8 TEANSACTIONS LlVEEPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



the opening on June 4th. A short description of the 

 station and its surroundings may be appropriately placed 

 on record here. 



Port Eein and Neighbourhood. 



Port Erin is at the S.W. end of the Isle of Man and 

 occupies a fairly central position in the Irish Sea, being 

 about 30 miles from Ireland, 33 from Scotland, 40 from 

 Wales, and 45 or so from England. The bay faces nearly 

 due West, and is in most winds a good natural harbour 

 with sand at the end and bounded by precipitous cliffs 

 both to North and South. From its position and the 

 shape of the land. Port Erin has within a distance of a 

 couple of miles in three directions — to Fleswick Bay, to 

 the Calf Island, and to Port St. Mary — a long and varied 

 coast line with a number of small bays, furnishing good 

 collecting ground and shallow water dredging. Two of 

 these bays, Port Erin and Port St. Mary, have harbours 

 with sailing boats, and face in nearly opposite directions, 

 so that in most winds one or other is sheltered and has a 

 quiet sea. 



The rich fauna around the Calf Island and off Spanish 

 Head (see map, PL I.) is within easy reach ; while at a 

 distance of three to four miles from the biological station 

 are depths of 20 to 30 fathoms, and at 14 miles 60 to 70 

 fathoms. Although Port Erin is a considerable distance 

 from Liverpool, still it is readied by a regular service of 

 swift steamers and convenient trains, so that there is no 

 great uncertainty or delay in the journey. The 11.30 a.m. 

 steamer from Liverpool to Douglas generally catches the 

 3.50 train in summer and the 5.30 in winter, arriving at 

 Port Erin in each case an hour later. 



The plan of Port Erin bay (PI. 11.) shows the position 

 and surroundings of the Biological Station. (See also 



