63 
On Spencerites, a new Genus of Lycopodismceous Cones from 
the Coal-measures, re v the Lepidodendron Spenceri of 
Williamson. By D. H. Scott, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., Hon Keeper 
of the Jodrell Latiolanense "Royal Gardens, Kew (Proc. R.S. 
vol. 62, pp. 166-8). 
The sporophylls are of pane form, consisting of a short 
Haste ago expanding into a relatively large lamina. 
rangia eee cae ae spherical bodies ; unlike Pts 
of Lepidoiin vim they are quite free from the pedicel, and a 
attached by a narrow base to the upper surface of the lamina, 
where it begins to expand. 
March 3, 1898. 
On the Depletion of the Endosperm of Hordeum vulgare during 
Germination, by Horace T. Brown, F.R.S., and F. Escombe, B.Sc., 
F.L.S. (Proc. R.S., vol. 63, pp. 3—25). 
The authors investigated the relative rôles of embryo and en- 
dosperm in the depletion of € latter duri is the germination of 
Hordeum vulgare var. distichon. They came to the conclusion 
that there is no evidence of my: vital DETT in the amyliferous 
part of the endosperm during this process, but that some 
amylohydrolysis, and the principal part of the cy ATE is iP 
be ascribed to that Men bow part of the endosperm kno 
the * ee 
The embry shown to have marked amylohydrolytic, but 
very feeble brtohy 'dedlyilo power 
It is suggested that one Fi ékóh of the * aleurone-layer” is n 
protect the lifeless, amyliferous part of the endosperm agains 
inimical external organisms. 
On Apogamy and the Development of gerne upon Fern 
Prothalli, by William Lang, M.B., B.Sc., Lectt on Botany, 
ueen Margaret College, and *G. A. Clark," Beholi, Glasgow 
University (Proc. R.S., vol. 63, pp. 56—61). 
Since m Fb 1874 it has been known that the apis of 
certain Were capable of producing the fern by 
Vérotativo g row; without — intervention “of the vetas a 
To this phenomenon the name * apogamy " was given by De Bary. 
Forthe further study of this venie mode of development a 
series of cultures was commenced in the greenhouse attached to 
the Jodrell Laboratory, in November, 15 18 95. The results, which 
have been described in full, in a paper communicated to the 
Royal Society, justify the expression ofthe belief that apogamy 
will be induced in many fern prothalli under suitable conditions 
of éutitvulion. All the eight species investiga came 
mp, and in the case of two of them (Sc 'olopendri um vulgare, 
Sm. and Nephrodium dilatatum Desv.) sporangia were produced 
on ihe prothallus. The conditions to which these prothalli were 
8 ted were long cultivation, which was rendered eee, Y 
avoiding the access of water from above and exposure to 
