462 Linnaean Society, 



mixed with the spores of Trichia, and to those of M. Schleiden and 

 of M. Schacht, by whom these spiral fibres are called in question, 

 Mr. Henfrey states, that having examined the elaters of a species 

 of Trichia (Tr. serotina, Schrad. ?), in some specimens sent to the 

 Society from New Zealand by Mr. Ralph, he is prepared to assert 

 positively the existence in them of spiral fibres exactly analogous to 

 those in Marchantia polymorpha. The number of fibres in an elater 

 of this species of Trichia is three ; in some species Corda describes 

 a much greater number, but this Mr. Henfrey regards as open to 

 doubt. The fibres thin oiF towards the very gradually attenuated 

 ends of the tubular elaters, and apparently become confluent there, 

 in the same manner as he has himself described in those of Mar- 

 chantia polymorpha (Linn. Trans, vol. xxi. p. 107) ; but the ends are 

 so fine, that even with a power of 1000 diameters and a good light, 

 he could not clearly define the terminations of the fibres. The 

 tubular character of the elaters was proved by a transverse section 

 of certain curved filaments, which gave a circular form ; and the 

 spiral structure was clearly distinguishable with a power of 250 

 diameters ; but in order to count the fibres, it was necessary to take 

 out a few of the elaters, and to mount them in the thinnest possible 

 film of liquid under very thin glass, and apply a magnifying power 

 of 1000, when the individual fibres could be made out with quite 

 sufficient clearness to allow of their being drawn with the camera 

 lucida. These elaters, Mr. Henfrey observes, may be regarded 

 as very good test-objects for the defining power of the higher 

 object-glasses ; or, perhaps — considering the confusing effect of the 

 crossing nerves of the number of parallel spiral fibres — as test- 

 objects, by which to measure the value of observations on the more 

 difficult tissues. Viewed in this light, he regards the conclusion^ 

 on this subject drawn by M. Schleiden and by M. Schacht as indi- 

 cating an inferiority in the microscopes used by those observers. :id 



Read also, " Notes on the habits of Medusa and of small Fishes." 

 By Charles W. Peach, Esq. Communicated by Dr. Francis, F.L.S. 



Mr. Peach's observations were made at Peterhead, N.B., in the 

 beginning of August last, at which time Cyanea aurita and Cyanea 

 capillata (or C inscripta of Peron ?) were so abundant in the harbour 

 and bay as occasionally very much to inconvenience the fishermen, 

 and render it difficult to lift the oars, especially of small boats, from 

 amongst them. Round these Medusa very small fishes were ob- 

 served playing, sometimes sporting round C. aurita, and quitting it 

 on a sudden for C. inscripta when an enemy came near. Occasion- 

 ally two or three might be seen attending one of the Cyanea ; and 

 when attacked or alarmed, rushing under its umbrella and among 

 the tentacula, so as to shelter themselves in the large folds con- 

 nected with the ova, where they remained until the danger had 

 passed, and then emerged again to sport and play around their shel- 

 tering friend. When under the umbrella seeking shelter, they lay 

 so close as to allow themselves to be taken into a bucket with the 

 Medusa, from beneath which after a short time they would come out 



