360 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



they seek shelter under weeds, or ensconce themselves in 

 crevices among the rocks or in crannies and niches 

 between the encrusting barnacles, and specimens are then 

 to be obtained only after a careful search. 



The distribution of this insect about Port Erin Bay 

 is confined to a tolerably definite zone of the sea-shore. 

 The insect does not wander above the high-water mark of 

 ordinary tides, neither does it appear to venture further 

 seaward than about half-way between that limit and the 

 Laminarian zone. 



It is plentiful during spring and summer, but 

 towards autumn it becomes more sluggish in its habits 

 and decreases in its numbers. In winter it is not often seen. 



As the tide rises Anurida retreats far into the niches 

 in the rocks, where it is able to withstand submersion for 

 a considerable period twice each day. Since the average 

 tide in Port Erin Bay is about fifteen and a half feet, it 

 would be immersed to a depth of about eight feet. The 

 rocks round the shore of that locality are very markedly 

 jointed, and it is in the crevices of these joints that 

 Anurida seeks refuge from the incoming tide. An 

 abundant supply of specimens can usually be obtained by 

 following down the retreating tide and examining the 

 rocks as they become uncovered. Since the insects work 

 their way into the crevices often to a depth of four or five 

 inches, it is necessary to split open the rock with the aid 

 of a hammer and a stout steel chisel. In suitable chinks 

 as many as several hundred Anurida- will sometimes be 

 found congregated together and, strewn about the 

 crevices among them, there are usually to be seen numbers 

 of their exuviae, which appear like minute white flakes. 

 The relatively large orange-yellow eggs of the species, 

 arranged in little irregular clusters, are often to be met 

 with at the same time. 



