Abstract
SYDNEY Linnean Society of New South Wales, April 30.—Dr. James C. Cox, F.L.S., vice-president, in the chair.—The Hydromedusæ of Australia, part 2, by R. von Lendenfeld, Ph.D. According to the principles set forth in part 1 of this paper, the Hydromedusæ are classified in a new manner, and the Australian representatives of the first four families in this system are described or referred to. The paper contains descriptions of several new and interesting forms, and in every case an abstract of everything known on the histology of every species is given with references. The most interesting of the new forms is Eudendrium generate, the male polypastyles of which show a great similarity to Medusæs. They possess four aboral tentacles in the principal radii, and on these the spermatozoa reach maturity. These tentacular appendages are there fore homologous to the radial canals of the Craspedote Medusæ. Some deductions are drawn herefrom, and the homology of the parts in Medusæ and Polypes described differently to the views expressed by Allman and others. The Umbrella is not homologous to a web between the tentacles of the mouth, but between the generative tentacular processes at the aboral pole.—Revision of the recent Rhipidoglossate and Docoglossate Mollusca of New Zealand, by Prof. F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. The synonymy of all the species is fully given, with, in many instances, revised descriptions and notes on the dentition where known.—Notes on hybridism in the genus Brachychiton, by Baron Ferd. von Mueller, K.C.M.G., M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S., &c. The plant which is the subject of this paper is a beautiful tree of forty feet in height and a stem diameter of one foot, grown at Fern Hill, near Penrith, New South Wales, and is an undoubted hybrid between Brachychiton populneum and Brachychiton acerifolium. Like most hybrids, the flowers never perfect their seed.—Mr. Macleay read a letter from the Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, vice-president of the Society, dated from Perak, February 27 last, giving a long and interesting acount of his proceedings and experiences in the Malacca Peninsula. He had examined and reported on the rich tin mines of the settlement, and the geological features of the whole territory; and he had spent some time in the investigation of its zoological and botanical productions.
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Societies and Academies . Nature 30, 259–260 (1884). https://doi.org/10.1038/030259b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/030259b0