to a liquid susceptible of entering into these states; and during the inquiry some facts were observed which I wish now to lay before you. The first is the rapid development of germ-life. If the white of a new-laid egg be mixed with water (free from life), and exposed to the atmosphere for only fifteen minutes, in the months of August or September, it will show life in abundance; and to the want of a knowledge of this fact may be traced the erroneous conclusions arrived at by several gentlemen who have devoted their attention to the subject of spontaneous generation. An essential point in the carrying out of such an investigation, was the preparation of pure distilled water. In distilled water prepared by the ordinary methods, I always found life after it had been kept for a few days; but by employing an apparatus through which a gas could be passed to displace the air, and adding to the water to be distilled a solution of potash and permanganate of potash, I obtained a water which, after three or four distillations, was found to be free from life. The gas emploved in the first three series was hydrogen. The water was kept in the apparatus till wanted, to prevent any contact with air. Water so distilled having been kept free from life for seventeen days, was introduced into twelve small tubes, and left exposed to the atmosphere for fifteen hours when the tubes were closed. Every eight days the tubes were examined; on the first and second examination no life was observed, but the third discovered two or three black vibrios in each field. As this slow and limited development of life might be owing to the small amount of germs in the atmosphere, during the winter months a second series of experiments was made, placing the water in the tubes near putrid meat for two hours, at a temperature of 21° to 26° C. Six days after some of the tubes were examined and life observed, showing that by being placed near a source of protoplasmic life, the water had in two hours absorbed germs in sufficient quantity, for life to become visible in one fourth the time required in the first experiment; after six days a slight increase of life was noticed, but no further development could be afterwards seen. The limited amount of life developed in pure water suggested a third series of experiments, in which albumen was added to the water. In this case life appeared in five days, and a considerable increase in ten. Albumen, therefore, facilitated the development of life. The quantity of life produced in the above experiments being comparatively small, some fresh water was distilled, oxygen being substituted for the hydrogen in the apparatus; and a fourth series was commenced, which resulted in showing that although oxygen appears to favour the development of germs, it does not favour their reproduction. When the weather had become much warmer and a marked increase of life in the atmosphere had taken place, some of the albumen solution employed in the above experiments was left exposed in tubes to its influence, when a large quantity of life was rapidly developed and continued to increase, proving the increase to be due not merely to reproduction, but to the introduction of fresh germs. As no life appeared in that portion of the distilled water remaining in the apparatus before mentioned, which was examined from time to time, whilst it appeared in all the solutions made with it and impregnated by their exposure to the atmosphere, it is obvious that germs are necessary to the production of life. On the relative Powers of various Substances in preventing the Generation of Animalcules, or the Development of their Germs, with special reference to the Germ Theory of Putrefaction. By Dr. JOHN DOUGAL. On the advantage of Systematic Cooperation among Provincial NaturalHistory Societies, so as to make their observations available to Naturalists generally. By Sir WALTER ELLIOT, K.C.S.I., F.L.S. Sir Walter stated that he had been led to consider the subject in the prepara tion of an address delivered to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh last November, in the course of which he attempted to show what contributions had been made by provincial societies to botanical knowledge and literature. He found that the number of these societies had greatly increased of late years, and that they had done much useful and valuable work. This they publish in their own Proceedings or Transactions, the circulation of which is confined almost exclusively to their own members. The results of their labours are thus, in a great measure, lost both to their neighbours and to naturalists generally. After entering into some details of the subjects, illustrated by the Devonshire and Cornwall Societies, by the Berwickshire, Tyneside, Cotteswold, Woolhope, and other Field Clubs in their published 'Transactions,' many of the earlier volumes of which are so scarce as to be unprocurable by later members, he proceeded to show that this state of things had attracted the attention of others as well as of himself, and had given rise to a very general desire for greater unity of procedure. He concluded, therefore, that the time had come for taking action in the matter; and as the sent occasion afforded an opportunity for discussing it with advantage, he invited the Section to take it up, with a view of eliciting practical suggestions (at the same time offering some himself) of such a nature as might be laid before the General Committee of the Association, and so enlisting the patronage of that body in its behalf. pre The Origin and Distribution of Microzymes (Bacteria) in water, and the circumstances which determine their Existence in the Tissues and Liquids of the Living Body. By Dr. BURDON SANDERSON, F.R.S., and Dr. FERRIER. The paper read was an abstract of the chief results of an experimental investigation into the intimate nature of contagion published in extenso in the 'Thirteenth Report of the Medical Officer of the Privy Council.' It was considered necessary to examine the conditions of origin and life of microzymes in special reference to the phyto-pathological doctrines of Professor Hallier. In order to test the presence or absence of microzymes in contagious or healthy liquids and tissues, the method was adopted of cultivating these organisms in soils suitable for their growth, and under conditions favourable to their multiplication and development. By the enormous reproductive power of these organisms, and the changes which they induce in the organic liquids in which they are cultivated, the presence of microzymes can be most satisfactorily determined. The organic liquids employed as soils were chiefly Pasteur's solution and albuminous liquids, such as serum, &c. Before using these liquids as tests, however, it had first to be shown that they do not, in themselves, contain the conditions of evolution. For this purpose the liquids were introduced into capillary tubes, and investigated under the most varied conditions of exposure, temperature, and pressure. The results of numerous experiments, lasting over several months, proved satisfactorily that when these liquids had been raised to a temperature of 150°-200° C., or even to 100° C., and carefully preserved from contact from air or surfaces which had not been superheated, no evolution of organic forms ever took place; while in the same liquids which had not been heated, but otherwise kept under exactly the same conditions, organisms were found in large numbers. The results were not modified by any variations in the tension of the air to which the liquids were exposed. Other experiments made with boiled and unboiled Pasteur's solution, introduced into glasses which had been previously heated, showed that fungi (Torula and Penicillium) appeared in unboiled solutions whether they were exposed or not, but much more abundantly when they were exposed than when they were protected with cotton-wool, and that in boiled solutions the growth of Penicillium was more luxuriant than in unboiled solutions under similar circumstances. Bacteria did not appear in the boiled liquids under any circumstances. Bacteria and fungi, therefore, seemed to differ in regard to their conditions of origin and growth. The result of numerous experiments demonstrated that the solutions in which microzymes appeared were those which had come in contact with surfaces which had not been superheated, or had been contaminated by water which had not been boiled. Bacteria were shown not to exist in the air under ordinary circumstances. Water was shown to be the primary source from which the germinal particles of Bacteria are derived, whenever they seem to originate in the organic solutions experimented with. This conclusion was satisfactorily demonstrated by impregnating organic solutions (which otherwise could be kept indefinitely barren of all organisms) with a drop or two of ordinary water, whereupon, in the course of a week, the development of Bacteria manifested itself in the clearest manner to the naked eye. This zymotic property (i. e. the faculty of determining the development of organic forms in a test solution to which it is added) is not possessed by all kinds of water in a like degree. Distinct degrees of opalescence (due to Bacteria chiefly) are manifested in Pasteur's solution when eprouvettes, charged with a given quantity of boiled Pasteur's solution, are impregnated with equal quantities of water from different sources. Even ordinary distilled water was never found to be free from Bacteria germs. This was attributed to contamination with other water, or improperly cleaned receptacles. Filtration seems to have no appreciable influence on the zymotic property of water. From the most careful and repeated examination of water proved to be zymotic, it was found that such waters often contain no elements or particles which can be detected by the microscope. Experiments were made with optically pure water as in the sense used by Prof. Tyndall, or so nearly optically pure, that the electric beam in passing through it displays a blue colour; such water obtained by the fusion of ice was shown to be as zymotic as many other varieties of water, which in the beam are seen to be full of light-scattering particles. Microzymes and their germs are deprived of vitality by thorough desiccation; they are likewise killed by permanganate of potash, ozone, carbolic acid in the proportion of 5 per cent. of the liquid, sulphate of quinia in the same proportion, peroxide of hydrogen, and chlorine. Torula and Penicillium, however, flourished in solutions which were fatal to Bacteria. When an albuminous or saccharine fluid is superheated (i. e. above 100° C.), it does not support microzyme life. Experiments were made to determine whether the liquids and tissues of the living body participate in the zymotic property possessed by microzymes. It was shown that blood, fresh tissues, urine, milk, white of egg, pus from deep-seated abscesses, were free from microzymes, and further, that these tissues and fluids could be kept indefinitely free from all traces of decomposition if proper precautions were taken to preserve them from external contamination. It was further shown that the slightest contact with ordinary water, or surfaces cleaned in the ordinary manner, was sufficient to set up septic changes in these tissues and liquids. It was therefore concluded that if microzymes are not the only cause of putrefaction, yet their presence is sufficient to set it up in liquids which otherwise manifested no tendency to septic changes. In regard to contagious liquids, few experiments had yet been made. Only in reference to pyæmic pus an experiment had been made; it was found full of Bacteria. From numerous facts and observations made during the progress of the inquiry, it was concluded that there is no developmental connexion between Bacteria and Torula, and that their apparent association is merely one of juxtaposition. This conclusion is a direct contradiction to the botanical doctrines on which Hallier's theory of contagion is founded. On the Establishment of Local Museums. By T. B. GRIERSON. The establishment of local museums was pointed out as a means of giving a taste for learning and science to the people, for which, in the smaller towns and rural districts, there was no provision. Collections could readily be made; and in every district objects of interest would be met with, which a local museum would be the means of saving and bringing to light. Persons commissioned by scientific societies or one of the central institutions should make periodic visitations, and aid by advice and otherwise. If an arrangement of this kind were extended all over the country, a knowledge of science would exist among the people, of which they are at present altogether destitute. The author entered upon some details of the system he proposed. BOTANY. On the Cultivation of Ipecacuanha in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden for transmission to India. By Professor BALFOUR, F.R.SS. L. & E. Ipecacuanha is a valuable remedy for dysentery, and has been administered in large doses with decided benefit by medical men in India. The cultivation of the .plant, however, owing to the rashness or carelessness of collectors and other causes, has failed to a certain extent in South America; and unless means can be taken for more extended cultivation, it seems probable that the quantity of Ipecacuanha might be insufficient for medicinal purposes, and its price might rise in the market to such an extent as to interfere with its general use. In these circumstances the Secretary of State for India (His Grace the Duke of Argyll) applied to the Directors of the Botanic Gardens in Britain, with the view of ascertaining whether a sufficient stock of plants could be procured for exportation to India with the view of cultivation there for medicinal purposes. In the Edinburgh Botanic Garden there were some specimens of the plant which had been cultivated for forty years or more, and it was found by Mr. McNab that these could be easily multiplied by making sections of the root or rhizome. A description of the method pursued was read to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, and separate copies were printed for the use of the India Office. The plant in the Garden was the same as that described by Sir William Hooker, and figured in the 'Botanical Magazine.' The supply from this source was obviously not sufficient for the purposes which the India Office had in view, and the time required for propagation would be too long. Accordingly, Professor Balfour and Dr. Christison wrote to a previous Graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Dr. Gunning, residing at Palmeiras, near Rio Janeiro, and induced him to take an interest in the matter. He entered cordially into their proposals, and very soon sent to the Botanic Garden boxes containing fresh plants. Although several of them suffered in the transit, owing to the mode of packing and the want of attention during the voyage, still a considerable number reached the Garden in a state fit for propagation after the method pursued by Mr. McNab. By this process a large stock of between 200 and 300 plants was secured. Of these, a considerable number have been transmitted to India successfully in a Wardian case. A figure of this case was given in Mr. McNab's published report. By the method employed, the small pots containing the plants were carefully secured, so that the case might even be turned upside down without injury. The plant sent by Dr. Gunning differs in some particulars from that formerly in cultivation in the Botanic Garden, more especially as regards the form of its leaves. The old plant has leaves of a firmer texture, more or less elliptical, and somewhat wavy at the margin, and the stem suffruticose. The plant also flowers readily after a year's growth. The recent plant sent by Dr. Gunning resembles more the form figured by Martius. leaves are more delicate and pointed, its stem not so shrubby, and it has not yet produced flowers. There may be two varieties of the plant. The full determination of this must be reserved till the Rio Janeiro plants come into flower. Its The drawings which were exhibited show the character of both varieties, so far as they can be at present represented from the specimens in the Botanic Garden. The drawings show the form of the leaves and stems, the character of the stipules and glands, the stomata and hairs of the leaves, and the microscopical structure of the stems and rhizomes. The subject has been brought under the notice of the Meeting with the view of calling attention to the cultivation of a plant which, like Cinchona, is highly The case exhibited to the Meeting showed the arrangement. valuable as a medicinal agent, and which, without due care and attention on the part of collectors, might ultimately become scarce or be eradicated in its native country. On the Flora of Greenland. By ROBERT BROWN, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.G.S. An account of researches on the Phyto-geographical aspect of the Greenland flora compared with that of other portions of the arctic regions, the causes which conduced to it, and most general facts relating to the arctic flora, chiefly in relation to Dr. Hooker's classical memoir on the subject in the Linnean Transactions (vol. xxv.). On the Geographical Distribution of the Floras of North-west America. By ROBERT BROWN, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.G.S. After studying the subject for nearly four years, during travels through all parts of the country to the west of the Rocky Mountains, Dr. Brown considered that instead of one homogenous flora in North-west America there are in reality five, viz. (1) The great flora of the region to the west of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada Mountains. (2) The flora between this range and the Rocky Mountains. (3) The Montane flora on the summits of the mountains about 4000 feet, chiefly arctic. (4) The flora of the Colorado descent. (5) The Athabascan flora, or the flora to the country. On Specimens of Fossil-wood from the Base of the Lower Carboniferous Rocks at Langton, Berwickshire. By the Rev. THOMAS BROWN. Suggestions on Fruit Classification. By Professor A. DICKSON. By On the minute Anatomy of the Stem of the Screw-Pine, Pandanus utilis. Except that the tissues are less indurated, the general structure of the stem and the arrangement of the fibro-vascular bundles resemble that met with in palms. The bundles, however, are somewhat remarkable from containing vessels which belong to the scalariform type. In a transverse section these bundles are seen to become smaller towards the circumference and more condensed, forming a well-defined boundary to the narrow cortical portion of the stem. The bundles are, however, continued through the cortical portion, but are reduced to little more than a thread of prosenchyma. In the cortex there are numerous large cells containing raphides: these also occur in the rest of the stem, but are less frequent. Crystals of another kind are found in connexion with the fibro-vascular bundles. These are contained each in a square-shaped cell, forming part of a string or chain. A number of these strings or chains are distributed round the circumference of each fibrovascular bundle; they are especially abundant in its cortical continuation, as they do not suffer a degradation proportionate to that of the other constituent tissues. This peculiar arrangement of crystal-bearing cells seems probably unique. The crystals are four-sided prisms with pyramidal apices. They are almost certainly composed of calcium oxalate, though they are too minute and isolated with too much difficulty to allow of their satisfactory examination.. On the so-called Mimicry' in Plants. By W. T. THISELTON DYER, B.A., B.Sc., Professor of Botany in the Royal College of Science for Ireland. In all large natural families of plants there is a more or less distinctly observable general habit or facies, easily recognizable by the practised botanist, but not always as easily to be expressed in words. The existence of such a general habit in legu |