collar-cells are gelatinous globules containing dark particles. . Pro- 

 bably Dendy is right in comparing these to the "spermatozoon-heads " 

 of Polejaeff, which may be the ultimate residue of victorious phago- 

 cytosis. (E) Origin of sponges. Archfeocytes may have been 

 differentiated into external excretory cells and internal reproductive 

 cells ; the former engulfed cercids, but only to pass them on to the 

 latter. By abbreviation of this process the excretory cells may have 

 become self-perforating porocytes, which were then adapted to supply 

 water to flagellate cells in the centre of a Protosjmigia-like colony, 

 thus converting it into an elementary Olyntlms. 



The discussion which followed was maintained by Prof. Dendy, 

 Mr. Harold Russell, and Mr. J. B. Gatenby (visitor"", the author 

 replying. 



Mr. Edward J. Bedford showed a series of thirty exquisite 

 water-colour drawings from British Marsh Orchids, with their 

 numerous varieties and hybrids, further illustrated by 70 lantern- 

 slides from his photographs of the growing plants in situ, and 

 enlarged views of the lip, front and side view. 



Mr. H. W. Pugsley and Mr. T. A. Dymes contributed further 

 remarks ; the latter exhibited a series of fruit capsules, and remarked 

 on the characters afforded by these variable plants, in their fruits and 

 seeds ; Mr. Bedford briefly replying. 



The nest Meeting will be the Anniversary, to be held on 

 Thursday, 27th May, 1920, as previously announced on the 

 Card of Meetings. See Special Notice enclosed. 



The General Meeting following the Anniversary will 

 be held on Thursday, the 3rd June, at 5.0 p.m. 



COMMUNICATIONS. 



1. Mr. E. Swainson-Hall, E.L.S. — Exhibition of 50 drawings 



of the Oil-palm, Elceis guineensis: 



2. Mr. A. Whitehead, B.Sc. — Objects observed in the neigh- 



bourhood of Basra, during the war, with lantern-slides. 

 (Communicated by Mr. H. ITindon, F.L.S.) 



