33: 



NATURE 



{_Atig. 26, 1875 



of vessels, by Adam-Kiewicz.^-Hyalonema Siebold, Gray, 

 by Kiistermann. — Researches on the development of 

 spermatozoa, by Neumann. — On amceboid motions of 

 the little nucleus-body, by Eimer. Part III. Studies on 

 Rhizopoda, by F. E. Schulze. — The relation of ciliated 

 epithelium of the abdominal cavity to the epithelium of 

 the ovary, by Neumann. — Researches on the first signs of 

 the eye-lens, by Mihalkowics. — Vertebral side and cerebral 

 appendage, by the same, — Researches on the develop- 

 ment of cross-striped muscles and nerves of Reptilia and 

 Amphibia, by Calberla.— On the reproduction of ArccUa 

 vulgaris, by Butschli. — Researches on the epithelium of 

 the nose, by Brunn. — On the nerves of the gullet, by 

 Goniaew. — Researches on the anatomy of the human 

 throat, by Disse. — On the structure of the Najadeuxieme, 

 by Posner. — Supplement : On the dental system of 

 Reptilia, and its significance with regard to the genesis of 

 the skeleton of the oral cavity, by O. Hertwig. — The 

 above-mentioned researches of Grecff and Schulze, which 

 are in close relation with those made in England by Archer 

 and Carter, treat of a class of the lower animals which 

 only lately has attracted great attention ; we therefore 

 can hardly be astonished that in such treatises, descrip- 

 tions and determinations of the different forms are in the 

 majority, and that the particular course of life of single 

 species remains at present still wrapped in considerable 

 darkness. These neat little organisms consist of a 

 very simple substance, which supports their existence 

 (sarcode) and of a siliceous skeleton, which in some 

 instances radiates outwardly in all directions, while in 

 others it appears as a bag- or bottle-shaped shell, and is 

 often adorned with relief-work well worthy of admiration. 

 As indications seem to become more and more nume- 

 rous that not only within the range of one species, bat 

 even in the development of one and the same individual 

 animal, different forms occur, it is evident that the propa- 

 gation and development of these organisms must remain 

 difficult to understand, so long as these relative connec- 

 tions are not investigated. But thus much is already 

 known, that even in the most distant localities the same 

 forms may occur, and that the marine Radiolaria and 

 Rhizopoda have near relations, or even identical forms, in 

 fresh water. Besides division, the following phenomena 

 seem to be connected with propagation : the phenomenon 

 of conjugation (temporary union of two animals), of 

 " encystifaction " (enclosing by a shell of the animal 

 which is contracted into the shape of a ball), and of the 

 formation of spores (production of interior germs, accord- 

 ing to Biitschli). 



ZOOLOGICAL STATIONS ABROAD 

 '"rHE following letters from Dr. Mikluho-Maclay to Dr. 

 ■*- Anton Dohrn, Director of the Zoological Station at 

 Naples, have been forwarded to us for publication by Prof. 

 Huxley. The first relates to a zoological station which 

 Dr. Maclay has established in the IMalay Archipelago, 

 and the second to the general subject of zoological sta- 

 tions abroad. 



'• Dear Dohrn, — You are well aware that I share your 

 views as to the great value of zoological stations to 

 science, and ycu will not doubt that the account of the 

 txcellent results of the great establishment founded by 

 you at Naples, which reached me by accident at Ternate 

 in 1873 on my return from my first expedition to New 

 Guinea, gave me great pleasure. 



" It is now my turn to surprise you with the news of the 

 establishment of a third (?) ^ zoological station at the 



^ I have not heard whether the statiou which you and I began at Messina 

 in 1867-68 arrived at any high degree of development, or whether it shrank 

 into a mere rudiment. My nomad life has prevented news of any other 

 than yours at Naples from reaching me ; for example, I do not know whether 

 he station on the Black Sea, which 1 advocated at the meeting of Russian 

 naturalists at Moscow in 1 168, ever came into existence. 



southernmost point of Asia, on * Selat-Tebrau,' the strait 

 which divides the island of Singapore from the Malay 

 Peninsula. 



" This new ' station ' cannot, it is true, be so called in 

 the same sense as yours at Naples. I have taken my own 

 requirements and customary mode of life as the standard, 

 and have arranged the building and its fittings in accord- 

 ance with it. 



" It will serve in the first place as a station and Tamfidf 

 Seiiang (or place of rest) for myself; in my absence, and 

 after my death, I wish to place it at the disposal of any 

 student of nature who feels himself suited for my mode 

 of life. 



" My ' Tampat Scnang ' has the following advantages 

 to offer : — 



"A house consisting of two fairly large rooms, eacli 

 provided with two verandahs (besides the necessary 

 offices), surrounded on three sides by the waters of the 

 straits, and on the fourth by the prime\al forest. 



"The house will be simply furnished, and will contain 

 a small library, together with the most necessary articles 

 for housekeeping. 



'■ It possesses, moreover, two advantages which I con- 

 sider to be of no small importance, namely, the command 

 of a fine view, and very complete isolation. 



" The use of this ' Tampat Senang ' is open to any 

 student of nature, without the slightest regard to nation- 

 ality, provided only he be of the male sex (for I conft;ss 

 to a decided repugnance to all stages of development and 

 differentiation of the genus * blue stocking.') The presence 

 of a woman as visitor, or as supplement of the one student 

 of nature for whom the place affords room — for in this 

 case a wife must be so regarded — is not forbidden ; but 

 since * Tampat Senang' must remain true to its name and 

 to my idea, no children can possibly be allowed there. 



" 1 have purchased the piece of land on which the house 

 is to stand, from H.H. the Maharajah of Johore. It is a 

 small hill which forms a cape projecting into the Sclat 

 Tebrau. In my will I have made such provisions that my 

 family, into whose hands it will pass, will be precluded 

 from ever selling it, or allowing it to be used for any other 

 purpose than as a station for scientific research ; or from 

 cutting down, or even thinning the primeval woods standing 

 upon it ; the utmost that will be allowed is the clearance 

 of one or two footpaths through the wood, which is always 

 to remain as a specimen of the untouched primeval forest. 

 And although ' Tampat Senang' may be hereafter rebuilt 

 in stone, and made more elegant or convenient, it is never 

 to be enlarged, lest it should lose its character of an iso- 

 lated abode for one student of nature. 



" I lose no time in writing to you, although the ground 

 is only just putxhased and the house is not yet built, be- 

 cause I think the plan of establishing such outposts for 

 students of nature in these parts of the world (the East 

 Indian Archipelago, Australia, the islands in the Pacific 

 Ocean, Japan, &c., &c.) likely to be veiy useful, and also 

 because, on account of my prt^sent ailment (an injured 

 foot), 1 have more leisure than usual. 



" Hotels can never afford suitable places of study on 

 account of the noise and confusion inseparable from 

 them ; nor can the hospitality of friends, however kindly 

 it may be offered, supply all that the student of nature 

 needs. Such unpretending stations as my future ' Tampat 

 Senang,' where he can work in absolute quiet, neithtr 

 disturbing others, nor suffering interruptions, without the 

 need of asking favours or incurring obligations, will 1 

 think commend themselves to many persons interested 

 in the advancement of science. 



'■ A principal reason for my choice of Johore is the 

 neighbourhood of Singapore, from which place 'Tampat 

 Senang' can be reached in three or four hours. The 

 advantages of this position are that all products of Euro- 

 pean industry can be easily procured ; that by means of 

 the frequent mails communication can be maintained with 



