10 
elsewhere. Reference was made to the name Proteus 
animalcule, given to this animal by Rosenhof its dis- 
coverer, in 1755, because it continually changed its 
shape. The structure of the amceba was then alluded 
to, and the division of the body into ectosarc and 
endosarc described, the functions of the contractile 
vacuole and nucleus being specially referred to. The 
manner in which amceba moves was then described, 
namely by means of flowings-out of its protoplasm, 
termed pseudopodia. The methods of feeding, diges-. 
tion and reproduction were fully explained and the 
manner of its respiration described. The reasons 
why amceba was to be considered an animal and not a 
plant were fully discussed. The similarity between the 
white corpuscles in our own blood to amcebe was 
shown, and the various functions they perform were 
enumerated. 
Reference was then made to the way in which the 
young frog loses its tail, and the laying down of the 
deer’s antlers was fully explained by means of diagrams. 
The peculiar life history of Protomyxa aurantzaca, 
an orange coloured organism discovered by Professor 
Haeckel, was described, and reference made to several 
other organisms of a kindred nature. 
The lecture was illustrated by excellent diagrams. 
Friday, 12th April, r901. Mr. E. S. Payne, 
Member of Council, in the Chair. 
Mr. C. O. Bartrum, B.Sc., read a paper entitled, 
‘The Form of the Earth, and how it is being brought 
about,” illustrated by diagrammatic lantern _ slides, 
specially made for the lecture by himself. 
The lecturer said that taking a survey of the solar 
system, there is seen to be an order and symmetry in 
the motions and positions of the Sun and his attendant 
See 
ees 
— 
ea oe hy ee ee, 
a eee 
