41 



Amonf^ the oLjocts wliicli first attvaotod the eye wero some 

 boaiitif 111 examples of the family of Botrijlliaiis ; animals helong- 

 iiig- to tlie class Tuiiicato ISEolluscs ; hut instead of hoiug, like the 

 larger Asoidians, solitary, tlu^ ]5(jtrylli form a composite mass 

 adlieriug- to sea-weed, -which is often seen covered with gelatin- 

 ous matter, on which is traced a pattern in lighter colour, like 

 some exquisite enamel. Each of the star like devices is a gTOup 

 of these minute ascidians, and there may be any uumhor of 

 groups on a single jiiece of fucus or laminaria. The colours of 

 the different species vary considerably, and the three genera 

 exhibited, viz., Botryllm, Distoina, BotryUoides, comprised speci- 

 mens Avhose colours were green, ^aolet, and orange in different 

 shades. 



The specimens of the larger Ascidians were interesting, as 

 showing the character of the leathery " tunic," and the primarv 

 and secondary orifices (present iu all members of the class), but 

 the circulation of the blood, and the action of tlie cilia, Avhich 

 cover the interior of the respiratory sac, can only be well ob- 

 served in the transparent species, and Mr. Saunders reminded 

 the meeting that a fine specunen of C'lavelina, in which these 

 phenomena were well observed was exhibited at the last meeting 

 held at Whitstable. 



The structure of these tunicate animals is in many resjiects 

 similar to that of the Poli/zoa, of which a number of specimens 

 were to be found among the marine objects now exhibited. But 

 the Ascidians lack the boautif id crown of ciliated tentacles which 

 is a distinguishing feature in the poh'zoa, and which makes 

 these minute creatures such attractive objects to the microscopist. 

 Among the species brought tliis evening, Mr. Saunders showed 

 under the microscope Bicellaria ciliata, bearing the remarkable 

 (ivicularia, or " Bird's-head" appendages. These were seen 

 moving up and down, and snapping the beak with great vigour. 

 The use of these curious organs is unknown, but it is now gene- 

 rally supposed that they are serviceable in catching and liolding 

 minute Avorms, or other animals, and that the infusoria prodiiced 

 or attracted by the decomposing animal serve as food for the 

 polyzoan. Some of the marine hydroid zoophytes were also 

 shcAvn, including Sertuldn'a 2}>^>»i^f', Cainpanitlaria rohihilis, &c. 



]\Ir. Dowker exhiljited a very rare imibelliferous plant and one 

 quite new to him iu East Kent. As far as he could ascertain 

 (the plant not being in fruit), it was a Daucus, of which there 

 are but two recorded in Britain, viz., Daucus Carota, the 

 common -wild Carrot, and Daucus !Maritimus — but Babingtou 

 describes a plant as distinct from either of these as 

 D. gingidixmi, to which description this plant appears best to 

 answer. It is characterised by the general involucre being 



