MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION ON PUFFIN ISLAND. 73 
probably the attempt described in last year’s report to 
transplant this species from Hilbre Island to Puffin has 
failed. The nudibranchs at Puffin Island along with those 
at Hilbre have afforded material to Mr. Clubb and myself 
for a number of anatomical observations during the year, 
as well as for those theoretical conclusions in regard to the 
usefulness of the branched and highly-coloured processes 
from the body as protecting or warning marks, which I 
discussed in my Presidentiai Address to the Biological 
Society. This theory in regard to the function of these 
structures, and of the colouring of the nudibranchs 
generally, has been arrived at independently this summer 
by the investigators at three separate biological stations, 
viz.—Professor Giard’s laboratory at Wimereux, our own 
at Puffin Island, and, a little later, at the Plymouth 
laboratory. 
I am now carrying on some experiments at the museum 
tanks for the purpose of determining to what extent the 
different kinds of nudibranchs are eaten by various 
coast fishes, such as the blenny, sole, plaice, turbot, 
conger, wrasse, &c.; and whether the conspicuously 
coloured forms with stinging threads, such as Holis, are 
refused, while the protectively coloured harmless forms, 
such as Tritonia and Doto are eaten when visible. The 
experiments are being carefully recorded, and the results 
will be discussed in a future report. 
Towards the end of autumn the L.M.B. Committee 
decided to close the biological station for the winter. 
The considerable distance, the numerous winter engage- 
ments in town, and the uncertain weather, have rendered it 
impracticable for our workers, with a very few exceptions, 
to visit Puffin Island at this season, and as it was found that 
even when at the station comparatively little could be 
