NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 29 



Chorda filvm were not unfrequent, wdth occasional tufts of 

 Ceramium ruhruvi. 



In a bucket of the rubbish dredged on the west side of the loch 

 we found few Eckmoderms, or Zoophytes, only two star-fishes 

 (Uraster violacea and Grihella octdata), one heart urchin (AmpJddotus 

 cordatus). The only Crustacea were the spider crabs, Imcchus 

 Dorsettensis and Stenorhynchus jyJialangium, and numbers of Por- 

 iunus armat'us and Pagurus Barnlmnlus. In a bucket off the 

 Cairnryan side we found Echinus sphcera and Solaster papjwsa; and 

 in addition to the crabs mentioned we obtained some large Hyas 

 araneus. The zoophytes were Flustra foliacea, F. truncata, Seriularia 

 abieiina, Gemellaria loriculata, and Antenmdaria ramosa, of a reddish 

 colour, with the horny egg-case of the spotted dog-fish (Scyllium 

 canicula) attached to it. The only fish that had come up in the 

 dredge was the armed bull-head or sea-poacher (Asjndoj^horus 

 Europams). On the eastern shore we observed several large 

 fishing-frogs {Lophius piscatorms) over four feet in length. 



The Anomias, as already stated, were very abundant, Pecten 

 varius of many colours, and Trochus cinerarius also ; Cardium 

 pygmceum and Turritella communis. 



Ascidia menhila was very abundant, and the tunic studded with 

 Crenella marmorata. Another species, probably Molgnla tuhdosa, 

 free and unattached, with the tunic covered with small pieces of 

 shell and sand, also occurred. Such was the result of one or two 

 examinations of dredgers' rubbish. With more time at our dis- 

 posal, and more favourable weather, a larger list would easily have 

 been made out. 



No attempt has-been made to increase the number of oysters by 

 artificial culture. With the fishery in the hands of a single pro- 

 prietor. Loch Eyan is well adapted for carrying out such a scheme; 

 and if attended with that measure of success one would naturally 

 expect, the benefits resulting therefrom would certainly be very 

 great. Oyster culture might not be so easily carried out in the 

 upper waters of the Firth, where there are so many small feuars 

 attaching a right to everything that comes out of the sea; still, in 

 the less frequented lochs of the west coast, there are doubtless 

 many places where the experiment could be favourably made, and 

 the supply of this nutritious shell-fish maintained when other 

 natural banks have been exhausted. It is to be hoped that the 

 success of oyster culture in France and England will be such as to 



