116 EIGHTH REPORT— 1838. 



lumns have been pressed togethei-, each has taken a corresponding im- 

 pression from the other ; 2, the great variety in the form and promi- 

 nence of the tubercles on the joints of the arms. In some instances 

 these joints are nearly free from tubercles ; different parts of the same 

 individual vary in this respect: some have very prominent and accu- 

 mulated tubercles ; in others these tubercles are extremely irregular. 

 This cannot be taken as positive proof of their having been soft, but 

 may nevertheless be regarded as confirming Miller's opinion. 



Notice of Microscopical Discoveries. By Professor Ehrenberg, 

 In this extemporaneous address the learned Professor stated, that he 

 had the honour of exhibiting before the Section as much as he had 

 been able to effect of his great work on microscopic forms of life, — a 

 Avork which, he observed, he should never complete, as the subject was 

 inexhaustible, but that he should continue to extend it, as far as oppor- 

 tunity would allow. After explaining many of the subjects represented 

 in the engravings, he submitted to the inspection of the members pre- 

 sent a bottle of the material, collected in considerable quantity in the 

 vicinity of Lake Lettnaggsjdn, in Sweden, to which the inhabitants of 

 the district give the name of BergmeJd, or mountain meal. This earth, 

 Avhich resembles fine flour, has long been celebrated for its nutritious 

 qualities, and was found, on examination, to be entirely composed of 

 the shells of microscopic animalcules. The Professor also explained 

 some circumstances to be observed in studying the interior structure 

 of microscopic animalcula. 



Mr. Trevelyan exhibited a young living specimen from Rome, of the 

 Coluber notrix of Italian authors, but evidently differing from the En- 

 glish species so called ; also a specimen in spirits of Pohjodon folium 

 of North America, a small collection of Neapolitan insects, and speci- 

 mens, gathered by him in the island of Elba in 1837, of an Urtica, pro- 

 bably an undescribed species. 



BOTANY. 



On the Production of Vanilla in Europe. By Professor Morren, 

 of Liege. 



The Professor commenced by stating, that some difficulty at present 

 existed in determining the species from which the vanilla of commerce 

 was produced, but the Vanilla planifolia would produce it. This plant 

 does not naturally produce odoriferous fruit ; but Mons. Morren had 

 succeeded in obtaining, for two years running, fruits as large and odo- 

 riferous as those of commerce. The author remarked, that the culti- 

 vation of this plant might be now attempted in our intertropical colo- 

 nies, with the application of the.principles of modern botanical science, 



