Miscellaneous. 335 



range Actinia abt/ssicola and A. (jelatinosa, found by Moseley at 

 Amboina and at the Bermudas upon the deep-sea Isididge. 



Chitonadis Ricliardi must be reckoned amongst the largest of 

 Actiniidoe, and finds its place in tlie family Bunodidre. This genus, 

 erected by Fischer, is characterized by its false epidermis, so that it 

 is to the true Bunodes what PJullia is to Sarjurtia. The histological 

 structure of Chitonactis, however, is very distinct from that of 

 Bit nodes. The ectoderm is formed of slender fusiform cells closely 

 resembling one another. The column being thick and coriaceous, 

 the mesoderm acquires a great development, and pi-esents at its 

 centre very numerous patches of annular muscular bundles identical 

 with those of Calliactis effceta. The existence of so peculiar a his- 

 tological conformation in' these two Actiniidse, perfectly distinct in 

 other respects, evidently corresponds to the rigidity of the column, 

 in which contraction cannot be effected except by bringing into play 

 a mesodeimal muscular system, represented, doubtless in a rudimen- 

 tary manner, in several types, but offering here its maximum 

 development. 



Chitonactis Richardi has been met with in two totally different 

 conditions, the influence of which has been sufficient to produce two 

 very remarkable races. One is represented by large specimens 

 fastened upon the branches of Moj^sea elongata. The column is 

 almost perfectly smooth ; and the cuticular dejiosits exist only upon 

 the tubercles. The foot grasps the branches of the Isidian hy ex- 

 tending tonguelets, or by folding over in two large lips. The other 

 race includes i-ather smaller individuals, found rather nearer to the 

 coast, and at a depth of only 306 metres. Their columns are en- 

 tirely covered by cuticular lamellae. These Chitonactines attach 

 themselves directly to the sandy mud, in such a manner that the 

 foot, not finding sufficient resistance, buries itself, producing an 

 immense ampulla which resembles the extremity of the body of 

 certain errant Actininria. 



Thus this small collection of malacodermous Zoantharia possesses 

 real interest. It merits special notice the more as the deep-sea 

 species are still very little known. It is sufficient now to remark 

 that Moseley has described only six abyssal forms at the ter- 

 mination of the prolonged expedition of the 'Challenger.' — Comptcs 

 Rendiis, Pebruary 13, 1882, p. 458. 



Colour in Autumn Leaves. 



Mr. Thomas Meehan referred to an excursion to the Salt Marshes 

 of New Jersey, organized by a member of the Academy, Mr. Isaac 

 C. Martindale, and generously seconded by the Camden and Atlantic 

 Railroad Company, which furnislicd a special train of twelve 

 cars for the company, with the privilege of stopping along the road 

 at interesting botanical points. This gave unusual opportunity to 

 examine the vegetation of the Salt Marshes, which at this season of 

 the year presented a scene of coloured beauty unequalled perhaps 

 in the whole world. 



Mr. Meehan remarked that tlie vegetation which for the most 

 part made up this flora was either precisely the same as those which 



