STiii'iiKNs — 'L'hc Frcsh-wiilcr Hponijcs of Ireland. 227 



Doo Lougli, Co. Mayo ; it occuired just below tlie lake in large patclies, and 

 in considerable abundance, and in fact lias not since been found growing so 

 luxuriantly in this country. In the following year a few small specimens 

 were taken along the shores of liough Erne by the late Major Trevelyan. 

 Later on the species was discovered in Lough Fad (636 feet) on Fair Head, 

 where it occurred in certain numbers, although not a trace of it was found 

 in the neighbouring lakes on Fair Head, Lough-na-Cranog and Doo Lough, 

 in both of which Heteromeyenia Ityderi abounded (42). A second visit was 

 paid to Lough Fad two years later, when Sjmnfjilla fragilia was again seen. 

 A few small specimens were found in the Eiver Suir at Kilsheelan, 

 Co. Tipperary ; and, finally, one small specimen and an isolated patch of 

 gemmules were discovered in tlie river flowing from Derryelare Lough, 

 Co. Galway. A special search for further specimens was made at the last- 

 named locality, but without success. A careful look-out has indeed always 

 been kept for this species, with the foregoing small results. 



Spongilld fragilis was found growing on the under surface of stones, in 

 which situation it was of a pale yellowish colour. One small specimen 

 growing on the side of a large stone was bright green. 



The Irish specimens call for no special remark ; they are quite typical of 

 the species. The skeleton-spicules measure 0*18-0'25 mm. in length by 

 0*005-0-01 mm. The gemmule-spicules vary a good deal in length from one 

 specimen to another; they are usually between 0007-0'lo mm. in length 

 by 0-003-0006 mm. 



Localities. 

 TiPPERARY. — 11. Suir at Kilsheelan. 

 Galway. — Owenmore R. below Derryelare L. 

 Mayo.— Owengarr II. below Doo L. (41). 



Fermanagh. — L. Erne oft' Caldragh Island and Screedan Hock, coll. 

 Major Trevelyan (41). 



Antrim. — L. Fad on Fair Head (42). 



Ephydatia fluviatilis (auet.) (Pi. XXVI 1). 



UpJu/datia fltivialHiti grows in the rivers, streams, and lakes of Ireland, 

 both in limestone and in non-limestone districts, and is usually especially 

 abundant in the canals. It is one of the rarer species in the west, and has 

 not yet been taken anywhere in the south-west of the country, nor in 

 Co. Donegal, although a considerable amount of collecting has been done in 

 these areas. Ou the other hand, it is a connnon species in some of the 

 eastern and south-eastern counties. lu Co. Dublin, for example, it is by far 



