bone. Between the two processes of the palate bone is the spheno-palatine foramen, completed above by the inferior portion of the sphenoidal spongy bone. e, The superior portion of the sphenoidal spongy bone. Fig. 3. Another view taken from the same specimen: a, b, c, The parts of the inferior margin of the vomer for articulation with the palate, maxillary, and intermaxillary bones respectively; d, inferior aspect of the sphenoidal spongy bone; e, orbital plate of the ethmoid seen in perspective; ƒ, inferior turbinated process of the ethmoid. Above are Fig. 4. Illustrates the articulations of the vomer in the rabbit. the vomer and ethmoid forming one bone. Beneath are the bones of the upper jaw of the left side, and a portion of the intermaxillary bone of the right side adhering to it. a, Anterior extremity of the vomer, grooved for the cartilaginous septum of the nose; b, the part of the vomer which articulates with o, the extremity of the expanded mesial processes of the intermaxillary bones, forming turbinations in connection with Jacobson's organ. VI. On the Discovery of Nullipores (Calcareous plants) and Sponges in the Boulder Clay of Caithness. By CHARLES W. PEACH, Esq., Wick. (Specimens were exhibited.) In a paper read to the Society in March 1855, "On the Calcareous Zoophytes of the Boulder Clay of Caithness," I intimated that, at a future time, it was my intention to give you one on the flora of that formation. I have delayed from time to time, that I might search in wide localities, and thus have succeeded in procuring several specimens at Wick, and the burns of Haster and Freswick.* Mr Cleghorn has also found specimens at Wick, and Mr Dick in and around Thurso. Although pretty widely distributed in the country, nowhere is it found in abundance. At times it is quite soft when first taken out of the clay; it hardens on exposure, and cracks in the drying, and then, should an attempt be made to make a section, it crumbles to pieces. In one taken from the clay on the side of Wick harbour I got a pretty good slice, and have made out under the microscope the cellular structure; it agrees with that of the Melobesia polymorpha of Harvey, as may be seen by the specimen herewith sent, mounted in Canada balsam, and a specimen on stone, also from Wick. In one specimen, I noticed, as well as the spreading base, the papillary eminences peculiar to this species; and in another the indentations made by saxicavous creatures. When passing Freswick Since this paper was read I got, on the 18th May (Queen's Birth-day) 1860), splendid specimens in the Burn of Strath, near Watten. Burn on one of my official visits, I noticed the sections of boulder clay exposed there; not having time then to devote to their examination, I thought that, although fourteen miles distant from Wick, I would try my pedestrian powers and do so, on the day kept for the Queen's birthday (1855), should the weather prove fine. It did, and I was off early in the morning, so that I might have a long search, not only in the exposed sections of the boulder clay on my route, but every quarry and place of interest. On searching the Burn of Freswick, I commenced immediately at the bridge, and in the blue clay there found several flints, evidently from the chalk, hinges and portions of Cyprina, fragments of Turritella, Dentalia, &c., all more or less broken and rubbed. These were firmly embedded, and so were all the specimens taken by me from the boulder clay. After examining the sections above the bridge, I retraced my steps, passed over the road and down the burn towards the castle, and in a nice section worn by the stream, as well as the usual stones, shells, &c., I met with a white mass, which at first, from its yielding freely to the knife, I thought chalk. After digging it out and washing it in the stream, I was surprised to find that it would swim like cork, and therefore could not be chalk. I put it carefully into one of my boxes, and searched again, and at some distance. from the spot where I found the first I got a smaller piece of the same description. They are the only pieces I have met with. I have forwarded the smallest piece with this paper, enclosed in glass, and hope that you will excuse my jealous care in thus preserving the precious relic. As soon as I had fully examined all the exposed clay, I turned my steps homeward, wondering all the way what my swimming prize could be. As soon as possible, after washing and taking my tea, I out with a microscope, and placed a small portion of the mass under it, when, to my delight, bundles of spicule, and quantities of siliceous globules, were beautifully shown, as well as straight spicula, triradiate, and other shapes; the spicula hollow in the centre. I fancied it might be a Pachymatisma; but then the stellate forms were absent. It effervesced freely in dilute muriatic acid. In order to be set right, I forwarded a portion of each piece to Mr Bowerbank of London, who, with his usual 66 kindness, examined them, and informed me that they were Geodia; the species he could not tell. He farther added, "that he had found Geodia in a flint in the chalk; therefore this sponge appears to be more ancient than had been suspected." We have Geodia zetlandica in our northern seas (see Johnston's "British Sponges," pl. iii., figs. 3 and 4, and described at page 195). I also met with that species in Cornwall. The piece mounted in Canada balsam will show the spicula and siliceous globules. Here, then, was a reward; for not only did the walk of at least thirty-two miles prove beneficial to the body-the mind truly enjoyed a feast; the numberless objects of beauty that stud the path of the naturalist makes all roads cheerful; and if I were to add a list of the attractions of that day, it would, though interesting, be a long one. It will be sufficient for me to say, that the excitement caused by every new beauty drove weariness from the body-mind triumphed over all-and to me this was a Queen's day" indeed! The pleasure did not cease with the day, for my collection of stores has given me much useful employment since. Add to this, the satisfaction of knowing that I had turned up a new leaf in the history of this longgone period. Long gone as it may be, its history is linked to the present; for the ancient organisms of the seas of the clay period have direct descendants now living in our seas, and although from our present knowledge some may be wanting, either of the past or the present, the advancing march of research is fast lessening the number, and filling up the gaps. Geodia is not the only sponge from this formation which has come under my notice, for in many fragments of shells the excavations of Clionia are frequent. I send portions of a Cyprina and Buccinum burrowed by it. At present I have seen only a single spiculum, the colouring, and probably very minute portions of the sponge, and as well the peculiar small indentations in the excavations. "These indentations," Mr Hancock says, "are a very certain character which never fails to determine the habitation of the burrowing sponge, even though every particle of the animal be removed." Unfortunately small fragments of shells only are met with; these have been so much rubbed and washed, that the delicate por tions have been destroyed; there is, however, no doubt about the genus. Many species "existed during several geological periods; for instance, in the Crag, in the London Clay, in the Paris Basin, in the Chalk, in the Greensand, and in the Oolite. Mr Alder has detected it in a specimen of Pecten islandicus from a raised beach at Bute," and to this list is now to be added the boulder clay of Caithness. Many species of Clionia also now exist in our seas, as shown in Mr Hancock's delightful paper, published in the 3d vol., second series, 1849, of the "Annals and Magazine of Natural History," from which the above quotations were taken. I again beg to apologise for so long delaying this paper. I trust that the additional matter. and facts collected by that delay will plead an excuse for me. It is pleasant, when working in this once said to be barren field, to be rewarded by adding to the shells of the age, first zoophytes, and now sponges and plants. Wednesday, 27th April 1859.-T. STRETHILL WRIGHT, M.D., Thomas Boyle Grierson, Esq., surgeon, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, was elected a non-resident member. The usual Committees were appointed for conducting special investigations during the recess. The following donations to the Library were laid on the table : : Memoirs of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester, new series, vols. iii. to xiv., and part 1 of vol. xv.-From the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester. Mémoires de la Société Imperiale des Sciences Naturelles de Cherbourg, tome v., 1857.-From the Society. The Canadian Journal of Industry, Science, and Art, new series, No. xix., January 1859.-From the Canadian Institute, Toronto. Première Centurie de Longicornes du Vieux Calabar. Par Auguste Chevrolat. Paris, 1858.- From the Author. The communications read were as follow: I. Report on the Pearl Banks of Arippo, Ceylon, for Season 1858. By considered had much to do with the formation of pearls. This worm he found in large numbers in the liver, ovary, mantle, and other parts of the oyster. He also considered, from his researches into the subject, that the ova of the oysters and the ova of worms form the nuclei of many pearls found in the soft parts of the animal, according to the doctrine of Sir Everard Home. This theory has, however, been called in question by many authors. Dr Kelaart had sent for examination specimens of ovaries, containing pearls of various sizes, to the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, which he considered tended to prove the truth of these views. In pearls adherent to the shell he found the nuclei to he sand, portions of sea-weed, and larvæ of insects, &c. In conclusion, Dr Kelaart recommended that only the larger and more matured oysters should be fished, and that portions of the banks should be reserved for breeding purposes. Mr Alexander Bryson believed pearls to be the result of disease or of irritation, caused by the presence of foreign bodies. He stated that, in all his experience, he had found a nucleus of foreign and structureless matter, generally siliceous; also, that he could, by examining the microscopic structure of a pearl, at once infer what shell had produced it. II. Note on the Lantern Fly of Honduras. By Mr JAMES BANKS. Communicated by Dr J. A. SMITH. At a previous meeting a specimen of the lantern fly (Fulgora laternaria) of Honduras, from Mr Banks, was exhibited, and doubts having been cast on Madame Merian's statements as to its being really luminous at times or not, Mr Banks was requested to get farther information, if possible, on the subject. Dr Smith said he had been favoured with various letters, extracts of which were read. These Mr Banks had received from correspondents in Belize, and they bore testimony to the truth of the statement of this fly really emitting a light. One from Mr Alex. Henderson, Belize, gives the following details:In answer to the question Is it really luminous ? Certainly the fly possesses light, and therefore emits it. The light is evidently under its control, for it increases and diminishes it at pleasure. When the wings are closed, there are |