432 Miscellaneous. 



a linear series of tubular cells compose the filaments* which are thus 

 said to be jointed ; but in the former, although the filaments are 

 tubular, simple and continuous without actual joints, a pseudo-jointed 

 appearance is presented by the apposition of the little masses of 

 contained colouring matter. Notwithstanding, having submitted the 

 *sea saw-dust' of the Pacific to microscopic examination on 

 several occasions, I was much inclined to believe that the fila- 

 ments were actually jointed ; and this view is supported by the cir- 

 cumstance that an empty tubule, or one in which the parietes may 

 be traced continuously without being interrupted by joints or internal 

 septa, has never fallen under our notice ; besides which the filaments 

 are exceedingly brittle, usually suffering cleavage in the transverse 

 direction. It, however, undoubtedly belongs to the Oscillatoridee. 



" When the filaments are first removed from the water, they may 

 be observed adhering side by side in little bundles or fasciculi ; and 

 besides the colouring matter, the little cells, or at least the intervals 

 between the septa, contain globules of air, which sufficiently account 

 for their buoyancy ; and, moreover, in this respect, although their 

 abiding place is the open ocean, their habit can scarcely be regarded 

 as very different from that of those species which flourish in damp 

 locahties exposed to the atmosphere. 



" The filaments are all very short compared with their diameter, 

 with rounded extremities ; and when immersed some little time in 

 fluid so that the contained air-bubbles make their escape or are 

 taken up, the pale colouring matter appears to fill the cells com- 

 pletely, and a central portion, a little darker than the rest, may be 

 distinctly perceived in each compartment intersected by a very 

 delicate transverse partition. 



** We have found this species off the coast of Australia and in 

 Moreton Bay, amongst the Polynesian Islands, and on two separate 

 occasions off the Loyalty Group, in nearly the same geographical 

 position." — Royal Soc. Proc. Feb. 26, 1857. 



Obituary Notice. — Dr. Robert Ball of Dublin. 



Our readers will regret to hear of the decease of this eminent Irish 

 zoologist, which took place suddenly at his residence in Dublin on 

 the 30th of March, in consequence of a rupture of the aorta. Dr. Ball 

 has for many years been one of the chief students of zoology in Ire- 

 land, and although his published writings are not numerous, the 

 frequent references to his observations to be found in the works of 

 our principal writers on British animals, bear witness to his industry 

 and the amount of his information. 



Dr. Ball held several posts in Dublin, but he was best known to 

 naturalists as Director of the Museum in Trinity College and Secre- 

 tary to the Zoological Society of Dublin, of which he was the prin- 

 cipal supporter. He was born at Cove, county Cork, in April 1802, 

 so that at the time of his death he was scarcely fifty-five, and as his 

 faculties were still in their full vigour, he has left a blank in the ranks 

 of Irish naturalists which will not easily be supplied. 



