80 



agitated, or when one of the masses of animals was taken into the 

 hand, the whole mass became instantly illuminated by myriads of 

 biight dots, much resembling in hue tbe points on the elytra of a 

 diamond Beetle, Curculi-o imperialis, Fab. 



The Pyrosoma, tlius enveloped throughout its whole extent in a 

 flame of bright phosphorescent light gleaming with itspeculiarhue, 

 presented a most splendid spectacle ; the light shed by it vvas suffi- 

 cient to render objects distinctly visible in every part of an other- 

 wise dark room. If long retained in the hand, or returned to a 

 quiescent statė in the vvater, the luminous spots gradually faded, 

 and no light was visible until the animal was again disturbed, vvhen 

 the illumination instantly returned with all its vivid splendour. 

 After death it emitted no light. 



The mass of Pyrosoma, of the usual cylindrical form and gelati- 

 nous substance, was about 4 inches in length and 14 in circum- 

 ference. The tube, passing along its middle, is described as being 

 open at both ends ; the orifice at the broader extremify being much 

 better defined in its circular form, larger, and more distinct than 

 that of the opposite end. The surface of the mass appeared to be 

 studded with numerous prominent rigid and pearly tubercies inter- 

 mingled with small specks of a brown or red colour. In these latter 

 the power of emitting light appeared chiefly to be seated, these 

 being frequently bright while the remainder of the body exhibited 

 only its natūrai white or yellovvish vvhite hue ; a hue \vhich changed 

 after death into a red tinge. The brown specks, vvhen removedfrom 

 the body, did not emit light. 



A " Description, with Additionai Particulars, of i\\e Apteryx Au- 

 stralis of Shaw," by Mr. Yarrell, was read. It descril)ed in greater 

 detail than the communication made by the authoron February 12, 

 (page 24,) the external structure of tiiis singular bird. It also ob- 

 served on its probabie habits, and on its place in the natūrai series in 

 immediate relation with the StruthionidcB. Follovving up thehistory 

 of our acquaintance \vith it, which commenced with the possession 

 by Dr. Shavv of a single perfect skin (hitherto unique and brought 

 under the observation of the Society by the kindness of the Presi- 

 dent, of whose collection it now forms part), Mr. Yarrell referred 

 to the incidentai notices of it by Captain Cruise, M. Lesson, M. Du- 

 perrey, and M. Gaimard, and from the evidence thus collected 

 pointed out its locality to be Mmmt Ikou-Rangui, near East Cape, 

 New Zealand, and its native name to be Kmi, frequently doubled, 

 according to the custom of the natives, into Kirui- Kim. With this 

 Information it is hoped that some of our enterprising countrymen in 

 that quarter may, ere long, succeed in acquiring additionai speci- 

 mens and additionai knovvledge, as regards both the habits and 

 the structure of this curious race. 



