195 



in shape to that in Hydra. In one instance I saw four barbs 

 instead of a single pair. 



The arms of the third row are entirely similar in structure to 

 those of the second ; the pedicels are a little longer. They, 

 as well as the second, are commonly not more than seven in 

 number. 



This species is found somewhat abundantly at Sag Harbor, 

 L. I. It is found attached to Fuci, &c. both in still water and 

 within the rapid flow of the tide where confined by bridges. My 

 observations upon it, during two seasons, have been made only 

 in August, and of course its metamorphoses I have not seen. 

 The same species, or one closely allied, I have found in Boston 

 harbor. 



Mr. Ayres stated, that the South Shore of Long Island 

 is generally sandy, with many stones of various sizes upon 

 it beneath the water. He had noticed, in many places, 

 generally under the deep water side of these stones, a cavity 

 large enough to hold two or three quarts, in which a Toad 

 fish was lying, nearly concealed. In this position the fish 

 readily bites at any bait ofTered it. On driving out the 

 fish, its young are found, several hundreds in number, cling- 

 ing to the under surface of the stone by the yolk sac, which 

 is still attached to the abdomen, and serves as a sort of 

 sucker. The young are at this time from one and one 

 fourth to one and a half inch long. When the yolk is 

 absorbed they swim about freely in the water. It seems 

 probable that the parent fish remains in the hole for the 

 purpose of protecting her young, as she always returns to it 

 after being driven out. 



Dr. Storer alluded to the scientific name of this species, 

 Bairachus tau, as being very badly chosen, since the cha- 

 racter which gives it this name is not seen until after the 

 death of the fish. 



The donation was announced in the name of Mr. Uriah 

 A. Boyden, of the Voyage au Pole Sud et dans I'Oceanie 

 sur les Corvettes I'Astrolabe et la Zelee, 16 volumes, 8vo, 

 with folio plates. 



