Microscopical Society of Victoria. 
49 
The spines on this species, a solitary one on one side of each 
cell near the aperture, seem to be only on the newly-formed cells, 
those near the edge of the polyzoary. In the newest cells, or 
rather in those being formed, can be seen the immature polyzoon, 
like a bunch of short fingers closed together, the thick outer 
cell being still unformed. This outer cell seems to grow up 
gradually from the outer edges until the various irregular 
projections meet and coalesce, forming a reticulated pattern. 
I thought I could discern a small sessile avicularium on the front 
margin of the aperture of cell. There are no spines to be seen 
on the old cells, but I could see the places where they had been. 
On turning over the polyzoary, the back of the cells was seen 
to be very thin and transparent, showing the whole of the 
polyzoon, in some cases seemingly free, and in others attached to 
the cell by a muscle at the base. Altogether this is a lovely and 
highly interesting species. 
I feel a regret that the few notes I have here recorded have 
been put together so hurriedly as to merit the charge of 
meagreness, but I crave indulgence, and trust that the work I 
have set myself to do, in conjunction with my friend, Mr. 
Maplestone, to prepare a full list of all Australian Polyzoa, will 
prove of more real use than could be expected from the poverty of 
this paper. We propose to describe and figure all species observed, 
giving particular attention to their characteristics when alive, and 
will deposit at the National Museum a complete collection of type 
specimens and duplicate slides. We have a goodly number of 
new species. 
In conclusion, I would again urge upon the junior members of 
this society, each of them, to take up one branch of study, and 
work it out regularly and consistently. Books on natural 
history are plentiful, and nowadays they are so low in price that 
anyone may speedily get together such books as may tell him 
what work has been already done in the subject of his choice. 
He will then know what to look for, what problems require to be 
worked out, and his note book will afford ready means of jotting 
down his own observations; only let him not observe without 
noting, it is waste of time. This society will be glad to have such 
recorded observations when it publishes its transactions, and will 
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