18 
in clusters, each egg presenting a curious appearance from the 
folds of transparent membrane, which, gathered up in branches 
at different points on its exterior, give it the appearance of a stato- 
blast. The young have no shell when first hatched, but their backs 
are marked with seven furrows, between which close granuies indi- 
cate the future shelly structure. I have placed upon the table, 
among other microscopical slides illustrating the minute life of my 
aquarium, some of these eggs mounted in sea water. The shells 
that are sometimes dredged up from a good depth at sea will be 
found most prolific in developing forms of animal life, and some 
kindly sent me from Weymouth bore several specimens of Grantia 
compressa in a living state, but unfortunately sponges do not live 
long in a tank, nor are they desirable tenants, they exhaust the 
water very quickly, and then dying, poison it. This is to be re- 
gretted, for much is yet to be learned in reference to them, especially 
about their reproduction. Various forms of tunicata are found 
attached to these shells, and to sea-weed. Perophora I have ex- 
hibited in our gossip nights, which were brought from my aquarium 
where it grew and blossomed for months, The growth of Bower- 
bankia, Syncoryna, and other Polyzoa, may be readily observed and 
noted by this additional aid to microscopical research, and I should, 
I, fear sadly try your patience if I detained you while I enumerated 
the many forms of marine life I have had thus brought before me, 
but which, alas, I have been too busy or too unsystematic to 
profitably use as I ought; but if I can by these few suggestions 
stimulate any amongst yon to adopt this line of observation, I can 
promise you that your pleasure shall not be satiated, but that fresh 
stores of interest will be continually opening to your gaze. 
At the termination of the paper, a cordial vote of thanks was 
passed to Mr. White. 
The following members exhibited their microscopes :—J. Berney, 
P. Crowley, J. Gregory, J. 8. Johnson, E. Lovett, K. McKean, 
G. N. Price, and the President. 
April 21st, 1875.—Henry Lee, Esq., President, in the chair. The- 
minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The follow- 
ing gentlemen were ballotted for and duly elected members:— 
Messrs. H. H. Dean, C. H. Downes, Mark Fothergill, L. C. 
Moselely, H. Shattock, and T. Yuille Wardrop; Mr. George Roper 
was nominated for election. R. Beverly Cole, Esq., M.D., 
M.R.C.S.E., was ballotted for and duly eleected an honorary and 
corresponding member. 
The PrusipEnt alluded, in feeling terms, to the loss the Club 
had sustained in the death of Mr. Edward Berry and Mr. John G. 
Price. 
