52 REPORT — 1856. 



Among the Nudibranchiata, a species of rare beauty was obtained when 

 dredging in Brodiciv Bay, between Invercloy and Corriegills, in from 10 to 

 15 fathoms. As it could not be identified by the Committee, a sketch taken 

 by Dr. Greville was forwarded to Mr. Alder, who replied, — "The beautiful 

 Nudibranch you have found is a Lomanotus, and probably new; but of this 

 we could not be certain without a careful examination, and I shall therefore 

 be glad to avail myself of your kind offer to send the animal alive. I dredged 

 a minute Lomanotus (only quarter of an inch long) in Lamlash Bay in 1846, 

 whicli is figured in the 6th Part of our Monograph, under the name of 

 L.Jiavidus. I think it can scarcely be the young of this large species*. 

 Since the completion of our work, we have received from Mr. Thompson of 

 Weymouth, a somewhat similar Lomanotus, white, Avith orange processes, 

 and about an inch long. Yours differs from them in the length of the vela- 

 filaments and the expansion at the posterior extremity, and also from the 

 latter in the large size of the tentacular sheaths. The only British specimens 

 of this new genus we have yet seen have been in a sickly state, and only one 

 of each kind, so that any additional information concerning them is desirable. 

 Perhaps if you should be dredging again in Lamlash Bay alter the receipt 

 of this you will be so good as to keep a look out for the small L.Jiavidus. 

 It was dredged in shallow water among scallops, very near to the Holy 

 Island. The only specimen of Doris planata yet found I also got there." 



The Committee have to add, with deep regret, that this apparently new 

 form of Lomanotus, having been placedybr safety in the vivarium, has disap- 

 peared, and, although the tank was emptied for a thorough search, no trace 

 whatever could be found. Two unsuccessful attempts have since been made 

 to .secure another specimen by dredging in Brodick Bay. 



To conclude : — The result, in a general point of view, of the Committee's 

 present and previous researches, added to those of other parties, as far as they 

 are known, is, that although Lamlash Bay contains many interesting forms,most 

 of the rarer ones are so exceedingly scarce as to cause considerable disappoint- 

 ment to the collector. The naturalist who wishes to secure a series of cabinet 

 specimens, especially of shells, and to obtain a store of duplicates in return 

 for his expenditure of time and money, must seek other localities. For 

 example, with regard to the more interesting Mollusca inhabiting the Lami- 

 narian zone and deeper water, Lima liians, with its curious nests, can alone 

 be pronounced abundant. It may be obtained in any quantity. Pecten 

 tigrinus comes next in order, but an entire day's dredging, in the most 

 favourable ground, would scarcely produce more than half-a-dozen good 

 full-sized specimens. In the course of several days' dredging this season, 

 single specimens only of Lyonsia Norvegica and Pilidium fulvum were 

 secured; of the Eulinife, only two of Eiiliina polita and a solitary specimen 

 of E. distorta; of Chemtiitzia none; of Trichotrojiis borealis one.; of Odos- 

 tomice none; of Rissoce only the common species; of Muugelice, one of 

 M. Leiifroyi, three of the rare 31. teres, a few of the common M. linearis, 

 and one of M. riifa, var. Ulideana ; of Cylichna; none, except two or three 

 poor specimens of C. cylindracea ; of Philine none, except P. aperta. It is 

 remarkable that species, which usually are not accounted at all scarce, are 

 represented sparingly in this part of the Clyde district. Mr. Barlee, well 

 known as one of the most practical couchologists and indefatigable dredgers 

 in Great Britain, visited the Committee, and, having dredged over the best 

 ground! for two days, came to tiie conclusion that Lamlash Bay is remark- 

 ably deficient both in MoUuscan forms generally and in the number of indi- 



* The species dredged by the Committee was 2 inches in length. 



t That is, from Hamilton's Rock, near Clachland Point, to the North and N.E. end of 

 Holy Island, in from 35 to 15 fathoms. Also in the vicinity of Fullarton's Rock. 



