DREDGING. — FRITH OF CLYDE. 53 



vlduals which actually exist there. Among the Echinodermata, the only- 

 species of any interest that is really abundant, in certain defined localities, 

 is Comatula rosacea. Nor is Goniaster Teinpletoni unfrequent, that is, iialf- 

 a-dozen examples may be procured in a successful day's dredging. The 

 same may be said of tJraster glacialis. More rarely brought up is Liiidia 

 fragillissima, especially of full size. Professor Allman and his party did 

 not succeed in finding more than one adult individual during two days' 

 dredging with the Committee. At the same time specimens measuring from 

 4 to 6 inches across are often seen at low water both at Lamlasli and in 

 Holy Island. Only one specimen of Pahnipes membranaceus (immature) has 

 been taken this season. And of the Holothuriadse not one has occurred 

 except Chirodota digitata, of which two examples came up in the dredge, 

 in from 15 to 6 fathoms, near the house on Holy Island. With respect 

 to the Crustaceans, the rarer forms of Podophthalma are poorly repre- 

 sented^. Nor is there much to report of Zoophytes, for both Anthozoa and 

 Polyzoa are remarkably deficient with the exception of a few of the com- 

 monest kinds, and even some of those most generally distributed appear to 

 be wanting altogether. 



In closhig this necessarily meagre Report, the Committee take the oppor- 

 tunity to make some observations on the expenditure connected with dredg- 

 ing operations. Boats must of course be hired, with crews, according to 

 circumstances. In some localities, a stout boat, with a couple of men, may 

 get through some work in fine weather, and with a depth of water not ex- 

 ceeding lb or 12 fathoms. But if the dredge be constantly down the labour 

 is severe, and the occasional assistance of the gentlemen, whose time ought 

 to be otherwise employed, will be required. Four men are not too many, 

 and, in some states of the weather, they are necessary. The charge for a 

 boat and two men cannot be set down at less than from 5s. to 6s. a day. 

 At Laralash the usual charge is 7.". Qd. For deep-sea dredging, and indeed 

 for the examination generally of the more exposed parts of the Clyde, 

 whether in shore or at a distance, a small sailing craft is indispensable — such 

 as a common herring boat — with a crew of four men, the cost of which 

 would be about £4 a week. This, Mr. Barlee — the Committee could not 

 quote higher authority — has found to be quite efficient. With such a vessel 

 having a boat in tow, dredging may be carried on when oars would be use- 

 less. From the above statement of the absolute outlay inseparable from 

 dredging operations when conducted on a useful scale (omitting altogether 

 the cost of material, its wear and tear, and various contingent expenses), it 

 will be evident that a grant of £10 will go but a short way in the hands of 

 an active Committee. 



On behalf of the Committee, 



Charles Popham Miles 

 (Incumbent of St. Jude's English. Church, 

 Holy Island, Lamlasli Bay. Arran, N.B. Glasgow). 



August 1st, 1856. 



Report on Observations of Luminous Meteors, 1855-56. By the Rev. 



Baden Powell, M.A., F.R.S. S^c, Savilian Professor of Geometry 



in the University of Oxford. 

 Since my last report to the British Association I have received but a very 

 small number of communications of meteor observations, but among these 

 will be found one or two of remarkable interest as presenting very peculiar 

 features. 



I am chiefly indebted, as hitherto, to Mr. E. J. Lowe. 



