Notes on a Dredging Excursion off the Coast of Durham. 161 



mens of Buccinum undatum, Natica Gromlandica, N. Montagui ; 

 several of Turritella terebra ; one of Tornatella fasciata ; several 

 of Dentalium entale ; specimens of Venus ovata, Venus laminosa 

 and Psammobia Ferroensis ; Astarte Damnoniensis in great abun- 

 dance — as many as would fill a quart measure were obtained ; a few 

 fine specimens of Astarte Scotica and A. compressa ; two of Kellia 

 suborbicularis ; dozens of Montacuta substriata adhering to the 

 spines of Spatangus purpureus ; one of Solen pellucidus ; a few of 

 Cardium echinatum ; two specimens of Pecten opercularis, and 

 several valves of P. obsoleta. These were all living with the ex- 

 ception of Natica Grmnlandica, N. Montagui, Psammobia Ferro- 

 ensis, Venus ovata, Cardium echinatum and Pecten obsoletus. 



From the quantity dredged, the bottom must have been thickly 

 sirownwith. Spatangus purpureus — nearly half a peck were brought 

 up the second haul ; and when the dredge was taken on board 

 the third and last time, it was pressed almost full of this species, 

 which hitherto has been considered rare on the coast of Durham 

 and Northumberland. Six specimens of another species of Spa- 

 tangidce were also procured at the same time. These most nearly 

 resemble Bryssus lyrifer, but are much larger and less com- 

 pressed than that species. The dorsal lyriform impression is 

 almost obsolete, and it will probably prove distinct from any 

 recorded British species. Very few starfish were dredged ; only 

 two or three specimens each of Ophiura texturata, Ophiocoma 

 rosula. Aster ias aurantiaca and Ur aster rubens were brought up. 



As might be expected from the sandy nature of the sea-bottom, 

 the dredging was rather unproductive in zoophytes ; only a few 

 were obtained ; a beautiful living specimen of Retepora Beaniana, 

 and a few dead ones of Celiepora Skenei and C. ramulosa. 



Four specimens of a new and interesting variety of Fusus 

 Islandicus were also taken. In general outline this variety is 

 short and tumid, the spire having the appearance of being pushed 

 in. The lower part of the body- whorl is much puffed out, the 

 upper part flattened and folded over at the suture. The canal is 

 very much curved, and more inclined to the left than usual. The 

 chief character, however, is in the epidermis, which is hispid ; 

 the hispidations are very fine, and occur at the crossing of the 

 strise of growth with the spiral striae. The largest specimen is 

 about 1^ inch in length and ^ inch in width, and has seven 

 whorls. Plate X. fig. 5. will give a pretty correct idea of this 

 variety, which from the number obtained, the constancy of form 

 and other characters, must be regarded as permanent. 



The most interesting objects, however, that I procured were 

 two ova-capsules of Fusus Norvegicus, which I shall describe 

 further on. In this place I very much regret having to state 

 that Mr. Wm. King, Curator of the Newcastle-on-Tyne museuiil, 



Ann, ^ Mag. N, Hist. Vol. xix. 13 



