494 Zoological Society : — 



in such intimate alliance with the true Polypes may still he ques- 

 tionable, although the relationship of Beroe to the Helianthoid 

 polypes through Ilyanthus, Peachia and Philomedusa seems to be 

 pretty clearly established. 



In the classification of the Hydrozoa, our author, following the 

 lead of Professor Huxley, divides these animals into seven orders. 

 These are, 1. Hydrides; 2. Corynidce ; 3. Sertularidce ; 4. Caly- 

 cophoridce ; 5. Physophoridce ; G. Medusidce ; and 7. Lucerna?'idce. 

 Of these the first includes only the genus Hydra ; the second and 

 third the Tubularian and Sertularian Zoophytes of older writers ; 

 the fourth and fifth the Siphonophorous Acalephs ; and the last 

 two the Discophora, with the addition of the genus Lucernaria. 

 The Medusidce, however, contrary to the expectations which might 

 be raised from their name, do not include the higher Medusce, but 

 constitute a provisional order for the reception of those of the 

 Gymnophthalmata of Forbes of which the derivation from polype- 

 stocks has not yet been proved. Amongst these a few, belonging to 

 the families ^Eyinidce and Trachynemidce, are stated by Gegenbaur to 

 produce Medusoid progeny directly from the egg ; and it seems 

 probable that the same phenomenon may occur in Geryoniadce. 

 Under any circumstances, considering the numerous gaps which still 

 exist in our knowledge of the life-history of many of these organisms, 

 Professor Greene has certainly exercised a sound discretion in re- 

 taining, at all events for the present, a special group for the Naked- 

 eyed Medusse. The higher forms of Discophora are placed in the 

 order Lucernaridce. 



The classification of the Actinozoa presents less divergence from 

 the views of former writers. We find the orders Zoantharia and 

 Alcyonaria, which require no explanation ; the Ruyosa, or tabulated 

 corals of the older rocks ; and, lastly, the Ctenophora, of whose 

 transfer from the Acalephs we have already spoken. 



The general structure and development and the geographical and 

 geological distribution of the members of these groups are described 

 in much detail, and with admirable simplicity and clearness ; and 

 the text is illustrated by numerous excellent woodcuts : in fact, the 

 amount of information condensed into the comparatively few pages 

 of this little book is quite astonishing ; and it will certainly prove 

 a most valuable handbook in the investigation of the lower forms of 

 marine animals. 



PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED SOCIETIES. 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



June 11, 1861.— Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair. 



On the Habits of the Pipe-fish and other Fishes. 

 By Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., V.P.Z.S., etc. 



In examining the tanks in the Zoological Gardens, I was struck 



