Royal Society, ' 4M 



culari'Ovatd, intus nigro-marginatd ; columelld hrevi, tereti, extus 

 rejlexd. 

 Altit. 8, diam. 5, altit. aperturse 3 J lin. 

 Hab. Panama (found on the rocks, half-tide, Cuming). 

 This species differs by its aperture so much from the other species 

 of Littorina, and so nearly resembles a Bulimus, that I am very 

 doubtful whether it be placed in its right genus. 



ROYAL SOCIETY. 



January 22, 1846. — " On the Supra-renal, Thymus and Thyroid 

 Bodies." By John Goodsir, Esq. Communicated by Richard Owen, 

 Esq., F.R.S. &c. 



In this paper, the author enters on the development of the theory 

 he advanced two years ago with regard to the origin and nature of 

 the supra-renal, thymus and thyroid bodies, and the correctness of 

 which, with certain modifications, he has been enabled to confirm by 

 subsequent observation and reflection. His hypothesis was that the 

 three organs in question are the remains of the blastoderfna ; the 

 thyroid being the developemeut of a portion of the original cellular 

 substance of the germinal membrane grouped around the two 

 branches of the omphalo-mesenteric vein ; the supra-renal capsules, 

 the developements of other portions grouped around the omphalo- 

 mesenteric arteries; and the thymus, the developement of the inter- 

 mediate portion of the membrane arranged along the sides of the 

 embryonic visceral cavity. He has since ascertained, however, that 

 the thyroid body derives its origin in a portion of the included mem- 

 brana intermedia remaining in connexion with anastomosing vessels 

 between the first and second aortic arches, or carotid and subclavian 

 vessels. He considers these organs as essentially similar in their 

 structure, as well as in their origin in continuous portions of the 

 blastoderma situated along each side of the spine, and extending 

 from the Wolfian bodies to the base of the cranium : the develope- 

 ment of the supra-renal capsules having relation to the omphalo- 

 mesenteric vessels ; the thymus, to the jugular and cardinal veins and 

 ductus Cuvieri ; and the thyroid gland, to the anastomosing branches 

 of the first and second aortic arches. The functions of these organs 

 he regards as being analogous to those of the blastoderma; with this 

 difference, however, that as the blastoderma not only elaborates 

 nourishment for the embryo, but absorbs it also from without, that 

 is, from the yolk, the developed organs only elaborate the matter 

 which has already been absorbed by the other parts, and is now cir- 

 culating in the vessels of the more perfect individual. 



Feb.5. — " On the Secretory Apparatus and Function of the Liver." 

 By C. Handfield Jones, M.D. Communicated by Sir Benjamin C. 

 Brodie, Bart, F.R.S. 



The author is led by his researches into the minute structure of 

 the liver, to results which confirm the view of Mr. Bowman, in op- 

 position to those of Mr. Kiernan on this subject ; and particularly 

 with regard to the absence of real tubercular ducts from the interior 

 of the lobules. He concludes that the secreting process commences 



