MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN. 15 



specimen was taken in a tow netting in Port Erin Bav. 

 Tlie usual habitat is amongst Algae at low water mark. 



" (2) Idothea granulosa, Ratlike. — This was found at 

 low water mark in Port Erin Bay. In several respects this 

 form resembles I. viridis, Slabber, which Sars considers a 

 distinct species, but although the divergences between 

 the two species are not great in colour, size, shape of coxal 

 plates and metasoma, it agrees with /. granulosa. Out of 

 Norway the latter species has not been recorded, so far as 

 I know, except by Mr. A. 0. Walker from the West of 

 Ireland, and he tells me that he has very little confidence 

 in the record. The absence of records, however, may well 

 be due to the scarcity of observers and to the superficial 

 resemblance to the immature forms of /. tricuspidata. 

 More thorough investigation will no doubt clear up the 

 difficulties in the distribution." 



Dr. J. H. Ashwort-L, of the University of Edinburgh, 

 reports as follow- s : — 



" By Professor Herdman's kind pei mission I occupied 

 a table in the Laboratory from September 3rd to Septem- 

 ber 20th. During most of this time I was engaged upon 

 the investigation of certain points in the nervous system 

 of Arenicola g nihil. This species occurs in fair numbers 

 on the beach near the stone boat jetty, but can be obtained 

 only at the best low tides. A . ecaudata also occurs in the 

 same gravel, but is present in much smaller numbers. 



" The following notes may be interesting to others 

 who visit the Laboratory during September in future 

 years : 



" (1) Specimens of Tapes puttastra, which occur in 

 the gravel near the boat jetty were found to be discharging 

 ova from September 9th onwards for about a week. These 

 ova, after being placed in a large volume of sea- water, 

 were readily fertilised by the addition of sperms obtained 



