174 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. [ JoSS S^ATiS^ 
Microscopic Section of Manchester Lower Mosley Street 
Natural History Society.* 
Keport of meeting, 15tli July, Mr. Chaffers, President, in the chair. 
Mr. Hyde read a paper " On Pollen and its Fimctions." 
The reproductive organs were mentioned, and their sexual differ- 
ences noted. The growth of the anther, its internal arrangement for 
the formation of the pollen, having been described, the pollen grains 
were next considered. They are formed from a substance called 
cellulose, in the cells of the anther, the principal cells dividing so as 
to form an independent cell. They consist of various substances, as 
gum, starch, resin, poUinine, &c. Fovilla is a very minute granular 
matter which is contained in pollen grains. The pollen tube down 
which the fovilla passes is formed of the intine of the granules. 
The various markings and grooves on the surface of pollen were 
described, and a large number of specimens were shown to exhibit 
them, including Lilium auratum, Coboea scandens, Amaryllis vittata, 
Amaryllis formossissima, Polyanthus narcissus, the Cotton plant, and 
about twenty others. 
Mr. Armstrong contributed two microscopic objects, Batracho- 
spermum moniliforme and the Pond-skimmer, to the Society's cabinet. 
Mr. Jackson promised to read a paper upon " Seeds as Micro- 
scopic Objects," at the next meeting, 2nd August. 
Mr. Jackson was elected Hon. Secretary, in the place of Mr. 
Wilmot, resigned, through leaving Manchester. 
Manchester Circulating Microscopic Cabinet Society.! 
Quarterly meeting, held 27th July, 1869, Mr. Horne, President, 
in the chair. 
Mr. Hope read a paper " On the Structure of Ferns," after which 
the members present exhibited the various slides they had prepared, 
since last meeting, illustrating that subject. 
Mr. Aylward proposed the following resolution, which was se- 
conded by Mr. Armstrong, and carried unanimously : " That during 
the coming winter session (from October to April), the members of 
this Society shall study the structure and classification of ' Foramini- 
fera,' and that meetings shall be held monthly during that term, so 
as to allow the members an opportunity of comparing and exchanging 
their slides, and of general discussion on the subject." 
Resolved that the subject for examination at the next quarterly 
meeting shall be " Foraminifera." Each member will be expected to 
bring slides illustrative of that class of objects, and is requested 
to bring any sand he may have to spare for distribution amongst the 
members. 
Brighton and Sussex Natural History Society. 
August 12th. — The President, Mr. Glaisyer, in the chair. A 
paper was read by Mr. T. W. Wonfor, " On certain Facts in the Life- 
History of Moths and Butterflies." In rearing Lepidoptera, for the 
* Eeport supplied by Mr. Thomas Armstrong, 
t Report furnished by the Hon. Secretary. 
