PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 143 



in their size, Dr. Hallifax described the vertebrate skeleton and its 

 structiire, pointed out its power of repairing injury, its special purposes 

 of leverage, &c., and discussed the haversian system, the lacunce and 

 canaliculi, all of which he considered subservient to the jjurposes of 

 nutrition, and mentioned that by the process known as decalcification 

 he had been able to make three sections with his cutting instrument, 

 in which the haversian system was well illustrated. 



Mr. Hennah stated that in the opinion of some authorities the 

 lacuncB and canaliculi differed in size, according to the relative sizes 

 of the blood globules. 



Mr, Wonfor thought this would hardly hold good in all cases, for 

 in some of the Reptilia, having large blood globules, the lacuna and 

 canaliculi were small. 



The meeting then became a conversazione for the exhibition of 

 specimens of "Bone and Allied Structui*es." 



Mr. Hennah exhibited cartilage dry and in gelatine, and sections 

 of bone in balsam, 



Mr. Dennant exhibited sections of teeth showing ramifications of 

 caries, and sections of bone. 



Mr, Peto exhibited sections of bone, recent and fossil, and of teeth 

 mounted in balsam. 



Mr. Sewell exhibited human foetal and other bone sections. 



Mr, Wonfor exhibited sections of bone, bony scales, ivory, teeth 

 and palate teeth, diy and in balsam. 



It was determined that the Microscopical Meeting for Dec. 22nd 

 should be on " Shell Structure." 



December 8th. — Ordinary Meeting. Mr, Sewell, Vice-President, 

 in the chair, 



Mr. H, Pratt was elected an ordinary member. 



Mr. Wonfor, Hon. Sec, announced the receipt (from the author) 

 of a copy of a paper read before the Eastbourne Natui-al History 

 Society, by Mr. F. C. S. Roper, " On the Polyzoa found at East- 

 bourne," 



The Rev. J. C, Walker exhibited a curious flower, commonly 

 called " The Rose of Jericho," and which, when placed in water, un- 

 folded itself. This property is possessed by several plants, viz. the 

 true Rose of Jericho, which belongs to another family ; by one of the 

 Lycopodiums, sold imder the name of the Resm-rection Plant ; and by 

 some of the lichens, as well as by the spores and seed-vessels of some 

 plants, notably in the case of Erodiums, one of which has been used 

 as a hygroscope, owing to their being acted upon by changes of 

 moisture and dryness. An example of the Lycopods, L. lepidoplujllum, 

 possessing this property, was shown by Mr. Wonfor, The difterence 

 between this plant and the Roses of Jericho is, that, after being placed 

 in water for twenty-four hours, the plant may be potted, and will grow 

 like any other lycopod. 



Mr. R, Glaisyer exhibited specimens of lias, from Dudley, con- 

 taining fossils, among which was a perfect trilobite. 



Mr. Nash exhibited shale, from which the petroleum oil is ex- 

 tracted, and containing fossil fish, the bones of which were distinctly 



