312 THE FAUNA OF THE EXE ESTUAUY. 



riscES. 



Gol)ius minntus. Four, 2-0-r)-0 cm. 

 Blennius pliolis. Two, 2-0-2-5 cm. 

 Gasterosteus spiiiachia. One, 5-2 cm. 



Labrus maculatus. One small one. 

 Crenilaln'us melops. Twenty - four, 

 2-3-1 cm. 



List of Species. Professional Seine. 



April 8th, 1897. From records made by Mr. E. W. L. Holt. 



PISCES. 



Cottus bubalis. Several. 

 Ammodytes (tobianus ?). Many. 

 Rhombus liievis. Two, 18 cm. 



Pleuronectes platessa. Seventy-three. 



(For details see p. 333.) 

 Salnio sp. One, 34 cm. 



Station 16. POLES ANDS. 



Polesands is a large triangular sand bank, situated at the mouth of 

 tlie Exmouth estuary, which is uncovered at low water. The bank, 

 along its north-eastern edge, forms the border of the main channel 

 of the estuary, and is consequently under the influence of the full 

 force of the tidal stream. The sand on this side is somewhat coarse 

 and loose, and the edge of the bank at low water is steep. In this 

 loose sand the only animal found was the Polychrete Ophelia bicornis, 

 which lives there in great abundance. 



The southern side of the Polesands faces the open water of the 

 English Channel, and is therefore at times subject to the influence of 

 powerful wave-action. The sand is here fine but firm, and shelves very 

 gently, leaving extensive flats uncovered at low spring tides. In spite 

 of the exposed situation, many interesting sand-burrowing animals are 

 found, forming a fauna which differs much from that of the sand banks 

 inside the estuary. The most characteristic species are Aricici Latreillii, 

 Portunus holsatus, Fortumnus varicgatus, Tellina tenuis, Donax vittatus, 

 Mactra solida, Solen ensis, Sokn siliqua, and Natica catena. A large 

 Nemertine, at present unidentified, was also found here. 



List of Species. Shore Collecting. 



July 14th, 17th, August 3rd, September 1st, 1901. 



HYDROZOA. 

 Perigonimus repens. A few colonies growing on Donax. 

 Sertularia argentea. A few pieces. 



ECHINODERMA. 

 Echinocardium pennatifidum. A few broken pieces. 



POLYCH^ETA. 



Nephthys Horabergii. Common. 



,, cirrosa. Common. 



Aricia Latreillii. Not uncommon. 



Arenicola marina. One or two. 

 Ophelia bicornis. Common in coarse 

 loose sand. 



