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 spiculee 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 Eeid of Frederick 
Street for many preparations which he has sent me. 
II. Exliihition of Sponges, with Explanatory RemarJcs. By James 
M'Bain, M.D., KN. 
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 Halicliondria ventilahrum, 
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 Garfrae 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 Halicliondria ventilahmm, 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 aLove was written I have received 
many more specimens and varieties of tumours. 
