MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION ON PUFFIN ISLAND. 71 
letting out and hauling in the line, taken in conjunction 
with the time required for dragging the net, is then so 
ereat that it becomes imperative to remove every possible 
risk of losing an observation. Furthermore, the time 
occupied by the messengers themselves in descending the 
line is a not unimportant factor in the case. 
The Committee* appointed by the British Association 
to investigate this matter were so much impressed by these 
considerations that it was resolved to attempt the con- 
struction of a piece of apparatus which should bring about 
the opening and closing of the net by means of an electric 
current, transmitted along wires passing down the interior 
of the line by which the net is drawn. This plan has so 
far succeeded that Mr. Hoyle has already constructed a 
provisional model. The lock (a piece of brass near the 
mouth of the net) contains an electro-magnet the armature 
of which actuates an escapement which the first time 
contact is made liberates the opening rod, and the second 
time the closing rod of the net. Such an arrangement 
is obviously instantaneous in its action, and not liable to 
interference from external causes. It is hoped that this 
electric tow-net will be ready for use soon, so that we 
may be able to experiment with it during next season’s 
expeditions. 
HIGHER CRUSTACEA, &C. 
During the summer a good deal of shore collecting and 
of dredging with a small canvas dredge has been carried on 
by Mr. A. O. Walker, in Colwyn Bay and off the Little 
Orme’s Head, resulting in the addition of the following 
species :—Mysis inermis and M. ornata, Lamprops fas- 
* Consisting of Prof. Schifer, Prof. Herdman and Mr. Hoyle (Secretary). 
See Report of the Committee, read at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne meeting, 1889, 
from which some of the particulars given above are taken. 
