14 



November ^th. — The Rev. H. H. Higgins, M.A. read a very interesting fiaper 

 on "The Radiolarian Protozoa, collected in the 'Challenger' Explorations," 

 beautifully illustrated on the screen by means of photographs. 



The lecturer explained that these curious animals, made up almost 

 entirely of protoplasms, are found floating on all seas, swimming near the 

 surface of the water. In some species skeletral structures are developed in 

 the form of radiating silicious spines. The individuals cohere in compound 

 masses or colonies, which assume various shapes, cylindrical, spheroidal, or 

 like a chain or circlet of beads. They delight in a smooth sea and pure 

 transparent water at a moderately warm temperature. The voyage of the 

 "Challenger" resulted in finding these organisms at all depths in the ocean, 

 though specimens taken from near the surface appeared to be generally of 

 greater size and development. Very wonderful and beautiful are the forms 

 of these lowly creatures, as seen in the reproductions of Murray's fine plates. 



Some further remarks on the subject were made by Messrs. E. Da vies 

 and A. Norman Tatk, ancl a vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer 

 for his paper. 



At the Conversazione the following subjects were illustrated : — 



Astromma aristotelis J. M. Williams. 



Aulacodiscus janischii Thomas W. Bruce. 



Foraminifera from Post Pliocene Silt '. W. Oelrichs. 



Hind Leg of Honey Bee, showing Pollen Ba.sket...J. J. Howell. 



Lagena squamosa i 



Verneuilina polystropha \ 



Polycystina Taplet Bacon. 



Do A. Johnson. 



Do. from Barbadoes Alfred Leicester. 



Salicornaria farciminoides (Bugle Coralline) W. H. Read. 



Section of Cat's Tongue ., Charles Botterill. 



Sori of Scaly Spleenwort E. F. Stead. 



Stigonema mammilosa : J. Harbord Lewis. 



Tail of young Newt, stained with Chloride of Gold ..Hen ky Kendall, B. A. 



December 3mi.—M\: A. Norman Tate, F.LC, F.C.S., brought under the notice 

 of the members the veiy beautiful designs which can be obtained from 

 micro-crystals, and exhibited some designs taken from them. 



There being no paper, the Conversazione was largely attended, and the 

 following subjects were illustrated ; — 



