1878.] Phyto-Palceontological Investigations. 



221 



the solubility of tlie hemialbumose in water, nor that of the globulins 

 in 10 per cent. NaCl solution, but it renders the protoplasmic matrix 

 of the cells quite insoluble in dilute alkaline solutions. These facts 

 were established by experiments with grains which had been in alcohol 

 for three months. 



I have detected the presence of hemialbumose in the seeds of vetches 

 and of the hemp and flax plants, and I propose to study the mode of its 

 occurrence in the seeds of these and other plants, as I have already 

 done in the case of the blue lupin, and further, to determine what is 

 its exact significance in the process of germination. 



VIII. "Report on Phyto-Palaeontological Investigations generally 

 and on those relating to the Eocene Flora of Great Britain 

 in particular." By Dr. Const antin Baron Ettingshausen, 

 Professor in the University of Graz, Austria. Communi- 

 cated by Professor Huxley, Sec. R.S. Received December 

 12, 1878. 



When, about thirty years ago, I began to direct my attention to the 

 study of the fossil Flora, the knowledge of fossil forms of plants was 

 confined almost exclusively to forms of the Palaeozoic formations. Of 

 the Tertiary Flora there existed at that time a very imperfect concep- 

 tion ; but few beds of Tertiary plants were known, and these had been 

 only superficially examined. Leaf- skeletons had not been examined, 

 and consequently the characteristic marks upon them were not avail- 

 able for the purpose of instituting a comparison with the fossil leaves. 

 The fossils themselves were only obtained from stones which had been 

 exposed to the air, and were easily split asunder, and it was thus im- 

 possible to arrive at any accurate knowledge of the nature of the old 

 world plants. In fact, parts of one and the same plant were often 

 regarded as plants of different genera. Thus on making a closer and 

 more careful investigation into the Coal Flora of Bohemia, I was able 

 to show that the Aster ophyllites are the branches, and the Volkmannice 

 the fruits of the Calamites. 



It appeared to me, therefore, necessary that I should devote myself 

 to the study of the so-much-neglected Flora of the Cainozoic forma- 

 tions. With this object in view, I determined : — 



Firstly, to collect fossil plants as completely as possible, in order that 

 my investigation should produce results on which I might entirely rely. 



Secondly, to improve the method of investigation, especially with 

 regard to the working out of the skeletons of the leaves of living 

 plants, so as in that way to acquire sure standpoints from which to 

 determine the species of the fossil leaves. 



Thirdly, not to confine the scope of the inquiry within the limits of 



