Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London - University Library

6 PBOCEEDINGS OF THE
of Phaseolus vulgaris, Savi, were obtained from a garden on the
Middle Coal-measures of North Derbyshire. In the simplest case
there is present on the posterior aspect of the normal carpel a second
smaller carpel with reversed orientation and without seeds. In
other cases the second carpel attains to at least one-half the size
of the normal anterior one, and is fused with the latter proximally
in such a manner as to give rise to a unilocular fruit with parietal
placentation, the carpels being free from one another in their
distal portion. In other cases the two carpels are of approximately
the same size and both bear seeds. They are completely
fused below to form a unilocular ovary, while above they divaricate
from one another.
It was pointed out that although the Leguminosse are typically
monocarpellary, certain members of the order are hi- or even
polycarpellary ; but in these cases the polycarpellary fruit is of an
apocarpous nature. It would appear, therefore, that the specimens
described in some sense revert to ancestral conditions in so far as
their bicarpellary nature is concerned, but that their syncarpous
nature is anomalous. Comparison with related orders, e. g. the
ConnaracesB, confirms this opinion.
The Eev. R. Ashington Bullen, F.L.S., exhibited a finely
preserved female specimen of the Northern Stone-Crab, Litliodes
inaia (Linn.), from Aberdeen, and called attention to the various
organisms securely settled upon its carapace. A discussion followed
on the characters, systematic position, and distribution of this
anomalous macruran, in which Professor Poultou, P.R.S.,
Mr. A. 0. Walker, V.P.L.S., and the Zoological Secretary took
part.
The following papers were read :
1. " Biscayan Plankton.—Part I. Methods and Data." By
Dr. G. H. Fowler P.Z.S. (Communicated by the Eev. Thomas
E. E. Stebbing, Sec.L.Soc.)
2. " Biscayan Plankton.—Part II. Amphipoda and Cladocera. "
By the Eev. Thomas E. E. Stebbing, F.E.S., Sec.L.Soc.
—
February 4th, 1904.
Prof. Sydney H. Vines, F.E.S. , President, in the Chair.
The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed.
Mr. Leslie Beeching Hall Avas admitted a Fellow of the
Society.
—
Mr. Chaeles Edgar Salmon, F.L.S., exhibited two specimens
of Einlohium collinum, C. C. Gmel., from Scotland, with a series
of E. montanum and E. lanccolatum for comparison, and read the
following note :