On Fossil Polyzoa, 83 



now darting after some imaginary prey, and as suddenly 

 returning with its prize. The peculiar motion of the 

 vibracula of some species is sine to elicit exclamations of 

 surprise from the most stolid observer, the whole forming a 

 picture of microscopic life such as will not easily be forgotten. 

 It is not often that Polyzoa can be caught alive with seaweed 

 that is cast ashore, but on one occasion I met with specimens 

 alive of that beautiful species described to you as a new 

 species, and named by Dr. M'Gillivray as Carbasea cyathi- 

 formis, and one of which is now in our National Museum. 



At the same time that T was collecting Polyzoa, a constant 

 look out was kept for Foraminifera. The interest that 

 has been excited by these beautiful shells, from the fact of 

 their living at vast depths in the sea, as has been proved by 

 the soiuidings taken for laying the Atlantic telegraph cable, 

 was sufficient reason why I should endeavour to add, if 

 possible, some specimens to my cabinet, if only as repre- 

 sentative forms. Either from not knowing how to collect 

 them, or, perhaps, Warrnainbool not being a right locality for 

 them, only a few specimens have come under my notice : 

 But as nil desperandum is the order of the day, Foramini- 

 fera I must have dead or alive ; new and modes of collecting 

 must be adopted. I thought of dredging, but this occupying 

 more time than I could well afford it was discontinued ; but 

 one day, walking along our beach, I observed lumps of clay, 

 apparently such as would be drawn up by ships' anchors 

 and washed ashore. The clay was instantly bagged, taken 

 home to undergo the operations of boiling in soda, and 

 repeated washings. I did at last find Foraminiferous shells, 

 but only of two species. This lump of clay also contained 

 numerous Diatoms, which, on a future occasion, will be 

 noticed. A few Foraminifera are also to be found in the bed 

 of shells laid open by the excavations made f©r diverting the 

 course of the River Merri. 



But my chief object in appearing before you this evening 

 is to exhibit specimens of Fossil Polyzoa and Foraminifera. 

 I cannot claim the credit of having found the deposit, for 

 the material, from which these specimens were extracted, 

 was selected from a box of fossil shells, &c, forwarded by 

 Mr. John Allen, who was leader of a party sent from Warr- 

 nambool to endeavour to find a gold-field in the Cape Otway 

 ranges. The deposit is described as being about thirty miles 

 east of Warrnambool, extending along the sea coast for a dis- 

 tance of from six to seven miles, and is from thirty to forty 



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