248 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 mecting-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 prebably be accounted for by 
the fact that that channel has, geologically speaking, been only a short time 
open. As arule 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, Phasianell pulla, Fissurella Groca, Tellina ba- 
laustina, Callianassa subterranea, Palmipes placenta, Amphiura brachiata, &e. 
* The dredging of the first two years here reported on (1861 and 1862) was carried on 
without any aid from the British Association. 
