196 Scientific Intelligence — Zoology, 



in 1841, have now been recognised as belonging to this curious 

 Actinea. 



The other animals described in this communication were, a species 

 of naked-eyed Medusa, for the reception of which the authors found 

 it necessary to establish a new genus, Plancia [Plancia gracilis,) 

 Seven new species of Medusse, referable to the genera Oceanea, Slab- 

 heria, Hippocrene, and Thaumantias, were also described. 



The communication was illustrated by coloured drawings. 



13. East India Company's Museum. — Several valuable specimens 

 of Natural History have just been added to the Honourable East 

 India Company's Museum, Leadenhall Street, among which are : — 

 Ovis Amnion (male and female), from Thibet; Ovis Nahura (male 

 and female), from Thibet ; Ovis Vignei (male), from Thibet ; Ovis, 

 domestic sheep of Thibet ; Capra, goat of Thibet ; Capra Ibex, from 

 Kumaon ; Equus Kiang, wild ass of Thibet; Tetracerus Quadri- 

 eornis, the four-horned antelope. The whole of the above have been 

 presented by Captain R. Strachey, and have been beautifully stuffed 

 and arranged, by Mr Joseph Baker, animal preserver to the Com- 

 pany, and to the British Museum. 



14. Nest-building Fishes. — At the meeting of the American As- 

 sociation at New Haven, Professor Agassiz made an interesting 

 communication on the " care which certain fishes take of their 

 young." After referring to the general disbelief with which stories 

 of fishes taking care of their young have been received, he stated 

 that recently, while engaged in collecting insects along the shores of 

 Lake Sebago, in Maine, he was led to observe the actions of a couple 

 of cat fish, which at his approach left the shore suddenly and returned 

 to the deeper water. This movement being several times repeated, 

 he was led to a closer observation. The peculiar black appearance 

 of the place which the fishes had left, first attracted his particular 

 attention. Examining more closely, a nest was discovered, in which 

 were moving a number of little tadpoles — ^these were at first taken 

 for the tadpoles of frogs — and to test the attachment of the old 

 fishes to the spot. Professor Agassiz took some pains to experi- 

 ment upon them. Pausing for a few moments, the two fishes 

 returned slowly and cautiously, looking anxiously towards the 

 nest, to see if it had been disturbed. They approached to within 

 six or eight feet of where he stood. They were evidently not in 

 search of food, and he became convinced that they were seeking the 

 protection of the young. Large stones thrown repeatedly into the 

 middle of the nest, after these fishes had- returned to it, only served 

 to frighten them away for a brief period ; they invariably returned 

 to the spot within ten or fifteen minutes afterwards. This was re- 

 peated for the fourth and fifth time, with the same result. The nest 

 was in a depression among the water plants. — American Annual of 

 Scientific Discovery for 1851, p. 335. 



.15. Relations of Embryonic Development to Permanent. Forms, 



