PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 27 
Androgynous cones similar to those already described by Prof. 
Alexander nan fap the ‘‘ Transactions of the Botanical Society of 
Edinburgh ” are also figured. In some of the cones Stenzel siokiéod 
pon froquiétitly ‘the estate or larger ee had bracts below them 
wing the most varied modifications of stamens. Sometimes they 
had a large, broad base, at other times a very narrow one. The 
appearance of yi extremely minute modified stamens figured is 
sufficiently pecul 
Stenzel anes speebeeds to describe the scales of the monstrous 
Spruce sain ae attempts to clear up the true nature of the sguama 
vi ech ae and at the same time to solve the vexed question of the 
rmous n nate of the Abietinee. Very many monstrous cones 
were examined, 2 with ae big green leaves, others with a large 
umber. wlokibtaeias e figured, with only a small tuft of 
en leaves ut “tip, bracts ware: noticed near the a with bud 
pex, 
Seotioned i in their axils, The two lateral bud-scales of the axillary 
ud are well developed, hard, brown, with the cena irregular and 
quite of the texture of the scales of the cone. By f rik tracing 
these abnormal buds, it is found that at last all trace of the bud 
except the two lateral bud-scales disappears, and these become 
soldered together more or less completely. The two scales are united 
posteriorly. Further down, the scales show no trace of a suture, and 
pass into the ordinary bifid scales of the cone. Stenzel hiss con- 
cludes that the scale is formed by the union of two scale-leaves 
belonging to an abortive bud developed in the axil of the bract, a view 
already brought forward by Alexander Braun and Caspary. "Stenzel 
-surfaces 
ing from the back of the scale. It will be seen that Stenzel combats 
the view advanced by aspen that the scale is a form of aril. 
e paper is a mass of details quite inexplicable without the 
Lastly, the ovule is aprabebei: on the back of ins cpa in the same 
way that the pollen-sacs are developed on the: back of the staminal 
leaves in the Spruce. On the whole, we cannot consider that Dr. 
Stenzel has thrown much light on the pe question of the gymno- 
spermy of Conifers. W. R. McNas, 
Proceedings of Docicties. 
Liynean Socrery, Wor. 16th, 1876.—Prof. Allman, President, in 
the chair. The only botanical paper read was ‘‘On the Flora of 
Marion Island, i te ae N. Moseley, oe H.M.S8.. The 
Tourual of the Tanhaed Society, Mr. Mieckey?s paper, therefore, deals 
