554 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 



and fast lines were disappearing. The difference between an apical 

 cell and a group of apical cells was not an invariable distinction 

 between the higher and the lower forms of the vegetable kingdom. 

 Mr. Massee had brought out so many points of interest arising out 

 of this subject that it was obviously quite impossible to discuss them 

 in a short time. 



Mr. Cheshire asked if it was correct to say that ferns presented true 

 instances of alternation of generations ? 



Mr. Bennett said that the term was properly used to express the 

 fact that the process of sexual union produced a plant which did not 

 immediately again produce a sexual plant ; but before this occurred 

 it passed through an intermediate form. They had an instance of 

 this in the case of ferns which alternately produced the non-sexual 

 generation and the prothallium. 



Prof. Bell said he was particularly glad to hear one remark of 

 Mr. Massee's, because it seemed to him to answer a requirement which 

 he had felt for some time. Within the last eighteen months Prof. 

 Weismann had raised the question of the immortality of protoplasm, 

 and those who read other journals besides their own had, no doubt, 

 seen an article upon the subject in a journal not always remarkable 

 for its accuracy on scientific subjects, in which it was said that this 

 had always appeared to be a purely academic discussion. Mr. Massee's 

 remarks doubtless would appear in the same way, as regarded the 

 question of supply and demand, so that if Prof. Weismann was wrong, 

 as he believed him to be, these things would go on until they came to 

 an end at last from want of food, just as this academic discussion 

 would come to an end also. 



The President announced that the Second Conversazione of the 

 Session would be held on May 5th. 



The following Instruments, Objects, &c., were exhibited:— 



Prof. Bell : — Young Grayling. 



Mr. Bolton : — Larv» of Caddis-fly. 



Mr. Crisp: — (1) Mayer's Dissecting Microscope ; (2) Malassez's 

 Camera Lucida. 



Mr. Deby : — Twin Microscope. 



Mr. Nelson : — (1) Models of markings of Diatoms ; (2) Powell's 

 Achromatic Oil-immersion Condenser of 1 • 28 N.A. 



Prof. Stewart : — Stridulating organs of Crustacea. 



New Fellows. — The following were elected Ordinary Fellows : — 

 Messrs. Arthur Clegg Bowdler, Lewis M. Eastman, M.D., and 

 Francis John Fraser, M.A. 



