378 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
microscope the characteristic punctated structure of the vertical 
section of the pine family. This, I believe, is the first time 
that this particular part of the pinaceous structure has been 
observed in any of these fossils. 
It may be farther noticed that there are now in the Botanic 
Garden Museum two great polished slabs, nearly three feet in 
diameter, from the Craigleith fossil last discovered, — one of which 
shows in many places to the naked eye the annual layers of wood 
concentrically ; and that in breaking up a large mass of the same 
fossil, in the hope of discovering a deposit of charcoal in a cavity, 
several fine fractures were obtained, showing distinctly to the 
naked eye large surfaces of the ribbon-like structure of the 
transverse medullary rays, and one surface presenting to the naked 
eye not only these markings, but likewise the annual layers cut 
vertically. 
3. Mote on G-rouse Disease. By Professor Maclagan. 
The result of the author’s examination of diseased birds has 
been to confirm the statements of Drs Cobbold and Crisp, lately 
published in the “British Medical Journal,” that diseased grouse, 
or at least the emaciated birds commonly known as “ piners,” 
owe their depraved condition to a small thread-like worm ( Strongylus 
pergracilis , Cobbold) which infests the caeca. The author concurs 
in the opinion entertained by most of those who have written on 
the subject, that the tape-worm ( Tcenia calva ), which is well known 
to infest the grouse, is not the cause of the disease. The Tcenia 
is undoubtedly often present along with the Strongylus in diseased 
birds, but is often found by itself in plump healthy grouse. The 
worst cases seem to be those in which both are present in quantity, 
as in one examined by the author, whose ca3ca was crowded with 
Strongyli, whilst the intestine contained ten tape-worms, the whole 
weight of the bird, a full-grown cock, being only 15J ounces. 
It is not possible accurately to determine the number of Strongyli 
in any one case, but, so far as it could be determined, it appeared 
that the more numerous were the Strongyli in any one bird, the 
greater was its emaciation. By a rough but moderate calculation 
