544 NOTES ON THE INVERTEBRATE FAUNA AND FISH-FOOD 



Station III. 



The Skerries Bank, scoured as it is by strong currents and dis- 

 turbed by the heavy seas which sweep over it during gales from the 

 N.E. round by S. to S.W,, has a fauna which is not well represented 

 in catches made with an otter-trawl. In fact, some hauls made on it 

 did not give more than two or three invertebrates altogether. Echino- 

 derms, other than Ecliinocyamus pusiUus, which was taken from the 

 stomachs of Plaice caught on the bank, were altogether absent, and the 

 only living molluscs taken were Dcndronotus arhoresccns and JEolis 

 papulosa, both of which were found on an old crab-pot. It, however, 

 is one of the chief grounds on which the edible crab. Cancer 'pagarus, is 

 taken in the neighbourhood. Besides Cancer, the only other common 

 species are Portunus depurator and Maia squinado. Gastrosaccus 

 spinifer was, however, very common in the stomachs of Raia Uanda, 

 but no living specimens were taken in the trawl, due doubtless to the 

 size of the mesh, and this is probably accountable for the absence in the 

 records of such forms as shrimps, pandalids, etc. 



Soil, coarse sand; depth, 3-18 fathoms. 



List of Species. 



ACTINOZOA. 

 Sagartia parasitica. Occasional. 



„ viduata. A dozen on an old crab-pot. 

 Adamsia palliata. Occasionally. 



ECHINODERMA. 

 Echinocyamus pusillus. Common in Dab stomachs. 



HIRUDINEA. 



Pontobdella muricata {Linn.). 



CRUSTACEA. 

 Maia squinado. Common. 

 Cancer pagurus. Common. 

 Portunus depurator. Moderately common. 



„ liolsatus. One in stomach of Acantlnas. 

 Eupagurus Bernhardus. Occasionally. 



,, Prideauxii. Occasionally. 



Gastrosaccus spinifer. Very common in stomachs of Raia hianda. 



PYCNOGONIDA. 

 Pycnogonum littorale. Two on an old crab-pot. 



MOLLUSCA. 

 ilactra solida. In stomach of Callionymun. 

 Natica monilifera. Shells. 



Dendronotus arborescens. A dozen on an old crab-pot. 

 iEolis jiaijillosa. Two or tliree on an old crab-pot, 



POLYZOA. 



Cellaria fistulosa. Taken once. 



