241 Miscellaneous. 



the author submits that it is by no means a proper expression for 

 tlie phaeuomena presented by the Salpce. According to the author's 

 view, the two forms of Salpa are not two generations of distinct in- 

 dividuals, but are, properly speaking, organs, and only when taken 

 together, equivalent to an individual, in the sense in which that 

 term is used among the higher animals. 



For these pseudo-individuals, in this and all analogous cases, the 

 author proposes the name of " zooids," simply for the purpose of 

 avoiding the apparent paradox of calling these highly-organized in- 

 dependent forms " organs," though such, in the author's opinion, 

 they really are. — Phil. Trans. Part 2. 1851. 



LARUS GLAUCUS. 



To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. 



Weymouth, February 16, 1852. 



Gentlemen, — On the 26th of January in this year, a specimen of 

 the Glaucous Gull {Larus glaucus) was caught on the Chesil Beach, 

 between the village of Fleet and Abbotsbury. This was a young bird, 

 but very large ; from the carpal joint to the end of the longest quill- 

 feather measures 1 9 inches. The upper tail-coverts are spotted with 

 very faint pale brown, the tail-feathers barred with very narrow 

 streaks of very faint brown scarcely perceptible. Bill very pale brown. 

 Legs and feet the same. In all other respects it has the plumage of 

 the adult bird. 



This bird was taken in a noose set for gulls, which are caught solely 

 for their feathers, and many are captured annually for this purpose. 



A heap of sea-weed is put together, and two sticks driven in oppo- 

 site each other on the weed and at about a foot apart ; to these sticks 

 is firmly attached a wire noose (like those used by poachers) which 

 is supported by the sticks. Under this noose a fish is placed on the 

 heap of weed ; this attracts the gulls, and in making a swoop to seize 

 the fish they dash into the noose and are thus secured. 



I am, Gentlemen, yours obediently, 



William Thompson. 



Algce taken in Cork Harbour or alony the coast during the Summers 

 of 1850 and 1851. By J. Carroll. 



Sporochnus pedunculatus, Ag. Cork Harbour, 1850 : washed up. 



Myrionema punctiforme, Harv. Tide- pools, 1850: on Ceramium 

 Deslonych ampsii. 



Ectocarpus Hincksicc, Harv. 



Bytiphlaa thuyoides, Harv. Rocks at either side of Cork Har- 

 bour, but rare. 



Polysiphonia obscura, J. Ag. Sand-covered rocks below Queens- 

 town, Sept. 1851. Our Irish specimens are much finer than those 

 from the South of England. 



Polysiphonia simulans, Harv. Mud-covered rocks, Rat Island, at 

 low-water mark, June 1850. 



Stenogramme interrupta, Mont. Dredged in Cork Harbour, Sept. 

 1851, growing on small stones in 5 to 6 fathoms water. Plants in 

 both states of fructification were procured. 



