144 Dr. W. C. M'Intosli on the 



the recent OjyercuUna and the fossilized Nummulites^ especially 

 the tubular formation between the chambers, which Joly and 

 Leymerie demonstrated hefore Dr. Carpenter, as acknowledged 

 by the latter in his book, and about which Dr. Carpenter does 

 not appear to me to have a true conception yet, or he would not 

 continue to identify the so-called Eozoon canadense with fora- 

 miniferous structure. It is a very different thing to describe 

 from the sections and drawings of others and to argue from a 

 knowledge which you have worked out for yourself. The 

 latter requires an amount of time which is quite incompatible 

 with the former, where quantity is the grand object. 



I cannot help adding, in conclusion, my astonishment that 

 while blame has been imputed to me from not having burdened 

 my argument against the so-called " foraminiferous structure 

 oi Eozoon canadense " by the insertion of detail which I had 

 given elsewhere, my able critics should have foregone the 

 opportunity of expressing their opinion on the grand question 

 of my argument for the purpose of delivering themselves on a 

 point in it of the most trivial consequence. That they should 

 have commenced the second paragraph of their letter with, 

 " The question has nothing to do with the Eozoon controversy," 

 is therefore, to say the least of it, " most significant " ! 



XX. — On the Invertebrate Marine Fauna and Fishes of 

 St. Andrews. By W. C. M'Intosh. 



[Continued from p. 75.] 



Class ANNELIDA. 



The marine annelids have sometimes been considered an un- 

 inviting group, dimly associated with parasites and earthworms. 

 In regard, however, to beauty of form and colour, wonderful 

 structure and habits, they are not surpassed by any invertebrate 

 class. The splendid bristles of the Aphroditidse, constantly 

 glistening with all the hues of a permanent rainbow, the bril- 

 liant colours of the Phyllodocidte, Hesionida;, and Nereids, and 

 the gorgeous branchial plumes of the Terebellida?, the Sabel- 

 lida3, and the Scrpulida3 can only be compared Avith the most 

 beautiful types of butterflies and birds. The structures formed 

 by many exhibit an amount of precision and skill equal to 

 that of the most remarkable insects. Thus, at St. Andrews, 

 the common Pectinaria helgica fashions a tube like a straight 

 horn of minute pebbles, carefully selected and admirably fixed 



