194 KBPOBT — 1889. 



stoTild be observed, as also the ultimate fate of the buds developed. This 

 will give a clue to the branching of the main axis of the plant, upon 

 which its whole form and habit depend. 



' 4. An important point to look at in the development is the amount, 

 character, and position of any clothing of hairs the seedling may possess. 



' 5. The development of the undergroiind part of the seedling must 

 not be neglected. The continuance of the primary root and its branching 

 or its replacement by adventitious roots are points for particular attention, 

 and also the formation upon it of any excrescences or buds. A sufficient 

 number of seedlings must be grown to allow of proper study of these 

 features. 



' 6. The form of branching of the stem and leaves may be studied in 

 the mature plant, which may be gathered wild. The formation of false 

 axes should be specially looked for, and the complex relations often re- 

 sulting from branching may be worked out upon the young top of a 

 mature plant. It is not necessary to wait for the maturing of the seed- 

 ling, but reference back to the seedling will show whether any observed 

 relations are of late or early development in the life-history. 



' 7. In the case of perennials, the mode of perennation is an interesting 

 feature for observation, as well as the methods of vegetative propagation. 

 In some cases the two processes are merged in one. Properly to under- 

 stand perennation the perennating portions must be examined at all 

 periods of the resting season as well as when they are starting anew into 

 vegetative activity. Seedlings of perennating plants watched during 

 two or three seasons will give a clue towards elucidation of the develop- 

 ment. 



' 8. When the seedlings begin to form flowers the relation of the flower- 

 shoots to the vegetative organs should be noted, and especially their 

 sequence with reference to vegetative shoots. The succession of the 

 flowers should be noted, as of course should be their structure and their 

 adaptations to proper pollination. Many seedlings will not, of course, 

 flower for years, and the sequence of flowers in such plants, and, indeed, 

 in all cases, may be well traced in the mature plant growing wild. 



' 9. After flowering and pollination the development of fruit must be 

 studied. The parts concerned in forming fruit, the adaptations to scat- 

 tering of the fruit or seed are points to be precisely noted. 



' 10. The presence and position of any nectar-secreting structures out- 

 side as well as inside the flower are of much significance, and they should 

 be carefully studied. 



'11. In connection with every point observed of structure and develop- 

 ment, the observer should ask himself. Why is this ? What is this for ? 

 and endeavour to obtain some answer to the query. 



' 12. A series of observations upon a specific plant made by a careful 

 observer will enable him or her to draw up a complete history of its life, 

 such as is hardly to be found recorded at the present day. 



' I may add as a corollary that an interesting field for observation 

 which local Societies might do good work in is that of the relation of P 

 plants to animals as food plants. Some are discarded by browsing 

 animals, others are preferred, and there are degrees of favouritism. Is 

 there any principle of selection ? ' 



Professor F. O. Bower, the Delegate from the Natural History Society I 

 of Glasgow, who was unable to be present at the meeting, forwarded the] 

 following communication with reference to this subject : — 



