SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— K. 505 



Probably some of the apparent reversions in periclinal graft hybrids may 

 be merely modifications of the periclinal arrangement with an increased 

 development of the superficial component. Some investigations seem to 

 point to this being the case. 



Mr. G. O. Searle. — The Sandringham flax experiment (11. 10). 



The linen industry of the British Isles depends largely on foreign supplies 

 of flax fibre, although flax may be grown in most parts of this country. 



The main drawbacks have been the difficulty of ensuring high yielding 

 crops, and the excessive labour required for fibre processing. 



The Linen Research Association has concentrated on the production of 

 improved varieties of fibre flax, and on the mechanising of flax fibre pro- 

 duction. 



Largely owing to the interest shown by the late King George V in a 

 linen research exhibition, a small crop of flax was grown at Sandringham in 

 1 93 1, followed by a much larger crop in 1933. 



In 1934-35 this led to the erection of a small flax factory for the experi- 

 mental processing of the crop from 250 acres each year. 



The experiment has already demonstrated that excellent pedigree flax 

 seed, and fibre of the standard of the best machine scutched continental 

 flax, can be produced in Norfolk. It is hoped that further work will demon- 

 strate the possibility of reducing processing costs to such a level as to 

 encourage the cultivation of this crop on a large scale. 



Miss D. Joan Heppell. — Some contributions to the cytology of the genus 

 Narcissus (11 .40). 



An attempt has been made to ascertain the chromosome numbers of 

 members of the genus Narcissus not hitherto investigated. Indication of 

 the parentage of certain garden forms is apparent from their chromosome 

 behaviour. Meiosis and mitosis have been followed in a number of types. 

 A study of pollen grain germination has been made and a record compiled 

 both of the per cent, germination and of the duration of time between the 

 commencement of growth and the various stages in nuclear division. The 

 dates on which meiosis and mitosis take place in the pollen have been ascer- 

 tained in all the types investigated. 



Mrs. E. R. Sansome and Dr. F. W. Sansome. — Genetical experiments 

 with garden peas (12.0). 



Since Mendel's work on peas forty new genes have been discovered. 

 Nevertheless the arrangement of these genes into the expected linkage 

 groups has not been satisfactorily accomplished. One important reason 

 is that different races of peas have different arrangements of chromosome 

 segments. When these races are crossed, structural hybridity and ac- 

 companying semi-sterility are found. The relationship between genes and 

 translocations in peas is described. 



Afternoon. 

 Exhibits (2.15-5.0). 



Prof. F. T. Brooks, F.R.S., and Dr. Y. A. 8. el Alaily.— Die-back 

 and canker of roses caused by Griphosphceria corticola. 



