TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION D. 687 



Department of Botany. 



The following Papers were read : — 



1. On the Phylogenetic Position of the Chalazogamic Amentiferce. 

 By Miss M. Benson. 



The author reviewed the points of resemblance that obtained between the 

 Cupuliferae and the four chalazogamic genera, Alnus, Betula, Corylus, and Carpi- 

 nus, and was led to the conclusion that, with the exception of the difference in the 

 route of the pollen tube and the concomitant adaptations, no fundamental distinc- 

 tions could be drawn between the chalazogamic and porogamic genera. 



The author also described and exhibited some abnormal inflorescences of Fayiat 

 syivatica, Quercits Ilea; and Alnus glutinosa, and suggested atavism as their 

 explanation. 



2. On the Hygroscopic Dispersal of Fruits in certain Labiates. 

 By Miss D. Pertz. 



3. On the Hybridisation of Orchids. By Dr. James Clark. 



SA TURD A y, A UG UST 11, 



Department of Zoology. 



Tlie following Eeports and Papers were read : — 



1. Interim Report on a Digest of the Observations on the Migration of 

 Birds at Lighthouses. — See Reports, p. 348. 



'2. Report on the Legislative Protection of Wild Birds' Eggs. 

 See Reports, p. 347. 



3. Report on a Deep-sea Toio Net. 



4. On Temperature as a Factor in the Distribution of Marine Animals. 



By Dr. O. Maas. 



In the question of the influence of temperature on marine animals no sufficient 

 distinction has been made hitherto between three classes of facts : — 



1. Between the animals of the Plankton, the Benthos, and the Nekton. 



2. Between the vertical and the horizontal dift'erences of temperature. 



3. Betweeii eurythermal animals which can stand great dift'erences of tem- 



peratures, and the eurythermal ones which cannot. 



The eurythermal animals cannot be appealed to in proof of anything regarding 

 temperature. 



For the stenothermal tlie average temperature of a locality is of small zoo- 

 geographical value, while the extent of variation is the most important factor. 



The Nekton animals are more eurythermal ; otherwise their power of swim- 

 ming, which brings them into very different conditions of temperature, would be 

 of no use to them. 



