SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 171 



species of Copepoda and six species of fish eggs. The 

 Zoea stage of crabs and the post larval stage of Pleuro- 

 nectids, probably plaice, began to make their appearance 

 amongst the plankton. Five coastal areas were examined, 

 also three off-shore stations and Port Erin Bay. The 

 distribution of many of the organisms had now become 

 fairly uniform. Diatoms were present in every area 

 except Carnarvon Bay, and were represented by 

 Coscinodiscus and Biddulphia. Chaetoceros and Rhizo- 

 solenia occurred at Port Erin in addition to the two others 

 mentioned, but nowhere else. Twenty-nine organisms, 

 including the eggs of ten species of fish, were noted from 

 Port Erin in April. 



The tow-nettings taken in May numbered ten, and 

 comprised four collections from the Fishery Officers, and 

 three surface and three bottom gatherings made by the 

 steamer. The organisms represented in the material, 

 including the eggs of four species of fish, reached a total 

 of thirty-one. Nine species of Copepoda were noted. Of 

 these, Centrojjages liamatus, C. ty incus, Acartia clausi 

 and A. discaudata were the most abundant; the last 

 two in some cases forming the bulk of the material 

 collected. Post larval pleuronectids were less numerous 

 than in April, and young gadoids made their appearance 

 for the first time. The presence of gelatinous algae 

 interfered to some extent with the working of the tow-nets 

 in three of the other coastal areas investigated, and pro- 

 bably had some connection with the abnormal results. 

 At Blackpool only Pleurohrachia and this alga were 

 noted. The collection from Port Erin on May 11th was 

 also rather remarkable. It was practically a gathering 

 of Chaetoceros. 



In June twelve collections were made, of which four 

 were from near the bottom. Gelatinous algae had by this 



