of the, Fishery Board for Scotland. 279 



Diaptomus, Holopedium gibberum, Polyphemus, and Polytrephes. Both 

 tow-nettings were similar as regards variety of species, but in that from 

 the deep water Bosmina and Diaptomus were more plentiful than in 

 the surface gatherings. 



Loch Oich. 



This loch is about four miles long by about half a mile broad. Its depth 

 varies considerably, but the deepest part is towards the east end, where 23 

 fathoms occurs. The loch is studded with islets and shoals, so that 

 though the track for vessels is carefully indicated by buoys and beacons, 

 it is rather intricate, and requires more than usual care and watch- 

 fulness on the part of those navigating it. The storm we experienced 

 was so violent when passing through this loch that it would have been 

 at considerable risk, if not actual danger, to have slowed the steamer for 

 the purpose of dredging ; the best we could do under the circumstances 

 was to use our tow-nets as frequently as possible. The tow-nettings 

 obtained, both as regards number and variety of species, were similar to 

 those from Loch Ness. The level of Loch Oich is 50 feet higher than 

 Loch Ness or 100 feet above sea-level, and the River Oich flows out of 

 it into Loch Ness. 



Loch Lochy. 



Loch Lochy— the westmost of the three lochs under consideration — is 

 much larger than Loch Oich, being about ten miles long by about one mile 

 in breadth. It is of considerable depth, reaching to 76 fathoms at one 

 place. We dredged in the deepest part and also in about 40 fathoms. 

 The material brought up in the first dredge from the deep part resembled 

 that dredged in Loch Ness, and was also similarly devoid of living 

 organisms. The second dredge was a failure — the net being empty when 

 hauled up. The tow-nettings from this loch were similar to those from 

 the other two. 



On our return journey a further effort was made to examine the lochs, 

 but no additional information was obtained. 



Though we were unable to find any trace of animal life at the bottom 

 of Loch Ness and Loch Lochy, our experiments were too few to make it 

 safe to found any theory upon them ; besides, they were not carried out 

 under very favourable conditions. It is not improbable that living 

 organisms may exist at the bottom of these lochs, but by being more or 

 less localised in their distribution be easily missed ; still, if it be the case 

 that the peaty deposit which is being formed in the deeper parts of Loch 

 Ness and Loch Lochy is the same all over the bottom, there is little 

 likelihood of animal life being very abundant, if present at all. 



The following are the lists of species obtained in the tow-nettings from 

 the three lochs : — 



CRUSTACEA. 



COPEPODA. 



Diaptomus gracilis, G. 0. Sars. In the three lochs, more or less common. 

 Cyclops strenuus, Fischer. In the three lochs. 



,, thomasi, ? Forbes. Loch Oich, not common. 



