11 



Curator at Puffin Island goes out collecting whenever weather permits, the 

 results being at once placed in a preservative fluid, and forwarded to Mr. 

 Thompson for examination. The recent cold temperature has appeared to 

 favour the presence of species not found in warmer water, and other forms 

 have been found only on dark winter nights. The regular series of obser- 

 vations now being iindertaken will probably prove of great interest and of 

 value in many ways. One of these was as to food supply. It is well 

 known that the Copepoda live upon refuse matters from our shores and 

 rivers, thus preventing pollution, and showing that the question of the 

 disposal of sewage is biological rather than chemical. And as Copepoda are 

 allowed to increase ani multiply not only are our rivers purified, but 

 furnishing as they do the chief if not entire food of fishes and even whales, 

 they are of the greatest benefit to mankind both as efficient scavengers and 

 as valuable food producers. Mr. Thompson concluded by recommending the 

 microscopical study not less of the fresh water forms of Copepoda than the 

 marine. He believed there was still much original work to be done regarding 

 them, and they were to be found in every pond. 



At the Conversazione the following subjects were illustrated : — 



' Cymbasoma hcrdmani, Thompson, Cyclops puffini, 



Thompson, and other new species of Copepoda, 



found about Puffin Island Isaac C. Thompson. 



Eurytemo7-a hirundo, Giesbrecht, a Copepod new 



to Britain, found in Crosby Channel The Pkesident. 



Euterpe gracilis, Clans (Copepoda), a very rare 



species, found about Puffin Island T. W. Bruce. 



Isias clavipcs, Boeck (Copepoda), occasionally taken 



in Liverpool Bay Alfred Leicester. 



Lichomolgus sabellce, Thompson, a new semi- 

 parasitic Copepod, recently found at Beaumaris. Charles Botterill. 

 Longipedia coronata, Claus (Copepoda), common 



about Puffin Island A. Johnson. 



Parapontclla brevicornis, Lubbock (Copepoda), 



occasionally taken about Puffin Island..'. E. F. Stead. 



PcUidium intcrruptum, Goodsir (Copepoda), often 



found in rock pools at Hilbre, &c G. Watson Gray. 



Pontella wollastoni, Lubbock (Copepoda), hitherto 



veryscarce, recently plentiful about Puffin Island. Thomas C. Ryley. 

 Temora velox, Lilljeborg (Copepoda), a brackish 



water species, found at Leasowe, &c William Oelrichs. 



ThorcUia brunnca, Boeck (Copepoda), occasionally 



taken off Puffin Island A. T. Smith, Jun. 



Trehius eaicdatiis, Kroyer, a parasitic Copepod, 



recentlytakenbynight tow-net off Puffin Island. Henry M. Bennett. 



