30 
‘This power of reproduction by fission proves the lack of nerve 
centres. Owen states that he has never observed a bud on the 
tentacles, nor does a wound on this part lead to development of 
Hydre like one on the base of the body, and believes that the 
greater amount of metamorphosis which the germ cells and nuclei 
have undergone in the formation of the complex organs of the 
tentacles is the cause of this inferior power of generation and re- 
generation. 
And now having followed the Hydra through the various stages 
of its life, viz., birth, growth, mode of living and multiplication, 
however imperfectly the work may have been performed, for 
there isa great deal of subject matter written on this small and 
apparently unimportant form of life; I must close my paper, ask- 
ing my hearers to give me their kind indulgence in criticizing my 
first effort in this line in overlooking its many deficiencies. 
DecemBer 18th, 1894. 
This meeting had been postponed from December 4th. Mr. 
Hy. Ullyett read a paper on the Ancestry or THE Horss, illustrated 
by Lantern Slides. From his paper the following extracts are 
taken. 
THE ANCESTRY OF THE HORSE,—A CHAPTER IN 
EVOLUTION. 
In the month of September last, a communication was inserted 
in the English Mechanic, stating, that there was then, at Farn- 
borough, (Kent), a horse having two complete and well formed 
hoofs on one of its fore-legs, and an illustration of the same was 
given. The notice was signed by Mr. Alderson, a scientific 
gentleman living in that neighbourhood, and I took the liberty of 
writing to him for information, and asking if it were possible to 
get a photograph of this foot. Although I was quite a stranger to 
him he replied with the greatest courtesy, tellimg me that the 
horse was the property of a travelling showman, and that he would 
endeavour to get a photo for me. He did so, and by the aid of my 
friend Mr. Carter, one of our members, I am enabled to place it 
before you on the screen. 
Now this occurrence is by ro means unique, it is met with from 
time to time, and is of the very greatest interest to the student and 
the scientific man. It cannot be classed under the head of 
‘* montrosities ’ with two headed calves, or six legged kittens. On 
the contrary it is full of information, its origin is known, and we 
can understand why it occasionally takes place. It carries us back 
in thought up the stream of Time into dim and early ages when 
a fauna and flora, very different to the present, covered the face of 
the earth. The very recurrence of the phenomenon from time to 
