The British Association at Winnipeg, 365 
“the ideal arrangement in monographic study, is the collaboration 
of two workers, one highly endowed with the discriminating, the 
other with the aggregating faculty. But for the statement of their 
final results, both must adopt the judicial attitude.” 
In discussing the apparent contradictions of existing systems 
of classification, Colonel Prain dealt with the difficulties of 
attempting to present a picture of such a system even in two 
dimensions. These difficulties are increased if a serial method of 
presentation is adopted. In the latter case, the differing points of 
departure adopted in different systems, result in a confusion, more 
apparent than real. In fact, to quote from the address—“ dissension 
may be admitted, confusion there is none.” The President himself 
suggested an illuminating conception, in three dimensions, of a 
natural system of classification. He imagined a closed spherical 
space, the surface of which is studded with symbols marking the 
relative positions of existing plant types. Within the sphere is a 
complex system of lines, radiating from the centre. These lines 
are constantly branching, at any point, at any angle, and in any 
plane. Some only of the lines reach the surface. In the abrupt 
terminals of other lines, we can dimly trace the vestiges of other 
spheres, once studded with symbols marking the existence of types 
now extinct. 
But for an adequate presentation of this conception, as well as 
of other matters dealt with, the reader must be referred to the 
published Address itself ( Nature , September 30th). 
The remainder of Thursday morning was occupied by papers 
on a variety of subjects. To meet the convenience of members 
who wished to hear other addresses, the President postponed his 
until noon. Mr. J. Parkin opened the proceedings with a paper on 
the “ Evolution of the Inflorescence.” The paper was necessarily 
largely theoretical, and it would have been interesting to hear the 
evidence for some of the views put forward. This, however, will 
doubtless be forthcoming when the full paper is published. Mr. 
Parkin’s view is that flowers were originally borne on the plant 
singly, each terminal to a leafy shoot. From such a shoot all 
inflorescences, as well as the solitary axillary flower, are to be 
derived. The single flower was succeeded by a simple dichasial 
cyme, such as is found in Pceonia albiflom. Racemose inflorescences 
are regarded as having always proceeded from cymose ones. 
Suggested steps in the evolution of the former are, an increase in 
the number of lateral flowers ; suppression of tertiary branching, 
