728 EEPORT— 1888. 



The vesicle is terminated by a membrane whicli has a dotted appearance. Ife 

 contains filaments radiating from the ampulla. 



These filaments pass through the membrane and become the radiating filaments 

 of the protoplasm. 



The ampulla is but a dilatation at the end of the tube. 



The tube itself has a thin waU, but a solid and elastic one, and a very narrow 

 hole. 



The sheath is a formation analogous to the vesicle ; it has also a membrane and 

 radiating filaments. It varies much in length ; sometimes short, sometimes very 

 long, and rolled up in the protoplasm. 



Towards the lower part it narrows gradually, and finally it becomes one with 

 the tube itself. 



A question now arises : what is the morphological significance of these produc- 

 tions ? 



To my mind it is quite clear that the membrane of the vesicle of the ampullai 

 and of the tube are analogous to the nuclear membrane and to other productions 

 which arise in the cell by a condensation of the protoplasmic reticulum. 



The radiating filaments are nothing but radial fibres of the reticulum, which 

 have become more regular and stronger. 



It is very interesting to compare these cells with similar elements found dis- 

 persed in the abdominal region of other insects ; as, for instance, in the Carabua 

 catenulatus. 



Two forms of cell with canal are present. 



In one set the canal is in direct contact with the protoplasm from end to end. 

 In the other, which are of spheroidal form, the end of the canal is furnished 

 with a radiating vesicle similar to that of the JBlaps mortisaga. 



These three forms are types of three stages of development of the unicellular 

 gland. 



In the first there is only a canal in which are inserted directly the radiating 

 filaments of the protoplasm. In the second the protoplasm around the extremity 

 of the canal forms a radiating vesicle, but there is no sheath. And in the third 

 we have the sheath, which is a formation analogous to the vesicle. 



The odoriferous cell of the Blaj^s mortisagn represents the most complex type of 

 the unicellular gland and one of the most complicate forms of the living cell. 



7. Report of the Committee on Provincial Museums. — See Reports, p. 124. 



8. The effect of various suhstances (chiefly mevihers of the aromatic series of 

 organic compoimds) upon the rate of secreiton and constitution of the 

 Bile. By W. J. Collins, M.D., M.S., B.Sc. (Land.), F.B.G.8. 



The paper details the results of a research undertaken at the suggestion of 

 Dr. Lauder Brunton, being part of the larger subject of the relation between 

 chemical constitution and physiological action. The work of other experimenters in 

 the same field is reviewed. The methods of collecting the bile are discussed and 

 decided in favour of the formation of temporary biliary fistulse. This was adopted 

 in all the experiments detailed. The animals employed were guinea-pigs. The 

 substances experimented with were — Benzene, Toluene, Aniline, Toluene Diamine, 

 Benzoic Acid, Phenol, Sodic Salicylate, Hydroquinone, Pesorcin, Pyrocatechin, Ethyl- 

 Atmnonium Iodide, and Ipecacuanha. The collected bile, both before and after the sub- 

 cutaneous injection of the drug, was analysed so far as the estimation of its water, 

 solids, and ash in every case. Toluene appeared to be the most decisive cholagogue 

 of those experimented with, both as regards rate of secretion and increase of biliary 

 solids eliminated. Experimental trials of this drug upon man have served to cor- 

 roborate this conclusion. 



