74 



tributor should always be given. These suggestions, if carried out, would 

 add very greatly to the value of the specimens. 



The President said he need not add that the suggestions made by 

 Dr. Cooke met with his hearty approval, and that the committee had 

 decided to purchase a ream of paper the same size as that of the specimens 

 brought to the meeting by Dr. Cooke. He should be very glad to see this 

 new movement encouraged. 



Mr. J. G. Waller read a paper " On Variation in Spongilla fluviatilis," 

 the subject being illustrated by diagrams showing the close resemblance of 

 several so-called species. 



The President, in inviting observations upon the paper, said that he so far 

 agreed with what Mr. Waller said, that when some years ago he had a 

 specimen of Spongilla Meyena sent to him by Dr. Bowerbank, he wrote to 

 ask him if he had not made a mistake and sent S. fluviatilis instead, for he 

 could not see any difference. Having called attention to a specimen 

 brought by the late Mr. J. K. Lord from Vancouver's Island, he enquired if 

 Mr. Waller held that there was a specific difference between S. fluviatilis 

 and 8. lacustris, 



Mr Waller said he quite believed these to be different, although he had 

 shown that they had been found growing together in the same locality. 



Dr. Matthews asked if the so-called species did not depend upon such 

 things as food, temperature, and the mineral constituents held in the 

 water ? He thought these might be possible causes of the variations, and 

 he was inclined to lay great stress upon the quantity of silex contained in 

 the water. He added his protest to that of Mr. Waller against the terrible 

 multiplication of species. 



Votes of thanks to Dr. M. C. Cooke and Mr. Waller for their communica- 

 tions were then proposed by the President, and carried unanimously. 



Announcements of meetings and excursions for the ensuing month were 

 then made, and the proceedings terminated with a conversazione, at which 

 the following objects were exhibited: — 



Cuticle of Ficus elastica, showing stomata 



Section of Echinus Spine 



Plumose Antennae of Biston hirtaria 



English Tingis (?) 



Section of Epidermis of Rat 



" Daphnia pulex y 



Flour Mites 



Micrasterias tlenticulata (mounted) ... 



Volvox globator ditto 



Young Sea Anemones ... ... ... 



Salivary Glands of Kitten (injected) 



G lycip h agus spinipes ... 



33 Sectious of the head of one Blattal 

 orientalis ... ... ... ... j 



Phlogopite — a variety of Mica 



I 



Mr. F. W. Andrew. 



Mr. A. L. Corbett. 



Mr. F. Enock. 



Mr. H. E. Freeman. 



Mr. W. H. Gilburt. 



Mr. Goodwin. 



Mr. H. E. Gregory. 



Mr. H. F. Hailes. 



Mr. A. H. Halley. 

 Mr. J. J. Hunter. 

 Mr. A. D. Michael. 



Mr. E. T. Newton. 



Mr. J. Woollett. 



Attendance — Members, 83 ; Visitors, 5. 



