81 
Mr. C. SMITH inquired what the value of the cell, as an 
anatomical unity, was in building up structures? He imagined that it 
was a sort of protoplasm, for if not, they had one cell developing from 
another, and so on ad infinitum. There was one plant which had not 
a cell in its whole organism. 
Mr. T. W. WONFOR presumed that there was a membrane, and 
contents of that membrane. 
Mr. C. P, SMITH admitted that there would be a cell if the plant 
itself was designated one. 
Dr. HALLIFAX indicated that had there been time, he would have 
gone into the origin of cells; but it was an intricate subject. Of 
course there must be a primary stage before the cell and cell wall were 
formed, but to ascertain what it was, was the great problem of the 
day. It was called a protoplasm, and was a gelatinous or semi-fluid 
substance, having in itself a central germinating element called 
nucleus. As to the plant to which Mr. Smith referred, if he understood 
that gentleman rightly, it was uni-cellular. 
Mr. T. W. WoNnrFoR raised the question, how did the cell contents 
pass from one cell to another? They evidently did so, for the nuclei 
, went on rotating and increasing in number and size. It was supposed 
by some that the fluids passed from one cell to another by endosmose- 
-and exosmose. 
Dr. HALLIFAX inferred that absorption took place. 
The meeting then became a conversazione, when vegetable cells, 
illustrative of the paper, including WVite//a, were exhibited by Messrs. 
Haselwood, Glaisyer, Wonfor, C. P. Smith, and Dr, Hallifax, 
JUNE IITH. 
ORDINARY MEETING.— MR. G. SCOTT ON “THE 
WILD CAT AND OTHER MAMMALS, RECENTLY 
ADDED TO THE MUSEUM COLLECTION.” 
The Museum collection had hitherto been very deficient in 
Mammals, for they started in September last with very few; but 
during the last few months considcrable additions had been made, 
H 
