13 



Roman glass from London excavations. It was remarked as an 

 interesting feature, in all the mosaics found, that they are made 

 from native materials, the various coloiired stones selected for the 

 plumage of the birds, drapery, and costumes being such as may 

 be picked up on the shore at Whitecliif and Sandown at the 

 present day. 



The Lecturer proceeded to describe the other chambers dis- 

 covered, about thirty in number, and gave full information as to 

 the apparatus for heating — the hypocausts, flue-tiles, &c. The 

 operations, conducted with so much skill and success up to this 

 point, are still continuing, as probably hardly a third of the whole 

 number of chambers are yet exhiuiied. The lecture was illustrated 

 with careful drawings to scale, and many of the objects discovered 

 in the excavations were exhibited. A complete account of the dis- 

 coveries has since been published by the Lecturer and his colleague 

 in the Transactions of the Royal Institute of British Architects, 

 1880-81. 



TUESDAY, APRIL 5th. 



A paper by the Rev. H. H. Higgins, M.A., of Rainhill, was 

 read by Mr. Jackson, one of the honorary secretaries. 



The object of the author was to show that tlie lowest forms of 

 animal life, viz., the Monera, Amcebae, Arcellfe, Foraminifera, 

 and Polycystina, exhibit certain well-marked characteristics, which 

 entitle them to higher consideration than they have hitherto 

 received. 



The Monera possess, — 



1. Individuality. — The nearest semblance of Individuality 

 in lifeless matter may perhaps be found in a crystal. But a crystal 

 does not undergo a series of internal changes having reference to 

 its totality, while an animal does; and this peculiarity is found 

 among the organisms now under consideration. 



' 2. The moneron exhibits periodicity — the old form inevitably 

 dies and gives place to new forms. Its life cannot be prolonged 



