TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 155 



other with their noses, and tried, in a weak, harmless way, to knock one another off 

 the perch, until one or both got tired and retreated. 



On the Zoophytes of Caithness. By C. W. Peach. 



The author commenced by extolling the utility of local catalogues ofNatural History, 

 and stated that he was desirous of showing how rich the Scottish shores were in these 

 lovely gems. He then mentioned Mr. J. Macgillivray's list, the result of about 

 three weeks' examination on the Aberdeen coast, as the only Scottish one he had (it 

 contained 64 species), and then proceeded to compare his own with those of Couch's 

 for Cornwall and Alder's for Durham and Northumberland ; the former contains 124 

 species, the latter 164, thus giving a preponderance of 40 species to Alder's. Mr. 

 A. formed his comparison from the List of Cornish Zoophytes published by the Royal 

 Institution of Cornwall : therefore it is not correct ; for since that was published, very 

 many have been added both by the author and others, so that he believed the differ- 

 ence, when these were taken in, would be very small. He enumerated his 150 

 species; and thus a balance of 14 only is left against Caithness, &c. He believed this will 

 soon be reduced when greater attention has been paid to the freshwater ones and the 

 more obscure forms, and when the dredge has been used * ; for hitherto all had been 

 collected between tide-marks and from the refuse of the fishermen's lines, and all 

 (with the exception of Plumulariu myriophyllum, at Peterhead, by the Rev. Mr. 

 Yuill) by himself and sons : the greatest number of southern forms being found at 

 Wick as well, the Wick list is a little the longest. A few forms found at Peterhead 

 are wanting at Wick, and vice versa. The specimens were exhibited, and the greater 

 part presented to Marischal College Museum. 



Notes on Different Subjects in Natural History, illustrated by specimens. 



By C. W. Peach. 



Marine Animals. — Mr. Peach placed on the table specimens of marine animals 

 from the Caithness coast and other places. Amongst them was a fine specimen of 

 " Yarrell's Blenny," found by his son Benjamin in a rock-pool near Ackergill 

 Castle ; also a pretty one of the " Corkwing," Crenilabriis Norwegicus, obtained by 

 his son Joseph in Scapa Bay, Orkney. Although often taken in Cornwall and 

 Devon, it is not noticed in Yarrell's second edition of the ' British Fishes ' as having 

 been found further north than the Firth of Forth. Prof. Nilsson considers it com- 

 mon on the coast of Norway and in the Baltic ; hence its specific name Norwegicus. 

 The most intereresting specimen exhibited was the nest of an Annelide, Pontobdella. 

 This worm is parasitical on Rays. The nidi were attached to an oyster-shell which 

 came from the Firth of Forth, and attracted the notice of R. Boyd, Esq., Collector 

 of Customs at Wick, and was kindly sent to the author by him. Fortunately, on 

 examination, the young were found enclosed in the capsule-like nest, and in so per- 

 fect a form that the genus and species could be determined. A special interest 

 attaches to this, from so little being known of the early stages of Annelides. There 

 were several other interesting objects exhibited, especially a splendid specimen of 

 Sponge, Halichondria palmata, from the Pentland Frith. The author presented 

 Yarrell's Blenny, with the sponge and several of the objects exhibited, to the Museum 

 of Marischal College. 



On the Genus Cydippe. By John Price, M.A. 



The author attributed the little acquaintance with that beautiful creature C. pileus 

 to the frequent disappointment experienced in attempts to domesticate it. He had 

 himself succeeded in keeping them alive and well for thirteen months, long before 

 the invention of the " aquarium " proper. The first and most essential point is to 

 catch j)erfect specimens. He recommended for this the use of a tin ladle having the 

 mouth quite in the side, that the attempt should be made in a calm only, and that 



* Since this paper was read, the author has added four others, and the pretty anemone 

 Corynactis viridis which he got at Stroma ; it is the first time he has seen it on the Scottish 

 shore. 



