Clare Island Survey — Archiannelida and Polychaeta. 47 81 



Distribution. — British Isles; western Europe; Madeira; Canaries; 

 Mediterranean ; Black Sea ; Bed Sea ; Persian Gulf ; 

 Japan ; Philippines. 



Nereis Dumerilii Aud. and Edw. 



1910. Nereis Dumerilii. Mcintosh, p. 302. 



This species is extremely common throughout the area. It is one of the 

 most abundant species round the Irish coast, living between tide-marks and 

 down to about 25 fathoms. I have observed it secrete a transparent tube 

 with great rapidity. 



The Heteronereis stage has been taken frequently in the surface tow-net. 

 On the 13th of May, 1902, in Fahy Bay, Mr. G-. P. Farran observed a swarm 

 of Heteronereids swimming round the ship at 9.30 a.m. They were all males. 

 Females with the body-cavity full of eggs have been found, some in the 

 Heteronereis condition, whilst others had not undergone metamorphosis. 

 The Heteronereis stage is most frequently found in March to June, but they 

 have been found also in August. A number were found living in tubes 

 attached to Laminaria roots trawled in 16 and 20 fathoms. Heteronereids 

 and young forms were taken in the surface tow-net in Inisblyre Harbour in 

 May. 



Habitat. — Blacksod Bay — Taken on the shore on 15 occasions. Dredged 

 on 21 occasions in |-9 fms. Clew Bay — Shores of Clare 

 Island, and Annagh Island. Dredged in various parts of 

 the bay on 15 occasions, in 5-21 fms. Dredged in Inishlyre 

 and Killary Harbours. Ballynakill Harbour — Dredged 

 on 16 occasions, in 1-9 fms. Bofin Haebour — Dredged on 

 4 occasions, in 1-4 fms. Cleggan Bay — Dredged in 

 5-10 fms. Dredged J- mile off Cleggan Head, in 15 fms. 

 Distribution. — Shores of North Atlantic ; Mediterranean ; Japan ; Persian 

 Gulf. 



Nereis diversicolor O. F. Miiller. 



1910. Nereis diversicolor. Mcintosh, p. 312. 



This species occurs locally all round the Irish coast, especially in places 

 where there is a large admixture of fresh water. 



Habitat. — Blacksod Bay — Found on 2 occasions on the north side of 

 Feorinyeeo Bay. Clew Bay — Common in the muddy flats 

 at the head of the bay, and at Achill Sound. 

 Distribution. — British Isles ; Scandinavia ; North Sea : Baltie ; Japan ; 

 Adriatic ; east North America. 



R.I. A, PROC, VOL. XXXI, L 47 



