46 
developed forms bounded, so to speak, upon the stage of life, or 
may we not presume that they were preceded by humbler forms 
whose remains may yet be found, by patient investigation, in 
English or other rocks still older than those pointing to the 
crustacean forms in times so remote as to be beyond the grasp of 
the most powerful conception? And may we not also as fairly 
presume that trilobite forms may yet be discovered in rocks newer 
than the coal measures, so bringing down their existence to times 
nearer our own? Here is holiday work and recreation for those 
who have the inclination and the opportunity. 
One remark in conclusion. To what purpose was all this 
variety and beauty of'form, and profusion of ornament, when and 
where there was no human eye to see them? Gray, in his ex- 
quisitely polished verse, says :— 
Full many a gem of purest ray serene, 
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear ; 
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, 
And waste its sweetness on the desert air. 
—TI cannot. entirely agree with the poet. I rather believe that the 
colour and fragrance of flowers serve some purpose to bird or insect 
even in the desert. I cannot believe that there can be any waste 
in the vast laboratory of the Great Chemist, but that everything is 
made to serve some beneficent purpose in the wise economy of 
nature. 
The paper was illustrated by a dissection of a lobster. 
The Presipent having invited remarks, 
Mr. Syeuuine asked if there was any means of ascertaining 
whether the eye of the creature was concentrated upon a single 
object, or upon a number of objects before an impression was con- 
veyed to the brain ? 
The Presient said he had no doubt that only one image was 
received by the eyes of the animal, although he might have all sorts 
of images around him. A man had two eyes, but he did not see 
double unless he was drunk. 
Mr. Perry thought the trilobite must have been an inhabitant 
of very deep water, and that the immense number of facets were 
probably to collect all possible rays of light that might pass down 
into the great depth of water. He had looked at the eye a good 
many times, and had come to that conclusion. 
The PresipEenT dissented from this opinion, and after making 
a few remarks upon the admirable paper of Mr. Turner, and the nice 
way in which it had been illustrated by specimens and diagrams, 
tendered on behalf of the Club a hearty vote of thanks to that 
gentleman. 
