PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 253 



others, had removed them from the radiata in which they were placed 

 by Cuvier, and elevated them to the moUusca, simply from the fact 

 of their being proved to possess a higher organization. For some 

 time they were known to possess a mouth and retractile tentacles, but 

 no second or anal aj^erture could be detected, hence it was thought the 

 one opening served both purposes. It had clearly been made out that 

 the alimentary canal, or stomach, folded on itself, and was terminated 

 by a second orifice close by, but distinct from the mouth, thus proving 

 they were of a higher organization than the lower zoophytes, which 

 had but one orifice. In the Bowerbankia, which possessed a very 

 transparent envelope, a muscular structure, nervous ganglia, a repre- 

 sentative of the liver, and a cii'culation of the nutritive fluid through 

 the whole body had been made out, thus bringing them in connection 

 with the moUusca ; the more interesting, because, in external character 

 and mode of growth, they were considered identical with the zoo- 

 phytes ; but microscopical examination had proved that the sea-mats 

 of oui- shore were closely allied to the oyster and mussel. The ten- 

 tacles, too, in which circulation could be detected, were ciliated — a 

 state of things not found among the polyps. 



The mode of reproduction was threefold : by germination, ^'. e. by 

 buds ; by ova ; and by fissure or division ; the last the most rare, the 

 fii'st the most common method. 



To the microscopist they were exceedingly interesting, for w^hile 

 the skeleton exhibited great variety of form and beauty, scientifically 

 they possessed a higher value, as showing what patient and endming 

 observation and skill might accomplish. 



The Black Eock was a good himting ground, but the masses of 

 sea-weed washed up from deep water after stormy weather would 

 supply many forms. 



Mr. Wonfor mentioned that two methods were adopted for pro- 

 curing and j)reserving si^ecimens with their tentacles expanded ; one 

 was by plunging the specimen in cold fresh w'ater, which killed and 

 often caused them to exsert their tentacles, the other was to watch for 

 the protruding of the tentacles in salt water, and to add spirits of wine 

 di'op by drop ; this had the effect of killing the creatures with their 

 tentacles expanded. 



The meeting afterwards became a conversazione, at which some 

 very beautiful preparations of Polyzoa and Anthozoa were exhibited 

 by Dr. Hallifax, Messrs. Sewell, E. Glaisyer, and Wonfor. 



Mr. Wonfor also exhibited specimens of Polyzoa and Anthozoa 

 mounted on paper to show the form of the Polypidom. 



September 14th. — Annual Meeting. Mr. F. Merrifield, President, 

 in the chair. 



The following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing 

 year :— President, Mr. W. M. HoUis, J.P., M.E.C.S.; Committee, Dr. 

 Badcock, Messrs. Haselwood, Sawyer, C. P. Smith, G. Scott, and E. 

 Glaisyer ; Treasurer, Mr. T. H. Home ; Hon. Secretaries, Messrs. T. 

 W. Wonfor and J. C. Onions ; Hon. Librarian, Mr. Gwatkin. The 

 name of Mr. Merrifield was added to the list of Vice-Presidents. 



From the Eighteenth Keport of the Committee it appeared the 



