^06 [P'oc. B.N.F.C., 



and men whose hands are hardened by daily toil at ropes and 

 fishingtackle, and whose knowledgeoftheseabottom, and the tides 

 and currents of our bay, has been gained by the hard experience 

 of necessity, are also taken on board to assist. The work 

 shortly after commences in a few fathoms of water, with the 

 result of an ample supply of the varied forms of marine life 

 being soon emptied on the large receiving trays for the 

 examination of the party. Without intermission the work 

 proceeds, two dredges going down each time, and immediately 

 on their being brought on deck again, full speed is given to 

 the steamer to effect a change of ground, and gradually gain 

 deeper water. Starfishes of varied forms, echini, ascidians, and 

 sponges, crabs of strange proportions, and numerous forms of 

 life new to many present are soon bagged. The gambols of a 

 captured cuttlefish were being watched with a lively interest, 

 when suddenly it ejects the contents of its ink-bag, and is 

 hidden from sight until the renewal of the water in its prison 

 is effected. At a depth of about 30 fathoms a ** foul " is made, 

 the dredge having caught on what is averred to be a sunken 

 wreck ; but, fortunately, soon freeing itself, the dredge and 

 tackling are saved and brought on deck, the former in a 

 dismantled condition, and the heavy rope considerably frayed. 

 A busy band of members early in the cruise took possession 

 of the stern, from which to ply their lines and deadly hooks, 

 and every advantage is taken of the frequent slowing of the 

 steamer's speed to capture their finny prey, frequent notes of 

 applause telling of pleasing success. Surface nets were as 

 earnestly handled, but with less noticeable results. The 

 steamer is now well out of the lough, and its irregular move- 

 ment has damped somewhat the enthusiasm of a few ; but 

 steadily the work proceeds ; the labour of hauling the dredges 

 from the greater depth is much increased, and the apparent 

 results diminished ; but the search among the material brought 

 up is noticeably keener on the part of those most experienced 

 in such work, lest, perchance, some prized zoophite or shell be 

 overlooked. Terebratula and Crania are among the coveted 

 finds. The rarer Pectens, and the deep-water species of Trochus 



