ACCOUNT OF THE GENERAL AND ANNUAL MEETINGS. 169 
THE 449TH GENERAL MEETING. 
May 6th, 1915. 
" Living Plant Material," by Dr. O. V. Darbishire, Ph.D. 
Plants were of interest to the ancients chiefly for their 
medicinal properties, especially their roots, and even after the 
advent of the new learning on to the time of Linneus that re- 
mained responsible for their study by the botanist. The 
scientific comparison of new species changed the point of view, 
and the perfecting of the microscope about 1820 caused the 
structure of living plants to be examined and then their asso- 
ciation in communities. With many interesting details about 
this progress Dr. Darbishire showed how in modern inquiry the 
mode of living had become of most import, which led to the need 
for botanic gardens, where the plants could be studied in groups 
under most natural conditions. Examples were given of such 
places in Britain, and with living specimens and apparatus on 
the table the functions of different parts of plants were illustrated. 
ANNUAL EXCURSION. 
July 17th, 1915. 
This was made to Blaize Castle Woods, Henbury, which, 
through the kindness of Mrs. Harford, were viewed in bright 
sunshine by the thirty-five members present. Afterwards a visit 
to the Henbury Vicarage Garden, with its rock flowers, was 
enjoyed. 
THE 450TH GENERAL MEETING. 
October 7th, 1915. 
Exhibits of Natural History by the Members. 
The President, Miss I. M. Roper, F.L.S., nine examples of 
scarce alien plants, with an account of their probable place of 
origin and method of introduction by seeds. They were : 
Plantago arenaria, Vicia varia, Orobanche ramosa, Abutilon 
avicennce, Chrysanthemum coronarium, Xanthium spinosum, 
Alyssum incanum, Ambrosia art emisi folia, and Cerinthe minor. 
Mr. G. C. Griffiths, F.E.S., some Lepidoptera, local and from 
Surrey. 
Mr. W. H. Wickes, geological specimens of Cotham marble, 
polished gypsum, &c, about which he told interesting facts. 
Mr. J. W. White, F.L.S., yellow fruited Rubus rusticanus, 
and Centunculus minimus, a recent addition to the local Flora. 
Mr. Chas. Bartlett, collection of implements, dress, &c, from 
British New Guinea, including human skulls secured from a 
cannibal feast. 
Prof. S. H. Reynolds, F.G.S., model of the oldest bird known, 
the fossil Archseopteryx ; photographs of the eruption of Vesuvius, 
and a collection of gems from Ceylon. 
Mrs. Sand with, larvae of Vanes so Io. 
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