200 PROCEEDINGS OF THE QUEKETT MICROSCOPICAL CLUB. 



things, we may consider some of the sporangial characters of 



Mycetozoa. 



" When we are asked what is the use of studying the Myce- 

 iozosL, our answer is, that, so far as we are able, it is our business, 



as microscopists and nature students, to make each small thing 



imfold its secret, and in so doing, perhaps, to unfold other and 

 •wider secrets." 



The Chairman said : The formation of the sporangia of the 

 Mycetozoa presented many important problems, and it had the 

 ■advantage of lending itself to experimental work. No doubt 

 .surface tension plays a large part in the process, but it seems 

 •almost impossible to believe that such structures can be due 

 mainly to that force. Of course the globular forms are the 

 ^direct outcome of it, but the origin of the stalks, for instance, 

 must require other factors. The whole subject is very inter- 

 "Csting, and should repay much study and careful experiment. 



Many of those present joined in a discussion on various points, 

 •and Mr. Hilton replied to some questions. Dr. Rudd Leeson 

 recommended the study of several books as likely to throw 

 light on the subject, especially one by Professor Bayliss, The 

 Princifles of General Physiology, and a very useful and inexpen- 

 •sive little work by Prof. B. Moore, The Origin and Nature of 

 Life. At the suggestion of the Chairman a hearty vote of 

 thanks was given to Mr. Hilton for his interesting paper. 



