2/4 Proceedings of the British Association. 



Mr. M< Andrew to the Fauna of the British seas, as they bore so de- 

 cidedly on geological subjects. These discoveries proved the correct- 

 ness of the general fact, that the range of a species in time was equi- 

 valent to its range in space. — Prof. Forbes exhibited a specimen of a 

 Medusa, caught by Mr. M 'Andrew, and preserved in Goadby's solu- 

 tion, and pointed out the importance of this means of preserving 

 those soft animals. We know less of the Medusae than any family 

 of animals, and it arose from the difficulty of preserving them. — 

 Prof. Allman pointed out the fact of the finding phytophagous Mol- 

 lusca at depths in which no vegetable existed, but in which the Nulli- 

 pora was found, in evidence of the vegetable nature of that class of 

 beings. — Dr. Carpenter said, that he had examined the tissues of the 

 Nullipores, and found them to be purely of a vegetable nature. 



Mr. W. Thompson read a letter from Mr. Alder, dated Salcombe, 

 June 17, 1845, in which the writer stated that he had lately obtain- 

 ed in Torbay at least ten, and perhaps twelve new species of Mollus- 

 ca nudibranchiata, to add to the British Fauna. They consist of 

 four species of Doris, five or six of Eolis, and an animal of an entirely 

 new genus, approaching nearest to Tritonia. A singular species of 

 mollusk obtained at the same time, resembling in general appearance 

 the genus Pelta of Quatrefages, was noticed in detail. 



' On the Discovery of Guano in the Faroe Islands/ by the Rev. 

 W. C. Trevelyan. — This guano occurs principally on the shelves 

 commonly from 8 to 20 feet wide, which are formed by the disintegra- 

 tion of the softer beds in the lofty precipices, often rising to the height 

 of more than 1,000, and in one instance above 2,000 feet. Of such 

 places, sheltered by the projecting rocks above, the sea fowl take 

 advantage, and considerable deposits of guano are found there, often 

 the collection of many years ; though in some instances, when it 

 accumulated so much as, from its slope towards the sea, to make an 

 insecure resting place for the eggs, the Faroese, who did not know its 

 value, but to whom the birds, both on account of their feathers and 

 for food, were of great importance, shovelled it off into the sea. 

 Now, however, they have learnt at least its commercial worth, and 

 collect it carefully ; — in many places at considerable risk, the collec- 

 tors being let down by ropes to the ledges, whence they lower the 

 guano into boats below. 



