302 Prof. M'Intosh's Notes from the 



both inshore and offshore, as in the neighbourhood of the Bell 

 Eock. Mature specimens again were numerous in the mid- 

 water-net, many having larval PeacMoe attached to them both 

 in and beyond the bay," though perhaps they were most nume- 

 rous within the limits. In the surface- net it occurred in 

 limited numbers and in full maturity with many free ova. 



The numbers were not much diminished throughout Sep- 

 tember and the majority were ripe. In the earlier part of 

 October many were mature, others nearly so. Many occurred 

 in the midwater-net during the first half of the month, and 

 they ranged on each side of f inch. Even in December a 

 few examples were captured in the midwater-net. 



The species appears to be common all round the shores of 

 Britain, as well as in the North Sea generally. 



Thaumantias lucifera, Forbes. 



Minute specimens were found in the bottom-net in March. 

 It also occurred sparingly in May, while in June great num- 

 bers were met with at the beginning and end of the month. 

 It was generally under £ of an inch. It appears to be gene- 

 rally distributed round the British shores. 



Phialidium variabile (= Thaumantias globosa &c, Forbes) 

 was captured sparingly in May and June in the midwater- 

 net. Its size ranged from £ inch in diameter downwards. 

 None were quite mature. 



The same species in the varieties globosa, convexa, and 

 sarnica appeared in the midwater-net in August, as well as 

 in the bottom-net — chiefly at the beginning of the month. 



Forbes limits its occurrence to Shetland, on both sides of 

 which it was found plentifully in the harbours. It seems to 

 have a wide range on both eastern and western shores of 

 Scotland. 



Phialidium variabile, var. inconspicua, Forbes, occurred in 

 considerable numbers several times about the middle of June. 

 All examined were immature, and none exceeded ^ inch in 

 diameter. It was in full maturity in August, abounding in 

 the bottom-net at the beginning of the month, while compa- 

 ratively few were got in this net towards the end. It also 

 appeared in the midwater- and surface-nets. 



Forbes procured this form in the Hebrides. 



Besides the foregoing a few examples of a Thaumantias 

 appeared in the midwater-net in February and April. In 

 the same net a small form was procured on the 24th May 



