On Inflammation in Fishes, 



233 



fish are followed by effects, at all events very similar to 

 those we see in land animals, — viz., that there are the same 

 efforts of nature to throw off from the body substances 

 foreign to it of an irritating nature, by what we term ulcera- 

 tion and suppuration ; that the formation" of the pus appears 

 to be accompanied with disintegration of the tissues in 

 which it lies ; that simple cuts heal by primary adhesion ; 

 and the entrance of water is prevented between the cut sur- 

 faces by the exudation of some material resembling lymph ; 

 that raw surfaces throw out granulations ; and, if we may 

 judge from this specimen, cicatrise.* 



My friend, Dr James Sidey, has sent me many specimens 

 which corroborate this, — viz., two fish with abscesses in their 

 livers, surrounding spiculae of bone. Portions of skin show- 

 ing firm, depressed cicatrices, and several specimens of what 

 appears to have been fracture of bone, reunited by osseous 

 material. I have especially to thank Mr Eeicl of Frederick 

 Street for many preparations which he has sent me. 



II. Exhibition of Sponges, with Explanatory Remarks. By James 

 M'Bain, M.D., R.N. 



At the first meeting of the Eoyal Physical Society, held 

 this session, Dr J. A. Smith exhibited a remarkably fine 

 specimen of a British sponge, the HaMchondria ventilabrum, 

 sent by Mr Carfrae of Princes Street. It was not known 

 exactly at the time from what part of Shetland the specimen 

 had been obtained, but Mr Carfrae had since then received in- 

 formation from its owner that it was caught up by a fisher- 

 man's net off Sumburgh Head, the southern point of Zetland. 

 The specimen measured 21 J inches in diameter, and 10 

 inches in height. 



The specimens of Halichondria ventilabrum, which I now 

 exhibit, were also found in the Zetland seas, and are intended 

 to show the great range of variation in size and form to 

 which this species is liable. 



* The specimen referred to was the tail of a ling, which exhibited three 

 inches of a depressed cicatrix. Since the above was written I have received 

 many more specimens and varieties of tumours. 



