390 



that attention shall be directed by an entry in the record sheets to the 

 existence of such notes, and these may he made as follows: — 



Nl, N2, N3, etc. = That fuller notes relating to the specimens will 

 be found in the "Species Book". The appended numerals are 

 part of the "Register Number" of the specimens, the "Reference 

 Number" of the sample forming the remainder, by which "Re- 

 gister Number" the specimens if they are preserved can always 

 be distinguished among the museum collections. 

 A few examples may now be given to illustrate the actual working 

 of the system and to show the manner in which the symbols may be 

 combined. For instance, we may find in various sections of the Record 

 Books the following entries in that column bearing the Reference Number: 

 1907. 8. 24, B.: — 



Plumularia pinuafa -\- SI; ECvi-p; N27. 

 Aster ias glacialis + 3j. 



Dibens + Ci-a; Svi; RF. 

 Nassa incrassata 0; E h [!]. 

 The information which is actually furnished by the above abbre- 

 viated records is as follows. In the first place : the "Reference Number" 

 indicates that the sample to which the records relate was the second one 

 taken on the 24th of August 1907 ; and on turning to the "Collecting 

 Form" for the sample, we obtain full details as to the precise position 

 and depth at which the material was collected, the nature of the bottom, 

 the kind of net used and the method in which it was worked, the length 

 of haul, state of weather and tide, etc. etc. Returning to the Record 

 Sheets, we see from the symbols relating to Plumularia pinnata that 

 several large colonies of this hydroid were obtained in the haul; that 

 gonophores were commonly present and in various stages of deve- 

 lopment, some being very immature while others were already empty; 

 that there are further notes regarding the specimens in the "Species 

 Book"; and that the specimens bear the "Register No." 1907. 8. 24, 

 B. 27. in the museum. Similarly we note that Ästerias glacialis was 

 represented in the samj)le by but three young examples; while A. rube?is 

 was common in all stages from the immature to adult condition ; that 

 several very large specimens were obtained; also that the gonads were 

 ripe in a few cases. Finally, while no examples of Nassa incrassata were 

 observed, egg-capsules which certainly belonged to this species, were 

 present in the sample; and the veligers were hatching out from the 

 capsules. 



The net result of this system of recording is that the records are 

 entered in the Record Books in such a manner that a summary of 

 all the information Avhich has been obtained during the whole time the 



