92 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIKTIES, 



increase the number of our species till our Flora surpasses, as it already equals, most districts 

 of similar extent in the kingdom. 



Our Sooietj' was formed in the beginning of 1849, and more than five j'ears have now elapsed 

 without any diminution in the enthusiasm of our members. Never indeed was there so much 

 done in the study, though no lectures have been delivered; and a provincial Society, which 

 without extraneous assistance, is free from pecuniary liabilities, and has done so much for tlie 

 mutual improvement of its members, must be considered emphatically successful. 



It is hoped that while the Society increases in members, as it has done in the past year, 

 there may be nothing in our next season to occasion regret. That war, pestilence, and famine 

 may pass lightly over us, and find our ranks entire, and our friendships unbroken; and that 

 He, who formed the lilies of the field, and bade us consider how they grow, will preserve us 

 in body as healthful as the hills over which we roam, and in mind as pure as the flowers 

 we love." 



JoHx Lamb Luckley, ) „ , . 

 „. . > Secretaries. 



William Armstrong, ) 



The Report was adopted unanimously, and the following Office-bearers were appointed for 

 1854 : — 



President.— J. Davison, Esq., M. R. C. S. 



Vice-Presidents. — Messrs. T. Walby, II. Huvter, G. Cockburx, and W. Richardson. 



Secretaries. — Messrs. J. L. Luckley and W. Armstrong. 



Treasurer. — Mr. Edward A. Storer. 



An Herbarium and Acting Committee were afterwards chosen ; and the meeting, after a long 

 discussion of various subjects, separated at a late hour. 



Natural History Society of Glasgow. — February 7th., 1854. The ordinary meeting of the 

 Natural History Society of Glasgow was held this evening. Mr. Roger Henuedy occupied the 

 chair. 



The Secretary read the following paper upon the '•'■iledusce and Little Fishes," by Charles 

 W. Peach, Esq., of Wick:— 



"Having read in various works that the large MeduscB preyed upon fishes for food, I have 

 thought it right to place on record the following, which I observed in the present j'ear at 

 Peterhead, first stating that the under-mentioned Medusw were very abundant, so much so, 

 at times, as sadly to inconvenience the fishermen, and render it somewhat difficult to lift the 

 oars, especially of small boats, from amongst them. They were the Cyanea aurita and C. 

 capillata or C. inscriptaf of Peron. 



I extract the following from my journal: — 1st. August, 1853. — I have observed for the last 

 few days very small fishes playing round the large Mrdasce in the harbour and bay. Sometimes 

 they sported round the C. aurita, but would instantly leave it for the C. inscripta when an 

 enemy was near; occasional!}' two or three might be seen attending one of these Cyanea, and 

 when attacked or alarmed, they would rush under the umbrella amongst the tentacula, and 

 shelter in the large folds connected with the ova, remaining there until the danger had passed, 

 when they would emerge, and sport and play about their sheltering friend ; it was really pleasing 

 to observe their movements when thus gambolling round their sanctuary. 



So closely would they lie when under the umbrella on seeing danger, that they were taken 

 into a bucket with their shelter, and when permitted to rest for a short time, they would come 

 out and sport as when in the sea. I captured many this way, at times two or three, varying 

 from less than an inch- in length to two and a half inches; they were «/oi<w^ Whiting, probably 

 the offspring of the larger ones which were so abundant at this time in the bay. 



It is evident these little creatures feel that shelter, and consequently protection, is afforded 

 by these glass-like creatures, and not destruction, and more, they prefer the "stinging one," 

 with its eight bunches of long tentacula, and large fringed ovaries, to the C. aurita, with its 

 single, and frequently short row of delicate appendages. 



I am led in this case to ask, what becomes of the paralyzing influence of the tentacles of 

 this Medusa on fish ." I fancy it opens a new field for observation, and if it does not do away 

 with the fish-eating propensities ascribed to these water-framed creatures, at least, it throws 



