PELAGIC FAUNA. 47 



larvse {Nauplii and Zoece) were especially prominent, some of 

 the latter being in the large-eyed stage towards the end of the 

 month, while the larval sea-acorns (Cirripedes) had also fixed 

 themselves as Cypris-larvse at the same period. 



The pelagic larval annelids had increased in number and 

 variety, and the larger adults, such as the sexual forms of 

 Nereids, Tomopteris and the Chsetognath, Sagitta, were likewise 

 frequent. 



Amongst Echinoderms the reddish eggs of sea-cucumbers 

 were often captured. These issue as long strings but after- 

 wards break up into isolated eggs. As a rule the 'painter's- 

 easel ' larvas were later in making their appearance, but 

 occasionally some were procured as early as the 14th May in 

 the northern waters. 



The various forms of jelly-fishes were largely augmented, 

 especially the Hydromedusse — amongst which the somewhat 

 rare Hyhocodon was numbered. It was interesting to watch 

 the growth of the true jelly-fishes as the month advanced. 

 The Ctenophores were abundant, viz. small examples of 

 Cydippe from ^ to |^ an inch in diameter, and the brilliantly 

 phosphorescent Beroe and Lesueuria, the latter often in 

 swarms ; yet hitherto it had been unknown in Britain, though 

 discovered in the Mediterranean in 1841 by the distinguished 

 French zoologist, Milne-Edwards. 



Minute algae were plentiful, such as the curious gelatinous 

 masses alluded to in April, Rhizosolenise, diatoms and myriads 

 of spores. Rhizosolenias were sometimes so abundant as to 

 interfere with the working of the nets, the pores of which were 

 plugged — thus retaining the water and masses of Appen- 

 dicularians with their gelatinous "houses," so that the boat was 

 anchored or the ropes of the sails broken. 



June. In June the pelagic eggs became less conspicuous 

 than the post-larval and young stages of fishes; yet eggs of 

 the gurnard, rockling, sprat, dragonet, sole, solenette, dab 

 and flounder were still present. The young gadoids for 

 instance were prominent pelagic forms during the month 

 — ranging from 7 mm. with an entire marginal fin, to 

 24 mm. They fed on larval cirripedes and other forms {Nauplii 



