262 



He intends to describe these remains more fully hereafter, in 

 a communication for the Transactions of this Society. 



Mr. Justice informed the members that he had received 

 from Professor Boye, specimens of the " Protococcus niva- 

 lis," brought by Dr. Kane from the arctic regions, and read a 

 microscopical description of the plant. 



The perfect type of the Protococcus Nivalis, is a globular cyst, 



varying in size from the 2T00 °^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ *^® ToVo °^ ^" ^^^^ ^^ 

 diameter; each cell or cyst having an opening, whose smallest diame- 

 ter measures only the -50V0 P^^*^ of ^^ inch. This opening is sur- 

 rounded by marked serrated or indented lines, as though by the ex- 

 pansion and gradual grow^th of the cell, the opening had also been 

 irregularly expanded. The plant, when perfect, greatly resembles 

 the red currant of our gardens; as it decays the red colouring matter 

 is lost, being gradually superseded by a deep orange, which finally 

 appears to change into a brown, or the cell becomes transparent. In 

 this transparent state, when the cell is broken, the thickness of the 

 enveloping cuticle may be measured, this does not exceed the joho-o 

 part of one inch ; and, where the opening is preserved, the interior of 

 it becomes of a delicate green colour. Many of the cells exhibit the 

 hexagonal figure instead of being globular; but this is the result of 

 compression, where masses of them have been thrown together. 

 Mingled with the protococcus are fragments of a tissue of reticulated 

 and cellular formation, much resembling some of the infusorial poly- 

 cystina. So minute are the openings in these that they do not ex- 

 ceed the -j-Q^oo" P^'"'- o^ ^^ ^'^^'^ i"^ diameter. 



Pending nominations, Nos. 271 to 282, were read: — 

 Mr. Lea offered the following preamble and resolution: — 



"Whereas, the appropriation of the interest of the " Extra Magella- 

 nic Fund," made to the Committee of Publication, having been with- 

 drawn by the appropriation of most of the principal, to the payment 

 of the debts of the Society : 



Resolved, That the same be now restored, according to the origi- 

 nal intention, out of any fund not otherwise ordered by the Society, 

 until it shall be equal to the amount at the time of its withdrawal; 

 and that the interest received from said fund be semi-annually paid 

 to the Publication Committee from this time. 



On motion of Mr. Fraley, the above resolution was referred 

 to the Committee of Finance. 



