676 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



Rainfall. — "The average yearly amount for the four lustra 

 (1871-1890) is 58-26 inches, and the number of rain-clays is 248." 



" The curve for the twenty years is a very simple one, with a 

 maximum of 6"45 inches in January, and a minimum of 3-29 inches in 

 May. There is a decided indication of a second minimum in Septem- 

 ber ; but the figures suffice to show that, without controversy, Valencia 

 belongs to the region of winter rains." 



FATJNISTIC NOTES. 



(Tables I. and 11. on pages 692, 693). 



It is somewhat disappointing to find that oceanic animals are not so 

 numerous at Valencia as the geographical position of the place would 

 lead one to suppose. To bring the Atlantic forms within the range of 

 the coast tides a good surface di'ift towards land, such as is produced 

 by moderate winds blowing in one direction for a few weeks, is re- 

 quired. 



I have drawn up a table (I.) to show the occurrence of the principal 

 members of the fauna of the harbour from July, 1896, to December, 

 1898. Special tables for the Medusae and Copepoda will be found at 

 the end of their respective reports. 



Another table (II.) is constructed to show the months in which 

 certain pelagic animals either appeared in shoals from the ocean, or, as 

 members of the littoral fauna, occurred in such abundance that a consi- 

 derable number of specimens could be taken in a short haul with the 

 tow-net. On certain occasions a particular animal occurred in such 

 vast quantities that tow-netting for anything else was almost useless. 

 For instance : — Ciipulita on October 8th and 9th, 1897 ; Pleurolrachia 

 on May 13th, 1897, and at times in June, July, and August, 1898; 

 Oikopleura on June 11th, 1898 ; Thalia on September 5th, 1896 ; and 

 Zm«cm« in July, 1897. 



E.ADI0LAEIA. 



Radiolarians, belonging to the genus Acanthometron, were at times. 

 very abundant in the harbour, and usually came in shoals. 



1896. Shoals in August and September. 



1897. Shoals in August, September, and October. 



1898. Shoal in Aue-ust. 



