119 



harvest of novelties, and might tend to have further scientific value 

 to the present obscure system of botanical classification. Before 

 them were specimens of the interesting facts connected with cell 

 formatien in spongioles. 



The Dialyser was a thin membrane, a gross representative of 

 the delicate vegetable cell wall; the contents of the tubes indica- 

 ted the several gummy, saccharine or starchy fluids within these 

 <;ells, and the glasses beneath, with their varied mixtures, set forth 

 the food which nature or art supply to the spongelets and fibres. 

 In conclusion, what finite mind could do more than hover around 

 the inscrutable cycle of human embryonic life with its cells and its 

 cells. By what means should one set of vessels lay down the 

 rudiments of bone, another those of muscle, another the elements 

 of a future brain, to be the seat of an intellectual Milton or a 

 Shakespeare ? How were these deposited so miraculously in the 

 •exact spot where they would afterwards be required, and this, too, 

 months ere they would be called into use. Anon, 270 suns have 

 ^one down on this cycle. The hour was come when irresistible 

 refley force was roused, innate foetal movements coalesce, and ere 

 another davni arises upon this world within a world, a new and 

 independent life is called forth from that original cryptic cell to 

 add another illustration of nature's handiwork that she moves in 

 a glorious series of circles of wheels within wheels. 



The President (Mr. G. D. Sawyer) moved a vote of thanks 

 to Dr. Corfe, who he said in the reading of his paper had brought 

 many interesting facts together. He was sure that they would 

 join Avith him in thanking that gentleman for his efforts and 

 for his perseverance in readiiig his paper, notwithstanding his 

 great difficulty in suftering from a heavy cold. 



In the course of aconversation which followed, it was suggested 

 hy Mr. Wonfor that the subject .should be again brought forward 

 at their next microscopical meeting. 



