Royal Physical Society. 207 



the thread-cells of Hydractinia, which, protected by their strong 

 coats, have escaped the digestive process. In corroboration of 

 this view, I may mention that the thread-cells of Eolis papu- 

 losa, as figured in the work of Alder and Hancock, have a 

 perfect resemblance to those found in the Actinias, which last 

 animals furnish an Abyssinian repast to these carnivorous 

 mollusca. 



IV. Descriptions of new Coleoptera from the Western Ancles and the 

 neighbourhood of Quito. By Andrew Murray. (Plate X.) 



Part I. 

 Most of the Members of the Society must be familiar with the 

 name and reputation of Professor Jameson of Quito, from the 

 notices which have appeared, in various journals, of the collec- 

 tions he has sent home, and of the new or rare species of 

 plants and animals which he has discovered. The Professor 

 seems to be one of those rarely-gifted individuals whose genius 

 embraces every branch of science. It enables him, while ably 

 discharging his duties as professor of chemistry in Quito, 

 and officially superintending the Mint of the State, also to 

 explore the unknown regions of the country he lives in, and 

 to contribute stores of information, and valuable collections 

 in every department of Natural History, to the scientific world 

 in Europe. In illustration of this, it will be enough to refer 

 to the extensive botanical collections transmitted by him to 

 Professor Balfour and the University of Edinburgh, and to 

 the orchids supplied to Professor Lindley of London ; to the 

 numerous new and beautiful plants which have been raised 

 by the well-known successful cultivator and hybridizer, Mr 

 Isaac Anderson of Edinburgh,' from seeds sent to him by Pro- 

 fessor Jameson ; to the mud-gatherings for diatomacese which 

 have been communicated to Dr Greville ; and to the new or 

 interesting birds sent to Sir William Jardine and Mr Gould. 

 I also have been fortunate enough to participate in the trea- 

 sures which Professor Jameson periodically lavishes upon his 

 friends and correspondents in this country, and have at various 

 times received collections of insects made by him during his 

 excursions among the Upper Andes. The principal portion of 



