30 



This power of reproduction by fission proves the lack of nerve 

 centres. Owen states that he has never observed a bud on the 

 tentacles, nor does a wound on this part lead to development of 

 Hydrge like one on the base of the body, and believes that the 

 greater amount of metamorphosis which the germ cells and nuclei 

 have undergone in the formation of the complex organs of the 

 tentacles is the cause of this inferior power of generation and re- 

 generation. 



And now having followed the Hydra through the various stages 

 of its life, viz., birth, growth, mode of living and multiplication, 

 however imperfectly the work may have been performed, for 

 there is a great deal of subject matter written on this small and 

 apparently unimportant form of life ; I must close my paper, ask- 

 ing my hearers to give me their kind indulgence in criticizing my 

 first effort in this line in overlooking its many deficiencies. 

 December 18th, 1894. 



This meeting had been postponed from December 4th. Mr. 

 Hy. Ullyett read a paper on the Ancestry of the Horse, illustrated 

 by Lantern Slides. From his paper the following extracts are 

 taken. 



THE ANCESTKY OF THE HORSE,— A CHAPTER IN 

 EVOLUTION. 



In the month of September last, a communication was inserted 

 in the EngHsh 31eclxanic^ stating, that there was then, at Farn- 

 borcugh, (Kent), a horse having two complete and well formed 

 hoofs on one of its fore-legs, and an illustration of the same was 

 given. The notice was signed by Mr. Alderson, a scientific 

 gentleman living in that neighbourhood, and I took the liberty of 

 writing to him for information, and asking if it were possible to 

 get a photograph of this foot. Although I was quite a stranger to 

 him he replied with the greatest courtesy, telling me that the 

 horse was the property of a travelling showman, and that he would 

 endeavour to get a photo for me. He did so, and by the aid of my 

 friend Mr. Carter, one of our members, I am enabled to place it 

 before you on the screen. 



Now this occurrence is by no means unique, it is met with from 

 time to time, and is of the very greatest interest to the student and 

 the scientific man. It cannot be classed under the head of 

 " montrosities " with two headed calves, or six legged kittens. On 

 the contrary it is full of information, its origin is known, and we 

 can understand why it occasionally takes place. It carries us back 

 in thought up the stream of Time into dim and early ages when 

 a fauna and flora, very different to the present, covered the face of 

 the earth. The very recurrence of the phenomenon from time to 



