Northern News. 36 
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was also a joint discussion with the zoological and educational 
sections on the teaching of biology in schools. Mr. Hugh 
Richardson, of York, was one of the official speakers in this 
discussion. Mr. D. M. S. Watson, a student of the University 
of Manchester, gave an account of the cone of Lothrodendron 
mundum, and Professor Oliver spoke on the structure and 
affinities of a fossil seed from the coal measures. Professor 
Bottomley brought up to date our knowledge of the root-tubercles 
in Leguminous and allied plants ; and his recent experiments in 
this regard on wheat are likely to revolutionise things. Mr. 
Bentley, of the University of Sheffield, essayed to speak on that 
thorny topic, the nuclear divisions of the Cyanophyceae. Mr. 
Wager was inclined to be sceptical, and pointed out the number 
of papers on this subject in recent years—almost every paper 
contradicting the rest. Mr. Bentley’s results, however, are 
remarkable ; and thoroughly justify him in proceeding further 
with a very difficult investigation. One of the most interesting 
lectures was given by Professor Couwenz, of Danzig, State 
Commissioner in Prussia for the Preservation of Natural 
Monuments. His theme was the care of natural monuments, 
and his remarks were listened to with rapt attention by the 
members of the geological, geographical, and botanical sections. 
Professor Conwentz alluded to the ‘Central Committee for the 
Study and Survey of British Vegetation’ (secretary, Dr. .W. 
G. Smith, of the University of Leeds), and thought that, of all 
bodies in Britain, this was the most suitable for taking up and 
propagating the work which he (Professor Conwentz) had at 
heart. Only one ecological paper was read, and that was by 
Professor Yapp on the ‘ Hairiness of certain Marsh Plants.’ 
In particular, Professor Yapp pointed out many interesting 
peculiarities of the comparative hairiness of the leaves of 
Spiraea Ulmaria, the common meadow-sweet. 
The following gentlemen attended the meetings of the 
botanical section :—Mr. W. N. Cheeseman, of Selby ; Dr. C. E. 
Moss, of Manchester ; Mr. M. B. Slater, of Malton ; Dr. W. G. 
Smith, of Leeds ; Mr. W. West, of Bradford; and Dr. T. W. 
Woodhead, of Huddersfield. 
pu eae 
The attendance at the Leicester meeting of the British Association was 
over 300 less than at York the previous year. £1288 was appropriated for 
scientific purposes during the coming year. 
A young seal was caught at the foot of Speeton Cliffs early in July, and 
for some time-kept alive at Filey. The occurrence of seals on the Yorkshire 
coast is much more frequent than is usually supposed. 
1g07 October 1. 
