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On the Occurrence of Squilla desmaresti in 

 the North Sea. 



By 

 F. Jeffrey Bell, M.A. 



So far as I have been able to discover, there is no record of the 

 presence of this or any other Squilla in the North Sea ; to make sure I 

 inquired of Dr. Hoek, whose experience is unrivalled, and he assures 

 me that the only record is that of an Erichtheus stage, discovered on the 

 Dogger Bank during the cruise of the Pommerania (1872). Early 

 in May (1901) I received through the Director of the Natural History 

 Museum a specimen of Squilla, as to the rarity of which in the Channel 

 he called my attention. It was accompanied by letter A, the writer 

 of which was Lieutenant and Conmiander Gl. S. Carr, E.N., c.m.g. I 

 thought the circumstances warranted my writing as I did in letter B, 

 the answer to which (C) is, if I may be allowed to say so, the very 

 pattern of what an answer should be, and another example of the 

 admirable training of our seamen. 



I think it may quite safely be said that Squilla desmaresti has been 

 dredged in the North Sea ; in this, if not in previous centuries — 

 ausjjicium melioris a:vi ! 



(A) H.M.S. "CmcB," Harwich, 30/7; April, 1901. 



Dear Sir, — By this post I am sending you a specimen for classification. 

 It was trawled up by May Queeyi (R. 32) on 29th about three miles east of 

 the Kentish Knock. I am quite unable to identify it, and should be much 

 obliged if you will give me its name, etc. During two years now in charge 

 of the North Sea Fisheries it is the first specimen I have seen. 



(B) Natural History Museum, 2)rd May, 1901. 



Sir, — The specimen sent by you is the Stomatopod Crustacean Squilla. 

 I cannot find the Kentish Knock (if I have read it correctly) in our atlases, 

 but if it is in the North Sea I should like to have your assurance that your 



