PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



Dublin Microscopical Club. 

 November 15th, 1877. 



Structure of Spine of Amhiypneustes ovum. — Mr. Mackintosh 

 exhibited a cross section of the spine of AmhJypiieustes ovum, 

 Lamk. Notwithstanding the small size of the spines — the sec- 

 tion measured only j^" in diameter — its structure is very- 

 substantial. The bars of the central reticulations are remark- 

 ably thick ; the solid wedges which stretch out from it are very 

 broad in proportion to their length, and are united by numerous 

 strong trabeculse. The structure bears a remote resemblance to 

 that of Echinus esculentus, with a section of which it was con- 

 trasted. 



Sertularella polyzojiias, found at Ballybrack, Co. Dublin, was 

 exhibited by Mr. D. Grant. This species occurs but sparingly 

 on the Dublin coast, though common elsewhere. 



Geoglossum glahrum and Comatricha Friesiana, exliihited. — 

 Mr. Pirn showed transverse sections of Geoglossum gJahrum, Per- 

 soon ; he had found this fungus growing in considerable abundance 

 along the roadside in the upper part of Gleucullen, also near 

 Kilternan, in November last. The peculiar paraphyses and long 

 multiseptate spores were well marked. — Comatricha Friesiana 

 was also shown by Dr. W. M. A. Wright. 



Oikopleura rufescens from BesseJVs Bay, exhibited. — Dr. Moss, 

 R.N., late of H.M.S. 'Alert,' exhibited specimens of Oikopleura 

 rufescens (Fol), captures hy him in Bessell's Bay, an inlet of 

 Hall's Sea, north latitude 81° 7''. He remarked that a single 

 individual of the rarer genus Frillaria was obtained in Smith's 

 Bound, and that the discovery of these creatures in the Arctic 

 regions afforded a striking illustration of the wide distribution 

 of oceanic Tunicata. 



New Species of Difflugia. — Mr. Archer exhibited an example 

 of the test — he has not yet seen the living state — of a new 

 Difflugia, on account of its vinous colour, as if stained with 

 claret or port wine, to be called Difflugia vinosa. This is a large 

 form, broadly truncato-ovate in contour, its outline and size not 

 unlike those of Euglypha spinosa. Carter, though, of course, it 

 would be only meaningless to suggest any further or closer com- 

 parison between these two Thalmaphores. The test seemed to bje 



