189 
phenomena of muscular contraction, but also with many- 
other vital processes. In like manner plants perhaps owe 
not a little to the same sources. 
It was shown by the observations detailed in the tables 
that the plants lost weight during growth almost equally in 
the light and in the dark. It was thought possible there- 
fore that the processes of development and growth might 
receive their stimulus not only from the direct heat and 
light of the sun, but also from the energy lying hid in the 
carbonaceous compounds already stored up within the seed 
or bulb. It was remarked that it would be interesting to 
compare the conditions of early growth of plants with the 
constituents of their seeds. 
Light is probably essential to the proper nutrition of a 
plant, but it may not be necessary to some kinds of develop- 
ment and growth ; and in this sense the words quoted from 
Professor Draper at the commencement would be literally 
true that — “ Growth in darkness leads to one result and 
growth in sunshine to another.” 
Annual Meeting, May 9th, 1870, 
Joseph Baxendell, F.R.A.S., in the Chair. 
/ 
Mr. Adolph Meyee was duly elected an Associate of 
the Section. 
The following report of the Council and Treasurer’s 
Account for the past year were read and passed : — 
Your Council have to report that the subjects brought 
under the notice of the Section during the past Session 
have been of as interesting and valuable a character as in 
any previous year, and that the attendance at the meetings 
has on the whole been satisfactory. 
