1912-1913-] Social Meeting. 1 5 



branched, tufted, mushroom-shaped, actinia-like, scutiform or 

 parasol-shaped, or stellate — i.e., star-shaped, — a truly wonder- 

 ful variety. How close such a covering may be is shown 

 when with lens or microscope we try to see a part of the 

 epidermis proper of a leaf that is guarded in this way. Not 

 even with the point of a fine needle can we penetrate the 

 dense matting of hairs covering certain leaves, and touch the 

 leaf - surface, without putting aside several of these curious 

 surface-growths. 



The conclusion to which such studies in plant-life lead 

 us is that the water-supply is the most important factor in 

 modifying both the structure of the individual plant and the 

 general aspect of the plant community. 



[Nearly seventy lantern-slides were shown to illustrate the 

 above. In addition to this, Mr Douglas read a brief paper on 

 " Seed Dispersal," pointing out the necessity for such dispersal, 

 the methods employed by nature, and the various adaptations 

 of fruits and seeds to suit these agencies.] 



At this meeting of January 22 the President referred to 

 the late Mr D. S. Fish (see p. 48); and Mr T. Cuthbert 

 Day showed numerous lantern slides descriptive of a visit 

 to Cockburnspath. 



III.— SOCIAL MEETING. 



On Wednesday, February 26, a Social Meeting was held 

 in the Goold Hall, 5 St Andrew Square. Mr A. B. Steele, 

 President, was in the chair. An enjoyable entertainment 

 was provided by Misses Douglas, Ida C. Douglas, Ida Edgar, 

 Jane G. Mackay, and Amy T. Pulsford, and Messrs David 

 Bell, Peter Foggo, and Percy L. Pulsford. 



The following exhibits were on view in a side-room : — 



By Mr Richard Elmhirst, Marine Biological Station, Millport. 

 Marine Invertebrates, including live specimens. 



By Dr W. S. Bruce. 



Exhibition of Specimens from the Antarctic. 



By Mr T. H. Gillespie. 



Some living Reptiles. 



