64 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



ance, the next drops we placed on the slide were found to con- 

 tain this Pluteus. From the great quantity of ova contained in 

 an animal so generally distriliuted on all our shores as the Echimts, 

 this larval form at certain seasons must be very abundant, and 

 would probably be found on one of those brilliant nights, when 

 the sea, shining with phosphorescence, is full of animal life — of 

 luminous Radiata and Protozoa. 



When out on the rocks off Millport at low water, in the month 

 of July, we observed a pair of these urchins engaged in spawning. 

 They were seated side by side on the rock-face in the water. 

 Close at hand we could not distinguish whether ova were dis- 

 charged by one only or by both, though at a little distance the 

 impregnated ova, when more scattered, could be readily discerned 

 as they floated away and sank. On removing both, the micro- 

 scope soon revealed that the one seated to seaward was the male. 

 Both, as to external appearance, size, and weight, were about 

 similar, but the male had rather more purple spines, while those 

 of the female were of a greenish yellow. 



The fronds of Laminaria saccharina are often a great nuisance 

 when the dredge is put down too close to them, as they stuff the 

 mouth of the bag, and so prevent anything from going in. Still 

 they are well worth an occasional inspection, for on them might 

 be found the Pentacrmus Europmis, the diminutive representative 

 of the stone lilies of former eras — the link connecting the crinoids 

 of the present seas with those of the past. On one of these fronds 

 a little stem may be seen rising from a small plate to about half 

 an inch in height, and terminated by a minute, cup-shaped body, 

 with five double pinnated arms. From this curious position, in 

 course of time, the young Pentacrinus falls off, and growing in 

 size as it moves more freely about, and perhaps obtaining a more 

 liberal diet, it has changed its name and become, what at one 

 time was considered a distinct species, the Comatula rosacea, the 

 rosy feather star, usually of a fine rose colour, but sometimes 

 tinted with yellow, and, in general appearance, by far the most 

 beautiful star-fish that inhabits our seas. Though very apt to 

 throw off portions of the arms and their pinnae, it may be kept 

 alive for some time in an aquarium, where its beauty alone would 

 make it a welcome addition. 



So long as it remains entire, few marine animals present more 

 graceful and magnificent attitudes. Perched on some pointed 



