140 REPORT — 1859. 



of the endogenous stem and the successive annual woody layers of the exogen being 

 alike wanting. A fern-stem cut across exhibits simply an expanse of cellular tissue 

 divided into a medullary and a cortical region by the netted cylinder, whose trans- 

 verse section presents the appearance of an interrupted circle of fibro-vascular tissue. 

 The interspaces appear to have a certain analogy with the medullary rays of the 

 exogenous stem. When the network is dissected out, its anastomosing cords are 

 seen to be connected with bundles proceeding to the rootlets, as well as with the 

 fibro-vascular fasciculi of the petioles. 



The rootlets may be shown to be of independent origin, and not mere downward 

 prolongations from the leaf-stalks ; and there are strong reasons for believing this to 

 hold good also in the higher orders of plants, though theoretical views of a contrary 

 import have prevailed to some extent. 



The arrangement of the vascular system as now described, is very regular in all 

 the species ; but there is great diversity in the course of the dark-coloured or woody 

 tissue, which will require further investigation. 



The paper was illustrated by diagrams, and by preparations and dissections of our 

 indigenous ferns, with some comparative specimens of the arborescent species. 



On the Structure and Mode of Formation of Starch-granules, according to 

 the principles of Molecular Science. By George Rainey, M.R.C.S., 

 Lecturer on Microscopical Anatomy at St. Thomas's Hospital*. 



Notes on the Arctic Flora. 

 By James Taylor, Student of Medicine, Aberdeen. 



The following remarks are founded on two voyages to the shores of Davis's Straits. 

 From 72° to 74° N. on the east or Greenland side, the coast is rocky and precipitous ; 

 along this side also there are numerous islands, more or less conical in form, which 

 also present precipitous cliffs. The land in the interior consists of a complicated 

 system of ravines and mountain ranges, the former usually occupied by glaciers ; 

 between 74° N. and Cape York, the surface seems to present an extensive " Mer de 

 Glace." The soil varies in its nature, is frequently of small depth, and often has 

 more or less peat on the surface. 



The land on the west or American side of the strait presents an extensive plain 

 along the seaboard, the mountains in the interior being fewer than on the east side, 

 but apparently higher ; this land is also destitute of glaciers, and its sea free from 

 icebergs ; any which occur have been drifted from some other quarter. In the in- 

 terior there are mountains, plains, and numerous lakes. 



The east side is sooner clear of snow than the west side, just as that border of the 

 strait is soonest clear of ice ; on the land the snow first disappears in a zone 50 to 

 100 feet above the sea, extending thence upward and downward. 



The Flora is on the whole rich and varied ; about 116 species of plants were col- 

 lected (a list was given), belonging to 24 natural orders, in the proportion of 27 

 Dicotyledons to 38 Monocotyledons ; and in addition, 3 Ferns, two species of Lyco- 

 podium, and one of Equisetum, besides numerous mosses and lichens. Saxifraga 

 oppositifolia and Salix herbacea were the first seen in flower, the former in March, 

 the latter about the end of May ; the species of ranunculus and Papaver nudicaule 

 are among the latest ; Saxifraga Hir cuius is also late, flowering the middle of 

 August. Ranunculus sulphurous and Papaver nudicaule burst through a covering of 

 snow at the time of flowering. On many species the mature fruit is perfectly pre- 

 served under the snow during the long winter, and thus different birds find abundance 

 of food in spring ; the natives also avail themselves of the same supply. The buds 

 on the peduncle of Polygonum viviparum are greedily devoured by the ptarmigan and 

 snowflake. 



On the Growth of Trees in Continental and Insular Climates. 

 By Daniel Vaughan. 



A study of the peculiar characters which certain meteoric influences impart to vege- 

 * See ' Journal of Microscopical Science,' vol. viii. 



