34 



8. From Mr. J. Ferguson, Tinder Box Bay. Shells of Janthinus and 

 Spirula. 



Some drawings by Mr. Ferguson, illustrative of the inhabitants of these 

 shells, were laid before the meeting, one of them (Spirula) representing 

 such a peculiar condition of animal life that the Secretary intimated his 

 intention of writing to Mr. Ferguson for further information on the subject. 



In reference to the specimen of Spirula and the figure of the animal 

 said to have been attached to one of them by Mr. Ferguson, Mr. M. 

 AUport called attention to the curious fact, that, although thousands of 

 these shells were constantly found in many parts of the ocean there had 

 been but one instance recorded of the discovery of the perfect animal ; 

 several fragments of the creature had been found, all tending (like the 

 perfect specimen referred to) to prove that the shell was an internal, and 

 not an external one as represented by Mr. Ferguson. The details of the 

 drawing by Mr. Ferguson were so carefully executed that it would seem 

 impossible he should make a mistake in so important a matter as the 

 number of arms, yet in his representation there are but six, whereas the 

 smallest number ever found in the cephalopods (to which division of the 

 mollusca spirula belongs) is eight. Either this must have been a much 

 mutilated specimen, or the animal figured did not belong to the shell. The 

 rarity of perfect specimens might be accounted for by the creatures 

 inhabiting a deeper zone than the ordinary ocean squids so frequently 

 washed on board vessels. In such a position the spirula would be eagerly 

 sought by predaceous fish, and their shells whether perfect or in fragments 

 would subsequently be voided in numbers. 



The Secretary brought under notice a letter from the Superintendent 

 of the gardens asking that the question as to the employment of prison 

 labor might be reconsidered, and stating that the work of the gardens was 

 already getting in arrear for want of necessary assistance. 



Mr. Abbott thought that the prisoners might be kept to a great extent 

 out of view of the public, and thus one objection to their employment 

 might be removed. 



The Secretary observed that the Fellows were weU aware that ovtdng 

 to the reduction of the, government grant the gardens could no longer 

 be kept up in the same condition as heretofore. This was much to be 

 regretted, as they had always been a local feature of great interest both 

 to ourselves and visitors, and it was especially to be regretted at present 

 when in a few months we might expect to see His Koyal Highness the 

 Duke of Edinburgh, and the many officers of the fleet which would ac- 

 company him. He (the Secretary) had asked the Hon. the Colonial 

 Treasurer if it was possible any increase could be made to the grant, but 

 was informed that it was not in the power of the government to do more 

 for us at^ present. Indeed our anxiety for the welfare of the gardens had, 

 as on many former occasions, been attended with serious injury to 

 ourselves, as £50 had been taken from the small income of the Museum 

 and added to that of the gardens. Even with this assistance, however, Mr. 

 Abbott would be unable to bring up his arrears of work, and although 

 prison labor when formerly ofi'ered by government had been refused by 

 the Society, he (Mr. Abbott), pressed by the urgency of the case, had 

 addressed the letter alluded to, to the council. The council was aware 

 that the general meeting alone could take action in the matter, but in the 

 mei^ntime thought it well to bring it under the consideration of the 

 present meeting. 



Mr. M. AUport had a decided objection to such labor. We should have 

 to pay an overseer to look after it, and it would be much better to give 

 the money to an efficient free laborer. 



