264 NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF FALMOUTH. 



Towards the end of October numbers of Polycera quadri- 

 lineata were noticed depositing their imperfect coils of spawn on 

 the blades of Zostera marina in the docks. Only one coil of 

 spawn of this species was noticed on a frond of Laminaria 

 digitata. 



Early in November a single specimen of ^olis punctata 

 was detected depositing its spawn on a floating raft belonging 

 to the Dock Company. 



During the past few years I have invariably observed that 

 the common whelk (Buccinum undatum) begins to deposit its 

 spawn during November. In the Firth of Forth the nidi of this 

 species were never found till the end of January. 

 Plankton for 1896. 



It was not till the commencement of May that any forms of 

 exceptional interest were secured in the tow-net. The first 

 Ephyra seen for the year was captured on the 23rd of March, 

 the surface temperature on that morning being 51°F., and after 

 that date they gradually decreased in numbers. About this time 

 the gelatinous alga (Tetraspores) began to appear ; and the 

 tow-net had to be abandoned till the commencement of June. 



During May, doubtless owing to the exceptionally early 

 summer, there were an immense number of Olytia Johnstonii, 

 and Phialidium temporarium (Browne) in the harbour, and I 

 found it possible to secure a very representative gathering by 

 mooring my small boat near the extremity of the Eastern 

 breakwater, and dipping these delicate forms from the surface 

 of the sea as they were swept past me by the flowing tide. At 

 this time Tiara octona occurred in abundance. 



An exceptionally early larva of Phoronis was secured on 

 the 11th of May. This specimen was captured quite by accident, 

 being dipped from the sea with some medusoe. It was not till 

 August that another Actinotrocha was secured. 



On the last day of May, when tow-netting could again be 

 resumed owing to the rapid decrease in the quantity of the 

 Tetraspores, the following forms were observed in a gathering 

 made while the tide was as flood. Dias Ion gir emus, Clausia 

 elongata, Evadne with embryos, spinid larvae, and ascidian 

 tadpoles were all abundant. A single specimen of Sagitta 

 bipunctata was also noticed- 



