196 Mr. T. J. Moore on the Habitat of the Regadera. 



site ; but they forget that the animal of a Madrepore is very 

 nearly allied to Palythoa — in fact only a Palythoa living in 

 very crowded colonies and having a strong coral to protect it 

 instead of a cartilaginous coat more or less strengthened with 

 sand or spicules ; and if the Palythoa of a Madrepore secretes 

 22 per cent, of silica in the same state of chemical combination 

 as it is in the spicules of Hyalonema, why may not an allied 

 species secrete silica that takes the form of spicules? The 

 question is, I own, a very difficult one : but it is not to be 

 solved by the ipse dixit of this or that Professor ; it is one 

 that requires careful study. 



Unfortunately, some men of great reputation have, without 

 sufficient examination and consideration, committed themselves 

 to a theory, and they do not like to reconsider the question ; 

 but the time will come when it will be reconsidered ; and if I 

 am proved to be wrong, I shall have great pleasure in adopting 

 their views and freely admit my mistake. 



XXVIII. — On the Habitat of the Regadera {Watering-pot) or 



Venus' 's Flower-basket (Euplectella aspergillum, Owen). By 



Thomas J. Moore, Free Public Museum, Liverpool. 

 Dear Dr. Gray, 



A few days since I received a note from Mr. S. R. Graves, 

 M.P. for Liverpool, requesting me to call at his office to see 

 some specimens which he thought would interest me. I went 

 immediately, and Mr. Graves showed me two fair specimens 

 of Euplectella which, with some others in still better condition, 

 were brought to him by Capt. Robert Morgan, of the ship 

 ' Robin Hood,' which vessel had just arrived in Liverpool 

 from the Philippine Islands. 



I fear I somewhat disappointed Mr. Graves when I told 

 him we had already finer specimens in the Museum, from the 

 first lot sold in England. Presently, however, Mr. Graves 

 put in my hand an exceedingly clear and neatly written 

 document by Capt. Morgan, detailing the place and mode of 

 capture of these specimens, and illustrated by a rough sketch. 

 This at once riveted my attention, as I could not call to mind 

 any statement so definite and precise in any of the numerous 

 papers published since the influx of these beautiful objects. I 

 asked Mr. Graves's permission to publish the communication, 

 which permission he kindly gave me, and promised that he 

 would ask Capt. Morgan to call upon me ; and I have this 

 day had the pleasure of seeing him. 



Capt. Morgan tells me that, after a tedious voyage among 

 the Philippine Islands, he put into Cebu, to ship some sugar, 

 and that he derived much of his information from a friend 



