ON ri;RTILISATIO>f IN THE FH^OPHYCE^, 569 



Fertiliscdton in the Pliceophycece. — Eeport of the Committee, consisiinr/ 

 of Professor J. B. Farmer (Chairman), Professor E. W. Phillips 

 (Secretary), Professor F, 0. Bower, and Professor Harvey 

 Gibson, 



The Committee learn from Mr. J. Lloyd Williams, to whose assistance 

 they have again devoted the whole of the grant of 20^. placed at their 

 disposal, that during the past year he has investigated the following 

 subjects : — 



1. The germination of the zoospores has been studied in Laminaria, 

 Alaria, and Chorda. Some interesting additions have been made to 

 our knowledge of reproduction in the Laminariacese, and particularly of 

 the cytology of the process. Incidentally the medullary tissues of the 

 above and of other genera of the family have been studied. 



2. The life-history and cytology of Dictyota have been further studied. 

 Additional notes will be presented to the meeting of the Association, and 

 the full results will be published during the winter. Taenia, Padina, 

 and Haliseris are being studied for comparison. 



3. The study of the life-history and cytology of Ilalidrys has been 

 completed, and the results are awaiting publication. The cytology of 

 the reproductive process in Himanthalia and Cystoseira is being investi- 

 gated. 



4. The natural history of the Fucacere has been further studied, and 

 it is hoped to publish the observations before the end of the year. 



5. The study of the nuclei of the reproductive cells of the Ecto- 

 carpacese has been commenced, with a view of ascertaining whether there 

 is reduction of chromosomes at any stage. 



6. Cultures of nearly all of the above are carried on in the laboratory, 

 and careful record kept of their relation to light, heat, air, and pressure. 



Your Committee are of opinion that Mr. Williams is doing excellent 

 work, and that the grant has been wisely used. 



Mr. Williams hopes to bring some of his observations on the germi- 

 nation of the zoospores of Lamiuariacete before the notice of the Section 

 at Bradford. 



Assimilation in Plants. — Report of the Committee, consisting of Mr. F. 

 Darwin (Chairman), Professor J. Reynolds Green (Secretary), 

 and Professor Marshall Ward, appointed to conduct an Experi- 

 mental Investigation of Assimilation in Plants. 



The Committee beg leave to report that the remainder of the grant 

 of 20^. niade ^t Bristol in 1898 has now bee^ practical}^ expepd^d op 



