363 



not having exceeded an hour, whilst in the latter it has exceeded 

 many hours. 



2. That the vitality of the ova was- as well preserved in air satu- 

 rated with moisture, as it would have been had they been in water. 



3. That the ova may be included in ice without loss of vitality, 

 provided the temperature is not so low as to freeze them. 



4. That the ova, and also the fry recently produced, can bear for 

 some time a temperature of about 80 or 82 in water, without 

 materially suffering; but not without loss of life, if raised above 84 

 or 85. 



5. That the ova and young fry are speedily killed by a solution 

 of common salt nearly of the specific gravity of sea-water, viz. 1026; 

 and also by a weaker solution of specific gravity 1016. 



Finally, in reference to the inquiry regarding the distribution of 

 the species of fishes, he expresses his belief that some of the results 

 may be of useful application, especially those given in the second 

 and third sections ; inferring, that as in moist air, the vitality of the 

 ova is capable of being long sustained, they may during rain or fog 

 be conveyed from one river or lake to another adhering to some part 

 of an animal, such as a Heron or Otter, and also during a time of 

 snow or frost ; and, further, that other of the results may be useful 

 towards determining the fittest age of ova for transport for the pur- 

 pose of stocking rivers, and likewise as a help to explain the habitats, 

 and some of the habits of the migratory species. 



III. " Observations on the Anatomy and Affinities of the Phyl- 

 lirrhoe bucephala (Peron)." By JOHN DENIS MACDONALD, 

 Esq., R.N., Assistant-Surgeon of H.M.S.V. ' Torch.' Com- 

 municated by Sir W. BURNETT, K.C.B. Received March 

 30, 1855. 



As the true position of Peron's genus Phyllirrhoe, and even the 

 very existence of the animals composing it, have been matters of 

 doubt to zoologists, during a late cruise to the Fiji Islands I deter- 

 mined to ply the towing-net with a little more diligence than usual, 

 hoping to obtain a few of these almost hypothetical beings, and was 

 rewarded by the capture of many specimens. 



