4 ZOOLOGICAL LOG OF THE SCOTIA 



Polychaeta Biyozoa Opliiuroidea 



Crinoidea Caprella Decapoda 



Mollusca 



These animals were mostly attached to the two swabs fastened to the dredge. The 

 dredge itself was torn. 



Several large specimens of Physalia were seen during the time the dredge was out, 

 one of which was caught. 



Dec. 2lst, 20 40' S. 38 20' W. Flying-fish and a large Physalia observed in the 

 morning. 



Dec. 22nd, 22 42' S. 39 22' W. Flying-fish and Physalia. A small dark bird 

 (the size of a sparrow) was seen flying over the bridge. Gasteropods (l-2m.m. shell) 

 abundant in tow-net. Sea very phosphorescent to-night. 



Dec, 23rd, 24 42' S. 40 34' W. Largest shoal of flying-fish seen during the 

 voyage passed after breakfast. One Halobates in tow-net to-day. 



Dec. 24th, 26 35' S. 42 05' W. A black petrel, a booby and two gulls seen by 

 the captain. Flying-fish still plentiful. Copepods again abundant in tow-net. 



Dec. 25th, 28 27' S. 43 45' W. Petrels, boobies and flying-fish seen after lunch. 

 Dirty grey yellowish threshers (fully 20 ft.) were seen jumping clean out of the water as 

 a large school of them passed by, travelling in a south-easterly direction. 



Dec. 26th, 30 25' S. 45 45' W. A petrel with a white breast and belly, a brownish 

 black colour generally and a small white marking on the under and upper surface of 

 the wing, has been seen for the last two or three days. Mr Bruce believes it to be of 

 the prion family. Its dimensions approximate to those of fulmar glacialis but its 

 wings appear to be sharper : several were seen to-day. A small petrel was also 

 observed which may be Wilson's petrel. 1 Its plumage is mainly black but it has a 

 white belt right round the rump. Apparently the captain also saw it yesterday. 

 Flying-fish observed this morning and a booby was seen after dinner. Copepods 

 plentiful in tow-net. 



Dec. 27th, 32" 15' S. 47 30' W. A large number of moths were observed during 

 the day, and specimens of about three different species were caught. 2 No flying-fish 

 have been seen to-day by anyone on board. A Velella was caught and a fine specimen 

 of Doliolum was seen. Prion petrel and Wilson's petrel also seen. A Physalia 

 caught but its accompanying fish was not captured. 8 



Dec. 28th, 33 50' S. 48 44' W. A thresher was seen this morning. About 

 2.30 P.M. a long band of brownish scum was observed floating on the surface of the 

 water. 4 The position of this band was 34 02' S. 49 07' W. A boat put off to collect 

 samples of this scum and to shoot birds (prion petrels) which were hovering around 

 us. Several animals were discovered amongst this floating mass and fine specimens of 



1 Oceanites oceanicus. 2 These moths were blown from the land by an offshore breeze. "We were at 

 the time 80 to 90 miles off the Brazilian coast. 3 A species of small fish generally accompanies the 

 Physalia. * Trichodesmium eryihraeum. 



