NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF FALMOtTTH. 83 



advanced state of decomposition. This fact I ascribe to the 

 unusually low average surface temperature of the sea during the 

 the entire month. Several specimens of the luminous Infusorian 

 Noctiluca miliaris appeared on the last day of the month. 

 Included in the same gathering was the decidedly scarce larva, 

 Pilidmm. 



September. — The surface temperature of the sea during the 

 first half of the month, when my observations were discontinued 

 for a time, was very uniform in spite of the prevailing winds 

 being from the eastward; 59*9'-'F. to 60-9°r. were the two 

 extremes recorded during that time. Noctiluca miliaris rapidly 

 increased in numbers, and with them vast quantities of dead A. 

 elastica were noticed. 



On the 4th, numbers of Peridinium reticulatum and P. spiniferum 

 were observed in a townet gathering made under the shelter of 

 Carricknath Point, the fresh easterly wind which was blowing at 

 the time, accompanied by a heavy sea, effectually preventing any 

 but large boats from venturing beyond the shelter of the light- 

 house. Peridinium reticulatum is comparatively common in the 

 numerous estuaries of Falmouth harbour ; P. spiniferum is rare 

 here. 



October. — On the 1 5th of this month when my investigations 

 recommenced, the surface temperature of the sea was 58°F. 

 From that day to the 31st a slow but steady fall took place, 

 56°F. being noted on that morning. 



In a surface gathering made on the last day of this month 

 aU forms of pelagic life were exceptionally scarce. Indeed I do 

 not remember ever having gathered such a poor collection during 

 this time of the year. 



November. — From the 1st, when 56°F. was noted, to the 

 20th, when 49*9°F was recorded, there was a continuous decline 

 in the surface temperature of the sea. This was followed by a 

 slight rise on the 21st to 5r3°F. During the following five days, 

 i.e.^ from the 22nd to the 27tli the temperature remained 

 unchanged at 50-3'*F., a sudden fall taking place on the 29th to 

 48-6°F. 



There was a slight increase in the quantity obtained in a 

 gathering made on the 3rd, Clausia elongata being very numerous 



