Browne — Fauna and Flora of Valencia Harbour, Ireland. 681 



A note of warning may prevent disappointment, and perhaps the 

 loss of valuable specimens, by stating that formalin is a bad preserva- 

 tive for Ctenophores. 



I have preserved a good many specimens of Pleurolrachia and Beroe 

 in formalin of various percentages up to 10 per cent., and have used 

 sea- water as well as fresh- water for the solutions. At first the speci- 

 mens look splendid, and keep so for several months ; but within a year 

 a great change takes place. They gradually become opaque and flabby, 

 and shrink up until the ciliated bands almost touch one another. 

 Formalin is quite useless for Bolina, the specimens break up at once 

 and simply melt away. 



Formalin 5 per cent, solution is an excellent killing re-agent for 

 Beroe and PleurohracMa ; but when the specimens are fixed, I advise 

 the gradual introduction of alcohol until a 70 per cent, strength is 

 reached. 



Pleurobrachia pileus, Modeer. 



This is the commonest species in the harbour, and occurs 

 almost all the year round. It is widely distributed throughout 

 the British area. 



1895. During April and the early part of May, a few speci- 



mens were taken on every occasion on which the tow- 

 net was used. Towards the end of May it became 

 more abundant. (Notes were only kept during April 

 and May.) 



1896. On my arrival in July Pleurolrachia was present in the 



harbour, and remained until l^ovember. It was very 

 abundant at the end of July, swimming in shoals 

 near the surface. On several days in August it was 

 just as numerous. Large specimens up to 25 mm. 

 in length were common during August. From 

 September to ISTovember small forms, 2-4 mm. in 

 . length, were common and occasionally abundant, 

 even in November. 



1897. It was taken from January to November. Very scarce 



during the early part of the year. Small specimens 

 abundant from May to July. Large specimens, 15-20 

 mm., were abundant during August and September, 

 but scarce in October. Young stages, 2-4 mm. in 

 length, were taken during October to the end of 

 November ; at times they were very abundant. 



