LOTTO EGG OF THE NEW GUINEA RIFLE-BIRD. 
together at their edges to form a transparent polyhedral test. 
5. Psammosphera rustica H.-A. & E., which constructs a 
polyhedral test between long ‘‘ catamaran” spicules, filling the 
interspaces with fragments of spicules of graduated length and 
occasionally using a triaxial spicule to fill an awkward space or 
angle. 6. Vouria harrisii H.-A. & E., which supports itself, 
aperture uppermost, upon the mud by means of spicules pro- 
jecting at the aboral end of the test. 7. Haliphysema 
tumanowiezii Bowerbank, which protects its aperture from 
parasitic worms with an investment of projecting spicules. 
8. Crithionina pisum Goés, var. hispida Brady, 9. Paulina 
jetireysti Carpenter, and 10. Hyperammina ramosa Brady, 
which protect themselves with a close investment of spicules 
all over their shells. 11. JJarsipella cylindrica Brady, which 
protects its aperture with a crown of loosely aggregated spicules. 
12. Marsipella spiralis H.-A. & E., which arranges the spicules 
of which it is constructed in a left-handed spiral to give tensional 
strength. 13. Technitella legumen Norman, which constructs its 
shell of fragments of spicules in two layers, the inner layer being 
laid at right angles to the outer. 14. Techunitella thompsoni 
H.-A. & E., which selects from the environmental material for 
the construction of its test nothing but the perforated plates of 
an ophiurid or echinoderm. 
In the opinion of the authors, ‘ purpose” and “ intelligence ’ 
are revealed by these phenomena. If they depended on surface- 
tension, all the individuals in a dredging would exhibit the same 
phenomena, and the theory of natural selection resulting m the 
survival of the fittest is met by the reply that these selective 
and purposive individuals constitute a marked minority in the 
dredgings in which they are found. 
An interesting discussion followed, in which, amongst others, 
Sir H. H. Howorth, F.R.S., Sir E. Ray Lankester, F.R.S., and 
the Secretary took part. 
? 
Egg of the New GuineaRifle-bird. 
My. D. Seru-Suirn, F.Z.8., Curator of Birds, exhibited an egg 
of the New Guinea Rifle-bird (Ptilorhis intercedens) which had 
been laid in the Society’s Gardens in July last. The bird that laid 
it belonged to Mr. HE. J. Brook, F.Z.S., who had kindly lent 
it in the hope that it might pair with a male belonging to 
the Society. While in Mr. Brook’s aviaries in Scotland, this 
bird paired with a male of its species, and in 1911 and 1912 
constructed a nest and laid eggs, but in both cases they were 
infertile. 
The birds were placed last spring in the Summer Aviary, where 
they appeared to do well, and in July the female built a nest, 
composed of dead leaves and dry vrass, in a bush, about five feet 
from the ground, and laid two eggs. She sat well and was not 
