350 Miscellaneous. 



is found in tlie flower, but the volutions are so close as not to be di- 

 stinguished readily from circles. In the Medusae referred to, the 

 regularly circular form is far more neatly and perfectly developed 

 than among the polyps — as is clearly seen in a comparison of the 

 polyp Coryna with the elegant Sarsia, a species of which is described 

 and" beautifully delineated in Professor Agassiz's recent memoir, pub- 

 lished by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at Boston. The 

 relations in structure between plants and polj^s might be further 

 dwelt upon ; but for other observations the writer would refer to hia 

 volume on Zoophytes. 



The only point in which the analogy seems to fail, is that the 

 Medusa-bud falls off before its full development, while this is not so 

 with plants. But it is obvious that this is unimportant in its bearing 

 on this subject. It is a consequence of the grand difference in the 

 mode of nutritiou in the two kingdoms of nature ; for the plant-bud 

 on separation loses its only means of nutriment. 



The law of alternating generations is therefore no limited principle, 

 strange and anomalous, applying only to a few Radiata. It embraces 

 under its scope the vegetable kingdom, and it is but another instance 

 of identity in the laws of growth in the two great departments of hfe. 

 — From SillimarCs American Journal of Science and Arts, No. 30, 

 November 1850. 



Note on Callichthys and Anableps. 

 By J. P. G. Smith, Esq. 



The flesh of Callichthys, when cooked, is of a fine deep yellow 

 colour, and in substance is somewhat cheesy or buttery on the tongue, 

 it is very rich in flavour : no cleaning of the intestines appears to be 

 necessary before preparation for the table. 



In the creeks by which the island of Mexianna is intersected, these 

 fish literally swarm and keep the waters alive and in a state of con- 

 stant disturbance. I have witnessed them crossing a log of wood, 

 which was lying in the water and intercepted the passage, in such 

 numbers that they quite concealed it from view ; and the people, when 

 they wanted a dish, were in the habit of going down to a favourable 

 spot and picking them out with their hands, without going into the 

 water. 



Anableps swims in small shoals with the eyes above the surface of 

 the water, generally close to the shore, and so near together that I 

 have shot twenty to thirty at a time by firing a gun among them ; 

 their flesh is very sweet, and not unlike a smelt in taste. — From the 

 Proceedings of the Zoological Society, March 26, 1850. 



BOTANICAL TRAVELLERS. 



We learn from Mr. Stevens that Mr. N. Plant, Curator of the 

 Leicester Museum, is about to leave England to investigate the 

 natural productions of several districts in S. America, the Sandwich 

 Islands, &c. 



His proposed course is, first to Rio Grande, thence to La Plata and 

 Paraguay ; next crossing to ('hili, he will turn northward, examining 



