150 Miscellaneous. 



it ia well kiiown that the form of the Comatuhf in the embryonic 

 state is jjrecisely that which has been regarded by naturalists, espe- 

 cially palaeontologists, as characteristic of one of the most remark- 

 able groups of the Echiuodermata, that of the Crinoids or Encri- 

 nites. 



This disooverj- is of the highest importance, as well in a purely 

 zoological point of view as in zoological ])hilosophy ; for it shows 

 once more how much better the affinities of animals will be defined 

 Avhen zoologists shall have taken comparative evolution and morpho- 

 logy as their guides. 



The opinions of the English naturalists upon the relations of the 

 Pentacritii and Comatuhe have been too well demonstrated by them 

 for it to be necessary to adduce new proofs in its support ; therefore 

 my desire is simply to make known a station, easy of access, where 

 it is possible for any naturalists who may desire it to repeat one of 

 the most remarkable observations in cmbryogeny and experimental 

 zoology. 



The port of lloscoff, situated at the northeni extremity of a broad 

 tongue of land which projects northwards into the English Channel, 

 between Morlaix and Saint-Pol-de-Leon on the east and the bay of 

 Pouldu on the west, is surrounded by innumerable reefs, which be- 

 come dry at low water, and permit the zoologist to make the most 

 varied collections there ; moreover the Gulf-stream, by bathing this 

 coast, maintains in these parts a temperature eminently propitious 

 to the development of animals. Lastly, to the north, a long granite 

 band, running east and west (the isle of Bass), forms a breakwater 

 against the waves of the high sea, and protects the channel which 

 lies between it and Roscoff. In consequence of these conditions, 

 the fauna is particularly rich at this part of the coast. 



For two years in succession (in 1SG8 and 1869) I have passed a 

 part of the summer in making researches in this locality, one of the 

 richest on our coasts. I shall retui-n there again ; for it is my in- 

 tention to make it known and to take it^as the type of the marine 

 fauna of the coasts of France, for which I have already collected 

 abundant and valuable materials. 



On descending from the churchyard of Roscoff, at low water, upon 

 the beach, hy going directly north, we see before us some large 

 granite masses which, never being covered, form islets even at the 

 highest tides. These are : — to the east and to the right of the ob- 

 server, the two Bourguignons ; to the left, or to the west, the isle 

 Yerte ; and further towards the east, some rocks which become co- 

 vered and uncovered, amongst which I may cite Meinanet and 

 llolas. Among all these reefs and in the channel the sea on re- 

 tiring leaves broad and fine meadows of Zosterce and sandj' flats 

 covered with stones, both inhabited by numerous species of animals; 

 by an excessive variety of simple and compound Ascidia, BrA'ozoa, 

 Sertularia, Sponges (especially calcareous), Echinodermata, >S)/na]itrf, 

 Lucernaricv, Cari/ojJn/UifF, numerous Actinia', Planaricf, Borlasia;, 

 naked and other Mollusca in great abuTidance, &c. &c., which well 

 compensate the zoologist for the trouble of examining these sh<.>res. 



