THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 259
different parts of it. Most of the gatherings had been made in woods, but it
should be remembered that many fungi were meadow-loving, and districts near the
coast had been much neglected.
The vote of thanks was seconded by Prof. Meldola; and Dr. Cooke, in reply,
pointed out the vast field (at present almost unexplored) presented by the various
forms of microscopic fungi—and the great interest and pleasure members would
derive from the collection and study of these exquisitely formed plants. He
suggested that he should come down to one of the meetings of the Club, and
give a sort of preliminary lesson in the subject, so that members disposed to take
up the subject might be set to work. We boasted of our 300 species of the larger
fungi in the forest, but he was sure that in a short time the members might easily
gather a thousand species of the smaller forms. They could be collected almost
everywhere, and at all seasons of the year. And one great merit they possessed
was, that their preservation, in many cases, was the simplest task possible. Those
in search of a pleasant botanical recreation, and employment for their microscopes,
would do well to turn their attention to the collecting and study of these minute
but beautiful plants.
Mr. George Massee, F.R.M.S., etc., then delivered an address, of which the
following is an abstract :—
Unsolved Problems in Plant-life: being suggestions on some leading
botanical investigations that have been attempted, but require to be further
extended and verified.
[Abstract.]
Strasburger's Experiments on Foreign Pollination.—Professor Strasburger, of
Bonn, while carrying out some investigations on the Fertilization of Phanerogams,
frequently noticed foreign pollen-grains on the stigmas of plants, which in numer-
ous instances not only put out pollen-tubes, but also frequently penetrated for a
greater or less distance down the styles. Being struck with such an unexpected
phenomenon, the Professor instituted numerous experiments in this connection,2
and showed that not only would pollen-grains germinate on the stigmas of plants,
having not the remotest affinity, but further, that there appears to be no mechanical
provision for the prevention of foreign pollen falling on and germinating on the
stigmas. Numerous illustrations are given; the following selection will indicate the
line of research :—Pollen of Fritillaria persica sent out pollen-tubes when placed on
the stigmas of Convallaria latifolia, Scilla non-scripta, Orchis morio, and other
species. Pollen of Orchis morio also germinated readily on the stigma of Fritillaria
persica, pointing to a condition of reciprocity, which, however, in numerous other
experiments did not prove to be constant. The pollen of Agapanthus umbellatus,
a monocotyledon, germinated readily on the stigmas of many dicotyledons, as 
Achimenes grandiflora and Nicotiana tabacum ; the pollen of the latter germinated
readily on the stigma al Agapanthus, but that of Achimenes did not. The above
experiments point to the conclusion—yet to be proved—that the comparative
paucity of hybrids, except in certain groups, as willows, roses, brambles, and
mints, is due to the specific specialization of protoplasm, i.e., other things being
equal—the protoplasm in the pollen-grains is more stimulated by contact with the
stigma of the same species than by that of any other, and the question to determine
Prings heim's Jahrbucher, Band, xvii , Heft. 1.
S 2