TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 69 



metamorphosis, exactly comparable to that which Linnseus first, and Goethe after- 

 wards, demonstrated in the flowers of vegetables. He states his theory of their 

 nature thus : — The vesicle is formed from a branch or pinna, through an arrest of 

 individual development, by a shortening of the spiral axis, and by a transformation 

 of the stomachs (individuals) into egg-producing membranes, the dermato-skeletons 

 (or cells) uniting to form the protecting capsule or germen ; which metamorphosis is 

 exactly comparable to that which we find in the reproductive organs of flowering 

 plants in which the floral bud (normally a branch clothed with spirally arranged 

 leaves, an assemblage of respiratory individuals) is constituted through the contrac- 

 tion of the axis and the whorling of the individuals borne on that axis, and by their 

 transformation into the several parts of the flower. In order to prove this theory, 

 the author submits the several forms of ovigerous vesicle in the family of Sertulariadse 

 to a searching analysis, taking the pod-like vesicle of most Plumulariae, usually re- 

 garded as the most complex, but in reality the simplest, as a type. He shows that 

 all the classes of forms, six in number, may be explained by means of his proposed 

 view of their nature, which is further borne out by certain monstrosities which have 

 occasionally occurred among the zoophytes. Having, as he conceives, proved his 

 position, he proceeds to show its application to systematic zoophytology, urging the 

 dismemberment of the genera Sertularia and Plumularia, the separation of the Sertula- 

 riadae from the Hydraidae and Tubulariadae, as an order equal in value to these families 

 united, and the arrangement of the zoophytes under four orders, of which the above- 

 named families form two, and the Helianthoid and Asteroid polypes the other two, 

 the Bryozoa being transferred to the Mollusca, where they should form a family par- 

 allel and equal to the compound Tunicata. 



On the Organs of Generation in the Decapodous Crustacea. 

 By Harry D. S. Goodsir, M.W.S. 



The internal organs are more highly developed in the Brachyura than in any other 

 section of the class, and the genus Hyas was selected from it by the author as most 

 fitted for illustrating the general anatomy of these organs. 



On the Conservation of Substances. By A. Goadby. 



Mr. Goadby exhibited a series of preparations of animal bodies preserved in glass 

 cases, according to a method of his own suggestion. Many gentlemen having com- 

 plained that they had not succeeded in preparing animal substances in the way which 

 he had recommended, he was desirous of stating fully the plans which he pursued. 

 The following were the formulae for all the solutions he used : — 

 A 1. 



Bay salt 4 oz. 



Alum 2 „ 



Corrosive sublimate 2 grains. 



Water 1 quart. 



A 2. 



Bay salt 4 oz. 



Alum 2 „ 



Corrosive sublimate 4 grains. 



Water 2 quarts. 



B. 



Bay salt i lb. 



Corrosive sublimate 2 grains. 



Water l quart. 



BB. 



Bay salt ^ lb. 



Arsenious acid (or white 



oxide of arsenic) 20 grains. 



Boiling water 1 quart. 



C. 



Bay salt i lb. 



Arsenious acid 20 grains. 



Corrosive sublimate 2 grains. 



Boiling water 1 quart. 



The first, A 1, was the ordinary solution he used : A 2, where there was a ten- 

 dency to mouldiness, and the animal texture was tender, as, although salt preserved 

 animal matters, it sometimes destroyed the tissue. B. was used in cases where ani- 

 mals contained carbonate of lime, as, in these cases, alum produced decomposition. 

 For old preparations, arsenic was substituted for corrosive subhmate, as in BB., but 

 where there was a tendency to too much softening, the corrosive sublimate should be 

 added, as in C. 



