146 REPORT 1S61. 



its first differentiation, might be detected without difficulty. There were also ova 

 which were produced within the cells. These were never ciliated, and only escaped 

 after the death of the polj-pide. Theii' history required fui-ther investigation. 



The Rev. A. Riky Hogan, M.A., exhibited li\ang specimens of Niphargus 

 fontanus taken by himself at Puddletown, near Dorchester, from the water of a 

 pump. A paper on the subject of this and allied species had been read by Mr. 

 Hogan at the Meeting of the British Association held at Oxford, but tliese Crus- 

 tacea were not before exhibited alive. 



On Daphnia Schsefferi, ivith a Diagram. By the Kev. A. R. Hogait, M.A. 



So few observers have paid any attention to the family to which this little ani- 

 mal belongs that any fi-esh notes on its habits or economy are acceptable. In com- 

 mon with several other allied Entomostraca, Daphnia Schfrffcri bears the English 

 name of " Water-flea," and German of " Wassertloh ;" but t have not been able to 

 discover any pecidiar suitability iu the appellation, there being nothing in common 

 between it and its terrestrial namesake, except restlessness. 



Professor Ehreuberg's celebrated discovery of the corneous integuments of Ento- 

 mostraca, which occur iu millions in some of the rocks of Germany, well Lllusta-ates 

 the important part assigned to these creatures on our globe. My fii-st acquaiut- 

 anffe with the species of which this paper is the subject was made at Shaftesbury 

 in Dorsetshire, where they are found abundantly in the water artificially supplied 

 to the town for diinking pm-]^)oses. On the 13th of February, 1861, I received six 

 apparently fidl-gTOwn specimens j these I jDlaced in a vessel which admitted of 

 my obserrag their reproduction and subsequent deA'elopment. Within a day or 

 two afterwards, the water in which the D. Sclxcffcri were placed appeared to 

 swai'm with j'oung, exceedingly minute, yet visible not only iu the water, but 

 also within the parents' shelly integuments, where, throiigh the semitransparent 

 valves, they might easily be seen moving about, and seemingly trying to effect an 

 exit. Those which had already escaped were aU peifoi-ming the same cm-ious 

 gjTations which distinguish the mature indi\'iduals. It is the habit of these crea- 

 tures to keep imceasingly s'n'imming roimd and round in a vertical circle, and no 

 one who has ever seen it can avoid being struck witli its gracefLilness. When- 

 ever they wish to change the locality of their revolutions, they swim by sudden 

 and rapid jerks, but in a direct line, to another place, and then recommence 

 wheeling up and do'wn. Sometimes, however, they rest from motion entirely. 



Eight weeks after the bhth of their young, all the original Daphniffi were dead, 

 but the former had not yet attained more than half their size, nor shown any signs 

 of reproduction. At this time I had about thu"ty-five specimens. But another 

 six weeks sufficed to bring about the complete ti-ansformation ; and after seeing 

 them for the last tune cast their exuvice, I had the satisfaction of observing that 

 the full size of the original specimens was in some instances attained, and some 

 young again produced. They were, however, not at all so prolific as those which 

 had been captured full-grown ; and as the whole life of the Daphniaj had passed 

 under review, I did not care to retain them longer alive, but placed the bred 

 specimens, which had already reached matmity, in alcohol for exhibition to the 

 Association. 



Fiu-ther observation will no doubt reveal many more details of interest regarding 

 these animals. 



Extracts from a letter from Professor Huxley to Dr. Rolleston, in reference to the 

 brains of the Quadnimana, were read by Dr. IloUeston. 



On an Abnormal Form of Cyathina Smithii. 



Bij J. Gavtn Jeffeets, F.R.S., F.G.S. 



Mr. Jeffreys exhibited specimens of Cyathina Smithii, which he had dredged at 



a depth of nearly 90 fathoms in sandy gTomid, about 25 mUes N.E. of the Unst 



lighthouse in Zetland. The peculiarity of the specunens consisted in their being 



inversely conical, instead of their having the usual form of that coral, which is 



