74 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



In a short paper read at a meeting of the Natural History 

 Society, about a year ago (see Vol. III., 1878, p. 333), it was 

 demonstrated that the Polyzoa and Crinoidea attached themselves, 

 not strictly parasitically, but adequately, by a basal structure, as 

 independent organisms, to fragments of old ocean debris, par- 

 ticularly in the latter, to those belonging to its own genus. Other 

 organisms likewise attach themselves less markedly, and a few as 

 if so attached are found which do not need or seek such support, 

 except as a temporary resting-place, and there apparently perish. 

 But to begin: 



I. ? Jfichelhiia, De Kon. An irregular mass of irregular calcare- 

 ous structure, attached to a much worn fragment of Crinoid, found 

 at Gare, has somewhat of the character of the coral Michelinia. The 

 cups or cells are heaped up and ill denned in variously shaped squares, 

 divided by slender partitions, with no notable surface markings. 

 Some specimens of what is evidently the basement portion are found, 

 but do not aid much in defining or determining this organism, 

 being seemingly the side of a cell, with the slender partitions, and 

 in one instance showing lines or bracings of attachment or of ex- 

 tension. The structure is by no means attractive, and from this 

 cause, or its rarity, few specimens have been collected or preserved. 



II. Palceacis cyclostoma, Phill. Numerous specimens of this 

 Actinozoon, on worn stems of Crinoids, at Gare, and in the beds con- 

 nected with the first calmy limestone, are found. 



A species also named Palceacis cyclostoma, is found in the 

 shales above the Hosie limestone. These are so dissimilar in 

 aspect and character, as to admit of a doubt whether they are of the 

 same species. The specimens from Gare, and from the first calmy 

 limestone, are all badly-formed single cells of the same size (about one 

 line diameter), high and comparatively strong on one side. The 

 whole consists apparently of three or four distinctly dotted rows 

 of a coarse character, rather than of fine reticulation; the lowest 

 row only forming a complete circle, while the others form portions, 

 more or less, of circles. The high side derives its strength from 

 the angle of its external wall alone, as it is straight or perpen- 

 dicular on the inner side, and from the highest point the lips of 

 the cup gradually slope to the opposite side, which is low. The 

 bottom of the cup is thin and flat. At a glance they all appear 

 imperfectly-formed cups, yet, as every specimen is alike, there is 

 reason to believe that the organism is of adult proportions, never 



