300 REPORT—1904. 
significance of the chromatophoric fat discovered and described by Messrs. 
Keeble and Gamble. 
The results of this year’s investigations, incomplete as they are, show 
(i) that starting with the almost colourless (z.e., adolescent) stage with 
which Hippolyte begins its colour-history, continued darkness induces the 
formation of red pigment even in the absence of food ; a conclusion that 
has bearings of considerable interest in relation to deep-sea and Arctic 
crustacea, 
(ii) Further, the colourless stage is one of great susceptibility. By 
appropriate coloured screens, a green or brown tint is rapidly induced ; 
whereas, in adults, the pigmentary system gives way far less readily. 
This susceptibility explains to a large extent the way in which Hippolyte 
grows into its surroundings. 
(iii) Finally, the origin and fate of the chromatophoric fat has been 
tested by a couple of experiments. The results are not yet completely 
worked out, and Mr. Keeble is at present engaged upon a further attempt 
to solve this difficult problem. But the results show that in such colour- 
varieties of Hippolyte as green, brown, and pink, there is under natural 
conditions a production of colourless fat in the chromatophores ; and 
that when food is withheld this chromatophoric fat is drawn upon. 
Occupation of a Table at the Zoological Station at Naples.—Report of 
the Committee, consisting of Professor 8. J. Hickson (Chairman), 
Mr. J. EH. S. Moore (Secretary), Dr. E. Ray LAnKeEsteEr, Professor 
W. F. R. Wetpon, Professor G. B. Howes, Mr. A. SEpGwick, 
and Professor W. C. McIntosH. 
Tue Committee report that during the session Mr. Goodrich occupied the 
table for a period of one month, and investigated the anatomy of the 
Chlorhemid and the excretory organs of Enteropneusta, and that Miss 
Vickers occupied the table for two months and carried on some investiga- 
tions on Alge. The Committee ask for reappointment, with a grant of 
1000. 
Report on the Occupation of the Table, by E. 8. Goopricu. 
I have to thank the Committee of the British Association for the use 
of the table at the Naples Zoological Station during one month last 
Christmas 1903-04. 
During this short stay most of the time was spent in a search for true 
nephridia in Balanoglossus. The search, however, was unsuccessful, and 
so far no definite excretory organs have been found in the Enteropneusta. 
The rest of my time was occupied in the study of the anatomy of the 
Chlorhemid, a group of Polychete worms which is very incompletely 
known. I succeeded in obtaining a considerable amount of valuable 
material, and hope shortly to publish some account of my researches. 
