456 Proceedings of the 



further on that it plays a conspicious part connected with the 

 history under notice. 



Although the animals and shells of Lamellaria are particu- 

 larly described and figured (in the valuable work quoted) in 

 vol. iii., page 358, and in Plates XCIX, and P.P. — there is 

 no notice of the nests, or in-shore movements, — its habitat is 

 stated to be " the Laminarian zone, and belt of Nullipore." 

 Its range, though wide, it is said to be rather rare ; and 

 although the other species, L. perspicua, has been found in 

 Kirkwall harbour, and Eday Bay in Orkney, the L. Tentacu- 

 lata, before my discovery, had only been found as far as 

 Cullercoats, by Mr Alder ; indeed, both species are said to be 

 not common. 



Like many denizens of the sea (for instance the Nudi- 

 branchice), this beautiful creature, impelled by the prompt- 

 ings of nature, leaves its deeper home to seek a temporary 

 residence nearer the shore, where itself and nidus will be left 

 uncovered at every ebb, and thus an opportunity is afforded 

 to the naturalist to learn something of its history, which, had 

 it not been for this migration, he would have been unable to 

 get at. I soon found that the Leptoclinum was selected by the 

 Lamellaria, and into it nice round holes were burrowed, 

 where they built their nests and deposited their eggs, in 

 bright yellow rounded masses. The nests were soon covered 

 by the rapid growth of the Leptoclinum, which, being trans- 

 parent, the nests and its contents could be plainly seen 

 through. The bright yellow of the nest (or rather the con- 

 tents) soon fades and becomes dirty white ; the operculum of 

 the nest becomes raised, and being flexible, swells and stands 

 above the surface of the Leptoclinum; it is then soon fit for 

 transferring from the rock to the house for examination under 

 the microscope ; if far enough advanced, a slice of the embed- 

 ded nest may be placed in a watch-glass, with enough sea 

 water to cover it, and then over this I lay a thin piece of 

 glass, — the young may be seen moving about in their nursery, 

 and although in such close confinement, from their restless- 

 ness it is difficult to catch their forms ; after a time they 

 become languid, and then their shape may be seen. The 

 head is trefoil-shaped and furnished with delicate cilia on the 



