jSLVll^iirSI PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 263 
the proth allium, bearing the sexual organs only, as the first ; the true 
fern, bearing the sporangia or seed vessels, as the second. He then 
traced the life of a fern spore, and exhibited in situ the sporangia of 
nearly all the British genera, and also of a large number of the most 
interesting exotic species. The variety in form and size of the spores, 
the texture of the elastic ring, the scales on the rachis, and the 
stellate hairs on the pianas of NipJiobolus lingua, Lepicystis sepulta, 
Platycerium alicorna, &c., formed beautiful objects of illustration. 
Prothallia, on which the antheridia and archegonia were distinctly 
visible, were exhibited side by side in a compressorium. 
In conclusion, oblique sections of the stems of several ferns were 
made, and the scalariform tissue contained in the characteristic bundles 
of ducts in each species was clearly exposed ; and it was shown that 
the structure of the stem did not influence the system of classification 
adopted by Hooker or Smith, for they class, respectively, Filix mas, 
whose rachis contains two large and three small round bundles of 
ducts ; Smith with Filix femina, whose stem contains but two some- 
what reniform bundles, with their convex sides turned towards each 
other ; and Hooker with NepJirodium molle, whose two reniform bundles 
have their concave sides towards each other. 
Some discussion followed the reading of the paper, and after a 
vote of thanks to Mr. Banister for his interesting paper, the usual 
conversazione followed. 
The third ordinary meeting was held at the Royal Institution, on 
Tuesday, the 2nd instant, the Rev. W. Banister, B.A., Vice-President, 
in the chair. — Messrs. G. S. Wood, A. G. Phillips, Henry Fletcher, 
Charles Love, M. Aronsberg, J. H. Johnson, H. Heap, and Rochfort 
Connor were admitted as ordinary members. The Rev. W. Banister 
alluded to the subject of the distribution of the bundles of scalariform 
ducts in the various species of ferns, and called attention to the fact 
that in the same plant the number of bundles varies in different parts 
of the rachis, being more numerous near the base. 
The Secretary exhibited a specimen of Physalia, sent by Mr. T. J. 
Moore. A number of these interesting little creatures had been washed 
ashore at Southport, near Liverpool, on the 27th February. 
Mr. Henderson exhibited a slide of mi orographic writing on glass, 
on which the 2nd chapter of St. John was written in aoVoth of an inch, 
Mr. Henderson also exhibited the Mexican resurrection plant, 
Lycopodium lepidojphyllum. 
A paper was read by Mr. W. J. Baker, Hon. Treasurer, On the 
Collection and Preparation of the Diatomaceas." 
The meeting terminated with the usual conversazione. 
Birmingham Naturai. History and Microscopical Society. 
At the last meeting but one, Mr. W. R. Hughes, F.L.S., read a 
paper on " Edwardsia Vestita (CeriantJius Lloydii, or the Vestlet of 
Gosse)," an aberrant species of sea anemone. The paper was illus- 
trated by beautiful drawings from life, executed by Mr. G. S. Tye, 
exhibiting details of structure, and v/as accompanied by a magnificent 
