1050 EEPORT— 1898. 



2. On ati EiujUsh Botryopteris. By D. H. Scott, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. 



Specimens are described, showing that Hac/nopteris tridentata (Will, in litt.) 

 is the petiole of JRachiopteris hirsuta (Will.), a simple monostelic Fern-stem. It 

 is further shown that the plant agrees closely in structure with the peculiar group 

 of fossil Ferns described by ^I. Renault under the name of Botryopteris, and that 

 it should be placed in that genus. 



3. On the Structure o/ Zygopteris. By D. H. Scott, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. 



Undcscribed specimens, from the Williamson collection, of the Fern Rachi- 

 opteris Grayii (Will.), which is no doubt a Zygopteris, show the anatomical struc- 

 ture more perfectly than any previously investigated. The stem has a very 

 complex organisation, though of the monostelic type •, the leaves have a 2/o phyllo- 

 taxis ; the vascular strand of the axillary shoot is given oft" from the foliar bundle 

 a short distance above its base. 



4. A Rare Fern, Matonia pectinata {R. Br.) By A. C. Seward, F.R.S. 



An account was given of the external character, internal structure, and geological 

 history of Matonia pectinata {R. Br.). The material was received through the 

 kindness of Mr. Shelford, of the Sarawak Museum, Borneo. The structure of the 

 stem was described in detail and recognised as distinct from that of any known 

 fern. The genera Matonidium and Laccopteris were briefly described, their fronds, 

 sori, and distribution being compared with the external characters and geographical 

 range of the recent species. Mr. Seward pointed out the advisability of placing 

 the two living species of Matonia in a special group on account of their isolated 

 position among existing ferns. 



5. The Frothallus o/" Lycopodium clavatum [L.). By William H. Lang, 

 M.B., B.Sc, Lecturer in Botany at Queen Margaret College, Glasgow 

 University. 



A few prothalli oi Lycopodium clavatmn were found wholly imbedded in the 

 peaty soil underlying a patch of moss ; three of them bore young plants and a 

 number of slightly older plants, the prothalli of which had disappeared, were 

 found in the same spot. The prothalli, which present a general resemblance 

 to those of Lycopodium annotinum,'^ are of considerable size, completely devoid of 

 chlorophyll, and fairly well provided with rhizoids, especially round the edge. 

 Their form is that of a thick fleshy cake, which soon becomes thrown into folds by 

 the unequal growth of the margin. The upper .surface is concave, owing to the sides 

 becoming turned up at an early stage. The sexual organs are borne on the upper 

 surface; both antheridia and archegonia may be present at the same time. These 

 resemble the sexual organs of other Lycopods. Even after the young plants have 

 attained a length of several inches the large, almost spherical, foot can be dis- 

 tinguished. They are similar to those of Lycopodium annotinum ; no trace of any 

 organ corresponding to the embryonic tubercle of Lycopodium cernuum'^ is visible, 

 and the leaves exhibit a gradual transition from simple scales to the form charac- 

 teristic of the species. A broad layer of tissue separated from the under surface 

 of the prothallus by one or two layers of cells contains an endophyte fungus, the 

 mode of occurrence of which suggests that it is of the nature of a mycorhiza. 



' Fankhauser, Bat. Zelt. 187.S, p. 1. 



'^ Trcub, Ann. d. Jard. Buitenzvrg, 4, p. 1.31. 



