^8 REPORT — 1856. 



consideration the terms of tlieir instructions; and they came to the conclusion 

 that it would be impossible to draw up a satisfactory Report in the course 

 of a single season. They do not regard a mere enumeration of the forms of 

 animal life, as observed from time to time by different individuals, as the 

 object contemplated by the Association, but rather some account of the 

 distribution of those forms in the estuary and Lochs of the Clyde, coupled 

 with some efforts to render our knowledge of the Fauna more complete. It 

 appeared to them that the most proper course would be for the Committee, 

 not to aim too suddenly at issuing a general Report, but rather to present, 

 for some time to come, an annual statement of their labours. By a judicious 

 change of head-quarters, they would be enabled, in successive seasons, to 

 pursue their investigations in a way best calculated to promote the ultimate 

 views of the Association. 



The naturalist's dredge has been used in the Clyde for some years by 

 various persons, but, as far as is ascertained, without any special plan ; and 

 although in many instances notes have been preserved, the existing materials 

 for a full Report are utterly insufficient. Of the different localities, Lamlash 

 Bay has, perhaps, acquired the greatest reputation. It occurred therefore 

 to the Committee that it would be peculiarly desirable to ascertain, with 

 some precision, the extent and distribution of the forms existing in this sec- 

 tion of the Clyde — stating whether they are rare or frequent in these parts. 

 They hoped to accomplish this end with comparatively little trouble, as they 

 had repeatedly dredged over portions of the same ground on former occa- 

 sions ; and, further, they had the experience of Major Martin and of the late 

 Rev. Dr. Landsborough to assist them. Other places in the vicinity of 

 Lamlash Bay were marked out for examination, with special reference to 

 Kilbrennan Sound, on the west side of Arran, which, it is believed, has been 

 unexplored by the scientific dredger. 



To their exceeding regret the Committee have to state that they had 

 scarcely made their arrangements before the weather became adverse. Rain 

 and wind — the latter often rising to a gale — set in, and continued, with a 

 few exceptional days, throughout the months or June and July, that is, from 

 the moment they were prepared to commence oppratiocs until the last day 

 at their disposal previous to the Meeting of the Association. The precarious 

 position of the dredger could not be more forcibly illustrated. During the 

 first month scarcely more than one day in each week would admit of the 

 dredge being used, and, altogether, there were oxi\^ fifteen days available for 

 the prosecution of the work, which was sometimes attempted when the seve- 

 rity of the weather made it all but impracticable to sail the yacht, and when 

 the employment of the four-oared cutter would have been impossible. The 

 intended visit to the west of Arrau has consequently been postponed ; and, 

 under these disastrous circumstances, the unfortunate Committee found 

 occupation, in spite of rain and wind, in searching the pools and coast at low 

 tide, and in collecting the littoral nudibranchs, echinoderms, crustaceans, &c. 



The ground explored by the dredge embraces, as marked in the accom- 

 panying map* (Plate II.), the following well-defined localities: — The south 

 side of Brodick Bay, from Invercloy to Corriegills, in depths varying from 7 

 to 25 fathoms ; the entire area of Lamlash Bay, from Clachland Point to the 

 north end of Holy Island, and from the south end of Holy Island to Kings- 

 cross Point ; the eastern, or outer side of Holy Island, from Hamilton's Rock, 

 near Clachland Point, to the most southern point of the island, in from 30 to 

 6 fathoms ; and from Fullarton's Rock to Whiting Bay. 



The subjoined Tables give the results of the labours of the Committee: — 

 * The map is an exact copy of the Government Chart. 



