9 
especially the fact that, whilst in all the latter the vascular 
structures are scalariform, as in the stems to which they are 
supposed to belong, in this example the vessels are reticu- 
lated. But the only Calamitean example hitherto discovered 
containing such vessels is that described by the author 
under the name of Calamopitus, to which, or to some near 
ally of it, he believes the strobilus to have belonged. If 
this be a correct conclusion, the plant furnishes an instance 
derived from the carboniferous vegetation of a highly or- 
ganised axis, exogenous in its growth and furnished with 
medullary rays, but which nevertheless sustained a crypto - 
gamic strobilus. Such a combination, however, is but a 
primaeval illustration of a combination still existing amongst 
the living Marsileaceae, with which Calamites present some 
affinities. The specimen described was found by Mr. But- 
terworth in one of the lower beds of the Lancashire coal 
measures. 
MICROSCOPICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SECTION. 
October 11th, 1869. 
John Watson, Esq., President of the Section, in the Chair. 
The President delivered an address, from which the fol- 
lowing are extracts: — 
Some of our botanical members occasionally meet together 
for excursions in pursuit of their favourite study, and it 
might be of advantage if the microscopical members would 
do the same. There are many districts which would yield 
reward in working, and I may mention that I have been very 
fortunate during the past summer in obtaining a large num- 
ber of infusoria, many of them scarce and some new to me: 
these were found in the succession of ponds lying in the 
fields between Castle Mill and Mobberly, nearly every pool 
