Abstract of a Paper on Irish k'lgcz. 147 



by a pair of roundish scales, which open and shut at the will 

 of the animal : operculum lateral, slightly convex, deeply 

 grooved, the grooves branched : margin obtuse, thick, pro- 

 tected with a double series of large square plates studded 

 with from two to four papillae, and each of them surrounded 

 with a series of granules : the ventral surface is divided into 

 four triangular spaces by the tentacular avenues, which are 

 fringed on each side with a double series of smooth, blunt, 

 short, and slightly compressed processes, or spines : the trian- 

 gular spaces are very rough, with enlarged granules and val- 

 vular openings, but there are no dilated bases for papillae, and 

 the valvular apertures are arranged in rows ; in the centre of 

 each of the compartments there is a large irregular opening. 

 When fresh, the colour is a bright red or scarlet ; but, on 

 keeping, the colour fades to a faint and dirty brownish yellow. 

 The figure represents it about one half the natural size. 



I procured this beautiful and rare species from the coast of 

 Caithness. Mr. J. E. Gray, who has examined the specimen 

 figured, tells me that it is quite distinct from the true ^4sterias 

 ^questris ; and he has, in consequence, assigned to it the spe- 

 cific name which is here adopted. I am, nevertheless, con- 

 vinced that the species is identical with the A. ^questris of 

 British authors ; and, if this is a correct opinion, then the dis- 

 covery of it, as a native animal, is due to the late Mr. Brodie 

 of Brodie, who found it in the Murray Frith, and sent a spe- 

 men to Sower by, in whose British Miscellany it is figured. 

 My much esteemed friend Dr. Patrick Neill subsequently 

 met with this star-fish in the Frith of Forth; as yet the most 

 southern locality; though I doubt not, now that our natural- 

 ists are alive and active in their pursuits, it may, ere long, be 

 added to the English fauna. — Berwick upon Tweed, Jan. 1 8. 



Art. VI. Abstract of a Paper on Irish A'lgce, read before the 

 Natural History Society of Belfast on January 20. 1836.* By 

 Wm. Thompson, Esq.,' Vice-President. 



The following notes have originated from some attention 

 bestowed on A'lgse during a few weeks of last autumn which I 



* Since this was written I have, on enquiry from Mr. J. T. Mackay (who 

 possesses the very latest information on Irish botany, and whose Flora 

 Hibernica, I am happy to say, is now in the press), learned, by a letter dated 

 January 16. 1836, that several of the species here mentioned were pre- 

 viously found, though not yet published, by Mr. David Moore, on the coast 

 of Londonderry, which county he was lately employed by government to 

 botanise : a pleasing duty, that was performed by him with remarkable suc- 

 cess. These species are marked thus *. 



m 2 



