8 G 
Spiculse of sponges are found in position as if tlie sponge had 
grown and been quietly buried on the spot. Amongst other 
characteristic fossils are numerous Foraminiferse, and a 
silicious and close textured sponge referred to Tethea, of the 
species Logani, which is now found in water from the tide 
line to 200 fathoms deep. Mr. Nevill undertook to examine 
and report upon the specimens. 
Mr. H. A. Hurst presented a copy of Part IV., Vol. XII , 
of the “ Journal of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society 
of India,” published at Calcutta, containing the Prize Essay 
on Cotton Cultivation in India from foreign seed, by Dr. J. 
Shortt, F.L.S., Zillah Surgeon, Chingleputt, for which the 
prize of 1,000 rupees and the gold medal of the Manchester 
Cotton Supply Association were awarded. Mr. Plurst read a 
paragraph from page 499 relating to the early stage of the 
cotton pod, which, bearing upon points lately in dispute and 
not before published in this country, is given entire. “ On 
examining a cotton pod soon after the ovary has been im- 
pregnated (which is known by the change in colour and the 
fading of the petals, or flower leaves, or corolla), it is found 
to contain a number of seeds according to its particular 
variety. If a single seed be separated and examined by the 
naked eye nothing is visible ; but when seen through the 
microscope, it is found covered with a villous coat, formed 
apparently of elongated cells joined end to end. These are 
filled with sap. The young seed itself is somewhat pear- 
shaped, and resembles in miniature, some of the China 
candied fruits with the frosted crystals of sugar covering it. 
On letting out the contents of a single cell, it is found to 
consist of granular cells containing a cetitro-lateral nucleus. 
On examining a pod between three and four weeks old, the 
seed still retains somewhat of its pyriform shape, and appears 
quite shaggy. The fibres, tapering to a point at their free 
end, resemble hollow cylindrical tubes filled with fluid, and 
