214 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF 



The cseca were counted in five individuals, and in three were 

 nine in number ; in one ten; and another eleven. 



The rays of the fins were also counted, with the following 

 result : 



Males. 



A. 13. P. 18 (6th to 11th muricated). 



" " (7th to 11th " ). 



14. " (5th to 8th " ). 



" " (Oth to 10th " ). 



" " (8th to 10th " ). 



Females. 



A. 13. P. 17 (both sides). 

 18. 



14. 18. 



13. 17 (both sides). 



13. 18. 

 14. 

 13. 

 15. 



14. 18. 



There thus appears to be a considerable range of variation in 

 the number of rays. The most common number is represented by 

 the formula D. x, 16-17, A. 13, P. 18. The number of pectoral 

 rays, as might a priori be expected, is the most constant. 



There seems to be no valid reasons for the distinction of 

 " Acanthocottus variabilis," Aja'es, and " Acanthocottus mucosus" 

 Ayres, from Gottus groenlandicus, and certainly no distinctive 

 characters have been assigned. 



In answer to questions, it was added that no definite relation 

 existed between the numbers of rays of the vertical fins and the 

 number of vertebrae, nor was there any corresponding variation. 

 The most common number of vertebrse in fishes is ten dorsal and 

 fourteen caudal (10 + 14), but the difference in the number of rays 

 in forms thus distinguished is very considerable. 



August 13. 



The President, Dr. Rusciienberger, in the chair. 



Nine members present. 



Mr. Thomas Meehan said he had observed this season that the 

 spawn of the common mushroom (AgaricTis campestris) radiated 

 from a central point in a manner which he thought had not been 

 recorded Ivy other observers. As usually seen, the mushroom 

 seemed to rise from various points along the mycelium, or under- 

 ground thread, without any regular order or system. Fungi, like 

 flowering plants, had other modes of propagation besides seeds. 

 As in the potato, we had one S3 r stem elevating its parts into the 

 atmosphere ending in seeds, and another sending thready stolons 

 under ground terminating in distended stems or tubers the 



