160 Miscellaneous. 



however — ou the northern shore of Portugal, near Oporto, where 

 the free compressed variety is abundantly met with in a dried state 

 on the beach ; fourteen specimens were obtained of this shape, and 

 only one was found of the cylindrical form usually described. The 

 early growth of the polyj)idom, however, is undoubtedly encrusting, 

 and generally on Fucus ; but after the formation of a few cells on 

 the surface, the erect form is assumed, and dense clusters of narrow 

 ribbons spring up, with occasional branches budding from their edges, 

 each ribbon being composed of a double layer of connected opposite 

 cells, placed in transverse parallel rows of 10 or 12 in each. The 

 cells are compressed and cup-shaped, with the walls minutely punc- 

 tured, and have the margin surmounted by several irregularly- 

 placed erect denticles, and a long curved vibraculum inserted a little 

 below the anterior edge. In the ribbon-shaped variety, these vi- 

 hracula are generally aborted on alternate rows ; but in such cases the 

 external cells are protected by the development of the denticles into 

 conspicuous spines. 



The variety of Electra usually described and figured consists sim- 

 ply of the disposition of the cells over the cylindrical branches of 

 some sea-weed, and not, as has been stated by one author, " around 

 an ideal centre." 



Accux-ding to Lamouroux, the polypidom in a living state is of " a 

 red-violet colour ; but when exposed to air and hght, it becomes an 

 earthy white." The polypes are probably the same as in Membrani- 

 2>ova. 



Electra appears to be widely distributed ; for it is said to be com- 

 mon in the European Seas, and I believe Prof. Busk has received it 

 from the Cape of Good Hope. — Proc. Zool. Soc. June 8, 18.58. 



On the Reproduction q/Nemcrtes Borlassii. 

 By William Beattie, Esq. 



On the last week in February, Commander Lysaght, of the 

 Coast Guard, brought me from one of the fishermen on the coast a 

 very long specimen of Linens lonyissimus {Nemertes Borlassii) ; 

 after keeping the animal alive four days, it produced a young one 

 18 inches long and about frds of a line or yV^^^ ^^ ^^^ inch in dia- 

 meter, of a cream-colour. Both lived for nearly a week ; but in con- 

 sequence of my illness the water was not changed, and the little 

 creature died and was considerably decomposed before I knew. I 

 have the remains in spirits. At first I fancied it must be an 

 intestinal worm ; but its habits were the same as the supposed 

 parent. 



Dr. Baird has examined the specimen produced by the Nemertes. 

 It is not in a good state ; but he is satisfied that it is not an Ascaris 

 or Filaria, and thinks that it is very probably the true young of the 

 Nemertes. — Froc. Zool. Soc. June 8, 1858. 



