182 
MARINE ZOOLOGY AT OBAN. 
worked admirably. Many examples of Funiculina in several stages of 
growth, and also of Pennatula, were entangled by the hooks of the 
“ Harrow.” The Pennatula were also taken between the rollers—an 
unexpected piece of good fortune not contemplated. Notwithstanding 
every effort, however, a disappointment was sustained by the non¬ 
capture of Virgularia. This of course might be attributed to the 
“Aerolite ” not having got on the right ground ; but, on the contrary, 
the chart used by the Members, and which was enlarged from the 
Admiralty maps, was carefully studied, and every station marked on 
the previous occasion where it appeared was diligently searched. A 
much more likely explanation is suggested, viz.—that in this locality 
Virgularia —a slender and short form—cannot survive in the “ struggle 
for existence” against its more robust and lengthy ally, Funi¬ 
culina, which sometimes measures several feet in length, and from 
its habit must crowd the bed of the sea in certain parts like rushes in 
a bog. Local testimony seemed to favour the latter explanation, and 
to agree in opinion that Virgularia had generally become scarce. As 
a compensation, however, a number and variety of specimens of 
AlcyoniidcR, an allied family, were taken, not met with on the previous 
^ occasion. Fine examples of Sponges, Zoophytes, Echinoderms (includ¬ 
ing, it is believed, two species of Antedon (Gomatula), the rosy feather- 
star), Annelids, Tunicates, Mollusca, etc., were also secured. The 
last-named were not very numerous, and Terebratula, so plentiful on 
the previous occasion, was comparatively rare. 
One of the most interesting specimens taken was an example of an 
interosculant form of sea-anemone— Zoanthus Couchii,* yur. liber (Gosse). 
In the normal species, var. linearis, this curious Actinoidis attached to 
stones or old shells, such as Cardium, etc., by a narrow creeping band, 
in which are embedded grains of sand. From this band are sent up 
at intervals a number of small pale-brown polypes about ^thof aninchin 
diameter and thrice that height, having upwards of twenty long slender 
tentacles disposed in two rows round a central mouth. The creeping 
band is highly sensitive, and if touched by a sharp-pointed object the 
polypes nearest contract in succession. Another var., diffusus, has the 
creeping band spread over the whole surface of a shell—a Natica, for 
instance—as a carpet whence the polypes irregularly spring. In time 
the shell disappears, “and all that is left is the exact model of it in the 
sand-clothed membrane, or basal carpet of the polypite.” f The variety 
liber has this distinction : it is quite free and unattached, the creeping 
band has assumed a cylinder shape and is cruciform, the cylinder 
measuring a little more than ^th of an inch in diameter, and the 
whole mass in length about an inch. From the four points of the 
cross are presented polypes not differing materially from the normal 
form. The sensitive character is maintained, and on one of the 
polypes being irritated the others sympathetically contract. Specimens 
•*' The generic name is founded on an animal, and dvdos a flower. The 
specific name is in honour of the distinguished Cornish naturalist, Jonathan 
Couch. 
+ " Actinologia Britaunica,” 1860, by P. H, Gosse, F.R.S., p. 299, 
