112 DR \V. A. HERDMAN ON 



journal, which bear upon the abundance of the Doliolida? at different times, and 

 relatively to other surface forms : — 



"August 5, 1882. — Doliolums were quite as abundant to-day as yesterday; 

 they appeared to be chiefly about 10 fathoms beneath the surface. Diatoms 

 in the stomach as usual. The immense mass of these in this portion of the sea 

 at this time is very astonishing. 



" The last year (1880), in the " Knight Errant," the most characteristic 

 thing in the surface gatherings was the enormous multitude of Acanthometrse, 

 and now these are almost absent. 



"August 7. — There was quite a change this morning in reference to the 

 general character of the tow-net gatherings. The Doliolums had quite dis- 

 appeared, and Acanthometra? were now very abundant, and the most charac- 

 teristic animals. 



" In the afternoon, after we had moved south from the Faroe Bank, we got 

 again tjie same surface animals as yesterday and the day before, viz., vast 

 numbers of Doliolums, some Medusae, larva? of Medusa? or other Coelenterates 

 and Copepods. 



" This is a somewhat remarkable change, and would perhaps indicate a 

 current of water from a different source than the more northern water of this 

 morning. 



" August 18. — The Doliolums also were observed to be phosphorescent, 

 emitting electric-like discharges which were divided like forked-lightning, and 

 appeared to me to follow the direction of the nervous cords or filaments .... 

 Doliolums and Actinia? were again abundant throughout the day, sometimes in 

 enormous abundance. 



" August 24. — There are no Doliolums, and only a few Arachnactis in the 



nets this morning, from about 30 or 40 fathoms Doliolums were got in 



some hauls at a depth. of 10 fathoms during the day. 



" August 29. — There were a large number of Doliolums on the surface 

 during the day, indeed they masked all the other things in most of the hauls. 

 In general, the Doliolums were most abundant about 5 or 6 fathoms beneath 

 the surface. 



" August 30. — During the day, in the tow-nets at and near the surface, 

 Doliolums and Arachnactis were most abundant, filling the nets each time. 



" It is remarkable that in the tow-nets, at the weights, there were not over 

 one or two Doliolums, but many Copepods, apparently Arctic forms, &c. 



' In summary, Doliolums most abundant, masking all the other things for 

 weeks. At times the Doliolums appeared to be in vast banks, where they 

 were very numerous ; between these banks there were always a few 

 stragglers. J. M." 



