434 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
and on the formation of mountain chains, and on volcanos as the effects of Con¬ 
tinental elevations.” 
March 21.—The Pres, in the chair.—A paper was read by Mr. Owen, on the 
dislocation of the tail, at a certain point, in the skeletons of many Ichthyosauri .— 
An essay on the primary formations of England, by the Rev. Adam Sedgwick, 
V.-P.G.S., was then commenced. 
•April 4.—The Pres, in the chair.—A description of Lord Cole’s specimen of 
Plesiosaurus macrocephalus , by Mr. Owen, was read. 
April 25.—R. I. Murchison, Esq., V.-P., in the chair.—Three communications 
were read :—1. A notice of the occurrence of Wealden strata at Linksfield, near 
Elgin, by Mr. Malcolmson, F.G.S. ; 2. Notes on a small patch of Silurian rocks 
to the West of Abergele, Denbighshire, by Mr. J. E. Bowmall ; 3. On the origin 
of the Limestones of Devonshire, by Mr. Austen, F.G.S. 
BOTANICAL SOCIETY. 
April 20.—Dr. MacIntyre, F.L.S., in the chair.—The Secretary read a 
paper from A. Wallis, Esq., on the genus Myosotis. Myosotis arvensis is most 
usually found in Corn-fields, or other highly-cultivated land, where it sometimes 
reaches a considerable height. Myosotis sylvatica is mostly found in shady 
places, where it assumes a stouter form than M. arvensis; the bristles of the 
stem are shorter, and the leaves will generally be found longer than those of M. 
arvensis. But would not the difference of soil and situation account for the more 
luxuriant growth of the one -than of the other ? There is another distinction, 
also, for which neither soil nor locality would account; it is, that the calyx of 
M. sylvatica is more deeply cleft than that of M. arvensis , and the tube of the 
corolla is longer in the former than in the latter; but Mr. W. was inclined to 
doubt whether these were sufficient to justify a specific distinction, and the 
more particularly so when we recollect that many plants are subject to slight 
variations in their structural minutiae. Admitting then that a difference of soil 
operates so powerfully in producing such varied and perhaps permanent distinc¬ 
tions of character, it will become a subject worthy attention how this peculiar 
operation takes place, and whether by close observation on the soil as well as 
locality, we may not be able to establish geological laws relating to it. 
\ 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
May 1.—Dr. Henderson, V.-P., in the chair.—A letter was read from Mr. 
Disney, of Chelmsford, on the cultivation of Strawberries.—A considerable 
number of fine fruits, flowers, and vegetables, were exhibited by Mr. Luscombe ; 
Sir C. Lemon, Bart., M.P.; Mr. Ferguson, gardener to P. C. Labouciiere, Esq.; 
