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BOTANICAL NEWS. 127 
be hoped, unique chapter in the history of the Society. The new year 
i ieved by the Germans and in the middle of the 
fourth month of its total isolation. The bombardment was severe on 
the h i in 
well within range of the enemies’ shells. Thirteen members were present, 
and the first business was to nominate a commission to investigate the 
damage done to the museum by the bombardment. On the 27th things 
were no better, and the terrible reality of war was brought home to the 
Society by the announcement of the death of M. Léon Guillard, who was 
killed in the action at Buzenval on the 19th. The commission presented 
their report on the damage done to the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, a 
lengthy document, valuable as a historical record, but containing inferences 
orted by the evidence adduced. A long list of the plants 
Ww ven. The rotest of M. 
Chevreul, the director of the museum, against the bombardment. The 
renewal of postal communications consequent on the capitulation of Paris, 
in December, 1870, in captivity, having been made a prisoner by the Meck- 
ings during the sieze,—and theelection of officers, already postponed from 
i h 
h Paris was a scene of bloodshed illumined by incendiary fires, 
utterly prevented any attempt at a meeting on the 26th. The secretary, 
. de Schcenefeld, howéver, punctually attended at the Society’s rooms 
and found himself absolutely alone. He had the satisfaction of assuring 
himself that the collections of the Society had — the beeper 
S, 
3 
Je come upon so many neighhouring houses. efore the meeting 
of June 9th order had been restored in the capital. 
e 26th, Dr. Trimen delivered a lecture at the Russell Insti- 
tution, Bl ury, on the forms and habi Parasitic Plants. Re- 
stricting his remarks hanerogams, the lecturer first gave an outline 
of the ordii structure and functions of the nutritive organs, and then 
Pointed out the modifications met with in parasites as a hole. H 
and only three monocotyledonous. The structure and life of the more 
interesting or remarkable parasites were then described, the plants being 
