Page:Journal of botany, British and foreign, Volume 9 (1871).djvu/34

 SJ' PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

the first edilioii, are here traced to their origins. Some, however, such as " Paigle," yet remain to puzzle inquirers, as none of tlie explanations proposed can be considered satisfactory. A new derivation of " Cowslip" is given. A most important addition is the list at the end of the volume, in which all the English names are brought together under their respective Latin equivalents ; in this way the Avant of a Latin index, which was felt in the first edition, is in a measure supplied. We note at p. 24^7 the statement that Elodea canadensis " has hitherto been generally known as Babington's curse.' " Is this foolish and misleading name in actual use? Parkinson applies the name " Jone Silver-pin " to Papaver sonmiferum, not to P. Rhceaa, as stated by Dr. Prior. We do not know why the names Crowfoot, Buttercup, Goldcup, etc., are, in the " systematic" list, given only as equivalents of Ranunculus acris, in the body of the work they are more correctly given for Rannnculiis ; three species, at least, being gene- rally so known. W^e should have been glad to have seen more local names in this edition, and we miss some of the more specially philological notes of the former one ; but it would be ungracious to complain of a book which is simply invaluable to those who make any study of plant-names, and which cannot fail to interest any intelligent reader with philological or botanical predilections.

J. B.

��Ijrotctbiirgs of Societies.

��LiNNEAN Society. — November 3rd, 1870.— G. Bentham, Esq., in the chair. Several communications were read from Dr. Mansel Weale, sent by Mr. Darwin, detailing the structure and mode of fertilization of South African species of Habenaria, of Disa micrantha, and of a species of Dis- peris ; also of certain Asclepiaders. Some of the Orchids w'cre believed to be self-fertilizing, but to need insect agencv.

November 17^//,^1870.— J. D. Hooker, C.i3., F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair. The only botanical paper was an elaborate " Memoir on Fasslflorai" by Dr. Maxwell T. Masters, F.R.S., of which the author gave a general verbal summary, copiously illustrated by specimens and drawings. The memoir contains a full investigation of the morphology, biology, and systematic position of the Order, and of its generic and spe- cific types. Eirst, he spoke upon the morphology of the organs, dwelling on the nature of the tendrils, which here are aboitive flower-branches, and the mode of development of the leaves and parts of the flower. The flower-tube, he maintained, was distinctly axial, and developed later thau the other parts of the flower. The two sets of floral envelopes, though they fall together, he regarded as distinct in their nature, the outer a calyx of the ordinary quincuncinl type, the inner a corona, of which the parts are produced simultinieously. With regard to the carpels, he criti- cized not only the theories but the alleged" facts brought forward by Schleiden : Dr. Masters considered them as unmistakably appendicular. Next, he explained in detail the way in which in Passijlora and Tacsonia cross-fertilization is eftccted. Li the fully-expanded flower, even when it is pendulous, the versatile stamens become extrorse through the harden- ing and curving of an ehistic process at the top of the fdameut, and bees

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