581 
hazard an opinion as to the affinities of the fossils. In many 
instances, however, external appearances are the only data on which 
to rely for the determination of fossil genera and species ; and 
rash conclusions have often been drawn by geologists who have not 
been conversant with the structure of plants. 
The Araucaria markings point out the need of care in drawing 
conclusions, and their variation at different parts of the bark indi- 
cate the danger of a rash decision as to species. There can be no 
doubt that in vegetable palseontology the number of species has 
been needlessly multiplied — any slight variation in form having 
been reckoned sufficient for specific distinction. We can conceive 
that the Araucaria bark markings in a fossil state might easily supply 
several species of Sigillaria, or of Lepidodendron. The geologist, 
with little knowledge of the present flora of the globe, ventures 
often to decide on an isolated fragment, which a well-informed 
botanist would hesitate to characterise. Hence the crude descrip- 
tions of fossil vegetable forms, and the confusion in which Palseophy- 
tology is involved. Every geologist who examines fossil plants 
ought to be well acquainted with the minute structure of living 
plants, the forms of their roots, stems, leaves, fronds, and fructifica- 
tions ; the markings on the outer and inner surfaces of their barks, 
on their stems, and on their rhizomes ; the localities in which they 
grow, and the climates which genera and species affect in various 
parts of the world. 
The following Gentlemen were elected Ordinary Fellows : — 
Edward Francis Maitland, Esq., Advocate, Solicitor- General for 
Scotland. 
Rev. Robert Boog Watson, late Chaplain to the Forces. 
The following Donations to the Library were announced : — 
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Vol. XI. No. 48. 
8vo . — From the Society. 
The Journal of the Chemical Society. Vol. XV. Part 3. 8vo. — 
From the Society. 
Proceedings of the Royal Horticultural Society. Vol. II. No. 4. 
8vo .- — From the Society. 
The Assurance Magazine and Journal of the Institute of Actua- 
ries. No. XLVII. 8vo . — From the Institute. 
