218 REPORT 1868. 



imposingly bold promontory of Shetland, and the forefathers of at least a large 

 proportion of its present inhabitants must have lived and died in the same 

 spots which they now occupy. 



Before the recent investigation was commenced, the dredgings of Mr. 

 Jeffreys and the late Mr. Barlee had resulted in procuring many northern 

 species of Mollusca in Shetland, which were not before supposed to range 

 so far south. Moreover, the long lines of the Haaf fishermen had brought 

 up some strangers from the deep, and had made known to Jameson, 

 Fleming, and others the existence of a fauna of a widely different character 

 from that of other portions of the British coast. Lastly, the cruise of Mr. 

 M< Andrew's yacht enabled the late Professor E. Forbes to acquaint himself 

 with many Echinodermata and other animals of peculiar interest. These 

 combined circumstances made us anxious that the invertebrata of this 

 portion of our islands should be thoroughly investigated, and led to the 

 appointment by the British Association of a Committee to prosecute such 

 researches. It is only right, however, that it should be known that the 

 money which, has from time to time been voted by the Association to this 

 Committee has only consisted of grants in aid*. Dredging in the open waters 

 of the Atlantic at considerable distances from land necessitates, the employment 

 of a vessel of some size, and consequently entails a not inconsiderable outlay. 

 That outlay has been mainly borne by Mr. Jeffreys, who has been the leader 

 in the whole undertaking. Mr. Leckenby, of Scarborough, has also contributed 

 largely towards the expenses ; and other members of the Committee, who have 

 taken part in the expeditions, have similarly aided, if in much smaller sums, 

 at least not less willingly in proportion to their means. But my object in 

 referring to this matter is to let it be known that the light which is now 

 thrown upon the fauna of this portion of our seas, together with any value 

 which this present Report may possess, is chiefly due to the liberality in the 

 cause of science of the two naturalists whose names have been mentioned. 



The marine fauna of Shetland has now been proved to be extremely rich. 

 The sea there would seem to be in an especial manner the meeting-place of 

 northern and southern types. Many arctic forms not known further to the 

 south are here found associated with numerous Mediterranean species which 

 do not reach the Scandinavian coast, and some of which are remarkable as 

 not having as yet been found at any intermediate habitat between the ex- 

 treme south of Europe and Shetland. 



The distribution of animal life around our 'coasts appears for the most part 

 to have followed the direction south, west, north, east. It would seem that 

 comparatively very few (if any) southern species have made their way far 

 north through the straits of Dover, which may probably be accounted for by 

 the fact that that channel has, geologically speaking, been only a short time 

 open. As a rule southern species are to be seen at a higher latitude on the 

 western than they are on the eastern coasts. There are, however, some 

 apparent, but only apparent, exceptions. These consist of animals known 

 on the north-east coast of Scotland, which we should not have expected to 

 meet with there. On examining into the probable cause of their migration to 

 this district, I am led to believe that they have made their way thither round 

 the western and northern, and down the eastern coasts to their present habitats, 

 and not up the eastern coast as might at first have been supposed. For ex- 

 ample, Cerithium perversum, Pliasianelli pulla, Fissurella Grceca, Telllna ba- 

 laustina, Callianassa subterranea, Palmists placenta, AmpTiiura brachiata, &c. 



* The dredging of the first two years here reported on (1861 and 1862) was carried on 

 without any aid from the British Association. 



