ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. XV11. 



Pediastrum etc., varieties of Desmids shewing the shapes 

 and structures of these objects, and Diatoms, whose silice- 

 ous skeletons were shewn in every form and shape, the 

 consistency of which facilitated their preservation in the 

 fossil condition, an example of such being instanced at 

 Cooma. The function of chlorophyll in these microscopic 

 plants as well as in the larger was explained, and by con- 

 trasting plants and animals on the presence or absence of 

 this substance the lecturer passed on to a discussion of the 

 more artistic animal forms. Among the unicellular animals 

 — Protozoa — were shewn the various types of .F ] or aminif era 

 with their calcareous skeletons forming such deposits as 

 Globigerina ooze and chalk, and not occurring at a greater 

 depth than 2,500 fathoms ; the varied types of Radiolaria 

 with their siliceous skeletons of complex shape and beau- 

 tiful symmetrical forms occurring at all depths in the 

 ocean ; the animalcules causing phosphorescence in the 

 ocean, etc. Proceeding to multicellular forms the lecturer 

 dealt with the various types of spicules composing the 

 skeleton of sponges and some beautiful deep sea sponges 

 with tufts of siliceous glassy spicules for attachment to 

 the bed of the ocean and dealt briefly with the anatomy of 

 these animals. The Coelenterata were represented by 

 Zoophytes, Blue-bottles, Medusce and beautiful jelly-fishes 

 with their long trailing arms, sea anemones, corals, sea- 

 pens, and comb-jellies, the common points of structure 

 among all these animals being explained by the lecturer. 

 The artistic forms of sea mats and fresh- water Polyzoa 

 were shewn as representative of the Molluscoidea, and the 

 general structure and appearance of Rotifers (wheel 

 animalcules) were pointed out, together with the occur- 

 rence of resting buds and the power of withstanding 

 desiccation. Starfishes with their tube feet and hollow 

 arms, brittle starfishes with their small disc and long 

 slender arms, sea urehins, cake urchins, heart urchins, 



2— Sept, 1,1909. 



