38 DUBLIN NATUBAl HISTORY SOCIETY. 



Pringsheim's theory in regard to Pythium, of accounting for the origin 

 of such a curious internal parasite. 



In the ahsence of the author, the Secretary read the following: — 



NOTES ON SOME OF THE MARINE ANIMALS TO BE MET WITH ON THE SHOEE AT 

 SPANISH POINT, MILTOWN MALBAY, COUNTY OF CLAEE. BY F. J. FOOT, 

 G. S. I., COEKESPONDING MEMBER. 



The present notice is not intended as a disquisition on the structure of 

 the animals alluded to in the heading ; it is solely brought forward to 

 draw the attention of those interested in this branch of natural history 

 to this part of the western coast. The reefs of horizontal or nearly 

 horizontal strata of rock, which extend seaward around Spanish Point 

 to a considerable distance from the cliffs at low water, afford a fine field 

 to the sea-shore collector. Innumerable little pools, natural aquaria, 

 are everywhere around him, all abounding in marine animals. Those 

 which most attracted my attention were the Actiniadse, of which seve- 

 ral species are to be found. 



Anthea cereus — This species is here extremely plentiful. It occurs 

 most abundantly at or near low- water mark at the sides and bottoms of 

 pools, and can be removed by the nail, care being taken, however, not 

 to wound the base of the animal. Anthea cereus is of a pale fawn colour, 

 with long, thin, waving tentacles, the ends of which have a very pecu- 

 liar greenish purple dress, something like shot silk. I kept several 

 individuals of this species in a vessel of sea- water, which was changed 

 constantly, and observed that they have the power of retracting their 

 tentacles to a considerable degree, so as that merely the little purple tips 

 are visible. 



Sagartia nivea. — Very abundant at low water; generally of an 

 orange fawn colour, with snow-white tentacles ; glands small, whitish 

 or pale orange. As these animals generally frequent small holes in the 

 rocks, the only way of capturing them is to break off a piece of the rock 

 with a hammer. They thrive well in an aquarium. They are grega- 

 rious, collecting together in great numbers. Among the colony I found 

 a beautiful form, which seems to be a variety of Sagartia nivea. The 

 following description is from accurate notes, made while watching the 

 animal in a basin of sea- water: — Base, light orange; glands small, 

 numerous, pale orange ; disk, brownish fawn-coloured, radiated, some- 

 what more than one inch in diameter when fully expanded ; two snow- 

 white rays, each a little less than one line broad in the middle, extend 

 from opposite sides of the mouth to the first row of tentacles ; those of 

 each of the four inner rows alternating with those in the row both be- 

 fore and behind, tapering, mottled, or streaked ; tentacles in the outer 

 row much more numerous than those in the four inner, but smaller and 

 thinner, orange pink, passing into gray at the tips. Another curious 

 form was one I found associated with S- nivea, and frequenting holes. 

 Body small, pinkish orange ; glands few, pale, small ; about the mouth 



