NOTES ON MARINE DEPOSITS OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 249 



At Station IX., at a depth of 29 to 35 fathoms, 5 to 10 miles 

 south-east of the May Island : — 



From the above Tables it will be seen that the number of different 

 species of animals obtained at Station I. is altogether 115. 

 Twenty of these lead a truly pelagic life; 95 live on the 

 bottom or in the deposit itself. Of these 55 were dead, leaving 

 only 35 species living. 



At Station IX., near the mouth of the Firth, we find quite a 

 difierent state of matters. Here we have in all 285 species, 30 

 pelagic and 255 bottom-living forms. Of these, only 10 were 

 found dead, less than 5 per cent. ; while 244 species were found 

 living on the bottom at the time these observations were made, 

 against 55 species obtained at Station I.* So far as my investi- 

 gations have extended, I have not been able to find any quantity 

 of pelagic life that might be termed permanent local " Plank- 

 ton," as is to be found in other similar localities, i.e., Clyde 

 estuary and Loch Fyne, <fec. These organisms would appear to be 

 chiefly regulated in this case by tidal influences, shallowness of 



* It should be mentioned here that the Ostracoda have been omitted, 

 as I have not yet been able to identify them all. They would, however, 

 not alter the total results materially. The fish stated to be living on the 

 bottom in Column 5 have been placed in this Column, as they are true 

 bottom feeders, and do not lead a truly pelagic life. 



