2 Proceedings. 



dissemination of seeds through animal bodies, in which 

 Professor Williamson, Mr. C. Bailey, and Mr. C. N. Adams 

 joined. 



The full text of a paper by Dr. Alfred Springer, 

 of Cincinnati, communicated by Mr. W. GRIMSHAW, on the 

 theories of fermentation, an abstract of which appeared in 

 the last volume of the Memoirs and Proceedings, was read, 

 and elicited a discussion on the possibility of forming a 

 committee to revise the nomenclature of micro-organisms 

 and report on the disputed points enumerated in the paper. 

 The general opinion was that the formation of a committee 

 likely to arrive at decisive conclusions was not practicable, 



A note by Dr. CHARLES Clay, " On the rapidity of the 

 Growth of Plants " was read by one of the Secretaries in 

 the author's absence. Dr. Clay said : — " I had often heard 

 of the rapid growth of the Cobcea scandens, and when it was 

 stated by Loudon that it had been known to reach 200 feet 

 in one summer, I confess I doubted the statement. This 

 summer ( 1 889) I determined to test it. I procured two plants 

 each, of Cobcea scandens ; the Japanese hop; and Tropceohim 

 Canariense, species very remarkable for quick growth. 

 These six plants were not more than three inches in length 

 when I put them in the soil on June 12th, each plant being 

 placed in as favourable a position for upward progress as 

 my vineries would allow. At the end of the first month 

 (July 1 2th) the result was: — Cobcea, 8 feet 6 inches; 

 Japanese hop, 4 feet 8 inches ; Ca?iariense, 6 feet 2 inches. 

 On August 1 2th Cobcea was 12 feet 8 inches ; the Japanese 

 hop, 6 feet 8 inches ; Canariense, 9 feet 8 inches. Thus, 

 so far, Cobcea had outgrown both the other plants immensely. 

 Proceeding, as far as my buildings would allow for upward 

 growth, my last measurement showed Cobcea, 18 feet 6 inches ; 

 Japanese hop, 10 feet 4 inches; and Canariense, 13 feet. 

 It must be observed that these experiments were con- 

 ducted in a climate very different to that of the country, 



