specimens of the Top-knot^ c^c. 
139 
were carefully kept in glass-houses. He also made some remarks in 
support of the recent German theories against the generally received 
opinions of the igneous origin of granite, and in favour of its aqueous 
origin. 
VII. (1.) Dr John Alex. Smith exhibited a Specimen of BlocWs Top- 
knot (?) (Pleuronectes punctatus, Bloch), taken near North Berwick ; 
and of the ^quoreal Pipe-fish (Nerophis sequoreus, Kaup.) from the 
Coast of the Isle of May. 
The specimen of this small flat fish of the genus Rhombus of Yarrell 
was sent to Edinburgh, by Sir Hugh Dalrymple. It was taken in the be- 
ginning of August last, near North Berwick. Two species of this genus 
have been described as closely resembling one another, — the Bhombus 
hirtus, or MuUer's Top-knot (Yarrell); and the B. punctatus, or Bloch's 
Top-knot (Yarrell). But, unfortunately, the fins of this fish not being per- 
fect made it difficult to decide to which of these so-called species it belonged.* 
The upper surface, the left, and brown-coloured side of the fish was very 
rough, and the under surface was white, and also rough, though in a less 
degree ; with the exception of the under side of the head, which was smooth. 
Muller's Top -knot was described as being perfectly smooth on the under 
surface, whereas Bloch's fish was rough ; if this w^as a correct distinction, 
it would identify the specimen as being not Muller's but Bloch's Top-knot, 
which, as far as he was aware, had not before been observed in our 
neighbouring seas. Muller's fish was also rare ; but specimens had been 
obtained at distant intervals in the Firth, especially towards its mouth. 
This fish measured about eight and a half inches long, by about five 
inches across, including the fins. 
Dr Smith also exhibited a specimen of the ^quoreal Pipe-fish, 
Syngnathus or Nerophis cequoreus (Kaup), measuring twenty inches 
in length. It was taken about three weeks ago among the long weed 
on the coast of the Isle of May. The dorsal fin, the only fin this 
species has, was about two and a half inches in length, and terminated 
nearly in the middle of the length of the fish, the vent being in a 
line with the beginning of the last fourth of the fin. It is of rare 
occurrence in our seas. Dr Parnell says, "this fish was first recorded 
as British by Sir R. Sibbald in 1685, who obtained a specimen in 
the Firth of Forth. No other instance of its occurrence in that locality 
has since been noticed. It is one of the rarest of our British fishes." Dr 
Kaup says, " This species has till now been found only on the south-west 
coast of Scotland, in Ireland, the Isle of Man, at Havre, and in Norway." 
He was indebted for the fish to Mr John Anderson of the Royal Em- 
porium, George Street ; and he had the pleasure of presenting it to the 
Museum of the University. His friend Dr M'Bain had in his possession 
an imperfect specimen taken from the stomach of a cod, which was pur- 
chased in Edinburgh. 
(2.) Dr John Alexander Smith exhibited Specimens of the Stoat (Mustela 
erminea) ; the Ruff (Tringa pugnax) ; the Shoveller (Anas clypeata) ; 
and the Young of the Black Scoter (Oidemia nigra). 
Messrs John Dickson & Son, gunmakers, Prince's Street, had sent 
for exhibition two specimens of the stoat or ermine {Mustela erminea, 
* Sir John Richardson since the date of tliis meeting, has kindly informed 
Dr J. A. S. that he is "not convinced of the two species being distinct, and 
the < Skandinaviens Fiskar ' contains a fine figure of an intermediate form : 
all three are probably slight varieties." 
