307 



bracula nre generally aborted on alternate run- \ but in such caw a the 

 external cells arc protected In the development of the denticles into 

 conspicuous spines. 



The variety of Electra usually described and figured consists -im- 

 ply of the disposition of the cells over the cylindrical branches of 

 some sea-weed, and not, as lias been slated by one author, "around 

 an ideal centre." 



According to Lamouroux, the polypidora in a living Btate is of "a 

 red-violet colour; but when exposed to aii and light, it becom 

 earthy white." The polypes are probably the same as in Membratti- 

 pora. 



Electra appears to be widely distributed ; for it is said to be com- 

 mon in the European Seas, and I believp Prof. Busk has received it 

 from the Cnpe of Good Hope. 



5. On the Reproduction of Nemertes Borlassii. M\ 

 William Beattie, Honorary Secretary of the Mon- 

 trose Natural History Society. (In a Note to Dr. 

 Gray, V.P.Z.S.) 



" On the last week in February, Commander Lysaght, of the 

 i loast Guard, brought me from one of the fishermen on the coast a 

 very long specimen of Linens longisrimue (Nemertes Borlasi 

 after keeping the animal alive four days, it produced a young one 

 18 inches long and about -|rds of a line or T Vth of an inch in dia- 

 meter, of a cream-colour. Both lived for nearly a week ; but in con- 

 sequence of my illness the water was not changed, and the little 

 creature died and was considerably decomposed before 1 knew. I 

 have the remains in spirits. At first we fancied it must be an in- 

 testinal worm ; but its habits were the same as the supposed parent." 



Dr. Baird has examined the specimen produced by the Nemertee. 

 It is not in a good state ; but he is satisfied that it is not an dtcarU 

 or Filaria, and thinks it very probably the true young of the JW 

 niprtes. 



tj. On the Families <>t Aspergillidjs, Gastrochanida, 

 and Humphreyiaixk. By Dr. J. E. Gray, l". U.S.. V.P.Z.S., 

 Pres. Ent. Soc, etc. 



In the ' Synopsis of the British Museum' [referred depergUlum, 



Clavagella and Gastrochana to the Bame family, under the name of 



Gastrochcen'ulce. A further study of the OBCOnomy of the animal and 



the development of the shells have- induced me to divide them into 

 two families, and to add to them a third, founded on a recently dis- 

 covered Mollusca brought by Mr. Strange from Australia, wrhkfa 



differs from the other two in habitfl and oeconooiy. 



