TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 143 
It was stated that we are ignorant not only of the structure of the 
Acalepha, but even of the species which frequent our shores ; an igno- 
rance arising from the necessity of studying these animals in a living 
state, and also from the want of proper descriptions and figures. 
Those which may be confided in, are given by Miller, Sars, Mertens, 
and Eschscholtz, in comparatively scarce works ; and as two are written 
in German, and one in Danish, they are sealed books to those who are 
ignorant of these languages. In consequence, we are in continual 
danger, if we venture to name one that appears unknown, of adding to 
the existing confusion. He next proceeded to mention the points of 
interest presented by the Acalepha, in consequence of their analogies 
in several respects, both to other classes of animals and to the corolla 
of phzenogamous plants. 
On Animals found in Red Snow. By Professor AGassiz. 
It was stated that our countryman Shuttleworth had lately demon- 
strated that beside the Protococcus nivalis, the red snow contained 
several species of Infusoria. He had, however, now to lay before the 
Section the result of his own observations, from which he had come to 
the conclusion that the red snow was altogether an animal production, 
and that the so-called Protococcus nivalis was the ova of a species of 
rotiferous animal called by Ehrenberg Philodina roseola. This animal- 
cule he had found dead in the red snow, and occurring abundantly 
in ditches in the neighbourhood, at the bottom of which its ova pro- 
duced a red deposit. Under the microscope the coloured ova in the 
ovaries could be distinctly seen. He had also seen the Infusoria de- 
scribed by Shuttleworth. Drawings of the Philodina roseola, and the 
other animalcula of the red snow, were exhibited to the Section. The 
Professor also announced the discovery of a new species of Podura 
in the clefts of the glaciers of the Alps. Specimens and drawings of 
this insect were also exhibited. 
Dr. Lankester exhibited some coloured water brought from the 
Baltic by Mr. Murchison. The colouring matter consisted of a fila- 
mentous, unarticulated, probably not vegetable, but animal substance. 
The sea was covered with filaments for miles in extent, so as to be dis- 
coloured, and to appear of a dirty white. 
Notice of Plants and Animals found in the Sulphureous Waters of 
Yorkshire. By Epwin Lanxester, WD., FLAS. 
Under the terms glairine, zoogene, baregine, humus-extractive, 
resin, animal, and vegeto-animal matter, &c., the existence of organic 
substances in cold and thermal mineral waters has been often referred 
to, but in most instances the origin of these matters is involved in ob- 
scurity. Professor Anglada referred glairine, which he found in sul- 
