' 
Cxxx 
It was then observed that the plumose tentacles that surround the 
mouth are systematically swept like mops or brushes over the surface 
of all objects with which they came in contact, and all minute organic 
particles that can be detached are carried off and thrust bodily with the 
tentacle down the creature’s throat. The tentacle is then withdrawn 
and extended to repeat the mopping process, all the other tentacles 
following suit in almost rhythmical order. This feeding process here 
described may be witnessed in the relatively small species of Chirodota 
now exhibited. Under a higher power of the microscope I also exhibit 
the remarkable wheel-shaped plates and hooklets that underlie the sur- 
face of the integument. Among the practical results derived from 
my recent examination of the Holothurians I have to record one fact 
which I regret to say somewhat detracts from the admiration hitherto 
conceded to their aspect and structure. A friend (Mr. Mackay) having 
suggested to me that a large assortment of the minute shells known as 
foraminifera might be obtained from their intestines, I dissected and ex- 
amined several specimens, with the view of ascertaining what varieties 
they obtained for food on this coast. Foraminifera were found in abund- 
ance, comprising chiefly the genera Miliola, Rotalia, Textularia, and an 
arenaceous form allied to Reophax. There was also a large variety ‘of 
diatoms, and the main bulk of the food material of these holothuria may 
therefore be said to consist of the simplest animals and plants, or pro- 
tozoa and protophytes. There was a small residuum of food matter, 
however, that had to be relegated to a much higher organic group. 
This consisted of the shells of exceedingly minute bivalve molluscs, which 
I identified as the embryonic stages of some representative of the cockle 
tribe. This fact being determined, the suspicion naturally arises that 
in the sea cucumbers a new enemy of the oyster in the earliest stage 
ofits development has been discovered. The habit of the animal to feed 
on all minute forms of organic life, including embryonic molluscs, being 
established, it may be logically predicated that the large sea cucumbers, 
more especially with their relatively powerful mop-like tentacles, would 
make a clean sweep of any newly-attached oyster spat that might be 
adhering to the stones, shells, or other objects over which they creep. 
How far these deductions are borne out by fact I shall hope to report to 
you at length on some future occasion. Mr. Saville-Kent intimated 
that the construction of the marine hatchery and aquarium at his resi- 
dence being now completed, he would be very pleased at all times 
to welcome members of the society who would like to inspect it. It would 
be some time yet before the tanks were sufficiently seasoned to allow of 
the maintenance of a large stock of marine animals, but they would 
already, perhaps, find a few things to interest them. (Applause.) 
THE MICROSCOPE, 
A most interesting feature of the evening’s proceedings was the 
microscopic exhibition which took place at its close, illustrative, to 
some extent, of the papers read. There were seven microscopes on the 
table, five of them binoculars, viz., three of Ross’, one of Baker’s, and 
one of Smith’s. Mr. Atkins’ very fine Ross instrument was used for the 
display of the various features of the Synapta suriniensis referred to in 
his paper, their peculiar formation and anchor-like appendages creating 
much wonderment. As seen in the field of the microscope, these latter 
have the perfect form of a ship’s anchor, and the objects seen under the 
influence of polarized light display the most brilliant iridescent tints. 
Synapta and bacteria were similarly exhibited by Mr. Saville-Kent, 
F.L.S. Some very beautiful mounted specimens of mosses were shown 
by Mr. R, A. Bastow, among them Andra petrophila, Sphagnum 
obtusifolium, Phascum apiculatum, and Fissedens bryoides. Mr, Bastow’s 
paper was postponed until a future evening. 
