389 



oü = that the particular form was exceedingly abundant : that there 

 were more specimens present than could be gathered or counted. 

 A = That it was abundant in the sample. 

 C = That it was common. 

 S = That several specimens were obtained. 

 F = That a few specimens only were obtained. 

 The comparative size and maturity of the examples is indicated as 

 follows: — 



1 = That the specimens obtained were large. 

 s = That they were small. 

 m = That they were minute, 

 a = That they were adult, 

 i = That they were immature, 

 j = That they were juvenile, 

 e == That they were undergoing ecdysis. 

 The following are the more important general symbols employed 

 for the recording of particulars regarding breeding, etc.; but in some 

 sections it has also been found convenient to employ additional special 

 symbols: — 



B = That the form in question was breeding at the time when the 



record was made. 

 E = Kecords relating to the eggs, spawn, egg-capsules, gonophores, 



etc. of the particular form. 

 E. = That the gonads were ripe. 



h = That the eggs, or their equivalent, were hatching out. 

 L = Records relating to the free larvae of the form. In certain groups 

 additional special symbols are also used to differentiate distin- 

 guishable larval stages. 

 Many of the signs employed in this record system admit of further 

 qualification by the addition of one or other of the following symbols : — 

 n = Nearly, almost, 

 p = Past, over or completed, 

 v = Very. 

 Certainty, or the reverse, regarding the identification of the form 

 recorded can be expressed as follows: — 



[!] = That the identification has been verified by actual comparison 

 of the specimens with that description which has been selected 

 to serve as the standard authority for the particular form. 

 [?], [??] = Uncertainty as to the identification. 



There are of course many particulars, which do not admit of ex- 

 pression in an abbreviated form by means of symbols, but which require 

 to be written out at full length. In such cases it is however important 



