82 NOTES ON THE FAUNA OP FALMOUTH. 



June. — The surface temperature of the sea was very low 

 for the time of year, and as, in the previous month, varied but 

 little. On the 1st 56'^'F was noted, and from that date to the 

 29th it never varied beyond 1°F.; a sudden fall to 54''F, taking 

 place on the 30th. 



Again the various gatherings shewed great scarcity in all 

 forms of pelagic life. 



July. — With the commencement of this month there was a 

 distinct improvement both in the quantity and variety of the 

 plankton ; although in richness the various gatherings were not 

 equal to those made in former years. 



The following is a list of the principal changes in the 

 surface temperature of the sea during this month. 55°F. was 

 recorded on the 1st, 60°F. on the 13th for the first time in the 

 year, and 64"6''F. at noon on the 19th. This rapid rise in the 

 surface temperature of the sea was confined to the inshore 

 waters: for on the 19th at 10 a.m. only 6r9°F. was noted a 

 mile and a half S.E. of the Lighthouse. During the remaining 

 eleven days the surface temperature varied from 63°F. to 64°F. 



On the 19th a little medusa only 2 m.m. in diameter was 

 observed in a gathering made one mile S.E. of the Lighthouse. 

 On forwarding it to my friend, Mr. Edward Browne, he kindly 

 replied as follows : — " The medusa is an early stage of Solmaris. 

 Too young for the determination of the species." This specimen 

 possessed only twelve tentacles, and so would correspond with 

 the smallest specimen mentioned by that gentleman in his 

 Report on the medusae secured in Valentia harbour. 



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

 was 6r9°F, and during the whole month it varied but 2°F., 

 eO^'F. being noted on the 31st. 



The siphonophore, MuggicBa atlantica occurred in some 

 considerable numbers on the 7th, many of these had eudoxomes 

 attached. On the 11th a small number of the attractive 

 Eadiolarian AcantJiometra elastica, which has become an 

 almost constant feature in the summer gatherings, again appeared. 

 Specimens of this species were present in varying quantities in 

 the numerous collections made for at least a month; but all, 

 without a single exception, were dead, and in a more or less 



