8 PROCEfiDINOS OF THE 



general for the improvement of Poultry-breeding. III. Sug- 

 gestions for the establishment of a network of Stations for Orni- 

 thological Observations over the habitable globe. 



Mr. F. 0. Bower drew attention to a figure in the' Grardener's 

 Chronicle ' (1st March) representing a case of proliferation of the 

 so-called " double-needle " of Sciadopytis verticillata. He 

 alluded to the various views as to the morphological value of tlie 

 " double needle " and concluded that the one first jiropounded 

 by Prof. Alex. Dickson (afterwards adversely discussed by Von 

 Mohl, and favourably by Goebel) appears most in accordance 

 with the history of its development. He remarked that if the 

 double needle be regarded as a phylloclade with arrested apical 

 growth, tbis case of proliferation may be readily explained as an 

 example of continued apical growth, accompanied by a displace- 

 ment of the normally more intense intercalary growth. 



Dr. Maxwell Masters exhibited and made remarks on an 

 example of bud-variation in Finns sylvestns, observing that it was 

 a matter of doubt whether an insect or a fungus gave rise to it. 



There was exhibited for Mr. T. E. Gunn a stuffed specimen of 

 a supposed adult male variety of the Common Moorhen ( Galli- 

 niila cliloropus) shot near Norwich last spring. 



Mr. Alfred W. Bennett made some observations on the con- 

 tinuity of Protoplasm as exemplified in some forms of the Algae, 

 and demonstrated in specimens of Ptilota and Callithamnion 

 shown by him under the microscope. 



The following papers were read : — 



1. " The Metamorphosis of FiJaria scmguinis-hominis in the 

 Mosquito." By Dr. P. Manson of Hongkong. (Communicated 

 by Dr. T. S. Cobbold, P.E.S., F.L.S.) 



2. "On Indian Species of Gyperusy By C. Baron Clarke, 

 M.A., P.E.S., F.L.S. 



3. " On tbe Eelationa existing between Instinct and other 

 Vital Processes." By Professor St. G. Mivart, F.E.S., F.L.S. 



4. "Notes on Afghanistan Algae." By Dr. Jules Schaar- 

 schmidt. (Communicated by Prof. Oliver, F.L.S.) 



March 20th, 1884. 



Henry T. Stainton, F.E.S., Vice-President, in the Chair ; 

 afterwards Frank Crisp, LL.B., Treas. and Vice-President. 



The Minutes of the last Meeting werdTead and confirmed. 



Tbe Eev. Canon James Baker, "William Brockbank, Esq., 

 Eobert Mason, Esq., and Edward Alfred Heath, Esq., were 

 elected Fellows. 



Tbe Cliairman announced a further communication from the 

 Foreign Office (tl)rough the Science and Art Department) noti- 



