Journal of Proceedings. lxv
Copland, C.E,, H. C. Chilton, W. T. Christian, Sir J. Clarke
Jervoise, Bart,, and James Miller.
The Secretary gave notice, on behalf of the Council, that it was
intended at the Annual General Meeting to propose some slight
alterations in, and additions to, Rules III., IV., VII., and XV.
It was announced that, in accordance with Rule III., the following
members would retire from the Council: H. B. Hooper, Rev. C. J.
Ridgeway, C. E. Taylor, and T. J. Woodrow. The following members
were recommended for election into the Council: B. G. Cole, Rev. T, W.
Peile, Charles Thomas, F.G.S., and T. Fisher Unwin. No other can-
didates were proposed. As officers for 1881 the following members
were recommended by the Council: President—Raphael Meldola,
F.R.A.S., F.C.S., &c; Treasurer—Henry J. Barnes; Secretary—William
Cole; Librarian—Alfred Lockyer.
The President said that, by Rule XV., the Annual General Meeting
should be held on the second Saturday in January, which would fall on
January 8th. The Council was of opinion, however, that this would
hardly allow time for the officers to prepare their statements, and there-
fore, with permission of the members, it was proposed to alter the date
to January 22nd, and to confirm such alteration at the Annual Meeting.
This was agreed to.
The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of Mr. John Waller, some sections
of the common crab-apple (Pyrus Malus) with Mistletoe attached, showing
the mode of growth of the parasite in the wood of the tree. These
specimens were obtained at High Beech, Epping Forest, in 1876, by
Mr. Waller, and were beautifully cut and polished. The specimens
showed the root of the parasite forcing its way into the very heart of
the wood, the pressure distorting the concentric rings and medullary
rays of the apple tree in a very curious manner.
Mr. Meldola observed that there was a point in the life-history of the
Mistletoe well worthy of consideration. It was well known that the
glutinous seeds were deposited on the bark of the trees by birds, and it
was stated on very good authority that in whatever position the seed
might be placed with respect to the branch, the radicle, (or embryo root)
always turned towards the bark of the tree as development took place.
He was disposed to think that the cause of this phenomenon lay in the
avoidance of light; the radicle required shade for vigorous growth, and
therefore it turned towards the bough of the tree to which the seed was
attached. He would recommend it as a matter for experiment to their
botanical members ; it would lend a new and scientific interest to a plant
which possessed, he understood, a peculiar charm at this season of the
year.
Mr. H. J. Barnes exhibited, on behalf of his brother, some fossils
found at Shanklin, Isle of Wight. They appeared to belong to the
Lower Bagshot formation.