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41 
to answer, to the best of his ability, the question, ‘‘ What is coal ?” 
leaving the answer, and any one or more of the suggested topics, as 
subjects for discussion. 
An interesting communication was read from Dr. Stevens, of 
St. Mary Bourne, on certain types of Flint Implements found in 
Hampshire, which led to a discussion, and a vote of thanks to Dr, 
Stevens. 
Aprit 27TH. 
MICROSCOPICAL MEETING.—DR. ADDISON ON THE 
“MOULTING OF DAPHNIA PULEX.” 
On April 14th, observing a flock of Daphnia Pulex in his Nitella 
jar, he removed two and placed them in a live box, so adjusting the 
cover as to allow the creatures a limited movement. In one there were 
four well developed embryos, in each of which could be seen the large 
compound eye and the single eye close beside ; in the other there was one 
fully formed embryo and a mass of dark yolk matter with the usual large 
oil globules. At the end of five or six hours they were again examined, 
when it was found the one with the single embryo had given birth to 
its offspring, which was moving with the jerking motion of the antennz 
peculiar to its race and seemed vigorous for so young ananimal. On 
examining the mother flea it was found she had moulted her carapace, 
which was discovered in the box and exhibited not only casts 
and hairs of the antenne, but also a perfect cast of the 
combwork and claws which characterized the tail of the creature, as well 
as representations of the delicate ciliated paddles. 
In the mother flea the mass of yolk matter had experienced a 
change, being distinctly moulded into the form of two fresh eggs or 
embryos, one of which had approached towards the chamber at the 
back of the creature. 
At this time---the first day of observation—the other flea presented 
