tgi^. SCHARFF. — TJic Clare hlatid Sufvey. 183 



been conveyed to Clare Island by birds, he brings forward 

 some new and valuable observations of his own. Altogether 

 he arrives at the conclusion that birds have played an 

 important role in the dissemination of seeds to the island. 

 Nevertheless Mr. Praeger is equally positive that overland 

 migration is accountable for the introduction of the bulk of 

 the flora. This conviction is strengthened by the fact that 

 the island flora is actually richer in species than that of 

 most, if not all, equal areas of the adjoining mainland. 



Among the zoological reports the work of Mr. Southern 

 bulks largest. This indefatigable naturalist undertook the 

 investigation of the whole of the worms and their allies, as 

 well as a general essay on marine ecology. His contributions 

 to the Survey publications amount to over 400 pages of 

 print, accompanied by 31 plates. Mr. Southern's labours 

 have resulted in a surprising advance in our knowledge of 

 these groups, notably of the Polychaets and Nemathelmia. 

 Taking the Polychaets as an example, we find recorded a 

 total of 249 species — a larger number than has been found 

 in any other single area which has been investigated, even 

 after many years of work ; and of these no less than 16 are 

 new to science, 52 new to the British Isles, and 129 new to 

 Ireland. Among the Nemathelmia no fewer than 27 species 

 new to science were discovered, necessitating the creation of 

 eight new genera for their reception. It is impossible to 

 mention even the more important memoirs in detail, and I 

 must content myself with pointing out the special value of 

 Mr. Wailes' work on the Rhizopods, and that of Messrs. 

 Heron-Allen and Earland on the Foraminifera. Both of 

 these reports are of the most far-reaching character, clearing 

 up many difficult and doubtful points, revising old genera 

 and species and creating new ones, and very largely ad- 

 vancing our knowledge concerning these organisms in our 

 own seas. 



The chief object of the Clare Island Survey w^as the studv 

 of the problems of dispersal and distribution of the fauna 

 and flora. Some of the naturalists connected with the 

 Survey paid special attention to these problems in their 

 own branch of investigation. Unfortunately most of them 



