206 TlMEHRI. 



the works of nature. Its early expression under, the 

 form of the tattooing and the painting of the body 

 was pointed out ; and its rapid development traced under 

 the ancient Egyptians, the Greeks and Romans, among 

 whom its most typical forms were derived from the con- 

 ventionalizing of special flowers, leaves, and other ob- 

 jects, such as the lotus, papyrus, acanthus and honey- 

 suckle, etc. The characteristic features of ancient and 

 mediaeval art were referred to, with special mention of 

 their peculiar forms, such as the Roman semi-circular arch, 

 the pointed Gothic arch, and the Italian cupola. The 

 principles to which all perfect: ornamental art should be 

 subject; were then discussed, and its aim at an idealiza- 

 tion of nature stated, special reference being mad- to 

 the congruity which should prevail between ornament 

 and construction. 



The leclure was illustrated by a very large series of 

 diagrams, representative of the various styles and 

 forms of art, and their development. 



13. — " FLOWERS : THEIR COLOURS, PERFUMES AND CONTRIVANCES FOR 

 FERTILISATION. 



Delivered on % Wednesday, May 22nd, by James Rod-way, F.L.S., 

 Librarian and Assistant Secretary to the Society. 



The lecturer, after giving a short description, of the 

 essential organs of flowers, proceeded to explain some 

 of the reasons why different colours have been developed. 

 Nocturnal flowers are always white, a colour which 

 shows up best on a dark ground of foliage. White 

 flowers, and a few yellows and pinks, are generally 

 scented. The colour and perfume in nocturnal flowers 



