INTRODUCTION. 3 



expedition of the Committee. The expedition took place on 

 the 9th of May, in the tug " Merry Andrew," chartered by 

 Mr. Holt, and was attended by most of the members 

 of the Committee and a few other naturalists. After some 

 unsuccessful hauls of the dredge in the Kock Channel,* 

 opposite Bidston Lighthouse, at a depth of five fathoms, on 

 a sandy bottom, when only a few Zoophytes and Polyzoa 

 were obtained, the " Merry Andrew " proceeded to Hilbre 

 Swash, the deep channel which runs northwards from Hilbre 

 Island, at the eastern mouth of the river Dee, and there 

 dredging, trawling, and tow-netting operations were carried 

 on during the remainder of the day. Hilbre Swash is the 

 deepest part of the area of Liverpool Bay inside the Bar 

 Lightship, depths of nine, ten, and eleven fathoms being 

 frequently found in it. The bottom varies from a fine stifi" 

 grey mud to sand and gravel, with occasional lumps of coarse 

 red sandstone, more or less covered with Hydroids, Polyzoa, 

 Sponges, and other incrusting animals. The most prolific 

 locality examined was found to be a spot close to the north- 

 west end of Hilbre Island, at a depth of ten fathoms. 



The more important species obtained in this expedition 

 were the following: — ^ 



Ccelenterata. — Hydractinia echinata, Tuhularia indi- 

 visa, Garveia nutans^ Calycella syringaj Sertidaria 

 Jilicula, Actinoloba dianthuSf and Alcyonium digita- 

 tum. 

 Polyzoa.- Crisia ehurnea, Celleporapumicosa, Idmonea 

 serpens, Flustra foliacea, Scrupocellaria scrupea, 

 Amathia leridigera, Gemellaria loricata. 

 PoLYCH^TA. — Sabella penicillus, Serpula vermicularis. 



* For this and the other localities mentioned, see the accompanying 

 Chart (PL XI). 



t Preliminary accounts, giving the results of the various expeditions, 

 have been published in the Liverpool papers. See Liverpool Daily Post, 

 May 11, May 28, June 15, June 22, July 14. 



