156 THE, ZOOLOGIST. 
Mr. Murray then gave the substance of a paper on a new genus of 
Green Alge, proposed to be named Boodlea, and in so doing made some 
instructive observations on the affinities and distinguishing characters of 
allied genera. The paper was criticised by Messrs. A. W. Bennett, Reay 
Greene, and Dr. D. H. Scott. 
In continuation of his researches upon the eyes of insects, Mr. B. T. 
Lowne gave an admirable exposition of the structure of the retina in the 
Blowfly, illustrated by preparations under the microscope, and some 
excellent photographs. 
March 7, 1889.—Mr. Carrutuers, F'.R.S., President, in the chair. 
Messrs. Herbert Stone and Malcolm Laurie were admitted Fellows 
of the Society; and Messrs. John Bidgood and Christopher Mudd were 
elected. 
Mr. J. HK. Harting exhibited specimens of a South American Bat 
(Noctilio leporinus), alleged to be of piscivorous habits, and which, through 
the kindness of Sir William Robinson, K.C.M.G., the Governor of Trinidad, 
had been forwarded from that island by Prof. M‘Carthy, together with a 
report on the subject. From this report it appeared that the stomach of one 
specimen, opened within half-an-hour after it had been shot, on the evening 
of Dec. 29th, “contained much fish in a finely divided and partially digested 
state.” In three others procured at 6 a.m. the following morning, the 
stomachs were empty. On the morning of Dec. 31st, at 3 a.m., numbers 
of these Bats were observed returning to their caves; two were shot, and 
“both contained considerable quantities of fish.” Prof. M‘Carthy added 
that in the stomachs of other specimens examined by him fish-scales were 
undoubtedly present. Of the specimens forwarded in spirits to this country 
two had been skinned and the stomachs and intestines examined by Mr. 
Harting. The sac-like stomach was much less muscular than might be 
expected in a fish-eating mammal; but in one of them (the other being 
empty) fragments of a finely striated and iridescent substance resembling 
fish-scales were found. A discussion followed, in which Prof. Howes and 
Mr. W. P. Sladen took part, the conclusion being that, although there was 
no a@ priori improbability in the alleged piscivorous habits of this Bat, it 
could hardly be accepted as a fact until the fragments supposed to be of 
fish were really proved to be so by careful microscopical and chemical 
examination. [See report of next meeting, March 21st. ] 
A paper was then read by the Rev. Prof. Henslow, M.A., “On the 
Vascular Systems of Floral Organs, and their importance in the inter- 
pretation of the Morphology of Flowers.” The author drew attention to 
the importance of this class of observations, as supplementing development 
and teratology; for by referring all organs back to their “ axial traces,” 
their real origins could generally be discovered. Taking the cords meta- 
