158 Mr. Patterson on the Bolina Hihernica. 



of the British Association in Birmingham, and solicited information on the 

 subject. It was unknown to any of the naturalists then present ; and my friend 

 Edward Forbes, Esq., who communicated a valuable paper " on the Ciliogrades 

 of the British Seas," pronounced it to be distinct from any of the eight species 

 enumerated by him. 



As it does not appear to have been previously recorded, either by British 

 or Continental writers, the specific name Hibernica, before applied provisionally, 

 may now be regarded as permanent. It would be premature to say the same 

 of its generic title ; for although it agrees with the Bolina of Mertens more 

 nearly than with any other at present defined or figured, we recognise in the 

 diminished size of the lobes, and in the more extended portion of the longer 

 bands occupied by cilia, a still nearer approach to the true heroes ; so that it is 

 possible when we attain a more extended knowledge of the various species of 

 ciliogrades, the present may be referred to an intermediate genus, yet to be 

 established, or ranked with some of those now existing, under one common and 

 comprehensive appellation. 



The localities in which it has hitherto been observed are, Larne Lough, county 

 of Antrim, (R.Patterson); Bangor, Bay, (R.Patterson); Strangford Lbugh, 

 county of Down, (W. Thompson) ; Lambay Island, county of Dublin, (R. Ball, 

 and W, Thompson) ; and Youghal Harbour, county of Cork, (R. Ball). 



The present species is not likely to be confounded with either of its two 

 congeners, — B. elegans, of a pink colour, found in the South Sea, or B. sep- 

 trionalis, clear bluish, taken in Beering's Straits. The following brief specific 

 description may suffice to distinguish it from other British ciliogrades. 



Bolina Hibernica. Form variable, generally ovate, rounded, and compressed. 

 Hyaline, lobes contractile, and not more than one-ififth of the entire length of 

 the animal. Longer bands, ciliated nearly to their apex. 



For the accurate figures by which the present paper is illustrated, I am 

 indebted to the skill and kindness of Miss Masson of Bangor. A much greater 

 number would, however, be requisite to convey an adequate idea of the diversi- 

 form aspect of the animal, especially with regard to the inflated appearance occa- 

 sionally presented by the upper portion of the body. 



