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three embryonal membranes are developed, which in many respects are 
very strikingly similar to the Remakian embryonal membranes of the 
vertebrates.” 
General Natural History of Madagascar . — This has been recently studied 
by M. Grandidier, who made numerous astronomical, meteorological, and 
magnetical observations. He also studied closely the ethnology of the 
inhabitants, having taken a great many measurements upon the living 
body, and having collected notes of the habits, language, and traditions of 
the people. His natural history collections embrace over fifty new species 
of vertebrates, together with numerous insects and plants. Large numbers 
of alcoholic specimens were also gathered, for the purpose of further in- 
vestigation into the anatomy and structure of the entire animal. 
The Sponges , and Mr. Carter , F.R.S. — “ Silliman’s Journal ” publishes 
the following note from Mr. Carter. He says, “ I send you a line just to 
tell you what you will be glad to learn, viz. that I have confirmed all that 
Professor James Clark, of Boston, has stated about the sponge-cell, and 
much more too. It is after all only what was published and illustrated in 
the 1 Annals ’ in 1857. Indeed, I am astonished now at the accuracy 
and detail of that paper, now all confirmed by an examination of a marine 
calcareous sponge. I have not only fed the sponge with indigo, and 
examined all at the moment, but the sponge so fed was put into spirit 
directly afterward, and now shows all the cells (monociliated) with the 
cilium attached and the indigo still in the cells. This, I think, will break 
down Hackel’s hypothesis, which is as imaginative and incorrect as it is 
beautiful. His 1 Magosphaera ’ too is figured in the ‘Annals’ (1856), and 
described in extenso as the amoeboid cell which inhabits the mucus of the 
cells or internodes of the Bombay great Nitella. But there are no people in 
England, if on the Continent, who seem to be able to show this, if even 
they be cognizant of it. Ex oriente lux used to be the old phrase ; the 
light is now being reflected back from America. It is from there we must 
expect novelties now.” 
How to make Local Museums . — These are generally such unmitigated 
heaps of rubbish that it is well to find some hints of usefulness thrown out. 
Mr. Townsend M. Hall, writing to the “ Geological Magazine ” (November), 
says that it is well to bear in mind that, in default of local collections, a 
great deal of good can be done by means of local catalogues. Let each 
member of a Naturalists’ Club undertake whatever branch of natural 
history he is best acquainted with, and compile a list of the species occur- 
ring in his own neighbourhood, — one might catalogue the fossils, giving the 
names of Characteristic species found in each quarry ; another might 
devote himself to the minerals, and others would take in hand the bota- 
nical and zoological departments. Thus, by a well-organized division of 
labour, an immense amount of valuable information would be accumulated, 
and the result would be a record of the distribution of species throughout 
the country, more lasting perhaps, though less attractive, than that afforded 
by many a local museum. 
