390 BEPOKT — 1880. 



which had, as far as I am awai'e, only before been met with in the Nor- 

 wegian fiords. Arenaceous forms were abundant and fine, and included 

 the following recently described species : — ■ 



Ehabdammina abijssontm, M. Sars. 

 Myperammina ramosa, H. B. Brady. 

 Saccammina spliCBrica, M. Sars. 

 PsammosplicBra fusca, Schultze. 

 StortJiosphcera alhida, Schultze. 

 Astrorhiza arenaria, Norman. 

 Lituola suhglohosa, M. Sars. 

 Gyclammina cancellata, H. B. Brady. 



In concluding these rough notes, I must express the deep sense I en- 

 tertain of the kindness, courtesy, and attention which we received from 

 the French naturalists who were members of the Commission, and also 

 from Captain Richard and all the officers of Le Travailleur. 



Third Report of the Committee, consisting of Professor Sir William 

 Thomson, Dr. J. Merrifield, Professor Osborxe Reynolds, 



. Captain Douglas GtALTon, j\Ir. J. N. Shoolbred {Secretary), Mr. 

 J. F. Deacon, and ]Mr. Rogers P'ield, appointed for the purpose 

 of obtaining information respecting the Phenomena of the 

 Stationary Tides in the English Channel and in the North Sea ;■ 

 and of rejjvesenting to the Government of Portugal and the 

 Governor of Madeira that, in the opinion of the British Associa- 

 tion, Tidal Observations at Madeira or other islands in the North 

 Atlantic Ocean tvoidd be very valuable, tvith the view to the ad- 

 vancement of our knowledge of the Tides in the Atlantic Ocean. 



In their last report the Committee requested, that the thanks of the 

 Association be conveyed, to the First Lord of the Admiralty, the 

 President of the Board of Trade, the French Minister of Public Works, 

 the Belgian Minister of Public Works, to the several authorities and 

 private individuals, both in this country and on the Continent, who have, 

 gratuitously aided in obtaining tidal observations for the Committee ; and 

 especially to the French Association for the Advancement of Science for 

 the cordial support and assistance it has always afforded to the Committee 

 in cai'rying out its task. As this recommendation came too late to be 

 given effect to at the Sheffield Meeting, the Council during the past year, 

 in its own name, performed this pleasing duty. 



At the Sheffield Meeting, the further consideration of two points in 

 particular was urged upon the Committee : 1st, the great utility of a re- 

 cognised datum suitable for international observations, similar to the one 

 made use of by the Committee ; and 2ndly, the benefit likely to accrue to 

 science, if the various maritime Governments, of Europe especially, were 

 to arrange among themselves to carry out a lengthened series of tidal 

 observations, and extending over a considerable area of coast. 



