446 
POPULAK SCIENCE KEVIEW. 
the moveable arm has been discharged, the further development of the arm 
at rest begins, and it goes through the same process of development and 
motion as the preceding, with this difference, that instead of becoming 
detached from the central mass, it gradually absorbs it as a vertebrate 
embryo absorbs the contents of the vitelline sac. The resemblance of the 
animal thus formed to the Nematodes has led the author to style them 
pseudqfilaricB. He then proceeds to describe the further development of 
those peculiar bodies into Gregarina gigantea. Several other subjects of 
kindred interest are discussed in the memoir, which is both full and 
complete. 
The Meteoric Origin of Life, — This new hypothesis, which was originated 
by the President of the British Association in his Edinburgh address, is 
somewhat startling. The notion that life first came upon the globe in a 
glistening fire-ball, which brought some fragments of moss along with it, is 
a curious notion enough j but it by no means gets rid of the difficulty of the 
origin of life ] it merely carries it back a little further. 
Zoological Stations. — Dr, Sclater, F.R.S., read before the British As- 
sociation (at Edinburgh) a report from the committee for the formation 
of zoological stations in different parts of the globe. It stated that an 
observatory at Naples had been arranged for, and drew attention to the 
importance of establishing a zoological station in the British Islands, and to 
the opportunity now afforded for such a proposition by the cessation of the 
grant to the Kew observatory. Until a recent date, it was submitted, the 
Association had given considerable sums for dredging explorations, but in 
consequence of the advance of zoological science the problems were much 
changed, and their nature was such as to demand the assistance of the 
Association in other directions. The careful study of the development and 
habits of marine animals could only be carried on by the aid of large aquaria 
and cumbrous apparatus, which an individual could hardly provide for 
himself. This, and the copious supply of animals for observation, could be 
provided by such a co-operative institution. A resolution was accordingly 
submitted, to the effect that the committee of Section D recommend that a 
committee of the Association be formed for the purpose of erecting a 
zoological station at a convenient place on the south coast of England — say 
Torquay — and that a sufficient sum of money — say 500?. — be placed at their 
disposal, either by a single or by a series of annual grants. After reading 
the report. Dr. Sclater remarked that as there were three or four aquaria 
already established in this country, he thought the best plan would be to 
establish one in an entirely different part of the world ; as, for instance, 
under the tropics, where animal life was entirely different. 
