343 



from the sulphate of iodo-quinine, which, it may be remembered, 

 contains 32-609 per cent, iodine and 1O61 per cent, sulphuric acid. 

 I hope soon to present these results in more detail when sufficient 

 leisure is afforded me for the purpose. W. B. H. 



January 29, 1857. 

 Major-General SABINE, Treas. and V.P., in the Chair. 



The following communications were read : 



I. "On the Nervous System of Lumbricus terrestris." By J. 

 LOCKHART CLARKE, Esq., F.R.S. Received Dec. 18, 1856. 



(Abstract.) 



In the summer of 1855, with the view of throwing some light on 

 other researches in human anatomy, in which he was already en- 

 gaged, the author undertook some anatomical inquiries on the nervous 

 system of Invertebrata ; but finding them occupy more time than he 

 could spare, he was compelled to relinquish the pursuit after having 

 made many interesting but desultory observations on various animals. 

 As he had proceeded, however, to a considerable extent with the 

 nervous system of Lumbricus terrestris, and discovered in it much 

 that is important and was hitherto unknown, he has thought it expe- 

 dient to resume and complete this portion of the subject without 

 further delay. 



Before treating of the nervous system it was necessary, in order to 

 show the proper functions of many of its parts, to give some account 

 of the organs of prehension, deglutition and digestion ; and as these 

 are insufficiently explained elsewhere, the author has described them 

 entirely from his own dissections and observation. 



The first anterior segment is a conical or nipple-shaped projection in- 

 serted behind into the upper fifth of the second segment, or first ring. 

 Its dorsal surface is covered, except in the centre, by concentric laminae 

 and irregular masses of pigment-granules, which are interspersed 

 with large, peculiar and nearly pellucid cells. Its under part forms 



