POLYCH^TA OF THE L.M.Ii.C. DISTRICT. 163 



Pectinaria belgica, (Pallas). 



Hab: 1, 2,4, 12, 13, E. NB. 



Iinmeiise numbers people the far- stretching sandbanks 

 skirting the Lancashire and Cheshire coasts. The animals 

 hve head downwards in the sand, and range from mid-tide 

 mark (exceptional) to a depth of 21 fathoms. 



As in the preceding species there are 15 pairs of capil- 

 lary fascicles and 12 pairs of micinigerous rows, not 17 and 

 13 as stated by Malmgren, nor 15 and 11 pairs respectively 

 as amended by Cunningham and Eamage. 

 Family. — HERMELLiDiE . 



Sahdlaria alveolata, Linn. 



Hab : S, E, NB, H. 



Enormous encrusting masses attaining in favourable 

 situations a thickness of quite tw^o feet, occur at the tide- 

 swept end of Hilbre Island. As the geological formation 

 of the Island is soft Ked Triassic sandstone liable to rapid 

 denudation, these incrustations have an important retard- 

 ing effect, as has been pointed out by Prof. Herdman.* 

 Damage wrought by storms on the brittle sand con- 

 structed tubes is very rapidly righted by the gregarious 

 occupants. A species of mite is frequently found parasitic 

 upon this species. 



* Sabellaria spinulosa, E. Leuckart. 



H^b : 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 10—50 fms. 



This animal is met with everywhere in deep water in our 

 area often in considerable abundance, and is without doubt 

 one of the commonest worms. It is brought up both in 

 broken masses and also singly upon valves of dead shells. 

 It appears to be confined pretty straitly to the depths of 

 the sea and not to trench on the shallow w^ater and littoral 

 range of S. alveolata. 



*Proc. L'[)uul Biul Sue. vol. II. |». li\). 



