NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF FALMOUTH. 203 



next day there was a slight fall in the temperature to 65-9°F., 

 but the degree of warmth recorded on the 15th was quickly 

 regained. 



On the 19th the surface temperature of the sea, taken in two 

 places in the harbour, was 69°F. and 69-6°^. From that day 

 to the close of the month the variations in the surface tempera- 

 ture were the same as during the first portion. 



The presence of a fair quantity of Noctiluca in a gathering 

 made in the bay on the 7th is noteworthy, as is also the occurrence 

 of a few specimens of Prorocentrum micans two days later. 

 Noctiluca was very abundant in the harbour on the 1 6th, their 

 presence being doubtless due to the fresh to strong easterly winds 

 we experienced from the 10th to the 14th. On the same occasion, 

 16th, several Saphenia mirabilis were also secured. Plutei, in an 

 advanced stage of development, were abundant towards the end 

 of this month. 



Septemler. This exceptionally warm weather continued till 

 the 14th, when the surface temperature of the sea began to 

 steadily decline. On the 15th 64'6T. was recorded, and after 

 that date there was a steady fall in the surface temperature of the 

 sea of about l°r. every thi-ee days ; 57*9''F. being noted on the 

 30th. 



On the 19th, after some squally weather, a few specimens of 

 the radiolarian Acanthometra elastica were noticed in the gather- 

 ing made that morning, after a long interval. This species 

 continued to form a prominent object in the tow-net for some 

 weeks. 



October. From the 1st to the 12th the surface temperature 

 of the sea fluctuated between 56-6°F. and 55-9°F. On the 4th, 

 5th, 6th, 7th, 26th, 27th the temperature rose to 57-6«F. ; but 

 during the intervening days it remained at 56''F. 



The various tow-nettings made during this month were far 

 above the average, both in quantity and variety. The Eadio- 

 larian, A. elastica, continued to be present in a living condition 

 during the first portion of the month; but those specimens 

 captured after the 25th, with a surf ace temperature of 56-9° were 

 all dead. Coscinodiscus, Ehizosonelia, Chsetoceros, in chains 

 were most abundant during the early portion of this month. 



