408 



tcrcstiug', and many good cal)iiict sj)Ooimcns may be found, 

 of desirable kinds. 



R. H. Wheatland of Salem, devoted a sliort time to a 

 description of sundry very curious and valuable specimens in 

 Zoology lately presented to the cabinets of the Institute. 

 Among these were the ova and embryos of Cristatella, re- 

 ceived from Capt Chs. Ward of Salem, who obtained them 

 recently from tlie pond at tiie Paper Mills in the town of 

 Bedford, Mass. They were found growing in irregular masses 

 on the upper side of the flume above, the mill, attached 

 to some planks. These masses were of various sizes, some 

 of the largest covering the area of a half bushel. Mr. Y. 

 0. Balcom, residing at the mill first noticed a few there 

 about three years since, Ijut none afterward till now. This 

 year they are very abundant. 



The Cristate II a is a compound fresh-water Polype belong- 

 ing to Ehrenberg's class Bryozoa. The specimen presented 

 has an abnormal gelatinous investment, probably acquired 

 by the animal during confinement. 



This Polype is reproduced both by gemmas and true ova. 

 The animal is microscopic ; but the mature eggs are about 

 one twentieth of an inch in breadth, have a gelatinous envel- 

 ope and are furnished with sixteen hooked spines. The Poly- 

 pary, when perfect, measures only from one-half inch to 

 two inches in length and about one-quarter of an inch in 

 breadth, and is described as being "of a fine translucent green 

 color and fleshy consistence." 



A very curious fish had been presented to the In_stitute 

 by Mary W. Nichols. It was taken in Marblehead. It re- 

 sembles the genus Corniger of Agassiz, and is a very inter- 

 esting fact that none of this family seem to have been seen be- 

 fore north of Florida. A short time since a Mr. Samuels 

 found some specimens of the genus Liparis on Naliant 

 Beach. This, on the other hand, has been before unknown 

 save in hiR'h northern latitudes. 



