St. Andrews Marine Laboratory . 297 



abundance of Lizzia octopunctata and Lizzia blondina in the 

 latter area is noteworthy. Moreover, small specimens of 

 Bougainvillia britannica were abundant in the open water. 

 Minute Medusa-buds were common to both areas, as also were 

 Thaumafitias inconspicua, T. hemisphcerica, and T. melanops. 



The importance of the Medusas in regard to the fisheries 

 rests mainly on the vast number of ova and the resulting free 

 planula3 which they produce, for both largely increase the 

 food-materials for larval and early post-larval fishes, as well 

 as for the Invertebrates on which they and the somewhat 

 older stages feed. 



In the laborious work of examining the various nets 

 throughout the year I have to acknowledge the skill and 

 steady perseverance with which Mr. Pentland Smith, M.A. 

 (now of the Horticultural College, Swanley), aided me. 



Oceania [Tiara) octona, Fleming, first appeared in the 

 bottom-net in March. In August it was often procured in 

 the midwater-net and in a ripe condition, while in September 

 both large and small specimens were common ; some were 

 ripe. Since Dr. Fleming found the species in this neighbour- 

 hood in 1821 it has occurred all along the eastern coast. 

 Oceania cornea is ripe at Naples in March, while 0. pileata 

 is mature in January. 



Oceania episcopalis, Forbes. 



An example about \ inch in diameter occurred in the mid- 

 water-net in the middle of June. It seems to be much less 

 common than the preceding species. It was found by Forbes 

 on the western fishing-banks of Shetland in 1845, the largest 

 reaching 1^ inch in diameter. 



Oceania globulosa, Forbes. 



In the midwater-net in August and once in September. 

 Forbes procured his examples in Bressay Sound, Shetland, 

 in 1835. 



Besides the foregoing an Oceania was captured in August 

 with only one yellow tubercle (instead of three) between the 

 tentacles, with pinkish ocelli and ovaries, and quite mature. 

 In other respects it resembled 0. octona. Another had no 

 tubercles between the tentacles, which were in four groups, 

 five in each, and with two additional. The ocelli and ovaries 

 resembled those of 0. octona. 



Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 6. Vol. v. 22 



