FAUNISTIC NOTES. 169 



is not intended for a complete list of all the animals seen, but only a 

 few of the more interesting ones are given, and tliose which show the 

 changes in quantity, 



Noctiluca miliaris. — Bles (1892) states : " The absence of Nodiluca 

 is a very extraordinary feature of the year, for 1891 was remarkable 

 for the immense profusion of this infusorian, which in the months 

 of June and July was present in such numbers that it discoloured 

 large stretches of sea. This year it has been almost entirely absent, 

 and a few individuals, which I found at the end of September, were 

 the only signs of its existence." In 1893, I found Noctiluca almost 

 daily in the tow-net, the quantity varying day by day. On some days 

 the top of the tow-net jar was covered with a thick layer. In 1895 

 not a single specimen was seen during September.* 



Liriantha appendicidata was exceedingly abundant in 1893, during 

 September and the early part of October. Mr. Garstang sent me 

 an adult male on October 23rd. I never saw a single specimen in 

 1895. 



Amphincma dinema was fairly common during the whole of 

 September, 1893 ; only a few small specimens seen in 1895, the 

 last on September 20th. 



Lai' SabeUarum ( = Willia stellata) was fairly abundant during the 

 whole of September, 1893, especially the early stages ; but scarce in 

 1895, and only medusai belonging to the first and second stages 

 were seen. 



Dipurena haltcrata, a single specimen taken on 25th September, 1893. 

 None seen in 1895. 



Lizzia hlondina was not taken during September, 1893 ; but Garstang 

 obtained specimens during the summer months. During the early part 

 of September, 1895, this medusa was fairly abundant, and disappeared 

 about the middle of the month. 



Solmaris and Ociorchis. — Two early stages of a Solmaris, and a 

 specimen of Octorchis were taken on 7th September, 1895, about two 

 miles south of the Breakwater. Botli genera are new to Plymouth. 

 The Solmaridae (Narcomedusffi) inhabit the Mediterranean and the 

 Tropical Seas. Octorchis is also a Mediterranean medusa. On 10th 

 September, 1895, a new species of Dipurena was taken, and on 

 the 17th vSeptember several specimens of Eiichilota, also new to 

 British seas. 



The medusiB were certainly not so abundant in September, 1895, as in 

 September, 1893. This may have been due to the enormous number of 

 Doliolum and Muggicca which daily entered the tow-net. In 1893, 

 Doliolum was scarce during September, and Liriantha exceedingly 



* Noctiluca did not appear until December, vitfc Hodcikon, infra, p. 171. — Ed. 



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