Miscellaneous. 479 



Modiola lutea, discovered in the Bay of Biscaj^ between 677 and 

 1960 metres ; Taranis Morclii, a boreal species, abyssal in the At- 

 lantic ; Troclms gemmulatus and Zizyphimis snturalis, fossil in the 

 Italian Pliocene, and found living in the Bay of Biscay; and Tectura 

 fulva, an arctic moUusk. 



Combining the Mollusca of all our deep dredgings (555-2660 

 metres) we obtain a total of about 120 species ; but only thirty of 

 these can be regai'ded as abyssal *, All the deep-sea species of the 

 Mediterranean without exception occur also in the Atlantic Ocean. 

 It therefore seems to be demonstrated that the Mediterranean 

 receives its deep-sea f&una from the Atlantic, and that there has 

 not been a centre of creation for it. It remains to be ascertained 

 whether the fauna of the superior strata, characterized by a great 

 number of species localized in the Mediterranean, is also derived 

 from the Lu'sitanian fauna. 



The abyssal forms of the Mediterranean have been dredged in the 

 Atlantic generally at considerable depths. The Mediterranean 

 therefore only contains the Mollusca which can bear a rather high 

 temperature. The arctic forms fossilized in the glacial deposits of 

 Sweden and the British Isles appear no longer to exist in the present 

 Mediterranean, although they were abundant there during the 

 newer Pliocene period (deposits of Ficarazzi). The temperature of 

 the Mediterranean has consequently changed gradually ; it is pro- 

 bable that it was not then constant, and that a communication with 

 very cold seas brought arctic Mollusca into it. It would be inter- 

 esting to ascertain whether, in the great depths of the eastern Medi- 

 terranean and of the Black 8ea, there may not exist some survivors 

 of the glacial fauna of the Pliocene of Ficarazzi. — Com^^tes Rendus^ 

 April 24, 1882, p. 1201. 



A Zoological Station at ViUafranca . 



We have received from Dr. J. Barrois an intimation that the 

 French government have recently decided upon establishing a new 

 zoological station at Yillafranca, of which the direction will be in 

 his hands. The purpose for which it is specially founded is that of 

 furnishing facilities for the study of the rich marine fauna of the 

 locality, which yields in interest to no other in the Mediter- 

 ranean, by the many naturalists who may be attracted to ViUa- 

 franca by the charms of the place and its surroundings ; and Dr. 

 Barrois particularly expresses a hope that many English zoologists 

 may be induced to avail themselves of the advantages thus offered 

 to them at a much less distance from home than the older establish- 

 ment at Naples. Dr. Barrois promises a particularly warm welcome 

 to our countrymen. 



* For example, Tei'ehratella septata, Lima Sarsi, Pectcn Jfoskinsi, 

 A.rimis granulosus, Malletia cuneata, Ai-ca pcctimculoides, Leda messani- 

 ensis, L. striolafa, Limopsis aurita, L. ininuta, PJwladomya Loveni, Modiola 

 lutea, Dacrydivm vitreum, Dentaliinn agile, Cadidus fir7)iidosus, Taranis 

 Mrirchi, Hela tenella, Fyramidella miimsetda, Pleiirotoma LoprestianUf 

 Tectura ftdva, Colund)ell(i costidata, Turbo rometiensis, Trochiis gemmu- 

 latus, Itissoa subsohda, Eidiina stcnostoma, Craspedofus Tinei, Trophon 

 midtilamellosus, &c. 



