40 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Dr. G. B. Longstaff referred to the wide distribution of this 

 species within the tropics. 



Mr, John HopkijS^son, F.L.S., showed two lantern-shdes from 

 •di-awings made by Mr. Gr. H. Wailes, F.L.S.,of British Columbia, 

 displaying the structure of the test of Rhizopoda, Avith the dehcate 

 patterns, and varied forms of strengthening plates, recently 

 ■observed under a y-.th inch oil-immersion lens. 



An animated discussion ensued between Prof. Dendy and 

 Mr. Hopkinson, as to the origin of these strengthening plates. 



The four following papers were reports on the material brought 

 home by Prof. J. Stanley Grardiner, P.R.S., F.L.S., from the 

 expedition to the Indian Ocean in H.M.S. ' Sealark ' in 1905 : — 



Mr. E. T. Browne, F.L.S. — Medusae from the Indian Ocean. 

 Prof. A. Dendy, F.R.S., F.L.S. — Report on the Hexactinellid 



Sponges (Triaxonida). 

 Continuation (Tetraxonida). 



The Author gave an exposition of these two papers, 



ilkistrating his remarks by drawings on the black-board. 

 Mr. J. C. RoBSON, B.A. — On the Cephalopoda obtained. 



(Communicated by Prof. J. Stanley Gardiner, F.R.S., 



F.L.S.) 



ABSTRACTS. 



Brachydactyly as an Illustration of Mendelian Inheritance. 

 By H. Deinkavatee, M.D., F.L.S. 



[Eeacl 4th February, 1915.] 



By Brachydactyly is meant a shortening of the fingers to such a 

 degree that it amounts to an abnormality, and interferes more or 

 less with the utility of the hands. I have the pleasure of shoAving 

 you a selection of slides illustrating this condition, as Avell as 

 some wax models, and the original photo- and radiographs from 

 Avhich the lantern-slides were made. 



The first description of Brachydactyly was given by W. C. 

 Farabee of Harvard, North America, in 1905. He drew attention 

 to the following interesting features : — 



(1) The abnormality, Avhen present at all, aifects both hands 



and both feet. 



(2) The affected individuals are below the average stature. 



(3) They transmit the abnormality to about half their children. 



