SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, APRIL 3. 



Ixvii 



sinensis, and the foliage and stem were of a deep reddish-purple colour. 

 (Fig. 52, B.) 



"But the greatest peculiarities were observable in the flowers. No 

 two flowers showed ' exactly the same conditions, but, speaking generally, 

 the calyx was much enlarged, distended at the upper portion, and of a 

 purple colour. Within the calyx was a corolla, the limb of which 

 projected beyond the calyx and consisted of five purplish hairy lobes. 

 (Fig. 52, B, D, E.) 



" Within the corolla and detached from it, except at the extreme base, 

 were five stamens opposite the corolla lobes, with hairy filaments and 

 abortive anthers occupying the mouth of the tube (thrum-eyed), or in 

 some flowers not projecting beyond the tube. (Fig. 52, f.) 



" Within the stamens was the ovary, elongated into a long pod-like organ 

 (fig. 52, c) with a short style, more like the pod of a crucifer than the 

 usually globose ovary of a primrose. In some flowers, instead of a short 

 style, the ovary terminated in five petal-like lobes. (Fig. 52, d.) The 

 placenta, instead of being raised on a long shaft, is almost sessile. Within 

 the ovary was a basal placenta, column-like in form, and of varying length 

 in difterent flowers. (Fig. 52, d, e, f, g.) This shaft-like placenta was 

 surmounted by a globular head of ill-formed ovules." (Fig. 52, h and j.) 



Fungus on Elder. — Mr. Spencer Pickering sent a specimen of the 

 Jew's-ear fungus, Aimcularia mesenterica, growing saprophytically on 

 elder. 



Abies nohilis attacked by Chermes. — From Mrs. Bramwell,of Worcester, 

 came shoots of Abies nobilis with galls caused by the attack of Chermes 

 abietis or laricis, a fly allied to the aphis, which passes part of its life- 

 history on the Abies, part on the larch. No efficient remedy for use when 

 large trees are attacked is known. 



The Mendelian Laws of Inheritance. — Mr. C. C. Hurst gave a lecture 

 on the " Mendelian Laws of Inheritance," illustrating his remarks by means 

 of the blackboard, numerous specimens being drawn from a wide range 

 of subjects, afterwards pointing out how the time of fixing any variation 

 might be lessened, and the fixing be a matter not of chance but of 

 certainty. See p. 227. Mr. Chapman said he considered that the degree 

 of development of certain characters depended very largely upon culti- 

 vation, and Mr. Worsley said that there appeared to be an innate 

 tendency of plants to vary, which was often lost sight of by experimenters. 

 Mr. Crawshay said that in his experiments with Odontoglossums the law 

 of dominance was clearly demonstrated. Mr. Elwes thought the laws 

 could hardly yet be said to be settled. Mr. Hurst, in briefly replying, 

 dealt with several of the apparent objections brought forward, and 

 acknowledged the hearty thanks tendered to him for his lucid exposition 

 of the laws. 



Scientific Committee, April 3, 1906. 



Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, and twelve members present, 

 with Mrs. Scott as a visitor. 



Photographs of Movements in Plants. — The Chairman introduced Mrs. 

 Dukinfield H. Scott, who explained the method of taking several successive 



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