244 MICROSCOPY. 
these corpuscles would soon be recognized as of importance in 
systematic zoology, and demonstrated the relation of their size to 
the respiratory function. The blood-discs of Amphiuma are the 
largest now known, supplanting, in this respect, those of the 
familiar Proteus. 
RAPHIDES AND PLANT-CRYSTALS.—— Mr. Fullager gave demon- 
strations of the crystal-prisms of Quillaia bark, and noticed their 
size, prismatic and angular outline and polarizing properties, as — 
points of distinction from true raphides which are acicular and 
occur in bundles. The order Iridaceze abounds in erystal-prisms 
Mr. Gulliver showed the great importance of plant-crystals, 
especially raphides, in systematic botany ; the raphidian character 
being so eminently natural, and so much more fundamental and 
general than other single diagnostics. ‘+ The shortest and sharpest 
diagnosis of the Onagracex would be Calycifloral Exogens abound- 
ing in raphides; of Galiaceæ, Corollifloral Exogens abounding ™ 
raphides; of Orchidaceæ, Gynandrous Endogens abounding 1 
raphides; of Hydrocharidacee, Hydral Endogens destitute of 
raphides.” Similar examples occur extensively in Mr. Gulliver's 
Memoirs in the Pop. Sci. Rev., Oct. 1865; Ann. Nat. Hist., 
1861-1865; Quart. Jour. Mic. Sci., 1864, 1865, 1866, 186% 
Seeman’s Jour. Bot., 1864, 1866, 1867 and 1869. The eryetal 
prisms of Quillaia bark, shown by Mr. Fullager, and of aut 
demonstrated by Col. Horsley, test the genuineness of the ome 
barks ; for though crystal-prisms abound in many British Endogen? 
and in exotic Exogens they have not yet been observed in at 
Dicotyledons: and while true raphides are not uncommon n for r 
eign shrubs and trees, they have not yet been demonstrated in p 
British trees. Sphæraphides were shown by Col. Horsley yl 
_ the prickly pear (Opuntia) and by Mr. Gulliver in the on 
aceæ. The raphidian character of the British species of Le a 
was constrasted with the exraphidian Wolffia. Of the E = 
Euphorbiacee, Mercurialis alone abounds in sphærap pee 
the curious starch-sticks are equally characteristic of Dr ay : 
By the raphidian diagnosis, the minutest portion of a plan other 
often be located in its own order as distinguished from e 
orders of the same alliance. 
RESPIRATION 1N Aprancurate Worms.— Mr. Gulliver “ ee 
and described a worm, about a. quarter of an inch long; é 
