214 THE BOTANICAL CONGRESS AT FLORENCE. 
are the effect of the transformation of the calorific energy into — 
mechanical work, and thus science gives truth to the beautiful words — 
of the Italian poet— , 
" ‘‘ Guarda il calor sol che si fa vino : 
Giunto all’ umor che dalla vite cola.” 4 
Prof. Suringar read a long paper on the mode of obtaining an equal 
estimation of microscopic measurements, and exhibited an instrument : 
designed by himself, and explained the mode of using it—M. 
quantity of water increases from the base towards the summit. Of 
the four species studied by him, he found Pinus sylvestris contained — 
most moisture in the trunk, and Acer the least. Betula and Populus — 
tremula were intermediate. In Pinus the bark is dryer than the 
wood, and in Acer more moist. In Betula it is dryer inthe winter and — 
spring, and more watery in summer and autumn. The con - 
place in the case of the poplar. In the branches the same law holds s 
good, but their bases are dryer than the portion of the trunk from — 
which they take their rise; and the petioles are more watery than the a 
leaves. In the flowers; the perianth, the filaments and the styles 
contain more water than the anthers.—M. Fischer gave a description — 
spores, and explained how these parasites penetrate the plants ‘ 
which they get their nourishment.—M. i 
0 varieties, one red and the other yellow. meee” 
found on Cistus salviefolius, and the other on C. monspeliene Prof. 
ay 22nd.—M. Radlkofer having been elected aera beet 
. e Bes . Pe of some books and oat Sere which d in the 
resented to the C . i Id be pre 
libra f ort Ae a a ek Pnich eg? : 
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they resemble Algz, but that they approach Fungi 12 some 
