168 



serrations on the diffused influence of shocks accord with those of 

 the coordinate similar movements of all the segments, in proving 

 their close mutual relations and mutual influence. 



November 23, 1854. 



THOMAS BELL, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 



W. C. Williamson, Esq., was admitted into the Society, in accord- 

 ance with the Statutes. 



The Chairman gave notice of the ensuing Anniversary Meeting, 

 and read the names of the noblemen and gentlemen proposed as 

 Council and Officers for the ensuing year. 



The following gentlemen were elected Auditors of the Treasurer's 

 Accounts on the part of the Society : 



Sir B. Brodie, Bart., C. Darwin, Esq., Dr. Hofmann, James 

 Paget, Esq., and Robert Stephenson, Esq. 



The following communications were read : 



I. "On the Impregnation of the Ovum in the Stickleback." 

 By W. H. RANSOM, M.D. Communicated by Dr. SHARPEY, 

 Sec. U.S. Received October 20, 1854. 



I purpose placing before the Royal Society in this communication, 

 the principal results of experiments made during the months of 

 June and July last, on the impregnation of the ovum in Gasterosteus 

 leiurus and G. pungitius, and hope to be able to furnish a more 

 detailed account of my observations on a future occasion. 



The ovarian ovum of these fishes, at a very early stage of its 

 development, is provided with a proper investing membrane, the 

 future chorion. At a later period, one portion of this membrane 

 presents a number of cup- shaped pediculated bodies scattered over 

 its surface, and in the centre of this part of the chorion there is a 



