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that the characteristic type of every animal organism exists 

 in the primitive cell ; and that future improvements in the 

 microscope would enable naturalists to make out at once 

 the distinguishing features of each in the simple elementary 

 cell. The conclusion of the essay was as follows : — 



It is, therefore, very desirable that embryologists, instead of 

 devoting all their time to Embryonic Developments from cells, 

 should pay especial attention to the origin and development of 

 these embryonic cells in the different classes of animals ; for it is 

 by this means only that their peculiarities can become known. 

 And when Embryology shall have become as rich in details of 

 this kind as it now is in those relating to structural formation, 

 the advantage thereby gained not only to Comparative Physi- 

 ology but to Comparative Anatomy, will not at all be exagger- 

 ated, when it is affirmed that then we shall have arrived not only 

 at the foundation of all classification of animal structures, but 

 shall have become more intimately acquainted with the ideas on 

 which the Deity built up these ever-varied forms. 



Dr. Wyman exhibited preparations of the foot of a species 

 of Musk, (Moschus ). 



It presented an intermediate condition between the feet of 

 typical Ruminants and the even-toed Pachyderms. The meta- 

 carpal bone of the two principal toes was deeply grooved before 

 and behind, indicating its former subdivision — a subdivision 

 which exists in all Ruminants, during the embryonic period. 

 The two lateral metacarpal bones, though quite slender, extend 

 from the carpus to the level of the central ones. This conform- 

 ation assists in supporting the view first announced, but never 

 adopted, by Cuvier, and quite recently made a basis of classifica- 

 tion by Prof. Owen ; the Ruminants falling into the same 

 group with the even-toed (Artio-dactyl) Ungulates. 



Prof. Agassiz expressed great interest in the remarks of Dr. 

 Wyman, and said that he should venture to predict that the feet 

 of embryo ruminants would be found to present a similar struc- 

 ture to that described by him. He had taken steps preparatory 

 to investigating the subject. 



The Treasurer announced to the Society that within the 



