332 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
Ilyalonema. The following details are given. The body of the sponge is 
oblong ovoidal, with the narrower end upward, and with one side more 
prominent than the other. The lower extremity is rather cylindroid and 
rounded truncate. The upper extremity is conical, with a truncate apex 
presenting a large circular orifice. This is about four lines in diameter, 
and is the exit of a canal which descends in the axis of the sponge for 
almost half its depth, and then appears to divide into several branches. 
The sides of the sponge form thick dense walls to the cylindrical canal, 
which is of uniform diameter before its division. In its present condition 
the sponge is of a light-brown hue. Its surface exhibits an intricate inter- 
lacement of stellate, siliceous spiculse, including a tissue of finer spiculae 
of the same character, the whole associated by the dried remains of the 
softer sponge tissues. More or less fine sand, especially at the lower end 
of the sponge, appears to be introduced as an element of structure. From 
the lower end of the sponge there projects a number of distinct or separate 
tufts of siliceous spiculse, looking like tufts of blonde human hair. In the 
specimen there are fifteen tufts projecting around two-thirds of the ex- 
tremity of the sponge, but the remaining third of the extremity of the 
latter exhibits about ten orifices, from which as many additional tufts 
appear to have been extracted. Length of the body of the sponge 
inches ; diameter at middle 22 lines, at lower end 15 and 17 lines, at upper 
end 8 lines. Length of tufts of spiculae 2 inches. 
The Mammalia of North-West America. — Some notes on these were 
recently furnished in a paper read by Mr. Robert Brown before one of the 
Scottish societies. The author gave an account, illustrated by maps, of 
the different distinct faunas into which he divided the extensive territory 
of North-West America, and detailed the various genera and species be- 
longing to each. Special reference was made to species believed to be new. 
Mr. Brown gave many curious and interesting details of his own experiences 
and adventures in the wilder districts of that comparatively little known 
part of the world. The paper was, we believe, one of a series which Mr. 
Jlrown is preparing on the zoology and botany of North-West America. 
The Chair of Physiology at the Poyal Institution. — The Fullerian Professor- 
sliip, which was lately resigned by Professor Huxley, has been given to Dr. 
Michael Foster. 
Comparative Psychology is the title of the new section to be formed in the 
Ktlinological Society. 
The Desiccation of Rotifer's. — The Proceedings of the Literary and Philo- 
sophical Society contain a report by Professor Williamson on some observa- 
tions on this questionable phenomenon by Lord Osborne. Professor William- 
son exliibited some small glass tanks or Rotiferous aquaria, some of which 
Imd been prepared by Lord S. G. Osborne, which had been dried up again 
and again. One of tliese, in a dry state as it had been for five months, was 
moistened by the addition of a little water, and in five minutes the animals 
were in full activity, looking thin and hungry, but perfectly vigorous. 
The experiments of Lord S. G. Osborne confirm the statements of Spallan- 
zani, that these Rotifers may be dried up for years without vitality being 
destroyed. 'J’anks for the preservation and examination of these objects are 
reaflily made by joining two ordinar}' microscopic glasses on three sides by 
means of electric cement, and then stocked by the introduction of a little 
