OCR Text |
Show 9 gave a diagnosis that would fit any Ascon, and his type specimens were jumbles of three or four species ; consequently Prof. Minchin declared his name to be of no systematic value whatever. To Haeckel's name Ascandra contorta, Prof. Minchin referred a sponge extremely abundant on the Mediterranean coasts of France. Haeckel also pointed out that Dr. Bowerbank's diagnosis was not definitive of the species, and diagnosed the species by details of spiculation. In this he was incorrect in saying the monaxons were possessed of lance-head distal ends, and that gastral rays of the quadriradiates " curved." Prof. Minchin preferred to name Ascandra contorta H. as Clathrina contorta, having a closely reticulate mode of growth, equiangular triradiate systems, collar-cells with basal nucleus, and parenchymula larva. He showed that the monaxon spicules were very variable-so much so, as to explain the name Ascetta spinosa Len. All specimens of spinosa examined by him were of small size, not like the broad spreading growth of contorta containing monaxon spicules; and having examined a slide labelled Ascetta spinosa in Lendenfeld's handwriting, and having found the triradiate systems exactly similar to those of the true contorta, he came to the conclusion that the Ascetta spinosa was only an age variation of Clathrina contorta, not yet possessing monaxon spicules. He discussed the question whether there was justification for a new species or whether this should be regarded as a variation only, on the grounds of the formation of spicules, and which were primary monaxons and which were secondary. Mr. F. E. B e d d a r d , F.R.S., read some notes on the Anatomy of the Ferret-Badger (Helictis personata), based on a dissection of a specimen that had recently died in the Society's Gardens. Mr. W. P . P y c r a f t , F.Z.S., read a paper on the Osteology of the Eurylcemidce, and briefly discussed the question of the systematic position of this group. While agreeing with the general concensus of opinion as to the primitive character of these birds, he held that the isolated position which they were supposed to occupy with regard to the remaining Passeres was by no means justified by facts. The pterylography, osteology, and myology of the Eurylcemidce all tended to show that the nearest allies of these birds were the Cotingidae. Although undoubtedly primitive, the group, Mr. Pycraft pointed out, presented a, number of specialised characters, which were especially marked in the skull and muscles of the wing. |