Reprinted from the Journal of the Marine Biological Association, 

 New Series, Vol. II., No. 2. 



ON SOME ASCIDIANS FROM THE ISLE OF WIGHT: 



A Study in Variation and Nomenclature. 



By Walter Garstang, M.A., Berkeley Fellow of the Owens College, 



Manchester. 



With Plates V. and VI. 



Although the Isle of Wight has been a favourite haunt of the 

 geologist and the palaeontologist, references to its present marine 

 fauna are exceedingly rare in zoological literature. Early in May 'of 

 the present year, however, I had an opportunity, at the suggestion 

 and through the kind hospitality of my friend Mr. Poulton, of 

 examining the littoral fauna of the eastern shores of the island, and 

 of making a considerable collection of zoological specimens. A list of 

 the species which I obtained will be published as soon as I have had 

 time to complete the examination of them ; but several of the 

 Ascidians throw so much light upon the brief and obscure descriptions 

 of certain species, that I believe it will be serviceable to give a full 

 account of them without further delay, especially since the pressure 

 of other work may prevent an early appearance of the complete list. 



I. 



Ascidia mollis, Alder and Hancock. 



Ascidia mollis, Hancock. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (iv),vol. vi,1870,pp. 358,359. 



I found eleven individuals of this species attached to rocks in the 

 Zostera bed off Nodes Point, St. Helen's, at extreme low water, 

 May 7th. 



The short account of A. mollis given by Hancock is admirable as 

 regards the description of the external features, but is insufficient in 

 some points of internal structure. I am glad, therefore, to have an 

 i 



