of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



283 



mid-water net, and by-and-by in the surface-net, their diameter varying 

 from 1 to 1-5 m.m. and upwards. 



Lesueurkt was not quite so frequent as in June, but occasionally in 

 great numbers, both large and small examples being present. Fragments 

 of the ctenophoral rows abounded in the vessels, and their peculiar 

 broad nail-shape made them conspicuous structures in the spirit-prepara- 

 tions. Many had ova measuring "016 to '0083 inch. The long diameter 

 of the large examples was a little over 2 inches. All was procured in the 

 mid- water net. 



Beroe occurred in much greater numbers than the previous month, 

 both large and small forms being common. They were captured only in 

 the mid-water net till the last day of the month, when they appeared in 

 the surface-net, showing that they likewise followed an upward course 

 as the season advanced. Beroe was common in 1885. The luminosity 

 of this form is disliked by the fishermen on the herring-ground, as they 

 fancy it discloses the net to the herring. There can be little doubt that 

 when they are stuck on the nets the luminosity will be elicited, and the 

 herrings may turn aside. The luminosity of Thaumantias may also be 

 an inconvenience in this respect. Nothing elicits the luminosity better 

 than rubbing, and stranding them on a net while the current presses them 

 against it is a close approach to this stimulus. The species usually reaches 

 the surface this month all round the eastern shores, both of Scotland and 

 England, and is often in immense abundance. The great wealth of food 

 for various marine animals, and ultimately for fishes, which the ova of 

 this species alone are capable of producing, is remarkable. Moreover, the 

 parasitic Hyperia is another element to be considered in fish-food, as 

 several occasionally cling to each Beroe. 



A peculiar minute siphonophore-like young Medusa was obtained towards 

 the end of the month (21st) in the surface- net, but its relationships are not 

 yet determined. 



Ophiothrix fragilis now in many cases had bulbous masses between 

 the bases of the feet, the distension being caused by brownish- red ova. 

 This species, therefore, was one which sent many of the larvae upwards. 

 From the first day of the month to the last, many Plutei in various stages 

 of development thronged the water. They chiefly occurred in the bottom- 

 and surface-nets, though there is no reason why they should have been 

 altogether absent from the mid-water net, if the mesh had been fine 

 enough. While in the earlier part of the month the Plutei were not 

 abundaut in the bottom tow-nets, they swarmed in the surface-nets 

 towards the end of the month, and were somewhat larger. At the latter 

 period also many of those in the bottom-nets showed the young star- 

 fishes (post-larval) in the Plutei. Moreover, a considerable number 

 of free young star-fishes (Ophiurids) were captured in the same nets. 

 Besides the various forms of Plutei (Ophiuroid and Echinoid) there were 

 many examples of the Bipinnaria-stage and a few Auricularians. 



It cannot be doubted that in those larval Echinoderms a vast amount 

 of nutritious food is at the service of the pelagic fishes of all kinds, 

 especially in their younger stages. 



A considerable increase in the number of the pelagic larval Annelids 

 occurred this month. In every instance they were present in greater or 

 less numbers in the bottom-nets, while as the month progressed they 

 likewise became frequent in the surface-nets. The most abundant forms 

 were the Spio, Poly dor a, and Nerine larvae, both in the pear-shaped 

 condition with the great groups of lateral bristles and in the somewhat 

 older and more elongated form. The tubicular type in the transparent 

 tube was also common, and this appears to be a Terebellid, probably the 



