3. Occurrence at Newport, R. Z, of two littoral species of 

 Eurojyean Shells not before recorded as American; by A. E. [> ~ '^v 

 Verrill. — In tbo latter part of July and in August, of this vear, 

 I'found living among the decaying sea-weed, at liigli-water mark 



in the docks at Newport, R. I., numerous specimens, both full 

 grown and young, of Trimcatella truncatida and Asshninea 

 Grayana. They were associated with Alexia myosotis, Amtrida 

 maritima, Chernes oblongns, a large species of Ligia, Orchestia 

 agilis, and other littoral species. Whether those shells have been 

 accidentally introduced, at that point, by shipping, or are really 

 indigenous, cannot at present be determined. They are now cer- 

 tainly well established inhabitants of our shores. They may have 

 been overlooked hitherto. 



4. Hapld diffusion of Littorina littorea on the Nexo England 

 Coast ; by A. E. Verrill. — It is well-known to American conchol- 

 ogists that this common European species has become well-estab- 

 lished on the New England coast within ten or twelve years, 

 appearing first on the coast of Maine about 1868; Dr. Dawson, 

 however, states that he collected it on the shores of Nova Scotia 

 at a much earlier date. I wish, at present, merely to put on 

 record some additional data, as to its recent jjrogress along the 

 coast. In 1873, it was collected, in abundance, at Saco, Maine, by 

 the U. S. Fish Commission, and was found sparingly at Peake's 

 I., Casco Bay. In 1872 it was very rare at Provincetovvn, 

 Mass., but in 1875, it was common there. In 1875, it was collected 

 by the writer at Barnstable, Mass., on the shores of Cape Cod 

 Bay, in large quantities. In 1879, it had become exceedingly 

 abundant at Provincetown. In 1875, our parties found two speci- 

 mens only, on the southern shores of Cape Cod, at Wood's Holl, 

 but in 1876 it Avas found to be common there, and is now very 

 abundant. The first specimen found so far westward as New 

 Haven was obtained by Professor S. I. Smith, during the past 

 winter. Other solitary specimens have since been obtained here 

 by Mr. E. A. Andrews, and by Mr. J. H. Emerton. It is, at 

 present, exceedingly abundant at Newport, R. I. 



5. Artificial propagation of the Spanish Mackerel ( Cyhium 

 macidatuni) ; by A. E. Verrill. — That this highly valued fish 

 habitually breeds at certain localities in Chesapeake Bay was 

 recently ascertained by Mr. R. E. Earll, of the U. S. Fish Cora- 

 mission. In July, he visited the locality and made experiments 

 upon its artificial propagation. He was very successful and easily 

 hatched many thousands of the young fish. These, though among 

 the most minute of larval fishes, proved to be hardy and easy to 

 transport. The eggs hatched in less than 24 hours after fecunda- 

 tion. The U. S. Fish Commission will undoubtedly be able to 

 utilize this discovery next year on a large scale, and there is every 

 reason to believe that this excellent fish may be thus introduced 

 into all the waters south of Cape Cod, in great abundance. 



6. Occurrence of Ciona ocellata [Ascidia ocellata Agassiz) at 

 Newport, R. L; by A. E. Verrill. — This ascidian, which is one of 

 the largest and most elegant found on our coast, occurs in abun- 

 dance at Newport, both on the rocks and on the piles of wharves, 

 at low-water, and on dead shells, to the depth of 20 fathoms. It 

 seems to be very local in its distribution, for I have never seen it 

 at any other locality on our coast. It was originally obtained by 

 Agassiz, at New Bedford, Mass., according to Binney, in Goidd's 

 Invert, of Mass., where it is figured, but not described. It grows 

 to the length of four or five inches, and about an inch in diameter. 

 It is A'ery translucent, allowing the internal organs to bo well 

 seen through the pale greenish or yellowish-white test. It is 

 usually attached by the base and lower part of one side. The 

 apertures are surrounded by a circle of bright lemon-yellow, and 

 the ocelli are bright rod. There are also two bright red spots 

 connected with the nervous ganglia. The Ciona tenella (Stimp.), 

 which is common in the Bay of Fundy, has the circles around the 

 apertures bright red. 



