SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 355 



proved, without the shadow of a doubt, that the deposit was 

 literally swarming with bacterial organisms. I had intended 

 testing for cellulose with chlor-zinc-iodine, and for pectoses by 

 ruthenium-red, but, owing to lack of time, I have not been 

 able to do so. 



XI. [6.] 24/2/13. Duddon Bank. 



This sample was obtained from Duddon Bank, from a 

 depth of between 7 and 8 fathoms. It consists almost entirely 

 of quartz sand, throughout which are scattered a few broken 

 fragments of molluscan shells. When examined under the 

 microscope, the quartz grains are found to be fairly well 

 water- worn, although the majority have a decidedly angular 

 form. They are composed almost wholly of the variety rock 

 crystal, and are in most cases stained a yellowish-red by oxide 

 of iron. 



This is decidedly the purest deposit of quartz sand obtained 

 so far. The quantity of shells, &c, in it is negligible as com- 

 pared with the total bulk. These shells consist, for the most 

 part, of the comminuted valves of Tellina, but other molluscs 

 obtained were Nucula, Venus, Solen and Scrobicularia. 



In this deposit I also found a large Turritella containing a 

 small Eupagurus. Several legs of hermit-crabs, a very few 

 echinoid spines, and part of one sabellid tube were also found. 

 This sample was obtained before trawling operations were 

 begun, and as our course while trawling was West, we soon 

 left the bank behind and came on to the muddy area which is 

 described in the next sample. 



XII. [7.] 24/2/13. 10 miles W. of Duddon Buoy. 



The sample obtained from this station proves, on examina- 

 tion, to be practically identical with that from half-way 

 between Bahama Ship and Selker Ship (see X above). 



The general appearance, colour, smell, and constitution 

 agree in every respect. The mud is composed of minute 



