294 Miscellaneous. 



I also wish to islacc on record the capture, this slimmer, of two 

 specimens (male and female) of the Striped or Cook Wrasse (Lahrus 

 mia'tus of Yarrell), which, from what I hear from the fishermen, is 

 very larely met with on this coast, though mentioned as an occa- 

 sional visitor by Mrs. Merrifield in her ' Natural History of Brighton.' 

 According to Couch, it is not uncommon on the Cornish coast, but 

 appears to be rarely met with elsewhere. Both specimens were taken 

 about the same spot, on a shoal about five miles off Eastbourne, the 

 fii'st in a lobster-pot, the other by a line. Of the male I have only 

 seen the dried skin ; but the female was brought to me soon after it 

 Avas caught, and it has been preserved in glycerine, but has lost the 

 brilliancy of colouring Avhich makes it so resemble the wonderful 

 productions of tropical seas in the intensity of the deep-blue stripes 

 bordered by the brilliant orange and yellow tints that cover the 

 mass of the bodj'. Your obedient Servant, 



F. C. S. Roper. 



O71 the Origin and Increase of Bacteria. By Dr. A. Polotebnow. 



The author's investigations, made in Prof. Wiesner's laboratory, 

 at the Polytechnic Institute of Vienna, have led him to the following 

 results : — 



1. That a perfect genetic connexion exists between Bacterium, 

 Vibrio, and Spirillum, and that these present no other differences 

 but those of size and direction. 



2. None of the Vibriones ( Vibrio, Bacterium, and Sinrillimi) are 

 independent organisms, but only derivatives (delicate mycelia) from 

 the spores of fungi, especially those of Penicillium glaucum. 



3. The development of the Vibriones from the spores of Penicil- 

 lium may be best followed when the spores are exposed to the action 

 of a high temperature (140°-212°F.). 



4. The notion that Vibriones are developed in the filaments of 

 mycelium from the granules occurring in the cells proves to be quite 

 erroneous, as also that of the conversion of Vibriones into other 

 higher forms (yeast &c.). — Anzeiyer cler Jc. 7c. Akacl. der Wiss. in 

 men, April 29, 18G9, pp. 87-88. 



Experiments to show that the Fins of Fishes are liegeneratecl only 

 tvhen their Basal Portion at least is left. By M. J. M. Philipeaux. 



The author's experiments on the regeneration of the spleen of the 

 mammalia and the limbs of the newts and axolotl have been ex- 

 tended by him to the fins of fishes. 



He cut off the left ventral fin of some gudgeons at the level of 

 the abdominal surface. The fishes were then jdaced in a basin imder 

 favourable conditions, and in eight months the fins were completely 

 reproduced. 



In a second series of experiments upon the same species the author 

 entirely extirpated the right ventral fin, including all the small 

 bones whi(!h support it; the fishes liaving been j)ut into the basin, 

 some of them died from the efi'ects of the o))eration, wliilst those 

 which survived showed a perfect cicatrix eight montlis after the 



