36 LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



letting out and hauling in the line, taken in conjunction 

 with the time required for dragging the net, is then so 

 great that it becomes imperative to remove every possible 

 risk of losing an observation. Furthermore, the time 

 occupied by the messengers themselves in descending the 

 line is a not unimportant factor in the case. 



The Committee* appointed by the British Association 

 to investigate this matter were so much impressed by these 

 considerations that it was resolved to attempt the con- 

 struction of a piece of apparatus which should bring about 

 the opening and closing of the net by means of an electric 

 current, transmitted along wires passing down the interior 

 of the line by which the net is drawn . This plan has so 

 far succeeded that Mr. Hoyle has already constructed a 

 provisional model. The lock (a piece of brass near the 

 mouth of the net) contains an electro-magnet the armature 

 of which actuates an escapement which the first time 

 contact is made liberates the opening rod, and the second 

 time the closing rod of the net. Such an arrangement 

 is obviously instantaneous in its action, and not liable to 

 interference from external causes. It is hoped that this 

 electric tow-net will be ready for use soon, so that we 

 may be able to experiment with it during next season's 

 expeditions. 



Higher Crustacea, &c. 



During the summer a good deal of shore collecting and 

 of dredging with a small canvas dredge has been carried on 

 by Mr. A. 0. Walker, in Colwyn Bay and off the Little 

 Orme's Head, resulting in the addition of the following 

 species : — Mysis inermis and M. ornata, Lamj)ro2:)S fas- 



* Consisting of Prof. Schafer, Prof. Ilcrdman and Mr. Hoyle (Secretary). 

 See Report of the Committee, read at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne meeting, 1889, 

 from which some of the particulars given above are taken. 



