Linnaan Society, 207 



animals which depend upon the proportion contained in it for the 

 purposes of breathing. On three occasions the authors have observed 

 important consequences arise from the extraordinary diminution of 

 the proi3ortion of oxygen, owing to accidental circumstances. At 

 times they have fotind the proportion so low as 18, 19 or 20 per cent., 

 and the consequence has been the destruction of the greater part of 

 the fish by asphyxia. On the 18th of June 1835, the greater part 

 of the fish in the Maine perished from this cause ; and the same cir- 

 cumstance was observed twice in the pond which first directed their 

 attention to the subject of the memoir*. 



Their researches into these phsenomena led the authors to inves- 

 tigate also the cause of the rubefaction of water, a circumstance 

 which in all ages has excited the attention of the curious, and which 

 has been often regarded as miraculous or ominous. In all cases they 

 have found that it depends on the presence of Infusoria or microsco- 

 pic Algae. These researches have given occasion to much interesting 

 discussion regarding the real nature of certain productions which 

 have been referred by authors, according to their peculiar views, to 

 the animal and vegetable kingdom. 



Amongst these, the nature of the red snow of the Arctic regions 

 is investigated, and it is satisfactorily proved to be composed of mi- 

 nute animals. The green snow has already been shown by Messrs. 

 Martius and Bravais to be the same thing in a different state. Ac- 

 cording to them, the granules are red when young, green when old. 

 When seen in perfection the production is evidently animal, and 

 is identical with TVachelomonas volvocina, Ehrenberg. It is furnished 

 with a single oral appendage. When dead it endures for a long time 

 without much sensible alteration or decay, and is then exactly like 

 a true Hamato coccus. 



It is impossible for us to give an analysis of every chapter, which 

 would extend to a considerable length. We must content ourselves 

 with thus indicating the nature of the work, and recommending it 

 to the notice both of botanists and zoologists, as affording ample 

 matter for reflection. 



PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 



LINNiEAN SOCIETY. 



April 18, 1843. — The Lord Bishop of Norwich, President, in the Chair. 



Read the conclusion of Mr. Griffith's memoir ** On the Ovulura of 

 Santalum, Loranthus, Viscum," &c. 



In this paper, dated " Malacca, March 28th, 1842," Mr. Griflith 

 proposes to supply many of the deficiencies in his two memoirs on 

 the ovula of Santalum, Loranthus and Viscum, published in the 18th 

 vol. of the Society's " Transactions," to correct some important mis- 

 takes, and to extend his inquiries to another genus of the natural 

 family of Santalacece, viz. Osiris. With this view he gives a detailed 



* Perhaps the periodical or occasional mortality of the fish in the Mere 

 at Diss ill Norfolk, when the Mere is said to be sic/c, may be ascribed to the 

 same cause. — Ed. 



