74 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



size, many of them measuring more than eight inches in length. 

 I have since seen the fishermen at the same place filling their 

 cans with them for bait, and have tried to find them in similar 

 localities but without much success. I have, however, little doubt 

 they will yet be found not uncommon round our coast. 



Mr Robert Gray exhibited a number of specimens of a new 

 amphipod, recently discovered by Mr Robertson, and named 

 Bathijpoi'eia Rohertsoni by Mr Spence Bate, in his work now being 

 published. This curious crustacean is found at Cumbrae on sand 

 from two or three fathoms depth up to high water mark, and lives 

 in spots over which streams of fresh water run into the sea, 

 remaining for hours at a time subjected to their influence, a 

 somewhat remarkable circumstance, as the animals are not wholly 

 confined to within tide mark, but found at a depth of some 

 fathoms. Besides its habit of burrowing, this am^^hipod is often 

 found on a warm day darting about in the small sand ripple 

 pools. 



Mr John Young exhibited some fossil organisms, supposed to 

 be the plates of two undescribed species of carboniferous chitons, 

 obtained from strata in the neighbourhood of Glasgow, and read 

 some very interesting notes on fossil chitonidse, giving a history of 

 their discovery in British strata. These specimens, which have 

 been confirmed by Mr Kirkby, to whom they have been sub- 

 mitted, are entirely new to the carboniferous beds of Scotland. 



A specimen of the palmated newt (Lissotrilon lyalmipes) was 

 exhibited, having been forwarded from Glenderar, near Stirling, 

 by Roger J. R. Aytoun, Esq. This species is there found in con- 

 siderable numbers; and, although it has been hitherto accounted 

 rare, it "vvill probably be found far from uncommon in various 

 parts of the country. 



PAPER READ. 



On the Habits of the Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carlo). 

 By Mr Robert Gray, the Secretary. 



This communication contained many observations of interest 

 connected with the two species to be found in the British islands. 

 He gave an account of a visit to a fresh water loch in Wigton- 

 shire, where, in the breeding season, the cormorants hatch in 

 thousands on the banks, building their nests in the coarse heather. 

 The distance from the sea is about eight miles, and Mr Gray was 



