Gemos Guprijiedium. 

 By Dr. Maxwell T. Masters, F.B.S. 



In this note the author adverted to so much of the normal structure of Orchid.'? 

 in general, and of Cypripedium in particular, as is necessary for the elucidation of 

 his subject, and proceeded to describe a case of regular peloria in Cypripedium 

 caudatum, which shows a reversion to the typical form of Orchids, and goes to 

 prove that the so-called genus Uropedium was only a pelorian form of Cypripedium. 



The construction of the androecium in these plants is then alluded to, and 

 illustrations given of all intermediate stages from monandry to hexandry. 



The frequently observed tendencies to a dimerous condition, and to the develop- 

 ment of the inner row of stamens, was alluded to, and the significance of these 

 changes pointed out. 



The morphological changes consequent upon hybridisation, and the inferences 

 to be derived from them, were passed under review. The paper concluded with a 

 general summary of the teratological changes observed in the tribe Cypripedieae. 



14. On the Gulttire of usually aerobic Bacteria under anaerobic conditions. 

 By Professor Marcus M. Hartog and Allan P. Swan. 



Bacillus suhtilis, regarded as a most typically aerobic bacterium, will germinate 

 in appropriate nutritive solutions, form its ' Kahmhaut ' and spores, when oxygen is 

 excluded from the space not occupied by the liquid and replaced by carbon dioxide. 

 Under these circumstances pressure rises in the closed apparatus employed, and 

 bubbles of CO.^ raise the Kahmhaut in parts, leading to the inference that the 

 vital energy of B. suhtilis is, under these conditions, derived from true fermentation, 

 not oxidation. 



The lactic organism of Pasteur, usually aerobic, will develope and grow in 

 suitable solutions during or after alcoholic fermentation induced by Saccharomyces, 

 as in Kephir and other forms of Koumiss, and after the oxygen rtiust be used up 

 and replaced by carbon dioxide. 



15. On Gortical Fibrovascular Bundles in some species of Lecythidese and 

 Barringtoniese. By Professor Marcus M. Haetog. 



Accessory fibrovascular bundles are usually connected with abnormalities of 

 vegetation ; and probably serve chiefly to assure continuity of the phloem under 

 pressure ; hence it is interesting to note their occurrence where this explanation is 

 inadmissible. In Gustavia and Lecythis, belonging to the sub-order Lecythideae of 

 Myi'tacese, there is a complete system of cortical bundles, external to the pericycle, 

 anastomosing with the leaf-tracks at the nodes. These bundles have often a com- 

 plete circle of exogenous wood, without pith, and a crescent of phloem on the outer 

 side ; they are all but concentric ; in the petiole it is impossible to distinguish the 

 bundles belonging to the common bundles from the cortical set, owing to the anas- 

 tomoses in the nodes. The section of the petiole with its scattered bundles recalls 

 that of a monocotyledonous stem, but there is no pericycle. 



In Stravadium racemosum, belonging to the closely allied Barringtoniece, there 

 are similar bundles, but the orientation of the liber is reversed, and the common 

 bundle retains its distinctness in the petiole. 



The explanation seems suggested by the following facts. The cataphyllary first 

 leaves of the seedlings of Gustavia are decurrent to the node below, so that the stem 

 is winged and the wings contain one or two pairs of accessory common bundles. 

 Higher up the wings are lost, but their vascular bundles remain to give rise to this 

 system of accessory bundles. 



Napoleona has a similar system of cortical bundles. 



