86 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION* 
slightly (being one quarter of an inch, only, less in length), and perhaps in the 
disposition of the white spots underneath the tail. Your readers will probably 
be aware that t a specimen of Anguis was sent by the late Dr. Skene to Pennant, 
by whom it was described; it was afterwards named by Linnaeus A. eryx. It 
occurred at Aberdeen, and I am not aware that a second specimen had been 
captured previous to the one now noticed. Mr. Jenyns appears to consider it 
only a variety of the Common Blindworm, in which he is probably correct; but 
from the manner in which he mentions it, I am inclined to believe that he had 
not seen a specimen. The principal point in which it differs from A.fragilis is 
in its greater size (the Common species seldom exceeding ten or twelve inches), 
and in the longitudinal line upon the back. Further observations are of course 
necessary to settle the question, and I shall be glad if any of your correspondents 
can communicate such. I should also be obliged by the communication of Mr. 
Bell’s opinion respecting this species, as I do not possess that gentleman’s History 
of British Reptiles. 
Very sincerely yours, 
Eewsey House , Warrington , Peter Rylands. 
Sept. 20, 1838. 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION, NEWCASTLE, 
AUGUST, 1838.* 
(Concluded from page 40.) v 
Section D., Zoology and Botany. 
Wednesday. 
On the gemmiferous bodies and vermiform filaments of Actinia , by T. Pridgen 
Teale. 
The cylindrical body of Actinia is divided into vertical compartments by parti¬ 
tions of muscular fibres, attached to the roof and tentacula, the sides and base of 
the animal. The internal borders of some of these septa are attached to the sto¬ 
mach, and support it; others terminate before reaching that viscus, but support, 
through the intervention of a delicate mesentery, a gemmiferous body , which has been 
incorrectly designated an ovary. The stomach communicates inferiorly by a cir- 
* The gentleman who furnished the report of Section D., has not forwarded to us that of the 
Geological Section, which, however, is the less to be regretted, as the proceedings of the latter 
department are ably given in recent Nos. of The Athenaeum. —Ed. 
