TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 113 



region, CodenorcMs Lessoini, Asarca Kinyii, and a species of Maijtenus were men- 

 tioned; wbile 3Ietro.sideras stipularis, Mitruria coccinea, Lomutia ferruginea, a 

 Weinmanm'a, a Panaa, Campsiduan gracile, HymenophiiHum cruenfum, and H. pec- 

 tinattim, were enumerated as among the more remarkable additions to the flora 

 of the third region. 



From an examination of the Phanerogamia and Crvptogamia occurring to the 

 north and south of the Gulf of Peiias, it was concluded that many more species 

 were common to these regions than was at one time supposed, and that no very 

 marked alteration in the flora of the south-western coast of South America was 

 apparent between the Strait of Magellan and ^"aldinia. 



Prof. A. Dickson, M.D., exhibited a specimen of Primula sinensis, in which 

 short styles are accompanied by short stamens. 



Microscopical Observations at Miinster am Stein. 

 By George Gladstone, F.R.G.S., F.C.S. 



This communication contained a list of the principal freshwater animalculee 

 which the author had found within the week ending August 14 in the River Nahe 

 among the water-plants which border the river. It was verj' rich in the hio-her 

 forms of Rotatoria, including even that rare and beautiful creature the Stephano- 

 ceros. Flosadaria ornata and proboscidcs were very common, as were also the 

 Limnia. 3Ii'licerta rinf/ens and Lacinularia sociaUs were not rare. Potifer vidgaris, 

 Salpina, Hydutina, Ptcrodina patina, Chafonotm, and other forms of free swimmino- 

 Rotifera were particularly abundant. Of the Infusoria, the Vorticellina were well 

 represented both in respect of number, variety, and size, many of the VorticellcB 

 and Epistylis being unusually large. Vaginicoke also occurred. The lower orders 

 included, amongst others, Chihdon, Amphilepfiis, and Amoeba 2>rinceps. Of Cypri- 

 dina there were Daphnia, Cgpris, and Cgclops. Diatomacere and Desmideje were 

 very abundant, the former class comprising Diatom vidgare, Fragillaria, Bacillaria, 

 Navicida, Cocconcmn, and Gomphonema ; the latter, Closterium, Pediastrum, 

 Micrasterias. Arthrodesmus, and Euastrum. 



The mineral water, or rather the brine, after having passed through the Gradir- 

 salinen, was also subjected to microscopic examination. Not much was expected, 

 as the water is highly saline, though the tanks contain millions of larvae. The only 

 other living creatures consisted of a very active kind of worm, some round and 

 oval monads, Actinophrgs, and Amaha princcps. The tanks were full of Diato- 

 macefe, principally Fragillaria. The brine (which is used in Miinster and Kreuz- 

 nach for bathing) is of the specific gravity of about ITl, and contains about 1'2 per 

 cent, of chloride of sodium, 2 percent, of chloride of calcium, besides lesser propor- 

 tions of the chlorides of magnesium and potassium, and of the bromide of sodium. 



On tilt Law of the Development of Cereals. By F. F. Hallett, F.L.S. 

 From his investigations the author had arrived at the following conclusions : — 

 That where room has been aflbrded to the plant for its natural development — 



1. Every fully developed plant, whether of wheat, oats, or barley, presents an 

 ear superior in productive power to any of the rest on that plant. 



2. Every such plant contains one grain which, upon trial, proves more produc- 

 tive than any other. 



3. The best grain in a given plant is found in its best ear. 



4. The superior vigour of this grain is transmissible in different degrees to its 

 progeny. 



5. By repeated careful selection the superiority is accumulated. 



6. The improvement whicli is at first rapid, gradually, after a long series of 

 years, is diminished in amount, and eventually so far arrested that, practically 

 speaking, a limit to improvement in the desired quality is reached. 



7. By still continuing to select, the improvement is maintained and practically 

 a fixed tj'pe is the result. 



The accumulation of improvement obtainable on the principles set forth in the 

 paper was very fully illustrated by specimens. 



1869. " 8 



