734 REPOKT— 1887. 



up an accurate list of the species found in tliis locality, but also to observe and 

 record the relative numbers, the size, the colours, and the conditions generally of 

 the specimens, the exact localities in which they are found, the other species of 

 animals and plants associated with them, and their mutual relations as food, 

 enemies, or competitors. In this way it is hoped that a mass of observations will 

 be accumulated which may be of use in determining the geographical distribution 

 of species, the nature of the conditions which influence species, and the relations 

 existing between various plants and animals. 



The operations of the Committee have been carried on now for three seasons, 

 and have consisted of dredging expeditions — lasting in some cases for several days 

 at a time — tow-netting expeditions in small boats, and shore expeditions for the 

 investigation of the littoral ftiuna. A considerable extent of the large quad- 

 rangular area ' of the Irish Sea, extending around Liverpool Bay and bounded by 

 the Isle of Man and the coasts of Anglesey, North AVales, Cheshire, and Lan- 

 cashire, has now been explored, large collections have been made, and a first 

 volume of reports has been published ; but the Committee feel that their work will 

 be a matter of time, and that they must carry on their observations for a number 

 of years before they can be in a position to draw conclusions in regard to the fauna 

 they are investigating. In the meantime they are completing the local lists of 

 species, and they are recording the exact localities of the specimens they collect, 

 so as to provide the means for detecting any changes in the fauna which may take 

 place in the future. 



A careful record of the habits of the moving animals, such as mollusca, is also 

 a part of the work of tlie L. M. B. C. 



In order to make such observations and for various other purposes it is necessary 

 to study carefully limited regions in the district and to be able when necessary to 

 keep some species in captivity. The Committee have therefore during the present 

 summer established a small observing station or marine laboratory on the north- 

 east end of Puffin Island, near Anglesej\ The shores of the island are rocky and 

 support an abundant fauna, and good dredging-grouud is present in the immediate 

 vicinity. Altogether the Committee feel that this station, if they can afford to 

 keep it up, ought to be of very great service to them in carrjnng on their work. 



The object of this paper is merely to give a general idea of the objects 

 and the plans of work of the Committee, for all further particulars reference 

 must be made to the detailed reports which they are publishing;- while those 

 members of the British Association who take part in the dredging expedition on 

 Saturday, Sept. 3, will have an opportunity of inspecting the biological station 

 on Puffin Island and of making a practical acquaintance with the fauna of Liverpool 

 Bay. 



7. On some Copepoda neio to Britain found in Liverpool Barj.^ 

 Bij Isaac C. Thompson, F.B.M.S. 



The paper supplemented one recording a considerable number of species of 

 Copepoda new to the district, and itself deals with several species, altogether new 

 to Britain, found in Liverpool Bay. 



The first alluded to is the Eurytemora hirundo, taken on two separate occasions 

 by the tow net in the Crosby Channel, and hitherto recorded by Giesbrecht as occur- 

 ring in one district of the Baltic. In general appearance it resembles the well- 

 known Temora longicornis of our seas, but the points of divergence are considered by 

 Giesbrecht sufficient to bring about a division of the genus Temora into the sub- 

 genera Eurytemora and Halitemora. 



Dim diseaudatus is another form, new to Britain, found "bj the author in 



' Generally called for short in the Reports, the L. M. B. C. district. 



^ The first volume of these {Fauna of Lirerpool Bay, Longmans, 1 886) has already 

 appeared. Future reports will be published in the Proceedings of the Liverjwnl 

 Biological Society. 



^ Original paper is published in vol. i. Transactions of lAverjwol Biological Society, 

 1887. 



