38 LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



probably the attempt described in last year's report to 

 transplant this species from Hilbre Island to Puffin has 

 failed. The nudibranchs at Puffin Island along with those 

 at Hilbre have afforded material to Mr. Clubb and myself 

 for a number of anatomical observations during the year, 

 as v^ell as for those theoretical conclusions in regard to the 

 usefulness of the branched and highly-coloured processes 

 from the body as protecting or warning marks, which I 

 discussed in my Presidential Address to the Biological 

 Society. This theory in regard to the function of these 

 structures, and of the colouring of the nudibranchs 

 generally, has been arrived at independently this summer 

 by the investigators at three separate biological stations, 

 viz. — Professor Giard's laboratory at Wimereux, our own 

 at Puffin Island, and, a little later, at the Plymouth 

 laboratory. 



I am now carrying on some experiments at the museum 

 tanks for the purpose of determining to what extent the 

 different kinds of nudibranchs are eaten by various 

 coast fishes, such as the blenny, sole, plaice, turbot, 

 conger, wrasse, &c. ; and whether the conspicuously 

 coloured forms with stinging threads, such as Eolis, are 

 refused, while the protectively coloured harmless forms, 

 such as Trito7iia and Doto are eaten when visible. The 

 experiments are being carefully recorded, and the results 

 will be discussed in a future report. 



Towards the end of autumn the L.M.B. Committee 

 decided to close the biological station for the winter. 

 The considerable distance, the numerous winter engage- 

 ments in town, and the uncertain weather, have rendered it 

 impracticable for our workers, with a very few exceptions, 

 to visit Puffin Island at this season, and as it was found that 

 even when at the station comparatively little could be 



