SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 103 



could detect flattened oblong jelly-like patches resting on 

 the surface of the sand. A close examination showed that 

 these were Berbe which, owing to their less rigid structure 

 had just collapsed and fallen flat at the moment of stranding. 

 Some had fallen on their sides and the result was an oblong- 

 patch of jelly. Others had stranded in an upright position 

 and were left as rounded jelly spots. The Berbe seemed to 

 disintegrate immediately the water left and it did not recover 

 its shape on lifting it with a large spoon, taking the sand as 

 well, and then slowly lowering the whole into a jar of sea water. 

 Perfect specimens could only be obtained by collecting those 

 still floating along with the Pleurobrachia in the little pools. 

 On approaching the water's edge it was noticed that there 

 was a well-marked brick-red oily looking zone all along the 

 edge and extending outwards for a distance of six to twelve 

 inches. The water in the creeks was completely covered 

 with this thick oily layer. A sample was collected and the 

 oily looking substance was found to be pure Noctiluca. 

 Numerous specimens of Pleurobrachia and Beroe could also 

 be seen floating about near the surface of the clearer water. 

 A bucketful of Noctiluca was easily obtained and taken to the 

 laboratory for further examination. A large number of 

 Pleurobrachia were also collected for museum preparations 

 and for use in the classes. The Noctiluca and Pleurobrachia 

 were killed by adding strong formalin. Later on they were 

 transferred to a two per cent, solution of the same reagent. 

 Preserved in this manner the organisms retained their shape 

 and characteristic appearance quite well. The Noctiluca 

 remained fully inflated and the coarse flagellum was usually 

 extended. The bucketful of living Noctiluca was transferred 

 to a large wide glass cylinder and allowed to stand, In a short 

 time the animals grouped themselves into a deep layer resting 

 on a small quantity of sea water. This buoyant mass was 

 just like thick tomato soup. Its volume was found to measure 



