6 
PROCEEDINGS OF TIIE 
with this subject, with regard to a potatoe, which had by 
chance fallen into a well of 12 feet or more deep. He 
stated that he was one day surprised at seeing a white stem- 
like body creeping out of a hole, in some boards that were 
placed over the well ; anxious to observe its progress, he 
allowed it to pursue its course, which w r ould obviously tend 
towards the strongest light, the stem soon became of a 
green hue, and leaves appeared on the axis ; the plant, he 
says, showed every sign of flowering. Wishing to see from 
whence this specimen came, he removed the covering of the 
w^ell, and cautiously drawing up the slender white leafless 
stem from the bottom, (12 feet) succeeded in obtaining the 
potatoe. This is a very interesting fact, for it shows to what 
extent plants will elongate in order to seek for light. 
From this it appears that plants will flourish after their 
axes have been developed to a considerable length, provided 
they gradually become exposed to the rays of the sun ; but 
when they are suddenly removed from darkness into light 
they wither and perish in a short time. 
Explanation of Plate I. 
Fig. 1 . — Represents a portion of the stem grown in the dark, showing 
the slight development of the rudimentary leaves. 
Fig. 2 . — Exhibits the lower part of Fig. 1 , showing the fibres issuing 
from the stem above the cotyledon, together with the cotyledon 
and root. 
Fig. 3 . — The lower part of the stem grown under ordinary circum- 
stances as contrasted with Fig. 2 . 
NOVEMBER 17th. 
J. E. Gray, Esq., F. R.S., in the Chair. 
Mr. A.. Irvine communicated the following Paper, “ On the 
importance of Local Botany : ” — 
The object of this Memoir is, to offer certain facts respecting 
Local Botany, and to draw from thence a few inferences, 
from all of which you may be able to judge of its importance, 
in relation to the general subject. 
