62 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Passing over any reference at present to the more common 

 moUusca and dead valves, with their interesting contents, obtained 

 in these and the following localities, and which are everywhere 

 abundant, a more successful dredging-ground in the coralline zone 

 will be found opposite Craigmore, the bottom there consisting of 

 fine small gravel. Here there is more chance of obtaining Crus- 

 tacea. Several species of Hermit crabs will turn up — Pagurus 

 Bernhardus, P. Icevis, P. cuanensis, and P. Prideauxii, invested with 

 the Adamsia palliata; besides the following — Carcinas mcenas, Por- 

 iimus depurator, Platycheles longicornis, Hyas araneics, and perhaps a 

 Spider crab. 



Masses of the gravel will be found matted into longitudinal 

 balls, much longer than broad, and forming a tube, smoothly lined 

 with byssal fibres. Within this tube or nest, as it is called, the 

 beautiful Lima hyans resides, and probably never leaves it till dis- 

 turbed by the dredge and brought to the surface, when some of 

 them fall out accidentally, and the nest is left empty. In the 

 aquarium they are easily kept; their swimming powers, and the 

 process of constructing a new abode out of any kind of materials 

 supplied to them, and even with byssal fibres only, afi"ording con- 

 siderable interest. Opposite Huntly Place, already referred to, 

 these Lima nests are also occasionally brought up, made of gravel ; 

 but on the western shore of the bay, opposite the houses near 

 Ardbeg Point, they are found in great numbers in the Nullipore 

 coralline. This fine, small coral seems to suit, and the nest (or 

 rather house, not being used as such in its ordinary acceptation) 

 is, to outward ajipearance, not so coarse and clumsy as when con- 

 structed of gravel. To the west of Millport Bay, off" the Tan Spit, 

 they are very abundant in the same coralline ; while to the east 

 again, ofi" the Fairland Point, they occur in gravel, as they do also 

 off Gourock. The Ardbeg ground is not generally so rich as 

 Craigmore, though yielding all the Crustacea named. A httle to 

 the east of the rocks off" Ascog Church there was an old bed of 

 the Pecten opercularis, which should also afford good dredging, and 

 might be tried with advantage. 



On the outside of the Lima's nest, and among the loose 

 gravel or coral brought up with it, an annelid with green 

 bristles, Flemingia plumosa, is not unfrequently seen. Within 

 the nest itself, another, a species of Sipliojiostoma, is almost 

 constantly met with. It will be seen, on tearing open the 



