With respect to the name, if I am wrong in having dropped the final vowel of Cypræ a, I can only say, that, if the genus is adopted by Mr. Sowerby (which I flatter myself will be the case, he (having good classical reasons for the same) will, of course, restore the vowel.

In again referring to the ? varices of C. rùfa, I do not see any reason to modify the observations I have already made.

Of C. coarctàta I have not had an opportunity of seeing a specimen during the last five years, or, indeed of any other species, except C. rùfa and testículus; therefore my opportunities of studying their affinities, compared with my London friends', are very limited.

I am pleased to acknowledge I did not conceive that personal feeling could at all have influenced Mr. Sowerby's observations: it was the general spirit of the article which appeared to me as not being written in the dispassionate manner such subjects demand. This view seems to have been taken by at least two other persons. Whether the genus is established or not, to me is of very little consequence; my purpose is completely answered in having called the attention of a naturalist to the subject who has done so much for the science, and to whose opinions we are bound to pay every attention.

August 5. 1837.

[IN the extensive collection of shells exhibited at the British Museum, some specimens of Cypræcássis may be seen having varices so strongly marked that their non-existence cannot certainly be given as a character of Mr. Stutchbury's proposed genus. We feel sure, however, that, even if there should not ultimately appear sufficient ground for the separation from the rest of the Cássides of those species enumerated by Mr. Stutchbury, every one interested in the scientific study of conchology will feel indebted to him for having raised a discussion upon the subject. — ED.]

ART. V. Miscellaneous Zoological Notices. By J. B. HARVEY, Esq., Corresponding Member of the Zoological Society, &c.

SIR, As it is the duty of all students in Natural History to make known every fact which they may, by accident or otherwise, be fortunate enough to discover, I have ventured to send you a few observations, which, I hope, will not prove either unacceptable to yourself, or devoid of interest to some of your readers. Being at a great distance from any scientific library, I am, of course, but imperfectly acquainted with modern discoveries; I will thank you, therefore, to make any

corrections or omissions in the present communication that you think proper. I am, &c. J. B. HARVEY. Teignmouth, Aug. 1. 1837.

DURING the last four years, I have constantly kept a variety of zoophytes alive in china basins filled with sea-water, and placed in a room with a southern aspect. In one large basin I have had several Actíniæ for nearly six months. It is very interesting to observe their powers of contraction and expansion. I have one large one (which is usually about 2 in. in diameter, and 1 in. in height), which can elongate itself nearly 6 in., and spread out its circle of feelers on the top. It can contract or expand its circumference and height into a variety of shapes and sizes. Sometimes its membranous stomach is expanded, and thrown over the whole body, (being turned inside out,) giving it the appearance of a hydatid; at others, its feelers are beautifully radiated, like a star, or like the petals of a flower, and cover a circle of 6 or 7 inches in diameter. It is during the night that the actions of these zoophytes are best seen this I have also very frequently observed in the Madrépora Caryophíllia, a large specimen of which I have kept alive nearly five years. The other day, while I was turning over the feelers of one of the Actíniæ, I observed a small red substance, about the size of a pin's head, drop from the mouth: this, on examination, I found to be a young polypus, perfectly formed. I have, since that time, had seven others produced, but from different specimens ; which I intend, if possible, to keep alive, in order to examine them from time to time, to ascertain their growth, &c. The only difference between them and the parent specimens consisted in the number of feelers, and in their size. Some of the young ones had 12, others 8, and two only 6, feelers: they appeared extremely simple in their formation. (fig. 54.) This mode of production agrees with Cuvier's description. He states that the young are hatched in the ovaries, and ejected from the mouth perfectly formed.

54

It is rather singular that these polypi, whose voluntary powers appear limited to contraction and expansion, should be able to distinguish between a small animal of their own species, and a fly, a barnacle, a limpet, or a portion of an oyster: the first it ejects from the mouth, the latter are instantly seized and devoured. The animal of the Madrépora Caryophillia Smith is an Actínia in every respect; its outer covering, instead of being a thick coat of skin, is formed *Caryophyllia Smithii, Zool. Journal, vol. iii. p. 486. plate 13.- Ed.

by the inner walls of the coral. The motions of the Caryophillia are more active than those of the generality of Polypífera. My specimen has increased in size considerably during the five years that I have kept it. I feed it, every month or so, with a piece of oyster about the size of a pea. It seizes the food with its feelers, and, after a short time, envelopes it in its stomach. It continues in this state for two or three days, when the indigestible matter is evacuated, and the animal reassumes its usual size and appearance. This coral is found in Teignmouth Bay, and in the neighbourhood of Torquay. It is rather rare. I have sketched a hasty diagram of the natural size of my specimens. Fig. 55. a, the coral; b, the

animal expanded, showing its double set of feelers on the circumference. This is the appearance it presents, as seen by night, three or four days after having been fed. On the coral, at c, is seen a specimen of Pyrgòma ánglicum Leach, which is never, as far as I am aware, found, unless attached to this coral. At all events, it has not been found in our neighbourhood, unless accompanying the Caryophíllia. I have had many specimens of them: the coral I have often seen without the Pyrgòma, but the latter never without being attached to the coral. I have sent specimens to the Zoological Society.

I have lately examined several live specimens of Alcyònium digitàtum Linn.; and, as its structure can be but imperfectly understood by Ellis's plate and description, I have endeavoured to amend them.

The substance or mass of this polypifer is marked throughout in pentangular divisions, in the centre of each of which is

the cell of the animal. This cell is octangular, or rather an octagon, with each side convex. Fig. 56. shows a magnified view of the divisions and the cells. When the animal is within the cell, the above is the exact appearance; but, when the animal is expanded in search of food, its form is found to be very different

from any of the other polypes with which I am acquainted. From the cell an octangular tube projects, in which the animal is seen suspended, as if floating in a medium of greater density than itself. This tube is perfectly transparent, and the roots, or feet, of the polype are seen suspended from the body, but not touching the substance of the Alcyonium. Around the mouth are the eight feelers, answering to the eight sides of the cell: these feelers the animal has the power of elongating or contracting at pleasure. I have ventured to describe the animal in its expanded state by the accompanying diagrams (fig. 57.): the dark lines are the polypes, as seen through the wall of the transparent tube.

a, The cell magnified. b, The polype expanded and floating in its membranous tube. c, The animal as it appears in the tube, showing only a side view. (There are eight feet, as well as eight feelers: only three seen.) d, The animal with its feelers expanded. e, Front view of the animal. f, Ditto with the feelers at their utmost elongation. g, A representation of the Alcyonium, as seen alive, and of its natural size.

I am pretty nearly convinced that this Alcyòlnium is found among the beautiful fossil zoophytes occasionaly met with in the transition lime series of our neighbourhood; and, if I mistake not, there are two, if not three, specimens of it in the Table of Fossil Corals, which I exhibited at the Zoological Society a short time since.*

I remember, about two years ago, seeing a description, in Loudon's Magazine, of Ophiùra bracteàta and O. neglécta: the former was considered a fine specimen at 4 in. in diameter, if I recollect rightly; and they were found in Scotland. I have several of O. bracteata, 6 in. and 7 in. in diameter; and of O. neglecta (I believe I have sent a specimen). I have one specimen 10 in. across, and many 8 in. I merely mention this fact, to show the mildness of the climate in the south of Devon, if temperature has any influence over their growth. It is certainly a remarkable fact, that the marine productions of Devonshire are noted and prized for their perfection or their size.

In the autumn of 1835, my friend Mr. H. Glossop sent to

This beautiful table is now in the Adelaide Street Gallery. Ed.

*

At

your Magazine a description of the opercula of the Sérpula triquetra and Sérpula vermiculàris, which Dr. Turton had named as "Patélla tricórnis and Patélla extinctòrum," supposing them to be individuals of the Patélla family. that time, neither Mr. Glossop nor myself had examined a sufficient number of specimens to be certain to which of the Sérpulæ each operculum belonged; for the shells are so very brittle, as well as minute, that it is with great difficulty they can be taken out uninjured. I have lately had an opportunity of examining about 200 specimens of both species of Sérpula (for they are always found together); and I am satisfied that both opercula belong indiscriminately to either Sérpula. I have taken them from each repeatedly. I have also ascertained that the extinctòrum and tricórne, as Turton called them from their shape, are only different states of the same operculum. I have sent several specimens to the Zoological Society, where they can be examined; I have also a number left, which show distinctly the intermediate state between a complete extinguisher, or cone, and a tricorn, or three-horned, operculum. I am of opinion that the cone shape is the first formed, for I have several cones with one horn, and others with two upon them. The three-horned operculum is also a cone; but it would appear that, when the three horns are completed, the cone is lessened in height by absorption, and increased in span at the base. The accompanying diagram (fig. 58.) will explain my description.

a b c d e e

a, Opérculum extinctòrum; b, ditto with one horn: vermicularis. c, Opérculum with two horns. lum tricórne. f, Opércula of their natural size.

58

found on Sérpula triquetra and Sérpula d, Ditto with three horns. e, e, Opércu

ART. VI. Some Remarks on the Plumage of Birds.
By EDWARD BLYTH, Esq.

DR. MOORE states (p. 361.) of the common guillemot, that "Temminck considers that the lesser guillemot is the same in winter dress; but, in that case," he adds, "it is difficult to account for the occasional appearance of the bird in its summer plumage at that season." Montagu speaks of one shot in Devon, in January; and I have a specimen, killed February 20. 1830. It may be the young, which abounds * See Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. viii. p. 621. — Ed.