116 REPORT — 1859. 



may be hereafter taken of determining the precise character of the photo- 

 chemical agency, to whose marvellous influences art owes so many beautiful 

 results, and science is indebted for more than one intricate problem. 



Report of the Belfast Dredging Committee for 1859. By George C. 

 Hyndman, President of the Belfast Natural History and Philoso- 

 phical Society. 



The Committee appointed at the Meeting of the British Association at Leeds, 

 to proceed with the investigation of the Marine Zoology of the north and 

 north-east of Ireland, consisted of Mr. Patterson, Dr. Dickie, Dr. Wyville 

 Thomson, Mr. Waller, and Mr. Hyndman, who took measures to commence 

 their operations early in June, from which time till the end of August various 

 explorations were made along the coast and in the sea adjacent, extending 

 from the south side of Belfast Bay (county Down) to the deep water north 

 of the Maidens on a line with Glenarm (county Antrim). 



Those acquainted with dredging operations will understand the difficulties 

 and delays to which such work is liable, calms and storms equally interfering 

 with progress. At the first meeting on the 7th of June, the weather was too 

 fine to enable the party to reach the desired ground in due time; the few 

 specimens of living Brachiopoda then obtained were forwarded to Mr. Han- 

 cock, who has been engaged in the investigation of that tribe, but owing to 

 his absence from home the opportunity of seeing them alive was lost. On a 

 second occasion, 22nd of June, the party engaged a steamer and succeeded 

 in reaching the chosen ground for dredging in the deep water off the Maiden 

 Islands, when a sudden storm arose, more violent than usual at that season, 

 which obliged them to cease work and make for the shelter of land with all 

 expedition, glad to save their ropes and dredges. A boat belonging to a ship 

 of war then in Belfast Bay was not so fortunate, being upset in the squall, 

 by whieh lamentable occurrence several men were drowned. 



During the season the Committee were assisted by the co-operation of seve- 

 ral gentlemen who took an interest in their work. In August, J. Gwyn 

 Jeffreys, Esq., visited Belfast, and made one of a party for dredging off Larne, 

 where a fortnight was spent in examining the coast and deep water adjacent, 

 extending as far north as opposite to Glenarm. Mr. Jeffreys' experience and 

 acuteness in discriminating species were of great service in adding to the lists 

 and correcting some previous errors. During this period a steamer was again 

 engaged from Belfast, which enabled a number of gentlemen to join in the 

 labour and rendered good service. 



It was originally contemplated to extend the investigation as far as Rath- 

 lin Island, but want of time and other circumstances prevented this from being 

 accomplished. 



Very comprehensive lists having been already published in the Reports of 

 the British Association for 1857 and 1858, it is thought needless on the 

 present occasion to do more than record such additions as have been made, 

 with any further information that may be considered interesting regarding 

 some particular species. 



List of Species referred to in the Report of the Belfast Dredging Committee 



for 1859. 



Philine quadrata, dead. In 80 fathoms off the Maidens. 

 Amphisphyra hyalina, dead. With the last. 



