1 74 DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 



reach the most hidden and remote parts of the nest, while the ants, intent 

 on their own safety alone, rushed hither and thither over them and one 

 another. On the other hand, it is evident that the Oniscoids could not 

 remain in the nest against the will of the ants, because most of those 

 that I found were so immature as to be far inferior in bulk and strength 

 to the ants, and thus wholly in their power. 



It is known that ants are inlrhe habit of conveying to their nests, in 

 spring, many different insects ; and it has been suggested that "the ali- 

 ment obtained from these insects may have some stimulating properties 

 highly conducive to the development of the sexes." In connexion with 

 this view, Mr. F. Smith remarks that he has never observed an ant con- 

 veying those insects subsequently to the development of the males and 

 females. But it would seem that there must be some benefit other than 

 this to be derived from P. Hoffmameggii, because at the time of year I 

 found it, the males and females had already appeared ; which circum- 

 stance, together with that of its evidently making the formicarium a 

 nursery for its young, may be taken to confirm the supposition that it 

 is a bond fide inhabitant of the nest. 



It is useless, however, to attempt to form any decided opinion as 

 yet ; all that can be done is to seek out and put on record additional 

 facts, from which, after a time, we may hope to discover the nature of 

 that divine law under whose all-powerful guidance we see the crusta- 

 cean and the ant living harmoniously in their common dwelling, and 

 mutually a benefit to each other. 



Dr. E. Perceval "Wright read the following — 



NOTES ON THE IRISH ACTINIDiE, ETC., WITH ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO THEIR 



DISTRIBUTION. 



Having been engaged for some years in investigating the marine Fauna 

 of Ireland, I find that I have accumulated some notes on the various 

 species of Actiniae which inhabit our coasts. The publication of Mr. 

 Gosse' 8 beautiful monograph of the British members of this group has 

 induced me to pay more attention to them in my visits to the sea-shore 

 for the last two years, and all the information that I have been able to 

 acquire I have forwarded to him as a contribution to a knowledge of our 

 Irish species. I have, however, thought it would not be amiss to place in 

 our " Proceedings" a more detailed and particular account than it 



