237 
Botanical Society of Edinburgh. 
In the introductory remarks, the author examines the opinions 
entertained by botanists as to the existence, in these plants, of bodies 
equivalent to the stamens and pistils of the higher orders of vege- 
tables. The arguments in favour of their existence are, the presence 
in the same or dilFerent individuals of two kinds of cells, the union 
of which in some way appears to be necessary for the production of 
germinating spores. These cells sometimes exist in the same cavity, 
so that the functions cannot be always easily detected ; at other 
times they are separate. In the latter case, the spores are occa- 
sionally produced by the actual conjugation of two individuals of the 
same species. The spores, when first discharged, frequently exhibit 
ciliary movements, like those seen in the ova of animals. And 
lastly, the cells representing anthers often contain phytozoa, or 
moving bodies similar to the spermatozoa of animals. 
The reproduction of Algce is then brought under consideration as 
observed in Diatomacecc and Confervacea, with their cell- division, 
conjugation, and development of endochrome ; in the Fucacecc and 
CeramiacecE, with their antheridia spores and tetraspores ; and in Cha- 
racece, with their globule and nucule. 
In regard to the latter tribe, the following points are noticed as 
favouring the opinion that the globule may be compared to an anther 
and the nucule to the pistil : — their co-existence and close proximity 
— the opening of the valves of th^e globule to allow the escape of 
filaments and phytozoa (similar to those of Fuci, which Thuret and 
Decaisne have shown to be connected with staminal functions) — the 
existence of an opening at the apex of the nucule allowing commu- 
nication with the interior — the capability of germination in the con- 
tents of the nucule when mature — and the decadence of the globule 
prior to the ripening of the nucule. 
3. Dr. Balfour read a communication from Mr. Charles Lawson, 
jun., relative to the cultivation of potatoes by cuttings of the stems. 
Six cuttings were planted on the 16th of June, 1847, kept in a warm 
frame for six weeks and then planted out ; they produced twenty 
tubers of very considerable size. 
4. Mr. Brand read an extract from a letter from W. A. Stables, 
Esq., relative to the plantations recently made on Lord Cawdor’s estate 
in Nairnshire : — “ The forester planted 230 imperial acres in nine 
days — 57 women and boys being employed each day, and the average 
number of trees planted by each was 1566 a day. Two-thirds of 
the plants were larch, and the remainder Scotch fir — in all, 3465 
plants per acre. The plants were two-years-old seedlings. The 
cost of inclosing was 75/. 65 . 10c/., and of planting 16/. 85 . 8 c/. — 
together, 92/. 5s. 6 c?., or about Is. Id. per acre of outlay.” 
At this meeting the following gentlemen were elected office- 
bearers for the ensuing year: — Rev. Dr. Fleming, President; Drs. 
Greville, Balfour, Christison, Neill, Vice-Presidents; Sir W. Jardine, 
Bart., Dr. Seller, Dr. Lowe, Mr. W. M‘Nab, Mr. C. Lawson, jun., 
Prof. Allen Thomson, Mr. J. Marshall, jun., Mr. R. Holden, Mr. Wm. 
Ivory, Mr. W. Wright, Councillors ; Mr. Brand, Treasurer ; Professor 
Goodsir, Secretary ; Dr. Douglas Maclagan, Foreign Secretary ; 
