318 



NOTES on the MARINE INVERTEBRATE FAUNA of 

 the SOUTHERN END of the ISLE OF MAN. 



By W. A. Herdman, D.Sc, 



PB0FES80R OF NATDSAL HISTORY IN UNIVEESITY COLLEGE, LIVERPOOL. 



The shores of the southern end of the Isle of Man are very 

 varied in their characters, and they support an abundant 

 littoral and shallow-water Fauna. Precipitous cliffs extend 

 nearly all the way from Spanish Head to Port Erin, and 

 from Port Erin to Fleshwick Bay ; at Port St. Mary, at Bay- 

 ny-Carrickey, and at Port Erin there are sandy or muddy 

 bays enclosed by rocks ; in the neighbourhood of Poyllvaaish 

 and of Port St. Mary, long, flat, shelving reefs run out to 

 sea ; while at various places stony shores occur, composed of 

 angular fragments broken off from the cliffs and reefs, and 

 forming perhaps the most prolific of all localities to the 

 marine biologist. 



Five weeks in July and August, 1885, were spent in 

 exploring this district, and in making collections, chiefly by 

 dredging, tow-netting, and shore work. My headquarters 

 were at Port Erin,* where there is a long narrow bay facing 

 to the west, and enclosed by rocky sides. Most of the 

 dredging was done at the mouth of this bay, at depths of 

 from ten to fifteen fathoms, the bottom being chiefly gravel. 

 Occasional dredging expeditions were carried out further 

 round the coast— to the north, off Bradda Head,^ and a little 

 further; and to the south, off Bay Fine* and the Halfway 

 Rock,* and onwards towards the Calf.* One day was spent 

 in dredging off Port St. Mary and off Spanish Head, and 

 around the eastern side of the Calf. 



* See Chart, PI. XII. 



