MisceUayuous. 255 



of nerve is asserted. The probability of a continuous plexus 

 round the Actinia and beneath each ehromatophore is suggested, 

 and the physiological action of the structures in relation to light 

 is explained. 



The minute structure of the muscular fibres and their attached 

 fibrous tissue in the base of Actinia is noticed ; and the nervous 

 system in that region is asserted to consist of a plexus beneath 

 the endothelium, in which are fusiform cells and fibres like sym- 

 pathetic nerve-fibrils. Moreover, between the muscular layers 

 there is a continuation of this plexus, whose ultimate fibrils pass 

 obliquely over the muscular fibres, and either dip between or are 

 lost on them. 



The other parts of the Actinia are under the examination 

 of the author, but their details are not sufficiently ad\anced 

 for publication. The nervous system, so far as it is examined, 

 consists of isolated fusiform cells with small ends (Eotteken), 

 and of fusiform and spherical cells which communicate with each 

 other and with a diffused plexus. The plexus at the base is 

 areolar; and its ultimate fibres are swollen here and there, the 

 whole being of a pale grey colour. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Occurrence of Gigantic Cuttlefishes on the Coast of Newfoundland. 

 By A. E. Yerkill. 



Considerable popular interest has been excited by several articles 

 that have recently been published and extensively circulated in the 

 newspapers of Canada and the United States, in regard to the ap- 

 pearance of gigantic " squids " on the Newfoundland coast. Having 

 been so fortunate as to obtain, through the kindness of Professor 

 S. F. Baird, the jaws and other parts of two of these creatures, and, 

 through the courtesy of Dr. J. W. Dawson, photographs of portions 

 of two other specimens, I have thought it worth while to brino 

 together, at this time, the main facts respecting the several speci- 

 mens that have been seen or captured recently, so far as I have 

 been able to coUate them, reserving for a future article the full de- 

 scriptions and figures of the jaws and other portions now in my 

 possession. 



We now have reliable information concerning five differeat ex- 

 amples of these monsters that have appeared within a short period 

 at Newfoundland. 



1. A specimen found floating at the surface, at the Grand Banks, 

 in October 1871, by Captain Campbell, of the schooner 'B. D. Haskin.s,' 

 of Gloucester, Mass. It was taken on board, and part of it used for 

 bait. Dr. A. S. Packard has given, in the ' American Naturalist ' 



18* 



