Notices of New Books. 4085 



" On the 3rd of May I put into a deep cylindrical glass jar (a con- 

 fectioner's show-glass), 10 inches deep by 5j inches wide, about three 

 pints of sea-water, and some marine plants and animals. 



" On the 28th of June following, I examined the contents of the jar 

 as carefully as was practicable without emptying it, or needlessly dis- 

 turbing them. It had remained uncovered on the tables in my study, 

 or sometimes in the window, ever since, a little water only having 

 once been added merely to supply the loss by evaporation. The 

 water was perfectly clear and pure. A slight floccose yellow deposi- 

 tion had accumulated on the sides of the jar, but there was very little 

 sediment on the bottom. I had taken no note of the plants or animals 

 when I had put them in ; but as none of them had died, and none had 

 been either abstracted or added, the following enumeration gives the 

 original as well as then present contents. 



" There were at this time in the jar the following Algae, all in a 

 growing state, and attached to the original fragments of rock : — 

 " Two tufts of Delesseria san guinea, each with numerous leaves. 

 " Two of Rhodymenia jubata, one small, the other a large tuft. 

 " A small Ptilota plumosa, growing with one of the last-named. 

 " A Chondrus crispus, with 



" An Ulva latissima growing parasitically on one of its fronds. 

 " These seven plants had supplied for eight weeks the requisite 

 oxygen for the following animals, which were at this time all alive and 

 healthy : — 



" Anthea cereus. 

 Actinia bellis, a large specimen. 

 „ bellis, a half-grown one. 

 „ anguicoma, large. 

 „ anguicoma, small. 

 „ nivea. 

 „ rosea. 



„ rosea, a small specimen. 

 „ Mesembryanthemum, young. 

 „ Mesembryanthemum, young, another variety. 

 Crisia denticulata, a large tuft. 



Coryne ? young. 



Pedicellina Belgica, two numerous colonies. 



Membranipora pilosa. 



Doris (bilineata ?) 



Polycera 4-lineata, very small. 



Phyllodon lamelligera, about 11 inches long. 



