424 rProc. B. N. F. C, 



zoons than formerly, but apparently naught else but dead and 

 broken shells. Strict orders were, however, given that none 

 of the material be sacrificed, as anything from such a depth is 

 worth the most careful examination, A small trayful is placed 

 on deck, and, under the experienced eye of the President, rari- 

 ties are soon announced and handed round. Emarginula crassa, 

 Lima losocombii, odd valves of Terabratula, some of the rarer 

 Trochus, besides many minute things obtained only from such 

 depths, rewarded the search. Still proceeding outwards, greater 

 depths are realised. Near the Maiden Lighthouses, another 

 attempt is made, this time to prove a disappointment, as from 

 some unknown cause the toil of hauling in from 46 fathoms was 

 in vain, the dredge being empty. From two miles south of the 

 Maidens — 60 fathoms — a good haul is made, apparently dead 

 shells again. This consignment was, if possible, more closely 

 examined than the last. The small green sea-urchin, Echino" 

 cyamus pusilieuSy was found dead, in some plenty, also several 

 living. A specimen of the purple heart urchin, Spatangus pur- 

 pureus^ together with what seemed to be a Thyone, one of the 

 soft-bodied division of the Echinodermata, and a leech-like 

 creature with a powerful sucker, which may possibly on exami- 

 nation prove to be a member of the group Sipunculidae closely 

 allied to the latter, were carefully bottled. Five miles south- 

 south-east of the Maidens sixty fathoms tried the muscles and 

 patience of the best on board. The dredge had evidently 

 caught on some fixed rock, but, bending-to with a will, and 

 keeping time to " heave-ho,^' it came away, and was eventually 

 brought to the surface. The dredge, however, was hopelessly 

 broken by the strain it had sustained, the blades bent, and the 

 strong angle iron broken through. The contents, however, 

 sand and shells, were again submitted to close scrutiny. Several 

 additional specimens of Spatangus were secured, and a lively 

 cuttlefish was obtained- The material from these deep dredg- 

 ings, after having been picked over by those on board in quest 

 of shells, is not lost, but is carefully packed in bags brought for 

 the purpose, duly numbered, and a register kept of the locality 

 where obtained. The washing, sifting, and examination of this 



