280 Linnean Society. [Feb. 7j 



objects, by which to measure the value of observations on the more 

 difficult tissues. Viewed in this light, he regards the conclusions 

 on this subject drawn by M. Schleiden and by M. Schacht as indi- 

 cating an inferiority in the microscopes used by those observers. 



Read also, " Notes on the habits of Medusae and of small Fishes." 

 By Charles W. Peach, Esq. Communicated by Dr. Francis, F.L.S. 



Mr. Peach's observations were made at Peterhead, N.B., in the 

 beginning of August last, at which time Cyunea aurita and Cyanea 

 capillata (or C inscripta of Peron?) were so abundant in the harbour 

 and bay as occasionally very much to inconvenience the fishermen, 

 and render it difficult to lift the oars, especially of small boats, from 

 amongst them. Round these Medusa very small fishes were ob- 

 served playing, sometimes sporting round C. aurita, and quitting it 

 on a sudden for C. inscripta when an enemy came near. Occasion- 

 ally two or three might be seen attending one of the Cyanete ; and 

 when attacked or alarmed, rushing under its umbrella and among 

 the tentacula, so as to shelter themselves in the large folds con- 

 nected with the ova, where they remained until the danger had 

 passed, and then emerged again to sport and play around their shel- 

 tering friend. When under the umbrella seeking shelter, they lay 

 so close as to allow themselves to be taken into a bucket with the 

 Medusa, from beneath which after a short time they would come out 

 and gambol as while in the sea. In this way Mr. Peach captured 

 many young whitings, measuring from less than an inch to 2\ inches 

 in length. It was evident that they resorted to the Medusae for pro- 

 tection, and not, as sometimes stated, that they are preyed upon by 

 these glass-like creatures ; and it is probably with a view to greater 

 security that they prefer the stinging species, with its eight bunches 

 of long tentacula and large fringed ovaries, to Cyanea aurita, with 

 its single, and frequently short row of delicate appendages. What, 

 then, Mr. Peach asks, becomes of the paralysing influence of the 

 tentacles of this Medusa on fishes .'' This, he thinks, opens a new 

 field for observation. He believes, too, that the facts which he has 

 observed, if not conclusive against, at least throw considerable doubt 

 on the fish-eating propensities ascribed to the Medusce ; for he is 

 convinced that in these instances the fishes resorted to the Medusa 

 as to protectors, and not enemies. In no instance did he observe a 

 fish in the stomach of the Medusa, but all were free to depart when 

 they pleased. The Cyanea aurita, he adds, is called at Peterhead 

 "Loch Lobberton" and "Loch Robertson," and the other species 

 " the Doctor." In an instance subsequently recorded in his journal, 



