NATURAL IIISTOUY SOCIETY OF GLASfiOW. XIX 



debenture of The Modern Permanent Building and Invest- 

 ment Society of Melbourne, for five years at five per cent, 

 interest. On the motion of Mr. James J. F. X. King, the 

 Report of the Committee was unanimously adopted. 



Mr. R. Broom. B.Sc, exhibited a preparation of the wind- 

 pipe of the Emu illustrating the peculiar tracheal pouch of 

 that bird. Situated about the middle of the lower half of the 

 trachea is an opening formed by a defect in eight or ten of the 

 rings, and leading into a pouch which lies on the front of the 

 Avindpipe. This remarkable structure is known to exist only in 

 the Emu, and its use does not seem to have as yet been satis- 

 factorily ascertained. 



Professor W. C. M'Intosh, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., 

 Corresponding Member, sent for exhibition a specimen of 

 LesiLeurla vltrea, M. -Edwards, a ctenophore new to Britain, 

 obtained on 9th May last in St. Andrews Bay, at a depth of 

 three fathoms, in considei'able numbers, among hosts of 

 Pleurobrachue and Hydrovieduscc. They were recognised by 

 their great trauslucency, powerful locomotive flappers, and 

 characteristic shape ; moreover, on further examination, their 

 extreme delicacy was conspicuous — indeed, they are the most 

 fragile of a fragile group. From that period onward to September 

 they presented themselves almost daily in great abundance in 

 the mid-water net, and throughout the Bay generally, so that it 

 was as common to meet with them as with PleuTohvacliice. When 

 first obtained the specimens were not large — only from J to IJ in. 

 in long diameter; but they varied in size from that period 

 onwards, both large and small forms being present throughout, 

 and the maximum of 3j in., or rather more, being reached 

 on 4th August. The reproductive organs appeared to attain 

 maturity towards the end of June and in July. The capsule 

 of the ovum measured 'OlO in., and the ovum proper 'OOSS in., 

 in a specimen procured in the first week of July. The examples 

 at St. Andrews swam steadily in the water and more actively 

 than Beroe, as might be expected from their very powerful 

 locomotive flappers. The mouth was generally uppermost. 

 Nothing of moment was observed in the gastric chamber, and 

 hence they formed a striking contrast with Pleurobrachia. 

 Like the American species, that at St. Andrews was beautifully 

 phosphorescent, the light being intense and almost white, w th 

 a. scarcely distinguishable tinge of greenish or bluish. It was 

 i-eadily emitted when the water was merely blown upon, and 

 glanced brightly along the ctenophores or locomotive flappers.* 

 Dr. Francis P. Flemyng, F.R.G.S., Pan, France, sent for 



*See "Notes from St. Andrews Marine Laboratory.— No. IX.," by Prof. 

 M'Intosh, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S., etc. Annal.i and Magazine of Natural 

 Jfistoru for Dec, 1888, p. l&l. 



