Linnman Society. 
377 
ing that in its scalarifonn vessels it agrees with all the fossil genera 
supposed to be Acotyledonous ; and that in the structure of its spo- 
rangia and sporules it approaches most nearly, among recent tribes, 
to Ophioglossece and Lycopodiacece, and among fossils to Lepidostro- 
bus, and consequently to Lepidodendron. The stem-structure ot Le- 
pidodendron, known only in Lepidodendron Harcourtii, offers no ob- 
jection to this view, the vascular arrangement of the axis of its stem 
bearing a considerable resemblance to that of Triplosporite. To this 
argument, derived from the agreement between axis of stem and 
axis of strobilus, Mr. Brown attaches considerable importance, as 
an equal agreement exists both in recent and fossil Coniferce. 
Mr. Brown adds, that Dr. J. D. Hooker has very recently de- 
tected, in the sporangia of a species referred to Lepidostrobus, spo- 
rules united in threes ; there still however remain, in the form and 
arrangement of the sporangia of that species, characters sufficient to 
distinguish it generically from the fossil here described. 
The paper was illustrated by drawings, both of the natural size 
and microscopic. 
Read also a note “ On the occurrence of the Potatoe Disease 
independent of the Attacks of Insects.” By J. O. Westwood, Esq., 
F.L.S., Secretary of the Entomological Society, &c. &c. 
This note, in which the author maintained that the disease which 
has of late years been so destructive to the potatoe is wholly inde- 
pendent of the agency of insects, was illustrated by numerous recent 
sf)ecimens of the potatoe-plant, in which the disease had made con- 
siderable progress in the tuber, while the haulm appeared perfectly 
healthy ; and on which the ravages of insects, and in particular of 
the Aphis to which the devastation has been so confidently attri- 
buted, were nowhere to be traced. 
November 2. — E. Forster, Esq , V.P., in the Chair. 
Mr. Westwood exhibited the following cases of insect monstrosi- 
ties : — 
1. Chiasognathus Graniii, with the left antenna deformed, furcate 
at the base of the serrated portion ; one branch very short and appa- 
rently composed of four clavate joints, the other branch shorter than 
in the normal antenna and irregularly and shortly serrated ; the lower 
division of the left mandible also shorter than that of the right side. 
From Mr. Westwood’s collection. 
2. A new species of Elateridce from Ceylon, in Mr. dempleton’s 
collection. The middle foot on the right side deformed; the coxa 
and trochanter normal, but with three femora conjoined at their bases, 
and emitting three perfect tibiae, and two perfect and one imperfect 
tarsus, 
3. An Indian Copris allied to C. lunaris, from Col. Hearsey’s col- 
lection, in which the upper portion of the front of the head is want- 
ing, exposing the parts of the mouth. 
Read a paper “ On the Natural History, Anatomy, and Develop- 
ment of Meloe (Third Memoir— the Anatomy).” By George New- 
})ort. Esq., F.R.S., F.L.S. &c. 
• Mr. Newport commenced this memoir by stating that having 
