lowest flowers of the inflorescence are female, and seated in the axils of the sheathing leaves; but the style is enormously elongated so as to carry the stigma to the surface of the water for fertilisation. This recalls the habit of Vallisneria. But, as Mr. Bentham reminds us, the resemblances of Hydrocharidea and of Naiadacea are essentially adaptive, and must not blind us to the real profoundly divergent affinity.

It is worth noting, as a hint to those interested in researches of this fascinating kind, that the investigations of Dr. Hieronymus were made partly on material preserved in a mixture of two-thirds alcohol and one-third glycerine, partly in an aqueous solution of salicylic acid (no further details are given). W. T. T. D.

PROFESSOR FLOWER

PROFESSOR FLOWER'S resignation of the office of Conservator of the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons was received at the last meeting of the Council of that body, held on March 13, whereupon it was moved by Sir James Paget, seconded by Mr. Erichsen, and resolved unanimously:-"That the Council hereby desire to express to Mr. William Henry Flower their deep regret at his resignation of the office of Conservator of the Museum of the College.

"That they thank him for the admirable care, judgment, and zeal with which for twenty-two years he has fulfilled the various and responsible duties of that office. "That they are glad to acknowledge that the great increase of the Museum during those years has been very largely due to his exertions and to the influence which he has exercised, not only on all who have worked with him, but amongst all who have been desirous to promote the progress of anatomical science.

"That they know that, whilst he has increased the value and utility of the Museum by enlarging it, by preserving it in perfect order, and by facilitating the study of its contents, he has also maintained the scientific repute of the College by the numerous works which have gained for him a distinguished position amongst the naturalists and biologists of the present time.

66

And that, in thus placing on record their high appreciation of the services of Mr. Flower, the Council feel sure that they are expressing the opinion of all the Fellows and Members of the College, and that they will all unite with them in wishing him complete success and happiness in the important office to which he has been elected."

The conditions under which the Conservatorship of the Museum of the College will be held in future are at present under discussion, and will probably be decided at the next meeting of the Council on the 10th inst., when the office will be declared vacant, and candidates invited to send in their applications.

THE DEEP-SEA DREDGINGS OF THE

"TALISMAN”—CRUSTACEA

IN a previous article attention was called to some of the more remarkable of the deep-sea fishes taken during the recent cruise of the French frigate the Talisman: not less interesting were the numerous forms of Crustacea dredged during the same cruise, a fine collection of which were also on view at the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, as part of the spoils brought home after the voyage. From a survey of the specimens it is evident that these Crustacea are to be found at all depths of the ocean: some pass their lives floating on its surface, feeding thereon or amid the acres of Sargassum weed; while others live at depths of from 4000 to 5000 metres. The so-called swimming crabs which form a section of the Brachyura would seem to be extremely rare at great

depths. Certain species taken during the Talisman's cruise are remarkable for their very extensive geographical distribution; thus, species of Batynectes which were found at depths of from 450 to 950 metres off the coasts of Morocco and about the Cape Verd Islands, seemed very closely related to the swimming crabs (Portunus) of our own seas, and again to be very nearly connected to species of the same genus collected at the Antilles, in the Mediterranean, and in the Arctic Ocean. Another section of the Brachyura, with sharp triangular bodies (Oxyrrhyncha), contains species which are to be met with at much greater depths; thus Lispognatus thompsoni (A. M. Edw.) was dredged off the coasts of Morocco from depths of between 600 and 1500 metres, and Scyramathia carpenteri was taken at the same place from a depth of 1200 metres. The former of these species has been found in the North Sea, and the latter has been taken off the

north of Scotland and in the Mediterranean. The Crusand the Macrura were found in abundance at very great tacea intermediate by their forms between the Brachyura depths, and the forms found see ned in great measure to belong to "transition" forms; so one was often surprised to find a form, which taken by itself appeared abundantly distinct, quite connected with others by numerous intermediary forms. Thus species of Ethusa, Dorippe, Homola, and Dromia seem to present such numerous shades of gradation as to perplex one completely in the difficult task of classifying these genera. Some of these forms are also very remarkable for their geographical distribution: a species of Dicranomia, described by Milne-Edwards from the Antilles, was found off Morocco, and Homola cuvierii, up to this thought to be peculiar to the Mediterranean, was found at the Azores and the Canaries. But the most remarkable instance of the geographical extension of which some genera are capable is furnished by some species of the family Lithodina. These Crustacea to this have been known as inhabitants of the Arctic and Antarctic regions, living in the littoral zone, but now they have been found under the tropics; the only difference being that in this latter locality they have contrived to find congenial conditions of life by abandoning their shallow-water life and betaking themselves to the cool depths of over 1000 metres. like this is not without its interest, inasmuch as it shows how some forms can spread themselves from the frozen seas of the north to the seas of the tropics, and so from the region of one Pole to the other; altering their conditions of life as necessity demanded, and resuming their old habits when the opportunity to do so again occurred. extend to a depth of 5000 metres; as is well known, the terminal portions of the bodies of these Hermits are soft,

A fact

The Crustacea known as Hermit Crabs were found to

not covered like the head and claws of the crab with a strong calcareous shell, and these animals have the habit of tucking the soft part of their bodies for security into the body-whorl of some empty shell; but at the great depths referred to shells suitable for this purpose are not to be found, and the hermit crabs inhabiting these depths must often be in great difficulties for material wherewith to cover themselves. In one specimen taken off Morocco this covering consisted of a living colony of a very pretty species of Epizoanthus.

Species of the family Galatheidea were found in profusion at all depths; but the colour of their body, generally that of a red or pink hue, was in the forms from the great depths of a uniform white. Some species were found which occupied the interior of those lovely siliceous sponges belonging to the genus Aphrocallistes. One new species, Galathodes antonii, was found at a depth of 4000 metres, and another, from the same depth, with its abdomen coiled twice upon itself, has been also described by A. M. Edwards as new (Ptychogaster formosus).

Of the group of Eryonidæ a considerable number of both genera and species were dredged. Of these, those

are immovable; while in some there is a very marked transparency of the integuments and a decided softness of the muscular tissues, in others neither of these facts is at all apparent. Some of the deep-sea Crustacea are beautifully phosphorescent, and in certain species this phosphorescence is not diffused but is limited to some special areas of their bodies, and in a new species, Acantephyra pellucida (A. M. Edw.), the feet are adorned with phosphorescent bands. We of necessity know so little of the habits of these new, strange forms, that it would be premature to draw scientific conclusions from their structure.

THE SOCIETY FOR THE BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE BRITISH COASTS

THE

HE meeting which we previously announced as about to be held for the purpose of inaugurating a new society having the above title, took place last Monday in the rooms of the Royal Society, Prof. Huxley being in the chair. The meeting was large and influential. Among those present were the Duke of Argyll, the Earl of Dalhousie, Lord Arthur Russell, Sir Lyon Playfair, M.P., Dr. W. B. Carpenter, Sir Joseph Hooker, the Hon. Edward Marjoribanks, M.P., Sir John Lubbock, M.P., President of the Linnean Society, Mr. J. Blake, M.P., Sir George Nares, Dr. John Rae, Sir Joseph Fayrer, Capt. Verney, R. N., Prof. Flower, Prof. Ewart, Dr. John Evans, Prof. Bonney, Dr. Spencer Cobbold, Mr. John Murray (of the Challenger Office), Dr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys, Dr. Günther, Prof. Moseley, Mr. G. J. Romanes, Mr. H. C. Sorby, Mr. Francis Galton, Mr. Brady, Prof. Crofton, Mr. Dawson Williams, Prof. St. George Mivart, Mr. Busk, Dr. Sclater, Dr. Dodson (Netley), Mr. Thiselton Dyer, Mr. H. C. Burdett, Prof. Donkin, Dr. John Murie, librarian of the Linnean Society, Mr. W. H. Dallinger, Dr. A. Geikie, Mr. E. Forbes Lankester, Mr. Saville Kent, Mr. M'Lachlan, Dr. Herbert Carpenter (of Eton), Prof. Jeffrey Bell, Mr. Frank Crisp, and Prof. Ray Lankester. Letters regretting inability to attend were read from Lord Derby, the Marquis of Hamilton, Sir Thomas Dakin, Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Burdett-Coutts, Mr. R. W. Duff, M.P., and Dr. Dohrn.

Prof. Huxley, in opening the proceedings, began by observing that the object with which the meeting had to deal was not in his hands, but in those of Prof. Lankester, who had requested that the Royal Society should foster an undertaking which promised well for the progress of science. The establishment of marine biological stations had been undertaken during the last few years by most of the civilised countries, and was, indeed, a necessary result of the great change which had taken place in the aims of biological science. The study of development began about half a century ago, and the ramifications of that inquiry, which had been extended to the mode of becoming of all live things by Mr. Darwin, had caused a complete change in the methods of biological research. In order to investigate the living being it was now no longer deemed sufficient, as in the days of our great-grandfathers, to observe its outside, or even, in the days of our grandfathers, to examine its anatomy. We have now to trace its developmental growth from the egg, and we are able to do so with a thoroughness of which no one in his young days could have had any conception. Such was one good reason for founding an institution of this kind from a purely scientific point of view. But there was another reason from another point of view which was practical. We had great fisheries and great fishery interests, and up to within the last thirty years legislation with reference to them was almost entirely haphazard, owing to our ignorance of the habits, modes of life, reproduction, and so on, of marine animals which were economically useful. If we are to have any considerable improvement in our legislation in this respect,

our arguments and reasonings with a view to it must rest upon sound and exact observation. In conclusion, he wished to say with special emphasis that there was no possibility of any rivalry between the society which it was now proposed to found and another society the formation of which was announced a few days ago by H.R. H. the Prince of Wales. That society was, in the ordinary sense of the word, practical. He trusted that when both societies were established, so far from there being any conflict between their aims, they would work in concurrence to a common end.

The Duke of Argyll said the resolution which had been placed in his hands was-"That in the opinion of this meeting there is an urgent want of one or more laboratories on the British coast, similar to those existing in France, Austria, Italy, and America, where accurate researches may be carried on, leading to the improvement of zoological and botanical science, and to an increase in our knowledge as regards the food, life, conditions, and habits of British food fishes and mollusks in particular, and the animal and vegetable resources of the sea in general." The fact of their being called together to form a voluntary society to carry out these objects implied a discovery on the part of those who had taken a leading part in this matter that the work was not likely to be taken up by the Government. He was afraid that in this respect the British Government had always stood rather behind those of other countries, whether monarchical or republican. There were other agencies by which facts about food fishes would be obtained, and he instanced the researches of the President of the Royal Society, and a valuable paper recently contributed by Prof. Ewart upon one of the most important questions connected with food fishes-the spawning of the herring. When further researches of this kind should be forthcoming, it can scarcely admit of doubt that, by making us acquainted with the life-history and habits of the herring, they will serve to improve the herring fisheries. He had himself good reason to appreciate the importance of acquiring information of this kind, for in the vicinity of his own residence the fishing community was suffering distress on account of the herring having abandoned Loch Fyne without any one being able, in the present state of our knowledge, to assign the cause. Moreover, the opposition which was raised to ground-trawling in Loch Fyne, on the supposition that the practice is destructive of herring spawn, has been shown by such researches to be without any justification-the spawn having been found to adhere closely to the sea-bottom. But great as would be the probable economic nature of a marine biological station in the improvement of our fisheries, he thought that the chief object in promoting this society should be that of promoting the interests of biological science. Enlarging upon the importance of this science, he concluded by observing that the branches of it which would fall to the lot of this society to cultivate would have the advantage of avoiding contact with the question of vivisection; for he supposed that even the most susceptible of antivivisectionists would scarcely have their feelings touched by physiological experiments on jelly-fish.

Sir Lyon Playfair, M.P., in seconding the resolution, dwelt upon the anomaly that a country which depends so much upon its fisheries as Great Britain should hitherto have been the only Great Power which had not founded a zoological station. He then proceeded to enumerate some of the economic advantages which had been secured by such institutions elsewhere, especially in America.

Lord Dalhousie and Prof. Flower also supported the motion.

Dr. W. B. Carpenter moved :-"That it is desirable to found a society, having for its object the establishment and maintenance of at least one such laboratory at a suitable point on the coast, the resources of the laboratory

its boats, fishermen, working-rooms, &c., being open to the use of all naturalists under regulations hereafter to be determined."

Sir John Lubbock, as President of the Linnean Society and a trustee of the British Museum, in seconding this motion said he thought they owed their thanks to Prof. Lankester for the efforts he had made to found the proposed society.

Dr. Günther supported the resolution, which was passed.

Sir Joseph Hooker moved :-That this meeting does hereby agree to constitute itself such a society under the title of "The Society for the Biological Investigation of the Coasts of the United Kingdom." He dilated upon the importance of such a society to the interests of botanical science. The motion was seconded by Prof. Moseley, who appropriately called attention to the fact that most, if not all, life upon this planet was littoral in origin, and afterwards spread on the one hand to the deep sea and on the other to the

land.

On the motion of Sir William Bowman, F.R.S., it was resolved that gentlemen whose names follow be requested to act as a provisional council and report to an adjourned meeting to be held on Friday, May 30, as to the constitution and organisation of the society and other matters, and in the meantime have power to admit suitable persons to the membership of the society; further, that Prof. Lankester be asked to act as secretary and Mr. Frank Crisp as treasurer ad interim. Those named were the Duke of Argyll, the Earl of Dalhousie, Lord Arthur Russell, the Lord Mayor, the Prime Warden of the Fishmongers' Company, the President of the Royal Society, the Presidents of the Linnean, Zoological, and Royal Microscopical Societies; Dr. W. B. Carpenter, F.R.S.; Mr. W. S. Caine, M. P., Mr. Frank Crisp, Mr. Thomas Christy, Mr. Thiselton Dyer, F.R.S., Prof. Flower, Mr. John Evans (treasurer of the Royal Society), Dr. Albert Günther, F.R.S., Sir Joseph Hooker, Prof. Michael Foster (secretary of the Royal Society), Prof. Ray Lankester, F.R.S., Prof. M. Marshall, Prof. Moseley, F.R.S., Mr. John Murray, F.R.S.E., the Rev Dr. Norman, Mr. George J. Romanes, F.R.S., Prof. Burdon Sanderson, F.R.S., Dr. Sclater, Mr. Adam Sedgwick, Mr. Percy Sladen, Mr. H. C. Sorby, F.R.S., and Mr. Charles Stewart, F.L.S.

Mr. G. J. Romanes, in seconding the motion, took occasion to observe that in his opinion one of the most important functions of the society when formed would be that of conducting researches upon invertebrate physiology. He was sure he would be but carrying with him the assent of all physiologists when he said that it is to the invertebrate forms of life that we must now look for the elucidation of many of the most fundamental problems connected with life-processes. It is in the Invertebrata that we meet with life in its least compounded state, and therefore in the state best suited to observation and experiment directed towards the solution of these fundamental problems. The sea is the great magazine of invertebrate life, and if the rich stores of material therein presented have been hitherto almost entirely neglected by physiologists, the explanation may be found in the fact that physiological research can only be conducted in well-equipped laboratories, which have been of but comparatively recent institution upon the sea-coasts of Europe and America.

Prof. Ray Lankester then moved a vote of thanks to the President of the Royal Society for taking the chair, and said it had been estimated that from 6000l. to 10,000/ would be required to start the project. He invited immediate subscriptions, payable ad interim to the treasurer, Mr. Frank Crisp, 6, Old Jewry, E.C. Sir Joseph Fayrer seconded the motion, and the President having briefly replied, the proceedings terminated.

NOTES

IN the death of the youngest and one of the most accomplished of the Queen's sons the cause of education has sustained a loss. The Duke of Albany knew well what science meant, and on several occasions publicly expressed his sense of its value in respect of the nation's welfare, and the necessity for its introduction into our systems of education. There can be no doubt that had he lived he would have rendered service to the best

interests of the country. It is so rarely that princes have the tastes and leanings of the late Royal Duke that we could ill afford to lose him.

THE organising committee of Section F (Economic Science and Statistics) have arranged the following programme of subjects for discussion at the Montreal meeting of the British Association. The subjects will be distributed over the four or five days which will probably be at the disposal of the Section. Group I. Population: (1) Emigration; (2) Census results; (3) Distribution of wealth and condition of the poor. Group II. Land: (4) Agriculture; (5) Land laws; (6) Forestry. Group III. Trade: (7) Manufactures, shipping, and foreign markets; (8) Internal comGroup IV. Finance: (9) munication by land and water. Monetary system; (10) Public debts (Governmental and Municipal). Writers have been engaged for most of the subjects in the above programm..

WE regret to announce the death, at the age of sixty-seven years, of Mr. Nicolas Trübner, the well-known publisher, who has done so much to place within the reach of the English public some of the best works in German philosophy, science, and learning. He will be missed by a wide circle of friends, among whom are many men of science, English and foreign.

THE Prince of Wales has formally urged upon the Corporation and the Livery Companies to lend still further aid to the City and Guilds of London Technical Institute, which is greatly in need of funds; and the Corporation proposes to vote a further sum of 1000l. provided the Livery Companies subscribe the rest of the 20,000l. needed by the Institute.

As u-ual there was some pleasant talk at the Civil Engineers' dinner last week; Prof. Huxley in replying to the toast of 'Science," said there was one educational aspect which was extremely instructive and important, and that was the insensible and almost unconscious education in science which was carried on upon the masses of the people by the great work of engineers and mechanicians. The work of the engineer and all who were applying the teachings of science was surrounding the population with the symbols of scientific faith.

MR. W. SAVILLE KENT, F.L.S., F.Z.S., has been appointed Inspector of Fisheries to the Government of Tasmania, and proceeds shortly to the scene of his new duties. The more extensive introduction and distribution of the Salmonidæ already acclimatised in Tasmanian waters, and the resuscitation by artificial culture of the once prolific but now greatly depleted oyster fisheries, are among the special subjects that will engage the attention of the newly appointed Inspector. A systematic investigation of the marine fauna, with the view of turning to profitable account those edible, indigenous forms which are as yet but little utilised for economic purposes, will likewise be initiated. It is to be hoped that the Colonial Government will recognise the fitness of the opportunity that now presents itself of establishing in this quarter of the antipodes a well-equipped if small marine observatory for the artificial cultivation and scientific observation of the habits and developmental phenomena of the many interesting types peculiar to this region, and of which, as yet, biologists possess little or no knowledge. Mr.

Saville Kent's reputation as a marine zoologist, and the experience he has already gained as naturalist to various of the large public aquaria of this country, peculiarly qualifies him for the conduct of original investigation in this new field, which could not fail to yield important results for both the interests of science and the fishing industries of Tasmania.

THE Institution of Naval Architects is meeting this week. The session was opened yesterday under the presidency of the Earl of Ravensworth. The papers down for yesterday were :On the Riachuelo, by J. D'A. Samuda; description of the electrical launch built last year, by A. F. Yarrow; on the vibration of steam vessels, by Otto Schlick. To-day the following papers will be read :-On cross curves of stability, their uses, and a method of constructing them, obviating the necessity for the usual correction of the differences of the wedges of immersion and emersion, by William Denny, F.R.S. E.; the use of stability calculations in regulating the loading of steamers, by F. Elgar, Professor of Naval Architecture, University of Glasgow; on a new method for calculating, and some new curves for measuring the stability of ships at all angles of inclination, by M. Daymard; on some points of interest in connection with the construction of metacentric diagrams, and the initial stability of ve sels, by P. Jenkins; on the combustion of fuel in furnaces of steam boilers by natural draught and by air supplied under pressure, by J. Howden; on the application of hydraulic machinery to the loading, discharging, steering, and working of steamships, by A. B. Brown; cast steel as a material for crank shafts, &c., by J. F. Hall; repairs to steamship machinery, by Andrew K. Hamilton. To-morrow the following are set down for reading: Contributions to the solution of the problem of stability, by L. Benjamin; on the uses of Amsler's integrator in naval architecture, by Dr. A. Amsler; on the comparative safety of welldecked vessels, by Thomas Phillips; the graphic calculation of the data depending on the form of ships required for determining their stability, by J. C. Spence; description of Alexander Taylor's stability indicator, for showing the initial stability and stowage of ships at any displacement, by A. Taylor; some considerations relating to the riveting of iron ships, by H. H. West; on the ventilation of merchant steamers, by J. Webb; on water brakes, by Capt. F. J. Heat horn, R. A.; on improvements in apparatus and means for indicating the position of a ship's helm, by J. E. Liardet.

THE Geographical Society of Bremen publishes in vol. vii. part 1 of its Deutsche Geographische Blätter an interesting paper, by Dr. A. H. Post, on the development of family life among mankind from an original “matriarchal" condition. He brings forward some new evidence collected by Dr. C. A. Wilken in the Dutch East Indies, showing the existence of Malay families consisting of mothers and their children, to which the fathers do not belong as members at all, being in fact only visitors. Dr. Post, tracing the stages of progressive change under the influence of landholding and the union of individuals in states, which in the course of ages converted matriarchal into patriarchal society, expounds with much clearness the theory which has arisen in the last few years out of the works of Bachofen and McLennan. Some of this clearness arises no doubt from ignoring difficulties, but a sketch of this kind does not involve the responsibilities of a full-grown treatise.

THE International Health Exhibition will be opened by the President, the Prince of Wales, on Thursday, May 8, at 3 p.m.

THE death is announced of Dr. George Engelmann, the wellknown botanist, who died at St. Louis on March 3, aged seventy-five. Also of Dr. Siegfried Aronhold, formerly Professor of Natural History at the Berlin Technische Hochschule, who died at Berlin on March 13.

NEWS from the Austrian traveller, Eduard Glaser, who had fallen dangerously ill, states that he has recovered, and left for Haschid on February 6, a part of Arabia hitherto unexplored by Europeans.

M. GABRIEL DE Mortillet, Conservateur of the Museum of National Antiquities at St. Germain, has begun to issue a new monthly journal, L'Homme, entirely devoted to anthropology.

M. FREMY, Director of the Museum of Paris, has published a pamphlet defending the establishment against the Central Administration, which is desirous of appointing a director. Up to the present time the director has been nominated by his fellow professors. This liberal mode of nomination was established by the National Convention in 1793. It is probable that an effort will be made in the present session to extend this privilege to other establishments, as the Observatory and the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers.

M. FREMY is desirous of establishing on the coast a marine It is laboratory in connection with the Museum of Paris. thought the money may be granted for establishing one in Algeria.

THE motion proposed by Admiral Mouchez to sell the Paris Observatory ground, has been defeated before the Academy of Sciences by a large majority. Only two members, MM. d'Abbadie and Faye, voted with the Admiral.

A CORRESPONDENT referred last week to the changes which have been introduced into the examinations for ad nission into the Royal Military College, and the subject was brought up in the "The House of Lords last Thursday by Lord Salisbury. change with respect to natural science," he said, "was much to be regretted, because there was no body of men to whom a knowledge of science could be more useful, and conduce more to their happiness, especially when it was considered that they had to pass their time in various parts of the world, often with no adequate employment for their spare hours." The Earl of Morley in reply said that "by the new scheme greater importance was given to modern languages and mathematics, less importance to science, and the English paper had been excluded from Class I. The object of these changes was to improve the examinations, and to encourage the subjects which must be taught. In drawing up this scheme the War Office had been in constant communication with the Civil Service Commissioners, and with many gentlemen interested in education. The main purpose of these examinations was to test the results of general education, and for that purpose the subjects themselves had, as far as possible, to be of a general nature. That constituted one of the evils of the present system. He did not think it was necessary, or even desirable, in framing a scheme of this kind to confine themselves to the curriculum of the public schools. It was, no doubt, a matter of regret that during the last five years the number of successful candidates who came direct from the public institutions to the Royal Military College had diminished rather than increased. He did not wish to speak harshly of the race of private tutors. Some of them were extremely able and ingenious, but as a rule their whole object was mark-making. These tutors did not require their pupils to read the books on which they were examined, but by an ingenious process of analysing their contents all the questions that could be put to them could almost be exhausted. But cram did not last, and it was no substitute for education." The Duke of Cambridge said that "the great object of the examination was to put forward such a syllabus that all young persons educated at the public schools of the country should be able to enter Woolwich or Sandhurst What direct without going through the hands of the crammer. was wanted to bring about this result was a general education which they could say every young gentleman ought to have to fit