Linmjean Society, 463 



and gambol as while in the sea. In this way Mr. Peach captured 

 many young whitings, measuring from less than an inch to 2\ inches 

 in length. It was evident that they resorted to the Medusce for pro- 

 tection, and not, as sometimes stated, that they are preyed upon by 

 these glass-like creatures ; and it is probably with a view to greater 

 security that they prefer the stinging species, with its eight bunches 

 of long tentacula and large fringed ovaries, to Cyanea aurita, with 

 its single, and frequently short row of delicate appendages. What, 

 then, Mr. Peach asks, becomes of the paralysing influence of the 

 tentacles of this Medusa on fishes .'' This, he thinks, opens a new 

 field for observation. He believes, too, that the facts which he has 

 observed, if not conclusive against, at least throw considerable doubt 

 on the fish-eating propensities ascribed to the Medusce ; for he is 

 convinced that in these instances the fishes resorted to the Medusa 

 as to protectors, and not enemies. In no instance did he observe a 

 fish in the stomach of the Medusce, but all were free to depart when 

 they pleased. The Cyanea aurita, he adds, is called at Peterhead 

 "Loch Lobberton" and "Loch Robertson," and the other species 

 " the Doctor." In an instance subsequently recorded in his journal, 

 Mr. Peach states that a small whiting, which was gliding round a 

 small weak Cyanea aurita, was attacked by a young pollack, or 

 " haddock," whose movements it easily evaded by dodging round the 

 Medusa. A second haddock, however, soon joined in the pursuit; 

 but both were for some time baffled, until an unlucky move drove the 

 whiting from its poor shelter, and then a severe chase took place. The 

 pursuers were joined by others, who followed like a pack of hounds, 

 until the whiting became exhausted, and was left by its enemies, 

 who were unable to swallow it, to all appearance dead. In this 

 state the tide gently drifted it along with the Cyanea, until after a 

 time it recovered, swam slowly to its protector, and took refuge as 

 before. The pack soon observed it, drove it again into open water, 

 and this time succeeded in really killing it. During their attack 

 upon it, Mr. Peach repeatedly threw stones among them to induce 

 them to desist ; but so intent were they on the pursuit, that they 

 dashed on unheedingly, although at any other time the smallest 

 stone would have alarmed and driven them aside. 



April 18. — William Yarrell, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Read a letter from Robert Wakefield, Esq., F.L.S., to John 

 Curtis, Esq., F.L.S., " On some of the Habits of Ants." 



In this letter Mr. Wakefield relates some observations, made by 

 himself many years ago, with reference to that curious insect called 

 by Horace " magni Formica laboris." Most modern writers, he ob- 

 serves, including Huber, have relinquished the old idea that Ants 

 amass grain for their winter store ; but he states that he has seen 

 the black species (Formica nigra, L. }) for days and nights together 

 industriously occupied in dragging to its cells the seeds of the com- 

 mon violet (Viola odorata, L.). He first noticed this fact on the 



