PELAGIC FAUNA. 4H 



different from the land, since even in mid-winter a profusion 

 of animals both minute and delicate, together with many 

 microscopic plants are carried about by its currents or swim 

 actively in its midst. 



February. During February the pelagic eggs of the food- 

 fishes were more noticeable, and included those of the plaice, 

 long-rough dab, dab, haddock, and green cod along with 

 various larval and post-larval stages amongst others those 

 of the large form resembling a goby (Grystallogdbius) and 

 young wolf-fishes. Numerous young Appendicularians repre- 

 sented the allies of the vertebrates. Of shell-fishes, minute 

 bivalves, numerous young examples of the pteropod Spirialis 

 and a few of another example of the same group, viz. Clione, 

 were the most noteworthy. No form is more beautiful than 

 the latter (Clione), which was first observed by Prof. Prince, the 

 gaily coloured little sea-butterfly, as it has been aptly termed, 

 dancing to and fro in the water with its extended arms, like a 

 deft human swimmer. The larval form (Cyphonautes} of an 

 encrusting species allied to the sea-mats was the only example 

 of the Polyzoa. Crustaceans were in great numbers, such as 

 forms mentioned under last month, and especially Parathemisto, 

 besides many additions. Of Annelids the females of a species 

 (Autolytus) carrying eggs on the under surface of the body, and 

 the male with bifid palpi, were not infrequent, while the sexual 

 forms of another (Nereis), which undergoes strange modifications 

 of structure and habit at the reproductive season, occasionally 

 occurred. Various larval forms of the Nerine group also 

 abounded. Sagittcv were in swarms throughout the water. 

 The jelly-fishes in addition to Tima and the prevalent 

 Aglantha, included an occasional Thaumantias, besides the 

 Ctenophores formerly mentioned, some, such as Cydippe, in 

 the young condition. Towards the end of the month also 

 the saucer-like divisions of the hydroid stage in the develop- 

 ment of the abundant yet pretty jelly-fish Aurelia became 

 frequent. They often indeed appeared in swarms in the 

 tanks, having been pumped up from the sea. Of the 

 elementary types various species of Infusoria and Radiolarians 

 were captured. Plant-life was present in the shape of 



