808 General Notes. [ October, 
polychete Annelids. This is followed by a similar paper on a 
leech (Batracobdella latastii), by Dr. C. Viguier, which is suc- 
ceeded by an abstract of Professor W. K. Brooks’ essay on the 
development of Lingula, a compliment to American science. 
Then follows a valuable essay on the existence of the saiga in 
France in the Quaternary epoch, by Professor A. Gaudry. The 
reproduction of sponges by external budding is discussed by G. 
de Merejkowsky. This subject has heretofore been treated only in 
a fragmentary way. It is known to take place only in one family 
(Suberitidinz, in the genera Suberites, Tetilla, Tethya and Rinalda). 
The buds are always produced under the form of an expansion 
at the extremity of a stem or peduncle which arises from the 
surface of the body of the sponge. The peduncle supporting the 
bud or enlargement, is always solid and composed of spicules 
and of the syncytium without canal and without pores; while the 
bud itself is produced by the syncytium alone and its spicules, 
without any participation by the entoderm; and its cavities, at 
’ first entirely wanting, are formed independently of the maternal 
cavity. In an abstract of the author’s views as to the morphol- 
ogy of the sponges and hydroids, he believes that the hydroid as 
well as the sponge, is the product-of the multiplication of this 
primitive individual, but while the hydroid is a polymorphous 
colony composed of completely distinct and separate individuals. 
regularly disposed in a determinate order, the sponge is formed 
of a colony of individuals irregularly dispersed, without any 
arrangement, and forming a single compact mass. In his re 
searches on the histology and development of Campanularia, M. 
J. Fraipont makes a valuable contribution to the literature of the 
history of the origin of the genital glands in this hydroid. 
The Monera of Central Russia are described by A. Korotnoff, 
who has rediscovered Haeckel’s Protameba primordialis, which 
he regards as occupying the lowest place in the class of Rhizo- 
podes. Other Amceboid forms are described, as well as the devel- 
opment of Pelomyxa, to which a plate is devoted. Professor 
Patrick Geddes publishes in these archives his observations 0? 
the perivisceral fluid of the sea urchin and the corpuscles com 
tained in this fluid. The viviparity of Helix studieriana engag® 
the attention of Professor Viguier, while the last paper of the vol- 
ume is by the editor, on Laura geradie, elsewhere noticed 1 
journal. : ‘ 
Evo.ution anp Hysrrpism In OrxirHotocy.—In a review 17 
Nature, of the British Museum Catalogue of Birds, volume reas 
containing the family Zurdide, by Henry Seebohm, it 1s stated 
that one great feature of the work is the courage which t eo 
author has shown in applying the doctrine of the evolution ° 
Species to the birds as they exist at the present day. The gre@ 
risk that the reviewer sees in Mr. Seebohm’s method lies 
the fact that it affords too easy a solution for otherwise difficult ? 
A om 
