FAUNISTIC NOTES AT PLYMOUTH DURING 1893-4. 281 
discriminate properly between the essential and the accidental 
phenomena observed. 
Notwithstanding this consideration, however, and in spite of the 
incompleteness of my records, of which no one is more conscious than 
myself, I believe that I am in a position to offer a least the ground- 
work for the construction of such a calendar,* the completion of 
which would be an incalculable boon to the working naturalist, 
and lead to results of which one can dimly foresee the nature and 
importance. 
January.—The tow-nettings in January are a trifle richer than 
those taken in December, but beyond that possess few positively 
distinctive features. 
The alga Halosphera viridis is usually present. 
There is a marked scarcity of Coelenterate life. The jars often 
seem to contain nothing but Copepods+} and a few Sagitta, which, 
however, are usually large at this time of the year. 
The Invertebrate larval forms present are Cirrhipede Nauplia, 
Polycheete trochospheres and later larve, with a few veligers and 
LOXR, 
Teleostean ova and larve make their appearance and increase in 
numbers towards the end of the month, Herring larvee (Clupea 
harengus) are now taken. 
The fauna distinctly ameliorates towards the end of the month. 
February.—The improvement, both quantitative and qualitative, 
of the floating fauna, which was noticeable towards the end of 
January, becomes marked this month. 
Teleostean ova and larve are plentiful. 
The sea swarms with Copepod and Cirrhipede Naupli, with 
Polychzte larve (Polynoide, Phyllodocidz), with Prosobranch, and 
especially Opisthobranch veligers, and with Decapod larve, both 
Mysis and Zoxa stages. 
* Since my paper was written I have found that my idea of a calendar of the floating 
fauna is not new, and that a very full and valuable summary of the periodic changes in the 
pelagic fauna of St. Andrews was published by Prof. McIntosh in 1889 (Seventh Report, 
Scottish Fishery Board), part iii, pp. 259—301). The resemblances and differences between 
our records are of considerable interest. 
+ It is easily observable that various species of Copepods are also periodic in their 
occurrence, but I do not refer to them in these notes, as I have not yet familiarised myself 
with the different forms and names. Reference should be made on this point to Mr. 
G. C. Bourne’s Report on the Copepoda of Plymouth, this Journal, vol. I, 1889, pp. 144— 
152. It would appear from Mr. Bourne’s report that Clausia elongata is characteristic of 
the three last and three first months of the year ; Oithona spinifrons, Euterpe gracilis, and 
Coryczus anglicus of the spring (though the two latter species have been recorded for 
September by Mr. Bles); Paracelsus parvus of the summer; Temora longicornis of the 
early summer and autumn; Anomalocera Patersonii of the autumn. Cetochilus septen- 
trionalis (= Calanus finmarchicus) and Dias longiremis were obtained throughout the 
year ; but the former most abundantly in the autumn, the latter in the spring. 
