502 REV. S. J. WHITMEE ON PALOLA VIRIDIS. [June 15, 
We usually know the day, but often are in error as to the moon, and 
expect it one too early.” In their old mode of reckoning the 
Samoans knew when the season was approaching by the flowering of 
certain plants. They found the day by the position of the moon. The 
tenth morning on which the moon is seen above the western horizon 
at dawn of day is the morning on which the Palolo appear. The 
Samoans always call the Palolo a fish (?«=ika in other Polynesian 
dialects, and ikaw in Malayan). This is the origin of a mistake 
made by one of the former missionaries, mentioned in the ‘ Encyclo- 
peedia Britannica.’ 
Upolu, Samoa, March 20th, 1874. 
P.S. March 17th, 1875. 
The preceding paper was forwarded to the Zoological Society of 
London by the mail vid San Francisco in March, 1874 ; but having 
heard from Mr. Sclater that it had not reached him on October 30th 
last, I now forward another copy, to which I have added a few notes 
under the present date. 
In a note dated Nov. 17th, 1874, I have already informed Mr. 
Sclater that the Palolo appeared in these islands on October 31st and 
November lst, G. M. T.,=November Ist and 2nd local time, thus 
proving the correctness of my opinion that that season would be one 
of 13 lunations. 
I sent a copy of the foregoing paper to Mr. E. L. Layard, F.ZS., 
now Administrator of the Government in the colony of Fiji, in order 
that he might check my observations in those islands. I am sure 
he will excuse me for giving the following interesting quotation from 
his letter, dated Levuka, Dec. 9th, 1874, communicating his own 
observations :— 
«I studied your paper with much interest, and anxiously awaited the 
time of the worm’s appearance. ‘The date assigned by you was very 
rough aud stormy. ‘The natives here laughed at the date—‘ Oh, 
it will be later!’ Time came; no balolo! I was out, one among 
thirty boats. ‘Oh, we have missed it by three days ; it will be later.’ 
Meanwhile news came from Loma-loma that they had them on the 
very day you name, the biggest take of balolo ever known. I now 
have my laugh at the people.” 
Mr. Layard obtained half a dozen specimens, and he says, « All 
took place as youobserved. With my high-power glasses I found 
the eggs to be spotted; and I fancy the spots were the orifices by 
which the seminal vesicles of the male enter. These are very active 
in the water, gyrating in a singular manner. One male | inch long 
was enough to dim the transparency of 8 oz. of water. I saw no 
worm longer than 13 inch, but received one 18 inches long from 
Loma-loma.” 
