2 Eev. T. Hincks on the 



Pacific, and " form a compact archipelago, separated by wide 

 waterways from the islands which fringe the shore of the 

 mainland of British Columbia to the west, and the coast of the 

 southern extremity of Alaska to the north." They are "' in- 

 cluded in north latitude between 54° 15' and 51° bb' , in west 

 longitude between 131° 2' and 133° 5'. The extreme length 

 from point to point is 156 miles, the greatest width, in a direc- 

 tion at right angles to the length, 52 miles " [Dawson). 



The average temperature of the surface-water in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the islands was determined by frequent observa- 

 tions to be 53°.8 F. for the summer months (June to August 

 inclusive). Fifteen observations taken between September 

 12th and October ] 7th gave a mean of 50°.7 F. 



The dredgings which have been placed in my hands were 

 taken chiefly at three or four stations — one at the extreme 

 north of the islands, and the rest off the south-eastern portions 

 of the coast. 



I shall reserve all remarks on the facies of the Polyzoan 

 fauna of the islands and its relation to the general subject of 

 distribution for the close of the Keport. The number of un- 

 described species is large, including some very striking and 

 interesting forms ; but so far no new generic type has oc- 

 curred. The beauty and the luxuriant growth of the specimens 

 are remarkable ; the old shells taken up are thickly incrusted 

 by splendid masses of the different species, each valve usually 

 presenting a rich variety of forms. The fauna, so far as the 

 Polyzoa are concerned, points to very favourable climatic 

 conditions. 



List of Species. 



Subkingdom M O L L U S C A. 



Class POLYZOA, J. V. Thompson. 



Subclass HOLOBRANCHIA, Lankcster. 



Group EcTOFsocTA, Nitsche. 



Order GYMNOL^MATA, Allman. 



Suborder Cheilostomata, Busk. 



Family AeteidsB. 



Aetea, Lamouroux. 



Aetea ligulata. Busk. 

 Houston Stewart Channel ; off Cumshewa Harbour ; Dolo- 



