20 NOTICES OF THE MEETINGS. [ Feb. 14, 
remnants of the fauna of the glacial epoch, overlain and surrounded 
by a fauna of later migration, and adapted to a higher temperature. 
A curious fact respecting the marine creatures of the Arctic seas 
of Europe, viz. that the littoral and laminarian forms are peculiarly 
arctic, whilst the deeper species are boreal or celtic, may be explained 
also by the influence of warm currents flowing northwards and 
diffusing the germs of species of more southern regions in the 
coralline and deep-sea-coral zones; for in the arctic seas the 
temperature of the water is higher at some depth than near the sur- 
face. On the other hand, we find in a region farther to the south 
than Britain, an outlier of the Celtic fauna preserved in the bays of 
Asturias, where it was discovered in 1849 by Mr. Mac Andrew; a 
very remarkable fact, and one appealed to by the Lecturer as con- 
firmatory of his theory of an ancient coast extension between 
Treland and Spain. 
There is still much to be done in the investigation of the natural 
history of our seas, and many districts remain for more minute 
exploration. It is chiefly among articulate animals and especially 
among worms that fresh discoveries may be looked for. Yet even 
now new and remarkable forms of mollusca may occasionally be 
procured, and during the autumn of last year in a cruise with Mr 
Mac Andrew, no fewer than twenty additional Mollusca and Rudiata 
were discovered in the Hebrides, and have just been described by 
the Lecturer in conjunction with Professor Goodsir. Among 
these is one of the largest, if not the largest, compound Ascidians 
ever discovered. In our southernmost province fresh and valuable 
researches have been conducted during the past year by Professor 
Acland and Dr. Carus, who selecting the Scilly Isles as a field 
for exploration, have filled up a blank in our fauna. 
The Lecturer concluded by an expression of gratification at 
the spread and progress of natural history studies in Great Britain 
among all ranks, and at the love of science manifested in the 
systematic manner in which our fauna and flora have been explored, 
and the beautiful works which have been produced in illustration 
of them. 
Among the objects exhibited in the Library, were — Models of 
Crystals, constructed of cardboard [by Rev. Mr. Mitchell] — 120 
Diamond Crystals [by Jose E. Cliffe, Esq.] —an encrusted Cannon- 
ball found in Godwin’s Sands in 1844 [by John Prosser, Esq.] — 
Roberts’ Models of the Bow and Stern of Frigate, and of his Method 
of timbering the Bow [by the United Service Institution] — Fossils 
from the London Clay [by J. Tennant, Esq.]— a Leopard, Victoria 
‘Pigeon, and other birds, mounted by Mr. Bartlett [by the Zoological 
Society]. 
