1884. | Scientific News. 1293 
opened by Professor Bonney. The most fresh and interesting 
_ paleontological essay was that of Mr. G. F. Matthews on the 
primitive Conocoryphean. 
= The section of biology was presided over by Professor Moseley, 
of Oxford, whose opening address was on the physiology of 
deep-sea life. A paper by Mr. C. Spence Bate, of Plymouth, 
England, on the geographical distribution of the macrurous Crus- 
tacea, led to a discussion in which Professor Moseley remarked 
that deep-sea Crustacea either had very large eyes or were eye- 
less, and that there must be a source of light in the deep sea, 
that source, he claimed, was phosphorescence, but its light must 
be very dim. 
An abstract of Dr. Sollas’ paper on the origin of fresh-water 
faunas has already appeared in this journal. Papers by G. E. 
Dobson on the geographical distribution of the bats, and by H. 
Saunders on that of the gulls and terns (Larida) was followed 
by an essay by Professor Gray on the distribution of plants, 
wherein he called attention to the resemblances and differences 
between the flora of North America and that of Europe. 
A telegram was received from Mr. W. H. Caldwell announcing 
_ his discovery that the Monotremata (whether the Ornithorhyn- 
chus or Echidna was not stated) are oviparous, while its develop- 
ment is meroblastic as in reptiles. This is certainly the most 
remarkable zodlogical discovery of the year. 
Professor A. Milnes Marshall read a paper on the mutual rela- 
tions of the recent groups of Echinoderms, with especial refer- 
ence to their nervous systems ; his results we shall present here- : 
after. Other communications we shall notice in a later number. 
for work. The building at Beaufort furnishes accommodations 
_ for only six persons, and as the party 0: 
as to Ge he work the et was compelled to refuse 
-Several applicants. : 
= — M. Bertrand, the Secretary of the French Academy of Sci- 
ence, recently made the important announcement that England 
_ had joined the International Commission, which meets once a year 
make the French system obligatory. 
England at the last Scie that is to say at the opening of the 
