152 Linnean Society. [June 21, 



He thinks it indeed doubtful whether they really belong to the genua 

 by the name of which he has provisionally designated them, or even 

 to the same family, some parts of their structure seeming to indicate 

 an affinity with the genus Ammodytes. 



The paper was accompanied by magnified figures. 



Read also the commencement of a paper " On the Sea Cocoa- 

 nut of the Seychelles, Lodoicea Seychellarum, Comm. and Labill." 

 By Clark, Esq., a gentleman long resident in those islands. 



June 21. 

 Edward Forster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 

 John Bright, Esq., was elected a Fellow. 



Read " Observations on the Growth and Reproduction of Entero- 

 morpha intestinalis." By Arthur Hill Hassall, Esq. 



Mr. Hassall states that, in the earliest stage of their development, 

 the tapering filaments consist of a single series of cells placed end to 

 end. Each of these cells afterwards becomes bisected by a longitu- 

 dinal line, and other lines subsequently appear, so that the original 

 cells are ultimately divided into several, each of which in its turn 

 enlarges and is in like manner divided. From the continued growth 

 and unlimited division of the cells, the filaments increase to an in- 

 definite size, soon lose their original confervoid character, present a 

 reticulated appearance, and instead of being attenuated become cy- 

 lindrical and hollow. 



Mr. Hassall proceeds to state, that in each articulation of the fila- 

 ments, and often when they are not thicker than a horse-hair, a dark 

 central nucleus is gradually developed, which is the reproductive 

 germ. He thinks there can be little doubt that this, as well as the 

 cell in which it is contained, undergoes repeated division in the same 

 manner as the reproductive globules of the Ulva. These reproductive 

 bodies germinate while still inclosed within the cells in which they 

 were developed, and while the parent filament retains all its fresh- 

 ness and vigour, giving rise to the jointed and tapering filaments 

 first described ; which in this state, after the rupture of the parent 

 cell, and while their bases are still fixed within it, bear a strong re- 



