84 NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF FALMOUTS. 



This increase in the plankton was not maintained, for in a 

 gathering made on the 13th a distinct decrease in the quantity 

 obtained was noticed ; although the net was towed after my boat 

 at the usual pace for the customary time, fifteen minutes. 



In this gathering two specimens of Microniscus calani were 

 noticed, each being firmly attached to a single Clausia elongata. 



December. — The surface temperature of the sea remained 

 exceptionally uniform during the. whole of this month. All 

 pelagic forms were very scarce indeed during this time. The 

 following were the principal changes in the surface temperature 

 of the sea: — 49"9°F. on the 1st. This remained unaltered till 

 till the 4th when Sl'^F was noted. From that day to the 11th 

 it remained unchanged, and the next morning, the 12th, 52°F. 

 was observed. From thence to the end of the year no great 

 change in the surface temperature was noticed ; it varied but 

 1°F during that time. 



FAUNA NOTES. 



MEDUsiE. Although no ephyrse were obtained in any of 

 the tow-nettings made in the spring, the adult medusa, Aurelia 

 aurita was observed in the sea on several occasions this year. 

 The first adult specimen of this species was seen on the 10th 

 May, and on being secured was found to measure 42 m.m. in 

 diameter. On the 17th, and again on the 28th of the same 

 month, several shoals of the same medusa were seen in the 

 harbour. On the 16th August a few battered specimens of 

 Aurelia were observed for the last time this year. 



With the exception of an abundance of Sarsia gemmifera 

 and 8. prolifera, all species of medusae were decidedly scarce in 

 this district during the year. Indeed on some calm mornings 

 I frequently returned from a collecting trip in my praam quite 

 empty handed ; not having even seen a single medusa. 



NuDiBRANCHS. EoUs corouata and Goniodoris castanea were 

 found in abundance on the sides of the coal-hulks, and also on 

 the ice-hulk moored within the docks, during the first half of 

 January ; a few specimens of G. nodosa being also observed with 

 them. The specimens of the first-named species were exception- 



