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Show 460 -MR.E. T. BROWNE O N [Mar. 17 LEPTOMEDUSJE. Thaumantias heruisphterica, p. 480. Laodice cruciata, p. 482. Euchilota pilosella, p. 484. Epenthesis cymbaloidea, p. 487. Phialidium variabile, p. 487. Phialidium buskianum, p. 488. Phialidium temporarium, p. 489. Phialidium cymbaloideum, p. 491. Eutima insignis, p. 492. Saphenia mirabilis, p. 493. Octorchis gegenbauri, p. 494. TRACHOMEDUS^E. Liriantha appendiculata, p. 495. NARCOMEDUS.E. Solmaris, sp. ?, p. 496. I N T R O D U C T I O N. These notes refer chiefly to Medusa? taken at Plymouth during September 1893, and from the middle of August to the end of September 1895, and also during April and M a y 1895, in Valencia Harbour, on the West Coast of Ireland. I published, last year, a few notes on the Medusae taken at Port Erin, Isle of M a n , and have avoided in this paper, so far as possible, a repetition of those notes, but have revised the nomenclature in a few cases. I have not yet made sufficient progress with the study of our Medusae to justify the publication of anything more than a few selected notes on the species which are best known to me. The double system of classification, with one name for the hydroid and another for the medusa, I no longer intend to use. In cases where the hydroid form of the medusa is known I have used both the generic and specific names of the hydroids, without any alteration; but in cases where the medusa only is known I have given the generic names as used by Haeckel in his monograph, but not always his specific names. It is m y intention to transfer these medusae to their hydroid names as soon as the hydroid forms are discovered. In some instances the free-swimming medusa has been described before the hydroid form was known, but I do not feel justified in changing the specific names of the hydroids, which are now so well known, as it would lead to a considerable amount of confusion. The introduction of formaldehyde as a preserving fluid instead of alcohol is of great importance to the marine naturalist, especially when working in localities where it is difficult to obtain a supply of good spirit. I first tried formaldehyde for preserving marine animals at Valencia last year. The results both for hydroids and medusae were far superior to those obtained by means of alcohol. The colour, however, is not permanently preserved. Specimens preserved in formaldehyde, even when killed with the usual reagents, are practically useless for histological work. The best |
