3758 The Zoologist — November, 1873. 



I possibly can, by in the first place telling you the vessels containing them 

 were all made of the very finest, clearest glass, wide at the top, just the 

 same width as at the bottom : they were invariably round, and all sizes, 

 some short, some long, some wider, some not so ^vide. 



I cannot remember ever seeing more than one fine specimen in one glass ; 

 no marine plant whatever was in the water where the animals dwelt. Sir 

 John fed them himself; what he gave them I do not exactly know, but raw 

 mussel I know was one thing : he kept many of his subjects eight and ten 

 years alive. He was most particular in giving them sea-water always out of 

 the sea, when it was floiving : he changed the water every morning, often 

 twice a day, if he perceived the smallest fragment amongst it, wiping and 

 washing the glasses very clean. He got sea-water always twice a week, and 

 sometimes three times; it was carried in an earthenware jar holding about 

 three or four gallons of water: a person was specially employed for the 

 purpose. 



Sir John's subjects were always kept on a shelf under the window of his 

 study; it was situated iu the north out-look ; whether they were put there 

 for any purpose I don't know, but I think it was just to put them anywhere 

 out of the way ; sometimes he had a fire in his study and sometimes none. 

 He understood nothing of Marine Botany ; his chief aim was water fresh 

 from the sea, when it was flowing and full of animalcultc, and particularly 

 clean vessels. If I can give you any more information upon the subject 

 I will be happy to do it. 



I remain your oh*- Serv'- 



E. Daltkll. 



Letter II. 



Miss E. Dalyell to Mr. W. A. Lloyd. 



8, St. Colme Street, 4 February, 1860. 

 Sir, — Your letter of the 18th of January reached me, but it being 

 a difficult task for me to perform furnisliing you with dates, I am sorry 

 to say I am unable to perform it further than to mention, the first 

 aquatic subject I found was dated in the year 1790, and as a curiosity 

 I desired it to be engraved npon one of the copper-plates. It is the irver 

 iconn which forms into a little tl}'. As you have the work, you will 

 observe a little fly and beside it a black little worm ; the worm ought to 

 have been of the most brilliant scarlet colour. I know as to the Hydra 

 tuba. Sir John was busily engaged about experimenting upon it in the 

 years 1800 and 1808. This is all the information I can give you. I know 

 very well once every subject was dated, but where these dates are now 

 I cannot tell. 



I am. Sir, 



Your oh'- Ser\'' 



E. Dalyell. 



