74 
Notes . 
This was observed again and again on different setae. On a long 
seta a distance of 30 mm. was measured, the ends of the course being 
marked; the eosin passed the first mark at 10.47 a.m., and the second 
at 1 1.3 1 a.m., thus taking 44 minutes to do the whole distance, which 
is a slower rate than that recorded over the short distances. This is, 
I think, accounted for by the facts, that in the long distance there were 
one or two twists in the seta, and the measurement was taken in 
a straight line, so that my account should rather under than overstate 
the case, that in watching the short distances there must be some un- 
avoidable errors of observation, and also that there must be a good 
deal of variation between individual setae. I frequently observed the 
eosin pass up the whole of the seta and enter the apophysis, which was 
found by means of transverse sections to have a quantity of eosin in 
its centre. These experiments sufficiently confirm, I think, my 
original view, based on anatomical grounds, as to the function of 
leptoxylem. 
I have, in conclusion, to thank Mr. P. Ewing, of Glasgow, for 
sending very fine living specimens of Splachnum sphaericum , and thus 
enabling me to carry out these experiments. 
J. REYNOLDS VAIZEY, Cambridge. 
THE PRICKLE - PORES OF VICTORIA REGIA.— On 
page 54 of De Bary’s Comparative Anatomy of the Phanerogams 
and Ferns (English Edition) the following passage occurs : — 
* The openings which Trecul describes on the large prickles on the leaf-nerves 
and petioles of Victoria regia may be here supplementary mentioned, being 
doubtful as regards their structure, and requiring further investigation. These 
prickles enclose a thin vascular bundle, which ends under their apex, and at the 
apex is to be found a depression with one circular opening (ostiole).’ 
The results of further investigations are as follows : — 
(1) Fibrovascular bundles only occur invariably in the largest spines, 
rarely in those less than one inch in length, and then the elements 
are fewer and but slightly lignified. 
(2) The spines themselves either taper to a finer point than in 
Tr^cul’s figure, being composed of two or three cells only at the 
extreme end, or they are variously truncated. The ostioles and 
depressions could not be seen either in surface-views of the ends or in 
longitudinal sections through the apex. 
(3) The apices of the spines are lignified, and tlie lignification 
