288 REPORT— 1903. 



stained with iron-htematoxylin if care be taken not to extract too long 

 with the alum. In such preparations the resemblance to a nucleus is very 

 striking. 



The cytoplasm of the egg of Tomopteris in stained sections under a 

 high power presents a most distinct reticulum, the granules seen under a 

 lower power being apparently the cross-sections of filaments. This is 

 equally true of the scanty cytoplasm which lies between the yolk spheres 

 in the larger eggs. The difficulty is how to reconcile this observation with 

 the emulsion structure noted in the fresh egg. It may be that the 

 ' microsomes ' certainly seen in methyl-green preparations have been 

 dissolved out, and that it is the network of intermediate or ' continuous 

 substance ' which is seen stained in sections. 



The material available at Naples during my occupancy of the table did 

 not provide me with any stages later than that at which the definitive 

 chromosomes are formed. I was unable, therefore, to study the polar bodies 

 and fertilisation in this form. The preparation of a detailed and illus- 

 trated account of my observations, which I hope to extend, and a discussion 

 of the more important literature bearing on the subject must stand over 

 in the meantime. 



In conclusion I desire to thank heartily the Committee for the use of 

 their table, and to express the sense of obligation which every student of 

 marine zoology must feel who has had the privilege of working at the 

 renowned Stazione. Of the kind attention of the authorities of that 

 institution I entertain the most pleasant recollections. 



Index Generum et Specierum Animalium. — Beport of the Committee, 

 consisting of Dr. Henry Woodward (Chairman), Dr. F. A. 

 Bather (Secretarf), Mr. W. E. Hoyle, Mr. R. McLachlan, 

 Dr. P. L. Sclater, and the llev. T. R. R. Stebbing. 



The Committee have the honour to report that at the end of October, 

 1902, the first volume of this work was published. It covers the period 

 1758-1800, and was issued by the Cambridge University Press. The 

 volume consists of 1,254 pages, viz. 59 pp. of 'Introduction and Biblio- 

 graphy,' 1,071 pp. of ' Index,' and 124 pp. of ' Index to Genei-ic Names, 

 showing the trivial names associated with each,' from 1758-1800. 



The work has been well received, and favourable reviews have appeared 

 in the ' Geological Magazine,' ' Revue des Questions Scientifiques,' 

 ' Zoologist,' ' Zoologisches Zentralblatt,' ' Entomologists' Record,' 'Science,' 

 ' Athenseum,' 'Nature,' 'American Journal of Science,' etc. 



Numerous letters have also been received from the Continent and 

 America containing gratifying expressions as to its value to zoologists. 



The indexing of 1801-1900 continues in a satisfactory manner, but it 

 is of necessity slower, as the question of the determination of dates of 

 publication of works which have appeared in parts makes the compiler's 

 progress a very laborious one. 



The amount of last year's grant has been drawn (with the authority 

 of the Committee) and applied by Mr. C. Davies Sherborn to the carrying 

 on of the work during the year now ending. 



The Committee earnestly request reappointment with a grant of lOOL 



