20 



the district. Mr. Dowker, F.G.S., sent some fine specimens of 

 Nitella, from Stouimouth. 



Breeding of Hydra viridis. — This species, Mr. Fullagar observes, 

 produces eggs in the spring. Ho brought from his aquarium the 

 animals, whicli appeared to be monoecious, having germ-cells and 

 sperm-cells in ihu same individual. 



Polycystina. — Pleurosiyma. — Colonel Horsley showed mounted 

 slides of Polycystina from the North Sea mud, Cuxhaven ; also his 

 method of viewing the markings on the valves of Pleui'osigma. 

 Por this purpose lie employs an objective of one-eighth inch focus, 

 with the light reflected from the inside of a small plated tube 

 placed under the stage of the microscope. With this arrangement 

 the markings in P. augulatum appear either transverse or diagonal 

 according to the direction of the light ; in P. hippocampus either 

 transverse or longitudinal, or crossing each other at right angles. 

 These effects can bo easily produced by moving the lamp gently 

 from right to left, or vice versa, in front of and somewhat close to 

 he stage of the instrument. 



May 6, 1874. 



Reminiscences of Natural History near Canterbury — Mr. Reid, 

 M.E.C.S., read a paper, by Mr. Kingsford, of observations by the 

 author, near Barton House, They extend over a period of more 

 than half a century, carrying us back to the time when the otter 

 frequented the Stour, and the Pordwich trout was well known. 

 The paper, abounding with interesting facts, including remarks on 

 meteorology, has been published in a separate pamphlet, whicli can 

 be seen in the Society's library. 



June 3, 1874. 



Mrs. Dean produced a fresh collection of flowering plants, in- 

 cluding five orchids, all now in bloom and indigenous to the 

 neighbourhood ; Mrs. Terry some polished pebbles, agates, and 

 petrified wood ; Major Hall specimens of infusorial earth, fibres 

 of the fossil wood of a conifer, and other interesting objects. Mr. 

 Fullagar read a paper on the habits of Lissotriton, referring to his 

 observations in " Science Gossip" for May; also crystals composed 

 of sugar, obtained from the white flower of the azalea, which 

 proved very beautiful objects for examination with polarized light. 

 Colonel Horsley gave a practical demonstration of his easy and very 

 simple method of micrometric measurements, as described by him 

 at the meeting of the Society, April 17, 187o, and with reference 

 to the description of the apparatus in " Science Gossip," 1868, 

 p. 236. Mr. Dowker, F.G.S., sent an invitation to the members to 



