536 FAtJNA NOTES FOR 1897. 



The ova which I had in captivity underwent their develop- 

 mental changes very slowly. It was not till six weeks had passed 

 that I had several young holothurid larvse crawling about in 

 pans of sea-water by means of their tentacles. The five 

 transverse rows of cilia were clearly visible at a stage earlier 

 than this. 



I have been unable to determine to what species these 

 larvse belonged, but it must be a common species. 



G-EPHYREA. The developing embryos of Phoronis were 

 noticed in abundance within the tentacles of numerous specimens 

 toward the end of July, but the advanced free swimming form 

 was exceptionally scarce during the whole autumn. 



Oe,tjstacea. During June and July there were immense 

 numbers of Decapod larvse in the sea, but to what species they 

 belonged I am unable definitely to determine. Those in the 

 megalop stage, which occurred in such abundance during the 

 end of July, belonged to the genus Portunus, owing to the fifth 

 pair of feet in most of the specimens being flat and broad at 

 their distal extremities. 



About this time, during any calm day, it was not unusual 

 to observe specimens of these crustaceans swimming on the 

 surface of the sea, and if a blade of Zostera or a frond of Fucus 

 happened to be near, one could detect a dozen or more of these 

 young forms holding on to the weed, and so being carried along 

 by the current. This curious habit of these young crabs was 

 observed on several separate occasions. 



The most interesting crustacean observed during the year, 

 was secured under rather curious circumstances on the evening 

 of the 28th of August. On that occasion I was out in the Bay 

 about three miles from land, and having finished tow-netting, 

 decided to have a little mackerel fishing, as there was every 

 evidence of an abundance of fish in the immediate neighbour- 

 hood. On slinging the third or fourth mackerel into the well 

 of my canoe, I noticed a comparatively large sessile-eyed 

 crustacean tumble either from the mouth or back of this fish. I 

 at once picked up the crustacean, and finding it alive placed it in 

 a collecting jar, with some sea-water, and proceeded to examine 

 the mackerel, in hope of finding some more specimens. 



