238 Gjiide to Belfast. 



supposed to have been found at Carrickfergus by Templeton; 

 and Spongelia frai^i/is var. irregularis may be found in 

 suitable localities. 



Of the six Freshwater Sponges recorded from Ireland 

 by Hanitsch,^ Ephydatia fluviatilis is common in suitable 

 localities, and is the only species which has been recorded 

 from the counties of Antrim and Down, but Euspongilla 

 lacustris is probably also common. A. R. N. 



PROTOZOA.— FORAMINIFERA. 



Of the 290 species of Foraminifera which are now 

 recognised as British, about 150 have been recorded as 

 occurring on the coasts of Down and Antrim. 



When the British Association last visited Belfast in 1874, 

 twenty-four species only had been recorded from Belfast 

 Lough. Since that time these Microzoa have received a 

 large amount of attention, and have been diligently searched 

 for by members of the Belfast Naturalists" Field Club. On 

 three occasions a steam tug was engaged by the Club for 

 dredging excursions; dredgings have also been frequently 

 taken by members in open row-boats, and shore gatherings 

 have been examined at various places around the coast. 



Dredgings have been taken at the following places : 

 Belfast Lough, at from depths of 5 to 20 fathoms; Strangford 

 Lough, 6 to 25 fathoms; off the coast from Donaghadee to 

 Larne Harbour, i4to65 fathoms; offThe Maidens, 60 to 72 

 fathoms ; about midway between Belfast Lough and Port- 

 patrick, 100 fathoms ; and Church Bay, Rathlin Island, 

 14 to 22 fathoms. 



Some years ago a very exhaustive examination was made 

 by the late Dr. S. M. Malcomson of the rock-pools at 

 Rockport, Belfast Lough, when he obtained 87 species of 

 Foraminifera, the following being some of the rarer forms : 

 Placopsilina ceno»iaua, Animodiscus Shofieanus, Spiroplecta 

 biforjnis, and Discorbina orbicularis. 



In the deep water off Island Magee and The Maidens 

 the following species were abundant : Gaudryina rudis, 



> R. H.-'iNiTSCH. — The Freshwater Sponges of Ireland, with Remarks 

 on the General Distribution of the Group. Iris/i .Xatitralisf, vi, 1895, 

 pp. 122-131. 



