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Show Alcyonaria) and practical absence of certain families of others (e. g. Chromodoridse and Pseudoceridse, of Nudibranch Mollusca and Planarian worms respectively) may be features indicative of a subtropical fauna, or indications of the existence of a different balance of life obtaining in the two Oceans. 2. The Formation of Organic Rocks. («) Between tide-marks by two kinds of Nullipore and Vermetus-tubes, principally by the encrusting nullipore and the tubes in combination. An enormous quantity of these calcareous growths is present on these coasts, though only as an incrustation a few inches thick. The absence of reefs may be due to the small vertical range of these growths on a remarkably steep coast, but especially to the extraordinary abundance of boring Sponges, Polychseta, and Mollusca, which more or less infest almost every fragment. (b) Below tide-marks, 5-10 fathoms, by the growth of nodules of Lithothamnion and great quantities of a foraminiferan. The former is usually reduced to fine grey mud by boring organisms. In 10-20 fathoms, by two more delicate species of red Alga and by the above-mentioned foraminiferan. 3. Beach-Sandstone is formed by the deposition of calcareous cement from fresh water on meeting the salt. The action of the sea upon this rock has in one case produced a remarkable simulacrum of a growing fringing-reef, which, however, is not being extended by the growth of organisms upon its margin, but slowly eroded by the sea. The total extent of this formation is insignificant in proportion to the organic incrustations above. 186 THE SECRETARY ON ADDITIONS TO THE MENAGERIE. [Mar. 21, March 21, 1905. G. A. B o u l e n g e r , Esq., F.R.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. The Secretary read the following report on the additions that had been made to the Society's Menagerie in February 1905:- The registered additions to the Society's Menagerie during the month of February were 103 in number. Of these 26 were acquired by presentation, 16 by purchase, 39 were received on deposit, 21 by exchange, and 1 was born in the Gardens. The total number of departures during the same period, by death and removals, was 94. Amongst the additions special attention may be directed t o :- 1. A female Kiang (Equus hemionus kiang) from Eastern Tibet, deposited by H.M. The King on Feb. 23rd. 2. A male Lynx (Felis lynx) from the Caucasus, received in exchange on Feb. 24th. |