832 REPORT—1896. 
Compared with the large sums spent on marine biological stations, the amount 
required for a fresh-water station, even if provided with a little more than the 
minimum outfit, is evidently very modest, and it seems hardly necessary to advo- 
cate the formation of a special society to carry out the proposal to found such a 
station. A little co-operation on the part of the many existing institutions 
interested in biology with a local society willing to undertake the work of organ- 
isation and supervision seems to be all that is required. At least, so far as the 
Norfolk Broads are concerned, this method would suffice, for there is the proposal 
of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society already in the field, and it would 
be a great pity if a scheme should be allowed to fall through which, if carried out, 
would remove the reproach that the United Kingdom is almost the only country 
in Europe without a heshiarater biological station. 
9. On Improvements in Trawling Apparatus. By J. WH. Macrure. 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 39. 
The following Report was read :— 
Report on the Migration of Birds.—See Reports, p. 451. 
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21. 
1. A Discussion was held in conjunction with Sections H and I on the 
Ancestry of the, Vertebrata. 
The following Paper was read :— 
2. On Paleospondylus Gunni. By Dr. R. H. Traquair, F.R.S. 
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22. 
i. A Discussion was held in conjunction with Section K on the Cell 
Theory. 
The following Papers and Report were read :— 
2. The Theory of Panplasm. 
By Professor Cuarxes 8. Minor, Harvard University, Boston. 
The author reviews the series of theories which attribute essential general vital 
functions to small particles, which may be called life units, and are present in large 
numbers within a single cell. Such life units have been named Gemmules, 
Physiological Units, Pangenes, Biophores, Plastidules, Ids, Idiosomes, &e. The 
author regards all these theories as erroneous. They are to be looked upon as 
little more than survivals of the old conception of absolute distinction between 
living and non-living matter. 
The Theory of Panplasm supposes that all the materials by their interaction 
