298 THE FAUNA OF THE EXE ESTUARY. 



In order to illustrate the more striking differences between the 

 faunas of the two estuaries, the following list of animals, which were 

 common and characteristic species in the upper parts of Salcombe 

 estuary (above Snape's Point), but are absent from the Exmouth fauna, 

 may be given : — 



Hymeniacidon sanguineuin. 

 Sagartia bellis. 

 Carinella superba. 

 Phascolosoma pellncidum. 

 Nereis cultrifera. 

 Notomastus latericius. 

 Amphitrite Johnstoni. 

 Sabella i:)avonina. 



Branchiomma vesiculosum. 

 Mj^xicola infundibiihim. 

 Tapes pullastra. 

 Pecten opercularis. 

 Pecteii maximus, 

 Calyptrtea sinensis. 

 Scalaria communis. 

 Clavelina lepadiformis. 



Morcliellium argus . 



Melinna adriatica, which occurred in immense profusion in the soft 

 mud-flats in the upper parts of Salcombe estuary, was only represented 

 at Exmouth by very occasional specimens. Audovinia tcntacidcda, 

 wdiich was very common above half-tide mark in the Salcombe estuary, 

 was met witli only at Orcombe Eocks, quite at the mouth of the Exe. 



On the other hand, the following species from the Exe estuary above 

 Exmouth town were either absent or represented only by occasional 

 specimens at Salcombe : — 



Nereis diversicolor. 

 Pliyllodoce teres. 

 Eteone pusilla. 

 Neplithys cirrosa. 

 Ophelia bicornis. 

 Mytilus edulis. 



Tellina baltliica. 



„ tenuis. 

 Hydrobia ulvse. 

 Pleuronectes platessa (young 

 specimens). 



Cockles (Gardium cdide) and Scrohicidaria iniKrata were also very 

 much more abundant at Exmouth than at Salcombe. On the sand- 

 flats at Exmouth Ulva and Enter omorpha were very abundant, wliilst 

 Zostera, which was abundant and well grown at Salcombe, was less 

 plentiful and generally had a much stunted habit. 



II. Description of the Fauna found in different localities 

 in the Exe Estuary. 



Station 1. GREENLANDS ZOSTERA BANK. 



(See Chart.) 



The highest part of tlie estuary examined was the Greenlands 

 Zostera Bank, which is situated between Topsham and Powderham. 

 The bank is about half a mile across, and is composed of fine mud 

 almost entirely covered w'ith zostera. The latter grows thickly 

 together, but is small and stunted. The four abundant species are 

 forms which are generally met with in estuarine waters of low density. 



