214 LIVERPOOL MARINE BIOLOGY COMMITTEE. 



in various other parts of the district. The Hydroid Fauna 

 had been so carefully investigated for many years previous 

 to 1885 by excellent observers that this conspicuous species 

 could scarcely have escaped observation if it had been 

 present in the neighbourhood. It is interesting to find tbat 

 Professor Haddon has recorded Garveia nutans as having 

 made its appearance in Dublin Bay for the first time also in 

 1885. 



The distribution of the various species of the littoral Fauna, 

 according to the distance above low-water mark, is of import- 

 ance on account of the influence which tbe position on the 

 shore must have upon the habits and mode of life of the 

 animals. The Polyzoon Flustrella hispida has been found at 

 Hilbre Island, living and Healthy, about one yard below higb- 

 water mark, in such a position that it could only have an oppor- 

 tunity of being covered by the sea and of taking in food 

 during two short periods in each twenty-four hours, and 

 must be exposed to the air during about five-sixths of its 

 existence. 



During the second season (1886) it became obvious to the 

 Committee that in order to advance further in their work, 

 so as to be able to make more minute explorations, and to 

 carry on detailed investigations into the habits and life- 

 histories of the animals, it would be necessary to establish a 

 small observing station or marine laboratory at some suitable 

 spot in the district. After some preliminary inquiries they 

 decided upon Pufiin Island, off the north entrance to the 

 Menai Straits, and were fortunately able to obtain from Sir 

 Richard Bulkeley the use of the old Dock Board Signalling 

 Station, which stands upon the seaward or north-east point 

 of the island. This building has now been converted into a 

 simple but efficient Biological Station* capable of accom- 

 modating about half-a-dozen workers at a time. The shores 

 of Puffin Island are rocky and support an abundant Fauna, 

 and good dredging ground is present in the immediate 

 vicinity. The Puffin Island Station was established early in 

 the summer of 1887, and has been open continuously since 



* For a description, with figures, see ' Nature,' July 21st, 1887. 



