432 REPORTS OH THE STATE OF SCIENCE. 



examination. The ciliated spermatozooid and the dividing nucleus of 

 the central cell prior to the formation of the canal-cell nucleus have been 

 found, while certain peculiarities in the behaviour of the oosphere nucleus 

 previous to fertilisation require further investigation. It is not intended 

 to publish these results at present. 



The herbarium material which is being accumulated is held at the 

 disposal of Sir W. T. Thiselton-Dyer in the hope that he may be able to 

 use it in the preparation of a monograph of living cycads or, failing this, 

 it may be used by the author of the ' Cycadacere ' for the Flora Capensis. 



Of the sum of 50Z. granted by the British Association in aid of these 

 investigations only about 151. has been spent. That so small a propor- 

 tion has been used is due to the following facts : — 



1. Professor Pearson was compelled to go to England during the last 

 Long Vacation (November 1905 to March 1906), and was therefore 

 unable to make a contemplated journey to the Transkei. 



.2. His visit to Queenstown in September 1905 was made on a free 

 railway ticket, which was obtained in consideration of his being a local 

 secretary of Section K at the Johannesburg meeting. 



3. Since the grant was made he has been able to arrange that all 

 cycad material addressed to him should be conveyed free of charge by 

 rail or post from any part of South Africa. This has resulted in a saving 

 of at least 10^. 



4. The extraordinary hospitality of the colonist and his reluctance to 

 allow the payment by a visitor of legitimate expenses. 



The Structure of Fossil Plants. — Second Interim Report of the Com- 

 mittee, consisting of Dr. D. H. ScoTx (Chairman)., Professor 

 F. W. Oliver {Secretary), Messrs. E. Neavell Aeber and A. C. 

 Seward, and Professor F. E. Weiss. 



Mr. ArbeR reports that he has obtained througli the grant specimens of 

 Sigillaria, referable to Sigillaria scutellata, Brongn., or some closely 

 allied species, showing both extei'nal characters and anatomical structure. 

 A full account of these specimens, and of those previously obtained, is in 

 preparation. 



Professor Weiss has obtained sections of a new type of Siigmaria, 

 which is under investigation, together with the specimens acquired last 

 year. 



Professor F. W. Oliver's description of the seed Physostoma elegans, in 

 part based on the slides obtained from this source last year, is in a forward 

 state, and may, it is hoped, appear during the autumn. The specimens of 

 Conostoma ohlonga obtained this year are still under investigation. 



The Committee apply for the renewal of the undrawn grant of 20?., 

 as new specimens bearing on the various investigations in progress are 

 constantly coming to light. 



