76 STAR-FISIIES OF BAKFF. 



kept alive for several/ days, but it uever changed its position. It merely, 

 from time to time, elongated itself. Wlien stretched out, it measured about 

 three-fourths of an inch. Its colour was a dirty white. 



Milk-white Sea-Girkin. {Ocnus lacteus.) I obtain this Sea-Girkin in great 

 abundance, almost on every stone and shell taken from deep water. I have 

 kept them alive for days. They are very sluggish, seldom changing 

 their position. I have seen the tentacula expanded at all hours of the day. 

 When touched, they were contracted for a little ; but again gradually ex- 

 panded, when the cause of annoyance appeared to be withdrawn. 



Common Thyone. (Thyone papillosa.) On the 23rd October, amidst a mass 

 of stuff from the fishermen's lines, I obtained this Thyone. It was, when 

 found, of a roundish shape, with the tentacula protruding to their entire 

 length.. It was immediately put into a basin of water. It remained for some 

 time in the same state as when found. By next morning it had fixed its 

 basis of operation on the side of the basin. I kept looking at it at intervals, 

 for some time. It began to elongate itself towards the head, and to throw it 

 about in all directions. It did so for some time. It then contracted itself 

 towards the posterior extremity, and the body seemed as if tied round with 

 a thread. This constriction passed slowly along the body, from the exti-emity 

 to the head. After it had passed away, it raised its head perpendicularly, 

 and threw back its body, so that you could distinctly see the wave of expan- 

 sion passing to the posterior extremity. Again the wave of constriction 

 began, and passed slowly along as before. It continued to do so always in 

 the same direction. Its length was, when at rest, about three-fourths of an 

 inch. Its colour was a dirty white. 



Tailed Priapulus. (Priapulus caudatus) Sometimes got in stomachs. 



Common Spoon-Worm. {Echiurus vulgaris.) Doubtful. I obtained, from the 

 stomach of a haddock, what appears to be this Spoon-Worm. 



Of the Holothuriadae and Sipunculidse, the foregoing are but a very small 

 portion. Since the Frith can boast of a fair share of the other families of 

 Star-fish, a good look. out may bring to light a great many more ; of which, 

 when found, due intimation shall be given in The Naturalist. 



Having now completed the list of Star-fish as far as known, I trust soon to 

 be able to communicate lists of the Crustaceans, Zoophytes, and Molluscs. 



Macduff, Banff, Nov. 18th, 1854. 



