89 



from 800 fathoms, twenty-five miles north-east of Vera Cruz, 

 Gulf of Mexico, in which no trace of animal or vegetable life was 

 found. The other, taken from the bottom of the sea in 750 

 fathoms, fifteen miles north-west from Cape Antonio, west 

 extreme of Cuba, July, 1865, was full of organisms. This latter 

 material having been treated with hydrochloric acid, was greatly 

 reduced iu bulk, and the residuum having been submitted to exa- 

 mination, was found to consist of some sand, with a considerable 

 number of Polycistina, sponge-spicules, and diatoms, for the most 

 part in a fragmentary condition. Among the diatoms were found 

 several small species of Coscinodiscus. Pijinularia pandura and 

 Cocconeis punctalissima occurred frequentl}^, and often in a perfect 

 state. Among the rarer species were found some forms of Grly- 

 phodesmis, and also a specimen of Campylodiscus, which, though 

 not quite perfect, he could identify with Campylodiscus eccle- 

 siaiius of Greville (' Quart. Jour. Mic. Science,' Jan., 1857, Plate 

 III, fig. G). 



Mr. Archer showed fertile examples from near Multyfarnhara 

 of Bulboclicete setigera (Prings.), showing both forms of fructifica- 

 tion, same as those sent from England by Mr. Reeves, with a 

 much more minute form likewise growing thereon, not, however, 

 JB. pyg^ncea (Prings.), as in Mr. Reeves' specimens, but B. gracilis 

 (Prings.). It was to be regretted, however, that the latter did 

 not show the antheridium, and the more so as Pringsheim himself 

 had not seen it in this species. The oogonia in the examples now 

 shown were fully matured, and had acquired the amber colour 

 characteristic of that state ; hence it might perhaps be assumed 

 that the antheridia had fallen away, and, as Priugsheim's figure 

 shows the fully ripe condition of the oogonia, perhaps the same 

 may have happened in the examples he had under observation. 



Mr. Archer exhibited conjugated examples of Spirogyra ortho- 

 spira (from Co. Tipperary), showing the zygospores formed, as is 

 specifically characteristic in the uninflated cells. 



Mr. Archer showed likewise the odd-looking rotatorian, Acti- 

 nurus neptunius, remarkable for its extreme length and great 

 comparative slenderness. This gaunt example of rotatorian life 

 probably measured ^U-th of an inch in length. 



Mr. Archer showed examples of a minute little Staurastrum 

 taken from a bog near Mullingar, which he thought undescribed ; 

 this he had not found at all near Dublin, but it was identical 

 with tVie minute form he had met with in one or two gatherings 

 made in the spring near Glengariff". It most resembled Stau- 

 rastrum Iceve, but is distinguished therefrom by the entire ends 

 of its rays or arms, which bear one or two little knob-like eleva- 

 tions about half way down their length. The description of this 

 form Mr. Archer would reserve for a future occasion. 



2Zrd Septemher, 1869. 



Rev. E. O'Meara showed Pleurosigma arcuatum from a gather- 

 ing made by him recently at Bannow, in the County Wexford. 



