REPOKT OF THE COUNCIL. 335 



made it possible to obtain surface samples every fortnight on this line, 

 so that a continual record can be kept of the surface changes over the 

 whole of the English Channel. 



During the month of August, 1907, salinities were, on the whole, 

 somewhat low. At the south-west extremity of the area investigated 

 the water was of the same composition from top to bottom, which is 

 somewhat unusual at this season ; to the north of this, however, at 

 about sixty miles true south of the Scilly Islands, a distinct division 

 into layers of different origin was found, and this condition could be 

 traced in a northerly direction to the Smalls Lighthouse. 



The November cruise showed that the waters of the Irish Channel 

 were becoming more homogeneous, while in the western part of the 

 English Channel a more pronounced division into layers of varying 

 salinity had appeared. The investigations in the eastern area had 

 to be considerably curtailed owing to continued bad weather. 



During December, 1907, the surface conditions, as shown by samples 

 received from liners and cross-channel steamers, were decidedly ab- 

 normal. Irregular patches of water of very high salinity appeared to 

 the south-west, off the Cornish coast, while the salinity between New- 

 haven and Caen fell to below 34 parts per thousand. During January 

 and February the high salinity water advanced eastward, and there is 

 reason to suppose that in April it had reached the line joining the Isle 

 of Wight and Havre. The low salinities found between Newhaven and 

 Caen during December were not found in January, and it is probable 

 that they were due to a thin surface layer which would be quickly 

 obliterated by mixing. 



During the year samples of Plankton were taken in the usual manner 

 on the four quarterly cruises, and also at regular intervals at Plymouth, 

 and at light-vessels on the English and Irish coasts. Samples were 

 also taken each week, midway between Plymouth and the Channel 

 Islands, from the s.s. Devonia. The records of species taken on the 

 quarterly cruises are published in the Bulletin of the International 

 Council. 



The samples taken during the August cruise at one station in the 

 Bristol Channel (E. 30) contained pieces of a peculiar Siphonophore, 

 apparently LycJinagalma, Haeckel. This was also found off Ushant in 

 November. The appearance of two small Protozoans, Didyocysta 

 elegnns, Ehrb., and Didyocysta mitra, Haeck., at the Western Stations 

 in November are of interest in connection with the peculiar hydro- 

 graphic conditions of the English Channel and the North Sea during 

 that month. These organisms, according to Brandt, have a distinctly 

 Atlantic distribution. 



NEW SERIES. — VOL. VIII. NO. 3. 2 A 



