262 



Part III. — Seventh Annual Report 



Beroe\ in both adult and young conditions, occasionally was captured 

 during the month, but it was by no means common. The largest 

 examples were inches in long diameter. 



Sayittte of various sizes were prevalent during this month, and some 

 were large — with developing reproductive organs. It was during Jan- 

 uary many years ago, that the west sands, for a mile or more, were 

 strewn with fine living examples, which sparkled in the setting sun along 

 the V.each like needles of glass. These were formerly considered some- 

 what rare, but they are really amongst the most abundant marine animals. 

 In the surface-net a few occurred about \ an inch in length ; while in the 

 bottom-net many from \ inch to \ inch were procured. In the mid- 

 water net they often occurred in swarms, and some reached about an inch 

 in length. A. curious parasitic trematode larva occupied the alimentary 

 canal near the anus. 



Tomopteris also, though not numerous, occurred on many occasions; 

 indeed, its absence was rarer than its presence. 



The capture of such annelids as Scalibregma inflatum probably 

 iudicates that the mid-water net touched the ground, as in their adult 

 state these are not pelagic. 



Amongst the sessile-eyed Crustacea fine specimens of Amathilla saHfii, 

 Leach, ajjpeared several times in the mid-water net, both in the adult 

 (female with pale brownish ova) and young state. 



Idotea linearis also occurred, probably in connection with floating 

 weeds or other pelagic organisms. 



The higher Crustacea were represented by Mysis flexuosa and young 

 shrimps (Crangon vulgaris). The females of the shore-crabs at present 

 carry ova, so that their zoeas only appear later. 



Diastylis RatJikii in the adult condition occasionally appeared, while 

 the young were common in the bottom-nets. 



Of the other crustaceans, the copepods occurred in considerable numbers 

 in the mid- water and bottom-nets; indeed, Acartia longiremis and Calanus 

 finmarclricus were seldom absent from the latter, and occasionally Pseud o- 

 calamts elongatus. 



Dead valves of ostracods were not uncommon, if the net closely 

 approached the bottom. 



Parathemisto oblivia, again, appeared to attain its maximum during this 

 month, great numbers being captured in the mid-water net, and also 

 occasionally in the surface- and bottom-nets. Both large and small forms 

 abounded, the adult males having spermatozoa, and moreover some had 

 parasitic ascaroid worms. 



The Thysanopods also were occasionally plentiful. 



Amongst the pelagic mollusks Spinalis alone was prominent in the 

 larval and young conditions. Dead valves of young Mytili were present 

 in the contents of many of the bottom-nets. 



February. 



Spores of many Algae occurred in the various nets, but especially in 

 the mid-water and bottom, along with numerous Diatoms and occasionally 

 with Rhizosolenise. 



Many Infusoria appeared in the bottom-nets, and Ceratium tripos and 

 C. fusca were also present occasionally in limited numbers. 



The Ccelenterates in February were a few examples of a Thaumantias 

 in the mid-water nets ; vast numbers of Circe in the same net, as well 

 as smaller numbers in the surface- and bottom-nets, an occasional 

 Beroe of large size and many Pleurobrachise — large (| inch), 



