of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



203 



and small (-J- inch), the former especially being very fine. Moreover, 

 tree ova of this species (Pleurobrachia) were not uncommon. The 

 reproductive organs of Circe showed numerous clear cells in the large 

 specimens. This species thus seemed to be generally distributed through- 

 out the water, occurring in surface, mid-water, and bottom-nets. More- 

 over, many young specimens were present. Only a single small example 

 of Tima Bairdii appeared in the mid -water net, while in the bottom- 

 net minute Ephyrse of Aurelia aurita occurred sparingly. 



The southern inshore waters at this season, as at Sheerness-on-Sea, 

 presented, in addition to Pleurobrachia and Tima Bairdii, swarms of 

 Noctiluca. 



The annelids in the mid-water net were represented by Autolytus 

 prolifer with the ventral sac for ova, and by the males with the bitid 

 palpi, the sexual forms of Nereilepas, and by Tomopetris, which occurred 

 both in the mid-water, bottom, and surface-nets. 



A larval Nerine (with long bristles) was once seen. Bristles of 

 Sabellaria spinosissima and Harmothoe were also common in the bottom- 

 nets. 



Sagittae were extremely abundant, especially in the mid-water net, and 

 in almost mature condition. Moreover, several showed a larval trematode 

 in front of the caudal septum. The larger specimens in the mid-water 

 net measured inch, and the same size was seen in both surface- and 

 bottom-nets. 



The surface-net during February was characterised by the presence of 

 a few examples of Parathemisto oblivia, the ubiquitous Atylus Sioam- 

 merdamii, My sis flexuosa, and an occasional Idotea linearis. The Copepoda, 

 were represented by many specimens of Acartia longiremis and Pseudo- 

 calanus elongatus, as well as by smaller numbers of Calanus finmarchicus. 



In the mid-water net, again, Copepoda, such as Pseudoccdanus elongatus, 

 were captured in considerable numbers, and so occasionally with Acartia 

 longiremis ; Calanus finmarchicus was less abundant, while Parathemisto 

 occurred almost daily, sometimes in swarms, and now or then Ama-- 

 thilla sabini and Eurydice pulclira. The males of Parathemisto still 

 showed spermatozoa. An occasional Idotea linearis was also procured. 

 Other forms present in the mid-water and bottom tow-nets were My sis 

 flexuosa (small and large), M. vulgaris, and Atylus Swanwierdamii. 

 Moreover, considerable numbers of Boreophausia Easchii appeared in 

 the mid-water nets about the middle of the month. This species is in 

 dense swarms near the mouth of the Forth. 



The bottom-nets presented numerous examples of Parathemisto oblivia, 

 besides Pseudocalanus elongatus, and Calanus finmarchicus in considerable 

 numbers ; while My sis flexuosa occurred occasionally. Thysanoessa once 

 appeared in this net. 



During February no molluscoids were noted in the various nets, but 

 such may have been accidental, for in all probability Cyphonautes and 

 the Appendicularians may yet be procured. Young examples of Spinalis 

 again were the only molluscan forms observed in the bottom-nets. 



No pelagic ova were obtained in the bay this month, but a post- 

 larval fish, apparently connected with the gadoids, was procured in the 

 mid- water net off the Tents Moor on the 20th. It had not previously 

 come under notice. It is distinguished by eyes (Plate III. figs. 5, 6 and 7) 

 resembling those of a gadoid, and it is considerably larger than a goby at the 

 stage of the entire larval dorsal and ventral fin. Its length was about f of 

 an inch (9-10 mm.). The eyes are large and silvery ; the notochord is 

 quite straight, and only embryonic rays occur in the tail, though inferiorly 

 a thickening is present from the development of hypural elements. 



