THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 67 



extraordinary number, as well as great variety of these Zoophytes. 

 Nicholson and Hinde added some new species to 80 or 90 already 

 known, and I am satisfied there are several still undescribed. The 

 Polyzoa also are quite abundant. Perhaps owing to the condition in 

 which they are usually found — fragments and very seldom complete 

 ^this class has been greatly neglected. Many of them are exceed- 

 ingly small, and are calculated to escape observation altogether. The 

 authors of Palaeontology of Ontario added some new genera, and, I 

 think, about 15 species to the ones previously determined, but the 

 number may be largely increased if some one residing in a Devonian 

 district could be induced to make these organic remains a particular 

 object in collection. Let us imagine we are standing by the conifer- 

 ous seashore, and looking down into the clear, warm waters of the 

 great sea which then spread over a very large submerged portion of 

 this continent. . What a beautiful picture would have been presented 

 to the Naturalist ! Look on a coral reef in the tropics ! Every 

 bright and brilliant color that our gardens on land display, are there 

 reproduced with added brilliancy and beauty. " In passing over these 

 splendidly adorned grounds the boat seemed to float on air," remarks 

 the German Naturalist, Schoph. On the clear bottom the spectator 

 floats over groves of sea plants, gorgonas, corals, alcyoniums, sponges, 

 burning red, intense blue, lively green, golden yellow, perpetually 

 varying, they afford no less delight than the most exquisite garden on 

 earth. 



Now, if we reflect for a moment on the fossilized corals in our 

 museum, and our cases are yet incomplete ; if we restore the living 

 creatures that built up the stony cells and reefs, Hagersville for ex- 

 ample ; clothe the various species with their varied tints and hues ; 

 add the sea anemones {Actinecz) which I consider undoubtedly existed, 

 but left no record of such existence, as they do not secrete a calcar- 

 eous skeleton, like the other members of the family ; without taking 

 into account a few matters, we may form a faint idea of the ancient 

 sea and its living wonders, which no human eye has ever witnessed. 



A recent traveller, Mr. Boyle, gives us a description of what he ■ 

 saw at Chaughi, near Singapore. During my military career I never 

 had the good fortune to visit any one of the United Kingdom's 

 Eastern possessions, but a near relative of mine is well acquainted 

 with the locality, and has assured me the account is not exaggerated, 



