INVERTEBRATA, CRTPTOGAMIA, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 819 



The variety has probably been already figured by Fromentel and 

 Jobard-Muteau as Pijcnohnjon, and described by Bory de Saint Vincent 

 as Autojjhi/sa. These Flagellata are clearly distinct from the Vorti- 

 oellina. The cirrhi are homologous with the collar, for the two organs 

 replace each other. 



Radiolaria in "Diaspro."* — Prof. Dante Pantanelli announces 

 the discovery of Eadiolaria in the Italian " diaspro " from various 

 places, and of difierent ages ; two from the lias, and one probably 

 cretaceous, but the greater number were from the upper eocene. 

 Professor de Stefani, in speaking of this diaspro and manganito at a 

 previous meeting of the Pisa Society, attributed their formation to 

 deposits in deep seas ; but this idea was combated, and in couseciuence 

 Professor Pantanelli undertook the examination, with the above results. 

 The importance of this is much increased by the fact that the diaspro 

 of Murio and Crevole are intercalated with the serpentine, and it 

 may be hoped that much light will thus be definitely thrown on a 

 question which is occujjying nmch attention in Italy, and has also 

 been taken up by some of our leading English geologists — the forma- 

 tion of the Italian serpentines. Professor Pantanelli thinks we may 

 now definitely accept the hypothesis of Stoppani, that the serpentines 

 are volcanic rocks, for the most part erupted in deep seas. Thus the 

 same conclusion is arrived at from quite difierent standpoints. He 

 also thinks it may facilitate an explanation of the mode of formation 

 of manganese deposits, as they occur in connection with the diaspro 

 rich in fossils, and hints that it would make us doubt the possibility 

 of their being formed by an endogenous action, or from deposits of 

 mineral water. 



Professor de Stefani called attention to the use the Microscope may 

 now be to anthropologists, in showing from what locality implements 

 made of this rock were derived. 



Mr. A. W. Waters believes he is in a position to refer to the 

 Eocene " diaspro " the rock mentioned by Professor Bonney,f in 

 which attention was called to its containing fossils which Professor 

 Bonney was himself inclined to refer to Eadiolaria and Bryozoa. 

 Professor Pantanelli lias in the press an article describing a large 

 number of the Eadiolaria observed. 



BOTANY. 



A. GENERAL, including Embryology and Histology 

 of the Phanerogamia. 



Development of the Embryo-sac.:}:— Dr. A. Fischer publishes the 

 results of a largo scries of observations on tho development of the 

 embryo-sac, especially in monocotyledons and in diulypctalous dicoty- 

 ledons. Tlie following are the more important of the conclusions at 

 which ho has arrived. 



» ' Boll. U. Com. Gcol. d'ltal.,' 1880, Nod. 1, 2. Sco ' Geol. Mag ,' vii. (1880) 

 p. 317. 



t '(ieol. Mng.,' vi. (1870) p. 3(;0. 



t ' Jonaisohi' Zoitsolir. f. Naturwis^a.,' .\iv. (1880) p. 90. 



8 H 2 



