Miscellaneous. 479 Modiola lutea, discovered in the Bay of Biscaj^ between 677 and 1960 metres ; Taranis Morclii, a boreal species, abyssal in the At-lantic ; Troclms gemmulatus and Zizyphimis snturalis, fossil in the Italian Pliocene, and found living in the Bay of Biscay; and Tectura fulva, an arctic moUusk. Combining the Mollusca of all our deep dredgings (555-2660 metres) we obtain a total of about 120 species ; but only thirty of these can be regai'ded as abyssal *, All the deep-sea species of the Mediterranean without exception occur also in the Atlantic Ocean. It therefore seems to be demonstrated that the Mediterranean receives its deep-sea f&una from the Atlantic, and that there has not been a centre of creation for it. It remains to be ascertained whether the fauna of the superior strata, characterized by a great number of species localized in the Mediterranean, is also derived from the Lu'sitanian fauna. The abyssal forms of the Mediterranean have been dredged in the Atlantic generally at considerable depths. The Mediterranean therefore only contains the Mollusca which can bear a rather high temperature. The arctic forms fossilized in the glacial deposits of Sweden and the British Isles appear no longer to exist in the present Mediterranean, although they were abundant there during the newer Pliocene period (deposits of Ficarazzi). The temperature of the Mediterranean has consequently changed gradually ; it is pro-bable that it was not then constant, and that a communication with very cold seas brought arctic Mollusca into it. It would be inter-esting to ascertain whether, in the great depths of the eastern Medi-terranean and of the Black 8ea, there may not exist some survivors of the glacial fauna of the Pliocene of Ficarazzi. — Com^^tes Rendus^ April 24, 1882, p. 1201. A Zoological Station at ViUafranca . We have received from Dr. J. Barrois an intimation that the French government have recently decided upon establishing a new zoological station at Yillafranca, of which the direction will be in his hands. The purpose for which it is specially founded is that of furnishing facilities for the study of the rich marine fauna of the locality, which yields in interest to no other in the Mediter-ranean, by the many naturalists who may be attracted to ViUa-franca by the charms of the place and its surroundings ; and Dr. Barrois particularly expresses a hope that many English zoologists may be induced to avail themselves of the advantages thus offered to them at a much less distance from home than the older establish-ment at Naples. Dr. Barrois promises a particularly warm welcome to our countrymen. * For example, Tei'ehratella septata, Lima Sarsi, Pectcn Jfoskinsi, A.rimis granulosus, Malletia cuneata, Ai-ca pcctimculoides, Leda messani-ensis, L. striolafa, Limopsis aurita, L. ininuta, PJwladomya Loveni, Modiola lutea, Dacrydivm vitreum, Dentaliinn agile, Cadidus fir7)iidosus, Taranis Mrirchi, Hela tenella, Fyramidella miimsetda, Pleiirotoma LoprestianUf Tectura ftdva, Colund)ell(i costidata, Turbo rometiensis, Trochiis gemmu-latus, Itissoa subsohda, Eidiina stcnostoma, Craspedofus Tinei, Trophon midtilamellosus, &c.
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