80 NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF FALMOUTH. 



semi-liquid state on the sides of these hulks above water-line. 

 Indeed the heat is so intense that one cannot lay the hand on a 

 plank for more than a few seconds. 



As in former years, I will now proceed to record the changes 

 in the surface-temperature of the sea, and point out any objects 

 of exceptional interest captured either in the townet or along the 

 shores during 1900. The most important changes in the 

 plankton are drawn up in a tabular form, and added as an 

 appendix to the paper. 



January. — On the 1st the surface temperature of the sea 

 was 49T., and during this month it varied from 48''F. to 50°F., 

 the minimum being recorded on the 9th, the maximum on the 17th. 



February. — This month was, as usual, not only the most 

 unsettled, but also the coldest of the year ; the prevailing winds 

 being from the N.E. On the 1st 46-3°r. was noted, and from 

 that day to the 6th (on the morning of which 42°F. was recorded') 

 the surface temperature of the sea fell steadily about 1°F in 

 every twenty-four hours. This surface temperature remained 

 almost unchanged till the 15th, when a rise of l^F. was 

 observed. After that date a slow but steady increase in the 

 surface temperature was noticed; 48-9°F. being registered on 

 the 28th. 



March. — The surface temperature of the sea on the 2nd had 

 fallen to 46°F. On the 6th when the first townet gathering was 

 made for the year, all forms of pelagic life were very scarce. 

 Indeed this scarcity of the plankton was apparent during the 

 whole season, and it was not till August that an average 

 gathering could be made. 



On the 10th the only forms observed in the gathering made 

 on that morning were quantities of Tintinnus ampulla. This 

 species of Infusorian usually abounds in the higher portions of 

 Truro Eiver and Penryn Creek, where the water is brackish : 

 and to find it in abundance at the mouth of the harbour is 

 interestino-. A few specimens of Clausia elongata covered with 

 diatoms were also noticed in the same gathering. 



^pril, — By far the most interesting capture for the year was 

 made on the morning of the 6th. On that occasion a few 

 specimens of the free swimming oceanic rotifer, Synchcsta Baltica 



